Feyrahl, SF Ch 2.4
Welcome to Chapter 2.4 of the SF Feyrahl story!
Since no reader vote happened at the end of the last post, my patrons on Patreon determined that Mac would select to work with Alchemist Asha and Ranger Rolin.
At this point, I throw it back to readers here on SF to determine what comes next. Again,only readers who have not yet made a decision get to chose. Here are the options:
A) Mac will sideline the question by asking of Khosk really has to wait in the hallway. (+2 Affinity for Khosk)
B) Mac will sideline the question by asking Rolin about his special exception to being alone in a room with lady Asha. (Character info revealed & Affinity Test for Rolin)
C) Mac will sideline the question by jumping in with both feet and pulling the conversation back to something more worthwhile: SCIENCE! (-1 Affiity for Rolin)
D) Mac will explain that he came from a world without magic and that he has no talent whatsoever. (+1 Affinity for Rolin, +1 Affinity for Lor)
E) Mac will explain that he came from a world without magic and that he has no idea how it works or even if he has an Affinity. (+1 Affinity for Rolin, +1 Affinity for Lehig)
F) (VERBOSE) Mac will start a conversation about magic, how it is treated in his world, how he has felt experiencing seeing real magic for the first time, and asking tons of questions about it. (+1 Affinity for Rolin, +1 Affinity for Lehig, +1 Affinity for Lor)
This vote will remain up until the first reader decides what will happen. If no decision is made in the next three days then my Patreons will vote on the resolution-- this will be the second of three times it may happen before the story concludes.
As always, thanks for reading, and do feel free to comment-- even if you don't want to use YOUR choice you're always welcome to plead the case and encourage OTHER readers to select an option!
Feyrahl, SoFurry Edition
Not Without Recourse, Ch 2.4
With multiple sets of eyes on him, Mac didn't even hesitate a moment. "Your Imperial Majesty, I've already started working with Asha so, all things being equal, I feel it's best that I continue with her as my mentor."
The Elephant nodded sagely. "If that is your decision, then I shall assign you to Apothecary Asha, so that she may instruct you in the Feyrahlian way of doing things and so that she may learn of your strange methods in return."
The Impala nodded to Mac, her expression one of reserved satisfaction, and she turned to the Emperor. "As you wish, my Emperor. I shall see to it that Sir Millman's knowledge is put to good use."
Caldif gestured in her direction, and toward the Lynx-Bear beside her. "Rolin, you will also be involved. I wish to see to it that Good Mr Millman's understanding of herbs is expanded and for you to learn from his mineral knowledge as well."
The Ranger bowed. "It shall be so, your Imperial Majesty. I look forward to exploring these subjects further with your honorable guest."
The Emperor inclined his head then turned his honey-colored eyes back on the Human. "Finally, Honorable Mr Millman, you have the attention of this court. If there are any other comments to be made regarding this arrangement, now is the time to bring them up."
Although the faintest clearing of his voice indicated that Khosk would probably rather have had Mac say nothing, the Human had never passed up an opportunity to add something in class when a professor gave the opportunity. So, faced with a council of scholars, he couldn't remain quiet. "Mainly, I just want to say that I look forward to learning how Feyrahlians operate in the scientific field. There is much to be learned by comparing your alchemical techniques to that of chemistry."
Lehig chuckled. "Ah yes... 'chemistry'. That WILL be an intriguing point of research if what you tell us about your science is what you claim."
Although the combined words said by the Mystic may have been taken as conceited at best or demeaning at worst, there was something about the neutral tone in which the statement was spoken that left Mac feeling that no insult was meant. Following up on that, Asha added "I am excited to learn more as well. If what I have seen thus far in my laboratory is any indication, I am confident that Sir Millman may have more to teach to us than he has to learn from us."
The Emperor smiled in a reserved manner. "Oh? Then I suppose I am even more incentivized to call the council together again in a fortnight for an update. The record will make a note of this decree."
The Lemur who had first announced Mac spoke in unison with both of the Mystic's heads. "So noted."
Lifting a small metal goblet in his enormous hand, the Elephant offered a toast into the air. "Then we shall consider this gathering adjourned. Miss Asha and Sir Rolin, you are given the meeting hall. Sir Khosk, please guide Gentle Mr Millman to join them."
The Impala, Lynx-Bear, and Lion all offered a bow, speaking in unison. "Yes, your Imperial Majesty."
The alchemist and Ranger departed immediately while Khosk took another step closer to the Human, his voice a low, rumbling statement. "This way. It is not far."
As usual, his bodyguard directed Mac with shoves and pushes but, by that point, the young man was starting to get used to the Lion's paws-on manner and chose not to take offense. While walking, he spoke over his shoulder to Khosk. "So... how do you think that went? I think it went fairly well."
The Lion grunted affirmatively and added "You did not make a fool of yourself, Millman... I would call that acceptable."
Mac was feeling good about the entire thing. "The Emperor let me choose to keep working with Asha."
Khosk gave him a shove, correcting him as he did so. "We are going the right-- and it is MISS Asha, or Alchemist Asha. Do not be so casual with names... especially not when addressing women with whom you are associating, lest you give listeners the wrong idea."
The Human accepted both corrections, acknowledging his verbal slip. "Right. Alchemist Asha... I wouldn't want to sound too 'familiar'."
Although Mac had added the last statement half in humor, the Lion took it at face value. "Correct. You would come across as uncouth and boorish and if she did not correct you then it would make her look bad. That is not a good way to establish a working relationship. You need to be more attentive, Millman."
Offering a simple nod to Khosk, Mac was happy to add another voice to the conversation when they turned a corner and he almost literally ran into Rolin. The Lynx-Bear managed a timely step back even as the Lion grabbed Mac by the arm. Both Feyrahlians spoke in unison. "Careful, Millman."
Composing himself, Mac shrugged Khosk's paw off his shoulder and offered an approximation of the courtly bow he'd learned. "It's good to see you again, Sir Rolin. I look forward to learning more from you and Lady..." he glanced around the hallway. "Where IS Lady Asha? Wasn't she going to meet us in the meeting hall?"
Khosk grunted from behind him. "We're standing right outside of it, Millman. The meeting hall is through that door."
Mac fought back the self-reproach and pushed forward in the conversation. "Oh... well I'm glad you decided to wait out here for me, Sir Rolin."
The Lion once again interjected. "If Lady Asha is waiting inside then he is out here so that he does not give the suggestion of impropriety of--"
The Human spoke over him, frustrated at the constant correction. "Of being alone in a room with a woman. Right, Right."
Rolin chuckled calmly and reached out to pat Khosk on the shoulder and Mac on the head. "Peace be to both of you-- in truth, you were both correct. Despite everyone knowing nothing would happen between myself and Lady Asha, I did wish to be respectful of her position AND because I was looking forward to seeing my Foot-Cousin again."
The Ranger had a certain calming presence about him that let Mac let go of Khosk's incessant nagging and put up with the fact that the Lynx-Bear had patted him on the head like some kind of child. There was something Rolin said that did catch his attention. "Why would everyone give you a free pass for being alone with a wo--?" His question was interrupted by an elbow from his Bodyguard. He glared at the Lion, who glared right back; Khosk did a much better job of intimidating and Mac didn't pursue the question.
The Ranger, for his part, let their unspoken 'argument' slide. Stretching, the Lynx-Bear gained another few inches in height, adding some credit to his feline side with some incredible flexibility. He nodded to Khosk before adding "We'll see to Millman for today. Sir Vihas will be by to pick him up at the shift change?"
Khosk let out a grunt, folding his arms across his chest. "I'll wait inside with the three of you regardless."
Despite how casual and relaxed Rolin came across most times, Mac was surprised when a sudden, imposing darkness came over the Ranger's face, accompanied by a dismissive snort. "The meeting room has been reserved for scholars, Sir Firemane."
If the Lion was intimidated he didn't let on. Casually unfolding his arms, he instead moved to lean against the wall across the hall. "Then I will take up my post here." Khosk's discussion with Rolin came to an immediate end when his eyes migrated to Mac. "I will be nearby if you should need me, Millman."
It was a sweet sentiment, in a way... or, at least, it would have been if it hadn't come from Khosk. Nodding, the Human turned to join Rolin, who already had a large paw out offered to him. "I'll be fine, Khosk. Thanks."
When Mac accepted the paw he was only half surprised that his hand disappeared completely in the Lynx-Bear's grasp. Rolin led him into the room with a smile. "Lady Asha and I are quite excited to have this time with you, Foot-Cousin. You have my thanks for selecting us as your partners."
Mac smirked. "You mean mentors?"
Asha, who was across the room seated at a table easily large enough for twenty (rather than just the three of them) obviously had good hearing as she called out "Despite the Emperor's use of titles, Sir Flat-Paw and I have no illusions about the nature of this relationship, Sir Millman... you are a scholar in your own right, and we look forward to learning from you as much as we teach to you."
Mac wasn't so self-deluded to think that he had far more to teach them than they had to teach him, but he was also a realist; he'd spent years in a modern university having access to innumerable technological marvels that the people of Feyrahl couldn't even conceive. As he was led to take a seat near Asha, Rolin raised a paw, intoning in a soft chant, and a large, glowing ball of light came into being above the table, making the Human pause in his assessment; he had science, but they had magic-- yes, he was a realist, which meant that his estimation of who had what to teach to whom started to even out.
Asha also didn't miss that. "You enjoy Sir Rolin's use of summoning Magic, do you? Pray tell, Sir Millman, where does your Affinity lay?"
Fighting back a grimace, Mac figured that he'd have to explain the whole 'my world has no magic' thing yet again.... or did he?