BlackWarth said:
[X] Before anything else... "Lass, you don't need to talk out loud. I'm inside your brain, so if you think at me, I'll hear you."
[X] Level 2: General blemish removal, and body fat sculpting. We can keep her skin blemish- and wrinkle-free, and make sure that she'll always keep a girlish figure, no matter how much she eats or what augmentations we give her.
[X] Then the strength-boosting trifecta:
-[X] Level 3: Release a flood of myostatin, results in colloquially called double-muscle. Some bulking; unfortunate.
-[X] Level 3/2: Alter muscle to produce white muscle, for explosive power. Nanobots eating lactic acid buildup also grants superior endurance.
-[X] Level 2: Reinforce, skin, bones, muscles, and tendons with a carbon nanotube weave. Increases durability and maximum usable strength.
[X] Level 1: Replace red blood cells with respirocytes. Dramatically increases endurance.
[X] Level 3: Nor-adrenaline boost: affects alertness, vigilance, reflex, aggression, motivation, learning and memory. Also arousal, sorry.
The bus driver sends Ponzu an annoyed look when she finally gets in, but he quickly hits the road and you leave the farm behind, to a chorus of good byes and good lucks.
Ponzu listens to your propositions carefully and asks for several precisions, how long it would take to applies those changes, the chances of a rejection, but she seems cautiously optimistic about this whole turn of event. She is appreciative of the cosmetic surgery, but it's the promise of enhanced everything that really catches her interest. In the end, she tells you to start with the respirocytes, to keep the norepi shots for the emergencies and puts her foot down on the myostatin supression.
'I don't plan on looking like a bloated cow,' she thinks at you.
'You have some notion of biology, lass?'
She shrugs. 'I spent the last five years helping the doc with the farm's animals. And the farmers too, I guess."
She frowns "But what about you? How did you get here?
[]...?
A few hours later, the bus reaches a town bordering a desert, you get to see the train Ponzu intends to take.
'This is a train', you ask.
'Well yes, can't you see the steam Locomotive?'
'I can, but locomotives in our databanks aren't five stories tall. Nor for that matter, are they trailing what amount to a liner on tracks.'
'Get on our level? Anway, this is the best way to cross the desert. I need to be in Zaban in 6 days, and that means getting on the other side.'
'Understood.'
Ponzu joins the steady stream of people heading toward the train and it's not long before she reaches one of the boarding stairs.
"Welcome to the Sandsteamer Rozalin II," A young women in a gray uniform says cheerfully after punching her ticket. "Well done in making it here before the rush, you'll get your choice of rooms." She winks. "I must remind you that you must keep your ticket on you at all time. Because of the ever increasing number of stoaways, the Rosen Queen company has declared that anyone found without a valid ticket will be thrown overboard without their possessions."
'That is quite drastic.'
"You're telling me." Ponzu says aloud, causing the hostess to cock her head questioningly. "Nevermind."
Her smile returns. "Better watch out for pickpockets as well, miss."
Ponzu nods. "Is that all?"
"One more, no, two more things. First I must regretfully inform you that the mid passenger deck has received structural damages during the last trip. While some reparation have been made, a little over a third of the 2nd-class rooms have been condmened for the return trip."
"That's why you told me I'd have my pick of room."
"Exactly, While the Rozen Queen Company can't in good conscience refuses a paying costumers, the late arrivals will have to be crammed in the 3rd class rooms on the lower passenger deck." She pauses. "Returning to the 2nd class, you may experience some electrical blackout during the trip, but we assure you they will be dealt with swiftly."
"Lastly, the Rozen Queen Company will not take responsibility for you untimely death by the hands of hostile weather or desert creatures. Please listen to the staff's directive and keep the portholes shut at night so we don't all die from Shura Mantis infestation."
'Amazing how her smile doesn't waver while she's speculating about her own gruesome demise. Actually, it seems to be brightening.'
You host wisely ignores you this time. "Will that be all?"
The hostess bows and waves you aboard. "Why yes! The Rozen Queen Company wishes you a good day and an excellent trip on our line."
'This vehicle must carry thousands of passengers. Will she tell this speech to everyone who take this stair. That would be a long day.'
Ponzu climbs the stairs.
Notice:Several elements put host, and thus the collective, at risk of death. As such we may want to suggest her a course of action.
[]...?
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Originally, Ponzu was supposed to shoot down anything that sounded like you were turning her into a robot or taking over her bodily functions, making her unable to live without you, which means your little list would have added yet more strain to your budding relationship. Damn dices.