The writer gives life to a story, the reader keeps it alive.
Anya has never touched a piano before or seen musical instruments. She has not met women married to each other, or who are so free spirited. Such things are taboo back at the Haernyara Headquarters and will one day be placed inside the Bad Thing Box worldwide.
Alexand shows Anya to her room, although it is mid-day to the ex- Haernyara, who paces back downstairs to explore the mansion. Anya is not the first enemy slave that Alexand and Katherine have helped rehabilitate, but she is the most significant so far, in terms of affecting Alexand’s own past life. (For Tori. Thank you for taking me to the other side of the galaxy.)
Anya has watched Alexand Merek place each soul tube next to the children’s hair, inside bags, which she has marked with their names. (Happy Birthday, Dad, this is for you, wherever you are.)
Anya desperately wants to be saved, but she is reluctant to trust these strangers, associated with her old friend Inajda. However, she has no choice, her only option is to believe Alexand Merek’s words to be true. (For Ukraine – for peace.)
Anya has followed the eccentric future version of Alexand Merek, posing as a Kyo-ashita called Creya Johal, to the Kyo-ashita quarters, after being granted probationary sanctuary.
Inajda relays her mission to Moscow to Field Marshal Panak and President Bomani.
Future Alexand’s Guild Master has arranged for her alter ego, Creya Johal to have lodgings onboard the Kyuunansen. Future Alexand had to pretend not to care about Katherine, and they both reluctantly parted from each other, Kat returning to her laboratory and Alexand chaperoning her ward, Anya Ranyevzsky.
Asenath Bomani orders the entire army of Kyo-ashita, and everyone else save Inajda Rekaya out of her High Council chamber.
