Carl's JourneyThat day when he find the mysterious map wasn't promising at all. Sick from unjustice and selfishness around him, he spent most of his time in his own room, with his PC, in his own mind. He wouldn't even go on that vacation if it wasn't for big contraction work next door which made it impossible to stay inside. And then he find the map.
Lucky that Higher Councel aproved it, he gathered the crew. His time at PC was far from useless as he knew exactly who is good in what, and who to call to join him. And everyone he called jumped on board without second thought, at least it looked like that. His friends shared his enthusiasm about new world, to rule it with justice and friendliness, and followed him to readily.
He is a loner, and was close to freaking out once he realized only place he'd be alone on ship was in his small cabin. Thankfully, his job was tighed only to quartermaster and she was a pleasant loner who soon became his close friend.
Once they settled Union Cove, he got the big Castle in most attractive lot in town, and got a chance to move in his Dreamgirl. She indeed came from his dreams, everything about her was perfect and once all was set in a right place, there were nothing else but to move her in with him.
Thing is, his journey toward Union Cove changed him. Overweight and freaking out, always looking for a place to sit and stay away, while everyone else enjoyed the world around... it hit him more than once. He was no longer in a world where you don't want to go out. Looking for Union Cove changed him, but his Dreamgirl didn't. After a day it was clear to him he didnt make a right decision. She wants kids and family life, wants him in the house all day long, and don't care about his look or life habbits. And he didn't want that anymore. His Dreamgirl is someone elses Dreamgirl now. He wants to see and show that change, for himself and for the rest of the world that should benefit from it. Only time he got out of his shell lead to finding and settling Union Cove, who know what else he can do for the world!
Dreamgirl went quietly, she wasn't angry or sad, she simply left erasing traces of her, probably in someone elses dream. Sometimes he wondered if she ever egsisted outside his mind, and was thankful for no drama following the breakup.
Once alone he focused on his goal. His Castle is like a city having all he needed:
His clothes are now too big, so salon was the next stop - makeover was not major, but big enough to like the result.
Next was the vacation time. Five years on journey made him little restless and change of the air would do good for him. And he needs more ideas what will he do as writing during a day and hacking all night is not really world changing.
So China it was. Being reenergized by all the things he done, he wrote a book there, and spend the rest of the day jogging and swimming in this wonderful place. Eventually, locals wanted to met him.
In a casual chitchat with an old man, he learned that there are no nearly expencive houses as he had, and old man seemed confused with why would anyone want to have such a big house, except their ancient rulers of course. So that old man sent him to the Martial Arts Academy for some spiritual search. And that is how Carl changed from neurotic to eccentric.
Regular jogging around made him realize that all of those people are leaving modest lives in materialistic way but he envy them for their inner peace and happyness shown on their faces. With each day spent in this wonderful country Carl was wiser. Wasn't he happy while living on a ship? He can't recall when he was happier than that. Doing something good, for higher cause, spending time with great people, living with the nature and finding the way trough it forces.. Something indeed went wrong with his settlement in Union Cove.
On his way back, he find the bills waiting for him. As he signed the payment, he felt really bad for it. With the money he just gave for having stuff he doesn't need, he could build a house for a whole family! That wasn't something he could live with. That night while meditating he finaly had his vision cleared. And just as he finished talking to his realestate agent, his old friend call him up.
"I have to talk to you."
..
"I'll come over if you have time."
...
"I'll be there within an hour."