“Try this on next!”
“Evelyn, that won’t fit on her. Maybe we should go with this.”
“Don’t you have some clothes that would fit her better Azalea?”
“No! She can’t wear those Morayil. Those are formal wear. If you want me to make something casual I can, but she isn’t wearing those.”
“Touchy, I just thought you’d want to show off your designs.”
“Evelyn, do you think this looks good on her?”
“Yes, look at the color it matches with her tail perfectly!”
You might be wondering what is going on. Well, after we left Evelyn whisked me off to her room saying.
“You can’t go around wearing those colorless clothes. Come on, I might have something that’ll fit you in my room.”
Morayil soon found us and joined Evelyn in picking clothes for me to try. They had some trouble though with the clothes not fitting well due to my tails. So Evelyn dragged Azalea to join them and had her do the alterations.
She seemed annoyed but agreed to help after Evelyn promised her something. I didn’t hear what it was though.
So now I’m here playing dress up. I have been trying to escape for the past couple hours, but my strength isn’t enough to succeed as Evelyn and Morayil keep dragging me back.
(E) ‘Come on Briana aren’t you having fun!’
(B) ‘I want to find out what happened and I can’t do that when I’m their plaything.”
(M) ‘I’ve been thinking about it while you’ve been busy, but I’m not sure exactly what the problem is. Why would that magic seal cause you to become Briana?’
(T) ‘You’re thinking about this too hard. If it’s anything like smithing I believe I might have an idea. What if Briana’s magic was holding her shape as Brenner.’
(M) ‘Why do you say that Teage?’
(T) ‘Well, it hurt to use magic before right? Try doing something kid.’
(B) ‘What do you mean.’
(T) ‘Use your magic, if I'm right it should be easier now.’
The girls turn away and I try to use my illusion magic to change the color of my shirt. To my surprise, it comes quite easily and the grey shirt turns to a dark blue. I hold out the shirt in surprise as they continue to debate which pair of clothes looks better.
(T) ‘Well kid?’
(B) ‘It was easy. Just like when I’m in SQO.’
(M) ‘I think I understand now. It was using all of her mana before to maintain her form as Brenner. So when she couldn’t use her mana that form disappeared since he couldn’t keep it manifested.’
(T) ‘Exactly!’
(B) ‘So that means all I need to do its transform back into Brenner?’
(E) ‘No! Don’t do that! Don’t you want to enjoy yourself!’
At that minute Evelyn holds up a dress to my right while Morayil is holding a blouse and skirt to my left.
Yeah, this really wasn’t that enjoyable for me.
“Don’t you like this dress over Morayil’s skirt. It’ll look great on you!”
I really want to get out of this by transforming back, but then I think back to my baggy clothes from before and realize that isn’t really a choice right now. Guess it’s time to pick my poison then.
“The skirt, I choose the skirt.”
“See Evelyn I told you she’d like the skirt.”
Azalea buffs out her cheeks as she puts the dress back. Morayil passes the outfit to Azalea who after taking some measurements of my tails makes a small incision for my tails to comfortable fit through. When she finishes she hands it to me and I stand there not sure what to do.
“Come on Briana this way. You can change in the bathroom.”
She then takes me to the bathroom and I change into the new clothes. I take a look in the mirror and I hear an annoying squeal.
(E) ‘You look so cute Briana!’
(B) ‘Not the words I want to hear right now.’
I open the door and I’m immediately assaulted with the same sequels of approval from Evelyn and Morayil. I then see Ms. Oak coming up behind them picking them up from the scruffs of their necks. I look around and realize that Azalea is nowhere to be seen.
“Why aren’t you two starting your lessons!”
“I’m sorry Ms. Oak we were just helping Briana find some better clothes.”
“Briana?”
She then turns to me and looks confused before realization hits her face.
“Brenner?”
“Hello Ms. Oak.”
“It appears Jack really wasn’t lying after all. But that still doesn’t excuse you two from today’s lessons. Now come along, I’ll help you get started after I take these two to their lessons.”
“That won’t be necessary Ms. Oak.”
I turn to see Mr. Mason and another man walking to meet us.
“I would like Briana to meet with Dr. Clef first.”
Morayil waves back at me as she follows after Ms. Oak with Evelyn
“Come see us when you’re done Briana.”
I wave them goodbye as they walk down the hall. Before turning to face this doctor.
(M) ‘I wonder what kind of doctor he is.’
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Briana. It’s an extreme honor to meet such a revered ‘reality bender’ such as yourself.”
I shake his hand and jump back as a sudden wave of malicious images assault me. I feel sweat stream down my neck and my ears lie flat on my head as I hit the wall behind me. I fall to the floor and can’t stop shaking as the images assault me with constant fear.
(T) ‘Doesn’t seem like a sane one if I had to guess.’
“Briana! Are you okay.”
My vision slowly returns to me and I see Mason crouched before me.
“What’s wrong Briana? Talk to me.”
“Who is that man?”
I point to Dr. Clef who stands there confused.
“I’m sorry if I’ve ever done anything to scare you Briana. Is there anything I can do to-”
“Stay away from me!”
“Easy Briana calm down. I asked him to come here today because he a leading researcher in illusions, and I thought he could help you learn some things.”
“I prefer the term ‘reality bender’ but illusions fall into that as well.”
“He’s, scary, I saw, images, and … I’m not sure what I saw.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be with you the whole time. Dr. Clef has worked under me for a long time. He might be a little crazy but you can trust him.”
“I’m sorry if you saw something that scared you. I’ve had to deal with a lot of bad people so you must have seen some scary things. I should’ve realized this might happen.”
I calm down before standing back up and following Mason into a side room that looks like a small study room. They then check the room for people before they ask for me to sit in a chair in front of Dr. Clef.
I try to calm my nerves as sit in front of him. Feeling a hand on my shoulder I see Mr. Mason give a nod of reassurance before I face Dr. Clef again.
“By my classifications of reality benders, you kitsune are quite dangerous. But due to your playfulness and light levels mischievousness, you never do anything on a large scale. Focusing on mainly single targets you stay pretty hidden. Today I’m going to show you a sample of what a reality bender like yourself can do. Now, look at the door.”
I look for the door and realize it’s gone.
“Now tell me how many chairs you see in this room.”
I count the chairs in the room and answer him.
“15”
“That’s not quite right, try again.”
I count the chairs again and count.
“4?”
“Are you sure I’m sure I counted a hundred.”
I look around and sure enough there are a hundred chairs surrounding around us.
“Now the chairs are coming to KILL YOU!”
I look around and see all the chairs transforming into chair people with razor sharp teeth converging on me.
“STOP THIS!”
I close my eyes raise my hands and release a flow of mana. When I open my eyes I see Matt, Elizabeth, John, and Teage fully clothed in personal armor with Elizabeth now spouting a pair of wings.
Looking down at myself I see I’m taller as well and find nine tails behind me. Mason is nowhere to be seen and so I draw my sword and a figure of Lyn appears with an identical sword as well.
The chairs back up as we all stand back to back facing the horde of chairs. I ready my sword ready to fight when suddenly the whole scene breaks apart.
I wake up in my chair and feel Mason’s hand on my shoulder. I look to see Dr. Clef has fallen from his chair and is in a cold sweat.
“What, just happened?”
“Dr. Clef here was having to much fun, and you reacted in self-defense. I thought I told you to take it easier on her Dr. Clef.”
“My bad Mr. Mason. I was just trying to make a point. I just never expected her to be such a strong reality bender.”
“So, what just happened?”
“Dr. Clef here started messing with your sense of reality, but when he did you responded with your own illusions overpowering his and causing a feedback loop. That crashed the reality bend and he bore the brunt of the resulting discharge.”
“You basically overpowered my reality bend.”
He rubbed his head as I sat there taking a deep breath. What was he saying about my powers?
“So I have the ability to do what he just did?”
“Yes, which is why I wanted you to understand your abilities and help you understand how dangerous they can be. Though I will admit Dr. Clef did more than we had agreed to.”
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
“So how did he do that?”
“I just used some hypnosis and hallucinogens.”
He goes to a nearby table and picks up a canister showing it to me.
“It’s amazing what Dr. Clef can do. For a normal human, he can pull off quite some fancy tricks.”
“I’m sorry for the ordeal, but I’ve found and had to deal with others like you. They do not usually end well unfortunately. But that was all I wanted to do today.”
I don’t know what’s think and sit there. Mason looks concerned as he looks at me.
“You okay Briana?”
I nod as the realization of what he said hits me. I felt so helpless and he’s telling me I have the power to do that to others. I don’t know what to think.
“Yeah, I just, don’t know what to think. I had this power?”
“It’s okay, we’re here to teach you how to control your powers. Now Dr. Clef if you would follow me. I think you’ve done enough for one day.”
“I told you I was sorry Mr. Mason.”
“That’s enough now, come on.”
Mason then leads Dr. Clef away as I slowly stand up.
(J) ‘What was that? We were fighting, chairs?’
(E) ‘And why did I have wings?’
(T) ‘Who was that other woman as well?’
(B) ‘ENOUGH! Can I just go through the day without any more surprises.’
I walked over to the door and walked through making my way to an exit to get outside. When I did I sat down in the grass leaning against the building watching the grass blow in the wind as the sun moved overhead.
I don’t know how long I sat there but I enjoyed the peace and serenity that has been absent from my life as I looked around. But like all good things it had to end.
I feel myself being tackled to the ground and turned to see Jack standing over me. I kick him off me and he rolls back to his feet.
“Where have you been? It’s almost time for lunch.”
“Resting, I just wanted some time to think. I’ve been so busy these last three weeks that I just wanted some rest.”
He sits down next to me giving me some space as I lean back against the wall.
“Your outfit looks pretty. Did Morayil pick it out? It matches quite well with your fur.”
“Can you please stop Jack. I’m flattered, but I don’t want to deal with this right now.”
“Oh, okay.”
He looks disappointed and I wonder what he’ll say next. He doesn’t seem like the kind to give up and so I doubt it’ll end here.
“I, I’m just so excited to meet you. I thought I was alone, but then when I heard of you I just had to meet you!”
“But don’t you have your friends?”
“I do, but … I can’t explain it. You just fascinate me so much.”
“Then can you just give me some time.”
“But we have so much to talk about. Why?”
“I didn’t know anything about this side of myself until three, no two weeks ago and after changing gender your trying to hit on me. I’m sorry but I just need some time.”
SQO was messing up my sense of time. Has it really only been less than two weeks?
“But-“
‘CHOP’
Azalea hit Jack over the head and he holds his head and turns to Azalea.
“What was that for!”
“Stop bothering her Jack. You’re just acting creepy now.”
“But I wasn’t-“
“It doesn’t matter if that was your intent was. You’re coming off as a creep. Now give her some space. We’ll meet you at lunch alright.”
“Fine, see you then Briana!”
Jack runs off and I have to thank Azalea for her help.
“Thanks Azalea. He was getting a little hard to deal with.”
“Don’t worry he’s always like that in some way or form.”
She sits down next to me and I take a good look at her. She usually keeps to herself so I’m kinda curious about her. Her pale skin makes her stand out against the brick wall behind her. With eyes that seem to be a bright yet cold crimson. Almost like she’s dead, but that can’t be the case.
“So what exactly are you?”
“I guess I haven’t told you have I.”
She smiles at me and points at her canines which are elongated.
(T) ‘I don’t get it why is she showing her teeth?’
(M) ‘Elongated canines, pale skin, crimson eyes. I’d say she was a vampire but it doesn’t feel right.’
(B) ‘Might as well just ask her.’
“So, are you a vampire?”
“Close enough, I’m actually a dhampir. Which is a half-vampire.”
I back away slowly feeling a little concern as she raises her hand.
“You don’t have to worry though, I don’t bite. I just wanted to see how you were doing. The others keep giving you a hard time and I just wanted to talk.”
“Well, not really much to talk about. I just need some time to myself.”
“To much to take in?”
“You have no idea.”
“I bet I have an idea. But I bet that’s not what you want to hear.”
“I just want to understand. Who I am, what I am, I just feel so lost.”
“Well, we definitely have the time to figure that out don’t we. Much longer than most at least.”
“So is your human parent still alive?”
“No, she died a couple years ago to a stroke. I then got a letter from my dad to come here.”
“Letter? So you didn’t live with him?”
“No, I barely saw him growing up. We lived in the countryside and my mom taught and raised me for the most part. I never knew I was different growing up. I mean I thought it was strange how I aged slower than my mom, but I never asked why. I just thought it was normal.”
“So you thought you were human?”
“Yes, though I had my doubts at times. My dad always asked weird questions whenever he came by about how I was doing. He also always looked the same as well, but I didn’t question it.”
“It wasn’t until Ryan came to my funeral handing me a letter from my dad did I realize my heritage. At first, I was confused, but with time I’ve come to grasp my powers and what it means to be a dhampir. Luckily for me, this place exists so I can live in peace.”
“And I’m guessing your studying to be a fashion designer.”
“How did-, I guess it was obvious early wasn’t it. Yes, my goal is to become a fashion designer and right now I’m working on a line of clothes. Once it’s finished Mason said he’d arrange for a presentation.”
“Was it hard? You know, coming here?”
“Of course it was, but with time you get used to it. Mostly, I just miss my mom though.”
“Well, I have a great story to tell mine.”
“Your parents don’t know?”
“I only learned about this myself two weeks ago. Even then I never understood what was happening. So I just kept quiet about it.”
“Well that definitely is an interesting story you have to tell them, but hopefully Mason can find a way to turn you back to normal.”
“No, that’s just it, this is normal.”
“My previous body and practically my whole life is a fabricated lie.”
(E) ‘Don’t go saying that! Your family loved you and you loved them didn’t you!’’
(B) ‘Is still doesn’t change the fact that it feels like I lied to them.’
As I thought to myself she was silent for a moment not sure how to respond.
“I will admit that is a lot more than what I had to go through, but there is no reason to be in a hurry. We’re all here to help you and trust me we’ll keep Jack in line. He’s just overexcited is all. Anyways how about we get some lunch. Got to take things one step at a time after all.”
“Do you harbor any resentment towards your dad?”
“You know, I’m not sure. Maybe he has his reasons. I just want to understand those reasons more than anything. Now we better hurry up or there won’t be anything left.”
I follow her inside pondering what she just said. I felt some resentment in her words, but she still seemed to care about him. I kinda understand some of her sentiment with my ‘mom’ Velouria.
I’m then assaulted from the air and feel my flying through the air. I freeze up as I realize Evelyn has abducted me and is now carrying me through the air. Not wanting to fall I try not to move and hope she doesn’t drop me.
“Evelyn, what are you doing?”
“Saving you from Azalea. You looked so depressed I had no choice but to free you from her.”
“Then would you mind setting me down. I’m in more distress now than I was earlier.”
“You don’t enjoy flying?”
“Not when it’s a surprise flight.”
She then sets me down before my stomach decided to hurl and I bumble around trying to find my balance as she laughs at me.
“You don’t seem to have very good sky legs do you Briana.”
Morayil catches me before I fall over and helps balance me as I regain my footing.
“No one would the way you fly around.”
“Oh come on I was taking it easy.”
“Enough you two let’s go get something to eat.”
I follow Robin inside trying to escape their energetic exchange but I’m soon caught by Jack.
“Briana, come join me! I already got you a plate!”
“Jack, leave the poor girl alone. She has enough to deal with without your constant hounding.”
“I’m just trying to be nice Robin. What’s wrong?”
Azalea looks pissed as she stares Jack down.
“Just give her some space Jack. I told you before didn’t I.”
“Fine, but if you ever change your mind-“
“If she changes her mind she’ll let you know Jack.”
(J) ‘He sure is persistent I’ll give him that.’
(B) ‘I don’t want to hear it John. I’m not going to go encouraging him.’
He dejectedly walks off with his tail and ears low. I feel sorry for the kid, but I just don’t want to deal with him right now.
“Hey Briana, if you want to go someplace quieter I know just the place. Care to join us Robin?”
“Sure, I wanted to get to know our new friend and I think it’ll also be a good excuse to get away from their boundless energy.”
“Then come on Briana let’s go.”
I allow her to lead the way and we are soon outside and walking towards the big oak tree in the middle of the yard. Wait a second.
“Is that Ms. Oak’s tree?”
“Best spot on a nice day like today. She doesn’t mind as long as we clean up after ourselves.”
“It also gives me a chance to apologize to you.”
I turn to see Ms. Oak behind me carrying a basket in her arms. She puts her hand inside and pulls out a cookie.
“I know this doesn’t make up for all the trouble I’ve caused you, but I just wanted to let you know it was never my intent to cause you any harm.”
“It’s okay Ms. Oak, I didn’t even know that would happen myself you don’t need to worry.”
“Are you sure? I’ve put you through so much.”
“It’s fine you didn’t need to go through the trouble to make me cookies.”
“If you’re not going to eat them then I will.”
Robin quickly took the exposed cookie and quickly devours it.
“Her cookies are the best!”
“Hey! Those were for Briana!”
“It’s fine Ms. Oak. There is plenty for everyone right?”
“Yes, it’s just I made these for you. If you wanted me to make cookies Robin you should’ve just asked.”
“You’re always so busy though. I didn’t want to bother you.”
“And who says you’re a bother me. It’s my job to take care of you kids and it's not like I can really go anywhere can I?”
“Now how about you three start eating or else you’re going to be having a cold lunch.”
We then began to eat in the shade of Ms. Oak (her tree). It was nice and peaceful and quite enjoyable.
“So Briana, why are you so calm about this?”
I turn to Robin confused.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, this is the first time this has happened right? You were always human before today right?”
“I was, but I had figured out about my true heritage before than.”
“That’s right I forgot to ask how did you find out about that?”
“I was playing a game and happened to stumble across my ‘mom’.”
I took a bite out of my meal and they just stared at me in confusion. With Robin being the first to speak up first.
“You met your mom, playing a game?”
“Truthfully I don’t think it’s a game, but she said she was my biological mother and since I look just like her, I can’t really say she was wrong.”
“But that still doesn’t explain why you are so calm about your change.”
“That’s because this is what I look like in the game.”
Azalea doesn’t seem to be keeping up as she speaks up.
“I’m sorry can you repeat all of that, you’re confusing me.”
“If you think that confuses you just imagine what I went through and still am going through.”
Azalea turns her attention to her meal not sure how to retort. But then turns to me with an inquisitive look on his face.
“What game was this?”
“It’s called Soul Quest Online. You ever heard of it?”
“No, but I didn’t really grow up with technology.”
“Have you ever heard of it Robin?”
“Nope, not a fan of video games either.”
I take the last bite of my meal not sure what else to really say. My story was a bit crazy. To be honest, if I wasn’t here I would think I was crazy myself.
“Either way, we’re glad to have you here with us.”
Ms. Oak’s smile warmed the area and I couldn’t hold a grudge as I savor her deliciously sweet cookies. She reminded me so much of my mom when I was younger. Always trying to make sure I was okay when I was sick.
“Thank you Ms. Oak.”
She smiled as she seems to finally remember something and grabs my hand.
“I forgot to show you to your room. So how about I show you. Can you two take his plate back.”
“It’s no problem Ms. Oak don’t worry about it.”
“Thank you Robin, now come on. Let me show you your room.”
I’m then dragged off as I see Azalea waving me goodbye with a smile on her face. She seemed like a nice person and I definitely enjoyed her more mild company to Jack’s constant advances.
She leads me into the dorms and shows me to a room with a sign on the door that looked to have been hastily written saying ‘Briana’. Opening it up it’s a nice and cozy room with a bed, desk, and chair with a closet built into the wall. A little bland but it’d do. My stuff was lying on the desk and I could see the helmet lying in wait ready for my return.
“I know it isn’t much, but we can fix that quite easily. I know! How about we have a decorating party on Saturday!”
The thought of such a thing terrified me as I imagined the chaos it would undoubtedly create.
“I think I’m good. This is plenty for now.”
“Alright, holler if you need anything. I’m always just outside.”
“Thanks Ms. Oak.”
She then closes the door leaving me alone in my new room. Checking the closet I find it is barren and quickly fix it by hanging up the few clothes I had brought with me. I then set out an outfit before taking off my clothes to check something.
‘Transform’
I imagined myself looking like my usual self and slowly but surely I could feel the painful changes as I changed to my human form. When I was done I could feel the steady drain it was taking to keep this form, but I didn’t care. I still felt better knowing that I could go back to this and quickly changed into the outfit I had laid out before jumping on the bed.
(E) ‘Why did you do that? You were so cute!’
(B) ‘I’m just making sure I can turn back. I’m going to change back to test something in a minute.’
I might not be originally human, but it would still take me some time before I became more comfortable using my actual form instead of this one. Maybe it was embarrassment or not understanding how I should act. But, I wasn’t quite ready to fully embrace Briana in the real world yet.
I get up and strip again after a couple minutes and sigh as I change back into Briana one more time. As I put on the skirt and blouse I realize the change was easier to do this time. It still hurt to do though so I was not training that purposely. But maybe the pain was linked. Like oiling in an old rusted door.
The reason I had done this was to test a theory I had and so I put the SQO helmet on my head before realizing I’d need to do some adjusting. After said adjustment, I plugged in the helmet before lying on the bed and reconnecting to SQO.