Miss eyes moved from one face to the other, back and forth. Trying to dissect their facial expressions as they spoke. It soon occurred to me that they'd been in each other's lives for a while, well, since Ripper was six-years-old.
                          
I guess it explained why they were so affectionate towards each other.
                          
"This is my home, Gwen." Ripper reminded her, relaxing back as he cut his food, "I can walk around in all my nude glory, if I saw fit. I once even had a sculptor approach me, to be their model."
                          
When a plate was placed in front of me, I didn't wait around for the small talk. Food normally makes everything better, and although it tasted really good, it didn't do the trick. Instead of feeling full, I just wanted more.
                          
Something different, too.
                          
"You could do that," Gwen confirmed, slightly tipping her chin in agreement, "You could also expect my resignation papers, and a sexual harassment suit."
                          
Ripper gave a small laugh in reaction, a genuine one. It was strange seeing him so relaxed, not like the fake sense of security he normally passed off. In this house, he was completely at ease without a care in the world.
                          
It was like seeing someone else.
                          
Gwen took a couple more jabs at Ripper before excusing herself by to the kitchen. Silence lapsed between us again, and it was awkward. I'd never seen anyone eat food so slow before, I didn't know it was possible.
                          
Why did he need to chew for so long?
                          
"When are you going to do it?" I questioned, breaking the silence. His eyes lifted in surprise, as if he'd forgotten I was here, "I know that you think I'm sick, and there's a last cycle I need to do. So, when do you plan on doing it?"
                          
Ripper wiped his mouth with a fabric napkin, "When do you want to?" He asked, which took me by surprise, "I'm not going to make you do it. But, it will have to be done soon."
                          
"Tell me what it is." I shrugged, inviting the given information. It was the first time anyone had given me a choice to do anything, "Maybe I won't want it."
                          
Ripper shrugged his shoulders, pushing aside his plate, "Come with me," He grunted, stretching his hands above his head, "If you're going to be difficult, give me a warning. I've already got one woman nipping at my heels..."
                          
"You like her." I commented, glancing at the kitchen. I could hear Gwen moving around in silence, listening to music playing from the radio, "Is she like a Handler to you?"
                          
He paused in front of a wooden door, just along from the staircase. Using a skeletal key, he invited us in with a flourish of his hand. Ripper obviously spent a lot of time in here, despite it looked like no one ever stepped foot inside.
                          
Ripper sighed heavily, slipping the door shut behind me, "Yes, and no." He shrugged, making a direct beeline towards one of the tall bookcases, "Shift this for me, will you? And don't let it scrape against the floor."
                          
My eyes shot daggers at him as I gripped the side of the heavy bookcase, hauling it up. Despite it being laden with books that shifted at them being moved, it didn't take a lot of effort to move.
                          
Underneath the bookcase was a perfect square in the floor, and Ripper knelt towards it, "This house is old, filled with lots of secrets." He informed me, taking a key from around his neck, "Come along now."
                          
When he lifted the latch, he lifted it open and gestured towards me. Peering down into the dark hold, my movement triggered a series of lights to guide the way down to the bottom. Illuminating a pristine steel ladder led to the bottom.