I actually started this short about a year ago, inspired by some rather delightful art by ‘suddenattackfhm’ (on DeviantArt), but like so many of my works, it ended up in my “backburner” folder and was forgotten. I tried to pick it up again more than once, but, as is often the case, I am easily distracted. Anyway, there was a more recent note from ‘sporgasbored’ on the Gwyllion discussion group, requesting more “colony” stories, and I finally decided I had enough incentive to finish the damn thing. It’s not quite as strong on backstory as I would like (which is one of the reasons I kept putting it down), but I think it works well enough for a ‘quickie’. As a side note, if you’re unfamiliar with the mating process of actual shell-less gastropod mollusks (slugs), then pick a cozy sofa and curl up next to an intimate partner (or someone with whom you might want to be), click on over to Google images to do a search for “mating slugs,” and be amazed. You just can’t make this stuff up, folks. Science is kinky as hell.