|
elt as if every cell of Kaede's body had
been scrubbed with a ton of ashes, half of which she'd then swallowed. She
tried to stretch, vaguely aware of the fresh tears on Kaede's cheeks.
"Goblin? Hey, take it easy," a young girl said. Susan felt the presence
bending over her. "It's Beaker, Goblin. Are you okay? Are you all right?"
Still blind, Susan gasped, "...give me a level, would you...."
Beaker held up Kaede's left index finger, flaring hard. The isolation room
lit up from the younger girl's perspective, and Susan felt the coarseness of
her purple Acolyte's robe, the sign of a holy Temple prostitute. Kaede Akina was only
fifteen, Susan realized; all this must be so foreign to her. Kaede Akina caught the
echoes of confusion, a cacophony of dissenting voices within Beaker. Kaede Akina was
uncertain and afraid, unsure of what came next. So was Susan, but you had to
be careful around the low-powers. Couldn't let them think you weren't in
control.
Before Kaede Akina knew what was happening, Susan felt Beaker's arms around her,
clutching for Kaede's warmth. Goblin
|
