The time spent walking was doing our best to explain the Framework to my mom and Rachel. They were both doing a lot better, and I begrudgingly had to admit that Rachel wasn't irritating me as much as I thought she might. It was nice to have my mom back, though. I didn't realize how much I had missed her until I saw her again, but now I'd never have to worry about her again.
The two latched on to the information we shared with them quite well, although they told me it would be another 2 hours before the Framework initialization was completed.
"So... it's like a video game?" Rachel asked, and I nodded, although I did clarify some things.
"Yes, but also no. It's still dangerous, and you can still die. There are no respawns, so don't do anything stupid." I said, and she nodded.
"Once you two actually receive classes and skills, we can better understand how to help and train you." Cici added, and both women nodded in understanding.
They were taking to this surprisingly well, and my mom had fallen back to grip my hand.
"I missed you so much, son. Thank you for everything you did for me..." She said, hesitating for a moment, before asking, "Is Marcus...?"
"Yeah." I said, and she closed her eyes, nodded once, and then squeezed my hand again.
Just as that conversation ended, the sounds of people talking, and various sounds of work entered our ears, and I let out a relieved sigh. That relief was slowly replaced by confusion, and then a embarrassed reddening of my face as I stared at a sign that was place on the trail we were using to enter the village.
"Crosse Village"
"Uh..." Was all my infinite levels of intelligence could manage.
Cici began laughing heartedly, the cute tinkling noise of her laugh warming my heart just a bit, but doing nothing for my embarrassment.
"You're back already!" Warren said from a work table not far from where we were, and glancing at where he was working, and looking at what he was making, I groaned. It was more signs.
His words caused a stir among the people, not long after that, more familiar faces emerged from rhe bustle of people.
"Wow..." My mom said, taking in the assortment of Cat Beastkin, before her eyes eventually settled on Warren as he jogged over, and I couldn't help but notice the way her back straightened, and her cheeks pinked slightly. Really mom?
Among the others that were approaching us were Anya, Hiago, and Talia.
"Welcome back! You weren't even gone very long, but you look exhausted." Anya said, particularly looking at the bloodstains covering my hands, and the ones liberally coating Cici's clothes. She eyed her daughter with concern.
"Yeah... it wasn't fun. Also, what's with the signs?" I asked, pointing to the sign we passed.
Anya, using the distraction I offered, smiled merrily at me.
"We all wanted it to be a surprise. This village has not had a name for so long, and after a community vote behind the scenes, we all decided it would be a wonderful idea to name the village after the hero of our people."
I looked at her earnest and happy expression, and could only sigh. I wasn't about to tell them no. It was touching... it was also just a bit uncomfortable.
"Besides, even if you don't admit it, you are the unofficial leader of this village." She said with a wink.
"Pass." I answered immediately, and she just laughed at me while nodding in a way that told me that she was only humoring me.
"Hi!" I heard a voice say, cracking a bit at the end.
I looked over to find that it was Rachel that had blurted out the greeting, and could only raise my eyebrow at the very red cheeks of said woman as she stared at Talia like she was an actual diety. I thought about what she had told me before, and I had to bite back a small laugh. I'd have to talk to her about that later, but from the feelings I got from looking at her told me that she seemed to prefer girls. I didn't have an issue with that at all, but how long had she been like this, and why did she pretend to be interested in guys for long?
"Questions for later." I thought, as I turned back to our assembled group.
Cici and her mom were embraced in a tight hug, Rachel was sputtering as she tried to talk with a giggling Talia, while Hiago and Warren made their way towards me.
"Everything okay, son?" Warren asked as he clapped me on the shoulder.
"Yeah... just tired." I said, not ready to talk about everything just yet.
"We're glad you're back... but you really weren't even gone that long." Hiago said as he latched onto my leg, and I chuckled as I pat him on the head.
"Long enough for you all to put my name everywhere around the village." I joked, and Warren chuckled as he scratched his cheek.
"It was Anya's idea, and nobody was against if, myself included. You are important to this village, Eli. You are valued by all of us, and we all look up to you." He said, and his words made me pause as a small surge of emotions poured out of me.
People actually looked up to me, and respected me. Me, who was once just some 25 year old nobody who's name was reserved in the nearest mortuary, was loved and respected by everyone here, and all I did was be myself. The more I learned though, the more I realized that, no... not everyone would do the things I would do. Many of them couldn't, and the ones with power that could... they didn't give a shit. Maybe... maybe it was time to change things.
I looked down at my dirty appearance, and looked over my mom's also dirty appearance, Rachel's bedraggled state, and my wife's torn and bloodied clothing.
"Maybe not today. Or for next month. Right now, I just want to relax." I muttered, and made my way over to Cici and the others.
We could all talk later. There's things I wanted to know, and things I had to tell my mom, and Rachel I supposed. Right now though? A bath was calling my name, and I definitely did not want to take it alone.
I walked up to my mom, and wrapped my arm around her shoulder.
"Wanna see your new home?" I asked, and her eyes lit up.
"I'd love to!" She said, squeezing me back with equal affection.
"What about me?" Rachel asked, and I grimaced. Right, I said I'd take her here, but I really didn't want her staying with us.
"I live by myself. You can come and clean yourself off at my place. I even have some clothes that might fit you." Talia said, and I was shocked to see the reddening of her cheeks as well.
"Huh. Maybe this will alll work out fine after all." I thought.
"We can all meet back up later. Right now, I want to clean up." Cici said as she walked up to me and took my hand. I couldn't have said it better myself.
"You know, if you want, after you see the place, you can use our bath." Warren said, fidgeting as he addressed my mother.
"That sounds wonderful to me! I've been dying to meet you. Eli didn't tell me his mom was such a lovely woman." Anya said, beaming at her.
"Oh... okay. That sounds nice." My mom said, also looking like a blushing anime character.
I just stared at everyone with my mouth slightly ajar.
"What the fuck is going on here?" I muttered to no one but myself.