I spend the entire day having Bozhidar teach me what the humans in this part of the world speak and write. Not a lot of it really sticks and I go through a day without picking up anything for the first time. A hollow feeling, of options taken away from me, follows me around. I struggle to fall asleep, but I manage to in the end.
When I wake up, I feel slightly more balanced. Sleep always helps center me when I’m feeling down. Opening my eyes, I notice a notification waiting for me, alerting that Rep would like to talk. I choose to remain lying down for this. I close my eyes again, let a long sigh out, and speak in an even tone. “Yes, Rep?”
“We apologize for yesterday, again. We messed up. But we’re here to make amends now. Our Manager had a stern word or thousand for us, but once they were done we insisted on the issue. After a long discussion, we received authorization to give you access to a particularly experimental part of the System.”
My eyes still closed, I merely hum in reply.
“It’s a sub-system called Features. Purchases for it will require tokens and provide you with a… unique access to functions you would otherwise associate with games.”
That causes my eyes to open slowly. “Like… what?”
“We’ll cut to the chase. First, we’re changing your Magic attribute and Mana reserves to fit with this new sub-system. It should work without issue since it’s all internal. Second, this will allow you to do something… a lot like magic. Third, this will allow you to do plenty that is nothing like magic. Whereas previous Travelers had powers that were special but approximated things that could be done in this world, you are now entirely unique.”
“I’ll be honest…” I pause for a moment to consider my words. “Entirely unique doesn’t sound thrilling…”
“We… we had assumed. But this is the best we could do to make it up to you. Our Manager has also authorized a one-time injection of 10 tokens, to let you more easily make use of this new sub-system. We double checked our work, as well, and I can confirm that the mistake around magic is the only one we made. We hope that going forward… you’ll have the best time you can.”
I take a minute to consider this, Rep presence developing palpable discomfort where I can feel them. Finally, I have an answer. “I don’t really have anything to do but accept this. I hope, too, that things will improve from this point on.” I let out a shaky breath. “Yesterday was rough.”
“We are aware and we are sorry, again.”
“That’s…” I consider whether or not my words are going to ring true. I decide they do. “That’s comforting to hear. Having that validation counts for a lot.”
“We want nothing but your comfort. You can find access to features in the Shop. We’re certain you can find ones that fit your desires.”
“Thank you, Rep. I need to think on this a bit, alone.” I close my eyes again.
“Certainly. Goodbye, Sebastian.”
I hum in reply as Rep’s presence recedes and I am left with my thoughts.
—
I don’t feel surprise at the difference in the light outside implying I fell asleep again. Having some reassurance from Rep did help and my emotional exhaustion just took over. I slowly sit up and stretch.
I open my Character Sheet and notice that Magic has been substituted with Processing, Mana with Energy. The terms… make sense to me. I also notice Features included among my sub-systems, with its own empty section in the sheet, and a total of 25 tokens available. Everything Rep said would change did.
Name: Sebastian Harris
Attributes:
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Condition:
Body: C
Mind: B
Processing: B
Luck: A
Health: Good
Focus: Good
Energy: Good
Providence: Good
Skills:
Traits:
Axe Combat D
Cooking D
Herbology D
Mechanic D
Meditation E
Polearm Combat C
Shield Use D
Stealth D
Combat Sense D
Honesty D
Self-Awareness E
Spending Sense D
Techniques:
Features:
Leg Sweep C
Power Jab C
Skewer D
Expertise:
Sub-Systems:
Baking D
Butchering D
Quarterstaff Fighting C
Shield Blocking D
Spear Fighting D
Character Sheet
Clock
Conversation History (Rep)
Expertise
Features
Help File
Notifications
Shop
XP: 60
Tokens: 25
Before I make any purchases, I decide to consult Bozhidar. He has shown me nothing but kindness so far and I feel as though I can confide in him. With just around half my time with them over, I want to make decisions with some outside perspective.
Outside my hovel is clear afternoon, the camp at its quietest during the day. I make my way first to the mess hall to get something to eat, as I hadn’t eaten yet today. Then I go to Bozhidar’s tent and call from outside. “Bozhidar? You there? Could I consult you on something?”
I hear him moving inside and towards the entrance to the tent. Bozhidar lifts the flap and beckons me inside. “Of course, Sebastian. I am at your service.”
I enter and sit down where I did the before, when I found out about Rep’s mistake. I take a deep, calming breath, let it out, and turn to Bozhidar. “Rep has made amends, in a way, and now I have decisions to make. I want to consult you about what kind of things I would want to prepare for in this world.”
Bozhidar sits down in front of me and sets his staff aside, his face and ears giving me the impression of slight confusion. I had a lot of opportunity to read Staufolk “facial expressions” and I appreciate the fact I can better tell what they seem to be feeling. Bozhidar seems to think for another moment before replying. “What kind of preparation are you thinking about?”
I open my mouth to reply and realize I’m not quite sure yet. My hands move as though trying to grasp something that isn’t there as I try and decide what to even start with. After a few moments of that, with Bozhidar seeming to become more confused, I finally have something. “My time with the Swiftfoot is half over and I would have to deal with the outside world soon enough. While all of you have trained me in what you deemed essential, I have the… unique opportunity to… to… to acquire otherwise truly impossible abilities.”
Bozhidar’s head cocks to the side, confusion mixing with curiosity. “Perhaps it’s best you start with trying to describe what it is that gives you this opportunity?”
“Give me a moment to think how I would do this.” I can’t just explain this as game features. That’s nonsense here… Legends and tales would probably mostly have kernels of truth, so nothing is going to seem entirely outlandish… Children playing games… maybe. “You know how children would play-act fights and adventures?”
“My own children come to mind, yes.” Bozhidar nods and my eyes widen at the new information. I hope I remember to ask about them later. I don’t think Bozhidar notices my sudden surprise.
“When they do, they come up with their own methods and explanations for how things function, right?” My hands grasp for something that isn’t there again. “Usually outlandish, frequently more direct than how reality works?”
Bozhidar smiles and nods again. “Magic just happens, supernatural powers just suddenly exist and work.” I nod to his description of what I might be able to do.
“Well, then… that. That is close enough to what Rep has told me I can now do.” I give a slightly crooked smile as I basically tell Bozhidar I ignore the laws of reality.
Bozhidar’s mouth opens to reply, but his words seem to get stuck in his throat. He closes his mouth and seems to consider his next words before speaking. “Could you demonstrate somehow?”
I open my mouth to speak, realize I’m not sure about it, and close it so I can think. No time better than the present, I suppose, and there’s one thing I’m certain I’m going to want. “Give me a moment.”