3 Chapter 2

"A phantoria flower!? You're kidding! Those are the second rarest plant species! How am I supposed to find that!?"

"Unfortunately," Dr. Maxwell said, "It's either that or you can pay for the FTM Mark II potion. However, it'll take 12 months to finish taking effect."

"Is the phantoria flower really that necessary?"

"Yes, it is. It's what gives the instant effect to the potion. We have all the required ingredients, but without the flower, it won't be an instant effect."

I rub my eyes, obviously agitated with this whole mess. "I can find them at the base of tri-peak mountains, right? And how much will it cost after I get the flower?"

"Yes. And well, normally about 1k gold for the labor and the rest of the ingredients, but because we only need a single petal per potion, we can make it free."

"Thank the gods. I needed at least some sort of good news. Thank you so so much, Dr. Maxwell, for giving me some mercy. It's very much appreciated."

He just nods and steps out of the doorway, handing me a brown leather pouch tied with a yellow string. "Since you got all the potions delivered you still get the payment despite the incident."

I grab the pouch and he turns, locking the door behind him. "If that's it, I'll be locking up for the night. Thanks for taking the job, and I'm sorry you have to deal with this." The doctor seemed way too tired. He must've stayed late waiting for me to come back and take the reward.

"Yeah. I'll be heading home too. Thanks for the business."

I walk off into the darkness, the ground barely lit by the stars and moons. I hold my reward up to my face. I was going to need this for new armor. None of my old stuff was going to fit me and the path to the tri-peak mountains was dangerous. Hell, it was nearly half the continent away. It wasn't even a place I've never been before, meaning nothing new or fun. Great.

I hop on top of Skal, rubbing her shoulder. Luckily enough she knew it was me despite the fact I had a whole body change. "I know girl. It's been a long-ass day. But we're heading to the stable now, 'kay?"

I give Skal a tap on the sigh and she starts trotting forward. She was a good horse. I got her on my second official quest when I accidentally stumbled across a magic relic. I sold it for a high amount of gold and was able to buy her after I decided I didn't want to walk all the way back home myself. Even though she lived in the town's stables and not my home, she still felt like a family member to me. I was blessed to have her.

Unfortunately, after I drop Skal off, returning home would be an issue. It was past 2300, meaning dad would be home, probably drunk after another night of tavern-surfing. I'm used to his lectures without meaning, but thanks to the potion, it would probably be worse. I'd be lucky if he even realizes it's me and decides not to kick me out. I don't mind sleeping outside, but mom's condition has worsened and dad definitely couldn't take care of her drunk.

I look out at the empty streets and take in the peace and quiet while I still could. Bringing Skal to the stables was usually the only peace I could get. Maybe I should go on vacation after changing back. I'd have to hire a caretaker for my mom though. Then again it wouldn't be right to force them to deal with my dad's drunk ramblings. Maybe vacation wouldn't work out after all.

I hesitate as I grab the doorknob, standing still on the lightless doorstep. I didn't have a plan for explaining to my dad what happened. It was impossible to plan anything with him since he was so unpredictable. Who knows, maybe I would get lucky and he wouldn't even care. Procrastinating at the doorstep wouldn't be any help though, I just had to buck up and enter.

I opened the door and quietly stepped inside, careful not to step on any creaky floorboards. I turn and close the door as slowly as I could, and lock it. I breathe. Nothing yet.

I keep my head down, taking each step with caution, marking each loud floorboard in my head. If things kept up this smoothly, I wouldn't even have to explain myself, I just had to remain quiet.

Quiet…

That was odd. The house was utterly silent. I raise my head and look around the kitchen. All the candles were out. I turn towards the dining room and living room. Not a light to be seen. He wasn't home!

I let out a long breath I didn't realize I had been holding, and let myself loosen up. After all day, I could finally relax. But before anything, I still had to check on mom. And then I could finally see what I looked like. I wasn't sure why I was excited to see though, deep down I knew I would still hate how I looked. Maybe I was just excited because it'd be the first time seeing a nude girl.

I head down the hallway and open the door to my mom's room, peeking in. It was just as dark as the rest of the house, but I could still make out her silhouette under the blankets and the empty bowls on her nightstand. Seemed like I'd have to wait until morning to explain to her as well. I step back into the hallway, shutting the door behind me silently.

I make my way into my own room and lock the door so dad wouldn't stumble in when I'm trying to sleep. Now I only had one last thing to do before settling down. I take in a breath of air and hold it, positioning myself to be in front of the mirror, something I hadn't done in forever. I didn't really understand why I wanted to see myself in female form, but something in my gut was telling me to look. So I did.

I stood there, unmoving as I stared at my reflection, and emotion filling my body that I couldn't quite grasp or comprehend. I looked… cute, but also retained my strong look. Best of all, I didn't hate it. It's not like I was suddenly good looking so I liked how I looked. I had always been seen as decently handsome so I had no real reason to hate my appearance, yet looking at myself now, for the first time in years, I liked my body, however wrong that seemed.

I shake my head, trying to snap myself out of my trance, and finally take my gaze off the mirror. I couldn't discern how I felt other than the fact that it was nice. Why was that? Why would having a girl's body make me feel better about myself? It made no sense. I sigh and walk to my bed, letting myself fall onto the mattress, but it was too late. The image of my reflection was stuck in my head now. It was just a reflection! Why was it suddenly at the forefront of my thoughts? And why was it bothering me so much?

I roll over, closing my eyes, and trying to get comfortable. I hadn't even changed yet, I was still in my dirty adventuring clothes. What would I look like underneath? I noticed a while ago that I lacked a bulge. How deeply had the potion changed me? Would I have a period if I wasn't able to change back in time?

"UGH!" I shoot up, covering my face, and trying to calm down. This wasn't right. My emotions were screwed up. Why did all this put a smile on my face?

I look down at myself, observing the new weight on my chest for the first time since I got hit with the potion. I was able to ignore it before, but now that I was alone and settling down the thoughts filled my mind.

I raised my hands nervously, feeling the new parts of my body. They seemed to be a pretty nice size. Actually, they were my ideal size. They weighed a lot more then I expected though.

I close my hands softly but then stop myself. I shouldn't be enjoying this. My first goal should be getting the reversal potion. This was going to be temporary after all, there was no reason to get used to this. At most I would spend three weeks traveling, and that would be with a lot of detours. Before I'd know it I'd be back to how I once was.

I let out one last sigh and get grab pajamas to change into before bed. Most likely I'd have to shop for clothes tomorrow. So most of my day was already planned. I didn't know much about bras, so I'd have to figure that out. Other than that, my normal clothing works. The only other issue is armor. Leather is the most workable and that was tight in the chest, meaning most of my other stuff was also useless to me. Normally I could just buy more leather, but the way to tri-peak mountains is a more dangerous route so going in ill-equipped was a bad idea.

I pull up my pajama bottems and finally get back into my bed. My head was cleared for now, but who knew how long that would last. I had to get to sleep.

I roll to my side and finally close my eyes. Luckily enough, sleep came easy.