that Novis, who had just returned from a rock climbing expedition

and was struggling to put away her gear on a high shelf, almost

didn't hear her.

"Oh, sweetie, I didn't expect to see you

here, I thought your mother kept you busy with the preparations for

the ceremony, your input is very important, you know!" the sister

said, cheerfully.

"Not as much as you think. Bonding

ceremonies are very prescriptive, other than the actual clouds

involved, there isn't much that can be changed," Lelia replied.”