Moonlight fell over Shade, but it failed to illuminate the scarecrow in the Ritual Matrix behind the Gravedigger's Cabin. The ethereal quality in its voice grew ever stronger:
"Therefore, the conception of the Perfect Child—the miracle of tracing back to the origin—not only requires a perfect union of flesh, but also a perfect blending of spirit and soul, breeding in a natural form.
Lemay adjusted her own body, bringing herself infinitely close to 'perfection,' and then altered me to meet her requirements.
After making preparations, she summoned her special fleshly avatar and used an extremely complex method and special power to make that avatar wear me. While the avatar possessed male reproductive capabilities, it still retained her own characteristics of flesh and spirit.
Afterward, Peggy Le May's main body and the avatar calling itself Nicola Le May, which had worn me, naturally conceived the next generation together on a specific date and in a special location, in an almost ritualistic manner. Their flesh merged perfectly, their souls and spirits resonated perfectly, achieving—"
The words abruptly stopped. The ritual's glow gradually dimmed, the scarecrow ceased swaying, and the effects of the Ask Skin Technique vanished. Though it had not finished the latter half of its statement, Shade could guess what it had wanted to say.
The Outlander blinked, standing dumbfounded in place. His mind had yet to process what he had just heard.
A moment later, he removed his mask, exposing his face directly to the moonlight. His eyes stared fixedly at that ridiculous, motionless scarecrow:
"What?"
Mr. Corps approached at that moment. He offered no comment on the face Shade had concealed with illusion, instead going to deal with the scarecrow and peel it out of the skin.
While Mr. Corps worked, Shade spoke softly:
"Mr. Corps, perhaps I shouldn't