Chapter 29: The KING GEORGE
618 1 11
X
Reading Options
Font Size
A- 15px A+
Width
Reset
X
Table of Contents
Loading... please wait.

Samantha sipped from her wineglass, careful not to mix it with the gum she was chewing to fend off her new cravings, and eyed the plate of hummus that had been delivered while Autumn used the restroom. The smell of garlic and tahini filled her nostrils and she swallowed as her mouth began to water. If that girl didn’t get back soon, she wouldn’t be able to wait any longer.

The hummus would hold them over for a while before they went to Samantha’s favorite pub, The King George. Or just ‘King’s’. They had a meat pie that she’d been craving all day, and their beer selection would be more to Autumn’s liking.

Speaking of the diminutive girl, there she was. It was easy to pick her out of the crowd despite her size. Purple hair and a “piss off” look on her face will do that, Samantha thought with a chuckle.

“I know these boots give me a little lift,” Autumn said as she approached, “but did you have to sit at the bar?” She grimaced as she put her hands on the seat of the stool and hauled herself up.

“I think it’s sweet.” Samantha smiled and sipped again. “You’re cute when you climb up things.”

“First thing when we get back I’m having Holly make me taller.” Autumn pouted. She ripped off a piece of pita and thrust it into the hummus.

Samantha furrowed her brow. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Autumn said.

“You can’t lie to me. What’s up?” Samantha felt a hot coal of worry in her stomach. “You didn’t have another panic attack—?”

“No!” Autumn put her palms down on the table in front of her, but she didn’t meet Samantha’s eye. “It’s nothing.”

Samantha studied her Girlfriend for a moment before realization dawned on her. Leaning in, she whispered, “Was that your first time going to the bathroom?”

Autumn replied by crossing her arms on the bar and burying her face in them.

The coal of worry erupted into an explosion of laughter. “Oh, my God!” Samantha’s attempt to hush her squeal hurt her throat. “It was!”

“Shmm ump…” came from Autumn, her face still buried in her arms.

Samantha felt relief, and very little sympathy. “You wiped front to back, right?” When she grinned it was all teeth.

Autumn looked up and scowled. “Just because I like you doesn’t mean I won’t murder you in your sleep.”

Still laughing, Samantha reached for the pita. “I’m glad you like me. It makes it easier to tease you.”

Autumn’s scowl deepened and she stuck her tongue out. She’s got to know that does nothing but rile me up by now, right? “How’s your beer?”

Autumn turned her attention toward the bottle next to her plate and shrugged. “Better than I thought it would be. I’ve never really liked beer before. That’s why I learned how to make cocktails.”

“Sure you don’t want a sip of my wine?”

She shook her head. “No, I’m sure.” Then she pursed her lips, “I don’t know why but it doesn’t smell as good to me anymore.”

That was interesting. “Really?”

Autumn nodded. “It’s not the only thing, either.”

Samantha spent the next few minutes sharing the hummus and listening to Autumn talk about the differences she’d noticed. The way she reacted to sweet things now, or how she seemed to have overactive saliva glands. Then she mentioned something of particular interest.

“You think you’re a screamer?”

Autumn hushed her with her hand. “Not so loud!” she blushed, “But yeah, something like that. When I feel good I just… the sounds…” she rolled her shoulders, “they don’t stay inside anymore.”

Samantha grinned. That’s going to be fun to see later…

Autumn apparently caught the thirst on her face. She rolled her eyes and asked, “So, when are we going to that pub?”

“After we’re done here, unless you wanted to look around more?” but the purple-haired girl was already shaking her head.

“No, I’ve had my share of the mall tonight. I’d rather go somewhere where we can just chill. Someplace that’s more of a hangout spot and less…” she motioned around the busy, formal restaurant.

Samantha smiled, “Let me get the check.”

--

Samantha sipped from her wineglass, careful not to mix it with the gum she was chewing to fend off her new cravings, and eyed the plate of hummus that had been delivered while Autumn used the restroom. The smell of garlic and tahini filled her nostrils and she swallowed as her mouth began to water. If that girl didn’t get back soon, she wouldn’t be able to wait any longer.

The hummus would hold them over for a while before they went to Samantha’s favorite pub, The King George. Or just ‘King’s’. They had a meat pie that she’d been craving all day, and their beer selection would be more to Autumn’s liking.

Speaking of the diminutive girl, there she was. It was easy to pick her out of the crowd despite her size. Purple hair and a “piss off” look on her face will do that, Samantha thought with a chuckle.

“I know these boots give me a little lift,” Autumn said as she approached, “but did you have to sit at the bar?” She grimaced as she put her hands on the seat of the stool and hauled herself up.

“I think it’s sweet.” Samantha smiled and sipped again. “You’re cute when you climb up things.”

“First thing when we get back I’m having Holly make me taller.” Autumn pouted. She ripped off a piece of pita and thrust it into the hummus.

Samantha furrowed her brow. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Autumn said.

“You can’t lie to me. What’s up?” Samantha felt a hot coal of worry in her stomach. “You didn’t have another panic attack—?”

“No!” Autumn put her palms down on the table in front of her, but she didn’t meet Samantha’s eye. “It’s nothing.”

Samantha studied her Girlfriend for a moment before realization dawned on her. Leaning in, she whispered, “Was that your first time going to the bathroom?”

Autumn replied by crossing her arms on the bar and burying her face in them.

The coal of worry erupted into an explosion of laughter. “Oh, my God!” Samantha’s attempt to hush her squeal hurt her throat. “It was!”

“Shmm ump…” came from Autumn, her face still buried in her arms.

Samantha felt relief, and very little sympathy. “You wiped front to back, right?” When she grinned it was all teeth.

Autumn looked up and scowled. “Just because I like you doesn’t mean I won’t murder you in your sleep.”

Still laughing, Samantha reached for the pita. “I’m glad you like me. It makes it easier to tease you.”

Autumn’s scowl deepened and she stuck her tongue out. She’s got to know that does nothing but rile me up by now, right? “How’s your beer?”

Autumn turned her attention toward the bottle next to her plate and shrugged. “Better than I thought it would be. I’ve never really liked beer before. That’s why I learned how to make cocktails.”

“Sure you don’t want a sip of my wine?”

She shook her head. “No, I’m sure.” Then she pursed her lips, “I don’t know why but it doesn’t smell as good to me anymore.”

That was interesting. “Really?”

Autumn nodded. “It’s not the only thing, either.”

Samantha spent the next few minutes sharing the hummus and listening to Autumn talk about the differences she’d noticed. The way she reacted to sweet things now, or how she seemed to have overactive saliva glands. Then she mentioned something of particular interest.

“You think you’re a screamer?”

Autumn hushed her with her hand. “Not so loud!” she blushed, “But yeah, something like that. When I feel good I just… the sounds…” she rolled her shoulders, “they don’t stay inside anymore.”

Samantha grinned. That’s going to be fun to see later…

Autumn apparently caught the thirst on her face. She rolled her eyes and asked, “So, when are we going to that pub?”

“After we’re done here, unless you wanted to look around more?” but the purple-haired girl was already shaking her head.

“No, I’ve had my share of the mall tonight. I’d rather go somewhere where we can just chill. Someplace that’s more of a hangout spot and less…” she motioned around the busy, formal restaurant.

Samantha smiled, “Let me get the check.”

____

The King George was a friendly, English-style pub that felt dirty in all the right ways. Dark smudges marked the smooth wooden flooring. Nobody had smoked in here for years, but the residue in the forest-green walls was thick enough to saturate the room with the scent of tobacco. 40’s style American rock played from a sound system that, judging purely by the layer of brown crem around the speakers, had probably come with the building when King’s first opened. A crudely-drawn welcome sign sat on top of the unoccupied greeting podium at the entrance that read, “You’re an adult. Find your own fucking table.”

Autumn fell in love with it all on the spot.

“This place is incredible.” She walked along the wall to the right of the entrance that held some autographed sports memorabilia along with crude carvings of boobs, dicks, along with a couple of exceptionally well-rendered ones.

“Come one,” Samantha pulled her away from the wall. “Let’s grab a seat. The stools here are especially high.”

Autumn shook her off. “No, you don’t. We’re sitting at a booth.” Then she stopped and got a good look at a booth. “Wow” she whispered, “when do you think was the last time they wiped that down?”

Samantha laughed and led Autumn away from the booths and toward the bar. Autumn noticed a couple of looks as they walked through the sparse floor, but not many. Most eyes were watching the game on the various TVs along the perimeter of the large room. A couple of young guys playing pool and darts paused as they walked by and Autumn blushed and looked away, intent on getting situated as soon as possible.

They sat at the corner of the bar in an area that provided a bit more discretion for Autumn. She grumbled at having to haul herself up the stool, but at least this one had a bar for her to set her feet on so they didn’t dangle in the air.

The barkeep approached, looking up at a TV while wiping his hands with a cloth. He asked in a lilting accent, “What can I do fer ya ladies?” He scratched his salt-and-pepper beard and then looked down. His eyes widened and a wide smile spread across his face. “Oi! Sandy!” The smile faded into a grimace as he watched Samantha’s face. He raised an eyebrow and said more slowly, “Sammy?”

“Samantha.” She mirrored his expression. “Dan, right?”

The older man nodded, the smile returning. “Yes, and on the first try no less. Who’s yer friend?” he looked at Autumn expectantly.

She introduced herself quietly and cringed when she had to repeat herself. “Autumn.”

“Autumn.” He repeated. “Sorry ‘bout that. It’s a tad loud in here and my ear’s av gone up the river. Now!” he slammed his palms down on the glistening bar, “What can I getcha?”

Samantha said, “Your cheapest red wine and a menu.” then looked at Autumn.

“Uh…” she stood up on the footrest to get a better view. “What have you got on tap?” Dan rattled off a list and she said, “You have Purple Haze?”

The barkeep smiled. “Can’t find it anywhere else, eh? I tell ya, I prefer a dark stout but yer American beers av more variety to ‘em. I’ll be right back.” He grabbed a pair of menus from behind the counter and placed them on the bar in front of the girls, then left.

“He’s an alright sort, I think.” Samantha said. “And if you like beer now, you won’t find a better selection in town.”

“How have I never known about this place?” Autumn wondered aloud. “I’ve been here almost my whole life.”

Samantha shrugged. “Apparently you didn’t like beer most of your life. Why would you have come to a pub that specializes in craft brews?”

Autumn couldn’t argue with that. She grabbed for the menu and was halfway through the appetizers when the barkeep returned with their drinks.

“So what’ll it be, ladies?” Dan smiled and rubbed a towel between his hands.

Autumn raced to finish the menu while Samantha ordered a personal-sized chicken pot pie. Her stomach growled angrily at her as she struggled to make up her mind.

“What’s… poutine?” She wasn’t sure she’d said the word right.

Samantha raised an eyebrow and Dan laughed. “If ye don’t know what it is, ye’d best order it an’ find out, girl.”

“But what is it?” Autumn asked again.

“It’s not very English,” the man barked, “but it’s delicious.”

“She’ll take some.” Samantha smiled and handed the menus back to the man. “Also, some fried mozzarella with marinara, and an order of fish and chips.”

Dan raised an eyebrow and eyed the two girls speculatively before shrugging. “I’ll get you a couple to-go bags as well.” He took the menus.

“No need.” Autumn called out, her stomach rumbling again.

They talked about small things like the weather and the different events Autumn hoped to be able to shoot for work in the coming months. There was some parade going on that week as well, but she’d avoided getting involved in that production in order to keep her days off. Heaven knew that if she showed the slightest interest in an event she’d end up getting assigned to it. Samantha assured her that she and Holly would work out Autumn’s return to work easily enough, though she still worried a little. Autumn began asking about plans for the next day’s Renaissance fair when a server stepped out of the kitchen with plates of food.

He sat a steaming pie in front of Samantha, a plate of mouth-watering mozzarella triangles with a ramekin of red sauce in the center was placed next to a basket of fries and fried fish, and then came the poutine. A towering mound of crispy potato wedges covered in gravy and melted cheese, with fried cheese curds spread all over and throughout.

Samantha’s smiling eyes met Autumn’s. “First time having poutine?” she laughed.

“Where do I even start?” Autumn fingered at the pile of fried carbs in front of her. She grabbed a small curd and tossed it in her mouth. I gave a little squeak! as she bit through it, and then flavor erupted over her tongue. A moan escaped her plump lips as she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. “Mmmm…”

Samantha laughed and whispered, “Was that what you meant about making noise? It sounded like that cheese did something naughty to you.”

Autumn blushed. “I’m not sure it didn’t.”

By the end Autumn didn’t know if she’d ever eaten as much cheese in her entire life. There was very little discussion as the two of them replenished their energy. The transformations relied mostly upon the pills Samantha had as fuel, but used the body’s natural reserves first before dipping into the pills. As a result, the two women devoured everything on the plates before them. She placed a hand over her mouth to stifle a burp.

Samantha chuckled. “Seems like that hit the spot, huh?”

“Mmhmm.” Autumn smiled and yawned. “That was delicious. I had no idea I could eat so much in one sitting.” She motioned at her smaller frame, “Especially in this body.”

“It’s just because of all of the transformations we’ve done. It can take a lot out of you. Sometimes literally.” Samantha grimaced.

“What do you mean?”

There was a pause. Then, “I’d gained a lot of weight when I was first working on the Change app. Once I knew it worked I used it to lose weight.” She raised her wine glass to her lips. “Lets just say that the effect was quick, and the results left me… occupied… for a few hours.”

“How do you—Oh…” Autumn imagined a body trying to get rid of dozens of pounds of fat all at once, then she looked down at the empty plates in front of them and cringed. “That must have sucked.” Samantha nodded and drank again. Autumn asked, “Why didn’t the same thing happen to me when I lost mass?”

Samantha motioned to Dan with her card to clear their tab, her brow furrowed for a moment before answering. “I don’t know. I think it’s probably because the changes enacted required so much fuel, the machines simply burnt up most of your mass for energy.”

“So, instead of the mass… leaving my body through more conventional means… the machines used it as fuel?”

Samantha nodded thoughtfully. “Or I’m wrong.” She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter much, now.”

Autumn still didn’t like the thought of machines eating her body, regardless of the outcome. It made her shiver.

Samantha noticed as she handed the barkeep her card. He looked over their empty plates with an air of astonishment. She waited until he left before commenting, “I get it can seem super strange, or even scary, but the machines don’t normally work off our mass unless we want to lose it. It’s the simplest way, besides shitting yourself where you’re at.” She cringed. “Most changes just require energy to, you know—” she motioned at the air with her hands, “—move things around, or create some pheromones or other chemicals the body needs to make changes take place, and then amplify those changes to make them occur more quickly, even in seconds. In the vast majority of cases, the nano-tech uses the isotope of osmium that’s in the pills we take, then breaks it down into whatever it needs in order to create and execute the changes.”

“Isotope?” Autumn didn’t remember much from chemistry, but she knew that word. “So we’re radioactive?! What—”

Samantha placed a hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes. “The specifics don’t matter. Don’t worry about it. It’s safe, and it lets us have fun. Don’t think too hard about it. It’s basically magic, with a loose scientific explanation for why this shit works that I don’t want to have to think about right now or explain to you. I’m…” she did quick math, “three and a half glasses of wine in for the night. I’m not capable of explaining anything right now.”

That made Autumn laugh. And though the hesitation still lingered in the back of her head, she figured she’d probably prefer a shorter life as the woman she was supposed to be over a longer life as someone she didn’t want to be anymore.

“Okay, fine.” She offered a tired smile to Samantha. “Back to our plans for tomorrow. When are we getting up?”

“Seven for me. We’ll leave as soon as we’re ready. The park’s about forty minutes away and you said it fills up quickly, right?”

Autumn nodded. “In the past I’d have to get there before ten if I wanted a decent parking spot.”

“That’ll be even more important considering we’ll be in heels.” At Autumn’s protest Samantha raised a hand, “We’ll have to decide on your outfit in the morning, with Holly’s help, so whenever you get up we’ll figure that out.” Samantha smiled. “Who knows what’ll happen?”

Autumn raised an eyebrow. “You’ve already used up tomorrow’s rule on me today, in case you forgot. I’m safe from your sway until day after next.”

Samantha shrugged. “Maybe, but we have all night to mess around. Maybe play some more war.”

But Autumn was already shaking her head. “Last time I played cards with you I lost my dick—

“You mean gained tits and a pussy?”

“—and about five inches and I don’t even want to think about what could happen next.” Her sentence slowed at the end when she looked up and met Samantha’s eyes and realized that they were both thinking about what might happen next. Autumn looked away, her eyes brushing over Samantha’s frame and the cleavage revealed by her blouse as she did so. She cleared her throat. “Are we ready to go?”

Dan was busy helping another patron, so an assistant ran their bill over with Samantha’s card. She signed, tipped, then nodded to Autumn. “I call shotgun.”

Autumn raised an eyebrow at that. “Holly’s driving, right? Can’t we sit in the backseat together?” She was feeling a warmth in her belly that wasn’t just from her meal, and kissing Samantha in the dark of the backseat sounded like the perfect dessert.

Samantha gave her a hungry smile. “You’re right.” Then she grabbed Autumn’s jaw, leaned in, biting Autumn’s ear before whispering, “I’ll be waiting for you in the back seat, then.”

Autumn fought to catch her breath as she watched Samantha walk away. There was something pure and hot about the way she’d grabbed her face just then that had her melted into her seat. She blinked away the loss of time, picked up her stuff and followed Samantha out the door.

11