An aging overweight man who plays too much online gaming receives a gift from Freya, the
goddess of love, lust, beauty, sorcery, fertility, gold, war and death.

Freya"s Gift

Chapter 16: First Dates part 2

I check with dispatch and got the address for last nights sightings and make my way there. Thinking back on the previous
nights activities leaves me aroused and eager for the next time Lauren and I can get together. That also makes me wonder
about tomorrow nights double date. Even though till only 2 weeks ago I was an old man, and the thought of being with any
guy was beyond absurd. But now, the feelings of my new female existence left me with an eager fasination to know what it
would be like to be with a man. Shortly? I arrived at the address dispatch had given me. It was a small community park area
within the main park.

As I park in the deserted lot and check around, the report said the sightings were from over by swing set toward the east
end down in the little valley. I went to the swings and look at the valley. I can see a trail and head for it. As I clear
from the play park I call my armor and Gilbert. The way down is not steep, but the footing is less than ideal, and Gilbert
is more sure footed in this terrain. As Gilbert appears he asks how I am. "I'm quite good actually, and how are you this
morning?"

"I am very good also. What manner of beast do we hunt today my fair lady?"

"When we get down there", I point below us, "You, kind sir can tell us both our quary." As I hop up onto his back.

We chat idley on the way down and he asks, "What has put you in such a good mood this morning?"

I answer, "It's what happened last night that has me happy. I had my first date."

"I can read your mind and can understand perfectly. We are getting close now, I am getting a strong scent coming from the
north." As he heads in that direction.

"Can you tell what they are yet"? Then he stops and points to some tracks. I got down and looked closely and together we
say, "Guwangis". I get back up on his broad back and he runs on chasing the trail.

Gilbert slows, "Get ready, we are getting closer." As I drop and hit the ground running, my arccanon at the ready. Just
around the bend we come across a group of the Guwangis blocking the trail. I thought I'd try something different to see if
it worked here, I threw out the stationary construct, ST-4. This is a chain gun that can sweep an area 25 meters in
diameter one enemy at a time that lasts for 2 1/2 minutes.

As the gun deploys it takes aim at the closest target and opens up, and I hit it with a quick volley of mana missiles.
Target one down. Gilbert goes after the next and rips it's throat out. As the first two disolve I take aim for the third
and forth blocking the tunnel passage. A quick shot at each one draws them into the range of ST-4, I finish them with a
concusion grenade. Then a new one spawns behind me, but Gilbert makes fast work of that one. We back off to a safe spot to
see if any more spawn. After a moment the entire group respawns just as ST-4 shuts off and vanishes, I toss out another
ST-4 and do it all over again. This goes on for about 30 minutes. We wait awhile and nothing comes back. After another 30
minutes of waiting and nothing appears.

"Well Gilbert, looks like that's all of them today. Let's head back up the hill to the play park." I remounted and he
started back.

Soon we're chatting again and Gilbert asks, "Since it is on your mind, may I ask? What is the purpose of bedding with
another female if you can not get with child? The act of intercourse is for propagation of the species. So what purpose
does same gender coupling serve?"

I say, "You can read my mind, but you can't see the purpose?" He shakes his head. "We couple for pleasure and enjoyment as
well to sire children. Is this different from dragons? I can understand with lesser species, but stories say that dragons
mate for life, so they also mate for love. Is this false?"

"It is true that we dragons mate for life to one we love, similar to you humans. But we only breed for the breeding when
the female is at peak of her cycle. Which is once every 10 years."

"For humanoid species, we make love for the sake of closeness. To feel the love we share with one another." I state.

"Does that mean", he asks, "that you and Lauren love one another?"

I admit, "There's more to than that, when there is an attraction, sometimes sex is a way to get closer with an individual.
Whether it be same or opposite genders."

Gilbert ponders that. When we reach the play park and no one is still around, I dropped off his back and let the gun and
armor go. I turn to look at him and he says, "You have given me much to think on. I think when I get back home I will have
to talk with my mate Margret and see what her thoughts are on this topic. Thank you Freya, I will see when next you call.
Bye for now." And he fades away. Leaving me alone.

************************************************

I call Cappie and report on the cleaning up the Guwangis and that the play park should be okay to re-open. He thanked me
and told me to take the rest of the day off.

*************************************************

I called Katie and found out she had the afternoon off too. So I said that I'd pick her up and take her to lunch.

I picked her up at her apartment 30 minutes later and we head to the mall and the food court. When we got inside she asked
why here at the mall. I explained, "I just wanted to see Lauren again and show you off a little."

Katie asks, "See her again? When did you see her last? I thought you're seeing her tonight."

I smile coyly, "No, we change it to last night. And well, dinner didn't goes as planned."

"Oh, aunt Freya, I'm so sorry...."

"No Katie , you misunderstand. It went fantastic. Let's just say, we both had smiles on our faces this morning over
breakfast." And I smiled at her.

Katie grins, "I'm so glad. But what are you going to do about James? Or are you going to 'play the field', so to speak?"

"I haven't decided yet, but I think I want to give it a try. I mean, he's so handsome and sexy." Katie says, just to be
carefull so that I don't get hurt or hurt either Lauren or James' feelings. "Katie, I've already talked to Lauren about it
and she fine with it. The bigger question is, will James be open to it too?" Looking unsure.

We get Panda Garden again and head to Victotia's Secret. As we walk in, Lauren comes running out from the back to greet us.
She gives me a hug and a mild kiss since Katie is there, untill I go in for some big tongue action. Lauren takes a second
to respond in kind. When we break the kiss, Lauren says, "I wasn't sure you told her about us."

"Katie knows everything about me, and I have no secrets from her." I assure Lauren. "Anything you say to me, you can say to
her in confidance." As Lauren turns to Katie, "And do you see what I told you?"

Lauren takes Katies hands and turns her back and forth looking at her ears, "Oh my god, you're right, her ears now look a
lot like yours." Looking closely she says, "I know they have to be natural, cause surgery couldn't have healed since I saw
her last. So how did it happen?"

I pull her back to her office and close the door. "Let's just say that the genetics are just catching up is all." Then, "If
you want the whole truth, it's going to take a while."

She stands up, "Hold on, let me make sure we're not interupted." She comes back in a moment and we spread out the chinese
food and eat while we talk. I lay it all on the table except for the gender change, and she stops me a few times to clarify
something. "So, your saying that this goddess FREYA changed you. To look like this. What did you lo.... No, I doesn't
matter. You are who you are." She comes around the table and gives me and Katie a big hug. "You know, I'm sure the rep will
sign Katie too, with the same agreement as with you." Katie looks confused.

"Sorry Katie, it slipped my mind, they want me, and now you to model for Victoria's Secret. And everything will be worked
around your classes and games."

Katie starts jumping up and down in excitement, "You're not kidding I hope aunt Freya." She squeezes me hard and I squeeze
back. "That means I can tell that sob of a father to take a long walk off a short pier. Woo Hoo!"

Lauren then asks, "Can I see you change?" Looking expectantly at us. With that I snap my fingers and voilà, armor and
weapon appear. I point to Katie, and voilà tout, she changes to her castanic form. "Oh my, Katie has horns? Can I touch
them?" As she reachs up fingering the boney horns, then takes a step back and sees the growths on her legs. Touching them,
"What are these? They feel the same as your horns."

Katie says, "They are extra support so my legs are stronger."

Lauren turns to me, "But why tell me all this? I don't really understand."

"Remember how we told you that FREYA gifted Katie as she did me? Yes? Well you see, I'm actually recruiting for her too.
She told me that I could tell by a persons aura who could be of help in her quest to preserve earth from these creatures
from the game reality. Your aura is nearly as strong as Katie's and we'd like your help. To become a part of FREYA's Star."

Lauren thinks and, "If you believe I can help and FREYA accepts me then, Yes, I'll do it. But how...." With that, the three
of us fade away.

As we fade back in, we're back in the familiar glen that FREYA uses to speek with us. Lauren is in shock over what is
happening. I take her hand and lead her to FREYA, "Lauren, this is the goddess FREYA, FREYA, this is Lauren. She has agreed
to accept the gift to be third in our group of five."

FREYA takes Lauren's hands, "Child, know that you serve the greater good by helping my goddaughter and god-niece in their
endeavors. Do you accept the gift that I grant?"

Lauren answers as though she was taking wedding vows, "I Do!" With that FREYA smiles and a glow travels up Laurens arms to
envelop her in a blinding radiance. When the radiance fades.

"Behold!" FREYA congers a mirror of water to show Lauren herself. Lauren stares at her image, it is mostly the same as
before but as with Katie there are changes. "Lauren, you are now genetically elfen as is Freya. You share all the gifts of
that heritage. While you still are the same age as before, your body has the health and vitality of a twenty year old. You
will age slower and live longer. You will heal faster as well. You shall be the sorceress of the star and able to perform
magic on command, this will take some practice. So, on the eve when you fall asleep, you will come to me for instruction."

Lauren, "Yes godmother, I understand." She touches her ears and sees her reddened hair, a thrill sweeps through her. "I
didn't realize how sensitive the ears are, had I known last night...."

FREYA says, "That is for another time child. For now back to the mortal realm, before you are missed." With that we fade
out.

We fade in, back in Lauren's office, as there is someone knocking on the door heavily. Lauren opens the door, "Sorry,
what's the problem?"

The young employee girl, "I'm sorry to interupt, but our VC rep is her to see you. Oh my, I didn't notice this morning when
I came in that you changed your hair. It looks great that way." As she leaves the rep walks in.

"Well hello Lauren, it's good to see you again. And from the pictures you sent me, I can tell this is Freya. Nice to meet
you." He takes my hand and gives it a little kiss. "I'm Gregory Stafford. And who is this precious package here?"

"Yes, I'm Freya and this is my niece Katie. Glad to meet you too, Gregory." He kisses Katie's hand as well.

"Nice to meet you sir." Katie says, and blushes.

Lauren, "Greg, I'm glad you showed up. I think you'll want to sign Katie as well as her aunt. She has the same look you
wanted from Freya. Don't you think?"

Greg looks closer at Katie and notices her ears. As he turns to Lauren, he also takes notice that her ears have a slight
point to them as well. "Lauren your right I do want her to sign as well. And I think I want you to sign too. The three of
you will make a great ad campaign. And I must say, I love this red hair you three have, yours being a little darker, I
especially love. Please say the three of you will all sign?"

Without much thinking we all agree. Greg says the papers will come to Lauren next week from the corporate offices. He
promises to have something in the works for next month, scheduling around Katie's needs. We agree to talk soon to make
arrangements and he leaves giving us all a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. Parting he says, "Lauren you've earned a nice
bonus with the company, and you deserve it!"

We clean up our lunch mess and let Lauren get back to work. I say, "I'm going to say hi to James before we go." I kiss
Lauren goodbye and start for the front door.

Lauren says, "Katie will be right with you, I just want to ask her something."

I head to the apple store with the two of them whispering.

End of Chapter 16