Just to be a contrarian, I say that these two don't run into ANYONE they're familiar with, and just have a nice stealthy walk over.

I say they are met by the ever effervescent apricot who was flying by and saw the absolutely stunningly dressed dotti.
Its a strange get up theyre wearing, they must be going somewhere interesting and shes a curious bird gal who wouldnt want this mystery to go unanswered.

Some Oddly Familiar Dancing Girl 2025/04/05(Sat)21:54 No. 1105916 ID: 802951
File 174391528773.png - (27.21KB , 688x808 , LD_7.png )

“Are we there yet?” I ask, hauling my laundry bag over my shoulder, hunching as low as I can. Why didn’t I ask Dotti to change my hair color? Or make me look shorter? Ugh! I don’t want to distract her, not now.

“Almost,” Dotti says. “It’s just down that alleyway, there’s lots of trash bins her that are full of stuff people should NEVER be throwing away! Like the one behind this one shop that sometimes-“

“Dotti, please stay focused.”

“I’m fine! I swear I’ll never get distracted or- Oh! It’s Anita. Hi, Anita!”

Ahh! Why is Dotti talking to people?! Why?!

“Dotti? Oh! It is you,” a redheaded girl says. “Um, hello. That’s a very nice outfit you have on. Are you… performing?”

Anita tugs on her blouse. It’s terribly undersized, and her skirt is too short for her height, plus it doesn’t coordinate with her hat. Is she having a bad laundry day, too? Is she coming to this laundromat with us? I really hope not- I can’t be recognized, not by an adventurer. I don’t see her carrying any sacks...

“I sure am!” Dotti says. “This is my dancing partner.”

“Dancing partner?” Anita cocks her head to one side. “She seems awfully familiar, like this other tall blonde girl I know…”

I need to derail her train of thought, FAST!

What do I do?

Well you know wizards, she probably keeps it all in a bag where it shrinks down to fit or something.
"Oh well, I'm probably taller! I don't know anyone as tall as me, and that's before I put on heels, haha!"
Nudge Dotti to make you taller.

>>1105916
Oh shit.
Panic.
What wouldnt you do if you were disguised as a dancing girl?
Thats it!
Dance!
Do the dance of the seven veils with various small items of laundry.
Thats the one where you waft them about between you and the audience obscuring your features.

Hang on...
You -could- do something sneaky instead.
Do avpassible impression of someone you can do and say.
"Hey, its really me", and pass yourself off as whover it is youre impersonating.
Tell them your doing laundry and dotti is helping by illusioning you a disguise.
Truth and lie mixed together.
Victimless crime until your impressionee finds out.

Serah: "... you're not hiding more than one meat mountain in other people's closets... are you?

Divert her attention by pointing out that you can see her bra through her shirt.

Quick ask why she's not wearing a bra

>>1105921
I support both ideas here, impersonating someone and dancing. Serah would never dance provocatively, not dancing would make her more suspicious. Dotti can dance too to help sell the performance.

>>1105926
Good idea, but maybe we can do that as a last resort if she figures out Serah's identity. Like, we won't tell she's wearing something risky if she doesn't spread rumors about us. save our ammo

Quickly compliment her hat.

Nikki the Barmaid 2025/04/12(Sat)15:48 No. 1106163 ID: 802951
File 174449813816.png - (18.06KB , 560x428 , LD_8.png )

I gotta come up with a cover identity, fast! Who's a tall blonde girl I know? Gah, I don't know any... but Landi does!

"It's me, Nikki!" I lie through my teeth. "Don't you remember? The serving girl from that... bar... that a blue fairy likes! I'm working on my dancing. See?"

I start dancing. I don't know if it's good. But I really, really hope that Dotti's illusion can keep up. And...

Dotti is dancing too. Her illusion isn't disappearing. She's... actually having fun? Is she enjoying seeing me debase myself like this?!

UGH.

"Oh! Nikki! I'm sorry I didn't recognize you when I'm standing up, and you're not, um, in your barmaid outfit." Anita clears her throat and glances at my laundry bad. "Well. It looks like we're both on our way to do some errands. Would you like some company on the walk? There's some shady characters hanging around the alleys these days..."

OH NO. If Anita follows us to the spot where Dotti takes us to CRUST CITY, then I really have to worry about her mana running out and Anita seeing the embarrassing ensemble I put together under the illusion. But if there really are shady characters in the alleys, that could be dangerous too.

Should I accept Anita's escort to the spot in the ALLEY where Dotti can take me and her to CRUST CITY? Anita will (probably) not be coming with us to cross the dimensions.

Decline the offer! You'll be sure to dance the pants off any shady characters.

I think Anita already knows who you are, just take her help.

What are the odds she'd be going to the same city you are? Plus with you dressed the way you are, it'd certainly attract shady people in the alley. It'd probably be worse if shady people found out you were Serah than Anita does.

Not that you're not strong enough to defeat any bad people who approaches you, but being in a fight would distract Dotti's illusion

Safety in numbers. And surely the laundry she's headed for won't be on the exact same route that Dotti is taking you, thus making you unable to politely part ways and instead bringing her along.

>>1106163
Would nikki accept this offer?
Thats the real question...
A barmaid must be able to handle shady customers but would also be savvy enough to spot a bad idea and avoid it.

Id say if nikki is that confident barmaid type say no.
If she isnt, nervously and gratefully accept.
With luck dotti can handle the extra magical burden

Accept the offer. She may have good reasons to be concerned, and you aren't exactly prepared to deal with creeps along the way. You aren't exactly packing your weaponry, and Dotti's magic is currently being channeled to keep your illusory clothes on. It's worth bringing her.

Nikki the Barmaid 2025/04/14(Mon)22:30 No. 1106283 ID: 802951
File 174469503909.png - (16.44KB , 542x600 , LD_9.png )

Think, Serah, think! What would a beautiful barmaid do when she's wandering through an alley?

"O-of course I'll accept an escort from a powerful witch like you!"

Was that flirty? It sounded flirty. Gah! Wait, I'm a barmaid, isn't that in character? Yeah.

Wait, is that a...

"AAAAAAAAAHHHH!" I scream!

"AAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Anita screams!

"DINNER!" Dotti screams!

"Hand over your valuables to the noble Robin Hoodie," the bird rasps, "And nobody has to get scratched. Take from the rich, give to the poor, is what the noble adventurer does! Yesss..."

Oh no, no, no! Dotti's gonna lose focus on the illusion, and these birds are hardened criminals! Anita is preparing a wind spell, but her skirt is far too short, and her blouse far too tight, for her to really cut loose with her wind magic in the narrow alleyway. We're doomed!

What would Nikki do?

Nikki would grab Dotti and hold her back from pouncing at the birbs, since she'd obviously be worried about letting her get hurt while with her. Have you SEEN Dotti's companions? What's worse, getting burned by a dragon, having your life systematically ruined by a ticked-off Kensington, or gaining the ire of an elf?

Let Anita wind blast them. Sure, it'll be less effective here, and the contained wind maaaaay blow Anita's own clothes off, but she's a seasoned adventurer who should be able to factor such things in when making decisions. Consider it a learning opportunity for her if it doesn't work. It's not like this TOTAL STRANGER seems like that big of a threat, you can totally step in if you gotta.

Plus, y'know... Illusory clothes aren't gonna get blown away if Anita fucks up, so it's not like YOU have anything to worry about.

Shut up! It's been a bad day, and you deserve to be a little selfish!

Your outfit isn’t real and thus cannot be scratched. Launch yourself fearlessly at the hooded cultist!

>>1106283
"Save us, Anita!"
Try to keep Dotti out of it, because I kinda doubt she can use fire magic and also maintain both of your illusions.

Ask: “Apricot, Autumn, what are you doing?”

>>1106283
Shed say "buddy, i work in a bar. I have no damn valuables. Even if i did, wheredya think im carrying them?"
With a hand on her hip and an accusatory finger pointed.
Dress down the hoodie. Serve up a tankard of defiance Extra sass, hold the restraint.

Lady, what valuables? It is laundry day, do YOU see any pockets in these clothes?

Nikki the Barmaid 2025/04/22(Tue)20:50 No. 1106742 ID: 802951
File 174538023933.png - (9.89KB , 443x333 , LD_10.png )

I quickly grab Dotti around the shoulders and put on my best barmaid sass to try and defuse the situation.

“Girl, do I look like I have any valuables? I’m d-damn broke as a joke. This sack is full of gross socks.”

“We’ll take them!” a tiny magpie chimes in from Robin Hoodie’s shoulder.

“Oh, for the love of- let me.”

Anita lets her wind spell fly! It catches both birds right in the center of their torsos. Dotti’s and my illusory outfits are unharmed, but I think my real, improvised one is rustling a bit too much from this… I wish I could see it.

The birds crash to the alley floor, hoodies being pulled back by the wind to reveal a familiar face from the adventuring guild.

“Apricot?” Anita says, her tone scolding. “Why are you doing this?”

“Aífe said adventurers rob from the rich and give to the poor. And it’s true!” Apricot mutters. “I just wanted to have some adventures close to home, is all.”

“It’s still illegal,” I say. “This is inexcusable behavior. Taking advice from a mischievous magpie, you should know better.”

“Let me gnaw on her leg a little! She deserves it!” Dotti says, smacking her chops. “I promise I won’t bite too hard.”

“I’m not a chicken dinner,” Apricot whimpers. “I’m skinny and fit and way too tough for your, um, refined tastes, Miss Dotti.”

“I have a better idea,” Anita says, looking down on Apricot with an imperial glare. “That magpie is friends with Taranis. She ‘negotiated’ the release of a huge pile of certain magical unmentionables.”

“Can’t blame a bird for having a silver tongue,” Aífe says, hopping atop Apricot’s shoulder. “They don’t teach you hostage negotiation at witchy college, do they? And apparently you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel, outfit-wise. Taranis and I really did a number on your wardrobe, huh?”

“You really should choose your company more carefully,” Anita says. “Apricot, if you want out of this, you’re going to need to reimburse me for this attempted mugging. And you know what they say; turnabout is fair play…”

Apricot gives a panicked cheep. “Y-you wouldn’t… not my unmentionables… right?”

“I would.”

“M-Miss barmaid!” Apricot throws herself on her knees in front of me. “These girls are being mean to me. It was just an adventure. Adventurers get into all kinds of mischief at bars. You understand, don’t you? Please, save me!”

Decisions, decisions…


1. Let Dotti have dinner
2. Let Anita have payback
3. Let Apricot have adventures

>>1106742
2

Let apricot have her adventure, while taking your attention away from Dotti long enough for her to bite the leg

3) she can have the adventure of carrying the laundry. Just as far as the portal, and surely nothing contrived will make her come with.

2. Apricot wanting to go on adventures is all find and dandy, but her execution of that desire was immediately "let's rob people in an alleyway". Not exactly behavior we should be encouraging. And we REALLY shouldn't be encouraging her to take advice from Aife, as that magpie is nothing but trouble.

Honestly, Anita's request is pretty reasonable. The only reimbursement she wants for this failed mugging attempt are Apricot's undergarments, the value of which are bound to be far below anything Apricot would have gotten away with had her attempt been successful. Replacing them won't set Apricot back by an unreasonable amount, so the main cost will just be the shame she feels surrendering her lingerie.

And besides that, this is just the standard compensation for losing an encounter with Anita. You get beat by the wind witch, and then she takes your panties. You could base a whole quest around that concept.

Apricots panties shall be ours!

I wonder where Autumn is... probably did not approve of this adventure and stayed back.

Tell Apricot she can either let Anita have her payback, or you and Dotti will tell Lady Kensington about this, and she wouldn't want someone as powerful as Serah with a lot of sway in Minga to know about this, would she? After all, adventurers have to know the consequences for failure, right?

1.

Birds are nothing but trouble and never learn unless you punish them properly. Some light chewing from Dotti will put the fear of ... Dotti in them, which will be effective, I swear.

2.

>>1106742
Nooo.
Not a sad bird.
3. All the 3. Extra 3.
I...
Hang on.
Im being emtionally manipulated arent I?
Dammit.
Rescind that 3. Turn it into a 2.
Heroes also bear responsibility stoicly.
2!
Unmentionables for justice!

2
The law exists for a reason >:3

Nikki the Barmaid 2025/04/29(Tue)21:52 No. 1107261 ID: 802951
File 174598877133.png - (16.90KB , 450x435 , LD_11.png )

The punishment should fit the crime. This bird wanted to rob me of my clothes, then I’m not going to stop Anita from taking hers.

“Adventurers do fight,” I say to the pleading bird, “And they always sort it out at the end of the evening. Not everyone leaves happy, but it. Gets. Settled. Of course, if you want me to let someone other than Anita settle it…”

Dotti smacks her chops. I put a hand on her shoulder.

“O-okay!” Apricot winces. “Um, pervy wind witch, just give me a moment…”

Apricot slips her wing-talons under her skirt and whips down a pair of shorts and panties, quickly stepping out and skittering aside. She hands over the panties ashamedly. “Here.”

“The shorts, too,” Anita insists.

“B-but… do you have any idea how hard it is to get shorts that I can pull up with my wing-talons slicing them to bits?!”

“Then maybe you’ll appreciate how hard we adventurers have to work to get our possessions,” Anita says, reaching for the shorts.

“Don’t worry, Apricot!” Aífe declares, swooping in to grab the shorts (and panties, too). “She only asked for your panties, no fair changing the deal. These shorts are MINE! Nyehehe!”

“Stop right there! You’re a criminal too, magpie!” Anita says, wind magic whipping through the alley and blasting the clothes out of Aífe’s grip. Anita and Aífe chase them down, the bird cackling and whirling nimbly, chasing the up-for-grabs clothes.

“Aífe!” Apricot wails, pressing her skirt tight between her legs and chasing after them on foot, refusing to take to the skies. “Aífe, slow down! I’m a city bird!”

The three of them disappear around the corner.

That was weird.

- Apricot has permanently lost: Snip-Proof Shorts
- Apricot has permanently lost: Stitched-Up Orange Panties

“Dotti,” I ask, “Are we at least closer to the place where you can take us over?”

“Uh-huh!” Dotti nods. “It’s right over there. Next to the trash pile.”

“Of course it is…”

Thankfully, there’s no one to see Dotti’s clothes illusion waver as Dotti casts her dimension-hopping spell. If we hadn’t brought Anita, we’d be vulnerable to an ambush from these birds. I’m suddenly grateful for all that weirdness.

One mind-bendingly odd, twisty-turning, gut-twisting spell later, I’m back in CRUST CITY, the dimensional anchor city for Dotti’s spell. I try to forget my time here with Rocio, Landi’s college sorority sister, as we make our way to the laundromat.

Which one of Donut’s OCs does our dynamic duo run into on the streets of CRUST CITY?

Now that we're in Crust City, I'll say Ginerva from Clothing Repair. I feel like I'd be letting everyone down if I didn't make the obvious suggestion everyone who knows me expects me to make.

I also just think that running into a Censor while short on real attire makes for a big problem to overcome.

Elaine!

>>1107266
Ginerva's good

thirding ginerva

Nacha!

Serah 2025/07/26(Sat)14:10 No. 1111844 ID: 74fd28
File 175356422949.png - (14.25KB , 500x376 , LD_12.png )

Carrying the laundry bag isn’t difficult, but it does take concentration. I don’t want to stumble and make Dotti’s illusion fail with the sudden movement. Or maybe I’m not giving her enough credit. She’s stayed focused for the whole time, and-

“BAD LADY! BAD!” Dotti lets out a wild, ferocious gekker at an approaching great beast of a badger-woman. “We gotta run! She’s gonna put a seal on me!”

I put my hand on Dotti’s shoulder to try and calm her, checking my illusion (still there, thank goodness). The badger is in a nun’s habit, and carrying her own sack of laundry. We might be headed to the same place… this could get ugly.

“This fox spirit,” the badger-woman says, baring her teeth, “Fears a seal at the first sight of authority? Surely she is a wicked one.” She bares her teeth. “She has clearly enthralled this young lady into wearing… such indecent attire.”

“Are you saying I have bad fashion sense?!” Dotti gekkers again. “Yours is even worse! You’re wearing a big black bag!”

Oh, this could get out of control quickly. How do I defuse this situation, despite the Censor lady believing I’m under Dotti’s mind control?

Do I keep pretending to be a barmaid? What could I possibly do to calm this Censor down?

The worst case scenario is her trying to dispel magic around you, so focus on trying to prevent that first and foremost. Whatever else she thinks doesn't matter, as her opinion has zero weight in your life.

Assert that your enchantments aren't any of her business, and that she has a lot of nerve to be making assumptions like that based solely on her own biases. Your outfit is fine, not your first choice but perfectly acceptable. You'll have better options after you get through washing your clothes.

Convince her the fox is harmless by picking Dotti up and hugging her.

Gush about how much you just love her habit, and how fashionable she looks. She'll be so uncomfortable she'll immediately try to get some distance between you.

Anything that you say or you do or happens to you has no consequences to you at home, as nobody here knows you.

That said, if all else fails and she’s about to dispel Dottie’s magic, just confess and say she is casting an illusion spell to keep you modest, and it’ll be her fault if she did dispells her magic and makes you even more indecent. If she doesn’t believe you and still believes Dotti is actually controlling you… she asked for it and she will be sinning for undressing you to see you undressed, and you can call her out on that

>>1111844
Apologize to the nun, tell her Dotti is just generally distrustful of authority. Also she's kinda crap at mind control to be honest; the last time she used it she accidentally mindwiped a dragon's husband and she almost died begging for forgiveness.

>>1111844
Prove a lack of mind chontrol by disagreeing with dotti and complimenting the nuns choice of demure and humble clothing. The wimple reall matches her stripes.

"We have an appointment in 5."
Grab Dotti by the ear and move away from scary badger lady.

>>1111847
this. layering on the compliments is a good disarming technique