Abyssal Road Trip

“Why aren’t you at the celebration?” Livia asked as Julia entered the sitting room. One of the young ladies had set a plate of biscuits on the table. Livia looked very relaxed, lounging back on the couch, the crumbs of a biscuit clear on her clothing.

“What’s it to you, bossy boots?” Julia asked in return, before grumbling out her main reason. “Don’t need food.”

“Torm went,” Livia scolded. “He doesn’t need food either, but he’s there talking with people that risked their lives fighting alongside him.”

“I made things for the ladies and didn’t feel like partying after that,” answered Julia. She sat down beside Livia, only to find herself promoted to pillow as Livia stretched out and put her feet on Julia’s lap. “Brat.”

“And? Verdandi says it’s important to celebrate when things go your way. There are frequently more reasons to kick yourself than for celebration,” stated Livia, changing the subject right back.

“I’ll celebrate when they all have better places to sleep. The guards have had to set up tents due to the lack of sleeping space in houses and barns.”

“If you keep setting conditions before you celebrate, you’ll always be waiting on something.”

“Verdandi’s words of wisdom as well?” Julia asked.

“Are you going to tell me why you changed your appearance yet? You avoided telling me last time, and then you left.”

“It was a compromise. B was right about lying to myself with my appearance, but I’m not comfortable following her suggestions. Though even using my mortal form, it didn’t feel right; nothing felt the same,” Julia stated. Sighing, she settled further into the couch, glancing at Livia as she did so. Julia watches the contemplation clear on her features, just waiting till Livia responded.

“Just because she’s right about that doesn’t mean its the right answer. You need your answers as a whole, not just hers.” Livia said, gesturing at Julia.

“I know I need to find my own truth, but it was a compromise, so she’ll behave while I figure my answers out,” agreed Julia.

{{I always behave! }}

Badly! Not arguing about her point?

{{If you think she’s right, who am I to argue. Clinging to the scraps of your old life won’t help establish a new one. }}

“As long as you’re still looking for your truths,” Livia stated, her gaze resting heavily on Julia as she spoke.

{{Why not poke in her mind and see how you appear in her eyes. }}

Julia almost shuddered a B’s suggestion, and her mental reply was acidic.

Never! Everyone has a right to their private thoughts. I don’t use it on those I trust.

“I am. I have a lot to wade through,” said Julia.

{{You need scuba gear, not waders. }}

“Good,” Livia said and leant precariously towards the table to snatch up two biscuits. “You want one? Rika got a new recipe.” Livia extended her hand to Julia, both biscuits she’d snatched from the plate on offer.

“It’s okay you eat them.”

“Fine, I will. Now, why don’t you offer me the Bond you have with Moke and Eivor?” asked Livia, her expression casually neutral.

“What? No way!” Julia exclaimed, not wanting any part of the offer.

“Don’t be hard-headed. Listen to what I have to say.”

“Your crystal eyes are beautiful, but they also show me what I’ve already done to you,” replied Julia, holding little hope Livia was just going to let the matter drop.

“I know you’re worried about Ki energy passing through the bond, but I’ve swum in Ki. Unlike the people you’ve been sharing it with till now, I have training in handling Ki and using it. I’m more attuned to my physical state than anyone else you’ll find except Master Farhad.” Livia said, her tone softly cajoling.

“You’re also ten!” Julia insisted, disbelief filling her voice.

“I’m nearly eleven. I’ve also died and ended up with an Enlightened Soul. Look, think it through. The rules need an energy exchange to let you stay. I send you Ki, and you send me Ki, exchange done. I’ll even use up some Ki before dawn to make sure if you send me more than I send you I don’t overflow like a cup.”

“No.”

“Have any Demons you’ve been around mentioned seeing your Allegiance Bonds at all?” asked Livia,

“No,” Julia insisted, her tone determined.

The frown Julia gave Livia just earned a smile from her, clearly convinced she was going to win.

“There you go. Can you see them with True Sight?” asked Livia.

“No, that’s all I going to say if you ask again,” Julia repeated, giving Livia a firm head shake. Livia’s facial expressions made the eye-rolling attitude clear, even if her lack of irises hid that it was happening.

“Torm can’t see the Allegiance Bonds either, despite knowing you have them and who they’re with. If they ask about them break the Bonds, but till then you can keep them. Since you’ve already started a war with Set, you might as well help fight it on this Plane. If it doesn’t work out, you can munch Gnarl Souls, even if they don’t look pleasant, or feed energy into Víðarr. He looks like he could certainly use some energy.”

“No, I’ll be munching Gnarl Soul Shards even if they taste like vomit. Of course, you can see the Souls. How badly off is Víðarr?”

“Yeah, I can see the Souls, but I can’t see your Bonds. Those Souls look weird inside you, but welcome to another day in my life; I’m still getting used to how the world looks to me at times now.”

“Sorry, but the answer is still no. You’re avoiding talking about Víðarr,” said Julia, holding her ground.

Livia leant forward and tapped Julia lightly on the arm.

“You’re not allowed to mope; I was dead, I’m not now so its all good,” scolded Livia, frowning sternly at Julia.

“Brat! Then don’t use it to try to guilt-trip me into getting your way.”

“You’ll see, it only makes sense,” Livia stated firmly before munching on a biscuit.

Julia waited till Livia had finished eating before she spoke again.

“Víðarr.”

“I delivered the meals to the infirmary. Just as well, you drew that Abyssal energy out of him,” replied Livia before rewarding Julia with a smile. “That was another good thing you did. Did you go, ‘Oh I should be grumpy at you’ or simply help?”

“When I felt his pain I had to help,” Julia said, not bothering to deny her involvement to Livia.

“Of course you did. Do I seem in pain to you?”

“No,” Julia answered honestly, looking at the scamp. “That’s also the answer to your request.”

“No, it isn’t. That’s just you clinging to a silly position, not the answer. They regrew Víðarr’s legs after dinner, and he was moving around slowly when I collected the dinner bowls. I wonder if it looked weird with bones and exposed flesh, or if it was just a bunch of glowing.” Livia pondered, the mental wheels spinning clearly apparent to Julia.

“Regrew his legs. What about his hands and eyes?”

“They’ve healed his fingers and eyes, though he still can’t see. His eyes look weirder than mine, all ghostly white. They’ll try various Blessings and see if they can cure the blindness, but it could be a lingering effect of using dark runes; some things require balance. You confused many healers with removing the Gnarl offspring, but they’re glad they don’t have to deal with it themselves. However, the women still have issues they’ve had to clear up, that and having enough meat to keep the women healthy till their bleeding stops. Having babies sounds messy. I remember my baby brother being born, but I didn’t realise mother had six weeks of her moon bleeding afterwards. It’s all so gross!” said Livia, making a face.

“Nevermind having to pee all the time, my sister-in-law grumbled about that,” Julia said before changing the subject. “You were a bunch of glowing motes of light when they brought you back to life. Like fireflies under the blanket covering you.”

“Really?! I was sparkling!” Livia exclaimed, eyes glowing with excitement.

Julia started laughing and found she couldn’t stop, especially after Livia moved to hug the laughter out of her.

Julia’s dive got her away from the path of spells raining on the monster trying to get her. Teleport took her beyond the spell crafted barrier as the Dire Boar stomped down where she’d been. Despite the force of its impact, the wall of the pen didn’t even shudder. The monster shook its head as a Lightning Missile smashed into its eye, and it bellowed in pain. Atop the safety of the wall, the second rank let loose with their spells, and its squeals became enraged.

Julia’s next teleport carried her back to the Gnarl farms, where she landed beside another Dire Boar, munching on a log sized mushroom stalk. It caught her scent even as she touched it and wrapped it up in Greater Teleport’s field. She moved with its attempt and teleported them both, sliding through a gap in the pen’s side as the monster went wild. Pain from spells and sunlight it had never seen in its life enraging it. The rugged hide of the Dire Boars not shielding it against the elemental forces whittling its health away. The things looked roughly the size of a bull jungle elephant Julia remembered seeing at a zoo. Tusks wider than broadswords curved up in brutal arcs from the sides of its snout, and misshaped ridges studded its flesh.

“Do you want me to make a third pen?” Yngvarr asked, as he approached where Julia was monitoring the ranks and their alternating castings.

“I don’t think it will be required, although I don’t know if they’ll be able to finish these two off by themselves. These things are tough.” Julia said, gesturing towards the two stone pens. “Either way, the amount of meat from two will keep the butchers busy for a bit, those fellows easily weigh six thousand kilograms each.”

The pens weren’t solid walls but stone pillars with a walkway across the top. Yngvarr had staggered them to form the pens, alternating two metres of stone with a metre gap. Multiple layers spread out from its inner space, providing a solid foundation for its upper walkway in case any Dire Boar broke one of the interior pillars. However, its eight-metre length didn’t offer it much room for the monster to gain momentum for a charge. To Julia, they looked like two rectangular walkways to nowhere. An elevated path some four metres wide, with a low wall along the edge to prevent anyone from accidentally slipping off.

“You do like to surprise. A hundred wizards with three affinities and a small selection of spells. What’s the next item on your list?”

{{ World peace. }}

Hardly B, I’m not silly enough to consider putting that on my list.

{{What? A piece of someone here, a piece of them over there. }}

Julia mentally sighed before she answered Yngvarr’s question

“The next items aren’t mine to handle. Verdandi plans to have Priests use purification spells to get rid of any parasites, and then it’s a lot of butchering work; I’m leaving that up to the professionals. I’m going to have a break, practice, and then train more survivors.” .

“Work crews have gone out to start clearing the land for extra fields,” remarked Yngvarr.

“Lady Eakcï,” Sagga called, as she slipped towards them through the guards and butchers standing by, a few betting on how long that each boar would last. “The servants of Eir have cleared the second group of women health-wise, but it will take a while to complete checking them all.”

“Thanks, I’ll head over there shortly,” replied Julia, giving her a smile of appreciation, before turning to monitor the spell forms being shaped by the women.

“I’d like to join in spell practice when there is a second set of boars, if I may,” proposed Sagga, pleased when Yngvarr nodded, Julia having held her peace.

“Have you been thinking about the information I sent you on the Prestige Tiers?” Julia asked, without taking her attention from the pens.

“I felt I’ve cheated myself of potential, yes. I’ll need to spend some time levelling as Torm has done travelling with you.”

“Excellent. So Yngvarr I take it you need foes to smack. Want some information on where more Tiamat cultists are?” Julia asked quietly. The moment the question was uttered, Yngvarr went wide-eyed.

“What?” Yngvarr asked, obviously startled by her question.

“I know where her cultists have set up Shrines and Temples. Though they aren’t in human lands, some of the various goblin-kin and kobold tribes worship her.”

“Where did you get this information? When?”

Yngvarr seemed ready to throw more questions her way, and Julia hurried to cut him off.

“Out of Birkir’s Soul, I found I could get images from him while I was relaxing. After Livia went to bed, I spent time finding more.”

The simple explanation just elicited a sigh and a headshake from Yngvarr.

“Last night. You should have attended the Jarl’s celebration; people were asking about you. It would have been cleaner than dabbling with necromancy.” Yngvarr said, his tone a soft rebuke.

“Wasn’t using that, thank you. I used Soul Sight to look into his and Setau’s past. It made me even happier they’re both dead. I’ve sent some information to Eivor to pass along to Moke for their research.” replied Julia.

“But didn’t you…” Yngvarr began, only to cut himself off.

Setau’s Soul Gem appeared and disappeared from an outstretched hand before Julia smiled at him.

“I still have it, and I can study it even in this state. While he’s far weaker than Birkir, but he’s also been to concealed Temples. It’s time-consuming to learn even a single location, and it’s harder to gain anything from Birkir.”

“What are you planning to do?” asked Yngvarr suspiciously.

“Nothing, I just thought I’d pass along all the information I extract, and if certain parties want to gain experience, that’s up to them.” Julia sighed. While there was more she wanted to get done, she was feeling stretched today.

“Why is that?”

“Yngvarr, really look around. My to-do list is overflowing at present, I could use help, but if you want to smack different bad guys around, that’s fine.”

“I’ll take that information from you. We would never want her gaining power in this region,” Yngvarr said grimly.

“The cult is seeking to gain sufficient power to finish the work they started before the humans fled here,” Julia added and watched anger flare in Yngvarr’s gaze.

“That’s information lots of individuals will want to know,” Yngvarr said, his grim tone softening as he continued. “Þiúðmundr and Ǫlhildr still wish to speak with you, though they seemed reassured somewhat after yesterday.”

When Julia sighed, he was obviously amused by her reaction.

“Why because I found them bad guys to smack?” asked Julia.

“Ǫlhildr. She saw you take down that BrÍn before it had a chance at Waiola.”

“We were fighting together,” Julia said, startled by the statement. “Why wouldn’t I have her back?”

“The surprised tone in your voice alone says so much, especially since we know you’re not a skilled actress.”

“Stupid Acting, Torm offered me an introduction to a Skald,” Julia muttered before shaking her head to clear clamouring thoughts.

“Might be worth taking it. Why do you have them practicing casting in ranks like this?” asked Yngvarr, gesturing towards the women. “I had thought you wanted plenty of space with line of sight.”

“It’s for developing the habit of ranks, for staggering fire. I can easily teleport thirty or forty into a place. First rank fires then crouches, second rank fires, repeat till the enemy is heading at us, teleport away. Continue till they’re out of Mana, then continue with another group.”

“More tactics from your games?” Yngvarr asked, his tone sceptical.

“I take it Torm’s been talking. No, they’re real-life tactics just added the teleporting aspect; I know things besides my scary science,” replied Julia.

A cheer erupted as the first Dire Boar died, and Julia saw the women starting down the ramp beside that pen. Winnings started changing hands as a guard slipped between the pillars and ensured the first boar was dead. As a work crew set up a portable pulley crane to help drain the corpse, the second boar met its end.

“I removed that knowledge, but I didn’t remove knowledge of your scientific process, just all the things your people learnt using it. I’ve been applying it to some magical challenges; it’s proved beneficial.”

“Such as?” asked Julia.

“I need your help with your ability to control what an imprint sees from you,” answered Yngvarr, though Julia was at a loss with the subject change.

“Why?”

“I’d like your help in the calibration of some runes I’ve put together to gauge someone’s level and attributes,” stated Yngvarr.

“Did you get an imprint working?” Julia asked excitedly.

“No idea how accurate it is or the scale but yes, I’ve got a rune plate working.”

Julia’s delighted laughter drew the attention of those around, but the smile on Sagga’s face at her mirth was reassurance that it wasn’t being taken wrong.

As the second group dispersed for the evening meal, Julia felt a strange surge of energy, and a notification appeared.

[Achievement: Poacher

Condition: Your faithful have converted a Priestess from another Faith.

Reward: A new Priestess. (Aggie)

Reward: Faith +1]

At least someone else got to speak to her. I missed her after dawn practice.

The wind whistled through the forest as the Huntress let her arrow fly at the buck. It had been a time of indulgence, stalking prey in the eternal sunshine of this Plane seeking to dispel her irritation. The arrow was only a dozen metres from its target when an errant breeze swayed a branch across its course, the impact brushing the fletching and sent it tumbling. That first whisper of noise enough to send her prey racing off deeper into the forest as the arrow bounced from a tree some distance from its original target. Behind the Huntress, those preparing to move forward to dress her kill stilled in astonishment. Her gaze darkened before she turned, vanishing even as she took a step. Her followers hurried after leaving the arrow where it had fallen, only for it to dissolve unseen in the golden sunlight reaching through the canopy. When the last speck finally vanished, the shadows had long since devoured the pieces of broken fletching.

* * *

“I’m told most people feel some honour, or I’d admit trepidation to get an invitation from a Jarl. I must admit I’ve never been told of anyone whose reaction was a heartfelt sigh,” Þiúðmundr said, as he flowed into Yngvarr’s sitting room. Julia suppressed the urge to sigh again as she had at Sagga’s announcement.

“Feels like having to hunt down one of our children when they’re in trouble,” remarked Ǫlhildr. Her graceful movements taking her to the couch across the sitting-room table from Julia. “Two dinners are a bit much to skip when people know you’re invited.”

Þiúðmundr sat down across from Ǫlhildr, positioned so they should have prevented Julia from having them both in direct line of sight at once.

“Supplies need to be stretched, and I don’t need the food,” Julia answered, carefully closing the grimoire.

“Yes, but it gives the appearance of you not being in favour with us. Which isn’t good for either of us, depending on who’s gossiping,” Ǫlhildr said. “So, tomorrow night, please be there. Yngvarr was kind enough to ensure he mentioned you helping around the survivors’ living sites at dinner tonight. He mentioned your endeavour of compassion before anything could be said by others. Something well-received since many heard you were busy during our celebration creating blankets to ensure everyone was warm last night.”

“I wasn’t helping them for others to receive it well,” responded Julia, giving Ǫlhildr a shrug.

“That’s obvious. If you were the type to care, you’d have been basking in the accolades. Since we’ve not yet sorted out matters, we’d like to continue our discussion. The last thing I want is people presuming they know better just because we’ve delayed,” Þiúðmundr said.

“So, am I in favour or are you just keeping up appearances?” Julia asked, unsure of the situation but not caring to play games.

“Cautiously respected. We don’t know you, but your actions speak well of you especially given your origins. We’re trying to keep an open mind given those who’ve spoken for you,” Þiúðmundr replied. “Torm told me how you make the items you’ve been so free in giving out and the physical sacrifice it entails.”

“What would you like to know?” asked Julia.

“What are your followers’ intentions towards the Thralls?” Þiúðmundr asked, “I’m told they spend a lot of time on them.”

“With them, not on them; that sounds like they’re not people. Then again, that’s part of the problem, since your laws don’t consider Thralls people. They’re spending time with them and helping to give them hope.” Julia replied, glancing between them both, aware they’d sat so she shouldn’t be able to see them both at once.

Interview technique or battle readiness?

“Why?” asked Ǫlhildr, her tone curious, as her gaze remained fixed on Julia.

“Aren’t they in a dark place? The All-Father teaching’s say light is most needed in dark places. Hope is light; it provides light for the Soul instead of eyes.” Julia responded, continuing to glance between them even though she could actually see both.

“But you’re not Norse, you’re not even mortal,” Þiúðmundr said.

“I don’t have to be to respect wisdom when I find it,” replied Julia. “I respect Óðinn and Týr, though I don’t know enough about the teachings of the others in the Norse Pantheon.”

“What would you like done?” asked Þiúðmundr, beckoning Julia to continue.

“I want the Thralls freed, along with the law changed so people can’t be forced to become Thralls,” replied Julia.

“You’d just set them all free? What about their debts? Are they just to be forgiven? What about those that would ruin?” Þiúðmundr asked, the questions coming one after another till Julia interrupted.

“I didn’t say just set them free and forget the debt. But why can’t your laws treat them as people? Their work should repay what’s owed. If Thralls aren’t treated as people, then the Law isn’t providing Justice, it’s conveniently forgetting those in need of protection. Why not allow for the debt to be repaid without reducing them to possessions? Once they become Thralls with your laws, they need someone else to pay off what they owe; their own efforts will never gain their freedom. How is that Justice?”

“The disruption that would cause would be a financial headache,” declared Þiúðmundr.

“The fact you put it that way concerns me. Have you been listening to your Steward too much? Though I’ll allow it could be an actual issue, so I’d provide funds to compensate anyone financially disadvantaged when you change the laws. If you don’t need it, then use it for repairs or extending areas where there are paved roads, something helpful to your people.”

“What did you have in mind? You don’t look like a font of wealth, no matter the gemstone you gave our daughter to pass along,” said Ǫlhildr.

“Depends on how valuable you’d find kilograms of Mithril?”

“Kilograms!” Þiúðmundr exclaimed, the offer breaking through his calm.

“I’m sorry. Did I get your attention? Mithril or Adamantine, which is preferable?” Julia asked. As Þiúðmundr went to speak, a cascade of gems appeared on the table. “Or these?”

“Your hunting with Torm was profitable,” Ǫlhildr observed, leaning forward to push some scattered stones back towards the others.

“I won’t play games with either of you. I respect your people, but I don’t like slavery in any form. It’s disgusting, and I plan to encourage people to get rid of it. It’s this disease humanity keeps coming down with in so many cultures. Some people I’m going to help move on from its vile practice. Some groups I’ll happily crush because of other sick things they’ve been up to. I really hope the Norse will stay in the former group.”

Julia’s flat tone caused Ǫlhildr’s face to harden, but Þiúðmundr seemed undisturbed.

“Would you give an example of the latter group?” Þiúðmundr asked, his calm tone reassuring in its curiosity.

“The Church of Set is my primary target,” Julia replied.

“Is that because of Livia?” asked Ǫlhildr.

“One reason, but it’s not the only one.”

“But you’re a Demoness,” Þiúðmundr stated, his confusion showing through his calm.

“An unusual one, as your son has told you. Verdandi and some Celestials know my full story, and they’re advising on what I need to achieve,” replied Julia. “Far too many people know my story.”

“What do you mean?” asked Þiúðmundr, curiosity emerging through his calm.

“Those that need to know already do. I’m not sharing it further. You can either take their word that I have honourable intentions or not.”

“How do we know you won’t be a threat to us?”

Ǫlhildr waved a hand toward the front door as she asked, the gesture making it clear the concern wasn’t in regard to themselves alone.

“Honestly, if I ever had intended to threaten you, we would have never spoken. I respect Yngvarr, and he speaks well of you, or I would not have come at your invitation. I have no plans to hurt anyone in your domain, but I do plan to kill a lot of evil people. If one of them comes to live in your domain, the only one I’m hurting will be the filth once I find them.” replied Julia, pleased that Ǫlhildr had included others in her concerns.

“Like with Leidolf?” Þiúðmundr asked, drawing Julia’s gaze away from Ǫlhildr.

“Leidolf, I’m not currently familiar with any person called Leidolf, though I once met a rabid dog by that name. Isn’t it interesting what classification of others for your own convenience can do? Animals frothing at the mouth, biting innocents need to be put down, don’t they? You like your laws having classifications, so I’ll group individuals that behave as monsters in with them.”

“You judged someone in our domain, without the legal right to do so,” Þiúðmundr said, his gaze steady on Julia as he spoke.

I might as well ask for the information I’m after, this has taken a different tone suddenly.

“I knew he was guilty from both his mind and what I saw in his Soul. There was no chance of mistaken identity, even then I gave him a chance. As soon as he had me alone, he attacked,” Julia responded, before glancing back at Ǫlhildr. “But then I didn’t kill him to fulfill a contract; I just did it to stop him from hurting anyone ever again. How did you get your Assassin class so high?”

“How did you know?” Ǫlhildr enquired, eyes widening in surprise.

“I can see what path or class someone is following unless they’re completely out of my league,” explained Julia, sighing in frustration.

“Never mind that. Leidolf attacked you first?” Þiúðmundr asked.

“Yes! I gave him a tempting victim and he took the bait. The back door of his shop had barely closed when he went for me. I wasn’t surprised as he’d been planning it on the walk back to his shop. He wasn’t even planning to let me leave since no one would miss me.” Julia re-countered, aware they were both watching her.

“You don’t seem that good an actress,” Ǫlhildr said. “Either that or you’re far more skilled than I believe.”

“You’re right, I’m not a good actress; Torm wants to introduce me to a Skald for lessons to make sure I’m safer among Demons. But I was good enough to play the part of someone sufficiently uncertain to draw his attention. Since, I had no issues listening to his thoughts other than disgust. It let me tailor my reactions and responses to his questions.”

“That doesn’t explain why he was found dead in the basement with all those injuries,” stated Þiúðmundr.

“He didn’t want to give me the names of all his victims. I needed to prompt him a few times once he caught on that I was getting them from his thoughts,” Julia said flatly.

“Given the number of girls and women he’d raped, he should have suffered worse,” Ǫlhildr stated, before exchanging a nod with her husband. “We had the truth from those on your list once they learnt he was dead. However, we wanted to hear it from your lips. As for my Class, it’s simple, really, I used to hunt stray goblins, trading ears for coppers. My goal wasn’t about keeping anyone safe, I needed money not controlled by my parents. When I left home and joined the Companions Hall, I continued taking jobs hunting for various monsters. Killing intelligent monsters, like the various goblin-kin I found, continued progressing that path. I’ve not been interested in any path I’ve dreamt about combining it with; they’ve all felt too specific or dark.”

“Dreamt about?” asked Julia, not having heard how Prestige Classes were offered to Mortals.

“Gaining the Prestige paths, haven’t you felt the lucid dream from earning them? Given the way you fought I was sure you’d have earned some even if you’re not following one. The forks in the dream’s trail? The sense of what walking one will bring or deny? Is none of that familiar to you?” questioned Ǫlhildr.

“I don’t see them that way though I’ve had options which I’ve also ignored.”

“Well, if you have clarity of information about paths, I’m sure Yngvarr will enjoy the details,” Þiúðmundr said, not asking further.

“Thank you, I appreciate the information,” Julia said.

Okay, that makes sense, and certainly different to Farhad’s kill kitty kill.

“Would you mind if I ask you something personal?”

Ǫlhildr leaned forward, focusing on Julia intently as she voiced her question.

“That would depend on the question,” replied Julia, eyes narrowing at the sudden intensity from Ǫlhildr.

“I know what you are, but with how unusual Verdandi says you are, I’ll put this to you as if you’re human. Are you simply leading Torm on in his affections for you?” asked Ǫlhildr.

“What are you talking about?! He’s a Celestial, I’m this thing!“ Julia exclaimed. “We’re travelling together to progress our abilities.”

“Oh, dear.” Ǫlhildr sighed in disbelief.

{{You can say that again, sister! Go on, tell her I said that. }}

Fuck no! Why can’t anything be simple! He’s a Celestial. He should care for someone he can trust completely.

{{So he can’t trust you. Now, where have I heard that before? Where, oh where! }}

Fuck you!

{{Babe, don’t be that way. My bath time will get jealous. Still afraid of being rejected again by someone you value?}}

{{That’s the real reason for picking all those bad dates, the ones you could reject instead. }}

How can I have picked them all when some were blind dates? Fuck off, B!

((Isn’t it for others to decide who they value having in their existence? Why do you wish him not to value you? ))

V, long time no hear, but really not now!

“I promise to drop by tomorrow, and we can address any of your non-personal concerns and logistics. Sorry, I need to make sure everyone is okay. Excuse me,” Julia said, her flustered state growing as remarks Torm had made jumping from her memory, gaining new meaning as they rose. Storing the grimoire, Julia fled the room, not paying attention to the glances exchanged behind her.

{{Run away! }}