In Which Paths Diverge, Rejoin, and Are Left

"That was fast!" Skipper said looking surprised when Justina stepped out of the door. "I didn't have a chance to close it yet! Is something wrong?"

Justina shook her head. "Many things are wrong. It's been a busy couple of days. Xanaria will be staying behind for a while. Maybe a long while. I need a drink."

"I'm sorry." Skipper said flipping upside down and closing the door. "There is no more alcohol here. You didn't bring any and my last friends drank the last of theirs when they were saying goodbye. And I don't want to leave Xanaria still in this world. It would probably be fine but I don't want to risk testing the Metastone's range."

They looked so apologetic Justina smiled and shook her head. "It's okay. I'll substitute a bath and a nap for now." And she walked away keeping an eye on the colorful scarf markers overhead.

Xanaria stayed with Patience through the investigation and the trial. She stayed with Patience through the turmoil when her mother's death was ruled an accident in which no one was held accountable. She stayed with Patience as the West Wind took her under their wing. She stayed with Patience through the funeral. She stayed with Patience as the town's folk, very politely, asked if they could turn her childhood home into a museum for her mother. Patience let them. It hurt too much sleeping in that house every night. She moved in with the West Wind.

Xanaria stayed as Patience began to go on missions, just a few at first, then more and more. They were mostly relief work and infrastructure repair. And Xanaria was relieved to notice that the West Wind kept a careful eye on Patience when they were in seedier locations. Xanaria stayed with Patience for 7 months, 2 weeks, and 3 days.

One night, after they were in bed and the lights were all out, Patience thought, Xanaria?

~Yes?~

I think it's time.

Xanaria was sleepy, they had spent all day holding metal beams in place while the Welder did his thing. ~Time for what?~

I think I'm ready for you to go.

That woke her up. ~Are you sure?~

Yes. Patience said, but her thoughts felt lonely. I'll miss you terribly, but you can't stay forever and I'll be okay now.

~You know I love you, right kid?~

Yeah. I love you too. You'll come visit again, won't you?

~I'll do my absolute best.~

And, without any conscious thought, something let go. Patience cried quietly into her pillow until she fell asleep, but woke knowing she'd done the right thing and ready for another day of her new life.

Xanaria found herself gripping the Metastone with stiff fingers. She let go of it and stretched, reveling in the feeling of being in her own skin again. Her ears twitched, and she stood, dusting off her dress. She sobered a moment thinking of Patience and resolved firmly to visit her again someday. Somehow.

"Hi!"

Xanaria looked up and grinned widely, "Skipper!"

She plucked them from their vine and gave them a big hug and a rub between the ears. Skipper purred and nuzzled her cheek.

"Oh, I've missed you Skipper. Oh! Where's Justina? Is she still here? I need to go say hi!"

"She's in her room, she just went to bed but I don't think she's asleep yet. Can you put me down before you go running off to her? The jostling gets my tails all twisted."

Xanaria laughed and set Skipper down before tearing off through the bushes.

Justina wasn't asleep. She wished she was because she felt like a failure, lonely, and miserable. Unfortunately it seemed she had gotten enough sleep in the jail cell a couple hours ago, because sleep would not come. She had her eyes closed when she heard someone shouting her name in the distance. Confused, she got up, and left her clearing heading toward the sound to see what was going on. She hadn't gotten far when Xanaria burst out of the bushes and leapt on her giving her a big hug.

Justina hugged her back, bewildered and a bit concerned. "Are you okay?"

"I missed you!"

"I thought you were going to stay with Patience. Is something wrong?"

Xanaria held her at arm's length and cocked her head to one side. "I did. I stayed with her for months."

"Months? Skipper!"

"Yes?" They asked, popping out of a bush.

"How long was my bath?"

"I don't know. Maybe 45 minutes?"

"But I've been gone for months." Xanaria looked back and forth between the two of them.

"Sorry." Skipper shrugged cheerfully, "Time moves differently in different places."

"So, I guess you didn't have time to miss me and I seem to be acting very silly right now."

"Of course I missed you!" Justina pulled her back into a hug. "It's just that I've only had to miss you for an hour or so. Maybe it's selfish, but I'm glad it wasn't longer. Tell me all about what happened after I left!"

Xanaria told the story. They all sat down on the soft moss and Skipper, it turned out, was a fantastically attentive and responsive audience. Especially considering that when the story was all told they had to ask, "Wow! And who is Patience? What happened when you were both there?"

Xanaria laughed and this time they told the story together. It was going great until Justina got to the part where Tony had visited her. She quickly dropped out of storyteller mode, gave the bare facts, and let Xanaria tell the rest.

Justina put her head in her hands. "I need a drink."

"I wouldn't mind one either." Xanaria put a hand on her back.

"I still don't have any alcohol here. But maybe I could take you to another metaverse? You could come back with more stories?! You guys tell good stories."

Xanaria smiled. "That sounds like a lovely idea! Are you sure it's not too soon?"

Skipper grinned, "I can do it! Where do you want to go?"

Justina looked up. "Just take me somewhere different. Somewhere with alcohol."

"I don't think I've ever heard of a metaverse without alcohol."

"Great. Then I would very much like to go somewhere unfamiliar."

"Do you want me to find one that has traces of Thomas? I think I've gotten good at following him now."

"No. It doesn't matter, I'm years too late. Could you just take me somewhere new, please?"

Skipper saluted with a tail, "I will do my best!"