Chapter 19

The rest of the day passed uneventfully, but not without its challenges. Maka remained unconscious, and his family stayed close by. Kyaro had to leave several times to attend to town business, including meeting with the festival organizers and ensuring that the town was safe and secure. His mother Jenba and sister Kija remained vigilant, watching over Maka and praying for his recovery.

Harlow and Lennard used the downtime to restock their supplies. They knew that the harvest festival would bring a large influx of people to town, and they wanted to be prepared for any medical emergencies. Lennard made hourly checks on Maka's wound, watching for any sign of infection. After several hours, the bleeding finally slowed down, and Lennard was able to loosely cover the wound.

Mika had also stayed most of the day. Harlow had told Lennard of his epiphany regarding Mika and Maka's love for each other. There were no obvious signs of them having performed The Bonding, but the possibility of them attempting and it working improperly was still a concern for both of them.

Lennard could tell that Jenba was aware of the feelings between her son and Mika, but her current worries were for the life-and-death struggle her son was going through, not his possible romantic relationship. She sat by his side, holding his hand and whispering words of encouragement.

Near evening, Neko arrived to take his sister home. He told Lennard that he had planned to begin construction on the addition to Lennard's house the next day, but that with everything that had been going on lately, he thought it would be prudent to wait until after the festival. Lennard agreed and thanked Neko for his consideration.

Lennard also told Neko that Harlow wanted to connect tails with him and his brother so that he could share what he had learned and ask more questions. He whispered this part to Neko so as to avoid drawing unwanted attention. "I think you will be amazed at how far he has come so quickly," Lennard said.

Neko was intrigued by Harlow and Lennard's offer, but there were a few obstacles. Harlow was busy in the lab, and Niko was still at the mill. Not to mention, there were other people around. They tentatively agreed to get together the next evening, barring any major events.

When evening arrived, Jenba insisted on staying near Maka overnight. Harlow moved the more comfortable couch into the recovery room for her to rest on and retrieved a pillow and blanket for her. He and Lennard had shooed the family away earlier to go eat. During that time they changed the bedding and cleaned Maka’s soiled bedding.

Jenba had all but forced her husband, Kyaro, to take their daughter, Kija, home and put her to bed. She knew he needed the rest himself, and she told him, "With all the responsibilities you have to take care of tomorrow, you will need all the rest you can get."

After everything was settled at the clinic, Lennard and Harlow returned home. Harlow had asked Lennard if he should leave separately and come through the back, but Lennard didn't think Mrs. Ansong would pay enough attention to notice.

Once they were finally alone at home, they shared a few affectionate moments before taking care of the chores that needed to be done. They were expecting the Poldare twins the next day and wanted to have a clean and organized home for them.

While Lennard cooked, Harlow straightened up the house. There were many plants to water and trim, as well as floors to sweep and furniture to dust.

It took over an hour before they finally ate. The stew that Lennard had made was similar to the one he had made for Harlow as his first meal after his run-in with the Iminit thorns. This time, the meat was a savory smoked cut of Elboar, which gave the stew a savory filling quality.

They ate heartily, filling their stomachs to capacity. They had not had much time to eat or rest during the day, so the evening meal was even more important. It was enjoyable to be able to spend some quality time together.

Technically, they had spent most of the day together, but time spent under stress or while caring for someone else was not the same as quality time spent together. Even though in a way it felt as though they had shared years together in the mindscape this day, their physical and emotional connection had been extremely limited.

After dinner, they washed the dishes and left the house cleaner than it had been earlier. It was finally bath time, which they both looked forward to.

"Go run the bath while I go check on Maka one last time tonight," Lennard told Harlow with a kiss on the cheek as he turned to walk out the door.

Harlow nodded and smiled. He was still amazed at how much Lennard had changed since they started dating. He had become more open and affectionate, and he was always willing to put Harlow's needs first. Harlow knew he had changed a lot too, and he was grateful for the support and love that Lennard had given him.

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Lennard walked across the small covered breezeway to the rear door of the clinic and quietly opened it. He didn't want to disturb Jenba if she had been able to doze off.

As it turned out, there was no need to be stealthy. Jenba was still awake and standing near her son's bed.

"Lennard, I know you said it's up to Maka to wake up now, but is there any way you can tell when that'll be?" she asked him again.

"I wish there were, Jenba," Lennard replied. "The brain is a vastly complicated and unknowable part of the body. I think we were able to relieve the pressure in time, but even the smallest change can cause injury. He needs to heal, and once his body decides it's well enough, he should wake up."

Lennard checked the wound. It had almost stopped draining, leaving the wrapping only slightly stained. Maka hadn't soiled himself anymore either, so Lennard left Jenba and her son for the night. "I'm just a few steps away if anything happens," he assured her.

She nodded and bid him a good night. Lennard feared that her vigil had just begun. There was truly no way to determine if or when Maka would wake up, and when he did, he might not be the same person she remembered.

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Once the tub was filled, Harlow stepped in and leaned back to relax in the hot water. He submerged his entire body. He surfaced and grabbed the soap to start scrubbing. He had somewhat neglected his cleanliness in favor of the more pleasurable activities over the last couple nights, so he decided to make sure he scrubbed clean tonight.

Lennard arrived shortly after and climbed in as well. "How is Maka?" Harlow asked.

"I'm not sure I would call his state good, more like unchanged," Lennard replied. "If he doesn't show any progress by tomorrow, I'm not sure he ever will. I wish I could look inside and see what was going on."

Lennard scrubbed Harlow's back and then turned to receive the same treatment. "This is kind of how this whole mess started," Lennard said jokingly.

“At least now I don’t have to try and hide what’s going on below the bubbles.” Harlow retorted, pushing his pelvis forward slightly to emphasize his point.

Lennard chuckled, “I see that, or rather I feel that.”

Once they had scrubbed and cleaned themselves, they spent a few moments relaxing and cuddling in the still-warm water. Their desires were present, but their bodies ultimately desired sleep above stimulation. They began to doze off while still in the tub. The water didn't stay hot long though, so they quickly dried off and went to bed.

"Goodnight, love," Lennard whispered into Harlow's ear as they lay down together.

"Sweet dreams, Papa Bear."

"Papa Bear?" Lennard chuckled.

"Just trying it out," Harlow admitted. "I'm not sure if I like it yet."

"Just don't go saying that in public."

They both nodded and chuckled slightly, then quickly fell asleep.

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The next day dawned, bringing with it a slight chill in the morning air. Autumn was definitely in full swing. Lennard awoke early and went to the clinic to find Maka and his mother both asleep. He made some tea and went in to check the boy's wound. Jenba cracked her eyes open upon sensing Lennard's presence.

"Has he woken up?" Jenba asked, her voice weary.

"No, Jenba, he is fine though. Rest," Lennard whispered. He rolled the boy over to his side and proceeded to change his soiled cloth diaper. Luckily, it was only the bladder that had been released overnight, so the change was easy.

He had some time to himself while Jenba slept and before Harlow woke up, so he sipped his tea outside and watched the sunrise. He usually wasn't a morning person. In his youth, he could easily sleep until midday.

His age and bladder had altered that habit somewhat now. He found that there were times that he enjoyed the stillness of the morning, the dawning of a new day. He could sit and watch as the town came to life.

He could smell the different teas being brewed in the surrounding houses and could hear the scuttling of paws as the people living nearby began their day. The merchants would soon start setting up their small wagon stalls, and the teacher would gather his lesson plans and sometimes rehearse his lecture before school started.

Lennard knew that the people of this town were ultimately good. However, he also knew how set in their ways they could be. Changes to their perceived norms could disrupt and annoy them, causing pushback rather than acceptance.

Lennard feared the pushback from the townsfolk. He was a part of the community, but he was not a local. Many of the townsfolk had grown up in Greenby, and their families had lived there for generations. Lennard was an outsider, a temporary physician who had come to Greenby at the behest of the previous mayor. He had worked for the allotted time in his contract, but he had stayed because he had grown to know and like the people here.

Lennard had many strong bonds with the townsfolk, but he knew that those bonds could be broken if the people decided he was in the wrong. There had always been some tension between Lennard and the townsfolk because he was a bachelor and he frequented the pleasure facilities that were primarily used by travelers. However, as Lennard had aged, the scandal surrounding his behavior had become less of a topic of conversation.

Lennard had learned that things which seem so important or critical in the moment often lose their importance over time. He had seen this happen with the whispers about his personal life. The more time that passed, the less the townsfolk whispered about him, and the more tolerant they became.

Lennard was counting on the waiting game. He knew that whispers and rumors would start about him and Harlow once people started noticing Harlow coming of age. It was futile to avoid them. But if he could wait out the rumors and scandal, the townsfolk would eventually come to see their relationship as abnormal but acceptable.

His life was changing drastically, and disclosing his new relationship could be like throwing a stone into a tranquil pool. This town and its locals were the pool, and the waves could either die down easily and bring the pool back to tranquility, or rebound and gather strength until the pool was a roiling tempest.

If he had found a mate earlier in life, things would have been different. But there was no time for dwelling on that now. There was nothing to be gained by speculating about what may have been.

Lennard stood and sipped his tea while these thoughts wound their way through his head. The brisk morning air chilled his toes, and he shivered. He wondered if the shiver was caused by the cold or his spirit reacting to a change in the energies.

He knew things were going to change soon. He had always been sensitive to such things, and he feared that he and Harlow would play a big part in the changes. Especially with what Kinet had said. Lennard hated to admit it, but he had felt something shift as well.

A closing door woke him from his reveries. He realized that Harlow must be awake and heading to the clinic. He made his way back inside, seeing Harlow in the hall. In a low whisper so as not to disturb Maka or his mother, he asked, "Would you like a cup of tea?"

"Definitely," Harlow replied in a similar volume. "How's Maka doing? Any change?"

“Not as of yet,” Lennard replied as he and Harlow made their way into the lab. He lit the burner by activating the fire rune below it and the flames jumped into existence under the kettle. “Do you have a specific flavor in mind?”

“Do you think Marmosel and Bolanisa would mix well?” Harlow asked.

“Not especially. It’ll wake you up, but you’ll have a pasty mouth for hours afterward.”

“Hmm… That doesn’t sound pleasant. You pick. I always like what you make.”

Reaching over to his shelf of spices, Lennard took out the Hinager, Tunerist, and hesitated for a moment before grabbing Sikia bark. “This would make things interesting. Have you ever tried Sikia bark?”

“No, but isn’t that usually ground into the salve you give to…” Harlow trailed off, trying to remember the name of the patient he was thinking of. “That old guy who makes you rub his back.”

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Lennard chuckled at the description. “You know, for someone who has an amazing psychic ability, sometimes your memory could use some work. His name is Jozel, and yes, it goes into the Gayben cream.”

“It isn’t going to make it smell like that stuff, is it?” Harlow asked.

“No, the smell comes from the Manthil oil. That stuff will clear up sinuses quickly. It can be added to tea for that purpose as well,” Lennard said, looking at Harlow as if testing whether he would want to add it to the mix.

“I think I’ll pass on that. My sinuses are working just fine. In fact, I can still smell the fart you let follow you in from outside.”

Lennard chuckled and elbowed his young partner in the side.

“Smartass,” Lennard said with a chuckle. “The Sikia will give it a little spice, I think it’ll be good. I’m making another cup for myself too, so we can find out together.”

It didn't take long before the kettle began to whistle and Lennard poured two cups. He broke the Sikia bark stick in half and placed one of the halves in each cup. The aroma wafted up and quickly filled the entire clinic with a sweet, woody smell.

“I think I just found another use for this stuff,” Lennard said as the aroma began to permeate the room. “It smells amazing.”

“Yeah, it does,” Harlow agreed. “I’m looking forward to tasting it now.”

They sat with their mouths watering for a moment to let the tea steep, then slowly began to sip the hot liquid. Lennard added some honey to his cup and told Harlow to do the same. The flavor matched the aroma and they both sat in silence enjoying the amazing hot drink.

"Lennard! I saw his hand move!" Jenba's voice came from the recovery room.

Lennard's cup of tea spilled over him as he was startled by the woman's cry. He jumped up from his chair in surprise, crying out "Oh!" both from the hot liquid and the shock.

Harlow chuckled at his lover's antics, but he also jumped up to go check on the patient with Lennard. They entered the recovery room as Jenba held the twitching hand in her own.

Lennard made his way to the boy's head and lifted his eyelid. The pupils were wide but retracted normally. They moved as if trying to focus. These were good signs.

Lennard spoke to the boy, tapping his cheek. "Maka, wake up, Maka."

Slowly, the boy opened his eyes and tried to focus. "Ma... Ma, la, basss..." he gibbered. His eyes rolled around the room before coming back to focus a little more on Jenba. "Ma... Mamaaaaa."

Jenba moved close and began speaking to him. "Oh Maka, my darling boy. It's me, Mama. Oh Maka."

The boy tried repeatedly to make his words more coherent, but the progress was slow and he tired quickly. Lennard could see that he was still worn out and gently moved Jenba away from his face.

“He still needs to rest, but this is a great sign,” Lennard told Jenba, gently moving her aside so he could check the boy’s wound.

Reluctantly, she took a step back. Lennard unwrapped the bandage and saw that the wound was clean, with only a small amount of blood still oozing through. He looked into the boy’s eyes again. The pupils were dilated but reactive to light, and the eyelids were open. Externally, the boy was doing as well as Lennard could hope for.

Lennard was encouraged by the boy’s progress. “He will still need to remain here for at least a week under observation,” he said, “and there may yet be some complications, but I believe the immediate danger is over.” He smiled at Jenba. “Would you like to go pass this news on to your husband and daughter?”

Jenba thought for a moment. “No,” she said. “I’m sure they will arrive shortly anyway. I will stay here with Maka.”

As if on cue, the bell above the door to the clinic chimed and Kyaro entered with his daughter in tow. They rounded the corner and Jenba prompted them forward, telling them the good news. Lennard ducked out, allowing the family their moment, and joined Harlow in the hall.

“So he really is going to be okay?” Harlow asked.

“I think so,” Lennard replied. “There may still be some damage to the brain, but he vocalized which is good. However, something feels off. I didn’t want to say anything to his mother, but I am concerned. There’s something else going on here. Something I can’t see.” He spoke in a low volume so as not to share the news with the family.

The two watched for a few moments longer before returning to the laboratory. This was the room where they could most easily have privacy.

After a few moments, Lennard spoke to Harlow. "I think it's time for another supply run. Are you up for that?"

"Sure," Harlow replied. "Do you want me to start making a list?"

"Yes, but there is something a little unusual I am going to need. You'll have to go to The Kinder Tinder and talk to Kinet. I hope he has what I need. You should thank him for the healing spell as well."

Harlow had tried once already to thank Kinet, so he was still eager to visit him again. "Oh yes," he said. "He wasn't there last time, so I still need to thank him properly."

They checked through the supplies on hand and made a list of what they would need. Lennard wanted to stock up on several items, knowing that the festival would bring more opportunities than normal. He also added a strange plant to the list, one that Harlow had never heard of before.

"Skrangy Root?" Harlow asked. "What is that even used for?"

"It has several medicinal uses, but most are rather obscure," Lennard explained. "I need the roots mostly. They are an essential part of the common healing potion."

Healing potions were something that Lennard had never used as long as Harlow had been around, and only had one on hand for emergencies. "Healing potion? You know how to make those and you don't use them?"

A small chuckle escaped Lennard at the inquisitive and accusatory sound of Harlow’s question. “Yes I know how to make them, and no, using them is rarely the best solution.”

Harlow was surprised. "What? Why? Can't you just drink one and be healed?"

Lennard shook his head. "Next time you're messing around in my memories, pay more attention." he said with a crooked smile. "Okay, let me explain. Healing potions work great on common quick injuries, like cuts and stabs. The skin and tissues heal rapidly. And you get your 'poof'." he waved his hands in opposing circular motions as if to demonstrate something exploding.

"The problem is that healing potions only work on living tissue, and heal in the easiest way possible. So, if a bone is broken and protruding from the skin, the still-living tissue will regrow much faster, leaving the bone still sticking out."

This is also true when dealing with injuries like burns or internal injuries. If the tissues were destroyed or dead, they wouldn't react to the magic of the potion properly and could cause more harm than good, leaving dead tissues underneath healed tissue."

Harlow blinked a few times and looked at the floor, analyzing the information Lennard had just presented. "OK, so if someone comes in and was stabbed through his leg or something, and was bleeding all over, then a healing potion would be the thing to use because the tissue wouldn’t have had time to die yet. So the wound would heal at the same rate."

"Right."

"But like with Marney's hand, the tissue was burnt away, so the potion wouldn’t work. It would grow new skin over the burnt?" Harlow asked, his voice raising as if concerned.

"That’s probably close. Each wound is different and each person reacts differently to the potion. So the skin could have regrown over the top like you suggest, or it could have pushed the two sides together leaving the burnt tissue as a huge unhealable scar, or could even try to grow a new hand." Lennard shrugged his shoulders. "Some people are extremely affected by the magic in the potions."

"Wow. No wonder you don’t ever use them." Harlow said, nodding his head.

"Not never, there are circumstances where they can be very useful. Also, they sell like hotcakes, and I want to make a few to sell during the festival." Lennard ended the conversation with a greedy wink.

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With the list in hand, Harlow made his way out. He first went to the Fironiks general store for food. It was the closest market to the clinic and had a lot of the things he had been sent to fetch. Next, he walked down to The Kinder Tinder.

He entered the store and spotted Kinet moving a ladder to an empty spot on a tall shelf. Tall for a Luchorpan, at least. Since the shelf was easily within Harlow's reach, he offered to assist.

"Good morning, Kinet. Can I get that for you?" Harlow asked the diminutive man.

"Oh, Harlow, good ta see ya, lad," came Kinet's reply. "I'd much appreciate da help since you're offerin’."

Kinet handed the bundles of tied Marmosel to Harlow, who arranged them neatly on the shelf. "I have a list from Lennard that I need to have filled," Harlow said. "I'm hoping you have everything he needs. There is one unusual item on there though." He mentioned this while arranging the Marmosel into a pleasing bunch. "Do you know what a Skrangy Root is?"

"Aye, I do. In fact, I pulled some just da other day," Kinet said, his accent thick today. "He's a lucky one too. I got a hold a three of the scraggly plantys, but only one came out with roots intact."

Harlow was happy that he wouldn’t have to go hunting for the Skrangy Root at other shops. He knew that Lennard could use his help at the clinic, especially if some new patients showed up. Which was more likely since more people were already here for the festival.

Once Harlow finished arranging the Marmosel, Kinet thanked him and showed him where the common ingredients were located around the shop. For the last ingredient, the Skrangy Root, Kinet brought Harlow back to the front counter.

"Now Harlow, I'm only showing ya this because you're wit’ Lennard now," Kinet said, beckoning Harlow closer and placing a hand next to his mouth to indicate he was going to whisper. "No one knows about dis, and it needs ta’ stay secret, understand lad?"

Harlow nodded his head, unsure exactly what the small man was talking about. Kinet reached down under the counter and produced a small box. It was intricately decorated with gold inlays and had a sizable lock on the front.

Kinet removed a key from his neck and unlocked the box. The lid opened soundlessly to reveal… nothing. Harlow's brows furrowed in confusion. Inside the box was nothing, not even a bottom or sides. It was just a black void.

Without hesitation, Kinet shoved his hand inside the emptiness. Harlow gasped at the sight, not understanding what was going on. Kinet moved his arm around as if feeling inside a deep bag. Harlow sat staring at the missing hand, mesmerized at what was happening.

“There ya are, ya scraggly devil.” Kinet said as he removed his arm from the box. In his hand, he held a gnarled gray plant with small black pods at the end of crooked branches. The plant was completely devoid of foliage, instead looking to have small hairs running along the trunk and branches.

There was an obvious line on the plant where the roots had been pulled from the soil. The roots were dark brown and as gnarled as the plant itself. The aroma which came from the plant was not unpleasant, but it wasn't something Harlow cared to indulge in much. It was like soap with too much fat mixed in; sweet, but a little rancid.

“Did your man happen ta’ tell ya’ if’e wanted the whole plant or just da roots? Kinet asked Harlow.

Harlow was still in awe of the sight he had just witnessed. He had never seen anything like it before, and his brain was still working through what had just transpired. His jaw hung slack at Kinet's question, and the only sound which came out was, "Uh, huh."

Kinet laughed at the boy and told Harlow how the spatial box worked, at least to the best of his knowledge.

“Dis box be a connection to another place. When ya place your hand inside it goes to dat place. There be a weird little window dat shows up and shows ya where ya put your stuff. When ya find what you’re lookin’ for, ya grab on and pull it out.” Kinet explained.

Having the magic somewhat explained brang Harlow back into focus. He now understood why Kinet was so secretive about this item. Its magic and uses were immense.

“I could buy dis whole town, an probably four more just like it if’n I were to sell dis here box.” Kinet explained, borrowing the phrasing from his good friend Lennard.

"Your secret is safe with me," Harlow said in a breathy voice, unable to truly fathom the value of the item. "Where did you get it?" he asked. "I, I mean if it's okay to ask."

Kinet’s eyes took on a look of remembering things from his past. “Twas a long long way back Harlow. I was a bit of’n adventurer in me youth.”

“Me’n ma friends had just fought our way through a maze o’ horrors ta find ourselves in a huge room filled with treasure. Aye but we wasn’t the only ones in da room. Twas kept guarded by a huge Troll and his kin.” Kinet paused and wiped his eyes. “Not all of us left tha day, and da ones who did were never da same. I canna’ tell ya what happened. I was knocked hard on me noggin and blacked out before da real fightin’ even started. But when I awoke da room was covered in blood and guts. A sight no one should ever have ta behold.”

Kinet paused again, refocusing his eyes back on Harlow. “In da treasure was dis box. We couldna’ open it, so I took it for meself. I had dis key made by me uncle Harno and dat’s da story.”

Harlow had never heard such a tale. He wasn’t sure if Kinet had made it up there on the spot or if he had actually lived through it. The story was reminiscent of some of the books he had read as a child, but the way Kinet lost a tear made the story seem much more believable. “Wow. That’s amazing.” Harlow said as the Luchorpan concluded his tale.

“Well lad, I’ll be needin’ some coin from ya’.” Kinet said as his mood reverted back to the businessman.

Harlow handed the store keep his coins and filled his bag with the ingredients before readyinging himself to leave. There was one last thing he needed to say before he left though.

Harlow looked up at Kinet with gratitude. "Thank you for healing me," he said. "I don't know how I can ever repay you."

The green clad Luchorpan shook his head. “There be no need young Harlow, I was only doin’ as da spirits told me.”

Harlow wasn't quite sure how to interpret Kinet's response, but it spawned another question. "What you said about Lennard and me being important...was that true?"

Kinet nodded and looked at Harlow with kind eyes, “Aye lad. It’s not often da energies vibrate so fervently. You two have somethin’ important ta do, I’d bet me box on it.” He patted the lid of the box and returned it to it’s hiding spot underneath the counter’s top. “Well lad, shouldn’t ya be headin’ back to the clinic? Those potions ain’t gonna make themselves.”

Harlow looked at Kinet closely for a moment before agreeing with him. There was no humor or hint of sarcasm to the man’s face. He truly believed in what he said about him and Lennard. At least as far as Harlow could tell.

He turned to exit the shop but turned around as he opened the door. He saw Kinet staring back at him. There was something mischievous in his gaze, and Harlow wondered just how much the little man knew. He was Fairy-Folk, after all.

Harlow wasn't going to push the subject anymore, even though he truly would have loved to pick the little man's mind. Instead, he smiled and waved. "Thank you, Kinet," he said again and exited the shop.

As he stepped outside, he began walking back slowly in a straight line. He had a little over a block of the wooden walkway before needing to cut through the alley and felt he would have plenty of room to consolidate the things he'd learned over the last few days.

It took only a few steps before his subconscious took over the physical activity and allowed his brain to reminisce. His thoughts immediately drifted to the fun times in the tub, but it wasn't the time for that, so he quickly shifted his thoughts to his mindscape and the changes it had gone through already.

From where he had started, the blurry colored space with virtually nonexistent glowing auras, to having the surroundings come into sharp focus with fully fleshed-out avatars. The progress was astonishing.

He had no idea how it had happened. He remembered one of the twins telling him he would be able to fashion the place into whatever he wanted it to be. But without putting any effort into it? It shouldn't be able to change so much so quickly, should it?

Another thing was that when he had actually made the changes on purpose, it was much easier than he thought it should have been. It had felt almost like he had been doing things there for a long period of time, but had somehow forgotten his mindscape existed until recently.

Rather than learning how to use it like what he should be doing, he felt more like he was reacquainting himself with how to do these things in his mindscape. He wasn't sure how that could be or why it felt so familiar, but it was the only analogy he could think of.

The memory pool he had fashioned in his mindscape was something he wouldn't have the remotest idea of how to do, yet it came to him almost like he had done it before. He was also surprised that he could still somewhat feel the memory pool even when he was not in contact with Lennard.

He thought that if he needed to, he could still access it even when not in contact with Lennard. The thought both excited and scared him. It felt like the tub was stored in his mind somewhere. It felt almost like his mindscape was an extra limb. One that he couldn't quite access, but still felt the faint awareness of it.

He imagined himself with wings and thought of the muscles of his back. There would have to be extra muscles there in order for him to be able to move the wings. In his mind, he could imagine the muscles and how they might feel.

The mindscape was similar. An extra muscle that he could feel how it could be used, but not exactly how to use it.

Harlow posited that the sensation was there because he had been connected to the memories in the pool. He had used them and lived within them through Lennard's point of view. He still had the knowledge held within those memories now, he could access it and recall it with vivid clarity. However, the actual memories felt like another life, detached but familiar. The link to the pool itself was different, more constant and attached.

Harlow couldn't think of anything else to speculate about the memory pool, so his mind moved on to his memories of the surgeries. He had accessed the knowledge he needed from the tub to perform those surgeries, and he had witnessed multiple surgeries and necropsies held within those memories before proceeding and helping Lennard.

Now, the images of those surgeries loomed clear and grotesque in his mind's eye. He had found that he had a strong stomach in the moment, probably because he was so focused on what he was doing that the gore hadn't affected him.

But now, in his eidetic memory recall, the blood and tissue, the burnt flesh, and the bone shavings showed up in vivid clarity. He almost reeled from the thoughts.

Harlow knew that this would be part of his life from now on, and he needed to steel himself against the feelings of squeamishness to perform the necessary procedures. He couldn't afford to lose his stomach when operating on someone else's stomach.

He felt his physical mouth smile at the silly thought, and he wondered what he must look like from someone passing him by while he was recalling these thoughts. His eyes would most likely be totally unfocused, yet he would be walking normally.

He would be smiling now though as well. He might even have a slight bulge in his pants from the earlier thoughts. He felt his physical smile grow larger.

There was one last thing he wanted to look back over before resuming normal brain-to-body activity. He wanted to revisit the time when Kinet had healed him. It was the visit with the little man that had prompted him to enter this state in the first place.

He had been all but unconscious for the event, but he did have a few glimpses from the time and felt that looking over them would be worth the time spent. He rewound time, going back past the surgeries, back past the tub, back before the bed, before the spooning, and… there.

He felt once again the wounds covering his back, side, and hands. The pain was dull, but it gave him something to anchor him to the correct memory.

He heard voices and felt the bed move a little. “That must be Kinet getting on the bed.” Harlow thought to himself. There was a brief moment of darkness, and then a bright light filled his vision. His eyes remained closed, but he could feel the light through his eyelids.

Harlow felt his body begin to heat up, and he could feel sweat pouring out from the bottom of his paws. The internal heat caused his blood to circulate rapidly, and he could feel it coursing through his veins. His heart beat faster than he thought possible, and his body trembled. He was overcome with fear. It felt as if his soul, or consciousness, was being pulled from his body.

He knew this was not part of his general memories of the time, so he focused closer. The light intensified, and he felt his spirit being pushed back into his body. He also felt as though he had displaced something else that had been trying desperately to occupy his body. This other spirit, if that was what he was going to call it, felt dark and malevolent. He was grateful that it had been expelled.

At this point, the heat in his body reached a peak and then dissipated. He quickly began to cool down, his boiling blood slowed and his entire body began to feel cleansed. It was as if the bright blue light, which he was now able to sense more clearly, had finally broken through the defenses that the other spirit had erected. The light cooled his body and soothed his mind.

Shortly afterward, the light dimmed and he could hear Kinet and Lennard talking again. Lennard asked about the dark green mist, and Kinet wasn't sure what it was. With what Harlow had just seen and felt, he now understood a little more of what that substance was. The spell Kinet had used had not just healed his body, but had also cleansed his soul.

The thought was intriguing, but Harlow had never felt like he had such negativity within him. He had always tried to be helpful and friendly, and he harbored very little ill will towards anyone. Except for his father. Was that what the dark mist had been? He thought to himself. He remembered seeing his father shortly after, and his feelings towards him hadn't really changed.

He thought about it a little more, but it didn't feel right to him. He wondered if it was some kind of poison from the thorns. Maybe they did more than just physical harm. He would have to ask Lennard, maybe even do some research on the subject.

Without any more answers, and sensing that he was nearing his destination, he pulled back from the memories and regained control of his body just as he passed the alley he was going to turn down. "Wow, my timing is off today," he said to himself and turned around.