It is an octopus. It appeared in the air - and as it smacked the floor a wet plap echoed. I watch it. With my slow manipulation, there is not much else to do. I assume the creature will shortly perish without water. It is purple, as my glow earlier was. It's round head appears unbalanced with its short and stubby tentacles. It drags itself around, pushing with the back and pulling with the front, making a rather wretched sound. Eventually, after exploring the perimeter of the room, it lays down, and somewhat shrivels. It has appeared to enter some hibernation-like state, likely to somehow conserve water.

I suppose that gives me a short-term goal. Find water. Even if this one dies, I assume anything else I summon will also periodically require it. I begin a hair width probing tunnel down, hoping to find some aquifer deeper in the earth. Though I cannot see past the room I remain in, I believe the feedback from my digging will provide me enough information to determine if I have found water. The density of water, unlike the packed clay surrounding me, does not change density from moment to moment, so my plan is to pay careful attention and wait for the density to become stationary.

~~~

Mana: 2/312

EXP: 64/92

Digging 6/7

It is many hours later, when I believe I have struck water. The octopus has shriveled to an even smaller size. I am unsure if he will survive this ordeal. My current problem is a logistical one that I reprimand myself for not thinking of earlier. A simple, simple problem. The water is far beneath me and the octopus. I have no pumps or any other way to raise it. I suppose the octopus will die.

There is a habit, assumingly retained from my previous life, to meditate in times like these. And meditate I do.

~~~

Time has passed. I am not aware of how much, for I was not aware. I have made a startling discovery. My point of view, my vision, is not tethered to my body. I believe this is a new ability because I meditated many times during my initial cactus-watching, however there is no way to be certain. It is an ardous task, perhaps because I am not used to moving a "body". Hoping I can make some discovery to save my first companion, I inch my vision below, into small bore in the earth. I can see only the smallest hint of the tunnel before me, it is as peering through a pinhole.

Eventually my theory on finding water was proven correct. Some distance from the room I reside in, I find pool of water in an enclosed pocket. Ten gallons or so by my estimation. Now that I can see what I am doing, moving the water is relatively simple. I use my manipulation to fill the pocket from the bottom, displacing the water and eventually forcing the water up through the very narrow hole I created. This takes quite a long time, and I am left wondering how the octopus fares. Every time I move my vision I have to stop my manipulation of the clay, as both tasks combined are more mental load than I can handle.

~~~

Again, I move clay. Again, the water rises. Again, I halt, and raise my vision. This time, the clay floor encompasses my vision. I have reached headquarters. As quickly as I can, I rotate my field of vision to the floor, and I am saddened by what I see. The once lively octopus is a shriveled husk. I am unsure if it is completely dead, though it looks it. I have no other way of telling. Regardless, I continue raising the water. As it clears the hole, the octopus absorbs some of it. This pleases me, though I consider that it may be the involuntary reaction of a corpse. What was wilted and sharp becomes smooth and rubbery. I begin digging a rectangular ditch in one corner of the room, the water flowing into it as I do. It is something like a fish tank. Of course, if you build a fish tank into the floor. After it is built, I extend a narrow poking-rod of clay, and slowly push the octopus into the ditch. It is a dull grey color, and listlessly floats on the surface of the water. However, it seems to be growing back to it's original size as it basks.

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I observe, and continue to observe. The octopus is rather like a water activated capsule toy. This thought leads me to my previous life. I have no memories anymore of that life but the knowledge remains. I know what a car is, I know how to operate one. From this, I can assume I did operate one, at some time. But I cannot remember doing such a thing. This concerns me greatly.

I notice my own body for the first time, my vision still floating some distance from it. I am marquise shaped, and a deep and vivid purple. I look rather like a purple rhodolite garnet. It was strange, watching myself hover there. It really sank in, at that time. That I was no longer human, and never again would be.

~~~

Mana: 50/334

EXP: 89/92

Digging 6/7

The octopus is alive.

It again is purple, though it hasn't regained it's initial vibrancy. It swims in the water, twirling and floating, apparently having fun. It has been a long time since I had anything that could be described as fun. I find comfort in the octopus. It is much more entertaining than the cactus was. I find myself widening it's floor-tank somewhat, and bringing up lattices of clay, so that my friend may have an artificial coral to play in. At the moment, he is poking his eyes at the water, looking expectantly at me. With the thought of providing him some friends, perhaps goldfish or clownfish, I open the summoning menu.

The earth category now reads (no reagents available) with the rest. Upon clicking the option, a list of ingredients appears.

1 OZ GOLD

3 LB MEAT_ANY

400 MANA

An interesting list, indeed. I wish I had more information on the process. If the ingredients are required in the process, where did they come from with my free summon? I suppose it's not worth worrying about. Seeing that I almost had enough experience to level up, I began digging a hallway out of my room. The octopus watches with interest. It did not take long to level up.

(Digging) has advanced to 7/7. (Digging) is now (Digging+)

Congratulations, you have gained a level. You are now level THREE

You have gained 18 points. If you so desire, you may now acquire skills

AVAILABLE SKILLS:

SKILLS:

SENSATION

VISION

LOW_LIGHT_VISION

DARK_VISION

BRIGHT_VISION

HEARING

[SMELL]

[TASTE]

(OBSERVATION)

ANIMISM

[MAGIC]

BASIC_MANIPULATION

MANA_MANIPULATION 2/7

(DISTANCE_MANIPULATION)

(DIGGING+)

[ELEMENTAL_MAGIC]

(SUMMONING)

[MANA_SUMMONING]

TRAP

SAP

SPIKE

PIT

[FLAME]

(LURE)

[ADVANCED_LURE]

(INTELLIGENCE) (THIS TREE HAS BEEN COMPLETED. NO FURTHER SKILLS UNDER THIS TREE MAY BE GAINED.) (SENTIENCE) 

(SAPIENCE)

(INHUMAN)

(REDUCED_EMPATHY)

BOTANY

ARTIFICING

ALCHEMY

I decide on (ANIMISM) and (BOTANY). I have no idea what animism will do - but I am sure it will be useful, if the other skills are any indication. It being under observation leads me to believe it may be useful. Botany, as well, sounds useful. I have realized that in this enclosed place, without any plants my friend will run out of oxygen. I do not want to open to the outside and the danger that entails. I hope that this skill gives me plants that can survive in darkness. It strikes me then, as curious, that the octopus has been looking at me, despite the darkness. Food for thought.

I take the skills. Feeling enters me.