I SAW!


Electra introduced herself and then Amelia, welcoming her to Springwater. She seemed very comfortable on the chairs we’d put there. They both did. They did get up at one point to move the chairs closer together, though, so they could hold hands.

I made a mental note, if we did this again, maybe an option to use a sofa? I read somewhere that sylphs can become very tactile. And after Electra explained, I knew that word didn’t mean they were good at Battleship or Risk.

She mostly let Amelia talk, explaining the problems facing sylphs, what the Anthony Administration had been trying to do, what Bell would try to continue doing.

They shared some anecdotes, talking about sylph living and meeting old friends. What it was like to ride in a carrier, what it was like to sleep in a Styrofoam box.

Electra mentioned the Grover Cleveland booger, but did not give any context or identity. Even Chip wouldn’t have a clue she was talking about him.

All in all, Samantha was VERY happy with the whole experience. They got their message across and both sylphs came out looking like sane, polite, intelligent women facing some unjust adversity.

Mark gave them a copy of the tape and went off to make a call to the news director at the TV station over in Twin. He promised us that he’d let us know what times to tell our friends it’d be on.

The Anthony’s said goodbye (I got a handshake, Electra another hug) and we were finished for the day.

“Did you see?” she asked me when we were alone. “Did you see me interview Amelia Kamal!?!” “I saw!” I said.

“She thanked me for a wonderful interview! Did you hear her thank me?”

“Yep.”

“I think it went well! Did you see when I asked her about growing up?”

“I saw everything, Electra,” I assured her. “You did very well. I was quite proud.”

She stopped bouncing and smiling, just as if I’d poured a half-cup of ice water on her. Don’t ask how I know how she reacts to that.

“What do you mean, proud?” she asked, fists resting on her hips.

I sighed. “Well, it’s a simple word. I mean, like, when I watch Chip make a touchdown? I kinda don’t hate him anymore, so I feel proud to see him succeed at a chosen pursuit.” She gave a small smile but still didn’t relax.

“And when Christmas gets up in front of the whole school and efficiently beheads her debate opponent, I feel proud to know her and glad to see that she’s doing something that well.” Electra relaxed a little bit more.

I bent down and extended a finger to brush her upper arm. “And when you, little sylph, perform exceptionally, I own you and I can claim all your accomplishments as my own.”

Her mouth gaped in shock. She took a breath in to rebut my statement. Probably with all four curse words. I went on before she could, though.

“After all, anyone who knows us and sees this interview will instantly think, ‘Wow, Conrad has trained her very well.’ And that makes me just bust with pride.”

It was an outrageous lie. No one who’s known her for five minutes, or listened to me for ten, would confuse who was the smart one in this relationship.

And after a moment, she realized I was teasing. She smiled. And, weird, she started to cry, too.

I opened my hand and she ran into it, hugging as much of me as she could reach.

“Thank you,” she sniffled.

“Yeah, so that’s over with?” I asked. She just held me. I let her sit there for as long as she wanted.

Finally she stood, stripped and handed me the dress. I slid the frame up into it while she went into the carrier for her body suit.

One of the sound guys drove us home, saying the cold air would be bad for Electra’s voice.



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Index

24. Introductions

26. Reporting In