Over the Fantasy 2

1.2 Catgirl in the Mirror


Waking up suddenly with a headache in a strange place is scary. Having the same experience twice is just plain frustrating. Only difference this time was that I was blinded by light from indoor lamps and greeted by sounds of running water. My first conscious thought went along the lines of how well moogles might roast on an open fire. The second thought involved bringing a hand up to inspect my chest. It was still mostly soft and squishy. There went my hopes of this being a crazy dream. No point in fighting it. I could not sit on my fat butt expecting this to solve itself. With great reluctance I sat up and forced my eyes open. Sitting on a simple white sheet bed across from me was a girl with cat ears that took my breath away. Soon as that shock wore off, her cheeks turned a shade of red at my thoughts. I was looking at a full body mirror attached to the wall.

A quick glance around this new room turned unimpressive. The only other piece of furniture was a fairly large safe propped next to the doorway. I noticed the painting of a moogles face above the combination dial with distaste. Glancing over against the back wall, the source of running water was located. Almost the entire wall was taken up by a simple, but decorative, water fountain. Its purpose, either for drink or as a bathroom, was any ones guess. Not that I could avoid the basic things in life forever, but for now I was willing to stall. Sliding off the bed I made my way over to the mirror on quivering legs. Sex-Ed classes had taught me girls had a different center of balance, but try walking with a tail on top of that. The stupid thing had a mind of its own. I would try to counter my body weight, and nearly topple over as it went the opposite way. This was definitely something that would take some getting used too.

Standing in front of the mirror was a bit overwhelming. I was seeing my new body for the first time in detail. Someone had taken the liberty of removing my loincloth before putting me to bed. A disturbing thought in itself, but it did explain the draft. Now there was even less covering me than before. A simple linen bra with no shoulder straps supporting my chest and matching panties clung to my hips. Not the best choice for a fashion statement, even for underwear, but it did make me notice my muscles. While still having the luscious curves of a female, they had more noticeable mass than normal. Curiously, I flexed my right arm and give the bicep a test squeeze. Solid as a rock! Now there was a silver lining for you. My new body looked disturbingly hot, but was also more physically fit than I ever could have dreamed. The thrill seemed to melt away as my eyes traveled up to study this new mithras face. There was nothing recognizable in the sapphire blue eyes staring back. At least they were not silted like real cats eyes, I thought with a smirk. My hair was a lot poofier than I first thought. Like the fur on my new ears and tail, it was a dark crimson color that came to rest just above my shoulder blades. The front was split in half to form two giant bangs draping along either side of my face.

That was when I started to notice facial traits that were not so prominent when playing the game. They did not put much detail into those graphics to begin with. My nose seemed a little bit bigger than most girls I met, and the tip was colored almost a solid black. Closer inspection revealed even the nostrils came to narrow pointed ovals. That was when I noticed the streaks on my cheeks. One on top of the other branching off at forty-five degree angles a short distance from my nose. It certainly gave off the impression I had a cats nose and whiskers. Reaching up to feel my cheeks, it was not at all surprising anymore to find they were really made from a fine layer of fur. Pulling my hand away to give it a look, I saw that even my nails were a lot longer and dark colored than I normally had them. They were at least a quarter inch long from the fingertips and came to a nice fine point. I would not go so far as to call them ‘claws,’ but they sure looked like they could do damage if need be.

I turned my attention back at the mirror with the intent to glance over the rest of myself. That was a goal that quickly failed when I found myself eye level with a moogle floating between me and the mirror.

“Good morning, Mistress kupo!” it beamed with a cheerful wave.

Yeah, I screamed and tripped over myself trying to back away. Was not sure who would react differently in this case. The stupid white bear things seem to like scaring on purpose. Fortunately the ground broke my fall, but I did learn the experience of sitting on my own tail. Not something recommended for people who have them. The moogle swiftly floated down over me in a panic.

“I’m sorry mistress kupo.  You’re not hurt are you?”

“I’m having too strrrange a day to worry about pain rrright now, thanks.” I stood back up and examined my new visitor. Something told me this was not the same moogle I had encountered in the field. For one thing it was sweating bullets the longer I stared at it. “Not to be rrrude or anything, but um…who are you?”

“Oh!” The moogle smiled again as it did that strange air dance. It was starting to make me feel a bit queasy watching. “I’m your house moogle sent by the Mog House Management Union of Windurst kupo! I’m here to help you in all your home needs for adventuring kupo.”

So that is what this place was. Amazing I did not recognize it sooner. Every adventurer in the game got a mog house to ‘live’ in between adventures. They call it a house but it is really just a single room with a moogle to act as a mini-butler. Though it was comforting to have a refuge from the public, it did raise a lot of questions. The most prominent being; who the hell signed my up as an adventurer? I really wanted to thank them right then…with my ‘claws.’

“Are you okay mistress?” the moogle asked, snapping me from my thoughts.

“Oh I’m okay,” I lied through a smile as I rubbed my lower back. “Just a little bruised from the fall.”

“I’ll see what I can do about getting carpet put in kupo!” I do not recall asking for that, but why ruin the little guys mood. It was moogle from the field I wanted to throttle. “Is there anything else I can assist you with kupo?”

“Actually, yes.” I gestured down to my half naked body. “Mind telling me where my clothes are?”

“Why right over here kupo!” The moogle zipped across the room and landed on top of the safe. It made me feel a little retarded missing the obvious. “No need to worry about the combination, this safe will only open for either you or me kupo. It’s where I store anything you give me, mistress.”

“Thanks, but please don’t call me mistress.” Obviously I was not going to explain to him why, but that title was very disturbing. Besides, he might report me to that union or something if I raved about being a guy.

“I’m sorry kupo. What is your name, mistress?”

I stopped in mid-stride on my way to the safe. The simple question hit worse than all the other sledgehammers combined. Everything else was as clear as day. What I looked like. The places I went to. Even all my friends and family were perfect memories. Yet this question was one that left me terrified.

“Mistress?”

“I…I don’t know my name,” I said. Even my tail was starting to tremble now. It finally became clear the price of my careless wish. That event moogle had changed my life, my gender and even my whole identity. My cheeks were becoming a little cold as tears started to fight their way past my eyes.

“I’m sorry kupo.” The moogle sulked sadly on top of the safe. “I was told you were a little different from a normal adventurer, but didn’t know it was so harsh kupo.”

I had to literally slap myself back to reality in order to start moving again, much to the surprise of my new mog friend. The shock alone was all that was needed to get the mind going again. The answer to this problem was just as obvious as the cause. “It’s alrrright. I don’t plan to adjust to this for very long anyway.”

“Kupo? You mean you’re already recovering your memories?”

I stared at the moogle while wiping away my tears; wondering just what he was told about me. However, that might be something better off not knowing. “Something like that.”

The moogle just nodded as it watched me open my storage safe. Inside turned out to be a lot more stocked than expected. Heck, it even looked bigger on the inside. The loin cloth I had been wearing earlier was resting neatly on a coat hanger against the back wall. Next to it was a slightly less revealing set of black leather made clothes. Funny thing is; I would have been thrilled to see a girl wearing either of these outfits. Now I had to consider that fact it was ME wearing these things. And the idea of strutting around in chafing, hot leather was not sitting well. No wonder girls got offended by the suggestions.

“Why do mithras always wear such perrrverted outfits?” I muttered while struggling to get the leather vest open. It closed up in the back with a bunch of crosshatch laces like a corset. Problem was I had no idea how the hell to put it on.

“I don’t understand kupo?” said the moogle, thinking I must have asked it a question.

“It’s nothing,” I said quickly. My thinner fingers were making it difficult, but I finally managed to undo the knot at the bottom and spread out the lances. It became clear I could either try stepping into the vest and sliding it up my legs, or drop it overhead. After a few seconds of debate I finally decided on the later. The moogle giggled as I tried to dress for the first time. It came to place on my torso with little problems, just messing up my already poofy hair. I tightened the straps and secured the knot as best I could and went to the mirror to see the results. At least it was not as revealing as my halter top had been. The chest and shoulder blades were of a plain design, but covered the areas completely with a pretty thick layer of grey leather. This ran off into a darker, but thinner, leather wrapped around my waist that seemed to support the flaps stitched together to make a skirt that hung down to my knees.

The ‘pants’ that came with them were not so much pants as they were a giant pair of panties. The leg covers were completely cut off leaving a material that barely covered my feminine pelvis, leaving the rest of the legs completely exposed. I slid them up quickly before I could reconsider. Of course, it was not like the safe was full of blue jeans. They were a bit of a snug fit, but I only checked them long enough to be reassured my real panty lines did not show. A few of the girls in my classes once complained about things like that, and now I was beginning to understand why. Staring at the smooth surface where my manhood had once been was not a great moral booster though.

The shoes and gloves were no picnic either. Searching the safe again found a pair of healed boots, which came so high they almost touched my knees. On a top shelf rested some gloves that ran up to my elbows and even had slight flaps. Overall it felt more like I was dressing for an S&M meeting rather than an adventure. All that was missing was a whip and maybe some chains. Too bad the game had neither of those.

There was also a leather bandana among the clutter of items. With a shrug I tied it around my forehead to complete the set. Any protection was better than running around half naked, and it did help keep my bangs out of my face. That was when I noticed the sword. It was a simple blade weapon with a thin one-sided blade. As I inspected it a new thought sparked into my head.

“What job am I anyway?” I asked my new moogle friend.

The moogle just stared blankly at me for a moment. Although it was still long enough to make me feel uneasy. Suddenly it let out the loudest laugh I had ever heard. “You really are a strange one, mistress kupo. No offense, but you don’t even know what your profession is, kupo?”

“I did not ask for sarrrcasm, thanks.” The sword found itself a new resting place against my left hip. It was the only available weapon sans bare hands at the moment. Granted there was a job class in the game that used bare hands, but that did not seem to feel right.

“I’m sorry mistress kupo,” the moogle pouted. “Your current profession is that of a mithran warrior kupo. Did you want to change it?”

That came as no real surprise, considering I had the build of a fighter. The sword, on the other hand, was definitely going to have to go. It was a common fact in the game warriors are experts at the battle axes. A sly grin spread across my face as I pictured swinging a really big one at my foes. It was a moment of anticipation that past quickly. I shook my head to refocus my thoughts. No way in hell was I planning to stay that long.

“Kupo?” The moogle must have taken my silence as anger. He was really starting to look anxious now.

“Maybe later, moogle.” If there is a later, I added mentally as I gave him a warm smile. “Where can I find the ones that run the current special events and games?”

“Events kupo?” I watched him cross his arms in thought for a few seconds, and suddenly he brightened back up. “Oh you mean the Festival of Fantasy! My cousins run that by the entrance gates to the city kupo.”

“Perrrfect!” I gave my little friend a cheerful hug and skipped to the door. “Well it was good to meet you. Don’t take it perrrsonally if you never see me again.”

“Kupo!? Wait, mistress! I haven’t told you-“

The door closing behind my tail cut off the moogle. Poor thing was a bit of a spaz if you ask me. On the other hand, I have yet to meet the other races in this world. The thought made me shudder as I walked through the residential area. The plan was simple and very reassuring. All I had to do was find the event officials, earn another wish and problem solved! Failing that, I’d just threaten thee moogles with my sword. There was nothing left to loose anyway.

The confidence that built up quickly faded as I approached the exit arch. My cat ears twitched as they began to pick up the sounds of city life. By the time I had reached the arch and the descending staircase I was having a hard time keeping my breath normal. The important thing was to get there quickly and not draw attention. Taking a deep breath, I raised my head in pride at the sparkling green city of Windurst before me.

“Look out Vana’diel, here I come!”

Too bad the focus on my nerves made me forget I was still in an entirely different body. I took the first step with extra enthusiasm and overshot it by a good half foot. Even my cat features could not help keep me balanced this time. The archway echoed my frightened yelps with each and every step I slammed and toppled into. My view was little more than a whirlwind of stone and figures whizzing by. Gravity did not finally release its hold on me until I came crashing face first into the dirt at the bottom of the steps. The lower half of me stayed vertical in the air for a few seconds before falling forward in a painful thump. This marked the second time today I had crushed my own tail. Not that the pain was noticeable with the way the sky was spinning above me.

Oh yeah, I was going to fit right in here.