PART XIII - SYMBIOSIS

“Where have you been?” Lena asked sternly as Callie entered. “You said you would be right back?”

“Just out in the garden. I met Bear Guy and we talked a bit.”

“Who?”

“Bear Guy. I told you about him earlier? Well, his name is Koda, but he’s a Bearkin. So, Bear Guy. Anyways, he showed me how to use a tree to scratch your back and it felt really nice. You should try it some time.”

Lena stared at Callie. “I literally have no idea how to respond to that. Next time you come straight home!”

Callie looked blankly at Lena. “You seriously sound just like my mom … when I was ten.”

“I most certainly do no…” Lena began. Then, reality hit her and she fell to her bunk. “Holy shit, I do. I’ve officially become my mother. What the hell is going on with me.”

Vanis walked over and patted her condescendingly on her shoulder. “There, there, Lena. I’m sure you’ll make someone a wonderful housewife.”

“Vanis!” Lena responded in what was hopefully mock panic. “If something like that happens, you’ve got to promise to kill me. And then burn my corpse so I don’t come back as a zombie housewife. And then burn the ashes again, just to be sure.”

“Cross my heart,” Vanis replied.

Tazrok chuffed out an Ogre-sized giggle.

“Anyways,” Callie said, rolling her eyes at the theatrics. “I saw the worm patrols were out, so they’ll probably be here soon. Do we need to do anything else to get ready for this?”

“The only warning I received was to make sure to use the facilities,” Vanis said, gesturing towards the rear wall. “To make sure there are no … messes.”

“Ewww, but also wise, I guess,” Callie said.

Everyone took turns doing their thing, including Pixyl, who reluctantly left her happily-stoned nest on her bunk. Lena filled the time telling a story from when she was a pre-teen, about getting lost in a cave because her friends dared her to go into it. When she had finally been rescued and thoroughly punished for her foolishness, she had vowed to never be so weak again, and it was a turning point for her. Of course, she then proceeded to start hanging with the wrong crowd, which obviously led to a lot more trouble later in life. Unfortunately, she refused to elaborate with a simple, “Not yet.” when pressed to tell more.

The expected knock on the door came both too soon, and not soon enough. Everyone was nervous, but the mellowing effects from the soup was a big help.

“Good evening,” Healer Tasi said, walking while carrying a leather satchel in one hand. She was followed by two assistants, an Elf and a Dwarf, both female. The Elf carried a basket in both arms, which she set by the doorway. “How are you all feeling?”

“P-p-pretty good,” Pixyl purred dreamily, a happy smile still on her face.

“I see the soup worked extra well on some of you,” Tasi said with a grin. “Good. That makes it less likely she’ll panic and hurt herself. And I am also glad to see you all getting along so well.”

“The soup was really good,” Callie said. “And it was also really good!” she added with an obvious emphasis and a wink.

Tasi gave a knowing chuckle. “I’ll let our Culinar know you approve of her … special ingredients.”

Seeing Xin’s satchel of drawing materials, Tasi pointed. “Shaman?”

“Yes,” Xin said.

“Set up your materials on the table so that you can work on your drawing when you awaken.

Tazrok and Xin removed the pot and dirty bowls to make space, sliding them out of the way under Tazrok’s high bunk. Xin set out parchment and charcoal sticks that made for functional pencils. She then grabbed a pile of the linen cloths from the latrine to help clean as needed.

While they worked on the makeshift art studio, Tasi reviewed what was going to happen. “I want to stress before we begin, this will not hurt, but it is going to feel very strange. If you don’t want to be unconscious, it is critical that you do all you can not to move. One of the recruits in the first house went crazy and his slug was thrown across the room.”

“Oh dear,” Vanis said. “Was it injured?”

“I’m not sure. We knocked him out immediately, and the slug was able to still move on its own, so hopefully no damage was done. But, I swear if that slug dies…” Tasi trailed off as she made an angry fist.

“I think we’re all nervous, but we believe we will be able to remain still and wish to stay awake,” Vanis said.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

“I will respect that. I just want to make sure no one is doing so due to feeling pressured or some kind of false bravery. There’s no shame in being unconscious for this. Master Ogre, I am particularly concerned about you. We can’t hold you down, so if you at all think you will not stay still, please tell us now.”

Tazrok made a hard thinking look. “I will not move,” he finally said. “Swear.”

Tasi nodded. “Very good, Master Ogre. Has everyone used the latrines?” Seeing confirmations from everyone, Tasi said, “Excellent, who will be first, and please tell me your name.”

Callie said, “I won’t go first, because I need to see what happens first or I’ll panic even more. If possible, I just want to watch what happens close up. The whole thing sounds gross, but also fascinating, so I also want to see it and I think that will help.”

“Me, too,” Pixyl said, raising her stoned head. “I want to see!”

“I’ll go first, then,” Lena said. “Callie and Pixyl, you may both watch, but just don’t get in Healer Tasi’s way.”

“Understood,” Tasi said. “Lena, is it? Please retrieve your Symbiote for me and then get comfortable on your bed, with your right ear facing upwards. You may put your pillow under your head.”

“My name is Lenora. Lenora Mosswood. I just go by Lena.” Tasi nodded as Lena did as she was told, retrieving and handing off her small case with the icon-inscribed brown circle painted on it, and then lying down on her bunk. Both Callie and Pixyl took a position by her head, while the others stood back enough to be out of the way but still see what was happening.

“Miss Lena, please confirm your class for me,” Tasi asked.

“Bladedancer,” Lena responded.

Tasi nodded and then pulled on the small key attached to the wood box, breaking the string. “Little Ones, this is the Symbiote in its armored form.” Tasi unlocked the box and swung the lid open. Inside was a small green caterpillar, blending in with a bed of dark-green leaves.

“Lena was saying earlier that they can jump,” Callie said.

“The leaves it is sitting on is Lunarmint. It sedates them just enough to keep them from jumping around.” Tasi said, holding the box out to the Dwarf. “If you would, Sania.”

The Dwarf brought up a red gem and peered through it, rotating it slightly and squinting. “I can confirm it is a Bladedancer Symbiote.” Sania took a step back to get out of the way.

“So you have to scry them to figure out what class they are for?” Callie asked.

“Yes,” Tasi answered. “Although we are just verifying yet again before we go through with the joining. It’s already been scryed multiple times, we just recheck at every step to make sure. This little thing is worth too much to get it wrong and have it reject her.”

Between two fingers, Tasi lifted the worm out and handed the box to her Elf assistant, who handed back a slightly bowl-shaped clay plate. The Fairy set the little creature on the plate and one could see it immediately start to change color to blend in with the clay.

“So how do you get it to come out? Crack its shell open or something?” Callie asked

“No no no,” Tasi said in a quiet soothing voice, as if she was talking to the Symbiote. “If we just sprinkle it with a little Goreroot powder and a splash of water, it will crawl out on its own and seek the closest protection it can find.”

“My head,” Lena said dryly.

“That’s right. Are you ready?”

“As ready as I can be.”

“Alright. Once I put the powder and water on it, I’m going to place it next to your ear. You may hear a little cracking as the shell breaks. It’s going to feel strange as it crawls in, but it will not hurt, as it secretes a numbing agent. You may feel a moment of panic, close your eyes and try not to thrash, understood?”

Lena nervously nodded her head.

“Everyone else, it will look like she slips into a trance, which will last around an hour. If her eyes are open, we will close them. We’re going to put a blindfold around your eyes and ears, Lena, so when you wake up, remember you have that on. If there is blood around your ear, that is normal. When you wake up, you will feel woozy most of the night, but it should clear by morning. It’s best just to stay in your bed and try to sleep. Eat breakfast at the mess if you are able to move around in the morning.”

Lena nodded again. “I’m ready.”

“Alright. Here we go. Meyra, if you would?”

The Elf held a vial over the little worm and sprinkled a fine, yellow powder liberally over it. With practiced grace, she swapped the empty vial for another with water, which she then poured.

“Thank you, Meyra,” Tasi said. Picking up the caterpillar with her right thumb and forefinger, Meyra immediately took the plate from her. “Here you go little guy. You’re new home with Bladedancer Lenora Mosswood. May you be glorious together.” Setting it carefully high on Lena’s cheek, close to her ear, Tasi quietly cooed, “There you are. Lena, everything is fine.”

The little caterpillar’s armored shell cracked open, splitting lengthwise. Inside was a little brown slug about three centimeters long, with a bright red spot on its back.. “I can confirm it is a Bladedancer,” Tasi said quietly. “There you go, little guy. You’re doing great, Lena.”

“The color? That’s how you can tell?” Callie whispered. “Brown and red, like Lena’s class color and the specialist symbol.”

“That’s right. They have the same colors as a person’s class aura a Scryer sees. Each Symbiote’s color is unique to its class. But we can’t see that unless we open its armor, which will kill it in short order. So, we need to scry to verify each one.”

The slug seemed to look around, taking in the area around itself, before making a rather quick, for a slug, dash towards the closest cozy hole it could see.

“Ahh,” Lena said suddenly as it slipped inside her pointed ear. It wasn’t a scream, just a burst of surprise.

“Here it comes, Lena. A quick moment of panic. Try not to thrash,” Tasi said soothingly.

“It’s really … squishy,” Lena said with a tinge of a giggle.

In a flash, Lena’s eyes shot open and she stiffened with a grunt.

“Close your eyes,” Tasi ordered, and Lena squeezed them shut. Lena spasmed a few more times, her breath coming in quick bursts. Finally, the Bladedancer made one sharp intake of air and suddenly completely relaxed, all motion ceasing.

“That’s it. Perfect,” Tasi said, straightening as she rested two fingers on Lena’s neck.

“That’s it?” Pixyl asked.

“All done,” Tasi confirmed again. “Let’s give her some space. Meyra, if you would.”

As everyone moved aside, the Elf bent to wrap a piece of cloth several times around Lena’s head, covering her eyes and ears.

“That was easier than I thought it would be,” Callie said. “I’m a whole lot less nervous now.”

“Me, t-t-too,” Pixyl echoed.

“Who would like to go next?”