Perversions of the Flesh

Chapter 182: Rosalyn’s Goodbyes

Rosalyn Losenska

Rosalyn trudged her way through the streets of Korvas. It was disorienting. Her new eyes kept her fully appraised of everything going on around her, but nothing above or below her. Now and then she’d trip over a loose cobble she’d normally pick out. Kat, who’d offered to accompany her, had to catch her a couple times. Ann was off doing Ann things with Remmi. Probably earning a few more bruises, or a broken nose, or hand. She seemed to enjoy the time, though, so that was a good thing. Rosalyn couldn’t see how getting beaten up would be fun. Though, the few times she’d met Remmi, the woman had a contagious energy and zeal for fighting. Kinda like Kat, but older and stronger? A bit less refined, too, which was weird to say because Kat was anything but refined. Her fighting was, though. Maybe her mouth would catch up one day. Not that Rosalyn wanted her to change, cause she was great the way she was. Big ol’ dependable Katlyn. That was her girlfriend.

“Sorry,” Rosalyn mumbled as powerful hands caught her again.

“Nae. Ye’re fine,” Kat reassured. “Not long now until yer glasses’re ready.”

“Not even just that,” Rosalyn sighed. “For having to drag you with me because I can’t handle crowds. It stinks. I should be more used to this.”

Kat shrugged. “Don’t mind a bit. Gets me outta the goddamn palace. About the only thing I could convince the guard tae let me do.” She turned her head, glaring back at the gaggle of guardsmen behind them. They looked like a bunch of metal chicks following their mother.

“Yeah. Sorry.”

“Stop it,” Kat flicked Rosalyn’s nose.

“S… yeah. Dumb habit.”

“’S alright. Ye just don’t have anythin’ tae apologise fer. Soon enough ye’ll be in yer element an’ helpin’ much more.”

“Can’t wait.” Rosalyn felt a thrill run up her spine at the thought of being back in the wilderness. The smell of fresh snowfall, dirt, and trees filling her nose. It’d do her good.

While she couldn’t talk in Rosalyn’s mind yet, she got the distinct feeling that Xirali agreed. The satyr, as Ann had called her, was just as eager to get out of the city.

“Hey, um, do you mind me asking a question about your eye? I mean, I know you probably don’t, ‘cause it’s you, but still, politeness.”

“Go ahead,” Kat said easily.

“So, what’s it feel like to not have eyelids there? I still had mine when my eyes fell out, but you’ve just kinda got this hole. Does it still sting?”

Kat took a moment before answering. She did that sometimes. Her brain didn’t move quite as fast as Rosalyn’s when it came to figuring out sensations. Well, unless it was about fighting. Then she was excellent. “A bit odd, aye. I still try tae blink, but nothin’ happens. Definitely stings, an’ I’ve gotta make sure tae keep it clean. Glad that eyepatch’ll be done afore we leave.”

“Me too. Should help protect the socket.”

“And we’re here,” Kat said. “Ye’ve got the lead, oh honoured Druid.”

They’d arrived at the menagerie. It was time for Rosalyn to have her final lesson and leave Zidane behind. The thought clenched at her heart, but she soldiered forward. The clerks at the reception and ticketing area recognised her by now and directed her to Zidane’s location. She was out with the beasts. She liked being back there. A little like fieldwork in a controlled environment.

Rosalyn opened the doors to the glass enclosed nature reserve. Shimmering walls stood between them and all manner of exciting Warped. Dangerous and benign, everything was mixed together in an orderly chaos. Spotting her mentor, she took off at a jog, Kat following a respectful distance behind her.

“Zidane! I’m here!” Rosalyn called, not wanting to spook her teacher.

Zidane looked up from the plants she was working with. Silver hair framed her ageing face as she smiled and used her third arm to wave without stopping her work. “Rosalyn! So good to see you again! You as well, Princess Katlyn. Forgive this old scholar, but was our lesson not scheduled for tomorrow?”

Rosalyn came to a stop, crouching down next to Zidane and helping her with the gardening. It was simple work. Root out weeds, make sure the soil is properly proportioned, check the plants for any signs of damage or disease. She could do this while holding several conversations at once. “It was, but something’s come up, and I’m not gonna make it.”

“Oh? Can I ask what is so important?” Zidane asked with a chuckle.

“Well,” Rosalyn looked around, then lowered her voice to a whisper. “We’re getting out of here. Probably for a long time. Kat too. Problem is, her mom doesn’t want her to do that, so it’s all sorts of secret.”

Zidane’s eyes widened, then softened. “Ah, rebellious youth. I had a time such as that, long ago. Worry not, I will keep this between us. I appreciate the trust you show in me, young one.”

“Yeah, no problem,” Rosalyn shrugged. “So, what’cha workin’ on?”

“These are a new variant of the venomous Adder’s Tongue. Subdued by nutrients, so we are at no risk of harm. The enzyme they use for locomotion is significantly weakened when they are planted in soil rich in iron. Look here,” Zidane lifted a leaf gently. The plant looked fairly normal. It had a stalk that rose into a bulb, probably a flower, and several spade-shaped leaves sporting a mottled pattern of green and yellow. Revealed by Zidane was a set of burrs nestled under the leaves. “These are how they get to their predators. Normally, the stalks will whip out like a snake and smack you with one of their leaves. The burs will dig in, then inject the venom. There is some debate whether to designate this a poison or a venom, but since it delivers the toxin via an attack, and not passively, I argue the venomous side.”

Rosalyn looked closely at the burrs. They were small, brown, spiky balls much like what got into a sheep’s wool. “What does it need protecting from that would be affected by such small spines? Seems like they wouldn’t even get through our skin.”

“Rodents, mostly. Chittering Crawlers and other critters tend to love their bulbs as a snack. Occasionally something larger will come along, but like you said, their hides protect them. If they get a bur in the mouth, however, they will either wind up paralyzed for a time, depending on the dose received, or perish. Take, for instance, the Bristlebark. They have learned to stomp the plant flat with their long claws before gently snipping the bud off.”

“Interesting,” Rosalyn said, staring with wonder.

“Rosalyn, dear,” Zidane said carefully. “Did something happen to your eyes?”

“Oh, yeah, they kinda fell out, then these new ones came in. It’s like Kat’s scales. I’m sure you’ve heard about that if you weren’t there. They’re super cool and cute, but my vision is all sorts of messed up. Taking a bit of getting used to. Wendyl is making me some glasses to help, though. She’s awesome like that.”

“May I take a look?” Zidane turned fully to Rosalyn. “At you as well, Princess?”

“Uh, sure?” Kat said, ambling over from where she’d been pretending to take rapt interest in a stump. Silly Kat. It was just a stump.

“Oh my. I heard about your injury, but it is a fearsome sight,” Zidane gasped.

“It’s better than it was,” Kat shrugged. “Basically lost half me face.”

“I can see. Those will be distinct scars. Now, let me see you first, then you can get back to stump watching.”

Rosalyn giggled. Of course Zidane had noticed. The woman was awfully perceptive. Helped her take in everything about a plant or animal as she worked.

Kat turned her back, squatted down, then parted her hair. Zidane leaned in and gently massaged Kat’s neck, making the scales shimmer and move in the projected daylight. “Indeed. Dragon scales. Such small ones as well. Do they molt?”

“Not sure yet. Guess I haven’t had ‘em long enough yet.”

“Well, keep a hold of any that do. Powerful reagent, dragon scales. Both for enchanting and alchemical purposes. They’re rooted properly,” Zidane observed, lifting a scale to see underneath. “Enamel is lustrous, showing good health. Dermis and epidermis holding on tightly. Basal plate should be firmly secured under the epidermis. Completely rigid and resistant to any force, indicating the mythical strength of the dentine produced by a dragon. You are quite a specimen, Princess.”

“Not the first time I’ve heard that,” Kat laughed, “though probably the first time I’ve heard it like tha’.”

“Any other areas showing signs of growth?”

“Around me eyes,” Kat said, pivoting on the balls of her feet. “Well, eye. And the other where the scarring isn’t.”

“Hmm, I see,” Zidane murmured. “Mid stages, right now. Showing minor definition. Dentine and enamel are starting to generate under the epidermis, the skin, and should push out here… how long has this been happening?”

“Dinnae, couple weeks?”

“I’d say in the next week they should begin to fully form and push out.”

“Then this infernal itching will be over,” Kat sighed, scratching. Rosalyn smacked her hand away, and the princess glowered at her.

“I’m certain that will be a relief,” Zidane tittered. “Now, off with you. I need to assess Rosalyn.”

Kat nodded and strode over to a bench. She gave up the pretense of being interested in what was going on, and closed her eye.

“Quite the woman,” Zidane chuckled.

“I sure am a lucky one. Both her and Ann? Dunno how I did this.”

“Don’t look a gift mule in the mouth. Now come here and let me get a good look at those eyes.”

Rosalyn leaned forward, and Zidane’s gentle fingers prised her eyelids back. She fought the urge to flinch as the woman drew close.

“Hmm, similar to an ovine, but wider pupils. Goat, I would say. Or some variation. You don’t have a blind spot right here, do you?” Zidane held a finger up just in front of Rosalyn’s nose.

“Nope. Can see that fine,” Rosalyn confirmed.

“Then it is likely a goat’s eye. Sheep, ovine, possess a blind spot right in front of them. Now, this might just be because your eyes are front facing, while a sheep’s eyes are on the sides of their heads. That being said, the pronounced rectangular shape of the pupils speaks more to a goat. You’ve kept your coloration, which is nice, but also strange. Goat’s eyes tend to be a very light brown or blue. Yours are far darker, with the normal green striations.” Zidane covered one eye, resting her hand on Rosalyn’s face. “Let us see the reaction to the light. While we wait for it to adjust, tell me about your experience. From Annita’s speech, it sounds like these events are caused by a Warped entity latching on to your soul, correct?”

“Yeah,” Rosalyn nodded, then grimaced. She’d shaken Zidane’s hand off her eye in her eagerness, and sat still as the woman replaced it. “Sorry. So, right, Xirali. She showed up in my soul just before I got my eyes back. They’d fallen completely out a couple hours before. Boy, let me tell you, that was agony. Then terrifying. Then interesting? Bren got me checked out and said that the entire thing just kinda came out. Optical nerve and all. No clue what pushed them, either, since the sockets were empty. Maybe magical? Maybe the change or whatever we’re calling this manipulates the flesh to get rid of whatever’s in the way of what’s coming? I didn’t feel it, though. You’d think I would in such a sensitive spot.”

“And the entity, dear?” Zidane prodded.

“Oh, right. So, yeah. I got sucked into my soul when Eas showed up. I met Them, by the way. They’re… interesting. Quiet, fleeting, but comfy. I liked Them for the brief moment I got to see Them. Anyway, Xirali. Ann calls her a Satyr. I’d say she’s a goat Vulhardrin way past the point of being a natural one. She has full fur up to just below her belly, covering her hips, cloven hooves, the torso of a very slender woman to the point I thought they were a man for a minute. Her face is pretty, and generally kind. Bright brown eyes, and curly brown hair with cute little pointy horns sticking up out of it. All of that’s tangled up in vines and leaves that look fetching. Um… same eyes as I have now. Oh, right, and she’s really helpful in a kinda unsettling way? You know that feeling when someone’s being too nice and encouraging and you can’t help but think they’re doing that for something else because that’s too good to be true? Kinda like that. Still gotta figure out the deal with that. So, she offered to help me study warped, point out things that I might miss, since I’m not one, and just kinda tag along for the trip. We set up some rules. She’s not to take anything. She can’t make a mess of my soul, which apparently is this beautiful mountain and hillscape covered with trees and a river. While I’m busy doing stuff she’s not interested, she can play and do whatever in there to keep herself entertained. She really likes the river, and trying to catch fish in there. I wonder if she eats. If she’s like Waheela, then it’s probably energy more than actual food.”

Zidane nodded along, keeping her hand in place. “An interesting experience to say the least! It is good that you set limits with your new cohabitant. I would advise thinking of ways she might get around those limits. Like you said, those who appear helpful may not be what they seem. Should you end up in Indelholm, seek out the library. There are tales of tricksters there you should find helpful. Your friend Bren, did he assist with any of this?”

“Nah, this was just the first meeting. It was kinda an accident and I didn’t mean to wind up there, so we didn’t have time to plan, so Bren just got the postmortem. He seemed alright with what I said, so I kinda just thought it’d be fine. You’re probably right, though. I’ll talk it over with him later and see if there’s anything he can think of that Xirali might take advantage of. Oh! She can’t talk to me all the time yet like Waheela and the Dragon Kat won’t name — she really needs to do that at some point — but she’s giving me the feeling that she’s annoyed we’re being suspicious of her, which doesn’t make her any less suspicious. Heck, some people might find that more suspicious. Ugh. My brain isn’t made for this stuff. I just wanna cut things apart and figure out how they work!” Rosalyn grabbed her horns, self soothing the best she could. It all stressed her out, and she hated thinking about it.

“There there,” Zidane chuckled. “You have fine friends to support both your interests and your struggles. Now, before you go, I did have something in the works. Stay here. I will be right back.” Zidane stood, brushed the dirt off her work dress, and strode off towards the administrative building.

Rosalyn sat there, busying herself with caring for the Adder’s Tongues. She moved dirt around, made sure they had plenty of light, and found some weeds to pull. It was all basic stuff, but it grounded her thoughts. Heh. Grounded. She was working with dirt. 

She noticed one of the plants moving and took a closer look. It swayed gently, the stalk bending and twisting. It flared its leaves as it got close to her face, but it was slow enough that she had plenty of time to get away. The way the leaves folded away from the burrs to expose them was fascinating. Rosalyn couldn’t see any musculature, so it had to be something else internal. Maybe pressure, or fibre being shrunk? Kinda like a puppet on strings? That didn’t account for the stalk getting all twisty, though. That part Rosalyn was fairly certain could be attributed to the Warping.

Zidane returned and called Rosalyn over. She had a book with her. It looked big and heavy, bound in leather and with a couple clasps on the open end. “This, my dear,” Zidane said. “Is a journal.”

“Oh, but I’ve already got a journal. It’s all made of slate and paper. It’s really cool!”

“Not like this one, you don’t,” Zidane chuckled. She undid the clasps and let the book fall open. “Now, this is what’s known as a reference guide. It is an incredibly valuable tool for anyone studying in the field. Go ahead, take the charcoal and write out the name of a Warped you know of.”

Rosalyn did as she was told. Charcoal scratched against paper as she wrote the name Tumbletink. Before her eyes, words began to fill in the rest of the page. Diagrams of the shelled creature, its internals and behaviour, filled the page by themselves. Images of it rolling in its shell down a hill, making the tinking sound it got its name from, were there as well.

“Woah,” Rosalyn gasped, looking at it with awe. “I love it.”

“It doesn’t only work for ones you know the name of, either,” Zidane continued. “Write a description of the creature. Be that physical appearance, behaviour, or traits, and the guide will attempt to match that information to whatever is stored within the knowledge crystal. Be careful not to break that. It costs a small fortune, and will cause the book to stop working.”

“Shite,” Kat whistled, finally interested again. “That’s a rare artefact. How’d ye wind up wit’ it?”

“It’s been in the possession of the college for a while, gathering dust. I made the case that someone accompanying the Chosen of Orenous, someone who has a keen mind for studying these creatures, would see it put to good use. I can be quite convincing,” Zidane said, her lips curving up into a proud smile. “Now, is there anything you wish to ask before you go, Rosalyn?”

Rosalyn felt her chest squeeze tightly. Oh no. This was goodbye, wasn’t it? This is the part that was the worst! Ending something! She didn’t like this at all. Her lip was quivering, and her nose was starting to stuff up. Yup, there go the tears. “Thank you!” Rosalyn cried, placing the book down carefully and embracing Zidane warmly. “I promise… I promise I’ll do good with it. I’ll figure out so much I’ll teach you when I get back. Just you wait! I’ll send letters, too.”

Zidane smiled and just held her there, letting the tears run their course. She was good at that kind of thing. “Shhh,” she whispered. “I look forward to it. I still have a long time left in me. You better bring me back a journal full of new and interesting creatures.”

“I will!” Rosalyn wailed. Her tears just came back and kept flowing. “I’ll give… I’ll give it.. It all to you! You can publish it!”

“I may compile it, but it will be your name on this work,” Zidane said with a soft chuckle. “I want to see you thrive, Rosalyn. Make me proud.”

“I will,” Rosalyn said again, sniffling and wiping her nose on her sleeve. Carefully, she put herself back together. “I… I’m bad at goodbyes.”

“It’s not a goodbye, but a farewell for now. We will see each other again. Some day. I can’t wait. Now, go. Take care of your friends. I’m sure Katlyn will need it more than she expects.”

Nodding, not trusting her words, Rosalyn gathered her things and retreated. Kat joined her as they walked, but didn’t say anything. As they reached the door, Rosalyn turned back and saw Zidane still watching them. She gave a small wave, which her teacher returned, and then they were through the door.

“Hard part’s over,” Kat said, hugging her close. “Know that was tough.”

“Yup,” Rosalyn said. She felt exhausted, and it was only around lunchtime. “I’m gonna do it, though. Going to make her proud.”

“That’s me lamb,” Kat laughed, ruffling her hair.