“Clear your mind of everything.” Hinagiku said. “Your own feelings and thoughts can color Yggdrasil-sama's song.”

“That's bad, right?” Yui asked.

“No . . . Not bad.” Hinagiku shook her head as she offered Yui a cup filled with a sort of milky white tea. “But you must be aware of it and how it colors your perceptions.”

Yui scrunched up her face. This was all too unspecific. She didn't suppose the Pixies might have an address code or some sort of console command to open their link with Cardinal? If that were the case, their ceremonies would probably be much more superficial.

Hinagiku had come to collect her after her talk with Sayuri. The Vespid Knight had wanted to know everything about the Fae and mages, what kind of attacks they used, their fighting styles, and which ones were the strongest. Fortunately for Yui's policy of honesty, other than Sayuri's natural paranoia, she didn't appear to be an expert interrogator and there were lots of questions which Yui couldn't answer besides. For instance, Yui had only witnessed Aunt Sugu in battle, and that had been back when ALfheim was a game. The others were almost completely unknown to her. What little Yui had been able to tell her were things that the Knight had likely already known. She had been able to answer quite honestly that she simply didn't have the information Sayuri wanted. Though frustrated, the Vespid Knight had believed her.

Instead of being taken back to the sleep chambers with all of the other Little Sisters, Hinagiku led Yui back to her own small cell in the upper portion of the nest. Yui watched as the Shaman began to lay out a pair of mats and pillows, preparing a sitting place for the two of them. [<Hypothesis]> Yui had noted a great deal of detail within the Pixie nest. Blankets, pillows, small pots and clay mugs. Was this an artifact from ALFheim? The furniture and items might largely be miniaturized game assets. Prior to the transition. Could players have peaked inside of a Pixie nest and seen all of this? Or were the nests originally nothing but spawn points for the Wild Pixies? Had the transition filled in the blanks like it had with the Pixies' intelligence and personalities?

[<Interrogative]> This was well beyond the capabilities of Cardinal's synthesis functions. Cardinal was immensely powerful, both in terms of its decision making processes and authority over the game world, but ultimately, Cardinal was simply a machine, not a god. Its ability to synthesize and create new content, while impressive, was limited by the availability of external databases and per-existing game assets and did not reach the complexity necessary to construct the fully functioning minds and bodies of the mobs. It could not have been the source of the actualization of ALFheim in Halkegenia.

From what Yui could determine, Hinagiku earnestly believed that she had lived in the Garden for over a year, conducting all of her varied ceremonies and rituals and caring for the Little Sisters. As sophisticated as Cardinal was, it was doubtful that the GM AI could synthesize such an elaborate society and populate it with so many varied personalities.

[<Correction]> Cardinal had been altered in some way by the Transition, this was evident in Yui's own inability to properly interface with the GM AI. What was the extent of this alteration. If Cardinal was not the source of the Transition, but rather subject to it just as everything else from ALFheim, then perhaps Cardinal was now in fact some sort of [<god]> or [<deity spirit]>

Meanwhile, Yui's own mind structure appeared to be largely unaltered save for a considerable increase in sensory input from her body [<Distracting]>. Otherwise, she had detected no abnormalities despite checking and rechecking her main logic cluster. [<Insufficient Information]>[<Prediction Failure]>[<Concern]>. Was this because she had already been a fully realized intelligence? And how had this criteria been reached?

[<Hypothesis]> [<Emergent Behavior?]> Yui considered this possibility. When the Pixies' minds had been created, had they simply filled in the blanks from information provided to them during the Transition? Humans were known to fabricate entire memories in response to stressful situations. Yui had done something similar as a result of the Trauma of her own birth, the cascading failures that had led to the emergence of hew own mind had forced the MHCP program to purge large portions of its internal database including parts of Yui's own nascent mind structure. These components had only been restored after coming into contact with the GM console in the hidden dungeon beneath Aincrad's starting city.

Yui watched as Hinagiku hummed to herself, feeling worry. Would Hinagiku be able to believe the truth? Would it damage her if she learned that her memories were fabrications?

Hinagiku noticed Yui starring and patted the pillow beside her. “Please, come and sit down Yui-san. “I'd like to try something with you.”

Yui nodded slowly. Regardless of anything else, she had to play the part of a good Little Sister so that she could keep learning more about the Pixies.

“You said that you can hear something that you think is Yggdrasil-sama's song.” Hinagiku observed as Yui made herself comfortable.

“Un.” Yui said, sitting cross legged before the Shaman. “But, I can't make anything out. It doesn't sound like anything at all to me.”

Hinagiku gave her a worried look. “I think perhaps you are trying too hard. Yggdrasil-sama doesn't expect us to listen to every part of her song, only the parts meant for us, and even among Pixies there are certain parts of the song that are emphasized more than others.”

Yui nodded, “You said you listen to chanting, and Sayuri-sama listens to drums.” Yui looked thoughtful. “Then I should be listening to the lullaby”

“Yes and no.” Hinagiku said, elaborating as she offered Yui a mug. “Even a Little Sister can hear Yggdrasil-sama's chant and drums, but they are distant things, just as the drums are very distant for me, and chant is distant for Sayuri-sama. First you must find what Yggdrasil-sama wishes for you to hear.” Hinagiku took her own mug and carefully rotated it once in a counterclockwise fashion before lifting it in both hands and sipping at the contents. She nodded for Yui to do the same. “There's nothing to worry about, it's merely an herbal tea.”

Yui took an experimental sip. The flavor was bitter, but Papa would probably have teased her if she complained, so she hid her distaste and took another sip. She noticed the way Hinagiku smiled. Slowly Yui felt a sensation that could only be described as [<Calm]> passing over her.

“For tonight, we will try some simple meditative exercises.” The Shaman explained before taking up a folded arms, straight backed posture. She closed her eyes and began to describe what she wanted Yui to do.

Trying to meditate honestly felt strange to Yui. She knew of meditation, and why humans partook of it. For stress relief, or for spiritual purposes, sometimes simply as a method of focus and physical health. But the idea of regulating her body, controlling her breathing, slowing her heartbeat, relaxing her arms and legs, was a new experience.

[<Query]> Had she been mistaken in her conclusion earlier? Was her physical existence beginning to have an effect on her state of mind? [<Worry]> Yui began yet another self diagnostic of her main logic cluster but again the results were inconclusive.

“You must clear your mind, Yui-san. All that there should be, is yourself, and Yggdrasil-sama.” Hinagiku explained.

“I understand . . . But . . .” The girl shook her head. “I'm sorry but its a lot harder than I thought.” Yui admitted.

She couldn't stop thinking no matter what she did. Yui was an AI after all, at least, by technical definition, though she did not consider herself to be a human like intelligence or “virtual human being” in the way that popular fiction depicted them.

“That's alright Yui-san.” Hinagiku reassured her. “We'll try for a little longer tonight and then rest.”

Though Yui tried to follow Hinagiku's advice, her link to Cardinal remained unswervingly incomprehensible. Noise and junk code that from time to time would resolve itself into incomplete bits of command line information. [<Query]> Perhaps what Yui and Hinagiku heard were two different things entirely.

Eventually they finished for the night. The end of their session coming as the shaman finished her second cup of tea. Yui had stood, stretching slowly, and feeling a yawn coming on. She felt stiff, her legs had cramped up while sitting. Like she'd told Klein, a physical body could be pretty inconvenient.

Hinagiku showed Yui across the small cell to a narrow doorway that lead into an even smaller room. Blankets and pillows had been laid out on an elevated platform. “Since you will under my care for the time being, you will sleep here with me from now on.” The shaman explained.

Yui nodded slowly and climbed up onto the platform. There would be more than enough space for both girls and Yui see that a sleeping place had been prepared for her. The day had given her lots to think about and exhaustion that was creeping into her body was a constant reminder that 'sleep' was probably a good idea.

“Goodnight, Hinagiku-san.” Yui offered.

“Goodnight, Yui-san.” The shaman replied.

Yui cralwed beneath the blankets and closed her eyes, but she didn't enter her standby state right away. She was still thinking. Mulling over everything she had seen today. A few thoughts would always come to her late, and it was best to allow the last conclusions to trickle in then to risk losing them when her buffer was cleared.

She listened to the sounds of Hinagiku moving around in the other room. Unlike Sayuri who barely seemed to think of her at all, Hinagiku had been nothing but kind. [<Conclusion]> Mama would like her. Yui Thought. [<Query]> Does Hinagiku hate humans? The few times that the subject had almost been brought up, the girl had seemed unsure. From what Yui had gathered, only the Vespid Knights and some of the Shaman and Eldest Little Sisters had been near to Tarbes, and then only to do battle.

[<Information Control]> That was a possibility. Hinagiku was the senior shaman and the Pixie Garden was hierarchical in nature. Even if Sayuri was the leader, Hinagiku would have some voice. Maybe she could convince the Shaman to see things for herself. If Hinagiku would just agree to talk to talk with the humans, then she would definitely understand that the people of Tarbes weren't bad. For the villagers, their fields were their life, just like the Garden was for the Pixies. They should be able to understand each other. [<Conclusion]> They don't have to hurt each other.

Hinagiku peaked in briefly and whispered Yui's name. However, the former MHCP AI was so lost in thought that she barely noticed and Hinagiku must have concluded that she had already fallen asleep. Yui's primary thought process came to a crash stop a moment later as her audio analysis subroutine triggered a keyword alert.

“Sayuri-sama?” Hinagiku said with surprise before her voice softened. “You're here for that again, Elder Sister?”

Yui's eyes opened just a crack. Pretending to be asleep, hidden in the shadows and beneath the covers, Yui watched through the doorway as the Vespid Knight stepped into Hinagiku's chamber. Something was wrong. The way Sayuri moved was different from before. The smooth, graceful motions were missing. She seemed slower, wearier than she had whenever she appeared before the other Pixies.

Sayuri nodded her head, refusing to look Hinagiku in the eye. “Kigiku keeps insisting that I rest. But the song is keeping me awake again.” The Knight said tiredly.

Hinagiku looked about to say something, but her expression changed to one of simple concern. “I can prepare the infusion I gave you last time, it should help quiet the song. But the dreamless sleep you've been having . . . “ Hinagiku shook her head. “It isn't healthy. You need proper rest Sayuri-sama.”

The Knight took an offered seat atop one of Hinagiku's pillows, raising a hand to rub at one temple. “Rest? I'll be able to rest in just a few more days. Once . . .” Sayuri grimaced for a moment as if in pain. The tension in her face and complaints of being unable to sleep [<Migraine?]> Yui wondered. “ . . . Once the beings are gone and this Garden is safe.”

“Then you are going forward with that?” The Shaman asked.

[<Query]> That? Yui wondered about this. Hinagiku wasn't articulating which probably meant she was uncomfortable with the subjects that the two were discussing. Taken in context, it seemed Sayuri was planning something. A new phase in her ongoing campaign against the Village? What form would it take? She seemed confident that it would drive the Villagers off, or even destroy Tarbes. Too many unknowns with too many immediate consequences filled Yui's mind. Blossoming, iterating, she forced herself to to pause her current train of thougt.

Hinagiku turned around and removed something from an earthen jar, a few small flower buds, tiny even in the hands of a Pixie, and went to work mashing them into a paste with a grinding stone. She murmured as she worked, speaking in a soft, soothing tone, that appeared to set Sayuri at ease. Yui had been frightened by the other girl both times she had confronted her. But now, she didn't look scary at all, simply tired.

The Shaman next lifted a small pot atop a miniature hearth filling the hearth with a few dry leaves with which to start a fire and several piece of an almost amber like material. Yui had seen the pixie who fed the central hearth using the same small stones, though she wasn't entirely sure what they were. [<Hypothesis]> Some sort of sap?

The Shaman lit the kindling with a fireball, so softly invoked that it emerged from her offered hand as nothing but a few small sparks. The stones began to heat and smolder, giving off a faintly pleasant, smoke filled aroma. “It will take a few moments.” Hinagiku apologized. “In the mean time, let me see your back.”

“Again?” Sayuri asked wearily.

When the other girl did not back down, the Knight turned around and pulled up her blouse, exposing her bare back for inspection. Beneath her blanket, Yui had to hold in a gasp. The Knight's back was covered in horrible bruises and welts that clustered all around the stems of her wings. What had happened to her?

“It's getting worse.” Hinagiku observed.

“The pain is not a problem.” Sayuri winced as the Shaman probed with her fingers.

“You may not think so. But if you ignore it, you'll end up pushing yourself too far.” Hinagiku warned softly. “What will your Little Sisters think if that happens?”

“If something happens to me. I trust Kigiku to finish what I've started.” Sayuri stated flatly.

Hinagiku gave a small nod, closing her eyes. “That may be.” The shaman stood and returned to her pot, ladling some heated water into a nutshell and mixing it with the flower paste. “But it would still be a great trouble to all of us.” She offered the contents to Sayuri who took the shell reluctantly. “Please, just spend a little time to care for yourself. Nobody will think any less of you.”

Sayuri didn't answer, instead drinking down the contents of the shell as quickly as she could. She made a disgusted face and Hinagiku giggled softly.

“You have no stomach for bitter things, do you Sayuri-sama? It betrays your inexperience.” Hinagiku said with a hint of mirth. The Vespid Knight glared at her before standing slowly. “I meant no disrespect.” The shaman said gently.

“Next time . . . mix it with something sweet please.” The Knight said before turning to depart.

“Sayuri-sama. On that note.” Hinagiku spoke up.

“Yes?” The Knight asked.

“The flowers I've been using to treat you . . . They don't bloom here in the garden and they don't keep well once they are picked. The other Shamans and I also use them in our ceremonies and for when a Little Sister's time comes, so they are very important for that reason as well. Tomorrow, I'd like to go find more.”

Sayuri nodded. “I'll lend you Kigiku and her sisters for protection.”

“I would also like to take Yui and Botan.” The Shaman said quickly.

The Knight looked at her curiously. “You've chosen to take Yui under your wing, her I understand, but why Botan?”

The shaman smiled gently. “The girl is anxious right now. She's becoming less and less like a Little Sister and doesn't know her place anymore. I think it will come her time very soon, and I want to be sure she goes down the path that she and Yggdrasil-sama want for her.”

“I see.” For the first time, Yui saw Sayuri's real smile. It almost made her cry, it was so feeble, like a flame that was in danger of going out. “Do as you like, Hinagiku.”

“Thank you, Sayuri-sama.” The shaman bowed graciously.

Only after the other girl had left did Hinagiku shake her head softly and murmur something that even Yui couldn't make out. Her wings folded like a moth's behind her back as she placed the discarded nutshell back on her chamber's low table and sank down onto the mat she used for meditation. The girl closed her eyes and let out a long low sigh. Gradually her breathing became slow and steady and her form perfectly still. [<Meditation]> Yui thought. This was what Hinagiku had been trying to show her earlier.

Cautiously, Yui rolled over beneath her blanket, and thought about what she had just witnessed. So many new unknowns had just opened up before her. [<Queries]> What was Sayuri planning? What was wrong with Sayuri? What had Hinagiku meant about Botan's “time”? Yui thought she might be able to ask Hinagiku about the last one, but the first two were almost certainly forbidden subjects for her.

Yui knew only two things for certain. Sayuri was planning something terrible, and tomorrow Yui would go with Hinagiku beyond the boundaries of the Garden. They would be accompanied by only a few Knights and Botan. Aunt Suguha and the others would almost definitely be looking for her. If the opportunity came. She would have to try and escape.

Yui closed her eyes and placed herself into standby. The last thought processed by her primary logic cluster fading into oblivion with her sense of self.

'Papa, Mama, Aunt Sugu . . . I promise I'll try'