And suddenly she has the sensation of a hand reaching out to her. An invitation to another world, better than her own —

Well… if she’s lost her mind… at least it’s nice delusion. That somewhere better exists. She reaches out mentally.

And something catches — 

She awakens lying in a pink-sheeted bed-couch that, for some reason, is covered in peach petals. There is a woman kneeling on the floor to her right, with dark red hair, wearing a garland of peach blossoms and a long, flowing robe of pink hemp that's fastened at the shoulder with a small pin.

She's in a garden of peach trees, under the open sky. It seems to be summer. Buildings enclose the courtyard on two sides of the triangular courtyard, forming a V; behind them she can see skyscrapers. On the open side of the V is a lush peach orchard, and a valley going down to a river.

“What?” This was very detailed if it was a hallucination. She had never hallucinated before unless she had been awake WAY too long, and even then only it was only auditory. So maybe they were supposed to be this detailed? She tries biting her arm, she can never feels things in dreams. Nope, that still hurts.

This is…. tentatively… real?

”What?” She repeats again, dumbly.

The woman in the garland of peach flowers rises ro her feet. 

"Honored guest," she says, her eyes downcast. "I am Subjecta Amaranthine, temple maiden of the goddess Summer Pearl, who has by her command summoned you to the world of plentiful peaches known as Forest. This world is much more open to sexuality than your native world, and as a result we are slowly evacuating those citizens of Earth who would better fit in our world." 

She smiles beatifically and offers her hand. "If the Ambulan wishes, I will give them a tour of the temple."

Eep, pretty girl.

Wait what? Sexuality isekai? What? “Summoned? Like… magic?”

What is she even supposed to do in this situation? Theres no social script for being magically summoned by a priestess. Does that mean her god is real? Thats a terrifying thought. Every god she’s ever heard of has been pretty awful.

Andrea just falls back on… going with the flow. She stands up, and if social cues are like earth ones, the priestess wants to take her hand. Which… seems a little intimate to do with a stranger. But if thats what she wants… Andrea takes her hand. “Uhmm… sure.”

The priestess helps her to her feet, and leads her into one of the temple buildings. It's a dormitory of double beds, with various men and women sitting around in worn and pink-dyed clothing. One pair of women are feeling each other up on a mattress, entirely nude; Amaranthine passes them by as if she doesn't see them. 

"We're not a wealthy temple," she says, "but we minister as best we can to all the people we can. There is an on-call doctor, an ID clinic down the street about a block to the east, and you are welcome to stay in our dormitory and eat communal meals with us all until such time as you have independent housing and so on. I am a shrine keeper and do not leave the temple grounds, but if you have anything you wish to share with me or ask in confidence, I have taken sacred oaths of confidentiality and will be happy to guide you."

She seems quite serious, her face severe and almost disapproving.

Then her face breaks into a warm, genuine smile. "I understand the transition must be hard for you," she says, "Coming from a world with no magic. But I really am here to serve and aid you in any way you wish. Yes, that includes sexually; some of the previous refugees were a little confused about this point." 

Andrea is very distracted by the naked women they saw until her brain catches up to what the priestess has been saying.

“Uhmm uhmm uhmmm” Well… being offered that. Especially by someone so pretty. Andrea’s brain basically shuts down. Why couldn’t she still be 19 and a boy and confident and not feel gross about her own body. So she could take her up on the offer. Because right now the way she is, that was way too scary to say yes to. “Y-you’re uhmm… v-very pretty but… I don’t think I can say yes to that?” She squeaks out.

Amaranthine runs her hands through her hair. "A common problem with people from your world. It's not an issue. If you need spiritual counseling I'll be happy to help, or even if you want something more secular. The law provides for healthcare to all new immigrants from Earth, so there is also the option of seeing someone from in town."

She smiles softly. "If need be, there's a government relocation program you can speak to. It's on the other side of the city, but buses are free between here and there. We're summoning in part because they're full to capacity, but nonetheless they might be able to provide you some resources." 

Does she dare to hope… maybe, if those women could just be so VERY gay in public… maybe this place would be better about transition? 
“All kinds of healthcare?… Like if I uhhh…” She did say she would keep things confidential, so even if she reacts badly it should be fine? “Like if I… wanted to… uhh… replace my hormones?” Even now, she has to talk around it.

"Become a woman, you mean?" Amaranthine smiles. "Of course. You can talk to the temple doctor about it: I'm sure they'll have something to offer." 

Andrea almost slumps in relief, maybe this was a better place for her. The relief is so strong she starts to tear up. “S-sorry… It’s just back home…” It’s so fucking embarrassing to be crying in front of this stranger.

Amaranthine very gently rests a hand on Andrea's shoulder, as if to steady her. 

"Would you like a hug?" she asks. 

She nods wordlessly. Unable to trust her voice right now.

Amaranthing gathers her into a close hug. 

She's very warm. And not wearing much beneath that thin hemp robe.

Don’t be weird and ruin the moment Andrea, don’t notice this priestess’s body like a weirdo. Just enjoy the hug like a normal person.

Warm is nice… it might be literal years since she had a hug. Not since she last saw her sister. This fact does not at all help her stop crying.

Amaranthing just holds her close, and gently strokes her hair. She seems to be okay with being cried on.

Hair stroking also does NOT help her stop crying. Something inside shes been keeping tight most of her life just unravels. She clings to the priestess like a lifeline.

And she keeps her, safe and guarded, close in her arms. 

"Shhh," she says softly. "You've been strong for far too long. It's okay to put your burdens down now. It's okay. We'll solve it all together."

Andrea nods against the priestess’s shoulder. Reaching up to wipe her eyes. “Sorry… that was so embarrassing...”

"It's alright. You're not the first woman to have cried on me, and you won't be the last."

Fuck, fuck that hit her right in the heart. It”s like being seen for the first time. “I uhmm… thanks… I know you just work here, but… thanks.”

"Hey. I 'work here'" — she makes air quotes with her fingers — "because I care, you know? Summer's teachings lay it all down quite explicitly: Love is the greatest gift that can be given to anyone. I know we're still strangers, but you're still a fellow child of the Goddess." 

She squeezes Andrea lightly.

She wipes away her tears. She kinda wants to keep hugging because now she knows it’s something she can just… have, she craves it like nothing else. But the priestess probably has other things to do. “Just nobody has ever done that for me before… th-thanks. So uhm… Anything else I should know about this place?”

"Get a blood draw from the doctor before you leave the shrine, just in case you've got something we don't want to pass on to the general population. Dinner is at six, lunch at noon, breakfast at seven. Feel free to help yourself to the peaches from the trees, they're for anyone and they cure STDs and prevent pregnancy. There's a program for free phones at the ID clinic but, again, get the blood draw first. I'm sure there'll be something to do around the shrine before then." 

She smiles. "And if you have any cultural questions, don't hesitate to come to me."

“O-okay… thanks so much.”

And so, Andrea spends her first few days in another world. She gets her blood tested, she gets the appropriate medication to transition from the doctor, and apparently this world has the good stuff. She signs up for ID’s and gets a phone and deals with all the other government offices for new immigrants. And she shuts down and turns into a mess every time someone offers to do anything sexual with her. She asks Amaranthine for lots of hugs and hairpats because that is all she is comfortable asking her, but they are super nice. She even manages to stops crying during the hugs. She tries to eat the peaches but finds the fruit texture unpleasant, but finds the seed nuts are pretty tolerable.

With her new phone she can access the local internet but everything is a little… confusing. So she goes to Amaranthine.

”Uhm… can you tell me whats up with almost everyone having a title in front of their name?”

"Ah. Those are their pleats. They're... roles, you could say, that people prefer to occupy in their day to day life. So for example, my title, Subjecta, means 'one who worships.' They're... you could say this world's equivalent of gender from your world. They're not used officially on government forms or anything, but they're used in most casual conversation."

Amaranthine genders on being a priestess? She guessed that makes sense, It’s not like preforming gender isn’t just following a role stereotype anyway. They’ve got priestess genders and earth couldn’t even handle the existence of trans cat-girls. “What kinds of roles are normal?…” 

"You would probably call them... sexual roles. Docila, one who serves; Domina, one who commands; Mentara, one who teaches; Pupilla, one who learns; Dolorate, one who inflicts pain; Dolorin, one who suffers pain. All of these and more have their own... fashion styles and accoutrements."

Oh wow this got kinky fast, she squeaks. “Uh… wow.… y’all just made bdsm culture real huh…” Now theres whole new genres of expression she has to become familiar with and try to fit into? She barely knew what her style would be on earth, much less what her style would be in bdsm roles fashion.

She’s pretty sure shes submissive but that’s about it for knowing where she’d fit into that kinda thing.

"I mean, it's not at all... countercultural. It's just normal here. You can pleat just about anything, from the color blue to being a princess or a vampire."

“Heh, growing up there were a lot of girls who might have pleated vampire because of some popular books about vampires. It was a whole craze. People were getting in trouble bringing fake blood to screenings of the movie versions and everything.” Ah the Twilight craze, What a strange moment on the internet you were.

Being a princess sounds kinda fun and cute… if a bit childish.

”How do you like… know what you are?”

"Experimentation, generally. Seeing what you react to warmly. Trying on different fashion styles. That sort of thing."

“Well… I can rule out the inflicting pain one… or the command one… at least.” It might be normal here, but she still felt kinda ahhhhh when talking about such kink adjacent things. She has to fight to not just… go hide. Even if she felt much safer talking to Amaranthine about it than anyone else back home. “Do I give off any vibes for some kind of role?”

"Docila, perhaps? I'm not sure. Perhaps Pupilla since you're learning so much."

She shrugs. "You'll figure it out. Give it time."

She gets more used to how the culture is as time goes on, only becoming flustered rather than shutting down when someone offers sex. It especially becomes easier to see herself as someone who could, eventually, maybe, have sex as her body starts changing. Having tits, even if little tiny ones, makes it so much easier to imagine being sensual rather than just be disgusted with her own body. She gets so used to hugs and hairpats with Amaranthine that sometimes she will just lay her head in Amaranthine's lap and expect to have her hair played with. She might be developing a friend crush on her, the priestess is very nice and gentle and safe. Eventually she does feel she wants to try out at the very least the pleat part of the culture, since that isn’t inherently sexual. She goes to Amaranthine for advice as usual.

”If I… wanted to try pleat stuff… how would like… I go about doing that? Like how is one supposed to even experiment that stuff??” 

"Go out with people, I guess. I wouldn't know as a shrine keeper. I could maybe introduce you to some people who might be able to help? I know someone who owns a café downtown, maybe you could hang out there and meet people?"

“What like… try pleat stuff… at a cafe?” With how kinky a lot of the themes seemed… is that really the right place for that kind of thing? “I guess you could introduce me… I don’t know many people outside of the temple anyway.”

"Alright, I'll give you their number."

Amaranthine gets out her phone and transfers the number from her contacts to Andrea's.

“Thanks!”

It takes her a whiiiiiile to work up the courage to call a stranger. Calling people is the worst! Eventually she manages though. 

"HEY THERE CONCERTA BLUEBELL HERE WHAT CAN I DO YOU FOR?"

The voice on the other end of the phone is beyond boisterous, bright and bubbly and more than a little loud.

“Uhmm… Amaranthine gave me your number. I’m one of the earth rescues. She said you could help me like… figure this pleat stuff out?”

Andrea do not have a anxiety attack you JUST started this call. Just because you are talking to a stranger about kink-ish stuff does not mean you should panic and hang up. 

"Oh." Bluebell immediately lowers her tone. "Sorry, I thought you were one of my customers. If it's to help out one of Amaranthine's lost girls then I'll certainly help. Have you been out into broader society yet?"

“N-not yet… sorta just been getting used to things. But I should like… not let myself be cooped up?” She doesn’t want to end up like she did on earth, totally isolated and seeing nobody else for weeks at a time.

"Tell you what, I'll swing by and give you a little tour of the basics tomorrow morning, alright? Visit a thrift store, my café, and maybe a public park or similar? How does that sound?"

“Sure. That sounds good” These plans feel very going out with the girls tropes and eeeeee. Even if meeting new people was scary.

"Alright, see you then!" Andrea can hear Bluebell's smile through the phone. 

The next day Andrea wants to look as good as possible for her… new friend date? She just.. doesn’t know what shes doing here. At least her hair is grown out so she can try and make it look cute. Even if her clothes are kinda… plain, the way her chest swells under her top gives Andrea all sorts of euphoria, and she has actual hips now to fill out her shorts! Is Amaranthine free? Would she mind helping her with makeup? 

Amaranthine would love to help her with makeup. Does she want something bold or more natural?

Andrea is not very… bold. In general. She just wants to girl more successfully. 

Then Amaranthine will do a more natural look, deemphasize her lingering masculine features, and pet her a little more about it as well.

And before long Bluebell arrives. She's a brown-haired, blue-eyed woman wearing a halter top and jeans, practical sneakers on her feet.

"Hey," she says. "Andrea?"

Gosh having her makeup done and getting pets about it is maybe her new favourite thing in the world? Its really very good and tingly, not in a sexual way, but like… something orthogonal to that. Being fussed over by someone pretty is yesgood. She barely recovers from all these feelings before Bluebell arrives.

“Yeah? Thats me, Bluebell?”

"Nice to meet you!" Bluebell offers her a hand to shake. "I brought my car over, so we can take it together, or if that's not comfy for you we can take transit. Your choice. Thrift store first?"

Sure, she can do polite handshake. “Car is fine. Thrift store sounds good.” Even though she knows this world is more accepting… She thinks she might feel stared at or judged on public transport.

"Alright then, let's go." It's not a long walk to the parking lot.

Bluebell's car is an unfamiliar make of SUV, with space in the back to... lie down, apparently? And two front seats. Bluebell moves her purse off the other front seat and gestures for Andrea to hop in.

At least SUV’s are big. Getting into tiny cars has always been annoying with her male height. She gets in. Ahhh what to talk about with a stranger… She hasn’t had to make a friend in person since college… “So uhmmm… I know we are going to the thrift store but like… what exactly are the general pleat tropes for clothes? Just so I have an idea before we get there.”

"It varies a lot! It depends on what the pleat is, but most pleats have a couple associated styles. Like, for example, if you're a Voluptaten then you can wear stuff that's easy to take off or stuff that's fun to take off - sarongs and togas and stuff in the first case, more zippy snappy stuff in the second."

“I don’t know what Voluptaten is… sorry.” Theres so many new latin-esque words for these things…

"Voluptaten means 'one who gives pleasure' — on Earth I think you have ruder words for that role."

“Eep!” So… slutwear… “u-uhm maybe that one… isn’t for me… just yet.”

Why did she say yet! I mean sure being a slut is very femme coded and sounds hot. But she can barely handle being around people fucking in the temple dorms, much less being a slut.

"Awww. Aren't you just adorable. There are other roles of course. Some less obvious."

Bluebell stops at a traffic light. "Do you have any thoughts on what role you'd pick? If you could pick any one, I mean."

“I don’t really know what roles there are… besides like some vague generalities like some are more dominant or submissive or sadist. I guess I lean submissive?” Gosh that was hard to admit. Even if its normal here. All the leftover catholic sex guilt just makes it hard to talk about.

"Yeah, I do think that might be a little more natural for you."

Gosh being judged on her submissiveness… sure was a feeling. Andrea is not sure which one it is yet. But its a feeling. This is unfair really, when she was still a boy she could totally have pulled of dominant. Just on pure gender tropes alone.

The thrift store cant arrive soon enough because she feels very awkward.

Fortunately she doesn't need to wait very long before Bluebell pulls up at a thrift store parking lot and gets out of the vehicle. "Alright," she says. "Let's have a look and see what we've got."

It looks cheery enough, with a brown exterior full of plate glass windows. Kind of familiar, honestly. 

Okay, what kind of stuff do people give to thrift stores in a sex positive world where people identify with kink-ish roles. Because even earth thrift stores had pretty random stuff in them.

Andrea gets out too and follows Bluebells lead.

The thrift store is fairly packed with clothing, organized vaguely by style, labeled with more of those latinish words Andrea doesn't know the meanings of. The closest three aisles are "Dolorin", "Docila", and "Voluptaten", but there are many more in the store. 

The Dolorin aisle is full of slashed-up or otherwise distressed clothing, arm-baring tops, backless dresses, and patterns that look like spilt blood or scars. It seems to like the colors blue, green and yellow, as well as a dusty red that reminds her of dried blood. 

The Docila aisle is full of leather collars, frilled dresses with long skirts, white gloves and stockings, and simple, black, non-staining slacks and suitjackets. There are also some quite elaborate dresses, ranging from very skin-baring to more conservative. The general theme seems to be muted colors that go with anything — charcoal, brown, black. The occasional elaborate dress tends to use a jewel tone rather than sharply drawing the eye with bright colors.

The Voluptaten aisle is full of sarongs and togas, along with the occasional piece of clothing with snaps or zippers. There are also some bikini tops and bottoms. Most od the patterns are bright, bold and eyecatching, of flowers, peaches, or ocean waves. There are matching charms and necklaces too. 

"See anything you're interested in yet?"

Back home… all the things in her amazon Wishlist trended a bit… pastel egirl or goth. The classic stripey thigh highs and swooshy skirt combo of every baby trans. None of the stuff so far really suits her aesthetically, and she can guess enough about the tropes of Dolorin and Voluptaten that what they symbolize doesn’t suit her much either. Collars are cute but she is sure they mean something here. “Whats Docila?”

"Docila is 'one who serves.' It's generally taken to mean proactive service."

“I.. hmmm… I like the collar… I’m just not sure being a maid is my thing…” Because obviously docila pigeonholes very nicely with maids. “I don’t know… on earth I was planning to dress a little cuter than togas and serving outfits.”

"Dressing cuter, huh? Can you tell me what kind of things you enjoy? That might help us triangulate a little."

“I uhhh… I wanted to be… very obviously girl coded. So I had wishlisted stuff like kneesocks and spinny skirts and cute pastel colours including lots of pink…” Gosh this is embarrassing to talk about. “And there was like… a trend of overly cutesy girls online I was emulating a little… collars and cat ears and stuff…”

"Hmmm. I think I know where to look, then."

Bluebells leads Andrea down an aisle and comes to a section marked "Puella". The aisle is full of soft pastel sundresses with floppy, shapeless appearances as if designed to look a little too big. Some have shoulder cutouts. There are striped stockings for sale, and arm warmers as well. There are collars in soft felt that look very cozy, with white d-rings attached to their velcro-up designs. 

A few of the dresses have patterns of flowers, butterflies or stars on them. There's one with a unicorn on it. There's also a selection of pleated skirts (again, mostly in pink and purple) and some lighter, strappier tops in white and pink. A shelf nearby has a selection of hair barettes and butterfly hair clasps. The whole aisle is incredibly adorable, overall. 

"How does this feel?" Bluebell asks. "Too cutesy, or just enough?"

“It’s cute! Though uhh… a little bit childish?… “ Shes definitely buying the kneesocks, and the collars are tempting. She goes looking through some of the skirts and the strappy tops. Though shes very self conscious about her shoulders so those moght be just for wearing in private… “What do they like… mean though? Pleatwise.”

"That's because this is the aisle for girls!" 

Bluebell pauses. "Sorry, I think I got the wrong word there. This is the aisle for... maidens. For women who enjoy being looked after in a parental way as a core part of their dynamic. You're precisely right that it's childish, that's what it's aiming for."

She blushes as the implications go through her. “I uhhmm… maybe identify with that? A little? If theres a whole aisle for it it’s not weird right?…” Awkward squirms. Back on earth there was all this discourse about how little aesthetic is just cover for pedos and yet here you can just… signal that, in public even.

"Yeah. I know your old world was particularly bad at this, so... be kind to yourself. It's okay to need time. 

No-one is going to hate you for wearing puella clothing. It's a fairly common pleat."

She can be brave! The clothes are very cute… plus if it’s not socially weird, it seems like a nice thing to be…

Andrea knows shes needs someone else in the lead socially anyway, this kinda just formalises that? Maybe this society with pleats and social rules about them might be easier to manage for her. Maybe, hopefully.

“I think I uhh… want to try it? The clothes… and the role too… maybe…” Ahhhhh even saying that out loud is making her heart clench.

"I think that's very brave of you, Puella Andrea." She smiles. "I know it can be hard to take on a new role like this, but you're taking that step forward despite your old hurts. I'm proud of you. Pick out some nice things and we can bring them to the cash register together, okay? You have enough allowance to spend on some nice clothes, don't you?"

As Andrea goes through the racks she also finds a squashy lavender sweater, in the cable-knit style, and some less shoulder-baring dresses. There's even one or two that are less squashy and more figure-flattering, though they're still one-piece. 

Calling it an allowance makes her blush, it’s already started has it? Gosh this is so weird to just… be this role. even if its only started right now.

Andrea picks out the most swooshy of pleated baby trans skirts. And the obligatory kneesocks and thigh highs, and some kinda childish blouses and tops… she grabs the dress with the unicorn on it feeling very bad and guilty even if it was fine here and nobody was judging her for it! She gets one of the more figure flattering cutesy dresses, as a treat, now she actually has a little bit of figure to show off. She still feels gross and mannish half the time but she did so many god damn squats for this body! It deserves some showing off.

Shes about to finish her selections before shes sees a pj onesie thats a doggy and she also guiltily grabs that, because it’s just too cute and she can wear it in private at least.

She longingly looks at the collars but maybe thats a step too far just to try this out.

Bluebell said they’d go to the cashier together, so she goes back to Bluebell. “I picked some stuff out…” She tells herself to stop feeling guilty about buying these! They wouldn't sell them if it was bad to own!

"I'll ring them through for you if you don't want to talk to the cashier," Bluebell says. "Is that okay, or do you want to keep being brave?"

Oh gosh thats very… thats very much the kind of thing one does for her role isn’t it? She’s having feelings about it just she isn’t sure wich. “I uhhh… I know they won’t judge me but it feels like they will because… back home they would… c-can you do it…”

"Of course."

Bluebell goes and rings through the purchases using her card, then passes a copy of the reciept to Andrea. "If we had an established relationship," she says, "I'd be able to take this out of your allowance directly. But some things take more consent than just a pleat. So this time I'll just pay and ask Amaranthine to reimburse me."

“U-uhmm okay… thanks.” Gosh they even have the banks enabling this kind of thing?… that could be a little risky she thinks… letting someone else spend for you…

”Should I change into these? Maybe you don’t wanna make our whole outing all about this though.” She can wait to get back to the temple dorms and find an empty room to try stuff on. 

"You can do whatever you like, sweetie, but I need to go open for my café soon so whatever you'd like to do you should do it quickly."

Eeee being called sweetie makes her heart flutter. She can do this, she’s brave. Even if ahhhh people will see her like that. “I uhhmm… yes I want to change…” She looks around for a bathroom to change in.

"There's a changing bench at the back of the store."

Bluebell leads Andrea to the back. There is, indeed, a bench. It's completely out in the open.

“There? B-but people will see!” I mean she knew nudity taboos were different, but in the middle of the store? She has enough anxiety about her body being judged without it being naked!

"Yeah, I've heard that can be an issue for people from your world. I'm sorry, I should have thought ahead and brought a cover-up..." 

She rubs the back of her head. "I can not look?"

“Fine! Turn around. I’ll just….” Distressed whining noises occur as Andrea tries to change behind a clothing display once Bluebell turns around. She’s continuously paranoid someone else in the store will look over at her. She has never changed so fast in her life. She emerges from behind a clothing rack wearing a cute swooshy pastel blue one piece dress. She feels childish, which is the point, but also a lifetime of instincts are hard to overcome that say to her that childish is bad. “I’m done now.”

"You look lovely." Bluebell smiles and pets Andrea's head a little. "That wasn't so hard, was it?" 

She takes Andrea by the hand. "Now, let's get back to my café. Ready?"

Ahhhh, getting patted is both actually very nice and a lifetime of instincts is telling her it’s infantilising and bad actually. Same with being led by the hand.

She has to tell her brain to just shut the fuck up and let her enjoy this. “Y-yeah…”