Even if her eyes were fixed on the road ahead, her mind wasn’t precisely focused on it. And no, the irony of her currently running on a bit of autopilot wasn’t lost to her. But other than the rumble of the engine and the trundle of wheels, the car was completely silent. Well, almost completely, with the exception of some basic directions the co-pilot gave her. But otherwise, dead silent. And Marina had this grin on her face, something she loved and dreaded.

If Veronica was ever asked to define Marina in a single word, that would have to be unpredictable. She never could tell with complete certainty what she was up to; but was simple and straight to the point, not the tiniest hint of a lie in it. She had called her, which always brightened her day, but once she had jumped in her car, the way had been completely silent.

“Almost there~”

The woman spoke for the first time with that singsong tune that made her heart flutter, even if she grumbled a bit while looking around. “‘Almost’ being key here… Can anyone go home, please?”

“Aw… don’t worry sweetie. We’ll find a spot soon enough.”

“Hope s-”

“There!”

Parking could be a headache, but right on cue, Marina had spotted a place. And it just happened to bea little ahead of them. “How very fortunate…”

The trundle of the wheels accelerated to make sure they claimed it, Veronica pulling off the manoeuvre smoothly and almost in a single move. And as the vehicle grounded to a halt, the car’s engine quieted down, leaving them on the side of a building. It seemed rather new, walls barely dirty and with a distinct lack of any graffiti and other street “art”. It was almost too pristine even... At least if one compared it to others it shared a city with.

The moment the engine’s humming stopped and turned the keys off, the woman didn’t get out of it as much as jump, giddy like a schoolgirl. She trotted to the pavement before turning and looking at her through the glass. Such energy and candour, always giggling and with a smile on those lovely lips of her. Making sure she had everything on her, she got out too, making sure the car was locked behind her.

“Come on, slowpoke!”

“What’s the sudden rush for?”

“Ah-ah. No spoilers!” Teased Marina, closing the distance and taking one of her hands. “C’mon!”

She started walking down the street, dragging her in tow. She opened her mouth to protest, but decided otherwise. Marina wouldn’t take no for an answer, and there was something hypnotic about her. The way her rear moved with each step, the roundness only accentuated by the skinny jeans she wore. She looked away, feeling a light blush creep on top her face and simply holding her hand tighter.

It could barely be called a walk, a couple dozen metres and turning the corner of the building to the right. The two women now walked by the display window of the building, Veronica’s heart skipping a beat as she saw its contents as unique as always. And Marina marched forward, not saying a word nor looking behind, but probably with that same grin plastered on her face.

The door slid open, the interior cosy and warm, welcoming the two women inside. The hall was well-lit, currently by natural light, but with plenty of lamps around should they be needed. And it was ample and spacious,  giving plenty of room to come in and out while some couches and armchairs to the sides that gathered around simple low tables with a variety of magazines in them.

However, there was no one besides them and the secretaries behind a desk not far away… which she was thankful for. Not that she had anything against it, but she didn’t quite like being seen with Marina. Not for anything that had to do with her! But rather… because she felt she stuck out like a sore thumb. Marina was outgoing, confident, teasing and a touch sassy. And the best way to describe herself could be… conservative, modest, introverted… a bit of a doormat maybe too…

“Hey, babe, you okay? You zoned out for a bit.”

“Ah, yes, peachy.”

“Uh-huh…” No way she was buying that. “Anyway, let’s go!”

There she went once again, dragging her in tow. They couldn’t be more different, and yet, for some reason that escaped her understanding, she had chosen her. They closed the distance immediately, Marina immediately greeting the two women behind the desk. Veronica on the other hand, stood silent, transfixed by their image.

The one sitting to her left was green, literally. Her skin had this light verdant hue that permeated all of her, from the tip of her fingers to the root of her… hair? Her “hair” to call it somehow, wasn’t as much and more like carefully ordered petals. They could look almost like scales, carefully combed backwards and spiralling to the back of her head, where they converged into a bun. In fact, it took her a moment to notice, but the petals that formed the bun had taken the shape of a rose, or something that bore an incredibly close resemblance.

In fact, all of her had this floral pattern, her uniform also looking like intertwined and interlocked petals and leaves, but possessing a much darker green colour. She might have gone in a train of thought-train about chlorophyll and the coloration of plants, but she was lost in the curves of the woman, the form-hugging  “clothes” leaving little of her figure to the imagination. Trying not to blush, she looked elsewhere, meeting the hazel eyes of the woman, who held her stare with little effort. She looked at her with professional patience, but behind that demeanour was a tiny spark of glee and fun, only breaking eye-contact for the briefest moment to say something to her co-worker.

And her co-worker was just as unique. Taller and leaner than the plant woman, her skin possessed a pale blue hue, as well as a slight gloss? Or was that her eyes deceiving her? Wearing a single piece and sleeveless dark blue dress, all of her had an aura that set her apart. Her features were almost too perfect, lips curled into a small and playful smile while the icy blue eyes looked like… well, ice.

In fact, her long and straight hair behind her, a cascade of almost-black-dark-blue looked still and unmoving, like it had been carved for perfection. The shape and form of a beauty of her own, brought free from the grasp of an ice block. A masterwork of sculpting given life and will of her own. She was much more discreet than the other, but not any less alluring.

While one seemed like she had come out of a fairy-tale, she instead seemed like she belonged to an exhibition. Somewhere where she could display that otherworldly beauty that seemed posed to never fade.

A hand on her shoulder almost made her jump out of her skin. “Vero, it’s rude to stare.”

She could feel the redness in her cheeks, as Marina giggled and the two secretaries stiffened their own. Trying to look elsewhere, she simply glued her eyes to the floor, and covered her face with the sun hat she wore.

“It’s quite alright.” Said one of the employees with a smooth and calm voice. “It’s part of the job.”

“However, let’s cut to the chase, shall we? Here for your appointment, Miss García?” The other one was a lower pitch, but just as pleasant.

“Yep!”

“Then take a look at the menu, and make your choice please.”

Finally looking up, Veronica watched the ice woman hand Marina a simple page with different products on display, the name and effects of each more unbelievable than the previous one.

“Anything catches your eye?”

She didn't answer right away, carefully meditating what to pick among the options. She had a hunch that Marina would try to go for something as flashy as possible, the one thing that would turn most heads when they walked out of here. As for her… she didn’t like the attention, not one bit, she was not letting Marina alone. Not after she went through the trouble of booking an appointment.

Maybe it was best to ask for advice. “Is there anything you would recommend?”

“We recommend any of our products, each of them having their own unique touch.” Explained the plant woman with practised ease. “The choice is up to each customer, depending on what they are looking for.”

“And if she doesn’t know what to look for?”

The ice woman took over. “As my partner has said, it depends on the customer. However, if you want more information besides the one on the menu… Hm… You could approach your choice depending on what you want. Do you want the changes to be more flashy and noticeable? Or maybe you prefer something more subtle?”

“You have products like the cupcake or the omelette, which will make the changes easy for all to see.” The plant woman took over again. “While the ice cream or the tea work more discreetly.”

“I… see.”

“Anything on your mind, Vero?”

“Maybe.” She tossed the metaphorical ball at marina again. “Have you any favourites?”

“I have changed my mind, but now I do~”

That singsong tone again… she was going to jump in head first, wasn’t she? But with that in mind, maybe something more discreet could work. Something that would allow her to keep company, but not draw too much attention to her, letting her dear Marina have the spotlight all for herself.

“One last thing, how long does the… effects last?”

The ice woman gave her a reassuring smile. “The transformation is permanent, but can be undone the moment the client desires. The only requisite is to book an appointment and specify which way is preferred.”

Her heart had skipped a beat for a moment, but immediately relaxed when she had finished speaking. Sure, she didn’t mind trying, even less if it was for Marina, but a permanent arrangement… That was a tall order. It was good to know it could be undone, it was reassuring.

“Then I would like to order a cup of Dollface Tea.”

“Right away.”

“I had a hunch you would go for that.” Beamed Marina. “One Draconic Gumbo for me then.”

“Of course.” Said the two secretaries typed the order on the computers, the ice woman standing up. “Follow me to your room please.”

“I was sure you would pick the Demon Cupcake.” Mused Marina, both women following their guide.

“I was, but when I read the whole ‘promotes frilly and ornate’... it was a bit of a turn off. And I figured that a dragon could do the trick.

“...I guess.”

The walk was short and simple, going down a hallway that had several closed doors along the walls. They probably weren’t the only customers at the moment, but she appreciated greatly that Marina had asked for a room. The idea of letting the effects take hold somewhere public was… she didn’t like it, to put it mildly. The ice woman stopped next to a door, standing next to it as it slid open for the two of them.

“Enjoy your stay, your order will be here shortly.”

The room they stepped in was simple and cosy. A square table on the centre, held by a single metallic cylindrical leg, while surrounded by a contiguous couch upholstered with a light brown leather. Illuminated by a single disk lamp above, it was practical, perfect for them to hang out a bit and leave.

Veronica sat on one of the sides of the table, the couch soft and comfortable. “So, the whole dragoness thing…”

“Yeah, what I mentioned before.” Said Marina, mimicking her moves and sitting across her. “The frills and ornaments don’t do it for me.”

“What, too girly?”

“A bit too much, yeah.” Admitted Marina, smiling sheepishly. “Would fit you better, Vero, honest.”

“I… don’t know how to take that.”

“The best way! You look fantastic today, so why not give it a bit of an exotic touch, hm?”

“I-I guess…” She could feel her cheeks blazing, absolutely elated at those words “but you know how my parents- how I am. It might be a bit too much…”

“Yeah, yeah… No pressure, ok?”

“Ok.”

“And I mean it, you look great.”

Veronica looked elsewhere, a hand playing with one of the locks of her mane. They were almost complete opposites, and their mere appearance spoke volumes about each. Veronica was tall, lean and pale, maybe a bit too much even; with a long and straight mane of jet black hair. And her usual looks… if she was to describe her wardrobe, she would have used the word “modesty” to define it, and maybe even that was generous. Heck, the current outfit she considered something unusual, consisting of a sleeveless light blue blouse and a white skirt that reached a bit lower than her knees. Add a white purse and wide brimmed sun hat, and she looked… “Old fashioned.” Came to her mind.

Meanwhile, Marina was a bit shorter, but much more voluptuous and curvy. Her lightly tanned skin complemented perfectly her long and wavy auburn hair, and those green eyes that glistened like emeralds. She was gorgeous, and she knew it. The tank top she wore, those tight jeans, the boots.

She could have picked anyone, so why, out of everyone, had she chosen her? The old-fashioned, shy, introverted and boring doormat. Why?

Luckily for her, before she could open her mouth,the door slid open and the ice woman came back holding a tray. And it smelled delicious. She set a bowl before Marina while she set a delicate porcelain cup before her, as well as a small plate with two large cookies. She gave them a few pieces of cutlery and disappeared just as quickly. In complete silence, they looked at each other before eyeing the food.

“Oh… wow.”

Marina’s bowl looked… hearty. The menu was not joking around with the description; meat, rice and other ingredients visible among a red hot sauce that swirled like liquid fire. And a mouth-watering aroma rose from it, reaching for their noses. On the other hand, her tea was almost completely still, having a charming cream colour that swirled ever so slowly. Even the light scent of it seemed delicate, and the cookies looked just as delicate and appetising.

“Shall we-”

“Wait!” Marina looked for something in the pockets of her jeans, bringing out her smartphone. “Smile for the camera!”

She would gladly let her, setting her hands down and giving her a small smile. “Looking great!” The faint snap of the phone that followed almost felt like an agreement.

“Do I take one of you?”

“Yeah!” Marina handed her the smartphone, having only to tap once the image zeroed in on her. A tap, a snap, and done. “Thanks.”

She touched the cup, it was hot, but not enough to burn her. Still, better safe than sorry, so she went after one of the cookies instead. It broke easily, filling her mouth with a smooth and buttery flavour. It may have been not that polite, but she devoured the remnant of the cookie, fully enjoying every moment the flavour lasted.

“I wafh good?”

“First, swallow.”

“Eh, you underfhtood.” Marina swallowed. “How is it?”

“The cookie was nice, the tea…”

“You haven’t taken a sip.”

“I know, just waiting for it to cool a bit. How’s yours?”

“Spicy.”

“Probably too spicy. At least for me.”

“Eh… dunno what to tell you. It’s probably the first taste, after that it kind of mellows out.”

“Or it scorches your throat.” Quipped Veronica, sipping some tea.

“Ha ha. By the way, you ready for the costume party later?”

Veronica tried to keep a poker face, almost pulling it off, but Marina saw through her anyway. “Whafh’s wrong?”

“I… don’t know. I’m not exactly ‘outgoing’, so I might stick out a bit…” She sipped some more tea again. It was as delicious as expected, creamy and delicate. The sugar was perfectly on point too.

“Stick out?” She shifted a bit on her seat. “Why?”

“I don’t know anyone, and I’m… not the most sociable girl.” And I don’t want to embarrass you. She left that last part on her mind though.

“Bah! Don’t worry! They are some fantastic people, sure, a bit wild sometimes, but don’t worry.”

“I take your word for it…” She sipped more tea, feeling a bit stiff. Pushed enough, she could just… stand around. “Maybe I should have picked the salad, and blend in as some plant…”

“You have zoned out twice already, something you want to talk about, Vero? You’re a bit pale too…”

“A bit pale?”

She instinctively touched her face. It was smooth and firm, her fingers feeling a bit stiff as they moved through her cheek. There was a faint scraping noise, as if someone was rubbing two cups together.

“Oh.. oh wow. Vero, check your hand.”

Doing as told, she watched in stunned silence. Her wrist had turned into a ball, an articulated joint piece, each of her fingers now a delicate articulation of a doll or an automaton. Her skin was changing too, quickly taking an unnatural gloss and smoothness. It was a porcelain-like appearance and texture, like some old dolls, but… better? Had she not been told…

“So that’s where the stiffness came from…” She touched her blouse. It remained unaffected, and the same went for her skirt and sunhat. “I should take this off…”

“Yeah, you should. Looked great for the photo, tho.” Marina shifted again in place, uncomfortable. “Ugh, what’s with the jeans- oh.”

She had taken her trousers a bit lower, probably showing a tiny crack of her buttcheeks, but it had been enough. A long tail erupted from the end of her back, an appendage that was only growing longer and thicker, swiftly gaining a coat of crimson scales. It was like watching a hundred rubies grow on her, followed by many, many more.

“Oh dear…”

To Veronica’s surprise Marina gave her a toothy grin, a grin that revealed a quickly sharpening set of teeth. “You might want to check your teeth… Here, use thi…s”

They were both quiet as Veronica offered her phone, completely forgetting Marina had her own. But their attention focused on her stretched arm, now attached to her torso by another joint piece as the transformation spread two ways, radiating from her wrist and down her shoulder. And as her skin paled, becoming smooth and glossy, a floral pattern followed, almost like a dark blue vine that crept over her.

“That would make an awesome tattoo.” Quipped Marina, taking her phone once she unlocked it, and looking at her teeth. “Neat.”

As Marina chomped away at the remnants of the draconic dish, she sipped a bit more of the tea before focusing on the second cookie. Just as delightful as the first one, this one being eaten in a single go. But it wasn’t until she drank a bit more of the tea that a question formed in her mind. If she was some sort of doll or automaton, where did the food go? Did she still have a stomach?

She touched her chest, now smooth and solid, her bust having solidified under the unaffected blouse without her noticing. She also realised something else, panic setting in her mind for a moment.

“Anything wrong, Vero?”

“I… I’m not breathing.”

“What.”

“I’m not breathing anymore. I just noticed but…”

“Welp, you look like you’re doing fine to me.”

“I… I guess?” She held the cup in her hands, now similar looking in colour and texture. “By the way, you… should touch the sides of the head.”

Following Veronica’s advice, Marina moved her hands to the head, but missed what she was seeing. Instead she moved towards her ears, which elongated and sharpened into pointy ones. “No, not there. Higher. Here, maybe let me…”

She finished the remnant of the tea in a single go, not that there was much left anyway, and stood up. She still needed a moment to make sure she had her balance right, her legs feeling as usual- no, a bit stiff, but almost the same. She walked to her, taking her hand and guiding gently through her hair. It was an odd sensation, her… skin? Feeling tingly at the touch, but pleasant nonetheless. Marina’s eyes widened slightly when she touched something. She now had two ivory-hued horns that came out of her auburn mane, carefully curving as they moved forward.

“They look pretty…” Blurted Veronica. “You finished too?”

“Yup!” Marina cleaned any remnant with a handkerchief she had been handed. “Wait, come closer…”

“What?”

“Come closer…” Veronica leaned forward, Marina carefully holding her face with a hand as she looked into her eyes. She felt so warm… “Your hair looks shiny and pretty, but the eyes are a bit dull. ”

“Probably because of… well, this.” Said Veronica motioning all of her with one of her hands.

“Shame, but can’t have all I guess.There’s also something else.”

“Wha-mmm.”

Marina had closed the small distance by leaning forward herself, and locked lips with her without warning. Not that she was complaining, as she closed her eyes to fully savour the moment. She could feel the transformation give the finishing touches, quietly exiting the metaphorical stage as soon as it was done. But her attention was elsewhere; in the warmth of the hand on her cheek, and the fire in Marina’s tongue as it played an intimate tug-o-war with her own.

It was something she had not ever imagined, but she would forever remember. The fiery and slightly spicy flavour of Marina, as well as her more rigid and mechanical movements. She was very lucky she had her as a girlfriend. However, and much to her chagrin, the dragon girl eventually broke the pose. She didn’t need to breathe any longer, but Marina did.

“You didn’t tell me you were such a great kisser babe.” She gave her a sultry look with her now slitted pupils. “You can bet we are going to do it way more often from now on.”

Veronica clasped her hands on her skirt, blushing, or trying to and looking away. “Marina, can I ask you for a photo?”

She received the biggest grin as the dragon girl immediately took Veronica’s phone and stood before her. “Come on, give me a pose!”

After a moment of thought, Veronica stood as tall as she was, one hand fetching and holding her sunhat behind her head and the other slightly spreading the long skirt a bit. Legs and arms visible for her new body, and a kind smile for Marina. A snapping sound made sure the moment was captured.

“Switch!”

The excited dragoness returned her smartphone, and took a pose of her own. Unlike her she stood with her back to her, her armoured crimson tail fully visible. Looking over her shoulder, she gave her a toothy smile, fully displaying her sharp teeth; and made sure at least one of her new horns was perfectly visible, the other in the background.

“Done.”

“Thanks babe.

Almost as if on cue, the door slid open, the ice woman being back. “Have you enjoyed your stay?”

“Absolutely.”

“Totally!”

“Then follow me and I’ll show you the way out.”

“Can I ask for something before?” Interrupted Veronica. “Could you please take a photo of both me and my girlfriend?”

Marina squealed in delight, while the ice woman gave them a small but honest grin. “Of course.”

The dragon girl immediately surrounded the porcelain automaton with her tail, bringing the two as close as possible, using one of her arms to surround Veronica’s waist and firmly planting the other on her waist. Veronica simply went along and surrounded Marina’s waist with the right arm, while the left hand gently rested on her coiled tail.

“Don’t worry, Vero, you have your own big bad dragoness to defend you.”

“I know. And thanks.”

“Say cheese.”

“Cheese!” They said in unison.

—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had been a couple of weeks since the party, and one since they had gone back to normal. Even when she had been the one to kick the whole thing in gear, there was still a part of her that didn’t fully assimilate what they had done. She had spent a bit more than a week as some human-dragon hybrid, and her girlfriend had become a living doll. She snickered at the thought.

“Beware the quiet ones, eh?”

She spoke to no one in particular, given that she was by herself on the flat, but the saying rang true.

Beeeeep!

That was unexpected, but she stood up and made her way to the front door all the same. She wasn’t expecting anyone, so who-

“Vero?”

“Hi Marina.”

“What are you doing here?”

“There’s something I want to show you. Something special.”

“Uh, yeah, come on in.”

As the brunette woman walked in, she couldn’t help but eye her clothes. A white sports t-shirt and some sports pants. Very form hugging sports pants that only enhanced the beauty she usually kept for herself. “What’s the outfit for?”

“I was doing a bit of running, so I decided to take a different route today.”

“Nice. I might join you some days. You ok with it?”

“I would be glad.”

“Sweet. What’s the thing you wanted to show me?”

“Can we go somewhere a bit more… private? Please?”

Marina led the two to her bedroom, closing the door behind them. “That should do the trick.”

Veronica was blushing hard, her cheeks shining red as she steeled her nerves. As for her, Marina just leaned against the wall. She didn’t know what to expect, maybe Vero taking her shoes off should have been a hint, but her eyebrows turned into beautiful arches when her girlfriend, took off her running pants.

Veronica, sweet and shy Veronica, the woman that had confessed she had considered the salad back at the Recycler Café to try and play the part of the plant that blends in the background, was almost buck naked before her. She had a dark thong and the t-shirt still on her- why take that for running of all things?!

“Vero, what the-”

Turning aroundshe revealed her left side to her while holding her long black hair in her hands, so that it would not get in the way. Making their way up from her thigh to almost her bust was a floral pattern in dark blue, composed of carefully drawn leaves and some flowers.

There was a moment of silence as Marina took turns looking at the tattoo and Veronica’s eyes. The woman’s cheeks were red like a traffic light, but she nonetheless held her stare waiting for verdict.“Do you like it?”

“Since when?” Asked Marina as she closed the distance.

“Almost the moment we turned back.”

“It’s beautiful.”

She threw her arms around Veronica, who immediately hugged back. She hadn’t lied, because it was beautiful, but she was touched. She held her close, gently caressing her long and dark mane. Shy and sweet Veronica, taking what had been a simple idea to heart. However, a part of her mind did go back from the idea she was thinking of before. It was always the quiet ones. And she loved her even more because of it.