Alternate Future thread: Pat and Metody 31 years on.

[aureliaofarista]

Very late in the reign of Imperatrix Aurelia Aristana, Pat of the Aristan Foundling Guard celebrated her last Lupercalia festival with a foreign guest, one who'd become a lot less foreign over the decades. She didn't dance quite as she used to, but it was still impressive for a woman of 51. She drank with her younger siblings-in-arms and gave the

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[metody_green]

The years have passed by a dream for Metody, bright and chattering and impermanent. Twenty-nine years ago, he left his homeworld for the very last time, forced by his still-young face to go. He has been back a few times since, but never for more than a few yearning moments.

He still wears that young face, smooth and unlined after all these years. And he still has his Pat. His perfect, beautiful Pat.

He sighs, glancing behind him at Arista. "It seems unfair to the rest of the world that one place should be so perfect."

[aureliaofarista]

Pat long ago stopped reflecting on what a mismatched pair they must look walking along together.

Pat smiles. "We're very lucky, yes. And you know you'll always be welcome to visit."

[metody_green]

The most important parts of them match. He smiles at her, reaching for her hand.

"I know. I'm glad of it."

[aureliaofarista]

She'll take it quite happily. "General Dru's always glad to hear it. You can tell because she almost smiles." Pat chuckles.

"That..was a good festival," Pat then says with a certain...decisiveness.