Question Reflections and Filters

Part of this was previously posted in the Micro-scene thread, well Jess kind of grew on me and demanded to be written. As I previously said, I was inspired by this picture by Dan Shive: Tedd Mirror .

~*~
Reflections
~*~

2017
Kutztown Pennsylvania
The Conner Family Residence

Jessie Conner ran his hand through his short cropped, blue dyed hair as he shambled to the bathroom that linked his room to his sister Ashley's. She was off at Whateley School for Mutants, having manifested just before the start of the school year, so he felt no qualms about not bothering to put on a robe or checking that the door to her room was locked. Not that locking the door any more would really matter come Summer vacation, Jess thought as he stepped into the shower.

It figured his sister's powers would turn out to be the ability to phase through things. Jess let out a sigh wondering how his twin sister could turn out to have powers and he didn't. They had the same infamous father in Captain Condom. (He was morbidly curious how their mother had met their father, but she wasn't telling.) But Ash had manifested and he hadn't. What could you do? Finishing up he stepped out and dried off.

Dropping his used towel into the hamper, Jess ran his hand over the mirror, wiping away the fog that obscured his reflection. He shivered as a vibration swept down his arm and through the rest of his body. Frowning Jess looked at his hand, noting that he really needed to trim his nails. Other then that his hand looked normal to him, so he shrugged it off and finished up. Walking back into his room Jess felt like something was off about his body, though he couldn't put his finger on just what it was. Choosing to ignore the feeling he went to his dresser and pulled out a pair off boxer briefs. Shaking them out he lifted his foot from the ground to step into them.

Jess froze, wobbling on one leg as he took in the terrain below his chin. Modest breasts, their nipples stiff, jiggled as he wobbled. Past them he could see his body flow into a modest hourglass form. His legs where long and shapely; femininely long and shapely. The clencher, literally as he could feel the muscles in the region clench in a way he was unused to, was the vagina between those shapely female legs. Jess let his briefs drop and walked to his closet. Grasping the knob, Jess closed his eyes before he swung open the door.

Steeling himself Jess counted to ten before opening his eyes to the sight of...

...himself in all his male glory.

“The hell?” Jess breathed as he leaned closer to the mirror, one hand cupping a breast, the other going to between his legs. He could feel the breast in his hand, and some small part of his mind, one that sounded a lot like his sister, made note that the first breast he'd ever toughed was his own. His reflection mimicked his movements, but seemed to be squeezing nothing at all. The hand between his legs looked even odder as he explored the exterior changes to the landscape. The hand in the mirror was moving through a sparse patch of brown hair while he was feeling only smooth warm flesh. Turning Jess tapped his butt, feeling that it was now fuller, while in the mirror it really didn't exist. In fact the hand in the mirror stopped before it made contact with flesh.

Resting his back against the door frame Jess ran a hand through his hair as he wondered what had happened. His sister had let slip that there where girls in her cottage that had started out as guys, but it sounded like those girls had taken, or where taking, time to happen. The gender change also seemed to carry with it a warping of form, leaving the nugirl looking less then human. They hadn't been instantaneous like hers had been.

Part of Jess was surprised he wasn't freaking out by this turn of events even as his hands ran up his tight stomach to his modest breasts. The phrase 'more then a hand full is a waste' ran through his thoughts, and his where a nice handful, a lot like her sister's. Meaning that a sports bra would let him pass as a guy, something Ashley had done more then once. While he and Ashley where fraternal twins they looked enough alike, prior to her manifestation, that they could pass as each other with a little work.

“I should probably call mom. She'll have some clue...” Jess said out loud as he ran a hand through his hair again. “After I get dressed.” he added after a moment. Pushing off from the door frame Jess strutted... That had been what was different in his walk! There was a sway in his hips and a bounce in his walk! He was walking like a girl!

“Ash is so gonna laugh her ass off over this.” he grumbled as he passed through the bathroom and into Ash's room. “Woah... I hope she's keeping her dorm cleaner then this.” he breathed taking in Ash's mess. He wasn't sure what pile of clothing was clean, and what was dirty, and those piles where mixed in with books and the other possessions she had chose to leave at home.

Picking his way carefully through the chaos Jess was relieved to see that their mother had left a basket of clean clothes by the main door. It was only after he had stepped into a pair of light blue boy shorts, and was fumbling with the matching bra, did Jess pause to wonder why he was raiding Ash's things instead of putting on some of his own clothing. The wondering wasn't enough, how ever, to prevent him from slipping on a jean skirt and a white t-shirt.

Blinking he smoothed the skirt over his thighs realizing the skirt and everything felt so... right some how. Blushing he moved over to Ash's closet, pulling it open with some difficulty. He blinked as her mirror came into view, as the reflection wasn't what he had been expecting. Instead of reflecting an image of the male him, maybe wearing a girl's outfit that he though was cute, he saw that the girl him stared back at him, looking both amused and confused some how.

“The hell?” he muttered as he touched the silvered glass.

There was no shiver through his body when he touched the mirror. There was no change from the form he wore to another. Just a cute girl with blue hair, and soft curves wearing the outfit he'd just put on. Feeling panicked for the first time since this started Jess scrambled back into the bathroom, planting a hand on either side of the sink. Gulping Jess stared into the mirror over the sink, not sure what he'd see.

What he saw was him, male and bare chested, looking desperate. Lifting a shaking hand Jess brushed the glass and he felt the shiver go through him again. The reflection blurred for a moment, then reflected the girl him. Releasing the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding Jess looked down and saw that he was a he again. Blinking he looked back up into the mirror and saw that somehow the girl looking back at him had an amused look on her face as she took in his nakedness.

Embarrassed for some reason Jess covered himself with his hands. “Ok, seriously, the hell?” he muttered as he headed back into his room. As he did so, he saw that most of the reflective surfaces he passed showed the blue haired girl following along, laughter in her eyes.

Frowning at her as he dressed again, Jess muttered. “Hey, I didn't stare... ok, I couldn't stare as I couldn't see you naked. I didn't do anything inappropriate...” he could have sworn she raised an eyebrow and slightly shook her head at that. “Ok, so I fondled your... my... oh this is confusing!”

The girl seemed to agree with him. “Ok, so what do we know? I think I switched to you when I touched the bathroom mirror after my shower. I could see male me in the mirror while I was you. But I could see you, or me as you... in Ash's mirror, and couldn't change when I touched it. Can I switch when I touch this mirror?”

Jess was almost sure the girl reached forward before he did, and when their fingers 'touched' Jess felt the shudder as his vision blurred. Blinking rapidly he saw that the reflection was him, and he was again the girl. “OK, cool. So... what the hell does this tell me?” she muttered as she stood. “I was taking a shower and thinking of Ash. Was my thinking of her the reason my reflection looked kind of like her? Made me look kind of like her?” her male reflection seemed to ponder the question for a moment, before subtly shrugging. “Right. Need evidence before jumping to that conclusion. I guess the easiest way to do that is think of some other look, and see what happens...”

She stared at her reflection for a moment then let out a huff. “I just have no idea what I wanna try looking like. I'm still getting used to looking like this. One major change is enough for one day I think.” she wrinkled her nose as she smoothed her skirt. “I wanna get used to being a girl first.”

She thought her reflection gave her a hurt look. “Though I suppose I can experiment while getting used to being a girl.” she said slyly, and she was almost sure she saw her reflection blush and look embarrassed. “Yes, I think that is what I'm gonna do, but I think I need to change first.”

~*~

Kutztown PA
Main street

Jess smiled as she let the sun soak in as she pedaled along the main street of town, reveling in just being out and about on beautiful weekend day. She couldn't quite be sure, but she thought she felt less winded then she usually did at this point in the ride as a guy, but she had no scientific way to prove it at the moment. With a soft laugh she mentally shook her head, wondering when she had started to think in female pronouns.

“Likely when I switched back to being a girl.” she said softly to herself as she paused at a traffic light that had gone red. She made a face as the car behind her stopped practically on her rear tire, and she turned on her seat to flip off the collage kid behind the wheel. Not that the driver saw the gesture; she was engrossed in her phone and it was only the car's smart drive feature that had prevented Jess from becoming street pizza. Grumbling the girl swerved onto the side walk and hopped off her bike as the light went green. Another flipped bird was given to the distracted driver as she sped past.

Soft hands landed on Jess's shoulder from behind causing her to start just a little, “Hey Jess, you out for a breather too?” the person who had a grip on her shoulders asked in a pleasant voice.

“Hey Val, yeah I was. Mom's working this weekend and without Ash around the place is just to damn quiet.” Jess replied as she turned to face his friend Val Phillips. As soon as Jess was facing the red head, her friend scowled.

“Something's different about you...” she said cocking her head like a little bird, sunlight reflecting off her eyeglass lenses.

“Ah... well, um...” Jess stammered, wondering if the sports bra she had on under one of her boy's t-shirts and a hoodie was some how doing a lousy job hiding her minimal curves, or something else was giving away her gender swapped status.

Val said snapping her fingers, before pointing to Jess's head. “Oh, you redyed your hair! Your roots where showing the last time I saw you...” Val leaned in, invading Jess's personal space to stare at her forehead. “Oh, wow, you even did your eyebrows? I can't think of any of the other dyers in our school that is that hard core.”

“Oh. That. Yeah. The brows... I kind of slopped on one while doing my hair, and I figured What the hell? Let's make them both match the curtains...”

Val grimaced. “Damn it, Jess, now I so wanna ask something I shouldn't...”

Jess let out a laugh. “Do you really wanna know...?”

“TMI! TMI!” Val said making a face.

“Fine. So what are you doing in town?” Jess asked looking over Val, noticing that, like her, the other girl was dressed for activity.

“Rents are out of town so I'm staying with my brother and his family.”

“Ah, so how many naughty dreams have you had about the hot foster cousin?” Jess teased, causing her semi in the closet friend to squirm and blush. “Ah. What was she doing that made you need to get out of the house?”

“I knew she always wore tights and long gloves, and seemed uncomfortable when over at my home when they visit. I found out why she was uncomfortable; she felt we where immodestly dressed with our hand, arms and legs exposed.”

“Huh?”

Val blew a strand of her red hair out of her eyes, as she pushed up her glasses. “Andy had her head messed with. She's comfortable with all this.” Val swirled her hands around in front of her chest, then below the waist. “and this exposed, and everything in between exposed. But bare arms are like walking around with her breasts out, and lack of leg covering is like going without panties. Which was what she was doing. Everything was on display, and the gloves and tights leave little to the imagination. And it seems that she's getting more used to completely naked, just not completely clothed.” Val closed her eyes and shivered, in delight Jess thought.

Val's eyes came open and she shook her head. “But she's family... “

“Hey, you wanna come over for movies this afternoon? Bring Andy too, if you want. I have something I want to show you.” Jess said changing the subject.

“You just wanna see if Andy will behave or give in and get comfortable. But that does sound fun. I just got all four disks of Miraculous Ladybug, we could do a marathon.”

“Man, I would love for them to do a live action version of that show... But where outside of an active hero or villain, would you be able find a girl that flexible and that comfortable in a form fitting costume? Ok, sure, sounds good. What I wanted to show you shouldn't take long. What would you like me to order for take out? And don't forget Subway went out of business.” Jess asked, praying that Val would refuse the offer of take out.

“Ah... No, don't order anything, I started the dough for calzones last night. I can bring the bowl and stuffens over and we can bake them at your place.” Val said shaking her head at her friend getting her to cook for him. /I suppose it makes sense, as Jess and Ash both burn water, they'd appreciate someone who can cook./ she added to herself.

Nodding happily Jess asked “By the way, your brother have any games he wants tested? And where is he, I stopped in the store to offer to help pack, and he wasn't there.”

“He's getting a few new ones in a month or so, once we finish moving the store to the new local. I'll let you know when they'll be looking for help with the move and when game night will start back up. And Scott's went to Virginia for the funeral, in Arlington, for an old friend. He should be back Monday. Well, I really should finish this run...”

“Yeah, I should be getting back too.” Jess said as she checked her watch and then traffic before swinging back onto the black top. /Huh. Val's my closest friend short of Ash, but she didn't even notice. Am I that girly looking as a guy? I know on the phone I always get mistaken for Mom or Ash.../ she thought as she pedaled along. /So, besides the fact Val didn't see the changes what have I learned from this ride? Mmmm, nothing conclusive really, besides I like not having to adjust myself due to the bike seat. This ride never really strains me that much. And I don't know anyone who has weights I can borrow... maybe when I get home I can see if I can phase through things like Ash can./

Val watched Jess peddle off and shook the question of what was different about him out of her head. As much as she'd prefer wondering about that she had her own troubles to think about. /Did I really see my eyes as being purple this morning, or was it a trick of the lights?/ Val thought as she started to jog up the street towards her brother's new shop. /Thing is as far as I know none of the cousins, the blood cousins, don't know about Andy, have powers. And that's on both sides of the fam. What are the odds of my sibs being ordinary and I'm the only one? I'll have to look that up later. Ug, if I some how picked up powers from something one of those drunken collage kids did... Ah shit, I just realized that if I do have powers it means I have to drop tack and field, and my records and what not will be voided. Huh, circle back... Andy and powers? She's never shown anything, and would they put a super powered kid in with a normal family? Eh, maybe./

With a resigned sigh Val turned down a side street and kicked her speed up a notch, unaware that with each step her stride was ever so slightly longer. /Maybe I need to have Katie give me a looking over when she gets off shift. Just to reassure myself that nothing is happening to my body that I wasn't already expecting. Yeah, that's what I'll do./

Having made up her mind on that particular subject Val let herself sink into the zen of the run, though a small part of her wished that the town was more parkour friendly. Widely space buildings, lack of anything to grab, few things along the ground besides plastic recycling bins and broken bottles all conspired against her having a good run. With a sigh she settled on a 'regular' cross country run and veered off the side walk to run through a cemetery. While she was tempted to bounce from one head stone to the next she had enough respect not to, though there was a practical reason too as some of the stones where not in the best shape and she was worried that one wrong kick off would send one toppling to the ground. Just running through the rows of ordered stone didn't strike her as disrespectful, what was the point of having what amounted to a park if no one enjoyed it? Not that she ever saw anyone visiting the few times she'd come through this way before while having track practice.

Finally starting to feel the burn Val headed past the Fair grounds and down the hill to where Scott and Katie had purchased a nice sized house. Val honestly wasn't sure how they could afford both the house and the property her brother had bought to move his book store into as Katie was 'just' an ER doctor, and Scott was, in their mother's words, 'not living up to his potential'. But that wasn't her worry. No her worry was; had Andy gotten dressed yet, or was she going to keep teasing Val with her nubile form?

“Geh, dirty, dirty thoughts Val.” the runner muttered to herself as her hand slapped into the front door's frame and she pulled it open. “Andy, I'm back!”

“I'm in the garden.” came the faint reply from the back of the house, causing Val to groan. Andy was never dressed when she was in the garden.

“Kay. I'm gonna grab a shower.” Thankfully, Val thought as she climbed the stairs, the property had a decently tall fence around it, but that didn't stop anyone from looking down from the fair grounds into the backyard from getting an eye full. /She can't help forgetting to put on more then leggings and gloves./ Val reminded herself as she kicked off her shoes and headed up to the guest room. /I just wish whoever Scott and Katie take her to was having more luck breaking her of it./

Looking out of the guest room window Val was surprised to see that Andy was actually wearing the apron Katie wore when she had time to work in the garden along a pair of leather work gloves and a pair of Val's own toed running shoes. The neon pink of the shoes stood out against where they pressed into Andy's mahogany backside as the tan and green apron fluttered in the slight breeze as the girl knelt in the backyard. From her vantage point Val couldn't see the lines that looped and wove their way over Andy's skin. While she didn't hide them, Andy didn't talk about them either, which annoyed Val to some extent. The closest patterns to Andy's that Val had found on-line had been Celtic knot work, and even that wasn't perfect as it was to rigid. Andy's markings had an organic flow to them like a tiger or zebra's stripes.

“Mystery, riddle, enigma, out of mind,” Val muttered as she stepped into the shower.

~*~

The Conner Residence

“Ouch. Ok, apparently I can't go through things like Ash.” Jess muttered holding a wad of tissues to her bleeding nose. “And I really should have tried starting small, rather then just trying to walk through the wall.”

Sighing she pulled the wad away to see if she was still leaking, and satisfied she wasn't pitched the mess into the trash as she booted up her laptop. While she waited Jess stripped down and slipped into Ash's room to find clean undergarments. Normally she wasn't that adverse of wearing the same sweated up boxers after a ride as a guy, but the damp sports bra was bothering her. Hearing the laptop ding for her password Jess plopped down in her desk chair after just slipping into a pair of boys shorts.

“Mkay... what should I look up first?” she mused as she brought up Firefox, the Google logo doing some animated dance over some scientist's or celebrity's birthday, or some historic discovery. “Mutant powers, masturbation as a girl, magic mirrors. Mmm, maybe Mirrors and mutants first. That second one can wait a little I suppose. Heck wouldn't surprise me if Ash had a How To books or something tucked somewhere in her mess.” after a moment's thought she made a face at that idea and typed in the safer of her searches.

“The mirror in Snow White, Beauty and the Beast's mirror, the mirror Sirius gave Harry.... hmm, that sounds like...” she switched tabs scanning over a list of known mutant powers posted on an MCO page. “The Esper sub category clairvoyance? I wonder if I can do that.”

Spinning her chair she focused on her closet mirror. “So how am I supposed to do this? Mirror, mirror on the closet door, show me the sister I adore? God that sucked... oh... my...” Jess's eyes went wide as she felt a tug in her brain as the mirror's glass fogged. It stayed like that for a moment then cleared showing Ash and another girl sitting on the bottom of a pair of bunk beds working on something. It wasn't just the fact that the mirror was showing her something that was happening in New Hampshire that shocked Jess, but also the fact that the girl sharing the bed with her sister seemed to have no head. There was a tuft of black hair, cut in something close to a pixie cut, where the girl's neck should have been. It was only when the girl shifted around on the bed that Jess could see that she had a mouth about where a normal person would have their Adams Apple, as well as four gill like slits along the curve to her shoulders.

The girl seemed frustrated with her clothing, and Jess's eyes widened as the girl stood and stripped off her shirt and skirt as well as her low rider panties. It was only as the girl was kicking off the panties that Jess realized the girl's eyes, which where a beautiful shade of silver-blue, where set down at hip level. The girl said something angerly to Ash, who seemed to be sympathetic. But the girl's tirade continued unabated, as tears began to run down her eyes and down her inner thighs. Ash let out a sigh and stood, drawing the other girl into a hug.

“This is so an invasion of their privacy, and I should not be seeing this.” Jess muttered as she stepped back from the mirror. Something inside her seemed to let go and the scene faded back to the reflection of her room and her as a guy looking back.

“So... I guess this means I am clairvoyant then.”

~*~

Dunwich New Hampshire
Whitman Cottage, Whateley Academy

Ashley and Tammy jumped when there was a solid knock on their door. “Girls, could I come in please?” Mrs Savage asked through the wood.

“Give me a moment Ma'am.” Tammy called as she used a tissue to wipe her eyes and legs. “I'm not decent.”

“Dear, I have seen more and stranger things then what you have going on.” Mrs Savage said with a kind tone.

“Yeah, well... I don't much like others seeing me naked.” Tammy replied as she shimmied into some panties and threw her shirt on.

“Tomorrow you are taking my appointment and we're going to have Celia make some things that work with your body.” Ash insisted as she opened the door for their house mother.

“Sorry to bother you girls, but the wards pinged that someone was trying to See into this room with some kind of spell...”

Tammy groaned and, some how even though she lacked it, hung her head. “Oh God... I was just naked in here...”

“I am so gonna pound whoever was peeping on us!” Ash said hotly. “Maybe reach in and disintegrate their sphincter and bladder control muscles so they perpetually shit and piss themselves...”

“Now Ashley, there is no need for that. Let Security and the Psychic arts department handle tracking them down and punishing them.” Mrs Savage said, grimacing inwardly at the rather messy image the girl's threat brought to mind. “The Psychic arts and Mystics departments will also be through to reinforce the wards on the cottages.” Mrs Savage glanced at the clock on Ash's dresser. “You two better get straightened up it's almost lunch time.”

Kutztown PA
Off Campus Student Apartments

She despised this world run by apes. Their minds where weak and it was just to easy to cloud their minds with the basic spells left to her. Their bodies where so fragile, as where the things they made, so she had to restrain her strength least she harm them or destroying some object. And their in door plumbing... it just wasn't robust enough.

Still, she was her own mare again, and her powers where slowly returning after she had had a chance to smooth and polish what was left of her horn. In time it would grow, but for the moment it was little more then a smooth opalescent bump on her forehead. For once she was grateful for her slight stature as a trickle of power allowed her to pass as a female ape, something her Nemesis would have been unable to do with her greater height. Being able to look like an ape had allowed her to worm her way into 'student housing', which was a relief as she was not good at roughing it in the wild. Letting out a huff, she glared at the white keep that stood sentinel over the town she had been stranded in. she had seem and felt those that had driven off the others enter the metal tower, but she hadn't yet dared approach it, as she was still recovering from her humiliation.

A firm thump on the door of her chambers interrupted her ruminations, as it was coupled with the shrill voice of one of the apes she shared the building with. “Sharron, you in there? I wanted to know if there was anything you needed from the store before I go.”

Letting out a grumble The Transcendent and Dominating Shenanigan, or as the apes knew her, Shannon Tiggan, turned to the door reapplying her glamour. “No, I'll go myself later.”

“Alright. I'll still pick up a twelve pack of that beer we like...” Shenanigan heard the unsaid 'If you chip in more then half.' as she opened the door and handed the ape Donna a hand full of the paper slips that where used a currency. “Thanks Shannon! Be back in a half hour. Maybe you could start dinner? I laid out stuff for soup. PLEASE don't add any meat to it this time.”

Shenanigan's unseen tail twitched with annoyance at the arrogant herbivore's request as she ground out “Fine, but if that's the case, stop at Arby's and pick me up a half dozen roast beefs.”

“Eww....” Donna's face scrunched at the thought of that much animal flesh, before she signed and said “Fine.” and wiggled her fingers for more cash which Shenanigan handed over. As soon as she moved away from the door it was closed and locked, and Shenanigan was in her own flesh again.

“Now, where did I leave off in my plotting?” the Equest exile muttered as she went back to the window. “Oh yes, I remember, I wanted to check out that place I felt the swell of Essence on my walk...”

~*~

The Phillips Residence

Feeling revived after her shower Val peeked out of the window to see Andy still working in the garden, and with a shrug decided to let her keep doing what she was doing. She'd been in her brother's place before, but usually only while he or Katie had been home. This was her first chance to explore without someone hovering.

“Mmm where to start?” Val mused out loud, before snapping her fingers. “Duh, Scott's bed room. Serves him right for all the times he'd snuck in to my room and snitched my tablet so he could surf for porn and left it up when he was done...”

What ever Val had been expecting to find, be it a box of handcuffs and other bondage items or the toy cat he'd slept with when he was little, she hadn't found it by the time Andy had come back inside. Val let out a sigh as she forced herself not to follow Andy's strut past the open door with her eyes, and instead focused on the only anomaly she had found; the small black velvet box that held Scott's high school class ring. The band was the same as she remembered, white gold with Class Of on both sides over the year he'd graduated. The difference was the stone set in it wasn't the faceted blue stone it had originally had; the blue stone had been replaced by a smooth black one that had a weird blue-green sheen to it.

Putting the puzzle to the back of her mind, and the ring back where she'd found it, Val slipped out of her brother's bed room and headed to the bathroom Andy's and the guest room shared. “Hey, I met up with Jess on my run and he invited us over for the afternoon. Sounds like he's alone and just as bored as we are.” Val told her foster cousin as Andy sat on the toilet lid washing her legs. Val was surprised to see the other girl's toes and the soles of her feet also had the odd not-scar-not-tattoos on them.

“I'd have to get dressed, wouldn't I?” Andy asked, her accent slightly mangling the words. After first meeting Andy, Val had spent a lot of time on the net listening to various accents trying to place where the girl had come from, and she still had no clue.

“You would, yes.” Val replied as she ran a hand through her hair, lightly scratching at her scalp as she did so. “I told him about you getting your head messed with, so I think so long as you keep the bra and panties on, and don't wear things that are to sheer, he won't have an issue of you strip down.” Seeing Andy's hesitation Val stepped over to her and took her hands. “I know you're not comfortable being out and dressed, and that's why you didn't go to school yet, but you really need to work on over coming it. Jess is a great guy, I think you'll like him.”

Andy hesitated then let out a sigh as she wilted some. “All right. I will come, just so I won't be alone here.”

~*~

The Quad, Whateley Academy

Ash shook her head as Wondercute charged past her and Tammy with shouts of “By the Power of Cute!!” glitter, ribbons, and butterflies streaming in their wake. “They remind me of the kids I used to sit for... after they downed three 24 can cases of Dew.” she said as she shivered slightly, one hand straying down to rest on her stomach.

Tammy let out a bubbling laugh. “I think it's nice that some people aren't taking this seriously.” she said waving to the campus. “Between Dawn's group and them, it really brighten things up around here.”

“F3 still pestering you to join?”

Tammy gave the impression of wrinkling her nose. “Yes and no. I have two or three trying to get me to join, and then another handful that are snubbing me as being to pretty, even though I...” she waved from her headless neck down to her peeking over her waist band eyes leaving the rest unsaid.

Ash shook her head and was about to comment when her right foot sank into the ground up to her hip, so whatever she had been about to say came out as a squawk of surprise.

“Ash...” Tammy yelped moving to help her friend.

“No, stay back. I'm...” Ash's words where again cut off, this time as her stomach rebelled and a spray of bile and what remained of her breakfast sprayed out onto the grass. Tammy's eyes grew wide as she watched the grass under Ash's butt began to wither and turn brown as her skirt seemed to frost over then disintegrate revealing bare flesh. “Gleeeha...”

Tammy pulled out her cell phone and stabbed the speed dial button for Security. “Security, help. My roommate's stuck in the ground... she's a density warper, her leg just sank down.... we're near the Whateley statue...”

Ash squeezed her eyes shut against the shivers that where racking her body. She'd started feeling off a bit before Mrs. Savage had told them about the mystery peeper, but she'd just assumed it was just a cold coming on or a bad round of her cycle. But this felt so so much worse then anything she'd ever gone through before. When she opened her eyes again she found an older gentleman kneeling next to her.

“Miss, you're friend is getting help. What I need you to do is try and calm down a mite. Take a deep breath.” the man said as he settled onto the grass. “I know this is scary, and you look to be in a fair bit of pain, but it will pass and you are in good hands.” He hesitated and then put a hand on her shoulder. Ash shivered as it felt like someone had put a large bag of frozen peas shaped like a human hand on it.

The man blinked and stared at his hand on her shoulder. “Huh. I think, as you kids now say, I will roll with this.” he muttered before sliding his hands into Ash's armpits.

“Hey, hey! Watch the hands!” Ash spat as the man's grip settled around her upper chest, smacking at his arms, only for her hands to pass through them to strike the grass. She left hand sized holes that where rimmed with dead, frost covered grass.

“Miss, I am a gentleman. I am just trying to help, not... copah feel?” the man snapped back, though the slang came out almost as a question. “Now try and stop flickering, I only have a grip when you're here, and you are digging yourself deeper with each flicker.”

“Ah, someone better hurry up, she's disappearing from sight now. And I think she's hallucinating.” Tammy continued into her phone, already spotting teams rushing down the road from the security office and Doyle. “Hang on Ash, they'll be here in a mo...” Tammy trailed off as the strobing Ash seemed to rise up out of the now, rather large, hole she'd created like she was being lifted by unseen hands. Tammy could see that Ash's clothing was frost covered, some how looked really old, and crumbling away in places...

Ash leaned, as best she could, against the mystery man's side, shivering and unfocused. She knew Tammy was hovering and talking to her, as was the man, but her mind just couldn't capture their words. Her world went dark as hands, warm hands, took hold of her.

~*~

The Conner Residence

Jess had just finished setting up his 'Hey, I'm a mutant.' presentation when he heard a hard, rapid, and insistent knocking on the front door. “Coming!” he called as he glanced one last time around his room before hurrying out into the hall and sliding down the banister of the stairs. The rapping at the door had picked up in force and speed in that short time, and when he opened the door Val darted past him.

“Sorry, gottausethebathroom...” she called out as the powder room door thumped shut.

Shaking his head Jess gave Andy a weak smile and waved her in. “Please, come in...” He said studying the girl he had only heard about. To his eye Andy looked like she might have Native American blood mixed with another ethnicity or two, or maybe even an animal species or two, as her eyes looked almost cat like to him. The scar like markings on her face reminded him of African scarification he had seen in Nat Geo magazines. She was wearing thin looking tights under jean shorts, and long finger-less gloves of the same material as the tights that disappeared under the sleeves of an off white tee. “Ah, right, I'm Jess... can I get you anything?”

“Thank you, but not right now.” Andy said softly as she stepped into the building, large eyes darting around taking it all in as he closed the door.

“You two bike over?” Jess asked to make small talk as he beckoned Andy further into his home.

“No, we walked.” she replied with a head shake, leaving it at that.

“Hey, relax, I don't bite, and...” Jess paused, looking to the closed powder room door. “Val mentioned your issues. We'll be headed up to my room shortly, you can take off as much or as little as you're comfortable with with me around once the door is closed.”

“She what?” Andy gasped as her skin flushed into a blush, of embarrassment or anger Jess wasn't sure. At that moment Val emerged from the powder room looking relieved, and Andy's attention focused on her. “Why did you...?”

“Um, what?” Val blinked.

“Tell him about me.”

“He's my friend, and I wanted you to meet him. And I didn't tell him much...”

“How about we go to my room and I can maybe make this a little less weird.” Jess suggested as he lead the way up the stairs. Watching Andy out of the corner of his eyes he couldn't help think that she reminded him of someone. “Have a seat on the bed. I was gonna do this later, but... meh, may as well get it over with so you both have a chance to process and let Andy be comfortable with out a guy around.”

“Jess, what are you babbling about? No guy around?”

“Val, you know how Ash got a scholarship to attend a boarding school up north? Well it's a school for mutants. And I learned this morning I'm a mutant too.” Jess blurted out as he tapped his mirror. The shiver went through his body, and she was pleased to see Val's eye nearly pop out of her head as her friend took in her nude female form. Jess was surprised to see that Andy didn't seem to react at all, other then a cocked head and a probing look that left Jess feeling like Andy was staring at her soul.

“I can switch my gender when I touch certain mirrors. Not sure why.” Jess replied as she moved to take out the change of girl's clothing she had set aside for that moment. She paused considering the shorts and tee in her hands before shrugging and setting the lot aside. Jess figured her own nudity might encourage Andy to relax and be comfortable enough to strip down herself, as she plopped down into her desk chair. “I was actually female when we ran into each other Val. You two are the first I've told.”

Andy nodded slowly before she poked Val in the ribs. “Thanks a lot for forcing me to see the answer to that unasked question from before. I just didn't expect the answer to be 'What carpet?' So how did I not see it? ” Val asked as her brain rebooted and she drew her eyes away from where she had been staring, settling on Jess's noobs.

“Loose hoodie, a good sports bra out of Ash's room, an the itty bitty titties you're starring at.” Jess replied as she used a finger to raise Val's chin a little, before she sat down next to her friend. “Still friends?”

“Yeah. Yeah we are.” Val replied as she chewed her lip. “And... I might have powers too. I thought my eye color had changed the other morning, but...” she waved to her eye which where the same blue as ever as far as Jess could tell.

“They look normal to me...” Jess stated with a frown.

“They do to me as well,” Andy added as she kicked off her shoes, wiggling her tights clad toes as she did so.

“We as so going shopping later with you like this.” Val insisted as Jess crossed her legs like a guy.

“If you think I'm gonna resist the offer, I'm not. I kind of like being like this, and while I may have to hide things from my mother, I'd really prefer to have my own panties and what not instead of borrowing Ash's things. And I want to see about getting a set of small mirrors I can carry all the time. First problem is getting a ride there. I don't think a tight sports bra and other loose clothing will fool your Aunt or my mother. And there is no way I'm gonna ask an older friend for a ride either...” Jess explained, a faint blush starting at the tips of her ears and making it's way down her neck.

“Who said we where leaving town?” Val asked. “We can get you some underthings, Hanse or Fruit, at the Dollar General, and there are a few used clothing places I'm sure we can find some nice things for you. And you'll need to come out to your mom sooner or later.”

“Eh, I was kind of thinking of just doing the girl thing on weekends and keep going to school as a guy...”

“I don't think that will work.” Andy said softly as she stood and moved to cup Jess's chin in her long delicate fingers. Jess was surprised at the faint scent of pine and lavender that clung to Andy's warm fingers. “Your eyes are... Val watch when the light catches them.” Andy instructed as she turned Jess's head left and right.

“What are you... oh, hey, I didn't notice that before. Jess, you have this ring of silver around the black spot...”

“Pupil.” Jess corrected wondering how Val, who wore glasses and had regular optical check ups, apparently couldn't remember the parts of the eye.

“What ever, and there's also one around the outer part of the colored part. The Iris.” she corrected, before sticking out her tongue at Jess.

“Oh. I... how did I miss it?”

“Easily enough, they are very thin bands, but I suspect they could grow until your iris is fully mirrored.” Andy replied as she released Jess's chin. “I also suspect your night vision may have improved some.”

Jess spun her chair around and scooted it closer to her mirror. “I... huh... Let me see.” she muttered as she leaned in closer to it. Absently she tapped the glass several times in a row nose almost touching it's reflection. “Yeah, you're right.” she finally breathed as she leaned back.

“Can I be the first to say it is weird when you do the switch thing rapidly like that?” Val asked as she stood and rested a hand on Jess's bare shoulder.

“I honestly don't even notice the change. What's it look like?” Jess asked looking up at her friend.

“Don't know about the changes your body goes through, but the clothing was like a strobe light going off; clothed, unclothed, dark, light, clothed, unclothed...”

“It is reminiscent of someone using a spell or device to...” Andy trailed off as the other two girls gave her surprised looks. “I spent time with heroes before being brought into your family, Val. I learned a few things from them in that time.”

“Right, didn't think much about that.” Val admitted sheepishly. “so, um... if we're done with show and tell, how about we go down and watch in the living room while I get the dough rolled out? It needs an hour rise before we can fill and cook. Jess, you gonna stay like that?”

“I might put on a shirt long enough to close the living room blinds.” Jess replied with a shrug

“Kay, well, I might trade my pants for an apron. Andy?”

“I think I may later see if my condition is contagious, but for now...” Andy hesitated for a moment before she nodded. “I will get comfortable. And I am curious about this Ladybug you two are so interested in. What is so miraculous about an insect?”

~*~

Whateley Academy, Doyle Medical

Several hours after Ash had collapsed Tammy was sitting in one of the waiting rooms, her skirt pulled down low enough so she could at least pretend she was reading one of the books she'd been assigned in Lit class. /Fuck the dress code, and decency, I am getting skirts with clear fronts and wearing the lowest rise panties I can find so they don't ride up into my eyes./ she thought, trying to take her mind off her roommate.

“How is she?” Assistant headmaster Turner asked, as Doctor Tenent entered the room, causing Tammy to jump. She'd been unaware that the former hero had slipped into the waiting room.

“She's undergoing a bout of burn out. Thankfully only a height level 0 or a very low level 1. We'll know more once her fever breaks.” Tenet explained causing her audience to both to wince. “It seems to be tied to her phasing. It's draining her every time she phases, though...” the doctor frowned slightly. “Frankly it's strange. I'd almost say she's...” the doctor shook her head. “I need to have the Mystic department perform some more tests before I speculate Mr. Turner.”

“All right. Do that please.” Robert Turner sighed, as he rubbed his face and shook his head. “We'll wait a bit longer before we inform her family, it's not like they can do anything right now. Ugh, it is to early in the damn year for these kind of calls.”

“There are no good times of the year for these kinds of calls.” Ophelia pointed out tiredly.

“Um, could this be related to the incident we had earlier?” Tammy asked nervously.

Both adults focused on her, making her shrink back into her seat. “What happened?” Mr. Turner asked kneeling down next to hr chair.

“Mrs. Savage said someone got through the wards and was watching Ash and me in out room.”

Mr. Turner frowned and looked to the doctor. “This is the first I've heard of this.”

“I am aware, we, meaning both the Mystic arts and Psi departments, wanted to check the wards before we did a full report.” the doctor replied. “I know she reported the incident with security as well. Why they didn't pass on the report...” she shrugged.

“Now Tammy, Ashley keeps muttering about some man that got handsy with her. Can you tell me about him?”

“No one was there with us until the security guys and EMTs arrived. I think her... fit scared away the few students that where on the quad.”

“All right Tammy, how about I call in a take out order to be delivered to your dorm and I'll escort you there? There isn't anything you can do for Ashley right now, and...” Mr. Turner trailed off, a hand resting on the Whitman girl's shoulder, as he remembered that the next day was Sunday. “Well you might not have classes, but you really should rest in a real bed.”

“Yes sir.” Tammy said reluctantly as she gathered her things and stood.

~*~

Outside the Phillips Residence

Shenanigan frowned at the hovel before her, a Notice Me Not spell covering her. She had followed a scent to it, a scent that left her baffled. And to make matters even more puzzling, what she had thought was a manna sink didn't feel like she had expected when she first sensed it. The energy intrigued her, as she had never felt anything like it before.

“The Transcendent and Captivating Shenanigan Shenanigan must have it!” she hissed to herself as she hurried up the artificial stone path. As she was pulling her leg back to kick in the door she paused. “Be best if Shenanigan does this sneaky like. I should kick in the back door.”

~*~

Conner Residence

“I am not convinced by the the Alya/Neno pairing.” Andy mused from where she lounged on the floor covered by a blanket. “It seems to me that Alya is really interested in Marinette, but because she sees her friend lusting after Adrien, she is keeping her feelings to herself.”

“Eh.... I don't see it. Now Sabrina is clearly getting off on being Chloe's sub every day.” Val countered from where she lay on the bed draped across Jess's lap, Jess's dinner plate resting on her bare stomach.

“I'm not so sure it's lust as much Stockhome syndrome.” Jess said around a mouthful of calzone. “I've seen it in our school to a lesser extent.”

Val shook her head. “Bullshit. I thinking Sabrina has a mannequin done up as Chloe wearing a black leather and red silk corset and carrying a whip in her closet just waiting for the day when...”

“You two may want to put on more clothing, I just heard someone pull in out back.” Andy cut in cocking her head as she shrugged off the blanket revealing that she was just wearing her tights and gloves.

Jess glanced at her alarm clock and made a face. “I lost track of time; Mom's home. Val, off.” she muttered as she grabbed her plate. Val did a sit up and tossed Andy her shirt before rolling off the bed.

“Anyone see where my panties got to?”

“Jess, Ashley, I'm home!” Jess flinched as she hear her mother call out. “What smells so good?”

“Hurry please.” Jess said as she tapped her mirror. Straightening his clothing he stepped out into the hall, closing the door to his room most of the way. “Hey Mom. Val and her cousin came over for a movie afternoon, and they brought dinner. We left you a white calzone. It has a cream sauce, chicken, and cheese. I made her go light on the garlic.” he said as he came down the stairs.

“Tell her thank you for me when you see her next.” his mother said as she hung up her jacket.

“Actually they're still here, so you can thank her yourself.”

His mother raised an eyebrow and pinned Jess with her stare. “Mommmm, nothing was going on. She's not interested in me.”

“And the cousin?”

“Mrs. Conner, it is a long story as to why, but I do not plan to be in a relationship for a very long time.” Andy stated as she drifted gracefully down the stairs, fully dressed. “Your... son has been a perfect gentleman while we have been here. You have raised him well. And you have a lovely home.”

“Why thank you dear.” Mrs. Conner said beaming at the compliments. She looked as Val thumped down the stairs, her shoes in her hand. “Hello Val. Thank you for dinner.”

“Welcome. We really should be getting back to my brother's place...”

“Why don't I give you two a ride then?”

“You don't have to...”

“Valerie; it is already dark and the collage kids have been drinking for hours. I don't want you two riding home,”

“We walked.” Andy cut in helpfully.

Jess's Mom shook her head. “All the more reason for me to drive you at least to your btother's place. Your aunt can drive you the rest of the way home.”

“She's staying with us.” Andy cut in again.

“It's settled then. Do you girls have everything?”

Val shrugged “If we don't, Jess can bring it to church.” Jess felt his face go read as he pictured meeting up with Val at church and handing her the bra she currently wasn't wearing. He prayed his mother would assume she hadn't been wearing one when she came over and not, rightly, guess Val had taken it off while she was visiting.

“It was a pleasure to meet you Jess.” Andy said as she stepped up and put her arms around him, which surprised him a lot. “I had fun, and hope we can do this again soon.”

“Yeah, I had fun too. Any time you want, just come over.” Jess replied returning the hug.

“Later Jess.” Val called from the door as she followed his mother to her car.

~*~

“So girls just what where you and my son doing while I was out?” Mrs. Conner asked glancing at Val and Andy who where in the back seat of her Compass as they hummed down Main street.

“Watching movies.” Val replied simply as she pulled out several brightly colored blue ray disks. “And dinner took a bit of work too.”

“Well thank you both. I think he gets lonely without Ash around. I wish he could have gone with her to the boarding school she got the scholarship from, but...” the older woman trailed off as she turned onto the street the Phillips house had been built on. The night was lit up with flashing red and blue lights of police cars. Neighbors milled around in various state of dress, gossiping. Mrs. Conner's pulled over at a cop's insistent directions, Val and Andy popping out of the back before she was fully shut down.

From the crowd of cops came a relieved shout of “Andy, Val!” as a blonde woman wearing scrubs dashed over to hug them tight.

“What's going on Aunt Katie?” Val gasped around the tight hug.

“Someone broke into the house and made a real mess of everything. The alarm company alerted me and the police, and when no one could find you two...” Katie gushed in relief.

“Ma'am, these are the two minors you have been worried had been abducted?” an officer asked, eyes Mrs. Conner up add down.

“We left a note saying were we where going.” Andy squeaked, shivering slightly against Katie.

“I believe you, but maybe next time call me to let me know.”

“Didn't wanna bother you at work.” Val countered as the grip on her loosened.

Ignoring the girls Katie addressed the officer. “They are, and Mrs. Conner is a trusted friend of the family.”

“Katie, why don't I take the girls back to my place for the night? They can use one of the upstairs guest bedroom. And when you're done here, you come over as well and take the basement guest room, which has it's own bathroom. Jess and I will help put things right tomorrow, or when ever you're allowed back in.”

Katie looked replied at the offer. “Thank you Grace. With Scott away, I'd feel much better with another adult around. Officer, can the girls go in and gather a few things?”

“Let me check.” the officer replied as he hooked his walky-talky's microphone and mumbled the request into it. “All right, it looks like there isn't much damage upstairs, and what there is is confined to the master bedroom. The girls can go in as long as they are escorted, and put on gloves and booties.” The officer paused as something else garbled over the radio. “And we need to check their bags before we let you go.” he added.

“That's fine.” Andy replied, an odd tone in her voice that had Val narrowing her eyes at her cousin. Personally Val wasn't thrilled with the thought of a stranger paying through her clothing on top of the violation of someone robbing her brother's home.

Another cop lead her and Andy into the house, while Katie and Mrs. Conner stayed outside, and Val's eyes popped at the mess that had been made. Book shelves had been pulled from the wall spilling their contents, the couch was upended and half into the dinning room... the place was almost worse then a Student apartment after K-town's three St. Patrick's days (Pre-Pat's day before break, St. Pat's Day during break, and Post-Pat's after break) save it lacked empty booze containers and trash all over the floor.

“What a mess.” Andy breathed as she stepped over a broken lamp to take the first tread of the stairs. Cat nimble Andy scampered up the stairs, and ducked into her room. She went for her bed, unaware that Val had paused in the door way, and flipped up the edge of the mattress. From between the mattress and box spring Val saw her cousin draw out a cloth wrapped item which she set on the floor.

Val jumped a little as the cop gave her a verbal nudge of “Miss.”

“Sorry, I was just... looking.” she said limply as she hurried to her guest room and gathered up the few things she'd taken out of her suit case. Soon enough she and Andy where rejoining Mrs Conner and Katie outside, their cases given a cursory going through. Val was surprised that no one commented or even looked at the cloth wrapped thing Andy carried tucked under her arm. A few words between the adults, and the girls where whisked back to the Conner household.

“What took... Val? Andy? Wha?” Jess trailed off as the girls stepped through the door ahead of his mother.

“Their house was robbed, and so it's a crime scene right now.” Grace Conner explained to her son as she ran a mental check on the guest rooms. “Ok, girls, you know where Jess's room is? The guest room is the door at the very end of the hall. It has a Queen bed, so I hope you don't mind sharing. Jess...”

“Yes mom, Out numbered bathroom rules are in effect.” Jess said rolling his eyes.

“We can share, that's fine.” Andy added. “Thank you for taking us in like this.”

“Not a problem dear. Why don't you two go get change for bed, and the three of you can watch something down here for a bit while I change the sheets for Katie?”

~*~

Phillips residence

Katie let out a sigh as she pulled out her cell phone. “Scott, hey sorry to call so late, but we have a problem. The house was broken into, and I think your class ring is missing...” She winced as several groggy curse words came through the speaker, which where followed by a question. “Yes, Tower is aware already, they have a basic scan of the town going, and will do more in the morning.” She listened a few more moments then added. “Yes, the girls are fine. They're over at the Conner place, and I'll be going over there myself shortly. All right, I love you Scott. Hurry home.”

~*~

Conner Residence
Very early the next day

“Jess.”

“Mrrgr.”

“Jess, wake up.”

“To early Marinette...”

“It's not Marinette, Jess, it's Val.” Val hissed as she pulled her friend's pillow out from under his head.

“Mhuh?” Jess groaned as he pried his eyes open, getting a face full of big blue eyes framed by a red and black domino mask, which in turn was framed by black hair held back with a red and black headband. From under the covers he snaked out his hand to tap the girl's nose several times, making her go cross eyed.

“Jess!” the girl squeaked.

“Check in niff yer real...” Jess yawned and began to roll over. “Malady, tell Tikki to 'spot off' already...”

“Jess, I would if I could, but I can't make this come off.” the girl growled as she yanked him back over to face her, waking Jess enough to realize that the 'Marinette' before him was not the version they had been watching that afternoon. The Marinette kneeling next to his bed had the figure of a mature woman, and a costume that said she was comfortable with her body. Gone was the spotted Onesie; in it's place the young woman wore red spotted knee high boots over black tights with just a hint of red shimmer. The tights flowed up to a pair of sexy shorts that matched her boots, held up by a black belt with a belt buckle shaped like the yo-yo. The yo-yo, or a second one, swung seductively from her hip. Her abs where exposed by a midriff bearing shirt which was a red spotted sleeveless design with a ladybug with it's wings spread logo on the chest and black piping. Around her wrists where bracers that where black metal and her hands where covered in red gloves.

“Damn.” he breathed as he sat up in bed.

“Stop drooling and help me be me!” Val hissed as she punched him in the arm.

“Ow, you don't have to be violent.” he groused rubbing the spot. “Ok, so talk to me.”

Val dropped onto the bed next to her friend and stared at the girl who was not her in the mirror. “I was doing a little fan fic writing before bed, and once I fell asleep... well... um...” she looked away a blush burning hotly on her cheeks.

“Ah. So I should be grateful you're not a nude Marinette or some akumitized villainess who was tempting her to the dark side with her body and cookies?” Jess guessed, which earned him a combo head nod and shake. “Huh?”

“Not a villain. I had another Holder who's Dragonfly Miraculous is paired with the Stag and two 'lost' Miraculouses, trying to seduce Ladybug. She... kind of ended up based on you.”

“Should I be flattered or annoyed? And forgive my ADD moment, but where you and Andy nay...”

Val's blush deepened as she punched Jess in the arm again. “No, we where both clothed. When I woke up... Well things where just to darn tight!” Jess raised an eyebrow as he swept his gaze over Val's form. That close to her, he could now see that the 'exposed' flesh was really covered in the hexagon pattern that made up the rest of the outfit, but these where transparent.

“Marinette's father's height and her mothers curves, I'm not surprised your things didn't fit. You're at least six foot and put on several cup sizes. What do you think I can do to help fix this?” Jess asked as he put an arm around Val's shoulders.

“I don't know, I panicked ok?” Val replied as she rested her head on his his. “You mind switching?”

“I don't, but I'm not sure I can get up at this moment to tap the mirror with out embarrassing myself.”

“Pervert.”

“Hey, you woke me looking like that.” Jess pointed out as he shifted his position slightly. “And I fully admit, I was dreaming of her myself, with it likely being just as naughty as yours had been.”

Val raised an eyebrow at that then shook her head. “Jess, hate to say it, but I think you're dreams are a lot more vanilla then mine.”

“Ouch, way to hurt the ego. Ok, let me up so I can tap the mirror. Good thing I thought to get that form ready for bed too.” Jess squirmed under Val's look as she stood. “Ok, I was planning to sleep as a girl tonight before your fam ended up sleeping over. Normally my mom's out the door for church before I wake up on Sundays...”

“You don't go?” Val asked as he padded over to the mirror and tapped it. Jess struck a pose for her friend, letting Val see the over sized t-shirt and panties she'd chosen to sleep in.

“Not since Pastor Peters retired. The synod has given us several interim pastors that rotate through, but most of them are old farts who's messages don't speak to me here.” Jess replied as she tapped her heart before crawling back into bed. Once situated she patted the mattress next to her.

Val shook her head. “I was thinking of going for a run to clear my head.”

“All right. My key is on my desk. And don't forget to take some clothes if you happen to change back. I don't wanna have to explain why you where picked up naked on the side of the road.”

Val rolled her eyes as she moved over to grab the offered door key, jiggling the mouse attached to Jess's computer just enough to bring the screen back to life revealing a flash of pale skin and red hair. “Classy Jess.” Val said shaking her head at the seemingly nude girl, her modesty kept intact by a swirl of leaves, that was her friend's desktop image.

“That is a classic, which the Sierra club still offers on their web site for a small donation.” Jess huffed as her eyes moved over the striking red haired girl. Something sparked in her brain causing her to blink as her mental gears began to spin. “Huh...”

Val didn't hear her as she padded out of Jess's room. Treading softly so as not to wake anyone else she slipped out of the door and to the side walk. Glancing up and down the road she debated which way to go. “Boring that way, just the bars are open.” Val muttered looking to her right. “This way... the pharmacy is still open, as is Weis. Not that I have any place to put money in this outfit. Eh, left I guess, I really don't wanna deal with drunks.” Stretching out, Val was surprised at just how flexible her current form was. /Ok, I couldn't touch my knee to my chest before... which Mar can pretty much do in the cartoon./ she thought as she began to jog, absently playing with the yo-yo. With out thinking Val flicked it out at a lamp post and was surprised to see the string lengthen until the weight end wrapped around the post and the string began to retract drawing her up.

“Holy... ERRK!” Val breathed as she pushed off the post, only to come up short as the yo-yo didn't come undone like she had expected. She winced as the cold metal smacked into her back bone and she slid down to the cement.

Grimacing as she stood, Val glared at the tangled yo-yo. “How am I suppose to get you down?” she growled as she put her hands on her hips. Feeling something hard on her hip she blinked and looked down at the yo-yo that hung there. Confused she looked back up at the lamp post which was now yo-yo free. “Weird... I think I'm gonna stick to the ground from here on tonight.”

~*~

Conner Residence
7 am Sunday

Grace Conner padded down the stairs mentally shaking her head. She had poked her head into Jess's room and she was wondering just when her remaining child was going to get around to telling her that he had manifested and could apparently gender swap. Moving towards the kitchen for that all important first pot of the Liquid of Life she heard a sound from the still dark living room. Stepping lightly she clicked on a lamp causing the figure on the couch to flinch away from the light.

“Valerie? What's wrong dear?” Grace asked as she took in her child's friend's appearance. The girl was huddled under the afghan Grace's grandmother had knit for her when she was a child, knees tucked up to Val's chest, red hair hanging down to obscure her face. Slowly the head came up, allowing Grace to see the girl's face.

“I got shot stopping a robbery.” the girl said softly.

“What!?!” Grace yelped as she rushed over to the girl and tried whipping off the covering.

“I'm fine.” Val insisted as she clung to the cloth to keep it around her body. “And naked. I put a towel down on the sofa before I sat...”

“Mmng.” Grace groaned as she heard movement begin upstairs and down. “Andi bring Val down some clothing. And Jess, stay up there until I say you can come down. You might be female right now, but you don't need to be seeing your friend naked. What ever you have between your legs when you come down is up to you” she shouted up the stairs, which prompted a “What the frick?!” from her child's room. “And I am going to need that coffee.”

“Can I have a cup too?” Val asked.

“Nope. I think once this is settled you need to go back to bed.”

Val looked like she was going to protest, maybe use the 'you're not my...' argument, but she wilted when Katie emerged from the basement and shot her a parental look. “No coffee for you, you know that. Bad enough you usually go for a soda first thing in the morning. And I agree with Grace that once you talk, you are going back to bed.” Turning to Grace Katie added, “Scott won't be back before noon.”

Grace raised an eyebrow as Andy padded down the stairs carrying a bundle of clothing, though she was only wearing tights and long gloves. “Missy, are you forgetting something?”

“I'm decent.” Andy said with a glance down at her nakedness before tossing Val the clothing she'd been carrying. Val caught the bundle and stood. While still draped in the afghan she began pulling clothing on under it.

Grace let out a sigh. “It is to early for Irishing up this coffee... He, she,... what ever has likely seen it all, already so I give up. Jess, if you stay female, and are dressed appropriately, you can come down. And bring down a shirt and shorts for Andy.”

“Yes, mom.” Jess called down. She was down quickly, and Grace saw she was wearing one of Ash's usual weekend outfits that included a skin hugging tee and some cargo pants. It even looked like Jess was bearing a bra, which surprised Grace, but then again if she had gotten pointers from Val... “Here Andy. And I brought some down for Val, as I suspect Andy only brought tights down for her” Jess said handing over the bundle in her hands. Yup, even though there was a clearly appreciative sweep over the other girl's body, it was clear to Grace that there was a 'been there, seen it' air about the look. Andy grimaced at the clothing, but began pulling them on right there.

“Ok... well I think we all need to sit down and tell each other what has been happening.” Grace said as she headed into the kitchen. “Jess, why don't you start?”

“Um, sure mom.” Jess said with a fidget. “What do you want to know?”

Grace resisted the urge to face palm. “How about why do you have an inney instead of the outtey I know you where born with.”

Jess looked down at her chest “Oh. Um well... I'm not sure why, but it happens when I touch mirrors, and...” she was cut off as the phone rang, and reflexively she bounced up to get it. “Mom, it's Ash.” Jess said as she glanced at the caller id. “Hey sis. You'll never guess what... Geez you 'regrumpy this morning. Fine, here's mom.”

Grace took the hand set and moved back into the living room. Katie eyed the girls. “Well, Jess, you want to keep going?”

“I really don't have much else to say.” Jess replied with a shrug. “I switch genders and it seems like it only works with mirrors I use a lot.”

“Likely it requires a mirror that has become attuned to you.” Andy offered as she ran a hand through her hair exposing her ears, something Jess thought she had never seen Andy do the day before, the exposing her ears, not the hand through the hair.

“You know magic?” Jess asked cocking her head.

Andy glanced at Katie who shrugged. “Up to you kiddo, but it seems like these two are going to be going to Whateley as well, so you may as well.”

Andy nodded to Katie. “Yes, I know magic, as I am...” she did something near her neck that Jess's eyes refused to see. Andy let out a slightly orgasmic gasp as Jess felt something release.

Jess's jaw dropped as she took in the changes. “You're a Night Elf?” she asked taking in Andy. She looked like the actress Nefessa William had gone swimming in purple paint while wearing just a pair of Vulcan ears..

Andy gave her a confused look. “I am a sihde lady of noble dissent. I don't know what a night elf is,”

“Oh. Sorry.”

“So how come you've been playing human?” Val asked, her tone hurt and directed as much to her aunt as Andy.

“It's complicated...” the sihde girl sighed giving Katie a pleading look.

Katie took pitty on her and picked up the story thread “Scott felt that after her rescue...”

“My brother rescued you? How? Why?” Val yelped. “He's just a book store owner!”

“Um, actually he's not.” Katie said as she glanced down at her mug of coffee. “He's actually Blaze Stone.”

“How..?”

“He's a power stone user. He's never explained how he got the stones...”

A light went off in Val's mind. “His class ring. I found it yesterday and I was wondering when he had the blue stone I'd seen in his class picture changed out for a black one.”

“It's really two very cunningly carved stones fitted together. And I don't know when either.” Katie replied. “and before you ask, I am what you see; an ER doc. Grace on the other hand...” she said as the other adult wandered in looking shell shocked. “Grace?”

“Mom?” Jess asked as her mother dropped heavily into a chair.

“Ash was in Doyle for burn out...” Grace said softly as she looked down at the phone in her hand. Jess saw Katie go pale.

“She looked fine when I saw her.” Jess blurted out, remembering Doyle was the hospital on campus from the map that had come with Ash's enrollment package.

“What?” Grace snapped, her head whipping up. “Saw her? How, when?”

“Um, I don't know, it was before Val and Andy came over, in the mirror...”

Grace began to laugh softly, though there wasn't much humor in the sound. “Ash also complained about someone peeping on her and her roommate.”

“Maybe? I'm not really sure what or how I did what I did. I was thinking of the Magic Mirror from Snow White...”

“Scrying spell,” Andy offered, as she eyeballed Jess. “I... can't tell without seeing it happen if it is a spell or not, though you do have the warm sunlight feeling I associate with other magic users.”

“Grace, how about I take the kids today? You call the school, get the facts, see about enrollment for three. We'll go girl clothing shopping for Jess, if she plans to spend a good amount of time as the fairer sex” she paused as Jess nodded. “Then they can get power tested by Tower, get the ball rolling on MIDs...”

~*~
Val leaned over to Jess and asked softly, “Are you all right?”

“Mmm? Um, yeah. I'm fine, more or less.” Jess replied just as softly as they moved through the Goodwill clothing racks. “I... um, am having a bit of a bad underwear day.”

“What?”

Jess hung her head for a moment before explaining. “When I changed last night I endedup wearing a pair of guys boxer briefs instead of some of Ash's sleep shorts. They ended up bunching up in the night, and they kind of rubbed me wrong close to a delicate area. And now the boy shorts I put on this morning are kind of clinging in a way I'm not enjoying. Which I don't understand, cause I wore from the same pack yesterday and they where just fine.”

“TMI.” Val paused and ran a hand over her face. “but I did ask, so it's my own fault. Jess, the bad fit could be because this form isn't finished filling out. I bet the longer you're in it the more your figure develops.”

“I hadn't considered that.” Jess replied after she mulled it over. “Without having Ash here to compare my girlish figure o, it's hard to tell...”

“Forget your sister, look at your mom and grandmothers for an idea on how you will develop.” Val countered.

“I think Ash is a better person for me to compare myself to...”

“Not if she's an Exemplar.”

“Pretty sure she isn't. And looking at her factors in our father's side of the family.”

“When did you see her last? And who is your father, you never talk about him.”

“before we left the house. We skyped and she helped me work out what I want to try and get for my schedule. We have a good reason not to talk about him, he's Captain Condom. He'd had some work done before he slept with my mom, so she didn't recognize him.”

“Eww, isn't he like seventies by now?”

“I don't think he's that old, but he's got enough regen or something to keep him looking like he's in his late twenties, early thirties.”

“Maybe you're lucky and have that.”

“Might be nice.” Jess admitted, then grimaced. “I need a fitting room so I can peal a peach...”

“Lalala, can't hear you. And you have got to stop talking like a guy. Girls do not say stuff like that. Especially in public.”

~*~

“Ah hell no! Can't I just get by with some Target bought Panes or Fruit Salad brand undies and not go in there?”

“Victoria's Secret is more then just bras and panties. And it is a right of passage for a girl, even a part timer like you. We ran into your mother and sister when I came in for my first real bra.” Val said tugging Jess toward tie white and pink store front.

~*~

Over food court fare (burgers for Jess and Val, a salad she had found offered somewhere for Andy) Jess asked “So, if you can make yourself look human, why don't you do clothed human, and go naked and no one is the wiser?”

“Because, while I am not effected by the climate of this world, and the illusions might feel real, they offer no protection.”

~*~

“Ok girls here we are.” Katie said as she shut down her car.

“But this is a farm. Next to a tourist trap. Tthis can't be a super hero team's base.” Jess stated as she took in the pair of silos, slightly dilapidated barn where cows stood chewing their cud. The bovine's grazing field was partially churned up into what Val knew was more then just mud. Near the road a sign pointed the way to Crystal Cave.

“Which is why the MCO never looked twice at it when they check on us. They have another more showy 'serious' hq in town near the police station.” Katie replied. “It's safer having Ivory Tower's lab space out away from people. That and Tower is a Batman fan, so jumped at the chance to have a Batcave.” Katie explained as she lead the girls past two blue silos and up a hill to a squat blue tank that had Ash wrinkling her node from yards away.

“We have to go near that?”

“Yup. Another way to keep the MCO out of their hair.” Katie said as she climbed a ladder bolted to the side of the slurry tank. “We're not gonna be here long.” Reaching the top Katie tapped a hiddon button and a small platform rose from the animal created muck. “This is a transporter that will take us to the base.”

Val and Jess stepped gamely onto the platform next to Katie, followed reluctantly by Ash. “I knew you humans had lesser scenes...” the once again disguised sidhe said as she wrinkled her nose, hesitating at the edge of the platform.

“You wanna take the flier's entrance?” Katie asked poi ting. “Climb the ladder of the short silo, and at the top jump through the hatch. It's a seventy feet or so drop...”

“Which isn't an issue as I have enough Manna to cast a levitation spell.” Andy replied as she dropped back to the ground and began walking over to the blue painted storage bin.

“Didn't know she could do that.” Kate muttered as an almost Star Trek like shimmer enveloped her, Jess, and Val. The trio where deposited on a nearely identical pad. The teens looked around the room they found themselves in.

“This doesn't look very much like the Batcave from any media.” Val observed. “No bats for one.”

“Be glad for that. Their poop smells most unpleasant, and no matter how good at cleaning Alfred might be, He would have quit if the Batman asked him to clean the cave.” An amused, naked woman said as she stepped through a doorway leading to another part of the base. She looked like she had been carved from a smoothly polished hunk of alabaster save that the artist had left her with Barbie doll anatomy. “Hi, I'm Charity Cooper, code name Ivory Tower. I'm the team Make and repair geek.”

“Char, you mind covering up? Jess might not look it right now but she's usually a guy.”

“Fiiiiinnnnne” Charity whined as she turned around and re-entered the room she had just left. “Girl tries to indulge her nudist roots as she thinks no one will be around..”

“You see why the team keeps her in the command and control role”Katie said softly. “That was her registered uniform”

“Why?” Jess said as val wipped the drool from her chin.

“Char's specialty is replicating Warper powers with tech. She can do the Ant and Giant Man trick besides the transporrre, and a few other things..”

“Problem is other then the porter, Clothing isn't effected by my gear for some reason I can't figure out.. I grow or shrink out of my clothing” Charity finished as she stepped back into view just as Andy joined them,. now dressed in dark jeans and a pink t-shirt. “The testing chamber is through here, we have testing suits for you to change into. But first a tour of the base!”

~*~

A few hours later Andy found Jess slumped at a table in what Charity had called the break room, though it was more a combined full sized kitchen and dinning room. Like Andy she was dressed in what looked like a skin tight blue latex bodysuit with a hood that hung between her shoulders. Jess was sporting two black eyes, and several other bruises.

“What happened to you” Andy asked as she pulled out the chair opposite the changeling.

“Katie went for pizza, an we found that with out one of my mirrors I have all the powers of a fourteen year old girl who has the night vision of a cat.” Jess said, wearily propping her chin on her upturned hand.”Charity is listing me as an Exemplar 1. That is probably the lowest rating you can get besides being tagged as a baseline. Charity also warned me that this rating is basically a sign saying bully me.”

“I can look after you. I have training as a warrior and protector.” Andy offered.

“And be seen as hiding behind someone? Thanks but no. I'll figure something out to keep them off my back.” Jess grinned weakly as Val joined them. “So, what have they learned about you?”

“That apparently I have a manifested shell I can reshape however an when ever I want. Ivory's never seen anything like it. She first thought I was something like a High End Shifter, still she saw the data that the suit took.”

“Fascinating.” Andy intoned which prompted a giggle from Jess.

“I know who you're going as if we go to a comic convention.” she teased as Katie appeared on thransport pad with a stack of large pizza's from the local, non big chain pizza place.

“She's going as Trance's purple form, cause it means no body painting the naked elf.” Val countered

“Val, back up an think about what you just said. You're telling me you're passing on smearing whatever all over Andy?”

“Going to pretend I didn't hear that girls. No one is body painting anyone else.. So, I have meat lover's, cheese, and veggie.” Katie offered as she sat the food on the table. “Ivory, put your clothing back on and come eat!”

“The only thing I took off was my bra I'll have you know.” Charity snipped as she padded into the room. “Oh an my socks.” she added wiggling her bare, flesh toned toes.

“Hey, you look normal!”Val said in surprise.

“I was exposed to something while I was at Whateley , and after that I could put on a manifested shell that had the properties of something like ivory.” Charity explained as she got out plates. “I have a bad habit of writing notes on myself, and I found out lines on my skin become lines on the shell so I was tempted to get tattoos and go by the code name Scrimshaw Maybe wear a cute sailor inspired costume....”

“I was thinking of code names while I was failing my tests. I think I have one in mind that hasn't been used, and might be in the public domain as well.” Jess said as she snagged a slice of cheese pizza. Andy seemed to be the only one going for the veggie.

“I'm thinking of using my birth name; Di'ar. Legally, on this world, my name is Andria.” Andy tossed into the discussion.

“You speak English very well for someone not native to this wourld.”

“A spell is helping me speak it.” Andy explained

“I'm thinking Skinz, as my power, we found out, lets me put on a new skin when I use it.” Val chimed in, , though she to had been pondering that herself sine Andy's revelation.

“I'm not sure Skins is available. I know Marvel has the singular tied up with a character. Might get away with it though, he just had extra skin he could kindda control if I remember right”

“Yeah, but the character is dead in a way that bringing him back lessens the impact of his death.” Jess, the only on who was semi current with Marvel's comics, countered.

“Eh, it's going to just be a school code name. The owner of Marvel is good about letting students use copyrighted names as long as they behave.” Charity said with a shrug.

Katie leaned forward fixing the three with a hard look. “We can trust you to do that, right???”

“Yes um.” Val said speaking for Andy and Jess.

“Katie, as an alum, I can tell you now that being on your best behavior at Whateley doesn't always keep you out of trouble.” somoe new said from where Andy had emerged from the flier's entrance earlier. “Hello girls, you three are the evaluees that we got such short notice about testing?”

“You are....??” Andy asked taking in the new arrival who was clad in a mostly light gray costume that had long sleeves and left her shapely legs bare. The sleeves and the low cut neckline where bordered with black and white bands.

“The Gray Gull.” the woman said with a bow, which allowed Andy to see that the suit wasn't as low cyt as she had thought, it had a flesh toned modesty panel in place.