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  This is so weird. I don’t know how to write this sort of thing. Writing for my job is easy. That’s like pulling on pants, but writing the story of you and me and all we’ve done together? How did you write Within and Without?

  I’m no Sibsil Creed. But I think you want me to write this story, so I’m gonna try. I thought that if I started writing a letter to you, then it would be like talking to you, and I’d know what to write. And I think I’ll just start telling you stories that you haven’t heard before.

  So I’m going to pretend that you’re here and just asked me the question, “Hey, can you tell me a story I haven’t heard before?”

  “Sure. Let me tell you about the time I decided to kill your ex-husband.”

  - Sibsil Creed, Stories of Shurwinn, (2767)

  Dream Journal

  I was the ocean. Movvvvving. Unnnnnndulating. Riiiiising. Faaaaaling. Uppppppp. Dooooooown.

  Riiiiising. Riiiiiiising. I was cressssting. Mmmmmmmm. Faaaaaalllllllinnnnnng.

  I came crashing down.

  And there was churning. Churning. Thrashing.

  And something pulled me under. Seaweed. Seaweed tangled around me. Or was it legs? Legs and arms.

  Whispering against my skin. Touching me. There was a whisper—

  I woke up.

  I was so thirsty. So thirsty. There wasn’t enough water. I was the desert. I got up for water.

  I hurt. It hurt. And I was so parched. Why did it hurt? Why did I feel so bad? Another relapse? But why? How long would it take this time? What was wrong with me?

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  My eyes opened. A day. Only one day. It had been a relapse, but it was only one day. I had to make the first video for my new business. Peydran was coming to the monastery, and I had to get up. I had to shop. I needed things—clothes.

  I was too tired.

  Ryst: Can we move the video shoot out a few days?

  Peydran: Ryst! Of course! Wed? 1:30?

  Ryst: Thanks

  Her eyes were like nothing I’ve ever seen. Pale green with turquoise around the irises. She was reserved, but had a hint of something wild in her that was wanting to break free. And if it did, it would pour from those eyes.

  - Sibsil Creed, Stories of Shurwinn, (2776)

  Things were moving quickly. Peydran had gone straight into production mode, and I'd been rehearsing things in my mind, making sure all was in place—starting to get ready for my new life.

  Then: crash. I’d had to get into bed to rest, but wanted to keep going. There was so much to do.

  My citizenship meeting approached, and there was the first video for my new stream site: Living Foods From Shurwinn with Dr. Ryst Nova. I planned to make a curry—uncooked. I had my favorite recipe down pat, and I knew I could do it quickly.

  But I needed things. Clothing. New look. I wasn’t gonna wear my old Starlend business attire or scrubs, and everything I’d bought in Shurwinn was too casual. I needed something that was a bit more polished, but still looked like I was from Shurwinn so my outside would match the new me inside.

  Ryst: Need a tailor. Business casual. Recommendations?

  Sorchen: Definitely Mauren.

  When I arrived at Mauren’s tailor shop, she greeted me calmly at the door, raising her right hand to me. I took it in my left, bowing my forehead to her hand. “Sunshine greet you, Mauren.”

  “I’m so glad you contacted me, Dr. Nova. What kind of clothes do you need?”

  “Ryst, please.” She used a scanner to get my measurements. “I need something fresh and new for my citizenship meeting, and I’m recording some videos for a new business. I want to look professional, but not overly dressy. I really like bandeau tops, but all of the fabrics I have now are too casual. So, I was thinking possibly silk? And maybe a scarf to add some interest?”

  “Are there colors you're looking for? Any of these catch your attention?” she asked, pointing to reams of fabric.

  “I really like vivid, saturated colors. So, maybe the dark pink, and the green?”

  She pulled a blue ream out, and asked, “What about this blue? I think with your skin and eyes, it would be dramatic. And then a scarf with some magenta?”

  The blue wasn’t navy, and it wasn’t royal blue. It was something in between, and it would look really good against my skin, especially with a magenta scarf to tie it together.

  I nodded. “Let’s do that, and also—I’ll trust your judgment. I’d like to get three bandeaus. You can pick the colors. And then whatever trousers are appropriate. How does that sound?” I hesitated. “My timetable is soon—the citizenship meeting is in three days. Is that too quick?”

  “Shall I deliver to the monastery, or would you like to come back to the shop?”

  I grinned, relieved at her confidence. “I can come back to pick everything up. Thank you so much, Mauren. I’m so excited to see what you put together!"