Excerpt: The Natural Truths of Science: The Life and Times of Madam Viktoria Bitterwurst, Elven Scientist

Had anyone thought to ask Viktoria herself, however, prior to this letter arriving and seeding worry deep into her parents' hearts, she would have done the deed herself. Had anyone thought to ask her, tenderly ten and only just gaining her own mind for the world, her answer would have made her father angry, yes, but perhaps he would have had more time to accept it.
For Viktoria, despite being so young, already knew what she wanted.
Science.
She wanted to build, to create. There were books hidden under her bed sheets and mattresses on the subjects of machines—great, huge machines that ran off of nothing but steam—and of the study of the stars, of space. There were books that included theories of evolution, and of deconstructing the myths behind magic. Everything could be explained, the little Elven girl had come to realize, by science, and not by magic.
In the space of her home, of her family, she could not grow. Her mind was stifled, thrown away, because such thoughts were not considered natural by her father. If only he could understand, she pleaded every night, that science was the only natural thing in the world! Everything was scientific—from breathing to thinking to birth, from creation to living to dying. There was nothing magical or mystic about it. The body was not some sort of temple—just cells, living and splitting and dying.
Viktoria was in love with science, and nothing else.
It was one of the hidden books that she was reading when her youngest sister entered the room they had shared since she had been born. The youngest Bitterwurst daughter, named Heidelle, was fair skinned with large, innocent green eyes the color of the freshest of spring leaves. Viktoria loved her, seeing in her a poet. A writer. Another open, insightful mind in the family.
“Mumma and Dad are speaking again,” Heidelle whispered. Her voice was never above a whisper; it never had been.
“Oh?” Viktoria said, pretending to not care as she dug her nose deeper into her book on genetic manipulation.
“Mmhmm.” The smaller girl hoisted herself up with only her arms onto Viktoria's bed. Once the feat of climbing had been accomplished, as though she had just scaled the highest mountain in Stein, she collapsed on the soft, cushioned blankets like a rag doll.