Twelve hours earlier.

I woke up feeling horrible. I was broken again. The room and the art surrounding me suddenly felt strange. Everything was wrong.

My body felt strong, but rough. It was smaller than the one I was used to.

For a moment I considered waking Ray up, but refrained myself.

We had decided one day. I would try to honor that deal. Try to understand this new world without him to carry my every move.

I could not handle this body though.

I did not want to experiment transforming inside. We could turn wolf after all.

I dressed as quickly as I could and left the room. The corridor was pitch black.

What was I supposed to do?

Lights. I tried to remember how to operate them.

After some fiddling, the door to the living room opened by itself.

No. Not by itself. Marie, watching me with worry in her eyes.

“Gray? What are you doing?”

I stood up, feeling ashamed at my revealed incompetence, but refusing to show it.

“I am searching for the light…switch?” That was the word.

“Ok… are you okay.”

“We…I mean Gray, well I, tried to give a bit of liberty to Igris today, me. Ray is still sleeping.”

Marie looked confused, then a bit scared, then just confused again.

“Did he let his alter ego take command? Why?”

“It is not simple to explain, but…”

“Wait, is something wrong?”

“No. Not at all, it’s just complicated to explain. I never used English before, even though I know how to use it.”

“Sure. If you say so. Erm, I’m really concerned and would love to stay, but my classes are starting in ten minutes, can it wait? I only have half a day today, so I’ll be back at noon.”

“You are free to do what you desire. It is the beauty of this era.”

Marie didn’t really know what to say, and just went back to the dining table in the middle of the living room.

“Do you…feels so fucking weird, I can obviously see Ray, but I feel it’s not. Does Igris know how to cook?”

“Yes, I was to be wedded, I learned. And I have Ray’s knowledge.”

“Wedded? No time. Anyway, if you’ve got Ray’s knowledge, you’ll be fine, he’s a great cook.”

“He’ll be delighted to hear that from you.”

“Wait, he’ll know?”

“Of course, we may be separated now, but that is only temporary. And shall probably not happen again.”

“Sounds like I’ll hear glorious magic stories in a few hours, can’t wait. Still have to go, it’s a practical lesson, attendance is required.” She seemed truly conflicted.

“Have no worry, Marie, there is nothing that warrants hurry.”

“Huh, that rhymes.” She seemed pensive, then terrified. Her eyes just fell on the clock on top of the oven.

“Shi...that warrants hurry... sorry Ray…Gray…oh fuck Igris… AAAAAH I CAN’T DO THIS.” She took her bag and fled.

I followed her outside.

“Before you go, know that I will go take my initial form, as I do not feel comfortable inside Ray’s body without his presence.”

“Yeah sure, gottago!” Marie was running away, hand waving goodbye.

She had a nice b… Wait I shouldn’t, Ray would not like that.

It was an aspect I should explore today. Our different likes. What would happen to us after we merged? We were extremely similar, the only real difference between us being age. I was older than him. But our personality was the same. I spoke just as much as he did when I was younger too. Worlds were different, but only maturity truly distinguished us.

That Marie was able to spot the difference so precisely, truly made me think she could be a seer.

But magic had died out in this world.

Monsters were hidden, sorcerers were using technology with science as their wand.

I did not want to explore such a world alone. So I just decided to eat, and then head out for the park a third time this week.

Then I’d use Ray’s computer to safely explore the world while waiting. That was a plan.

The park wasn’t as empty as the night before. The sun was high, and lots of people were walking their dogs or their wives. Girlfriends, I corrected myself.

I went deeper into the woods, borrowing Ray’s knowledge to find an isolated space where no one ever came.

I undressed, then willed myself to change.

No pain. Only a strange discomfort.

I was Igris again. No, young Igris.

That was a nice bonus. I had gained almost ten years in age, to match Ray’s.

I was not cold, but quickly put on the now slightly too big but too short clothes. I would inspect myself later.

When I arrived at the flat again, Stan had woken up and was eating cereal.

He watched as I entered the room, unknown me with keys of his flat in hand, with wide eyes.

“Um…who’re you? Those are Ray’s clothes.”

I couldn’t stop myself from pursing my lips. I did not want to lie, but to tell or not to tell the truth to Ray’s friend without him there felt way worse.

“I’m Ray’s…” Family wouldn’t cut it, it would not explain the clothes. I sighed. “It’s complicated.”

Stan, cereal still in his mouth, stopped all activity for a few seconds.

“Oh. Ooooh. Wait. Seriously? How? When? He didn’t tell me? I’m gonna kill him.”

“That would be discourteous of you. Oh wait, it is sarcasm again, isn’t it?”

“I’m not sure. You’re…like…hot.”

How did he know about our body heat, was he also a seer ? No, wait, sarcasm again? I truly had to rely exclusively on Ray’s memory to pursue this conversation, it was tiring.

Oh. Hot meant beautiful.

“Thank you.” I answered politely. “I must decline any proposal though.”

“Well yeah, of course. I wasn’t offering. You’re Ray’s uhm…you know?”

“Yes.” I had no idea what I was agreeing with.

“I have a girlfriend too.”

“I know.”

“He told you? Why didn’t he tell me!”

“I do not believe you need to be reminded of your own marital status.”

“What? No. I’m confused."

Seems everyone was, then.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

"I meant about you.”

Awkward silence reigned supreme.

Stan tried to say something else, most likely about the weather, looked at me, not exactly always in the eyes, then went back to eating his cereal.

Glad the situation seemed over, I headed to Ray’s room.

Once inside, I undressed, freeing myself from the uncomfortable clothes. I closed the curtains on my window/door, as it led to the balcony, and Stan could’ve gotten on it through the living room.

I lit up the lights, not failing miserably this time, and checked myself in the sink mirror.

I felt great, but the sight before me was unexpected. I had always been beautiful; it had been my worse curse. In this day and age, beauty was almost always something good, but in the long ago, it only meant you would be sold to the man with the most wealth. Those men were rarely good men, as riches only came from war.

I had been sold quite late, due to the efforts of my father to protect me. Then, for two years I had to train. The man who bought me had been so close...

I had not rebelled, nor said anything. Fate was not something that could be fought against.

Then, with the first drop of blood, I was revealed Oracle. To be pure forever, to be free from all human laws, following only the will of the gods.

I was almost twelve.

A new life began.

I shook the memory off, I had dazed for a long time, looking at my body, so familiar yet so distant.

I had never been athletic; I had to be protected. Still, now, my belly showed no fat, only muscle. My skin was also softer, lighter in tone. It seemed the fusion of Ray and I changed both of our forms for the better.

I felt pride, but no happiness.

It was undeserved.

Without further ado, I began exploring the internet.

I heard Stan leave an hour later but was too concentrated on this cat thing.

After some time, I had switched to an animal called a fennec. It was hunting mice in the desert when a knock on the door woke me up from my research about ultimate cuteness.

“Ra…Igris? You still there? Want to eat something?”

“You may enter.” I simply said, trying to close the machine before it showed my newfound weakness.

Marie said “Who...?” entered, saw me with no clothes on, then froze.

‘I think it’s not normal to be naked between women in this country’ Was my realization when I saw Marie’s face go through a series of emotions I did not believe a human being could go through that fast.

She closed the door, while all the same shouting “WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU? WHY ARE YOU NAKED?”

I draped myself with Ray’s bedsheets and followed Marie in the corridor.

“Wow, back off…you…uh…creep?” Her embarrassment was truly delicious. I understood why Ray liked her so much. Honest, loving humanity, especially the body of some of them.

“I am Igris. Happy to meet you in flesh, Marie.” I could not stop a grin.

Marie closed her eyes for a while, then stared at me right in the eyes, not deigning to look at anything else.

“That’s such a thing Ray would do.”

“What is?” I licked my lips.

“Exactly that. He had to have a girl alter ego, just to fuck with me.”

“We are one”

“Sure. Could you get dressed?”

“No. I cannot.”

“What? Oh, you don’t have clothes. I’m way smaller than you, and less…I can’t help you either.”

“We have bought clothes for ourselves.”

“How?” Said Marie, flabbergasted.

“The internet is a useful tool.” And a dangerous one, the cuteness was evil. Marie was playing with one strand of her hair.

“You managed to use a computer?”

“Ray is not proficient in them, but good enough for me to operate them.”

She looked impressed. I liked that. I bit down my lips.

Marie’s face flushed ostentatiously. The corridor was small.

“Am I making you uncomfortable?” I could not resist teasing her, memories of Ray and her doing it often fueled my desire.

“Er no… well yes… I’m the one who’s smooth in those situations, normally.”

“I am older than you by a bit.”

“Could we go to the living room?” Marie asked, uneasy.

“There are windows there.” I pointed to my lack of clothing.

“I thought you did not mind.”

“With girls, no.” I did not tell her that if a man had seen me as she had, he would’ve had his eyes ripped out of his sockets by the religious eunuchs. It did not seem to be the right time.

“What are you thinking about?” Marie had regained her composure and was looking deep inside me.

“Something I shall tell you in due time, lady seer.”

Marie didn’t ask anything else, changing the subject again.

“We’re on the top floor, and if you sit on the couch, there is no line of sight from outside balconies.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Odd fact to know.”

“When the flat is empty, I often use it with my…” She gulped. “Hell, why am I telling you all this.”

“You would have with Ray.”

“Yes, but… can we go speak in the living room… please.” She asked with pleading eyes.

For a brief moment, the game I played with Ray’s friend ended, I desired more than tease, more than flirt. My own voracious hunger fueled with emotions that were not entirely my own almost drove me to a madness that had already killed lovers before.

I realized no one would be killed now.

I stepped closer to her, she stepped back with a mix of terror and something much sweeter.

I stopped. Forced myself to leave the corridor and brought myself on the couch in the living room.

It took a few minutes for Marie to join me. She took a chair from the table and sat opposite of me.

I broke the silence before it could start.

“As I was saying, it feels normal for you to be with me and talk with me because Ray and I are one and the same. Some small differences in our memory and age create differences, but our soul is the same.”

Marie seemed relieved for a moment. “I see, still, it does not explain everything. Like except the obvious...” She stared at my body. “…there is also why I…No. Do you want to eat something?”

“I would be delighted.”

“We can’t really go out before your clothes arrive so; I’ll just cook some pasta. That okay?”

“I have the memory of the dish but have not experienced it myself. I’ll gladly try your cooking, Marie.”

Marie got up, tried to say something, fumbled on her words then bit her tongue. That seemed to help, as she exclaimed quite clearly: “What the hell is happening to me?”

“I cannot answer that.” She looked at me with anger. Funny how Ray always saw her as calm and collected. She was very restrained, true, but the emotions had always been swirling inside.

“Stop flirting with me. You’re, like, my best friend, or like the alter ego of my best friend.”

“I shall let you cook your pasta in peace. But Ray could never toy with you as much as I am now. He would love your reactions.”

“You think you’ve won? You’ve got boobs, and poor Marie can’t do anything anymore? I’ll retaliate, tenfold."

I wanted to respond but had just promised not to flirt anymore. I just smiled silently.

“Yeah, much better. When’s Gray coming back?”

“We have decided one day. The separation is not… pleasant.”

She began cooking and began talking over the sound of the kitchenette.

“Why do it then?”

“It may be my last chance to be only Igris, we are merging, quickly. What’s more, it’s not so bad. Both of us are accustomed to the feeling, it’s how we lived our lives.”

“What was your life? I mean, Igris’s.”

I talked while she cooked. I didn’t go deep into details. I did not hide the horrors but focused on the good. My sisters, that I had managed to save from a life of servitude, my love of drawing, and my search of love.

“Oh, you’re into… I mean… now that you say it, it never even occurred to me you could be anything else…weird.”

“I am the same as Ray.”

“Makes sense. It’s ready by the way. Could you set the table?”

“Of course.”

During the dinner, I asked about her. Pasta was a delicacy I wanted to enjoy, and with her talking, I didn’t have to stop my eating.

“Well, I’m 23, last year of psychology, I only got a mom, my dad divorced her when I was a teen. She supported my coming out, he wanted me healed.” She said nothing for a while, I ate in silence. “Why do you want to hear about me? You’ve got Ray’s memories, don’t you?”

“I do. But this moment had meaning to him, I’d like for it to have some for me too.”

“Oh. Okay.” She seemed surprised, like her story could have importance for someone else was weird to her. She realized it too. “I guess I’m so used to care for others, I forgot others cared about me too. Well, some of them.”

I said nothing.

“It was rough, but it’s pretty much a regular coming out story, my dad was a devout catholic. He believed in God. I was a sinner. That’s all.”

“You are a believer too.” Another important talk, further down the road of memories.

Marie took a bite of her pasta, chewing slowly. Time passed.

“Yes. I believe in God, not a person, just…something…that loves us all.”

“To believe in love is beautiful, as long as you don’t believe it’ll be the answer to everything.”

Marie chuckled.

“Is that how you feel? Ray didn’t say.”

“We believe in truth. Sometimes, it is not kind.”

“I never said love was kind.”

“An interesting point of view. Why are you having so many lovers?”

Marie looked at me, annoyed.

“I thought we had stopped with the flirting.”

“It was an honest question, I was not trying to flirt, but anyhow, I said until I ate the pasta, and now my plate is finished. You made a lot of it, and it was delicious.”

“I see. I counted on your wolfy body. Seems I was right.”

I didn’t let her dodge my question.

“When I began my slumber, I had only taken a few lovers in my life, a number I know you have taken in less than a week. Why? I cannot comprehend it.”

Marie slouched down on her chair.

“I…I don’t know…It’s just, I see something nice in someone, I feel it could become something real, then, after a night or two, when I wake up, I look at her, and I just know it’s not right.”

“For it to be a girl?”

“No.” She laughed silently. “I mean, that she’s not the one and never will be.”

“You are a seer, that feeling is most likely right.”

“A seer? You used that term before. Sorry to break it to you, but there is nothing magical about me.”

Strange anger flared inside me. “That is a lie, a painful one. I come from a world of magic, and we did not distinguish between a man throwing fire in the air, and one healing another just with his words. The latter we called a seer.”

“Really? I guess I’m a seer then.”

“You are.”

“Thanks.” She smiled at me.

My anger subsided, replaced by an emotion oh so more dangerous.

Marie, for once, was unaware of what was happening inside me, because she had just realized something. “You’ve never played video games! If I make you love them, and you fuse back with Ray tonight, maybe he’ll like them too!”

“Ray has no games on his device.”

“Just follow me!” Marie hurried to her room.

I should have stopped her. Entering an enclosed space, with my current state of mind was dangerous. Ray would disapprove, so did I.

I could not prevent it from happening.

Later

“You’re back aren’t you?” Marie asked.

“Yes.”

Marie lifted the hand from her face and turned to face me. The bed squeaked.

“I am so sorry.”

I looked at her, confused. “You’re sorry? I guess you’re the one who invited me in just a bedsheet as clothes to play videogames inside your room. I accept your apology. Now let me sincerely apologize too. I fucked up. On so many levels.”

“Doesn’t it bother you?”

I shook my head, annoyed. “What? The fact that I seduced my best friend? That I wasn’t really there to enjoy it? That I’m a woman right now?”

“Erm, the last one.”

“No, I’m Gray, both bodies are me. Igris or Ray, they are the same. Even as Gray, what happened tonight would probably still have happened, just not now.”

“You would’ve worn clothes.”

“Yeah.”

“It would’ve helped.”

There was silence. I felt something rise inside, as I felt her breath on my neck.

“I’m gonna go.” I began to get up, but Marie prevented me from doing so.

“Don’t! Stay under the covers.”

“What?”

“I think I’ll pounce on you if I see you naked again.”

I laughed. Which was such a strange reaction it made me instantly stop laughing.

“If we stay naked next to each other, I’ll be the one pouncing you.” I said.

“I’ll go.”

“It’s your bed.”

“I’ll put a pajama on and come back.”

Once again, I reacted in a way I did not expect.

I softly kissed her.

Time froze.

Marie looked at me.

She got up without a word, dressed in her pajamas, and threw me the unicorn sweater, before getting back into her bed.

I clothed myself inside the sheets.

We looked at each other for a while.

“We’re fucked.” She said.

“We’ve fucked.” I corrected.

She had a genuine laugh, kissed me, then closed her eyes and went to sleep.

Marie and her reactions to crisis were astonishing.