I don't wanna get up! How late is it? It's still dark out there. Who is calling me? Damn, it must be important, or else they'd given up by now. Better see who it is who calls me on that hologram thingy.

Iren and Essie? Of course, they look impeccable. Even this early in the day. Iren has thrown on some dress in shades of red fading to pink, and Essie even has her hair done in elaborate braids and is wearing a nice green tunic. Meanwhile, my hair looks like a bird's nest and I still only wear a copy of my tunic and skirt as PJs. Life is unfair.

"What's up? Something important?"

"You are seriously asking us that?" Uh, oh. Someone is in a bad mood. Iren looks angry. "Don't pretend you are clueless."

But I am. At least Essie looks like might believe me.

"Rumor is you went into a hardened space at Maynard Mansion," Essie says for my benefit. "Don't tell me it is true."

"Oh, yeah. That's why you are calling? I am fine." Time for a nonchalant shrug and calm then down. I wanna go back to bed. "Nothing too bad happened."

Ups, I think I said something wrong. Iren looks pissed. "You call a collapse nothing? And what were you doing in there anyway? A hardened space is no place for a void-trader."

"Look, I was already chewed out plenty." I mean who are they to lecture me? "It was necessary for my research. I thought you'd understand. You told me we void-traders need an edge to stay relevant."

"Being dead won't accomplish anything. I never told you to risk your life. Nothing is worth risking that. Do you understand?"

Damn, Iren looks scary. But she isn't my mother. I can take care of myself. Or at least hire someone to take care of me in areas I don't have experience.

"Look, I know it was a mistake. In hindsight, I know better. Believe me, no words can top the experience I had. And quite a few people already had words for me. For what it's worth, I don't plan on ever going back into a hardened space again." I mean, yeah. It was a mistake. At least until I make anything from the haul worth something. "But what I do is still up to me. If I deem a risk acceptable then it is my decision. Not yours."

"Everyone is accountable!" Damn, Iren's shout had to be heard even in the next Little Mule. "You are part of the void-trader guild. Or did you forget that? There are rules. And they are there to protect you. If I have to call you in the middle of the night or come over and whoop your butt personally, believe me, I will."

"Look, it is-"

"Not another word," Iren cuts me off. "Even if you weren't part of the guild. Did you ever think about how your friends might react if you died in a hardened space? There would have been a good chance your soul-crystal might be lost. Especially in a collapse. Now I need to prepare. Explain to both, my fellow guild leaders and the adventurer's guild associate, why a void-trader was stupid enough to risk her life."

And just like that, she is gone. Ended her projection. Leaving me alone with Essie. Way to go to cut off any discussion. Not that I wanted to extend my chewing out anymore. I said I am sorry, didn't I? Way to go off on a tangent.

"How did she even find out?"

"My aunt," Essie volunteers.

Damn, right. Awyn. She is a void-trader at Maynard Mansion too. She sells weapons.

"So, Awyn told you and you snitched to-"

"Oh, get off your high Bandrasi. Do you really think Awyn doesn't have the means to contact Iren directly? We are a guild, Lillyn. And yes, if Awyn would have told me first, I would have snitched. Because, believe it or not, we are friends. And friends look out for each other. Especially if someone is chasing their own death."

"So, that's why you are angry? Because I am just a friend?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, you know what I mean." I roll my eyes. Just to rub it more in. "You think I haven't heard the rumors yet? Admit it, you just want me as a bed-bunny for your harem."

"Oh, sometimes you are insufferable, Lillyn!" Essie is storming up to me. Damn, she looks even angrier than Iren does. Did I hit a nerve? Good. "If I wasn't a projection right now I would slap the stupid out of you. No, I don't want you as a bed-bunny. Whatever a bunny is, I don't even know. And don't believe any rumor you hear. Yes, when I was young and discovered I was into women my pubescent self vowed to build a big and mighty harem. Guess what, people grow up from their childish notions. Sure, I held onto the dream. For as long as nothing better comes along, why not? And I thought, Lillyn, something better had come along. Of course, only you would accuse me of just thinking with my hormones."

"I am not trying to build a harem." Sex, in general, is the furthest from my mind right now. The very notion is ridiculous.

"No. Not poor little Lillyn. Who is only your friend as long as nothing better comes around," Essie shots back. "We used to talk all the time, but then Pasus came along. And you followed him around the courtyard like a lost Hounshack-puppy. What happened to him I wonder? Maybe you have him replaced too? Someone with blue hair and instead of walks around the courtyard, you snuggle up with her in your Little Mule."

"I am not having sex with her!"

"That's not what I am saying, Lillyn. I accuse you of ditching your friends as soon as someone shiny and new comes along."

"I think you better leave now," I press through gritted teeth.

"Glady."

Finally, I am alone. Essie and her judginess is gone. Can you believe her? I mean, Iren's anger I kind of get. I was acting stupid, alright. But I am not ditching friends just because someone new is there. That's insane.

Just because we don't talk to each other every day anymore doesn't mean I abandoned her. Okay. Alright. Maybe it has been a few days since we talked. And Pasus is probably busy. That's why he hasn't called.

Wait, I did give him my Little Mule ID, right? Or was it the other way around? Maybe he can't call me because-

Oh, fudge. I hate to admit it, but I think Essie might be right.

I mean, not completely. It is not like I am ignoring people on purpose. Just a lot of things happened really fast. You know how confusing my life is right now. I tell you everything. Well, nearly everything.

Shit, I guess I have to apologize to them. But not now. I'll probably end up with my foot in my mouth again and say something even worse.

Great, Lillyn. Just great. A real nice friend I make.

Well, all this wouldn't have happened if they'd called me at a better time. Seriously. It's in the middle of the night. No wonder I am not on my best behavior. It's their own fault, I am telling you.

I am going back to bed.

It's only noon and I already wanna close up shop and crawl back to bed. But I can't. Not before I apologize. To Iren and Essie. Even to Pasus. He'll probably wonder why I haven't even called once.

But not yet. Believe it or not, I still got a shop to run. People are waiting. In fact, the next person stepping up is- Myra?

"You are a little early for hanging out with me at my lunch break," I say with a small grin on my lips. What? I don't know why, but even just seeing her boosts my spirit.

"That's because I am here on official business, Lillyn."

"Uh, oh. What does the head-priestess want this time from me?"

"Nothing bad," Myra says with a chuckle. "Maryn is heading into the cellar of the mansion next. Her group is running low on potions, so here I am. Buying the necessary supplies. You alright? From afar you looked a bit gloomy, but I might have imagined it."

"No. That fits." I give her a deep sigh. A little bit on the theatrical side. "I had a fight with a friend and my guild superior. Both had been furious. They didn't like my little stunt of going into the servant quarters."

"They have a point. I warned you before you even stepped a foot into it."

"Not you too, Brutus!" I say while throwing my hands up.

"You are no emperor, Lillyn. Even though your bosom looks mighty majestic to me." Myra must have seen my confused look because she continues with an explanation. "Yes, I know about Caesar and the Roman Empire. You know, sometimes history books from Earth make it over. If you think that's betrayal then you don't know about grand Partifay Chocola of the world Parlinee. His closest advisors turned on him with their teeth. Ate him up in one go."

"You are kidding, right?"

Myra is swaying from side to side. Holding her arms behind her back and giving me a mischievous smile. "Maybe."

"Alright. You got me there," I admit. I mean that can't be right. Right? "Well, you can tell me later about it. We better get down to business or else more rumors will spread."

"Rumors?"

Ah, shit. I walked right into that. Why do I have such a big mouth? Today it lands me in all kinds of trouble.

"There are a lot of witnesses around here. Some noticed you spent the other night in my Little Mule."

Myra let out a loud laugh that carries at least as far as the waiting line. "Is that what they say?"

"You don't have to make it sound so ridiculous."

"Lillyn." Myra is leaning down on the counter to grab my hands. Bringing herself close to me so she can look me straight into the eyes. "I admit, I have feelings for you. But I also know you are new to this. Not just Besona. You only have been in this body - and gender - for a short time. I know that. I would like for us to become closer in the future. But only when you are ready. I can wait. Just give me a sign when you are ready."

A sign? Damn. Why is my heart beating so fast? Her lips are so close. She is wearing the Papush lipstick I gifted her. I should kiss her, right? She always makes me feel good. Just by being around. I can't let her slip away. Fade away like Essie or Pasus. I've got to make a move now before she slips my grasp.

"Until then, how about some potions?"

Damn, I just had made up my mind when she leaned back. Now the moment is gone. Sometimes I can be so stupid. But maybe this time it is better. Am I ready for her? I know my heart beats faster with her in the same room, but she has a point. There are still aspects of being a woman I haven't gotten used to. To be honest, if someone offered me a way back to being a man I'd probably take it in a heartbeat. Well, there are ways on Besona, but not something affordable for me. Not any time soon. I don't even know if Myra would go for it. Does it in the end come down to staying with Myra and a woman or regaining my manhood? Shit. Maybe it is better if we keep it uncomplicated for now.

"Yeah, potions. What do you need?"

"-and that's why I am truly sorry for my words. I know I was in the wrong and I promise to do better."

Of course, my apology falls on deaf ears.

"Thanks for listening, Becky, but on the feedback and advice department, you are still lacking."

Of course, the Automata I named Becky doesn't answer. Probably because I still haven't figured out a way to repair her or any other Automata. The core is still missing. Without that, she is just a mannequin. Very lifelike, but still motionless.

I had the whole day a mannequin torso on the research bench and one of the boxes containing Maynard's research notes. Nothing. Well, no core. I keep getting upgraded versions of the torso. Not by much, but the latest model of the Automata chest has twenty percent more durability. You know, for when a visitor stares too hard at my mannequin.

So much for an army of Automata at my disposal. Could you imagine it? I'd be swimming in void-favors. Just send a bunch of Automata into a hardened space for me. They come back with loot and I get rich.

"Do you have at least advise on how to get you moving, Becky?"

No, of course not. Can't even tell if Becky counts as company right now. Myra appears to be busy. Normally I'd call Essie right about now. But I don't think I am ready yet with that apology. I know I owe her one, but I think the wording needs a little more work. Maybe more groveling too.

So, that leaves me alone for the evening. Only me, Becky, and the lone soul crystal of an adventurer. Stuck on that charger thingy. The only piece worth anything from my raid into the servants' quarters. If I can quantify it, maybe I'll make a profit after all. Got to research it once I unloaded the soul crystal when the soul-guide arrives. Maybe I even can research upgrades? Make it more portable or something like that. Well, knowing Besona, the clamps holding the soul-crystal probably turn into boobs.

"Hey Becky, how about you play pillow for a-"

Holy shit! What if I combine a soul crystal with an Automata? Yes, I tried before. But that was before I had the stasis charger. Maybe that is the missing link. It wouldn't give me an army, but at least it would get Becky working. I've got to try.

"Sorry, soul, I need the charger for a little experiment. You'll get it back soon. Promise."

Alright. Automata torso on the research bench. Stasis charger too. Wish me luck, people. Research breakthrough here we come. And Besona, don't fuck this up for me!

Cassy here. I know, I haven't talked much lately.
And geez there was a big hiatus.
Don't worry. This part is only a day late. Not three months. No new hiatus in sight.

Have you noticed it? Lillyn is zooming in on Myra.
But maybe she needs a bit of help keeping her interested.
You know what they say.
The way to a woman's heart is through her ...
Stomach? Don't be ridiculous.

Her lips of course!
Maybe you want to help her there a little.
I've got a few fun lipstick ideas Lillyn can research, but how about a little competition?
Post your idea for an enchanted lipstick down below and how Lillyn might research it. Keep in mind, Lillyn also has a device that might transfer enchantments she already has researched.

I am curious if you can do worse than me.
Or better.

Until next time.
Hugs and kisses,
Cassy