Reborn From the Cosmos

Arc 8-37

A scant moment before I would have given in to the obvious proposition, there is a demure knock on the door. I breathed in, noting who’s on the other side before I shout, “Enter!”

Talia enters the room, a splotch of white in the corner of my vision as I don’t turn my gaze from Big Bell. There’s a pause as she takes in the situation. Then, “Pardon the interruption. I wanted to ask your permission to work with your prisoners.”

Prisoners?

“The sisters,” Bell helpfully whispers against my lips.

“Ah.” I forgot about those two. In my defense, they aren’t very memorable, at least in the sense that they have no bearing on the future of the city. Once their parents finish spreading my good name, or at least begged every noble with more ambition than sense to leave me alone, I expect they’ll scoop the girls up and disappear into some backwater, never to be heard from again; having your home taken by an invading enemy and being ran out of the city they’re meant to protect isn’t the kind of event unconnected nobles like the Teppins can survive with their authority intact. Until then, it was good enough that the girls were fed and watered.

“I hate to deny you anything, my flower, but I don’t think I can let you turn their minds inside out for fun. I trust your skills, but experiments can go wrong for even masters.”

“You misunderstand. I wish to help them. As it is, Leena Teppin will slip into a maddened state within weeks.”

Leena. That’s not the name of the wordy one, so she must be talking about the younger sister. I finally lean back from Bell, fixing the succubus with a disapproving frown. “What have you been up to?”

She mimics Kierra’s deadly pout. “Nothing, Master Lou. My interactions with the sisters are limited to delivering them food and water.”

To my surprise, Talia defends her. “It seems the source of Leena’s distress is Villarey.”

“That’s the older sister, right? What’s her problem?”

“She didn’t take her death well.”

Oh. I guess that’s on me. But really, she was only dead for a few moments. Is that really enough to break someone’s mind? That dumb bastard Crowley Cain left me to bleed out over several minutes and then I was swallowed by Cosmo. She was just strangled by Geneva a little. I’m sure there are plenty of people that would consider having a stunningly beautiful woman wrap her softs hands around their throat until they passed out a reward. For all her bark, the foul-mouthed noblewoman is surprisingly delicate.

“I suppose it wouldn’t be fair for the lord and lady to return to daughters with shattered minds. You really want to help? Not do some questionable experiments that might help?”

Talia nods. “I am not interested in breaking minds.”

That’s a relief. I’d hate to start treating her like I do the succubi. “Alright then. But I want to meet them first. Make sure they aren’t dangerous.”

Her lips turn down the smallest fraction. “Your presence might hasten the degradation of their minds.”

“What? Why me?” Shouldn’t they be terrified of Geneva?

“I believe anyone associated with the event will upset them.”

“Hah. Fine, but someone has to go with you. Kii or Alana. Don’t bring the older elves into this.” Morgene will probably make whatever the problem is worse and Orum will probably try to take them on walks.

“I will. Thank you, Lou.”

I grin as her frown morphs into a small that would be just as hard to perceive for people that aren’t familiar with her. Suddenly, I’m thrust back to mwy initiate year, to the first time I met the quiet beauty. The me of the past could never imagine this day.

“You’re welcome. Though I’m surprised you’re interested.” She isn’t the altruistic type.

“A comment from Geneva caught my attention.”

“When did she meet them?”

“Two nights before, when she checked on Khan’s condition.”

That’s it. I point to Bell. “You two are going to start keeping a record of the things you do.”

The succubus smiles. “That’s quite a lot. And a lot of paper.”

“I don’t need every detail and I won’t believe you if you say paper is too big of an obstacle for you. Make it, I don’t care.” I turn back to Talia. “So, what was this profound comment?”

“She said that there was a thin line between genius and insanity. I believe there is something special about the mentality of the elder sister, something that can provide insight into my understanding of the mind.”

“Or she could be fucking with you.”

“Possibly. But even if there is nothing to learn, putting together a shattered mind is an invaluable opportunity. True insanity is a rare state.”

“I think I get it, but I’m doubling down on the protection part.”

“I will be careful.”

“So?” I ask as Talia gracefully exits the room. “What do you think about all this?”

“What in particular?” Bell asks while sliding off the desk. She grabs a bowl of fruit from her cart and sets it in front of me, holding a piece to my lips. I snap it up with my teeth.

“Do you think a supposed madwoman is worth studying?”

“Of course. Whatever else she is or her motivations, my mistress’ mastery of the mind is true and she gained it by studying intelligence in all its forms. Regardless of any special insight, there is much for Umphrieltalia to gain by studying the sisters and how they’ve been affected by death, resurrection, and captivity.”

Ugh. When she puts it that way, it sounds terrible.

“What about my newest prisoner?” I’ve been collecting unwilling tenants. If I keep this up, I’ll have to build my own dungeons.

“The pirate. She has been a model prisoner, remaining within her room with little fuss. She seems content as long as the merchant visits her.”

“And her, saints. Her unwanted guests?”

“She hasn’t had another episode.”

“There’s been no luck determining what they are through magic?”

“No. Their nature appears to be naturally immune to mana intrusion. Not unlike–”

“My ooze.” Which means that whatever those things are, they’re related to me. At the very least, studying them can provide clues about my own nature. “There’s nothing for it. We’re going to have to cut her open.”

My succubus certainly isn’t daunted by the thought of opening someone up. Bell’s smile is wide and mischievous. I raise a hand to halt whatever horrible thing she’s about to suggest. “But that doesn’t mean we have to be monsters about it. This Rey is our guest and Maxine’s friend. She might be doing me a big favor waltzing into my life. The least I can do is show a little appreciation.”