>>5203582"Read-!" Sathriel's response was immediately cut-off as Solomon removed her spine from the base of her neck, gently tugging the her vertebrae out with one hand while the other replaced the cavity with the glowing neon substitute, prompting the Arbiter's face to twist into expressions Sathriel would consider 'undignified' as her body recalibrated itself throughout the delicate yet painfully awkward process. The installation of the new implant causing painful twitches and spasms with each vertebrae socketed into the Arbiter's back until the Sacrum and Coccyx was finally installed as Solomon replaced Sathriel's own spine into the briefcase.
"All done." said Solomon, inspecting Sathriel's back for any errors as the Arbiter's flesh knit back together. "Is everything alright?"
"I'm fine, but I think I need to lie down for a moment." said Sathriel, feeling queasy. "Boys, ready your roles, gather the witnesses and necessary evidence. I'll set up the courtroom shortly."
Solomon and Yan Wong wordlessly nodded, leaving Sathriel to lie down on a nearby boney bench before heading out to complete their assigned tasks and badger the residents for information.
"I take it you have something to say?" asked Sathriel, not bothering to look at the girl approaching her.
"I'm sorry about the thing with Grizzie and the whole village rules about the 'no skintalking' thing." said Lisa. "She's just trying to do her best to keep the peace and do her job. She's a really soft person when you get past her big scary appearance."
The barest hint of a soft smile crept up Sathriel's face as she tilted her head to make eye contact with Lisa. "The two of you seem rather close."
"She saved my life, in more ways than one. She's like family to me."
"Like a mother?" asked Sathriel.
"More like a second mommy. I lived with her ever since I arrived here."
"And what happened to-" Sathriel stopped herself as soon as she saw the instinctual stiffening of the thorny girl. "...ahh...right...sorry if I stepped on a sensitive issue."
"It's okay..."
Lisa appeared more hesitant than usual, fidgeting about as if afraid of what she's about to say. "I...have a question. What does it mean to be a skintalker?"
Sathriel sat up from the bench now fully invested in the conversation. "Why do you ask?"
"Well...it's just that...I...have a friend who's a skintalker." explained Lisa.
"You mean the mayor?"
"No...outside of the village."
"She and I sometimes catch up with each other during my patrols with Grizzie. This remembrance whistle was a gift."
"Do you wear it often?"
"Only when I'm on patrol outside the village."
"I see, why not invite her to Wishbone?"
"I...well...she can't. She's doesn't want to be silenced by the village rules."
Sathriel nodded sagely. "I see...having your voice silenced is one of the main drivers of daughters who have acquired skintalking as a core class after all."
(cont.)
