I didn't plan on this being 9800 words, but -- this was one of those times when the natural chapter break works against me. I had a list of things I wanted to be in the chapter, and I did not want to close until the last one reached the screen. I also refused to displace the final scene to another chapter, because it felt like the moment which needed to close this section. And it's also a moment which we've been building to for a long time.
(I'm guessing that some readers know what the previous flashbacks were leading to. Everyone may have simply been too polite to mention it in the Comments.)
(Or they were just too busy talking about armor.)
Tomorrow pretty much has to be a rest day now. But there's three postings (or four?) left for the month, and I have to decide what they're going to be. However, this feels like an update month. I really have to get back to Anchor Foal, and... maybe I can get into that mindset now, if nothing happens for a little while. But that's sort of daring the universe, and the other party always seems to respond.
It landed a pretty good punch yesterday.
I mentioned this in the Discord server. I haven't blogged it.
My mother got mail from the Nielsen agency.
The ratings poll people.
She represents a very important demographic and they may want to pay for her services long-term.
...America. Where the dead may not vote, but they sure do influence whether your favorite series gets cancelled.