by Kit Falbo
I feel a little envious that Booker would get going for someone new, even if it is Lily. But for me, I’m stuck with his DUINS melancholy. That damn stupid attack. It’s like I’ve lost two pieces of me. Tess pats me on the shoulder trying to be comforting. My plate of food is cooling, so I get to work on that and start to think.
That Igni Furnis is either dumb as a rock or a patsy. Either way, he was led to believe Wizard Joontal was a Magician active before I was born and had killed people. Not just killed people but made others around them feel like they needed to take revenge or confront them. The Association might find out who is behind this and let me use my history again, but they might not. I can’t just sit around and let other people do the work, not when I don’t know if this is still over. What if this mess had gotten Tess. I care for Muninn and Booker, but Tess was my first. I don’t know what I would do without her.
“Tess. I have some research that needs to be done and gear that needs to be made. When have we ever slacked off because of a little mountain in our path?” I try to be cheery as I say this, but I can feel the anger welling up in me a little.
Two weeks in the hotel room, living almost entirely out of delivery and room service has left a stale smell that even the best of technology can’t quite get rid of. I have holographic notes stickied to three of the four walls making it look a bit like a conspiracy theorist party. In some ways, it is because I have had to make less than stellar choices for sources of information when coming up with the next part of my plan.
“Are we going to give me to Lily soon?” Booker yips at me, sounding a little like the red fox that is his new form.
I give him an awkward waive off as I reflect on my little patch of madness. “You get all the paperwork done so we can start this right? If that’s all done, we can get a move on tomorrow. I’m sure the cleaning crew will be grateful to get into this room finally."
“Of course I have, paperwork is at least what I was made to handle.” Booker states lifting up his snout and swishing his red tail at me.
With a single click of a button, I shut off all of the holographic notes. I still have digital copies, but it’s not the same as looking at the big picture. “Come on Tess. Let's get packed up. It’s time to head to college.” She whistles an affirmative. I had to switch off her voice function again. After all, there is only so much pressuring about eating right and bathing regularly I could take. I get a whiff of myself while thinking about that. “Okay, maybe a shower first.”
Chapter Nine
Ah, college, I step onto the Mastery of Arts, Gravity, and Intellect campus. Attending here was once my dream, back when I couldn’t afford to go. Having a job that graduates would have salivated over, as well as finally having the money to take classes puts it in more of a different perspective now. At twenty-three I’m no longer a teenager searching for his space in life. Here I have a mission.
Manicured lawns, picturesque trees, buildings that fluctuate from old school to new, it is a little deja vu because of how much I had drooled over the flyers and virtual walkthroughs. Ooof, I’m shoved to the side. “Watch where you’re standing dweeb.” Yells the student who knocked me a bit while riding a flying carpet like a surfboard. Maybe this would be more challenging than I thought it would. As Wizard Joontal I’d spent five years of not dealing with people in any normal fashion. While now, I will have to deal with things like that.
I review my checklist of things to do on the first day in my heads up display. Number one is Admissions. All my paperwork is approved, but the institution still has an archaic tradition of having an in-person interview before final approval. My research says it is a formality, but it makes my shoulders itch at the .1% who get rejected during it. I like my safety margins lower than that when I perform, no one wants even a one in a thousand chance of exploding.
I’m geared up and tricked out as much as I can be. Living in a high-tech, modified, military full body suit for a few years and having someone try to kill you, leaves you with the need to have a certain level of tools and security available to you. Unsurprisingly, the college regulations frown on military hardware active on campus. It’s one reason why I filed for dual personhood. One Talos June is an Association Member, and another Talos June is an incoming student. They just happen to be in the same body at different times. I have to shed half my gear whenever I enter a class or a student function, but I feel safer having a higher level of options otherwise.
I also look like me mostly, though I had to follow Tess’s advice on the latest fashions. My short curly brown hair is now a bright-blue, straight, shoulder-length nano-weave. Indistinguishable from dyed natural hair. The nano-weave hair, like all of my clothing, has dual functionality in being able to be used or modified for tricks, even if my clothes right now look like slacks, a dress shirt, and suspenders. Not that I expect to be performing a lot of magic, but behind every flashy action is a tool that can be used offensively or defensively. I have a backpack, which is Tess and a case which is holding Booker until I can properly deliver him to Lily.
The administration building is one of the classical looking ones, with red bricks and columns. A statue, Tess informs me it’s a big donor and alumnus, sits almost blocking the entrance. Even with the efficiency of UI managing schedules and appointments, I’m waiting half an hour before entering the tiny office of the admissions officer. “Talos June, let me be frank.” Says a stuffy looking older man in a tweed jacket that my display tells me is Patrick Starwell.
“Of course.”
Patrick straightens up his posture in his seat like he is preparing himself. “Let me say that I am very supportive of the AMU and its rehabilitation efforts. You are in good standing to get both a scholarship and maintain your membership, but we have a zero tolerance policy for rule breaking and malicious acts at MAGI college.”
My brain goes from a stunned, what the hell is he talking about, to me subvocalizing to Tess. “This guy thinks I'm some kind of released criminal.”
Tess answers, “If you look at your application with its five years of missing time, Association scholarship that is light on the details. References from a former police officer, Franklin and a current sex worker, Lady Mallory. It comes up as the most likely reason for the application discrepancies.”
“And you didn't warn me?”
“Odds were it wouldn't be brought up. If it makes you feel better, the next most likely cause was that you are a secret agent.”
I tune back into the administration officers conversation “... strong moral foundations here are the perfect springboard forward to the future. “ I skim through a transcript of what I had missed, and it is just more moralizing.
I give my best performer smile, which I'll admit isn't perfect. Joontal mostly did scowls. “My future is exactly why I am here. The Association wouldn't have put this forward if it wasn't good for the school or me.”
Patrick nods, “We take our relationship with AMU very seriously, which is even why I’m… Well nevermind, I think everything is in order.” He extends his hand. “Let me welcome you to the incoming freshmen class. Be sure to follow all school rules and regulations. That UI, for example, won’t be allowed in classes, you’ll have to go with one of our standard models for that.”
I take his hand and give it a firm shake. “I'm on my way to the library next to pick up my supplies. Then to student housing to get set up there. I could go for the full college experience.”
On my way out I say to Tess. “I was expecting that to last longer or have more questions.”
“Oh, I did some talking to his UI and implied that everything wasn’t listed for a reason of security. Which is true, I may have also suggested it would be best not to push the point here and just let you in.”
The university has a funny thing about too strong a UI being akin to cheating. The one they recommend won’t even meet the minimum recommendations for an Association member. Still, going into class without one, you might as well have forgotten half your brain. I’m
also about to be down two UI after I gift Booker away for his sanity. The Library has a wide selection, along with a wide variety of visual modifications, though why you would want yours to look like a scantily-clad, miniature cartoon character is beyond me. I choose one that looks like a book with the word history across it. It’s not the top of the line, but I can buy a boost to make it as close to the maximum restrictions the school has without too much work. It’s advertised as a school focused UI that is preloaded with billions of useful facts, tips, and tricks.
It is not cheap. You could pay for a quarter of a shuttle for the cost. There is a reason I rehabilitated Muninn. I know some would rip open the package then and there and activate it. A young girl with bubblegum smooth hair is doing just that and slapping on a visual tiny fairy girl mod onto it. The floating golden ball twists and turns until it is a little fairy hovering and fluttering around her. UI rapidly adapt to their input and surroundings, primarily taking into account interactions with their owner to cement a unique personality into them. I can’t imagine the crowd or the fact I’m wearing a heavily electronic suite is making for a smooth transition. The little fairy sticks it’s tongue out at me and wiggles its nose as well, almost making my point for me. I stick my tongue out right back at it in reply.
Mine I’ll activate when, where, and how I want too. “Tess, do you have a bead on Lily? I would rather not activate this new UI with the expectation that Booker is around, and classes start tomorrow.”
“I told you to get to campus sooner, instead of focusing on that arts and craft project you had on the walls back at the hotel.”
The nagging and comments like that is what had me turn off her speech up until stepping foot on campus. “I know where she is.” Booker mumbles softly
I should have known. Ever since informing Booker that he was going to be gifted to Lily. He’s been acting like a child who is expecting a puppy that was promised. In some ways, it drew a stark contrast for me that he is no longer the same UI he was, but it also hurt because he was mine. “Okay, where is she?”
“She just finished illusion application club and likes to take a snack break under the old oak by Trinity Hall. If you rush, you can get there.”
How does he… nevermind I don’t want to know how he knows. I pull up a campus map. With a quick selection, I’m boosted up, hovering a couple of inches off the ground, my shoes turning into anti-gravity skates. They’re modded to be more than that, but even with their primary usage, it is one way to pick up the pace. It’s no flying storm cloud, but one good push and I’m zooming down the campus walkways.
I see her, just as Booker said, sitting under a giant tree, a half-eaten apple in her hand. My chest tightens as I realize how much I missed her. I know there is a cliche about falling in love with your employer's daughter, but that is just not it. She’s an adult now, but I have a hard time not seeing that eager fourteen-year-old who had dozens of questions on magic that Joontal could never answer because he never broke character. I like her, and I love her eagerness and passion for the craft. Of course, all she’s ever known is the ancient spellcaster, the curmudgeon, who would do some tricks and talk fantasy to her. Real conversations were through the veil of notes in technical learning materials, and I made sure she had comments on her work.
She’s still mostly wearing black, only a streak of gold in her hair and gold shoes tell of the little changes. I can see half of a tattoo coming out from under her sleeve, that’s new, though from this distance it is hard to see the details. Still, she does look a little older and curvier. My plan is simple, in and out, deliver the package and go. “Lily Lowman, I’ve got a delivery for you.”
She arches an eyebrow, and her lips narrow some. She stands up, taking three last big bites of her apple and walking out from under the shade towards me. “I’m not expecting any packages.” She hesitates at the end because I assume my name isn’t showing up. Talos June doesn’t have a public profile, and the student roles won’t be updated until tomorrow morning, allowing that to be accessed.
I hold up the fancy case containing Booker. “Wizard Joontal asked me to deliver this to you.”
Saying Joontal’s name stops her in her tracks, and she gives me a hard glare like she’s trying to do a particularly difficult math problem. My earbud emits a cringing whine.“We’re being probed hard. She’s certainly exceeding school recommendations with her UI.” Tess informs me.
“Wizard Joontal hasn’t been seen in weeks. After the attack, my father informed me there was a slim chance someone could go after him through me.” Lily states flatly.
Gah. I hadn’t thought of that. There are hours of me training Lily as my apprentice, even if it was mostly a theatrical show. Not the technical stuff I kept separate. Things like seeing how fast she could react to different tricks, controlling a disk similar to what I used for the Totem defense, lots of little things that are important for Magic Battles or just on spell choices. All things I could dress up as mystic teaching. “I don’t know anything about that. I was just asked to deliver this package. It scanned as safe.” Best to feign ignorance and use my real surprise.
“You’re him aren't you? I knew he wasn’t as old as he claimed. Even with dads passwords, everything was employee numbers and transfer orders. Shouldn’t you be older, or is that another mask?”
“You should tell her.” Tess hisses in my ear. Nope, this is not a decision my UI gets to make. Lily hasn’t decided that I am Joontal, or she wouldn’t be chewing on the problem the way she did on some of the trick questions I had given her to encourage outside the box thinking.
“Look, lady, I have no idea what you are talking about. I just promised to deliver this package. I’m going to set it down here. You can scan it and see that it's safe.”
I set the box down and hope she doesn’t just disassemble it, Booker included. Lily is too curious not to open it anyway. As he imprints on her, all my personal information will get removed. Otherwise, such transfers would be impossible if you’re giving all your information away. I turn on my heel and push off heading away, my heart beating fast. “If you are him. I’ll find you!” She yells after me.
Chapter Ten
I don’t stop skating until I make it back to my house. A base of operations might be more accurate. The kind and type of equipment I have or want to have violates most rental agreements, even AMU friendly places only allow so much. It’s just easier to have your own site, and having that industrial safety room saved me last time, even if it might have killed me just a little bit. I also have the money to afford it.
“You should have told her. It would have been nice to have a friend in town. Need I remind you how much smarter I am than you.” Tess continues, berating me.
“Activate, silence woman.” Tess’s words transform into back into inoffensive soft whistles, clicks, and beeps.
I’ll praise how smart UIs, particularly my UIs, are all day long. That doesn’t mean they are particularly good at things like relationships, or how people will act, or even risk. If I had listened to Tess, I would have either signed a ten-year contract for training and employment as a ship tech or joined the military for a tour. She wouldn’t let up on how the Lowman job thing was a terrible idea and a waste of money. I don’t even want to think about her attempts to help with teenage dating.
The next hour I work, getting the house ready to present to my new UI, accompanied by Tess’s sullen beeping. My lack of a public and even limited private profiles means I have to do the slow method, rather than the quick load that girl had done outside the bookstore. Tess was my nanny and tutor who I co-opted into my obsession with tech and magic. Muninn had been a reclamation project to both see what I could do and get a proper assistant for my performances. Booker’s main job was handling the massive amount of paperwork that came with the being an Association of Magic Users member. For this new one, I want to see if it can have it take up some of the paperwork tasks that I’ve lost with Booker's departure. Tess can and does handle some of it, but
there is only so much even a UI can do. It also has to help with school, but I figure that's built in. I make sure to install the boost first as well, that way it wouldn’t have any hiccup of needing to adjust a second time.
I take a breath and turn it on, inputting the long string of code, verifying that I’m its owner. The book opens to about the middle, and a glowing hologram star rises up. “Primary goals: Education. Secondary goals: College life, diversity. State two additional primary goals, and one additional secondary goal.” The voice is monotone and bland, the star projection wiggles with the sound vibrations.
I knew these questions were coming. Tess had her suggestions, like friends for the one additional secondary goal. “Additional primary goal, procedural paperwork for magic, presenting reference file BookerNotes.” I had booker write a summation of what he usually did and suggestions. Three hundred thousand words is the short version of the file that was provided after I rejected the first much longer version. I’d skimmed it and had Tess read it to make sure he hadn’t left anything inappropriate.
“Goal and file accepted.”
“Additional primary goal, investigation of Joontal incident, presenting reference file CaseNotes.” Tess had argued this was a stupid goal, that I should just let the AMU investigate on their own and move on to other things. Those five years and the winning-lottery-ticket of a job are erased until this is resolved. Even Tess admits that resolution on what they have is unlikely. I’ll have to get a classical degree and work my way up for another shot like I had. UIs have no real sense of time and ten more years to be back where I was at is nothing to them.
“Goal and file accepted.”
“Additional secondary goal, threat assessment.” As much as Tess wanted friendship here, I can’t help but wonder, if we had caught onto what was happening sooner, that I wouldn’t be in this mess. Still, I know Franklin, and his UI Buzz didn’t notice anything. Lily implied someone out there may still be gunning for me, and if Lily can start to connect the dots, maybe someone else can as well.
