Book 2 - Interlude 4 – Boredom, the Most Powerful Enemy

Book 2 - Interlude 4 – Boredom, the Most Powerful Enemy

Berri looked over the birds that landed on her armored shoulders and palms, observing her with interest. She wasnt sure why they would always gather near her, but their feathers were a wide array of colors, and their songs helped stave away the boredom between fights. Jake had said that her holy aura and her nature probably attracted them, but she wasnt sure about any of that.

[Berri, dont you wonder how that white one might taste? Were getting a little hungry, and I dont think our Lord is planning on cooking anything anytime soon.]

As long as Berri could remember, her sister had always been there, sharing their body. Blood, her sister, excelled at the things that she couldnt do, and helped protect them. They kept their secret for years, and used their nature as a shield against the Dark Lamia that constantly plotted to punish or otherwise torture or kill her, cursed as she was. Even now, they kept their secret from their Lord, Jake. While Berri had wanted to let Jake and her new sisters know about Blood, she had refused.

Their nature even kept her sister from fully being influenced by the Framework.

She considered the white bird. It had almost the same disgusting color of skin as her. Would it even taste good? Jake had tried to convince her that her skin was not ugly, but how could the skin that caused her and Blood so much torture and pain be anything but that? Jake and Ophelias skin was much closer to a tan color, while very light for a Dark Lamia, was much more appealing than her skin. Fhesiahs was nearly as pale and as white as hers: a terrible color.

Her hand slowly wrapped around the bird, and it started to feel distressed, she could tell; its freedom being restricted. It squawked and chirped as it furiously tried to wriggle from her grasp, but her grip could pulverize stones. How could a tiny bird hope to escape? The other birds all flew away, and she shoved the bird into her mouth and chewed. The bones crunched and blood drained from the bird as its life expired, and she swallowed the remains nearly whole. Their blood tasted well enough, but she definitely preferred her lords cooking.

The tiny morsel barely provided any sustenance compared to what she needed, but she was satisfied she removed the bird with the color that bothered her. Just as she was about to try to find something else to do, she felt the wave of disappointment and frustration coming over the bond from Jake. Had he seen her eat the bird? Why would he care? He approached her with an exhausted look on his face. She dreaded what he would say. Had she done something wrong again, that would make her have to wait even longer before they could mate?

Jake looked like he was having trouble looking for the words to say when he sighed. Those birds, theyre prey animals to large creatures like you.

Yes?

[What is our Lord on about now?], her sister chimed in, in her mind.

Prey animals, they dont really come near anything they perceive as something that would cause them harm, or eat them. For them to come near you, its like they trusted you. And you violated that trust, killing them and eating them.

Okay? You dont want me to eat the birds? Im sorry, Jake, I didnt know you didnt want me to eat them.

Jake sighed again, and she could once again feel his frustration. Its not really about the birds. I just wanted you to think about what you did. How would you feel if you were attracted to somethings beauty, or their positive energy, only for them to torture and otherwise kill you the moment you let your guard down?

Berri tried to think about that for a moment, but was interrupted by her sister speaking to her once again.

[If something happened to us because we let our guard down, then we deserve it, Berri.]

Jake continued before she could think further on it, Just imagine, a Dark Lamia matriarch, beautiful and somehow caring, takes you under her protection. She promises you wont be beaten anymore, and you can even have babies if you want. You join and serve her, only for her to have you beaten and consumed.

[What a stupid thing to say. Those things already happened, and I protected you while you slept, Berri. I poisoned her food, and with you none the wiser, they determined some enemy of hers was much more likely to have killed her. Their truth sayers and mind flayers could not find the truth thanks to our nature, and then we moved on until we found a matriarch more tolerable to us, until they made this armor for us and left us to our own devices fighting creatures in the Underworld.]

What you did to that bird is no different, the same things that have probably been done to you, only you managed to live. Again, its not really about the bird, but especially when your actions will affect others, you should try to consider them as if they were you and treat them how you would like to be treated. Would you want that to happen to you?

Berri very much did not like that happening to her, but before she could say anything her sister spoke using their body, No, but so what? Its the Matriarchs right to torture me how they see fit. Theyre the ones with the power, and its their right to do what they want.

Their right or not, wouldnt you rather they saw things my way? That they would have mercy on you, and treat you how they wanted to be treated? Do you really think that the Dark Lamia are so great, always having to worry about being poisoned by a rival or a dagger in the dark? To never know genuine love or affection, only getting what they want by taking it?

They may be powerful, but theres many different kinds of strength. Id wager that they lived underground, not by choice. They raided towns for breeding stock, but they kept their raids to a minimum to not draw too much attention or ire from humans and other surface races to band together and eliminate them. In the end, they were at the mercy of the other races desires.

Berri had mostly stopped listening after Jake mentioned love and affection, her sister doing much of the talking. She instead thought about Jakes affection for her, and her finger lingered near her lips, once again remembering their kiss. It wasnt just the sensation of Jakes kiss, but his feelings of care and affection that she felt. They made her feel warm inside, and

Blood snorted in her mind, [What is this garbage? Does he really believe that nonsense? The Dark Lamia are a powerful race, one that enjoys plunder and excess. Humans are weak, they are only useful as breeding stock.]

Just think, the goddess, Hestia, could have used you like those Matriarchs and never let you join my family, perhaps just leaving you to die after she got what she wanted, or let you go back to the Dark Lamia you think so highly of where you would never mate. Is that what you want, a world in which you are always beaten down or waiting for that dagger in the dark, or the one where you care for others, and hope that they do the same for you? I think it just comes down to, would you rather your life be one like the Dark Lamia, where all you care about is yourself and never know real love, or have it how the goddess would want it, where you love both yourself and others?

Berri very much wanted the world where she could have children and feel Jakes love, rather than having to worry about being beaten or killed. Is that all she needed to do, was care for others? Jake, Ophelia and Fhesiah all showed their care for her, and helped others besides.

This being has two souls and two minds in one body. This skill assists the twins in managing the connection to one another and to the body, to allow better coordination of both their magic and the body itself.

Status Change!

Name

Bloodberri

Age

39

Class

Monstrous Holy Dark Priestess of Hestia

Race

Twin-souled Dark Lamia

They luxuriated in the feeling of no longer needing to give up control to one another, of now becoming a new being, in a sense. Now, both could be in control at the same time. One could focus on casting magic, while the other controlled their body, or even controlling different portions. There were some difficulties with them trying to do conflicting things at the same time, but now sharing their thoughts in total made things much easier for them. Before, they only communicated the thoughts they wanted to. Now, they had to consciously block their thoughts, instead of the other way around. The Frameworks constructed skill for them was nothing short of a blessing.

Jake looked relieved that nothing bad had happened despite the struggle as she looked over at him. She sent her feelings for Jake over the bond: the love, affection, and desire she had for him, now unrestricted by her sister holding her back. She urged her sister onward, to lower her guard and try to trust Jake, and to feel what she felt more directly than before. Previously, Blood could only feel a small amount of Jakes emotions, indirectly through Berri.

[Iwill give it a try. And if trying to treat others how we would like to be treated is going to help us get what we want, I will do my best. Also, shit.]

What is it, sister?

[That Odin guy Do you think he was hinting that I might have been able to help with that Alisara problem? I wasnt a part of the Framework, so I could have probably done something? Until now.]

Im sure itll be fine? Im just so glad were together properly, sister! Now, show Jake how you feel about him properly.

Berri felt her sister Blood reaching out to Jake, to send her feelings Sister, thats mostly just lust! Try to focus more on the warm feelings. Berri felt that Jake almost felt embarrassed, but he smiled at Bloodberri. He said, Its quite a surprise that there are in fact two of you in there. I had suspected something similar, but couldnt imagine that you had two souls. Its nice to meet you, Blood. Welcome to our family.

Berri could feel her sisters emotions struck with confusion, as Jake sent his feelings of acceptance and positive feelings over the bond. Why should she care what this human thinks, but why does it feel so good? Perhaps, other than her sister Berri, she had never been accepted in her life, hidden as she was, but also having to accept being an outcast for her whole life. That he would accept her so unconditionally and assuredly had surprised her greatly, as the bond left no room for misinterpretation. Jake truly accepted her, and that made Blood feel things she hadnt felt before. She now began to understand better why Berri had thought there was no way for Jake to betray them, his feelings of care for her was real. At the same time, she was still a little wary, as even those with the best of intentions can fold when they are at risk.

Tears came to Bloodberris eyes, a result of both her and her sisters feelings. An emotion built in her, a dam opened of desire and longing to be accepted and loved. Blood had long since kept those feelings to herself, ones that she thought would never be returned or validated. Jake returned those feelings, assuring her shed be cared for, that they were no longer alone.

Bond Increased!

Summoners Bond: Bloodberri

Level 4

She luxuriated in the new feelings of the bond strengthening, and to be hearing Jakes thoughts. She smiled, as it appeared he was imagining being hugged in her massive breasts but being thwarted by her restrictive equipment.

[Oh? It appears he enjoyed the hugs even more than I could have imagined. It looks like all we had to do to mate with him was to hug him more, dont you think, Berri?]

Berri was ecstatic that they had finally moved forward, her and Blood. But she heard Jakes thoughts; it was soon time to crush their enemies. She knew that once they finished this fortress assault, they would have what they both desired not long after.