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Description
Chapter 3 - Lodging
by Miss Mouse
    Technology on fledgling colonies is powerful, but rare. The Ark Ships are designed to be disassembled and used to support the colony, and great care is taken in their design that no part is wasted. At the heart of each colony is the ship’s computer, which serves as an archive of science and technology for the colonists to study, instructions to guide them in their growth, and the computational programs to handle the intense genetic knowledge needed to manage the population.
    The computer contains something of a blueprint for the growth of the colony, giving a list of stepping stones and how to achieve them. For many years, the ship’s computer is the only intelligent technology available, as it takes many generations to gather the materials and create the framework necessary for mass-producing computers.
    This is not a huge obstacle, as the ship’s computer is robust enough to support the whole colony and multiple access terminals can be found throughout the Tower, and even a few in certain labs in the main city of Cascadia.
    Cascadia’s computer is referred to as the Central Engine.
    —
    “And of course,” continued Alimeda, “this is Second Hall, where you’ll be staying. There’s twelve rooms and two girls to a room, but we’re not quite full yet!” Alimeda had a full, hearty laugh that echoed through the arching halls of the Tower.
    It made Cerys smile to be near the woman, as she exuded an air of joviality.
    Alimeda was one of the Sisters who had devoted themselves to the raising of novices, and so watched over one of the dormitory halls, ensuring that the girls were all taken care of. Though no official title existed for these selfless women, many of their charges (especially those raised in the Tower) called them “Mother.”
    Alimeda, herself, was a vibrant and loud woman, raised on one of the outlying farms of Cascadia before joining the Tower in her early adulthood. She was stout and strong and retained her work ethic, making her well-liked and quick to help out when there was a need.
    Cerys had met her in passing before, but as she often had her hands full with her novices, the two had never had a real conversation. One thing of note she knew about the woman was that Alimeda had opted to continue being pregnant without taking a break after graduating from novicehood, and now (more than ten years later) had set the record for highest birth weight within the colony.
    From the current size of the woman, she might be ready to break that record.
    “You’ll be in room 11.” Alimeda led her into the U-shaped hall, lined on the outside with doors. The inner cavity contained a shared washroom for all the novices of the hall.
    “Is there someone there already?”
    “Yep, you’ll be rooming with Dalia, a bright young thing; her parents are botanists, you know. She came to us… let’s see, seven months back?”
    Around the bend of the U, they came to room 11, which was mostly a featureless rectangle with two beds in either far corner, two trunks for storing belongings, and two writing desks with chairs. Between the two beds, a window opened to overlook the city below.
    One side of the room was furnished with personal belongings, models, printed charts and diagrams neatly adhered to the wall, and a number of small plants growing in pots on one of the desks (which were placed comfortably beside each other in front of the window).
    “You’re free to wander around and make friends and the like. Supper will be in just a few hours, and you’ll join in with the Initiation Class in the morning. If you need anything, my quarters are just across from the hall’s entrance and I’m up at all hours; this doesn’t let me get much sleep, these days.” Alimeda laughed and patted her belly, which stood out from her as a great, round ball beneath her robes.
    Her Badge of Sisterhood (indicating her focus as a Midwife) was clipped to the outer layer of her wrapping shawl so that the chains that marked her rank dangled down the side of her curves.
    Cerys opened her mouth to say something, but noticed a small box on the unused bed. She walked over to this and opened it as Alimeda watched, revealing a set of sea-green Novice robes. There was a sense of awe as she lifted them up before her, seeing them in the indirect light from the window.
    These were her robes, a sign that she had at last really entered the Sisterhood.
    “I’ll give you some privacy to change,” said Alimeda as she shut the door. Her face beamed a bright and loving smile.
    But for a few moments, Cerys just stood alone in the dim room and looked at the robes, held them to herself, and thought about the life she was finally entering. In this moment—as unreal as it still seemed—she was reminded of the child which was even now growing inside of her. The first of the many children she would bear.
    Outside, a pair of birds flew past the window.
    She returned from her reverie—that odd, almost-nostalgia that one experiences as a long-held dream begins to enter reality—and undressed, preparing to change. No sooner had she gotten out of her breeches and smock than the door opened without a knock, causing her to jump and try cover herself with the robe.
    “What? Who’re you?” said the Novice, a girl much the same age as Cerys. She was of average height, with a slight build and a face that could have been carved by an artist’s hand, as finely featured as it was. She was beautiful young woman, and her golden hair wrapped across her temples in two delicate braids, forming a sort of diadem above the cascade that poured down her back.
    She seemed about seven or eight months pregnant, and seemed to be handling it well despite the litheness of her frame.
    Cerys stammered out bits and pieces of a response as she tried to cover herself up. There were a few moments of terrible silence as she pulled on her robes (not getting to revel in her attainment) before turning to the Novice.
    “Cerys,” she said awkwardly, extending her hand in greeting. “I’m new.”
    The Novice just sighed and walked past her, going to her desk.
    “Dalia Wren.” Her voice was not annoyed, per se, but it was clear she was not thrilled with this situation. “I suppose you’re to be my roommate? Alimeda didn’t tell me about this.”
    “I’m afraid there might not have been much of a chance;” Cerys basically apologized. “I only just turned 18 yesterday and my acceptance was kind of quick.”
    “Oh, a Child of the Tower,” Dalia did not sound impressed as she retrieved a pair of books from her desk. “Lucky me.”
    Cerys frowned anxiously as Dalia got her things together.
    “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I have some work to do.”
    She put several books and papers in a bag and immediately went to the door to leave, but turned back for a moment.
    “And don’t touch my stuff.”
    —
    Cerys sat in the quiet and empty room for a time and thought about what living here would be like. She’d always had roommates—but never just one—as the Children’s quarters had long rooms with many beds.
    She knew how to live with unfriendly people, but the thought of it pulled her a little further away from the life she had imagined for herself.
    But there was nothing to do for it now, and so she got up, took a few minutes to arrange her few belongings around her side of the room, then went out into the hall to explore her surroundings.
    With Room 11 now filled, there twenty-two novices on the hall and forty-six in the Tower, total. She’d get to know them better in her studies, but it couldn’t hurt to take a look around and see if she could meet anyone before dinner.
    Eating alone sounded very unappealing.
    Most of the doors on the hall were shut, but a few stood open and Cerys saw girls studying, working, talking, and hanging out. She passed by with quick glances, her encounter with Dalia having cowed her somewhat. Maybe it would be best to wait until her introductory classes to try and meet people?
    She decided to go out into the main hall and familiarize herself with these parts of the tower, but a stifled cry made her stop outside Room 3. The door was open and she saw two girls inside on one of the beds. The taller was fair-haired and looked worried, her arm around the shorter girl’s shoulder.
    This taller woman almost immediately noticed Cerys and turned towards her with an annoyed look.
    “Hey, give us some privacy!” She waved one hand, and then started to stand to close the door.
    “No no, Shea, don’t be rude, I don’t mind.” The shorter girl, a somewhat-pained expression on her dark face looked up and Cerys and smiled. Her hands, which had been gently pressed against the sides of her belly, now moved to rest atop its curve. She was small and slight, and the size of her belly seemed inconveniently large on her. “Are you a new novice?”
    “Y-yes,” she hesitated. “My name’s Cerys.”
    “It’s nice to meet you, Cerys.” Her smile was warm, but tired. “I’m Clarity, and this is Shea.” She placed an affectionate hand on Shea’s leg. “Please excuse her lack of manners, she’s just stressed.”
    Shea gave her a sour look.
    “Is something wrong?” Cerys asked, standing nervously in the doorway.
    “Just a few contractions, but nothing to get worked up over.”
    “Oh,” she wasn’t quite sure what to say.
    “Have you attended to a birthing before?”
    “No, I haven’t.”
    “Come here,” said Clarity, waving her over.
    Shea took one of her hands protectively as Cerys entered, going to stand in front of them. Clarity’s free hand adjusted her robe, moving some of the outer wrapping away from her stomach.
    “Come on,” she said, leaning back on her arm. “Feel.”
    “Are you sure?” Cerys looked quickly between Clarity and Shea, feeling very awkward.
    Shea opened her mouth, but it was Clarity who got the first word out.
    “Of course. This is life in the Tower, and it’s best to become acquainted with it early.”
    Cerys approached hesitantly, placing one hand on Clarity, then the other. Beneath the smooth, powder-blue fabric, her belly was firm and dense. It must have been very heavy, she thought, and some part of her wondered what her skin must have felt like under such stress.
    Clarity sighed and adjusted a little, shifting her posture as something changed.
    There was a quick and smooth movement beneath, the surface of Clarity’s belly lifting, hardening as the muscles tensed in contraction. The young woman’s breath caught, but she smiled, giving a long, slow exhalation.
    “Ahhh, oof, they’re getting stronger.”
    “Does it hurt?”
    “Just a little, and not for long. It’s nothing to be afraid of, Cerys. Remember, you’re not alone here.” Clarity linked her fingers through Shea’s affectionately, and the taller woman laid her head over on her.
    —
    As Cerys went to the dining hall, her mind was filled with thoughts of what she had just experienced, and then—slowly—it moved on to all the things she would experience in the coming years.
    She was excited, and couldn’t wait to see what the future held.

Description
Chapter 3 - Lodging
by Miss Mouse
    Technology on fledgling colonies is powerful, but rare. The Ark Ships are designed to be disassembled and used to support the colony, and great care is taken in their design that no part is wasted. At the heart of each colony is the ship’s computer, which serves as an archive of science and technology for the colonists to study, instructions to guide them in their growth, and the computational programs to handle the intense genetic knowledge needed to manage the population.
    The computer contains something of a blueprint for the growth of the colony, giving a list of stepping stones and how to achieve them. For many years, the ship’s computer is the only intelligent technology available, as it takes many generations to gather the materials and create the framework necessary for mass-producing computers.
    This is not a huge obstacle, as the ship’s computer is robust enough to support the whole colony and multiple access terminals can be found throughout the Tower, and even a few in certain labs in the main city of Cascadia.
    Cascadia’s computer is referred to as the Central Engine.
    —
    “And of course,” continued Alimeda, “this is Second Hall, where you’ll be staying. There’s twelve rooms and two girls to a room, but we’re not quite full yet!” Alimeda had a full, hearty laugh that echoed through the arching halls of the Tower.
    It made Cerys smile to be near the woman, as she exuded an air of joviality.
    Alimeda was one of the Sisters who had devoted themselves to the raising of novices, and so watched over one of the dormitory halls, ensuring that the girls were all taken care of. Though no official title existed for these selfless women, many of their charges (especially those raised in the Tower) called them “Mother.”
    Alimeda, herself, was a vibrant and loud woman, raised on one of the outlying farms of Cascadia before joining the Tower in her early adulthood. She was stout and strong and retained her work ethic, making her well-liked and quick to help out when there was a need.
    Cerys had met her in passing before, but as she often had her hands full with her novices, the two had never had a real conversation. One thing of note she knew about the woman was that Alimeda had opted to continue being pregnant without taking a break after graduating from novicehood, and now (more than ten years later) had set the record for highest birth weight within the colony.
    From the current size of the woman, she might be ready to break that record.
    “You’ll be in room 11.” Alimeda led her into the U-shaped hall, lined on the outside with doors. The inner cavity contained a shared washroom for all the novices of the hall.
    “Is there someone there already?”
    “Yep, you’ll be rooming with Dalia, a bright young thing; her parents are botanists, you know. She came to us… let’s see, seven months back?”
    Around the bend of the U, they came to room 11, which was mostly a featureless rectangle with two beds in either far corner, two trunks for storing belongings, and two writing desks with chairs. Between the two beds, a window opened to overlook the city below.
    One side of the room was furnished with personal belongings, models, printed charts and diagrams neatly adhered to the wall, and a number of small plants growing in pots on one of the desks (which were placed comfortably beside each other in front of the window).
    “You’re free to wander around and make friends and the like. Supper will be in just a few hours, and you’ll join in with the Initiation Class in the morning. If you need anything, my quarters are just across from the hall’s entrance and I’m up at all hours; this doesn’t let me get much sleep, these days.” Alimeda laughed and patted her belly, which stood out from her as a great, round ball beneath her robes.
    Her Badge of Sisterhood (indicating her focus as a Midwife) was clipped to the outer layer of her wrapping shawl so that the chains that marked her rank dangled down the side of her curves.
    Cerys opened her mouth to say something, but noticed a small box on the unused bed. She walked over to this and opened it as Alimeda watched, revealing a set of sea-green Novice robes. There was a sense of awe as she lifted them up before her, seeing them in the indirect light from the window.
    These were her robes, a sign that she had at last really entered the Sisterhood.
    “I’ll give you some privacy to change,” said Alimeda as she shut the door. Her face beamed a bright and loving smile.
    But for a few moments, Cerys just stood alone in the dim room and looked at the robes, held them to herself, and thought about the life she was finally entering. In this moment—as unreal as it still seemed—she was reminded of the child which was even now growing inside of her. The first of the many children she would bear.
    Outside, a pair of birds flew past the window.
    She returned from her reverie—that odd, almost-nostalgia that one experiences as a long-held dream begins to enter reality—and undressed, preparing to change. No sooner had she gotten out of her breeches and smock than the door opened without a knock, causing her to jump and try cover herself with the robe.
    “What? Who’re you?” said the Novice, a girl much the same age as Cerys. She was of average height, with a slight build and a face that could have been carved by an artist’s hand, as finely featured as it was. She was beautiful young woman, and her golden hair wrapped across her temples in two delicate braids, forming a sort of diadem above the cascade that poured down her back.
    She seemed about seven or eight months pregnant, and seemed to be handling it well despite the litheness of her frame.
    Cerys stammered out bits and pieces of a response as she tried to cover herself up. There were a few moments of terrible silence as she pulled on her robes (not getting to revel in her attainment) before turning to the Novice.
    “Cerys,” she said awkwardly, extending her hand in greeting. “I’m new.”
    The Novice just sighed and walked past her, going to her desk.
    “Dalia Wren.” Her voice was not annoyed, per se, but it was clear she was not thrilled with this situation. “I suppose you’re to be my roommate? Alimeda didn’t tell me about this.”
    “I’m afraid there might not have been much of a chance;” Cerys basically apologized. “I only just turned 18 yesterday and my acceptance was kind of quick.”
    “Oh, a Child of the Tower,” Dalia did not sound impressed as she retrieved a pair of books from her desk. “Lucky me.”
    Cerys frowned anxiously as Dalia got her things together.
    “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I have some work to do.”
    She put several books and papers in a bag and immediately went to the door to leave, but turned back for a moment.
    “And don’t touch my stuff.”
    —
    Cerys sat in the quiet and empty room for a time and thought about what living here would be like. She’d always had roommates—but never just one—as the Children’s quarters had long rooms with many beds.
    She knew how to live with unfriendly people, but the thought of it pulled her a little further away from the life she had imagined for herself.
    But there was nothing to do for it now, and so she got up, took a few minutes to arrange her few belongings around her side of the room, then went out into the hall to explore her surroundings.
    With Room 11 now filled, there twenty-two novices on the hall and forty-six in the Tower, total. She’d get to know them better in her studies, but it couldn’t hurt to take a look around and see if she could meet anyone before dinner.
    Eating alone sounded very unappealing.
    Most of the doors on the hall were shut, but a few stood open and Cerys saw girls studying, working, talking, and hanging out. She passed by with quick glances, her encounter with Dalia having cowed her somewhat. Maybe it would be best to wait until her introductory classes to try and meet people?
    She decided to go out into the main hall and familiarize herself with these parts of the tower, but a stifled cry made her stop outside Room 3. The door was open and she saw two girls inside on one of the beds. The taller was fair-haired and looked worried, her arm around the shorter girl’s shoulder.
    This taller woman almost immediately noticed Cerys and turned towards her with an annoyed look.
    “Hey, give us some privacy!” She waved one hand, and then started to stand to close the door.
    “No no, Shea, don’t be rude, I don’t mind.” The shorter girl, a somewhat-pained expression on her dark face looked up and Cerys and smiled. Her hands, which had been gently pressed against the sides of her belly, now moved to rest atop its curve. She was small and slight, and the size of her belly seemed inconveniently large on her. “Are you a new novice?”
    “Y-yes,” she hesitated. “My name’s Cerys.”
    “It’s nice to meet you, Cerys.” Her smile was warm, but tired. “I’m Clarity, and this is Shea.” She placed an affectionate hand on Shea’s leg. “Please excuse her lack of manners, she’s just stressed.”
    Shea gave her a sour look.
    “Is something wrong?” Cerys asked, standing nervously in the doorway.
    “Just a few contractions, but nothing to get worked up over.”
    “Oh,” she wasn’t quite sure what to say.
    “Have you attended to a birthing before?”
    “No, I haven’t.”
    “Come here,” said Clarity, waving her over.
    Shea took one of her hands protectively as Cerys entered, going to stand in front of them. Clarity’s free hand adjusted her robe, moving some of the outer wrapping away from her stomach.
    “Come on,” she said, leaning back on her arm. “Feel.”
    “Are you sure?” Cerys looked quickly between Clarity and Shea, feeling very awkward.
    Shea opened her mouth, but it was Clarity who got the first word out.
    “Of course. This is life in the Tower, and it’s best to become acquainted with it early.”
    Cerys approached hesitantly, placing one hand on Clarity, then the other. Beneath the smooth, powder-blue fabric, her belly was firm and dense. It must have been very heavy, she thought, and some part of her wondered what her skin must have felt like under such stress.
    Clarity sighed and adjusted a little, shifting her posture as something changed.
    There was a quick and smooth movement beneath, the surface of Clarity’s belly lifting, hardening as the muscles tensed in contraction. The young woman’s breath caught, but she smiled, giving a long, slow exhalation.
    “Ahhh, oof, they’re getting stronger.”
    “Does it hurt?”
    “Just a little, and not for long. It’s nothing to be afraid of, Cerys. Remember, you’re not alone here.” Clarity linked her fingers through Shea’s affectionately, and the taller woman laid her head over on her.
    —
    As Cerys went to the dining hall, her mind was filled with thoughts of what she had just experienced, and then—slowly—it moved on to all the things she would experience in the coming years.
    She was excited, and couldn’t wait to see what the future held.