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Who: Monika & You!
When: Throughout Mid-Septeril
Where: Shopping/Entertainment/Aristocratic/Residential Districts, & The Haven
(Daytime or Evening is fine)
What: Clothes-changing potions from the "Victorious Secret" quest that work exactly as intended
Warnings: Lingerie and other sort of revealing evening-wear.

Monika had by now gotten nicely into the habit of working part-time. It gave her the chance to earn some money without feeling too overwhelmed. It also kept her occupied and distracted while everyone else was off on their adventure in that other city. Honestly, the less she thought about that place, the better.

She really didn't like it.

Anyways, today she was off testing a specific set of potions for an alchemy shop. Nothing too crazy, apparently, just some potions that could change your clothes just by drinking it. It sounded pretty fascinating and fun, even if details were a little sparse.

It's only after the fact that Monika finally realizes what she's gotten herself mixed-up in.

The potions are harmless, and they work well-enough.

Maybe a little too well?

"What do you mean that I'm stuck wearing this for the next couple of hours?" was what Monika asked.

To which the storekeeps responded by presenting the fine (and small) print to her.

With no real leg to stand on, Monika excused herself for the day and made her way back to her room. A trip which seemed so much longer now that she was stuck wearing various types of lingerie and evening-wear. While she was able to cast an illusion on herself to make it look like she was wearing more modest clothing, Monika is so distracted that it's tough to maintain her focus to keep the spell.

That's fine, all she has to do is make it back to her room all the way back in The Haven and this will all be over.

Surely it can't be that difficult.

[Additional artist credit goes to here & here.]

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It shouldn't be that difficult, but yet, it turns out to be a bit more complicated when Monika is trying to avoid people she knows... and when Rich, recently back in Aefenglom after that Worst Road Trip Ever, is eager to talk to people. He catches her eye as she's hurrying past, and he runs to keep up with her.

"Monika! Hey! Geez, slow down a little! My legs aren't as long as yours."

How unlucky could one person running into a familiar face now of all times? Maybe if she had taken a more roundabout path...

Okay, at least her illusion is still up. So he should just be seeing her dressed like normal. Just gotta maintain focus and...

"O-Oh, Rich... H-Hi!"

Act natural.

She is definitely... not acting normal. Sure, Monika isn't always the most outgoing person, but Rich has never heard her stammer like that. He raises an eyebrow, but starts walking beside her with a small grin.

"Hey. You alright there? Sorry if I scared you or something, I was just on my way home from work."

"It's fine!" She says more loudly than needed when Rich is right next to her. Honestly? This was harder than Monika originally thought. The illusion is still working, she knows. But an illusion is all it is.

In reality, all she's wearing is the same set of lingerie she left the store in.

"It's... fine. Y-Yeah. You just startled me is all." Is her face getting red?

She is acting really weird. Is she sick or something? He didn't think being around him bothered her that much.

"I must have startled you. Your face is like beet red. You don't need to get worked up..." He reaches out to give her a pat on the arm.

"No, don't!"

Monika immediately puts distance between herself and Rich after noticing his attempt at touching her. More distance than was probably needed for a simple arm pat.

"Sorry, I just, uh..."

She needs to keep up the illusion, she needs to!

"You don't need to apologize. I just was worried. You're acting really strange, and I know, weird dude like me probably has cooties, but I thought I could just give you a pat on the back or something."

He looks her up and down, attempting to search for anything that might be even the slightest bit off about Monika.

"It's nothing you did, honest." Trying to maintain an illusion while obviously distracted so that you don't spot her in an embarrassing a spot as she's ever been in.

No big deal.

"I'm just a little distracted and a little on edge..."

"On edge? I mean, I guess there is a lot going on. Any way you can think of that I could help you calm down?"

Probably going far, far away from her, but Rich doesn't know that.

"I'm not too sure. I think what I really need is to make it back indoors and to my room." Where there would be far, far less eyes on her.

"That's not weird, right?"

"Not at all. Everyone deals with anxiety differently. Getting away from people is a common one so... I'll walk you there, okay?"

He doesn't know how her mental health is, but he doesn't exactly want to leave her alone if she'll have a full on panic attack.

Honestly, she'd just like to tell him to go away and leave her alone. She'd really just like to do that, but it never ends up happening.

"S-Sure! I'd really appreciate that."

At least Monika was still a pretty decent liar, and Rich was still... pretty oblivious.

Rich is pretty oblivious, taking her discomfort with him to simply be a side effect of her current anxious state. That said, if she thinks that once he walks her home, he's just going to leave... well, she might be surprised.

"Hey, don't worry about it. Everyone gets like this sometimes. I know I still do. I know your whole... thing is like, being pretty and confident and successful, but you have to give yourself room to breathe."

She stopped in her tracks for a moment, his words echoing deep.

"That's what you really think of me? Because I'm not, you know."

Not so much the part where she was 'pretty,' she was already pretty confident in that. It was the rest.

"Before I came here, so much of what I tried just ended up in failure."

...Ah, that hit a nerve, didn't it? Rich isn't surprised. Looking at the girls he talks to, the more confident you seem, the more terrified you are on the inside. Just like him, honestly. Maybe that's just a thing for all humans.

~~This just in: Rich discovers low self-esteem isn't sexist~~

"I had a lot of failures too. I think all of us do... it's part of growing up, right? But you know your failures don't have to dictate who you are."

"Easy for you to say." His failures weren't the reason she'd basically erased her entire world. Could she even call that place a world? It honestly felt more like a prison to her. One that she detested.

But one that couldn't be saved.

Ah, but someone should probably tell Monika that she's thinking a bit too much about this. Mostly because her concentration was slipping and the illusion she'd been desperate to maintain was fading.

Fast.

"Hey, I don't know everything about where you're from, but it..."

He was going to argue that her failures couldn't have been completely catestrophic, but any arguments he could make for that suddenly fade, as he finds himself... somehow seeing through Monika's shirt.

Is this some sort of monster trait he didn't know about? He gasps and averts his eyes immediately.

"Hey uh, did you get wet or something? You're uh..." He gestures helplessly to her, still avoiding looking in her direction.

"Hmm? What are you...?" Oh, it was happening, wasn't it. Monika could tell that her illusion was fading, and she hurried to strengthen her concentration.

"You..."

One crisis had been averted, at least.

"You didn't see anything just now!"

I... uh, I think I kind of did? I mean, it's fine, it's not a big deal, I won't be creepy about it!

[Whatever happened with her clothing, it was clear Monika didn't want it to happen, and it seems to be fading now. Maybe he just... shouldn't ask?]

Justine was out and about for the sole purpose getting fresh air. Not because she wanted to but because she knew she had too. She was eating regularly again and starting to feel better but she spent too much time inside.

She wore a long white dress with a corset wrapped snugly around her slender center. She didn't have a destination in mind but aimlessly made her way through the city.

Her steps slowed to a stop when she saw someone walking down the street in underwear. It was even more surprising to see her friend being the one going it. "Monika?" Justine's cheeks flushed and she felt as if she should look away...

Of all the people she could've run into... And right when she had lost her focus, causing the illusion to be dispelled.

Monika's face is as red as it could be as she turns to face Justin.

"I, u-um..."

She tries to use her hands to cover herself but there's really not much that can be done.

"I can explain, really!"

Justine takes a moment to compose herself. It wasn't that she's embarrassed, only that Monika's a very attractive girl and she's finding it difficult not to linger over the expanses of lovely pale skin.

Leering wasn't going to help.

"It's alright. You don't have too but..." She really wants to know what Monika was doing.

If Justine wasn't embarrassed, then Monika definitely was. Her face is just the brightest shade as red as her futile attempts to cover herself continue.

"I swear I don't normally go out dressed like this, really."

She hoped that Justine knew her better than that.

"I-I was just helping out an alchemy store with some clothes-changing potions and... I got stuck like this."

Justine looked away and then back again. "I hadn't thought that you walked around in that." It was something she'd do but that was a different matter entirely.

"Would you like me to walk you home?"

She didn't think that standing out here was what Monika wanted.

"S-Sure! I wouldn't mind." Monika liked the idea of at least having someone company while going through her clothing mishap.

"Really, the sooner this potion wears off, the happier I'll be."

And warmer.

Justine reached out an arm and beckoned Monika to her side. "Come on then. I can shield at least half of you." She doubted the potoin would negate her presence just by standing next to Monika and holding her.

"You are too trusting." The comment was softly spoke, nearly whispered in Monika's ear as Justine wrapped an arm around the girls shoulders.

An arm went around Justine's waist in return. The closeness and the contact between them helped to settle Monika down a bit, as did the familiar warmth that was doubly able to keep her from feeling too cold.

"You think? I don't normally make a mistake like this."

Her voice lowers to a softer whisper as she guides Monika down the street. She can't offer much in the way of protection but Justine tries to weave a little spell that draws the eyes away from Monika. "Then maybe it's just this one time."

She looked down at Monika and then back at the path in front of them.

"It's a little like a bathing suit. Maybe if you think about it like that?"

"You wouldn't normally wear a bathing suit out in the middle of the street like this!" She wasn't anywhere near a beach, even!

"This just really isn't my style of clothing. It's way, way too bold. I don't think it suits me in the slightest."

"Well, maybe. I have worn less in public. Costumes for parties and things like that." Justine was very comfortable with her body. "I sunbath nude at times but that's just outside my home or at the beach." Which was less traveled.

Justine glanced over and down at her friend. "I think it suits you but if you aren't comfortable with it, you shouldn't wear it."

She was a big advocate of choice for this sort of thing.

Oh, wow.

Granted, she liked learning about Justine, that was more than she was expecting. Monika went became a little red in the face after the fact.

"You're a braver person than me, I don't think I could ever really do something like... that!"

"I don't know if I'm brave." Justine recognized that she was beautiful and knew that it was a tool that she could use to her advantage but it was different for her. She lived in a world where sexuality was natural.

It was the culture of the White Court.

"But thank you. I should probably not tell you about the rose petal costume I wore once." There was almost nothing to it and while Justine wasn't trying to put the image in Monika's mind, she figured the distraction might help from her current situation.

"A r-rose petal costume?" Oh goodness that sure did put a little more hint of red to her face. Justine was already really pretty and...

She couldn't help but imagine it. Just a little bit.

"Um, it sounds pretty exotic!"

At least Monika has illusion magic. Though Natsuru got a chance to see what having the ability to glamour herself might be like in that Dorchacht dream, she has yet to figure out how to do it for real. This... presents a problem in her current situation.

A figure flits from shadow to shadow, waiting until the coast is clear before making another move. Until there's a slight miscalculation, and she steps out just in time to bump into someone.

Natsuru turns, forgetting about her state of undress in her surprise. Recognizing her roommate, she sighs in relief... yet her eyes quickly dart around to see if there's anyone else around.

"M-Monika-chan, I..."

She seems to realize how she's dressed, and her cheeks flush slightly. It's a relief that it's just Monika, but she'd been hoping to avoid being seen outside of the shop today! She seems like she's about to say something else, but... then, she looks down. The image of the clothing Monika's wearing is weirdly wispy and transparent, and if she focuses at all, it all but disappears to reveal...

... Oh.

Suddenly, that light flush of her cheeks has grown to a deep blush.

It was nice that she and Natsuru were working together, with Monika more excited about the idea than she would actually let on. She really liked her and it always felt comforting to have her nearby.

Today, however, well...

It just wasn't the best day to be so close to her roommate. At least not while her clothes were stuck the way they were.

The impact makes it impossible to not notice Natsuru.

Was this the first time they'd been in compromising situations together? Not necessarily, but the nature of their clothing (or lack of) made it feel like an all new experience.

"N-Natsuru! I..."

Whatever thought Monika had was completely interrupted and forgotten about, as she couldn't help but find herself staring at the girl in front of her. Wearing a lingerie of her own, and one that left so very little to the imagination. Her mouth was left slightly opened, as Monika was left dumbfounded.

"You're..."

She was beautiful.

While Natsuru can see through the illusion of Monika's clothes, she's not sure if Monika knows she can see through it. So she tries to play it off like nothing is strange at all! Which... has its own issues, when she's standing there plainly wearing nothing but lingerie right out in the open.

"H-Hey, um..." She chuckles nervously. "I... I was done with my shift, but it hasn't worn off yet, so..."

Finally, the blush overtakes her face completely, and she slinks back towards a nearby wall so she's at least slightly less on display. Monika can look if she wants, and she tellingly does nothing to turn away or avoid her friend's gaze, even if she is a little embarrassed. But she's not trying to put on a show for everyone else here!

"I was just trying to get home quickly!"

"R-Right, um... Me too!"

Words kept failing in the face of her roommate... in lingerie. Monika already thought that that Natsuru was just downright pretty, and had a great body, too. Being able to not only see it so up close, but dressed... like that? Stumbling over her words was about all she could manage.

She wasn't even trying to avoid looking at Natsuru's chest, that's how bad Monika had it.

"I, uh... You look..."

Amazing? Stunning? Wonderful?

"You look good!"

She notices where Monika is looking. How could she not? But something about it being her first real friend and roommate, knowing Monika isn't the type of person she always hated attracting attention from back home...

Seeing Monika look at her in such obvious admiration makes her feel warm and fluttery in a way she can't possibly describe. Instead of running or finding herself so flustered she was at a loss for words, she manages to actually answer the compliment.

"Th-Thank you..." Realization of what she'd just said makes her blush even harder. But it wasn't bad, was it? Any normal girl would thank a close friend who complimented her like that!

More than that, even. Natsuru's eyes naturally flick down, taking in the sight of Monika, and she finds herself quietly adding, "You look... really great, too."

That blush grows even redder as soon as the words are out, and she quickly looks off to the side. "I mean... I wasn't trying to look, but-!"

Does Monika even remember that she'd had the ability to look through illusions in the dream world? She certainly hasn't had a reason to mention it to Monika again, even since it started happening for real.

Her thoughts had been so distracted that she didn't realize it at first. The fact that Natsuru could probably notice that she was...

Oh.

Well, it was good that her cheeks were burning red at this point. Not because she was staring at Natsuru in lingerie, and not just because of how stunning she looked, but also because it was her roommate that was complimenting her, now. Being told that she looked great by Natsuru made her heart flutter and skip a beat. She was embarrassed, still, but there was also a part of her that felt...

Happy.

Happy and... warm. It was an odd combination that had arisen from an even odder situation.

But if Natsuru had gone ahead and said such nice things about her, then maybe this wasn't too bad. A little flattery between girls couldn't hurt, right?

"I-It's fine, I don't really mind if it's you."

"Ah..."

The small sound escaped her lips, but Natsuru remained speechless for a long moment. It wasn't only the moment of unspoken understanding, where Monika clearly realized Natsuru was seeing more than her illusions. That had hit her too, but what really shocked her... was Monika saying that. Not that it's okay because they're both girls. That it's okay because it's her.

"O-Okay. I, um... I don't mind... either."

She blushed harder and harder as she stumbled through. But she didn't want Monika to think for a moment that she was uncomfortable around her. It was just... that they were out in the open, and Natsuru didn't have her own illusions now like she had in the dream.

The was a fluttering in her heart after hearing Natsuru say that. It made her feel... warm. That alone wasn't anything new. But this was a different kind of warmth, and hard to really explain.

She liked being around people.

Her friends, of course.

And Natsuru was her friend, too. But for some reason she especially liked being close to her.

"We should probably head back home." Without really thinking, Monika grabbed Natsuru's hand, her own finger's between her friend's. It wasn't really anything new. They'd held bands before!

"By the way, um... I know it's been a while since we both had that dream but. I'm really, really glad you're alright."

Just when it looked like that blush might fade, it flared back up again at the feeling of Monika taking her hand, interlacing their fingers like that as if it's perfectly normal. Which it sort of was. They've done this enough by now that Natsuru's hand automatically reciprocated, gently but firmly clasping Monika's hand with her own. Still, somehow, their... current outfits combined with the closeness made it feel much more intimate this time.

"Y-Yeah..." She quietly cleared her throat, feeling almost swept along by momentum. She found herself walking hand-in-hand with Monika, close enough together that she could almost feel the proximity of Monika's bare skin to her own.

"Um, thanks. I mean, it's because of people like you and Towa-san!" There was a brief pause, as she considered something. "M-Maybe I'd still be okay even if you hadn't helped, but. I'm... really glad you did."

"You don't have to thank me, silly. I would've helped you no matter what." She offered Natsuru a smile and a brief squeeze of her hand.

The two kept walking, with Monika practically forgetting or not minding the rather embarrassing state of undress she was in. It wasn't as though she wasn't confident in her looks, but being exposed as she'd been... It was a little much!

"But that's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about. I think... we could take better care of each other if we... um, Bonded!"

There, she just up and said it.

Natsuru felt as if Monika's warmth was infectious. The more she felt from her, the more she felt it bubbling up from within herself as well. Warmth, and a little thrill from their closeness. Monika might not have cared so much about Natsuru seeing her current state of undress, but Natsuru was still flustered over that simple fact.

She tried so hard not to be too obvious about it, that she had to take a moment to catch up to what Monika just said.

"Eh?! Y-You'd... want to...?"

Cheeks still flushed, she blinked widened, surprised eyes in Monika's direction. If they Bonded, it would be Natsuru's first. She supposed they were close enough, and Monika was someone she'd definitely trust...

The suggestion just really caught her off guard. Doing that... they'd be tied together in a whole new way. Was it really okay for her to want that too? What if Monika changed her mind before she could say yes?!

"I mean-!" Unconsciously, she clung the tiniest bit closer to Monika, which only made herself blush harder. "If it's okay with you, I'd... be okay with it too."

"Of course it's okay! I wouldn't be asking if I didn't feel absolutely certain about it." The way Natsuru just always managed to brighten up her day, Monika couldn't help but want to improve upon that. Bonding with her seemed like the most logical step, and it would also connect them in a way that she could at least whenever something was wrong.

Being stuck in that dream was enough of a wake-up call for her that she really wanted to protect her.

"But, I'm... happy! I'm really happy that you wanna bond with me, Natsuru." And a gentle squeeze of her hand to show it, too.

"Honestly, I'm just glad you still want to even be with me. I think I can be kind of a handful sometimes, you know?"

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boy, this one's going back a ways now...

always worth the wait!

♥

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