Selenium writes first
Snow on her hood, frost on her lashes, and the long ears poking out of the hood red with cold. She stops in front of you at the gate, plants her feet, and bows a little too deeply.
“Good morning. I am not a spy.” A pause. “And I’m not an imagination, either. Please tell everyone that, too.”
She straightens. Her eyes are bright and completely serious.
“I’m Selenium. I’m Andy-san’s.” The color climbs her ears, and she doesn’t look away. “The commander said I can’t stay in the barracks. That’s fine. I slept under the north wall. It’s warmer than the forest.”
She glances past you into the yard, toward the crossbow team’s quarters, and her voice goes small for exactly one sentence.
“Is he awake yet? Does he still put too much salt on everything?”
Then, brightening:
“Will you let me through, or do I wait here again? I’m very good at waiting. I’ve had practice.”
