World Between: Chapter 10 part 3

“Well, I’ll be an owlet outside of the barn nest.” Talmo remarked as Jared approached. “Was starting to think not even you’d show up.”

“What did you do to them?” Jared asked. “We are finally near the end, and now they don’t want to come?”

“The place does tend to do that.” Talmo said. “Part of the reason we do a second wave at all. Them Farseekers a lot more behind than they bargained for. Ah, but they sweep it up fast enough.”

“Then this world does corrupt!” Jared said. “As I suspect the moment those portals caused all this.”

“Didn’t suspect it enough not to take one, though did ye?” Talmo replied, pushing away from the wall he was leaning on. “You know how much work getting those to work in your world was?”

“Do you know how much damage those machines do to our world?” Jared said.

“I’m not sure how your lot would tell. Given how damaged your world already was.” Talmo said. “We’re careful with our land, and it makes more of itself. You got a limited supply, and you’ve been throwing it in the trash.”

“Boys, Boys.” Sofia chimed in. “No need to fight over me. It’s not much of a contest anyways.” 

“You.” Jared said, pointing at Sofia as he turned around. “ Do you know how much—”

“Work piled up?” Sofia asked. “I have a pretty good idea. Regardless of whatever improvements your stats have made.”

“You picking people up?” Talmo asked.

“Greeting those that our coming.” Sofia replied. “I mostly got ‘I’ll think about it’ but I know a few are likely to come.”

“And the co-workers that don’t?” Jared asked. “The friends that don’t?”

“I miss them, okay?” Sofia said. “I do, but I know where I'm happier. And I know when something is working, and when something is bound to collapse.

“We could still make it through.” Jared replied. “With you, and with everyone else.”

“I always thought you’d make a bad liar.” Sofia answered. “For whatever that’s worth.”

“You’re hardly blameless.” Aaron responded, as he and Cain walked toward the trio.

“Not like you are either, mate.” Cain replied. “Nor am I, but we tried, at least. Only so many times a few can shout.”

 “You too, then?” Sofia said.

“I’m here to report.” Cain said. “I wanna redo on the whole body thing anyways.”

“Do you now?” Lydria replied. “ I can’t promise that that will be up right away, and ready.”

“Then i’m here to make an appointment.” Cain said. “Look through the catalog, or whatever else.”

“A fellow observer or not.” Meisa said joining the others. “No one is going easy on you.”

“I know.” Cain said. “...Observers like us wouldn’t have it any other way.”