Chester woke with a blooming pain in her ribs and an urgent need to urinate. She fumbled with her bedroll in her urgency to get out of her hammock.
“Closing time, open all the doors and let you out into the world," she sang parting the brambles and letting her out into the predawn forest.
She pulled her panties down with haste, as she desperately looked for a place to piss in the gloom.
It was with much apprehension and pressure that she squatted beside one of the natural bowls made by the exposed roots, trying to situate herself to take her first pee as a woman.
She failed miserably; managing to piss more on her legs and new socks than the ground. Thankfully she had raised her new dress above her waist and had removed her panties.
Gah, what the fuck, I've seen plenty of women manage this before, she mentally cursed. It turns out pissing into the wind is more dangerous as a woman and adjusting to poorly-aimed spray is much harder while squatting.
With a sigh, she did her best to clean herself up with some nearby moss and stood, fixing her dress in place. Ill do better next time, she resolved.
She took a deep and refreshing breath, basking in the first rays of morning light glistening off the dew that coated the ancient forest.
Large trees predominated the area with minimal undergrowth: mostly moss, vines, and ferns under the giants, with thick bushes ruling where there was a break in the cover of the trees overhead. Damn, if the air here isn’t the cleanest I’ve ever breathed, I’ll eat my new panties. On second thought, that might be a terrible idea, since they are indestructible. Talk about a constipation problem.
She sighed contentedly as she breathed in the brisk air.
What a sleep! I don’t remember ever feeling this rested before. She smiled at the clarity of the morning and of her thoughts.
Returning to the tent, she dug out a couple of pieces of the jerky and a few nuts before packing up her sleeping rolls. This time she tied them both to the pack before slinging it on and fastening the waist belt. She fingered the dagger hilt on her hip, chewing her dry breakfast and studying the tranquil surroundings as she waited for the sun to bring more light.
Ini mini miny moe, which way should I go? That moss on the north side of trees thing is complete bullshit, right? Didn’t it actually depend on which way the wind generally blew? Well, in that case, let's just follow the wind! she thought, deciding to follow the slight lean of the smaller moss-backed trees.
Decision made, she reformed her cloak before studying its new splendor in the bright morning light. This thing is like a ghillie suit, she thought. appreciating the randomness of the leaves, vines, and thorns that encased her. Nature spirit is right. I think I can see why that woman might have panicked when seeing me; if they are dangerous and malicious creatures.
Her mind drifted as she set out through the relatively light underbrush, the trees overhead only letting in the barest rays of morning sunlight. The thick carpet of pungent moss largely muted her footfalls and protected her feet. The quiet broken only when she stepped on a branch hidden below.
I wonder what song I should try for my fascinate and charm spell. If content determines effectiveness, I should have something ready that I have mastered. Lots of love songs to choose from though. Let Her Go will be perfect if I just want to get away. I need something that makes them fall for me or at least calms them. What do I actually know? Say Something? No, that’s a breakup song. Hmm, oh shit! That Kate chick made me learn all those Savage Garden songs. Shit, how did it go?
On a whim, she stopped and summoned her guitar, managing it faster this time than on previous attempts.
Trying to play through the song kept her busy, laughing as she tried to remember how Truly Madly Deeply actually went.
It wasn’t until she started getting a firm grip on the material, some of which she fabricated entirely, that she noticed that she had a bit of accompaniment: the singing of birds had returned.
The forest felt more natural and less sinister now, despite no evident differences from where she’d spent the night; other than the birds.
Pausing to take in the chirping and warbles, a grin creased her cheeks. Better, I’m glad I didn’t run into whatever was scaring the birds into silence. I wonder if Freya was looking out for me somehow.
Now, quit making excuses and avoiding the subject you fool, she admonished herself taking a seat with her back against a large tree. Right, but only one a day: face your fears, she reasoned before sighing and saying the dreaded words.
“How do I use Fascinate/Charm?” she asked through gritted teeth once she’d dredged up the courage. The pain was significant but bearable this time, leaving her with a headache for only a few minutes. Fuuck, that sucks, she thought before diving into the new knowledge.
The spell was slightly different from the others. It still employed a complex spell matrix drawing on the surrounding magic in the air but from there it differed from the others. It required her to sing, dance, and use her body in seductive ways to beguile her targets. The whole thing provided a good laugh, as she tried it out, giggling often at her antics.
When she felt satisfied she continued her careful meander through the now less oppressive old-growth forest.
Keeping the same general direction for most of the morning she stopped occasionally to eat a bit more of her ill-gotten gains and rub her sore feet. At least it's not a rainforest. Wet feet would be worse.
There weren’t many animals only the odd rabbit and colorful squirrel-like creatures that she caught flashing glimpses of, and, of course, the multitude of birds. The forest seemed quite peaceful, despite her worries, and she relaxed as the day flowed by. Inspired by her earlier success, she kept herself occupied by trying to remember old songs she hadn’t played in years.
It was because of this distracted state that she didn’t realize she’d stumbled over a grass-covered track until she’d gone a few minutes into the bush on the other side.
Shit, that was a road! s¹he thought, admonishing herself before turning around. Why the hell was I looking for a gravel or asphalt road? I don’t know anything about the technology of this world, other than steam-forging is a thing. She brought up her character sheet to verify the thought. Huh, my singing increased a level, that was quick, or was it? I really need to find friendly people to answer some questions, she thought, studying the road that snaked into the trees and out of sight. She looked one way then the next before shrugging and picking the first and strolling off.
Chester traveled the track for the rest of the day, keeping to the grass in the center to spare her feet the stones in the ruts. The long stretch of path remained quiet and she didn't encounter any travelers.
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The grooves in the road were quite worn and well-used, so she figured she’d been unlucky to not encounter anyone during her day. That or people don't travel this time of year for some reason or rarely use this road. Though there are two grass-free ruts.
As dusk started to settle, her eyes roamed for a place to camp for the night. She finally decided on another tree much like the one the night before. It was a little off the road and a nearby fallen giant provided a neat windbreak.
Setting up like the night before, she dug out something to eat and decided to forgo a fire, eating it cold instead before weaving her tent thick and climbing into a hammock, like the night before.
Sleep wasn’t quick to come despite the activity of the day and the pleasant ache of her muscles. The exercise had distracted her from the discomfort of her cramps but now that she was situated they made themselves known again. The combination of the cramps and her aching feet kept her from sleep.
She contemplated the moss on the ground about her. I wonder how absorbent it would be if I remove most of its moisture? She played around with it, making it thicker and changing its density before finding a consistency she liked. She formed it like a pad she'd seen girlfriends use. Placing it in her panties, she had it hold to the edges with little tendrils. I hope this works; the blood is so annoying.
Her stomach decided to choose that moment to inform her of another need. So, escaping her tent she did her business and the moss found another handy use.
This time once she had settled back into her hammock it wasn’t long before the activity of the day finally claimed her.
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Chester woke in a cold sweat, frustrated with herself.
She had dreamed of her first encounter with Freya.
Chester quietly raged for a minute before gathering her thoughts.
Well, she did hint at possibly having to change me and there is no changing what is, now. At least not anytime soon. I'm a girl now and she made me fine with it, she thought, holding her head in her hands and shaking it.
She took my manhood and gave me indestructible panties. The unbidden thought made her giggle, which broke down into a peal of crying laughter that lasted a few minutes.
I guess I’m still alive. She did save me from certain death then put me here to explore a new world.
Reason had little effect on her new rampant emotions.
Her thoughts drifted for most of the morning as she relaxed and let herself heal a little more before she convinced herself to get up and get a move on.
She sang quietly while dismantling her tent and reforming her cloak about her. The task was getting easier with practice. I’m leaving vine-covered bramble bushes in my wake. Berries for everyone! The random thought cheered her as she donned her pack and covered it in growth as well.
She set off on the road again hopeful that she would find some sign of civilization soon aside from the simple track.
About midday she stopped to rub her feet and eat a bite.
She got thoughtful for a moment, then an idea struck and she sang, willing her cloak to take root and reshape before she did her best to form sandals under her feet. I should’ve done this sooner, she thought while she put her pack down and made her cloak form a sort of basket to disguise it. Completely changing its look. There, now I don’t look so intimidating.
Satisfied, she redonned the pack and continued her trek. Straightening her shoulders, she walked with what she hoped looked like confidence. Her long hair a tangle in the light breeze.
I need to spend some time fixing this mess, she thought while idly running her hand through her mop.
She walked for a while before another thought struck.
I need a weapon of some sort; these daggers are uncomfortable to wield. Maybe I could make myself a walking staff?
Inspired, she approached a nearby tree. It was a huge straight hardwood of some sort. Leaf heavy branches hung low to the clean ground about it.
The road curved around this particular monster likely because the road builders decided it was easier and safer to go around than cut it down. She had never seen or heard of one like it back on Earth, but that was true of many of the trees in this forest.
Wow! It’s huge! I bet it dwarfs even California redwoods in size. Not that I've ever seen one other than in photos. At least some of the branches are low enough to reach, unlike those beasts. She thought as she stood at its base and looked up its length.
I don’t know a song that applies to this situation. Oh, no wait, I know, it’s a bludgeoning weapon.
Then she started singing Sweet Dreams while willing the tree to grow her a staff from a burl in a low branch.
At first the tree resisted, and she had to sing three songs before it had grown to a length she was happy with. It took a half-dozen more songs before she could convince the tree to give up the prize.
In all, it took nearly an hour to complete. Wow, that was hard. I should have just given up and tried another tree or looked for a branch on the ground.
Her thoughts were interrupted then as only moments after it came lose the staff glowed a vibrant green then steel grey before the magic from her spell unraveled and joined with new magic that flowed from the tree.
It spun faster and faster as Chester stood mesmerized, creating a complex spell matrix that settled into the staff in undulating circles of purple light. Then after a few breaths, the staff’s shape started changing.
When the magic finally faded Chester stared at it in shocked disbelief. Instead of the straight stick that she had envisioned. It now had a nob of dense, thin roots on the base and the top had an intricate branch and leaf motif embracing a large amber gem. The middle length was smooth with a green-grey color swirling like age rings on a burl.
A couple of small windows started blinking in the corner of her vision as she appreciated the beautiful stick.
She opened the first and her shock turned into dawning horror and fear.
Name: Green-sprout Ironwood root-staff.
Type: Staff, Bludgeoning
Rank: 3
Rarity: Custom/unique
Properties: Living Ironwood
Durability: 10000/10000
Enchantments: Musical Ease: (This staff has been enchanted to work well with the intended recipient's music.)
A gift, freely given, to a traveler for her gift of beautiful music, magic, and patience.
Thank you for your gift of music. It’s rare a traveler stops to pay respects these days. It’s even rarer to find a kindred spirit in a plant bender.
May my daughter serve you well in your travels.
Be sure to plant her often.
Yhyslimron.
The second message calmed her significantly. I'm an idiot. Dryads equal trees. I’m such a lucky fool. She smacked herself on the forehead.
She stared at the large amber gem on the top of her new stave and sighed. I’ll need to do something about that. Wait, it’s supposed to respond to my music.
She sang to it, sending her will in and it responded eagerly. The motif on the top grew to cover the gem; leaving it to look like an intricate carving but otherwise unremarkable.
I need to think things through more in the future. Or better yet, find someone to teach me. First things first though, find people.
She set off again, her new staff tapping a steady rhythm with her painful steps.
An hour later a sudden high-pitched scream made Chester’s head snap up to the road ahead and she ducked into the brush on the side of the road.
She did her best to follow the trail through the brush keeping herself from sight as she crept forward.
This isn’t working very well, she sighed. The brush along the road was thicker than further in. I need to bite the bullet and take a risk, she thought, stepping back onto the road.
She kept her ears and eyes peeled as she approached the murmur of voices ahead. When she came to a switchback in the track, she heared another scream, this one with fury and pain from deeper in the woods. She ducked behind a tree to listen for another scream. Following the echoing sound led her to a small animal track just as darkness started to fall.
Shit, what do I do? she thought, as she crept forward.
The screaming settled into sobbing whimpers and voices raised in an argument as Chester caught sight of figures moving about a low fire, hidden from the road by a large wagon.
She watched as two men dragged what looked like a furry woman and child off into the brush nearby.
Chester froze and a wave of cold dead anger took hold as she watched one of the men draw a dagger and stab the bigger of their victims in the back before bursting into laughter at another's comment.
The small form also lay still. Not again. Chester closed her eyes as her blood ran cold.
She forced herself to look back at the laughing men and her vision turned white with impotent rage.
Chester took a step back into the forest, a song ready on her lips, and grim determination in her heart.