Extended Diving expeditions depend on six things: Food, water, a way to repair equipment, medical supplies or a healer, a willingness to go on and most importantly trust in your Diving partners.
If you can't trust them you will end up making a mistake, and mistakes are often fatal in the Depths.
~ * ~
In the end it took nearly another week for Seb to get his Husk to the point where it was acceptable. Anya suspected he would keep refining it for several more weeks, she knew from experience that she would find small things to adjust as she grew used to hers. It did reach the point of being usable in private a couple days after they inventoried her Vault, which meant their new training and exercise routines included getting used to the differences between True Self and Husk.
Although the week should have felt monotonous and boring with its focus on meditation and basic training, Anya enjoyed every minute of it. She was free to be herself, to spend time with someone who looked at her and saw her for who she was. She got to teach him how to stretch, how to fall properly, how to punch a mannequin without injuring himself. She even showed him what little grappling she knew. It wasn't much and she doubted it would have any use in the Depths, but tripping him and ultimately pinning him down, she was significantly stronger and faster than he was when in her Husk, had actually seen her lose once or twice when he cheated. Tickling was not part of their training. She might have gotten even with him when she was showing him the difference in capabilities a Husk provided though. She'd had him pick her up in his True Self then repeat the action in his Husk. When he stumbled from how much easier it was the second time she hooked an ankle behind his knee, landing lightly on her toes with her hands on either side of his head while he fell flat on his back beneath her. Before he could do more than realize what had happened she'd pushed herself back upright and was offering him a hand up.
Their evenings were just as enjoyable, whether it was cooking together and then settling in on the couch to watch whatever struck their fancy, going out for dinner and losing track of time, or sharing popcorn while watching some stupid Comedy in a Movie Theater, being able to use their band to communicate meant no one got upset that they spent half the movie arguing about whether it was funny because it was funny or funny because it was stupid. They were spending almost every waking moment together and yet she never got bored.
The only downside was that despite it all Seb still seemed intent on playing the protective Retainer. She knew he was interested, between him slipping an arm around her while they sat on the couch and the emotions underlying their band communication she had no doubts. Even when they weren't connected she imagined she could feel it, feel his overall mood and well-being. She kept telling herself to be patient, that once they started leveling they would have all the time in the world, but that only went so far. In her mind she kept picturing the Diving tent in her Vault, it could handle three adults in a pinch but even with only two they would be living on top of one another, she'd be patient until they went into the Depths.
~ * ~
As they got in the car Anya looked over at Seb. "You know where we're going right?"
"I have the address, I'll get us there."
She took another good look at him as they pulled out of the driveway. If she hadn't been in close proximity both in and out of Husks she probably wouldn't notice the small differences. He'd done quite well overall. If she looked too closely at his hair she could tell something was off and his arms still had a slightly unnatural look, but it wasn't as though anyone would see those details today.
They passed the short drive in silence, there was plenty they could say but also no need for anything to be said. As they got out of the car they did exchange looks before glancing back at the multi-story office building.
"Suite 800," Seb said with one last glance at the address. "Think it's the top floor?"
"Probably, not exactly what I expected," she answered.
As they exited the elevator, at the top floor, they both froze in surprise. Anya could feel the Deep Low energy of a Construct settle around her while she suspected Seb was caught up by the sight of it.
"Do you have an appointment?" asked the dark skinned receptionist from a few feet away.
"No? We didn't realize we would need one," Anya answered, still processing the fact that there was a Construct that wasn't at or below ground level.
"You don't necessarily need one. If you let me know why you're here I can see if any of our brand consultants would be available and suited to your needs."
"Brand Consul-" Anya began even as Seb simultaneously connected and spoke over band.
The sign behind her says 'All-Eyes Branding and Reputation'. I think they have Unawakened who show up either for assistance or by accident. She is in a Husk though so.
Anya paused mid-word and then smiled, Seb's strange abilities had just saved her from looking completely clueless.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
"Sorry. I am Lady Lysanya, formerly Princess Lys, I recently was ceded a small Construct and wanted to connect it to the Energy Data Network. My Seneschal," she gestured to Seb in case the context was not clear, "wishes to have his Awakening Gifts identified. We may have a few other questions as well, depending on what we learn."
As she explained she saw the receptionist relax slightly, her pose remaining formal but less guarded. She glanced at the screen on her desk before answering.
"Of course my Lady. I believe Seer Sean is available and is well suited to answer your questions and validate your access to the EDN. Your Seneschal's gifts may need a separate appointment unfortunately, there are not many local Seers capable of doing so except during Awakenings."
At Anya's nod they were led to a nearby office. "Sean? This is Lady Lysanya and Seneschal. She wishes to have their Construct attached to the EDN and have a few questions answered. They were hoping to have his Awakening Gifts identified as well but I explained that may need to be done another day."
Anya and Seb stepped into the office to be greeted by a rotund Awakened who barely came to Anya's shoulders when he came around his desk to greet them.
"Lady Lysanya, Seneschal..?" he paused for barely a moment before continuing on before Seb could speak. "Seer Sean. I'll be happy to help you with your EDN connection and answer as many questions as I can. I wasn't aware of any new Constructs or Holdings in the area so I hope you'll forgive me if I ask a few questions? Perfect. Lysanya… Why do I know that name… Princess Lys? No, she looks like her mother doesn't she? Someone else with such a similar name moving into the city?"
He kept muttering to himself as he sat back down behind his desk, gesturing to the pair of chairs across from him. "Are you new to town then? Or is your Construct somewhere more remote and this just happened to be the nearest branch you were aware of."
Finally he paused to take a breath and Seb jumped in.
"Sebastian, Seneschal Sebastian. And my Lady is the former Princess Lys, her documented appearance was her previous Husk. I've lived here for a few years even though I only Awakened more recently. The Construct is in the suburbs on the outskirts of Lys' territory."
Anya snickered at Seb's attempt to answer everything without pausing. I think you forgot to tell him we had no issue with his asking questions.
He asked them before we could say yes or no, it would be a little silly to say no after the fact.
"Perfect! A new Holding on the outskirts will do wonders. And I must say how glad we are that you came to the Seer's Council with your questions."
"As for your EDN access, assuming you have no specific needs we can approve access to all information rated for level 9 and below. Unfortunately, as I'm sure you're aware, level 10 and above information requires a principal member of the holding to be at least level 10 and audits to ensure that the knowledge is properly restricted from those who are not."
"I-" she paused. "I wasn't aware there were restrictions. My mother and her closest retainers are only level 9."
"A shame, that." Sean shook his head. "From what I've gathered she showed such potential in her youth but never did make it past the wall. Not that I've even made it to level 9 so who am I to judge. And of course I've only been with this branch for the last decade so I don't know the whole story."
"Level 9 access is perfectly fine for now," Seb answered, giving her a moment to process Sean's words. "I assume we'll have to come back once we reach level 10 to have the restrictions lifted? And what do we need to do beyond getting approval for access?"
"You'll need to get an Engineer to establish the connection. If your Holding has an EDN terminal that will be easy, otherwise they'll charge you for the installation. And yes, IF you make it to level 10 please do come back and we'll be overjoyed to grant you further access. Now you said you had additional questions? Or were those going to wait on your Gifts?"
If we reach level 10? Seb sent. Is it that unusual?
Getting to level 9 just needs meditation and energy. Level 10 supposedly needs something more. I once overheard a comment that my mother had been stuck at level 9 for over 40 years.
40 years? How old was she when she hit level 9? I thought she was maybe 50 and looked young.
Seb! she sent, her shoulders bouncing in silent laughter that he would clearly feel as she continued. Her next birthday is her 80th. No one told you Awakened live longer the higher level they get?
Why would they? I doubt they planned to ever get me past level 1 or 2, he answered sarcastically.
Looking over at Sean Anya inclined her head ever so slightly. "I apologize, as Sebastian mentioned he is newly Awakened and his original instruction within Holding Lys did not cover life expectancy or the level 10 wall."
"Oh! Is he the one who passed out when her guards were about to kill him? We all heard about that and wondered what happened. I'm so glad he survived and has formed a Husk." Sean leaned forward across desk and took a better look at Seb. "Quite well formed too for someone so new. Took what, a month? Wait no, the Rios incident. That's why your names were familiar. He registered his pattern just over 2 weeks ago, you said your Husk was beyond salvage. Both of you made these Husks in 2 weeks? Wow, just wow."
"The Rios incident? Just what does the Seer's Council know about that?" Anya asked cautiously.
"The Arbiters might be responsible for passing judgment and providing a verdict but everything gets recorded by the Seers. Everything ends up in the EDN one way or another, just not everyone can see everything. Local Seer Council members get to see a lot, just in case we need to know. But I forgot, how silly of me not to put a face to a name or forget one of the more shocking events since I transferred here."
He just keeps talking, Seb sent.
I know, I don't know how he doesn't need to breathe more often.
"Your questions?" Sean prompted once more.
"Right. I guess the most straightforward one is would you have any idea why I see these strange stairways going up and down next to our Construct Entrance? There's only one door and I only see the stairways as Energy Patterns."
Sean fell back in his chair, his mouth opening and closing silently for a few moments before he started to answer. "You SEE Energy Patterns? And you see stairways that don't exist in your Construct? I-"
A voice resonated through the room, all three of them jumping as the walls itself seemed to be speaking.
"Seer Sean, send them to my office. I will deal with them."
Sean jumped even higher, nearly knocking his chair over in the process. "Yes Sir, OverSeer Valene."
Turning to the two of them he swallowed audibly and gestured back out the door. "The Branch Manager will see you. I didn't realize he was in today. Double doors at the end of the hallway, you can't miss it. Has his name and title on it and everything."
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