When Dinah started telling her story, and confided in her, Panacea was shocked, awed, ecstatic, saddened, angered, and she felt her heart break for this young woman.
'Only 24, yet she's clawed her way through the annals of history. She's performed daring feats of heroism, survived things that would've killed weaker mortals, trained with all sorts of deadly warriors, has fought and survived deadly combat against opponents leagues stronger, faster, and more powerful than her, and she almost always stayed on top. She's fought alongside other heroes of her world, helped save her world, and she's recently just lost her husband, gave birth to Conner, and she never stopped fighting until she almost died for what must've felt like the last time. Until Fate intervened...'
Panacea was currently holding the crying woman in her arms, because the moment she mentioned the part where she almost died again, she finally broke down crying.
'We've been talking for at least 2 hours now, and I'm pretty sure she's glossed over a lot more information. She probably gave me the highlights, but that's alright. She's a very strong woman. She just needs more time to unwind, recover, and a shoulder to lean on.'
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{A few more minutes later...}
"I'm really sorry about that. I just-"
"Don't finish that sentence.", Panacea warned with a small glare. "Everyone is entitled to a good cry once in a while. Songbird, you are not a man who shies away from their emotions. You've just given me a crash course about the story of your life. You are amazing. Like any hero, you've triumphed, overcome adversity, and you did it all with your blood, sweat, tears, and that killer Canary Cry of yours."
The Goddess of Cures and Universal Medicine wiped away her Songbird's tears and kept on hugging her while she combed her blond locks. "Your son is lucky to have you... I'm lucky to have you. Welcome home..."
Dinah hugged Panacea even tighter and they stayed like that for a few more minutes before they broke off. Dinah tried to get herself under control and calm while Panacea had a gentle and motherly smile pointed towards the blond mother.
"I know I might be breaking the dramatic tension, but that necklace for Conner is a life saver."
Dinah laughed in reply and smiled back at her Goddess. 'My Goddess Panacea. It sounds... just right. And it's cute how she wants to lighten the mood. She's truly heaven-sent.'
"Yeah, Kent really pulled through. Conner and I didn't ask to be here, but I'm extremely glad that we were."
"I'm extremely glad to have both of you.", Panacea said with cheer. "Now then, I want to give you my Falna to make it official. Let's do this!"
"Yeah sure.", Dinah agreed all too happily. When the two stood up, they looked back at the still sleeping Conner and they both thought the same thing at that exact moment., 'That boy can really sleep.'
In a few steps, Panacea lead Dinah to the other couch and turned towards her. "You'll need to be topless for this. I have to be in contact with your bare back so that I can grant you my Falna."
Dinah nodded her head and she started stripping without fanfare. She took off her leather jacket and then she untucked and took off her cropped top t-shirt. She was left in her boots, fishnet leggings, shorts, and a very flattering yellow, laced bra, covering a pair of amazing; C - cup sized, breasts.
Dinah sat down and turned her back towards Panacea, before she unclipped her bra and took it off. She then combed her long blond hair over her left shoulder and looked at Panacea over her right. "So, why the back?", Dinah asked, sporting a grin.
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When Dinah started stripping, Panacea nodded her head like she was expecting it. 'Just as I thought, she's comfortable in her body; and what a deceptively beautiful body it is. You can definitely tell that she's worked hard to get a very fit and wiry form like that. I can see the flexibility, the well-balanced muscles, the graceful movements, and I don't think she's even aware how little movement her body wastes and the seamless transition between each movement. It's simply astonishing. And she's only 24.'
Panacea sat down on the couch facing Dinah's back and before she could reach forward, her Songbird asked her a question that's been asked by every mortal race since forever.
"Well, your back has the biggest area of space available and through your back I have direct access to your spinal cord. And through your spine I have access to your nervous system. I have to bathe your entire body in my Falna and it's easier to do that through your back. It'll spread from there to every part of your body evenly. It might be painful at first, but I know that you'll be alright."
"Okay, it makes sense. I'm ready.", her Songbird said with a nod and a smile, before she turned her head forward.
With practiced motions, Panacea took out a small leather pouch from her pocket and took out one of her acupuncture needles. With her chosen tool in hand, she promptly stabbed the bottom tip of her right index finger. With her blood on her finger, Panacea channeled her Falna throughout her body and concentrated it towards her bloodied finger.
'With this pact, this vow, and my blessing, I welcome you into my Familia.', Panacea intoned mentally, and then she touched Dinah's back and began her work.
It was the work of half an hour, but it felt longer to both of them. Dinah didn't flinch, but she definitely grunted in the beginning.
When Panacea was finished, she was pleasantly surprised at what she saw on her new child's back. Below her symbol; which was of a pair of her hands cupped together with some kind of liquid gathered in them, while some were dripping from in-between the fingers, was the Status of one Dinah Laurel Lance.
"Holy shit!", exclaimed Panacea in excitement. She had to look over her work thrice just to make sure she wasn't seeing things, but she knew that she did everything right. "Dinah, this is amazing. Look at this."
"Oh wait, hold still for just a few more seconds, okay? I'll be making copies of your Status on paper."
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"Yeah sure, whatever you need.", Dinah replied nonchalantly. 'Copies? I'll have to ask about that later. I'm more curious about what's got her so excited though?'
While Panacea did her thing, Dinah was slowly examining her hands and flexing them to get a feel for the boost that she felt. 'I feel a little bit stronger, faster, and overall more dexterous. So this is what a blessing from a Goddess feels like.'
The change was subtle, but from what she read, it was the same for every person. Everyone gets a general boost to their overall Basic Abilities. How they grow depends on them once their in the dungeon or training themselves outside of it.
"You can put your clothes back on. I'll show you your Status then. Now get to it.", Panacea commanded excitedly.
It took Dinah no time at all to get back into her clothes and to sit back down on the couch. 'Mastering the art of the quick change was and always has been one of the best things I've learned from my mom when I was a little girl.'
"Okay Dinah, I made 2 copies of your Status. The 2nd one is an edited version for you to give to the Guild tomorrow, so you can register as an Adventurer. The 1st one is for our Familia's hidden books. This one we'll keep in house to get an accurate record of your growth. I'm going to hand you the 1st copy. I want you to look at it... really look at it, and if you have any questions, then I'm right here." With that said, Panacea nodded at her, and then she handed over one of the two pieces of brown paper that she held in her hands.
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- Status -
- Dinah Laurel Lance -
- Level - 1 -
-- Power -- I 0
-- Endurance -- I 0
-- Dexterity -- I 0
-- Agility -- I 0
-- Magic -- I 0
- Skills -
-- Enhanced Ear Membranes -- [D]
-- Fighting Spirit -- [I]
-- Martial Arts Mastery -- [G]
-- Peak Human Pain Tolerance -- [H]
-- Trained Reflexes -- [H]
- Developmental Abilities -
-- Voice of the Canary -- [I]
-- Runic Understanding -- [I]
- Magic -
-- Canary's Cry -- [D] (((Locked)))
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Dinah already expected the Level and the parameters of her Basic Abilities, but the Skills, Development Abilities, and Magic was a surprise. With shock written all over her face, she told her Goddess, "I didn't expect all of this. Panacea, what does it mean?"
Panacea scooted closer and explained in a calm manner while she pointed out some of the things she could infer from her knowledge of Falna and the highlights information that her Songbird told her about her life story.
"What it means, my dear Songbird, is that my Falna deemed that your past deeds, accomplishments, training, and experiences were able to be translated into the Skills, Development Abilities, and Magic that you now have. You've told me of your Canary Cry and how much destruction it can cause when you use it as well as your immunity to it's effects. The Enhanced Ear Membranes Skill and the rank of your Canary's Cry Magic are the same and leads credence to that. I don't know why your Magic is locked, but it must have something to do with the strength of your Magic parameter. When you were singing earlier in the park, everyone there heard your beautiful singing voice. I don't know what Voice of the Canary entails, but it may have something to do with your voice or the sounds you make. It may help you grow your Magic parameter and it'll probably help you unlock your Magic. That's a big "may" and "probably", so don't be upset if it doesn't pan out like I'm describing. And with your other Skills, I don't think I've ever heard of any of them, but from what I can further infer, then it makes sense."
Panacea pointed at each one and told her animatedly, "Fighting Spirit may have something to do with your courage or determination during a fight. You've told me of the many different kinds of difficult situations you've been in and some of the toughest opponents you've fought. You have a strong Fighting Spirit, so it's no surprise that you've got a Skill that has something to do with it."
"How many Martial Arts have you studied again?"
"I've studied and mastered Aikido, Boxing, Capoeira, Hapkido, Judo, Jujutsu, Kung Fu, Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Shuri-te, and Wing Chun.", she answered with a slowly understanding expression on her face.
Panacea's grin grew wider as she continued her momentum. "That's it exactly. You've studied and mastered 11 forms of Martial Arts, thus the Martial Arts Mastery Skill was born. And you've told me of the numerous trainers you've had. I remember you mentioning Wildcat, Lady Shiva, Cassandra Cain, and Wonder Woman. The Trained Reflexes and Peak Human Pain Tolerance Skills were a given because of all the training and the pain you've endured over the years. You didn't shy away from it. You embraced it and saw them as lessons within themselves. And last, but not least, I don't know what Runic Understanding is, but it might've been one of those things the Doctor of Fate left you as a gift."
Dinah gave her Goddess a thankful grin before stating, "Now that you've put it all down like that, yeah, it does make a whole lot of sense. I was expecting to have to gain new Skills and such, but I never imagined they would translate this way."
"Yeah, it's certainly amazing, but it's also very dangerous. I'm keeping this Status sheet of yours under wraps. The one I have in my other hand has your Skills, Development Abilities, and Magic as a blank spot. I've also locked the Falna in your back, so that no one; besides a God or Goddess, would be able to access it. Your bare back is just that right now, bare. I've locked your Status from prying eyes, however; you should heed my words, don't ever bare the skin of your back towards another God or Goddess. Having your Status out in the open is dangerous, so I took some measures for you. I'd rather not have my Songbird targeted for possessing never before heard of Skills, Development Abilities, and Magic."
"Thank you, my Goddess.", Dinah smiled in gratitude. 'She's already thought of everything. I know I picked the right choice. I think I'm gonna love it here.'
"You're very much welcome. Now, let's go to the dining area. I'll put the 1st copy away, and hand you the 2nd. And afterwards, you and Conner get to meet everyone. It's going to be so exciting.", Panacea stated as she smiled exuberantly while clapping in joy.
Dinah rewarded her Goddess' joy with her own. She can't help but feel her admiration for Panacea rise. "We're looking forward to it.", she answered back; with obvious joy in her tone.