(Vol 2) Chapter 47: I Have a Girlfriend

The first and only touch that pervert will get! Hmmph!

Greenleaf left Zadkiel and his self-pleased airs immediately after her statement. While she was in the wilderness realm, Sammy checked up on the small group still exclusive to the hippy goddess.

The hostage Mekias was still doing alright in Zadkiel’s big palace. He’d been given access to a courtyard with archery targets and such setup. Some of the soldiers and palace guards made a little contest out of it, which he won. He wasn’t sure if they’d let him win, but they were very amiable in general.

They avoided talking about the god, but he did learn bits and pieces about the unique culture. The palace guards were mixed between steely vets and young sons of notables too green to be overseas at war. Which they all seemed to regret and wish otherwise. They loved to hear war stories from the Borderlands in particular, being so alien to them.

Do I really need to put a lot of effort into Zadkiel’s desires for the war? No way he’d pull some shit with Mekias or me in general if I just half-assed it the rest of the way. He’s considering Stillwater/Greenleaf for way more ‘long-term’ interests at this point.

But I should probably still locate that general he was worried about.  I do want to cripple his enemy — our enemy — as much as possible. I think.

2 FE (Mirrors, Fate, Light) obtained from worship. Converted to Light FE.

2 FE (Illusion, Fate, Light) obtained from worship. Converted to Light FE.

1 FE (Fate, Light) obtained from worship. Converted to Light FE.

8 FE (Mirrors, Illusion, Fate, Light) obtained from Devout worship. Converted to Light FE.

Sammy’s Resemblants were slightly overtaxed with tasks, so she assisted there — the first thing was the new matter of searching for Merril in Caneboro. She found no success on her initial tries.

Little bastard is probably avoiding mirrors, whatever the hell his plan is. I hope he doesn’t take a ship out… come on, Merril, please tell me a little of that practical kitty is still in there… or if not, how can you resist playing that harp a bit in the inns of your home city? Show off your new capabilities?

Alfred reported catching the word ‘Brackenhome’ from the lips of the Lord Andemen’s man in Geirkos, as he handed a letter off to another disreputable-looking character too out of view in shadows to discern fully. He was immediately lost track of, sadly, but there was little question about where he was going.

The fucking ex still at it. It made her absolutely furious. Violently furious.

Jeeves was there in front of the throne in a heartbeat. “Your Majesty, I understand your distress, but consider the matter rationally, as you once did already. Keeping Andemen from spying and keeping tabs will be impossible if she chooses to be as she is in appearance, though it may take the spies time to figure out the differences. But said spying does not equate to kidnapping. He walked away already. His motivations may not be the same.”

Sammy unclenched her teeth and took a deep breath. “I can’t trust him. If I could — at all — we could have a little talk for real, one-on-one. But I can’t risk that, not through a mirror. Perhaps I’ll settle for having a very cordial discussion with his guy in Geirkos, hmm? I can send a message through him.”

Jeeves frowned but nodded hesitantly. “If you can somewhat restrain yourself, perhaps opening a line of communication is a prudent move.”

“Ultimately, I want her to be able to operate in this region without constantly looking over her shoulder for this douchebag.”

“All of your Followers have to look over their shoulders, Madam. Also, I will note that the intel extraneous and from Azure herself indicates Andemen is no friend to the Dominion, with his influence a check on theirs and the Geirkosi rival of Zek Sephel. Removing him would leave a power vacuum you’d need to plan carefully to fill, and perhaps best after cementing yourself further in Geirkos.”

Sammy stared at her Servitor wanly. “You really know how to take the fire out of me, don’t you?”

He gave a little respectful bow. “Every candle has only so much fuel, Madam. It must be snuffed when the light and heat are least needed, lest it go to waste.”

“That’s cute, Jeeves. But mark my words, I won’t tolerate him long-term — or at least not his twisted harem and those fucked up contracts.”

“I shall light the flame myself so long as the time is proper and coldly planned to precision efficiency.”

“Just keep a close eye on this guy’s location for me.”

“No particular need. We have a mirror in the dingy dive of a place he’s operating from. Mostly requires lipreading to obtain intel, however.”

Alecto’s mental voice suddenly cut in. “Your Majesty? My daughter and son-in-law are ready to swear.”

Sammy popped her perceptions over to a mirror positioned on top of a table in what was apparently a cozy farm home. Alecto was sitting with the two, who were looking expectantly and with some trepidation at the mirrored surface. There was no strong effect from the couple, though from Ianthe Samantha did feel a little bit of connection, at least.

She decided to begin with her voice through it. “Ianthe and Siphien. I am pleased you’ve responded to Alecto’s offerings about me. I take it the connection makes some sense, hmm?”

The husband and wife were a bit wide-eyed as they exchanged glances. Ianthe swallowed, composed herself, and said, “As Lady Dymonei, you… seemed to arrive in our presence like a storybook hero descended from the heavens. And Y-your touch… we both agreed it was… something otherworldly. We felt blessed. Your Majesty… it would be an honor to serve and worship you, in all of your incarnations.”

Siphien nodded along. “Alecto says this would help you? Even if you gave us not one lick more of anything divine, there’s nothing we’d like more than to show our gratitude. We’re simple folk, and half of this household might be dumb as rocks, but, such as we are, we’re yours.”

With a smile on her face, Samantha appeared with a shimmer in the mirror (causing Ianthe in particular to gasp with her hand over her mouth). “Very well, then. I desire to grow among the simple folk as well as the gentry, Siphien. The circumstances block me from aiding the greater world as a whole and openly as yet, so the way is slow and incremental and secret. But no decent sort would be denied my help in the perfect world — so to speak — of there being no Dominion. Thank you for providing another step toward that brighter future.”

She pinged them with the mental request, and soon they touched their hands to the mirror to swear. They did it together, which was a touching gesture. Ianthe shed a few tears in the process.

2 FE gained due to user belief/acknowledgment. Note: not yet Followers.

Follower conversions successful. 2 FE gained. 2 Daily FE gained (total: 63).

6 more for the next Follower quest to be done. I could certainly use the FE boost at this point. There’s half a dozen bloody things I want it for. Saving for the Avatar, priests, Servitors, another relic, upgrades, saving for whatever other carrots the System dangles… the list goes on and on!

Briefly, Sammy discussed plans in regard to spreading Greenleaf through the preggers community and so forth. Ianthe was exceptionally positive about the aforementioned midwife as a Follower, as it was true that she was a Redberry believer (and secretiveness was ingrained already, judging by how uncomfortable Ianthe was talking about it in front of the men). It would be quite a positive note in her life for the 'daughter entity' to come into it, lie or not.

Heh, don’t mind me, Red, just stealing another of yours!

And — most importantly — they’d also baked pies for her Avatar’s enjoyment, which Alecto would bring back momentarily.

Fuck yeah!

After that, Sammy felt an open variableness in what she’d do with the rest of the day. A few encounters were needed. Furthermore, she felt a growing itch and magnetic draw almost, to be in Geirkos with so many of her core Followers there. She knew she could not ignore it for long, despite the annoying issue of also needing to be with Azure. She’d just have to trust Athos to protect her.

Taking another look at her ‘spirit progress report’ thing, she took a deep, deep breath as she looked at the ‘Naiads’ line.

I need to do this. They’ve already been introduced, for all I know I’ll lose the bonus if I don’t show soon. And I need the examples for my Stillwater persona.

Seeking out that lake that Redberry had mentioned — Lake Yura — Sammy looked through the reflections in the water, shifting her perspective around. It wasn’t long before she caught sight of some sort of glittering aura down in the depths, tickling also her mystical senses. It was exactly the sort of thing that would draw a swimmer to it, but somehow she got the distinct impression only those desired to see it would.

Unable to physically go to it, she created an image on the reverse of the water surface by which she observed it, flashing pretty lights and so forth, then making music play directionally at that shimmering.

The music was of course ‘Milkshake’ by Kelis.

She quickly became aware of multiple curious, feminine eyes peeking up from the depths at her. While there was nothing overt, something about it felt fish-like, like bigger fish seeing a minnow dangling itself in the shallows.

Uuuuunngh… what am I getting myself into… maybe I should just g-

The feel of the soft psychic caress of a hand — relaxing, gentle, comforting — touched her mind, together with the image of a beautiful, red-headed elven woman cresting above a water line, blue eyes full of cheerful acceptance and unbridled glee as if meeting a long-lost friend. The progress ‘up’ stopped just before her breasts might be revealed…

Her smile, meanwhile, stopped the ticking of time, forcing a too-long pause for the universe to cram appreciation in. It was the enchantment of love-at-first-sight for any mortal femme-attracted fool daring enough to meet her gaze. She wore a simple wreath of underwater greenery and flowers, namely lilies.

Fortunately, Samantha was not a mortal, and fortunately, it was only a meeting of minds, but it was still enough to strike her dumb.

“Welcome!” a lovely musical voice resounded in Sammy’s head. “We have so long awaited you, Nyniane, counting the very hours ticking by, and at last, you’ve arrived! I understand you’d like to learn from us.” The smile became all too playful and suggestive. “We have so much to show and teach you, young beauty. Please come, as you are — and be assured of rigid discretion! Come!”

A hand came up to likewise beckon her, and then a mental ping drew her in, from her realm to theirs.

“Okay,” Sammy said stupidly without thinking. But she almost simultaneously shook herself out of the supernatural fascination she was in and paused in actually accepting.

Gah, I am not bespelled! I can’t just do everything they suggest, th-they’ll have me on a silver platter like a piece of prime rib in a heartbeat! And what would Azure think? Wait wha- fuck… you know what?! Fuck it! I do have a girlfriend! It’s the perfect excuse. An inoculation! I-have-a-girlfriend, I-have-a-girlfriend, I-have-a-girlfriend… now, how to put it elegantly...

“Um, wait… I-I have a girlfriend…” Smooth.

The naiad princess just giggled and shrugged with a patient, comforting smile. “Don’t they all! No-no, I tease! It’s perfectly fine, dear. We won’t expect you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with — you’re in control! We are of course burning with curiosity, but it is so very thrilling just to have a guest such as you, hmm?”

The nymph laughed and did a little — revealing — hop-up, before diving, and then popping back up with a brief, full spin before finally settling. She was ‘closer’ than before (though Sammy had not trusted to even form a mental body to interact with). “We will meet, and talk, and be comfortable — nothing else without permission! Please, I beg and entreat you, come, Goddess, come!”

Goddess. 'As you are.' Should’ve known Red would say enough for them to figure out the truth. Or are they just that discerning? So many subtle dangers to them…

Samantha steeled herself with deliberate intentions, raw determination, and a few more ‘girlfriend’ chants, then entered their realm — for better or worse.

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Samantha, Virgin Goddess of Mirrors & Illusion
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Goddess Level 3 [1/30]; Minor Deity

Domains (3/4): Mirrors, Illusion, Fate
Faith Energy: 203/3000
FE (Mirrors): 5 ; FE (Illusion): 14 ; FE (Fate): 7 ; FE (Light): 94
Followers: 44 (Daily FE Gain: 63 [69])

Devout: 12
Priests: 6+1

Brute: 0
Rogue: 0
Wizard: 2 [0/30]
Bard: 0 [7/10]

MP: 40/40

Special Skills: First Aid, Tarot Reading, Meditation, Priestly Ordination, Holy Relic Investiture, Create Servitor, Read Runes, Spell Construction, Detect Magic, Ritual Cast, Draw Mana (1/1)

Special Traits: Token User, Immortal, Demiplane Domain, Conceptual Body, Fueled By Faith, Detection Ward, Split Prediction, Avatar (Samantha; Core, Mental Res 1, Magic Res 1, PFE: 44/70)

Spells: Identify (5 MP), Icebolt (3 MP)

Powers: Faith Energy Utilization, Grant Prayer (Illusion), Grant Prayer (Fate), Mirror: (Sense, Communication, Maze, Walk, Other), Intuition, Alter Fate, Create Illusion, Grant Invisibility, Dazzling Spectrum, False Auras, Mirroring Duplicates, Reflect Force

Status: Token User Promotional Bonus (10/30)