Shifting Anniversaries
an Ultimate Potion story
by Tal Greywolf

---

"Excuse me?"

Ryan turned to look at who was talking to him.  A somewhat older female stood in
front of him, puzzled by all the things in the shop.  But then again, he was
working at the store, and he needed to answer questions.  "Yes ma'am?" he
instantly replied.  "How can I help you?"

The lady smiled softly.  "It's my daughter's birthday this weekend, and I'll
looking for a good beginners deck and book.  She's into Tarot, so..."

Ryan nodded, and walked over to a bookcase marked Tarot at the top.  Pausing to
look, he picked out three decks;  The Robin Wood Tarot, The Shadowscapes
Tarot, and the Everyday Witch Tarot.  "Personally, I recommend the Shadowscapes
Tarot, but all three are good for beginners."

Nodding, the lady looked over the decks.  She paused a bit on the Robin Wood
Tarot, and asked, "This is a good beginners deck, no?"

Ryan nodded again.  "Robin Wood is a fantasy artist, comes here yearly for one
of the local fantasy conventions.  Stephanie Pui-Mun Law is another fantasy
artist, we've some of her prints on the wall.  I've not heard anyone complaining
about her work, or the readings they've received using the cards."

The lady nodded in understanding, and put all three next to the register.  "I
think Samantha will be happy with these.  I like the Robin Wood deck's
appearance."

"A lot of folks do.  She's very popular as a starter deck."  He rang up the sale
and placed the cards into a box.  He also placed a card for the shop on too, and
the lady gathered her package.  "Samantha will be happy with these," she said, a
smile appearing on her face.

Ryan smiled back.  "I think she will love them," he said, and was surprised by
the lady's agreement.  With that, she left the store and headed down White St.

Ryan watched for a moment, then the door jingled again.  Ryan's eyes met
Caroline, and he grinned.  "Hello, love."

Caroline smiled.  "Hi, love.  Another sale?"

"Yah.  This one was buying decks for her daughter's birthday."  He turned the
sign in the door from open to closed, and started turning off the lights.  "Last
sale of the day, so I'm free for dinner."

Caroline smiled, as she helped him shut things down.  Once he got the front door
locked and the security active, they walked down White St. towards a small
Mexican taqueria.

They did this once a week, Caroline meeting up with Ryan as he was closing the
store and go out to dinner.  Depending on their mood, they might go into an
American buffer, a Japanese sushi bar, or like tonight, a taqueria.  Settling
down, they looked at the menu and picked something for them to share.

"So are you ready for this weekend?" Caroline asked.  Ryan chuckled softly and
nodded.

"Ready and willing," he told her.  He would have said more, but the server
arrived with their meals.  A short time later, they finished their meals and
were walking down to the edge of town where Ryan's place was.

---

It had been a year since that evening that Caroline set both her and Ryan into
an existence neither of them could have imagined.  Caroline had brought over two
vials of something she called the "Ultimate Potion", giving both her and Ryan
the ability to alter their forms completely.   What they didn't realize was that
somehow the potions became a part of them in more ways than one.

Caroline wanted to show Lexi and Gena the changes, but Ryan made it clear that
while she could tell them, it'd be best not to spread the information too far.
So a select group of folks knew about the changes to both, including Mr.
Wintergreen, the proprietor of the Potion Palace.  Tyler Adams and his fiance,
Felice also knew about it, the latter being able to change shapes herself
without the need of a potion.

Tyler, Ryan thought, was a mystery wrapped up in a puzzle, surrounded by an
enigma.  All he knew about him was that he knew about his changes and
Caroline's, yet he never once showed any interest in the potions.  But he was a
good friend, confidant and go-to person, who could get them out of trouble if
needed.

Walking up the path to their home, Caroline asked, "So what is the plan for this
weekend?"

Ryan chuckled.  "Oh, being trees for a while?"  He made it partially as a joke,
but Caroline grinned at him.

"I'd love to be a tree," she told him, surprising him a bit.  "I was grass once,
but that was when I was just experimenting by myself."  She grinned and winked
at him.  "It's more fun experimenting and changing forms with you, you make it
pleasurable."

He laughed and shook his head.  "Love, it's hard enough to keep up with you and
your changes.  As much fun as they are."

Entering the house, Caroline winked warmly.  "So let's have a little fun
tonight."

With that, her form started to shrink.  Moments later, she was a foot tall soft
rag doll, holding out her arms to be hugged.  Ryan laughed and picked her up,
hugging her lightly before heading into the bedroom.  Placing her on the bed, he
turned into a similar rag doll form, and they cuddled together in the darkness.

Later on, they became more aroused and amorous, both taking the form of a non-
morphic wolf.  Caroline moaned and howled softly as Ryan took her in this form,
then without pause shifted genders.  Now Caroline was the male wolf with Ryan
being the female.  Once again they took their pleasures this way, Caroline
mounting Ryan as her wolf cock plunged into his fem slit.  They shuddered as
they climaxed as one, then curled up on the bed to sleep until the morning.

---

Saturday morning arrived far too early for most, but for Ryan and Caroline, it
arrived just in time.  The sun was beginning to rise as the pair of shifters
walked out into the back yard.  Once they got far enough from the house, their
changes started.

Ryan was the first to start his changes.  He felt his feet beginning to take
root in the ground, toes splitting and spreading out in every direction.  He
brought his knees together and watched as a brown bark started to spread
upwards, his legs becoming thicker.  At the same time, he spread his arms wide,
shuddering as they grew thick, fingers becoming smaller branches with each
passing second.  He let out a moan as his head split apart, turning into a leafy
canopy.  His face vanished completely as he grew thick, moments later being a
true tree above the ground.

His leaves rustled a bit, as he managed to whisper, "Join with me, love."

Caroline didn't need any prompting.  Within a minute she had become a similar
shape as Ryan, nothing more than a tree swaying gently in the breeze.  "Oh... oh
yes," she said in a similar whisper, "I feel wonderful this way."

Ryan swayed in the breeze as well, and said in a whispering voice, "Just... be a
tree."

Warm sunlight filled them with a peculiar sort of state. one that was strange
and unfamiliar yet pleasant and enjoyable.  Time became a slippery state as the
sun rose higher in the sky, a feeling that there was nothing they'd find
unusual.  Clouds might skitter in the sky, while small animals scampered far too
quickly than normal.

Sometime around noon, a shower passed them.  They felt the wetness on their
leaves, then as quickly the wetness disappeared.  Instead, they could pull up
the rains through their roots, replenishing their bodies.

As the afternoon started to turn into evening, they both noticed how quickly the
sun was reaching the horizon.  As if they had practiced it, they both became
human once again, groaning as their sense of reality made a hard shift.

Letting out a whoosh Ryan leaned against another tree.  "God, that was so great,
being a tree for the entire day."  His body was sweaty, yet he was feeling quite
relaxed.

Caroline pushed a lock of her sweaty hair out of the way.  "You're not kidding,"
she replied, feeling both exhausted and refreshed at the same time.  "Every time
we're trees, we get our pleasures from it."

"So," he said, taking her in his arms and kissing her soundly, "how about we get
a little closer and personable tonight?"

She gave him a sly smile.  "You ask a silly question?"

---

Over the last year, reflected Ryan, they had been so many different forms and
shapes.  They had been a pair of goo creatures, melded into furniture, co-
mingled as water, been a flock of geese, been a pair of horses... and that
barely covered a month's worth of changes.  Thinking about it, Ryan came up with
over 250 different changes he had taken in a year, just in his own case.  He had
been food, a radio, a lava lamp, various droids and robots, and still he enjoyed
every change.

Fortunately, Caroline's former roommates and partners in crimes against nature
were fairly well settled themselves.  Gena had Jim, while Lexi (surprisingly!)
had Julian, both couples enjoying their lives.  Every few months they'd get
together and trade stories, but Ryan could tell that Caroline couldn't quite
tell them everything in her life.  Then again, she really didn't felt like
telling them her adventures, after all.

Still life goes on, and their lives were as tightly tied together as a couple
could be.

---

Caroline worked on the computer, putting her words on the screen.  Whenever she
made a spelling mistake, it would instantly be corrected; the same with her
story structure.  At the same time, images would be downloaded and sorted
through, writings would be flagged and news items would be identified and read,
all without any intervention.  As she got closer to finishing up, the backup
would kick in, saving all the work and downloads.

She pushed away from the computer. There was a wavering, leaving Ryan sitting on
the table.  "Got your work finished? he asked, and Caroline nodded.

"Helps to have a system that fixes everything,' she giggled.  "Of course, when
you're the computer, everything is supposed to work right."

He slid off the table and into her lap.  "Naturally," he replied, kissing her
soundly.  "That's the only thing I miss when I'm a computer."

"Oh hush."  She gave him a swat on the arm.  "This coming from the person who
downloaded all that porn last month.  I'm surprised that you went through it so
quickly."

He let out a snort.  "Coming from you, I should take it as a compliment.
Especially since you were being the online version of Juicy Jenna last month,
with those massive pair of..."  Whatever he was about to say was lost as
Caroline attacked him, the pair falling to the floor.

Things got very distracting for a while.

---

A pair of spiders were working on their web, a web that was much larger than
usual.  Caroline looked at Ryan spinning another set of threads, her eight eyes
bright from their transformation.  Ryan glanced at Caroline, and waves his
mandibles as he peered at her with his eight eyes, a strange yet enjoyable way
to view the world.  As a pair of spiders, the two wove a delightful web, then
they slowly lowered themselves on threads of silk to the floor.

Almost as if by habit, they skittered their way into the bedroom where they
transformed back into human forms.  Only now Caroline and Ryan were identical
female forms, together sliding into the bed.  Moments later, they were beginning
to ravish each other, ending up with their bodies in a tight "69".  Ryan's lips
were against Caroline's clit, while  Caroline was busy eating out her lover with
an intense feel.  Both enjoyed multiple climaxes, shuddering together and
moaning constantly.

Both shimmered, turning into their exact opposites, a pair of males.  Once
again, they caressed each other, kissing in a strange yet clearly pleasurable
fashion.  Caroline slid down along Ryan's chest until reaching his groin, the
started swallowing that massive shaft.  Moments later, they were busy at it with
each others, mouths suckling shafts as they moaned and groaned.  Ryan felt
himself tightening up, then grunted as he came in Caroline's mouth.  Then
Caroline cried out as a climax struck him, and Ryan drank down his juices.
They did this three times, then Ryan shifted into a busty blond.  Sliding
upwards, Caroline's cock was swallowed by Ryan's slit, and they rode their
pleasures repeatedly.

Moaning softly now, they snuggled against one another, exhausted from their
lovemaking.  And it was with a sleepy feeling that they fell asleep, Ryan
resting with Caroline as Caroline's cock was buried deep within Ryan.

---

"So what's it like?"

Ryan glanced at Tyler, his eyes alight with curiosity.  They sat at a table at
the local Japanese restaurant, far enough away that folks wouldn't hear what
they were talking about.  Chuckling softly, Ryan shook his head at Tyler.

"You really want to know?" he asked, clearly amused by his cohort.

Tyler shrugged his shoulders.  "I know what it's like with Felice, but she's
been a shifter for a while.  But you and Caroline, you two haven't been shifting
forms for as long, and I want to know."

Ryan laughed.  "You're impossible, you know that?"

Tyler grinned wide.  "Lots of folks say that about me, and I don't deny it."  He
leaned closer over the table.  "But we're not talking about my mundane life,
we're talking about you.  So tell."

Ryan laughed gently.  "All right, all right."  He sighed a bit, then went on.
"Being a shape shifter is the most fascinating and pleasurable experience I'd
had in a long time.  Feeling myself becoming a rhino, a tree, a sheet of paper,
it's amazing.  And having Caroline there to share it with..."  His voice trailed
off, and Tyler caught the feeling.

"It's past exhilarating, isn't it?  Having someone who can share those changes
with you and push you to the limits."

"Yah," Ryan said softly.  "I sometimes feel like I'm trying to catch up with
her,"

"And sometimes it's the reverse."  Tyler smiled as he instinctively understood
Ryan's feelings.  "You two are the perfect pair, and never forget that."
Looking up, he saw the waitress carrying plates.  "And dinner's arrived.  We'll
talk some more later."

---

Ryan slowly woke up, her body feeling fine.  Caroline was still asleep next to
her, although his shaft had slipped out of Ryan sometime during the night.  She
stretched her body against the bed, the bits of her dream still within her.  Why
she would remember a conversation that was held months ago, Ryan didn't worry
about.  What mattered was now, enjoying not only the transformations but
Caroline's enjoyment of them as well.  A year's time can make a difference...

Caroline's eyes opened, and he smiled.  "Morning, lover."

"Good morning, love."  Ryan came close and kissed him deeply.  It didn't matter
if they were male, female, both or neither, their morning kisses carried with
them the possibilities of things to come.  Their love of each other wove
something deeper, more direct...

Caroline sighed from the kiss.  "You can continue that for the next month or
two," he said with a gentle hug.  Ryan made the kiss last a bit longer, but then
with a ripple changed back into his usual male shape.

"I'd love to, but we promised to meet with Tyler for breakfast."

Shifting back to female, Caroline let out a sigh.  "I suppose we'll have to get
ready for that.  After all, we don't get to see him or Felice all that often."
She stretched, then leapt out of the bed, heading for the shower.  "First dibs!"

---

The place was called 'The Egg and I'.  It was a breakfast place located in one
of the strip malls at the corner of White St and 4th.  Open for only breakfast
and lunch, it's breakfast menu consisted of eggs in all forms, along with
pancakes, waffles, crepes and various pastries.

A waitress greeted Ryan and Caroline, both looking ready for the day.
"Welcome," she chirped.  "Just follow me.  With that, she turned and headed back
to one of the small rooms.  "The rest of your party will be arriving soon,
meanwhile enjoy your breakfast."

"Heyas, folks."  Both blinked as Tyler and his fiance, Felice were already
present as well, getting the drinks ready.  "Welcome to Liberty Hall, where you
can call the cat whatever you want."

That got a laugh out of Ryan.  "You just love the old A. Bertram Chandler stuff,
don't you?"

"And Arthur Clarke, Cliff Simak, Misty's work and a number of other writers."

"Misty?"  Caroline looked puzzled, getting a chuckle from him.  "Mercedes
Lackey, best selling fantasy author.  She and her husband live in Oklahoma,
though God knows why."

"God knows why not?"  That came from Gena, walking into the room with Jim.
"Talking about some of the strange folks you know?"

"No stranger than the rest of the folks in the immediate area, Tyler replied,
avoiding swats from Caroline and Felice.  "See how picked on I end up being?"

"Oh, you're worth picking on."  That came from Jules, who was walking in with
Lexi.  Accompanying them was another couple...

"Lance!  Barbara!  Hail, hail, the gang's all here."

Barbara laughed at Tyler.  "You think we would missed this for the world?  The
Great Tyler assaulted by a pair of tickling females."

"Quiet, you, or you might be next on the hit parade."  Tyler grinned, then
paused a moment.  "Before we start breakfast, I'd like to say a few words."

That got everyone's attention, and they turned toward Tyler.  He cleared his
throat, then smiled a bit.  "In addition to this meeting of the mad shape
shifters association," getting a few groans from folks, "it also happens to be a
bit of an anniversary.  A year ago, Caroline went to the Potion Palace to pick
up a couple of vials from Lance.

"The rest is history.  Caroline gave one of the potions to her lover, Ryan, and
since that day, their lives became rather intricate.  But their love deepened
until you couldn't separate them... literally.

"So here's to Ryan and Caroline, a pair of shape shifters who we all care about.
May their lives together be warm and caring, without the calls at 2am in the
morning talking about strange things they've turned themselves into."  That got
a laugh from everyone, Ryan in particular.  Caroline laughed as well, and teased
Tyler back.

"Oh, you love us waking you up at strange hours of the day."

"Guilty as charged," and threw himself at Caroline's mercy.  Ryan grinned, and
gave Felice a very warm hug as well.  A cheer came from everyone gathered, and
Tyler turned from Caroline's hug.

"All right, enough of that bit of maudlin scene.  I'm starving, and I want to
dive into the pancakes."

---

Tyler sighed as he flopped onto the bed.  "Well, that took care of today's fun
and games," he said toward the wolf.  The wolf lifted her head, and gave a
lupine grin.

::Just one thing left,:: Felice said.  Tyler quirked an eyebrow.

"And what's that?"

She yawned a large yawn.  ::When are you going to let anyone know what you are?
I mean, I know...::

"You know because I let you know," he pointed out.  "But the others?  Well,
Lance and Barbara likely know," mentioning the owners of the Potion Palace.
"But no one else knows about me, other than as a good friend and confidant.  And
that's the way I want them to know about me."

Felice snorted and got up from the floor, leaping onto the bed.  She changed
into her usual form and kissed Tyler.  "Troublemaker" she teased.  "Besides, why
would it matter if the others knew about you, like me?

Rather than answer, Tyler lay in the bed for a while.  Felice remained close
against him, knowing that eventually he'd answer her question.  She wanted to
know, deep down inside of her.

"It matters," he finally said, all of the humor replaced with a serious
attitude.  "Yes, Lance and Barbara suspect what I am, but I don't want it to be
public knowledge.  It's much easier to just be a plain, ordinary person and not
someone who can become literally anything."

Felice was caught by surprise at his answer.  "But you rarely ever show off your
abilities..."  Then realization struck her thoughts.  "Oh," she simply said.

"Exactly," he told her.  "When you've been a shape shifter for as long as I
have, even before Gena and her work, even before the Potion Palace... hell, even
before the Council existed."  He sighed again.  "When you were born with an
ability and power that defies description, defies explanation, hell, defies
reality, you do your damndest to not use it, not show off, and just live an
ordinary life as hard as you can."  Looking straight into Felice's eyes, he
added, "It's ok to share a little, like I do with you."

"That's because you've known me for the last three centuries."  She met his gaze
with one of her own.  "You knew what I was, and loved me despite the ability I
had.  Just as I loved you and learned about your power over the decades."

"And I do love you," he said, kissing her lightly.  "Goddess, I do truly love
you."

She smiled, then changed her form again, becoming a large puma.  ::Then show me
how much you love me,::

Tyler shook his head, and started, "Felice, you promised..."  Then he shook his
head again.  "Ah hell," he said, then his form altered visibly.  Fur covered his
body, his face pushed into a muzzle, hands and feet became paws, a tail pushed
out behind him.  He jumped over on top of her, knocking both to the floor...

And the sounds of a pair of large felines making love filled the house.

---