They fly from the aquarium to Charlie's house, because Helen wants to see Charlie.
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i've written home to mother
Kas Petaal
truthwright
It's a longish flight. Ranata elects to follow the highway. There are a lot of billboards. For miscellaneous services, for miscellaneous products, for miscellaneous movies.
Apparently in four months audiences may expect yet another movie about the Shade-Dreamer. This one is entitled "Isabella Amariah and the Harpies' Bargain"; the actress they have got to play her at least looks like a convincing witch when photographed and does have an owl posing dramatically on her shoulder, albeit a barn owl.
Apparently in four months audiences may expect yet another movie about the Shade-Dreamer. This one is entitled "Isabella Amariah and the Harpies' Bargain"; the actress they have got to play her at least looks like a convincing witch when photographed and does have an owl posing dramatically on her shoulder, albeit a barn owl.
small belldaughters
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"What's a harpy?" says Helen. "And isn't that my secret mom's name?"
"A harpy is a creature that lives in the afterlife and acts as a gatekeeper there," says Ranata, "and - yes - yes it is, they're talking about the same person."
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"Why's there a movie about my secret mom? Isn't she a secret?"
"It's a secret that she's your mom. It's not a secret that she did what she did."
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"What'd she do?"
"She made the afterlife."
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"Really?" says Helen. "How'd she do that?"
"No one knows exactly." Ranata swallows. "Most witches think she did a sacrificial spell - with herself as the sacrifice - and that that's why she hasn't turned up since - but something Kas said makes me think maybe that isn't what happened - he would know more than me about it, though, he was closer to her at the time it happened and he won't tell me everything."
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"Oh."
Helen contemplates this.
"Why not? Is it because she's secret?"
Helen contemplates this.
"Why not? Is it because she's secret?"
"I don't know why he won't tell me. He just won't."
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"I bet it's because she's secret," says Helen.
"She's only partly secret. They make movies about her," says Ranata. "But that you're her daughter needs to stay a secret, because people would bother you about it if they knew."
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"I don't want people bothering me about her," says Helen. "Because she's secret."
"Very good," sighs Ranata.
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And that is all Helen has to say on the subject of her secret mom for now.
They arrive at Charlie's eventually.
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Helen swoops upon him for hugs.
"Hi, grandpa! Manatees are really huggable, did you know? And Grandma is more huggable than manatees. She is like the best manatee. She's a granatee!"
"Hi, grandpa! Manatees are really huggable, did you know? And Grandma is more huggable than manatees. She is like the best manatee. She's a granatee!"
He hugs her. "I did not know that about manatees," he says, laughing softly.
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"It's true! We looked at some and they looked huggy," she asserts.
"But you didn't try it and see?"
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"There was a sign that said we're not s'posed to. So I hugged Granatee instead!"
"Is that my name now?" chuckles Ranata.
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"No! Your name is Ranata Ekamma," says Helen. "Granatee is your other thing."
"Her other thing?" asks Charlie, amused.
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"The other thing that's not a name but it's what you call somebody! Like grandma and grandpa and granatee and mommy and daddy and spinach!"
"All right then," laughs Ranata. "But I'm still only secretly your grandma, so 'granatee' is a word for in private, okay? I only ever had - the one child, so if people knew you were my grandchild, they would know about your... secret mom."
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"Okay," says Helen.
"Good." Forehead-kiss. "Let's have some food, that was a long flight."
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"Food!" says Helen. "I like food!"
And thus, a late dinner is produced and consumed.
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Omty nomty nom.