- Shari -
Two very uncomfortable guards lead us back down to our rooms.
It seems Dion has to prepare something in advance.
It makes sense, as this is surely no common situation he has to deal with.
Elin was guided in the other direction.
I've overheard that she was going to join the tracker and scouting division.
She should do well since she has a keen perception and good dexterity.
We on the other hand shall simply stay in our rooms to not stir up the people too much.
It might take a while until anyone will get used to us if that's even possible, but every moment they bear our presence should help in that regard.
When we arrive at our rooms, the guards can't leave fast enough.
Sometimes it feels a little excessive, but those guys were probably present when Liqu grew to her five-meter version.
That might leave a somewhat threatening impression.
Yet it's better that they're gone now since there was this one point that made me worry.
"Liqu! You're going now into your room and put something you find in front of the hole. No one can see it!" (Shari)
If someone would, he might ask who made it and where it does lead to.
Both questions I really wouldn't like to answer.
"Okay, okay. I'll make it quick!" (Liqu)
I fear this enthusiasm is just about being as fast as possible back here.
"And do it properly! This is important!" (Shari)
Now that she left for her room I should take care of mine.
I head to the closest piece of furniture, a dresser, and start to pull.
However, I soon realize that I won't get far that way.
This thing is simply too big.
All I achieve is spreading my arms to uncomfortable lengths.
I can apply some pressure, but it won't budge when I try to drag it and the floor might get scratched as heavy as the dresser is.
This won't work.
However, there is a solution.
Grudgingly I accept my fate, throw my clothes away, and close in.
I give up on my body's structure and let first my arms and then the rest of my body flow around this thing.
I can still, for the ease of my mind, keep my head, but the rest completely flows around the dresser.
Then I pull it up and, with an ease that astonishes me, lift this drawer.
Next, I feel how my own body gathers below it and prevents that thing from sinking back down.
I am uncomfortably reminded of the time when Liqu abducted me and carried me with her.
The dresser floats now inside me, just like I did back then, unable to reach the ground.
It's distressingly easy to float to the hole in the wall and place my load there exactly as I wanted.
I leave deliberately a small gap there.
I would want to close it up, to keep Liqu out of my room
As if that's possible.
Yet we have now this passage and Liqu would simply make another one if she is determined.
Having the intended result I separate again.
And find Liqu behind me.
"You..." (Liqu)
No! Don't say it. Don't say it. Don't say it.
"You were so beautiful! How you flowed and shined in all your glistening color!" (Liqu)
Damnit! I didn't want to hear from her how much she appreciates my slime look.
Absolutely not!
"You also shaped so well! A real natural!" (Liqu)
"Could you please stop? I've just seen no other way to move that stupid thing. Don't dwell on this." (Shari)
"But it's great that you can manage to do so! You are getting comfortable with yourself. I'm glad." (Liqu)
"I am by no means "comfortable" Liqu." (Shari)
"Oh yes you are. You barely cry anymore and you are dissolving on your own. And now you can even move and perform the proper way. You are a real slime. It's so great that you could overcome this." (Liqu)
With "this" she totally means being human.
And I hate her for "this".
"Liqu, I am doing this only because I have no choice! It's not great for me that I've lost everything I was and now have to eat, move, and act as I do. That I don't drown myself in self-pity doesn't mean I am fine. Got it Liqu?" (Shari)
I still believe that what happened to me is regrettable and I doubt that I will ever feel different about this.
But at least I've learned to cope.
It hurts less and I might be able to accept my circumstances.
Yet this doesn't mean I find this favorable.
Liqu shall never believe that she did the right thing.
"Sorry, but you really look vibrant. It's mesmerizing to me." (Liqu)
She says this with a shy smile, that on a human face might break countless hearts.
Even I can't say that her sweet talk has no effect.
Fortunately, I don't have to worry about blushing and the like anymore.
"Urgh. Did you hide the hole?" (Shari)
"Yes! Perfectly! I dissolved some stones out of the wall and put them there so that it looks like the gap is filled." (Liqu)
This sounds good enough.
If she just wouldn't have seen me.
It takes a while, but eventually, Dion returns along with two maids.
One of them is Elara.
Liqu didn't bother to leave the room again and I had no reason to enforce this anyway since we had to wait and it is sometimes better to keep an eye on her.
"Everything is settled. It should be no problem now if you leave the basement. Still, I would ask you to refrain from unnecessary roaming around the estate." (Dion)
"That means it is fine if we would take a walk?" (Shari)
"Yes, but don't forget about the duties you will have to perform in your new roles. Speaking of which, please take these." (Dion)
The maids step forward.
The one who's not Elara is much slower, but both are troubled.
They present two blue bundles of fabric.
"What is this?" (Shari)
"Your uniforms. If you act on behalf of the lord you are obligated to wear his color and sign." (Dion)
"Ah, like a slime who shows who it is with its color?" (Liqu)
"Sorry. Don't mind Liqu. So we shall wear those? I would like to say that there is a little problem regarding soaking them." (Shari)
"This shouldn't be an issue. These are made to survive harsh conditions. Like this, they are water repellent and shouldn't "soak". The uniforms should suit each of your sizes, in this state at least. But I guess it wouldn't be an issue in the first place for them to fit." (Dion)
Apparently, those clothes have some quality.
The sizes were apparently gauged from our own clothes.
At least, no one came to measure me directly.
When I take them out of the shaking maid's hand, they truly don't soak too much.
I guess keeping them on for three days without changing should be possible.
That's a little bit of a stretch, but it could work.
Before, I rather relied on my coat to hide the obvious stain and treated the shirts more like a barrier to the outside.
Yet now, if I use it together with my powder it might work even without the coat to trick people.
However, I would need to apply very much.
Especially on my neck and at the sleeves.
Also, maybe I'd have to improve my control.
I put the clothes on and Elara manages to be far more collected than her colleague and gives Liqu her uniform before quickly pulling back.
Interaction with us seemingly helps, but there is clearly some lingering doubt.
The uniform consists of a sturdy but well-tailored shirt with long sleeves and leather trousers in a deep blue.
Not quite my own body's color, but a bit darker.
This tone of color should as well help to obscure what lies beneath.
Also, there's a new cloak.
"I've seen no one else wearing those cloaks yet." (Shari)
"The standard equipment includes these for travels in case of rain, but most of the time it’s stashed away. In your case it might help you to hide... well..." (Dion)
Liqu can put them on as well without issues.
Fortunately, the fabric is rather thin so we can still lift and move in it quite comfortably.
There's even a new pair of boots for each of us.
I guess these aren't mandatory, but I won't complain about a new spare, as spent my old ones are from the constant soaking, the pressure from the inside, and the general usage.
I think we look good.
They are formal, not too cumbersome, and most importantly, it hides most of my body's surface, so that gloves and boots work out.
Just now I also notice that right where the heart would be, a Farlorn leaf is embroidered on the shirt.
These are particularly large trees even for this forest that make not only very good building material but leak a very sweet resin of high quality that also has herbal applications.
The leaf is shaped in a way that it grows in five segments.
The outer layer has two symmetric pointed ends, then come two symmetric rounds.
And the one in the middle is once more pointed.
Since I have seen this picture multiple times scattered around the mansion, I assume it's the count's symbol.
I'll make sure to usually keep my core on the other side because that thing is basically a "hit me here" sign.
But all in all the composition looks nice and I can wear it without difficulties.
There's some elegance to it.
Dion as well seems content with our appearance.
Unformed shapes in the count's colors might make a bad impression.
"If you're ready, please follow me to captain Peras. You will serve under his command from now on. When you don't get any orders directly from the lord he is your superior and you have to fulfill whatever he assigns you to do." (Dion)
"Isn't this a problem? He didn't seem to like us." (Shari)
"He has direct order not to let personal reservations influence his decisions and will follow up on this. In addition he can't act as he pleases at the estate. It would be seen. Is that all?" (Dion)
There is something else I did want to ask, that has quite some importance for me.
"I would like to know, what is with our jobs as adventurers? It was rather hard to make that happen and we won't be able to do much on that side if we perform our tasks for the lord. Having our applications revoked would be a pity." (Shari)
"We already send a note to the guildhall. While it is a grand institution, the guild is ultimately still acting on behalf of the country. As such the count can take adventurers into his service. For the duration of the assignment, the guild won't make any claims on the individuals. They are generously compensated in exchange." (Dion)
This is good to know.
So no penalty for not subjugating slimes.
This gave me anyways every time an odd feeling.
I mean, Liqu is crushing their very self.
That's concerning.
So it seems, wearing this uniform seems to have its merits.
Still, I'd like to clarify how to wear this.
"So I'm usually going to use the cloak? It might cause problems when I show my face too openly." (Shari)
This is one point.
The other is, the more my body there is hidden, the more I can take advantage of my opponent's lack of knowledge.
Different from Liqu I am not really fit to overpower my enemies.
So, while it's a little straining to apply the necessary inner pressure and keep my body firm enough, the possibility that I can launch surprise attacks with my weapons and keep my core's location a secret makes up for it.
"This won't be a problem, but when you act on our lord's behalf it would be improper to cover his emblem." (Dion)
"Then I can simply adjust how I wear the cloak so that it remains free. This should be fine, right?" (Shari)
I put the cloak over my supposed-to-be head and the supposed-to-be shoulders so that it looks more like a cape than anything else.
With this, the chest with the symbol is still free and I don't have to worry too much about stares.
I am sure Liqu will already gain enough attention.
"This might suffice." (Dion)
I think he isn't too opposed to the idea of me limiting the chances of causing a commotion.
"I think we are ready to go then." (Shari)
"Good to hear. I will guide you to the troop's headquarters. You are required to find your way on your own after this, so please pay attention." (Dion)
"This won't be a problem. I'll perfectly remember it." (Shari)
At least I hope so.
Things stay stuck in my core, but initially learning them is difficult.
"Fine. Then follow me." (Dion)
I love seeing Liqu enthusiastic like that... the MC is still stubbornly clinging to her humanity, but bit by bit it's shaved away. I'm proud of her.
Still, she doesn't seem to appreciate this convenient ability to lift heavy furniture.
Erin on her side was guided in another direction. -> maybe “Elin was guided” or “Elin split up from us and was guided”?
well since as far I know her abilities she has a keen perception and good dexterity. -> her abilities include a keen
We on the other hand shall simply stay in our -> We, on the other hand,
No one can see this." (Shari) -> see it!
piece of furniture, a drawer, and start to pull. -> furniture, a dresser(?), and (a drawer usually isn’t a stand alone piece of furniture, but a part of something else-what kind of furniture is Shari moving? A dresser? Wardrobe? Armoire? Vanity?)
when I use them and the floor might keep traces on its surface. -> maybe “use my arms and the floor might get scratched/scuffed from the dresser(?) being dragged.”?
but the rest completely floats around this drawer. -> completely flows around this dresser(?).
with an ease that astonishes me, lift this drawer. -> lift the dresser(?)
The drawer floats now inside me, just like I back then, unable to reach the ground. > The dresser(?) now floats inside me, just like I did back then,
Oh yes, you are. > is Liqu speaking in one thought here or taking a pause? If no pause then remove comma
worry about blushing and the likes anymore. -> the like
enforce this since we anyway had to wait and it is sometimes better to keep an eye on her. -> this Anyways since we had to wait
you to refrain to unnecessary roam around the estate." -> refrain from unnecessarily roaming
Elara manages far more collected than her colleague to give Liqu her uniform, before fast pulling back. -> maybe “managed to be far more collected than her colleague and actually gives Liqu her uniform before quickly pulling back.” ?
equipment includes these for travels in case of rain. But it's most of the time stashed away. -> rain, but most of the time it’s stashed away. (I’ve noticed a recurring thing of you putting the noun/subject before the action/verb when it’s normally the other way around in English. Something that is just a bit of a difference from your primary language?)
as spent my old are from the constant soaking, the pressure from the inside, and the general usage. -> my old ones are much worse for wear from the
These are even for the forest particularly large trees, that make not only very good building material but leak -> are particularly large trees even for this forest that make not only very good building material,
other side.
That thing is a target's mark. -> side, because that thing is something that will surely be targeted by enemies.
Has some elegance. -> It has some
You will from now on serve under his command. -> will serve under his command from now on.
He has direct order not to and -> direct orders not to let that get in the way of working with you and
Yet they are in exchange generously compensated." -> They are generously compensated in exchange.
This gave me anyways every time an odd feel. -> maybe “That always gave me an odd feeling every time we had to do it.” ?
problems when I show my face to open." -> maybe “face in the open”? (Is she saying it might cause issue when she shows her face if the cloak normally hides it?)
shoulders so that it has more of a cape than anything else. -> it looks more like a cape
Yeah, Shari may be resigned to being a slime and doing more slime-like things, but that doesn’t mean she likes it. And that’s fine, really. This was forced on her and she shouldn’t *have* to like it. It is good that she’s able to focus on the present and what she can do though and doesn’t let herself drown in self pity.
I like to imagine Shari heard the Legend of Zelda item get music when she got the new clothes. Shari got new clothes and they’re high quality! She must be overjoyed at this
piece of furniture, a drawer, and start to pull. -> furniture, a dresser(?), and (a drawer usually isn’t a stand alone piece of furniture, but a part of something else-what kind of furniture is Shari moving? A dresser? Wardrobe? Armoire? Vanity?) - I guess dresser. I meant a stash for storing clothes you'd fold and underwear. Nothing too big where you'd hang something.
enforce this since we anyway had to wait and it is sometimes better to keep an eye on her. -> this Anyways since we had to wait - Grammarly says "anyway".
equipment includes these for travels in case of rain. But it's most of the time stashed away. -> rain, but most of the time it’s stashed away. (I’ve noticed a recurring thing of you putting the noun/subject before the action/verb when it’s normally the other way around in English. Something that is just a bit of a difference from your primary language?) - German has unfortunately a completely different structure. It's hard to completely forget the basic rules (completely different problem from learning the vocabulary and always a weak point).
That thing is a target's mark. -> side, because that thing is something that will surely be targeted by enemies. - I really thought that a shorter version would be possible. In my language, you can turn almost into a single noun.
He has direct order not to and -> direct orders not to let that get in the way of working with you and - tried something else
This gave me anyways every time an odd feel. -> maybe “That always gave me an odd feeling every time we had to do it.” ? - I wanted this "anyways" because it's that she won't be sad to not do this anymore. In the other version, it's more focused on her bad feeling while she did it.
problems when I show my face to open." -> maybe “face in the open”? (Is she saying it might cause issue when she shows her face if the cloak normally hides it?) - In the first place I forgot an "o" in "too open".
I really like that idea of how she deals with it. Neither overly accepting nor a depressive mess.
Shari's old cloak was of highest quality (and overpriced), probably better. The uniform on the other hand is quite good. Her own shirts are good as well, but she didn't buy military equipment in Ekoras. The shirts have a very weak anti-water enchantment. This should help her a bit.
@expentio
enforce this since we anyway had to wait and it is sometimes better to keep an eye on her. -> this Anyways since we had to wait - Grammarly says "anyway".
bah, stupid autocorrupt on the phone. meant that to be "this anyway since we had to wait"
ah, yeah, having German as a main language would make translating/writing in English a bit awkward at times because of the very different grammar structures. Don't feel bad about it, even people who primarily/only speak English still often mess it up, and worse than you do
That thing is a target's mark. -> side, because that thing is something that will surely be targeted by enemies. - I really thought that a shorter version would be possible. In my language, you can turn almost into a single noun.
Maybe "side, because that thing is basically a target." ? or if she's being snarky "thing is basically a 'hit me here' sign."?
problems when I show my face to open." -> maybe “face in the open”? (Is she saying it might cause issue when she shows her face if the cloak normally hides it?) - In the first place I forgot an "o" in "too open".
If going with "too open" it should be "too openly."
Yeah, Shari isn't happy it happened, but she's making the best she can of the situation she's landed in. And she's doing pretty dang well I'd say (in spite of her continually jynxing herself)
@FallingLeaf Thanks again. That really helped.
Shari basically embodies how one actively deals with problems while making plans to achieve a good outcome.
If her plans just wouldn't fail so often.
Not really related to this chapter, but I have been thinking for a while now that Shari should take the first oppertunity she gets to stock up on some strong poinsons/psychodelics like the mushrooms she had back when they raided Cid. It would be a very easy way to boost up her combat effectiveness, synergize perfectly with her blade based style of fighting and is something she already has implemented before. I really believe she should have a stack of such with herself at all times.
Нет! Не говори этого. Не говори этого. Не говори этого.
«Ты была такой красивой! Как ты текла и сияла всем своим сияющим цветом!» (Ликер)
Блин! Я не хотел слышать от нее, насколько она ценит мой слизистый вид.
Точно нет!
"Ты тоже так хорошо сформировалась! Настоящая натура!" (Ликер)
«Не могли бы вы остановиться? Я просто не видел другого способа сдвинуть эту дурацкую штуку. Не зацикливайтесь на этом». (Шари)
«Но это здорово, что тебе удается это сделать! Тебе становится комфортно с собой. Я рад». (Ликер)
«Я ни в коем случае не чувствую себя комфортно в« Liqu ». (Шари)
«О да, это так. Ты почти не плачешь и растворяешься самостоятельно. И теперь ты даже можешь двигаться и действовать правильно. Ты настоящая слизь. Это так здорово, что ты смог преодолеть это». (Ликер)
Под «этим» она полностью означает быть человеком.
Я ненавижу ее за «это».
«Лик, я делаю это только потому, что у меня нет выбора! Для меня не очень хорошо, что я потерял все, чем был, и теперь должен есть, двигаться и вести себя так же, как и я. Что я не топлюсь в себе. -Жалость не означает, что я в порядке. Понял, Liqu? " (Шари)
Я все еще считаю, что то, что со мной произошло, достойно сожаления, и я сомневаюсь, что когда-нибудь буду по-другому относиться к этому.
This and similar "fillers" of the plot are no longer just tired of, but start to get quite annoying.
Maybe it's better to write shorter chapters rather than fill them with monotonous text?
I think that Shari's and Liqu's little banters belong into the story. It's not just fillers for me. Even if some passages don't bring much new, they're important for my consistent writing flow. Otherwise, I would certainly not be able to only write "important" plot. The story would die down as a whole. To write what happens as I imagine it consecutive to happen is what makes the world, characters, and story as a whole alive. I certainly can't give up on that and force myself to adjust the style I'm comfortable with right now.
After all, this is no professional work, but a hobby where I give life to characters I like.
@extio, firstly, amateurism ("not professional") means that activity is not a means of earning income or that this income is not a means of subsistence or enrichment, and not at all the way you are doing here using this concept for self-justification of the poor quality you made work.
Even if some passages don't bring much new, they're important for my consistent writing flow.
Even if you are not a professional writer, you should have achieved the desired effect in more subtle ways.
You are capable of more, give up self-justification and laziness and write better than you write now!
@torvn77 You don't seem to get my point. It's not "laziness" for me. It's the way I'm intending this to write. For me, this is no poor quality, but the way I intend things to happen. It wouldn't feel consistent to me if such talks wouldn't happen and it would only be plot advancement. A part of my stories shall be slice-of-life. In those nothing happens and it's only my characters interacting in the way I want. I like it also if that happens, as it's part of me developing their personalities. If something feels inconsistent or just wrong I won't pursue it, but that what I write I want to bring into the story as every moment in this journey is one I savor. I don't judge them based on importance if they make it in there or not.
@expentio We must imbue you with the spirit of the village and the frontier:
There is a soldier from the war - hungry, frozen. Looking for a place to spend the night.
She walks into a hut, and there is an old woman.
- Granny, can I stay at your place for the night?
- You can, son, but we have no food in the village, I cannot feed you.
- That there is nothing at all?
- Nothing, son, I myself have not eaten for 3 days ...
- In general, grandma, like this: if I find something edible, I will eat it.
- Okay, son, look.
I was looking for a soldier, I was looking for it, and I found a plate under the bed: and there was jellied meat on it. The soldier ate half, left half in the morning and said to the old woman:
- You say there is nothing to eat, but at the very bottom of the bed a plate of jellied meat!
- Eh, son, this is not jellied meat ...
- ????
- Yes, I have tuberculosis, I've been coughing up there for ten years now ...
@torvn77 Something a decent person would've said first, as tuberculosis is also without that extremely infectious.
Because of that, proper communication.
@expentio If we talk about decency, then a decent person will not take the last meal from an old person.
You just need to realize that this vomit under the bed is the only food in the house and there is no other food.
Maybe I could not convey this when translating, but this story is an anecdote.
And like any anecdote, he reflected the life going on at that moment:
a soldier who was forced to serve 20 years in the army and in fact he returns home only at a pace to meet his old age there, in the same hungry village as the one in which he stayed for the night.
Poor living conditions and the associated spread of diseases, when coughing up blood or dropping noses have become so habitual that they do not cause any reaction.
From a lonely old age, when there are no descendants that will bring food and consisting of waiting for the moment when the ability to walk will be lost and all that remains is to lie on the bed and die of hunger.
(By the way, since Shari has left, such a life awaits her parents, but neither Shari nor her parents talk about it, because they all know it well)
Living in such a society, Shari cannot but have a tempering character so as not to worry about all the nonsense and minor things.
@torvn77 I'm not sure if people at this age were as anxious about the future as nowadays. Shari's parents have still quite a number of years before they'll become too old to do anything (they'd even have time for another child, if a bit narrow). The country also isn't too poor and there's no war. The described situation would also apply if the daughter was married off and the husband doesn't want or can't do much. It's more a question of the social environment. Shari's village was a small one and communities there tend to be close. Also, Shari's mother is good with herbs, so she has some value to be kept alive. There are also many cultures where caring for their olds is considered a virtue. Things aren't looking too dire right now.
Shari plans to send a part of the money she tries to make to them. Liqu would probably support that to help her "in-laws".
@expentio I find these interactions precious. They expose these subtle changes in characters, which is different to some pointlessly edgy stories.
I love how consistent and lively these characters are! How much effort it takes for them to adjust!
There was no hyping for hatred on supposed enemies, just their going around their day and consideration of role Shari and Liqu's actions had in there!
This is definitely the novel which I lacked to read! Thank you!
By the way, from what I've studied on reality of the medieval period (at least around my area) , people of the time rather cared to stand on their own than to depend on others.
Children were not supposed to help, beside illness of their parents or to earn their own keep (freeloading was a big no-no) . In that regards Shari sending money to her parents despite them being capable on their own would either be taken as her being arrogant or making it real big in the world. With Shari's family I naturally would expect the latter
@Quesa Well, I couldn't find a novel which served my tastes with non-human protagonists (female protagonist that is not edgy in some way and acts believably with the issue), so I made my own. I mean, I can't tell an author to write a story the way I want it to so that's a good solution I guess.
Though Core. 001 was very good, even if the author already for 5 years tells that book three is coming. I'll be waiting.
Works for me too
While I'm pretty much omnivore, I have long longed for such MCs!
I wish you the pleasure of reading that third volume