Gemwright Ch 23

Eventually it's dark. I think this is a good stopping point for today.

I trained the bird to look at any human that's on the platform, but not directly behind it. Unlike real birds, mine can only turn its head about thirty degrees. Eyes at the side of its head means they can still see most everything around them, but not directly behind itself.

I think I can call today a success. I consider a swim, but... I've seen enough of the lake this morning, I have no particular desire to go back.

Yaaaawwnn..

I stretch my arms up, one hand behind an elbow. This'll do. No reason to stay up late. I head back to the encampment.

I note that De'Dan is in Banyun's cart with Wed as I walk by. I guess he finished with Haf'ku.

Arriving at my house, I see that Rin is on my bed, above the covers, reading a book. Without any clothes on, of course. She waves at me as I come in. I disrobe as well, and prepare for bed in the water closet.

Teeth freshened, I return to bed. Rin's put her book on that new bedside shelf.

Me, "No cooling crystals tonight then?"

Rin, "No thanks."

I lay down, my young female stretching and smiling at me, and remember she wants me on my back this time. It's a miracle I'm still soft, but I know there won't be any action tonight. My head hits the pillow, and I make myself comfortable.

Rin crawls on top of my chest, and pulls my right arm under her. With that support, she leans partially onto me, head in my chest, and her hip pushed against my leg. Her right leg falls over my right leg. Lastly, her arm rests on my stomach.

I smile, tap the bedside to kill the lights, and curl my right arm around her back.

I connect to her mind. "Comfy?"

I feel.. She isn't quite. "Hmm, what do I do with my left arm?" she giggles.

Ah, yeah, that's inconvenient. "Put it under my back? Or lay face down and it goes off to the left?" I consider turning the light back on for her, but then I remember she has a Zone ring on.

She tries to hug me, but with her arm between me and the bed, it isn't too enjoyable for either of us. So she turns herself to essentially lay on top of half of me, with her head on my sternum.

I feel we both like this position. Her right arm curls around under my shoulder in a hug.

This feels.. quite pleasant. Rin sighs on my chest, "I can hear your heartbeat like this."

I let her relax a bit. Then, "I heard you might be interested in alchemy."

Rin, "It does seem interesting. And useful too. Very expensive to learn."

Me, "I can just hire someone too. But if it's something you have any interest in, I'll make an alchemy cart, or something, and you can stir suspicious ingredients in an oversized cauldron with a gnarled wooden staff."

She laughs on my chest. "What are you talking about? That would just be experimental alchemy, not potion alchemy." I feel her lift her head slightly. "Unless you mean.."

I'm glad. She does have an interest. "I do."

She puts her head back on my chest. "But potions would be more useful.. Experimental is.. A waste, everyone says so."

I laugh, gently since someone is currently using my chest. "I can just buy potions. And in case you haven't noticed, I happen to have an obnoxious amount of money." I stroke her back a bit to reassure her. "Besides. If you happen to discover something interesting, all the better. Even if you don't, it's not like I can even spend all this gold anyway. Nothing lost."

She snuggles her head against my chest. I feel a small twinge as she brushes against my chest hair. "Okay. I'll ask Hana and Wed what they think later."

Me, "Now. Close your eyes." I deepen our connection, then loop in Sentral. I power the portal to Jericho, and activate the four 'eyes' to look at the planet below us.

She tenses. "Is that.."

Me, "Yep. That's the planet we live on. I don't know where this island is. But over on the right you can see Jensin, and below it, Al Ruheibi."

There's a lot more landmass to this world than the map I got in Jensin suggests. Oddly, one of the continents seems black and desolated, wonder what happened there. I note with curiosity that the planet is significantly farther away than the last time I looked, too.

Me, "The satellite will go around the world about once a day. I'm hoping Sentral can handle the navigation, it needs to make small adjustments as the planet orbits its star, otherwise the satellite will sometimes end up in the planet's shadow, which means no generation of power for my golems."

I feel like she's lost, but I don't blame her at all. The massive, frictionless expanse of outer space takes a bit of time to understand. She's more interested in the stars though. I turn the input from the eyes away from the planet, around to the back, to stare into the abyss. There's stars... holy shit, there's so many stars, it wasn't like this before when I looked.

Rin, "Are those all.. stars? There are so many.." I see her recall a time when she looked up at a clear night sky and saw many stars, but there weren't thousands upon thousands lime were staring at.

Me, "Wow, it's beautiful..." for a moment, I don't even notice my woman leaking tears onto my chest, the sight is so captivating.

Rin, "I'd love to go up and see that in person someday."

Me, "Some day..." I yawn again. "Yeah. Some day."

I smile, and settle down to sleep. I've seen pictures of the sea of stars in the past, but it didn't prepare me. I hope to make a space station of my own one day. We'll see. I pull out of the telepathy, leaving Rin to enjoy it for as long as she wants. I opt to enjoy the feeling of my awestruck women in my arms as I drift off to sleep..

- - -

[Day 27 | "Day 11 at Port Juhatara" | Day 8 at Topaz Island]

I'm awakened when I try to move, but I'm being pushed down by something. I blink open my eyes, the light spilling in from the open door. I'm on my back...? And a woman is spread all across me. Rin's head is laying on my left arm, while her torso crosses mine, and her legs go off to my right. My mind catches up, right, we went to bed in a position vaguely like this, but she must have crawled across me more in her sleep. Haha, I'm okay with this.

I gently lift her off of me and head to the shower. I have a chest to shave. She didn't care for the hair, so I'll add this to my daily cleaning.

She wakes up as I'm getting dressed again. "Good morning, Grey."

Me, "Good morning, Rin. Sleep well?"

Rin, "I did. I feel like my life should be different after seeing the world from above like that. But it's still the same, huh?"

Yeah, guess so. "Seems that way. I'm gonna grab an apple for breakfast."

She gets up, then thinks about it and reaches for her clothes. "It is odd they don't have breakfast here."

I look out the door, and notice that for some reason, a flock of glittering birds are standing on Ban'yun's cart.. That can only mean one thing. Bor'wa.

Well, anyway, I should probably have Sentral clean out the waste water in the plumbing. I haven't bothered since we got here, it's probably close to full.

Since I'm just standing still just outside near the entrance, Rin asks, "What's up?"

Me, "Having Sentral clean up the waste water. It needs to be done at some point, and I've been forgetful about it since we got here."

Rin furrows her brows. "You're asking Sentral, who puts satellites into outer space, to clean up your messes?"

What. "I'm asking a golem that I created to serve me to clean up my messes."

Rin doesn't like that answer. "He is capable of so much, and you're using him in such a demeaning way!"

I feel that old sensation of blood surging past my ears. I try to fight back and

keep fucking calm, Grey

and not yell. "Rin, I created

it

, and I will use

it

as I please." 3/10 you idiot, some part of my mind quips.

Rin appears angry at my less than civil response. "You should treat

him

with more respect! You have a telekinesis ring, do the job yourself!

I'd

rather do it than have you mistreat him in thi-"

My mental grip slips, "IT'S AN IT! Stop trying to

humanize

a pile of rocks! It's not even getting dirty from-"

Rin, "Even your

language

degrades him! How callous can you be?!"

Shit. I try, again, harder, to control my emotions.I only partially succeed. "

Look.

Getten isn't here.

I'm

not gonna do it. I'm sure as

hell

not going to ask

you

to-

Rin steps up to me and digs a finger into my chest. "And that's another thing! What is your deal with Getten? How could you touch another man like that? Did I fall for someone who loves men, too?"

This fucking shit again. I'm seeing red, why can she not see reason?! I grab the door frame before I can do something I regret the rest of my life. "A head rub is

not sexual

, are you insane?! And

even if I did

want to fuck your brother, what of it?! Tell you what, I'll go gay

just for you,

and

you can watch as he takes it up the ass

!"

She was clearly furious at me, but at that last word, her expression shifts from anger, to hurt, to a cold stare.

I'm desperately trying to stop my mouth from

running

and making the situation worse. "Leave me be, or I'll have Sentral clean it

manually

." And walk back into my house. I close the door less gently than I meant to.

Fuck. What the fuck! Completely unreasonable! What is her problem?! Sentral this, Sentral that. I should just give it a fucking gemstone cock and let her fuck the one she actually loves!

I throw myself on the recliner my girls got for me, and my thoughts swirl negatively for a little while.

I should be productive. Or something. I try to spin more Topaz, maybe fill out the Jade tablet with the rest of the birds. I hew some more from the ocean mine. While it's coming, I check Sentral's Zone. Rin isn't in the camp. Wed and Bor'wa are. I don't particularly care to talk to either of them right now.

I get my Topaz and start spinning them into Spheres. I get one done in minutes, but the second one just.. won't.. My mind wanders back to how angry I am at Ringara. Sentral is MY creation damnit. What the hell right does she have...

Fifteen minutes later the second sphere is

still

not done. My anger flashes, and I slam my palm into it, making a mess of the gem work. I chuck it in with the unworked stuff, and set the Sphere aside. No point trying to slice it when I'm this

fucking

distracted.

And

whose fault is that

?

Yours

. My traitor brain reminds me that Sentral has something like a consciousness.

No, fuck that. This is Rin's fault. I didn't do anything wrong.

Before lunch time, another stupidly beautiful brown islander girl with big tits knocks on my door. She tells me her name, but I forget it immediately. I let myself be taken to the Garden, and I forget my problems for a short while...

- - -

(side story)

I lean back from the table. My brow is covered in sweat. I have barely moved at all, but this is the most demanding work I've ever done.

My teacher said to me, "The next lesson begins when you can change this branch into a ball." The branch is no longer a branch, but it is also not a ball. I have much work left.

I wipe the sweat, but continue to breathe heavily. I will ask Grey for a... pink ring next time I see him. Perhaps it will help.

I run my hand along the gnarled, deformed branch. The texture of its bark reminds me of home. Its crisp smell makes me feel at ease.

Outside of the workshop, I hear my tribesmen working hard. Some of them are preparing the trees to be chopped. Others are busy felling prepared trees. More yet are hauling the wood to my master and his apprentices, to be dismantled into planks, in the manner that the strange Wed asked.

The payment was a mouth-watering six sacks of salt, one of which was given up front. The chief said that after the first day it would be rationed...but, the meal that day was so,

so

salty! I've never had anything

so delicious

.

The children, with guidance from an elder who has trouble walking, plant new hardbark trees to replace those that have been felled... And more besides. It seems that our trees are valuable in The World Beyond.. A place I will soon set foot into.

A world of hundreds of thousands of people, maybe 'millions'? That was a new word for me. A number of things that I cannot even imagine there being so many of, except perhaps the number of vines on every tree on our island? It is truly daunting. I know that Grey will protect me from harm, but Wed instructed me on the ways I can avoid placing Grey in a difficult spot due to my ignorance. And how to use 'money'. And how to deal with the many men who will find me beautiful, and try to woo me.

It seems Wed agrees with Grey; even among islander women, I am particularly attractive, in the tastes of The World Beyond. I would rate myself merely as average among my fellow women. My understanding in the past was that breasts are only for providing milk, and that men did not find them appealing. It seems that outside of Topaz Island, they are seen as an indicator of beauty, more so than the woman's strength of arm, or the shapeliness of her thighs. I suppose I am lucky. I look down, and push my hands under my breasts. Mine are larger than most others, but... are they truly so desirable?... Well, I know that they are. Grey reacts strongly to my body, but he reacts most powerfully to the sight and thought of my breasts. Perhaps, after we mate, I will set aside time to allow him to indulge.

'Panhumbelir' is a name for him I've heard among his tribesmen. Fitting. He's a strange sort of deity. He doesn't wield power directly, but creates

things

to empower himself. The distinction is inconsequential to his foes, as the Sea God whose flesh I consumed proved to us with its pitiful death. But it is strange to consider that, without his rings, and without Sentral, I would be able to overpower him. So very strange... But, I suppose everything about him is strange.

I work again on the branch. Feel the flow of magic; reverse it, then impress your will... easier said than done, but I will persevere.

I

pull

, and then press...

Only slightly more ball-like.

I saw some of the clothes that were purchased on my behalf. There was so much covered. When I put them on, almost all of my skin was hidden. But, I suppose that is needed. The World Beyond is a colder place, and the clothes will keep that torture from my skin. Hana promises that heat crystals within my house can recreate the temperature I'm used to.. But encouraged me not to rely on them, and instead become accustomed to the colder climate.

She is also teaching me new languages. When Hana is not teaching Bor'la telepathy, she teaches me the words of Al Ruheibi. I will also learn Jensin in the future, as well as other languages for the places we travel to. Not just the words are different, but the way they order them, and the way you transform action words is different too! It's so novel!

I can't wait to see it. In two or three days, I will set foot in Port... Juhatara? And a new chapter in my life will begin.

Of course, two days from now, I will be paired with Grey. This mate is significantly less likely to die to a kurs.

It was a shame he and I mated on one of my infertile days. I shake my head. Grey will be different. He will survive. He will give me a dozen mighty children. I smile.

Let's try again... I feel something different this time, and the wood reacts strangely..

I

pull

, and then

press

...

The wood

flows

, though more slowly than when the master does it. I'm exhausted before I can complete the ball. I pant, and wipe the sweat again.

Grey.. I've consulted with Hana, and she helped me come up with vows that will honor tradition, but also make sense to Grey as an outsider. It seems our language has more sayings, 'metaphors' than I realized, and Grey is still learning some of them. I had wanted to add "To never be standing with one leg." to my vows, but it's meaning would be lost. She also suggested something for our first time together. Apparently it's something Grey had always wanted to do, and so I would have his first time in that way. It seems a little inconvenient, but intriguing. If it doesn't work out, I'll take him back to the cart.

I know how he wants to breed me, when we finally make a child. It crosses his mind sometimes when he looks at me, the exact position he wants; it's the same every time. I'll hold off on that position until that day comes. I want it to be special. For both of us.

I lean back in.

Push

... And

puulllll...

Haaahhh... It is done. A ball of hardbark rests in my hands.

Hanamaya walks in, wearing a blindfold. "Hello Ban'yun!"

I laugh. Hana has visited me several times a day, and agreed with the Master to be blindfolded so as not to learn the secrets of hardbark crafting. I suspect she already knows.

I struggle somewhat, but manage to connect to her mind. "Hello, Hanamaya. I have completed the next stage of my training. It is hard work, but I believe I will have learned the basics in time for The World Beyond."

Hana smiles, and opens her arms wide. "Yay! Good for you!" I move to accept her hug, since she cannot see. After a moment, I let go, and lead her to a seat. "Will you be making your necklace now?"

I suppose that is now within my reach. "Once I've recovered my strength. It takes a lot out of me to do this."

Hana nods. "Ask Grey for a Rhodonite ring. It might help you with crafting. Perhaps Diamond as well. Though I have no idea what you're doing over there, I've got a feeling!"

I know that her last sentence is a lie. She knows I know. The unease is only mild now.

I ask, "Hana. How many children do you hope to have with Grey? When you near the end of your life, how many children will survive you?"

She smiles. "As many as Grey wants! But I hope that number is three or four. But if he looked me seriously in the face and said 'Hana, I want you to bear ten children for me,' I'd smile and say 'Yes!'"

I nod. That number seems about right. "If I've counted correctly, I hope I'll be able to produce about twelve or thirteen children for him. Of course, I should wait a year between children. But, if what you said is true, and he agrees..."

She grins at me. "If you ask him, he'll do it. With a healing potion after you've given birth, there's no need to wait a year." She calms down a bit. "But I want to talk to a few people before I actually recommend that."

She had mentioned this before, and the number of potential children had climbed up to twenty six or more, depending on how long it takes for me to be fertile again after birth. My chest squeezed tight when I realized I might have that many children from him. I try to manage my expectations; it is still not certain.

She follows up. "Have you thought up a new family name?"

I nod. Then feel foolish. "Yes. 'Bai', I think. I will ask Grey for his thoughts when we meet again." Bai'grey and Bai'yun.

Hana, "That's a cute name. I hope he accepts!"

Me, "How did the telepathy go with Bor'la?"

Hana, "She's improved by leaps and bounds! I have nothing left to teach her. The rest is experience."

I still have some difficulty unless my target is actively assisting me. I'm impressed with her achieving competency.

Hana, "Well, you are trying to learn three different things. Telepathy can wait, you know."

That is true. But at the same time, I want to be useful today, not the future. "I will continue to work hard anyway."

She smiles. "You're gonna burn out. But I'll help if you really insist."

Me, "I do. For my own pride, but also.. The more useful I am, the more Grey will be inclined to listen when I ask him for a child."