Bolt Action Serenade

So after almost an entire two days, Carmilla finally finished looking at everything as best she could. Unfortunately it was such an unusual effect that even the System didn’t fully recognize it as a Condition. Meaning that all she could say me was that it wasn’t doing any damage that she could tell. But more worryingly, it seemed guided. This was something done to me intentionally.

As she told me all this, I could feel her comforting me. It felt like fingers softly stroking against my cheek, arms around my sides. What she could do from inside me was incredible and I wanted to feel something, anything about it. But I was just overwhelmed. What was I becoming and why? Was who or whatever did this also responsible for my amnesia? It seemed likely, but why? What’s the end goal? Was this entirely without my knowledge or consent, or did I agree to something before my memories were taken?

Considering that I think I was a coward with a Survivor class, I could imagine past me agreeing to just about anything if the alternative was death. But I didn’t know enough to even wonder what was more likely. Just giant gaps in my mind that I hated more by the day.

Four days after the interrupted interview I was once again thoroughly cleaned up after lunch, making sure I was spotless for the important folks again. Once I was presentable Doc and General came back in. The old fella looked even more tired than the last time and the General had her hair down and simply tied back, also she wasn’t wearing makeup this time and somehow the little imperfections in her face just made her far prettier. At least as far as I was concerned.

Though, and I am not going to apologize for this, I barely noticed that before she shut the door behind her and immediately took her uniform jacket off, draping it over the back of a chair. I had been incorrect. That jacket did in fact hide her curves, Helanna’s tits were enormous, as big as my head at least. Hell, I could even make out nipples just barely poking through the heavy material of her top and, I assumed bra. I had to quickly drag my eyes away before I started drooling.

This time both of them dropped into chairs by my bedside, doc pulling out his notebook and a file with photos of my runes and documents that I assumed were the findings on them. “Alright, it’s been a long week for all of us so lets just skip right to it so we can move on, agreed?” he said impatiently. I nodded, he turned to the General who did as well. “Good. We got the report on your runes back and I was right, they prevent false or partial diagnosis. Though, they also seem to have been altered to greatly improve the intelligence of the Elemental they are bonded to. Would you know how that happened?”

“Not really, I don’t know anything about runes or Elementals aside from what Carmilla told me after she woke up.” I looked at my arm “Carmilla, you got any answers for us?”

There was a longer pause than I was comfortable with before she answered.

[Yes. Partially at least. I’m sorry, love. I hadn’t figured it out until yesterday and I’ve been worried over how you’ll take it.]

All three of us humans in the room perked up at this, though weirdly I think the General was more interested than even I was. “Hey, it’s alright. I think you’ve earned my trust ten times over by now.”

[I believe-, that is I have seen some signs that the mutation effect you are under had something to do with how your body responded to the bands and the runes on them. Specifically the why and how of your absorption of and alteration of them. It might even be how you were able to unconsciously agree to a contract.]

The doctor grunted and started writing quickly “You’ve learned more about the mutation then? Was it caused by her interaction with the triage bands?”

[No, it was happening to her in a lesser manner before then. The truth is, I believe the mutation effect is a complex and adaptive Status Condition placed on her by a particularly powerful entity. One that can interact with things outside of, or at least on the very edge of the System.]

The General’s eyes went wide. “That would mean an arch-lord at least!” She huffed and threw her hands up “No, this is ridiculous. The runes may give honest diagnoses but clearly the Elemental can lie in other circumstances.”

[I can, but I am not.]

“Wait, hang on.” I blurted out. “Why were you worried about telling me?”

[Because it means I am a part of it somehow. The mutation changed the runes, changed me. It might have done things that I am not aware of, I might be a threat to you still. Even if I don’t know it, even if I don’t ever want to hurt you.]

I sighed with a weak smile and felt an urge to hug her. I really wanted her to have a body of her own, she said level ten, right? Well I’d just have to get there for her somehow. “Hey, we’re in this together, yeah? Not gonna think less of you for something outside of your control anyway.”

The Doctor cleared his throat to remind us of why we were all there. “I realize this is likely a very emotional experience for you both but the sooner we get through it the sooner we can all move on. Miss Carmilla, what more can you tell us about the mutation effect?”

[Well, it’s guided. It is reacting to stimuli on her body in ways that at least mimic intelligence. In fact, I think the reason it grew in strength was because it was aware, in some manner or another, that she was in very poor physical condition. Now that she has recovered it has begun to work more diligently, as if it knew she would not survive what it is attempting to do before now.]

“That sounds rather advanced. Were it not for the Mind Shatter condition I would be hesitant to consider the idea. But any being capable of inflicting a triple S rank status condition must not be underestimated.” He grumbled and scribbled more down. “Do you have any idea what is being changed?”

[I do, and considering how hard General Devatius is staring I think she might as well. Unless of course she’s simply enjoying the view.]

I realized Carmilla was teasing her somehow, but I didn’t realize how at first. I looked at the General and saw a moment of pink in her face before she recovered. “I didn’t think it appropriate to comment when it could have simply been my imagination.” the defensive tone of her words was light, but definitely there.

[Well I wouldn’t blame you for staring either way, dear. But yes, they are bigger and continuing to grow. I had only noticed last night, and I have been carefully examining some other possibilities since.]

A narrowed my eyes “I’m sorry, what’s bigger?”

[Seriously, love? You don’t even notice changes to your own body?]

“I’m barely used to not being in agony all the time. From my perspective I’ve not even had a full month to get used to anything at all. Also, there is one big change under the damned blanket that’s been pretty distracting so far, alright!?” I was tired, confused, scared, and frankly tired of that fucking room. I didn’t mean to snap at her, but things were clearly weighing on me more than I wanted to admit.

[I’m sorry love. That was inconsiderate of me.]

Inconsiderate is not a word I would ever use to describe Carmilla. After all, she was communicating in a way that kept our guests in the loop. She could just speak into my ear and only I would hear her, but instead she was making sure that the other two had no reason to grow suspicious over a one sided conversation. Or, more suspicious I guess. They already were.

“It’s okay, just… what changed?” I asked, then looked at the General who was staring again… at my chest. “Oh are you kidding me?” I looked down. Yeah, okay it wasn’t much but I could see growth. If I hadn’t been in a hospital gown I would have felt my top getting tighter I imagine. “Just, just why?!”

It took the doc a moment, but he looked at them too and picked up on things. He didn’t seem embarrassed, which I imagine makes sense for a doctor. “That is very strange. I’ve heard of certain cosmetic treatments that do such things but for a mutation effect that also altered triage bands in incredibly complex ways, that is frankly… odd. I can’t imagine the purpose.”

“I can.” The General grumbled. “If this is the doing of an arch-lord being or stronger, some have been known to make special servants. Champions, Avatars, Saints, different kinds use different names but they all have something in common.”

The Doctor’s eyes widened a bit “They change. The being changes them to more appropriately resemble an agent of said being.” he quickly started writing furiously.

The General cleared her throat “You know, we can get things done faster by splitting up. Itran, go to the other side of the bed and just speak with the ele-, with Miss Carmilla. She will know far more about the medical issues than Esme I think, and I can question her while you do so.”

He blinked and nodded “Wonderful idea.” And immediately pulled his chair around the bed and leaned in to speak directly to Carmilla. Well, directly to the runes on my arm but that was as good a focal point as possible considering that’s where the words were appearing above.

The General moved her chair closer to my head and gave me a small nod. “Hopefully this will be as painless as possible for both of us. You likely know very little with memory loss, but you did swear to tell what you do know. I hope you will honor that, even if it comes to nothing.”

“I try not to make promises I can’t keep.” I said, suddenly remembering words about a cafe and dancing. I would make sure to keep that one somehow.

“State your full name.” she said, not bothering with a notebook. Though crossing her arms in a way that very intentionally put her bust on more prominent display for me. I managed to control my gaze and voice though, thankfully.

“Esme. Sorry, no more than that. Not even my birth name. Me and Carmilla named each other while I was out there trying to find help. My Status didn’t even have a name on it, shows Esme now though.” I was going to be honest, completely. No half truths or minimum details. I felt like they would figure that out and I didn’t have any actionable intelligence anyway. But they could still be nicer to us if I cooperate as much as I can. I hoped.

“What unit were you-… you know what, it would probably be easier to just tell me what you remember and I’ll ask any questions that come up. Though, I am curious how you had a Managun. You don’t exactly scream noble and everything else you had, clothing included was for a basic infantryman.”

“Oh the revolver? Yeah that was poor dead Bernson’s.” I said, letting myself have a small dark chuckle over the morbid personal joke.

The General’s eyes shot open and she sat rod straight in her seat “Bernson? Captain Teodar Bernson?”

I blinked at her “I… have no idea. His uniform had the name Bernson on the chest and he had some stripes on his lapels but that’s all I know. When I first woke up it was in a busted up armored transport of some kind and his body was next to mine. I took the gun off of him as a backup piece, saved my ass against some carrion feeders.”

She took the news with some stress and gave a description that matched poor dead Bernson and when I told her she grew visibly upset. “Damn it. He was one of the leaders of the moderates.” she muttered. “Well that answers more than I thought it would, tell me your story.”

So I did. Everything, ramblingly so. I just rattled off every action and thought I had since waking up surrounded by death, including the embarrassing stuff. Helanna turned away with a small, brief smirk when I mentioned confirming I was a natural redhead. Also when I mentioned getting turned on by Carmilla’s voice. Which honestly I had considered skipping those bits but damn it if this lady was gonna tease me I’d return the favor.