Clare and Kepler decided to split the new quest into two: Kepler would focus on how to ask for and sculpt formless soul matter, and Clare would find a way to make a ‘living body.’

[Actually, Clare,] Kepler said about a half an hour in, [I think it would be best if we used ‘Mythic Connection’ for our first servant. Do you have anything in mind from our current materials?]

Welll… Clare had managed to acquire some designs for ‘living matter.’ However, All we have is ‘Troglobitic Dipluran,’ ‘Red Worms,’ and ‘Cave Snot.’ I think I could get more microbes if can isolate them from the water, but it’s hard to kill things that small.

Kepler figuratively rested his head on his paws, tongue lolling. [I don’t know any stories from your world. Are there any famous giant worms or cave bugs?]

Not that I recall. Clare peered more closely at the designs, parsing out the different tissues and… some kind of iron-rich chitin?

[Oh! You acquired a new skill: Differentiate Materials.]

* Differentiate Materials: Breakdown the different materials within a design. A deeper knowledge of design materials may allow for construction of novel designs! Costs 4 MP.

What? I have to pay MP just to look more closely? Clare whipped the edges of her aura, grumbling in an unhappy hum.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Kepler snorted. [Don’t be stingy. Didn’t you hear the part about creating new designs? We can still use mythic connection!]

Ah…. Yeah, that does give me an idea. But still—4 MP for studying a design? I only have 26 left!

[It’s only 12 hours and 13 minutes until we get our next ration, quit whining.]

I’m not whining--

[What idea? Did you think of a suitable myth?]

Rude.

There was sudden silence, broken only by the soft sound of water trickling through her territory. Clare flexed her aura in, well, some variety of emotions. She never been very good at identifying them, and it was worse without physical tics to clue her in. She missed her face—an aura could only be so expressive, and even though—

[Clare? What’s your idea? Is it good?]

Patience is a virtue, Mr. Kepler.

Kepler paused thoughtfully.

[My apologies, Miss Clare. It was rude of me to be so dismissive.]

She sighed. You're forgiven.

[Would you care to share the no-doubt-brilliant idea you’ve come up with? I am ever fascinated by your enlightened wisdom.]

He followed up with big, puppy dog eyes—earning a reluctant giggle from Clare.

Kepler, I’m beginning to suspect your dog-like expressions are something of a guise.

[Is there anything wrong with that?]

No. Here’s my idea—have you ever heard the story of Beowulf?

[I will if you tell me.]