horrible cold

[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.

Comments

[alicornucopia]

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.

[salus_populi]

Aelise would indeed like a look.

She visits the family the day she hears the word.

[alicornucopia]

The Coscorobas are at home to receive her.

"Aelise!" says Rinnah, answering the door. "It's - truly an honor to see you - but I didn't realize our Mehitabel's troubles would require your attention, we didn't mean to put you out of your way."

[salus_populi]

"It's not a problem," she says. "My attention goes where it's needed. Can I borrow your daughter for a while?"

[alicornucopia]

"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.

[salus_populi]

"Is it a good book?" she asks, smiling gently.

[alicornucopia]

"Yeah," says Mehitabel.

[salus_populi]

"What's it about?"

[alicornucopia]

"It's about a man who made a monster person and then he wasn't nice to it so now it's mad. It's an old book."

[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?"

[alicornucopia]

"Who?" Mehitabel wants to know.

[salus_populi]

"I'm not sure yet. Why don't you come along and we'll both find out?"

[alicornucopia]

Mehitabel is not impressed by the idea of going to visit a mystery person. "Why can't I just stay home and read my book?" she asks.

[salus_populi]

"Because I am your Empress and I said so," Aelise suggests.

[alicornucopia]

When this doesn't instantly win Mehitabel over, Rinnah says, "Honestly, Mehitabel, just go!"

Mehitabel heaves a great sigh and plods in Aelise's direction.

[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.

[alicornucopia]

Mehitabel climbs into the vehicle, sits, and opens her book.

[salus_populi]

The vehicle takes off.

Aelise sits quietly in the passenger compartment with Mehitabel and lets the autopilot take them around the world.

[alicornucopia]

Eventually Mehitabel comes to the end of a chapter. She is about to turn to the next one.

[salus_populi]

"Is that the end of the chapter?" says Aelise.

[alicornucopia]

"Yes. There are some more left though."

[salus_populi]

"I'd like you to put your book down and talk to me for a while," says Aelise.

[alicornucopia]

"Are you more interesting than this book?" inquires Mehitabel curiously.

[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."

[alicornucopia]

Mehitabel sighs and dog-ears her page and closes the book. "What do you want to talk about, anyway?"