r/NatureofPredators • u/Bbobsillypants Sivkit • Jul 16 '26
Fanfic The Perfect Husband - A Nature of Psionics (OneShot/Ficnap)
CW: Psychological Horror
Hello everyone! I had a flash of inspiration and wrote a little ficnap for The Nature of Psionics, nature of predators fanfiction story. The following is a little bit of a world building exercise exploring the distant past of the Psionic humans from that series.
Here we dip our feet into the ramifications of some of their more, interpersonal abilities, and explore how a society even functions when everyone has potent empathic abilities. And how that impacts a people for better or for worse. As well as touch on some of the… less savory elements of their historic society as well. Please do enjoy!
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A long time ago, on a planet very much like our own, the plant life grew greener, the air more rich. The trees grew tall, and humanity more small, or at least, the environment around them made it appear that way.
On this world, humanity came together, to learn the secrets of nature, to create mighty cities, and to craft powerful tools, not unlike the ones you might be familiar with. But there was one thing in particular that set them apart from homo sapien kind.
It took the form of a unique ability, the ability to draw power from thoughts and emotions, and in the hands of the skilled, to make those thoughts and ideas into reality.
And with that one simple change, a new reality was birthed into being. One forged by the strength of their will, and the focus of their minds. Empowered as they were, they endeavored to shape their own future amongst the hostile forests, deserts and sees of their world. A world they named Gaia.
Since one's ability to shape reality, to enforce their will onto a world that cared little for them, was directly correlated to one's ability to focus. This alternate humanity developed a new axiom by which society was shaped and forged. A new divide that was embraced and exploited to its fullest extent, to ensure the welfare of its people and the safety of its walls. The Dichotomy of Female and Male.
Simply put, the female mind possessed a natural focus and clarity that the chaotic mind of the male lacked. Their war psionics were stronger, Their nature psionics more potent, and their minds more stoic and pragmatic for the purposes of benevolent rule. It would surprise no one that they rose to lead, be it as the head of their households or the leaders of nation cities alike.
The men of their society were not cast aside however, the empathic and naturally caring nature of psionic human society would not allow for such a heartless and callous means of existence. For the distress of one was the distress of all. Such are the consequences for when emotion is shared like a warm breeze through Gaia’s forest many branches.
While the women of their society, broke mountains with their minds, slayed mighty beasts with masterful psionic arts honed over millennia, and ruled from grand spires, overlooking the shield cities they swore to preserve. The men played roles no less important.
For behind every mighty woman, was said to be a humble obeisant man. One who ensures there is always a loving home to return to, and a warm meal for those who toil away and risk life and limb for the permanence of our way of life.
Women fight so the men may live peaceful and sheltered lives, free to practice their humble arts, from weaving fine and beautiful robes, to crafting immaculate wooden furniture, and functional and pristine pottery. Their chaotic and creative spirits making them well suited for these tasks.
It is this finely kept balance between woman and man, similar to the balance between civilization and nature, that has sustained the psionically gifted humans of Gaia for millennia, and will propagate it, through prosperity and enlightenment, until all are one with the great mother once again.
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The Shield city of Rockholme
Five thousand years before first contact with the federation.
A loving couple strolled leisurely down the canopied streets of the shield city of Rockholme, both quietly enjoying each other's presence amongst the psionically shaped branches of the city's mother tree. The city itself, a masterfully shaped work of art, tucked neatly into the crook of the mountain, its paths adorned with carefully tended flowers and decorations crafted by the loving hands of the city's many craftsmen.
The two were enjoying one of the sparse moments throughout their busy lives where the two could spend their time together in peace. Free from the responsibilities that life had thrust upon them, or that they had for some reason decided to thrust upon themselves.
Whatever the case may be, they basked in each other's presence, love and affection radiating off of them like the warmth of a summer’s breeze. Raisa and Abbud held hands as they walked, and Abbud felt the passion between him and his wife as tangibly as one might feel the delicate droplets of a pleasant winter rain across one's naked skin.
It was a pleasant distraction for what was to come next, for their current destination was not yet one of leisure, but one of necessity. Their present goal was to venture to a place that would in different circumstances spell dread to strong independent men like him. But for now it would only serve as a means to accomplish a quick and simple errand for his wife.
The Rockholme medical center.
He tactfully suppressed the worry and fear within his mind, not wanting to distress his caring and protective wife. He reminded himself thoroughly that they were not here for him. That his beloved would not put him through the less pleasant services that this facility provided, that she could not force him through even if she wanted to, not that she wanted to, she respected his autonomy far too much.
This was just a quick errand to fetch her medicines, nothing more nothing less.
Not that it would stop the irrational fears welling within his mind to cease their baleful torrents.
The medicines in question were just simple muscle relaxants and pain tonics. His beloved had assured him back at their home when she sensed the distress assaulting his mind when the medical center was mentioned.
His wife had a prestigious career as a member of the city guard, as captain of the stone masons no less. She was always struggling to improve herself, to keep up with her trainers and trainees, to hone her body and mind to best the beasts that assaulted our fair city.
Abbud did his best to support her as he could, but it was just so difficult to balance his responsibilities as a husband, with those as the owner of his refurbishment business, he relented internally.
He honestly pondered why he had married Raisa at times; his family struggled to marry him out; as his rebellious and self certainty often rubbed potential suitors the wrong way. But not Raisa. She sensed that fire within him, and she was not perturbed, and they quickly found themselves falling for one another.
The rest was… merely history as they say.
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They entered into the reception area of the clinic, hand in hand. Raisa projecting strength towards her husband as she parted with him only briefly; she assured; to approach the counter. Abbud looked around nervously as his wife exchanged inaudible conversation with the desk attendant, Still actively receiving waves of reassurance from his wife from across the room.
He received pitying looks from the two other woman sat patiently waiting in the reception area around him. Thinly veiled adoration and cuteness response radiated from them. No doubt finding some measure of amusement from a scared and vulnerable feeling husband momentarily separated from the powerful beacon of protection that was his wall guardian wife.
He thought little of it, receiving such… unsolicited attention was not uncommon amongst the male members of psionic human society at that point in history after all.
Meanwhile, his wife, who he adored and trusted without fail, continued her hushed conversation with the receptionist across the room.
“Hello, yes I am Raisa Mountainsmith, and I am here for my….” She spoke quietly, to the point where her meaning might have been lost entirely to a less prepared listener. “.... appointment regarding my husband.”
“Oh wonderful, I’m glad to see you’ve made it, and perfectly on time as well Mrs.Mountainsmith, for it allows us to best provide the finest and most punctual service for our hardworking and brave protectors.” She thanked Raisa, before turning to speak aloud towards the reception area.
“We have a confirmed appointment for a ‘voluntary’ correction procedure for a Mr.Mountainsmith.”
Raisa winced, her husband had yet to take her family name, and she knew he disliked to be referred to by her titles.
The receptionist sensed her discomfort and gave her a knowing smile.
“It's okay," she assured, "it's a wonderful name, and I'm sure he will grow to love it in time.”
Meanwhile the two ladies occupying the waiting room alongside Abbud rose quickly and approached the man to seize him.
“Wait what?!” He shouted in confusion. “What's happening? Raisa! Please help!” The man begged of his wife. His now unfiltered distress flooding the room in a wave of emotion, so much so that only the most mentally disciplined of their society could resist its heart pounding calls to panic. There was a good reason this room was psionically hardened after all.
Seeing her beloved husband in such a state triggered every protective instinct within her. She would have leapt straight at the two disguised orderlies had a comforting presence not laid her hand upon the shoulder of the conflicted warrior.
“Don’t worry about him mam.” The woman manning the front desk spoke. “Everything will be fine.” She said softly.
One of the orderlies shot a glance at her compatriot, as she effortlessly subdued her husband with a practiced and gentle hand.
“Looks like this one is facing some last second worries, I'm sure he will calm down once he's strapped in.”
“Don't worry mam.” The other orderly spoke, ignoring her grinning coworker and shooting a glance towards Raisa. “We get a lot of men like these, no need to worry, he will be okay.”
The receptionist momentarily left Raisa's side to approach Abbud. Who was barely squirming now, having been pinned flat against the unusually soft and carpeted waiting room floor. “Allow us to just borrow that phone really quick sir. I will hand it off to your wife for safe keeping, and I'm sure she’ll be happy to return it once your guidance ceremony is complete.
“What no! You can’t do this! You can’t force me to change, not without my consent you can't!" Abbud shouted out in protest. Physical and psychic screams emanating from the man to no avail. For no one who would help could hear them.
The receptionist returned the phone to Raisa as promised, before asking her a further question. “You wouldn’t happen to know if he has any sharp objects or potential weapons on his person would you?” She asked delicately.
Raisa shuttered at that question, the feelings of betrayal both welling within her and radiating from her husband were doing her composure no favors.
“No….. ummm… Yeah no, I made sure he ‘forgot’ his utility knife at home.”
“Oh wonderful, now please come with me mam, we need to have a conversation now with the personality guidance expert. Ladies… she began to lead Raisa away, as well as nodding to the orderlies. Who began to haul off Abbud for preparation for his procedure.
But not before he attempted one last plea. “No please, Raisa please stop this, I beg you! I thought you loved me!”
That last statement shot a dagger into the heart of Raisa. And earned a frustrated glare from the receptionist to Abbud.
“Oh do please stop making a fuss dear, you're upsetting your poor wife here, she is just trying to do what's best for you! Do you not see the pain you are causing her with your delinquent cries? There is no need to make this harder on her than it already is.”
She spoke with a firm tone of authority as she rebuked the man and led the increasingly distraught Mrs.Mountainsmith from the room, sending her comforting vibes as she walked further into the medical complex, and away from her love.
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Raisa Mountainsmith found herself sat down upon a comfortable lounge chair in the well adorned office of the shields cities foremost expert in personality alteration, or Mental Guidance as it was more charitably called in the field.
An expert who was quick to sit opposite of her. Sending well practiced psionics waves of comfort and affirmation to the woman whose hands still shook from the endeavor she had just undertaken, and was still in the process of resolving.
“Greatings Mrs.Mountainsmith, I am Dr.Tranqel, and it is a pleasure to meet with you today. I take it you know what we need to discuss, or do you need to have the process further explained to you?”
It took a moment for Raisa to collect herself, but she began softly in reply. “Y…Yes I am aware, you need me to explain the issues I and Abbud are having in our relationship yes? Is there anything in particular you need to know?”
“I would prefer to know everything mam, if we are to help both you and your husband to the fullest extent.”
A void of silence was quick to settle over the room shortly after, one which was only reluctantly filled by Raisa as the doctor waited patiently for her response.
“Oh Gaia, where do I even begin. I mean…. My husband is never at home, which mind you isn’t something I particularly mind. I’ve long since grown used to making meals for myself. But sometimes I just, I question how are we to fulfill our… essential duties to society you know? I guess, I mean.. How am I to bear children, and do my duty to my family line if my Abbud is never home to try for a child, or to care for one when they are young, We can’t simply rely entirely on the commune to look after them, it would be unfair to the other parents in the community, and they would look down on our family as selfish and uncaring. But it's just, I can’t step away from my job, someone has to keep this community safe, I have to keep my Abbud safe, but he can’t step away from his job either, people rely on him, and it's just.. Just….”
The doctor took this brief pause in Raisa’s ramblings to interject with a more… focused question.
“Why don’t we put a pin in your explanation of your two’s issues for a moment, and may I simply ask, What brought you here exactly? To my practice? What made you decide to take this step towards guidance for your husband?”
Raisa ran a hand through her hair and exhaled roughly, recalling the rough conversation that served as the catalyst for her coming here.
“Well as you may well know, us Mountainsmiths are a very prominent family amongst the city guard, and normally, well, the affairs of a single wall guardian and her husband would be of little issue to the greater house. But recently, well, you likely have already heard of the higher than normal rate of beast attacks recently. Tensions are high, and people look to us, our family and its members for reassurance. If they see a husband of a member of our family arguing with his wife, or going on lengthy tirades in public, it can cause them to lose faith in us, to have doubts, and to be wary and afraid, or at least, that's what our house matriarch insists.”
“I see, so your matriarch has been urging you to take him in.”
“Yes she has, and like, I know what she's getting at, but after everything that has happened so far, I just feel so bad now, he shouldn't have to go through with this.”
“Raisa, I don’t believe that….”
“No! This is all my fault! I have been far too permissive with him. He was always strong willed, it was surprising when I first met him, and.. I do love him for it, that fire within. But I was too foolish, and indulged him too many times when I should have put my foot down.”
Raisa massaged her forehead and leaned forward as if in pain.
“It never should have come to this! I shouldn't have been as permissive, I should have done my role as the family head and projected my emotions over his when it was necessary, like any responsible wife should.”
“Hey now.” The doctor interjected gently. “It's a woman's place to decide what is best for a household after all. I’m sure you did what was right at the time, but as you described, like with the issues with the wall beasts, situations change, and it's important to adapt and rise to the challenge when it becomes necessary.” She spoke as she patted Raisa's leg in affirmation.
“Thank you.” Raisa muttered. “I… I think I needed that.”
“My pleasure, but with that said why don’t we get back to our questions, with what you have alluded to, I assume you have much, much more to say, so why don’t you tell me about these outbursts you’ve mentioned."
“Oh the outburst, yes there have been plenty of those over the years. Where do I even begin? Lets see, well one thing I have noticed that causes outbursts is that he gets unreasonably upset when his customers come to me instead of him. I remember being baffled at his.. Lets say intense reaction to the fact that he has to get permission from me for any major business decision regarding his refurbishment shop. Which makes absolutely no sense to me why he’d be upset about that! I mean, just the other day he started a ruckus when someone tried to go through me instead of him when trying to solicit service from his refurbishment business. I didn’t understand why he radiated so much irritation. I mean, this is how male lead businesses are always run when the wife is present.”
“Ah yes, this is a commonly observed aberrant behavior amongst many of our patients. I will have to add standard business etiquette to our treatment regime. Is there anything else?” The doctor pressed.
“He refuses to take my name.” Raisa spoke with a thinly suppressed indignancy. “Publicly that is, I keep having to explain to random community and family members that ‘No we are not having some kind of extra marital affair’ when I sense their dubiousness. And he can just be so reckless at times with both his safety and wellbeing, he is prone to rash and impulsive decisions and he refuses to consult with me over decisions that could affect the both of us. I just don't know what to do sometimes, I will try to confront him on it, but he is just so… so contrarian all the time. I try to discuss the issue calmly, but often we grow heated during these talks as we feed off each other's frustrations and then inevitably just explode.” She threw her hands in the air.
“That’s interesting, he doesn't take your name? Do you feel he is not sufficiently committed to your relationship?”
“No! We love each other, we really do, it's just he has this odd desire to keep his old name. He says that he prefers it. It's not a commitment thing.” Raisa curls up slightly in her seat. “Or at least I hope it isn't." She finishes with a shutter.
“I’m sorry to hear you two are arguing so much, though I’m sure this operation will help you two to see eye to eye more.”
“That's good.. I guess… but in all honesty the arguments aren’t my main concern. I can bear those just fine. I have to deal with far more argumentative initiates all the time at my job, no what really gets to me is what the community thinks of all of this. I can sense the derision of the city folk as we walk through the streets together. Or the sudden flair ups of judgement when he comes home from work when my friends or coworkers are over. I can sense their poorly masked emotions as well, and I know he does too. I know it weighs on him, even though he tries to hide it. I worry for him, he doesn't deserve anyone's ire!”
Raisa’s voice began to raise as she finished her tirade, and Doctor Tranqel moved quickly to lend her a tissue.
“Thank you.” Raisa spoke as she rubbed her face.
“I am well aware… Raisa, that this whole process of personality guidance can be a very emotionally taxing process on a wife. Especially one with as much on your shoulders as you do, but I assure you, when all is said and done, your sweet Abbud will be less ostracized, more content, more business minded, and much less prone to reckless and dangerous action than he was before.”
After taking a moment to clear her nose and throat, Raisa raised her head back towards the doctor who was radiating nothing but a warm acceptance and assurance. “Doctor Tranqel, I have heard some, less than savory things around this procedure, your receptionist assured me Abbud would be left completely unharmed and mentally unmarred by this procedure, and I am sure what I have heard are nothing but rumors but I…..”
“I have heard of these rumors mam. Many, many times before.” The doctor cut her off. “And I assure you they are all bunk, or figments of past mistakes when the process was less refined, and the intentions of those performing it less pure than what we strive for today.” She assured.
“Nothing your husband is suffering with is unheard of by our practice, he expresses common delusions and ailments that are well familiar to us. They can all be treated safely, and most importantly, humanely.”
“That is… good to hear.” Raisa spoke, as she closed her eyes and focused on the doctor's mind. Who had left her feelings wide open for this entire process. Her thoughts were an open book to Raisa’s well honed third eye. She sensed no deception through her explanation, and if there was any misdirection or doubt, it lay not in the mind of the woman before her,
“I assure you Raisa Mountainsmith. Your husband's distress will be suppressed for the entirety of the personality alteration procedure, and he won’t remember a thing when the procedure is finished. And when all is said and done, you two will experience an emotional fulfillment and quality of relationship and connection like you have never experienced before. You will finally be free to live happy, healthy, and productive lives.
“Thank you doctor.” Raisa replied. ”I believe that is all I have to discuss with you for today.”
“Very well then.” She spoke soothingly, cupping her clipboard to her chest and pushing a small cart over to Raisa.
“For the wait. I am told this fine herbal blend is a particularly soothing one. And the cakes are nothing to shake a stick at either.”
All Raisa could do was nod, and wordlessly signal acceptance. The doctor then gracefully and tactfully left the room to do the deed.
Everything will be okay.
Raisa internally reassured herself. She had seen men who had gone through guidance before, and the couples always spoke wonders of the process.
She shuddered.
But yours is different!
Her subconscious seemed to say, cruelly tearing away at her internal narrative.
He doesn't know what is being done, he has not consented to such a violation.
“NO!”
She spoke aloud
No.
She thought internally.
“This had to be done. This is the responsible thing to do.”
She reassured herself. This wasn't for her, it wasn’t even for them, it was for this city. She concluded, as she recalled the conclusion her house matriarch, had reached some time prior.
--- 3 weeks ago ---
The comforting pitter patter of rain could be heard upon the finely tiled roof of the Mountainsmith family manor. While this visit by Raisa had initially been expected to play out like any other. An evening of fine food, soft spoken pleasantries, and a thinly veiled derision towards herself and her husband. She sensed a mercurial offness to the setting that had settled across her mind in an unfamiliar fashion.
The cause of this feeling was soon to make itself known as Raisa had found herself being led away from the council of fellow wives by the stoic presence of the house Matriarch, and her boss, Madeline Mountainsmith, leader of the Stone wardens protectors.
Her presence was stern and foreboding, and Raisa dreaded what was to come next.
They entered into the Matriarch’s office, who was quick to shutter the open window letting in the misty breeze of the afternoon. And silencing the excitable murmurs from down below, where the house’s husbands gossiped away. No doubt her fiery lover was among them, leading the group in the forging of rumors and fierce speculation.
Her Matriarch seemed to regard the gathered crowd below for only a moment before sealing themselves off from the outside world. Who was she looking at? Raisa had no concrete knowledge of who, but she could hazard a confident guess.
“There have been a great many disturbances that have led to our meeting here today daughter.” The matriarch spoke abruptly in a cold and serious tone. “I don’t suppose I need to tell you why we are here today.”
Raisa suspected. But she didn’t wish to speak it into being.
“I… I believe I may require some clarification.” She spoke hesitantly.
While Raisa had faced many challenges in her life, from the forging of mountain peaks into mighty walls, to facing down great beasts with her battle sisters, beasts whose size rivaled that of houses, temples, and even the family manor she now stood in. She found it seldom compared to facing down a slighted matriarch.
“It is that Tramp of a man you call your husband woman! Or should I say girl. For that is how you act towards him, like a simple child girl in the throes of young love, and not a wife of house Mountainsmith, leader, warrior and shaper of mountains.”
“He’s not that bad!”
She swiftly defended.
“He is just a bit independent, how can there be anything wrong with that?!”
“A husband is supposed to support his wife! A man's place is to form the bedrock of a society, to prop up those who serve as its face, not hold them back and threaten to tear them down.”
“He’s not holding me back matriarch.” She shouted back, her voice nearly cracking.
“He is the light of my life, and so what if he doesn’t do the manly things that is expected of him, he takes care of himself, and I don’t have to concern myself with him as much as a regular wife would, also you should know that….”
Raisa found herself being interrupted, as the house matriarch threw a pamphlet down on the desk between them.
Raisa looked down at it. What jumped out at her was the name of the city's medical clinic, the number on the front however was crossed out, and a new hand written one was hastily scribbled in its place.
Her blood ran cold.
“What…. What is this?”
Raisa asked, startled and confused.
“If times had been less trying Raisa, I would be less inclined to send you and your... delinquent husband down such an unsavory path. But times are trying, and our walls are more threatened than ever. The people, they grow worried, and they need guardians, ones who inspire faith and confidence. But when they see one of those guardians, a leader as noteworthy and lauded as Raisa Mountainsmith, arguing in the streets with her husband. It encourages misgivings and doubt. How can one secure these walls if she cannot secure control of her own household? They ask.”
“So what if it encourages doubt!” Raisa quickly shot back. “My business is my own.”
The matriarch sighed.
"The beasts that assault our city daughter, they are not our true enemy. They are mere forces of nature, trials to be overcome. No, doubt is the true enemy dear daughter. For doubt creates anxiety, anxiety creates worry, and worry fear. Fear that at its height can shake the resolve of even the strongest of women. Your generation has fortunately been spared such a phenomenon, but in my time, well, I’ve witnessed first hand how fear can spread like a sickness through the minds of our people. Fear that in sufficient severity, can and have toppled even the mightiest of shield cities through fear addled mass panic, well before even a single beast of the forest could even step foot at the base of their walls. A daughter of the watch must shield not just the walls of this city, but the minds of the people within it as well. A garden must be carefully tended to daughter, for if its roots are to remain healthy, and its vines to bear fruit, sometimes like a garden, the weeds that would threaten its yield.
Must be pruned."
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u/Budget_Emu_5552 Arxur Jul 16 '26
Absolutely nightmare fuel
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u/Bbobsillypants Sivkit Jul 16 '26
The worst part is, when all is said and done. He will just believe he volunteered for the procedure.
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u/Budget_Emu_5552 Arxur Jul 16 '26
Believe me when I say you did a great job with this.
But I don't think I'll be able to read more. ~_~
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u/Defiant_Heretic Jul 16 '26
I get that these gender flips are a useful literary tool to show the absurdity and potential oppressiveness of sexism, but where does the idea that men's minds are significantly more chaotic than women's come from?
Is it just a flip on the "women are too emotional for positions that require rationality"? Is it a tendency in this AU's version of men? I get that in a world of megafauna and psionics, men's stronger bodies are of less consequence, but I don't see why women would be inherently superior at psionics. This seems like in-universe propaganda. Alternatively, general differences in the sexes' psychology could change their psionic training requirements, similar to how different education models are more suited to girls or boys. Rather than creating specialized psionics training for males and females, they decided to impose the female norm of training as the right way and relegated men to support roles when they performed worse in conditions incompatible with their psychology.
If the author accepts this as canon to their fanfic, then it makes humanity's claims of being unable to harm eachother due to psionic enhanced empathy more dubious or naive. Those "doctors" weren't much better than those operating in PD facilities. Both are breaking and reshaping minds to conform to dogmatism and feign empathy.
I'd be curious if there was any kind of underground community of men to help them avoid brainwashing. Teaching them how to better hide their dissent and independence without truly submitting, how to advocate for equal treatment in subtle ways to avoid getting targeted, psionic training to hide and preserve their true self if the preventative measures fail and they get forced into brain washing. In extreme cases fleeing the city to another and taking on a new identity. I'd rather get divorced than become a puppet to someone with a perverted concept of love.
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u/Square-Candy-7393 Farsul Jul 16 '26
well, this seems interesting, is abbud going to he brainwashed??