It’s always a bit intimidating being summoned before the boss. I thought I’d been desensitized enough over the years with it happening to me but all that experience kinda goes out the window when your boss literally towers over you. Not to mention what would only be a mild glare on a human face, looked like a premeditated homicide on Grima’s. “Well?” He said gruffly.
“I take full responsibility for my tardiness sir.” I said evenly. Clamping down on my nervousness. My eyes very focused on a small crack on the floor next to my boots. “It won’t happen again.”
There was a beat of silence that stretched a few seconds too long for my frayed nerves. Was he still glaring? Was this a disappointed silence or an angry silence?
“What the fuck are you talking about Kincaid.” Grima said animatedly. “You’re bleeding, you look like shit, you- ugh!” Grima winced waving a hand in the air. “You smell like shit too and you still came to work? Fuck me, I wish I had ten of you!”
My head snapped up in surprise. I think my brain even short circuited for a second. The thing was way more used to processing insults rather than compliments. “You’re not… mad?” I said still confused.
“Kincaid.” Grima leveled his gaze at me. “Just because I cut the hearts out of monsters for a living doesn’t mean I’m a heartless wolf. Now get in here and get something on that shoulder.” He said gesturing to the back of his shop.
I actually felt a little choked up at that. A boss who didn’t immediately come down on me for my mistakes and was understanding enough to not be bothered by unforeseen circumstances? Did I accidentally walk through the Pearly Gates on my way to work? Was this heaven?
“Oi.” Grima said. “Stop looking at me like that. If you want a hug, find it somewhere else.”
“You got it boss.” I said smiling. The next few minutes involved me doing some basic first aid on myself. Disinfecting my shoulder and wrapping a large bandage around it. It was kinda sloppy but it would do until I got back to Gregor’s apartment. Grima offered to help but said he was awful at working on things that required fine detail. Considering he’d chosen a profession that required freakish strength and giant cleavers. I was inclined to believe him.
During the whole time I was wrapping myself up I explained what happened to Grima. How I’d accidentally fallen in on a mugging in progress and made my escape. I said I’d hidden in a pile of trash but just left it at that. No reason to admit I’d almost lost my mind covered in garbage.
Once I’d finished my story Grima huffed and shook his head. “Damn Maulers. I’m glad you’re alright, it’s just hard enough as it is making a living in the city without hearing about our own turning on each other. Wasn’t always like that but…” Grima shrugged his huge shoulders, looking more disappointed than I’ve ever seen him. “Times change.”
“What do you mean? The Maulers are just another gang right?” I asked. They sure seemed like a gang. I doubted mugging was the kind of thing social clubs got into.
The wolf frowned at my answer. Seeming to weigh something in his mind before turning to me. “How much do you know about all this?” Grima said waving a hand around him. “About the reasons some of us Beast folk settled in High Water in the first place?”
“Honestly.” I said measuredly before deciding now was the time to be truthful. “Almost nothing.”
“Hmh. Least you’re honest. Where to start then. Well…” Grima began. Gathering himself. “Beast folk history is, at the risk of sounding blunt, pretty damn bloody. That was true before the Crossing, during the Crossing, and even after. Though to a bit of a lesser extent these days.”
“It can’t be that bad.” I said with a smile. Trying to be positive. But Grima just looked at me pointedly with a raised brow, as my expression slowly fell. “Right?”
“Kincaid. Do you know what we call this world in our own tongue?”
“Yeah.” I said nodding. Thinking back to my talks with Gregor. “Its Non-Huada.”
“That’s right. Non-Huada. Not. Home.” Grima said softly. Staying silent for a long moment before he sighed. His tone more somber now. “That’s because the first of our people to arrive here through the Crossing’s gate were forced to. There was a great war on our world back then, the kind that doesn’t end until the other side stops existing.” Grima’s eyes had a far away look to them. Seeing something that only he could see. “The tribes that were losing, our ancestors. Were driven to the brink of destruction before the gate appeared. It opened up right before them, in their last stronghold. A whole new world opening up before them in their time of need. You want to know what they did when they saw that gate?” Grima said looking at me tiredly.
I shook my head in silence. Not wanting to interrupt. I’d been curious about the Crossings ever since Gregor gave me the short version but hearing it from Grima was completely different. It had been ancient history to Gregor, almost mythical in the way he talked about it. But Grima spoke about it as if it was too real, too painful.
“They ran from it like their lives depended on it. As if going through would doom their souls. Never to reunite with their ancestors again.” Grima said heavily.
Silence reigned in the shop as I absorbed that. “Why?” I couldn’t help the question slip out. I must have been missing something. Why wouldn’t people flee to a place ancient humans had declared their own promised land?
“Because magic is an evil thing.” Grima said plainly. “I know that may not be the case for it here. Shit, some of my best cleavers have Sigs on ‘em. But our magic? The old ways…” Grima shook his head. “Every spell is paid in blood. In lives born and bred to be sacrificed to the strongest to make them stronger. Our ancestors were part of a rebellion against the great War Chiefs. Former slaves and sacrifices banding together against a common enemy.” Grima huffed. “They failed obviously. Otherwise we wouldn’t be talking right now.”
“Anyways. The War Chiefs saw the Crossing’s gate as a sign from their gods to banish their enemies. So that’s what they did.” Grima said his hands clasped together as his expression tightened. “Gathered us up like cattle and forced us kicking and screaming through the gate. That would have been… about two hundred? Yes. Almost two hundred years ago now.” Grima said sadly.
I opened and shut my mouth as I failed to think of anything to say at that. I’d been ripped away from Earth, sure. That was one thing. But what was it like to know your ancestors had been cast out from your own home world? Leaving you stranded without any hope of returning? I may not have had any strong feelings of returning to Earth but at least I still had my memories of it. As much as I disliked how life there had chewed me up and spit me out. Living there had made me who I was. I was an Earthling first and foremost. With interdimensional traveler coming in at a distant second.
I couldn’t imagine what Grima must have felt. What all his people must have felt. Longing for a home they’d never know.
“Well shit. There I go getting sidetracked again.” Grima said standing, looking embarrassed. “I have a bad habit of going off when I hear other people say Non-Huada. Sorry about that. I don’t even think I answered your question.”
“No really, it’s okay.” I said quickly. “Thanks for telling me that. I-I didn’t know any of that.”
“Well… thanks for not interrupting an old wolf.” Grima said with a cough as his old vigor returned. “Your were asking if the Maulers were a gang right? When they started they weren’t. They were fighters set up in illegal matches in the city’s underground. Drew big crowds from people who’d never seen Beast folk before. After a while those fighters started working together to improve the lives of regular Beast folk in the city. Working as protection, guards, you get the picture. Eventually, as old fighters passed and new people took over the Maulers started asking for coin for their protection. More and more favors from their own kind until they started taking what they wanted by force.”
“That’s what they did to me a while back.” Grima grimaced. “Wanted more from me than I could give. Wouldn’t leave me alone till I got in touch with the Shieldguard for help. That’s when I met Gregor. He really helped me out of a bind back then.”
“They’re that bad?” I said looking at Grima unbelievably. “You look like you could eat the goons I fought for breakfast. I’m sure you could take some in a fight.”
Grima smiled. “Thanks for the compliment. But no, I wouldn’t win a fight against anyone with a decently leveled Class.” Grima pointed offhandedly towards me. “That’s probably what saved you today. Those Maulers you fought were likely some initiates that were still Unawakened.”
“Wait.” I said stunned. “They were Unawakened!” I’d been scarred shitless during that fight. That panther had moved like he’d had a Dex stat almost equal to mine. And that Bear had almost brained me with a massive plank of wood that I would have barely been able to lift myself. You’re telling me that those levels of strength and speed were natural?! “They didn’t have Classes?” I sputtered. Still trying to comprehend that fact.
The idea of not having a Class. Even after such a short amount of time was almost impossible to comprehend. Even if my own Class had given me more than a few major problems and setbacks I don’t think I could give it up if I had the chance. The Skills, the Abilities, and Attributes all of it was a part of me now. So deeply ingrained I didn’t even see them as seperate from myself anymore.
Grima barked a laugh. “Don’t look so shocked. Didn’t you hear me earlier? Magic, any kind of magic. Is almost completely taboo to us. It’s been hundreds of years since our Crossing and even then I’d consider it amazing that even a few Beast folk take Classes of their own. Fear of magic runs deep in our culture. Down to the bone.” Grima tapped his temple with a clawed finger. “Even though I know in my mind that the magic of the Akashic or your Sigmata are completely different from the old ways that ruined our world, in here?” He tapped his heart. Shrugging with a slight smile. “I just can’t bring myself to do it. It’s why other Beast folk and I mainly work the more physical, dirty jobs.”
Grima smiled. “Not that your magically granted Skill makes you as good as me. You’ve got a ways to go before you get to my level. Even if I don’t have levels.” Grima said chuckling.
I thought back to the time I’d washed up in that warehouse after jumping into the Skystream. The first time I’d seen Beast folk working most were just moving crates. Even thinking back to the one that had cast the Identify spell on me. It had been with a scroll. Not some ability or magic of his own. Him and all the rest of those wolves working the docks probably hadn’t had Classes either.
I was brought out of my reverie by Grima coming up to me and, to my surprise. Offered me one of his slightly less huge cleavers. “What’s this?” I asked.
“Something to get you started.” Grima said as I hesitantly took the thing. Grimacing a bit at the weight of the thing. It looked like it had come straight out of a horror movie.
“I’ve got some extra slabs of lower quality meat that I planned on mincing for slop. The kind that gets fed to pack animals and the like. Should help you get your knife skills up till you can work the good stuff.” Grima turned grabbing his own cleavers as he made to walk away before looking at me pointedly. “Only the lower quality meat. Got it?”
I smiled back at Grima and nodded. “I’ll get right on it boss.”
The slabs of meat were set apart from the ones Grima spent most of his time working on. I know he’d called them lower quality meat but I honestly couldn't tell the difference between these slabs and the ones Grima was currently mincing into neat pieces. I mentally traced the cuts I would have to make and how I’d work on those smaller pieces as I laced the apron around my waist. Tying it tight before getting to work. Small Blades coming to life in my head as the Skill helped me improve my grip on the cleaver and draw the blade through my cuts to get through the tough meat.
I was content to work like that for a while until a disgusted voice spoke behind me.
Useless.
“Who-” I said turning around. But there wasn’t anyone behind me.
This is useless. It said accusingly. My Skills are wasted here, because of your pathetic weakness. It snarled. There was only a half a heartbeat of confusion before I reached for my Skill.
Intangible Aegis!
Instantly I brought back the barrier in my mind. Ready for any kind of attack on my mind again. Bracing myself for Rykas to pound into my mental defenses again. But… there was no attack. Mocking laughter boomed in my mind as I heard and even felt the amused derision from my unwanted headmate.
What were you expecting? Some mindless beast that will endlessly hurl itself against your defenses until it breaks through? No, no, no. He glared at me. Even without a body or any way for me to perceive it I felt it like it was a physical thing. The quiet anger and hatred in it making the hairs rise up on the back of my neck. As much as it pains me to see my body’s potential wasted. I will wait and bide. Until I can take what is rightfully mine.
“Your-” I had felt an actual moment of relief at the lack of another mental assault on my mind, but once the verbal assault registered in my head my blood almost boiled.
“You’re body?” I hissed. The thing was talking about my body like it was already his. Like I was the one who stole it from him! “You little piece of shit! I outta-”
“Oi!” I heard Grima shout across the room startling me as I turned to him. He was looking at me with a weird expression on his face.
“I realize slicing through giant cuts of meat might be difficult for most people but please.” He said with a pained expression. “Keep your frustration to yourself. Nobody wants to hear you insulting the beef.”
Oh shit, had all that been out loud? My cheeks glowing red from anger at Rykas and embarrassment I managed to get out an apology to Grima before turning back to work. Deciding to ignore Rykas entirely as I focused on my slicing and dicing. Something that he just couldn’t allow.
I shall wait in the hallowed recesses of your thoughts until I can strike when you are weakest. When you are most vulnerable. Rykas threatened.
I just kept swinging at the giant slab of beef as I frowned. If he wanted to keep talking fine. I knew how to shut down his type. If there was one skill I excelled at more than anything else, it was annoying people. So I decided to drown out the madman’s words with my own. Just keep swinging, just keep swinging. Yup, I’m just gonna keep swinging. I sang with false cheer internally as I ignored him. Trying not to sweat as I felt the monster’s ire grow.
You cannot ignore me Kincaid! Your basic mind could never-
Oh! Ninety nine giant slabs of beef on the wall! Ninety nine giant slabs of beef! You cut one down, dice it around. Ninety eight giant slabs of beef of the wall!
You simpleminded curr! Stop your infernal attempts at wordplay at once! I command you!
Fa la la la la, la la la fuck you.
You insolent SWINE! Rykas snarled. All that talk earlier about biding his time and waiting for an opening to take my body again, apparently for nothing. I felt Rykas hurl his will against my mind again but this time I was more than ready. Now that I was aware of his presence, not running for my life, or panic buying Skills. I managed to shut him out before he even got close. I’d used Thought Sculptor to quickly make my shield the first time, but now I was much more deliberate. Rather than form the single shield I built up a wall around my mind.
Slipping into Thought Acceleration a bit easier now that I wasn’t on the verge of panic and losing my sanity. With Thought Sculptor as my guide I built up a new defensive barrier for Intangible Aegis. Brick by brick I stacked it higher and higher around my thoughts. Until I was surrounded by my very own mental Fort Knox.
Ha! I mentally shouted out my triumph as I sheltered behind my wall. I would have loved to shout down at Rykas from the top of the wall but he was honestly still terrifying to me. It was hard enough maintaining my false bravado before him. I could still feel him though. Almost too clearly for my liking. He was prowling outside the wall of my mind. Like a lion itching to get at the meal just outside its cage.
Stolen story; please report.
Have you ever had to work right next to someone who hated you? This was kinda like that. Only, instead of passive aggressiveness. There was only the pure unmitigated aggression of someone who would murder me without hesitation if given the chance…
Wait, that was kinda like Earth actually. Man that’s just depressing.
I kept up my cuts on the meat slab until I finally had enough carved away to start dicing up the strips into smaller and smaller portions. It was supposed to be animal feed and simple to do. But keeping an eye on the cuts I was making and the enraged mind virus in my head was making that difficult.
Then as I was making a good cut for once Rykas stopped pacing around my mental shield and spoke up in my mind. And I did not like the tone of his voice at all. Ah… Most intriguing. I had been curious about that.
What? I snapped. Trying to hurl my own negative vibes at Rykas in return before I felt where his attention was focused. What do you want with my Skills? Go away and haunt someone else.
Your Skills? No, not quite. I heard him say with an unnerving level of happiness. Your Skills are my Skills Kincaid. Your Class, is my Class. Your powers… are mine!
I knew I’d built up my wall high around my mind and I knew for a fact that included where my Class and all its Skills resided. But somehow, to my horror. I felt a tug on my Class. A tug that pulled hard on a single ability in particular.
No! I felt Psychometry spin up in my mind as Rykas tried to activate the Spell Splinter. I knew exactly why too. Psychometry was exactly what had broken down the walls of my mind enough to let in Rykas in the first place. The status condition I had now was called Psych Spliced. It had been holding steady at “Lesser” when looking into the severity of the condition. But I knew that would change if I let Psychometry activate again.
In the physical world I held completely still as my mind fought Rykas for control of the Spell Splinter. I fought but, he had caught me by surprise it was already too far along. Before I could think to let go of the cleaver in my hand Psychometry got a hold of it.
“-Or what? You’ll make an example of me? One more reason for the rest of the Murk district to fear the Maulers?” I glared at the Bear. My grip on the cleaver tightening as I stared back at her and her goons. Even knowing it wouldn’t make a difference against multiple people with classes it was a small comfort. Her eyes glowed blue with power, as hard as the ice that slowly formed on her claws. “Grima…” She said. Her tone pleading as she visibly calmed herself. “Come back to us. The Maulers are still fighting to hold our place in the city. We need warriors like you.” I turned and held her gaze. Before I spoke evenly. “And if I refuse?”
I jolted out of Grima’s memory as I wrestled for control of Psychometry. I threw aside any thoughts about lingering on the meaning of the memory as I gave my status condition a quick glance to confirm that my Psych Spliced condition hadn’t immediately deteriorated. But I could tell that any more activations of Psychometry risked the worst happening.
Let… Go! I said as my body shivered with the effort, even though the strain was mental and not physical. I tried hitting Rykas with Intangible Aegis but it wasn’t working. The Skill wasn’t supposed to be an attack, it was a barrier and Rykas wasn’t even trying to break down my defenses like he had before. He was connected to my Class’s Ability like I was. As impossible as that felt and sounded. I gathered up my will, my resolve, my determination. And pulled hard on Psychometry enough to yank control of it out of Rykas’s hands but not before one last-
“That’s the gist of it.” I spat a glob of blood out as I looked over the ruined shop. The broken windows and glass on the street just a hint of the destruction that lay inside. I felt the cleaver at my side, wincing a bit at the pain but glad to have something survive this disaster. Even if it wasn’t one of he better cleavers I’d owned. “I am sorry sir. Truly.” The Shieldguard said. Suprising Grima with his earnest tone as he held out a healing potion. “I’ll do what I can to help. No matter what the Syndicate does.” He said as I reached for the potion. “My name is Geregor Osman. But you can call me Gregor.”
Rykas retreated again into the depths of my mind as I stood still and breathed heavily. The lingering sense of his victory enough to leave a bad taste in my mouth. How had he even done what he had done? That shouldn’t have been possible. My Class, my Skills were mine and mine alone… right?
As much as it disturbed me, I touched upon the memories of when Rykas had control of my body in the Blackwater hideout. He had used Skills then. My own Sneak and Small Blades. Worse, he had been able to use my own Skill points to buy new Subskills and upgrades. It wasn’t a huge leap of logic for him to be able to access my Class’s ability too. As terrifying as that was. I’d have to keep a constant grip on Psychometry so Rykas never got a chance to activate it again. My Psych Spliced condition was holding steady at Lesser but I could feel it was way too close to tipping into the next level of severity.
And then there was, wait. What?
[Small Blades has increased from level 2 to 3]
[You have 5 Skill points available]
I stared at the Skill up in disbelief. I hadn’t been close to a Skill up once I’d started cutting up the beef. So it must have happened during my struggle with Rykas. But the only thing I’d used then was my Psychometry. I couldn’t just gain levels in Skills by touching objects with Psychometry could I? Right?
Instantly my inner gamer came alive at the thought of using an exploit to rise in Skill levels. I was going to touch knives, all the knives! And if I did that then…
My jubilation at the thought of instant power ups died pretty quick as my shoulders sagged. I could do that, sure. But that was exactly what Rykas needed to get control of my body. Power ups at the cost losing my body completely. Gee, what a sweet deal. Actually... maybe I could-
Nope! I threw away the thought before it could gain any traction. There be dragons down that line of thinking. And even if there was some way to use that cheat effectively, let’s be real. I know me. I’d fuck it up somehow. Probably add a whole insane asylum’s worth of stabby madmen to my brain in the process.
“Toby!” I head Grima call me from across the room. Breaking me out of my musings of cheating to get absolute power as I turned to him. “We’ve got a customer out front picking up an order.” He pointed to a wrapped square of meat that was probably as big around as my torso. “Take that out to her will you?”
“No problem!” I called back. Glad my voice had none of the shakiness I was feeling after another mental battle for my existence. I started to move towards the order when Grima held out a hand looking me up and down. “Are you alright Kincaid? You look a bit off.” he said concerned.
“I ah…” I stalled as I searched for an excuse. Still reeling from the experience of fighting Rykas off and my Psychometry giving me a glimpse of Grima doing… What exactly? Defecting? Had he been part of the Maulers at one point? Was that why he’d looked so down when he’d talked about them? I’d chalked that up to his mood after talking about his people’s Crossing. “I got dexterity, you know.” I said smiling, keeping the rest of my face blank of my new revelation about my boss and rolling my shoulder. “Not exactly the best for endurance and cutting huge slabs of meat.”
“Hm.” Grima said. “If you say so. Don’t over do it alright? I don’t have the budget for healing potions if you hurt yourself.” He said.
I laughed but it wasn’t a joke apparently. Grima was still looking seriously at me. After an awkward back and forth on safety and caution in the art of butchery I went to the order and heaved the slab of meat onto my shoulder. Grimacing a bit at the weight of it. Dexterity might have given me the muscles of a super hero but I was built for speed, not deadlifting. Wobbling a little as I readjusted my balance I made my way to the front. Turning sideways to make it through the door.
“Got your order here!” I said with my best customer service voice as I turned and saw the customer, or rather customers, in full.
“Firefox?” I said. Surprised.
It was definitely the same kid I’d sat next to during the Awakening ceremony. And now that I knew for sure he wasn’t part of some elaborate hallucination on my part. I felt kinda bad my first impulse was to name him after a web browser. He’d been staring around the shop looking bored, while an older fox Beast folk. His mother? Looked up at my approach. Her expression quizzical before recognition lit up her eyes. Had she seen me at the Awakening? Oh shit.
“You!” She said looking panicked as I Immediately tried to defuse the situation. Which was already difficult without the giant block of meat I had to balance on my shoulder.
“Okay wait! I can explain!” I said with a bit of strain in my voice. This order was really way too heavy for me.
By this time Firefox had realized who the commotion was about and stepped back in shock. “Ah! Its the super bad evil guy!”
“I’m really not. Just give me a chance to-”
“I’ll save you Mom!” The little runt said as he lifted his hands above his head like he was channeling Goku making a Spirit Bomb. A ball of water rapidly forming out of the air. The kid’s face was a mix of strain and effort, like making that water basketball was the toughest thing in the world.
“Nyah!” He shouted as the water ball was thrown. It covered the gap in a painfully slow arc. Seeming to hang in the air at its apex for a split second before falling towards my head.
I watched the ball make its way towards my head. I could have tried to move out of the way. But the thought of dropping the order held me back. I liked Grima and hated the thought of messing up his hard work. As well as the absurd thought that letting the kid get me with his water basketball felt like a good way of evening the score between us. Even if I was the only one keeping track of the score. I had more thoughts, but the only thing I managed to get out as the water ball hit my head was “Blegh!”
The water drenched me almost completely and left me sopping wet. The rest of it pooling into a puddle at my feet. Now, as someone who mopped these floors recently and knew exactly how slippery they could be when wet. So it didn’t surprise me in the least when I lost my footing and slipped. I could have recovered. Five Dexterity and Acrobatics did a damn fine job of helping me keep my balance. But with the slab of meat on my shoulder I was unwilling to let fall onto the floor. Well. You know... I fell.
It was a pretty graceful fall if I say so myself but with the wrapped meat currently pressing down on my chest I don’t think anyone would’ve agree with me.
“Pyga! Get away from him!” The mother said as she took a firm grip of Firefox’s- er Pyga’s wrist and pulled him back. I tried to come up with some kind of rational defense for myself but only managed a wheezy “Ow.”
Grima, bless his heart. Barged onto the scene ready for action and was momentarily lost for words. There was a Beast folk mother in the corner of the shop, holding her dazed child protectively as she glared at the crumpled heap of his employee splayed on the ground in a puddle. Gripping an order that was supposed to go out with both arms wrapped around it, looking way too resigned and accepting of this situation.
“What is all this supposed to be?” He said exasperated as his gaze went from me to his customers. Searching for an answer as he realized there were no immediate threats.
Fox mom pointed a finger at me accusingly. “Grima! This man is a member of the Syndicate. He’s a Rogue! Call the Shieldguard!”
“I got him…” Pyga said, looking more than a little woozy. As he teetered on his feet. His mom held her son worriedly as her attention shifted. “Pyga! What did I say about avoiding mana deprivation!”
“Let’s just all calm down for a bit.” Grima said as he waved a hand and walked over to me. Picking up the order crushing my chest and holding it underarm like it was just an extra large loaf of bread. Using his other arm to grab me and haul me to my feet with a mildly disturbing amount of ease.
“This.” He said laying a palm over my soaked head for emphasis. “Is my employee Toby. I know he’s a Rogue. And- Yes, I see that concerns you Falisa. But I know a Shieldguard I trust who vouches for him. He’s trying to turn his life around and everything I’ve seen from him so far is enough for me to trust him.”
“But- I saw him…” Falisa started but Grima held up his hands pleadingly.
“Please. If you trust me at all. Extend that trust to this human.”
Falisa’s gaze was locked on me for a frightening moment until, to my surprise, she seemed to force herself to take a breath and calm down. I’d figured I’d have to make a run for the door or something. “Of course I trust you Grima. I just…” She started before she had to shift to keep Pyga from dropping to the floor. His eyes fully closed now and softly snoring. “Oh Pyga.” She said tiredly. “This is the third time this week he’s done this.”
Grima sighed and turned to me. “I’ve got a chair in the back. Could you grab it?”
I wiped some of the weird tasting water off my face before nodding to Grima. “Sure.” I said a bit worn at the situation. I was just glad I wouldn’t have to do any more panicked running today. I returned quickly with the chair, which Pyga was promptly plopped in as he dozed as we waited for his mana to start regenerating.
“This happened before?” Grima said as he looked Pyga over. And Falisa, who still seemed rather warry of me, nodded as she looked at her slumbering child. Her gaze softening as she spoke. “He’s been practicing so much since his Awakening. I’ve told him to be careful and take it slowly but Pyga can’t help it.” She turned to Grima, her expression downcast. “You know how hard it’s been Grima. We’ve been doing as well as we can but we’re all hurting for water.”
I’d been intending to keep out of the conversation. but the words slipped out as my head wrapped around her last sentence. “You don’t have water?” I asked bewildered. That couldn’t be right. There was water everywhere in the city. There was a giant frickn’ river of the stuff acting as a magic freeway that ran through the city.
Falisa glared at me like I was trying to rub something in but Grima held up a hand placatingly towards her as he addressed me. “I take it you’re new to High Water Kincaid?”
“Yeah, actually.” I said. Glad I could actually say the full truth for once. Even if it did leave out the crazy bits. “I only arrived a little while ago.”
“Have you noticed that the Skystream doesn’t extend into the Murk District?”
I frowned. “It doesn’t? Really?” I said but I was already thinking back to the part of the Skystream I’d rode into the edge of the Murk District to that one warehouse. I hadn’t paid much attention at the time with the panic and all. But I distinctly remembered not seeing any more parts of the Skystream wind into the Murk District. Any that did ended near the edge of the place.
“Really.” Grima confirmed. “And we can get water. The process is just… complicated.”
Falisa snorted. Her expression stormy. “That’s certainly one way to put it.” She said crossing her arms. “Overpriced by the city and the little bit we do have access to is controlled by the Maulers. Without any of the internal plumbing everyone else gets. I hate it.” She said forcefully.
I was a bit stunned at the outburst. And even more so at the truth of their situation. “But why? That’s terrible! What reason do they have to deny you access to water?”
This time Falisa and Grima turned to me and stared pointedly. Falisa, like I was more than a few crayons short of a playset. And Grima like he had learned I had an unfortunate head injury as a child that results in episodes of severe stupidity.
“Toby…” Grima said slowly. “I hate to break it to you. But most humans aren’t fond of Beast folk. Very not fond, if you catch my meaning.”
Oh. Oh.
I actually spun up Thought Acceleration to take a moment and mentally smack my head into Intangible Aegis. Holy shit, I must have been high on something strong because that was way too big an overlook on my part. Of course there’s a stigma against Beast folk! I’m human, I should absolutely know this, because humans would absolutely do that. Other world or no, humans would ostracize any other group different from themselves. Granted I’ve been too busy trying to stay alive to notice the deeper stuff happening around me and also not get mind murdered by a dead psychopath, but still.
I combed my memory for every interaction I had with Beast folk and it was so obvious it was embarrassing. Pyga getting the stink eye from the Priest during his Awakening, the wolves at the warehouse in tarnished dirty clothes getting yelled at by a human boss, even the mugging I’d stumbled on. That wolf had been wearing some sleek threads. Had he been working for a human merchant? Was that why he’d been targeted by Maulers in the first place?
“I’m sorry.” I said truthfully. “I ah- I can be a bit of a spaz sometimes.”
“Forget it. It’s fine.” Falisa said. Turning to crouch in front of Pyga as he stirred awake.
I bit my lip. Now really feeling like an asshole. Was that really all I had to offer? Just a weak ass apology for not realizing how much people were suffering here? I racked my brain for something I might be able to do to help in some way. And I actually thought of something. Something that might actually be a good idea.
I hunted around for a scrap of paper to write on and managed to find one with some charcoal next to it and started sketching. Falisa was worrying over Pyga and I had a moment to get out everything that seemed most important. I made my way back to them and tried a different approach.
“Hey listen. I know its not much but I hope this helps.” I said earnestly. Handing the paper to Falisa as Pyga watched me warily. “That should be a good amount to work from to help with some water magic practice.”
Falisa turned the page over and looked at everything there. “What is this?” She said. Not looking impressed at all.
“A water molecule.” I said lamely. And I noticed Falisa visibly stiffen at my words. I even felt Grima do the same behind me. Oh man, did I mess up again? Despite the pit in my stomach I barreled on. Forcing a smile on my face as I tried to explain. “There’s just some basic facts about water on there. Nothing fancy, just a little water cycle diagram. Water’s freezing points and boiling points in Fahrenheit and Celsius. I just thought… maybe?” I said trailing off as I waited for any kind of answer to my poor attempt at a peace offering.
Oh damnit! I thought furiously at myself. Did I actually just use Fahrenheit and Celsius in another world and expect people to understand what I’m saying? God! I must be the dumbest-
“You…” Falisa began. And I heard something that hadn’t been in her voice before. Something that left a quaver to her tone. “You know these things? You know how to train water based Classes?” She said looking straight at me.
“I…” I tried to speak. I’d meant to tell her that I shouldn’t be giving anybody tips on Class abilities. That I was the last person she’d want to teach anybody. But the look in her eyes froze the words in my throat. There was a shine in her eyes that could only be the result of unshed tears. She was looking at me like… Like someone lost at sea who’d just been thrown a lifeline.
I took a step back with my hands up. “I’m not really-”
“Please!” Falisa said. A desperate hope to her eyes as she moved towards me. “I don’t have much but I can pay you! And Pyga is a hard worker. Whatever training or tests you give him he’ll be a good student. I swear it.” She said passionately.
“What!” Pyga said. Sounding utterly horrified. “I’m don’t wanna learn anything from a super bad evil-”
“Pyga.” Falisa said with gritted teeth as she rounded on her son. Who gulped audibly at his mother’s fierce gaze. His ears going flat on his head as she spoke. “Apologize to the nice man. He’s given you a great gift. One that most people can’t afford.” She said in that no nonsense tone that apparently every mother knew, no matter the species or dimension.
“Yes mom.” Pyga said with a quick nod. As he addressed me with his eyes staring straight into the puddle on the floor instead of my face. “I’m sorry for calling you evil.”
“It’s fine.” I said. More than a bit overwhelmed at the lady’s reaction.
“So you’ll teach him?” She said hopefully.
Let me tell you. I tried to say no. This was a terrible idea. I don’t know magic! I mean, yeah. I can cast magic. But the little bit I actually did figure out how to cast has done nothing to help me. Well, I did accidentally gain a level in Small Blades by holding a cleaver. So that’s something. Almost worth the cost of getting a homicidal brain buddy.
Ok, not really but it helps me cope.
But the idea of actually doing some good stuck in my head. And, bonus! This would be something good I could do that wouldn’t be life threatening for a change. It wouldn’t hurt to just share what I know. Even if it was just what I learned in High School Science there must be something there that can help.
“Alright.” I said caving in to peer pressure. “I may not be able to do much but I’ll try.”
“Oh thank you!” Falisa said. Shocking me with a hug that completely took me by surprise. She let go almost immediately but I was still left dazed as she rounded up Pyga, bid farewell to Grima as he handed them their almost forgotten order, and set a time for me to head over to her place to give Pyga his first lesson the day after tomorrow.
I was staring at the door they’d just left. Feeling a weird mix of apprehension, responsibility, and some other emotion that fluttered in my chest. I was so out of it I didn’t notice Grima next to me until he placed a hand on my shoulder.
“That was a good thing you did.” Grima said sounding pleased. “They’re good folk those two. You’re doing them a big favor helping them out with this.”
“Yeah, well. I don’t mind.” I said shrugging. Finding to my surprise that I meant it. I hadn’t been meaning to when I started that day but I apparently started a side hustle in addition to my job.
“Say Grima.” I said turning to him. Trying not to shiver as much as my body wanted to with my soaking wet clothes and hair. “Do you have any towels? I’d rather not air dry inside a chilled meat locker.” I said half seriously.