AbyssalRoadTrip
patreon
Abyssal Road Trip - 324 - Nobody sees
🕑 Added 2023-08-26 08:13:34 +0000 UTCAmdirlain’s PoV - Material Plane - Qil Tris - Year 4363 (Local calendar)
After hearing the full details of the Eldritch, Cla’nes looked almost ill but drew her shoulders back and lifted her chin. “I’ve been out of my depth many times, but the water in this is even deeper. Is there anyone else looking into these things?”
“Professor Mor’lmes from the Triumvirate Campus already has teams collecting information. If you need to talk to him, he only knows me as J, and I’d like to keep it that way.”
“Siloed information, got it,” breathed Cla’nes, and she picked up the choker to look at the motif on the pendant. “I’ve not seen a bird like this before.”
Amdirlain smiled as the pendant swung in Cla’nes’s hand; the facets of the bird caught the light, making it appear to fly. “It’s from my home world. It’s a songbird.”
“Beings from outside our realm, from other planets and planes. I think I’ll need time for it all to digest. You were singing notes that buzzed in my hearing before this appeared. You can sing things into existence?” enquired Cla’nes.
The mental cataloguing of opportunities made Amdirlain’s smile twitch. “Yes.”
Cla’nes twitched an ear westward. “The weird effects no one can find any Mana involved with. Were you doing things the same way?”
“I’ve got a range of abilities; some are normal Wizard spells, but not all,” admitted Amdirlain.
Cla’nes looked at the still befuddled Ssa’time. “How much am I allowed to tell others?”
“If you are considering working with Mor’lmes and Wha’sin, perhaps contact them and come to a consensus on what you share with your contacts,” proposed Amdirlain. “As long as you’re not sharing information about me, you’re welcome to share any information about the Eldritch you think they can handle.”
“No particular preference?” asked Cla’nes. “As long there is no mention of J and Am, and I don’t point anyone towards you in another fashion, I’m safe from my memory being wiped.”
‘Yes,’ Amdirlain said directly into Cla’nes’s mind.
A shiver went up Cla’nes’ spine. “Okay, that will take getting used to.”
“I wanted it to be clear I can touch your mind in other ways than wiping memories,” clarified Amdirlain. “Though if a little mind touch is disturbing, perhaps becoming involved in the investigation is too much.”
“No, I’ll speak to Mor’lmes and see what help my contacts can offer,” said Cla’nes. “If you’d ease your presence off Ssa’time, I suggest we have some food, and I’ll reschedule some visitors.”
Tossing Cla’nes a storage ring, Amdirlain caught the look of appreciation in Cla’nes’s gaze when she swept the items in it. “You give interesting gifts. Are you sure you’re not interested?”
“Thanks, but I’m sure,” replied Amdirlain. Furling in her Charisma, Amdirlain gave Ssa’time plenty of space as she slowly roused.
“Lady Cla’nes, what happened?” asked Ssa’time, and as she sat up, Cla’nes offered the security bracelet back to her. “I took that off to avoid accidents in your confused state.”
Ssa’time glanced at the odd placement of Cla’nes’s fingers gripping the bracelet and gave a relieved nod.
Security signals for all occasions.
“Am is quite the strong prodigy. We had to bring you to the couch when her Charisma got out of control,” explained Cla’nes. “I think I’ll cancel my plans for this evening. Could you order in the usual for us? Would you join us for dinner, Am, and we’ll continue training afterwards?”
“Of course, I’d be delighted,” responded Amdirlain.
“Ssa’time please show Am to the garden room. We’ll eat there this evening. I’ll join you as soon as I finish my calls,” instructed Cla’nes.
Returning the bracelet to her wrist, Ssa’time rose and gestured towards the door. “If you’d follow me, the garden room is on the upper floor.”
Their path went via a spiral staircase tucked away at the far end of the main room. Before they reached the top, the faint scent of flowers wafted down to greet them. Though the garden ‘room’ was only half the width of Cla’nes’s apartment, it had a floor space that could swallow Jan’era’s entire apartment several times over.
So this is how the other half lives, though Cla’nes is unlikely to be at the top of the food chain.
Curved pathways moved between islands of chairs among the greenery. Various hued flowers among the plants were blooming, but the scent wasn’t overpowering. While Ssa’time was ordering dinner, Amdirlain advised Sarah not to wait for her. The indoor garden had a relaxing atmosphere for dinner from the downstairs restaurant. Ssa'time watched them from downstairs through the garden's security wards instead of joining them.
“Does Ssa’time have a hard time gaining levels, or do you have a way around the military permit restrictions?” asked Amdirlain as she finished eating.
“The only people that can bypass the restrictions are the patron families,” replied Cla’nes. “Leave the plates; the restaurant staff will come up to collect them.”
“Doesn’t take a moment to stack them,” Amdirlain said, and once she finished putting everything into a neat pile, continued. “Let’s get back to training your abilities, shall we?”
Amdirlain left Cla'nes to rest after four hours of trying to increase her abilities by twenty points. Looking between them, Ssa’time fairly hummed with suspicion when she saw Amdirlain off. The same driver from the afternoon delivered Amdirlain to Jan’era’s place and waited until she was inside the front door before he drove off.
“How did things go?” murmured Sarah, sitting beside Jan’era on the living room couch, watching a broadcast from a club. “Thanks for the updates on your ETA.”
“It was clear her Femme Fatale options aren’t what I want. She’s going to talk to some contacts, but we did some ability training this evening,” replied Amdirlain.
Jan’era’s pink ear twitched even though she kept her confusion from her face. “Your Charisma still has quite the impact.”
“I’ll get the hang of it eventually, I’m sure,” sighed Amdirlain. “I’m glad Cla’nes is so patient with me. Who’s sleeping where?”
“Kadaklan’s got the fourth bedroom. I’m bunking with you,” advised Sarah.
Amdirlain gave an exaggerated huff and folded her arms. “As long you keep to your side of the bed.”
“I must cuddle my little sister,” grumbled Sarah.
“You’re being goofy,” said Amdirlain.
Sarah laughed. “Too right. It’s far safer to sleep on the floor than risk being kicked.”
Their joking tone had Jan’era give the pair a long look, and she turned to Sarah. “Am said she’d slept out in the wilds with only camp stones as wards?”
“She’s a crazy kitten, and she’s gone more dangerous places than I want to consider,” replied Sarah, losing her joking tone. “Thanks for putting us up.”
“At this rate, we’re going to need to repay you,” argued Jan’era.
Jan’era’s disbelieving tone had Amdirlain lift an eyebrow. “Who did what now?”
“Kadaklan wanted to see if he could show me up,” replied Sarah, waving toward the silver charge plate by the door. “Not sure how much Mana he dropped in.”
“Far too much,” reported Jan’era. “I’m sure someone will ask why the city is paying us to live here.”
“It’s a good problem to have, right?” asked Amdirlain.
Kadaklan’s bedroom door opened, and he came out wearing a bright yellow yukata, cloth emblazoned with blue phoenixes in full flight.
Jan’era winced and held a hand up to her face. “That’s bright enough to make someone’s eyes bleed.”
Spreading his hands helplessly, Kadaklan grinned.
“He is colourful,” laughed Amdirlain.
Kadaklan waved to her bedroom. “If you’d lay down, I’d like to confirm there isn’t a lingering issue with your legs.”
“Going to run off as soon as you do?” questioned Amdirlain.
“Not immediately,” responded Kadaklan. “Del’krin is interested in learning more about Ki healing methods. I can't help Jul'iane directly, but I know who to ask for information. Now come along.”
“Why is it you protested you were barely older than me before, and now you’re bossing me around?” asked Amdirlain.
“You’re the patient that keeps running away; are you now complaining?” countered Kadaklan with a mock huff as he stuck his nose in the air.
“No, just curious,” replied Amdirlain. “Did you get the rest of Del’krin’s problems sorted out?”
Kadaklan nodded happily. “I did; it was relief that she was no longer in such pain.”
“Alright, I suppose I can lay down for you then,” replied Amdirlain. “Not like you’ve not seen my legs before when you put them back together.”
“Well, you’re not bleeding at present, so today’s an improvement already,” stated Kadaklan. “I’ll give you a few minutes to get changed.”
Amdirlain headed into her bedroom, stripped down to briefs and a shirt and wrapped an illusion song in place. She’d settled herself on the bed well before he followed. When he opened the door, Amdirlain caught his hesitation and fired off a question. “Did Jul’iane or Jan’era get their Ki to move before you came back here?”
“Not yet. We will see if they can persist in attempting to do so,” said Kadaklan before he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. Clearing his throat, his voice lowered. “You know you didn’t need to change into underwear. I was giving you time for appearance’s sake.”
“Not the worst state you’ve seen me in,” laughed Amdirlain. “I’ll brace myself, and you can look me over.”
Kadaklan snorted. “I’ll look but not touch.”
“You make it sound like I’m a stripper,” laughed Amdirlain.
“Should I ask if you’ve put a sound barrier illusion on the door?” enquired Kadaklan
Amdirlain nodded. “Before you even stepped inside. I have some questions to ask that I didn’t want Jan’era overhearing.”
“Well, I shouldn’t take too long,” Kadaklan replied. “Prepare yourself, please. I doubt you want to rip the bed apart.”
“Can you at least make sure I finish?” quipped Amdirlain.
Kadaklan groaned. “I see your sense of humour is intact.”
His Third Eye lit up with the yellow-golden flames, and Amdirlain cycled through her sigil. She'd only completed three loops when he stopped.
“You could keep it going. I didn’t progress Mental Hardening,” grumbled Amdirlain.
“As much as I’m sure you’d enjoyed reaching greater heights, that might be an ordeal you need to enlist someone else to help with,” advised Kadaklan calmly.
“So what’s the verdict, doctor? Will I be able to tap dance?”
“Of course,” agreed Kadaklan.
“You did great work then, because I didn’t know how,” snickered Amdirlain.
As Amdirlain burst into laughter, Kadaklan closed his eyes and counted to ten. “What are you nervous about?”
“The strange man in my room,” squeaked Amdirlain.
“I’m more entitled to be nervous; it’s like I’m caged with a tigress,” rejoined Kadaklan. “Put your pants back on, will you?”
Amdirlain hopped up and pulled on a pair from the cupboard. “Okay, what’s the verdict for real?”
“Most of the splinters haven’t left a mark. I’m glad you took the time to cycle Ki soon after the injury. There is a thickening in areas of your leg’s net at some locations,” reported Kadaklan. “I want you cycling at least a few hours daily to seal them properly and promote regrowth. The node that didn’t form properly isn’t looking good, and it’s a matter of when I can operate to fix it rather than if I’ll need to operate.”
“Ouch, okay. I’ll admit I didn’t like the junction’s appearance,” said Amdirlain.
Kadaklan frowned. “I don’t suppose you’d leave the Eldritch alone and take the time to let your legs heal rather than stay?”
“Leave the world completely? No,” stated Amdirlain, and she continued before Kadaklan could protest. “I plan to take what Eldritch I can kill or imprison out at a distance until my legs recover properly. I’ve got a plan to kill two birds with one stone. How long will I need for the net in my legs to heal properly?”
“If you don’t overstrain it again?” asked Kadaklan, not hiding his concern.
“Yeah, that’s a given. I know I’ll need to avoid that,” replied Amdirlain.
“As I told you before, it can vary from months to years. How many hours have you allowed yourself for Ki Cycling since the operation?” probed Kadaklan.
Amdirlain grimaced. “Likely not enough.”
“Your cover identity didn’t get ruined. Please don’t be careless and ruin your legs’ healing. The sooner you begin regular gentle Ki cycling, the better,” advised Kadaklan reprovingly. “And don’t be overstraining your body or try to take shortcuts in your healing.”
“I thought you didn’t take shortcuts, but Del’krin was moving wisps of Ki about when I left,” teased Amdirlain.
Kadaklan fixed Amdirlain with a pointed look. “I’m not surprised at Del’krin’s ability to do so with the amount of Ki her old injuries required. If she can keep the wisps moving after the aftereffects settle remains to be seen. She, however, didn’t have her legs completely severed.”
“I’ll make time to cycle each night,” confirmed Amdirlain.
“Please do,” said Kadaklan. “Why are you trying to improve your Mental Hardening?”
“I got offered three variations of powers around my shapeshifting and regeneration ability; one of them is called Phoenix’s Immolation,” replied Amdirlain, and she explained what each of them did.
“You simply see these ‘notifications’ in your mind?” asked Kadaklan, and he sat on the foot of the bed.
Amdirlain nodded. “Yep.”
“If this Power relates to the South Wind, the greater Phoenix Shen can erupt into flames more frequently than you've been told,” advised Kadaklan.
“I don’t suppose you could get me information on their prerequisites?” enquired Amdirlain excitedly, her ears twitching at her words.
“Others don’t simply receive a notification,” chided Kadaklan gently. “However, I’ll send some messages and see if there are insights they can provide. Do you believe you’d more likely need your powers and skills stronger or new capabilities?”
“I don’t know, but for an experiment, I was going to try and bring the other three powers up to match Protean,” replied Amdirlain.
“I have been able to make out more details in my Third Eye since the healing,” admitted Kadaklan. “You said your Mental Hardening is already in Grand Mastery. It’s possible you need its evolution to get the next Power. Perhaps I was too quick to reject continuing.”
“OH!?” grinned Amdirlain in barely restrained excitement.
Her eagerness had Kadaklan glaring at her sternly. “That doesn’t mean I seek or desire to cause you pain,”
“Think of it as rehabilitation therapy,” proposed Amdirlain. “Should I lay down for you, baby?”
“Amdirlain,” laughed Kadaklan. “Now I know you just want me for my eye.”
Cupping her face in her hands, Amdirlain battered her eyelids coyly.
Kadaklan groaned and shook his head, muttering briefly before he continued. “Del’krin told me some of what she went through to walk again. It is not an idea with which I’m familiar.”
“Maybe you could visit some hospitals and volunteer; you might see it firsthand,” proposed Amdirlain.
Kadaklan huffed. “If I saw their suffering, do you think I could resist tampering and healing them?”
“You could take that approach. Del’krin’s situation would give you credibility that your abilities work. Maybe you could get their healers to supervise and study your patients. If you can encourage more to use Ki healing techniques, it might help their souls find enlightenment,” replied Amdirlain. “Just ensure they know no gods are involved; that’s a sensitive subject.”
“I already discovered that firsthand when-” said Kadaklan, and he paused mid-sentence. “If it hadn’t been for us pursuing you without warning, I’d wonder if you and Livia hadn’t manipulated me into coming.”
“If you’d messaged me, I would have lined up a time to return to the base camp,” countered Amdirlain. “Why didn’t you call?”
“Your Sarah was there and already going to go find you,” informed Kadaklan. “It seemed logical to aid her search and come with her.”
“She’s not my Sarah; she’s her own person,” corrected Amdirlain lightly.
Kadaklan considered her kindly. “Often, the longer you avoid dealing with a wound, the worse the consequences of a wound will get, as it is with issues between people. Those issues don’t have to be arguments, just misunderstandings about mutual interests or desired goals.”
Amdirlain sighed. “There are many factors involved in our situation, but pretty sure I won’t ever be what she hopes.”
Kadaklan nodded. “Now, onto your issue, which doesn’t seem like a small matter given the efforts likely involved. Angelic Aura, I doubt I can do anything to help you since my abilities are not that of a Wu Jen. However, some elixirs can cause great pain, even to immortal flesh.”
“You know immortal poisons?” questioned Amdirlain, her tail tip raised in anticipation.
Kadaklan fixed her with a suspicious look. “Why so eager?”
“I might need to develop some specific resistances,” admitted Amdirlain.
“Taking small doses of a poison to build tolerance is a well-known approach,” said Kadaklan. “Though I think in your case, I’d have to provide bucket loads to do significant enough damage for your body to adjust to it.”
“Or, you know, provide one small vial of different strength poisons,” snickered Amdirlain.
“Such poisons are no laughing matter. Though your ability to create shocked me, I’ll now assume it’s not limited to the materials required for the operations you underwent,” said Kadaklan, and he continued after Amdirlain smiled. “You’ll need to get your spiritual net repaired before risking any of those.”
“So they would be for more than progressing Protean?”
“Some injure painlessly, but some are agonising, both to flesh and spirit,” corrected Kadaklan. “I’d expect those to allow you to progress your Protean, Pain Eater, and Mental Hardening together. Though I would suggest being more selective, it’s far too easy to overload yourself, and you won’t be seeing Judge Po.”
“Got it,” said Amdirlain. “Though you could look to develop a poison to kill me and contact me after to release me. I’m sure I’d be worth a tonne of experience to progress your Tao Alchemist Class.”
“Don’t tempt me,” grumbled Kadaklan unhappily. “I could try to add certain elemental aspects to the poisons, but even the base version is difficult.”
“That means in the meantime, we could work on my Mental Hardening and your Third Eye,” proposed Amdirlain excitedly. “It’s in Grand Master, but, even if it’s only getting folded into another Power, having it stronger would be good.”
“I’m sure that my Third Eye isn’t the only thing that progressed for me, given the look you fixed me with required firming my spine,” noted Kadaklan.
“Win-win,” cheered Amdirlain, and she smiled reassuringly when Kadaklan sighed. “Cheer up, keep in mind it is more like physical therapy. You’re helping me overcome the limits of this flesh I’m trapped in and moving me towards being able to get free.”
Kadaklan stopped. “That truly is a possibility for you?”
“It is,” confirmed Amdirlain.
“Then you shall have my best efforts to assist you,” declared Kadaklan. Standing, he motioned to the door. “After you, Am.”
“No, I insist, after you,” grinned Amdirlain, remembering one of her father’s jokes.
Though he fixed her with a suspicious look for her cheery mood, Kadaklan led the way to the living room. The receiver was off, and Sarah was picking Jan’era’s brain about the equipment in the studio.
“How’s the patient looking, Kadaklan? Do you think you’ll have to amputate the head to save the body?” asked Sarah.
“There is no question she has a few screws loose,” replied Kadaklan. “Her legs have suffered some strain but should recover from her exertions.”
“What sort of strain?” Jan’era asked. “Anything we need her to avoid performance-wise for any shows?”
“There shouldn't be any issues unless you plan to have her cross hundreds of kilometres of rugged terrain,” reassured Kadaklan.
“The shortcut I used got me closer than that, Kadaklan,” corrected Amdirlain.
Jan’era nodded. “Right, no taking part in any weird athletic competitions. Fortunately, that wasn’t on my list of promotional activities.”
“Phew,” exclaimed Amdirlain, and she let her shoulders drop in mock relief. “What first regarding performances, boss?”
“Unless you plan to keep conducting the wordless performances you undertake, you'll need lyrics. The studio has some songs, or you can compose with Jal’krin or source from someone else. The initial goal is getting together enough music you like for an initial set,” advised Jan’era. “Once you’ve enough planned for even a short, repeatable set, we can get you bookings at places like Clearstrike’s.”
“Would you mind if I look at your studio gear tomorrow?” asked Sarah. “If it would help Am, I’m happy to refresh the runes or build replacement sections. I could set them up so you can test elements independently before swapping them in.”
Jan’era paused in surprise. “Everything in the studio is custom work. While I’d have to check, I don’t believe the same Artificer has ever handled the gear’s maintenance.”
“Then I’ll look to build fresh sections,” declared Sarah.
Though she looked tempted to protest, Jan’era nodded. “I’ll give you the tour tomorrow. I didn’t know signing Am on came with additional medical and technical support.”
Sarah grinned. “We’re a group full of surprises. Help one of us, and you get the rest of us helping you in return. You opened your home to us, which is completely unexpected. We want to ensure we show our appreciation for your hospitality.”
“It’s supposed to be a business arrangement,” Jan’era tried to object.
“It is business. The better her traces sound, the more they’ll sell,” responded Sarah. “That helps both of you.”
Surrendering to Sarah’s logic, Jan’era stood, bid them goodnight, and headed for her bedroom.
“I’m going to retire myself,” said Kadaklan. “Good night to you both.”
“I think I’ll try out the washroom’s enchantments,” advised Sarah.
Amdirlain smiled. “Was I keeping you all awake?”
“Absolutely, waiting up to make sure you got home safe, young lady,” huffed Sarah.
“A shocking lack of consideration, woe is me,” gushed Amdirlain, and she retreated to her bedroom. Turning over plans in her mind, she lay on the bed and created a concealed crystal for storing Ki before she began to croon.
When Sarah entered the room, she sat beside Amdirlain and listened to her humming. “A penny for your thoughts?”
Amdirlain turned on her side and looked up at Sarah. “Bait.”
“You might need to expand on that one?” replied Sarah.
“What you talked about, Ori baiting the Eldritch to come to her,” replied Amdirlain. “I need to set up bait that is tempting, alluring, and accessible.”
“I was going to roam through the city tomorrow and see about purging as many of the eldritch manipulators as possible,” said Sarah. “Any idea how many there are? Many people with memories wiped will strain the hospitals, since they’re quarantining them.”
“Kadaklan wants me to avoid straining my form, so I’ll have to hold off on big singing projects,” explained Amdirlain. “Though I’ve got another helper for Mor’lmes, so while he investigates and you clean up the manipulators, I’ll take time for other things.”
“It gives you more time to plan,” countered Sarah. “Why don’t you cycle? Though you should extend a bond to me, the energies will likely impact me less than Livia. Given you’ve signed up for years with Jan’era, you’d likely have her an Immortal from your Ki alone.”
“Whether we’re here for that long remains to be seen,” replied Amdirlain. “I can always come and go for studio work and performances.”
“The plaza stuck you with the performing bug, did it?” asked Sarah.
“Maybe,” allowed Amdirlain, and she frowned as she extended a bond to Sarah. “I’m sorry I’m not a better friend.”
Sarah sighed. “I shouldn’t have hinted about anything. You’re the best of friends, even if you continually underestimate your contributions, and above all, you’re my oath sister. Now work on fixing your legs so we can kill these fuckers.”
[Allegiance Bond [B] (5->6)]
“Yes, ma’am,” laughed Amdirlain.
Nearly emptying her Ki pool into the crystal, Amdirlain began to cycle.
Comments
Gopard
Thanks for the chapter!
