I don't know what had happened after I agreed to the director's 'experiment'. After signing some papers I was guided to an operating room, to be then put to sleep as a crowd of stressed summoners performed their magical experiment on my poor frame.
Was it really a good idea to do this? Everything is happening so fast. I just pray nothing goes wrong.
When I woke up, I found myself lying back in my apartment with just the duvet of my bed covering my flesh. My head ached with a fiery intensity as I tried to come to my senses. I certainly didn't feel different. I forced my hands to rise under the covers, looking at the ten slender digits moving of my accord. I moved my legs, hauling myself up from under the covers to take a look at myself. Maybe I was just dreaming. The thought of this being a dream was abruptly thrown out of the window as my Leg brushed against a furry appendage. Oh my god. It's real! It's worked! My hands went down to find the mysterious fluffy appendage, stroking my new tail with a newfound curiosity. Instinctively, my hands went to my face, and then to my hair as I felt my smooth locks and the small ears that were perched atop them. I could barely contain my amazement - I was completely different.
Knock Knock!
I heard the all too familiar knock of the door as my squeals of delight were interrupted by a visitor. My new ears perked up at the noise as I noticed my new improved sense of hearing, being able to visualise the quiet breathing of the person outside the door. "Come in, door should be unlocked." I said, my new silky voice only further amplifying my excitement of this magical transformation. I heard dainty footsteps within the apartment as the person walked into my bedroom. The person, to my surprise was Ahri, causing my jaw to drop just as much as her as we looked at our identical selves. "Well. I didn't expect it to turn out so well!" She pouted, waltzing over to my bed. I giggled, thinking of how she would react if she were me. "I bet this feels like you're talking to yourself, eh?" The fox mage nodded, before plopping herself next to me on the bed. "Well, what is it like?" The mage inquired, her hand floating up to my ears as she inspected them with an animal-like quality. "It's amazing and I haven't even got out of bed yet! Thank you." I said, reaching out to my now identical 'twin' for a hug. "Don't thank me yet. You have a lot of testing and training to go if you want to keep this new identity of yours." even with her serious response, the mage embraced me as we continued to gawk at each-other in amazement. Wow. "Wait a second, stay there," Ahri said, leaving the room abruptly.
Returning within a few minutes, Ahri produced a pile of clothing presumably belonging to hers. "Put these on." She said, handing me the clothing. "What, right here?" I asked, giving her a funny look. "It's not like I've seem my own body, is it?" I said as she rose from the bed to allow me to escape the covers. Guess she is right. Awkwardly, under the watching gaze of the fox mage I dressed myself in the familiar Kimono she classically wears. At least I still retain my decent attitudes. "You look perfect!" The mage said as she looked me up and down, clapping with approval. "Have a look for yourself." she said, handing me a small mirror to inspect my new body. My face, no longer occupied by thousands of small freckles was now smoother than ever before - the creamy skin only occupied by six small whiskers - three on each cheek that bristled under my fingers. My eyes, non-surprisingly had become just like Ahri's - small feline eyes with a swirling golden irises that seemed to draw attention to myself. I had grown taller and more thin, my legs and arms smoother than they were in my previous form. "Im certainly going to need new underwear." I noted to myself as I noticed my increased chest size. My attention flew from my new self back to the mage standing patiently beside me as she poked me - my ears perking up like hers did when a sudden spike of sensory information reaches her brain. "Let's walk back to the research centre. They surely would like to know the outcome of this experiment of theirs." The mage said passively, walking out of my bedroom door and eventually my apartment to wait outside. Deciding that I could inspect myself more later I dropped the mirror on the bed and slinked out of my apartment in suit, my tails dragging along the floor with me. I can't control these yet I guess. The mage, leaning over the railings facing out of the corridor seemed all too happy that this was happening. We said nothing at first, walking down spiral staircase and out of the summoner living quarters into the open grounds of the institute. "Let us walk through the flower gardens on our way. I will answer any questions you have whilst there." The mage said, her silky voice soothing my extreme curiosity and returning me to my calm self.
As we reached the flower garden, our pace slowed to a leisurely stroll. I was managing to balance whilst walking with these new tails of mine rather well - but not well enough of my own accord as Ahri held me upright with a guiding hand. The garden was mostly empty, save for a few strolling summoners and the occasional couple. As we passed two summoners seemingly in a deep love for each other, Ahri asked out of the blue: "Do you see it?" Huh? I shook my head, slowing my pace and eventually stopping so I could divert my attention to the mage talking to me. "Look closely at the couple." Letting go of the hands of my new identical twin I turned to face the couple that had just strolled past. At first I saw nothing, before a faint, golden glow appeared within them. The orb, pulsing rhythmically seemed to emanate from within their chest - the two faint golden glows dancing with their movement. What the...? My gaze from the couple was torn back to the champion I was walking with as she started speaking once more. "That is the life essence of people. It allows you to see the true emotions and desires of the person you focus - it will not lie and it resides within everyone here." Ahri grabbed my hand, turning to face me directly. She looked into my eyes, searching for something. Is she looking at my life essence? I decided to do the same - searching for the same golden orb that lived within the two summoners that walked past us both only a minute ago. After about 30 seconds, Ahri's intense gaze wavered as she giggled at me, breaking my stare as well. "You should not be able to see my life essence, for I am not truly a human being. You may be - but I was born into the body of a fox and gained human like qualities. You on the other hand, have been born human but inherited my half-human features." I gulped as this new barrage of information pushed against the weak floodgates that was my brain currently. "Did you accept this to happen? Why did you let this happen to you?" I asked her, my curiosity from before being re-ignited. "I was happy to be included within anything here in the institute. It makes me feel wanted. Appreciated almost. It made me feel human." I was mentally taken aback at her response. Outside her commanding and manipulative exterior she's quite sensitive. I covered my emotions through a small giggle, deciding to change the topic as we re-started our walk through the gardens. "Well, are you pleased at the outcome?" I asked her as we passed under the centrepiece oak tree within the garden. "Anything that lightens my schedule is welcome." Ahri said flatly, her hand gripping mine intensely as I almost tripped over one of my new tails. I'm not sure if these are going to become annoying yet. "However, I always knew how disappointed you were with your own appearance. All of us mages do. You're always talking about it within your matches. I thought you'd jump at any opportunity to remove that problem - this experiment of theirs alleviates the issue, does it not?" Ahri added in a more gentle tone. I nodded, happy to see I was being thought of. I didn't think I talked to the champions that much about my issues. I then remembered something. "What about your magic? Do I have this too?" I asked, slipping away from my companion's guiding hand in an attempt to learn to walk more independently. Ahri raised an eyebrow. "I don't know yet. Maybe they will discuss this when you are there." We had reached the end of the flower garden - its exit symbolised by a huge iron gate leading into the main buildings of the institute.
After another short walk we had once again returned to the Research Facility within the institute of war. The receptionist, unlike last time simply ignored me, deeming it completely fine to see two almost identical (other than clothing) champions walk through the sliding glass doors. Even on a colder spring morning, the air conditioner continued to blast frigid air into the white room as Ahri led me to the research director's office once again.
Knock Knock!
With my new enhanced hearing, I heard movement from within the office. I wonder what Ahri can hear unknowingly to others with these ears of hers. The door flung open, the same bubbly old man from yesterday happy to greet us. "Come in Ahri, Emily! Which ever one you are!" I realised just how confused people would be when differentiating between us. Ahri beckoned me into the one empty chair within the office, preferring to stand behind my seated frame with her hands stroking my hair slowly. She's probably just as curious as I am about myself. The puzzled look of the old summoner remained on his face as he asked "Who is Emily?", to which I raised my hand. He and Ahri chuckled, much to my embarrassment. Summoner Richard leaned forwards. "Well how are you finding your new self?" Any 'side effects'?" He asked, putting the last phrase in finger-quotation marks. It was now my turn to giggle. "I am, yes. I haven't learnt to control these yet—" I said, my hands stroking one of my pillowy tails. "But I am feeling much happier with myself." The summoner's head nodded quickly, agreeing with my statement. "So you should! You have been gifted with these new abilities and the new role as a champion representative! Be proud of yourself for being picked to complete this task!" He said giddily, his happy aura causing another giggle to escape my mouth. Ahri remained silent, to which made me wonder how she feels about being the first champion to have a representative. Richard's expression darkened as he leaned back in his chair. "It's not all fun and games however. You do have testing to complete - we want to ensure that the magic is working properly and that you can represent Ahri here" he held out his hand to the mage behind me "as closely as possible." I nodded. It can't all be positives. "When will my job begin?" I asked in a neutral tone. The research director stroked his bearded chin, the grey hairs ruffling under his fingertips. "I can't say, sorry. It's all dependant on how well you've received the magic - it could be a few months or even a few years." He clapped his hands together suddenly, remembering something. "But whilst you're not fulfilling your new job you continue your daily activities as a standard summoner. That would help you practice too - being in a real environment."
I nodded. It was reasonable. Plus, i'd get to show o— practice. Richard's hands went back to his chin once again, the symbol saying "I'm thinking, give me a second". He curled a finger forward, beckoning Ahri over. "Could you leave us for a sec, Emily?" Richard asked lightheartedly as I stood up and sauntered to the door, my tails swishing with my hips behind me. Even with my ears I could not pick up the muffled whispers emanating from the room. Eventually, Ahri left the office, looking into my almond eyes as she closed the door. "Since you'd now be recognised as a champion and treated like one, you're going to be living with me for the foreseeable future." Ahri giggled in delight at the statement, much to my disgust. I let out a groan of displeasure. "I will also be in charge of teaching you how to use my powers and physical combat abilities. You wont be on the rift, but you might have to protect yourself sometime," she said, turning on her heels and clicking her fingers. "Come! We have much to discuss."
And of course here everything takes a turn for the worse...
I sighed. Ain't this now fantastic. I rushed towards Ahri, desperate to keep up with her as I walked as fast as my nine tails would allow.