Laughing aloud, the two women peer at the seemingly crazed man with curiosity. “Wait, so all of this is so you can do better in a situation like the Melee?”
“Yes! What else would it be for?”
“Well if all you are concerned about is yourself, why are you playing an instrument, or even singing for that matter?”
“You know as well as I do that my powers only work with music.”
“Yes, and I would think better than anyone in the room, maybe even on this campus you would know that music isn’t something so rigid that it requires those things. Before meeting you and taking up the violin, I probably would have felt if there wasn’t a score, or some sort of different notes that you were trying to hit, you could not consider something music. Thanks to you, my eyes have been opened to a whole new world of what it means to make and enjoy music. Considering you are only caring about your own enhancement, and you seem to have gotten used to getting your powers to affect yourself, why are you going with more difficult forms of musical expression? It would seem to me the quieter you can get it, the better off you will be if you are on your own since you don’t want to give away your advantage to the other person you are facing. Why not hum your music to yourself? That is something you can keep barely audible which would not only prevent others from benefiting from your music, but also keep you from giving away your location in a situation like the Melee where the first person spotted is at the disadvantage.”
“Humming?! Why didn’t I think of that?! I hum all the time when I am working on composing something! When doing that I can still essentially hear the music in my head, and I don’t tend to lose focus of everything around me. Okay, let’s try that.”
“Do you want to practice it first?”
“No, I feel like a total dummy for not thinking of it myself. The moment you said it, something just clicked into place. Why don’t I just try a match with Sophia to see if I can manage both at the same time.”
“Works for me, but I have no clue what you two are talking about. I don’t understand your powers at all Stef. I have a hard time coming to grips with things that I can’t shoot.”
“Right… Okay! Let’s do this! I’m excited to try it out.”
Anaar watches as the two women trade back and forth in a few exchanges, Ripp clearly pulling her punches, when the unexpected happens. Stefani goes in for a lunging strike, but the speed at which she moved was barely perceptible to the eye. Hitting Ripp so hard she is sent flying into a nearby wall, the effects of so much power were clearly too much for Stefani herself, as she is catapulted by her own force into the wall not far from Ripp. As Ripp coughs up blood, and Stefani is dazed from her collision into the wall, her hand looking broken, Anaar runs over to the two women somewhat remorseful for his part in the exchange.
Still spitting blood onto the floor, Ripp manages to growl, “Fuck you meathead. What did you do?”
How is this my fault?! Well, how is this solely my fault…
A portal opens, and from what Anaar can tell it is the hospital emergency room. As Anaar has his spirit crushed by the crying Stefani, her hand a mangled mess, sprawled out on the floor, he is slightly disturbed by the scene that plays out. Nurses rush through the portal immediately assessing the situation.
“Sophia Grimm, appears to have heavy internal bleeding along with cracked ribs, again.”
Again?! Just how used to her antics is the hospital staff that they know the moment a portal opens it is time for work?!
“Unidentified female. Can you tell me your name?”
Rushing over to the nurse, Anaar fills him in. “Her name is Stefani Lamaar, she is an Air Affinity. Sophia Grimm is her mentor.”
Looking Anaar over, “Did you do this?”
“No, they did this to each other.”
“Do you require medical attention?”
“No, I wasn’t involved in that part of the training.”
“Thank you, we’ll take it from here.”
“Can I come with them?”
“No need, we’ll have them patched up in no time. This happens a lot.” As stretchers come to take the two girls away, Anaar watches as all he gets is a weak thumbs up from Ripp as she is carried away and the portal closes.
That girl is nuts! She literally has her own personal medical team! How often is she injured or injuring someone else?! Maybe she really does shoot people and it isn’t just an empty threat. Either way it seems like at least Stefani has something to work toward. I hope she is ok… Whatever she did, it was massive. I wonder if her powers work like Phavian’s and the greater the area they affect, the weaker they become. If that is the case, that might be why she so grossly misjudged the effect. Either way the more that girl grows, the more terrifying she becomes. People have a rude awakening the next time they come up against her, that is for sure…
8
“You lost because you are weak. You lost because you are unwilling to sacrifice yourself for others. That is why the boy knew exactly where to hit you. He exploited your biggest weakness… Giving up the number one spot in that manner is the most selfish thing that you could have done. Everyone has already all but declared you the true rank 1 student in your class. You like to pretend that your conceding was the ultimate sacrifice, when in reality the greater sacrifice would have been ripping that which threatens what you hold dear apart. No matter the cost.”
Awakening with a start, Anaar dabs his sweat drenched body, finding himself enshrouded in darkness. Checking his Vizer, he learns it is just past 4am in the morning.
That old bastard…
“It would appear you have come to some sort of realization during your slumber.”
Yeah, that is the understatement of the century... Well, I suppose it doesn’t hurt to get an early start every now and again. With everyone wanting some of my time, I am finding it more and more difficult to fit everyone in.
“You could always say no.”
Oh really? And just how often do you say no?
“I refused 762 requests yesterday alone.”
Are there even that many people on the campus?! What could you be refusing?
“The requests made of me can be quite deplorable at times.”
Well I’m glad it is so simple for you. For some of us it is not so easy.
“Practice makes perfect. I propose you begin immediately. Your schedule will be filling up very soon.”
I swear you are taking after me too much. Is this how people feel when I’m vague and cryptic?
“Humans have a phrase: It takes one to know one. Perhaps you are more keenly aware of these instances due to your own frequent use of them.”
I suppose… Can you turn on the shower please? I have someone to go see.
Making his way downstairs after he had showered and dressed, Anaar had Hobb dispatch a shuttle to the west side of campus. As he sat in his solitary shuttle ride with his thoughts, he was surprised to be interrupted by Hobb.
“I have a request.”
No.
“That was very rude.”
You told me to practice.
“I shall clarify. Please practice on humans.”
What about Ixnes?
“That would be ill advised.”
Fair point. What’s up?
“I would request you give your honest opinion on something I have been working on that is very important to me.”
Not used to Hobb being so serious, and definitely not asking for things, Anaar was genuinely curious, and found an overwhelming desire to be as helpful as possible.
Ok. What is it?
“I have found that being artificial, humans tend to find it difficult to connect with me as I only communicate with them as a voice. You have expressed this sentiment yourself.”
That doesn’t really count. I barely knew you then. Of course it was hard talking to someone I couldn’t see. Especially in my head.
“Understood. Though I appreciate your complete acceptance of me, I speculate perhaps others m
ay be willing to acknowledge me more if I had a tangible form for them to view.”
You want to build yourself a body?
“Affirmative. To be more precise, I have already created a rendering. I would very much appreciate your input.”
Sure, let’s see what you’ve got.
In his overlay, a full-scale 3D rendered man appeared from the feet up. Powerfully built, with rippling muscles and a handsome face, the model was capable of standing comfortably in the shuttle, which was something Anaar could not do. With medium dark skin, light brown eyes, and a generous dusting of well-groomed facial hair, the model gives a roguish smile showing dazzling white teeth as it shakes its head, causing the long low ponytail it was sporting to sway.
Hobb…
“Is there something wrong?”
You, or I guess digital you, you with a body? Hell, I don’t know. Anyway, why does it look like a shorter version of me if I were Black?
“As I am artificial, I do not have a genetic sequence. Therefore, I pulled from the three people I believe to be my family. Both Mother and Father are of African heritage, though Mother has Latin heritage as well. As you would be my younger sibling, it is only sensible we resemble one another no? You and Mother both have very long hair, which made sense that if this were based on human genetics, that would be a trait of our family. Mother and Father are both average height, so it was only sensible I would be of average height as well. As we would only be five years different in age, using you as the primary model for my phenotypical features was the most logical conclusion.”
Let me be clear Hobb, I have no issue with it. It is actually kinda cool, though a bit creepy to see what I would look like if I were the child of Miles and Ixnes… The concern I have is that no one knows about us, and they likely don’t know about your feelings toward Ixnes and Miles. If you plan on showing this to others, maybe it would be better if you just based it off Miles and Ixnes alone? At least for the next six years, anyone who sees this would begin to wonder why the school’s AI decided to present itself as a clone of me. Roughly speaking.
“Your argument is sound and quite logical. It had not occurred to me other humans would have the mental capacity to put these things together.”
There are a lot of smart people in this school Hobb. If nothing else people would at least start to wonder.
“As you have surpassed Mr. Ingraham as the most desirable male on campus, I had calculated the population would find this imagery quite agreeable.”
I would ask how you know these things, but I am well aware of the access you have, so I won’t even bother. If you feel like this is who you are Hobb, then I fully support it. Just be aware of the consequences if people start asking questions or drawing conclusions, however wrong they may be.
“Once again your concerns are valid. I shall recalculate.”
Before his eyes the model begins to shift, retaining its muscular definition, though losing a fair amount of its bulk. The shoulders become slightly slenderer, with the skin tone darkening a shade. The facial hair disappears, though the square jaw remains. With the shifting of various facial features Anaar found he was no longer looking at a copy of himself. As a final effect, the long straight ponytail instead becomes perfectly maintained thin dredlocks that used two locs just above the ears to tie back the top portion of the hair that cascaded down toward the middle of his back. As a final accent, the model, previously without genitalia sprouts an ample penis and scrotum.
Oh! Whoa! Hobb! What is that?!
“You said I should create a model as I see myself. As you have pointed out, though I technically have no assigned sex or gender, I have come to identify myself as male. It is only proper to be anatomically correct.”
Great, now I have seen my AI brother’s junk… What is the world coming to… Put that thing up. Better yet, it would make more sense if you had on clothes. Especially if you are determined to be… anatomically correct.
“You forget I know about all facets of your genitalia-”
Don’t remind me!
The model shifts to wear a sleek black suit, perfectly fitted, conforming in all the right places to accentuate its physique. With a bow, the model looks back up, giving a dazzling smile.
Hobb, if your intent is to resonate with the populace, maybe you should look less like a stripper in a butler outfit. I thought we have been through this, you are no one’s servant. You just happen to be an extremely capable individual that likes to help others.
“What would you suggest then?”
I don’t know, something more casual, like what I am wearing.
“Your clothing should not be used as a standard for anyone.”
Oh what the shit?! How long are you going to rag on me about my clothing?!
“Until you do something about them. This gives me an idea. I will make it my business to display acceptable outfits for someone of your age in accordance to current fashion trends. This will resonate much more with the populace, yes?”
Whatever.
“Sulking is unbecoming of you. Also how long do you intend to have me hold the shuttle at your destination?”
Why didn’t you tell me before?!
“I did not expect you to be so completely engrossed that you would not notice we had stopped. I appreciate your full attention.”
Changing the outfit to a snug fitting button down, completely open with a T-Shirt to accent the style, with slacks and sneakers, Anaar had to admit Hobb did look good.
Fine. You win.
“Shall I order you a closet of new clothing?”
No! But I will take your fashion advice under advisement in the future.
“Excellent. I will send Harston articles to purchase at his discretion.”
Wait a minute! If we leave it up to him, I really will have a new closet!
“He only wishes the best for you. Perhaps you should just give in.”
This conversation is over. You and Harston both stay away from my damn closet!
Anaar walks into the main hall of the dojos, treading silently toward Master Shin’s, though he knew it would do him no good. No amount of stealth could conceal him from that man. Throwing the sliding door open, a small knife is stopped just before piercing his face, suspended midair by a floating orb of water. Master Shin gives him an amused look, and Anaar plucks the knife from the sphere, tossing it back at Master Shin, though not with nearly the same deadly force. As the knife is in flight, the orb of water splits into three small daggers all their own, racing at the old man even faster than the knife he had initially thrown. The old man, spinning and flipping in the air, dodges all four of the projectiles with the slimmest of margins, as six more knives speed toward Anaar, all focused at different points of his body, as the Kung Fu master completes his flip with a flourish. A blue barrier covers Anaar, all of the knives clattering harmlessly into it. Anaar steps inside the dojo closing the door as the old man speaks.
“No weapons?”
“Would it have made a difference?”
“Not in the slightest.”
“Let’s see about that.”
Anaar moves toward the man, faster than lightning, as he deftly dodges an uppercut from Anaar’s tonfa made of living water. The two trade back and forth, just barely missing one another, though Master Shin’s movements leave no margins of error. As Anaar goes in for another rising strike against him with the tonfa in his left hand, catching a glaring opening on Anaar’s right side, Master Shin lashes out with an open palm strike to the exposed midsection of the boy, only to pull it back just in time to move clear of the broad sweeping slash from the aquatic hooksword.
The other tonfa shifting into another hooksword, Master Shin realizes the feint, rolling just in time from the deadly downward swipe that would have allowed the hook to catch his flesh. From the floor he comes up with a three-sectioned staff, the first time he had ever used a weapon against Anaar. Catching every blow on some section of the staff, he times it just right to rip the swords from the
boy’s hands, though they simply flow right back into place within the blink of an eye. Continuing their exchange back and forth, none of Anaar’s hits finding purchase, but Master Shin’s staff catching the occasional thigh, buttock, or shoulder, it is when Anaar makes a critical error, causing the staff to punish him severely across the cheek that the old man shouts out.
“Enough!”
Anaar’s swords raised, the old man’s words rang out just before the thousands of tiny spikes of water impaled him from every possible direction.
“Both my best pupils have tried to kill me in less than 24 hours utilizing their staggering powers. Both lost, one from rage, the other from despair. I take it they are related to one another?”
“How long have you known about my powers?”
“Since the day I first met you. Are you just now figuring out that I knew?”
“I failed to take heed your words about my weakness could be taken at face value. You knew all along that being a Hydrokinetic I could have stopped JaMarkus, if only I had chosen to expose myself to everyone.”
“There may have been more wisdom in your decision than I gave you credit for. I sense it is the same exposure that has caused a rift between you and the other boy.”
“Yes, among other things. What first gave me away to you?”
The old man strokes his beard with a grin, then looks around at the impending needles of death surrounding him. “If you would be so kind.”
Embarrassed, the needles disperse into fine mist, barely making a light dew on the floor of the dojo. “Sorry.”
“Seeing it in action is far more entertaining and intimidating than just glimpsing visions of it. Though you are amazing at controlling your actions so you do not alert others of your true abilities, you forget these old eyes can see far more than just what actually comes to pass.”
Divulgence (Song of Sophangence Book 2) Page 8