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"...What is it?"

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"I have no idea what could be making that noise. Well, Jane, could, but - Jane?" She looks at her bracelet.

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There is no response from the bracelet.

The beeping continues.
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"Well," says Sherlock. "That's certainly ominous."

He gets up and heads for the source of the beeping.
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Amariah follows him in.

The beeping is coming from the Janepoint in the basement, and it's accompanied by a message on the screen that reads ANSIBLE CONNECTION LOST. MINIMAL FUNCTIONALITY PROCEEDING ON LOCAL PROCESSING ONLY.

"...Shit," says Amariah.
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"I concur."

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Amariah walks up and taps the screen. The beeping stops, the message shrinks into the corner, and a new one appears.

This one says:
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While I have no reason to expect loss of ansible connection, it's hardly impossible. I'm untested software! So I wrote this and squirreled it away and some local programs will trigger it if Alethia's ever cut off from the rest of me. I don't have enough stolen processor time just from this world's Internet to go on talking or being very personable, I don't think, if I even am mostly code and not whatever thing it is that lives in Aegis. The algorithms you have set up to manage your email and the ad blocker I wrote you and stuff like that should still work, but maybe not as well. I definitely can't pick anybody up and put them down without the ansible. I will brainphone you as soon as I'm back! Here's hoping that's soon, I know you'll miss me. If you find a door to Milliways the usual way please come check on my site in the Belltower.

Love, Jane
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"I am," Amariah says, "so, so sorry."

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"I can tell," says Sherlock, his voice oddly flat.

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"She - she could be back any second. Or we could find a door, at any time," Amariah says. "We used to find them pretty - well, not often, but they happened, you won't be stuck here forever."

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"Pleased to hear it," he says, rubbing his face with both hands. "And yet."

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"I - well - of course you can stay here, while she's out of commission," says Amariah. "There's room. Do you need anything non-obvious to be - as comfortable as possible?" She attempts a weak smile. "I want to return you to Juliet in good condition."

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"Tea, animal blood, optionally a bed," he says. "All of which I can conjure myself. Being a mint does do wonders for one's access to material comforts. As for the immaterial... those are trickier."

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"Well," says Amariah, "if I can help in the immaterial department, please let me know."

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"I may have to impose on you for a regular supply of hugs."

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She wraps her arms around him. "I can absolutely supply those," she says softly.

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He hugs her and sighs.

"Then I'll manage."
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Squeeze.

"I need to tell Kas," she murmurs.

[Sweetie, Jane's offline. No ansible connection. We don't know what happened or when she'll be back. And Minus is here and he's stuck.]
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[Aww!] says Kas.

A moment later, he appears with Petaal wrapped around his shoulders as a big green snake, and he joins the hug.
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"I see you told Kas," Minus says dryly.

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"Yes."

Hugs. Sighs.
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Hugs.

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Snuggly hugs.

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