Author's Note: Kudos to djkauf for betaing this for me. Pic Credit: Alice xz.

Previously on Darkchylde:

He grinned and I felt a little better for the light banter. “I’m Dick.”

“How nice for you.”

Dick leaned back then rocked forward. “You’re not going to tell me your name, are you?”

I shrugged. “I find it better not to get to know anyone too closely; that way it doesn’t hurt when it all comes crumbling down in the end.”

He blinked and looked at me somewhat hard. “That’s awfully fatalistic.”

“That’s an awfully big word for a sophomore.”

“I’m a senior.”

I unzipped my pack and took out my trigonometry homework to double check the solutions. “Well, senior, I don’t really need a sidekick and I have work to do….”

“Who said I had to be the sidekick? We can’t be partners?”

It was tough to figure out where he was going with his side of the banter, but I played along. “I’m kind of doing a Lone Ranger thing and he had a sidekick.”

“I’m not an Indian, just a plain ole American guy. I think my great-great grandfather was Scottish if that helps.”

Taking a sip of my latte I faked thinking about his Highlander heritage and then sighed. “I’ll let you be my sidekick, but only if you wear spandex.”

“Damn there goes all that leather and PVC I bought yesterday. I had a cape and everything.”

I shook my head. “Nope, I insist on green tights and maybe a red tunic. Yellow cape is optional… oh, and you have to have a domino mask.”

Dick cringed. “Holy colorblind sidekicks, Lesbian-Girl.”

My best dubious glare went back at him. “Lesbian-Girl?”

“That’s the best I can do since you won’t tell me your name.”

I looked around and then whispered. “Ariel Chylde. Don’t let it get around.”

Dick’s eyes widened and then a great smile lit up his face. “Wild Chylde; excellent name.”

A grimace from me let him know what I thought of that. “It makes me sound like some sort of jungle girl, like half animal or something. I prefer Darkchylde.”

He looked like he was judging it for a few moments. “Kind of like an anti-hero? Torn from the quiet world she once knew and thrown into the chaos of a new school and new life, Darkchylde, a statuesque lesbian school-girl by day and action-packed hero by… what?”

My face must have shown the shock at hearing my life played out as a comicbook tagline must have showed. I grabbed my pack and haphazardly stuck my trig homework back in before bolting.

“Ariel? What’d I say?” Dick called out from behind me. “I’m sorry!”

~O~

I watched as she disappeared inside the school. “Dammit. Brilliant Grayson, you’ll never get on her good side if you keep mouthing off like an idiot.”

Looking around the nearby area, I readjusted myself down there. It was starting to become an ongoing thing. Even if Ariel was a lesbian, which I was still questioning, for the last two days she’s given me a boner that could cut diamonds.

The first time I saw her coming out of the office I was smitten. Well, that’s what Dad calls it anyway. She was there with her mom or maybe an older sister. They barely had a passing resemblance. From the piles of paperwork I figured she was registering which sent me into all sorts of plans to lose my annoying virginity.

Then fate pretty much dropped her into my lap on her first day at school. I flirted then found out she preferred chicks. Seriously, how can a girl that hot only be into girls? It’s just not right. All my plans were dashed so I had to come up with alternates.

That’s what you just witnessed. Pathetic, wasn’t it?

I decided to work the friend angle and then get in close, take her out as friends and then turn on the Grayson charm to show her guys can be just as fun. It was foolproof… just as long as I didn’t blow the setup, which I just did.

“Aren’t girls confusing?” someone said behind me.

Spinning back around I saw a pretty nice looking blonde with some really nice bazoombas being displayed. She was kind of older looking, but still way hot. It was then that I recognized.

“You’re Ariel’s… sister?”

“Cousin. My name’s Jennifer Kale, perhaps you’ve heard of me?”

The name rang a bell, I just couldn’t figure out from where. “Sort of. The name sounds familiar.”

She shrugged, somewhat disappointed by the look on her face. “You’re Richard Grayson’s son, right?”

I nodded. Dad was a bigwig in the Houston Police Department, Deputy Chief. “Yeah.”

“I work with the police from time to time. You’ve probably heard your father mention me.”

“Yeah, I guess so. That makes sense.”

I had no idea why she was talking to me, but I was smart enough to recognize another way into getting back with Ariel: just be nice to her cousin, get invited over, and spend some quiet time with Ariel… in her bedroom.

“Care to take a guess at what I do with the police, Dick?”

Every time she said my name, she looked down at my crotch, which led me to think all sorts of things, namely in the porno category. That would be totally awesome if I could land them both, Jennifer and Ariel. I’d be a legend.

“Uh…”

“You’ve seen all the metahumans around doing their thing, right?”

Her arms moved in slightly squishing her boobs together and that raging boner Ariel gave me earlier was back to full strength.

“Uh… yeah.”

“Well there’s another type of power out there, it’s called magic.”

I was able to pull my eyes off the display she had going for a few seconds to meet her own. “What?”

“Magic. It can do all sorts of different things. I could make someone stronger or faster or…” she looked back down at my crotch, “…more gifted.”

Okay, obviously the cousin was a little whacked in the head. “Right. Listen, I’ve got to get to class, but I definitely want to talk more about this magic of yours.”

She looked at me pityingly. “You don’t believe me. Well, let me prove it to you.”

Jennifer moved her hand into a Hook’um Horns position — hey, I’m a UT fan — and pointed them at my pride and joy. Her hand twisted and I watched her grin afterward. She stood and leaned forward.

“I’ll be seeing you this afternoon.”

~O~

Another bust day at school. The whole situation with Ariel was a failure, I flunked a pop quiz in history class, got hit in the balls with a basketball in gym so bad I had to visit the nurse, and then I got teased for the rest of the day by just about everyone because I was walking funny.

So you can probably imagine how nice it was to be home and not have any parents for the next four days; although parents was stretching it a bit. It was more like parent. No plural needed.

Mom and Dad divorced a year previous and Dad up and remarried last week. They’ve been on their honeymoon ever since and they were due back in four days. Of course I had school, but the afternoons and nights were just for me.

That’s why I was trying to find a girlfriend so bad. Dick Grayson — sixteen year old virgin. That’s me.

My new mom was a former exotic dancer. Yes, my dad was going through a serious mid-life crisis. He did the new sports car thing and next in line was apparently the bimbo twenty-one year old. They’d met at a club — yeah right, more like a strip club — and within two months she was moving in.

Don’t get me wrong, Dad had excellent taste in beautiful women. She just wasn’t all that smart, but I suppose hooking up with a well off middle-aged guy and not having to work anymore was fairly smart of her.

And there was a plus side. She gave me all the wank material I’d ever need for the next two years. Like I implied, she was hot. Guinevere was about my height with some of the best implants money could buy, and she loved to show them off. What can I say? I’m a tit-man.

Anyway, when I got to my room I stripped down and checked out the equipment. My balls were a little swollen, but they didn’t explode, thank God.

“Time to test you guys out.”

I booted up my computer, went into Private Browsing so I wouldn’t leave a trail, and then pulled up the porn.

Twenty minutes later I was frustrated as hell. Nothing was doing anything for me. Blondes, brunettes, redheads, shit even bald chicks each and every one of them with perfect bodies and not one of them could get me hard. That’s when I had to pull out the big guns.

Shame got the best of me after every time I did it, but that never stopped me before.

The familiar nervousness entered my belly as I thought about what I used to do with my mom’s clothes. Sorry, I know I may freak a few of you out, but I like to dress up in her underwear. The hose, panties, bra, you name it. Sometimes, when I was assured of a few hours by myself, I’d even pull out one of her dresses and try it on.

Those were the times that I really got off the hardest. Call me a pervert, but I liked it.

When Mom moved out and Dad got custody of me that put an end to that.

Of course I had mixed feelings about Guinevere moving in, but in this area I was almost ecstatic. The plus side was that we were about the same size so I was really looking forward to trying out some of her stuff.

Some of you may be wondering about why I’ve waited so long to do this. It was the shame. I figured when Mom left and I was cut off from girl’s clothes that I’d get over it, grow out of it, and put it behind me. That wasn’t the case.

So there I was, unable to get an erection to save my life, but the mere thought of sneaking into my step-mother’s closet and trying on her clothes brought me to full mast.

“Screw it. I can always quit after they get back.”

I didn’t bother to get dressed. Instead I entered their room and went straight to the closet. Just like before my mother left, the right side of the closet was jammed with enough outfits to clothe a small country, and I was entering heaven.

“What to wear. What to wear.”

The long gowns were out. There was no way I could ever pass. The short dresses were out too. I wanted something that would cover me so I didn’t have to look at my hairy legs and arms. By the time I’d made it about three-quarters the way through, I started hitting her old dancing outfits, and there was no way I’d be able to pull any of those off.

Then I found it.

Pulling the thing out I looked at a full body outfit that had some really shiny material on the outside that almost felt like plastic or maybe rubber.

“Oh yeah. This is perfect.”

I didn’t waste any time and found the zipper in the back. There was some smooth white material inside and it was easy enough to get on. The zipper was a bitch though because my arms weren’t long enough to reach. I wound up getting one of my dad’s shoe laces and rigging it up so I could pull the zipper closed. It was rather ingenious of me to tell the truth.

When I looked down, I frowned. The chest area was really loose. I already told you Guinevere had monster boobs, right? With a pained sigh I unzipped the outfit and then slipped my arms out then went in search for a bra I could stuff.

Twenty minutes later I found two balloons that I blew up to work into the bra before it felt good enough to work. The suit went back on and I did the shoestring trick again.

A glimpse in the mirror and I was almost there.

“So that’s what it’s like to have her tits. I bet she hasn’t seen her feet in years.”

A pair of matching knee boots went on next. They were a tight fit, but I managed.

The best part was the wig. She had about a dozen of them in all colors and lengths. I guess she just didn’t want to part with them or Dad and her are into the kinky stuff.

I chose a short blonde one and found a mirror before slipping it on.

“Oh yeah, that’s it.”

~O~

The equipment worked just fine. Luckily there was an opening in the crotch that proved very useful. It was an awkward angle, but I made everything work in the end.

“Did you have a good time?” came a recently familiar voice.

I nearly shit myself when I saw Jennifer Kale standing at the door to my bedroom. Rolling off the bed, I put it between her and me.

“What are you doing here? This is my house. You can’t be in here!”

There was an amused smirk on her face. “Nice outfit. A little too fetish-like for my tastes, but whatever gets the job done I suppose.”

“What do you want?”

She rolled her eyes upward and sighed. “The list is long and you don’t have a chance of being able to provide ninety-nine percent of my desires, but there is one thing that you can help me with.”

A lock of blond hair fell over my face and I remembered I was wearing the wig. I pulled it off and dropped it on the ground. Jennifer frowned at me.

“No, that won’t do. Keep your hair on. I don’t like talking to guys unless it’s for money or sex. Hey, and if you wanted to be a girl then I applaud you. We are the superior race you know.”

Her hand flicked and the wig spiraled up and attached itself to my head again.

“There, that’s better. You make a fairly decent girl, Dick.” She blanched. “Oh, that name won’t do. What do you call yourself when you’re dressed up sweetie?”

I shook my head, not believing what I was hearing. “I don’t have one.”

Her demeanor changed to disappointment, like she was coddling a child. “Aww, honey, how can a pretty girl like you not have a name? Now, what’s the female form of Dick?”

She snorted and laughed and it didn’t sound normal at all. “Well, we can’t call you that. Putting Vagina on a birth certificate might be frowned upon.”

There was no doubt in my head that she was nuts.

“How about Rochelle or Richelle? Maybe Shellie, or even Elle. Any of those sound good?”

Trying to placate her until I could get her out of the house, I nodded. “Um, Richelle is okay.”

“Just okay? You should really love your name, honey. I mean it’ll be your name. Everyone will be calling you that from now on.”

I blinked and started getting nervous. “You can’t tell anyone about this. Please. My dad would kill me and my new step-mom…”

She snapped her fingers. “Oh yeah, that’s right. You’re trying to look like your new mom in her fetish outfit.”

“No, no… they were just there. The wig and the outfit didn’t look right without the balloons.”

“You have balloons in there? Are they at least water balloons so you can get the feel of what it’s like to have real breasts that big?”

I cringed. “No… I blew them up. Please, I’ll do anything, just don’t tell them. Don’t tell anyone.”

Jennifer sighed. “Well, I suppose we can make a deal of some sort.”

It was the first time I smiled since she arrived. “What can I do?

She crossed her arms and her face took on a very serious look. “You can tell me the whereabouts of Ariel Chylde.”

I blinked again. “What?”

“You’re her only friend in this city so you must know.”

“I’ve known her all of two days and about five minutes total. You’re her cousin shouldn’t you know where she is?”

She leaned against the wall looking disappointed. “You’d think, but she flew off about thirty minutes ago after blowing up my home… twice. Teenagers.”

I thought I was in the clear. “Okay, well you know that I don’t know where she. Can… can you go now?”

Jennifer’s eyes focused on me again. “Why are you hiding behind that bed, and why haven’t you offered me anything to drink. You’re a poor hostess you know.”

My brain couldn’t take much more of her insanity. “I’m a guy dressed up like a girl. It’s not exactly normal.”

She made some odd exasperated noise in her throat. “Is that what’s bothering you? Well I can fix that easily enough.”

Both of her hands shot out with different finger configurations and she muttered something under her breath. Pink arcing light emanated from her right hand and blue from her left, both slamming into me and tossing me to the floor. My vision clouded and a wave of nausea overcame me. Everything about my body moved in a way that I can’t describe, except to say that it felt like a million caterpillars quickly roaming across my skin.

“There, that’s better. Much better. You make a very pretty girl Richelle, though those breasts are a little much don’t you think?”

Jennifer was hovering over me, looking down.

“But who am I to knock your fantasies.”

My eyes rolled in my head and I was only taking a few of her words in. I did feel her grab my hand and try to haul me up.

“Come on, I can’t do all the work for you.”

“Wha… what happened?” I stopped moving about half way up and grabbed at my throat. “My voice!”

It was high pitched, like really high, nasally and whiney sounding.

Jennifer flinched away. “Ugh, seriously, don’t talk. Just the sound of your voice makes my teeth ache. Up, up, up.”

I struggled to my feet and then swayed once I reached them. There was a really heavy weight on my chest. While one of my hands was holding onto the witch lady the other was free to feel what happened. I grabbed on to the mass and heard the sound of rubber moving against rubber and then a loud POP!

Jennifer laughed. “Oh, that’s why you were so big. I forgot about the balloons. She tapped the other side and that one exploded as well.”

Everything settled and that’s when I realized that the mounds on my chest didn’t go away when the balloons popped. In fact they felt decidedly real.

“What did you do?”

She flinched back. Before I knew it Jennifer grabbed my throat and a warm sensation flowed through it. “I swear, that voice. Did you really want something like that?”

“No.” I stopped and then sampled the new one. “Lalalaaa. Oh, that’s better.”

The nasal sound was gone and it was almost melodic instead.

“Hold on. Oh shit… you turned me into a girl?”

She pointed at me and I flinched away not knowing what she was going to do next. “Good girls don’t talk like that, Richelle. You’re going to be a good girl for me, right?”

I swallowed and nodded. “Um… Miss Kale… can you turn me back into a guy please?”

Her smile widened. “Now that’s more like it. And yes I can, but no I won’t. This is what you wanted.” She patted my arm. “Trust me, I know these things. Now, go get changed. I can’t talk to you properly in that outfit. Something nice, and by nice I mean not slutty and not formal. Use your brain, Richelle. It’s still summer and the sun is out. How about a nice sundress.”

She patted my butt to get me moving. “Go on.”

By the time I made it to Guinevere’s closet, I was in tears. “Oh my God. What am I gonna do? This can’t be happening.”

Seeing the bald Styrofoam head I reached up to take the wig off and found it attached to my head, only it wasn’t a wig anymore. I could feel my scalp underneath.

My throat tightened up. “No…”

“Richelle, you’re stalling. I don’t hear any changing going on.”

I jumped and spun around, but she was calling from the hall.

“Sorry, I was looking for a nice dress. I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

Her footsteps sounded as she entered. “Aww, that’s so sweet. You would have made a much better daughter than Ariel. It’s too bad the Book isn’t in you.”

Jennifer looked the over the outfits as she spoke to me. “Perhaps once we get her back the two of you could be sisters. Maybe that’s all she needs, someone her own age to confide in. Oh, this one. Very pretty.”

She pulled out a sundress to be sure. It was pure yellow and didn’t have anything up top except for two strings.

“Because I know you’re new to being a girl, I’ll go ahead and tell you that you won’t need a bra with this. It has its own support. And these shoes as well.”

She bent over and retrieved a pair of simple yellow heels.

“Now, I’ll go fix us some tea and we can have a proper conversation. Don’t keep me waiting, please.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I whispered.

She patted my cheek. “Such a good girl.”

When Jennifer left, I sat down on the stool that Guinevere kept in the closet and untied the knee boots.

“It’s a nightmare. That’s what this is. I just need to wake up.”

With a pinch, I moaned at the pain and squeezed my eyes shut. “Okay that didn’t work. So I should just keep going until I wake up. Just get dressed and be nice to her. Maybe she’ll change me back if I’m really nice.”

The plan was set as I worked my way out of the catsuit. Strangely enough I could easily unzip the back. Apparently in my dreams I’m a lot more flexible.

“Ohhh shit.”

Yep, I was a girl all right. Everything that made me a guy was gone and in its place was a bombshell. Wide and round breasts a tiny waist and very wide hips.

“Don’t look. It’ll just make it worse.”

Setting the outfit aside I picked up the sundress and unhooked it from the hanger before stepping into it and worked it up. The tiny straps went over my shoulders and I had to adjust my breasts in the provided cups several times before they felt right. Then I did up the little zip in the back.

The cleavage was unavoidable because there was quite a lot of it to be seen.

“Quit looking and put the shoes on.”

They had to be at least three inches high. While the boots had heels too, they were much wider and I didn’t know if I’d be able to navigate the thin ones very well. After doing up the straps I cautiously stood and found my balance. It took me a few tries, but I found if I pulled my shoulders straight and arched my back a little then I could move without unbalancing.

“There. That’s not so bad. And it’s definitely breezy under there. Yeah, I need some panties.”

Two minutes later and I found a yellow pair of French cut that I slid on up under the dress. They fit a whole lot better when there wasn’t a penis to get in the way.

When I finished I turned around and forgot that a mirror was on the other side of the room. So I wound up getting a full body shot of myself. I was stunned into stillness, just staring at the girl in the mirror.

“I’m pretty,” I whispered.

“Tea’s ready,” Jennifer called out.

Seeing my slightly messy hair, I ran my fingers though it and then crossed to the dresser where Guinevere kept her brush. A few times running it through and I was satisfied that Jennifer wouldn’t be too disappointed.

Taking it nice and easy I made my way out to the living room.

“Awww, I’m so glad I left you at seventeen. You are precious in that dress. There’s just something about innocence that makes my heart melt. Here.” She patted the couch next to her. “Come sit by me and we’ll have ourselves some girl-talk.”

Once I made my way around the table I started to sit down and realized at the last second that I’d wind up plopping down instead. Jennifer realized my predicament.

“I’m very happy that you want to be the best girl you can be, Richelle. Legs together, back straight, and lower yourself to the edge of the cushion. Make sure to smooth your pretty dress out as you sit.”

I shakily followed her instructions and landed without falling over.

“That’s very good for your first try. We’ll work on that when we get home. I can’t wait to train you when we get home. I’ll buy you the prettiest dresses and show you how to use makeup. You’ll definitely be the daughter I’ve always wanted. You’ll be an excellent role model for Ariel.”

My heart started pounding against my chest. She was serious about this. “Um… Miss Kale?”

She took hold of my wrist and looked all misty-eyed. “Would you call me Mommy?”

Where were the men in white coats when you really needed them? “Mommy, what about my dad and step-mother? They might miss me and miss the male me as well.”

Her face darkened. “Are you saying you don’t want to come live with me and be my daughter?”

Open mouth insert foot. It only took me a second to figure out a way to avoid pissing her off. “Of course not, Mommy. But Dad and Guinevere would miss the male me and then the police would get involved. Dad’s the Assistant Chief, remember? And don’t you still have to find Ariel? That’s a lot of things to take care of and as your daughter I would worry about you doing too much. It’s not healthy.”

At the end the dark look on her face melted away. “You’re so thoughtful, Richelle.” She patted my knee. “Don’t you worry about a thing. Mommy is smart enough to take care of all that and more.”

~O~

Thoughts of just knocking her over the head with something really heavy flittered through my mind, but there were a couple of things that stopped me. I’d still be a girl -- big reason not to do it -- and it might not work. What if I did it and she didn’t get knocked out. Her eyes were crazy looking when she got serious. There was no telling what would happen. The only thing I could come up with was to placate her and really get on her good side, and then maybe she would get bored with me really quick.

“Leave your things, honey, I’ll provide everything you’ll ever need.”

I looked back at my room. “Can I take my iPod?”

Jennifer used the heel of her hand to tap her forehead. “I’m so thoughtless sometimes. Of course you’ll need your music. Every girl should have her music. It makes them so happy. Go ahead sweetie.”

I grabbed it and the ear buds off of my dresser.

“Black? Really Richelle?” She pointed her finger at the iPod and the next thing I knew it was fluorescent pink. “There, that’s much better, don’t you think?”

Nearly choking at the color, I just swallowed the first remark that came to mind and went with what I thought she’d like. “It’s great, Mommy. Thanks.”

She sighed happily. “I hope you rub off on your sister, Richelle. She never thanked me a single time for anything I did for her. Thousands of dollars in clothes, and shoes, the best camera money could buy, a cell phone, computer, I even saved her life… twice! Not one words of thanks. She even refused to call me Mom.”

Taking a big chance, I slipped my arms around her and gave Jennifer a hug. “Well, you’ve given me everything that I’ve wanted and I appreciate you. As far as I can see, you’re the best mom a girl could ask for.”

She stiffened for a moment and I thought I’d pushed things too far. Then her arms came up and hugged me back. We stood like that for a few minutes while I heard her sniff a few times.

When she pulled away Jennifer wiped at her cheeks. “She never hugged me either.”

“Well, I’m hugging you a lot then. I hope you’re ready for them.”

A pleased smile rose on her face as she wiped away more tears. “You’re a good girl, Richelle, but look at what you’re doing to me. I’m a mess.”

Turning around, I went back in my room and retrieved a couple of tissues. “Here you go. I’m sorry for messing your makeup… up.”

I sounded like an idiot, but she giggled in an odd sort of way. “When are your former parents due back?”

I swallowed at the implications of what she just said. “Um… Sunday morning.” I thought it best not to lie. There was no telling what she might do if she caught me.

“Oh, good. That gives me plenty of time. Where’d they go?”

I smiled weakly. “Their honeymoon. Cancun.”

Her mouth opened in disapproval. “And they left you here all by yourself? What if the house burned down or you got sick. It’s a good thing I came along, Richelle. Children need constant supervision and attention. You’ll be sure to get that from me.”

Oh… joy.

“Now, let’s go.”

I quickly looked around trying to figure out some way for her to leave me there at least, but nothing came to mind. Gripping my iPod, the only tangible remembrance of Dick Grayson, I followed her and watched as a big opening in the wall expanded. When it stopped there was a red glow around the edges.

“What’s that?” I said.

“It’s a portal, sweetie, to your new home.”

A portal. A magical portal.

“You’ll get used to magic; don’t worry. I’ll teach you everything I know, and once you retrieve your sister we’ll be one big happy family again.”

You mean once you receive a big dose of thorazine, you psycho witch.

We stepped through and I nearly barfed at all the pink in the room. Oh, God, please tell me that this isn’t my room.

“Do you like it? I had it remodeled just for you.”

There was a big queen-sized canopied bed with pink lace hanging from the top. Two dressers and an armoire were all pink lacquered along a single wall. Large pink drapes hung from the windows and the carpet was thick white with a pink border along the wall.

“It’s great,” I said. “It’s perfect!”

She petted my back. “I knew you’d like it. You’re such a feminine girl, not at all like your sister. I can’t wait to go shopping for some darling outfits for you, honey. No ratty jeans for you. I’m thinking maybe some petticoats and corsets. What do you think?”

There was no way I could keep a straight face. “I think you would know best what I should wear, Mommy.”

Her hand went over her heart and she smiled a smile of contentment. “The perfect daughter. I’m going to make a few calls and make it official. You don’t mind that I’ll change your last name to Kale, right. I mean Grayson is just so… male.”

I just put on my best grin and hoped it wasn’t too fake. “It wouldn’t be a bother? Kale is a beautiful name, but if it’s too much trouble…”

She waved a hand at me. “Don’t be silly. I want you to feel like you are my natural daughter, honey, blood of my blood. We can do a ritual tonight to make that official.”

A ritual. I didn’t even know what that means. Maybe it’s kind of like some magical adoption or something. “Uh… sure. Whatever you think is best.”

Jennifer clapped her hands in excitement. “Wonderful! I’m so happy you’ve come around, Richelle. You don’t know what it means to me. Now, why don’t you get out of that outfit and take a proper bath, like a good girl. I’ll have something for you to wear by the time you get out. Then we’ll get down to business of making you a real Kale.”

~O~

“A bath?” I looked at the ornate claw-leg tub with trepidation. “Who takes baths?”

Looking around the room I didn’t see a shower stall so I concluded that I’d be the one taking baths. It was all just too feminine. Don’t get me wrong. I like feminine things, and under any other circumstances I’d probably jump for joy at the chance of being a hot girl for a few hours. However, from the way Jennifer was talking, this was going to be my life from here on out. That wasn’t so great.

“I don’t hear any water running,” she called out from the other room.

I closed my eyes and tried to keep calm. “I’m just so excited, Mommy. It’ll be my first bath as a real girl!”

She giggled that annoyingly wrong giggle. “Don’t do anything in there that you shouldn’t honey. Save your sexual energy for tonight.”

My face turned to disgust. She thought I was going to masturbate in the bathtub. How disturbed was this lady?

“Yes, Ma’am.”

Instead of putting it off for any longer I turned on the water and got it to the proper temperature before spotting a large assortment of supplies on the table beside the tub. Taking the one that read Bubble Bath I opened it and poured some in the water. Then the scent hit me.

Looking at the label I read to myself: P.S. I Love You with Sparkling Riesling, Golden Amber, Hypnotic Incense, Bright Rose Petals.

“Can she have picked a more girlie scent?”

Looking at the table I saw all sorts of other additions from the same line, body scrub, body lotion, body crá¨me, eau de toilette, perfume. It was like I’d end up dipping my entire body into the stuff.

Ugh.

The dress came off, along with the panties, and then the heels. There were several mirrors in the bathroom and I couldn’t help but see what she’d made of me. I was beautiful, there was no doubt. The breasts and hips were too much for a sixteen year old to have. It almost brought tears to my eyes again before I narrowed them and concentrated on the water.

Almost as expected the bubbles were pink. I was seriously beginning to hate that color, and there I was surrounded by it, overdosing on it. There was one thing for certain: if I did manage to find a way out of my predicament, I’d never touch another thing of Guinevere’s again. I’d learned my lesson. Never again.

~O~

“Don’t forget to put some lotion on, sweetie. You can never take too much care of your skin and you want to make sure to look young and beautiful for years to come, just like me.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” I called out before grabbing the lotion and squirting some in my hand. “Ugh.”

A little bit went a long way, but I had to admit, my skin felt wonderful after putting it on. “Okay, maybe there’s something to this stuff.”

I passed on the cream and the toilet water since I already smelled like a big flower. Taking a peek from the bathroom, I saw some clothes on the bed and the door to the outer room pretty much closed.

The panties were basic white and that was all there was for underwear. I may not have been the model of womanhood, but even I knew if I didn’t wear a bra then I’d be hurting and my breasts would droop after a while. I’d have to talk to her about that.

The white dress turned out to be a toga of some sort that took me a while to figure out.

“How are you doing in here?” Her breath caught. “Richelle, you look radiant. Come, come, I have everything set up for the ritual.”

Looking around, I stopped. “Do I need shoes?”

She shook her head. “No, it’s best to do this just as you are.”

“Okay.”

Please don’t let this be some freaky thing.

She led me up the stairs to the floor above and a gigantic room.

“Into the circle and sit directly in the middle with your legs crossed, and just relax. This won’t hurt at all.”

Trying to get a little more information about what she was doing was like pulling teeth.

“It’s just something that I’ve been dreaming about for the last few years. I thought Ariel would be interested, but she ran away. However now that I have you and you’re happy to be here I want to make sure you’re my daughter.”

My eyes lit up. Finally. My guess is that she’ll do this magical thing and find out I’m not really her daughter, that she was wrong, and then she’d turn me back and send me back home.

“You look excited,” she said.

I nodded with enthusiasm. “I can’t wait.”

Jennifer picked up what could only be called a goblet and sprinkled something inside. “Here you go. Drink it all down.”

I looked down and saw the mix. It didn’t look too appetizing. “What is it?”

She shook her finger at me playfully. “Listen to Mommy, sweetie. Bottoms up.”

Closing my eyes I tried to imagine this was a dare between my friends and I like we used to do. The mixture was awful and I almost lost it about halfway through, but I was determined to keep it down and get this farce behind me.

“Good girl.”

She held her hand out for the goblet and then pricked her finger on something letting out a drop of blood on to the red paint of the circle. It flashed with energy and I flinched away.

“Don’t worry, honey. It won’t hurt. It’s just the magic activating.”

I nodded warily and felt my stomach rumbling.

Hurry, before I throw up.

“Do you, Richard Grayson, renounce your heritage and take up that of the Kale family?”

Jennifer nodded her head encouragingly.

“Yes.”

“Do you accept the name Richelle Jennifer Kale as your own and do you accept my blood as your own?”

Again she nodded.

“Yes,” I said somewhat unsure this time while I wondered what it was I was actually saying.

My stomach rumbled again louder. I put my hand over my belly and pressed a little to ease the discomfort.

“Do you, Richelle Jennifer Kale, accept me as your mother, your blood kin as if I were the one to give birth to you?”

“Yes.”

Her eyes closed and I felt something like those caterpillars again running over my skin.

Oh shit, I’m changing again. Please let it be into a guy, please!

There was a burst of wind and heat.

“Rise, my true daughter, and take my hand.”

My eyes fluttered open and I looked down. The toga thing didn’t really allow for decent look at what I appeared to be, but there was one thing for certain: my breasts didn’t go away.

Shit… shit… it didn’t work.

I unfolded my legs and awkwardly got up. Things had shifted a little. Everything looked a tiny big bigger.

“Look at you. Your hair’s curly like mine used to be. It’s so cute.”

She took my hand and led me while I was still mystified about what had happened. There was a floor length mirror that she put me in front of and then stood next to me. I blinked at the sight.

“We could be sisters.”

My face had filled out and my eyes changed to a light green. They were different. Even as a girl I resembled my old self. I could see Dick Grayson in that face, but this was something entirely different. It was all gone. I looked like Jennifer’s daughter.

My eyes watered up and tears fell down my cheeks.

“Aww, you’re so happy, you’re crying. Come on, sweetie. Let’s get you to bed. It’s been a long day for you and I’m sure you’re tired.”

I nodded and shuffled along beside her. “When you wake up I’ll have breakfast ready and we can get started on finding your sister, okay?”

“Uh-huh.”

Back in my new room, Jennifer took out a really frilly set of panties and a nightgown that barely dropped down over my butt and dressed me for bed. When I got under the covers she tucked me in and kissed my forehead.

“I know it’s been a big shock, honey. Just remember this. You’re my daughter now, of my blood and your acceptance. I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life, okay?”

I nodded and pulled the sheets tighter around my neck.

When she closed the door behind her, I let the dam burst and just cried at my stupidity and my loss.

~O~

The next morning I found an outfit hanging in the bathroom for me, complete with lingerie. Blue bikini panties with a matching bra that looked like it was missing half its cup was my base. Everything seemed already adjusted on the bra. It fit perfectly and I felt almost normal, if that made any sense. The dress was blue with thin white lines and made out of some knit material. It was like a tank top from the waist above and then it billowed out about a quarter the way down my smooth thighs.

It was very pretty and very teen styled. A pair of flat sandals that had a tiny buckle around my ankle went on last, and that was it. I was dressed. My hair was still cut in a bob style but instead of the smooth flat hair, I had thick ringlets. I chose a pick to untangle them a little, and then I brushed my near perfect teeth. The only flaw I saw in them was the bottom two eye teeth were slightly crooked.

Staring at my eyes, in the mirror, I nearly started crying again, but I held it together.

“Priorities, Richelle.” I shut my eyes and called myself Dick in my head. “Just take care of the priorities.”

“That’s a very positive attitude to have, sweetie.”

I jumped and held a hand to my heart. “Mom, you scared me.”

See how well I held it together.

Her face looked like she melted inside. “I like that better than Mommy. A young lady like you shouldn’t act like a pre-teen. Call me Mom from now on.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Breakfast is ready. I’ll show you to the dining room.” When I stepped away from the sink she looked me over. “That dress is perfect for you. Sorry, I couldn’t wait, I went shopping for you. Your closet is full and you’ll look every bit the Kale that you are.”

On the way out she picked up a good sized blue purse and brought it along.

The set up was beautiful, I admitted. She lived well, except for the darkened windows. When I sat down she lifted the silver cover off the plate and I found a variety of fruit and grains for breakfast. Cereal was about my speed, and I think she saw that on my face.

“You’ll need to eat a nice healthy breakfast, Richelle. Cross your legs, sweetie. A lady never advertises her wares.

I did as I was told as she rummaged through the purse and pulled out a big wallet. “You’re all set with a driver’s license, a number of credit cards to various stores and a few major ones. Try to keep your spending limits under ten thousand a day on each card unless you let me know ahead of time.”

My eyes widened as I took a bite of apple. I chewed quickly and swallowed. “I’m sorry; did you say ten thousand a day?”

She nodded. “I know, it’s not a lot, but you need to learn the value of money. It doesn’t grow on trees you know. Speaking of which there’s a few thousand in cash for mad money. Here’s your cell phone and I’ve put some tampons and liners in a separate compartment along with some Midol when your time of the month comes.”

I nearly choked again.

Jennifer giggled. “You’re a fertile Kale, Richelle. Let me know the moment it happens because I want to experience everything with you, and I can show you a little spell that will take the edge off any cramping or bloating.”

The breakfast wasn’t tasting very good anymore.

“And now for the best part.” She spread the purse open wide and showed me a zippered pocket. “In here is enough room for two changes of clothes. I’ve put in a little black dress and another dress similar to what you’re wearing now.”

“That’s pretty neat,” I said since I’d been so quiet.

“It’s my own invention.” Closing it up, she set the purse aside. “Now for the rules of the house. I learned my lesson the hard way with your sister.”

I nodded and popped a grape in my mouth.

“Number one: no lying about anything. If you go somewhere, tell me where you are going. If circumstances change, call and let me know as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Number two: Whatever goes on in this house stays in this house. No telling anyone. I’ll respect your privacy the same way.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“We’ll work on the rest as we go on. You’ll learn the family business, Sorcery. I’ll be your teacher because I’m the best. You’ll be the second best, and Ariel, if she comes to her senses will be third best.”

Crossing her hands on the table, she leaned in close. “Now for your first test.”

I blinked and swallowed a piece of melon. “Test?”

She nodded with reluctance. “There are always tests. Your first test will be retrieving your wayward sister. I’ve narrowed the area down to central Austin, but she’s protected by magic, so I can’t get a lock on. You’ll take the car to Austin and find her, talk her into coming back, and then we can be a family again.”

Was she serious? Austin wasn’t some little Podunk town with a low population. “How am I supposed to find her? It’s a big city.”

“Lift your hair up.”

She stood and walked behind me. “Since you’ve been so trusting and devoted to me, Richelle, I’m entrusting this amulet to you. It’s the Amulet of Agamotto. I’ve spelled it to track her down. There is no illusion that it can’t break, so it should see through anything she thinks will hide her.”

It was silver in color. At the lowest point it was square shaped and had a twelve point star in the middle.

“Just say Ariel while holding it and it will activate. You’ll be able to figure it out from there.” When she sat back down she slid a set of keys across the table to me. “Bring her back, Richelle. That is your test. If you succeed, I give you anything you want. Even if I don’t want to I’ll do it. Anything.”

That set my mind to racing. “Really?”

“Anything your heart desires, my daughter.”

“You said she has magic. Will she hurt me?”

Jennifer shook her head. “No magic can permanently harm you while you wear that Amulet. And there’s your pistol as well for more mundane problems.”

I did a double take. “I’m sorry, what?”

She banged her head with the heel of her hand. “I’m just a ditz sometimes.”

Opening my purse again she withdrew a small fluorescent pink pistol. I couldn’t believe that they actually came in that color. I thought it was a toy at first.

“Just point and pull the trigger, and don’t worry about consequences. I can cover up anything.”

She stuck it back in the purse and handed it to me. “Now, remember to eat healthy and call me when you get there so I know you’re safe.”

A kiss on the cheek followed before she declared breakfast over and led me down an elevator to something I’d only seen in movies: a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

“Sweet.”

Jennifer smiled. “I think this is a good starter car.”

I glanced at her. For James Bond maybe.

“It’s pretty,” I said, trying to sound like a stereotypical girl. Hopefully she bought it.

“I’ve packed you a suitcase with some extra clothes and your toiletries. Drive safely, please. I’ve got it spelled to reject any police radar, but keep it under a hundred, Richelle.”

Going with the flow, I hugged her. “Thanks, Mom. You’re the best.”

~O~

Once I was on I-10 I opened it up and darted between traffic. I had a mission. Bring Ariel Chylde back home by any means necessary, and then cash in my gender and get my life back to where it was, all before Sunday.

Piece of cake.

TBC...