Chapter 40: The Meeting

‘gazing lightly through the window’ suns pretty high already. Must be nearly noon at an estimate. ‘Freezes’ didn’t I have a meeting today. Scrambling to check the time of the meeting; noon… “Crap.”

Positively running out of bed, equipping my Armor, and skipping breakfast; I run through the Telepad. As I am dashing out of the door of my house, I notice the sun is suddenly – lower?

Wait, wait, wait this place is in a vastly different part of the world, I forgot to account for time zones. So, I’m not late; I suppose I have 3 more hours till the meeting. Grumbling to myself for skipping breakfast, let's find somewhere to eat.

It’s the morning here, so it shouldn’t be too difficult. Passing through the main road I spot a strip of restaurants. Finding one that looks particularly homely I walk in. Finding a elder woman and man behind the counter.

Making eye contact with me “Welcome, what can we get you?” The woman says in a sweet tone.

Appreciating the friendliness, I reply. “Hey, how are you? I was just looking for some breakfast.”

A smile blooming on her face “Chefs special breakfast coming up” she slightly pushes the man towards the kitchen counter. The quiet and stoic type then. He promptly prepares food with such grace I thought he was a dancer. Frying eggs, cooking sausages, warming some kind of tomato, and toasting bread. All simultaneously; that’s the chef I aspire to be.

He quickly serves me a plate full of piping hot food, having not made a single sound; impressive. Finding salt on the table I lightly season my Sunnyside up eggs. Taking a bite, I am instantly reminded of home. It's not the same but it's close to a fry up. One of the best dinners my family made. Not even caring about them seeing my odd skin tone and facial structure, I wolf down the food in the empty diner.

‘lowering my head slightly’ “Thank you, it was wonderful; how much?”

Her grin ever so slightly increasing, “6 bronze” Seems a little pricey but it was wonderfully tasty.

I pay a silver, asking them to keep the change for the wonderful service. I had to ask though; “Why is the restaurant so empty.”

She replies with optimistic eyes, “Bad week” ‘shrugging her shoulders.’

Having worked in the catering industry, I understand that completely. “A shame, you have my sympathy; hopefully it picks back up soon.”

Waving goodbye, I excuse myself, one hell of a breakfast that was. I suppose that’s why I love people so much. He was definitely the fast multitasker chef; personally, I’m more of a slow, methodical, and well-planed chef. Walking down the street I head to the same governmental building I found the mayor before. He didn’t state a place in the letter so I can only assume this is the place.

Walking in, the clerk recognizes me. They say with a slight smile, “Good morning, the mayor told me you would be coming in today. I’ll tell him you’re here, wait a moment.”

Thanking the clerk, I watch them speedily walk away in amusement. They quickly return, “Sorry he is in a meeting, he will be with you in about half an hour; he appreciates the punctual showing though.”

“No problem, my fault for coming early” Mentally punishing myself for my foolishness, forgot to check the time. Nothing to be done. Taking a seat, removing the witchcraft book, brews, and infusions; I quickly lose myself within.

“Excuse me” I hear, stumbling in surprise. Turning I see the clerk who continues; he will see you now.” He takes a quick glance at my book, brows tightening slightly. I just shrug telling him it’s a good read.

Walking to the mayor's office, I find the door ajar. Walking in I see him sitting comfortably, a notably smaller pile of paperwork. Sitting myself down, I politely say “Hello”. He replies, “Nerves?” Raising an eyebrow.

Wondering if it's that obvious, I have full body Armor on for God's sake. “Just a little.”

He slouches slightly, “No stress, let me speak with you first before I bring her in.”

My mind suddenly abuzz, wondering reasons he wishes to speak with me. “Why?” I ask.

“Nothing much,” He says sarcastically, slamming a drawing of my house. Got to admit that’s a very good drawing. “Now what's that?” as he stares at me.

“My house” I replied easily.

He sighs loudly, dropping his face into his hand. “Look, how did you build that damn thing so fast.” The real reason coming out.

“I used a builders wand.” Unsure if I should tell him that, but not fearing anything in this sweet Armor. I shouldn’t hurt too much.

His face just scrunches, before he dramatically hits his head onto the desk; murmuring “He has builders wand” repeatedly.

“What's so bad about that?” confusion blooming across my mind.

“Just the fact you constantly show items off that are the specialized exports of over a dozen clans and families.” He just rests his head on his hand.

The defeat was written across his face, he takes the small pile of papers on his desk and throws them into a small bin next to his desk. I can't help but wonder what his face would look like if I showed him my island. I’ll put that on the ‘I’m very bored, list of things to do.’

“I’ll bring her in now, don’t cause any trouble please.” He says, heading to the door.

Cassie's point of view.

The mayor called me into a meeting, I wonder why. Walking into his office, he rarely visits the actual mayor's office for some reason.

He is patiently sat at the desk his ankles chained to. Looking around, a little nervous about suddenly being called in by someone who I rarely see. Someone who is in charge of administration would rarely speak with someone like me.

“Hello, Cassie; if I may be informal.” He says politely.

“Of course, wh… what do you need?” Damnit, I stuttered, he totally thinks I am stupid.

He looks at my eyes, a burning gaze. “You recently brought an interesting note forward, found within your house, right?”

Rubbing my arms in nervousness, “Yes?” what, does he think I made it up; what if I get arrested?

He smiles lightly “We found the person who wrote the note.”

I just look at him, what? They found the person, that’s crazy. “How, who are they?”

His face falls into a slight frown, “That’s complicated. I simply called you here to see if you wish to meet them; to settle the issue.” He says avoiding answering anything important- annoying.

What do I do, do I meet them? I doubt it's dangerous, the mayor would be nearby. Mind spiraling downwards in panic, I bite the bullet. Biting my lips I murmur “Okay.” It's okay, it's over. I can't take it back now.

Coming in the next day, the mayor leads me to his office. “He is waiting to see you inside” ‘pointing towards his normally open door.’

Standing in front of the door, nervousness eating away at the edges of my vision. I can't just stand here all day. Mentally psyching myself up, I push the door open.

And what I see, a full set of pink Armor, one look and I couldn’t help it, nervousness and all I just fall down laughing my heart out. He wears pink Armor.

As I wait I lightly tap my knee, I wonder if she's mad. Of course, she is; I just hope she got some use out of the items.

I hear footsteps coming closer to the door, turning towards it. Waiting for it to open, I find it suddenly swings open with notable speed. She takes one look at me and starts laughing. What's so funny?

After she finally stops laughing, she sits onto the chair a few meters away from me. Nervousness and the compulsion to laugh clearly all over her face.

I say in the lightest tone I can “Hi.”

Her shoulders raise slightly before dropping, she replies “Hello.”

Awkward silence filling the air around us, I don’t know what to say. Just sitting here won't help so I just do what I think is best, I apologize. “Sorry… you know about invading your house, it really was an accident.”

She stares at me for a moment before replying, “Why random teleport, that’s extremely dangerous. It doesn’t make sense.”

I choose to be completely honest, “I was trapped within the wilderness, no signs of civilization; I got desperate.”

Silence once again, I hope that’s enough. She replies in a way I completely didn’t expect. “Don’t do it again, random teleporting is very dangerous, you could get hurt.”

My heart winces, she is actually worried about me. “I won't, I no longer need to, I have my access to and from town now.”

She replies shortly, “Good;” she seems far calmer now, less nervous. She looks at me a moment before speaking. “What's with the Armor, were all safe here?”

This always comes up, sighing in resignation. “I am not normal… physically so to speak. I would rather look like someone who's overly cautious than a freak.”

She looks at my curiosity burning in her eyes. “Can I see?” She asks strangely, I suppose its not a big deal.

‘removing my helmet carefully’ she looks at me for a moment, slightly stunned. She suddenly speaks, “Could be worse, you could be ugly.”

And with that, we both laugh our hearts out. The mayor at some point appeared in the doorway listening. Curiosity, confusion, and nervousness in equal parts. I suppose I am a bit of an anomaly. He speaks up, “All right, all sorted? Good; now can I have my office back?”

And with that, we are shooed out the door. She turns to me, “My name is Cassie, what's yours?”

“Aeternum, nice to meet you” Shaking her hand. She goes to turn away but before she leaves, I hand her 3 ender letters. Explaining how they work I tell her to say hello at some point. I still hadn’t made it up to here properly yet.

Leaving the building happy with how things turned out. I didn’t make an enemy I call that success. Emotions having settled like a pond I head to the nearest large tree I can find. Climbing on top of it, I place a few blocks creating a platform. Sitting down comfortably, I remove my art kit.

Stroking the canvas lightly with my hand, I burn the image of the town into my mind. Taking a pencil I lightly sketch with a ruler every line, window, pole, and object I can see. Constructing a true replica of the town. It was not hard, just tedious; much easier than working from scratch I suppose.

Taking my brushes, I use black paint to draw cartoonish outlines over buildings and large objects. Finding my mind settle completely, I start to go with the flow; enjoying the process. I start filling out the buildings and ground with paint. Mixing the sky with hues of blue, clouds popping out.

Without realizing it I sit there for several hours. Painstakingly drawing the main parts of the painting. I then take a small brush and start working on very small details, slowly building one cm at a time. Adding detail as best I can. I am not a great artist, but it’s the process, not the result.

I found it profoundly relaxing, I mark my location to continue later. For now, it's getting late. Stomach grumbling, I find a street stall selling meat skewers. These were a rich garlic flavor, salty, oily, and tasty.

With a satisfied belly, I head home. Today was rather enjoyable. Met a new person, got my painting started. It wasn’t the most productive but I have all the time in the world. That’s what I tell myself to feel better about throwing a whole day away. It makes me feel better so who cares.

Gratefully; I rest my weary body into my bed, sinking into its fluffiness – perfection. I have always loved my bed; I should marry it.