Author's Note - Please read from Chapter 1 to make sense of this. This is not a quick stroke story. There will be sexy-times, but they will only happen as the story's pace dictates, and that won't start quick.
All characters participating in sexual activities are 18 or older.
Chapter 57
Once Ray's head hit the pillow, he was sound asleep. As he woke early the next morning, he realized he hadn't spent time in the Oracles' realm, a pleasant surprise.
The clock on the dim screen saver showed it to be just after 4 AM. Stretching carefully, he wrapped his genie and her genie each in an arm and gently pulled them close. Both snuggled into his warmth, seemingly asleep. Reaching through Hinn with the gentlest touch he could manage, finding both were awake and aware of his actions.
Chuckling, he tickled both women. This set off an energetic start to the morning, wrestling and tickling. The accidental headbutting was ignored, inconsequential in the face of shared laughter. Rather than continue, Ray just pulled the ladies into his embrace again, enjoying the closeness.
"Good morning, Great Hinn," was Dhakira's warm greeting.
"And to you, fair one, a fine morning as well," Ray replied. As he shared the thought, he realized that neither Dhakira's nor his message were in English, but rather the Hinn's preferred language that had eventually become the basis of modern Arabic. Trying to fit his new knowledge into his understanding of history, Ray perceived the whole of the language as it changed over time, as communities changed it and recombined in new ways, as outside influences spiced the mix in novel ways. Even as the comprehension flowed through his perception, he was amazed.
"You begin to approach how Ousha and I utilize Hinn, Master," Tauriz purred. "You have taken centuries of growth within five days."
"Is this normal, ladies?"
"No, Great Hinn," Dhakira replied. "Often, Hinn shattered the mind of those who awake to it after existing as other than Hinn. Of those that survive such challenges, many do so by ignoring the promise and glory of Hinn. Only the fraction of the fraction of the few given that opportunity later grow into Hinn the way you are, and none have ever approached the pace you tread."
"The wish you granted me helped, Master," Tauriz chimed in. "Your awareness of history, your curiousity, and your knowledge of human computer technology all helped mitigate many of the risks, as well."
Nodding, Ousha added, "Dhakira understates how rare this is, Master of my Master. I know of only one who became Hinn who came close to this degree of growth, but her capabilities were different, as she was the one who first created Hinn, Ti'amtum. Only one, Ray."
"Ousha is in the correct order of magnitude, Great Hinn," agreed Dhakira. "Of the four hundred and twelve mortals with experience other than Hinn who have gained Hinn since it evolved into the current version, nine eventually approached the level of complexity of interaction you already experience. Please note, I am currently reducing that experience for you, as some signs were apparent that your consciousness might have headed into unsurvivable growth had you continued. As your consciousness adapts and accepts the growth, and as the need occurs, it will be available to you, but neither I nor your genie will allow harm to come to you."
Shocked, Ray was quiet. He instinctively held Tauriz and Ousha close, wrapping his awareness around all three. "Thank you, ladies," was all he could manage to put into words, but the breadth and depth of his emotions flowed warm and rich around those three.
After a quiet moment passed, those with bodies rose and padded into the master bath. It was time to take the next steps on their journey together.
The three dressed, each refreshed and warmly content, before stepping out into the hallway and heading to the kitchen. "Dhakira? Are there beings like those Tauriz and I met in the Student Center who might be helpful to bring on as cooks, maids, or other similar roles?"
"Yes, Ray. Many types, but few are easily compatible with humans. Most have rituals, geasa, oaths, or other restrictions which humanity could easily trigger with consequences from mild to fatal."
"Of those you are aware of, how many would be willing to attempt meeting our people half-way, and how many of those would see a wish to prevent such triggering events as a beneficial act, rather than an assault or other problem?"
"I believe I know of several, Great Hinn."
"Why are you calling me that now, Dhakira?"
"Because you are that, Ray. That, and more."
"More?"
"Few Hinn were ever Oracles and none of the Great Hinn. None have had the perception or concern to ask questions such as those you have asked me. Not a single being that I am aware of has considered merging these outsiders into human experience with the wish of a genie without that wish also becoming a source of conflict, an act of enslavement they would strive against."
"How sad. These great tools, this amazing capability, and a lack of empathy."
"Perhaps, Great Hinn. Perhaps, instead, selfishness or self-interest driving those who gain such power, or even a conspiracy against mortals."
"Oh? A conspiracy? In my experience, effective conspiracies are exceptionally scarce, especially those that remain capable of significant change over time without losing their secrecy. One of the relevant human sayings, the gathering of the wisdom of generations of humans, is, 'exceptional claims require exceptional proof.' What proof do you have of such a conspiracy?"
"I believe I shall have to research more of these sayings, Great Hinn. No, I have no solid proof, for if I did, would it be still a conspiracy?"
Chuckling as he opened the refrigerator door, Ray replied, "Hoist on my own petard! You are good at that, Dhakira!"
"As you might say, I try."
Deeply amused, Ray gathered the ingredients for a small giambotte, just enough for three. "You more than try, my friend. You succeed. Once this is over, and there're fewer immediate time pressures, please help me take the time to go over what information you do have that may or may not reveal a conspiracy. You two as well, please -- if there's something there, we will need to know of it."
Whipping up the eggs, cream cheese, and other ingredients as the vegetables browned in a lightly-oiled skillet, Ray said, "Now, back to the point before the conspiracy -- rather, the potential conspiracy! -- what beings would you suggest, Dhakira?"
"As I stated, there are few who I would suggest for such a role, Great Hinn. Those that inhabit the Student Center, who seemingly do share commonality with the myths of Germanic kobold or Scottish brownies, are certainly one potential. If you address their leader, they may agree to such a role. Alternately there are others of a similar stock that Hinn are or were aware of elsewhere on the planet, and there are other singular beings who become exemplars of a given skill set. One of those latter types, one who focused on the provenance, preparation, and protection of a body of humans such as you have gathered here, might be a better fit. There is one of that type I am aware of who currently languishes under controls they cannot break which no longer apply. That is, they were the caregivers for a royal line and their guards and attendants, but that royal line no longer exists."
Ray added the egg mix into the pan. "How might we -- those of us under the NDA and yourself that is, Dhakira -- break such commands without harm to this specialist, or those around them? Note that I don't think it's appropriate to sequester you under the NDA, you have a different role, and I don't wish to block you from that. I would request that you take what care you may to prevent sharing details of our work here without need."
"See, Ray? There you go again, being considerate for those subordinate to you. Thank you.
"To break such commands, I would suggest that first, you must gain their attention and acceptance, Great Hinn. Getting this would be simple to accomplish with a wish, but the attempt may well cause others to become aware of you and yours that you would find distasteful. If you instead approached as humans do, you would be beneath the notice of those cautious of or opposed to this ancient line, but gathering the attention of the specialist as you call them would become significantly more difficult and potentially riskier."
Stirring gently and sprinkling the cheese on top as he did, Ray directed, "Then please gather what information you can to assist with approaching them as a human. We will need to address that later, though, as we have enough on our plates currently."
"As you wish, Great Hinn."
The four were quiet as Ray finished off the dish and served three portions. Considering it rude to eat without everyone getting some, Ray offered to share his sensations as he ate with Dhakira, who accepted gratefully. The quiet sounds of an appreciated meal passed before Ousha grabbed the empty plates. "I shall wash these, Ray, while you and Tauriz prepare. I will await your return and continue my duties until you do."
"Thank you, Ousha. I appreciate your assistance -- it makes our other tasks easier to know you are here."
Ray and Tauriz hugged Ousha as she worked to fill the sink and scrub the few dishes. A quick, playful splash of water later, the three laughed. Ray poked around the cabinets, finding some plastic bags, raisins, and peanuts, preparing a nostalgic treat for later, before he and Tauriz headed to the elevator. They went down to the first basement, exiting into the newly-expanded security choke point. The guard on duty buzzed them through the steel doors, but now the path lead around both the old and new elevators, the floor's breadth expanded further into the underground environment to allow them to pass the redoubled volume of the shafts safely.
They walked across the quiet floor. Some few noises escaped the dojo as they passed. Neither paused, reaching the other elevators and descending to the second basement floor where Skepsi had set up their cafeteria and bunks.
"Good morning, Ray, Tauriz!" was Kendis' greeting as they exited the elevator.
"Morning, Kendis. Did you sleep well?"
