Shifting back into brute form, I realized there were still issues to deal with before trying to hunt one of the murk-covered boogermen. For starters, my clothes now seemed as if they were made for a boy, when held up against my massive new man-frame. Holding the pants out to Laulaia, I could only sigh and plead, “Can you kindly alter these to fit my oversized ass?”
“It’s not just your ass that’s oversized,” Laulaia laughed, staring at my crotch suggestively as she took the pants from my outstretched hand.
“Sorry.” Shrugging slightly, there wasn’t anything I could do but apologize, while hoping I wasn’t too much for the girls.
“It’s fine,” Laulaia assured me, laughing freely.
“You do realize why the Lady of Life altered all us as she did, right?” Alaina asked, smirking slightly.
“Because she’s a pain in the ass,” I asserted firmly, watching as Laulaia’s hands glowed and my old man-pants slowly changed to widen and thicken into a pair of brute-shorts.
“It’s to keep you from banging your Sisters,” Alaina laughed.
“What sister? I don’t have any sister.” Staring over at her, I wasn’t certain if Alaina had lost her mind. I certainly don’t have any relatives in this world.
Seeing my confusion, Laulaia giggled and explained things for me — slowly and almost mockingly. “Soooooo, the Lady of Life calls you her child, right? She’s your spiritual mother. Right?”
“Right,” I agree.
“And she has more children. Right? Daughters, right?”
“Right,” I agree, again.
“Then your Mother’s Daughters would be your Sisters. Right?” Laulaia was beaming broadly and trying not to laugh.
“I guess they’d be called spiritual sisters,” I mused, seeing where the girls were making the connection.
“So,” Laulaia laughed, while explaining, “the Lady of Life wants you to take charge and teach her daughters — all women who have spent a lifetime being taught to never fight or resist another…. To keep you from indulging yourself on all of them, the Lady of Life fixed you so you’ll be too much for them to handle.”
“You could probably still be with them,” Alaina smirked, “but it wouldn’t be pleasant for them at all, and you’re not the type to deliberately hurt a woman.”
“Damn goddess! I’m not that type of womanizing asshole!” I’d been faithful to my wife for over half my life. It wasn’t until well after her death, before I was with a woman again — and that was only after Laulaia took me first!
“It’s okay,” Laulaia laughed, leaning over to hug me. “We’ve been altered to match you, and probably won’t ever be pleasurable for a different man. You only fit us now, and now we only fit you.”
“But it still doesn’t change that you’re just too much man for other women now,” Alaina teased.
“If you really want another, I can alter them to match you,” Casper suddenly promised, in my head. “The Chosen Ones shouldn’t just indulge in any old bag of flesh, however. I’ll only fix them, if they’re worthy and loyal,” Casper warned.
“So you admit you made me like this just to cock-block me?!” I was so shocked, I screamed as loud as I could in Casper’s head.
“Not just for that reason,” Casper chuckled, completely unfazed by my shout. “There’s many reasons why your form is as it is currently. Limiting your choice of partners is only a trivial part of the picture.”
“Then explain it to me,” I demanded, mind to mind. “Make me understand why you did this to me!” I’m not a damn child! If there’s a reason for me being an oversized-brute/rape-babe, then I want to know it, dammit!
“Fine,” Casper laughed. “I’m not used to explaining myself to mortals, but I find you interesting, my child. You are as you are for yourself, your women, and the world.”
“What the hell is that supposed to me?” I shot back, utterly frustrated and not understanding anything.
“First,” Casper laughed, “let’s talk about your women. The one called Laulaia has a deeply troubled heart. Raised rich, spoiled, and pampered, she isn’t fit for this new survival life she finds herself living. Her wealth means nothing. Her servant is no longer hers — in fact, her servant now holds a status the same as hers. Her learnings, teachings, and life has done nothing to prepare her for where she finds herself now, with no family, no servants, no guards, and no one to pamper her and tell her how special she is.
“She fears being discarded, sold, or forgotten. To her, Alaina is more useful, beautiful, and worthy to stay beside you. Laulaia fears that she is but a burden, and that she will be disposed of.
“With you being altered, as you are,” Caspar explained, calmly, “she is one of only two women in the world, who can satisfy your sexual desires. She now has worth. A place beside you. Your body being as it is, calms her heart and eases her fears. She is no longer just one who owes her life to you; she is now your woman — one of the unique few who can fulfill the cravings of your loins.
“Secondly,” Casper continued, not pausing for me to reply yet, “your size and mass are for your own survival-ability. You have much more muscle mass, greater bone density, and larger lungs and heart than most you will ever meet. Your strength, stamina, and vitality are greatly increased over what they were. The benefits for you are quite numerous, for the current form.
“And finally,” Casper chuckled slightly, “your size is for the world. At least a good head taller and a shoulder wider than most men you’ll meet, when you speak, others will listen. When you flex your muscles, enemies will quiver at the thought of being in the path of your swing. You stand out, carry a huge presence, and many troubles that others might face, will avoid picking a fight with you, solely from the way you look and are built.
“Of course, there are other benefits and drawbacks to consider,” Casper admitted freely, “like the difficulty in finding a decent bed, proper clothes or armor, or finding another woman who can satisfy your desires without breaking, but those are all minor things, compared to the main three.
“If you absolutely don’t like that form,” Casper reminded me, “I can make it however you truly desire. The one you have now, you can think of as only a suggestion, but I did promise to give you the body you desired. Didn’t I?”
Laughing freely, Casper had to point out my unreasonable stupidity. “After all,” she chuckled, “you haven’t actually mentioned anything about the type of body you actually want. All you’ve been doing is bitching and whining about the one you have. What exactly would you like for your body?”
“I… I don’t know.” Casper’s simple question threw my mind for a loop. This certainly wasn’t any sort of body like I’d ever picture for myself, but if it brought comfort to Laulaia and helped me protect the girls…
…And it’s not like I actually want to cheat with other women. I was faithful to my wife for a quarter century, with no problems or complaints. Being faithful to two such beauties sure as hell isn’t anything I’d consider to be a burden…
…It’s just so much damn different than what I’m used too!
“You’ll adjust to it soon enough,” Casper promised. “The soul matches the flesh; it won’t take long for the mind to catch up completely.”
“Fine, dammit.” Sighing, I guess being brute-boy is something I can learn to live with. “But why the hell did you make me such a rape-woman? What’s the damn reason for that?” I demanded to know.
“I’m sorry,” Casper chuckled, “but you have to be a rape-woman, as you put it.”
“Why? Explain it so I’ll understand!” God damn it! I want reasons, not ultimatums!
“Do you really not know?” For once, Casper sounded shocked moreso than amused.
“I don’t have a damn clue,” I admitted. “Unless you’re just trying to teach me some sort of damn lesson about the trials women face, or some other bullshit.”
“Not that,” Casper chuckled, sounding as if she was laughing at me for missing something obvious.
“You are missing the obvious,” Casper teased, reading my thoughts. “Let me lay out the pieces for you, and let’s see if you can do the math. First, all my current children are daughters, who have been taught not to fight or resist others. Men enjoy them rather freely, helping them produce children so they can fulfill their duty as Daughters of Life.
“Second, many of these daughters learn various magics. Like you, they can channel my powers, when I deem it fitting to answer their prayers.
“Third, as you have seen for yourself, one of my many talents, when it comes to life, is shaping the form of living things.
“Now, as a male of your species, what do you think happens to the way my children look, in this realm?” Chuckling slightly, Casper waited patiently for me to connect the dots.
“They…. They’re all rape-bait beauties!” The damn men change them to have them take whatever bodies they find the most pleasing!
“No one would ever accept you as a Child of Life, without you being a near perfect beauty,” Casper sighed. “It’s why you must have such a female form to make use of. I have no Sons, not that the fools living in this realm know of, so they will not accept your teachings as a male. You must be able to be female so the people will accept you as a Daughter of Life, and allow you access to the temples and houses of healing, so you can teach your sisters.”
“But I’m supposed to teach them a different way. A better way,” I insisted.
“You are,” Casper agreed, “but you can’t just snap a finger and change the ways of the world instantly. You need to first become part of the world, and then change it one small step at a time. What do you think would happen to a small temple where my daughters suddenly refused to heal, or resisted the men?”
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“I… I don’t know.” Frowning, I couldn’t imagine it’d be anything good.
“They’d be labeled as Fallen, accused to heresy, and most likely slain before their poison could spread,” Casper told me, grimly. “Unless you have the strength to force the people to follow the path you pave, you’ll have to gently guide them down the road you wish for them to take.”
“God dammit,” I muttered out loud. “Even if I have to look like damn rape-bait, I swear I’ll neuter the first bastard who tries to force himself on me. And I won’t be half as nice for the ones who come after. Call me a damn heretic if they want, I’m a god damned lesbian!”
“That’s fine,” Casper chuckled heartily in my head. “I have no issue at all with taking of life. It’s the idiots who are ruling over my children who currently think that. Even if the people label you Fallen, you’ll still be my Child. Honestly,” Casper admitted, “I’m curious to see how fate will shape your future. Change my daughters. Burn at the stake. Overthrow the kingdom. Marry the king. Or maybe just do nothing, but live and adapt to this new world — no matter what the future holds for you, I think it’ll be amusing to watch.”
Great. Somehow, I couldn’t help but feel like my life was nothing more than a new TV show in an old station’s lineup. Good or bad, it doesn’t really matter; it’s simply something new to watch.
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“Are you finished talking with the Lady of Life?” Laulaia asked, smirking over at Alaina.
“Yeah, I think so,” I muttered, not quite certain. Casper damn talks to me more than I talk to her. “How’d you know we were taking,” I asked?
“I have to talk to you to teach you, youngling,” Casper chuckled, in my head.
“Because you go all silent…” Alaina started.
“…and vacant eyed stupid, like now,” Laulaia finished, laughing lightly. “Are you ever going to try those shorts on to see if they fit?” Pointing to the pants she’d altered and handed to me a while ago, Laulaia was smirking broadly. “Not that I mind the view.”
“It is rather nice,” Alaina agreed.
“You can’t wear those as a woman,” Casper warned.
“Maybe our lord-husband isn’t ready to get dressed yet,” Laulaia giggled.
“Do you think he has plans that require not wearing them,” Alaina smirked.
“Woah! Wait a moment!” Trying to keep up with one woman can be a chore, but two women and a goddess? Impossible! “What do you mean, ‘Can’t wear those’?”
“Women don’t wear shorts or pants, as a priestess,” Casper informed me, while both the girls giggled conspiratorially together. “Male priests don’t wear skirts or dresses either. It’s not part of their uniforms.”
“Well…Fuck me,” I muttered, softly. “Isn’t that a damn pain in the ass! How the hell am I supposed to fight effectively with those type of restrictions, if I can’t swap forms while wearing certain clothes? Fight naked?!”
“Ooooh, that sounds like an idea,” Alaina giggled, starting to kiss one side of my chest.
“If you insist,” Laulaia laughed, starting to kiss lightly on the other side of my chest.
“You can always wear robes,” Casper suggested, laughingly. Apparently all three of the damn women were getting a kick out of seeing just how flustered and lost they can make me! “All priests – both the males and the females – wear the same design of ceremonial robes.”
“And won’t the damn people think I’m a fraud of some sort, if I appear before them as a man wearing the ceremonial Robes of Life?” God damn it, I’m having a hard time trying to think like this! “Alaina, go scout around the outside of the temple with Shadow! He needs so exercise!” Barking orders firmly, I tried hard to focus. “Laulaia, sit right there and wait a damn moment! I can’t wear damn shorts properly, so you’re going to have to change them in a moment!”
“Well, there is that,” Casper admitted, chuckling, completely amused at my predicament.
“Yes sir, Sir!” Thumping her right hand across her left breast, Alaina saluted, while looking like she was going to break out into laughter at any moment. “Come on, Shadow! Let’s go see if we can spot where some boogermen are hiding, so we can hunt one later!”
“Grooo woo woo!” Barking happily, tired of being completely ignored all this time, Shadow snorted derisively at Laulaia and me, before running off happily chasing after Alaina.
“Oh poo.” Pouting her lower lip out slightly, Laulaia tauntingly swayed over and slid back down into the hot pool, enjoying the feeling of the magic swirling all around her. “I like this,” she admitted, “but I think I liked your first idea better.”
“So, a ceremonial robe is out of the question,” I thought, sighing deep in my mind. “Is there anything practical that Laulaia can change those damn shorts into that I could wear now, while I’m both a male or female?”
“Hmmm…” Whether Casper was actually deep in thought, or just having fun leaving me hanging, I couldn’t be certain. Honestly, I think it’s just the second and she’s enjoying watching me squirm. “There’s not a lot of cloth there,” Casper mused, “and it’s extremely worn and ragged. I doubt the others would let me stretch the definition of ‘armor’ with anything she could make from it, so that’s currently out of the question. Most of the clothes for the priests are quite distinctive, with large differences between what a male and a female wear.
“The only thing that I can think of, that your woman can do with that little material, is make a nice loin cloth for you to wear,” Casper offered, after a moment’s thinking. “Our children don’t usually go out in public wearing something so trivial, but both genders do wear them while swimming or enjoying a public bath. Of course,” Casper laughed suddenly, at her own thought, “with the difference in the sizes of your two forms, a loin cloth for brute-boy, as you call yourself, would probably make a decent sized skirt for rape-girl.”
“Still though, it’d be a single something which you could wear without problems in either of your forms,” Casper admitted, sounding quite pleased with herself.
“And what happens if I wear something which isn’t suitable for my gender? Can I even put it on, or change form when wearing something deemed improper?” I couldn’t help but wonder at what would happen if I tried.
“Nothing will happen to you,” Casper laughed, reading the worry in my mind. “I sure as hell wouldn’t punish you, or turn my back on you for such an act – you’re simply too interesting to watch. Unfortunately, I have to obey the rules as set by the accords with my Brothers and Sisters. There’s no way I could gift you my powers, if you’re breaking some of the fundamental rules which are set for our children.”
“Well isn’t that just peachy.” Sighing, I was once again struck by how absurd I felt the whole thing was. Even the gods and goddesses of the world have rules and regulations which they have to follow. The older I get, and the more I learn of existence, the more I’m convinced that freedom is just an illusion we delude ourselves with. Nobody, nowhere, is ever truly free, I don’t think.
“Are there any other little rules in the dress code that I need to know about, so they don’t bite me in the ass in the future?” May as well hear all the damn bad news now, as to stumble into it unaware later, I figure.
“A few things, probably,” Casper admitted, before offering, “Honestly, it’d probably be best if you simply put on a set of shackles and walked this realm for a year or two as Laulaia’s slave-toy. In her heart, she was raised to understand the vast differences in status in society. You weren’t. Your realm has this strange concept that all people are somehow equal, and that’s not how this world works at all. Social castes, rank, and wealth hold vast differences in rights, actions, and appearances, and I fear you’re going to have a hard time adjusting to that.
“Even this concept of yours of rape-girl, is rather hard for me to conceive of,” Casper chuckled, sounding slightly confused. “If one has the resources, why would one choose to remain plain or unattractive? Magic, as you call it, can easily and safely alter one’s flesh. Why would any lord or lady, with any sort of self-respect, not want to be the best form of themselves, they could possibly be? Why be fat? Or balding? Or wrinkled? Or have breasts that sag?
“Beauty is common amongst the rich and powerful,” Casper informed me, nonchalantly. “Wizards and alchemists can easily alter one’s appearance. Various priests and children of the gods can do the same. As long as one has the wealth and means to take advantage of those services, why would they choose not to avail themselves to them? Even the slaves and servants of the truly wealthy are enhanced, to help showcase their owner’s status. It’s only the poor and lowly wretches who suffer from graying hair, balding heads, expanding waistlines, stretch marks, or physical defects,” Casper snorted. “Why would any self-respecting god wish for one of their children to be thought of in such a manner? Even if the men of this world didn’t enhance my Daughter’s appearance, I’d do it myself,” Casper admitted, vainly.
“And just as physical appearance varies between those of status, and those without, so does the clothing which they adorn themselves with. Honestly, if I held you to the same standard as I hold my other children, I’d simply strip you naked and not let you, or your women, wear any of those tattered rags that you call clothing. They’re shameful and embarrassing to be seen in, and your naked flesh is much more suitable for you, than to be wearing such trash!
“But,” Casper sighed, “I understand you’re not in a proper societal situation, and that you don’t know what’s actually expected from you, or by you. For now, I’m willing to look the other way, but I won’t always do that,” Casper warned, firmly. “Once you have access to the proper wear, I won’t allow you to get away with looking so disheveled and disreputable from now on.
“Clothes for my children should be fine silk, satin, velvet. Lace and bright colors are very desirable. They should look proper. Fashionable. The women should be womanly; the men gentlemanly. Underclothes should highlight, rather than hide – after all, you only revel those to another, if you want to make a good impression upon them. The women wear heels, much like your Laulaia’s, as any respectable woman of status would. They showcase how a lady of wealth stands above those of lowborn and disrepute.
“Of course,” Casper snorted, “the men of the lands, have set various standards of clothing which they find most appropriate for my Daughters, but those are the rules of man and not any part of the accords between us gods. If you wish to blend in as one of my Daughters amongst the people, you’ll wear the highest of heels that you can endure, the smallest of skirts and tops possible, and nothing else. You’d learn to keep your knees wide apart, make yourself completely available, and smile encouragingly no matter how disgusting the freak – or group of freaks -- are that’s feeling, fingering, or fondling you relentlessly.”
“I’ll be damned, first,” I muttered, snorting disgustedly. “I don’t think I’ll ever be much of a damn daughter of yours, in the eyes of the people. I’m going to stay a damn man, and the only time I’ll be a woman is when I need to use your magic to heal myself, or someone dear to me. Otherwise, this crazy ass world can kiss my ass! How the hell did you let things get this bad, anyway?”
“Honestly,” Casper chuckled, sounding almost a little embarrassed, “we gods tend not to interfere very often, directly. Things get out of balance too quickly when one of us steps in, and Mother gets upset and has to correct things. If I were to do as I feel like doing, I’d simply take the breath from every human living and then only return it to the ones who respect and treat my child properly.”
Compete and utter genocide… Now I see why the gods have rules and aren’t allowed to meddle directly. “But why haven’t your children, and the other god’s children, changed things in the past? Why did they allow this to happen?” If these ‘Daughters of Life’ can channel the power to stop people from breathing, why did they ever allow themselves to end up in such a situation?
“Fate is slow, and darkness sometimes spreads slowly,” Casper warned. “Us gods seldom pay attention to the world the way that you mortals believe we do – we watch over our children, but usually not much more. An evil that spreads slowly, patiently, slowly changing laws and customs, without a lot of violence and bloodshed, is one that we don’t notice very often.
“By the time we noticed the current darkness that engulfs the land, it had already taken root and changed the hearts of the people,” Casper sighed, sadly. “Which is why a chosen one like you is necessary. You haven’t been raised under the twisted teachings of the darkness. Where others accept things as, ‘This is just the way it is,’ you rebel against those standards in your heart.
“I expect great and mighty things from you,” Casper chuckled, once again defaulting back to her standard amusingly happy self. “Either you’ll go far and change much, or else you’ll end up with a most interesting and glorious death.”
Great! How come I can’t be certain over which one of those Casper seems to be looking forward to the most? Taking a deep breath, I tried to remove Casper from my thoughts and focus back on the task at hand.
“Laulaia, can you turn these damn things into a decent set of loin cloths for me?” Tossing the accursedly worthless shorts out into the pool near her, all I could do is fret about the damn future. Darkness ruled the land. People aren’t equal, and wealth and status affect everything – even appearance and clothing worn! Even the damn goddess that is supposed to support me, thinks I’d be better off as a slave-toy than a free-man!
Life inside this new world utterly sucks.