The wife that returned to Michael at dinner time did look younger. The make-up was done well and not too heavy. Her white hair had been curled in nice almost-ringlet curls with the front bangs pinned back just a little so as to not fall into her face. The overall effort made her look younger but wasn't overdone.
"Now that looks good," he praised her. "It's not the professional job Rieze and Luna would do, but it's still done well."
Purrcy nodded. "It helps to have someone's help who's already doing it for themselves, and who can look critically at the outcome. For free help, I'll take it. Stephanie was very kind and a lot more chatty in her own place once I admitted my own complete inadequacies.
"She says she'll come and asks if she can get a ride with us. I told her she could, actually, since it's not that far a walk from here to there." She wrinkled her nose at the men. "Besides, I've reached that point of 'too much testosterone'. I need to have a girl along for a bit. Last night was very nice, to have two of them around." They grinned at her, understanding that reference, too.
"I figured that was it," Michael said calmly. "Come eat so it can digest before you have to get nervous again."
They all sat, prayed, and ate. Brenner said the prayer this time, asking for God to be with Michael and Purrcy as they spoke the words He wanted them to say that would help the people who were coming to hear, and maybe those who would hear afterwards. Eating was military style - fast and quiet to get it down before the next thing needed to be done.
By the time Purrcy set down her utensil, she was finger-tapping the table. "Out with it," Michael ordered quietly.
"I want it recorded. We may need it for later ourselves. A copy to Shiroe as soon as it's over, and a copy to Marielle, and one for me."
Her eyes went to Bowie. "Military doesn't get one until Shiroe says it can. They'll use it for publicity and that's not likely okay unless they get approval from him in writing first."
She looked at the other two. "Gareth, you know the version I want. Brenner, will you get the other one?"
Brenner stood, walked back to his office, and dug around a bit until he came out with an actual video recorder. He played with it until he was sure it would work right and had a new data card in it that worked. "I'll get it more than one way in case there's technical difficulties," he promised. Purrcy thanked him.
Shortly after Stephanie arrived, dressed in Sunday best, they piled into the van and Brenner drove them to the place the fireside would be held. As they drove up to and then past the tall white temple, even Purrcy had to stare. "It even looks the same." Michael and she shook their heads. Brenner just smiled.
"Lots of spirits there," Gareth muttered under his breath.
"At least it's people spirits," Stiletto muttered back.
"That's because we do baptisms for the dead there," Stephanie said calmly, for someone of Earth and references to ghosts. "And other ordinance work that the dead can't do for themselves now that they don't have bodies." The rest blinked at her, not sure how to take her open statement.
Michael murmured, "I do remember something about how they were saying that they're used to the concept of teaching dead people. They got to do that on Theldesia, too, and we were ever so glad they went ahead and just did it. Saved us, that did."
The rest nodded heartily to that. Stephanie looked a little confused as to why that would have been necessary on Theldesia, but the rest of the concept she got - which was a bit backwards from their point of view, even though it had helped them at the end of the Western U.S. Maze of Eternity.
"Mm. Is the marriages for eternity one of those things?" Purrcy asked Stephanie.
Stephanie nodded. "Yes, it's one of them."
"Huh," Purrcy mused. "I wonder..." Michael poked her. It wasn't worth thinking about that hard, although it was something she enjoyed doing with Shiroe over tea. Who knew what the crazy AIs had known and incorporated? There were too many details for human minds to keep track of.
She glared at him just a little. "Wondering what it would be like to be married to me forever?" he teased her.
She blinked, then said, "Might not want to go there right now."
He paused, then relented. "You're right, as usual. ...Although I wouldn't mind it."
"You would, but we'll go with that," she answered back.
He pinched her this time. "I think the line went something like, '...and you don't get to pick'. Hang on and I'll go rewind to find Rieze's actual words."
Purrcy froze, then raised both hands. "Sorry. That was sufficient." Michael gave a firm nod. Purrcy sighed in relief to have the pre-wedding newly-friends scolding end there. "Really, how do you remember all of that?" she sighed at him.
"Watched it all at least five times, trying to sort out who was who," he told her.
"Mm, I see," she answered and then it was time to get out of the van, the rest rather glad to have the inside conversation end before it got worse. That was also part of the pattern though.
"Why is it interweaving the beginning and the end now, with the end backwards?" Gareth complained.
"Catching up on the loose ends from the beginning that got left out until now?" Purrcy shrugged.
"Does that mean we get to repeat the collaring soon?" Bowie asked.
Purrcy shuddered. "Bite your tongue - or die." The glower she gave him wasn't going to have anything to do with it.
"Should have had that one before we started this level, then," Stiletto said practically. "We would have found her before her hair turned white."
Michael glared at Stiletto for that one, although more because it was true. Gareth shook his head. "We couldn't have found it anyway, the way we were."
Stiletto slumped. "True." They all threw dark glares at Bowie. He sighed and took it. He was the fall guy for it, even if he couldn't have done anything else.
They straightened up and went back to being normal people since they were finally meeting some - well, as normal as any other Adventurer returned to Earth could be. These kinds of conversations were hard to have around non-Adventurers, the tables now being turned here on Earth. (Some Adventurers on-line in the new game referred to normal Earth humans as ePoLs, particularly when trying to explain situations that their families or friends couldn't follow or comprehend.)
Michael shook hands with Matthew, who had driven the two hours from Pocatello to come listen. He'd brought Patrick with him. Purrcy was quick to tell Patrick to keep an eye out for Hue and sit with him if he could, since they'd been young leaders together. They would also be good supports for each other, even if they were different enough to not be close friends.
Phillip took Patrick in hand and wandered off with him to hunt down Hue. Phillip was still hard to get to stand still for very long. They were used to it by now.
Stiletto wasn't standing still very well either, so Bowie took him to scout out the building and decide where they wanted to stand watch. They wouldn't be remarkable to anyone in the building, except they had yet to see people of color in Twin Falls so Stiletto might stand out in that way. Brenner went with to find a good place to film from.
Gareth stayed with Michael and Purrcy to keep them both calmed down. He stood the door to the office Billy took them into to wait until closer to the time to begin the program. Michael and Purrcy watched over the guards from inside the room, although they paid enough attention to Billy to converse pleasantly.
Billy was excited when nervous, like always. Purrcy finally took matters in hand. "One deep breath, Billy." He immediately froze, then with chagrin, did take a breath. "We'll be fine. I'm glad you're excited to have us here, and for Michael to talk to everyone, but you're telegraphing and we need to be calm to remember what we're here to say. One more deep breath, then focus on being calm for us."
"Yes, Ma'am," he said contritely. "Oh. Here in the church we refer to each other as Sister So-and-so and Brother So-and-so. I'll likely introduce you that way, since it's the automatic thing to do, but if you'd rather I didn't I'll try not to."
"It might be better to introduce me as retired Navy Commander Burnham," Michael said calmly.
"Then would it be Sister or Mrs. Burnham?" Billy asked Purrcy.
"Whichever flows out of your mouth is fine, although I might take a minute for either one to figure out it's me, since I'm usually called Hahaue - or 'Mom'. I'm like that. I would refuse to answer to my own kids unless they called me Mom.
"After all, they were my children, not my friends to just up and call me by my given name. And I'd completely forgotten my name by the third one of the four anyway being a stay-at-home mom with no one else to talk to but the kids. Here, whatever works for you is fine."
Billy blinked between the two of them for a moment. "Divorced before the catastrophe," Purrcy said and that cleared it up for him.
"Sorry to hear that," he said quietly.
Purrcy shrugged, uncomfortable, then paused. "Billy, I've been trying to remember. It seems to me in some of the readings you read to me from your scripture ...was there one about God rescinding the commandment against murder in certain cases?"
Billy blinked, then nodded. "Several actually. One early on was when God required that one man die so that a whole nation wouldn't fall into unbelief. Probably the one I read that you remember is from much later, though. A war is about to start and a wise general calls up the people to defend their wives, families, religion, and freedoms.
"He says in that section that God had told them to not fight with their neighbors, but at the same time, they were to protect those things if it became necessary, even to bloodshed." Billy looked at Purrcy kindly, if a little quizzically. "Actually, do you have a copy?"
Purrcy shook her head. Billy pulled open a drawer of the desk he was sitting behind and pulled out a book. He flipped through the pages, then put in a small card at a specific location. "That's in this chapter and the next several. The other thing is like the third and fourth chapters of the beginning of the book, if you want to look that up." He passed the book over and Purrcy took it, thanking him.
Purrcy paused, then asked, "Have you seen that Shiroe and I are fighting against the governments of the world to get them to free innocent Adventurers from terrible imprisonment and experimentation?"
"I have," Billy said soberly. "It's as awful as what we had to do for you and Theldesia with Mike and the Eagles."
Purrcy nodded and looked down at her hands. "It is, and it's about the same kind of fight, too. But here, if death becomes necessary, there is no resurrection and time to change. Death is final." She paused, then said quietly, "It's hard to know that when we have to have another facility shut down because a government won't relent, people die."
Billy clasped his hands together on the desk in front of him and considered Purrcy. The pose reminded Michael of the first time he'd met with and talked to Billy in a room very much like this one, except this time Billy was properly sized for the desk and chair.
"Actually, while that's true, in some ways it was worse on Theldesia. Every death was a murder, and because we couldn't die, some were murdered over and over again. Those were the ones we needed to stop. That would be a better parallel to the torture going on here on Earth, I think." Purrcy blinked and considered that, not looking up at him.
Gently Billy said, "Purrcy, I think if you're wondering if you're to blame for the deaths, or if God is going to hold you accountable for them, then it would be wise to consider all of the reasons for it happening. If you're here like you were on Theldesia, I think it wouldn't be held against you.
"Like there, if you've warned people, pleaded with them to stop, have been patient with them as long as you can, even to the point that the desperate cries of those in unrighteous pain demand release, then you've acted in mercy towards those who choose to do evil. God does ask us to do that, and does it Himself, knowing that they do only have this life to change in.
"If you've acted in mercy, sorrowing for them and for those who need release, then God won't condemn you for it." Billy glanced at Michael. "I know Mike and the Eagles worked very hard to help you not act in anger. I don't know what you can do here, but if they're still helping you, then you're protected here, too, from falling under God's condemnation.
"What they're doing in the experimental facilities is evil. You and Mister Shiroe are right. It's an evil thing to take those who just wanted to return home to loved ones and the life they'd been born to, and subject them to worse than they'd lived on Theldesia. We know what that was like from there, and I pray to God daily that none of those who were tortured on Theldesia are having to live it again here on Earth."
Billy's face went very sorrowful. "It was so hard to see it there. If what you and Mister Shiroe can do can help even a few, then you will have blessed those who suffer in prison, visiting them in the way Christ can say to you, 'Come unto me, ye blessed, ...for I was a stranger ...and ye visited me in prison'."*
Purrcy couldn't hold back the tears that dripped from her eyes. Michael quickly handed her a handkerchief so her makeup didn't smudge or run. She used it, careful of the mascara, although it was waterproof. When she had cried out the pains of her heart, she said, "Thank you, Billy. I really needed to hear those words."
Billy smiled back softly. "God will continue to bless you for your kind best efforts in behalf of those you care about, Purrcy. He knows what you're walking through and walks with you."
Purrcy nodded, needing that reminder just then, too. She was glad Inari had let them remember the important work they had helped her and the Eagles do. Only those two groups and Log Horizon ever would.
Billy gave Purrcy a few more minutes to recover, then looked at his watch, compared it to the clock on the wall, and rose to his feet. "I think we can go now. They'll not try to come up and talk at this point.
"We'll have you sit on the opposite side of the podium from where I'll be sitting, in the front row up on the stand. Purrcy, I thought we'd ask you to speak first." He looked at Michael, though.
Purrcy smiled. "Okay. I'll give him enough time, although you already know he likes to be short and sweet."
"Well...that's true," Billy had to agree.
-:-:-:-:-
They left the office to enter the chapel. Michael and Purrcy weren't particularly noticed at first since most of the people in the room were visiting with each other, or still entering and finding places to sit.
"It's a rather casual and relaxed church, for all they come dressed up," Purrcy commented.
"Lots of families, too," Billy agreed as if it wasn't strange.
Purrcy gave a small smile and Michael agreed with that particular sentiment. Billy hadn't changed much since coming home, even with the increased responsibilities, except in the height department. He was of average height on Earth. Michael was silently grateful that Billy had been able to help Purrcy heal the part of her grief that he couldn't heal for her.
Things did start getting quiet and settled once Billy was in his seat. That seemed to be some sign to everyone. Purrcy turned just a little to inspect Billy. "Interesting. A mantle."
Michael glanced at Billy and could see that he'd calmed down and sat with the strength he'd carried while giving orders to the men who'd followed him into battle, which was the same strength he'd just calmed Purrcy with. "Yeah. That was like him, too. A natural at wearing it without knowing he was."
"What makes him so good," Purrcy agreed.
The meeting started similarly to the one on Theldesia, with Billy getting it started, the congregation singing a hymn, then an opening prayer. The room felt about the same after that, too.
Then Billy properly introduced them and the room went electric. It had already been opened up all the way to the back of the room on the other side of a folding wall and was mostly full. It was still a smaller group than Michael had to speak to before in this region.
Purrcy rose to her feet, tucked her tail and ears back into hiding, although they said she was pleased, and addressed the room with a smile. Michael thought her words were very well said and made the points she'd said earlier that she wanted to make. She was very good now at adding in the elements of human warmth and reality to the message.
She was still charm +20, if not more, particularly when her words carried her concern and hope for others. Michael had to agree that for moments like this, he'd not mind getting to hear them over multiple times.
Purrcy sat down after not quite twenty minutes of speaking and Michael rose to his feet to take his turn. "Those of you who were Adventurers, I just wanted to let you know that was the perfect example of what Purrcy is and has always been like.
"I told you about her in Salt Lake. You've now had the privilege of hearing her for yourselves. Joy in the moment, happiness in the middle of hardship, growth and faith through trial and forgiveness are her hallmarks.
"I am a very fortunate man that here on Earth she has consented to be my wife so that I can continue to receive that encouragement from her every day. It is my hope to be able to be her strength here, and it is strength that I wish to talk to you about tonight.
"We fought with strength for a thing we thought worthy - returning home to loved ones. It wasn't a wrong thing to do. Any American will fight for their freedom and rights, and should. Any human will fight to live. But it isn't a fight of fists and arms. It's a struggle to be human, the struggle to say, 'I exist'.
"When we work hard for the A in school, when we work long hours in the sun for the harvest in the fall that feeds us and the nation, when we vote for good people to lead us or are willing to step up and be that person, and when we work with our neighbors to clean up after the storm, we are in that struggle. We are fighting to be human, and to stand in strength.
"Like we encouraged every Adventurer to live together peacefully for the sake of their own happiness and for the world of Theldesia as a whole, we still want to encourage all of us to do the same here on Earth.
"Peace comes through calm believing that we are all children of God, regardless of our pasts, our cultures, or our nation of birth. When we struggle together, we stand strong as the human race upon the Earth. That kind of struggle for strength is well worth the effort.
"It's necessary to sometimes fight our internal selves. That fight is also worth it. When we stop and refuse to say the hurtful thing; when we stop to admit we have faults and weaknesses and aren't always right; when we're willing to humbly apologize even if we were right - these are times we fight ourselves and our natural tendencies. These are also moments we win in the human struggle because in those moments we have chosen the path to peace and happiness, to be the peacemaker even if it was difficult in the moment.
"We don't have to lie down and let others walk all over us. Calm, considerate conversation goes a long way with most people of reason. Refusal to give in to the tendencies of others that would create chaos and conflict; being willing to say calmly that something isn't right when it really isn't; these are skills to learn in this fight of peacefully living in strength as a human among humans."
Michael paused and took hold of the podium with one hand. Gripping it, he said, "Mister Nyanta was my example of this, like Purrcy was my guiding light to finding my way through the nights of Theldesia. Mister Nyanta was, and is, a gentleman.
"He never argues, and he never compromises his principles. He is kind to everyone for as long as they let him be, but no one crosses him. He doesn't have to say or do anything other than be himself. A strong mind of firm conviction is the strongest shield there is in the battle to being human and helping the entirety of humanity to stand strong.
"If I could give America back anything, it would be that conviction of mind that what our nation was built on in the beginning was and still is worth fighting for. In this kind of battle - the battle for peaceful coexistence held together by the strength of the individual members of society working together for a common goal - we maintain the right to say not only 'I exist', but 'we are'.
"We are one nation under God. We are united by a desire to rule ourselves. We are capable of strengthening and supporting our neighbor, no matter what class, creed, or nationality. We are Americans. And even more than that, we are humans all across the globe in such great numbers we should have the strength of permanent and complete peace.
"Let me encourage all of you to let that battle start in your own hearts, in your homes, and in your own streets. Where it can begin it can grow and flourish until we are all strong together, promising peace to each other because it's what we desire for ourselves, our families, and our neighbors. If only a few ten thousands of Adventurers on Theldesia can create that kind of strength to make the pathway open up to come home, imagine what the billions of us on Earth can do together if peace through the human struggle were our goal."
Michael paused, mostly done. "Honestly, Purrcy taught me that, too, with Shiroe as another example. Purrcy constantly refused to accept any title or accolade on Theldesia that the game wanted to place on her. The only one that had any meaning for her was the label 'human'.
"I have always been humbled by her insistence that it is the one that all other accolades and honors hang from. Mostly because it is the one that is true for all of us. We are all human. Regardless of our weaknesses, our honor and strength come from that same source.
"Shiroe gave us our orders, always aimed at the goal to get us home. Whenever it would have been easier to take the simpler route, he always refused to let us take it. He tore apart his own heart and family to keep the rest of the world moving forward towards the goal. Even when we could have killed the AIs, he refused. That was the hardest to take, but Purrcy begged us for it, too.
"They showed even us hardened military men that mercy, humility, and concern for our fellow beings and creatures was more important than meeting our spur of the moment irritation or anger. They showed us that the internal fight to do what we knew was the better path, the right one, was the fight that was worth fighting and winning. And out of it came the answer we were all seeking. Everyone, including the planet and the AIs that had taken us, were all better off for it. No one lost.
"And that is the best part of that kind of fight. No one has to lose. Only those who refuse to fight that fight inside themselves loses in the end. They refuse to admit their weaknesses and shortcomings exist. They refuse to humble themselves enough to see things from other's points of view. They insist they are right and don't take the time to really try to understand that maybe it's not that important to the over-all goal.
"They lose because humanity has to leave them behind. They aren't willing to fight for the common goal of humanity, selfishly believing that they will find happiness and strength on their own. We were always sad to find those among us, and we tried to call to them, to teach them the best we could what pathway would take them where they really wanted to go.
"Let me plead with you. Search your heart in humility. Are you really the only right person on the face of the planet? Can you stop and listen with ears that want to hear what is being felt and said by the person on the other side?
"Can it be considered unimportant for the overarching goal of peace? You can live how you want, but does everyone really have to march to your drum and only your drum?
"If they are wrong, can you find a way to gently lead them to a proper understanding so they can also stand a strong human on the face of the planet? And if you are wrong, or perhaps you don't know, can you take the time and make the effort to practice living in peace until you do know?
"I'm sure I don't have all the answers. But I do have the example of what we did on Theldesia and what we learned there. I watched Hue gently call scared and scary Adventurers to repentance and make them cry and change. I watched Billy face down a whole city in the strength of peace, conviction, and reliance on God to see that justice was met without anger, and win.
"I watched the group that went east through the entire Eastern Hemisphere heal city after city and restore peace, with the simple reminder that we were there in the first place because we wanted to have fun and live a simple life. Isn't that what Earth life is supposed to be, too: simple, enjoyable, filled with the little moments of joy and light that we can choose to see if we want to see them?"
Michael put his free hand in his pocket. "I intend to spend every waking moment walking that path and I am so glad to be able to surround myself with people who can help me remember it. I hope you will also consider my words tonight and perhaps decide to walk that path with me, for your own sake, and for the sake of all the Earth." He paused one moment more, then returned to his seat next to Purrcy.
He needed the hand holding she gave him. It had been a terribly frightening speech to give. But the honest ones were. He had no idea what good it would do, but he liked Twin Falls and generally the people he'd run into in this city would receive a message like that one well enough, or so he felt from the small sampling he'd met on Theldesia.
"I'm so glad we were recording that one," she whispered to him. He gave her a brief smile. He was too. He hoped he didn't have to say it again. He'd much rather have a seed of hope spread it around for him.
Billy was back up at the podium now. He was having to swallow a bit to find his voice. "Thank you, Commander and Mrs. Burnham, for your words to us tonight. While we're sorry the original speaker got ill, I think it was a blessing to be able to have the opening to have you with us."
He looked out over the group of people listening. "Mrs. Burnham told me before we started tonight that she is most commonly known as 'Mom' to everyone. I think she did sound like a mother who is concerned about others. However, I knew her as something slightly different on Theldesia.
"On Theldesia, she was an angel. Not just any angel. She was the angel of hope. Every time things were their darkest, she would appear and calmly bring us peace and tell us what we could do to move forward. She would scold sometimes, but only to help us get back up on our feet again."
Michael and the guards, and even some from the Twin Falls party were nodding their agreement to that. Michael had to squeeze Purrcy's hand, too, to make sure she understood it. She smiled back at him.
"I was excited to learn that Commander Burnham was in town. You know how busy a Bishop is, particularly on a Saturday evening, but I dropped everything and went to have dinner with him. It was a long shot that he'd be willing to talk to us tonight, but I prayed very hard he would." Billy stopped and swallowed again.
"If Purrcy was 'Mom' on Theldesia, Mike was 'Dad'." Michael's head snapped up in surprise and he stared at Billy, but there were nods in the audience, too. "I'm grateful to have heard the words of the man who promised us that strength, hope, and working hard would get us back home. His words were true then, and I believe they are true tonight as well.
"The fight to be a better person every day, and to help our little parts of the world find peace is the fight we all work towards every day. With all of us continuing to walk that path, remembering to be grateful for the small blessing every day, we will all know happiness." He turned just enough to look at Purrcy and Michael. "Thank you for telling us again how to move forward rightly." They tipped their heads at him.
Billy turned back. "Like all firesides, there are refreshments. Thank you to those of you who brought more when we learned there would be extra visitors. To those who came from Pocatello, please drive home safely. We'll close with," he listed off the closing hymn and prayer-giver, then sat down, looking at his clasped hands.
When it was over and people were rising, Purrcy led Michael over to Billy who had risen to face them. She wrapped Billy in a gentle hug. At the tears in his eyes, Michael put a hand on his shoulder to give him a little more strength. That made the tears drip, though. Michael smiled softly, knowing why.
Billy worked to recover rather quickly. When they turned, they understood why. There was rather a crowd below the stand waiting to greet them.
Billy sighed. "It's a bit organic at this point," he said quietly. "Likely I should have prepared for a more formal reception, but it was unexpected. And often they like to talk longer than they should."
Purrcy patted him on the arm. "We're a bit used to it by now. We'll keep them moving on through. But if you could go sneak us drinks and snacks, we'd appreciate it."
Billy looked at the group, then out towards the back of the far room. "Well, we usually keep the food and drink over there, but you won't make it that far. I'll see what I can do." He waved up the first set of people standing by the stairs and a line immediately formed up that would exit out the opposing set of stairs.
"At least they know how to make it organic rather than chaotic," Purrcy murmured to Michael. He agreed and was just as glad to put her on the receiving side. He would rather close people down and send them on.
When only another hour had passed, they were surprised that the guests waiting in line to talk to them were asked to leave. The guests didn't complain, even though they were obviously disappointed. Even that seemed an almost unspoken rule that everyone understood. "They really are well organized," Bowie said in approval as they walked out, some of the last to go.
There were a small number of people still standing in the parking lot talking, but almost all had gone home. Billy was locking up behind them all and they waved to him as he walked to those still present on the premises. They paid attention to the fact he spoke to them kindly, then saw them off before he got in his car. He then waited for them to go first.
Gareth smiled. "Person at the top makes it all happen, and takes responsibility for it. It still amazes me that they're all volunteer."
"I'm liking it more and more," Purrcy said, a little surprised at that news. She turned to Michael. "Why were you surprised that he would call you the father for the Amerkas?
"You were for all the Eagles, and when Nyanta wasn't available you were for Log Horizon, too. Although it was uncle it was similar enough. In particular you were father for Tetorō who needed you more than he needed Nyanta, since he needed the kind of father you were."
Michael looked out the window. "I guess I only ever saw myself as Commander. That's not quite the same, on the inside looking out."
Purrcy rolled her eyes at the boys. They all gave her secret grins. "And thus how a scary Grandpa is born," she said dryly.
Michael stared at her with the same kind of shock he'd stared at Billy with. "Don't bring that up now," he scolded her.
"Why not? You're headed there without understanding. A Commander is also a father, and you know it." Before he could do more than open his mouth, she went into full-on scold mode.
"You played with them and let them relax when you needed it and when you could tell they needed it. You turned a blind eye when you knew they needed to learn a lesson on their own, and you straightened them up immediately when they acted up without cause. You kept them toeing the line that they needed to and let the rest go because it wasn't worth it - as you so eloquently said in your speech tonight.
"You let others lead where they were supposed to, but kept everyone accountable - including yourself. You held councils to work out issues that needed everyone's input, and you took your own council to God - or Inari or Shiroe or me as needed.
"You were gentle when they needed that to keep going and you pushed them forward when they needed that instead. You stood up and defended them, taking their beatings, yet watched in pity and pain when they had to take their own and you couldn't nor should you have.
"You tell me. What better example of a father of the sort you are is there, Michael?"
Michael opened his mouth again, but had to close it again. "You would put the qualifier in that I can't argue against," he grouched at her.
"Of course I would," Purrcy tossed her head. "Nyanta was as good an example of the sort of father he is, but it isn't all that far off from your own, in the end, and you know it, if you'll be more honest about yourself."
She sat back against the bench seat and looked out the window away from Michael. Quietly she said, "Inari wouldn't have chosen you if you weren't a proper match for the Caretaker and Mother."
Michael sat in quite a great deal of shock after that until he suddenly grabbed her in a bear hug. No words would come, though. He'd been quite overwhelmed.
Stephanie looked at them with a smile that danced in her eyes. "In our religion, parents are important, as are families. We teach that there is not just God the Father, but there is also a Heavenly Mother. We don't talk about Her a lot because God didn't and doesn't - mostly because He wants to protect Her.
"We as humans don't say a lot of complementary things about Him or Jesus, and He didn't want Her to have that kind of dirt thrown at Her. But we do believe that She exists, because families are the basic unit of heaven, not just society. It sounded today like you were sort of like that for the Adventurers of Theldesia."
Purrcy blushed, and Michael followed suit. "Well, thank you, I think, but I'd not go quite that far. We filled the role the Adventurers needed there, since most of them were children or young adults your own age, but we are far from God-like, being but mere human mortals like everyone else."
"Still," Brenner argued from the driver's seat, "Purrcy did set that kind of example for all of us. I still hold her as an example of a Christian servant myself. Mike was a bit rougher, but he did his best for all of us. Nyanta-san also sacrificed a great deal in the same way Purrcy did. All three of them stand as examples for the rest of us, and we were all glad they were there to help us through to the end."
Purrcy waved her hand in front of her face. "Again, thank you, but it's a bit much." She got a few head rubs, but they let it drop.
They dropped Stephanie off at her house first, then went on to the house behind the small church. They were tired so didn't stay up late that night. When they were finally in bed together, Michael asked her, "Purrcy..., what did you mean by saying the Inari picked me? I've been trying to follow humbly in Nyanta-san's footsteps this whole time."
Purrcy sighed a bit, and looked away, then back. "Michael. I hope you'll understand this right. Inari did pick you. Remember from the beginning I was sent first to Minami and Izanami worked hard to get you. From then on she was trying to get us together. Izanagi stayed out of it, but you know he didn't get involved either." Michael agreed with that.
Purrcy put her hand lightly on his arm. "I picked Nyanta." Michael blinked. "I'd seen him in Susukino and knew what kind of father he was from that much. When I saw you, I knew you were also a good father figure, but Nyanta had the qualities they needed to learn. You had them but they are harder to see, buried beneath the surface."
She paused, then added, "On top of that, he only had himself to care for. You had a whole squadron already. Until you had them freed, you weren't going to care to be a father to anyone else. I helped you so that you could be in the position they needed you in - which was over here in the Amerkas - and because of my other own selfish reasons."
She paused and took another breath. "It's also why I was in trouble - for loving you both at the same time. Rightly they chose, even though rightly I chose also for my own reasons. Izanagi made sure to build you up after Izanami tortured you because he needed the you that was strong. You know what happened was all very convoluted and only their computer calculations could figure it all out.
"You walked in Nyanta's shadow in Yamato and on that side of the oceans, but never did you here on this side. You were the person they needed fully here. Nyanta was as necessary as you and I were - but Inari picked you and I picked Nyanta." She sighed. "I'm sorry if that makes you sad or angry."
Michael was rather back to stunned again. "Well, no, not really, since I already know you picked Nyanta-san. I'm more shocked that I was picked for that level of a role."
Purrcy giggled a little. "Kind of like being the leader of your little group of men in a city that gets overrun, and then somehow finds himself at the head of an entire legion of men, and being faced with the potential of leading an entire church's worth of people in an intermountain region?"
Michael blinked at her, then smiled. "Yeah, kind of like BillyBoy when he was sitting up on the stand worrying I was going to call him to do that. ...Only you've just told me I did get called up to do just that."
"You did, and you performed just as naturally marvelous as he did and does," Purrcy agreed softly, running her hand down the side of his face. "We had fun together, but you didn't need me to do that.
"The AIs learned that it wasn't me standing by your side that made you strong, but having your own pillars strengthened that did it. I was necessary to keep Nyanta going and keep him strong enough to carry Izanagi. You couldn't have done both - carry Izanagi and the entire Western Hemisphere."
Michael pulled her close and breathed out a long sigh. "No, I couldn't have. Thank you for protecting me, too, so that we could all get home ...even if it wasn't the best thing we could have done."
"We know where that went wrong. It's a thing to forgive and correct and move on," she scolded mildly for that, too. He nodded obediently.
"Still," he said a bit wistfully, "I wish sometimes I could have had that time, too."
Purrcy poked him. "You did. Start looking at your time there from a different point of view. Why do you think Nyanta was so upset you had to be in the Gate of Time the whole time we were? ...Although he was also grateful when he was honest with himself."
Michael obediently did that, too, since that had also been in his speech that night. "Okay. I'll start trying to remember to see it with eyes of gratitude." He had to bury his head between her and the pillow to hide, though. His emotions were a bit too large to handle. He'd been able to be with her, watching over her the whole time, all without being unfaithful to his pillar of strength that had been so necessary at the time. It rolled into his gratitude that he had her right there in his arms at that very moment.
He was finally able to sigh. "I'm glad I'm finally getting my gift. Thank you for saying yes." He pulled back and frowned at her slightly. "Don't go anywhere for a long time. I've earned this many times over, and you are a hard woman to catch hold of and tie down."
Purrcy laughed. "I suppose I am, even though I've never been very far away at all, Michael." She whispered in his ear, "Whose arms hold you in that space of time from then until eternity?"
Michael shivered. "Oh, god, Purrcy," he moaned.
She really had taken them all the way back to that point in this reverse repeat. It was his least favorite moment of time, and yet his anchor and life-raft, his hope that in any age he would have her arms around him that she had encircled him with then and held on and not let go for anything until he was safely away.
She soothingly pet his head until he could relax. He was still going to have that nightmare this night, he was quite sure of it. But it would be okay. She was still holding him - then and now.
-:-:-:-:-
The next morning it was time to head out for the final duty of Michael to his son. They had to hide from the press that showed up, though. Someone had taken the information off the church bus and followed that clue to sit outside and wait to see if they were really there.
Michael wanted to sneak out the back door, but Purrcy refused to let Brenner have to take the brunt of it all. She made their little statement of how yes, they'd stopped by to give their gratitude to Brenner for officiating at their wedding, and had wanted to speak to the Adventurers of the area and express their love and gratitude to them as well, since they had been so instrumental in helping with getting them all home.
Michael played his part of being the quiet bodyguard who happened to be madly in love with his wife and charge. The rest of the guards hid in illusion to get into the van, and then Brenner was supposedly whisking them off to an airport or some such thing before they missed their connection.
Brenner might still get press, and trouble, but he'd not had to face that much alone. Purrcy gave him her press advice. "Preach God's love and Christ to them and they'll leave you alone pretty quickly. Invite them to film one of your sermons, then preach repentance directly at them if they take you up on it.
"Tell Stephanie to take a week's vacation and not come over directly to the house - only to the church for work - until this blows over, or they'll be after her next. She'll still be hounded if she opens her mouth. She's not to say any more than she knew you had guests coming for the weekend, but not who.
"Do talk to her on the phone every day, though, so she doesn't think it's for romantic reasons gone bad, if you're serious about catching her. Let her know honestly it's part of the package that none of us like, and you want to protect her.
"Don't let her vacation go over a week, or they'll think you fired her for being the leak, when we all know she wasn't." A glance at Bowie got agreement that statement was truth. "And always be pleasant and smile, and walk away so they haven't got anything to sink their nasty claws into. They can't get anything out of you if you're not there to give it."
"And if all else fails, move," Michael said a bit glumly. "We're sorry."
Brenner shrugged. "It's my own fault for driving the big advertisement. It will work out." He smiled at them in the rear view mirror. "Maybe it will be the big break I needed to get more people to come to church."
Purrcy laughed. "As long as it doesn't go to your head. If that starts to happen, let me know and I'll have Tetorō help deflate it back to normal size."
Brenner shuddered as the other guards laughed. "That's rather scary to have you jump to the big guns," he complained at her.
"Then see it doesn't happen," she said back mildly.
"She did that to him, too," Gareth said, not looking at Brenner, his chin in his hand and his elbow resting on the front passenger door arm rest. When he wouldn't say more, Brenner hit him on the arm. Gareth looked back with a bit of a scowl. "She told him she'd sic me on him. He still won't let me within twenty-five feet of him."
Purrcy tisked at Gareth, since the two weren't related. Still, Brenner was sympathetic. "Keep trying. I'm sure she's told you what to do."
Gareth sighed. "She did." He went back to looking out the window again.
Brenner looked at Purrcy in the mirror with a raised eyebrow. She looked back mildly. "Everything takes time and there's God's plenty of that on the Earth."
"True enough, true enough," Brenner agreed.
He took them to a remote pull-off along the Snake River and dropped them off. They gave him hugs and hand-shakes goodbye and watched as he turned the van around and headed back home.
When the road was clear, they realm stepped until they were in a remote part of western Idaho. Then they flew just for the joy of it, calling for the dragons as they flew towards the Sierras, although they wouldn't come play this time. It was the wrong planet.
-:-:-:-:-
Shiroe clicked through his emails, since if he didn't check them even on his days off it got more full than he could handle. He always did it first thing in the morning and started with selecting the ones that could go straight into the trash bin without opening. It gave him an initial feel for what else had shown up.
The one with an English header almost went in the trash he was was so surprised to see it. He carefully de-selected it, trashed what he'd selected, then opened it without finishing the first review of the rest of them. The rest of the emails could wait until the next day.
When he saw it was a video file, and rather large at that, he got even more excited. What had they chosen all on their own to say? He was missing them anyway, as they stayed silent most of the time. He blinked, then downloaded the file.
While it did that - taking a long time because of its size, he called to Akatsuki and asked her to call for Naotsugu, Marielle, and Tetorō. If Henrietta wanted to come, she could. When Akatsuki walked back, with a quizzical look on her face, she said, "Marie says she got one too, but asks if she should stop and wait."
"Yes, I'd like us all to see it together," Shiroe said. He wasn't surprised they'd sent a copy to Marielle. She was P/R after all.
The file finished downloading. He made sure he could open and run it, then picked up the laptop, grabbed up cables, and led them to the media room. He plugged it in there and started the file running so they could see it on the large screen. He had to translate somewhat for those who didn't know English quite so well.
When it was over, including the last bit told by Billy, Shiroe sat back on the couch, his eyes bright and sharp, but not really seeing what was in front of him. "It's the next seed of hope," he said quietly.
"Marie, see it gets shortened down to the proper sound byte size. I want it in the game on the bulletin board. We'll get it started there. When the rumors of their visit to Idaho come up in the press, offer to send them the best sound bytes. If we get enough interest, we'll let the whole thing go viral on the internet with an official version.
"Naotsugu, keep an eye out for it to be posted by locals. Don't let the views on them get ahead of where we need to be. Spin up is fine, having to slam it on is, too, but make sure it's cleaned up proper, and got translation subtitles on it for the standard most popular languages."
"I've already written the seed module for in-game," Tetorō said smugly.
"Oh, that would be fun!" Marielle exclaimed. "The Adventurers would know what they were and have a lot of fun with that."
Shiroe nodded. "Put at the end a link to the the full version online cross-linked to the right translation if you can." Tetorō nodded.
Shiroe sat there for a contented happy moment more, very glad Michael had insisted on helping bring Hahaue back. She always was doing things like this at just the right times. And if their God was helping, Shiroe wasn't going to complain. He wasn't if it was Inari, either.
He sighed to himself happily, then sent an email back expressing his gratitude, and asking for his love to be passed on, and they were looking forward to seeing them again soon. It felt very much like the sort of messages Purrcy would send shortly before returning to let them know she was still watching over them and excited to be returning home.
*See Matthew 25:34-36, Holy Bible.
I hope that Michael's seed of hope contained in this chapter can also bring you hope. It is Shiroe's message to Adventurers and Earth, Michael's message to the United States of America and Earth, and the very real eternal pathway of human rebirth from chaos and decay. - RnO/J.R.