<div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: andale mono;">Rensha</span></span></div><br/>Blissfully unaware of what was being done in his name, Kleris enjoyed a more athletic date with Rensha in the Dueling Chambers.  With his smaller dagger at the ready, Kleris watched as the magus cast her spell.  Her black sword, usually sucking the light off of itself, shined glossy, then like a mirror in the sun—hard to focus directly on—and then literally blinding as he lost her movement until she was suddenly behind!<br/><br/>“Gah!” he jumped with a laugh, surprised by her sudden appearance looming over his shoulder.  “Alright, that’s a pretty good distraction.  Probably what would be more useful to me anyway.  Now what’s with the rusty junk swords?”<br/><br/>Watching Rensha summon more swords to fly into a target was interesting, and explained why one would use an otherwise subpar weapon to consume.  Taking a sword himself and concentrating on its image and heft, he conjured three duplicates to appear as well, and mentally thrust one at a sparring dummy.  The sword was weightless in his mind, but the projection of its mass and inertia helped make it easy to handle as it sunk deep into the target before disappearing.  Each subsequent attack was only easier as he refined his aim, leaving a tight grouping of thrusts around the bullseye on the chest.<br/>[Ranged attacks 14+5=19, 16+5=21, 18+5=23]<br/><br/>“That was pretty cool!  You have to have a disposable weapon on you, but it was definitely more effective than trying to swing it around.  At least for me, heh,” he grinned, giving Rensha’s bicep an appreciative squeeze.<br/><br/>Some magical training wasn’t too physically strenuous, so they were still in a state to go to dinner in public.  It was nice to get a meal besides cafeteria food or pub food from the Fireside Café.  The Ram’s Head Inn even had specials from Sharn, where it was apparently said “even the poor eat like kings.”  He ordered the gurk’ash steak with long corn, both imports from Xen’drik and staples of adventuring rations, though the café could prepare them more freshly and upscale for taste.<br/><br/>“It’s been fine at the café.  I agree, it is hard work, and seeing Redhurst boys there was a bit embarrassing, but for dealing with the outfits and being cute for the customers, it does make some fast money.  Plus I get to hear all about Sharn and Eberron from the owner and patrons.  I’ve heard about this popular destination restaurant, the Celestial Vista in the Skyway.  It’s supposed to be touristy, but I’m a tourist anyway.  Maybe I can take you there some time, or talk uncle Retario into treating us.  I probably shouldn’t spend all my earnings on a fancy dinner anyway, heh.  I agree that bouncer may be your strength, but that just makes you cuter as a waitress with us, too.”  Kleris was also hearing a lot about the luxury services of Sharn, and was getting enamored with the idea of being fitted for a custom designer Clebdecher glamerweave gown.  The magic they learned in illusions, conjuration, and transmutation could create and manipulate clothing in all sorts of fantastic and magical ways, but there was a panache and prestige of an exclusive designer that could only be bought in Sharn.  On the other hand, he didn’t want the CUMS membership to be annoyed with him splurging on a single expensive dress either.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: andale mono;">Rachel's Gift</span></span></div><br/>Taking a walk back after a filling dinner, Kleris found the last person he’d expect to be in the fields by herself, Rachel.  Taking a look at the black pepper she held out, Kleris took it and gave it an appraising sniff.  He wasn’t an expert in identifying specific plants, but knew enough that darker peppers were usually hotter, and this one just looked painful.  Just sucking the oil off his finger was enough to register some heat.<br/>[Knowledge (nature) 12+9 = 21]<br/><br/>On the other hand, education was all about trying new things and experiences.  Taking a nibble off the end, it was like the tip of his tongue was on fire, which spread with the saliva as he briefly chewed, then swallowed the morsel to get it out of his mouth.  His eyes tearing as he contemplated chewing on some nearby herbs just to get something to soak up the oils, he watched Rachel eat a whole handful without reaction.<br/><br/>“Okay, I understand you probably resist fire, but spice too?  My tongue tip feels like it has a blister…”  He figured it wasn’t worth asking why her knees were dirty, either she was gardening, or the more likely guess.  But then Rachel reached out to smudge her peppery fingers across Kleris’ lips, which started to burn, but then a different, internal warmth spread through his body, down his throat, across his chest, and down his groin.  Suddenly his uniform was more filled out as it was when he was occasionally a girl.<br/><br/>“Wait, you mean like I can do this any time, as long as I want?  That’s…” what was it, amazing?  Useful?  A thrill went through him as several different ideas came to mind.  Transform into a hot girl and capture images, become a girl for every date with Rensha, or would he just be a female Kleris all the time, forever even?  It was confusing to think of how much of his life was an act of misunderstanding and convenience now, or a choice and new identity that would continue even after Redhurst.  Rachel’s invitation to the showers was enough to shake Kleris out of her reverie, and the anticipation of now being open in the showers sent a new thrill through her, one she hadn’t felt since she first started using the girls’ locker room in private and hiding his excitement.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: andale mono;">Lillin</span></span></div><br/>“I haven’t been to a party in a while, that sounds good to me!” Kleris agreed.  Figuring this would be a good opportunity to experiment with Rachel’s new “gift,” he went female and tried out a slightly larger B-cup bust.  He heard enough talk between girls about magical and mundane makeup enhancement and trickery that any noticeable change would probably be merely admired without commentary.  While illusionists were the first thought for spectacle, it seemed transmuters knew how to party as well.  By transmuting innocuous substances into more volatile, they were able to then send them sparking and bursting colorfully.  Kleris took her own handkerchief of spices and focused on adjusting their nature to a state of potential excitement, the inert ingredients filled with explosive energy.  Tying the cloth closed at the end, she was able to spin and sling it out the window before detonating it, causing a tiny pink dragon to burst out of its makeshift bag and spiral in the air before exploding itself into sparkles.<br/><br/>Turning salt into fermented apples and sugar was a popular alternative after the excitement of the fireworks, and was sweet enough for everyone to enjoy.  First everyone had a small shot of cider, but it was sweet and sparkly enough that they ended up just filling bottles and passing them around.  Kleris was fortunate enough to have a healthy constitution—and a magical reinforcing belt—and managed to get through several drinks before starting to feel tipsy herself.  When the first bottle was emptied and they yelled for a game, Kleris was down to play.  The bottle sometimes seemed to spin longer than one would expect, but then again, they were all in no state to judge.<br/>[Drink 3 before being sickened 1 hour/drink above max<br/>Perception 13+10-2 = 21 vs DC 25]<br/><br/>When her spin landed on Andrei, she looked up with a grin as well.  It seemed that other girls appreciated his “special kisses,” and their jealously just made her grin harder in anticipation.  “I think my mouth is good there, killer.  But make it a good one.”  Crawling over, she straddled his lap on the floor, rested her arms on his shoulders, and leaned in for a long, open kiss.