A Lesson for Louise 7

Chapter 7:  Shopping

<<<Louise>>>

“This is going to be a lovely little co-ed dorm school experience,” Rei informed her with a wide smile, “Make some friends! There are humans, orcs, elves, some dwarves, and I think I saw a gnome!”

Louise wished she shared Rei’s confidence in the matter, but she’d try if nothing else. At least… she wouldn’t have to deal with another Kirche here after all! Or, at least she hoped so… she really didn’t want to fall into old habits… maybe she could just avoid any drama by staying in the library most of the day to research?

Though if that unamused look Rei gave her was any indication, her thoughts were obvious to the kitsune. Who just sighed faintly and pulled Louise into a hug.

“Drama is a part of life Louise, trust me on that.” She said as rubbed Louise’s back, “There will always be people you won’t agree with or you’ll find insufferable. The trick is not letting them get to you, and please at least try to socialize. This won’t be like your time at that academy in your world, I promise.”

Louise grumbled and crossed her arms, glaring at the fox girl.

“Come on, where’s that Steelheart that Roc is so fond of?” Rei asked, “I remember you were snarking back at us on the way here. Did something spook you when you got lost?”

“... yeah, a bit,” She replied, “But, um… Ok, this is going to sound stupid, but is ‘Arcane’ anything like Void?” She might as well ask, it was Rei and if she didn’t know something then it probably didn’t have an answer.

“It’s another name for it, yes,” Rei said, “It’s a unique form of magic in that it isn’t ‘tainted’ by other aspects of magic. Interestingly enough Arcane is primarily used in Summoning magic outside of specialized summons.”

“... Oh,” Louise whispered, “Is that why… I could summon you?”

Rei smiled, “Yes, I’ve actually speculated over that since you summoned me,” She answered, “See, while you were asleep I jumped over to your world to investigate how you summoned me. Elemental-aligned summoning isn’t anything unique, that’s why mages in your world seem to summon creatures based on their elemental affinity. And with void… well the pool of potential summons widens by a great deal. You could’ve, in theory, summoned anything, even a regular human.”

She thought, for a moment, about what she would have done if that had happened and… the sense of dread and sorrow was a bit much. “I see, I’m glad it was you then.”

Rei just smiled before kissing her forehead, “So am I, I don’t think a regular human could’ve handled your temper well. Never mind all the stressors in your life.”

“I do not have a temper!” She snapped with a glare.

Rei just raised a brow, “Uh-huh…”

“... Shut up,” She grumbled again, “Anyway, what classes did you enroll me in?”

“In the General course, it will allow you to experience many different branches of magic. But I did enroll you in Fundamentalism and Arcane Basics.” Rei said, “Given how you looked at that picture of the Founder, I suspected you were interested. And Arcane Basics, well that should be obvious.”

Louise choked on air. “Um… about that, he uh… he was the person that showed me the way out of the caverns? He said that I might be good at it?” It was still surreal to her.

Rei just shook her head, “Magical places like this? Spirits tend to linger,” She explained, “Most of them are easy to help move on, but some spirits for one reason or another refuse. Something keeps them tied to this plane. Regrets usually, dark magic is a common culprit, and even feelings of love. I think he loved this school and his art so much, he just couldn’t leave.”

“He said that he stuck around to, uh, help lost children,” She gave a squint, “I don’t look that young, do I?”

“No, but you have to remember, Louise, that elves live so much longer than humans and most other races,” Rei said, “When you live that long, your perception of things changes. Decades become just a trifling matter, and a century could be considered a visit. And things like weeks and months pass like the blink of an eye.” She explained.

“So, in the eye’s of an elf a man in his nineties is still a child?” Louise asked.

“Pretty much,” Rei said, “It’s a hard thing to really grasp, but it’s a fact of life for beings that are ageless.”

“But not you,” She pointed out, “How old will the elves I’m going to be studying with be?”

“In human years? In their hundreds.” Louise just gaped, “Elves culturally are very slow, they don’t see the point of rushing and hurrying. They also don’t physically mature at the same pace as others. So technically they’ll be in their teenage years. But like I said, it’s really hard to gauge age with ageless beings.”

“Alright,” She replied, “When will initiation be?” It was an important question, she needed time to prepare herself for a co-ed dorm room. She’d never slept with a male in the room before!

“In a few hours actually,” Rei said, “So after you get everything in place, I’m going to take you to get you prettied up so you can impress your fellow students!”

Louise froze in horror, “I… wait, but I need to prepare! I need to meet my dorm mates! I need new clothes! New sleepwear!”

Rei just smiled. “Louise, you’re overthinking,” She said, “Now take a breath and focus on your breath just like I showed you…” She added gently.

“I don’t have extra panties!” She squeaked.

Rei almost wheezed but stopped herself. “Louise, focus on your breathing.” She repeated, “In, hold five seconds, out… repeat until you're calm.”

Louise just nodded and focused on her breathing and not panicking over coming off as some sort of backwoods dullard. 

“Nope! Still need clothes!” She complained, “And we don’t have the money to get them!”

Rei just rolled her eyes before looking at her flatly. “Hi, remember me?” She asked sarcastically, “A kitsune that’s the child of a Goddess? I casually jumped over to your world to do some research. I froze said world so when you return everything is the same as it was when I took you? Hmmm?” She added flicking her forehead.

“... sorry,” Louise sighed, “I’m just… nervous and not thinking clearly.”

“It’s fine.” Rei said with a smile, “It’s all part and parcel of living after all, now… how about we get you prettied up and you a new wardrobe, hmm?”

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Louise looked at herself in a mirror and she… couldn’t really recognize who was looking back. She was more than aware that compared to many women she wasn't as gifted. While her pink hair did draw the eye, the rest… fell short. She had no bust to mention, no curves to speak of, and she was so short!

But looking in the mirror she… felt beautiful.

The woman that worked her magic, a gnome much to her surprise, just smiled, obviously proud of her work.

“It isn’t often I get a lass like you! There are so many traditional beauties that visit my shop, but the unconventional beauties? They’re something special,” She explained, “The beauty is so much more subtle, so bringing it out, but not exaggerating it, is a challenge! You’ve made my week human, you and your stupidly attractive spirit!”

Louise just nodded absentmindedly, still surprised by how she looked.

“We’ll certainly see you again if we ever need to turn heads,” Rei said with a smile, “Thank you, you helped her more than you know.”

Louise still didn’t think she was beautiful, but… the figure in the mirror was cute, it was pretty. It was, somehow, her.

“Please, come again,” The gnome said, “Next time, I think my apprentice could use some learning on her hair, it is just wonderfully silky and smooth.”

“Isn’t it?” Rei asked with a smile, “But we’ll certainly return, now come on Louise we’ve still got some things to get,” She added as she pulled the young lady with her, a kind and amused smile on her lips.

A flurry of shopping later and Louise was burdened by… a lot of seemingly exceptionally expensive clothes. Magic color changing thread made one dress shimmer and shine like a rainbow, another had gems that glowed in the dark, yet another was made out of living flowers and vines.

But the one she focused on the most was…

[small=1] “Why did you get me something like- like that!?”[/small] Louise whisper-screamed.

That being a very… elaborate (but not impossible to put on) leather… dominatrix outfit. Corset, stockings, boots, the whole thing.

“Well, I figure when you get back you’ll be wanting to put Kirche her place, and I’m sure there are some cuties for you to practice on,” Rei teased with a wink, “I mean, I could teach you but it’s so much more satisfying to learn on your own after all.”

Hearing that, and remembering something her mother had once said, made her blush hard. “T-that-It’s also more unsafe!” You weren’t supposed to do things like that without supervision because it was dangerous!

“Louise, do you really think I would leave you on your own?” Rei asked with a faintly amused smile, “Just because I won’t physically be with you, doesn’t mean I won’t be with you spiritually.”

“But I’d still need direct education for t-that!” She objected, “I don’t want to hurt anyone!” Louise didn’t even know if she’d enjoy that stuff!

“Mmm, fair enough,” Rei said, “Well save that for when you’re home and we get our hands on Kirche then!” She exclaimed with a smug grin.

She whined, burying her face in her new clothes to hide the bright blush exploding across her face. Rei chuckled as she helped pack other clothes, panties, bras, and sleepwear primarily. Eventually, she calmed down and put them in her new trunk.

She just had to… get her mind ready for the academy, and it was only an hour away.

“... Sooo…” Rei gave her a grin, “Wanna ‘wrestle’ and unwind?” She asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Birmir-damnit Rei!” Birmir surely wouldn’t hold that against her, would he?

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