[Changing to third-person view]
Lavender and Tilly had decided to leave the girls to confront Dave. It wasn't his fault, and he had to be confused, but there was a part of us that knew we all loved him even if she didn't know why or how. Hearing the girls scream Dave's name the first time was ok, but the second time was in a panic.
Lavender and Tilly raced from the bedroom to the bathroom. When they got there, they both gasped and were speechless. Dave was lying on the floor wearing nothing but random bubbles, except for the place where his legs connect with his body. There was a strategically placed pile of bubbles over that area.
"What happened to Darling?" Tilly cried as she raced to Dave's side.
"It all happened so fast. I'm not sure why it ended up like this."
Victoria and Iona explained what had happened while renewing their faded blushes. It seems that after realizing that he was naked, Dave tried to hide like a scared animal. The two girls looked up at her with worried looks. Even Victoria's eyes were starting to become glassy.
"Dave's tougher than he looks. Let's carry him into the room," Lavender suggested.
Iona and Victoria gasped as Lavender and Tilly grabbed Dave's arms legs. Both girls turned away from the sight of Dave being hauled by hand and foot to his room. As the two of them carried Dave inside his room, Lavender's hand slipped, make the back of his head swing into the wooded leg of the sofa.
"THWACK"
-----------------------------------
[Back to the first-person view]
As I came to, I felt floating, mixed with the sway of a hammock. I could feel my wrists and ankles held, but before I could make any more sense of the situation or even open my eyes, one of the hands slipped that was holding my wrists. I felt my body drop and swing to the right, and the back of my head connects with something very hard.
"Argh! Damn, have I been in a fight? My head hurts something," but my ride dropped me before I could finish speaking. "Oof! Come on now, I'll be damaged goods if you keep this up!"
I opened my eyes to see Tilly covering her mouth, but her smiling eyes and twitching tale said it all. Lavender's laughter started from above me, and I looked up to see a slightly blushing and giggling Lavender. Then it all came back to me, and I got up fast, running, and then diving under my covers.
When the laughter died down, I heard Iona and Victoria come into the room. I poked my head out from the blankets to see all four girls talking like he wasn't in the room.
"Is he ok?"
"I think so, but he might have to rest for a bit."
"What made you laugh so hard?"
"The way he fell made him look way too funny?"
"Really? How did it look?"
"All right, leave me be! Let me get some rest!" I shouted from my bed.
Instead, the girls all rushed over. I dove under the covers, but that was the wrong idea. My error was apparent immediately, as the girls each grabbed a corner of my blanket.
Trapped like a wild animal under my blanket, I struggled to think. Four girls had me pinned down, and I was naked. I was about to plead my surrender to my captors, but a set of underwear and socks were tossed in with me as one corner loosened.
I was trying to get my first sock on when the banket flew off me. The girls all stood smiling down at me from the corners of the bed. All had mischievous smiles, and it was then that I noticed a rack of men's clothes not far from my bed along with a mirror.
"What's this?"
"A rack of clothes like I promised Darling,"
"Hmm?"
"Your gonna model for us silly," Lavender teased, but she couldn't hide the genuine excitement she seemed to feel about the idea.
"But come on. I just dove into the bathtub head first, and then you banged my head into something very, very hard," I protested.
"Really? You don't want to, Darling?" Tilly gave me those big round eyes and pouted her lips.
"Kitty, Don't make that face," I stopped for a second as Iona and Vitoria's eye goes large again. Oh boy, here we go again, but they did nothing more, so I continued. "I'll give em a go, but I want you all out of the room while I change. You have all seen more than enough of me today."
They all agreed and left the room. I stood up and walked over to the rack and scanned through the different suits. I groaned inwardly.
The first suit I tried on was noble clothing with a red shirt and white pants. I also came with a twin tail overcoat and some sort of frilly neckpiece. I got the costume halfway on when I had called for help. That was the moment my error was made.
The girls came and helped me get the suit on and never left. After trying on over fifteen different outfits, we all finally settled on a new look for me. More than likely, I just agreed because they all agreed on it, and my head was starting to pound harder.
I ended up with a black shirt and pants. I know significant change. I mocked myself silently as I looked at the red coat I wore. If I had some small round sunglasses and could make my hair stand up, I would look similar to a specific main character in an anime about a wanted man from my previous life.
I was finally able to get the girls out of the room, but Tilly was the last one to leave, and I followed her to the door. I had given her the clothes so that she could fit my armor to them for me. Before she left the room, Tilly turned to me.
"I had a marvelous time today. I hope we get to do this again," Tilly purred with a smile, leaning in for a kiss, but I surprised her by taking her into my arms, sharing a deep kiss.
"Good night Miss Kitty."
"Good night, My Darling."
Chapter 34: Duelist's Tear
Before we went to face the demon dragon, Nemicoramus, we all decided to get supplies. The girls also decided on our groups, to Iona's displeasure. Tilly and Lavender dragged Iona to Master Darbon's smithing shop, while Victoria and I went to look for other unique magical items that could help us.
Victoria looked a lot different today. Gone was her blue armor, and her coppery hair fell to her shoulders, framing her beautiful face. A blue dress hugged her body and accentuated her curves, the sight of her had made my breath catch, and my mind slipped back to the coffee shop.
"What are you daydreaming about?" Victoria asked, pulling my hand after I had stopped in thought.
"Sorry, you look really good in that dress, Vic. I always see you in that blue armor, which looks good, but the dress reminds me of the coffee shop."
It was good to talk freely about this kind of thing and not worry about blacking out. At my compliment, Victoria became red in the face and started to act shy. The tomboyish attitude was gone, replaced with the girl's innocence that always had my latte ready in a world built to take me down.
"Come on, we still have five levels to climb," I grabbed Victoria's hand as I broke the awkward silence and pulled her along.
We made a cute couple as passed through each checkpoint without a problem. Even though each noble level had a gate, it was a matter of walking straight for five levels before you ascended to the next rise in the city's circular structures. We only had to climb at the ninth level to get to the tenth, and once at the top of the next ring, a different type of city awaited us.
"Wow! Dave, it's like before!" Victoria spoke with awe and excitement while clutching at my arm.
"No, kidding! I wonder if the coffee shop is hidden somewhere in here?" I asked mischievously, not thinking that it would have much effect, but Victoria froze in place, stopping my movement.
"I-I-I g-guess w-we could l-look," Victoria's face had burst into a flaming red, and she looked like she was starting to sweat.
"What's gotten into you, Vic?" I questioned her in confusion, at the same time, wondering was she ok?
Victoria buried her face in my red sleeve and let out a deep breath.
"I'm fine, let's go," she muttered and straightened up.
Victoria's face cooled, and we follow the concrete path that led from the gatehouse to the sidewalk of the main street. The
first shops we saw weren't that impressive, places like Kodio's Gem Screen Repairs and Brisbob's Neutronium Core Charging. We finally found a shop on the bottom of a massive geometric structure. The entire thing defied the Laws of Physics, leaving both of us like gaping fish walking up to the entrance.
"Prismatic Crystal Armory, hmm? Just from seeing the outside of the building make me want to go in," I say with excitement.
"How does It stay up like that?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe invisible chains are anchoring it down?"
"Let's go inside and find out for ourselves," Victoria said as she pulled me by the hand to the single door to this gigantic monolith.
(Meanwhile at Darbon's Smithy) Lavender, Iona and Tilly
"Why Did I have to get dragged down here with you two? That blue armored bimbo is with him now, so why can't I? OUCH! Hey!"
Lavender had dropped a hard chop down between the pigtails of the complaining Iona's head. Tilly was using her magic to work the demon stainless steel into a plate suit for Victoria. Iona didn't know that Tilly and Lavender planned in private to make some new special syringes to mollify the always complaining Iona.
"Let's go for a walk. Your fits are starting to distract Tilly," Lavender said as she grabbed the now protesting Iona's wrist and dragged her away screaming.
"UNHAND ME, YOU PURPLE HAIRED COW!"
Tilly laughed as they left, and her master Darbon spoke up. "You got a good set a friend's there girl. I hope ya take real good care of them and they be doin' the same for ya, ya know, right? Ya seem different now, ya know? That boy's really somethin', eh? Seem's like he ain't just be changing you either."
Tilly redded when Darbon referred to Dave, which made him laugh out loud and patted Tilly on the shoulder.
"Just keep goin' and do yer best. Right my gurl?"
(Following Lavender dragging Iona)
"What is wrong with you, beast woman! Why are you so strong?" Iona complained as she dragged behind Lavender.
"This would be easier if you would just walk."
"HA! This cartage is a free ride for me and not the first or last time I will be carted this way. I even have reinforced heels!"
"I don't even know why I'm doing this! Your such a brat, and you're older than me! So you should be the one to treat me!"
"Treat? Hmm? What are you talking about wom..."
Iona's words cut off as Lavender stopped and let go of the hand she had been dragging. Iona hit the ground with a *Thump* and let out a groan. She scrambled up and glared at Lavender.
"Were here," Lavender pointed as she pointed to a wave-shaped store colored in green and yellow.
The sign above reading: Jelly Jims Gelato
"Why?" Was all Iona could say.
"Just get inside."
The two walked into the wave-like shop, and Female Slime-Kin stood behind the counter. The shop had three tables and an L-shaped counter that the yogurt icecream hid behind. Lavender noted this barrier's use as she had to pull Iona away from the glass before she got drool on it.
"What can I get you and your daughter, Miss?"
"I will have pineapple, and what will you have, Dear?" Lavender laid on the sugar and spoke the last word with a dash of vinegar, and Iona looked ready to explode.
"Strawberry, and make it a double!" Iona was seething inside, but the idea of gelato was more appealing than revenge.
"A double?"
"Oh yes, let My Little Miss Darling have whatever she wants!"
"Oh yeah? Then I will also have a double scoop of choco-nana in a sugar cone, My Old and Decrepit Mother!"
Sparks flew between the girls as they waited for their gelato. Lavender made Iona eat all the that she ordered and almost ended up throwing it all back up. The two fought but soon headed back to Master Darbon's Smith.
(Walking inside the door of the impossible geometric building with Dave and Victoria)
The room that we walked into wasn't what either of us had expected. Steel walls lined the room and an elevator at the end—quite anti-climatical after such a grand entrance.
Victoria and I walked to the elevator and stepped inside. The same steel walls lined the interior, and we both turn around to find only two buttons, up and down. I tried to press the up button, but the door just closed, and we didn't move.
"What's wrong?"
"I pushed up, Isn't that the direction we want to go?"
"Maybe try down, ya know, since there aren't a lot of other choices, like, even to open the door," Victoria laughed, but it felt a bit forced.
She was right, and the elevator started moving after pressing down. I think I felt longer than it took, but maybe, in this case, it could have been longer. Victoria had molded herself into me, and I was sad to have her warmth go, but when the door opened, those thoughts left.
Glass or crystal of every type and variety displayed on a single 15x40 meter area. Rows upon rows of glass cover case filled with exciting items line the store. We stepped out of the elevator, and suddenly, a small flying Television, about fifteen centimeters tall, greeted us.
"OH, BOY! We haven't had guests down here in forever! You guys even have noble names, and you didn't get you inside boiled too! Man, I sure am glad to see new faces, and the master will be thrilled! My Name Is 10101001001010101, but you can call me Tenten for short! Follow me, and I'll show you around," as the Little TV spoke, it went through more ranges of emotion through his expression than I thought possible with only two circles, dots, and a line.
The floating TV puttered along, explaining different Items and weapons with great enthusiasm. I look to Victoria, and she just shrugged, taking my hand. We followed along with the robot and listened to some of the explanations.
"And over here is the Ion Glass Cannon! This bad boy packs a punch and will blow the lady's skirts sky high! just don't drop it, or the reactor will go off and possibly destroy a level or five of the Noble Fifths."
The robot had pointed to a clear glass rifle with a triangular barrel and a glowing blue core near the handle. Victoria gripped my hand tight when Tenten mentioned the part about the catastrophic explosion that occurred if dropped. I used my other hand to reach over and ruffle her hair, and she turned up to frown at me. I gave her a warm smile, and her frown melted away, and she leaned into me.
We followed and listened to Tenten's explanations, but we enjoyed just walking and looking at all the different things until we ran crystal rapier. The crystal of the blade was tinted blue while the handle was grey. Victoria fell in love with it before Tenten even could mention it. Letting go of my hand, she stepped forward and pointed to it.
"Can you tell me about this one?" Victoria asked Tenten excitedly.
"Ah, the Duelist's Tear, that is a fine choice, my blue-dressed beauty! This lean, slicing machine is a water user's best friend! The Tear can cut wave from thin air!"
"Oh, Dave, I want it. I want it!"
"How much for the Tear then Tenten?" I asked the TV guide.
"Oh, ho, ho, ho we don't do money here. Listen, I'll grab this, and then we can all go see the master!"
Tenten grabbed the Duelist's Tear and led us to a room in the back. The hall lit with a purple glow as we followed, and soon, we came to a room with curtains covering the glass walls. The door's swung open, and inside a crystal throne sat.
Upon the throne sat a young woman with a body like diamonds, her hair reflected purple light, and she stood from her throne. As she stepped down, a shear white crystal dress flowed around her body.
"I have been waiting for you, Dave."
Chapter 35: Crystalized Memories
"THUMP, THUMP"
Time stopped again, as it had with Victoria, but this time it was different. I opened my eyes to a younger version of the crystalline female in the flesh. She was reaching up to me with a smile, and I grabbed...
"THUMP, THUMP"
I was riding horseback through the woods. This girl was older now, but still the same, and she sat in front of me. Yells came from
behind us, and I turned my head to see Knights with a red banner chasing after us, screaming, "get the lady..."
"THUMP, THUMP"
I was moving. I opened my eyes to her face, and she wore a white dress. My right arm wrapped tighter around her waist as I held her close, while my other handheld hers tight. Our eyes locked together as we danced, and we shared a moment that had already passed.
"THUMP, THUMP"
She lay dying in my arms, gasping for air. The puncture hole from the blaster ripped the air into the vacuum of space. Gantry, Vassal of Fate, had found them. The mistake I had made cost everyone their lives, and we were the last alive in the vacuum of space. She reaches for me as the tears froze to her face, and I cried out.
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