BXBX NOVEL Chapter 113: Running Water
Meanwhile, Mattison landed with a thud from the ceiling, dropping to one knee, visibly exhausted. His Crow armor dissipated, revealing his fatigue. He commanded LT Jeryln to fetch him a bottle of water, trying to regain his composure.
He made his way to the clipboard, jotting down his observations with a sense of urgency. "If he ever goes rogue, we\'ll need at least two capable fighters to stand a chance against him," he muttered under his breath, a note of both respect and caution in his tone for Ty\'s formidable abilities.
Ty, watching Mattison take meticulous notes, chimed in, his skeletal hand resting thoughtfully on his skull. "You might want to note that I get exhausted quickly," he suggested, a hint of dry humor in his tone.
"The more I exert myself, the longer I\'m out of commission. So, theoretically, a fatal blow could take me down if I\'m overworked." Ty\'s words reflected a keen awareness of his own limitations, despite his remarkable abilities.
He then shifted the topic, his curiosity piqued. "You mentioned seeing my soul, or the orb that houses my existence. Could you see it when I was unconscious for those three days?"
Mattison, setting the clipboard aside, took the sparkling glass of water handed to him by LT Jeryln. The glass had a peculiar green film on top, catching the light in the dojo. He took a sip before responding, "No, during those days, you were just a skeleton. Completely lifeless, but your structure was perfectly intact."
Mattison, maintaining his expressionless demeanor, acknowledged Ty\'s sentiments. "A rematch in the future would be an excellent opportunity for both of us to test our limits. Your unique abilities have certainly set a high bar," he said, acknowledging Ty\'s formidable skills.
Ty, placing a hand over his skull, responded with a touch of humility. "I\'m glad to hear I\'ve been able to contribute positively. Your hospitality since my arrival has been greatly appreciated." His voice carried a note of genuine gratitude, reflecting his appreciation for Mattison\'s support.
Mattison then outlined the next steps. "I\'ll escort you to Lady Nanako. She\'s still recuperating from her injuries and could probably use some company. Seeing a familiar... skeleton might cheer her up," he said with a slight nod.
His next comment carried a hint of insight. "You know, you seem to express emotions more genuinely in your skeletal form than when you were using that disguise. It\'s quite remarkable," he observed, pointing out the authenticity that Ty\'s true form brought out in him.
General Mattison chuckled lightly at Ty\'s comment. "Well, I\'ll certainly consider that beer offer. It\'s not every day you get to share a drink with a talking skeleton," he said, his tone lightening slightly with amusement.
As they approached the exit, Mattison added, "It is indeed hard to apply logic to your situation. A walking, talking skeleton isn\'t something we see every day. But your presence here, in the midst of normalcy, is a testament to the extraordinary times we\'re living in."
Ty, maintaining his directness, nodded in agreement. "It\'s been a whirlwind, for sure. And amidst all this, being around normal people is somewhat comforting," he admitted, a hint of sincerity in his voice. "But I do have a small request," he added, his tone turning slightly serious.
Mattison, intrigued, paused as he opened the door. "What\'s your request?" he asked, looking at Ty curiously.
Ty\'s request was simple but earnest. "Can you promise not to poison any of my drinks? The last time someone gave me a drink, it didn\'t end well for me or my friend," he stated, his voice reflecting a mix of caution and a touch of humor from the absurdity of his own request.
Mattison nodded in response to Ty\'s request for clothes. "Fair enough, a nude skeleton does draw quite a bit of attention, even in these unusual times," he said with a hint of dry humor. "And I can certainly appreciate the utility of pockets."
Turning to LT Jeryln, he gave a quick order. "Get him some clothes and have them brought to the showers. And make it quick." Mattison\'s tone was firm, indicating the importance of addressing Ty\'s request promptly.
He then turned back to Ty, inquiring about his preference. "What color would you like, Ty?"
Ty thought for a moment before responding. "Black and red would be great, if that\'s possible," he said, imagining how the colors would look on his skeletal form. The choice of colors seemed fitting for his unique appearance and the aura he carried.
Mattison relayed the information to the lieutenant, who quickly departed to fulfill the request. "Black and red it is," Mattison confirmed. "Let\'s head towards the showers, and your outfit should be ready by the time you\'re done."
The LT, standing at attention before General Mattison, bowed slightly. His clones, having served their purpose, gradually faded away, leaving the room quieter. He then briskly exited, moving with a sense of urgency.
Ty, observing the interaction, commented to Mattison, "He looks to be about 5 or 6 years older than you, but he seems terrified of you. You must be pretty rough on people, huh?"
Mattison, reflecting on his past, shared, "From a young age, I\'ve always sought to challenge those I perceived as stronger than me. He was someone who bested me three times during our academy days. But once I surpassed him, I\'ve consistently come out on top in our last 60 sparring matches.
He\'s become less eager for fights, and I won the succession fight to become the General of House 3 quite early in my career."
He paused, his tone turning contemplative. "Since then, I haven\'t had many worthy opponents, especially after my mentor, the previous General, left unexpectedly."
As they continued their walk, the corridor around them was lined with pristine wooden floors and walls. Blue cords ran along the walls, casting a gentle, illuminating glow, adding a serene atmosphere to their surroundings.
"Sometimes, you\'ll have to tell me how those blue lines work and how they power the bulbs," Ty mused, his curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar technology. "Back where I\'m from, we just have wires for everything."
Mattison, intrigued by Ty\'s comment, replied with a hint of confusion, "And you\'ll have to explain what these \'wires\' are. That could make for an interesting conversation."
They reached the showers, and Mattison indicated he needed to attend to some reopened wounds. "Wait here for a bit," he said before heading into the showers.
Ty hesitated for a moment at the entrance to the shower area, the gleaming white tiles reflecting the light in a way that seemed almost too pristine for his skeletal form.
He stepped in cautiously, feeling the coolness of the tiles beneath his bony feet.
The sensation was peculiar, a reminder of the physicality he still possessed despite his skeletal state.
In the shower, Ty reached for the water controls, turning them on. The water cascaded over his skeletal frame, creating a rhythmic patter as it hit his bones.
He didn\'t need the water for cleanliness in the traditional sense, but the act of showering brought a sense of normalcy, a connection to his past life.
He methodically ran his fingers along his ribs, down his spine, and across each bone, ensuring every part of him was rinsed. There was no dirt to wash away, but the water seemed to cleanse away some of the invisible weight he felt.
As he showered, his thoughts drifted to Nana, the events of the past few days, and the surreal reality of his current existence.
The water\'s steady flow provided a backdrop to his reflections, a soothing constant in a world that had become unpredictable and often chaotic.
Emerging from the shower, Ty felt a sense of renewal. The water had rinsed away more than just the physical remnants of his recent battles; it had also helped clear his mind. He felt ready to face whatever came next with a renewed sense of purpose.
Running his bony fingers along his frame, he remarked to himself, "Smooth and knocked a bunch of rust off. This should do." He felt lighter, in a way, refreshed despite the absence of skin and muscles.
Mattison soon joined him, freshly dressed with his bandages rewrapped. His eyes widened slightly in surprise upon seeing Ty. "I didn\'t know skeletons even wanted to shower," he remarked, his voice tinged with amusement.
Just then, the LT returned, delivering a set of clothes for Ty. He handed over black pants and a matching shirt, both adorned with red lines crisscrossing in a stylish pattern. Ty examined the clothes, noting their slight bagginess but appreciating the design.
"A bit baggy, but I think this is stylish enough," he said, holding them up against his black skeleton frame. "Blends in perfectly with my skeleton color," he added, a hint of a smirk playing on his bony visage.