Chapter Text
Prologue
A long time ago where today is called Ramezay City in Quebec, Canada, there was a pond the natives said contains magic unlike any other and leads to a mysterious other world filled with spirits and all manners of mythical creatures.
From a time long forgotten, natives saw these waters as holy ground, forbidden to men, but after thousands of years, a small group of Buddhists found this mystical place and built a small sanctuary around it to then vanish, maybe to travel to worlds beyond our own.
Cities were built, generations pass, and the old pond remains now just as a forgotten relic.
This is the story of a group of young women who stumble into that world of magic and mystery.
Ramezay City - 8:00 am - Present Day
A cold breeze runs through 19th street, blowing up red leaves at the window of a small vertical house at the corner, waking up a young red headed woman in red silk pajamas. She flinches by the sub arctic air seeping through a small gap into the old window. She promises herself she would fix it before winter, but so far it is still there giving her a chilly “good morning”.
As she awakens from her slumber she looks at the other side of her room and sees the empty bed of her late roommate who recently moved out and worries about how she is going to pay the rent now that Patricia is gone.
Looking at the clock she tries not to think about it anymore and then gets out of bed and sluggishly heads to the bathroom trying to stay awake, while scratching her reddish pubic hairs.
After brushing her teeth Amanda undresses her pajamas and stares at her naked body. She never considered herself “hot”, but her modest bust size and slim body was good enough for her, some people even said her freckles were cute, however others disapproved of her untamed bush.
Shrugging over her own figure, Amanda goes into the shower and washes up. Being warmed by the hot water she can’t avoid and start thinking about her current financial situation again and on where she is going to find herself a new roommate to help pay the rent. After her shower she puts on some old jeans and her Ramezay U t-shirt, and she goes down the stairs. She wears no lingerie today, trying to find some excitement in her daily life, but the little spark vanishes when she sees her breakfast, some toast and strawberry milk.
Munching on her unremarkable piece of rye bread, Amanda reaches for the radio and turns it on. “Sunny skies today with a high chance of winds and light rain showers this evening” said the newsman.
“Another boring day in this boring city huh” she thinks while sipping some milk.
Leaving the dishes on the sink, she then heads out to the university for her first period.
Amy walks through the neighborhood which is full of 18th century old French colonial houses filled with bakeries, souvenir shops, hotels and restaurants with all the exquisite “aroma” coming from them.
It made Amanda a bit disappointed with the lackluster breakfast she had. Making her walk faster and after a few minutes Amanda arrives at her destination the Ramezay University founded in 1836, a fine institute of higher learning and one of the best French speaking universities in the province being compared to Harvard and other ivy league schools with students from all over the world attending trying to get their diplomas well maybe except for one student in particular.
Not far from her, a completely naked Asian girl appeared running from campus security. Everyone gets used to seeing her doing it so the men start not giving much effort to the pursuit, allowing her to lose them easily. But filled with the thrill of the chase the asian streaker bumps into Amanda who was distracted with going over her books which spread everywhere onto the corridor, “Ouch” Amanda thought to herself while pulling herself up and collecting her fallen books she then looked at the naked girl in front of her.
“A bit early for the naked run, Karmi?” said Amanda.
Amanda has known Karmi since they were in grade school with Karmi usually landing her in all kinds of trouble. They got separated when Karmi went to a prestigious and very expensive private school and Amanda had to go to a local school, now they are together again, she discovers her friend has now become a streaker, very different from the shy little girl she was before.
“Just enjoying the nice sweet autumn breeze while I run,” said Karmi while picking up the books, trying to sound normal while feeling quite a bit chilly with goosebumps all over her body with her nipples erect and her breath visible but even then she still kept a smile on her face in the face of such weather.
Although she has known her for a long time, it’s the first time Amy could see her friend's naked body so up close. Karmi still has her brown eyes and long dark hair with some new blue and white hair dye but now has feather earrings to match it.
She wore a blue scarf and toque with snow goggles on her forehead plus some sweet white snow boots. Her body was tanned light-brown with a bit of a round figure to her and average breasts with brownish areola and a mole on her left boob. When Karmi turns, Amanda can't avoid taking a brief look at her friend's private parts. It was very hairy down there like a forest she thought to herself.
“Really?” Blushed Amy, coming back from her voyeuristic moment, also realizing she is wearing nothing besides the jeans and T-shirt.
“Yeah, otherwise I would not get to feel the wind and sun on my skin,” said Karmi.
“This is just so awkward, today is not a good day for skinny dipping” said Amanda sheepishly, noticing the little asian starting to fall for the freezing breeze, but deep down envying this carefree attitude.
“Life is rather awkward in general now that you think about it.” Karmi said.
“Spoken like a true philosopher,” Amanda said sarcastically.
Noticing Amanda’s face getting more red than her hair, Karmi pokes “Say Amy, would you care to join me in my walk au natural?”.
Amy turned an even more intense shade of red and now with her textbooks at hand, starts running. “I'm running a bit late so I need to get to class”.
“I can show you the way if you want”. Said Karmi.
“That’s ok,” said Amy, “I also study here, remember? And you already show enough!” replied while disappearing into the corridors trying to hide her face.
Before Karmi could respond back, a campus security guard in her early 30’s and with dark skin and a little afro said “Miss Sanouk, Dean Watanabe wants to have a word with you.” “Oh-Oh!” Karmi shrieked to herself with deep concern over what will be in store for her..
Dean Watanabe’s Office - 9:00 am
The security guard dragged Karmi down the halls and into the Dean’s office, and although concerned about being caught, the asian girl could not deny how good it was to be in a warm environment, so she couldn’t avoid smiling.
The Dean's office was typical of a university, with a modest wooden desk with several old books on the shelves plus a bunch of stuffed birds ranging from Owls to Ravens and some old paintings on the wall.
“Seriously again Karmi,” said Dean Kanna Watanabe, standing up from her desk. a slim petite Japanese woman with keen eyes, in her early 40’s with her hair tied in a bun and wearing a business suit with glasses.
Karmi has known Dean Kanna Watanabe since childhood who was an old friend and rival of her mother Lamai.
“Just a little morning jog, that's all, aunt Kanna,” said Karmi.
“You know that is not what I mean, and here on the campus, it’s Miss Watanabe,” said the blushing Dean.
“Ok Miss….. Watanabe…. Well no one was really around so I figured that there were no people, so no clothes, no problem.” said Karmi as she patted her on the shoulder, easygoing like.
“If you were not the daughter of one of our most generous alumni you would have been expelled or sent to jail for this,” said Miss Watanabe, trying to hold all her annoyance in like a steaming tea kettle slowly building up steam.
“Funny how the world works isn’t it.” said Karmi. Karmi was simply being cool as a cucumber, a very naked cucumber.
The Dean was about to explode, stopping for a moment, then a very interesting epiphany that had just popped into her head.
“Indeed, which is why I have a solution for you,” said Miss Watanabe.
“What do you have in mind?” asked Karmi.
“A faculty member proposed a very controversial experiment with her about prolonged campus nudity and its effect on society. '' said the japanese woman in a devilish tone, raising an eyebrow from her security chief, that was watching by the door, “You are to be fully nude on campus for the whole semester,” said Miss Watanabe.
“Just me?” said Karmi.
“It proposes about 10 to 12 subjects, to be full time nudists, think of it like a little social experiment,” said Miss Watanabe.
“Sounds very bold.” Said Karmi.
“That it is but will you be up for it?” Said, smirking, Miss Watanabe.
“Hell Yeah I am?” Karmi energetically said, not believing she was being rewarded.
“Good, I can't wait for you to get started,” said Miss Watanabe.
“Yes, maam!!!” shout Karmi, happily turning around to the exit door, but suddenly interrupted by Miss Watanabe.
“Oh, we will need your parents to sign their agreement on the experiment”, added the dean with her devilish smile, while Karmi just became pale with the request. “You can go now, have a nice class”, finished her “Take that Lamai.” she thought to herself.
Karmi left the office still naked but now looking more like a ghost.
Ramezay University Pond - 9:30 am
Karmi traced her steps back to where she undressed and found her clothes in a pile hidden in the bushes then goes to the campus pond at the back of an old building of the university to calm herself down and tries to figure out a way to talk to her mother.
She walked desolated thinking about her conundrum, not knowing how to say to her very conservative mother, since her father was at a medical summit in Dubai and won’t return for the next two weeks. Lost in thoughts she suddenly sees herself at her destination.
The pond was older than the campus and the city itself, it had a small abandoned Buddhist shrine rumored to be haunted by wicked spirits, but when entering it she found it was just covered in vines with flowers, petals in the wind and "gentle" light breeze.... Not nearly resembling a haunted place. Within the pond there were various butterflies, koi fish, frogs, snails, dragonflies and all sorts of tiny aquatic creatures that live in it like a miniature self-contained ocean.
Karmi entered the shrine, within it stood a human sized golden buddha statue covered in moss and flowers and vines, She kneeled down and began to meditate in front of it, there was a certain unexplained mythical air about the shrine that felt magical, mysterious and other worldly almost like an eastern asian fairy tale.
Then a blonde girl wearing jeans and a jacket with her hair tied into a ponytail and close to Karmi in age ran into the shrine. Karmi was surprised and tried to cover her breasts and private area with her arms.
“Oh my you're naked!!!” said the blonde girl, noticing the fully naked asian girl in front of her.
“Yes I am naked, I assumed no one would be back here so I just took off my clothes to get more comfortable and attuned with nature. If you are uncomfortable I can get dressed right away.” said Karmi while reaching for her clothes, she is stopped by the mysterious blonde stranger.
“You don’t have to wear clothes for my sake, you can be naked as a jaybird if you want, I'm used to seeing naked people all the time back home” said the blonde girl while catching her breath and sat down to meet Karmi at eye level.
“Really?” said Karmi with a look of skepticism on her face and noticing a fierce looking girl with deep sea blue eyes.
“Yep really, so anyway can you please help me?” said the blonde girl very boldly.
“Umm… What do you need help with?” inquired Karmi.
“Finding my way I’m a Transfer Student this is my first day here ” said the blonde girl as she began removing her shoes
“How did you find this place?” Karmi inquired.
“I listened to the voices in the wind and they led me here. It's surprisingly warm here.”
Puzzled by this strange, but quite attractive girl, Karmi asks - “Sorry, but, why are you taking your shoes off?”.
“To get more comfortable, that’s better,” said the blonde girl as she became barefoot next. “Didn’t know Canadian Campus allow nudity in plain daylight!”
“Oh, my name is Vera by the way!“ added Vera with a large cat-like smile, which although didn’t solve Karmi’s problems, at least made her feel a little better!
“These campuses don’t officially allow full time nudity yet but there is going to be an experiment for it which i am about to be a part of but first i have to phone my mom and ask her permission to partake in it.” Karmi said while sweating and shaking like a paint mixer.
“That is rough.” responded Vera who continued to remove more of her clothing bit by bit she removed her jacket then her pants and was beginning to take off her shirt next.
“You're almost naked as me.” said Karmi as she was easing up.
Vera then took off her bra and panties and was now as naked as Karmi.
“Completely now, does this help put your mind at ease?” Vera asked unencumbered
“Weirdly it does, though I'm still nervous about talking to my mother.” Karmi replied with some uneasiness coming back to her.
Vera got up and did a little twirl and then some jumps then some more twirls.
“What are you doing?” Karmi asked Vera very awkwardly
“I’m trying to make you feel better by dancing. Besides, When i get nervous. I like to do some dancing to ease myself of any stress, especially when I'm naked.” Vera said, dancing like a fairy ballerina around Karmi.
“Yeah I'm not gonna lie, this looks pretty weird, but also fun.” Karmi said, feeling somewhat confused but hard to admit, a bit aroused by the gracious blonde and her fully shaved pubes, but soon her phone started feeling heavy on her hands again.
Vera stopped dancing and after a few moments of silence Karmi decided that it was time to phone her mother and face the consequences no matter what.
Karmi had been seeking this way of life in the last few years, and now she will have to fight for it, even if it means confronting her very traditional and conservative mom.
The phone was ringing and after thirty seconds the person on the other line picked up.
“Hello, who is this?” A gentle but yet firm voice asks on the phone.
“Mom it's me.” Karmi answered back nervously.
“Karmi dear,” replied her mother Lamai, “did you get in trouble again, what did you do this time?” Continued her, knowing her daughter very well, good enough to presume a phone call at that time would mean more trouble.
“No mom, I'm not in trouble exactly, I just need to ask your permission for something.” Karmi said, shaking uncontrollably, very worried about her own potential lifestyle choice in wanting to be naked all the time everywhere.
“What is it?” asked a suspicious Lamai.
There is a certain program I want to be part of and I need a parent's co-signature for it.” Karmi blew out her words in one big go.
“Oh is that it, there isn’t any catch to this program?”
“Oh no, why would there be?”
“You sound pretty nervous,” Lamai’s voice sounded like a dagger or as if she could see Karmi’s nude body from her home office kilometers away.
“Nervous me…. ” Karmi maniacally laughs, while feeling more naked than before and unconsciously hiding behind a bush.
“I can hear you shaking Karmi.” Her gentle voice sounded harsh and oppressive to the young asian about to pee herself in fear.
“Ok, it's a naked in school program and I would very much like it if you would sign me up for it.” Karmi blurted out over the phone she was unsure if that was the right move for her.
A sudden silence took the call, some few seconds for Vera who was still watching the scene, but an eternity for Karmi who was bracing for impact, cowering behind her little bush.
“Ah there’s the catch.” Lamai finally broke the silence, with a very disappointed and ice cold voice, Karmi knows unfortunately very well.
“You're not mad mom?” Karmi said.
“No, I'm just deeply disappointed in you Karmi. I thought we had cured your exhibitionist tendencies in high school. I tried to raise you to be a proper lady but you turned out like this” Lamai said, shaking her head.
“Mom, it's my life choice and I want to be naked everywhere and every time in fact I am naked right now in the shrine of the UA Pond.” Karmi said in defiance.
Lamai broke down after hearing Karmi’s words.
“What, What, What?”, Lamai screamed so loud that she sounded like an opera singer whose vocal chords exploded. Vera could even hear it from a distance.
Lamai then took a deep breath to regain some composure, and then resumed her speech.
“You have your father’s spirit and defiant nature. I'll tell you what I will think about it. Meet me at the house and also get dressed.” Finished Lamai with a long sigh as she hung up.
Vera thought to herself this family has so much drama in it that it could be made into a reality show. Karmi was still feeling tense all over from that excruciating phone call with her mom then Vera broke the ice. “That was an emotional roller coaster.” said Vera
“Yeah that was something….“ Karmi said awkwardly, almost forgetting that Vera was even here to begin with..
”Anyway I better get to my mom’s house and sort this situation out. It was nice to meet you Vera.” Karmi said.
“It was a pleasure meeting you too, Karmi.” Vera said to Karmi, blowing her a little kiss.
“Yeah…” Karmi said while blushing a bit.
Karmi and Vera together both got dressed and left the shrine in a deep silence, until Vera turned back saying. “Good luck with your mom Karmi.”
“By the way, thanks for putting up with me and my family drama. This is for your troubles” Karmi gives Vera her class location on her smartphone.
“Oh thank you.” Vera said as she hugged Karmi very tightly and affectionately Karmi felt a bit weird by it but good all the same like a warm fire in a vast cold tundra.
With a gleeful smile, Vera then went off to her class leaving Karmi alone by herself. Karmi still had butterflies in her stomach about meeting with her mom about the nudist program.
“Here goes nothing.”
Karmi walks off back home with a thunder echoing in the distance. Meanwhile back at the house where Karmi’s mothers lives Lamai said to herself.
“What fresh hell has my daughter gotten herself into.”