Checking my phone to see that it's on airplane mode, I confirm that it is indeed not emitting any signals and won't interfere with anything during our flight back to D.C..
Outside, Tokyo sits calm and cool in the winter evening. Around seven in the evening now, the jet of Azrael's is ready and with turbines turning pulls us into position on the runway. Flying about twelve hours, James, Azrael, and I will be in the air before we touch down in local time in D.C. around five in the evening. Local time here in Tokyo is around seven, and some way or another we'll be in the evening when we arrive in D.C..
"Does everything seem alright?" I ask Azrael as he's just returned from a talk with the pilots.
"Yes, it seems so," says Azrael with a nod, "we'll be in the air in a few minutes, and as long as things go as they are intended, within the hour we'll be mostly over the ocean."
"I doubt we'll see it," I say as outside there's no sun, and only perhaps the moon over the cold night can be anything that illuminates the world.
"It would seem so," says Azrael with a nod, "but I guess it can't be helped."
The jet moves, and we turn a corner as I think we get into position on the runway where we're about to take off. Sure enough, the jet powers up, and then we're speeding across the runway, the ground falling off below us and the sky the destination.
"Once we arrive back in D.C.," says Azrael as the jet somewhat quiets as we rise up and there's less noise so he can hear himself talk, "I think I need to swing by the office."
"Won't it be around five when we touch down? Past when work ends?" I ask.
"I will be. I just need to check something. But I'll have a car drop you off at home, as I don't think you need to be there."
"I don't mind going to the office," I say, "and if anything, I'd say that I should go with you as well."
"Why's that?" asks Azrael, tilting his head.
"Well, I think I should make sure you don't stay in the office too long. You might work yourself out," I say, "and if I were not allowed to go with you, I'd say you shouldn't either."
"Fair point," says Azrael with a grin, "I think I will."
"What about me?" asks James as he tilts his head form his seat across the aisle, "Do I get a car ride to my place?"
"Do you need one?" asks Azrael.
"I'd like one," says James, "I feel I forgot to tell my driver that I'd need him to come and pick me up upon my return."
"Then I'll find some transport for you," says Azrael, "and I think I should tell you that you've been very good at being present on this trip."
"I know," says James with a smile, "I can't believe myself that I was able to do so. Personally, it was within my expectations that I wouldn't be able to keep up with all the activities and trips we had planned."
"I'd say I'm grateful that you did," says Azrael.
"Yeah," I agree, "it was fun traveling around with you, and I think that if you weren't there, it wouldn't be the same."
"We really should do this more often," says James as he smiles more, "I really liked it."
"I would, but we also have work to do," says Azrael.
"True," says James, "I have so many inspirations of what I want to do that I can't wait to get started."
"Hopefully you follow through with them," says Azrael.
"I think I will," says James, "I like this feeling of finishing a job. Keeping a promise. I can say that I'll keep it."
"I like hearing that," says Azrael with a smile.
Talking more for a few hours, we spend time awake, before we do begin to get sleepy. Azrael says that he tries to not sleep as that way he can cope with jet-lag, but James literally closes his eyes and then he's asleep within moments.
"I suppose I should have expected that," says Azrael with a chuckle.
"Do you think I should stay awake?" I ask Azrael.
"Only if you need to," Azrael answers.
"I am a little weary," I admit.
"Then sleep," says Azrael simply, "there's nothing wrong with it."
"Won't you?" I ask concerned.
"Well, I guess it's not wise to derive myself of sleep," admits Azrael in turn.
"Then I guess we should, eh?" I say.
"It seems so," says Azrael.
Having said so, Azrael reclines his chair, and says, "Sweet dreams."
Then he closes his eyes, his face and figure relaxing, and then he is quietly sleeping. I watch his face for a few moments, before I do sleep as well.