The Least Common Denominator

IV.II Product

When I came to, it was to the excruciating sounds of my little sister crying on top of me.

"Hey," I reached to her face, trying to wipe a tear off her cheek. "Don't cry over me."

"B-But-"

"No buts, dear." I groaned as I made my back leave the cold, hard ground. "I'm supposed to be the big sister in this relationship."

I tilted my head as I observed my surroundings. I guess I'm still in the smithing room judging by the fact that I'm still beside the anvil that we were working on. Speaking of which...

"How's the rapier?"

"The rapier?"

Huh? "The...rapier? The one that we're supposed to make for Madam Arya?" I found myself lilting at the mere mention of our patron's name. Arya... Oh beautiful Arya... Gotta have to finish building that 'special' thing for her soon.

"That tone," Olivia looked at me like I was about to die of cancer. "You never addressed the Madam like that before..."

I almost did a double-take in my confusion. "Why not? She saved us." She took us out of the Furnaces. If it wasn't for her, we would both still be sweating our butts off without the proper compensation for it.

Olivia put one foot to her back as she looked at me in trepidation. "Sis? Are you okay?"

*drip*

Why was this a question? "I'm pretty sure I'm fine, sis."-I glanced a look at myself for added emphasis-"Is there... Why are you looking at me like that?"

This was a conundrum of considerable proportions. The not-so-little brunette's face was morphed into a horrified expression; a far cry from her normal, cute self.  

"'Livia," I offered a hand to my sis. "What's wrong?"

To my surprise, her face went from being horrified to what seemed to like a build-up of seething anger, before ending in a steely-eyed look of determination. I couldn't help but smile at the thought; what a colorful array of emotions. That's pretty cute.

*drip*

Olivia briskly walked up to me before tightly gripping my shoulders, as if preventing me from moving. Her eyes were laser-focused. I couldn't be more proud of her development. "Stay here."

"Oookay?" What's happening?

I stood at the workshop almost dumbfounded as my charge quickly left the room before I could even see her close the door. I fought the urge to move as my eyes flitted from object to object in an effort to distract myself. I trusted my little sis to know what she's doing.

*tap tap tap*

My feet tapped the ground as I crossed my arms on my chest. "Hmmm....." Needless to say, I got bored after a few seconds of self-imposed stasis.

My eyes darted across the room, searching for anything that would sate my boredom. My eyes landed on what was assuredly a katana.

"Huh. I don't remember making you."

Did I teach Olivia how to make that? Cause I don't recall, honestly. Damn. I'm so forgetful these days. Too bad there's no miracle drug here that would magically improve memory. I doubt B-12 supplements would actually exist here. Huh, I should try making that.

*drip*

Ah.. sweating again.

I moved my hand to wipe the sweat off my forehead. Working in a forge does that to the body. That reminds me, gotta have some-

*Drip*

Confusion wracked my brain as my hand rubbed my conspicuously dry forehead. I swore I heard something drip. It had been for a while now, actually.

*Trickle*

The sound of trickling water swiftly replaced the incessant dripping as soon as I was finished with my previous thought. In my chest, my heart was pounding for some reason. The smoldering rage from earlier slowly came to the forefront. But with no direction to throw it at, it just sat in my chest in befuddlement.

Deep in my head, there were alarm bells ringing. But that shouldn't be happening... Right?

*clang clang*

Muffled clangs echoed through the wooden door as the trickling sensation in my head never seemed to stop. Olivia told me to stay put... Should I check up on her? She never did tell me where she was going.

*clang clang clang*

*TRICKLE*

The sounds became louder and more frequent as the seconds ticked on... as if there was someone fighting just outside the door. That... shouldn't be possible. There's no way anyone would dare to fight the Madam in her own abode, much less even be able to open the door in the first place. On top of being a Numerator of notable rank and stature, she was Number Twelve of the Prime Thirteen; the Empire's cream of the crop Numerators. 

Speaking of which, the Madam did say that they were inducting someone new in a few days. Apparently, there has always been an open slot for the past decade and a half. Arya was ecstatic, but at the same time, strangely morose at the prospect the last time we had a heart-to-heart. Huh. The pounding in my chest became stronger for some reason.

*clang clang...*

The hypothetical clash outside continued as I found no will in myself to move from my designated spot. That's... kinda odd, actually. I wonder why? I just can't seem to find the motivation to do anything beyond what I'm told. Maybe Arya can tell me.

*Splash! clang clang*

I raised an eyebrow as the wooden door to this room creaked under some kind of impact. Water seeped from under the door as the clash of metal seemed to move away from the door. A dull pain emerged from the back of my head as I felt my feet move on its own. Strange...

*clang... Clang*

The sounds became more audible the closer I got to the soaking door. I felt a familiar weight settle on my right hand as the other went on autopilot; resting itself on the door's wet surface. Huh? When did I get the katana?

*CLANG! SHIIIING! SPLASH!*

The pounding in my chest intensified the more I tried to think about opening this one wooden door. Why should I even bother? Olivia did say that I should stay put. I should trust her. Yes...

*DRIP DRIP*

I should trust her...

*CLANG!*

"HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TEACH YOU THIS LESSON, BLOODMOON?!" I felt my head rise up towards the wooden door. That voice... Olivia? "UNDO THE SPELL!"

*SPLASH!*

"But I don't wanna~" That sweet, titillating voice... That's gotta be Arya. "Besides, you want this to happen. Right little sis?~"

*CLANG!!!*

"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO CALL ME THAT!" My heart almost stopped. I've never heard her scream with that much vitriol before. "STOP BRAINWASHING CRIMSON THIS INSTANT!"

The grip on my katana tightened at the accusation. Brainwashing? Madam Arya would never do that to me. She loved me. And I, in turn, loved her.

*TRICKLE TRICKLE*

There must've been some miscommunication that I wasn't made aware of. My little sis can't possibly be this mad over something so blatantly false. But somehow, there's a part of me that believes her...

*Drip*

That deep down...

*Drip*

There's something wrong with my current way of thinking...

*Drip*

.

.

.

*CLANG!*

But that took the backseat when it came to the safety of those that I care about. This has gone on long enough.

With my heart still pounding inside my chest for some reason, I opened the door separating me from two of my most precious people in this world.

"Guys-"

"STAY AWAY FROM HER!"

*SPLASH!*

⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛

When in doubt, escalate. Behold, Olivia! The Queen of Escalation!

Also, read Worm. It's great. Not for the faint of heart though.