Not quite finished with this book. By request, I have two Bonus chapters of content. This is the first, a peek into the preparation and care that goes into what this guild does. The Status Pages will, theoretically, at some point, possibly be repced by fancier formatted ones from the tempte of Ai Loves… just not quite yet there. Enjoy seeing the versions I have in my notes page, the only things I removed are internal mechanical notes the characters would not be able to see. Hopefully, site formatting doesn’t break my tables, but if it does I’ll edit this sometime soon.
This is still a story of the Becoming Monsters Universe by Ai Loves, setting used with permission. All canonical and mechanical errors are my own. The yarrb is the creation of FelisRandomis, used with permission.
—
Chapter 38: The Binders (Bonus 1)
The hospital wasn’t done with us by Sunday afternoon, but they could not find a good reason to keep us there. Especially when some of us had Feeding needs on our records they could not quite fulfill. We returned home, with strict instructions to rest and recover. I mean, that was the intent, anyway. Believe it or not, we don’t seek out opportunities to get ourselves wrecked… or, at least, not quite this badly. Meant we all got a few days off, though, that was nice. For once, I had no intention of pushing us out to the Quarry or to the Guild Hall. If anyone needed to talk to us, they could find us to do so.
I had a persistent headache that no amount of aspirin was helping, and a physical therapy home regimen that was thick enough to use as an improvised weapon if I needed to. Also came with enough kinesthetic tape to mummify most of the apartment building. I wasn’t the only one with a stack of new stuff to use, either. Lacrosse balls, foam rollers, bars, bands, and books loaded us down on the walk home.
Or, well, most of us. When Lucy and I had gotten back to the room with news of her pregnancy, the room was absolutely filled with shouts and squeals of love and excitement. Got kind of overwhelming, even for me. Poor Nibbles hid his head under a pillow, and I had a bit of a time getting it unstuck from his quills. Half of the others had looks of jealousy and gave me occasional appraising gnces, the other half openly stating they’d love to be Cool Aunts. However, when it came time to walk home? Between the six other girls and myself, we didn’t let Lucy carry more than a couple of tubes of tennis balls. She seemed irritated at us. If she had been irritated at me alone, she might have won. Might. Not against the seven of us.
We got home and unloaded our gear. For once, we all had the time to make sure everything was put away in the right pces. Gloria proceeded immediately to the kitchen, muttering under her breath about the disgraceful food we had been eating the st two days. Sarah went to help her, while Whitney and Paige decided to stretch their wings a bit. Lucy, Emily, and Amber took care of a different problem.
I had gone nearly 48 hours without a single orgasm. Probably for the first time in over three years that didn’t involve some sort of unconsciousness. As a result, my balls were absolutely swollen with cum that was waiting to bst forth. This batch was still quite potent, so while Lucy could happily ride me to my first torrent (with embarrassingly little effort), Emily and Amber got to taste her on me as they sucked me to numbers two and three. The whole affair took less than thirty minutes.
Because of that uncharacteristic hair trigger, we had enough time to get set up with the whole Guild’s Status Binders by the time the others had finished their cook prep and quick patrol. Everyone arrived to us having brought out pencils, binders, note paper, and an agenda from me. “Okay, everyone. I know a bunch of us have leveled up over the past couple of days, and we will be going over that as we get to you. My goal today, though, is getting to know each other. We never really got the whole Guild Bonding thing going in the traditional way.”
Paige’s turn to give me the eyebrow. “Plenty of it in highly nontraditional ways, though. Not compining.” There was a lot of rather appreciative ughter. Especially from Lucy, Emily, and Amber.
“Okay, okay, fair. Still, while we’ve managed to do alright so far, I’d prefer to be more deliberate in combat. Make sure we all know where we all sit, what we all have, and what we all do. I won’t always see the best solutions, so if one of you does it means we get through that much easier. Make sense? Okay, I’ll go first, then in the order we joined.” I opened my Binder and made some pencil notes updating the first page, then passed it around.
General InformationName: Jeremiah KithkinRace: IncubusSex: MaleAge: 28
HP: 100%
SP: 100%
MP: 100%
Hunger: 24%
Body StatisticsSkin: Ste GrayHair: Bck
Eyes: Bck
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 287 lbs
Wingspan: 8’2”
Attributes
STR: 22 (+6) (15%)
END: 28 (+5) (0%)
DEX: 11 (-2) (5%)
AGI: 11 (12%)
INT: 26 (+2) (83%)
WIS: 10 (+2) (61%)
CHA: 21 (+8) (18%)
LCK: 14 (+2) (55%)
PER: 17 (+5) (36%)
HLT: 24 (+5) (12%)
Racial FeaturesParasitic Feeding
Empathic Aura
Demonic Attributes
Improved Demonic Attraction
Css Information
Css: Mirror
Level: 12
Progress: 27%
Css Features
Mirror of Instinct
Scan
Mirror Shield
Cursebreaker
Concubal Acquisition
Recovery
Jackpot
Sapphire Radiance
Concubal Acquisitions
Name Attributes Ability Level Progress
Amber Nichols Wis, Lck, Hlt Extradimensional Space 3 44%
Emily Johnson Int, Cha, Per Shapechange 5 18%
Gloria Santos-Cruces End, Agi, Per Elemental Traps 4 30%
Lucile Lacroix Kithkin Dex, Wis, Cha Fme Ray 5 91%
Paige Evans Str, End, Cha Double Team 2 76%
Sarah Castellán Dex, Int, Lck Combat Disenchant 3 46%
Whitney Cunningham Str, Agi, Hlt Regeneration 7 67%
Significant Equipment: Shield Gauntlet (Gold Battery installed), Guild Leader’s Saber, Manashed Shirt, Mail Armor, .45 Semiautomatic Pistol
“You all know that I end up on the front line most of the time in our lineup, but I am in a Jack Of All Trades build, technically midfield. Support casting, filling gaps, focusing enemy weaknesses, and once I get a handle on it I’ll be spreading buffs and abilities around with Radiance. My own Css Attributes are Intelligence, Endurance, and Health. Stems from most Mirrors having to get punched in the face to learn their stuff.”
Sarah was staring intently at the page. “Good GRIEF you have a lot of abilities, how do you even keep up with all of this in combat?”
“The answer is, really, that I don’t. Mirrors very often have a lot more on their ptes than they can easily utilize, so we tend to pick some favorites and a lot of things that are either passive or fire-and-forget. I’m really unusual in that regard, but since I watch all of you utilize your signature moves all the time I get lessons on it. Add the fact that I’m the guy doing overwatch things in ideal situations, and I have time to think up applications.”
“Makes sense, but still. That and your Ten are… really scary, going to be honest. Five different Abilities over twenty, and an Endurance score getting ready to breach thirty? Not even Beastfolk do that very often.”
“On that point, those numbers have been growing fast, recently. Something to do with Concubal Acquisition. I mean, even besides the fact that I’ve gained a level a week for the st month. Anyway, Lucy, you’re up next.”
She ughed a bit under her breath. “This WAS going to be the easiest expnation ever. All of you know who I am and what I do, after all, but I just hit Level Ten. Got myself an extra Rote Slot, so I think I’m codifying the Telekinesis adaptation I’ve been using into Kinetic Bolts. Two Attribute Points… I think nobody here is going to object to me Charisma stacking. It makes me hit harder, and also deepens my mana pool due to Ley Lines.”
Whitney tilted her head. “So you’re telling me you really DO store your mana in your boobs, got it.”
Lucy accepted her changes, and I stared appreciatively as her mana pool deepened. By a cup or so. Her radiant beauty and overwhelming sexiness were only possible to resist due to the combination of having just cum three times plus being used to her as a baseline. There were six other appreciative pairs of eyes in the room, as well.
General InformationName: Lucile LaCroix KithkinRace: Succubus (lesser)Sex: FemaleAge: 26
HP: 100%
SP: 100%
MP: 75%
Hunger: 50%
Body StatisticsSkin: Cherry RedHair: Bck
Eyes: Amber
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 184 lbs
Tail: 4’11”
Measurements: 34H-24-34
Attributes
STR: 14 (+6)
END: 17 (+6)
DEX: 12 (+2)
AGI: 10 (+2)
INT: 18 (+6)
WIS: 14 (+2)
CHA: 33 (+10)
LCK: 8 (+2)
PER: 10 (+2)
HLT: 14 (+2)
Racial FeaturesAura of Lust
Sexual Sight
Demonic Feeding (Lust)
Demonic Attributes
Acquired (Mirror)
Css Information
Css: Sorceress
Level: 10
Progress: 00%
Css Features
Improvised Magic
Specialization (Fire)
Ley Lines
Cantrips
Dual Specialization (Force)
Rote Spells
Name Level Progress
Darkness 6 5%
Fireball 5 95%
Fme Ray 9 17%
Kinetic Bolt 1 4%
Shield 8 12%
Telekinesis 7 12%
Significant Equipment: Mithril-Core Combat Staff, Pine Wand, Shield Charm, Padded Armor
Gloria shook her head a bit. “Hang on, I have 42% Hunger right now. Why do you have 50% when we’re equalizing?”
“Because mine changes so often I don’t bother writing it down specifically. Only if I need to track something. Anyway, I’m a primary backline Striker. Overwhelming force with occasional crowd control. I need to see about picking up a retrain for my Darkness Rote, it lost a lot of effectiveness when I got Dual Specialization.”
I raised an eyebrow. “No offense, but right now you need to see about resting. You happen to be growing somebody right now.”
Her gre had lost exactly none of its effectiveness. “If you try to encase me in pillows for the next eight months, love, you will not survive the attempt. Save it for when I’m actually gravid, okay?”
This was going to be a recurring theme, I feared. Decided to just move along. “Whitney, you’re next. Really, you showing up is what kicked off this whole mess.”
“Wish I could say it was intentional. Still, I’m not complicated, either. I get in something’s face and smash it until it no longer has one.”
General InformationName: Whitney CunninghamRace: KaracktSex: FemaleAge: 21
HP: 100%
SP: 100%
MP: 100%
Hunger: 50%
Body StatisticsSkin: Dark BrownFeathers: Bck
Eyes: Bck
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 245 lbs
Wingspan: 8’
Measurements: 40D-32-38
Attributes
STR: 31 (+6)
END: 18 (+2)
DEX: 16 (+2)
AGI: 20 (+2)
INT: 10 (+2)
WIS: 12 (+2)
CHA: 16 (+2)
LCK: 8 (-2)
PER: 22 (+8)
HLT: 20 (+6)
Racial FeaturesDemonic Attributes
Demonic Feeding (Wrath)
Winged Flight
Stunning Screech
Acquired (Mirror)
Css Information
Css: Berserker
Level: 9
Progress: 76%
Css Features
Berserker Rage
Two-Handed Weapon Specialization
Regeneration
Dance of Destruction
Conserve Potential
Extradimensional Space
Significant Equipment: Great Scimitar of Momentum, Partial Leather Armor
I looked over her chart. “Stunning Screech? You never mentioned that one.”
She grimaced. “I know it might have been useful a time or two, but it’s really tiring and hurts to use. Plus it’s indiscriminate, anyone too close is risking getting stunned or deafened. Goes double indoors.”
“Makes sense. Still, now that I know it’s there, I hope you’re willing to use it when called to.”
Gloria caught the next bit. “Hold on, you’ve had time to get better armor fitted. Why are you sticking to gauntlets and greaves?”
“Honestly? Anything more comprehensive gets in my way more than it helps. I have to be able to move.”
I thought for a moment. “I know you're not the only one with that issue. We’ll talk to the outfitters at Camp some time this week to see if they have any solutions. Otherwise, Sarah, I’ll be asking you to do some research and crafting. Speaking of, you’re up.”
She smiled a bit. “Thanks for trying to let me work on my Greater Masterwork, but you all come first. My need for it is a ways away. I also just leveled up to Nine, and this is a big level for me. Everyone ready to help with choices? Here we go. First up is Trinket Specialization, which I’m not a fan of. I’d like to avoid it if at all possible, since taking a Spec weakens my other crafts. Second is Overcharge.”
I flipped through her binder. “Dumps some of your mana into an enchanted item within 50 feet or so, strengthening its abilities. Strains the item, though. If it’s poorly made or if you do it too much, it could fail or blow up.”
“Put a pin in that, then. Third is Siphon.”
“You put an asterisk next to that one. It’s an offensive spell that deals a tiny bit of HP damage and a solid chunk of MP damage, and you can put a bit of that mana into a battery or other powered item on your person.”
“Change the pin! Okay, st up looks like… um. Cantrips?”
“That’s Lucy’s. A bunch of minor magical effects, ranging from detecting magic in use to animating tiny objects. Broom that sweeps by itself, that kind of thing. She used it a lot during yesterday’s cleanup.”
“Yeah, pass. Going to take Siphon if nobody objects, since all of you keep insisting on dragging me into situations where it can be a thing. Means I don’t have to hold back on the wand work, and gives us an alternative route to disable.” She closed her eyes and accepted, then penciled in her newest ability
General InformationName: Sarah CastellánRace: GaakuSex: FemaleAge: 22
HP: 100%
SP: 100%
MP: 100%
Hunger: 50%
Body StatisticsSkin: White, Moss Green scalesHair: Blonde
Eyes: Yellow, Slitted
Height: 5’5”
Weight: 151 lbs
Measurements: 38F-30-40
Attributes
STR: 12 (+6)
END: 18 (+2)
DEX: 24 (+2)
AGI: 8
INT: 22 (+6)
WIS: 9 (+2)
CHA: 10 (+2)
LCK: 24 (+4)
PER:20 (+7)
HLT: 21 (+5)
Racial FeaturesDemonic Attributes
Stink Bomb
Amphibious
Demonic Feeding (Sloth)
Acquired (Mirror)
Css Information
Css: Enchanter
Level: 9
Progress: 00%
Css Features
Disenchant
High Yield
Analyze
Combat Disenchanting
Siphon
Special: Masterwork Css Progress Bonus (ends at level 10)
Significant Equipment: Rowan Wand (Silver Battery installed), Shield Charm (Silver Battery installed), Ring of Spell Holding (Eggshell Ritual Shield), Padded Armor.
There were a couple of unfamiliar things there. “Eggshell Shield? Is that where…”
“I told you not to talk about it.”
“Shutting up now. You also didn’t tell me you were amphibious.”
She shuddered a bit. “I can’t swim. I might not be able to drown, but I can get stuck in open water. Sank into the Pacific for two days not long after the Change. Rescuers found me before I starved.”
“Sorry to hear it. Do you want us to try to teach you, or leave it be?”
She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. “Not… yet. Maybe eventually, but I’m not ready.” Her need to center herself was probably helped by the hugs from Whitney and Lucy, on either side of her.
I was gd we were doing this. Halfway around the circle, and I was finding things out I really needed to know as their Guild Leader… and as their lover. Still, while they were doing that, I could continue the exercise. I could smell something delicious simmering in the kitchen, and wanted to make sure we would be enjoying it. “Emily, you’re up. I know you’re going to have some serious info for us today. How is our Fox o’ Six Tails doing?”
“She thinks you need to work harder at finding nicknames.” More ughter greeted that, and I was relieved to hear both Lucy and Sarah joining in. “Alright, while I’m our healer, doing so really kind of hurts. Less now than before, but still. I have to take your wounds into myself and focus on them there. So, midfield with Jay. My magic mostly works on myself, as do my Tail abilities. Kitsune… we only get three Racial Abilities to start, but we can unlock more. If any Kitsune have gotten all nine tails, I don’t know, but I’ve only ever heard of three people getting to eight of them. My css works with those abilities a lot, so they’re basically one and the same to me.”
General InformationName: Emily JohnsonRace: KitsuneSex: FemaleAge: 31
HP: 100%
SP: 100%
MP: 100%
Hunger: 50%
Body StatisticsSkin: WhiteFur: Gold and tan
Hair: Bck
Eyes: Gold
Height: 5’3”
Weight: 108 lbs
Measurements: 30C-28-32
Attributes
STR: 10 (+2)
END: 18 (+4)
DEX: 14 (+2)
AGI: 10 (+2)
INT: 25 (+2)
WIS: 8
CHA: 24 (+6)
LCK: 8 (-2)
PER: 24 (+4)
HLT: 14 (+2)
Racial FeaturesDemonic Attributes
Demonic Feeding (Envy)
Tails (6/9)
Minor Illusion
Henge (Kitsune, Fox, Human, Sparrow, Monstrous Fox, Deer)
Bargains
Animal Speech
Diamond Cw
Purify
Acquired (Mirror)
Css Information
Css: Hengeyokai
Level: 10
Progress: 54%
Css Features
Shapeshift
Borrow Pain (short range)
Divine Magic (lesser)
Dey Damage
Significant Equipment: Shield Charm
Sarah’s eyebrows raised significantly. “Animal Speech? Purify? Those sound like they could be powerful.”
Emily’s voice was wry. “I’ll let you know when I get a chance to experiment. We’ve been a bit busy the past couple of weeks, and I just got Purify a day and a half ago.”
I got it, but I still had other concerns. “Are you still Hunted?”
“I am. I just didn’t write it there because I can only see it on scans, not my Status screen.”
“Alright. We do need to keep an eye out for that, but they seem to be staying on their side of the Pacific for now. Not a peep from any of the networks.”
“That is a relief. I’m a lot more able to defend myself than my mother.”
More complications. More family to meet. I had to wonder what she would think of our… arrangement. I shook my head. “Gloria, you’re up. What do you have for us?”
“Other than chicken soup in the pot, you mean? I’m on the back line with Lucy, while Nibbles has generously agreed to go to the front when I can give him strength. My role is more battlefield control. I pin enemies in pce and trap them, sap their health and narrow down what can get at us and how. Or what can get away. I just got Level eight, too. I think I need more Agility, it will help me get more arrows into the air and get longer range.” This took a bit more discussion, her Ability needs were much more varied, but we ended up agreeing.
General InformationName: Gloria Santos CrucesRace: BabauSex: FemaleAge: 29
HP: 100%
SP: 100%
MP: 100%
Hunger: 50%
Body StatisticsSkin: Light TanHair: Bck
Eyes: Bck
Height: 5’1”
Weight: 98 lbs
Measurements: 32B-30-32
Attributes
STR: 19 (+6)
END: 16 (+2)
DEX: 18 (+4)
AGI: 22 (+4)
INT: 10
WIS: 12
CHA: 9 (+2)
LCK: 10 (+2)
PER: 24 (+8)
HLT: 19 (+6)
Racial FeaturesDemonic Attributes
Demonic Feeding (Gluttony)
Stealthy
Sneak Attack Instinct
Acquired (Mirror)
Css Information
Css: Hunter
Level: 8
Progress: 00%
Css Features
Elemental Traps
Beastmaster
Deadly Aim
Pinning Shot
Elemental Traps
Name Level Progress
Lightning Net 7 15%
Ice Mine 5 34%
Fire Bomb 7 80%
Acid Mist 3 22%
Significant Equipment: Leather Armor, Longbow.
“We definitely need to get you equipped better, Gloria. I’m a bit embarrassed as your Guild Leader to let it get this bad.”
“Don’t worry that much. I’m not one of those Arrow Storm Hunters who need it.” She shook her head. “I got used to having nothing, and built myself so that I could work with nothing. Now, I have all of you, and what I do helps all of you.”
“It’s still a two-way street, Gloria. You do so much for all of us. If it weren’t for you, we might not have stopped the Gsya. Both because of the bridge ambush you set up and the powers you gifted to me.” I saw her gaze drift to Whitney as I was talking, only to snap back when I got done. Yeah, I think the group did give at least one big thing back. One big bck bird of a Wrath Demon. I smiled a bit. Gloria would be fine, though I really did need to see about equipping her better. I shook my head. “Amber, what do you have for us?”
“Well, I’m in a really oddball css. Ingeniators pull the purpose and skills from our equipment, and can carry a ton of it. My Ten isn’t the greatest, but I’m basically the ultimate variety css. Just give me good tools made by people who have passion for their profession, and I can do almost anything.”
Huh, oddly specific. “Do they have to be handcrafted?”
She shook her head. “No, though it really helps. Either that or if they were used by people dedicated to the craft. Or if it’s something people know about, or named. Or… well, I guess it’s complicated, but you get it. Oh, and clearing that Curse let me hit level nine!” We cheered for her, a celebration of her freedom and progress. “Okay! New Ability selection time. I know the first one offhand, Identify is a really powerful analysis spell. Takes a lot of time and mana, so it isn’t anything I can do in combat, but it lets me catch almost everything about what I’ve got in my hands. Second is Recycle, can’t say I recall that one.”
Sarah was holding her binder, and flipped around a bit. “You note here it has a chance at making consumable items stay around. Potions refill themselves, batteries recharge, etc.”
“Oh yeah, that one. The stronger the item is retive to me, the lower chance of that happening. Not great to begin with, but it adds up over time.”
Sarah’s eyebrows were still furrowed. “Doesn’t that break metaphysics? Energy still has to come from somewhere.”
“Oh, it does come from somewhere. The ability can only go off if there’s ambient energy around to do it with. Lots of the time, the original going off leaves a lot of the leftovers for it. Third up sounds cool, it’s called Inner Universe.”
“You can enter your own Extradimensional Space and pull as many people as will fit into it. You wrote that there is room in there for all eight of us plus Nibbles, though it will be tight and not too much air left if you do.”
“Ah, right, that one. Other big thing is that you can’t really see out of it, so emerging is risky. I’ll pass on it. Fourth slot… Lancet.”
I spoke up. “Comes from my list. Combat spell that drains health and mana, just a little. For Mirrors, it can also pull learnable abilities, but I don’t know what that part will do for you.”
Amber nodded. “If it’s all the same to everyone else here, I think we need Identify more than anything else. Any objections? Okay, accepting.”
General InformationName: Amber NicholsRace: GsyaSex: FemaleAge: 23
HP: 100%
SP: 100%
MP: 100%
Hunger: 50%
Body StatisticsSkin: Light GrayHair: Dark Gray
Eyes: Chocote Brown
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 240
Measurements: 36G-30-36
Attributes
STR: 16 (+6)
END: 8
DEX: 14 (+2)
AGI: 10
INT: 15 (+2)
WIS: 22 (+2)
CHA: 7 (-2)
LCK: 22 (+6)
PER: 18 (+2)
HLT: 24 (+8)
Racial FeaturesDemonic Feeding (Avarice)
Demonic Attributes
Minor Illusion
Gsya Wish (1/decade, 7yr cooldown remain)
Acquired (Mirror)
Css Information
Css: Ingeniator
Level: 9
Progress: 00%
Css Features
Jack Of All Trades
Extradimensional Spaces
Extract Skill
Extract Potential
Toss Consumable (Allied)
Call Legend
Identify
Significant Equipment: Light Shield, Short Sword, Handcrafted Revolver, Handcrafted Lockpicks, First Aid Kit, Toolkit, Light Kevr Armor.
“I add to my toolkit whenever I find something that was used or made with love. Got a lot of odds and ends back in my Pockets.”
I nodded. “One day I’d like you to take a full inventory, see what we can improve and specialize.”
“You can start with the sword and shield I got from you. You put a lot of use into them, protected a lot of folks with them, and I feel it every time I have them in hand.” She was holding the items in question tightly as she said this.
I took a big breath. Amber was still trying to rediscover herself, and was getting used to not being actively inside my head. She was still shaped to my tastes in body and mind, but the future was hers to chart. Still, I was the one who had promised her a pce, and I was the one she was promising herself to. It was a lot to think about, and none of us knew where it was going.
“I guess that just leaves my turn in this little kumbaya.” Paige was grinning despite her phrasing and ironic tone. “Count me on the front lines next to Whitney, but just a bit further away from the things that are trying to kill me back. I’m a Dancer, so I have a few support tricks, but my build is very Strength focused. No levels here today, and you have all seen what I can do, so no shocks.”
General InformationName: Paige EvansRace: BarSex: FemaleAge: 20
HP: 100%
SP: 100%
MP: 100%
Hunger: 50%
Body StatisticsSkin: Deep tanHair: Dirty Blonde
Eyes: Bck
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 215lbs
Wingspan: 7’2”
Measurements: 36F-30-34
Attributes
STR: 29 (+10)
END: 19 (+6)
DEX: 10 (-2)
AGI: 18 (+2)
INT: 13 (+2)
WIS: 9
CHA: 21 (+6)
LCK: 7
PER: 14 (+2)
HLT: 15 (+6)
Racial FeaturesDemonic Attributes
Demonic Feeding (Pride)
Whip Mastery
Entangle
Acquired (Mirror)
Css Information
Css: Dancer
Level: 11
Progress: 60%
Css Features
Dance!
Uplifting Step
Power Ssh
Two-Weapon Fighting
Double Team
Rapid Step
Significant Equipment: Whip x2, Partial Leather Armor.
“Jay, why is it that the two people in our group who wear the least are the ones who are closest to the enemy? Three for three if you count Nibbles.” Lucy had to duck as at least two pencils were thrown at her for the st comment. Wasn’t sure who threw them, but I knew Gloria wasn’t one of them because both missed.
“Much as I like watching them show off, you have a point. Both are very agile combatants in addition to sying most targets before they can get a chance to do anything, but I know we can do better than hardened leather greaves and gauntlets. Even a chainmail bikini would be better than that.” I didn’t bother ducking as the next pencil hit my forehead. I deserved it for that comment.
Paige stretched a bit. Especially those powerful thighs of hers, getting motion into the scars. “Body armor just… gets in the way of things. Especially at the hips and shoulders, double at the wings. The weight might as well be paper to us, but joint stiffness isn’t acceptable. Plus, leather on my body has a tendency to burn if I’m venting heat, unless it is properly reinforced.”
Sarah, however, looked thoughtful. “You just gave me an idea, Jay. I need to write down some formue and see if they will work out, though. Some ways to get additional protection on them without having to sacrifice their movement. If it works, it might also work out for Gloria.” She pulled out a sketch pad to start jotting down equations, symbols, and diagrams that I might eventually comprehend if I lived to be a thousand. What I could absolutely understand was that they involved three small triangles of material, a model of what looked like a single link of the mail, at least two different runes depicted on it, and lines from that link to multiple lines colored on the bikinis. I was intrigued.
At the same time, though, we had one more detail to iron out. “Last thing for today. Hungers. Lucy feeds from sex, when her partner orgasms she gets a bite. Whitney from fighting, with every attack and every injury, verbal and physical but more so physical. Sarah absorbs energy from people who rest wastefully nearby, it only works if they are already at full health, mana, or stamina. Emily… I actually don’t know yours, offhand.”
She had a wry grin. “I have to lie and conceal. Pretend to be or do something I’m not. Most days, that means pretending to be Human at the hospital. It’s a little lie, repeated thousands of times a day while I work, so I top off steadily.”
I nodded. “Thanks. So, Gloria has to eat a ton, most of her intake converts to Hunger unless she’s topped off. Amber has to receive goods and services, whether paid or not. Paige has to be admired or revered. Thing is, it looks like all of you have about 10% of each others’ feeding abilities in addition to your own, then equalizing with each other over the course of minutes nearby. I didn’t get that, but I have a slow and passive intake while you are all near as well. Just… remember, if you think you’re low, you are probably ALL low, and topping off will be like trying to do it five or six times more than before all of this. Be proactive, please.”
Something chimed from the kitchen. Gloria brightened up immediately. “Soup’s ready! Come on, everyone!” We pretty much stampeded into the kitchen for food, and it was heavenly. The chicken soup tasted like it could cure cancer, and we all enjoyed it thoroughly. Not saying the hospital food was terrible, but we had gotten used to a certain… well, a certain Gloria, and that was a high bar to clear.
We ate, we drank, we celebrated. We had made it through, despite everything. We were together against the odds, and given that there were no arms set for the morning by doctor’s orders we unanimously decided that it was a good night for a cuddle pile. As we passed that gentle line between waking and sleep, I took comfort in their presence around me, the warmth of both bodies and souls.
After all, I’d be alone for the next part.
I knew the moment I had fully crossed over to sleep. I had been coming to this dreamscape for five nights running, now. At least yesterday, and apparently today, I was actually alone here. No offers, no threats, nobody trying to ensve or kill me and mine. I bent over and picked up a shard of silvered gss, and gently pced it where it belonged on the enormous red void that had once been my inner Mirror. It slowly sealed into pce, the fracture of ground where it had been sitting slowly starting to heal again. The persistent headache I’d had since freeing my dies easing an almost imperceptible amount.
I had no idea how much of what I did here was literal versus metaphorical. I knew, though, that this task was necessary, no matter how long it took. Thing is, the fifth or so of this giant Mirror in my mind I had managed to repair remained that way from yesterday, and what I hadn’t told the others was that my Status Screen had changed a bit. My Css, my unchanging, absolute Css, which nobody had ever found a way to alter, had changed.
It now read “Mirror (Shattered).”