Walking Disasters and Me-A Royal Meeting – Ch 91

Walking Disasters and Me-A Royal Meeting – Ch 91

Stilling my mind once more was a tad harder than earlier, the rose-tinted emotions from Ios and I's first real show of physical...
spiritual?
Whatever, first real show of affection physical
or
spiritual still buzzing about happily inside of my mind as well as my pleasantly happy core, mixing with the still lingering butterflies that reside there. I do my best to not actively push away those thoughts and feelings, treasuring them beyond measure for what they represent, but I
do
eventually corral them all into a 'feel these again later' box in my brain for now so that I can get back to what I need to do in peace.
That seems to do the trick, because as soon as my mind is clear and I focus on reaching out to the Empress, I feel my presence warp and distort into a tunnel of some kind. The pressure and intensity of surrounding concepts and broken fractals of dazzling light zooming into and past my vision makes my head begin to throb in pain, but no matter what I do I can't seem to avert my gaze or close some metaphysical eye lids to end the confusing and beautiful torture. Just when I feel myself begin to scream out from the overbearing pain, my brain having to handle and process to much stimulus and information from the constant bombardment, the pressure snaps and recedes, leaving me floating listlessly in a now purely empty space devoid of illumination.
I gather my wits a bit, my head still throbbing from that fucked up wormhole experience, before I look around my new surroundings curiously. Just like what I saw in front of me, the entire space is just void, no colors or lights or any other kind of landmark to judge direction or distance, no sound or feeling reverberating in this liminal space for me to follow. With careful words, I decide to cautiously call out to the one being I
sincerely
hope is here, otherwise I may be a little fucked since I don't know how to leave... "E-Empress? I uh.. I had a couple questions I wanted to ask you, and the 'door' was open or something so I just kind of... ended up here. Are you here?" My warbling and distorted voice sounds out in an lonely echo, my growingly heavy heart at not receiving a response beginning to weigh me down before I hear something, finally.
The void ripples and tears behind me, the screeching of reality being broken and disregarded echoing violently in the suddenly pure white and gold sea as a heavy
*GONG*
rings out just behind my shoulders. I startle and turn my vision rapidly from the sound, looking upwards a good margin to meet with a slightly more detailed version of the Empress. My surprise is evident as I take in that I can see delicate cheek bones, the full picture of her eyes - not just the flaming energy she emits from them - which are a vibrant gold, as well as an angular and attractive nose. Opaque, full lips holding frame in a small smile also are evident, and her entire facial structure has a ghostly hue to all of it... but something inside me tells me that this is likely not her true form either, more like just what I can perceive right now after working on my soul.
The urge to bow does hit me in the brief instant she appears as I'm examining my third patron in shock, but it flits away even easier than before as I do the only thing that makes sense right now, make a fool of myself. "W-wow. You're so
pretty
." I feel the embarrassment wash out of me as I mentally smack myself. C'mon Aims!! Maybe I should just let Akiko fuck me for a month straight or something, get this libido back under control!
The Empress leans her head upwards and lets out a laugh, the sound of it bordering on pure ambrosia and perfect harmony as her voice sounds crisp and noble even in mirth. Unlike the other times when we've talked in a liminal space, the weight of her words seem to not bother the surroundings here too much, only faint ripples against the fabric of reality being noticeable before she finally collects herself again and looks back down to me.
In that regal and monarchal tone that still holds levity and grace, she smiles back down to me and replies to my perpetually horny self, "I appreciate the
candor
, Amelia. Too often are begins cowed into subservience or flagrant fear when in my presence, even those that can perceive my form to any degree. Well, when my reign was still ongoing, that is. Tragically, I have not been awash in supplicants or visitors for quite the passage of time now, but it is endearing to have you as one of the first to interact with me after the long silence of those years."
"Uh... Thanks?" I say back awkwardly, still not really sure how I'm supposed to interact with her yet. I know she's on my side and all of that, but that royal demeanor of hers is something I've never had to deal with before.
Taking it in stride, or choosing not to make me wallow in my social anxieties for long, she waves her arm outward and changes reality before our eyes. The voided arena is broken by a peaceful meadow, languid armchairs covered in moss resting against a gently babbling brook as tree branches sway over head providing shade from the amber rays of a star above us. Rolling hills that bring both a sense of familiarity and homesickness bound before us in the distance, the far off creaks and cries of birds bouncing off the hills, adding to the serene feeling of the space. With another motion, I have my soul avatar back and we are both now sitting in the chairs leaning back to observe the passing clouds overhead. The most shocking thing of all is just how
real
it all feels.
I lean over to rake my hand against the soft, green grass below us, feeling its fibrous sheaths fold and bend underneath my fingers as a gentle breeze kisses against my face and ruffles the few strands of hair that have slipped in front of my teal eyes. "This all feels so
real
, so familiar. Like this is some valley back on Earth."
"Indeed," the Empress answers back simply, "I found this to be quite the lovely memory from your time there, while adding a few adjustments of my own such as the furniture and constant time of day. Your previous world, while cruel and violent oft times, had its moments of peace and comfort. Where the greed of human nature had yet to lay its miserable hand upon it, of course. But, you did not seek me to enjoy such talk or such scenery. You have done well to increase your understanding of the nature of souls, and are now seeking my input as to what your first steps should be regarding Sandra."
I guess I shouldn't be surprised that she'd know what I want to ask right off the bat. I did say it out loud to Ios after all, and I'm kind of positive she can read my mind to an extent too. "I can, but I would rather we be candid with each other and respect the privacy of our inner thoughts and wants." I startle as she confirms my suspicions, groaning mentally at now having two entities that can just read my mind all willy nilly!! Ios still
says
she can't, but I honestly am still on the fence about it. As much as I love and trust her, her constant denial of it is the
perfect
response for her trolling nature, and she would
absolutely
deny it if it means she can keep access to all my juicy secrets!
I hear another otherworldly perfect chuckle from the Empress, making me turn my head in recognition to see her smiling softly back to me. "You are quite the amusing person, Amelia. I am glad you have kept yourself whole and steady so far in your journeys. Now then, to answer the unspoken but loudly thought inquiry, I will help you as much as I can. There are consequences to over aiding you, providing knowledge or information that you are not ready for. Have not
grown
to comprehend. Not only would sharing such information destabilize your individuality, but also your path as a cultivator, and I wish for neither of those things to occur.
You are your own person, and I want nothing more than for that to remain the case for all of your days. And yes, I can feel you already bursting to the brim with other curiosities at my words, but you will need to accept that I cannot share those answers with you yet for the very same reasons as I have stated just now." I wilt just a tad at being called out even before I said anything, but decide to just trust her words for now. At least she is on team Amelia in that she doesn't seem to have some long term plan to re-assimilate me or something...
"I would do nothing of the sort, but your worry is valid as this is such a new and frightening concept in whole for you." Her voice decrees back to the rolling hills around us in a neutral tone before continuing, "As for your sister, the first step you should attempt is reconnecting with her in your unconscious state again, where she is more stable and is able to interact with her surroundings more. The mesh of her soul, and even her core to a degree, were damaged when she embedded herself into you on your translocation to this plane, and you both will need to walk hand in hand and recover those lost memories and her personality.
It is fortuitous that you have the ability to dream walk naturally, but you should still ask your attached spirit for some tools that can be garnered from the soul construct to aid you in this endeavor as well. Once Sandra has recovered enough, her mesh will begin to stitch itself back into its whole, the memories, emotions, and traits of the woman returning as she heals. Like a person gradually recovering from temporary amnesia after an accident. I would suggest you continue to watch over her during this period, as it can be a confusing and largely disorienting time for someone not accustomed to it." The Empress finally finishes her advice, all of it making sense except for one part.
"What do you mean reconnecting with her again? I know I've dreamt about her... memories or something I guess, but I haven't actively had a dream with her in it. Wait... There was that time right before the tribulation, the dream that I forgot that made me finally buy the
[Dream Archivist]
skill..." I say, my words trailing off softly as realization slowly dawns on me.
With a slightly remorseful tone and expression, the Empress confirms my thoughts for me. "It is as you are theorizing, I regret to say. You had a lovely dream with Sandra, one where you both shared words whole and true to each other before you were ripped back to the waking world and it nearly entirely slipped from your recollection. Even I do not recall what was spoken now, since we are tethered together like we are. I simply remember that you two spoke, embraced, and then you were waking once more."
I can't help but to lay back in the materialized chair, the numbness spreading through me as her regal words sink in. I... I talked to Sandra?? Like, actual conversation? Not just trying to figure out what her blips of emotion or clipped, one-word responses mean? We... We hugged each other?? One of the things I've been
dying
to do for apparently over a month now? I feel a powerful clasp on my shoulder, realizing that once more we are standing in the blinding white light of nothingness again but this time I am before the Empress, her throne massive and imposing behind her as the banners wave in unfelt wind.
"
Ease your heart
, sweet Amelia. Take solace in the knowledge that you shall never again lose something so precious to you, and that through your special bond with Sandra you shall have untold more of those experiences to bask in. Remember that it is well to let your emotions flow inside of you, but never give in to despair for it is always the greatest enemy. Let your chest be filled instead with the hope of a new day, of a dawn where you stand united with your beloved sister and mate. Together, and embracing in all ways and forms you can elicit.
Our time here grows short, but we shall be able to converse longer and without such obstacles like your arrival as you advance and grow your soul as well as your comprehension of those concepts we have discussed thus. The last wisdom I wish to impart on you is to rapidly teach the other women who you have bonded with the other paths of cultivation. They show great promise, especially the kitsune Yuki Akiko, but you will quickly and decisively outpace their power. You need mentors to test your mettle against and guides to show you the dangers as you grow and become accustomed to this new world, and you can trust them in their words and actions towards you as well as each other. Now, return to your spirit companion and discuss what I have imparted. We shall speak again."
I feel myself get bodily ejected out of the space, my soul avatar facsimile dissipating in a weave of energy as I'm shunted back through the wormhole or whatever that brought me here. It's a much easier time leaving than getting here, thankfully, as the pressure and brain burning force of information is much more manageable. After a few seemingly still endless moments, I gasp as my true soul avatar's eyes flash open, the space around us mixing in the colors of teal, green, and yellow as the sudden shock ripples out from me.
"Aims! Are you okay?? Were you able to talk to the Empress again?" Ios' voice sounds out from the void, just before her body appears next to mine as she looks over my still heavily breathing construct with a tinge of worry.
"I-I'm fine, thanks Ios. It's just a fucking trippy as hell ride to get to and from wherever she is inside of me. I had to go through some kind of... tunnel or wormhole or something that just bombards me with concepts and information, as well as some heavy as shit soul pressure before I can enter or leave that space. Even when I was expecting it, it was still a pretty harrowing affair." I say in reply to my worried passenger, standing up with her help before dusting off my butt in reflex. Huh... even
that
feels good which is beyond weird, for multiple reasons...
I shake my head, ignoring the curious look Ios gives me as an ever so faint blip of pink flashes around us, "R-right.
*Ahem*
So, it looks like the way I need to start healing Sandy in a more involved manner - or at least the way the Empress told me to do so - is by doing it while we are dreaming together. Which is apparently something that can and has happened. Remember when I got so pissed after forgetting that dream a couple weeks ago?" I wait for her nod before continuing the debrief from my meeting with the deity, "Well, what I forgot was a dream where Sandra and I actually talked. Like, not the stilted speech or emotions she'd send my way, but actual
worded
conversation. We also hugged, from what the Empress said. So I'm pretty pissed about forgetting that, on top of the general annoyance and anger of letting the dream slip by in the first place."
Ios gives me a sympathizing look as she reaches over to grab one of my hands, squeezing it in reassurance as I huff out, letting the angy feelings bleed out of me. "Thanks." I say as I return the gesture, "So yeah, I'll have to inception dream with Sandy, go through her scattered and destroyed memories and... I don't know, heal them somehow? The Empress was a
little
vague on the specifics, saying that it's dangerous for her to give me too much information right now, that it could cause me to lose my individuality if she starts spoon feeding me stuff.
Which, I appreciate. I
quite
like being Amelia Dufort. Oh, and she said to look into more dream related skills and stuff from the system, which is a good idea regardless now that we know how important that is going to be for Sandra." Even though my tone at the end is humorous, neither of us buy it as the implications of that warning lay against us like a leaden blanket.
"Well,
shit
honey. That's quite the bit of information huh? But honestly, it's nice to have repeated confirmation that she isn't looking to subsume you or something once you get strong enough. Beings like her, powerful and ancient, are almost incapable of lying or bending the truth, so if she gave your word that she doesn't want to do that, then that's basically a guaranteed promise you can take to the bank." Ios says reassuringly as she wraps me in a hug. I embrace her back, just nodding my head in reply as we float there for a few heartbeats.
"As far as what you can do to heal Sandra while you two are dream linked, I'm sorry to say I don't exactly know. We can definitely take a look at some system stuff to see if anything well help, but the best I can figure it is if you walk her through some of your memories first, show her the history you two share that you can remember and help fill in any gaps she might have. It'll be tricky, as that would be
incredibly
adjacent to rewriting her personality if you're not careful. We should still talk with Akiko and get her opinion on it, but I would suggest to show her some of your core memories together and then just let her process what she sees and how she feels, and if you offer insight or something, make sure you explicitly say that its from
your
perspective and understanding of the situation,
not
hers.
Who knows though? Maybe she's been recovering on her own all this time, or at least shoring up what she can while you've been resting. Either way, let's just be careful and cautious about how we go about this, okay?" Three hands gently come up to stroke my back, their fingertips dancing lightly down the spine of the avatar while the last one comes to stroke the side of my hair lovingly. I shiver into the act, biting back a small moan as I close my eyes and just nod once more in agreement, not trusting my words to come out coherently right now from the overstimulation this place has.
I hear a faint giggle from Ios as she rests her head on my shoulder too, pressing our chests together in a lovely way before she says out cheekily, "
You know~
... It's only been about ten minutes out in the physical world. We should have some time to ourselves still if you wanted to... take things further? Or if you wanted to keep working on your spirit and body paths too, I suppose. But that wouldn't be as
fun~
..."
I lean into her neck, my face burning as my soul avatar's legs close on themselves at the thought, and soon the entire realm is alight in the delightful hues of arousal and desire, the emotions finally overcoming me as Ios keeps expertly tracing her many fingertips like a feather down my back. She giggles again, leaning back to give me a smarmy raised eyebrow and smirk, waiting for my answer before she does anything further, like the troll she is. In a devastatingly husky voice, her emerald eyes darkened with the same voracity of lust as mine, Ios asks out coyly, "Well~? What do you say
sweetheart?
Want to find out if sex here in the soul space is as
good
as you've been imagining it is?"
I only have time for one response before she tackles into me, giggling and cackling in-between devious kisses and gropes of my breast, ass, and thigh that make me moan in rapture: "I knew it! You
can
read my mind!!"

.
!
A Royal Meeting – Ch 91