Rathiel had a hard time imagining a World were magic never developed.

He did like the idea of better options for technical enhancement, but worried it would affect his mana. I compared his weapons with mine. His had room for improvement. Material science had just far outpaced that of his world.

I explained what I knew of local politics and gangs, nothing there phased them, Gloomrunners had Dragons playing 5D Chess while the Elves Kingdoms themselves played 4D. Human treachery was barely a blip on the scale of danger to them.

I expanded into explaining my overall situation. Described the Hub World and the Guide business. While I was often confused by it all, he just rolled with it. I spoke of the Woen and he could feel my joy there. Rathiel nodded.

It was strange the connection that the blood had opened. Still trying to get a handle on that.

"So you are on the Path of Ascension? It is fitting for my Lord to rise to such heights." Sir Rathiel for the hype up. I had missed simple connections, so this whole situation was quite a step beyond. I suppose I was still processing what it meant and where it would lead.

Once the basics were covered, I showed him the Base setup, such as it was. From top to bottom. He seemed reluctant about the food, but I assured him it tasted fine. It would be a while before the base was producing enough to wholly rely on it anyway.

Sir Rathiel appreciated his room and he liked the Barracks setup. I was getting the feeling he wasn't treated well back home, not to the level of what I would expect for a Knight anyway. Yeah, that would fit. The Kingdoms of Gloomrunner Elves were full of backstabbing and status chasing, even more petty power plays. No one was above their casual disdain.

Well, I was going to do my best to take care of him. After all we would one day have to fight along side one another. There is no better way to build rapport, than to share their struggles, and mitigate their hardships.

My mind started scheming about formation and squad tactics.

If I could fix the Ley Line, magic would become a real force multiplier. The Locals wouldn't know what to make of it. Sure we could use it now, but the regen rate was slow. It was more a backup for the moment.

I took a quick pause to clean up. Rathiel did likewise.

In the meantime, the knight and I loaded up into the Bronto and started the drive to the City.

I explained the Local Currency and gave him 20000 NBs to tide him over for now. It is the Lord's duty to provide.

Hahahaha! So hard to keep it together. I wanted to just break down laughing. A Lord? Me. Hahahahaha. This shit keeps getting crazier. I really don't want responsibility for others, I'm having a hard enough time taking care of myself. However, it is not in me to walk away either.

The Guide knew this and threw this at me, I was sure of it.

I gritted my teeth and breathed slow and deep. Rathiel could probably feel my conflicted emotions. I had to get it together. Emotional conflict is poor form.

He told me brief stories of his life, sharing a few moments of insight into his character. I found myself really hating the place he came from, and the machinations of the Lords there. Rathiel had been Aniwentil, not yet attached to a proper Lord. All Knights and their followers must be in service to a higher Lord. The Lord was to act as mentor and sponsor before the Court.

Elves and their Courts. I shook my head.

"The past has weight, but do not let it drag you down. This is a new place, with new ways. We'll help each other. Right?" I felt silly trying to be all...supportive. I've always been a suck it up kind of guy. That wasn't the way a Lord should comport themselves. Hahahaha.

Chuckling to myself, I really thought about what I was going to do.

Change was needed, so I would become more. It could begin here.

"Of course, milord." Sir Rathiel had no clue what to make of my words. Well, time will carve it's mark. Hahaha.

The Fringes didn't really have an impact on him. He had seen very similar places back home.

However, when the first ARCs came into view that changed. Sure Gloomrunner has Archology style buildings, but nothing of the shear ridiculous scale of Metalpunk. The astonishment on their faces was familiar.

"They really freaked me out when I first saw them too." I was nodding.

We stopped by Lucy's. Why? I wanted to see Trish and Yumi for myself, if they were there. I also wanted to have a moment to be drowned in music and cheer even if the people who frequented the place were a bit too much. For Me.

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Faeblooded folk tend to be lovers of the extremes. Elves are no exception, as a whole they enjoy excessive behaviors. Drink, dancing, drugs and fornication. Sure, they handled it better than other beings, and often kept duty and pleasure very separate.

Yet, wild blood still flowed within yearning to be unleashed. The sooner I understood that, the more we could reach a comfortable comradery.

It wasn't hard to get even a duty bound sourpuss like Rathiel to relax and join in the activities. I chuckled at his enthusiasm for the dance floor. He had that easy effortless grace, everyone hates about the Elves. Yeah, it was annoying even to me watching him take over the dancefloor and he didn't have to say anything to get the hottest women to join him.

I was still kind of a stompy Giantkin, when it came to dancing, but I'm getting there. Then I'll show that prancy bastard who the ruler of the dancefloor was.

I coughed, my thoughts going in odd directions. I was envious of his ease of getting along with new people, I supposed. A talent, a skill I lacked.

I rang Trish and Yumi to let them know I was there. Turned out they were here already. Small World, heh.

Yumi found me within a few minutes, she even gave me a hug. "Vick, it's so good to see you, Comp!" I'm sure it looked silly, she was barely taller than my waist.

"Hey, how's crank?" I patted her shoulder gently.

"Gleam! We can take it smooth for a while." She lead me the their booth.

Trish had Harvey with them tonight. Hmm. Trouble?

"Vick! It is so good to see you. I half thought you were a ghost." Trish stood and gave me hug as well. Damn, I felt special.

I took my Helmet off and set it on the table. "I'm so glad yall didn't get caught up in that cracked biz. Xenos suck."

"I saw. Saul sent us the files and your vids. I think he was mad at us. Wanted us to see the mess we left you in." Trish grimaced. "It was terrible."

"Ah, let him be mad. No way, was I going to let yall get swarmed by those bastards." I smiled. "Look, it was bad, no denying that. But I made out sweetly, with some new Bots. I got a place out in the Wastes now, and in a few weeks, we'll be self-sufficient. So, No Worries, everything worked out for the best. If yall ever need a place to lay low, I got you covered."

I ordered a bottle of Whiskey after managing to get hold of a Waitress.

"You sure you're not mad?" Yumi asked. "That Slag was brutal. Even with the Bots." Her face was dark and guilt-ridden.

"Come on! I told yall to run, I meant it. I'm not one to change my mind about important things." I patted her head without really thinking about.

They both looked kind of shocked by that. Then Yumi beamed at me. Trish nodded smiling.

"What?" I was freaked out by their reaction. Like a complete 180.

In Unison, "That's some real, Old Man Energy Vick."

Fuck. I deflated. I might have reddened. Hard to say.

Why did they like to tease me about that? Why was I getting upset?

"I think we hurt his feelings!" Yumi patted my hand.

"Vick doesn't have feelings. Where other people have feelings, he has awesome." Trish joked.

"Stop making fun of the old guy." I growled.

I did too have feeling, and they were a little upset right now. I snorted at myself. This was good progress.

Sure, Vic just keep telling yourself that.

My Whiskey arrived and I poured a few fingers into my tumbler. I took a sip and rolled it around, before swallowing. Good.

There is something ritualistic in the way I enjoy my Whiskey. Decades of ingrained habit. A moment to pause and clear the air.

"What's next for yall?" My tongue tingled with the smooth burn. "Got any more big gigs lined up?"

"For a while we are just going to stay out of sight, take small jobs and milk runs." Trish was watching something behind me. She started frowning, which carried an edge of hostility.

"Good idea. On one hand, I think this goes without sayin' but I like to be clear. Yall need a hand give me a shout." I felt someone walking up beside me, I glanced up annoyed.

The two fucking Suits.

In fact, the same two Suits that had bothered me before.

Trish had gotten Harvey to swing out and around them.

"Vick Simmons, come with us." The Woman said.

Not likely, at least not the way you want me to.

"You have no choice." The Man said.

The hell I didn't.

"Funny. That sounded like a threat." I snapped my fingers and touched my bonds with Rathiel. I took another sip.

"Pretty sure Vick can do whatever he wants." Yumi slipped out of the booth she had pulled a small blade, held low to avoid notice.

I wasn't worried. Somehow the trouble that was to come from this felt comfortable. I was ready.

I was also quite touch by the Girls' defense of me. It really warmed my old hearts. Well, one was new but you get the idea.

"It was not." Said the Woman.

Sure it wasn't.

"It is just how it will be." Said the Man.

Shows what you know.

Trish snorted. She pointed at Harvey.

They turned and looked. They seemed unimpressed.

I'm sure they weren't. While I could no longer see certain things, their threat levels were both 8s.

Yeah, time to level this playing field.

I had Meowser spooling up a few new cutters, and a broad spectrum signal interrupter.

"Ladies if you would excuse me." I put my Helmet on. I waved them back. "I've got this."

I passed my bottle over to them. Then I paid the House. Wouldn't do to stiff the bill.

I stood up. Towering over the two Corp Goons. "Yall should learn some manners."

I wasn't angry. More irritated. Tired of being pushed just as I started to relax. Just trying to enjoy myself here.

The Woman hesitated.

She did seem to be the smarter one.

The Man plowed ahead, "We were told to bring you. We do our duty." A sword blade appeared by his throat.

"As do I." Perfect timing Rathiel.

Everyone expressed startlement. Rathiel was very hard to spot. I made a note of it.

I hadn't seen Rathiel sword yet, it was a snowy white leaf shaped blade. I was curious as to it's material. Could be useful.

"Sir Rathiel, these people do not understand their place. Would you be so good as to joining me in educating them. Outside." I gestured towards the front.

"As you command, milord." Rathiel's blade dug into the skin ever so slightly, parting it just enough to bleed.

Hmm. Good Alloy there.

The shock both Goons expressed, was almost worth the fuss this was going to cause down the road.

I paused, taking stock. Was I getting ahead of myself? Nah.

There were benefits to this whole mess after all. At least there could be a way to snatch them up.

I turned, "Yumi, Trish. It was lovely to see you. We should do this again, with less unpleasant company." I bowed slightly. Heh, it was kind of fun to play at the Courtly manners.

"You need a hand Vick?" Yumi had put her blade away. She was eyeing Rathiel. Trying to figure him out, or something else?

"Nah, we got this. I'll introduce yall next time." I waved.

"Call us later. Let us know how this plays out." Trish had a complicated expression. I couldn't read it.

I laughed. "Sure. Yall let me know if anyone bothers you over this."

Rathiel not so gently guided them in my wake as I marched outside.