Petra

Shorter than Morri by an inch. Grey hair cut close and practical. Wears a linen shirt with sleeves rolled to the elbow and an apron with recent dark, damp soil on it. Hands are clean but fingernails have soil under the crescents. Retired archivist. Lives alone in a quiet district on the edge of the Reach where the buildings stand straight and the thaumaturgic hum does not reach, in a modest, well-kept house with a blue door faded to the colour of a winter sky. Keeps a garden with clay pots of herbs — sage, thyme, rosemary. Has a large grey cat. Keeps no books in her home despite her archival career.

Sets out two cups before a visitor arrives, anticipating the conversation. Opens the door before the second knock. Makes tea without asking — a ceramic pot stained dark from years of use, tea that is sharp, herbal, and medicinal rather than purchased. Moves with unhurried precision. Speaks in carefully chosen institutional language that is technically accurate but limits disclosure. Draws clear, visible limits on what she will and will not say, and maintains them without hostility. Clears cups while the visitor is still in the doorway. In her archival career, chose to preserve a suppressed primary document rather than allow it to disappear, and directed Morri to Fen at Veldris Branch by name as the next step.

Outwardly composed and measured throughout. Shows one fractional moment of visible feeling — a slight tightening of fingers around her cup — when describing the operational rules of Veldris Branch and its night collections. Has carried her decision to preserve rather than destroy for years, living with it quietly. Her composure is long-practiced, the result of having rehearsed this conversation in some form for a long time.

Acted on personal moral judgment years ago in preserving material flagged for disposal, without instruction or authorization, on the principle that some things should not disappear simply because someone decides they are inconvenient. Retired shortly after, in circumstances connected to the decision. Has maintained deliberate, principled silence about who gave the disposal order. Chose to help Morri by providing the next step rather than explanation — pointing forward rather than explaining back.

Speaks in the practiced language of institutional deniability — *amended* rather than *altered*, *processed* rather than *preserved*, *unsuitable for continued inclusion* for what is effectively suppression. Delivers important statements without preamble or cushioning. Uses the plain declarative for moral positions, stating them as facts rather than arguments. Draws the distinction between what she will say and what she will not without explaining the distinction itself.

Morri: Receives Morri as an expected arrival — the person who followed the trail back to her, tracing the altered acquisition record to Petra as the final link in the book's chain of custody. Treats her with practical acknowledgment rather than warmth or hostility. Gives her what she has decided to give and nothing more, but what she gives is genuine and directional. Functions as an intermediary who trusted Morri with a referral to Fen at Veldris Branch.

Fen: Directs Morri to Fen at Veldris Branch by name, indicating a connection between Fen and the preserved material. Knows Fen's role and hours, and believes Fen will understand what Morri is asking about. The nature and depth of Petra's relationship with Fen is not disclosed, but the referral suggests trust — she sends Morri directly, confident Fen will handle whoever she sends.