The Mirror: Matthew's Ship

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The shuttle that took off was guided to the dock of Natthew's ship. They were welcomed off with salutes and hard lined faces, although the welcome party was the only one that seemed so serious. Other Guards and pilots both on duty and off casual strode around, settled down, or chatted with fizzy drinks on their person. A bit came by with washing supplies, but was the unfortunate victim of a flying wrench. It's eye twitching, it keeled over and sparked, the culprit swearing and running over to make sure it was all right before quickly and with much care beginning to guide it to presumably someone who could fix it. The culprit's friend yelled something about reporting her dangerous antics to higher ups and harming a fellow member. The distraction was quickly interrupted by the all too serious escort leader. "Welcome." They all stood a little straighter when they spotted Inari. "Matthew and his guest, Hytar is waiting to see you in the office."

"Your Starr will be happy to hear of this" Starr said quietly. "You all will get to go back to your universe."

Asher bowed his head respectfully to Prime Ash, although he looked worried at the news. "That's unfortunate. We were afraid something like this might occur, the magic users had some ideas I think, but of course getting a Creator to do something is no easy task." He sighed, thinking of Kay's helpless rage. Oh, this was not going to be good for Kay at all.

"She is trying." Prime Ash said.

"Not hard enough." Mirror Inari scoffed. Prime Ash stared at her.

"He has no reason to leave your Vestia, give him a reason to and he will leave. Where are those pieces of chain that were found with him?" Starr asked, watching them all.

Asher almost glared at Mirror Inari, but forced himself to look away and school his face into a neutral look. He didn't want to be the one to lose one of their most powerful allies' good will. Realizing he couldn't say anything that wouldn't sound snippy, he kept his mouth shut.
But man, her quarrel with her Prime duplicate was so petty.

"Ahh a good old royal rebellion." Hytar smiled broadly. "Excsssellent." He tilted his head. "Will they come to drag you home you think?"

Then the foxes appeared.

Hytar watched all this sedately. "Chainsss?" He asked.

Stellan shook his head. "He won't leave, and there's nothing anyone on the ship can do to threaten him."

"What about encouragement?" Stellan suggested. "Doesn't he have somewhere better to be?"

Esk shrugged. "Maybe, who the hell knows? He probably wants to stay so he can gloat when we all finally get back." he hesitated. "If he's still there when we get back, we may have to keep my brothers as far away from him as possible. "

"You think they'll try something stupid?" Stellan asked.

"of course they will, they're both morons." Esk shrugged. "Angry, bitter morons. For once i'm the level headed one. I don't think I like it."

Stellan laughed suddenly, then stopped himself. "Sorry. " He looked sheepish.

"But we've got a way home then?" Esk looked at all four foxes. "good. The sooner we get out of here the better." He looked to Matthew. "no offense."

Hytar shook his head.

"If I'm the best chance for help you had in this universe, I don't blame you for wanting to leave." Matthew said, downing another drink.

"It appears you have a way home, everyone." Inari said softly.

Asher smiled at mirror Inari's words, pushing away his momentary annoyance. "We'll have to make sure the last few things are in order, and get everyone who's returning together."
He met mirror Inari's eyes, then looked to the foxes, "Thank you, all of you." To the prime foxes he said, "Please tell Inari of my gratitude, if I don't get the chance to speak to her myself."

Prime Ash bowed again, and bounded off into the portal. Prime Cyprus stayed behind in silence. Mirror Inari shook her head. "Curious..."

Asher looked at mirror Inari again. "What's so curious?"

"My counterpart has never struck me as a generous person." Mirror Inari said thoughtfully. "Curious, very curious..."

"Well if these people can change a Keeper's heart, maybe they can knock some sense into my counterpart. A slaver!" Mirror Natthew was flabbergasted. "How unbelievable..."

Asher smiled a tiny bit wryly at mirror Matthew, "Well I wouldn't get my hopes up too much if I were you, he seems to be rather content with his lifestyle. Still, I suppose people do change all the time."

"Hmm. Does he have children?" Mirror Matthew hiccuped. "I have children. If that me has any good in his heart, then as a father he would begin considering a different career path."

"I don't know if he has children. He's married, though," Asher looked ever so slightly disgusted. He still wasn't comfortable with the idea of Lai's arranged marriage to the guy, arranged marriages just felt very wrong to him.

"Ah, no doubt the graceful Lai. I wonder what she is like in that universe..." Mirror Matthew mused a bit, swirling his drink. The vibrant purple flush in his cheeks made it obvious he was drunk. "Well, if he hasn't dumped her off anywhere yet, I doubt he would. She would be safe... All the more reason to consider a different career."

Starr watched them then sighed "The other Starr went to see and talk to him on the beach world, right after we helped to get him safe. He may not go back into being a slaver and from what I could tell, they were only just married before her homeworld was destroyed by the Family"

Asher nodded. "We certainly can hope he'll change. He hasn't broken his promise to not interfere with us yet, at least." He sighed, "It's a funny universe when a slaver isn't even the worst of your enemies."

"A slaver can be the least of your problems if he's an honest man." Matthew waved his empty glass in the air. "It's the liars you have to worry about."

"Liars get you killed." Inari agreed. "Someone you trust can easily dig a knife into your back if you're not careful."

"Perhaps you're right," Asher agreed. "I'd rather associate with a well intentioned liar than an honest slaver though."

"Even if the lie indirectly got you slaughtered?" Inari asked softly.

Starr frowned a little and looked away at that conversation, it wasn't one she wanted to get into, given what he had been involved in.

Asher nodded. "Even then, I think I would prefer the well intentioned liar. Of course if the slaver really seemed to have changed and left their slaver life behind, I would do my best to put aside my prejudices."

Mirror Inari shook her head, not answering to that. Matthew smiled, as if he were reminded of something. "Anyway, we can start the refugee processing now."

Asher smiled softly at mirror Inari. "I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on this." He turned to Matthew, "That sounds excellent. What do you need us to do?"

"We'll need to start gathering them up and having them register into our systems. Then they're welcome to rest here as we take them to their allotted destinations." Matthew explained, going over to his desk and opening a drawer.

Luka came back in. "Three nearby have agreed to come assist with relocation, once you've processed and allocated the refugees." She told Matthew. Oblivious thankfully to the previous conversation.
She looked at the new fox and tilted her head.

"There's nothing honest about slavers." Esk spoke flatly. "the only way a moral man would stick with a job like that would be if he lied to himself about his motives. " He shook his head. "He's an arrogant prick who thinks he's better than those he hurts and deserves to be free while hurting others. It's better anyone else but him. Fuck him. "

Stellan tilted his head, then shrugged. "Doesn't really matter though does it, it's not like any of you intend to see or interact with him again."

"True." Esk shook his head. "As I said, fuck him. Let's go round up some ex slaves huh? Start ferrying them over or whatever."

Stellan nodded. "Good idea, do you need any help this end?" He asked matthew.

Hytar stood, putting a hand on Matthew's shoulder "You my friend, are rather inebriated." He laughed. "I'll gather my crew to help aid in preparationssss. I sssupssspect a few of them have already gotten themsssselvesss into a sssimilar ssstate and they don't carry themsssselvesss with nearly sssso much dignity when intoxicated."

"What, ho!" Matthew laughed at Esk, "I admire your tongue, lad! But doesn't it string a bit of hypocrisy on it?" He drunkenly waved a hand at Starr. "You ally yourself with an ex slave holder. So do you believe in atonement, fine fellow?"