The most common sort are jewelry, rings and the like, for couples that form a close bond, an awareness of one another. The jewelry reflects that bond, gaining vibrancy from it.
Paired War Relics are for War Bonded pairs. They may be a couple or they may simply be two Awakened who have formed a bond through combat and fight together with a synergy that often defies logic. These Relics provide enhancements and benefits when used by the pair.
Paired Growth Relics often seem useless at first glance. They provide little benefit, sometimes even have limitations, but when bound to their pair of Awakened they grow alongside them, turning into bespoke items benefiting not just the individual, such as a Growth Relic would, but building on the strengths of the pair to create unheard of effects.
~ * ~
By the end of the first week they both had Husks that at least resembled their True Selves. The few glances Seb got of Anya's progress showed that she was ahead of him, although still clearly not able to pass as a regular human. He had his general features and build in place but still looked like a classic movie monster version of himself.
Their daily routine was quite simple, mornings spent working on their Husks and then afternoons spent dealing with the logistics of fully moving into their Holding. He'd finished moving out of his apartment the day before and Anya said she would only need one more trip. They'd prioritized his place since he had more that needed sorting through and their house was starting to feel lived rather than a temporary residence.
As his awareness came back, Seb reached out, mentally connecting with Anya as she stood waiting for him outside the training hall.
How- Seb? she sent, a trace of shock underlying the words.
I'm guessing you were about to knock and tell me to stop for lunch?
Yes, but how did you connect? she asked.
You were right outside the door where you always are, I realized what time it was and noticed you waiting.
He could feel her frustration building, apparently he'd done it again.
Let me guess, another question for the Seers? he sent as he opened the door to step out.
Yes. But we're not going until both our Husks are ready.
I'm getting there. I know you're not quite done yet either otherwise you'd be showing off.
How do- right, you see patterns everywhere, she sighed. Anything else you can see or do that I should know about?
Well, he paused and glanced towards the exit into the garage. Why do we only have one doorway into the garage and no lower level?
We only have one doorway because there's only one exit? And why would we have a lower level?
He rubbed the bridge of his nose and groaned. I think we have to add this to the list. Last few days I've been seeing flickers of other passages, some heading up and some heading down, right next to the exit. I'm guessing-
Sebastian, this is bullshit! she sent back, her tone matching the grin on her face as he tried not to laugh.
I would have said something but I figured it was my lack of knowledge, again.
You can ask or tell me anything Seb, I'm not going to judge. I might laugh though if it actually is silly, she answered, finishing teasingly.
That's fair. So lunch then finish your apartment? he asked.
I was thinking after lunch we go through my Vault. You definitely have enough control to interact with it now and it will help to know just what we have before we find out how much what we want and need is going to cost.
So you're finally going to show me how to access a Vault.
She rolled her eyes. I'm betting you could figure it out, not really any different from using a band or when you registered your energy signature.
Before he could answer his stomach growled. I guess that's the cue for lunch.
~ * ~
After lunch they went back down into the holding. When Anya sat cross-legged next to the Vault Seb groaned before lowering himself down across from her. Chairs exist for a reason you know.
Not when you're Diving, unless you plan to carry one along with you.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
There really wasn't any answer to that so Seb just moved on, looking from her to the wall. So how does this work?
Interface is proximity based, I touched it the first day just to make sure it was working but we're close enough to it that it will work similarly to a band, Anya explained. Reach out and you should get an idea of everything in the Vault, then we just have to take things out one by one and make sure we know what everything is.
That doesn't sound too hard, but if we know what's there why do we have to take it out?
Because some things aren't exactly clear what they are. For example there's several daggers, and right now I just know they are daggers.
She held out her hands and a dagger appeared in each, Energy Patterns swirling for a moment as they were created. Holding them up for him to look at he saw that they were slightly different, one had a slightly hooked tip while the other had a more dense pattern.
I'm guessing that one is a higher level item, he said as he pointed to the latter.
Yes, level 1 and level 3, she said before holding them out. See?
As he touched them he startled, almost flinging them out of her hands as information flooded his thoughts. Ah!
Level 1 Skinning Dagger.
Level 3 Hunting Blade.
Anya steadied the daggers and after a moment set them aside. Simple enough. Most of the stuff will probably be similar. Tools or other simple equipment we can make use of as we start to Dive.
She paused and he saw her forehead crease in thought. Some will give more details though.
A pair of rings dropped into her hand and she handed them to him. Like these.
Paired wedding bands.
Inset gems glow faintly as long as bond remains true.
I guess that's one way to show your dedication.
Pair bonds require dedication to begin with, not every couple would get the benefit from it.
Oh? he started to ask. Actually, later.
She nodded and he set the rings aside as well. Testing his access to the Vault he managed to retrieve a few more daggers and then his own pair of wedding bands. Adding them to the piles he paused and looked over to her. You were right, it isn't that difficult.
Of course I was right, she sent back with a smug grin.
Where did all this come from? Your mother? he asked.
Some from her, some from Godparents. I think some might have been gifts from other Holdings or Courtiers when I was too young to make use of it. I know part of the tradition is that anything useless to you but maybe useful for a future Inheritance is kept and then given away, either all to one lucky infant or gradually as the next generation is born. Once the Vault was created for me the gifts could be sent the same way the weregild is sent, as Energy Patterns.
Over the next few minutes they pulled out an assortment of weapons and simple armor. After dropping the first few items into their hands they both took to having them appear on the ground between them and whoever was closest to the appropriate pile would move it. Next came more jewelry and accessories, some paired some not.
The next item confused him, he looked at it then his eyes widened and he reached out to touch it, his fingers brushing Anya's as she lunged as well and they both sent it back into the Vault.
Nope!
Nope!
Glancing at her he saw she was blushing fiercely. From the feeling of his cheeks he wasn't any better.
You didn't mention-
I didn't know! Who- why- Nope, not thinking about it, she sent back, almost singing the words.
They both stared at the floor for a few more moments, their fingers still touching over the empty air.
I'm not saying I wouldn't be curious about some things, he started hesitantly. With the right person, that is. Just not that.
He could feel himself starting to blush all over again when he looked back up at her, seeing her squirm slightly before taking a deep breath and answering.
Yeah, definitely not that. But maybe..? she trailed off, pulling her hand away and resettling herself before another batch of weapons appeared between them.
Thankful for the distraction Seb got back to sorting through the Vault contents, surprised that they were still pulling out combat equipment.
Paired Level 3 fencing foils.
When wielded against the same opponent provide a slight improvement to agility and accuracy.
Paired weapons? he asked, holding them out to her hilt first.
Oh! she exclaimed as she looked at them. Find a war bonded pair that uses swords and they'd probably learn to fence to use these.
So like the partner bond for the rings but meant for combat?
At her nod he set the foils aside. Another pair of War Relics came next, one a suit of Heavy Armor and the other a club. He added them to the pile then came across the strangest pair yet.
Paired Growth Robe
Provides no benefit when weapons are wielded.
Paired Growth Estoc
Blade deals no physical damage.
Well these are useless, he sent. All they do is give penalties.
Anya looked them over and frowned. Well they certainly aren't useful now. But Growth Relics can become very powerful. They adapt and grow with their wielder.
But you would need someone who never uses a weapon, and someone who has a useless sword.
Anya sent the growth items back into the Vault then pulled out the last few things.
A cloaked three person warded tent, the censer we've used before, a water creator and a fire starter.
After looking them over she dismissed them to the Vault and explained.
The tent has the same cloaking as the guards you can spot. The warding means it can be used to meditate in. The Water Creator needs at least level 5 Energy to run, but once we can afford that it means we'll be able to create fresh water on demand.
So that means we would still need food to keep Diving until we get too hurt or our equipment gets too damaged?
Pretty much, she said as she stood up and stretched. I think food creators exist but they would definitely need a higher level. Mending and healing will be the biggest problem I suspect.
Standing up next to her Seb looked at all the equipment. I think your Inheritance was one or more of everything.
She chuckled then took a minute to dismiss everything back into the Vault. Now that we've gone through everything the inventory should actually reflect what we have.
Seb looked at her then tried to access the Vault again. He found she was right, almost everything was clearly distinct, with only one specific item showing as just being a thing. That's convenient.
It really is. Once we see the Seers and get connected we should be able to sell some of the extras assuming the weregild Energy doesn't cover our needs.
He shifted, stretching out the discomfort of sitting cross-legged for even more hours.
Oh and Seb? Starting tomorrow I'm teaching you how to stretch and the basics of how to fight, she sent, her thoughts layered with amusement at his stiffness.
Looking over at her he caught her trying to stretch out without being quite so obvious and chuckled. Yes Anya.
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