Had that grating voice, so real, yet so absurd in concept, changed his life, for better or worse?
"Lightfoot', as I recall, was rather a coarse fellow, somewhat reclusive and independent, with a tendency towards hedonistic self-indulgence and a narrow view of the world and humanity.
"Hopefully over time, I've become a bit less rough, and have broadened my perspectives. We are all 'works in progress', and I consider myself fortunate to have had the same "Employer" through various incarnations of what has now become the Temporary Autonomous Zoners."
Mal polished off the "Tres Seisas" dark, and rose to grab another pair, wondering when Reggie had gotten them into the specialty brewing business. "Three Sixes", eh? The bugger. He grabbed a pillow of his own and squatted down next to the journalist.
"When 'we', the Goddess and I, first got into the business of balancing the Chao, She had taken a look at the 'ledger', and sensed that the Hodge was winning, in the form of stricter House governments, larger militaries, and a lack of decent 'disorderlies' to balance the equation. Oh, there were strong Corsair and Outcast groups, but they were busy balancing their own particular Chao.
"Why Eris picked the Lane Hackers for our chosen banner escapes me now; but we roamed where we could, 'throwing pies', and sundry monkey wrenches at the forces of Hodge. I believe we managed to take out some of the wobble, at least.
"We also gave the Sector a sense of humor, and new things to think about; but 'pirating' back then was not the business it is today, lad. We tightened our belts, and even had "Frankless Fridays".
"I think my first Pineal meltdown happened somewhere around there.. the time of the ELF's 'diaspora', going our separate ways as Epopts and missionaries to the various Houses and factions of Sirius, both Hodge and Podge.
"Well, Eris is a sharp cookie, Acolyte Skripto. It didn't take her long to discover who the 'real' power in the Sector was. the people who could make and shake, and act behind the scenes while remaining in plain site.
"From that point forward, Eris and her Followers have adopted the Zoner way. The Veranda Gang, the Free State of Fernando Poo, and finally, the TAZ."
He had been avoiding the big question, thinking about it as he had reminisced on the Church's history.
"Yes, Gypsie, I believe I have changed. I believe the Church has changed and evolved. I believe that though we must "stick apart", we do not exist and evolve in a vacuum. Perceptions, and Realities, are created by consensus, not by individuals. I have been blessed by the people I have met, and 'shared' realities with. And, of course, there's always that snarky Voice barging in with Her opinion...
"There will always be Chaos. It is the fabric of the Universe. 'Indra's Net'. What we choose to weave into the fabric of that net determines who we are."