Easily avoiding both living and mystical security with her insignificance, Rat returned to the Cathedral Opulent.
She had spent a fun night with her mother Ari, and even got to see—and be seen—by her father Gan Shokta and by Borborygmos when they returned from the guild meeting. They told Araithia and her mother that Master Dovin Baan and Miss Liliana Vess were dead, but that the Bolas minion Tezzeret was still at large in the Multiverse.
Of course, Rat didn’t tell any of them that Miss Liliana was still alive, too. But she told a version of what occurred on Gobakhan and Dominaria, the summation of which amounted to: “I have grand adventures—and friends!”
All three seemed to enjoy her tale. They expressed their pride in her and told her they were happy for her. Rat promised to come home and visit periodically. No one protested her going to other worlds for long stretches.
One good thing about the Gruul: They’re not exactly precious with their children.
Climbing in through her Orzhova window now, she raced out of her assigned room to check in with Teyo and Mistress Kaya. The guild meeting had gone well from their point of view, as well. No hitches. They’d all leave for Fiora early the next day.
Madame Blaise entered with a tray of tea and nearly smashed into Rat, who blithely dodged out of the way. When informed of this by Teyo, the loyal servitor got quite flustered. A somewhat giddy Rat stole the sugar bowl off Madame Blaise’s tray and held it up right in front of the woman’s face, as the loyal servitor berated herself for forgetting it in the kitchen. Rat then replaced it on the tray, and the old woman wondered if she was losing her mind…before realizing that Mistress Araithia—whom she absolutely refused to call Rat anymore—was playing a little prank “on old Blaise.” Fortunately, the motherly woman didn’t seem to mind the little joke at her expense. She was able to laugh with the others. Rat apologized through Teyo, and Madame Blaise accepted her apology and, moreover, swore that one day she would find a way to see her young mistress in order to “serve the poor girl better.” Her determination almost brought a tear to Rat’s eyes. Or might have. Except that right now Araithia Shokta was too happy for tears.
Happy as she was, Rat was still a bit sad over the loss of Mister Egg and what it might have meant to her.
Still, you gotta admit, sometimes it’s a lot of fun being the Rat.