"Travelers," the Chief said. "Useful ones. You might like them."
She looked at me for a moment longer. The assessment in it was direct without being rude, the look of someone who evaluated things professionally rather than casually. "How did you survive the outer water."
"Long story," I said.
"I like short ones."
ಠ_ಠ.
She turned back to the Chief. "Where's your daughter? First time she hasn't been out here waving at us before the plank was down."
The Chief sighed. "Sulking. Three days solid. She hasn't come out of the house."
Alright.
I just Looked at the ship. Looked at Jisoo.
That ship, I thought. That goes somewhere. That goes across this entire flooded region, through whatever's in the water, it can cross the distance we can't cross on foot. If they're heading west—
"Hey," I said, low, to Jisoo.
She looked at me. Already had the expression of someone who'd arrived at the same place. "I know."
"What are you two talking about," the blue-haired asked.
