Hang Your Hat Pt 2 Truths

Pyrrha found herself looking up at the sky. Again. Walt leaned down and offered her his big hand. Again.

She took it and let him pull her to her feet.

Having finished up the morning chores. They made their way to the house meeting Blake as she came down from the cabin.

Oddly breakfast seemed to be running a bit behind. When Walter had asked, a flustered Kali had told him, "I'm not ready yet to-" and covered her mouth giving him a strange look.

He'd placed one hand on the counter and rubbed her back with the other and asked if there was anything he could do to help she'd said " it's fine" rather abruptly but patted his hand on the counter tenderly for a long moment but then abruptly stopped doing that too and walked away. He could tell something was bother her and she wanted to be left alone. Even reading people wasn't a perfect skill and he didn't want to **** it, so they went out to the porch to wait.

That's when Pyrrha said she'd like to spar a bit before hitting the shower. Walter thought she was talking to the ladies and when he said "that's fine" She took it for assent. Realizing the mistake he felt there wasn't any harm but he knew her semblance. Since she'd been the challenger he picked hand to hand.

He removed his boots and indicating a good spot they'd stepped out onto the grass. They both stretched and then faced each other, assuming ready positions as the ladies counted down the start excitedly.

She'd been at the disadvantage from the start. He was wearing very little metal to conduct but she felt the little that was there was enough to give her an edge to his experience. She'd been wrong.

His style was unique and something she'd never seen before. Not just blocks, strikes and counters, but reverses, disables and throws. She could nudge his movements but every attack she made either found itself countered or more often turned her own momentum and **** against her. His speed, strength and techniques were simply superior. The only advantages she had were her smaller size and her semblance and they weren't enough.

Normally she'd be just a little frustrated but he made it hard to feel that way. Everytime he helped her up, smiled at her and showed her the move he'd just used. This was a major part of who he was and what his business was about. Instruction. The best teaching, the best. Pushing for the highest level of excellence in all things.

It reminded her of herself teaching Jaune. Was this how he'd felt back then? What was she doing! She couldn't afford to get distracted- it was too late. He'd seen the opening and gone on the offensive lighting quick. Walt hadn't struck her though. In a very Nora like imitation he'd "boop"-ed her nose.

"I think that's enough. You're still tired from your run. Let's get you some water."

Her water bottle was on the porch with the others. She retrived it and he sat on the steps. The others were giving them some space. "Boy, I'm winded Pyrrha!" It was an obvious lie. He was hardly even breathing modertly at all and this had made him sweat less then the labor at the barns. She wondered if he had been taking it easy on her, like with the bear.

How strong was this man? How many opponents across how many worlds did one have to fight to get this good? She didn't know but she knew she could find out. This mans business was training the best to be even better. She was excited by the prospects. But it wasn't strictly a school he ran. So she decided to ask.

Pyrrha sat down next to him. "So tell me about 3S. You train the best to be even better, but you're technically not a school?"

Walt chuckles. "That's about the size of it. To the average person they want to be trained, or have a character trained or their employees trained, by a 3S instructor because we have the best ones in almost any field. Not just fighters, warriors and soldiers but pilots, doctors, scientists, engineers and just about anything you can think of. We match instructors with the clients pupils, we can provide the finest facilities, etc. And we can customize and adapt to our clients needs as well. We provide the traing for much of RealDreams, Rein Corp and others creating specific training programs, protocols and operational procedure plans for everything from conducting day to day business to special emergency disaster plans. Our personnel are also available for hire for jobs that need doing. Whatever the area the client wants to improve we'll provide it for them with dedication to excellence."

He smirks and looks at her. "But what that means is we're highly skilled, elite contracted professionals. We're a PMC that's branched out. In a nut shell, we're mercenaries. Sure most people want us for our instruction and instructors and "war" as we once knew it is supposedly a thing of the past. But no one knows what the future holds and battles are still being fought every day, everywhere. So we're mercenaries about everything. Need soldiers or spies? 3S. Need doctors for your hospital? 3S again. Need experts to help you build it? 3S has got them. Classified Research project running behind and you need some short or long-term specialists and/or geniuses to help out that can keep their mouths shut about it? 3S also."

"So yes, Pyrrha, you're correct" he said "we're not a "school". We're a contractual talent agency, of sorts."

"A bit like huntsmen and huntresses?", she asked.

Walter shrugged. "I suppose you can look at a bit like that. We take those kinds of jobs too. But it's... more complicated, then that. I'd like to say we're always the "good guys and gals" but that's hardly the truth. Though I personally try to make a difference in our branch companies, holdings and sponsored "non profit" organizations and programs. Like the Protected Parks program Penny was telling you all about yesterday. It's a personal favorite of mine."

"Which reminds me. Friday how are the ponies doing over at Rein Corp?"

(("Actually they're nearly well enough to be moved though they need time to recover fully still. Their physicality is much improved and their mental state is improved some but Councilor Troy is recommending a comprehensive mental wellness program."))

Pyrrha watched him clench his hand. She took it and squeezed. 3S might not be the "good guys" but they were run by people who cared.

"That's fine. I want the best of care for them until those ladies are recovered. If they can be moved tomorrow and then maybe I'll see them and visit. If that's possible work it into my schedule. They're one of us now. They get only the best."

(("Understood, Boss"))

"So why create 3S in the first place?" She asked. "What was your purpose or goal in building it?"

Walt shrugged. "Originally, I wasn't wealthy at all. I had this place but it was smaller and cost a fortune. RealDreams when they first contacted me paid unimaginably well. Add into that some of the things I did made me wealthier still. I also saw the potential while working there and turned around and invested large portions of that wealth into them and Rein Corp and at the same time, I saw a way to make more money filling a specific need. When RealDreams went public the money poured in faster than most people could count it, let alone spend it. A lot of folks did go spend crazy, but I..."

Pyrrha laughed, "You reinvested again and this time put it into your own company, didn't you?"

Walt chuckled. "I did. I saw how we could expand past my previous expectations while accomplishing a goal of sorts. I could buy as many characters as possible as "company assets", give them as good a home as I was able too, try to give them work and jobs that actually suited them and their talents and they enjoyed doing, then look after and treat them well. 3S is one of the top largest private companies that owns characters. Infact we were one of the very first do so and treat them well. Came with a lot of headaches though."

"Why? It sounds wonderful. Did things not go well?" She asked.

"Of course not!" Walt said "The business thrived but the politics involved... Characters are "things" according to the laws. People suddenly had a legalized superiority complex. They were buying up characters and treating them in the worst ways possible and then here I was..."

"Your company treating "things" well, made them look at the way they were treating their "things" and they didn't like the comparison, did they?" Pyrrha asked.

"You guessed it. Like a child in a room surrounded by their broken toys having a fit. I used to get a lot of flak for that. Truckloads of hate mail! I had to buy a division of bomb and disposal expert characters and give them that jobs. And don't get me started on the internet! If I didn't have Friday I don't even want to think about it. Now I generally only get crap from the fringe groups of both sides. To the various crazy "liberation" groups I'm a devil because my company owns so many and on the other side the "Prime Purists" hate me because my company treats them too well!"

Walt rolled his eye's. "Well that and I'm a well known public "Terra" supporter. "Earth Prime" or "Prime Earth"? Silly really as we expand beyond the solar system. It's time to get with the program already... but that's a different matter..."

"The point is now most companies and corporations realize that if they treat their characters modertly ok they get a better workforce. Better workforce usually leads to better product. It's in their best interests. And attacking or abusing a "character asset" is basically a attacking that company and "destruction of Property",so there's fines and damages to be paid as well as further legal actions."

"Wow," said Penny.

Walt looked back to see that with the exception of Kali, and whatever problems she was having in the kitchen this morning, all the ladies had joined them on the porch. Even Sienna was there. "So you all heard most of that? Well it's no big secret," Walt shrugged.

"I knew some of that already but I didn't know it all," Penny said.

"It sounds to me like you actually like characters as much as people," Sienna said.

Walt nodded. "I might like them more actually," he winked."That can stay a secret. Hahaha! I spent as much time living in their worlds as I did this one for so long. It's hard for me to just see them as things."

"Then can't you do more for them?" Blake shook her head.

Walt smiled at the idealistic young lady,"I honestly wish I could and I stick my neck out for them as much as I can. But the law is the law. You've only seen a part of this world. Did it look to you like anyone or even a minority of people were fighting for that change? Besides sometimes you can't put the genie back in bottle."

He looked at Blake and Sienna. "I'm sorry. I'm not like the White Fang." He led them inside to show them. "Friday on all the monitors display news of "character liberation" and "character rights" including number of attempts, "successes", opinion polls and numbers and all other pertinent information to the subjects."

The information that came through the monitors and phones was staggering but it painted a grim reality. The "freedom fighters" were an extremely insignificant percentage and most people not only didn't agree with them. Many characters didn't either! The over whelming majority of people and characters accepted that this was the way world worked now and they prefered it this way.

Of the few "successful" liberations they were either a joke with them being treated as "free giveaways" when they were liberated from busines or stores. For the individual ones the majority begged to go back to their masters. They were either broken toys or completely devoted to their owners or just plain didn't want to go home. They'd learned to like it here had families they loved or cared about. Had children with their Prime owners and built communities, families and lives with other characters from other worlds too.

It went on for several minutes and stopped. Not because Walt told Friday to but because that's all there really was.

"Friday show RealDreams public opinion among Prime worlders and characters. Show .0001% of general people and character reactions and opinions across boards, video, Earthbook and other social media platforms expressing "positive character ownership" sentiments please.

(("Yes, Boss."))

While the information played Walt was going to go to the kitchen only to find Kali had joined them. He shrugged and went anyway. He needed a drink and this could take a while.

He reached into the cupboard and took out a glass. He slowly and deliberately filled it at the sink. Then drank it dry.

He didn't want to show them that. That harsh reality that there was no hope.

*No.* He thought *Don't lie to yourself. They needed to see it... you just didn't want to have to show it to them.*

That's right. He didn't want to be the one to stamp out the embers of hope they might have.

He didn't want to be cruel, to be kind.

Breakfast was ready and it smelled good.

"Master."

Kali was a damn fine cook.

"Walter."

He wondered how many of them would join him for breakfast this morning.

"Walt!"

He looked and it was Penny of course. He smiled sadly at her seeing her crying.

"I'm sorry Penny it's-"

She hugged him. He held her too. He heard the others footsteps. "Don't say your sorry!" Penny said. "None of it is your fault! I'm not sad because I met you! I've never been so happy! This world might be crazy, but it's the only kind of crazy place like it that could bring us all together like this! I wouldn't change that for anything! Because I met you and you found me and that helped me find myself!"

Even Sienna and Blake were there.

"Thank you for showing us the truth of this place," Sienna said. "It is a harsh reality and I can see that showing it hurt you as much as us."

"I'm sorry we were hard on you," Blake said. "I didn't know how much you actually had done to advocate for characters. But it wasn't just words. You built a place for them. You did that. Friday showed us 3S. And you took us into your home. You actually care about Penny. And me. All of us. You're a good man."

"You've been nothing but kind, respectful and patient with us," said Kali. "Treated us like family. Warmly. Affectionately. Tenderly."

Ahnassi smiled. "Ahnassi knows. Always care for others, yes? Sharing cares. You've been through so much yet still care more for others then yourself. "

"You've been very good to us, Master." Lifts-Her-Tail said. "When many wouldn't if they were in your place."

"You're a good man, Walter." Pyrrha said. "Don't blame yourself for things that aren't really your fault, you told me. You shouldn't either."

Neo just walks over and holds Walt's hand.

Walter breathed in and held it, then let it out slowly.

"Thank you... everyone."

He patted Penny's back gently while holding Neo's hand.

"Foods getting cold. Let's go eat."

Breakfast was wonderful. Kali really was a good cook and he made sure he told her so. She smiled and thanked him sincerely. Whatever issues she was having earlier seemed to be settled for now. He made a mental note to spend more time with her if possible, so he could be there for her when she wanted to open up about it. She'd been very good to all of them, himself included. She deserved the same.

They had taken the news better than he had expected. He still saw that Sienna and Blake were having a hard time digesting it all but they didn't seem to be denying it either. Walt knew a thing or two about accepting hard truths, after all. He'd need to try to give them extra support as well.

Speaking of support. Penny and Pyrrha were being even more engaging than usual. Trying to rally everyone's morale including his own. Neo also seemed to be trying to engage with the other's even more. He smiled. It was good to see. He'd chosen well.

"Friday are the items ready?"

(("Yes, Boss. I have placed them in the same area in the great room as previously. You may give them when you like. Do you wish to increase the time table for the others?"))

Walter smiled. "Thank you, Friday. No. I think this pace is more than sufficient. That's good work as usual."

(("Understood, Boss. You're very welcome."))

Walter stood and cleared his throat taking his plate and cup. "Ladies, if you could join me in the great room at your convenience, I'd appreciate it. No need to rush. Enjoy the fabulous breakfast Kali made for us." He patted Kali's shoulder in appreciation and she reached up and held his hand a moment before letting go. Ahnassi and Lifts-Her-Tail tail smiled watching him go.

Placing his dishes in the sink he went to the great room and checked. There were items that he requested plus the additionals. He quickly too those to the master bedroom and put them where they belonged.

Returning to the great room he was surprised to find Blake was the first one there waiting for him. "You wanted to see me-us?" She asked hesitantly.

He nodded and took her hand. "If you would allow it I'd like to give you an earring communication device like the others." He showed her the jewelry box and opened it. Inside it was an earring similar to the kind her mother wore. There was something else too. She looked closer. The earring had been engraved with her personal symbol on it.

Blake swallowed. "It's a very thoughtful gift, Walter and... I'm touched you want give it to me. But after how I have behaved I'm not sure I deserve it." Her ears droop as she looks away.

Walt took her hand gently. "I wont **** you to wear it, or make you let me put it on you, if you don't want too." He gently squeezed her hand."But if that's how you truly feel about it, then don't you think I should be the one to decide if you deserve it or not? You deserve it, dear."

Blake looked him in the eyes and nodded. "Alright, Walter. Thank you very much. I'll gladly wear it if you'd be so kind as to put it on me." She said softly blushing. She kneeled down.

"It might hurt at first, hold very still," he warned but she saw he had the same small healing device as the other day at the ready. She nodded and he did too. It did sting some as he pierced her left ear, it was hard not to twitch, but he was very gentle with her. He had her healed in a moment and then-

(("Greetings, Blake. I'm so happy you accepted our gift. Allow me to truly welcome you home.")) Friday said in her ear.

"Thank you, Friday. Thank you, Walter. It's good to be home."

"(("You're very welcome, Blake."))"

She heard double as they said the exact same thing and it made her laugh softly. Walter stroked her ear gently. Blake felt good with her head in his lap like this. His big hands touching her gently, soothingly. She closed her eyes, made a happy noise and they stayed just like that for awhile.

And then she heard them.

'Oho!"

"That looks nice..."

"I see."

"Happy kitten."

"Lucky girl."

"Adorable!"

"..."

Her eyes snapped open and she saw. Seven heads were peaking around the corner watching them with great interest. Blushing she sat up quickly.

"I-i just remembered I have something to do!" Blake stood quickly and gave him a half bow. "Thank you very much. I'll be back!" She quickly went to the kitchen hissing,"...it's not like that!" To much laughter and discussion.

Walter blinked watching her go. "You're welcome?"

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Ahnassi and Lifts-Her-Tail

Will return in

Hang Your Hat Pt 3

Coming Soon]