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Over the next week, Isabella gets the alethiometer to tell her that the planets they looked at don't contain microorganisms that know what to do with a human body (although the one with the giant bugs has some multicellular parasites that might be able to make do with the foreign macro-scale features of a human body if they got the chance). "The present", it includes in one of its answer phrasings, which is kind of worrying. But Adarin makes enough progress with his scry in little enough time that it's worth the double-check.
Isabella also hires ticket-takers, gives them little pots of ink to verify the authenticity of the passes she handed out, and opens the Los Angeles - New York route for the employees of her three companies of choice and anyone who shells out a cool fifteen thousand dollars per round trip (ten K for a one-way). This is steep, but it's within an order of magnitude of what people sometimes pay for short-notice first-class cross-country flights - with less novelty and more hassle. Albeit she doesn't supply inflight meals. She expects to have to raise the price when more people hear about it in response to volume and then be able to drop it again.
By the time the thing has been open for a few days she's fired and replaced one ticket-taker and the others have settled into a routine that she's willing to try out leaving unsupervised for awhile.
If Adarin's up for some up close and personal planet shopping and his results suggest it'll go well, anyway.
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dark_light
dark_light
"We can compare you to Pantone samples while we're in New York too if you like."
prodigal_miser
"I have no idea what that is but I can tell from context that you're teasing me."
prodigal_miser
"I know," Adarin says dryly. "It's such a shock."
He's trying very hard to not smile. It's really not working.
He's trying very hard to not smile. It's really not working.
dark_light
"I'm no fun at all, it's a wonder you can tolerate my company."
prodigal_miser
"Ravishing good looks and the cloud-pine. It's very convenient."
dark_light
"Aww, I'm hurt. In an entirely somber serious no-fun non-teasing way, Adarin, I am hurt that you are using me for my cloud-pine and my stunning beauty."
prodigal_miser
"Yes. I do that because I am as shallow as a puddle. Your pain means nothing to me, because you see...." He leans in close. "I have a silver star in my gold star book."
dark_light
"Will anyone save me from your wicked clutches?" she asks as they enter the parking garage.
prodigal_miser
"Probably not, no. You see, I'm fiendishly evil. So obviously no one will show up to stop me, ever. You're just doomed."
prodigal_miser
"Yeah, you are. Be strong, Isabella. Soon my world take-over will be complete and I'll invade the sun. It'll make a lovely vacation spot."
dark_light
"Curse you and your projects that make no reference to my needs or interests! Wicked Adarin!"
dark_light
"I should have listened to the cats when I had the chance! Woe is me."
prodigal_miser
"Indeed. Woe, regret, and some such. Next time, trust the cats. They have it right."
dark_light
"But there will never be a next time. I am trapped for ever and always."