I watch with fear clear on my face as the devil woman expertly flings a fine throwing knife once more into the dead center of a ring painted onto a board hanging on the far wall of the room, her sharp teeth bared in a self-satisfied smile.

“remind me not to get on your bad side.” I remark as she retrieves the knife half buried in the wood.

“Thal said the same thing when I started getting good, but it's just a different learning curve to magic, plus I've had more time to practice.” she says, her smile becoming more sheepish.

“Right! Thal was learning magic, so most of his points are in mind. You technically could go for a different build but that would be difficult because you would be starting pretty much from scratch.” she explains.

“I noticed that. magic is most likely what I would have gone for anyway so I'll stick with it.”

“Ok, good. That's also best for if Thal and you switch back.”

“Yeah, that's true.” I say, still unsure how to admit that I don't plan to go back, and with the knowledge that she could kill me from across the room.

Having hit the bullseye every shot for the last twenty minutes, including with her eyes shut, I take the opportunity to bring her attention back to magic. “Were you ready to teach me some more about magic?” I ask

“Hm? Oh, sure. I think I've remembered the basics, Thal talks about it sometimes.”

“I don't know how much you've looked into your menu, but It'll tell you some very basic information. Essentially, spells are the controlled release of mana, shaped by the system.” she begins.

“I looked at what there was, and it seems I can cast a few spells.” I say, holding out a finger and igniting the lesser flame spell I used earlier with a thought. I then imagine a cold area around my hand for the freezing touch spell, and frost forms on the tips of my fingers.

She looks surprised as she responds. “I guess you have his skill, usually it takes a lot of practice to even begin to feel your mana, let alone to cast a spell, even if you've bought it. Speaking of, with every point in mind, you gain ten spell points. Spell points are used to buy spells, turning them into ‘known’ spells. You can't just buy any spell you wish, however. You have to either be shown a spell in detail, or be attacked with it in order to gain the option to buy it. This often means hiring a teacher to learn your first few spells before joining a combat guild to hone them. Thal got a couple spells when a wizard a few years back held a free class to advertise her services. Every new spell you learn will be the weakest version, the next level of the spell is made available when you defeat enough foes, and must be bought with more spell points.”

“I see. Thank you, that's very helpful.” I say appreciatively.

Cinder glances at a tiny window near the small wood burning range, her expression morphing to slightly worried surprise.

“Ah shit, it's past noon. We need to get to the farm.” She says, hurrying to grab my hand and once more pull us out the door. I hope this isn't a habit or my wrists are gonna pay for it.

Following closely, she leads me near to where I first saw the town after finding myself on that cliff.

“I completely forgot we were supposed to be weeding today, have you ever worked a farm?.” she asks.

“I had a window box that I grew some herbs in?” I suggest, showing my meager experience.

After arriving at one of the many farms surrounding the town, we're greeted by a kindly old woman who appears to have the beak and feathers of a chicken. She hands us each a wicker basket, and points us to an unmanned section of the large field that several others are working in different parts of, pulling small plants and throwing them into their own baskets.

Dropping to the almost sandy soil, our knees almost immediately dirty, she begins uprooting small shoots almost indistinguishable from the grass which I know to be wheat.

Cinder slaps the back of my head with her tail. “Don't pull the wheat.”

“How am I meant to tell the difference, most of it looks identical.”

She looks confused for a moment before hitting herself.

“Tap on a piece and think ‘identify’ the system will tell you what it is.”

Doing as she says, a small screen appears.

Wheat (Young) [Information Hidden]

“Oh. That's useful.”

The process slows me down for a moment before I get back into a rhythm and together we reach the end of our rows just as its beginning to grow dark.

exhausted and feeling like my legs are going to give out, we return to the old chicken lady. She takes our baskets, placing each of them one at a time on a scale with a rock on the other side. Cinders haul is a bit larger than mine, but I'm sure my pay will still be sizable, given the time and effort it took. The woman hands Cinder three silver coins and hands me two. Looking at Cinder I realize that I have no idea how much this is worth.

Cinder, understanding the meaning of my look, explains. “This is decent pay for the work. Ten copper makes silver, ten silver makes gold, a hundred gold makes a platinum. Our rent is one gold but Thal and I made that planting the field a week ago, and rent isnt due for another two.”

I nod, still struggling to catch my breath as we start the walk home.

Huh. I think of it as home, that feels… important.

Falling through the door to the dim apartment, I stumble over to the bed, laying down with a groan.

After a moment of resting my aching muscles, I plead. “Please tell me we don't have to do that every day.”

“don't worry, that weeding is just to make sure the young wheat isn't out competed. The field won't need it again. Unfortunately that means we need to find more work.”

“augghh why can we just kill monsters or explore ancient tombs or something. I hate work.” I complain loudly as I hear Cinder Crawling into her cot next to me.

Glancing over to her, I see her looking back at me, her vibrant yellow eyes almost glow in the dim light of the evening. I notice that she changed into a sort of night gown while I was resting.

“Monster hunting is deadly and grave robbing is illegal.” she states matter-of-factly. “We aren't exactly suited to either anyway.”

I sigh, Imagining the grueling world that the common people of this world put up with, and how closely it mimics my own. I can't put up with that laborious monotony. I at least had some fun with software development but manual labor isn't for me. Maybe if I were an engineer I could ‘invent’ some stuff, but alas, I bombed the hell out of that class… fuck it, I'm gonna put my racial trait to use.

Looking away from her, I once more see the paper divider that separates the sleeping area from everything else, admiring the patterns and colors painted upon it.

“This patterning is really pretty, did you do it?” I ask

“Thal did, sh-he really likes painting.”

…

“It's so weird seeing you dressed like that. His clothes, his body, but different in ways I can't describe.” She sighs. “In the back of my mind I keep expecting you to be him. To admit that this was a joke. But it isn't. I miss him.”

I take that in for a moment before deciding on a reply. “maybe I should get my own clothes. I don't know if that would help, I'm sure there isn't much that will, but it might.”

“Yeah, that may be a good idea…”

“Um, good night, Cinder.”

“... goodnight, Lilly.”

I Lay in bed long after I wake up, my muscles feeling the work I put in the day before. Though there was no heavy lifting or running, the constant movement of the repetitive work was enough to work every muscle in my arms and legs.

“Alright, Lilly. Time to get up or they'll close before we get there.” Cinder says, pulling the covers off of me.

“huh? Who'll close?” I ask, sitting up to try and retrieve my stolen blanket.

“we're going to the market for clothes, remember?”

My desire for new clothes outweighing my love of sleep forces me up.

“And you stink, we need to head to the baths after.”

“Oh right, I was wondering how that works.”

“Yup, every Freeday is bath day. We can't exactly afford to go every day so make it count. C’mon.” she says, ushering me to put on my filthy boots which were haphazardly kicked off at the entrance.

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“Freeday?” I ask, pulling on the worn shoes.

“Seventhday, whatever you call it. Let's go.” she moves her tail to pull my wrist, but I grab the bulbous end before she can.

“mmnn~” she lets out the noise before slamming her hands over her mouth, her cheeks turning cherry red against her typical dark maroon. I release the soft appendage immediately, but she simply continues onward out the door rather than acknowledging It. Finding that the best course of action, I follow suit.

Reaching the lobby downstairs, the young man starts a greeting, however Cinder doesn't slow down, continuing into the street.

“Soo, uh. What's the store we’re going to?” I ask

She clears her throat, her skin regaining its typical pigmentation.

“It's a ‘second hand’ store. A lot of folks shop there these days so we need to get in early. They should be opening Now.”

We travel down a few smaller streets, cutting through an alleyway to arrive at a small store nestled between vacant storefronts, with no signs betraying its business. Cinder pulls open the door and we walk in. a couple people meander about, perusing the merchandise while an old, seemingly elven woman smiles kindly, sitting behind a small counter.

“Woah, this place is dead today. maybe we can actually find something nice” Cinder whispers To me. “I'm gonna check out some stuff. All the clothes are the same price so find a few things you like. Not too much though, we're still on a budget.” and with that she walks to another part of the store, leaving me to my own devices.

Seeing the sections of clothes labeled, I head directly to the skirts and dresses section because fuck pants. Most of the clothes are of a similar quality to the ones I'm already wearing, however, leafing through the clothes I find a few made from much nicer materials with far finer weaves. Taking the few nicer ones out, I find a soft, black, floor length dress with short puffy sleeves and a lace collar, a light yellow knee length sundress, and a wine red pleated skirt.

Thoroughly liking what I've found, and not seeing anything else that stands out, I look around to the other signs. Searching through the womens shirts, I find a white blouse with odd frills In places and not seeing anything else I decide to get it. With my arms full, I return to Cinder, finding her with a few pants and shirts of her own, as well as a blue denim overall dress. Looking over her shoulder I see her drooling over a case of knives.

“see something you like?” I ask.

Breaking out of her fixation, she responds. “no, well yes but we can't afford it.” she says, glancing back at a particular Knife, decorated with gold leaf and engraved patterns. “I see you found some clothes. They're so nice, they must have just come in today if they're still here. Let's pay and Head out.”

I expected that we would try on the clothes first but I get a sense that we should hurry. Heading up to the shopkeeper, she counts our clothes, including something which Cinder holds under her arm out of my view, and compliments us on our choices asking for four silver and five copper, which Cinder produces from her coin pouch. The woman then hands her a bag resembling a flour sack to stow away the clothes in.

Exiting the odd shop into the street, I see the wide smile on her face.

“I can't believe we got all this for less than five silver! It's a lot but all this haul would cost ten gold anywhere else!” she bounces giddily. “Oh, and I got you a couple things you'll need. Some for me too, they're so supple and brand new! Thal got that jacket here and I got this sweater, but we never found so many amazing things at once before!” her good mood remains unspoiled by the mention of her friend.

“Alright, let's head to the bath house~” she exclaims, giving me an odd look.

“Wait, this isn't a communal thing like a hot spring where everyone is in one bath is it?” I ask with slight dread.

“Of course not! We’ll have our own bath.”

“Ok, good. Wait, we?”

“Can't afford two, especially with how much we just spent, couldn't pass up those deals though. And no, it's not optional, you smell like a cow.”

“I am a cow?”

“a real cow! probably because that field was full of manure and you didn't even change clothes.”

“Firstly, ick. Second, I didn't know I had other clothes.”

“Of course you, oh I guess I didn't really tell you. Yeah you have some other clothes, nothing as nice as what we just got though so probably won't wear those much.”

We round a corner and arrive at a short stone building near the end of one of the aqueducts that flow into the town. Walking up, Cinder hands one silver coin over to an attendant at the door who leads us through a long hallway of small wooden doors, and finally reaching our room, he opens the door, taps on a symbol on the wall and leaves, shutting us in.

The room is small but it's no closet, a carved bath easily large enough for two sits empty in the center, though begins filling as soon as Cinder taps another symbol on its rim, steaming water flowing from a hole above. A clean comb and a fresh looking bar of soap also lay on the edge of the bath, its minty aroma distinct even from my distance.

I look up to Cinder before immediately averting my eyes, seeing her already beginning to undress. She slips into the tub and starts to comb her hair in the water before I can even recover.

“What are you waiting for? We only get so much time you know.” she says, urging me on.

I slowly slip off my jacket, allowing it to join Cinder's discarded clothes, looking away from her, I continue to undress until all of my spotted skin is uncovered. Looking back at her she's still cleaning her hair.

“I won't stare. You should get in before we run out of time.” she says, not looking up.

I approach the pool of water, covering myself as I step in. The water is thankfully hot and steaming which I prefer. Cinder hands me the comb and I wet my hair, untangling the knots that have formed in the days I've gone without washing it.

“You really should be combing your hair every day, it removes a lot of the dirt.” she states.

“thanks.” I always just brushed my hair in the shower before, but I guess that isn't an option anymore.

I can't help but look at cinder, she clear water hiding little, she's much thinner than myself which I hadn't really noticed under the bulky sweater that she wears. Her frame, while thin, suits her well; her long hair flows down her neck, framing her pretty face. And stopping just short of her- I catch myself staring and quickly avert my eyes. The sudden movement catching her attention, I see her sly smile from the corner of my eye as she sets down the wash cloth she was using to clean her horns. I grab a similar cloth from a small stack and coat it with soap, changing the subject while I start to clean the rest of my body.

“how come when I used identify on those plants it said there was information hidden?” I ask.

“There are skills and classes that let you see more info but it's kinda useless since you can just read about all that stuff.” she elaborates.

“Ah gotcha…” I reply, trying to think of something else to distract my thoughts.

She speaks up again before I can think of another topic.

“Do you like women?” she asks casually.

I must have misheard that, she did not just ask that, no way. I turn a shade more red than I thought was possible, freezing in place with a shocked expression.

“Ah that explains it. Don't worry so much!” she laughs, waving off my concerns.

I slowly regain composure and finish washing myself, now smelling strongly of mint and wintergreen Just as a bell rings.

“Ah shit, time’s almost up.” she says, standing up suddenly, everything laid bare to my eyes. We both get out, and she throws all of our clothes into the water. I'm about to yell at her when I see the water recede despite there being no holes, taking every speck of dirt and muck with it, leaving everything bone dry, including us.

“Woah.” I say, picking up my boots and finding them perfectly cleaned.

“Yup, that's the real reason you wanna bathe here, the runes built into the room make cleaning super easy and you get to do your laundry at the same time.”

Collecting the clothes I Just bought as well as the ones I came in with, Cinder gets my attention, handing me a few articles which I hadn't seen before.

“I figured you'd be more comfortable with these.” she says.

Taking the gift, I see that they're two sets of matching underwear, much like the modern ones I wore in my old world. One set is plain black while the other… Oh, that's what that look was about. Cow print, hilarious.

Pretending I don't see her giggling, I thank her and we start getting dressed. I opt for the black set, and put on my yellow dress over them, making sure that it isn't thin enough to see the darkness through it. Happy with the look, I put on the boots which despite being more rustic don't look too out of place with the outfit, especially once I add the leather jacket, deciding it looks nice and I don't want to carry too much.

Looking to cinder I see that she's also gotten dressed with her new clothes, a pair of black pants with a stretchy cotton t-shirt, and of course her brown sweater.

“Don't you get hot with that on all the time?” I ask.

“Devils are from the hells, a desert where it's as hot as an oven, I'm always kinda cold here but it's where I've always lived, so I'm used to it.”

“I see.”

“Oh right, this is also for you.” she says, picking up the overalls and handing them over. “they're really tough so they're good for working.”

“Thank you, it's really nice.” I nod appreciatively.

After collecting and folding the remaining clothes, Cinder takes the comb and soap, and we exit the small room, heading back out the way we came.

Exiting into the cool spring air, feeling nice and clean and smelling nice for the first time in days, wearing clothes I like, I have a smile on my face the whole way home.

“A nice bath can do wonders, worth every copper.” Cinder says happily. Opening the door to our apartment building. “Good morning, Gaeth!” She greets the man at the food counter.

“Mornin, Cin. Thal” he greets warmly. “I'm outta meat Unfortunately so no carnivora today. But I have some fresh forest snails.”

“Alright, snails it is, also Thal is actually going by their uh middle name now, Lilly.”

The man looks to me and I nod my head in agreement. “Alright, then. your usual Lilly?” he asks. To which I once more nod.

The man makes a bowl of the same seafood Stew I had yesterday, as well as a bowl of seasoned snails still in their shells with lemon wheels. Cinder pays and we head back to our apartment.

“Here's something I've been wondering about.” Cinder says, sitting down with her meal. “Why do you speak common? Shouldn't You have your own language or at least speak human?” She asks.

I look at her confused, lowering the spoonful of delicious soup which I had already begun eating. “I'm speaking english. It's one of thousands of languages in my world, and I was wondering the same thing.” I say, returning to my soup.

“I wonder if it's actually the same language or if it's translation magic. Probably the latter.” she says, pulling a snail from its shell and dipping it into the sauce at the bottom of the bowl.

“One mystery among many.” I say, between mouthfuls.

“True words.” she says before sighing. “We spent way too much today, we’ll head over to the guild halls and see if there are any job postings first thing tomorrow.”

“Actually, uh, where was that baker that you told me about where Thalassa would work. How much could I make there?” I ask.

“No, I shouldn't have even mentioned it, it's a last resort you don't need to do it. I support folks who enjoy that kind of work but I could never and I can't expect you to." She emphasizes her point with a sharp movement of her tail.

“That's my choice, I want to try it out. Maybe I’ll like it, maybe I won't, but I don't want to be a burden to you.” I state.

“You- ok. You’re right, it's your choice. It pays really well. You could make a gold a day easily, more if you were willing to offer… different services, But I would not start with anything like that.”

“Wow, that does pay well, and I'll take your advice on that.” I say, finishing my bowl a moment after Cinder finishes her own

“I'll show you to the bakery first since that'll probably be easier than the other places you could try. Then I’ll go find my own work and come get you afterward.”

“It’s a plan, then.” I say