We checked our bags at reception and handed over our clothes to one of the waiting attendants. Everything about the Pink Primate was first class from the plush carpets to the uniforms of the human staff. "Do me a favor and please burn these." Gershwin said as he disrobed. "I never want to see them again."

I wondered where he was planning on getting new clothes but figured that one of the attendants could probably find something for him once our business was concluded. The Gravekeeper seemed content to watch from behind my eyes and let me maintain control, at least for now.

The showers were communal and well stocked with an assortment of soaps and shampoos. I selected one that promised to make my fur shiny and soft. My head turned of its own accord to look over at Gershwin.

He was covered from head to toe in suds and happily singing a Döbian opera ballad. Gershwin had always been an odd one, he tended to zig while everyone else zagged. So it made sense that he wouldn't mind bathing like the rest of us did.

My eyes roamed over the Katzen body he wore. It wasn't unattractive, maybe a bit thin and willowy for my tastes. It was a dancer's figure with a strong core and long legs, this was a form meant for movement. I watched, unable to turn away as he teased a nipple between his thumb and forefinger. Gershwin let out a little gasp and went on to explore the rest of his new body.

I didn't know you were a voyeur. I thought.

"All dead things are." My mouth replied. "We watch the living with envy."

Gershwin stopped and looked over. "I didn't quite hear you."

"I said this reminds me of our house on the lake." I lied, the Gravekeeper finally allowing me to turn away. "I remember you used to go for a swim every morning."

"Healthy body, healthy mind." Gershwin purred as he rinsed off. "A being without mastery over themselves will never control their own destiny." He cracked open an eye and looked me over. "I miss your old fur, you were practically blond when you were born."

I thought about that for a minute. My original coloring had been fawn but this body wore a more traditional black fur with patches of brown on the legs and arms. "At least I'm still Döbian." I said, immediately regretting my words.

Gershwin froze for a moment before continuing to wash himself. He didn't say anything but I knew my words had hurt him.

"Sorry, that was careless of me." I apologized.

"He was merely happy that his current form is comparable to his original." My mouth explained. "He didn't consider the effect his words might have on you."

I froze, water running down my back. I had assumed that the Gravekeeper would try and remain hidden. Apparently I was wrong.

Gershwin shut off his shower and stalked over. "I'm guessing that was the Gravekeeper from earlier and not some flaw in your programming." He said.

I stood there awkwardly naked and erect. My head was flooded with synthetic pheromones. My body, tired and currently not fully under my own control. And to top it all off my father was standing in front of me, also naked and wearing a female form. "That about sums it up." I said, moving my hands to cover myself.

"If you must put your hands somewhere, put them on your hips." Gershwin commanded. "You're a son of Döbi, you have no shame to hide. Even naked you are worth ten of any other Hund. You think I give a fuck what your schwanz looks like?"

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

Awkwardly I saluted him then put my hands on my hips. I was uncomfortable for a multitude of reasons but somehow this was better than trying to hide myself behind my hands.

"So, you must be the Father." My mouth said. "Don't worry, I mean your son no harm. I will depart now."

I felt a thread inside my mind snap and suddenly I was back in full control. I threw my wetware into read only mode and shook my head to clear it.

"Apparently it considers us to be dead even though our bodies are still living." I explained. "It's gone, for now."

Gershwin looked me over. "Do you think it wants to take control of us?"

I contemplated that for a bit. If the Gravekeeper had wanted to it would have made meat puppets out of both of us already. "No. Not really." I tried to think of how to explain it. "The Gravekeeper said it watched the living with envy. I think it's trying to live through me, if that makes sense."

"How sad." Gershwin sighed. "It has all the memories of the dead and nobody to tell its stories to. And it can't really live because it was never alive in the first place."

I hadn't considered that. Maybe the Gravekeeper was just lonely. Was loneliness the price that all beings paid for individuality and sentience? Maybe we weren't so different. I explained my theory to Gershwin.

"There's nothing more isolating than power and the Gravekeeper is very powerful." He said with a hint of sadness in his voice. "The meek band together and commiserate, the powerful stand alone and take responsibility for their actions. The stupid live in blissful ignorance, the clever have nowhere to hide from reality. The capable do what they must, the incapable have no such obligation."

He reached over and shut off the water to my shower. "Enough philosophy for today. Let's go see what Sacher is up to."

I followed him out of the showers into a steam filled room. There were naked beings everywhere, Human, Hund, even a few Katzen. They were eating, laughing, fucking. It was an orgy of excess and intoxication.

At the center of it was a large tub of heated water set into the floor big enough to fit maybe twenty beings at once. Sacher sat in the middle of it, naked as the day he was born, a human female lounging in his lap. There were other couples in the pool but they were distracted or occupied.

I looked at the gigantic B.A.T.H. with trepidation but Gershwin didn't hesitate. He grabbed a drink from one of the trays and slowly lowered himself into the water. I snagged a beer and followed after him reluctantly.

The water was hot but not unbearably so. And the jets did feel nice on my sore muscles. I sipped my beer and waited for the inevitable confrontation to unfold.

"I'm glad to see you're making friends." Sacher said, eyeing Gershwin. "I take it our mutual acquaintance is probably knee deep in one of the other guests by now. He never was one to stand on ceremony."

Gershwin scooted over in the hot tub and put his hand on Sacher's face affectionately. "Oh no. I came directly to you, Sachertorte. Do you like my new body?"

I watched as Sacher leaped backwards, sending the woman in his lap tumbling forward. I caught her awkwardly and did the best to hold onto my beer. She ended up sitting in my lap, no worse for wear but somewhat annoyed.

The two beings locked eyes. Gershwin was ready to pounce and Sacher did something with his mechanical hand that made it crackle with electricity. The other couples in the tub watched the show with interest.

"Knock it off." I said wearily, surprising myself. "I don't have the fucking energy to deal with you two right now."

Gershwin nodded to himself and retracted his claws. "I think I'll go see what other fun can be found. Keep me updated." Then he walked off to join the party.

Sacher deactivated his hand and slowly lowered himself back into the water. He looked at me questioningly. "Braverhund is a pretty common name in Döbi so I never would have guessed that you were related to Gershwin. What is he, some distant uncle?"

"He's my father." I said with a shrug, realizing that I had probably learned that particular mannerism from Gershwin.

Sacher tilted his head to the side. "So you're a copy too. Interesting…"

"Is that a problem?" I asked.

"No. It would be hypocritical of me to hold that against you." He replied.

I contemplated what that might mean while Sacher said something in a language I didn't understand to the human female in my lap. She shook her head and put an arm over my shoulder. "She likes you better than me, apparently." He said with a chuckle.

"You did launch her across the tub." I pointed out.

"Fair enough." Sacher got out of the water and toweled himself dry. For someone who had been in a firefight just hours ago he was relatively untouched. "Drinks and entertainment are on my tab. Relax and recuperate, get a massage or a blowjob. We'll meet up in the morning to figure out our next steps. I've got some things working but I won't know for sure until tomorrow."

I mock saluted him and turned to the woman sitting naked in my lap. "So, what do you do for fun around here?" I asked.