It was very earlier when Shallista awoke. She hopped out of bed and did some stretches before donning her armor. "Time to hit the farm."
She walked down the hall, down the stairs, and was about ready to go out back. Then, she heard a noise in the guild hall. "Hmm..."
Cautiously, she made her way to the door leading into the guild hall, opened it slowly, and peeked through. The source of the noise became apparent, as Penelope was clutching her knee, muttering curses. "Penelope? I wasn't expecting you to be so early."
The newcomer looked up at her. "I'm sorry if I woke you. I banged my freaking knee into the door on the way in."
"You didn't wake me," Shallista said. "I was on my way out back to do some farming. I just wasn't expecting you to come so early."
Penelope spread her arms and looked down at herself. "I had no choice. It's the only way I could sneak over here in this humiliating outfit."
Shallista noticed she had a bag in one of her hands. "What's that?"
"Clothes," Penelope answered. "Surely you don't expect me to walk back home like this."
Shallista tilted her head one way, then the other. "Do you really want to be a Sexy Warrior?"
"I'm not opposed to the idea," Penelope answered. "I just think that being expected to walk in public like this is starting off on the deep end of the pool. I have to warm up to it."
Shallista smiled.
"What's with that smile?" Penelope asked. "You've got something planned, don't you?"
Shallista shook her head. "Not really. So how much do you know about farming? I could use some help and none of the other ladies are good at it."
"I know a little," Penelope said.
"Good. Let's go."
*
It was high sun. Penelope was dripping with sweat and her arms were sore from swinging a hoe all morning. She and Shallista really tore up some ground. It was simple, but satisfying work.
Shallista had gone to get them some water to refuel and keep going. Now, she was returning with two mugs. "Here," she said, handing her a mug. "You've earned it."
Penelope took it and took a big sip. "Many thanks."
Shallista downed her mug. "Nothing beats a cold mug of water after hours of farming."
Penelope wondered. "What made you decide sexy armor was the right choice for you? Would wearing something more practical be smarter? I mean, we're completely unprotected unless the enemy is only attacking our lady parts."
"It would be smarter," Shallista said, "but I'm more comfortable like this. I have immense confidence in my skills and, as you saw yesterday, I'm an exhibitionist. When you have a body like this, you just want to show it off. You said it yourself. It feels good to wear it."
"It does feel good," Penelope said. "It just isn't very practical."
"In fourteen years, I've accrued a number of victories over warriors that were dressed more practically," Shallista said. "They took one look at me and thought it was going to be an easy victory only to wind up on their knees begging me to spare their lives."
Penelope saw for herself that this wasn't a lie. This woman must have been some kind of monster. "I can only hope to have a fraction of your skill and confidence."
Shallista smiled. "You'll learn how to be more confident soon enough. In fact, your first lesson should be starting right about now."
"What do you mean?" Suddenly, Penelope's body felt heavy. Her legs wobbled and her vision grew blurry. "Wait...you...drugged...me?" She felt herself fall to the ground before passing out."
*
She felt her body lying on something wooden and her head resting on something firm, but fleshy. She opened her eyes and found herself staring up at Shallista, who was smiling at her. Still groggy, she asked, "Ugh...Shallista...why did you do that?"
"Behold, your first lesson," Shallista said, sweeping her arm through the air.
Penelope looked around and immediately knew where she was. They were on a bench right in the center of town. All eye were on them. And she was still wearing her sexy armor. Any grogginess she felt was knocked right out of her upon seeing this. "Ack!" she said, trying in vain to cover herself.
"Out of the pan and into the fire," Shallista said. "That's how a Sexy Warrior does things. There's nowhere to hide and nothing to cover yourself with."
"Shallista!" Penelope squealed. "This is embarrassing! These people know me!"
"And now they can see you," Shallista said.
Penelope looked around, taking in the assorted stares. Some people looked at her with lust. Some looked at her in confusion. Some people snickered and whispered to others. She looked at the ground.
That didn't stop her from hearing their voices. "Ha ha, look at her. So embarrassing."
"Does she really think she's cute enough to wear that?"
"I didn't know Penelope had it going on like that."
"She talked all tough yesterday. Said she was going to run them out of town. But look at her now."
She was so embarrassed, she wanted to die. She though about running away, but felt someone grab her arm.
It was Shallista. "We're going to stand now. Don't run away. Stop trying to cover up."
"If we do that, they're going to see my butt."
"Stand up!" Shallista said, standing and yanking her up forcefully.
"Agh! No!"
More voices came from around. "Pfft! I can't believe she walked out of the house like that!"
"She must be so embarrassed right now."
"She's got nothing on that redhead."
Penelope tried to pull away, but Shallista grip was too strong. "Let go..."
"Shut up and stop moving," Shallista said.
It was futile to escape, so she obeyed.
"Good," Shallista said. "Now take a deep breath and tell me how you feel."
She did so. That's when she felt it. A feeling of serenity. Comfort in her own skin. The acceptance of the stares.
Shallista let her go. "Be confident. Be yourself."
Another voice came. "I'm ashamed to say I know her."
Without thinking, Penelope said, "So what?"
"Huh?" a person said.
"I said, so what? Yesterday, I was just like you all, looking down on this woman and her friends because they weren't dressed according to our standards. I went to their building and called them whores. But I got my ass kicked by this woman standing beside me. She then stripped me and crammed me into this armor. I thank her, because I never would have know this bliss if not for that. Is it embarrassing? Incredibly. Is it practical? Hell no. But I'll be darned if I say it doesn't feel good. I feel...empowered in a weird sort of way. I can say, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that being a Sexy Warrior is the best I've ever felt. I love being one. I'll never stop being a Sexy Warrior."
Had she really just said all that? Did those word actually come from her mouth? She didn't want to say them. So why did she? "Oh no. I'm such a dork." She ran away as fast as she could.
*
Penelope was cringing in a chair in the Sexy Warriors guild hall. All she could do was reflect back on that speech she gave. "I love being one? I'll never stop being a Sexy Warrior?" She felt embarrassed just thinking about it.
Then, Shallista sauntered through the door. "Why did you run?"
Was she serious? "You heard what I said, didn't you? I can't believe I said all that stupid crap. I can't show my face in town again that." She sighed. "I'm sorry if I let you down, Shallista. Perhaps I'm just not cut out to be a Sexy Warrior. I'm resigning. I'll change and hand over my armor."
"Your resignation is denied," Shallista said.
"Why? I embarrassed myself and you as well."
"You should really have more confidence in yourself," Shallista said. She opened the door again and five women from town walked in.
"That was a cool speech, Penelope," one of them said. "Just hearing it made me want to at least try being a Sexy warrior."
"I said some pretty dirty things about you," another said. "I guess I was just going along with the crowd. I'm sorry."
"You are hot," yet another said. "I guess I was just jealous. Sorry."
"Please, Shallista," a fourth said. "Let us be Sexy Warriors, too. Any group Penelope is in must be worth joining."
"We'll work really hard, so please, let us in," the fifth said.
Shallista walked over and sat down next to her. "If you still wait to resign, you're free to do so. I just thought you should see the impact you made before you did."
"I...did this?" She couldn't believe it. "Okay...I changed my mind. I don't want to stop being a Sexy Warrior."
Shallista patted her on the back, then stood. "Okay, ladies, you're all in. Let's introduce you to the others. We'll get you fitted for your armor tomorrow, so be here bright in early."
"Yes, milady," they all said.
As the others walked into the back, Shallista hung behind. "Confidence is a part of being a Sexy Warrior. Don't ever doubt yourself again. Got it?"
What was it about Shallista? What made her so appealing? What was it about her that made it so Penelope couldn't keep herself from smiling. "Yes, milady...and thank you."
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