God this is incredible. It's written like silk... sleek and refined, and yet so very strong. Strong, touching, and heartfelt. It's really something that will stick with the reader a long, long, while. You're good, Lian. You're really good.
Author's Response: Awwww. And you're sweet, Hal. You're really sweet.
I hope it sticks a while. For Padma's sake.
This still makes me cry. And you're such a pill. I can't read anything about the Patil's without wondering whether one of them is going to waste away...
Author's Response: You know, now I have a bizarre image of a chicken and an undead hamster sitting next to each other and watching the Patil twins with worried motherly expressions. It really is priceless, Dr. Poultry. Anway, this story comes with tissues if you need them.