[It seems our success is being recognized.] I said. Lark smiled at my words.
It had been several days since we had met with Millie. Already she was going on short walks in the afternoon, and spending the evenings enjoying the setting sun. She may still stick to the inside of the city, and did not go to any open spaces larger than the nearest courtyard, but it seemed that she was adjusting well. Even if she progressed no farther than this, she would definitely be prepared for the next Spring Rut.
Millie was a Demis whose life was not meant to be lived confined to a cage of her own fear. And that cage had been opened, thanks to her new 'forever friend'.
From her description Zullo, her passenger, presented as a stern yet kind female mentor and counselor, someone to help talk millie through their issues. Zullo was always there, offering a gentle, yet firm guiding voice, like that of a caring older sister who had adopted the role of parent.
Given Millie's kind yet submissive personality, this seemed to have been a good call on my fellow Parasite's part. I mean, it's kind of hard to mess up. It was part of who we were.
After a parasite is partnered with a host, it begins finding what the conscious and subconscious parts of the host needs from a passenger. Part biological, part magical, it was a survival tool that allowed the parasites to become an important part of their host. We are not meant to assume full control of our vessels, but simply walk together with them towards a better future. I had read in a few of Lord Harkonin's hand scribed ancient medical journals that our cultural behavior would have classified us more as 'symbiotes', however our biological nature, and our ability to Snap a host, led us to our different species name. This survival mechanism, this great pairing ability might be a biological reflex, but it had to be more. These feelings Lark felt for me, sure, that might be justified by our magic, how I had become the quite literal 'girl of his dreams'.
But what about the feelings I felt for him? What about those? Thoughts for another time, perhaps. Today, I had to focus. Today we were sitting with three representatives, Ephraim, Sute, and Hamil. It was time for us to have a meeting between the two races with our commander present to ask any questions. Hamil was there to represent the Zullo of the Parasites, while Ephraim was there to represent Millie of the Demis. They were reviewing the report that Lark and I had compiled. Well, I may have decided its contents, but Lark had penned it. He was my hands, after all.
The report was a resounding success. It described the condition of Millie, the result of implantation, and current status, with the recommended followup being 'none'.
Sute was the first to comment. "This is quite the report. I was expecting some level of complications, but as it reads, this is a resounding success." Sute smiled, "And you had no issues? No complications? How did you get the girl to agree?"
I was about to answer, when Lark chimed in with his own voice. "To be honest, Sophia just listened. And when Millie asked questions, she answered them honestly. She wasn't selling something, she was helping someone asking for it."
Hamil raised his eyebrow. Hamil, who currently drove in the body of a newly plated younger man, smiled. "I expected as much. Our kind don't need to be sold, simply introduced." The professional demeanor of Hamil was quite the juxtaposition against the young adult's body.
Ephraim then spoke. "I was with Millie and Zullo on their last walk. While she is still apprehensive about extremely wide open spaces, she no leads a fairly functional life. She can leave her home, work in the shop, pick up her own groceries and drop of refuse, and with the way that Zullo is teaching her to upkeep on her appearance I foresee she will find a mate before the Spring Rut."
"So success all around. This will mark the first Demis volunteer, the first non-medically recommended volunteer, and overall a giant step forward on Parasite relations within the city." Sute continued, "Lark, Sophia, is there anything I can get for you? Such an accomplishment merits a reward. Name it, and if it's in my power, I will grant it."
Lark shook his head and looked to me. "I am happy with what I have, with my recently accessible wages for these past few years, I can purchase anything I need for my station. Sophia, is there anything that you want for?"
I leaned in and pretended to whisper to Lark. Hamil laughed, as he knew it was a bit of a strain for Lark to switch between my voice and his. I then sent Lark a message, which he relayed.
"Sophia requests a copy of the spell [greater shadow clone]"
Sute's smile slipped away as her expression became questioning, "I do not have a copy, but I know of one who can easily get a copy, however, what is your end goal? I am a bit wary of giving it out. For reason."
This time I looked at Lark, and he understood. I needed my voice.
"Sute, I have heard that with the [greater shadow clone] spell, I can interact with physical objects."
Sute nodded, "This is true, but I am somewhat apprehensive. Some might see it as a bit of an affront. Most already are wary of the parasites, and giving them a spell that is meant for assassins and thieves, well, it might chip a few people's horns."
My response came out before I could think through it. "I know, but I want to hold Larks hand. I can create a facsimile for him, but i want to feel his touch, and hold him in my arms!"
I realized if shadows had color, I would be beet red.
Hamil's normal smile was a bit strained. He looked like there was something he wanted to say. He was going to interject, but Sute already nodded. It seemed she did not catch Hamil's displeasure. With a gigle, she spoke.
"Agreed, and I will make the request of the person I know to also pick up another spell. It is the master level spell of the shadow clone series, [shadow double]. It may take quite a few years to master it, and traditionally it is forbidden outside the Skygge Royal Family, but I will take steps to ensure there are no issues on my people's end."
I smiled, "Thank you Commander."
Sute smiled back, "It's the fate of most of our Peacemaker teams to want nothing more than to become closer. I will schedule the meeting with the person who can get you these items. He will want to ask why as well."
***
I had tried to keep my expression neutral, but I couldn't hold in my excitement. When Sophia had started to get so close to me, I had my lingering doubts.
Was she doing it to be a good passenger? A good partner? Were her words what she wanted to say? Or just what I wanted to hear?
I knew what these feelings were. I had seen them in most of the couples on our walks through the park. I smiled as I thought of holding hands like this with Sophia. Sophia's request had cleared any doubts.
Sure I could feel her hand when she held it thanks to her giving me that feeling, but she wanted to feel mine.
That was not something a simple passenger would ask for.