None, there was a bit of a problem

“Well, no time like the present. How do I get started?”

The woman turned away for a moment, a look of slight embarrassment and shame on her face. “Well… there’s a bit of an issue.”

“Oh?”

“There are two particular items in this studio that are required to make significant changes to Seradyne. One of them is the Atlas, it’s a large book that contains all of the rules of the world, specific historic accounts, and details on regions, plants, fauna, races of people, and even details how magic functions. In order to change these things, undo them, or add to them, the second item is required.

“The second item is the Quill, it is the only item capable of writing in the atlas to make changes. Whatever it writes becomes reality in Seradyne or any world that has been created.”

“Okay, got it. So, what’s the problem?”

“The Quill is not here.”

There was a silence as I comprehended this. “What?”

“The previous owner of the mirror liked to bring the Atlas and Quill with him when he visited Seradyne. On one of those trips he misplaced the Quill, and it was picked up by someone within the realm.”

“Do you know who?”

“Yes, a megalomaniacal dictator who has come to call herself the Dark Queen. You see, the Quill doesn’t need to write in the Atlas to create new rules for Seradyne. So, she has been using the Quill to fashion herself into a sort of demigoddess that has been trying to conquer the other kingdoms.”

“That… sounds really bad.”

The woman nodded. “The only thing working in our favor is that new rules written by the Quill must be written in the Atlas in order to overwrite previously created rules. So, for instance, if the Atlas dictates that the sky is blue, and the Dark Queen tried to make the sky red, it wouldn’t work. But if the Atlas had nothing written in it on the color of the sky, the Dark Queen would be able to change its color without writing in the book by writing the new rule on any suitable surface.”

“So, the Atlas has the final say.”

“That is correct. Another thing that is working in our favor is that the Dark Queen does not currently know that this is the case. She only knows that some of her written rules don’t work and some do, she doesn’t know why. But in any case, this means you can’t make any significant change to Seradyne, or even delete it to make way for a new world unless we get that Quill back. And given that the Dark Queen has surrounded herself with powerful monsters and made herself nigh immortal, this will not be a simple task.”

This was beginning to sound a lot like an adventure hook in a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. Except this was real, in a way. This fact did make me worry a bit about my own safety.

“Just a quick question, can I die?”

“In Seradyne? Technically yes, but it will not be permanent. You will be brought back here, safely.” That was a relief.

“Well, I suppose we should get this show on the road. I mean, I wouldn’t mind just hanging out in a cool fantasy world, even if I couldn’t change it at will, but I feel like this Dark Queen lady might ruin the fun eventually anyway.”

The woman nods.

I looked at her, specifically her breasts again. “So, um, since you’re going to be my guide of sorts I should give you a name. I need something to call you.”

“If you wish, Master.” She smiled amicably at the proposal. “I will definitely be of use to you while you attempt to get the Quill back. The Atlas is part of me, so I know everything that is written within it. I could tell you anything you needed to know about the world as you travel through it.”

I rubbed my stubbled chin in thought. I recalled a tabletop campaign where my character had a cohort who was divination wizard, and if she didn’t know something she could easily use her magic power to divine the answer. Her name in the campaign was Amelie, and oddly enough she acted sort of like this woman.

“Hmm, how about Amelie then?”

She smiled and nodded. “If it pleases you.”

“Amelie it is then! My loyal companion.” I was actually starting to get a bit excited about this. “I guess the first step is to head to the changing room then.”

“Correct, Master. You certainly aren’t dressed according to the fashions of Seradyne.” She walked to the door and opened it up, gesturing me inside just like the art room. I followed her lead inside.

This room was much smaller than the others. It contained an armoire, a mirror, several shelves, and a couple of footlockers. The room was well lit, and the walls had oak paneling.

“Just to remind you, Master, you can alter any physical aspect of yourself in here, not just your clothing. You can even alter your physical appearance. Just tell me what you want, and I will make it happen.”

That was an interesting notion.