A night dreamless was a gift, and Bolion relished it. He slept deeply, and woke early, for the first time in a while truly rested. The sun was high when he woke, and the heat already dry and baking. He had been preparing some dry rations, when a touch of curiousity struck him. Della was still fast asleep, and he'd been dying to try something a second time, however the opportunity had never presented itself.
Now was the opportunity, be he was apprehensive. The negative consequences could be larger than he was willing to acknowledge, but his curiosity dug at him until he lay down the jerky and dried fruit that he'd been sorting into daily portions, and walked over to Della's Roll, and tried to guess where the tip of her tail would be. He peeled back the blanket where he'd guessed, surprisingly close. He paused again, weighing the consequences, and telling himself that he could back out now, and she'd never know. Then impulsively, he gently picked up the very tip between his thumb and forefinger, and massaged it in a circular motion, watching intently for her reaction.
