Young Writers Society

After dragging me through the town the cold face woman dragged me and Curse into a old building, a library. The building was small, but the inside seemed massive, with rows and rows of books lining everything, turning the place into a maze. Without giving me much time to look around I was dragged to a front desk with another bound slave manning it. 

A calm faced girl who looked a year older then me with scaled eyebrows and deep crimson hair. On the desk she was chained to was the name ‘Syralth’. She looked empty, like she couldn’t properly express herself anymore. I couldn’t tell what she was, but the scaled eyebrows give me the impression of some sort of lizard or snake woman.

“I know your manager has the book, ‘An introduction to gravity’. Sell it to me.” The cold faced woman said.

“Master does not allow me to sell anything from his private collection.” Syralth replied. Never directly looking at the cold face woman. “Please wait, he shall arrive shortly.” I didn’t see her push any button, I wonder if those collars allow them to talk to the person they are bound to?

A few seconds later a short balding grey haired man walked out from behind a aisle of books. I mean really sure. He was shorter then me, and seemed to have a usually long nose. A Decon, the gnome equivalent that I could have picked.

“Forgive me, Stone, but I refuse to sell my only copy to you.” He said, staring up at the cold faced woman.

Stone fits her quite nicely.

“It probably only cost you one green silver, and you’re not even a mage.”

I really want to figure out how this world's economy works. Ugh, I want to focus, but that girl, Syralth, keeps staring at me. Do I look weird?

“Everyone can profit from a mages knowledge.” He argued.

“More so a gravity mage.” Stone said, grabbing at my arm, refocusing me on the conversation. “Which I happened to have found.”

“The dead fish?” The Decon asked, surprised.

Hey! I don’t actually know what that means, but it sounds insulting!

“I’ll pay you five green silver for that book.” Stone said, ignoring his question.

“But it cost me a lot to bring it back to this backwater village.” He argued, frowning.

“Hey, curse.” I whisper

“Two green silver.” Stone said.

“Hey, you’re supposed to raise the offer!” The old Decon yelled.

“Yeah?” Curse whispered back.

“One.” Stone smiled at him, holding up a single green silver coin.

“What does he mean by dead fish?” I asked.

“I’ll take three silver!” The old Decon yelled.

Wait, a haggling shouldn’t look like this, is he scared of her? If so why was he arguing just fine?

“You’re dressed in rags and covered in dirt, dead fish is one of the nicer things he could have called you.” Curse said.

Ohhh, fair enough. While thinking about that a large book was shoved into my hands.

“Read this.” Stone said, forcing my attention. “When you can use the first spell, contact me.”

With that we were forced out of the room. I couldn’t help but notice Syralth staring at me the entire time, and when I finally looked her in the eyes, the door to the library was slammed in my face.

After that Curse lead me to a inn, with the plan to have me take a bath before we go find me some clothes to wear. She offered to help me bathe, but I don’t think I could handle that much stimulation.

I don’t think I can handle what I’m going to see anyway.

Right, right.

Hygiene is important! Nothing wrong with seeing my own body.

Hahahahaha!

“Is something wrong in there?” Curse shouts from outside the bathroom door.

Oops, I laughed out loud.

“Nothing!” I shout back, not bothering to explain myself. I look around the bathroom. Which was surprisingly modern in its design, the kind of modern I see in anime. A large room with a few buckets, a drain in the floor, and a tube full of hot water that I was told to only go in after scrubbing myself. A full body mirror sat to one side of the room, probably to make self washing easier.

It makes sense to do the more Asian thing, assuming they don’t have any plumbing. Though they might have plumbing, it’s hard to get a sense for the world's technology. I don’t see any pipping.

“Are you sure you won’t need any help in there?” Curse shouted in.

“I want to figure it out on my own.” I shout back.

Now, time to...strip.

There’s nothing wrong with that.

My destroyed clothes pretty much fall apart as I try to remove them. Ripping themselves apart from my gentle pulls. How they stayed together as long as they did, I have no idea.

Now to see how I look!

I look into the mirror, my amber eyes posed flat, an apathetic look that barely hinted at my self curiosity. I could judge my willowy form. I could see my soft skin. I processed the divine glow my skin gave off under the dirt. While it was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. While I got to enjoy a full display of that body.

Nothing.

Well I guess I’d be weird if I was turned on by looking at myself…

Even if I don’t really accept this as my body.

Ugggghhh. I want to enjoy the view, but I can’t.

“Are you okay in there?” Cruse yelled in.

I’m trying to be depressed right now!

“My clothes fell apart.” I yelled back. Might as well reply to her properly. Ignoring people is rude.

“Oh those rags were going to fall apart anyway, don’t worry, Lore just left to buy you something. We don’t really know your size, but we should be able to get you something to wear so we can get you something proper.” Dejected at my lack of interest in the wonderful sight before me, I started washing myself as best I could, trying to ignore the odd sensation of my new, more sensitive skin. After washing myself as best I could, I quickly put on the clothes Lore bought, a simple blouse and long dress, and left with Crux and Curse. Poor Crux was brought to carry the clothes.

You have my sympathy.

When I asked why Lore didn’t want to come she said, “Sorry dear, shopping is boring. I already had my fill for the day.”

Such wise words. Birds of a feather, you and I.

From there I was dragged into what seemed to be the only clothing shop in that village. At least I am safe from being dragged through multiple stores. I hardly paid attention, just nodding at each dress Curse picked up before being forced to put them on. Making me feel like a dress up doll. When it was clear that I didn’t know how to put on most of these dresses, she started stripping me and changing me. Making the doll sensation all the worse.

Crux offered out some reasonable pants and shirts, but all Curse wanted was frills and decorative dresses.

I’m going to be a powerful mage! Pants are practically required for that.

After a tiring day I ended up with twenty different sets of clothes, most of them dresses Curse picked out, with a few pants and shirts that Crux offered, that I had to beg Curse to allow. The total price for it all.

Fifty green silver. I’m guessing that’s a lot.

“Why are you willing to pay so much for me?” I finally ask after she handed it over casually. I got a tight hug from Curse for my trouble. I’d enjoy this if I could breath.

“Because, you’re cute.”

What?

“I don’t understand.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Curse laughed. “Is there anything else you want while we’re out?”

“Well...since you’re offering, I wonder if I could get a weapon.” I say, I can pay them back later.

“Well, I know the guilds local blacksmith. He should have a few things.” Crux offered, pointed at a large brick building that I could see even though it was half way across the village.

----------------------------------

Authors Note: Sooooo much was smashed in!

I hope there are people out there who are still enjoying my story!