Jessica found rich people of this time period a bit strange.

Which was probably an unfair judgment to make, especially considering her OWN circumstances, but unfair or not she made it nevertheless.

Maybe it was due to having an outside perspective? The idea of keeping up with society to support the family just felt… Strange to her.

For one thing, she never really had a family before joining the MIB and adopting John. So, there was that.

But for another? Back home, independence was heavily emphasized. It was all about leaving home, buying a house, making a family, paying bills, and so forth… No longer about representing ancestors or upholding traditions or making sacrifices to support some nebulous concept like being a 'Proper Lady'.

At least, not in her social circles. That kind of thought process probably did exist in older and more powerful families even in modern times, even in the USA. Just… Never really bumped into it herself before.

This house operated like a miniature of a city.

The leader would be the busy and currently absent Mr. Banks, the leader of the faith would likely be Mrs. Banks, the various help would be the branches of government and the children were the citizens.

Which would make Mary Poppins… What, the local head of union? Not a rebel leader, as she clearly had no issues taking a paycheck for her services, but some sort of organizer that worked on a social level.

Hopefully she would be as nice (If prim and proper) as she was depicted in the books and films.

John had already given a warning that most fiction or literature would have discrepancies when being visited… Something about 'infinite possibilities making exact matches tricky'.

But since nothing was obviously wrong just yet (No strange skin colors, no crab people fighting aliens, etc), it was best to operate with caution and keep an eye open. If nothing else, John had assured her that this variant of the story was at least SIMILAR to the stuff she saw when younger, so the chances of Mary Poppins being a blue skinned alien were low.

She tried to find a more comfortable sleeping position in the overly floofy bed. Again.

Yeah, at least she had been smart enough to avoid the 'sleeping gowns' offered. As a more modern woman, the idea of wearing a sleeping outfit with multiple layers that seemed DESIGNED to strangle you when tossing and turning just felt like a bad idea.

Besides, she was self confident enough to wear less. Significantly less, at least compared to the locals… Couldn't be fully 'sky clad' with the risk of John having a nightmare or something, but she wasn't far from it.

Oh, and that was another thing: The chances of certain 'activities' were LOW here. Health issues and concerns aside? Casual sex was basically not a thing here. Nor were threesomes, or moresomes, or… Yeah. Maybe behind certain doors, maybe within some groups, but not as a part of the culture.

Not that she was considering making a deposit at the Banks, or anything. Even if that mother certainly had some balance in her accounts… That figure!

Let's just say that Jessica fully understood why there were five children in the household and that Mr. Banks was a lucky man.

But if she was going to accidentally earn a reputation as a loose woman due to her little brother not WARNING her about appearing in 1910 London wearing casual clothing… Well, she at least wanted the upsides too, darn it!

Meh, whatever. Her mind sometimes went to odd places when she was trying to sleep/not smother herself in blankets and layers and whatever the hell was done to these pillows.

Hell, the bed acted like a contraceptive on its own!

'Hey baby, wanna do the horizontal tango?' 'MURPLE MUFFLE MUMMER!' 'What!? I CAN'T HEAR YOU THROUGH ALL THE CLOTH!'

Stupid bed was so soft and squishy it would be like trying to have sexy times in a hammock or something. But with less pinching from bits getting caught through the holes… Maybe one of those hammocks with cloth instead of nets? Though depending on the partner, that might actually enhance the experience and no she was not going to think about any of that shut up brain SHUT UP!

~~~Pocket System~~~

John slept outside of reality in his Pocket Space.

And it was good.

Plus, Spike was here, well technically over there. In that layer of whatever it was that bound the System together. But that was basically the same as being here, which was cool.

He still needed to make a local Pocket Pal, it had been too fun to run around with Jane and explore/find her home. Got distracted several times and uh… Well, he might have been running on a bit of a high after his first deliberate Pocket Transfer.

But it was hard not to feel so awesome here!

Unlike that bad place, HERE he was in his OWN Pocket! That meant he could detect himself!

He could feel that he existed, even if Spike was lost or hurt, even if everything else vanished… And that was important.

Sure, he couldn't stay here forever, nor would he… There was so much to do out there! But for sleeping, or for any other excuse he could come up with? Pocket, each time and every time!

Plus, it was nice to know that in a home that seemed slightly connected to unusual layers of existence, he was here safe and sound. Though in truth, both him and sis were… After all, they were both technically being projected while safely secured in the Pocket, so there shouldn't be any risk in the end.

…Uh.

He had mentioned that to her, right? The 'You half exist in and out of my Pocket' thing? Like, she was physically here, just like him, and they could eat and use the bathroom and all that. Grow stronger through exercise or whatever. Just… They also existed in the Pocket and could be reformed from there if John had to suddenly abandon Realm or something.

He probably told her already.

…Right?

Actually, had he even warned her about the maybe-demon mirror? Or eldritch mirror or whatever it was pretending to be. It had been on his to-do list, sometime before everyone went to bed… Uh.

Crud, he might have gotten distracted playing 'house' with Jane.

But to be fair, her doll house was SO COOL! Like, several floors tall and hand carved and painted and….

John felt a growing belief that he may have, in fact, forgotten to warn Jessica at all.

Not that she was in danger or anything.

And it was pretty late… And the Pocket was so comfy… And the scans didn't read hostility or danger anyway…

Yeah, it could wait till morning. Right? Right!

Complex concerns handled, John drifted away in soft slumber outside of reality.

~~~Pocket System~~~

Bert the Matchman hummed as the lovely Mary Poppins was about to leave. "Trouble you think?"

The woman huffed. "Something a bit unexpected, certainly… But a bit of uncertainty does not necessitate negativity."

Uh… Alright? "But you'se thinks this 'Strange Wind' be blowin this way?"

She gave him a wry look. "Nothing too dire. Just… Take care of yourself, Bert. From what I can tell, it is young and drifting, not having found their own currents through the sky… A baby more than a monster."

He glanced towards the Bank's place. "Right, well… You'd know best I reckon. As long as the children are alright."

She hummed. "If anything, it feels like a bit of socializing is doing good for them both. The little ones locked away by privilege and love and the lost one unknown to most and unrestrainable… Sometimes, it is new friendships like these that can build a childhood."

Aye. "Expand thems view a bit, yeah? After all, not everyone can sees outside their own corners of theirs worlds, I suspects."

And she gave him that smile that always felt so warm. "Just so. Afterall, my life would be so much poorer without the many people I've met along the way… Now, before I must away and return to duties long… Walk with me a little longer?"

Anytime for her. "Of course, Miss Poppins! Nows wheres was I?"

For just a bit longer, the two walked and talked of impossible things and thoughts and places.

The evening was brisk, and despite the smell and fog of London it was lovely.

~~~Pocket Space~~~

Mr. Banks gave a grateful nod as the next book was delivered. "Just there, that's a good lad. You and the rest can get some rest then. It will be another busy day tomorrow!"

The young man was another up and comer, but more importantly: Followed instructions. "Yes sir!"

He noticed the slight wobble as the worn boy left… Yes, perhaps he should have sent the less experienced workers off earlier than this. They hadn't built up the required endurance needed for a last minute crisis like this.

Right, best to ensure these accounts were in order. It was going to be another late one… Yet another long stressful day to pile on his back. If he didn't love the challenge of it all, this sort of thing would have crushed him years ago.

Still, it felt horrific to not follow his own routine… His daily habits helped ground him and find his inner peace!

After all, he ran his home precisely on schedule! At 6:01, he would boldly march through his door, his lovely wife having prepared his slippers, sherry, and pipe by 6:02…

But, harsh times required sacrifices.

His smile withered and was set aside as solemn concentration returned.

This week had been the worst in months as several accounts had to be fully reworked… To the point where he had been required to stay much later than was his habit.

Oh, he was properly compensated as one would expect, and it would no doubt boost his career forwards towards his lofty goals… The higher ups noticed when a good employee went above and beyond for the institution. They rewarded such, without restraint!

But the cost was high.

He felt his hand twitch… Yet, it was long past 6:03. Long past sending off his young children to sleep.

The little ones would be long since off to bed by now. As should he.

But… But needs must. Another day or so and his routine could continue, his consistency restored… His world put back into logical order.

He may work long hours, he may not always feel appreciated… But at the very least, he had certain things he could hold on to. Something to grasp in this sometimes fearful world.

And unlike his own history, his own issues and heartaches… He would pave the path to ensure his children would walk with confidence and assurance through life.

Proper guidance, stern instruction, healthy food and living, resources and… And all those things he wished he had so long ago.

If nothing else, they had Mrs. Banks in their lives and were all the more blessed for it. She certainly had blessed him when they had found each other, no mistake.

No, focus.

The dimly lit room in the Dawes, Tomes, Mousely, Grubbs Fidelity Fiduciary Bank watched a man with dreams toil towards a better world one ink mark at a time as weary helpers struggled to stay awake.

And in his own weary, worn, and hard working way… Mr. Banks made the world a slightly better place. At least, his little corner of it.

~~~Pocket System~~~

Michael huffed! "I still say he's odd."

Jane rolled her eyes from her bed. "Most people are odd."

Her brother kept his voice down, as the twins and little Annabel slept in their cribs. "MOST people don't just make things vanish and magically appear!"

Harumph! "Mary Poppins can."

He waved it off. "She can do anything."

…Which was fair. "John's a nice boy, and you could have joined us if you wanted to play too. We would have been fine with it."

She couldn't see his face well with the room this dark. "But you were playing with dolls! And I wanted to go do something or… Or something!"

What was wrong with playing with dolls? "Well, Mary Poppins is often enough willing to take us to the park and tomorrow she comes back… We can ask her if John can come along and then play there."

His voice was soft in the room. "Really? And… And I can play too?"

She sighed. "Of course we can play together! When have I tried to do otherwise?"

Her brother shifted in the dark. "I… I mean, you two were so busy and stuff. I don't want to… I felt left out."

Her heart hurt a bit. "Well, tomorrow we can play together in the park and maybe even go see the balloon woman. She always has a balloon with our name on it, and you can tell John about the time we nearly floated away! We will all have lots of fun, you just see."

The soft sniffles stopped, "Okay. Good night, Jane."

She was going to hug him extra hard tomorrow. "Good night, Michael."