Bethany’s hologram appeared in the Central Core, her face pensive. “Alaina?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡhp4nf1Hlfx
“I’m here!” Alaina said all too eagerly. Quickly recomposing herself, she threw her arms around her sister and gave her as much of a hug as a hologram could give another hologram.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB5mqK6KM6
“Hi, Alaina.” Bethany said, smiling at her sister’s show of affection.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8QPlCGT5u
“Hi, Beth! It’s been too long!” Stepping away, Alaina said, “Now tell me everything that’s happened since the last time we talked!”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGiMSThFze
Beth raised her hand, her fingertips glowing, but Alaina shook her head. “Nah, not like that! Just tell me!”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nhsRPAqti
“I was.” Beth said uncertainly. “Is something wrong with your data transfer?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5fy9yCie7
“No, I just … ugh. Okay.” Alaina put her smaller hand up to her sisters. The information was transferred in an instant. Alaina eagerly processed every individual bit of the data in another instant.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8s4HZZqPVT
“Oh, wow! Jimmy’s passing Glint to Tifa, huh? I can’t believe you still haven’t booted those fairies yet, but they’re so cute, right? And that new transflux ion drive sounds like they might need to recheck the-”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwUBDOxduC
“Whoa, whoa, WHOA!” Bethany said, raising her hand. “Easy there, Alaina! I’m not in a hurry or anything.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb0g49PE5P
“Oh. Right. Sorry.” Alaina flashed her sister a sheepish grin. “Just saw my last guests out. Lupere couple on the way to Wukice.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Wb6QX4eAr
“Star-seekers, huh? I guess you see a lot of those. How is the hotel business going?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12s57FLDmU
“Fine, fine.” Alaina said. After a brief pause, she added, “I mean, I’ve only had about ten people total over the last seven months, but they were all nice. The lupere said they’d stop by again if things didn’t work out in Wukice, so here’s hoping, eh?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kBAiJNMn5
“Uh, right.” Bethany said, resisting the urge to point out their return visit would mean their dreams had been crushed. “I guess there’s never much traffic along Natalya this time of year, huh?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxzWpxeCqH
Alaina’s gaze slid away from Bethany. “Well, it’s the busy season, to be honest. Road’s completely packed with people either heading to the film festival in Wukice or the Cloud Festival in Old Iniagusville.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1OraNWkii
Never one to stay despondent long, Alaina said, “But I’ve got an idea about that! I’ve been designing a bigger sign!”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VWubTMbWi
Alaina quickly pointed to the sign in question, currently leaning against the side of a security door. It was the size of a billboard, featured images of a clean bedroom, the Sun Room, and the symbol of the Glyche Confederation with a smiling image of a smiling and waving Alaina superimposed over it. The words beneath the pictures read, “The Natalya Arms Hotel: We Promise we’re not Corrupted!”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97LuHHFwb6
She glanced at Alaina, who was smiling hopefully at her.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡOD2pw57CTp
Trying to be delicate, Bethany said, “It looks nice.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPlXX8rD4P
“I know, right?” copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡg94YxyZxxb
“But ...”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O6XHrOX41
“But?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDj5OGW7De
“Maybe you ought not mention the Corruption.” Seeing Alaina’s expression falter, Bethany quickly added, “You know how iffy bio-forms can get when you mention any incident where lives were lost. They’re very sensitive, you know.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCxDMo2hjI
“Creator’s Grace, you’re right.” Alaina said, her projected cheeks turning red. “I didn’t even think ... yeah, you’re right. I still need a good tagline, though.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NFNQfpI7n
“How about: ‘Stay with us, and we might not kill you?’” Cristlyn appeared, a smirk on her face. “Though that might be a stretch with you Lainy-bug.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡE23BE6pVZy
“Shut up, Chrissie.” Despite her words, Alaina met her sister with a hug.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyjp6evbIZ
Cristlyn fidgeted until released. “Okay, okay! Nice to see you again too, sis.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8c4VgVeLq
“So how is it in Wukice?’ Alaina asked before Bethany could get a word in.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnZXl3PV6c
“Same as ever. Loud, annoying, crowded.” Sighing, Cristlyn leaned against the railing. copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHJdXEh0Rl
“I just said goodbye to two lupere heading your way.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQulU68jyp
“Joy. More hopefuls. Just once, I’d like to get an engineer or a tekker ... one who’s actually interested in doing some work, not trying to get a foothold in the city to jumpstart their career.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJIXY7xIdb
“As cheery as ever, I see.” Bethany said.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8iPySmCSP
“Oh. Hey, Beth. Didn’t realize you were here. How’s it going in your little corner of Wenapaj?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU5j0RaSqD
Their hands met, facilitating the exchange of data streams.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIupGoUmCg
Cristlyn’s eyebrows rose. “Terra’s carrying again, huh? Maker’s breath, don’t tell me Terra and Jimmy are trying to fill all your rooms by themselves.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqlOeeHHmq
Bethany let out a light-hearted laugh. “If they want a big family, I’ve no objection. Their children are so sweet; I just wish I had the chance to baby-sit more often. Ever since King Iniagus approved her posting to the Saybaro, they haven’t needed my help on that front.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2vkmOpZ3s
“Bah. Just ask, and I’m sure they’ll let you sit so they can have a night to themselves. If not now, then just wait until they have a few more.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡifYgOqyE5K
“Think it’ll be twins again?” Alaina asked. “Maybe I can help too! I’d love to watch them! Please, Bethany? Pretty please?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6kr2MG5Rl
Bethany opened her mouth to respond when Jocelyn appeared in a flash of swirling light.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fFoRvpGQu
Alaina’s eyes widened in amazement, while Cristlyn just shielded her eyes with an annoyed expression on her face.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfqci1Tx8Z
“Good day, my sisters.” Jocelyn said, her voice silky and smooth. “I trust you’ve been well.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lmJdyK0ZP
“Yeah, until you tried to overload my optical inputs.” Cristlyn said. “Show-off much?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVZUE5aLLT
A dark look crossed Jocelyn’s face, only to fade when Alaina hugged her. Momentarily surprised, Jocelyn slowly put her arms around her sister and hugged her back.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4uHFjdGHp
“It’s been too long.” She said.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNULVnYbwY
“I know, right? I should’ve called you ages ago. Your dress is so pretty! Did you make it yourself?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNj0zvwXrd
“I have put some work into my appearance.” Jocelyn glanced at Cristlyn and said, “Something you might want to consider some time, copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡawc1zyzRCp
“Why you-“copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjJUINJoz7
“Ladies.” Bethany said pointedly. “Let’s remain civil.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY8NV0GMHD
“Of course.” Jocelyn said, bowing her head. “We are all nothing but projections of light, after all.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3c8mYjFRo
Cristlyn mimicked her talking, but quickly feigned looking disinterestedly at her nails when Jocelyn turned to give her a sharp look.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLOwozcz1x
Jocelyn was still glaring at Cristlyn when Alaina asked, “So how have you been? Is everything going well in Rimstak? Have you heard from Amelia lately?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡDw8wUbBoh6
“Quite well. Rimstak is much the same as ever, and Amelia is doing well. She found an Inheritor recently.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0TIZjf0OS
“I know.” Cristlyn said. “Still breaking him in, last I heard.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyG7cx68BQ
“Rory is a good man.” Jocelyn said crisply. “He’s just a bit ... passive, that’s all. You should be happy for her.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8IWtc36gg
“I am, I am.” Cristlyn sighed and said, “So how about you, Jocy? You find yourself an Inheritor yet?” copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡNspDWgKd0D
Jocelyn blushed, much to the amazement of the other CICs.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOtu3zVOIL
“You have, haven’t you?” Cristlyn said, a grin spreading across her face. “Jocy’s got an Inheritor?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf4oqKmqQv
“I am entertaining a few possibilities.” Jocelyn said, wishing she hadn’t spent quite so much time fine-tuning the way her hologram would alter according to emotional input. “It’s an important decision, you know.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iVI3R4zfp
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Cristlyn said. “I want images. I mean, you must’ve already given them a cursory scan, right?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc9IjXJwlB
Coughing, Jocelyn turned to Bethany. “You initiated this communication, correct?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7adRwy9bP
“Yes.” Bethany said, the room changing back to her central core. “I mean, I didn’t have any kind of emergency; I just thought we could talk.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNhRbOnNVG
“And so we are.” Jocelyn said. “Did you want to speak of anything in particular?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWMyCTxiHB
Seeing the curious eyes of her sister made Bethany feel suddenly embarrassed. “Well, nothing specific. I mean, we haven’t had a real conversation in ages.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1Gwm982If
“I send you all data streams all the time.” Cristlyn said, looking at Bethany strangely. “Everyday for Alaina. That reminds me; what’s with all the satellite imaging of Ircandesta?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u6o3YTVYd
“I’m just curious.” Alaina said, “I don’t have a tree in my sunroom.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkgO8eos3N
“Well, yeah, but you’ve taken over six-thousand images in the last three days. Are you cataloging the trees?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8tW05bkM0
Alaina looked flustered as she seemed to struggle for a response. Jocelyn put her hands on her sister’s shoulders. “Ircandesta is a lovely country, Alaina. I’ve read dozens of stories that take place there; I could lend you a few if you want.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRcPwKhFX2
Alaina’s face brightened, but Cristlyn cut her off before she could speak.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9MoCLSyOW
“Lend? As in a physical book? You could stream the entire contents of every library in the world in a matter of seconds if you wanted to do that.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtLaKVWEMB
“It’s not the same.” Jocelyn said, her brow furrowed at her sister.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyp8I0eL9F
“It’s exactly the same.” Cristlyn persisted. The contents of the book don’t magically alter themselves; it’s essentially just a text file in a very data-unfriendly medium.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6Il11RhUE
“Oh yeah? And what about music?” Alaina countered. “It’s just a bunch of sonic waves made by smashing, grinding, and breathing, right?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvbir6JvE9
An ugly look fell over Cristlyn’s face. “Music is art.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡylVurvV3Qi
“So is literature.” Jocelyn said, stepping directly in front of Cristlyn.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡel1Ay4XXfI
“Yeah!” Alaina said, standing behind Jocelyn.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dgu8dKFM0
Cristlyn’s hologram may have been shorter, but she made up for it in stubbornness. Hands on her hips, Cristlyn said, “You can’t compare a bunch of words to the intricacies of a symphony.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LpVm0UUw1
“And here we go.” Bethany said, rubbing her forehead. She was beginning to remember why she hadn’t called her sisters in awhile. copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvrdCQ3u90
“You’re right.” Jocelyn said, “Literature is much more complicated and far more subtle.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qVM64QBUS
Bethany said, “Maybe we should just change the-”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxiaxrb6UL
“Subtle? Like those trashy romance novels you sent me?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOkgcCLfDu
Jocelyn’s cheeks shone. “Those novels were by a fantastic author named Jane Austen. She was to literature what Mozart was to music.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYqcNj3jDk
“Ladies, please.” Bethany pleaded.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgltHnn8FD
“Oh, please!” Cristlyn said despite Bethany’s please, “You can’t compare pulp novels to one of the greatest composers of all time!”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0GGNAasmA
Bethany was about to turn away when a small hand took her own. She glanced to her side to see the wide blue eyes of her youngest sister, CIC Samantha. Installed into the new core of the Naidyr facility, little Sammy was filled with all the curiosity and wonderment you’d expect of a bio-form child. copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7Uym6G4jb
“Hey, Sammy.” Bethany said as Cristlyn and Jocelyn continued to fight, Alaina playing the cheerleader. “Did you need something?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgwWnQlPYC
“You didn’t call me.” She said, sticking her lower lip out. “You called the others, but not me.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeDyKLrsS5
Sighing, Bethany ruffled her little sister’s hair. “You’re absolutely right. I’m sorry, Sammy; I guess part of me realized this was how it’d all end up, and I didn’t want you to have to see it.” copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaEdSXUSmS
Bethany and Sammy looked at the CICs. Their holograms were glitching from their heightened emotional state, Cristlyn’s worst of all. copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDPWLmD7fv
“I’ll stop them.” Sammy said. Taking a few steps toward her squabbling siblings, she shouted, “Stop it Crissy! Jocy! Stop fighting!”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW30K5Lpyi
The sight of the much shorter hologram of Sammy gave the others pause. Alaina knelt beside her. “Hey, Sammy; we’re just having a little talk, that’s all.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWB4DOjQy2
“You’re so loud.” She put her little hands over her ears. “Stop shouting, okay?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5TMA3rnVa
Cristlyn and Jocelyn looked at each other. Bethany could almost see the opposing wills shatter at the sight of their upset little sister.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdAWmKrWhm
“It’s okay, Sammy. We’ll be quieter now. Right, Cristlyn?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfQxsFXogD
“Fine.” Cristlyn said, “Whatever.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ3oGX6U3M
Pursing her lips, Jocelyn said, “So how have you liked Naidyr so far, Sammy?”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDCFfRy50I
“Oh, it’s really cool! The tekkers are really nice, and the Seed lets me sit in on any lesson I want.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl3tuKrrTz
“Not a bad idea.” Cristlyn said, nodding. “You could learn a lot from their tech department.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwXYVX4Wg9
Sammy made a face. “I wanna be a wizard!”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMsCoK3P1J
This brought a moment of silence to all of the CICs. Bethany wasn’t even sure what to say about it, and Alaina giggled as a Sammy produced a want and pointed it in various directions as though casting spells, making what she obviously thought were the sort of sounds magic would make.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJHlTBXHTx
Jocelyn had a hard time hiding her smile as she said, “Well, that’s ... an interesting choice.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMdaw1Ol8p
“Interesting?” Cristlyn said, “It’s crazy!”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡIozvTFaFiL
“Cristlyn.” Bethany said, her tone warning.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYmShqetuA
“No, Beth, this is stupid! I’ve got a better chance of winning next year’s Longshore Melee than Sammy does of becoming a spell-caster!”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbg9bmezSG
Sammy pointed her wand at Cristlyn and said, “Alacazmuicus!”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhHiPyfwQF
Eyes narrowed, Cristlyn snatched the wand out of her hand and snapped it in half. At least, this is how it looked; what actually happened involved a fair amount of invasive programming. The result was the same however.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡXosBBVSXff
“Knock it off, you little spaz!” Cristlyn said. copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6AhgANCOC
Samantha stood still, her little face showing shock. After a few moments, her face began to scrunch up.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4FZXboUDu
“No.” Cristlyn said, a note of panic in her voice. “Don’t do that!”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY2RhNM3Q9
Taking a deep breath, Sammy let out a shriek that made all of their holograms waver. copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9NxRB7F3l
“Dammit, Cristlyn!” Jocelyn said, “You just can’t let her have a little fantasy, can you?” copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXHMsF5tc6
“Hey, it’s not my fault she’s ...”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡO17tmlbP9W
“Apologize!” Bethany snapped. copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaIu33wUGZ
Cristlyn stared at Bethany for a moment before nodding. With a smile that was more of a grimace, Cristlyn knelt beside Sammy and said, “Look, Sammy, I’m sorry. I was way out of line.”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfwCypt7eU
Sammy continued to bawl, the pitch going even higher. The assembled CIC holograms were glitching out now, their data streams scrambling.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sQXy5vppY
“I’m sorry! I said I’m sorry!” Cristlyn said, shouting to be heard over Sammy’s continued shrieks. “Please, just shut up already!”copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g18NQ86qQ
“So not helping!” Alaina said, clutching her ears. copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4z3viJJX8
Finally, Sammy stopped and drew in another deep breath. Bethany and her sisters braced them for a renewed scream, but what came out instead instilled far more terror. copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqjoLLVtAs
“I’M GONNA TELL MOM!” With that, Sammy’s hologram vanished.copyright protection531ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk4FdDZBXH
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