Intents and Motives – Ch 53
I plop back into the chair and lean back against it as I groan out softly into the void. Sigh, maybe it will be a little less confrontational this time? I'll even try to not get so worked up about her odd way of teasing and being catty all in the same breath. Now that I've had some time to look back at it, I think part of what got me so worked up with that attitude is that it reminds me of how some of my previous relationships went...
A comment meant to put me down even though it was said playfully, while at the same time trying to get me worked up to further confuse me. From what Akiko has said, that is for sure not what Samantha is trying to do, but I can't help but feel that familiar sting from the comparison. Especially now that my brain isn't nearly as muddled and weak like it was back on Earth. Who knew having a working thought process would help work through and identify trauma so well~!
I sigh out again, my attempts at lifting my own spirits not really gaining much traction, so I decide to do the next best thing. "Ios, since we're sitting on so many points across the board, do you have any suggestions on how to spend them? Personally, I'd love to just keep dumping everything into Strength and Dexterity, so I can hit harder~, but I realize that may not be the best bet for long term planning."
Ios' form 'sits' in the seat next to me, nodding wisely at my deferred actions. "Honestly, that's still probably not a bad shout so long as you at least put 100 into CON. I'm still really paranoid about how your 2nd Realm tribulation is going to shape up, and you being able to tank a few hits is never a bad thing. Of course, the ideal scenario is you not getting hit at all, but those rainbow bolts are quite fast and tricky, not to mention their whole purpose is to defeat your attempt anyway.
However, I think the number of points you're about to be getting once we start your martial training is going to be more than enough to naturally push you past that worry of mine. Right now, I'd honestly suggest getting your mental stats up to par with your physical ones, especially your Intelligence. The higher that one is, the easier time you're going to have regarding learning everything from professions to weapons, since it boosts your comprehension and knowledge gain rate. Definitely not as much as a pure title, but every bit helps~."
Huh, I have kind of forgotten about that aspect of the stat. To be fair to myself, this week has been nothing but info dumps and exposition on a freshly printed brain, I'm bound to forget some stuff here and there until I get used to all of this. Probably. Hopefully that short term memory problem from my previous life hasn't truly carried over~.
Rallying away from further depressing thoughts, I chirp back to Ios, "That's a great idea! Power leveling is always a safe bet, and this version doesn't come with my fading hesitance at the sex stuff~! A true win - win, Haha! Alright, let's bring Intelligence and Wisdom up to 600 each. That should leave us with a safety net of... 157 Ability Points in case of an emergency. Sound good?" I reply excitedly, the feeling of numbers going up tickling my monkey brain~.
She seems to ponder for a second, a slight frown on her face before she shakes her head softly. She turns to me and says, "It will work for now, you should be getting more and more points to stack up in case anything happens as we start learning more crafts and things. I'd want you to store up a few more points than that normally, probably around 250-300 for this cultivation level, but since we're in a safe environment I think it's fine to use up more of them than normal. Definitely don't go under 150, never know when some crazy shit is going to happen in worlds like these and you'll need as spare 1-3k HP.
"Hmm," I start to ponder aloud, "I see the logic, but with how things hit so far I don't know if that little amount would make a difference... Even the tribulation bolts were smacking me for around 2.5k or something heavy like that, and they were supposed to be the introduction to cultivation."
Ios nods, giving me the point before she replies, "True, but still, that means you can tank one more hit, or buy yourself enough breathing room to power through something so that you can position yourself for a counterattack. Or hell Aims, even keep you conscious long enough to buy or activate a treasure or something! Think of it like an insurance policy, a 'break in case of monumentally fucked scenarios' glass, if you will."
I laugh a little at the comparison, but I can tell Ios is being 100% serious right now and I can't really fault her at all for it. "I will then, don't worry. I was agreeing with you after all, don't get your fur up~. I think having even more of a buffer is what we should aim for in the future, like you said. Maybe closer to 300 - 500 as a worst-case scenario fund, increasing it as I get more and more powerful. Right! Let's get to the fun part now that we've both agreed to be all boring and responsible~!"
Ios shakes her head, in a giggle this time, as she opens up the status screen to show the changed values and accompanying messages:
You have used 335 Ability Points on Intelligence! Intelligence is now 600!
Remaining Ability Points: 340
You have used 183 Ability Points on Wisdom! Wisdom is now 600!
Remaining Ability Points: 157
I await the sensation of change, like when my previous jumps in stats have manifested, but nothing seems to happen to take note of. At least, at first. The corners of my lips dip in a small frown, before I think to at least test out if the bump to Wisdom has made any changes by going to investigate Sandra in my soul space. I let Ios know I'm going to be offline for a few and then sink down into a meditative calm while sitting in the chair. To my surprise, I nearly instantly fall into the trance now, my view becoming filled with the inner workings of my flow model and all its constituent parts.
Huh, maybe that's already a sign that the new stats are putting in work! It usually took me upwards of 15 minutes to get in the zone enough to slip into this state before. With a satisfied glow, my surroundings turning an amber gold to reflect my emotions, I quickly identify the rainbow bridge of light between my sister and I and begin navigating toward her. Another revelation is that my "speed" in this space is drastically improved, and I find that I have much more control and thought about where and how I navigate through the area.
In basically no time at all, I'm once more before the wounded shell of Sandra's soul, my heart plummeting in sorrow at the sight that washes the sea around us in blue. Whatever training regimen Akiko and Ios cook up needs to be sure to include a good portion of time to healing Sandy, or I'm going to riot.
I push away those distracting thoughts, noticing a brief flare of red flash through the area, mixing with the fading blue, at the mere idea of the scenario. It helps immensely to remind myself that those two care for me dearly and know how much getting my sister back means to me. I calm my mind, going so far as to take a mental breath that seems to shrink and expand the space around me, before I float up and really focus in on the biggest hurdle to that goal.
Her shell is still ambiently pulling in Qi, and whether it's my new stats or my growing familiarity with all of this, I can tell that she isn't pulling anywhere near enough to start healing on her own. In fact, the amount feeding her right now is barely enough to stave off any further complications if I had to guess. A spike of blue, ice cold fear at the notion illuminates our surroundings, and for comfort I go to look for one of the tiny hairline fractures that I saw get healed last time I was here.
I begin to worry for a moment at my inability to find one, and then remember that is kind of the whole point of healing her. Accepting that as a positive sign that things aren't regressing, I test flowing some Qi into the connection to see if my new found Wisdom is going to impact that as well. And boy howdy does it ever~!
As soon as the Qi travels the length of the bridge, which is now a faster affair in general, I intrinsically start to guide it to the places I want. Something I couldn't do last time. I make sure that I'm not just seeing what I want to see, willing the Qi to travel to this crack or that canyon, before I firmly agree that I can indeed manipulate it directly like this. A proud and satisfied triumph flits over my mind, the voided space around Sandra and I sparking yellow and purple at the emotions. Having decided that is enough testing for now, feeling quite chuffed about the whole thing, I turn back to my sister and try to spread my voice to her.
The space in front of me seems to ripple as my own voice flows out like melodic honey, almost unrecognizable to me. In this environment it carries a gentle, soothing touch against a regal tone as I speak out, "Hey Sandy~. I'm getting stronger and stronger every day. I promise, I'll have you healed in no time. I... I hope you're not hurting. If you are, let me know the second you wake up~. If you remember any of this at all, of course. I love you, more than anything Sandra."
The void visually ripples and audibly cracks in kaleidoscopes of color as my voice warps and distorts at the statement. I feel more surety about that statement than anything I have ever experienced in either of my lives, like it's something so intrinsic to my being that even uttering it aloud gives me strength and power. It's almost painful, the amount of conviction that floods my being, my soul, but I keep my focus on her, transmitting as much of the sensation as I can in the hope that it brings her some comfort. Letting her know that she isn't alone, and won't everbe again. The feeling subsumes me for a bit, the rawness and rightness flooding through my mind before I let the intensity dial down some, mentally stepping back from the brief slip into something almost primal that slightly scares the shit out of me once I'm out of it.
I... should probably talk to Ios and Akiko about what just happened... I try my best not to let the troubling thoughts linger, especially not when I'm so close to Sandra. Don't want to give her mixed signals after all. I immerse myself back into the thought of our reunion and let the happiness take the place of all the other emotions, my voice coming out calmer and more collected once again, "Sorry if I scared you Sandy, but don't worry, I'll be back soon, that's a baby girl promise~! Sleep well until then, hun."
I transmit the last vestiges of my joy to her, as well as the somewhat complicated thought of a peaceful "see you next time" that I'm not entirely sure translates correctly, but something in my being tells me the message got across well enough. I slip out of my soul space, and then out of the flow model network entirely as I resurface back to the land of the living. With a slightly shuddering breath, I move my shoulders around to get the stiffness out of them from being seated for so long before looking around for Ios.
Sure, she doesn't need a body to speak with me, but it does honestly help seeing her facial expressions and stuff when we're talking about complicated subjects. "Ios?" I say out into the room with a weaker than meaning to voice. In no time at all, my faithful spirit / eldritch being beyond comprehension appears next to me, concern drawn all across her face.
"Aims? What's wrong honey? Is Sandra okay?"
"She's fine, don't worry, but thank you sweetie," I reply before taking a breath. "Ios... I had another... instance of something else essentially taking me over for a second. But this time in the soul space." I give her a quick rundown of what I experienced, with as much clarity as I can muster. I still feel a bit fearful at the sudden shift in identity, but not nearly as much as when I lost myself to the regal feelings before. Or even the lust for battle. This time felt a bit more... natural? And that brings its own wave of confusion and fear.
Ios listens to all of it, even the added in parts that I just realized, before she tries to rest a hand on my knee. She curses slightly under her breath "Need to finalize this fucking body plan..." as she realizes that its a bit of a failed effort and then sits down to look up at me from the floor. "Aims, it's okay. I'll talk to Akiko later about this with some ideas, and you're welcome to sit in on that if you want but I know how troubling this part has been for you. I wouldn't ever discuss or plan something without your approval and it'll always be for your best interest, so if you trust me, I can handle that part on my own too.
Regardless, my initial thoughts on this are that you didn't experience a foreign influence this time." I look at her incredulously, to which she simply smiles and continues, "The royalty part was alien enough that you knew that wasn't you. The battle lust was a mixture of your new mental state and growing desire for power manifesting fully. This... Honey, this time I think it was mostly all you. You honestly, genuinely feel that strongly for Sandra. There may have been some level of latent feelings from your slowly growing soul, but that powerful of a reaction inside your soul space? At your level? That could have only come from you. Not from your past life's influences, not right now."
I frown a bit, tucking my legs up to my chest to try and keep some form of security and grounding in my mind, "Didn't you already say that my soul's way more powerful than it's supposed to be though?"
She nods as she replies, "I did. But that level of manipulation wouldn't be possible by an outside source. You touched upon something so ingrained, so powerful, that you nearly created an Intent. Which is fucking insane, by the way~. I feel sorry for any poor idiot who comes between you and Sandra, or tries to hurt either of you. Pretty sure their whole bloodline would quickly become extinct~."
I gasp a bit in shock, though not at her ending statement. As soon as she says that, I immediately know that would be a fact. No, I gasped because I start remembering most of what that particular info dump on Intents and such entailed, "What?! How would that even be possible?? I thought only 5th Realms or maybe peak 4th Realms could make Intents? And what Intent would have even been made? Aren't they all about like... concepts and ideas?"
"Again, you're mostly right honey~. And while it isn't unheard of, and more than a bit dangerous, lower Realm cultivators can create Intents if the will, connection, comprehension, and soul is strong enough. And you have all of those in spades, my dear. As for what would have been created, I'd wager some variation of a Love Intent or something. They don't have to follow strict, to the letter rules since they are essentially extensions of yourself. They just do most of the time since everyone is brought up in the same kind of environment with the same kind of teaching, mostly, so concepts and ideas follow a linear path the majority of the time. But you, you little realm walker, aren't burdened by those rules~.
I could very well be off mark a little, and that's part of what Akiko and I need to discuss later, but yeah. Something like True Love Intent, Bonded Intent, or even a combination of aspects of love and soul. The possibilities are endless~." She finishes her explanation, my mind reeling from the news that I almost painted an even bigger target on my back. Not to mention having to explain that to Akiko and the others... well, I don't think Akiko would bat an eye anymore to be fair.
I rub my eyes, my knees still squished against my breasts as I respond, "Jesus. I'll have to be careful going forward, who knows if I could even handle an Intent right now, not to mention the attention it would bring..."
Ios seems to consider for a moment before she shakes her head to me, her curly brown hair bouncing across her shoulders, "I think you'd have been fine actually. So long as it didn't get too high of a level when you made it. But I do agree that it would have for sure brought about attention that we seriously don't need or want right now. Hell, even when you get permission to leave the estate! Intents are powerful at mortal levels, and you being a 3rd or 4th Realm - whichever we decide to let you loose on - Intent creator would make unbelievable waves."
I sigh into my chest as I lean down, my warm breath washing over the exposed cleavage poking out of the top of the kimono. Just another thing to add to the pile, I guess. "Yeah, I'd like to sit in with you two later, even if it may disturb me a bit. To be honest, knowing that it wasn't a mind meld scenario actually is helping me cope a bit. Just sucks that the news also comes with its own problems, but what else is new around here."
"I'm sorry hun," Ios says as she gives me a compassionate and empathetic frown, "I know all of this keeps stacking up on you. I can't wait for the days when the only thing we have to worry about is cultivating and spending time with each other, including Sandra and all the others of course. I'll do my best to keep you safe until then, I promise."
I poke my eyes up, feeling the familiar prick of heat that accompanies tears as her warm words drip into me. I smile, though she can't see it, as I say, "You really do need to accelerate the body plan, because I really want to hug you right now, Ios. Thank you, for everything."
A faint streak of pink darts across her face before she turns her attention towards the door. "Shit," She says as she stands up, "Looks like Sam's on her way now. It's only been 30 minutes by the way, looks like boosting your mental stats really helped with the time dilation in your meditation. She'll be here in a minute or so, you may want to dry your eyes a bit before then. Do you want me to stay online like this or give you space?"
I stand up quickly as soon as she cursed, so I already am in the process of cleaning my face off from the few errant streaks that managed to slip down. I mentally respond back to Ios, just now remembering that they can all probably hear me if Akiko hasn't activated the silencing array. Wait... Ah fuck...
We need to make that damn privacy enchantment automatic or something, for fucks sake... Let me talk to her one on one first, but if she gets too much or I start shutting down or something, pop up for me?
'You got it honey~! We can talk to Akiko about the enchantment later, eta 10 seconds.' Her chirpy reply filters back into my head. With a nearly audible sigh, I adjust the dress one more time as the sliding door receives a loud but still polite knock.
Through the brown wood and paper slats, I hear Samantha's slightly haughty but still annoyingly attractive voice call out, "Amelia, the Mistress informed me that you required my skills to gather your measurements. I have also brought some lunch that Gerra has produced, in the event that you have not eaten."
Short, sweet, and to the point. Looks like we're in the 'professional courtesies' level of interaction today. I reply back with as much conviction as I can, "Ah, Uh thanks! Yeah, please come in! Or wait, do you need me to open the door? I'll just go ahead and- Oh! You got it I guess, haha!" Fucking hell Aims...
I'm nearly halfway toward the door before she takes the initiative and opens it with a free hand. She's wearing, shockingly, a somewhat familiar style of oversized T shirt that looks to be made with pure cotton and some kind of brown riding pants with a tool belt around her hip. The belt contains various tools like a measuring tape, pencils and paper, and other things that I don't have time to catalogue as she maneuvers into the room, turning to show her pert, round ass as she closes the door and makes her way toward the table.
She gives me a polite smile as she moves past, me deciding to try my best not to make the situation anymore awkward as I follow her behind. I mean... behind her. We both land at said table, her placing down another tray of delicious smelling food with portions for one, it seems. Looks like some kind of pasta with thin flat noodles with a creamy white sauce, chunks of browned meat and soft veggies nestled between the noodles, sided with a different, darker bread this time as well as an honest to goodness chocolate chip cookie~!!
"Oh my god, you guys can make cookies?!" My eyes sparkle as I hold up this hand sized, thought to be gone treasure of culinary works~! I hear a slight sound where Samantha is standing, suspiciously sounding like a chortle, or dare I say, even a laugh. I turn to the side and see her impassive face once more guarding against any admissions of guilt, but my keen mind notices the slight twitch of the corner of her lip settling back down from a raised expression~!
She nods once her face is set again, "Indeed, Gerra is quite fond of them as well. I prefer her cakes myself, but to each their own. Now then, go ahead and eat and then we can take your numbers down."
I give her a quick, "Okay~!" and dive into the delicious meal, using [Appraise] on all of it of course~.
[Masterfully Baked Bisoonses and Vegetable Fettuccini (Peak Heaven Rank)]: This perfectly baked dish was made by a world class spiritual chef. The thin noodles are bathed in a heavenly creamy sauce and adorned with exquisitely seared and chunked Bisoonses meat and steamed vegetables. Additionally, when consumed, for the next 24 hours all physical stats and Health and Stamina pools will increase by 10%, and recovery rates for Health and Stamina pools are increased by 5%.
[Divinely Baked Sourdough Valley Bread Slice (Peak Heaven Rank)]: This slice of bread was baked with love and care by a world class spiritual chef. Its whole form is round and full, having been carefully prepared and baked in an oven. It has a beyond satisfying crunch to the thick crust, with pillow like softness to the inner fluff, while the sour yet tangy taste leaves a pleasant feeling in one's mouth. Additionally, when consumed, for the next 24 hours experience gain and Qi accumulation rate will increase by 10%, and stamina costs for actions will be reduced by 5%.
[Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie (Quasi-Transcendent Rank)]: The pinnacle of cookie science brought about by a world class spiritual chef. Its crunchy edges belie a soft and gooey center, with delectable morsels of soft, warm chocolate tucked inside its baked form. Additionally, when consumed, for the next 24 hours all negative status effects will be reduced in effectiveness, and all positive status effects will be increased in effectiveness by 15%. These include mental and physical effects.
[Appraisal lvl 4] has upgraded to [Appraisal lvl 5]!
I knew cookies were the answer to depression!! Suck it therapist who told me I was likely just comfort eating, there's numbers and shit behind it now! I dive into the wonderful food with reckless abandon, but take my time savoring the deliciously sweet treat. I fail to stop a moan of absolute pleasure roll out of my mouth on the first bite, but my eyes close in rapture so hard that I don't care about Samantha hearing it.
Far too soon, the wonderful treat is gone and my disappointment is immeasurable. With a pout at the empty plate, I hear a genuine chuckle from my side this time, my antics finally breaking down a few walls it seems. "I continue to see why the Mistress favors you, little pup. Come, stand over here and take off your robe so I can get your measurements in. If we are quick about it, I can venture down to the tailor today and have some works commissioned."
I stand where she points before my eyebrows shoot up at what she wants me to do, nearly stunned enough to miss the last bit of information she says. "Uh... I *Ahem* I'm not... wearing anything under this." I say, the fire dancing across my face and down my neck.
She cocks her head cutely to the side with a curious expression, "And? Honestly, that makes it easier. Your fancy undergarments are beyond make in the Village, unless you plan to sell the designs, so I would be needing to tell them your... unsupported numbers." She reaches down to her belt and takes out the long measuring tape, her other hand reaching up toward the sash on my waist as the fear and panic spike through me.
"Wait!! Damn woman! Just... just let me go change into a pair of underwear real fast! Surely the tailor isn't going to close with me taking literally 1 minute to change!" I clutch up the hem of the dress, my other hand instinctually coming across my chest protectively.
She sighs as she stands back, motioning toward the bathroom. "Very well. It's not like its such a wide deviation from seeing you nude in that attire anyhow~."
With another blush and confusing whirl of emotions, I sigh out and pick out the last clean pair of panties and bra from the storage bag before darting into the bathroom. Jesus, what's her deal?! Ugh... calm down, maybe she just didn't think anything of it and this is another example of culture shock. Right? Maybe? Either way, I don't want to keep her for long, lest she gets more ideas. I disrobe and put on the frilly garments, all black with white trim which looks amazing~, and then step out once more into the room, the blush on my face burning bright.
She nods as she motions to the space next to her as I trudge up with my arms still covering my chest, trying to hide whatever bit of dignity I have left. She scoffs lightly before looking me in the eyes, "Amelia. I can't take your numbers with your hands and arms in the way. I won't touch you inappropriately, unless you want me to~, so just relax, okay?"
Alright, I can't take it anymore. Too much has happened in the last hour and her on again off again teasing is driving me insane. "Samantha," I say as I do my best to keep my tone neutral and the glare off my face, "I need to know if you are just fucking-... messing, with me or if you're actually making passes at me. I don't respond well to whatever kind of flirting you're doing right now, if you even are flirting."
She again cocks her head to the side, looking at me like I've grown a second head as she says, "Of course I'm flirting with you? I thought I was being very obvious about it."
I sigh as I rub my temples a bit. Okay, well, at least she wasn't just being a manipulative tease. Which, again, I know she wouldn't be or Akiko would have put her foot down by now. "Alright, thank you for being forward with me. Look, I just... I've had bad experiences with people who act like that before. Back on Earth. I know you're not them, and I honestly am trying my best to not make the comparison, but I barely know you and it makes me feel conflicted when you flirt like that."
She steps back a bit, a thoughtful look on her little button face as her unfashioned hair flows behind her. "I see. *Sigh* I apologize, in that case. I know some of what you have been through, just simply from hearing various conversations while your privacy field was down," God damnit... "so I will try to 'reign it in' as you say. I don't know how effective it will be since this is who I am and while I do find you incredibly attractive with a cute personality, I can't help but still consider you an unknown right now. The only way I know how to remove that status is either through intimate connection or physical confrontation, as that was what I was raised with in my tribe, and lessons from my past have taught me to not trust unknown factors. Even some known ones..."
She gets a thoughtful, remorseful look as her eyes dart to the side at the end there, but I know enough to not poke my nose further into it. Whatever happened between her, Akiko, and her previous harem is something that obviously is a painful memory for everyone involved. I don't doubt they'll tell me in time, especially Akiko, but I don't want to force it out of them.
I give her a small smile, outstretching a hand to her while I let the other one fall to my side to fully expose my half naked body to her, "I appreciate it, and I don't blame you for your distrust. I trust hard and fast, but I know how dangerous that can be, even if I can't help it sometimes. Anyways, I do appreciate you and uhm... find you very attractive too, when you're not bustin' my ass about something. Usually. *Ahem*."
She turns back to give me a delightful smirk as she clasps my hand, "Ho~? I forgot to inquire what you meant by your words, when you said you felt 'conflicted'. Tell me, Amelia, what emotions contrast inside you when I was being... confrontational?"
She leans in, not enough to threaten a kiss, but more than enough to make my heartbeat quicken as her smoldering look pierces through me. "Uh... well. I got mad, sure, but it was confusing? Like, I didn't know if you wanted to fight me or fuck me, and by your words here and some further clarifications later from Akiko, that seems like it was your intention. So. *Gulp* well done?" I take a step back from her encroaching form and slightly hungry look, her slowly curling up into a knowing smile.
Oddly enough, the bubble of arousal starts to trickle through me at this whole display, feeling like a mouse being caught by a tiger, as I start to flush crimson even harder. She gives a light breath before leaning back and adopting her previous neutral expression, although the knowing smile still remains.
"Good to know~. I promise to try and corral my mistrust and treat you like a fellow member of the harem until such a time that either of my previous conditions are met, and that I will not be as... underhanded with my flirting going forward. Considering the noises yet again from this morning and still lingering smell in the room, it's obvious that the Mistress cares for you deeply, and it would be unbecoming of me to deny it any further. Additionally, you showed a firm resolve and earnestness in confronting me directly, albeit only verbally, which eases my mind somewhat. Now then, let's take your measurements, little pup~."
I sigh, as much as things change, things stay the same it seems. I raise my arms up as she snaps the tape and strides toward me, a delighted expression crossing her face that makes the slowly calming bubbles erupt in a spring once more.