Nigkala Tales Pt. 15: Rocky Road into Kombat

Towards the end of filming, I did some sensing of the mine to learn what was closest. I had decided to use the dismissal aspect of my Everest talisman to cut these wedges out of the wall, with the far end connecting. I would then pull out the plug, and I dismissed a thin bit of rock on the end of the plug to separate the agate. I would then replace the plug, and summon rock like the plug to fill in the space that was now empty. I paid careful attention to the structural stability. Somewhat further in, was a large deposit; perhaps three hundred pounds' worth. I had summoned a rock pillar to help stabilize the wall I needed to remove, and eventually got the agate out. Replacing the missing stone with summoned stone, I then dismissed the pillar.

I continued until after it got dark. We then loaded the pickup we had rented, with about three thousand pounds of rock covered agate. Each morning we went to the truck depot and offloaded the truck into boxes, on pallets. Each pallet held about five hundred pounds of rock, and we stacked them to one side. Then we would head to the mine, where we would work another day. The last morning, I stayed at the depot and arranged shipping the pallets home, while Filipe returned the rented truck, saw the state office to return the key to the site, and then picked me up. We celebrated with a day on the town, and caught a flight home.

My first job was to process the rocks to get rid of everything but the agate. The next was to make a large rock tumbler to make the stones smooth and shiny. I also bought a small one to handle the ones that I thought were the most valuable. As everything was expected to be rather noisy, I set up a shed in the backyard, with plenty of soundproofing. I also dug out the center of the floor so that I could do the tumbling below ground level. The dirt went to add another layer of sound insulation on the outside. I figured most sound would be heading up, and so not bother the neighbors. I borrowed a sound meter, and had Filipe turn both on full of rocks, so I could measure. It passed, with little sound going sideways.

So began two months spent polishing rocks. The initial twenty thousand pounds was down to fifteen thousand, but polished. By this time, I figured we had spent ten thousand getting the rock and polishing it. Now, it was time to see if it was worth it. We looked up how to grade the agate, and learned it was complex. So we just settled on sorting by the simplest distinctions, then sorting within each group. While we no doubt made mistakes, we did get a reasonable separation. I also scanned each to find ones that were geodes. Picking the group with the smallest weight, I collected it into a large suitcase. I called Arthur to set up an appointment to talk about selling some stones. I met him the next day, late in the afternoon.

"Hello, Arthur."

"Hi, Becky Sue. What brings you here?"

"I have recently come into possession of a large supply of Lake Superior Agates. I would like to sell them, and have you as my broker."

"You have a lot of them?"

I gestured to my suitcase. "This is only a small part. I don't see a need to keep it all, but I would like to keep the best and sell the rest."

"I see. Well, I do have the connections, but telling which is which might be hard."

"True, but could you look at this batch?"

"Sure. Hey! Peter, take over out here. We're going in back." Arthur led me into a back room, and pointed to a work table.

I put the suitcase on the table, and opened it, revealing assorted pouches. "Take a look."

Arthur pulled one pouch out, and noted its weight. He then carefully emptied it onto a felt pad. "These are polished!"

"Yes, after learning the increase in value for being polished, I polished the lot. Lost about a quarter of the weight, but I expect they are more valuable."

"They are. So, how much do you have?"

"About fifteen thousand pounds."

"Yowzer, that's a lot."

"Yes, we also sorted them somewhat in groups to make appraisal a little easier."

"Let's take a look at this set." He pulled up his computer, and started looking things up. He came up for air about a half hour later, having pulled three more pouches. "Well, these aren't that valuable, maybe a hundred dollars for these four pouches." He went to lift the suitcase, and was surprised at the weight. "At a guess, this suitcase might have three to five thousand dollars' worth."

"So, would you be willing to be my agent?"

"I'd like to see what you have, but at normal rates, it could be a nice tidy sum for a bit of work"

We discussed rates, conditions, and instructions, and came to an agreement. I invited him over to see the lot, and told him to bring a camera, as we had many different varieties. I left the suitcase, and he agreed to come out in two weeks. I spent that time moving the agate to the gym, so I could lay them out for easy viewing. I also labeled the geodes and placed them off to one side.

Arthur brought the suitcase back when he came. I invited him to my 'display' in the gym. When the elevator doors opened, he said, "Woah! You do have a lot."

"Yeah. I put the ones I believe are geodes over in that corner, but each area has similar stones, to aid in evaluating them. If some groups are low value, I don't object to selling them in bulk. I want to be left with only a small amount of the best for jewelry." I then described each area by the character of the stone.

Arthur spent nearly two hours examining the rocks, and commenting on them. He took a lot of pictures, and also took notes. At last, he came to me and said, "Offhand, I think you might have three to five million dollars' worth here. But the high-end stones could spike that, and the geodes could also spike that."

"That's good to know. I am concerned about flooding the market, so I don't want to move them so quickly that it causes the market to depress."

"That is a valid concern. Selling all this at once might do that. Would you mind if I had someone else do the appraising?"

"Not at all. However you want to handle that, is up to you. You might want a confidential contract with whomever, so the market won't be affected."

"Good. I know I am not good at determining geodes, and getting an expert would help. Also, cutting them open can increase the value significantly."

"Good idea. If it affects the price that much, please, get them cut. I'll pay for it, and give you a fair fee for finding and arranging it."

Arthur and I went back up, and spoke for another hour about how to handle the stones, and what stones to send initially, and so on. Then he left to head back to his shop, even though it was closed, to do research.

That night I spoke to Filipe. "Arthur came over today. It seems our week-long mining investment will be profitable. He thinks it could bring in three million plus."

"Nice. Think we should do it again?"

"I don't know. While collecting was easy enough, it is a lot of work converting it to cash. I think even something with a value based only on weight, like gold, might be a fair amount of work. It also has the downside of official interest. Given the profit we will make, I would not be surprised if the government would want explanations."

"Yeah, but it might be worth it."

"True, but it doesn't seem quite right to use this power just for profit. Once to see if it worked is okay, but to do it a lot? I don't see that as being fun or a good way to live."

"What of the other aspects of the talisman?"

"Well, I've done some summoning and dismissal, but not much in the way of shaping free-form. What do you think I should try first?"

"Why not something large, like a round stone ball three feet in diameter? Oh, and geometrically perfect."

"Something easy, huh? Well, let's go to the tumbling shed. We can watch from above and the stone can be made below, and we don't have to worry about it rolling away."

We got in position, and I imagined a perfect sphere three feet in diameter, then 'summoned' it.

"Well, I'll be. You did it. Sure looks like the correct shape from here. And in the right ballpark for size as well. Now dismiss that and go for something geometric, but more complex."

I 'dismissed' it. "Hmm, what to make, what to make... I got it, a cubic outline." I concentrated on an object three feet on a side, but it was only an outline of a cube rather than a solid. Each 'line' was a two-inch thick square from corner to corner. Then I got cute, and summoned another inside it, but smaller. Then a third, only this time I decided to make it obsidian. The fourth one was granite, and the fifth was pumice. "How do you like it?"

"Neat. Perhaps you should see what materials you can make?"

I dismissed the cubes, and instead decided to make three-inch letters; the letter selected being the initial of the material. After two hours, I wiped the slate clean by dismissing them.

"To do this right, I'm going to need a reference book, so I can systematically go through all of them that I can. That will take a while, and I'm hungry. What do you say we go in and eat?"

"Yeah, this got boring quicker than I thought. And food does sound good."

So we headed in.

Over the next few weeks, I practiced at summoning until I could routinely summon complex shapes made of several materials. It was Filipe who spotted an unusual correlation in my summoning. When I summoned material that was readily nearby, the quality and quantity was better. On a whim, I tried summoning a gemstone crystal like one on the bracelet. There before me was a large aquamarine. Having learned about the beryl family, I tried making emerald, bixbite, morganite, golden beryl, and goshenite crystals. I then tried for crystals of ruby, sapphire, and diamond. Next, I tried for a cut gem of each of these, but I had to look up how each was typically cut. I decided I would have these uncut and cut gemstones appraised.

Again, I felt a little uneasy about direct profiting from these, but I decided these could be used to fund the pocket industries I sent to Nepal, and perhaps other places. I also decided I would use someone I didn't yet know for converting them to cash. In fact, I decided to set up a charity, The Nigkala Foundation, that I could fund with these summoned riches. It would be dedicated to improving the well-being of the poor by funding other charities, including my Nigkala Service that I set up for the Pocket Industries. Rather than a straight grant, I felt it should be a matching grant. That is, when another charity gave away their funds, the foundation would match those funds to whatever limit was chosen. With my consciousness assuaged, I decided I could summon gems for the jewelry I make.

I did have one last idea for stuff to summon. Weapons. That time when the drug lords came, I was without weapons, and it could have made a difference. There were three weapons I felt would be worthwhile: dagger, shuriken, and arrow. While obsidian is brittle, it is also very sharp. As these weapons could all be thrown or shot, breaking after impact wasn't a big deal. Also, the dagger could be used in close quarters, and could pass a metal detector. Arrows, however, needed a bow. When I tried making a stone bow, it was an utter failure. It was the same with a metal bow. Bows need to be light and strong. I wound up buying one made with wood, fiberglass, and carbon fiber. The compound bow was a bit small for me, but it was readily available. I practiced with each of these weapons, summoning another as I used one.

My investigations were interrupted by my agent again, when I was asked to play a part in a new Mortal Kombat movie. My role was the half-breed child of an Outworld Shokan, and an Edenian. The best part of the role was I got to fight in a skimpy outfit like Sheeva of the Shokan, and also have many encounters both sensual and combat. I even got a nude fight. Even more curious, my character's name was Obsidian. While she had four arms, she also had four breasts and five fingers, rather than the Shokan three. This made the special effects a bit easier, as all they had to do was add arms. I made a prosthetic second pair of shoulder blades I wore between my breasts for 'attaching' my second set of arms, and then I made the arms.

Before going onto the set, I made a black-leather outfit, showing lots of skin, but only PG rated. Filipe helped me fabricate the fake pair of arms, using plaster casts of my own arms. I wore them to help imagine a fighting style that used four arms. They also helped 'make' the outfit. Beginning at the top, I had a silver tiara with obsidian jewels, a matching necklace, armbands and finally matching leg bands. However, I created arm and leg bracers for blocking. These I used steel painted black rather than obsidian. For weapons, I created a duplicate of one of my showier swords, but instead of a metal blade, it had an obsidian one. I likewise made a similar dagger of obsidian. Lastly, I made fake weapons that duplicated the obsidian ones but were blunted and able to withstand impacts that would shatter obsidian.

Long before it was time to go on set, I contacted the costumer and met him. I carried in a rifle-sized case holding my costume. We met at the studio.

"Hello, Helen. I'm ready to see your idea of Obsidian's looks. What do you have in mind?"

Lifting my case, I say, "I brought it with me. Want to see?"

"Definitely, why don't I step out of my office while you change? Call when you're ready."

"Okay."

As he stepped out, I quickly took my clothes off, opened the case and put on my outfit, fake shoulders and arms, and at last, my obsidian weapons. I placed the blunted ones on his desk. Lastly, I put in my black-iris contacts. Stuffing my clothes into the case, I closed it and placed it on the floor by the wall.

I then posed in a provocative pose, placing my fake arms just so. "I'm ready."

He opened the door, and stood in shock.

"You coming in, or just coming?" I smiled.

"... I'm not sure. I heard you were skilled at cosplay and creating your own outfits, but damn, you're good."

"Thank you." I spun slowly around. "As you can see, I try to make it as real as I can. The weapons I have on me are real obsidian, and don't ask where I got them, it's a secret. I did make copies for use in actual filming." I pointed to his desk. "I can use the real ones, but only if I am the only one within range and then some. I could see filming a sequence where I have to cut through something, and the blade is extremely sharp."

"May I see it?"

"No. It is too dangerous. However, you can see the dagger." I carefully extended my dagger's handle to him.

He took it and carefully examined it. He then examined the one on the desk. "What is this small red dot on the dagger handle of the prop blade?"

"I felt they were a little too good for a duplicate, so I put the dot there to identify it as being the prop blade. When held normally, the dot is covered by the hand. I intend to have the real blades kept with the firearms and handled the same, as they are that dangerous. Either that, or they will be locked in the case in my trailer."

"Good idea. But the director may just want you to leave them at home."

"I am fine with that. I just wanted to 'be' Obsidian, and she would have real weapons. But filming is illusion, and fake blades are fine if they look real. And as you can see, I do good work."

"Yes. Um, I'm afraid to touch this blade, so how do I give it back to you?"

"Just lay it on the desk." He did, and then I came and picked it up. "The next question is what you and the director want, outfit wise."

"We discussed this, but I think you just blew us out of the water. Can you pose for some pics?"

"Sure." I went into a provocative pose. *snap* Then another, but I had to adjust my fake arms first. *snap* Three more sexy poses, with the last one with my top off but covered by four hands. He took several of that one. Then I told him to hold up a bit. I placed the real weapons back in the case and put it down. I then picked up the fake ones from his desk and worked on some fighting poses, including ones that had the second hand helping to hold my sword.

Once I indicated that should be enough, he said, "Let me send these to the director and see what he says."

"Sure. But in the meantime, tell me what you two had in mind. Maybe we can merge the two concepts."

"Well, we had been thinking that Obsidian would fight with magic and agility, not as a sword wielder. She would support others in the fight from the sidelines, sort of. But damn. That outfit is hot, and those weapons are so M.K., I don't see how we could leave them out."

"Well, I could be a Gish, that is, I cast and attack. I won't be using all four hands on my weapons all the time. I could use my free hands to cast while I attack with a weapon. And I can still use my agility by being a very mobile fighter, always moving to a new position to keep the enemy off balance."

Just then, his phone dinged. "Oh, you gotta hear this! 'Dump our plans. She IS Obsidian.'"

"Hehe. Looks like I chose well."

"You sure did. And about that Gish thing? I like it. Um, your costume, how secure is it? Can't have it expose something accidentally."

"I know. Filipe and I already did some stress testing. It will stay in place. While it would be more fun for me to tease others, and the character could use it for making opponents distracted, it would also up the rating, which I noted was going to be PG. Speaking of which, I was told there was a nude fight scene. How is that going to be pulled off?"

"That occurs at night, so the initial plan is that it happens in the darkness, so it is difficult to see. If we keep the genitals off-screen, we can probably get away with a nipple or two. Um, make that four. Another thought is smoke. We can have a smoky environment, and special effects can add more smoke discreetly in post-production."

"What about a director's cut or R version for the home market? That could show more, but be cut or cropped for the PG version. You could even have a smokeless version for the aftermarket and cable, and a smoked version for the main release."

"I like that last idea. I'll pass it by the director later."

"Well, that's all I wanted to see you about."

"In that case, I'll call you if I run into anything, or need you."

"Goodbye."

I went back home to await more details, and made two more outfits and two more fake weapon sets, as I expected some damage to occur in filming. In my evening gym work, I practiced agility, including high jumps with flips, and having Filipe launch me, so I could twist in the air to land correctly.

I then thought about my talisman's ability to grant me characteristics, and I wondered if I could adjust my weight? Extra weight would let me make a more realistic 'stomp' effect, but would be too obvious. Less weight, however, would let me jump higher. I meditated to try to gain the weight characteristic of pumice. I then went through my agility routine. I quickly found that that didn't work, because I was jumping too high, and I had to scramble to keep from hitting the ceiling.

I had to move the practice outside. There I could jump higher, and I also set up some cameras to record my normal high jumps, and my pumice jumps. It took nearly a week before I could switch it on and off quickly enough to use in a fight. Studying the pictures, I found I jumped about fifty percent higher, and could clear ten feet if I tucked into a ball. This meant I could jump over a bad guy while doing a flip and wind up on the other side of him. When I showed Filipe, he didn't believe me, so we went outside, and his disbelief became wonderment. My final touch with the stone effects was obsidian like nails. I still wanted them to be flexible, but otherwise shine like obsidian, and be colored the same. I didn't want to touch my eyes, so I stuck with the contacts.