Liberty and Death: Chapter 31
Chapter 31
The sun had fully set as Cora’s de-facto ‘Inner Circle’ gathered in her office, fireplace roaring with fresh wood. Cora thought it was a little much, honestly, but Hawk had muttered something about ‘ambiance’ and kept piling on logs. Plus, an apparent benefit of Lux was climate control, and despite the fire, Cora was perfectly comfortable, neither hot nor cold. Just a little warm in the heart, that in about a day she’d been able to win over these people enough for them to sit with her, and plan.
Mike had taken one of the red leather chairs across from the couch Cora and Hawk occupied. The couch could usually seat more, but Hawk had once again stretched out, legs heavy in Cora’s lap. As much as Cora told herself to start setting boundaries, she really liked their weight there.
Trish had taken the other chair, still asking Iain questions as he stood beside her, trying her level best to catch up to what the hell had been going on in the household she’d joined. She’d been a gamble, but Cora felt an odd affection for the woman. She reminded her more and more of the consultant she’d worked with to learn firearm handling for Jane Thick. Not in looks, that guy had been closer to Hawk than Trish’s relatively slight build, but general bearing, a kind of buttoned-up professionalism, with occasional charming cracks that engendered trust.
Kyra paced back and forth in front of the fire, periodically obscuring Jocasta, who sat on the hearth’s edge. Cora hoped Lux was adjusting for her, letting her warm her old bones like she clearly wanted.
“Alright, folks, thanks for joining me,” Cora started. She noticed she was nervously stroking the toe of Hawk’s boot, and stopped herself. Strength, now. “I think we can all agree it has been a crazy fucking day.”
A murmur of exhausted laughs and agreement sounded from her newfound household.
“As far as the particulars, I’d ask that you all fill each other in, but here’s the big news: The Chains are after us. Me specifically, but, as one last fuck you from Linnea, I’d bet you all are guilty by association.”
The murmur was now significantly less jovial.
“However, we’ve already shown we can stand up to them. Mike, you’ll note we came home with more ‘trish than we left with. Turns out, killing Links is lucrative goddamn business.”
Laughter again, with a heartfelt ‘whoop!’ From Hawk.
“In addition, well, we have Lux.”
‘Hi again everyone!’ the house said delightedly, excited just to be referenced.
“Hi Lux!” said a tiny voice just behind Cora’s head. She jumped, but could only really be surprised by Tania being behind her so many times.
Fuck it, feels right for her to be here anyway.
“Lux changes things for us. She can help us turn Luxholme into a force to be reckoned with. At least make this place safe. Maybe make this whole district, safe, if we play our cards right. And, with [Big Sys], she can make you all, very powerful, isn’t that right, Lux?”
‘Oh yes! It will take a bit of extra energy, but when you join this [Household], I can [System Integrate] you as well!”
“And that means?” Kyra asked, stopping her pacing just long enough to talk before she resumed her prowl.
“It means the ability to permanently upgrade your bodies and minds, no cyberware required. Superpowers, maybe, I don’t know, I think I’m just scratching the surface. Lux, please show them my stats,” Cora ordered.
The air between all of them swirled, and Cora’s stat page shimmered into existence.
[Cora Casanova][Level 3]
[Str:5+3(SP)]
[Dex:8+3(SP]
[End:5+3(SP)+30(MA)]
[Vit:8+3(SP)+20(Nanostitch)]
[Agi: 8+3(SP)]
[Int:9+3(SP)]
[Will:30+3(SP)]
[Cha:33+50(Aphrodisia Glands {seduction dependent})]
[Skills: {Star Power}, {Method Actor}, {Stat Focus: [Cha]},{Firearm proficiency}, {Hand to Hand Proficiency}, {Handgun Mastery II}, {CQC Mastery I}, {Performance Mastery- Ascendant}, {Harvester I}]
[Titles: [Unbreakable], [Money Maker], [Best Actress]]
[Stat Points:0]
[Skill Points:0]
“You can all see your own, either in the Party HUD or by asking Lux. Compare your stats to mine, and take notice of allll those bonuses,” Cora said, and waited for those present to do so. Kyra must read fast, because she was the first to speak.
“Why do you and Hawk both have crazy skills like {Method Actor} and {Killer}?” She asked, obviously a little put out.
“For me? I think I’m just a special snowflake and [Big Sys] likes me. As far as Hawk… well, she’s a Monster. Literally,” Cora explained, feeling Hawk tense in her lap.
“Kinda wanna take that as a compliment,” Hawk said, rising a bit, voice dangerous, “but I don’t think you mean it as one.”
“I don’t. I mean it as a fact, Hawk,” Cora said, meeting her blazing eyes with Cadey’s steel in her own. “You were so bad the System stopped seeing you as human. It's why you have a level and a class when no one else does. [Big Sys] thinks you can change that, but for now, act like a beast, get treated like one.”
Hawk snarled, and that did nothing to dissuade Cora from the ‘beast’ moniker. It did scare her, a bit, she could admit that.
Normally when a human showed you their teeth, it just looked silly. When Hawk did it, it made sweat break out on the back of her neck. Still, Cora held her gaze, not backing down. Eventually, Hawk relaxed a bit, putting on a facade of confidence to lean back into the couch.
“Good girl,” Cora teased, to a sound somewhere between a scoff and a laugh from the giantess.
“Okay….,” Kyra said, looking at both Cora and Hawk like she was reclassifying them as freaks in her mind, but hey, if the shoe fit.
“So, Lux,” Cora continued, “how do we go about extending this to everyone else?”
‘Well, if everyone was [System Integrated], it would be as simple as having them eat one of my Heartfruit! However, since only Hawk is [System Integrated], everyone else will also require me to consume a Shimcore, in addition to my normal power requirements,’ Lux explained.
“Right, so, we have four Shimcores available, and Lux needs to consume one every two days just to function. I’d like to keep one, just in case we have trouble getting more, though I have plans for that as well. Jocasta, somehow, is already [System Integrated], so she’s a shoe in. That leaves 3 of you able to be [System Integrated]. I highly recommend we focus on roles, and further suggest we put Mike as =Majordomo=, which is perfect for him.”
There was no resistance there, everyone agreed wholeheartedly. Mike was well liked, and the benefits of a =Majordomo= were obvious.
“Second, we need someone to fill the =Quartermaster= slot. The benefits there are, I think you’ll agree, insane. It's a less obvious fill, though. I’m currently thinking Trish or Jocasta, but am open to suggestions.”
People took a second to look over the =Quartermaster= description Lux had prepared, a few eyes going wide. Trish raised her hand.
“I’m well suited to this,” she said when Cora nodded at her, “I was a transport officer in the war. Plus, I’m not sure you noticed, but the Quartermaster can also access that pocket. It would be good to have someone back at basecamp who can take out what you put in, boss.”
“A good point, Trish,” Cora granted, “but it conflicts a bit for the hopes I had for the last slot that needs filling. Check out the =Captain of the Guard= title, everyone.”
Another few moments, before Iain whistled. Surprisingly musical, the man had talent.
“I think I see where yer headin’ lass. Were plannin’ to have me wit’ ye in the streets, I expect, but…”
“Exactly,” Cora agreed, “this seems as tailor made for you as =Majordomo= is for Mike. What do you think? Trish would also be an excellent choice for this, I imagine.”
“Hmmm…” Iain took his time to respond, which always meant the matter required real thought.
‘If I may?’ Lux asked, and Cora nodded her assent.
‘As you cultivate me, more Titles will become available, and when I reach level 5 and receive my [Household Class],you will be able to respec and change all that at will!’ The house explained.
“Right,” Cora let out a sigh of relief, “that takes a bit of the pressure off. Here’s what I’m thinking then: Jocasta as =Quartermaster=. Not a perfect fit, but we can change it. Iain, =Captain of the Guard=. Means that we have at least one stone-cold badass for any trouble at Luxholme, and you’re definitely the best choice to start training up any of our girls what want to learn how to stop themselves from being victimized.”
Trish grimaced just slightly, but schooled that expression fast. Her military decorum retook its place almost immediately. Everyone else seemed happy enough with that arrangement, Jocasta most of all, something she let everyone know with a gleeful cackle.
“That’s all fuckin’ fine,” Hawk said, “but I’m just wonderin’ when you’re putting my ass as =Disciplinarian=. I mean, c’mon, and I already know a few people around here what could use a paddlin’.”
Christ.
“Never, Hawk,” Cora said, meeting her eyes once more. “Listen to yourself. You’d abuse that, and you know it. Plus, you don’t need the strength bonus, you’re already a fuckin’ shit brickhouse. That role goes to Kyra, and probably goes away entirely when we can change it. I hate even having it in the house.”
Hawk’s legs started to press down, the couch creaking as Cora began to sink into it.
“Damn,” Hawk said, voice the kind of cold that was a whole lot angrier than heat. “You’re right though, don’t need the extra strength. Got plenty to keep you all right where I want you.”
Cora rolled her eyes. Honestly, Hawk probably would beat her in a fight, but Cora was pretty sure Iain or Kyra could take her, so the bravado was a little empty. Cora just patted her on the boot, as her legs started to lessen their immense pressure. Admittedly, if Cora’s [End] wasn’t boosted into the stratosphere, she’d definitely have bruised from that.
“Right, so, any objections to Kyra as =Disciplinarian? She needs the [Str], and the only person she’s likely to abuse is me,” Cora asked, looking around the room. Kyra wore a concerning smirk, and Cora sighed, but moved on; “Or can we get this party started?”