Arrow Lake sturm und drang

she nodded smartly, feeling more professional, more useful, than she had in a while. the sickness and solitude had really lent themselves to the depression in her bones; now, though, things were different. things were almost back to normal. at his sentiment regarding Takiyok, a bittersweet smile stretched her muzzle.

i am happy to be with her, she murmured. i wish. . .rest of our family was, too. of course, they had the children, and Sadiq. but that was only a few stars in a galaxy's worth of Ateneqs, or so it felt to her. Siarut, Shivali, Tomkin, Shila, Curri. . .

but Diaspora, she supposed, was just as much family to Takiyok as the northerners were, now. maybe they could be her family, too.

it is. . .good to meet you, Mahler, Tahani said warmly. a man-healer. so. . .different. special.