Effie smiled as she watched the children play. Though she was feeling a bit envious in that she was unable to interact with them. She knew she wasn't very sporty before, although wasn't particular unfit before hand.
The body she possessed was redoubtably healthier. Dennis also seemed healthy... in fact she had not met a digital fairy that was unhealthy. Was that one of the benefits? Did she even need exercise to maintain it?
As she observed Mikey, she slowly started to realise something. the gynoid was in effect, emulating human perception to play fairly. There was one general rule when it came to emulation: You needed a system more advanced then the system you were trying to mimic.
That realisation brought a very curious conclusion... was Mikey more advanced then a human? Or indeed, any of the organic life forms that the world was now filled with?
Technically, she would have to say yes. Humans could not perceive or do the things she did. Interfacing directly with technology was far more impressive then the basic inputting of signals via a keyboard, itself still in the physical world. Mikey was faster, thought faster, physically might even be stronger- though they had not yet explored this but it seemed a logical conclusion. Inside her mind everything was digital as it processed an analogue world.
... and yet she was worried. There was one aspect to the sunlight she had slowly begun to realise. For every advantage one seemed to get, a disadvantage would rear itself. If one could fly, they were denied hands. If one was strong, they also became very slow.
The human form seemed to be a compromise between strength, agility, and reflexes all potentially honed to their extreme ends via intense training while sacrificing other aspects. A natural reaction that made them the most adaptable species of earth. Transforming could replace this standard to a new level. Sometimes better, other times worse.
A normal human employing Mikey's abilities might burn out of energy for instance. The gynoid had an unknown power source, and its limit was not known.
She wasn't sure if this balance was an absolute rule, but observations so far certainly suggested it. Effie herself had incredible freedom within the digital realm. She could negotiate past human-made firewalls, explore machine architecture, taste and sample data streams that had no context in the real world...
but the real world itself, she had no freedom at all. She was locked inside a host, and completely at the mercy of those higher machines. She wasn't a prisoner.. she knew that. She could leave whenever she wanted. But there was nowhere to go... and it was a reminder, that for all she could do there were severe disadvantages in her form.
... what would Mikey's disadvantages be? She could not have drawn all the aces from the pile had she? Effie would be very glad if this was indeed the case and Mikey was an exception. She wanted her host to be able to take care of herself, and be happy. However if there were any disadvantages to her form... she wanted to be ready for it, and help her host out any way she could.
Dennis saw her intense thinking. "You okay?"
"Oh.. yes. I'm just watching Mikey" the ME fairy explained.
"I bet we could play our own game if you want," He said with a grin. "There is an arcade near here. We could try pinging to it."
Effie blinked. Would that.. really be possible? Interacting with icons sure... but a real computer game? The prospect sounded dangerous as exciting as it was.
She would have to think about it.
Steven stared at the monitor, quietly impressed by how fast this new challenger was going. It could only be the one that was five seconds behind her on the scoreboard...
Using a machine with a somewhat higher acceleration but slower speed indicated he must be taking advantage of faster reflexes in order to turn the corners that much sharper to compensate for her own slightly less cornering abilities. She caught up on the second lap.
This person cornered extremely well... while Steven caught up on all the straights of the course. However this particular course did not have that many straights...
This was going to be a far tougher game then she thought. He was right behind her!
Hiro couldn't believe it. He had been thinking to let princess peach here (well she did have a pink dress on her) win just the first game to keep things friendly. But he had quickly realised that the girl was really fast with that machine. Yet he had never seen her before. Did she play the game somewhere else?
"Hey not bad princess," He joked trying to keep his cool seeing her go ahead.
For some reason she then lost control and her car skid slightly. Hiro gave a little chuckle at that. He closed in although the girl recovered quickly.
Since his transformation he had the edge on reflexes... The game might as well be a slow race to him. Yet for some reason, the girl was using every trick in the game to keep herself ahead. How in the world did a.. mostly ordinary girl stay ahead of him?
He should be winning! It might be time to take an extreme measure...
There was a glitch in the game he had discovered that could give him an extra few seconds. He was certain it was what was used to get the top score on the machine- a score he has yet to beat. For some reason the traction system for this car was negated if you hit the edge of a corner just right... but if he messed up the glitch, it would hit the hard area outside the track and decelerate costing the game for sure. Damn it he had to win!
He attempted to do the glitch on the corner...
... success! His car was effectively free floating itself on its highest acceleration for 4.3 seconds. He had now caught up.
Steven glanced... realising the distance between them had closed significantly. Crap! That shouldn't be.. possible. He knew the builds of the racing cars. It was the last stretch... the finishing line was up ahead.
She had speed still on his side, but the accelerative force on the other car was quickly catching up. It was too close to call.
She blinked at the finishing line...
"You wanna meet her?" Asked Jenny to Billy.
The squirrel girl was adjusting her pants again, trying to keep everything together. She sniffled a bit. "I- Broke em..." she said quietly.
"They don't fit you anyways," Said Jenny. "You can get more?"
"It's cause of my stupid tails." She said wiping an eye quietly. She was starting to wish her big brother was here...
Jenny took her hand again pulling the squirrel girl. "Come on, come see my mom," She said.
"O-Okay um-" Billy had lost the will to fight.
The other kids observed the human talking to the much feared squirrel girl from the distance. A lot of them couldn't believe it... they knew so much as talking to that one could bring godzilla down on them! Why was she risking it all? Who was this girl?
Jenny brought Billy to the benches, where Muriel was. She was just putting her phone down. "Hello sweetie," she smiled. "Oh, you brought a friend?"
"Uh huh. she wanted to see how strong you were" the white haired girl said brightly.
the squirrel girl cringed. "H-Hello. Miss police lady," she said softly. She was staring at the strange hardened mesh of insect skin... it looked like armour.
Muriel raised an eyebrow. She was not used to any kind of hero worship...she just did her job.
The squirrel girl reached out gently to Muriel's armoured parts and gently touched it. Muriel didn't seem to object at the girls curiosity.
Billy blushed slightly under her fur. "S-sorry."
"That's okay dear," The police lady smiled kindly.
Muriel couldn't help but observe that the new girl had a lot of mud on that orange fur. Especially her tail- wait tails? ... she had two? What a curious characteristic! It reminded her of the fox lady on the news. They were also sullen with mud, and grass, and other bits and pieces. They also appeared to be quite flexible and bushy with a natural curve to the left and right in symmetry to her body. They were unable to move much currently due to the way her pants had caught them- pants that seem to have taken more then enough punishment.
The police officer shook her head and opened up her purse. She carried a small hair brush. It was intended for her daughter's long hair if she got into a mess and It was brand new. However she suspected the squirrel girl needed it more then they did. She could always get another.
"You look like you need a little brush there dear," She said handing her the hair brush.
Billy cringed taking it... "N-N-N-o um..." She tried to start.
"Oh I'll show her!" Said Jenny. "Just like you showed me" She smiled.
Billy tried her best not to even touch this body let alone clean it since her transformation. Every time she did... it felt like she was forgetting her old self. Besides, water gave her that 'wet fur' smell and she had absolutely no idea how to get around it.
Still... being clean could make her feel less like a mangy animal...
Max knew she had to go to school eventually... she glanced at Jon, probably the best one who could relate to her situation. "What's it like there?" she asked.
"I find it okay," Explain Jon. really the only problem had been with Tiffany. But she seemed to keep her distance now.
"But um... what about... you know. Being a girl.. and stuff..."
Karyn shrugged. "No different really for me" she said.
Jon thought about it. "Well... nobody has made me uncomfortable intentionally," She said carefully. The only person that was making her feel really odd about this was her own sense of self.
"But um... are there other cat girls?" she asked. She was afraid to even ask if there were 'cat-boys'. That was a prospect she didn't even want to consider.
"I think I saw a few," said Jon. "Everyone is unique though.. well- mostly." She had recalled there were the angel sisters... but they were unique in being completely identical.
"I.. guess I should be prepared for it."
"Meow," Basty said rubbing her fur on Max's fur as if trying to also encourage her.
The catgirl sighed and picked up the cat, petting her. "Yes, thank you Basty," She said. "I'm sure.. I can do it." Max said trying to be confident about it. It's not as if her transformation was debilitating... just weird.
The mother smiled. "I am glad Max. Oh, I see you did the shopping. Did you get what you.. needed?" She asked, trying to be cryptic for her daughter's sake. She didn't know how much on the inside these friends of her were.
"Y-Yes.." said Max. "I got two..."
"Two?" Asked the mother. "I gave you enough for more then that dear," She said.
"They cost a lot- but the store gave me a discount. They told me I can get more later." She said trying to explain.
"I see... well, if you don't mind dear, I really need to get some rest. Try not to make too much noise."
Max nodded then glanced at her father. He seemed to need so little sleep anyway. As long as he had a few hours he was generally fine.
The bear Sargent nodded as he received the report on Anneza.
Will was there talking to him. "What is your plan?" she asked.
The bear grunted. "I believe I have found a way out for Anneza," he said.
"Then... you believe it too sarge?" She asked. Their sarge has always said they are to act on law.. not to judge. Yet it seemed he was making a judgement call here. Didn't this go against the book?
The bear nodded. "I trust your instincts... and her testimony suggests a form of coercion. That means there is a bigger player here. We could put Anneza in jail, we certainly have enough evidence to do so. However, it would mean we lose the bigger plot going on. If someone is trying to blow up schools, I'll be damned if I throw away our only lead into the slammer to close herself off... especially since she's so willing to try and help us now."
Will looked at the sarge with incredible respect. He had provided the point so eloquently. There was a lot more at stake, if what Anneza suggested was true.
The bear sarge nodded. "I want Anneza to be treated as a protected witness... I have already processed the papers for it, and the doctors have assessed her as mentally fit- if stressed. For her testimony, if it results in keeping law, this is worth while. She can continue her own life... but will need a police escort at all times. Undercover."
Will blinked. "Sir? Are you suggesting..."
"I'd like you to pose as her... relative for a while. Make sure whatever was coming for her does not appear again... It will let us keep tabs on her. Politically, this means that if this should come out, we remain in the clear. You are also there to make sure Anneza is not planning on anything... but I suspect she is not."
Will thought about it. This could work... but it was also a lot to ask of her. How long was this arrangement to last anyway?
"I leave the choice up to you. I have other qualified police officers that could keep tabs on her.. but I really think this task is suited for you."
"You mean because it doesn't seem dangerous?" The wolf girl huffed.
"Far from it Will... this task could be extremely dangerous. The threat is not known, and I can not say I trust this Agent Hawkins, or Cecilia... but you seem to have a working relationship with them. And damn it, they do have resources I do not.. and are able of operating... slightly outside the system." That made the Sargent wince.
Will nodded... "I will... think about it Sarge. Can you give me a minute?"
The bear nodded. "Take all the time you need."
An angel and a devil crossed the road... and that was not a joke.
"Ah," Rachel grinned. "What place do you think this is? I bet it will be fun."
"If... you say so," said David still a little worried by the odd stares the two were getting. It looked like a mostly commercial area. There were some shops and bars. However there was also a gate guarding a very small cemetery. This place was unknown to David.
"The end is neigh!" spoke a homeless man. He appeared to be an anthropomorphic mouse. He also smelled of whiskey and booze. "Pray unto God! For his hand is reshaping the clay!" He took one look at David and Rachel, and it looked like his mind broke. He wasn't sure which one to be more afraid of, much less that the two seemed to be friendly to each other.
"God help us!" He shouted screaming and running.
Rachel gave a somewhat bemused look.
"You.. have that effect on people?" Asked David a bit sadly.
"Eh, sometimes... don't you?"
David thought about it. Angels were certainly more 'welcomed'... but she knew the stories. Angels were warriors... they could be feared as well. Usually by people who feared divine wrath.. still.. David and Rachel were not really like that.
She really hoped that homeless man wasn't going somewhere that would complicate their day...
Andy was... unsure how to react to this job hunting. She had called various job seeking companies and when she explained she was a bunny girl, offers 'poured' in for her to be a model.. or dancer... or... she really didn't want to think about it.
She felt a bit sickened.
She was an expert on metal work for goodness sakes! And... they were offering three times her previous salary just to take a few pictures? Just for people to look at her?
... they did need the money...
... no she couldn't do it. Her pride was worth more then that. She couldn't...
Stacy wanted to see how her big (little?) Brother (sister?) was getting on. He really hoped she had calmed down...
what he saw made his jaw drop.
His little sister, was finally being cleaned up.. she was using a brush to fix up her ruffled fur, and the human girl was helping her with her tail.
What in the world happen to change her so?
