Shallista was headed from the farm, where Penelope was working diligently, to the training ground, where she saw Audrixia training with the five new recruits. Cordelia was practicing her archery, Akiko was practicing her throwing skills, Hilde was practicing low-level magic, and Wendy was on standby, waiting to use healing magic in case someone got hurt. Wendy was also writing something down on a large piece of paper.
"How's the sign coming, Wendy?" she asked.
"I should have it ready to take to the copy mage in town before they close up shop," Wendy said. "Then, we can post them up all over town."
She nodded. "Good."
"I still can't believe it," Wendy said. "Our numbers have doubled in just one day."
"It probably wouldn't have happened if not for Penelope," Shallista said. "She has potential to be our strongest recruiter."
She turned her attention to Audrixia and the newcomers. She clapped, causing Audrixia to stop the training and line them up. "Tell me how you feel ladies."
They all looked down at themselves. "It still feels odd," said a woman with a long black ponytail slung over the front of her shoulder. "It's almost like this isn't my body."
"It is strange to trade in full shirts and long slacks for such lacking attire," said a woman with long, blonde hair. "It feels good to feel the elements against my bare skin. I could get used to this."
"Yeah," said a caramel-skinned woman. "Where has this stuff been all my life? I don't want to wear anything else."
"This armor is a blessing on a hot day," said a woman with wavy, shoulder-length brown hair. She flashed a nervous smile. "My husband will love it when I walk in the house wearing this."
"Ooh, a married woman," Shallista said. "Any kids?"
"Not yet," the woman said, "but when my husband sees me wearing this...heh heh...let's just say it won't be for lack of trying."
They all shared a laugh. Then the next woman, one with short, blue hair spoke. "For the first time in my life, I feel like I'm being objectified." She smile. "I like it."
"You haven't been objectified yet," Shallista asked. "You lie. Why wouldn't anyone objectify you? You're hot. That blue hair is a nice touch."
"Really?" the blue-hair woman asked. "I like it, but a lot of people think it makes me look crazy. Something about the dye seeping into my scalp and causing brain damage."
"Ha, I've done a lot of traveling as a Sexy Warrior and I've met plenty of people with dyed hair," Shallista said. "Brain damage wasn't a common trait among them."
The fifth one, a woman with brown hair in a spiky style, said, "I don't mean to be rude, but just how old are you?"
"I'm thirty-three," Shallista said. "Why do you ask?"
"Wow, she said it so openly," the caramel-skinned woman said.
"Why would I be ashamed of it?" Shallista asked. "I'm a woman in the prime of lifetime, at the peak of fitness. But since I'm sharing and you seem to care so much..." She clapped her hands. "Everyone gather around! Role call!"
Wendy, Cordelia, Akiko, Hilde, and Penelope all stopped what they were doing and came over.
"Okay, it's time for proper introductions. State your name, job class, and age," Shallista said. "As the leader of this lovely guild, I'll start. I'm Shallista the Siren, warrior, thirty-three."
Audrixia stepped up. "Audrixa, wizard knight, twenty-nine.
Then Akiko. "Akiko, ninja, thirty-six."
"Wendy, light wizard, twenty-eight.
"Cordelia, archer, twenty-six."
"Hilde, wizard, eighteen."
All of the newcomers looked at Hilde. "Whoa, you're so young," Penelope said. "I guess I'm next. Penelope, swordswoman, twenty-five."
The woman with the forward-slung ponytail bowed and extended her hand, as if inviting Shallista to dance. "Lupe, fencer, thirty-two."
The caramel-skinned woman walk over next to Hilde. "Neeka, wizard, twenty-one." She and Hilde high-fived.
The blue-hair woman took her turn. "Yelena, thief, twenty-four."
Everyone looked at her.
"What?" Yelena asked. "I wouldn't steal from any of you guys...probably."
"I trust you," Shallista said. "Next."
The wavy-haired woman spoke up. "Seffany, soldier, twenty-seven."
Finally, the spiky-haired woman, said, "Vilka, brawler, thirty-four."
Shallista smiled and nodded. "Yes, we have quite a diverse group of women here. Okay, as you were."
They wasted no time getting back to their tasks. Akiko stayed, though. "There's a young man around that corner. He's been there since we started role we. Just thought I'd let you know." Then, she returned to her task as well.
Shallista decided to head over there. Upon getting there, she saw a teenage boy with his pants down, touching himself. He hadn't noticed her yet. He was too busy...working. "So which one of my girls has caught your eye?"
He gasped and fell trying to run away. "I'm sorry. Please don't kill me." He quickly pulled up his pants.
Shallista climbed over the fence and crouched down to meet his eyes. "I understand you're feeling a certain way, being a young man staring at all those scantily-clad women. There's nothing wrong with it. It's natural. But I can't have you doing...that...around here. So, which one do you like? I'll send you a poster. That way, you can do...that...in the privacy of your home."
"W-Wendy," he stammered.
"See? That wasn't so hard. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"N-no."
"Good. Now scam. I'll be sure to get that poster to you soon."
He got up and started to leave. Then, he turned back and asked, "Could you make sure she's naked?"
"Get," she said, standing.
He zoomed off.
She turned and climbed over the fence. "Hey, Wendy."
Wendy looked up from her task and, with a bright smile, asked, "Yes, milady?"
"You don't mind posing for a poster, do you?"
"I-I guess not," Wendy said.
"Good. Do you mind doing naked it?"
Wendy's jaw dropped. "Huh? What did I just agree to?"
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