novelraw Chapter 462 - Not The Only One Who Sees What Others Cannot
Chapter 462 - Not The Only One Who Sees What Others Cannot
The smallest of the three woman had been sitting quietly for a while now. With that intensity about her gaze that I still don’t fully understand.
It does remind me a little bit of one of my brother’s many wives - a Civet shifter in his harem collection of allied kingdom women. Maybe I shouldn’t be so judgemental still, considering I ’played the field’ plenty in my own way.
But that woman was absolutely not *ever* silent. That was the bigger problem, I simply did not *fit* with any of his wives, all of them were irked by me or had done something that made me just as dismissive of them.
Still she had the look like this person does in her eyes. Like she sees and judges something constantly. Dr. Sue Mei sets down the cup she’d been cradling with a little clink against the table.
Far more noise than she’d made in ten minutes.
"Before I do. May I be honest about something?"
"I have been told in the past that truthtelling is a virtuous quality that I should really exercise myself more."
From that very ’sister’-in-law, actually. She loved to point out my falsehoods in the middle of social gatherings. Thought for the longest time she would be the one to expose my dalliances.
> Eh. Besides, even if she ends up lying, unlike the person she reminds me of... I still learn things. <
"So yes. I would appreciate frankness."
"I would like to hold him. At some point."
She doesn’t look at me when she speaks. Looking over her shoulder *past* me, at the bundle of blankets containing Asha. Nope.
Nope nope. I can feel my face twist with that fierceness. But she shakes her head before I can.
"Not now, don’t worry. For I know that is a great deal to ask in terms of trust. Even if you are suggesting I sell my soul to get my foot in the door with you."
If she wanted to keep the door open, she shouldn’t have said something that would make me bolt all the locks! Hells, I don’t even want to touch her now. Even to do the required scan.
> I feel like I’ll want to pre-emptively harm her. Even if she hasn’t actually done something wrong. Just to prove that I can and that she should therefore *stay away* from Asha. <
"That is... indeed a great deal to ask. On both our parts."
"I know. I think you deserved to understand. Why I am willing to go through with this. You explained as much as you did, after all."
A calloused palm face-up on the table, steady as soil. Gradually, I start realizing they are the hands of not just a researcher... but a caretaker of plants. Ones used to using tools, tugging weeds, and probably wearing gloves too frequently.
| TARGET: Sue Mei |
| SPECIES: Human |
| VITALS: Normal |
| NOTES: Life-Thread Perceptive |
That last one is new. Every other witch has question marks for their Notes section. Even beyond trying to figure out what that phrase means... why not hers?
| ANNEXATION SUCCESS! |
Her contribution reads at 18, making it the highest stable value of any of the witches in the room and making me wonder how it is calculated.
Maybe Claire or Lodestone can do something with the numbers and figure it out. Especially if I really do get... a whole lot of magic users with a bunch of numbers. There is no way I will attempt to find mathematical reasonings for any of that.
> However, I bet the Virtual Intelligence of theirs likes plotting graphs. It did go on about math earlier. Or... no, I’m attributing too much humanity to a program! <
"Thank you."
"Of course."
"Citra. While I don’t mind continuing to hold your hand, I do think it may be wise to... how do kids say it now? Get it together?"
My hand jerks away with haste after I first froze at Sue’s words. Did she just do something to me? I still remember thinking about scratching and growling at her... why would I just calmly keep pressing into her palm? Hypnosis maybe?
"Are you okay?"
"F-fine. I’m fine."
"Hey. Look here."
Martha doubles down on her instincts, requesting with grandmothering force that I meet her face. She stares back at me for a bit and just nods.
"Okay. I think you’re just about done. I know you wanted to get through this all at once today, without being a bother to others. But you seem stressed and in need of something we can’t provide."
"I need what?"
"A hug from someone you trust and respect. Which right now isn’t us, even if you want it to be. And that’s fine."
Scrunching up my face, I finally look away from her. Is this supposed to be her ’Sight’ working? Well, I respect them. I respect all competent people and those trying to work towards being successful.
But she is right that I trust uneasily. And if we’re talking about people in this tower that I would-
"If we are hugging, I am afraid I have work to do. Ta-ta!"
Michelle leaves even quicker than Webber did. Huh. So if-
"If you ever want to get rid of her because she is bothering you, asking for a hug does work wonders."
"Sue, don’t sell out your friends that quickly."
Apparently no one is going to let me finish a thought. So I guess it really is time to just get to the point. Though I wished the other were here so I could see them agree. Or hesitate. Though they have all been pleasant...
> Have they all been pleasant to each other? I think so? <
"Martha. There was another reason that I actually called this meeting. I should not be the one managing this."
I point to the monitor showing the list of notes we took as we talked. Coven sizes and relationships, | Augment Pack | details, and really just all of that about my Apocalypse System.
"Frankly, I do not feel that I have the temperament to decide how this pool of energy should best be used. A resource you are all providing to it should at least have someone managing it from your side.
"So you want me to-"
"My intent was to see if it can perhaps be delegated to you through the system itself, if you are willing.."
Ah. I feel much better now. That I’ve gotten that off my chest.
...And that I got a turn in interrupting someone.