Author's note: I want to thank reviewers for their kind words. I'm no less a praise whore than anyone else and lap it up with the best of them. I just don't believe in creating the circle of obsequiousness that you get with fawning thanks of individual reviewers. Another note, the version of Aqualad here is inspired by the Aqualad of stories such as "Of Age". And, in case anyone's forgotten, the deal here is that Robin previously negotiated with the psychiatrist doing the evaluations for Jump City that no Titan or other hero's name would appear in the transcripts. Somewhat arbitrarily, Robin=Subject #1, Cyborg=Subject #2, Beast Boy=Subject #3, Raven=Subject #4, Starfire=Subject #5, Kid Flash=Subject #6, Jinx=Subject #7, Speedy=Subject#8, Aqualad=Subject #9

21 May 2008

It happened again. On leaving my session with (Subject #8), I encountered another member of Titans East whom I had not expected to have to evaluate. Only this time I think it really was purely an accident, at least on that party's part. I had finished my session with (Subject #8) and was leaving the Tower. I'd just exited the elevators, when I came across (Subject #9) standing there in the room at the ground floor entrance. He seemed to have been waiting for (Subject #8). He was a most impressive figure, in his dark navy on the bottom and lighter blue on the top unitard, with the prototypical "swimmer's" physique of wide, muscular shoulders and a small waist.

I introduced myself and informed him of what my job was and that, merely by having seen him at the Tower, I was now required by the City Council to conduct a psychological evaluation of him. He cast an angry glance at (Subject #8) and reluctantly agreed to submit to an evaluation to be conducted the very next day so as to not interfere with his schedule. He was quite polite and I immediately noticed his distinctive style of speaking, for he seemed to address everyone by their full first name. Where other Titans mostly called me "Doc", (Subject #9) always addressed me as "David". What's more, he always referred to his fellow heroes by their full first names, too. So, if for example, there had been a Titan called "Powerful Boy" whose real name was Fred Jones and whom the other Titans called "PB" or "Power" or "Freddy", (Subject #9) would have always referred to him as "Frederick". Frederick and I answered that call and got there before any of the other Titans.

After leaving Titans Tower, I immediately made my way to Jump City Police headquarters. As with (Subject #8), I would have to do a cram session of studying (Subject #9)'s file for the next day. Captain Doyle gave me the rather thin file that the JCPD had on (Subject #9) and promised to have the Star City Police Department email me PDF's of their file. I went home and studied what I could. A few hours later, the Star City file arrived via email.

There seemed to be little doubt about some things to do with (Subject #9) and nothing but doubt about others. There was a clear consensus about his powers. He can breathe underwater. He's able to telekinetically command any water. He has a telepathic ability to contact marine creatures and ask for their help. And he's incredibly strong, more so than even his impressively muscular, slender physique would lead you to expect him to be. However, he also seemed to have some degree of weakness in needing water, needing to be in it or to drink some or simply to be wet every so often but the various statements in the file were inconsistent as to how long between drinks or swims he could endure before weakening. Some thought a half day. Others thought a day. Others thought more.

But the greatest uncertainty about (Subject #9) was his origin. Some reports said that he was from the lost city of Atlantis. One claimed that he was Navy Seal. Others suggested that not only was he from Atlantis, but he was the prince of Atlantis with (Justice League mentor) being the king. Another report claimed he was the product of a S.T.A.R. Labs initiative to create "super soldiers" begun under the Bush senior administration and continuing to this day. Still another suggested that he may be the child of a shark that somehow mated with an olympic swimmer in waters bombarded with nuclear radiation.

His record as a hero was flawless, absolutely impeccable. By all accounts of both the Star City and Jump City Police Departments, he has consistently been a figure mature beyond his years who is always reasonable to deal with. There were many minor reports of sightings of him at various highbrow cultural events in both Star City and Jump City. Had I not already spoken with (Subject #8) I would have laughed off the couple bits of media conjecture about the two of them in the file. But I don't think speculation about such things belongs in a police file, anyway.

As the boat arrived to ferry me across the bay to Titans Tower I had settled on a few topics to be sure to include in my conversation with him, first among them, his origin. I marched up the same stone path to the concrete walk in front of the double glass front doors. Waiting there, with his hands clasped behind his back in aristocratic fashion, was (Subject #9). He let me in and greeted me, "Welcome, David", then led me to the elevator. As we rode up to the 6th floor in the elevator, I apologized for the necessity of the evaluation. He disclaimed any animosity saying he did not blame me and mumbled something under his breath about (Subject #8) being responsible for setting him up.

I took a seat on one side of the usual room and (Subject #9) sat down opposite me. I turned on the recorder.

DS: This session takes place at . . 2:33 P.M on May 21st with Doctor David Silberman and . . .

#9: (Subject #9) And, here's the dollar that (Subject #1) says I'm supposed to give you.

(Subject #9 removes one navy blue glove and produces a dollar bill which he proceeds to hand me before replacing his glove.)

DS: Good afternoon.

#9: Good afternoon to you as well, David. Before we proceed any further, I want to note, for the record, that while I am submitting to this . . psychological evaluation, I believe its provenance is a terrible mistake on the part of the City Council. I've known (Subject #2) for approximately four years now and his dedication to being a hero is such that questioning his actions in this way, after the record that he's compiled, is a gross affront of epic proportion.

DS: So . . so noted. I-I guess I've also noted that you seem to always address and refer to people by the formal versions of their first names. That's very unusual.

#9: That's how I was taught to speak to be presentable at the court in Atlantis, David. In the heat of battle, I think I speak the same as my friends but where there's no danger and no demand on my time, why shouldn't I speak properly?

DS: So . . you are from Atlantis?

#9: I'm the prince of Atlantis, David. I've never tried to hide that. I just don't volunteer that information in public. It would be crass.

DS: Of course. That's only good manners. But, I-I feel somewhat silly addressing you as (Subject #9) if you're going to call me "David".

#9: You may call me (Subject #9's first name was used here) that's my real given name, (Subject #9's full first and last name was used here).

DS: Like the movie with the capsizing liner? The . . . Adventure?

#9: Yes, David. That's my family's name.

DS: Well, um . . . (Subject #9) why are you . . here, in Star City or in Jump City if you're a prince of Atlantis. Why aren't you there?

#9: (Sighs) It's complicated, David. It's a decision born of multiple motivations. As I said, I'm the prince of Atlantis. This was the case from the moment I was born. We are a monarchy with an aristocracy. Atlantean noblemen have different water bodies as their protectorates, as the dominion which they are to protect. For instance, there is a Duke of the Atlantic at the court, a Duke of the Pacific, and of course the Indian and Arctic oceans. There is an Earl of the Mediterranean, another of the Caribbean, etc etc. There are also lesser nobles charged with protection of various bays and gulfs. Atlantis, the maritime capital, has a population of nearly 1 million people and there are lesser cities below the surface with populations of as much as 500,000. All of it, is ruled over by my father. But it is a vast dominion. He's quite often not at court. When he's not, his advisors are to enact his instructions and carry out his general policies. But the vipers at the court are always trying to influence his advisors and gain special favor.

DS: You're not in charge when he's somewhere else?

#9: (Chuckles) No, David.

DS: Why is that funny?

#9: You see, for much of my life, my father has seen me as not even a marginally adequate successor, David. He was . . he was not the easiest father by whom to be raised. I didn't see much of him before I was eight years old. He was around but concerned with his duties as King and sometimes with dealing with the court. Also, Atlantean custom is that, before the age of 8, mothers completely eclipse fathers in importance in the raising of children.

DS: And after age 8?

#9: After age 8, boys in Atlantis are to learn to be men and, among other things, to fight. But, David, I was not ready to fight. I did not wish to. I was perfectly happy reading and learning the science of the seas. I was interested in the arts. I wanted to be a star dancer with the ballet in Atlantis. My father was aghast at this. Many, perhaps even most Atlantean fathers become more involved once a boy is eight but for most sons, their life doesn't change very much. Mine turned upside down. My father would humiliate me multiple times each day, sparring with me, slapping me about and throwing me. It was like Sparta under the sea. He would shout at me and challenge me to fight harder. But I would give in. I was supposed to show what my father thought was a warrior spirit and battle hopelessly against a hugely superior opponent. I didn't see the point. It didn't matter how hard I fought. I couldn't beat my father. I would surrender and he would storm out in anger calling me all sorts of names. He barely controlled his disdain for me, hinting of it even at the court in front of all the macchiavellian types there. I would be dishonest, David, if I did not admit to you that I strongly disliked my father in those years.

DS: Which years?

#9: From age 8 to nearly age 12, David. My father said he was preparing me to be tough, to be a future ruler. I thought he was merely being a sadistic brute who was unfair in every way imaginable. Then, one day, he dragged me to the gymnasium for another dreaded sparring session, literally dragged me. As bad as his haphazard brutality was, these sessions, these guaranteed beatings were even worse. But that time, another of my powers came to me. He was throwing me around the mat, hitting me and slapping me, I must admit, I was on the verge of tears, another of these ridiculous near beatings and for what? What good was it to adhere to his standard of manliness when he could pummel me even if I did? Why couldn't he treat me as well as I saw some other boys being treated by their fathers? I was furious and as he advanced on me after brutally throwing me across the mat for at least the tenth time, I did it for the first time.

DS: Did what?

#9: I used my telekinetic power over water. I'd never had that ability before. My father doesn't have it. There were only vague rumors about distant predecessors in our family line perhaps having the ability. I was screaming with rage at my father as he chuckled and grinned and advanced at me. And then I hit him. The-the fighting area had four marble basins, always filled with water, around the mat on which you wrestled or fought. I . . can't quite explain how I knew to do it. But he'd already hurt my one hand and my other shoulder felt as though it had been wrenched out of its socket by the impact the last time he'd slammed me to the mat. I wanted, with every fiber of my being, to strike him but couldn't with either hand. And then I looked at one basin and thought of the water in it forming a fist to do my striking for me and, to my surprise as well, it did. The water rose out of the basin in the shape of a large fist. It was resplendent in the light, both beautiful and powerful. My father saw it, too. He stopped advancing toward me and I rose to my feet. His grin was gone now. And I pummeled him with that fist of water. I made fists from the other basins as well. I pummeled him, David, shouting curses at him for all he'd done to me. How do you like it, Father?! How do you like it?! No more will I endure what you've done to me! No more!! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thoroughly enjoyed punching him over and over, sometimes with 4 fists at once. I beat him with the fists of water till he was bloodied and begged quarter. It was quite cathartic, David. I-I so despised him. And then, he totally surprised me.

DS: How was that?

#9: He had been beating me and treating me with complete contempt for nearly four years, David. Any time I passed him in a hallway, he would knock me down or throw me to the side. He would deride me to my mother as "your daughter". He did nothing but grunt and growl and push and beat and mock me those years. Nothing. And though he would occasionally bother to grunt out a sort of explanation for why he was treating me, his only child so horribly, it seemed to me that his actions were simply that of a horrible bully who enjoyed beating me. His infrequent explanations seemed just a pasted on rationale to hastily justify sadism toward his only child. But after I beat him and he had to surrender, he got slowly up off the mat and staggered toward me. I readied more fists of water to batter him but, to my surprise, and to his credit, he hugged me and cried tears of joy. He was overjoyed that I'd stood up to him and been able to beat him so soundly. He was genuinely euphoric that I'd beaten him. It . . it seemed astounding to me but he had actually meant the things he'd said about toughening me up and preparing me for the rigors of ruling. But it was true. He was genuinely pleased for me. I-I went from hating him to loving him in just that moment. In just that moment, David. It was quite extraordinary.

DS: That's amazing. The fact that there was a reason for it meant everything?

#9: Yes. I . . I still think it was stupid, to treat your son like that, David. He said that's how his father had treated him and that on his death bed, grandfather made him promise to treat me that way. My mother even said that there were times when he expressed regret to her about having to be so brutal toward me. Everything seemed to resolve wonderfully. And there followed a period during which he had me show off my new power at court and where he would speak proudly of me. It was in that period that he started preparing me to be a hero.

DS: A period?

#9: (Sighs) Yes. It was, perhaps a year or so. You see, David. He thought, considering how powerful I was, that I should get through my boy phase sooner than all my peers.

DS: Your . . 'boy' phase?

#9: One of the . . one of the things you should understand about Atlantis, David, is that Atlanteans consider themselves to be far more sophisticated than surfaced dwellers. But it's not always so. You see, we sample your culture and whatever we consider to be its finest elements, we import to Atlantis and the other underwater cities. We have Shakespeare. We have Ibsen. We have Chekhov. We have your classical music, your jazz, your ballet, your opera. We read your books, the ones that seem worthwhile. Yes, we are a monarchy but we consider our outlook to be far superior to yours. I say that, not as someone who shares all these pretentious views but, nevertheless, that is the prevailing view that Atlanteans have of surface dwellers. They think of surface dwellers as being hopelessly coarse, ignorant and closed minded in contrast to enlightened Atlanteans. One example of this is the expectations of boys and girls at the start of puberty. When a boy first feels sexual desires, it's perfectly accepted, no, 'expected' perhaps captures the prevailing sentiment better. It's expected that he will sample the pleasures of his mates as well as those of the lovely young maidens. In fact, the typical expectation is that he will go through a phase of actually preferring to indulge his . . amorous energies with other boys.

DS: R-really?

#9: Yes, David. And there is the analogous expectation of Atlantean girls. But, though Atlantean society prides itself on its openmindedness for almost actively promoting this sexual experimentation, there is nearly as closed minded an expectation as I see here on the surface that, of course, boys will come around and choose to sleep with girls. So, my father was initially accepting that I should be spending so much leisure time with the smart, curly haired son of the Duke of the Indian Ocean. But, when he went with his father to their home south of Sri Lanka I think he thought that that should be it for me. Alright. Fine. You've tried it. Now turn your attention to girls. My parents would match me with the daughter of one noble or another at all the court events. But I didn't feel anything for them. For my pal, the son of the Duke of the Atlantic, on the other hand . . . . And then the earl of the Mediterranean and then one of my attendants . . . . Well, that last was when my father started to get angry.

DS: So, it wasn't so bad that you still slept with other boys if they were aristocrats but . .

#9: Exactly David. Perhaps it was their patience running out as well as that boy's status. But, father demanded that my 'boy phase' end.

DS: And did it?

#9: Well, David, you've already had a session with (Subject #8), haven't you? So you know the answer. You can't simply order someone to not be what he is, to not see beauty as he sees it.

DS: Well . . I can't tell one patient what another patient has said to me.

#9: (Sighs) I did try, David. I was told that my first, the son of the Duke of the Indian Ocean had taken up with a lovely girl we both knew. So did the son of the Duke of the Atlantic. If they could move on, why couldn't I? My mother played matchmaker and set me up with several lovely daughters of aristocratic families. But it wasn't for me. And I started another relationship with an aristocratic boy from the ballet. I was with him for most of another year. By this time, all the other boys my age had stopped seeing each other and were pursuing girls. I started to hear jokes made around the court. "The prince? He's still stuck in his . . phase. Hahaha!" One courtier called 'Deverell', in particular, was always mocking me. I don't know how he found out but he spread the story of me and my attendant. That was considered shameful by the aristocrats at the court. They particularly speculated, to comic affect, about a boy of common background being atop the royal person. The court considered even the idea an outrage. A commoner!?! This courtier, Deverell, spread this notion about quite vigorously. Then one of his friends saw me at the ballet congratulating my friend the lead dancer. And they put two and two together and that became the new basis for mocking me. The prince as a ballerina. Ha . . ha . . . . . ha. If they didn't have a basis, they would have invented one, anyway. They were so insane with intrigue, that even with my father in his prime, they were trying to position themselves and their families for the possibility of my being homosexual and not having a successor. They were positioning themselves and their families for two generations hence! It was ridiculous. When my father suggested I pursue a career as a hero I leapt at the chance. He wanted me to be more active, more masculine. In his mind, if I behaved in a more masculine way, I would stop being so interested in my male peers and would want to direct my sexual energies to Atlantis's lovely maidens. For my part, I was happy to get away from the court and to do something with my time. The life of a prince can be incredibly boring. And, there's something else.

DS: Yes?

#9: There's-there's a tremendous moral pleasure in being a hero, David. We save lives. We prevent people from being financially ruined. And we . . we inherently salute the dignity, the importance of every life by the fact that we risk ourselves for whomever is endangered. It can be very satisfying, David. It's something to which a young man can totally dedicate himself without any ambivalence.

DS: Do you occasionally feel ambivalence in your role as a prince?

#9: Yes. I do, David. There's such a large retinue attending to my every wish and comfort. It sometimes embarasses me. For instance, there's a young man whose sole job is to wipe the royal behind after I squat and use the toilet. That's all he does. He stands by the door to the bathroom in the royal residence and waits for me to use the toilet. As we speak, he's undoubtedly stationed beside a certain doorway in case I return to atlantis and use the bathroom.

DS: So, it must have been a jarring change to just be one member of the team at Titans East.

#9: Yes, a bit, but, as I said, I enjoy being a hero. But-

DS: Yes?

#9: (Chuckles)But it did not work as my father had hoped it would, David. I kept an open mind to the charms of young heroines. I met (female auxiliary Titans member) in her tight red suit. She was a most impressive sight. But, well, the teen heroes I met, (Subject #6) and (Subject #1) among them, were more captivating to my eyes. And then I somehow fell into a relationship with (Subject #8).

DS: Why do you say it that way, 'somehow fell into a relationship'?

#9: Well, David, he's not the sort of boy who would usually interest me. He's cocky and coarse and not particularly intellectual or interested in the arts. I-I tried to see if (Subject #6) was interested when I first met him. But he didn't even quite perceive what I was suggesting to him. (Sighs) He has that incredible rear end, and he loves reading books but he went for Jinx and that was that. But I fought alongside (Subject #8) on many many missions and came to suspect that the facade he presents to the world is not quite the real (Subject #8). And I came to suspect that he wasn't the simple playboy he was getting the reputation for being. For one thing, I came to be certain that he was also quite appreciative of the attractive qualities of young men. And I was right. We were coming back from a dangerous mission, just he and I, (Titans East leader) was with the twins and we kissed and then did much more. He . . . he's shockingly adept at matters of pleasure. I can still picture the smirk on his face. We-we tried to keep it a secret at first. (Subject #8) wanted things to stay that way but I thought that was ludicrous. I was open about it in front of all the other Titans. The results were . . . quite interesting.

DS: What happened?

#9: (Subject #1) and (Subject #3) started acting as though we had contracted a contagious plague of some sort. (Subject #4) didn't really care. (Subject #5) laughed and called (Subject #8) 'an adorable slutty boy', which I think she meant as a compliment. (Subject #6 and Subject #7) just sort of took deep breaths and sighed and invited me over as usual. (Titans East Leader) hated it. She thought it somehow reflected poorly on her leadership skills that two members of her team were in love. The twins didn't really care. But I should say that one member of her team was in love. I was in love. I'm not sure if (Subject #8) is capable of it. I didn't want to believe it, but after a few months, I started to become aware that (Subject #8) was constantly cheating on me. Waiters. Waitresses. Gymnasts of both sexes. Ballet dancers of both sexes. Male models. Female models. Even rendez vous with other male and female teen heroes.

DS: He wasn't faithful to you?

#9: Not even remotely. Some people can completely compartmentalize their ethics, David, can't they? They can behave impeccably doing their job but in a manner absolutely bereft of morals in their free time. I suppose there must be others of whom the opposite is true. I . . I took it very hard. I had convinced myself that it was right.

DS: How did you get over (Subject #8)?

#9: Not easily, David. Some of the others, (Subject #5), in particular, were quite kind to me. And, more and more I would fly here to spend time with (Subject #6) and (Subject #7). Their room became a sort of home away from home for me. They were always interested in talking about books and art and ideas and they accompanied me to all sorts of fine arts, operas, ballets and plays. I enjoy their company very much. Even their devotion to each other is quite pleasant to be around. After my experience with (Subject #8), it was nice to see that love can sometimes triumph, David. But . . .

DS: Yes, (Subject #9)

#9: Well, David, now I feel somewhat guilty around them.

DS: What for?

#9: Well, David, it was bad enough that I felt such lust for (Subject #6). I was able to control it except for the time I was drunk at his bachelor party and kissed him. I don't deny that I deserver reproach but I-I'm affected very strongly by the dehydrating effects of alcohol. But I . . well, I invited (Subject #6) to visit Atlantis.

DS: Why would you feel guilty about that?

#9: Because it was done with ulterior motives aplenty, David. I knew that, with his intellectual curiosity, (Subject #6) would be very much interested. I also knew that there were now rumors going around the court about me . . and a red haired surface boy. All the whispered jokes about how I was a fop still stuck in his 'boy' phase now seemed to include a red haired boy as the punch line. I'm not sure how any of them found out. Perhaps they only guessed. At any rate, as closed minded as Atlanteans can be about a young man still in . . that phase, there can be mitigating factors. I presented (Subject #6) to the court, carefully representing him as my 'friend' from the surface. They gawked at the strikingly handsome red haired boy with the astounding physique which his red and yellow suit did nothing to hide. The prince may have been stuck in his 'boy' phase but if that was the result of it, an amazing surface boy like that, condemnation would be rather sparse.

DS: So, you let them mistakenly think that (Subject #6) was (Subject #8)?

#9: Yes, David. In the finest tradition of the court of Atlantis, I deceived them.

DS: But, why not just present (Subject #8) to them? He's a handsome boy, too.

#9: Yes, David, but perhaps not quite so strikingly so. And he's also ill mannered and not especially intellectually curious. If it's not some advancement or refinement of his precious arrows, not some new fighting techique or perhaps a lost scroll of the Kama Sutra, his interest in a subject is minimal. (Subject #6) was completely fascinated with Atlantis. And . . . there was another reason.

DS: Yes?

#9: (Subject #6) is very . . tactile, David. He likes to give hugs, to put a hand on your shoulder, to do things of that sort. I notice that he's always holding (Subject #7)'s hand or wrapping his arms around her from behind. And it's not a duty. He likes to do these things. I believe he had an unfortunate childhood in which he felt starkly neglected and desired connection which was always denied him. At least partly as a result, he very much desires emotional connection and these little gestures of physical connection are a byproduct. But another of the many inconsistencies of Atlantis is that, at least at the court, touching in any way between men is considered an invitation to infer a homosexual relationship.

DS: Really?

#9: Yes, David. In the case of anything other than a handshake. It's . . quite silly how we careen back and forth from being more open minded to being less but that's how things are seen at the court. So, when we were being treated to an eel charmer's performance at the court and (Subject #6) was standing beside me and reached around my shoulders with his near arm and gave a little squeeze, he was only telling a friend thank you for this fascinating visit. But the entire court saw that and said, "Ah, this striking red haired boy has just admitted his love for the prince and that he shares his bed with the prince". And when I then gave a little pat to (Subject #6)'s incomparable rear. He gave me a slightly surprised glance but thought nothing more of it. But those in the court who saw it did. They immediately said to themselves, "Ah, the prince is the dominant one of the pair" and that, was much better for me.

DS: Why?

#9: Well, David, as in some mediterranean surface cultures the more active party of two men enjoying sexual pleasures is esteemed much more highly than the passive party. I used him for my benefit. And now . . (sighs) . . now I find, ironically, that I lust after them both.

DS: What? You mean . . ?

#9: Yes, David. (Subject #8) thought it was hilarious. It began with (Subject #7) and she is the paragon of it in my mind but I find myself suddenly perceptive of female beauty in all its manifestations. (Subject #8) caught me looking out the window of our jet, two weeks ago, staring at (Subject #4) as we took off from the roof with the swirling air blowing her cape away from her body. He noticed right away and made fun of me in his typically coarse fashion. But it started with (Subject #7). I was talking to (Subject #6), recommending to him the poetry of Rilke. I-I didn't think I should look at him in that red and yellow suit just then, not when speaking of Rilke's silken words of love. So, I looked at her. I cast my gaze on (Subject #7). I watched her returning some books to the top shelf of one of their bookcases and suddenly found myself reacting to her as any young rake would. She was attired in her usual black lace and I-I found myself completely enticed by the notion of feeling its texture under my fingertips as they played across her luscious curves. I-I smiled warmly at her round little breasts pushing against the lace of her top and cocked my head to one side appreciating her firm round bottom. I even fixated upon the other side of her skirt. I imagined myself . . . . . . . . I was startled. I'd never been particularly fond of the female shape, preferring the slender physique of (Subject #6) or (Subject #1). I tried to compose myself and looked again. But I felt the same sensations, and even the stirring of . . . of the physical manifestation of a desire to make love to her. I quickly invented some pretense to leave the room.

DS: So . . maybe you're . . bisexual?

#9: Is that possible?

DS: What about (Subject #8)?

#9: But he's so coarse. We all attended a performance of (female Justice League magician). One by one, we gentlemen were asked to go up to the stage and assist her. And one by one she turned each of us into some animal form that seemed appropriate. (Subject #6) was made into a cheetah, covering over with spotted fur and sprouting a long tale. Vain (Subject #3) was transformed, not by his own power this time, into a peacock. And though he tried he couldnt' make himself into anything else. I suffered the indignity of being made into a frog, a dual joke on my being amphibian and the frequency of princes being turned into frogs in fairy tales. (Subject #8) became a huge, smelly jackass, not because he's stupid or especially stubborn but as the apt manifestation of his boundless lust.

DS: Well, (Subject #9). Even if your sentiments remain the same, it doesn't mean you'd have to be coarse.

(Pause)

#9: You're right. Just because he is-

DS: Or, maybe it's the end of that 'phase' you talked about.

#9: Perhaps. But right now I don't think I can be in that room where I most want to be, with my two great friends.

DS: Why not?

#9: I feel as though I've misrepresented myself to them. And how could I tell (Subject #6) that I lust after his wife?

DS: But . . they've known that you lust after her husband, haven't they?

#9: Well . . they have known that I'm interested in young men.

DS: See?

#9: I didn't speak of exactly how alluring he is. I did maintain some standards of comportment, David. Though, I did tell (Subject #6) that the sleek lines of his musculature are magnificent.

DS: I . . . I think they probably drew the correct inference from that.

#9: You think so?

DS: Yes. And, you see, they've already accepted this issue as part of enjoying your company. I'm sure that if you're open about how your feelings have . . evolved that they'll still value your company more than they'd attach importance to any silly worries.

#9: (Nods several times) You're right, David. You're right. They're both quite sensible. I-I shouldn't transfer my expectations fostered by the arcane attitudes and mores of the court at Atlantis to my Titans colleagues.

DS: You seem like quite a sensible . . fellow as well, (Subject #9).

#9: Thank you, David. That's very kind.

DS: And because you're so sensible, I don't know that I need to take any more of your time. I'd just like you to do me one favor, if you will?

#9: Certainly. What is it?

DS: Would you please demonstrate your power of telekinesis over water?

#9: (Grinning broadly) Of course.

(With that, Subject #9 led me over to the room's single window looking out over the bay. With just a furrow of his brow he caused a column of water to rise up from the bay as high as our 6th story window, break off from the water of the bay and take the shape of a sea horse. He made this giant sea horse of water turn slowly in the sunlight before letting the water drop back into the bay. I thanked him for the display. He said that it was nothing and then proceeded to show me his ability to contact marine creatures telepathically, summoning forth first a score of dolphins to swim in our view then a pair of whales. I thanked him again, we said our goodbyes and then I left.)