《Yin-Yang》27 - Lila
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"I want something absolutely clear," Catherine said, without warning, as she brought supper upstairs.
"What?"
"If you change your mind and want to leave, at any time, you're free to do so, and I will not be angry or try to stop you. You have not just locked yourself into a cage."
"I knew that already. And that's why I won't." Supper was potatoes cooked with onion and some sort of spices, and string beans, and steak. Simple, solid food. Having skipped breakfast, she tore into it hungrily.
Besides, it was something to concentrate on, other than her own fear. If she showed it, Catherine would refuse. So she couldn't let herself show it.
"What exactly does this exam involve?"
Catherine shrugged. "A representative of each family is present, generally chosen from among those best known as teachers. They have the right to question the candidate in theory and history until they're satisfied that the candidate has an acceptable level of knowledge. The other half is a practical test. They name tasks to perform, by magic, to prove control and skill. In theory, there is no rule stating that a mage must have a sensitive in order to pass the practical test, but in practice, it is impossible to do so with the finite levels of power a mage has alone." She smiled ruefully. "Believe me, I tried. It created a public scandal, in fact. I passed the theory with no real difficulty, and I was doing well enough on the practical until I, well, ran dry."
"Ouch."
"Yes. My mother stopped acknowledging me as her child, my grandmother spent something like three hours lecturing me on duty and propriety, most of my relatives made time to give me shorter versions over the next week or so. And I was given this place to live in." She shrugged. "My family allowed me try, believing that the humiliation of failure would bring me to see that sensitives are necessary tools. They were rather displeased that I didn't change my mind."
"Hm. Well, you're going to pass this time, and you're going to do it without giving in to them. Not that they'd be likely to believe that I'm there willingly instead of being forced even if we told them." I don't believe it myself. I'm crazy.
"I'm not certain I believe it," Catherine said, echoing the thought.
Lila gave her a sharp look. "We covered that this morning. Don't start again."
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Catherine shook her head, smiling. "I mean that it's such a wonderful thing, that you want to face something that frightens you for my sake, that it's almost... too big to believe."
Damn. So much for not showing fear. "Yeah, so, I've got generations of the most paranoid sensitives being the ones who stay free long enough to have kids. I can deal with it."
"I know. But that's what makes it... incredible, in every sense."
In silence, they finished eating.
Catherine set the plates near the top of the stairs, to take down in the morning, and returned to her pillow.
Lila eyed the distance between them—close enough to reach, but not comfortably—and moved herself and her pillow forward on the threadbare rug before offering Catherine her hand, palm up. It was trembling only slightly, she observed. No more than Catherine's was as the mage laid hers over it. Not gripping, only touching. All the pressure was up in Catherine's shoulders, in fact, turning her entire upper spine to rock.
"Catherine. Relax. It can't be that hard. You can run circles around other mages, and they can do it."
Catherine gave her a quick smile, took a deep breath and closed her eyes, forehead furrowing in concentration.
"Oh!" she said suddenly. "That's not very complicated at all!"
Oh god, Catherine, please don't give me a long explanation right now, just do whatever you need to do...
She felt... well, didn't exactly feel, because it wasn't on any part of her body, but was aware of a touch, somewhere that didn't exist as she knew it.
And the world twisted inside out and melted away into pleasure. Rather like the explorations of a new and inquisitive lover, Lila though dazedly, roaming gently across her skin... no, it wasn't her skin, there was only her hand against Catherine's, but she could think of no other way to grasp the concept. Braced for discomfort, prepared to forgive it, this caught her utterly off guard. She let her eyes close, simply experiencing this, not trying to analyze it.
"There's nothing to that at all." Catherine sounded pleased. "It'll mostly be a matter of refining my control with all that extra power." A pause, then, "Lila? Are you all right?"
"Mmhmm. Feels good."
"Really? That's interesting, I've never heard of that before."
"Maybe 's like sex. Feels awful when you don't want to, can feel great when you do."
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"A definite possibility. Consent isn't something that's ever been studied, that I know of."
"So it'll work?"
She could hear the smile in Catherine's voice without bothering to open her eyes. "It will definitely work. To mage-senses, you're drawing in raw power from your environment constantly, and... do you know how maple syrup is made? The sap from the trees is very thin and watery, but they boil it until it thickens and condenses. Somehow you're doing something like that. It's all pooled inside you, and spilling over because it isn't being used for anything. Mages can barely sense it in the raw form, but in the condensed form... I haven't tried yet, but a mage with access to that while doing magic can make use of it. You have the strength, I have the ability to focus and shape it."
"Opposites."
"Hm, no, I'd say more like two halves that make a whole. Let's see, what's something harmless, in case I lose control. I know."
The stroking sensation intensified. Lila opened her eyes so she could see what was going on... and felt them widen. The familiar library wasn't any more. They were sitting in a glorious fairy tale palace, the walls hung with shimmery metallic draperies that glowed from behind with the warmth of sunlight. Bookcases, chair, table, were all gone, replaced by a small sparkling fountain that seemed to be made all of glass or ice or something, shaped like a naked winged lady pouring water from a vase. The worn rug had become shining white marble.
"Catherine!" This was just too weird, what was going on?
Catherine laughed. "It's all right, it's only a glamour, an illusion, and only for one sense. Close your eyes, reach out, and you can touch the chair still."
Lila obeyed, felt the rough fabric of the chair under the fingers of her free hand, right where it should be, but when she looked again, her hand rested against thin air.
"That's just spooky."
"I'm sorry," Catherine said contritely, and the fairy palace faded away, back to reality. "I didn't mean to startle you. I needed to try something that couldn't hurt us if I couldn't control so much more power. That one was pretty small. Can I try again, or should I try to think of something different?"
Lila shook her head. "It's okay, I just wasn't ready for that. Go for it." That stroking sensation, somewhere inside or around or... or something, was soothing, made it easier to let go of fear and anxiety and uncertainty.
Catherine nodded, and frowned in concentration.
She's barely started, this is nothing yet. There's no point in getting freaked all the time, just relax and go with it. So what if it's seriously bizarre? Catherine's good, and she'll make sure we're both safe. Trust her.
It felt like a long time, though she didn't think it had really been all that long objectively, before they both tired.
"It's been about an hour," Catherine confirmed, untangling her fingers from Lila's gently. "It's not terribly surprising, it's a new form of exercise for both of us. That will change with practice." She hid a huge yawn behind her hand. "I'm exhausted, and I think I have the beginnings of a headache."
"I'm not sleepy, just kinda tired, but then, it's getting close to bedtime for you anyway. Maybe we should be doing this in the morning, so you're the one who's wide awake? You're the one actually doing stuff."
"Hm. Something to think about. But not right now." Catherine arched backwards in a long stretch, and got to her feet. "Right now I feel like I've been pushing rocks up a hill."
"Go get some sleep, then. I'll still be here in the morning."
The smile Catherine gave her was sun-warm and bright. Funny how blue was usually considered a cold colour. "I know, and I'm glad. Thank you."
Lila shrugged. "If it always feels like that, this isn't going to be hard to take at all."
"Good. Good night."
"Good night."
Lila wrapped her arms around her knees, thoughtfully. Right now she felt... how did she feel? Comfortably relaxed and satisfied, sort of like after decent sex. Not like she was drunk or stoned or out of control, just peaceful and content. And tired, yes, she wouldn't have wanted to do much right now, so it was just as well she had nothing more strenuous to do than listen to the radio and read. Unexpected, but if this continued, it would make this whole business much less unpleasant than she'd feared.
She'd be much happier, though, if she could snuggle against Catherine and share it, instead of being here by herself.
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Souls Reforged
The multiverse is slowly being corrupted. Many universes have already fallen into decay. As their worlds crumble the World Lords, ancient beings of immense power, call out to their long-forgotten creator, asking for aid. Their requests are answered, however the form that aid takes is rather, unexpected. They are not given more power or direct intervention. Instead, they get a few handfuls of weak unsuspecting souls in need of endless training, as soldiers. If that wasn’t bad enough. An entity that was ancient before their universe was born, is assigned to keep an eye on the help. The entity in question isn’t exactly happy about it either. None of the parties involved are happy with the situation, but they will have to learn to work together if they want to survive what is coming.
8 217Atk 0 Crit All ~My attack stat is negligible, so I can't help but rely on critical hits to succeed!~
Volume 1 - Having been summoned to another world, Claude Evers is devastated to find out that he has no attack or magic proficiency. In a world of swords and magic, Claude endeavors to become his master's...chef? Despite this turn of events, he soon finds himself relying on his wit and strange abilities to stand by his master's side. With such fearsome enemies in this world, what solutions can Claude hope to cook up? Volume 2 - Defeating a terrifying monster endangering the kingdom, Claude's fame grows. With this in mind, his next goal is to...win over his master's heart? However, he soon learns that the nobility are not one to be trifled with. What can a lone chef do against the schemes of the powerful threatening his livelihood? Volume 3 - Welcome to the 'Certain Slice', where we are sure to serve you something that perfectly hits your tastes. This is a restaurant where you can sample our line of otherworldly food and drink, created by the one and only Demon Cleaver. Please wait here while we call a maid over to attend to your orders. The owner? I'm very sorry. He's not available at the moment. The reason? I'm afraid that he is now a wanted man, for defying kings and kidnapping princesses. Volume 4 - Stuck in another country, Claude and his companions happen upon abilities far different from what they had known before. With a country full of powerful warriors wielding such techniques, guided by a prophetic Oracle, new allies and enemies are around every corner. Will they find what they need to return home, or will 'destiny' swallow them up? Volume 5 - What happens when the person you thought you knew is completely different? Past and present collide as Claude makes his way back to Sistina to once again fight alongside his Master, encountering challenges that few Electi have ever faced. Destruction looms over Sistina as his enemies attack right where one is most vulnerable, the insecurities held in one’s heart. Volume 6 - With Sistina in the process of recoverying, Claude finds himself in a new role with many new challenges ahead. Though the dangers have passed, daily life is still far from boring as messy relationships and sudden adventures are at every corner. There is never a break in the life of an Electi! Volume 7 - War breaks out with the Empire of Purnesia. With decades of hatred possessing its people, Claude becomes embroiled in the tragedy of death and suffering. With his commitment to retain his humanity in jeopardy, how can a chef protect his friends on the battlefield? Volume 8 - Various tragedies have left Claude reeling. With his heart torn and his vow to not kill abandoned, he charges forward to the capital of Purnesia. With his heart trending towards darkness, who will remain by his side as he seeks revenge... and who will point their blade at him instead? Volume 9 - Learning of the existence of an entire army of demons, led by a familiar face, the very world is at stake. What will Claude discover upon setting foot in the realm of Gods, seeking the very limits of his Electi powers? Volume 10 - Peace has come at last, along with a new role for Claude. But his dreams foretell of another hidden danger on the horizon, one that would shatter everything he knows about the world. Volume 11 - Everything has ended, or has it? The secrets of the world are now revealed, and Claude must find everyone once again to face against a threat as old as the Gods. ~2 chapters/week
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