Chapter 244

“Definitely the top?” Sabina echoed. “Is the other choice of such little appeal to you?”

Zoey knew Sabina was just teasing, but a part of her wanted to hurry to clarify, to say everything about her was amazing, obviously. Which was probably the source of the teasing in the first place, based on the amused glint in Sabina’s eyes.

“No,” Zoey said. “Just stating a preference.”

“A strong one, it sounds like.”

“Not necessarily.” She flicked her eyes up and down Sabina. “If you gave me a good look at both, I could reevaluate, though.”

The retort amused Sabina more than she’d expected—she almost outright laughed. “Good scientists are thorough and data-driven,” she said. “And ambitious in their pursuits. Very well, I will remove both.”

Zoey blinked. She hadn’t expected to get a freebie, she’d just been bantering. Normally Sabina worked slower into her rewards. But with only ten questions, maybe she was wanting to accelerate the process, to get to more exciting things faster. For all Sabina wore a mask of perfect control, Zoey knew the interest was mutual.

Sabina had been wearing a white labcoat along with black pants and a white button-up blouse—all of which she shed now, slowly, for Zoey’s viewing pleasure. Part of the appeal, she mused, was how conservatively dressed the woman was on a typical basis, covering every inch of skin out of practicality for the dangerous substances she worked with. So it was twice the joy to see her curves displayed, to see just how much was hidden underneath those practical alchemy garments.

“Bra and panties too?” Zoey suggested.

“Ambition is a virtue, but similarly a vice, when taken too far,” Sabina said, amusement lacing her words.

“Only one of the two, then,” Zoey conceded.

Sabina laughed.

“Which?” she asked.

Lucky her; Zoey was surprised that had actually worked. She’d talked her way into Sabina removing not just a blouse, but instead almost everything. She was in a pliable mood today.

“Bra.”

“Ah, so the preference continues.”

“I’m just moderating myself,” Zoey said, her attention lingering on the curves of Sabina’s thighs, then pointedly at her panties, and what might have been exposed if she’d chosen differently.

“Is that what you call it?” Sabina asked, eyes also flicking down to her partner’s crotch—seeing pants which were, upon the tall and shapely deer-girl’s body being exposed, straining in silent approval.

Sabina didn’t allow the exchange to go further, though. She was, after all, genuinely interested in testing Zoey’s alchemical knowledge, as much as what this quiz was leading to.

“Third question,” her now-mostly naked teacher said as she sat back down on the corner of the bed and crossed her legs. Which did nothing to hide her exposed breasts. “Since we’re on the topic of the moon, describe how its phases might affect alchemical processes.”

Zoey tilted her head. For only a third question, that was more of a niche topic than she’d expected—though maybe the normal difficulty curve had been upset because of the natural segue of the moon. She took a few seconds to mull over the topic, trying to remember what she’d read.

It was especially niche because in the Fractures, the appearance of a moon wasn’t even guaranteed, depending on the pocket dimension they’d wandered into. For the most part, a given fracture would follow normal day-night cycles and even moon cycles, but that wasn’t guaranteed—fractures could manifest in all sorts of ways, including permanent day or permanent night, or even having multiple or no moons. Among stranger manifestations. Which was all fascinating from a physical and astronomical standpoint, but the Fractures in general were doused in magic and not bounded by physical laws. Safer, more stable, and less variant than shards, sure, but the average citizen wasn’t heading down into the Fractures for a reason.

“Doesn’t it affect potions in tons of ways?” Zoey asked tentatively. “Like, too many to name?” Sabina inclined her head, obviously prompting for her to give any insight she had. “The effect is stronger when exposed to the moonlight itself—the phases of the moon are almost negligible when brewing inside an enclosed space.” And dragging out alchemy equipment into the moonlight was tedious for obvious reasons. “But...” she racked her brain for what she’d read. “Full moon has attenuation for clarity, illumination, healing and regeneration, along with a whole bunch other effects. The new moon helps transformation and concealment potions. And the half-moon, uh, effects based on the concept of balance?” That was a guess on her part, but seeing how most sympathies were common sense, probably a safe one. “And waxing and waning benefits growth and reduction, respectively.”

“You have been keeping to your studies,” Sabina said, sounding pleased.

“Mostly thanks to my brilliant teacher, and her passionate methods of teaching,” Zoey said with a grin, which was only partial flattery—it definitely was a big source of encouragement.

And while Sabina wasn’t a woman easily flattered, the words actually brought a smile to her face, which Zoey saw her try to hide.

“Stand up,” she ordered.

Zoey did so eagerly. She knew enough from previous quizzes to expect what her next reward would be. First, Sabina had stripped herself. Now, she would strip Zoey.