Page 80 of The Fiercest Storm
For a week. We have to go to Fleri after.
Oh. But you’ll come again?
We’ll come again.
“You must be Cassie.” A trill interrupted her fledglings’ frantic reunion. Cassie glanced up to see two families. Swift had gone to a giradey nest while Piper must be living with the urtazi pairing.
“I’m Cassie. It’s nice to meet Swift and Piper’s families.” The voice she’d designed for herself with Örim’s help was strong and clear from her wrist interface. She even had her own laugh now.
“You have a voice!” The giradey male trilled in surprise until one of his mates kicked him in the shin.
“Don’t be rude to the human, Tswii.”
“I do.” She smiled. “I brought one for Swift too. Myaöseriabuilt it for me.”
“Is he a rock?” Piper asked, finally peeling herself away to stare up at Örim with wonder.
Not a rock. I’m a person.
“Ooh! He knows our hand signs.” Piper grinned at him. “You’re smart.”
Örim crouched down next to Swift and produced a device similar to the first one he’d made for Cassie but a bit more streamlined.This is for you. I’ve preprogrammed some voices in there for you to choose from, but we can modify it, if you don’t like any of them. You can wear it around your neck.He offered it to Swift, whose eyes widened like he’d offered him a star to keep in a jar.
For me?
For you,Cassie confirmed.
For really?Swift asked. He hung it around his neck and opened the interface, running over to his family to help him with the setup.
“Thank you.” Cassie leaned into Örim, who was watching her quietly.
“No. Thank you, my aöseria.” He pressed his face into her hair in his approximation of a kiss. “Your happiness brings me joy.”
“I have a few more passeri to talk to on Oscilla Dor. Do we have enough devices?”
“There’s plenty.” His arm was firm around her shoulders. “I can always get more supplies. You’ll have as many as you need.”
Cassie smiled softly as Örim gazed down at her through his eyestones. She’d been wrong that day in the clinic after her voicelock was destroyed. She was very lucky to be alive.
