This weird AN in the beginning of the chapter is brought to you by Narrator A, or simply, the Narrator.
*A white-gray-black landscape with several TV-like screens playing different scenes from Illusion (along with many random objects) begins to manifest. A blender floats across the room. For those who have yet to realize what has happened, this place is beyond the fourth wall.*
*Tricia appears in the room, confused and rather bewildered by the blender and the frying pan that follows it. After all, what could be more interesting than floating kitchenware?*
*A gray-black-white sort of humanoid figure appears in front of the Kaiko, crossing his/her arms. The figure thing is Narrator A.*
Narrator A: Author, could you please cut the stage direction-y narration?
*But I want to, that's the thing. Also, I prefer being called 'Author-sama'*
Narrator A (exasperated): The readers will get annoyed and stop reading.
*But they won't, that's the thing.*
Narrator A (slightly annoyed): Ok then, Author. Why did you bring Tricia here?
*That's Author-sama to you.*
*Tricia looks rather confuzzled by the conversation between the Author and Narrator A.*
Tricia: Does this have to do something with him, *gestures toward Narrator A*, or her, telling me to take over the narration right after the Hunter Exam?
*Yes, actually. By the way, I would appreciate it if you called Narrator A 'Aisel-chan'. Since, you know, calling someone by their position is kind of weird. Hence, I came up with 'Aisel-chan'*
Aisel-chan (annoyed) (to Tricia): Just ignore the honorific and call me Aisel.
Tricia: ...ok. Do you know why I'm here?
Aisel-chan: Actually, as far as I know, Author pulled you in here just to bump up the word count since she hasn't done ANYTHING *glares angering at sky. Geez, kids, don't do that at home or else you'll get wrinkles by the time you're 18* for ELEVEN of the FOURTEEN days we have to write this thing. Although, since the PoV has switched to first person, I'm no longer all that involved in the writing of Illusion.
Tricia: …?
*I also have the sudden urge to write a psychotic character for some reason, dunno why though.*
Aisel-chan: Explains why you dragged Cheriko into the story two chapters ago. Oh, you also have a psychotic character in your other failed fic, Michiyo Yoshikuni, no?
Tricia: ... Why does Author talk like Yuki?
*After writing Yuki for the past half year, Yuki's way of talking has slowly been absorbed by me. And Aisel-chan, you don't know how easy and fun psychotic characters are to write. It's awesome.*
Aisel-chan: You know, even after working with you for god knows how long, I still think you're mentally unstable.
*Thank you, I didn't ask for your opinion.*
Aisel-chan: I would consider therapy.
*OK! I crammed in an extra 486 words and I'm happy with that!* *wipes Tricia's memory and then wiskes her back over the fourth wall.*
Half an Hour Later
'Tricia! I thought you were going to die!' I heard as soon as I set foot in our room in Kelsi's realm. I frowned for a moment, feeling something off. I paused for a second then deciding that it probably had something to do with Kelsi's realm.
'Takuya and Nee-san were with me.' I replied. The draiknor pouted, clearly not approving of how the mini-argument was going.
'It's so serious that even Lennex and Takuya are participating in tomorrow's strategy meeting! I talk to Lennex and Gyro all the time via Magic and Mythics, but the last time I saw either of them was a year ago!' Yuki continued, adding on how infrequently Takuya and Hikaoki stopped by.
'Ok ok, by the way, you've already partially mastered the blades, right?' I asked, changing the subject, knowing that continuing said subject would lead to an hour long conversation.
'Yup! Since I've already gotten the basics of transmuting blades down, it should be too hard for you to learn it as well.' I signed, the thing about combined abilities was that I actually had to learn to transmute everything (using Yuki's nen instead of my own). I defiantly was not looking forward to it.
Learning to transmute something usually included involved interacting with the thing you want to transmute, and if the Yuki's bandaged arms told me anything, it was that I would be stabbing myself. Time to abuse the heck out of my regeneration.
Transmuting blades was hard. I came to that conclusion two hours and plenty of self-inflicted injuries later.
'Come on Tricia! You can do it!' Yuki cheered through a mouthful of Cup Noodles. 'You just gotta think about it really hard, and then, poof! Transmuted!'
I signed for the nth time. Transmuting something, even with Yuki's Transmuter nen, just didn't feel right like manipulating people did. I would compare it to drawing with your non-dominant hand in someone else's body with that hand as their dominant one. Lengthy explanation, though it got my point across just fine.
'Maybe I should ask Lennex for tips once he's back..' I wondered telepathically. Lennex was a Transmuter as well, and was somewhat better than Yuki at explaining.
'Hey! Don't forget about me! I'm a perfectly capable teacher.' Yuki said, protesting against my suggestion.
'Let me explain this in a different way then. Let's say that I have no idea how to use a bow so I come to you, who knows how to use one, to teach me. You then hand me a bow and arrow and tell me to shoot down a bird. I miss and then ask you to tell me how to hit the bird. You tell me to aim. Very helpful.'
'But it's true! Yona could've just aimed properly at the bird and then she could've skipped all the training that she had to go through!'
Prodigies. I sighed. If I remembered correctly, it had taken Lennex at least a couple of days or so in order to be able to transmute his explosions. Unlike Yuki, who took one day to do the same.
'Huh…' The blue-gray draiknor started, realizing something rather strange. 'Now that I think of it, isn't it kind of weird that both Lennex and Takuya are participating in the next strategy meeting, but Keiron isn't?' Keiron, full name Keiron Raecciv. Rank no. 5 among the Kaikos, age 24. He was the type of person that you expected to be in the Council, someone who would actually bother to read the first couple lines on the Terms and Conditions and take the time to follow proper procedures instead of butchering the rules like every other Kaiko.
In other words: 99% of Kaikos would (maybe) skim title page of a driving manual and then hop into a car with no idea how to drive while other 1% (Keiron) would at least read the entire thing. Keiron also had a near-perfect attendance with strategy meetings (or meetings in general) while the amount Lennex attendend could be counted on one hand (he had attended a grand total of two meetings, both of them he attended in order to (attempt to) lower tax rates. It would be bumped up to three if attended this one). Takuya was slightly better, for it would take two hands to count how many meetings had been to (six meetings, including this one.)
FYI, there have been a grand total of 136 meetings over the course of the past 7 years.
'Takuya said that he was off hunting down the other members; whatever he's doing must be pretty important in order for him to miss this meeting.' I relayed, then refocusing on transmuting blades. I sighed. Yuki told me I was becoming Hikaoki.
It was going to be a long six months.
God knows how long later
"Tricia, Yuki?" I heard after my (insert a large number) attempt at transmuting blades. I immediately recognized both the voice and the soft aura that enveloped the room.
"Hi Rina!" I called back. The raven-haired girl stepped inside, obviously noticing the tower of finished Cup Noodles, at least based on her expression.
"I was wondering if I could borrow your Hunter's License for a bit, just to check the Hunter site for any information." She continued. Rina's original goal had been to pass the Hunter Exam herself and then use the license to find any information concerning her younger twin siblings since they had been separated nine years ago. Three years ago during the war, she had been caught in an explosion and permanently blinded.
"Sure," I answered, pulling my license out from my side bag. "I'll go with you to Donotoshi to download some anime." Donotoshi happened have this one library that had fast and free wifi (along with fancy computers) so until Kelsi found a way to get wifi in the realm, all the Kaikos used that one library as wifi central. Yuki was dying to watch the next (unfinished)season of Boku no Hero Academia and I needed a break from futilely trying to transmute blades.
Rina took the license and with a quick word of thanks, then teleported us directly to Donotoshi. I heard Yuki scoff in envy; due to the nature of Rina's Hatsu she was able to see and understand most of the inner workings of Kelsi's realm and in turn was able to manipulate the teleportation. Only Rina and a couple of other sensors were able to perform the same feat.
The familiar alleyway next to Donotoshi's library martilized before me, snapping me back to reality. Along with the rather repulsive scent of garbage.
"What's up with Kelsi and alleyways?..." I wondered out loud while walking towards said library, "There's nothing wrong with abandoned buildings or rooftops…"
"I second that opinion." Rina tagged on.
"The entire clan approves of your decision. Minus Kelsi." I added, half-grinning at our semi-(sort of)indirect declarations of rebellion.
"Shall I ask for signatures?" The raven-haired sensor asked, offering to petition the idea.
"Something tells me Kelsi wouldn't approve…" I continued, "Where do I sign?"
I faintly heard both of our inner Yukis cackle like Yuki. Terrible analogy, but witches cannot compare to Yuki.
Walking into the library, Alice waved to us from behind the counter and 1) No, she is not robbing the place and 2) Yes, the sniper-bomber works in a library. Laugh all you what, but as Alice says: 'Property damage tends to take most of your paycheck. Especially if you blow up a skyscraper (or two) (or three) (or ten).' Both of us waved back and made a beeline for the computers before Alice blew up the library on us.
I saw Rina insert my Hunter License into a card scanner and type in the url for the Hunter website, then searching up the names of her siblings (Kasai and Hikari Hoshiko) in the search bar. Lists apon lists of unhelpful results appeared. She then switched to a different form of modified En, one that could pick up the color black.
Redirecting my attention to my own computer, I began the tedious task of downloading anime. I hate captchas, didn't help that the site I used upgraded from annoying captchas to supremely annoying captchas. Yes people who know which site I'm using, I was pirating pirated anime.
Five minutes later I unplugged my flash drive and joined Rina in her search for her younger siblings.
"I think I found something." Rina suddenly said. She clicked on a result that read 'ZEPHR Hoshiko Project.'
ZEPHR HOSHIKO PROJECT, The title said in all caps.
In effect August 25 x796 - October 2 x796
On August 25 x796, ZEPHR launched the Hoshiko Project, which included kidnapping several member of the Hoshiko clan for experimentation.
For more information, please transfer a total of 300,000 jenny.
"Well, we can say goodbye to Kelsi's wallet." Rina said rather cheerfully as I typed in the realm master's credit card number. As soon as the transaction was completed, the world faded around us as we entered a nen-created space.
"A bar?" I noted as I looked around. Smart of them to pull us into a nen created space, though. This way no one had a chance of eavesdropping.
"ZEPHR's Hoshiko Project was launched in hopes of researching the Hoshiko unique specialist/conjurer abilities and finding a way to use them for their own benefit." THe bartender explained as he offered us a cup of sake, which we politely refused. "The documents found at the site revealed that the twin clan heirs of the clan would be the main subjects; several other young members ranging from ages 2-13 were also held captive. Roughly one week after the project was launched, the 21 subjects escaped and burned majority of the building down. The current location of the subjects are currently unknown. It is speculated that the other members of the Hoshiko clan aided in the escape. None of the information that was collected during the project was salvageable."
The scenery around us disappeared once again as we returned to the library.
"Well," I noted, "that was particularly helpful." Rina had already known all of the that having been one of the subjects herself. "At least it wasn't our money."
"I may or may not have memorized Kelsi-dono's credit card number for future reference."
"Use it while you can, Alice's going on a shopping spree with the card next week.' Right after someone used a large enough amount of money that couldn't go unnoticed, Kelsi would cancel said card and open up a new one. Then someone good with computers (Yuki, Rina, Lennex, Karima, or me) would either be convinced or bribed into finding out leader's new credit card number. Rinse and repeat every few months. "Though it's not like three hundred thousand is a small amount anyways."
"Duly noted." The raven-haired girl responded. Both of us left the library rather quickly after that in fear of Alice's trigger-happy tendencies.
As soon we got back in the realm Yuki was already deleting the credit card receipt in hopes of delaying Kelsi for a couple more days.
'Done!' Yuki exclaimed as the draiknor leaned back in a roller chair. 'All records of any recent transaction erased. Hey Rina, how about a game of chess?'
'Sure.' Rina said, conjuring a chess board as Yuki plopped down across from the sensor.
'I call black.' The draiknor announced. Rina conjured the pieces in their appropriate places.
I sat down on the roller chair, prepared to enjoy a game of chess between the two self-declared rivals (by Yuki, of course). Yuki had yet to win a game against Rina, or even come close, for that matter.
'Checkmate.' Rina announced three minutes later. Yuki's non-existent brows furrowed.
'Speed of Light.' The draiknor said, moving the black king across the board. 'Check.'
Sooo… to make up for a clear lack of understanding about chess and long-term strategy, Yuki either made up ability names and used them or borrowed some.
Rina easily evaded the attack, turning the black king's unfavourable position against the piece.
'Consecutive Normal Punches.' The black queen knocked over Rina's bishop and rook.
This continued for almost an hour, Yuki getting increasing more and more creative until Rina managed to take out all of the transmuter's piece and checkmate the black king.
'GG Rina!' Everyone in the room minus Yuki sweatdropped. No matter how you looked at it, Yuki definitely had not played a 'good game'. 'I'll be sure to beat to you next time.'
AN
Nothing much to say really, other than the fact that I am terrible at writing 'filler' chapters were nothing much gets done other than getting to know the characters better and reading something light-hearted before stuff happens.
Me: OK! The Cultivation should be mostly filler, Yuki and Lennex pulling pranks, Kelsi sort of being a narcissistic jerk/brat, Tricia being sarcastic, Lennex pissing off Keiron because of his height, topped off with Takuya and Hikaoki being Takuya and Hikaoki.
Me while writing: Ok, first chap. Takuya and Hikaoki are always on missions, so it would be weird if they actually socialized for once. Tricia's going to join them on a mission. -Later- Wait, it doesn't make sense for Tricia to join them out of the sudden… Let's add some Phantom Troupe members into the mix! -Later- But it'd be boring if they didn't fight…. -Later- But it'd be boring if the Council didn't make a big deal out of this… -Later- But it'd be boring if I didn't reveal that Rina was blind…
-Later- What the heck did I just do.
Moral of the story: I can't write fluffy-ish-lighthearted-ish stuff without Yuki.
-Later- For the last bit of this chap I'm just shoving all responsibility on Yuki.
^^^This was no joke my thought process while I wrote the past three chapters. Now I'm figuring out all sorts of ways to involve Yuki with everyone so this arc doesn't turn into some kind of political nightmare.
Oh, there was an error in Tricia's profile. Under 'Relationships', you might have noticed that I wrote Blossom instead of Sakurami. :P Sorry about that, Sakurami's original name was Blossom so it still screws me up sometimes especially since she's a minor character and got maybe two paragraphs of screen time.
Profile of the day:
Rina Hoshiko
Alias: Tabby, Tabitha, 'Kitty'
Age: 14
Birthday: January 31
Height: 5' 3"
Weight: 46 kg (102 lbs)
Blood type: AB
Nen Type: Conjuror/Specialist
Description: Jet-black mid-length hair, once-blue cloudy eyes.
Hatsu: Creation
Skills:
None as of date
Occupation: Scouter/Sensor
Weapon of Choice: None
Relationships (the ones known/mentioned):
Hikari Hoshiko - Younger half-sister, twin brother Kasai (?)
Kasai Hoshiko - Younger half-brother, twin sister Hikari (?)
Sakurami - Current draiknor, former draiknor of her parent's friend (Alive)
Tricia Kaiko - Close Friend (Alive)
Sakiris Kaiko - Close Friend (Deceased)
Killuko Zoldyck - Close Friend (Deceased)
Yuki - Tricia's current draiknor, Sakiris' former draiknor, Close Friend (Alive)
Shiro - Tricia's former draiknor, Close Friend (Deceased)
Alice Ashita - Friend (Alive)
Kelsi Lukkel - Leader (Alive)
Karima Saijou - Superior/Comrade (Alive)
Sonar - Karima's draiknor, Comrade/Friend (Alive)
Hikaoki - Tricia's older sister, Acquaintance (Alive)
Other:
Half-Kaiko heritage: Has silvery-red blood (fast healing and immune to all diseases and poisons (except basilisk poison), cannot grow back limbs). Somewhat increased nen capacity, slightly increased speed, agility, and flexibility.
Half-Hoshiko heritage: Amazing memory, specialist ability to create anything they've seen before and understand how it works.
Soul Link: Can communicate telepathically with each other along with perceive what the other person/draiknor is experiencing. Increased nen capacity according to other person/draiknor's nen capacity (original capacity + other person/draiknor's capacity = current capacity). More advanced techniques are: Using each other's Nen abilities, combining Nen abilities, and swapping minds. Drawbacks: If the other person/draiknor dies, 50% of their soul and nen capacity will be permanently lost.