Finding Purpose In The Multiverse: Meta Essence Quest Mode

A Fond Memory And Lives On A Board

Entry 31:

Linus Ozias POV:

Have you ever felt overdressed for a get-together or a reunion, and while you are wearing a decent suit, everyone else is business casual at best?

I am the former as I went over to the Herbert family's place in a decent suit and when I knocked on the door like Sheldon from Big Bang Theory just because I can.

After a couple of knocks on the door, Danny answers wearing some crocks and a t-shirt, with an apron that has a phrase on it that says " I Am The Steel Of My Frying Pan."

Danny greets me by saying, "Oz, welcome. It's nice that you made it. Taylor and her friend could barely keep themselves from calling you using Ann's phone."

I smile and walk inside, and while the house is not too large, it's a standard two-story, two-bedroom, a bathroom with a basement and a small kitchen.

As I head to the kitchen to greet Annette Taylor and her friend Emma Barnes, meet me in the living room as they are doing the Tiamat boss fight.

"Hey, Mr. Ozias, this is Emma, and Emma, this is Ozias or the creator of FGO."

Emma's eyes widen as she pulls Taylor into a huddle, and I can make out with my enhanced hearing, "Taylor, you told me he was a programmer, not the actual owner of Ozcorp Entertainment."

Taylor giggles as if amused by her friend's confusion. While Emma deadpans her friend and turns around to greet me.

"Hello, Mr. Ozias. My name, as Taylor has mentioned, is Emma Barnes. It's an honor to meet you."

I give her my best smile, which causes her to blush, but she is a middle schooler, so that's going nowhere because this is not a Japanese anime.

(For reference, Taylor and Emma are around 13/14, and our MC is in his late twenties.)

"Good evening, Ms. Barnes. My name is Linus Ozias, or just Oz or Linus. I have no preference for either/or. And I am happy that my game has made you so excited, and I hope that you keep playing."

A bit marketable, yes, but hey, it's what I want, as the more people that play, the more influence I have over them.

*Cue Evil Laughter*

But after making some conversation that relates to FGO, schoolwork, and embarrassing crushes, we head to the table.

Annette was able to procure some steak and macaroni salad, which was very good, and I mentioned it to Annette.

"This was amazing. Compliments to the chef and Danny, great work with the seasoning."

Danny nods his head at me before saying, "Thanks, Linus. In fact, we were quite nervous about this as well. You are one of the richest men on the planet."

I simply smile and pat the man on the back and say, "Danny, my friend, it's not about the money. It's about making a great meal. It's about the heart you give it while making it."

I paused as I reminisced about my previous life. While my Mom was not the best at cooking yet, every meal from her and my Dad was always the best.

I won't be able to have those meals now nor those emotional moments, but I can share them with others.

We talk and enjoy the meal as Danny has actually been making more money since I bought his Dockworkers Union, which now serves as my main force on the docks along with the people.

This was a part of the plan as it was poverty, in addition to Annette's death, that would cause Danny to shut down, leaving his daughter to face her demons alone.