Chapter 10 Relationships. Background story.

Act 1 Meditation. (Leah Sander - Power girl) Earth 0.

Within one of the study gardens, I was enjoying a walk while listening to an old novel read to me by my DAI Grace. She was showing me some generated art to help me imagine the story she was telling me.

But then I saw someone who was somewhat of a new friend if you ask him about me. . . even though I tried to get in his pants. .the first time we. . . Formal Kimono? Why is he wearing one of those?

I was curious at why he would wear something so old fashioned. . . is it a cultural day? No if it is, my roommate Noami would have dressed up before going out.

Then what?

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) "You can ask me, you know. We are "somewhat friends"" 

I heard soft chuckles in my head after those soft words left my mind and saw that I was already a few steps away from him sitting casually on a meter cube boulder with a sitting pillow underneath him.

I grumbled at having my thoughts read. As I sat across from him, in one of the other cushioned boulders.

(Leah Sander - Power girl) You I don't like my thoughts read!

I acted angry but I was more amused at his casual use of his meta-ability than the small violation of privacy, his esper abilities were very different from the other mind readers I met.

He was very gentle, soft even, with his powers. . . I can't believe he can use this gift in destroying an army of mercenaries. With a minor C class villain at the head.

I waited and then I felt a light push from him, it wasn't physical like a particularly strong wind, more like my mind felt like some gave me a light push.

Then he opened his eyes, they were so beautiful like that of a sky ocean of stars. His lips gave me an apologetic smile. As his chiming wind bells of a voice spoke.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) I'm sorry, I felt you thinking about me. I just can't help myself.

Damn. . .I really want to pin him down, and. . . It took awhile to center myself after that act of his. It's hard to not think of him as that pretty little boy you took home at high school.

Even though he was a Paragon Ace candidate. . . with upper B class esper abilities. That had taken down gangs overnight.

(Leah Sander - Power girl) Cough! Good! You should be sorry. . . how about lunch as an apology?

I know he has a girl. . . multiple ones actually, but that only means he's available for more! But damn that beast is territorial! I need to play this smooth or I'll be fighting the sister of a Sector Peacewarden.

He closed his eyes again and stroked his imaginary beard as he thought of my word deeply. . . it was cute. I took a pic subtly with my wrist-PC having Minzi work on it.

His eyes opened. Again.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) Sure, the food plaza?

I nodded excitedly before I realized what I was doing and stopped.

(Leah Sander - Power girl) Yeah that's fine.

Then he returned to meditating. Making me want to try it, but I don't. . .

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) "I can show you."

I heard him again. This time I gave him a nod even though both his eyes were closed. I felt my own follow, and then I felt my body shift into something more comfortable.

I felt his warmth, even though I know. I wasn't in his embrace. Yet I am. It was nice, I felt safe, cared for, loved. . . but then the feeling moved, by instinct I followed and then I opened my eyes.

I was in a simulation hall? A simulation hall is a white room that goes on forever, using art and tech to make it feel and look endless. But really it was a small room with a moving floor, with every surface a projector of holograms. . . and mind tricks.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) This is not a sim hall. Leah.

(Leah Sander - Power girl) So I'm Leah now? What happened with using paragon names?

I heard laughter and felt that amused soft smile of his. But I don't see him.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) Where safe here, and if you're looking for me. You're on top of me. . . 

I looked down, and saw the ground was a dark blue rather than white of everything else and then it started to become smaller. Until I was infront of a smol, cute, little whale alien plushie thing!

I started holding and rubbing it on my cheeks. It was soft, and very, very lovable.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) Please let go of me.

I heard Daniel's voice from the creature, which made me drop it and center myself. The helplessness in his voice was hella cute tho.

(Leah Sander - Power girl) So. . . is this my mindspace? Pretty empty, I always thought it would be a big. . .

The room started shifting but before it could continue.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) Stop.

With one word everything turned to normal.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) Sorry, but if I don't force your mind to be calm and empty we might get trapped in here. . . It's actually a type of projection called Mind prison. . .

He stopped talking as it. . . him. . . Daniel! Looking back at me. . . my head. . .I, where. . .what. . .why am I . . . Then I opened my eyes. And I was back in the study garden with Daniel pressing his head on mine. He stopped as I came to.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) Sorry, I didn't think you were so sensitive to psionics.

(Leah Sander - Power girl) What happened?

I was holding my head, I remember some of the experience but it felt like a dream. . . and like a dream it was falling out of my hands like sand.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) hmm. . . your conscious mind and unconscious mind started to fight each other. As they both realized they were not alone in your mindscape.

(Leah Sander - Power girl) I. . . don't understand?

I thought about the words he'd said but. . . I know next to nothing on psionics and little in psychology but from what I do know what he did should be impossible. . . but that's what a high meta ability is, it's to make the impossible. Possible.

We ended our session there as I led him to the garden's food court and enjoyed his company. He regaled me with tales told to him by his "sister" and I of the movies I enjoyed the most.

Act 2 Interrogations. (Rebecca- Lady Mercenary) Earth 0.

I was on the other side of an interrogation room watching as the so-called "Black Flash" was being questioned by two professionals.

There were all kinds of machines strapped to the C-class criminal. Who tried and embarrassingly failed to kidnap my. . . I really call him an apprentice cause I barely teach him anything. . . he should have had a telepath as a guide instead of me.

I was watching a surveillance tape of how the meta criminal and his thugs were soundlessly defeated by Abyss. . . which might be the reason I was paired with him, being the most augmented cyber-meta.

(Professionals) Are you the c-class criminal called the Black flash?

(Villain:Black Flash) What do you think! Ha!

The band around his head turned green, as a small electrical shock traveled in his head. The professionals wrote yes on their board. This was the 3rd round of questioning.

I still can't believe how scared the high command was last time I visited and asked them if they could reassign him to a new guide the first week I was with him.

(professionals) Good. Now, were you hired to do this? Or Is this personal?

(Villain:Black Flash) Fuck you! Ah!

Another shock and another buzz of green on the band. He was hired to this we already knew that, but we needed to be sure.

My uncle was. . . I never saw his hand shake like that as he was pouring me a drink and I asked him about why? He told me an open secret among those that was there when Abyss Faced the Union-Court.

He said it was that very moment where he had felt his own mortality when he felt the true power of Abyss. . . His name truly defines what he was, an endless well of might. He said the only one that wasn't affected so much was the union founders but even they struggled.

(Professionals) Who hired you?

This time instead of trying to fight the interrogation the criminal gave an exaggerated breath. 

(Villain:Black Flash) Damn. . . I'm gonna fight that kid again one of these days. . . it was Professor Psycho. She contacted me while I was in a cafe, don't know how, but she took over my laptop and asked me if I was interested in bagging a new raising Paragon.

The machine behind him was still straight meaning he wasn't lying. But he did frown before continuing.

(Villain:Black Flash) I accepted the money was good. I checked his info and the one Doctor Psycho gave me and I thought it was an easy job. A new D class pyromancer with potential . . . an easy in and out job after a good ambush. . . but damn we were wrong.

Doctor Psycho huh? A B-class tier criminal that's been running very suspicious experiments on the mutant beasts of the wastes. . . and has a tendency on kidnapping blanks and forcing mutation base or cyber base awakenings on them.

This is not good. I need to report this and get in contact with Abyss so I sent the recordings, data and my notes to the secretaries of high command and then pinged a video call with Abyss.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) Hey there, I'm not available right now leave a message and I'll get . . .

(Rebecca- Lady Mercenary) Damn! 

I have a bad feeling about this. That was the last thought I had, before moving towards the trackers I left on Abyss.

Act 3 Acting class. (Raven - Mistress Night) Earth 0.

(Raven - Mistress Night) Tremble mortals! For nothing but death awaits you beyond this gate!

Within one of the education gardens a prop gate of undead designs lay atop me as in front of me was a party of "adventurers" And I, a lesser evil.

I didn't use my glamor to look older but I did use it to improve the custom Grace made for us. It was honestly quality work but I wanted a more gothic edge. . . basically I added black flaming skulls.

(Actress Paladin) Ooh! That was so cool Raven!

I faltered at the praise, almost breaking character. I gave Alyssa a frown which made the Plated kilt, armored valkyrie. give me an apologetic smile.

Another step forward, he was the boy I . . . accidentally kidnapped almost a month ago. He was dressed in a religious robe, a feather and cross on his chest. He held his hand in prayer as he spoke to me, to all of us able to listen.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) Oh lady gatekeeper! Hear my Plea. . . we have come to challenge the Lady of eternal night, to end the horrors upon this land. Please, my lady! Have pity upon me.

He gave a kneeling bow, some would call a courtesy if they knew of the word. . . this was, not on the main script, but it was suggested so how would I reply?

I either ask for a bribe, challenge one of them, or something else so I could either be defeated or become a party member. . . 

I saw Daniel give a grin, the others saw it too, and with horror in my voice I said.

(Raven - Mistress Night) Mercy is for the . . . 

That was all I could say as he stood up with his harp guitar and started singing, about love, peace and joy.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) 

Life and death and love and birth

And peace and war on this beloved realm.

Is there anything that's worth more

Than peace and love in our beloved realm? wo-ah.

It was good. . . I felt at peace and then I remembered what would happen next as I tried to ignore the rest of the party going past me and through the gate.

Then I looked surprised and angered as fire appeared on my head as I screamed.

(Raven - Mistress Night) Wretches!

Then we heard a snap, I stopped making my head from being on fire and took off my skull helmet. And Daniel took off his porcelain mask.

The rest walked towards the rest corner.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) That was cool. . . but I don't think I can keep coming here every 1st restday from what . . . 

I listened to him talk as we walked, he still doesn't know I'm Mistress Night even with all that telepathy . . . well I do have a runic shielding concealing those thoughts so it's probably that.

He wasn't very tall, I'm not very tall but I'm still a head taller than him. And with this prop armor on very much bigger too. . . I, I should ask him, now it's now or never.

He stopped walking and as I swallowed deeply.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) I'm sorry Raven, but I can't date you. . . you already know I'm a paragon. . . it's not really a secret I don't really do anything to hide who I am, while I do paragon work.

He gave a deep breath as my heart and mind started moving very, very fast. To figure out a good thing to say.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) I already have two girlfriends. . . three if you count my very supportive guide. And I don't think I can. . . support a 4th, even if it's "casual" I can't have a lover that I can't give a piece of me.

(Raven - Mistress Night) I. . . I . . . I accept being your nemesis!

I yelled out, I didn't want to sound or look desperate but it seems I failed. I didn't see surprise nor fear within him. as I transformed into the shadow cloak wearing woman he fought and kidnapped him. I was taller, and an absolute beauty that men would throw themselves at my feet.

But he did look disappointed . . . his lips gave me that soft smile while his eyes showed. . . pity. I felt his hand on my cheek, it was warm and comforting, it made me lean down, until I was kneeling infront of him. At his mercy.

I felt warm on my forehead as I opened my eyes, as I felt him give me a kiss on the forehead.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) I refuse Mistress Night, I don't want a good girl like you, becoming evil, just to have a connection with me. . . please stand, as we can always be friends.

I was embarrassed. I felt my whole body turning hot and wanting to leave to escape this seductive little piece off. . . I tried to teleport but then he gave me a hug while I was about to disappear, but fire surrounded us burning away my runic circle.

And then everything turned dark as I felt my heart stop for a moment.

Act 4 Headmistress. (Saikazuki- Fateful Tempest) Earth 0.

With an office in a building overlooking the gardens of education, a maiden of emerald shade. sat on a gaming swivel chair analog as she peered down through the polished crystalline wall.

(Saikazuki- Fateful Tempest) Hmm? What is that man-whore doing now?

I felt his power, an addictive thing really, in how pure it is. but unlike the A class seeds he seems to be attracting, The drug-like pull hasn't changed me one bit, atleast I hope so.

In my age it would be bad form, getting into the pants of someone so young, atleast comparatively. I don't want the others calling me a shota now do we?

(???) Ahem!

The cough brought me back to the present, as my aid. Vice headmistress Glenndeline Pitchwork aka Taint Witch. One of my students turned. . . 

(Glenndeline Pitchwork-Taint Witch) Ma'am! You're monologuing in your head again! You're muttering your thoughts again.

Oh, was I?

(Saikazuki- Fateful Tempest) Oh, was I? Sorry Glenny, I was distracted. . . anyone noticed Ace 8? From what I saw he made another young maiden experience a fun size heart attack.

(Glenndeline Pitchfork-Taint Witch) Well Ace 8 has just finished. . . he did what! 

I saw as the vice mistress opened holo screens of the surveillance systems we had, and in an even better view than what I had I saw another potential A class seed getting attracted to that thing.

There was audio even, now this is entertainment! I wished I had asked Predo to make and leave more snacks during tea time.

(Saikazuki- Fateful Tempest) Hehe well it seems his little harem isn't growing today.

My second in command pulled a face towards me.

(Glenndeline Pitchwork-Taint Witch) Don't joke ma'am! This is serious! We can't have two Aces fighting each other! They're already given sanctioned rivalries! 

I really do not like that we resulted to "that" kind of system to get the kids to push each other.

(Glenndeline Pitchwork-Taint Witch) If we let this be we might lose them! Or half the city!

Yeah that was why, I still can't believe those two would get that strong, being able to total half of boom town. Still they turned out well enough, especially as one of them was being manic infront of me.

(Saikazuki- Fateful Tempest) Alright that's enough, Glenny. I'll talk to the boy, send him in while you do damage control and also take the pills before going to meet him.

She nodded as three tablet was dispensed on her belt. . . the only way we figure on how to mitigate the ambient effect of what Abyss was. . . basically mental suppressants two activating as a trigger on a mental locks hypnotically establish on most of the staff and the last one a hormonal lock to stop our bodies over producing the good stuff.

(Saikazuki- Fateful Tempest) Sigh. . . I was hoping to enjoy a gaming afternoon. . . I was even in the rankings!

Behind the emerald shade smol, maiden was a computer screen with the words "defeat" emblazoned in fantasy gold and themed red.

Act 5 Office dinner (Miyoung Kitsune) Earth 0.

(Miyoung Kitsune) And there, that should do it.

I was finishing the last of my team's mission report. It was honestly a simple job, we just needed to find and rescue a kidnapped kid.

Good thing the peacekeepers already had a file on the case, we just needed to visit the kidnapping locations and used Maine's tracking Meta-ability.

I felt my stomach and then looked at the time. Oh? It's pretty late. I did a last check on the report and then sent it to my secretary to check for any errors. And then stood up.

As I stepped out of my little office, a little surprise greeted me.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) Hey! Miyu I brought dinner!

Daniel passed through both a very frustrated big Cristalyn scaled lady Crystel, and a very hesitant secretary, my secretary. Didn't I tell her I have a boyfriend?

The thoughts fizzle as I saw a smiling Daniel, that immediately gave me a hug, head on my breast as he was grinning up at me.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) I made sushi! And bought some stuff in that meat stew place you love!

He let go of the embrace quickly, almost making me take him back but I held myself. As I looked at the two who followed him. He was showing me a bag of food.

(Miyoung Kitsune) Is that so?

I was trying to not become the "animal" I usually become at home as the two stopped behind Daniel.

(Crystal-KS Agent) You know this kid boss?

I turned Daniel around, and introduced him.

(Miyoung Kitsune) This is my Boyfriend. . .Daniel. Daniel, this is Crystel, part of my team, and Alisha, my secretary.

(Alisha-Secretary) Thank god! Miyu! I thought he was some big wig client! Know one stopped him! He kept saying he was meeting you!

I looked at Daniel and he just gave me a sweet smile and a light shrug, which irritated Crystel. But he kept it under. When crystel was about to speak, I felt that hypnotic warmth Daniel uses.

(Daniel Fyrebird - Abyss) I'm sorry, but I wanted to see your place honey.

He looked at me with those damn eyes. . .

(Daniel Fyrebird-Abyss) How about this, eat with us? as an apology. 

He lifted what I thought was a dinner for two but actually was enough to feed the office. Alisha tried refusing but with only a little coaxing and maybe flirting? And she said yes and helped him set up.

Crystel just nodded and waited for the two to leave out of earshot before speaking with me. In a whisper, that Daniel can probably feel. . . it's still don't understand his meta ability even after he explained it.

(Crystal-KS Agent) Ma'am, did he just try to mind control us? 

Blunt as always. That's why I like her.

(Miyoung Kitsune) Yes, and no. . . he's an esper psion with a meta-ability that influences his and others emotions. . . and no he can't mind control people he says, it's dangerous to do so, and the most he can do is place suggestion with his words.

The older woman looked thoughtful for a moment and then spoke.

(Crystal-KS Agent) That explains why I felt less angry at how lax the security had become, letting him just walk in.

I gave her a nod.

(Miyoung Kitsune) Can you tell the rest of the team? I've assigned us to get mental training.

She gave me a nod as we sat with the two as they finished setting up our dinner for the night. As Daniel talked about his day, sounding like a university graduate. with the two like they were old friends.

Surprisingly they spoke back in the same manner like, talking about their day, on how Crystel laughed, telling how she misplaced another crystal dagger, and how Alisha told about an office gossip, in their department. . . about a very open boy in the office.