Whilst in the ‘Twixt, the goggles don’t work, nor any other scrying sensor paired with a sensor in the normal physiplanar region of Rayileklia, of course, as expected. I’d almost wonder if the ‘Twixt were a spiritual realm, but it can’t be. The coinage I made in the shop followed me out of the ‘Twixt, and any materials or equipment that I kept from the ‘Twixt also stayed with me, other than coins earned from creatures, or quests. Plus, most of Tiktik’s magical gear came from quests in the ‘Twixt as she’d mentioned, err, well, all of hers did.
It would probably take near a century before the ‘Twixt started propagating dungeons or such for me. At least any that would provide me with enchanted equipment as loot. I can’t risk spending that much time there. I’ve only got about ten years of dragonforce, if I don’t use any of it doing anything other than surviving. Not to mention the whole brain exploding and memories thing.
Sighing, I’d love to be able to just move everyone to the ‘Twixt, and simply live out our lives there, taking on low-stakes adventures if we choose to, for amusement. That would mean abandoning Rayileklia, and any innocent people we haven’t met yet, to several apocalypses, not to mention, probably never seeing Can’Z’aas and our family again. Drawing a shuddering breath, I barely refrain from sobbing as I think about Lao, Ag, Lightning, the several sets of twins, Fawns, Jaz, Dreams, and all the wonderful people around the Miracle Oak. Someday. Someday, somehow, I’ll make it back there but not right now. Though I’ll always be wondering when.
Rattling my skull from a BSOD, I realize that I’m missing out on things as I hear Littlebit request, “Could you set that one up just like I showed you Tikki? No pranks on these please, they’re sensitive, and not great quality. Thanks honeybuns. I’ll take some readings, and leave this batch here with you, keep them on, especially any time you’re taking trips in and out. If they fritz out, you know how to adjust them. Careful with the positronics though. They’re a little zaphappy if they need to be adjusted. I couldn’t exactly afford shielding. Mmmrrr I missed your goonish grinning face so bad you dummy. I’m gonna miss you again, but I promise if I can’t figure things out, I’ll beg for a ride back this way.”
Blushing, I avert my gaze as the lovers embrace. Alanea does the same, though not quite with as much expedience as me, and perhaps a bit of an obviously piqued curiosity. The passion literally raises the temperature in this catacomb alcove we’re standing in. More to my chagrin, after a few moments of smooching Littlebit, Tiktik launches herself at me with her magical hand, and plasters herself to my face. I don’t want to mess things up for her with Littlebit, but then again we’re all Fae, and monogamy isn’t really a big thing with us. Still, despite how hungrily Tiktik kisses me, I kiss her softly, tenderly in response. There’s playful pouting beneath her adorably upturned nose as her lips tug downwards and back away from our kiss.
Kitten mutters, “Be good Tiger. Protect her, like I’m sure you will. Stay safe too. You’re the best thing in the world next to her. Thank you so much. Tell Big T hi for me. With lots of lips, and tongue. ‘N’ if Bitty gets lonely, keep her company. Please.”
Sharply inhaling a ragged breath, I barely refrain from sobbing at the heartfelt farewell from Tiktik. My lower jaw quivers, and Alanea pats me on the hip comfortingly. Tiktik and Littlebit embrace, again, and it seriously looks like it’s about to turn into a constant circle of Tiktik trying to make sure she evens out affection between the two of us. The Draconiacs led by Zelshiz are nearby though. Thankfully, Zelshiz coughs for attention, breaking the cycle.
As much as I’d give in, and repeat hugging and kissing Tiktik til the end of time, it’s better this way. The poor Draconiacs have been patiently waiting on this side of the ‘Twixt portal for however many hours my visit to the Heart lasted. It probably wasn’t too many, since I summarized more than told a full tale to Jarrah.
Still, at this point, I’m anxious to get headed back towards Mount Solace. Directing everyone out, I glance over my shoulder as Tiktik stares down contraptions with her tongue poking slightly out of her mouth. She turns a sheet of instructions sideways, and upside down, repeatedly, and I can’t tell if she’s just pranking me and Littlebit, since she’s probably sure we’re watching her as we leave. The two of us can’t help smiling at the woman we both love, and we each shake our heads. Sighing, I flash a raised brow at Littlebit, who nods, completely understanding, and agreeing entirely, so we share a chuckle.
When we reunite with Luni, Lil, and Lucky, they’ve been introduced to most of the people I know, and the twelve ancients. Surprisingly, no one seems ready to leave. I begin to facepalm, realizing we need a route above the Worldstorm to get back home, and Kinzul doesn’t seem to be at Solace, to be reachable. Sighing to myself, I shake my head sadly at my own stupidity. At least we can reunite Triorgraiz’s mount with her, sort of. Hopefully he remains placid, and recovers alongside her. He’s been rather weak this entire time, and I’ve been keeping him shrunk. Now that we’ve got them reunited, I get to go back to thinking about how I’m an idiot that had Luni use a one-way ticket below the storm.
Actually, wait. My new Caliber. Expression of my Latent—. Hm. If they can all hold their breath, I’m almost certain I can nullify the storm. Maybe. It could potentially possibly blow through a hell of a lot of dragonforce though, if it works.
Clucking her tongue at me, Luni offers up, “If we sleep here tonight, I can control the clouds tomorrow with the magic harp strings Lucky found for me. Really sweetie, you don’t have to do, and think of, everything.”
Oh, that is true, but I’m antsy to return home since there’s a siege going on. Blushing, I respond, “I—, you’re right. Thanks Lu. You keep me anchored, as always. Still, would you be willing to organize everyone? I guess you and Alanea know each other already, and Lil and Lucky too. Anyway, um, for organizing everyone. Could you tell them they need to be as small as they can be while still carrying passengers and being able to provide lift? They’ll need to fit more or less inside my Honoris Causa’s manifested Void Dragon form. I guess I might be flying back to Solace under my own power, because everyone’s going to need to take at least three passengers. Um. Littlebit, if you want, I can carry you, if that isn’t too awkward.”
Littlebit shrugs, completely unfazed, though I’m not sure if it came across that I’d have to physically carry and hold her close, while my manifestation does the flying. This is going to be an extremely odd exercise. I’ll be manifesting and maintaining the physicality, or tangibility, of most of my wings, most of the time, while the rest of my manifested form remains mostly intangible, so that the other dragons, Lil included, can fit within my wingspan. Phooph. I pass a breath out through puffed cheeks and pursed lips before sighing.
What if I get people injured doing this though? Should I just take Luni’s suggestion? Gnawing on the inside of my cheek, I glance towards my Anchor who simply shrugs in response while wearing a half-frown. Glancing towards Lil, he similarly shrugs. I roll my eyes momentarily, but I glance at Lucky, wondering if he has any input on whether we should risk leaving immediately, taking a gamble on an ability I’ve never really used before.
My son transforms, gaining a tremendous size, startling plenty of refugees, and plenty of our current party. He picks up Trixxie in his jaws, and brings her to me like a stick he’s hoping that I’ll throw. I can’t help but burst out laughing at the mental imagery. Still, he sets her down in front of me, facing me, before shrinking, and leaping at her, to perch with his front paws on her shoulders, while his hind legs reach the ground.
Raising an eyebrow at Trixxie, I motion for her to speak her mind. She glances around nervously and queries, “When um, when can we—. Will I have a, glp, quarters? Or, or will I be in some sort of kennel with your, erm, son?”
Pft. Unable to prevent it, I find myself snorting with laughter at the idea of keeping either Lucky, or Trixxie in a kennel. Still, if she’s nervous about staying out here, and wanting to get to her new accommodations, then that answers my question, because the other Draconiacs are likely feeling the same. Glancing around, reading the room as best I can, that does seem to be the case.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Smirking unintentionally, I answer, “Never fear Trixxie, we’ll get you set up in some quarters. Lucky doesn’t sleep in a kennel, or even have one, he has access to all of our rooms, and sleeps with whomever he chooses. I wouldn’t be surprised if he chose yours frequently. Anyway, saddle up everyone! We ride, and fly!”
I quietly, quickly mutter my titles so as not to come off like a bragging idiot, so that I’m able to manifest my Honoris Causa. As I’m doing so, I TKSL upwards towards the Worldstorm, taking several deep breaths until my lungs are full enough to hold my breath for quite some time. Holding Littlebit tightly to my torso is incredibly similar to holding Tiktik in the same position. The fact that she has her limbs wrapped tightly around me, and is firmly pressing her overalls-covered chest to mine is, well, delightful. Though I do suppose I’d have liked to be in a cozy cave, comfortably clothed, rather than outside, dressed in armor, beneath the Worldstorm, to experience such an embrace. Rattling my skull, I try to dissuade myself from thinking about Tiktik’s lover in that manner.
Apparently, Littlebit, when wrapped in my arms, benefits from the near-weightlessness of the Wyverian chestplate enchantment. Wyverium? I forget. It hardly matters. She’s tucked her various clanking automatons into an interdimensional bag, thankfully, since it’d have been hard to carry them all at all, let alone with our smaller load capacities as I attempt to keep everyone within a safe distance of my center.
As the flight of dragons raises up to meet me where I wait just beneath the Worldstorm, I focus on manifesting my Void Dragon form to its greatest size, and bringing its wings to tangibility. The size I’m capable of manifesting at astounds me, and I’m grateful that most of my form is intangible, because much of it is already in the Worldstorm. My Honoris Causa’s Void Dragon form is definitely, definitely at the level and size of ancients now. Not necessarily Damnations, or even someone like Qlaxi, but perhaps closer to Illy or Farzhis, or at least Prinrin.
Focusing on my Latent, an expression of Nothing, I struggle to grasp the concept in such a way as to make our passage through a region of nothing. No dangers, but also no gravity, and no air. I essentially turn the space around me, well, the space within the manifested form of my draconic-self, into actual space. I’m able to perch within it, from several sources of abilities actually, but everyone else will have to have their acceleration carry them upward. Anyone lagging slightly, I’ll try to boost with telekinesis, or TK Squares at least, to give them something to push off of.
It’s a tad risky. None of us are exactly the pinnacle of choreography, but I focus on all my various enhanced senses while we begin, and throughout. Sure enough, not everyone has the exact same acceleration. I’m able to match up my own with the fastest amongst us, due to being able to actually grip onto nothing, and use it as easily as water or air to swim or fly through. I’m able to bolster the slowest, by providing telekinetic squares. My dragonforce is rapidly being stripped away by the manifestation of this power, the degree to which I’m controlling it, and just, so many factors that I likely don’t even comprehend. I’m under thirty-five-hundred days of dragonforce, and losing another fifty to a hundred days worth every few seconds during this climb.
I’m fairly certain that Lil is growing as we edge closer to the top of the Worldstorm, which is good, because I’m going to need a place to land, and a ride to Solace, so that I don’t burn through all of my dragonforce flying home. I didn’t expect it to take *this much* dragonforce to get through the storm. I accidentally allow myself to take a deep breath and sigh momentarily, messing up my momentum slightly, but not for the exact reason I’d normally expect. There’s no gravity, or air, in my current bubble, but the shock of being able to breathe with no atmosphere startles me, and I nearly mess up my control, despite knowing I have an enchanted neckchain that provides this exact benefit. I’m forced to quickly reattune my senses to everyone around me, in order to maintain their rates of acceleration and so on.
It only occurs to me as we’re breaking through, that I probably could have physically manifested folds of my wings, or my talons, for the other dragons to sit on, so that I didn’t need to do so much acceleration management. When we break through, above the Worldstorm, and I’m certain everyone has gotten above it, the dozen ancients begin growing at my signal. They’re exclaiming things like, “Ah, the sun,” and, “it feels so good to be flying again,” and so on.
As everyone adjusts, I drop my Latent, and my Honoris Causa, causing me to have to perch on a TKS while I await Lil, or someone else, to be available to board. Lil is already currently ferrying Luni, Lucky, Alanea, and Trixxie, but he rolls his eyes at me, as if another couple of people is even remotely a problem for him. Smirking at my best pal, I leap and float over his way, to sit next to Luni, who happens to be in the death-grip of Trixxie once again. There’s a similar smirk playing across Luni’s features, as she mentally points out Littlebit is both looking a little bit blue in the face from holding her breath, and she’s got me in as equally tight a death grip as Trixxie has Luni in.
Chuckling, I tap Littlebit’s cheeks, poking them so that she’ll exhale and breathe. Apologizing, I start, “Sorry about that Littlebit, I should have traded you my neckchain temporarily. Are you alright?”
Nodding, Littlebit doesn’t respond, though she gasps a few deep breaths. Gulping, she glances over the side of Lil, and suddenly wraps her legs and arms around me even tighter, which I didn’t think was possible. I can hear her muttering, “Don’t look down, don’t look down,” to herself, over and over. Grimacing a bit, I feel like a jerk for bringing her on a flight if she has, what is it, acrophobia?
I’m not certain how affectionate I should be with Tiktik’s lover, but I do want to console her. Stroking her dark hair, I coo affectionately, comfortingly down into her amazing, lovely large ears, while my chin rests atop her head, just above her goggles that are perched atop it. I’m getting a massive urge to nibble on these ears, or clamp them in my mouth. Is this the desire that Teuila feels all the time? Tiktik was right though. Littlebit is definitely a koff, sexy, koff, woman.
Luni grumps my way telepathically, and I can’t help grinning that my tease landed, because I knew she’d be listening in. Her jaw drops, and her telepathic avatar swats at mine, realizing I’d turned the tables for once by playing at her jealousy. Besides, Lu has her arms around Alanea’s waist, which is short enough that they’re also pillowing Alanea’s, well, pillows. I can’t help smirking as this nets me further flabbergasted reactions from Luni. I wonder if Lu remembers what I’d said about Alanea. I know they’ve met, from the Triple L Squad’s time in the Hidden Heart, but I don’t know how well they know each other. They were at least friendly enough to spend a few moments catching up before I had us lift off.
The flight home is smooth, and checking in on Teuila several times seems to indicate that she’s already home. She’s dashing about tunnels that are being painted and numbered, so that it’s easier to figure out where people, or threats, are in relation to the security center, and so on. I doubt any other mountain has that currently, plus, I spot a blurry figure zooming past several other scrying windows on occasion, when Teuila would be passing them. I’m so glad she’s okay, and there are no further notes about anyone being injured, or the siege going poorly.
The scrying is better than an HD webcam, far more accurate than a normally low FPS security camera, and all, but that doesn’t change the fact that to be able to see the whole security center, we had to set up the sensors connected to the goggles a ways away, which makes all of the mirrors slightly small viewing screens comparatively. Still, it’s easy enough to request an operator slide our display box out of the shelf, and hold our sensor up to someone else’s, in order to be able to get a full view of what they’re seeing, or of a particular hallway, and so on.
So many of my resources are spent, that I need to rest before doing much else. Hopefully though, I can get some crafting and enchanting done tonight, with the myconid form, as long as I don’t use it for too long. It feels foolish to be resting, during a siege, but I need to be at my best to really offer much help against it. As is, I’m simply equivalent to one of our stronger dragons when they’re exhausted and beat to hell, with no powers, and a weaker breath weapon.
I haven’t been using my breath weapon as much as I should, or could, but it’s mostly only to disorient, and I’ve got injuries to recover from, which I don’t want to exacerbate by requiring more regeneration of my own throat. The bruises, broken bones, and even perforated torso are starting to recover decently, but there’s still a few days of recovery left for them to heal up fully. To be honest, I’m surprised at how fit, and rested I feel. I don’t know whether that’s because I was getting plenty of sleep in the ‘Twixt, if my regeneration perhaps did something in there, or if it’s because I’m surrounded by people that I love, and stoked to be heading home with yet more new family.
As we draw up to the aerie, I’m greeted by a most-welcome sight, my wife, the Vivant, the Dormir, Teuila, all seeming more or less alive and well. Though Te, the Dormies, and Vivvies all seem a bit haggard. Well, more like beat to sh!7 honestly. Wearing a bit of a wry smile, I make note of a bunch of civilians on the aerie as well, and I really hope this isn’t going to turn into some sort of big public event.