The Mimic in Monsterland

The bed in my guest room at Mrs. Warbler’s felt heavenly tonight. Even more so than last night. Probably because I could actually enjoy it to the fullest extent. I was so exhausted yesterday that I just passed out once my head hit the pillow.

Rita rushed me out of the lab once her machine was done collecting data or whatever. I asked what the results were, but she told me it would take a while for it to analyze everything. I then asked about an ETA, but she had no idea. “The machine has never been used on a completely unknown gene. It will probably take a few days,” was her explanation.

The sun was setting by the time I left the dingy lab. Daila was waiting for me at the entrance of the guild hall. She was sent to escort me home.

The city was mostly silent as we walked through it.

I tried to strike up a conversation with Daila while we strolled along. Even apologizing for having to babysit me like this, hoping to cheer her up with my patented self-deprecation. But her mind seemed elsewhere while we walked through the quiet town. She answered me in one or two-word sentences. I took the hint and shut up, turning my attention to the surroundings.

The sun had officially set by the time we crossed into the mercantile district. The town looked much different at night. The carts and tents that once lined the street were in the middle of being carted off or torn down for the day. Some houses and storefronts were lit by candles or torchlight. But the majority were completely dark.

Looks like they follow the sun’s time. Rise at light, sleep at dark. There were lamps that followed the roads, which led me to wonder how they stayed lit. Magic was my best guess; I doubt they have propane here. But who knows? I didn’t expect laboratories either. All in all, it was nice. It was peaceful. Maybe just a tad creepy, but that's because I lived in a college town and was used to there being hustle and bustle every night.

We passed by a tavern on our way. I heard the sounds of conversation coming from it, which piqued my interest. I was tempted to ask Daila if we could pop in. I didn’t really care for alcohol, but how could I say no to a pub in a medieval fantasy world? And I was hungry. Yet one quick glance at Daila’s expression was enough to tell me what her answer was going to be.

We arrived at Mrs. Warbler’s shop not long after the sun fell. It was a lot easier to get through the town when the streets weren't packed with people. Mrs. Warbler welcomed the two of us in. But Daila excused herself after making a quick apology to the elderly woman. She turned to me before leaving. “I will pick you up at sunup tomorrow morning. You are going to start your training with Mr. Holdsburn.” She turned and left as soon as she finished, not giving me a chance to confirm.

Loreli was with Mrs. Warbler in the shop as well, wearing a large coat that hid her swollen belly.

“Liam, I left some food downstairs. Have at it. I need to make sure this one gets home safe.” She rubbed Loreli's arm before grabbing for a coat that looked almost identical to the one Loreli was wearing, except much more form-fitting.

Loreli spoke up in protest. “I told you I’m fine. You don’t need to come.”

“Honey, you are eight months along. I’m not leaving the mother of my grandchild alone for a minute. Especially when they are going to take you soon.”

“I could take her,” I said, trying to be polite.

“Nope, it's still a bad time for you to be out there on your own. And I know you’d get lost in a heartbeat. Besides, she lives close. It's not like I’m going for a stroll through the Gloom.” Mrs. Warbler answered with a smile.

I opened my mouth, only to be shushed once more. “Go downstairs and eat. Now young man.” I relented, letting the two women leave.

My stomach made the typical inhuman growl when the fragrant scent of food hit my nostrils. I hurriedly ran down the stairs. The food didn’t last long. Mere seconds actually. No one was here to judge me for monstrously devouring the wonderful and large meal. It consisted of moose meat this time, seasoned with just salt.

I walked into my room and placed the bag of coins on the desk. I meant to give it back to Rita, but when I tried, I felt this odd resistance. It was probably a mimic gene instinct. The whole hoarding of shiny and valuable things. And what's more shiny and valuable than money?

I shuffled into the sheets after taking my shirt off and closed my eyes, waiting for sleep’s beautiful embrace to take me. Beds are awesome.

However, even as drained as I was, sleep evaded me. My mind was racing about all the things I learned today. The drug flowers, Aura, First Ones, my gene, magical computers with holographic keyboards.

“I wonder if the screen connects to the HUD.” I shook my head. “That’s probably the least important out of all of those.”

I was grateful for the answers and for some background on this world, but it felt almost overwhelming. And what’s sad is that I still had so many questions. There was so much about this world that I didn't know. It made me feel itchy for some reason. Some part of me yearned to go outside and just start running through the rooftops. To purge these thoughts with good old-fashioned exercise.

Then I remembered. “I have a great tool to help with that.” I got out of bed and moved away from it. Once I had sufficient room, I turned on log form. My mind slowed down, letting the tranquility that came from the form take over. Each mind-boggling discovery and answer floated away, leaving a quiet nothingness.

“Hey Liam, can I ask you something?” Tutor asked in a very uncharacteristically somber tone.

My peacefulness was shattered by my head companion as per usual, however, this time felt different.

“Sure,” I answered, reverting back into base form. She’d probably ask anyway. It’s not like she listens to me.

“Are you... Are you sure about this guild stuff?” She asked, stammering a bit.

Her question shocked me. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, are you completely sure this Explorers Guild is something you want to do?” She said, her voice no longer wavering.

“Yes, I feel like I established that fact earlier today. Why? Do you think something’s wrong with it?” I answered. Most of the people I met in Len’s guild were strange in their own unique ways, but none of them gave me any bad vibes. I couldn’t figure out Tutor’s angle.

“Is there something you don’t trust about them? Did you hear something I didn’t?” I asked.

“No. That’s not it. They seem like an alright group of people. It’s about you. This is your new life, your second chance, your opportunity. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to realize that your gene is something special, something powerful. But you are diving deep into the first cause you’ve found. You know that I like Len, but everything you’ve learned so far is warped by his bias. You have the freedom to go and look for yourself. Freedom to be whatever you want to be and to stomp anyone or anything that tries to stop you.” Her words grated me for some reason.

“So what would you have me do? Go run back to the big tree, get myself captured again. Because it looks to me like that’s the only other bias there is.” I responded, getting a bit upset.

“Or what, go back into the woods, live like a hermit again? I thought it was you who convinced me to keep fighting to get out of there in the first place.”

“Liam, it’s not about what I would have you do or what Len would have you do. It’s about what you want to do. It's about making sure it's your decision and yours alone. That’s all I’m worried about. I don’t want to see you get trapped and used in someone else’s game. I only want you to understand that you have the freedom to choose and not be strung along by anyone.”

I felt my face flush. I took a deep breath, expelling the urge to yell at her. “I see your point. But like you said, it's my choice. And right now, I choose the guild. Let’s be real for a minute.” I stretched out my arms and twisted around the room.

“Look where I am. This room I've been given and that food I just ate. These people are helping me out so much. I owe them all. And Foster’s repay their debts.”

I closed my eyes. “And I’m not one of those guys who care about being all powerful and free. To completely crush those who oppose me. That kind of freedom just leaves you lonely. Do you know how happy I was to share a meal with others? Even if it was a little awkward. I’m not gonna give that up in the name of some freedom I don't understand.”

I opened my eyes back up and smiled.

“Don’t get me wrong. I’m still going to train just as hard and get stronger. But I’m not the type of person who can do that all for my own sake. I need a goal and prefer to have people help me get there. Len and his guild are offering just that. So yes. I am sure.”

She was silent for a while after I finished talking. Why does she care that much to begin with?

“Okay Liam. I’ll let it rest for now.”

“Great. Now if you don’t mind, I would like to enjoy this spectacular bed and peaceful night.”