Chapter 28: Dangerous Levels of Cuteness

With nothing else pressing, Sammy hit up the runebook she’d been working on, of which she was on number five. She finished it what she thought was very slightly faster than the last. Meanwhile, she was refreshing buffs routinely on the likes of Dax and Merril, in such a subconscious way it was effectively automated. Handy.

It did make her wonder just how complex of a thing her deific mind could turn into ‘like breathing,’ and if it had something to do with levels.

1 FE (Mirrors, Illusion) obtained from worship. Converted to Illusion FE.

1 FE (Mirrors, Illusion) obtained from [Devout] worship. Converted to Illusion FE.

9 now! Should be able to get 9 more tomorrow which will put it at 18. Then, right after reset in the evening, go for 7 with everyone and I’ll have it.

To that end, Sammy sent out a straightforward Goddess Memo (patent pending) reminding everyone to be ready to pray diligently at the appointed hours. The Devout extra time was more flexible… an hour and a half extra for two hours total… which seemed like a lot at once.

Two others out of these will be priests…

Largely all of her Followers had something they were running from or avoiding, and their entanglement with her was only going to make it worse. It was going to be difficult deciding who to ordain among them as it was, much less with three or more potentials after her next quest was complete. Azure seemed likely… the third less so.

Eventually, she wanted Bast to have the power, as he was among the most creative and devious. Odd to think of him as a leading candidate, but there it was, pragmatically. Estara was pious and eager, but young and inexperienced. She expected to have to wait and prove herself. Nonetheless, she probably should’ve been Devout already.

It was not a well-defined thing, it seemed. Probably a formality that needed fixing with a conversation. Let her swear directly and dedicate herself.

One thing at a time. Perhaps her words will move me?

She touched Estara’s mind when she was sure it wouldn’t make her break something, sending, “Tonight, Estara, I invite you to dedicate yourself to become one of my Devout, for your piousness and your compassionate heart. I charge you to find your own words to speak for this dedication. Do you feel that this is agreeable?”

Estara was clearly overjoyed, bursting with excitement and gratitude. “Yes! Oh, thank you, Your Majesty! I will think about it all the rest of the day! Love you, Goddess!”

Sammy couldn’t help but send an impression or image of a hug. Not quite the same thing, but it was something. “Love you too, Estara. May your busy day go smoothly.”

Estara was stunned by the hug, but returned it quickly, slightly embarrassed in a mix of the presumable impropriety of hugging vast royalty and the glee of affirmation and affection. Then she sent-squeaked, “Thank you!” and basically ran away mentally.

Sammy smirked. Why is she so damn cute? Gah. Ridiculous. I may do a head pat next time. Or maybe save it for the avatar reveal. What if I’m like seven feet tall as an avatar? That would be sick as fuck! But maybe too weird… I’d feel like the Hulk. ‘Rawr, Sammy smash!’

Banishing such thoughts, she took a peek at the manor, to get a look at the marchioness. She was eating a late lunch at a table with a few others. The lord did not appear present yet. The mirror was too far away to overhear the sparse, soft dialog that was exchanged.

The marchioness was an older, regal lady, somehow with a tough-as-nails look and one of wise reasonableness at the same time. She even seemed to tell a joke that had the others laughing once. She had a scar down her cheek from a blade, and despite wearing a dress, had a ‘cane’ that was obviously some sort of sheathed sword with an ornate pommel.

I like her for some reason.

Nonetheless, there wasn’t much going on, so Sammy departed, though she did flash around till she saw her follower, who was walking around with a little smile on her face. She also caught sight of another servant, a woman that was clearly Estara’s mother from the similarities. She seemed… hard.

Her face was expressionless, but when her eyes were caught, there was a profound coldness there.

If she’s like that in private too, it might explain a bit. Estara has sisters, but I think they might be younger sisters. She may not get much approval and affection from someone older. I suppose I can’t say for sure, though.

Sammy touched base with Orswyth to see what his plans were. He was effectively a fugitive and imagined that his enemies would declare him dead or missing, while hunting him in order to make sure he was killed — quietly. A discreet bounty would probably be issued in certain sectors, such as the former black knight’s band. That specific group at least was unlikely to take it up.

Sammy mentioned Geirkos and Caneboro. Orswyth wasn’t sure about Geirkos permanently, as it was a great place to get killed by a bounty hunter or assassin. It was fairly direct sailing from the bottom of the crescent. He agreed it was a logical place to go immediately if he could arrange transport. He’d make his way to the port of Fobent, a few days' travel, to see.

Having a small clutch of veteran fighting men sure seems useful for the future. Some of them could become Followers as well. Tashome and Canmore, perhaps?

She instructed the former baron to be ready for a special, private ceremony that night, then wished him safe travels and disconnected.

Sammy went back to her runebook, intent on finishing it out as quickly as possible, relaxing by her spot at the pool once more and sipping a piña colada. Fortunately, there were no crisis interruptions and she flew through it, largely enjoying the experience. The rune segments in the back flashed into her mind and she finally turned the last page.

The quest “Wizard Apprentice: Runebook 1” is complete. 1 exp [Wizard] granted.

“There! Ha! Easy peasy! You know what, Sys? I deserve a special reward. A pet.” She paused to think about it. “I like cats… and bunnies… hmm, I guess I can have two? Wait, no! Two-in-one! What’s that anime, uh-uh-”

She snapped her fingers upward, trying to recall, finally pointing as it came to her. “Tenchi! Tenchi Mayo or something. A cabbit! That’s what I want! Make it happen, Sys!”

Please fill out the Autonomous Construct form, User Sammy.

“Fine, fine… wow, you really said that like ‘curb your enthusiasm, you silly bitch,’ didn’t you?”

The System did not bother answering that as she began looking the form over and deliberating. She was judicious about filling it out soberly because she didn’t want to fuck it up. It had to be right the first time.

____________________________________________________________

Autonomous Construct Form

(Note: Please be as detailed as possible with each query. It cannot be edited afterward except for Realm Access. When complete, visual appearance will be simulated and editable until final confirmation.)

Name(s): Floofa Bean; Floofa

Gender: Female

Appearance: An extremely, ridiculously cute rabbit/cat hybrid with massive furry ears practically like little wings. Soft, calico pattern fur with prominent white. Blue cat eyes with hints of crystal structure. Long whiskers. Can hop or walk around but can sit upright with big hind feet. Bushy tail. Purrs.

Sapience Level: Highly-intelligent animal level. Can communicate mentally with emotions and simple words/concepts.

Personality: Cat-like, capricious, and alternating independent and affectionate. Is fine on her own but responsive when I’m present to varying degrees. Boisterous, playful. Likes pets and snuggles. Curious/inquisitive about things around her. Likes eating carrots and grass. Likes naps.

Capabilities: Psychic communication. Immortal. Can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Very agile. Can turn invisible but for her eyes. Can turn on extra cuteness at will.

Realm Access: Everywhere but the Throne Zone.

____________________________________________________________

When she was satisfied, she submitted it, and a 3D image appeared in front of her. She made a face at first. Too real cat and real rabbit! She tweaked and altered it mentally until it was more like art-come-to-life. Whether it was like her memory in the end, she had no clue, but it was dangerously cute.

With an excited squee, Sammy put the final approval in.

Form accepted, 1 FE deducted. Floofa Bean is born.

With a poof of smoke, there she was, sitting on the end of the sunlounger on her hind legs, huge wing-like ears to either side with mostly-white fur tufts inside raising up slightly as her little nose appeared to wrinkle and her big, blue eyes blinked up at Sammy.

There was a pause as Sammy held her breath and looked down at the little beastie with wide eyes, not sure what to expect.

Then Floofa leapt into her arms, practically dropping her backward as Sammy wrapped her arms around the furry creature and hugged it to her face and cheek with a delighted exclamation. “Floofa!” Sammy called, for lack of any other words.

The animal snuggled in response and sent mentally, “Yes, yes! Hug-pet-love Floofa!” Then it purred.

Sammy was all too content to oblige the request/command, indulging in the comforting luxury of petting, snuggling, and scritching the ears of the easily-satisfied pet she’d created. After a time, it seemed to doze, but in mere minutes it awoke, then leapt away, sniffing around and exploring.

Some quick edits were made to the realm. Sammy hid in choice places numerous carrots. With the closest nearby, it wasn’t long before Floofa sat up on her back legs and sniffed the air, moving a bit at a time, until eventually leaping clear over the pool, where she found the carrot hiding behind a plant and jumped up on a table to begin eating it happily.

“Well, my life is complete, I think. Perfection has been created.” Smirking, she summoned her next runebook and began her meditations, soon summoning another piña colada as well. Floofa continued her exploratory adventures, occasionally knocking something over.

The runic knowledge proceeded much as she expected, the first new one significantly more challenging than the last runes of the prior book. But she ground it out. She was a little faster, at least.

Shortly before reset in the evening, she flashed back to her throne and over to a very tired and rather anxious Estara, appearing this time in a room with a bigger circular mirror on a wall. She was pretty sure it was the lord’s room, who was still not yet home from travel.

“Estara,” Sammy said, nodding and smiling at her. “Always a pleasure to see you.”

“You as well, Your Majesty,” Estara replied, bowing her head, then took a deep, deep breath before kneeling, still with her head down. “I have the words of my pledge to you, Goddess.”

“Speak them, then, so you may rise anointed.”

With the airs of something rehearsed, she breathed, “To the Goddess Samantha, I pledge myself, heart and soul. I swear my life to your purposes and convictions, who gave and gives me hope and love for a brighter tomorrow. You are the brightness… brilliant and beautiful… which will lead me and others through the darkness. I will seek you and know you… with joy, for the rest of my days. Thank you, Your Majesty… for seeing me. I will not disappoint your expectations of me. All this I swear… Estara Nightsong.”

“So be it, Estara Nightsong. I accept your oaths and hold you to them. I will watch over you and aid you to the best that I am able, for all of your days. Rise, now, as one of my chosen Anointed.”

Follower has obtained quality grade [Devout] and provides 1 additional FE per day.

Estara stood, a proud grin on her lips as she regarded her goddess, saying nothing.

“Nightsong, is it?” Sammy mused with a raised eyebrow. “Appropriate, it seems.”

The servant girl appeared abashed suddenly. “Ah, well… I made it up, Your Majesty. It’s not my real last name. I… I thought I would take a new one when I leave here. I’d have taken my husband’s name if I married, but I’m dedicating my life to you. It was at the start of night when you first converted me, and that’s when and where… my song began — in you and in me.”

Sammy was a bit stunned. One day, I’ll tell her she was the first believer, the first star in my sky. The foundation stone. But I can’t do it now. It doesn’t feel like the time. I hope it will not seem like deceit…

“Poetic, Estara. I approve.”

Estara beamed in pleasure.

11 Daily FE gained.

Sammy blinked. 11? Oh! The 10% bonus from the promotion! Nice.

“Well, your first order of business now, Estara, is getting to your prayers. I’ll leave you to them. I will bless your sleep when you get to bed.”

And you will be my priestess. You deserve it.

“Yes, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!” She bowed, then knelt to begin. Sammy withdrew.

Two days. Certainly, the second had seemed to go faster than the first, primarily due to her study cramming. She’d aim to balance similarly for the third day. Study to grind out the Wizard level, and at least one Follower. More, if the opportunity presented itself.

Eventually, and perhaps very soon indeed, her chosen could begin converting others for her. She might be a ‘good’ deity, but that was cause for a little maniacal laughter, wasn’t it?

So she indulged. She laughed maniacally — comically, really — on her throne, envisioning her mystery religion underground churches popping up in every city on the frontier of her enemy. Right under its nose.

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