Hey ancillaryanalog,
I've just re-read your story (cuz i was hoping to vote in the nov story contest, but was way out in timing) - but i just wanted to tell you how much i enjoyed it.
It's not written in a straightforward style - and i really liked that, cuz it meant that i couldn't skip over words or paragraphs, but had to immerse myself in what the characters were feeling, what they were getting at, striving for, to understand their situation. Also, the perspective is different, refreshing.
Anyway, i enjoyed it. Thankyou so much.