No further tests

You looked at the notes the staff were writing about you as you went through the same checkup once more. You didn't learn anything you didn't already know, such as your height and weight being different. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary for either you or Archer, so you two were left alone quickly as the checkup cart rolled along to the next Coinbearers.

Emilia looked like she was somewhat exhausted from all the speaking for nearly an hour. You probably would be too, and you weren't wrapped up in bandages. "I think we're coming up on time now, so I'd like to thank you all for--"

"Why don't you have a coin too?"

A hush falls over the crowd, like someone asked a forbidden question. Emilia squinted a little, pausing as she looked out to the crowd to zero in on the question. "Tyler, is it?" The young man nodded. "I will say that I'm still assessing whether or not I will use a coin myself. I can assure you all that I wouldn't have given you these coins if I didn't think it was absolutely safe to do so, so don't think I was waiting to see if any of you would keel over dead before taking one myself. Rather, you are all here because I wanted to cast a wide net, to understand every facet of the magic to the best of my ability. Perhaps I should take a coin, to gain some talents in studying ancient magics." You heard rumblings of nervous laughter through the crowd. "By seeing what talents you all wished for, and how you implement them, to how you go about your double-lives, I can better understand the magic. Perhaps one day I can replicate it, repurpose it, better control it, or even remove it from you when you tire of it. But I'm evaluating more than coins in this mansion. And all I can really say is... some magics do not mix. Mixing the wrong chemicals together might produce a poison, mixing the wrong magics might create a curse, far more than the controllable ones you endure today. I will not take that risk while I continue to research." The crowd was shocked into silence by Emilia's intense, but candid, response. "Now, have a pleasant evening, goodnight."

Staff wheeled Emilia away from her spot at the table, and the she motioned in your direction. Soon, Ms. King was next to you and Archer. "If you two are not planning on leaving early, I would appreciate a discussion about something in the library in a half hour."

You and Felix exchanged glances. Were you in trouble again, somehow? You hadn't even done anything bad today! Still, you nodded. With a smile and a nod of her own, Emilia was whisked away.

Shrugging off whatever it was that was so important that Emilia wanted to see you two instead of the dozens of other Coinbearers, you finally did a little bit of mingling, talking to a few of the other guests. A room where everyone is a nine or ten might have started out intimidating, but most everyone you greeted was friendly--probably because you were so easy on the eyes, and your effortless smile seemed to charm everyone around you. In the midst of perfectly-shaped women strutting about, few people even bothered to spend much time staring at your chest like they might elsewhere--you were remarkably average in that department amongst the crowd.

In particular, you and Felix found yourselves talking to Samuel the fashion designer who specialized in convertible clothing. He demonstrated a jacket, in particular, that used a clever array of buttons and velcro to alternate from a slim woman's size to a larger male fit. His price sounded reasonable for the 'usual', which was one jacket, one pair of pants, and a dress shirt, which you and Archer were seriously considering. Clothes, shoes, makeup, hairstyling, accessories, you name it and someone has thought of a way to minimize it as a hassle.

The two of you eventually find yourself back in the library, another fire roaring by the chairs. Emilia sat by the fire, discussing something with Alice, before the two notice your entry. Alice heads out, closing the library doors, leaving the three of you alone.

"Welcome back, you two."