"Not necessarily," Valdis admitted, "I once did it without permission and did not experience any ill affects, but it's safer, not to mention more ethical, to gain permission first."

His curiosity over this particular ability didn't make much sense, but it was welcome distraction from the stitching.

"As far as I can tell, they don't feel anything. There was one instance, with another immortal, where I touched upon some sensitive memories and he relived them with me, but that hasn't happened with others."

Valdis looked over as he finished, eyeing the sutures with a sort of morbid curiosity. She had seen stitches before, but having them in her own skin seemed strange.