ONE HUNDRED SEVEN: Opposite Stone
107
Wordchains are the original form of magic, according to the Palace of Unbreaking. I would take that with an ocean full of salt, because the Palaces stance is always that wordchains are better than everything else and you might be an actual demon if you disagree.
Lute was sitting sideways in the green velvet chair, stretching his fingers one by one. Behind him, the light panel on the wall was flickering slightly behind its shade, as if the privacy booth really was a train car and a changing landscape lay just beyond the fabric.
Anyway, theyre way old. And they work based on a simple conceptequal exchange. I give you my sense of balance for three hours. You give me yours for three hours. I take your strength today. You take mine tomorrow.
You told me they were common sense, Alden said from where he was sitting on the love seat. And that it made Chainer a common sense class.
Lute nodded. Aulia wants to obscure every minute detail partially because its so simple. Im not an evil old politician, but I think shes afraid people will realize that we dont actually getahthats still an ass tattoo matter. Back on topicmy boss says the more people make successful exchanges, the more solid the chain becomes, until its so strong its doable for even less accomplished people. A person says these magic words and they get peace of mind. Even little kids and species without fingers can make some of them work.
He pointed at Aldens ledger. But what happens when a wordchain is brand new? Or when its been forgotten? What happens if nobody ever uses it? Or if everybody only wants to use one half and so they never speak the other and always let it snap back?
Aldens eyes widened. Thats so obvious.
I know it is. But we take wordchains for granted. Like theyrelight switches maybe? Not that many people sit down to ponder how the electricity got to them when they flip the switch. My boss tells me that Artonans, as a society, used to be very serious about wordchain maintenance. Ancient aliens would perform multiple ones every day, like it was a chore they had to do to keep the lights on for themselves and their grandchildren. Now, even though theyre still in use across the Triplanets, theyre not being cared for with the same level of dedication. So tons of them have broken, or theyre on the verge of breaking, or theyre just weakening.
He reached over to grab the wooden case on the table beside him.
The Palace of Unbreaking is dedicated to wordchain preservation. Scary dedicated. As part of that, they do their best to restrict access to wordchains based on their fragility. They want everyone to do wordchains all the time. But only if theyre going to do them in the right way. So when chains start to fail, they try to make sure theyre only being taught and shared with responsible people who are going to strengthen them instead of weakening them further.
Alden lifted his new ledger from his lap. So youre supposed to make sure Im not stacking up tons of debt.
Thats right. And dont lie, man. If you miss listing properly completed ones every now and then its fine. Or if you let a few snap and have to fess up to it, thats fine, too. But dont neglect to mention the snapped ones and dont say you completed one fair and square if you didnt.
I wouldnt.
Lute nodded. Parethat-uur has an absurdly high opinion of you, so I think youve probably got a lot more leeway than normal. And they dont demand perfection from beginners anyway. But the thing isif you do become a problematic user, there can be serious consequences for you after youve signed this with me. You wouldnt like them at all.
Alden looked back at the first page of the ledger. Are the spaces for the teacher and student names some kind of contract?
No. They told me it was more like an honesty pledge. It wont make either of us do anything or prevent us from doing anything. Its just an official record of the fact that you agreed to be a responsible wordchain user and I agreed to be responsible for you. I send a copy to the Palace of Unbreaking as soon as you sign. If you get caught avoiding debt too often, they take away one of your rights, and if I get caught neglecting you or letting you cheatIm pretty sure I get yelled at. And they dont let me have another student until Ive sucked up a lot.
What right do I lose?
Lute looked uncomfortable. You know how when I shared the wordchain with you, you had to agree to it through the System?
Alden nodded.
That one.
He took in Aldens expression. No! Dont think Im horrible! I wouldnt actually do anything to you, its just that Id be able toand so would the rest of my family.
I dont think youre horrible, Alden said. He cleared his throat. I was surprised. Thats all.
You look like someone whos stuck in a tiny room with a serial killer.
No I dont.
You
Alden tossed one of the silk throw pillows at him. Lute, its fine. I wondered about the System permission thing when it popped up. Its not like Sways have to get our permission before they do shit to us. Its not like Lexi has to get permission before stabbing us with Writher. Thats not how Avowed classes usually work, so I thought it was strange that you had to use a consent form before laying a wordchain on me.
Lute was still eyeing him nervously. The Palace of Unbreaking wont let Chainers bestow a wordchainwhether its beneficial or noton unwilling people under normal circumstances. Its counter to their entire ethos.
Hazel didnt have to get my permission before she sniped me, though.
The fact that she was calling in a debt that already belonged to Alden mustve made it all right in the Palaces eyes. Or else she got to play by her own rules for some reason.
Your class would be something if you didnt have that restriction. Alden looked over at the pile of books on the bed. You could lay endless types of disaster and reap endless positives in return.
But I cant do that. And I wouldnt.
I believe you. Alden felt like he was missing something though. Why does your grandmother not want people to understand even the basics of why wordchains are restricted? I dont see any benefit for her. A lot of people seem to dislike you guys because they think youre wordchain hoarders who refuse to share with others so that you can maintain your power. But you actually just work for the hoarders. And the hoarders are hoarding for a good reason.
Wellll, said Lute. We do hoard. Some. There are a lot that the Palace wouldnt mind people using that just havent filtered down to Earth yet. Mostly odd effects. You could probably crack open one of those books and find a dozen. And we do get access to some particularly strong, delicate, or difficult ones just for ourselves. Aulia, for example, has The Gloss. Which she does not mind the family telling people is very extra awesome and only for her.
Imagine that.
Why dont other Avowed who visit the Palace come back with all this info, then?
Oh. Now this is interesting. I can answer this question but only in a misleading fashion. Your friend the wizard will be able to answer it fully.
Lute looked like he very much wanted Alden to ask.
Whats the misleading reason?
Lute rose to his feet and looked down his nose at Alden. No Avowed but Chainers may work for the Palace. Im terribly sorry, pleb. Youre never going to be summoned there, so youll have to take my word for all matters wordchain related.
Alden narrowed his eyes. So thats it. They dont summon anyone but you guys to wordchain central.
Were special, Lute said in the same snobby voice. The Artonans love us so much, and were so special.
Never? None of the wizards there have ever wanted a Rabbit masseuse? They dont want a Rabbit floor cleaner to make sure the people who prostrate themselves before you dont get their faces dirty?
Lute pointed at him. You say prostration one more time and Im not signing that ledger with you.
Alden grinned. Prost
Oh look, said Lute in an airy voice, Parethat-uur sent you a present. Hell want to know how you liked it. Here you go.
He grabbed one of the cases and presented it to Alden with a flourish.
Alden opened it. There was a big white papaya-shaped fruit inside. Its a wevvi fruit, he said.
You recognize it from pictures? Good.
Ive had one before. A juiced one anyway.
Lute tilted his head. A real one?
Alden nodded.
What the hell? I thought for sure it was just my family. They told me you basically have to have some kind of ritual event to even get your hands onnever mind. Its you. Your oddities keep stacking.
Should you be saying that to me?
Eat up, my new beholden one, in a fashion that honors your Artonan ancestors!
I dont have any of those.
Parethat-uur does not care. Lute smirked. Youre supposed to eat the whole thing. No utensils. Wasting the skin or the seeds is forbidden in this instance.
No juice?
Whatever you can gnaw out of its fibrous hide before swallowing.
Its kind of large. It wasnt quite ham-sized, but it was close.
I actually felt a little sorry for you when I first saw it. Lute said, staring down at the white fruit. He was trying to be generous. You can do it while I teach. You should be able to manage it in a few hours, right?
Do I really have to eat the whole thing? Thats going to make me sick, isnt it?
Fine. Ill help. I dont want to lie to Parethat-uur about what happened to it, and I can spin us sharing it into something nice for him. He pointed at Alden. I get the best bites.
******
The wevvi was tasty. It just wasnt fun to chew up, and the quantity was intimidating. Alden could see why juice had become the standard way of consuming it rather than whole fruit.
While his jaws worked, he listened closely to the words of the chain as Lute repeated them for him. It was significantly longer than the weaker wordchains he was used to. And poetic, as hed anticipated.
There were six problem words; he could say them, but Lute assured him he wasnt saying them well enough. It was going to take a while to get those right and then a longer while to synch up the hand signs with the words properly.
You promised you wouldnt be angry if it didnt work, Lute reminded him.
Youre still worried about that? Alden asked after hed swallowed his latest mouthful. Im not going to be upset.
Theyd both signed their names in the ledger, using a brush dipped in dark green ink. Alden was supposed to keep the ink and use it for his record taking.
Im grateful youre tutoring me, he added. If anything, I feel guilty for asking you now that I know its more serious for you to teach someone than you implied.
Lute couldnt have another student for restricted wordchains until he and Alden had both proven themselves responsibleAlden by not lying about accidents on his chaining ledgers and Lute by making himself available to help complete a chain when necessary. The less frequently used a wordchain was, the shorter the time frame before the debt came due. Very fragile ones needed to be paid off almost immediately.
According to Lute, self-mastery was currently running at about three weeks, but in the interest of looking responsible, Alden would be trying to pay it off much sooner. If he couldnt complete the payments himself, either due to miscasts or the wordchain just refusing to land for him, Lute would be using his skill to bestow the debt to him so that their ledger stayed balanced.
Dont worry about it, said Lute. When I found out I got to have students and realized I could weave around some of my tattoo restrictions because of it, I thought I was going to be the Velra family member who spread knowledge and ruined Aulias monopolythen I realized most people suck too much to teach. They suck at doing the wordchains. And they suck even more at wanting to pay them back. Ive taught people non-restricted ones before and watched them, and I arrived at the conclusion that I couldnt be friends and teach them the kind of chains Id be obligated to monitor.
Arent they just hurting themselves if they make the chain slap them with the debt at a random moment?
People procrastinate on things they dont like. And they all imagine their future selves being a more self-sacrificing version of who they are. They want the good right now, and the payback feels like a problem for another personso they take it. And then it turns out Future Them doesnt miraculously want to spend several hours being weak or frightened or clumsy either.
He went back to showing Alden the various gestures and words. Alden set his half-finished wevvi aside and repeated them after him. Toward the end of their six-hour window, the gremlin was starting to take an interest.
I think Im getting it, Alden said after finishing several attempts on his own.
Lute was draped over the foot of the bed, head hanging down toward the floor while he watched. I think you are, too.
Is it a problem for me to cast this in public? Do I need to hide out in bathroom stalls or something?
Its a gray area, said Lute. You can cast it wherever you want, but I generally cast in private until Im good enough to mutter or even abbreviate them. I think if other Avowed do pick them up from us and use them incorrectly the Palace might assign a Chainer to give them a talking toand that doesnt sound like fun for me. Obviously dont go out and have a tutoring session like this with someone else until youve gotten permission to be a teacher, too. And
I get permission to teach at some point? Alden asked in surprise.
I assume you do. The Palace lets all of their Artonan members teach restricted chains once theyve made it out of the novice echelons, so I dont see why they wouldnt let a human do it, especially if his heart contains all the light of the sun within it.
Prostration, said Alden. Prostration. Prostration.
Just dont say it in front of the girls, jerk. Lute looked like he was on the verge of falling off the bed. His blonde hair was brushing the rug. Do you like Natalie?
Yeah, of course.
Of course, he says. I have both my eyes.
Oh he meant like that.
Were friends. Im friends with all of them.
I know. Butif Im thinking about developing a crush on one of them, I want to make sure its someone youre not into. That wouldnt be cool.
You plan your crushes in advance? Alden asked with interest. Ive never heard anyone mention that was an option.
I got burned last time. I could like Emilija. Shes funny and cute. All your intake friends are hot. And shes seventeen, but she didnt treat me like a kid. She didnt make a big deal out of any of the things people usually care aboutprobably because shes not from here. And I dont think she was mad when my self-confidence chain made me tell her she looked amazing in the bikini. He bit his lip. She seemed happy Id complimented her, right? It wasnt too much that I looked up how to say it in Lithuanian?
Alden was growing more and more sure that the self-confidence chain was dangerous.
I mustve missed that one while I was watching the fireworks. Its fine with me if you develop a crush on Emilija. She isnt dating anyone as far as Ive heard. Do youam I supposed to ask her if she likes you back?
That sounded so awkward.
But Alden had encountered a lot of people asking about crushes recently. Maricel had asked her roommates if they liked him. Her roommates and others at the party had asked him if he liked her. Jeremy had a serious girlfriend. Maybe it was just time for them all to be doing this kind of crush-checking regularly?
Ill murder you if you do, said Lute
Or not.
Just offering, said Alden. Anyway, go for it. I heard she scared some assholes who were giving Natalie a hard time into leaving intake early, and shes so positive about everything on Anesidora, and shes good at >. I think shes cool.
You just use Artonan in casual convo? Lute shook his head. You really are in the wrong language class.
******
Before their last few minutes in the privacy booth were up, Lute gave Alden two jewelry-sized boxes. One had an inch-long silver piece of metal in it, shaped like a rounded rectangle with a hole in the center.
Its a chain link, said Lute. Symbolic. You can earn more by being a good wordchain user in the Palace of Unbreakings eyes. It doesnt do anything or get you anything, but you can string them together and feel proud of yourself.
Like earning badges or gold stars?
Yes. But alien, Lute said dramatically. Dont throw it away. Youre supposed to keep it with you at all times. I dont even do that with mine. Just shove it somewhere where you wont lose it. I keep them in my closet.
The second jewelry box had a flattened piece of cloudy crystal about the size and shape of a checker.
I was surprised when he said he was going to give you this. Lute stared at it. Apparently, its because youre an Avowed. They dont give them out to most of the palace members. Just some people. Its more inconvenient than the chain link. If you dont want to use it, you should give it me, and Ill do it for you.
What is it? Alden asked.
The small piece was heavy in his hand. It reminded him of the material the trading table had been made of in the consulate building.
Its an Opposite stone. If you have it with you while you perform a wordchain, it glows for the person that has the other one. Its really just symbolic in your case. I checked. They dont know what youve cast, and they dont become your literal Opposite for chains. Its going to be a notification toy for you and the person who has the other half. Butit probably means a lot to that person. Because they got a stone suddenly when almost nobody else gets one.
I need to do it every time?
No. But if youre not going to do it at least every few weeks, Ill take it.
Lute held out his hand.
Alden looked at him. Do you want me to give it to you? he asked. I will. But it wont be trouble to stick this in a pocket or something while I cast.
If youre sure youll do it, that would be best, Lute said slowly. But I know its a pain to keep track of a little thing thats not actually significant to you. I ran mine through a washing machine a few times because I forgot about itwhich was very crappy of me.
Hes serious about the rock, thought Alden.
That seemed odd. Lute was even pretty casual about the ledger. He didnt think it would be a big deal to Parethat-uur if Alden botched wordchains every now and then, but he clearly didnt want him to mess up with the Opposite stone. Even though hed just said it was only a toy.
Ill be careful with it.
Lute was still staring at it.
Im great at carrying random objects. Its what I do. If Im not using wordchains for a few weeks, Ill pass it off to you. How about that?
Lute finally dropped his hand. That would beits better if its you. Your Opposite will be so honored that it feels wrong to lie about whos making their rock blink. But they might be crushed if the rock never blinks. And I dont know if they get to keep being your Opposite if you lose your stone. They might assign you someone else for some crazy Artonan reason.
Its a religious artifact for them. I get it. Ill be careful. Another thing struck him suddenly. You said the Palace is giving it to me because Im an Avowed. And you think the Opposite will be honored. Theyre not a wizard, then?
It was the natural conclusion to draw. An Avowed got the special rock when most ordinary wordchain students didnt. And regular people could cast wordchains. The Palace probably had a large non-wizard class membership.
Most likely not, said Lute. He sat down on the green velvet chair again and started putting on his shoes. itll be someone your age. Born on the same day as you, as close to the same minute as possible. They go all-in on the matching if they can.
Oh, said Alden. He smiled down at the stone. So theyre a kid.
An Artonan exactly his age should be physically and emotionally closer to human twelve.
Thats amazingimagining that someone born the same minute as me might be holding their stone right now, too.
Lute finished tying his laces, then stood up. All right. Money spent. Tutoring completed. Bed jumped on. Alien gifts given. Some Chainer secrets revealed.
Crush selected, Alden added, reaching for his own shoes.
Crush selected, Lute repeated. Wevvi fruit
He craned his neck toward the case the fruit had come in.
I just finished the last bite, said Alden. And because of that, I may need to stop by a dispensary when we leave for another one of those unruly stomach injectors. My guts are wondering why Ive chosen to put a whole raw custard-flavored pumpkin in them on a beautiful Saturday.
> Lute intoned as he collected all the things theyd be taking with them when they left.
Thank you for teaching me. This was awesome of you. Its great for me, but youre getting nothing out of it except for tons of my company.
Its not like I have a glorious social life. I would just be sitting around playing my harp and studying.
Still said Alden. If you think of some way for me to return the favor, let me know.
Tomorrow. The girls
Thats just me having a good time with all of you, Lute. It wasnt a favor last weekend, and it isnt this one either. And now Im asking you to spend even more time on the phone with me while I go down to F and possibly piss off a mind-controlled Brute lady.
Lute was quiet for a second. Then he said, Wellthats just me having a good time with you, Alden. Ill watch you piss off Brute ladies every weekend. It sounds very entertaining.
Alden laughed. Sorry, but I hope its boring for you. I want to get to her apartment and find out that shes not even there. If shes at the healing hospital right now getting checked for mental manipulation like I recommended, that would be the best possible outcome.
Fine. Ill root for that this weekend. But next weekend Im rooting for a Brute lady to take a swing at you.
Alden stood and looked around the privacy booth. He made a decision.
Hey, the thing on my profile that made your boss excited
Lutes eye fixed on him.
Its not something Im embarrassed about, but it doesnt feel like me. I dont know how people will see it, and I definitely dont want to introduce myself to everyone I meet that way and then have to, like, prove it with every breath I take. He shrugged uncomfortably. Anyway. Its just a commendation.
A commendation? Lutes fingers tightened on the box that held Aldens new inkwell and brush. You meanone for fighting chaos. Like the kind Haoyus mom has?
Does she have one? I didnt know.
Two. I think she got one before he was born and another when we were in seventh grade. His dad has one. Ive heard him mention them before. And there were a couple other people in our school whose parents had one. Lute looked away from Alden to stare at the cut-crystal sconce on the wall in front of him. Most of them were really proud.
Mines not for fighting chaos, said Alden. I was sitting in a little bit of chaos for months and trying to stay alive, and then I was running away from it. The commendation is for taking care of someone while I was there and taking her with me when I left. I think. They just gave it to me. Its not like there was an explanation.
Lute didnt say anything.
I figured you were probably curious. And Ive learned a lot about your Chainer stuff, Alden said. Im sure the faculty know, and I trust you more than any of them so theres no real reason to keep it a secretI just dont want people to look at me and think Guy with Alien Accolade instead of Guy Trying to Remember How to Do High School.
Yeah, youre terrible at that, said Lute. You speak fluent Artonan, you study way too much, and you try to save cultists. You need to get some chewing gum stuck to your learning cushion next week, accidentally set one of your rugs on fire, and fail to turn in homework. Then youll be cured.
Alden felt relieved. I did set a shirt on fire.
Oh right. The tag tried to kill you so you defeated it with your spell impression. Lute gave him a half-smile. Thanks for telling me. Thatsits cool.
Its just a thing that happened.
Which commendation is it? Lute asked. I know there are different ones.
Its for Exceptional Bravery in the Absence of Obligation.
Well that confirms that your heart really does burn sinners to death.
Shut up.
I cant help that words have meanings, man. The meaning of those words isnt open to interpretation. No one made you be brave, and you chose to do it anyway.
It really is just a thing that happened.
I wont bother you about it, Lute said. I do understand wanting to be High School Guy instead of something else. And it would be peculiar to introduce yourself to people with, Hi. Im Alden the Commended One. Dont do that. Everyone will think you have issues.
Alden snorted. Ill try to avoid it. By the way, I dont want Haoyu and Lexi to hear about it yet.
Lute looked surprised. You havent told Haoyu?
No. I only told you because were getting to know each other and your boss was acting like I had a supernova in my chest. It was nice of you not to push for info.
You should tell Haoyu. You two get along so well and hes going to be thrilled. Hell probably carry you home to his mother like, Look! I found another one of you! Compare stars while I take notes!
Ill tell him if it comes up naturally. Im not desperate to keep it from him or anything. I kind of want to do better in gym before it comes out, though.
Thats random.
Im positive they only let me into the hero program because of the commendation, Alden explained. And not because it says Im brave. They didnt talk about bravery at all in my interview. I dont think they consider it the most necessary quality. They were just afraid of making the Artonans mad or something, so here I am. Id like to show all of my classmates I dont suck before they find out about the star and start guessing about it.
Lutes expression darkened. I hadnt thought of that. Being the class weakling isbad. Being the class weakling and having something that will make other people jealous? That can ruin your whole life.
Im not the class weakling! Alden protested. Im doing well. I just think I can do even better.
Lute gave him a look. Be realistic. You could be levitating a meter off the ground, weeping diamonds, and exhaling clouds of poisonous gas, and some of those privileged little rankists would still know right down to their bones that they were better than you because youre only a B.
Theyre not that bad.
They are, Lute muttered. Trust me. I know several of the people in your program. Some of them are better than others, and not all of the ones who buy into that mindset are dicks because of it. But its likethis is the puddle we all grew up swimming in. Even if they understand that its wrong and they actively try to reject it, they still default to thinking that way a lot of the time.
A chime sounded through the room suddenly, and the lights flickered.
Thats our two-minute warning, Lute said. Before they open the door and kick us out.
Im ready to go when you are.
Alden grabbed the wevvi fruit case. None of Parethat-uurs gifts had been sent in anything that looked remotely disposable. The cases, chests, and small boxes were all wood and leather with embroidered cloth interiors.
Rich people need to stop giving me things that are too expensive to get rid of. I dont know what my dorm rooms going to look like a year from now at this rate.
Dozens of boxes full of lavender and alien curios probably. At least he was going to smell good.
Lutes fingers hovered over the latch that would open the privacy booths door. Alden waited, but he just stood there, facing the paneled wall.
I do think its amazing, he said as the lights flickered again. The fact that you earned a commendation. I feel like I need be clear about it. I think its amazing, and Im glad you made it back to Earth and that youre alive.
Alden raised his eyebrows. Thanks. You dont have to say stuff like that, though.
I do, said Lute, still not looking at him. Not to make things weird for you or anything, but just so you knowI mean it. I think its terrible something bad happened to you, and I hope nothing like that happens to you again.
He hooked the latch with a finger and pulled before Alden could ask what the sudden change in tone was about.
*
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