Illithid behind the Curtain: Mistakes were Made (Patreon)

I loved to cook.

Well, I did, and it was something of a joke for Hannibal at the table as well, and with a calmer mind then I had for ages I started in on my preparations. My knife flashed, chopping up the cow brain I had cleaned and prepped into six chunks. Then taking the spices, I coated them lightly and then began to rub olive oil over the lot, examining it carefully as I considered carefully my next move.

I made sure on my raid to get as much brains as I could, some for my cooler and the rest to be preserved. It wasn't much in terms of sating myself, but honestly if I had to compare, it felt much like devouring a thrall's brain in my memories. Not much, but quantity had a quality of its own and this much would tide me over for the present. I might had gone overboard in my brain theft and only the sheer, incredible bit of bullshit(no pun intended) left behind gave me any sort of relief.

No, the actual problem right now was a record. I had no name, no past, no school, dental, doctors note-nothing to denote I existed on Remnant which was fair, because up till now I did not. As I put my brain chunks on the pan, my wood oven heated up to the proper heat I contemplated it all, putting them in even as I cleaned with an absent minded cantrip.

Anyone looking into my past would find absolutely nothing and that I feel more than anything would bring both factions to my door. As I said, I had no wish to be part of any of their machinations and they had nothing I wanted either. Also, there was a part of me that knew this was not my story to be in.

They'd be fine. The kids would be fine, and I'd be free to deal with the brain problem on my own terms as I waved a hand, a tome floating my direction as I opened it, scrutinizing the information on my people. It was all information integral to my kind, shared among the colony as a matter of fact and yet, I enjoyed the written word still. It was a nice reminder of my former self, even if I had to really scrutinize in my true form as I peered at the words that both enlightened and damned me over again.

For reasons explained below, an illithid's brain is anathema to its body. The process of ceremorphosis creates something closer to parasite than brain. That parasite becomes an indispensable part of the body. Its great weakness is that it does not produce the critical enzymes, hormones, or psychic energy that the body needs to survive and function. Those critical components must come from consumed brains.

Because of the mind flayer's all-embracing nervous system, food does not pass through a simple gastrointestinal tract but through a cognitive, self-aware digestive system. That system absorbs more than just nourishment from food. It scavenges enzymes, hormones, and most important, psychic energy. Illithids are known for consuming brains, but they eat other food as well, most of which contains various amounts of these needed enzymes and hormones. Internal organs are good sources, and they rank high on illithid menus. Brains are ripe with all three and are the only external source of psychic energy.

I sighed aloud. Every source I could muster from A to Zed all spoke the same thing, penned down by fellow wizards, my own kind or otherwise. The greatest strength of the Illithid was also our crippling weakness, that we required brains to survive. There was no alliance with my people that would not be looked at with suspicion, no deal that could be honored, not with that specter looking over their shoulder. While darker aligned souls and minds would not care so much, I being a morally thinking sentient had a much different opinion.

It may not be much, but it was the only bit of humanity I had and every day, I had to fight tooth and nail to retain it which brought me back to what I had been working on. I opted for a simple disguise, using my bone cap to simply disguise my form than any true transformation as I floated outside into the yard as I found myself able to breath easier.

With Ruby and Yang visiting all the time, I had taken the time to harvest from them-nothing too intrusive, just their psychic impression. With every expression of joy and happiness, I recorded it and installed it around the outskirts of my lawn. Resonance stones my people called them, essentially emotional records. Used mostly to dark intent, transmitting despair in prisons and torture chambers mostly... And now, used for something else entirely.

Even when they were gone, I could just float here and feel human again. I could remember happiness; I could remember joy and not simply the negative spiral that plagued my kind to their utter demise. For about an hour I simply stood there, still as a plant as I enjoyed the fresh air and even the sunlight, which amused me internally before I turned and floated back inside.

My offal should be done by now and I was in a good enough mood that I felt it was going to be ok.

====

It was not going to be ok. "Aliens?" I repeated and Taiyang laughed nervously, looking away sheepishly as Ruby and Yang played tag, the former running faster as she screamed with joy as Yang charged in. Aside from a glance to ensure they'd be fine, we looked at each other as Taiyang laughed. "I know, it sounds ridiculous. But the news spread like wildfire and well, there's a lot of believers out there who saw it as a sign. So it turns out, Patch is going to get a lot of visitors in the near future."

I could feel something inside me break, as I slowly began to speak. "So... In response to the knowledge that something is eating brains... Peoples response is to come towards it?" Taiyang winced, his psionic signature radiating sheepishness as he spoke.

"Well... It'll bring revenue to the place at least? You could likely put up some people yourself in your tower.... " His voice trailed off at the expression my face was making, and he nodded. "Right, yeah. Dumb idea. Still, it's not a bad summer plan. I heard our mayor is even going to start up alien night at the local bar."

I screamed internally, ready to resign myself to even more security before Taiyang looks around and adds. "Love what you've done with the place by the way. Took you long?" I turned and stared at what he was looking at.

No longer a mere lawn, I had invested in a few things. Trees had been transplanted to offer shade. My stone golems rested, still and in various poses as though they were statues and a few of them I had converted into a slide, which Ruby and Yang were currently playing around and off on the side, the beginnings of a small pond were being dug out by my 'semblance' as I looked Taiyang dead in the eye.

The bastard wasn't even trying not to laugh by now, small snorts and giggles emerging from his face at my expression as I said simply. "I fancied a change."

He nodded solemnly. I scowled and he wheezed, almost bent in half as he smiled broadly, sheer happiness almost completely obscuring the dark, brooding seeds of what had been despair and depression and I let out an internal sigh of relief. For all the good that Ruby and Yang had brought me, I think I did some good as well. I wouldn't lift a weapon, there was no spell cast that would save the day nor would I want that. Instead, by coming out every day to let his girls play in their neighbor's yard, he was coming out of his funk.

There was no time to dwell on the depressing parts of his life, his girls wanted to be outside. They wanted to enjoy the sun, to have fun and in helping them, he was helping himself. Not the greatest effect one could have, but it was mine and it felt good.

I tried to retain this feeling, to pierce the veil of scorn and disgust one of my kind would feel as he suddenly said something. "You know, I was going to get a puppy soon for the girls. I know you don't want to leave your home, but you've done so much for us. I was wondering-they had an extra, would you like one too?" I paused to register this, the both of us ignoring the distant cries of Ruby and Yang before I spoke slowly.

"You think I'm lonely enough, that I require a dog to be satisfied that I won't be pining away in my bed, for the next time you and your family violate my property boundaries?" He looked sheepish now, scratching the side of his head as he added. ".... Well, when you put it that way it does sound kind of condescending."

I had no words. And a few moments later, finally let out a sigh of the damned.

"... What kind of dog?"

====

A corgi of course. I had forgotten that little tidbit and it was altogether, my first time with a local creature aside from the livestock. I knew they were clever, that animals had the potential to have aura but then again, Zwei had been... Built different. More Pokemon than animal, with durability that aura could only explain away so far.

My mind went back to what had been the sight of a dog mailed in a cardboard tube, and the puppy before me sniffed me twice, whining and unsure. I was quite outside of her experience and then there was the fact that I was sure a bit of me was slimy. It would take a while for her to acclimate to me and I spoke to her mind, radiating discipline and sternness.

"You are now Einz...bern. Einzbern."

I thought it was clever at least, and the dog barked once, confused as it looked around for whoever was talking as I added. "This arrangement is temporary, meant only to facilitate my cover. I expect you to adhere to your side and in turn, I shall provide you with food and shelter as per the agreement. Is this satisfactory?"

Another bark followed. A happy one. And then she had the sheer gall to snap at my fingers, growling low as she tugged a bit. I indulged this for ten minutes and then levitated us both, Einzbern releasing in surprise as we floated away.

"Do not get comfortable. About three days later, I shall find a suitable excuse and then we shall part ways. I do not need a dog in my life."

====

Ruby wailed, vanishing in a puff of rose petals and crashing into the pile of leaf's, my servants hard work gone in an instant as they scattered in a pseudo explosion. Zwei and Einzbern barked, rushing towards her along with Yang as Taiyang and I swiftly got up from our seats. It was nearing Auttum season now; the world had undoubtedly changed outside but my little sanctuary remained my own.

I had no scroll, no television and no desire to do anything to involve myself out there. All I had to measure time was the experiments in my tower, the visits of Taiyang and his family and now this.

Ruby had uncovered her semblance and her psionic signature felt surprise and pain, fear and terror that fed upon Yang's panic as the sisters hugged each other, making sure they were fine. Unbidden, my mind stretched out and gently touched Ruby's own.

As ever, it felt invasive to me despite my own attempts to ensure I didn't see anything. Through the connection, I inspired calm. Serenity. Tranquility. All emotions I normally could not connect to, had it not been for them and the fruits of it revealed itself as Ruby sniffed and calmed down by the time Taiyang approached. And in my head, I felt a sensation of thanks as I withdrew and Taiyang began explaining what had happened.

I tuned it out, contemplative as I had heard it all before. More to the point, there was also the other thing that I had just realized now.

Ruby said 'thank you'. I had thought that both of them had forgotten all about that day when they stumbled into my study, that the first impression I had wrought with my appearance had been repressed. But in that uncanny way of children, it seems they not only remembered but kept their promise.

I could chalk it up to a case of innocence, of ignorance but it was intriguing enough that I felt it needed examination.

But it wasn't till a week later, when a particularly dangerous Grimm appeared and began hunting tourists that I'd get the chance.

====

There was a Grimm on patch. An elder grimm, the hunters whispered as their emotions and memories permeated and sunk into a miasma of resignation and duty. There had been a town meeting called and attendance was all but mandatory, though I made sure to leave my Air Elemental watching the Xiao Long-Rose place as I attended for the first time.

It was disgusting, sinking myself among all those unprotected minds. Fear, glory, sex, anger, hatred, fear, all of these things and more continued to assault me and for the first time, I welcomed my Illithid physiology. Outwardly, it was only to be expected.

Patch was the very equivalent of a small town. In a world where the Grimm were the norm, that was only to be expected. Their safety was in their obscurity, their small numbers. Hardly enough negative miasma on a psionic scale to attract anything more than a beowulf pack.

At least, up till now.

The tourists had brought in money, but also themselves. Hundreds, roving far and wide, seeking to spot for themselves aliens among them. A hotpot of frustration, belief and anger to attract the Grimm in greater numbers.

All because I had thought to be funny as well as blunt any fear that might had come from my harvest. Had I simply just gone with the first idea and ate a drifter, this could had been avoided. I could have remained on the sidelines.

And in doing so, lost the very essence of my soul.

Taiyang grabbed my elbow, a liberty I normally would have never allowed as concern radiated from himself as he stared at me. "Are you alright?" I breathed out, anchored myself to the sensation of tactile touch and nodded once. "I'm... Not good with crowds."

There was a sound of a hammer, and we glanced up as the mayor stood up to speak. Behind the drone of their voice was fear, radiating clear as daylight to me. They had hunters, but not nearly enough. They had money to pay for more, but only a single team of professionals. Most of what had been earned was poured into infrastructure, formatting Patch into a tourist town. A short sightedness that they were paying for now as people discussed plans, where to go, and so forth. And then suddenly, I don't know how long- Taiyang's psionic signature changed and I looked at him.

"What?"

Taiyang looked worried, before he finally spoke. "I know how much you value your privacy. But your tower is the most well defended place this town currently has. The school itself hasn't been upgraded in years and well... If there was any where I'd trust Ruby and Yang, it'd be your place." I froze. This was a moment of truth, where things would fall on one side or the other. All I had to do was say 'no' and I'd have everything I ever wanted.

No more visits, no more kids. I'd be just a grumpy hermit to everyone, free to conduct myself in peace. All I had to do was say no.

The mayor asked aloud once more if anyone had any better ideas or places to keep the children safe during the hunt.

And slowly, rising to my feet I raised my hand.

=====

"That's the last one Mr. Rincewind!"

The school bus drove away, and I turned to look at the children. More than I had ever seen, all looking on in awe at my tower and yard, Ruby and Yang moving without fear as they all chattered away and kept them safe. There were three other noncombatants here, school teachers and matrons who smiled and help guide them inside the tower as they froze and blinked.

Whispers echoed in the vast space of a great hall, more suited for a museum than a tower. The impossibility of it baffling the teachers, who stared back and forth as they looked upon my exhibits.

Armor on stands, owned by such figures ranging from the Neverwinter Nine to the Flaming Fist were seen behind glass, as were skeletons of creatures unknown, monstrous and new. Ruby in particular bounced, pointing upward, suspended to the ceiling at the skeleton of a dragon, roaring in silence as one of the teachers stepped forward.

"Mr. Rincewind, this is incredible. You made all this?"

"Picked up, here and there." I remarked as a barking noise echoed from the top of the stairs and a little, furry missile dashed down to meet Ruby and Yang, who immediately began to coo over Einzbern as the children relaxed.

I inclined my head, leading them off to a room and from there, all we could do was wait.

=====

"I told you he was a wizard!" Ruby said triumphantly to her friends, who were no longer laughing. They had all mocked her and Yang, but they knew the truth about their neighbor. To them, magic had always been real, and it had surrounded them in many ways growing up.

When Yang had fallen off the roof, the wind itself had swirled and caught her, dropping her gently before dad ever realized. The Grimm left their place alone, the statues outside moving when no one was looking to protect it and, in this place, everything simply confirmed it more.

Knight's, dragons and more. All the stories of her mother and father, come to life. In the massive room, lit with a fireplace and mattresses, trays with food floated and deposited, taken by the children as full, sated they curled up to rest and sleep... Watched over by the teachers as well as Mr. Wizard, who left every four hours or around that time. As heads began to nod and eyes closed, Ruby watched from her place. Yang had fallen asleep, Einzbern curled up against her and then, as Mr. Wizard got up and left, Ruby followed. Quietly, sneakily as Mr. Wizard descended down below the steps, into the dark as the voice in her head spoke.

"Child, you should be asleep."

She giggled, entirely unafraid as she stepped out and peered around. There were lights here, but dimly lit-if anything, it made the darkness more deeper, but there was no fear to be found in her.

"I couldn't sleep. And then I saw you leave."

"You should not be here." She shrugged, looking around, curious now as she asked. "Why can't I see you?"

There was a faint whisper of noise and she turned-peering into the dark, thinking she saw an outline outside of the light as she spoke. "There you are. Don't be stupid!" She clapped a hand to her mouth and begged. "... Don't tell dad I said that."

There was a laugh in her mind. Deep and ponderous, as the voice continued.

"I will not. But you must go back up to the others." Ruby frowned and stomped her foot. "You're being weird though. I've seen you before! I'm not afraid."

The silence grew deeper, and Ruby simply remained there. Curious, quiet and patient before the voice intoned slowly. "No... You are not."

And then he came into the light. A floating creature, with glowing eyes. Scars along his body, the tentacles flicking about where his mouth would be. A nightmare made manifest, that had terrorized many before.

Ruby just smiled. "There you are, Mr. Wizard. It's nice to meet you."

And she extended her hand to shake.

Despite his face being alien, she thought she might have seen a modicum of shock, before slowly... His hand extended back, the fingers enclosing around her tiny hand before she smiled as his mind began to emit the same, soothing impulses she had known every time she was hurt.

"It is nice to meet you... Ruby Rose."