Re: Troy Rising: Meanwhile, in Troy¡
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She said she was fine, but Zafiri couldn't miss the struggle
she was having just getting over to¡the bathroom?? Right, the
bathroom.? Unlike where she came from, bathrooms weren't
exclusively rooms for bathing.? Anyway, she wasn't exactly sure
how "fine" she was, but she certainly hoped these pills did the
trick for Janet.
"I've been very very very busy," the blue-skinned
Torquani said tiredly.? "I've been teaching some of your people
the basics of the local Ocillian dialect, as well as attending
meetings with the Mayor, the City Council, the Chamber of
Commerce, the heads of the hospital, and even the Nomad
Council.? They've been, how do you say¡picking my brains.? I
worry that if they keep doing that, my head will be emptied
out."
She hoped it was okay to sit down.? She had walked a long way
and her feet were more than a little tired.? Julian and the
others offered her rides, but in truth she preferred walking.?
It's what she had always done in towns and cities before, after
all.? But these people¡they seemed to drive these cars
everywhere¡ªeven what she considered ridiculously short
distances.? It baffled her.
"I'm afraid I lost track of time, though," she admitted.?
"Between the meetings and my teaching, the hospital says my
father is ready to be released.? But I have nowhere to put him.?
You offered to put my father and I up in the past.? Is that
offer still open?"
Janet nodded, ¡°Yes, you need to get your father out of there. As much as I cherish our healthcare professionals being in a hospital still makes you just a number. Charts, pills, doctor bedside visits all follow a routine. Sometimes those routines run afoul, it¡¯s human nature.¡±
She sighed, holding both sides of her temple, fingers messaging thoughtfully. Having guests might actually help her more than them.?
¡°Let¡¯s go pick up your father right now.¡±?
A new purpose gave her strength when just moments ago she¡¯d been so defeated.?
This time the little chevy was ready to go. It sat in the drive next to the house. It¡¯s solar array built into the roof had quickly recharged. Janet helped get Zafiri settled into the passenger seat.?
¡°I¡¯ll have you ride in the back when we get your father. It¡¯s a bit tight back there. More comfortably to ride and get in and out.¡±Janet had slipped back into the telepathy to speak to Zafiri. Thankfully her mind had settled down from the flip flops.
(New Zafiri)
"I can do that, yes," Zafiri spoke (actually spoke) with a thick accent.? It sounded Eastern European¡ªmaybe Russian.? "Quakers¡I teach them Ocillian, they teach me English.? Is good to speak the language of those around you, yes?? Still need to learn more."
The Electro¡¯s telemetrics were fouled with the lack of satellites but Janet had rewired the system to use Troy¡¯s emergency beacon and the reset cell towers as a gyro focus. She¡¯d done all the work in her head pushing out the new commands using her implant.?
The car purred silently down the quiet streets. Janet watched the blue girl as the vehicle navigated the short distance to the hospital.
¡°I¡¯ve got some clothes at the house. You can check them out if you want. I have some of my Dad¡¯s old clothes in a trunk somewhere. Otherwise we can get you some basic jumpsuits at the dispensary,¡± Janet sent.
(New Zafiri)
"Others give me clothes, too," she replied, wanting to practice her English.? "Quakers, some women from Aldecaldos.? They give me this coat.? You like?
"Not sure my father will wear your clothes.? He is traditional, but we have extra clothing in chests we brought with us.? I will get later."
The Electro pulled up into an open area near the Emergency entrance. A nurse stood beside a wheelchair with a Green-skinned occupant. Janet answered Zafiri before she could speak.
¡°I called ahead,¡± Janet said, tapping the side of her head. ¡°Let¡¯s get you guys home.¡±
(New Zafiri) Haran vos Naarmyr, dressed in the same traditional robes that he had checked in with (though he could smell that they had been freshly laundered by some sort of harsh astringent) watched as his beloved daughter bounded out of a curiously small horseless carriage (cars, he thought.? The people here call them cars) and embrace him as he stood up from the wheelchair.
He wasn't sure if he approved or not of her new clothes.? Trousers seemed a bit racey, and yet it seemed to be what all the women wore in this place.? It seemed sensible, and his daughter was always one who liked to blend in wherever she lived.? She was always braver than he was in this regard.
None of that mattered right now.? His daughter was safe.? They were safe.
"My Lady," Haran said in very crisp English (Zafiri said he'd likely use a spell to speak English, but he'd learn to speak it naturally soon enough), "you have my thanks¡ªboth for your offer of sanctuary, and befriending my daughter."
(tag)
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