~~~~
Satherlin leaned back into the armchair. "That is interesting news, Sylenn." She hardly noticed anymore how the seat seemed to swallow the tiny man.
"It's incredible," Lyshunda added. "Until now, we've never had a way to help Drones; either they lived or they didn't, and most of them didn't. The boxes and balls aren't gentle for removing the Sukkers, and based on what you've told us, they aren't designed for that, anyhow."
"Um, I think it's more that you just forgot how to use them the right way," Sylenn ventured. "Without the b--Hunter around, you forgot there was a need to do the thing and press the right thing and think-- about the thing," she finished sheepishly.
Dry chuckles answered her.
"That's alright, dear," Lyshunda replied, "none of us could explain it any better, either. It's something you just know when you're suited up."
"Yeah," Sylenn murmured, ducking her head.
"So, this fellow made a full recovery," Satherlin mused. "I wonder about the others you've 'cleansed', as we call it. We should start some sort of study on the subject."
"Demney would love that!" Clatyn sang out mischievously, gaining hoots from several others in the common room. Sylenn sat on her wooden chair, pointedly ignoring Mosin, who sat three spaces over on one of the couches. He held his arms crossed, shoulders hunched, and maintained a sullen expression.
"Calm down, everyone," Satherlin waved for attention. "I'll start talking with Dr. Demney on feasible ways to monitor the Cleansed, and I want all of you to keep an eye out for them. Don't hound them, but make what observations you can. So, I think that's all for now; clear out now!" Grinning he shooed them out.
"Sylenn, if you don't mind, I'd like you to stay for a bit," Satherlin said as the newest Descendant rose from her chair. She froze for a moment, before slowly lowering herself back down. When everyone else had left (Mosin most grudgingly), Satherlin turned to her.
"I wanted to let you know, Sylenn, how much we appreciate all that you've done in your short time with us," he began with a smile. "I know this was very difficult for you, perhaps more difficult than for any other Descendant in our long history. You've done very well, and I wanted to make sure that you knew that we've seen that."
"Um, thanks."
"You've overcome a lot; I never lived on the streets or had the kind of life you've had, so I can only imagine what it was like for you. I do know a bit of what it's like to be afraid get close to people. Most people look at someone like me and shudder; dwarves are considered freaks and unnatural in so many cultures. When I was younger, before I Awakened, people were very cruel to me, and to protect myself I became cold and aloof to them. When I Awakened, I found a family I'd never thought I could have. Even my own parents were ashamed of me, you see. Coming to the Temple was perhaps the best thing that could ever have happened to me.
"I was born in Troit, in Amalrich. Worked in the manufactory that everyone worked in, doing whatever jobs needed small hands to do. They had me working alongside the children even though I was a grown man. They looked at me and saw what they wanted to see. When I was young, I fell in love with a woman, but she wouldn't have me because of my dwarfishness. The only reason I married at all was because Jenise was also a dwarf and everyone expected us to marry. We did learn to love each other, mind you. But life out there was hard for us because we were different. Here at the Temple, everyone is different, which makes us the same.
"But things didn't get better all at once after Resorethon Awakened me. I had to learn how to trust people again. I didn't think these whole, healthy people would really accept me, Descendant or not. I thought they would simply tolerate me because they had to, not because they wanted to. It took time, but I eventually realized that they all cared about me. Not only for me but about me, for my own sake. It was a revelation, I can tell you!
"So, after a while, I realized that I had friends and family here, and I love it. Wouldn't live anywhere else. These people have stood by me through the years; we've experienced life together. I held them when they cried; they mourned with me when Jenise died. Everyone who's Awakened since me has become the son or daughter that Jenise and I couldn't have.
"I'm telling you this to let you know that I know some of what you're facing now with learning how to trust people. You've had to keep away from them, had to kill them and do God-awful things, so it's obvious that you wouldn't want to be close to us. I can tell that you're making an effort, and I wanted to encourage you in that. Let us in, Sylenn, so we can help you."
Satherlin smiled at her again. Sylenn looked into his eyes. Yes, he was sincere. He did mean it.
"Um, thanks."
"You're welcome, Sylenn. It must also be very hard to face your past, especially your brother, who is so relieved to have you back that he's driving everyone crazy with his behavior!" Satherlin chuckled deeply.
Surprised, Sylenn found herself grinning.
"Yes, my dear," Satherlin assured her, "we've all noticed how he keeps after you, and we all wish that he would give you a bit more space. I'll be speaking with him about that later on tonight. What I wanted to ask of you is to understand how he feels and why he's acting the fool he is." Sylenn frowned.
"He loves you, Sylenn; you're the baby sister he thought was dead. He clings to you because he's afraid to lose you again, and he's trying to make up for lost time. You don't have to like how he's doing that; no-one would ask that of you! But do try to understand, alright? Give him time to get used to having you in his life again."
Sylenn nodded slowly.
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