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Community Room


No threadbare petitioner, but a full pilot of Korval arrived in the community room, his stride firm, his shoulders level, and his eyes sharp. His pattern glittered: amber, umber, and living green. Of the harsh black lacing that had confined him, there was no sign. His ties—ah. The link with Theo had strengthened, as had the links to Ren Zel and herself, and there was something else—a new heart-link, not yet fully formed, but vibrating with potential.

“Yes, that is a much more pleasing mode, Cousin Jen Sin!”

She rose from behind the table and went forward, both hands extended.

He put his hands in hers without hesitation, while he searched her face.

“I hope you took no hurt,” he said.

Her eyebrows rose.

“I was not the one who threw myself between the station and destruction,” she said. “If I was able to soften the edge of the pain, that is no less than my calling.”

She kept possession of one of his hands as she turned and gestured toward the table.

“Will you eat before we go?”

“Theo fed me,” he told her. “Also, I would be remiss if I did not inform you that I have promised to return Clarence to his proper post as quickly as I might. So, if we are to go—”

“We had best go soon,” she finished. “Very good. At least let us each take a bottle of tea against need. I have the jitney.”


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Framed