They were hiking up the hill—or at least that was what it felt like. Every step Rennia took upward sent an aching signal through her thighs. It didn't help that her thighs were thicker than they used to be. Walking up felt like a warpath, and the sweat she was accumulating was irrational. Who thought it was a great idea to go adventuring on a hot sunny day like this?
Oh wait
She just might have to take off her armor, and that didn't make her feel safe.
Maeve was trailing behind her, desperately clutching at her thigh as Rennia led her up. "You were the one who suggested we come here without a ferry or cart. Now you're struggling to keep up—you ought to apologize to me."
Maeve was making a horrid expression, huffing air like a chimney. She looked downright delirious. Rennia pulled her up and dragged her toward a lean tree with just enough shade to hide their bodies from the sun. Rennia fell back on her butt, and Maeve hurled herself toward her lap.
"Sit."
"Ugh, I'm so fucking tired," the young noble complained. "We should've taken the river route."
Rennia flicked the upper part of her nose. "Next time, at least know what you're in for, you spoiled brat."
Maeve shut out her insults and stared at the blazing sun from below, barely speaking a word for a few moments.
"You've been awfully quiet, Maeve. You've been avoiding speaking to me, haven't you? Which is not like you at all—I mean, no gloating?"
Sweat seemed to trickle down even more, and Rennia was starting to suspect something was off. Maeve grinned at her when she started frowning.
"Maeve, why are you sweating?"
"Well, because it's hot dummy and well—" Maeve looked away, her lips unable to sit still. "I…"
"The guild contract—show it to me!"
"No! Why? I already told you, we're just going to a strange town to find out why the town seems to be undergoing strange behavior. Besides, I left the papers in my apartment. It's not that serious—300 gold job. It's not that serious."
Rennia brought her fist down and tapped Maeve's cheek lightly.
"Ow."
"300 gold is anything but cheap. What are you hiding from me, Maeve? What's so strange about this town? Because I know you want to explore 'other things.' If this is you trapping me—"
Maeve blushed slightly, grinning wildly. "I swear, I swear, I picked this job out before I knew you had been blessed dick in your pants… okay?" Maeve stopped, half-giggling, half-deflecting. "You have such disorderd manners you know."
"Maaaaeeeeve…" Rennia started. "What exactly is the job? Tell me, or I'll do something worse than pinch you." Rennia's arms locked around Maeve's neck. "This is like rule 1 of adventuring, out with it."
Maeve conceded rather quickly. Despite being well-built, she really wasn't meant for physical scuffles. "Alright, alright. People are having naked panics in the town, scaring off visitors. Locals claim it's a spirit that's doing it. The guild wants to keep it under wraps because it might hurt the reputation of the town. I swear I already agreed to it before coming here."
"Naked panics? Elaborate. You know we're tin rank, right? Bottom of the barrel. Why would you take this job? And you know I have a "sex-related" problem. Are you serious?"
"Well… everyone in the town developed a lewd mindset. I don't know anything about it, other than some adventurers had gone investigating and one of them came back pregnant."
"Pregnancy? What in backdoor rumors?" Rennia gave her a mortified stare. "You moron. Why would you assume I'd partake in such a dumb job? Why would you bring me here?"
Maeve, hesitant and fearful of another punch, shook her head. "I knew you wouldn't, but the money seemed too good to be true. Plus, Mara told me if I can pull it off, she's willing to boost me to copper. Get me better jobs."
That sounded like corruption. Mara sure was naughty and lax. Perhaps Mara knew Rennia wanted her rPerhaps Rennia needed to make a visit. But Rennia ignored that for a moment—she didn't want to be stuck being a tinny either.
She shook her head. Then there was Maeve, wgo was using her position as a noblewoman to manipulate mostly informal channels. That was a concerning trait to think about. Part of her wondered if she was doing the same thing with her.
"Alright, so people get naked in this town." She bit her lip. "People get naked in this town."
That sounded nice. Was that a thing? Could she sneak into the town's populace, participate in their rituals? The thoughts seemed to linger longer than they should. No, that would be unprofessional. What if she couldn't keep her cock in her pants? Is it too late to turn back?
"This is going to be a problem for me. So it's just magical exhibitionism? There's no sex involved?"
Maeve giggled awkwardly. "Well, the report did say the people have experienced increased stamina and physical endurance. Sounds familiar, no?"
Rennia frowned. "So it was sex-related, and Maeve thought she was the first person to come and ask."
"And you chose me for this?" Rennia asked in disbelief.
Maeve twiddled with her fingers. "I'm sorry. I know no one else. Besides the goal is to deal with this "spirit" not the people."
The pathfinder counter her breath, it could be worse. "Fine. I could seriously do with the money."
Maeve smiled. "See, I knew you'd be reasonable."
Rennia shook her head. "one problem though?"
Maeve looked up.
"While we're on the field, Maeve, please behave. Adventuring is serious business, a matter of life and death. You get that?"
Her pale face had turned pinkish in embarrasement. "you think too lowly of me Rennia, I had an extended education, I am not a moron."
Rennia shrugged. "If you say so."
Maeve hadn't like the sound of that. And had bitten into Rennia's leg.
"Hey!" She pushed Maeve slightly away, and then thought for a moment.
Turning back made snese, and yet Rennia was mildly aroused by the idea of hooking up with a random village girl in the street. Of course, that would cause quite the scandal back at the guild. She could see it in the printed press: "Adventuress with male appendage seduces village."
Maeve giggled. "More like Ossterian tempress get's deported for seducing women."
Rennia folded her arms. "That would certainly be the end of my career." Nope. She had to be extra careful.
Still, she could imagine that… sex in open view, bodies-on-bodies. It was exciting and yet...unappealing but it would be quite a sight. She had never seen someone else partake in open orgy's before, not even among her peers in the promiscuous Kibblestadt. Maybe a time like this was the perfect way to open up to Maeve, tell her about everything.
She pulled herself up, nearly toppling Maeve. "I suppose I can tell you what a skill or two does."
"Huh?" Maeve squeaked like a mouse. "What are you talking about?"
"My [Sexual Discipline]. It makes me stronger than usual, and it comes with levels. The more sexually aroused I am, the stronger I get," Rennia stated.
"What?"
"I figured you should know. Now is better than never, yes?"
"I'm sorry what, say that again!"
"Listen, then... Are you listening"
"My ears are open." Maeve quieted down, she was hesitant caught off guard.
"Okay, let's start clean. After the incident that happened to me, I woke up with this class the next day. Ever since then…" She cleared her throat. "Ever since then, whenever I participate in some form of sexual activity, I… level up, either a skill, or a class, or an attribute."
Maeve started frowning—whether it was interest or jealousy, Rennia had her attention.
"That seems surprisingly unfair to the rest of us. And you have two classes? That's fucked up."
Rennia winced. "I know. But it's not like I chose it."
Maeve perked up. "Sorry, I mean, no! I mean, so do you practice your class at all? Like, at all?"
She scratched the side of her head, then answered. "Well, kind of, but you know it's not easy. And I don't want to climb into everyone's pants. My 'master,' Ishmere—she's more of a liability for this kind of thing. I've been very cautious lately. I guess… I need someone I can trust. For her she wants it all, until she's bored."
"Someone like me?"
Rennia felt her cheeks go slightly reddish. It's not like she had a particular affection for Maeve, but her predicament, the agreement she had made… "I suppose. You offered me yesterday. You've already seen too much. And we're basically partners now."
"Partners."
"Partners-in-dungeoneering," Rennia clarified. "Anyway, I opened up. That should be a start, I guess. I do not want to take things fast here."
"You like to take things slow, then. So… would you show it to me?" Maeve gestured downward.
"Right now?" Rennia asked, flustered. "No. I need to keep my head in the game, and if the guild's information is correct, I can't lose control."
"Cool."
"Cool?"
Maeve spoke. "It's nice that you opened up to me." Her hands trailed closer toward Rennia's lap. "I get you might think I might try and take advantage of you, but I've really never seen someone like you before. I genuinely want to see where you take your powers."
Rennia let out a breath, then sprang up. It was was a breath of fresh air. But first, before she did anything, a spirit had waited. "C'mon, we have a town to get to."