It all started innocently just with a little bet me and my girlfriend Jenn made over some show in television we were watching some time ago. I don't even remember what was it all about anymore. She Said that if she wins I have to let her choose our costumes for comic con that will be held in city we live in. That was month ago and I totally forgot all about it. She on the other did not. Oh I forgot to introduce us. I am forgetful am I? I am Lukas 20 years old student of advanced cybernetics. My girlfriend Jennifer is 21 year old and she studies to become teacher. She is stunning brunette. We met on one comic con. One thing went with other and we ended up together. Lucky day that was. Saturday after lunch the day when con was held she came to house where I lived with my parents holding huge bags. I guessed she had costumes in them and then it clicked inside my head I remembered that bet.
"Let me see Jenn Please!" I whined. It was to no avail. I was deep in trouble now. Not only I forgot about that bet but Jenn had wicked smile on her lips which was a hint of fact that things to come would be embarrassing.
"Just drop it! You will see them in right time."
"Yeah sure when it is too late." I grinned at the irony.
"I hope it isn't anything embarrassing." I kept fishing.
"That is a secret!" She said with raised finger and wicked smile. Which should have been enough for me to tell what she hinted at but I wasn't able to in my present state of mind.
"Jenn please!" I whined again. What is she planning? Why so secretive? I will have to try to avoid any surprises that is for sure and just to be safe any future bets too.
"Just get in your room and boot up Playstation I'll be right there I just need to talk to your mom for a moment." She kissed me and then hurried to look for my mom. I still thought about what was in those bags. Shoot! I thought to myself when I walked up the stares.
I turned on play and Jenn came in few minutes. Then we played for a while. I felt like sitting on nail bed thinking about her plan. Which made me play worse than usual.
"Hey Luke by the way I invited our friends to make it more like a double date." Said Jenn and giggled.
"Who exactly?" I asked with eyes on the screen in suspicious tone.
"Peter and Amy. They will drop by to pick us up at 19:00." She winked at me which I missed because I concentrated on the game.
"Great, that might be fun." I replied with my eyes still glued to the TV screen.
"About those costumes of ours. We should start preparing soon so we are able to make it in time."
"No problem just help me finish this boss. By the way What costumes did you pick for this year?" I asked in hope she would tell me in heat of the battle.
"Well after last years Stargate Atlantis ones when you went as Sheppard and I had to go as doctor Keller I made some changes."
"I thought that you will be glad she has same name like you Jenn." I teased her. She smiled a bit at that.
"I am glad but I hoped for something more exciting. Therefore I will give you few clues for our costumes and you can guess. It makes it more fun for me."
"Alright hit me!"
"Orange flowing hair and dagger with long blond hair and sword."
"I thought for a moment, then a moment more and then it dawned on me. This description could fit only one anime she liked and that was Slayers. Orange hair and dagger Lina Inverse and blond hair and sword Gourry Gabriev." I got sick feeling all of the sudden. Why is Jenn so secretive about this. I thought.
"That is not so bad I can deal with long wig and swords are kind of cool. I expected something worse since you were so mysterious." I said as we nailed the boss.
"That is excellent Luke Long hair it is than but it is more like dagger than sword. You will be the one wearing dagger on your hip." She replied with almost evil shark like smile on her lips. At this my jaw dropped right thru the floor.
"What? Hip? Dagger? I can't go dressed as Lina! I will look stupid and specially since our friends go with us. No way Jenn I'll go as Gourry please!" I whined.
"Doesn't work that way. We have a deal remember? Also costumes wouldn't fit vice versa. You are smaller than me. Gourry is higher that Lina it just wouldn't look good." Jenn tried to beat me down with facts. It really wasn't fair. So what. I was a bit short for my age but Lina? no way.
"Thanks for reminding me I am smaller than you. Jenn please I will be laughing stock." I whined once more but she would have none of it. Which left me with goose bumps all over.
"No you won't and I already spoke to your mom and she will help us." She tried to assure me which in reality scared me even more.
"Even mom? I always had this feeling that she would love to have a daughter one day. The way she treats you and all. I will never live it down! I'll rather run away from home than dress like a girl. Do you even know how embarrassing this is and she wears pink!"
"No you won't!" Said dad who stepped in. Thru the door I forgot to close fully.
"Dad?" I said in fear.
"What did you hear?" I looked like deer in headlights at him.
"I just went by when I heard you two. You promised it to Jenn and that is all that matters. So be a man and take your medicine boy. It isn't that big deal you just have to bet more carefully next time. This will teach you that." He smiled wickedly.
"Dad I just can't it will ruin me if word spreads around about this. I thought you of all people would support me."
"Jenn put a lot of work into this not to mention the money so you will go. What if I ruin you if you don't go! I will cut your allowance for a 2 years."
"I can deal with that." I smiled.
"Ok then what about me destroying your lab in the cellar and store wine there like I always wanted."
"No fair! Anything but that! I will go then. We have a deal anyway. Don't we Jenn?" I gave up.
"Good choice son. I guess I'll never get that cellar." Dad joked. He seemed to be pleased and went about his business.
"You might get a chance at the cellar yet. When I'll burry myself alive in the disgrace which this might bring to me." I stammered a bit.
"What do you know. You might even enjoy yourself." Mused Jenn. As she put her hand on my shoulder.
"Yeah right if I was invisible!" I muttered under my breath when Jenn went for those bags with costumes. She was there for ages. I guess she had to talk to mom again or maybe my dad. When she came back she laid my costume on the bed. It was rather complete and very accurate costume. She gave me can with nair, soap and shampoo.
"Here you go Lina." She teased me. Which caused my eye to twitch. "Already in character are you?" She laughed.
"Why this stuff?" I asked about the stuff she handed me.
"You need a bath. Nair is for removing your hair. Arms should be enough but I want you also remove them from your chest, underarms and legs. Soap is one I personally like you can't use yours it just wouldn't be it. For shampoo goes the same. Oh and this little box is special nair for face. You need to use it on your beard. Lina with stubble just isn't right. When you are done come back in bathrobe. And Luke try to enjoy it as much as I do." She handed me those things as she smiled and then she pushed me out of the room. I followed her instructions. There was no point in further arguments. When she sets her mind on something she will get it. That is what I like about her. First I washed my hair. I knew this smell it was how Jenns hair smelled. She gave me her shampoo. Next I tried that nair. I sprayed it over me and waited few minutes as those instructions on the can said. I knew I'll lose my hair but I almost cried when I washed it away. Soap she gave me smelled flowery and really girlie. When I dried myself I could feel the difference having no hair on my legs and hands. I put the towel around my waist and tried that beard remover or what she called it. It left my face really smooth I would be unable to shave this perfectly. I looked myself over no beard, stubble or shadow. Most of my body hairless. What did I let her get me into. Ok it is too late now anyway. Damn! I put on bathrobe and headed back to my room. Where was Jenn ready waiting for me.
"Come here and put this on!" I closed door as she handed me yellow panties with matching bra and some plain color panties like garment which she told me was gaff.
"I can't wear that. I can wear boxers it doesn't matter in this getup anyway!"
"It does, so hurry first gaff then panties. You have to kind of tuck you know... I will turn but it isn't like I didn't see all that before." I struggled for a while and when I finally got it right my crotch was flat.
"Umm Jenn how do I put this on? I know how to get it off you but how can you clasp it on your back?"
"Men. You are so resourceful when you want something but the other way around you try to be dumb." Jenn said. as she turned the bra around on me.
"Now clasp it and turn it around again. Then get your hands thru the straps." I did as she said and it worked.
"Now we have to fill that bra. You don't show anything in that costume so water balloons will do. They will warm soon you just have to deal with them being cold for while." She handed me maroon tight pants and over them went something like an yellow leotard. Those pants fit so smugly that I was afraid to sit down.
"Here!" She threw maroon top with white lining and then yellow tube bandeau bra on me. Than two belts with dagger strapped to them. She handed me pair of high, white boots with little bit of heel and green gems on their hem. Costume looked really good and very precise the jacket had even little green gem on the collar. When I put it all on it created really shapely figure. I had now narrow waist thanks to those belts and that jacket that went lower created a bit of hourglass figure. I ran my hands over smooth fabric down along my waist and further down. It was really weird there had to be some padding in that costume for me to get figure like this.
"You look great Luke I hoped it will give you nice figure like this and in case you wonder. There is no padding." Jenn said amused. She was like a mind reader. I just looked at her with look that said don't go there.
"I think we are good follow me." She then grabbed me by the hand and dragged me to my parents room to mothers vanity mirror where waited my mom ready to torture me. She smiled as she saw me.
"You look lovely dear. Sit down and let us start!" Said mom and smiled like I never seen her do before.
"Yeah I look like a freak. Just look at me!" I crossed my arms the only way I could. Under my fake breasts.
"Nonsense you look great and you will look better after we are done here with you. No worry we are professionals." That moment father snuck in with a camera and started filming my predicament.
"Glad to see that you take it like a men son." He smiled. And took few pictures. Needless to say I was embarrassed like hell. My own father and making fun of me like that? I thought he respected me more? My face was starting to get all red. Mom saw this.
"Hey Tom get out of here we can't have him blushing here it will ruin our job." Mom exclaimed.
"Ok, ok I am going I just take few more pictures before and after so we have something for our family album. You will thank me one day son." Said smiling dad. His smile could rival in mischievousness with Norse god Loki when he headed out of the room.
"Oh sweet lets start!" Jenn exclaimed clasping her hands.
With that mom went to work on me and Jenn just guided her how should I look like. It was long and painful process. They even went as far as shaping my eyebrows a bit. Then Jenn put hair cover and a wig over my head. It was orange long slightly curled wig and it smelled like strawberries. Jenn put black bandanna over my forehead adjusted wig and touched up my make up.
"Ok but there is still something missing." She said with her index finger hanging in the air. I looked myself over to see what she meant. I knew it was bad but the whole picture scared me. They had me really dolled up I couldn't recognize myself. Red contact lenses pinkish lipstick really vibrant eyes and even orange colored eyebrows. No sign of my usual self was left. I was interrupted by sight of Jenn closing on me with a pin and potato.
"You got to be kidding!" I yelled and dodged just in time. My hair swished around as I moved. It was weird feeling.
"Hey I just fool around we don't need to pierce them we have clip ons." She then hooked two golden orbs on my ears. She splashed me with good dose of perfume which left me smelling really girlie. My senses were stretched to their max or so I thought.
"You look fabulous. If I had daughter I would wish she would look like you now." Mom said to add to my embarrassment and she topped it off with hug that squeezed the daylight out of me. I just looked at her with mix of surprise and anger.
"Perfect. We will finish you before we go. Just go kill time for a while before I change I'll be right there."
I opened the door to head to my room as I was blinded by the flash of fathers camera.
"Hey why did you do that you are worse than some paparazzi. Leave me that little dignity I have left and stop this please." I said covering my face from another possible flash.
"They did great job on you I would not believe you could look that good. Almost like real girl. But look at you! Son just look at it from my perspective we will all have a good laugh one day looking thru the album."
"That doesn't mean it has to be at my expanse!" I said mighty pissed.
"I am doing this for you. I don't mean it badly. You will see when you are older."
"I hope you are right or I'll leave you in the old folks house when you get old. On the other hand, I might as well let it go and try to have fun."
"Great that is my girl. Now could you please pose for me a while Lina?"
"That is it! I am out of here!" I stormed to my room and slammed door behind me. Why the hell he had so much fun with this? I sat on my bed and thought about what am I going to do now. There is a chance I might die from shame when Amy and Pete come to pick us up. I tried to get my mind off this so I looked my shelf over and tried to pick some movie to watch in this time I had. I went thru my DVD collection and I accidentally dropped Slayers Motion picture from my shelf. Is this an irony or what. I thought as I looked over that cover. I Bought this DVD because of Jenn but to be honest I liked it a lot to. I liked Lina as a character. I never expected to dress up as her. On this cover it was younger Lina in different outfit that she wore before the one I was wearing now. I put the DVD to the player and watched for a while. Then I heard familiar voice.
"Lukas Anderson I knew you had it in you." My eyes shoot to the door where I saw Paige. She is friend of mine next door we were really close as kids like brother and sister. I froze. I just sat on my bed stunned while she came closer to inspect me.
"So many times I tried to get you to crossdress and you resisted even thou you have perfect figure for that. I couldn't believe Jenn that she can dress you up as Lina but I was wrong. If I didn't know better I would think girl sits there." She was really amused as she closed door behind her.
"I...." I tried to say something but she didn't give me chance. She hugged me and dragged me down on the bed.
"Nice perfume Lina." She teased me. Looming over me.
"It is not what you think. I know how this looks like but..." She put a finger over my mouth.
"Shhhh. You don't have to explain. You know Lina I kind of like you like this you look better somehow." She laughed. I tried to get up but she had me pined on the bed. I really have to start some serious workout soon. She was stronger than me and she was only 2 years older.
"What is this?" She poked my chest which bounced a bit. I tried to cover my chest so she would leave me be.
"My my you even grew some breasts. Not big but effort counts. I wonder how much of those hairs she get you to shave off." She said examining my hands.
"How did you get in or knew that I am here for that matter." I tried to avoid answering that question about hands.
"Jenn told me she will dress you up and it was too good to pass on that. Your dad opened door for me and told me you are here and to call you Lina." Paige said laughing.
"Paige please would you mind getting off me? I can't breathe." I said defeated.
"Sure. Sorry Lina." She sat next to me on my bed.
"Thanks, that is much better. It is a long time I saw you so childish an cheerful." I pulled myself up and clearing my face from few strands of hair.
"I am just in good mood. Not every day your friend gets treatment like this." She winked at me.
"So Lina you are watching slayers I see. To get in the role maybe?" Paige pursued that matter.
"Paige please don't call me that."
"What should I call you miss Inverse?"
"Just old plain Luke will be enough thank you." I said irritated.
"But Luke doesn't fit such lovely girl." She teased even more.
"God why you hate me?" I looked up. I was expecting lightning to strike me since my luck was so low.
"Why so blue Lina?" Let me cheer you up. She started tickling me. She knew that I am really ticklish and she used to take advantage of that lot of times when we were younger.
"Da......dd....Damn. Paige stop it." I managed to get from her. I had to admit that she knew how to cheer me up.
"Ok now serious. Can I take picture with you?"
"Why not but only if you promise not to show anyone."
"I will try not to Luke. Trust me." We took few photos and she looked satisfied.
"Paige are you going to the con with us?"
"No I am mad about it but I can't. I already have something that I can't avoid. I really regret not going. Seeing you there like this on con would be priceless." She said.
"I See." I said bit saddened.
"Anyway I have to go now. It was nice to see you take care Luke." She said as she closed the door behind her. Then after while I heard dad talking to Jenn and photographing her to. so I wasn't only one he was teasing. He really cared. He wanted us to have memory. Then they knocked on my door. I opened. When I saw Jenn or rather really convincing Goury Gabriev I was stunned. Paige just giggled from behind them.
"Is that you Jenn?" I blinked once, then twice and felt a bit weird like I was intimidated. I felt a bit weak comparing her to me now looking like lanky dainty girl and my sweet Jenn like strong swordsman. It was really messing with my head.
"Hey Lina I finally found you." Said smiling Jenn. Then she embraced me in her arms and kissed me. My eyes went wide as dining plates when she did that. I didn't know she had this in her. By that time dad was at photo rampage. I bet I had to blush like mad that moment. Mom just stood there and smiled. Then doorbell rang and woke me out of my daze. My knees felt weak like they were made of jelly. It must have been Peter with Amy. Mom rushed to let them in. Jenn pushed me to my room and threw me white gloves with medallions on them and helped me to adjust those huge shoulder pauldrons and style my hair with cape attached to the pauldrons. Cape was basic black with violet inside. It all looked so well crafted and real. It looked like lot of effort went into making this."
"Thanks Jenn I guess. I bet you had to work hard on all this." I said humbled and still blushing.
"Paige. I am sorry you can't go with us. We are in bit of rush." Jenn said smiling.
I'll be going guys I just wanted to see you and especially Luke because I wanted to dress him up for long time but he wouldn't let me." Paige said as she left the room again this time for real.
"Bye." Me and Jenn said in unison.
"By the way Luke you are right. It is costume made by few friends of mine that work in props department in movie studio. Speaking of movies. Is that Slayers you are watching?
"Yeah you see I was looking thru my DVD collection before Paige came and they fell from the shelf so I picked them to kill some time."
"Really? Or did you just want to study the character before you play it?"
"Don't be ridiculous of course not."
"Anyway... Lets go so Peter and Amy don't have to wait too long." Said Jenn as she dragged me out of my room. I barely managed to turn off TV.
When I walked I almost stumbled because of that heel those boots I was wearing had. Don't get me wrong there wasn't that much of heel but it was enough to throw me out of balance. At the stairs I almost fell over. As I moved so much I could feel those balloons in the bra shift and bounce like Jenns breasts often did when she ran. I touched my chest and it felt warm to. As I regained my balance I saw our friend Amy who was dressed like Sailor Jupiter and Peter as male version of Ranma Saotome.
"Hey guys." Amy and Peter called.
"Nice costumes. Jenn you look stunning as Lina." Amy commented.
"I am here." Jenn proclaimed.
"Then Luke is...." They all laughed and I struggled to keep my balance on those stairs.
"You did it Jenn you did it." Complimented Amy and pulled out 10 dollar bill which she handed to Jenn who grinned.
"Hey men you look smoking good in that getup." Pete extended hand to me
"Thanks I guess... Are you hitting on me?" We did our school palls handshake. It must have been funny because dad didn't stop recording. Whatever I thought. If I don't like it I can always delete it. I only hoped he doesn't upload it to the cloud.
"So I think we will be going. Thanks for your help Mr. and miss Anderson." Jenn said her goodbye.
"Our pleasure." My parents replied in unison. Dad handed me camera and spare cell and with memo card. I tucked it to the back pocket and kept camera in my hand.
"Here you go son, document it you are best photograph we have in family." He made gesture like he always does when he is proud of me.
"Thanks dad I won't disappoint." I was moved by dads caring a had to hold back tear in the corner of my eye.
Goodbye ms and mister Anderson. Amy and Peter called on my parents from front of our house and we were on our way. Behind closed door mom and dad smiled at each other.
"So Tom they look like they will have lots of fun."
"Yeah I feel kind of bad forcing my son to do this but he might have good time and he can't die from it can he?
"We have free evening?"
"Let's use it well then!"
Special thanks to jkoc for excellent proofreading.
Few meters from my house and I already began to feel weird. Well weirder than before. Light evening breeze gently played with my wig. I brushed strand of hair from my face.
"So where to first at the con? Cinema or stores?" I said turning back to others while walking backwards few steps and getting rid of hair blocking my vision. While Amy came behind me from side and pinched my ass.
"Wherever you want Lina." She laughed.
"Don't call me that!" I said angrily. I stumbled a bit after I slipped on the small rock or a piece of concrete chipped from the pavement.
"Getting into character ain't you. You will be hit tonight, you make very convincing Lina." Joked Peter.
"If I was was in character you would be dead meat by now." I Shot back. Jenifer just smiled and embraced my waist like I used to do often when we walked around town together.
"Don't bug my sweet Lina you two." I was really embarrassed now. And it showed. Amy saw this. Took camera from me and snapped us few times walking together like that. As we walked we met Steve a friend of mine from school.
"Damn! Hide me he can't see me!" I Hid behind Jenn and lowered my head which didn't help one bit.
"Hey guys. Going to the con? I wanted to come to but I don't have costume." He said looking around.
"Where is Luke and Jenn? I thought you are going with them Pete. And who are these two?" He asked confused.
"Well..." Pete didn't know how to answer. I was now back to back with Jenn and trying to hide real bad.
"It is them, can't you recognize them?" Pete continued.
"I will kill him!" I whispered to Jenn.
"Is that you Luke? You seem taller than usual." I felt like I swallowed my heart. Luckily Steve asked Jenn. I thought I could just run for it. Of course I had no such luck.
"No, he is behind me. It is me Jenn by the way." She said with a smile and grabbed me by the waist forcing me to turn around to face Steve.
"Wow I would never recognize you Jenn...." He paused as I came to view. He tried really hard to keep his laugh in check.
"Now that is something! Is it really you Luke?" I tried to struggle a bit but Jenn held me tight. I couldn't make a run for it.
"Yeah it is me. Please, don't tell anyone.." I said as I put my head down.
"This is rich I could never tell that is you. I still have problem believing it is really you seeing and hearing you. You did great job on those costumes. You are very convincing. How did she get you to wear that?"
"Forgotten bet, Judas father and enthusiastic mother." I crossed my arms over my chest which made it stand out more.
"Don't trust her Steve she enjoys it you should see her just few minutes ago." Pete added to my pile of trouble.
"Damn don't make up stuff like this and don't ever refer to me as she again!" I cracked my knuckles which must have looked really silly in those gloves I was wearing.
"Calm down Lina. A nice girl like you should not be so violent." Pete Just kept going.
"That is it you are going down you hear!" I shouted at him as I tried to free myself from Jenns grasp but was unable to.
"Jenn let me go I will just kill him and then we can go."
"No Calm down he doesn't mean it like that do you Pete?"
"No I just wanted to have a bit fun that is all." Said Pete as he winked at me.
"See Luke? Do you promise to behave if I let you go?"
"Sure. I am ok now." I said feeling hurt. Steve just laughed.
"Next year I must go to, you are fun." Steve managed to say even that he was still laughing.
"Don't expect anything like this! I will not go dressed like this ever after this." I said with still bit angry voice.
"Luke calm down they don't mean it badly and you have to admit you look good like this. If Jenn was to wear it you wouldn't look as good as this. That difference in height is really noticeable. She has also much larger breasts than you. And don't take it bad way but you have nice figure too." Amy stated.
"I do not have any figure nor breasts!" I yelled back
"Sorry. You know I didn't mean it like that."
"Please could we just go? You can come with us if you want Steve." I tried to change the subject.
"No thank you. I would love to but I have to go. If you could I would love to take few photos with you."
"Sure. Why not." I replied. We took few pictures. Steve commented on me smelling like a girl with that perfume and all. I barely managed to keep calm. We parted ways and continued ahead. We took few more photos of each other doing funny poses as we arrived to the con. Our first stop was cinema, to see latest news and trailers. We been in this cinema before to watch few movies together. It is nice place with red velvety chairs really stylish all the way. They also have a 3D and Imax which is really neat. They were screening few good trailers and one for new slayers movie which just made me remember what I was wearing. I was glad slayers came back after this long time. Needless to say that we were instant hit there. Quite few people wanted to get a photo taken with us and even more with me which made me feel uncomfortable and confused at same time. We checked out the new toy vendors and other stands. Jenn bought us few Manga magazines. There was even group with
Akane Tendo so Peter had his own share of fun taking pictures. I lost count how many times Jenn and I meet slayers groups that complimented us a great deal on our costumes and recommended we enter the competition. Amy had lot of fun with many of the cosplayers dressed as sailor scouts. We took a lot of pictures and almost filled a memory card and even had to charge the camera from my phone.
"Luke I want to enter the contest they talked about. Remember the fun we had at the one we entered last year." Jenn Begged.
"I don't know I want to go anywhere near that stage in this getup." I tried to weasel my way out of this.
"Well you didn't mind all those people taking pictures of you as you posed for them?"
"That is different!"
"In what way?"
"They asked me politely." I said winking.
"What if someone outs me when I am on stage? What then?"
"Nothing like that will happen. Quit making excuses."
"I will go then, but just because you want me to." Jenn Smiled and Hugged me.
"Alright Lina lets go." She grabbed me by the hand and ran to the registration counter dragging me behind her.
"Hey don't rush so much. Can't you take it slow?" I tried to catch my breath while leaning on the counter breathing heavily.
"Don't want to give you a chance to change your mind." She said as she checked us in and got our contestant numbers. Then we waited to for our turn. There were lots of great cosplayers there.
"And now we have here a pair that took a little detour on their journey to Zephillia and dropped by to pay us a visit." Said a moderator to the microphone. Our numbers lit up. My legs turned to stone.
"Come on Lina Lets go!" Said Jenn as she pulled me to the stage. I slapped Jenn's hand in reflex but it was to late so I played my role and hoped for the best.
"Damn Gourry don't you ever learn. Where did you get us this time you jellyfish brain?" I shook my head in disbelief.
"I just wanted some witnesses." This made me remember last year. I hope she doesn't want to do that!
"For what? What are you talking about again."
"Lina Inverse Will you marry me?" Jenn dropped to her knee and took mine hands into hers." Damn she did want to do that. This Left me speechless. What does she think she is doing. I know it is payback for last year! It has to be. I blushed like a red tomato. I decided to still play along I was really deep in it now.
"What are you talking about Goury? Did you eat something bad or what?" I hoped that something would save me like a plane crashing or stage collapsing or wild animals running loose but is was not to be.
"I love you Lina." Jenn repeated.
"Ohh.. Ok, this is so sudden you know. I never thought about this." Then I saw Amy and Pete who were in front of stage laughing to the irony that was lost on other people in the crowd.
"Accept it Lina" Pete suddenly shouted tears welling in his eyes.
"Ohh Goury, I love you to. Yes, I will marry you." I managed to blubber out. Jenn Stood up and took me by my shoulders which caused me to blink.
"Kiss, kiss, kiss ..." Amy started mass shout and rest of audience joined. Jenn kissed me and crowd went wild. I felt as if she grabbed my butt when she kissed me. Then it came . She looked into my eyes and took me by my legs and flipped me. She took me in her arms and carried me off the stage as all cheered. I looked in disbelief. What got into her?
"Comic con is like Vegas Lina, this marriage is valid." Pete made fun of me as Jenn put me down under stares. I didn't know she was that strong.
"When did you get so strong Jenn?" I asked blushing.
"I am not, you are not heavy so, it isn't problem."
"I got to start some serious work outs even my girlfriend is stronger than me!" I said in shame. About 15 minutes we got called out again. We were awarded with the first place plaque of the con. Jenn got us first place that was grand. We posed few more times and accepted few audience requests. They all knew we are crossplayers but they were more excited by us posing for them. Finally we sat down at a restaurant for dinner. I was famished and tired from walking in the boots. I didn't want to admit it but I had a good time. I even began to relax a bit.
"This will be on youtube in no time. I would be worried if it wasn't there. The people at the con were so nice." Jenn Said.
"Because you two were fantastic on that stage." Amy commented.
"Yeah And you really looked like a girl when Jenn kissed you. You just blushed furiously and were red as a tomato Luke."
"Well I never knew Jenn was so strong and that she can lift me up. It is just that she surprised me. I think she even grabbed my butt on the stage when she kissed me."
"Yeah I did grab your behind." She then grabbed me again. I jumped Almost knocking table over. Which caused all to smile.
"You're really enjoying this Jenn." I made an observation.
"Yeah why shouldn't I? When I get another chance. At least you know how I felt last year when you kissed me on stage. I had to trump you this year so I carried you from the stage in my arms. Don't tell me you didn't enjoy all that interest this raised from people"
"I don't know maybe or I was just too embarrassed being dressed as a girl and being carried by my girlfriend from the stage."
"You two are so lucky, you are perfect for each other. The way you blushed there Luke proves my point." Said Amy. Peter kissed Amy and she blushed a bit to.
"I see your point Amy." I said in return. Other people approached our table.
"Could we interrupt you for a minute?" One of them asked.
"Yeah, sure what would you like?" I said
"We saw you two in the costume competition. Could you sign these photos for us?." He asked politely. Presenting me with a few photos and white marker.
"I think you two just went viral." Amy teased while I was stunned.
"Sure I will sign them but please tell me. Where did you get these?"
"Oh, the costume competition officials have a table selling them."
"Thanks. Do you want me to write anything special?" I asked.
"Just your Lina Inverse kind impression of signature if you don't mind."
"Alright then." I said as I signed every photo and Jenn did to.
"Thank you very much miss." He said while I handed back the white marker.
"Can't you tell I am not a girl?"
"Sorry, I think I got carried away." He apologized.
"One more thing. How many people bought these?" I asked.
"Lots of people. I think they are still there selling them." This made me really uncomfortable.
"Thanks." I said. They thanked us again and said their goodbyes.
"Creepy! I don't want to be mistaken for a girl." I Said with regret planting my face on the table.
"What are you talking about they were nice and polite. I also saw that spark in your eyes you enjoyed playing a movie star and signing those photos." Jenn Said.
"I did but he called me miss!" I said muffled by the table.
"No big deal he just used wrong word don't make such fuss about it." Pete said.
"Hey, We should do this next year also." Amy proposed.
"I ain't going dressed as girl next year!" I declined as quickly as I could.
"You know. You make a great girl. Even too good. It is scary. Maybe it is because you feel comfortable with this character." Peter teased as he saw my defiant expression.
"You might have a point there. I can see the similarities now when you pointed them out." Amy winked.
"Yeah, he is totally Lina. When he eats he gulps it down like last food on earth. He tosses and turns too much when he sleeps and has terrible temper when it comes to his faults. He likes shiny things and is resourceful. On the good side he is really caring and gets what he wants." Jenn informed others which caused me slight discomfort. I couldn't be that bad. Could I?
"Hey! You three. This isn't nice at all. Why do you tease me like that? I admit this costume isn't uncomfortable but I hate it when people stare at me. I feel like some freak dressed like this everyone must think that I am some weirdo who likes to dress this way. It is no secret that Lina is my favorite character in slayers but that doesn't mean I want to be like her."
"You kidding right? Do you remember? Those people didn't vote for you cause you are boy dressed as Lina. They did it because of how convincing you looked and behaved." Jenn tried to make a point.
"Yeah you even adopted few tricks she does like the way you brush those strands of hair from your face. Also that hand on your hip with hand gestures are dead giveaway. It shows you feel comfortable playing this character even if, you don't want to admit it." Amy nailed my defense.
"That wig gets in the way! I bet real hair don't do that this much and what do you mean by gestures? It is because of the gloves. I also put my hand on the hip to support my shoulders this armor is heavy.
"Lets just leave him be he doesn't want to admit it. I wouldn't. Luke what about an eating contest?" Peter Challenged.
"A challenge. Ok lets just keep it coming."
After dinner we headed home. We all had few drinks so we loosened good deal. We met a few people on our way home who wanted us signed their photos too. We also had to pose a few more times. Jenn was walking again holding me by my waist and I was just grinning because it was somehow comforting in a way and I was bit tipsy so I needed that little more balance. Peter held Amy same way we walked next to each other. Those two were really getting closer to each other but they were nowhere as close as Jenn and myself.
"You know Jenn I love you so much I can't even find the right words to tell you how much." I said putting my hand around Jenn too.
"I know Luke. I know."
"In the end I am glad you made me do this. It was fun. I will admit I liked it." I said. Then I noticed a store I never saw before and I went this way almost every day. We decided to check it out. From outside it looked like the shop was there some time. It looked like an antiques shop. We decided to check it out. There was no one at the counter only sign "Be right back." Stuff in this shop looked really expensive and old. just when I wanted to call it quits and go (Which I should have) I saw an old box with some weird writings.
"Guys look at this strange box" I exclaimed. As I looked back at it the strange symbols were gone and there was plain English. What the heck I thought. Am I imagining things? On the box was written in English yet still in some weird font
"You are what you wear." I took it in my hands and checked it. It had a snap lock on the lid so I tried to open it. It went hard but it budged. At that instant I was blinded by a flash of light and some smoke that felt like tiny glass shards were entering my lungs. The rest I don't remember. I only know what they told me. Jenn had to carry me out of the shop. When they exited the shop thru the same door they stepped onto a meadow in a forest. I was unconscious and sickly white. The rest were not feeling too good themselves. But they were lucky to find an old cabin and managed to light a fire in the fireplace so we wouldn't all freeze. I only remember waking up from my blackout as rays of the morning light shined on my face.
Special thanks to Podracer for excellent proofreading.
I felt strangely refreshed yet still a little numb. What had happened to me? Where was I? I was a bit confused. I looked around to discover my friends were there with me too. Wherever there was. I was covered by the cape I wore. Pulling it off me I could already feel the cold air in the room. They had covered me with it so I didn't freeze. I felt somehow out of whack though. The fireplace still had some hot coals in it. I couldn't imagine what would I do alone here. Now a bit more comfortable I started to think about what happened. I looked around more closely and saw we were in some sort of wooden cabin. How the heck did we get to the cabin? Weren't we in the city? I decided to let the rest sleep for now. I pulled a phone from my pocket with still half closed eyes. My ass felt kind of funny as I pulled myself up to a sitting position. Those pants felt even tighter yet they seemed to be more comfortable. I discovered that I had no signal and only half battery so I shut it down. I started thinking about what happened yesterday. The box? Light? Markings? I felt itching on my chest, and I thought those balloons were causing the discomfort. I scratched and gave out a high pitched shriek.
"Mm... my chest? How come I can feel it if those are balloons!" I pulled the bra lower and unbuttoned the top a bit to reveal what I thought to be impossible. There on my chest were real breasts filling my bra. Not big, but certainly breasts. I touched them again just to be sure, but to no avail they were real. My new high pitched sound effect for surprise seemed to have woken up others in the mean time.
"What's the big idea?" Peter asked, rubbing his eyes. He was still mostly asleep.
"What is wrong?" Asked Amy in a sleepy voice. Jenn had been sleeping near to me. She was completely awake and saw my half puzzled, half terrified look. With the sight of me holding my unbuttoned top and bandeau bra to my chest with one hand and my mouth covered with the other. It must have been a sight to behold.
"Luke what is wrong? What the hell happened?" When I failed to reply she moved closer.
"What happened?" She asked again, clearing her eyes to see me better. When she heard herself she paused for a while. I was stunned, Amy and Peter also, because she didn't sound like this. Come to think of it none of us did. Amy and Peter I dismissed because of sleepiness but Jenny? I knew her voice very well and this wasn't her. This wasn't even a female voice, it sounded more like a male voice. Gears in my head started turning once again. Breasts, voice, Jenny, shriek, my ass feeling funny, shop, box, you are what you wear. Then it all clicked in place. It was like lightning struck me dead on. My brain refused to accept this. This was my fault, all my fault. I reached with my hand to check what I already knew. My worse fears were confirmed. I was a girl and not just an ordinary one. If I was right. I didn't even want to think about it.
"This is all my fault, all my doing. Damn - how? Why?" I slammed my clenched, gloved fist to the wall next to me, to let off some steam which only resulted in me hurting my hand. My friends' eyes now widened because they were sure I didn't sound like this either. Come to think of it I really sounded like Lina would.
"Ok this is how I figure it." I said in a trembling voice after I pulled myself together a bit. I had to be strong this was really big trouble we were in and it was all my fault. They all shook their heads cluelessly.
"We went to the shop and I opened some kind of magical box. Letters engraved on it shifted from gibberish to English. On the lid was written, "You are what you wear". I don't know what happened then, or where we are but I have a feeling that this box took it literally, as I am sure now that I changed into this girl and I guess I look exactly like Lina now. For the rest of you I am not too sure but I think you went through the same transformation, you literally are what you were wearing."
All of them looked puzzled as they checked themselves out. Most shaken was Jenn. She looked a bit guilty. I am sure that she was frightened more than I was. I buttoned my top, pulled back that bra and moved closer to comfort her. I had to be strong for both our sakes. I didn't feel exactly good myself but I had to comfort Jenn. I embraced her to stop her from shaking. It seemed to help a bit, as she - or rather now he - stopped shaking. It was a really weird feeling to sense my new breasts pushing against the washboard chest Jenn now had. So this is what Jenn always felt when we hugged? Not unpleasant. Just weird.
"I... I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I am so sorry Luke." Jenn buried his head between his hands trembling a little again.
"Hush now it's ok, it isn't your fault. I wanted to go to that shop and opened that box. If it is someone's fault it is mine!"
"So you mean since I am, according to all signs, Ranma now, will I turn into a girl when wet? It's just karma isn't it. I laughed at you dressed like a girl and I end up half girl half boy.... Before you apologize, don't! We all went there it is not your fault Luke don't beat yourself down about it." Pete said, defusing the situation by presenting his line of thought.
"Thanks but the fault is mine and I will get us back to normal. I swear! I won't stop until we return to our old selves." I said with stone-willed determination.
"Luke, Peter is right we don't blame you. We will find a way to turn back. Speaking of which..." Amy just closed her eyes and she glowed for a bit and her Jupiter costume disappeared to be replaced by a Japanese school uniform. A wand-like object appeared in her hand right after.
"Neat trick. How did you know it would turn you back?" Peter said, curious.
"I watched Sailor moon. They did it like this there." Amy said, smiling. Jenn meantime, a bit comforted by my hug, looked up at me and smiled a bit.
"Magic and chaos always find you don't they Lina?" Jenn said, smiling awkwardly.
"Lina? Don't tease me like that." I blushed and put my hand behind my neck embarrassed.
"We should check out where we are." I stated flatly. Still holding Jenn by the hand and turning a bit on the toe of my foot I almost fell. This body had bit different center of gravity than mine used to.
"About that. Yesterday when we rushed out of that shop we were somewhere near some lake and in a forest. The shop we exited from disappeared. We were lucky to find this cabin here and I went to pick some wood. I didn't meet anyone nor find any path." Informed Peter whilst examining his new muscles.
"I had a feeling we are somewhere remote. I don't have a signal on my smartphone."
"Where could we be then?" Interrupted Amy. As she moved closer to have a better look at me now she was calming down.
"We can't be sure of anything. We are dealing with magic here - look at us. If I really am a copy of Lina Inverse I should be able to use magic. I just have to find out how. I don't seem to have the right knowledge. But it might help us in a big way. I feel like that magic is in there I just can't tap it. It is quite ironic. I never believed in magic." I informed them, blinking at Amy as she looked closely at my face.
"Luke! Hold still and open your eyes wide." Said Amy as she looked really close.
"Curious. Those are not lenses anymore. You have red eyes now. Quite an unusual color." Said Amy as she grabbed at my chest.
"Do you feel that?" I jumped in shock.
"HELL YES I do! Why do you think I woke you up? I accidently brushed against my breast. As I said before, we turned into the characters that we cosplayed. In my and Jenn's case cross played." I said irritated, covering my chest.
"Maybe sword of light will work." Pointed out Jenn still getting used to her new body.
"Yeah maybe, but if we are stranded somewhere one thing is for sure. We have to stick together if we hope to get out of this. I'm going out for some fresh air I feel bit weird." I turned and headed to the door to do that though I was still wobbly and stumbled few times. This new body felt really strange. When I got out I was in a forest alright. I sniffed at the strand of hair that danced around my face and it smelled the same like before, just a bit more intense. I tugged at it and I was really sure it was real now. I took a deep breath because I felt real sick. It was the real reason I went out. To get some fresh air. All that happened; I couldn't process it. Most of it my fault and I was helpless with no idea how to get out of this. How to fix any of this mess. I was stuck in this girl's body, my girlfriend turned into a guy and I messed up my friends too. This pushed me over the edge so I just ran, past a big tree where stood a few empty wooden barrels..
"I have to go check on him." Jenn said after she relaxed a bit.
"You mean her!?" Amy said correcting Jenn.
"Whatever! We will sort this later we have to find a way to avoid this confusion if we are in the wilderness somewhere." Peter said.
Jenn looked around and saw me near the shore of the lake and walked up behind me. I didn't notice him at first.
"I know you are hard on the outside and always try to stay calm even in a no-win scenario but don't close up. I'[ve known you long enough to be sure that you are concerned the same way as the rest of us, maybe more." He said trying to comfort me.
"Thank you for that Jenn but it is no excuse for me to be so weak and helpless! I mean look at me! My hands are shaking and my knees are like jelly."
"Nonsense if anyone can get us out of this it is going to be you. You are the smartest person I know. I saw you at school and was proud, very proud to know you. When you held that presentation on algorithms I didn't even understand the function of them. You even got that grant for it."
"Thanks but this is completely different situation. Look at me now? How can I expect to be able to fix us? This is magic we are dealing with here. I hate magic. I was a man of science. Now I am a woman of magic." I said with sarcasm whilst sitting holding my knees.
"Don't worry about it so much. Welcome to my world." Jenn said.
"It all had gotten to me and I couldn't handle it anymore. I feel so ashamed. I don't know why am I so weak. I don't even want to say this but I feel like I'm losing it." I sobbed as I covered face with my hands.
"Weak? You mean emotional? It isn't weakness it is strength but you can't let it control you. I think your mind just can't handle your new body chemistry well. Here let me help you!" He took my hand and brushed hair from my face.
"Chemistry? Like hormones!?" I said, afraid.
"Yeah you are female now. Who knows what effect it might have."
"Thanks for the comfort! I think I am going to throw up again." I said as a joke. "So where do we stand now? I mean I am a girl now and you are a boy. I need a bit of time for now to think things through and get over that fact."
"You don't have to tiptoe around it. I know what you mean I have same problem looking at my boyfriend who looks more girly than I ever did."
"I will try to get over it just give me some time. Don't take it like I don't love you anymore. I just can't imagine kissing boys now. Or making love with one for that matter."
"Don't beat yourself down I said! You sweet little redheaded idiot." He lovingly caressed my head which eased my frustration for a bit because of how good it felt.
"Let's go back in we have to get ready to find our way out of here." When we came back to the cabin we saw Amy and Peter facing similar problems arguing about what to do next.
"So. I have some good news and some bad."
"Tell us the good one. We really need some." Said Amy while holding Pete's hand.
"The time seems to check up on my phone was 7 o clock morning and sun position seems to be right. The lake is good you can wash yourselves if you want. As for bad news when I was... looking around I saw some really strange kinds of insects which I never saw not even in biology books." Which was confirmed by Jenn's nod.
"How is she holding up?" Asked Amy. I tried to answer when Jenn Interrupted me.
"She is ok now. It was just too much on her and her hormones don't help with that either." I realized that Amy didn't ask me but Jenn.
"Hey she is here you know! And do we have to discuss my hormones here?" I said in anger, feeling ashamed.
"Sorry but this is a relevant fact. Amy studies medical school like I do. She might know how will it affect you." Jenn defended his approach. I sat on the chair next to the table.
"Jenn is right. You might change your way of thinking about things. You will get more emotional for sure. You will stay you but and I don't want to scare you. You might get more of a female pattern of thinking." Amy informed us. I dropped my head on the table. This prospect of slowly losing myself scared me to death.
"How do I stop it? I don't want to lose myself like this. This is the single thing I fear most." Jenn came behind me and put his hand on my shoulder for a bit of comfort.
"You can't. I am sorry Luke. If it makes you feel better it will be slow. And when we change back you might return to normal." Amy said as she sat on the chair next o me.
"Might?" I looked up at her tears welling in my eyes. I have to be strong! I thought again and pushed those tears back. If I am going to go down at least I'll try to keep my dignity for as long as I can.
"Ok then I guess you talked about state of matters with Pete." I said as I sat properly and Jenn sat down on another chair.
"Yeah I think that it would be best to present ourselves to others just like we look now. Unless we are somewhere close to home. Also we should check this place for useful things and get on our way out of here. Our objective should be going to the south since moss grows north on trees. Either until we find a path or city or any human we can ask which way to go."
"Good points. I think you just summed it up." I said, surprised.
"Ok Amy , Pete you go refresh yourselves and I and Luke will search here." Jenn sent the two out. We searched the cabin and found few forks one dish, a little bit of cheese and some bread which was hard like brick. The real win was a bucket of apples and some dried jerky.
"Where is that manga you bought at the con? And what about that plaque we won.?" I asked. Inspecting the cabin.
"I must have dropped them at that shop when I saw you fall to the ground." Jenn replied with regret.
"Well that's one thing we won't have to carry around here." When packed we went out and joined Peter and Amy.
"So you think you can walk like this?" I asked pointing at her mary jane shoes.
"Can you handle it Amy?" Asked Jenn
"I sure hope so. These shoes are not fit for forest but I will try. Did you find something?"
"Some food that should last us some time but not much else. Luke also has some energy bars in the back pocket of her cape." Informed Jenn.
"Hey when did you plan on telling me that? You mean I was dragging that around all the time at the con?" I asked sharply.
"Well I needed to adjust the cape for it to flow down nicely and I thought you might be hungry there."
"Good thinking Jenn." We got on our way. I photographed important landmarks along the way so we knew how to get back if we needed it. After like 12 kilometers we had to stop because of me. My legs were hurting really bad.
"Heck I can't keep pace with you my legs hurt like hell and my hips are killing me." I said while I massaged my ankles.
"I noticed you walk kind of funny. I might know what is the problem. You seem to be still walking like a guy and forcing it. At the convention I did this so I would be more convincing and it hurt like hell. You need to relax and let your body do its thing. Move your hips a bit when you walk."Jenn explained.
"Good observation. You might be right." Confirmed Amy. I thought for a bit about it and tried to piece together how to walk with this body.
"I will try that. I hope I can make it. Just sit and rest we can all use it. I'll try to learn by walking a bit." I stood up and tried it. Jenn stood up to and tried to teach me. He showed me how which looked funny as she was now he.
"I think I got the picture." I tried few steps but no progress. Jenn came behind me and pinched my bottom at which I cried out surprised.
"Not like this. Move your hips for gods sake. It comes so naturally."
"To you maybe." She then stepped behind me and grabbed me by my hips from behind. "This way." She pushed down at my hips as I tried few steps.
"This is useless. You are too uptight. You need to relax. Don't force your steps. Just let go. One leg after the other." It was hard for me to grasp but then I almost stumbled over a rock and that forced me let go. I almost fell but I relaxed my muscles enough that next few steps went naturally. Jenn was right, it is more like a flow than a straight walk.
"I guess that this is close enough. Not quite it but close." Jenn said.
I walked a bit further than I should when I noticed a bad smell but it was too late. Someone jumped at me from behind a tree and grabbed me by my hands.
"Hey let me go! Who are you? Leave me be!" I managed to cry for help before a big hairy hand covered my mouth.
"Here be reasonable little girl we just want your money. Give it to us and we will let you go. Don't make us hurt you badly." Said a voice behind me. I tried to shout again. The smell was real bad, there seemed to be two bandit like types behind me.
"Leave her! Let her go!" Jenn shouted.
"We'll just take your money and then let you go." Bandit One proposed. The smell was beginning to get unbearable. It smelled as if I was snuggled up to a pig. I tried to free myself and struggled a bit. They held me tight I had no chance to get loose.
"We don't have any we.. We were already robbed." Amy tried to save the situation.
"Maybe you don't but such lovely lady like we have here is bound to have some coin. Well?" He uncovered my mouth for a while.
"Screw you! You fucking bastard." I shouted.
"Too bad! Then we'll have to kill you. Such a shame to kill a hottie like you but you give us no other choice." Bandit Two said and pulled out his sword.
This was just the impulse I needed, because something in me just snapped, I closed my eyes and began chanting. "Source of all power..." I felt power gather in my hand, a warm power and a surge of energy through my body. It felt incredible. It was like I had the power to do anything!
"What is that girl muttering did she go mad? Uncover her mouth again so we can hear." The lead bandit said.
"Light which burns beyond crimson..." I continued. Jenn just smiled wickedly and muttered to himself. "She's done it. Hide!"
"Let thy power gather in my hand." As I finished the channeling a ball of fire appeared in my hand which didn't burn me or my clothes but the heat seemed to really burn the bandits, they let go of me and ran away. They were so dumb to run next to each other in the same direction. I just let go the ball and threw it in their direction. Then I dropped to my knees exhausted almost faint. I saw how an explosion enveloped the bandits and expanded in a 20 meter radius. Then I heard Jenn whisper in my ear from behind holding me close.
"You are really one in a million Luke." Then I fainted.
I had a dream. Or a nightmare depending on your perspective. I dreamed that this all had been a dream and I woke at home in my bed and Jenn was there, my parents were there and all was right. I felt so calm and relaxed. Then I got up and felt a familiar weight on my chest at which I ripped open my shirt in horror. Yep they were there. I had breasts. An orange lock fell to my face. The others didn't seem surprised and looked at me like it was normal for me to be this way. I passed out. I felt cold. Something wet. Water!!
"Hey!! You didn't need to splash me did you?" I whined.
"It worked did it not?" Jenn smiled.
"How did you do that?" Amy asked.
"Don't know I just snapped cause of that bad smell and remembered the chant. Bad news is that I don't really know if I can repeat it. Come to think of it my sense of smell is kind of better, even too good for my benefit I guess. Now that I think of it I seem to remembere a bit more. I had a nightmare; I was home and I woke up in my bed and I was still a girl. Jenn you were there and my parents were there. The worst thing was that you acted like it was normal for me to be like this."
"That had to be real bad." Peter said. "I am still afraid to try cold water myself. I am sure I would be really shaken by something like you describe."
"I don't see anything bad with being a girl." Amy commented with arms crossed.
"Well neither do I. It is only that I am so confused. I also seem to figure out things quicker than before, it is like I am somehow smarter and I like that. For example. I was stuck on one mathematical problem at home and now if I think about it the solution is simple."
"I think we all know what you mean Luke. I for once like my increased strength. There is also the advantage of me being able to keep cool even in tense situation like this one just few minutes ago. Before I would go mad and try to attack the bandits not thinking ahead." Jenn said.
"Let's go check on those bandits we might find something valuable or even a map. Bandits here mean that we might be close to town but it also means that we are not in Kansas anymore." I said trying to get things moving again.
Special thanks to Podracer for excellent proofreading.
We searched the dead bandits. More fitting would be to say the two charcoal piles. I felt sorry for them. They were people. Then again, I remembered they would have killed me and the others without any mercy. It was us or them and it sure as hell wasn't going to be us on the ground. Not as long as I am here. The smell was horrible. Amy had to leave, she couldn't handle it. I don't blame her I almost had to leave too. The smell of burned carbon and flesh was worse than how they smelled before. I never imagined this spell would pack such a punch. The ground all around was burned and the trees were broken like matchsticks. I had to take my gloves off; I would be unable get this stink out of them if I didn't. We struck the jackpot when I found a pouch with gold pieces and gems. Yet no map or anything. I washed my hands in a nearby stream and cleaned that pouch. I also took a few gold pieces and put them in my pocket, because if I needed them it would be unwise to show how much we have. I sat a while on the big mossy boulder next to a pond and looked at my reflection. I got sad again. I would love to see this girl and have a drink with her, even invite her for dinner maybe. Well I mean before I met Jenn. This was me now. How the hell could I let this happen. Jenn saw me and sat next to me.
"Strange isn't it?"
"What is?" I asked looking at him.
"I can see how you looked at your reflection there. It is strange to look like that and see someone else. I can see it bothers you. It is the same with me." Jenn said as he also looked into the pond.
"Hey guys I think we can stay here for a while." I called out to the others.
"Excellent idea Luke. We could use a little break. If you want to head out, call us."
"What is it?" Asked Jenn.
"I just want to relax for a bit. My feet are killing me." I said, as I took off my boots which I put next to my gloves and talismans near the mossy boulder I was sitting on. It felt really good as I touched that velvety moss growing on the ground with my feet.
"It is good to see you relax." Jenn said as she looked into my eyes. I could see something else in Jenns eyes that I couldn't quite put my finger on.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Your eyes they look like two pinkish red gems. I envy you. I would love to have a perfect complexion like this." He touched my cheek kneeling in front of me. I got embarrassed again by that.
"Jenn...?"
"It is just as I thought. No make-up here?" I rubbed my face with my hand to discover Jenn was right.
"You know I would kill for not having to wear make-up back home."
"You are pretty even without make-up Jenn." I said to Jenn as he held my hands.
"I don't want to lose you Luke. Please be more careful." Suddenly my feet slipped and I pulled Jenn down by accident. As luck would have it we landed face to face eyes front. Jenn let go of my hands not to hurt me as he fell.
"Sorry. I am clumsy. I am still not used to this body." I said looking Jenn straight in the eyes. It was quite an awkward moment.
"Don't worry. I hope I didn't hurt you." Jenn said with our eyes still locked. If I didn't say something to spoil the mood Jenn would kiss me and that wasn't an option for me right now.
"Not at all but you are heavy." I said blushing a bit. Jenn could see my embarrassment and rolled to the side.
"So?" Jenn asked.
"So what? I slipped on the moss. Big deal." I said confused and still blushing.
"If you say so." Jenn replied teasing me.
"What is that supposed to mean!" I asked, irritated, while leaning over Jenn. Before I could realize my mistake Jenn pulled me closer and kissed me. I tried to struggle a bit but I melted in Jenns arms.
"Well. That wasn't half bad." I said pulling away.
"I could get used to this." Jenn said smiling like a shark.
"Hey you two. Let's go. We need to get going." shouted Pete disrupting my line of thought and embarrassing me like hell. Luckily he and Amy were still far away.
"We need to talk about this. Later when we are alone." I said standing up and lending a hand to help Jenn up from the ground.
"Wait a moment!" I said as they passed us by. Quickly putting on my boots while holding onto Jenn not to fall. I grabbed the gloves and talismans, putting them on as I hurried to catch up with our friends, dragging Jenn behind me.
We then continued walking and taking photos along the way. We stopped for a little while near a small stream. We were all thirsty after the long day and the water was crystal clear. After that it was starting to get dark so we decided to find some place to set up camp. We found a small clearing with velvety moss on the ground. We set up a fireplace from small stones. Amy and Jenn decided to hit the sack soon after. Today's events had got to them. We ignited a few twigs and started the fire thanks to Peter's lighter. I looked through the gems and gold pieces, they shimmered in the light of fire. And the fire looked really nice and comforting.
"Luke I am sorry about that before." Said Peter. "Can you forgive me for making fun of you all that time. It was stupid of me and I don't know why I do it. If I do it again please ignore me."
"Thanks but I don't mind that much. You are my friend. That being said, I kind of understand why you do it."
"I will try to stop. I don't like being a jerk to my oldest friend. It is just that every time I see you like this I feel bad for you. Which makes me insecure and then I make jokes at your expense.
"I know it is weird to be like this. By the way, I thought you stopped smoking half a year ago. So how come you have the lighter?" I asked still looking at the gems.
"Well. I know where are you heading. I... I meant to tell you but never got around to it. I have developed severe asthma. Amy recommended this and it really helps. It is strange but it helps me." He showed me a small plastic bag with weed.
"I see. Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was afraid that after what happened..." He said saddened.
"You are my friend no matter what. You know I got an idea. Do you have papers too?"
"Yeah but I ain't smoking it. I use vape. Much cleaner."
"I was thinking of that spell I used before. I didn't know I could do it and yet I had a hunch I was capable of it. I was only able to do it when my life was hanging in the balance. Next time I might not be so lucky. I need to try your weed it might help me get to the knowledge I need in order to cast Lina's spells. I need to completely let go and relax. In my current state of mind I can't."
"I don't know.. it might be dangerous for you in this state. Who knows what could happen." He said pulling the vaporizer from his pocket.
"I have to take the risk and you know it. If it works maybe it could even work for the others It could help you unlock Ranma's martial arts."
"That would be cool. But I think you are grasping at straws here. No pun intended." Pete said.
"Maybe I am. I have to do this. Please! I feel so helpless. I got us into this. I have to help us out of it."
"For the hundredth time. It isn't your fault. I also know I can't talk you out of it so here just press this button."
"Thanks." I said as I waited for the device to heat up. We talked about old times. I still couldn't feel any effects of this. I guess I should have been more careful. After a moment it hit me like a bag of bricks. I just wanted to relax. Now the high was increasing every second. I felt sleepy and relaxed. Too relaxed.
"Are you alright?" He asked worried.
"I don't know. I feel sleepy."
"I said that you shouldn't take so much. It's too strong for you." Pete said worried.
"I think I should lie on the ground." I said. As soon as I laid down I was out cold. Pete saw this and with a worried expression, covered me with my cape. .
My eyes opened and I seemed to be in some kind of old library and a huge one at that. I was still in my "Lina" form. I saw a counter but there was no one there.
"Anyone here? What is this place? Where am I?" I shouted. No answer. Only my voice echoed thru this immense building. It kind of reminded me of New York library. It had large windows that let lots of light in. Polished marble floor with some very complex patterns. In front of the counter was an inlaid quote:
"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." It seemed to glow when I stepped over the text, my cape flowing behind me. There was a bell at the counter so I rang it.
"Be right there." A familiar voice replied. It almost sounded like an echo.
Out of the door behind counter came a person who looked like Lina Inverse, but she had no cape or shoulder guards and was wearing glasses.
"Who the heck? Who are you?"
"The librarian you dumb ass." She snarked.
"I can kind of see that but why do you look like me? I mean Lina Inverse?" I had to correct myself. She just pointed at the inscription engraved to the floor.
"So there is no spoon." I mumbled.
"It is easy you are in an altered state of mind and you are accessing your subconscious. You wish to know something. Something about me therefore you are in my library. By the way next time just meditate. It is better than drugs." She said with a knowing smile.
"Since you seem to know why I am here could you show me what I need to know? Oh and why I am still like this? Shouldn't I be back to my real self when I am here?"
"No, it doesn't work that way. You can't learn magic in your old form. You would be unable to grasp it." She said and pulled like ten heavy books on top of the counter.
"Here is what you wanted, if you need anything I'll be in the back." She replied and pointed at the door behind the counter.
"Thanks I guess." I said
"I almost forgot. Take these." She handed me her glasses.
"I don't need those." I replied taking some of the books.
"Trust me! You will thank me latter. You have red eyes which are extremely sensitive to artificial light.
"Alright then." I said and took the books to a table in the hall.
The library was well-lit thanks to those big windows. It looked really old. It had an almost ghostlike presence to it. I laid the books on the table and sat on the chair next to it. Library shelves were towering over me like silent watchers who guarded this place. The cover of the first book was labeled: 1 Basics of magic and mana terminology - knowledge behind the myth. It was thick. Luckily I am a quick reader. It was really weird but I could understand what was written there even if it was impossible to be true. It spoke about what mana is, how it is used. How it is recharged and replenished. For an example if I was to drain myself totally out of mana my hair would go white as the result of an chemical reaction of mana residue that is left when user tries to tap an empty reserve. It also said that great sources of mana may be strong emotions and happy memories. There were whole chapters describing how to handle mana. How to shape it and control it so it doesn't backfire and go wild.
Number two was labeled Girl Just Face It.
"What the heck how did this get here." I put the book aside and continued with number 3 which I discovered was blank.
"Ok, ok I'll read it." I yelled.
When leafed thru it I encountered an interesting passage. "That time of the month." I knew this stuff well cause Jenn was always grumpy about it. It said that I can't use my magic at that time. There were whole sections dedicated to hair care etc. For example there was described how to comb your hair in the right way for it to be always shiny and strong. There was lots of stuff I had no clue about before.
Number 3 title was The Attire of a Sorceress. There were different things explained, for example the headband I was wearing protected me from mind altering and control spells. The dagger that I had was there for various reasons. Starting with that time of the month for self-defense, and ending with some incantations and rituals linked to blood and such. Gems were presented as reservoirs of mana and magic capacity extenders. An extra chapter was dedicated to demon blood talismans. I seemed to be missing number 4 so I took 1 to 3 back to the counter and returned with the rest of the books.
Number 4 was White healing magic. There I learned basic healing and restoration spells. I didn't care about it that much. I knew it would come in handy to know but it was really boring and mundane.
5 Shamanism and elemental magic. There was lots and lots of magic, from which I recognized Fireball that I had already used once. Accept that. I found Ra Tilt, Freeze Arrow, Levitation and Raywing which got me excited. These would be really useful to me. Dill Brand for earth magic and Digger Volt which was electric attack. I really liked fire spells like Blast Bomb or Fire Lance. There were lots of other useful spells.
6 Was inscribed with the title Black Arts. It held Lina's trademark spells: Dragon Slave, Ragna Blade and Giga Slave with lots of others. I made a mental mark to not use the Giga Slave ever. There were lots of less destructive and more precisely aimed spells in this category too. For example Dark Claw and Dynast Brass or Ferrous Bleed.
7 Talisman creation and location system. This volume explained how to find lost things or people. This might be really useful I thought. Could make some money with this.
8 Wards and protection spells.The book contained spells like Windy Shield or Vas Gluudo. When I dropped the books at the counter Lina the librarian was there.
"So did you find what you wanted?" She grinned.
"Yeah I think I found more than I hoped for. By the way will I see you again?"
"It is not entirely impossible if you need to you can meditate and reach me."
"Thank you then. I'll be going now." I turned and headed to the exit. I turned my head again to the counter as I stepped out of the door and saw white emptiness there. I woke up and heard the voices of my friends.
"Hey what d'you mean you gave her weed and she passed out? Amy questioned Pete.
"Hey look she's awake." Pete informed them
"You are not off the hook yet." Jenn quickly rushed to me. "Are you mad? You try anything like this again and I will kill you. I almost died with worrying about you."
"Hey take it easy Gourry my head hurts like it was stomped on by elephant. Anyway what time is it? Heck I am hungry!" I said and brushed hair off my face.
"Wait a minute! Did I just speak to Jenn as Gourry?" I can have a bit fun with that, I thought.
"Here Luke! We all already ate." Said Pete and handed me an apple.
"Luke? Who are you talking about. My name is Lina, and who are you anyway?" I took the apple and started eating. This was hilarious.
"I am your friend Peter remember? Here is Amy and Jenn." He pointed at them.
"I don't know what you talking about, I don't know you two and this is Gourry a self-sworn protector of mine."
"You think it is the weed or the magic?" Peter asked.
"Hard to say." Amy replied. Jenn looked shocked.
"Hey hey hey. Got you all." I exclaimed laughing.
Jenn jumped at me and pushed me to the ground by my shoulders.
"Don't do this to me you idiot I thought you lost it!" I still held apple in my teeth as he pinned me to the ground. I reached with my hand and grabbed the apple so I could speak.
"Want a bite?" I offered him the apple. We all laughed as Jenn lifted me up.
"You didnt need to be that rough, did you? By the way it worked I now have all the knowledge I need I just need to try it out. You should all be able to access this just by deep meditation." I told them as I finished the apple and brushed some dirt off myself.
"Hell I am sweaty I must have sweated like a pig thru the night." I was right, I hadn't noticed it before but I smelled kind of like Jenn after long run on the beach in the morning. Kind of a sweet smell. I remembered I liked it when Jenn smelled like this now I couldn't stand it.
"Hey Jenn how do I smell to you?"
"What a weird thing to say Luke." Said a smiling Pete. I shot a glare at him that could kill and he stopped instantly.
"Kind of nice actually, sweet and a bit sexy." Jenn replied sniffing at my neck.
"That is what I was afraid of. The change is messing with our heads." I stated while pulling away from Jenn.
"So you are ok then. You only switched roles." Amy mused.
"Ok is not the right way to put it. I am not exactly ok with the fact that my girlfriend slash boyfriend finds me sexy like this! I mean what comes next? I will look at guys? Anyway its about time we got moving. The sooner we get to a city, the sooner I can get a bath and decent food." I said determined.
"I'll be right back." I said and shouted "Levitation!" Surprised that it worked I darted up over the crowns of the trees. I rose higher and looked around. It was really nice feeling to float in the air, nothing restraining me, no harness or solid ground supporting me. I rose even higher, then I noticed a settlement near a river. I took out my camera and zoomed in. It looked like a medieval city. I took a picture and pulled out my phone which I turned on. The city was located on the south-west from my current location something like 15 miles away.. I turned off my phone again and slowly dropped back to the ground.
"Hey that is amazing. Could you teach us that?" Amy said jealously.
"Maybe. We can try it later. I saw a city southwest. And hold your pants. It is medieval kind of. We are not in our world anymore." I took out the camera and showed them the picture.
"I envy you Luke. It has to be wonderful to fly like that." Jenn pointed out.
"It is even better. You can feel the breeze and power going thru you. Kind of a thrill looking around."
"It's long time since I saw you this lively and carefree Luke. It is good to know you are still bit like that." Pete's nostalgia was showing.
"It is like I am totally different person learning the basics again. Speaking of which - Lords of Darkness of the Four worlds I call upon you." I started the activation sequence. I Could feel the raw power and my magic capacity increasing. It felt like I grew half a meter in size.
"What the hell!" Pete exclaimed.
"Grant me all the power that you possess!" As I finished the sequence All four talismans lighted up in sequence. This caused me to get a shark-like smile across my face.
"Lord of the Dreams that Terrify, Sword of Cold and Darkness, free yourself from the heavens' bonds." I got smacked to the head by Jenn which interrupted my concentration and the spell failed to be cast.
"Don't cast Ragna blade just for fun!" Jenn said, looking mad.
"I... I just wanted to see if I can do it. I wanted to find my limits." I looked disappointed at Jenn.
"What is Ragna Blade?" Asked confused Amy.
"A spell that summons a sword of darkness that can cut thru anything. One of the most power draining and dangerous spells after Giga Slave." Jenn informed the others.
"You overreacted Jenn, I could do it safely."
"You don't know that. You should know this spell comes with a price."
"What price Jenn?" Pete was almost afraid to ask.
"The person casting it must be a master sorcerer or sorceress. It requires great deal of concentration and willpower to control the blade. This spell also hurts its users if it is cast for longer periods of time or several times close together." Jenn informed the others.
"I know that," I said, "I would drop it instantly if I managed to cast it successfully."
"Please just try to control your powers. As they say with great powers comes great responsibility. It is here exactly for these situations. Do you want to draw too much attention from local authorities? People will start rumors that you are a killer bandit and enemy of all who live if you keep going like this." Jenn lectured me.
"I got the picture Jenn I will keep a low profile but I need to practice my skills or at least see what I can do."
"I understand this but you have to start small. Please Luke do it for me."
"Alright Jenn I will try. But don't expect me to stand back when someone attacks any of you. They will get no mercy, and there will be no regrets. Anyway, let's go I can't wait to get a proper meal." I headed in the direction of that city I saw from the air.
"You know we teased you at the con, but now I can clearly see that you are really a lot like her." Jenn smiled.
We were on our way to the city. As before we took a few pictures on our way. It was a long way but when we got to the outskirts of the city it was even clearer that this was not our world.
Special thanks to Podracer for excellent proofreading.
"So are we clear? We need to stick to our plan. From now on call me Lina." I informed the rest to be sure we wouldn't put our foot in it.
"Sure thing Lina." Pete joked. My eye twitched a bit, thanks to this remark but I had to take it. I had to get used to this name, well at least for a while. The city looked a little dirty. The main streets were paved with cobblestones but the rest were plain dirt roads. There weren't any buildings taller than 2 stories and the city was full of trees. The only high building was what appeared to be city hall. We walked thru some kind of marketplace. There were lots of fruit and vegetable stands. Some of it I never saw before. I decided to take a closer look at one fruit stand. The merchant noticed me and turned his attention to us.
"Here young lady want to try some? They are only 2 nickel pieces each." The merchant held a strange looking fruit for me to see. He was young almost too young to be selling at a marketplace, like 17 or so. It occurred to me after a moment that he was referring to me.
"Well, I don't know." I replied.
"I have only gold pieces. And I never even saw this fruit before."
"Here then take this one for free for a little try. I assure you they are good, sweet and really healthy. They come from a neighboring town where they grow them." He handed me a piece of the fruit on small plate.
"Why not. Thank you." I took the fruit and tasted it. It really was sweet, it tasted like a strawberry and smelled like orange or some citrus.
"I'll take 5 if you don't mind me paying with gold."
"Not at all I have change." I handed him the gold piece that I took out of my pocket, where I put those few back in the forest. The merchant sifted thru the change and gave me what looked like 9 copper pieces, 9 brass and 9 silver.
"Here you go lady. Pick which ones you like best." He told me as I was putting local currencies in my pocket. I picked ones that looked good and gave each their fruit which left me with 2 for me.
"May I ask sir where I could buy some money pouches or something like that." I asked the merchant boy.
"Go straight to the fifth stall from me in this row he has some nice goods. May I ask what is your name? You don't look like you are from around here." The merchant tried to be familiar.
"Me? My name is Lina. Lina Inverse and you are right we are travelers from far away." I informed him to be polite.
"Well miss Inverse, since you are not from around here please be safe and try to avoid staying in the open after nightfall. There are some bad types roaming this city after dark not to mention some wild and dangerous animals which come here from time to time. Also as someone who pays with gold you should be careful and avoid bandits."
"I can take care of her." Jenn stepped in and put a hand on my shoulder.
"Ohh I see your boyfriend is a swordsman. Then I guess you are safe." The merchant said with a smile.
"No he isn't my boyfriend. Anyway thanks for warning it might come in handy. Sorry but we have to go now." I said blushing. I had actually wanted to say "My girlfriend!" for a moment.
"Take care and come again." Said the merchant as we headed for that next shop.
"Hey Lina I think he liked you. If Gourry didn't step in who knows what might have happened." Said a smiling Peter as he munched on his strawberry-orange. This caused me to stop my thoughts and think about it for while. Did Jenn really do this to get him off my back?
"Don't be ridiculous. He was just being nice that is all." I shot back. We then came to the stand that young merchant talked about. There were lots of purses and pouches on display.
"Greetings travelers." The merchant spoke as saw us walking up to his stand.
"Hi. I would like to buy some money pouches for me and my friends."
"Pouch? For nice young lady like you? Here look at these purses they would suit you better." He pointed at the huge variety on the left side where were displayed lots of colorful purses. For a moment I thought I would correct him but I remembered to stay in character and accepted his advice. Those purses looked really nice I had an eye on a pink and yellow one.
"I think I like this one." I picked it up.
"Excellent choice this one is made from really fine material and the color complements your outfit."
"Please the rest of you. Pick what you like don't be shy and come closer. I see you visited my friend Jake. He sells these tasty fruits really cheap like 4 nickel pieces. They are really good too." The merchant noticed me holding one more fruit in my gloved hand.
"I'll take this one." Peter picked a black pouch with a golden lining. Jenn picked a blue velvety pouch and Amy a green purse.
"So. How much?" I asked curiously eying the merchant.
"3 copper each." I handed him two brass pieces and he returned me 8 copper.
"Thank you very much. By any chance would you know a good inn and restaurant here?" I asked.
"There is a great inn near the town hall. It is called The Sleeping Giant you can't miss the sign. As for a restaurant I heard that Pale Gazelle tavern is really good, and it is close to the town hall too."
"Thank you sir. We need to be going so take care." We said our goodbyes and headed out in the direction of the tallest building in town.
"See you around and come again." We turned toward the town hall in distance and walked our way along the street. I saw Peter wanting to say something so I raised a finger and warned him.
"If you are going to say that this one liked me to I am going to fireball you city or not."
"No not at all but a sure thing is that this Jake guy really liked you. He gave you a half price discount." Peter teased me.
"I can't help it that some guys go for me. Should I roll few times in the mud or what?" I defended my point of view.
"No of course not he was just making an observation. Weren't you Ranma?" Jenn helped him out of the hole he dug himself into.
"Of course he was!" I muttered. We walked like 20 minutes along the street and I took a few pictures with the camera covered by my cloak so none would notice it. Then we arrived at the Pale Gazelle. We eagerly entered to find the place almost full of people. We managed to find a free table for four and sat down.
"Look! They have some strange meals here. But also some familiar." Amy said as she scanned thru the menu.
"Yeah I will try that salmon with potatoes. So what did you pick Gourry?" I wondered.
"Not much really I think I'll go with a steak." Jenn replied with a puzzled look. When a waitress came Peter gave our orders and added a beer for us all. I stopped the waitress and corrected our order. Fish and beer is not good so I ordered some white wine.
"You developed some more sophisticated tastes Lina didn't you?" Pete felt ashamed that he ordered beer with fish.
"For your information, I liked to eat good food before all this. We can afford it and I kind of enjoy this. I know you will have a few funny comments about this, but this world has something romantic in it. I mean look around it is nothing like the dark ages back home. People are nice here. Streets are mostly clean. I'm enjoying a little pause from my busy life filled with technology. Rushing ahead and feeling your life slipping thru your fingers slowly. I was sick of it sometimes. This is something like a gift for me, I longed for something different except not exactly like this." I gestured to my chest.
"Look at this place. Did you see anyone rushing about for no reason here like back at home? I have felt more alive in these two days than back at home in two years."
"Lina I didn't know you were such a romantic. At least you never said anything about this. Not even to me." Jenn was surprised and little shocked.
"I thought you would think me strange. Don't take me the wrong way, I like my life back home, but I longed for something more, something different, more exciting." I said with passion in my voice and a glitter in my eyes.
"I know what you mean I kind of like it here too. You are right that it is romantic here."
"As much as I like it here we should find our way back home as soon as possible. I don't want to stay like this longer than necessary. I don't like those looks I am getting. On top of that my bra is digging a trench in my shoulders. If this goes on for much longer I'll blast this city.
"Ok then what is your plan?" Asked Jenn toying with the menu in his hands.
"I don't know. We should find that inn but I don't want to check in, it is still early we should look around the town." I said drinking a bit of the wine that the waitress brought a few moments ago.
"Maybe we could visit a bathhouse, hot springs or such." Amy proposed.
"I would like to go check the local library or some place where maps are kept. We should figure out what next." Added Jenn.
"Ok then we will look for a library and figure out if there are some hot springs in this place. I could really use a soak in nice warm hot spring right now. What about you Ranma where would you like to go?"
"Maybe we could find some mage or elder who could tell us about magic and how could we end up like this and why here."
"That depends. Magic could be a big deal here. I mean I am yet to see some sign that someone here can do magic." I said thinking about it.
"Hey lady I would like to order 4 more dishes and some dessert please!" I called at the waitress.
"Don't eat that much you will get sick!" Jenn tried to stop me.
"I am hungry and I have a fast metabolism. Magic also burns lots of calories you know."
"Ok then but eat a little slower at least." Jenn tried to slow me down which had no effect.
"Do you think I could taste a bit of that steak Gourry? I will give you a bit of my salmon it is really good. Want a taste?" I tried to haggle with Jenn.
"Ok then we got a deal. I am also surprised this steak tastes so good." Jenn sliced a piece of steak and handed me his fork with it.
"Really it is." I said as I tasted it. In return I gave her piece of salmon with some vegetable.
"That salmon is really fresh. You also made a good call with that wine it really wouldn't go well with beer."
"Exactly. This fish demands something more sophisticated than beer. I have a theory about this freshness. I guess that is because there are no fridges like home so everything has to be fresh. One of the advantages of this world I guess.
"You are adorable you two." Amy said with a dreamy look. I thought Pete would have something to say to but he managed to keep quiet. After we had our lunch I paid for us and we went on to find the library. Exiting the tavern I saw two men dressed in armor and with swords walking by down the street like they were on some kind of guard duty or something.
"Hey you guys d'you think that they are local town guards?"
"Maybe Lina but don't provoke them." Jenn tried to stop me. It was too late. I strolled to the guards and knocked on one's his shoulder.
"Hey sir. Could I ask a question?"
"What the hell." He said as he turned.
"Oh just a little girl. What would you like to know?"
"First don't call me little and second, does this town have a library?"
"I am sorry you took me by surprise, I apologize. We have a city library next to the hall. The big building on the left. Ordinary people usually can't go in freely though. What d'you want to look up there?"
"Some maps maybe some magical knowledge and such. We were stranded here by some wild magic and we wish to get home." I informed the guard hoping that he will grant us access.
"Well it isn't normal but I could help you get in. Here take this and tell them that Jelico gave it to you as a proof that you are allowed to pass into the library. Leave it with the librarian I will pick it up later." He gave me a badge with a crest from his pocket.
"Thank you sir. One more thing. Does this city have a bathhouse or hot springs?"
"Well there is an inn on the edge of the city that has hot springs but it is dangerous there. We dealt with lot of animal attacks there."
"Thank you again. Here take this for your trouble." I handed him two silver piece as a reward.
"Thanks lady. I hope you can get back home safely. I need to be going now. Good luck to you all."
"Well he seemed nice." Said Amy. We went around the hall when we spotted a tailor shop.
"Hey you two you need better clothes and boots. Go and take a look here each take two gold pieces this should be enough. Gourry and I will check this cake shop next to it."
"What is wrong with my clothes." Peter asked irritated.
"What? you can't travel around here like this you would get tired easily and they will get destroyed soon anyway. Look at me. These are traveling clothes get something like I have."
"You have a point Lina. We will look something up. But pink is not my color." Pete replied. This caused my eye to twitch when I remembered what color they assigned to Lina in the mages guild. They wanted to taunt her by assigning her this colour.
"Good. Keep the rest. We'll divide our money in that inn anyway. And just for your information it isn't pink. It is maroon. We will be right here outside near that shop." I called back to them and went after Jenn looking thru the shop window.
"Which one looks the best to you. The pineapple one?" I replied drooling over the glass.
"I agree let's eat." I said as we stormed in. In a few minutes we were out each one holding portions of this delicious cake and munching it hungrily. After like half an hour Amy and Peter emerged from the shop in different clothes. Instead of a sailor school uniform Amy wore brown knee length boots with dark red tight pants with yellow shirt over it. Peter on the other hand wore dark green shirt with brown pants and black knee high boots.
"That is more like it. You finally look like you are from here. Want a cake?" I asked as I extended my hand with the plate on which were the last pieces of cake.
"Hell yeah." Amy exclaimed and hurried to us.
"Hey lighten up Ranma. And take some cake. You should have got something pink though." I said winking.
"Or maroon." He groaned.
"What is wrong?" Jenn asked him.
"Not much only I hate these boots they didn't have anything more normal."
"Guess why? They are so high because of snakes. I wonder why we never saw any on our way here. I bet this world has to be full of them. You just need to get used to them. Think of them as of cowboy boots."
"Nice thought Jenn it will help me sleep better" I said sarcastically.
"You might be right Jenn. That is actually reasonable explanation." Amy said.
"I don't complain about mine and they bug me like hell especially that low heel. Hey lighten up It is not like you have these. Not yet anyway." I grabbed at my chest to make a point.
"Are you trying to lighten me up or bring me down?" Asked Peter smirking.
"Let's go we need to hit the library and then the inn before nightfall." Jenn informed us. We walked on, and I took out the picture of my family I had in the back of my phone case. I wanted to make sure I still had it. I felt really silly looking at me on the picture and holding it in my gloved hand looking down past my breasts. A gust of wind blew it out of my hand.
"Damn!" I yelled. It rose higher and settled on a rooftop near us.
"Just my luck. Levitation!" I shouted and darted up in the direction of the runaway picture.
"What got into her?" Pete asked the others. Finally I managed to retrieve it. I flew back to my friends. Villagers didn't seem to be surprised that I can cast magic, they were just taken off guard that I could do it so carelessly.
"I don't know what I would do if I lost it."
"What is it?" Amy asked looking closer.
"Picture of me and my family with Jenn next to the Christmas tree."
"I remember this it was the first year we were together." Jenn took it out of my extended hand.
"Yeah when I am down it can remind me of the good times." I took it back and put it back in my pocket. We walked like 2 minutes around the town hall when we saw a door and up on the wall next to them was written in big letters "Library". We knocked and nothing happened. We knocked much harder and voice from behind the door yelled back.
"I am coming just wait a minute. Geez." A small hatch opened in the door and some old guy looked out.
"Who is it that disturbs my sleep?"
"We are sorry sir but we need to see some maps you might have and ask you few things." I said politely.
"No civilians allowed sorry." He closed that small opening. I knocked again so hard that I freed some dust out of the doors planks.
"I said no civilians are allowed. He yelled back thru the hatch he opened again. I silenced him with the badge.
"Jelico allowed us access."
"You could have stolen it."
"Then I have this." I brought a fireball up in my other hand so he could see it.
"Oh - magician. Then that is different, come in. Do you have any guild clearance?" I showed him the fireball again.
"I see." He said opening the door. I extinguished the fireball and we entered the room. It was an old looking place with stone walls and floor. There were lots of books in the big room behind him.
"So what would you want to know young one." He asked as he invited us to go further and sit around a table.
"We need to look at some books about this region, some maps that lead to major cities. Also some magic on moving between worlds would be great."
"Oh so you are travelers. I have some maps here. It is a shame but I never heard anything about travel between worlds though. Mages guild in our capital city could be helpful." Then he brought us a map that would lead us to the capital city as he later explained.
"Thanks old man." I said as I winked at Amy to distract the guy so I could snap a picture of the map.
Luckily she did get the point and knocked over a few books near the shelves.
"Oh no I am terribly so sorry I must have knocked them when I turned." Amy said creating a diversion for me. I quickly snapped a picture and hid the camera.
"Thank you very much for your trouble sir I think we have found what we needed. We need to be going now so we get to the inn in time before nightfall." I said turning to exit and leaving the crest given to me on top of the table.
"So soon? Well I wish you the best of luck on your journey. I hope you find your way home." With that we left the library and headed to the inn which had those nice hot springs. It was almost 30 minutes of walk to the inn but we managed to find it. The place looked really nice and almost like a luxury hotel.
"Is anyone in here?" Pete shouted standing in front of empty reception.
"I'll be right there." Replied a voice from behind the wall. And soon came out a really nice lady in her thirties to greet us.
"We would like to book 4 rooms for tonight." I informed her politely.
"I am sorry we have only two. It should be ok, each has two beds if you don't mind sharing the rooms."
"Well I guess we'll take it" Replied Jenn.
"Excellent. I will show you to your rooms. Follow me! We have also hot springs here even though I don't suggest you use them this late it could be bit dangerous. There might be wild animals roaming around." She said as she lead us thru the corridor.
"I think we can handle few animals. We will try the springs thank you for your advice." I replied with a grin.
"Very well then. Here is your room ladies as for you two gentlemen, here follow me." She handed us the key and walked further down the corridor. I almost followed with them when Amy grabbed my cape and pulled me inside the room.
"Hey come here where were you going? You sleep here with me. You are a girl now have you forgotten?"
"Totally. Thanks Amy." I sat on one bed inside the room. I picked the one near the window. It was a well-furnished room. Blankets looked nice and clean. There was a wardrobe. And some candles on night stands. A full-length mirror stood next to the closet.
"Hey I never had a chance to look at myself like this. Except in the reflection back in the forest." I exclaimed as I rushed to the mirror. I really looked like Lina. I even had those spots on my forehead. Then I noticed my earrings were not clip-on anymore. My perfect complexion didn't even need any makeup, it looked even better than in that pond reflection. Noticeable was the emptiness on my throat left by disappearance of my Adam's apple. My waist was really narrow. I unclasped the pin and took off that armor and cape, putting it in the closet and sat on my bed.
"What a relief to have this off my shoulders." I said relaxed.
"Don't stop now we have to get ready for those hot springs. Get undressed." Amy said as she started to undress herself. Which made me a little uneasy.
"Hey Luke! Come on do you want that bath or not? Let's go, come on chop chop."
"It is just that I feel little uncomfortable like this. I might have a girls body but I ain't one. I am still me mostly." I tried to explain. Which I couldn't fully.
"Here! Feel anything?" Amy walked to me and put my hand on her breast. Which caused me to? What...?
"Feel any familiar feeling?" Amy said expecting what I was just figuring out.
"That is creepy! I feel nothing special. I don't even want to think about what it means." I said shocked and looking concerned.
"I don't know." She replied placing her hand on my breast.
"Hey!" I yelled brushing her hand away.
"So?"
"So what?" I said blushing deeply.
"Aaahha! So you are not being completely honest."
"Ok you got me. I didn't want to admit it but I think I might still like girls. I just didn't want to tell because this is awkward. The way my body responds is freaking me out."
"Ok your choice but you should get it figured out. Here put this on and hurry. I hope it fits." Amy tossed to me what looked like two piece swimsuit.
"Where did you get this? I asked surprised.
"In the shop before. I hope I got the size right." Amy said and started to dress herself in bathing suit she bought for herself. I got undressed and was surprised to find that swimsuit fit me perfectly. Well not perfectly. My breasts were a little big but it wasn't too noticeable they were just pushed up by the top. It was pink with yellow and white stripes. I looked in the mirror and saw what I wished for few times when I was watching Slayers. Lina Inverse in a sexy swimsuit. Only wrong thing was that it was me reflected in the mirror.
"Interesting! I would never have guessed that those clothes of yours make your breasts look smaller.
"Or this swimsuit makes them look bigger." I said folding my clothes on the chair next to the table.
"Anyway, after you are done admiring yourself, put a towel around you like I have." I put my bandana higher and bound my hair with it so I don't soak it that much, like I saw Lina do in anime.
"Ok ready? Let's go!"
"I wonder where the others are." Amy said, as exiting our room she almost bumped into Jenn. .
"Hey we were just wondering where you were." Amy said surprised.
"You look hot." Peter said.
"Just wait till we throw off those towels. Lina is really hot." Amy said .
"Hey guys!" I said exiting the room and fixing the towel around me. They were wearing swimming trunks. Pete had to buy them like Amy did.
"Gourry you look so..." I said but being interrupted by Jenn.
"Let's go find those springs shall we?" He said blushing. When Jenn turned and walked around the corridor I caught Amy by the towel
"This is freaking me out. I might go for boys too now." I whispered to her. She just smiled holding back a laugh. We walked down the corridor when we arrived at a steamy area with sliding doors. No one was there and it was a warm summer night already. We opened the door and there they were steaming hot springs. We threw towels to the bench at the side.
"Wow you are really hot. She wasn't kidding." Said Peter and Jenn in unison.
"Last one in is rotten egg." Shouted Amy and grabbed me by my hand as she rushed to the water. We splashed in and all the effort trying not to soak my hair was useless. Water felt real nice though. It was just the right temperature.
"It is warm don't worry Ranma. You should try out your curse first. When you get a better chance?" I shouted as I almost stumbled. It was long time since I visited a bathhouse and the resistance of the water surprised me.
"You are right, part of me doesn't want to find out thou. I might as well get it over with." Said Pete as he lifted a bucket with cold water and splashed himself.
"It's colddd!" Pete exclaimed in her now female voice.
"Crap! I really have his curse." a now female Peter said. I felt that magic in action as it changed Pete unlike with the rest of us. I couldn't even sense any magic affecting me since I changed to a girl and was transported here, but in him it was a whole other story.
"Hey Ranma would you like me to help you? I might be able to remove your curse." I said as I walked out of water towards the neo-girl.
"You can really do that?" Wondered Pete.
"If you can remove the curse from Ranma could you get us back to our original forms?" Asked Jenn hopefully.
"Sadly no I can't change us back because I don't feel any magic action in the rest of us. I wouldn't know how. It feels like we were always this way. As for Ranma here it is different story. I can remove the curse but it could be safer for him to change back before I try anything." I picked the bucket and filled it from the spring and then doused Pete changing him back to male.
"Come closer and hold my hand." I said and extended my hand towards his. I decided to use the disenchant spell on him. It seemed to work.
"Try the cold once again." I said eyeing Pete curiously. Pete did and contrary to my effort he changed to a girl again.
"I thought you fixed it?" He or rather she said confused.
"That makes the two of us." I tried few probing spells and it gave me a rough answer.
"You are in trouble. The curse is resilient. Every time I get rid of it. It will come back. I can't explain it. One moment it is gone and the next it is back in place."
"Just my luck" Pete said looking depressed."
"On the bright side I might be able to figure it out. Just give me some time." I tried to give some hope to Pete. Jumping back to the spring. I relaxed floating on the surface of the spring face up. It was different than I remembered it. More enjoyable. I was never really a fan of hot springs before all this.
"Thanks anyway." Pete said as he too entered the spring changing back to male.
"Lina could you please wash my hair?" Asked Jenn.
"Ok, ok I will if you wash mine. I still can't get used to this long hair of mine. Shampoo should be on the shelf near the door." I again stepped out of water and sat on the first step as Jenn came with two bottles of shampoo. One with red and one with a blue label.
"The red one smells nice but use blue one on my hair it would be weird if my hair smelled girly now." Jenn said. I washed Jenn's hair. I took off my bandana which I put on the counter and Jenn started washing mine. That red shampoo smelled really nice. Like peaches. Suddenly I felt danger. How and what kind I couldn't tell. I grabbed Jenn and shouted.
"Raywing!" We lifted off just in time to see a big cat like creature splash into the water near to where we were just a seconds ago.
"Hey grab hold of me I need my hands free. Everyone out of water now!" I shouted. As soon as the water was clear I moved in to cast a spell.
"Wind, crimson flame. Grant the power of thunder to my hand! DIGU VOLT!" As soon as I finished lightning shot from my hand to the creature and zapped it dead. I could even smell the O3 in the air after the discharge which ionized the air. Then I felt something grabbing my chest. Not completely unpleasant but.... What am I thinking!
"Hey I told you to grab hold of me but not my chest you scaredy cat!" I said as we landed back at the ground. I approached the creature which looked dead.
"Don't go any closer to it!" Amy shouted.
"It is ok it couldn't survive this much electricity." I said, as I grabbed it's tail and levitated it to the forest behind the spring from which it came from. Then I felt it twitch a little, so I dropped it to a clearing and got myself ready. How could it be still alive was beyond me. It looked like a smaller version of a saber tooth tiger. I took a stance and prepared my flare arrow spell. An arrow of fire instantly appeared in my drawn hand. "Tiger" charged me and I let loose the arrow. It flew right thru the creature and subsided on the impact with ground. The creature fell to the ground this time really dead. There was big hole thru its head and body cauterized by the arrows heat around the sides. I took it by it's tail and threw the body back into the forest.
"Finally we can finish my hair." I said swimming back across the spring.
"You were great! How did you know it would attack?" Asked Peter.
"I just had a hunch and sensed danger. I guess I acted on instinct." I explained.
"Well thank you. You saved our lives. Again." Jenn thanked me.
"You know you can thank me by finishing my hair and washing my back too." I joked lifting the shampoo bottle from the ground. After a while we got bored soaking ourselves and we went to our rooms.
"Hey, meet in half of hour in our room guys we have lot of things to discuss and we need some private place where none can hear us." I told others as we exited the springs area.
"It hurts." I groaned half dressed in our room.
"Hold still I need to comb your hair so it is like before or you will get it all tangled."
"I know, I know but does it have to hurt this much?" I whined thru my clenched teeth, tears in the corners of my eyes.
"It is your hair's fault. There is so much that it makes it hard for me to comb it." As Amy said it I grabbed the side of the table and closed my eyes in pain.
"Here I am done. Check it in the mirror." Amy proudly exclaimed. I stood up thankful it was all over. I had to agree that Amy did a good job. My hair looked better than before. It had more volume and was styled more like Lina's in the Slayers.
"Thank you Amy for your effort but I still think that it is pointless for me to have my hair styled so nicely." I said with my arms crossed over my chest.
"You should get dressed they will be here soon. And you should learn how to comb your hair yourself because you need to do it every morning or it will be messy and tangled." Amy said smiling.
"Right I almost forgot that I told them to come in 30 minutes." I slowly dressed in my clothes and searched the cape for the sack with our money, one last fruit from marketplace and my new purse. I put them on the table still pulling the pants on. It was just in time because minute later Jenn and Pete knocked on our door.
"Come in and close the door." Amy yelled.
"So what was it you wanted Luke?" Pete asked as I was still buttoning my jacket at the top.
"Sit at the table. You too Amy." I said pulling my yellow bra over my breasts. I pulled out my dagger and split the last fruit that was on the table into four pieces.
"Here if you find any seeds put them on the table we will make a killing with this fruit home if we get back." I said as I handed them each a quarter.
"If we can plant it right" Jenn said biting into the fruit.
"Ok, main reason. Take out your money pouches so we can start. We should each have our money and it is best we split it evenly. I counted around 38 gold pieces. which leaves us each with nine gold pieces" I said as I made stacks.
"What with the rest" Pete asked.
"I am glad you asked. I pack them with the seeds. If we get home this is going to be our fortune. Just one of these pieces has extreme value at home. I will keep the gems though I have big plans for them."
"What do you want to do with them?" Jenn asked interested.
"That is a surprise I don't know if I'll be able to do it so you will have to wait and see."
"About that thing back in the forest. Could you help us unlock that knowledge like you said you may be able to? Amy asked.
"I'm not sure but we can try it. You have to learn how to meditate. I will try to guide you but I have no experience with it I used the weed myself but we can try without it." I said with a puzzled look thinking about it.
"I will meditate with you but I am not exactly keen on that. I don't know what I can expect there. I already have all the knowledge I need but the librarian which was a representation of my subconsciousness implied that there might be more just before I woke up." I said with an uncomfortable expression.
"One thing is for sure you can't stick your neck into danger for us all the time, we have to do it you can't always save us." Jenn said with passion.
"Ok, ok, but if this doesn't work I think I can still teach you some magic. Not much but some basic spells might work."
"Really? That would be great. I would really love to try your flying spell." Amy said all dreamy.
"Don't get carried away I don't know if any of you can learn this stuff. I still can't help but feel greatly responsible for this whole mess." I said as I put rest of the gold and few seeds I found inside my cape hidden in the closet.
"So how do we start?" Pete asked impatiently.
"All sit in the circle on this sheet and cross your legs." I told them as I laid sheet from my bed on the floor which was clean but I needed it to feel soft.
"Take off your boots before that." I sat down feeling bit afraid. I had really bad feeling about this in my gut but I went along with it. They would not stop until I tried it with them."
"I never did this before. Weed was much easier. Get comfortable and close your eyes."
"I will try but sitting like this is hard. This is weird I could sit like that before no problem." Jenn complained.
"Yeah and I couldn't do this even if you broke my legs. Remember that one time that you tried to get me into yoga."
"Yeah I guess it is just easier for you now. Your girls body is more flexible than mine." Jenn smiled.
"And that is why you should never force guys to do yoga. I remember I couldn't stand last time I did it."
"You should have tell me this before I sat like this Luke." Peter complained.
"Ok for real now. Calm down and close your eyes. Try to think happy thought and ignore all feelings your body sends to you. Pete if you say you need to go pee I will dragon slave you." We all laughed at this.
"Ok calm down now. Try to find your center and think about what you want to know and learn about yourself. Everyone has to do it for themselves so I will shut up for now." I said as I did this myself. I slowly lost all senses and then slowly regained them. I was standing before a familiar door. It was the door of a small house. It was evening and the sun was setting behind hills full of vineyards. I wanted to knock but I instead I entered, it was open. There was a note on the table.
"Dinner is on the stove and don't be up late. Love you Lina. Signed Luna." Luna? As in my sister? I thought. Wait.. I don't have sister do I? I looked out thru the window. I saw my reflection there. I still looked like Lina but younger. I heated up the meal on stove but there was too much. Did she expect me to eat all of this? Then the door opened.
"We are home!" I heard an older male voice.
"Ohh Lina you are such good girl that you prepared dinner." Said a woman's voice. I turned and saw a man with light brown hair and a woman with fiery red hair. I was stunned but I managed to pull it together.
"No I only heated it up. Luna made it." I said. And thought about this. They must have been Lina's parents.
"Look at your hands. They are singed. Didn't I tell you not to cast spells like this? James take her to the bathroom. And both of you wash your hands. I will finish this." She said as only a mother can say.
"Come on little one said the older man as he patted me on the back. He put his sword on the shelf near the door. The sword looked like a Japanese katana and had weird inscriptions all along it. After we washed our hands and came back dinner was on the table.
"Where is Luna?" the potential mother asked.
"She left a note. I guess she will be working late." I handed her the paper.
"We should stop her, she works really too hard."
"Just let her if she likes to, what is the harm in it." said the man called James.
"Ok then if you think so I will let her."
"Hey Lina I have something for you. I will give it to you after lunch."
"So you really bought it? Even when I told you she is too young for it?" Mom was starting to get angry.
"Calm down. I know she has her magic training but she needs to learn to defend herself without magic." He brushed it off.
"Yeah but not so young." Mom insisted.
"I started my sword lessons at 5. She is well past that."
"Promise you will be careful!"
"Don't worry. What could happen? Unlike you I intend to teach her my art slowly. Not like when you taught her Dragon Slave."
"What should I have done? The Guild is bunch of stubborn, stuck up idiots that would not allow her to see the right scrolls."
"So Lina what do you want? Would you like me to train you in swordsmanship starting tomorrow?"
"Sure I would."
"It is settled then." Said Father. I fixed my eyes on the flame in the fireplace. It was getting brighter. In a weird way. It now shone with an almost overwhelming white light. I was at a door now. Again I knew that door. It was that library. I entered and got a surprise. Instead of a dusty ancient library it was much cleaner here. There were more books. It looked like someone took real good care of this place.
"What happened in this place?" I shouted.
"I cleaned up a bit while you were gone." The same voice replied from behind the counter.
"What happened just before?" I asked confused.
"I gave you part of your memories. A really small part but one of the happy memories of your parents. I mean your Lina parents." She said as she wiped the counter with a duster.
"Why did you give me that memory?"
"Didn't you want it? Was it unpleasant?"
"No of course not it just confused me. Now I am not sure how to feel about that."
"Don't worry when I give you rest of your... I mean Lina's memories you will be alright."
"What if I don't want them? I mean if one memory confused me what would a whole lifetime do to me?"
"Nothing. You will still be you just richer. You will have two lifetimes of experience and knowledge. Don't you want to know how you felt when you managed to cast Dragon Slave for first time?."
"I don't know, maybe."
"Ok then I will give you one more to help decide. If you take it." She then snapped her fingers. One second I was there and then I was flying thru the air. I lost control and almost fell but I managed to recast Levitation just in time.
"Hey Lina what are you doing? Be more careful. Losing control of this kind of spell might be fatal." Said the woman from before as I flew behind her. We arrived at a desolate scarred mountain range.
"I like this place Lina. I can train with my most powerful spells here and no-one minds."
"I can tell. You left quite a mark on this landscape mom."
"Ok we will start. Repeat to me what you learned about Dragon Slave."
"ADark magic spell that lets you borrow the power of Ruby Eye Shabranigdo. It draws on his power."
"Good. Keep this in mind every time you cast it and never forget where that power comes from." Mom insisted.
"I will show you how it is done. Darkness beyond twilight. Crimson beyond blood that flows. Buried in the stream of time is where your power grows ...... DRAGON SLAVE!" As she finished a huge amount of red energy in the kind of shape of a drill bit left her hands and traveled to the mountain range. After a huge explosion there was only rubble from the mountain it had hit.
"Now you Lina." She said, winking at me.
"Darkness beyond twilight." My hands went on their own over my head. "Crimson beyond blood that flows. Buried in the stream of time is where your power grows." It felt like great power building in my grasp. "I pledge myself to conquer all the foes who stand before the mighty gift bestowed in my unworthy hands." I put my hands before me as the power started turning a crimson color. And there it was. "DRAGON SLAVE!". Casting this spell felt incredible. Such an overwhelming quantity of raw power. As the dust settled I was surprised to see that area effected by me was much greater than moms.
"I knew you would surpass me but not this soon Lina. You seem to have talent for black magic and much greater magical capacity than I do." Mom commented. I brushed away a lock of hair in my face. It was white.
"What the hell?" I checked rest of my hair. Thank god only these few hairs were white.
"Mom what is this?" I asked afraid.
"Don't worry it is normal after you drain too much magical energy, your hair will turn gray. No worry though, it will be ok soon it is only bit of physical stress. I have feeling that you might even become of the great mages with powers like this."
"You mean like Rezo?" I asked excited.
"No that is only a blind and dangerous fool. I mean like Lei Magnus." At this I was again pulled from there and I stood back in the library.
"Did you enjoy that?" Lina librarian asked.
"I sort of did. I must admit that."
"Then what is the problem?"
"Problem is I'm kind of getting used to being a girl. I don't mind it that much as before."
"And that is bad?"
"Yes for me it is. I am afraid of it. What will my real parents say? How would they take the fact that they have instead of a son some strange redheaded girl?"
"I think they wouldn't care that much they would still love you even like this. Remember! You can't lie to me! I know what you know. Your mom was really excited to dress you up."
"I know but that was just one time fun. What would all my friends say. What about school and my life?"
"You would manage somehow. I know you would."
"Maybe but I can't imagine how. Anyway. I never ran from anything in my life and I am not going to start now. Let's do it! I will have to deal with whatever happens."
"No regrets later? Promise?" The Librarian said.
"I do swear."
"Alright. One more thing before I entrust my life to you. You will not see me again. I will give you all I can. All my memories. What makes me the person I am."
"I knew you were her!" I said pointing a finger at her.
"I never said I wasn't. I am what you might call soul of Lina Inverse. Everything I can give you is already in you. I am here just for releasing it slowly but I feel you can handle it now.
"We will see. I am going to miss you though."
"Don't lie. You met me only twice."
"Yeah I did but I see something in your eyes."
"What would that be?"
"Concern and honesty"
"Funny. That is exactly what I see in your eyes and more. Get ready. Here it goes."
"I don't feel anything."
"Tell me where did you get these gloves." Then it hit me as she asked. "Mom gave them to me." That wasn't right! Mom never gave me girly gloves.
"Go on." The librarian urged.
"They were a special blend of fire resistant material with mana transfer enhancing properties. She gave them to me after I singed my hands really badly one day. She knew I loved fire spells." It was really weird. I got this bandana from the old sorcerer who used to be our local head of the guild. The earrings were a gift from dad for my twelfth birthday.
"I can remember. I remember everything. My first steps as Lina as I tried to walk for the first time and even all my battles and my friends." When I looked around again I was alone in the library. I will miss her, I thought, leaning on the counter looking at my hands. I sat up on the counter and thought about her. I wanted to ask her so much more. She gave me everything and I didn't even say thank you. I was sad. I looked down at the tiles and the inscription. "Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." Thanks to her I managed to find myself. It was me - Lukas Anderson - but also Lina Inverse as long as I live I will remember this. Even if I managed to change back, if I wanted to. It didn't seem that important to me now. I remembered a spell I loved as a kid. A simple Living Fire spell. I played with it while still sitting on the counter. It cheered me up which I needed after all this. I wonder how the others did? I walked to the door savoring the feel of this place; my footsteps echoing thru the hall. I never noticed my walk sounded like that before. As I walked over that inscription on the floor it disappeared. I closed my eyes and stepped thru the door out of the library not looking back.