Plus t seemed that the excitement of having this party with Randidly present was enough of a positive spin to completely wipe the memory of NeveahÆs feminine voice out of TiaÆs mind She was undeniably adorable even if it was just in her single minded infatuation for the upcoming party
In his mind Randidly considered himself a great deal more worldly than he had been before the System Hell in terms of seeing ritzy locals he considered his stint in ShalÆs world as him brushing up against the upper crust But the ballroom he walked into was a reminder that Randidly had only been a part of the Northern Region of ShalÆs world which was considered relatively remote
The floor was black marble with gold trimmings and large granite pillars rose upwards The ceiling was done in pure alabaster carvings a veritable menagerie of creatures prowling about the upper area of the room And in those myriad animals Randidly clearly recognized NeveahÆs handiwork The splendor of the room did a lot to knock away the rest of RandidlyÆs resentment and at that moment he could see the value in sampling this life Neveah had created
It was a strange statement to RandidlyÆs mind Because the ground was black and gold and the upper areas of the ceiling were white with silver It seemed to say that these people were in hell while heaven watched from above He hoped this wasnÆt a religious statement
Tia OHMYGOSH is this him You didnÆt tell me he was a model A squeak brought Randidly back to earth and an Asian girl dashed across the ballroom floor towards Tia and Randidly who had just walk down the steps The girl was wearing a cream and red floor length dress and her shoes clacked loudly on the marble floor as she ran towards them
Instantly Randidly felt his internal tension rising But immediately NeveahÆs cooling influence settled on him This is so foolish you always become so involved in people You are Randidly Ghosthound If you do not like them do not give them your time
Somewhat soothed Randidly smiled and nodded at the girl and then stepped past her and continued walking forward towards the group
So sorry Aimee there are just so many people to meet Tia said with a pout but to his surprise Randidly could sense that Tia was rather pleased with how he handled things In her mind it was a statement about status but as long as it meant that Randidly didnÆt have to associate overmuch with these people he would be fine with it
Striding forward Randidly approached the well dressed group of 30 people that were grouped around a few buffet tables In groups of twos and threes they broke off from the central group and approached Randidly and Tia who was still locked onto his arm like a sea urchin It made RandidlyÆs eyelids twitch to hear all these people congratulate him on his recent engagement but due to NeveahÆs plea he said nothing
He simply smiled and nodded
His gaze was locked on an elderly man dressed in a purple suit with a white feathered hat This was Senator Firefly who was the political figure who guaranteed RandidlyÆs validity If anyone would be able to give Randidly the information he needed it would be him
So Randidly shook a few hands and continued walking It seemed that from Senator FireflyÆs gaze he realized immediately that Randidly wanted something and disengaged his conversation with the two attractive young women who were standing around him
Randidly my friend Congratulations I donÆt suppose youÆd indulge an old man for a walk I believe there are a few tricks an elderly bachelor such as myself can impart on someone of your age haha
Without waiting for an answer Senator Firefly turned and began to walk Although he could feel how the two women the senator had left and Tia for that matter was filled with disappointment they remained silent Almost wondering at this strange social power Randidly followed the older man out of the ballroom through a few hallways and into the gardens
Pretty early in the season for dragonflies to be active The Senator said as they began strolling down the path As they had entered the gardens a pair of the insects had lifted from the ground and buzzed path Instantly Randidly was able to identify that these were tools of Ghost but it was a wonder that this man was able to do the same
Was it a warning from the other man or a coincidence
Chapter 551
You were right Senator Firefly announced To think I doubted you If not for you I would never have started this city for refugees they now call the Orchard in my honor I apologize for that You have my gratitude
Randidly shrugged He hadnÆt realized that Neveah had been the one to push for this refugee camp but it made sense As he looked through her memories earlier he had seen many instances of her helping people and building She had chosen to dedicate her time to helping these people and that was something that Randidly could appreciate
Honestly aside from the marriage proposal Randidly was impressed by everything he had seen from Neveah He didnÆt quite understand why she would now want him to walk through this role she created but he was willing to give her a bit more leeway
Senator Firefly continued calmly to speak As you know my status as a Senator lets me view some of the analytics data that Ghost gathers on different populations in the Zone Imagine my chagrin when that strange being reported that according to his observations and self reporting Skill Leveling in the Orchard is about double as fast as the rest of the Zone Part of that is the training courses you created but in the words of Ghost
The Senator trailed off as he produced a piece of paper from his pocket He adjusted his glasses and frowned down at it before reading Æthere seems an intangible difference in outlook that both raises the willingness to work in these humans and also gives an amorphous but undeniable increase in the rate of Skill growth Æ Now I donÆt want to get too far ahead of myself but for them to grow at double the rate of the rest of the Zone and to feel deeply indebted to you and I Well it makes all the money IÆve poured down the throats of these miserable people worth it
RandidlyÆs lips twitched
NeveahÆs voice sounded in my head He is a foolish man All things are toy soldiers in his eyes But he can see the importance of intangibles Plus he was desperate when he came to visit me in my castle He has been useful
As Randidly regarded Senator Firefly doubtfully the other man waved his hand in irritation DonÆt make that face at me I know how you feel about my outlooks But it is due to those outlooks that IÆve made it this far They are part of my strengths it is due to this way of mine I have climbed as far as I have As they say sometimes it is preferable to have a predictable enemy than a fickle friend And I have been a predictable enemy to many
I donÆt think IÆve heard that before Randidly said but Senator Firefly just chuckled
Of course Because it is one of my own sayings Do you like it
Randidly rolled his eyes examining the beautifully manicured garden around him The fireflies continued to however nearby Without a doubt Ghost had zeroed in on this role of Randidly as someone worth watching That if nothing else made Randidly realize some of the value of having Neveah working out here independently of him It gave Ghost a focus
I have no doubt that Ghost is doing this secretly with his watchers Senator Firefly said But he has inquired your methodology in igniting the textile industry in the Orchard The cloth they are producing is softer and stronger than should be possible he claims What a fool Heh
Randidly looked sharply up at Senator Firefly He waved his hand airily
Oh donÆt say it IÆm not sure why you are so sensitive of Ghost but he is just an AI An information gathering tool used by the government He wonÆt ever become more than that not anymore Already President Howard has turned against him If not for his usefulness he would be ousted very quickly by the Congress
Again Randidly was taken aback by the senatorÆs casual treatment of a serious issue Perhaps that is so But most people do not think that Ghost is such a simple machine to dismantle And the belief of those people is a dangerous thing for your opinion