Keeping Time

Chapter 21

"I just heard that they are not coming," said Myst.

"Not coming?"

"Lux doesn't want to do it anymore. She says she wants to help space travel and preparing for the invasion with her own inventions."

"Well, there's nothing we can do I guess but address the agency" stated Showa.

"I guess so."

The intercom sounded through the castle announcing the afternoon meeting being required for the workers. Everyone came. Some didn't want to come. Others looked worried, wondering where the Time Queen was. Showa looked at the crowd of people amazed. All these people had been saved from genocide, war, murder and discrimination throughout human history. It was no question then that they would be grateful to the Time Queen for the better life they got for themselves. Yet she was still amazed at the goodness that lied in these people. They weren't forced to join the agency. They all volunteered to help.

"I have to announce some very important news. Some of you will be happy of this, some of you will have to find different employment or purposes. The Time Queen and the Vampire Queen are dead. The universe is saved and we don't have to work anymore. You all are welcome to stay because there still needs to be regulation over evil in this world but since the Vampire Queen is dead, there is no legitimate threat for now besides aliens. We plan on expanding to interdimensional travel and matter manipulation by helping advance humanity's technological capacity. We also need to help protect the planet from the coming invasion. There are monsters coming to our planet and cannibalistic reptilian that want to enslave us like cattle. It will be a hard job. I leave the decision up to yourselves."

Showa stepped off the stage. She had never done public speaking before and was proud of herself but she still was disappointed. It would be easy to say that because such a huge threat to the universe was eliminated that she would feel better but she felt purposeless. What was she going to do?

She went up to her room to take a bath. Then after drying, she clothed herself and looked out the window out onto the forest. The trees were green with the arrival of summer and the sun was shining but she still felt empty. She kept to herself for the next few days.

Since nobody could find Showa, they told Myst that they would like to stay. A few were leaving but most felt the same: they did not know what to do with their lives and they did not want to go back to their time periods where life was much worse than before.

"Are you in here?"

"Yeah," she said, opening the door.

"Are you okay?"

"No, I'm not."

"Everyone feels the same way. Confusion at what they should be doing."

"It sounds horrible but I wanted Lux and Adam to come"

"You should be happy for them. They didn't want this."

"Yes but what now?"

Myst sat in front of her. Her eyes looked caring.

"I've been asking the same thing. How I ruined things between us."

Showa put her hand on Myst's.

"You didn't ruin it," she said. "You just made it hard."

"How?"

"Every time we hung out with friends, you belittled me."

"You didn't have much to say. You should have said more."

"I was shy. I tried to talk but when you kept putting me down."

"If that's true what you say, perhaps it was my insecurity."

"Huh?"

"I knew I was a lesbian for a long time but when I saw you, I knew that I wouldn't meet another woman like you."

"That's not true."

"You lit up my life when I didn't have faith in myself. You were my best friend."

Showa started crying.

"Don't cry."

Showa continued to cry.

"I can't help it."

"Showa. You have been so good to me. Perhaps I can be good to you in return. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

She got on one knee.

"Showa, will you marry me?"

Tears spilled from Showa's eyes.

"Yes I will marry you," she said.

Myst lifted her up in her arms and they kissed passionately.

Their wedding was grand. Myst and Showa reigned peacefully and so, everyday managing time was full of commitment, love, and hope ever more.

As for us - The Time Regulation Agency of Universe #7 - we are always watching you.