Chapter 5
I'm not sure when I fell asleep, only that I was awake for longer than I wanted. My arousal at Mystery hugging me nakedly from behind was playing on my thoughts while I tried to fall asleep. Still, I did eventually do so. I guess I was exhausted by all that had happened, because it was one of those rare nights when I did not dream. I woke when I felt a gentle pulse around my ring finger; I opened my eyes to see that it was sunrise.
"Magic ring alarm clock... yay." I muttered, feeling the ring continue to gently pulse until I sat up in bed. This truly was a curse. I continued my muffled rant, "It would have been better if had just corrupted my soul and turned me invisible or something."
Mystery must have felt something similar, because they stirred from sleep at the exact moment that I woke--meaning neither of us had woken each other. They sat up--their faux-hawk replaced by just their short black hair in a mess. They yawned an incomprehensible greeting and dragged themself off the bed. Seemed they weren't a morning person.
With less difficulty, I joined them in getting out of bed. We meandered to our own shelves, donning our robes and sandals. I then opened the door--pausing. Mystery covered their face to shield themself from the sun. Then we exited our hut.
My foot brushed against something soft; I looked down to see two neat stacks of cloth on the small wooden doorstep that I hadn't noticed upon entering. The slightly larger set I assumed to be mine--so I picked them up to find a towel, fresh underwear, and what I could only describe as a cloth jumper.
When I picked the stack up, I noticed a corked vial. It took me a moment to remember about the apothecary making compounds for the humans who needed them. With an exhale of relief, I uncorked the glass container and drank it all on the spot. It was a bit herbal... and I suspected purposefully so. Once I had finished it off, I picked up the clothing and looked around for where I was supposed to bathe.
Many humans, guplium, and others in our cul-de-sac were headed to a large, central building with their own stacks of fresh clothes. I guessed that was where we were supposed to go.
We were making our way there when I noticed someone different, even for this place. He was small, about four feet tall, and his skin was comprised of tan scales. His hands featured long, thin claws, his face was round and small, and he had a small beard of scales. Both his beard and the patterned lines on his neck were a vibrant orange. I imagined that someone might think he looked like a bipedal bearded dragon.
The lizard person wore a black maid outfit with a white apron, a lacy headpiece, and a nametag that said, 'Mr. Spleck.' He had a basket-cart with him that was filled with soiled clothing. When our eyes met, he smiled, gave a little curtsey and said, "G'day!"
"Good morning... Mr. Spleck," I said, noting how groggy my voice was. I hated my voice in the morning... when it wasn't warmed up enough. I muttered my vocal warm-up under my breath, "One by one, two by two, three by three."
If Mr. Spleck heard, he didn't say anything, "Anything you need, Miss?"
"Oh no," I said, my voice a bit better (though I would have killed for a glass of water or a lozenge.) "Were you the one who brought my clothing and stuff?"
"Yes ma'am," Mr. Spleck said and grinned with his tiny but spiky teeth. "I am the attendant for the residences of the Experimentalist Program. You can also expect to see me at breakfast!"
"Oh, well thank you," I said and smiled at him appreciatively. I'd never been comfortable with people being paid to take care of me. Of course, this had to do with my upbringing--a brief stint of being upper-middleclass when I was little, mixed with parents who seemed to get off on belittling the staff. Still, I was polite as I tried my best to hide my embarrassment.
"Not a problem," Mr. Spleck said. "I haven't seen you around; guessing you're a late arrival?"
I nodded.
"Welcome then, Miss," Mr. Spleck said.
"Thanks! And... you can call me Lilly if you like."
"Of course, Lilly," Mr. Spleck replied with a grin. While it was friendly, I saw a subtle glimmer of humor in the way he spoke. "And please try your best not to worry. Just do your best while you are here and try to let me worry about this sort of stuff."
I blushed and smiled. "Thank you."
He leaned on his cart--clearly in no hurry to get going. "Many of us long-timers here in the world of Kavtagro are happy to come up here and get a good name among all the sorcerers to be. The sorcerers of the University often go on to help countless villages life my own. So caring for the lot of you in training is a delight."
I nodded along. Likewise, the idea of being a kinky and powerful sorcerer helping out a fantasy land of people seemed wonderful to me. Maybe that was how things were supposed to work--full-circle with everyone having their turn to be help. At least it was a nice idea.
Then Mr. Spleck looked around in a theatrically conspiratorial expression. "Plus... where else would they let me wear this lovely uniform?" He gave a dry-throated chuckle at his own joke and then gave a friendly wink.