7. Don’t bitch
“Unexpected, but good to have on the list.”
Yes.
Our entire group decided to go to the baths together. It was quite the gang, with three masters, a teacher, a guardsman, my team of four, and the pup Norrus. Using the baths was free, but there was a donation box to reduce the costs Cottages needed to spend from its general coffers for maintenance and upkeep. The suggested donation was 150 copper per adult and leveled teen, 100 per unleveled teen, and 50 for anyone younger. I was in a particularly good mood and paid 13 b, rounding up the suggested donation for all of us. Since I had never donated before, I felt it was about time.
Just like last time at the baths, I had to strip off an extremely moist undergarment. It did not benefit from Climate Comfort and Self-Cleaning charms. I probably perspired less than I would have under uncharmed leathers, but it was still plenty. Arrjee, being almost pure Covargh, barely perspired at all, and his garment was barely damp. Only Master Birch, Guardsman Yon, and my team had been armored. Thus everyone else was pre-rinsing their nude selves almost immediately. Sneezing takes barely less time than removing a loincloth – longer, for a three-inhale sneeze.
Soon we were all seated in one of the large baths.
It was the first time Lenyet had seen Asha’s river stone necklace. Arrjee told him the story of our adventure with the two water elementals and the deer. I added the preceding adventure, beginning from when Skawa had transported Mom, Arrjee, and I to the woods near Hesta Blakeman, his kids, and the zebors. Not even our teammates Kossa and Onre had heard the full story of our adventures that first day.
Asha asked me, “Do you know why your combination of a reverse Dodge and Ki Punch was able to work?” I told him no, that I was as surprised as anyone. He speculated, “Your mother Rhetta has the Guardian class; she is not a Shieldsman like me. My taunting is psychological, not magical. I’m sure she has the Guardian Taunt Aura skill, which aggravates all foes within a certain range. It is likely her aura was distracting the zebor you and Arrjee were fighting.”
“Yes” I concluded. I’ve always wondered why that level 8 zebor was not a lot more effective in attacking us. It certainly wanted to be vicious.”
Master Trillet added, “Asha’s theory makes a lot of sense. Rhetta was not close enough to your zebor for her aura to attract it towards her, but the taunt could still be bothering it.”
Lucky dumbass.
“Yes.”
I wondered aloud, “How good is a ‘psychological taunt’, Asha? I know you are a pure warrior and very skilled, but without an aetherial boost, doesn’t it sometimes feel, well, limiting?”
“Are you sure you want to know?” He asked me. I thought for just a second, then replied that I did. Lenyet chuckled slightly, and placed a hand on my shoulder.
No more than five seconds. In no more than five seconds, Asha had insulted my looks, my family, my achievements, Jacques’ death, everything about me. It wasn’t just the words; there was a tone he used, and I was absolutely enraged. I wanted nothing else but to beat his head in.
“Enough,” Dorra commanded. Asha stopped and watched me, expressionless. She must have used some sort of empathic skill on me, because I was calmed in just a few more seconds.
“Uhhh,” I began eloquently, “sorry. There is an Earth expression: ‘Be careful of what you ask for.’ I had no idea that something non-magical could affect me so quickly and deeply.”
Asha asked what I was sorry for. I told him some of what I had been thinking. Lenyet stated, “You aren’t the only one to have felt such a Taunt. That might have been the most valuable lesson you learn today. My hand on your shoulder would have turned into a grip if you had lost control.”
“He even got me mad, Forrest,” Norrus commented. Arrjee stated the same. Asha said that while his Taunt was single-target, close friends of that foe would feel a lesser, secondary effect.
Dorra clarified, “Neither mana nor ki is necessary for granted skills to be maximally effective. Asha gave up nothing in his choice to be a pure warrior. Some even believe their increased SP Regen during battle and HP Regen after give them an advantage.”
“Your Meditation is at Rank D, isn’t it?” asked Asha rhetorically. “I can tell, because you managed to not lunge at me during those five seconds. Ten percent mental attack resistance isn’t a lot, but it was enough for you to hold yourself back. If the taunt had continued any longer though, Lenyet really would have had to restrain you.”
I asked him, “Does that work on anyone? You know a lot about me, and you were able to use that information to stab deeply.”
“I interpreted your request as wanting to know how truly strong and quick a Shieldsman’s Taunt could be. For foes I know nothing about, and sentients, there are more general but slower ways to deeply anger them. Plus the words are only one element. I’m sure you noticed my tone. I could be praising you, but if it were with that tone you would soon be seething. The only real limitation I have seen is its ineffectiveness on a violent, carnivorous plant. It doesn’t have emotions in the first place. Oh, as you experienced, if I am fighting a group with an Empath, that will limit Taunt’s effectiveness.”
I asked, “Can’t I taunt? I can insult and work on developing that tone.”
Onre answered, “I’m sure you can to some degree. It’s just like I can sing, and improve my singing with Brune’s help. Not to praise myself, but I believe I have a good degree of talent.” His Master confirmed that. “But if I had the Bard class, even a non-magical one, I would not need talent. The skills within the class would provide what I needed to entertain and perhaps inspire people. I would still need lots of practice, but the limits would be based on my drive, not my talent. Talent would of course help, but drive is the overriding factor. I’m sure it is the same with taunt. Without natural talent for it, its effectiveness would be limited outside of a class. Sure, you can always insult people and make them angry. But can you know they would drop everything else and come after you? I don’t mean this as an insult, but I don’t think you are a big enough asshole to be a truly effective natural taunter.”
I sort of had to grin. “Thanks, I think.”
Kossa added jokingly, “Just to be clear, you can be an asshole.”
A wry grin at her, “Thanks, I don’t think.”
If it means anything, you are more of a dumbass than an asshole.
“I can always depend on you for encouragement.”
Yes.
My grin did not go away. I was really happy. Last tuesday it was with family, this evening it is with friends. Not that I thought happiness could last forever, but each day with happiness matters.
----------------------------------------
Over the next few minutes, the ten of us began conversing in smaller groups about numerous items of interest to the people involved. It was not too long before Lenyet suggested,, “Forrest, now might be a good time to teach you Infertility.”
“Now? Here?!” I asked, sort of shocked. There were eight other people with us in the large bath.
“No. We don’t need to inconvenience them,” he answered baldly. “There are the four corner rooms which offer patrons privacy.” I noticed that the doorway of each room offered limited visibility via those hanging curtains of ropes and beads.
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Other discussions were continuing, and I think only Norrus and Arrjee were paying attention to Master and I. Arrjee encouraged me, saying that now was a good time. Norrus asked if he could watch. I let the pup know I was nervous about this and would prefer just Lenyet and I. He said he understood, and Lenyet led me to one of the rooms. Our group of ten were the only ones in the bathhouse at the moment. I had only vague speculations about what was to occur.
Fifteen minutes later, my questions had been answered, and my happiness had certainly not gone away.
Learned skill: Infertility, C
“C?? Jacques never had a vasectomy. He used condoms before, but certainly not enough to have been the equivalent of an A-rank Infertility.”
Infertility has no true rank. You either know it or you do not. Traditionally it is ranked at C because that is in the middle of ‘FEDCBAS’. But learning it does not count as a nascent skill, nor would it allow other nascent skills to have that advanced rank. It gains no rank points nor xp.
My scrotum was experiencing a new sensation. Not a tingle, and it wasn’t really taut, although it sort of felt those ways. It was in no way uncomfortable, nor particularly comfortable. Lenyet told me that the sensation would last for over 23 hours, keeping me aware my infertility was still in effect. I mentioned that 23 seemed like an unusual number and wondered aloud why not just a 20-hour day. Lenyet replied that he didn’t know and that was just the way it was for all three Infertility skills.
There are almost exactly 6 galactic days per seven days on Heere. Infertility’s duration is one galactic day, which is 23 and 1/3 Heere hours
“Thank you. I thought there would be a reason.”
The first thing Arrjee said when we got back was, “Since I couldn’t teach you Infertility, you have to teach me as soon as possible after I level.”
“No problem,” I replied. “I will look forward to it. And we might as well get training rounds done beforehand.” Everyone smiled at that, but Norrus seemed wistful.
He must be wishing for ‘practice rounds’ also.
There is a high likelihood of that being the case.
“11 sucks.”
I shall form my own opinion when I turn 12. So far, my 0 has been very satisfying.
“Lenyet and Norrus,” I asked, “have you guys heard about the side effects of some of my Ki Healer skills?” Norrus had not, but Lenyet told me Runtel had mentioned something about an energized feeling. “That’s right. For you, as a ki user, in two ways. Norrus can only feel one of them.”
“What do you mean?” asked the pup. My plan was to get his mind off of what he can’t yet experience to something he can.
I told him, “Well with Heal Other, I would have to hurt you first for you to feel it. But with Bless Blood you can feel it directly. What I do is ward off poison and other blood-based attacks for a few seconds. But half the ki I use will be wasted. And half of the waste just dissipates, but the other half energizes you, making you feel more alert and, well, better.”
Arrjee added, “You could feel a lot better. I was the first one he ever used it on.”
I interrupted myself, and asked Lenyet to bring his ki to about 5 below maximum. Then I continued, mostly speaking with Norrus. “Fourteen days ago, I showed this to everyone who attended the meeting about the new school. I am going to ward you twice, like I did almost everyone there. Since no one is going to poison or curse you, the ward won’t do anything. But it is my ki that does not go to the ward that you will notice. Ready?”
He acknowledged that he was. I put my hand on his shoulder, and warded him twice, about 4 seconds apart. That gave him 4 extra ki, the same amount Arrjee experienced that very first time. It also gave him a big smile. “Wow.” It was not enough to cause any physical reaction, though.
I analyzed Lenyet. I knew his ki was at least mostly charged, because for his stats to show up, he would have needed to be below 10% in any stat. “How far is your ki from max?” He told me that it was seven and rising. “Watch your ki numerically. Then, sometime after your first surprise, tell me when to stop.” I began warding him at about six-second intervals.
Almost immediately, he asked, “Are you recharging my ki?!” I nodded my head in acknowledgment. “That’s amazing.” After the third ward he said it was recharged. I could see anticipatory smiles on everyone’s faces. After the fourth, “I think I feel something.” After the fifth, “There it is. Energized, optimistic, I feel great!” I did not stop the pulses. He didn’t halt me until after the ninth pulse and his full erection. “You can do that to anybody?”
“So far as I know, yes. Well except as you experienced, I’ll recharge a ki user’s ki first. I only went as far with you as I did because you are my Master now. You need to fully understand the implications of this side effect. In the long term, both Heal Other and Bless Blood will become more efficient as they rank, meaning I will waste less ki, and they will have less of an energizing effect on people. They are both at E now, with an efficiency of -50%. I expect that to improve at 10% per rank. Bless Blood was -60% at F. But for now, please act as one of my brakes to make sure I don’t start abusing this. One reason Einvigi is establishing this school here is to demonstrate that the Ki Healer class can be used constructively.”
Onre continued, “In a half month, I will be a Ki Healer also. We expect other students to choose the class over time. She wants us to prove that the class holders will not automatically corrupt themselves or inadvertently cause dependencies in others.”
“I was monitoring Lenyet’s emotions for the last dozen or so seconds of Forrest’s demonstration,” stated Dorra. “Within surprise, puzzlement, and a positive outlook, his building lust was clear. You boys need to be very careful with this.”
Arrjee let her know that Einvigi fully agreed. Just then there was a bright blue flash above the bath. Arrjee stated, almost non-surprised, “See? That was her.”
We spent a few more minutes discussing the adventuring school and our expectations for it. Norrus wondered if he would be able to attend there. I replied, “Tuition is free, thanks to Einvigi. It will only have 40 students, at least for this first year.. You will be eligible when you turn 13, but you will need to demonstrate why they should choose you.” He determinedly replied that he would do just that.
I think he will.
Master Brune told us he would be heading home. I checked the time; it was 17:17. We all got out of the bath, dried ourselves, and dressed (except for my undergarment). We left the bathhouse, leaving the light from cast Torches inside, the transition to darkness outside a stark contrast. At least I assumed it was for everyone except Asha, Lenyet, and me. With Dark Sight active, the darkness within its range was noticeable but not concealing. With Asha’s at Rank B, it wouldn’t surprise me if it looked like mid-morning to him, almost as far as he could see. Lenyet’s rank was likely very close to that. For mine at E, it only extended about 4 yards.
Our group of ten soon went separate ways, with Lenyet, Asha, Arrjee, and Onre going home with me. To Arrjee's discomfort, Onre explained the full story of Eager Beaver. Lenyet diplomatically complimented Arrjee on his maturity and charisma at age 14, while Asha mentioned he had never met the pup Arrjee, but would have liked to have. After that little discussion, we went inside.
Mom and Dad were in the den, and I guess Carrie heard us, so she came down from her room. We told them about our training session. Arrjee of course revealed that Lenyet had taught me the Infertility skill afterward. That brought us to an overview of our time in the bathhouse.
To verify what Asha had earlier speculated about Mom’s use of an area taunt skill, I asked her. She confirmed that she had activated it as she approached Hesta and his children. Although she had not considered her taunt would have affected our zebor, she concluded that was probably what happened. Her Level 0 and 1 sons sustained remarkably little injury fighting the Level 8 zebor.
Dad began updating us on the results of Asha’s report to Duchess Tarbra Jossel. She seemed to be very supportive of the adventuring school in her duchy. But Dad could have been happier. “With one of the school’s purposes being related to the general applicability of the Ki Healer class, she will be sending a court cleric as her representative, one Harron Ronvaldt.” He over-enunciated the last two words.
Asha had already heard from Dad about Harron’s history with our village. “I know you don’t want him back here, particularly in direct association with the 13- to 19-year old student body. But the duchess assured me he would take an oath to refrain from extracurricular activities with non-leveled teens.”
“Good luck with that,” doubted Carrie.
Dad went on to tell us that the Duchess will be sending a military attache once the school opens. She will also visit herself after it has had a chance to get fully going.
“I believe the duchess has high hopes for this school,” Asha said. “She seemed honored that a goddess would choose to open it here. Whatever issues you might have with Harron Ronvaldt, I strongly suggest you do not allow them to blind you to her support.”
Dad responded, “Thank you. That is good advice. It is frustrating that we got rid of him, but now he is coming back. However, I shall encourage others to view his return as a start-over, and give him a chance. I shall do the same. And this time it is the duchess’ coffers which shall pay him, not ours or the school’s.”
“If he has any honor at all,” added Lenyet, “his oath to the duchess should stand.” Onre expressed his agreement.
Arrjee said, “I believe it will. Nothing I observed in him led me to believe he was dishonorable.”
“Of course,” countered Carrie. “He would want you to think he was a good guy.”
“Well, he succeeded. I understood why the village fired him, but in my opinion he was never a threat.” Mom said that only the future would tell. Dad was at least glad that the village would have access to a cleric again
Thinking about it, “I am as well; perhaps I can learn training techniques from him, even if he won’t be knowledgeable of Ki Healer skills specifically.” Onre added that this applied to him as well.
Asha restated, “I believe he will consider that part of his job. I have not met him, but I cannot imagine him thinking he was only here to observe.”
We continued speaking about general matters until 18:35. Carrie said she was tired and had her grades tomorrow, and went up to her room. Arrjee was going to do the same, and asked if I was coming. I reminded him that I don’t need very much sleep; he acknowledged and took up my undergarment with him to hang to dry.
I wonder if that is all he is going to do with it.
Would more personal activities bother you?
“Not in the slightest. Jacques’ teen self had a few shots at friends’ underwear. He even had a borrowed tee-shirt for a week before washing it and giving it back. It needed the washing.”
Yes.
Asha left for his room at the inn. Lenyet asked me if I would like more practice, focused on my Heal Other skill. I gladly accepted and suggested we do so at the stream behind the village. He had not been there and agreed. Onre was happy to accompany us; he did not have grades and had a strong interest in skills which would soon be his. We said our goodbyes to Mom and Dad and headed off to Passing Stream.