Making friends.

I stare at the message for a moment, trying to decide how I feel about it. ‘So this person/being/whatever the hell they are, can see me? That’s… deeply disconcerting.’ I should probably freak out right about now, but I felt a lot calmer than the situation warranted. ‘Is this what reduced fear feels like?’ I shrug. Now probably wasn’t the best time to be having such thoughts, not whilst I was in the middle of talking to some sort of powerful being, at least.

‘Who am I talking to?’ I look over what appears to be a chat handle next to the words, my brow furrowing slightly. ‘AsSysCu006? Maybe another System Custodian? But this feels different that the last time. I could somehow feel the emotions behind the text last time we spoke, this is just normal text.’

Taking a moment to think of a reply, I then mentally picture pushing my thought towards the box, ‘hopefully I can reply to this thing?’ I smile slightly as my reply pops up on the window. ‘So, this is some sort of chat function. Neat. Aaaaand it can read my thoughts? Less neat.’

0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

AsSysCu006: Why d'ya do that?

AsSysCu006: Relax, lover boy, I’m not askin why you kissed ya sister, that was kinda hot, NGL. I’m askin why you gave ya Quest reward away. You know it was meant for you, right?

AsSysCu006: And before you ask, no, I’m not readin ya thoughts, they’d probably be sticky. I can see ya expression.

Adam Hill: Why were you watching me?

AsSysCu006: You’re a quick one! Most people reply out loud, at least ‘til they know the trick of it. As for why I’m watchin you, you and ya family are different from the others, and I want to know why. I just so happen to be talkin to you cuz you’re the only one up who isn’t… busy.

Adam Hill: Different from who? Which others?

AsSysCu006: Not allowed t’tell you that. Anyway, ya dodgin the question. Why d’ya give away ya reward?

0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

I hold off on replying straight away, considering my response for a time. Honestly? I didn’t trust this person as far as they could throw them. I felt instinctively uncomfortable, trusting someone who could straight up admit to watching me without my permission. I steel my resolve, then reply.

0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

Adam Hill: I’ll tell you, but only if you vow that I am allowed to speak freely, and there won’t be consequences for what I say. Oh, that and any information that you glean from watching me can’t be told to a third party or somehow otherwise used against me. I’m not naïve enough to think that stomping my foot and looking pouty will stop whatever the hell it is you’re doing to watch me, but I’ll be a hell of a lot more cooperative if I knew there were at least some protections in place. Straight up admitting to watching what should have been a private moment isn’t the best way to garner trust, or so I’ve been told.

AsSysCu006: You're a ballsey one! Why should I hav’ta vow anything? I should smite you for bein all cheeky like!

SysCu002: You can do no such thing, and even if you could, in this instance I would not allow it.

AsSysCu006: Uh-oh, daddy’s home.

SysCu002: Adam Hill, on behalf of the System, I vow that any information gleaned from you during the entirety of this conversation, and any further conversation using this medium, cannot and will not be used against you in any way, shape, or form. Furthermore, any information gleaned from observation will also be protected and will never be shared with anyone without your explicit permission. Is this satisfactory?

Adam Hill: Errrrrrrrrrrrr, yeah?

SysCu002: Good, now, regarding my associate’s question. They are well within their rights to ask, but you need not answer if you do not wish to do so. If you answer, it is customary that you get to ask a question in return. As long as the information isn’t restricted, you will receive a truthful answer.

AsSysCu006: Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!!! Uurrrrg, the worst!!! I was tryin to be all mysterious n’shit!?!

Adam Hill: Errrrrrrrm..., alrighty then. I gave Lisa the primers for two reasons. First is an emotional reason. I knew that the primers, and the Skills they offered, would make her happy, and when she’s happy, I’m happy. The second reason is more pragmatic. We’re only going to get so much downtime, and I know from my experience with games how useful having potions and the like will be, especially if one of the girls gets hurt and I’m too far away to heal them, having someone focus on brewing us a steady supply of potions can only help us in the long run.

AsSysCu006: That actually makes a bunch of sense. Although, how d'you get experience? I thought ya homeworld didn’t have magic n’shit? What game are you on about?

0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

I stare at the message before quickly coming to a decision. ‘It’s not like I’m using it right now, anyway, and it’ll be worth it to earn some brownie points with the people who can apparently watch me on a whim.’ I withdraw my tech bag out if my inventory, and rummage around inside for a moment. Soon enough, I’ve drawn out a solar power bank, my switch in its carry case (complete with my vast collection of games), and its associated charging cable. I return my focus to the chat window, only to find two new messages waiting for me.

0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

AsSysCu006: What’cha doin there?

AsSysCu006: Ooooooh what’s that?

Adam Hill: It’s a games console from my home world, a device used for entertainment. I’m not using it right now for obvious reasons so you can borrow it if you want. Might give you some insight into why I do things the way I do?

AsSysCu006: Is… that allowed?

SysCu002: It’s certainly unorthodox. Before I allow it, I would like to know the reason why.

Adam Hill: Honestly? It costs me nothing and potentially gives me an open line of communication behind the scenes. I’ve noticed a couple of System mechanics which seem really exploitable, and I want to ask if I’ll get in trouble for using a mechanic a certain way, before I actually do it.

SysCu002: Interesting. Ask your questions, they will not count towards the question owed. If it’s as you say, and you are looking for simple rule clarifications, I will allow this ‘cultural exchange’.

Adam Hill: Ok, first, the Oath system. It seems set up in such a way that it could be used as an easy lie detector, just vow that whatever you say is true and go from there. I get the feeling that it’s not intended to be used that way though, so I thought I'd better to check before I use a vow to verify the truth of my words. Am I allowed to use the Oath system that way, or will I be punished?

SysCu002: An excellent question. You may swear the occasional oath to establish truth, but overuse of this mechanic will be punished. And your second question?

Adam Hill: Good to know. Second, the achievements for levelling my magic skills granted spellbooks, not the spells themselves. What’s stopping me from giving the spellbook to a family member with the right affinity, then copying the spell for myself with my profession?

AsSysCu006: Waaaaaaa?!? No way?! Oooooh that has to be cheatin! You’d get, like, all the spells?!? Oh, wait! The limit!

SysCu002: Nothing is stopping you, that system works as intended. As my associate so helpfully spoiled, there is a finite limit to the number of spells you can learn. Before you ask, no, I can’t tell you what that limit is. Not unless you want that to be your question?

AsSysCu006: Whoops.

0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

I took a moment to mull over the answers I just received. Having conformation of a couple of theories and ideas was nice, but it was kind of a bummer to find out about the spell limit. A thought occurs, immediately brightening my mood. ‘I’ve just taken a profession based around crafting spells, one that I can apparently upgrade with points. What’s the betting that one of the things I can buy is an increase to this spell limit?’

With that worry pushed off to the side, I consider what question I want answered. A small smile forms on my lips, and I focus on the chat again.

0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

Adam Hill: Thanks, but no thanks on that question. Instead, my question is this. If a person lacking a certain affinity, say, Life Magic, used a spell book for a Life spell, would they be able to learn the spell and gain the affinity?

SysCu002: If I were feeling difficult today, I would simply tell you it would depend on the person. Luckily for you, you have continued to impress, so I will give you a full answer. It depends on a few factors, put the most important two for your purposes are the number of affinities a person already possesses, and a person’s two highest affinities.

As a general rule of thumb, the more affinities you have, the more likely it is that you’ll fail to absorb a spellbook. That being said, each of the primary tier magics have their opposites, fire and water, earth and air, light and dark, and finally, life and ****. As you are now, you will only ever be able to possess 6 of the primary affinities. You already know your two highest affinities, Water and Life, so for you as things stand, you’ll never be able to gain the affinity for Fire or **** magic. Does this answer your question?

0----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0

The conversation was quick to wind down after that. I said my thank you's, then demonstrated how the switch worked, before watching in mild awe as it vanished from my hand in a flash of light. All the while, my mind was whirling. Working on plans. We had a genuine opportunity here to broaden our horizons, at least magically. It was another thing to add to the ever-growing list of shit I’d need to discuss with the family.

All the while, I sat, and I waited. It was almost therapeutic in a way, having some time to myself to sort through the events of the past few days. The conversation with Lisa had certainly helped matters. The kiss afterward, however? Less helpful. Where did that leave things with the rest of my family? Apparently, Lisa was okay with Em’s kiss. Hell, if anything, she seemed exited about the prospect. But what about Ash? What about Mum? Would they resent us for what had already happened? What would they think if they found out? Would they hate us? Ok, so maybe not that therapeutic.

And so, for a time, my thoughts swirled back and forth. I knew I wouldn’t find any answers within the confines of my mind, but that sure as hell didn’t stop me from trying. ‘Maybe they’ll be into it, and we’ll form one big incestuous harem. Ha! Not bloody likely.’ I snort at the black humour of the thought, then stretch slightly, my muscles feeling slightly tense. I rise to my feet and have a proper stretch, before looking towards the tent I’d shared with Mum. ‘Lisa’s taking a while.’

I grin at the thought, suddenly in much better spirits. ‘Yeah, the future is uncertain, but I made a woman so horny she couldn’t resist masturbating. That has to count for something.’ I turn away from the tent again with a big grin on my face, intending to pace round the camp for a bit. Sitting still had become uncomfortable. I had just finished one lap, and was starting a second, when I saw it out of the corner of my eye, a flash of white, high in a tree.

Causally, I kept walking, maintaining my plodding pace. All the while, my mind and my senses working on overdrive, monitoring for the first sign of an attack. The same thing had happened last night, I recalled. We had chalked it up to a bird, but now I wasn’t so sure. ‘How do I want to play this?’ I instantly rejected the idea of blasting the spot with magic or retrieving my bow. Whatever the hell had been watching our camp had yet to take any hostile action, but that would undoubtedly change the moment I started flinging spells around willy-nilly.

The seconds crawled by slowly as I considered my options. What I eventually based my decision off was the fact that, unlike at home, all of my important gear was in an inventory, ready at a moment’s notice. Here, I was never truly unarmed, despite appearances. This inspired confidence in me, and drove me to take a risk.

On my next circuit of the camp, I stop, face the tree, and say, “I know you’re there, I promise if you reveal yourself, I won’t attack unless attacked.” I stand for a time, looking directly at the tree. Nothing happens, like, at all. I wasn’t sure what I had been expecting, but I was hoping for at least some reaction.

I’m about to give up hope when I hear the slightest of creaks behind me, exactly the sound I’d expect a branch suddenly taking the weight of something to make. I whirl around, jumping to the side to dodge any potential attacks, then look up into the tree behind me, only for my breath to catch in my throat.

Stood in a low branch, and watching me passively, was what can only be described as one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen in my life. My eyes meet hers, her Ice-blue eyes watch me inquisitively from the safety of her perch. The paleness of her skin is only matched by the shocking white of her long, flowing hair. The otherwise unnatural shade seems to suit her, the colour an exact match for the corset style outfit she’s wearing, the white, downy feathers of the number barely keeping her decent.

The outfit is just enough to cover the most important bits, but leaves her creamy thighs, a good portion of her midriff, and the top of her breasts exposed. ‘She practically naked other than that skimpy little number and her wings. Wait… wings?’ My eyes widen as I take in the rest of the details, things I had missed on the first sweep. Below the knee, her slender legs take on a rather avian cast, before ending in a set of vicious looking talons. Rather than arms, she has a set of large wings, also covered in snow-white feathers. A harpy!?!

The harpy and I stare at each other for a time, each of us quietly studying the other. I begin to ever so slowly raise a hand, then wave at her, slightly at a loss for how to proceed. She flinches slightly at the movement, before realising that my gesture isn’t hostile. She looks down at a wing, raises it tentatively, and flaps it in my general direction. I smile at the rather comical sight, and to my surprise, she smiles back.

Then, from behind me, I hear another sound. I whirl around in alarm, only to find a groggy looking Ash pushing her way out of her tent. By the time I turn back to the branch, the harpy is gone, the only sigh of her presence a single white feather floating serenely down towards the forest floor.