<30 August 2024, GRAND MESA OF SUMMER, A+> [Theo and Julia] Theo and Julia were surprised; they had not expected to get any messages from anyone. Theo was confused. "Wait, he is still the president?"

Oreburn looked confused, then shook his head. "No, We simply wanted to ensure that you knew who the message was from. The System has not recognized any of the former governments."

Theo nodded, and Oreburn relayed the message. "Lord and Lady Sorrin. My name is Joshua Armstrong, and I have a plea to ask of you. You both seem to have taken to this new world with gusto, and for that, I applaud you, but I have not been so fortunate. But I am not the one who I am concerned for. I am more concerned for my six-year-old daughter, Sarah."

Theo saw the look of concern in Julia's eyes and had to admit he wondered what the children who were living through this were dealing with. Oreburn continued speaking the message.

"I have been advised by Starfall, who is a compatriot of Oreburn, that creating a Family of my own to protect her would be far harder than I realize. Having seen that you have already formed a family, I can only assume that you are in a better position to protect and prepare a child for the life that is to come. So I ask that you help me to help Sarah. I don't know what that looks like, and I don't know what it means, but I am concerned. I don't know what it would take, and I don't know what I have to offer, but I will give it. And I know there are others who would as well."

Theo saw the look of concern that grew on Julia's face and had his own concerns grow with it. He recognized that people probably needed help, but he was also not in any position to help more than maybe two or three people. Hosting a bunch of people for a day or two, maybe even a week, he could understand. However, it is a different story to support a person long-term.

Oreburn continued. "I don't know why, but I was instructed to build a 'Merchants Guide Tower,' so if you can, please send word. I must also inform you that there are two people here who have been tasked with finding you, I believe. They were initially tasked to find me, but now they are tasked to find Family Sorrin. Thank you, and I hope to hear from you soon."

"That is the message that he wished relayed," Oreburn said. "We will give you a moment."

Theo and Julia turned to face each other. Theo spoke first. "So what do you think?"

"I think that we should try and help," Julia said, then a sadder look crossed over her face. "But we are not in any better position than others! Why would Starfall suggest this to a father desperate to help his child?"

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Theo was about to respond when Gus walked up. "I am sorry to interrupt and did not intend to hear your conversation, but I felt that I should tell you something."

Theo nodded. "Please go ahead."

Gus bowed to them and then spoke, "You both have very little in comparison to the people that you are regularly associating with. Compared with a whole clan of dwarves, The Karzun Family, or someone like Oreburn, yes, you are going to lose that comparison for many, many, many years."

Theo nodded, the logic making perfect sense. Gus continued, "But compared to those on this planet who have not had the opportunities that you have had. Compared to those unwilling to take the risks that you have taken? You are exponentially better off. It is a somewhat well-known statistic that in the first moment of induction, after accepting the System, the System makes an offer to teleport people to a starter area."

Julia and Theo nodded, remembering the choice that had left them both out here together. Gus nodded, too, "The percentage of people who choose that is incredibly high. Most who study these kinds of things agree that out of ten million, only three will refuse the teleport."

That put a very different spin on their perception of their decision to stay. Theo and Julia looked at each other, even more thankful than they already were to be stuck with who they were stuck with. Gus continued speaking. "While the System does provide a finite amount of resources, there will always be ways to find food and water. You have both put in effort and striven to achieve things. That is incredibly rare when compared to the masses. And the kind of people who generally do well in the System are those who refuse the teleport. So Starfall was making a safe bet."

Theo nodded thoughtfully, and Julia looked lost in her own mind; Gus bowed once more. "Once again, I apologize for overhearing your conversation, but I hope that this makes more sense."

"It's not a problem," Julia said with a smile.

Oreburn walked back over, "We are ready to depart. You can expect another visitor in the next day or two as well. Is there anything you wish to ask? We will answer what we can."

Theo nodded, "We helped the Arthintry during the Primordial Flight, and they seemed rather reasonable; we both wanted to know why you warned us of them."

Orebrun nodded. "We were unsure of your ability to resist their abilities. And on top of that, the Arthintry, first and foremost, view almost all non-Arthintry as food. We still believe that it would be best for you to limit contact with them."

Theo and Julia nodded. Julia focused on Oreburn, "Well, Oreburn, it was good to see you again; maybe next time, we will be able to prepare a better meal for you."

Oreburn nodded, "We would appreciate that."

Gus stepped forward, "It has been a pleasure to be your guest, and I look forward to meeting you again somewhere else."

With that, Gus was gone; not even a footprint hinted that he had been there. Oreburn squatted down, preparing to fly away like he did, when he nodded to them both. "We thank you once more for your hospitality and congratulate you on all your achievements."

With a thrum of power, Oreburn was gone.

Theo and Julia saw the last sliver of sunlight drop down, leaving only stars, and Julia walked up next to Theo. "Bedtime?"

Theo nodded. "Bedtime, and then tomorrow it's back to work."

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