Full Moon High: the Strange Tale of Dr Jekyll and Miss Hyde
Chapter 5: Brand New Day; A New Discovery pt.2
Jaqueline's Apartment
Kitchen Area
At the kitchen, Jaqueline was preparing breakfast for the two of them. She also made to sure brew a remedy for Mari's woe. Most alchemists would never think of ever having a small lab setup in the kitchen. But this was a common occurrence for Mari so Jaqueline had the ingredients and instruments prepared here to help out her friend. Sure enough, just as Jaqueline finished setting everything done the table, Mari came walking in.
She thankfully got something to cover up, even if it was an extra-large shirt that reached down to her thigh. It was not visible whether or not Mari was wearing anything else beneath it and Jaqueline did not feel comfortable inquiring about it. Mari at least did not look ragged anymore, though it seemed she was still nursing some discomfort.
She plopped down in a chair and thankfully accepted the cup with the remedy from Jaqueline with a nod. Despite Jaqueline instruction to carefully partake it, Mari instead as always just immediately downed the entire content before slamming the cup down on the table with a satisfied grin.
"That's the ticket. Just love how it works so fast. That cleared my head right up." Mari praised with a big grin on her face.
"It is good that the remedy work," Jaqueline said while taking a seat.
The two of them started to eat breakfast, while continuing their chat. Mari was happily digging into the food, while Jaqueline was taking her time. She was still wondering the best way to bring up the topic of her new appearance to Mari. Since Jaqueline's appearance looked fairly similar, it was not as apparent to Mari that anything had changed from a casual glance.
"That is a life saver, to think alchemy already had a cure for hangover all these years. Don't know why they just don't sell it? Probably make millions." Mari mused at the notion.
Shaking her head, Jaqueline reminded, "That because the remedy needs to be drunk shortly after being made else the potency is lost. It would be hard to market that way. A stabilized could be used to extend the shelf life, but the cost of those would be astronomical much less ensure a proper vessel to prevent contamination."
"I guess," Mari shrugged not entirely understanding it. "You are the alchemist here."
"Also the FDA has shown adamant dislike to most alchemical concoction," Jaqueline admitted too.
"Should count myself lucky to have my own personal alchemist to bail me out," Mari smiled before taking a drink of some orange juice. "Probably would lose my entire morning trying to deal with it if not for your remedy."
Jaqueline knew it was fruitless to remark at how Mari could avoid such issues if she did not party so hard. But she would off blow off such critique at part of the consequences of her adventurous night life. Though Mari seems a bit too eager to rely on Jaqueline's help to deal with those consequences, she kept those sentiments to herself.
Not noticing Jaqueline's thoughts, Mari continued, "Honestly I was going to take it easy, but then she showed up. And let just say she was a really bad influence on me, but in a great way."
"You met someone?" Jaqueline raised an eyebrow.
While it was not uncommon for Mari to hook up with others during these escapades, whether male or female, it didn't matter to her. She was always quite liberated when it came to relationships, but they rarely lasted longer than the moment of passion. But the dreamful look in Mari's eyes seemed to hint that this was something different.
"She maybe the most amazing girl that I've ever met," Mari praised while hands covered her cheeks, indicating that she was hiding a massive blush.
"Sounds like she made a very big impression," Jaqueline said. It was surprised her to see Mari talk about someone in such a manner. Curiosity drove Jaqueline to inquire more and ignoring the other matter she wanted to raise.
Looking dreamily into nothing, Mari smiled, "You could say she made a very big impression. You never imagine seeing a woman so tall and sexy with a killer look. The way she dressed leaves practically nothing to imagination. Plus her hair and skin was simply exotic, it gave her a real alluring presence."
"She does sound absolutely incredible," Jaqueline said in awe.
"You should have seen her," Mari remembered, "She's definitely not someone you could ever truly forget."
"Guess that is unfortunate," Jaqueline admitted while she picked at her breakfast.
"Also can you believe her name is Jackie Hyde? The two of could have been any more different like a true Jekyll and Hyde." Mari added dreamily while remembering her.
Jaqueline immediately froze at the name. Fortunately Mari was too busy reminiscing about last night to notice the very visible reaction on her roommate's face at the name. In fact, while Mari started to have a big grin on her face at memories of some of the wilder things they did together last night. Jaqueline was experiencing an unexpected flood of memories of it too.
She remembered now how Jackie had spotted Mari at a party last night. Intrigued at encountering her, Jackie engaged Mari and found her quite an interested partner. The two of them enjoyed themselves for a while before retiring to Mari's apartment for some 'private exchange'. Jackie knew of Mari's exploits and was eager to indulge in it fully. Together both of them shared a passionate night together for hours before Mari was tapped out and Jackie retreated back into Jaqueline's apartment.
The memories of them together were so vivid and raw for Jaqueline. She felt the surge of lust in Jackie at the sight of Mari naked. The sensations when the two embraced one another in bed. Smells and tastes were unforgettable while they hungrily explored each other. Hands holding together tightly while they intertwine their body even more in the heat of the passion.
Jaqueline could not help but trembled at these visceral memories flashing in her head. She could not believe as Jackie that she engaged in such illicit passion together. The feelings it invoked left her deeply conflicted that her face was turning a deep crimson red. Yet despite her reluctance, Jaqueline could not deny how incredible it had been.
"Hope she was satisfied when she left. Shame it seems I will probably never see her again," Mari mused idly to herself.
That remark thankfully brought Jaqueline back to reality, where she tried to push back the awkward feelings away. It was important that she did not let Mari realize how uncomfortable this conversation was getting for Jaqueline.
"You are drooling a bit," she noted to her roommate, as she pointed out.
Noticing that there was a little drool down the left side of her mouth, Mari quickly wiped it away. "Sorry, just that woman was like a once in a lifetime experience. Guess should count me thankful for all the great experience from last night."
"At least you have the memories," Jaqueline suggested while she tried to figure out a way to change the topic.
"Not just memories, I also got pictures of us together. So at least always have something to remember her." Mari smiled with a wicked glee toward Jaqueline. "Want to see them? Goes without saying they are pretty naughty."
Jaqueline could no longer hide her embarrassment from Mari and turned away, "Please that just embarrassing."
Mari was about to tease Jaqueline some more, but stopped at what she saw. The side profile that Jaqueline was showing having turned away gave Mari a clear view of something different. Notably a particular area on Jaqueline that was protruding in a way that wasn't present before. Jaqueline too noted the sudden change in expression of Mari from teasing to inquisitive.
"What are you looking at?" Jaqueline asked feeling uncomfortable at the gaze.
"Jaqueline," Mari said while getting up and confronting her roommate, "What are those?"
Before Jaqueline could respond, Mari reached forward and groped at the chest. If this was yesterday, her hands would have found scarcely anything, but today they pressed against breasts. Both of them shared a shocked expression at the feeling. Almost disbelieving what she felt, Mari even squeezed them a bit extracting an uncomfortable response from Jaqueline.
"Mari, please! Can you let go," Jaqueline cried out. "They're sensitive!"
"Darn right they are if you're squealing like that." Releasing them, Mari exclaimed, "Where or when did you get breasts?"
Jaqueline's hope of diverting the conversation about Jackie Hyde any further was answer. It unfortunately landed her onto a topic. She was still quite ill-prepared in explaining to her roommate. Stammering to come up with a reply, her eyes kept avoiding making contact with Mari who was waiting for an answer. Looking at Jaqueline a bit more, Mari noticed some other changes too. Her hands reached out again this time grabbing Jaqueline's head and brought them face to face. The sheer closeness was extremely distressing for Jaqueline.
"Wait a minute, why aren't you wearing your glasses," Mari asked, finally noticing the absence of Jaqueline's previously notable apparel. "Can't believe I completely didn't notice that earlier. Last night really has thrown me off. "
"Listen, I can explain…" Jaqueline stammered while trying to pull Mari away.
Releasing her grip, Mari crossed her arms and said, "Start explaining now, Jaqueline Jekyll."
"Last night the reason I was at the lab was because of a special project I've been working on for a while. Something I did to try and fix my inadequate body. And to make a long story short, it left me as you see now," Jaqueline admitted while choosing her words carefully.
She dare not reveal the entire truth to Mari. The whole matter of Jackie Hyde was better left unspoken. Though Jaqueline felt bad about being deceptive with her roommate, it would complicate everything if it was all revealed. Especially after the revelation at how intimate Jackie and Mari got last night. Listening to Jaqueline's explanation, Mari remained silent for a moment. Her eyes closed while she took in everything. When her eyes open there was a distinct look of unhappiness written on her face toward Jaqueline.
That look made Jaqueline nervous about how Mari was going to take it.
"Jaqueline," Mari said slowly while carefully considering the words, "That sounded amazingly reckless. Not even telling the part that you glossed over, I cannot believe you could endanger yourself like that."
Bowing her head down in shame, Jaqueline could not argue with Mari's complaint. It was a truly reckless course of action that drove her to make that fateful decision last night. While it was backed with up in theory the end results were still outside her expectation. So she had accepted her friend's condemnation for her actions.
The downbeat expression on Jaqueline's face made Mari soften her unhappiness before moving forward again and hugging her friend. This gesture surprised Jaqueline who only blinked in surprise at the comforting warmth of Mari's hug.
"But I'm glad you are safe and you just with some extra," Mari whispered into Jaqueline's ear.
The words resonated greatly with Jaqueline who felt her eyes starting to tear up. She had been quite a fool before without carelessly she treated her friends. They care so much for her, but in her own loathing she felt herself only a burden to them. Mari's honest concern for Jaqueline well-being made her glad that she was still able to share these moments with them.
"Sorry about worry you." Jaqueline apologized shamefully while returning the hug back.
The two of them stayed like that for a bit, until Mari whispered, "Kind of hard not to notice, but you aren't wearing any bra."
And the moment broke, with Jaqueline turning a bright beat red. She had not really noticed it, but now the sensation of their body pressed against one another like this. It was kind of her to ignore it anymore. Abruptly she pushed Mari back embarrassed while crossing her arms defensively over the chest.
"Not like I've had time to get anything to cover them," Jaqueline protested.
"True, not like you really had any use of them before," Mari admitted while she thought of something and got a wicked glint her eyes. "Now that I think about it, is the chest really the only thing that got a boost?"
"Mari…what are you doing?" Jaqueline stammered at the looming shadow of Mari with sparkling eyes and twitching fingers.
"Just curious on how much my little Jekyll has improved," Mari grinned with a hint of drool.
Looking at the deranged look on her friend's face, Jaqueline could only let out a quiet squeak before Mari pounced. What followed was a rather embarrassing session as Mari combed over every portion of Jaqueline's body. It left Jaqueline quite flustered and dishevel at the end while a rather beaming Mari recounted her observations on hand.
"Wow, it seems you really filled out well," Mari said, as she reported her thoughts. "Not just in your chest, but the rest of your body too is looking splendid. Plus you managed to fix your vision, but I am going to miss those glasses."
Jaqueline just nodded absently while still looking a bit frazzled from the session.
Waving a dismissing hand at Jaqueline's reaction, Mari pouted, "Don't be so dramatic, just think of it like a bit of punishment for going behind our back with this. Speaking of which, I got to tell Kylie about this. Sure she'll go ballistic about the news."
That snapped Jaqueline out of her state of confusion. Just as Mari was taking out her smart phone to contact their friend, Jaqueline quickly grabbed the arm holding the phone. "Please wait," Jaqueline protested earnestly.
"What is the matter?" Mari asked.
Jaqueline asked sheepishly, pushing her fingers together in the process while looking at her friend innocently, "Could we hold off on telling Kyle for just a bit longer?"
Mari was about to ask for a reason before seeing the conflicted look on Jaqueline's face and relaxed the hand holding the phone. A look of relief could be seen quite clearly on Jaqueline. Mari just smiled wistfully at seeing her roommate's expression. She could understand the reason now without having to ask Jaqueline.
"Let me guess: you're still not emotionally ready to handle more people knowing about this," Mari guessed.
Jaqueline nodded, "When I first found out it happened, I was excited to show it off, but after what happened with you. I am not sure I'm completely ready to handle it."
"People can't help but notice you now," Mari agreed. "And people who do know you are definitely going to have some questions about it."
"Already stressing me enough trying to handle you, adding Kylie to it is already making my stomach hurt," Jaqueline admitted while she rubbed that area.
"You just need to take it slow," Mari calmed her friend down, and then pointed out, "First step is we are going to need to change up your look. This new look needs some new clothes to show it off and some bras as well now that you've got 'two best friends'."
Jaqueline looked down in embarrassment, while she pressed her two index fingers together, "Well I was trying to find the right place to ask if you can help me buy some new stuff at the Everett Mall."
Her hands were immediately clapped together with Mari who was looking at Jaqueline with sparkling eyes. She could almost feel a few sweat drops starting to form from the sheer look of complete happiness painted on her roommate's face.
"How long have I waited to hear you ask me that? Our little Jekyll is growing up, it really touches me," Mari said while trying to hold back the tears. This reaction seemed a bit overdramatic to Jaqueline. "Get ready Everett, Jaqueline and Mari are going shopping," Mari cheered, raising a hand triumphantly to the ceiling.
Jaqueline reluctantly followed suit let Mari get emotional about the lack of camaraderie. "Okay. But we'll need to take the bus to reach the mall. So we'll have to get ourselves prepare for it," Jaqueline noted as she started to clean up the table.
"Yeah, I am going to need a few hours first. There are few things that needed to be taken care of and cleaned up before we can go." Mari admitted awkwardly. "Before I forget, take a look at this."
"Okay," Jaqueline said not entirely sure what Mari wanted.
But that was before Mari shoved the phone in Jaqueline's face. The abrupt move made her take a step back before she could even saw what was on screen. But what she did see made her take another step back.
It was a photo of Jackie Hyde on the screen.
She was all there, her chalk-white skin, raven hair with red highlights, glowing topaz eyes, and smoking hot body. The fact she was posing nakedly before the camera left no questions the kind of picture being taken there.
Brief snippets of memories resurfaced in Jaqueline's mind of Jackie allowing Mari to take several suggestive and inviting pictures. Just to get things in the mood, before the two of them shared some fairly intimate and intoxicating moments together. Jaqueline could feel her face turning red again from the scandalous memories.
Pulling the phone back with a smile, Mari said, "Just in case you don't believe me, a picture is worth a thousand words. Isn't she incredible?"
Jaqueline gulped a little, as she confessed, a bit nervous and somewhat embarrassed, "She is quite...Outrageous…"
"Sounds about right, well I got to clean the place up from last night. Give you a holler when I am ready to go," Mari waved before she headed back to her apartment.
Shaking off the funny feelings after Mari had left, Jaqueline was glad that Jackie Hyde was gone. But it seems the consequences she left behind would keep haunting Jaqueline for awhile longer. As she finished up cleaning things after breakfast, she could not help but notice recalling the rather distinct smell of Mari. Slapping her face to dispel away the thoughts, there was no time to get flustered by what happened in the past.
Later On
When Jaqueline finished with cleaning up the kitchen she headed back to the bedroom where she found the discarded piles of clothes. These were the last set borrowed by Jackie last night and left forgotten on the floor. Hesitantly she picked them up and regretted it. Jaqueline's face wrinkled in disgust at both the strong smell and clammy feel.
It was hard not to imagine the reason for it. But steeling herself, not wanting to leave these disgusting articles around anymore, she tossed them all away into the garbage. That would rid the lingering evidence of Jackie from last night.
Quickly washing her hand thoroughly afterwards, Jaqueline sat herself in front of the computer. There was still time to burn until Mari was ready so Jaqueline wanted to check on a few things first. Typing away on the screen she brought up a special application: Monster Watch. The name was not entirely imaginative but she did not concern about it.
Since her rescue by a mysterious werewolf savior, Jaqueline could not ignore the stranger things happening around the city in the shadows. She conducted her own surveillance seeing as how the local media was being evasive or ignorant on detailing these particular incidents. The Monster Watch was an application to design to comb the internet for possible articles, videos, posts, and pictures that could be related to any unusual happening in the city.
It took a few versions to clear out the false flags, but she had finally been able to compile a fairly robust application. Thanks to the search, it was amazing to her the amount of things she found out going on in the shadow. But now she was using it for a different purpose, after learning about Mari's encounter with Jackie Hyde. Curiosity drove Jaqueline to see how much an effect the Hyde left behind.
The search results surprised her. There was particular spike in activity about her in the social media circles in city that were being shared. She found a ton of posts describing the sighting, experiences, and more about her. Images and videos were also being distributed at her from numerous venues. There was even some news article talking about some trouble caused by her action including one club that is going through repairs cause of a fight.
Jaqueline shivered at the amount of things she saw circulating about Jackie Hyde. Some of the newer stuff was people wondering about her appearance. Others were questioning if anyone knew how to contact her. Lots of questions were going around about this mysterious Hyde.
Unable to handle the barrage of information, Jaqueline closed the program and sighed. She rubbed her eyes at the thought of how much commotion was made by her unintended actions. All she could hope that the chatter would eventually die down and vanished. Still with the scattered pieces of memory from last tonight this results should not entirely be surprise.
Putting that aside, Jaqueline spent enough time satisfying that itch. It was about time she starts getting ready to leave with Mari. That was when another problem reared its head. Her wallet was not where she usually left it.
This confused Jaqueline seeing how she kept her entire place quite orderly. Everything had a designated spot for easy sorting. The fact her wallet which had her money and personal identification was missing made her worry. A quick search through the apartment turned up nothing and she fell down on the bed wondering where it had gone.
She searched through her memories, difficult because of the block taken by Jackie, to try and remember where it could have gone. The last time she remembered having it was back in the lab just before conducting her experiment. It did not seem that Jackie had bothered to retrieve the wallet before leaving. In fact, Jackie did not pay for anything last night. Either convincing others to foot the bill or just forcibly seizing what she wanted otherwise.
"Guess there is no helping going back," Jaqueline sighed.
A part of her wanted to avoid the place for a bit longer because of the poignant memories of what transpired there last night. But she had to get the wallet back. Luckily it was only a short ten minute walk from the apartment to the lab.
Before heading out, Jaqueline paused to consider if she should tell Mari about going to the lab. But Jaqueline decided not to in the end. It should not take her too long to go there and back.
When she got out of her apartment, she locked the door behind her, and was about to walk out, until an elderly voice spoke up.
"Good morning, Jaqueline," a figure spoke up, as she wobbled up to her. Jaqueline turned around to see who it was, but remembered the voice, as she smiled to the owner of it.
She was a dark skinned and wrinkly eight-seven year old woman with many lines across her face and rather pudgy skin. She was hunched over and rather small having shrunk in her old age and war very dull and concealing knitted clothing made for her by a deceased friend. Her hair was frizzy and curly, and she often wore a set of spectacles with beads around the string, as well as several bracelets over her tired and withered arms to hide numerous blotches created by her old age. Her name was Constance Mendoza, the elderly owner of the apartment complex Jaqueline and Mari lived in, as well as somewhat of a grandmother figure for the two girls.
Jaqueline smiled at seeing a friendly face, "Oh, hi Miss Mendoza."
"Please, child. Call me Constance," Constance assured her. "Miss Mendoza was my teaching name."
"Of course," Jaqueline smiled.
Despite her old age, Jaqueline viewed the land lady as a very good friend. She was the one that gave her a permit for her and Mari Kelley to stay in her flats and offered them decent rates, taking a liking to the studious young girl and her friend, with Jacqueline reminding her of herself in her youth, much to Jaqueline's embarrassment. Indeed, Constance could not understand why anyone would want to disown a sweet young girl like Jaqueline. Taking pity on her, Constance offered the young alchemist a discount for the room she converted into a laboratory, provided the girls did two things for her: collect her shopping every Saturday and keep her up to date with all the 'hip' new things young people like her got up to. As a result, Constance and Mari had a very close relationship and Constance would often attempt to consul the distraught Jacqueline telling her that she would one day come into her own.
"Going out today, dearie," Constance asked.
Jaqueline shrugged, as she stated, "More like Mari's taking me out to go clothes shopping."
"More of the same stuff you usually wear," Constance asked, as she mused in thought. "You know, I seem to recall that Albert Einstein wrote something down that he did that as well, mostly to keep from expending time on thinking. That way if he had the same pair of clothing in more than one set, he'd have more time to think, right?"
"Well yeah, but today, I thought I'd try to update my look," Jaqueline stated.
Constance smiled, "Oh that's good, Jaqueline. I always thought you would look better than wearing the same thing over and over again."
"Well, that sounds like a good change of pace for you, Jaqueline dear," Constance smiled to assure her of her choice. "After all, you might get lucky and find a boy that'll get snagged by first sight on you."
Jaqueline laughed embarrassed, "Oh come on. No boy would be interested in a nerd like me."
Constance chuckled heartily, as she walked off, "You never know. Love works in strange ways." And walked over to the elevator.
Jaqueline smiled, and then whispered to herself, "I kinda lucked out when my crush went for my best friend."
Outside
Jaqueline's Warehouse Lab
It was still morning when she walked down the sidewalk to the lab. Only a few people were out and about doing their weekend business. In her hurry to reach the lab, Jaqueline did not notice the gaze her appearance attracted from a few passerby's.
Reaching the lab, she entered and turned on the light. There was a strange feeling standing back in her again. The memories of Jackie Hyde's parting thought of never returning still hanged strongly in Jaqueline's mind while she slowly stepped inside. Her wallet fortunate was still where she left it and for a moment she considered just leaving again.
But glancing at the equipment's littered in the lab the consideration was dropped. Instead Jaqueline felt the need to at least clean things up here too. Jackie Hyde lacked Jaqueline's ordered mindset and did not bother cleaning up.
Most noticeably leaning some of the torn remains of the clothing scattered on the ground. While a majority was used to make some improvised covering there were still smaller pieces that were left behind. Cleaning it up and also turning off the equipment that was left active, Jaqueline noticed again the journal from her ancestor.
She picked it up and looked at the weathered cover. Using the formula written in there, Jaqueline was able to create her perfected formula. But the results had a much different effect compare to what had transpired with Dr. Jekyll. She wondered if that was simply because the modification alone, or perhaps even she had not truly understood the full ramification of what she done.
A look of concern crossed her face. The intellectual side of Jaqueline could not simply ignore this quandary. Having already come this far with this research it did not feel satisfying to leave things unanswered like this.
So while Jaqueline had intended to only spend a brief time at the lab, it quickly stretched to an hour. Taking a sample of her hair along with other parts, she sent the samples into her machines to see what information could be gleaned. Jaqueline had the foresight to already have her data before the transformation stored. So the analysis would be able to provide feedback on any other changes that occurred on a biological level. Not to mention determine if any traces of the formula was still active in her system.
The original formula needed a solvent in order to reverse the transformation so Jaqueline initially assumed the same with her perfected version. It was perhaps a sign of her desire to never return to being Jaqueline again that such a solvent was never created. But putting aside her foolish actions before, her current condition in regard to the changes was still important.
A look at the progress showed that it would take a few hours for the machine to complete the analysis of the samples. Checking on her clock to see when that would be, Jaqueline realized the reason she had come here. Seeing the time she realized how much time she had ended up spending here.
"Mari's going to kill me," Jaqueline muttered while she hurriedly cleaned everything up.
She could just leave the machine on and check back on it later. Making sure everything had been properly sterilized and stored away, she quickly headed out. A quick flicked off the light to the lab while the door closed behind her. In the darkness the soft beeping light of the machine continued to analysis the sample while data filtered across the display screen.
Later On
Everett Mall
The bus ride to Everett Mall was fairly uneventful for Mari and Jaqueline who was extremely thankful that Mari had not finished upon getting back to the apartment. When Mari had arrived upon finishing she made the comment about Jaqueline should really work on her physicals. Too exhausted to argue, she just quietly agreed.
It was a good opportunity for her to catch her wind while they rode the bus. She was so tired that she didn't notice some of the stares directed her way from some of the passengers. It didn't amount to much else because of the threatening look Mari shot at them.
When they arrived at the mall, Jaqueline was a bit uncertain where to start, but thankfully Mari was ready to take charge. She led Jaqueline to several clothing stores where they were able to try out numerous outfits on Jaqueline. Not to mention Mari was taking several pictures too for research purpose or something.
Jaqueline felt a bit uncertain on what this meant.
Still they were able to obtain several outfits that Mari felt would put some emphasis and show Jaqueline's new figure. Some of them felt a bit too showy for Jaqueline, but she accepted Mari's suggestion. After a few hours of shopping the two of them settled at the food court in order to eat a late lunch, with bags upon bags of clothing and shoes at Jaqueline's side.
"That was exhausting," Jaqueline admitted about the shopping, as she leaned on the table, her arms folded to act like pillow as she laid her head on them, groaning, "If shopping were a sport, I would lose."
"I told you need to work out more, especially now with your body. If you don't work out, it's just going to go to waste," Mari lectured before she took a sip of her drink.
"Guess you are right," Jaqueline sighed, while she traced a finger on the table surface.
"Just leave it to me; I'll get you started a good workout routine. Then once you're fit, we'll move onto some self-defense. That way you'll be able to defender yourself," Mari beamed proudly with pound of her chest.
Jaqueline could see the merit of Mari's plan. Before with her scrawny body and poor health, it would be impossible, but now she felt it was legitimately possible.
"Well then, I trust you since I'm going to be in your care," Jaqueline said back with a smile.
"That's the ticket girl," Mari nodded before she stopped to consider something, "So we should be good on outfits. You probably need some products to help keep your hair and skin good, but leave that to Kylie. Just can't deprive her of all the fun."
Agreeing with Mari's opinion, Jaqueline noticed a store across from where they were sitting. It was a lingerie shop. The two of them were so busy shopping for clothes that they had neglect to purchase any undergarment for Jaqueline. Noticing Jaqueline's gaze, Mari followed the direction to see the shop too.
A smile crossed her face, while Mari chuckled, "Time to head to the main event."
"What are you saying?" Jaqueline stammered feeling a bit embarrassed by Mari's reaction.
"One of the last things female shows to their partner is the lingerie." Mari lectured in an attempt to act smart. "So it is important to show them something that excites them and reflects the owner.
"Seems like a lot of things to consider," Jaqueline said sounding not entirely convinced.
"Just wait to your experience the excitement of revealing it." Mari hugged herself happily likely remembering a rather scandalous occurrence.
Jaqueline was about to inquire a bit more before a rather poignant memory resurfaced. It was from Jackie Hyde looming over Mari. The Hyde was in the process of stripping Mari's clothes off, but she spent some time lingering on the lingerie. Seeing what sort that Mari wore made Jaqueline turned her head away in embarrassment.
"Don't get too fluster about it." Mari tried to assure Jaqueline mistaking the other's embarrassment for something else.
Covering her mouth to hide the uncomfortable feeling, she just nodded in response. The two of them quickly finished up their lunch and headed to the lingerie store.
"Welcome dear customer, do you need help with anything?" The attendant asked them upon entering.
"We'll just be browsing for a few things here for my friend." Mari replied before she pushed Jaqueline further into the store.
The two of them walked through several racks and displays of lingerie till they reached the back near the dressing room. Taking all of the shopping bags out of Jaqueline's hand, Mari urged the girl to browse around at the selection.
Just browsing through the selection was mind-boggling. Trying to pick something based on fabrics, designs, and more made Jaqueline realize how little she understood about any of them. Much less looking at some of the samples being worn by some of the display models just blew her mind. Yet she also found herself growing increasingly fascinated by them. What Mari had said before came back and she started to imagine the possible reactions.
Veronica's Secret Lingerie Store
Mari simply watched from the sideline at Jaqueline who started to eagerly examine and marvel at the different undergarments. She couldn't help but smile at her friend's growing enthusiasm while she was shopping. It was amazing to see Jaqueline finally come out of her shell after all these years. She was finally starting to embrace things that would before make her recoil.
The reason for it still left Mari feeling a bit conflicted. It would have been better for Jaqueline to have come to accept her body and try to improve it normally. The whole usage of alchemy left Mari feeling a bit edgy. There was a lot about that Mari did not understand and while she did utilize it, that was nothing as drastic compare to what happened to Jaqueline.
Still, Mari reasoned, if can help Jaqueline be able to move forward perhaps things aren't that bad. At the least it seems the change was not just physical, but also helped her mentally with being more confidence. It only made Mari eager to see where her friend would go from this point forward.
"Excuse me, Mari?" Jaqueline interrupted Mari's thought.
"Is there something the matter?" Mari blinked at the sight of Jaqueline holding up several different lingerie pieces.
"I was looking at a few of these pieces that I wanted to try, but there is a problem." Jaqueline said, as she held up a pair of black lacy bikini undergarments.
"Those are some nice ones, but what is the issue?" Mari admitted at Jaqueline's selection.
Glancing left and right awkwardly, Jaqueline muttered, "I'm not sure what my sizes are exactly for them."
Mari blinked, before she started to laugh a bit inside. The two of them have both entirely forgotten about how Jaqueline's sizes were different too. Collecting herself, Mari signaled for the attendant to come over. With the help, they were able to use properly get a measure of Jaqueline's new proportion.
The numbers made Mari whistle in appreciation. 'Dear lord, she grew,' she thought to herself. 'If this keeps up, I might have to change our relationship from friends to friends with benefits.'
Still with that settled, Jaqueline was able to find a few of her selections in the right size. It was great to see Jaqueline so happy like that. Mari was just happy to be there to support her friend until, Jaqueline turned to ask her a question.
"Is there anything, you might suggest for me?"
That caused Mari to think for a bit. Looking around the store, her gaze fell upon a rather racy lingerie set. It looked like something that was too bold and flashy for Jaqueline's sensibility, but Mari was sure it would look great on her roommate. Still feeling a bit indulgent, Mari pointed the set out to Jaqueline.
Jaqueline looked a bit shocked upon seeing the set. That did not surprise Mari who honestly expected the choice to be politely turned down. But much to her shock, Jaqueline's eyes instead lighted up with fascination while studying it. Even shocking, she asked the attendant to for a sample to try it on.
That completely floored Mari until she saw Jaqueline wearing it. She was looking a bit bashfully in wearing it, but Mari and the attendant both gave an approving nod.
"Thanks," Jaqueline smiled while she looked herself over in the mirror, "I wonder what Mikey might think about it."
The happiness that Mari was feeling for Jaqueline chilled a bit at that mention. There was absolutely no confusion about who Jaqueline was thinking about. Mikey Corvis, despite his rather perverted reputation and outcast status, he still managed to garner the affection of two of her friends. It was just mind-boggling to think about what the two of them even saw in him. Mari didn't have a high opinion after she caught him taking pictures of her when she was changing once. That definitely soured her opinion of him. Still she had to be supportive for Jaqueline's sake while trying to shield her from such bad influence.
"He would probably definitely want some pictures," Mari admitted, trying to hide the fact it was begrudging for her.
The answer seemed to make Jaqueline smiled happily at the thought. Seeing that smile on her really felt soothing for Mari. She definitely felt genuinely happy for Jaqueline despite the matter with Mikey. With a mischievous grin, wonders can only tell what fun will be had once they bring Kylie into help out Jaqueline.
Mari was definitely looking forward to the days to come.
Later On
Jaqueline's Apartment
After the pair had finished lingerie shopping, Mari was apparently feeling the in mood and purchased some new ones too. They hit a few others places before catching the bus back to their apartment complex. The sun was already starting to dip into the horizon by the time they managed to arrive back.
Mari teased Jaqueline a bit about being a bit adventurous tonight, but she politely decline already pretty exhausted already. This illicit only a shrug from Mari who was feeling a bit weathered too and the two paid their farewell before departing.
Jaqueline dropped everything she bought in the apartment, but quickly exited it. The reason being she still had something waiting back at the lab. This was something that she felt only comfortable doing by herself.
As she walked down the hall, she had to smile at the events of the day, as she thought, 'Wow. I never thought I could look in jeans. Ever.' She was very thankful for everything Mari did today. It was honestly quite fun and liberating in a way Jaqueline never thought she could experience. But there were some things that Jaqueline knew her roommate could not quite understand. Though the lingere thing caused her to blush a little, 'I know I needed the underwear, but some of the designs were a bit big for me… not to mention so daring. That's a little more like… her.'
For a moment, silence rung in, until Jaqueline laughed nervously, looking half worried, as she waved it off, "What am I talking about? Jackie's gone; it's a one time thing."
Jaqueline's Lab
Arriving back at the lab, she turned on the light and headed to the machine. Jaqueline stretched her arms over her head, as she walked over to the computers, "Alright…" And then sat down in her seat, leaning back and getting the feel for her chair again, as she sighed, "Shopping's good, but relaxing in a chair and doing my lab research is way relaxing." She then worked at the keyboard, typing up a storm, as she opened the files, "Now… lets' see what the results are."
As expected the machine had finished the analysis. But what she saw flashing on the screen made her blood run cold and she had to answer to explain it. Or any idea what her future will be now.
"No…" she whispered in fear, as she blinked at what she saw.
It read, Hyde factor active, in bold red flashing on the screen.
She gulped, "This can't possibly be good." And almost as if it emphasize what she read was true, in the mirror… a naked Jackie Hyde sat in Jaqueline's spot rather in a sexy teasing kind of way, and half-smirked at her source counterpart.
Next Chapter: Jackie in my Head; A Bold and Daring New Jaqueline