greatlightother | -107- [Voice]

[You get treated to some Beatles again today, friends. Only in the background, though. It's that kind of day.] For once, I don't actually have anything to say about that. Well, that hasn't already been said. It was awful and terrifying enough the first time that something like this came along and I really didn't want to repeat it. I couldn't even bring myself to fake it.

Or fight against it.

So if anyone was looking for myself or Petronilla, we were both fine. And unaffected.

Also, I hate asking the Admiral of anything so trivial, so...if you happen to keep any extra lamps or candles around, can I make use of them?

Not you, Doctor. I have enough of your lamps. I don't want to take any more.

[Friends Filter - This is a pretty open list at the moment...]

It's terrible timing but...today is a relatively mild day for me. Which...actually might be good. I'm the worst about wanting distractions more often than not, but if you need something now, I can do it. A drink. A swim. Coffee. Tea. Something. I know that...whatever it was...has to be hard.

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[Sveta, so used to being visited by those familiar with it, used her magic to open the door from the other side of the room, where she was changing out lightbulbs. Her room was lit very, very brightly, even at the relatively late hour.]

Oh! You can...put them there. [She pointed to the table.]

[He blinked and glanced at the door...then squinted as he came into the room. The extra light made him look even more pallid than was usual.]

As you wish. [He stepped in and set them down.]

It was clever of you to simply hide with Petronilla. I appreciated the ploy when I heard of it. Some of us were trying to extend our hands toward others to offer protection but it did not work out so well.

[She nodded.] I remember them trying to do the same thing last time. It didn't happen then, either. But I know that the last time...things sort of exploded worse than they did. [Sveta walked over to him and a sad smile.]

This time there appeared to be a number of...veterans of the experience with something resembling a plan. The casualty count is still high, even by my standards, but...it was endured.

I always hope for that number to be zero. [She shrugged.] But I think that's just wishful thinking.

Yes, I suppose I am brutally realistic about such things, but...

The fact that we did better this time is rather a hopeful sign in itself.

I suppose you're right. [It was nice to be a little bit optimistic, even if that optimism was based on something...not so upbeat.]

Miss Sveta, I was going to ask...has Petronilla ever... [he hesitated.]

Ever what? [She almost corrected him on the name, but so many were using the shortened version now anyway. And it was starting not to matter. She sat down to face him.]

[He thought, Does she ever mention me? Talk about me? And then realized just how juvenile and ridiculous the questions sounded and looked slightly embarrassed.]

I...

Never mind. I should probably take my leave now.

No, please. It's alright. [She gave him a reassuring smile.] What is it? Has she ever what? [She was almost afraid of the answer.]

[He looked rather awkward suddenly, most of his native menace draining away] Ehm...has she ever mentioned me?

[Sveta gave him a cautious look.] We don't talk about the barge much. Not the people on it, at least.

...Oh. I was...merely one of the people who helped her during--a flood [(not the curse, don't mention the curse)] and...

I sound like an idiot.

I sometimes wonder about the impression I make on people.

[She could gather that on her own and frowned slightly. But, she was glad someone could help her.]

Well, she is very vocal about who she doesn't like and you haven't been on that list.

Well...that is good at least.

At least she does not despise me....

Sometimes I wonder if even my gentler intentions get lost in all my incidental looming and stalking.

[That got a raised eyebrow.] Looming and stalking isn't exactly the way to present yourself.

It is unconscious, from centuries of practice. I never had a reason to regret having little control over it before very recently.

-107- [Voice]

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