* * *
Jules
* * *

* * *
Ebrelle
* * *

"Alright, now put your finger in here."

My daughter looks up at me with a dubious expression very similar to the one Stevane gave me.  Can you believe?  Even my daughter.

I hold the wrench towards her in what I hope is a more nonthreatening manner.  "Oh come now, Stevane did it."

* * *
Luciprochoros
* * *

I think I'd like it if 'Sy were here. He's the designated Archo handler. I'm not supposed to dirty my hands with that sort of thing anymore. It gets... awkward. Of course, he and the current Gahalespbar-archo don't get along well, but does anyone get along well with 'Sy?

* * *
Stevane
* * *

Jhe 'brelle mutters aloud as he reads Jhe Diyanalithia's letter. His voice is pretty low, but I still manage to hear about how his sister "always softens a barb just enough that you're ashamed to complain about it," and that she "needn't say all those things about the past as if I don't remember them," and that furthermore she "isn't the boss of me or anyone else," and also that she "never even thanked me for looking after her all these years," and in conclusion that "I must remember to write back to her soon, she's probably just lonely."

* * *
Stevane
* * *

Jhe 'brelle picks up on my wakefulness as I make my way toward Unkie's offices. He seems rather distracted and cross. I wonder if he napped too long?

I've been awake for some time, my dear. Your kitten dream was very cute. Are you on your way?

* * *
Luciprochoros
* * *

Ebrelle must want something.  He's never been this courteous to me in his life.  He's not even polite in that smooth-talking, manipulative way.  He's genuinely courteous.  It's... creepy.  He even made small talk.  Albeit, it was small talk with Katherine, who seems to be bouncing from having her progenitors in such close, amicable proximity so very much in recent days.  I suppose bouncy is the word, isn't it?  Either that or she's jumpy about something, and that would be strange.

* * *
Luciprochoros
* * *

"I had so much fun with you two both there!"  Katherine's face glows as she walks alongside me through the Radian Palace.  "I mean, we had work to do and all, but it was so nice, having a breakfast together with you and Father!  I can't even remember--" she cuts herself off out of distraction and excitement.  "We need to do that again sometime, Daddy."  She grins up at me.

I just nod.  I've got a lot on my mind, but I'm glad she's so happy.  I... well, I suppose I can be happy about a few things.

* * *
Stevane
* * *

Things got a little awkward in here once Jhe h'Leste and Jhe Katherine left.  Both Unkie and Jhe 'brelle's moods tanked, and suddenly things got really quiet.  At first, Jhe 'brelle tried to stammer out some sort of question about Jhe Rahellene, but that conversation fizzled out quickly.  I guess they both are uncomfortable talking about it.

* * *
Luciprochoros
* * *

It's been a surprisingly pleasant morning, once breakfast started. Sure, I'm running on very little sleep, nerves, and about a gallon of coffee.  But I'm a natural morning person, and what's more, I'm used to all three factors by now.

* * *
Luciprochoros
* * *
The sky is black and it is empty of the moon, which makes the stars so much brighter for it.  I suppose that's some lesson I'm supposed to take away - in the darkest night the light is brightest, or something.  I'm not really in the mood for poetic lessons right now - I'm too focused on my youngest daughter.  In this lack-of-light, I can't really get one last look at her face.  That was, in fact, how we planned this.

I do lean over and give her a kiss on her cheek.  She sucks in a breath, then throws her arms around my neck.  I feel her nose nuzzle into my shoulder and hear the words "I'll miss you so much, Daddy," whispered into my hair.  Then, I pass her to the man I should probably trust least.