Family was a difficult topic, let alone an addition that was as natural as living beings. Regarding any individuals or rulers of a planet or nation, one had to think twice before acting against anyone. Everyone had a family. It was an unchanging rule that blood and living carried.
Murai didn't like to think about it. Family was a concept that was always confusing and a bit harsh to take into his head. It was never pleasant.
He knew why he was like that, as he had time and lives to see and learn all about it and himself. He did try to mend some wounds from those tough times, growing his seed out, and taking care of people and those that were interesting, or interested in him. It often meant problems that he wasn't willing to take alongside him because people were complicated beings similar to his lives.
The family was an attachment that ended in disappointment or worse. That was his belief through experiencing his unkept lives that, for some reason, weren't ever peaceful. He associated it with his Cursed Living. It wasn't wrong, he believed, so he wasn't seeking family, nor did he want to do anything with it. No more at least.
Hence, this life was right on track to be yet another lonely life, but he wasn't unhappy about it. As a duck, he had no choice but to continue being stubborn for his sake.
He was a loner in his Cursed Living anyway, or so he thought how it was meant to be. He forced this sort of acceptance to his Fate. A variable that he stubbornly wished to refuse, even when there were times when a family became important.
It was no wonder. The family was a string in the reincarnation and Afterlife that affected anyone.
A New Beginning meant being born into a family. More or less, it was a new soul put into a cycle that someone played with him like a fool, or was that as random as tossing a dice? He wasn't certain about it, but it was better to play along with it, which often ended badly or worse.
Living was always like this, as having a bond that was cruising within the Bloodlines was endless. Beasts were the same, demons not so much, while humanoid races and a lot of beasts were pivotal familial beings.
Past and future in such family ways were important across the board, as history was a family and future at the same time. It meant a heritage of some sort for any living thing that was in the picture or not. It was honest, following a cycle of life and death.
Murai knew it. That was often why he was kind of a prick, but he saw honesty and truth in such acts. His perspective was different, albeit the living did gift him with different times and perspectives. In a sense, it was a time that was never supposed to be nice.
He hated a lot of things about it. Few things about it were ever passable.
Yet, he wasn't tired of it. Not until he will take care of it and reach the proper End. It was perhaps a hopeful and naive approach, but what choice was there for him? This idea and belief was the only one he had that kept him from ushering in insanity and hopelessness.
The family was not part of it. Never was. Never supposed to be. It was just a brief variable that might happen or not.
Taking care of it was a serious, expensive, and rather interesting concept that one had to think twice about. Creating or having a family meant leaving the lone future aside, and accepting the future that shall never be alone. It was a new chapter in a life that was fitting across the universe.
Like an act of procreation that followed every living.
Murai was a rather problematic form in this regard, as his living depicted an unlikely form of actual living cycles. He never questioned it, but the family was a concept that went against him and his odds. He didn't want it. It was a connection that cursed him with memories and times that often troubled him because they were meaningful and seeped with hope.
Leaving them behind was always better as the End or his time always changed. Not for the better. He needed no remedy, seeking the End instead. Some of these times were miserable, while hopes were often futile, as his time in families often changed the rules of the world.
So he didn't want them.
With many lives under his mind, caring for friendship and family was like an additional weight on top of his shoulders and living. What he wanted after losing, forgetting, or seeing the end of them with his own eyes, was less of it.
He learned this the hard way.
Perhaps it was like his curse. He was terrible luck that cursed the others with bad lives. So taking others onto his time was never under his radar. He tended to believe that, even though he wasn't sure if it was right or wrong. He decided it was. Perhaps it was a correct decision.
It came as the aftermath of mana Ends or harsh realities that changed him in this manner.
When he heard of Rudolf's family, Murai didn't feel much. It wasn't indifference or simple coldness. It wasn't as if it was his concern to be concerned with others in this way, or their families. Those dramas or worries weren't up to his head if they happened so long ago, so he wondered what this old man before him was about to tell next.
Hearing that Rudolf was gone was enough already, so Murai would never think much about it anyway, but when he heard Rudolf's son killed him, that was interesting like the mention of a God.
It poised as a problem that might be interesting to listen to.
He wondered how and why that happened. Was it because of a Path or simple misgivings that Rudolf had created because he was a rather harsh parent and even worse teacher?
Or was it all because Rudolf became a God after all, and reached the premise he always wanted? This world would perhaps accumulate enough power in his life, giving him that edge to go over that line under his Path.
Becoming a God ensured the Path would mend to reality, becoming one with God. Anyone walking the same Path would never become a God afterward. That was a rule that was old and ancient, ensuring that everyone was on the same page of Divides and Pathways.
Which made Gods into important positions in many worlds and further Skies. However, some thought of them as less than that, as there was always a bigger sky over the others. One can kill a God and unlock their Path for others.
Murai understood it, which was why he held many Paths under his theories and memories. A choice of a Path was important. He always held it in big regard.
Which ended his sunken expression that some time ago, appeared on his face. Rudolf was out of his picture, but his lineage still lived on. This person before him was like that, albeit he wasn't exactly like Rudolf. Murai can live with such differences, and turning this weird meeting into some friendship didn't sound that terrible.
But that depended not on him if others decided on it instead. Many... Too many problems were always focused on his living.
And in this world, perhaps it was the worst. Gods and some ideas were present, descending onto him, and looming like curious gazes. He didn't like how Vermillion sounded all those days ago, or how this world clutched and worked with desires and hopes. It made the concept of power kind of strong and cheap, which meant people wouldn't condemn changes and rather go with the flow with fewer changes.
Age and time ensured that, right beside Gods that were Rulers of this world.
It was how hope for power always turned the world crazy. Battleworld was crazy, which may turned Rudolf into an utter monster, or perhaps Murai was wrong.
He hadn't seen enough of this world, nor what family, powers, or politics were like when so many things crystallized power and living beings. Lisa wasn't that clever or firm in such expositions or ideas. She always carried their conversation around her interests and what Murai wanted to know.
That was still up to him and his needs, so accepting her words was what he endured and did take with interest. Mostly, it was about power, Battleworld, or various topics that he did or didn't need in this temple. Between the Islands where he had time, he learned a lot from her than ever before.
There were a bunch of expected crazy things when many Gods flocked together like a bunch of birds. Not only were there factions in the Sky, but in the Surface and various Depths. Hell Havens depicted the places where Hell Gods resized their interest, while their names were Demonic Lords around the Battleworld, while Sky Gods went against them.
Why? Reason or sense in this regard were the same as in the vast universe. Some things were simple because they've always been like that.
Some Gods will never see eye to eye, creating dramas, grudges, and hopes to kill the other.
So where in this picture was Rudolf and his family? Or... this old man before him, knitting and runesmithing a bunch of glistering threads and other objects onto some layers of clothes?
Murai shook his head. “Millenia, huh? Time is ruthless indeed. That is a time that must've left many generations behind, but the flow of time and age in this world may be weird. Beasts can live for centuries. Stronger ones for even longer. What does the Will of the Battleworld change it into? Do human and their powers and minds change into something insane? Power and Paths always change that, while rules around this world seem weird.”
“Insane is a rather harsh word, yet truthful. Few would think of it this way, as they could drown in power and reach the end. Why? Talent and speed of acquiring power are often limited to opportunities and other variables. Talent isn't everything, nor this world is. You might think of this world as gracious and fine, right?” The old man asked.
Murai nodded.
“It isn't wrong to some individuals at all. It is a machine. This world, I mean. It crafts powers that mend into the flow of how Gods like it. It is about ego, power, growth, and countless political aspects. Why?”
“Gods are pricks. Greedy pigs.”
“That is... interesting view.”
“Sounds like what Rudolf would say, doesn't it?”
“Not only him. I would hear this daily in some parts of my life.” The old man took a long breath as if remembering a rough memory. “Anyway, Gods are pivotal to everyone. You or me included. Everyone like us should take those as interest that one might not like, but they are here, and they aren't going anywhere.”
“Figures. It is the same as in any world, right? You know about me, so... Why and how to take it to my head? This conversation and your topics are the same. What to think of it? You forced this... while my living is under your grasp and awareness. You mustn't be simple.“
“Well...” The old man hesitated once again, fearing that this topic was pending for a long time anyway and he stalled for long enough. He could only curse that he talked quickly, and Murai was absolutely unhinged in his curiosity and interest in him or his pendant. The latter part was curious too, but that was only in his mind. Not his mouth for now. The pendant will have to calm down.
“I supposed your reputation exceeds your height.” He said after some thinking. “In many ways, you are known for your Curse and time around some worlds, because of the Gods that surround them. It flows out, going over the political and public aspects of some continents and powers. You are in Somalis continent, young and kind of weak, but what will happen later when you grow up? Though of that?”
“Not one bit. I can't care less about what awaits far away. Worries or others are just a nuisance. I want what I want.”
“Which is?” The old man asked a fairly interesting question in excellent timing.
Murai sighed. “End. You?”
“I see. Not the End for sure. I have too many things to find and discover, make and see, and meeting them all is my goal. It is an interest that is left in this world. You are here too. No way I would kick a bucket, or how some might say. It isn't about Rudolf by the way. I am here because I wanted to. Alone, to take care of some things.”
“I've got you. No worriers. Why are you doing this then? Acting and talking to me? Is Rudolf why? Has he mentioned me, or... has he figured out who I used to be?”
“He never knew the you from the past. He got the gist of some information and legends across the Skies in this world. You are part of some legacies and reputations that poise various lengths to get them. Not easy, I might say.”
“Pche.” Murai sneered. “I don't feel loved by this interest at all. Wonder why and how my reputation even bothers others. It isn't pretty anyway.”
“Ah, wanna pat to your head? Never was one to gift them, but you might not be the taker of them anyway.”
Murai was slightly surprised by this offer but he refused it as quickly as he asked. “I hate when others handle me like a toy. Hate it!”
“Then have my apologies for the impending Fate.” the old man bowed in his direction before going back to work.
”None taken. Let's backtrack this discussion a little. You... Rudolf, or his son, or whatever. What to make of the situation and you? Is his son something that I have to consider? It must be under your idea, what else... Why are you taking it here then? To my head.”
“It is just a warning that is better be said. I acted with interest and some knowledge. You are quite something in this life, so take everything with a grain of salt. This world is special because of Gods put into aquation and your little curse.”
“Curse, huh? What do you know about it? What had Rudolf knew?”
“I don't know him, nor what he got. He is my ancestor. Not my guardian. It is either a guess that stems from the stories and legends, but he was a weirdo anyway. We tend to think of something strange and crazy, without knowing what it means. You are that. I mean, confusing and lingering ideas might get some ideas. It was what research and intellect do. For example, what to do when focusing on a task when taking might and weight of who knows how many lives? It weighs onto the spirit, yet it keeps you alive. You are always the same, but not in every End. It is like the impending end of cycles, always looming over time and space.”
“You sound overly clever. It isn't that complicated to ignore the pain and focus on what matters.”
“And you make it sound easy.” The old man argued, squinting his eyes and slowing down the process under his hands. He was in a stage of care and finalization. By this point, mana and runes danced around the room, focusing on his gloves, table in general, runes, and some gem in the cloth. Murai didn't pay it much attention when he focused on his next words
“Always looking for some edge to cover, force Fate into your favor, find some chance, capture the opportunity, overwhelm it all, and so on. You are like a disaster. Small one, but the kind you've never seen. Heard about some stories of a Rocky, though. Funny stuff, I might say. It makes you a disaster with unknown truths no matter how anyone looks into it.”
“Hmp? You talk as if you know all about me, but not much can make sense of it, huh? Some try it all the time, yet few could help. Rudolf didn't know all of this stuff if my memory serves me right. I didn't take these starts well, you see. This world knows about me, so why or... how does it work?”
“Simple. Cultures and many souls coming into this world across many words act as catalysts for knowledge. Also, Gods. They tend to flock around here, but most of them have eyes on the broader Sky. Not just here, albeit the interest in the Surface is a neverending course of reputation and might. It fuels their Divine Kingdoms or Hells, but the latter one is different.”
“Got that idea already... Bunch of pigs, playing with the people while giving them carrots on sticks.” Murai wished to curse some more but didn't go to such lengths before this old man.
“So why or how? Well, that may have been the case in the past, as Rudolf didn't know the truth like anyone clear. But his curiosity got the hang of him, and further into his life, he reached quite a few forced discoveries. Right out of the major Codexes and Breaches. One in particular involved some facts and logic researched and warnings around a certain Cursed One, or who knows what else it was expressed with. I will leave the rest in blip since you know the rules to never touch what shouldn't be touched. He never told anyone. Perhaps he left some truths in the Afterlife, or his tomes that he took for his diary.”
Murai took his words in with a relatively straight face. He looked at the old man, understanding the deep repercussions of his words. Rudolf was truly unhinged when he wanted and desired something. Regardless of how heavy and tough it was, it never stopped him.
“That freak... Did he look into my Curse? Was he tired of living? That isn't what they would like! Gods or whatever, tales and ideas are one thing. Truth hurts. Not me, but...” He halted himself for no one's sake. He was unaware that the old man knew and understood this as well. There were boundaries in things one shouldn't take to their heads.
Some still touched them, because why not? Some people had no boundaries, or what one might call some stops.
“You see, little friend. Past is in the past, and you've arrived here after all. I am here myself, a taker of Rudolf's knowledge because I got curious myself. I may not be him, but I am not worse or greater than great. His ambitions were far too great for his head or this world, and unlikely to ever mean something safe. You are the same, I reckon. It influenced him, I might add.”
“Influance? Me, him? Bullcrap.” Murai didn't believe it.
“Why not? You don't understand some consequences of this world and what someone might do to truly reach the peak, or... safety and bliss. There are so many obscurities and things one has to work against, as this world is a huge battlefield for the sake of nothing but pride and power that runs the Skies.”
Murai was slowly understanding where he was coming from. So much so, that he completely forgot about the pendant. The old man was kind of talking all by himself, mentioning his interest in this world and too many warnings for his liking.
Murai wasn't one to forget them, but he wouldn't stop because of some warnings alone. But he appreciated the talks about Rudolf, and what he was mentioning about the world was interesting. It seemed this old man was taking Rudolf's mantle in some capacity. Probably in a very different way.
Some things were still unclear because of a lack of context, or he mentioned some topics with fewer ideas that Murai wasn't paying too much attention to.
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It was his problem.
“One thing, little friend, before the discussions are over.” The old man said after being silent for a few moments. His hands more or less stopped working after mending some layers of clothes and securing some details around some parts. There were some neat gems at the front of some brownish-yellow cloth, all focused with runes and storming lines of mana and lines. Threads were no longer visible, or the light and mana overwhelmed them. His needle was gone too and so were most of the supporting tools or materials.
He was close to being over with his desirable piece.
“It's about this... trouble of mine. Rudolf's son. He was a spiritual leader of Rudolf's legacy and his home, which is my home now. He is a God who troubles my position and my home. Godly positions are all like that. It is tough, as you might suspect or get out of my voice. You can imagine the problems, although the problem isn't his status. Gods have their worries. In this world, they don't meddle too much with the Surface in their own heads, but in other ways, they meddle with it far too much. Hence, things are a bit weird between everything.”
“I don't get the issue. If he is so detached, why worry about him? Or... does he want your home? He got exiled as God because those are not allowed to freely reign over the Surface?” Murai asked a good question after listening and broadening his perspective on this world's politics.
“Well, something like that. He isn't good or bad, just like Rudolf was known for. He holds no absolute authority over my family, but he is interested in what surrounds it. He is unable to do much with that because of a variety of issues that you spoke of briefly like myself. You might be included in this more than you wish.”
“Why?”
“You will understand it more in the future. I better not meddle with it as of right now, because you need focus. Encounter and some Gods want your life. I don't know why. I can only give you this much behind their backs to help you out. He is free from anything that his father desired and included as he grew him out. It backfired, but that is in the past. I, on the other hand, am shackled, unwilling to make things any difficult for myself. I am a coward, I fear. A shame of my ancestor. All because I am not like him.” The old man said much slower than ever before, almost sounding like a normal person.
His face drowned in some sorrow and hesitation, filling his words with some pain that remained in his heart for many years.
Murai didn't know what to say to such a monotone and helpless tone. He would never expected Rudolf's descendant to be like that. No. That wasn't entirely correct. Rudolf had many faces. He got softer when drunk.
Perhaps he would expect something like that in a different situation. Sorrowful, or very difficult, Rudolf never took it badly. He was thick-skinned and with a smile always on his face even in the toughest situations. Murai bet he died with a smile on his face.
“Don't take it badly. Being unlike Rudolf isn't a bad thing. Cowardice is fine... It means End won't come and get you early. That is good in my honest opinion. Cheers for that, so don't fret about it.” Murai said, appearing much calmer than before. “What about this son in specific? Are the memories or his legacy included in all of Rudolf's children or Bloodline, or... this legacy? I know he meddled with a lot of things, but this place and life could've changed that. He was Blessed after all.”
“Oh... Uh... Yes. Thank you for this. Yes, he was a Blessed. And yes, he got a lot covered in many layers of his research and teachings. He was a crazy, talented, and unconventional mage. He created some Paths too, but focused on his own merits and time. He changed how some continents handled magic, but in a way that meddled with Gods. It hasn't gotten much potential, I fear, but my home takes it to where it might go.”
“Clever bastard, wasn't he?” Murai added.
“Mana and magic are universal like his mind. It should remain free, and it was and wasn't at some ages. Now, it is fairly widespread, because of the passing ages, but it wasn't always like that. Rudolf changed this world a lot, and it took a while for grudges to fade.”
“Good for the world, I suppose. So? What about this son of his? Does a God want trouble with your home? That... why am I in the picture? You sound like a huge warning.”
“I do sound like that. As currently as it goes, it doesn't concern us, so think of this as talks of an old man who is briefly overtaken by memories. I was always unwilling to do much in terms of wars and ambitions. Others are for that, as I am not alone, but like to act with that in mind.” The old man briefly touched his pendant, playing with it as he gazed at the table. “My home thrives outside of any Gods, but who knows the time when it will be opposite? I want to prevent some problems, which you should know.”
“Noted, but not necessarily clear. You speak of it as there is more to my position, but I am just... duck?”
“Don't worry about that. As harsh as it sounds, it doesn't mean his son is a trouble. He is to my home, but once he knows you, things might get different. He hasn't forced anything for a long time because of my position, but changes might come. Surviving is good, but why survive when one might strike back? Power runs this world after all. Always and all up til now, some things weren't clear to me. I no longer fear that past as something terrible. Sharing it with you is somewhat of a blissful timing.”
“Bliss... you sound like you are on the brink of death. Unsurprisingly so, for an old man.” Murai tried to joke, but it wasn't a time for that. At least from the looks the old man was giving him.
Hearing his mocking tone, the old man smirked, letting out a huffed laugh that tried to change the present mood.
“True! I am old, so it's like that. No wonder. No wonder. Alright!” He slapped the table, turning his face right in Murai's direction. “His name is Archibald. Mind his word when you hear him, but it depends on you. Not me.”
His eyes gleamed in the light, and one wouldn't think of him as an old fella. He had some strength after all, which many enduring folks possessed in this world.
Old people were scary. Murai believed in that, as experience was often much better than a gift of a Divine Artifact. But when it all collided, fused, and turned tides to a new light, things were different.
“I thank you, sincerely, but I am done.”
“Done with what? Talking?” Murai raised his beak, looking straight towards his face.
“With my gift and this discussion. I am far from being satisfied with hearing what your old life might have been like, but the situation is pending a change. Or location is?” He pinched his pendant again and worriedly looked around the room.
Murai followed his gaze but felt and saw no changes.
“Hm. Seems the situation still has some time,” the old man scratched his chin, littered with patches of white hair. “I feared or thought the content of his Tome that you got was lacking for your taste when we started this conversation. Rudolf let a lot in there. Someone like you would love it.”
“Love it? What has he even remembered me like?”
“Menace is what he has left under some notes one must take with further context. It wasn't as if he took your curse or reputation out of his mouth very often or into the public. Most bear your existence with care or mild fear. There are actual reasons and methods he took as secrets and undercover context. Few of his further descendants knew about his experience and lives. The better a descendant was, the better they took his words.”
“So you are good?”
“The best one ever was, I might say.”
“Better than this Archibastard?”
“Well, the direct line to his... was special, but still better I might say.”
“So a better than a proper God huh?” Murai nodded. “I might see a shadow of him in your heart after all. But it is hiding like a weasel surrounded by wolves.”
“I take it as the finest compliment.” The old man chuckled. “But you must have been dissatisfied with little he let out on those papers if you are talking to me with such clueless manners. Have you read it well?”
“Well? I don't have that tome any longer, nor have I had much time to read it all thanks to this!” Murai spread his wings. “A fucking life where holding and touching anything just doesn't work is not my tea. I can't even scratch my chin! A chin!! Let me fucking tell you what this is like... I swear this life is most miserable out of many others like this mess.” Murai went on, reaching and ranting his mind onto the single individual he felt would take it to his heart.
He wasn't wrong. The old man listened with great vigor and wished to get his notebook in his hand. Instead, he was resting his hands on the table, right beside Murai and his crafted piece that he called an Experiment #140.
Unmoving, he watched how Murai kept his rant over his life and lacking hands going for almost half an hour. And even after the slowly decreasing word choices, Murai felt like he could keep on going with worries that had been in his heart for a long time.
It needed an outlet, which he had found in this old man. He would never talk like this to Lisa or anyone. It was perhaps all thanks to a weird connection and mild familiarity that he felt with this old man that allowed his mind to pour this all out.
Alas, as his voice came to a halt, the old man used this opportunity to complete what he wanted to do half an hour ago. Things finally stabilized and mana and runes all ceased to exist, disappearing into the clothes.
That didn't mean he wasn't unwilling to hear what Murai wanted to say. No. He was more than intertwined in his rant and aspects of Anatidae that fused with such an old spirit. He was carefully listening to all mentions, storing them in his memory. To research and write in his notebook, whatever Murai wished to tell helped them both.
“Now, let's pretend to be calm, little friend. I fear this life hasn't been that good to you. I can tell that from your agitation and rant. Anatideas are fascinating creatures, which you are right now. Think of them as tools that your soul might not find fitting right now, but it isn't the worst, I bet.” The old man said, almost allowing Murai to open his beak next. “Though! I feel this thing on the table can grant you a better time.”
Murai was close to trying some bet, but before he wanted to argue about it next, the old man grabbed his body and lifted him into the air. Murai couldn't fight back at all, so, at speed and force, the old man shoved the cloth over his neck. He made something nice for him throughout this time that Murai didn't appreciate, but he felt with enough time, he would love it.
Murai found all aspects of his tries to fight back useless. Against his hands and speed, he lacked all strength.
Grunting, he was letting out angry noises that had no words behind them. Having a cloth over his head wasn't nice when he had no way to force it away.
Again, hands would help. He winced with wings, neck, and legs, but nothing worked.
Before he knew it, the piece of cloth slid around his neck, arriving neatly over his back, front, and slightly behind his neck. There were openings for the wings, resting them naturally where they should be.
It was a hoodie.
Murai opened his beak agape, glancing at himself as if he were watching a ghost.
The hoodie had nice layers of fused leather and fabric in many parts, but yellowish soft leather was all over the visible parts. Some were especially thick, acting as a hood over his head and neck. It can fold beyond the head, allowing only a beak or part of his face to show.
It was a physical hood, so he could force it behind his head fairly easily. Getting it on, however, should be rather hard for him.
The hoodie started at the part of his belly, right above the start of the legs. It was tight in that part, slowly becoming wider and looser, or was that because of the feathers below the hoodie?
The thick-looking hoodie was not in a single coloration, but the majority of colors were yellowish gold, almost light brown. There was even a zipper in the middle of the hoodie, right below his neck and going down, allowing him to close or open it with his beak alone. That was one of the most practical creations this old man created, and it wasn't easy to implement this sort of thing with everything else in mind.
Murai could even take the hoodie off completely with this little addition. With a simple grab of his beak and moving it down, the hoodie can slide behind his back. Well, the wings seemed to be in the way, so it wasn't made for taking it off.
Though, could Murai take it off? He felt he had a chance, but again... why was he thinking of that? Why he was looking and wearing this damned thing?
He was shocked, looking like an ice statue that was still in the old man's hands.
He wasn't sure what to think by this thing that reminded him of that backpack Lady Pachi forced onto him.
But this time, it was from a friend, so he felt conflicted feeling whether he should gnaw it out of his body or accept it like a mildly infuriating gift.
Probably both.
The old man looked at his finished product on Murai's body with fervent light in his eyes and a wide nodding smile. As he did so, he put him back on the table and continued his observation.
As he was facing his beak, he was adjusting the fabric and other minor issues he had found through his lacking crafts. Be it feathers that Murai had, or leather parts that mended well together with the fabric, it seemed to go well with Murai's body.
The hoodie made him slightly burlier if it was even possible with his 30 centimeters tall stature. At least the fluff of his feathers was no longer that notable, thanks to another layer of protection above them.
All in all, it seemed like one seamless piece of soft hoodie, but Murai wasn't sure about the softness. It felt kind of sturdy and soft at the same time, or was he feeling his feathers more as the hoodie pressed down on him, hugging him tighter?
The fabric and softness were the most notable feeling from the inner part of the hoodie. But all in all, feeling and sensitivity over his feathers prevailed more, as if the hoodie enchanted them, or at least didn't bother their properties.
Murai guessed it as much. This hoodie didn't bother him in the slightest, but he hated how it worked and existed. It obscured his feathers, didn't it?
Thicker and heavier leather was still apparent over his back, beside the neck and hood that, when over his head, felt secured and didn't seem to fall behind on its own. His front and sides were kind of softer to provide more free movement.
Murai's head popped out of the hole for the neck, right above the zipper. Looking for enough time, he angrily scowled at the old man as if he had eaten his lunch.
“What the fuck is this? I didn't buy into this?! Again? What is wrong with people and their willingness to put clothes onto a freaking duck?!”
“Oh, it's not your first piece of Anatidae Uniform? I would bet my hands I was the first...” The old man mumbled in displeasure.
“Anati... what?”
“An equipment. A uniform is more of a fitting word. Their signature too, so to say. One might say it as that, but I call it a uniform thanks to its importance. Their extensive knowledge base runs deep in my home. I crafted you a single option, right under my numerous experimental pieces. You can take it, I think. Try not to destroy it, or do so by fully taking its power out to give it some feedback. Then, I have no trouble with anything. Do whatever with it if you can, or take it to the extreme. Either way is fine.”
Murai looked at him like a dumb duck. “Wanna feel a smack to your left cheek or right?”
The old man continued without any interruptions. “I've created it with all my heart, skill, and research into the Anatidae that runs through my veins. So hearing your displeasure put the craftsmen's heart to the abyss, I fear. Is it my bad judgment for making it unappealing? Do you not like the fairly close cut that should be prone to the Child stage of your life? Is there some other issue? Is a hoodie uncomfortable? It should all tighten and crisp up your feathers. What a shame.” The old man forced a frown on his face, faking a cry, and put a palm over his rectangular glasses.
Murai doubted the world was spinning properly, or his soul did.
Either way, he took this in with surprise and shock. “Alright. Alright. I didn't mean it that badly. At least this hoodie has some form of fashion onto it, and it feels right on my skin... or feathers? Whatever. What is it even? Why... even making it? Don't I have my feathers? This seems excessive and unnecessary.” He turned on the spot, watching every corner of his body thanks to his flexible neck.
Seeing himself better provided nice additions because this hoodie looked good on him in all regards. With the hood on, he almost looked like a thug. With it off, the hood rested behind his neck, close to wings that didn't seem to have any problem with this hoodie.
His use of wings wasn't all that great anyway, so it wouldn't be a bother to him, even if this hoodie was obscuring them a little.
Behind the table, he noticed a mirror, allowing him to see himself much better than forcing his neck to limits.
Glancing aside... Murai froze. He wasn't ready to see his appearance in this way so quickly. He saw a hoodie in all of its glory, details, and craftsmanship that was hiding runes and some interesting things. Most of it was no longer that crystal clear, filled with mana or runes. Everything was subdued, no longer flaring in the runesmithing and other craftsmanship jobs.
There was a flat-looking gem in a small circular formation in the upper part of the chest area, acting as a Catalyst for something Murai couldn't guess.
The basis that it was a Catalyst was his guess. Not fact. He wasn't sure what to think of the mana cruising through this hoodie that he discovered with his senses. It was thin like a breeze, barely notable. A simple little nod of his Sonar cruised through the hoodie, revealing intricate... or to say the least, insanely complicated runic formation all over layers of interesting things.
The threads from the start were one thing; so were some metals that fused with the leather and fabric. Murai wasn't sure what it was here for, but mana acted like stale water around the threads, in fabric, runes, or leather. It was in a stagnant state, not flaring under any act.
It was a piece of mana-infused equipment that was in a dormant state.
He was sure it held some runic treasures and effects when activated.
His mind was shaken by the inner complexity that seemed to arrive in a singular form, acting as the center. That was the flat gem at the part of his chest, close to the zipper. He was taken aback, not knowing what to tell this old man about his creation and why he was wearing it. Should he be thankful? That felt wrong.
Around the right side of the neck, where a shoulder would be, there was a circle made from visible threads. Those were white, almost disappearing into the yellowish hoodie. In the circle's threads were another 3 circles and in the middle of it all was an eye. It was either for something, or it was acting like a signature, as it was small and unnoticeable.
Truth be damned in the world, the hoodie looked quite well on him, which the old man was seeing, but not Murai.
The old man saw his face, but he was still satisfied to see him like that. He was a master craftsman in many things throughout his life, and if anything made sense to him, these Uniforms were his specialty.
Making a piece of Anatidae Uniform was one of his favorite endeavors. Especially the unique kinds of them, with new experimental sets of research, analysis, and treasures only he could muster to use.
So when he saw and heard of Murai, he wasn't able to stop himself from creating and gifting him the tool of his wildest dreams and research.
Few would even handle this experiment with necks tight, wings clear, and internals in one piece. He hoped he would take it, yet he was still a Child. A ridiculous one at that, if his hunch and Fate were correct. Perhaps he will be able to handle it.
The hoodie had a very simple design, with clean, soft, and smooth textures. It held good-looking material in the front, but pretty much anything was of high quality. Whatever the materials were, Murai had few ideas about them, or where they were from. He didn't pay the creation process that much attention, but he surely looked at the finished visuals right now.
He was sure runes and his handling of those layers of fused materials got lurking suspicions.
In some parts, there were special types of layers where leather was a great addition under the fabric or vice versa, creating a neat light form of textures. He wasn't sure where the metals or those threads came into play.
What for or why had this old man made it like this?
That small etched rune gem acted like some Catalyst under his hands not that long ago. Mana indeed turned wild. Murai noticed that, but the conversation was more important to him. That gem was the only visible metallic part on his hoodie. Even the zipper was made of some food or part of the fabric, as it was barely noticeable. Overall, the gem was etched onto the fabric with a seamless style as if it was part of the uniform to begin with.
Murai wasn't sure of this gem either, but he would bet his wings he had seen such things before. They weren't natural but created in some way. Perhaps he was wrong about it too, similar to his face and overall idea that he was watching a duck wearing clothes.
Since he wasn't sure, he asked straight to the point. “What is this hoodie gem and.. everything? Why did you make it and force this upon me?”
“Why? Why don't you listen to me? It's good for your health. A chance that won't come twice. I gift this to you because you need it. Isn't that good enough reason for you, or you rather want to seek horse teeth before riding it?”
“I don't like to be taken lightly, old man,” Murai said coldly, watching his eyes as he stretched his wings and neck up.
“I think it could be the opposite, but never mind that. I fear time knits us together, so this hoodie is like a gift you should treasure and use. Why? Because this world is against you, little friend.”
“Again... Why? Is my living that much against this? Is this world special? Such a ruthless run for my life has never happened to such a degree. Sure, some weren't much different, but that is either because of setting or other lacking means.”
“I think truths are... unknown even to me. All I can say is that giving you more chances will mean something good. That is why I want you to have this experiment.” The old man patted the hoodie, pushed the hood over Muraii's head that he previously pushed away, and patted him twice.
“It suits you, I might say. Though, its practicality is better than its appearance. I am never good at outer design. Such things seem sporadic at best times, while actual results matter more. It's something that Anatidae species are prone to wear. It is their indistinct piece of uniform that makes them different from animals they never had the chance to be. I worked quite hard on this, so what do you think? Any feedback?”
“I can see craft, years, and worth in this. Sure, but my questions remain the same. Why?”
“Why why why... Questions aren't great when something insane is going over this world. Should you toss it behind and leave my work to dust? No. Take that to your head. Simple as that. Are you dissatisfied with the materials? Cut? How's mana and your mana space? Any misgivings in Mana Flow?” He quickly changed the subject and took the notebook into his hand.
“Materials? They feel good, but why even wonder about that? Aren't my fathers more than enough for some protection? Ducks don't need some clothes! Why use this... I mean... This... is nonsense.” Murai remained unmoving in his unhinged confusion that had no bounds.
This went against his common sense which was integral to his Cursed Living. If there was something weird to him, it was truly weird to another level.
Alas, as he heard his words, he followed his sense of reason and mana. Upon closer inspection, Murai noticed a clear line of unordinary mana properties that mended to his own.
His feathers accepted the hoodie, hugging and forming layers as if they wanted to be part of the hoodie. When it came to mana, things weren't much different because of his take on his mana space and cores. The hoodie had internals that didn't make sense to him even with attention and Sonar.
A part of it went to his back, ending close to his tail where certain bigger feathers protruded a little bit upwards and behind him, creating a duck's tail.
Murai turned to the mirror again, seeing his body in such clarity and time for yet another time. It was a weird perspective, as he watched his own eyes and senses that moved the neck, and the duck in the mirror moved instead.
Observing his body in such a mirrored perspective wasn't comforting. A duck was pretty much all that he gained from the mirror, but a duck wearing a hoodie?
Ridiculous.
He never thought he would see that in his messed-up lives. Not only was he watching it, but that duck in the mirror was him, moving on command and doing what he wanted.
The cherry on top was that Murai was unwilling to say that he didn't even look half that bad in this hoodie. He thought it fit him well enough since it was custom-made for him. It was even hiding some secrets. That was interesting enough to change his mind.
Turning back to face the old man, Murai cleared his mind in an awkward pause and gave him a long look. “Alright. My apologies. This looks good, but one of my points still stands. Why have this when I have my feathers? From what I've gathered in Islands of Greatness, aren't they substantial protection against sharp objects and elements? I already understand what they are about thanks to Mindarch, my research, and experiences.”
“You think you do, but you don't.” The old man said mysteriously.
“Bullshit. Knowledge matters like facts. Thanks to my feathers, mind, tactics, and magic, I had an easier time. Nothing else matters. Not some hoodie, I dare to say. Then, there is my luck, wits, or whatever else. This is a fact that makes this hoodie redundant.”
The old man heard his argument with a carefree smile; he somehow agreed, but only a little. It was a matter of perspective because he knew what made Anatidaes special and what Murai was. “You are not wrong in this assessment of experiences. So allow me to say why you should have it and think of it as a treasure.”