warmfeelings
Chelsa buries herself in her friends, and the warmth of the world that Harley isn't on anymore. She doesn't understand him. She never will. But there's Corona, sun-scorching and intense; there's Amdon, her oldest and closest; there's Anneia, sweet and smiling; there's Sandre, cuddly and fun; there's Tima, pretty-kindling and empathetic; there's Pacco, bright and deferent; there's Jony, hot as a kiln; Lionara hot as molten glass. And Aelise herself, who makes so many compromises but who does love Chelsa after all.
Harley wasn't like that one cold, cold girl, who - she wasn't even technically a sociopath. Sociopaths kindle like everyone else. She was just - cold. Like an airless environment in which no fire can burn.
But Aelise had her killed, and Chelsa made sure no one would miss her, and if anything like that ever happened again, Chelsa has every confidence that Aelise would make it right. Harley's one thing. He can just be - out of sight, out of mind. Aelise would never expect Chelsa to compromise on the existence of such a terrible cold.
Harley wasn't like that one cold, cold girl, who - she wasn't even technically a sociopath. Sociopaths kindle like everyone else. She was just - cold. Like an airless environment in which no fire can burn.
But Aelise had her killed, and Chelsa made sure no one would miss her, and if anything like that ever happened again, Chelsa has every confidence that Aelise would make it right. Harley's one thing. He can just be - out of sight, out of mind. Aelise would never expect Chelsa to compromise on the existence of such a terrible cold.
Something like that - although not very like - has happened again.
Mr. and Mrs. Coscoroba of Forks are concerned. Their daughter does not seem to react like a normal child to the announcements, or to pronouncements of "love and loyalty" - she's just - off, in a hundred little ways. When she is six they are concerned that she may be unwell in some way. Of course in Aelise's empire care for the unwell is easy to come by. They bring her to a doctor.
The doctor is concerned.
He quietly forwards the information up.
There's something Aelise - and only Aelise - might like a look at, here.
Mr. and Mrs. Coscoroba of Forks are concerned. Their daughter does not seem to react like a normal child to the announcements, or to pronouncements of "love and loyalty" - she's just - off, in a hundred little ways. When she is six they are concerned that she may be unwell in some way. Of course in Aelise's empire care for the unwell is easy to come by. They bring her to a doctor.
The doctor is concerned.
He quietly forwards the information up.
There's something Aelise - and only Aelise - might like a look at, here.
salus-populi
Aelise would indeed like a look.
She visits the family the day she hears the word.
She visits the family the day she hears the word.
salus-populi
"It's not a problem," she says. "My attention goes where it's needed. Can I borrow your daughter for a while?"
"Mehitabel!" calls Rinnah. "Aelise is here to see you!"
"I'm reading!" complains Mehitabel from up the stairs.
"I'm very sorry about her," says Rinnah, embarrassed. "Mehitabel Marika Coscoroba, come down here right now! You can read later!"
"But I'm in the middle of a chapter!"
"Now, Mehitabel!"
Mehitabel stomps down the stairs. She has her book open in her hands.
"I'm reading!" complains Mehitabel from up the stairs.
"I'm very sorry about her," says Rinnah, embarrassed. "Mehitabel Marika Coscoroba, come down here right now! You can read later!"
"But I'm in the middle of a chapter!"
"Now, Mehitabel!"
Mehitabel stomps down the stairs. She has her book open in her hands.
salus-populi
"I think I've read the same one," says Aelise. "It's very good. I'd like to take you to see some people; do you think you could finish your chapter in the air?"
salus-populi
"Thank you," says Aelise, leading her out to where the imperial vehicle is parked. It's not spaceworthy, but it's still impressive in an understated kind of way, with sleek engine pods and stubby little wings.
salus-populi
The vehicle takes off.
Aelise sits quietly in the passenger compartment with Mehitabel and lets the autopilot take them around the world.
Aelise sits quietly in the passenger compartment with Mehitabel and lets the autopilot take them around the world.
salus-populi
"I'd like you to put your book down and talk to me for a while," says Aelise.
salus-populi
"I like to think so. You might not agree, but you're not going to find out if you don't try talking to me."