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 Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 7:36 am
Menelie Menahem woke the next morning feeling strangely refreshed, despite their long day of travel the day before. He gathered the things he was to bring with him to summon the deity, whose name he'd learned was Iordanes, and after kisses and such with Rho and Tirzah, made his way to the temple ruins. How different this space was from their lodgings. It was quiet here. No one around, save for the odd fairy who zipped through, obviously with places to be. Mena took a moment to explore, to marvel at what this place must have been when it was pristine. Given Venus' obvious flair for dramatics and attention to detail...it must have been truly a sight to behold.
Mena found himself facing Iordanes' altar, and nodded once. "Right." He set down his satchel a short distance away, and pulled out a small broom with no handle. He used it to sweep the dust off the altar, and then also around its base. He tucked that back in his bag and brought out a small tin of shortbread cookies he'd baked back home. He'd chosen it strategically so it would keep until today. He'd decorated them with chopped almonds so they'd be a bit fancy. He set the tin on the altar, along with the tiniest cask of beer, about a pint's worth. He'd had to bribe Mojo for that one. He lit some incense, which he'd purchased at the inn's gift shop because he frankly had no idea what it was, and put it on the little dish on the altar. The fragrant smoke curled upward, and Mena took a deep breath. This was it.
Having no artifice to cast off, as the instructions specified, he instead opted to dust his legs and hooves off with his hands before kneeling, then bowing at the altar, then patting his hands twice upon the ground. Iordanes, who like all his siblings was caught up in preparations for his mother's annual celebration, was surprised to feel that itch in his ears that meant someone was praying at his altar. How long had it been? Years. Curious, as always, he responded to the summon and appeared to the mortal only seconds after the second pat. A male Faun, attractive in shape and color. Iordanes half-sat, half-leaned on the altar and picked up the tin of...oh, cookies! He munched on one. "Hey, these are pretty good!" he exclaimed. Mena, who hadn't seen or heard the deity appear, inhaled sharply and jumped to his hooves, startled. "Oh! Uh, sorry," he said hurriedly, giving another little bow. Iordanes laughed and made a dismissive hand gesture. "No, no, you're fine. These are delicious, did you make them yourself?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 7:37 am
Menelie Mena nodded, realizing he hadn't rehearsed what he was actually going to say once he'd summoned Iordanes. He was half-expecting it not to work. "I-I'm a chef," he stammered. "Baked goods aren't really my strong suit, so I'm glad you like them." "Why didn't you bring something you were more confident in?" inquired Iordanes, munching on another cookie. "Um, well, it took us two weeks to get here, and I thought that my usual fare wouldn't survive the journey." "That's very thoughtful," agreed Iordanes. "And what is your usual fare?" He was trying to put the poor mortal at ease. They were always so jumpy for some reason. "Like, what would you have brought if you'd made it this morning?" "Oh! Um, probably a roasted acorn squash, split in half and then filled with quinoa, pine nuts, mushrooms, and cranberries." "You're right," chuckled Iordanes. "That is quite different, and definitely wouldn't have made the journey." He made a mental note to suggest this dish to Mother's caterers...it sounded delightful. Not that he needed to eat, but he did so from time to time for enjoyment. "But consider your offering accepted," he said reassuringly. "What can I help you with?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 7:37 am
Menelie Menahem flushed pink and scratched the back of his neck. "Well, you see, my...." he faltered on the word. He'd been so used to calling Rho his friend or his bro that he hadn't ever really said the truth aloud. "My boyfriend and I...we're ready to become parents. But, uh..." he gestured at himself and chuckled nervously. "Neither of us have the, uh, internal structures for that." Iordanes snorted. "That's one way to put it. So you've come for a temporary sex change." Menahem nodded, still blushing. Iordanes nodded back. "I can help with that. I'm curious, though. Why you and not him?" Menahem laughed a bit awkwardly. "Well, that's a bit complicated." "I've got time." Iordanes sat fully on the altar, eating another cookie.
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Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 7:39 am
Menelie "Um, well, it's me and not him--Rhoea's his name--for a couple reasons. Most importantly is that we're not the only two in this relationship, there's a third, Tirzah's her name, and the two of them together do have the, uh, necessary internal structures." Iordanes was instantly intrigued. "So you're a triad. That is....just delightful. I love to see it. So what's the plan?" Mena nodded. "Well, while I'm here doing this, they're back at the inn summoning the fairy who makes fertility potions. Then tonight we'll all..." he made a sort of a rolling gesture with his hands, as if to say "y'know", "and if all goes well tomorrow morning Tirzah and I will be pregnant and we'll head home. Long journey and all." "And then when the children arrive?" "Oh, they'll all be siblings. Two fathers, one mother, one big family," said Mena proudly. "I love it, I love it," said Iordanes, clapping his hands with glee. "And what's the other reason? You said there were a couple reasons it was you and not him." "Oh!" Mena chuckled, feeling a little more at ease with the deity, who seemed more and more just like a regular pae the longer they talked. "Rho's into girls but I'm not."
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Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 7:40 am
Menelie "Mm, that's practical, then, isn't it," commented Iordanes with a wry smile. If they weren't trying to have children he might make them swap, just to ******** with them. But their triad situation delighted and fascinated him, especially these more conservative Faun. "Well," he said, slapping his knees and standing up. "As god of androgyny, bisexuality, and all manner of queerness, I give you my blessing. Allow me one moment to collect my things." He disappeared in a dramatic puff of violet smoke, and reappeared in the same manner seconds later. He waved his hand to clear the smoke away. He'd returned with a bow in one hand and an arrow in the other. Menahem's heart leapt. They'd done it! He straightened his stance as Iordanes returned, but looked taken aback. He hadn't expected a weapon. He'd thought Iordanes would bring a potion, or cast a spell, or something. "What's this for?" he asked nervously. "Most of the time mortals can't see it," said Iordanes, fitting the arrow to the bow. "But I think it's important for a supplicant to know what they're getting into." He paused. "You look nervous. You sure you're ready for a different body for so long?" "I'm more nervous about getting shot," quipped Menahem, unable to control his mouth. "Sorry," he apologized quickly, bowing his head. Iordanes laughed. "A valid anxiety," he agreed, and held up his bow, taking aim. He couldn't resist a bit of theatrics, even though the arrow would feel no more than an insect bite. "When you're ready," he said. Menahem squared up his shoulders and took a deep breath, meeting Iordanes' eye as he replied: "Ready."
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Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 7:42 am
Menelie Iordanes let the arrow fly, striking Menahem squarely in the shoulder. He then leaned back against his altar to watch the transformation and subsequent reaction, which was always the most entertaining part. Menahem had braced for impact, then made a surprised face when there....sort of wasn't one. The arrow disappeared when it hit him, and left no mark. He felt a sharp p***k, as from a needle, and then nothing. He rubbed his shoulder with one hand. "How long will it be before...?" But he needn't have asked. He could already feel his body changing.
He wobbled a bit, then recovered, as his center of gravity dropped from his chest to his hips, which suddenly felt wider. He put his hands on them. They were definitely also more plush. His shoulders felt narrower, which felt constricting at first, and then not. He felt a heaviness in his chest which could only mean one thing. How did women walk upright with these? He changed his posture to accommodate this shift in weight distribution. His scalp itched as his hair grew longer, until it was just kissing his collarbones. His insides roiled, like the worst indigestion ever, as they too changed form. It all quickly subsided, though.
The oddest thing about it, though, was how much his body still felt like his. His hands were still calloused in the same way from holding knives. His hair felt like his own, only longer. Once the changes had stopped, he pretty much felt like normal, like his body had always been this way. He might have even doubted that it had happened, except for when he looked down at himself, it was fairly obvious that it had. "My, don't you make a fetching female," commented Iordanes appreciatively. "Thank you," said Menahem, then made a very confused facial expression. That didn't sound like him at all! "Earthmother's tits, is that my voice?" He cleared his throat and shook his head. "That's gonna take some getting used to for sure." Except, now that he heard it again, it did sort of sound like him. It was hard to describe, but his patterns and intonation and that sort of husky quality were all still there, it was just....lifted somewhat. Iordanes laughed. "He suddenly grows breasts and he's most perplexed by his voice." Mena shrugged. "Not into girls," he repeated apologetically. "Although I do have a new appreciation for them...my back already hurts. This also, uh, isn't my first go at this." Iordanes' eyebrows went up. "Well, aren't you full of surprises! And when, pray, was the first time?" Mena blushed. "The last Venus Day celebration. Must've been you again, I suppose, and if it was you have my gratitude." Iordanes made a 'go on' gesture with one hand.
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Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2022 7:44 am
Menelie Mena rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, that was when me and Rho were just best bros...I'd loved him for so many moons and he had no idea. He wasn't--he didn't know that he could be attracted to men. And, uh, well, I got turned into this," he gestured down at himself, "and we both had a lot to drink, and, well, one thing led to another." He smiled dreamily. "It wasn't until much later when all the feelings came out, but honestly? I think seeing me this way did something in his mind." The story truly tugged at Iordanes' heartstrings. He put one hand on his heart and smiled happily. "That's so lovely...I'm so happy that you were able to be together." "Yeah, I'm looking forward to doing all of this...sober. So we remember better." He smiled. "Thank you again." "My pleasure," said Iordanes. "Now, this'll last until this time tomorrow, unless, of course, you're successful in conceiving. Then you'll stay in this form until you aren't using it anymore." That phrasing was strange, but Mena rolled with it. "I appreciate it, truly." "Of course, of course," said Iordanes, slinging his bow over his shoulder and picking up the cookie tin and miniature cask. "I wish you the best of luck!" And with a little wave and a puff of violet smoke, he was gone. Mena took a moment to collect himself, before collecting his things and starting back toward the inn. He glanced toward the sky. How was it midday already? He picked up his pace, eager to get back.
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