update from sparkleup
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Madison Scott-Clary
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<p>“She should not have been able to do that,” Iska said, nearly growling. “She should not have been able to do any of that. No skew, no exit. What was she? Who are you?”</p>
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<p>“Leader True Name,” Turun Ko said. “Please explain ‘lost’ in this context.”</p>
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<p>She did not move from her spot on the floor. “You have heard about what it means to get lost, but there is no possible way that I can explain the way it has warped us.”</p>
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<p>Silence and stillness fell once more as all waited for True Name to continue. After a few long breaths and coarse swallows, she mastered her form once more. She knelt beside Codrin, wiping at the tear streaks on her snout and at her nose.</p>
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<p>Silence and stillness fell once more as all waited for True Name to continue. After a few long breaths and coarse swallows, she mastered her form once more. She knelt beside Codrin, wiping at the tear streaks on her muzzle and the dripping from her nose.</p>
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<p>“We are incomplete. We are unwhole.” Her voice was bitter, even as she worked to bring back that mask of competence. “We were broken and remain so. I do not know how it is that Answers Will Not Help was able to…to manage skew or quit. You have my most abject apologies for the trouble caused, and for the deception with–“</p>
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<p>“Leader True Name,” Turun Ka said, interrupting as politely as it had before. “There will be time to discuss this topic. That time remains in the future. For now, please take this opportunity to, <em>lu</em>…gather yourself and clean up. You may take as long as you required. When you are able, you and I shall meet in our role as leaders.”</p>
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<p>The skunk wilted, her ears splaying to the sides. “Of course, leader Turun Ka.”</p>
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<p>“Are you amenable to increasing the skew in the unison room? This will allow you to take all the time you need.”</p>
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<p>She nodded. “Yes, that would be fine. It is uncomfortable, but I can sleep through the discomfort, if that is amenable.”</p>
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<p>She nodded. “Yes, that would be fine. It is uncomfortable, but I can sleep through the discomfort.”</p>
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<p>“<em>Ka</em>,” it said. “We shall return here in half an hour. The other participants shall meet in the central courtyard.”</p>
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<p>“I will join shortly,” Iska said. “I must contact a technician, first.”</p>
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<p>They did not wait, but seemed to disappear as they shifted up to a fast enough time to travel.</p>
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<p>They did not wait, but seemed to disappear as they shifted up to a fast enough time to travel faster than ey could perceive.</p>
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<p>Codrin nodded to the other emissaries. “Go ahead. I’ll help True Name to her room, then join up with you in a bit.”</p>
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<p>“I am sorry,” True Name mumbled, barely loud enough to hear.</p>
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<p>“Leader True name, please understand that you are in no way responsible. Even your deception was, as you say, wargamed. We will discuss shortly.”</p>
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<p>“Rest,” Artante added. “Become whole.”</p>
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<p>As the others departed Codrin held out eir arm, letting the skunk grip it tightly as ey helped her to stand. They swayed together at the brief sensorium twinge as the unison room was skewed up by a factor of two.</p>
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<p>The walk down the hall was a slow and unsteady affair, and Codrin couldn’t help but see every one of True Name’s two and a half centuries in the way she moved. She looked as she always had, was as strong as she’d ever been, and yet each one of those long ears seemed to be a weight she had to draw along behind her. She kept her grip on eir forearm throughout, however, as though the contact kept her anchored to one reality.</p>
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<p>The walk down the hall was a slow and unsteady affair, and Codrin couldn’t help but see every one of True Name’s two and a half centuries in the way she moved. She looked as she always had, was as strong as she’d ever been, and yet each one of those long years seemed to be a weight she had to draw along behind her. She kept her grip on eir forearm throughout, however, as though the contact kept her anchored to one reality.</p>
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<p>Ey guided her into her room and helped her to sit down on the edge of her bed, and even then, it took her a few long seconds to loosen her grip.</p>
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<p>“You heard nothing today, Mx. Bălan,” she mumbled, quiet enough that ey had to lean closer to hear. “I know what you thought you heard, but you heard nothing. Do not tell anyone. Do not tell Ioan, and certainly do not tell any others within the Ode clade.”</p>
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<p>Ey took a half step back from the skunk. So hoarse and clouded was her voice that ey couldn’t piece together her mood. “I…is that a suggestion or a demand? I’m sorry, True Name. I know how much it means, I just can’t help but worry.”</p>
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