CHAPTER 496: I GOT BOOPED

Nerissa stood still, and looked valiant doing it. Despite that not being her intention, it simply happened. Her status, her age. It culminated together into this legendary status for the humans around her.

*Tink*

She tapped her spear into the ground, causing a small shockwave to hit a group of men that had passed the border she had surrounded herself with. A wave of laughs and applause erupted around her, many coming from those she had done to them as well. She didn’t mind them taking photos, but she did mind very much her personal space being invaded.

It made sense that the males always wanted to get closer though she was not imbecilic, her armour had nipples upon it. To her and her kin, it was an artistic masterpiece from a bygone era, but now, to the humans, It activated an awooga state as their neurons activate in their mammalian brains.

That and the fact she was a legendary figure among spartari, keeping them at a distance was more for their safety than hers. Besides, she also needed room to spot A- "Nerissa."

She heard from behind her and spun in place, startling the crowd. Underneath her mask, a smile broke upon her lips as he was here, walking towards her. ’Oh? He has grown... Intriguing.’

...

The crowd surrounding Nerissa all looked at me with a mocking expression as I approached. I wasn’t sure why. But as I got even closer to Nerissa, the place became silent... A common thing today. ’Weird.’

"Hey you! How have you been?" I asked as I walked up to her and before she could reply, I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her. Nerissa was my friend, she helped care for me when I was dying and freely gave me her Ichor when I asked. While I didn’t get to work with it, I was sure Jewel was happily conducting her own experiments with it.

The crowd gasped, and gasped again when the praetorian wrapped one hand around the man hugging her instead of driving the spear through his gut. A few people in the crowd immediately recognised the man, like a woman with blue hair who recognised it was the same man who spoke with the techno-mechanic earlier. ’Who is he?’

Nerissa, feeling the intent of the crowd now personal touch has been crossed, suddenly pulled away from the hug and tapped the jewels on her chest, a barrier surrounding her and Apollo the moment she did so. She then clicked it another time after the barrier erected and the choir of amazement at those admiring the barrier turned silent.

"Impressive." I commented. "Yes, I thought we could do with some privacy, also, forgive me, but I am compelled by my existence to do what I am about to do to you." Nerissa declared, causing me great confusion, before she lifted her hand and

Boop

’She just booped my snoot.’ I thought to myself as I watched her let out a big breath of relief. "That is better." She said, like she had just unflexed a muscle she had been keeping taught all day.

She then looked me up and down, nodding in appreciation before asking what needed to be asked. "So, I presume with your growth in height and the power influx I feel off your body that you successfully cured your Psionic decay? Oh, you also finally gained some much needed muscle mass, that is good. You looked too skinny previously."

I chuckled at Nerissa’s little diss before replying. "Yep, all cured, want a peak under the hood? You can tell ri-" I was slightly joking, but Nerissa then lifted up my shirt as she inspected me.

"Intriguing. Your body’s deterioration when I last saw you was to put it kindly, dreadful. To have recovered from having your body being erased by energy is nothing short of incredible, especially with no lasting side effects. Your profession truly is incredible."

Nerissa then put my shirt down and followed up. "And how is your teacher? Jewel, Is she well?" I smiled at Nerissa. "Jewel is perfect, thank you for asking. The majority of our time together we simply spent in bed so you can imagine my return home was quite pleasant."

Nerissa nodded her head, like she expected this. "Hmm, your sexual voraciousness is rather known to me at this point, I am not surprised a powerful person such as your teacher has taken advantage of that fact."

Not wanting to keep the subject on Jewel and I’s sexual endeavours, I changed the subject. "So, how have you been? Oh! How is the library here? Is it big? I am so excited to start reading literally everything!"

Nerissa looked up at me for a moment, her thoughts only for her. She decided not to tell Apollo about all the surprises waiting for him and let them unfold themselves. "I have been well Apollo, Since your departure, I have done nothing but read. A lot of my first few months were learning more about your condition and intricacies of the Mindspace, but after that, I began expanding to everything. If I am being honest, with my age and how time passes for me, it has felt equivalent to days in your timeframe since I last saw you, but don’t let that diminish the fact that I am glad to see you, friend."

"Likewise." I replied, before looking around. "You are quite popular huh? Looks like we are going to have a crowd when walking around, Orchid isn’t going to like this." I then pointed behind me, to which Nerissa followed my thumbs’ direction to Spot Orchid and someone she did not expect to see.

Pointing to the two individuals, she then curled her finger in a beckoning motion, indicating they could pass the barrier. Orchid did so immediately and hastily walked over and took my arm while Janine hesitated a moment before following inside.

Nerissa got the easy conversation out of the way first. "Orchid, a pleasure to see you again." To which she simply got a slight nod. The sister was not one of many words, something she understood before turning to the Sepiida.

"I must admit, I did not expect to see you here Janine, though I suppose- Oh yes, that is a beneficial loophole you found isn’t it? No one would expect you to be Psionically gifted. This is most brilliant. So devious."

Nerissa seemed a little giddy about our chicanery, seemingly understanding the loophole I found instantly. Janine nodded her head submissively, appearing meek to those in the surrounding, while speaking in her normal tone as everyone here was friends.

"Yes, I wasn’t expecting to come either. But Apollo is kind to everyone, regardless of species. I am lucky to have a best friend like him." Nerissa knew Janine did not know she was also a different species and smiled cheekily, though no one could see.

"It is true that Apollo here does hold all species and races in the same regard. It is quite admirable. A shame more do not share his sentiment." She said as everyone began looking at me.

’Huh? Well duh! I believe in hive supremacy, you are all weak compared to my bug wives.’ I thought before simply smiling at everyone. Orchid then held my arm tighter and looked up at me with a knowing, subtle smile. She knows me better than I know myself after all and knew exactly what I just thought without telepathy.

"So, should we have a look round? and see what’s happened here? I didn’t expect to be surrounded by a crowd that your form has magnetised, but as long as I don’t need to do a public speech, I don’t mind being watched.

Nerissa then looked around for a moment before suggesting. "I basically have free run of this place, being an agent of the royalty, I can fast track you through the next security station, a lot of people here are still waiting for friends, family or other companions to get through the background checks or adjust to the gravity. Also, you will need to bring out your Sapphire at the next screening and her sight alone will cause a lot of them to start making a run for it."

’She will? But she is so cute?’ Big ball of chonk, harmless.’ I thought before remembering something. "Oh! Speaking of my cutie, she now has a smaller second form. She got jealous of the tigers being adorable when we went to the zoo and copied their look a little bit."

"Really? How intriguing... Come, you can tell me more about it later, there are things you need to see and people you need to meet today. It is going to be a long day for you, so brace yourself."

Boop

She then booped my snoot again before lowering her barrier before simply stating. "Follow me."

As she began to walk, I took a small look around again. It was so silent that I could have heard a fly’s thoughts if I tried hard enough, prompting me to ask the rhetorical question.

"What?"