Chapter 168: Teaming Up With Nicole (2)
Inside the Kestrel house’s living room, Nicole was sitting next to the window with Kestrel, enjoying some fruity tea that Locky had just made.
"You’re getting really popular lately. Loads of important families are asking about you," Nicole said, always loving to chat. "Even my snobby cousin came over to ask if you might like to get to know him better."
Nicole didn’t really like any of her family’s cousins. Even if that cousin might become a real lord one day, she still thought that with his big ego, he couldn’t possibly the right match for someone as awesome as Kestrel.
Nicole remembered watching Kestrel, standing all by herself on the front part of the blimp, bravely facing a ton of mutants. So, the idea of Kestrel just spending her life in someone’s garden, being quiet and well-behaved, and only cooking or serving, was hard to imagine. It didn’t matter who wanted her to act that way, or how important or good-looking they were, Nicole felt Kestrel shouldn’t have to change her shining personality for anyone.
Honestly, Nicole didn’t want that kind of life for herself either. Even though since she was a kid, people kept telling her that’s what she should aim for when she grows up.
Out of the blue, as Kestrel sipped her tea, she looked up and asked, "Nicole, how about joining me for some combat training?"
"Combat?" Nicole’s eyes grew big, showing her shock. "You mean the fighting stuff you’re always involved in?"
Kestrel nodded with a smile. "Yes, if you’re up for it. I think I need to train in more kinds of combat situations."
She then explained her plan to visit Mantidale. This place was not just ’dangerous’ – it was super tricky.
Kestrel wanted to find some real answers and also figure out her own feelings. Plus, she hoped to live longer now, maybe even with her buddies and family for many, many years. Before making her trip to Mantidale, she wanted to be fully ready, and it’d be great to have friends who thought like her to go along.
Nicole’s face lit up. "I’m totally in!"
She’d been to so many dull parties where all people did was chat about what Kestrel was up to in the Polluted Zone. Kestrel, fighting side-by-side with these alphas, was like the hottest gossip. Most of the folks chatting about this were just bored and stuck in their own little worlds.
Some of Nicole’s school friends, the betas, would sometimes excitedly chat about Kestrel but then act like they didn’t really respect her. But Nicole knew that not all betas felt this way. She really looked up to Kestrel and how free she was.
"Wait, you seriously believe I can do it? Like that super-cool team fighting with the alphas?" Nicole was practically bouncing with excitement.
She had also heard tales about trained betas who could become as strong as the alphas. These betas could fight, travel anywhere, face bullies head-on, and decide their own paths. They could be their own people, not just someone else’s sidekick.
Thinking about it made Nicole super excited.
Nicole listened closely as Kestrel spoke. "Also, we should probably invite a couple of alphas," Kestrel said, a touch surprised at how eager Nicole seemed. "Which kind of psychic incarnation would you like to partner with?"
Nicole looked a bit confused. "What do you mean?"
Kestrel began counting off on her fingers the alphas she knew. If they were going to try big, teamwork-based combat training, it would help to have more friends she was familiar with.
"How about a panda?" Kestrel suggested. "An alpha whose psychic incarnation is a panda reached out to me recently. She’s interested in working together."
"Panda!" Nicole’s face lit up instantly, and she grabbed Kestrel’s hand. "Yes, the panda one! That has to be the super good-looking Olivia, right?"
Kestrel grinned. "I know another one with a black unicorn as their psychic incarnation. He’s missing an arm, but..."
"Absolutely! Invite him too!" Nicole practically squealed in excitement. "That’s Rakan, right? So many girls at the beta academy have a crush on him."
She continued with a dreamy look, "After he lost his arm, he seemed even more... mysterious and intriguing."
Kestrel added, "I have a buddy who just moved to the Imperial Nexus. He’d definitely be interested. His psychic incarnation? A shiny golden lion."
Nicole almost jumped in her seat, "The lion! Oh, I adore big cats. That’s just so... irresistible."
Kestrel paused for a moment before adding, "There might be more girls coming along. The place I have in mind might be easier with a bigger group."
Nicole nodded enthusiastically, "The more, the merrier!"
But then Kestrel looked at her curiously, "I thought you weren’t a big fan of alphas? Whenever someone brings them up, you seem... indifferent."
Nicole playfully rolled her eyes, "Who said I didn’t like alphas? I just don’t want to get hitched, that’s all. But who can resist a good-looking and strong alpha?"
She continued with a teasing smirk, "I mean, come on. A cute, round panda? A sleek, black unicorn? Or a lion with fur you could braid?"
Playfully, she pinched Kestrel’s side, "Would you be able to resist them? Could you really?"
Kestrel giggled and tried to wiggle away. As Nicole pinched her again, Kestrel burst out laughing.
Nicole looked at her, eyes wide. "Kestrel, you’re laughing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you laugh before."
With a soft smile, Nicole snuggled closer, wrapping her arm around Kestrel’s. "You know, of all the psychic incarnations, yours is my favorite. Those slick sea creatures are so adorable."
Kestrel nodded in agreement, a bit dreamy herself. "I’ve always had a thing for marine life."
Suddenly, an image popped out in her mind. It was the person who was always in a dark uniform. A tingling sensation then spread across the back of her hand, almost like someone was touching it softly or as if a big, sleek black orca was nudging it lovingly.
