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A story about a young man who experiences loss, but quickly things change as a gift from his girlfriend changes his life forever!", "writing": "[center]All’s Fair in Love and War\nBy: Cassi Mephitis \nFor: RealColdSnap[/center]\n\n Outside of the funeral home, a young man paced, arguing mentally with himself about entering those doors. Every part of him cried out: It isn’t fair! It’s not right! She can’t be gone! And yet, it was all he could do to hold back the hot tears that threatened to stream down his face. His light sandy brown hair, kept cropped short, billowed in the wind as he continued to pace, as if determined to wear the sidewalk down while he tried to make a decision. His deep brown eyes glittered as he blinked, trying to hold back those tears, but the pain he felt could almost be tasted on the air. What he was going through, and how it impacted him was clear in every motion. \n\n Pete Stockton was hardly the athletic type, but one could not say he was fat either, his frame stocky, but drooping, as if the world was crushing down on him. His chest rose as he fought the impulse to hyperventilate, struggling to keep himself calm and centered. Robyn wouldn’t want to see him like this...so vulnerable, so off-kilter. \n\n A bigger part of him just wanted to be angry, angry at the driver who had cut her life so short in so tragic a way. Angry at the life she had left to live, but never had the chance, and angry that he lived while she died. But...that anger wasn’t fair, the accident had impacted the driver as much as it had Pete, and he made every effort to change his life, knowing how painful what he had done was and being more than willing to accept whatever consequences came his way.\n\n Pete gently placed his left hand over the bracelet he now wore on his right arm. A simple white band that Robyn had worn every day as long as he had known her, and her last gift to him. See...she didn’t die right away, she was rushed to the hospital and lived for a week in intensive care, waking up only once. Pete was there with her, and he’d never forget her words. She had smiled at him as she slipped off her bracelet and gave it to him, “Don’t be angry Pete, these things happen. Don’t forget me okay?”\n\n Looking back at that moment, and feeling his gut twist as if someone had stabbed him made him retch for a moment, feeling a wave of physical sickness wash over him for a moment as his emotions just...didn’t know how to react. He was sad...angry, lonely and yet he couldn’t parse any of it. He clenches his fists, closing his eyes: God, if you are real, why would you let this happen? How could you take Robyn, is this a test? Of her or of me? How can...How can I be alright with this? How could she have been so calm?!\n\n A slow sigh escapes him and he takes a steadying breath. Staying outside, knowing that others too hurt...she wouldn’t want that, but at the same time, he couldn’t face them, because that would mean admitting finally, that she was gone. Admitting he could never see her smile again, that he could never hold her, or look into those blue eyes of hers. Eyes that had always helped him feel centered, like things would be alright. He would never again watch on as she cheered for him, giving him the urge to complete whatever he put his mind to (even if he never DID make the basketball team). He had been so happy, like finding a part of himself he never knew he was missing...and then that joy, that hope was smashed. It wasn’t fair!\n\n He forced himself to walk forward, step after step after he swung open the door. It felt like his heart beat in time with each step as he made his way towards the viewing hall. He knew, deep inside, that Robyn wanted him to say goodbye, that it was truly time to go, and he had to stop dragging his feet and face reality. The hallways were empty, where only moments ago they had been bustling with people coming to pay their final respects, how...they were silent, his footsteps echoing as he kept forcing himself to breathe, steady breath after steady breath; he would get through this. \n\n The door to the viewing hall creaked slowly open as he began to walk. The walls seemed to narrow in, as if there was only one path to go and his feet slowly felt weighted, as if each step was crying out for him to stop, that if he didn’t go through with this...maybe...just maybe he could see her again. It was, as if a part of his own soul wanted to shackle him to the past, to live only in those happy memories.\n\n Step after painful step, Pete made his way towards the casket, fists clenched hard, threatening to dig the nails in as he finally looked inside. Robyn was laid out, peaceful, almost angelic, and looking for all the world as if she were just sleeping. She wore a white dress and looked so lively that part of him just begged for her to sit up and tell him, it was all a cruel joke. He could take that, he could live with the embarrassment and even the anger. That was a pain he could get over. But this...knowing she wouldn’t...knowing she couldn’t just made that knife twist to the heart feel all the more real. He bit his lip hard, trying to will himself not to cry, begging his heart and mind to get through this.\n\n The tears came, hot, unbidden, unwanted as he looked down onto Robyn, so peaceful in the casket. He felt himself sway, like his legs were going to give out under him, and he reached to steady himself on the casket, looking down at the woman who would always have a place in his heart. Someone who could never be replaced. Then...and only then, did he realize his life could never be the same again. \n\n As Pete left the funeral home, he wasn’t sure what he felt anymore. He had been so angry...so sad. But once the finality all sunk in, he just felt numb, like his emotions just shut down. He stayed by Robyn’s side for almost an hour, staring blankly before finally turning to leave. He climbed into his car, staring blankly out as the lights of passing cars illuminated the windshield and the gentle hum of the road echoed in his ears. He didn’t turn on the radio, driving in a silence that was almost deafening, just him and the road. \n\n He pulled into his parking space, walking almost mechanically up the stairs to his room. The dorms were laid out more like small apartments, to help those inside get used to how apartments would be in the outside. Granted, they were of campus dorms and repurposed apartments, so it really helped drive that feeling home. \n\n As he walked in, flicking on the light and locking the door behind him, he made his way over, almost on impulse to the kitchen, and grabbed a glass from the cabinet; turning on the faucet to fill it up the water. As he placed the glass under the stream, he just turned to look at the window and stared, watching the lights pass by as cars pulled in and out of the complex. \n\n Pete was so focused on the lights, just staring out as if mesmerized that the only thing that snapped him back to reality was when the glass overflowed, spilling over his hand. The shock of the cold tap water made him gasp and look at the sink. It was then he realized his hand was shaking. He clutched his wrist as emotions started to flood back, as if everything he had held back the last week was breaking through.\n\n He couldn’t help it, seeing his vision flash to when he got the call about the accident and the drive to the hospital. He had barely contained the panic when he rushed into the ICU, seeing her unconscious, bloody and bruised. The glass slipped out of his hand, shattering in the sink as it all flooded back.\n\n The nights he never went home, sleeping at the hospital, waiting, hoping...praying that Robyn would wake up. The moments his heart leapt into his throat when the steady beep of her heart monitor would pause, causing him to fear the worst! Everything at once, it was all too much for him to handle!\n\n It was as if he could watch the accident, over and over again, watching the car hit her, tires screaming on the asphalt as the driver noticed far too late. Her surprised eyes looking at him, as if HE were the driver! The sickening thud as she hit the front of the car plays through his head...again and again as a deep mournful scream ripples from him, as if his very soul cried out like a wounded animal!\n\n “It’s not FAIR!” he shrieks, slamming his fist into the counter, not caring as the knuckles hit hard on the marble counter top. In fact, if anything, the jolt of pain just served as an outlet for him, “It should have been me!” he shouts, “She had far more to live for than I do! IT ISN’T FAIR!” he shrieks again, storming out of the kitchen as the stream of water disturbs the shards of glass, leading a melodic bell like tinkle that echoes in the kitchen as he makes his way into the living room. \n\n Pete sunk to his knees in the middle of the living room, fingers grasping at the couch as he just shrieked over and over, as if giving his pain a voice in the most guttural, physical way he could. It was a raw, primal release of grief, as if hoping his screams could reach Robyn. He doubled over, giving in and letting those raw emotions flow over him, accepting what he truly felt, even if he never wanted to face those feelings ever again!\n\n He never even noticed the bracelet that Robyn had given him start to glow, stretching and changing. The simple white band split, turning into a thin spiderweb pattern, the strands shifting to what looked like thin strings of gold in a tight lattice. The top opened up as a moonstone slipped to the front, locked in by the bands. The end result was a piece that looked almost masculine, yet still feminine at the same time, blending the styles together.\n\n It was almost ten minutes before Pete finally starts to calm down. His throat raw from screaming, hands raw from the floor and his eyes burning from the tears that streamed down his face. He slowly climbs to his feet, knowing he can’t ever hide how he feels about this, and how hard it is to keep holding it back. Damming up those emotions won’t bring her back, and they won’t make it hurt any less. \n\n Hearing the water running in the kitchen, he decides to do something productive, walking over to the sink and shutting off the water. He notices the glass shard in the sink and shakes his head, almost as much to clear it as to disapprove of the fact he had broken it in the first place. He decides to head to the bathroom, to wash his face and get a hold of himself. \n\n He turned on the water, cupping his hands and letting the cold water pool in his hands. He brought his hands up, splashing water over his face. He repeated this twice before supporting himself on the edge of the sink, staring into the mirror as if it held some answer for him. It was then he noticed his eyes, deep emerald green looking back at him! His eyes weren’t green, they were brown. Where mental and physical exhaustion had gripped him previously, curiosity took hold instead. He looked at his puffy bloodshot eyes again, as if to verify what he saw, blinking a few times to clear his vision. Sure enough, they were green, as if looking into someone else’s eyes!\n\n That was not all that had changed, what caught his attention next was his hair seemed to be moving? But then it became abundantly clear it was growing right in front of his eyes! His now green eyes widen in surprise, “What?” he mumbles, grabbing a pair of scissors from the sink. He tries to cut the hair, but even as locks fall to the sink, it just grows back, even faster! He’s not sure what to think about these odd changes, but given what he’s seeing, the fear starts setting in. \n\n He set the scissors down, looking on, freaked out as his hair changed tones, getting lighter, changing from that sandy brown to a lighter chestnut color. What’s more, he’d feel his shirt slowly getting tighter. Stepping back and looking at the full length mirror on the door it starts to sink in. He watches, almost transfixed now that he knows he can’t stop it as his chest slowly expands, his shoulders sloping his face softening, was he...becoming a woman?\n\n He reached his hands for the bulges under his shirt, wincing as the truth becomes known and his eyes dart back to the mirror. The hard edge of his beard begins to vanish and the lines around his eyes fade as smooth creamy skin replaces the thicker masculine from before and his eyes bulge as he watches, not bereft of a shirt as his stomach begins to shrink!\n\n Was he hallucinating? Was this some sick dream? He places a hand firmly on the growing breast, trying to shove it back, “I’m not a girl!” he shouts, even as his voice cracks, the deep resonance tempered, shifting upwards into an almost melodic timbre. He winces, realizing all he’s doing is hurting himself as he finally realizes not only is his stomach shrinking, and his sides, but his hips as well, and he’s starting to see definition where there has never been before. Thin lines of muscles seem to etch themselves onto his stomach as it stops shrinking and he notices the slope of his shoulders narrowing more, forming an almost bell like shape between his neck and his chin. Fear is replaced by fascination now that he realizes there just is no stopping this. Maybe it’s a dream and he just wanted to see Robyn so much that now...he’s dreaming of becoming her, it was a stretch but at this point, he was willing to take whatever his fragile mind could hold onto!\n\n Pete watched his arms change, subtle curves forming as muscles began to show there. He had never been strong, or at least never defined, so it surprised him to watch as if his body were removing everything unnecessary, casting off what wasn’t useful and reforging him out of marble. His legs shrank as well, thinning out into legs a runner would be proud of, complete with solid etched calf and thigh muscles! He had to see, realizing this was not Robyn’s body, and so before it was too late, he started to slide down his pants as well, to make sure he could watch every last detail as his body slowly changed. His hips shifted, forming the nice curves and defined waist that most female bodybuilders would be proud of and those muscles continued to remain defined, looking as if he was being carved, sculpted by some unseen hand!\n\n His hair finally stopped, just shy of his rump, now firm and round. Though he couldn’t think of himself as a he with all that he was seeing. Though the most important thing that defined his gender was still there. He had never thought of himself as very gifted in that department, but a part of him felt as if he should mourn as he feels and watches his genitals slowly begin to shift. He watched as his malehood slowly retreated back into his pelvis, the tip splitting as it meets the skin. He would watch, equal parts shocked and appalled as the tip slowly forms into the soft petals of what would soon be his labia. He felt deep inside other changes as his scrotum was pulled up inside of him, the round orbs that kept him fertile before, altering into thin tubes as they formed ovaries now instead. There wasn’t a part of him that was untouched by the transformation, even the soft downy patch of hair just above his new sex matched his hair, a lighter chestnut color that gave him pause. He just...wasn’t sure what to think about all of this. But even as he came to grips with no longer being a he, the bracelet began glowing once more. \n\n She looked at her wrist, unable to fight or resist, watching almost passively as the metal begins to melt, starting to flow over her arm! It looked like it should burn or hurt, yet neither sensation came, instead she watched as in its wake formed a thick tight fitting black leather outfit. The metal flowed over her arms first, then along her back and all the way to her torso, leaving behind a well padded, custom fit and comfortable outfit that showed off every subtle curve!\n\n It wasn’t done yet, the leather started to gleam from patches on her arm, the liquid halting at her waist as metal seemed to float on the leather as if it were water! Glittering gold and silver plates and formed themselves to her forearms and biceps, curving over her shoulders and reaching around, protecting her arms. Across her chest, fitting for her was a breast plate, formed in two pieces so she could still bend and stoop. She watched in awe and surprise as the solid pieces seemed to just mold to her body, fitting comfortably against the leather as straps formed behind, locking them in place. What was more, was the thin silver and told etching that curled along the breastplate, forming the emblem of a rose petal by petal.\n\n It was like watching a time lapse video as the etching moved from petal to petal, embossing itself, curling in one solid line until it began on the stem. The stem wrapped around, thorns forming flutes in the armor as it curled up along her sides, even reaching with thin silver bands that stitched themselves into the leather, blending in perfectly as the rose ended just shy of her elbow on her right arm!\n\n The metal continued to flow, bubbling over her legs, even her feet and leaving with it a padded brown leather pair of pants and fitted short ankle shoes. It wasn’t long though before that as well was not enough, and like the top before it, pieces of metal started to appear, rising up through the leather as if hidden inside the fabric!\n\n Silvery gold crawled its way from her shoes first, forming a cap atop of her feet with joints so that she could move easily, clasping behind the ankle and continuing up, curving around her calves. Another place formed at the front of her thighs with a small skirt that draped over the knee with intricate golden ringlets that barely made a sound. The outfit was completed as just at her waist, all the way around her, a thin metal skirt formed, loose and connected to her breastplate.\n\n Similar to the top, the silver and gold embossed symbols began to form, but in this case, long tapering ribbons slip around her waist and down both legs in a braided design that curls both in front of, and behind. \n\n She looked as atop of her gauntlet on her right wrist, the bracelet reformed, moonstone glittering in the light and looking for it all, as it it were just another part of her armor. Aside from the inlay, the design of the bracelet was embossed into the armor, forming a striking asymmetry with the rest of her outfit.\n\n She looked in the mirror, having not only changed from a man to a woman (and a rather attractive one at that) but now sporting a suit of armor to boot. If this was a dream, he must have one hell of a fever! Little did he know that soon, this would all make sense, and as much as he felt his life would never be the same, he didn’t know the half of it!", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "
All’s Fair in Love and War
By: Cassi Mephitis
For: RealColdSnap


        Outside of the funeral home, a young man paced, arguing mentally with himself about entering those doors. Every part of him cried out: It isn’t fair! It’s not right! She can’t be gone! And yet, it was all he could do to hold back the hot tears that threatened to stream down his face. His light sandy brown hair, kept cropped short, billowed in the wind as he continued to pace, as if determined to wear the sidewalk down while he tried to make a decision. His deep brown eyes glittered as he blinked, trying to hold back those tears, but the pain he felt could almost be tasted on the air. What he was going through, and how it impacted him was clear in every motion.

        Pete Stockton was hardly the athletic type, but one could not say he was fat either, his frame stocky, but drooping, as if the world was crushing down on him. His chest rose as he fought the impulse to hyperventilate, struggling to keep himself calm and centered. Robyn wouldn’t want to see him like this...so vulnerable, so off-kilter.

        A bigger part of him just wanted to be angry, angry at the driver who had cut her life so short in so tragic a way. Angry at the life she had left to live, but never had the chance, and angry that he lived while she died. But...that anger wasn’t fair, the accident had impacted the driver as much as it had Pete, and he made every effort to change his life, knowing how painful what he had done was and being more than willing to accept whatever consequences came his way.

        Pete gently placed his left hand over the bracelet he now wore on his right arm. A simple white band that Robyn had worn every day as long as he had known her, and her last gift to him. See...she didn’t die right away, she was rushed to the hospital and lived for a week in intensive care, waking up only once. Pete was there with her, and he’d never forget her words. She had smiled at him as she slipped off her bracelet and gave it to him, “Don’t be angry Pete, these things happen. Don’t forget me okay?”

        Looking back at that moment, and feeling his gut twist as if someone had stabbed him made him retch for a moment, feeling a wave of physical sickness wash over him for a moment as his emotions just...didn’t know how to react. He was sad...angry, lonely and yet he couldn’t parse any of it. He clenches his fists, closing his eyes: God, if you are real, why would you let this happen? How could you take Robyn, is this a test? Of her or of me? How can...How can I be alright with this? How could she have been so calm?!

        A slow sigh escapes him and he takes a steadying breath. Staying outside, knowing that others too hurt...she wouldn’t want that, but at the same time, he couldn’t face them, because that would mean admitting finally, that she was gone. Admitting he could never see her smile again, that he could never hold her, or look into those blue eyes of hers. Eyes that had always helped him feel centered, like things would be alright. He would never again watch on as she cheered for him, giving him the urge to complete whatever he put his mind to (even if he never DID make the basketball team). He had been so happy, like finding a part of himself he never knew he was missing...and then that joy, that hope was smashed. It wasn’t fair!

        He forced himself to walk forward, step after step after he swung open the door. It felt like his heart beat in time with each step as he made his way towards the viewing hall. He knew, deep inside, that Robyn wanted him to say goodbye, that it was truly time to go, and he had to stop dragging his feet and face reality. The hallways were empty, where only moments ago they had been bustling with people coming to pay their final respects, how...they were silent, his footsteps echoing as he kept forcing himself to breathe, steady breath after steady breath; he would get through this.

        The door to the viewing hall creaked slowly open as he began to walk. The walls seemed to narrow in, as if there was only one path to go and his feet slowly felt weighted, as if each step was crying out for him to stop, that if he didn’t go through with this...maybe...just maybe he could see her again. It was, as if a part of his own soul wanted to shackle him to the past, to live only in those happy memories.

        Step after painful step, Pete made his way towards the casket, fists clenched hard, threatening to dig the nails in as he finally looked inside. Robyn was laid out, peaceful, almost angelic, and looking for all the world as if she were just sleeping. She wore a white dress and looked so lively that part of him just begged for her to sit up and tell him, it was all a cruel joke. He could take that, he could live with the embarrassment and even the anger. That was a pain he could get over. But this...knowing she wouldn’t...knowing she couldn’t just made that knife twist to the heart feel all the more real. He bit his lip hard, trying to will himself not to cry, begging his heart and mind to get through this.

        The tears came, hot, unbidden, unwanted as he looked down onto Robyn, so peaceful in the casket. He felt himself sway, like his legs were going to give out under him, and he reached to steady himself on the casket, looking down at the woman who would always have a place in his heart. Someone who could never be replaced. Then...and only then, did he realize his life could never be the same again.

        As Pete left the funeral home, he wasn’t sure what he felt anymore. He had been so angry...so sad. But once the finality all sunk in, he just felt numb, like his emotions just shut down. He stayed by Robyn’s side for almost an hour, staring blankly before finally turning to leave. He climbed into his car, staring blankly out as the lights of passing cars illuminated the windshield and the gentle hum of the road echoed in his ears. He didn’t turn on the radio, driving in a silence that was almost deafening, just him and the road.

        He pulled into his parking space, walking almost mechanically up the stairs to his room. The dorms were laid out more like small apartments, to help those inside get used to how apartments would be in the outside. Granted, they were of campus dorms and repurposed apartments, so it really helped drive that feeling home.

        As he walked in, flicking on the light and locking the door behind him, he made his way over, almost on impulse to the kitchen, and grabbed a glass from the cabinet; turning on the faucet to fill it up the water. As he placed the glass under the stream, he just turned to look at the window and stared, watching the lights pass by as cars pulled in and out of the complex.

        Pete was so focused on the lights, just staring out as if mesmerized that the only thing that snapped him back to reality was when the glass overflowed, spilling over his hand. The shock of the cold tap water made him gasp and look at the sink. It was then he realized his hand was shaking. He clutched his wrist as emotions started to flood back, as if everything he had held back the last week was breaking through.

        He couldn’t help it, seeing his vision flash to when he got the call about the accident and the drive to the hospital. He had barely contained the panic when he rushed into the ICU, seeing her unconscious, bloody and bruised. The glass slipped out of his hand, shattering in the sink as it all flooded back.

        The nights he never went home, sleeping at the hospital, waiting, hoping...praying that Robyn would wake up. The moments his heart leapt into his throat when the steady beep of her heart monitor would pause, causing him to fear the worst! Everything at once, it was all too much for him to handle!

        It was as if he could watch the accident, over and over again, watching the car hit her, tires screaming on the asphalt as the driver noticed far too late. Her surprised eyes looking at him, as if HE were the driver! The sickening thud as she hit the front of the car plays through his head...again and again as a deep mournful scream ripples from him, as if his very soul cried out like a wounded animal!

        “It’s not FAIR!” he shrieks, slamming his fist into the counter, not caring as the knuckles hit hard on the marble counter top. In fact, if anything, the jolt of pain just served as an outlet for him, “It should have been me!” he shouts, “She had far more to live for than I do! IT ISN’T FAIR!” he shrieks again, storming out of the kitchen as the stream of water disturbs the shards of glass, leading a melodic bell like tinkle that echoes in the kitchen as he makes his way into the living room.

        Pete sunk to his knees in the middle of the living room, fingers grasping at the couch as he just shrieked over and over, as if giving his pain a voice in the most guttural, physical way he could. It was a raw, primal release of grief, as if hoping his screams could reach Robyn. He doubled over, giving in and letting those raw emotions flow over him, accepting what he truly felt, even if he never wanted to face those feelings ever again!

        He never even noticed the bracelet that Robyn had given him start to glow, stretching and changing. The simple white band split, turning into a thin spiderweb pattern, the strands shifting to what looked like thin strings of gold in a tight lattice. The top opened up as a moonstone slipped to the front, locked in by the bands. The end result was a piece that looked almost masculine, yet still feminine at the same time, blending the styles together.

        It was almost ten minutes before Pete finally starts to calm down. His throat raw from screaming, hands raw from the floor and his eyes burning from the tears that streamed down his face. He slowly climbs to his feet, knowing he can’t ever hide how he feels about this, and how hard it is to keep holding it back. Damming up those emotions won’t bring her back, and they won’t make it hurt any less.

        Hearing the water running in the kitchen, he decides to do something productive, walking over to the sink and shutting off the water. He notices the glass shard in the sink and shakes his head, almost as much to clear it as to disapprove of the fact he had broken it in the first place. He decides to head to the bathroom, to wash his face and get a hold of himself.

        He turned on the water, cupping his hands and letting the cold water pool in his hands. He brought his hands up, splashing water over his face. He repeated this twice before supporting himself on the edge of the sink, staring into the mirror as if it held some answer for him. It was then he noticed his eyes, deep emerald green looking back at him! His eyes weren’t green, they were brown. Where mental and physical exhaustion had gripped him previously, curiosity took hold instead. He looked at his puffy bloodshot eyes again, as if to verify what he saw, blinking a few times to clear his vision. Sure enough, they were green, as if looking into someone else’s eyes!

        That was not all that had changed, what caught his attention next was his hair seemed to be moving? But then it became abundantly clear it was growing right in front of his eyes! His now green eyes widen in surprise, “What?” he mumbles, grabbing a pair of scissors from the sink. He tries to cut the hair, but even as locks fall to the sink, it just grows back, even faster! He’s not sure what to think about these odd changes, but given what he’s seeing, the fear starts setting in.

        He set the scissors down, looking on, freaked out as his hair changed tones, getting lighter, changing from that sandy brown to a lighter chestnut color. What’s more, he’d feel his shirt slowly getting tighter. Stepping back and looking at the full length mirror on the door it starts to sink in. He watches, almost transfixed now that he knows he can’t stop it as his chest slowly expands, his shoulders sloping his face softening, was he...becoming a woman?

        He reached his hands for the bulges under his shirt, wincing as the truth becomes known and his eyes dart back to the mirror. The hard edge of his beard begins to vanish and the lines around his eyes fade as smooth creamy skin replaces the thicker masculine from before and his eyes bulge as he watches, not bereft of a shirt as his stomach begins to shrink!

        Was he hallucinating? Was this some sick dream? He places a hand firmly on the growing breast, trying to shove it back, “I’m not a girl!” he shouts, even as his voice cracks, the deep resonance tempered, shifting upwards into an almost melodic timbre. He winces, realizing all he’s doing is hurting himself as he finally realizes not only is his stomach shrinking, and his sides, but his hips as well, and he’s starting to see definition where there has never been before. Thin lines of muscles seem to etch themselves onto his stomach as it stops shrinking and he notices the slope of his shoulders narrowing more, forming an almost bell like shape between his neck and his chin. Fear is replaced by fascination now that he realizes there just is no stopping this. Maybe it’s a dream and he just wanted to see Robyn so much that now...he’s dreaming of becoming her, it was a stretch but at this point, he was willing to take whatever his fragile mind could hold onto!

        Pete watched his arms change, subtle curves forming as muscles began to show there. He had never been strong, or at least never defined, so it surprised him to watch as if his body were removing everything unnecessary, casting off what wasn’t useful and reforging him out of marble. His legs shrank as well, thinning out into legs a runner would be proud of, complete with solid etched calf and thigh muscles! He had to see, realizing this was not Robyn’s body, and so before it was too late, he started to slide down his pants as well, to make sure he could watch every last detail as his body slowly changed. His hips shifted, forming the nice curves and defined waist that most female bodybuilders would be proud of and those muscles continued to remain defined, looking as if he was being carved, sculpted by some unseen hand!

        His hair finally stopped, just shy of his rump, now firm and round. Though he couldn’t think of himself as a he with all that he was seeing. Though the most important thing that defined his gender was still there. He had never thought of himself as very gifted in that department, but a part of him felt as if he should mourn as he feels and watches his genitals slowly begin to shift. He watched as his malehood slowly retreated back into his pelvis, the tip splitting as it meets the skin. He would watch, equal parts shocked and appalled as the tip slowly forms into the soft petals of what would soon be his labia. He felt deep inside other changes as his scrotum was pulled up inside of him, the round orbs that kept him fertile before, altering into thin tubes as they formed ovaries now instead. There wasn’t a part of him that was untouched by the transformation, even the soft downy patch of hair just above his new sex matched his hair, a lighter chestnut color that gave him pause. He just...wasn’t sure what to think about all of this. But even as he came to grips with no longer being a he, the bracelet began glowing once more.

        She looked at her wrist, unable to fight or resist, watching almost passively as the metal begins to melt, starting to flow over her arm! It looked like it should burn or hurt, yet neither sensation came, instead she watched as in its wake formed a thick tight fitting black leather outfit. The metal flowed over her arms first, then along her back and all the way to her torso, leaving behind a well padded, custom fit and comfortable outfit that showed off every subtle curve!

        It wasn’t done yet, the leather started to gleam from patches on her arm, the liquid halting at her waist as metal seemed to float on the leather as if it were water! Glittering gold and silver plates and formed themselves to her forearms and biceps, curving over her shoulders and reaching around, protecting her arms. Across her chest, fitting for her was a breast plate, formed in two pieces so she could still bend and stoop. She watched in awe and surprise as the solid pieces seemed to just mold to her body, fitting comfortably against the leather as straps formed behind, locking them in place. What was more, was the thin silver and told etching that curled along the breastplate, forming the emblem of a rose petal by petal.

        It was like watching a time lapse video as the etching moved from petal to petal, embossing itself, curling in one solid line until it began on the stem. The stem wrapped around, thorns forming flutes in the armor as it curled up along her sides, even reaching with thin silver bands that stitched themselves into the leather, blending in perfectly as the rose ended just shy of her elbow on her right arm!

        The metal continued to flow, bubbling over her legs, even her feet and leaving with it a padded brown leather pair of pants and fitted short ankle shoes. It wasn’t long though before that as well was not enough, and like the top before it, pieces of metal started to appear, rising up through the leather as if hidden inside the fabric!

        Silvery gold crawled its way from her shoes first, forming a cap atop of her feet with joints so that she could move easily, clasping behind the ankle and continuing up, curving around her calves. Another place formed at the front of her thighs with a small skirt that draped over the knee with intricate golden ringlets that barely made a sound. The outfit was completed as just at her waist, all the way around her, a thin metal skirt formed, loose and connected to her breastplate.

        Similar to the top, the silver and gold embossed symbols began to form, but in this case, long tapering ribbons slip around her waist and down both legs in a braided design that curls both in front of, and behind.

        She looked as atop of her gauntlet on her right wrist, the bracelet reformed, moonstone glittering in the light and looking for it all, as it it were just another part of her armor. Aside from the inlay, the design of the bracelet was embossed into the armor, forming a striking asymmetry with the rest of her outfit.

        She looked in the mirror, having not only changed from a man to a woman (and a rather attractive one at that) but now sporting a suit of armor to boot. If this was a dream, he must have one hell of a fever! Little did he know that soon, this would all make sense, and as much as he felt his life would never be the same, he didn’t know the half of it!", "pools_count": 0, "title": "All's Fair in Love and War (for RealColdSnap)", "deleted": "f", "public": "t", "mimetype": "application/msword", "pagecount": "1", "rating_id": "1", "rating_name": "Mature", "ratings": [ { "content_tag_id": "2", "name": "Nudity", "description": "Nonsexual nudity exposing breasts or genitals (must not show arousal)", "rating_id": "1" } ], "submission_type_id": "12", "type_name": "Writing - Document", "guest_block": "f", "friends_only": "f", "comments_count": "0", "views": "66" }