calligraphy

[isthisart]

Linya is working on a massive flowchart-like diagram of a planned software project for Dr. Cheung. It's laid out in every color and in three dimensions with sprawl of its little writing that takes up most of her office and keeps fading out at the edges and in her shadow when she moves around, but reappears when she turns or approaches.

Comments

[first_loyalty]

They make plans to visit a history museum in Vorbarr Sultana together. Ekaterin is very pleased about the idea.



The night before the planned outing, she pens Linyabel a flustered-sounding note. I'm sorry, something's come up and I can't make it to the museum tomorrow. Don't worry, everyone's fine, it's just a family thing.

[isthisart]

Sure. Does next week, same time, work for you?

[first_loyalty]

A long pause, and then: I'll see. I have to go to sleep now.

[isthisart]

Okay.

Linya waits.

[first_loyalty]

Perhaps the mysterious family emergency is distracting her, because Ekaterin doesn't follow up anytime in the next few days.

[isthisart]

The day before what would be "same time next week":

Are we on for tomorrow or do you need to postpone further?"

[first_loyalty]

Oh! I'm sorry, it completely slipped my mind. I'd love to - I'll just check with Tien that he doesn't have anything planned.

[isthisart]

Okay. I'll come fetch you if you don't tell me not to, then.

[first_loyalty]

Thank you. See you tomorrow, I hope.

A couple of hours later: Sorry, Tien is going out with his work friends all day and needs me to watch Nikki, and I'm not sure this museum would be an appropriate place for a small child. Maybe another time.

[isthisart]

Okay. Let me know?

[first_loyalty]

I'll do my best!

[isthisart]

And Linya waits.

[first_loyalty]

Time passes.

Two weeks later: Do you still want to go to that museum? Are you free tomorrow?

[isthisart]

Tomorrow works for me! I still haven't been to see it and they still have the mineral exhibit.

[first_loyalty]

Great! See you then!

[isthisart]

So Linyabel turns up to collect Ekaterin, the next day.

[first_loyalty]

Ekaterin seems oddly shy and flustered at first, but soon returns to normal. She enjoys the museum trip very much.

[isthisart]

It has minerals! And other things. It is a nice museum. Linya returns her home after they grab dinner.

[thisvorlunatic]

The next morning, Miles departs on an egg-sitting run of unspecified duration.

[isthisart]

Which leaves Linya with more unallocated time than usual. Does Ekaterin want to go to a symphony with her?

[first_loyalty]

Ekaterin would love to!

[isthisart]

So plans are made!

[first_loyalty]

And they go to the symphony. It is very musical. Ekaterin enjoys herself.

[isthisart]

Linya's next idea, the following week, is to bring Nikki along to a zoo.

[first_loyalty]

Nikki adores the zoo.

Ekaterin seems distracted by something, but she smiles when her son does.