Iman's delight at being pulled along on a coveted exploration mission is quickly interrupted by a little squeak of alarm at Greta's sneezing fit. This is - worrying. It keeps happening, and what's worse, it keeps happening at these specific moments. Like it's on cue.
More or less like what just happened to her, she realizes. But what ties these events together? What did their two aborted statements have in common? They were both claiming things, in fairly declarative ways. Could it be exaggeration that triggers it, or-
Or...
Oh no.
"Oh," she says, realizing abruptly that Greta has finished. Suddenly she's tense. Uneasy. This is terrible. If she's right, this is terrible. And it has the potential to get much worse. If Greta figures it out. If she asks the wrong question - if Iman says the wrong thing-
"You okay?" she says, forcing a smile. "Hah. We could just rest, if you like. That would be f- fine with-" She yanks her hand back again to catch the sneeze and groans immediately afterward.
no subject
More or less like what just happened to her, she realizes. But what ties these events together? What did their two aborted statements have in common? They were both claiming things, in fairly declarative ways. Could it be exaggeration that triggers it, or-
Or...
Oh no.
"Oh," she says, realizing abruptly that Greta has finished. Suddenly she's tense. Uneasy. This is terrible. If she's right, this is terrible. And it has the potential to get much worse. If Greta figures it out. If she asks the wrong question - if Iman says the wrong thing-
"You okay?" she says, forcing a smile. "Hah. We could just rest, if you like. That would be f- fine with-" She yanks her hand back again to catch the sneeze and groans immediately afterward.
This cannot be happening.