Maxine felt a bit sour at her current situation.  She currently being forced to be a dress up doll for Emily and Amanda.  They had taken it upon themselves to do this when they had seen that she had worn a dated blouse and some blue jeans.  Maxine hadn't been too happy to begin with when she found out Amanda had been assigned as their chaperone for this outting.  The only good part was that she got paid for the her 'cooperation' on Friday last week.  Something she wasn't even aware they were going to do.

Maxine came out of the dressing room trying not to appear annoyed in the latest outfit they had insisted she wear.  They showered her with praises on how cute she looked as she spun around slowly and posed for them.  Maxine hated to admit that a small part of her was enjoying this.  Emily swiftly approached her with another outfit for her to try on and Maxine went back into the changing room wondering how many outfits she had tried on thus far.  All that she knew was that it had been alot.  She sighed to herself and changed into this latest outfit as she thought at how happy Emily had appeared.  She came back out to show off how it looked on her.  She recieved more praises before they both stated that it was Emily's turn to try on outfits.  Maxine quickly changed back into her clothes before stepping out to see Emily in her outfit.  Maxine gave Emily her heartfelt praises.  Emily kept going in and out of the changing room for half an hour before they left the clothing store.  Maxine had somehow been talked into leaving with three new outfits and Emily had gotten a couple herself.  Afterwards they went walking around window shopping.  

It was around six when they had finally went to Emily's house for dinner.  Maxine wasn't as tired as she imagined she would be and got quite the surprise as the door opened to a smiling General Mckenzy.  He had greeted them warmly before leading them to a table for dinner.  His current demeanor was completely different from his previous one.  It had left her so stunned that she almost forgot to say your welcome when he thanked her for taking Emily out.  Amanda explained that the general adopted a more serious attitude only while he was working after she saw that Maxine was confused by his behavior.  Maxine had heard of such people, but never encountered someone anyone like that.  They ate dinner and General McKenzy went to his study leaving the three of them to do whatever they wanted.  

After the general had shut the door to his study and they had all sat down on a couch, Amanda asked, "Emily, could you go put away your clothes while me and Maxine have a quick chat." 

"Sure," Emily complies after giving them both a curious look as she grabs her new clothes and heads to her room.  

"What's this about?" Maxine says curiously.  Amanda doesn't respond right away, but waits for Emily to get out of ear shot.  Maxine could feel a bubble-like barrier surround them.  It was a sound-proof barrier.  Ok, now I am worried.

"Was that stuff in your notebook for real?" Amanda asked directly.  Maxine should have known Amanda would ask that question.  She debated internally if she should lie or not, but it didn't feel right to lie to Amanda like that after she covered for Maxine.

"It's real.  It's the method I used to use," Maxine admitted.

"What do you mean by used to?" Amanda asked with some confusion in her voice.

"I started to use it, but it changed how it circulated on it's own.  So now I use the cultivation method it changed into," Maxine attempted to explain.  

"Do you know why it changed and who taught you the original method?  Can I meet them?" Amanda asked in rapid succession.  This is starting to feel like an interogation.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"I don't know and no one taught me anything," Maxine lowers her head and stares at the ground a moment before continueing in a softer voice, "It just appeared in my head one morning after I had go through the most painful experience of my life."  Maxine knew that wasn't the whole truth, but couldn't come out and say that she was a reincarnator from the future.  However, she hadn't lied when she said it was the most painful experience of her life.  

"I am sorry.  I didn't mean to bring up bad memories," Amanda said sympathically as she put her hand on Maxine's shoulder, "I just wanted to know it's origin."

"It's fine.  I owe you for covering for me to begin with," Maxine answered calmly.

"I hate to ask, but why did you write it down if you already knew it?" Amanda asked before her facial expression shifted to one of understanding, "You were going to give it to Emily weren't you?"

"What does it matter?  I have already destroyed it," Maxine said.

"You destroyed it?  Why?," Amanda asked in disbelief.  

"Same reason you kept the general from seeing it," Maxine told her.

"I see.  Just do me a favor and don't teach it to anyone.  That includes Emily," Amanda said, "If he finds out...  Just don't do it ok?" 

Maxine nodded her assent.  She knew perfectly well it was a bad if she was discovered know it.  If she were, it was likely she would end up in some undisclosed facility being forced to reveal everything she knew about cultivation, so that they government could have their own breed of super soldier.  

She just needed to avoid being seen or heard relaying her cultivation method.  Otherwise they had no means of figuring out she had it.  She had the perfect way to do that too.  She could impart it directly into Emily's mind using her spiritual sense.  Emily would have to agree to it first though. 

Amanda's barrier dropped as Emily came back out of her room.  Emily quickly suggested they watch a movie on Netflix.  They decided on a comedy.  While Amanda was distracted watching the movie, Maxine used her spiritual sense to talk with Emily.  "Don't react to this voice.  It's Maxine.  I am speaking to you telepathically.  I wanted to ask you if you wanted powers like mine?  Think your answer, don't speak it."  

Emily froze up for a second and looked at Maxine curiously.  It was only a stroke of good fortune that Amanda hadn't noticed Emily's behavior.  Maxine heard Emily's thoughts after a few moments, "Yes, but how is that possible?" 

"I have a special method to make powers of your own awaken, but I can't use it on you.  You have to use it yourself," Maxine responded. 

"What do I need to do?" Emily's thoughts asked.

"Just relax, I will do the rest.  Just a heads up, you might get dizzy while I send it to you, but don't worry that is normal.  I will start in a few moments," Max transmitted using her spiritual sense before adding, "Don't tell anyone that I gave you this, not even your grandpa.  I could get in alot of trouble if you do."  Maxine could feel that Emily was indeed relaxed enough for her to impart her cultivation method and her essence masking  technique to Emily.  Emily hadn't resisted through the whole process nor had Amanda shown any sign that she was aware of Maxine's actions.

"This cultivation method, is it how you were able to throw those dart things?" Emily's thoughts queried.

"You could say that.  You need to practice it every day and be sure to use that essence hiding techniqe I gave you.  Just let me know when you have ten essence strands.  I will help you form your core when you do," Maxine responded and added before retracting her spiritual sense, "Now let's enjoy this movie."  She smiled on the internally at how easy that was.  There was a big problem with her plan.  If Emily was discovered to be a essence cultivator, she might tell the general how she had become one, but as long as she uses Maxine's essence hiding technique no one will know that she is one.  Amanda was't even a factor in her plans since she had already covered for Maxine once already.