Julius gave her the rest of the news of his life in Bastion. The march for electricity moved ever forward.
People were finding creative uses for Nightmare Creature bones and other remains to ease the burden of imports.
Lena had managed to get a few precious flower seeds from the waking world and was trying to grow them in a window box next to her new curtains.
Julius's face seemed to glow when talking about his wife. If Noble didn't know better, she would think he had an attribute that made the room brighter when he spoke of things he loved.
Maybe it was her affection for him that made things seem more pleasant. Certainly, her connection to him through her Kingdom Crafter was stronger than most, even before becoming a Saint.
Whatever the reason, Noble basked in the respite from the storm around her.
"I think it's the wrong time of year for flowers to be planted, what with things getting colder. But Lena said she read in a book that the bulbs that she calls tulips should be planted before it gets too cold."
Julius shook his head.
"I reminded her that the bulbs were genetically modified and could probably grow any time, and she responded that I would be thanking her come spring when they popped out of the soil and put a splash of color in our lives."
"That sounds like Mom. I remember she used to grow a rainbow of flowers in our garden before we fled North America." Noble smiled softly, remembering how the wind used to blow through them while she talked to BB on the front porch.
"Well, she has taken up the hobby again. And she'll have flowers even if she has to defy the dead gods to do it. Those flowers are a pivotal part of her redecoration effort. Even after all these years, she still thinks our place is too masculine." The teacher chuckled.
"If Mom is bullying you out of your things, I can talk to her."
Noble knew her mother could go overboard when an idea got in her head. Noble had inherited that trait, but she didn't want her mentor to suffer from it.
"No, no! Quite the contrary!" There was no anger or frustration in Julius's voice, only mirth. "I have always been a simple man, a minimalist at best, so every touch of life Lena brings into our home was a welcome change."
"As long as the redecoration isn't bothering you, then I suppose it's all right." Noble relaxed.
The gentleman shook his head.
"The only thing I've said no to was this gaudy mirror that one of our neighbors brought with them from the waking world. It wouldn't fit in the small apartments they have constructed down the street, and I wasn't about to pay what they wanted."
"Good!" Noble again felt the eyes of people around her. She scrunched her face. "I mean, it's good that you drew the line. In fact, you should get rid of all the mirrors in your house, should it suit you."
"I don't think…" Julius was cut off as his stepdaughter continued her line of thought.
"In fact, allow me! Give me back my letter, and I'll insist on your behalf. She won't go against both of us."
Noble nodded enthusiastically.
"That won't be necessary—" Julius held up his hands, but seeing the insistence of his companion, he handed over the note.
Noble added a warning to the letter before returning it. "That should do it!"
Of course, Noble could not care less if mirrors were the centerpiece of the couple's decor. It was what might be lurking behind the glass that concerned the professor.
She did not like the idea of them being spied on by the Others, if they still existed. And Mordret? He held no love for Bastion or its inhabitants.
No, it was better if both were kept out of the cozy home.
"Thank you, dear girl." Julius didn't have the heart to tell her that he would not press the issue when he got home.
"Happy to help!" Noble smiled. "And speaking of help, I have a little question for you."
"Anything," Julius raised his eyebrows in anticipation.
"Your first Nightmare was in Bastion, right?" Noble watched the man's face change.
He shot a furtive glance around.
"I am finished eating. How about you?" Julius said a little too loudly as he stretched. Looking down at her plate, Noble took the cue. Together, they left the cafeteria bots to finish cleaning the area and headed outside.
"I'm sorry," Noble apologized as soon as they had left the building. "I realize now that might be a sensitive topic. I shouldn't have…"
"Nonsense," the teacher waved his hand. "It was long ago, and I don't mind discussing it. I could just see the seriousness on your face, and I figured we'd better move this conversation to somewhere a little less crowded."
Out in the chilly air, there were fewer people than in the cafeteria. Those who were around were heading to various destinations. They would be able to tell if anyone was casually eavesdropping.
"Oh," Noble flushed. Why was she so easy to read by the ones who knew her best?
"My first Nightmare was near Bastion, yes." Julius suddenly looked far off. "I believe I have told you about it before."
Even back when Noble had been a sleeper, Julius had been open to anyone and everyone about his ordeal. It made those who listened more willing to work through their own struggles.
Julius had been a cargo boy in a crew of less-than-legitimate businessmen.
When the group had fled the authorities and had their raft broken on one of the rapids north of Rivergate, Julius, the lone survivor from the wreckage, had to limp his way to civilization without being killed by the local Nightmare Creatures.
Nodding that she recalled the tale, Noble carefully worded her thought.
"When you were navigating the river, you encountered many cities and towns…"
"I did," Julius confirmed.
"In your travels, did you ever hear of creatures that could copy humans? You know, look exactly like them and mimic their actions?"
The teacher pulled at his chin. "You mean like the Skinwalker?"
"No, like a mirror image of a person that has come to life."
"No. I haven't encountered anything like that. Then again, we were too busy outrunning the Steward to worry about whether he was a human monster or a creature."
'If he met a Steward, it was probably before the Doom War and Syrce's quest.'
"How about now? You've never heard of a copy?"
Julius clicked his tongue. "Is that the ghost story spreading in the Song Domain, that we have copies of ourselves lying around? How amusing!"
"Are you sure?" Noble didn't want to press the issue, but her heart couldn't let it go.
"How about this? If I hear anything about them, you'll be the first to know." Julius raised one hand in promise.
The man was telling the truth, and Noble relaxed a little. Either Valor had the issue under control or the Others had never escaped to False Bastion in the first place.
"That makes me feel better. Thank you." Noble felt a bit more weight lifted from her shoulders.
When they reached the point where they needed to part ways, Julius embraced Noble.
"Be well, my girl. And give the kids and Fort my love. I will try to find a way to visit soon if I can."
"They would love that." Noble knew that the likelihood of a Song Saint being willing to help him was low.
She could transport him now, but that would beg questions she couldn't answer. For now, that wasn't an option.
After a few more words of encouragement, the pair separated.
Noble headed back to her room refreshed and ready to take on anything the rest of the day could throw at her.
Or so she thought.