Last Holiday on Terra

19

Councilor Azreal had been floating in a small portable container very similar to a tool box that had been meant for electrical tools and was content to remain there as he found the hum of the engines soothing. He was aware however, that the box was in transit as the hum became less intense. Rowan should not have awaken yet, he thought.

He heard the locks disengage and then silence. The lid was opened and he stared into the face of his charge. He left the confines of the box and materialized his breathing apparatus. Julie smiled. "Hey Az," she said warmly.

"Julia! It is good to see you!"

"It's good to see you too! Someone else wants to see you, that's why he asked that you be brought—"

"He's awake! It's entirely too early!"

"You know how impatient he is."

The doors opened with a swish and I stood as regally as I knew how in the doorway. "Councilor Azreal—"

We both watched as he bowed low and remain there.

"Damn it, Az, stand up, man."

He approached me in the blink of an eye. "Your Grace—how do you feel!"

"All in all, I feel pretty good." I embraced him, then released him quickly and looked toward Julia. "I'm so sorry! I can't believe I just did that. That was all you." I laughed. I actually laughed a good belly laugh. It felt uncharacteristically good.

"I'm a hugger, what else can I say!"

"Your Grace, you never embrace anyone or anything."

"Except your animals," Julia added quickly.

"I've never witnessed that," Azreal said.

"Well no. You wouldn't have. Think about it."

I looked at both of them and to my surprise, both of them had smiles on their faces. Azreal offered that it was the entire reason for the four-way meditation...body memory. He then blurted out his apologies for even thinking about it, the cat, everything. "I don't move well and I cannot imagine moving well in a meditation." The sorrow that was projected in his voice was almost unbearable.

"But you can", Julia says.

"No, your Grace —oh dear."

Julia pumped her fist. "Yesss!"

"What just happened," Azreal asked carefully.

Julia explained that she bet me a steak dinner that he would be the first to flub up, addressing as 'your Grace' her words by the way, speaking to her. He nodded and blushed...a lovely shade of bright yellow...much like the color of a daffodil.

"Ohhhh! I do not know how I am to survive this," he stated with worry.

"Oh, just wait till Cee shows up," she said giggling maniacally. "That's gonna be fun!"

"Says you," I replied drolly.

"Your Grace, how can I serve?"

"Right. Down to business. How long have I been in stasis?"

"Thirty-six hours. Not the standard three days."

I grimaced. "Oh. Well, I expect that I felt that expediency was paramount?"

"Oh, to be sure, your Grace."

"I'm going to scoot so y'all can talk. I want to check on Cee, if that's okay?"

Azreal smiled to himself as he looked away.

"Okay, meet you for dinner then?"

She nodded. "Sounds good! Seven good for you?"