Day ~30~Part Two~

As Rea rejoined the Ainsworths she lied through her teeth about what had taken so long. Noticing a well-drawn map Rea asked Lark what it was for. Lark went on to explain that Rea's lack of knowledge was gonna hurt her at the academia, so for the remaining month until new students start enrolling Rea was to study with a skilled tutor. Having been thinking of doing the same herself, and knowing that she had a month to spare until joining the academia, Rea agreed to study. If Rea had it her way she'd know what [Hero] jobs to aim for and how to get them before enrolling. When Lark heard that he chuckled as Meril explained she'd figure that out after enrolling, what Rea had to study right now was general knowledge about the world and gaining minor abilities that would help her survive. Meril also went on to reprimand her because in the next month she'd be cramming, hopefully, a full eighteen years worth of education, or as much of it as she could.

Rea nearly passed out on the spot when she'd heard that. Lark laughed heartily as she took one knee and began to pray to some goddess named Airi. However both of the Ainsworth's jaws hit the floor when Rea explained that she'd just learned [Divine Blessing: Memory] that would last for a month. Snagging the map and merrily leaving the silly people to their disbelief Rea was off to meet this tutor. After slipping on her mortal enemies... her fluffy sandals and bursting through the front door while thinking could this day get any better Rea happily realized that yes, it could get better. As Ella had been spacing out in the garden Rea knocked her over after suddenly bursting through the door. Taking in a superb view of a certain elf's garters, with her memory blessing working full force, Rea sighed contently before helping her up. Accidentally grabbing a handful of heaven on earth, Rea sincerely pretended to sincerely apologize. At first, the doctor believed her but after Rea smacked Ella on the rear while dashing out into the nearest alleyway she had second thoughts.

So once again Rea was in the streets of Vestlei, however, this time she had a well drawn map! With confidence in her sense of direction Rea marched forwards... in the wrong direction.

Three hours, seven skewers, five tempura sweet potato bites, three tempura yellow squash, four agedashi, seven confused merchants, one lost child... no not Rea, and two gourds of something called Java Juice XXX later... Rea had arrived at her new tutor's home.

To Rea's surprise the reason she'd been so confused about the location was because the big splotches had been fields. Her tutor's home, as it turns out, is a farm. Rea was getting pretty jovial as she quickly spun back and forth while taking in everything around her. Lush green fields blooming in the crisp spring air, artificial waterways that make farming in a city like this possible. Wooden cabins, with some composite straw material for roofing. Massive barns, moderate sized sheds. Large tools of the trade lining the inside walls, barely visible in the distance. A smithy, likely used for tools more often than weapons. Horses and cows kept separate by tall fences made of wood and iron.

Rea pondered the fact that there was no barb wire around until she remembered that horses like to rub against fences and are prone to puncture wounds if you use it. This place was making Rea feel alive again, bringing nothing but happy memories to her mind. After Elisabeth had been born Rea fled to the country and bought a small farm. She had lived there with her daughter for just over six years before... and now Rea's mood was the worst it could be. That sorrow, that rage... it was beginning to seethe back in. She fell to her knees and looked skywards trying to forget. Trying not to think about it. Her face contorted as Rea hunched over on one hand and used the other to cover it. The fury in her heart was building up again, her grounded hand now became a fist clutching sizable amounts of dirt, sand and blood. Rea knew this feeling, she was losing control fast, but just then she could almost hear her voice. Closing her eyes and looking skywards again tears began to fall as her daughter's voice echoed in Rea's ears. For nearly an entire minute she could hear her again, for the first time in nearly fifteen years Rea heard Elisabeth calling out her name, worrying about her, comforting her.

Ability [Unbreakable Resolve] learned.

Rea laughed quietly while standing and brushing the dirt off of her garb while favoring a slightly painful nail shaped gash in her hand, Could today get any better?

Not really sure if she was just crazy, or it really was her daughter speaking from paradise Rea chose to not speak about this to anyone. Taking stock of what seemed like the main cabin once more, Rea steadily waltzed through the fields. Before she could get to the door it swung wide open. "You're late!" a young voice shouted out.

To her dismay a boy who couldn't be more than four feet tall had done the shouting, his short brown hair and working clothes, coupled with a wizard's hat made for a silly combination. "Please tell me you're not my tutor."

The boy took a slight offense and waltzed out into the sunlight, now puffing up his chest he continued, "You're looking at the sixteen year old young genius who graduated with perfect grades at the tender age of eleven. You may praise me now peon." At the word peon Rea turned and began to walkaway, "wait, wait where are you going?"

"I'd rather teach myself, goodbye tender genius."

As she continued to walk away he shouted out again, "Wait! Don't you want to learn from a genius?"

Rea gave him a slight glance, "Not really..." and continued to leave.

The boy started to panic, "Please wait, please, please, please!"

"What?"

"... I won't get paid if you do that."

"Ahhhh, you're getting paid." Rea was now smirking.

"I swear I'll be a good teacher, so please?"

Her smirk turned to a malicious grin, "Ask me nicely... and kneel down while you're at it."

The boy genius was taken aback, but in some serious need of funds he did as told, "Lady Rea, won't you please bestow I, Cornelius Arche Horsemonger, the honor of being your tutor?"

Rea let out a yawn as the boy looked up at her, "You got it wrong Corn, repeat after me." Rea motioned for him to lower his head again, "Almighty Rea, won't you please bestow I, Cornelius Arche Horsemonger."

"Almighty Rea, won't you please bestow I, Cornelius Arche Horsemonger."

"Humble PEON and willing servant the honor of being your tutor?"

Rea could see the small boy's eyebrow twitch as he heard that, just as she thought he wouldn't do it, "Humble mrhmmm and mrhmmrhmm the honor of being your tutor?"

At this point a rather burly woman walked around the cabin's corner, Rea paid her no mind, "What was that Corny? I couldn't hear you."

"Humble mrhmmm and mrhmmrhmm the honor of being your tutor?"

Feeling like this was getting nowhere, and still in a slightly sour mood Rea began to turn around again, the woman who'd come around earlier was now grinning at the spectacle.

"Wait!" the boy shouted, "I'll say it..."

Rea gave him an appraising gaze, "Well then, let's hear it... from the top peon."

Once again the boy's eyebrow twitched, and with that his patience hit its limit, "Almighty Rea, won't you please bestow I, Cornelius Arche Horsemonger, humble peon and willing servant the honor of being your tutor!?"

As the burly brunette woman doubled over laughing Rea leaned in and kissed the blushing kid on his forehead while removing the wizard hat. "It doesn't feel good to be called a peon, does it?"

Realizing that Rea wasn't really the sort of person who would want to hear that sort of thing, and she had just taught him an important lesson he looked back at her and nodded, "I'm sorry, I won't do it again..."

Rea replaced his silly hat and gave Corn a hug, "I look forward to learning from you, boy genius."

Now smiling wholeheartedly the boy turned towards his house and began running... he chose to ignore the woman dying of laughter, "I'll go get everything ready, come on in!"

As Rea moved to follow him inside she was stopped by the gasping woman... Upon giving her a closer look this level 27 Master Farmer, was sort of within her strike zone, well, to be honest Rea has a pretty large strike zone. The woman stood at about four foot nine and had a wide powerful frame, likely due to her farmer lifestyle. Her eyes were soft, kind amber eyes. Even though some people find the word homely offensive, Rea doesn't really find it to be, she had always found women that could be considered plain, rather attractive. Maybe that's because they tended to have a more comforting nature about them and comfort is all she really cares about. Incidentally, long braids are also a huge plus for Rea thanks to a certain nurse.

"Melody Horsemonger, a pleasure to meet you mistress Rea," the woman held out a dirty hand and pulled it back before Rea could shake it, "sorry, sometimes I forget the mess I am at work."

Rea stepped in and took hold of Melody's hand with her uninjured one, "I'd shake with both hands but this one," she held up her other hand, "Is a bit hurt."

Melody smiled heartily at Rea, "You know my son has driven every school teacher in Vestlei nearly insane over the past few years, can't believe it only took you a few minutes to tame him," Melody looked the taller Rea up and down, "I guess it comes in handy to be born a beauty, unlike me who really works hard to get things done. I don't exactly come off as a catch covered in dirt all the time."

Rea grinned roguishly while ignoring the slight provocation, "Don't sell yourself short Melody," Rea turned to enter the house, "I just had some very improper thoughts about you, me, that barn, and a stack of hay." Rea let out a lusty sigh as she passed the threshold, "Well, I'm off to my studies... maybe sometime, in that barn, we can see who works harder."

Melody was completely shell shocked, after turning behind her and looking at the barn she quickly hurried off and got back to work. Even for a woman like herself, who'd never considered other women before... Rea would be on her mind for a while.

Corn... he'd taken a liking to the nickname she'd given him. Corn was astounded, after their first few back and forths he became aware that Rea has a perfect memory. Rea, happy with the praise, didn't say a damn thing about the divine blessing. Thanks to her memory blessing in a few short hours Rea was able to absorb absurd amounts of miscellaneous information about the lands surrounding Vestlei. When Corn explained that at this rate it would only take them about a week to get all of the academic studies out of the way she knelt down and praised a certain goddess.

In a few more minutes a bell sounded and Corn led Rea out to a dinner table in the living area. Pausing one more time to admire the superior craftsmanship of this log cabin Rea cracked a smile. She had always been fond of stone fireplaces and large fur rugs in log cabins, this one was very well done. Her admiration was interrupted by the delicious smell of roast pork wafting out of an open cast iron oven. Melody had set the dinner table for three and asked Rea to join them. During the course of this delicious home cooked meal various background information was exchanged. Rea was very pleased to find that throughout all of the merriment Melody was avoiding eye contact. After she started working really hard to use the word barn in as many sentences as possible Rea managed to get herself sent home for the night. But not before she could ask Melody if it'd be alright for her to sleep in the barn... surprisingly Melody agreed.

Melody had thought that she was sending some pretty rich girl to spend the night in a dirty barn. Rea however, after entering the barn, realized that it was very well kept, and not an animal barn. Looking around at the various tools and stocked items she could only admire the high level of organization that was on display before her eyes. To be completely honest, Rea was a little conflicted, she could just go back to the Ainsworth mansion and curl up next to Meril. However, she knew that Meril was a nut she'd have to spend a very long time cracking. Giving into her desires that doctor feel good reawoke this morning Rea decided, against her better judgement to find a nice stack of hay and kick back here for the night... on the off chance that a certain lonely farmer gets adventurous.

A few hours after sundown the barn door opened and closed, Rea still hadn't quite gotten tired enough to fall asleep. Sitting up and removing some straw from her garb Rea found Melody staring at her with flat eyes.

"I didn't think you'd really stay, don't you live in the Ainsworth mansion?"

Rea scratched her head absently, "Last night was my first night there, it is certainly nicer than this barn, but this barn is a lot better than where I'd spent nearly every night before then."

Melody raised an eyebrow and took a seat on one nearby crate. Her lantern flickering as she moved reminded Rea of a will o' the wisp, "Where would that be?"

"I'd been in the wildwoods to the west of here for nearly a month. I barely slept and things kept trying to eat me. Compared to the cold night in a pine tree, or one I spent half dead and feverish, well your barn is heaven," Rea explained.

Melody realized that her initial opinion of the rich, beautiful, flirtatious woman was a bit off, "That must have been rough, it can be pretty terrifying out there at night... and I've never been in the wild alone, I can't even imagine."

Rea chuckled a bit, "I even had a close encounter with a wyvern, right after a pack of wolves almost took off my arm. Fear doesn't even begin to explain it."

Melody honestly wasn't sure what to think of her guest anymore, "...why are you in my barn?"

Without even blinking Rea answered honestly, "I thought there was a very, very small chance that you might visit me if I stayed. I'm a worthless person that depends on the kindness and warmth of strangers to get by... something about this body has made it difficult for me to... reveal myself." Rea gave Melody a rather profound and lonely expression, "You're someone I can trust, I think."

Melody quickly cut off that train of thought, "I only came to check, and bring you a few blankets," Melody pulled a large comfy looking linen comforter and some smaller sheets out of her pack, "Even if you're used to roughing it, a little comfort never hurts."

Rea took and laid them out over the hay she'd been laying on, "Your son... well the obstinate troublemaker part of him, it reminds me of my daughter. I'm really glad I came here."

Melody was now having trouble figuring out the complex expression on her guest's face. "I don't hate your company, you're entertaining to say the least." Melody felt like that was a topic she shouldn't touch.

As Rea leaned against the wooden pillar next to her patchwork bed she smiled fondly at Melody, "It's a shame you only came to check on me, the more you talk the more I wanna make good on my intentions."

Melody could sense the ensuing danger and began to say her goodbyes, "Well now that you have the..."

Rea had pushed off the wall and in one tug removed the sash of her kimono, it slid off effortlessly as she gazed at Melody.

"Wait, wait, wait, no, no..."

Rea removed the snake skin sleeve and choker, revealing her imperfect arm but still hiding the scales along her spine. As Melody began to find the thought of staying in this barn more and more tempting Rea pressed the attack and sent her an impish grin.

"I really have to go..."

Rea proceeded to take a step back and lay down upon the comforter while maintaining constant eye contact. Folding one leg over the other and propping herself up sideways on one arm Rea smiled gently at Melody.

"Goodnight!"

Rea let out a disappointed sigh and plopped over on her back as the woman got up and walked away. About twenty seconds later she could hear the door open and close. One minute later Melody walked back by, gave Rea one look, then blew out the lantern. As Rea let out a slight giggle Melody approached her, "When we get going you're gonna find out my biggest secret. It's something that puts my life in constant danger, but, if I can't trust someone like you I'll never make it in this place. Please don't be afraid when you find out, I've been completely honest with you so far, not a single lie."

In the dark Rea could feel Melody straddle her torso and pin her to the ground, "I guess you'd better make this worth keeping that secret, shouldn't you?"

Rea couldn't have been happier than she was at that moment. The ensuing night was a contest of strength, on Melody's part, and flexibility, on Rea's part. When Melody first noticed the scales she didn't even slow down, by then Rea had already conquered the woman once and she was too lost to give a damn. In the end Melody's strength and stamina were no match for Rea's flexibility, and experience. After it occurred to Rea that she had some ideas last night about creative use of [Thermoregulation] the battle was completely one sided. Doctor feel good had really wound her up this morning and poor Melody was the target of all her pent up stress.

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