The Angel Express - 8:57 AM

  <<<>>>

  [[Notice]]

  Time before transport: 3 minutes.

  Please ensure that you are presentable for the Patron’s Ball.

  <<<>>>

  I laid idly in my bed as I stared up at the ceiling, looking past the transport notice. Everyone else was settled and ready to be whisked away, wearing appropriate clothing for the occasion. I had to borrow a few things from the Angels, but I was now set up in a white suit with a golden cloak. It felt pretentious, but Sara had assured me that she loved it so I didn’t think twice.

  The only ones not invited to the event were Ash and Jeff. She hadn’t been interested in having a Patron, and he received offers far too late to join after declining all the prospects from the Emperor’s Ascent after Coyote left.

  It was no surprise to me that he had received messages after our fight. He was the only participant who didn’t have a Patron and he had received several offers after the tag team match, let alone ours. We had discussed it in the Angel Express, where they wouldn’t be able to see thanks to all the privacy protections it had, and he decided not to go with any of them.

  My biggest warning was that Angels were rigid creatures, and to look at Malphazarin and Glaraphel as examples instead of Sara. I had been working with her for a very long time and she was already used to the chaos of humanity. There was no doubt that the Patrons knew better, but they were rewarded for playing their roles and that was just what they’d do.

  Jeff was fine with not having another Patron after Coyote, though. It meant he could stay here in Ann Arbor. He had plans to go around town with Glaraphel, get to know the Angels, and prepare for tonight’s raid. Knowing him, he’d probably have Corwin out and running around with the kids shortly after we left, too. They both had a lot of fun with that last time.

  “Are you ready?” I asked, trying not to fidget with excitement.

  <<<>>>

  [[Patron Message]]

  To see you? Yes.

  To be in an area with so many other people? Less so.

  <<<>>>

  “You’re going to be fine. I’ll be there with you every step of the way,” I said with a gentle smile.

  I knew the social aspect was going to be Sara’s biggest worry. Before the Patron’s Car, she had only interacted in a physical space with me. Then it was everyone in Sol Ligatus. Now we were taking a huge leap into a space with hundreds of Patrons and Avatars alike.

  <<<>>>

  [[Patron Message]]

  I know, I’m just nervous. Plus, I’m going with the most interesting Avatar on the planet.

  Even if they don’t know who I am and would never guess in a thousand years, a lot of them are going to be flocking to you. Friends you had left behind, Patrons who had seen you fight. Enemies wanting to duel you for prizes.

  Though, it would be rather cathartic to see Leo and Arthur try to get the best of you only to fail.

  Oh dear, there could be a whole awkward moment with the other Zodiac Patrons, couldn’t there? I’m not sure if they told their Avatars that you were still alive. Or if they even noticed.

  <<<>>>

  “If they did, then we’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” I replied, making sure to keep my tone even so she knew I wasn’t brushing off her concerns. “Even if things do get awkward, we can always go back to our private quarters. Our own sweet, bountiful Eden. Because, remember, I’m not excited about this whole thing for them, I’m excited because it means I get to spend the time with you.”

  <<<>>>

  [[Patron Message]]

  I suppose this is the best honeymoon we’ll get, isn’t it?

  <<<>>>

  “It’ll be a fun one. But… if it were up to me, I think I’d take you to Valhalla,” I said with a grin, closing my eyes. “I’m sure it’s no Heaven, but I don’t think the Angels would tolerate what we’d get up to there. Still, there’s always tables of food, drink, and songs. Plus, always someone itching for a good brawl. Fighter, not a lover, as you say. There’s this one guy there, too. An Einherjar that’s good enough to get around Absolute Awareness. That’s not all he’s got, but it’s worth mentioning. Gives fantastic advice, and is a fun fight to boot. You’d have liked him, I think.”

  The bed shifted as someone sat on it. “Valhalla sounds like an interesting honeymoon. It’s not my first choice, but I must admit it does sound fun. Especially if you already have friends there.”

  My grin somehow grew as I heard Sara’s voice from beside me. I had my awareness aura retracted specifically for this moment, and I turned onto my side before reaching out and pulling her in. She shifted, allowing my face to become buried in her stomach, and I took a breath. I had missed her scent.

  Slowly, I sat up. She let me pull her onto my lap, and I rested my head on her shoulder, relishing in her warmth. There was something missing, however.

  “No wings?” I asked, tracing my fingers down her back.

  “Not yet,” Sara chided gently, poking my nose with a finger. She wiggled free from my embrace and stood up. “Open your eyes and tell me what you think.”

  “Gorgeous, beautiful,” I said while keeping my eyes closed. The Angel made a small noise of disapproval, and I laughed. “With an adorable pout.”

  “You’re teasing me,” she accused with a whine.

  “Me? Never,” I replied innocently, reaching out with both of my hands. “I’m just savoring the moment.”

  A moment passed before she took them and pulled me to my feet. I finally opened my eyes, and I found myself momentarily unable to form words or thoughts. That was an experience that had long since become foreign to me, but I didn’t find it unpleasant.

  Sara looked like she did in the Golden Dream, so she appeared to be a human. Her hair was a multitude of reds, oranges, and yellows that had been gathered into a side braided bun. My eyes darted across her flawless, bronze skin and I memorized every inch of her face all over again. I reached up and brushed my hand against her cheek before I looked at her clothing.

  The dress she wore was pure white with no gold to be seen, and covered in lace. I would have said it seemed to be a mix between a wedding dress and a ball gown, but I never paid enough attention to the former to be sure on the subject. It wasn’t a topic I ever really considered needing information on.

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  “Gorgeous, beautiful,” I repeated once I felt like I could speak properly again. We locked gazes, and the most brilliant smile I had ever seen lit up the room. “At the risk of sounding corny, heavenly.”

  “I feel like I should swat you for that, but I’ll allow it,” Sara teased before letting my hands go. She reached up and adjusted my tie and my cloak. “Only because you look so handsome, though. May I ask you a question?”

  “Of course you can, but I’m not sure if it’ll do you any good,” I said, feigning seriousness. I lifted up my left hand, showing off the golden band on my ring finger. “We’re already married. I don’t think we can get double married.”

  The sound of her laughter was musical as she lifted up her own hand to show off Anthony Franklin’s Vow on her ring finger. “Yes, we are married, Anthony,” she agreed when she finally calmed down. “But I was going to ask if it hurt.”

  I looked at her in confusion before I understood. “Oh, no,” I groaned.

  “You know, when you fell from Heaven?” Sara finished before leaning over and giggling with a hand against my chest to steady herself.

  “I was just at risk of corn, but you just had to go skipping through the fields, didn’t you?”

  Any tension between us left as we laughed it out. It was an absurd thing to say to me when she was the Angel, and we both knew it. I pulled her back into a hug, resting my chin against her head, and she settled against me. We stayed like that for minutes, perfectly content to simply be in the moment. I was with her, she was with me, and that’s all that mattered.

  I had been so busy focusing on her that I hadn’t realized the room she had chosen was a replica of my own on the train, just a little bigger. Everything else was the same down to the haphazard pile of pajamas I had on my table for when I relaxed.

  “I hope you don’t mind that I picked something so mundane to you as the backdrop for our private area,” Sara said wistfully, as if she knew what I was thinking.

  “If this is where you want to be, then that’s good enough for me,” I replied honestly. Normally, a Patron’s domain at the ball would be their own, but I knew she was tired of her golden halls.

  My wife backed away with a nod. She took my hand and started leading me out into the hallway. I was surprised to see that this wasn’t the way to the ballroom, but still the train. With a pulse of my awareness aura, I saw that she had replicated both my bedroom and the dining car, which was where she took me.

  “I’ve always loved the Angel Express,” Sara explained with a smile.

  “It was named after you.”

  “Yes, along with Sol Ligatus, but that’s not why I love it,” she replied, coming to a stop in front of the bar. “This train is the product of dozens of your runs, Ant. You know exactly what to do to make everyone comfortable. The trophy case and leaderboard are still up, not just for the buffs they provide but because you know that your friends are competitive and enjoy that kind of thing. You went out of your way to get a wonderful greenhouse for Bethany, and you’ve gone through so many quality of life upgrades that I don’t think there’s a more comfortable safe zone or guild hall out there.”

  “What can I say? It’s home,” I said fondly, smiling at the dining car’s interior.

  “It’s more than just home,” she disagreed, a similar smile on her face. “The Angel Express is the embodiment of everything you’ve learned that doesn’t have to do with fighting. Other than the training car, of course.”

  “Well, that goes without saying.”

  Sara nodded and took a seat on a bar stool, and I wrapped my arms around her from behind. “I see a lot of things, both as a world boss and as your Patron, but I’ve never seen anyone uncomfortable here outside of their first few days or after a particularly heavy training session. Even Ashley and Jamie, as prickly as they were at first, settled in quickly. Bethany, too, for that matter. What I see here is how unapologetically Anthony it all is.”

  “Should I be apologizing for it?” I asked with a chuckle.

  “Obviously not; I love that about the Angel Express,” she chastised lightly. “This train is your Hall of the End, no matter what name it has. You may be able to leave, but you’re always coming back. Using it to see new places, help new people.”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I never really thought about it that way but, no matter what I call her, the Angel Express has been with me almost as long as you have,” I said, Pulling the bar stool behind me closer so I could sit with her. Sara looked down, fiddling with her fingers. “Something the matter?”

  “It’s not important, I don’t think,” Sara replied.

  Her tone made me frown. Something was definitely off; she wasn’t socially savvy enough to hide it. “You can tell me anything, you know that.”

  It took her a few moments to respond before sighing. “I’m glad that your soul damage didn’t make you worse.”

  I arched an eyebrow. “It didn’t change me at all.”

  “A little, but it made you more cautious, and that’s okay.”

  Her words made me frown, but I thought back to the time between when I freed Coe from the Primordial Ice and now. I had been honoring her wish that I stop being so reckless, but I couldn’t put my finger on anything that I would have done differently.

  “I did make that promise to you, remember?”

  “Yeah, that’s probably it,” she answered with a smile.

  From her tone, that wasn’t what she was referring to, but I didn’t get a chance to continue the conversation. Her eyes scanned in front of her, and a more genuine smile bloomed on her lips.

  “The Dealer just sent me something,” Sara announced, and two golden chains appeared in her hands. They were clearly necklaces, and each had a cross on them. The Angel tilted her head before smiling. “Oh, these are perfect.”

  “Are they?” I asked, not really being a fan of necklaces. She flicked her finger and the description popped up for me.

  <<<>>>

  [[Item]]

  The Dealer’s Concealment Necklace: Patron’s Ball Couples Edition

  Since you both got married, these here are my belated wedding gifts to the both of you.

  So long as you’re both wearing these, then no Patron or Avatar can see you for who you are. Esaraphelscion, you were probably already covered here with some kind of disguise since no one’s going to recognize you anyway, but your man’s another story. Tales of the “Antagonist” have spread far and wide, so this is going to hide him.

  You’re both going to be able to see the other for who you are, obviously, but no one but the most diehard Anthony Franklin fans will be able to suss him out. They’ll have to work for it, though. I mean reading your body language, stride, how much you hold your wife’s hand (which is totally okay, you do you,) and generally only stuff your guildies will pick up on.

  If you want to make a dramatic entrance or whatever it is regressors are wont to do, use the keyword “Pineapple” to turn off the concealment effect. The same word turns it back on.

  That’s all from me. Enjoy your privacy, and don’t worry about paying me back. It’s a wedding gift, remember? I’m a miser, not a cheapskate.

  You both enjoy yourselves now.

  <<<>>>

  “Looks like we’ll need to send him a thank you card for the gift,” I said. Seeing the smile on her face, I decided not to press her on what she had been saying before she received the gift. If she wanted to bring it up again then she would, and if all it did was make me a little more cautious then that was fine. “Shall I put yours on for you?”

  “Please do,” she happily agreed.

  I took the smaller of the two chains and unclasped it. My fingers brushed against her throat and neck as I brought it around her, causing her to sit up straighter, and I kissed the back of her head as I finished putting it on her. At her insistence, I allowed her to do the same for me, but I tucked mine under my shirt.

  “It looks like it’s working,” I stated. I could see the magic covering our bodies through my awareness aura, though I couldn’t see exactly what we looked like as one of the wearers. Plain, I hoped. “But, oh woe is us, how can we possibly go through an entire event without striking up a conversation about pineapples?”

  The film of magic deactivated the moment I finished saying the word, and repeating it turned it back on.

  “We’ll manage, somehow,” Sara said dramatically before devolving into a fit of giggles. They ended abruptly as she glared at the air in front of her.

  “Did he send something else?” I asked, not sure what she was looking at.

  “We should start heading to the ball,” my wife said with a barely contained sigh.

  “Is the system getting pushy?” I asked, taking her hand.

  “It’s starting to gather everyone, yes.”

  I hummed and stood up, stepping closer to her. My hand cupped her chin and I gently leaned her head up so she could look into my eyes. “We could ignore it,” I offered. “Head back to the bedroom, spend our time there instead.”

  Sara blinked at me a few times. “Tempting. Very tempting,” she whispered, her face growing dark. I could see her halo and soulfire hair growing brighter in my mind’s eye like they did when she was happy and flustered, even if she didn’t have them in this form. To her credit, she didn’t look away. “But I’m afraid that I won’t want to leave once you’ve gotten me in your bed.”

  “Be not afraid,” I told her teasingly, and she rolled her eyes at me. She couldn’t help but smile, though, and I counted that as a win. I kissed her gently, holding back from what I really wanted, before pulling away. “Alright, then. We’ve been waiting for this since you’ve become my Patron, so let’s not squander the chance. Let’s go.”

  Sara’s smile became a grin as she nodded, and we left the Angel Express to finally attend the Patron’s Ball.