Before You Remember

Season 2 Chapter 20 Preferences

Nowadays, Kiaria appears mentally unsound. She can be spotted in nature, sitting and spacing out, displaying various facial expressions at intervals.

Those unaware of her status as a possessor might assume she's lost her mind, while even those who know she's a possessor may think she's a bit eccentric. Regardless, Kiaria doesn't bother to conceal her behaviour.

Every day, she spends time outside attempting to befriend the plants and trees, asking them how she can protect herself as a whisperer.

<Nah, you can't. You can only speak to us,> comments a tree in the sky garden atop her workplace, the health ministry building.

<I'm a budding plant. I don't have enough life experiences to advise you> adds another pretty sunflower.

Kiaria sighs. 

<Have no other whisperers sought your help before?>

<Well, you're the first whisperer I've met> replies another tree.

<Then what else can I do?> Kiaria whines and lies on the floor, pondering the plants. Suddenly, she has an idea.

<If I were to ask you to grow or shrink, would it work?>

<Nah. A whisperer only communicates. No ability to grow. Just like cats and dogs. You can't grow them, can you?>

At that moment, a trail of ants begins to march over to a nearby plant, seemingly to collect nectar.

<Hello, plant. Do you usually summon them over?> Kiaria inquires.

<No, no> the plant responds. 

<The ants just have a good sense of smell.>

Kiaria observes the ants and approaches them. "Hello, little ones," she greets warmly.

"Go away, giant. Can't you see we're busy here?" they reply.

These rude little pricks, Kiaria thinks to herself. But now she knows her whispering ability extends beyond just plants.

"I have a proposal for your group. What if I told you I could provide food for you every single day without you having to source nectar yourselves?" she offers.

<Hey! I need these ants to collect my nectar!> The plant protests.

"Okay, what if I can give you guaranteed food twice a week?"

From that day onward, Kiaria spends her time befriending as many living creatures as possible, from trees and plants to bees and birds. Her goal is to gather intel about the inner cities.

She befriends some birds that migrate to the inner cities annually for mating season. They inform her that the inner cities are filled with thugs who beat civilians and demand protection money.

"Also, they're scary. They have no hesitation in shooting us down! Crawk, crawk!" one bird adds.

"How do you overcome the issue?" Kiaria asks.

"Well, it's a migration pattern. Crawk, crawk. We must do it for food, so we—"

"Kiaria!" Jax's voice interrupts. She sees him walking towards her and lifting her. The bird, startled by Jax, quickly flies away, disappointing Kiaria.

"You chased away my friend!" she protests.

"You look like a lunatic talking to plants and animals nowadays. Also, it's lunchtime. Let's eat before the food gets cold," Jax says.

Kiaria frowns. Jax is particularly rigid about certain things like meals and sleep. However, she's not surprised by his behaviour, due to the terms of the spiritual contract. Sometimes, it's overwhelming for her.