Estelle had kept quiet as she watched the events unfold before her. She were totally confused and with all of the magic and wonder unfolding before her till she simply slumped over into a dream. With all of this transforming, she almost wondered in her slumber, what would the girl become?
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 8:47 pm
Cecelia started to reply to Ratchet, but she suddenly had a really bad feeling. If she still had hair on her body, they would have been standing on end. Instead it fell more like electricity running over her scales. She looked to the foggy ritual area across the room. Nothing was really discernible, but she knew something very powerful was in there. She swam backward, scared without knowing why, and tried to hide. There wasn't anywhere to go in this enlarged fish tank, but she shrank back anyway. She looked down at the harp in her hands maybe she could calm them? Would that help? She still had that piece in her ear, forgetting to return it to Finita earlier. "Finita.... Do you think my song could help? Or would it mess with the ritual?" she said. "I don't like this. Not at all."
A ball is in coming. Do you understand? As worried as she was it was hard for her to suppress a smile at Ratchet's words.
The red fox nodded, before starting to groom Silvia's fur.
Then she heard Cecelia. She thought hard for a second. She watched some rather... large tentacles come out in a rift over the red fox's head, and she gulped.
Cecelia, try singing a soothing, calming song. She's in a lot of pain and she's scared out of her wits. Maybe something calming would help? Said Finita in reply. You'll need to sing and play towards the chamber, see if you can't focus the sound towards it. She then looked down at the terrified and hurting fox in her arms. I don't know what this power is... She said to herself quietly. There's nothing in the book that says Kitsune have powers like this...
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 10:13 pm
Cecelia nodded, regardless of whether or not they could see her. So she added, "I'll do my best." She closed her eyes and focused on the people she felt were in that fog. She worked to calm herself and though about the song. When she opened her mouth the song was slow and soothing, the lyre played at a gentle harmony. Now that she was singing, the song came easy and she let it flow towards the agitation she felt.
The red fox tugged at Finita's sheet playfully, before grabbing the edge of the plate of rice balls and retreating until the shelter of the shrine with them. Finta blinked at the red fox when suddenly...
Drip... drip... drip...
It started to rain. It wasn't some light drizzle; no, it was more like a sudden downpour that drenched everything in the vicinity around the lab. She picked up the large silver fox in her arms and retreated under the canopy of the shrine, before settling down again on her knees and shaking her now-soaked mane out of her face.
It was not long though, before the song echoed through the chamber, somehow magnified by the forest of bamboo that gently moved within to some wind.
Finita smiled when she felt Silvia relax in her arms. She wasn't whimpering or crying anymore, but the blood flowing from the fox's nose was worrying for the Minotauress. The rain started to let up until it settled at a light drizzle.
Finita put her fingers to the earpiece. Keep going Cecelia! Said Finita in encouragement. She herself could feel the calming effects as if it was instantaneous. The rifts have stopped opening and she's not whimpering anymore!
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 11:05 pm
Cecelia smiled, growing more confident as the minotaur scientist confirmed it was indeed working. She played diligently, the music flowing gently from her fingers. To her own ears the song echos loud and powerful, but soothing as the waves rolling along the sand. Yet, still she hoped Ratchet would get back soon. As much as she felt like she could sing forever, it would have to end sometime. Power didn't come without some kind of price. Something she was just beginning to understand.
Ratchet hurried back into the lab, on top of the chamber where the rituals were being constructed. In his pocket was one of the super balls his boss had mentioned. Stopping to catch his breath he looked down into the hole to see that it was raining now.
"I've got the super ball you wanted Head Scientist!" he communicated pulling out of his pocket and bending down. His hand entering the top he was planning on tossing it to her when suddenly, within the fog and the rain a beautiful and elegant woman's hand grabbed it.
"Wh-Who is...what is!?" he gasped noticing the ghostly woman take the ball from him with a thankful smile and carry it down to where Finita and the fox were before vanishing. The ball lightly bounced and bumped into one of the hooves of the Head Scientist before coming to a complete stop. Within the shrine the regular bouncy super ball was now glowing faintly. Though his fear for the ghostly spirit vanished when the Siren's song suddenly picked up.
Ratchet had been so focused on saving the girl that he hadn't noticed her singing until now. It was like he was floating in a dream. A goofy relaxed expression now on his face he let out a content sigh. "Wow..nice song...it's so soothing..." he commented lightly sort of getting lost in it's melody.
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 10:30 am
angelmage99
Stardust Drifter
Lady Aryana of the Seelie
Fallen Akari-chan
The red fox quickly picked up the toy ball, dropping it in my mouth.
I blinked wearily; it was bright red with blue and purple swirls. I caught it in my jaws, holding it carefully as if it was some valuable jewel.
{Feel the power surround your eyes, don't just observe it. Push it towards and into the ball.}
I did so; it was shaped around my face like a pair of sunglasses. Finita watched as the golden flow faded from my eyes, and now graced the gently glowing ball with a golden light. The the glow faded until it looked as mundane as ever.
I slowly got up. I still had a throbbing headache; I think might have been in the process of a brain aneurism.
I slowly turned my head towards my many tails, and one of them reached forward and wrapped around the ball and held it. They appeared to be prehensile. And highly dexterous.
Finita smiled widely. Great work you two! She looks ok now! Though we should check to make sure that nosebleed wasn't anything worrying.
{Get ahold of that book, Osafune; You'll need it to learn the full extent of your abilites.}
{Full extent?}
{You have a power for each tail. I don't have enough time to describe them all to you. Oh, and if you tell anyone that you wrote that book in a previous life or of the little chess match you're having, they will die. Instantly.}
{... Chess match?}
The red fox groomed my fur. {I am very proud. You have until the rituals finish to figure this out. Then your old schemes will end, and you will have to pick up where you left off.}
He then turned and strode away.
{Wait!} I squirmed out of Finita's arms and step after him. {Who are you?}
He turned and gave me a foxy smile. {I, in a past life, was your father.}
I stared, jaw dropped, as he then darted into the mist. I chased after him, only he had vanished like the others.
I stood there alone in the bamboo for a second, my ears drooping. I was aware that I would either be extremely mad or sad at this news when Cecelia's song stopped...
I sighed, before returning to the shrine; and Finita. I glanced at her bag-- it held the book that I wrote. It would tell me all about my abilities... and all about the others abilities as well. Did I predict Finita coming in to aid me, all those years ago, in my past life? I left out the need for a toy ball on purpose so I would feel the full scope of my most powerful ability before I got a chance to stow it away... this requiring Finita to step in and call upon Ratchet for aid.
... I probably did. Damn, was I that good back then? ... What the hell am I playing this 'chess match' against?
Finita smiled and held up the plate of rice balls, and offered me one. I ate it gratefully, finding it delicious. She then offered me a cup of sake which I drank gratefully as well. My nosebleed had trickled to a stop, though I noticed Finita had blood all over the sheet she wore as a toga now.
Cecelia heard Finita and smiled. She was glad everything seemed to be alright now. So, with a little extra finesse for fun, she ended her music. As it faded, she felt very satisfied with her work, if very very hungry. Perhaps the music took energy from her? She wasn't overly concerned. Something a good meal and a nap could cure. The young siren pondered these events. That was one very usual and, from what she gleaned from the panicking minotaur, a very dangerous one that did not go smoothly. What was going on? She was starting to wonder about this book that let all of them turn into creatures. Cecelia shrugged. She could always watch and wait. No use twiddling her thumbs over it. "I'm glad she is alright now." she told the head scientist. "Do you think now is a bad time to ask for food? I'm starving." She swam around leisurely in her "fish bowl".
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 5:41 pm
Once the song was over he snapped out of the trance he was in. Looking down it seemed that everything had been taken care of. Whenever Cecelia sang something odd came over him! Why? Shaking that off he made his way back to the room.
Finita was busy so he would take care of the Siren's needs. "Alright I think food should be fine. I'll help you get some." he said hearing her comment. "What are you in the mood for Cecelia?" he asked kindly.
After a long moment, Cecelia's song ended, and my ears drooped. The rain started to fall harder again, until it was litterally raining buckets.
The mist faded away leaving just Finita and I under the shelter of the shrine. I sighed, before I found another rice ball waving infront of my nose.
I bit into it slowly and chewed it, before gulping down the rice.
Well, until the rain lets up, said Finita, I don't think the contractors can start the next setup for the rituals.
She moved a wet lock of mane out of her face and picked me up, holding me like she was carrying a large dog. She covered the sake and the rice treats before charging out from under the shelter of the shrine and with a mighty leap, leapt from the bamboo path and landed on the roof smoothly, before darting straight for the elevator. She pounded the bottom and waited for the doors to open, before stepping in.
Once inside she set me down and we both panted, soaking wet. She put her hands on her knees and took a deep breath as the elevator descended. Eventually the door opened with a bing! and she lead the way out of the elevator and back into the lab where Ratchet was with Cecelia and the others.
She moved a wet lock of mane out of her face, and I pondered shaking like a dog... nah, I'd probably get yelled at. I instead sat down and looked at myself. I was a giant fox with nine tails with silver fur...
Glancing up I remembered hearing stuff about Kitsune.... they were famous for illusions and shape-shifting, right? And fire.
I stood and looked down at myself, and I felt my fur start to stand on end as it lit with amethyst colored fire. My fur started to steam as the water rapidly boiled and evaporated, drying very quickly until the flames went out and I probably looked like a massive silver poof-ball with the way every hair on my body was standing on end...
Finita noticed and laughed. Then she looked over as she had heard something about food.
You're getting food? Finita asked. Why, don't just get enough for Cecelia, I'm hungry as well! I think we all are!
I yipped, and took the plate with the rice balls from Finita who had covered it with her sheet, and offered the plate to Ratchet. I didn't bother to offer to Cecelia, as from what I remember she was a carnivore... Vegetable matter was a no dice for her.
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2013 7:58 pm
Cecelia thought about his offer carefully. What was she in the mood for? She thought of all the restaurants she has seen and never tried. Not that she could actually go there as she was, but it helped her decide. As cliche as it seemed to her, she wanted sea food. It sounded perfect. "If it isn't too much trouble, I'd like seafood. Fish, lobster, crab. Oh! Crab would be great. I only has it a few times, but I remember it was great." She listed. "But it can be whatever." Cecelia did a backward twirl before swimming very close to the glass. Her hand pressed against it. "Just bring a lot. And I mean a LOT. Not fried. Please." The last bit she added quickly, not wanting to be rude.
Ratchet stared at her with some dumbfoundment and quickly pulled out a notepad and jotted down a lot of crab for Cecelia. No doubt he would be the one to go buy and retrieve it all. After all people would freak out seeing mystical women walking around. Heck he was still getting used to the fact that most of the girls before him were once Human.
"Alright A LOT of crab for the Siren. What will you want Head Scientist?" he asked Finita next. No doubt she would want A LOT of food too. The short woman had grown a lot taller and probably a lot more hungrier. Though as he was waiting for her answer Ratchet felt something poke at him and he looked down.
There before him stood a nine tailed fox that used to be a girl. It looked like she was offering the plate to him? Smiling warmly he bent down, gently took the plate from her, and began to scratch behind one of her ears softly. "Thank you so kindly. I'm so glad you're alright I was worried about you. Oh and I guess I can have one of these?" he asked noticing there were a few rice balls left. Was it wise for him to eat one though?
They were supposedly something used for an offering right? After the day he had today, Ratchet really wasn't in the mood to anger any ancient spirits. Though if the fox wanted him to eat one then he would.
Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 2:34 am
angelmage99
Stardust Drifter
Lady Aryana of the Seelie
Fallen Akari-chan
I nodded as he took the plate.
They were talking about food weren't they? I was hungry myself-- I hadn't eaten much besides the fluffy rice balls with chocolate and Sake.
I wish I could speak English... I remembered what I looked like in the mirror and I gave an exasperated sigh. The image of me still human flashed through my mind.
If only I still had thumbs, even! I then started feeling funny. Looking about, I darted for the door to the meditation room.
Finita was pondering the question, ears wiggling. She finally stuck her finger in her mouth and started feeling around her teeth.
I appear to be omnivorous. She said after a moment. Hmmm... Something meaty.... not beef... She shuddered at the thought. Errrr... She then blinked and glanced around.
Silvia, would you perhaps like any-- Err, where did Silvia go?
~~~
I closed the door behind me with a tail as I felt my body seem to change it's shape. It hurt, but it didn't hurt as much as my tails splitting.
Despite the pain the transformation went rather smoothly, and I found myself standing on two feet, human once more... well, mostly human. I had a large busy fox tail and a pair of fox ears. I was also stark naked.
I saw a lab coat on a chair and put it on with a swish. It was slightly short on me, but once I put it on and buttoned it all the way I shouldn't flash anyone.
I opened the door and stepped out, looking at my hands.
Well, that's nifty. My voice had changed too; it was slightly deeper and more... sultry?
Oh! Well, it didn't take long for you to figure out how to shapeshift...
I've always been a fast learner. I had my little bouncy ball in my hands, and I tossed it back and forth between my hands.
What would you like to eat?
Sushi. I walked over to him and grabbed a rice ball, taking a bite. There is this pleasant little place downtown called Tranquil Bamboo. They are a high class sushi bar and the food is very good. They will sell to you whole Alaskan crabs if you ask, and when it comes to my order just say "And one for Miss Nigiri."
Finita's ears wiggled. Tranquil Bamboo? She said suddenly with a laugh. Fish does sound good right now! It's been forever since I had sushi! That place is expensive, is it not?
I smiled and my tail flicked. You're talking to the soon to be President of Amaerazing Chocolates. I don't know the meaning of the word expensive. It is not in my vocabulary!
Finita laughed hard at this. Ha! Very true!
She gave a long thought about this when I retrieved a menu from a pocket in my clothes from the other room. I would put them on, but I don't have a hole for my tail... She read it, and, ears wiggling, listed off a very large order for Ratchet to copy down.
Ratchet stood when the fox suddenly ran off. He wondered if everything was alright, then again maybe the woman's fox instincts picked up a squirrel or something? Giving a shrug he bit into one of the rice balls. It wasn't as bad as he thought it was. Of course it wasn't until the chocolate hit his tongue that the flavor of the salty sweetness exploded in his mouth. Man this girl made excellent chocolates.
Pondering about eating another he heard a sultry voice and turned to look, with everyone else, as the alluring fox woman before them. A light blush upon his face Ratchet shyly looked away. It wasn't just the chocolate maker that was making him blush, the Siren, the Mermaid and the Minotaur were as well. If there was one thing that seemed to be common with ritual transformation was that each of them had more of a sultry curvy body and alluring aura about them. Yes even the Minotaur!
This was all just so....weird...
Page after page he wrote, all of this food would probably take some time. Roughly and hour or so. He wasn't much of a seafood person but oh well why not? Writing down what he was hungry for Ratchet smiled at them, while collecting whatever money was needed. "Alright, I'll be back in a while. It may take an hour or so! Ah! Finita do you think the 'surprise' is finished yet? Maybe while I'm gone you can 'show them'." he said hinting to the possibility of the girl's living quarters being finished.
After all the construction workers had been busy with them the moment the girls changed. Maybe the Kitsune would have to wait a bit but then again they all had magic right? So he figured that would probably speed it along more if their rooms weren't totally finished yet.
He figured it would be a good distraction for them all why he placed his rather long order. For one thing, it would get Cecelia out of her tank. He was getting the impression she didn't like to be in an enclosed space for long.Making sure he had everything, Ratchet left the women to go place the very long order. Well money was never really a problem anyway, they too had a lot of it to burn.
As he pulled out of the parking lot and began to drive to the restaurant he still couldn't believe the day he had. Maybe magic wasn't all that bad? After all, each of the girls seemed to be comfortable in their transformations. Though would he really be needed after a while, once they figured out their powers more?
People just stared at him like he was crazy when he rambled off his large list. Feeling a little sheepish the cooks got to work as he paid for the large meal. He just ordered a duplicate of one of the meals on the list, for himself. Ratchet honestly was still more jittery than hungry. Though he hadn't had sushi before but after a day of whole new experiences why not live a little right?
