Snapshot 1

“Careful, Elder! You should change the names in these files,” the girl chided.

The older woman smiled softly. “And why is that? Why not speak of my own life, with my own name?”

“You know what the Ruling Orders decreed! Queer love is forbidden. You’ve said too much.”

She paused for a moment, gathered her youthful confidence.

“There's rumors they are making lists of who to arrest someday.”

Another calm smile rippled across her elder’s face. Warmth and life in her eyes.

She spoke – sharp ice. Determination.

 “My dear girl… I will not be a stranger forever. Long before they find the gall to begin purges, the Orders will already have learned to fear the sound of my name.”