She sees the light ahead of them before any of her crew, a gathering near the ceiling of the Neath and then an arc downwards into the black waters of the zee. She throws her arm before her eyes, and is still left blinking spots out of her gaze.
"What was that?" a crewmember calls out in alarm.
"I don't know," she replies, "but we're checking it out."
There's murmurs, but her crew do as commanded.
“The ones that live in the Flit are the bravest. It’s gotta be so hard, living on their own like that, no one looking after them.”
"Someone's gotta look out for them, make sure they get food and sleep. Kids should be focused on playing and learning, not scraping by."
"...I think there's a fundamental disconnect somewhere here. We're smaller and then get bigger, but other than someone to tell us about history and how to control our domains and how to interface with the government, we don't need - well, help. I was only with my sister so long because I was weak and small and hiding."
"Kids shouldn't have to do it on their own, though some part of me does agree with you. They do need someone to help them figure out the world around them."
"No - it's - no one would say 'new Judgements shouldn't have to do it on their own' - if you set a newly made Judgement in the High Wilderness alone I'd expect them to be just fine, that's very common and not objectionable at all?"
"So, if you were a full Judgement, you would've just been thrown into your place? With no...training?"
"Knowing my mother? Yes, that's what happened with my sister, though she was taught some things about the world once she was nearly old enough for the Council to notice her."
"Small humans aren't born with complete knowledge, they have to learn everything bit by bit. That's where parents usually come in."
"Oh. But you said something about food and sleep, why wouldn't they have that?" She knows that humans need it, even though that's a very silly design, but she can't imagine a design so silly that children wouldn't have them too.
"Food isn't free, and sleeping can be dangerous. Things aren't always safe around here."
"Helpless small people is really bad species design! And if there's a reason, they shouldn't be left alone! This system is horribly run!"
Kim laughs at that. "You're offended by human design? I'd apologise, but I feel like I should be offended."
"Only at the silly parts! Though I guess the silly parts are why there's anything at all, and not just a clockwork world like my sister's."
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