Walking Disasters and Me-Awkward Impressions, Confirmation – Ch 34
I feel a bit more steady after apparently being in a trance for 8 hours and venting some of my problems to my wounded passenger. The previous disaster with Akiko and the subsequent blow up on Ios are still poking at me behind the scenes, but finding Sandra again and actually seeing her in the process of healing has done wonders for my psyche. I'm excited to really focus in and put what Ios said to the test, see if feeding her Qi in a more direct manner would help her recovery.
I hop out of bed for a moment to stretch and just move around after being prone and unmoving for so long, my long red hair flowing behind me in waves as I bounce to the tip toes of my feet, arching my back in bliss. A few satisfying pops, a couple quick stretches of the legs and arms, and one toe touch later makes me feel even more prepared and ready to take on the world. Which is of course the time that there's a knock on the sliding wooden door to my room which makes me jolt about a foot into the air. I can see Ios, still in her projected form, putting up a valiant effort to not laugh at my expense. I'm unsure how long this grace period will last, probably until she can't contain it anymore, but I'll take any win I can right now.
I ignore the troll, who is still partially in the dog house even if we had a sweet moment a second ago, and I make my way over to the awaiting visitor outside the threshold of the door. No doubt it's Akiko, probably to drop off those books and let us know she's going to be out for a spell. Wait... If I've been meditating for 8 hours and I only woke up around noon time, shouldn't it still be the same day? God, my sleep cycle is never going to recover from this... Regardless, I prepare my apology to the beautiful fox woman in my head, ready to just get it over with and blurt it out as soon as I open the door. I doubt I'd chicken out of fessing up to her for going too far, but the anxiety of it all is killing me and I just want to be done with it!
With renewed courage I slide the door open abruptly, my face reddened with embarrassment as I hastily choke out in my bass voice and closed eyes, "Akiko! Look, I just want to say I'm sorry for taking things too far and making the situation awkward. I know you felt like you went too far too, but I just want you to know that it's okay, I liked it actually! You're
always
so gentle and kind with me, even when you get intense, and I just kind of got lost in that emotion for a bit. I want you to know its not... your... uhh.." Toward the end of my rambling speed-run of an apology to my foxy woman, I finally started opening my eyes to make sure my words were landing with her, my vision trailing up and up from the ground where it started to meet the face of my visitor.
However, the woman standing in front of me is most definitely not the snow white haired, voluptuous matron of this estate. No, the figure haunting my doorway is an arguably more voluptuous jet black haired kitsune who stands a couple inches taller than Akiko wearing a comfortable, loose fitting white lounge robe while holding a tray of heavenly smelling food in her hands. Her long, straight raven hair flows parted down both shoulders and her back, with long bangs flowing down to cover the right side of her face, while the exposed ruby red iris regards me. My bastard of a brain takes a few more seconds to process all of this confusing, new, and exciting information, before nodding to itself and then flipping the mental switch to go full shut down mode and flush my face with my blood. The traitor.
I stand there, short circuiting for a few moments, before a pillowy soft, beautifully gentle voice emits out of the shy soft face of the woman before me, "H-hello Miss Amelia! I am sorry to disappoint you and squander your heartfelt attempt at amends, but sadly Madam Akiko is still in her office preparing matters regarding her upcoming visit to the Shadow Branch. She did, however, request that one of us bring you some food when you awake after your... argument with your patron." Her tone is kind and flowing, like a gently flowing river lapping against my ears as she speaks.
Too bad I have a hard time enjoying such a pleasant voice as she reveals quite a few things in those few sentences that further shatters my mind. With a robotic, purely dead toned and automatic response, I move jerkily to the side to make room for her and the tray of food as I reply, "Ah. I see. Yes, come in please. Thank you." I watch her enter the room from a third persons perspective, my soul fully having left my body at this point.
Awareness floods back into me as I hear her set the tray down onto the round table, and I realize I'm still standing at the opened door with my slender hand still on the slatted handle, staring out into the empty hallway like a doofus. I slowly turn to look at Jun Li, who seems to give a small bow to Ios' form and then looks like she wants to make her exit as she begins to move back to me. I shake my head quickly and close the door in with a slight
slam!
of panic, I need to know exactly what she meant about something she said!!
My breaths coming out a bit heavy as the slight awkward anxiety seeps into me before I crane my neck from the now closed door, sweat forming on my brow and neck from stress, as I regard the tall figure of the black furred fox, "Uhm. Sorry, I didn't mean to shut it that hard, I promise! What... What did you mean about my patron just then? Also, uh, thanks again for brining me food, I appreciate it!" I try to seem as sane as possible after my crazy displays so far, I will have
one
first impression with these women go right damn it!
Jun Li looks a little stunned at my actions, her uncovered eye widening a few notches, pushing her brow to her forehead before a calm smile appears on her face. The babbling brook of her voice caresses my hearing once more, "Worry not, Miss Amelia, I too suffer from awkwardness and clumsy behavior when I am flustered. It is quite reassuring to know that my initial assumption of you was correct, and that we likely have a good deal in common, at least regarding demeanor!" She giggles once, raising a hand to cover her mouth as she does. That seems to be a custom here, pretty much every time I've seen Akiko laugh, when she wasn't doubled over or something, she'd cover it up like that.
Before I can ponder about that any further, Jun Li picks back up after recovering from her delight at finding another mess of a person, I guess. "As for what I mentioned earlier... Well... I'm sure you will come to this realization yourself in due time if you stay at this estate, but the walls in most rooms, including yours, are quite thin. The rooms
do
have privacy enchantments, but it seems the Madam forgot to activate yours or show you how to do so yourself before she left your presence. Also, as you progress in your cultivation journey, you'll notice that your senses develop and advance quite quickly, making hearing faint sounds from a distance child's play eventually.
All of that to say, Samantha, Gerra, and I were all discussing things with Madam Akiko as she had just returned to the garden where we were enjoying lunch together when we heard your impassioned outburst. We grew concerned for you, but before we could investigate or voice our woes to the Madam, she sat us all down with a complicated look, like she was responsible for your anger as well, and informed us of your circumstances." She pauses there for a brief moment, which is long enough for me to fully sink down to the ground in shame, guilt, and regret as my eyes despondently look to the ground. They... they all heard my freak out?? Oh god..
Jun Li seems to pick up on my whirlwind of emotions as I sense her lean down to the ground in front of me, bending deeply at her knees. I feel her dainty, thin hand come up to pat my head a couple times before her smooth voice continues in an even more gentle cadence, "I think she had wanted you to feel comfortable with your new living arrangements, and company, and let you reveal that truth about yourself to us in your own time but... well... It was quite apparent that
something
deeper was behind your being here, and after that display the Madam had little choice but to inform us. I am deeply sorry for your situation, Miss Amelia, as are the rest of our troupe. I hope that, in time, you can come to rely on us as friends and pillars of support the same you do for the Madam and your spirit Ios.
If you ever wish to discuss something, or need my help in any way, feel free to call out for me and I shall make my way here as quickly as I am able. Madam Akiko is going to have me stay behind from dealing with the Shadow Branch, as I am best suited to counter espionage work so that I can keep an eye on things here. Gerra and Samantha both would freely offer you the same boon provided they weren't preoccupied with tasks for the Village or from the Madam, naturally."
My voice feels like sandpaper coming out, grating in my throat as the shame further digs in. As the heavy anvil of despair and regret falls onto me, I ask Jun Li in a tone barely above a whisper, "How... How much did you all hear? And all of you heard it?" I look up to her soft curved face, I notice now it is much more full and round than I had thought before. That is, as much as I can tell as my eyes get that watery filter to them as the tears bubble up, a shaky, trembling frown on my lips from the regret of all of this.
She looks a little empathetically at me, but not with pity that I can tell, as she gently grabs my arms and brings me back to standing as she then hands me a small cloth out of her own storage ring. "Worry not, Miss Amelia. We all indeed did hear your outburst, but none of us had any other emotion from it other than concern. Samantha was nearly ready to tear down the hall and make sure whoever was angering you so deeply was dealt with! Needless to say, all of us were surprised at her sudden protectiveness. After the Madam explained your situation, Gerra teased Samantha about her behavior which only made her huff and turn away, saying 'Of course I would go make sure Amelia is okay, she is such a cute little thing and needs to be protected!'." Once more, Jun Li's hand rises to her mouth, her uncovered eye squinting closed in delight as she continues on between hiccupping laughs.
"I am unsure how she grew to be so fond of you after one encounter, but you truly have a way to settle in peoples hearts~! Truth be told, Gerra and I were not far away from her actions either. So please don't fret, Miss Amelia. You are in such a wonderfully unknown and emotional situation and state, and none of us here would judge you for struggling to come to terms with your new reality. Besides, the Madam adores you, and that is more than enough for me to ensure your wellbeing. It does help that you are, quite frankly, adorable too."
I chuckle a bit into the cloth that she had handed me, having fully wiped away my cheeks and eyes already. "Well, I'm glad I'm batting two for two with the hot fox women at least~!" I joke out in a wet laugh, which makes her stuttering giggle come back in full force again. After we've calmed down, I press on in my husky tone, "I'm sorry you guys had to hear that, regardless of if you didn't mind it or not. I shouldn't have blown up on Ios like that in the first place, but I was just so... I don't know. My emotions at the time were so twisted and intense." I look up to see that Jun Li still hasn't abandoned her knowing, empathy filled expression.
I keep going, getting the proverbial green light from her, "Anyways, thanks again for bringing the food. If its anything like what Gerra cooked for lunch then I bet I'm in for quite the treat~! And it's nice meeting you, formally. Kind of weird to say at the end here, isn't it?" An attempt at a smile crosses my face at my try at humor, which Jun Li plays along with as her own up turned lips and closed eyes respond back to me.
"Indeed, but it seems you have a knack for doing things in an unorthodox manner, Miss Amelia! Madam Akiko already shared news that you had reached the peak of the 1st Rank after staying here only a day! I cannot wait to see how you develop in the future, you truly will be a genius, even disregarding that system of yours!" She says back jovially. Ah, it seems like Akiko stopped short of telling them that I'm busting through all 3 paths. Which makes sense considering the two other paths have been lost to this world for like... 10,000 years or something? I think that's what she said the other day...
I gather my thoughts quickly, realizing that Jun Li is waiting on my reply, "Ah! Thank you, yeah I was surprised myself at how far I went on the first try. If Ios and Akiko weren't there, I may have attempted to break into the 2nd Rank too! Oh, I meant to ask Gerra this earlier, but you guys don't mind how I refer to Akiko right? Not using the... honorifics?"
"Not at all, Miss Amelia. Even Samantha prefers to refer to the Madam as Mistress instead, although I think that is more borne out of the... intimate side of their relationship." She gives a knowing wink as she explains, making the heat rush to my face again. Huh... Honestly, that does kind of track for all that I know of the blonde so far.
Seeing my bashful expression, I swear I hear her let out a small
squee
of excitement, but when I look back up at her she still has her placid, gentle face on. I squint my eyes a little in suspicion, but before I can voice out anything, she follows up and begins her departure, "Well, as you said Miss Amelia, it was an
absolute delight
to formally make your acquaintance. If you ever should need anything, feel free to call out for me and I will come aid you. Oh! I shall show you the privacy array. It is just here, next to the door." She points to a small symbol lightly engraved into the wall a few feet away from the door, "Simply push some Qi into this and it will activate for a time. Once you get more familiar with things like this, you will easily be able to judge how much Qi is needed for what duration desired.
Now then, I shall bid you good night and hope that you enjoy your meal. The Madam should be by at sunrise to announce her departure as well as drop off the tomes that she had mentioned to your guardian spirit. Good night, Miss Amelia." And with that, she bows gently to me, stands, bops my head lightly with a black furred tail a couple times, and then leaves the room.
I quickly go over to the array she pointed out, pushing as much Qi as I possibly can into it as soon as I feel the connection take hold. I don't know how much time exactly I have for it, but its sure as shit enough for me to instantly groan out a huge
"FUUUUCK!!"
into the void as I sink down against the wall.
They. All. Heard. It. Ugh!! I run my hands through my hair, doing my best to turn the rivers of red into a mangled crimson birds nest but despite my best efforts, all I manage to do is make it look and feel floofy. Fucking bullshit super shampoo!! As I'm wallowing against the wall, and then onto the floor as I decide to roll around in anxious, shameful energy, I hear Ios' voice ring out. Shit... I kinda forgot she was there for a second.
"Honestly honey, its not that big of a deal. Maybe its not the best time for me to be trying to give you life advice again, or at least too soon to, but if anything I think this really helped cement your place in their little group. You have their sympathy, and understanding, after only a day or two of you being here. Next week or so, when you begin training and stuff outside of this room, you'll have all four of them in your corner already. Sure, its a bit embarrassing and probably not how you wanted to come across to them, but you still got the best result possible to my mind. No doubt your Luck stat coming in clutch again for you~. Now, do you want to keep getting your dress dirty by rolling around on the ground, or do you want to get back to seeing if you can start healing Sandra?"
I glare at the obviously correct ghost floating above me now, seeing her 4 arms crossed against her chest with an amused smirk and twinge to her eyebrows. "You know as well as I do that this dress probably can't even get dirty just from some light temper tantrum rolling. But
fiiiine!
Be all smart and probably right! God, I can't even throw a fit and wallow in my emotions with you around, I swear!" Sadly, the only thing my whining accomplishes is making Ios' projection erupt into high pitched laughter as my blush creases across the bridge of my nose. With a huff, I stand up and go back to the table with the food brought by my beautiful visitor.
I use Appraise on all of it, and even get it to
[Appraise lvl 3]
for my efforts, before digging in and once more relishing in the otherworldly perfection that is Gerra's cooking. I'm serious now, if I have to eat anything other than her cooking, it will be like trying to chew cardboard!! After about 15 minutes of pure bliss, I finally groan and make my body move despite its desire not to after eating such a meal. I make my way back to the bed, getting comfy which also means that I am now wrapped up and coiled in the blankets, like I love doing, and sink back to begin meditating.
The first thing I do as I settle into my trance is bring in a slow and steady flow of Qi. After getting the rhthym to a pleasing pace, I begin to make the flow push more into my soul's area, watching in fascination as the golden orb seems to just gobble up all the extra energy. The other thing that happens because of this, is that I feel my body getting slightly weaker than I've started getting used to, and I look back to see that the silvery full moon that usually is lit up when I run the model has dimmed significantly.
Hmm... I'll need to find a way to make sure that none of my other paths are failing just because I want to prioritize a certain part of the network... I also begin to feel that regal sensation start to creep up into my psyche again, and I look over in concern at my soul which has now blossomed into a sun like creation overlooking the entire model. With a small bit of fear, I quickly wrestle the emotion down and stop feeding the soul so much energy, making sure to still favor it in energy dispersion but not quite as much. Definitely going to have to sort that part out too.
I refocus my attention after getting a good, stable soul-heavy harmony within the flow model, and then expand my consciousness once more so that I can view the rainbow colored energy shooting off from its connection to my being. I quickly follow down its winding path once more, the journey quicker now that I know the destination and location of the end of it. I also can see silvery, sparkling light follow along the connection with me, and I intrinsically can feel that it is indeed Qi I have been gathering and now forcing into the connection. With a giddy sense of hope blooming through my essence, I push my awareness as fast as I can to the place where Sandra is resting.
In no time at all I've pushed past that weird membrane and arrived back at my sister's soul. I study it for a moment, observing every nook and cranny of the cracks against her golden shell, taking a mental picture of as many of them as I can to try and compare after this little experiment. Feeling satisfied with my groundwork, I begin really focusing on pushing the Qi I'm collecting into the connection between us, the faint sparkles of white turning into an almost river of light flooding into Sandra.
I get a little nervous at the amount that is pushing in, but it doesn't feel like I'm absorbing more than I usually do. Maybe it's just the fact that I can see it so clearly and its being used in such an unorthodox way that's raising my hackles. Regardless, I slow down the river just to be safe, and then turn back to investigate Sandra. Time is a little fucky in this space, but eventually I see something that almost makes me break my trance in pure, ecstatic joy.
I can see one of the smallest fissures, barely a hairline of a crack has been filled in with silvery energy, and it is slowly turning the same golden hue as the rest of her shell. It's working.
Awkward Impressions, Confirmation – Ch 34
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