The lights powered on as Jennifer and I entered the room. “This is going to be really exciting!” I said enthusiastically, dipping my hand into the water. Webbing formed in between my fingers, and I stared at my newly webbed hand in amazement. Just then, I heard Jennifer snicker and then, without warning, I was shoved face first into the pool, clothes and all.
Immediately, I felt fur spreading all over my body. This feels so great! I thought to myself, smiling. Then I resurfaced and spat out a mouthful of water. “Maybe next time, give me a heads up before shoving me into the pool, okay?” I asked playfully, right before my nose began to stretch out into an otter-like snout, whiskers emerging from either side of my face.
I felt something pushing back against my swimming shorts. Looking over my shoulder, I smiled as a long flexible tail lengthened out from behind me. “Feels good to be a cute little otter!” I said happily, climbing out of the pool. As I pulled myself up, my swimming shorts dangled from the tip of my tail, before slipping off into the pool. My fur was soaking wet, frayed and dripping.
I clapped my paw-like hands twice, before a jet of air rose up from underneath me, ruffling my fur in a warm current. “Ahh…much better,” I sighed, enjoying the warmth of the air drying my fur. After a couple of minutes, I was completely dried off. “How long will this last?” I asked Jennifer, slipping on a pair of shorts, which had an opening for my tail.
Jennifer straightened her pink tinted glasses and was quiet for a moment. “Uh oh. Devon, according to my prediction, this transformation might last a little longer than the recent ones. The water properties have a durable effect on those who come in contact with it. You should stay here until the effects wear off,” she explained.
“It might not be such a bad thing, though,” I said brightly, giving my tail a quick shake. Jennifer smiled. She bent down and gave me a pat on the head. “I might as well enjoy this, after all!” I said, dipping my toes into the water.
The water felt ticklish against my webbed feet, and I chuckled slightly, while Jennifer sat down beside me.
Just then, my stomach growled. “I’m feeling a bit hungry,” I said, standing up from the ground. Jennifer picked me up and took me to the dining room to get something to eat. Louise as usual bowed politely at me and Jennifer, before clearing her throat.
“What can I get for you today?” Louise asked, taking out a yellow notepad to jot everything down. The thought of fish made my mouth water. “Fish, please!” I said, rubbing my hands together. Louise nodded and zoomed out a back door behind the counter. A few seconds later, she zipped back through the door and handed Jennifer my plate of food, which was steaming hot.
“Oh! I almost forgot to ask if you wanted anything to drink, Devon,” Louise said, walking over to the beverage dispenser. “Sweet tea, please,” I replied, sitting down at a nearby table. “On it!” Louise said, filling up a glass of tea. I sniffed the platter of fish hungrily, my mouth watering. Without thinking twice, I tore off a huge chunk of fish and quickly devoured it in one bite, licking my lips in satisfaction.
Louise came over to where Jennifer and I were sitting, the glass of tea held in one hand. After a few minutes, I had finished off every last piece of fish and was full. “Nice fish,” I sighed, sitting back in the chair.