Chapter 132: Together
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Chapter 132: Together
Tala stood up as Rane entered their training room. Rane pulled to a stop, seemingly not having expected to find her here.
She grinned. So? Can I see Force? Were there any changes?
After another moments hesitation, Rane grinned. You spoiled the big reveal I was planning.
She shrugged. Sorry, but I want to see it.
He snorted a laugh and pulled out his sword. There were, indeed, changes.
If someone had taken the large weapon, shattered it, and rebuilt it with liquid sapphire to hold the pieces together, Tala would expect a similar result.
The wood of the weapon seemed to have been refined, somehow, and there was a blue tint to that part of the sword as well. The entire weapon almost seemed to glow.
Tala nodded appreciatively. That is beautiful.
Care to test? Force against Flow? Rane was smiling quite happily.
Tala drew Flow, immediately forming it into a sword.
Rane lifted his hands in mild panic. Wait! Training scabbard.
Tala glanced at her weapon and sighed. Shed still had it freed from the fight, earlier. Right Flow returned to the shape of a knife, and she bound the sheath around it. Again, the weapon grew. Shall we?
Rane responded by throwing his sword. Tala easily side-stepped the attack, giving Rane a quizzical look.
Realization struck, then, and she spun to deflect Force coming at her from behindonly to see it laying in the corner, having slid across the floor.
Frowning, she turned back, just in time for Ranes fist to land, high up on her cheek.
She was momentarily dazed as she took a single, staggering step backwards. Rane, for his part shook out his hand, even as he tripped her.
Tala had recovered enough to execute a controlled fall, rolling back to a standing position a few feet away.
Rane was cursing under his breath, before giving her a mild glare. Ow! What are you made of these days?
Tala grimaced rubbing her cheek. Same as before. She shook her head. I cant believe I fell for that. Can you even call your bound weapon to you?
Rane grinned, holding out his hand.
Im not falling for that- Force slammed into her back, throwing her forward and back to the ground.
Rane laughed as he caught his weapon. I cant do it more than a couple times, but Forces magics make it a pretty useful attack.
Tala groaned in agreement, pushing herself back to her feet once again. Flow could cut on a return path, maybe burn a little, when not sheathed, but that was pretty much it. The way Force was designed, it would be almost as effective in flight as when wielded by Rane, himself.
She narrowed her eyes. Force was designed for use as a soul-bound weapon, wasnt it. It really wasnt a question.
I told you so, didnt I?
She tsked. Yeah, I suppose you did. Any new functionality?
Aside from the bond, I can alter the edge and shape of theforce. He quirked a half-grin. I have it blunted, now, but I seem to be able to refine it into a true cutting attack.
Tala nodded. Impressive.
Thank you.
Again?
Again.
They sparred uncounted bouts as the afternoon faded towards evening.
Tala picked herself up off the floor, vaulting back to her feet one final time. I thought I had you there.
Rane wiped sweat from his forehead, even as he sheathed Force. You are getting much better. I want to meditate on our matches, then Ill head to bed.
Tala glanced to the darkening sky, just visible between the edge of the canopy overhead and the trees surrounding Makinaven. Thats fair, I suppose. She replaced Flow onto her belt.
Rane took a deep breath and smiled. So, what are your plans for tomorrow?
* * *
Tala rolled her eyes as Rane paced back and forth.
You have a date, with a Refined!?!
You can say that as many times as you want, it doesnt make it any more true.
Coffee, he ticked items off, on his fingers, pastries, talking. Thats a date.
Its two people learning from each other.
He turned towards her, meeting her gaze. Is that how he sees it?
How should I know? Why should I care? Her eyes narrowed. Why do you care?
Rane growled. He opened his mouth, then closed it several times, before he turned and he continued to pace. Finally, he groaned. Its taking time from our training?
That sounds inaccurate. He doesnt even believe that himself. You dont have to tell me why it bothers you Rane, but I dont need your permission. Now, aside from that, and my breakfast with Mistress Odera, Ive got nothing planned. That is what you asked, right?
Rane had stopped his pacing and turned towards her once more. After a moment, he grimaced, then took a deep breath and let it out slowly. That is what I asked yes.
Well, alright, then. Why do you ask? She tried to steer the conversation from the oddly touchy subject.
He seemed to war within himself, before sighing. It might be a bit silly, but Ive bound Force, and I wanted to celebrate tomorrow. Theres a series of plays in the tier four park. Tons of food and people. It should be a lot of fun.
Food and plays sound good. People are inevitable, I suppose She shrugged. Sure. When does it start, tomorrow?
It starts just after lunch.
She smiled Then no conflict.
Rane hesitated, then sighed. Fine. He looked around. I still need to meditate.
Tala glanced his way and saw him grinning with an obviously self-satisfied smile. Yeah, yeah. She couldnt keep a smile from her face, or a chuckle from her tone.
Ranes breathing had returned to a more normal pace, and he scratched the side of his head a bit awkwardly. So mind if I finish meditating? Its fully night, and I need to get some sleep, soon.
Tala waved assent and focused back on the tungsten balls before her. Shed remained sitting throughout the test against Rane. This would be a great distraction for any one-on-one fight. Assuming it didnt just slam into the enemy, killing them.
She reassured herself. Ranes defensive inscriptions would have kept him safe. Even so, shed been a bit hasty on the test.
What else should I test? She thought through the ideas that Jevin had given her.
I can do groups; I can increase one target while decreasing another. She grinned. She could even increase one aspect of an items gravity while decreasing another for the same target.
I know that the change is compounding. She hesitated at that, cursing silently. Shed unintentionally latched onto a 10% increase, compounding each second, as how she envisioned it.
Now, I need to break my mental construct of a fixed number. She growled.
Rane shifted but didnt open his eyes.
I cant change the direction of the resulting acceleration, but I can change what it is accelerating towards. That said, she was at a massive disadvantage when dealing with gravity not relating to the planet.
All that mass really is useful to me. She grinned at that.
I still need to test if I can target just a part of something, but I should be able to. What else did she need to test?
Affecting an areaI dont think I can target an area. I just dont believe that gravity works that way. She had to smile at that. She had seen other gravity Mages at the Academy doing area of effect gravity manipulations, but it had always struck her as wrong, somehow.What else?
Something held by an opponent, and opposed enactment. Rane had shrugged off her lock, just by his nature as a Bound. She hadnt tried to force the connection, but it was one of the first times shed ever had an issue locking onto someone.
He must have been working on his power-density. As she thought about it, she realized there was a second, more likely explanation. His fusing is giving him greater magical weight.
Her own fusing immediately took a massive leap up in priority for her.
Finally, the last thing she wanted to test, eventually, was what would happen if she increased an items gravitation towards itself. She couldnt think of a use for it, as it wouldnt change the mass, nor affect anything else, but it would be interesting to see if she could.
Well, thats quite the list. What first? There was no question in her mind at all.
She began to crochet.
Rane finished up and bade her goodnight, but she only gave him a cursory good-bye, her focus directed almost entirely inward.
* * *
It was after midnight when Tala flopped backwards with a groan.
There! Are you happy? I tried.
Terry gave a sleepy, grumpy squawk from her folded bedroll in the corner of the training room.
I cant do areas. It just makes no sense to me. She groaned again. I bet all area gravity Mages are Creators, and they just create gravity fields in defiance of ALL LOGIC! She almost yelled the last two words.
Terry groused some more but didnt otherwise participate in the conversation.
Fine. Im done.
Shed worked on fusing for a few hours then decided that she should at least try to affect an area, instead of a specific target.
On the plus side, I know I can affect just one part of something Shed been raising and lowering the effective gravity of a section of floor for the last hour. Nothing she could think to try had any affect on the items atop that floor, however.
From her prone position, she kicked up to land on her feet. I want a bath.
She topped off Kit with power even as she took it from her belt.
Once shed drawn the near-scalding bath, Tala let herself soak but didnt indulge for too long.
Much more relaxed, and fully exhausted, she crashed into her bed, set up in one corner of Kits expanded interior. She increased her gravity almost absently, until the bed had a comfortable give for her current position.
She was asleep before another thought could flicker through her mind.
Tala woke some time later, sitting bolt upright and looking around.
Was that just a dream?
Shed felt like something was about to eat her.
She shivered, reflexively refilling Kits reserves.
Well, Im awake She climbed up the short ladder and looked out into the training room.
The bit of sky she could see was grey but lightening towards dawn.
Tala growled. Not enough.
She dropped back down, flopping back onto her mattress and curling up, asleep again, near instantly.
Mistress Tala? Mistress Oderas voice floated down from above. Mistress Tala!?
Tala groaned, not fully awake, rolling out of bed and slapping into the ground. What.
Are you down there?
Yes. Tala spoke a bit louder this time.
Im not going to even try entering thatitem. Please come up. Id rather get breakfast before lunch time.
Tala jerked upright. Oh! What time is it?
Half past seven, dear.
Tala growled. Too early.
Well, I can always eat by myself. I just thought youd prefer to join me.
Talas stomach let out a gurgling roar that Tala would have sworn echoed throughout Kits interior.
After the sound settled down, Tala cleared her throat. Ill be right up.
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Chapter 132: Together
Tala stood up as Rane entered their training room. Rane pulled to a stop, seemingly not having expected to find her here.
She grinned. So? Can I see Force? Were there any changes?
After another moments hesitation, Rane grinned. You spoiled the big reveal I was planning.
She shrugged. Sorry, but I want to see it.
He snorted a laugh and pulled out his sword. There were, indeed, changes.
If someone had taken the large weapon, shattered it, and rebuilt it with liquid sapphire to hold the pieces together, Tala would expect a similar result.
The wood of the weapon seemed to have been refined, somehow, and there was a blue tint to that part of the sword as well. The entire weapon almost seemed to glow.
Tala nodded appreciatively. That is beautiful.
Care to test? Force against Flow? Rane was smiling quite happily.
Tala drew Flow, immediately forming it into a sword.
Rane lifted his hands in mild panic. Wait! Training scabbard.
Tala glanced at her weapon and sighed. Shed still had it freed from the fight, earlier. Right Flow returned to the shape of a knife, and she bound the sheath around it. Again, the weapon grew. Shall we?
Rane responded by throwing his sword. Tala easily side-stepped the attack, giving Rane a quizzical look.
Realization struck, then, and she spun to deflect Force coming at her from behindonly to see it laying in the corner, having slid across the floor.
Frowning, she turned back, just in time for Ranes fist to land, high up on her cheek.
She was momentarily dazed as she took a single, staggering step backwards. Rane, for his part shook out his hand, even as he tripped her.
Tala had recovered enough to execute a controlled fall, rolling back to a standing position a few feet away.
Rane was cursing under his breath, before giving her a mild glare. Ow! What are you made of these days?
Tala grimaced rubbing her cheek. Same as before. She shook her head. I cant believe I fell for that. Can you even call your bound weapon to you?
Rane grinned, holding out his hand.
Im not falling for that- Force slammed into her back, throwing her forward and back to the ground.
Rane laughed as he caught his weapon. I cant do it more than a couple times, but Forces magics make it a pretty useful attack.
Tala groaned in agreement, pushing herself back to her feet once again. Flow could cut on a return path, maybe burn a little, when not sheathed, but that was pretty much it. The way Force was designed, it would be almost as effective in flight as when wielded by Rane, himself.
She narrowed her eyes. Force was designed for use as a soul-bound weapon, wasnt it. It really wasnt a question.
I told you so, didnt I?
She tsked. Yeah, I suppose you did. Any new functionality?
Aside from the bond, I can alter the edge and shape of theforce. He quirked a half-grin. I have it blunted, now, but I seem to be able to refine it into a true cutting attack.
Tala nodded. Impressive.
Thank you.
Again?
Again.
They sparred uncounted bouts as the afternoon faded towards evening.
Tala picked herself up off the floor, vaulting back to her feet one final time. I thought I had you there.
Rane wiped sweat from his forehead, even as he sheathed Force. You are getting much better. I want to meditate on our matches, then Ill head to bed.
Tala glanced to the darkening sky, just visible between the edge of the canopy overhead and the trees surrounding Makinaven. Thats fair, I suppose. She replaced Flow onto her belt.
Rane took a deep breath and smiled. So, what are your plans for tomorrow?
* * *
Tala rolled her eyes as Rane paced back and forth.
You have a date, with a Refined!?!
You can say that as many times as you want, it doesnt make it any more true.
Coffee, he ticked items off, on his fingers, pastries, talking. Thats a date.
Its two people learning from each other.
He turned towards her, meeting her gaze. Is that how he sees it?
How should I know? Why should I care? Her eyes narrowed. Why do you care?
Rane growled. He opened his mouth, then closed it several times, before he turned and he continued to pace. Finally, he groaned. Its taking time from our training?
That sounds inaccurate. He doesnt even believe that himself. You dont have to tell me why it bothers you Rane, but I dont need your permission. Now, aside from that, and my breakfast with Mistress Odera, Ive got nothing planned. That is what you asked, right?
Rane had stopped his pacing and turned towards her once more. After a moment, he grimaced, then took a deep breath and let it out slowly. That is what I asked yes.
Well, alright, then. Why do you ask? She tried to steer the conversation from the oddly touchy subject.
He seemed to war within himself, before sighing. It might be a bit silly, but Ive bound Force, and I wanted to celebrate tomorrow. Theres a series of plays in the tier four park. Tons of food and people. It should be a lot of fun.
Food and plays sound good. People are inevitable, I suppose She shrugged. Sure. When does it start, tomorrow?
It starts just after lunch.
She smiled Then no conflict.
Rane hesitated, then sighed. Fine. He looked around. I still need to meditate.
Tala glanced his way and saw him grinning with an obviously self-satisfied smile. Yeah, yeah. She couldnt keep a smile from her face, or a chuckle from her tone.
Ranes breathing had returned to a more normal pace, and he scratched the side of his head a bit awkwardly. So mind if I finish meditating? Its fully night, and I need to get some sleep, soon.
Tala waved assent and focused back on the tungsten balls before her. Shed remained sitting throughout the test against Rane. This would be a great distraction for any one-on-one fight. Assuming it didnt just slam into the enemy, killing them.
She reassured herself. Ranes defensive inscriptions would have kept him safe. Even so, shed been a bit hasty on the test.
What else should I test? She thought through the ideas that Jevin had given her.
I can do groups; I can increase one target while decreasing another. She grinned. She could even increase one aspect of an items gravity while decreasing another for the same target.
I know that the change is compounding. She hesitated at that, cursing silently. Shed unintentionally latched onto a 10% increase, compounding each second, as how she envisioned it.
Now, I need to break my mental construct of a fixed number. She growled.
Rane shifted but didnt open his eyes.
I cant change the direction of the resulting acceleration, but I can change what it is accelerating towards. That said, she was at a massive disadvantage when dealing with gravity not relating to the planet.
All that mass really is useful to me. She grinned at that.
I still need to test if I can target just a part of something, but I should be able to. What else did she need to test?
Affecting an areaI dont think I can target an area. I just dont believe that gravity works that way. She had to smile at that. She had seen other gravity Mages at the Academy doing area of effect gravity manipulations, but it had always struck her as wrong, somehow.What else?
Something held by an opponent, and opposed enactment. Rane had shrugged off her lock, just by his nature as a Bound. She hadnt tried to force the connection, but it was one of the first times shed ever had an issue locking onto someone.
He must have been working on his power-density. As she thought about it, she realized there was a second, more likely explanation. His fusing is giving him greater magical weight.
Her own fusing immediately took a massive leap up in priority for her.
Finally, the last thing she wanted to test, eventually, was what would happen if she increased an items gravitation towards itself. She couldnt think of a use for it, as it wouldnt change the mass, nor affect anything else, but it would be interesting to see if she could.
Well, thats quite the list. What first? There was no question in her mind at all.
She began to crochet.
Rane finished up and bade her goodnight, but she only gave him a cursory good-bye, her focus directed almost entirely inward.
* * *
It was after midnight when Tala flopped backwards with a groan.
There! Are you happy? I tried.
Terry gave a sleepy, grumpy squawk from her folded bedroll in the corner of the training room.
I cant do areas. It just makes no sense to me. She groaned again. I bet all area gravity Mages are Creators, and they just create gravity fields in defiance of ALL LOGIC! She almost yelled the last two words.
Terry groused some more but didnt otherwise participate in the conversation.
Fine. Im done.
Shed worked on fusing for a few hours then decided that she should at least try to affect an area, instead of a specific target.
On the plus side, I know I can affect just one part of something Shed been raising and lowering the effective gravity of a section of floor for the last hour. Nothing she could think to try had any affect on the items atop that floor, however.
From her prone position, she kicked up to land on her feet. I want a bath.
She topped off Kit with power even as she took it from her belt.
Once shed drawn the near-scalding bath, Tala let herself soak but didnt indulge for too long.
Much more relaxed, and fully exhausted, she crashed into her bed, set up in one corner of Kits expanded interior. She increased her gravity almost absently, until the bed had a comfortable give for her current position.
She was asleep before another thought could flicker through her mind.
Tala woke some time later, sitting bolt upright and looking around.
Was that just a dream?
Shed felt like something was about to eat her.
She shivered, reflexively refilling Kits reserves.
Well, Im awake She climbed up the short ladder and looked out into the training room.
The bit of sky she could see was grey but lightening towards dawn.
Tala growled. Not enough.
She dropped back down, flopping back onto her mattress and curling up, asleep again, near instantly.
Mistress Tala? Mistress Oderas voice floated down from above. Mistress Tala!?
Tala groaned, not fully awake, rolling out of bed and slapping into the ground. What.
Are you down there?
Yes. Tala spoke a bit louder this time.
Im not going to even try entering thatitem. Please come up. Id rather get breakfast before lunch time.
Tala jerked upright. Oh! What time is it?
Half past seven, dear.
Tala growled. Too early.
Well, I can always eat by myself. I just thought youd prefer to join me.
Talas stomach let out a gurgling roar that Tala would have sworn echoed throughout Kits interior.
After the sound settled down, Tala cleared her throat. Ill be right up.
Chapter 132: TogetherTala stood up as Rane entered their training room. Rane pulled to a stop, seemingly not having expected to find her here.She grinned. So? Can I see Force? Were there any changes?After another moments hesitation, Rane grinned. You spoiled the big reveal I was planning.She shrugged. Sorry, but I want to see it.He snorted a laugh and pulled out his sword. There were, indeed, changes.If someone had taken the large weapon, shattered it, and rebuilt it with liquid sapphire to hold the pieces together, Tala would expect a similar result.The wood of the weapon seemed to have been refined, somehow, and there was a blue tint to that part of the sword as well. The entire weapon almost seemed to glow.Tala nodded appreciatively. That is beautiful.Care to test? Force against Flow? Rane was smiling quite happily.Tala drew Flow, immediately forming it into a sword.Rane lifted his hands in mild panic. Wait! Training scabbard.Tala glanced at her weapon and sighed. Shed still had it freed from the fight, earlier. Right Flow returned to the shape of a knife, and she bound the sheath around it. Again, the weapon grew. Shall we?Rane responded by throwing his sword. Tala easily side-stepped the attack, giving Rane a quizzical look.Realization struck, then, and she spun to deflect Force coming at her from behindonly to see it laying in the corner, having slid across the floor.Frowning, she turned back, just in time for Ranes fist to land, high up on her cheek.She was momentarily dazed as she took a single, staggering step backwards. Rane, for his part shook out his hand, even as he tripped her.Tala had recovered enough to execute a controlled fall, rolling back to a standing position a few feet away.Rane was cursing under his breath, before giving her a mild glare. Ow! What are you made of these days?Tala grimaced rubbing her cheek. Same as before. She shook her head. I cant believe I fell for that. Can you even call your bound weapon to you?Rane grinned, holding out his hand.Im not falling for that- Force slammed into her back, throwing her forward and back to the ground.Rane laughed as he caught his weapon. I cant do it more than a couple times, but Forces magics make it a pretty useful attack.Tala groaned in agreement, pushing herself back to her feet once again. Flow could cut on a return path, maybe burn a little, when not sheathed, but that was pretty much it. The way Force was designed, it would be almost as effective in flight as when wielded by Rane, himself.She narrowed her eyes. Force was designed for use as a soul-bound weapon, wasnt it. It really wasnt a question.I told you so, didnt I?She tsked. Yeah, I suppose you did. Any new functionality?Aside from the bond, I can alter the edge and shape of theforce. He quirked a half-grin. I have it blunted, now, but I seem to be able to refine it into a true cutting attack.Tala nodded. Impressive.Thank you.Again?Again.They sparred uncounted bouts as the afternoon faded towards evening.Tala picked herself up off the floor, vaulting back to her feet one final time. I thought I had you there.Rane wiped sweat from his forehead, even as he sheathed Force. You are getting much better. I want to meditate on our matches, then Ill head to bed.Tala glanced to the darkening sky, just visible between the edge of the canopy overhead and the trees surrounding Makinaven. Thats fair, I suppose. She replaced Flow onto her belt.Rane took a deep breath and smiled. So, what are your plans for tomorrow?* * *Tala rolled her eyes as Rane paced back and forth.You have a date, with a Refined!?!You can say that as many times as you want, it doesnt make it any more true.Coffee, he ticked items off, on his fingers, pastries, talking. Thats a date.Its two people learning from each other.He turned towards her, meeting her gaze. Is that how he sees it?How should I know? Why should I care? Her eyes narrowed. Why do you care?Rane growled. He opened his mouth, then closed it several times, before he turned and he continued to pace. Finally, he groaned. Its taking time from our training?That sounds inaccurate. He doesnt even believe that himself. You dont have to tell me why it bothers you Rane, but I dont need your permission. Now, aside from that, and my breakfast with Mistress Odera, Ive got nothing planned. That is what you asked, right?Rane had stopped his pacing and turned towards her once more. After a moment, he grimaced, then took a deep breath and let it out slowly. That is what I asked yes.Well, alright, then. Why do you ask? She tried to steer the conversation from the oddly touchy subject.He seemed to war within himself, before sighing. It might be a bit silly, but Ive bound Force, and I wanted to celebrate tomorrow. Theres a series of plays in the tier four park. Tons of food and people. It should be a lot of fun.Food and plays sound good. People are inevitable, I suppose She shrugged. Sure. When does it start, tomorrow?It starts just after lunch.She smiled Then no conflict.Rane hesitated, then sighed. Fine. He looked around. I still need to meditate.Tala glanced his way and saw him grinning with an obviously self-satisfied smile. Yeah, yeah. She couldnt keep a smile from her face, or a chuckle from her tone.Ranes breathing had returned to a more normal pace, and he scratched the side of his head a bit awkwardly. So mind if I finish meditating? Its fully night, and I need to get some sleep, soon.Tala waved assent and focused back on the tungsten balls before her. Shed remained sitting throughout the test against Rane. This would be a great distraction for any one-on-one fight. Assuming it didnt just slam into the enemy, killing them.She reassured herself. Ranes defensive inscriptions would have kept him safe. Even so, shed been a bit hasty on the test.What else should I test? She thought through the ideas that Jevin had given her.I can do groups; I can increase one target while decreasing another. She grinned. She could even increase one aspect of an items gravity while decreasing another for the same target.I know that the change is compounding. She hesitated at that, cursing silently. Shed unintentionally latched onto a 10% increase, compounding each second, as how she envisioned it.Now, I need to break my mental construct of a fixed number. She growled.Rane shifted but didnt open his eyes.I cant change the direction of the resulting acceleration, but I can change what it is accelerating towards. That said, she was at a massive disadvantage when dealing with gravity not relating to the planet.All that mass really is useful to me. She grinned at that.I still need to test if I can target just a part of something, but I should be able to. What else did she need to test?Affecting an areaI dont think I can target an area. I just dont believe that gravity works that way. She had to smile at that. She had seen other gravity Mages at the Academy doing area of effect gravity manipulations, but it had always struck her as wrong, somehow.What else?Something held by an opponent, and opposed enactment. Rane had shrugged off her lock, just by his nature as a Bound. She hadnt tried to force the connection, but it was one of the first times shed ever had an issue locking onto someone.He must have been working on his power-density. As she thought about it, she realized there was a second, more likely explanation. His fusing is giving him greater magical weight.Her own fusing immediately took a massive leap up in priority for her.Finally, the last thing she wanted to test, eventually, was what would happen if she increased an items gravitation towards itself. She couldnt think of a use for it, as it wouldnt change the mass, nor affect anything else, but it would be interesting to see if she could.Well, thats quite the list. What first? There was no question in her mind at all.She began to crochet.Rane finished up and bade her goodnight, but she only gave him a cursory good-bye, her focus directed almost entirely inward.* * *It was after midnight when Tala flopped backwards with a groan.There! Are you happy? I tried.Terry gave a sleepy, grumpy squawk from her folded bedroll in the corner of the training room.I cant do areas. It just makes no sense to me. She groaned again. I bet all area gravity Mages are Creators, and they just create gravity fields in defiance of ALL LOGIC! She almost yelled the last two words.Terry groused some more but didnt otherwise participate in the conversation.Fine. Im done.Shed worked on fusing for a few hours then decided that she should at least try to affect an area, instead of a specific target.On the plus side, I know I can affect just one part of something Shed been raising and lowering the effective gravity of a section of floor for the last hour. Nothing she could think to try had any affect on the items atop that floor, however.From her prone position, she kicked up to land on her feet. I want a bath.She topped off Kit with power even as she took it from her belt.Once shed drawn the near-scalding bath, Tala let herself soak but didnt indulge for too long.Much more relaxed, and fully exhausted, she crashed into her bed, set up in one corner of Kits expanded interior. She increased her gravity almost absently, until the bed had a comfortable give for her current position.She was asleep before another thought could flicker through her mind.Tala woke some time later, sitting bolt upright and looking around.Was that just a dream?Shed felt like something was about to eat her.She shivered, reflexively refilling Kits reserves.Well, Im awake She climbed up the short ladder and looked out into the training room.The bit of sky she could see was grey but lightening towards dawn.Tala growled. Not enough.She dropped back down, flopping back onto her mattress and curling up, asleep again, near instantly.Mistress Tala? Mistress Oderas voice floated down from above. Mistress Tala!?Tala groaned, not fully awake, rolling out of bed and slapping into the ground. What.Are you down there?Yes. Tala spoke a bit louder this time.Im not going to even try entering thatitem. Please come up. Id rather get breakfast before lunch time.Tala jerked upright. Oh! What time is it?Half past seven, dear.Tala growled. Too early.Well, I can always eat by myself. I just thought youd prefer to join me.Talas stomach let out a gurgling roar that Tala would have sworn echoed throughout Kits interior.After the sound settled down, Tala cleared her throat. Ill be right up.
