Stanley's initial excitement at the woman's acceptance of his idea faded as her subsequent argument sounded entirely too logical and reasonable."Let's set that aside for now. The question is, how do we help Stanley get his disguise- or alternate reality, back in place?" Camila said to calm the young man."Are you wearing an item the spell is anchored to? An enchanted ring, bracelet, or pendant? Even an earring would do," the big Security Chief suggested but Stanley just shook his head.Sigrid sat forward. "There was a strange ticking just before the conversion. The ticking sped up then... you changed.""Where was the ticking coming from?" Camila asked.The blond shook her head. "We couldn't tell. It seemed to be coming from somewhere on his body but I wasn't close enough. Paloma was closer. I barely had time to pull her away before it happened.""Paloma won't be in any condition to answer questions for a while," Camila said with a frown."I- I didn't hurt her, did I?" Stanley said he
Camila's skin was deepest ruby red and black and shimmered even in the dim light of the courtyard. Stunningly beautiful with voluptuous curves, her sensuality pulled at Stanley's body but the fear in her eyes as she watched the crone on the steps dampened his lust.Sigrid hadn't changed but he could see her wings were pinned to her back and glowed dimly. She definitely looked uncomfortable.The change for Mr. Duncan was the most dramatic. Standing upright on wide paws with obsidian claws, his hugely muscled body was covered with blood red fur. His head was that of a huge wolf complete with a muzzle full of deadly teeth. His tongue was lolling in fear and his teeth gleamed."Baba?" Stanley turned back to his grandma."What is it boy?" she said with a frustrated tone."Please, these are my friends. They saved me tonight!" he said.Her eyes snapped to his and he felt the impact of her stare. She was looking for truth. He'd suffered this from her before so he relaxed. He knew he was speak
Stanley sat behind his desk in his new office looking out the window. Morning sunlight streamed in and warmed his body. His human body! He saw his reflection in the glass smiling back at him.True to her word, the moment he woke up this morning when he spun the black ring on his finger as Baba instructed he felt the briefest moment of dizziness and found himself in his original human body. He'd never felt so relieved in his life! The ring had even magically resized to fit his much smaller human finger! To think he'd always had the ring there but just hadn't been able to see it. That confused him so he pushed the thought from his mind.He'd also discovered that he'd want to be naked each time he changed as the folding of reality had a nasty effect on any clothing he wore. The huge robe he'd had on when the change began showed rips and tears in it when he was human again. That sucked and needing two distinct and very different sets of clothing sucked too.He'd have to buy himself a hood
"I understand Sigrid is going to be taking you over to a condo building at lunch to check out an available unit. All of the units on specific floors in that building are sold to people like us. This is done in every building we share with Humans as a precautionary measure. The buildings have a mix but the floors are not intermixed. Even numbered floors are for Humans. Building management in these buildings is always run by someone from the Hidden Races and they ensure this division is maintained. There are many buildings in the city like this. If this one doesn't appeal we can try to find another. I'd like to exhaust those options before risking you staying in a non-controlled building.""I lived in the attic of an old cottage in a swamp. I think anything with actual working electrical outlets will be fine," he said with a small smile. "I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am for your support and guidance. I'm completely out of my element.""Outside of ensuring you switch back to
"I just wanted to touch based to let you know I'm going to need to make some rather expensive purchases in very short order. The deadline for replacing all of the faulty and outdated equipment is extremely short. I need to know if this is going to present any issues for your department," he explained."Ms. Villamor spoke to me this morning to fill me in on the project. I have been authorized to support any and all purchase orders you submit to the department... as long as it pertains to technology and software for VRL," she finished with a coy grin.He smiled in return. "I guess I'd better cancel that beer fridge and foosball table order. I do have a more immediate requirement though. I have no computer of my own and I need to pick one up this morning. Is there a company credit card I can use for that?""Ah, yes. I can take care of that immediately." She placed her thumb against a desk drawer and there was an audible beep and click. She pulled the drawer open and looked inside to pull
Stanley signed his PC out and followed her out of his office. Siobhan smiled and gave him a wave as he left. He waved back then followed Sigrid out of the building.They took a subway and transferred to the path train to Jersey City. The building was apparently right on the Hudson and had a view of Manhattan. When they walked up to the building Stanley looked around at the neighborhood. He saw a lot of expensive looking cars and well-dressed people in them. He looked questioningly at Sigrid."What?""I might have lived in an old cottage with no electricity in a swamp but I'm not so sheltered that I can't recognize real estate which I can't afford," he said. He was puzzled why Sigrid was taking him here as she knew how much he made."Normally, that would be the case but I had a talk with Camila last night. In light of your special circumstances and nature, if you find the unit satisfactory VRL will purchase the property as an investment. You will then be able to live in it at a reasona
They walked out into the open living room and Sigrid looked at Stanley. "So, what do you think?"He blinked at her. "I think it's really nice and has everything I could need. But you know I don't need something this nice-"Sigrid held up her hand and turned to the property manager. "Let's go back to your office to work out the details." The man nodded with a smile.Stanley took a final look around at the condo he would need to furnish. It was so much nicer than his room in the attic and it made him feel like a grown up. Of course, he had no idea how to furnish a condo... or cook a meal... or wash his own clothes as these were things his Baba had insisted on taking care of. Something else to learn. So much for feeling like a grown up.The thought of the old woman also dimmed his spirits. He missed her, gruff as she was.As they made their way back downstairs to the main floor Stanley's mind went back to the myriad of things he had yet to do to replace VRL's sick network. How was he sup
Paloma nodded getting her bearings. She looked up suddenly. "Stanley!""-is fine. We took him home last night and met his Baba." Camila frowned as that encounter still haunted her."Baba? Is that a term for 'Grandmother'?" Paloma asked missing her mother's expression."Yes, she was... his grandmother. She was also Baba Yaga," Camila fixed her eyes on her daughter and saw the shock and fear there. Good. She was pleased Paloma recognized the danger."Stanley is related to Baba Yaga?" Paloma squeaked."I believe she... adopted him. For what purpose, I don't know. She mentioned he was somehow involved in a long-term plan that we disturbed." Paloma gasped in fear but Camila raised her hand to calm her daughter. "Stanley convinced her not to hurt us."Camila watched her daughter's eyes, pale blue since her transformation, begin to glow at the mention of Stanley's rescue. "Don't!" she barked.Paloma blinked back at her in confusion."He's part of something Baba Yaga is cooking up! I don't wa