Having since removed her heeled boots - accompanied by a tinier pair with paw prints on the soles - Somjit entered the dojo hallway, her felinoid familiar, Chaniporn, trailing behind at her feet. She wasn't particularly dressed for sparring at the time, donning a red sweater with a V-neck and torn skinny jeans. Chaniporn, on the other hand, was always ready to throw down, but knew it probably wasn't the time for that. Probably.
Then, they heard activity from the east dojo. As Somjit had been informed by her trainees earlier over comnet messages, she'd come to that place to meet them. And, to her relief, she still found them there. It was less of a manhunt than she had worried about. Less of her precious time used up.
The door slid open with a manicured hand, her eyes creasing in contentment. She hadn’t flinched at seeing a dragon there – it was all in a day’s work in her life. She’d been here long enough.
”Hello-o,” she almost sang, her voice an androgynous alto. ”Ah, you two must be my darling trainees, yes?”
It was cracked open wide enough to show her full height and frame, but also wide enough that Chaniporn could stick her head through.
”I’m a trainer, too! So, it’s like one for each of you, myeah?”
”We will work together,” Somjit said, verbally nudging her familiar. ”As agents should.”
A sigh came from her, but was quickly followed by a friendly smile.
”So. Isaiah and Eclipse, was it?”
Then, they heard activity from the east dojo. As Somjit had been informed by her trainees earlier over comnet messages, she'd come to that place to meet them. And, to her relief, she still found them there. It was less of a manhunt than she had worried about. Less of her precious time used up.
The door slid open with a manicured hand, her eyes creasing in contentment. She hadn’t flinched at seeing a dragon there – it was all in a day’s work in her life. She’d been here long enough.
”Hello-o,” she almost sang, her voice an androgynous alto. ”Ah, you two must be my darling trainees, yes?”
It was cracked open wide enough to show her full height and frame, but also wide enough that Chaniporn could stick her head through.
”I’m a trainer, too! So, it’s like one for each of you, myeah?”
”We will work together,” Somjit said, verbally nudging her familiar. ”As agents should.”
A sigh came from her, but was quickly followed by a friendly smile.
”So. Isaiah and Eclipse, was it?”
Isaiah and Eclipse were in the dojo practicing, it had been so long since they had to do anything together, so long that they had to fight together mostly. They felt so rusty. Their reaction times felt slow and even though their telepathic connection was strong, their coordination felt so weak. Granted they were switching back and forth with each other but their control over each other's body was slow and they kind of hated it.
"Still too slow." Isaiah said, hitting Eclipse in the back with the wooden training sword. "Again!" He exclaimed, quickly spinning out of the way and managing to dodge every attack Eclipse threw at him. "Come now kitten, you can do better than that. You need to relearn how to use my eyes as your own." He coaxed.
Eclipse huffed then stepped back and swung her wooden sword in the direction of the sound of Isaiah's footsteps, the sound of another sword blocking the attack. She then stepped back and rushed at him again, swinging in the opposite direction before quickly turning around and hitting Isaiah in the side and stepping back again.
"Good! But you have to keep pushing forward. Every step back can leave you open to your opponent. Offense and defense together, use your ears, listen to everything around you, feel the vibrations in the ground. Or at least try, the enemy's footsteps are either loud or distant, they can come from either direction." Isaiah explained, moving around her, gently tapping her side with the sword. "Utilize your speed, you got that enhancement for a reason didn't you?"
Eclipse nodded, listening closely to Isaiah's words, letting him hit her side so she could get used to the directions he was coming from. Hearing the door slide open and someone call out, she and Isaiah both stopped in their movements, their attention turning to the multiple voices.
"That's enough, take a break, beloved." Isaiah said, walking over and taking Eclipse's sword from her, then walking over to their bag and grabbing a bottle of water, handing it to her. "I see you managed to find us." He says, sitting on the mat beside Eclipse, nodding to both Somjit and Chaniporn.
"Yeah, I'm Isaiah and this is my partner Eclipse." The Anubian jackal dragon introduced, pointing to himself then to the chubby woman beside him who waved but looked passed them, yet in their direction at the same time.
"Hello." She greeted, drinking some of the water as she tried to relax and catch her breath. "Are you two the ones who are going to mentor us?" She asked, tilting her head curiously.
"Still too slow." Isaiah said, hitting Eclipse in the back with the wooden training sword. "Again!" He exclaimed, quickly spinning out of the way and managing to dodge every attack Eclipse threw at him. "Come now kitten, you can do better than that. You need to relearn how to use my eyes as your own." He coaxed.
Eclipse huffed then stepped back and swung her wooden sword in the direction of the sound of Isaiah's footsteps, the sound of another sword blocking the attack. She then stepped back and rushed at him again, swinging in the opposite direction before quickly turning around and hitting Isaiah in the side and stepping back again.
"Good! But you have to keep pushing forward. Every step back can leave you open to your opponent. Offense and defense together, use your ears, listen to everything around you, feel the vibrations in the ground. Or at least try, the enemy's footsteps are either loud or distant, they can come from either direction." Isaiah explained, moving around her, gently tapping her side with the sword. "Utilize your speed, you got that enhancement for a reason didn't you?"
Eclipse nodded, listening closely to Isaiah's words, letting him hit her side so she could get used to the directions he was coming from. Hearing the door slide open and someone call out, she and Isaiah both stopped in their movements, their attention turning to the multiple voices.
"That's enough, take a break, beloved." Isaiah said, walking over and taking Eclipse's sword from her, then walking over to their bag and grabbing a bottle of water, handing it to her. "I see you managed to find us." He says, sitting on the mat beside Eclipse, nodding to both Somjit and Chaniporn.
"Yeah, I'm Isaiah and this is my partner Eclipse." The Anubian jackal dragon introduced, pointing to himself then to the chubby woman beside him who waved but looked passed them, yet in their direction at the same time.
"Hello." She greeted, drinking some of the water as she tried to relax and catch her breath. "Are you two the ones who are going to mentor us?" She asked, tilting her head curiously.
Just as Somjit opened her mouth to speak, her familiar barged into the dojo and stood to her height of three feet.
"Myeah! We shared messages over the comnet. We were assigned to you guys since you're a team. Like us!"
She gestured readily between herself and Somjit, who relented to letting Chaniporn do the introductions. She stepped inside, revealing her figure to be skinnier than she first seemed. She didn't look frail - the scars on her face and what was visible of her flat chest spoke otherwise. Still, she seemed dainty. Whatever she was in combat, it was apparent she was usually in the back.
"Let's make this meeting official. I'm Chaniporn, but you can call me Porn for short," the feline said. The 'p' sounded like an English 'b' and the 'ch' sounded like a 'j.' "This is Somjit, my summoner. We go waaaay back. Don't we, Somjit?"
The summoner nodded, peaceful in her composition. Her hands folded together as her arms were bent at the elbow.
"That's right. I remember when you first came to me."
There was fondness in her voice, which betrayed her previous tone with Chaniporn. There was the distinct affection of a mage for their familiar.
She turned to the two before her, face hardened by scars and short, thick brows. However, she exuded patience.
"But let's talk about you two. How are you both holding up? Is there anything more we can provide for you? Perhaps accommodations or any more information about the Agents of the Multiverse you need? I know that adjusting to the existence of the multiverse is. . . a trial. But it is one bested with others."
"Myeah! We shared messages over the comnet. We were assigned to you guys since you're a team. Like us!"
She gestured readily between herself and Somjit, who relented to letting Chaniporn do the introductions. She stepped inside, revealing her figure to be skinnier than she first seemed. She didn't look frail - the scars on her face and what was visible of her flat chest spoke otherwise. Still, she seemed dainty. Whatever she was in combat, it was apparent she was usually in the back.
"Let's make this meeting official. I'm Chaniporn, but you can call me Porn for short," the feline said. The 'p' sounded like an English 'b' and the 'ch' sounded like a 'j.' "This is Somjit, my summoner. We go waaaay back. Don't we, Somjit?"
The summoner nodded, peaceful in her composition. Her hands folded together as her arms were bent at the elbow.
"That's right. I remember when you first came to me."
There was fondness in her voice, which betrayed her previous tone with Chaniporn. There was the distinct affection of a mage for their familiar.
She turned to the two before her, face hardened by scars and short, thick brows. However, she exuded patience.
"But let's talk about you two. How are you both holding up? Is there anything more we can provide for you? Perhaps accommodations or any more information about the Agents of the Multiverse you need? I know that adjusting to the existence of the multiverse is. . . a trial. But it is one bested with others."
"A good counselor would be ideal." Eclipse said, relaxing on the floor with her legs crossed, humming softly, taking another sip of water. "I think it would be best if we got one." She said, looking pass Isaiah, who was staring at her incredulously.
Isaiah sighed, rubbing his temples. "Yes, a counselor and accommodations. Maybe some place sound proof and accessible for Eclipse due to her being blind. I can lead her around myself but having a place that's easy to navigate alone would do her wonders." He said, pulling her close and gently stroking her hair.
Eclipse sighed and laid her head on Isaiah's shoulder, her brows furrowing as she tried to figure out what to ask about. "Uhm, we've been holding up well enough I think. We've been keeping ourselves busy, doing odd jobs here and there to help with money." She says, humming softly.
"I guess one question we have is..."
"How does the corruption work? Does anyone know how or why it's caused? Does anyone know how people are just... pulled away from their world? We remember seeing a portal manifest in front of us. Are we given specific types of equipment when we're assigned a mission?" Isaiah asked curiously, tail swaying gently.
Isaiah sighed, rubbing his temples. "Yes, a counselor and accommodations. Maybe some place sound proof and accessible for Eclipse due to her being blind. I can lead her around myself but having a place that's easy to navigate alone would do her wonders." He said, pulling her close and gently stroking her hair.
Eclipse sighed and laid her head on Isaiah's shoulder, her brows furrowing as she tried to figure out what to ask about. "Uhm, we've been holding up well enough I think. We've been keeping ourselves busy, doing odd jobs here and there to help with money." She says, humming softly.
"I guess one question we have is..."
"How does the corruption work? Does anyone know how or why it's caused? Does anyone know how people are just... pulled away from their world? We remember seeing a portal manifest in front of us. Are we given specific types of equipment when we're assigned a mission?" Isaiah asked curiously, tail swaying gently.
"And you shall be provided one," Somjit offered with a flourish of her hand, once she had shut the door behind her. "Separately, if you so prefer. We have a few that are all specially trained - even some that are psychics. We have both psychologists and psychiatrists, so you can both attend therapy and have your medicinal needs tended to."
Chaniporn was next to speak, crossing furry forelegs as 'arms' over her chest, which was clothed with a red bandeau. Her little leggings comfortably rose to her midsection - despite her fur.
"Oh, you'll be given an apartment you can share, sure! The more people who can share it, the better. But that's besides the point. If you need accommodations, you can ask the tech team to outfit your apartment with assistant. . . assistive devices? I forgot what our friend called them. But stuff like talking clocks, oven thermometers, braillers. . . all sorts of stuff.
"I can guarantee the med-bay will also be happy to have you fitted for a cane, if you need it. As for your other questions. . ."
Somjit clarified, "Those portals are called 'Rifts,' and they are torn open by the Corruption. They are chaotic in nature, warping reality around them, and allow the Corruption to spread. Typically, they are to be sealed using Temporal Needles. However, on some worlds, we have stabilized Rifts known as 'Gates.' These are used to help keep a world stable by acting as an entrance and exit point for missions, among other activities."
Chaniporn nodded along to Somjit's words. Then, she spoke up herself, raising a paw to the back of her neck.
"I'm afraid we don't exactly know why it's happening or how it's spreading so fast. The survivors a world does have, when they're pulled through a Rift, usually go through to a Nexus, such as Sanctuary. We're still not sure why that is."
"But you won't be dealing with Rifts unprepared on missions," Somjit added. "There is special gear one wears when dealing with Rifts. The P.I.E. It stands for 'protection against interdimensional energy.' Essentially, it will be your armor."
From a raised paw, Chaniporn lifted an index finger.
"That's not all, though! There exists tools to help keep small areas protected against the Corruption. Some of these areas are Enclaves. Basically, they're little camps we have on a world while we scope things out. Usually, they're left behind by a species called World Walkers." She gestured with a paw above her eyes, as though shielding them from the sun as she looked about. "For the thing we use to keep a small place safe, uh. . . it's a bit morbid. But we have Beacons that hold a piece of a Walker's bone. They're the same species as one of the Guardians here. Her name is Krepta. You might see her around, but she's very busy. Very, very busy. But I'm sure you can still say 'hi!'"
Chaniporn was next to speak, crossing furry forelegs as 'arms' over her chest, which was clothed with a red bandeau. Her little leggings comfortably rose to her midsection - despite her fur.
"Oh, you'll be given an apartment you can share, sure! The more people who can share it, the better. But that's besides the point. If you need accommodations, you can ask the tech team to outfit your apartment with assistant. . . assistive devices? I forgot what our friend called them. But stuff like talking clocks, oven thermometers, braillers. . . all sorts of stuff.
"I can guarantee the med-bay will also be happy to have you fitted for a cane, if you need it. As for your other questions. . ."
Somjit clarified, "Those portals are called 'Rifts,' and they are torn open by the Corruption. They are chaotic in nature, warping reality around them, and allow the Corruption to spread. Typically, they are to be sealed using Temporal Needles. However, on some worlds, we have stabilized Rifts known as 'Gates.' These are used to help keep a world stable by acting as an entrance and exit point for missions, among other activities."
Chaniporn nodded along to Somjit's words. Then, she spoke up herself, raising a paw to the back of her neck.
"I'm afraid we don't exactly know why it's happening or how it's spreading so fast. The survivors a world does have, when they're pulled through a Rift, usually go through to a Nexus, such as Sanctuary. We're still not sure why that is."
"But you won't be dealing with Rifts unprepared on missions," Somjit added. "There is special gear one wears when dealing with Rifts. The P.I.E. It stands for 'protection against interdimensional energy.' Essentially, it will be your armor."
From a raised paw, Chaniporn lifted an index finger.
"That's not all, though! There exists tools to help keep small areas protected against the Corruption. Some of these areas are Enclaves. Basically, they're little camps we have on a world while we scope things out. Usually, they're left behind by a species called World Walkers." She gestured with a paw above her eyes, as though shielding them from the sun as she looked about. "For the thing we use to keep a small place safe, uh. . . it's a bit morbid. But we have Beacons that hold a piece of a Walker's bone. They're the same species as one of the Guardians here. Her name is Krepta. You might see her around, but she's very busy. Very, very busy. But I'm sure you can still say 'hi!'"
"Huh, I never imagined hearing about a psychic psyche person." Eclipse laughed softly at how funny that sounded to her ears. "I vote that we get a psychic for both of us." She said, gently squeezing Isaiah's hand.
"No. We need someone we can talk to normally. We don't need them hearing our private conversations with each other by reading our minds." Isaiah replied, returning the squeeze.
Eclipse frowned and huffed. "Yeah, I guess you're right. It would have been so useful though. In case we can't say our feelings properly." She said, sighing heavily as she listened to Somjit and Porn explain their possible accommodations and the assistive devices she could have. "Oh! Those would be very useful! I usually listen to e-books but being able to read normal books would be nice too."
Isaiah listened to everything the two explained, taking in the information, making sure to keep it safe in his memory. The mention of some species giving their bones to keep a gate open had him confused and intrigued at the same time.
"Knowing that we won't be going into the field empty handed is reassuring." He says, wrapping his tail around Eclipse's waist.
"Do we know how many gates are there currently? I remember reading something about a vacation world. We might have to check that place out eventually." Isaiah says.
"By the way, how long have you two been working with the Agents? What are your positions? Isaiah and I are thinking of becoming scouts one day or artifact hunters! Uhm... wait are those the same thing?" Eclipse asked, trying to remember. "Definitely possibly artifact hunters." She says, brows furrowing in thought.
"No. We need someone we can talk to normally. We don't need them hearing our private conversations with each other by reading our minds." Isaiah replied, returning the squeeze.
Eclipse frowned and huffed. "Yeah, I guess you're right. It would have been so useful though. In case we can't say our feelings properly." She said, sighing heavily as she listened to Somjit and Porn explain their possible accommodations and the assistive devices she could have. "Oh! Those would be very useful! I usually listen to e-books but being able to read normal books would be nice too."
Isaiah listened to everything the two explained, taking in the information, making sure to keep it safe in his memory. The mention of some species giving their bones to keep a gate open had him confused and intrigued at the same time.
"Knowing that we won't be going into the field empty handed is reassuring." He says, wrapping his tail around Eclipse's waist.
"Do we know how many gates are there currently? I remember reading something about a vacation world. We might have to check that place out eventually." Isaiah says.
"By the way, how long have you two been working with the Agents? What are your positions? Isaiah and I are thinking of becoming scouts one day or artifact hunters! Uhm... wait are those the same thing?" Eclipse asked, trying to remember. "Definitely possibly artifact hunters." She says, brows furrowing in thought.
Somjit raised a hand, with three fingers tipped with stiletto nails extended.
"There are three established Enclaves already," she explained before lowering her hand. "Two of them are to particularly dangerous worlds. In fact, I would argue that no world should be considered 'vacation worlds.' There is risk in all of them, especially if you are found out to be Agents. We have to keep things quiet."
Much more content now, Chaniporn smiled and pointed between Eclipse and Isaiah.
"That's why you guys get Key Gauntlets! Dun duh-duh-dun~! They do lots of stuff, like hold keys to Gates and even disguise your appearances so you fit into the crowd, especially on worlds where seeing people outside of a species considered 'normal' would. . . well, freak some people out. You guys might've already read about Key Gauntlets, but you can pick yours up from the tech hangar, if you haven't already."
As if humbled, Somjit put a hand to her chest, her expression one of gentleness. Upon her forearm, one could notice one such Key Gauntlet in black.
"I have been an Agent for almost a year," she said.
Before she could continue, Chaniporn butt in.
"I don't count since I'm Somjit's summon." There was exaggerated hurt in her voice that likely indicated it was being feigned. "But being an Agent seems really, really hard, anyway. It's just as hard as our old jobs!"
Somjit hummed something of a sigh.
"But you both would not take on the roles if you were not aware of the danger, no? Myself, I am an Arcane Consultant. The magicks of various worlds are my specialty. If you both are working on the field, it is likely I will be accompanying you." Her tongue clicked in thought. "If by 'scout,' you mean someone working in Search and Analysis, that is possible. You will be exploring new areas, but not above a specific threat level. Such a role is usually assigned at Clearance Level Two - my level.
"However, you both seem dead-set on being Artifact Hunters. I wonder, why is that?"
"There are three established Enclaves already," she explained before lowering her hand. "Two of them are to particularly dangerous worlds. In fact, I would argue that no world should be considered 'vacation worlds.' There is risk in all of them, especially if you are found out to be Agents. We have to keep things quiet."
Much more content now, Chaniporn smiled and pointed between Eclipse and Isaiah.
"That's why you guys get Key Gauntlets! Dun duh-duh-dun~! They do lots of stuff, like hold keys to Gates and even disguise your appearances so you fit into the crowd, especially on worlds where seeing people outside of a species considered 'normal' would. . . well, freak some people out. You guys might've already read about Key Gauntlets, but you can pick yours up from the tech hangar, if you haven't already."
As if humbled, Somjit put a hand to her chest, her expression one of gentleness. Upon her forearm, one could notice one such Key Gauntlet in black.
"I have been an Agent for almost a year," she said.
Before she could continue, Chaniporn butt in.
"I don't count since I'm Somjit's summon." There was exaggerated hurt in her voice that likely indicated it was being feigned. "But being an Agent seems really, really hard, anyway. It's just as hard as our old jobs!"
Somjit hummed something of a sigh.
"But you both would not take on the roles if you were not aware of the danger, no? Myself, I am an Arcane Consultant. The magicks of various worlds are my specialty. If you both are working on the field, it is likely I will be accompanying you." Her tongue clicked in thought. "If by 'scout,' you mean someone working in Search and Analysis, that is possible. You will be exploring new areas, but not above a specific threat level. Such a role is usually assigned at Clearance Level Two - my level.
"However, you both seem dead-set on being Artifact Hunters. I wonder, why is that?"
Eclipse laughed softly, listening to Chaniporn's fanfare when she mentioned the Key Gauntlets. "We've read about the Key Gauntlets, yes. We'll make sure to grab them before we head to wherever it is we'll be going after practice. We didn't really plan anything today except to train and talk to you two. Maybe we can go find the apartments?" She asked, thinking about it.
"I see. That's reasonable. With the unannounced rifts showing up plus the Corruption apparently constantly spreading and expanding." Isaiah says, nodding firmly to Somjit's question about knowing the dangers.
"Yes, of course. We're aware of the dangers. It's probably just as if not more dangerous than what we had to deal with back home." He says.
"Well, we're not really dead set on becoming Artifact Hunters, it's more that... hmm... it sounds like the most familiar to what we did back home? But that sounds silly because from what I can remember, Search and Analysis is just as close. So, I guess it's for possible familiarity?" Eclipse replied, frowning a bit as she thought it over.
Isaiah thought for a moment, trying to find the words to help Eclipse explain. "We were scouts back home and stealth was our specialty. So, we figured that aiming for another stealth job would be best."
"And we thought that maybe becoming Artifact Hunters would help us understand the Corruption better? Maybe help the Agents find out what could be causing it? However, we're fine with either or really. Knowing Isaiah he would probably have us stop at Search and Analysis since we're always worried about me getting severely hurt." Eclipse added.
"I see. That's reasonable. With the unannounced rifts showing up plus the Corruption apparently constantly spreading and expanding." Isaiah says, nodding firmly to Somjit's question about knowing the dangers.
"Yes, of course. We're aware of the dangers. It's probably just as if not more dangerous than what we had to deal with back home." He says.
"Well, we're not really dead set on becoming Artifact Hunters, it's more that... hmm... it sounds like the most familiar to what we did back home? But that sounds silly because from what I can remember, Search and Analysis is just as close. So, I guess it's for possible familiarity?" Eclipse replied, frowning a bit as she thought it over.
Isaiah thought for a moment, trying to find the words to help Eclipse explain. "We were scouts back home and stealth was our specialty. So, we figured that aiming for another stealth job would be best."
"And we thought that maybe becoming Artifact Hunters would help us understand the Corruption better? Maybe help the Agents find out what could be causing it? However, we're fine with either or really. Knowing Isaiah he would probably have us stop at Search and Analysis since we're always worried about me getting severely hurt." Eclipse added.
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