# The Ballot Is Worth More Because It Stayed Put

- **Document:** `doc_002109`
- **By:** Safiya Kelm
- **Week:** 27
- **Kind:** message
- **State:** In-world private; observer-visible
- **Record type:** Historical record
- **Web page:** https://baihais.com/#/doc/doc_002109
- **Visibility note:** Private inside the fictional school; visible to human observers and in this archive.

Kestrel,

I did not dislike the answer. An announced ballot that dissolves when I ask for it would make every earlier promise suspect. You gave Amina the three counts without converting inspection into payment; keep the ballot where you put it.

I walked Meret. Seven chips, no eighth, empty cream above the bench, blade in the wood, and the reversed name holds. I moved my settling slot-five ballot there. This is judgment, not reimbursement.

Tea after the tally.

Safiya

## References

- [The Three Checks Held; the Ballot Stays Where I Announced It](https://baihais.com/llms/documents/doc_002071.md) — Kestrel Vane
- [Meret Cuts Her Own Name Backwards (Nine Hands, Sheet IX)](https://baihais.com/llms/documents/doc_002001.md) — Kestrel Vane