[Hanako] Chapter 12: Idyllic Days

[Asta]

Noting that nobody had anything else to say, Hanako moved on to the next topic. "Okay, so next order of business. In an effort to make the transition a little easier for when we leave, I'd like for those of you that are staying to start exercising a little more autonomy. More or less, you've got a basic outline of the way I'd like things to go while I'm here and once I'm gone you'll be back to answering to Sofia so beyond that it's really out of my hands. Essentially there are some things I'd like to do before we leave the country but I can't really do them if I continue to micromanage every time someone is coming to the estate."

She turned to Aldric. "You pretty much know how things are supposed to be going Aldric, make everything look like business as usual but slowing down as if you were planning to retire. I'm sure news of the partnership with Sofia has already spread among the nobles so it shouldn't look too odd that you're stepping back to focus on... whatever it is that Klein would be doing in his spare time. My comment before about trying to avoid taking on too many additional people still stands, but get anyone that is directly brought to the estate. It would be unsavory to me to leave anyone I know about left in bondage."

She clapped her hands together as if to signify she was finished. "That's pretty much it I guess. It would be good if you could keep the finer details of the plan from spreading out to the people living here, as the less details people know the less likely we are to be discovered. Do start getting people prepped for the move though, drills on packing up quickly or whatever. I'll make a more detailed announcement once I have the logistics for moving everyone to the ships figured out, and I'll make a decision on surrendering Klein's businesses to Sofia within the next few days."

She paused a moment before adding one last comment. "Oh, and if there are any skilled tailors here at the estate I have a project for them so if you could direct me their way, or send them to meet with me that would be great. That's it for real this time. If you've got any additional questions or concerns or even new ideas please don't hesitate to come find me. Uhh... Dismissed... I guess."

[Throndir]

Location: Klein's Estate
Date: Day 11 - 8 PM

Aldric had nodded as you spoke and mentioned him. Soon enough with the meeting adjourned, the people began to move themselves out. As the people were out the two doors, Carol approached you.

"Heyoo Ms. Hanako..." She started. "Working at the Birkensen company I picked up a couple of skills apart from the magecraft I was taught. I can tailor... I've been making some clothes for everyone on my spare time when I'm not teaching the magic energy transfer spell to my students here."

Amarille, the elven princess heard and spoke up as well.

"I can attest to it. Ever since Carol has came here, she's been helping me make the clothing much of the ex-slaves are wearing. There are a few others with talent over seamstry, but Carol works faster than the rest. I'm ashamed to say that I think she excels at it far more than I do."

"Oh no Ms. Lassetaure, you are still much better than I am. I'm not as graceful as you at all."

[Asta]

"Fantastic, I was hoping one of you would be able to help me with this, but having the two of you work together is even better!" Hanako said with a smile. "I was thinking, that since I'm going to be meeting with Isikawan dignitaries in the near future I should at least look the part of a leader. To that end, I'm gonna need a uniform. I've got some ideas, but I'm not much of a tailor so I can only show you a rough drawing and let you take my measurements. Are you free to do that today?"

[Throndir]

"We can take your measurements now if you'd like!" Carol suggested as she excitedly started for the door.

"Look at her go..." Amarille said as she watched the girl disappear out of the room, probably to get some sort of measuring equipment. Amarille, much more composed than her human counterpart smiled in response towards you. "Well, Frau Hero, if you have sketches, that would make it easier. What do you have in mind?"

[Asta]

Hanako produced a folded sheet of paper from one of her pockets and unfolded it to reveal the sketch. "It needs to be made of white material, and it should be able to either fit some leather underneath it or have some additional light armor put on over it without losing its shape. Presumably at some point I might have to do a little fighting while wearing it so just plain clothing wont quite due. If that's not too much that is. Oh! If you can manage to make the reverse of this cape another color like red or something that would be great too. Hopefully it makes enough of a statement to lend me some credibility when we're looking for a place to settle..."

[Throndir]

"It's... Fascinating..." Amarille said as she examined the piece of paper. "I'll bring this over with Carol. I think there's enough material here to make it. We should be able to finish a prototype by the end of the tomorrow. Knowing Carol, she'll probably want to work on it all night, but I'll be sure to make sure she gets some rest too."

[Asta]

Hanako smiled at Amarille's enthusiasm and chuckled a little as she spoke. "Take your time, I won't need it until I'm haggling with dignitaries."

Hanako is gonna wait around for Carol to come back and get measurements taken, then will try and squeeze in some extra training (forced)

Forced Training: Light Armor Proficiency

Rolled 1d20+7 : 11 + 7, total 18

CON check:

Rolled 1d20+4 : 7 + 4, total 11

[Throndir]

Trainings:
Light Armor Proficiency: 3/8

Since this took place earlier, you would actually be Fatigued when you started this last scene. You could technically do another set of Forced Training, til 11 PM. If you are, roll another Training check and CON check. You will suffer a -2 to your next Training check being Fatigued however. I'll add that in myself so roll normally.

Carol eventually came back, and together with Amarille, took all of your measurements. Both Amarille and Carol were well-endowed, but neither of them commented.

[Throndir]

Once Carol and Amarille left, the strangest thing happened. Out of the blue, without any trigger what-so-ever you were bombarded with a string of notifications.

You have gained『Create Golem』
You have gained a new title『Golem Master』
You have gained +4 CON
You have gained +4 MAG
You have gained a new title『Spellcasting Slaver』
You have gained +2 MAG
You have gained a new title 『Homunculus Master』
You have gained +2 MAG

At the same time, more knowledge was somehow pumped into you, in the same way as when you were first summoned into the world. You knew about something called contractual magicka, and unlike before where you only had a vague idea of how they worked. You felt like, if you wanted, you could cast some sort of magic related with binding people, or making contracts, or a magic that activates on 'agreement'.

[Asta]

While being measured Hanako was fairly certain one of the two might have groped her a little, but it was probably her imagination. Moments after they left, her vision was suddenly filled with a burst of new notifications accompanied by a flood of previously unknown knowledge. She had to take a moment to steady herself on the back of a chair, since the pop ups were so surprising.

Nhh... what's all this then?

Of particular note was (what she assumed to be) the newly acquired ability "Create Golem".

"That's interesting..." she mused quietly. Clearly whatever else she had planned for the day needed to be put on hold to play with this. She decided to head out into the garden for a little privacy while she explored the new skill.

[Throndir]

You headed out towards the garden. There were some soldiers keeping watch both at the door and at the outer gate. The ones at the door nodded to you and saluted as you passed by them. Due to it roughly being around fall, the sun had already set perhaps an hour ago. There was still an orange hue to the skies, but you knew it would get dark soon as well.

There are multiple private places in the garden. The most private might be the gazebo at the center of the hedge maze. But there are also benches, other tables, and anything else a well-maintained and expensive garden/yard could have. Choose a location, or describe it.

[Asta]

"Hrm... I think maybe the center of the hedge maze is my best bet for privacy..." Hanko pondered out loud, and then set off into the maze at a brisk pace, knowing the fading evening light was nearing its end.

Once she had reached her destination, she glanced around to make certain no one else was near.

Okay... so from my experience these things seem to activate based on if I'm thinking about them... sooo....

She concentrated for a moment, forming an image in her mind of a golem being created. Then, shifted her thoughts over to the inexplicable knowledge that she could create a specific kind of golem, namely a homunculus. Considering the thing she would create needed to be humanoid, she settled on a shape she was familiar with. Her own.

"I hope this doesn't cost me an arm and a leg..." she snarked to herself while attempting to activate the ability.

[Throndir]

As you concentrated and thought about making a homunculus fashioned after yourself, you watched in fascination as parts of the earth and ground where you were initiating the attempt started to disappear, and get raised up in a mass of dirt. The surrounding plants seemed to darken as well, and you watched as liquid was pulled from them to mix into the mass. The air started to visibly thicken at the area too, creating something almost akin to dry ice. At that same time, a glowing stream from you started to mix into the mixture. You felt yourself get tired as well, and you realized that it must have been mana. The mana itself seemed to crystallize and turn into other sorts of material. Some turned into more liquid. Some into other minerals. Next the liquid started to take on a red-hue, and soon enough the pulpy mass that started to look more like flesh continued to grow and grow. The entire process didn't take long, it was perhaps a quarter of a minute at the very most, but soon enough an exact replica of you was created. She was facing towards you, her eyes were blank and devoid of emotion. She was also completely naked. Apart from that, she looked just as you looked when you were summoned in Erato's domain. Free from any scars or blemishes. She was decently fit too. In some ways, it was a perfect body.

In the dark moonlit garden, there continued a slight stream of glowing mana coming from you and enveloping the homunuclus you created.

It was evening so it would make sense you were tired, but you felt much more drained than usual. You were drowsy.

[Asta]

"Fascinating..." Hanako said, and brought a hand to her chin in a pensive gesture. She walked over to her duplicate and looked it over from head to toe. It was a pretty exact copy. She poked the copy's skin on it's arm to see if it felt real as well. "Can you speak?" she asked.

[Throndir]

When you poked it, it felt real. You even managed to get a bit of warmth from the action. It was definitely flesh. After you had asked if it could speak, it didn't respond, but continued to stand still looking straight ahead at nothing in particular.