Come for the shiny controlling tech, stay for the long lost reunion stories.
Almost as though on instinct, Kathryn rubbed the raised flesh which signaled the presence of her inhibitor. “Hmm, yes,” she groaned. “Gotta say, still think I prefer Tiffany’s. though it’s been a while since anyone’s handed me a little blue box. As for the reunions, well.” She frowned. There were reunions that Kathryn would have genuinely valued. Crossing paths with her stepsister, whom Kathryn hadn’t seen since she was a small child? Not one of them. “It could certainly be worse.” She smiled at Orla as though she’d just said something complimentary.
Kathryn straightened her back and gently touched her hair when Orla remarked that she was looking good. Truth was that Orla was looking very good, too; older, sure, but the fair-haired Applegate looked stronger than Kathryn ever would have thought. It was as though leaving home when she did, how she did, had performed wonders, enabling her to grow into something stronger and sturdier than what might have been cultivated in their family home. Her hair glimmered in the light, her blue eyes exposed some of Orla’s underlying kindness, even if it was being conserved in her present company; it was infuriating.
How had Orla been able to thrive? How was that fair?
“Yes, thank you,” she replied as she flipped a strand of dark hair out of her face. “As are you. I admit I’m a little impressed. I don’t think anyone had much faith you’d make it through your first year on your own – but look at you now! Proving everybody wrong.”
And then, with a little more genuine curiosity, Kathryn leaned forward. “How long have you been?” She circled her finger in the air, gesturing to their less-than-friendly environment. “A Regiment guest.”