Elliyna’s PoV - Limbo - Monastery of Will’s Hand.


    “Weren’t you going to skip their rematch this time?” asked Duurth, as he sat down next to Elliyna. Her now dark black hair and smooth skin made it look as if he was sitting next to an eligible female far younger than his years. After the last half-year contest, she’d had to head off rumours he’d been courting her—she should never have allowed him to walk her back to her quarters.


    “Know my patients are all attending, so I came along after all,” replied Elliyna, setting aside ridiculous thoughts and gesturing about the packed stadium. “Don’t they have anything better to do?”


    “Know that we’re all here studying masters of combat,” Duurth countered calmly, settling his robes about him.


    “Shouldn’t that be witnessing if your bets will pay? With all seven re-matches having all drawn out to three days, do you expect this time to be any different?”


    “Know that Master Jarith? set the rules, not I; I’m merely an arbiter of the contest,” refuted Duurth firmly, even though his nostrils flexed in amusement. “Though do you expect me to believe you’ve not got motivations of your own for being here?”


    “Really?”


    Duurth nodded down towards the middle-tiers at the pair who had Elliyna’s focus when he arrived. “Know it is good that the sisters have some time together. Know I heard she’d discovered the truth of your offer.”


    “Know no one told her; Sarith asked earlier in the year and I confirmed it,” replied Elliyna. “Know that she’s not made an issue of it.”


    “Know that I’m glad to hear she’s made such progress. Know that I can’t imagine it would have occurred that way initially. And how is her landscaping going?” Duurth asked across a link and felt Elliyna’s steel mental grip in response to his reference to Amdirlain’s mind palace. “Know I wanted your general assessment, not details.”


    “Know I’ve only the images to go on, but even those still shrouded in stone now lay upon grass rather than sunken into befouled clay ground,” replied Elliyna. “Hadn’t you noticed her Psi flows are much smoother now?”


    “Know that I had indeed, much to Master Tenzin’s relief,” answered Duurth.


    “Do you think she’ll use that fiery manifestation again this time?”


    “Know while the flames have become clearer each rematch…”


    The appearance of the trio of visitors stops his commentary. Even without certain other aspects, the three, with their general Human appearance, would have been immediately out of place. The man loomed over everyone; his Monk robes bore the same insignia Livia’s medallion displayed. Beyond just his height, solid features and a massive frame cast everyone into shadow, even without her knowledge of what lay beneath Torm’s facade. Livia seemed child-like next to him her calm crystal eyes sparkling with inner happiness. Though wearing loose robes like the monastery’s monks, beyond the eyes, her shortness and race still set her apart.


    Their third, with her tiny stature, should have better filled the child role. She appeared a mere toddler, but the way she skipped along from one step to another had far too much grace. Her appearance was odd compared to the other humans, red hexagon-faceted eyes—were insectoid and alien—and her unvarying bleached white skin moved her beyond the strangeness of Humans. A long braid, the colour of bright arterial blood and held together with a silver band, almost reaches her feet. Though the braid’s swaying itself was another unnatural display, it was an almost mechanical pattern, out of sync with her movements.


    While Torm and Livia wore clothing Elliyna at least recognised, the apparel Sarah wore was strange indeed. While the red loose pants and strange black boots weren’t too odd, her shirt apparently was working to make up for their lack. A dark red shirt with sleeves cropped off not far along her arms, emblazoned on her chest was a black four-legged creature with a long tail. Its green slitted eyes and strange whiskers gave it a truly odd appearance, especially since the knife held in its mouth dripped blood. Runes set in the shirt''s cloth beneath the creature eluded the translation spells. Sarith had reported that she’d been told they meant: You’d better not be counting on Luck!


    “Might we sit with yourself and Master Duurth, Healer Elliyna?” asked Torm when they drew close. The precisely spoke Gith tongue still rumbled strangely, but Elliyna just motioned them towards the spare spaces along the bench.


    Livia’s calm blue gaze glanced down at Sarah, only to receive a huff. “Know that I don’t need you to hold my hand, Livia. Know I’m sure if you want a child so badly, Master Cyrus would assist.”


    The words were spoken in fluent Gith and Sarah’s lips actually moved in time rather than counting on a magical translation. Her soprano voice carried above the crowd and set gossip humming while Sarah’s smile became more of a smirk.


    “I thought you were going to play nice, Sarah?”


    Tilting her head, Sarah’s hands cupped her cheeks and looked artfully innocent at Torm. “Know that I am. Know that they’re both consenting adults—I’m sure they can be nice to each other.”


    “I’ve not even thought of that,” protested Livia.


    “You’re being precisely spoken, Sarah,” Torm observed to change the subject, as Livia’s complexion struggled to reach the redness of Sarah’s eyes.


    “Know that speaking Gith correctly, or any other language, ensures a proper order,” chided Sarah.


    “Can we sit down?” asked Livia, her cheeks still burning.


    “I don’t know, can you? Know if you stop wanting to hold my hand I’ll stop pointing out what your body language and subconscious tells towards Master Cyrus mean,” Sarah replied. “Know I don’t need you to comment when I can smell your excitement after you get back from playing whack-a-skull with him.”


    “Perhaps a change of subject?” asked Torm.


    “Know that you shouldn’t mind the gossips, they’ve been mentally chatting since we arrived,” laughed Sarah, and slipped effortlessly past Livia to take a seat next to Elliyna


    “Not sitting with Amdirlain’s fellow Novices this time, Livia?” asked Duurth, his tone calm and reasonable.


    “Know that Livia said Sarith hasn’t been sitting with her sister on previous occasions,” Sarah said brightly and gave Elliyna an odd sniff.


    “Know I appreciate you giving them this time then. Know I’m hoping they continue their progress in building a stronger foundation,” replied Elliyna.


    “Do your people often have trouble with a submissive twin developing a dependant relationship if their sibling is significantly more dominant?”


    Elliyna stopped to consider Sarah’s question and gave the strange, unnerving child more attention. Though there was no sense of menace from her mind, in fact, it was as glass smooth as Amdirlain’s, something about her put Elliyna on edge. “Know that twins’ minds can often become quite entangled. Know that parents are supposed to encourage differing interests and pursuits so that they don’t persist in the entanglement.”


    Sarah nodded thoughtfully and sniffed Elliyna again before she raised a hand to scrub her nose. “Know I appreciate you indulging my question.”


    A moment later when Sarah sniffed her again, Elliyna was unsettled by the air about the strange child, Elliyna’s words slipped out. “Might I ask why you are sniffing me?”


    “Know you just asked,” Sarah replied primly, and gave a little shrug. “Know that when I figure out what about you is tickling my nose, I’ll let you know as well.”


    “You’re not a human, are you? Know I thought at first you simply have strange eyes like Livia.”


    “Know that is correct, I''m not human, but Change Self in all its various versions can’t change a body above its upper mass,” replied Sarah.


    “Why is it our protections show only an odd-looking human?” asked Duurth, leaning forward to regard Sarah curiously from Elliyna’s other side as Torm and Livia settled into their seats.


    “Why on earth would I tell you that?”


    “Know you’re sitting on stone, not earth.” Duurth responded without hesitation. “Does the matter you are on make a difference?”


    Sarah’s giggles lacked any mocking tone but sparkled with a child-like happiness and somewhat eased the edge Elliyna felt yet it’s easing helped her recognition.


    “Shouldn’t your parents have accompanied you this trip?” asked Duurth, so blandly his question had Elliyna nearly choke.


    “Know I’ve worked it out. Know that it simply took me a while to shift through your species’ pheromones—still too much information in my head,” Sarah replied, not even acknowledging the question.


    A burst of action on the stadium floor had psi-crystals around them floating higher to get a better view.


    Elliyna didn’t take her gaze from Sarah, who gave her a bright smile in return. “Know that at your regressed age biological instincts can get the best of one, just like others I know. Know chemicals flood your body at present, even under the Gith self-control, but you’re likely out of practice keeping them, well… from affecting your judgement.”


    “Githzérai,” corrected Elliyna.


    “Know you smell like your forerunners,” retorted Sarah briskly.


    The cough from Livia who sat on the other side of Sarah drew their gazes her way. “Know we’re here to observe the rematch, not gossip about urges.”


    “Know you smell of urges, so have fun with that,” teased Sarah, and turned her attention back to Elliyna. “Are you here to watch the rematch for entertainment or to observe it from your patient’s recovery perspective?”


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    Elliyna sent a mental probe at Sarah’s glass defences and felt it slid along without a ripple; the same as Amdirlain’s. “Know I believe you’re one of her friends.”


    The statement had Sarah blink, and a genuine smile curved her lips. “She didn’t tell you our names?”


    Lowering her voice to prevent complaints, Elliyna carefully replied. “Know that she referred to Sidero and Isa. Your behaviour doesn’t match what I’d expect of Isa, so does that mean you’re Sidero?”


    “Know that I was, but I’m not trapped anymore if that was going to be your next question. Know the name itself had other connotations that I didn’t appreciate, so I set it aside. Plus, isn’t it healthier to acknowledge and move past one’s issues than keep unnecessary emotional burdens?” asked Sarah.


    “Do you need to speak to someone?”


    “Know Amdirlain informed me of your religious affliction, Elliyna, my words not hers,” retorted Sarah, and she smiled at Elliyna’s narrow gaze. “Know I meant affliction, not affiliation, and I’d happily tell you horror stories about the one you worship: vicious, capricious, and disorderly. Would you like me to provide further words for her?”


    “Know that I prefer Amdirlain’s attitude,” rebuked Elliyna coldly.


    Sarah’s eyes sparkled with an inner light, and pausing, she licked her lips before she continued. “Know that would be completely your choice, but choice isn’t my thing. Though speaking of choice, have you ever had a patient whose very choices have been the source of their injury?”


    “Wouldn’t that be the case for every healer who has practised for any significant length of time?” asked Elliyna, her expression remaining calmly composed.


    “Know that you should think on that answer,” teased Sarah, before turning her attention to the stadium floor. “Know in that regard I’m so glad your choice is your problem, not mine.”


    Flames of golden light shaped feather-like patterns in the sullen angry flames about Amdirlain that Elliyna had seen in every rematch. Their fury having changed over the years, they had become a clear indicator of progress, but left Elliyna frustrated at not being allowed to see Amdirlain’s Mind Palace. Although she couldn’t physically track their movement, her swift mind absorbed the details from a gestalt, unfortunately those within only included one who was barely able to follow them. When an unfamiliar mind joined the gestalt with crystal sharpness, the movements on the floor suddenly slowed from a near blur to a graceful, but brutal dance. Curious, Elliyna tried to trace the link and brushed against a junction of smooth glass.


    Her focus dropped to Sarah, who smiled back at her innocently. “Did that not help?”


    “You’re a Psion?” whispered Elliyna.


    “Know I have Shaper as my Psion Class; I prefer making things than sticking probes into someone’s brain, since I’m not grey.”


    “Why would being grey matter?”


    “Know it’s a joke and a bit of a stretch, but since people can be butt heads...” replied Sarah and shrugged with a very Githzérai twitch of her shoulders. The look in her eyes made it clear the movement wasn’t happenstance in occurrence or restraint. “Know I’ll refer you to my hunting partner to discuss my decaying humour.”


    “Do you need a teacher of Psionics?” asked Duurth helpfully, and Elliyna caught a strange eagerness in the offer.


    “Know that won’t be necessary; I’ve got a real gem of a teacher already,” replied Sarah, her tone changing into a grumble she continued. “Know my only issue with her instruction style is she likes to mother me.”


    “Might I know your other classes?” asked Elliyna trying to get back control of the conversation.


    “Know I’m sure you’d like more information, believing it’ll help in puzzling me out, but the names don’t translate well from my species tongue into Githzérai. Know it’s not so much the words but the implications, as I have an evolved version of Artificer and Hunter. Are you going to be brave enough to ask about my Prestige Class?”


    Elliyna recognised the blood-thirsty Hunter Class, a twisted cousin to the Ranger, and Sarah’s relaxed mention raised the hair along the back of her neck. Flicking a glance at the human-looking Celestial and back down, Elliyna’s gaze caught on Sarah’s smile. Though Sarah smiled sweetly, if anything it made her sudden case of nerves worse. “What do you focus on hunting?”


    “Know the shock on your face was telling, but it’s not a concern for you. Know that its focus involves Demons and undead. Is that enough information for you to digest, Master Elliyna?”


    “Know that I appreciate the insights, but might I ask one more question?”


    Sarah’s smile lost its edge and gained an almost friendly vibe. “Know I’m aware that, for certain professions and individuals, it’s never one question. What did you wish to ask?”


    “Know even given what little she’d discuss regarding your situation, I can understand hunting Demons, but why undead?”


    Sarah’s calm nod eased Elliyna’s concern that she might take offence that another’s healing required discussing her. “Know they are a disruption in the natural order of life, and many of them will run rampant if left unchecked.”


    “Does it always come down to order for you?” asked Elliyna.


    The grin that nearly split Sarah’s face was pure cheekiness. “Does it always come down to questions for you?”


    “Know there is more involved than just questions,” insisted Elliyna.


    The firmness of her tone didn’t lessen Sarah’s delight. “Know you have your answer.”


    Elliyna set aside the sudden urge to retort but held herself back unsure why she was still on edge. Taking a breath she returned her attention to the combat, aware that the help in the Gestalt hadn’t lessened during their exchange.


    “What level Psion are you?”


    While Elliyna wasn’t sure of her attitude she had to admit to herself Sarah wasn’t slow in responding. “Know I’m already forty, as levelling those initial stages in a target-rich environment is easy, even if my mentor grumbles that I started fighting again too soon. Know that some instructors can be as fierce as Dragons with wanting things done their way.”


    Sarah barely got her response out before she was snickering loudly, leaving Elliyna baffled about what warranted such amusement.


    The three days of the rematch passed quickly, and while others indicated both parties had improved Elliyna, as always, paid more attention to the individuals watching than the match itself. She was almost glad when Livia sat elsewhere, taking Sarah, and Torm with her. The pair of them seemed content to let Livia pick the company they kept each day.


    After the match''s tie was finally announced Elliyna spotted Livia, and others on the causeway leading into the monastery proper, and curiosity had her follow along. Before the dormitory group and their guests could reach their building, Amdirlain appeared in a blur to greet them.


    “You look so cute,” gushed Amdirlain at Sarah, and Elliyna spotted the amused glint in her gaze hidden beneath the emotional display. Sarah’s flat look was far too mature for her child-like features, but Amdirlain only laughed in response.


    Gemiya led the Novices group towards the dormitory, surprising Elliyna when Master Tenzin didn’t make a fuss at Torm’s presence. The look that Tenzin shot her way gave Elliyna a sense of trespassing, but she still didn’t hesitate to continue with them, and Tenzin raised no further objection. Both moved along at the tail-end of the group, listening to an exchange between Amdirlain and Sarah, though Elliyna wasn’t sure how much they really understood of it. The sense of mutual references was too great; it was like reading a book that referred to dozens of others, while having access to none of them.


    “Know that I might be cute now, but you’re going to be asking me again what I’ve been eating to get so… strong.”


    Amdirlain frowned at Sarah’s hesitation but clearly read more into her change of phrasing when Sarah puffed out her cheeks dramatically. “I don’t remember telling you anything like that. What do you remember?”


    “Know that I remember lots, but things I could tell you might mess up your perception of recovered memories. Know I wish I could tell you more, but I’ll always have your back songbird,” Sarah said. Despite objecting to Livia''s attempts to do so, Sarah took Amdirlain’s hand without argument, apparently content to appear like a child being escorted by her mother.


    “What?”


    “Know that he used to call you that at times, I won’t say who, even if you remember,” replied Sarah giving Amdirlain a smile, before glancing at their escort.


    “I’ve remembered a few occurrences,” admitted Amdirlain. “How come I can’t see you properly?”


    “Know that Gaius had some interesting...” Sarah paused, flicked a glance back at Elliyna and smiled. “tricks, and some I’ve extended.”


    “So many questions,” muttered Amdirlain, shooting a glance at Sarah when she giggled.


    “No!” exclaimed Sarah, pressing the back of her free hand dramatically to her forehead. “Not the questions!”


    “At least that got you to stop speaking formally all the time,” grumbled Amdirlain, and poked out her tongue.


    “Know that the Githzérai language has a proper order to it, and I wish to respect that order,” huffed Sarah, tilting her nose in the air.


    “Others have warned me I need to pass proper decorum next year, and that includes language,” sighed Amdirlain.


    “Know that you’re going to fail, Little Miss Swears-a-lot,” retorted Sarah.


    “I’ve been restraining myself,” insisted Amdirlain.


    Shaking her head Sarah fixed an expression of mock-sorrow in place. “Know that I bet they could tell me your favourite swear word even if it isn’t in their tongue,”


    “Fuck!” called back a few of the closest among the Novices having given up on discretion.


    “How long before you grow up?” Amdirlain asked, jumping topics completely.


    Sarah wrinkled her nose and gave Amdirlain’s fingers a gentle squeeze. “Know that I could ask the same question, buster. Know I’ll get out of this tier in another ten levels of my species apparently, and then I’ll need a bit of a sleep in.”


    “No sleep until bedtime?”


    “Know I’m going to bite you if you start singing that,” growled Sarah, and the tone set hair along Elliyna’s body standing on end.


    The shivers among the group signalled she wasn’t the only one, but Amdirlain just looked amused. “I didn’t check that box on my form.”


    The word Sarah muttered was too low for Elliyna to catch but Amdirlain simply blew Sarah a kiss.


    “Thanks,” Sarah said.


    “For what?”


    “Know I just appreciate you finding help. Know that I was worried, but you look relaxed and happy, even getting punched, twisted sister that you are.”


    “We’re not going to take it?”


    Though the words sounded like a question, Amdirlain seemed to be quoting something to Elliyna, a view reinforced when Sarah groaned. “Know the same applies to that one.”


    “Then stop providing musical prompts,” teased Amdirlain.


    Sarah huffed and gave Amdirlain a look of mock disgust. “Are you forgetting you gave the first one?”


    “So?” asked Amdirlain blankly, before switching topics. “What is Mechanus like?”


    “Know that it’s filled with floating platforms that are in the shape of gears or cogs, depending on your perspective. Know that they turn in sync because each is rotating in time to the Planar wheel,” replied Sarah.


    “In sync, I told you about musical prompts,” stated Amdirlain, and drew a deep breath.


    “Know you shouldn’t play with my words thank you!” grumbled Sarah, and Amdirlain huffed in mock disappointment.


    “What happens if you fall off the edge?”


    “Know that it’s the same as in the Elemental Plane of Air, your focus directs where you go. Can you guess what happens if you don’t focus?” quipped Sarah.


    Amdirlain shrugged and gave a glib reply. “You fall until you orderly find your arse bursting out your skull when you hit a platform?”


    “How big are the platforms?” asked Livia, the glance she directed at the pair’s hands showed her restrained glee.


    “Know that some are hundreds of kilometres across while others are barely a few metres, but most Domains feature a central platform, and dozens of others—not that all are Domains. Know the one I’ve spent the most time in is only a few dozen kilometres across but has six platforms joined by a central shaft,” explained Sarah.


    “One you spent the most time in?” asked Amdirlain quickly.


    Sarah fixed her with a droll expression. “Know you can blame Ebusuku for that one.”


    “Oh that… yeah, I heard about that. Sorry, my mind jumped to a different option.”


    “Did you set certain goals for her?”


    “No. I’ve absolutely no need, Ebusuku runs with things and handles making up objectives as she goes,” replied Amdirlain cheerfully. Her poise seemed a deliberate effort to give Sarah a playful poke.


    “Know I warned you about someone putting a bit between your teeth,” teased Sarah and bumped her head against Amdirlain’s side


    “Know that your warning included mention of people I didn’t want in charge. Ebusuku, I’m happy to place in charge,” replied Amdirlain.


    “Have you ever met a Modron?”


    “The Celestial non-Celestial types that are native to Mechanus,” replied Amdirlain, her flurry of words prompting Sarah to snort in frustration. “Once. They looked like they’re comprised of clockwork. Though I''m not sure if the Titan’s Servant that turned up in Judgement is also from there or his own creation.”


    “Know they only like entities giving orders that the organisational charts say are in charge. Know that chart needs to match the rules laid out to support said individuals'' authority to provide commands to those following them.”


    “Telling me this why?”


    “Know that if you ever have reasons to go to Mechanus make sure you have the proper paperwork before touching down on any platform,” stated Sarah, and shot Torm a toothy grin. “Right Torm?”


    “I had no idea it was someone’s Domain, there were no defence towers, nor sign it wasn’t allowed, and the Domain just let me land.”


    “Know that all those would be unnecessary clutter if you were simply being orderly,” retorted Sarah.


    “Oh, laying down the law should be fun for you,“ said Amdirlain. “How long did it take to sort out?”


    “I got passed along eight levels of their hierarchy and filled out more forms than I previously believed existed. I thought they were just parts of the fiction that Sarah had shared,” admitted Torm ruefully. “There is a big difference between going to Mechanus with a guide, and just showing up. Though I don’t know why Sarah’s complaining—she slept right through most of it.”


    “Know I was catching up on decades of sleep; that’s my excuse and I retain my right to legal counsel.”