Chapter 91: Seed of an Idea

That night, Arthur had a dream. He knew right away it was a system one. Those just had a flavor to them that he could see right away, even in his sleep.

He wasn’t sure how often other people had them, and he found himself reluctant to talk about what he saw with other people. Most of the time, he had a feeling that they’d evaporate if he mentioned them, that he’d lose the memory and never get it back.

For the last few, it was because they usually weren’t that clear. On Earth, he had once heard that part of the reason humans needed to sleep was so their brains could convert shorter-term memories to a permanent form. It was the process of transforming things a person had experienced into a permanent part of them. The dreams Arthur had here often felt more like the visual representation of his brain figuring something out. He’d see some jumbled, half-understood combination of images and concepts, then wake up feeling like some skill or ability had clicked a little more into place.

This dream was different. It was crystal clear. He was in a small town built in a valley. There was a small stream winding through the center of it, cutting through the soft soil as it wandered on a curving path downhill and out of sight. Here and there were buildings, built near the steep slopes that led out of the valley, as if to take advantage of the protection that the hills offered.

And in the center of all of it was Arthur’s house. The slopes behind his home were terraced, cut away to make flat planting areas packed with tea plants, and he saw himself tending them. Every now and again someone would wander by, call at him, and he’d wave back in greeting, or go and have a short conversation. He knew everyone. Everyone knew him.

Through the magic of dreams, Real Arthur knew much more about Dream Arthur’s life there than the scene could show him directly. This wasn’t a place like the city. It was quieter, mostly. Less happened there. But the things that did happen were more familiar. Cozier. Somehow more his in a way he couldn’t explain.

The first system dream Arthur ever had, he now realized, was a very strong recommendation. The second dream was a warning. He had followed the advice in each, and was happy he did. This dream was different. The system wasn’t taking sides here. It was just presenting information. Here, it seemed to say, is a way things could be for you. It’s an option. A thing you could choose.

Arthur woke up the moment he realized that. Not with a start, or with a smile. He was just suddenly awake, and stayed lucid just long enough to confirm to himself that the dream wasn’t the kind that would run away from him if he tried to remember it later. Then he fell asleep again, slumbering dreamless through the rest of the night

—

Spiky knew about the frontier opening, so Arthur imagined that some well-connected important people in the city also knew. He would have bet that Itela and Pico did. But however many people had the inside scoop from the rumor mill, it didn’t do much to mitigate the sheer shock the town went through when the change was finally announced.

“Of course, more details will be available as the government releases them,” Pico announced. “But for now, it’s much like you’ve read in history books. A number of sites will be selected, each with a different set of characteristics that make them appealing. The drawing for requested residents won’t take place until a few days later, but we encourage anyone who is sure they’d like to go to let us know as soon as they can. It does affect the drawing if slots are already filled.”

There were a few more details in his speech, some of which were new to Arthur but mostly known by almost everyone else in the audience. This was major demon history that had been explained and re-explained throughout their lives. The real draw for everyone else was that it was happening at all, not rehearing how it had happened.

Just like Ella said, even those drawn didn’t have to move if they didn’t want to. And, just like when Arthur first arrived, the government would put a lot of effort and funds into helping settlements get the first buildings and infrastructure they needed up and running. Defenses against monsters would be planned, though the government would ask rarer classes for their help directly.

The whole thing was bizarre to Arthur, but nothing about it was weirder than how genuinely excited people were about this. On Earth, if some government promised a future of plenty, it was suspect at best. Here, those promises had been kept. This was going to be a good thing for everyone, and pretty much everyone believed that.

“So you’re really going? You know already?” Milo was looking at Spiky with disbelief. “How?”

“I just… listen man, it’s Goose Sage stuff. That’s where the interesting stuff is going to be happening. That’s where I can set up a new library. And I really want to do those things.”

“What about Leena?”

“She’s writing to her mom, but I think there’s a chance she’ll go too. It’s the absolute best case scenario for her class.”

“Same settlement?” Rhodia said. “Bold move.”

“Well, that part is less sure. But… I hope so. What about you? A smith with mechanical skills and a potter with glass skills is a killer combo.”

“I have thought about this for zero minutes total, Spiky,” Milo said heavily. “Maybe absolutely yes. Maybe definitely no. Absolutely nobody has made a decision on this as fast as you.”

“Maybe someone has.”

“No, they probably haven’t,” Mizu said. “It’s fun. And I think it’s a good idea. But it’s not normal.”

“Well, it’s time to cement that not-normal into an official offer. I have to go talk to Pico.”

“Don’t commit to a location yet, if you can help it. My dad got into town last night,” Milo said. “He’s an explorer. Explorers talk with each other. He’ll know the best spots.”

“Good point,” Spiky said. “Where’s everyone going after this? I’ll catch up in a bit.”

“Party at Arthur’s shop,” Rhodia said. “It’s a day off for everyone. It’s been forever since we’ve all been in one spot. It’s the only logical choice for us. Corbin! I know you’re here somewhere. Materialize, or whatever it is you do.”

Corbin stepped out of nowhere. “Yeah? What do you need?”

“Find everyone else. Your girl. Chuck. Everyone. We are going to force Arthur to make us cookies and tea.”

“Nobody has to force Arthur to make cookies,” Lily said. “It’s cake he’s not good at.”

“I like his cakes. They look like funny little mistakes.” Mizu smiled. “Like a cave-in you can eat.”

—

Having everyone hang out at the shop was great, at least from Arthur’s point of view. Everyone had drinks in their hands and talked with each other. They were having fun, and just generally enjoying a rare day when none of them had anything to do, or even wanted to do anything.

“Mizu. Settle a bet,” Corbin said, eating his third cookie in ten minutes. “Chuck thinks I’m crazy. My water pressure in my shower got better. Two days ago, I got in and suddenly, it’s blasting my skin off. He’s pretty much next door, and says he can’t tell the difference.”

“Why wouldn’t I notice if it’s that big of a change?” Chuck bellowed.

“Because you have a million points in vitality. You wouldn’t notice if I stabbed you.”

“I would if someone competent did.”

“We are getting off topic, Chuck. We have an expert here. Mizu. Water lady. She of the wells and whatnot. Did my water pressure get better?”

“Yes.” Mizu didn’t hesitate. “Much better.”

“What?” Chuck slapped the table. ”How?”

“Dozens of runes. Careful planning.” Mizu waved her hand sort of dismissively in the air. “Lots of other water things.”

“Dammit,” Chuck said. “Well, that’s that. Corbin, you can stalk me for an entire week. I won’t even throw you if I find out.”

Corbin did a fist pump and went back to his pile of cookies as Rhodia eyeballed Mizu suspiciously.

“You’ve been making a lot of jokes lately, Mizu. Talking more. Not that I don’t like it. New Mizu is funny. But why do we have a new Mizu?”

“I’ve been practicing,” Mizu said. “Water elementals don’t talk a lot. So it’s like learning a new language.”

“She was never shy,” Arthur said. “I think people mistake quiet people for shy people. They aren’t always the same thing.”

Mizu nodded. “He’s right. I’m scared when I talk in front of a crowd. But only sometimes. And almost never with people I know well. Which is all of you, and all the other wellers.”

“What about at stores?” Chuck asked. “You don’t always know someone who works at a restaurant, but it feels like that would be different.”

“Still hard.” Mizu said. “Not as hard as a normal conversation, but still hard. Old Mizu takes over. Which is fine, just not fun.”

“It’s too bad there’s so many people,” Rhodia said. “In a city this size, you never really know everyone. And new people move in and out all the time. If you could know everyone, you could be new Mizu all the time.”

Just for a second, there was a flash of thoughtfulness across Mizu’s face, and while Arthur would never be able to explain how he knew it, he felt the thought that crossed her mind. If her name came up for it in the drawing, she was going to the frontier. It probably wasn’t even entered as a formal decision to be made in her mind yet. But the seed had been planted.

Arthur knew that he could probably talk her out of the idea, especially if he was tricky about it.

The only problem is, I don’t want to be tricky about it. That would be great for her. She could be the Mizu I know all the time, with everyone. All she needs is a place where she knows everyone. And out there, she’d find that.

It wasn’t about whether he could or couldn’t keep her there. He knew, deep down, that he shouldn’t even try. Just like that, the conflict in his heart about the new territory went from slightly concerning to the most important issue in his life.

“Arthur, are you feeling okay?” Lily asked. “You froze for a second. Like you got a new skill and a stomach ache all at once.”

“Just thinking about something. Not a big deal.” Arthur went back to the oven, where he had made something a lot like bruschetta with stale bread and some canned tomatoes he had lying around. Sprinkling cheese on it, he brought it out for the group, trying his hardest to shake off the willies he was getting from the whole affair.

“Arthur, what are these? This is amazing.” Corbin abandoned his cookies for the little pizza-like slices of bread.

“Just something from Earth,” Arthur said, as everyone dug into them. “I’m glad you like them.”

Nobody has been called up in the drawing yet. And it’s possible nobody will. I just need to wait and be calm. Everything might still be fine.