Obstacle 22. Phasing sickness or human nature?
Awkward was the word I’d use when we found our accommodations for the night. At Least what was meant to be initially. What amounted to dog houses outside the main building. You see how obvious it was that the original summoner’s summons were dog-like in nature. Wolves of various sizes and girths. All capable of drawing powers of the natural world to them.
Fire and Water and Earth and Stone. Each one something, unique and powerful. Each one a dog of a different type. How could it not be? Their master, a humanoid mix of Moria and hound. So were all the members of Nora’s people. To varying extents. Fur covered coats ranging from black and brown to blonde and red. Their eyes were what held most similar. Purple at varying levels of saturated hue. None as deep as Nora and her sister.
The encampment was at the base of the left pinkie toe of the great monument carved cliffs of their lady summoner Lady Nebula. Around its structure of wood and marble reclaimed from the cliff itself. It was beautiful and nearly perfectly upkeep but it showed the signs of dwindling resources. They all showed signs of having run a marathon of survival within this makeshift keep.
Statues of wolves adorn in placements as totems like gargoyles. Or maybe to act as a shrine? They were people of the land indeed. How they managed to keep alive was beyond my grasp. It didn’t seem like they had the means of providing food. Did they not eat?
Then there was the local goblin matriarch and goblin child named Tetters. What a sight to behold not all goblins were mad and crazed and dangerous it would seem. Protected from the demon’s influence apparently by the totems on the estate grounds. Powered by blood magic of the Nebula line as Nora explained. Nora and her sister’s to be precise. None other would satisfy.
The elders seemed proud and this “Palius” most of all. He was the one who interacted with them the most outside of Nora and her sister. How surprised he was with their sentience. With their initial refusal at the thought. Nora herself laughed at it all insisting they be sheltered in one of the old and unused guest rooms within the estate.
Palius had nearly thought to argue but relented. Maybe unwilling to continue his joke or maybe now just realizing the true difference between man and dog for the first time. Either way here they were in a guest room with a blanket and pillow laid upon the bare wood floor. Better than the dirt and straw I supposed but not much…
“This sucks.” Tye complains as he throws himself upon the ground and blanket. “No mattress, no tv, no game. I wish I'd packed anything of technology… wait.”
Digging into his pockets he screams in defeat. “ oh no! My phone! Not even my phone!?”
“Alas, it seems me either. I wonder if things like that aren't allowed to be brought with us to other planes?” Locke adds in feeling and obviously not finding his own.
However he and Tye both shift their gaze at Brent who plays on his own some game mindlessly beside them. Him having not forgotten his own.
“I guess not..” Locke finishes
“Hand that over! It’s my turn!” Tye screams as he dives for Brent’s cellphone. Brent holds him back with just one arm as Tye kicks and screams for it.
A laugh escapes me for the first time all day. A release I’m able to roll back onto the blanket. Opening my eyes I realize they’re all looking at me for this. Such a strange and feminine sound from their friend. As strange as everything else has been, this still somehow is stranger.
“Distugsuting” Tye writes me off instantly and plops himself back onto the blanket. “Stay away from me I’m going to bed.”
“Yes it’s been a long day indeed.” Locke agrees, laying down himself. And for a moment or two there is peace till Locke launches back up blue faced and pale. “Wait a second… when you sleep? Every time?” He asks me. I can’t help but laugh again.
“Every.” I gulp then smirks “Except the first night I threw up everywhere. It was horrible” I motion puking everywhere all around me with my arms bowing and all that.
Locke gulps and looks to Tye who’s already passed out and nothing yet. He pokes at his sleeping friend. “I’m suddenly not feeling so tired…”
“Get some sleep. When you wake I’ll be your protector.” I tease.
With a deep breath Locke rises to his feet and leaves the room.
“Locke, where are you going?” I call after him.
“I’m not feeling tired, I need to walk and get some fresh air.”
“Can I join you? I think I need the same.”
“Whatever.” He calls back, not breaking stride out the door.
Sheesh, what's wrong with him? I’ve been a girl more than a few times. It’s not that big of a deal. In fact I’d forgotten I even was one right now. The only time I remembered was when I needed to use the bathroom on that track down. Or when the guys pointed it out to me like just right now. In fact, now that they knew it didn’t bother her much at all. Even the way she thought of herself aligned with her gender.
Weird… I wonder if it does more than physically change you? I wonder if this is natural. How it’s supposed to be…
Catching up to Locke in the courtyard outside the main building’s guest room quarters we are met by Nora and her Ella. Talking with Palius and another elder. An older female Olcan whose name escapes me at the moment.
“They are strange indeed. I do not remember reading such pronounced sentience within the given summons. More primordial. More bestial and subservient to their master. Are you sure they’re your summons?”
“Yes. I bound them by name and they are mine. Without a doubt.” Nora replies with the utmost confidence.
“Yes, well something is more than strange about them. Something I cannot shake.” The female elder replies to this with cautious apprehension. “We must be careful young summoner and lord Palius. A summoner is a powerful entity as are their summons but they can also be her undoing. Just as it was for Lady Olcan and her family in the end.”
“Do not let fear overcome you so quickly after a victory has been won.” Palius admonishes her. “There are methods to banish them back to where they came. I will search through the tomes just in case. I won’t sleep till I’ve found the method. Be patient and keep them confined to the main estate for now.”
“Palius, I don’t think you need to be so cautious. They’ve already saved me more than once on this journey. I was promised that they’d save us from this demon.” Nora replies
“Promised? Promised by who child?” The elder cuts in.
“It was-“ Nora looks uneasy searching for the right words when she is cut off by her sister’s voice.
“Your summons, they're over there.” She says with excitement.
Nora turns and addresses then with relief in her voice. “Locke? Corin! What brings you? Are you unwell or in need of anything?”
“No Lady Nebula” Locke replies with a head bow as he makes his way before them. “I am unable to sleep just yet. I thought I could use a breath of fresh air and some time to think.”
I shake my head in agreement as I do my best to observe everything I can about this moment and those before me. The elder female Olcan looks to me and then looks away with untrusting eyes. Palius stands there anxious as if caught in some secret meeting. Maybe.
There is tension unspoken and all are unwilling to push it.
“Well, if you want I’ve to visit two very important people before I rest. If you’d like to come along it won’t be long.” Nora states trying to steer the conversation away.
“Thanks but I only need a moment here before I’ll go to bed for the night. A moment to myself.” Locke insists as he shoves me forward.
“Locke what the heck?” I complain. What the hell is he up to? Why separate us? Doesn’t he care or feel concerned about my safety? This dude really wants to just get rid of me right now? Is turning into a girl really that dreadful an idea to him? Sorry…
“You should go. I don’t really want company right now.”
“Whatever…” I scoff as Ella giggles.
“Nora she looks as if you hiked down two mountains not one. Her hair is a mess and she’s dirtier than him.” Ella says.
Nora laughs in agreement. “She is. Why don’t you come along Corin. We’ll get you fixed up along the way. A girl shouldn’t be sleeping among men anyway.”
“Yeah but I’m not really a-“ I try to resist but then something pulls me to stop.
“No no, I insist.” She says and with those words I feel my resistance instantly disappear as I shake my head in acknowledgement. “Locke do not stay up too late and keep to this place and the estate.” Nora commands as Locke returns a similar acknowledging head bow. After which something registers in his face and he obviously fights back a look of maybe disgust or fear?
Wait.. why am I so willing to change my mind so absolutely too after she asked? Was it… the collar? I couldn’t resist an order could I? Even if I wanted to…
The thought brought great unease to my heart. Though I held my face and emotions in better check than Locke, of that I am certain.
Ella cheers with excitement as she leads the way out of the courtyard. Laughing and talking a mile a minute.
“Gran gran’s home is not too far though it’s the furthest and closest to the estate gate.” Nora informs Corin. “She lives there with Tetters. You’ve met them briefly already but that was in front of everyone else. It’ll be less formal than then.”
“Sounds fine to me.” I reply half paying attention. Still stuck in thought about what just transpired. It made me feel uncomfortable to lose control over my actions. To be so absolutely influenced by someone else’s will. To overwrite my own so absolutely. I’d gotten a taste of it before and it was overpowering but this time it was far more subtle. So much so I might not have even noticed if not for Locke’s response to it happening to him before my very eyes.
She could probably make us do anything… What type of person was this Nora Nebula? She didn’t seem evil but would that always be the case? How far was she willing to go to save her people? To gain power and consolidate? Enough to enslave another? Sentient or not.? Wasn’t that some form of evil in itself? It definitely goes against some core beliefs. Or maybe it could be thought of as forced conscription? It’d only happen during wartime. What if it happened for a war I didn’t agree with? Would that not be the same? Forced to serve to fight for a cause against my will? What level of illusion or delusion did it take to separate this from that?
As we walked through the Olcan tribe complex then village. Dirt road well kept, almost perfect. Everything here seemed to be very refined and concise even though it lacked the badass of modern technology. Everyone seemed to keep to themselves. Working in a fixed nature. As if they’d done it every day the same way always. That is but the children. Who seemed the only ones immune to the ghastly call of commitments. Even still some of them were employed or working alongside their parents or patrons.
Everyone seemed merry and happy and relieved to see their Lady Summoner back and with a summons alongside her. They seemed happy at the thought. Corin couldn’t put it into words but she felt nervous. As if she were some indentured servant or even slave. The lower cast cast their gaze down to the ground whenever they found Nora around in her honor and so I was able to stare without much worry about all their reactions.
They had simple houses though refined. Simple clothes but very well upkept. Everyone spent their time working on something. Refining and making it better or back to what it’s ideal was supposed to be. At least that’s how I saw it.
Before I knew it we were at a cottage not far from the estate guard door. Much closer to the walls than all the others. Noticeably so. Segregated came to mind. I tried to rack my brain and remember how the other villagers treated the goblins. But all were so merry I couldn’t remember anything specifically negative. I’d have to look into it more but it seemed obvious there was meaning to this length of separation. This world was a system broken down by class and stature. Nora called these people her own like she owned them after all. Kings and Queens, Lords and Ladies and all those below them.
This place definitely had not been gifted the magna carta or second enlightenment. I wonder if even the first enlightenment. I wonder if they’d had their Plato yet or if the existence of magic forestalled the need for logical and philosophical quandary? Weird you’d think with more complexity you’d have more need for it all. Can’t say I know how it’d work or expect to know. I could definitely write the best research paper on it. Could spend my entire academic career investigating it if I went into anthropology or something like that. The physics questions concerning magic made my brain want to cry though.
Judging by the buildings I imagine they could definitely make a triangle. Which means they probs solved for pie already? Or did they? I wonder what the Egyptians knew, that's like the oldest civilization I can imagine right now. I’d describe their structures like Japanese eques but that’d be flattering. Though I know everything is in disrepair from being under a curse? For how long again exactly? Too much information…
“Welcome young summoner, I’ve been expecting you.” The goblin matriarch greets them working over a fire and cauldron. Tetters already asleep upon a pile of books in the corner of the cottage.
“Aw Tetters is so adorable right now.” Ella squeaks, staring at the young goblin.
“Yes, so please keep it down, child. I wish to enjoy this peace while it lasts.” Gran gran admonishes.
“Of course” Ella giggles back.
“I bring one of my summons, Corin. With me… She is the principal one I made the contract with… she suffers from phasing sickness.” Nora tells the goblin, I mean Matriarch. I mean Lady Matriarch Goblin.
“Phasing sickness you say? Interesting. She is the principal contact too by which you made the contract?”
“I made a contract with each on their own accord, Gran Gran. All at once. You’d have been so proud of me.” Nora confesses. I do remember making that contract. Though I don’t remember it being very fun. It felt more like do or die.
“Yes indeed. Very nice work. I can see they hold power, very powerful indeed. This one in particular… faint right now but… something unique…” the matriarch says aloud as she brings herself before me. Poking about…
“Dirty, that is for sure. What is this mess atop her head? She has no shame?”
Great… I’m just going to stand here and take it from this literal goblin talking shit about my appearance. I could cry.
Ella smiles as does Nora. “She was a he, Gran gran. I don’t think their men like our own take care much for such things.”
“Mmmm is it true young child?” The matriarch asks poking me again more vigorously and provocatively here and there.
“What the heck? Yeah, I was a guy before all this started. I’ve changed every time I’ve slept. Hey, would you stop that? I don’t appreciate all the poking.” I complain, resisting the urge to pat away the goblins' assault upon me. Has she no bubbles?
“Interesting indeed. Such a strange looking specimen. It seems to have a brain about it too. I don’t recall Lady Olcan’s Summons having such a pronounced level of sentience and oral abilities.”
To that I shiver. They really were expecting to summon some sort of animal. feral. robotic. wolves. dogs. beasts. not men nor women.
The matriarch continues “where did you find them child? How far below?”
“Actually… I think she found me and… I don’t think I was looking down. I think…”
“Nora you didn't!?" The matriarch admonishes aloud causing the young Tetters to stir. She throws her hands over her mouth and waits for the goblin to return to full rest before continuing. “Never above, always below, but how could they be having phasing sickness? That is something the lesser suffer? Interesting indeed”
“Do you know any way to quicken the phasing sickness Gran Gran?” Nora asks her. “The others seem very unhappy with the idea.”
“Yes, I imagine men would hate such things. This one hasn’t complained yet though. I wonder… does this trouble you young child?”
“Uh? Being a girl right now? I mean it’s been troubling but it’s been happening since before I remember meeting Nora… a few days even. It’s been more inconvenient than troubling I suppose. I don’t know, I guess. It bothers me?”
“Convincing… me or yourself is what I wonder.” The goblin shakes her head. “Either way I’ve enough water for a bath, maybe you should clean yourself outback. Ella can help you set things up and I’ll try to see what I can do when you’ve returned.”
“I don’t know. I haven’t really done that since changing… it kinda’ sounds inappropriate of me to do?” I muster.
“Inappropriate to bathe yourself? No my child it is inappropriate to shame your summoner with such an unsightly display. Go now and give us a moment to discuss things in private.” The Gran Gran is now directly admonishing me. Gran Gran seems awfully fitting seeing as she’s a frakIn goblin. Nora nods her head as she laughs a little to herself as Ella grabs me by the arm and leads me out of the cottage.
“I really don’t think…” I complain as Ella ready’s water in a barrel outside the back of the cottage.
“Nope you don’t seem to.” Ella laughs.
“Hey.”
“Ugh you’re not allergic to water and soap are you?” Ella rolls her eyes as she places attends to the barrel of near boiling water above a lame fire.
“No it’s just. Like I’ve said before I haven’t really seen myself naked yet. I’ve kinda’ always been preoccupied running away from everyone.” I confess. “I haven’t had a moment to myself yet.”
“Sounds embarrassing. Anyway, here is the soap. I’ll leave you some privacy just come into the cottage when you’re finished. Don’t forget to wash your hair, it's a mess.” She says with a smirk and grin. “Fresh clothes are here for you. My sisters actually.”
Defeat. Is the word. cold hard. alone. gone. Far away lay aspirations of masculine’s glory. Here I am now a different story. I should be observing my surroundings like JoJo taught me. Special forces British bulldog. Ever chomping at the bit but I do acquit I am beyond me at the moment.
Nora’s sister trudges off leaving me on my own once more. Gone in a moment then once more returning peeking out from behind the cottage. “Don’t be too long.” She states.
“Yeah yeah. Whatever.”
Great… This is the worst.
If I close my eyes and just imagine my old self then maybe when I open them it’ll just mesh through like a filter. Like a(n) UI(User\Interface). Maybe I can just reprogram myself back to myself. Dangerous questions. What is self? huh…
Exhale…
I’m in the barrel. It’s hot but not. Alarmingly comfortable. In fact this is like the best jacuzzi tub I’ve ever been in. huh… Magic even now? Wow… Okay maybe I can just stay here forever and everything will solve itself. I chuckle. Bubbles float to my eyes and it stings a little. Soapy water. Gosh, I just can't even…
It’s the bubbles that are complex and do tell me something next. roiling about in thin air messing about. It’s definitely magically run. I wonder. Ponder. linger and dare I say it… sunder. Popping a bubble. ah.
“Wow…” Corin mutters to herself. Not just the city built into the statue, or the jungle forest vines that have overcome it, or the valley, or the water line. The two satellites floating in the sky bring the most awe to her heart. “This really is a different world.”
Looking for constellations she can recognize she can’t find any. While the moons are out the clouds and mist above blanket the nebula's canvas which is sure to be hiding behind it. Only the moons penetrate the forest’s jungle mist of a city once trapped in time.
Licking my teeth and shooting out the water reminds me I’m still just human. So small and insignificant in a realm rich with splendor. A smile cracks my face and I do take a moment to indulge in the warmth of the bath but for a moment longer than necessary.
Looking at my own clothes I grab hold of them and try to rub them through with the soup and water. Ideally, they’ll dry by morning. In the meantime I’ve to contend with these ridiculous robes Ella laid out for me. Thankfully I’ve experience with overly complicated formal wear. Some might call it cultured but in truth it was because Money had to impress some under lord with fish tattoos and missing fingers at the resort. “Where there’s a penny there is a dime” as he’d say…
Yuck…. Can’t believe I’m thinking about Money quotes in my free time. I can never escape him. I swear. Anyway, looking at this getup I might be mistaken for a reputable High Summoner…
Impressive.
They have some awareness even if they don’t know it, Master.
”Who are you?” I ask aloud to the voice I clearly heard in my head. A very familiar voice. I feel a bit blueish. queasy even. The back of the goblin hut is fenced in and has totems of all sorts. They’re absolutely humming. Maybe even a few are on fire and sparking. Besides the plants of different species alien to the human eye. Maybe vegetables, maybe not?
I’m just here… watching. I don’t know, maybe even helping?…
”You're the demon?” I recall.
I wish you wouldn’t call me that. It’s your fault I’m like this. Take responsibility. She replies her voice carrying in the wind around me. Spinning.
“Are you near me?” I ask looking around me. Even the “grass” is alien. much thicker. much more imposing.
Always. Just a thought away. Entangled. Bonded.
“I don’t keep you unwillingly do I?”
Now that’s a complicated question. Yes and no.
“Who are you?” I ask and can feel a great pain surge through my heart.
ughhh.. Idiot, that wasn’t very smart. It hurts you know? I trust you but it still hurts. More Importantly, what are you doing? She’s a summoner. She’s stupid and weak. You’re strong. Why are we playing this game? I don’t understand. Why don’t we just rip it out of the hole down there and take it? Why waste all this time? It hurts you know? I’m in pain…
”Uh… I don’t understand…”
Of course you don't, you never understand, you never pay attention. You’re always off somewhere else dancing doing something stupid. Just forgetting about me. It's annoying. infuriating…
“So you’re in pain?” I try to comprehend what this means but all it does is pain my heart again. To which I can feel a cooing echoing in my ear. A soothing sound.
A little. It hurts like I can’t describe. It just hurts. Hurry, please.
“I’ll try.” I replied back. Though thoughts of Tye bending fire, the firestone tribe is its swarm, the jungle and its curse, this new word and strange village. All this and I’m a girl. “I’m weak.”
No… You are strong. She is new. You are strong. Remember that. Stronger than her, stronger than anyone because its us in here. Two is more than one.
“I do like the math but I feel like I’m not understanding.”
Because you can’t. It’s important that you don’t know, I understand I’m only complaining. It’s so close. Please. Just get it. Just Fucking Blow through it. Fuck the Diamond king and his everything. Fuck the Olcan Tribe. Tear it out. Croc’s’ don’t deserve human flesh, Alley’s, whatever, I don’t give a shit. Get real. Rip this realm from root and stone and give me what I need. I know you can. Do it!
And just like that a gust of wind runs through the courtyard. None of it hitting Corin but everything else around her. Dislodging things not quite put down. Funneling around her clothes which fold and lend upon the ground ever so perfectly. Softly.
But you won't. Not yet. I’m to wait and suffer… Anyway, it’s the little things…
Beside myself from the literal whirlwind that just went down I go to check my now clean and notably warm clothes. Changing back into something of comfort, of home. The clouds had all seemed to have been rendered asunder and the mist and fog of the bog that was the forest jungle bay statue city pinkie toe side lodging’s constant company had been blown away. Seemingly just for me. For you. This view of the stars that did but glisten. The nebula was brilliant. For a moment. Peace.