Page 35 of Fibre and Ink

Mickey: yeah it’s good, we’re watching X-Files at night

I added a smiley face so she would see how cool and chill I was being. She replied with a kissing face and a thumbs up. What did that mean?

I didn’t reply.

Aster

I fired off an email to Barbara Traylor and a couple of the others who had replied to me, asking what Bob Maskill’s deal was and if he was allowed to start a massive construction project near the Cooper’s farm.

Group chat has been renamed to Gen AI Out!

Harlow: hey, good news! I was chatting with Nova Dawson from the feed store and he reckons we can get leaflets dropped from the crop duster. Would be a great way to advertise, no?

Aster: !!!

Aster: that’s awesome! OMG I’ll put together something real quick and get it printed with the posters. Plan for protest is next town council meeting: Monday 10th, 2pm, spread the word!

Dillon: that’s soon! Aster: they’re trying to like, speedrun the building of this thing so we gotta work quick

Aster: quick like a bunny, or like Thumper, the cria Mickey named after a bunny

Aster: Thumper is very cute and likes to bounce around a lot

Harlow: I need pictures of Thumper ASAP

Aster: mama isn't letting anyone close enough to Thumper yet, sorry!

Mickey: Nova’s a good guy

It was absolutely ridiculous of me to feel jealous of Nova. I knew Mickey also thought I was a good guy, but like... ugh.

Making a little ‘come to my protest’ flyer was straightforward. I sent it to the print shop to add to my other order.

I emailed Barbara Traylor, who I was already thinking of as my ally on the inside, letting her know about our planned protest.

I should probably contact law enforcement and let them know, too. I should be sensible, and follow the rules, and not get my protest shut down, right?

Sighing, I looked up Foggy Basin police and found the official website. I filled out the email form with my details and the plan for the protest. I didn’t tell them about the leaflet drop though, that wasn’t even confirmed, right?

Getting up from the table, I went for a cup of juice from the kitchen. Out of habit I opened my phone. Joel had sent me a Reel and I opened it up. It was a clip of an extremely hot drag king act from Vegas.

I watched it, filled with a mixture of admiration and yearning. I wanted to be on stage again!

I messaged him back.

Aster: it’s been too long since I performed! Find me a show?

Joel: I’ll see what I can do. Bobbi’s planning a Trans-centric show for charity, I’ll send the details as soon as I have them

Aster: love it!

Joel: babe, are you not literally going loopy staying in a farm?

Joel: I wouldn’t be able to stand it

Joel: I’d be tearing the wallpaper trying to get at the woman trapped inside it

Aster: no, I’m fine