Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction ❯ Ah My Tsunami Muyo! - The Human Sphere Saga ❯ Part Eight - (Version 8.1): Angels, Goddesses, and �this� Guy? ( Chapter 8 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Angels we call you and angels you are,
I hear what you tell me and know it is true,

So many your patients so few are you;
But I am a carer twenty four hours a day,

And for all my caring I don't get no pay;
YOU, work for eight hours and then unwind,

Enjoying an atmosphere of a different kind;
ME, I'm stuck with my duties I don't get a break,

I've no one to call on to give me a hand,
So often I've had more than I can take;

What keeps me going I don't really know,
But keep going I will while my blood is in flow;

But what when the wear and the tear takes it's toll,
Then I'll be glad that you angels are there,

I know that my burden you'll readily share;
So bless you my angels I love you so much.

With my hand on my heart each of yours I touch.

(Esmond Jones - Angels)

===============================

Ah My Tsunami Muyo! - Part Eight - (Version 8.1): Angels, Goddesses, and `this' Guy?)

Such a thing, being with the one you love.

Such a thing when one shares a view with said such. And more when that view is so very special.

But sometimes.... “~ Beloved? Are you okay? ~” ..there's a sense of `pushing' it.

“U ..uh... yeah......... I.... yeah......... sure..........

...well....... at least the Earth `really' looks clear from....... um........ up here........yeah, here. Eyup.”

Tsunami giggles, seeing Aleaic with his pale façade, squirming upon the `strangest' of places to picnic, what her client and most deep and passionate love of over three years on the mortal plane, with Earth as the particular, and resident upon the small island chain of Japan Prefecture Territory, situated next to the mainland of the Asian Continental Plate, in a small and supposedly non-descript town and province of Tekomi, known mainly for it's campus of technology of the same name, and it's beautiful landscapes and scenery of hills swept by the ocean current of the Sea of Japan upon it's shores. The place that a simple, overdialed cellular call sent this Goddess of the Alpha Classification, to her 'client' to grant him a most unexpected Wish..

One that changed `both' of their lives so dearly much as a result, in under such a minuscule timeframe, compared to the infinite that Heaven of Jurai Core, is now partial to the reason of this late morning picnic. (By Tekomi timepiece standards anyway.)

Upon the moon Luna. (Hence the `Earth `really' looks clear'.... uh.. bit.)

And Al's seemingly unending nervousness.......... “Is ........is.......... that comet supposed to have blue gas coming from it?” Tsunami looks from her flat jawed companion, to the object in discussion.. “~ That would be frozen oxygen being burnt off beloved, and do try to relax.. I did promise you a wonderful spot for our picnic, didn't I? ~” Tsunami says `all' too level for Al's nervous good.

“......y...... yeah..... you *weakly* ..did.”

The view by the way, is within the Crater Plana, upon the lower forty degree line of the view of Luna from Earth, and one near the demarcation of `night' and `day' on the Moon, one with a `nice' display of the Milky Way Galaxy, and a with a `most' splendid view of Earth at a high on angle.

Oh, and a spot near one of the `Heaven Nodes' on the Moon, since the Moon is a major source of power for Avatars and Goddesses that visit the Mortal Plane, one that gives a magnitude of six times the power usable through Lunar Spirits, verses the normal Powers gained through the Earth Spirits through processing. That, and the history as a `powerful' Multi-Dimensional Prison Complex, hidden within the deepest recesses of their version of the Moon, on this version of Existence.

Oh, and finally, since it also is a heavily colonized world of the Terran Republic, this spot is both a heavy magnetic field, avoided by the humans in their transports in consequence, and also a place that since immortals seem to frequent when `relaxing', though they also tend to secret themselves under Cloak Spells while on visit for any number of reasons.

Like the one that covers this Alpha Deity, and her nearly `freaked' out client.

It's strange, as Al runs through his mind, as he sees the blazing stars of the Milky Way glimmer above, albeit much more diamond like than on Earth, due to the thinner atmosphere, that he notes it's a weird place to see Tsui in her finest picnic dress. This as Tsui wears a primary white, and forest green trim number, meshed with patterns of pink leaves and light blue streamers upon the white portions, with gold lace upon the forest green trim, complete with slip-ons of milky green and white. It is as such that Al considers this isn't the first place to be dressed so simply for a place that normally would require a pressure suit. (And as of note of such `hardly' normal company.) “Are you `sure' again, that I can breathe up here? I... ah... you know...”

Tsunami just giggles for the seventh time (perfect count track,) since Al asked the `same' question, her patience with Al's nervousness more than easily taken. “~ The Globe Bubble field `indeed' allows you to breathe, and not have to wear a vacuum suit beloved. Cake? ~”

Al blankly looks over at Tsui... “Ah ...um........ yes.... please.......” ..Al says with a hollow tone. Tsunami only giggles and serves up a piece of dark chocolate rum cake, with sour crème frosting, upon a crystal plate, with a fork of Electrum gold. Al takes the offering, still captivated/shocked by the view of the Lunar Orbital Ring, only a bare tenth completed, as a tether runs down past the `west' horizon towards Crater Tycho where the Primary Tycho Base is, and where the processing of the needed veins of darmuantium from within Luna, have been taking place.

Thinking of this makes Al almost lose his concentration, and drop the cake piece unto the silk `picnic blanket' used to cover over the otherwise cake powdery surface of the Moon. Al catches himself and plate, as he manages to avoid Tsui seeing this, though she `knows' anyway, and starts to eat his piece while looking at the talcum powder surface.

It's not all really that gray. There's some white, a little blue and red for different mineral types, a little black and brown. But... well........ gray is gray........... as freaked out is as... “I think the local park would have sufficed you know Tsui... I.. I... mean that is......” Al says, then catches himself in guilt. Tsunami though has been much more understanding than, say... oh.. Washu or Mayuka would have been.. “~ But you agree this is a splendid change from a `park', would you not say? ~”

Al blinks... “...um......... y.. yeah......” ..as a Cargo Shuttle rises to meet a Terran Battle Cruiser in medium Lunar orbit, near the new Ring section, as several work vehicles move about the Section. “.....I guess.”

Tsui isn't convinced. “~ Now dear. Must I have to `calm' you down before too long here? ~”

Thank goodness Al's appetite finished his plate before he realized, since `this' makes him jumble the plate, now empty, and making him make a deft catch! “TSUI!! Did... d... did you have to put it that way!?” Al puts in a strained/meek tone, as the fork falls to the blanket.

Tsunami giggles and hands over a glass of punch, as she takes the plate from Al's shaking fingers, and the fork from the blanket. “~ If I must. You are having not the enjoyment I hoped you to have. You must learn to be used to `different' types of the vein of `enjoyment', such as we Dimensionals enjoy. This is a taste of what is in store for you once we marry beloved.” Tsunami then looks back to the basket as she speaks. “And I have `much' more interesting places in mind for... trips...

I have so much of the universe to share with you beloved. ~”

Al looks neutrally at Tsui. Not from worry, but from inexperience. “More? Are... are you sure I'm ready for all that? I think I need another of Washu's injections for that burnout symptom as it is.” Al ekes out, to which Tsunami just giggles again, still undeterred. “~ If you feel you must. But from one that experienced End and Beginning itself, I believe what I have to share is so much tamer. At least... ~” Tsui looks over her shoulder of silken tresses with a sly look at the mortal agency.. “~ ...until I feel in the `mood'. ~”

“Mood.” Aleaic says level in query, the `tone' used is the `disturbing' part. “As in the `one' you use in your `Room'?”

Tsui giggles most sultry like... “~ You have learned well. ~” ...and turns to reach for something. Al just finishes his drink, and then reaches for a lunar rock, and then drops it, as the temperature of the rock in question is still FAR too hot to touch! “YEOWOWOWOW!! MAN!!” ..which begs why the `blanket' hasn't suddenly torched!

“~ Because the cloth is specially made by my Mother beloved. Only a focused Spell or Hex most unnatural can damage it. ~” Tsunami `replies', which Al still hasn't fully acclimated to such, as she then pulls out an object, and clasps it before turning back around, this as Al makes better of using two forks to hold a moon rock. (Which about melts the forks, before Al drops the rock again.) “Remind me not to just walk out there.”

Tsunami laughs. And then... “~ The heat should not be your worry my cute client... ~” ..which Al still has `blushing' problems with. “~ ...but rather your exposure to the time stream of Heaven, verses the Mortal realm. ~” Tsunami changes the subject with.

Aleaic just sighs at that. “Yeah. Ket said my hair was already longer than it needed to be.” Al says, noting the three haircuts he had to get from Achika in the past week alone. Though mercifully, the hair was the only `victim', as the rest of the body was still barely affected, thanking both current Terran medical science, and the injections Washu gave nearly constantly. Despite the `burns' in the neck, they `have' done their job for Al and Ket. (Les they both be screaming psychopaths in the one thousand year age bracket by now. Mortals and immortals don't really mix well, long term or nor.)

But they both still are with vulnerability to the presence of the Dimensionals, and Ket already got a `solution' to her need of this problem, mainly the last symptoms of the burnout. This namely, an earring that runs all along her right earlobe, clasps to the ear in several places, giving the exotic look that the Goddesses `enjoy'.

Al was now is about to get his.

“~ I'm sorry, but you know how time works differently in Jurai Core, verses on Earth. ~” Al looks thoughtful in kind. “Yeah...... like a yo-yo going ten different directions at one, and then doubling back on itself twenty times before going back on THAT direction.

And did I mention the `speed breaks' too?” Al puts with a logical, albeit crude terminology. This though doesn't stop Tsui from looking impressed. “~ Father should give you a commendation for thinking that up. ~” Tsui says with actual intent. Al just waves that off.. “He can keep it, I just think things up like that as I go.”

“~ Like your Father.. ~” Tsui completes for Aleaic, whom laughs calmly for the first time since `arriving' here from the residence. Tsui remembers for a moment of the morn after their daily chores, whence Tsui got this very `idea' when Al mentioned the new Orbital Ring around Luna, one that was finally noticeable for the first time in broad daylight, verses before only at night, and at an angle of a quarter crescent previous.

Al semi-regretted that train of thought at the time they arrived on Luna, but now is growing more `relaxed' as Tsui's voice is the best tonic needed for his nerves. “Yeah. Um.. though if he saw me `now'... heh.”

“~ Oh? And would it surprise you that he's on that very starship above us? ~”

Aleaic !!URKS!! at this and shoots a glance up!!! “HE IS!?”

-------

*Terran Battle Cruiser: Gamminite*

“Yes, very splendid Admiral.” Terrai says to his equal in age, the Admiral of the Terran Core Fleet, as he escorts the Terran Ambassador into the bridge section, one of six tiers of humming holo-electronics, controls for super-advanced weaponry and tactical systems of every need and kind, of want and demand. (In triplicate at that.)

Terrai notes quickly the number of crew members and officers present that scramble about, working with professional demeanor and tact of the Fleet, as they work over the shake down trials for this newest Cruiser in the said Fleet.

After the perfunctory call to attention, one done most crisply, the Ambassador walks about, while the well trained members perform their drills and training with impressive practice. Their `dance' is indeed a sight to see. A Lieutenant then comes up to the Admiral, one that takes the salute with the holo-pad offered. After a quick read. “Well Ambassador. That new Vacuum technology looks impressive on the Holo-Sims, though how it performs for our Impulse Array Engines will be the test.”

Terrai looks back at the Admiral, a gruff yet most honorable gentile by the name of Charles McCarl Patton, of the same family name that is renown in military history, though this one is far less flamboyant and more calculating, though the demeanor and demands are still very much there. Terrai thinks to himself that his son would like this fellow. “Then test away without fail.. My son's accomplishments will bear profit for the Fleet, this I promise.”

Admiral Patton, 214th generation in the line of this name, chuckles simply. “To give testament to a group of kids from a simple race, albeit impressive in their history of use, speaks of an overfilled balloon, compared to that of the Admiralty, Ambassador. This I will reserve judgment in.” The Admiral says with practiced conservatism, as does any high ranking brass form any given time period in the history of Terran's militaries. Terrai only shrugs and looks out towards a random viewport.

“What news from the Nadir Rim?” The Admiral suddenly asks low key, as the change of topic was expected at some point by the Ambassador. The tour of the new vessel was after all, a front.

This as news that the Gardon Supremacy were suddenly offering terms of Final Peace to the Terran Republic and Human Sphere, apparently focusing eyes upon the Core Rim. This now with came rumors of contact with a `new' race, such kept under tight information restriction at present. Terrai was one of the few people in Terran Space that knew the truth, and hence, why he was here. What since the rumors contained worry of less than `peaceful' encounters.

The Ambassador just suggested... “Shall we tour the new Command Room Center. Alone?” ..used as his `tact' to take the two into the right hand side chamber, one set up as a Flagship Command center should be, replete in communications, tactical and strategic holo-ports, including the accustomed central holo-protectors, the primary upon the deck, rising six meters, span of ten, and a second upon the ceiling, of three meters by five. The lighting is darkened, illuminated by greens and blues. A large with a panoramic viewport of Luna below completes the offering, though the mood is less awe inspiring within the atmosphere recirculated Center. The sounds of light background consoles beeping and calculating is the only other sound in the chamber, as the few officers and staff that were in the room, were ordered to take an hour break, as Admiral Patton escorted the Ambassador in.

Terrai walks immediately to the viewport, and `stares' for a bit, as is the Kerensky custom. The sight of the new Orbital Ring up here is as impressive as it is `below'. Terrai however isn't really looking, as Admiral Patton settles into a command seat used by the higher staff in the room. Cushy is the theme, settled for a moment until words can come.

After a bit, the Admiral taps on the nearby console, and bring up a three-holo of the expanse of the Human Sphere, some eight-hundred light-years across at all points, though shaped in a oblong jumble for a bare minimum circle-globe, as some two-hundred Systems lay within, though only forty-seven were declared habitable, or for official terraform candidates. For the immediate three year period, the previous number of seventeen colonized systems, had more than doubled and a half more since the seventh wave of human colonists had already entrenched themselves upon many of the worlds that lay within bare minimum requirements for colonization. And if advanced terraforming theorem went as predicted, and into practice, another hundred would be ready within the coming century. And still, another hundred further lay within grasp of other waves due to depart in the coming two decades.

The Human Sphere was starting it's Third Growing Boom Phase, as the politicians put it. The problem however was not only with the Gardon, noted as a large field of green along the axis to the Core of the Milky Way Galaxy, but this `second' new race apparently rumored of, upon the apparent Nadir Rim sector close to the Gamma Galactic Arm. By looks of things, the growing boom may soon become `cramped' within that eight-hundred light-year border.

Worse yet, if the new `species' had acted as the Gardon did upon First Contact, the Fleet would `not' be ready for both. The niceties of the Gardon's proposals of late, could be suddenly scrapped, if they sensed the Terran's and their sudden weaknesses against two fronts.

Things could get ugly quick.

Admiral Patton had already mulled these thoughts over and again, for the past month since the word began to filter down within Command. Now for some answers. “What `did' the TRS Destroyer-Scout: Contact come across Ambassador?” The Admiral asks, as Terrai still `looks' out the viewport. “The reports were sealed before even `I' got a chance to look at them. Are we at war already? Have we missed something completely?” Admiral Patton leans a bit towards the Ambassador, whom has a stone etched look upon his aged and well white bearded brow. “I must know now. Three months of waiting is enough.”

Terrai glances over....... “Aye........ you are correct my friend. You deserve this much from me after all. What with about taking the `one' away comments, since Jeain did choose me after all.” Terrai adds with a gray smile. Patton chuckles, though dryly. “Melissa reminds me of the same about you.” A good chuckle plys from both. Then.......Terrai turns dead serious.

“The Contact `did' come across something. It's far more complicated than just... `military' effects. It's not something easily explained as normal interrelations as it were. More.... how to put it... *low tone/stroking beard.* ..how to `put' it.

In a word: Spiritual.”

The Admiral looks expectantly confused, as Terrai has been for the three months since he first learned of the First Contact with this new race. Quite bluntly, even `he', with his experience and genius of the ambassadorial kind, is at a loss. Seven hundred years at this game never prepared him for the kind of response he received when he first met `them'. Jeain still is trying to figure out what `changed' about Terrai since that contact. But, as Terrai relates the story of his initial foray with the new race, the Admiral grows pensive.

I.e.: nervous. The kind that military types use over blaster cannon nodes upon. “Are... you serious?” Admiral Patton stammers out...... very...... `very' nervous. “Are you......... `really' saying.......?”

“I am.” Terrai all too simply responds. “And., like it or not, we may not need death itself to reach the heavens now. Though I simply do not know what I mean by that. Rare am I so worried.” Terrai finishes with, as the words lose all speech, other than the `need for secrecy' bit, which the Admiral confers to out of a sense of the `outrageously' fantastical. Then what Terrai explains next, just makes them both lose feel of their ages.

Afterwards, the Ambassador simply looks out again, and simply....... stares...... for a long time.. The Admiral got what he `wanted' and then leaves his long time friend to mull as his usual. Been like that since the early 2200's

Terrai though during this, he wonders why something on the surface of the Moon below, feels... “...'familiar'....?” He remarks out loud to himself. He then cocks an eye unto himself. “Hmmmmmm, must be Jeain doing shopping on Menthos Gal Station below again.” Terrai chuckles, mentioning the best place to `shop' this side of Mars, upon the Moon upon that is.

As he eventually leaves a then very alone chamber, his thoughts were ill directed, as Jeain was at home in Coral Springs on the American Union Continent with guests, rather than on Luna.

The feeling of `familiar' was of `something else'. =^^=

----------------------

*Tekomi Shrine Residence. The Lab of `You-Know-Who'.*

“~ Reminder to self: Punish author later. ~”

*Washu's Lab.* =^^=;;;;;

“~ Better. ~”

Saying so, the Lab sees the usual display of celestial infused super-processing, meshed with every kind of experiment and specimen the human eye was not meant to see in this dimension or Existence as a `whole' for that matter.

Everything from temporal, to astral, to `whatever'! If it's here, Washu dragged it here, or forced life into it. (What else do you think Experimentation is for!?!)

“~ Hmmm. Interesting. ~”

I.e. ..watch out.

“~ Man this author is annoying. ~” Washu quips dryly, as she works in her Celestial-Cartography Lab of the Lab...... um........ Chamber of...... OHHH forget it!! =><=;;;

“~ Heh, got himself mental tongue tied. ~”

“~ Afternoon Washu! ~” A cute voice from behind says, as Washu happily turns to see. “~ Ah, Lady Sasami. Oh, and Lady Mayuka. I see you both were agreeably busy. ~”

The two, one a Goddess Beta of a split creation from Tsunami, and the other a Gray Angel constructed from the DNA of Tenchi, Ryoko, Ayeka and Mihoshi, yet both sporting teal blue and dark blue shades of glowing goddess hair from each. The latter after an `infusion' of Goddess DNA was used to help heal the Gray Angel, after the traumatic events of the Trakalin Event, was now an active member of the family. Both hold platters of food and drink respectively, as Sasami giggles. “~ Of course! We didn't see you at breakfast today, so we thought you'd be hungry. ~”

Washu laughs. “~ How kind, and appreciated most nicely! ~” Washu marks with her gritted, cheery tone, before then... “~ Not that I need to actually eat other than one a mortal month. And if I eat too much, even `I' get weight gain. ~” Washu quips, as she takes the offered meal gladly anyway. Mayuka though is still uncertain to what to think of this mostly Goddess, a tenth of which at least remains Demon blood, though `how' was never discerned from other than what Ryoko said.

Usually it's less blood from mother to offspring, not the `other' way around. As Mayuka ponders this.. “~ Oh Washu. ~” ..as Sasami just quips back... “~ It's a good habit to pick up on this world, if for Sensei's sake if nothing else. ~” The Beta Deity mentioning the recent visitors from Al's friends of the former campus he used to attend, though they come apparently more and more for advice. And as a result, have noted Washu's constant absence from the dinner table, which also garnered worried questions. Washu noted, but being a busy mad-goddess-genius was never one to be piecemeal.

However it more tended to make worry of the `family' secret the residence shares, such more like, if it got out that heaven partially existed on Earth and all. Washu had already considered the ramifications on Aleaic's life if that ever got out, not to mention for the Dimensionals as a `whole' as it were. Washu was already planning for that contingency, since..... well, an evolved species `had' to learn soon or later there was more to life than just dying, and thinking `that' was all it is there to it.

Hardly.

But for today, Washu's mind is garnered to other worries. “~ I know, but my work is important to me. ~” ..she says, looking at the three-dimensional multi-phasic unit, literally swirling and revolving under her celestial feet. Some one hundred meters in all below the overhang console station, glowing and swirling in blues and greens, with streaked with orange and blinking yellow lines and gray-white status indicators that float and revolve at certain points, appearing and vanishing at whim. The whole thing of course has that celestial haze of sparkles and such to make the effect `complete'. (And that's all not including the overhang displays, some a few meters or centimeters, others kilometers, all filled to the `brim' with data.)

“~ Um. Isn't that a Celestial Axis Template? ~” Mayuka asks of below, as she habitually plays with her long, sapphire blue tresses. Washu chuckles in surprise. “~ Very good Gray Angel babe! Indeed, that's what it is. ~”

Sasami looks below this time, her knowledge of Axis Templates better than Mayuka's. What she sees therefore... “~ Why is the Mortal Axis more aligned with the Celestial Axis than it should be? Is it because of us? ~” Sasami's equally genius level mind calculates out, though Washu shakes her head to this theorem. “~ Not with this much drift. The calculations with just us here, plus with more normal interactions between Dimensionals with Mortal clients in the Existence, doesn't account for this much deviation. I was trying to discern that when you came in. ~”

Sasami looks reactively pensive. “~ Sorry, we thought you were just hungry. ~”

Washu laughs. (Cheery type huh?) “~ Oh don't worry Sasami. The food will last me until I figure out the drift Axis. By the way, have you seen your Mother? ~”

“~ Achika? ~” Sasami remarks, as then Mayuka becomes helpful... “~ I saw her talking with Keturia in the Fountain Gardens just a bit ago. Why? ~”

“~ Because, I would like to confer something with her. She is an Alpha level with better access to the Core Restricted Programs than I do. I need a Tracing Program, and the sooner the better. If you can get your Mother for me that is. ~”

Sasami listens to Washu, and with reservation.. “~ You're not going to keep track of Sensei and Sis on their honeymoon are you? ~” Which to Washu bellows a laugh out of! “~ You kidding me? Even I don't dare mess with Tsunami on those kinds of matters. ~” This of said remarking during the Tokimi Incident when the Head Administrator came to the residence, that Washu got caught messing with Al's emotional waves when Tsunami was trying to keep him semi-away from a `predatory' Alpha Administrator of the Core.

Tsunami's response took a month in Mortal terms to clean up, and reminded the Red head who was the Alpha, and whom was the Beta in the hierarchy of Heaven. This which Washu reminded herself even now, that she could still have been an Alpha if not for her messing around so `long' ago. But Washu took it all in proper enough stride, as did Tsui when the `Wish' Tokimi granted Aleaic garnered a `much' closer relationship between original Representative, and Client. Tokimi just blamed Washu for the meddling, but nothing more, other than to quip of `lost action' for the mortal, before departing.

Still, Washu didn't say she'd `peek' in from time to time. So the use of a Tracing Program was a basic overkill anyway. “~ And besides. The Tracing Program is for.. ~”

Sasami cuts Washu off with a nodding sigh... “~ Yes I know, but just don't crash the System again when you use it. That is if Mother agrees. ~” Sasami adds to be `strict', definitely a Tsunami trait there. Washu laughs again, but becomes more serious suddenly. “~ No.... though if I `don't' use it, I fear worse our preparedness. ~” Washu's tone makes Sasami suddenly take her suggestion seriously, as Washu's `never' wrong when it counts. The Portfolio of Tactics, shared from Yosho, makes that a certainty.

Mayuka, still a newbie to all this, only follows Sasami as they depart. Washu then turns back to the data, and with only one roll, and half a drink consumed, she `consumes' the data before her instead.

Eventually Washu's furl turns back to a shade even more serious, as such the kind when the Trakalin Event occurred. And if she had known better, a certain Ambassador and father was thinking along those same lines. And Washu already `knows' better about such `things'.

“~ My my, things just won't settle down. ~”

------------

*Crater Plana.*

“What's this? Al asks, after getting over the fact that his Father was `literally' above, him, though Al wouldn't be able to be seen in any case, so as Tsunami promised with her Cloak. Then, a nerve wracked mortal is turned to the object Tsunami now holds, one of a velvet aqua surface to it. Al wonders.. “Eh? But I already proposed to you. Why..?”

“~ *giggle* No silly, though if such a vein of coin could be used for my own. ~” Tsui says, which makes Al blink several times.. “~ Instead, I wish to present you with the `cure' for the `burnout' condition you suffer from, as well as... well... my own token of thanks. ~”

Al blinks again. “Thanks? You're thanking me?” Tsunami nods. “~ These past few mortal years have been the most relaxing of my existence. Before I came to you on Earth, I was...... unhappy. ~” Tsui says with a sigh, though this takes Aleaic aback! “Un... unhappy?” Al says in disbelief, considering the emotion from the goddess, truly, an alien concept to him. Even if their time together has been `limited'.

Tsunami however digresses more. “~ Before I came to Earth, and before you learned of your heritage in your past existence, I was a simple immortal Administrator, with tasks to the Core, as well as a Representative to other mortals as per requirements. And while I took great joy in the Wishes I gave to the worthy, and a few from even the proper auras that lent to unhealthy situations, I was... to be honest.... lacking.... in Heaven. ~” Tsunami admits, which Al still has a hard time believing. Tsunami had been so giving unto him, and he saw at least thrice that much to others, not just mere mortals like he either. (Birds around her seemed to sing more happily just by being near her.)

Tsunami however knows her own emotions better, as Al leans in to listen. “~ When you `requested' my presence, and while you may believe it was pure random fate that we did, it was not. This is because I.... -ulp- `engineered', the situation that occurred. This... this because... ~” Tsunami admits, which makes Al flush with breaking in words of... “Wha ...you.... deliberately......? You mean....??” ...warmth.

Tsunami giggles again, that `sound' exactly the same as the very first giggle Al heard that fateful evening. (Such things were well held to memory.) “~ Yes. I had kept track of the, what we call, a `list', of the worthy given the predetermined opportunity for a major category Wish. It is such though, admittedly larger than you think, and not necessarily meaning one is guaranteed to `receive' a Wish. Rather, one with the proper spirit and mind that was given birth from Father's will, was also determined to what level of contact we would instill upon any given mortal.

Some only require `inspiration' and `confidence', and that is what most mortals receive, hence why Father is praised so much. Father wishes all to succeed, and hence he garners his Power to create more from these acts most mortals accomplish from. The proper and good that be. This makes the Existence as a whole grow ever stronger in His eyes.

But the ones that receive formal and physical Wishes, ones who's auras are not as naturally fortunate as I've described already, ones we actually have a predetermined contact schedule with, like yourself, it's this `list' that I was able to see when you would most likely `initiate' a Wish Event. And the time period you were `selected', was the time period I was on duty. I had traded spots with two other Goddesses Alpha for this opportunity, which I have yet to `repay' for in fact. ~”

Al looks pensive again.... “Uh.. whoa, waitwaitwaitwait, wait one. You mean you have a debt because of me?” Al says, fidgeting, which is stopped quickly by Tsui's silken hand upon Al's. “~ I have a `debt', because I wanted that opportunity. For you see, I was certain that when we met, something special would occur, and.... ~” Tsunami rubs her right hand along Al's beheld right arm, making his blood `warm'.... “~ ...how the Wish ended up as occurred... well, the probability that you may have committed such a Wish was about... oh, 69.6 percent likely. ~”

Al stops feeling warm.... “HUH!? You mean...!??!”

Tsunami still rubs, `her' celestial blood now warming. “~ Yes. And for such a percentage, which is rather high in our terms of thinking, I was certain you would give me the selfish chance to escape the confines of a world I was weary of. If even for a `short' while. ~” Tsunami makes `figure-eights' on Al's right forearm.. “~ And to lose that to another, when we..... well..... shared in the previous. I couldn't bear losing you to another goddess. I know you may hate me for setting you up like this, but......... I..... I just couldn't....... ~” Tsunami suddenly begins a reflexive sobbing fit. Al though has to sit and absorb the meaning of all this though. Aleaic's mind, weathered from the three years together, as well as everything they've been through, makes a different, impressed logic from all this.

Al then caresses Tsui's hand back suddenly, which Tsui moans lightly to. “No. My hate for you is more alien to me than being a God in a former life. Even more removed than `that'. And while I don't dare understand everything yet, (if `ever',) about you guys, I do know that your Father said yes to my Wish. Why `else' were you allowed to remain here at all from the beginning?

And....” Aleaic looks into those deep, rose pink eyes, the glowing teal tresses and brows over lashes, slightly framing the eyes in his sight, `perfectly'. “H.. ..he `allowed' you all to stay. Allowed `so' many things, that I bet, if what you say was `preordained', then what came after my Wish was `expected' to occur as well. Though... with life as it is, anything and everything may already be set, but it sure isn't run that way!”

Tsunami starts to giggle again as Al continues with.. “And....... I'm........ glad....... very, `very' glad that it was `you' who came, moreso if you went so `far' as you did to reach me. I love you blasted much, Heaven or Hell wise in either terms, that if you hadn't came, my life probably may not be very happy either. Who knows....” Al says level..... “..maybe life for the both of us would have continued. Maybe not. Maybe in between. And another two would have done what we've done. Who really knows.” Al smiles unto, which is the kind Tsui always allows to melt her eternal heart. “But........ here and now anyway... we....... we were the ones that did all these wonderful adventures. We had so many happy and sad times together, and shared this with so many, though Washu I could have done without, and there..... who knows........

And..... if you are happy my Tsunami, `my' Goddess. Then I am `as' happy that you came here. Whatever your reasons.” Aleaic then clutches his goddess's hands tightly, which have dropped the held holding case with trembling. “And I will never hate you for anything you do. Rather I only can hope I can keep as faithful to you as you have already done for me, without me ever actually `knowing' it! And if you don't stay the happy Goddess one day, because of me, then I hope we find a way to work whatever it is out that I caused. Because it won't be `you' that makes me unhappy.

If I forget `that', Washu can have my body while I'm living, and do ANYTHING she wants with it! This I swear my Oath to you Tsui.”

Tsunami, already expecting something like this, didn't expect some akin to a blood Oath for their relationship added on. The tears are not sad ones anymore. “~ Then.......... `we' are special. Forever if I can manage it for us, by my powers even. ~”

Al tries to correct..... “But.. I can't `guarantee' such a promise Tsui. Someday, something may...” Al then has a silken finger upon his lips to silence him. “~ Silly client. After `all' I went though to get here, you think you can just `leave' simple as that? If I found you once, I can do so again. ~” Al slightly gulps at this. “~ And again across time the Expanse if I need to. Judgment Gate or Nor. ~”

“Judgment what?” Al piques of diverted curiosity, but Tsunami uses a different tact, as she retrieves the case, and unveils the package she brought. Aleaic sees and.. “W.... wow..... is that a bracelet?”

“~ Wrist band actually. ~” Tsunami corrects, inferring to the male `ego' bit, though Al couldn't care less if it was a neck collar for a ball and chain. (Or, well... may just a bracelet..... =^^=;;;;;;; )

“~ Washu made this.... NO no! Get back here! It's perfectly safe to wear, this I made sure of myself, and swear to such in Heaven's Name. ~” Tsui professes quickly, as Al has to be `pulled' back near, with his usual `instincts' about Washu's gadgetry prevalent. (And prevented from leaving the Spell bubble, to his sudden demise.) Tsunami then removes the band of semi-glowing gold and white, etched with incredibly small runes and ancient script, such as the same as the accouterments, gear, and what not the Dimensionals use/wear/something. Tsunami then lets Al look it over as.. “Uh.. if you say. And this is my `cure'?”

Tsunami simply smiles ever moreso.. “~ It's also a set of other `tools' in case you need to help me, or... ~” ..before looking away. Al looks unnerved again on the spot. “It's not like that device Washu made me use to `revive' you, is it?” Al looks `up' at Tsunami, whom giggles her normal usual. “~ I won't discern what you can do with it, other than it is meant as a Static Field for your Astral Body, one that will allow you to no longer require those injections. ~”

Aleaic suddenly looks `really' happy. “Good golly! Really!?” Tsunami giggles quite hard. “~ Yes dear. And I added some features that you will find `useful' in time beloved. And as you know, your Sister already wears a version of this on her right ear as a `special' earring set. When you wear this, you will understand the rest in words I cannot use properly. ~”

Al looks between Tsui, the device, then twice more. “Okay. But only if you tell me what the `debt' is, so I can help you repay it. I hate debts unpaid for anyone close to me.”

Tsunami didn't expect this. “~ Aleaic........ I really don't think...... ~” Al just looks calmly further. “Tsui.” ..with a `level' tone. How a goddess could be so overcome, to the point of a mortal `prodding' one to agreement is nearly unfathomable in the normal sense. (But, that's three magical years for ya.) “~ *sigh..* Alright, but.. if it comes down to it, `please' let me assist, or you may... well.... um.. trust me, you don't want to be `accosted' by `those two'. ~”

Al suddenly senses he shouldn't have been so forward. But one can't worry from the unknown, since it still resides out there in ALL cases. But an imagination can `help'. “Umm... y.. yeah.. okay. So.... well... shall we try this puppy on?”

Tsunami then is about to warn of a side-effect of the emplacement, since she did `create' it with Washu. But Al acts too quickly, mostly from `get-it-over-with' sentiments, and after a quick glance, sees the band `widen' itself, and then allows Al to slip it on. Which after it `claps' over Aleaic's right wrist, past his chronometer, with it flaring with an INTENSE gold light!! Al suddenly... “WAA!!” ..plops back onto his back, the `blanket' saving from an otherwise CHARRED backside! Al though doesn't realize his danger... “*Woozy.... then.... like a migraine instantly `gone'* W... w.. wow......! I can feel myself getting better! I don't feel `worried' all of a sudden! And....... ACK!!” ..as Tsui all of a sudden flings herself onto Al!!!! “TSUI!? What.... (uh oh.)”

“~ T.. that...... `s.. side-effect'......? ~” Tsui says with a tone of one that is struggling with her passions, toned in a innocent way. (Which makes this all even `more' dangerous.) “Y.. yeah?” Al sees Tsui with that `deep' look of longing, such is her shallow breathing, the pulse upon Al's chest from her wrists (yeah, `that' pulsating.. =^^=;;; ..,) and the... the...

Tsui uses one of Al's phrases, “~ Well.... HECK IT ALL!! ~” ..as she `shows' her meanings. For a `long' while.

----------------------------------------

Journal Entry - 21st April 3420

*Recording Terminal / Module 1272F*

I... am `sore'.................. and I will be sore for a while...

That so called `side-effect' made Tsui the `wildest' I ever seen her! Wow! I didn't know goddesses were that adept!!

Um.. well.. I better digress. This wristband thingy I got? Wow, advertised and then some! And after Washu chided me about my Lunar `antics', she explained that the Band, (as I will call it simply,) now allows me to have a full immunity field for myself from burnout effects. And as Ket has one now, we no longer feel `overwhelmed' by our guests anymore.

And for the first time in a `long' admitted while, I can now just return my thoughts back naturally as I like to view my family as... well, as a family. (If a `family' consisting of immortals can be counted such. =oo=?? ) Ones that are incredibly `well' preserved, but doesn't seem to be a worrisome problem. My friends from the old Dorm have also taken to family, though they get their `doses' of antidotes from the food they seemingly eat around `here' about every night. (I though Fat Dal hated `healthy' food. Huh.)

Oh well, at least Tasha is more `mature' about it all these days. Yeah, she too can't seem to stay away, noting our past relationship, despite. What more, if I didn't know better, I think there are hints that Tasha wants to come to work at the same place I do at the Tekomi Supernet Data-node Center, along with Tsui and Nobuyuki too, that is. Strange a though, Tsui working side by side with me, with Tasha possibly under me. Where was all THAT three years ago? If Tasha starts calling me Sensei though, I'm going on an immediate vacation! (A paid one, I made sure of that in my Contract. =^^= )

Oh..... and..... oh yeah, better get this off my chest I guess. Caladeni and Alusair are coming over for an `inspection' with Mother in a couple of days, and what with the weirdness of this second family already apparently, I have no honest idea how I will keep the `secret' from them! Tenchi said he may have a few ideas to help, and I hope they are for real! This is presuming Sis hasn't already blabbered to them anyway, hence half of Human Space knows by now.

Of course, then that means the news hounds would be all OVER this place by now, which means she must not have. (Did that all make sense? Huh.) In anycase, it'll be good to see Mommy dearest again, though not so with the `stories' she'll eventually tell my live-in's. (Please not the potty chair stories. Ugh.)

But she said they, my Sisters and Mother, were supposed to bring a surprise. Of what I couldn't even begin to guess, what with techy stuff more than replete here. Nobuyuki `helps' with video equipment, though I bet that's just to impress `Mother' Achika.

Gee, what would that bloke do if he knew Achika was his better by several Ages in... well, age... even if still well preserved. =^^=

Tsunami thankfully is giving me a `break' right now, so that my back will mend in a bit with that injection Washu gave, though, am I supposed to be able to hear downtown central from here in my room? What the...?

Oh, and good news! Kiyone came back with word that Tenchi should be back with his `harem', what.... well, maybe `good' isn't the word to use... again, as he delivered that Inspection Report to the Council. (Wait, is it good news?) His return should though bring two new guests, as Goddesses Funaho and Misaki promised to visit the residence before the wedding.

Heh, wedding. So easy to say nowadays.

I wonder if my Luck is ever going to leave me, (and not Mihoshi either...,) once Tsui says `I do'...... or........ hmm.. never did settle on a religious inflection to use as the nuptials style to use..... though the Nibuan style `wouldn't' quite suffice. Not until the `wedding night' anyway. And I have that Vitamin-E supplier already well squared away, thank you. =^^=

I bet Ryoko though can't wait, since she promised the `Mother of all binge parties'. And that means the `amounts' that may arrive may blow our `cover' in itself!!! Ayeka may try to control all that. (Or may `help' in worsening.)

Kiyone also mentioned (..for the millionth and twenty-second time..) ..how good it is to be `away' from Mihoshi. She also talks about how Mayuka is improving daily from her infusions to stabilize her. Hard to believe Mayuka once wanted my head on a demonic platter, and now just wants to be part of the family. She fits as it is.

And Sasami just keeps with the `cute' stage with the Class-Two's, though I am starting to have to watch my back. Apparently Achika took me aside one afternoon, and informed that Sasami was approaching something called the `third stage', which apparently is like the goddess version of puberty, accelerated.

Something like an overnight... well..... `growth'... and all that. (I hope that sounded right. =<>=;;; ..)

All this which means the link between Tsui and Sasami may cause me `real' problems soon, which I already told Tenchi about, and there too he agreed to `help' out there, though `how' I can't discern. And that meanwhile all is another problem that may `blow' our cover for sure! I `really' don't know what to do there. And I'm sounding like I have all the answers.

Right, and I'm the Sovereign-President. (Oh yeah, good one Al you dope. =--= )

*Sigh....* So, one wedding, one big `growing' family, and hopefully one GOOD Inspection Report will allow one bang up party! Maybe I am really lucky (Again notwithstanding Mihoshi, which I'm trying.) I mean, a goddess `actually' engineered her arrival because of my inept use of the CPU that one evening. (Hmm.. wonder what the charge tally on that call ever was anyway? Course I doubt `Infinite Distance' equates to `Long Distance' call zones. If it does, I need more money QUICK!! =Oo=;;; )

Well, life seems to have stabilized. Job, Home, Family, Love......... just need a kid with 105,000 credits in bridgework, and I'm set.. =^^= ..or at least............... huh? ....eh?

*Silence for 8.4 seconds.........*

What are they doing now? ......................WHOA!!!!!!!!!!

*End datarecording.. 1249.12..*

--------------------------

*Outside.*

Aleaic, having been surprised from his journal speak by the flash of incredible white light, stumbles downstairs past an empty residence living room below, when he stops just at the front hatch. “Eh? *outside: melodious sounds.* Singing?”

Al slips his shoes on, and stumbles outside, looking around. He stops to calm himself with it, before he then notes the sound of `gorgeous' singing coming from the far left, near the courtyard opening to the other two residences and adjoining the fountain gardens. As he round the corner words leave him, and sense along with, as hearing takes over.

*'Gorgeous', `very' gorgeous choral sonnets...* “................( ......wow.)” ..is all Al can eventually manage.

“~ Oh! Sensei! ~”

Achika is the owner of the voice that `discovers' Al's presence, as said mortal stumble/stammers over and out. “Wh.. wha.. what are........ so......... many of them?!”

The mortal's over engaged sight has within: Achika, Tsunami, Ayeka, Sasami, Ryoko, Washu, Kiyone, and Mayuka nearby, as from a spot upon a large rock the Shrine has as a deliberate sitting spot, Tenchi and Yosho seemingly watch relatively simply, as out of the goddesses, excluding Mayuka, is an Angel emerged from each and every `back'! Al recognizes Angelic Creation from `well' usage of the Angel when Tsui and he...... um..

But from the others... and strange as it sounds, this is the `first' time he's seen actual Angels from the other Goddesses. This excluding Mayuka again, whom only displays her now gleaming white Wings, rather than the original dull gray, that attested to her original title. At least Mayuka's Wings sparkle and shimmer with etherealness as the Angels in whole do..

Aleaic though still can't believe his corneas. “Wow.” Al only says, echoing sentiments everytime Tsui displayed Angelic Creation. This though, stopped the reason the Angels were summoned, as Al walks near Tsui... “Why are all you.......?”

Kiyone is the `deliverer' “~ Sorry, but we decided to show Mayuka here how she may be able to gain an Angel of her own, and how to use one. ~”

Al looks at Mayuka. “You can? Sweet download.”

Mayuka chuckles at her one time mortal `foe', as Trakalin and Kagato once forced her to be. “~ Not yet, it's not really a true certainty. It's only since I have Celestial cells from Father Tenchi, and Mother's Ryoko, Ayeka, and Mihoshi, that I `may' have enough to Invoke an Angel, when I'm strong enough, with enough training. ~”

“Still.....” Al remarks... “.......incredible if you `do'.” ..to which Mayuka giggles, and Al suddenly gets `glommed' from behind, when Angelic Creation wraps around him, which is technically the same as Tsunami doing it, since it feels `so' warm and the same like. “Hey hey! Public around milove!” Al wriggles a bit from the sudden display of affection, which the others giggle at.

“~ We `were' demonstrating the way our Angels can harmonize their voices with ours, before you showed up. ~” Ayeka then remarks, which Al then gets `jibes' from the other goddesses. Good `humor' and all. (Yeah right. =--=;;;; )

“Okay okay, so I'm a party pooper, but........ who....... `EEEEEEYYYYY'!!!! THAT'S an ANGEL!?” AL suddenly STABS a finger!!

Al's comment is direct towards Washu's..... well..... `Angel'. “~ YES it's an Angel!! And just because it is one, doesn't mean the stereotypical formats `have' to apply kid. ~” Washu quips back, stressing the `age' difference between the mortal and his `guests'. Al though just sighs with hands raised..... “Okay okay. But... I've never seen red crystals for `feathers' before!” Al notes, as Washu's Angel, is basically a red skinned humanoid, wreathed in angelic garb of glowing purple and gold, and the `Wings' are made of organic crystal feathers that run a meld from ruby at the leading edges, to a gold/yellow in the middle, to a royal purple at the trailing feathered edges. The `cloud' it swirls from is a orbiting mass of ruby dust, with a golden halo misting with it. And the eyes rounding out are a topaz/emerald meld.

“Man. Major eye catcher.”

“~ Indeed. ~” Several of the other goddesses quip, to Washu's dismay. “~ Okay, so the Egg I hatched it from did this to it, so what?! ~”

“Egg?” Al comments cock-eyed.

“~ Yes beloved. ~” Tsunami comments, leaning on Al's right, as Angelic Creation drapes her neck over Al's left shoulder, the Wings still quite enveloping, making Al feel `funky'. “~ You see, when we are created, the Angel is already infused within. But for us to be able to invoke our Angel's initially, an Egg is used to act as a catalyst between Host and Supplicant. ~” Al's easily engrossed by now.. “~ And that Egg also formats the shape, will, and style of the Angel our partnership is based on, determined by our character and traits. ~” ..this said as Angelic Creation `uses' a wing to caress Al's cheek, which Al is trying difficult to ignore.

Aleaic then nods. “Wow, so then the Angels are a `reflection' of your souls.” Al comments, which garners approving nods. Al then looks at the `array' of Angels presented, and so `notes'. “Must mean souls from a Neo-Picasso Sect of Existence. And I thought I was whacked out.” =^^=

This just nets him a MASS of Angel feathers smacked at him, for poor analogy and `all'! “Gee.” Al responds, as he blows away some feathers from his face. He then notes the `fact' that Ayeka, Ryoko and Mihoshi are here....... “Wait a tic, I though....”

“{~ We arrived a half hour ago. ~}”

Al listens to Ryoko, still confused. “But Tenchi said...?”

“~ Time works differently in Heaven, Sensei... ~” Ayeka dryly comments, semi-exasperated with Al's lack of relativity comprehension, like it's really his fault anyway. “~ ...than it does here. We had returned by the time Little Washu `repaired' you again. ~” Ayeka chirps with a sly smile, which Al has to then hide his face within Angelic Creation's feathers with a deep blush.. “Ahem, ah.. so..... I guess I....”

“~ Now now Sensei. ~” Tenchi calls from afar.... “~ We come with good news! ~” ..said, and seconded by Yosho next to him. Al looks, having to move a few feathers to do so.. “What? That report you talked about?”

“~ More than that. ~” Yosho mentions suddenly, which Al looks cock-eyed at.. “Meaning?”

“~ Misaki and Funaho will be with `company', whom will be here the coming sunrise here. ~”

Al's honestly not one for the subtlety. “Elaborate please. My head's still not one-hundred percent.”

“{~ Never was. ~}” Ryoko dryly comments as her joke, which Al side-glances blandly unto. “Says you Lady.”

“~ Tsk tsk! ~” Mihoshi says from afar, interrupting Ryoko's `reply', which wasn't what Aleaic expected from the blond Portfolio of Luck. “~ One must act on restraint in face of surprise. ~” Achika says next, and Al about is flustered again.. “Wait?! Wait for what?!”

“~ Al! Don't be snippety! ~” Sasami retorts, the Class-Two's, Ryo-ohki on Sasami's head, and Ken-ohki on the Angel's, both `meow' in kind with Sasami, which forces Al back off! “Okay, okay! Just better not be another `something' that's `world altering' or such. *sighs* ...so, do I need ESP to guess the names of these Angels?” Al says, panning an arm past the feathers towards the other Angels, and then flustering with the Wing that floats into his vision.. “Tsui........”

“~ I can give you `ESP' with an injection. ~”

“NO THANK YOU!!!!!!” Al suddenly `retorts' back at Washu!!! “Mental property of moi alone, thank you verymuch!”

“~ Not for long. ~” Tsui quips, `leaning' more, as she has her Angel stroke both his cheeks, which forces a ticklish giggle from Al.

So `finally', in turn.

Washu: Infinite Facet, already mentioned in detail. (To burn memory by.)

Achika: Universe of Destiny, with her mane silver, with a mist to it. (All of the manes are long and glowing btw.) Skin of blue, inlaid with rose tattoos of silver, wings of white with silver-blue unto sapphire blue meld at the tips, and a cloud of stars upon a midnight black mist. And eyes of black inlaid under more stars rounds the Angel out.

Sasami: Carnation's Kiss, the mane white and light green at the ends, with several pony-tails to it extending every which way, skin of light copper and, wings of white and pink tipped, and her cloud of cherry blossoms upon a green mist, and eyes of glowing white. The Cabbits on both heads respectively just rounds out the `cuteness' factor.

Kiyone: Law of Hope, as her mane is black with yellow ends, with multiple braids with hers, skin of teal and white tattoos of runes, the wings of silver gleaming through and through, and the cloud a sea of frothing red and yellow sparkles, this Angel's corneas of a soft orange.

Ryoko: Sister of Enrapture, the `most' interesting, reflecting her dual nature, as the mane is strangely gentle, with swirls of silver and gold, the skin is of red and black, set in a style like her combat suit she uses in battle, the `Wings' are a mesh of Angelic white, tipped in Demonic black `tendrils', where the tendrils are coarse and leathery, as diametric, verses the angelic white and soft just above them. And `her' cloud consists of a series of gleaming mini-blades, set in a `sea' of swirling water, which shifts in tempo from gentle to vicious with each second, but `these' eyes are of the most demonic red, flame riddled within, yet, a sense of `holy' comes from this `fire' as well. Such a dichotomy indeed.

Ayeka: Royal Silkens, hers is more subdued, as her mane is a Royal lavender-Royal blue mix, with one pony-tail on top, edged with royal pink, the skin is a dark brown, a deep tan apparently, with glowing purple runes along it's arms and shoulders, and the Wings are white unto a yellow tip at the feathers, and the cloud is a coalesce of silk waves of energy, with purple glowing sparkles within, the pupils here crown in a gold hue.

Mihoshi: Cherished Soul, and hers, a mane of brunette, with silver streaks in the long mane, skin of ivory and silver, wings as white as they can come, fluffy as Tsui's/Angelic Creation's are, and the cloud of swirling silk sashes, melded with ethereal lace, blue upon blue eyes mesh the eyes here for this Angel ally.

Al also notes, that the Angels are as plain in accouterments, as the Goddesses are `replete' in them...

“~ That's because Angels are not vain, as we are. ~” Al looks over, as Achika replies to his noting of detail. Al nods, still awed by the sight before he.

“Wow, you guys just keep the suprises coming.” Al then looks back at Tenchi and Yosho. “And you guys can't do this, right?” Aleaic says, thumbing towards the Angels, done with two attempts to get through the feathers that still `mummify' him.

“~ Nay. ~” Tenchi says, and then stands. Aleaic catches on too late, but the Goddesses `don't', as they and Yosho brace themselves! “What are..?” Just before Tenchi `explodes' with his Invoked Power of the Angelhawk Wings!! Suddenly, three shimmering, gigantic angelic feathers of blazing white stand forth of it's master, as Tenchi envelopes the Wings about him, and becomes the Angelhawk Avatar once more, this time MUCH more confident in his abilities!

And with the Goddesses cringing in slight recoil and impressed AWE of their compatriot. “{~ WOW!! Tenchi you RULE!!! ~}” Ryoko responds more with the sudden OVERDRIVE in moods!! Yosho next to Tenchi already has produced a single Wing of his own, to counteract the immense power aura. Tenchi speaks with a heavy, hollow voice of IMMENSE power, and it's no `wonder' he's the Hand of Father... “((~ As you can see Sensei, the Power of an Avatar is used in this fashion, verses the Goddesses Angels, though the `type' of Wings used, and their severity depends on the Invoked user..

...and.... eh? ~))”

Tenchi has to suddenly stop, as the one meant to witness this aura, has been reduced to a babbling idiot!! Al `wasn't' prepared for this... “DUUUUUUUUUAAAAAAAIIIIIIIYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!” ...as he slips down from the grasp of an astonished Angelic Creation. His `plop' says enough too. “~ Brother. I think you mentalized him. ~” Tsunami dryly quips, said behind the wall of Awe she is forced to profess to.

Tenchi sees and... “((~ Whoops! Better stop then. ~))” Tenchi then drops the shimmering `Armor' of Angel Feathers, the twin sashes of streamers across the upper chest, and gleaming under gauntlets and greaves of pure solid holy energy, all etched in the most of archaic runes and script for this format, glowing blue as said. He returns to `normal', signaled with a `flood' of angel feathers and ethereal white sparkles, and `much' to Ryoko's bemoaning. “{~ Man, does Al have to ruin `everything'? ~}”

“~ Actually, I'm not used to that either, quite bluntly. ~” Ayeka admits. “~ You on the other hand are still animalistic in passion Ryoko. ~”

Ryoko dryly remarks back.. “~ Considering from someone so reserved for even Heaven's health, I think I'll ignore that. ~” ..her `Angel' flicks a raspberry at Ayeka/Royal Silkens.

“~ And if I don't? ~” Ayeka steels back, her Angel doing likewise. And if two eyes arcing electricity at each other wasn't bad enough, now FOUR do so!

“~ HEY!! Break it up you two! ~” Kiyone suddenly has to referee this near apocalyptic stare down. Her Angel claps her hands for Kiyone. “~ They never tire of this huh? ~” Washu quips, her Angel shaking it's head.

“{~ Mom! Butt out! I can take her without destroying the planet. ~}” Ryoko looks at Washu, though `her' Angel keeps staring down Ayeka's counterpart! Tsunami and Angelic Creation meanwhile help hold up a semi-brain dead mortal, whom... “I... I think I... will `not' have ice cream and comics tonight mommy.... I... I'm too sweepy.” Al remarks with a drool, in his private, childish, confused `dimension'.

“~ Tenchi, `help me' with beloved to the rock. ~” Tsunami `orders' the culprit behind this, whom complies readily.

Al's mind eventually returns to him, as the heat between Ayeka/Royal Silkens and Ryoko/Sister of Enrapture is about to flare!! Aleaic notes to his manic depressant shout of.. “Eh?! AHH!! NOT THE Garden again!! It just got repaired you know!!!” Al yelps in fear of another home improvement bill! (The local Tekomi Hardware store btw way has a running pot for when the next `run' to the residence is.

And Sizuko wins the pot today!! =^^= ..)

*BLAMO!!!!!!!!!!*

*CRACKLE!!!!!!!*

*THUMP/WHUMP/THUD/CRUNK!!*

.....that was.. “...quick.....” Al says from behind the Angel Wings, as Tsunami (again..) protects Al from the twin Armageddon strike, as the Two on Two starts and ENDS quickly, as the Angels of Ryoko and Ayeka use `too' much power in assisting. And therefore end up overusing the power allotment the Goddesses use for a daily tab. They are knocked out COLD in one shot. This which has blasted the others back, and.. yep...... the Garden's a mess. “Yosho.” Al side-glances, and grits through his teeth.

Yosho remarks `quite' level. “~ Between them, and their Angels is where I draw the line Sensei. ~” Yosho `all' to wisely mends to, which Aleaic has to admit. “Well. Ugh, at least the hardware store employees will be fed for the month again.

With Atsuta Crabs and Lobsters from Planet Tirakis. ((Pricey.. =--= )) .. *sob...* .”

Just then, a mist within shadow emerges from the smolder and smoke. “Not again.”

Al recognizes. “Sis?”

Keturia emerges through the dusty swirl, as she steps over with a bag of groceries, noting.. “Who else? That Trakalin guy?” Aleaic laughs dryly at the comment.. “My Sis the comedian.”

“And the mail lady, again.” ..Ket says, as she hands over a pad with several mail gram chits attached. A thumb print point gives where to signify acceptance of the new mail. “Eh?” Al says.

“The explosion scared the regular guy off as we came up.” Ket comments, that being the... um... ah.. 1... 5... 17... 45...

Ah. Eighty-seventh carrier so `done' on this route in three years. Good job.” ..this the Dimensionals just smile. (Those still awake.) “Great.” Al `comments' again, and makes the thumbprint verification. “And `another' run into town to drop this off.”

As Achika directs where to `dump' Ayeka and Ryoko, whom have been `relieved' of their Angels back within, as Al takes the chits of elongated crystal strips, and slides them each into the pad. The Pseudo-crystal material is `absorbed' into the pad, which then downloads the `mail' from the SMH/TP-IPMS (Standard Mail Hyper-Transfer Protocol - International Priority Marked Service) servers in the Terran-International Postal Center in Moscow, relayed through the Superdata Network, and whola. Mail from..... “DAD!?” Al spits, when he sees the signature entry. Ket is anime wide-eyed surprised as well! “Our `Father' sent that!?”

“Y... yeah.” And as Al starts to read, knowing that Terrai, Al's and Ket's Father, `never' sends regular mail, unless it's REALLY important, since that stuff usually comes through their Mother Jeain instead. And as Al reads, with Ket, Tenchi, Yosho, Tsui/Angelic Creation, and Sasami/Carnation's Kiss reading over the shoulder.

It's... “Oh no.” Al drags scarred through his teeth. The others look confused at Al, though Ket does `not'. Al then drags out through sandpaper... “Father's coming... here... with Mom and Sisters.

Tomorrow.” Al says with like the voice of pure dread has overtaken him. The Dimensionals still don't understand, though again Ket does. “But the wedding's a month away. Why is Dad coming here? He hasn't been here since that Race you and Tsui did way back.” Keturia mentions, as she trades a look with Yosho the latter among the misunderstanding.

Al though `knows' what this is suddenly about, as he also then suddenly stands, drops the pad upon the charred grass, and simply walks, emotionless, back inside the residence. The Dimensionals confusion finally get the better of them.. “~ Aleaic!/Sensei!!/Beloved?! ~”

They all then turn to Ket after Al leaves sight, and... “~ Ket? ~” Sasami asks simply, the female mortal whom has a look of neutral on her face, very plastered. “*Thick sigh.* Well, the fun had to end sooner or later.”

----------

*Slightly above.*

“{~ Huh? What got him riled? ~}”

“{{~ What? ~}}”

“{~ HEY!! QUIT IT NAGI!! GIVE THEM BACK!! ~}”

“{{~ Oh, quit the whining! You'll get them back Minagi. ~}}”

“{~ That's what you said about the Blood Cake, and guess where that went! ~}”

“{{~ Hey! Want me to report your snotty behavior to the Boss? ~}}” No response. “{{~ Very good. Now just be an evil Demon Gamma Class, and SHUT UP!! The Mortal is upset, and I want to know why. ~}}”

The two Demon Agents, one: Minagi, a former high class Demon Agent, demoted after a series of failures after the Trakalin Incident, and then assigned to Agent Alpha Class Nagi as `back-up', after Nagi botched an assassination attempt, and ended up being the `eyes' of a still quite interested Demon Administrator, on the comings and goings of the Mortal still attached to the Alpha Jurai Core Goddess.

And while the Resurrection of Reality was a thankful event for Hell as much as Heaven, there was still the matter of the Soul Gathering War the two sides still were embarked in. And the Mortal known as Aleaic was `still' under this Rule. Salvation or nor.

And for the past three months, the Demons have been on a infernal `stakeout', trying to discern a pattern or weakness to devise a breach of the Contract still existing between Mortal and Goddess. And possibly drag the Mortal to the Hells. Such would be a `Big One' in the Accounting Department of the Darkness. And yet also a very unlikely event, considering the unfathomable number of deities that this one Mortal had managed to gather about himself, without even trying in fact.

Nagi considered it all gregarious that their Father of the Core didn't already yank them all back, considering how IDIOTIC the Mortal really was. Impudent, brash, smarmy. Not exactly one that should have the `respect' of all these immortals about him.

But they remained, even after number of returns to Heaven and back to the Mortal Plane. It just didn't make sense to Nagi. Not one bit. (Course they would ignore traits that Demons ignore all too readily anyway.)

The Guy after all seemed, quite hopeless. “{{~ Just because of one lonely need to grind the loins, and they all think it's cute. That bastard should be burned upon the pyre. ~}}”

“{~ Oh? ~}” Minagi quips, playing with another in a series of pine leaves that have dropped nearby, by burning them. “{~ The `bastard' took my best shot, and lived. The `bastard' had The Father within, Traitor, AND the Boss at the same time.

The `bastard', should not be underestimated, as the Boss commands. ~}”

“{{~ Oh shut that dark pie hole, I'm still.... eh? Oh? ~}}”

The Demon powered Hex Glasses the Agent Alpha uses, easily sees past the flimsy walls of the residence, and into the designated gathering room these idiots use, and she sees the Mortal flinging his arms wildly!! The others around him are only watching, though the one designated the `Sister' of the bastard tries to apparently calm the Mortal down. “{{~ And the `bastard' is giving off `really' dark vibes right now. Darker than I have ever seen him use, even more than what that Washu bitch does unto him. ~}}”

Minagi chides.. “{~ Hey. The Boss said to watch the lingo in this story. ~}”

Nagi `slits' her Infernal eyes, smelling, and..“{{~ And... ~}}” ..as Nagi suddenly turns, and flings a loose pine cone at Minagi's head!! “{{~ I said NOT to keep burning stuff! You'll blow our cover away!!!!!! ~}}” Nagi `retorts back viciously. Minagi then rubs her head, as Nagi turns her attention back. ((Didn't know Nagi was `number one'. =^^= ))

Meanwhile the Glasses, seeing the `vibes' the Mortal gives off, as a judge of the Mortal's base mood. Nagi noted as it's `much' darker, for a bit, and then it levels and backs off some as the Alpha Goddesses, the two , one daughter of a mother, calm Al down suddenly.

Before it then spikes a again, with the result of `whatever' was said by the mortal, suddenly making the Alpha goddess back up, and phase off suddenly! Then the `base mood' goes from dark, to deep blue. An obvious sign of sadness. “{{~ The whelp is spineless. ~}}”

Then in the span of the next few minutes, the Mortal apparently gets a deserved `dressing down' from most of the others, before he apparently flusters to his room in some apparent and continued disgust, leaving a set of confused and... angry? ...immortals. But the Alpha Agent though, sees enough... “{{~ If we find out why he became so reviled, we can `finally' make a brimstone attempt on the idiot. ~}}” Nagi then turns to a sulking Minagi. “{{~ Hey! Useless! See if you can get that `mail pad' the idiot dropped, and find out what was in it! ~}}”

Minagi looks over blandly at the Alpha. “{~ Can you ask NICELY that I can? And gimme those Glasses back while you're at it! ~}” Minagi then nabs the Hex Glasses and phases away into a Shadow Hex Portal, leaving a snarling Alpha Demon wishing she could Smite like a Jurai Core Avatar. ((Someone else is `number one' too. =Oo=;;; ))

---------

Journal Entry - 21st April 3420

*Recording Terminal / Module 1272F*

...............WHY!? WHYWHYWHYWHY!!!!!

Damn it all..................

......................................................why. ..................

My Father's going to finally do it. He's REALLY going to do it!! He's going to force the issue! And then what do I do? I... I don't know. I just don't know.

I..... I like living here now... like who I simply... am... am...

And with the wedding coming up.

*Sighing heavily* Sorry... I'm not really being clear am I?

I think this is why I came all the way out here, here at the opposite end of the globe, and yet still not be too far away, since Dad knows me too blasted well. Eventually I knew he'd pull this, and Father `knew' I knew. This double guessing/knowing makes my head spin. Like I could ever get away from this fate and all. Leaving the planet back then wouldn't have worked, I know my Father.

But now with all these souls I've grown so accustomed to, the life I built. No. That `we' built here, can I really tell my Father no? Can I stop him from taking me away from everything that I... no... `we' took so long to build?

I... I know Dad probably means well, but Dad also has the same hard-line trait that I heard of each and every Kerensky of the male gender undergo: The `Placement' in the Life, spin thread. And one such with the most stone, hard ass mentality of intentions of anything I've seen or heard of in my life!

For over Fifty generations, the Kerensky has been `Placed' a role that would serve the interests of Humanity, for the good of Humanity. Err..... i.e. to make the Kerensky name look better with streamers and confetti rather than simply a flashlight alone. Something like that. `Definitely' ego driven a `bit' there. And truly nothing less than world altering stuff, even Pan-galactic altering the way of these days.

I love my Dad, I'd do anything for him. The problem is that the literal meaning of `anything' is an expectation on his end, and this little jaunt from home was `not' meant to be permanent in his eyes. To Mother maybe, but definitely NOT Dad.

If my life had been as bland as I thought it was to be when I came here, up to now, maybe it wouldn't be so much of a problem. But... what about Tsui? What about Tenchi and Sasami? Of Achika? The others too? Even those Class Two's all but plastered on Sasami's head? Those Angels they `ally' with?

Of everything we went through? Do I just throw it all away for the family name?

Or.. or, am I being selfish and.... maybe...... gods I'm `really' confused, goddesses too. Got me what to do now. How to decide. Maybe........ maybe I `have' to let them all go, before this all goes too far. I never really have faced the question of `what' do I do if I had to leave here. And.... now... I guess I `may' have to do just that. And then the related here question is: Are the guys here, attached to me because of Tsui? Or are they attached to `here' because it's a Shrine. Or even, can they even be with me no matter where I go... or...... err. Oh man, THAT was a selfish thought!

Maybe I'm a fool. Maybe they are simply thinking beings that can make their own choices, and ones that may have to end up ending the party we've all had for three years. Oh yeah, Dad was as happy as the rest when we won that Race, but that was then.

Now it's the `Name', and Dad isn't going to take a no. *sigh..* Trust me. Dad will find a way to crack me. And what gets lost in the `cracking' is where I may feel the worst hurt of all. Dad doesn't know who these guys really are, I think.... nah, been through that wringer already last entry.

I just wish I knew what to do. I... I.... don't want to be alone again.

I... initially made a mistake in coming to Tekomi, I know that now. I ran away from my home because of this One fear, and lost my connections that made me feel safe as a result. Now, I found `new' ones I never expected, and wish with my honestly selfish heart I could take them back with me home!

But... well... if I had to lose them, at least... at least the memories would still be there. Assuming they don't have to wipe my mind if they have to leave that is. It's not like `that's' all a new run on the tragedy theme.

What `is', are the `ones' involved. Losing them, may kill me.

Well... *Thick ragged sigh.* ...better go back and apologize to Achika and Tsui. Everyone else too. Gods, I'm a stupid child. Very stupid.

Very.

*End datarecording.. 1923.38..*

---------------------------------------------

*Downstairs: Living room.*

Aleaic meekly, and `slowly' returns downstairs, after noting a distinct amount of silence from the other side of the then still closed room hatch. When he comes down, he meets no eyes..

Inside, he partially fears he `actually' did just drive them all away, though his Sister wouldn't be so easy to drive off. A quick check of the kitchen give nay findings, and then.. “...a... anybody still here?” Aleaic weakly calls out. Then a second more strengthened attempt.

No responses.

He thinks, and then Al tries a `smarter' tactic. “(Anyone still here? I already hit myself with a bat!!)” ..sorta..

“(~ Wouldn't that hurt? ~)” Tenchi `calls' back... “(Hah!... um.. sorry..... where are..?)”

(~ The Office silly. ~)” Sasami `says' next. “(~ Get your mortal butt over here! Ket already told us what's going on. ~)”

Al is surprised by this, but half expected this, as Ket's been the more level minded one than he ever really was. But then, she didn't have the `family name' bit over her head either. But that was no excuse for his behavior either, nor her fault. It's really still `his' in the end......

Aleaic does not move, and instead... “(Guys... I'm sorry. I wanted to say that before..) =@@=!!!!!!! .........YEOW!!!!!!” Al suddenly finds himself infront of the Office!! “*Head JERKING/looking EVERYWHERE!!*....WHAWHOWHEREWHYWHAT!?!?!?” He'd get neck strain in the morning from that. =^^=;;

“~ Still bad isn't he? ~” Ayeka giggles, as she works over a large lollipop. (guess `why'.) ..with a slight slur. The others remark as such in a similar `tone', as each and every work over their `intoxicant'. Kiyone and Mihoshi work over some.... gods: Smores. (same clutch, remember?) Ryoko, well, Sake, (like anything else would do.) Ayeka works with, of all things: a lollipop, and root beer. (Apparently a two part intoxicant.) Yosho still looks goofy with vanilla pudding, though Ket looks cute in sharing it, her with a glass of white wine. Tenchi and his coffee. Sasami still works over some mint ice cream, which she can have by the way..! (Aleaic hates mint. =><=;;;) The Class-Two's munch on a healthy load of carrots near Sasami.

Achika......... eh? Where's Achika and... “Where's Achika and Tsui?” Al asks, and then quickly wishes he didn't.

“~ Away. For the moment. ~” Yosho simply says, licking his spoon. Aleaic doesn't ask further, considering the `things' he said earlier. “Anyone know the highest point nearby I can jump off of?”

“Komii Point, three klicks. And taking the easy way out again?” Ket inebriatedly helps/asks, which Aleaic simply chuckles. “That, and/or just to yell at myself like an idiot, loudly for all to hear.”

A bull horn suddenly appears in front of Al's face. “{~ Have a blast. ~}” Ryoko jokes, though her use of a Hex Portal gets a chide from Ayeka. Ryoko only flicks a bit of sake` at Ayeka in response. Al though actually attempts to grab the bull horn, just before it's `ported' away by Ryoko. Aleaic then stumbles forward comically as a result. Ryoko though looks at the `Sensei' with a dry manner. “{~ Jeeze bub, `must' you be so literal? ~}”

“You should... *hic..* ..have seen Aly when he was a kid. Everytime...” ..a `drunk' Ket relates to the others, equally `hashed'... “...he got serious with an idea or had to have something, he'd either work so hard for it, or focus soooo.. um.. woozy..... so.. yeah.. so intensely on it, he'd almost look like a stroke would get him if we interrupted.

Oh, he's too stoic and *hic* austere.” Ket finishes with a good swig of wine, which the Deities `drunkenly' chuckle to, and Al manages an embarrassed snicker of his own. “Yeah. Even Dad had to get me to stop one time when I was too intent on making a custom Comp-System. I forgot to eat for a full day because of it, and almost had to get a force feeding as a result.

Guess Father is `all' within me, I guess.” Al chides of himself lightly. “~ More than you realize Sensei. ~” Tenchi quips, before a swig of dinner coffee. (Hey, it's night time. =^^= ..)

Al then is about to say something, but Ket interrupts. “Dad isn't going to forget what you have here Bro. No matter what he decides he wants to `do' with you. Though the circus flotilla to Pluto would be my guess.” Ket adds the last to rile Aleaic some.

“Oh yeah? You look like you'd make a good Narsus Sea-Lion tamer Sis.” Al responds with better clarity of mind. Ket only raspberries back. “Besides, how DO I know I won't lose you guys after tomorrow? I... I mean.. I..”

“~ Are you so certain? ~” Mihoshi asks, between slurps unto a Smore bar. Al looks at the blond Goddess-Detective. “Oh? How would `you' like to live with an expectation over your life?”

“~ Does being `created' by Father count? ~” Tenchi remarks back, which Aleaic levels gaze back to.. “I... I don't... I thought...”

“~ You don't. Not from our point of view. ~” Tenchi calmly, albeit hashed, says back to the mortal. “~ .Or did not. Sister explained why she `really' decided to escape from Heaven like she did? ~” Tenchi says, `more' than aware of what Tsunami committed in the beginning, and her reasons behind it. Al finds out next, he's not the `only' one that has expectations, and that he's `not' the center of the universe after all.

Tenchi continues. “~ Father created us to fulfill certain tasks and functions as He saw fit for us in the Name of Heaven, and the upkeep of the System governing the Mortal Planes. As such, from the moment we were `created' into our respective clutches, we were then assigned `shortly' after to Mentors. Tsunami got Gaea, and I got Yosho. Kiyone and Mihoshi got one named Nioke. Washu got one named Airi. Sasami also got Gaea after a while when she was `separated', and Mother got Funaho.

Yosho here was so old, he didn't need one. ~” Tenchi throws in as a rare joke, drunkenly infused, and one that garners a `rap' on the head from said Mentor.

“~ I'll remember that `tomorrow' at practice `young Avatar'. ~” Yosho quips, and Tenchi can already hear the `Try Harder' phrase ringing in his celestial melon. He looks back to the three `Al's' (..yep, drunk..) ..as he continues..

“~ A... anyway, we all then were assigned to different sections of the Core, depending on our predetermined status and power level. As time and evolution passed, we then gained more responsibilities, which in our vein of a `work day', could run as many as `months' of your time Sensei, between `breaks'. ~”

Al cringes at sound of all this.. “'Months' between breaks? What, no weekends in Heaven?” ..this gains chuckles in response. “{~ Sorry, the number of religions that popped up in the Human Sphere took away `weekends' about a thousand of your years ago Al. ~}” Ryoko laughs despite the sounds of all that, as the draw of sake` she takes seems meant to hammer away that last thought.

Al then... “I think I need a drink myself now.” ..and quickly is offered a cup of the wine Ket is still mulling over. One he sits and quickly.. “*sip..* ..yum.. white zinfandel. So, you all are really run through for long periods of time up there?”

“~ These centuries, yes. ~” Tenchi continues. “~ The expansion of humanity has now so taxed the OS System, that we're seriously overworked as it is. Thanks for Evolving on us by the way Sensei. ~” Tenchi then quips to Aleaic, mentioning the `corner' humanity turned after the Hyperbooster Jumpdrive was discovered in 2387 by the scientist by the name of Marcus Le'fey of the French Contingent of the European Unity. Humanity then did boom after that, albeit with `hiccups'... (i.e. many a lost soul in hibernation vessels, and many a campfire tale told about such nowadays. Now `that's' freaky. =^^=;;;; )

Oh, and the other deities nod and moan in a agreement at the blandly noting mortal. “Whoa! Blame the French, not me!”

Tenchi decides to finish the gist of all this. “~ Well, as it is, because of all that, the System Admins have decided it's about time for first Major Upgrade of the OS, the first time since humanity ended the Roman Empire Era.. ~” ..this makes Al nearly choke on his wine...! “That long ago?! *coughx6* ...jeeze... *coughx4*”

“No biggie.” Ket replies `way' too calmly. Al notes however. “Says you Sis.”

“Says nothing! So they deal in things better than we do.” Ket flails an arms about, and `ends' up around Yosho's shoulders without noting. “And they do *slurred* a darned good job for what they do! You should appreciate out of EVERYONE here what a computer takes to upkeep regularly. Me, I just stick to *hic* Applications and Art.”

“Nice mural you made by the way for that contest back home, by the way..” Aleaic adds, which garners a sweet smile from the drunken Sister.. “Oh.. *slurred* ..how sweet.” ..to whit Al only shrugs. “I think. *slit eyed* .” Which makes Ket wants to chuck her goblet at her Brother. Tenchi chuckles as he puts down his `cup' of brew, and before his mind gets too hashed to finish.. “~ What I mean by all this, is that you may be the first mortal we can relate to, what with Ket's stories about this `placement' silliness.

I think you'd do well no matter what you were `placed' in, just as I found I was a good Hand after the Trakalin Incident. ~” Tenchi levels with a slowly growing drunk Al. “~ Just as you found out why Sis chose you to `Wish' with. I believe `she' had as much to gain from that Wish, as you did. We didn't foresee everything, but we knew enough, all of us here, that we could `use' the Wish you made, as an excuse to `escape' to Earth for awhile. ~”

Al looks `thoughtful'. “Until I pass away... or....... something takes you away.” Al looks to the others. “Whether by choice or not I fear dearly.” Tenchi only nods, not needing said.

Al's inebriation resultantly starts to break down the inner walls he's been cloistering, and the feelings `within'.. “I... I grew... grew so accustomed. I `allowed' myself to take you all for granted. I saw a fantasy to actually hold onto, that I thought it would override my Father's wishes. I `allowed' myself to become so selfish to what I had gained here, that I found it easy to forget my original home. I became `really' selfish, and I `really' liked it.

Ieey.. I hoped in vain, that nothing would change in the face of this. Vh.. vain indeed. *sighs.. hangs head.*

I... ulp.. I'm afraid though, that the `Wish' and the `Placement' are incompatible ideals. If I sound like a baby, so be it. But to lose you all now. Urp.. I'd rather cut my own hand off. Right here and now.” Aleaic says with that `serious' enough tone and look already mentioned, actually mock doing the actual act he described on his right hand. He's then too focused on his words to note the `rather' calm reactions the Dimensionals have. “When I `ran' away here, I felt that being `placed' would cause me to lose my REAL family, and...” Al looks at Ket... “...I thought I'd never see you either again.”

Ket rubs her face.. “Oh brother. Brother, that's plain silly!”

“IS it?! Remember what happened to Grandfather Aragoni Kerensky? He became `placed' as a Administrator, and eventually became Governor of Mars in 2521, remember? And you `know' what happened a month later!” Al snaps back from his testy mood, which makes the immortals halt their silly revelry for their mortal host. Al's words though make Ket cringe.

2521 was when Grandfather Kerensky was elected to the Governor post of Mars, by an overwhelming majority by the Terran populace. But `not' back then, by the colonists of Mars, who had backed a local candidate, as they feared Terran overlording of Mars at that time. And a month later, despite every attempt to appease the colonists by Governor Kerensky, some quite ingenious and helpful, the Martian populace revolted after a incident sparked by Mars separatist terrorists that attacked one of the habitation domes of a still then not fully terraformed planet.

And over 15,000 colonists died.

To which blame was rested `most' unfairly upon Aragoni, and the first public lynching then occurred in over `many' a mellennia, taking the then Martian Cabinet with Aragoni, many of whom were Martian themselves, and all this despite `desperate' pleas from his wife Omani Kerensky, his children, of whom Terrai came from, and also the rest of a panic stricken Kerensky family back on Earth.

The sight of the mutilated body on the then existent Fiber-Media screen shots, still runs the blood cold in the Kerensky family to this day. This Aleaic tells the others, whom suddenly aren't so `drunk'.

But `then', the culprits were then `found' by an investigation led by Aleaic's Third generation removed Cousin Galnic Kerensky, whom with the help of a Terran/Fifth Column Martian faction on Mars, brought the terrorists to a `brutal' confession. When the news hit the `news fiberlines' first on Mars, rather than Earth, the shock caused a formerly mob like populace to all but overnight become penitent.

The ones that performed the lynching were also brought to `justice'. (The `airlock' method is still legal by the way, and quite painful by `far'.) Before the rest of the colonists were brought to a peace table with several Terran Ambassadors, one of whom was a `young' Terrai in attendance to be the `soul' of Aragoni in respects. This also all occurred just before a Terran Battle Fleet was set to invade and quell the near rebellion, which meant one tragedy did `not' lead to another. (Never mind the peacekeeping `problems' such an invasion would have wrought.)

But the `one' tragedy was one that did eventually lead to a pretentious peace, and the eventual Constitution of Martiana Mons six years later, one that had as the first signature upon a pure electronic document.

Aragoni Kerensky: one in the name of legacy.

But also a story Aleaic took so to heart, thanks to `many' other such stories from Terrai, it was the `real' reason he felt so strongly against the `Placement' bit in the first place. In his mind, it was one such had taken Aragoni from his family as a result, and, it `wasn't' an isolated incident. The Kerensky Line was `replete' with such episodes of such tragedy.

Too many for Aleaic to ignore. “`Far' too may I'm afraid.” Al finishes his rending tale. “It's because of all that, that Dad became Ambassador to the Terran Republic when he grew up, and did so well over the centuries.

But Dad also was `relentless' in the... *ahem, sounding `Terrai' like.* ..'vein of need of sacrifices for the good of Humanity's expansion and evolution', bit. It was one such `talk' just before I graduated High School back home, that I got fed up so much, I immediately applied to Tekomi here when the opportunity came, using the excuses I did to `grow up', when rather I was running as `hard' as I could from a family I assumed I would lose anyway.

Just like Grandpa did.” Al stops, despite more words in his throat, as his cold insides make him shiver, driven by the alcohol as it is.

Then something Al didn't expect, another of his `traits'. “~ We're not going anywhere. ~”

Aleaic is struck dumb (despite being stupid-drunk,) into looking up at Kiyone, whom has the same calm look that the `rest' of the Dimensionals have. “I... I don't... under...”

“Then you better start to Bro.” Ket remarks, her gaze the `same' as the Dimensionals. How they pulled `THAT' off, is it's own miracle of fate. “We Kerensky's also have one other vein that counters the `Placement'.

The `Memory'.” Ket says `very' level. “No Kerensky has been, or will `ever' forgotten, no matter what or how in the time of or place in humanity. Not Aragoni. Not Fentha. Not Carluna. Nor Alsini, or Regulan, or Cheesia, or Thimli, or Kiley, or any other that the `Placement' took in or family line. 'Not' a `one' Bro.” Aleaic by now is looking dead at Ket, though the next words are not hers.

“~ Neither do we Sensei, and we are `also' a family, now and here, because of you and Tsunami. ~” Tenchi remarks.

“~ We haven't forgotten `that' either. ~” Ayeka adds.

“If you say.”

Ket stabs.. “Besides, you forget the ones that `more' than have done well after they were `Placed'.” Ket then adds further. “Remember Destinc Kerensky? He became the Admiral of the then Terran Navy of the American Union, that led the invasion-liberation of Taiwan of 2025.

Or Charles Kerensky? He was the leading proponent of Humanity's first steps back into space after the Third World War in 2034. Or Susan Kerensky? She worked on the team that created the anti-aging DNA gene in 2436.

How bout Joplin Kerensky, and his restoration of the Beethoven Symphonies after nearly being lost a thousand years ago?

Or even just Michelle and Paul Kerensky, that simply were the ones that `started' the Family line back during the Second World War as a simple nurse and pilot in then Hawaii? We've done pretty snazzy over the centuries if you ask me Bro. I'd not knock the chips off all that history, over just one relative that Dad overdoes stories about. Remember, he `too' was `Placed', and look what Dad's done for seven hundred years?” Ket leans forward, which is `tricky' in her `state'. “The Placement isn't a curse, it's who we Kerensky's `are'. We've just been at this game in the universe and world here, for so long, we are `expected' to do something in our lives that affects more than just those immediately around us.” Ket stops for effect, noting Al's retrospective façade.

Ket then hammers another nail in. “Besides, maybe you should look at what `you' unknowingly gathered, and have done these past few years.” Ket alleviates to the `guests' listening to all this, as Al trades glances knowingly with them. “Not something minor here, you know.” Ket says with arms spread. “I mean jeeze Bro! You helped save the Universe apparently! I mean I'm jealous in a way man!”

Al gulp-snickers, and then is about ask a question along those lines, but Ket beats him to the punch. “And you know something else? Dad keeps talking about all those Races you and Tsui won, and because of `that', then maybe you should realize something else.”

“What?” Al looks level eyed, long since having sat upon the pavement of the Garden walkway to the Office.

“For you realize how `hard' Dad has been pushing that Engine design you guys here in Tekomi came up with? I think there's a new Fleet Starship with the designs in actual use now, and also the way he talks about you and Tsui, he's so proud of you, you know?

More than I ever expected him to be for any of us. And our Sisters are pretty sharp up the ladder of society as it is.”

Aleaic is speechless. To hear such words from his Sister is pretty ironclad to accept, from one that used to be his harshest critic of childhood. “Thanks.” Al can only say to Ket.

“~ And going back... ~” Tenchi says.......”~ ...to what Mihoshi love said, are you so certain you'd `lose' us? ~”

Al pans about the Dimensionals, then to Tenchi. “Meaning?”

“~ Meaning.. ~” Al suddenly looks up, and sees a long absent Alpha standing behind everyone else with Achika next to her, both apparently having been around the corner of the Office structure. “~ What I said back on Luna. That I love you so `heavenly' much, there's `no' way I'd lose you to `anything'. And my sentiments are quite `shared'. ~” Tsui says, as Al mulls the meaning that should be obvious by now.

But Achika is the `deliverer' again.. “~ Which means that `Kerensky' is a name we here wish to adopt, when you and Tsunami marry in a months timeframe. ~” ..she says calmly, with nods from the others, which still takes Ket for a `loop' on hearing it. This though SHOCKS Al to his feet, which slips from him in his inebriated state, and unto back!! “WHA!? ACK!! *CRUNCK!!* ...ow.”

“~ Graceful. ~” Kiyone hic chuckles.

“B.. but..” Aleaic `scrambles' to a sitting position. “..but.. but.. ..I don't understand! You... you want to...?”

“~ Take your Surname as our own Sensei. ~” Sasami finishes.

“Wh... whay.. uh.. whau.. AHHH!! WHY!?”

The Dimensionals just shake their collective heads. “~ Because we `want' to! There, get it?! ~” Ayeka spits out as the spokesperson! “G... g... got it......... I think.” Al still tries to comprehend through his drunken haze.. “B... but... you `guys' can do that? Take a surname? I...ahh... now I'm `REALLY' confused about all this!”

“~ Good... ~/{~ Good! ~}/ Great!” The Dimensionals, Demon/Goddess amidst, and Sister quip at once! Al though, whether from improper sobriety, or just from disbelief, suddenly laughs his head off!! “I... *LOLOL!!* ..don't BELIEVE this!! *LOLOL!!*.”

The gathered, after three years from experience, know this as the `happy-disbelief' laugh, not intended as insulting, but rather a sharing. They smile happily as result, as a mass of relief floods through the mortal agency's form! “I... *laughing!!* ..just don't believe this!!!

I `am' living in a dream.”

---------------

*Morning....... April 22nd, 3420

A calm and hangover drawn breakfast table.*

Everyone is seriously regretting last night, what after the party really began, after Al realized the Dimensionals had no intention of abandoning him, so as long, as Al later was told, as he lived on the Mortal plane.

Al happily, (through his migraine,) mulls over this, as Tsunami simply leans on Al, her own `head' throbbing as well (after seven pieces of cake.) Everyone else along with them, is waiting on Washu. “~ HEY!! *..ow..* ..too loud. Washu! Where's that medicine at?! *Owiee... woozy.* ~” Kiyone moans.

“~ It's... *feeling `green'..* ..coming already, just hold on till it's done! ~” Washu `works', slumped over on the living room coffee table, and trying not to have to use the carpet cleaning droids on the living room carpets again.

~ NO, WE CAN'T!! ~” The other Deities reply back loudly to Washu, which they `all' instantly regret, as they all end up in various stages of mental agony. Al chuckles, with pain, at his own `patient' in his arms, apart of the circus that intends to remain with him through all and nothing in between. He then leans his melon on Tsui's when his head throbs too much... “*MOANING..* ...Washu... *wimpy..* ...misery relief please. Oh gods, my head.”

“Not so loud Bro... *WINCE..* ...h.. ow... how do we keep doing this anyway?”

Al sees `salvation' approach from the living area, holding a large tray of `hangover medicine', the `Nurse' looking as `bAD' as her brethren, as Washu `manages' to not spill the `precious' contents on the plain metal tray. “Because we're stupid humanoids Sis.”

“~ Seconded from us as well Sensei. ~” Tenchi moans.

As the medicine is spread around, Al makes a open note. “I bar drinking or anything `intoxicant' from the hold for the duration... oh... when I say it's over. *WINCE* Oh gods my head.” Al grits/moans again, as he helps Tsui with hers, before ingesting his own. “~ We can try that. ~” Kiyone quips, as she and the others `take' their medicine.

The `rule' dies that evening by the way. (As is every evening at that.)

After a while the table becomes more cheery, as Sasami and Achika make good with breakfast, and Tsui with a specific spread for Al as usual. This is when Al begins to appreciate for `real' the meanings of last night. For all his selfish thoughts, he got what he wanted anyway, since they `did' decide for him after all. The question though, as Al is hand fed `again' by Tsui. “I... *yum..* ..have one question.”

“~ Yes Sensei? ~” Ayeka says, her mouth the empty one at the moment.

“Did you guys `really' mean what you said last night? You didn't just do all that because I was a sad sack, did you?”

Giggles around the table meet this question. Sasami cheerfully replies.. “~ If you want to know, you'll have to wait until Misaki and Funaho get here in a little while. ~”

Al blinks and can only drop it for the moment, before he then looks at Ket. “Ah, does the family know about `them' coming today?” Al mentions of his Parents and Sisters of the Family Council Goddesses. An apparent shake of the head `does not' alleviate the nerves.. “Oh, just great.”

“~ Don't worry, we already told Funaho and Misaki about your Parents coming. ~” Washu adds, which makes Tenchi looks at the Red One. “~ You did? ~”

“~ Sure. Can't have our cover blown just yet, at least not until........ um... `later'. ~”

“Later `what'?” Sister and Brother say simult when this is said, which to Washu only flusters this off with her hands. “~ Oh, don't worry about it. Everything will be fine. You'll see! ~”

“That's what you said when made that house cleaning droid a month ago.” Al `dryly' replies with. “Cleaned `everything' to the ground, that it did.”

“~ Literally. ~” Tenchi `supports' Al response, remembering the `state' of nothing but bare (if clean,) foundations, with the droid trying to `clean' the hillside right off the planet next, before cooler (Blast Hexes/Spells,) means were used to stop it. After such, it took three rounds of the Repair Spell Program from all the resident Deities to restore the residences, the Office, the three hills with it nearby, trees included.

Washu just chuckles as her `defense'.. “~ Well, it `did' do it's job well. So... ~” ..to which Tenchi nearly gets his hangover back.. “~ That talk about `simplicity' never sank in huh? ~” Tenchi quips back, which Washu shakes her head silly like.

Al just only sighs to all this. “I think I'd infer further, but `nature' is calling.” Al diverts to `needs', as this signals the end of breakfast. And the start of preparing for arrivals, set for late morning.

As everything seems to start to progress smoothly, the `itinerary' is also gone over with a fine tooth comb, as the arrivals were slated to occur, with the Goddesses arriving `just' before the Kerensky Family did. Aleaic for once wishes the Quasar Line is `hijacked' to give more time to prepare, but since this is the Terran Ambassador himself coming, private as it is with family, the likely hood of a procurement with Father upon the Line was `nil' and zilch. It made him nervous.

Which is why Al is having to have Tsui affix his collar and tie just right for him. “~ Okay, lose the nervous streak, before you make me so. ~” Said as she `yanks' the neck attached to said collar.

“Sorry.” Al simply says from an instant/short-lived `fourth dimension'. Tsui only giggles and pecks Al on the nose when finished. Before Tsui finishes with him, Al then brings up.. “Um... about what I said yesterday...

Tsunami tries to.. “~ Already accepted. ~” ..noting the apology coming.

“No. No, not this time.” Al pushes.. “I was WAY out of line. And nothing, not even my Father and my feelings about all this, excuses my behavior to you yesterday. Nothing was worth the words I said to you. I.. I `do' love you, and if more anything, I'm the `inexperienced family member' here.

Think I'm still worth marrying, my most `certainly' better?” Aleaic asks with a tone of not asking for the easy way out. Tsui though can't think of anything else to say but... “~ You had still better, `my' mortal, les I have to reprogram the idea back into your head. ~” Tsunami `puts', which Al looks with three blinks. “Um, reprogram me? Gee, I hate to ask what would happen if I forgot our anniversary.”

“~ Don't ask. ~” The Alpha giggles, which makes Al consider having Washu use static memory chips in his head to keep from that possibility. Tsui can be `scary' when she decides to try. This also ends the apology session, as Tsui then leads Al from their shared room. The last sight he notes is an actual stained glass picture of the dinner that Tsui showed of the `very' engagement ring Aleaic gave his foundation of worship. (When a mother celebrates, she celebrates.)

Aleaic can't help but smile. Who wouldn't?

Soon thereafter downstairs, the couple sees the `family', also decked in fine Terran formals, forgoing the celestial attire, as even Ryoko after an order from Tenchi no less, which shows how far `he's' come with his harem. Ryoko though gets away with a `formal' miniskirt, black lace lined with black sheer hose, and blouse with a leather jacket. Sexy yet tasteful. =^^=

The others wear dresses and suits of the fashion era, conservatively at that, verses what the Hybrid wears, as Aleaic and Keturia look splendid in their own formal garb, meant for `exactly' times like this. And since it's been a couple of years since they saw Father, they knew better than not to be fully dressed up. “You look great Sis.”

“Thanks. Now if my nerves were the same.”

“You and me both milady.” Al says, and then sees everyone gathered in the living area. “Wow. We look ready to campaign for the Sovereign-Presidency.”

“~ Thanks. ~” Tenchi says. The deities though adjust at their collective collars since they're, well, stuffy. “~ I think an Anti-Starch Program is needed here. ~”

“~ Yeah. ~” Kiyone comments for Achika. “~ Though Nobuyuki would `love' to see you in that dress. ~” She adds intentionally, to Achika's deep blushing.

“Well. Where are those two?” Al quips impatiently. “~ Don't worry. They're coming. ~” Tsunami answers for Al, whom is again `adjusted' by the Alpha Goddess. Al looks at the far chronometer on the wall. “m... better be quick.

Ah. Oh!”

Suddenly the Lab hatch opens, and two mentioned Council members waltz out. “(~ I hope we are on time. ~)” Funaho serenely starts, as the others gleefully greet the two Goddesses of the Council. As the plethora of greetings commences, Al notes the clothing the two wear is akin to well dressed priestesses of a Shrine. “Wow. Nice choices.”

“(~ Thank you Agent Aleaic. We were not sure, so we chose an `approximate' dress. One we hope is taken well by your parents of mortal kin. ~)” Misaki explains, which Al nods to. “It'll be splendid.” Misaki then makes a deity's beeline at a `dry' Ayeka. The Beta takes the gloms from the Alpha `well enough'.

Tenchi then looks around for some reason.. “~ Wasn't He coming? ~” Al looks over at the Alpha Avatar suddenly. “Who?” ..said with slit eyes.

“(~ He, is already here. ~)” Funaho replies calmly, which makes Aleaic `far' from. “Who's here!?”

“BRO!!!” Ket suddenly diverts, as Al sees her stabbing a finger at the same chronometer on the living area wall! Al sees and.. “AHH!! Outside quick!!” ..and like a heard of Kobe cows, Al leads the procession out the hatch and into the front, as they all gather in a gaggle, as Al tries to retain calm. Or the other way around by the immortals. “~ Al. Just be calm, it'll be fine! ~”

“After Father gets here Mihoshi, sorry, but not `before'!” Aleaic says overexcitedly, and spins around, looking up to find the shuttle that `should' be arriving anytime now! “(Gods.... godsgods.... godsgodsgo..)”

“~ Stop that!! ~” The goddesses in the gaggle, excluding the Council Members, yelp in response!!

“Sorry.”

Al looks up, and.... then.... a tryst of fate decides to kick in. “AW CHIPBURN!! I forgot to tell Tasha and the guys not to come today! Cripes!!”

“~ They can come though correct? ~” Tsunami asks, which Aleaic SHAKES his head to! “Not today! Dad won't like the distraction to his `plan'. I'll get the CPU and call Tasha quick!”

“~ I can Spell Port it for you dear. ~”

“Nah, I know where it is, I'll get it. Be right back FAST!!” Al seemingly looks dumb-dorky as he rushes hastily back inside to get his cellular in his formals.

“(~ Jumpy today, is he not? ~)” Funaho needlessly comments. The Dimensionals, including `another' nearby just nod. “~ As a Bug overprocessed on the datastream. ~” Sasami quips.

-------

*Above.*

Nagi, looking through the `again' pilfered Hex Glasses, disbelieves her Infernal sight and sense. “{{~ I..... Im..... Impo.... Impossible........... *..trembling..... heavily.* ~}}”

“{~ What is? ~}” Minagi asks with exasperation, as they await the arrival of the mortal agency's parents to see the initial reactions. The `plan' from the `pilfered' pad copied from the mail pad, which lies nearby, is the reason of their morning diligence. Which Nagi was looking for, until she saw something upon the highest tree of the Shrine.

One that had `someThing' upon it that normally can't be seen by mortal eyes. Though `Such' can be seen by Celestial or Infernal eyes. The latter being that which is seeing through said Glasses.

With TOTAL fear in her ice filled blood. “{{~ But... why would... 'He' come here? ~}}”

Minagi exasperates... “{~ What the Hell do you mean broad.. ~}” ...as she `reacquires' her Glasses and looks around with them, while the Alpha Agent doesn't even `bother' to notice, her `shock' is so great.

And a moment later, when Minagi sees... “{~ I don't see what is..... so.....

.....'special'. ~}”

Make that `two' dumbstruck Demons.

--------

*Inside.*

“HAH!! Gotcha!!” Al `victoriously' nabs the cellular in a swipe! “Okay. Number to the Dorm. Why they don't have regular apartments yet... heh.. besides Nobuyuki anywho.” ..this as Al scrolls the nearby dataflap for the most used cell numbers, and thinks he has the right number. Why he never bothered to finally organize the flap never occurred to him. He just gives this up to his `memory', and he simply begins to punch numbers.

-------

*Outside.*

Everyone just waits. Calmly.

No sign yet.

“~ You sure about the time, Lady Keturia? ~” Tenchi asks. “Yeah. Uh, about anyway. Don't worry, Dad is a stickler for timing.”

“~ Sounds familiar. ~” Sasami chuckles.

Everyone mumbles simply while awaiting. Washu and Achika meanwhile happen to be next to each other, and begin to speak a tidbit. “~ Did you get that `Program' you requested? ~” Achika calmly asks.

“~ Yes. Thank you by the way. ~”

“~ Hope it helps. Took a big chunk out of my Download-allotment Tab. ~”

“~ Don't worry. The data should start coming out by the afternoon here. And then we'll `know'. ~”

“~ Good. I think. ~” Achika quips with a confused look.

Washu smiles. And then `remembers' something from that discussion yesterday.

And then it HITS/FLOORS her!! “~ AAAAAAAAAAH!! I FORGOT!!! ~”

“~ Eh!? ~” Achika, and then most the other Dimensionals suddenly snaps at Washu's overreaction to `something'. And that `something' apparently is making Washu JUMPY!! “~ WHERE IS SENSEI AGAIN!?! ~” Washu suddenly SCREAMS!!

“~ WHAT!? WHY!?!? ~” A WIDE-EYED Tsunami panics in due tone!!

“{~ MOM!! ~}” Ryoko snaps in response! Funaho and Misaki look on confused. “(~ Strange reactions Sister. ~)”

“(~ Indeed Sis. ~)” Misaki quips back to Funaho.

“He's getting the cellular.” Ket more jitter-calmly responds, which makes Washu suddenly come NOSE (immortal)-to-NOSE (mortal) with Ket!! “~ AHHHHH!! WE HAVE TO STOP HIM!! ~”

“~ WHAT!? WHY!? ~” Tenchi yells with more exasperation than the others!

“~ Just stop him QUICK!!! ~”

Too late.

“..*from inside.*

TSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII III!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

The sound of one near `blood curdling/STOPPING' yell, of hoarse terror, comes from inside the residence!! Everyone looks back, and suddenly consider the worst.. (from habit,) ..just as the far sound of shuttle engines begin to approach. Ket just notes with bared teeth. “Why?”

“~ Are the Premiums on our Celestial Insurance current? ~” Ayeka quips with `dry' humor, as Tsui FLYS into the residence, to her unending horror!

Don't worry.. it's not fatal.

Well... it could be if `they' have their way.

Welcome to the Human Spherewide Upgrade. =^^= (Mind the charred husks of bodies.)

-------------------

(End Part Eight (Version 8.1) ..)