A pinch-- no, a bite! She had not been entirely without accident. This pain was less unknown. It was-- somehow-- discrete.

But still pain. Vasilia released her held breath once it was over, a slight hitch in her exhale. She was miserable, but had at least enough self control not to show it-- to a great extent. She blinked and opened her eyes once the tubing was secure, but did not look down to see the tubing protruding rom her skin.

"I wonder how often I will have to repeat this," she said dully. "I have used every precaution available to me; nose plugs, face mask, gloves. But I cannot use them everywhere. And it was, in the end, not enough."