David wandered aimlessly down the empty streets of the city, his eyes sunken and adrift as he shuffled onwards to a destination yet decided. It had only been less than an hour ago when he’d been waiting for his girlfriend to show up to a dinner date. Running late was unusual for Julia so when thirty minutes had passed, David had tried to call her, only to receive an automated message that flipped him upside down as he listened to it. By the end of the message, he’d had to stop himself from choking as he swallowed the massive lump building in his throat.

Julia had dumped him, her last words being short and straight to the point; “We’re not compatible David…sorry but I've found someone else who can be by my side.”

He’d felt conflicted about the whole thing. David’s insides burned with an equal amount of pain, fury and understanding. On one hand he could tell the relationship between the two of them had been a tense one to say the least. David was a shy and reserved person who usually left decision making to whoever he hung out with since he had no personal preferences. Julia was the opposite of him, being an extrovert who hung out with him all the time. They only ever got together this close because they had been childhood friends up till highschool.

As Julia got exposed to more and more people, it was no surprise she’d found someone else who fit the bill for her ideal boyfriend behind his back…and that was what he’d found frustrating. If she’d found him imperfect then the very least she could’ve done was talk to him about it, on the other hand though, he himself wasn't free from blame, The signs were there; hangouts getting less and less frequent, later replies to messages, being gone even in school. If he’d done something earlier then maybe he’d be having dinner with Julia half an hour ago.

Rather than spend hours contemplating his current situation and figuring out who or what to lay the blame on, David shut his mind off, picking up his bag before staggering off like a zombie down the streets in silence, his head downcast and bobbing with each step.

It didn’t take a genius to guess that something bad had happened to David. People on the sidewalks cleared a path for the dejected man as he wandered. People shot looks of pity and confusion at him as he went, although he felt nothing about the stares nor the words they spoke, he just wanted to walk and walk till he found some respite…but what would fill the hole in his chest?

Hours would pass till he’d reached the seedy red light districts near the edge of the business and entertainment sections of the city. Prostitutes and gangsters lined the streets, but even they seemed to be able to sense the negativity radiating off of the wandering man so they let him be, the best they did were shooting him sidelong glances of disgust, spitting as he passed by in an effort to get him to back off.

Eventually, the darkened skies above give way, as droplets of rain begin to fall. Ruining David’s gelled back hairdo as he continued to mindlessly wander the streets. He seemed determined to continue his mindless wandering even if it might mean harm to his health. That is until a voice called out to him from the sidewalk as he walked by a storefront who’s doors remained open, warm orange light pouring out onto the street.

“Hello there dear, you seem to be in a terrible position…come inside and take a seat.”

Unable to refuse the kind elderly voice as if it were ingrained in him, David turned his head wearily to the side to get a better view of who was speaking to him. Squinting as the glare of the store’s lights stung his tear stained eyes while he gazed upon the wrinkled features of a dwarvish old lady, her face creased into a warm smile that he couldn’t help but feel inclined to return, albeit disheveled, his smile almost seeming half hearted as he forced his cracked lips to widen.

Stepping into the storefront, David’s eyes wandered from the lady to the many shelves and freezers lined with treats, ice cream and other confections. A surprising thing to see in this part of the city considering the usual shop in the red light district usually offered more…raunchier goods and services.

Taking a seat on one of the many circular stools that lined the counter, David bowed his head in gratitude towards the shopkeeper. “T-Thanks for letting me in…isn’t it way past closing time ma’am? I’ll leave if it’s too much of a hassle…”

At his words, the old lady chortled, placing a soft palm over his own as he got up to leave. “Leave? At this hour? And where will you even go in this weather? Dear boy, if anything it’d be more of a hassle if someone were to find you out cold in the dark late at night, ain’t good to be wandering in the rain now, is it?”

Sitting back down, David tried not to sigh as he looked down again, taking the towel she held out to him in his hand as he wiped down his head and body as best he could. Weirdly enough, he found the place relaxing, a wondrous aroma in the air calmed his nerves with each breath he took, the weary eyebags and crusty eyelids from the silent sobbing soon cleared up, the pus wiped away as he ran the towel down his face.

“Like the place? It’s a special concoction specially made to induce calmness and relaxation in people, custom made if I do say so myself!”

Unable to hold himself back, David felt obliged to join the conversation she’d started. “Haha…it's real soothing alright…you sure this isn’t one of those back alley drugs those gangs use back there?” He’d surprised himself with that, he rarely ever spoke this way but he did find it strange that there was this sweet shop in the middle of the red light district so it wouldn’t be out of the question if this seemingly kind old lady was in fact some agent for one of the local gangs.

“Who’s to say it isn’t, hm?” At her words, David’s head jolted upright to look her in the face as she gave him a wise old smile, a brilliant glimmer at the corner of her blue eyes that told him not to ask anything along those lines. He swallowed his next words and gazed back down to the floor…that last bit about being outgoing began to bite at him again…if only he could always speak that way then maybe Julia would still be by his side. Damn it, he could feel tears beginning to build behind his eyes again.

“My, my, what’s the matter? Does something ail you? You were looking down in the dumps back there…”

As the old lady mused, David found himself answering her without looking back up. “I-It’s nothing ma’am…just a stupid teen’s relationship issue is all, nothing big…”

Giggling, the old lady turned her back on David, rummaging through a freezer compartment as she muttered to him. “Ahh, if that’s what ails you, then you should’ve said so earlier young man, i’ve got just the thing that could help you…depending on the outcome.”

At her words, David perked up as he watched the old lady curiously as she returned to him, a box in hand which she plopped down on the countertop. It was…a box of ice cream…neapolitan flavoured.

“I’m sorry ma’am but…how is ice cream supposed to be the thing that helps me? And what did you mean back there? Is this some weird drugged stuff?”

Ignoring him, the old lady puts on her gloves as she pops open the tub, grabbing a scooper as she digs into the tri-colored block, scooping out large, perfectly circular scoops of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry flavoured ice cream before neatly stacking them on top of each other in a cone before handing it over to David.

“Just a lick young man, and you’ll have all the answers you need. If anything goes wrong, I'll be right here by your side!”

Looking at the neatly stacked ice cream in his hand, David thought for a second before bringing it up to his face, closing his eyes before opening his mouth, extending his tongue slowly for a teensy lick. It was probably just ordinary ice cream…right?

Making contact with the chilled orb, David’s brow relaxed as he took in the sweet taste of the chocolate, its milky texture mixing perfectly with the slight tint of vanilla and strawberry to form an excellent mixture. This was good stuff.

“How is it? Everything according to expectations so far?”

Opening his mouth to reply, the old lady clicked her tongue disapprovingly. “Don’t speak, just nod or shake your head son, it's not nice to interrupt a meal after all…be a dear and keep those eyes closed too, would you?”

Finding it odd but strangely compelled to follow her words, David went back to devouring the ice cream, licking the stacks with eagerness as he did so. The flavours were just so rich, the texture incredibly creamy and smooth, he couldn’t stop once he got started, wanting to get more from that one lick earlier.

As David licked away however, he wouldn’t realize his body beginning to thin and pulse, flesh moving and reallocating itself as his bone structure reshaped itself, bones shrinking down with soft crunches and snaps as they did. Soon his boyish frame rounds out with curves and dips, his waist pinching inwards to form a subtle hourglass figure as his hips widen outwards into perfect handlebars to accompany his thickened thighs, his posture shifting to accommodate his new form as he cross one leg over the other, the formerly boney limbs now plump with fat and firm flesh.

“I can see you’re enjoying the treat~ Now be a dear and answer this would you? You mentioned relationship issues earlier but what was it really about?”

Thinking as he continued to lick away at the ice cream, David found he couldn’t really recall what had troubled him just a few minutes ago…something about being dumped by his girlfriend? But as the memories of Julia and the time he’d spent with her faded away with yet another lick, he couldn’t ever recall a special someone ever being in his life. The pain and worry that ate away at him soon vanished in return. David frowned in confusion and shook his head in response.

“Ahh, so there’s nothing wrong? No relationship issues then? Hrmm hm~ Carry on then.”

Smirking, the old lady sat down on her end of the counter, watching the changing man as she continued to look into his ever changing mind. She already knew everything there was to know about David the instant he’d stepped into the place but it was always fun watching her ‘customers’ second guess their own memories as they received treatment.

Soon, the neapolitan ice cream in David’s thinning arms is reduced to a multi coloured lump, the fingers wrapped around the cone are a far cry from the stubby hands from earlier; sporting the same smooth, hairless skin that now covered his lithe body and ending in well cared for digits.

Getting into the groove, happy groans of satisfaction begin to escape David’s plumping lips as they grow healthy and vibrant, a sleek soft tongue lapping in and out as it scoured the melting ice cream. Bits of it landing on his now rosy cheeks as his hair began to grow longer, piling up on his shoulders and pouring down his now curvy back in a silky mass as his clothing began to change to fit his new body.

In fact, David barely resembled the young man who’d entered the store, looking more like a refined young lady as his eyes began to slant and shrink, lashes growing to accentuate their beauty. When combined with his curvaceous body, seductive facial features and long flowing mane of silky black hair, the only thing saving him from being labelled a woman was the erect bulge pushing hard against the tight fitting black jeans his trousers had morphed into, as well as the still bare chest poking out from the massive gap in the white top his jacket had become. But that would soon be remedied.

Suddenly, David jerks forward as his throat compresses for a moment, coughing loudly as the old lady continued to watch, unfazed as she listens intently to each cough slowly becoming more feminine and controlled as his Adam’s Apple began to recede, his neck becoming lean and petite to better fit his rounded shoulders as David sat upright once more, carrying himself with noticeably more dignity as he sat upright, clearing his throat with a feminine hand over his mouth before continuing to lick away at what remained of the treat still in hand.

The old lady was rather surprised he hadn’t shown any reaction to the budding pair of breasts beginning to fill in the cleavage gap in his top or the trembling erection between his legs beginning to retract as a pair of fleshy lips opened up to devour them. Then again, she knew David was a virgin through and through, and even having Julia by his side back then had failed to open up any carnal thoughts in his mind, preferring things remain pure between them. No wonder she had dumped him. She could nudge him in the right direction though, the memories of David were on the verge of dilation, mixed in with those of the new identity about to replace him.

“Ahem…before you finish up deary…I want you to savour that last bit of ice cream…imagine your loved one…the man you want to confess your feelings to. Pour it all out in your head, turn that treat into something more.”

As her words flowed into David’s ears, he found himself blushing fiercely as his closed eyes twitched in uncertainty at the image forming inside his mind despite his protest at the idea of loving a man…but what was so wrong about it? Loving a man would mean David was female; a woman…was she a woman? That wasn’t possible.

“Yes deary, you are a woman, always have been since the day mama and papa gave birth to sweet little you…but they aren't here anymore…remember?”

That was right…she’d lost her parents during her early years in thievery when they had an ultimate confrontation at her family home…although she couldn’t be bothered by their loss, they were less parents than they were monsters to her.

At this point, David’s sense of self had been smothered by the new wave of memories that crashed over him, each one painting him in a different light with each new experience that flowed through her. Almost in sync, her long hair would begin to dye itself a vibrant mix; half of it turning a bright pink reminiscent of strawberries while the other half turned into a dull brown that looked alot like chocolate. When viewed as a whole though, it blended well with her white outfit that had accents of pink and brown, not to mention her lustrous pale white skin. Almost as if she was a walking embodiment of Neapolitan.

A sudden pang of pleasure though, would disrupt her angsty thoughts as her crossed legs began to tighten and tingle as a burning sensation began to spread in her loins as if something was moving around in her…vagina? Yes, that was right…obviously. She was female after all. But right before her free hand could wander down and unzip her jeans so she could get to the source of her itch, the old lady’s commanding voice rang out once more.

“Oh hoh…getting a lil frisky there are we? Is that lucky man of yours that enticing?”

At the old lady’s goading, the mental image of the man in her mind grew stronger, a chiseled face, stylish orange hair brushed to the side to cover a part of his face and a familiar white suit coupled with a bowler hat…of course, it was the gift she’d made just for him! Roman Torchwick, probably the only one in the world who’d understood a mute like her, able to see and appreciate her for who she was.

Thinking about him though, only made that itch stronger as her nipples began to ache in longing need, her now full breasts rubbing up tight against her top as tents began to form at the tips of the perky melons. The newborn girl licked longingly at the dribbling remnants of the ice cream, sighing and moaning as she visualized Roman’s tall nude form right in front of her, his large hands gently nudging her head forward as she grasped his imaginary member in her loving grip, opening her soft lips, ready to receive it whole.

“Ahem! You can open your eyes now…getting too frisky there, and you’re staining the seat!”

Snapping her eyes wide open, the girl stumbled forward as she awoke from her hypnotic trance, shaking her aching head as the empty ice cream cone falling from her hands and onto the floor with a clatter. Looking around, Neo Politan found herself seated in a warmly lit sweet shop, the storeowner looking up at her as she stood waiting for her by her feet. Her bright smile contrasted Neo’s thoughts as she looked back at her, she could’ve sworn she’d just heard her yell out loud a second ago.

“Feeling better deary? You were looking all…’tuckered’ out back there.”

Looking down, Neo blushed as she noticed the damp spot between her legs and the significant pool of sticky pale liquid that had formed on the stool, dripping silently down the chair legs as she bowed in apology. After being taken in from the weather by a kind old lady, she’d gone and soiled her property after taking care of her…normally Neo could’ve cared less about some old lady and her property but something ate away at her. Guilt? Her? Impossible.

“There, there, it's nothing big to worry about, I'll get things cleaned up here…I think it’s time you get a move on, isn’t it deary? Oh, and don’t forget that umbrella of your’s by the door~”

As Neo watched the old lady shuffle off while giggling and muttering to herself, she rose up to her full height, snapping on her gloves after wiping herself off (thank god for that stain resistant material). She felt unusually confident today for some reason…maybe because of that old lady’s treatments?

Pushing aside her thoughts, Neo strode confidently through the sliding doors, picking up the elegantly designed parasol laying by the wall with one hand. She treasured this weapon dearly, after all it had been a gift from Roman to her, and she’d never keep it out of sight. Thankfully that old lady hadn’t done anything to it, she’d hate to have to teach her a lesson after being so kind to her.

As the criminal mastermind walked out of the store with renewed vigor in every step, the old lady giggled as the doors leading to her store vanished magically without a trace, depositing the reborn individual in her respective world and like a portal. She couldn't tell what lay ahead for the mute girl but while she now had a love to pursue once more in this new life, she had no guarantees that their lives together would remain the same forever.

After all, the life of a criminal was fraught with danger, it was only a matter of time until either that Neo girl or her Roman boyfriend let down their guard and left the other alone. Or perhaps they’d end up together after all? Whatever the case, she left it up to fate as she closed that particular chapter on David as she prepared to clean up the mess Neo had left behind…

THE END