Lessons Learned

Shamila found Maddie pacing in her little room. The bob-length hair around the European's face stuck out at odd angles, the longer hair in the back laid slick, dripping fragrant oil onto her back.
"The scalp massage was supposed to relax you."
"Someone should have told that to the troubled masseuse..." Maddie sighed. "I did relax."
"You let down your shield."
"Isn't that what 'relax' means?"
Shamila squirted water out of a bottle on her head, causing the hair to smooth somewhat - and drip even more. "You're an empath. Your shield should be like oil on ducks' wings against water."