January 21, 2019, 12:15 am.

Taking my leave, I purchase my room for the night. I still haven't seen Raz but Amanana takes my essence. However, the price has increased to two emgee a night. When I ask her why the price increased, instead of answering my question, Amanana apologizes but firmly states that the price is set and she has no influence over it.

Eh. It's still worth it to sleep in their beds.

Entering the change room, Smoulder and I engage in our nightly ritual of extreme ninja-bunny while I crack open the menu.

Now that I have the chance, I need to buy Restoration.

I barely blink as I select the ability from the list.

"Are you certain you wish to purchase the Citizen ability, Restoration?"

"Upon death, this ability will restore an iron-grade citizen to their last assigned return point 36 minutes later if they have not been revived by other means. Cooldown: 36 days."

"If a citizen has a charge remaining but this ability is on cooldown, they will be restored after the cooldown has finished."

That last note makes it an even better choice. As I send my confirmation to the system my body locks up. It's like when I was first stuck in time-freeze. But I know time is still flowing. Besides my time-sense indicating I'm not paused, Smoulder's still hopping around, free as a bunny. Which, technically, she's not.

At least the process isn't painful.

As I'm watching Smoulder complete the course again, I realize her obstacles are no longer under my control yet they remain in place. Then the understanding of my circumstances really hits me. I'm completely cut off from my mana.

I start panicking even as an insane itch starts at the very top of my skull. When it crosses my eyes, everything goes dark yet I remain conscious.

The itching is expanding in bursts, pushing its way down my body. After a couple of seconds, I feel Smoulder pushing up against my hand and my panic recedes slightly.

Thanks, Smoulder.

When the itching finally reaches my toes, there's a moment of increased intensity. Then the itching fades as my vision returns. A moment later I can move again. Pulling Smoulder in close I read the new notification as I scratch at a spot on my elbow that remains itchy.

"Update Complete: Citizen Pandora has fully integrated the Citizen ability, Restoration."

Wow. I need to warn the others before they go through that unprepared. The experience is worth it, but a warning would have made it much easier to go through. In fact…

Even as Smoulder and I recover, I connect to Beth letting her know first. Then I inform Josh. And then finally I connect to Roberts.

While I'm talking to Roberts about it, he asks me for as detailed an experience as I can give him. So, I let him know everything I can remember about purchasing the Restoration ability.

"You know, I wonder if it's a sort of protective coma, to mitigate any self-damage you might do?" he ponders after I've described it as accurately as I can.

"Uhm. Maybe," I reply. "If you're curious you can totally give it a shot."

Even as I'm responding, my mind comes back to the word coma. My father's still stuck in a coma and I never did talk to Roberts about his condition. What if we get back and he never has an opportunity to help because I've kept it to myself?

"So. Uhm. Speaking of comas," I start, scritching Smoulder's ears for support before I continue.

"Yes. Speaking of comas?"

"My papa's in a coma back on earth. I know we're a long way away. And we might never make it home but," I blurt out before stopping, recentering myself, then finishing slowly, "I was wondering if you could take a look at him when we get back?"

"Hmm. I don't see why not. I'll be trying to keep my abilities secret once we return, but I'm sure I can help your father."

"Oh. Thank you. Thank you soooo much."

"Out of curiosity, where is your father?"

"Pleasantview Care Home," I respond quickly. In my excitement I shift in the tub, splashing water up my nostril.

Even as I start snorting water out, Roberts chuckles, "I imagine that means something, but I was actually wondering what city and province he was in."

Recovering from my little misstep, I respond, "Sorry. It's in Burnaby. Uh, British Columbia."

"Ah. It should be easy enough to check in on him then."

"Thanks, Westley. Uhm. I should go," I mumble, pulling myself out of the tub while drying off. I use the water to shoot at Smoulder, providing a new aspect for her to adapt to as she leaps over a burning pit full of flaming bunny skulls made of stone. Her idea.

"Of course, Alexis. I'll talk to you in the morning," he replies politely. I swear I can hear his polite smile as he steeples his fingers.

"Goodnight," I agree as I end the connection.

Even as the conversation fades, it hits me.

I can come back from the dead now.

I'm going to need to keep integration points on hand to recharge the ability. But if I die, I'll come back.

I just sit there for a while, my mind trying to process the idea. It's almost as difficult as when I first realized I was going to die one day. Poor Mr. MewMew.

After a few minutes of sitting there trying to wrap my head around it, I realize I'm not done.

Next objective, gaining a level.

Sitting with my back against the tub, I access the class advancement menu then select the option to level.

Compared to my experience with Restoration, levelling is rather anticlimactic.

"Your Class - Cataclysm Seed has progressed to Iron Rank - level 2."

+1 Class Ability Point New Abilities unlocked. Elemental Cascade, Elemental Chakram Health and Stamina have increased: +2 pool, [+0.1 edge], (+1 regen/day). Mana and Focus have increased: +12 pool, [+0.6 edge], (+6 regen/day). Facet has increased: +12 pool, [+0.6 edge], (+3 regen/hour).

Nothing surprising there. The new elemental abilities seem cool.

Focusing on my class, I bring up the available ability choices.

Ability points: 1

Iron Rank Class Abilities unlocked:

Increased Facet Pool 0/10, + 15/rank Increased Facet Edge 0/10, + [1.0]/rank Increased Facet Regen 0/10, + (5/hr)/rank Transcendent Link (IFF / Identify Friend or Foe) 1/1, maintain constant awareness of selected targets. Elemental Cascade: 0/1, by chaining different elements, you can increase the damage each deals against a target. Each different element a user uses on a target will increase the damage of the next spell. This bonus resets if the user hits the target with the same element twice. Elemental Chakram: 0/3, Grants Proficiency (1/3)/Expertise (2/3)/Mastery (3/3) with Chakram and Elemental Chakram. Taking ten minutes, a user can create a chakram from any element. The chakram can be used as a melee or ranged weapon. A user can channel their spells through their chakram for an increase to the spell's damage. The maximum number of chakram is equal to the number of ranks in this ability.

Iron Rank Quest Abilities unlocked:

Lightning Warp: Channel yourself into a bolt of lightning travelling with the bolt until it strikes a target or you reach maximum range. This ability uses stamina. 0/1 Lesser Flight - Mass: While channelling, grant selected targets lesser flight while within range. This ability uses mana. Note this ability must be purchased with an ability point. 0/1 Cloying Earth: While channelling, all earth within your control radius becomes thick and viscous while being incredibly difficult to reshape. 1/1

Iron Rank Pet Abilities unlocked:

The Bunny House: 0/1, Creates an extradimensional home for Smoulder. Unlocked by Temporal and Spatial manipulation of fifty each. Here Bunny. 0/1, Summon Smoulder from anywhere within range. The range is limited by the user's available facet. Current estimated range: 171km. Unlocked by Return spell and spatial manipulation of fifty.

Well. That's a lot of new abilities.

Cascade or Chakram would increase my punch, which probably would have helped with the system boss. But then again, despite how long that took, it didn't feel dangerous. Too bad there aren't any numbers to indicate the strength of either ability.

Lightning Warp is cool, but automatically out since I can teleport now.

Tipan's already working on a spell to duplicate the effects of Lesser Flight - Mass, so that'd be redundant. And I already have Cloying Earth…

Wait, what?

Concentrating on the ability, the spell fills my mind. Its complexity is on par with teleport, the group version I can't cast yet. Hmm, probably more complex.

As I'm experimenting with it, I realize it has earth specific runes. I'm not entirely certain where they begin though. The entire structure is linked throughout. The only way I'm able to discern they exist is certain sections of the spell are incredibly dense with earth mana while others use completely unattuned mana.

Despite its complexity, using it is as easy as any of the other spells on my favourites list.

But it's not in my spellbook, it's a bonus spell!

Trying to copy it, the entire ability collapses the second I open my mental notebook. So instead, I pull out my physical notebook then start taking notes. I spend half an hour trying to record the runes when I realize it was easier to draw out ship designs.

Thinking of which, I purchase another two codices. So far, I've unlocked twelve different ships, thanks to occasionally purchasing codices. Which only leaves me with another 53 to go. But from cross-referencing the different designs, I think I'm starting to see patterns.

Remembering why I came here; I turn back to my abilities. I want both of the abilities for Smoulder, but I try to consider my choices rationally.

The elemental choices are the only ones I can honestly consider at the moment. And with the conditions that apply to Elemental cascade, it feels practically tailored for me.

Pause, hit them with a bunch of arrow spells to build up the damage, then unleash a powered-up torrent. Or just a whole bunch of arrows or torrents. I wonder if my channelled fan ability counts as a separate spell?

I could really use some practice dummies.

While I'm leaning towards elemental Cascade, I decide to put off the choice until morning. Unlike the class advancement itself, I can use my ability points anywhere.

Which just leaves grabbing my loot.

"Quest rewards available. Would you like to claim them now?"

Five iron-grade mana essence join my stash. Including all the mortal essence I can rank up; this leaves me with a total of… nineteen? And that's after using the one to get here. Nice.

I hesitate before using them to bring my attributes up. I'm getting close to balanced. And I swear I can feel the difference. But they might be more useful for my crafting quests. Rufka mentioned you had to imbue items with essence to create iron grade items. I'll need to work with her on it tomorrow.

I do use one to give myself a free integration point though. Now that it can recharge my resurrection ability, I don't know if I'll ever go without at least one point held in reserve ever again.

Continuing with my loot, I receive the Staff of the Elementalist and the Memory Locket.

The staff is a dark colour that reminds me of a mana essence. Most of the colours I've come to associate with the different elements flicker throughout the length of the smooth staff. However, at its head is a small dusky yellow gem no larger than the tip of my finger. I feel certain it's an embodiment of twilight.

"Staff of the Elementalist: This is an iron-grade Staff that grants increased power to all iron-rank elemental spells cast through it.

Bonuses once bonded: Empowered. Improves the power of iron-rank elemental spells by 20% while wielded.

Current Bond: none. Cost to bond: one iron rank integration point."

Huh, I wonder if this is similar to the damage bonus I can expect from the chakram? Twenty percent seems like a decent trade for only one point.

"Memory Locket: This is an iron-grade Locket armour that sharpens a user's memory.

Bonuses once bonded: Nostalgic. Improves mana and focus edge by 2.0 while wielded.

Current Bond: none. Cost to bond: five iron rank integration points."

Uhm. What? Five points. Seems excessively expensive for such a small bonus. Definitely need to ask Raz about the locket before I spend that many points on it.

Hmm. I think I'm done.

"Ready for bed, Smoulder?" I ask holding her up in front of me as we finally exit the change room, the staff and locker already stowed away. I almost walk back out to the common room before remembering it's not just us anymore. Deciding to avoid that, I connect to Rufka to wish her goodnight.

"Hey, Rufka. Just thought I'd let you guys know I'm heading to bed," I inform her.

"Really? Are you tired already? Why don't you come play a game of Astra's Stride first? Please?" Rufka pleads as I put my first foot on the step.

Hmm. I guess I'm not that tired. Turning back around, I rejoin the others for a quick game of Astra's Stride.

I end up staying for three hours. Most of that time I spend snuggling with Rufka while we continue playing. Demo is drawn into the game by Beth explaining that it can unlock skills and even Raz shows up long enough to play a couple of matches.

When I ask about my locket, he explains that there must be a secondary effect that isn't reflected through the normal functions of the system, so they're given a simple description instead.

"There are several items like that. Such as the jacket I made for Roberts. The flight ability is barely referenced in the description even though it's the focal point of the jacket."

Doing as Raz indicates, I analyze Roberts's new jacket.

"Raz's Leather jacket of Flight: This is a standard leather jacket modified to grant flight.

Bonuses once bonded: Durable. Improves Health edge by 4.0 while equipped.

Current Bond: Forerunner Roberts. Cost to bond: five iron rank integration points."

"Huh. So, the memory locket probably does exactly as it says," I note.

"I imagine so. Though there are items that have entirely hidden effects as well."

We continue talking but our conversation drifts to how difficult it is for an active user to maintain an ensemble that isn't atrocious without resorting to jewellery or tattoos. It turns out tattoos are an especially popular choice for the fashion-conscious.

When we do go to bed, Rufka is still teasing me about losing the last game while Smoulder is perched between us, her tail draped over Rufka's arm, which is itself draped over my shoulder.

"It's not my fault. I just wanted to try a new strategy."

"Lexi, that strategy was a big steaming pile of Zanbia dung," Rufka informs me.

"Thanks. It's so nice to see you displaying your usual eloquence," I reply back teasingly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Rufka demands. She's pulling back from our walking cuddle slightly, but it's hardly the first time she's played the offended card.

"The great and mighty Rufka. Foul-mouthed and falsely offended," I continue. It's not my best teasing but I'm feeling kind of tired. Totally ready for bed.

We make it another ten steps when Rufka pauses two steps from the top, asking in a low voice, "Is that really what you think of me?"

When I turn to look at her, she's staring away, tears in the corner of her eyes.

Shit.

"No!" I practically scream when I realize she's taking it seriously. Where did this come from?

"I thought we were just kidding," I insist earnestly.

Rufka doesn't say anything, but she leans against me as she continues the last couple steps up, moving to one of the doors that leads to her bedroom. Turns out the bedrooms are all 'stacked' on top of each other, just like the change room. Rooms?

Anyway, Raz's looks like an Inn for six yet it comfortably sleeps six hundred. Plus, there's room service. Huh, I wonder if there are multiple common rooms too?

Rufka doesn't open her door or say goodbye, she just stares ahead unmoving. I don't try to pressure her but I'm trying desperately to think of some way to apologize.

Rufka turns to me and is about to speak when a large ant-man pushes their way past, shoving me into Rufka with a grumbled, "Glarz-nart."

I don't get a chance to say anything before Rufka yells, "Hey, you Wennigo-faced moron, watch who you're shoving!"

It doesn't even glance back at us, fumbling with the next door down the hall before disappearing from sight.

"Seriously, some users," Rufka mumbles while stroking my hair.

"Hehe. Yeah. Some users," I agree quietly.

"Sorry, Lexi. Didn't mean to get worked up like that. It's just…"

She pauses, not really doing anything.

"Did you notice the way Demo looks down on me and Tipan? It's like we're not even users to him."

"I didn't notice that. I do remember him talking to Beth and Roberts a lot," I reply. I didn't pay much attention to Demo. Between cuddling with Rufka, the games and taking in all the many even stranger patrons at the bar, he kind of faded into my mental background.

"Yeah. Well, whenever either of us asked a question he'd ignore us. Then if anyone else asked, he'd respond right away."

Oh. I'm just going to assume she's right. "I'll have to keep my ears open for it tomorrow."

"Thanks," she grunts ruffling my hair. "We should probably get to bed. Beth wants to make it to the Lords' enclave. I agreed to stick with you guys that far."

"I want to go with you," I admit before I can catch myself.

"Well, I'd bring you along. But I'm not sure how useful an invisible patch of stationary air is going to be."

"I know. I'm working on it," I grumble. Even as I'm looking down, Rufka tilts my head up, a giant grin on her face. Then she blows a raspberry at me before disappearing through her door.

I turn to Smoulder for confirmation of what I just saw but she's totally not concerned with Rufka. She's more focused on whether I have more of that peachaple jerky.

Sighing, I hand Smoulder some more jerky while making my way down the hall to my door.

When I climb into bed, I can't help but picture Rufka's grin.

Even though it'd be a silly choice at the moment, I almost put the point into Smoulder's extra-dimensional house so I can have some me time. But I manage to hold off. The fact that Smoulder has decided now is a good time to curl up on my chest, tickling my nose and causing me to sneeze, does help.

Damn Smoulder, you're just so adorable.

Her contented rumbling is like a sedative, leading me gently into dreamland.

Waking to Smoulder's far too warm tail, I realize I forgot to pull the sheets on before going to bed. Which is probably a good thing, because, for some reason, Smoulder is doing her 'I'm a living ball of fire' shtick. It's a little terrifying until I realize I'm completely fine.

Yay for fire resistance.

As I'm watching her, I realize she's sleeping, her legs kicking against me frantically but ineffectually. The fear she's projecting through our bond makes me think she's having a nightmare. I didn't know she had nightmares.

Reaching out, I start petting her while whispering soothing little nothing words.

Almost immediately, she calms down, the fire going out and the fear disappears. I'm tempted to pull the covers over us but decide that maybe, at least for tonight, it's better if we sleep without.

"Go away mom," I mutter as I wake, flailing out at a fading dream. Turns out Smoulder's not the only one who had bad dreams last night. When I open my eyes, there's a slight ozone smell in the air and smoke rising from a slightly scorched mark on the wall. Even as I watch, the wall repairs itself, returning to its original austere wooden slat appearance.

It takes me several minutes for the anger at my mother to go away. I can't even remember what she did in my dream. The anger remains, real enough to darken any enthusiasm for breakfast.

Knowing that it'll take some time before I'm ready to face the others, I open my interface, reviewing my status. I'm still not certain whether I want to put that point in Elemental Cascade.

Class

Cataclysm Seed

Level

Iron

2

ATTRIBUTE

VALUE

ADJUST

STRENGTH

-9

(+/-)

CONSTITUTION

11

(+/-)

AGILITY

16

(+/-)

ENDURANCE

8

(+/-)

INTELLECT

100

(+/-)

SPIRIT

100

(+/-)

PERCEPTION

47

(+/-)

RESOLVE

46

(+/-)

Integration Points

1

Progression Points

0

Storage

4.19

Cubic meters

Bonded Armour

2/3

RESOURCE

CURRENT/MAX

[EDGE]

(REGEN)

Health

125/125

[6.8]

(63)/d

Stamina

123/123

[8.7]

(66)/d

Mana

669/669

[59.8]

(557)/d

Focus

573/573

[42.6]

(418)/d

Matrix

Facet

184/184

[14.3]

(143)/h

Resistance

[EDGE]

Mana

[61.25]

Elemental

[61.25]

Temporal

[93]

Spatial

[93]

The anger is gone by the time I'm finished checking over my attributes. It's a little hard to believe this represents me in any way. Especially with mom on my mind. Anyway, I've spent enough time ruminating.

Time for today's adventure.

And by adventure, I mean breakfast.