A Precious Privilege Pt 12

They decided to wrap up dancing for awhile. Everyone had worked up an appetite. They continued eating and drinking except for Blake who decided to abstain. She could tell she'd be paying for her miscalculated tolerance in the morning. Sienna apologized but Blake told her she'd done nothing wrong. Now she knew why Yang only got her nonalcoholic drinks when they went clubbing. Sienna also gave her the medicine Walt gave her and warned her about the draw back of feeling completely awful for a very short while.

Walt figured this was probably the best time to break the news to everyone. He suggested that they all gather around the fire and he had news he wanted to share.

Intrigued but recognizing that he had something serious to talk about everyone agreed. He felt oddly nervous about this watching everyone else head to the fire and he wasn't sure why. Penny and Neo sensed his mood though. Neo squeezed his hand and Penny took his other doing the same.

"Is something wrong, Walt?" She asked.

He smiled at both of them. "It's important news but not dangerous or "wrong" I don't think but it's strange... I'm actually a little nervous for some reason." He shook his head. "All the things I've done, dangerous and bad odds. Impossible tasks even. I almost never felt nervous but with you all I find I do sometimes at the oddest times over things that should be no problem."

They both look at him awhile thinking about his words. Neo raised her head quirking an eyebrow and nodded.

He smiled. "You too? It's strange isn't it?" She nodded.

"I think I might understand why you both feel that way," Penny said.

Walt looks at Neo who shrugs. They both turned to Penny. "What do you think it is?"

Penny looks at them both surprised they haven't figured it out for themselves when it seems so obvious to her. But she thinks about how she was confused in the beginning and needed tie figure her own feelings out in the beginning. She actually laughs a bit. "Sorry. I was remembering my own confusion at figuring out my feelings. It's strange that what's obvious to someone else is so often a mystery to ourselves."

They both nod. "That's true. Part of what makes people, people. If you've got an insight we'd love to hear it."

Penny points to everyone gathered around the fire. "I think it's that right there."

Walt and Neo both look at the gathering. She couldn't mean "fire" so that's out. It's not anyone down there and Penny said "that". Walt looks at Neo who shakes her head. She hasn't figured it out either.

They both look at Penny as she points they follow her finger. "I think it's "family" she said. You both have past families and loss tied to them. Neither of you wants to talk about it but you've both worked hard to start to build what was broken or lost in your pasts. So the idea of something upsetting it now makes you nervous with it's newness. That's what I think."

Walter's stunned! Inexperienced, mostly innocent and still charmingly naive Penny just psychoanalyzed him like a pro! "How did you figure that out? I mean you're completely right now if I step back and think about it objectively and rationally... I'm definitely not anyones father down there, thank goodness for that, but that's the feeling. Nervous like a new father." He started to see the humor in it and laughed. "I'm nervous about calling for a "family meeting"! Because it's something I've never done before!" He's laughing hard while Penny giggles cutely.

He feels Neo shaking and she's laughing too. "You too?" She nods. She has a family that supports and loves her unlike her old family experiences... and that makes her a just a little nervous!

Still laughing Walt nods. "Thank you, Penny. Let's go. Our family is waiting!"

Penny and Neo nodded and they all walk to join the rest of their family around the fire. Ahnassi and Lita are passing out drinks for everyone, water for Blake, and Ahnassi hands Walt a beer. He smiles and thanks her and seeing that the rest are mostly settled he clears his throat, takes a sip and begins as the sun starts to set.

"As I said earlier I have some news to share. But before all that I was just reminded of something." He smiles at Penny. "We've all shared many things together. Become friends and more. But this is my first "family meeting". Apologies in advance if I make a few mistakes and stumble here or there."

"Firstly, I want to thank all you for this little party, it's a very sweet gesture... and for everything you all do. You ladies have been fantastic and the best thing to happen to me in a longtime. Being here with you all like this makes me happy. Things like this and seeing you all enjoying yourselves and sharing our happiness with each other means a lot to me."

All the ladies smile and agree. This has been a wonderful time and they are also enjoying this.

Taking another sip. "So I suppose I should just get to it then. On to the news. Friday and I tracked down and found two more characters from your Remnant world with the same instance."

There's a lot of excited murmuring and speculation on who it could be. "Who did you find Walt?" Pyrrha asked.

Walt continued. "We managed to track and confirm Mrs Willow Schnee and Ms Glynda Goodwitch. They'd been bought by a syndicate operation for use in a "adult" entertainment venue. A club and brothel of sorts."

"How awful. Are they OK?" Blake asked.

Walt nodded. "They weren't but they will be. I made a deal with their boss and, uh... well, I bought them to get them out of there and-"

Penny is hugging Walt. "Oh, thank you Walter!" Most of the others seem to be either relieved or delighted, or both, with the news.

Blake also comes to hug him. "Thank you Walt for saving my friends mother and our teacher."

He hugs them back. "I'm sorry we haven't found more just yet but we'll keep looking. And I'm sorry I didn't talk it over with all of you first but I wanted to get them out of there immediately. They weren't being treated well, I'm afraid. But I will try my best to help them and I'd appreciate yall's support."

Pyrrha also joins hugging. "Of course! We understand and appreciate your kindness to them."

Walt smiled and hugs her as well. "There's a bit more. I had to buy them as part of a lot so when they come here there'll be others with them. They're no one yall know but they've been through a lot and most have troubled backgrounds and pasts, like all of you, before coming to this world. After they arrive I'll try to help them all."

Walt nods. "They don't all have to live with us in the main house either. I'm thinking they might prefer the bunkhouse with Sienna or a cabin like Kali and Blake. I could open up some of the houses further down the valley if they might like. They might even prefer not being here with us at all, in which case I'll try to find them a place in 3S or somewhere's else. But as of now I'm their owner, so I'm responsible for them and their well-being."

"Those poor women... it's a good thing you've done, Walter. Just like you did for us," Kali said while looking thoughtful. *Potentially more ladies vying for his affection... you might have to... * the little voice in her head said. Sienna nods in agreement with a similar look.

"Ahnassi, agrees. Good thing, this is." Ahnassi smiles. "Very, special friend has a very, special heart."

"Lita, thinks it's wonderful as well." Lifts-Her-Tail nodded. "She'll try to assist and help with the newcomers when they arrive, Master Walter."

Walt smiles. "Thank you all. It's a relief to me to hear that." He rubs the back of his neck. "To tell the truth I was a bit nervous. What we have here now, together, is very important to me. I don't want to upset or ruin it."

The ladies smile but there's also a fair bit of laughter. Seeing Walter confused Sienna speaks up. "We're not all from the same place or world. Some of us weren't connected with one another. Some of us were even opponents of sorts with differing views and goals at one time. What do you think brought us all together like this? You're our "owner", you're the common denominator, and the way you've treated us has forged a bond between us. It maybe stronger with some than others but it's still growing and likely to keep growing. If they choose to join in that or not is up to them but it's their loss if not, not ours."

Penny and Neo grin nodding. Sienna gets it. Pyrrha, Lita, Ahnassi and Kali smile and nod as well.

Blake laughing hugs Walt. "We're not going anywhere and good luck trying to get rid of us now, you dummy!"

Walt laughs. He was a dummy! "Good because I have no intention of letting anything keep us apart!"

"Even a bear?" Kali teased laughing.

Walt grinned and nodded. "Yup! That'd be the only way I'd kick him out of here. I'd have to take the gloves off and throw him into the next county!"

Everyone laughs at the mental picture of a bear being thrown off the mountain and sailing through the air by a grinning Walter.

Sienna raises her hand. "Actually... speaking of where they'd all stay... I was thinking about my own situation and wondering if the room you offered in the main house is still available? I think I might like tha-"

Walt is hugging her. "There will always be a place for you, Sienna! Please don't ever think otherwise. I would be thrilled if you would join us in the main house! Anytime!"

All the others vocalize similar sentiments as Sienna blushes but smiles. He's holding her tenderly his hand running through her hair and gently touching her ears. She feels those sweet feelings again. She hugs him back. Whether she acts on them or not doesn't matter. This man has been nothing but a friend to her and accepting of her. "Thank you. I accept the kind offer."

Kali looks over at Blake. She has also accepted Walters friendship and has begun to do some growing. But is she ready just yet?

Blake sees her mother's look. Honestly she'd like to do just that. She feels a bit foolish in the way she's acted up until now. But she's still only just figuring out what she wants. She shakes her head. Not just yet.

Kali smiles and nods. She needs more time and Walter will likely give her forever if she needs it. Still it's too bad. She looks at Walter embracing Sienna. *That could be me in his arms... up to the house... and then...* She sighs and puts a smile on her face. *I need to figure myself out and act soon. Tomorrow is always uncertain and today is a precious privilege.*

(("I hate to interrupt but you have an urgent Incoming call, Boss."))

Walt slips the glasses on and sees the information. "Excuse me, ladies. " He walks off a little ways taking a swallow of beer.

"Put him through... Chuck! Is it about, Jimbo?... I see... Yeah... Aqua?!" He mutters, "That figures..." and then e sighs. "No, we can handle it... Tech or magic?... I got just the right specialists for that. Not a problem... Friday's already dispaching them as we speak... Yes, I'll have the extraction teams standing by for immediate dispatch. With any luck the nearest ones searching will be nearby... Friday and I will keep you updated. As soon as I know, you'll know." He turns to look at the ladies "Not a problem. Just a little family gathering. Give Dee my best!"

He finishes the call and the beer. "As soon as they recover the coordinate immediately relay and reroute the nearest team, Friday. Keep me appraised of the situation. Oh, and Friday? Make sure the team has spare clothes, blankets and fluids at the ready, you know the "usual" for James, and to look out for bears. Thanks."

(("Understood. You're welcome, Boss. Also Boss Godo has sent a propossed time and meeting place for picking up the incoming arrivals for your perusal."))

"Show me." He looked over the details. "Well that's quite the invitation. Probably be rude if we didn't accept. I suppose I better. Tell them we accept the invitation."

(("Very good, Boss... so who will be your date or dates?))

Walt looked at the ladies gathered and thought...

Penny looks at him and her curiosity is killing her, "So Walter, who's coming?"

He can see they're all excited. "Just a couple of normal ladies... and a few heroes, vilians and a demigoddess." He winks. "Come on ladies. I'll tell yall a little bit about them while we cleanup. I just got a message. It looks like I'll be picking them up tomorrow. Guess, I know what I'll be doing on my day off..."

[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

An Off Day

Coming Soon]