Disclaimer: See Prologue
Chapter 1: Uncle Bary's Birthday
"Gadolinium! Gadolinium! You have come after all! My uncle was so worried you wouldn't."
"Frodine, you rascal! You don't think I would miss his birthday party, do you?"
"None of us really knew—most of the Moles aren't especially kind to alchemists, so we didn't know if you would care to come."
"Alchemists have few friends. Most people think they're crazy. The friends they have, are."
"Ha! No worries, though—my uncle and I will always be your friends. Perhaps the rest of the Moles aren't quite so friendly to you, but the Beryllium family will always appreciate you—even if you did destroy my uncle Bary's reputation. I'm afraid the Berylliums aren't quite so respected anymore."
"Ah, yes—Barium's adventure with the adventure with the Bohrs—now, now, I had very little to do with that, really. No matter—alchemists are used to having things blamed on them."
"Poor Gadolinium. Well, I still like you. Come on, I'll take you back to the Hole."
"Hop in—I'll take you."
Frodine jumped up into Gadolinium's wagon. The bond between them was strong; Frodine had known and loved Gadolinium since he was only a proton.
"Tell me all about what is happening in the rest of the world, Gadolinium."
"The Bases and Bohrs are getting along a little better on the surface now, but, if confronted, each will admit his repulsion with the other. Of everything else there is little to tell. No one really knows or cares about you Moles much—a fact for which I am very grateful!"