Teleportation is Rough

A ceiling. Where am I?

“You’re finally awake.”, Says a rather fish looking human. My eyes go wide and my body tenses at the sight of the person. “You’ve never seen a Lautanese before.”, The person says with understanding. “I’m not here to hurt you. You’re in the infirmary after passing out.”, He explains.

So that is what happened. My body relaxes once more understanding I am not in danger. I am in an infirmary. I remember being teleported and then-

“I passed out.”, I mutter to myself out loud unintentionally.

“Yes.”, The medic replies, “After throwing up.” He walks over to me as he continues, “I see people have adverse reactions to teleporting all the time. Some even vomit like you did.” He puts a webbed hand on my forearm, must be checking my pulse. The hand is not cold or clammy like I would have expected. “But I’ve never seen someone pass out like that.”, The Lautanese finishes.

“I’m sorry.”, I meekly reply. I do not know why but it felt like the right thing to say.

“No need for that.”, The medic responds with a smile. “It’s not like you’ve ever been teleported before probably.”, He continues as he walks over to a small desk nearby in the corner of the large room. He turns back to me as he adds, “Just going to have to be careful about it from now on.”

“Careful how exactly?”, I inquire as I wrap my arms around my legs.

“Well there are medicines that help alleviate the adverse effects of teleportation.”, The medic explains as he walks over to a locked cabinet next to the tiny desk. “Being teleported more often will eventually also allow your body to adapt to it.”, He continues as he unlocks the cabinet and grabs a small vial filled with powder. “Of course you can’t go through teleportation too often though. That can cause a lot of problems.”, He adds as he walks back to me.

“How often is too often?”, I ask the medic as he stretches out the arm holding the vial.

“Swallow this.”, He replies, “It’ll help you feel better.” I grab the vial from him and try to swallow the powder. “As an applicant you won’t have to worry about teleporting too often.”, He finally answers my question. Well that is definitely about as much of a nonanswer as he could give. “Oh right!”, The Lautanese exclaims as he puts a hand to his head. “What’s your name?”, He asks me. I begin to cough from all the powder in my throat and mouth. “Yeah, it’s a bit tough to swallow.”, He responds with a smile. “Let me get you some water.”, He says as he steps out for a moment. He quickly returns with a small mug and hands it to me. “Drink up and you’ll be fine.”, He says with another smile. I rapidly guzzle down the liquid.

“Lydia.”, I finally answer the medic’s question between coughs, “My name is Yamakuma Lydia.”

“Well Applicant Yamakuma.”, The medic replies, “It’s nice to meet you.” He puts out a hand for me to shake. “I’m Journeyman Thaltia Irfan.”, He introduces himself as I shake his hand.

-- -- --

I walk aimlessly, unsure of where to even go. The halls are large, ornate, well maintained, and worst of all, packed with people. Sometimes I miss just sitting alone at my computer and just existing. Strange that is what I am thinking about now. I have been here for years and I never thought about that until now.

“Are you an applicant?”, A loud man’s voice brings me back to the halls.

“Ye-”, I answer as I turn around. I look to see a rough looking man with a large smile. My eyes go wide in surprise. “Nir?”, I ask.

“I don’t know any applicants.”, Nir responds with a raised brow. He bends down and begins to examine my face. “You’re pretty adorable though.”, He mutters as he looks at my necklace. “I knew a kid who had something like this.”, He explains as he wraps his large hand around the tooth. “She was this tiny little gal with hair like yours…”, He trails off as realization finally dawns. “It’s you!”, He exclaims as he lets go of the tooth and lifts me up into a bear hug. “You got so much bigger!”, He cheers. “Bahahahaha! I knew you’d make a fine slayer!”, The bear of a man exclaims as he begins to rock me a bit in the hug.

“Too, tight.”, I mutter trying to breath.

“Ah sorry!”, Nir lowers me back to the ground and lets go of me. “I just got so excited.”, He tries to explain as he puts a hand to the back of his head. He moves the hand to his mouth as he clears his throat. “So why is an applicant just aimlessly walking about?”, The bear of a man asks me attempting to be authoritative.

“I was in the infirmary after passing out so I have no idea where to go.”, I quickly answer.

“Well that is a problem.”, Nir responds as he takes a few steps past me. “Follow me Lydia. You might be able to make the final part of orientation.”, The rough man says as he gives me one of his big toothy smiles.

-- -- --

Nir leads me to a large courtyard filled with many teens walking away from a reptilian looking person standing on a dais. I wonder what kind of humanoid he is.

“Sorry we didn’t make it in time.”, Nir says apologetically with a sigh. I put a hand on the man’s back.

“No problem. It’s not your fault Nir.”, I respond, “It’s my own.”

Nir and I stand in silence as a gaggle of teens pass around us. It is in those moments I realize, I really am quite short. I cannot see over almost any of them.

“Ah Master Nir.”, The reptilian says as he walks up to the pair of us. “And who might this little one be?”, He asks as he looks down at me.

“Guild Ma-master Xe-Xentel!”, Nir stammers in surprise. “This is Applicant Lydia.”, He quickly blurts out as he puts his arms out towards me as if I am a dog being shown off.

“An applicant.”, The Guild Master repeats. “Why were you not at the assembly just now?”, He inquires. I look at the brick pathway beneath my feet. They have bricks? Not now! Focus!

“I passed out after teleporting for the first time.”, I meekly answer the Guild Master. The reptilian hand of Xentel enters my field of view as he lifts my head up with a finger.

“I see.”, Xentel replies as he raises my head so that our gazes meet. “I hope you are doing alright now.”, He continues as he moves his arms behind his back. “Teleportation can be quite rough the first few times.”, He adds with an oddly disarming smile. Instead of letting a moment of silence fall between us the guild master speaks, “Master Nir.” The taller human looks at his boss as the reptilian continues, “Take Applicant Lydia to the main hall’s first floor. The postings for the Applicants’ sleeping quarters will be found there.”

“Yes sir.”, Nir replies as he puts a hand on my back to guide me the right way.

“And Applicant Lydia.”, Xentel says causing Nir and I to freeze in our tracks. “Practical exams will be held at dawn so please be prepared.”, He finishes before walking the opposite direction of us.