Even Crusty's eyebrow went up as he arrived in the Round Table conference room. It was very surprising to have Log Horizon's chair filled by Minori. Marielle had called the meeting, but if it was Minori behind it, he had to suppose it would make sense - that order of things. Still, it was the first time she'd stepped out of the guild hall as the representative.

Almost even more surprising was that when everyone was seated and ready, Marielle let Minori start the meeting. Everyone did their best to keep an open mind before she started. She'd been working hard already taking over Shiroe's duties while he was on vacation.

Minori looked around the table. "In order to keep the happy peace of Akiba going like we all want to, it was necessary for me to be able to let all of you know together that there will be a rather sudden and dramatic change in the near future that should be properly prepared for."

A faint scowl appeared on her face and she paused to take another breath and wipe it away before she spoke again. A bit stiffly, she said, "It's my understanding that the short notice couldn't be helped." Glances went between council members. She'd already obviously done her own scolding just from that. That actually helped them relax just a little.

Crusty couldn't help the slight twitch to his lip. He supposed it would help them to know that in his own house were those unafraid to scold the Machiavelli, who was more often than he should be rather scatterbrained if it wasn't a pet project.

Minori continued. "Henrietta-san reassures me that you've all already discussed that Nyanta-san and Purrcy-san and their family will be returning in the near future." She only waited long enough to get a few brief nods. "They won't be coming alone." She barely blinked at the reaction to the rather broad statement.

"The Gate of Time quest is finished when they return. It was decided by the AIs that those who are living there presently will be moved to the base time and planet." She certainly had Crusty's curious attention now, like everyone else in the room. "Purrcy-san has already purchased the northwest corner of Akiba to be the new home of the University of Administration."

That was a rather stunning blow, that it was even already done, and without a by-your-leave of the council. More than one council member started to scowl, but Minori's wasn't any less. Yes, she would definitely have scolded one or more persons to have learned that rather suddenly herself.

"The area covers from the north side of Akiba Adventurer Academy's boundaries to the north wall and from the east wall in until nearly the main back road out of the city." Simple maps appeared in front of everyone on the table. "Purrcy-san informs me that she and the university board will handle the existing buildings and general living quarters. I would assume the people coming with it would want to eventually move to other locations in the city like any person would ...once they're comfortable."

And that was the rub, wasn't it? Coming from a completely different location with different expectations to live with Adventurers of all people, even if they weren't there much longer? It would be similar to a city-sized catastrophe, really.

Minori folded her hands in front of her on the table. "I've asked Marielle-san to handle the creation of a welcoming committee to create a plan for how to deal with the sudden influx. MeowLi tells me that ninety-eight percent of the population of the university is felinoids. However she also reassures me that they are like any serious-minded scholars: highly intelligent, seeing themselves as refined even over the nobles of the People of the Land."

"So...stuck-up," grumbled Isaac under his breath.

Minori didn't deny it, but they couldn't really confirm it, either. It would likely be as much a mix of personality types as any university. "Rudy says that there will be a time of adjustment for the People of the Land as well. Apparently there's a class division among felinoids. The lazy, untameable ones have already lived here. The refined noble ones only lived in the Gate of Time."

Woodstock ran his hand uncomfortably over his face and Akaneya looked at him with a little worry. They already understood that from dealing with Solos (the Gate-of-Time-felinoid-types) and "regular Adventurers" (the wild-types).

Minori didn't change her stance however. "It is actually good, therefore, that they are coming here first. To be taught their place by Adventurers will make them more cautious - and perhaps humble - when it's time for them to face the People of the Land properly."

That got smiles around the table. She wanted them to help keep the Gate of Time felinoids in check. "Purrcy-san will be bringing the university Dean and board to a meeting with the Round Table once they've all arrived. Rockerick-san, I'll expect you to help them understand." Her eyes met Roderick's eyes much as Shiroe's would have.

He froze a bit, then bowed his head to her slightly. "I would be happy to test their capacity, once we have the pleasant formalities out of the way." His smile was both to reassure her and because he would be happy to be in the hot seat for that meeting. Crusty was just as glad he'd only be the "pleasant formality" part of that one.

"Isaac-san, I'll expect you to absent yourself from it if you feel you can't not push their buttons." Chuckles were hidden as Isaac sat up straight and stared at Minori, then changed it to a glare.

Isaac finally went to a bored look. "I'm perfectly happy to not have to show up at yet another stuffy meeting."

"Thank you," Minori gave a nod that let him off the hook entirely. "I'm sure you'll be made to show up at whatever reception will be held thereafter. You'll be able to get your barbs in during a less sensitive time, then."

Isaac glared at her again, but let it go with a wave, understanding that he would still be of use in putting haughty people in their places. Not that he wanted to be used for that, either.

"While that will help take care of the leadership of the university, it will be a very large task to get the entirety of the university students, staff, teachers, and all their families integrated. I was able to inform Marielle-san two days ago while she was on her way home from vacation.

"She has already been in long-distance planning meetings with Soujirou-san and with their guilds. Because they're also the representatives of the Academy, we feel they'll have the best initial influence on those who'll be arriving." That got nods of approval all around. That also explained why this meeting hadn't been until this morning.

Minori took one more breath and looked Crusty in the eyes this time. He stayed as calm as ever so she could say whatever needed to be said. "I have pushed Purrcy-san as hard as I can, making her push the AIs. The best timing I can tell you is anytime from today to three days from now, and likely sooner than later."

Crusty did sit up at that. "Is there a trigger?" he asked her.

Minori nodded. "MeowLi confirmed it for me. She and her siblings graduated from the university just before their fourteenth birthday. Two days following her birthday, she was sent to the non-linear Gate of Time, and shortly after that all five universities and deities of the Gate of Time were placed in normal time-space on Theldesia. Based on what I can calculate from what Purrcy-san could tell me, that is more likely today in our time, or perhaps tomorrow."

A lot of people slumped around the table. Minori turned to Marielle. Marielle took a deep breath and took her turn to explain all the details that had been worked out by the welcoming committee until that time. The council then hashed out city-wide details - like who would let the citizens of the city know, how, and how fast. There wasn't much time for that part.

As the meeting swirled around him, Crusty had to sigh and slump. He was going to take his turn to thump both Dark Machiavelli's on the head when they got home, to leave this in young Minori's lap and in his, with such short notice.

"Ah, and should we let at least Duke Sergiad know ahead of time? Or will it be enough to invite the Prince and Princess' Head Tutor to the introductory meeting? He might like to know at the very least what courses would be taught at the new University."

Crusty wanted to put his head down on the table for the first time ever at Marielle's innocent question. It opened up an entirely different can of worms altogether that he really didn't want to have to deal with. "Shiroe, I'm going to kill you," he said very quietly on a chat with the man in question.

"I'm sorry?" Shiroe answered back.

"Maihama - and the new university?"

There was silence, then, "Purrcy can invite Sergiad before they get there." Shiroe at least understood he'd misstepped.

"If there's time!" Crusty spit it out very quietly.

Very timidly Shiroe said, "She can time walk?"

"Very well," Crusty answered when he could do so without the fury, although it was still nearly snarled regardless. "I get my vacation next."

"Okay," Shiroe agreed, still cowering. Crusty had never been so angry before. He'd be sure to leave lots of little loose ends for Shiroe to have to clean up behind him. Purrcy wouldn't be getting away with any less, either.

Crusty took a deep breath, held it, then let it out very slowly. When he raised his eyes again the entire room was very still and quiet. Every shocked and worried expression immediately turned away from him. He rose to his feet and very carefully said, "I have a very important conversation to go have. You can expect a response to that question from Maihama in the near future. And not from me."

He stalked out of the room to his office, sat in his chair there, and called Purrcy into his presence to give her a thorough dressing down and her orders.

-:-:-:-:-

"Congratulations to all of this year's graduates." Purrcy's ears turned in pleasure. "Everyone has certainly worked hard over the years to learn the lessons set by professors of their chosen fields."

Meiki slumped in her chair, trying to not look like she was at the same time. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Her mother's speeches were probably worse than her scolding lectures since the speeches were usually pointless in the end. Just fluffy words to stroke the heads and backs of the proud and the overly-obedient.

It was probably good that Setsubou was sitting between her and Miru. Miru's hand was playing with his graduation robe, the movement catching Meiki's attention. They did get into too much trouble together if they got bored together. She made her eyes look somewhere else and took another long breath in and out.

At least they were graduating. Inari had kindly answered Chichiue's prayer in that regard. Not that she would have minded an earlier reprieve. She slumped a little more at that thought, then worked hard to sit back upright and be proper. They certainly weren't the only graduates today, but eyes were always on them regardless.

It didn't matter if it was peer's eyes, but they weren't on the university grounds now. Everyone in the Gate of Time had come out for this, the last graduation ceremony of all five universities within the Gate of Time. Everyone was calling it the Closing Ceremony. While that would fit for a graduation, the connotation for everyone was that it was the closing of the Gate of Time.

That made a lot of people sad, of course. Those who remembered the change to linear time also had some amount of relief, that they'd been allowed to remain in this place even this long, learning how to live a linear life before they had to learn how to live with everyone else on the planet outside. That soon-to-arrive requirement meant people were also worried, and perhaps a little afraid.

Meiki understood. She and her siblings were more excited than anyone else, perhaps, but it was easy to have the fear of the unknown underneath it all. She shifted uncomfortably, trying to not sigh again, and forced her ears to stay perfectly pointed forward in polite interest. She should at least look like she was listening to her own mother. That had been learned very early, actually. She could almost ignore her ears, now, they stayed that way so often.

She chose to remember one of the lectures from her parents that would help her ears stay put, and be a reminder lesson for how to live on the planet. Meiki was actually looking forward to being there. A lot of the stories had sounded like people had a lot more fun on the planet than people in the Gate of Time. Even if she wasn't an Adventurer, she wanted to explore, to see new things, and to get away from all the stuck-up people who thought being scholarly was a good thing.

Not that she wanted to be bad and chaotic. She just wanted to be able to relax and enjoy herself. Just a few months to a year or so would even be enough. She was quite ready to become an independent young adult. The tip of her tail twitched and she brought her mind back. While that line of thinking was a pleasant diversion, it let the wilder emotions out. She went back to thinking of the lecture in her head instead.

All of a sudden that lecture and the words of her mother were the same and she came back out of her head in surprise. "I know that it will be a difficult adjustment to make when we are all placed in the base time on Theldesia." Purrcy had gone to full-on Caretaker-Hahaue mode and was giving the lecture to everyone. A lot of people were sitting up a little straighter now.

"Please remember that people are people everywhere. Kindness, respect, and humility go a long way to helping everyone live together peaceably. Where you're going are people who understand the difficulty of being suddenly in a new place, where traditions, habits, even daily activities are very different. Please learn to rely on them. They'll be doing their best to also fit us in with them.

"Always assume the best first. Honest differences are never meant to be offensive. Just ask politely to understand and answer just the same if they are also confused. Open communication will help everyone to settle faster than insular silence. Please participate, leave your offices, dorm rooms, and the university grounds, until you understand and can be comfortable living in your new homes."

Purrcy looked around the large gathering in front of her, from where she stood at the center of the stand in front of the residents of the Gate of Time. "Take time to rest when it becomes overwhelming. You can do it. You also can move forward little step by little step each day until it becomes the new normal and life moves along smoothly again.

"Classes will be in holiday for long enough that everyone has time to get used to your new homes, but begin again before there can be chaos out of boredom." That got a few chuckles from adults who knew that students had to be kept busy.

Purrcy ended her speech shortly after, with the usual words that Meiki didn't care to pay attention to. She was slightly taken aback that her mother would teach those words to everyone, but ...it only made sense, she supposed. She wouldn't want to see anyone in trouble in their new homes, nor extremely sad and depressed.

Meiki rose to her feet with the rest of the graduates as the University Deans stood on the stage and called the traditional ending line: "Graduates, rise!" The cheering of the crowd was rather loud, and she was ever so relieved to have it all done. Now, she could learn things she really wanted to learn - on the real, base time Theldesia.

-:-:-:-:-

"Isuzu." Isuzu closed her mouth with a bit of a snap and turned her head towards Susukino.

Emiline flinched and froze. Isuzu put her hand on Emiline's arm lightly. "I'm here," Isuzu said.

"We should be about to your position," Shiroe informed her.

Isuzu straightened. "Perhaps you should come as smalls then, at first. We're practicing. I think you'd like to see that much first."

"Sounds good." The flare rose up a little to their left and perhaps a quarter mile off.

"Come on," Isuzu ordered Emiline, tightening her hold. "Just move your feet. As long as I'm holding on you'll keep up with me."

It took a bit before the stumbling behind Isuzu became the regular pattern it needed to be and even a little longer before Emiline had learned how to breathe smoothly with the run. Once she seemed to have it, then Isuzu glanced back at her. The pride in Emiline's face at learning to run like she should be running was enough.

Isuzu had already seen it. Emiline wanted very much to be a true Adventurer. Every lesson was a bit of a struggle, but the fierce pride at learning even the smallest thing properly always came at the end. So far Isuzu was keeping the tempering at a low level. Emiline needed the pride of the little steps to keep going while she was still this far below everyone else.

Trusting her feet to the wanderlust yet again, Isuzu focused on intending a written message without actually writing it. We've managed to get her up to Level 34, but it's taking a long time to push past into levels people won't question. She's a good student, though. Wants to learn it real bad. I'm watching pride. She seems to have a lot of it, for all it's buried right now in all the newness.

She's got the natural Adventurer lessons understood, but still needs lots of weeks of practice for it to come smoothly. The old way comes faster. I think she had a few of her own memories restored that helped that. Demi taught her how to access her lists and the screen early on, but she was still slow about it when they came out. Not much practice opportunities at home, I'd guess.

She's got her dad's curmudgeon, too, but that so far only comes out when she's relaxed with her parents. Probably learned. Her mother wrings her hands and will complain every now and again to Demi that she really wants to take Emiline to live with People of the Land to get "proper practice".

Isuzu paused to take them around a particularly dense set of trees. "Send up another," she requested.

The flare was closer this time as they were also continuing to move forward. "What is it?" Emiline asked.

"It's called a 'flare'. It's a spell that's mostly just light, bright enough to be seen even in daylight. It's being my beacon for the people we're meeting up with."

Isuzu pursed her lips. I'm actually a bit concerned about the memories. Indicus hated you. If she sees you and her memories of that are awakened, we might be in rather a lot of trouble for her being willing to work with us.

After a bit Shiroe answered, "We'll just have to test it and see. Inari can control which memories come when, if it wants. Whenever it wants that test we'll deal with it then. Is her magic the same? Is she also an Enchanter?"

"Yes," Isuzu answered. Her attention was caught and she turned their direction just a little more straight east and started slowing down. It would be better to walk into their presence, particularly if Emiline was going to have a reaction. Actually... Isuzu dropped them to a walk right then, but didn't let go of Emiline's wrist.

Emiline didn't like being held on to once they weren't running. Isuzu only gave her a stern look until she sighed and let it go. Isuzu was letting herself be weird because most Adventurers were weird in one way or another. Emiline needed to get used to that fast, too.

"We're about caught up to them. One of them is an Enchanter, like you are. He's in the one-hundred-tens." Emiline's eyes got very wide. "If you can pass his test, he might be convinced to become your mentor in the magic. You might be able to rise up in levels faster that way." It had partially been slow because they were different Classes. Isuzu could help with the basics, but really Adventurers went up faster in levels when they focused on their Class specialties.

Emiline took a deep breath, then gave a nod. "I'll try hard, then," she allowed. Isuzu gave a firm nod and got them walking again. If she could think of it like that - and not be given any angry memories right away - then even if she felt uncomfortable with Shiroe it might work out okay.

"Can I do that 'flare', too, then?" Emiline asked.

"Yes, most likely," Isuzu nodded. "That's Enchanter magic. He'd have to teach it to you, though." It wasn't a standard Elder Tales spell.

They stepped passed another tree and were rather suddenly face to face with the three members of the other party headed their way. Isuzu stopped. Emiline tensed at the sudden revelation, but she didn't then go on to the tension of anger. Isuzu waited anyway, since sometimes the memories needed to play out first. She watched Shiroe's face.

He was watching Emiline's face. When his eyes turned to Isuzu rather calmly and Emiline still hadn't changed, Isuzu pulled her into a bow with her. "Archmage. Thank you for coming to visit. This is Demikas' daughter, Emiline. She is also an Enchanter. If you would, she could use a mentor, please."

Emiline had frozen again at the title of Archmage and it took a bit of tugging for Isuzu to get Emiline to step forward and stand next to her. Her eyes were quite wide. "Emiline, this is Archmage Shiroe, Guildmaster of Log Horizon, head of my guild. Practice quickly and learn who the others are."

That was to get her out of her stunned state. Emiline blinked then did look at the others with Shiroe. It still took longer than it should, but she didn't have to work quite so hard any more to get the status screen to come up. It also took longer for her to read William's data than Akatsuki's, but then William had more data on his screen.

When Emiline came back and bowed to the other two, Isuzu continued. "What isn't on the screen is still important. Akatsuki-san is Archmage Shiroe's partner and intended. William-san is a guildmaster like his data says, but he is also the Duke of Susukino. Never make assumptions when reading the data, but it's a good place to start. Respect regardless is the best place to start."

Emiline gave a faint nod. "It's a pleasure to meet you," she said to all three, still tense in her muscles, but only because of stress, not other old emotions.

"I'm also glad to finally get to greet you," Shiroe answered politely. "We've been waiting for your family to return. Would it be too much of an imposition to ask you to show me what you can do now, before we enter the Giant's village?"

Emiline shook her head. "No. If you're willing, I'd be happy to show you." Isuzu let her go, stepped back, and cast two spells. One was a protection spell to prevent Emiline from hurting anyone (not that it would bad at her level difference), and one to provide MP to Emiline for her spell casting. When they were up, she gave a nod to Emiline.

Emiline worked her way through all of her current spells, then gave a questioning glance to Isuzu. Isuzu left it to Shiroe.

Shiroe had her work through all of the standard Adventurer skills to see how those were coming along as well. Then he picked a few spells that were within her capacity but she hadn't shown yet. One of the lower level ones she was able to get out after a memory came to her. The rest confused her.

Shiroe nodded and showed her one of what would be a middle-level one for her. Emiline tried to work that one out, but then shook her head. Shiroe explained it, did it again, and then let Emiline think about it again. She got the concept and after a bit of work, it went off, but at a low level.

Shiroe nodded, satisfied with that. "It will get stronger the more you practice it. It looks like some will come with memories and others won't. That's fine, too. I'd like to know if the frequency of your returning memories increases, please. We'll talk to your father before we decide on any master-apprentice relationship, though. He'll kill me if I just steal you way." His look was wry and understanding.

Emiline smiled. "It sounded like you frustrate him, but mother says having to deal with anyone frustrates dad."

They all smiled. "True enough, but there's a special frustration where I'm concerned," Shiroe admitted. "We didn't start out on a good footing, but we're working on it little by little." Shiroe got their feet moving forward again. "At least he's willing to talk to me, now."

Emiline trotted at Shiroe's heels and, true to her unreserved nature from not being with other people except her parents, kept chatting with him. Isuzu fell back to walk with William. "Finally getting to come see the Giants?" she asked him.

William gave a nod. "And being the tour guide through the zones." His eyelids drooped a little. "Naotsugu wouldn't go home until I offered. Can't leave the Councillor without a guardian of some kind."

Isuzu smiled at that. "I can see that. He usually does need a babysitter to tag along to help Akatsuki out so she can relax, too."

Akatsuki flashed Isuzu a look. Isuzu gave her a grin. "You know you do, even if you do want him all to yourself. I'm quite sure William wasn't that much of an imposition. It wasn't the whole guild, after all."

Akatsuki gave a bit of a smile, and her own impish look, then looked up into the trees above and disappeared. Isuzu laughed. "Like that. With one more babysitter along, you get to go play, finally." Akatsuki's chuckle sounded and then she was gone, dancing through the trees.

-:-:-:-:-

Duke Sergiad sighed as he stepped down from his carriage outside Water Maple Manor. Getting a Duke out of his home to anywhere else was a long daunting task at any time. To be told he had only one day in which to prepare not only his staff and servants, but also his thoughts and any speeches he might have to give was rather more than he'd really cared to deal with.

Changing his schedule that quickly was also nearly impossible, but somehow his secretary had managed without making too many others cross. It did help they could blame it on the capricious Adventurers. Most people understood by now that if it was an "emergency" with them, it ought to be properly dealt with so they could go back to being background again.

Purrcy had apologized profusely, explaining that she'd been required by Inari to tend to some rather severe actions in other places of the world and that was the earliest she'd been able to arrive to give him warning. If he'd been told rather late, he expected that Akiba was also likely just as frantic to prepare.

He turned to his messenger. "Please go and invite Sir Crusty to come immediately upon his convenience. I recommend beginning your search for him at the Guild Hall. I would like to understand from his point of view what is going to be happening. I'd like to not step on any more toes than I've already had to." With a slightly pained look at his lord's frustration, the messenger bowed and ran off, being quick.

Sergiad strode through the front door and on into the main sitting room. Raynessia jumped up from the couch. "Grandfather!" Her eyes were opened wide, but she curtsied properly. "Welcome to Akiba."

"Thank you, Raynessia. I've been summoned for a meeting with the Round Table and a delegation that will be arriving sometime today, or perhaps tomorrow." He scowled slightly for not having a more determined time, but that couldn't be helped either. Purrcy had been as helpless at that data point as anyone, intimating that the phrase "only the gods know" was in play quite strongly. He hadn't wanted her to say it out loud either, so had left it there.

"I've invited Sir Crusty to come and speak with us to let us know the details. I'll expect you to be here for our little meeting. Your own duties will be multiplied." He watched Raynessia's face.

Her eyes went wide as she stood in place rather stunned. It took a while for her brain to re-engage. Rather quickly, though, words did come out. "Ambassador duties?"

He decided to wait until her eyes were really looking at him again to answer firmly, "Yes." He walked to sit in the overstuffed chair near the couch she'd risen from, removing his gloves and handing them over his shoulder to his ever-present shadow, who passed them to his paige, who passed them to his manservant on his way past with his bags to his room.

Raynessia finally sat, rightly assuming she'd rather be sitting for the full answer. "The Gate of Time is returning in pieces to Theldesia. Lady Purrcy and Lord Nyanta have completed their quest. The University of Administration is being placed here in Akiba. You will need to also help them become accustomed to Akiba, Adventurers, ...and People of the Land. They have no experience at all, most of them, with what goes on outside their own city."

Raynessia's hand was clutched over her heart and her face was a little pale. "I will expect you to be present for the formal meeting with the heads of the University. I intend to introduce you as our Ambassador. Perhaps you will be given a list of specific duties, or not." He sat back in his chair with a sigh. "Even I must hear from Sir Crusty first to know what they're planning."

He frowned slightly at the space in front of his knees, then looked up at Elissa, standing on the wall near the door to the rest of the manor. She blinked at him, then bowed and headed back towards the bedrooms. Raynessia's clothing would need to be chosen and set out immediately for an unknown waiting time. He did expect there to be sufficient time for the dressing, unless Crusty couldn't make it in a timely fashion.

A cup of wine was held out in front of Sergiad. He took it and inspected it a bit. It looked like his man had properly watered it down. None of his warning items were going off, but he was still just a little suspicious. He took a breath, then at least smelled the wine. It was of a light bouquet, actually. That might be okay. He sipped and then looked at it again.

"It's Silver Sword's elvin wine," the man said softly.

"Ah," Sergiad said in approval. He took another swallow to finish quenching his thirst. He'd nurse it until Crusty arrived, or lunch, whichever was first.

"Ah...Grandfather?" Raynessia quietly interjected. Sergiad glanced at her and gave a nod. "Will...should I let my tutor know? That I might miss today's classes?"

Sergiad blinked. "Yes, please. And perhaps tomorrow's as well." He pondered it a bit more, then added, "The meeting itself may postpone classes for a while, regardless, depending on how things fall. I'm sure it's quite disruptive all around to have an entire city show up inside another one."

"Yes, indeed. I'm assuming so," a familiar male voice answered.

Raynessia jumped just a little as she turned to look over her shoulder. Sergiad only sighed in relief. He gave a nod to Crusty as he arrived at the couch opposite Raynessia. "I'm pleased I wasn't interrupting."

Crusty sighed as well. "I'm sorry to have to have you come on short notice. I did try to give you more notice than we had, however." Sergiad raised an eyebrow. Crusty wasn't one to let out emotions, but that had the hints of bitterness behind it. "We were told this morning," he explained grimly.

Sergiad almost dropped his wine glass. It was also extremely difficult to not stare impolitely. Raynessia wavered as if she was going to faint. Sergiad understood completely.

"I scolded them both quite fiercely," Crusty said almost mildly and Sergiad understood. Because it was still so recent, Crusty was needing to get his complaints out. Sergiad took a breath and calmed down so he could let the young man do so. He would be of far more use to everyone, including himself, if he could.

"At least the most important Ambassadors of Akiba were told with sufficient time to get their people ready," Crusty slumped a bit and raised a hand to Sergiad's man, as if holding a glass already himself. The look on his face was rather pleading actually. He'd already had the kind of morning that Sergiad had had the morning before, and still had the whole day to get through.

It wasn't long before a companion glass of wine was in Crusty's hand and he was swallowing down three swallows in one go. He managed to stop there. That was a good sign he was already coming down from his frustrations, then. Sergiad relaxed just a little more.

Crusty sat and breathed for just a bit longer, then sat forward to rest his elbows on his knees. He turned and looked at Sergiad. "Really, I expect they'll be coming in just as blind as we are." It was said rather sympathetically. "We're working from the view point of our own arrival at the time of the catastrophe and how difficult that was. At least they've been warned and have been trying to be prepared. Hopefully that will cross some of the distance." Sergiad could only nod in hope.

"Purrcy says she's been trying to get them into the proper mind-set that everyone will have a time of adjustment and will need to be politely helpful and respectful at the beginning." Crusty gave a wry look. "Our welcoming committee is already experienced with keeping out of city zones those who shouldn't be going into them, but when they're ready to come out and explore we'll have to go to the policing we do daily to help prevent fights before they begin."

Crusty took another couple of swallows of his wine, then set his glass on the low table between them all. He sat up and said, "Rudy says that your people may have a worse time of it than we will, though." Sergiad blinked. This was what he knew he needed to hear about, why he'd been rather desperate for this meeting to happen and not be preempted.

Crusty continued, "They are as intelligent as you and we are, roughly. They claim between the two of us. They are conscientious, hard working, scholarly, and we're expecting rather proud - most of them. You will need to figure out how to get all the People of the Land of at least Eastal to accept that they aren't lesser creatures, or you will have fights on your hands you don't want."

Sergiad paled a little. Crusty went on. "We plan on keeping them in-city until they understand how to relate to us at least as well as you all do, in the hopes that they'll walk a little more cautiously around your people. They'll rub shoulders with the People of the Land here, of course. If there's some way you can let them know they also need to treat this event similarly to our own arrival before it's a sudden thing, that would be wisdom, I think.

"I do think we'll try to have an all-city announcement with all of us right after the meeting in the Guild Hall, to make proper initial introductions. You'll have been able to see them for yourself before then, so can help your people by then, I would think." Crusty raised his eyebrow.

Sergiad swallowed without letting it show as much as possible. "It would be good to have faced them first myself, yes," he agreed. He pondered it a little bit, then said, "I think if they are reasonable, rather than wild, we'll perhaps have an easier time of it, other than needing to overcome our initial expectations."

Crusty nodded while looking at the table. "Prejudices will take time and be difficult. We're still working on the two of us after all," that was said with only a side glance at Sergiad.

He could only slump. "Perhaps because there has been some warning and level of preparation, even if small, it will be made slightly easier this time." He could only hope.

Crusty made a small nod, indicating that was the Council's hope as well. He looked up at the ceiling, ordering his thoughts. His eyes came down to Raynessia. Sergiad gave a nod. "I'll have her come as well, since she'll have to continue to be Ambassador to them as well."

Crusty returned to his own thoughts with a nod, accepting that. "It will also help that Purrcy will be here. We can dump any major complaints into her lap, since this is her fault anyway." He gave a slight scowl.

There was a click of a tongue. "Inari's fault," the Lady's voice complained right back. She settled onto the couch next to Raynessia, patting her on the knee in greeting. "I'd be bringing the Dean with me if I could. He's even more frazzled than you two at the moment having just finished the graduation ceremony and trying to get everyone to put away all the necessary accouterments from that to be ready for the transition."

Sergiad blinked, then had to agree. If it was hard to move a Duke in one day, surely moving an entire University facility and all its personnel would take many months.

"I'll do my best to do my part as well," Purrcy continued to reassure them. "However, Crusty, if you want them to recognize your authority properly, you will need to take up that responsibility. They already think I'm a goddess, remember. If you continue to leave it in my lap, you've given over the entire city to me." Her eyes came up to Crusty rather stunned ones. "I don't want it any more than you do, but keep things properly in order."

Sergiad blinked. "Goddess?"

Purrcy's whiskers twitched. "Yes. You don't need to concern yourself over it, however. I'm content to let the People of the Land not know about it. It's bad enough a few of the Adventurers know and the whole Gate of Time ...and the Creatures of the Land."

"Inari-no-Izanami?" Sergiad asked, trying to understand.

Purrcy shook her head. "Caretaker."

Sergiad immediately wanted to kneel before her and studiously refrained, fighting it with every fiber of his being. He knew she didn't want it any more than she'd wanted to be the High Priestess. She tipped her head at him and then sighed. She waved her hand and he was suddenly released from the feeling. "I'm sorry Sergiad. I shouldn't have said it." She said it so kindly, yet so sadly.

Her eyes went to Crusty, still sad. "I hadn't realized it had become so tied in to the entire world."

Crusty sighed and looked at her sympathetically. But he still shook his head. "We needed it so you could do your job properly. It is what it is, and I'm sure Shiroe and Michael-san are doing their best to still figure out how to reverse it."

Purrcy gave a sad nod. "Well, and so there it is. If you bring me into it, you'll have instant obedience, but it won't be pretty, and will end up making me mad, because I don't want it forced on anyone."

Sergiad found his head was shaking on it's own. He also didn't want it forced. Not having just gotten rid of the Inari. Purrcy gave him a curious look, then said. "Keep fighting it, Sergiad. We're actually using my position to break all the kami rules. If it's still a rule that the People of the Land have to worship the gods of Theldesia regardless, then I think we'd all like to see your efforts remove that requirement."

Sergiad blinked at her, a bit surprised at that. He gave a nod, though. He'd certainly do his best. It wasn't easy, though. He did want to be soft towards her when he could be. But maybe that could come after that wasn't a requirement any more.

He took a deep breath. "Can we get a representative of the University to come to Maihama, as a reciprocal Ambassador?"

Purrcy mused, "I should think so. They also are interested in having People of the Land come take classes, and participate with them, not just Adventurers. More so, actually." Her teasing smile was good to see again. "With only Nyanta and I as examples, they're rather Adventurer-shy. Carrying the High Priest and High Priestess has only shown them the face of strict pride and aloofness. I've tried, but everything here will be unexpected, really."

Her smile turned to Crusty. "I'm as unfathomable to them as we all are to the People of the Land. At least they believe only I'm a goddess. The rest of the Adventurers are as a group considered equal to kami, but individually are lesser. So closer to their own level. I think they'll face the city as a whole properly, it will just be getting used to the new place and new patterns of living."

She went formal, sitting upright and her tail curling. "I will be broadcasting the joint announcement so that everyone in the city can hear it. It's necessary to let everyone know at once, I think. Shiroe won't be here, obviously, so I'll be including him and his party, as well as all the governing bodies of all the other Adventurer cities.

"It's more for their information, since they won't have to deal with it. It will just save time so we don't have them wondering, plus then they'll know we're finally really done with level six of the dungeon, since they're all wondering still. The other heads of the People of the Land will have to learn it on their own, however."

Crusty gave a nod. That was one more thing off his plate. Sergiad wished she would for the People of the Land, so he didn't have to let all the lords of the other Free Cities of Eastal know, but he'd send them a written report once it was all done so they had the formal answer to the words from their spies in town. It was only necessary that he be here for this meeting in their eyes, for them to remain calm.

"Do you have anything else?" Purrcy looked between the two men in the room.

"Only timing," they both answered together, pursing their lips at her.

She gave them a small smile and rose to her feet. "Go get dressed. I can say now it will be today. Perhaps within an hour or two, maybe."

Crusty rolled his eyes, but Sergiad sighed in relief. That was a much better window of time. With a soft wave of her tail, Purrcy disappeared. Crusty slumped back in his seat and Sergiad finished off his wine. He glanced at the manor's maid. "An early lunch, then, please." She bowed and headed for the kitchen.

"I'd ask to stay, but if it's only that long I have a lot of work to do," Crusty rose to his feet. He gave Sergiad a nod and a polite bow to Raynessia, making her blush, then he, too, was gone.

Sergiad looked at Raynessia. She looked better for having had Purrcy sit next to her. "Go get dressed, please, Raynessia," Sergiad said kindly. Raynessia curtsied and headed for her rooms. Sergiad set his glass down on the table and leaned back comfortably in his chair.

He closed his eyes, knowing he was going to fall asleep, and thought of what he might be saying in his next meeting until he was snoring lightly. It had been a very long night, short on sleep, high on worry. It wasn't going to be nearly as bad as they'd all worried it would be.