Becoming Monsters: Tidbits 26

Becoming Monsters is the creation and property of Ai Loves, setting used with permission.

Violet and Bonnie are the OCs of RetroLeopard

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Chapter 26: In Our Hands

Todd woke up significantly before his alarm feeling

remarkably

better than the evening before. His mood only improved when May manifested in the bed a moment or two later, holding him from her position as the big spoon. She'd arranged her body so that his head was between her boobs for this, which in his opinion objectively improved things. He relaxed into her, feeling her chin move with the top of his head as she grinned. A thought struck him. Impressive, really, given the circumstances. "Hey, May, someone asked me a question about you yesterday and I didn't know how to answer."

"Oh?" She sounded genuinely curious.

"Yeah, a Slime I've met a couple of times now. He asked if you're from Las Vegas, and if so he thought he knew you by the name 'Maya.' Does that sound familiar?"

She nodded. He couldn't see this, but he could feel it. "That's my name alright, Maya del Oro."

"Maya?" May felt a little tingle in her soul when she heard him say her real name. "That's a pretty name."

She breathed deep at that, which did interesting things to the cushions around Todd's head. "Can't even remember why I started going by May, but it stuck. Save my real one for special occasions?" He nodded. She couldn't see it, either, but she felt it. "Actually, wait, you said a Slime. Let me guess, crystal clear and goes by Gooey?"

"That's the guy. Won a bet he was acting as bookie for, and when he made good on it he tried to warn me about Bradley."

"I didn't even realize he was here. Used to live a couple of houses down from me, he Fed me a lot after the Change. He could do things with his pseudopods that I haven't seen equalled until I found you. Nice guy, hope the time's treating him well."

"He has a steady girlfriend now. Red catgirl with two tails, name of Hush, I think."

"Don't know her, but she's a lucky girl if she can keep him. Good guy. Don't worry, I'm definitely keeping you."

"Good to know." And really, the fact that she was cradling his head in her boobs helped make the point, too. Todd frowned as he hit the snooze on his actual alarm. "Hate to break it to you, May, but we do still have classes to get to. At least until exam results come back. Actually, wait, I almost forgot. Did Inspiration work from dream land? Looks like I'm at... 33% charge. I should have been over fifty, so I'm guessing it did."

"Yep! I'm feeling all the tingles from you today!" She paused and thought. "Does that mean you're going to get a full charge today?"

"It does. As long as I only give one buff today, tomorrow I'll be back on full schedule. Hm, one other odd thing. I have two buffs active, you and that healer, but Reflected Glow is still only giving +1 to my stat line. Same as with one buff." He stood up to think, starting to get his stuff together to go get a shower and prepare for the day.

"All those graphs in your head leveled off after a while, and this is a really strong effect." May sat up, pondering. "Maybe this has diminishing returns? You could always call Song in, screw her senseless, and see if three is enough."

"There are occasionally problems where sex isn't the solution, May."

"And I'll let you know when I find one."

Todd paused gathering his clothing to grab a sheet of paper. "Let's see, I Invested 54 points yesterday evening, plus my base, plus the bracelets, divided by 24, I'm at 33, subtract 19... 17 hours? I'd be able to get a full-power buff right around midnight tonight. Yeah, that works, it's a good idea for a data point."

"Told you sex was the solution, Todd!"

He didn't give that one a response as he walked out of his room, over to Song's door, and knocked. "Song, are you awake in there?"

A small voice responded "I am."

Todd got concerned. She wasn't usually this quiet and timid unless she was really having to fight herself. "Hey, I know you've been fighting hard the last couple of days. Just did the math, and if you need it I have enough room on my mana bar to be able to help you out this morning."

The door flew open, a golden-furred and very large hand seized him by the collar, and he found himself thrown onto Song's bed. Before he finished bouncing, she was on him, a naked blur of gold-white fur riding him into the bed with desperate focus. She came screaming mere moments later, and Todd let loose right afterwards. An idle part of the back of his head mused that it had to be some kind of speed record for him. Another part of him wondered just how bad it had gotten for Song to be like this. Either way, the Kumiho managed to assert control over herself as she came down from that high, until the woman in Todd's arms was her petite Human form. "I... I'm sorry, Todd. I thought I was doing better, I..."

"Song! You're okay!" Todd did his best to calm her down. "You held on to yourself! Didn't even bruise me, no blood drawn, especially not into your mouth. I don't mind you being hornier than you thought, honest!"

She laughed at that. "You wouldn't, would you? Now go get dressed, I don't think we have enough time for a shower before class."

"Shoot! Sorry for the lack of pillow talk, running!"

He made it to class on time, even if breakfast was limited to what he could grab, keep walking, and eat on the way. Professor Otterly wouldn't be at math class, so he needed to be there. He wasn't sure if the professor had told anyone about their arrangement. This did, however, provide him with the chance to call up his Status... and sure enough, all of his Ten were up another point.

So. I get one point at one buff active, a second one at three. Does that mean my third one will be at five or six? Would the fourth be at seven or ten? I'm not about to ask Jem to arrange another Sunday like last one to test this, though.

Math was... boring. Todd almost forgot what that felt like. He tried his best to be nice to the substitute, no matter how bad the temptation was to just answer everything so that the class would just

get on with it

. Song and Ghata both definitely noticed that he was unusually quiet. His notes were just more interesting than class. Chemistry and Computer Science both had the advantage of being at least close to his level, especially after his exam had made Todd realize just how insufficient his study had been with the computer side of things. The time passed quickly, he was less bored and more engaged.

Which was absolutely a coincidence, he was sure.

There were no messengers from Tim waiting for him today, a sign which he would have previously taken as a good thing but now felt was fairly ominous.

What I really need is a way to make sure the people he is controlling are actually willing. Not compelled, not permanent, following all of the rules that May told me about. I mean, if he could do that ethically, that's a heck of a thing... huh?

A small bunch of people were gathered a bit off the beaten path. Honestly, Todd was surprised he'd spotted them, He recognized one of them, too, Tiny the Gargoyle. That in turn meant that the group couldn't be all bad, especially since they all looked to be listening closely to a Malinois in a coyote-brown shirt and cargo pants. Alastor. He seemed to be leading the others in stretches of some kind. His half-barking voice came across the cool air as Todd made his curious way over. "Alright, about time we start. I'm not going to tell you all to go full force, just the opposite. Anya here," he gestured at a fit-looking Human woman, "can turn one practice ring into a Duelist Safe Zone for a while. If you are not both within that ring and in an agreed practice bout, do not use lethal attacks. We are here to work out and make sure we can defend ourselves."

The others nodded and paired off. Alastor looked over and spotted Todd. Todd... did not like the look in his eye as he walked over. "So, uh, what are you all doing?"

"Something I wanted to invite you to personally." The canine's canines were showing in his grin. "You've been doing a lot of work drawing the attention of people who'd usually have other people's worst interests at heart. Thanks for Tanking that, now time to pay it forward." Alastor had been leading Todd over to a random-seeming spot on the ground. "Now, have at me."

"What?"

"I want you to come at me like I just told you I'm screwing May."

"That's her choice, hope you enjoyed it."

Atastor facepalmed. "Okay, like I told you I talked your professors into failing you because I don't like your face. I want you to try to kill me with your bare hands. Don't worry, you won't succeed, but I need to see what I'm working with."

Todd blinked. He opened his mouth as if to ask why the man thought he'd want to be there to be worked with, but then it closed again. Yeah, escaping death by the skin of his teeth was not the best idea untrained. "So I, what, just punch you?"

"You try." There was that grin again.

"Okay, you asked for this one." Todd had been in a real fight that involved him trying to fight exactly twice in his life. He lost both, very badly, but he could at least remember the random things he'd read over time about how to throw a punch. He found his balance, made a fist, and punched Alastor.

The fist met Alastor's open palm to no visual effect. "Okay, not terrible, but I told you not to hold back."

"I... wasn't holding back."

"Oh." Alastor blinked a couple of times. "I take back my assessment of that not being terrible. Seriously, have you just never done this?"

Todd sighed. "I was Level one when I got to college. No, I've never done this. Uh, can I have my hand back?"

Alastor looked at where he'd been holding on to Todd's feeble fist. "Sure, sorry about that. Okay, looks like a practice bout is about to start. We can watch that, then I need to get to teaching you how to not get turned into paste by the next demon you piss off."

Todd shook out and massaged his wrist before looking over. "Is... is that LUCAS?"

Alastor nodded. "Seemed to think he had some wrongs to right and agreed to help me out. He's going to spar with the people with actual combat experience who want to keep current."

The Protogen was standing to one side of a ring marked in chalk paint on the ground. He already had his saber blades manifested and in hand. Across from him was a tall, powerful-looking woman. A Griffon, the tawny head of a Golden Eagle showing over her v-neck tee shirt, large wings slightly flared for balance. She had jeans and a pair of boots on, but the sword she was holding point-forward in her right hand was absolutely level. It was a relatively short blade with a horseshoe guard and a leaf-shaped blade, one that narrowed a bit before swelling out closer to the tip. A xiphos, a voice in the back of Todd's head said. The tee shirt didn't cover up the fine-linked mail shirt, either, whoever she was she had Delver gear and wore it like she was used to it. Alastor stepped up to the ring side. "Lucas, ready?" The machine man nodded. "Bonnie, ready?" The Griffon nodded. "Two minutes on the clock. Begin!"

Even if he had not been told this wasn't going all-out, Todd would have known. The two came at each other head-on, Bonnie slashing at Lucas in a swift but controlled sequence of sword strikes. The Protogen, for his part, did not try for his signature opening shot to take out his opponent instantly. He instead calmly parried the slashes, found an opening, and attacked. Bonnie saw it coming, and with a mighty beat of her wings she leapt backwards... and unleashed a blast of wind that knocked Lucas back for space. She'd apparently had enough of introductions, her next moves around the ring were obviously assisted by wind control. Lucas kept calmly responding, but it was obvious that he was having to put in focus and effort to do so.

Todd's eyes narrowed. This was new. "You said her name is Bonnie? What's her deal, that isn't normal."

"Oh, it isn't. That's why Lucas is dueling her." Alastor didn't take his eyes off the match. "Delver, Spellsword of Wind, got to Level six and wanted to come to college and use that nest egg, if you'll pardon the pun."

"Yeah, she's

awesome!

" Todd jumped halfway out of his skin at the sudden voice from his right. He looked over... and up. The speaker was another woman, a canine of some kind and looking like a Malamute in boots and a leather jacket. The spiked collar meant she was either in the Goth scene or really proud of her particular species. Or both. She had an electric guitar slung across her back, too, which gave a fairly broad hint about things.

"Uh, hi. I'm Todd. You're a Bard, too?"

"Yep!" Cheerful kind of woman. Peppy. "Name's Violet. Path of Blades, which is kind of awkward and kind of fun. She's my girlfriend and trying to help me get used to it."

Todd was suddenly and intensely aware of the sounds of clashing blades from the ring along with a glowing line around the edges of the guitar. "I'm Path of Inspiration."

"Oh, we know!" Still peppy, not a hint of sarcasm. "You're getting kind of infamous around here, Alastor asked us to keep an eye out for you but he saw you first. You've been doing a lot of

inspiring

people, after all. Training plan?"

"Uh. Half that, half trying to help people."

Violet shrugged "Makes sense. Bonnie's been checking out that girlfriend of yours, more her type."

That was one way to answer about a dozen questions at once. Todd was saved from trying to respond by Alastor barking out "TIME! Good bout you two. Next!"

"Looks like it's my turn!" Violet jogged out into the ring, kissed the Gryphon deeply, then unslung her guitar. Across from her was a Human man who was not visibly armed.

The Gryphon jogged over to where Todd and Alastor were standing. "Violet was talking to you?" Her voice was noticeably deeper than her girlfriend's, and carried a noticeable bit of Scottish burr.

"Yeah. Uh, Bonnie, was it?" The Gryphon nodded, the red tufts of her ears dramatizing the point. "She said she's a Path of Swords Bard? Haven't met one of those, how does that work?"

"You ever watch old cartoons?"

"I did, not sure how that's relevant."

"Just watch." Alastor shouted for the match to start, and the man charged at Violet. She didn't dive in at first, hopping backwards and strumming a power chord. One that blasted monstrously loud despite the guitar not being hooked up to a speaker. When her assailant staggered off-balance, Violet ran in and swung the guitar itself around, connecting solidly with the man's head with a huge

KABONG

sound.

He staggered back, shook his head to get steady, and saw Violet waiting patiently. Then he tapped the ground with his hand.

"Tap out! Good moves, Violet, keep those in mind!" Alastor looked over at Todd, a spark of an idea plainly showing in his eyes. Todd saw the glance and the spark, his soul recoiling in fear. Alastor shook his head. "Nah, putting you up against someone in the ring won't do anyone any good. Tiny! You and Emmett!" In a more normal voice, he addressed Todd again. "You're working with me."

"Do I get any say in this?"

"You got another class today?"

"No."

"Then no. Todd, you're a good kid, but you're gonna leave a big hole in a lot of people's lives when someone decides the world's better without you. We're gonna work on that part." Alastor was true enough to his word, but before fifteen minutes were through Todd was sweating despite the cooling evening air. He was also absolutely and one hundred percent convinced that if he had not been carrying bonus stats on the entirety of his Ten he'd have been doing way worse. It gave a certain appreciation for why people thought his ability was so valuable.

Heck, pair it with their descriptions of how it felt... it's like if having sex with May gave that to me. Which it kind of did. But still, that just puts it over the top...

WHAP. "Ow!"

"Keep your head in the fight, Todd! I don't know what you were thinking about, but if I'd been using my Abilities that little love tap would have landed you in the hospital." Alastor did not look particularly amused by Todd's lapse in concentration.

"Sorry! I have a Status thing that I'm trying to figure out. Picked up an ability a couple of days ago and it interacts weirdly with my Inspiration."

"Well, congrats on getting Level three on the pacifist route, then, and if you want to survive to six try to take this seriously before we start playing dodgeball with my Ki Blasts."

Why would he think... oh. Right. Power leveling isn't exactly what he's expecting. That means going from one to three is way more reasonable than one to six and a half.

It would be another fifteen minutes before Alastor called an actual stop. In a disgustingly cheerful manner, Todd had to add in his head. "Not bad progress, you learn fast. No wonder Professor Otterly likes you. Now you need practice and repetition, then we can get into movement so that you can actually dodge things. I'm not gonna try to teach you how to fight back against a serious enemy, that's not you, just how to live long enough to get to help or let help get to you."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Todd was trying to stretch muscles that felt like someone had been hammering them into chicken cutlets. More or less what Alastor had actually been doing, truth be told, but he was being restrained enough about it to try to let Todd keep up.

"Believe me when I say that was one. I've worked with worse. Not by much, but some. You'll never be a cold-blooded bare-handed murder machine even among people without System help, but we can get you at least decent." Alastor turned towards the others, barking out instructions for them to clean up, but Todd noticed something. His tail, which had been held fairly still for most of the last half hour, was wagging. "Alright! Stop what you're doing, clean up, and go wash your butts, tails, tentacles, or other appendages before you try to crowd the cafeteria and gas them out with your BO!"

Todd took the cue and got himself out of there. Though he usually preferred to be near the front of the line for dinner, this time around he felt the trainer had a point. He stank, having missed the shower this morning then gotten through this mess, and even though Alastor had been relatively gently training him some of the places he'd smacked were stinging. A warm shower would solve both of those issues. Or at least be a good start. The others weren't back yet, probably at the cafeteria wondering where he was. One quick message to the group chat, one armful of bath supplies, and he was off to the showers.

It was already steamy in there, someone else had at least a similar idea to Todd. He paid it no mind, it was hardly the first... or eighth... time in the last week and a half he'd taken a shower with someone else nearby. The undertone of wet dog smell told him that someone with fur was the one already present, the smell of shampoo that they were already ahead of him in the densely steamy shower. No biggie. As he closed his eyes to get the first rinse done, though, a different thing caught him off guard. A voice coming from just in front of him. "Not bad, they weren't kidding about you."

He jumped and looked down to find the brown topside fur of a Malamute staring straight at his junk from a distance of less than a foot. One who was familiar, though looking different without her electric guitar and leather jacket. "Violet?!?!"

She grinned. "Soon as I saw you were here, I wanted to say congratulations. And get a piece of you myself, I told you that you got a reputation and I wanna know what the hype's about."

No matter how good Todd's recall was, it was difficult to pick individual facts out of the last few hours. Something to do with the surprise. "Thought you and Bonnie were a thing?"