Mother of Midnight

Chapter 147 – Casual Introspection

Vivienne’s lips pressed into a thin line as she wandered through the city streets, a faint sense of disappointment creeping over her. She hadn’t spent much time walking through the town herself— most of her time on this strange, violent world had been spent running errands alongside Rava, and those moments often felt like they were over in the blink of an eye. But now, as she walked without the distraction of duties, she couldn’t help but notice the subtle shift in the way people reacted to her presence.

At first, there had been the immediate tension, the palpable sense of fear that clung to the air, making even the most mundane of interactions feel charged. She’d felt it in every step, tasted it in every breath she took. But now… it was different. The fear was still there, just beneath the surface, but it wasn’t the kind that gripped the heart and set the blood racing. It was softer, more muted, as if people had gotten used to her being here. There was still wariness in the air, sure, but it lacked the sharp edge that it had once had— the kind of fear that made them tremble in her presence.

On one hand, the fading fear from the people around her had its uses. It meant she could walk through the city without causing a panic every time she moved. But for the predator she had become, it was a disappointing shift. Her eyes flicked across the crowded streets, feeling that familiar hunger stir inside her. She missed the thrill of it, the pulse of terror that rippled through the air when her presence demanded attention. It was a heady feeling— a reminder of her dominance over the world, over the very beings who had the audacity to exist around her.

Perhaps there would be people deserving of it soon enough. Maybe someone would cross her path who would feel the full weight of her presence— someone who needed to be reminded that monsters still roamed the land. Then, perhaps, she could indulge herself, get away with a little intimidation, just for the fun of it. A special treat for her.

The thought lingered in her mind, but her frown deepened. Why did she hold herself back? There were plenty of reasons, of course, but none of them seemed satisfying to her. Survival, she supposed, was the first and foremost. She could likely get away with terrorizing the city— casting shadows over its peaceful streets if she kept herself hidden. If no one knew who she was or what she could do, then what would stop her from taking control in whatever way she saw fit? But that ship had long since sailed. The city was full of powerful people now, those who would retaliate in ways that wouldn’t benefit her. And she wasn’t stupid enough to take on every power that came her way.

The true reason, however, was something more personal. It was Rava. The tall woman who had become her constant companion, the one who’d shared the brunt of her time on this planet. She cared for Rava— maybe even more than she was ready to admit. And there was no way in hell she was going to jeopardize that, not when their bond was growing so steadily.

Rava was different from the others. Stoic, pragmatic, and far more measured than Vivienne, but she had a fire to her. A sharpness that kept Vivienne on her toes. It was far too easy to tease Rava— the woman was a bit too easy to crack. But even more than that, Vivienne had noticed something in her partner. Rava didn’t mind Vivienne’s more monstrous proclivities as long as they were directed properly, as long as they had a purpose. And that was enough for Vivienne to rein in the darker parts of herself.

Still, the dynamic was fascinating. Rava was a puzzle that Vivienne couldn’t stop working at, and the constant play between them— the challenge of pushing each other, even just in small ways— was exhilarating. Sometimes, it felt like there was more there. Something she couldn’t quite grasp but was teetering on the edge of understanding. The thought alone sent a strange ripple of warmth through her chest.

But there was something else, too. The conversation with her patron goddess had left a mark on her, one she hadn’t expected. Akhenna had managed to alleviate and add to her problems all at the same time. Despite the contradictions, there was comfort in it, the idea that some things were left behind, that the lives she had once known were beyond her reach. Yet, there was a hollowness that filled the space where those old connections had been, and she couldn’t help but wonder what might have been, what might still be waiting for her in the ashes of a past long forgotten.

It was a strange, conflicting feeling. Vivienne had come to terms with who— or rather, what— she had become. The woman she had once been felt like a distant echo now, swallowed by the power and instincts of the creature she was fused with. She liked it. In fact, she reveled in it. The primal side of her thrived, instinctive and fearless, free to do whatever she pleased without hesitation. She had changed— not just in form, but in how she saw herself and the world around her. It wasn’t death; it was evolution. She was no longer bound by the fears or limitations of her past self.

But it wasn’t all seamless. There were still traces of her old hobbies, her past life, that tugged at her. She remembered how she had loved watching movies, playing the occasional video game and drawing on her tablet until the early hours of the morning. But Nymoria just lacked everything for those. Sure, she could dabble in other things, find new ways to keep herself entertained, but some things, like her old crafts, were just... Difficult now, if not impossible.

Still, she was more than happy with who she was now. She didn’t need to look back.

She rounded the corner, the familiar sight of the bookstore coming into view. It had been a while since she last stepped inside, but there was something comforting about it. The air felt heavier with the scent of parchment and ink, a kind of soothing weight. The bell above the door jingled as she entered, and she immediately felt the familiar presence of Mizzra, the goblin who ran the place.

“I’ll be there soon!” came the voice from the back.

Vivienne waited, a quiet patience settling in as she leaned against the counter, her arms crossed. A few moments later, Mizzra appeared from behind a door, adjusting her spectacles as she made her way toward the front of the store.

“Ah, you’re back. It’s good to see you,” Mizzra greeted warmly, the same gentle smile on her face from their previous meeting.

Vivienne smiled back, offering a respectful nod. “Thank you. It’s been a while since I was here, so I wanted to check in. Have you made any progress with the printing press?”

Mizzra’s eyes twinkled, and she gave a small sigh, as though her answer was inevitable. “Ah, the press. Yes, somewhat. I sent the design to some of my sisters up north and have been told that they are working on schematics now. I received a letter regarding it a few days ago actually.”

Vivienne's interest piqued at the mention of the letter. “Really? That sounds promising. Any details on how they plan to build it, or are we still in the conceptual phase?”

Mizzra adjusted her glasses, the gesture deliberate, as if to buy herself a moment to gather her thoughts. “It’s still mostly conceptual, but they’ve made some adjustments based on my initial design. They’ve been experimenting with using aetheric runes to power certain parts of the press, rather than relying on purely mechanical means. It could make the whole process more efficient, but it’s... tricky. Artifice is an art, and something this precise is a challenge many goblins would relish in, so it will take time.”

“Understandable,” said Vivienne, offering a small nod of acknowledgment.

Mizzra adjusted her spectacles as she hopped up onto the high stool behind the counter, her sharp eyes gleaming with curiosity. “Do you… perhaps have any other ideas you’d be willing to share?” The question hung in the air, her excitement palpable.

Vivienne hummed thoughtfully, crossing her arms as her claws tapped against her elbow in a steady rhythm. Ideas weren’t exactly her specialty—at least, not ideas for practical things like machines. She had been a homebody and a painter, nothing close to an engineer. Still, certain bits and pieces from her old world’s history had stuck with her, and one particular invention nudged at the edges of her mind.

“What about an engine?” she muttered, almost as if testing the idea aloud before committing to it. Her eyes narrowed in thought. “I think I have an idea, but I can only give you a rough outline of how it works. This is far beyond my expertise.”

Mizzra leaned forward eagerly, her quill already in hand, poised to take notes. “Yes?” she prompted, voice tight with anticipation.

Vivienne exhaled slowly, trying to recall the details. She leaned against the counter, her long claws tapping rhythmically against the polished wood as she thought. "Essentially, you boil water in a sealed space, creating steam, and the steam’s pressure pushes something—usually a piston—back and forth. That motion can then be converted into a spinning force using gears or a crankshaft. You can use that motion to power all kinds of things—mills, saws, maybe even carts."

Mizzra’s eyes lit up with curiosity, her hand already reaching for a quill and parchment. "You mean... mechanical motion that doesn’t require constant manual effort or beasts of burden?"

"Exactly." Vivienne nodded, her lips curling into a smile. "It could power machines—things like mills, looms, or even vehicles. Back where I’m from, it revolutionized everything. Work that used to take days or weeks could be done in hours. Production rates soared, and people began building cities at an unimaginable pace."

Mizzra’s quill danced across the parchment, sketching out crude diagrams as Vivienne continued. "The key components are a boiler to heat the water, a sealed chamber for the steam, and a piston that moves under the pressure. You’ll also need some way to release excess steam so it doesn’t explode—pressure regulation, I think it’s called."

Pausing for a moment, Vivienne tilted her head thoughtfully. "Of course, this is just a basic outline. You’ll need to experiment a lot to figure out how to keep it safe and efficient. The tricky part will be finding materials that can withstand the heat and pressure. And honestly, this might be where aether could come into play. Maybe it could stabilize the whole system, or reduce the energy needed to keep it running."

Mizzra’s quill slowed as her sharp mind processed the implications of Vivienne’s idea. Her eyes flicked over her rapidly scrawled notes, already seeing the potential applications in industry, transportation, and even warfare. "A self-powered machine… This could change everything,” she said softly, almost to herself. Then, her gaze sharpened. “Can you give me any details on its construction?"

Vivienne paused, folding her arms as she leaned back slightly. The weight of the question lingered in her mind. She knew enough stories about meddling with things beyond one's understanding—how entire civilizations could be reshaped, for better or worse, by technological leaps. Was it wise to hand out knowledge from her world so casually? Would this spark some unintended revolution or unforeseen conflict?

And then, with a shrug, she promptly decided she didn’t care.

“The consequences can be for other people to handle,” she thought with a grin. She wasn’t here to babysit an entire society. If anything, she was here to have a little fun and see what happened. Besides, if things did spiral out of control, she figured it wouldn’t be her problem unless someone made it her problem.

She went over every detail she could recall from her foggy memory, speaking in broad strokes and vague gestures. Vivienne wasn’t exactly an engineer, but she knew enough about how steam engines worked to give Mizzra a rough concept to build on. The goblin, meanwhile, was relentless—eyes gleaming with excitement, quill flying over the parchment as though afraid she might miss a single word.

Mizzra’s curiosity was something else entirely. She didn’t just listen—she devoured every scrap of information Vivienne offered, her mind clearly whirring with possibilities and improvements. She asked a few rapid-fire questions here and there, and Vivienne answered as best she could, though she suspected half of her explanations were more instinct than actual knowledge.

By the time Vivienne finished, she felt drained—not physically, but mentally. There was something about Mizzra’s insatiable drive that made her want to retreat somewhere quieter, away from the intensity of that goblin mind at work.

Mizzra set her quill down at last, steepling her fingers thoughtfully. “And should this bear fruit,” she asked, her voice calm but edged with anticipation, “how much do you want for this idea?”

Vivienne leaned back slightly, tapping a claw against her arm as she considered the offer. Sure, she wanted books—they were always valuable, especially with how scarce knowledge could be here—but there was no way she was going to walk away from this without a little coin. Wealth was a goal, after all. Money opened doors, and doors led to opportunity.

She smiled faintly, her eyes gleaming. “I’ll take credit and access to your books, but let’s not pretend this isn’t worth something more tangible. If this engine idea works out, I’d expect a small share of whatever profits come from it. Nothing excessive—just enough to acknowledge my contribution.”

Mizzra tilted her head, clearly thinking it over. “You’re asking for a share of something that hasn’t even been built yet.”

“I’m asking for a share of something that could change everything,” Vivienne countered smoothly. “Also, only if it bears fruit. I’m not expecting funds just for a vague idea, nor am I asking for much. Say point one percent of the royalties.”

The goblin chuckled softly, impressed by Vivienne’s boldness. “I can work with that. A reasonable percentage if it turns profitable, plus the books and credit. Does that sound fair?”

Vivienne extended her clawed hand, her smirk widening. “Fair enough. Deal.”

Mizzra clasped her hand tightly, sealing the agreement. Despite her small stature, her grip was firm and steady.

“I’ll keep you informed of any progress,” Mizzra said with a gleam in her eye. “And if this does bear fruit, you’ll see your share.”

“Perfect.” Vivienne withdrew her hand, tail swaying lazily behind her as she stood. Wealth, knowledge, and credit—exactly what she wanted. If nothing came of it, she’d lose nothing. If it did, well, she’d be just a little bit richer. And that was always worth a gamble.

“Thanks for your time, Mizzra. I’ll check back in soon.” Without waiting for a reply, she turned toward the door, already thinking about her next move. Perhaps she could visit Lyssandro and see if that snake has any dirty work he wants done.

Today was looking to be a busy one.