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The problem with revolving your entire life around someone is that when they’re gone, you don’t know what to do. Shang Tsung left Lluci alone in the laboratory whenever he had to go on trips. Lluci would entertain himself with lab experiments in the pit or by hallucinating people to talk to for a while. The problem with that entertainment was that it was too short-lived. The experiments aren’t very conversational and Hallucinations that come from your mind have little to talk about that you don’t already know. Then there was Syzoth, of course, but he… he was very difficult. A shame. Lluci used to like him when they were in the carnival together.
Lluci’s choices for real life company were slim pickings, limited to the few that even knew of Shang Tsung. Further inspection reduced those options even farther. Quan Chi frightened him and even Shang Tsung didn’t seem to like it the few times they interacted. Lluci wondered if his master was nervous he’d get his assistant stolen. The Empress was impossible. He saw her once, and she didn’t seem to notice him. Princess Mileena was a patient, not a companion, especially with her lover bodyguard always in the way, and the Princesses sister only cared for her sister.
Then there was the second level of people who knew him, or rather, the ones who were conspiring with Shang Tsung. Besides Quan Chi, there were the Empress's conspirators. General Shao treated him like a rat, and his soldiers weren’t any better. Quan Chi’s entourage was a bust as well. The closest he got was some discussion with the anarchy obsessed Havik, but… Lluci wasn’t very interested in what he offered.
After many failed attempts, Lluci had only one person left to try his luck on.
————
Lluci answered the door on the fourth knock, cracking it open to peek outside. Lluci smiled, pulling the door open the rest of the way and gesturing for the man outside to step in. “Master Shang Tsung told me you were coming.” Rain offered a curt nod in response as he stepped in, his clothing swishing behind him. Lluci shut the carved wooden doors behind him, looking up at the mage with wide, bright eyes.
Rain glanced at Lluci, staring just above his eyes to his head. “Your hair piece is gone,” he said offhandedly.
Lluci’s hands drifted to his head where he typically wore a makeshift hair pin, crafted, as many of Lluci’s possessions were, from something of Shang Tsung’s. “Oh, you noticed?” Lluci giggled, petting the spot in his hair. “The clip got bent, so I took it out to fix.”
Lluci giggled again, looking up at Rain with one of his many enthusiastic smiles. After an awkward pause—awkward for Rain, anyway, Lluci was content with the silent staring—Rain cleared his throat. “So, about what I was here for?” He asked.
Lluci clapped his hands together, throwing his shoulders back. “Ooh! Yes! The books, the books! Of course,” Lluci said, laughing.
“Yes…”
Lluci pointed upwards. “They’re just upstairs. Follow me,” he said, nodding his head toward the staircase.
Lluci led Rain from the front entrance to a hallway on the right that opened into the first floor of the larger circle section of the laboratory building, building up in a column to the top observatory. Lluci hopped up each step of the winding staircase that looped the outer edge. Rain followed with much less enthusiasm, his staff making a tap noise each time it hit a step.
“It’s just the two, right?” Lluci asked as he waited at the top of the landing for Rain.
Rain nodded, glancing around the open space of the floor. Shang Tsung and Lluci had filled in the expanse with the sorcerer’s belongings in a way that faked rooms, trying to make the lab seem much more homely. A tough task when hospital equipment and cages often bordered rugs and sofas.
Lluci directed Rain to a short, red couch with the back pushed up against a support beam. A rug of similar color peaked out from underneath it, the edges etched with faded yellow fabric that was once golden. While Lluci insisted that the mage make himself comfortable, Rain preferred to stand.
This was his first time being inside Shang Tsung’s lab without the owner there. The lab itself remained exactly the same, but the entire vibe of the place was wrong. Much more odd than usual. The sorcerer had a way about him that seemed to fill spaces. He tried to act humble, but the way he spoke and conducted himself always gave Rain the impression that Shang Tsung believed he was the most regal and sophisticated person in any room. Without the sorcerer here, the lab lost the charm projected by its owner. Instead, the lab felt exactly how it looked. Empty. Decaying.
Sad.
Rain clenched his teeth, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. His eyes darted about to observe the evidence of studying that littered the room, but mostly his eyes stayed on Lluci.
The little assistant was smiling and giggling to himself, practically bouncing around in the middle of the decrepit building. It felt so fake. Every time he saw Lluci, he was always smiling. The only times Rain could think that he wasn’t smiling was when Shang Tsung was upset with him. When anyone else berated him, though? Happy as could be.
Rain gripped his staff a little tighter, narrowing his eyes against Lluci’s back. He couldn’t stand the unwarranted joy. It unnerved him, really. What could be so good about that man’s life that such a personality was created? Rain couldn’t see or think of a single thing that warranted it. Perhaps he was just messed in the head. That would help explain the messed up eye the assistant had.
Lluci braced one hand on a shelf while he pushed himself up on the tips of his toes, his other arm outstretched above his head. Lluci snagged the requested books from the top shelf, stacking them on top of each other in his arms.
“Gott’em,” Lluci said, holding up the books.
Rain held his hand out towards Lluci, walking towards him to meet halfway. “Thank you,” Rain started, reaching to take the books from Lluci’s outstretched hands. He tucked the books under his arm, turning to leave. “I’ll bring them back when I’m done.”
“Wait!” Lluci called, grabbing hold of Rain’s arm.
Rain stopped abruptly, looking down at Lluci’s hand on him, then up at his face. He twisted to the side, shaking Lluci’s hold off him. “What?”
Lluci glanced off to the side in what Rain had to assume was shyness. The man smoothed a hand over the back of his head, bringing his braid forward over his shoulder. “Could you actually stay for a while longer?”
Rain raised an eyebrow skeptically, looking at the nervous way Lluci ran his fingers over the bumps of his braid. “I have some other business to take care of today.” Rain again moved to leave, but Lluci stepped in front of him, pushing forward so that Rain leaned back to preserve his personal space. “Excuse me, I really have to go.” Rain’s patience was already wearing thin.
“Please,” Lluci insisted, his voice turning whiny and squeaky, making Rain wince. “I really need your help with something for Master Shang Tsung. It won’t take long.” Lluci clasped his hands together, bending forward in a half bow to help sell his begging.
Rain grimaced beneath his mask. Sighing, he gestured halfheartedly for Lluci to go ahead. Call it a reluctant ‘thanks’ for the books.
“Okay, stay here,” Lluci said, holding out his hands in a stopping motion, “I’ll be right back!” Lluci hurried off to the staircase, running up it to the next floor, his thumping steps faded and Rain waited in silence.
For a moment, Rain thought about leaving again, making off before Lluci could get back. Rain shook his head at himself, making his way back to the couch and falling down heavily into it. The furniture creaked with stress and age and Rain wondered how long it had been collecting dust somewhere before it ended up here. He shifted to the farther end of the couch, trying to catch more light from the torch holstered on the support beam. Placing his staff down in between his legs to free up his hands, Rain looked down at the books he had taken.
Both books on hydromancy had faced bans from most libraries and were similarly removed from many archives. The contents detailed magic considered too dangerous for any person to wield, both for the user and for any person unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end of its usage. Rain thumbed over the etching on the front of one, flipping open the cover just to read the table of contents. He considered where best to hide the books so that he could both read in peace and not be found out by Empress Sindel or anyone who may report to her.
The sound of Lluci’s footsteps returned and Rain snapped the book cover closed, shoulders jolting back. For a moment, he felt like had been caught before, quickly remembering he was not under anyone’s scrutiny here. He smoothed back his emotions, setting the books aside next to him, pressed between his hip and the couch’s armrest.
Rain watched Lluci descend the stairs with far more care than he ascended, bringing with him a plate held delicately in both hands. Rain looked at the plate with interest, spotting what looked like some kind of pale yellow bread or bun. Lluci approached Rain, holding the plate out to him proudly, glancing between Rain and the food.
“What is it?” Rain asked, cautiously reaching to pick up the bun. It felt slightly sticky on his fingertips, and it had a dull shimmer that brightened anytime it caught the light. A pattern of squares was crosshatched into the more crust-like top.
Lluci set the plate on the short end table next to Rain before walking around and sitting down in the open space next to him. “It’s a new recipe I learned from an Earthrealm book. I had to get the key ingredient specially from a black market vendor. It’s made with a fruit called a ‘pineapple’.” Lluci tucked his hands between his legs, leaning closer to Rain for a better look at his reaction to the information.
“I thought you needed help for something with the sorcerer?”
Lluci nodded. “This is for him. I always make him something special when he returns from being away for a while. This is the first time I have used an Earthrealm ingredient, though. I want to make sure it tastes alright to other people.”
Rain glanced at Lluci, then back to the food. He sent a brief prayer that the food wouldn’t make him sick before crooking his finger overtop his mask to pull it down. He lifted the bread to his mouth, very aware of Lluci’s gaze pinned on him as he finally took a small bite.
The first thing Rain noticed was just how sweet the bun was. It made the inside of his cheek tingle. Every time he chewed it tasted like he was taking another bite, the tang of the ‘pineapple’ flavor never dulling. Rain went for another bite, intrigued by the mysterious flavor. It was similar to foods he had had before, yet so distinctly unique. Aside from just the sweetness, the bread itself was moist and sticky, which Rain guessed was how it held so much flavor. It was an impressive creation for being made with an ingredient Lluci had apparently never used before.
Rain had only meant to take a single bite to satisfy Lluci so he could leave, but he ended up finishing the bun quickly. He licked his lips, trying to get rid of the remaining stickiness, as well as rubbing his fingers together to flake off the excess from his hand.
Rain had felt Lluci’s stare only growing in intensity through the entire process, likely eager for his input on the other’s' baking. Rain paused to formulate his words before delivering his thoughts.
“It was… interesting. Sweet and tangy. It…hmm. It kind of tasted like it was eating me back? If that makes sense,” Rain said, Lluci nodding along.
“So… was it good, then?” Lluci asked, raising his eyebrows expectantly.
Rain pulled his mask back before giving his answer. Rain could tell the assistant thrived on praise, no matter how minute it was. “I enjoyed it, yes,” he said, giving Lluci what he wanted.
“Really?” Lluci asked, his eyes and mouth widening with delight.
Rain nodded. “I think it will be acceptable to Shang Tsung as well.” Rain avoided using any words that might suggest anything other than acceptable. He did not want to raise Lluci’s expectations if the sorcerer ended up not liking it.
Lluci either didn’t notice the reduced response, or did not care, because he threw himself onto Rain with a happy squeal. “Thank you!”
Rain flinched, his body going stiff under Lluci’s surprise hug. This assistant was way too touchy feely for Rain’s taste and he quickly grabbed hold of the back of Lluci’s sash, trying to pry him off.
A flash of movement caught Rain’s attention. His eyes widened as he looked up to see Shang Tsung standing just behind Lluci, the sorcerer’s hand on his assistant’s shoulder. Where did he come from? He was still supposed to be traveling, and how did he get there so quickly without announcing himself or Rain noticing?
“Sorcerer?” Rain muttered, brows bunching together. In the blink of an eye, Shang Tsung had disappeared and Lluci was looking at him sheepishly. “What? Your master was just-“ Rain started, looking between Lluci and the now empty space. What kind of trick was this?
Lluci giggled nervously, shrugging his shoulders. His hands went to his braid, stroking his hands over his own hair while looking off to the side. “Sorry, sometimes it happens without me meaning to.”
“It?” Rain asked, impatiently prompting him for more information. He returned his grip to his staff, turning slightly to put more distance between him and Lluci, his back pressed to the armrest and his legs blocking Lluci from getting closer. “That illusion?”
“A hallucination.” Lluci looked up at Rain, his fingers stalling against his hair. “It’s a gift I was born with. I can make you see things. Visions that are much more impressive and realistic than a simple illusion, because it’s coming straight from your own mind.”
“How? How does it work?” Rain asked suspiciously. He wondered if maybe his initial unease was not because of the laboratory, but because of the one other person inside it.
Lluci tapped his finger against his temple, tilting his head. “My thoughts and feelings influence you and it makes you hallucinate. I can control it mostly, but sometimes it slips out if I’m not careful. I have less exact control over what you see than I would if I was making the image myself. But, it’s better that way, really. Because your mind is making the vision, I don’t have to know very much to make something very realistic. Most of the time, I can’t even see what you see because I don’t have the same knowledge.”
Rain mulled over the new information. He had honestly thought Lluci was devoid of any magical abilities. Rain had never seen him perform any mystical act in any visit—and he wouldn’t put it past Shang Tsung to make an assistant out of someone barren just to lord his superiority over them—but in actuality, Lluci had capabilities Rain would have never considered. Illusions were one thing, but making someone see something without knowing what it was yourself? Any magic that directly influenced the mind was one to be wary of.
Rain’s brows bunched together, and his eyes narrowed, expression darkening as he met Lluci’s pathetic gaze. “Have you ever used your power on me before? Or on anyone else who has come here?”
Lluci’s mouth opened and closed several times, looking like a fish out of water. The guilt in Lluci’s expression was obvious. He wondered just what times he had been under the influence, so unguarded against the seemingly innocuous assistant next to him. Rain was sure Shang Tsung had been wielding his assistant gift against himself and the others of the Empresses court, though how he could not be sure.
“I’ve only done it to General Shao, I promise,” Lluci said quickly, pleading with Rain’s growing distaste. “I made him see things that helped convince him to align with Master Shang Tsung and grant us this laboratory. That’s all, really.”
Rain searched Lluci’s eyes for the truth. One permanently pointed away, the other met his gaze wide and unblinking. Rain didn’t believe him. There was no way someone as opportunistic as Shang Tsung would pass up the chance to use his assistant’s ability any chance it was given. But… “Are you going to tell Shang Tsung that I know?”
Lluci pursed his lips but murmured a no. “Will you tell anyone else?”
Rain hesitated. He knew Lluci feared Shang Tsung’s retribution for admitting his secret and that made it impossible for Lluci to tell on Rain. Rain did not want to make his new knowledge known either. Not if the unique information could prove a slight advantage in the future. Rain had stumbled into a very interesting position.
Rain could feel Lluci getting more anxious with every passing second that Rain didn’t reassure him of his silence. The assistant was practically shaking. Rain could feel the vibrations through the couch, quiet squeaks becoming a constant stream of noise. The display brought some pathetic sense of satisfaction for Rain. The chipperness of the assistant always irritated him. Giving Lluci a reason to frown gave Rain a reason to smile.
Maybe he was the pathetic one.
“You can use it for yourself if you don’t say anything.”
Rain quirked up a brow. “Excuse me?”
“My ability is all I have to give you in exchange for you not telling anyone what I’ve done. I know it’s not much, but it’s what I have. You can relive a memory, or see something you’ve always wanted or anything else. Anything.”
Rain considered the offer, biting the inside of his cheek. He might regret this in the future. Who would know, though?
“Fine.”
Lluci’s shoulders relaxed, and he breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
A brief silence passed before Rain spoke again. “I want to see how I will be revered when I overcome the Empress.”
Lluci considered the request. ‘How’ seemed to request a certain kind of truthfulness, but his hallucinations were largely filled in by what the receiver believed they were seeing, not what would happen in reality. Lluci didn’t tell Rain that, only nodding with a smile.
“I will give you the most vivid images possible,” Lluci promised. In order to ensure the full extent of his ability, Lluci ensured his and Rain's closeness. He brought his legs up, kneeling on the couch to lean forward to overcome Rain’s blocking position. He braced one hand on their leg before turning his hand to cup the side of Rain’s cheek. The mage flinched, but quickly succumbed to Lluci’s touch.
Lluci thought about audiences and applause, taking memories from his performing days to build a picture of excitement for Rain. Rain’s eyes unfocused from Lluci, and he looked at nothing, turning his head this way and that, looking past the laboratory room and at his hallucination. Lluci pushed an image of the couch they were on, becoming a throne, figuring Rain would like something like that.
As Lluci watched Rain, he wondered if the man would have still been willing to keep his secret if he knew the full extent of what Shang Tsung and Lluci were doing in this laboratory.
“There’s a storm…” Rain whispered, looking up to the ceiling, blinking several times as if water drops were landing on him. Whether Lluci was meant to hear was unclear, but Lluci righted his thoughts to balance the hallucination.
“You’re the one controlling it,” Lluci responded quietly. “You’re strong. You deserve this power.”
“Yes…” Beneath his mask, Rain’s lips curved into a smile, “I do.”
Lluci smiled, letting himself lean in even closer to Rain, who was too unaware of reality to be upset by the proximity. This wasn’t exactly how Lluci imagined Rain’s visit would go, but it wasn’t the worst outcome. It gave him the comfort of the company he needed.
————
Rain cleared his throat, doing his best to keep his composure. “Tell Shang Tsung that I’m grateful for him lending me these,” Rain said, looking to Lluci while gesturing to the two books folded under his arm.
Lluci nodded, standing by the front door with his hand on the handle. “I will.”
Rain hesitated, clenching his jaw before responding with his own curt nod. “I will be taking my leave then.”
Lluci opened the door for Rain, standing inside the doorway to watch the mage leave. After only taking a few steps away, Rain was stopped by Lluci speaking.
“You can come again. When Master Shang Tsung is gone. If you want,” Lluci said stiltedly. “I can show you more things. Or we can talk. Anything you want.”
Rain glanced Lluci up and down. The laboratory was huge, filled in a way to try to shake away the empty feeling, yet never quite successful. It was rotting, slowly but surely, even with upkeep. Time could never be reversed to bring it back to newness. Lluci was still smiling in the doorway, looking at him expectantly.
He might regret this in the future. Who could tell, though?
“I’ll consider it.”