Walking Disasters and Me-A Merry Memory – Ch 124

Walking Disasters and Me-A Merry Memory – Ch 124

Sam and I exit so she can reset the simulation, and I notice her putting more focus on the barrier itself. Which, fair. She didn't say so, but I wonder if
[Meteoric Lunar Impact]
rattled the cage a bit, so to speak. Probably so given how everything turned into a frozen wasteland, which is still both awesome
and
kind of scary to internalize.
Once again, we are back in the green flowery fields and rolling hills of the original scenario, a training dummy set some paces away as the wind makes the blades of grass dance underneath it. "I am quite curious to see what level of destruction you unleash next, little pup~. Go ahead and perform whatever actions you need to begin." Samantha says to my side, her eagerness as infectious as it is unnerving. Damn stage fright, why show up
now?!
I give her a little awkward smile before getting a good few paces away from the target, mentally judging how far back I need to be to start going through the footwork and poses required for this next technique. With a heart still beating its anxious energy, feeling like I'm putting on some weird avaunt guard dance routine more than practicing martial arts, I activate both strengthening techniques as I begin moving as shown in the manual while gathering Qi.
My left foot slides forward along the grass, faint traces of ice beginning to lift into the air and sparkle around me as I twirl once with my arms stretched above my head. In a graceful arc, my right foot comes down bringing me closer to the target as I bend low, sweeping both hands to one side as my red hair falls to frame my face. Silvery Qi kicks up in a small glittering tornado, leaving a rutting frozen path through the field behind me as I turn and step forward again with my left foot, arms flowing to the other side of my body as I stand.
With one last step to close the distance, my hips turn and my hands fly underneath me, a
*woosh*
of wind just from the simple act shaking the tree canopies at the edge of the meadow. My eyes flash with silvery energy and power, the Qi surrounding my body in a sudden whirlwind as I stab my palm forward to the chest of now in reach target. Time seems to slow to a crawl, the color of the simulated world muting a bit into an ever present gray as my hand flies to its destination. With one last heartbeat before impact, I activate the technique, my voice coming out in a cold yet beautiful tone.
"
[Cratering Palm of the Shining Moon]
."
*KA-BOOOM!!*
The dummy flash freezes, shatters, and then is removed from existence even faster than it did with the first skill somehow, changing states of matter in less seconds than a photon speeds across space as a blinding white flash of light illuminates the area. Unlike the calamitous impact before, the damage I unleash is spread into a cone in front of me, however the level of icy carnage is
unquestionably
more powerful.
Everything in a 45-degree arc simply
ceases to exist
for a good thousand feet, the ground shorn to bedrock with lava channels flash frozen in place. It almost resembles what scientist do to study ant colonies, pouring liquid metal or something in an inactive nest to then excavate and study. Dark channels of the stilled magma twist and turn in the cavernous space some thousands of feet below, but even when the ground begins to recover the devastation doesn't stop.
Anything in that ever-widening cone that didn't get obliterated and have its matter erased is instead turned into massive spikes of ice, all jutting upward into the sky like before but at a much more severe angle. A mountain likely more than a mile or so in the simulation's distance that was in the path of the cone seems to have simply shattered into millions of pieces, all frozen in place by varying crooked teeth of the crystalline structures that surround it, though the trail of carnage just keeps going past it all the same.
All the while, snow and ice sparkle and dance on the wind as it returns with force, a rebounding
*WHOOSH*
as it seems to ricochet either off the barrier further away or due to filling the void left behind because of my attack. The particles glimmer and fill the sky, adding an almost ethereal quality to the scene of destruction as my wide eyes take in the scene before me with even breaths.
The footfalls of the other occupant in this realm make themselves known as I process what I'm seeing. "Heavens..." She says in awe, radiating warmth around herself that I absentmindedly tuck into when she gets close enough. Her arms wrap around my shoulder as she holds me, both of us surveying the aftermath in muted speech for a time.
Once we've had our fill, or in my case once my brain has started braining again, Sam takes me to exit the arena to once again reset the scenario. "You nearly shattered the barrier that time, Amelia." She says as she fiddles with the door, pointing to the rune network associated with the task of keeping the purple energy erect. I gasp as I see it barely has any Qi left, and some of the hardening runes actually look like they cracked or broke.
"Shit!" I exclaim in anxious worry as my fingers trace the ley lines of the model, "Is this going to repair itself like the estate does?"
Sam nods to my side, her voice comforting as she takes the inspecting hand in her own and pulls me aside, "Have no fear, it shall regrow and return to its original state in a day or so. Come, let us use a different room to discuss both applications of your frankly
ridiculously
powerful techniques." She goes to lead us to the next door, her last little bit of speech almost hushed under her breath though I catch it anyway, "I am glad you did not have these when we spared..."
As she fiddles with an identical oaken frame some twenty feet further down the hall, I call her out on her little slip. "What did you mean a second ago? I thought you of all people would be able to best counteract the moon stuff given your attributes, right?"
She jolts a little in surprise, apparently that was supposed to be an inside thought~. She gives me a sheepish smile before returning to her task, but responding all the same, "I apologize, little pup. I did not mean to vocalize that. While it is true that sun and moon
are
direct counters to each other, the important matter in all things is quality. My sun attribute is secondary to my familiarity and usage of the metal element, while your moon seems to be tied in tandem with soul and void. Which is a
beyond
rare occurrence, but not unheard of. Having three primaries, that is.
At any rate, while I could shield myself from the effects of your techniques at a distance, if you were to aim them directly at me I would wager that I would find my defense lacking. If anything, the Mistress would likely be the only person that could contend with the frigid power you unleashed. And of course, someone whose sun attribute is more developed and in tune with their cultivation than myself."
"Huh..." I simply say back as she continues to work. "There's so many layers to all of this stuff... No wonder people have to devote their whole lives just to understand something properly..."
"Indeed~." Samantha smiles back as she completes the new training room's setup, opening the door for us to enter as she continues, "But it is a rewarding and honorable experience for those that are dedicated and steadfast. Now, I want to discuss something with that second technique of yours, the Cratering Palm."
We pass through the new purple barrier, the faintly erotic feeling static tickling against every inch of my skin yet again as I reply back, "Yeah? I want to ask if I did something wrong but... well... I think we both know it works. A little
too
well, honestly."
Sam laughs out loud, a rare thing for her that makes my heart do a little flip as I smile over to her before she says, "I think that would be a fair assessment of the matter, little pup~. No, I am not questioning its
validity
, more so its
function
. From an observer's perspective, it looked as if it was... missing something. Like an element to the flow of it that you were having to compensate with while you performed the steps."
Now that she mentions it... I repeat the dance a few times without gathering Qi, a dawning realization coming to me after the third one. "I see what you mean... It feels like my arms are having to over perform and make dramatic movements that are taxing my core. I thought that was just
intended
though. Body cultivation is supposed to kind of suck ass, part of the deal."
Samantha looks over to me, her head tilting in a curious pose as she mumbles out a question, "Why would anyone want to suck an ass?..."
It's my turn to bellow out a little fit of laughter, my arms racking my sides as she pouts and turns her head in a huff. "I'm sorry~!" I say as I wipe a tear from my eye and go give her a hug~. "You were just so
adorable
and innocent sounding just then, it was a wild response~. Don't worry, the phrase is meant to show displeasure so you basically got it, hehe~."
She huffs again as I lean up and kiss her on the lips, pressing our bodies against each other as we both hum out pleased and muffled breaths. A faint line of pink crosses over her nose as she gives one last obviously insincere pout before saying, "Very well. I shall accept your apology now." I giggle and tuck my head against her neck as she continues to elaborate from earlier, "I concur with your assessment, you incorrigible woman~. Did your manual show you any other illustrations or pieces that you may be missing?"
I hum against her skin, the sweet smell of citrus and wood smoke filling my nostrils pleasantly before answering back, "No... It was just the dance and then the form for the strike... Wait!"
I jump out of her arms, something finally clicking into place about this whole thing. If the Empress made these manuals, which would include these techniques, then I bet a dollar to a doughnut that she had her freaking scythe out for them! The silvery metal on my wrist morphs and bubbles into the form of the weapon, perfectly fitting into my hands as I take a deep breath and repeat the performance one last time.
The results are incredible. The first pirouette turns more into a study of motion, the scythe singing over my head as I twirl not just once, but three times from the added momentum. The change in balance perfectly makes my next step land with thunderous pressure even without channeling Qi or using the strengthening techniques. The scythe blade swings in an arc with the next two turns, wind visibly being cut from the blade's edge before it lines up perfectly to let me strike out with my palm, the scythe behind my back.
A
*whoosh!*
of frigid air shoots forward from my palm, a faint layer of frost coating everything in that same 45-degree cone from earlier. What the fuck?! Isn't this too insane?! "S-Sam... How am I freezing stuff? I'm not using any Qi at all right now, I promise!" I ask out behind me with a bit of worry.
Sam chuckles as she strides up to my side. "Be at ease, little pup. The fact that you can subconsciously channel your attributes is a
good
thing. It means that you are indeed as intrinsically tied to them as we had discussed previously. Something you will discover for most of your techniques is that even performing the most basic rendition of them will generate an effect. Watch."
Sam spreads her feet almost like a sumo wrestler before taking a few steps forward, her arms a mix of shadow boxing and various poses before she bangs them together with the sound of a hammer striking an anvil. I jump a little into the air at the sudden sound, giving her a little glare and a pout that she just returns with a wink. I guess she wasn't over the suck ass thing after all.
"As you witnessed, I did not channel Qi or actually perform the technique, but even then I was able to create an effect. The same will apply to you as you grow and become more in tune with your attributes. Now then, repeat the routine with the scythe for the rest of the afternoon to ensure you have it perfected."
I throw my head back in a groan but do as she says regardless. To be fair, I actually
do
feel like I've grown more familiar with the steps and such at the end of the day, even if I am a bit of a sweaty mess. Sam signals the end of the training for now, coming over to pat my head a few times as she says, "Excellent work today, Amelia~. The Mistress and the others will be delighted to hear of your continued rapid development. Take some time to make sure your foundations are pristine if you have not already, and then rest for a spell before dinner. I know I worked you hard today, but I appreciate you following direction as always~."
"Thanks~." I say back with my eyes closed in bliss at the head pats~, "I'd give you a hug but I'm all sweaty and gros- h-hey!"
I don't even get the sentence out before she picks me up in a tight embrace, our faces mere inches from each other while she peers into my azure eyes with a little smirk. As soon as my little yelp is over, she locks our lips together, making me almost literally melt in her arms while she holds me~. With a wet *pop!* she ends the little make out session, licking her lips with her tongue before saying out cheekily, "Such matters do not concern me, and I am not above getting dirty~. But if you would rather make yourself more presentable, I shall not stop you."
My eyes swirl a little bit at the sudden amorous implications as my heart begins jack hammering in my chest and my core begins to tighten, "U-uh! I t-think I would like to be clean for our first time, at least! I know that's weird to say considering I wouldn't be in that state for very long, but its the principal behind it! Or something."
Sam shoots me a saucy wink framed by her blonde curls before turning and sashaying her hips seductively as she walks towards the door, "Your loss then, little pup~. I still am eagerly waiting for our time together, but I will not pressure you until you are ready. Go get cleaned up and get some rest, Amelia. I'll see you at dinner~."
She waves without turning around, exiting the now opened door to go to the forge presumably since she headed the opposite direction to the stairs. I clutch a hand over my thundering heart, exhaling a large breath to settle it somewhat, though the fire on my face tells me it doesn't work very well. Hopefully Ios doesn't ambush me in the shower again, I really wouldn't be able to put up much of a fight right now!
Thankfully, the trolling spirit just observes from the far wall this time although she does send some flirty looks here and there. "No, you horny woman, I want to try and see if I can give it one more shot to connect with Sandy after I get out of here. Sam let me go early so the others shouldn't be back for at least a couple hours." I say in a chiding tone towards Ios who just sticks her tongue out at me.
"Fiiine~. I'll just have to find another moment then~! Hehe~!" The frigid shiver doesn't even travel the full length of my back before she keeps going, "I wouldn't recommend using the Draught this time then, that thing will likely knock you out for a full night's rest. Do you feel tired enough to try and dream?"
"Heavens you're insatiable... Yeah, Sam worked me over pretty good today. Even if it was just like six hours of repeating the same movements over and over again
*sigh*
. I should be able to get in there for a little bit and at least check on her." I reply back as I'm drying myself off.
"Yeah, that is going to be a recurring thing for you honey. Cultivation means practicing the same thing almost endlessly until you reach perfection and beyond, including the physical stuff too." She says back with a soft smile before adding on, "Alrighty then, I'll keep an eye out like always and ping you when its time to wake up. Good luck sweetheart! I hope you guys link up again!" She wraps my soul avatar in a loving hug which I gladly and genuinely return. I know we've had our ups and downs, but lately she's really just been the
best~
. I would for sure be so lost without her, in more ways than one.
I find my spot on the mattress, naked of course, and bind my arms and legs up comfortingly before resting my head back on the pillow. Surprisingly, I almost instantly feel the call to dream land take me, my eyes fluttering a couple times before closing shut, my mind drifting off into unconsciousness.
A clink of glass shakes me awake, my eyelids popping open at the sudden sound to take in a plate full of food. A couple slices of glazed ham with a large and fluffy dinner roll sat on top of the purplish cured meat. A hefty portion of mashed potatoes and green bean casserole off to the side, a dollop of stuffing filling the center of the plate. I look around the kitchen, taking in the strung lights and holiday decorations with a fragile smile.
Mom worked so hard this year, and I feel so awful that I didn't help. Couldn't. Every time I tried to leave the bed for anything other than using the restroom or getting something to eat or drink was torture. They don't know what's going on with me, neither mom or dad nor the doctors. Something about pubescent onset anxiety, but that my brain is going more haywire than usual...
Well, I've always felt... high strung? At least since that time dad yelled at me. He hasn't done that again, and has apologized for it all the time. I'm not mad at him or anything, but its just another reaction that makes my heart hurt. I feel like I'm the one causing him pain because of everything now, but I just can't figure out how to show him or mom or Sandy that I love them still. Not when everything is just so
hard
now, the constant worry and fear keeping me locked in my room for days at a time. It's hard enough just to make sure I go to
school
.
The pills the doctors gave us help a little, keep the voices and knots of tension down. Let me actually get out and about again. The thought trails back to the present as I look around and admire all the hard work everyone's done, between the lovely smelling dinner, the multicolored lights and decorations, and the proud evergreen standing in the corner of the living room across the way. All adorned and fitted with bobs and ornaments, silver frilly tinsels, and a little train track running a miniature polar express underneath the needles~.
Of course, there's wrapped presents there too, but I find that I appreciate the effort more this year. I turn to my mother, her longer brunette hair waving behind her as she sips a flute of what is no doubt champagne going by the bubbles. That or sparkling apple juice. "Y-you guys did so good this year with the decorations. I-I'm sorry I didn't help, but it looks amazing."
Her honey brown eyes frown a little though she puts on a brave smile, her bigger hand coming to rest on my younger one to stroke it lovingly across the knuckles, "Oh honey, don't be sorry! So long as you're here with us now and you're okay, that's all a mother could ever ask for. I love you, darling, and thank you for the compliment~. Your sister and I worked hard on the tree, and your daddy did a bang-up job getting the house in order, inside and out huh?"
I go to respond before I notice that her face is... off? I can see the eyes, the hair, but everything else seems... muted. Fuzzy and hard to make out. Is... is this because of the pills?! Am I going blind?? I begin to hyperventilate, not noticing that time has stopped around me at all before a pair of arms softly breeze themselves over my neck.
"
Shh
. It's okay baby girl, I'm right here. You're okay, I've got you~." Sandra's voice whispers gently into my ear, her head coming to rest against mine as my full consciousness returns to me on the winds of lavender.
"
S-Sandra!
" I exclaim and turn to face her, my hands flying to her cheeks as I lock her into a passionate and needy kiss. The assorted rainbow themed lights brighten, each one creating prisms of their respective color that fill the space and merge, a kaleidoscope of wonder breaching reality and dream as our lips mesh and fold together. For the first time, I feel Sandra poke her tongue out inquisitively, like she is asking for permission to go further.
I open my mouth without hesitation, the vibrant scene getting even
more
saturated with color as horns and trumpets begin to echo triumphantly in the distance. Our tongues wrestle and meet, the pink muscles tangoing together in exploration and then eventually in ecstatic embrace. I can't help but let out a moan of pure pleasure, my heart
soaring
to my throat as my legs tremble in weakness below me in the chair as my whole body is
filled
with rosy pink.
Sandra giggles into our locked mouths, pulling back which makes a pitiful whine slip from my now lonely lips. "You're a
really
good kisser, baby girl~. Where'd you learn all that, hmm?" She says in a pleasant drawl, obviously teasing me which works better than a lightning rod in a thunderstorm. Instantly, my face is flamed by the fire of a blush as I try and pull her back in for another kiss.
"Alright, easy now~." She says in a laugh, giving me another few moments of making out before pulling back again and sitting in the chair next to me. Our old family table wasn't too big, so while I'm on the long side, she's opposite mom yet still within arm's reach.
Oh shit!!
I fearfully turn my face back to my mother, but see that she still seems to be locked in time, relief flooding through me as I close my eyes and exhale. I turn my gaze back to Sandra, "I know they're just dream parents, but that was so risky!! Bad Sandra!"
The scolded Sandy doesn't seem phased, instead sending me a devilish wink as she replies to the accusations, "Oh don't worry~. This is our dream as well as memory, so we both have control here. I made sure to freeze them nice and good before I made my
dramatic
entrance~."
"You're
so
bad..." I say out with a bit of a smile before taking in her form again. It looks like I'm back to my full adult Earth body same as she is now, and she's wearing that same long white dress gown from before. "Why didn't you speak up sooner? It's so disorienting being back in my old headspace..." I wrap my arms around myself for a moment, hanging my head down as I whisper out, "I don't like it."
The playful smile on her face finally cracks somewhat, her hand coming to comfort me just like mom's did a few moments ago. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I wasn't sure if this was another solo memory dream or if you had come back again at first. It's still hard for me to pick you from the background noise at first, so to speak."
I nod as I consider her words, our fingers folding together on instinct before I realize something. "Wait, so you would have done the same thing to a dream Aims?" For some reason I feel a twinge of... jealousy at the notion...
She laughs as she shakes her head, her brunette locks bouncing with the movement, "I would have given her a hug,
absolutely
. I can't
stand
seeing you hurt or struggling, even a
dream
version of you. But the kiss? I
only
would have done that if you had 'woken up', and I'm glad you did~. I still can't remember all that much, but I think that was the
best
make out session I've ever had in my life~."
"Oh my god,
stop!"
I shyly say as I hide my face with my free hand, the redness on my cheeks returning with a force.
"Hehe~. You're so
cute
, baby girl~. I love it when you're all shy and adorable~." I hear her voice say at a much closer distance. I spread my fingers to peek a glance, noticing her face only a foot or so away from mine with that same rakish smile on it again that makes my heart throb. I let the hand fall and close the distance, bringing it back up to cup her cheek again as we repeat the technicolored light show from before~.
After another passionate session, we both stare lovingly into each other's eyes before Sandra says, "I don't know how long you have here, but do you want to go through this memory with me? It's... Christmas, right?"
I give her a peck on the cheek before nodding. "Christmas Eve judging by the presents that haven't been torn to shreds by two eager little hellions~. Well, one eager hellion and a slightly mopey suffering one."
Her finger comes to boop my nose, shaking me out of the momentary funk as she fixes me with a compassionate look. "It's okay, Aims. You're not that little girl anymore. These feelings are in the past and we beat them, together. Just let the experience wash through you, I'll be right here the whole time. I'm not going anywhere, I
promise
."
The pinprick of tears stabs to the corners of my eyes as I nod pitifully and wrap her in a hug, burying my face into her neck as she strokes my back and hair. Eventually, she coaxes me out of the little episode, something that is so incredibly easy when she does it, and we resume our spots at the table. I dry my eyes with a napkin, giving her one last loving glance before our bodies shift to our younger selves, the memory resuming as we both participate.
Snow falls outside the window as the dinner plays out, everyone sharing a lovely family meal on a special holiday with smiles abound. The entire house filled with love, warmth, and family.

A Merry Memory – Ch 124