Working Relationship
a
Trust Machines story
by
clancy688
Whistling, Nathan walked into the medium-sized office-building which served the Family's business as an administration center. The office building was located in the same abandoned industrial park where Monster Wars was based, so it was one of only two spots in the entire area which was still in use.
And the only one which was officially in use. Therefore it was used as a conduit which supplied the Monster Wars Hall with water, gas, electricity and communications. In the books of the local electric company, the abandoned factory hall which now posed as Monster Wars Arena didn't consume a single Joule of energy. Of course not. It was abandoned, after all. To make sure that there'd be no discrepancies, all the energy it actually did use was being booked in the account belonging to the administration center.
Now there was always the possibility that one clever guy at the electric company would start to wonder why such an office building was using energy in excess of 100 MWh every year. Generous payments to said company's upper echelons (including VIP-passes for Monster Wars) kept this possibility at a minimum, though. The Family was even enjoying a special business discount!
It was the first time in over a week that Nathan had set his feet in this building, courtesy of a lost bet with Salvatore. He smiled faintly as he thought back at said week. He'd rather die then tell Salvatore this, but much to his surprise, he'd started to enjoy last week's employment rather quickly.
Which sounded fairly strange. Why the hell would a grown man enjoy being a Scorpion Girl Waitress? And a cute one as well? Those were questions no one but the Big Man Upstairs could answer. Now he was a little bit disappointed that it was over. Don't fuss, he told himself. Everyone's holidays have to end sooner or later. And you had fun during those, so keep the fun in memory. Although... his sour expression lifted into a sly grin, that doesn't mean that there'll be no follow-up holidays. Fiona and Lucia will stay for at least another nine months. Perhaps Natasha will return for a week or two before their service is over?
Yes, that sounded nice, he concluded, already sketching a plan in his mind on how he'd convince Salvatore to give him another vacation that early again. Although keeping him from realizing that Natasha was back voluntarily would just be a trifle harder. So far, he had no idea how he'd accomplish that particular feat, but he was sure that something would occur to him in time.
Speaking of the devil... Nathan entered Salvatore's outer office and gave Kaitlynn a friendly nod. She was quite attractive, but no match for some of the strikingly beautiful secretaries he'd encountered in other offices. While most other executive officers of Salvatore's age (being a godfather's right hand in managing a mafia family's businesses certainly was some form of CEO after all) would use their acquired power to decorate their outer offices with ridiculously lovely assistants, Salvatore rather preferred his subordinates to have a witty interior instead of a good-looking exterior. He'd settle for both if possible, but would never compromise on the first to get the latter. It was one of many character traits present in Salvatore (and most certainly NOT present in his siblings) Nathan highly approved of.
"Hello, Kaitlynn." he greeted Salvatore's secretary. "Is Salvatore available? I'd like to report back to service after my vacation."
Instead of an answer, Kaitlynn simply pointed at Salvatore's office door. "The young boss is already waiting for you." she said, but there was a tiny smile curling around the corner of her mouth.
Nathan didn't miss the hint of an emotion and regarded Kaitlynn with a speculative smile, but the secretary didn't offer any explanation. Shrugging, he went to the door, knocked twice and then went through.
"Hi Salvatore,-" he said cheerfully, "-I just wanted to report back from my forced... holidays... what?" his words stuttered to a halt and Nathan ogled the person perched behind the lush, modern glass desk.
"Surprised to see me?" she asked with a dazzling smile, apparently unfazed by Nathan's stare.
"Salvatora? Why are you Salvatora? You won the bet!" Nathan exclaimed bewildered and took in the sight of the pretty woman sitting comfortably in the large executive chair. He'd seen Salvatora, Salvatore's female, Venn-created alter ego only twice before - once at a horse race organized by the Family and once after celebrating all night following one of her sister's bachelorette party. In the first case, she'd worn fairly neutral clothing and in the second case... Well, let's not go into details now. But he'd never seen her all spiffed up like now. In fact, pretty was an understatement. She was beautiful.
It was possible that the person who'd changed Salvatore into his female alter ego had consciously modified her looks, but Nathan discarded the thought immediately. Salvatore was hardly somebody who'd place importance on such 'optimizations'. The Venn Machines probably just took his handsome features and translated them perfectly into a feminine figure.
Just like Salvatore, Salvatora had a Mediterranean complexion, wavy brown hair and twinkling green eyes. But while Salvatore's hair was a close-cropped fuzz, Salvatora's curls fell down to her shoulders, subdued by a metallic clasp behind. Where Salvatore had sported a fierce mustachio that pronounced his chiseled features, Salvatora soft and blemishless face possessed no such thing, leaving her luscious lips on full display.
To further pronounce her changed gender, her face was expertly made up, with dark lipstick, carefully drawn eyebrows and darkly shadowed eyes with long eyelashes. A pair of golden, dangling earrings completed her captivating face, supplemented by a golden chain around her neck.
She was clothed in a seamlessly fitting, dark blue skirt suit which openly accentuated her womanly curves without being revealing at the same time. The elegantly crossed legs which emerged from the skirt were covered by dark pantyhose or stockings, the feet wearing a pair of dark heels.
Nathan was left flabbergasted as Salvatora smoothed her skirt and lifted herself from behind her desk. He couldn’t help but let his eyes idly wander over her impressive figure. It took a great deal of his willpower to keep himself from drooling over every inch of his boss’s sensual curves.
Evidently amused, Salvatora observed Nathan's puzzlement. She went around the desk, moving in a feminine grace which let Nathan seriously doubt if this was truly the same guy he'd seen pressing 250 pounds on the bench.
************************************************
Salvatora had to suppress a giggle as she walked towards Nathan. It had been awhile since she'd last been her female alter ego, and she'd nearly forgotten the power a beautiful woman like her held over hapless men. Physically, in a fight, she'd not stand a snowball's chance in hell against Nathan in her female body. But practically she had the big man totally captivated with her appearance.
And I well should have. she thought inwardly. I didn't spend over one hour in the closet this morning for nothing! Besides, it's always fun to see what an impact a pair of shapely legs in high heels can make on a man - especially when I'm the one wearing them!
She stopped in front of Nathan and looked up to him. That was one downside of her current body she had to get used to again. As a man, she had towered over most people and had even been tall enough to speak with Nathan eye to eye. In her female shape, despite her heels, her head barely topped his shoulders.
Salvatora waited patiently until Nathan regained his composure. It took another few seconds until he managed to fixate his eyes on her face instead on her body. "Are you mocking me?" he finally asked with an angry undertone and Salvatora cocked an eyebrow. Actually she had expected this reaction.
"No." she answered simply. "Why do you think I am?"
Nathan snorted in derision. "Then why are you Salvatora? And in this outfit? That was supposed to be your wager. You won, therefore you didn't need to honor the agreement."
"No, I didn't have to." Salvatora acknowledged. Now came the tricky part. Everything she'd say would be the truth, and she was nearly certain that she'd be able to explain her reasoning to Nathan. But nearly wasn't the same as completely, and if there was more machismo in him than she thought, there would be the possibility of him rejecting the explanation... "But I wanted to." she added bluntly and waited expectantly.
"You wanted to become Salvatora?" he took her whole shape in again. "Why?"
Salvatora smiled. "Why not?" she asked back. "It's been a long time since I have been Salvatora. And I like my female alter ego. There are some doors in life which are only open to women. I've mainly lived as Salvatore since I've left college. I simply want to change pace for a short time. Get another view on the things. Therefore I'll not be Salvatore the man but Salvatora the woman for the next few weeks."
Nathan only regarded her with a curious glance. "When did you start planning this?" he asked and Salvatora laughed.
"Well, actually it's your fault." she exclaimed grinning. "The wager you had me accept, that's what gave me the idea, actually."
The big man first groaned and then started laughing as well. "Oh dear, brilliant. I 'made you' accept a wager which wouldn't have hurt you anyway. It was a win-win situation for you! Either you win or you lose... and have to do what you wanted to do anyway. You damn bastard."
The last sentence he'd muttered with a broad grin and an almost admiring tone of voice and Salvatora simply grinned back. "So you won't have any problems working with me?" she inquired and Nathan shook his head.
"Oh, no. As I told you over a week ago, it's a nice change to work with a woman for a while, so I'll manage."
Salvatora nodded satisfied. Then she gave him a wide grin and offered him her hand. "In that case... pleased to meet you, I'm Salvatora. Call me Sally for short."
Nathan grinned back, although it looked just a bit forced, and took her hand, her manicured fingers disappearing in his prank. As a man, Salvatore had regularly received bone-crushing handshakes by Nathan, but this time, Nathan's fingers closed around his gently like a feather. And thank God for that... Sally thought, if he'd use his usual power, he'd pulverize my hands.
After he'd released her hand again, Sally offered him a seat in the lounge suite in the corner of her office. She waited until he'd properly seated himself, then lowered herself on the accompanying couch, crossing her legs. The smooth motion caught Nathan's attention, and although he tried to mask it, Sally saw his eyes flickering towards her legs for a moment.
Oh, I'd totally forgotten how much fun it is to tease a guy... she thought gleefully while straightening her skirt. Then she cleared her throat.
"So, you're back from your vacation, I see." she started. "I hope you did recuperate sufficiently?"
"If you wanted me to recuperate, why did you make me a waitress?" Nathan asked back and Sally laughed softly.
"There are many ways to recover, some even involving physical work." she stated. "But I notice that you didn't answer my question. May I assume then that you indeed did manage to relax."
This time, Nathan was the one who laughed. "You may." he said and Sally clapped her hands merrily.
"Splendid!" she exclaimed, "you certainly look better without those nasty bags under your eyes." Her eyes twinkled mischievously, "In fact, you look a little too good. What's your secret? Something from your vacation?"
Nathan gave a little cough. "I'd like to keep the details of my private-" he stressed the adjective, "-vacation for myself. I'm sure you understand."
Sally eyed him speculatively. "You know, my college roommate looked similar after he'd gotten laid the first time in two years, the same, um... let's call it 'aura'..." she probed, but Nathan simply smiled, not offering any more information.
She looked into his eyes and saw the determination behind. As even her ultimate weapon, a disappointed pout didn't manage to break through his poker face, she sighed and aborted her quest.
"Anyway, I'm just happy that you got some rest." she added faithfully. "Really, you needed it."
To her surprise, Nathan nodded. "Yeah... you're right there." he admitted. "I think I have to thank you for the opportunity and this vacation. It was fun."
Sally bestowed another dazzling smile upon him. "It was nothing. You're one of my best subordinates and you're a good friend."
Nathan smiled back and Sally cleared her throat.
"So, let's get to business then. First I'll tell you what you've missed while waiting tables. The good news is: Not much. There haven't been any larger criminal activities than petty theft and none of our businesses have been disrupted..."
Nathan felt stupid. Seriously stupid. He hadn't felt like this since his junior prom when he'd waited for his date to show up. That now, after more than 30 years, he had that exact same feeling again actually wasn't that much a surprise, the circumstances now were quite similar. He was actually waiting for his date to show up, just like then. But unlike then, his date wasn't Mary Perkins from across the town, but rather his boss Salvatore, now Salvatora.
Having a date with your boss should have been enough to set any proper workman's nerves on the edges. That the boss in question actually was your girl-Venned best buddy only made it worse. Nathan cursed silently, trying anxiously to remember why in hell he'd accepted when 'Sally' had asked for a joint evening. Part of it probably had been that he hadn't thought it through - he'd spent lots of nights out in the town with Salvatore before, but that had been typical guys-action. Now that Salvatore was a pronounced 'she', a fun guys-night out turned out to be something very different. And another part had undoubtedly been Sally's masterful composure of her womanly charms.
Over the course of the previous week, Nathan had seen Sally exploiting her spectacular body to the max. He'd very privately wondered if Salvatore's gender change would have a negative influence on his business, after all he couldn't imagine this beautiful but delicate woman he'd become extorting seasoned mobsters. But he'd quickly cast all his doubts away. Where Salvatore would have used his impressive physique to intimidate his clients with brute power, Sally used her not less (only differently) impressive physique to goad her clients into what she wanted. A crossing of her spectacular legs proved as deadly to opposition as a mighty blow, a dazzling smile as devastating to resolve as a vicious glower.
And Nathan had fallen prey to the same damn move. So when Sally had asked him innocently if he'd like to accompany to dinner this evening, he'd wanted to decline. But the words he'd intended to say had evaporated in seconds as she'd emphasized her request with this same, deadly, dazzling smile. Damn her... him... he cursed inwardly. Why is he doing this, acting just like any other gal?
And so he he was, in the restaurant of her choosing, waiting for his date to show up. All dressed up to the nines, with a tie no less and a bouquet of flowers at the ready. He'd never put on a suit if he'd met with Salvatore off work, but-
His thoughts slithered to a screeching halt as his boss finally appeared in the entrance. Her well-sculpted beauty had already been striking when she'd worn business attire, but the outfit Sally had chosen for this evening was nothing short of an armed assault on his visual senses. Nathan couldn't unglue his eyes from her shape as she strode closer, a flowing, red dress accentuating each and every curve of her spectacular body.
Without even realizing from where the thought had come from, he found himself rising up from the table and pulling out Sally's chair.
"Oh why, thank you." she murmured coquettishly, albeit with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. Nathan had to suppress a gape as the slit of her dress opened up to reveal a spectacular leg for a moment. Almost mechanically he handed her the bouquet.
"Um... Sally... you look... beautiful..." the mobster murmured and turned pink immediately. This wasn't something he'd ever intended to tell his boss, much less one of his best male friends, but it was the only thing which fit. This exotic being in front of him simply couldn't be the Salvatore he'd always known, but yet she was... it was as paradoxical as it was maddening!
Thankfully, Sally didn't seem to realize his inner turmoil at all. Instead, she simply accepted the bouquet with smiling grace and then charged a waiter to fetch a vase for the flowers. Nathan was glad for the short moment in which Sally's attention was focused on somebody else and awkwardly slid into his chair.
Sally eyed him with an amused impression after the waiter had left, then leaned forward and propped her head on her perfectly manicured hands. "What's the matter with you?" she mused, "You seem stressed. We have met for evenings out in the town before. Is it-" she moved forward even further, offering Nathan quite a good view of her creamy bosom, "-because I'm a girl now?"
This time, Nathan couldn't quite keep himself from gawking at Sally, and the girlish giggle this provoked made matters even worse. Such a reaction was so at odds with the tough, male Salvatore he knew! "Um, yeah..." he said uncomfortably. "I mean... we've been on guys nights out. Just two guys hanging out. This, though..." he gestured at the flowers on the table. "Feels almost like a date."
This caused Sally to laugh. "Oh, of course it's a date! When I'm a guy and I hang out with you, it's just guy stuff. But now I'm a girl, and that changes the chemistry. Of course I won't go bar hopping with you. Nope, it's gonna be a nice dinner, and then... we shall see."
"But... we've been guy friends for all time! We can't have a date, can we?" Nathan protested feebly, but to no avail.
"Yeah, and now I'm a woman. And as a woman, things are different. Come on... this will be fun." she giggled again. "It's been ages since I've been on a date as a girl, and never with a man of your age. This is going to be interesting."
Sally's cheerfulness was disarming. The problem was, that he actually wanted to date this girl sitting across him. At the same time, he'd be dating his boss, and even worse, best male friend. "But you're my boss!" he tried desperately in a final attempt. "This isn't right!"
Sally scowled. "Pah." she said with frown. "We're mafia, since when do we have work ethics? Furthermore, you're quite right, I'm the boss and you're my subordinate. So I want a date. And..." she displayed a dazzling smile, "...I get what I want. Always."
And Nathan didn't doubt it. Her last word had been like smooth silk - enveloping unyielding steel.
And I well should have. she thought inwardly. I didn't spend over one hour in the closet this morning for nothing! Besides, it's always fun to see what an impact a pair of shapely legs in high heels can make on a man - especially when I'm the one wearing them!
She stopped in front of Nathan and looked up to him. That was one downside of her current body she had to get used to again. As a man, she had towered over most people and had even been tall enough to speak with Nathan eye to eye. In her female shape, despite her heels, her head barely topped his shoulders.
Salvatora waited patiently until Nathan regained his composure. It took another few seconds until he managed to fixate his eyes on her face instead on her body. "Are you mocking me?" he finally asked with an angry undertone and Salvatora cocked an eyebrow. Actually she had expected this reaction.
"No." she answered simply. "Why do you think I am?"
Nathan snorted in derision. "Then why are you Salvatora? And in this outfit? That was supposed to be your wager. You won, therefore you didn't need to honor the agreement."
"No, I didn't have to." Salvatora acknowledged. Now came the tricky part. Everything she'd say would be the truth, and she was nearly certain that she'd be able to explain her reasoning to Nathan. But nearly wasn't the same as completely, and if there was more machismo in him than she thought, there would be the possibility of him rejecting the explanation... "But I wanted to." she added bluntly and waited expectantly.
"You wanted to become Salvatora?" he took her whole shape in again. "Why?"
Salvatora smiled. "Why not?" she asked back. "It's been a long time since I have been Salvatora. And I like my female alter ego. There are some doors in life which are only open to women. I've mainly lived as Salvatore since I've left college. I simply want to change pace for a short time. Get another view on the things. Therefore I'll not be Salvatore the man but Salvatora the woman for the next few weeks."
Nathan only regarded her with a curious glance. "When did you start planning this?" he asked and Salvatora laughed.
"Well, actually it's your fault." she exclaimed grinning. "The wager you had me accept, that's what gave me the idea, actually."
The big man first groaned and then started laughing as well. "Oh dear, brilliant. I 'made you' accept a wager which wouldn't have hurt you anyway. It was a win-win situation for you! Either you win or you lose... and have to do what you wanted to do anyway. You damn bastard."
The last sentence he'd muttered with a broad grin and an almost admiring tone of voice and Salvatora simply grinned back. "So you won't have any problems working with me?" she inquired and Nathan shook his head.
"Oh, no. As I told you over a week ago, it's a nice change to work with a woman for a while, so I'll manage."
Salvatora nodded satisfied. Then she gave him a wide grin and offered him her hand. "In that case... pleased to meet you, I'm Salvatora. Call me Sally for short."
Nathan grinned back, although it looked just a bit forced, and took her hand, her manicured fingers disappearing in his prank. As a man, Salvatore had regularly received bone-crushing handshakes by Nathan, but this time, Nathan's fingers closed around his gently like a feather. And thank God for that... Sally thought, if he'd use his usual power, he'd pulverize my hands.
After he'd released her hand again, Sally offered him a seat in the lounge suite in the corner of her office. She waited until he'd properly seated himself, then lowered herself on the accompanying couch, crossing her legs. The smooth motion caught Nathan's attention, and although he tried to mask it, Sally saw his eyes flickering towards her legs for a moment.
Oh, I'd totally forgotten how much fun it is to tease a guy... she thought gleefully while straightening her skirt. Then she cleared her throat.
"So, you're back from your vacation, I see." she started. "I hope you did recuperate sufficiently?"
"If you wanted me to recuperate, why did you make me a waitress?" Nathan asked back and Sally laughed softly.
"There are many ways to recover, some even involving physical work." she stated. "But I notice that you didn't answer my question. May I assume then that you indeed did manage to relax."
This time, Nathan was the one who laughed. "You may." he said and Sally clapped her hands merrily.
"Splendid!" she exclaimed, "you certainly look better without those nasty bags under your eyes." Her eyes twinkled mischievously, "In fact, you look a little too good. What's your secret? Something from your vacation?"
Nathan gave a little cough. "I'd like to keep the details of my private-" he stressed the adjective, "-vacation for myself. I'm sure you understand."
Sally eyed him speculatively. "You know, my college roommate looked similar after he'd gotten laid the first time in two years, the same, um... let's call it 'aura'..." she probed, but Nathan simply smiled, not offering any more information.
She looked into his eyes and saw the determination behind. As even her ultimate weapon, a disappointed pout didn't manage to break through his poker face, she sighed and aborted her quest.
"Anyway, I'm just happy that you got some rest." she added faithfully. "Really, you needed it."
To her surprise, Nathan nodded. "Yeah... you're right there." he admitted. "I think I have to thank you for the opportunity and this vacation. It was fun."
Sally bestowed another dazzling smile upon him. "It was nothing. You're one of my best subordinates and you're a good friend."
Nathan smiled back and Sally cleared her throat.
"So, let's get to business then. First I'll tell you what you've missed while waiting tables. The good news is: Not much. There haven't been any larger criminal activities than petty theft and none of our businesses have been disrupted..."
************************************************
One week later
************************************************
One week later
************************************************
Nathan felt stupid. Seriously stupid. He hadn't felt like this since his junior prom when he'd waited for his date to show up. That now, after more than 30 years, he had that exact same feeling again actually wasn't that much a surprise, the circumstances now were quite similar. He was actually waiting for his date to show up, just like then. But unlike then, his date wasn't Mary Perkins from across the town, but rather his boss Salvatore, now Salvatora.
Having a date with your boss should have been enough to set any proper workman's nerves on the edges. That the boss in question actually was your girl-Venned best buddy only made it worse. Nathan cursed silently, trying anxiously to remember why in hell he'd accepted when 'Sally' had asked for a joint evening. Part of it probably had been that he hadn't thought it through - he'd spent lots of nights out in the town with Salvatore before, but that had been typical guys-action. Now that Salvatore was a pronounced 'she', a fun guys-night out turned out to be something very different. And another part had undoubtedly been Sally's masterful composure of her womanly charms.
Over the course of the previous week, Nathan had seen Sally exploiting her spectacular body to the max. He'd very privately wondered if Salvatore's gender change would have a negative influence on his business, after all he couldn't imagine this beautiful but delicate woman he'd become extorting seasoned mobsters. But he'd quickly cast all his doubts away. Where Salvatore would have used his impressive physique to intimidate his clients with brute power, Sally used her not less (only differently) impressive physique to goad her clients into what she wanted. A crossing of her spectacular legs proved as deadly to opposition as a mighty blow, a dazzling smile as devastating to resolve as a vicious glower.
And Nathan had fallen prey to the same damn move. So when Sally had asked him innocently if he'd like to accompany to dinner this evening, he'd wanted to decline. But the words he'd intended to say had evaporated in seconds as she'd emphasized her request with this same, deadly, dazzling smile. Damn her... him... he cursed inwardly. Why is he doing this, acting just like any other gal?
And so he he was, in the restaurant of her choosing, waiting for his date to show up. All dressed up to the nines, with a tie no less and a bouquet of flowers at the ready. He'd never put on a suit if he'd met with Salvatore off work, but-
His thoughts slithered to a screeching halt as his boss finally appeared in the entrance. Her well-sculpted beauty had already been striking when she'd worn business attire, but the outfit Sally had chosen for this evening was nothing short of an armed assault on his visual senses. Nathan couldn't unglue his eyes from her shape as she strode closer, a flowing, red dress accentuating each and every curve of her spectacular body.
Without even realizing from where the thought had come from, he found himself rising up from the table and pulling out Sally's chair.
"Oh why, thank you." she murmured coquettishly, albeit with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. Nathan had to suppress a gape as the slit of her dress opened up to reveal a spectacular leg for a moment. Almost mechanically he handed her the bouquet.
"Um... Sally... you look... beautiful..." the mobster murmured and turned pink immediately. This wasn't something he'd ever intended to tell his boss, much less one of his best male friends, but it was the only thing which fit. This exotic being in front of him simply couldn't be the Salvatore he'd always known, but yet she was... it was as paradoxical as it was maddening!
Thankfully, Sally didn't seem to realize his inner turmoil at all. Instead, she simply accepted the bouquet with smiling grace and then charged a waiter to fetch a vase for the flowers. Nathan was glad for the short moment in which Sally's attention was focused on somebody else and awkwardly slid into his chair.
Sally eyed him with an amused impression after the waiter had left, then leaned forward and propped her head on her perfectly manicured hands. "What's the matter with you?" she mused, "You seem stressed. We have met for evenings out in the town before. Is it-" she moved forward even further, offering Nathan quite a good view of her creamy bosom, "-because I'm a girl now?"
This time, Nathan couldn't quite keep himself from gawking at Sally, and the girlish giggle this provoked made matters even worse. Such a reaction was so at odds with the tough, male Salvatore he knew! "Um, yeah..." he said uncomfortably. "I mean... we've been on guys nights out. Just two guys hanging out. This, though..." he gestured at the flowers on the table. "Feels almost like a date."
This caused Sally to laugh. "Oh, of course it's a date! When I'm a guy and I hang out with you, it's just guy stuff. But now I'm a girl, and that changes the chemistry. Of course I won't go bar hopping with you. Nope, it's gonna be a nice dinner, and then... we shall see."
"But... we've been guy friends for all time! We can't have a date, can we?" Nathan protested feebly, but to no avail.
"Yeah, and now I'm a woman. And as a woman, things are different. Come on... this will be fun." she giggled again. "It's been ages since I've been on a date as a girl, and never with a man of your age. This is going to be interesting."
Sally's cheerfulness was disarming. The problem was, that he actually wanted to date this girl sitting across him. At the same time, he'd be dating his boss, and even worse, best male friend. "But you're my boss!" he tried desperately in a final attempt. "This isn't right!"
Sally scowled. "Pah." she said with frown. "We're mafia, since when do we have work ethics? Furthermore, you're quite right, I'm the boss and you're my subordinate. So I want a date. And..." she displayed a dazzling smile, "...I get what I want. Always."
And Nathan didn't doubt it. Her last word had been like smooth silk - enveloping unyielding steel.
************************************************
"Thank you very much for escorting me home." Salvatora told Nathan as she fished for her keys inside her handbag.
"No problem, Sally." Nathan murmured with a courteous, but stiff voice, and Sally sighed. She'd enjoyed the last few hours. The exquisite dinner had been followed by a trip to an exclusive club, and Nathan had been a splendid companion. The only problem was, that in contrast to her, she had the impression that he hadn't enjoyed it. Oh, he'd been a perfect gentlemen, but there hadn't been any spirit in his demeanor, and she was pretty sure she knew what the problem was. Truth be told, Salvatora had hoped that this evening would wash away his... skittishness where her female alter ego was concerned, but apparently it wouldn't work out without a talk.
"You know..." she said therefore, "I enjoyed the evening. But you didn't. And don't pretend you did, we both know that it would be a lie. So you do have a problem. Just ask."
Nathan stared at her. "Ask what?"
"What you wanted to ask for the whole evening. Come on, humor me."
Her friend swallowed, but he didn't flinch. "Okay." he said and took a breath. "I'm wondering the whole evening why a guy, a powerful guy like Salvatore, would choose to become a woman and then act like one. That's what I can't understand!"
"Huh, what do you mean?" Sally smiled. "I already told you, to have a change of pace. And when I'm looking like a woman, shouldn't I act like one?"
"That's not what I mean!" Nathan retorted angrily. "I respected you, you were my boss! Salvatore, the great, powerful heir of the family. He got wealth and power and girls, whatever he wants! And then he decides to become a dumb, powerless ch-".
He managed to shut his mouth just in time before he finished his sentence, but he got far enough for Sally to realize what he'd meant to say. The violence of the outburst shocked even Nathan and his eyes flew wide open as he realized what he'd done.
"Oh, so I’m a ‘dumb, powerless chick’ now, huh?" The icy words shot out like frozen bullets as Salvatora glared at Nathan, and he froze. He'd heard this tone of voice often enough, and she knew that it terrified him, but he'd never before heard it in a female pitch. "Tell me, you stupid bastard..." she spat viciously, and Nathan seemed to shrink smaller and smaller with every venomous word, "...does this body take away the power I wield? My cunning intellect? It's just a body, I could steer my businesses from a male body, a female body, or a damn penguin body for all I care. It makes no difference. In fact, I can have you eliminated for the insolence you've just shown, or have you turned into the disgusting worm you are for three years-" she noticed the sudden surge of panic in Nathan's face with satisfaction, "-but I rather think I like your company."
Sweat glistened on his forehead and stained his collared shirt. He opened his mouth to respond, but he couldn't mustered the strength to utter a single word. Salvatora withheld a vindictive laugh at the pathetic sight. The view of her terrified subordinate made her anger dissipate, but she wasn't going to let him off the hook that easy.
"Silence." she ordered, and Nathan immediately obeyed, his jaw closing with an audible click. "I'm not finished yet. In fact..." She looked at the human misery in front of her and had to smirk inwardly. She hadn't planned on doing this when she'd set out for her date earlier this evening, but now it seemed like the right thing to do - not to mention the fun thing. Sometimes, you have to fight fire with fire, and this seems to be such a time. "...I want to demonstrate something to you. In one aspect, you're right. I am-" she raised a skinny arm "-physically weak, and even if I'd Venned into a muscular female body, I still wouldn't stand a chance against a trained man."
Confusion showed on Nathan's face, and Sally had to forcefully keep herself from giggling in delight. The poor bastard has absolutely no idea what is coming. "But that doesn't mean that I'm powerless. I've traded my physical power for other power." She licked her lips and her friend's eyes went wide as saucers as the beauty in front of him suddenly moved into a physical proximity way closer than anything they'd done during their date.
Like a deer in headlights, he could only stare as Salvatora slid her arms around his neck and pulled herself closer. "And I'm just about to give you a sample of it."
The sensual kiss she'd forced upon her hapless prey lasted for over a minute, then Sally slowly broke contact and smiled at her partner. "Follow me." she said, and turned walking into her room. She didn't even bother to look, for she knew that her order would be obeyed. Men are such easy creatures to manipulate.
Like in a trance, Nathan followed her into the bedroom. "Salvatora, what-" he started, but she simply put a finger on his lips, gently guiding him to the bed.
"Shhh..." she said with a smile. "...lie down... and wait for me." And with that, she unzipped her dress, and the garment fluttered down to the floor, revealing the luscious curves of a goddess below.
"No problem, Sally." Nathan murmured with a courteous, but stiff voice, and Sally sighed. She'd enjoyed the last few hours. The exquisite dinner had been followed by a trip to an exclusive club, and Nathan had been a splendid companion. The only problem was, that in contrast to her, she had the impression that he hadn't enjoyed it. Oh, he'd been a perfect gentlemen, but there hadn't been any spirit in his demeanor, and she was pretty sure she knew what the problem was. Truth be told, Salvatora had hoped that this evening would wash away his... skittishness where her female alter ego was concerned, but apparently it wouldn't work out without a talk.
"You know..." she said therefore, "I enjoyed the evening. But you didn't. And don't pretend you did, we both know that it would be a lie. So you do have a problem. Just ask."
Nathan stared at her. "Ask what?"
"What you wanted to ask for the whole evening. Come on, humor me."
Her friend swallowed, but he didn't flinch. "Okay." he said and took a breath. "I'm wondering the whole evening why a guy, a powerful guy like Salvatore, would choose to become a woman and then act like one. That's what I can't understand!"
"Huh, what do you mean?" Sally smiled. "I already told you, to have a change of pace. And when I'm looking like a woman, shouldn't I act like one?"
"That's not what I mean!" Nathan retorted angrily. "I respected you, you were my boss! Salvatore, the great, powerful heir of the family. He got wealth and power and girls, whatever he wants! And then he decides to become a dumb, powerless ch-".
He managed to shut his mouth just in time before he finished his sentence, but he got far enough for Sally to realize what he'd meant to say. The violence of the outburst shocked even Nathan and his eyes flew wide open as he realized what he'd done.
"Oh, so I’m a ‘dumb, powerless chick’ now, huh?" The icy words shot out like frozen bullets as Salvatora glared at Nathan, and he froze. He'd heard this tone of voice often enough, and she knew that it terrified him, but he'd never before heard it in a female pitch. "Tell me, you stupid bastard..." she spat viciously, and Nathan seemed to shrink smaller and smaller with every venomous word, "...does this body take away the power I wield? My cunning intellect? It's just a body, I could steer my businesses from a male body, a female body, or a damn penguin body for all I care. It makes no difference. In fact, I can have you eliminated for the insolence you've just shown, or have you turned into the disgusting worm you are for three years-" she noticed the sudden surge of panic in Nathan's face with satisfaction, "-but I rather think I like your company."
Sweat glistened on his forehead and stained his collared shirt. He opened his mouth to respond, but he couldn't mustered the strength to utter a single word. Salvatora withheld a vindictive laugh at the pathetic sight. The view of her terrified subordinate made her anger dissipate, but she wasn't going to let him off the hook that easy.
"Silence." she ordered, and Nathan immediately obeyed, his jaw closing with an audible click. "I'm not finished yet. In fact..." She looked at the human misery in front of her and had to smirk inwardly. She hadn't planned on doing this when she'd set out for her date earlier this evening, but now it seemed like the right thing to do - not to mention the fun thing. Sometimes, you have to fight fire with fire, and this seems to be such a time. "...I want to demonstrate something to you. In one aspect, you're right. I am-" she raised a skinny arm "-physically weak, and even if I'd Venned into a muscular female body, I still wouldn't stand a chance against a trained man."
Confusion showed on Nathan's face, and Sally had to forcefully keep herself from giggling in delight. The poor bastard has absolutely no idea what is coming. "But that doesn't mean that I'm powerless. I've traded my physical power for other power." She licked her lips and her friend's eyes went wide as saucers as the beauty in front of him suddenly moved into a physical proximity way closer than anything they'd done during their date.
Like a deer in headlights, he could only stare as Salvatora slid her arms around his neck and pulled herself closer. "And I'm just about to give you a sample of it."
The sensual kiss she'd forced upon her hapless prey lasted for over a minute, then Sally slowly broke contact and smiled at her partner. "Follow me." she said, and turned walking into her room. She didn't even bother to look, for she knew that her order would be obeyed. Men are such easy creatures to manipulate.
Like in a trance, Nathan followed her into the bedroom. "Salvatora, what-" he started, but she simply put a finger on his lips, gently guiding him to the bed.
"Shhh..." she said with a smile. "...lie down... and wait for me." And with that, she unzipped her dress, and the garment fluttered down to the floor, revealing the luscious curves of a goddess below.
************************************************
Nathan stared at the ceiling. He was still trying to come to grips with what he'd done last night. And with whom he'd done it. Not that he hadn't enjoyed it, because he had, immensely. It just... felt...
"Strange?"
The sultry, female voice startled him more than it should have, and he turned his head to the right, looking right at Salvatora's grinning face, then wandering down to the sensational, firm, and most importantly uncovered orbs on her chest. Which he'd fun playing with last night... he felt his face flush at the memory and his eyes snapped back to the ceiling, focusing on the lamps.
"Why the sudden prudery?" the woman next to him purred and Nathan shivered as he felt a dainty hand massaging his dick. "There was hardly any hesitation when you ravaged me last night."
No... Nathan thought desperately as Salvatora started to nibble playfully on his ear. It was the other way around... you... ravaged me. And you're wrong, too. It's not strange... it's... it's...
He closed his eyes, desperately wishing he'd be somewhere, anywhere else. He was just a man, powerless as his body reacted to the advances of the goddess next to him, even while his mind screamed to stop. That goddamn wager... why did I have to insist to bring Salvatora back? It was supposed to be a tease! I'd always expected her to be some kind joke, just a short disguise, not a full personality change. Not in my darkest dreams I'd have imagined him embracing the change like this...!
But hadn't he recently embraced a change into a woman, a girl as well? He'd vowed to return being Natasha the Scorpion Girl waitress, hadn't he? No, that's different... Natasha is half scorpion, that's not comparable. I loved the separation from my normal life, not the female body. But deep down he was wondering if maybe he was just fooling himself, that his current horror at Salvatora's behavior was nothing more than his own fear of starting to like being-
"What's wrong?" a sultry voice breathed into his ear, interrupting his train of thought. "Don't you want to continue where we stopped last night, tiger? Here, lemme help you get into the mood..."
The big man gasped as he felt a lush pair of lips slip over his cock. For a few seconds, he was too lost in the sensation to do anything, his member stirring to Salvatora's cajoling, to her lips slipping up and down his shaft and her tongue stroking his glans. But then his horror prevailed. He'd gotten many blowjobs in his life. By girlfriends, one-night stands, hookers... but this was different.
"Stop it, please!" he exclaimed and basically catapulted himself out of the bed, reaching for a pillow to cover his groins and throwing the blanket over Salvatora's exposed flesh. "That's just... wrong..."
Salvatora sat up now as well, making no attempts to adjust the linen which slipped, exposing lots of creamy bosom again. But her playfulness was gone, replaced by an annoyed look... with fury boiling behind. But this time, Nathan refused being bullied into submission. While she'd been sound asleep after last night's... deed, he'd been left awake and worrying.
"Wrong?" She asked coldly. "It didn't feel wrong to me. You seemed content as well." She pointed at the pillow which was making a piss-poor job of hiding his dick, still flying at half-staff.
"Yeah, of course, it was pleasurable, but... you see..." he took a deep breath and braced himself for the storm. "That's the problem. You're my boss, my best friend. My best male friend." He emphasized the gender to drive home the point. "And I've just fucked you like... like... like any other gal. And now you just wanted to blow me, just like... like... a common whore!"
There, it was out. Well, not all of it. But Salvatora had known him long enough to decipher what he'd actually implied.
Slowly, she stood up, completely nude now. But all her playfulness had vanished, replaced by barely hidden wrath. "Alright." she said, her voice again like liquid helium. "I may have a cunt now. And a pair of tits. And my current looks may give many other bimbo whores a run for their money. And as you probably can confirm from your own experience with me, I hump cock and suck dick better than most dumb bitches." All her statements had been brought fourth in the same, clipped tone, cold and emotionless. "And you think that doing these things are unfitting to my status and position?"
Salvatora had stepped closer while delivering her recital, her face now barely inches away from his, and despite his obvious superiority in height, he felt like she was towering over him.
"Is it this what you are implying? Come on, humor me."
Nathan clenched his jaws together so hard that his teeth hurt. Silence stretched for about a minute. "I think that acting like a woman, especially a... slutty one... will make you... weak. It... squishes your wits."
"Acting?" Salvatora inquired in a dangerous tone of voice. "And what if I'm not 'acting'? If Salvatora is just another face of my personality? Not even mentioning that fact that I don't agree with your definition of 'slutty'."
"That... would be worse then."
For a few moments, the nude woman looked like she was on the brink of exploding. But then she simply turned and stormed out of the bedroom.
He was still trying to bring order in his mind again, when, to his surprise, Salvatora returned, but covered by a long, silken robe now.
"It looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson. I thought that a night together would dispel your doubts, your machismo, but was wrong." she said without preamble. "You think I’ve gotten soft? Prove it in the arena. You, me, today at noon. As per the rules, as the challenged party you'll get to change after me. If you win, Salvatora will never bother you again. If I win, you'll become my secretary for a week. My female secretary."
Nathan nodded stiffly. He hadn't expected her to challenge him to a duel, but that was fine for him. I'm unbeaten in Monster Wars, after all... and I've hardly ever seen Salvatore fighting.
"Then it's settled. And now fetch your clothes and get the fuck out."
"Strange?"
The sultry, female voice startled him more than it should have, and he turned his head to the right, looking right at Salvatora's grinning face, then wandering down to the sensational, firm, and most importantly uncovered orbs on her chest. Which he'd fun playing with last night... he felt his face flush at the memory and his eyes snapped back to the ceiling, focusing on the lamps.
"Why the sudden prudery?" the woman next to him purred and Nathan shivered as he felt a dainty hand massaging his dick. "There was hardly any hesitation when you ravaged me last night."
No... Nathan thought desperately as Salvatora started to nibble playfully on his ear. It was the other way around... you... ravaged me. And you're wrong, too. It's not strange... it's... it's...
He closed his eyes, desperately wishing he'd be somewhere, anywhere else. He was just a man, powerless as his body reacted to the advances of the goddess next to him, even while his mind screamed to stop. That goddamn wager... why did I have to insist to bring Salvatora back? It was supposed to be a tease! I'd always expected her to be some kind joke, just a short disguise, not a full personality change. Not in my darkest dreams I'd have imagined him embracing the change like this...!
But hadn't he recently embraced a change into a woman, a girl as well? He'd vowed to return being Natasha the Scorpion Girl waitress, hadn't he? No, that's different... Natasha is half scorpion, that's not comparable. I loved the separation from my normal life, not the female body. But deep down he was wondering if maybe he was just fooling himself, that his current horror at Salvatora's behavior was nothing more than his own fear of starting to like being-
"What's wrong?" a sultry voice breathed into his ear, interrupting his train of thought. "Don't you want to continue where we stopped last night, tiger? Here, lemme help you get into the mood..."
The big man gasped as he felt a lush pair of lips slip over his cock. For a few seconds, he was too lost in the sensation to do anything, his member stirring to Salvatora's cajoling, to her lips slipping up and down his shaft and her tongue stroking his glans. But then his horror prevailed. He'd gotten many blowjobs in his life. By girlfriends, one-night stands, hookers... but this was different.
"Stop it, please!" he exclaimed and basically catapulted himself out of the bed, reaching for a pillow to cover his groins and throwing the blanket over Salvatora's exposed flesh. "That's just... wrong..."
Salvatora sat up now as well, making no attempts to adjust the linen which slipped, exposing lots of creamy bosom again. But her playfulness was gone, replaced by an annoyed look... with fury boiling behind. But this time, Nathan refused being bullied into submission. While she'd been sound asleep after last night's... deed, he'd been left awake and worrying.
"Wrong?" She asked coldly. "It didn't feel wrong to me. You seemed content as well." She pointed at the pillow which was making a piss-poor job of hiding his dick, still flying at half-staff.
"Yeah, of course, it was pleasurable, but... you see..." he took a deep breath and braced himself for the storm. "That's the problem. You're my boss, my best friend. My best male friend." He emphasized the gender to drive home the point. "And I've just fucked you like... like... like any other gal. And now you just wanted to blow me, just like... like... a common whore!"
There, it was out. Well, not all of it. But Salvatora had known him long enough to decipher what he'd actually implied.
Slowly, she stood up, completely nude now. But all her playfulness had vanished, replaced by barely hidden wrath. "Alright." she said, her voice again like liquid helium. "I may have a cunt now. And a pair of tits. And my current looks may give many other bimbo whores a run for their money. And as you probably can confirm from your own experience with me, I hump cock and suck dick better than most dumb bitches." All her statements had been brought fourth in the same, clipped tone, cold and emotionless. "And you think that doing these things are unfitting to my status and position?"
Salvatora had stepped closer while delivering her recital, her face now barely inches away from his, and despite his obvious superiority in height, he felt like she was towering over him.
"Is it this what you are implying? Come on, humor me."
Nathan clenched his jaws together so hard that his teeth hurt. Silence stretched for about a minute. "I think that acting like a woman, especially a... slutty one... will make you... weak. It... squishes your wits."
"Acting?" Salvatora inquired in a dangerous tone of voice. "And what if I'm not 'acting'? If Salvatora is just another face of my personality? Not even mentioning that fact that I don't agree with your definition of 'slutty'."
"That... would be worse then."
For a few moments, the nude woman looked like she was on the brink of exploding. But then she simply turned and stormed out of the bedroom.
He was still trying to bring order in his mind again, when, to his surprise, Salvatora returned, but covered by a long, silken robe now.
"It looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson. I thought that a night together would dispel your doubts, your machismo, but was wrong." she said without preamble. "You think I’ve gotten soft? Prove it in the arena. You, me, today at noon. As per the rules, as the challenged party you'll get to change after me. If you win, Salvatora will never bother you again. If I win, you'll become my secretary for a week. My female secretary."
Nathan nodded stiffly. He hadn't expected her to challenge him to a duel, but that was fine for him. I'm unbeaten in Monster Wars, after all... and I've hardly ever seen Salvatore fighting.
"Then it's settled. And now fetch your clothes and get the fuck out."
************************************************
"Holy shit! He said that to your face? And you let him live?"
Salvatora chuckled at Jorge's look of absolute astonishment. "Yeah, I'm kinda surprised myself. I've killed people for less."
Jorge simply nodded to the statement, for he knew that it was no joke. "Seems like he's one of those old-fashioned reactionaries, believing this 'men are men and women are just dumb chicks' machismo. That's funny, I would have thought that he'd be different, given how readily he uses Venn Machines..." The brawny bouncer gestured at the Venn interface separating the two of them.
"Above all, Nathan is a realist." Salvatora said with a sigh. "Give him a tool and he's going to use it. Give him a better tool, and he'll use the new one. Enthusiastically even, but that's it. Venn Machines are tools to him, but he's not realized what they really are. What they allow us to do."
"Oh, and what would that be?" The twinkle in Jorge's eyes betrayed that his ignorance was only feigned, but Salvatore decided to humor him anyway.
"It's releases our minds from our bodies. The only thing which counts is our mind, not the shape it's in. See, for him, there's the biologically born, male Salvatore. That's the real 'me'. Everything else is just a temporary disguise. But that's not how it's to me. To me, 'Salvatore' is in no way more real than 'Salvatora', and 'Salvatora' is no less real than 'Salvatore'. Or the shape of a tiger. Or the shape of a dress. All are the same me, just different faces. All are equal. As Salvatore, I'm the witty, no-nonsense heir to a gangster imperium. As Salvatora, I'm the no-less witty femme fatale. As the tiger, I'm just an uncaring predator. And as a dress... well, you get the point."
"A dress, hmmm? Can I borrow you the next time I go clubbing as a chick?" Jorge teased.
Salvatora laughed. "Maybe. But for now, let's just concentrate on giving a Nathan a lesson he'll never forget..."
"Alright, alright... any specifics?"
Now the woman in the other side of the booth smiled, and it was a purposeful, predatory smile. "Let your mind run freely. I'm sure I can take him on in any shape. Just... make me horrendous. To drive home a point."
Jorge grinned back. "I think I have just the right thing for you. Some private concepts I haven't tried out in public because they are a bit too... extreme, even for our audience. But it should work just well for what you're intending."
"Holy shit! He said that to your face? And you let him live?"
Salvatora chuckled at Jorge's look of absolute astonishment. "Yeah, I'm kinda surprised myself. I've killed people for less."
Jorge simply nodded to the statement, for he knew that it was no joke. "Seems like he's one of those old-fashioned reactionaries, believing this 'men are men and women are just dumb chicks' machismo. That's funny, I would have thought that he'd be different, given how readily he uses Venn Machines..." The brawny bouncer gestured at the Venn interface separating the two of them.
"Above all, Nathan is a realist." Salvatora said with a sigh. "Give him a tool and he's going to use it. Give him a better tool, and he'll use the new one. Enthusiastically even, but that's it. Venn Machines are tools to him, but he's not realized what they really are. What they allow us to do."
"Oh, and what would that be?" The twinkle in Jorge's eyes betrayed that his ignorance was only feigned, but Salvatore decided to humor him anyway.
"It's releases our minds from our bodies. The only thing which counts is our mind, not the shape it's in. See, for him, there's the biologically born, male Salvatore. That's the real 'me'. Everything else is just a temporary disguise. But that's not how it's to me. To me, 'Salvatore' is in no way more real than 'Salvatora', and 'Salvatora' is no less real than 'Salvatore'. Or the shape of a tiger. Or the shape of a dress. All are the same me, just different faces. All are equal. As Salvatore, I'm the witty, no-nonsense heir to a gangster imperium. As Salvatora, I'm the no-less witty femme fatale. As the tiger, I'm just an uncaring predator. And as a dress... well, you get the point."
"A dress, hmmm? Can I borrow you the next time I go clubbing as a chick?" Jorge teased.
Salvatora laughed. "Maybe. But for now, let's just concentrate on giving a Nathan a lesson he'll never forget..."
"Alright, alright... any specifics?"
Now the woman in the other side of the booth smiled, and it was a purposeful, predatory smile. "Let your mind run freely. I'm sure I can take him on in any shape. Just... make me horrendous. To drive home a point."
Jorge grinned back. "I think I have just the right thing for you. Some private concepts I haven't tried out in public because they are a bit too... extreme, even for our audience. But it should work just well for what you're intending."
************************************************
Nathan had seen a lot over the decades he'd served the family. More death and carnage than some career soldiers, and he'd expected that nothing could spook him. No, expecting was the wrong word... he'd known that there'd be nothing which would scare him. Until now.
Salvatora had entered the booth without so much as looking at him. Apparently she considered this a private affair, for she hadn't turned up in her usual business attire, but rather casual clothes. As much as you could call a V-lined top, a very short mini skirt and outrageously high sandal heels "casual". No doubt this hyper-sexy attire had been intended as another jibe. She'd certainly been turning every male (and even some female) head in the arena. Which meant that Nathan wasn't the only one gaping at the abomination which now crawled out of the Venn Machine.
Oh my God Jorge, you pulled out all the stops, did you? Nathan thought as Salvatore's new body (he just couldn't connect this... thing in front of him to the beautiful woman he'd slept with the night before) reared up on its many insectoid legs and sliced at the air with sickle-claws and clacking pincers threateningly.
It was... it looked like... in fact, Nathan was simply unable to draw any link to existing animals. The creature in front of him clearly incorporated many features of arthropods such as spiders, scorpions and centipedes, but at the same time it looked like it had been mated with something even... worse. It just plainly looked wrong. Terrible. Horrendous.
Every fiber in his body screamed at his mind to flee, but stubbornly he held his position in front of the monstrosity. Even as Salvatore scuttled closer on a dozen or more legs and 'fixated' him out of soulless compound eyes. Massive, clawed mandibles parted to reveal a slavering maw framed by rows upon rows of inclined teeth, with countless barbed tentacles twitching in the blackness behind.
Sweat started to gather on his temples as he contemplated this hellish sight, and Salvatore seemed to have noticed this as well, for he growled derisively, covering his body in foul-smelling, jellylike saliva. His mandibles twitched in anticipation, and for a moment Nathan feared that the tentacles would reach out and pull him into this dreadful abyss, but then the beast closed its maw with a loud click and turned, scuttling off towards the holding pens.
And suddenly, every eye in the hall was on him. And Nathan knew exactly what they were thinking, because the same went through his head. Oh my God... I'm supposed to go up against that?
But then he shook himself. No, can it! You're not just some damn rookie. He may have fazed you for a moment, but you know how it goes. Psychological combat is just as important as physical, and sometimes, an inferior shape wins against a superior, just because it looks more threatening than the other. Hell, usually it's the horrible shapes which are piss-poor fighters!
Still a bit dazed, Nathan went into the Venn Machine, with Jorge waiting on the other side. "He seems pissed." He simply said instead of a greeting.
Jorge snorted. "That's an understatement if I ever heard one. That lady is livid. You know how I usually love the fights, but that's one I'll be certain to leave out."
"Really?" Nathan felt anger boiling up in him, having noted Jorge's emphasis on Salvatore's gender. "I'll just put him into place. He may look threatening, but both of us know who got more fighting experience. He'll never know what hit him!"
Jorge simply shrugged. "If you say so, boss. Anything special for this duel? You saw her shape."
"No." Nathan shook his head. Stick to the basics. I mean what I said, but this is still going to be one of my hardest fights ever. Still, there's no doubt to the end. And then this 'Salvatora' episode is hopefully behind us once and for all. "Just the usual."
"A bit boring, but works for me."
And a few moments later, Nathan prowled out of the Venn Machine on six clawed, reptilian legs. He looked over at the mirrored wall out of his four eyes, savoring the sight of his changed body. His usual fighting shape for Monster Wars. Something akin to a giant tiger, only with six legs instead of four, and claws the size of scimitars. His head was closer to a crocodile's than a tigers as well, with a long snout and lots of interlocking teeth. There was no fur either, instead lots of scaled armor, plus a vicious-looking, hooked tail.
Just to show the people in the hall that he was far from being intimidated, he scratched the claws of his forward four legs across the concrete, leaving deep gashes, and then roared loudly. The massive, bestial sound made the mirrors rattling, and people across the hall flinched as the screech tormented their ears.
Yeah, Salvatore. He thought grimly while trotting over to the holding pens as well. You may have fooled them, but not me. There's only one way this is gonna end.
But deep inside the vicious, blood-thirsty beast, a disconcerted human was wondering if maybe he was just fooling himself.
Salvatora had entered the booth without so much as looking at him. Apparently she considered this a private affair, for she hadn't turned up in her usual business attire, but rather casual clothes. As much as you could call a V-lined top, a very short mini skirt and outrageously high sandal heels "casual". No doubt this hyper-sexy attire had been intended as another jibe. She'd certainly been turning every male (and even some female) head in the arena. Which meant that Nathan wasn't the only one gaping at the abomination which now crawled out of the Venn Machine.
Oh my God Jorge, you pulled out all the stops, did you? Nathan thought as Salvatore's new body (he just couldn't connect this... thing in front of him to the beautiful woman he'd slept with the night before) reared up on its many insectoid legs and sliced at the air with sickle-claws and clacking pincers threateningly.
It was... it looked like... in fact, Nathan was simply unable to draw any link to existing animals. The creature in front of him clearly incorporated many features of arthropods such as spiders, scorpions and centipedes, but at the same time it looked like it had been mated with something even... worse. It just plainly looked wrong. Terrible. Horrendous.
Every fiber in his body screamed at his mind to flee, but stubbornly he held his position in front of the monstrosity. Even as Salvatore scuttled closer on a dozen or more legs and 'fixated' him out of soulless compound eyes. Massive, clawed mandibles parted to reveal a slavering maw framed by rows upon rows of inclined teeth, with countless barbed tentacles twitching in the blackness behind.
Sweat started to gather on his temples as he contemplated this hellish sight, and Salvatore seemed to have noticed this as well, for he growled derisively, covering his body in foul-smelling, jellylike saliva. His mandibles twitched in anticipation, and for a moment Nathan feared that the tentacles would reach out and pull him into this dreadful abyss, but then the beast closed its maw with a loud click and turned, scuttling off towards the holding pens.
And suddenly, every eye in the hall was on him. And Nathan knew exactly what they were thinking, because the same went through his head. Oh my God... I'm supposed to go up against that?
But then he shook himself. No, can it! You're not just some damn rookie. He may have fazed you for a moment, but you know how it goes. Psychological combat is just as important as physical, and sometimes, an inferior shape wins against a superior, just because it looks more threatening than the other. Hell, usually it's the horrible shapes which are piss-poor fighters!
Still a bit dazed, Nathan went into the Venn Machine, with Jorge waiting on the other side. "He seems pissed." He simply said instead of a greeting.
Jorge snorted. "That's an understatement if I ever heard one. That lady is livid. You know how I usually love the fights, but that's one I'll be certain to leave out."
"Really?" Nathan felt anger boiling up in him, having noted Jorge's emphasis on Salvatore's gender. "I'll just put him into place. He may look threatening, but both of us know who got more fighting experience. He'll never know what hit him!"
Jorge simply shrugged. "If you say so, boss. Anything special for this duel? You saw her shape."
"No." Nathan shook his head. Stick to the basics. I mean what I said, but this is still going to be one of my hardest fights ever. Still, there's no doubt to the end. And then this 'Salvatora' episode is hopefully behind us once and for all. "Just the usual."
"A bit boring, but works for me."
And a few moments later, Nathan prowled out of the Venn Machine on six clawed, reptilian legs. He looked over at the mirrored wall out of his four eyes, savoring the sight of his changed body. His usual fighting shape for Monster Wars. Something akin to a giant tiger, only with six legs instead of four, and claws the size of scimitars. His head was closer to a crocodile's than a tigers as well, with a long snout and lots of interlocking teeth. There was no fur either, instead lots of scaled armor, plus a vicious-looking, hooked tail.
Just to show the people in the hall that he was far from being intimidated, he scratched the claws of his forward four legs across the concrete, leaving deep gashes, and then roared loudly. The massive, bestial sound made the mirrors rattling, and people across the hall flinched as the screech tormented their ears.
Yeah, Salvatore. He thought grimly while trotting over to the holding pens as well. You may have fooled them, but not me. There's only one way this is gonna end.
But deep inside the vicious, blood-thirsty beast, a disconcerted human was wondering if maybe he was just fooling himself.
************************************************
Epilogue
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"Thank you very much Mr. Desai." Salvatore said and buttoned up his jacket as he raised himself. "My assistant will finalize the terms of our agreement with you then. Natasha?"
"Certainly, Sir." With a friendly smile, the red-headed secretary which had waited patiently behind while the two business men had negotiated stepped closer now. "If you'd please follow me then, Mr. Desai?" She asked pleasantly.
"With pleasure." The old man chuckled. "There's nothing I'd love to do more, my dear."
With just a tiny hint of a smirk, Salvatore watched the two of them leave his office together, his eyes lingering appreciatively on his secretary's blue pencil skirt which highlighted her well-shaped posterior perfectly. I just have to concede that Jorge venns the best butts in the whole town... and this sight was definitely worth it to turn back into Salvatore early. He snickered at the thought, then seated himself on his chair again to catch up on some badly overdue paperwork.
"Certainly, Sir." With a friendly smile, the red-headed secretary which had waited patiently behind while the two business men had negotiated stepped closer now. "If you'd please follow me then, Mr. Desai?" She asked pleasantly.
"With pleasure." The old man chuckled. "There's nothing I'd love to do more, my dear."
With just a tiny hint of a smirk, Salvatore watched the two of them leave his office together, his eyes lingering appreciatively on his secretary's blue pencil skirt which highlighted her well-shaped posterior perfectly. I just have to concede that Jorge venns the best butts in the whole town... and this sight was definitely worth it to turn back into Salvatore early. He snickered at the thought, then seated himself on his chair again to catch up on some badly overdue paperwork.
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Natasha sighed, relieved that the client was finally gone, and then raised a perfectly manicured, dainty female hand to knock on Salvatore's office door.
"Come on in!" Salvatore called and Natasha stepped through. The clicking sound of her heels on the marble floor still sounded unreal to her, just like the previous few dozen times. I'll probably never get used to this. She thought irritated. The breasts, the bra, the hose, the nails, the hair, the skirt, the missing equipment between my legs... all of that feels normal now, but my heels just have to startle me every damn time again...
She'd always loved the sound for it usually announced the arrival of a lovely lady. Just like now. Only that the lovely lady in question was her now. After she'd lost the fight (the loss actually didn't gall her as much as the contemptuous ease with which Salvatore had wiped the floor with her), Salvatore had insisted on his new 'secretary' wearing just the same style Salvatora had, and so she was standing here in heels, pantyhose and a skirt now.
"Everything finished?" her boss asked, with his gaze dwelling on her bosom just a bit longer then necessary. Natasha didn't quite know what was worse. That she had a bosom which could be admired by men, or that she actually felt proud of having one worthy of male admiration... "Natasha?"
Sheepishly, she wiped a strand of her long, red hair which had become loose out of her face. "Sorry, I was lost in thoughts. Yes, I've gone through all the paperwork with that randy old devil."
Salvatore raised an eyebrow. "I hope you didn't address him like that."
"Of course not." Natasha glowered back. "But he constantly stared at my legs. I swear, he probably has a leg fetish. Not that he's the only one..."
The boss looked innocently at the, well, quite spectacular legs in question. "Well, he has a good taste then. Plus the fact that you've acquired quite a sexy gait in heels... that's kinda impressive, you know, after just one week... It certainly took me more time than that."
"Piffle. Have you ever tried walking around on eight scorpion legs all day? On a polished marble surface? Balancing a couple of trays and trying your best not to run your pincers into someone's ass? This is kid's stuff compared." Natasha shook her hand dismissively. Actually, this was only half the explanation. Just like her previous week's occupation as a Scorpion Girl waitress, Nathan's lost bet had very swiftly changed from being punishment to something rather... else. He doesn't have to know how much time I spent in front of the mirror, parading all these clothes Jorge provided to me...
"If you say so." Salvatore's grin betrayed his doubt at the offered explanation, but he didn't inquire further. Instead, he stood up, went around his desk and sat down on the large sofa. "Come on." he said, gesturing to the opposing seat. "Sit down."
Natasha nodded and obeyed, then furrowed her brows as she noticed the other guy's grin. "What?" she asked defensively.
"Oh, nothing. Just the way you crossed your legs and smoothed your skirt when you sat down. Very ladylike. It's been one week as a woman now, not just some half-girl half-beast attraction, and you're acting just like a normal woman. How do you like it? Do you still think it... how did you put it... squishes your wits?"
The mobster-turned-secretary stared down and cursed inwardly. She hadn't even noticed she had done it, but then again, what did it matter. After all, Salvatore was right. Like so often. After she'd been turned into a woman, a more mature (and curvy) human version of her Scorpion Girl waitress body, she'd expected to feel like a man in drag. But surprisingly... she hadn't.
Being some kind of half-human creature was one thing, even if half of it looked like a young girl. But actually impersonating a fully-functional member of the opposite gender was something else. Or so Nathan had thought.
With time, she'd grown to appreciate her changed gender. As a woman, there were things she couldn't do or do only worse than a man. But there were also things which he could do better. Her whole way of interacting with people had changed, and she certainly felt more emotional than as a man. Which wasn't necessary a bad thing. Just something different.
Therefore she simply sighed. "No." she said. "I regret what I told you back then. Being a woman is different, makes me feel and behave different, but doesn't change who I am." She grinned sardonically. "I may have a cunt and tits now, but I bet I can still make mobsters shiver in fear."
Salvatore laughed at that. "Oh, very nicely put. But yeah, apology accepted." He winked at her. "So, now that you've had this experience... don't you want to adventure further?"
Suddenly, the room seemed to spin. "Uh... what do you mean?" she squeaked. Why am I even asking, I know exactly what he means... and why the fuck am I actually glad that he finally asked? Wait, where did that finally come from...? Uh oh...
"Oh come on, you're not that dense. Don't you wanna see how it feels being the woman on a date? I have got a nice table reserved around nine."
Nathan's mind raced. A week earlier what he was pondering now would have been unthinkable. Do I? Oh my God, I'm actually curious how it would be being the one who bewitches the other with her beauty, to be courted and... "But what will I wear?"
She hadn't even noticed she'd spoken out loud until Salvatore replied. "Jorge will surely help you choosing something. I'm sure whatever you pick, you'll look beautiful."
This was strange. Flattery had never impressed her as a male. But now she actually felt her cheeks blush at the compliment. "And... afterwards?" She felt a hint of fear creep into her voice, but at the same time, heat rose in her loins. Salvatore in his male shape was a very attractive man. Intellectually, she'd known that even before she'd changed genders. But now, out of the eyes of a woman, his strong shoulders, the chiseled face... she had experimented with her new body of course, and deep down she'd wondered how it would feel to have a real, warm...
He simply shrugged. "Whatever you want. It's up to you."
Natasha swallowed and pondered this. Salvatore simply waited patiently. Conflicting thoughts swirled in her mind. But then...
"Nine you said?"
She'd always loved the sound for it usually announced the arrival of a lovely lady. Just like now. Only that the lovely lady in question was her now. After she'd lost the fight (the loss actually didn't gall her as much as the contemptuous ease with which Salvatore had wiped the floor with her), Salvatore had insisted on his new 'secretary' wearing just the same style Salvatora had, and so she was standing here in heels, pantyhose and a skirt now.
"Everything finished?" her boss asked, with his gaze dwelling on her bosom just a bit longer then necessary. Natasha didn't quite know what was worse. That she had a bosom which could be admired by men, or that she actually felt proud of having one worthy of male admiration... "Natasha?"
Sheepishly, she wiped a strand of her long, red hair which had become loose out of her face. "Sorry, I was lost in thoughts. Yes, I've gone through all the paperwork with that randy old devil."
Salvatore raised an eyebrow. "I hope you didn't address him like that."
"Of course not." Natasha glowered back. "But he constantly stared at my legs. I swear, he probably has a leg fetish. Not that he's the only one..."
The boss looked innocently at the, well, quite spectacular legs in question. "Well, he has a good taste then. Plus the fact that you've acquired quite a sexy gait in heels... that's kinda impressive, you know, after just one week... It certainly took me more time than that."
"Piffle. Have you ever tried walking around on eight scorpion legs all day? On a polished marble surface? Balancing a couple of trays and trying your best not to run your pincers into someone's ass? This is kid's stuff compared." Natasha shook her hand dismissively. Actually, this was only half the explanation. Just like her previous week's occupation as a Scorpion Girl waitress, Nathan's lost bet had very swiftly changed from being punishment to something rather... else. He doesn't have to know how much time I spent in front of the mirror, parading all these clothes Jorge provided to me...
"If you say so." Salvatore's grin betrayed his doubt at the offered explanation, but he didn't inquire further. Instead, he stood up, went around his desk and sat down on the large sofa. "Come on." he said, gesturing to the opposing seat. "Sit down."
Natasha nodded and obeyed, then furrowed her brows as she noticed the other guy's grin. "What?" she asked defensively.
"Oh, nothing. Just the way you crossed your legs and smoothed your skirt when you sat down. Very ladylike. It's been one week as a woman now, not just some half-girl half-beast attraction, and you're acting just like a normal woman. How do you like it? Do you still think it... how did you put it... squishes your wits?"
The mobster-turned-secretary stared down and cursed inwardly. She hadn't even noticed she had done it, but then again, what did it matter. After all, Salvatore was right. Like so often. After she'd been turned into a woman, a more mature (and curvy) human version of her Scorpion Girl waitress body, she'd expected to feel like a man in drag. But surprisingly... she hadn't.
Being some kind of half-human creature was one thing, even if half of it looked like a young girl. But actually impersonating a fully-functional member of the opposite gender was something else. Or so Nathan had thought.
With time, she'd grown to appreciate her changed gender. As a woman, there were things she couldn't do or do only worse than a man. But there were also things which he could do better. Her whole way of interacting with people had changed, and she certainly felt more emotional than as a man. Which wasn't necessary a bad thing. Just something different.
Therefore she simply sighed. "No." she said. "I regret what I told you back then. Being a woman is different, makes me feel and behave different, but doesn't change who I am." She grinned sardonically. "I may have a cunt and tits now, but I bet I can still make mobsters shiver in fear."
Salvatore laughed at that. "Oh, very nicely put. But yeah, apology accepted." He winked at her. "So, now that you've had this experience... don't you want to adventure further?"
Suddenly, the room seemed to spin. "Uh... what do you mean?" she squeaked. Why am I even asking, I know exactly what he means... and why the fuck am I actually glad that he finally asked? Wait, where did that finally come from...? Uh oh...
"Oh come on, you're not that dense. Don't you wanna see how it feels being the woman on a date? I have got a nice table reserved around nine."
Nathan's mind raced. A week earlier what he was pondering now would have been unthinkable. Do I? Oh my God, I'm actually curious how it would be being the one who bewitches the other with her beauty, to be courted and... "But what will I wear?"
She hadn't even noticed she'd spoken out loud until Salvatore replied. "Jorge will surely help you choosing something. I'm sure whatever you pick, you'll look beautiful."
This was strange. Flattery had never impressed her as a male. But now she actually felt her cheeks blush at the compliment. "And... afterwards?" She felt a hint of fear creep into her voice, but at the same time, heat rose in her loins. Salvatore in his male shape was a very attractive man. Intellectually, she'd known that even before she'd changed genders. But now, out of the eyes of a woman, his strong shoulders, the chiseled face... she had experimented with her new body of course, and deep down she'd wondered how it would feel to have a real, warm...
He simply shrugged. "Whatever you want. It's up to you."
Natasha swallowed and pondered this. Salvatore simply waited patiently. Conflicting thoughts swirled in her mind. But then...
"Nine you said?"