(I went back to Handan today. After a whole day on the road, I finally arrived... so this update is late. I'll have to take the bus back again in a couple of days, probably making another trip...)
Lilina was sprawled on the bed without the slightest regard for her image, staring at an Information Terminal screen displaying a prose poem dedicated to "Moon Girl Artemis," apparently written by some artsy young man. She was so touched that tears streamed down her face.
"Boss, tell me, how did I become this popular?" The Girl rubbed her face with a handkerchief, wearing an expression that I couldn't tell was genuine or fake. Anyway, I had never trusted Lilina's face; her expressions were far too misleading. "Look at how gorgeous their wording is. I'm embarrassed... Should I show up again for just a second and tell those scientists I only disappeared the past two days because I was teasing them?"
I carefully combed Ding Dang's hair, attempting to tie her hair into twin ponytails with the precision of a surgical operation. Without even looking up, I kicked Lilina in the butt. "Then you'll become public enemy number one. Can you say something remotely sensible?"
Lilina muttered and continued searching online for reports about herself. Meanwhile, I finally finished my work: I had tied Ding Dang to the little comb and couldn't get her off.
The palm-sized little thing dangled from a crystal comb no bigger than a finger. Some clumsy idiot had made a complete mess of her hair. It looked like she would be stuck there until after eight tonight unless someone capable of solving the Cretan Labyrinth in thirty seconds came to help. Yet she showed no sign of anger. This carefree little creature hugged the pair of combs that