Aife gave a shrug. She wasn’t really sure what Sui would do for such noticeably better thread but whatever it was… probably wasn’t good. At the same time… saying it would never happen would be a lie, and getting caught out would be just as bad if not worse. Aife, settled on a more diplomatic answer, a rare thing. “I’m not sure Sui. I guess we can only hope for something to show up for the next wave”

Little did Aife know… she was actually giving Sui ideas. Hmm, something to show up… I wonder if I should have tried harder to capture those rabbits? There fur didn’t seem to be anything special but perhaps system made material is inherently superior? Or at least more magical… maybe I need to get Trina to inform me more about what is commonly considered to be magical staples.

I was able to extrapolate a few sewing techniques by looking at the finished product. Sure it was hard and it took me a few weeks or months of testing, but perhaps Trina has some ideas? I mean, she is always reading those fantasy books, so perhaps that counts as weeks of practice? No… not really it’s not practical. Then again… she does seem to be right about a few things…

Aife sighed, watching as Sui started to go off into her own world. She was about to leave Sui to her thoughts but paused. “Hey Sui want to go for a run with me?”

Sui paused, thoughts stopping to address this new problem. Well… I’m not sure. Normally I’d say no but things are different now. I don’t see her at Ti Kwon do… but I do live with her… but Aife doesn’t normally ask… but she’s so much faster now…

Seeing Sui actually mull over the question, Aife chimed in with “I’ll stick to your pace” to help sway her.

“What walking pace?” said Sui, well aware that her light jog was still a walk for Aife and her much longer legs.

“Sure” said Aife.

Sui glanced outside at the yet to rise sun. Hmm, I… I guess now is the most optimal time. The sun is yet to be out so I can ensure that I remain unburned. I do need some level of physical exercise to keep my mind in proper order. Grandma insisted it be martial arts but walking and fighting monsters should suffice.

There is really no better time to do this…

“Ok” said Sui, pushing herself up from the couch. Aife noticed, that when she did so, part of her dress was actually assisting in the motion, threads moving in sync with Sui’s arms to help with the motion. Aife merely raised an eyebrow at this but said nothing as Sui led the way outside.

Once there, Aife took the lead slightly with Sui following behind just a smidgen. Aife knew the route around the property after all, and was nominally in charge of all physical activities as far as Sui was concerned.

“So. How are you feeling?” asked Aife

“My condition is acceptable. I managed to catch up on sleep, and while the lack of a shower disturbs me somewhat, the self-cleaning on my outfit extends to my person and so I do not feel dirty, I simply miss the chance to organise my thoughts” said Sui, making sure to keep her breathing even and her voice steady despite the slight jog.

Aife shook her head, and realised she should have known better, asking a question like that for Sui. Thinking up some better phrasing Aife tried with. “How do you think you are handling the challenges?”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Well, the first five were all rather easy despite the combat elements. The next set we’ve started on however confuse me. I’m not sure what they are supposed to be testing for and I’m not sure if I would have been able to do them all by myself. That word association challenge, for example, I’m not sure I’d have managed to pass that, but maybe I would have. Depends on what the cut-off was…

“The rabbits were easy, but that was just me, you both had some difficulties… then of course there was the metal. You really saved us there Aife. I’m not sure how badly I would have done without you. It seems strange to me, they had something, that basically only covered physical strength… but I suppose they are trying to get just the best of the best” said Sui matter of factly.

Aife let out a long breath, and wondered if Sui was doing this on purpose. “How are you coping with the tasks emotionally?” asked Aife, finally just asking the question.

“Well I’ve had no trouble with them. Killing things wasn’t something I was entirely prepared for, but the fact they disappear into nothing makes me wonder if they are real or not. I don’t think they are… but I also don’t think it matters. I’ve chosen my life over a number of plants and animals which I eat, so I see no reason this is different. It simply is the way of life now” said Sui.

They’d just managed to reach the boundary of the property at this point, and Aife took a sharp left turn so they could start circling around the outside. “Ok… what about your Grandma?” asked Aife

“What about her?” responded Sui, slightly quicker than normal.

“Well… Trina was pretty concerned about her parents and I wanted to know what you thought about your Grandma.” said Aife

Sui shrugged “I think she’s perfectly fine”

“But we haven’t heard from her in over a week now” said Aife “At this point, you might want to consider it?”

Sui shrugged again. “She will be fine. I have utmost faith in her. If she was defeated already we would stand no chance even as a unit of three”

Aife smiled at that, knowing how much faith Sui put in her grandma. Sui might not be religious, but Aife was tempted to say that if she was, she’d worship her grandmother instead of a deity. Still, Aife thought it best for Sui to confront the possibility. “Sure… but even you have to admit she’s getting older. She will pass away eventually”

Sui shook her head. “I disagree. I might have agreed with you before, knowing that in time, death will catch us all… but with the introduction of the system and the talent I now have to move thread with my mind, your talent that makes you much stronger, and Trina’s memories, I find it extremely likely that Grandma will find a way and outlive us all, if she so chooses”

Aife was so stunned by the conviction and… actual points in Sui’s argument she froze in place. Sui kept walking knowing that Aife would catch up, and soon she did, rushing right back to Sui’s pace, not that it was terribly hard. Aife was still mulling over what Sui said, and found she was right.

The chance wasn’t high, or at least, Aife didn’t believe it was a certainty like Sui did… but she was right that if anyone was going to figure something like that out, her grandma, would be the one. Aife wasn’t clear on if she’d take it or not… but Sui’s crazy idea had more merit then she’d originally thought.

Pivoting, Aife moved on to the other hot button topic she had in mind. “What about the fact that I’m dating Trina? I’d like to hear your unfiltered thoughts?”

“But my thoughts are always unfiltered?” said Sui. Aife just rolled her eyes and gestured for Sui to continue. “Well, I don’t really see any problem with it? I mean, before I would have counselled you that such a relationship would never allow for children and the continuation of the species but I am trying to keep an open mind in regards to these changes and some of this new magic might fix that”

Aife spluttered, nearly falling over in shock. Aife grimaced, realising that Sui was just full of surprises and shot back. “What about you? You can’t talk about making the next generation when you’ve only got sewing on the mind”

“Well of course I have considered it. I reached the conclusion that I’d rather take an apprentice. My genetic material is not, as far as I can tell, particularly noteworthy in any area and likely contains what would widely be considered defects. As such, I think it more important that eventually once I’ve past the peak of my craftsmanship I’ll take an apprentice and train them to be better than I was. I am a long way from that point though”

Aife just strode forward in silence. Never had she imagined, that Sui of all people. had put more thought into the idea of children then she had.