Distant Memories The train ride had been at least something that Schakri was content to sit and try to relax in, while Victoria enjoyed the view. After that, such mutual enjoyment quickly separated off, as Schakri immediately grumbled his way through Warfang’s central railway hub, dragging Victoria with him to their contact, spiriting them to a northern trail on the city outskirts where they could set up away from prying eyes - and also make a quick escape. “Fucking Surtur…” Schakri grumbled under their breath as they flew. “That bastard gets to stay in a fucking hotel with some actual BEDs, while we do all the real work and get to sleep in a tent and shit in a bucket!” “He’ll get his soon enough.” Victoria offered. “I’m already looking forward to rubbing it in his and Catrin’s faces once we’re finished here.” “Hah!” he snorted, a grin spreading across his face. “Won’t that be the day.” “Besides, camping won’t be that bad! I used to do this all the time with Soja and Dee, and

Someone once asked if I had ever been in love. The answer is yes, a thousand times over. Yes, I have loved people, but also places, books, animals. I have loved the wind on my face and the specks of dust caught in a sunbeam. I have loved strange ice cream flavors, the view from the mountain, plush chairs and wooden tables. I have been in love with frayed shoelaces, with comfortable jeans, with the mosaic wall tiles in Mexican restaurants. I have fallen in love a million different ways; the shimmer of metallic blue porcelain has caught my eye; the sound of windchimes has made me pause. I have lingered too long in libraries, put notebooks back on the shelf with a hesitant hand. I have loved grey hair, nautilus shells, flooded streets, leather satchels, the scent of vanilla, pillows, riverstones, inglenooks, mason jars, window seats, the architecture of churches. I have loved the comfort of a messy bed, the anticipation of a letter, the glide of scissors on laminated