Heavenly Shae

Colorful Koi quickly went over a few bookkeeping details which Long dutifully recorded. Shae missed a few acronyms but caught the date, location, persons attending, and reason for the interview. That last caught her off guard, she hadn't heard the incident referred to as a 'full core disruption,' and was confused by it.

Koi noticed her confusion right away. "It's more of a theoretical thing. Very interesting for us researchers that you and Long managed it together. In brief, it's roughly equivalent to knocking someone's soul unconscious. Much more doable on a weak elemental-type spirit beast, however."

"Ah. Okay. That still sounds rather intense," Shae said.

"It is." Koi nodded and continued, "Most theoretical models predict that it could be accomplished by suppressing a soul's desire to live. However, in most cases there's little distinction between the soul and mind. For mortal creatures, strong killing intent or qi pressure can accomplish something similar with greater effectiveness. So, the distinction isn't important to most outside of research."

Shae scratched her scalp just above her right ear. "So that's why people pass out from qi pressure? Hmm, I can't say my time spent doing tempering training agrees with that. I never lost the desire to live, almost the opposite."

"Ah! Interesting, your file said you endured directed tempering by Elder Ghon, yes?" Koi paused to let Shae nod. "So, there is a correlation between those who've finished directed tempering and those who have greater willpower. While tempering is mostly for your body, the experience is somewhat traumatic, so it can strengthen the mind as well."

"Then why don't more people do it?" Shae caught herself immediately. "Ah, sorry. I've distracted us, and I think Ghon told me already."

"Heh-heh-he," Koi chuckled. "If you asked, then he probably did, but there are a few reasons, so I'll repeat them for the record." They hiked a thumb at Long. "Other people might read these notes, hopefully. Apart from being traumatic and slightly dangerous, it's quite time consuming for the stronger cultivator. Most wouldn't spend the time for a student since they don't know that they'll be able to progress. If you can't reach core stage, then it's wasted effort. Some think it's a waste even then, a tribulation does some of the same work."

"Huh. Is that why he said I was done tempering after my tribulation?"

Koi smiled wide, showing all their teeth, their canines looked particularly sharp. "Confirmation, right from the goat's maw. Thank you, little Heavenly Shae, but we'll have to save that for another conversation, if you don't mind. Back to the subject of this interview." They leaned back in their chair, briefly closed their eyes and covered their mouth with a fist.

They kept their eyes closed while rushing through more formalities, "According to the report filed by Master Long and delivered by Agent Apollo, Wise Shae and Master Long used a combined intent assault to completely disrupt the core of a tier one mud elemental, hereby referred to as the rot dog. From Long's position as a combat focused Elder, we can confirm his contribution was a fairly standard killing intent threat of at least class three potency. Enough to freeze the rot dog's motor functions. This interview with the other participant aims to identify the second intent used, described by Long as the threat of an uncaring world. So, Miss Wise and Heavenly Shae, does that description fit your intentions?"

"Uhhh... Um. I guess so?" Shae stammered.

Koi smirked. "Apologies for the onslaught of jargon. Your reaction is common for first timers. How about we just start with your own explanation of events? I don't need a recounting of every word said, just a general outline and more detail about your feelings and what you were trying to do with your intent."

Shae nodded and looked down at her tea as she recounted the day in her own mind. "Huh. I honestly don't remember what we were arguing about anyway. Err, Sorry, Master Long."

He smirked slightly through his usual mask. "That's fine. Most arguments are better left forgotten." His hand whipped a brush across paper, even as he talked.

"Although, having an idea of your mental state might help recreate the specific intent." Koi brushed her hair over her ear.

"Oh, that's not an issue at all. I know exactly what I did." Shae waved at the roof. "It was the threat of being annihilated by a stray gamma ray burst. From space." She pointed up. "Generally caused by exploding neutron stars... or perhaps just when they form, or collide? Doesn't matter. The specific details of the threat aren't terribly important. What was important was the idea that at any moment, the uncaring reality we live in can wipe you off the face of the planet. If you just sit around waiting, eventually something you can't control will happen. Probably something deadly."

There was a frozen moment in the room where no one moved. Then Shae reached forwards to slurp some of her tea. The sound was accidental and she blushed and cleared her throat. "A-hem. Oh, and not by any person or thinking being. Just... shit-happens, you know."

The room remained silent for another few breaths, until she noticed something was off. She pointed and asked, "Uhm, aren't you supposed to be writing this down, Master Long?"

He blinked twice, then looked down at the page in front of him. His brush moved slowly at first, then filled a page and began a new one. "This neutron star, what makes it different from our sun?"

"Uhmm," Shae scratched her cheek, then looked up and rubbed the side of her head. "Okay, so do you know how there are, like, different phases of star life and development? Different sizes and color temperatures?" She made a few sweeping gestures with her hands then made different sized circles with both hands, as if that was enough to clarify anything.

Long blinked a few times again, then looked at Colorful Koi. "Are you following this?"

They blinked back, and scratched their own cheek. "We may need to find a specialist."

Shae sighed. "Oh, come on. You guys have to know about star development, right? You all live long enough and you can see so many of them, someone's probably seen a supernova while staring at the night sky. -Oh! Maybe that was it. The gamma ray bursts are from supernovae? Yeah that sounds correct. Probably when they collapse into neutron stars. Anyway, your senses are better, so you'd barely need a telescope. You could just watch the stars and see them flash then go dim. That's a supernova."

"Wise Shae, I was informed of your status as a lost soul. However, this kind of knowledge isn't generally spread about the cultivator community." Koi gave her a reluctant smile.

"Ugh." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "This is why Ghon's core broke. You assholes have your heads too far up your butts to actually just tell each other what you've discovered." She huffed.

"Miss Shae-" Long started with obvious disapproval.

She held up her hand, palm towards him. "Please don't lecture me about swearing again. You definitely deserve it for this. You know, I talked to Analyst Bai a bunch about mathematics on the way here. He was stuck on this proof, not stuck because he didn't understand what was taught to him. Stuck because his teacher hasn't taught him anything about it. They were making him invent the proof from scratch. Whyyy? That's not what you call teaching people, is it?" She huffed again and shook her head.

"Firstly, those are some rather bold accusations, especially regarding Elder Ghon. Secondly," Long said and looked over to Koi who was looking back with apprehension. "She likes to do this. It's best to just let her get it out of her system."

Shae glared at him.

"Setting aside... all of that. Let's back up, take a breath, and start fresh." Koi shook their head and held their palms out at both Shae and Long.

"Start fresh!" Shae snapped her fingers and pointed at them. "That was it, that was what we were arguing about. Ah, and then I started poking at Long's personal weaknesses, no wonder he wants me to forget about it." She quickly put a palm up and bowed toward Long. "Apologies, I didn't need to say that out loud. You can yell at me later or something. We should stick to the interview."

She took a deep breath and waited for a response.

Long looked down at the session notes then over at Koi. "I hope you don't mind that I skip a bit of that?"

They nodded quickly and sighed.

Shae sat up straight again and exhaled with relief. "Okay, hmm. How did it get to me throwing intent around? I remember getting quite upset... then Long probably said something that didn't help, so I must have flailed my intent at him, I remember that happening. Not killing intent, I can't bother to threaten people like that."

"Oh?" Koi leaned forwards. "Why not?"

Shae shrugged. "I guess I just can't imagine a reason that I would actually want to kill someone, or even seriously injure them. Like, getting into an argument is hardly even a reason to threaten the other person. Oh, right, that is why I switched to warning intent. Probably after you criticized my intent use." She pointed at Long again.

Long cleared his throat and finished up a few brush strokes. "It was messy and undirected while you were screaming in frustration. I merely said as much, and you said it was intentional."

"Right-right. It was an expression of frustration." She flicked her pointer finger at him. "So I took that as a challenge. Starting with simple warning intent, uhm, then I guess my mind needed something to warn of, so I went with stuff falling from the sky. I may not be a real threat to a cultivator as advanced as Master Long, but other things could be. Specifically, other unfeeling and uncaring things that could just happen at any moment. Asteroids or comets falling from the sky came to mind during that. Yet those do give a lot of warning, relatively speaking." She shrugged. "I think there were a few more steps before I got to the idea of a gamma ray burst, then the rot dog showed up and we both threw our current intent at it."

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Long cleared his throat roughly and shook his head. "That... makes a strange kind of sense, now."

"Hmm." Koi leaned back and threw one leg over the other's knee. "Very interesting. So it was mostly the threat of death, but as executed by the universe itself. The uncaring existential fact that life can simply end." They snapped their head down to look at Shae with sharp eyes.

She smiled ruefully. "I think some would call it existential dread. Or anxiety and an overactive imagination. These specific events are extremely rare. We had a saying back- were I'm-" She shifted in her seat and cleared her throat. "On that other world, one where they don't have tribulations throwing lightning around. They say: 'Lightning never strikes the same place twice.' An obviously false statement that was still used to reassure people that bad things don't happen the same way again and again, or to the same person twice." She paused and forced a chuckle. "Heh. We can use a little lie to trick ourselves into believing in safety, the same as anxiety does the opposite. Heh, and that saying is hilariously ironic here where people get hit by lightning a bunch just to progress as cultivators."

"Well," Koi reluctantly started. "You're not really supposed to get hit by the lightning."

"What?" Shae stared blankly at them. A buzzing pressure started in her right ear and quickly turned to a high pitched hum.

She missed what they said in response, then Koi shook her. "Shae, Miss Shae!?" Concern crossed the older cultivator's face.

"Uh, what?" Shae looked between them and Long.

"Are you back with us?" Koi asked.

"Um, yea. Just a little... Um, I'm not really sure what happened there." She grabbed the back of her neck.

"A bit of recurring trauma is common with tribulations." Long nodded. "Especially for those who were not fully prepared. I'm a little surprised it took this long to emerge. Hmm, maybe the battle at Gatewash is to blame?"

Koi nodded in agreement. "Most likely, that would have been the next time your life was in danger, yes?"

"Ah, I suppose-" she stopped, then took a deep breath. "No, this happened first." She pointed at her right arm, at the shadow scarring.

"Ah." Long gasped without looking surprised. "Yes, I suppose there was that. Fairy Yun did inform me, but how- no, no. I suppose this isn't the venue to dredge that up."

Koi raised an eyebrow at Long.

He shook his head. "Not particularly relevant, I don't think. Though, even after that, you couldn't see yourself wanting to kill an enemy, Miss Shae?"

She frowned and looked down at her tea. Taking a breath, she sloshed the tea around. "I'm no pacifist. I like it, but agree it isn't a practical ideal." She moved her right arm to display the shadow scarring and spoke slowly and intentionally, "As for this, I can't let myself regret what happened. That person attacked me. Even though the result was an accident, I needed to defend myself." She took another deep breath. "Pacifism wouldn't have saved them, just resulted in more injury to myself." She breathed again and shuddered lightly on the exhale.

"Take your time." Koi placed a hand on her forearm. "Or skip over it entirely. Long is correct, it doesn't sound particularly relevant to this interview."

Shae blinked and looked up, Koi was forcing a smile. They shrugged and let a grimace slip through. Mouthing the word 'sorry,' they patted her arm again before pulling away.

Long drew her attention by taking a deep breath and exhaling loudly. "You are not alone in your conflict over violence, or memories of trauma. The sect takes pride in its mental health professionals. You can and should set up an appointment through the administration building."

Shae's mouth worked wordlessly. "Oh. That uh- that makes a lot of sense actually."

Koi snorted. "It's always funny what you lost souls get hung up on. She thinks we don't know how to teach, but is surprised by therapy."

"Hey. That's a simplification. You were asking me about neutron stars, if I followed your own logic I wouldn't have explained half of what I did." She crossed her arms angrily.

"To be fair. I don't think you've explained it at all." Long smirked.

"Exactly." She pointed at him without moving her arms. "You don't even know enough to know what you don't know!"

His smirk quickly flattened back into his usual mask.

Researcher Koi tapped the arm of their chair. "Well, you did explain the ideas behind the intent fairly well, and as you said, the exact source of the threat isn't particularly important. As far as we know. We'll have to run a few experiments." They nodded.

"Mhm. Right. You are a researcher." Shae smirked.

"Yes. I'll have to put out requests for live spirit beasts, maybe more rot dogs, then I'll inform you when we need you to repeat the intent usage." Koi pulled out a notepad and charcoal stick, then turned sideways in the chair to start writing on their knee.

Shae nodded. "Okay, sure- wait- what? Why do you need me, again?"

"To repeat this existential intent use, obviously. I'll probably need you to hold it for a while, so it will be good intent training."

"A-hem," Long interrupted, "Researcher Koi, please be sure to compensate Miss Shae for her time, and be mindful of her upcoming school schedule."

"Of course, of course." They waved at him dismissively without looking up from their notes. Half a breath later, they tore free a loose page and handed it to Shae. "Here's a note for the Mission Hall. It includes my new request, and they'll compensate you for today's interview. You should already have credit for the original disrupted core on your account. It's not a lot, but having mission credit will save you some work in the coming year."

Long nodded at that. "That's true, though since she's a first year, it isn't much of a problem."

"Uh, well, about that." Shae raised a hesitant finger. "I'm trying to get bumped forwards a bit. So, I might need to fulfill some of the second year responsibilities."

"Hmm. Not a bad idea, if your cultivation can keep up. It will be challenging without a manual." He rubbed his chin.

"But you're working on that, right?" She pointed at the vial still on the table. It had separated into two layers, a clear layer of unused spiritual water on top, then a cloudy white layer with a golden internal light that still seemed to be moving slowly.

"Oh!" Koi stopped writing and leaned sideways to get a closer look at it. Shae cringed a little as their spine clearly twisted in an unnatural way.

"What a unique specimen." They glanced up at Shae, then back to the vial. In that short glance she felt the barest hint of qi movement around her. "It's not my field, but I can think of several Researchers who would be interested in this."

"Interested enough to pay?" Shae smirked.

"Oh, certainly." Koi nodded.

Shae's smirk dropped into surprise.

"I can fetch more vials and split the profits with you?" Koi smirked at Shae's reaction. "It won't be much, yet I do enjoy teasing my fellow researchers."

Shae glanced at Long, yet he just raised a palm, showing he wanted to stay out of it.

"Ah, okay." She shrugged. "I guess there's no harm in it."

"Hmm. That's not entirely true." Koi wobbled a hand. "There are devious things people can do with a sample of your qi. So, as long as you don't have any enemies?"

"I certainly hope I don't." Shae shook her head. "I've only been here two days. Will the other researchers be able to expand my cultivation manual recommendations?"

Koi put a finger to their cheek to think. "Hmm. I can make it a condition of their purchase. I'd say we try keeping your identity a secret, however that will definitely just encourage most of them to seek you out. So, a manual recommendation would be better. That or a technique, sometimes unique qi will behave oddly for normal techniques."

"Oh! That'd be great." She nodded.

"Good." Koi looked at the vial again. "So. What is it?"

"Eh!?" Shae choked.

Long snorted once. "Pure qi base with a bit of lightning and a bit of divine. We're not sure of the ratio or the full behavior. Which is why selecting a cultivation manual will be difficult."

"Huh." Koi said, then shrugged. "Sounds like you have two good options there already. Anyhow, are we done?" They looked between Shae and Long.

"You're the one running this meeting, Researcher Koi." Long frowned at them.

"Ah, right." They looked down at their notes. Then over at what Long had been writing. "Yes, I think this is good enough for now. Interview over." They waved, stood and were at the doorway before turning around. "I'll go get those other vials. How many can you do?"

Shae shrugged. "How many do you need?"

Koi looked up and started absentmindedly counting on her finger knuckles.

"Ah, how about three? Just for now? Limited quantities will keep the demand high, right?" Shae offered.

"Good thinking." They nodded and left.

Long took a deep breath and exhaled it roughly. "Well. That went about as well as expected." He looked at Shae. "Most of them are like this, a complete mess once their minds get distracted with their chosen subject matter."

"Would you be much better if it was about swordplay?" Shae smirked.

He blinked and inhaled deeply again. "I'd like to think so. However, let us wrap-up the matter of the talisman before she returns." He gestured to the envelope on the tray. "I believe this is the containment vessel Koi selected for it." He tilted the tray and carefully picked the sheet of paper out from under the envelope, then read it over.

"Mhmmm... curious. As usual with these things." He nodded and handed the page to Shae. "You'll be able to manage this yourself, if you want it."

"I think you made it clear enough that it's a good idea. I'll use it."

"Good. Unless you have further questions for me, I'll be off."

"Oh. Uhm.. yes, one thing, at least." Shae straightened up in her chair. "Have you heard anything about my classes? And how do I get into the library?"

"Schedules are not set until closer to the new year, challenges happen around the same time. So you needn't rush to prepare for that. The normal curriculum can be found at the admin building or the library. Did they give you a sect token yet?"

She shook her head. "Just the cafeteria pass."

"Hmm. They should be issued soon, though Koi's request might need one now." He pointed at the page Koi had left, then rubbed his chin. "It's been a few years since I've needed to know these details. I'm headed in that direction, so I'll inquire for you. Likely you'll get one when you hand that page over, you'll need it for tracking the mission credit." His scribe desk was nearly packed up now, so he moved a set of pages to the table, shifting things around to make room. The set of pages were bound together with a piece of string and a brushstroke cover.

"When did you- err... whatever." She mumbled. "And about the library, Master Long?"

"With your sect token, and credit for a mission under your belt you'll probably have free access. You can also simply walk in and pretend like you deserve to be there. You're more than entitled enough to get away with that."

"Hey~." She frowned at him.

He stored his little desk and smirked as he stood. "Find one of your new friends to show you around. They'll have much more recent information than I." He nodded to her. "Wise Shae, it's been a pleasure- to some degree."

She stood quickly and bowed back. "Master Long, thank you for your advice."