Chapter 440 - Day MDCCCLXXII, Part I

I couldn't sleep at all, thinking about my mother, and her reactions to Tihana, Ki'rai, and all of this place. This led to me getting up very early. I started by getting a shower, then shadow walked to the cafeteria and ate as one of the first people there.

Then I went straight to the gate hall, and waited, waited, and waited some more. I had no idea how much time has passed, or how many people got through the portal. Some just came to have a peek inside, others tried to go past the guards, and quickly learned that it's not an option without a badge. There were also those who had legitimate business there, either getting the paperwork in the offices or even going straight to the city.

I observed them all because I had nothing better to do. I tried writing, but sitting on the ground with so many people around was kinda awkward, and also the noise was preventing me from concentrating. I couldn't put together any good sentences, so I just stopped.

At some point two Indian bodyguards, and agent Karol Siemiątkowski escoted her in. She looked beautiful in a nice white dress, with a big hit of the same color. I noticed her hair was done too. She had magnificent curls of her freshly dyed, brown hair. She also had a small black purse, hanging on her shoulder.

She was too busy looking around, so she didn't notice me, but I quickly rushed towards her.

- Mom! - I shouted, obviously in Polish

- Peter, honey! - she responded with a big smile.

We hugged each other.

- I guess we are no longer needed - said Karol, and gestured to the bodyguards to go, and gave me the bag my mom packed her things in. - Have fun.

He added as I took the baggage, and then he left.

- Goodbye - shouted my mom, in English, after them.

Her accent was terrible.

- So, where are we going now? They told me I need some kind of badge to go further - sadi my mom.

- Yes. Come here - I replied, putting the baggage in the vault, and led her to the offices, ignoring the line.

She got everything done in several minutes, then we finally left the hall. She looked around, thrilled by the strange view, at every single step.

With the everlasting nice weather, clear sky, and the ruins peaking here and there, the Ark had this strange feeling of walking through some ancient place.

- I heard the weather here is always nice - she said to me, looking up.

- It is.

- So? Where are we going first? I have to tell you, Peter, that the travel was long, and I'm a bit tired, so let's just do a bit today, and some more tomorrow, ok?

- Of course mom. Since we are on this topic, how long will you stay?

- They told me I can stay as long as I want.

- Oh, did they? Then I'm gonna make you stay forever!

She laughed.

- Oh Peter... So, where do you live?

- You want to see my house?

- Of course, I do!

I grabbed her hand, and shadow walked us to my home.

- Oh! - escaped her mouth, as I took her by surprise. - What was that?

- One of my powers, and this is my house - I moved my hand, presenting the interiors. - Have a look, and I'll make us some tea.

- You are not gonna show me this place? Do I have to look around myself?

- It's just two rooms, kitchen, bathroom, and basement, mom. There is nothing much t look at, besides I don't really have tea, so I need to quickly jump and get us some - I raise my hand and pointed backward with my thumb.

- Fine, fine. I'll have a look by myself.

I smiled at her, then shadow walked to the city center, and rushed to the first free access point, to buy some tea. I didn't know which one she would like, so I bought a bunch of different types. Then I quickly returned, to heat up some water, as she was inspecting my bathroom.

- Peter? - she asked, hearing that somebody was walking around.

- Yes! It's me. What kind of tea do you want?

- Just a regular is fine, but you should clean this place up. There is dust everywhere - she said, coming to the kitchen.

- I'm rarely here - I explained. - And if so, then just to sleep, wash, and go out.

- Then where are you eating? Don't tell me you eat this terrible instant food.

I moved the chair for her, and when she sat down, I moved it closer to the table. She put the purse on the table.

- No mom. I'm eating fine. There is a cafeteria in the city center, and people can get some food for free. Wuxia sponsors it.

- Wuxia?

- It's a hunter organization led by my friend. A great man founded it, but he unfortunately died.

- Oh, yes. You told me about that. I remember now.

The kettle started whistling o the stove, so I turned it off, and then poured the water into two mugs, and added the tea. Black for my mom, and pear with pineapple for me. We both didn't use sugar, so I didn't even propose that.

- So, who is living in the other room? - she asked, and I the look she gave me.

- Nobody mom. I made it for you, so you could stay here, with me.

- Really, Peter? You didn't have to do that. You should invite some nice girls to live here with you. How about that Aisha you mentioned before?

- That ship already sailed, and sunk, mom.

- Oh Peter, Peter - she sighed.

- Enough mom. I'll think about finding myself a girlfriend when I'm ready.

- Fine, fine, fine  - she rose her hands in a gesture of surrender. - I just hope I will live to see my grandchildren.

- You are barely fifty mom! You are not going anywhere.

- People get sick.

- I can heal you.

- Ok, fine. You won.

We talked about few other things, but nothing interesting overall. Just how life went in this strange place.. We also bickered a lot, and the topic of a girlfriend kept returning over, and over again until we finished the tea and the time to introduce my mom to my friends came.