Gathering

I missed the last gathering of the Maa'Tushindor clans. I was hacking up pod goo instead, still learning the trick of breathing it in without choking and gagging.

The time before that I danced the fire dance. Other dances as well. Some private performances. It was an adventure. New people; intense flirtations; quite a few clanchildren born after.

But not mine.

Ko Braya's called the clans together again. This time Atamahara wants its pilots there. We're the blingships in the fleet; perhaps the bait.

It'll take weeks. I really, really wish she'd chosen another time.

Had the chat with Eva. Her advice is a lot like Auntie Gytha's, but -- how to put it -- quite sanguine about the idea that damage happens. I won't think of nanite repair paste or research for structure repair bots the same way for a while.

I'm happy.

I'm having to consider answers to the questions I usually ask.

I'll find a bespoke nanite maker.