“Izzy, I’ve noticed you seem to have trouble keeping yourform, reverting to a more human look. Did your parents not teach you any form control?”
“They did not,” I said with a shrug. “They died when I was little. I grew up just another human among humans. I didn’t even know I was a nymph till three days ago.”
Professor Rheoran’s eyes went wide. “Oh! I’m so sorry to hear that… but…” Her face contorted in confusion. “How did you maintain a human form for so long without any training?”
“Got me? If you have any clue, I’d love to know. It was only a couple years ago that I started noticing myself changing a bit. I… I can’t really control it.”
She shook her head. “Amazing. I don’t think it’s morphopathy, since you were able to hold another form consistently for such a long time. Perhaps your parents put a binding on you when you were young and its power faded over time, potentially weakening more as you went through the drastic changes of puberty?”
That sounded logical. “What exactly is a binding? How would it work?” Myel had mentioned them, and I had a vague idea, but I hoped she could shed more light on it.
She seemed taken aback at — what I guessed was — me not knowing something so simple?
She breathed out slowly. “You really don’t knowanythingabout this world, do you?”
“Nope. But I’d love to learn.”
She nodded. “I’ll schedule some extra time for us to meet in my office, but my time is limited. I noticed you’re making friends with Sa Leizili. Though her powers aren’t strong, she should know all the basics and should be able to help you as well.” She grimaced and sighed. “Yet really… an elf would be the best person to ask, since they’re the ones who can actually perform bindings. Are there any elves you trust?” Even she sounded like that was a long shot.
“No.”
She shrugged. “Anything you’ll get from Tala or myself will be second hand, but we can try to fill you in on what we know.”
I’d make sure to ask Tala during our beach-time on the weekend.
“I’d love to talk to you more and learn what I can, and I’ll see what I can learn from Tala as well.” I grabbed her hand and shook it. “You don’t know how much it means to have someone who’s willing to help me here.”
She smiled. “I’m happy to help.”
And there it was. I’d made a friend and an ally today.
Now I just had to figure out mytriple-mansituation and I’d be set.
Easier said than done.
IZZY
Since I hada bit of time after water magic class, and since I was just around the corner from the infirmary, I went to see the doctor. I got in quickly but was completely put off and unimpressed to find the doctor… was Pointy-Ears from my first day here.
The sign on the door said his real name was El Fyodemir Laras. A beautiful name for such a stuck-up and ugly-on-the-inside man.
“You,” he said with a heavy sigh, laden with distaste and grudging sufferance when he finally turned away from his computer and deigned to look at me. “Fine. What’s wrong?”
What wasn’t wrong? This entire world was wrong, but with me…?
“I would like a contraceptive binding, and…” Huh… did I really want to ask him about the second thing? He was an elf, and they knew about bindings so… screw it, why not. “I’m wondering if you can tell if there is already a binding on me… to keep me looking human?”
One perfectly sculpted eyebrow rose.
“Let me see. Strip.”
What now?
I balked. “Do I need to be undressed for this?”
His look turned hard. “Which one of us is a doctor and an expert on bindings?”
I clenched my jaw shut, closed the open door behind me, and took off my clothes. I didn’t really think Pointy-Ears — yes, I knew his real name now, butmyname suited him better — was a perv who just wanted to see me naked. And indeed, he was ever so clinical with me as he inspected my body.
