“Hi Master and Ms.Knave,” I greeted the two as we entered the room.
‘It’s crazy how quickly I have accepted all this. I died, got reborn as a seed, grew into a flower, then a tree, and became a snake. I traveled through literal hell, got kidnapped twice… turned into a girl, and now have a dragon lady as my mentor. And calling her Master is actually pretty natural? I guess they didn’t say one of the greatest abilities of a human is their adaptability for nothing. Even though I’m not a human now….’
As I lost myself in thought, Mayari gave them a bright smile and a wave.
“So how as the tour you two?” My master asked. “Anything interesting to you Maua?”
“The tour was really nice. I couldn’t ask for a better tour guide. I thought the training area was pretty interesting, as well as the request center,” I replied.
“Oh, is that so? Mayari, I guess you’re good for something, after all.” Master teased, poking her tongue out.
This got a pout of the redhead.
Master seemed to enjoy the response, chuckling before she turned back.
“Anyways, do you have any questions for me right now, or should we just go eat?” she asked.
‘She seems to be in a better mood…The talk probably went well then.”
“Hmm… now that you mention it, I actually have two.”
“Lay ‘em on me.”
“Well, is there some sort of library or somewhere you all store information?”
“Yeah? It’s in the Guild. Mayari didn’t show it to you?” she asked, turning to the girl.
“Hehe, I might have forgotten?” The redhead scratched her head. “ I haven’t been in there in so long since I read pretty much in there, so my brain must’ve just removed it.”
“Well, I guess I have to take back my complement. Mayari, you suck like usual,” Master sighed.
The redhead's cheeks swelled, but Master completed ignored her.
“We’ll just swing by there on the way out. What was the other question, Maua?”
She opened the door, the door and we all funneled out into the hallway.
“Ah right, I was wondering if there was a sort of ranking system for guild members,” I said, as we started walking.
“Well yes, but probably not in the way that you’re thinking.”
I titled my head. “What do you mean?”
“We call it the Night Sky ranking. It was implemented in a large part due to your tour guide, so I’m actually quite surprised she did brag about it to get ‘cool points’.”
“Obviously because you get exponentially more cool points when someone else says it for you. So please proceed my dear aunt,” Mayari beamed.
“Haah. Anyways, there’s two sides to a person’s rank. One is stars. It's based on the popularity and friendliness of the guild member. Basically, the client leaves a review of the member and their work after the job. Based on what they say, the member may gain, lose, or simply keep their stars.”
“And it was made after Mayari because… she’s a starfish?”
“Because she’s always been so popular with her clients. They practically begged for some way to reward her more….. And she’s a dumb starfish.”
“Hey!” Mayari protested.
“The other is moons.” Ms. Kna’Ve suddenly spoke up. “Unlike the client-based stars. Moons are based on the guild’s assessment of a member and their work. It was based on Mayari’s sister because of her precision while completing a job. She’s a-”
“Let me guess, she’s a moon jellyfish.”
“Yep. How’d you know?” Mayari asked.
“I saw a pattern,” I replied.
“There’s also something called a soul realm but, well talk about that later,” Master said. " The rank doesn't actually affect your ability to be selected for a job, but it does help or hurt your chances of someone picking you."
As we were conversing, we arrived at the library….which was absolutely massive.
“Honestly, I’m a bit confused as to why you wanted to come here,” Master said. “You can’t read can you?”
“Not at all,” I shook my head. “But I figured that I would learn it eventually, and a library is always a good resource to have.”
“Hmph.” Master pouted. “While I did plan to teach you how, I’m a bit hurt that you wouldn’t just ask about the information you would want to know. That’s what we're here for after all.”
‘She’s like a completely different person. What the fudge did they talk about?’
“That aside, we need to get you some clothes,” She said as she examined me closely. “I can’t have my pupil go out in these ill-fitting robes. Come on. “
I was then dragged into the library, past the guild employee at the front desk, who gave our group a knowing smile…which honestly scared me.
Past the front desk, we went into one of the ‘employees only’ doors.
Mayari made sure to lock the door behind us, almost confirming my fears.
Then I looked around at the room, which was filled with clothing racks, with all the clothes of all shapes.
“This my little pupil,” Master bellowed. “Is the female employee uniform closet! Inside this room are the countless designs that have ever been thought up for the Guild!”
‘No.’
“I’m sure you can under why we’re here…”
‘No. No.’
She brought one of the outfits, pressing it against me, seemingly imagining me in it.
“Hmm. This is cute. But it’s way too big…well that’s fine.” She smiled, eyes gleaming.
‘No no no.’
“VeVe, Ari. If you would.”
“Glady,” they responded, grabbing me.
'NOOOOO!'
—⁕🎕⁕—
After an eternity of being their dress-up doll, the girls finally decided on a design that they liked.
It looked like a standard mage academy uniform from your run-of-the-mill fantasy story.
I had to begrudgingly admit it was pretty cute.
Unfortunately for me, I was too small for even the smallest size. The ladies quickly and skillfully tailored the outfit, along with underwear.
Putting on bindings was an unexpected and embarrassing part of the process. I assumed my flat chestedness would get me a pass…but no.
Eventually, I was deemed appropriately dressed. We then left the closet and the library. We made our way to the request center. The three quickly exited through the door.
I stopped and stood in front of the exit and took a deep breath.
‘My first time seeing my new world.’
“What are you waiting on Maua?” Mayari looked back. “Come on!”
I took that step, into the beaming sunlight.
My eyes adjusted, and I took in the scenic view. The town was beautiful, bright, and bustling with people of all species.
Overhead, fish swam through the sky.
‘Wait, fish swam overhead?!’
I waved my arms in attempt to swim.
“Ah? Haha.” Master chuckled. “You’re wondering how, huh?”
I nodded.
“Well, there’s a magical bubble barrier that makes the area of the town different from the surrounding water. It’s like a cell membrane that allows in the oxygen we need to breathe, but takes away the viscosity and fluidity of the liquid.” Kna’Ve explained.
“Basically, it’s a blocker for the annoyance of water, but it lets us breathe still...don't ask how it works because we'll be here a day if Kna'Ve explains. Just chalk it up to magic for now,” Master interpreted. “I’ll take you for a swim after we eat. But we’ve been stalling enough, I’m starving. Let's go!”
Why do I keep thinking that green alola girl when I try to picture Maua lol
Hmmm. I could…whip up some artwork if that would help? I’ll ask for suggestions on what exactly to draw next chapter…then make a poll of my favorite suggestions for the next and we’ll go from there.
Thanks for the chapter~ It's always a highlight of the day, regardless of when it arrives. :)
Thanks for reading ~ Your comments are my highlights :)
@Lulla *Totally not blushing*
Thanks for the chapturr~
Haha, 'Magic' is the answer to everything.
And,
I had to begrudgingly admit it was pretty cute.
Deep inside, she knew it was cute. So, when will it hatch? Nope, nevermind. I'll just leave it for future me to read the future chapturrs.
Thanks for reading!
Magic.
The ultimate plot hole filler.
And it will have to be cracked, so probably a while.
“Well, I guess I have to take back my complement
complement = compliment
surprised she did brag about it to get ‘cool points’.”
did = didn’t
"Hehe, I might have forgotten?" The redhead scratched her head. " I haven't been in there in so long since I read pretty much in there, so my brain must've just removed it."
Edit suggestion I've read pretty much everything in there
Good for Maua for having dampened emotions? Pretty sure I'd adamantly refuse to be man handled regardless of gender.
Then again that could just be my introverted nature, and dislike of people being touchy. But it's hard to tell Maua's introverted or extrovertedness. Simply by nature of them being railroaded through every chapter thus far.
Maua's questions are logical and guarded, but she just seems to take things done to her without complaint except the gender part. Supposedly she has stunted emotions, but she can somehow be upset at being a dress up doll. She accepted being kidnapped and knocked out just fine, but being a dress up doll made her say/yell no.
The ladies are nice enough casually, but being so self absorbed that they ignore Maua's protestations basically means they wouldn't be friend material. Atleast to me.
Not saying the story is bad thus far, as pushy people are far too common irl for my tastes. It's just my thoughts on what's currently going on and what "I thought" Maua would do as a former adult with stunted emotions. Maua has no choice but to accept some things, but I figured she'ed want to not be treated like a child, regardless of appearance at a bare minimum.
Well first off, let me thank you for the feedback.
Then again that could just be my introverted nature, and dislike of people being touchy.But it's hard to tell Maua's introverted or extrovertedness. Simply by nature of them being railroaded through every chapter thus far.
As an introvert myself, I completely relate to this. Also, I do understand where you're coming from on her being dragged along with seemingly no say so...more on that in a second.
Maua's questions are logical and guarded, but she just seems to take things done to her without complaint except the gender part. Supposedly she has stunted emotions, but she can somehow be upset at being a dress up doll. She accepted being kidnapped and knocked out just fine, but being a dress up doll made her say/yell no.
Now this part. Totally my fault. I played up the scenario for comedic effect and might have gone a bit too far.? Looking back, I made a mistake with the punctation as well, all of the no's that Maua said were supposed to be internal. But at the same time, the dress-up doll bit is an extension of her battle with coping with her gender. She also is aware of the difference in strength between her and the other girls, and is not aware of her potential capabilities, so she's going along with things for her safety.
The ladies are nice enough casually, but being so self absorbed that they ignore Maua's protestations basically means they wouldn't be friend material. Atleast to me.
Again, this is my fault for missing that error during editing as well as not just establishing it better in general. She doesn't actually make much of a protest externally, so they're not shoving her feelings to the side.
Not saying the story is bad thus far, as pushy people are far too common irl for my tastes. It's just my thoughts on what's currently going on and what "I thought" Maua would do as a former adult with stunted emotions. Maua has no choice but to accept some things, but I figured she'ed want to not be treated like a child, regardless of appearance at a bare minimum.
And I completely understand where you're coming from. I also think it's possible that she's subconsciously allowing this, as her childhood was cut short, by her guardians dying, forcing her to grow up quicker than she was supposed to. But I'll be sure to put this all into consideration from now on. Thank you!
“Basically, it’s a blocker for the annoyance of water, but it lets us breathe still...
Feels a bit weird to have an obviously underwater based creature call water annoying. I think it would make more sense to say it was made to accommodate ''overseas'' visitors for example.
Hmm. But she was a human before, so is it that odd for her to think like that? But I understand where you're coming from. Thanks for the feed back!