Dynamis | Chapter 28 - Anticipation (Patreon)

Goosebumps littered Karl’s skin as he undressed to get into his neurosuit. He clenched his teeth the entire time he dressed, hundreds of what-ifs swirling around in his head; no less than half of them involving Lilibelle and Daidari. Once he was completely nude, he leaned against the wall of his bathroom, his nerves racked with anticipation. It was all he could do to alleviate this terrible feeling in his chest.

Class had been a somber affair that morning. Instructor Boldwin had informed them, in extravagant detail, that a person’s first neurolink was not unlike one’s first time during sexual intercourse. So finetuned, so exact was the neurolink, that many swore that they could feel everything their partner felt. Their minute movements, the sweat on their brow, the beating of their heart, the air in their lungs. Few ever left the chamber not feeling some inkling of longing for the other person when they were finished.

For that reason, each person was to be provided medication to subdue the effects. While it wouldn’t remove them in their entirety, it would ease each conductor into their position, acquainting them with the sensation that came with conducting a Dynamic Frame. Under normal circumstances, such medication would be forbidden, as its effects would weaken the link and dull the senses, causing disruptions in brainwave recognition and cognitive function. For the purposes of testing compatibility, however, the medication would not subdue the effects to a significant enough degree to disrupt testing.

Karl, still leaning his head against the wall, turned his gaze on the bottle of medicine sitting on his coffee table. Two tablets awaited within, and once he took them, there would be no turning back. He tried to remind himself that this is what he had been waiting for, what he had promised his mother and brother he would do; but looking at that bottle, he became hesitant.

His relationship with Lilibelle was rocky at best, and to say that Daidari was any better would’ve been a bold-faced lie. A part of him had hoped that maybe someone else would pair with him—much like how Derrin had been paired with Lilibelle. But instead, Daidari had been the one assigned to him during his last test; and as far as he knew, Daidari had yet to partner up with anyone else.

Considering he was the only male Harmonic in the class, it was perhaps, safe to say, that Lilibelle—or at least Daidari—would become full-time partners by the end of the day. No matter how he sliced this, it felt much too soon.

Pushing away from the wall, he strode toward the medicine bottle and undid the cap. He glared at the two tablets inside, then spilled them into his hand and tossed them into his mouth. He grabbed the glass of water he had ready on the table, putting the medicine bottle down in its place, then took a mouthful of water and swished the tablets around in his mouth to get them wet and smooth. He lolled his head back and swallowed. Licking his lips, he waited until he couldn’t feel the tablets in his throat anymore, then took two more gulps of water and put the glass down.

Well, here goes nothing.

A few of the other students were already walking down the hall by the time Karl exited his room. Each of them had on their neurosuits, and he couldn’t help but notice that most of the students were keeping a fair bit more distance between each other than usual.

He sympathized with them.

Once his door was locked, Karl made his way down the hall. Thankfully, he had yet to see Lilibelle or Daidari. In hopes of keeping it that way until the very last moment, he started down the hall, following the students to the elevator. There were five others waiting by the time he arrived. As before, the sexes kept their distance from one another. But occasionally, one was brave enough to look over their shoulder or sneak a peek.

Both participants blushed.

The elevator dinged with its arrival, the doors opening to an empty box. Daidari turned the corner just in time to catch it, offering Karl a passing glance as she stepped inside. Their eyes caught for a fraction of a moment, and a chill slid down Karl’s spine. Swallowing against the budding lump in his throat, he stepped into the elevator behind her, then pressed the button for the second floor of the hangar.

Karl tried to think of something, anything he could say to lighten the mood. Not just for himself, but for anyone else who was just as uncomfortable. He came up short and tried to let the hum of the elevator soothe his nerves. When the elevator arrived, Karl sidestepped, and the men clamored past him out of the room. Karl stepped out next, then the women behind him.

He refrained from looking over his shoulder the entire time he walked. Professor Almezer and a few of his assistants were waiting at the end of the balcony, so he concentrated on them instead. Cricking his neck side to side, Karl came to a stop, forming an orderly line behind the other students.

“Is this everyone?” one of the assistants—a man with a grey beard and a bald head—asked.

Almezer craned his head, leaned to his side, and mouthed off numbers as he pointed at each student. He nodded firmly, then gave his assistant a thumbs up. “Yes, looks like everyone is accounted for.”

Karl frowned and leaned to his left. Standing close to the front of the line was Lilibelle. She’d curled a lock of her golden-blonde hair around her finger and brushed it with her thumb—something Karl noticed she did when she was thinking.

“Let’s get this started,” Almezer said as he started down the line. He pointed to a few of the students and the assistants patted them down, checking to make sure that their neurosuits were properly fitting. “Now, as I am sure Instructor Boldwin informed you, today will be your first official neurolink. Out of concern for your safety, we will only be pairing you up with those who are neuro-compatible with a twenty percent variance. For most of you, that means that you will be paired with only a single person today.”

Various sighs and expressions of relief poured out the students’ mouths.

“However,” Almezer continued, “that does not mean that these are the only people with whom you will be pairing with. Due to the nature of the Fiend threat, you will still be expected to partner up with other conductors on occasion. Do you understand?”

The students murmured less enthusiastic replies.

“I’ll take it,” Almezer said. He gestured for a clipboard from one of his aides, and the man handed it over. Almezer flipped the first page over, licked his lips, then read, “Sark Gibbons and Natasha Batoral.”

One of the girls in line—Ginny Telzin—hissed through her teeth and stepped out of line. “But sir, Sark Gibbons was assigned to me.” She splayed a trembling hand across her chest. The anxiety in her voice was palpable. Karl’s heart sank at the sight. “Wouldn’t it be more appropriate that his first test be with me?”

Almezer furrowed his brow. “Miss Batoral’s partner was killed during the Sovereign attack,” he said slowly. “Sark Gibbons is her next closest match.” He flipped another page, his eyes scanning over the document. “Miss Telzin, you will be paired with Calem Relzid.”

Ginny’s arm fell to her side. “Sir, if I may polite request—”

“There are no other matches, young lady. If you don’t like it, then you are free to leave.”

Ginny’s eyes grew watery and with a solemn nod, she stepped back into line.

Almezer sighed. “Now, there are three Dynamic Frames available. We will be testing three pairs at a time. Now, would Sark Gibbons and Natasha Batoral please come to the front of the line?”

Hands balled into fists, Sark stepped out of line and made his way to the front. With a sullen bow at the neck, Natasha did the same, and the two quietly descended into the Dynamic Frame closest to the end of the balcony. Almezer said something to them, then gestured them into the Frame.

“All right, next are Ader Sareau and Daisy Gardletter.”

Daisy rushed to the front of the line, snaring Ader’s hand on the way and tugging him alongside her. Ader stumbled, chuckled, then jogged to keep pace with her as they strode over to the second Frame. Almezer pointed at the Frame, and after a short conversation, the couple hurried away to the Frame, hand in hand.

Karl smiled. At least one couple got to stay together.

Almezer flipped another page. “Karl Donovan and Daidari Ishima.”

Karl froze. Of anyone in the class, why did it have to be Daidari first?

“What?” Lilibelle spat. “This is bullshit!”

“Miss Katsun, you will watch your language,” Almezer snapped.

“He was my partner first!”

“And you will still be pairing with him. But orders are orders, and Deadeye has made it clear that they wish to see how Miss Ishima pairs with him first.”

The material squeaked with Lilibelle’s clenched fists. “You’re making a big mistake,” she growled.

Karl frowned. He hadn’t expected Lilibelle to have such a visceral reaction. Up until recently, she despised him. Sure, they’d gotten on better terms as of late, but they were still ultimately water and oil at the end of the day.

Karl started toward the front of the line, trying to keep his back straight and gaze forward. Daidari strode behind him, like an icy-cold wind that blew at his back. When he came to a stop, Daidari walked around to stand beside him, acting as a wall between him and Lilibelle.

Almezer shook his head and sighed. “The two of you will take this Frame next to me,” he said, pointing to the Frame beside him. Painted in bright violet and dark blacks and greys, it bore jagged joints and a thin, humanoid physique. “Get hooked up and one of my aides will check to make sure you’re secure.

“Yes, sir,” Karl said as professionally as he could manage. He glanced past Daidari at Lilibelle, whose eyes were glued to the floor. Daidari’s gaze landed on him, and he reciprocated her glare with one of his own.

Daidari marched forward with the elegance of a queen, tossing her long black hair over her shoulder. With one last glance, she made her way down the step ladder.

Karl started forward. Lilibelle caught his wrist. Frowning, he looked at her over his shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” Lilibelle said.

His frown deepened. “What?”

“I’m sorry for talking to you the way I did.” Her cheeks turned a bright red. She let go of his wrist and grumbled, “That’s all.”

“Thanks,” Karl said after a pause. Then a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “Don’t worry. You’ll start lambasting me again soon enough.”

Lilibelle sighed and clicked her tongue. “Whatever. Just go.”

Karl nodded and made his way into the cockpit.