| The Rule and Agent wince internally as they see the various abductees
gasps and stare at the scenes they'd seen. While this was the best way
to break the news (quick and sudden), it didn't make it any easier to do!
However, they'd already gotten used to the idea of parallel worlds and
all that entails, so the idea that some they may be duplicates doesn't
floor them for too long (despite the fact that some of them, like the Champions,
shouldn't be able to be duplicated). Point in fact the real sticking point
is when Jarlath 2, Fred 5a, and Astra 9a suddenly realize the parts each
played in that altercation played out before them! However, it's Astra
5b, Thelma 2,and Rowena 3 (the last two who are still a bit queasy about
seeing themselves die) who calms everyone down by pointing out (loudly)
that in the chaos of battle mistakes had been made. Including, especially
under stress, forgetting about
"I....didn't know!" Astra 5b finally manages, aghast.
He had thought that Jarlath's wife had been "his" Astra!
"It's alright," Astra 9a says softly, patting Fred 5b's shoulder, "It
was sheer insanity, that fight...."
All the others agree, even the usually bellicose Thessamar ix'latl,
can't argue that it had been just a bad and brutal turn of events back
there.
"As for those who.....died and are back," Alicia 3 asks, "the fact that
they are back and that you two are here in part?"
The shefox quirks an eyebrow at the Rule and Agent.
That's as good of "lead in" as we could have asked for, Agent
1 sends to his Order counterpart.
True, the Rule agrees.
"Well, in addition to the fact that we'd like the Champions to get out
of this Pyramid," the Rule begins.
The Rule then outlines the facts of the sudden change made by the Higher
Ups in Championship for Rules and Agents (what with their offspring being
offered the chance, at age 18, at being Champions just like their parents).
The Champions would and could still have offspring from pairings between
other Champions of the appropriate gender or mortals of the appropriate
gender and any offspring would get the offer at age eighteen. Furthermore,
the Rule reveals that the.....er....fertility for the Champions will for
now on be on par with that of the Champions for the Angels and such (i.e.
few and far between, as a concession for the other Offices). The last part
is greeted with a nod and shrug. The Champions were familiar with prior
problems the Agents and Rules had with the other Offices with them. Also
being familiar with the fact that the Offices had to answer to some
Higher Power (though who or what exactly what was still a mystery) gave
the Champions assurance that no more complaints would go on about them
in this matter.
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