<aside> đź’ˇ Warning: the information below may contain spoilers. You'll be somewhat safer if you read only the entries for things you've come across in the book. But even some individual entries may reveal things that the story hasn't yet addressed.
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Olivia Jelani (F, 38) - Lives on the Vaix Orbital, in Canton 3, AKA Piosey. She was a dancer early in life, but was betrayed by her own body (connective tissue disorder) and had to quit. After that she favorited more cerebral pursuits, like poetry. When she was just 30 she won the Art Next Universal Prize for her poetry collection, but the award itself scared away her muse, and she found herself too much in her own head to maintain that level of creative exploration. She feels like she peaked early—twice—but has never been able to sustain her creative pursuits at the level she might have. She still deals with physical problems, due to her disorder, but has thus far refused to take advantage of technological remedies. Instead she swims a lot, and generally avoids high-impact activities. She and Aleksi have a dog named Somtow. (AKA Holipzibey)
Aleksi Tsang (M, 39) - Olivia’s partner of 8 years is a “storyguide,” which is a kind of author of immersive, self-propagating fictions. (Most entertainment is generated by dedicated systems, but select authors remain prized for their unique voices.) They met, Olivia says snidely, the day she stopped writing, at the Art Next award ceremony. Aleksi is a quiet man, and they are close … or maybe just comfortable? He sometimes seems more frustrated with Olivia’s creative resignation than she is, but has always encouraged her.
Somtow (M, 16) - An old basset hound. His owners are Olivia Jelani and Aleksi Tsang.
Maksym “Max” Mehdipour (M, 66) - Olivia’s estranged father is an Integrity Polity Special Envoy stationed on the Heliopolis Orbital, headquarters of the General Polity. Abandoned Olivia and her mother Dalia when Olivia was barely two. She has only impressionistic memories of him, but never forgave him, or sought any connection. Has experience with conflict prevention, mediation, and peace negotiation.
Dalia Jelani (F, 54 (dec.)) - Olivia’s mother married Nils Rocklin three years after Max’s departure, and they had Ran the following year. Dalia died eight years ago (one year before Ran himself died of suicide).
Ran Rocklin (M, 21 (dec.)) - Olivia’s half-brother died 17 years ago, of suicide. Now he is a “Seconder” who remains very present in Olivia’s life today. They were close growing up, and remain so, though Olivia has profound questions about whether a seconder-Ran can actually be the real Ran.
Nils Rocklin (Olivia’s stepfather) - Ran’s father moved from Vaix to Earth shortly after Ran’s death. He works for an NGO called World One, whose aim is to provide aid to people living in adversity. Ran (since he’s virtual) splits a his time between Nils and Olivia.
Tanzig Sagaa (M, 45) - A Sovereign Alliance officer representing the General Polity.
Lancau Sebatic (M, 59) - General Polity Secretary-General.
Cole Quinlan (M, 83?) - A trader with Slip Trade, a trading/shipping company he founded with Leta Heftiba in 2954. (Aka !ss!ss!ti!ss!ss!hi…)
Leta Heftiba (F, 70) - Cole’s former partner at Slip Trade
Whistler Droz (F, 42) - Close friends of Olivia and Aleksi. Entertainment producer. Ekel’s partner.
Ekel Pefkiev (M, 37) - Close friends of Olivia and Aleksi. Botanist researcher. Whistler’s partner.
Chapman - Friend of Olivia and Aleksi, works with Aleksi
Ged - Friend of Olivia and Aleksi, works with Aleksi
Yellen - Friend of Olivia and Aleksi, works with Aleksi
Pola Penrose (F, 49) - Sovereign Alliance liaison officer. Stays on task.