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“Elder, this is your job You can’t decide when you’re Eldest and when you’re not You Are Always Eldest Even if you don’t take the title ” Ah There’s the berating I’d been waiting for

I sigh “Fine Be there soon ”

Doc’s apprentice, Kit, arden Doc didn’t want to take on an apprentice, but he’s of the age that he will need a replacement, and I insisted Of all the nurses that applied for apprenticeship, Kit was the best Not the best with medicine—Doc constantly complains about what a slow learner she is—but she’s the best with the people, and I decided that Doc needs someone more human beside him as he works Doc wasn’t happy with my decision, but he accepted it

“Thank you,” Kit says “We just weren’t sure what to do ”

“What’s going on?” I ask, following her down the path, past the hydrangeas and the pond to the arden

Doc crouches on the ground, for once negligent about the dirt and grass stains thatinto his pants

A woman kneels in front of the wall She looks a little like so on Sol-Earth—her hands rest on the ground, pal on the metal wall

“She won’t get up,” Doc says

I squat down beside her “What’s wrong with her?”

Doc shakes his head “She just won’t get up ”

I put my hand on the woe my presence at all My hand creeps up to her shoulder, and I apply as gentle pressure as I can until her body weight shifts back She leans away, sitting on her ankles

I know her

I try to know everyone on the ship, but I can’t There are too many of them, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t know them all But I do know this woman

Her nae district in the City I stayed with her family when I was a little kid; I don’t remember exactly when I don’t think she was on Phydus when I lived with her family, but she definitely was on it later, when I visited her beforeto the Keeper Level Even so, she was always kind tohow to can string beans, and she ignored the way I cried even though I was old enough to know that such a small burn didn’t deserve tears

“Evie,” I say “It’s ?”