Chapter Eight: An Answer to a Prayer

Chapter Eight: An Answer to a Prayer

A shorter trip to a community further north took them most of a week. Kasumi found herself wondering when the high speed rail that they’d seen at the Expo would be implemented, but shook the thought off. She’d used every form of transport that was left over the years, from Airships to bicycles. There was no hurry. Part of her wanted to get through the whole working holiday quickly, but she told herself that she was okay with it, and she had better act like it.

There was a fair sized community on what used to be a border checkpoint. Roads and buildings were still there, and the brothers had moved in and re-purposed it, turning it into a large hostel, big enough to handle a thousand people a night. The old countries may not have existed any longer, but there were still people on the move, and that meant the large roads were still in use. This community was on the way to a lot of places.

Which meant it had detailed maps readily visible. Hugh traced the lines on the map, explaining their route, and destination.

“The largest forest in the world is here, in what used to be called Siberia.” Hugh explained. “A lot of the place got torched in the lead-up to A-Day, or so I’m told, but the trees and the ecosystem is still more resilient here than most other forests in the world.”

Kasumi nodded. “I’m told that people are taking cuttings and saplings from the trees in those woods and taking them all around the world, for restoration purposes.”

“They are, and that’s where we come in.” Hugh explained. “We hitch a ride to the edge of the woods and go along the Trade Routes. There’s a Lumber Camp there. We collect some saplings, and we take them back south to help with restoring forests in Central China.”

Kasumi let out a low whistle. “Long trip. You got transport organized?”

“Arrived this morning.” Hugh pointed. She looked, and saw a horse drawn cart, but it was much larger than a carriage. This was a wagon, with a domed roof, and two of the biggest draft-horses that Kasumi had ever seen were hitched to it.

A familiar face stepped down from the back of the wagon and waved. “Hello!”

Kasumi wasn’t even surprised. She had been expecting it. “Isobel!” She greeted warmly. “Good to see you again!” Kasumi hadn’t seen Isobel in the decades since the day she had left to go home to her family, but as Hugh and Isobel quickly picked up the conversation, leading the way towards the wagon, Kasumi realized suddenly that Hugh had kept in touch after all, and not just when he’d been in Europe the year before. When the horse nuzzled into him in a very familiar gesture, she knew for sure.

“Griegor outdid himself with these ones.” Hugh observed. “They grow fast, they were only regular horse size last time I saw them.”

Isobel smiled with affection. “I brought these two along, figured they’d like to see you again too.”

Kasumi came over to the other horse. Draft-horses were always big, but these ones were easily a few hands taller than others she’d seen.

Isobel noticed her attention on the size and piped up. “We named him Goliath. He’s part of a relatively new breed.” She smiled. “I’ve met people from Ancient days. The plow-horses we have now make their warhorses look like ponies. Centuries of careful breeding created whole new animals. Our horses are a huge part of our lifestyle, so…”

“He’s really impressive.” Hugh agreed. The horse nuzzled into his side, the head alone almost bigger than his whole torso. “You remember me, dont’cha big guy?”

Isobel helped Kasumi with the bags, though they both traveled light. “So, you know the plan?”

“I know we’re heading to the forest…” Kasumi offered. “More than that, he hasn’t told me.”

Isobel nodded. “The Caravan is going to camp on the edge of the forest. It’s a spot we’ve used plenty of times before, and every year, the edge is in a different place. We handle a lot of people and trade from the woodlands. Lumberjacks, timber, or in your case, cuttings and seedlings. Even reintroduced some animals once or twice.” She smiled. “You haven’t met my family yet, Kas. I’m glad Hugh was able to bring you along.”

Kasumi twitched. “That was your idea?”

“He asked, I agreed.”

~~/*\~~

The wagon was actually a small home, neatly arranged and equipped. It didn’t have a kitchen, and the bed was a hammock slung between the ribs of the wagon cover, but it looked quite cozy. Hugh seemed to be taking to it certainly, and Kasumi had to admit that she wished she had one for her own travels.

The seat up front was wide enough for all three of them, but usually it was Isobel and Hugh holding the reins. Kasumi watched them together. On the surface, it was just friendly, identical to the way she was with Hugh herself, but the memory of the engagement ring wasn’t far from her thoughts, and she stayed back, not intruding.

But soon after, Hugh traded places with Kasumi, stretching out in the hammock and letting them talk.

“Here.” Isobel pulled up a Insulated Flask from beside her seat and poured her a mug of something that smelled sweet. “Spiced cocoa. My gran’s recipe.”

Kasumi took a sip. It was spicy and sweet and tingled in her mouth. “Ooh. I like that.”

Isobel grinned. “Mama has to keep a whole kettle drum of the stuff on low heat. The rest of the Caravan treat it like a basic food group. Hugh found out that it was a family secret and swore he’d do whatever it took to learn. Mama said he'd have to kill her or marry me.”

Kasumi almost swallowed her tongue as she burst out laughing.

“It’s not that funny, is it?”

Kasumi sipped again, waving that off.

Isobel let it go. “Hugh tells me that you were the reason his brother came on board.”

“He came on board because he’s humble enough to recognize what he’s looking at, and intelligent enough to know when he couldn’t rationalize away the facts.” Kasumi waved it off. “I helped, but mostly I helped him get to the right place.”

“Doesn’t matter, it was something nobody else thought of.” Isobel insisted. “Hugh considers you a direct answer to prayer.”

Kasumi had no idea how to answer. “I… He was an answer to mine, too.”

~~/*\~~

The Caravan was camped in a semi-circle on the edge of the forest. The trees were thinner here, and younger, but well established. Kasumi saw people in the trees, some with hand tools, some pulling a trolley full of saplings.

Isobel followed her gaze. “The men with the tools are lumberjacks. Not part of the Caravan. They’re here for lumber, and to learn.”

“Learn what?”

“You’ll find out.” Isobel promised. “I’ll introduce you. In the meantime, brace yourself.”

“What for?”

“Unca Hugh!” Three voices called eagerly.

Kasumi turned just in time to see three kids, slamming into Hugh hard enough to bring him down. Two boys, one girl, all so happy to see him that they had tackled him flat.

Isobel laughed delightedly. “They haven’t seen him for a year.” She told Kasumi. “Remember when that was a long time?”

Kasumi laughed. ‘Not really.” She admitted ruefully.

The kids were all talking over each other quickly. “I lost a tooth!” “I mem-rised three scrip’ureth!” “I hit the baseball!” “Where did you go!?” “Did you bring presents?!” “I got a pet fox! Come see!”

“Alright, let the man up!” A woman’s voice called sharply, and the three kids immediately jumped up and practically came to attention.

Kasumi looked, and saw a woman with generous curves and hair down past her waist come strolling up. She was a near-mirror image of Isobel, only somehow more-so. She was dressed in the same Romani style dress and peasant blouse that Isobel wore, and Kasumi knew who she was, even before introductions were made.

“Kasumi, this is Moira, my mother.” Isobel said. “I tell you this first, because she likes to tell new people that we are twins.”

Moira smirked. “One must enjoy the benefits of eternal youth, surely?” She embraced Kasumi like they were long lost relatives and then did the same with Hugh. “You made good time. We were just getting ready for dinner.”

“Great. I’m cooking!” Hugh said brightly.

“Ohh, no you’re not.” Moira told him off with a cold smirk. “You get within three feet of my pot, and I take fingers! Two feet and you lose a whole hand!”

Isobel smiled winningly. “They were like this the entire trip last year.”

Kasumi laughed at the thought. “You ever meet his mom?”

Isobel shook her head.

“She’s… less fun.” Kasumi told her. “Just to give you fair warning. When Hugh's mom says to get out of the kitchen or she takes a finger, she means it.”

Isobel chuckled. “Mama says to never let go of an attractive man that can cook.”

Kasumi smiled tightly. “So does my sister.”

~~/*\~~

Kasumi was grateful for the improved capacity of her memory since A-Day. She’d had a lot of names thrown at her in a short time. A dozen wagons, each with their own little homes inside. The only concession to modern technology that Kasumi saw was the hotplate that sat under Moira’s large iron pot, really more a cauldron, which never went off the heat the entire time Kasumi and Hugh were there. In fact, she would be willing to bet that they’d lift the whole thing into one of the wagons, still simmering.

Dinner was relaxed. Nobody lined up at tables. They brought their bowls and utensils to the cauldron and Moira would ladle them each a serve. Kasumi could feel her stomach roar when she got close enough to smell the incredibly rich flavors.

Isobel whispered in her ear. “Mama believes that the flavor improves as time goes on. She adds new ingredients daily, and the flavor is never the same twice, but you wouldn’t believe how… rich and decadent the simplest meal becomes. She calls it ‘Pot-Luck Stew’. You’re lucky. We only have it as the main meal once a week or so. Everyone takes their turn cooking for the Caravan.”

Kasumi didn’t even notice who did it, but fresh bread was put in her hand, then fruit, then cheese… There were several campfires, and people were gathered around all of them. Lots of laughter, lots of music… It was like a camping trip, but Kasumi knew it wasn’t a holiday. It was just their life.

Hugh hadn’t been left alone for five minutes by the kids. And once he had introduced her, the kids had pounced on Kasumi too, insisting on showing her each and every part of their caravans, their home, their pets, their play…

Hugh was a lot more easy going about it than she was. She wondered if it was just that he had met them all before, or if perhaps he was just more at home among these people.

“What are you thinking?” Moira asked her gently. Kasumi jumped. Moira had snuck up on her and she hadn't even noticed.

Kasumi shook off the thought. “The kids.” She said quietly. “I’ve seen couples having kids, but… much less often than the old days. Hugh, with those kids…”

“He’s the one that taught them to play baseball. Its a game that travels well. They don’t have a lot of experience with new people who are eager to have them around.” Moira said with affection. “And just so you know, those kids aren’t newborn. Times were hard for people like us. Until the 1960’s, things like flu season were often fatal to littl’uns. A lot of them have no idea how things have changed. They fall asleep to their mothers weeping over them, wake up to those same mothers weeping again, only they’re healthy.”

Kasumi shivered. “I can’t imagine losing a kid. I still was one when I… Well.”

Moira nodded. “The Conventions say that generations will fast become irrelevant. I was there when half those kids were born. Small coffins are so… heavy. Now I can’t take my eyes off them.”

“It sounds clingy, but if you want my advice? Trust that instinct.” Kasumi said with a smile. “Once they hit twenty five, their faces will never change again. Can you imagine how fast they seem to grow in ten years when you’ve lived for centuries?”

“And they always grow up much too fast.” Moira smiled at them with affection. “I think that’s why Hugh came back so soon. These kids adopted him. Not many people want to travel with our caravans for longer than one trip.”

“Hugh’s a explorer.” Kasumi said, smiling. “Whereas I’m a wanderer.”

~~/*\~~

They spent the night with the Caravan, Kasumi with Isobel, Hugh in a hammock slung by the bonfire. The next morning they worked. The work was done in the morning, and the afternoons were for other matters, such as play, and teaching.

Hugh, Kasumi and Romani’s weren’t the only ones on the edge of the forest. Moira was playing host to some newly resurrected ones that had volunteered to come back to the woods.

“Not everyone who lived in OS suffered for it.” Moira told the most experienced Christians in the Caravan. “These men lived wild, more than Nomads ever did. These guys had no trouble believing things had changed. They knew it the moment they saw the woods and the wilds. But they had little regard for the rest of the world, because they’ve seen almost none of it.” She smirked at her guests. “If I’m honest, then I’m glad you’re here, because you have more experience with this than the rest of the Caravan put together.”

Isobel nodded. “She’s right about that, Flyboy. Having you here was an answer to a prayer.”

~~/*\~~

Hugh strolled into the woods with a hatchet and sat with the Lumberjacks. “We haven’t met. Hugh Alman.”

The man shook his hand in a powerful grip that made Hugh check and see if his fingers were broken. “Martin Dawson.” He gestured to the hatchet. “You here to chop firewood?”

“Actually, I’m here to get some cuttings from these trees.” Hugh nodded. “Ones that will travel well and sprout roots when planted somewhere.”

Martin hummed. “You’d probably have a better time of it uprooting some saplings. You have to pick the right age. Too young, they won’t survive, too old, they won’t travel.”

Hugh nodded agreeably. “I’m here with Kasumi to collect some future trees. We need to restore forests a long way from here.” He gave Martin a look. “You’d probably be a big help with that sort of work.”

Martin nodded. “It’d be nice to have something useful to do. Me and the others… we weren’t really made for sitting around. And the Gypsies keep telling-”

“Romani.” Hugh interrupted. “They probably haven’t mentioned it because they’re used to it; but that’s an impolite term.”

“Really?” Martin blinked. “Well, I’ll take your word for it. I’ve never met any before now.” He glanced over. “They had a reputation where I come from. The kind of reputation that makes it hard to believe their more… fantastic ideas.”

Hugh nodded. “They’re all true. The things they’ve been telling you? It’s the truth.”

Martin shrugged, unconcerned. “Well. I woke one morning last week with a timberwolf curled up next to me. I get that things have changed. And all the stuff about God? No atheists in the wilderness.”

“But you still don't want to be part of it?” Hugh commented.

“It’s not that. It’s that I don’t have a bloody clue what my ‘part’ is!” Martin nearly exploded. “I can’t study with your people, because I can’t read. I lived and loved the woods, but… I’m not allowed to cut them down, Alman. I can’t even build my cabin, or hunt my dinner. I don’t… How am I supposed to make any kind of a life?!”

Hugh nodded patiently. “When were you?”

“I was born in the Year of our Lord 1778.” Martin told him matter-of-factly. “I was born in my father’s cabin, and when the mountain finally swallowed him, it was my cabin. Now, not only is that cabin gone, I can’t even build a new one. What do I tell my wife? Does she even come back?!”

“You know that you don't have to build another one.” Hugh pointed out. “The lumber industry is completely changed now. And homes are provided for newcomers-”

“I’m told that homes and land are allotted.” Martin put in. “The ‘pre-fabs’ are all in town, right? And then I get sent somewhere in the world? Why? I have everything I need in the woods, except that I’m not allowed to make my own way any more. And why? Because the Gy- The Romani tell me that God won’t allow it. I’m supposed to just take their word for it? Or yours, come to that?”

Hugh had already pulled his phone out. “Those rules about protecting the wilderness? I’d like to show you why we have them.”

Martin didn’t seem as stunned by the phone as others from his century had been. But the clip that was playing had him stunned silent. As part of the education work, there were plenty of archived clips showing the Last Days, and everything that they involved. For all the people alive then, the majority of humanity had missed the worst of it; including Hugh and Martin.

The video showed the huge earth-movers chewing up woods, tearing through rainforests. The clips lingered on the naked, scorched earth left behind. Trucks taking hundreds of logs along burnt out, clear-cut roads every day. A montage of the same places; of animals crushed and dead, of fires raging against the roots, of smoke billowing into the sky…

Then came the high altitude shots, where the line between empty land and healthy forest was blatantly clear, drawn in dozens of huge earthmovers that rolled into the trees like an unstoppable wave.

Hugh never took his eyes off Martin. The woodsman was staring, jaw hanging open, eyes bulging.

The video ended and Hugh put it away. “In the last fifty years before A-Day, more than half the natural resources of the earth were consumed. Centuries to grow, a single lifetime to suck dry. They ate the world, Martin.” Hugh let that sink in. “We’re still putting it back, restoring what was lost. So. You want to help us out?”

Martin looked up at him like he’d seen a ghost. “Y-yes. Yes, please. I want to put them back.”

Hugh nodded, and slung his hatchet. “So. Saplings are better than cuttings, you say? The wagons have room. I can take some of both.”

~~/*\~~

They worked silently for almost an hour. Martin showed him how to sling the cuttings so that they’d be easier to carry, and then showed him how to dig up saplings so that the roots would be safe for travel. Kasumi was over with the next group, doing the same. Martin had gone over to the men with her and had a brief conference. Whatever he'd told them, they were asking Kasumi for details.

Even when he'd returned to help Hugh, it was clear that Martin’s mind was on something else entirely. Something terrible. Hugh felt like he’d told the man a horror story.

“Can I see it again, please?” Martin said finally. “I want to show the others.”

Hugh agreed, and they went to meet with the others. There were four other woodsmen. Some of them had been back for years, and had only just been located, having spent most of their time in the New World in the woods, as they had spent their lives before.

~~/*\~~

The video sent the same shockwaves through all of them. They refused to believe it at first. Moira loaned them a wagon, and Hugh and Kasumi took them a few hours away from the camp. Far enough from the trees that they could see the torn up ground, with dead tree stumps just starting to sprout back to life. They’d never seen clearings so… massive, or wanton.

“Believe it or not, we don’t have to do anything here.” Kasumi told them. “These roots are sprouting again. The trees know how to grow on their own. They’ll sprout and grow back on their own again, just takes time.”

Hugh sighed. “Most places? The roots were torn up too. Nothing to grow back.”

The men were openly weeping at the sight.

“When I was last… around.” Martin said finally. “We did it differently. A lumberjack lived in the woods. We walked into the trees and we considered each one. Size, age, branches… We chose our lumber so carefully, because we knew that if we cut down the wrong one, there’d be less animals to feed us the next week, there’d be less water or shade or protection from storms. But if we picked trees that were too small, we’d lose out on our profits, and that’d be food off our tables, or clothes off our backs… When we found a young tree, one that would grow taller and wider and stronger, we would try and figure out if it was worth leaving for the next team… because sometimes the next team was your own kids…”

Kasumi waved her hand at the scars left by the old world. “This is different.”

“It’s obscene.” The timber man said decisively. “I mean… what did they plan to do the next day?”

“They didn’t.” Kasumi said grimly. “That’s why it went wrong.”

~~/*\~~

“Two hours.” Isobel snorted. “We’ve been trying to convince them to come in and listen for days, and you two make the breakthrough in less than two hours.”

Moira chuckled. “An answer to a prayer I didn’t think to say.” She clapped her hands together loud enough that Kasumi jumped. “Tonight, we celebrate!

~~/*\~~

Kasumi wasn’t sure what ‘celebrate’ meant to them, but she hadn’t expected the bonfire. Or the sparklers. Or the tambourines. Or the fire jugglers.

Moira leaned in and explained. “A lot of our forefathers made their living as traveling carnies. For a lot of history, we weren’t allowed to settle anywhere, so we made a living at it. Times changed, even before A-Day, or so I am told, but there are no small number of people in my family tree that like their lives the way they are, even if they are welcome now.”

Kasumi shrugged. “I guess anywhere you live is home.” She gestured over at the jugglers, and their spinning flames. “Still, we’re kind of close to the woods, aren’t we?”

Isobel laughed and picked up a tambourine. “Come dance with me.”

Kasumi had begged off, but Isobel hauled her up anyway. Guitars and harmonicas and pan-flutes and tambourines and even a few drums played a merry jig, and Isobel showed her the steps. Everyone who wasn’t dancing or playing was clapping along, some with food and drink; enjoying the show. Isobel was so… light on her feet, twirling and spinning. She was so graceful and attractive that Kasumi felt like a lumbering tree next to her. There were almost a dozen of them doing the same dance around the bonfire, and none of them laughed at her efforts, but Kasumi felt completely out of place.

Moira waved Kasumi over and patted for the woman to sit beside her. “Three hundred years and you never learned how to dance?”

“Or swim. Or cook, really. I just haven’t got around to it yet.” Kasumi gave a self-deprecating grin. “And frankly, compared to the others… Well, next to Isobel at least… Not really my kind of thing.”

“Little too… suggestive for you, Miss Mori?” Moira smiled a bit.

Kasumi flushed, looking down. “I don’t mean to cast aspersions…”

“This kind of dancing? It’s tribal, more than exotic. It’s a folk dance that people like me have danced for centuries. Back in the days, they called us immoral, but nobody’s wearing anything particularly revealing, or inviting anything inappropriate. Many of the woman dancing now are married, and their husbands appreciate having beautiful wives. And if we were crossing a line, surely the Authority would have mentioned it.” Moira glanced upward, to make it clear who she meant.

“That’s true, I suppose.” Kasumi chuckled. “Can’t claim ignorance.”

“Nothing in The Law that says a woman cannot be sensual without being indecent, or what did God create beauty for?” Moira ladled a cup of spiced cocoa for her. “In a world where everyone will be perfect, I won’t make them ashamed of being lovely now. I taught my girls to be happy with their own skin, and to look men in the eye. Why pretend that you don’t know yourself?”

Kasumi couldn’t help but agree with that. “History has rarely been kind to women.”

Moira gave her a knowing look. “Besides, you don’t really think Isobel is particularly salacious, do you?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, your problem is a little less… biblical. More personal.” Moira sent a glance over to Hugh, then back to her. He was clapping along with the music like everyone else.

Kasumi flushed and shrank into her seat. “Maybe.” She hesitated. “What do you think of Hugh?” She asked. “Because he and Isobel…”

“My daughter is a flirt. It’s how she puts people at ease.” Moira told her. “In OS, I warned her not to lead people on. Back in OS, a woman had to hide her appeal. Women taught to stop being attractive, rather than having men be taught not to pounce violently on a woman who wasn’t interested. Imagine a world where a woman got blamed for such evil, because she was deemed attractive enough that men couldn’t possibly be expected to act like human beings.” She toasted. “I won’t be shamed for other people’s weakness; and neither will my daughters. God promised us that no harm would come to them at the hands of others, and speaking as a mother, that’s what Paradise is all about.” She sipped her hot chocolate. “But I admit, I’d like to see her settle with someone who actually deserves her.”

“I probably shouldn’t be telling you this, but I think Hugh’s planning to ask.” Kasumi said quietly.

“You wouldn’t be gossiping, would you?”

“Certainly not.” Kasumi smothered her grin.

“Then I’m certainly not joining in when I tell you that I know about the ring.” Moira added. “He got it from me.”

Kasumi felt the words hit her. In her mind, that was the final proof. Her mother’s ring. The awkward feeling in her guts evaporated. Hugh had made his choice and was being a real romantic about it. She had wondered why she had been invited along, but between her own connections to Isobel, and the need for experienced teachers with Martin; Kasumi suddenly realized she had been dramatically over-thinking it.

~~/*\~~

Jehovah God, She prayed to herself. I had wondered why he wanted me here for this. But now I’ve seen the way these people live, and I get it: It’s so I can see where he’s going. So we can say goodbye.

Kasumi spent some time wandering about the Caravan, making conversation, seeing how they lived. There were few communications devices, few technological marvels at all. After the World’s Fair, she felt like she’d stepped into a time machine, but the technology wasn’t present because it wasn’t needed. And anything that wasn’t needed wasn’t kept on hand.

Including people. She prayed. No wonder Hugh has to marry into this family. A whole community that’s already set up. People of the World’s Fair are constantly tinkering with what they have. To an extent, so is everyone else; but not these people. It’s not because they aren’t welcome any more. It’s because they don’t need us in their lives. Father, if Hugh goes with them… will I ever see him again?

As if to answer her, she suddenly saw Hugh. He was softly strumming a guitar, sitting against Goliath. The horse was nestled in for the night, and Hugh was leaning against him, playing a soft tune for the kids, who were starting to wear out at last. Kasumi watched him for a while, smiling softly. Patience was an art form, and when Hugh smiled back, they knew without speaking that they would wait to have their conversation. Ten minutes, twenty… Time was on their side, and moments of peaceful stillness were still few and far between with so much to do.

But for tonight, there was nothing left for them to do. The work would come with the morning. Kasumi sat with the kids and listened to the guitar lullaby, on the edge of ancient woods, under the starbright sky.

Hugh didn’t love music the way others did, but a century of small practice sessions here and there had given him skill enough to keep improvising a melody until each of the three children fell asleep, two curled up together, and one on Kasumi’s knee. Without having to exchange a word, the two old friends quietly gathered them up and carried them back to the caravan; tucking them in for sleep.

Isobel sent Hugh a look from the bonfire, where the adults were still singing, dancing and talking in turn. Hugh gave her a nod, and she smiled softly.

The two of them headed back over to Goliath, still without exchanging a word. Hugh collected the guitar, and Kasumi collected the blankets they had sat on. “You in a hurry?” She asked impulsively. He shook his head and she spread the blanket back out.

“Are you mad at me?” Hugh asked finally, once they were settled.

“No.” Kasumi sighed. She understood why he thought so. He was perceptive now. So much more so that when they were all young. So was she. A tiny comment, a brief hesitation… Age and time had taught them all patience and discretion and respect. It made them harder to read, but more perceptive to match.

Hugh waited, letting her decide whether or not to say it.

“You just… You seem so content with these people.” Kasumi confessed. “More content than I’ve ever known you to be. And I know we never talked about it, but I have to admit, I wish you felt that content with just me.” She hadn’t really meant to add that last part, but she didn’t regret it; since it was the truth.

Hugh was stunned at the admission. “Kasumi, I-”

“No, let me get this out.” She help up a hand. “We’ve known each other for decades. And I haven’t been carrying a torch all that time. I never had to. Because when we first met, you were still caught up in OS thinking, and the most I ever hoped for was that you’d get your mind straight and we’d be part of the same brotherhood. But after the first twenty years or so, when we became friends… I just couldn’t picture a world where we wouldn’t be talking every day, keeping up with each others lives. Even when we were on different continents, I knew we’d never be more than a conversation away.”

“We never will be.”

“Yes we will.” Kasumi snorted. “These people don’t have the same connections to… anything. They’re happy being insular. When they want to connect to people, they send letters. Written letters. And I love to get mail, but it’s still… You can’t carry a Holo on a horse drawn wagon. One day they’ll figure out how to miniaturize it, but look at their lifestyle. Do you think these people are going to make international communication part of their lives? Who would they call? Hugh… This is goodbye.”

The word hit him harder than he thought it would. “You know something?” He said quietly. “I haven’t noticed it until just now, but it’s been years since I've actually said goodbye to someone.”

“Me too.” Kasumi admitted. “I must say, I didn’t care for it.”

“Me neither.”

Kasumi leaned in and kissed his cheek. “They like you here. More than they do most outsiders. You’ll be happy here.” It wasn’t a promise, it was a direct instruction. “Now go talk to Isobel.”

~~/*\~~

Isobel was still at the bonfire, roasting herself a snack, humming a tune when she noticed Kasumi and Hugh on their way back. Kasumi gave him a hug and split off to go back to her own bunk. Isobel blinked, because it looked an awful lot like a goodbye.

“You struck out, huh?” Isobel said with sympathy when Hugh came over to join her.

Hugh walked slowly. “Isobel. Can we talk?”

The dark haired woman nodded. “Always.”

Kasumi watched them head off to the far side of the wagon together. She felt sad, but not in a heartbroken way. She had never felt particularly possessive of any of her friends. She would see him again. He’d been right. There was no such thing as a real goodbye any more. Hearing him say it had made her feel lighter.

“Are you alright, dear?” Moira crooned. “Because it seems like you just let go of something you wanted to keep.”

“I did.” Kasumi admitted. “Moira, the whole world is based on the idea that we all love each other. We eat and breathe love and friendship and compassion and family. I haven’t lost that.”

Moira nodded sagely. “That, chile; is the right answer. I have been back in the world only twelve years. I can quite easily remember a time when I would have taken this opportunity to read your palms and tea leaves and tell you that a tall and handsome stranger was on the way.”

Kasumi chuckled at that.

“But today, I cannot offer you talismans. Perhaps some mementos?” She led the way over to her Wagon, including her workshop. “Something to give you a story to tell in your future travels?”

‘I’d settle for some more of that spiced cocoa.” Kasumi smiled.

Moira gave her a half hug. “Coming right up.”

~~/*\~~

The music came again at the bonfire. A single pan-flute warbling a haunting, sweet melody. Kasumi said a silent prayer of thanks for her now-photographic memory. She knew she’d never get this tune recorded, and she would miss it when it was gone. She took the whole moment in.

The smell of the smoke in the air. The taste of the spices on her tongue. The smoothness of the silk wrap around her arms. The rough bark of the bench she sat on. The chill of night mist in the air. The play of light and dark between the fire, and the moonlight. The motion of the dancers casting shadows...

Father, I love it. Kasumi thought to herself in prayer. I love it all. Thank you for this moment. I ask You let me remember it always as it is. Let me keep it forever, safe in my memory. Let me hoard these moments as treasure, so that a million years from now, I can take them out and look at them like pictures in my albums…

She felt a tap on her shoulder. It was Hugh.

“Hello.” She was surprised. “Forget something?”

Hugh leaned closer and put a soft kiss on her forehead. “Everything you said was exactly true. I can’t imagine not talking to you every day either.”

“Really?” She heard a note of hope in her voice, and it surprised her. She hadn’t expected it to come so strongly.

“You know why I like traveling with these people? It’s because they’re totally different from the way everyone else travels. I like that these things exist side by side in the world. Holographic terminals and hand written letters. Solar trains and horse drawn carts. Airship farms and backyard orchards. Mobile computers and carved hand tools. The whole spectrum of the human race is in harmony here. I like being welcome in both worlds.”

“I like that too.”

“The world isn’t static. The people are, but the world isn’t. For all our long lives, we keep changing things. I think that we keep trying new variations until we hit the one that works. Soothy, he keeps experimenting, keeps trying… You watch his work over the course of decades, and it grows, literally as trees do. Decades of patient time, just to see if what he’s made is what he wanted to make. Construction, architecture… They put up towers, and redesign them, reimagine them… One day we’ll have reached the point where we are convinced that we got it right, and the world will slow down dramatically. And when that happens, a new generation will come along to add their own vision. That’s why I like these people, Kas. They’re all here because they feel like they’ve found the winning balance already. A hundred years from now, a thousand, a million; and Greigor will still be breeding that same bloodline of horses and towing his caravans.”

“I just bet he will.” Kasumi nodded. “But I keep looking. Nana thinks I travel too much, but I’m not running away from anything. I’m trying to catch it all. Just now, when I was looking at the bonfire, I wanted to capture that moment and keep it forever. But there’s a whole planet full of moments, and even if we live forever, those trees in your front yard won’t. And those mountains that we’re climbing will not. And those rivers will wear into canyons and those houses will keep being redone. I have to keep going, because-”

“-because you know that eventually the world will slow down, and eternity will stop being a word and start being a memory.” Hugh finished. “I like the idea, Kas. I like that I can go west and meet people who are aiming for the far side of the galaxy. I like that I can go east and find people living in caravans and tents. Humanity is a mosaic of everything it could possibly be, and I want to see as much of it as I can before I finish making my piece of it.”

“Well, I understand that, but you-”

“No, my turn to finish a thought now.” He shushed her. “What you said, about how you wished I was that content with you? What you didn’t realize is… I am. We talk all the time, even when we’re on different continents, and I don’t feel like I’ve finished my day until I’ve spoken to you about it. When you take one of these world tours and see how things have changed while you were looking at everything else, I finished my tour and went home to improve my little piece. In another century, I will do it again. And a century after that, because sooner or later, everyone will figure out what they want of it… And I know that I want you to see what I come up with.”

Kasumi reached out and hugged him tightly. “Then we’re not saying goodbye? Because when I saw that ring, I figured you’d found your place, and when I found out you got the ring from Isobel’s Mother, I sort of assumed that-”

“You saw that?” Hugh almost laughed. “That explains a few things. But you made one mistake… It's not a family heirloom. Moira made it for me last time I was here. The ring wasn’t for Izzy.”

Kasumi blinked. “Then who was it… for…”

He smiled at her.

Kasumi felt her jaw drop as her heart sped up. “Hugh, we haven’t even been on an actual date! If you were interested, then why didn’t you just say so?!”

“I didn’t get that ring for today, Kas.” Hugh shushed her. “But I wanted to have it handy, because I was planning to…” He flushed a little, but got the worlds out without any further hesitation. “I was planning to tell you how I felt about you.” He barked out a brief laugh. “I didn’t expect you to do the honorable thing before I got the chance.”

Kasumi froze, then reached forward and pulled him into an embrace, kissing him gently. He returned it instantly, and the world went away for several moments. “I love you, Hugh.” She said softly.

“I love you too. We’ve known each other for so many years, but we’ve never…” Hugh began, then changed his mind. “We’re not just friends, Kas. Not any more.”

She nodded. “I don’t think we have been for a long time.” They still hadn’t stepped away from each other. “Listen, Hugh… You wanted me to come along. This wasn’t the destination, was it?”

“I had the whole thing planned out.” Hugh laughed. “The trip was a sneaky way for me to meet your family and win them over, and then a stop up north for you to meet my mom, and then on the return trip I was going to take us back to the place where we met, dinner on a beach…”

“You were hoping to win me over.” Kasumi summed up, pleased.

“I had no idea that you felt like I did.” Hugh almost laughed.

She smiled. “Well, we can still do all those things you had planned. I haven’t seen your mom in a while, and we should probably tell her this has happened...”

He smiled back. “I’d like that.”

They were about to kiss again, when they looked back at the Caravan and saw Isobel, and Moira, and Martin, all looking at them, blatantly staring with big goofy grins on their faces.

“Oh, please!” Isobel said brightly. “Don’t mind us.”

~~/*\~~

Months passed. Hugh and Kasumi continued their work with the Restoration, traveling with the Caravan to take the gathered saplings back to other parts of the country for planting.

The trip gave the new arrivals a chance to ease their way into the New World, having conversations with people in small groups along the way, and by the time they reached Europe again, there were five people ready for baptism.

The Caravan had no high-speed communications, as Kasumi pointed out, but communications had been an important part of the early reconstruction, and Hugh had been able to send mail back and forth to his brother. Nick's breakthrough had been the only missing piece in his studies; and his quick mind had taken to the new ideas like a fish to water. The future was now a fixed thing in Nick's mind, and he was eager to make his mark on it.

The Caravan kept in touch with other communities via posted letters, and since they were part of the trade and mail network, it was relatively easy for them to do so. Kasumi had sent a letter back to her family, detailing what had happened between her and Hugh, and how happy they were about it.

“Why not just phone them?” Hugh had asked her.

“I'm giving you a head start.” Kasumi had told him with a grin. “You've never seen my sister when someone she knows is dating. She gets... involved.”

The 'working holiday' had settled into a new routine. The Caravan had a morning and an evening shift. The roads were now safe and the weather more temperate at night, and the horses were tireless. The Caravan made most of its distance during the night, and the people got to work during the day. They journeyed with their cargo and collected more or planted what they had as they went, making a careful study of the forests with the help of their newly returned Woodsmen, who had never seen so few trees in that part of the world.

They met with several other groups making the same journey with the same cargo, trading stories of the rest of the world as they went.

Not all the news was good. Groups of people determined to keep to their old beliefs or their old values were springing up all over the place. Missionary journeys were restarting, going to each of these communities in an effort to reach out to the Undecided.

It was becoming clear that the world was taking sides, and while God's people had the majority, and facts on their side; the number of people coming back was increasing steadily as more brothers filled the convention halls across the world, ready to bear witness to them all.

But Hugh would always remember that time as being about Kasumi. The two of them worked together tirelessly, getting to know each other in a whole new way. Making the transition from close friends to a couple presented a few moments of awkwardness, but much less than either of them had worried about.

The Caravan was made up of people who had been a fairly insular group, and they knew all about courting with people they'd known their whole lives. Mama-Moira took both of them under her wing, and her watchful eye; much to the amusement of Isobel, who was happy for the two first friends she had made in her New Life.

~~/*\~~

“So, am I invited to the wedding?”

Kasumi looked up from her work and was suddenly aware of her surroundings. Isobel had somehow come over without her noticing, and she realized everyone else was far enough away that they could speak privately. “I’m sorry about how I was before.” Kasumi said quietly. “I honestly didn’t realize I was jealous. I’m still not sure that’s the word.”

“Funny, isn’t it?” Isobel grinned. “You’ve been in this world a lot longer than I have, but I can see that people are different now. That was harder for me to accept than the idea of A-Day. My entire life, people had treated me a certain way, and my mother, and her mother, going back and back and back. I was jealous all the time. Not of the kids with their homes and their things. I never wanted them. I was jealous of how they were with each other. I spent my life with a sign hanging over my head telling the world I was different, and should be treated as such. The few times I was with other kids, they found out I was a ‘gypsy’ and thought I’d steal stuff, or that I could put a curse on them. You and Hugh were the first people I met with none of that. Jealousy is an emotion. And emotions usually have a cause. But here in Neverland, it just never seems to take root. Not like I was used to. Jealousy was so familiar that I actually felt like something was wrong when I didn’t have it any more.”

Kasumi reached out and took her hand. “I’m sorry if I made you feel that way again.”

“Nah, I’m fine.” Isobel shook her head. “I had a thick skin in OS, and this world is so much kinder than anything else I’ve ever known.”

“Thank you for being… gracious about this.”

“Well that’s the thing, Kas. We were never competing. He came with us a few years ago, but he wasn't looking to stay.” She smiled. “Mama offered. Did he tell you that?”

“He did.”

“It would have been a good life, with him. But I could never leave the Caravan. And if he came with me, then he’d enjoy the life, but he’d have to give up everything else, so it was never really an option, and I knew it ever since I saw you two together all those years ago.” She gave Kasumi a look. “And you were the one that helped him bring his brother into the family. Nothing we could say or do that would stack up against that. I know, because he told me he loved you then.”

Kasumi looked down, a little embarrassed. “I had no idea.”

“I asked him what he was waiting for, and he said that he didn’t think you’d say yes. I'm glad he got past that point.”

“Why did he think I’d turn him down?”

“Well, you’d have to ask him that, but based on our conversations, I think he was embarrassed about the way he reacted to you when you first met. Plus, you studied with him, which made you off-limits that way for a while…”

“Time. That was all in the past.” Kasumi commented. “Time conquers all.”

Isobel nodded. “I think he believed that you wouldn’t ever settle, stay in one place with one person. Hugh’s halfway like us. He likes to explore, but he likes coming home more. People like me? We never leave home, because we take it with us.”

Kasumi smiled softly. “Hugh and I talked about it yesterday… I like coming home too, I just don't feel like I belong there… But traveling with Hugh? I always feel like that.”

“I figured. Hugh said that if you were still on your own after two centuries, then it meant you didn’t want to settle down. But Mama said that if you hadn’t settled, it would be because you were waiting for something. Hugh decided to take a chance and hope that the something was him.”

Kasumi smiled a little, then paused. “Wait. That night, when I thought he was saying goodbye… He went over to talk to you right away. If he’d been planning this for that long-”

“-then what did he need to talk to me about?” Isobel grinned. “You’re gonna love this. Your little speech about how content and happy he was with us? He wanted to make sure I wasn't thinking the same thing. He had been working up to telling you for months, and he paused to make sure he wasn’t breaking my heart.”

Kasumi winced, not knowing how to ask.

Isobel swatted her. “Oh, honestly you two. You guys were the first ones I met when I came back. You were the first ones to tell me that me and my family would never be suspect, or unwanted or unwelcome ever again. And then you proved it by treating me like part of the family. You think there's anything you could say or do that would make me unhappy about you two getting a happily ever after?”

Kasumi smiled warmly and gave her a tight hug. “Happily ever after. That was a fairy tale once, wasn't it?”

Isobel chuckled. “Now, come on. Finish up here. We have more important things to do.”

“Such as?”

“I'm going to teach you how to dance. Three hundred years is far too long to put it off, especially if there's going to be Nuptials one day in your future.”

~~/*\~~

The routine continued, with Kasumi and Hugh making plans. Everyone looking to eternity had to make one plan or another, and as the two of them had been so close, most of their plans had involved each other already.

The 'working holiday' ended in Europe, where Hugh's mother had moved in with her own family. She had met Kasumi, of course, and they all caught up on recent events. She was thrilled to learn Nick had joined the brotherhood, and that her elder son had found love. Hugh was still awkward about bringing up the subject with his mother, who had not chosen to resume her marriage to his father, but it wasn't the time for that conversation; and they still had all the time in the world.

Almost a year after declaring their feelings for each other, Hugh sent Nick a message, asking him to go to Hugh's house, find the ring, and send it to them quickly.

~~/*\~~

Nick looked at his face in the mirror carefully. The graying hair had vanished, and the lines in his face were receding. His eyes hadn’t changed, only the face around it. He had made the right decision, and the proof was in his mirror every morning.

His phone chimed, and he went to answer it quickly. The newer phones had gone beyond visual communications and now projected an image of the other person when set to ‘speaker’.

Hugh and Kasumi were both visible in the projection, and Nick waved. “Hey, you two. What time is it there?”

“Late.” Hugh told him.

“Or very early, depending on your point of view.” Kasumi put in. “Nick, you’re looking good.”

“Better than I have in years.” Nick returned with a smile. “I’m glad you called. I’m finished with the questions. I’m to be baptized at the next opportunity. It’s scheduled for next weekend.”

“You’re having your convention that soon? I thought that still a few months away.”

“It is.” Nick nodded. “But so many people are coming back now, they’re expanding baptismal opportunities to beyond conventions. Every week, we meet at the river. Prayers, the Dedication Talk, songs, and then a hundred people wade into the water.”

Hugh winced. “Which means we might not get there in time.”

Kasumi wasn't even surprised. It wasn't the first time she'd been there for someone making a decision, but missed the baptism. “Take pictures?”

“The whole thing is being recorded as a standard now, for ones that can't make it or haven't returned yet. And Rachel's using the opportunity to test some new type of camera, one with a 360 angle.”

“Rachel?” Hugh observed blandly. “That's nice.”

Nick winced a little at the teasing tone. “I can tell them I want to put it off until you can be here…”

“No, it’s okay. This isn’t something that you do according to other people’s schedules.” Hugh said immediately.

“I’m very glad you think so, because as it happens, I’m putting together a missionary tour of my own. I leave as soon as-”

“Wait. What?!” Kasumi sqwaked. “You’re not even dunked yet, and you’re planning your ministry?”

Nick chuckled. “Those people I told you about? The ones that are setting up their own community? They sought me out because they thought I was... like them. I have to go and tell them what I decided, and why. I have to try and convince them.” He sighed. “What I said, about how the Great Return is accelerating? There is a downside to that. It’s not just that we’re busy…”

Hugh nodded. “The ones that aren’t accepting the New Deal are able to meet up and get organized.”

“Right.” Nick nodded. “That Island is actually a small town compared to what’s building. Missionary Tours are starting again all over the place.” He spread his hands wide. “It’s one of the few places in the world that still needs a graveyard. I can’t stay here and congratulate myself for looking young again.”

“Other than that, how’s things back in Brooklyn?”

“You know how things are in Brooklyn. Tours come through, we're helping identify people for the Tree. I went back to school; Alec tore his place apart again… Mom called.”

Hugh nodded. “She was glad to hear you'd made a decision.”

Nick rubbed his eyes a bit. “Just between us, I don't think she expected me to make the right choice. I think that's why I heard so little from her. She was preparing for the bad news that she'd outlived her kid...”

“Again.” Hugh put in grimly.

“Let's see, what else... There's been a call for volunteers to build a Concert Hall.” Nick told them. “Some of the Music Greats out of history have been Returned, and they put their heads together to create a concert hall that was 'acoustically perfect' or so the notice said. I'm not sure who's backing it, but it sounds like they're pulling out all the stops.” Nick ran out of news. “How are things for you? Kasumi, you come to your senses and drop him yet?”

Kasumi and Hugh traded a secret smile. “You tell me.” She said and held up her hand, including the glimmering ring.

~~/*\~~

“And she said yes?” Alec blurted.

“Of course she did!” Nick snorted. “They both seemed pretty happy about it too.” He looked up at Alec. “You think it’s too soon? They’ve only been together for...”

“Nick, they’ve been together a hundred years.” Alec told him honestly. “Take it from someone who was there the day they met, if not in the room.” He paused. “Why? You don’t approve?”

“I like Kas a lot. And it’s clear how important she is to my brother, but… I don’t know, it feels strange that they went from admitting feelings to engagement in one trip.”

“You said yourself that casual dating is a thing of the past. They aren’t strangers who had a whirlwind holiday, they’ve been close for centuries. Literally, known each other in two different centuries now.”

“I guess.” Nick admitted. “I don’t really… I mean, I’m new to the brotherhood; I grant you, but is this how it works now?”

“How it works is as varied as people are.” Alec grinned. “A lot of the best bible examples of a good marriage were arranged, or at least decided quickly. And that’s not even counting the millions of married couples in history that didn’t even meet until their wedding day. Political alliances, financial motives… Some cultures in history wouldn’t even consider marrying without a dowry, or without approval of the local leaders.” Alec smiled. “Your brother and Kasumi have decided that in a world that will keep evolving forever, they refuse to let anything come between them again. I’ve heard a lot worse reasons than that.”

“My brother wasn’t exactly a ladies man, which was unusual for a flyboy ‘Over There’.” Nick commented. “Forever is such an incredibly long time, Alec.”

“Not so long as you think.” Alec chuckled. “Look at the time-line of your life, and you’ll find several moments that are ‘before’ and ‘after’. Hugh’s looked at all the ‘before’ moments and wished he had Kasumi there for them. He’s looking at the ‘after’ moments and decided that they’re better when she’s around. Forever doesn’t change the fact that we only deal with one day of our lives at a time, and they want the other there.”

Nick pulled out his device and started tapping at the screen.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking notes. I’m going to have to give a speech at some point, being brother of the groom.”

Alec laughed happily.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t been to a wedding since I came back.” Nick suddenly thought aloud. “How does it work now? We don’t need a celebrant to perform ceremonies if we have actual angels… What does a Japanese/American wedding even look like? Do we still bother with any of these cultural things? All the old laws are void… Do we have Certificates now?”

Alec waved him down. “Slow down, brother. One thing that hasn’t changed, the bride decides all these things. As a future in law, your job is to show up to the wedding and wear what her mother picks out for you.” He settled. “But to answer your question: Even in OS, where these things weren’t ‘just known’; The Bible had specific things to say on how a husband and wife were to be, and very little to say on the ceremonies involved. A lot of the things you found in the typical weddings back in OS had pagan origins, but that’s not a problem any more.”

“My brother’s getting married.” Nick said, as though trying out the words. “I’m gonna have a sister-in-law… Yikes! I’m gonna be ‘Uncle Nick’ to someone!”

Alec laughed.

Nick settled back in his chair. “You know, back in OS, when I was in Sunday School? I asked how it was possible that the whole human race came from one pair. The priest didn’t know, and told me if it wasn’t in the Catechism, then it was a mystery that wasn’t of importance. When I got old enough to understand such things, I assumed it was just one of the ways that God didn't make sense.”

“The reason it was possible was because that First Pair were perfect, or pretty close to it when they started making babies. It’s why people in bible times lived so long, but less so when it got toward the end.” Alec answered automatically. “Laws about inter-marrying didn’t get put in place until much later, once the gene pool had spread out a bit.”

“Here’s an unsettling question.” Nick observed. “If our genes are all perfect again, does that mean that particular commandment is rescinded now?”

Alec chuckled. “Interesting thought.”

Easy silence.

“My brother’s getting married.” Nick said with a grin.

~~/*\~~

Kasumi logged onto the Collective. The transport ship that was taking them home had room for passengers, their bags, and even some of the trees that they had collected for the Restoration. Like almost everywhere else, there was a link to the Databases of the world, and Kasumi started searching.

“What are you looking up?” Hugh asked when he brought her lunch in from the Galley. “Hoping to set a date?”

Kasumi grinned. “In the old days we could have had the captain do it.” Kasumi grinned. “No such thing as unclaimed waters now, given that we don't have any governments left.” She shook her head. “Actually, I'm looking up land allotments.”

“We've already gotten ours. Admittedly, we'll have to figure out what we'll do with them when we're married, but that's not a unique problem...”

“Everyone is assigned a piece of land for themselves.” Kasumi explained. “But we both know that a lot of people make use of their allotment for purposes other than self-support. There are no small number of people who actually trade their homes back and forth.”

“Really?”

“I met one of them many years ago. There’s a co-op of sorts. They all have their own allotments across the world, and they sort of… trade them back and forth. Want to live in another land for a century or two? Someone over there is thinking the same thing; and so you just switch. Think of it like a timeshare that lasts for years instead of weeks. Plus, we aren’t the only couple marrying. If two people want to merge their allotments, then it stands to reason that other people do too. Some use them for work-spaces, others for growing, others as halfway or holiday homes...”

He came over. “You’re looking for a double?”

“Why not?”

“No, I agree.” He nodded. “I’m just wondering where we’ll end up.”

“You don’t want to stay in Brooklyn? I traveled a lot more than you have, and if you’re in love with this side of the world, it makes sense that I be the one to move, since you’re more established with the Cong, with the district... You’ve got trees and orchards. I don’t.”

“Yeah, but with everyone speaking the same language now, and money less of an issue… I’m a pilot and flight instructor. I’m used to doing my job wherever I am, and it’s a profession that travels well.” Hugh thought briefly of his home, almost nostalgic. “You know, I never did half as much with this place as I could have.”

“It shows.” Kasumi commented. “Those pre-fabs were meant as temporary housing until everyone found a place of their own. I can hear the floors creaking every time you walk on them.” She looked over. “Why didn’t you make your dream house, like everyone else?”

“Because I had no idea what to do with it.” Hugh confessed. “All the years you spend figuring out what you like, what your favorite music is, the kind of art you’d hang on the walls… I was military. Until I got here, I lived in my parents house, and then the base. I never had a home that I could hang a picture in, so I just… Never bothered.”

“That would have been fine a century ago, but I daresay there’s a reason other than ‘not bothering’.”

“True. I think I was waiting for something.”

“Like what?”

Hugh smiled softly as the ship took them home. “You.”