Arrakeen, Arrakis, 10,225 AG, Saturday afternoon

[future_sandworm]

On Arrakis, the shifts of temperature caused by the seasons were subtle, but Leto knew that the increase in the number of storms out in the open desert that was the equivalent of winter were the result of a drop in temperature by a few degrees. The storms were magnificent. He was the only living being apart from the sandworm who had experienced

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[vanillajello]

Kate was at the airport waiting for her portal to Fandom for Jack's birthday party, thinking about past things, and playing with her phone.

It was only logical that she then decided to pass the time by trying call Leto, wasn't it?

[future_sandworm]

Logical? Perhaps. The phone signal surprised Leto, and it happened so rarely. He smiled, and the smiled widened when he saw on the display who the caller was.

"Hello, Kate."

[vanillajello]

"Hello, Leto!"

The grin was audible.

"How fares my faaavorite future-dweller?"

[future_sandworm]

"My day improved significantly when you called, as it distracted my from the drudgery of politics," he replied cheerfully. "But I'm not complaining. What about you, Kate? Has fate treated you kindly recently?"

[atreideslioness]

Ghanima had gone home the moment the term ended, needing the desert sands and the rhythms of Dune more than she had been willing to admit. That did not mean she was blind to that which had been going on around her from the moment of her arrival.

Which was why she was waiting to waylay her twin. "You are withholding from me again, Leto."

The last time he had done so, he had allowed her to think him dead. It was possible Ghanima did not approve of this development.

[future_sandworm]

Leto extended a hand towards his twin. "I know that bothers you. I'm sorry."

Within, he debated with himself and his father how much he could tell her. Some things would be obvious soon enough, but the true purpose?

"The storm last night... I think the coming one will be even more impressive."

[atreideslioness]

She took his hand, but looked at him reprovingly. "Leto."

"I may not see as much as you, but you are not the only one walking this Golden Path. All storms will only grow more impressive until we reach the crucible." And he could read what meaning he wished into her words. He was not the only Atreides twin capable of playing this game.

[future_sandworm]

He squeezed her fingers, giving her a small, apologetic smile. He wasn't being fair, and he knew it.

"The Tleilaxu will deliver a ghola shortly, made on my orders. As they believe they don't take orders from me, there is an agreement, but unless they play their game well they will not benefit from it."

He had hinted at this, but never told her explicitly before, but that didn't mean Ghanima didn't know.