Lark and I were enjoying the breakout and networking section after Jan's presentation. Most people came over to ask Lark questions. In my [shadow clone] form, I stood next to him. I did my best to make my shadow look as if it was wearing a formal military uniform, although part of me wished it was a formal dress to match my date.
I had to snap myself out of it! I had to remember first and foremost that Lark was my partner, and I was his. Thankfully, someone came, not to marvel at Lark like a science project, but to talk with him.
"Greetings Lark, Sophia, I don't know if you remember me, but we have met before. My name is Ephraim, and I am a representative for the Demis people."
The silver white ears were enough to give away who he was. Lark smiled. "It is a pleasure to meet with you Ephraim, what can we do for you."
Ephraim looked at the crowd as he talked. "I am glad to see these people here. For most, those who are of disturbed mind are not worthy of the attention of their leadership. But here gathered in these very halls, we have those who care enough about those who suffer to be willing to listen to such an odd, but novel approach. You see, Lark, I speak with traders, travellers, and merchants every day. Although most people won't speak of it, Maladies of the mind exist in every nation. They are unavoidable, unable to be cured with magic, as most are not damage, or the damage like yours would kill the soul of the person who has it.
I know how others view Sophia and her kind. It does not help that the majority of those who carry a passenger did so to avoid a death sentence, or was in itself a death sentence. I am glad there is a reason to partner with the Parasites, and to that end, I would like to make a request."
Ephraim bowed, "Lark and Sophia, I have someone who needs your help."
***
[Lark, its our first official duty as representatives, so lets do our best to put a good foot forward.]
It was the day after our battle for honor and meeting with the Representatives and leaders from Haven and it's allied neighbors. Sophia and I stood outside a rather nondescript basement entrance. The building was in the capital, a few blocks over from Ephraim's Emporium. Outside the door, there were two boxes. The first was labeled 'Pickup'. The second was labeled 'Drop-off'.
I did not understand, but I found the basement entrance to be quite cramped. It was initially designed as storage, but with the introduction of the dhamphir, most capital basements were redesigned to be lightless environments for our friends of twilight.
Either way, my large frame was rather unwelcome through the door. But we had a mission, and with a gentle knock we announced ourselves. "Good Morning, Millie! My name is Captain Lark and with me is Captain Sophia. We were sent over by Representative Ephraim who said you would be expecting us."
The door unlatched, and a quiet voice was heard. "Please wait a moment before entering." There was a brief pause, and the same soft voice, although quieter said, "Alright, you are welcome to enter."
As Sophia and I entered, we were met with a well lit stone room. There was a bed in one quarter, and a tailor's station in another. Various pieces of clothing in states of partial construction were carefully setup for work. It was obvious by the craftsmanship that this girl was quite skilled for one so young.
She had taken some time to retreat from the door. Ephraim had mentioned that she was afraid of the outside. I then realized, as I looked around, that she never left her home.
"Good Morning Lark and Sophia, my name is Millie." She looked nervous.
The three of us sat down. Millie did not have enough furniture, so we made due having tea and biscuits on the floor, with pillows from her bed as a small comfort.
Millie served the tea. "I am sure Ephraim has told you, but I am not quite well."
Millie's hands were shaking.
[Lark, do you mind if I do the talking?]
I did not mind. Sophia was much better with words.
***
With the go-ahead from Lark, I started the conversation. Again borrowing Lark's voice, I made it my own as i started to talk. "Don't be worried, Millie. We have come to enjoy the morning together and listen to whatever you wish to tell us. Nothing more."
Millie was surprised as the shadow started speaking, then saw it was Lark's voice being manipulated and thrown.
"Oh, don't worry about Lark. I have not learned to speak on my own yet, so he lets me borrow his voice."
Lark smiled at millie and threw a wink her way.
Millie blushed and smiled. I sat, pretending to grasp the teacup to warm her hands. The basement was a bit chilly based on Lark's impression of it. I was supposed to be a tall petite woman who was not bundled up in fabrics, so i should pretend to be cold.
Millie seemed to calm. Adding a bit of humanoid to my mannerisms seemed to help, as I made a note to do this more often in the future.
Millie then inhaled, exhaled, and started to speak. "I was one of the older children that came through the gate. I don't know if you know what our lands were like, but every few generations, the chasing plague would strike. It would not kill, at first, no it would infect, causing a madness that drove its inflicted to continue the cycle of infection. It had no cure, and those that were bit knew the only thing they could do is cut their own leg tendons to ensure they would not speed up the cycle. It was called the chasing plague, because the bearers would run, without end. They would run until their bodies gave out."
Millie was shaking now. I spoke up. "Take your time."
"I remember I was hiding. The plague bearers do not open doors well, but one of the elders had run in, and finding me, picked me up. I did not want to go. I just wanted to stay. I know now that the plague bearers would have dug a hole through the floor after catching my scent. I would have become one of the bearers. But thankfully, I was saved."
She shook. "But since then, I find myself unable to handle being outside. When we first arrived in Haven, I was unable to go with the other children to learn. During the Dragon attacks, i did not leave my small area. Simply going near the front door causes me to feel sick, and it takes all my efforts to collect my groceries and work from the door, which some of th neighbors are kind enough to pick up for me."
Millie sat. "I don't know what to do. I know if I stay like this, I will not find a mate, and a Demis unwilling to bear young is the worst form of life in existence."
Humans had their ambition, Planetouched Skygge and Lybringers their Honor, Changelings the hunt. Demis had the drive to family.
"I was told there was a way for me to get help. I do not want another spring rut to go by. I feel as the longer that I wait, the more I am a flower wilting while waiting for the rain."
Sophia smiled. "There is a way to help. You see, the fear and anxiety in you is being triggered by memories, scars upon your mind. That is something we can fix."
"How?"
"My people live inside the hosts of willing volunteers. While we are there, we are able to slowly reduce the connection between those memories and the fear response, and along with helping you manage this condition, we are there, every step of the way, coaching, mentoring, and guiding."
"Would I have a shadow like you?"
"Most likely no. That is something special for Lark and I, and you do not need to receive the level of treatment he did. The benefit of the shadow comes at a cost, but it is one we were both willing to pay."
"What would be my cost?"
"The passenger would ask only for a few things. First, a home in a healthy body. I can tell by your fur growth that this home, no matter how clean, is not enough for you to stay healthy. Second, they will want to watch and learn. We grow by experiencing life through your eyes. And third, when the time comes, the parasite may ask to leave for a moment, as we have a fairly strange reproduction cycle. You can be put asleep for it."
"And they won't control me?"
Sophia laughed, "Goodness no! Parasites prefer not to. You see, how much control we have over a host is determined by how many appendages we are left with. Judging from your condition, the parasite would have two appendages removed. So it could control your body in an emergency, but since it wouldn't have the last two it couldn't do so without your permission, and it could never affect your consciousness."
"How many were removed from you, Sophia?"
"None. Due to the damage to Lark's brain, I had to retain all my appendages for him to receive healing."
"Oh my. Might I ask what was Lark's condition."
"Persistent Personality Disorder"
Millie was quiet. "I see. I know what that is like. There were a few back in my village with it. They didn't survive."
Millie sat and sipped her tea. Lark sipped his, andI pretended to hold my mug.
"Alright. I can volunteer. But is it possible to do it here?"
I smiled, "I think that can be arranged. You simply let us know when would be a good time, and we can make the arrangements."
We sat with Mille. Soon enough one of the assistant caretakers arrived. It was a day of many firsts. It was the first time a Demis had volunteered, it was the first time that the Parasites did an in home visit for a same day procedure, and it was the first time that Lark and Sophia had performed official duties as a Peacekeeper team.
***
[Wake up Millie.]
I awoke, a little tired. I looked at the cold tea, and Lark and Sophia making a meal in my small kitchenette. By the feeling in my stomach, it had been several hours.
"I thought it took weeks to recover." Lark and Sophia smiled, but I was answered by another.
[It depends on the host, the condition of the brain, and the amount of sync required on my part. You are quite an amiable host, and the condition you suffer, although highly dehabilitiating, is fairly simple to correct on my end. I just need to readjust my body, and in a few days the fear response to the outdoors will be gone. However, as your passenger, I must state that we will have to work a little at a time. There is a neurological issue that will be solved by me. However there is an accompanying psychological issue that will take a bit of time. I have relayed my requests to Lark and Sophia and for the next few days they will be here first thing in the morning.]
I was surprised. This female voice was almost like one of my teachers from when I was a child. It was a kind, but strict voice, affirming what I must do to succeed. It was if…
It was tailored for me.
[Fret not Millie. We have much to look forward to, and I will be there to help you every step of the way.]
A small kindness of an unseen passenger.
A new world awaited me and I felt an urge, however small, to meet it.