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"I don’t even need to speak sign language to get that," Ava said "But yes, I don’t think they’re noticingexcept each other at the moment"

It was nice to see Painful, but nice Everyone was happy for theht they’d argued there Argued and not returned Now Ava’s nights were guarded by a series of friendly scribes and singers atched over the house while she slept She could hardly begrudge Dahts less noticeable to the others She escaped into dreams It was none of their business how often

They sat near the , not chancing the freezing teh A few tourists still wandered the streets of the charht houses and soaring, snow-covered h the small valley where Sarihöfn lay was protected froen was not shielded It was a bone-chilling cold that Ava hadn’t experienced for a few years, though it wasn’t anything she could forget She looked with longing at the visitors loading skis into cars, wishing she had the time to join them

But, as Renata reminded her, this ork Not fun

Mala and Renata had fallen silent, sipping their coffee and allowing Ava to listen Other than brief snatches of conversation, she’d been scanning voices for hours Most of it was still nize a few coe

Humans, she realized, wereJoy

A frustrated ht the word for "wife" in his thoughts, but not much else

Worry Worry Joy Content came in flashes The drone of the whispers never ceased Adults were anxiety and longing Children were laughter, but simple worry was still there Names flashed Voices rose and fell

Ava rubbed her head In the safety and silence of Sarih&ou people could be Luckily, both Mala and Renata hummed low repetitive tunes that blended into a kind of white noise If she’d heard the the throngs of other voices, the background music helped her focus

…he comes…

Where? Here? Now?

…pretty, pretty human…

Her ears perked at the odd tone of the whisper She closed her eyes and tried to focus on the single voice that had less babble She couldn’t wait to understand more than just--there!