[How’d it all go, Crinis?] I ask cheerfully.
The little ball freezes momentarily before slithering over to me on a few tentacles.
[I hope I made the right choices, Master…] she says somewhat miserably.
I sigh internally. [Just pick whatever you think is right. You know more about how you want to grow and fight than I do! You’re the best one to make these decisions.]
[But you are the best person to decide what it is that you want, Master.]
Gah! Getting her to be more independent is going to be a long project.
[Just… come over here and I’ll have a look at where you’re at. I want to see how everyone is going before we set out.]
[Of course, Master!] she bubbles.
Bringing my antennae forward, I activate the Core Surgery skill and gradually piece together her general status.
Name: Crinis
Leveclass="underline" 5 (core) (I)
Might: 26
Toughness: 22
Cunning: 17
Wilclass="underline" 15
HP: 70/70
MP: 20/20
Skills: Advanced Shadow Flesh Manipulation Level 1 (II); Grappling Level 3 (I); Expert Shredding Level 4 (III); Tremor Sensing Level 3 (I); Dismembering Level 2 (I); Fear Inspiration Level 3 (I); Mana Manipulation Level 1 (I); Tentacle Walking Level 1 (I)
Mutations: Shadow Flesh +3; Void Maw +3; Bottomless Dimensional Stomach +5; Dividing Tentacles +5; Ripping Spines +5; Macabre Teeth +5
Species: Blind Shadow Hunter
Skill Points: 1
Biomass: 6
Why is it all her skills and upgrades sound so intimidating? How the heck did she even get Fear Inspiration! From what I can see, the skill educates the user in ways to act more intimidating or cause fear in foes.
I’m not sure that’s going to be a problem if she keeps Levelling up Dismembering…
[Ah! I see you picked up Mana Manipulation.]
[Yes, Master… is that ok?] She sounds mildly panicked.
[Of course! You have a reasonable Cunning and Will stat. With practice, you’ll be able to start slinging some spells like me. I think that was an excellent choice.]
Instead of replying, the little ball holding itself up on a few slender tentacles just becomes exceptionally still. Wait. That’s not quite right. With my improved vision, I can make out that she’s not still but actually slightly vibrating in place.
That happy to be praised, eh?
Actually, wait a second.
[Crinis, is there something you want to tell me? Has some sort of milestone been achieved?] I enquire.
[N-no? I can’t think of anything like that, Master.]
So evasive!
[You’re Level five! How long have you been ready to evolve?] I stare hard at her. [You wouldn’t be worried about having to make choices for yourself again, would you, Crinis? Panicked that you might make a selection I didn’t approve of? If that were the case, I’d be quite disappointed.] My voice dropped to a sinister low by the end.
[Hiiiiii!] she squeaks.
I can only sigh. Why are pets so weird? This should be a joyous occasion. The individual should be jumping for joy, and as the master, I would bathe in that reflected happiness, smiling deeply, smug and satisfied that all things were travelling on the path I ordained.
But no.
Instead, I’m either bullying my own pet into evolving or watching the other one evolve into an imbecilic lump of muscle meat. Crinis is just paranoid about having to make her own choices, not wishing to do something wrong.
[Look, Crinis, I’m very happy you’re ready to evolve. It’s a great thing! So as soon as we’re finished speaking, we’ll finalise your core and you will evolve. Okay?]
And now she’s shivering… I swear, if she had eyes, they’d be as big as watermelons right now.
[OKAY?]
[Yes… Master…]
Don’t sulk!
[Let me remind you of something. When I recreated you from your core, I made sure to make adjustments so you’d be perfect. The best little murder ball of boundless horror and death in all of Pangera. I also created a special evolutionary path for you. You understand?]
The little ball was struck dumb, growing incredibly still.
[You did that, Master? For me?]
[Of course, I did. We’re connected by bonds of friendship, not just those of master and servant. Whatever I can do to help you, I will. You do understand that me creating your evolution means I’m meeting you halfway on this, right? I’ve already made a good chunk of the decisions for you. The rest you need to look inside yourself to find the answers that best fit the kind of monster that you want to be.]
[…But!]
[No buts!]
THWACK.
Swinging an antenna around in a vicious arc, I whack the little tennis ball, sending her flying to the corner in which I keep my core stockpile.
[Let’s do this!]
Ignoring her attempted excuses and protests, I fuse together a special core and whack her on the head with it until she finally absorbs it.
[Now go evolve, dammit!]
[Huuuuuu…]
Sniffling to herself, Crinis retreated to one side of the chamber and began the process of her evolution. This is only her second evolution, but it’s going to be exciting to see exactly how she changes. I know the broad strokes of course. What she decides to change for herself is what will be interesting to see.
Yes, I’m being harsh on her. After all, the only thing she wants is to be as helpful as possible. She’s got to develop some independence though and become her own Crinis!
I can only shake my head internally and leave Crinis in her own little world as I move over to Tiny. The big guy is gradually opening his eyes and shaking himself awake. I want to check his status as well before we get moving.
[How’d it all go, Tiny? Finished?]
[Hmmm. Finish.] He manages to grunt even when speaking mind to mind.
[Let me have a look, big fella.]
He amblers over in my direction and I once again activate the Core Surgery skill. I’m determined to ignore the quivering tennis ball behind me.
Name: Tiny
Leveclass="underline" 12 (core) (IV)
Might: 154
Toughness: 42
Cunning: 7
Wilclass="underline" 15
HP: 84/84
MP: 180/180
Skills: Expert Ape Boxing Level 3 (III); Brutal Uppercut Level 2 (II); Enhanced Leap Level 3 (II); Smash Level 5 (I); Advanced Athletics Level 1 (II); Grappling Level 5 (I); Potent Crushing Blows Level 4 (II); Fancy Feet Level 4 (I); Advanced Dash Level 2 (II)
Mutations: Overwhelming Explosive Enhanced Musculature +10; Iron Bones +5; Springy Impact Legs +10; Piercing Heightened Sonic Enhancer +5; Compressing Lightning Mana Affinity Gland +5; Compressing Lightning Mana Affinity Gland +5; Energy Conversion Gland +4;
Species: Dire Lightning Storm Kong
Skill points: 15
Biomass: 3