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MOST OF THE SISTERS gathered in a group around Leahara as she told her story. Noatla and Serah were absent on some errand, but the others listened eagerly.
After, tears and embraces were traded. Healing, like water on a smoldering fire. Even Mimi felt a sense of relief. She suspected that each sister was soothing the other in turn, calming one another’s emotions.
Leahara said, “Mimi, will you share your story of how your lover became recycled?”
Mimi frowned. She hadn’t been expecting this. She had thought she had gotten away with not telling Leahara the whole story, but she had been wrong. The other sisters waited patiently for her to begin.
“I... in truth, I haven’t even been able to speak of it to Shannon. I don’t know if I can tell it to all of you.”
Leahara said, “You’re in a safe space, Mimi.” She grabbed Mimi’s hand.
Mimi cleared her mind to transmit; rarely now was she using her mouth to communicate with her sisters. Then, the door to the library archive burst open and in walked Noatla and Serah. All was forgotten.
“Is Mimi here?” Noatla said, scanning the room.
Mimi’s heart sank. Noatla wasn’t blocking her. She let Mimi see everything. Serah couldn’t even look her in the face.
“Shannon’s already been sentenced?”
Noatla nodded.