Chapter 7: finally, some explanations!

Perks of no longer being human number 1: Even after bawling my eyes out after that traumatizing near death experience, My eyes aren't swollen. They're just a little bit itchy, and look wet. Perks of no longer being human number 2: I'm very easy to carry. Xenia's from the same litter as me, and yet she's currently grabbed me by the neck and is easily walking back to mum! It's official, she's my new favourite sibling. As an extra bonus, she's been glaring at that useless father so intensely that he now looks like a scolded puppy. I love my sister.

When we enter the main room where mum and the rest of the siblings are, my beloved older sister who I adore... throws me back to the embrace of mum?! Hey!! I had high hopes for you Xenia!! I stare at her with my moist eyes, and she comes over to nudge me before whispering "Weaklings should learn to walk first" and turning straight back around to dad. 'What a bitch.' Mum, on the other hand, is looking very concerned over my current state. My wings have dropped limply and shake because of the cramps, my fur is everywhere, and I'm still wet from the amount of tears I shed.

Mum very slowly starts turning her head towards my father, who is just excited that Xenia has come back, and opens her mouth. "Sebastian... exactly how were you teaching them?" She's smiling, but the sheer bloodthirst in her voice has made my now slightly pitiful father turn as white as a ghost. "I, I taught them how dragons are all taught. It's a tested efficient way to learn Diana!" Mums nodding, but father isn't out of the woods just yet, as he rightly deserves for being such an asshole. "What is this totally safe and efficient way?"

"Throwing them off the mountain!" He tries to sound confident, but the shaking of his legs gives him away. "I see..." Mum pauses for a second to seemingly organize her thoughts. "I suppose that would be an easy, efficient way considering how sturdy your scales are, but consider this; NICOLE ISN'T A DRAGON YOU THICK BUFOON!!! She hasn't got scales, and her body isn't optimized for flight!! Xenia too, she's still so young!! Are you dumb?!" At this point I tune out, because this is obviously going to take a while. Instead I curl up against mums warm body and try calm myself down.

'Thinking over it again, this whole flying thing might actually be fun. It's surely an advantage in surviving to be able to fly, and I want to, personally. Although, I'm going to build up strength first before trying again.' I try move my wings, but they're dead, and the most I get is a twitch. 'Yeah, I'll try again tomorrow. Meanwhile, I might as well get some theory classes from mum instead. Lets see, what do I want to ask about... Oh yeah! There's that stigma thing!'

I tune back into the conversation, only to see that stupid dad of mine picking up Xenia and walking out of the room with his tail in-between his legs. like, literally. At some point during this conversation, a gleaming black lizard tail had popped out right above his backside, for some unknown reason. To gain sympathy perhaps? Or maybe he just has bad control over those things.

"... is he a dog?" Mum has wrinkled her beautiful nose, seeming but annoyed and slightly attracted to the, admittedly, rather lost puppy-like actions of dad. Ew. Is this public affection from my new, young parents?? How nasty. Wait no, I can't get distracted by this sickening display! I need to get answers from mum now that dads out of the way!

"Mum! Mum, I have questions!"

"Ugh. Do you have to?" Well, that's rude. But no worries, I'm not one to be easily deterred!

"Yes! Please answer my questions!" She stared at me for a good minute or so, but eventually was worn down by my supreme dazzling kitten eyes and gave me the go ahead in the form of a grunt. Wow, how elegant. but anyways, now that I've got the go ahead...

"What is stigma?" This question definitely got mums attention, as she's visibly surprised. "Already?" She mumbled, before turning to me.

"It seems you've already managed to see your status. How impressive, I thought you'd be behind your siblings, but maybe you'll end up becoming the greatest. Let's see... I'll ask you about the how and what later, lets start with the stigma explanation first." She looks up, and thinks for a moment about how best to explain this.

"Stigma's are both an important part of our lives and also not. They are almost always unique to a person, except for a few irregulars that I'll mention later. Most stigma's are a persons specialty, their calling in life, I suppose. Their talent. Nobody can really fully understand how stigma's were created, as there are so many varieties. Nobody knows how status figures out what the persons is right at the time of their birth either."

That is rather different to what I thought them to be... "wait, how do you figure out what your stigma does?" Mum laughs, but there's a grimace on her face.

"You can't most of the time. It's up to luck if you ever find out. I mean, you can only see the name, and that barely even gives you a rough idea of what it could be unless you're lucky. That's why they are also not important. Most people never properly make use of their stigma. The only way to figure it out is to find an analyse stigma holder, and they're so rare that it's a useless idea for most."

'...Analyse? that, that sounds slightly familiar... no way, is that maybe... STATUS!!

---Status---

Name: Nicole

Age: 1

Race: Unknown (Heavenly tiger/dragon hybrid)

Title: One of a kind; Reincarnated

Stigma: Mind over matter; Analyse

Humanization: 5%

---Status---

It's here! My long awaited reincarnation cheat has been in front of my eyes this entire time! Analyse, my beloved! "Mum! Mum, I have that!"

Mum seems taken aback by that, and asks in confirmation; "analyse? You have analyse?!" I nod my head, and ask how it works. "Lets see, I'm not sure, but if you look at a part of your status and say 'more' in your head, it should use analyse to tell you." Hell yeah, lets try this thing out! I look at the word analyse on my status, and in my head, 'more!'

*Ding*

Analyse: Can expand individual parts of your status to see details, and can do the same to others statuses, which you can see without needing an ID stones assistance. Can create ID stones.

'Wow. That's really a mega cheat. What's an ID stone though?' More questions for mum. "It works! I can look at your status too mum! Should I? Also, what's an ID stone, because I can make them apparently. Mum?" Mum was dazed, but snapped back when I pushed her and she had to grab me to get me to stop.

"Let's wait until everyone else is back to look at someone else's status, okay Nicole? For now, just look at your own. Is that your only stigma?" I shake my head no, and she laughs in disbelief. "Figure out what the other one is first. Also, you can make ID stones? that will be useful. They're what the humanoids use to identify themselves. There are different types. Most are the basic type that just shows if you're a criminal, but some of the big establishments have advanced ones that show your basic status. But anyways, that is for far later in life. Go check out your status and leave me to sulk in peace."

So I did.