"Morning Miss Mallie!" Old Willem called from his porch. His eyes widened when he recognized me. "By the gods, No Eyes? Is that really you under all that fancy work?"
Good morning, Willem, I projected. Yes. I decided to go for. A new look.
"Well now, ain't that something." He hobbled down his steps, squinting at my new form. "Looking right proper, you are. Like one of them fancy moving dolls I once saw at the capital!"
A group of children playing stick-ball stopped their game to gawk. One small boy, Derek's younger brother Petre, actually waved before his friend yanked his arm down.
"The metalwork is beautiful," Sarah Goodmak said as we passed by her store. She touched the porcelain plates I'd bought from her several days back, marveling at how they had changed. "I never imagined they'd become something like this."
Mallie beamed with pride as if she'd crafted me herself. "Isn't it wonderful? No more scary spikes or extra arms. Though I still think a dress would look better on her."
"Well, I do have some nice dresses for sale if you're interested," Sarah teased, giving me a smirk.
Will think about it, I told her, copying her smirk with my lips. I was careful not to reveal my sharp teeth.
We turned down the main street of the village where farmers were setting up market stalls. Conversation quieted as heads turned our way. I kept my movements smooth and controlled, trying not to startle anyone with sudden mechanical motions.
"That's... different," Farmer Tull muttered, arms crossed. He still gave me an angry glare, but it didn't have its usual heat. He didn't back away or reach for a weapon like before, either, so I suppose that was progress.
Derek broke away from helping his father stack produce to dash over. "You look amazing! Can you still fight as well without the extra arms though?"
Not as capable, sadly, I told him. But less frightening this way.
"The blue patterns are pretty," his sister Pippa added shyly from behind a barrel of apples.
Mayor Antos emerged from the town hall, did a double-take, then approached with measured steps. He circled me once, stroking his chin.
"Well," he said finally. "This is certainly an improvement. Though I hope the new appearance doesn't mean you've lost your ability to defend us?"
I shook my head. My other body still available. To me. Can switch back at any time.
"Good, good." He nodded, seemingly satisfied. "The village appreciates your efforts to be less... intimidating."
We continued our circuit through Weath. With each interaction, I noted the subtle shifts in how people responded to me. Where before they'd recoiled, now they merely stared. Their wariness remained, but the edge of terror had dulled.
"See?" Mallie squeezed my porcelain hand. "They just needed to see that you're not so scary after all."
I squeezed back gently, careful of my strength. She was right; appearance mattered to humans far more than I'd initially understood. This new form might not erase their fears entirely, but it was a start.
I followed Mallie down the winding path to her family's farm, my booted feet leaving delicate prints in the soft earth. The morning sun caught the blue patterns etched across my new form, casting dancing reflections on the wheat stalks swaying in the breeze.
"Ma's probably inside making lunch," Mallie said, skipping ahead. "Pa's always in the fields this time of day."
I hesitated at the wooden fence marking their property. Perhaps I should wait here.
"Don't be silly." She grabbed my hand, tugging me forward. "You look wonderful now. Even Ma won't be able to complain."
The farm spread before us with three distinct fields sectioned off by worn wooden fences. The first bristled with golden wheat nearly ready for harvest. The second held neat rows of hay bales. In the third, unfamiliar plants with broad leaves stretched toward the sky.
What are those? I asked, pointing to the strange crops.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"Tobacco. Pa says it sells better than grain these days." Mallie wrinkled her nose. "Smells awful when they cure it though."
Movement caught my attention. Moskin straightened from where he'd been checking the wheat, wiping sweat from his brow. Two farmhands worked nearby, both refugees from Qordos who'd stayed to help with the harvest.
When Moskin spotted us, he raised his hand in greeting. His eyes widened slightly as he took in my transformed appearance, but his wave didn't falter.
"Morning, No Eyes," he called out, walking over to the fence. "That's quite a change you've made."
Good morning, Moskin, I replied. Yes. Thought a new look. Might help.
He reached out to touch the porcelain plating on my arm, visible from my rolled-up sleeves. He examined the craftsmanship with a farmer's practical eye. "Fine work this. Reminds me of them fancy dishes the merchants bring through sometimes." He tapped the metal beneath. "Still solid underneath though, I'd wager."
"Isn't it beautiful, Pa?" Mallie beamed. "No Eyes made it all by herself!"
"That so?" Moskin nodded approvingly. "Always did admire folks who can work with their hands. Though I suppose in your case..." He trailed off, apparently unsure how to politely reference my original form.
I appreciate the complement, I said, saving him from the awkward moment. How is harvest coming along?
I spent a few minutes making small talk with Moskin, then spoke with the farm hands, asking how they were doing. Both young men were hale and healthy, seemingly happy to settle down in this small, picturesque village.
I noticed Mallie looking impatient, so I bid the men farewell before following her. She led me into the farmhouse, and I had to duck my head under the low doorframe, still getting used to my new, taller size. The interior was cozy, containing a small kitchen with worn wooden furniture, herbs hanging from the ceiling, and a pot bubbling over the hearth.
Kathrin stood at the counter, kneading dough. She glanced up, and her hands froze mid-motion. Flour dusted her forearms and apron as she stared at my new form.
Good morning, Kathrin, I projected carefully.
"Look Ma! No Eyes got all fixed up! Isn't she pretty?" Mallie bounced on her toes.
Kathrin's lips pressed into a thin line. "So now you're playing dress-up? Trying to fool us into thinking you're human?"
"Ma!" Mallie's smile vanished.
"What? Am I supposed to pretend that covering a monster in a pretty outfit makes it any less dangerous?" Kathrin slapped her dough. "Evil is evil, no matter how you dress it up."
"No Eyes isn't evil! She saved us! She killed the slavers and brought us home!" Mallie's face flushed red.
"And now you're defending it? After what happened to the Sholz family? To little Tommy?" Kathrin's voice rose. "It's probably just waiting for the right moment to-"
"SHUT UP!" Mallie screamed. "You don't know anything! You weren't there!"
Moskin burst through the door. "What in blazes is all this racket?"
"Your daughter is taking that thing's side again!" Kathrin jabbed a flour-covered finger at me.
"Don't call her that!" Mallie shouted back.
"It's not human, Mallie! Stop pretending it is!"
"The slavers were human, but you didn't care when No Eyes killed them to save me!"
"That's different-"
"How? HOW is it different?"
"Because I said so! I'm your mother and-"
"Some mother! You weren't there when I needed you!"
"ENOUGH!" Moskin's voice boomed. "Kathrin, the monster- No Eyes brought our girl back. And Mallie, your mother has every right to be worried after what's happened!"
The three of them continued shouting, voices overlapping in a cacophony of anger and pain. I stood awkwardly in the middle, my new porcelain form feeling more conspicuous than ever.
I should go, I projected, though I doubted any of them heard me through their arguing.
I slipped out the door, leaving the family to their heated discussion. Their voices followed me across the yard, muffled but still clearly angry. So much for my attempt at appearing more approachable.
I walked through Weath, my porcelain form catching the morning light. I decided to head back to Clarik's smithy now that my little stroll was finished. Perhaps the man could use some help with his work.
A few children waved as I passed. I remembered them as Derek's friends who had grown used to my presence. I lifted my hand in response, careful to keep the motion as smooth and unthreatening as I could.
The town hall's weathered walls came into view as I crossed the main street. Two figures stood nearby, their well-kept armor marking them as adventurers rather than locals. They were a strange sight, as I had gotten used to seeing unarmored farmers and merchants during my stay in Weath.
I activated Analyze, the familiar blue text appearing in my vision.
-
Jecker of Hobbs
Level 7 Swordsman
The other was:
-
Andrim of Wayler
Level 9 Axeman
They spotted me quickly. At first, they didn't seem to notice anything amiss, as my body looked quite human from afar. But as I moved closer, they began to notice my strange appearance: the pale skin, the eyeless mask, the metal and porcelain parts visible through my clothing. Their bodies tensed. Hands moved to their weapon hilts with practiced speed.
"Monster!" Andrim's shout split the morning quiet. "Help! There's a monster in the street!"
Three more adventurers burst from the town hall's doors, weapons already drawn. My Analyze provided their information in rapid succession:
-
Marshes of Remembrance
Level 12 Swordsman
The adventurer was older than the rest, perhaps in his mid-forties. His brown hair was slicked back and his beard finely trimmed. He had a stocky build encased in comfortable leather armor, and his sword was a nimble rapier with a thin, lethal blade.
-
Coyle of Dumand
Level 10 Pyromancer
This one was a skinny man dressed in brown robes. I didn't even need Analyze to tell me that he was a mage; his bookish looks and lack of armor marked him as an obvious spellcaster.
-
Janis of Dumand
Level 10 Archer
The third adventurer was a woman, as thin as the pyromancer, though her lithe figure exuded strength and speed. She wore light leather and cloth and had a bow and quiver filled with arrows upon her back.
The five spread out in a practiced formation, the female Archer actually leaping up onto a nearby roof and moving to higher ground, while the others fanned out to surround me. Steel glinted in the sunlight as blades cleared scabbards.
Great. This day was definitely not going the way I had planned.