Dawn felt her back hit the wall as her eyes darted around with nerves, looking at anything other than the girl before her. She felt as if she were standing before a god with her sins laid bare... And there was so much to judge.

Everything about that night was still hazy. But slowly, surely she was remembering, and every new detail just made it worse. Her heart leaped into her throat as she realized she touched her; she groaned and covered her face as she recalled her final, penultimate, cheesy line. She broke out into a strained, manic grin, desperate to do anything to diffuse this unbearably awkward situation.

"Um, listen about last night..."

"Was that because you were drunk? Or do you really like women?"

"Wha-"

Dawn froze, a deer in the headlights as she looked up on reflex and saw Xeri's face. The woman who had been the queen of poker faces now sported a sly smirk, her gaze twinkling like a predator eying its prey. Dawn became a babbling mess as Xeri approached and she retreated as far as she could, pressing herself flat as the smaller girl boxed her in.

"Well?"

"I—"

Dawn yelped, a tingle shooting up her spine as Xeri leaned in and brushed her inner thigh. Dawn whimpered, feeling alternating flashes of hot and cold as Xeri meandered her fingers up and down Dawn's leg; Getting close, so dangerously close to Dawn's... Xeri's mischievous grin widened as she cocked her head and peered up at Dawn's disheveled, flushed face.

"Definitely the latter."

Dawn gave in, she couldn't bear it anymore. Her heart fluttered like a cageful of butterflies as she slid down, lowering herself onto Xeri's—

"If only..."

Xeri sighed as she pulled away, leaving Dawn with nothing but pent up frustration. Dawn thrust herself up, glaring past the sadistic girl as her guilt fueled shame morphed into annoyed chagrin. Her voice trembled as she began to stalk away.

"If all you're going to do is tease me then leave."

Xeri caught her arm as she stormed past, she whirled.

"Let go of me! Let—"

"Don't get me wrong, you are cute. Normally I would fuck you in heartbeat but—"

Dawn's soul fled in shock from the unabashed admission. Xeri let go, sending Dawn stumbling to a knee as she shrugged.

"—we're supposed to work together. I don't want that hanging over us."

Dawn sulked, muttering under her breath as she struggled to look at Xeri straight.

"That was mean though. Why would you even do that if you didn't intend to... to—"

"—fuck you?"

Dawn went beat red and nodded. Xeri let out a chuckle as she stepped over and knelt.

"It's weird. For someone who runs so hot you really can't take it straight. But this? This was payback."

"For what!?"

Xeri rolled her eyes and Dawn jumped back as she thrust two fingers under her gaze.

"One, you flirted with me, in full fucking view of everyone! We're lucky it was busy, otherwise both of our asses would already be exiled or worse. Two—"

Xeri let down a finger and pointed at herself.

"—how do you think I felt when you just sauntered up, sloppy or not, and eyed me with that wild thirst in your eye? Did you think that I didn't feel pent up after that!? So now you get a taste of what I went through. You got a problem with that?"

Dawn half opened her mouth before she closed it. She wanted to argue, but... Dawn pouted as she sighed.

*

"No, not really."

"Good."

Xeri stood, gazing around.

"Well, with that mess resolved I guess it's back to work. How do you feel? Well enough to walk?"

Dawn frowned, still not over what happened as she pushed herself up.

"I think so, but why? Aren't we going to talk about... that? About what just happened between—"

But apparently Xeri was. She yawned, turning away as she began to check her gear.

"No? Like I said, we're potential business partners, it's for the best to let it drop and just... forget about it. So come on, I'll explain things on the way."

And that was it. Xeri strolled away, leaving Dawn with a mess of feelings she had no idea how to deal with. She had never experienced anything like this, someone who actually... Dawn shook her head, trying to cast those feelings away as she hurried after her, following Xeri out into the sweltering, misty halls. Xeri waited for Dawn to lock the door and then nodded, setting off at what seemed to be a leisurely pace for her but was uncomfortably fast for Dawn.

"Alright, so here's the deal. That stupid monkey is hiring me to take you out on requests. You won't do anything but watch, but we still have to get you registered at the guild... as long as you accept that is."

Dawn scrambled, her mind shifting gears as she tried to keep up.

"Why? I mean, can't you... I don't know, just take me somewhere?"

Xeri shook her head, slowing down even further as she noticed Dawn struggling.

"As much as I would like to? No. There's regulations for this, the guild doesn't want us offloading their cut onto some third party. So annoyingly, anyone that goes out with an adventurer has to be one themself or registered with an affiliated guild."

The cool rush of air met them as they exited the steam filled allies onto the busy canalside street. Dawn's brows crossed.

"So we're just... going there? Now? I haven't even agreed to all this!"

Xeri flipped around with a grin and skipped backwards through the crowd, dancing with grace through the throngs of haulers and carts as if she had eyes in the back of her head.

"Mhm, you haven't. But something tells me you'll say yes."

She flipped back around with a wink and Dawn was left trying to calm her rapidly beating heart as they reached a set of wide stairs. It was practically a vertical artery, large enough to fit eight orcs abreast in a continuous run from the very bottom to an undetermined height. Dawn nervously followed Xeri as she joined the press on the designated ascent side of the stairs, worried she would lose track of the small woman if she let her out of her sight for even a second. Dawn shouted, struggling to project her voice above the thunderous din of the footfalls around them.

"But you haven't even told me the cost is yet! What does Bosbie want from me?"

Xeri shrugged, unfazed by the sea of bodies.

"No clue."

"What!? Aren't you supposed to tell me what he wants?"

Xeri turned, glancing at Dawn without missing a step.

"No, I'm supposed to tell you what he expects. Bosbie doesn't work in closed deals. It's supposed to be a give and take."

"Like a favor? Then how am I supposed to know if I'm getting a fair deal?"

Xeri let out a dry, mirthless guffaw.

"Fair? Who said it had to be equal? Last I heard you were the one who needed help and not the other way around. Look, all he expects is for you to do whatever you can when needed. Once. That's more than fair in my book."

On they went up the endless stairs, Dawn huffing as they climbed. Was she really this out of shape? The crowd began to thin the higher up they went, the dull, simple linen tunics and leggings gave way to flowing robes of silk, smart dress coats, and the delicate dresses of high fashion, adorned with vibrant, eye-catching dyes. They reached another floor after an age of climbing and Xeri got off the staircase from hell. She turned, watching with consternation as Dawn shuffled after her, panting, sweat dripping from her brow.

"Are you sure you'll be able to do this? I'll try to protect you but I can't save you if we come against something nasty. You have to be able to run away by yourself, so—"

"I'm fine."

Xeri jumped at Dawn's sudden outburst. She was so... frustrated, beginning to realize her body couldn't do what it used to. She looked up, her eyes going wide as she cast about.

"Where are we?"

It was a large, airy space that was nothing like the cramped floors below. Masonry lined the streets here, which were less like streets and more like sprawling walkways lined with rows of ferns which rustled from droplets of rain that fell from slits far above. In fact, there were entire gardens on this floor, complete with pathways lined with benches, snaking their way through palms and other tropical looking trees she couldn't identify. The entire scene was lit up by metallic lamps topped with hewn crystals that sparkled with a brilliant radiance. Xeri rolled her eyes as she saw Dawn's captivated stare.

"This is the eighth floor, 'the merchants quarter'. It's where all the rich bastards go to shop, and, on a completely related note, where every single fucking guild-house in Gaz'Il is located."

"Wait. The eighth floor?! We climbed that long just to get—"

Dawn stepped and peered over the side. She could barely see the waters of the canal below, obscured by the thick haze of rain. Xeri came over, leaning casually on the railing.

"Yeah, each new floor they added just got taller. Probably because they had more money to waste on enchanted building materials. Anything to keep the rich comfortable after all..."

Dawn smiled, feeling the breeze rustle her hair. She loved high places... as long as they didn't sneak up on her. She gazed down into the glowing waters below, wishing this was an isolated granite mountainside and not some noisy city. Xeri stared at her, hesitating before she spoke.

"You know Dawn, I have to ask. Are you sure you want to do this? I won't question your condition, I'm sure you're tired but... I'm concerned about something else. Adventuring is violent, incredibly so. I heard from Zasil about what happened last night when you saw the Arena. Adventuring can be just as bad. Worse."

Dawn's head snapped up, pushing herself up as she backed away.

"Wait, like the arena? Do you kill people!?"

Xeri rapidly shook her head.

"No, we're not mercenaries. But you're missing the point. Everything is struggling to survive. People, animals, monsters... and fear is always present at the last, desperate final stand. Killing is more often than not messy and brutal. You have to be willing to see that."

Dawn collapsed back onto the railing as she whispered under her breath.

"That's... okay. As long as it's not a person."

Dawn stared off, gazing at the boats that drifted in the waters below. Xeri watched her for a while before she finally pushed back with a sigh.

"If you can follow directions without freezing up, you'll be fine. So, what do you think? That's all I need to cover, so are you in?"

Dawn bit her lip. She was conflicted. A part of her wanted to say yes, to see what an adventurer's life was like; To see what magic, actual magic really was. But...

Dawn sighed.

"No, I'm sorry. I have to focus on surviving. I need money now, not the possibility of it later down the—"

"Did I mention you would get paid?"

Dawn stood in the square, questioning her decisions as she gazed up at the intimidating building. The exterior itself wasn't anything special. It was a four story tall sprawl of stone, framed and cross-hatched by beams of timber, interrupted by deep set, and heavily distorted panes of off color glass.

No, It wasn't the unassuming exterior that made her stop in her tracks. It was what this building was. It was a place she had only imagined made real, filled with all manners of grizzled warriors, and shady rogues. Of cackling wizards and—Xeri let out an exasperated breath.

"Just go in! Trust me, nobody will care. They're all too busy resting or planning with their teams to give a flying fuck who goes in."

Dawn shook her head with certainty.

"No. They'll judge me. I don't belong here, I—"

"By the gods you're so—! Listen, nobody will know. Regular people come to the guild all the time to post requests, just..."

Xeri's patience expired and she grabbed Dawn's wrist. Dawn dug in her heels, her anxiety going through the roof as she was dragged ever closer to that sacred threshold.

"No stop! I'm not ready! I'm not—"

Xeri kicked open the door and threw her inside before stomping in herself. Dawn caught herself and took a sharp breath as a sea of eyes met her. She braced, waiting for the inevitable challenge to prove her right to—At once everyone looked away, the only nod to her existence a few chuckles or a shake of the head. Dawn stood there like a windless sail as Xeri came around and rested her hands on her hips with a huff.

"See? Gods you're so cagey about the weirdest things. Come on."

Xeri whirled and Dawn followed, scanning the room. She couldn't help but feel... disappointed. Instead of a lively room full of shouting, boisterous adventurers, she was met with an atmosphere that felt as if you took the world's most depressing bar and smashed it together in an unholy amalgamation with a DMV. There were no mythical heroes here, no knights in gleaming plate or cocky scoundrels at the center of their own very world... instead it was just a worn down group of souls, tired, regardless if young or old. Dawn felt as if she were at a wake, the din of whispers and irregular coughs putting her on edge as she stepped behind Xeri into a line.

But at least the place looked the part. In fact, take out the depressing occupants and this was exactly what she was expecting. The room was just one giant bar surrounding a central, square receptacle for the receptionists with rows of support timbers and alit hearths radiating a functional rustic charm. There was even a large board off to the side, filled with what she assumed were quests and a merry tune playing softly in the—Dawn frowned.

"Wait, music? How is there—"

Dawn cast about, trying to find the source.

"I think it's coming from over there. Who is..."

Dawn trailed off as she caught sight of the musician, her face going slack. A woman sat alone in a corner, her feet resting upon the table as she leaned back and strummed on a stringed instrument Dawn couldn't identify. She was beautiful. Her sharp, well defined features looked as if they were sculpted, as if they were made of immortal, flawless marble rather than weak and feeble flesh. Her long hair flowed behind her, the pale blond of her roots transitioning to the deep green of leaves at her tips. But everything paled in comparison to what Dawn focused on. The largest, and most unmistakable feature that practically screamed the woman's linage. Dawn stared at the woman's long pointed ears, feeling a sense of... becoming whole as she filled with unrestrained joy. It was an Elf, an actual Elf in the flesh. Dawn shook, resisting the urge to break out in a dance of unbridled joy as she looked upon something her world had only dreamed of. She—

"Dawn!"

"Wha-wa—a, oh?"

The line had already advanced and Xeri stood at the front, pinching the bridge of her nose next to an exasperated receptionist. Dawn shuffled forward, the line behind practically boring holes through her with their piercing glares as she sheepishly waved to the receptionist.

"Ugh hi! So I'm here to—"

The receptionist cut her off, droning in a monotone, tired voice.

"I know. I just need to get your information and you'll be inducted as a provisional novice."

The orc woman adjusted her spectacles as she retrieved a roll of parchment and grabbed an inkpot with a quill sticking out.

"Do you need dictation or can you write?"

"... I can."

She slid over the parchment and inkpot. Dawn fumbled with the quill as she read the paper, which asked for her name, residence (if she had one), next of kin... the normal stuff. The only real difference she could spot from a form from home was a section on her class, level, and skills; including spells, feats, and... nodes? She knocked off the excess ink on the quill and started writing, trying to fill out the form as best she—

"What are you doing?"

Dawn looked up, both Xeri and the receptionist were staring at her as if she was crazy.

"Writing?"

Xeri pointed down at the parchment.

"Sure, but what language is that? That's not Zalanthari."

"Zalan-what? It's English of cour—!"

Dawn paused, squinting at the parchment. The neat print of the form was swimming, like everything she read in this world. Her words were not. Dawn's eyes went wide. She had never really thought about it before but... why could she read and understand everyone perfectly? Dawn let out a nervous chuckle.

"Ah, I just remembered I can't write Zalant-hauri? Yeah..."

Xeri's mouth dropped open, dumbfounded.

"Let me get this straight. You're fluent in Zalanthari, you can read it, but you can only write in this... Anglish?"

"—Yes?"

Xeri drew in her breath as if to shout before she contained herself and whirled away. The receptionist pursed her lips.

"Gods know you can be a fool and still join this guild, most adventurers are. But at the very least don't waste my parchment? Understand?"

"Yeah... sorry."

So, much to the dismay of those behind her, Dawn had to start yet again on her application, this time dictating the information to the orc. It went rather smoothly all things to be considered, the only real hiccup being her birthplace of origin. She wondered if she should just... make something up, but she guessed that using her real hometown would be basically the same. It's not like anyone would know.

"Carson City, Nevada?"

"Yup! So what else do you need from me?"

The receptionist peered up from behind her spectacles, searching Dawn's face before giving a reluctant nod.

"That's all I need for your application. I just need to check one last thing."

Xeri shifted as the orc woman took out a crystalline dodecahedron from a case, the gem glowing with a faint aura of white light. The shapeshifter test? The orc took a needle and proffered it to Dawn.

"A formality. I'll need a drop of your blood Miss Dawn.

Dawn complied and the receptionist rolled her eyes as the gem flashed blue.

"I don't even know why we bother at this point. As if there's any of them left."

Xeri balled a fist, her knuckles going white as the orc put the crystal away and looked back to them.

"Alright, you're now a provisionary member of the guild. Your application fee has been paid. I'm sure your friend will run you through how it works but you can always request a copy of our bylaws on request. Will there be anything else?"

Xeri took a breath, seeming to calm herself before nodding.

"Yeah actually, she needs a standard gear set with some rations. Charge my account for this too. And also..."

Xeri looked up at Dawn, eying her up and down.

"Maybe a bath? And a change of clothes."

Dawn paused, only now remembering her condition as she looked down and blushed from the sorry sight she presented. The orc receptionist consulted some charts and nodded.

"Alright, I'll have everything delivered to... bath twelve. It should be ready in five minutes. Is that it?"

Xeri nodded and dragged Dawn away as the receptionist unceremoniously called for whoever was next in line. Dawn drew up beside her.

"Um, did you just pay for all that? I would feel really bad if—"

Xeri shook her head.

"No, the supplies and application are on the monkey's coin, and don't worry about the bath. It's cheap. Anyways, listen—"

They came to an open door frame and Xeri pointed up a set of stairs as she looked to a strange crystal mounted to the wall, glowing deep emerald.

"—the baths are up here. Take your time. The new requests should be posted soon so I'll give it a shot, but... most likely I won't get anything worthwhile. So after you get out I'll tell you a bit about how things work around here and then you can go rest. Alright?"

"Yeah... thanks."

Xeri nodded, giving her a slight smile before spinning and trotting off. Dawn watched her go and sighed, clutching at her chest. She watched for a few more, lingering seconds before trudging up the stairs into the halls above. The bath took some work to find, losing herself in the plain hallways and going around in circles thanks in no small part to the esoteric numbering system, but it was all worth it. When Dawn found her bath she was taken aback by how... nice it was.

The room was paneled in dark mahogany, lit by the flickering glow of candle light. A deep, grey stone tub sat in the center of the room, letting off wafts of steam that caught the light from a hazy window shadowed by surrounding trees and greenery. Her newest possessions in this world lay by a wooden folding screen, ready for her when she was done.

The tub called to her. Not so much from the feeling of filth but from her aching muscles crying for salvation. She kicked the door shut and ran home the bolt, shedding and tossing her dirted clothes in a haphazard torrent to the floor. She slid into the bath, her head lulling back as the stress and fatigue fled from the heat. She finally had some time where she could relax.

Dawn exited the room a while later, hefting the heavy pack onto her back as she started down the hall. She squirmed, trying to maneuver her ill fitting green tunic into a position where it didn't make her break out into intense, body encompassing itching. It was futile. Dawn frowned as she made her way through the corridors.

"What's that noise?"

There was a roar from up ahead, in the guild hall proper, Dawn made her way down the stairs and her eyes bulged as they fell on pandemonium unleashed. Practically half the room was now crowded around the request board, adventurers fighting to see and the staff fighting to keep the peace. Groups were furiously arguing over the strips of paper, some looking like they were about to come to blows as Dawn spotted her.

Xeri popped out the crowd, rolling a fair distance away before she sprung up, her eyes alit with excitement. She spotted Dawn and rushed over, waving the slip.

"Xeri, what's going on? Why is everybody—"

"Hah I got one! Finally, it's been weeks since I've had something this good."

She skidded to a halt in front of Dawn, panting, her hair looking more like a bird's nest as she gazed up at her.

"Come on! I can only call dibs on a request like this for so long. I'm sorry, but we have to go now!"

Xeri spun, and sped off to the receptionist desk as Dawn stood aghast, filling with sinking horror as she realized this wasn't just going to be a long day.

It was going to be a really long day.