Eva is waiting at her desk. She smiles, with a hint of challenge to it. She waits for Marit to come in behind Thorn.

Marit has found the glamour she bought intuitive to use and has allowed herself to look much younger now. Maybe fifty.

"I am assuming I'm allowed to witness her naming ceremony? Do tell me if not. An honor, I'm sure." Despite the teasing note, she means it.

"You're allowed, just don't interrupt."

She turns to Thorn. "So, scout. What memories have you brought back for the Thousand Stars?"

"I have brought back a memory of being hunted. I have brought back a memory of desolation. I have brought back a memory of cleverness and courage in saving another's life. I have brought back a memory of rest and comfort and cats. I think that's all."

"Only four memories? What a pity. Will you surrender them now?"

Thorn - hesitates.

"Come on now, you know that this is how it goes. I give you a name in return for your memories."

"You can have the hunting and the desolation and even the cleverness but I'm not giving you the cats. The cats are mine."

"Congratulations," says Eva. "You pass. You found something out there that you don't want to let go of. You've decided that 'I am the person who played with those cats.' And that differentiates you from every other Thorn, because none of them were there. You've earned your name and your independence. So name yourself."

" - Felicity. For the cats. Because it sounds like 'Feline'. And because I was lucky to find them so late in my journeys." 

"Then you are Felicity. Ready for your next assignment?"

""Yeah, I think so. Marit?"

"It was good to get to know you, Felicity. I take it you're probably going somewhere I am not, if I'm to be a contractor and not a scout. Gods go with you. Keep in touch?"

"I'll write. OTC has decent mail service. And gods go with you too."

...Marit suddenly (platonically) hugs Felicity.

"Thanks for saving my life, by the way. There's an argument that the gods had a hand in it, but shared credit means everyone gets full credit in my opinion. Ahem. Miss Evangeline, as briefly discussed before, I'm quite interested in OTC employment as a contractor to lay useful runes on boats and ships. I've prepared by gathering up relevant knowledge and experience from my world."

Felicity hugs back. "I would have done the same for anyone." 

She lets go and runs a hand through her own hair. "See you again sometime."

Eva picks up. "I'm aware, I can pluck it from Felicity's selfstream. You can stay here in my office while Thorn goes over to my other office and speaks with another me regarding her next assignment."

A door appears, and with a final wave Felicity disappears through it.

"You'll be sent to a Half-Tamed world we call Stormtossed; it's mostly sea and the storms are fierce. There's a harbour on the coast that we've contacted and want to make a good impression on, it's called Scilen; you're being sent as one of our first contractors. Don't worry too much about interfacing with the locals, you'll be provided translation magic and a manager whose job is to do the talking for you. If you're prepared, we can send you now, in fact."

"Will my manager be another star? I take it this will represent a raise over penning seals on my own - any benefits?"

"Your manager will be a Lily, yes. As for benefits, contractors get access to the OTC medical plan - aging covered, casts of Cure Serious Wounds and Remove Disease and similar, etcetera. You also get access to our internal rewards program which lets you save up points towards interworld vacations and so on. You also have access to our internal company mail system - normally I wouldn't bother to mention that, but in this case there's someone you might want to write to. Nothing else leaps to mind."

"Well, I'm quite ready to go, I think. I'm sure I can do my shopping later."

"Alright then." 

And there is a door.

She thanks Evangeline politely and steps through to her new life.