In My Skin

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<<nobr>><<set $gamechapter = "Prologue">> The birds are chirping, the smell of freshly brewed coffee lingers in the air, and a tiny sliver of the morning sun slipping through your curtains is all the warning you get that you have missed your alarm before the door to your bedroom slams open revealing a dark shadow lingering in the hall. If this was not so common an occurrence you would probably have been scared half to death, luckily you have grown used to rude awakenings, waking on time has never been your strong suit after all.<</nobr>> "Time to wake up doll face!" The shadow strides into your room, a big grin blossoming on your <<cycle "$essr" autoselect>> <<option "roommate and best friends">> <<option "girlfriends" true>> <</cycle>> face as she watches you trying to blink that tiny sliver of sun from your eyes. "Lemme alone Essence" You grumble as you decide it is easier to pull the blanket over your head than too will the sun out of existence. All you get in return is a scoff before your warm, fluffy blanket is ripped from you, exposing you to the chill morning air. You immediately curl into a ball and whimper at the invading cold. "No can do. You, my dear, have an interview today and you need to get up and ready to go." Shit, the interview for the job of a lifetime, a job you have spent years preparing and training for. A job you never wanted in the first place. Your parents pushed this entire life path on you from the moment you were born and even now they call and text almost constantly to ensure that you are following this route they set you on. [[I hate it with everything I have in me that is capable of hate. I never had a choice.|pp2][$hatepath to 1]] [[I've never enjoyed not having any control over my choice of career path, but it's not so bad. I still have a lot in my life that I can choose from.|pp2][$hatepath to 2]] [[My parents may have made the choice for me, but I have come to enjoy the path I am on and would not change a thing.|pp2][$hatepath to 3]]

<<set $gamechapter = "Title">> /* MC Stats */ <<set $name = "unknown">> <<set $deadname = "unknown">> <<set $surname = "unknown">> <<set $eyec = "unknown">> <<set $height = "unknown">> <<set $build = "unknown">> <<set $skin = "unknown">> <<set $hairc = "unknown">> <<set $hairl = "unknown">> <<set $hairt = "unknown">> <<set $hairs = "unknown">> <<set $mctrans = false>> <<set $combat = "unknown">> <<set $drink = "unknown">> <<set $strength = 0>> <<set $perception = 0>> <<set $endurance = 0>> <<set $charisma = 0>> <<set $intelligence = 0>> <<set $agility = 0>> <<set $luck = 0>> /*Essence*/ <<set $essr = false>> <<set $essw = "unknown">> <<set $species = "unknown">> /*Marie*/ <<set $mfriend = "yes">> <<set $toldmarie = false>> /*Chapter One*/ /*Chapter Two*/ <<set $sorry = false>> <<set $sarcastic = false>> <<set $roar = false>> <<set $torment = false>> <<set $maim = false>>

<<if $essr is true>>"You asked for this!" The entire bed groans as Essence lands on top of you with a giggle and begins to tickle relentlessly. "Get up, get up, get up!!!" Your struggle is futile as her fingers find every weak point you have, sending chills up your spine as you shriek with laughter and try to get her off you, which proves difficult. Despite her petite frame Essence has always seemed abnormaly strong. "Admit defeat, surrender, get out of bed, and I may show you mercy" It's all to much and with a deep gasp for breath you struggle to surrender, though all you can manage is a nod. That seems to be enough as the relentless tickling subsides and after you manage to catch your breath you open your eyes to find her sitting on the edge of the bed with a serene smile on her face as she stares at you. "Have I ever told you how much I love you?" You return her smile with a nod, "Everyday" "Well then, I love you, so, so much. I would tear realities apart for you" You can't help but roll your eyes at the absurdity of such a statement. "So dramatic. Now are you going to actually let me up or not?" "Mmmmm" She drawls "I suppose" Giving you a quick peck on the cheek she rolls off you and heads towards the door. "I let you sleep in as long as I could, you'll need to be quick."<<else>>You hear the faint sound of something being pulled across the bed but before you can open your eyes to see what Essence is up too something swishes through the air and hits you in the head with a gentle floomph. With a shriek your eyes snap open and you find her standing over you with a wicked smile on her face and a pillow clutched in her hands. "Up and at em!" She swings the pillow again and you just barely manage to avoid it. "Rise and shine!" Another swing that you manage to bat aside as you reach for your other pillow. "Early bird gets the ''OOF!''" You strike in the middle of another morning related saying, catching her off guard and you grin in triumph. "Not so easy when your target fights back is it?" You swing again just as she does and your pillows connect. "Just trying to look out for my bestie!" Another swing that you both manage to deflect. It continues for several more minutes with you each managing to get in a few more hits before you flop back on your bed huffing with a big smile on your face. Essence sits on the bed next to you, barely a hair out of place, and pats your head fondly. "I let you sleep in as long as I could, you'll need to be quick."<</if>> Checking the alarm next to your bed you find that you still have plenty of time to get ready despite Essence telling you to be quick. The thought of laying back down crosses your mind but you catch Essence peaking around the corner with a glare on her face as she shakes her head. Guess it's time to get up then. First things first you shuffle into the bathroom and turn on the shower, playing with the finiky knobs for a moment until you get the perfect temperature and slip under the water. You take a moment to stand under the tap and let the water run through your hair the locks slipping through your fingers as you lather up. You managed to get a decent amount of time in before Essence is thumping on the door. "Hurry up hon! You'll be late or did you forget the time change last night?" "Oh shit!" Daylight savings was last night!! You begin to frantically speed up your morning routine as you yell through the door. "Why did you let me sleep so long?" "It's not my job to set your alarm for you" She snaps back at you before you hear her stomp away. Shit. [[Continue|pp3]]

<<nobr>><<if $essr is true>><<set $essw to "girlfriend">><<else>><<set $essw to "bestfriend">><</if>><</nobr>> Your relationship with Essence has always been a bit, volitile, but the two of you have known each other for long enough that you know she's just like that, its part of her personality. You've always suspected it has something to do with her history, but she has never told you anything about her family or life before the two of you met in line at <<cycle "$met" autoselect>> <<option "your favorite coffee shop" "coffee shop">> <<option "comic con" "comic con">> <<option "a concert for your favorite band" "concert">> <<option "the release of the latest in your favorite book series" "book store">> <</cycle>>. It was an instant friendship that <<if $essr is true>>quickly grew into a romanctic relationship<<else>>quickly grew into a true bond<</if>>, and while you have only lived together for just over a year you already can't imagine your life without the tempermental woman at your side. Once you are finally dressed you find Essence waiting for you in the kitchen with a big mug of <<cycle "$drink" autoselect>> <<option "coffee">> <<option "tea">> <<option "juice">> <<option "water">> <<option "spiked coffee">> <</cycle>> in hand. "Sorry I snapped, I guess I'm just as nervous as you about your interview" Handing you the mug she deftly gives you a quick hug, "I just want the best for you." [["I know, you don't need to appologize" I return her hug, doing my best to not spill the mug in my hand.|pp4]] [[While I return the hug I simply grunt in response, I'm basically still asleep and cant form coherent words.|pp4]] [["Yeah, I forgive you, but can you please try to not snap at me like that?" I still accept the hug despite the tension now in the air.|pp4]]

"I'm trying, I know I can be a bit..." As she hesitates you grin and step back "Bit of a brat, yes I know" If looks could kill you would no doubt be a pile of ash, she hates being called a brat. With a growl she turns and stomps over to the sink and begins washing the dishes that are piled up. "I hate it when you call me that" She grumbles as she tosses a plate haphazardly into the drainrack. Her tone of voice leaves it clear that there is a part of her that likes you teasing her. "Uh huh, sure you do, that's why you're smiling" You slip up next to her and <<if $essr is true>>press your lips to her cheek which you feel warm up beneath your touch. "You love it when I bully you" Taking her arm you turn her towards you, moving your lips to hers before nudging them with your tongue. Her own lips part and her arms wrap around you as she moans into your mouth. Normally she would make no effort to stop you but after a moment she pulls back, her eyes half closed as she stares at you. "As much as I want to take you here and now, you need to get going." You heave a sigh and roll your eyes. But she smiles and continues, "When you get home with the good news I'm going to throw you on the bed and not let you up until morning."<<else>>give her a gentle nudge with your elbow, in response she give you a gentle nudge in return, her ample hips bumping hard enough to shift you slightly. Chuckling you quickly down the contents of your mug as Essence pointedly looks at the clock on the wall. "Seriously hon, you need to get going. Movie night when you get home?" "Sounds good Essie, want me to bring home dinner?" "Oooh, yeah Im in the mood for Chinese." You nod with a smile. You probably could have guessed that as she rarely changes her choice of take out.<</if>> You have to scramble as you can't find your keys at first, but when you do eventually find them they are in the bowl Essence keeps by the door just for that reason. "Well, at least I have you trained to the point you put them in there, even if it is subconsiously." She passes you your bag and gives you a hug. "You're going to do great hon" Scrambling into the driver seat of your car your crank the heat to try and drive the winter chill from the interior and after taking a moment to adjust the seat, Essence had borrowed it yesterday, you buckle and begin backing out of the drive way. A sudden honking grabs your attention and to turn to find a large truck skidding towards you, it's tires sliding uselessly along the icy road. [['"Shit"'|pp5]]

''//Essence//'' Essence has just settled back into the routine of washing dishes when the enormous, earth-shattering sound of a collision echoes through the house. "The hell?" Dashing into the front room she pulls aside the currents and feels her heart drop. "No". Not bothering to even put on a jacket or shoes Essence runs out of the house towards the twisted wreck that smokes in the middle of the road. "Nonono". Tearing the door from the drivers side of the car is a simple matter for the <<cycle "$species" autoselect>> <<option "ancient vampire" "vampire">> <<option "primeval werewolf" "werewolf">> <<option "time-worn ghoul" "ghoul">> <</cycle>> despite the wreck twisting in on itself. "No, come on, you're fine" She tugs on the twisted body, dragging it out into the street and cradling the head in her lap. "Come on, wake up!" "Hey! Essence what...oh my god" She doesn't even bother to turn her head towards the neighbor who comes running over as she tears open her beloved's shirt, her finger growing into a long point before she starts carving into the flesh. "Essence?! What are you doing!?" She ignores the shouting of the neighbor and the gathering onlookers and just continues to carve. "I won't lose you, not again, never again." Even people trying to pull her away can not break her focus. As she finishes carving the ancient runes into her beloved's flesh she begins praying. "Mistress of blood and pain, Mother of death and longing, I beseech you. Forbid this one's soul from entering the wheel, forbid the cleansing, allow it to move on to the next life as it is now, and let it live again without having to forget. Mothers please, I beg you, save her, I offer the blood and souls of those around me as the toll." The ground around her cracks as dozens of dark spines erupt from the earth impaling those around her, their screams fill the air echoing further and further outwards as the spikes continue to expand farther away, taking more and more lives as they do. She is oblivious to it all, her eyes focusing on the two figures emerging from the growing pool of blood. [[Continue|pp6]]

"Oh, my sweet daughter, what have you done Essence?" Her mother, Reuna, takes in the scene around her as she begins to cry blood. The Goddess of Blood and Pain weeping at the death around them. "Why would you do such a, oh I see..." Her eyes settle on the corpse in Essence's lap. "Please! Don't let it happen, you owe me!" "Stupid child!" Aphy, the Goddess of Death and Longing snaps at her daughter. "We do not owe you a thing. All mortals die and move onto the wheel, it is the natural order and you know it, this offering will not change that, all you have done is send more of them to the afterlife far ahead of their time." "I don't care! Not anymore, there are so many of them, uncountable numbers of them across an infinite number of worlds. But there is only one..." She gazes back down at the corpse in her grasp. Reuna moves over to her daughter, kneeling in the blood next to her and placing a tender hand on her child's shoulder. "You have been following this single soul for millennia, from one life, one world to the next. Each time it begins in pain when they see you for the first time and have no recollection of you. Each time it ends in pain when the mortal's life naturally comes to an end. I can not bear to see you in such pain any longer." "It's not your choice!!" "No, it is yours." Aphy kneels on her other side. "We have told you that it is in your power to change it, all you had to do was make your beloved like you." "No, I would never do such a thing, I told you before..." "Essence! You have just killed," Aphy's eyes flicker for a moment as she takes tole of the dead. "You have killed nearly ten thousand people for this one!" "Oh daughter," Reuna hugs her child close. "You have gone too far this time, your pain has driven you to madness. We love you, so, so very much, but we can no longer allow you to continue." She glances up at her wife who nods in return. "Essence, we have decided. We are removing this soul from the cycle of our domain. We have arranged for it to be sent to another's domain where it can live again, without your interference." She begins to panic, "NO! YOU CAN'T!" if the soul was given to the God of Death in a different realm she would never see her beloved again. "You can't take her from me!!" "We can and will, in addition, you will be locked away, for one hundred years for each soul you have so recklessly slain this day." Reuna gasps. "One hundred years?! What are you thinking Aphy?" "I am thinking that unless she learns a lesson, a serious lesson, that she will never learn. Sending the soul beyond our cycle is not enough." She reaches towards the corpse in her daughter's lap, only to find her child's clawed hand gripping her wrist. Her words filled with vitriol as she gazes up at her mother. "You will not touch her." [[Continue|pp7]]

"I'm sorry Essence" The words are whispered gently in her ear and as she turns towards Reuna she finds her sight growing dark, her grip on her beloved's corpse being pulled away. "I promise, we will visit during your imprisonment, we love you too much to simply cast you aside." "Take this time to reflect child. Mortal life is fleeting, it is best that you keep your distance once you are free." Aphy pulls the corpse free, her hand glowing as it reaches into the chest and pulls out the soul. "It was this, or total destruction of the soul, and despite what you think I do love you child, so this is the only way. Take comfort in knowing that they will continue to live their lives in the cycle of another." Essence tries to keep her eyes open but it becomes more difficult as her mother holds her tight while humming a lullaby. Her eyes manage to snap open for a moment as she feels existence itself shift as if turning on its head. A massive tear rends the air in front of the trio as Aphys tare open space and time. Within moments a figure steps from the rippling rainbow of colors, his black robes rippling in the wind, his skull-like face hidden beneath a hood. "Aphy" "Laeus, I trust the wheel in your realms is intact." The hooded God of Death looks around at the field of corpses that surround them. "Better than yours it seems." He looks down at Essence and shakes his head, an exasperated sigh leaving his lipless mouth. "I see you were right, your daughter has shifted the balance here. I am sorry for your troubles." His eyes are drawn to the glowing soul in Aphy's grasp. "This is them?" "It is" Aphy's holds out her hand, depositing the soul into Laeus's own. In turn, he places one in her own, maintaining the balance of both realms by exchanging troublesome souls. It was not common practice, but occasionally it needed to be done when a soul began to upset the balance of a cycle. While she kept her face stoic her emotions raged inside of her, to think her own daughter was part of the trouble upsetting the cycle. "N, no" Essence reaches out her hand, futilely trying to reach the soul she so cherished. "Hush daughter, just sleep. We will look after you, and Laeus will ensure your beloved is taken care of." His bones creaking as he bows Laeus bends towards Reuna and her daughter. "Indeed I will dear Reuna. Essence you may rest assured that this soul will be safe with me." He straightens up and turns back towards the crack between realities. "It was a pleasure Aphys, Reuna." "Of course Laeus, thank you for..." Essence's sudden scream of rage interrupts her mother's words. "YOU CAN NOT TAKE THEM!" Biting Reuna's arm, Essence manages to free herself and lunges towards the foreign God of Death, clawed hand snatching the soul from his grasp she leaps upwards, attempting to flee into the ether. "ESSENCE! YOU STUPID CHILD!!" Aphys shrieks as she kneels next to her wife who sobs as she holds the stump that was once her lower arm and at the same time Laeus snarls and thrusts his hand outwards toward the fleeing $species, black tendrils errupt from his cloak to wrap tightly around the feeling Essence. "I apologize for taking action in your realm Aphys" "It's fine, would you keep her held as I attend to my wife?" "Of course my friend." The tendrils begin to tighten around Essence and her grasp on the soul begins to falter. She has only one choice, one chance to ever see her beloved again. She stops struggling and exerts her power, the power of her parents, and thrusts the hand holding the soul into the skein of reality, her fist punching a small hole into the void between all realities. With a small sob, she opens her hand, letting the streams take her beloved into their currents. She does not know in which reality her beloved will end up, but once she is free she will stop at nothing to find them again. Nothing, NOTHING will stop her next time. [[Chapter 1|c1p1]]

<<nobr>><<set $gamechapter = "Chapter 1">><</nobr>> "//Where am I?//" You feel like this is your first coherent thought in ages. You can't see, or hear, but part of you feels as if you are being carried around in a swirling current. Sometimes it is a gentle rocking, other times you feel as if you are being tossed around in a hurricane. But nothing ever seems to harm you and then it suddenly just stops. You can still feel the tug of the currents attempting to pull you back into their grip, but you seem to be, well, stuck. Whatever you are stuck on has some give to it, but will simply not let you through. "Well, well, what have we here?" "//Wait! Did someone just say something?//" "How did you get stuck out here little soul? Oh well, I guess it matters not, I will take you to my Mistress, she will know what to do with you." Whatever it is you are stuck on suddenly gives way and you feel yourself being plucked from the currents. "You are obviously not from this realm, or any of our neighbors, I do not recognize the markings you bear, fascinating." "//How can I hear you? I haven't heard anything in, a very long time, I think//" "Oh! That's easy, telepathy obviously. It is a simple matter for someone with telepathy to speak with a freed soul. As for your lack of time, let me see." You feel as though you are being rolled around in someone's hands. "OH, oh my...well two things, as a soul you are old, very old in fact, older than even me." "//Oh, okay. What about the other thing?//" "Based on the traces I can see you have been in the abyss for at least fifty thousand years, if not longer. I'm not the best at telling abyssal decay, it looks like a few more years of being tossed about in the currents and you would have dispersed. I'm so glad I found you when I did." "//Dispersed as in...//" "Destroyed, permanently" [["Oh"|c1p2]]

"//Wait, you just said fifty thousand years!//" "I did, which means, before you ask, that you have been dead for at least fifty thousand years. Living beings are not able to enter the abyss and would be instantly destroyed if they touched it. So either you died in your world and someone tossed you into the abyss, or you tried to enter it on your own and if that's the case you would be exceedingly stupid." "//I don't think I would have tried to do something as stupid sounding as entering an abyss, so, I think, someone must have tossed me into the abyss...//" "Well that's disconcerting, anyway we can talk more after you have met my Mistress, she will be able to help you." For some time no one else speaks to you, but you get the impression that you are being poked and prodded, tested in some way, until a brilliant light becomes visible, nearly blinding you for a brief moment as shadowy figure steps in front of it. "So sorry for that." It's the same voice as before, "Just let me..." The light dims and you find yourself face to face with a beautiful woman with ludicrously bright blue eyes and hair. She grins and nods before stepping away. "There we go. Ahem, may I introduce my Mistress, The Silver Mother, Goddess of Light and Moons, Aega." The woman sweeps her arm in the direction of what you can only describe as a throne. Whatever it is made of is an impossibly reflective silver and is covered in a motif featuring the various phases of the moon. Eventually, your gaze is drawn to the woman sitting on the throne. Goddess is definitely the correct term for Her. Her shimmering silver hair is held in a braid and is so long it reaches the floor, pooling around Her elegantly crossed ankles. A silvery half-moon circlet sits on Her brow and each shift of Her head causes the small moons that adorn it to change their phase. While Her eyes have no distinct sclera or pupil they glow with a pale light that reminds you of a full moon. Before you get the chance to continue staring she clears her throat and stands, her nearly sheer dress clinging to her perfect curves, and if you were capable of breathing you would probably stop as she strides towards you, those pale glowing eyes sweeping across you. "It seems my attendant was correct, you are not from my realm or any that I know of, I do not recognize the markings of the cycle you belong to either." She nods to the blue-haired woman. "It seems you were correct dear, a stray. How odd." Her gaze comes back to you. "It may be difficult for you, but I need to ask you some questions little soul, so let's begin with what you last remember in detail." [["Adjusting the car seat, Essence had borrowed it the day before."|c1p3]] [["Umm, I think I was trying to find my keys."|c1p3]] [["A truck, it was about to hit me and...oh..."|c1p3]]

You go on to describe the rest of the morning before the truck crashed into you, but the sight of the truck skidding towards you is as far back as you can remember. "Do not strain yourself, it's only natural that you would not be able to remember the moment you died." Aega paces around you, occasionally giving you an inquisitive poke as she asks questions. "It seems that somewhere between your death and moving onto the wheel your soul, you were cast into the void. I can only imagine an enemy or someone with malicious intent would do such a thing. The fact that you got stuck where you did is nothing short of a miracle, a few more years and, well." "I already explained what would happen, do you have to traumatize the poor thing anymore?" "Geva, I have warned you about speaking to a God with such familiarity, if it were not me you could have offended someone." She pats the blue-haired woman, Geva, on the cheek with a smile. "But you are correct, no need to go any further into it. Unfortunately for you my guest, I have no way to return you to the cycle you belong to, and you can not remain as you are now, so the only choice I see is for you to enter my realm's cycle. I doubt any of the others will argue with me." "//So, what does that mean exactly?//" "In short, you will be reborn into a new body and enter the cycle of this realm. Think of it as an adoption of sorts. But before we discuss the particulars there are a few things you need to be made aware of. The first is that someone has altered you in a way that only a God or one close to divinity can. In this case, they have made it so you will never again be able to forget your past lives after you die and reenter the cycle, you will remember everything from this point on." "Mistress, doesn't that mean that..." "Yes, you little soul have the potential to become a God sometime in the future. With each death and rebirth, you will gain new experiences and knowledge and eventually, it will become too much for your soul to handle, so eventually you will have no choice other than to evolve. This is how most Gods are born, something prevents us from forgetting with each rebirth and we eventually become what we are." "//Wait, wait, so I can become a God? Seriously?//" She nods, her expression leaving no room for doubt. "//Wow.//" "Indeed. But make no mistake, not being able to forget is a curse in itself. There are many things I wish I could simply forget, but it will never happen." She looks rather upset for a moment before she smiles and continues on. "Now, as my attendant is the one who found you I will be the one placing you into our cycle, but you need to know something first. There is a part of my title that sweet little Geva here left out, in addition to my patronage of light and moons, I am also the primary Goddess of werewolves, and once you enter my realm it will be as a werewolf, and because your soul can never forget you will be reborn as a werewolf for the rest of time, there is no way I can change that." [[I'm practically bouncing with excitment, a werewolf?! Hell yes!!!|c1p4]] [[Oh, I mean that's cool. I would rather be a vampire or something, but I shouldn't say that out loud.|c1p4]] [[Ugh, seriously?! I hope I don't spend all my time drooling. Oh God, the smell is going to be horrendous.|c1p4]]

"I am sorry if that is a problem for you, the only other thing I could do would be to destroy your soul permanently, or leave you on a shelf here in my palace, and I am sure neither of those things sounds appealing." Yeah, not exactly. "There is an upside, because you can never forget each time you die you will come here and I will help you prepare for your next life, you will not be held to the randomness the majority of souls are. Unless you want me to just pick and choose at random of course. But for this first time I think we should go ahead and have you create your first form, it's not every day a soul gets to design its next run from the ground up." "//So, like picking what I am going to look like and stuff?//" "Exactly! You can also pick some things like where your aptitude in life will lie." She reaches out and you suddenly feel kind of, fuzzy. "Hmm, well you have had some interesting past lives haven't you, decently balanced between good and ill, no surprises there, it seems that at one point you were a baker five lives in a row, things like that rarely happen." "//Hold on! Are you looking at all my past lives? Is that why I feel so fuzzy?//" "Fuzzy?" She and Geva giggle but Aega does her best to contain it while nodding. "Yes, I suppose you would feel fuzzy, I am taking a peak into your very spirit after all." The odd feeling continues for several minutes before Aega pulls back and brushes her hands together. "All done. You have led some very interesting lives little soul, but there are some things I would like to discuss. It seems like this woman," she holds up her hand and an image of Essence begins to float above her hand. "//That's Essence! She's my $essw.//" "Well, it seems that this, Essence, has been following you from life to life for a very long time and not in a natural way. She has been tracking you down with each of your new lives and from what I have seen the two of you have been close in each." "//Close as in...?//" "In some, you are the best of friends, in others you are lovers, in a handful, enemies. She first appeared in your life somewhere around your hundredth incarnation and you have had several thousand since then. If it were a natural soul bond there could be times where you would not reincarnate into the same world at all for several lifetimes, this woman however has been in every single one since the first. That can only mean that she is not a mortal and has been following you across space, time, and dimension by her own will." //Essence has been following me?// You feel yourself shrink slightly, //What does this all mean?// "There there little soul," Geva pats you gently. "You have been hurled from your own realm and been lost in the abyss for so long. The chances she will ever appear in your lives again are basically zero." "That is true. Whatever her reasons for following you they matter little at this point. Now there is one more thing we need to discuss before I have Geva help you get things ready for your new life." Geva stares at her with a look of curiosity in her eyes. "It seems that for whatever reason the marks that have made it so you will never forget your past lives going forward have had an effect on your overall strength, I think it might be some of your past lives bleeding into your current one. I doubt you'll ever remember anything specific from them, but it will give you an advantage going into this new life. Namely the only way I can grant you rebirth is to give you the same strength as my oldest children." "Mistress!" Geva's hand flies to her mouth and her eyes widen in shock. "You don't mean..." "Yes, little soul I'm going to have to give you the form of an Antediluvian." [[Continue|c1p5]]

"//...What's an Antediluvian?//" While Aega simply smiles at your question Geva looks like she is about to faint. "What do you mean 'Whats an Antediluvian'?!" If you had a face she would definitely be in it as her cheeks turn a bright red while she frowns at you. "Now, now Geva. You know that my eldest children have never spread from our realm, it makes sense that our wayward soul would know nothing about them." She turns to you. "Antediluvians are among my oldest children, and as such are rather powerful. As one yourself you will be able to take on the form of a great wolf with two tails, six legs, and four eyes. Each of them is about as large as a house, though the eldest among them is himself twice that size." "//Seriously? So is it like an ultimate ability or something?//" Both women stare at each other for a moment before Aega turns back and shrugs. "We have no idea what you are talking about. If by ultimate you mean powerful then yes, you will be very powerful once you have grown into your Antediluvian form, but that will take years. Once you do attain it then you could very well be among the most powerful beings in whichever world you find yourself in." "//So I won't have full access to that form immediately?//" "No, your body will need to slowly adapt to the power, if you were to have it immediately from the beginning you would die, and once you are born into the world it would risk killing your future mothers as well." "//Hold on, so I am not being born this time?//" "No, since you are not yet part of this realm cycle I will be placing you in infant form into the world directly. But do not worry, for this first time round I will ensure you are found by a lovely couple who happen to be my devote worshipers, so you being a werewolf will not be an issue. Now then," She turns to Geva "I will be preparing the realms for our guest's arrival and informing the others of the situation, Geva my dear if you would see our little soul through the process of creating their new form I would be most grateful" Without waiting for an answer she turns and walks away, her bare feet making barely a sound on the marble floors. "Right then," Geva begins to sit down and a chair appears from thin air. She plops down with a happy sigh and makes a gesture at the end of which a clipboard and quill with an absurdly large feather appear in her hands. "Let's begin" [[Continue|c1p6]]

"Now then, let's begin with your name." She looks at you expectantly. "//Uh, won't whoever is raising me give me a name? What's the point of picking one, it's not like I will be able to tell them.//" Geva simply huffs and taps her clipboard with the quill. "Don't you worry about that, just tell me what name you would like." <<textbox "$name" "Anna">> "Lovely, just lovely, no need to worry about a surname, that you will take from the couple raising you. Next, well, let's start at the top shall we?" "What texture would you like your hair to be?" <<listbox "$hairt" autoselect>> <<option "Straight">> <<option "Loosely curled">> <<option "Tight curls">> <<option "Wavy">> <<option "Frizzy">> <<option "Kinky">> <<option "Coily">> <</listbox>> "Very good, and color? Oh, Do keep in mind this will affect your coat in your werewolf form as well" <<listbox "$hairc" autoselect>> <<option "Black">> <<option "Dark brown">> <<option "Light brown">> <<option "Dark blonde">> <<option "Light blonde">> <<option "Dark red">> <<option "Light red">> <<option "Pink">> <<option "Blue">> <<option "Green">> <<option "White">> <<option "Silver">> <</listbox>> "Alright. Obviously, the length and style are up to you while you are alive. So let's move onto your eyes." <<listbox "$eyec" autoselect>> <<option "Black">> <<option "Dark brown">> <<option "Light brown">> <<option "Dark blue">> <<option "Light blue">> <<option "Dark green">> <<option "Light green">> <<option "Hazel">> <<option "Grey">> <<option "Red">> <<option "Gold">> <<option "Silver">> <</listbox>> "Excellent. Let me see, oh yes. Your physical features, starting with your height at maturity." <<listbox "$height" autoselect>> <<option "Very short, 5' and under." "very short">> <<option "Short, 5'5 and under." "short">> <<option "Average, 5'10 and under." "average">> <<option "Tall, 6'3 and under." "tall">> <<option "Very tall 6'4 and up." "very tall">> <</listbox>> She scribbles your answer down with a nod. "Okay, next up is your physical build, again at maturity if you please." <<listbox "$build" autoselect>> <<option "Lanky">> <<option "Dainty">> <<option "Lithe">> <<option "Lean">> <<option "Wiry">> <<option "Voluptuous">> <<option "Curvy">> <<option "Athletic">> <<option "Muscular">> <</listbox>> "Mhmm, alright, skin tone?" <<listbox "$skin" autoselect>> <<option "Porcelain">> <<option "Beige">> <<option "Tan">> <<option "Amber">> <<option "Mocha">> <<option "Espresso">> <<option "Chocolate">> <<option "Umber">> <</listbox>> "So umm, onto a sensitive topic, what gend..." "//Female//" "Not even going to let me ask?" She chuckles. "//Nope, if I get to pick then that's what I want.//" "Easy enough then. So, um, onto another sensitive topic then. Well, what would you like, you know, down there?" She makes an awkward gesture with her quill and is blushing furiously. "Um, just keep in mind if you choose that, um, one option, people may mistake you for a boy until you are old enough to speak and correct them." <<listbox "$mctrans" autoselect>> <<option "Pussy">> <<option "Cock" "true">> <</listbox>> She coughs into her hand and nods, still blushing. "Okay, all done I think." [[Continue|c1p7]]

"It seems we have all completed our tasks at the same time." You and Geva turn to find Aega sauntering back into the throne room with a short, delicate-looking woman on her arm. While the new woman is mostly hidden under a black robe her snow-white hair spills out from the hood and her violet eyes settle on you. Her smile is oddly comforting. "Oh!" Geva is on her feet and pulling the newcomer from her Mistress's arm into a hug. "Mother you should have said you were coming!" "I would have but this visit is rather sudden, when we all got your Mistress's message I realized I would like to meet this new soul before their cycle begins." The woman frees herself from Geva and comes over to you as Aega steps up next to you. "Little soul, allow me to introduce the Goddess of Death in charge of our cycle, Shade, this is the soul I mentioned." "//Oh, uh, hello//" You can't physically tremble, but you are beginning to realize that they are all able to tell your emotions and moods regardless. "Oh, please don't fear me. There is no need to, I am simply here to give you a quick check-up. Normally this would be done immediately after death and before you enter the wheel and since you have been adrift in the abyss for so long I thought it best to make sure there is nothing negatively affecting you." "//That makes sense, as much as any of this does I suppose.//" Smiling she moves closer and you suddenly feel very relaxed. "Now then let me just..." Where you felt fuzzy when Aega was looking into your past lives, this time you feel calm, almost like you are wrapped in a warm blanket. After a minute or so she steps back and smiles. "Well, despite everything that has been done to you, you seem to be at the peak of health." She looks up towards Aega and nods. "It seems our new resident is all ready to go." "Excellent!" Aega claps her hands once and it feels like your world inverts. "Now, this may feel a bit odd, I myself have never placed a soul directly in a world, but I hear it can be...disorienting. Well then $name, remember, you are going into a new world where you are starting off as an infant, I am sure you will become frustrated with yourself for not being able to do everything you currently can. Just keep your chin up, you are one of my children now and I do not like it when any of you are upset. As a bit of a welcome gift I have planted the knowledge of the language your adoptive parents speak into your mind, so you will understand them immediately." The world spins and you find yourself in her arms, staring up at her face. "If you ever need to talk, if you're ever in a bad place with no one to listen to, just pray, I'll be here to listen. Now, have a good life." [[You blink.|c1p8]]

"//I can feel!//" You are wrapped in what you can only assume is a warm blanket. You open your eyes, the full moon staring down at you as a drop of rain plinks you right between your eyes. "Fuck!" Except it doesn't come out as the word you intend and more like a high-pitched shriek. "What?" Again a squeal, not quite as loud or high-pitched this time. "//Oh, right, I'm an infant.//" Doing your best you shrug your arm out of the blanket you are wrapped in, it is much more difficult than you expect and you don't have much control of your flailing chubby appendage. Bringing your hand up to your face you manage to form it into a tiny little fist and promptly bop yourself in the head as you lose control again. "Fuck!" Again a squeal. "I'm telling you I heard something!" A feminine voice comes from your left and you turn your head to see a pair of feet walking towards you. "Oh goodness! What are you doing out here little one?" Doing your best you look upwards to find a plump young woman with bright red hair staring down at you, a gentle smile gracing her lips. She gently reaches out and brushes your cheek before picking you up and holding you tightly. "See I told you I heard something." "That's the last time I ever doubt you sister. Who would leave a child out here, with a storm coming on?" Curious to try to turn towards the new speaker but find it difficult and grunt in dismay. "Oh, are you curious about my sister little one?" The woman holding you turns just enough so you can see. No doubt that they are sisters, they have the same red hair, the same hazel eyes, and the same smile. However where as the one holding you is a bit plump her sister is all muscle and holds a large double-headed axe over her shoulder as she stares down at you with a smile. "That intense look. If I didn't know any better I would think this child could understand us." She chuckles and reaches up with her free hand to push your hair from your eyes only to suddenly stop, her own eyes glinting as she spots something. "Oh, oh sister." Reaching down she gently plucks a small chain from between the folds of your blanket and pulls on it, revealing a crescent moon with a small gem carved in the style of a howling wolf's head suspended in the center. Both women gasp as it catchs the light from the moon and sends a cascade of light around the three of you. "A child of the Goddess!" The plump woman's grip suddenly becomes much more secure and as you look at her you notice tears forming in her eyes. "Sister, you don't think that..." "That she has sent you a child? I mean, Mama did tell us stories about the Goddess sending her children to be raised by mortals, but all of those happened thousands of years ago, I haven't heard of any being sent anywhere close to our time." Even as she finishes the words the light from the moon again catches the gem and sends a sparkle over your face and you can't help by smile. "Well just ignore me then, seems I know fuck all." "SISTER! Don't swear in front of the child." "Oh please, it's not as if it understands me." "//Oh if only you knew//" You chuckle to yourself and it comes out as a childish giggle. "HA! Either way, they like my brusque tongue!" She places the pendant back in the folds of your blanket and proceeds to tickle you. "Who likes it when Auntie swears, you do, yes you do!" With no control, all you can do is shriek in laughter while she tickles for a few seconds before she stops. A sudden crack of thunder draws their attention and startles you. "We should be getting home! It's bad enough we are going to get caught in this storm, let alone the kid." "Yes! You're right, okay let's go." The woman holding you begins to trot down the road they found you next to. "So what are you going to name the kid?" "Hmm," You stare up at her intently, and as your eyes meet she smiles. "I think $name would be a good name." "Huh, interesting, where did you get that from?" "I don't know, it just feels right." "So what do you think your other half is going to feel about you bringing home a kid you found on the side of the road?" "Oh come on, you know just as much as I do they are going to love little $name." [[Continue|c1p9]]

The duo that found you walk for nearly half an hour before you spot some lights further up the road, and as you get closer you begin to make out buildings in what you quickly realize is a village. By now the rain is hammering down fairly hard but despite that, you are mostly dry and with no general complaints other than beginning to realize that you are rather hungry you can make out the well-maintained buildings as you pass further into town, and then right through it. For another five minutes the two walk until you finally reach a door that is flung open and you enter a brightly lit, warm, front room. "We're home!" The woman gently sets you down on a table and begins to unwrap the slightly damp blanket, being very careful to set aside the pendant next to you, as her sister comes over with a fur pelt and places it over you. It's so soft and warm you can't help but coo happily and play with the fur tufts. Of course, the coo is what the women hear, when in fact you had intended to thank them. But you guess you got your point across regardless. "You are most welcome little one. So, Naeve, do you think this is really going to go over well with the Luca? I mean, I know that you have been wanting kids, but this is very sudden." "Holly! How could you even doubt it? If the Goddess sent this adorable little one here it is obviously because it will go over well." Naeve, the woman who appears to be your new mother is certain that things are going to go well but you still have no idea who they are talking about, could it be your father? "Oh, there you are hon." Turning your head you follow Naeve's gaze and find yourself face to face with a large wolf. While your immediate thought is to begin panicking the wolf simply cocks its head to the side before moving closer and letting out a large exhale of air in your face. //Oh no! I'm dead please don't let it eat me!//. "Luca! You're upsetting them, be nice." Holly reaches over and scratches between the large wolf's ears. Before you are able to do anything else it quickly leans in and starts to lick your face, the animal's large tongue becomes all you can see and you squirm in futility. "//Ack! NO! Stop, bad dog, down, heel!//" Obviously no one understands your tiny annoyed squeals but you eventually manage to swing one of your chubby hands up and grab its nose which seems to put a stop to the drool bath. "There! See I told you, best of friends already." Naeve looks rather pleased with herself as she begins to gently wipe the wolf spit off your face with a soft cloth. "There, all better. Now then little $name, I bet you're hungry." Your tummy immediately grumbles. "Yup, I thought so." It's an odd feeling being held in her arms while Naeve holds a cloth filled with a thin gruel to your lips as you suckle on it, thankfully she had the forethought to sweeten the rather bland gruel with some honey so it's not so bad and it doesn't take long before you feel absolutely stuffed. "So what do we tell the others? I can't imagine that everyone will be happy to have a demi-god in the village." //Wait, am I a demi-god? Holy shit...I think I am// You stare at Holly as you think and when she notices you she winks. "I swear that $name understands everything we are saying." "Don't be ridiculous, but as for the rest of the village we just tell them the truth, we found little $name abandoned on the side of the road and are taking care of a lost child. Nothing else needs to be said." "Uh, yeah that makes sense, okay." Your sudden yawn interrupts any more conversation. "Guess $name is a bit tired, guess it's time we all get some sleep don't you think?" Naeve nods as she smiles down at you, "Yes I think it is. Come on little one, let's get you tucked in." She stands and you almost nod off immediately as she rocks you gently while walking up a set of stairs. You must doze off for a moment and when you open your eyes you find yourself lying in a comfortable bed with Naeve next to you, her hand on your chest and a pile of pillows on your other side. "Close your eyes little one, you must be tired. I can't imagine what your day has been like but tomorrow is a new day and I promise that it will be a good one." As she gently rubs your tummy you find yourself beginning to doze off and just before you do you hear a familiar voice and turn your head to see the full moon outside the window. "Rest my child, I promise you will have the sweetest of dreams and nothing will bother you." [[Chapter 2|c2p1]]

<<nobr>><<set $gamechapter = "Chapter 2">><</nobr>> ''Eight Years Old'' "$name! Time to wake up sweetie" A faint knock on your door causes you to stir slightly but with a tiny grumble you pull the blankets up around your neck to help keep in the warmth. "Now young lady! You've been in bed long enough and if you don't get up your breakfast will get cold. Do you want me to send your aunt in to drag you out of bed?" "I'M UP!" You shoot up from under the covers and swing your legs over the edge before you finish the two words, your sudden movements earning you a grumble from your bedmate. "Aww, I'm sorry Luca" You reach over and scratch the old wolf behind the ears. "I'll make it up to you later." Leaning into your hand the wolf gives out a happy huff before laying his head back down and going back to sleep. "Lazy" Slipping off your bed you do the first thing you have done every morning for the last three years since this room became yours. Opening the window you lean on the sill and grin as you stare out over the valley. Your bedroom window has one of the best views in town, letting you see from your home all the way down to the valley and the mountain pass far beyond it. It is like nothing you had ever seen in your old life and when you're very lucky you can spot the faint sight of an airship flying through the valley. After waving down to one of your neighbors as they pass your house you skip over to your dresser and pull out a set of fresh clothes. After slipping into the trousers and loose tunic you wear on days you have to do chores you turn to the wardrobe your Aunt gave you two years ago. She had carved the wardrobe herself and it featured a wolf motif that you had fallen in love with immediately on seeing it. Flinging the doors open reveals your rather ridiculous collection of random bits and bobs, some remind you of your old life, some your new, but the most important item in the wardrobe just happens to be your <<cycle "$combat" autoselect>> <<option "axe, given to you by your mother to train with." "axe">> <<option "bow, a gift from your best friend's family." "bow">> <<option "armlets, they allow you to channel your magic safely." "magic">> <</cycle>> With your favorite personal item in hand, you are ready to start your day and head out of your room, leaving the door open for Luca. From the balcony, you can look down into the living area and spot your Aunt Holly sitting by the fire, book in hand. [["Good morning sweetheart"|c2p2]]

In My Skin

<div style="text-align: center;"><h1>In My Skin</h1>\ <p><<if Save.autosave.ok() and Save.autosave.has()>><<link "Resume Game">><<script>>Save.autosave.load()<</script>><</link>><</if>> <<link "New Game" "warning">><</link>> <<link "Load Game">><<run UI.saves()>><</link>> <<link "Settings">><<run UI.settings()>><</link>></p></div>

"Morning Aunt Holly!" With your naturally superior reflexes, it's a simple matter to hop up and slide down the banister, slipping into a gentle roll and popping up onto your feet at the bottom. "Tada!" "Ten points" Holly chuckles and gives you a round of applause. Since you began developing enhanced senses and abilities last year you have been taking every chance to show them off, though you have yet to actually change into your wolf form. But according to the other werewolves in town, it should be happening any day now. "You're lucky Naeve is not here to see that, you know how she worries." "Oh come on Auntie, you know I'm getting tougher every day. I doubt a fall would do any serious harm." You shrug as you sit next to her on the couch, trying to crane your neck to see what she is reading. Based on how quickly she shifts the book behind her you have a decent idea, you learned fairly early on that she has a weakness for trashy romance novels. "That's not the point $name, you are not yet a full-grown wolf and your mother worries, actually she will probably worry even more once you are fully grown." She reaches over and adjusts the same amulet you were found with so it is hidden under your shirt. "Though I may not say it often I worry about you too sweetie." "No need to worry Auntie, I'm always careful." She lifts an eyebrow and smiles at you. "Okay, mostly careful." She just continues to stare. "That time with the slimes was an exception!" She just sighs happily. "Alright, enough of that, better go get your breakfast before your mother has to come looking for you." She gives you a gentle shove and taking your queue you shimmy off the couch and making for the kitchen. [[Continue|c2p3]]

"Morning sweetheart, did you sleep well?" Naeve turns and pulls you into a hug as you enter the warm kitchen, the smell of freshly baked bread permeates the room and you feel your stomach grumble as you return the hug. "Mhmm" You hop up onto your usual seat at the table and immediately dig into the pile of eggs, ham, and hashbrowns. There is enough for three of you on the plate but your appetite has been out of control lately. "Luca hogged the bed the entire night, but it was fine." "I did warn you" You shrug, "He's comfy and warm, I don't mind" You don't know why Naeve wouldn't allow Luca to sleep with you until recently, you and the wolf have been best friends since the moment you grabbed his nose that first night eight years ago. "Good, he's so big I have been worried letting him sleep with you could lead to issues like him crushing you, or suffocating you..." Ah, so that's why. "Any way you now what chores you have today, once you're done eating you can get started, though it shouldn't take you long, which means..." She smiles. "I can go play with Marie!" Your best friend, and the only other kid in town who doesn't seem to be scared of you since you started gaining your reinforced toughness. She has been adamant that she will be the first one to see you shift into your wolf form, though she has also stated that you will be required to carry her around. Marie is a bit of a brat. "Yes, but before you go you need to finish your chores and make sure you take those to her parents." She nods in the direction of three large pies, two apples, and one meat by the smell of it. "Okay," You shovel another forkful of food into your mouth only to realize that you are already finished. "Ugh, I am such a vacuum" "What's a vacuum?" Naeve looks at you with a quizzical smile. She and Holly got used to your odd references a long time ago. It was just another thing that made you special in their eyes. "A thing that sucks up dirt." "Interesting, why would you want one?" You shrug as you slide off your chair, "Cleaning" She stops and stares at you for a moment before her eyes sparkle. "That would be a wonderful thing to have! I bet it would save time. Are you planning on inventing it?" You shake your head as you take your dishes to the sink. You hadn't planned on it, you have so much on your mind already. "That's a shame. Oh well, off you go" With a nod you head out the door and into the backyard, picking up the bucket with the gardening tools and getting to work weeding and caring for the large garden your family keeps. While your mom does much of the village's baking, your little family also provides several families with vegetables in exchange for items your family needs. Plucking the gardening fork from the large bucket you begin to attack the pervasive weeds that seem to love the local area, only to give up after a few minutes and, extending your claws, decide they are the better tool for this job. With a wolfish grin, you dive back into the work, weeding at twice the speed. [[Continue|c2p4]]

After nearly an hour you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, you are on the last row of the garden, and three-quarters of the way done when you hear an odd sound coming from behind you. It's a sound you have heard before and are on your feet in an instant, turning with a deep growl to face the slime sloshing its way toward you. If not for your excellent senses you may have not heard it, certainly an ordinary human wouldn't have. "How the fuck did you get in here?" The slime just stops and jiggles at you. You know you should call for Aunt Holly, especially after your conversation earlier, but you have developed a stubborn streak in this life and hate having to call for help with things you should be able to handle on your own, if not for your tiny body. With a nod to yourself, you take a step forward. "I don't need anyone's help with just one of you. Let's go you evil Jello, I'm going to thrash you." Unfortunately, no epic battle music begins as you charge forward. <<if $combat is "axe">>The axe is the most common tool used in the village, used for mundane purposes as well as combat, so for a child at your age, and with your maturity it's not strange for you to be carrying one and slipping the axe from the metal ring on your belt you tighten your grip as you take a swing at the quivering mass of goo. Unfortunately being a training weapon it is not nearly sharp enough to slice into the slime and simply leaves a small dent as it slides off. "Dammit," You manage to leap back as it swipes a small pseudopod at you, the goopy appendage missing you by mere inches. The only way to kill a slime is to destroy the core at its center, but your axe just can't make it through the mass of the wobbly monster. "Okay, new plan." Turning you run towards the house, snatching the pitchfork from where it is leaning, and run back to the garden. "This ought to do it!" Leveling the pitchfork you charge forward and thrust it into the slime and manage to spear two of the tines in fairly deep, but not quite deep enough, and have to again leap backward to avoid a goo strike. As if mocking you the slime contracts and spits the pitchfork out and onto the ground in front of you. "Well screw you too!!" "$name? What are you yelling at?" //Damn//, Holly comes striding around the corner and stops for a moment as she sees the situation. "$name get back, I'll handle this!" Grabbing you by the scruff she pulls you behind her and then takes a stance similar to when she is cutting trees. "You picked the wrong garden!" With a yell she swings her large double axe over her head and brings it crashing down on the slime, the blade easily cleaving through the goo, striking the core, and causing the crystal to shatter from the force of the swing. With a final //gloop// the slime sags and begins to melt away.<<elseif $combat is "bow">>A bow is certainly not something you usually carry with you while gardening and you had left it leaning against the door frame when you came out to do your chores. But that thought has yet to cross your mind as you lunge forward, claws extended, and begin slashing at the wiggling blob sending chunks of it flying in all directions as you attempt to dig down to the core, the destruction of which will end the blob. Unfortunately, you are so distracted in your attempt to win that you fail to see the incoming pseudopod. The impact sends you stumbling backward and you snarl as the slime begins to rebuild itself, the bits closest to it being reabsorbed. Turning you dash back towards the house, snatching up your bow and taking aim at the quivering slime, loose one of your arrows. The arrow sails through the air and sticks into the slime with a faint //shlork// but your aim is off and you miss the core. Cursing under your breath you draw and let another arrow fly, again the arrow sinks into the slime but you again miss the core. "Dammit!" "$name? What are you yelling at?" //Damn//, Holly comes striding around the corner and stops for a moment as she sees the situation. "$name get back, I'll handle this!" Grabbing you by the scruff she pulls you behind her and then takes a stance similar to when she is cutting trees. "You picked the wrong garden!" With a yell she swings her large double axe over her head and brings it crashing down on the slime, the blade easily cleaving through the goo, striking the core, and causing the crystal to shatter from the force of the swing. With a final //gloop// the slime sags and begins to melt away.<<elseif $combat is "magic">>Leaping towards the slime, claws extended, you begin slashing at the wiggling blob, sending chunks of it flying in all directions as you attempt to dig down to the core, the destruction of which will end the blob. Unfortunately, you are so distracted in your attempt to win that you fail to see the incoming pseudopod. You were so focused on defeating what, in your mind, is a weak monster you had neglected to remember the armlets you slipped on while getting dressed. Smacking your forehead you sigh, at least you remembered before trying to claw the damn things to death. "Arcu percutiens!" You holler as you thrust your hands towards the slime. For an eight-year-old, the lightning bolt that arcs from your extended hands is truly impressive, on par with someone in their teenage years and you imagine you have your unique nature to thank for it. The bolt lances out towards the quivering slime, striking with enough force to push the creature backward, and for a moment you think you have finally defeated your first slime. Pumping your fist you leap up and cheer, you finally did it. You are so wrapped up in your celebration you don't see the pseudopod that comes flying in to smack you, sending you flying back into the fence with a yelp. "$name? What are you yelling at?" //Damn//, Holly comes striding around the corner and stops for a moment as she sees the situation. "$name get back, I'll handle this!" Grabbing you by the scruff she pulls you behind her and then takes a stance similar to when she is cutting trees. "You picked the wrong garden!" With a yell she swings her large double axe over her head and brings it crashing down on the slime, the blade easily cleaving through the goo, striking the core, and causing the crystal to shatter from the force of the swing. With a final //gloop// the slime sags and begins to melt away.<<elseif $combat is "daggers">>Leaping towards the slime, claws extended, you begin slashing at the wiggling blob, sending chunks of it flying in all directions as you attempt to dig down to the core, the destruction of which will end the blob. Unfortunately, you are so distracted in your attempt to win that you fail to see the incoming pseudopod. You were so focused on defeating what. in your mind. is a weak monster you had neglected to remember the daggers you wore on your hips. Smacking your forehead you sigh, at least you remembered before trying to claw the damn things to death. Pulling the daggers you give them a fancy twirl, the trick had taken you a month to learn and you still often cut yourself when practicing but thankfully you heal much faster these days. It helps that they are not overly sharp, Aunt Holly had purposely dulled them promising to get you a new pair when you were older. With a snarl you lunge forward, digging your daggers into the slime as deep as you possibly can, and for a brief second you think you have won as one of your daggers just barely manages to scratch the core, but a forceful push from the blob pushes you back. "Dammit!" "$name? What are you yelling at?" //Damn//, Holly comes striding around the corner and stops for a moment as she sees the situation. "$name get back, I'll handle this!" Grabbing you by the scruff she pulls you behind her and then takes a stance similar to when she is cutting trees. "You picked the wrong garden!" With a yell she swings her large double axe over her head and brings it crashing down on the slime, the blade easily cleaving through the goo, striking the core, and causing the crystal to shatter from the force of the swing. With a final //gloop// the slime sags and begins to melt away.<</if>> You are already trying to come up with an excuse for not calling her when you find yourself being embraced by your aunt. "Are you okay $name? Did it hurt you?" She begins to check you for injuries as you notice tears begin to form in her eyes, it's the slime incident all over again and you can't help but feel terrible. "I'm fine Aunt Holly, it hit me a bit but I'm fine. I almost got this one." "What have we told you?! Again and again, you can't keep throwing yourself into danger like this, it doesn't matter if you are a werewolf, you are still just a child!" She is obviously trying to keep her anger in check. "It may have only been one this time, but it is still a monster and could have killed you." [["Im sorry Aunt Holly, I really thought I was strong enough to handle one this time."|c2p5][$sorry to true]] [["This is so stupid!" I throw my weapon on the ground. "It's just a slime, why couldn't I beat it?"|c2p5]]

<<if $sorry is true>>"Oh sweetie, you are strong, very strong" For a moment you think she is pandering but the look in her eye lets you know she is very serious. "You are the strongest wolf of your age I have ever known, even the other's comment on it. But if you had taken a moment to study your enemy for a moment rather than charging in, which I know you did, don't try to deny it, you would have realized that it wasn't an ordinary slime."<<else>>She frowns as she scoops up your weapon "Yes, it may have been a slime, but had you taken a moment to look, really look, you would have seen that you were out of your depth."<</if>> She leans down and scoops up a shard of the remaining core and sets it in your hand. You can feel yourself blushing in embarrassment. "Oh," It was an obsidian slime, rare but much more powerful than the average. "Yeah, oh, I keep telling you, sweetheart, you need to slow down and take your time when you fight. Just charging in is how you get hurt, die, or lead to others suffering those fates." Her eyes mist over. "Are you talking about the war Auntie?" "No, never mind, come on it looks like you got most of the weeds, why don't you call it a day and go in for lunch, I'll finish up for you." You have tried to get her to talk about her time in the war, but she always just brushes your questions off. "Are you sure?" "Yes. Go on, get something to eat." She pats your head and you give in, dashing into the house. Even as you scamper into the kitchen you can't stop thinking about when you were three and Aunt Holly left for two years along with a significant portion of the stronger villagers, drafted into a war against an enemy bent on razing the kingdom to the ground. While many of the other children cried about not seeing their family members for such a long time none of them really understood what was happening, but you did, and you still have nightmares from time to time. Because of how quickly you had developed, learning to walk, talk, as well as read and write your mother had to hide the letters she got from your aunt, but you still managed to find them, only to wish you hadn't. The first few she sent back had been semi-hopeful that the war would be over soon. The enemy had an army several times the size of the kingdom's forces but it was mostly made up of weaker monsters and mercenaries, but six months in that changed. Reading the descriptions of the undead, the demons, and madness-inducing monsters that quickly began to appear the longer the war went on had driven you over the edge, and after running to Naeve with tears in your eyes you confessed that you had been reading the letters. She couldn't bring herself to scold you, she just hugged you tight and you spent the next year sleeping in her bed to try and stave off the nightmares. The day Aunt Holly appeared at the front door was the biggest surprise you have experienced in this world so far, her last letter had been bleak and you heard whispers around the village that the war was going to end soon, but not in your favor. The way Holly explained it, a group of heroes had managed to sneak into the enemy fortress and killed the one behind the attacks, after that the enemy forces rapidly vanished, some retreating back to their original homes, others being ejected from this world without their leaders will to hold them here. While you still have nightmares on occasion just seeing her and having your aunt hold you again eased so many of your worries. However, not everyone in town was so lucky. [[Continue|c2p6]]

"Mom" Naeve turns to you with a smile. "All done love?" You shrug and she frowns "You know you need to finish your chores before doing anything else." "I know, but Aunt Holly is finishing for me" You hesitate for a moment "There was this slime and I did..." "Are you alright?!" She immediately scooped you up and set you on the counter, checking you for injuries. "What happened? It didn't hurt you did it?" As she asks she finds the bruise from the slime hitting you and freezes, her eyes beginning to tear up as she hugs you tightly. "Oh, my baby, I'm sorry I wasn't there, something terrible could have happened!" "Mom" You gasp "You're crushing me" "OH! I'm sorry sweetheart" She backs up a bit but keeps both hands on your arms. "I'm fine Mom, it'll be gone by morning, I'm a wolf remember? It already feels better." Despite your reassurances, she sniffles a bit, you are telling the truth though, the pain has lessened considerably "I'm okay Mom, I promise. Aunt Holly found me trying to fight it and she finished it off. I promise I'm okay." "Well" Her sigh is heavy "At least you didn't go looking for a fight this time, did you?" She gives you the look she gets when she expects the truth and if you don't tell it there will be consequences. "No, somehow it got through the fence and tried to sneak up on me. I was only fighting to defend myself." She hugs you again and nods. "Okay, that's alright then. Did Holly offer to finish for you? Is that why you are inside?" "Mhmm, she told me to come in and eat." Naeve lifts you up and sets you back on the ground right as your stomach grumbles "I guess I'm hungry" You smirk up at your mother, trying to lighten the mood and make her feel better, it works. With a laugh, she turns and moves over to the stove. "You are always hungry these days love, and it's always meat, meat, meat. That's what I get for raising a wolf I suppose." She smiles back over her shoulder and winks. "I made stew for lunch, How does that sound?" "Perfect!" Since your appetite began flaring up Naeve has taken to filling her stews with huge chunks of meat just to satisfy your growing hunger and just like every other meal for the last year you finish it in record time, but leave the table feeling mostly satisfied. "Bye, mom! I'm going to find Marie." You shout as you rush for the front door. "Hold it!" Skidding to a stop you turn to find her pulling you into another hug "Be safe love." With a smile you nuzzle into her shoulder "I will" [[Continue|c2p7]]

Running down the lane from home you find yourself dodging several neighbors most either on their way to or from lunch and returning to work. Most just give you a friendly smile and wave which you return when you can, sometimes having noticed too late to return it without feeling awkward. Like many of the residents your home is actually just outside the town and is located further up the mountain, luckily it is still one of the ones close to the village walls and it takes you only a few minutes before you are barreling past the napping guard as he leans against the wall next to the gate. He is so out of it not even the noise you are making as you barrel by and manage to wake him, even when you stop and peak back around the edge of the gate to say hello he doesn't move an inch, he just continues snoring. So with a shrug you turn and continue your dash into the village proper. Finding Marie's home is simple as it is the largest one in doting the edge of the town square, being the mayor's daughter does have some advantages. Stepping up to the double doors you bang with all your strength, rattling the large entrance on its hinges. "//Oh shit, guess I need to start watching my strength//" You find yourself grinning. "Hey Marie!!!" You holler at the top of your lungs "Come on let's go!" Unfortunately, the string of curses you hear coming from the other side of the door lets you know that it is not Marie answering, rather it's her drunkard of a mother and you find yourself staring up at her sheepishly as she flings open the doors. "Young lady, can you explain why you are pounding on my door like it's the end of the world?" Her words are coherent and her eyes seem clear, she must not have started drinking heavily yet and you bow your head in apology. "I'm sorry Mrs. Ginevès, I didn't realize I had hit it so hard until it was too late." She continues to glare down at you, an eyebrow-raising at your apology "I guess I'm getting stronger without realizing it. I don't think it's damaged, but if I did I can fix it." You smile. "Hmm, fine, I accept your apology, you wolves do tend to get a little rougher around the edges as you grow." You bristle slightly, while not hateful of werewolves, who make up about a quarter of the town's population, Marie's mother has made her general dislike of them clear to everyone. Aunt Holly imagines it's because she is from a more civilized area where wolves were rare and rumors about them were not so kind. "Well come in, wipe your feet, and I'll get Marie." "No need mother" As you step into the home you turn to the stairs just inside the doors. "I heard her loud and clear. Mother is the correct $name, you have been getting rougher lately. You should try and rein yourself in a little." If it were anyone else you would probably growl in response, revealing your slightly enlarged canines threateningly, but in this case you know Marie is simply trying to appease her mother while she manages to tease you at the same time. "My apologies Ms. Ginevès" You bow your head sarcastically and as you look back up you find Marie struggling to contain a giggle while her mother glares daggers at you. "I will do my very best to contain my excitement in the future." "Yes, well," Her mother looks between the two of you and sighs before locking her gaze on her daughter. "While I do not understand what you see in her I will not be my mother and forbid you friends." She turns to you, her voice becoming sharp. "You will watch my daughter carefully and protect her with your life, do you understand young lady?" [["Yes Ma'am, I understand." I would have done that anyway, it's simply easiest to agree with her.|c2p8]] [["Of course Your Highness" I do my best to curtsy "I will do my very best and put my life on the line to protect the princess"|c2p8][$sarcastic to true]]

<<if $sarcastic is true>>You can see the vein in her neck throbbing as you finish sarcastically. Her eyes look like they are going to bug out of her skull and for a moment you think she is going to hit you until Marie steps up next to you. "Of course you will" She slips her arm through yours and nods. "$name will do her very best to look out for me, won't you?" She jams her elbow into your ribs. "OW! I mean, of course, I will" "See, nothing to worry about mother, I'll be home in time for dinner." Marie turns, dragging you with her and your last glimpse of her mother as you close the doors is of her heading towards her liquor cabinet. "Why must you antagonize Mother like that $name?" She practically drags you through the streets as she admonishes you. "All you're doing is ensuring she dislikes you. I don't want her disliking my only friend." "I'm sorry Marie, I guess we just don't vibe." She turns to look at you with confusion written on her face. "Veebe?" "No, Vibe." You say it slower and emphasize the i. "V, viv, vibe, vibe." She shakes her head. "You say the strangest things sometimes, what does this one mean?" "Mm, to effortlessly get along, easily like each other, you and I vibe, your mother and I don't" "I see" She shakes her head "You have such a vivid imagination, always coming up with odd words and phrases"<<else>>Seemingly satisfied Mrs. Ginevès nods contentedly as Marie steps up next to you, slipping her arms into your. "$name is always looking out for me, there is nothing to worry about mother." "Well, good." Now off you go, be home in time for dinner. "I will." Marie turns, dragging you with her and your last glimpse of her mother as you close the doors is of her heading towards her liquor cabinet.<</if>> "So, where are we going today?" You help Marie jump over a puddle as you ask, you've never been one to worry about getting dirty, whereas your companion is always going on about being a lady and that a lady should never appear to have dirt on her clothing. "I wanted to go to the fields and pick tulips. I heard some people saying that they were coming in beautifully this year." "Won't your mom get mad at you if we go that far?" The fields Marie is talking about are a good hour out of town, well past the guards and patrols. While the occasional slime or other unassuming monster sneaking into town is rare you do live in the mountains and it is dangerous once you go far enough out. "More likely she will be mad at you, but I insist we go, I want to see the tulips before they wilt." "I don't know" You rub the back of your neck and fidget. If you were on your own it would be one thing, but with Marie, you are hesitant, especially after the slime you encountered this morning. But Marie always wins. "Please $name, pretty please." She bats her eyelashes, flashes you the puppy eyes, and you quickly find your will crumbling. "Ugh, fine, but you stay close to me and don't run off" "So mature! Very well, I will stay by my protector's side" She smiles playfully and nudges you. While you feel your heart swell at your friend's comment it plunges as a trio steps up from between two builds ahead of you. "Shit" [[Continue|c2p9]]

"Well look at this boys!" That voice sends shudders down your spine. Scott, the local bully, is flanked on either side by his younger twin brothers Kip and Lancer. "The princess has gotten herself a protector, though not much of one, how good can a girl be at protecting anyone?" His siblings chuckle as his eyes glint menacingly. The problem with Scott is that he is currently sixteen and his brothers are both thirteen, which means all three are much bigger the either you or Marie, when you're on your own they tend to simply heckle you but never get overly aggressive. Probably because your aunt wouldn't hesitate to beat the three of them black and blue. But with Marie it's different, since the beginning they have made their disdain for her clear and go out of their way to make her life hell, even to the point of scaring all the other kids in town away from her with threats, at the moment you are the only one who is still her friend, her only friend and that will not change today. "Fuck off Scott!" You snap, adding a small growl behind it. "Oh ho! Look at the little bitch, standing up for her widdle girlfriend. You know dykes aren't natural right?" You instantly bristle. From the confused look on her face, Marie doesn't understand what he just said, but you certainly do and it pisses you off. "$name, what's a dyke?" Marie whispers as she slips behind you. "Don't worry about it, I'll handle this" "But, there are three of them and they are older and bigger, and," She looks at her feet and shuffles away from you slightly, "maybe you should just go, I don't want them hurting you too." "WHAT?! No way! You're my best friend and I am not leaving you to these three cum rags." She smiles and hugs you tightly. "Okay" "HEY! Did you just call us cum rags, bitch? Where'd you learn language like that?" Scott chuckles along with his brothers. "Your mom admitted that she stuffed your dad's cum socks up her cunt and that's how she birthed you three little dicked cunts. Of course that was only after I was done fucking her better than your dad or any of you ever could" The entire world seems to go silent. Scott is clenching his fists and frowning while Kip and Lancer just stare at you, mouths gapping in shock and that just gives you even more fuel to throw at them. "Hey, Kip, Lancer, you do a good impression of your mom cumming, guess it runs in the family!" You snicker. "YOU LITTLE FUCKING BITCH!" "Marie, run back and go into Mr. Hatherton's shop, they won't do anything to you in there." You gently loosen her grip on you and give her a gentle nudge. "What? Wait, are you going to fight them? Are you crazy they'll kill you!" She grips your arm so tightly it hurts, but you manage to get her to let go, glancing at the trio they are about to stop waiting. With a cocky little smile, you give her another nudge, and this time she takes a few steps away. "Just go Marie, I can handle them, trust me." With a final look between you and the three who have been harassing her, she nods and you hear her gulp as she turns and runs. That seems to set the trio off and you hear them running towards you before you turn back, just to scoot back as Scott throws a punch at you. [[Continue|c2p10]]

As Scott's punch sails past you, you sneer at him. "You punch like a girl" "BITCH!" He turns bright red as he takes another swing. You are actually quite amazed at how easily you are dodging his clumsy swings, it wasn't too long ago he would have actually been hitting you. "Stop moving you fucking cunt!" Another swing misses. "My turn" You chuckle in an almost sing-song voice as your fist lashes out connects with his chin and sends him tumbling backward onto his ass. Kip and Lancer just stare at you in amazement while Scott rolls around swearing. "Going to leave Marie alone?" "Naw, fuck that. Get her!" Just like every other bully you've encountered Kip and Lancer leap towards you hoping to use the fact you're outnumbered to their advantage. Dodging Scott's clumsy swings was fairly easy but trying to defend against the twins is much more difficult as punches and kicks come from both sides now and you are having a hard time getting your own swings in, though you manage to land a few respectable hits, as you notice Scott coming in from the corner of your eye it goes bad quickly. As you turn to block Scott's punch one of the twins kicks the side of your knee and sends you stumbling back, pain shooting up your leg making your vision blur. Another kick in your lower back sends you stumbling forward into a punch from Scott and you quickly find yourself on the ground, Scott sitting on your chest, throwing punch after punch at you. It's all you can do to get your arms up and block a few, but you can already feel your face swelling and you think one of your eyes is swollen shut. Eventually, he gets off you and the trio begins kicking and stomping you. The pain is more than you have ever experienced in this life you you can't help but cry and whimper as the assault continues for what feels like an eternity. You don't quite realize it has stopped until you feel someone grab your hair and yank your head up, and then you hear a voice rasping in your ear, spit splashing your face as Scott speaks in a low threatening tone. "You are so fucking stupid, I would have let her go with a black eye, maybe a broken arm, but now I'm going to kill her and there is nothing you can do to stop me. I'm going to take my time too, use all my pa's skinning knives, make her bleed and cry as I flay her bit by bit till she's begging me to slit her throat." A sudden slap startles you. "Of course, I'm going to do other things first, so many other things, and while she's laying there crying and taking it I'm going to remind her that it's your fault, she'll die hating you." With that, he slams your head to the ground and through your ringing ears you can hear the trio laughing. Laying in the dirt, curled in on yourself as you cry you can think of only one thing, Marie. You know Scott is not lying or exaggerating, Kip and Lancer may not have it in them to make good on those threats, but Scott certainly does, you have seen it in his eyes before when he beats on the other kids in town, there is something missing inside him, some vital, his conscious you think. Images of his threats flash across your mind as you begin to black out, Then suddenly a memory of Marie giggling when you were both four and a dragonfly landed on her nose comes to mind. The time she had tripped and fallen in a puddle and you lent her one of your dresses to help her feel better, you think she still has it in her wardrobe. On her seventh birthday when it was just the two of you and your families, they worried that with no other kids, it would upset her, but you went out of your way to make sure she didn't need anyone else there. Her laughter and smiles suddenly become stuck in your mind's eye. If Scott does what he says she will never smile or laugh again. You promised to protect Marie. You will protect her, nothing can stop you, you know you can make sure she is safe for as long as the two of stand by each other. You feel a sudden swell, something coming from deep within, and then there is the voice. "It's time my child" The voice you hear in your dreams, or when you stare at a full moon. It's time, it's time... "It's time" "Huh? What did you say bitch?" Scott leans back down, getting closer. "It's time." "She's lost it. Come on, let's find that prissy cunt." "No, no Scott, no" Your world explodes in pain, worse pain than you had been in, it feels like you're going to die as your arms and legs begin to break, snap, and crunch, growing and changing. Your head blazing as your skull cracks and shifts. The pain is overwhelming until you feel a gentle hand on your back and a warmth suffuses you, body and soul. "It always hurts the first-time child, especially for the oldest of my children, I will help you take the pain, just focus on your instincts, you know what you need to do." "Thank you" A whisper, but one heard none the less. [[Continue|c2p11]]

Everything becomes clear, you know what needs to be done. You stretch out your arms, bending them in places you could never bend before, you curl in your fingers forming a fist that you quickly change into something else, large claws erupting forth. With a snap, you flex your legs into an awkward position, but after a bit of wiggling, they feel natural again, despite the odd angles they now have. Your spine suddenly feels odd and you have to shake slightly before it feels better, though you know it now extends much further than it did a moment ago. Your skull is the hardest part, you have to extend your jaw and it takes a moment for you to understand what you need to do, but once you get the hang of it you feel your face elongating and suddenly all your teeth shift and rattle in your new maw, each one become as sharp as a razor and you struggle to not bite your now, much larger tongue. Finally, as you open your eyes you find everything coming into view with crisp, sharp lines, colors are brighter and the world looks less gloomy than it had a moment ago. Oddly enough though it looks like the world has shrunken around you and looking down at your paws you find the ground much further away than it had been a minute ago. Wait. Paws. Turning your head you stare into the window of the building next to you, and a wolf, an actual wolf stares back. Your $hairc coat shimmers in the light, and you're brilliant animalistic $eyec eyes take in every detail from your nose to your tail. Then, you hear a trio of whimpers and you turn your head, your ears beating the rest of it by a fraction of a second, to find three, tiny, humans, cowering below you. It all comes rushing back, Scott, the twins, the beating, the threats...the threats. A deep, menacing growl erupts from your throat and you take a step towards them, your teeth bared, and you make sure to drool excessively to add to your terrifying image. "S, Scott, she, she" Kip whimpers, and the acrid smell of urine assaults your nose, you smile internally as you notice his trousers becoming wet. "How, just, fucking how?! You're a kid, how did you change into, into that!? Why are you so damn big?!" He's right, you are as big as a draft horse, other wolves your age are typically much smaller. "You know why my child" You feel that same gentle hand stroking your neck. "You are special. You are a guardian, a predator. You are a wolf, one of my greatest children." Aega steps into your view, though it seems like no one else can see her as she smiles. "I'm proud of you. Your life has been a good one so far. I knew I made the right decision taking you as one of my family. Family." She turns and glares at the trio. "We are a family, a pack, you are one of many, but all one whole. We defend our own, Marie is one of your pack is she not? A sweet girl, I approve." She steps up and takes your muzzle in both hands, looking into your eyes and you see something flash in her own, anger, pure unrestrained anger. "They threatened your pack, do what you know you must." She leans in and gives your nose a little kiss and then simply vanishes, in a blink she is gone. It seems as though the world around you had not moved until this moment, this wonderful moment. With a sudden lunge, you land atop all three huddling siblings, your eyes boring into Scott's own as a growl rumbles up from your throat. The twins are cowards, cowards are easily dealt with, but Scott. What to do with Scott. He is the threat and like your Goddess said, you must protect your pack. [[Unlike the cowards trembling below me I am not a monster, but that doesn't mean I have to let them know that. Right now he sees a monster, so I may as well give him one. I feel a roar building up in my lungs.|c2p12][$roar to true]] [[I'm immediately in the mood to hunt, to play, to torment my prey and let them know that I will not tolerate them any longer. I shift my stance back a bit, giving them a chance to stand.|c2p12][$torment to true]] [[Kip and Lancer mean nothing, without their brother they would simply stay out of everyone's way, though they need to be taught a lesson it is Scott I must deal with, aggressively. The smell of his blood floods my nostrils and I growl.|c2p12][$maim to true]]

<<if $roar is true>>With a deep inhale you fill your massive lungs, it's an odd experience but you have more important things to focus on than the differences between your forms. Just as you are about to let loose an idea comes and you hold your breath and wait, but not for long as Scott begins to fidget. "What are you..." With a huge exhale you roar, you roar so loud even you are surprised by the ferocity of it. With your eyes shut you can't see the trio's reaction as you let loose inches from their faces, spraying them with saliva, but you can hear the terrified screams adding to what must sound like a climactic event unfolding in the road. Your roar does eventually begin to lessen and you abruptly stop, your maw so close to Scott you are all he can see as you let a tiny growl rumble up your throat. That seems to do it. With a series of screams the trio scrambles backward and once they are out from under you they stumble to their feet and run as fast as they can back the way they came, all three crying and tripping over their own feet every few seconds as they try to escape what they must perceive as a monster about to gobble them up. You don't bother to follow, instead turning towards Mr. Hatherton's shop when you notice a small crowd has gathered behind you, some of the adults hold whatever weapons they could get their hands on, but you put all that out of your thoughts as your eyes lock with Marie's. The tension filling the air is almost a living thing as the standoff between you and the group of people continues for a minute before your friend takes a brave step forward, her eyes searching before a tiny smile comes to her lips. "$name? Is that you?" Without the ability to talk you can't answer her as you normally would, but instead, you come up with an idea and plant your butt on the ground, your paws holding you at a majestic angle while you sit, your tail swinging back and forth happily as you grin. The group of adults all begin to scream at her as Marie runs towards you and jumps forward, gripping your soft pelt and pushing her face into your chest. "You jerk, I was supposed to be the first one to see you change, not those meanies." Her voice jerks as she sobs and you lean down, nuzzling the top of her head and whining quietly. "I'm okay, but what about you? I came back with Mr. Hatherton just as you finished changing. Are you hurt? What did they do?" You shutter as you think about what had happened but the thoughts leave your mind as the tension bursts and you find several of the adults coming towards you with massive smiles, stopping just in front of you. "Well damn girl, your mother's been feeding you something good for you to be so big at your age." Mr. Hatherton chuckles as his eyes glint playfully. Being another one of the town's werewolf population he seems intrigued by your odd appearance. "But honestly, I've never heard of a wolf being as big as you the first time they changed, hell even most adults are smaller. The only one I've ever known to be as large is my cousin." As he bends down and inspects your massive paws he rubs his chin. "It's almost as though, no, no that's ridiculous, you couldn't be." He looks back up into your eyes, but before he can continue you hear someone shouting your name and look up to find your mother and Aunt Holly pushing their way through the crowd. Like Marie, they don't hesitate in attempting to wrap their arms around your massive form as they hug you. "Dammit $name, I told you to be careful" Naeve sniffles "How is getting into a fight right as you are about to change for the first time careful?" You want to respond, but all you can manage is a tiny whimper. After the excitement of the events has calmed down you find yourself walking home with Marie, Aunt Holly, and your mother. Well, three of you are walking. "I told you this was going to happen $name" Giggles Marie from your back, her heels occasionally dig into your sides and her grip on your fur is tight, but you don't mind carrying your friend around on your massive wolf frame. "I didn't think you would be this tall though!" You hear her gulp and her weight shifts awkwardly. "Careful Marie, we wouldn't want you falling from way up there" You notice Holly has her arm extended up towards your back, obviously helping to steady her. By the time you get home, you have figured out how to shift back and once Marie has slid off your back you begin to change, only to find Neave tossing a blanket over you as you do. "Right," You snuggle up under the thick wool blanket as you stand. "Clothes don't change, guess that means my clothes were?" You trail off. "Shredded" Aunt Holly nods. "We can worry about that another day, for now, why don't you get dressed, and then you and Marie can go play?" Marie begins nodding quickly and grabs your arm in her hands. "I like the sound of that Miss Naeve" "Good, now off you go" [[Continue|c2p13]]<</if>><<if $torment is true>>All three stare up at you, the terror in their eyes evident, though Scotts seems to hold no small amount of hatred as well, and they all begin to scoot back and as soon as they are on their feet you lean forward and growl, your stance giving the impression you are about to pounce. With a screech from the twins all three turn and haul ass down the road back the way they came. Like you, they live outside of the village proper and you instinctively know you can catch them with very little effort, in fact, to make it sporting you decide to give them a full minute head start. As you finish counting down in your head you begin to notice a few people peeking out from windows or around corners as you sit in the middle of the road, your tail lazily thumping the ground in time with your count, but you have no interest in anyone other then the trio at the moment and as soon as your count hits zero you tear off down the road after them. Despite the head start you know exactly where your prey is going, you can hear them, their terrified whimpers as clear as a bell to your ears and despite wishing otherwise you can also smell them, living next to their father's tannery and their general lack of cleanliness means they have a very unique scent that is impossible to miss. They are getting close to the main gate and as you close in you can hear Scott screaming about an insane wolf to the guards as he and his brothers rush past. Even now he is trying to shift the blame and that just infuriates you even more. With a graceful leap you hop up onto the rooftops as you approach the gate and the only look the guards even get of you is as you sail through the air over their heads and the wall around the village, landing on the opposite side with ease. The trio is in sight now, it will take a matter of seconds before you overtake them but you are not ready to let them off and you slow your run till you are right behind them, snapping your jaws and growling as you follow behind you take nips at the twins, Scott having run ahead and leaving his brothers behind. "P, please! W, we're sorry $name! We'll never d, do what Scott says again!!" Lancer can barely get the sentence out between his tears and his heavy breathing, from the looks of it he is just about ready to pass out and a glance at Kip tells you he is feeling the same. With a final snap, you grip each brother's collar in turn, before tossing them aside like a ragdoll and you chuckle as you hear them squeal before they hit the ground and roll. With the twins out of the way, only one remains and you speed up, reaching the boy's home just as Scott's father comes charging out of the house with a large knife in hand. "That's the wolf da'! Kill it!" Scott peers around from behind his father whose eyes have blown wide at the sight of the massive wolf barreling towards him, part of you feels a bit sorry for your nemesis as his father pushes him out of the way and runs back into the house, locking the door behind him and leaving Scott screaming as he pounds on the oak door. "Let me in da! Let me in" His cries become shrieks as you come to a stop right behind him. "Don't eat me, I'm sorry I'll never bother you or that little priss again" That earns him a growl as you lean in closer, your jaws inches from his face. "I mean, what's her name...Marie! I'll never bother you or Marie again I swear it, just please, please don't eat me!!" You lean closer, your maw opening wide and Scott drops to the ground with a shriek you never thought you would hear from him. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry" Scott simply lays curled up on the ground, refusing to look at you as he repeats the apology over and over again. After a minute of nudging him around with your massive paws you give him one last growl in his ear before you turn and trot back to the village enjoying the breeze and the feeling of power your new form gives you. As you approach the gate you find Aunt Holly, Naeve, Marie, and several others all waiting for you. It seems as though Marie has explained the situation to everyone and once you confirm that you did not hurt Scott or the twins, through a series of yes and no questions, you find yourself walking home with your mom, Aunt Holly, and Marie, who happens to have made good on her promise. "I told you this was going to happen $name" Giggles Marie from your back, her heels occasionally dig into your sides and her grip on your fur is tight, but you don't mind carrying your friend around on your massive wolf frame. "I didn't think you would be this tall though!" You hear her gulp and her weight shifts awkwardly. "Careful Marie, we wouldn't want you falling from way up there" You notice Holly has her arm extended up towards your back, obviously helping to steady her. By the time you get home, you have figured out how to shift back and once Marie has slid off your back you begin to change, only to find Neave tossing a blanket over you as you do. "Right," You snuggle up under the thick wool blanket as you stand. "Clothes don't change, guess that means my clothes were?" You trail off. "Shredded" Aunt Holly nods. "We can worry about that another day, for now, why don't you get dressed, and then you and Marie can go play?" Marie begins nodding quickly and grabs your arm in her hands. "I like the sound of that Miss Naeve" "Good, now off you go" [[Continue|c2p13]]<</if>><<if $maim is true>>You feel an itch crawling up your spine as you stare down at Scott, it's a new feeling, the desire to bite, to rend limbs and shatter bone. These three are a menace that no one seems keen on stopping, their viciousness is always brushed aside as childish antics. Slowly your vision begins to focus exclusively on Scott, a deep rumble emanating from your chest as you begin to open your maw, the urge to bite beginning to overtake your mind, but before you can lunge, Scott, swings his hand upwards and you find a handful of dirt being flung into your eyes and you jerk backward as the stinging begins. As you swing your head back and forth trying to get the dirt out of your vision you can hear the trio scrambling to their feet and running back in the direction they had originally come from. A sudden feeling of anger rips through you and with a grunt you bring one of your massive paws up to your face and rub it across your eyes. You can see again, though everything is blurry thanks to the tears in your eyes, but it is enough and with a loud howl that shakes the buildings around you, you tear off down the street after the trio. Despite the head start you know exactly where your prey is going, you can hear their terrified whimpers as clear as a bell to your ears and despite wishing otherwise you can also smell them, living next to their father's tannery and their general lack of cleanliness means they have a very unique scent that is impossible to miss. They are getting close to the main gate and as you close in you can hear Scott screaming about an insane wolf to the guards as he and his brothers rush past. Even now he is trying to shift the blame and that just infuriates you even more. You don't even bother to slow down and as you charge through the gate you blow by the two guards sending them both tumbling away from you as you leap between them. In moments you have caught up with the twins, but again they are not your concern and in your state, you barely notice as you trample them underfoot, not even hearing their whimpers or the snap of bones as you go, your entire focus set on Scott. With a push of your massive legs, you leap forward and come crashing down onto Scott, crushing the teen under your massive girth. With no hesitation you clamp your jaws down on his arm as he flails and tries to shove you off, his scream echoes through the air and you can't help but smile internally at his pain, chomping down even harder and feeling the crack of bone as the taste of fresh blood trickles into your mouth. The coppery taste sends a shiver down your spine and the hint of bloodlust you had been feeling surges. You need more. Letting the arm go you bat one of your massive paws towards the boy and send him hurtling through the air, his screams growing louder as he bounces off his maim arm. Again you leap towards Scott, this time taking one of his legs in your mouth you crunch down yet again, this time lifting him off the ground and shaking your head vigorously as your prey flails around through the air. After what must feel like an eternity to your foe you bite down as hard as you can and the sound her makes as his entire leg comes off in your mouth is not something you thought a human could make, the shriek more animalistic than human. His body flies through the air and crashes into a tree, you can still hear the faint sound of his breathing but he does not move as the ground slowly becomes stainted with his blood. Before you can move in to finish him off a shout catches your attention and you turn to find a dozen guards rushing towards you, three werewolves following close behind. As the group begins to surround you, you spy Marie, Aunt Holly, and your mother running to catch up. "Stand down wolf!" Ragnus, the captain of the town's guard levels his blade at you. "You will submit yourself to justice, reveal your identity, and explain why you have attacked three children." Glancing past you he frowns as he notices who it is you have attacked. "Of course it's him." "Ragnus, step away from my niece!" Holly steps up to the man, her massive axe held casually on her shoulder. "She was defending herself and Marie from that menace." "Your niece? That's ridiculous! $name is what, eight years old? This wolf must be fully grown to be such a size. Tell me the truth, who is this?" "No! It's true, that's her, please, she was only defending me" Marie lurches towards you, scampering through the legs of the captain and running into your massive, blood-stained form. "Are you insane? Get away from...from, I'll be damned." He watches as you plop your butt on the ground and let Marie reach up to you and scratch your chin. She does not seem to care that her fingers become stained with blood as she does so. The sudden crunching of bones catches your attention and you turn your gaze towards one of the wolves as he shifts back into his human form, a guard tossing him a cloak as he does so. It's Mr. Hatherton. "Of course, it's you $name" He steps closer and sniffs the air. "I should have immediately recognized that scent. "Well damn girl, your mother's been feeding you something good for you to be so big at your age." Mr. Hatherton chuckles as his eyes glint playfully. "But honestly, I've never heard of a wolf being as big as you the first time they changed, hell even most adults are smaller. The only one I've ever known to be as large is my cousin." As he bends down and inspects your massive paws he rubs his chin. "It's almost as though, no, no that's ridiculous, you couldn't be." He looks back up into your eyes, but before he can continue you look up to find your mother and Aunt Holly pushing their way through the crowd. Like Marie, they don't hesitate in attempting to wrap their arms around your massive form as they hug you. "$name, what have you done?" Your mother frowns as she watches a pair of guards bending down to tend to Scott, his leg is missing, lying on the ground next to you, and his left arm is mangled beyond comprehension. "She was defending me, Miss, I swear it. If she hadn't Scott would have hurt me." Marie clutches her tiny hand over her heart, her voice firm as she defends you. "He, he always does." You growl remembering the last time, her arm finally healed a few weeks ago. Naeve sighed, her eyes glancing down at the girl's arm, she was well aware of the torments Scott and his brothers had continuously visited on her over the years. "I can't say I'm happy about this, but I understand and I suppose I am proud of you for defending your friend." Your mother looks up at you and nods. "Fine" A sudden feeling of overtakes and your entire form shutters as the world around you seems to grow, the cracking and snapping of your bones echoes through your ears, but this time it does not hurt, it doesn't feel like anything other than a good stretch. After a minute you stand back on two feet as Aunt Holly wraps her cloak around your shoulders. "That sounded awful, I'll never understand how you wolves must deal with the pain." She shakes her head as Naeve leans down and hugs you. "It only hurts once" Mr. Hatherton mutters. "The first time" You look up at him with a smile. "Just so" He returns the smile. "Come on, let's get you home, once you're dressed you and Marie can go play." Taking your hand your mother begins to lead you away from the scene, Marie taking your other side as she stares at you in admiration. [[Continue|c2p13]]<</if>>

''Sixteen Years Old'' The smell of tulips, clean mountain air, and Marie's perfume dominate your senses as you trot over the rise towards the tulip fields and Marie sits elegantly on your back as she reads from the book of poetry you gave her for her birthday. In the last eight years, she has become so used to riding around on your back that she can easily sit side saddle and read as you lope across the countryside, <<if $combat is "axe">>your six powerful legs easily supporting her, your gear, and a picnic basket.<<elseif $combat is "bow">>your long, sinuous twin tails curling through the air behind you as you carry Marie, your gear, and a picnic basket.<<elseif $combat is "magic">>your four, glowing eyes take in the countryside as you carry Marie, your gear, and a picnic basket.<</if>> It has become a yearly tradition for you and Marie to come out to the tulip fields on her birthday and she looks forward to it every year. "Thank the Gods it's not raining this year, I didn't like the thought of spending a week sick again." You rumble in agreement, getting caught in the downpour last year had left Marie stuck in bed for a week and you smelling like a wet dog for nearly as long, no matter how many times you washed the smell just seemed to linger. Cresting the hill you stop and give a huff to draw Marie's attention. "Oh, they are beautiful this year!" You feel her tap your ear and you gently lay down so she can slide off your back more easily. You have grown much larger over the years and she has made it clear that she has no wish to risk breaking her ankle sliding off you at your full height. "Thank you $name, as always you were a very comfortable mode of transport." She gives a little curtsy and proceeds to giggle as you huff and roll your eyes in response. The sound of snapping bones and tearing skin echoes across the fields and within moments you stand back on two feet. Marie has her eyes closed as you quickly throw on your clothes and once you are dressed you sneak around behind her. "Boo," Her sudden shriek and jump have you laughing and you struggle to keep from falling over as you hold your ribs. No matter how many times you do this she always jumps and lets out that high-pitched shriek she has. "Not funny!" She punches your arm and you laugh even harder at her beat red face. "Okay fine, laugh away, I'll just eat all my cake alone." That shuts you up. "Okay, I'm sorry I just can't help it. When are you going to stop falling for that?" You wipe away a tear and chuckle lightly as she sticks out her tongue. "When will you grow up?" "Never!" While the memories of your past life have faded somewhat over the years you still remember being forced to grow up far too fast by your former parents and decided back when you were three and speaking better than some adults that you would never mature after a neighbor made a comment about how mature you were compared to children even twice your age. "Mhmm, that's what I thought." Marie just turns, picks up her satchel, and starts walking into the field. "You can carry the rest, Miss Wolf, you know, since you're so strong." [[Marie and I have grown closer over the last several years and spend so much time together that I don't even need to see her face to know when my bestfriend is pouting.|c2p14]] [[I know when my girlfriend is pouting, even without seeing her face, and I scramble to pick up all of our things and chase after her, entwining my fingers with hers as I catch up.|c2p14][$mfriend to "gf"]]

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Insert achievements here

Gaige (Happy Succubus) Lockhart

An interactive story

<<if settings.achievements>><<link "Achievements">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Achievements"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("achievements").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>><</if>> <<link "Stats">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Stats"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("stats").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>> <<link "Credits">> <<script>> Dialog.setup("Credits"); Dialog.wiki(Story.get("credits").processText()); Dialog.open(); <</script>> <</link>>

<a href="https://www.motoslave.net/sugarcube/2/docs/">Sugarcube 2 Documentation</a> <a href="https://github.com/ChapelR/custom-macros-for-sugarcube-2">Chapel - custom macros collection</a> <a href="https://github.com/cyrusfirheir/cycy-wrote-custom-macros">Cycy's custom macros</a> <a href="https://unsplash.com/">Unsplash</a> for sidebar images (<a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/4CpyhNQ-LdU">light mode</a> and <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/1L71sPT5XKc">dark mode</a>)

Every so often Marie makes you stop as she looks around to determine if it is a good spot to sit but it takes her nearly an hour before she decides that you are in an acceptable location to finally sit and eat. You have done your best to keep your grumbling to yourself because it is her birthday after all, but this time it's been ridiculous and your stomach is growling as you set the basket down and begin spreading a blanket on the ground. The entire time Marie struts around trying to find the perfect vantage point from which she can paint the scene you are overlooking. "Come on, that can wait we have all day. Let's eat" She turns to you and smiles. "Oh, I don't know, we might need to find a better spot." Her face is so stoic you honestly can't tell if she is joking or not, but you decide to call her bluff and plop yourself down on the blanket before reaching for the basket. A moment later she sits next to you and leans in <<if $mfriend is "yes">>to nudge your shoulder with her own.<<elseif $mfriend is "gf">>placing a gentle kiss on your cheek.<</if>> "Didn't even think I was being serious?" "Nope, not a bit" You refuse to tell her that it didn't matter, you needed to eat, even if part of you did think she was serious. She pouts as you set out the food. "I'll have to work harder on that then." You begin to open your mouth to respond after taking a bite of the sandwich you have in hand but she stops you, her face screwed into a look of disgust. "Please, not with your mouth full." "Mmph mhm mmm" You try to respond, getting nothing but an eye-roll in response to your muffled attempt at speech. "You're impossible, you realize that don't you? Demigod or not you are just so frustrating sometimes." A few years ago it had become impossible to hide your true nature as you had grown larger and gained features that only an Antidiluvian could possess and since then your life has become a bit hectic. The other wolves in town were shocked at first, but having grown up in the town they continued to treat you normally, mostly. But once word spread beyond the borders of the valley werewolves and other worshippers of Aega began to show up from time to time, each one seeking a blessing from you. When you asked her about what you should do Aega just shrugged and told you to just go along with it. So now every few months you end up "blessing" some traveling wolf. [[It did not come as a shock to Marie since I had told her about being a demigod shortly after I turned for the first time. She kept that secret tight to her chest until I could no longer hide it.|c2p15][$toldmarie to true]] [[Despite being close I decided not to tell Marie, I didn't know how she would react and I didn't want to be treated any different by the person closest to me. When it finally came out she was furious.|c2p15]]

"Mhmm" You swallow your mouthful and grin. "I know I am, but that's why you love me." <<if $mfriend is "yes">>She just smiles and gives you another playful nudge.<<elseif $mfriend is "gf">>Marie suddenly blushes and looks away, though you do catch the hint of a smile she has.<</if>> The rest of the meal goes by pleasantly enough as you enjoy the basket your mother packed which has become an annual present to Marie since you began these trips. Every year she makes something different but always makes sure to include a small version of Marie's favorite cake, it's just big enough for the two of you to share. While her parents always get her fancy dresses and jewelry, which she does love, you are certain that Naeve's baskets are her favorite present each year since they are so thought out. While you tend to wolf your food down thanks to always being hungry, Marie takes her time, taking tiny bites and ensuring none of her food makes a mess of her outfit. She is always telling you that a proper lady needs to have care and consideration while eating until you remind her that you are a wolf, not a lady, and then she just frowns. This time is no different and by the time she finishes eating your stomach is already rumbling again. "That was lovely, I'll have to thank Naeve for always being so thoughtful." She dabs the side of her mouth with a napkin and turns towards you. "Thank you for always putting up with me when we come out here. It really means a lot to me." "Why wouldn't I?" You shrug. "It's your birthday and you're my <<if $mfriend is "yes">> best friend,<<elseif $mfriend is "gf">>girlfriend,<</if>> the least I can do is "put up" with you, though I don't see it that way." "I know, but thank you regardless." She gives your hand a squeeze and stands, stretching slightly before retrieving her painting supplies from her satchel. "What do you think? Is the view good enough?" She draws your attention to the wide field that stretches outwards down the mountainside until it reaches the borders of the forest. <<if $mfriend is "yes">>"Mhmm, looks great." You lay back and stare up at the clear blue sky as you begin to drift off.<<elseif $mfriend is "gf">>"Oh, from my angle the view is amazing" You give her a playful wink as she turns bright red. As she sputters a reply you simply lay back and stare up at the clear blue sky as you begin to drift off.<</if>> It's become another yearly custom, you take a nap while she paints whatever view she has chosen. She does not mind that you inevitably dooze off as she prefers painting without distraction. Though she insists you only do it in your human form, apparently your wolf snores and it is not quiet in the least. As the world around you fades away you smile as you listen to the scratching of Marie's paintbrush on the canvas she brought. Life is good. <center>''End of current WIP'' In the next update //Fight some kobolds Lose the girl Recieve a divine gift Reveal your past?// If you have found any bugs or errors please report them here https://forms.gle/m9v3WLtRd8GRzLmg7</center>

<center> ''Content Warning'' In My Skin is intended for adult audiences 18+ and contains themes revolving around werewolves, gore, PTSD, lose of self, and other triggers which my be difficult for some readers. For a complete list click the link below. Choices marked with a ❤️ are romantic choices. Choices with a 💔 will end a romance. Choices containing a ⚔ will lead to a physical altercation. If you find any bugs or errors please report them here https://forms.gle/m9v3WLtRd8GRzLmg7 [[Trigger Warnings|warninglist]] [[I'm fine, take me to the story|pp1]] </center>

<center> ''Alcoholism Anxiety Assault Murder Blood Death Depression Drugs Emotional abuse Explicit sexual content Fire Gore Gun violence Hostage situations Loss of control Physical abuse PTSD Self-harm Swearing Suicide Violence'' [[Take me to the story|pp1]] </center>