Mrs. Gordon went on.
"Now, Les. You said you were basically worried about animal instincts taking over. Did you do any research on this?"
Les blushed. In his desperation, he had just realized how many facts and sources of information he overlooked.
Mrs. Gordon smirked. "Put that computer to good use and go to this website I found out about."
Les did. It was a site on dealing with animal changes, it seemed. His wife pointed the FAQ.
"See, Les, we are far from the only ones with this issue... And... Here. 'Will I start acting like the animal mixture I change into?'."
They read the answer.
Yes and no. No one that's undergone any animal changes has ever had instincts take over them fully. They may have some instincts, however, much like humans themselves have some instincts that are overcome through training. Fear of heights is postulated as being one, evolved in a world where heights posed some degree of danger for humans. A cat-changed might lose this fear and find himself slightly more distrustful of people they do not know, for instance. There is, however, no evidence that this behavior would overcome their self-control or that the newfound cat instincts would overpower their human minds and reasoning. Neither is there evidence that such instincts would overcome the older personality, upbringing and nurture of the person.
Mrs. Gordon smiled.
"Seems we are fairly okay, then, Les. Now, about the counseling, I did some research and I think we can afford it..."
Les froze up.
Mrs. Gordon looked at Les. The last time Les had that look on his face, he had lost his wedding band in a lab centrifuge.
"Les. What's wrong?" - She asked in a soft, none-too-friendly tone.
"Whoa. She was... disappearing? Rob, I didn't know you had it in you to be so calm after that." - Said Lucas.
"She didn't die, though. The officer I told you about, she went on to prick her finger and rub some of her own blood on her... wounds..." - Said Robert.
Lucas looked a bit grossed out. "And... how did that help?"
Robert nodded. "She regrew limbs after that, in an... odd way. I'd say she took on aspects of Officer Walsh. She was left as part-grasshopper or something... She woke up and asked why she existed."
"Mmm." - Lucas nodded, pensively - "A being created with a purpose, made to forgo anything else. Did anyone answer her?"
Robert nodded. "I did." - She then proceeded to recount her answer.
"Wow. The answer you gave was good and stylish, priest. Really, really perfect. My compliments." - Lucas smiled.
"Uhm, thanks." - Said Robert, blushing - "Anyways, I took the girls back to school, and one of the girls back home. She seemed... distressed."
"She had just seen a girl about her age running out of limbs, Robert. What's an actual wonder is that the other girls were that calm. Heck, I'm surprised you yourself are."
Robert stopped to ponder. That did make sense. "Well... As a priest, I am sorta... trained in dealing with people in crisis situations, Lucas. I have to do my best to heal and to make things better, so I have to keep a level head."
Lucas nodded. "Well, for what it's worth, you worked really well as a priest there, then. Oh, and here." - Lucas handed Robert a card.
"What is this?" - Asked Robert, looking at the card written in Portuguese.
"It's a store in my city that sells church implements, vests and so on. Right by my house. Catholic, but I think they cater to Protestants, too, and, if they don't, I know some other places nearby. I love living downtown in a big city. Anyways. You seemed reluctant to poke a hole in yours, I thought you might want to check it out there and buy a new vest fit for the changed. The store's about three blocks from my 'portal', so I can easily take you there as well, and the cost of living here is higher than the one in Brazil, so it would come rather cheap for you. It would have to be later, though, as my date is rather soonish. Plus you should rest anyways. No offense, but you look rather stressed."
"Gee, y'think?" - Said Robert, smirking, by now getting the hang of talking to Lucas. "And thanks, Lucas, you were very thoughtful."
"Sarcasm! You're learning! And think nothing of it." - Smiled Lucas - "Anyways. Lois also told me to tell you the Café's always open for you as well. They offer a lot in the way of comfort food, too. I gotta go now, Rob. See ya."
"Enjoy your date, Lucas." - Robert said as Lucas left. Robert was now faced with two possibilities: Going to check out the Café or resting for a while after this whole experience...
