Hearing this for the first time, Arwan asked, "Lagged Planes? This is the first I'm hearing of it. What happened to hunch?"
"Since I'm the only one that can experience and see the effects of the Lagged Planes, I don't usually talk about it much," Femi explained. "I'm also not okay with telling people about a strategic advantage."
"I understand, all Tethered think that way, including me. I've already shared mine,I'm hoping you share yours too." Gabriel said, understanding Femi's point. "Just the history on how you realized it and just the surface of how it works, you don't have to delve into details about it. Believe me, it'll help me help you."
At Gabriel's words, Arwan raised his brows but he chose not to interrupt.
Feeling no negativity from telling them about his abilities, Femi decided to share. "When I was younger, when I was in the middle of practicing with my sword, I was so engrossed in the training that I entered a state where the world slowed down. In that state, everything slowed down including my body, but I was able to process everything around me at a normal pace, my senses were also enhanced, in this state I rely less on my eyes and more on 'feeling'. It worked well with my sword art, recent fights I've been in have proved that."
"So you've been able to do that since you were young but you only really activated for a fight recently?" Gabriel questioned.
"Yeah. I couldn't fully activate it when I was younger, it just occurred randomly. It was only after I told my old man and he suggested that I use a mask. It helped heighten my concentration and I could enter the state easier." Femi replied, "And yes, I only used it in a real fight recently. Its effect has also been stagnant until recently, the range at which I could sense my surroundings and the speed at which I thought increased. This is what I can share about the Lagged Planes."
"An ability that can slow down the world…" Arwan muttered.
Gabriel sighed as he thought. Eventually, he began voicing out his thoughts.
"Right, imagine how the ability will become when he gains more insight on it. Imagine if he could move at the normal speed in a world where everyone and everything is slowed down… I've seen abilities that affect people, but an ability that can affect the world itself is absurd."
Turning to look at Femi, Gabriel said, "Please tell me about… your hunch. Was that what you called it?"
Femi tilted his head. Shrugging, he said, "My hunch is a part of me that guided me away from my hollowful days. Nothing more, nothing less."
Perceiving that Femi didn't consider it an ability, Gabriel smiled, "Since it's not an ability, tell us about it."
"I don't know exactly how it works or where it came from, but when I was in my hopeless days, it helped. My hunch is what guides me towards the path that benefits me, it's like an inner compass that points me towards that path. I have a destination, meeting all of you was through the guidance of my hunch because you guys will lead me to that destination." Femi added, "Obviously, I'm telling you this based on experience. This is the first time I'm even thinking and explaining about what my hunch is."
Arwan, who didn't know Femi's hunch had this much depth to it, had a moment of realization, "That's why you were so interested in me joining your crew. That's how you knew about Rimora."
"That's what you also meant when you were waiting for me, you knew I was coming," Gabriel added.
"If it's really an ability, what kind of ability is it? It's too wild." Arwan commented.
"It's a Bond ability alright. If we relate it to the Lagged Planes ability, the basis of this ability is-"
"Time." Arwan said.
Gabriel made a long sigh. This conversation was one of the longest he has had in years and it was worth it. He already made his decision the moment he was truly interested in joining their crew, this crew was worth the stress!
"What are we going to do? If Femi loses to it-"
"Stop." Gabriel said, stopping Arwan from expressing his concerns. Standing upright, he added, "If the bond is stronger than Femi, I just have to make Femi stronger than it. Nothing hard there, right Femi?"
Femi stood, walking towards Gabriel. Reaching his front, Femi declared, "Even if the hunch is granted by this Bond you speak of, it has become mine. I'll make sure the Bond within me doesn't take over. I have goals I'm aiming for afterall."
With his eye color flickering between yellow and green, Gabriel smirked enthusiastically, "That's the spirit! I should teach you how to use Tether properly now!"
As Gabriel and Femi shook on it, Arwan interjected, "You guys sure are calm for such a threatening thing!"
His smile still widening and his eyes green, Gabriel said, "If you want to join us that bad, come! I'll help you too!"
Arwan's eyes flashed in interest before it suddenly wiped off. In a low voice, he said, "I've been told I'm not able to use Tether."
Gabriel looked at him for a bit and broke into laughter, "Hahahahaha." He walked to where Arwan was seated and patted his hair, "I'll change that for you. Trust me!"
Gabriel turned towards Eina, scrutinizing every bit of her. She had listened to the whole conversation and understood most, she didn't say anything because it wasn't in her nature to join in on conversations.
Walking towards where Eina sat on a box with her legs in a crisscross position, Gabriel proceeded to look her directly in the face. "You're good. You just need to gain experience and you'll naturally be able to use Tether."
Everyone's attention was currently on Gabriel. Glancing at the two he'll be teaching, Gabriel said, "Let's get to work then."
Femi realized that he had begun anticipating this at some point, it also brought about realization that recently he felt more emotions without guidance from his hunch. With happiness from the fact that he was already making progress on his journey to gaining humanity, Femi replied, "Alright!"sp