Bent World: Chapter 16 Summer Plans

Chapter 16

Summer Plans

(Beginning of Summer Break, Age 7)

When I first heard about the practices of these people of Earth07, that of taking their kids out while they were young to be exposed to rifts powers, I was originally horrified.

To think that a family would willingly subject their children to harsh surges of energy that would cause mutations at a cellular level on purpose seemed counterintuitive. Yet, after having witnessed the effects firsthand, I cannot refute the success.

My muscles feel both tighter and somehow lighter at the same time. If I had to guess, I would assume that the cell adhesion molecules, that is the cadherins and integrins have been condensed to a more stable state. But I don’t know how this is possible.

The result is clear, I get tighter muscles that weigh less, are more durable, and allow for greater range of motion. Personally, I cannot imagine where this will go in the future, but these changes that are happening to my body are amazing. If I was in my old world, I would go and try to have the entire process analyzed. Everything from the molecular structures being created or forced by the cells, to how they easily regenerate and replace themselves.

There is a drawback in that I am almost constantly hungry. At least I am always hungry in comparison to how I was in my past life, but this is slightly different. I can still manage the hunger, it is not all consuming, at least not yet. But for a barely developing world, the lack of food could be an issue. Well, it possibly would have been an issue had it not been for all the excess meats gathered from rift conquests.

Yes, we ate radiated meat, and it tasted great. The food was magical, there was no other way to describe the effects of the food. At first there was a faint tingling sensation that rift meat produced in my mouth as I ate it. I didn’t know at the time, but apparently it was taboo for children in general to eat any meat until after their profiling ceremony.

Of course, there was a reason for boys not eating meat until after their profiling ceremony. The main reason being that until the profiling ceremony, most children wouldn’t have been exposed to enough rift energies to ensure they survived eating the tainted food. I didn’t even realize it, but it wasn’t until last summer that Auntie started handing me small doses of jerky. Jerky that I instantly gobbled up.

With Auntie there, I assumed she was on hand to watch and see if I had any allergic reactions to meat, which I didn’t. I remember looking back at her staring gaze in confusion wondering why she was monitoring me so closely, only after that did, she look embarrassed and turn away. Fortunately, Sarina was there to tell me exactly what had happened and why Auntie was so concerned with me after eating the delicious jerky.

“You are an odd one,” Sarina began delicate as ever with her ability to jump right into any conversation.

“I am?” I replied.

“Yeah, you ate that jerky without any reactions whatsoever.”

“Is that odd?”

“It is, I know I had haves for a day after my first time eating meat,” Sarina began, then glancing around conspiratorially, she had a mischievous smile crest her face as she leaned in to tell me a particularly juicy story, but only after she confirmed the coast was clear. “Your mother, current matriarch of the family, had the poops.”

“Eww,” I retorted.

“For a week!”

“I really didn’t need to know this,” I protest.

“Yeah, when you didn’t have a reaction, I could have almost sworn you were on of those doppelgangers, the way you ate the tainted meat without having any reaction at all.”

At that comment I paused and stared at her. Did she know? Was she onto me? Apparently, my face must have given away my inner thoughts as she just chuckled and laughed.

“Relax, your Auntie and I have been with you every moment of your life. We would know if you weren’t you, which you are.” Sarina replied, she still paused when saying Auntie as if she was relaying a minor curse word, or taboo subject. Yet, around me, Sarina seemed to have no filter. It is what I loved and hated about talking to her. I would get everything explained to me, even the parts I did not want to hear.

There was an awkward pause, before I changed the subject.

“So how are you dealing with our new living conditions?” I asked.

We had moved, or possibly kicked out from the west wing of the mansion grounds and been forced to move to one of Auntie’s summer cottages. The move was temporary, as this would be our summertime retreat, which apparently was a common occurrence for boys, though generally this shift happened a lot later. This was a custom meant to preserve the chastity of the male during their teenage years. The idea being that males would apparently mate with anyone and everyone they could, when they were going through such physiological changes.

While the primary concerns were not really an issue, at least not at this time, this move was made to make my summertime excursions easier to hide from the staff, and most importantly from my little sister.

Hearing my question, I could instantly see the air within Sarina deflate as she seemed to reluctantly accept her fate.

“Yeah,” Sarina huffed out, letting that one word carry the weight of all her emotions. Then finally, she continued, “I mean, I knew that this would eventually happen. I knew that eventually we would be moved out here to protect your modesty, but I figured it would happen after you hit puberty. Or at least, I figured we would wait until after your profiling ceremony.”

It was clear that Sarina was hurt about being kicked out of the mansion, and by now I think I understood the reason why. Namely it was due to Sarina wanting to be closer to my mother, at least that is what I think the hangup with this whole separation was. Though honestly, I gave up trying to truly understand Sarina long ago.

“It’s only for the summertime, then we will head back,” I reply, trying to lessen the sting. Sarina just nods in agreement for a moment, before speaking.

“I know, and I also understand the reason why we must come out here.” Hearing her speak I raise an eyebrow, which she takes as confirmation to continue. “It’s so your sister, Pandaline, doesn’t see you getting into and out of the family estate and into the same vehicle that she is riding in.”

Hearing her speak, I realize that Sarina does know the plans and reasons behind them. Personally, I think having Sarina know about this is a bit of a strain, as I’m sure she would likely confess to this and more if pressed, but I cannot refute the fact that she is devout to the family, and to me. As such I have not protested my concerns to others and have done what feels like a moderately decent job of keeping my thoughts to myself on this matter. That said, I have grown rather fond of Sarina, quirks and all.

“I’m assuming mother wanted this?” I pose as a question, wondering just how much information I can tug out of Sarina.

“Yes, seeing the effects that these excursions have had on you, a simple male, your mother knows that the effects could be double for a true Andry female. Thus, the want to keep this practice going with at least Pandaline, and more than likely to include your younger sister, Trinity.”

As she spoke, she never took her eyes away from me, as if her eyes were looking to see if I had any reaction to the notion that I would effectively be used as a power leveling device for my sisters. All while, I just stayed back, played the role of a Pathfinder and directed us to the minor rifts we were allowed to interact with.

“I figured as much,” I replied. I needed to say something, for it was clear that Sarina would just stare at me, as if trying to get me to confess to something, with her gaze.

“Yeah, I still don’t quite know what they want with you there though?” She pressed, and that was where her awkward stare came from. She was trying to get me to explain that I was apparently a Pathfinder, whatever that means. But I knew not to tell Sarina anything that I didn’t want a dozen people to know about, while I kept quiet.

“Hmm, good question.”

There was an awkward pause, as she evaluated just how far to push this conversation but ultimately decided against going any further. Instead, she changed the subject entirely, and went onto the next subject that was clearly bothering her.

“Well, while we are here, I am to see you in your battle gear and make note when any alterations might need to be made, so go on, put on your gear and come back so we can see what we have to work with.”

Hearing Sarina’s orders, I took in a deep breath and went to my room, putting on my leather outfit and tried to fit into the pants. Pants that had apparently shrunk over the course of the year. Even my odd and padded halter top didn’t fit either.

Sarina who had apparently joined me at some time, just glanced at the uniform in question and shook her head.

“Yeah, that’s not going to do at all, looks like we will need to get you a new everything. But first try on the mask.”

With her instructions, I also tried on the mask, only to find that it was oddly painful.

“Yeah, new everything, one second, let me get the tape measure and we will get new sizes made.”

And like that, Sarina took my measurements and put in an immediate request to have my uniform made. She seemed particularly happy that this was coming out of Auntie’s secret stash of funds, meaning this was for her personal projects.

***

The new uniform came in, and fortunately it did cover everything from head to toe. Even my midriff had a slight one-piece undergarment made that helped from exposing my stomach to the world. I still felt awkward wearing what was effectively women’s clothing, but I dealt with it the best I could.

Oddly enough, I was pretty sure that the under suit I was wearing was a form of nylon that had been readily provided from my home world. Nylon that had been taken and altered to meet this world’s evolving creation processes.

As part of the new summer training routines, my plans for the day had drastically altered. Rather than being able to wait until what was effectively the last minute, get dressed and run out to meet Auntie in the car driven by Ceecee. Now, I would have to get dressed, run a mile down unused streets and wilderness paths, until I got to the main road, where I would then have to wait for Ceecee to pick me up.

For a moment, I was afraid I had missed Ceecee. That was the directive given, if I was late, then I would be left and would have to join the next excursion. I didn’t think this would be true, as I made finding the actual rift locations easier, but I didn’t want to push matters, especially not on the first day.

Rumble.

Then just when I thought I might have missed my ride, that’s when I saw a stream of dust rising in the sky off in the distance. Where after a moment, I could see the unmistakable sleek black design of the family vehicle. Well, I think this was Auntie’s vehicle that was also used for the kids, as I was pretty sure that mother had her own, so she could tend to her own problems separately.

The car stopped, and I could almost see Ceecee’s hands flinch as she fought against her impulse to get out of the car and open the door for me. It was subtle, but still there.

I opened my own door and climbed in, finding my normal sitting location taken up by a rather small form dressed up in layers of protective leather, and wearing a leather mask. Instantly, I knew that this person before me was Pandaline, as I could almost feel a deep personal connection to her, though I couldn’t explain why.

“Take a seat,” Auntie said gesturing to the spot next to Pandaline, this is the area where Sarina traditionally sits, when she rides with me to school.

I nodded and silently took my seat. Once I am seated, the car begins to move again, while Auntie begins to go over the rules for today.

“This is Pathfinder,” Auntie began by talking to a nearly cowering Pandaline. Pandaline for her part just nodded her head in agreement. “Very good, we do not speak, ever in these excursions. If I hear you speak, you will be done with this for the week and will have to try again next week. If I hear you talk twice, that is it, you are done for the summer, any questions?”

With that Auntie looked from a now visibly, albeit minorly trembling Pandaline to me, we both shake our heads no.

“Very good, Pathfinder and the others that you will meet have already done this for a year now, and as you can see the results of these excursions are readily apparent. Pathfinder here is only two years older than you, and has not yet gone through their profiling ceremony.”

Gasp.

Not quite a spoken word, but close, as I could hear Pandaline suck in a deep breath at that comment. I honestly didn’t think too much about it, as I was two years older, but apparently there were a lot of changes. I did have muscles, but that was to be expected with the amount of daily training I put in.

“Good, it seems you understand why we have agreed to let you join us this summer,” Auntie continued, this time she was only speaking to Pandaline. “You are the youngest, and it is only because I am the leader of this excursion that you are allowed to go at all, do I make myself clear?”

Head nod.

“Good, with that out of the way,” Auntie stated as she shifted her focus and began looking directly at me. “You will find that this is a smaller and more intimate grouping than we had last year. Last year, you were one of eight, now with the future Matriarch of the Andry family here, you will be one of four.”

“You will find that the future Matriarchs for the Jaupry and Oteranski families will also be in attendance. With fewer people, we needed to become a bit more creative with our guards. So, in addition to personal guards,” Auntie continued speaking, this time gesturing behind her to the large bulking female that sat in the passenger seat of the vehicle. “We will also force our drivers to join us in these excursions. Normally, this would mean you who have neither a driver nor a personal guard available to them would be excluded from these excursions. But fortunately for you, the Jaupry and Oteranski families both wished for you to come, as such I will be your guard and the raid leader, any questions?”

We both shook our heads no.

“Very good, then know that despite the driver, and Lady Andry’s personal guards both being there for her protection, you will also be tasked with keeping her safe at all times. This is what it means to be a subject to your lord and master.”

I nod in agreement.

“Very well, if there are no more questions we are nearly at our destination.”

By now I could already feel the odd currents of energy filling the air. It wasn’t terrible, but enough to let me know that there was a slight barometric pressure. Out of habit I tried to touch my head through my mask, only to find that it was the worst idea ever. For now my skin came to life in that odd way that can only be described when you know you can’t touch a part of your body directly.

Seeing my response, Auntie asked, “you can feel it already?”

I nod.

“Good, then these events aren’t a complete waste after all, Pathfinder.”

Then like that we got to the meeting site, disembarked and I began to see what changes the last year had on Lady Oteranski and Lady Jaupry.

They were huge, far taller than I remembered them being. Looking at them, I honestly thought I had caught up to them in height. However, I was still smaller than both girls, who almost looked to be near the size of full-grown adults. Well smaller full-grown adults that had never experienced the adaptations caused by rift energies.

For a moment I can only complain to myself, until I realize the facts. They are both at least two years older and have both clearly gone through their profiling ceremonies.

Actually, I wonder if the profiling ceremonies would do either of them much good right now? Then I instantly dismiss that thought, before going on with why we are all here.

All of the drivers are out, and the personal bodyguards, they are both the two main explorers from last summer. These were the ones that Auntie would send ahead to scout in directions I indicated. Seeing that both of those combatants were here, I felt a bit better about this trimmed down scenario.

Then before I could fully wrap my head around the fact that we were going to do this with half the number of children, but roughly the equivalent number of guards, the oddest thing happened.

SQUEAK!