He raised an eyebrow. "Are there any other surprises?" he asked. "Who else is here from my past lives? My parents, my sisters, Babs...anyone else I need to be looking out for?"

She laughed again, shaking her head. "Mother knows one of your other identities," she said. "By which I mean she knows the man you stole it from. But I don't think she holds that against you."

"Oh, good," Marcello replied. "I would hate if I had to inherit his reputation along with his wealth. I assume we're talking about the same one?" he asked. "Most of my identities are made up, not stolen."

"I wouldn't know the difference," she replied. "Apparently she owes him money or he owes her money--it's always one or the other with her."

Marcello snorted. "Oh, that sounds like how I know most people, too. Unless they're women, then I might have slept with them," Marcello replied cheerfully.

"Oh, Mother does that too," Niabheara replied quite casually. "She doesn't sleep with anyone if there's money involved, however. Says it takes her too close to her prostitution days."

Marcello burst out laughing. "I suppose I was never a prostitute, so I never learned this lesson."

Niabheara looked unamused. "Mother's a character. On second thought it may be that you should talk to her, if this goes on much longer. As much for the educational experience as the information."

"Oh, dear," Marcello replied. "When people say 'character' in that tone of voice, it's never a good thing."

"Quite so," she said dryly. "Other-you already knows her. I'm almost tempted to spare you so that at least one of you can pass from this world without ever knowing that particular thrill."