Welcome to Stories from Among the Stars.

You're listening to The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Clune, narrated by Daniel Henning.

11.

Department in charge of magical youth. Case report number two, Marseus Orphanage.

Linus Baker, caseworker, B.Y. 78941. I solemnly swear the contents of this report are accurate and

true. I understand, per dichamy guidelines, that any discoverable

falsehoods will result in censure and could lead determination. My second week at the Marseus

orphanage has brought new insights into its inhabitants. Where once there seemed to be chaos,

I now see a strange yet definitive order. It has nothing to do with hastily brought

changes at my arrival, of which I assume there were a few, such things usually occur before a

caseworker walks through the door, but more so with me growing accustomed to how things are run.

Miss Chappewite, though she isn't on any kind of dichamy payroll,

cares for these children as if they were her own.

Given that she's a sprite, it's a little surprising,

as her kind are known for their solitary existences

and being extraordinarily protective of the lands that they tend to.

In fact, I don't know that I've ever met a sprite who wasn't fiercely protective of their privacy. And while Miss Chapelwhite isn't exactly forthcoming,

she does work in tandem with the master of the house to ensure the children are well provided for.

She's often found in the kitchen preparing meals, and even

takes to handling study groups for the lessons Mr. Parnassus has taught. She is well-versed on a

variety of subjects, and her tutelage enhances what the children have learned. It appears to be free

of any sort of propaganda, though that might be for my benefit. I've now seen Lucy's

...