1 Soul Bound
1.1 Finding her Feet
1.1.6 An Innocent Profaned
1.1.6.3 Bosnian bots
Kafana woke up in Soul Bound. Mmmm, this was a good feeling. This part of the day, when there were no expectations upon her, was her ‘me’ time. She’d catch up with Vessel-Kafana then flip out to prepare breakfast for Alderney, before returning for her daily adventures.
She closed her eyes, and tried to capture any dream fragments. *playing a violin to a library full of students*, *being glared at by an angry librarian*, *scoring a goal at football*, *singing while wearing a mask*, *a room full of treasure* and *a picnic by the sea*.
Wow, that was unexpected. She couldn’t wait to read the letter. Hmm, on second thoughts, it was really long. She flicked through it then asked Monitor if he could read it aloud for Alderney and her over breakfast. She scribbled a quick note saying: “Thanks for the letter. Reading it now, back in 40 minutes or so. Why not have breakfast and get ready for the day? K.” then looked at the portal.
*flip*
She knocked on Heather’s door. “Morning, sleepyhead. Fresh food downstairs, if you’re there in 10 minutes.”
Nine and a half minutes later, just as she was serving fried eggs and bacon with French toast onto a plate, Heather skidded into the room. Heather never gained weight, because she never stopped moving. Nadine, who was more sedate, settled for a grapefruit, which rising temperatures now allowed to be grown locally.
Nadine: “I’ve received a letter from my Vessel. Want to listen to it?”
Heather, around a mouthful of bacon, “sure”
“Minion, start reading!” she put the crown on the table between them, admiring the sunrise.
> Dear Spirit Kafana,
>
> I've been learning from Vessel-Alderney how to make proper situation reports. Let's see if I can make this letter more organised. We're in the waning week of KrevinRacember.
>
> Morday wain:
>
> I came to, holding your letter, sitting alone on a rock by the river Tunita, way out beyond the city, the sights of battle all around me. And for some reason, I felt like jumping in the river. Luckily I read your letter instead, which was far more reassuring. So I tried playing your violin, and I felt a strange warmth moving around inside me. It wasn't unpleasant; from the mage books I'd flipped through, I guessed it was this "mana" they keep talking about. So I took out one book I remember mentioning that, and had a look at that chapter. This time, it made much more sense, and seemed more interesting. I carried on reading until the others came looking for me, and had a nice chat with Wellington about the effect the playing had had upon me. He drew a lot of symbols I didn't recognise on a writing pad, then asked me to play the tune again. Then he went back to drawing symbols again. I don't think I'll ever understand him. He's very different from Vessel-Wellington, who used to be a hunter until he got too old to keep up and found he couldn't support his family.
>
> Sorry I didn't try asking Cov for his help first, before playing the violin. I'm a little uncomfortable with the idea of doing Priestess-type things when I'm not the one recognised by Cov as a Priestess. If you don't mind, I'll stick to magic and combat. And maybe cooking? I never got to cook at the Villa, but I always admired the artistry of those who could do it well.
>
> On the way back to the city I noticed the party members were communicating with each other in some way that I couldn't hear, and I felt rather left out. So I asked! Wasn't that bold of me? Bulgaria explained that when Questing Spirits went up in level they could talk to a special servant of the deities called "System" who helped them pick whether they wanted to improve their strength or health or some other attribute. I explained that normal people just go to a Sanctum when it isn't busy and talk to the Voice of the Sanctum, but that the Voice will ask a child's parents or, failing that, the Sanctum Guardian, to confirm the child's choices are in the child's best interests. Bungo said he thought "Voice" and "System" were probably just different words referring to the same thing. Tomsk said the System can do a number of useful things, such as allowing chat over long distances, that people don't seem to use the Voice for. Wellington suggested I carry out an experiment, to see if Vessels can talk to System, and do so outside the Sanctum. He does like experiments, doesn't he?
>
> Well, it turns out that I can talk to System! They spent the rest of the walk showing me all sorts of new things. Spirit, I can't say this enough - it is FUN being your Vessel.
>
> Back at the Sanctum I saw Wellington had put an activity in the event queue to meet as a group and allocate stats, so I joined in. I argued that, if you were going to be doing lots of important cooking next visit, now was a good time to invest heavily in dexterity and intelligence. Tomsk said "go ahead", so I did. I asked System to increase your INT by 36, your MAG by 14, your DEX by 50 and your CON by 10. I hope that's ok? I had Wellington double check my numbers first, and he said I had made a good suggestion. I'm so proud of myself.
>
> Wellington put 10 into CON and a whole 100 into INT. He wrote some more symbols, then asked me to play again. He carried on writing symbols for a few minutes, looking satisfied and very intense, then departed for the spirit world without warning, leaving Vessel-Wellington not a clue what was going on. Oh dear. It is really not polite to do that.
>
> After all the Spirits had departed, I gathered everyone. I showed them my playing and explained that they too could use the magic and other skills of their Spirit. I've never seen Vessel-Tomsk so happy. He wanted to immediately go find Gregorio and try fighting him again. I then taught them all I'd learned about System, and we used one of the footballs that had been delivered to practice using the raid overlay. Vessel-Bulgaria is surprisingly good at both football and at learning things quickly. He didn't receive much appreciation before, and he really likes feeling useful and competent.
>
> Krevday wain:
>
> I got up early to go to the Sanctum library. I returned your books, and asked System what you'd be interested in reading next. System said it couldn't advise, but could read to me anything you’d previously said that seemed relevant. Based on that, I borrowed books on curing diseases, healing minds and one from the restricted section on resurrection. The librarian gave me a very grumpy look, but the Guardian's permission was on record, and she had to let me have it. I'll flick through them when I can.
>
> At breakfast I met Suor Isabella and thanked her. She laughed, and said the trick to getting on Constantia's good side is to provide her with coffee. She also said that now I was level 25 I should move up to being a journeyman. I demurred, saying I wasn't Cov's chosen and maybe she should tell you. She said Cov was always just, and would ensure no harm came from it if I accepted on your behalf. Well, put that way, what could I do? So I spent 2 of your skill points and you are now a journeyman Priestess. Um, congratulations, I hope?
>
> If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
>
> System immediately informed me that, now you're a journeyman, any of your skills that are level 10 or higher are eligible for upgrade, but I've no idea what you want done about that, so I'm leaving all that firmly to you. I warned the others, via chat, about getting pressured and we agreed that going to meet trainers would be useful, but to check with the group before doing anything irreversible; a bit like Voice checking with parents, come to think of it.
>
> After breakfast, Vessel-Alderney went off with Carlo. She said they were going to take turns chasing each other. The rest of us went to the Mage Tower. I met with Grand Master Water, who insisted I call him Captain Nafaro. He asked me some questions about the books I'd read, and grinned broadly when I told him about playing your violin to help learn things better. He personally took us all down to the great library, and insisted that I play your learning tune for everybody, then announced that he was promoting me to journeyman and did anybody have any objections? I asked the group in chat and they all agreed, so I spent two more skill points and you are now a journeyman mage too. Phew.
>
> I returned the books he'd lent you, and he asked what you'd like to study next. After consulting System, I suggested you were interested in methods of storing mana, the dynamics of casting as a group, the uses of harmonic resonance and the limitations of mind magic as it relates to knowledge held by Spirits that Cov forbids them to impart to the residents of Covob. I think I started him a bit, as he paused for quite a long moment before saying your learning buff was a pretty piece of work indeed. I ended with 5 more books. He said he added in "Hubris during the Aeon Portentis" as 'a cautionary tale', but I think he was pleased, because he gave me a ring from his own finger as an "apprenticeship completion gift" and said it was something he'd made when he grew tired of mana stones not being rechargeable.
>
> I flicked through the book about mind magic, while Vessel-Wellington practiced Bibliomancy. The students asked me, very politely, to keep the learning buff upon them maintained. I think you're quite popular with them. Your reputation is certainly increasing. Then Spirit-Wellington and Spirit-Bungo merged with their Vessels. The three of us went off to find Flavio, while Vessel-Bulgaria went to visit Comico and Vessel-Tomsk went to visit Lelio.
>
> I can see now why you ask me to flick through books. Apparently any book I flick through, Spirit-Wellington ends up knowing. What an amazing ability. Flavio asked me what you'd like as a thank you gift, and I suggested that anything which would help you heal Nicolo's mind would be greatly appreciated. Then he went off for a long chat with Wellington, while I read and Bungo wrote out the process for making something he called "Greek Fire" and another for something he called "He Liam Four Two".
>
> Later I met up with Gregorio and Vessel-Alderney for our regular wander around the town. Greg was very appreciative of the meal you prepared and we sat on the benches in the Plaza of Peace while he ate it, looking out at the ships. Thank you! I think tomorrow I will go to Columbina, and see if I can manage to cook him something myself.
>
> In the evening, we all practiced skills. I had System play back some more of your spells, so I could give them a go. Did you know you have an alter voice spell, that can be used to sing higher, talk in a male voice, or even disguise your voice to sound like someone else? Bulgaria and Alderney worked out how to combine their skills to create physical disguises, and the three of us put on a small performance. Tomsk had us look at the play you saw at Villa Landi. He wants to improve his drumming, and we're planning to put on a group performance of it, tomorrow evening, to thank the Sanctum for having us. Vessel-Alderney plans to make beach clothing for us tomorrow morning, based off Spirit-Alderney's sketches, and took everybody's measurements. She asked me to get Columbina's too. I've lent her some of my sewing stuff, and Vessel-Wellington drew some rune patterns he thought would be fun to add to them. Can you ask Spirit-Wellington about runes for the gift to Alderney?
>
> Droday wain:
>
> I dropped by the Speckled Dove. Columbina is quite intimidating, isn't she? She didn't say a word while I was explaining who I was, and that I wanted to do some cooking. She just gestured for me to go ahead, and then watched me like a hawk. When I was finished she took a piece, and it was like waiting for Judge Tartaglia to decide whether or not to put you in the wet stocks. The only thing she said, the entire time, was:
>
> "Each recipe is a story that you tell, in which the ingredients are your protagonists. To use each one to its fullest, you must take the time needed to get to know them. So don't choose too many. Each one should fill a necessary role in the story, and be presented as best it can to fit that role. Cooking good food, like writing a good story, cannot be rushed. It takes as long as it should take; no more, no less."
>
> In the afternoon we met up for play rehearsals, and to sort through the loot gained from ghouls, bandits and various quest rewards. A runner from the Mage Tower brought over an enchanted purple gemstone for you and an embroidered pillow for Vessel-Wellington. I've asked System to keep track of it all in a shared document.
>
> The play was a success, especially using the voice alteration to generate impressive voices for each deity. We seem to have gained in the group performance skill. I plan to go to bed early, to give you plenty of time to dream. I wish the other Spirits would be a bit more thoughtful. Vessel-Bungo suggested that if Spirits add items to the timer schedule, saying when they plan to visit and what they plan to do, we could take that into account and be in an appropriate place at the right time. Vessel-Tomsk suggested some mixed combat exercises should be scheduled, involving Spirits and Vessels practicing coordinating with each other, more as a means to get to know each other better, than as a precaution.
>
> What do you think?
>
> Love,
>
> Vessel Kafana
“Wow”, said Heather. “Mine never writes anything like that. I’m glad they like you and tolerate us. Otherwise we’d see bloody handed revolt, with our skill points allocated as apprenticeships in toilet cleaning, and waking up chained in a dungeon. We should definitely make time for those joint practice sessions they suggested.”
They finished up, and Kafana looked at the pile of dirty plates with distaste.
Heather: “You know, I had an idea last night about cleaning bots, after having talked with your regulars. What if I gave them a feeling of ownership, by making bots in the shapes of local legendary creatures? Not the nasty ones like Drekavats. I was thinking more along the lines of a tiny flying Vilenjak to clean things, a larger flying Gamayun to deliver things, and maybe a Patuljak to make things and a Lesnik to herd animals and clear away land mines?”
Nadine: “Hmm, maybe give them a bit of personality, like singing or swearing depending upon their mood, scolding leaving dirty footprints on a newly cleaned floor, responding well to respectful words and token bribes? Don’t make them unwittingly obedient or impartially benevolent; around here that’s far too suspicious. Above all, don’t make them displace humans doing stuff that makes them feel useful or that they get paid for. Don’t make bots that are too general or too useful. Have them do the things that don’t get done. Like a cleaning bot that only cleans dust in dark cramped places such as behind furniture.”
Heather: “Interesting restrictions. I’ll ask the other Wombles for help. Would it be ok to use the psychological model built up by the security database to predict what will go down well?”
Nadine: “Slippery slope. I thought we were only going to use that to protect my safety?”
Heather: “Data is data. Once collected, there are so many possible uses. They’ll benefit from having these robots around.”
Nadine: “I’d still prefer them to be making an informed decision, rather than manipulating them.”
Heather: “Is it manipulation, to try to make a gift you think the recipient will like?”
Nadine: “Let’s compromise. Tell Bahrudin this afternoon that you want to make something that fits the sensibilities of true Bosnians, and ask him if it would be ok for you to use your observations of him and his fellows as a baseline for predicting what would be fitting.”
Heather giggled. “I’m half expecting an announcement from System awarding you a title for giving a judgement worthy of Solomon the Wise.”
Nadine: “The game does get to you, doesn’t it? Let’s go log in.”