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Things Left Unsaid

"I've heard that Alanna has gone to the desert."

"And I've heard young Jonathan has finally decided to propose."

They stare at each other, confused and defiant respectively, standing together on the edge of the world. Her hands tremble as her fingers search out the door, and like a good diplomat, she retreats away from the edge.

"It's better to leave it alone," George calls after her, voice hoarse, and Thayet wonders if it's possible that the jump could have been any more painful than this.

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