Leaving Stacy's apartment and a gust of wind bringing in a few drops of rain. Grey stormclouds had spread across the entire sky. Unlocking my apartment and the tick hitting, as it always does, on the hour. Six in the evening. Level 16. Stripping off everything, unbraiding my hair and then figuring out where to place points while taking a hot shower.
Name: Lucilia Macarthy Profession: Runemage Level: 16 Sex: Female Experience: 125,881 (11,884) Age: 20 Until Next: 32,869 Health 86 Mana 87 Stamina 38 Spirit 8 Strength (STR) 58 (4) Constitution (CON) 65 (7) Dexterity (DEX) 70 (15) Agility (AGI) 88 (19) Discipline (DIS) 78 (14) Aura (AUR) 84 (17) Logic (LOG) 75 (17) Intuition (INT) 78 (19) Wisdom (WIS) 48 (-1) Influence (INF) 78 (14)
Name Trainings Bonus Armor Use 6 29 Physical Fitness 17 64 Simple Weapons 17 64 Arcane Symbols 22 72 Magic Item Use 17 64 Harness Power 17 64 Mana Control 17 64 Runemancy 17 64 Arance Lore, Decomposition 5 25 Arcane Lore, Shaping 17 64 Arcane Lore, Transference 5 25 Survival 15 60 Perception 17 64 Climbing 15 60 Swimming 12 51 First Aid 15 60 Trading 17 64 Stalking and Hiding 17 64
Disjunction as an offensive warding spell. Hopefully by getting the last hit with it monsters also turn into stones. Probably going to need to integrate it. Those reptiles today - amphibians? - were not easy. Mostly kept them occupied while they were brought down with arrows.
Wandering around the apartment in my underwear while glancing at the pile of shoe soles on the counter that still need to be done. Not going to do themselves. Wandering around the apartment for another ten minutes combing my hair dry and avoiding work while listening to the sound of the rain hitting the roof.
Wait, Reshaping shoe soles can wait. A new level mean a new spell, Animate. The obvious first choice for animation is a length of rope. Making a large blot down the rope and removing pieces to form the series of runes for the spell. Activating. Immediately getting a sense of the rope. How to move it? Concentrating. Starting to flop a bit, unwinding itself. Thrashing around violently, extending all the way out. Trying to move in a line from the end. Straining, but it can't move like that. The center point seems like an anchor. Can move around where it's at, but moving in a straight direction away requires something different. Pull it back together, and then jump forward. There it goes, easy to have it swing itself around. It naturally wants to move inside its current radius, but moving anywhere beyond that takes work.
Try something else. Willing the end of the rope to wrap around the door handle. Making it pull, causing the middle section to move in that direction. Ah ha. It can move itself, but need to think about how it does so a bit differently.
Hmm, this is not easy, though. Maybe this big rope is too unwieldy to start with - and rope wouldn't be decent in combat, anyway. A smaller length of chain would be better, but maybe unnecessarily complicated and noisy. Barbed wire? Useful for interrogation, sure, but chain would work well enough for that. Chain would probably be better. Pain is important, but fear and anticipation are what causes people to spill their guts. Chain offers less mess while being easier to carry, and it has more utility in general. Need to pick up a fifteen foot section to test it out. For now, let's see how much pulling strength the spell gives.
Wrapping the rope around my middle in a single loop. Putting my arms inside the loop and then forcing the rope to make itself taut. Tapping out almost immediately. Plenty strong.
Getting the rope to gather itself back into a spool and then puncturing the rune, causing the mana to drain out. Putting it in the hall closet. Maybe a different Animate target would be a better choice. Looking around the relatively empty apartment. Nothing here. Glancing over at the pile of shoe soles on the counter. Maybe Reshape will feel more like magic and less like work. Grabbing the top sole, filling it with mana and casting Reshape. The shoe sole getting soft and malleable, immediately folding in half. Putting it down. It seems to want to go back to normal. Help it a little bit. There. Use my fingers to draw the runes. This is easy. Getting halfway done and then a thought.
Why not Animate a self propelled vehicle? It would necessitate fabricating a differential, but that should be more than doable with Reshape. No motor necessary, just animate a short, solid pinion. Fabricate a steering wheel and simple linkage and zoom it around town. It would really turn some heads. Hmm, but turning heads may be a problem. That idea sounds too clever, by half. Only useful in town and way too much attention, and cobblestones would be murder without a proper suspension system and tires. Well, the suspension could be springs or something squishy but for tires nothing comes to mind. Rubber doesn't exist here, not anywhere around here, at any rate. The million gold idea would be making bicycles, but without a proper material for tires that idea isn't going anywhere, either. Not today, at least. Put it on the back burner.
Finishing with the first sole and puncturing the mana. There, it stayed. Can shape it like clay. Easy. Getting the second one and starting on the second series of runes. Getting most of the way finished and then another thought. How about just animating a big pile of dirt? It seems to want to congregate at the center, so shift the whole pile and let gravity move the center, which could allow it to naturally roll around. While the overall utility of a mobile pile of dirt is questionable, there's no harm in seeing if it's doable, but maybe mud would be better. Or a perfectly Reshaped round rock.
Looking at the third sole. What time is it? Better to get there a little early. Dressing with my in town outfit. Runes on the clothing and shoes. Braid? Nah, leave it down. Walking to the hall closet and getting my cloak. Out the door and into the rain. Locking up. Concentrating to create an eggshell thin layer of shield to act as an umbrella. A little attention never hurt anyone. Walking to three oh one and knocking. Stacy's head poking out, glancing up at the crackling shield stopping, and then at me.
“Hi, sorry, I was going to get you the list but I don't have anything to write with. Are either you or John going to be here on day two?”
“We're both in, but we're fairly busy during the day,” she says. “Maybe stop by in the evening or put it in the mail slot.”
“Wonderful. Thank you. Have a good night.”
Down the steps and then heading east, then north and then west in my usual roundabout fashion. Moving through the merchant district, a beacon, and the way being cleared at my coming. Continuing west, and then a voice calling out.
“Lucy!” Wilde running up with an umbrella. Putting it away when he gets next to me.
“I thought you'd be coming from this direction, figured it'd be easier to see me if I did this.”
“I'm glad you did.” Sharing a quick kiss.
***
“Nico, I was wondering if you've met with Sam since we've been back.”
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Wilde shifting, pulling me against him. “I did a couple hours ago. Earlier in the cycle he asked me to come in and see him after our first day.”
“So what'd you tell him?”
“He asked me about you, and I told him you're real sharp.” Patting my head. “I also told him I made more today than a couple months pay from the House, so I'd like to continue on, if you'll have me.”
“I figure he's going to call me in next cycle and I'll tell him.”
“Tell him what?”
“The truth. You came recommended and it shows. You're hungry for more than you've got and you're not shy about putting in the work.” Starting to fondle him. “But I just have one problem.” Fondling stopping. “Relationships are built on trust, and I like you, but I want to be able to trust you more.”
“Now that's something, coming from you. Trust is a two way street, and you've shared very little. Every scrap I've had to pry out.”
“I know, and I want to change that for us. I'm going to have to. Fighting those things today made me realize I can't exactly hold back. There's way worse than them on the list.”
“Right now there's just one thing I want to know. What happened at the end of our last duel. I think you know exactly what I'm talking about.”
“I do. But when all your friends at Stormhawk are gossiping like preteen girls, promise to leave me out of it. Altogether. If they want to know about me then tell them I'm a glorified civ and you're leading me around. If they want to know more, you can mention I'm extremely grateful.” Fondling resuming.
“I don't think they'll believe that. Some of them did see our fight.”
“Okay, then keep that same story and also mention that you're going to lose our next fight.”
“But that wouldn't be the truth.” He grins.
“Are you going to keep what I'm going to show you to yourself? Without being able to fall back on my tricks it'll be tough to win against people. You know, people who aren't you.” Flashing my grin.
“If it's that important to you, I will.”
“It is. Thank you. For what I'm about to show you, I'd like to be on top.”
“If you insist.” Snaking his hand between my legs.
Sharing a long kiss while his fingers probed my entrance, feeling him hard and full in my hand. After a minute straddling him, and then letting out a soft sigh as he fills me.
“You can lay back, or you can help. Just let me know when you're getting close.”
The guy choosing to enjoy the view and relax, putting his hands behind his head. Starting to ride, shallow little motions at first but then getting into it. Squeezing and twisting against the pleasure stick embedded within me. Getting nearer and nearer to my peak and then him tapping, letting me know. Activating the Rune Trap on his skin, freezing him, turning him into my own personal toy. Continuing to ride, only his eyes moving around in their sockets, and then losing focus. Managing to hit my peak and falling forward onto his chest while continuing to make small motions with my hips. Putting my arms around him.
In an instant life surging into him and into me, accompanied by the sound of his soul being sucked out. Bringing his arms up to embrace me in a weak hug weak. Laying there, my head on his chest, listening to him breathe, his arms around me. Taking much longer to recover this time.
“So how was it?”
“That was either nirvana or hell. Maybe a bit of both.”
“That's only for special occasions. Doing that cost me a gold.”
“We're making a lot of gold. You don't need to hold back that much.”
Sharing a long kiss while holding each other. Rolling off of him, clinging to his side, and using my finger to draw on his chest.
“So, the first thing, I can draw these things fairly quickly. I don't have the time or the patience to play pretend about that anymore.”
“I noticed earlier today.”
“I thought so. I got real sloppy on the refresh. And the second was that. How long do you think it lasted?”
“I don't know. It was very tough to tell.”
“Probably a minute fifteen. My master hit me with it once and I was a statue for maybe five minutes.”
“So don't piss him off, is what you're saying.”
“It'd be a mistake.”
***
Walking up to House Ishtar's gated manor at eight in the morning on day two. The gate open, like every other time, and the door unlocked. Very welcoming people for any of their faults. Their thing in the entryway greeting me with a combination of amusement and mockery. Are you hungry? Knife slicing hand. Here you go. Get off my back. The pleasure radiating from the statue basking me in its warmth. Mending. Where's their office?
Up the stairs to the right, door, door, door. This is it. Knocking. No answer. Opening the door. No one home. Probably at breakfast. That's this other staircase over in this direction.
The dining room featuring six long rectangular tables, with plush, high backed chairs. About a dozen members of the House having breakfast. Shouldn't have eaten before coming, it smells great. Who can help me? There. Beard, broad shoulders, and beer gut. You're the one.
“Hey, Roy, how you doing?” Giving a cheerful wave and walking over to him.
That had been a curious expression. His face now obscured by a hand, and his beard has pieces of egg coughed onto it.
“Lucy,” he says, after the fit had passed, “good morning.” Nice recovery.
“I was coming to stop by and talk to Liz. I managed to get my Shaker situation sorted so I wanted to have a face to face. What time are her office hours?”
“She should be up there right now.”
“I didn't see her, but maybe I got the wrong room. Do you mind helping? I don't want to have to make a fuss.”
Mulling that particular turn of phrase for several moments and then standing. “Follow me.”
Walking with him back to the second floor.
“Hey Roy.”
“Yes?” Throwing me a suspicious glance
“Would you please relax? I've got nothing against you guys, I'm not here for revenge or anything stupid like that. I've found out the thing Liz knows about the Bonneville and I've got to talk to her about it.”
“We're good?” he says, in disbelief.
“Why wouldn't we be? Honestly I still wouldn't mind joining you guys, but fixing my Shaker situation made that impossible.” Roy noticeably relaxing more at the second part of that sentence. Reaching out my hand. “We're still friends, right?” Showing my teeth so it looks less like a grimace.
“Right.” Quick handshake. “I'll get you to Liz.”
Following Roy. Roy glancing in on the same office. Still not there. Following Roy up the staircase to the third floor. Heading to one of the corner rooms, the sounds of amorous activity coming from the other side of the door. Roy glancing at me, mouthing one moment, and then entering the room. At least three people visible, two men and one woman, with no Liz in line of sight. Discussion and annoyed sounds heard from within.
The door opening and Roy peeking out. “Ten minutes.”
“I'll wait for her in the office, but I'm going to grab some of your breakfast first.”
“That's probably not a bad decision,” he concedes.
***
The door opening behind me. Forty five minutes later. Interrupting the final, final finishing touches on my current project, a pipe made from a rather expensive bit of hardwood that had been liberated from a visually out of the way section of her desk.
“I'm sorry for the delay,” says Elizabeth Collier, curvy, svelte and alluring, and wearing bed head and a bathrobe.
“I probably should've scheduled an appointment.”
“Roy told me what you said. I sincerely appreciate that you're not holding a grudge.” Giving her a shrug. “And also that you also know the circumstances regarding our fucked up situation out here.”
“Yeah, about what I told Roy, it was my understanding that certain pieces of information were supposed to be kept in confidence. I'm not sure if you heard, but I had a little altercation with Serena a few days ago because of some loose lips.”
“Is that right?” Not looking the slightest bit surprised. Taking a seat in her chair, giving the small statue on her desk a glance and then stretching out her arms. “From what I had heard, that was an internal dispute between members of my House.”
“That's how it ended up working out, but the next time may end up different.”
“Oh?” Steepling her hands “Different how, exactly?” Casually tossing the challenge.
“Serena, and now you,” pointing at her, “don't seem to be taking me very seriously. Maybe it's a case of you not actually believing I am who I am.” Collier shrugging and showing me her palms. “The next time something like that happens, I'll make sure none of you have any difficulty remembering.”
Amusement and tinkling laughter washing over me from the statue of the robed woman on her desk, and Collier's gaze immediately flashing back to it. Sitting in silence for about two minutes. Turning back to me.
“My management style,” she begins, “is substantially more hands off than most of the other Houses. There are a handful of important rules that need to be followed, but for day to day minutia it's fairly lax. The girls have a pecking order and they tend keep themselves in line, and the boys have something similar. While there are pluses and minuses to any management system, it works well enough for us.”
“So what you're saying is, is it's not your fault.”
“I'm not saying that. I'm saying that if one of the members of my House does something foolish in the future that is on them – and you can feel free to blame me, if you want, for not setting stricter boundaries – but you shouldn't take it out on the other members of my House.”
“You'll talk to Serena?”
“I'll speak with her.”
“That's all I ask. Now for the reason I actually wanted to talk with you today. What do you think about the way Shaker's been doing things?”
“I think the Director is in a difficult position.”
“No doubt, but should the way things are going really be the way they ought to be going? I have a serious issue with him, we both know that, but even putting my issue aside it seems to me that his leadership needs be called into question.”
The woman sitting back and considering. “I don't disagree - your situation is merely the latest example - however, regardless of what either of us thinks, there's no real possibility of that occurring at present.”
“I'm thinking that the present circumstances aren't going to last for very much longer.”
Collier waiting to see if there is anything more, watching my still expression. Glancing over at the statue on her desk. Frowning.
“If that's the case,” she says, “I don't see any reason to oppose. He can continue to play Director out there - who even cares? - but him losing power in here I consider no great loss.” The woman gesturing at the statue. “She seems to have taken a real shine to you.”
“Doesn't seem very difficult to please.”
“You'd be surprised, she can be quite particular. I'm very sorry for not getting around to this sooner, but what do you want me to call you?”
“Lucy.” Her eyebrows going up a notch. “That's how it is.”
“Lucy?” she repeats, while studying me. “Huh. How are you liking it so far?”
“No real complaints.”
***
Heading to Magpie's room. The door unlocked and Magpie wearing a tight T-shirt, a miniskirt and flashing a bright white thong. Head down and painting her toenails.
“Hugh, just a couple...” she says offhandedly, before looking up from her half painted toes. “Oh, Mac, what's up?”
“Sorry to bother you on your day off, but, well...” Fidgeting.
“What are you even talking about?” Placing the brush on her bedside table. “What's going on?”
“I need you to-” The words dying in my throat. Trying to come up with a way to phrase it. Shifting my eyes left, and right, and left. My mouth crawling off to one side. “I need to ask you about something.” Magpie tilting her head at my extremely other than ordinary expression. “It's some real shit.”
“Come in.” Standing up and pointing at her bed. “Sit.”
Taking a seat where she'd pointed. Magpie going to the door and locking it. And the deadbolt. Coming back and sitting right next to me, shoulder to shoulder.
“So what did he do?” Her soft voice touched with concern.
“What? What are you talking about?”
Now confused. “So what didn't he do?”
“Its not, it isn't that.” Skeptical now. “He's been great. Really. He's been really great.” Giving her a big, relieved smile.
“That's really good to hear, Mac.” She throws her arms around me. “You scared me. I thought I gave you some advice that ended up turning bad.”
“No, you didn't.” Hugging her back. “Thanks so much for your advice. Seriously. I really appreciate it.”
“It's time tested.” Letting me go. “So what's going on, and don't make that face ever again.”
“Sorry. Okay, this is going to be difficult to explain. I can't tell you much, but I need you to, uh, it's for a thing.” The girl back to confused. “No, that's not it. It's for a ritual.”
“Um, okay. Why? For what?”
“It's so you can, um, well, um. Shit.” Holding up my hand and trying to compose my thoughts into something that can be verbalized. Magpie tilting her head the other direction. “It's for a secret club. That's as specific as I can get.”
“A secret club?”
“Invite only, and you're invited.”
“That sounds kinda cool.” Then squinting. “What's the downside?”
“Getting in definitely hurts.”