The Outlands

Tess entered one of the guild’s private rooms, where one of the ambassadors’ kids, Limet, was waiting. However, unlike the last time she had seen him, during the first meeting they had with all the ambassadors’ kids, he wasn’t in human form. Instead, he was in his base form, that of an arachne.

Tess closed and locked the door behind her, then took a seat across from him. “Hey, Limet.” She said warmly. “You wanted to talk with me?”

Limet nodded nervously. “Um…everything that happens in here is confidential, right? You won’t tell anyone about it unless I say it’s okay?”

“Within reason.” Tess said. “I’m not going to tell anyone about your anxieties or feelings, but if you start, say, going on about plans to commit murder, then I’m telling people.”

Limet relaxed a little. “Okay.” He said, then slid off the ring that was allowing him to be in his base form. “I…I’m not supposed to be human while I’m not on Mael, and my parents would freak out if they knew, so I just wanted to be sure.”

“My lips are sealed.” Tess said. “I’m guessing that has something to do with why you wanted to talk?”

“Yeah. I…well, the thing is…” Limet trailed off, taking a seat in one of the room’s chairs and fidgeting nervously.

When the silence had gone on for a few seconds, Tess spoke up softly. “I’m not going to judge you for anything you say.” She said. “Don’t feel worried about that. That being said, take as much time as you need if this is something tough to talk about.”

Limet took a deep breath, paused for a moment, then spoke. “I don’t want to be an arachne.” He said. “I’m human. My parents seem to think it’s some sort of phase, but it’s not. I’ve always been human, and just…suddenly saying that I’m actually something I thought was a myth doesn’t change that. They say I just ‘need to get used to it’ and that I’ll realize it’s ‘not a big deal’, but it is.

“I feel like I’m going crazy! How can it not be a big deal?! It’s the biggest deal! They try to tell me that there’s all these advantages to being an arachne, but it’s not about that! It’s not like I’m picking my species like I would pick a college or something, I just want to be me. I kept telling myself that it’d be fine, and I could just figure this out once I move out on my own, but…I don’t think that’s going to work.”

He looked like he wanted Tess to say something, so she obliged. “Why’s that? I know there are services that can change your base form. They’re pricey, but they exist. If you’re worried about the budget, don’t be; I know Gramps would be more than happy to do it for you.”

“He would?” Limet asked, pausing for a moment. “I actually hadn’t considered that. But…no, getting the operation done isn’t the issue. I was planning to work as a freelancer and save until I could afford it, which, by my estimation, would take a year or two. They’ve been having me boost since I was told about everything, to ‘catch up’, so I don’t have to start totally from scratch. The real issue is that I’m not sure there’s a way I can get the operation and still have a good relationship with them.

“A few days ago, they caught me looking up information on the operation, and they got really mad. They told me that it’s a frivolous waste of money, and that I should be proud of my heritage. That I don’t need to denigrate myself and my ancestors by doing something that would imply that arachnes are ‘lesser’.”

Tess’s gaze hardened. “Did they punish you?” She asked icily.

“I’m grounded.” Limet replied bitterly. “The only reason I’m even allowed to attend this meeting is that they don’t want to ‘ruffle any feathers with the Guildmaster by messing with his grandkids’ plans’, and that they hoped you would ‘talk some sense into me’.”

“If he knew, those feathers would be very ruffled.” Tess said. “How can I help?”

“To be honest, I’m not sure.” Limet admitted. “I was hoping you could help me brainstorm ideas. And…well, I wanted your opinion on it, since you said you’re also not fully human anymore, and you’re…well, you’re helping organize this whole thing, I thought you might have ideas I couldn’t.”

He paused again, giving Tess an unsure look. “And…I guess…well…I figured if anyone would know if I’m actually overreacting, you would.”

“I don’t think you are, and you’re not the first person to have these worries.” Tess said. “You’re definitely the one who’s had it the hardest, the others I’ve talked to were still humanoid, but you’re not alone. And, if I’m being honest, I think the species issue is the part of this whole ambassador operation that’s been handled the worst.

“For the others, they were mostly able to get by with some reassurances, but they didn’t have to contend with changes that were nearly as dramatic as yours. My position is that, outside of cases that could be handled almost as well for much cheaper with cosmetic surgery or the equivalent, you’re always valid to seek a transformation like this.”

Tess paused for a moment. “Obviously, your parents don’t think so. And, assuming that your family is well-off like most of the ambassadors, it’s likely for one of two reasons, and I don’t know your parents well enough to make a guess as to which. Most likely, they have a fundamental misunderstanding about the importance of humanity to Mael natives.

“Thanks to the efforts of the gods and the Appointed, discrimination on the basis of species is quite uncommon. And, with certain Classes and Skills able to modify your species, most people have long since stopped caring. Most of the parents of the other kids who have had this issue have been approaching it from this perspective, and haven’t fully realized what growing up as a member of the only sapient species on the plane does to someone. If this is what’s going on with your parents, then me or Gramps talking to them should sort it out.”

“I don’t know…” Limet said hesitantly. “I don’t think that’s quite what’s happening.”

“I was afraid of that.” Tess sighed. “The other scenario I was thinking was that, unfortunately, they’re speciesist. The efforts I mentioned earlier really started bearing fruit a few thousand years ago, when other concerns became less and less pressing. And while that sounds like a really long time ago, and it is for Mael, it’s not for the rest of the world. History goes back hundreds of thousands of years, and there are plenty of people who have lived for tens of thousands of years.

“These sorts of outdated views are held disproportionately by the rich and powerful, people who have the capability to live that long, or who had parents who lived that long. One of my wives, Maven, her kingdom still doesn’t let men be the main rulers due to tradition, and I know there are other governments that have similar artifacts of that time.

“I’ll be blunt here; do you think your parents view humans, or other humanoid species, as ‘lesser’? I would hope not, since they’re supposed to be ambassadors, but if they do, then things just got a whole lot harder.”

Limet thought on that for a while. “I think…I think they might.” He finally admitted. “I mean, I never asked them, that’s not the kind of thing you just say, but they’ll say things like ‘humanoids are so unsteady on their feet’ and ‘they can’t even make silk’ and all sorts of stuff like that. And whenever I point out the disadvantages of being an arachne they claim it’s all a product of other species not accommodating arachnes enough. Even stuff that’s objectively not, like not being able to fit in smaller spaces or not being able to turn around as quickly.”

Tess raised an eyebrow. “How can they blame a slower turning speed on other species?” She asked.

“Okay, they didn’t blame that on other species, but they said that it wasn’t important at all.” Limet admitted. “Still, they have said things that, at least to me, sound like they think arachnes are the best species.”

Tess frowned. “That is…very unfortunate.” She said. “Hopefully, that’s just us reading too much into it and they’re just trying to accustom you to the idea of staying an arachne, but given how they actively punished you for looking into alternatives…”

Tess trailed off, then shook her head. “If it’s alright with you, can I call Gramps in? He’d have a far better grasp of your parents’ views on other species than I would, and maybe even than you would. I know for a fact that he would be sympathetic to you, and I’m sure he would also have possible solutions.”

“Can you do that?” Limet asked. “He’s busy, right?”

“He says that Mael business comes first.” Tess replied. “This is a matter of inter-planal diplomacy, some meetings can wait.”

“Um…alright.” Limet said. “That sounds good.”

Tess stood up. “I’ll go fetch him, be back in a couple of minutes.”

Limet nodded, and Tess left the room, pulling up a private message with Gramps as she did.

Tess waited patiently, and not even a minute later Gramps turned the corner into the hallway. “Let’s go see him.” He said. “I think I might have an idea of what this is about, but I want to hear it from him.”

Tess gave a warning knock on the door, then opened it and ushered Gramps inside.

“Limet, good to see you!” Gramps said warmly, moving to sit in the seat Tess had been sitting in. He paused once he sat, then shifted over to the next seat, allowing Tess to sit back where she had been sitting before. “Tess is telling me you’re in a bit of a sticky situation, but I’d like to hear everything from you, if that’s alright.”

“Y-Yes, Mr. Los.” Limet said nervously. “Um…well, it’s like this…”

Limet gave a somewhat abbreviated rundown of everything he and Tess had talked about while Gramps listened attentively. Once he was finished, he gave Gramps a nervous look. “So…um…what do you think?”

Gramps stroked his chin thoughtfully. “I hate to say it, but I believe you’re right in your assessment of them. The country they come from, Glint, is notorious as one of the ones with the least diverse population, and their upper class has remained pretty insular.”

“Why even send diplomats, then?” Limet asked.

“They’re probably trying to get a grasp on what sort of strategic resources Mael has and seeding what influence they can.” Gramps said. “In the future, they’re probably going to be considering making moves to seize as much land as they can.”

Limet gaped at him. “B-But, the Appointed of Life and Death…”

“Will stop them.” Gramps said calmly. “Glint has, at least as far as I know, managed to evade direct confrontation with an Appointed so far. They underestimate what an Appointed is capable of and likely believe that they can get away with certain things that would normally be acceptable when dealing with a new plane. I’ve spoken with the Appointed of Life and Death myself, and she’s assured me that any sort of exploitative action against Mael will be met with reprisal.”

As far as Tess knew, Gramps hadn’t actually had that conversation with Ellie, but he had probably spoken in great length with Life and Death over what sorts of things would be diplomatically acceptable, so Tess saw no reason to doubt his words. “As long as you don’t try anything you won’t be punished, of course, even if your family tries something.” She added.

“Oh.” Limet said in a small voice. “So…it’s hopeless, then? Me and my parents, that is.”

“I don’t think they’re that far gone.” Gramps replied. “But I think we should speak with them before we make any further assumptions. Limet, are they busy right now?”

“I don’t think so.” Limet replied. “Um… are you sure now is the time? They’re going to get mad at me because I told you about this.”

“They’re going to get mad regardless.” Gramps replied. “It’s best to rip the bandage off, I feel. That is, unless you find potentially alienating your parents not worth your humanity, which is entirely reasonable. In the end, it’s your choice.”

Limet deliberated for a moment, then swallowed hard. “Alright, then. Let’s go.”

“They’re at home, right?”

“Yes.”

Gramps nodded, then snapped his fingers and the three appeared at the doorstep of a house, likely somewhere in the City if the temperature and time of day were any indicator. Gramps stepped forward and gave a sharp knock at the door, then stepped back and waited, smiling reassuringly at the other two. “Put your ring back on, please.” He whispered. “We don’t want to make your parents angry right now.”

Limet stepped back and complied, looking nervously at the door. After some shuffling from within, an arachne man opened the door. The briefest moment of surprise flashed across his face, then he put on a large smile. “Guildmaster, to what do we owe the pleasure?”

“Well, Limet was talking with my granddaughter, and she ended up asking for my advice.” Gramps said. Unaware or uncaring of the increasingly strained smile the man who was presumably Limet’s father had, he continued. “Why don’t we come inside? I don’t think this is a conversation you would like to be having on your doorstep.”

“Very well.” Limet’s father said. “I’ll fetch Laila. Limet, show them to the living room and fetch the guest chairs.”

“No need for the chairs.” Gramps said. “I have some we can use.”

Limet’s father left, and Limet guided Tess and Gramps into the house and to the living room. It was rather similar to most living rooms Tess had seen, with one large exception; where normally there would be couches or armchairs, there were large padded sections of floor. “Um, you can just put your chairs near one of these.” Limet said, motioning at the padded parts of the floor. “These are where we sit.”

Gramps brought a couple chairs out of his bag, and placed them next to one of the smaller padded sections. He and Tess sat, and he motioned for Limet to sit next to them. And, just as Limet was getting himself comfortable, his father returned with an arachne woman.

“A pleasure to meet you, Tess.” She said, giving her a smile. “I’m Laila, and this is my husband, Lin. To what do we owe the pleasure?”

Gramps waited for them to sit, then gave them an even look. “I am going to be blunt about this.” He said, voice taking on a frosty air that Tess rarely heard. “The Appointed of Life and Death has entrusted me with the responsibility of helping ensure Mael’s eventual integration with the wider world goes smoothly.

“The ambassadors’ children are the first people to go through the integration process, and as such I have been having my grandchildren help oversee them and report to me about their mental states.” Gramps paused, staring down Limet’s parents. “When I heard about Limet’s struggles, I decided it would be important to come and get to the root of the issue myself.”

Gramps snapped his fingers, and a sort of weight settled over the room. “I have just cast a very sophisticated lie detector spell. This spell will catch lies of omission, purposeful half-truths, and any other form of intentional deceit. I am going to ask some questions, and you will answer me honestly. Should you fail to do so, I will assume the absolute worst and act accordingly, understand?”

Limet’s parents stiffened, and Lin even began to sweat a little as he answered. “U-Understood.”

“First question. Are you opposed to Limet undergoing the procedure that would make his base form that of a human? If so, explain why.”

“Yes.” Laila said. “We believe he has yet to give being an arachne a proper chance, and that he will prefer it if he does.”

“How long would it take for you to be convinced that he has given it a proper chance?”

Limet’s parents paused, and after a moment Lin spoke. “We have not given that thought, considering it too unlikely.”

Gramps frowned. “Think on it now. Name a time frame.”

After another pause, Laila answered. “I think a year would satisfy me.”

Gramps nodded. “Would you think less of Limet if he chose to remain human?”

There was another, much longer pause. “We would be disappointed, but would love him as best we are able.” Laila said.

Gramps leaned forward, face hardening. “Yes or no.”

“No.” Lin said.

Gramps paused, then turned to Laila. “Speak.”

“Yes.” Laila admitted.

“Explain.” Gramps demanded.

“I think that the family lineage is important, and that he would be discarding it by choosing humanity. I would not disown him or anything of the sort, but I do not think I would be able to treat him the same.”

“The whole truth.” Gramps insisted, voice hard as steel.

Laila grit her teeth. “I believe he would be actively choosing to become lesser.” She said. “There. Happy?”

“I’ve heard everything I need to know.” Gramps said. “I’m going to allow two more months for Limet to accustom himself to being an arachne. If, by the end of these two months he wishes to remain human, I will personally perform the operation. During that time, I would highly recommend a deep reassessment of your beliefs.

“Assuming you are representative of Glint’s stance, it is my belief that continuing in this manner will end with Glint being punished by the Appointed of Life and Death. And, should you be unable to accept Limet as a human, I will take that as a sign that you are not fit for ambassador duty and will take the official stance that Glint’s ambassadors are not representative of the rest of the world. Understood?”

“Yes, Guildmaster.” Laila said.

“Good. When two months are up, we will have this conversation again. I cannot expect you to have fully changed your views in such a short time, but should I see progress, I will be satisfied. In the meantime, I would ask that you allow Limet at least three waking hours as a human per day, and to not punish him if he looks for information on this sort of stuff. Lin, as the one who is more open to this, I would ask that you take the lead here. Is that acceptable?”

“Yes.” Lin said.

“Good. Tess and I will take our leave now, and Tess will continue meeting with Limet weekly, as always. Goodbye.” Gramps stood, and Tess followed his lead. Gramps collected their chairs, snapped a finger, and then the two were back in his office.

“I can’t believe they just…listened like that.” Tess said.

“I’m significantly stronger than them, the de facto ruler of the City, and the leader of the ambassadors.” Gramps said. “They’re not of high enough standing to dare talk back. I’ll likely get some pushback from Glint, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

“I…see.” Tess said. “I have to admit, this whole thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”

“Me too.” Gramps said. “But sometimes you need to be forceful.”

“Oh yeah…when you mentioned the Appointed of Life and Death, I assume that stuff actually happened with Life and Death themselves?”

“Yes.” Gramps confirmed.

Tess nodded. “Well…I’ll let you get back to work now. Thanks for your help.”

“Anytime.” Gramps said, giving Tess a smile. “Just let me know how I can help.”

And with that, Tess left the guild and began heading home. This meeting was the last thing she had scheduled for the day, and she was eager to get back to her wives and relax.