> Strange World > by BioQuillFiction > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1: Contest Winner. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- My world is...strange, to say the least. Well, to you, it might be. Here’s a crash course in our history, Humans and magical creatures have shared this world for, well, forever. We’ve had struggles, an occasional war, but mostly we got along, especially these days. With their unique abilities the magical creatures make up some of the better tv shows and movies. Hasbro is one of the biggest cartoon studios, and they hire the most magical creatures, including the cast of My Little Pony. I always found it funny Spike was played by a dragoness named Barbara. I don’t know a lot about dragons, but what I do know is that she must have some serious vocal control to sound like that when playing Spike. Spike was always my favorite character, even if he was always the one walked over by the others. Wonder how Barbara differs from the character? Well, whatever the case, I was excited. Man, out of fifty thousand entries, I won the competition. I was at home, on my computer, looking at some commissioned images of what I thought Barbara would look like as a tall, sexy dragoness. Don’t judge, on the show she’s a kid, these are adults...shut up! They were all lovely, some I asked to be...lewd, but anime level lewd, no nipples showing, scouts honor! One is my favorite though, a full body shot of her in a large, poofy dress. ...Sue me, I like what I like! I entered a contest from Hasbro a month ago, winner gets to spend a week with an MLP cast member of their choice. I checked my Email, seeing a reply from the contest address. Raising an eyebrow I clicked it, and saw this… Congratulations!! You have just won the Hasbro Week Week With A Cast Member Contest for My Little Pony; Friendship is Magic! The link listed below are your pre-paid plane tickets, Hasbro studio VIP pass, and further instructions. …”YES!!!” Now, a month later, I submitted who I wanted to spend the week with, Barbara, and I am on the plain to, where else, Hollywood, where Hasbro’s filming studios is. When magical creatures were brought into media, Hollywood grew to three times as large, taking up a large chunk of mid southern California. The plane landed and I got off. Once off the instructions told me one of the staff from MLP would be waiting for me. Once off the plain I looked around and saw them. A large red pony standing with a sign with my name on it. I walked over. “Big Mac?” I asked, keeping my excitement hidden. “Hehe, only on set. Real name is Carson. So you’re the winner the studio sent me to pick up?” “Yeah.” I answered. “Come on, car’s this way.” Big- Carson, lead the way and I followed. His car was different than what I expected. It was a silver mini van. “Heh, sorry. I bet you were expecting a big fancy truck or something huh?” “Sorta.” I replied. “Or something fancy… Also how do you drive?” “Same way those Equestria Girls movies were made.” He said, pulling out a bracelet from his bags and putting it around his hoof. There was a flash and Carson changed from his pony form to the way he looked in the Equestria Girls movies. Same clothes too. “Enchanted bracelets.” “But...not everyone in those movies had bracelets?” “Back legs, appeared around our feet.” “Oh. That makes sense.” I said, getting into the passenger side. Carson got into the driver’s side. He started up the car and began to drive. “So...a minivan...you a dad?” “Yeah.” He replied. “Got a four year old and a month old at home.” “Ah. Does the wife work on set?” “Different set. Plays as Nala in that Lion Guard show.” “Oh...Is she a lion or…?” “Yeah, she’s a lion.” “So kids are…” “Hybrids. Common among Magical creatures.” “Oh. So, that cutie mark stuff is all made up?” “Yeah. We all have to wear cuts of green sheets on our flanks so they can edit in the cutie marks.” “Heh. So how did you get the job?” “Was just auditioning for parts. Originally was auditioning for the role of Shining Armor. Accent made them decide to put me where I am. Don’t mind now, back then they didn’t specify what they were looking for.” “Oh. So is the pay good?” Carson chucked at that. “At first it paid alright, but with my character appearing more often and having some more screen time I’ve been paid much more.” “Cool...So...what’s Barbara like?” “Heh, before I answer than I want you to answer something else. Do you know what kind of dragon she is?” “Um...No, not really.” “She’s an Air dragon.” “Never heard of a dragon like that.” “And for good reason, they’re a… rare breed. Dying out.” “What? Why?” “Pollution. They are made of the same stuff other dragons are, only with air replacing the water in normal living things bodies. Pollution in the air poisons the body when they use their magic and abilities. They’ve always been a rare breed, but now there’s only about a few hundred in the world now.” “Oh...:” I said, looking at the scenery to take my mind off of that sad fact. Wars between the magical creatures and humans were almost always about progress. Whether it was expanding borders or resources. Only reason we co-exist now is because their magic was both a resource and a threat, and we made nukes. Not even the toughest magical creature can survive one of them going off. “Yeah, she don’t let it get her down though, she has quite the active life.” Carson said, snapping me out of my thoughts. “What’s she do?” “Charities, public gardening events, commercials. I’m sure you’ve seen those.” “Some, most I saw were for snacks and about Hollywood.” “Yeah, some she does voice over/narrations for pet shelters. All in all she does most of them looking like she does on set.” On set? I thought. “Does she look different?” Carson then looked at me, and gave a sly smile. “Oh you are in for a treat.” Carson said, speeding and catching me by surprise as he did. Okay...now I’m worried. After an hour long drive we made it to the set, Carson said there was someone inside to take me to see Barbara then left since his kids would be out of school soon. I walked in and barely dodged a cream pie being thrown at me. “Dang it! Missed!” I looked and saw my attacker. Mrs. Cake? “So, you’re the lucky winner of the studio’s contest?” “Uh, yeah...um…” I ask, trying not to be rude and not getting my point across very well. “Oh, name’s Deva. And to answer any questions, no I am not married to my on set husband in real life, I am single actually, kids that are “ours” are actually my sisters foals. And despite being in my late thirties to early forties on the show I am actually only twenty eight in real life. Makeup and a chubby suit. That episode with Pear Butter was actually me without all the makeup and fat suit. Well, you know, I was playing me in that episode, not Pear Butter.” “I get it.” I reply, getting the jist of what Deva was saying. “So, where’s Barbara?” “In her dressing room. She’s rather excited to meet you too. She thought the winner would choose one of the ‘main six’ not her.” “Heh, guess I made her day huh?” “More like made her week, this week.” Deva joked. “So, let’s go.” She said, leading the way as I followed. The walk was...interesting, to say the least. Magical creatures lived in my home town, but there were only...fifteen max that I knew, they’re everywhere here. Many I knew from the shows they stared in, others I didn’t recognize. We soon reached what looked kinda like a hotel within the studio walls. Deva pushed the button for the third floor in the elevator and it went up. When the doors opened I walked out, and noticed Deva didn’t follow. “Um, you aren’t coming?” “Nah, I’m late for a meeting with the script writers, tell Barbara I said hi, just look for the door with her name on it, Kay?” “Um. Sure.” I reply as the elevator doors closed. It was a long, roomy hallway full of nothing but doors, paintings, and wall hugging tables with either a fancy vase of fake plant on it. Ten doors in on the left I finally found the door with Barbara’s name on it. I knocked. “Come in.” I heard Barbar’s normal voice from commercials and radio talk shows speak. I opened the door, finding lots of rather large, fluffy dressed placed around. A flat screen was playing Game of Thrones, and there was a really big makeup table with a large mirror with light bulbs all around it. Fancy for such a little dragon. “Hello there.” I froze, turning around...and turned to stone. Barbara was...DRASTICALLY different from how she is on the show. She’s an easy seven feet tall, a...well built body that would put any human woman to shame, a face that was sharp, yet curved and formed to perfect beauty and...those...rather large…(gulp) boobies. If that dress wasn’t holding them in… “Um, are you alright?” She asked...everything going black. “Uggh.” I moan. What...happened? “Good, you woke up.” Barbara’s voice said, making me wake up to full alertness. She was...Spike sized now. “Sorry, I don’t usually show my real body to others… Hopefully this makes you feel more comfortable?” I inhaled deeply. “A little.” I say with a squeak. “How...do you do that?” Barbara took a seat on the couch I just realized I was laying on. She must have put me here after I...did I really faint… “Do you know what an Air Dragon is?” She asked. “S...sorta. I know Carson told me you were one.” “Yes, and as an Air dragon, we control air. We are a...cousin to Wind Dragons, while they can make the winds move at will, we can only control the air around us and alter our bodies.” “Alter your bodies?” “Yes. While my scales can withstand heat, sharp knives and blunt hits like any other dragons, our bodies are made up of mostly air, held in by our flexible, expandable bodies. Because of this, we can take in air and reshape our bodies to any form, or expel it and take smaller forms. When I am in this form.” She said, waving a claw over herself. “This is me with as little air as possible. The body you saw me in that...made you faint, is me with a normal amount of air. Normally we have to control how the air inside us shapes our bodies, but there is a…”Sweet Spot” where it’s not too much, not too little, and we don’t have to think about how our bodies are shaped. It’s natural.” “Oh...okay, I think I get that.” I replied, sitting back up. “I just didn’t expect you to look so…” “Attractive?” “Yeah...that’s not a bad thing! I mean…” “Relax.” She said, patting my knee. “It’s actually why when I’m in public I am typically in this body. The fans know it, and I’m not always being hit on by any male with a boner.” I gulped. “Heh, I guess. So...how old are you?” “Twenty four. My birthday is next month so I’m looking forward to that. How old are you?” “Sixteen. My birthday is months away.” “Sorry again for, you know, fainting.” “Heh, it’s alright. It was actually kind of refreshing. Most males who see my real body usually just hit on me, or want a quick one nighter.” “R-really?” “Yes. They think since I have a busty body I’m slutty.” “Some guys are jerks I guess. I come from a small town so most jerks are like that because their parents were the town jerks before them and so on.” “Heh, sounds peaceful.” “It is, it’s one of those small towns, apple pie, simple life places where just about everyone knows everyone.” “Any magical creatures live there?” “Yeah, a few. Nothing like here though.” “I grew up around magical creatures. When I saw my first human in real life, I kinda didn’t know how to react. They weren’t offended or anything, they just laughed it off.” “Heh, one of my friends if a magical creature. He’s a gnome. It works out since my high school's mascot is the Greenville Gnomes. He gets free tickets and such to just about every game, and I get to tag along.” “Heh. Well, I cleared my whole week, and the next shooting for Season fifteen isn’t starting til late october. I have a few places we can kill some time, and my guest room is all set up. Is there anything you’d like to do first though?” “Huh…” I thought, reading and hearing a lot about Hollywood but not knowing much about it. “I guess...The Hollywood sign is a good place to start.” “Great. I’ll be right back.” Barbara said, getting up and sprinting to what looked like a closet. I heard something like a really long intake of breath and saw her walk back out. She was as tall as she was before, before I fainted, bit she was...thinner. She was flat chested now and not as muscular looking, her scales on her head hung to the side like hair and she was wearing jogging clothes. “This is my out in public body.” She explained...her voice different now, a bit higher pitched. “Different voice too. A mix of how Spike talks and how my normal voice is.” “What about your scales? Doesn’t the color draw suspicion?” “I never show my real body, plus when I’m Spike I’m tiny, they think I’m a child on set. I did have one lady ask if I was my own mother.” I laughed. “That must have been awkward.” “It was. But I laughed and said most air dragons have purple scales. It’s not entirely a lie, but only those related to each other have the same color spikes going from our heads to our tails. But that’s a secret between us.” She said with a wink. “Okay.” I said, winking back. “Oh, I almost forgot. My name is Wes by the way.” “I know.” Barbara said, taking my hand and pulling me up. I blushed. “I read it on the paperwork you filled out before you came here. Come on, let’s go. If you’re hungry there’s a nice restaurant I know. It’s a drive away, but totally worth it.” “Okay. Let's go, after airplane food I’ll eat anything else.” Barbara’s car was exactly what I expected from Hollywood. Convertible, Bright red...and a Ferrari. “How much did this cost you?” I ask. “Half a mil.” Barbara replied. “Seriously?” “It was the latest model. Built in GPS, Wi-Fi, mini fridge in the back, and seven cup holders. Three up front, four in the back.” “Cool.” I replied, taking in the scenery. “So, what’s the plan?” “First, we go see the Hollywood sign, then after that we go the the restaurant I mentioned.” “Okay. So, how long have you been here?” “You mean living in Hollywood?” “Yeah.” “Since the show started. Well, a month beforehand. I used to live in Idaho.” “Seriously?” “Yes. Everytime I tell someone that they can’t believe I came from the potato state. I was born and raised in Boise, the state capitol. It was a small city, like small town meets big city. I had an average childhood. Was a cheerleader in highschool, was also on the tennis team. When I graduated I did two years of college. Majored in Mathematics, minored in acting. Mostly so I wouldn’t have too much free time.” “Mathematics?” “Yeah...I wanted to be a teacher.” “How did you become an actress then?” “Parent got sick. Dad got lung cancer, mom was taking care of him and my baby brother. We really needed money and my acting teacher from college heard about my situation and said a studio called him looking for young new talent. Magical creatures mainly. He told me that they were looking for a small creature. Lizard or dragon preferred so we did a video showing off my ability to change size. I also used my abilities to alter my voice and a week after mailing it in I got a letter saying I had the part and a plane ticket with a pre-paid hotel.” “They liked you that much?” “Yeup. After filming the first episode and getting my paycheck for the acting I used the money to help pay for my dad’s surgery. All the money after the episode aired, my small percentage from toy sales of Spike it all just came in so fast. I moved my family out of Idaho and here in Hollywood. My little brother and parents live with me also, so get ready for that.” “Heh, what are they like?” “Dad’s old fashioned, he didn't’ like the idea of me acting at first bit after seeing that I wasn’t acting by flaunting my body and abilities he accepted it. Mom loved the idea, she opened up her dream store, a coffee shop, where my dad also works in as my dad is the kind of drake that has no ambitions and only cares about getting by and working whatever job he can. Baby bro is in fifth grade now and has lots of friends. I think he wants to act like me one day.” “Heh, can’t blame him.” “Mom says the same thing.” “So, what kind of house do you live in?” “Small on the outside, bigger on the inside.” “Is that a Doctor Who reference?” “Yeah, his Tardis is magic made. Was the first of it’s kind to be like that. People from both sides who have that kind of cash to have a home like that spend a lot on it. Heck, I’m still paying it off.” “For how much longer?” “Til my grandkids have grand kids.” “Yikes.” “Yeah, only reason the Doctor Who people have theirs payed off is because it was the first.” “How many people have houses like that?” “Not sure. I know it’s not many.” The rest of the ride was small talk until finally we made it to the Hollywood sign. Part of it anyway. The actual sign was fenced off, but there was areas set up for viewing it. “It’s...big.” I say, taking pictures with my phone. “Yeah...So Wes, you wouldn’t happen to go by WesFox online would you?” I froze. “H-how did…” “I might have had a small background check done. There are some freaks out there, so can’t be too careful.” “Heh...fair enough...so...you know about those commissiones pictures?” “Yes, and I must ask, did you discribe how I should look to the artist or did they just draw me that way?” “I, uh...Described in detail.” “Wow, well I must say, you got really close to how I am in real life. Even got my favorite dress down nicely.” “Heh...why do you have a dress that fluffy in real life anyway?” “I like to pretend I’m a princess, every girl does at one point.” “Heh, true enough. Well, I guess with your fame and clearly high pay check, you kinda are a princess…. Did you have anything to do with that Princess Spike episode?” Barbara merely giggeled. “That’s between me, and my friend on the script writing staff.” The Hollywood sign was fun, there was a lot of pictures taken and Barbara insisted we both be in each. I didn’t mind...but found it kind of odd. We drove to the restaurant, it was a fancy looking chinese place. Once inside it turned out to be a buffet. Barbara paid for the meal at the front desk and we went to a table. Once our drinks arrived, a Sprite for me and a Pepsi for her, then we got up and filled some plates. “So, how long have you been coming here?” I asked, taking a bite of some chinese noodles. “Pretty much since I first moved here. This place has cheap meals, good food, and allowed food for take out for five bucks. I ate here just about every day those first few months on set.” Barbara replied, taking a bite of some mac and cheese. “How was everyone back then?” “On set?” I nodded. “They haven’t changed much, the main characters were all friends before the show, though, the rolls they auditioned for are different than what they got.” “Really?” “Yes, Twilight’s actress went for the role of Applejack, Applejack’s actress went for the role of Pinkie. Pinkie’s went for the role of Rarity, Rarity’s went for the role of Rainbow Dash, Rainbow Dash's went for Rarity’s role, and Fluttershy’s went for Twilight’s role.” “So none of them wanted the Fluttershy role?” “Well it was the role of a shy, soft spoken mare who was scared of everything. Took them long enough for her to get her character to be more like her actress.” “Heh, true. What about the Princesses...are they sisters in real life?” “Heh, well they are family, “Luna” or her real name, Nancy, is really “Celestia” aka, Heather’s daughter.” I dropped my fork. “Seriously?” “Yup, Heather is in her forties and looking good, her daughter is twenty three and enjoying her role. Though, playing sisters with your mother is hard. There were several times “Luna” called “Celestia” Mom instead of sister.” “How come none of this in on the internet?” “The studio keeps this stuff on the hush hush, I mean, what kind of multi million dollar toy and tv company lets secrets out so easy, it’s like hacking them by using a glitch in their own website. It just doesn’t happen.” “Heh, true enough. So, when you’re not acting, what are you doing?” “Mostly I’m at home relaxing, playing some video games or watching some of my personal favorite shows.” “Like what?” “Well I’m still pretty much a giant kid, so it’s mostly cartoons. The Loud House is good, the original Teen TItans...I still can’t believe that crappy Teen Titans Go is still going on…” “I know. The blinding colors.” “The horrid story.” “The stupid...everything.” “And the theme song.” “Gage me.” We both said, noticing that and laughing. “Hey...can I ask you something?” I asked. “Sure.” “How come...at the Hollywood sign, you just…” “Seemed overly excited?” “Yeah…” “...Well, after the, uh, background check, I saw we have a lot in common. Music, tv, movies, and...I don’t actually have any friends…” “What about the people on set?” “While we know about each other, we all have our own lives. We don’t really hang out much, only on set and when we all have to go to conventions and such.” “So...you want to be friends...with me.” Barbara nodded, looking sheepish...and adorably cute. “Well...that’s...something I’m willing to do.” Barbara’s face lit up. “Really?” “Yup.” I said, raising my soda. She did the same and we “clanked glasses” “To friendship.” “It’s magic.” Barbara said, the two of us laughing and enjoying the rest of the meal. > Chapter 2: Date > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- We left the restaurant will full bellies and some more insight on one another. For example, we are both gamers, both find sports video games as a bizarre alternate to fantasy sports, and the Fallout games are the best Si-Fi games, but The Elder Scrolls, are the best Fantasy ones, and we agreed that it was because they are from the same company. So in short, Sports video games make no sense, and Bethesda rocks all around. With the sun going down she figured it was time to head home, and therefore, time to meet her family. Needless to say, I was nervous. The drive to her house was oddly long, as her house is in the more mountainous area. A drive up the side of a mountain later, we arrived at her home. It looked like a nice house, being, at least how it looked, made from bricks and wood. It was a nice looking place, all fenced in with a waist high white picket fence. All in all, a very nice place. Barbara opened the door, and I followed her inside. Inside was like any house I'd see back home. Roomy, cozy, TV, family photos everywhere...and the smell of food cooking coming from the kitchen. “Mom, Dad, Bro, I’m home!” Barbara called out, to which a tall, male version of Barbara came out. “Hi daddy.” She said, going up and hugging him. “Hey sweetie.” He said, hugging her back. He looked up and saw me. “So, this is the guest your bosses dumped on you?” “Dad.” Barbara said, voice stern as she broke the hug. “He won a contest and chose to spend this week with me. And let’s be honest, that guest bedroom was never going to be used otherwise.” “He’s a small thing, even for a human.” Barbara’s father said, making me blush. I always was shorter than others. Which is odd cause my build hasn’t changed since I was little, that area where I’m fit but not in shape, that ‘bummer’ body, if you will. “Dad…” “Ah, I’m just messing with him.” The drake said, walking over to me and holding out a claw. “Name’s Devaro, and you are?” “Wes. Uh, Sir!” “Heh, afraid of me are ya? Like you already.” He said, patting my shoulder. “So, bet you didn’t expect to win a contest did ya?” “No, not really. Most I’ve won was fourth place in my elementary school spelling bee.” “What you misspell?” “Avocado...” I groan, remembering spelling it with two A’s rather than one. “Eh, it’s one of those words you really never spell out.” Devaro said. “Well, come on, ;let me show you the wife.” He said, leading me into the kitchen, where an older, less...busy version of Barbara was cooking, though, her spine scales were longer when they hung off to the side and they weren’t green, they were blue. “Wes, this is my wife, Carla.” “Nice to meet you.” Carla said, giving a nod with a warm smile. “Barbie has been talking all about this week.” “Mom!” Barbara shouted, embarrassed. “Barbie?” I asked. “Her nickname since this one christmas where we got her a set of barbie toys. For that whole new year she called herself Barbie and wanted to live in a ‘Dream house’.” I burst out laughing. “Oh my god!” “Mom…” Barbara said, defeated. “Barbar!” I turned around, seeing a much smaller, slightly taller purple drake with Barbara’s same green spine scales jump out from somewhere and onto her back. “Where ya been sis?” Barbara smiled as she grabbed the little drake and pulled him off her back and into a hug. “Work, we have a special guest that will be staying here with us for a while.” She then looked over at me. “Wes, this is my little bro, Marco.” “Hi.” Marco said, waving at me as Barbara put him down. “Heh, hey there little guy.” I said, giving a smile. “So, when will dinner be done mom?” Barbara asked. “About an hour. Why don’t you show off the house to our guest here, and show him the guest room too.” Carla asked, Barbara nodding. “Come on Wes.” Barbara said, leading me out of the kitchen and though the house. Her living room was large, lots of room, a big flat screen tv, large comfy couch, loveseat, and a nice hardwood floor. Down the hallway was several closed doors. Bedrooms, I assumed. The open doors were all bathrooms. Large bathrooms. Each having two showers, a pool sized tub, STALLS for the toilets, and four sinks. “Why so...many?” I asked. “Family pops in unannounced often. Most of the near infinite other rooms this house has we just put a bed, dresser, few tables and chairs with a tv in them. Will take a while to actually decorate them all.” “So it’s not infinite?” “Well, yes and no. This house is a pocket dimension, so it’s currently as big as we want it, but the bigger we make it, the more power we pull...and the bigger the bill.” “Ah. So it’s as big as you can afford.” “Exactly.” Barbara said, opening a door to one of the rooms she said was lightly decorated. Hey, my bags are here. “Studio dropped your stuff off here while we were at the Hollywood sign and mom called saying she placed it here. You can unpack it all and such. Take a nap or something and if you aren’t wandering around I’ll call you for dinner.” “Okay, thanks.” I said, entering the room. I left the door open a crack, and walked over to my bags. Opening a dresser, I began placing my clothes into them. WIth that done I grabbed my phone and the charger, plugging it in. It was eight forty three, and I was rather tired. I set my alarm to ring for half an hour, thinking a quick nap would be nice. I quickly turned off the lights and got into the bed. It was firm, and the pillow was soft. The darkness of sleep took me quick. ”Hey Wes, you hear about the contest Hasbro is having? Winner gets to spend a week with the MLP cast member of their choice.” “Yeah, I don’t think I’ll enter though.” “What?! Why?!” “It’s all probably gonna be fees and money to pay just to have the application submitted. You know my family is always tight on money.” “No way, I entered second I heard about it, just fill out a form with info on where you live and the cast member you want to spend the week with. It’s free.” “Still, thousands of people, magical and human are going to be entering. From what I heard the winner will be declared in a month, out of all those people, what are the odds you or I win?” “One in how ever many people enter it.” “Har har. I just don’t think it’s worth the time.” “Tell you what, how’s about after school, we play some Left 4 Dead, VS match. If I win, you enter the contest, if you win, then I drop it.” “Fine. But I’ve been playing a lot of that recently, don’t expect me to go down easy.” “I’ll count on that. Wouldn’t be fun if it was easy.” I lost that bet, obviously. It was close. We were even, time down to the last three minutes, and I was rocking Ellis with a shotgun and dual pistols. There were several specials, all but one AI allie was dead, and when I was reloading he jumped on me, being a hunter, while my last allie was swarmed and fell by a horde or normal infected. I accepted my defeat and submitted the form that same day. Didn’t expect to win...not in a million years. I woke up, feeling something...soft. Damn, these are good pillows. I opened my eyes. ...Why are these pillow breathing? “Sorry Wes…” Barbara said, the two of us up and sitting on the bed. At some point she turned off the alarm and got into bed with me and was cuddling. “I uh...Kinda wanna know why?” I ask, confused and slightly feeling violated and…other teenage things. “I just...I have always slept hugging a body pillow. And hugging my mom, dad or little bro when it happens is nice, but...I don’t know...Guess I just wasn’t thinking really.” She admitted, looking confused...and cute… Stop, she’s older than you, you are seventeen, and she’s… Wait… “Barbara...Have you ever had a boyfriend?” I ask. She blushed furiously. Oh...My...God. “Not one?” “...No. Like I said, most males see me and think I’m easy cause of how my “normal” body is, and the few females I tried only were interested in my body...so they were as bad as the males.” “So when you did a background check on me…” “I was hoping you were nice. Government data only tells so much.” “So...what you’re saying is…” “...I was hoping for a...relationship…” I had a mix of joy, confusion, and fear rush though my body. It felt like my everything dropped into my gut. “Uhhh...You know I am still a minor right? Least until a few more months.” “I know. I just...you are such a nice guy, literally the only nice male I’ve met other than my dad, brother and Carson.” “Do your parents…?” “Yeah...why do you think they didn’t come in sooner?” Okay, I know she’s hot, open this, and I’d be the envy of every brony on the planet...but I can’t take advantage of her because of this. That would make me no better than the jerks she had those experiences with. I thought, desire fighting with morality in my head. “So… you’re really desperate, huh?” Why the heck did I just say that!? “Heh...very.” She admitted, rubbing her arms. Damn it, think of something?! As panic starts settling in, I got an idea. It’s not the best, but it will do. “Okay...How about this… We can…” I gulped. “Date, for this week and if something forms...then when I turn eighteen we can make it official.” Why did I just say that! Idiot! You already have a crush on her from her look alone and the small time you spent with her! You just dig your own grave! I was suddenly tacked to the ground...and a rather...large...soft...pair was against my face. “Oh thank you!” Barbara cheared. Can’t breath. Nose bleed incoming. Yup, gonna die. Dinner was... awkward. To put it into word. Barbara's mother seemed Happy and her father seemed… alright with it. He wasn't acting...protective, but I was ready to run. Air or not, those claw could still slice me dead. “We are so glad you accepted Barbie’s request Wes.” Her mother said, passing a bowl of mixed veggies to Barbara's little brother. “Well...it's more of a test or trial run but she asked nicely.” I replied. Watching my words. “We trust you'll treat her better than other males have in the past.” Her father said. “I will do my best.” “So Wes, what should we do tomorrow?” Barbara asked, her seat next to mine. “I uh… Not sure. Beach maybe? Never seen the ocean before.” “Sounds like fun. Maybe we can go fishing too.” She added. “It has been a while since we went fishing.” Her dad added. “Maybe we can come alone too? Would  that be alright Barbie?” Her mom asked. “Sure. Been a while since we all did something together.” Barbara said. “Did you pack a swimsuit Wes?” “Huh? Oh, no. My town doesn't even have a public pool so I don't own one.” I answered. “Looks like we get to go shopping before we hit the beach then.” My town has a small strip mall, five stores, not including the Wal-Mart, but the mall Barbara and her family took me to could easily hold my towns population and have plenty of room for more. I didn't even know buildings could be this big. I mean, I Know about skyscrapers and such but to actually see them.. And here I thought the Wal-Mart was huge. I picked out a simple red swim trunks and sunscreen. Barbara also apparently bought a new bikini… yeah I can take a guess as to why. I thought about that, and found it odd. She had bad experiences with males because they only liked her for her body, yet I have a feeling she’ll be using that to her advantage for this. After all… I did faint when I saw her in that fluffy dress in her “normal” form. Being in a skin tight bikini in her “normal” form or altered…I’m gonna die. A short drive later, we were now at a white sandy beach with blue ocean water for...forever. I’ve seen it on tv, pictures, and in magazines… In person is… A whole other experience. “Hey Wes~” Barbara's voice called out, taking my attention away from the scenery...and into a lewd anime. Barbara was running towards me...in slow motion, must just be the sudden adrenaline rush hitting me, wearing a rather stringy bikini top with just triangles covering her nipples. And her bikini bottom was rather small too...thank god it was also covered by a mini skirt of sorts… nope, not anywhere near enough. Nose bleed coming. “H-hey.” I say weakly, holding my nose closed with both hands while a hot blush turns my face a dark shade of red. “So, you like~?” She asked...her breasts inflating before my very eyes as I see her take a rather long and deep breath. “I think he does Barbie.” Barbara's mom said, walking up next to us, wearing a yellow full body swimsuit. “And please dear, don't break him.” “Come on mom, I’m not that bad.” Her mother then motioned over to me, blood trickling out my nose despite the pressure I was applying. “...so take it down a peg or two?” “Try just being the way you acted yesterday.” She said, walking off and leaving us alone together. Barbara exhaled, her breasts shrinking back to their “normal” size. “Heh...sorry.” She said blushing. “I-it's alright.” I stutter. You're just excited is all.” I say pullings out some tissue I grabbed before we left the house for just such an event. “So...what should we do?” “Well… Sandcastles?” She asked. Huh...well playing with the sand at the playground was always fun. “Sure. Let's find a spot.” Looking for an empty spot to build a Sandcastle was harder than it should have been. There was just so many people. Finally we found a spot near the water and got to work. Most kids have special buckets to fill with sand and there's a tower. Even when I was little I hated that. I used my hands and was pretty good at it. When I entered middle school art class and we were working with clay that talent stuck, I only used the tools I needed and made a pretty good replica of my dog. Old habits kicked in as I began picking up and packing the sand in places and molding it to form my desired shapes. I’m not sure how much time passed but I made a fair sized castle, moat, three four feet tall towers, a foot tall wall connecting them all, and the pesents and such were all rocks, sea shells, and sticks. It was nice. “Wow.” Barbara said, kneeling down next to me and looking at my work. “It's amazing. If there was a competition, you'd be in the top ten.” I chuckled. “It's just a castle.” “A really good one. If I tried to make something like this it would have fallen over already.” I shrugged. “Dad always said I had a surgeons touch. You should see me work with clay.” “Heh. Just needs a giant monster to attack the castle and it could be the rough draft of a movie.” “Heh. Yeah, attack of the fifty foot dragoness.” I joke, looking at Barbara as she gave me a smile… “aww come on. It looks awesome.” “The waves will knock it over if it's left alone here. Or some jerk with nothing better to do.” I sighed. “Fine.” I say, caving in. Sad all that work is gonna be undone, but I guess that would have happened either way. Barbara then stood up. “Oh look, a tiny castle. Time to make it rubble.” She said, acting a monstrous dragon poorly, likely on purpose. I laughed, knowing she's a good actress and seeing her act badly on purpose was rather funny. She playfully shipped one of the three towers into a sandpile before stepping through the wall like from the beginning of Attack on Titan. Taking out the other two towers she then...slightly expanded her butt and jumped up, slamming it Down on the castle...why was that hot… No! Bad Wes! You are not a perv! “That was fun.” Barbara said, snapping me out of my mental self discipline. As she got up her exact butt imprint was In the sand… Stop it! “Y-yeah. So, what next?” She asked” dusting the sand off her butt. “um...ice cream?” “Sounds good. Think I saw a snack stand some ways back. Come on.” True to her claim a snack bar was where she said. I ordered a vanilla and she got a strawberry. We just walked around the beach, made small talk and enjoyed the sights. We caught back up with her parents and little brother, who seemed to be enjoying their fishing spot on a pair that went at least half a mile into the ocean. “Hey Wes.” Barbara's dad said, getting up and handing me his fishing pole. “Mind if I see how you cast a rode?” “Um...sure. Fishing on a lake can't be too different from the ocean.” I say, reeling it in and checking the bate. It was still there so I set the rod to cast when I threw it, lifted it overhead and cast quick and rather fa- Why is there a small kite on it? “AAAHH!” I heard a shrike. I turned around and saw Barbara...covering herself...topless. I reeled it back it...and her small bikini top was hooked on by one of the straps… My nose bled then I hit the pier floor, darkness taking me. A single thought running through my head as it did. When did my life become a romance comedy anime? > Chapter 3: Best Birthday Ever > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The rest of the week I spent with Barbara went by...similar to that fashion at the beach. I can’t lie, I have grown very fond of her, but I know I’m still seventeen, and she’s in her twenties. Relationships between humans and magical creatures have always been allowed, especially in the modern age, but a year before eighteen will get her in jail or some very bad press given her fame. So, we kept out little romance a secret, even after I had to return home at the weeks end. Between my the day I returned home to my small town and eighteenth birthday we secretly called and ideo chatted each other often. She would mail me things...expensive things… It’s not that I didn’t appreciate them it’s just I felt odd accepting them. I mean, last week she mailed me an Alienware gaming desktop with all the latest stuff, then later that day I found out I somehow had over five hundred dollars in my steam account. It was...amazing to have but...It felt wrong to accept it. Then again, Barbara hasn’t had too many friends, and now with our dating her habits of trying in many ways to keep me so are popping up...but in the wrong way. I already explained to her that I loved her for her, not her cash, or body...which I am not going to lie is drop dead hot, I love her for her. She seemed to understand, but I know she’s likely not going to stop. I use the PC but I made a new steam account and played through it. I didn’t to touch that money, it just felt...wrong. Oh yeah, when my parents and friend asked about my suddenly acquired expensive toys, I just said some of the actors from my trip mailed them to me as early birthday gifts. It wasn’t a total lie, Carson sent me an Ipad, the newest model, otterbox, and a fifty dollar apple store gift card. Deva sent me one of those form changing rings so now whenever I want I can put it on and become my OC. My eighteenth birthday is on a few days now and Barbara said she’d be stopping by for the big reveal. As you can imagine, nervous doesn't even begin to describe how I’m feeling. Most we’ve done is hold hands but something tells me she’ll try something… I’ll accept a kiss, anything more I’d rather it wait till I’m twenty. “Happy birthday dear Wes! Happy birthday to you!” My parents and friend sang once they lit the candles on my birthday cake. I know, eighteen now and I still get sung the birthday song. Hey, they’re old fashioned and I don’t have the heart to say no to them. I blew out the candles and made my wish, how adult, right? I just wish Barb could be here. She called late last night saying she was in town, in her normal form since few people knew how she really looked. There’s only one motel in town, and the distance even by walking from there to my place is just a few hours. Less by bike. Knowing Barb she likely has a car, at least a rental. Beep! Beep! “Was that, a car horn?” My mom asked, the rest of my friends and family looking towards the door and windows. They were all silent. I got up and looked, and froze… They were setting up a concert, of sorts. Games, booths, a large stage in the middle of the road. The whole town was coming into our neighborhood. We all walked out too out of curiosity. “Hey, what’s going on?” My mom asked the barber. “Mayor said some Celebrity payed a LOT of money to literally rent the town for a party.” He replied. “What, what kind of celebrity would rent out a whole town? Let alone our small town?” ...So that was Barb’s plan...Overkill love, very overkill. I chuckled, and started running into the setup. Knowing her, she’s here! “Son, where are you going!?” My dad called out. I stopped, turning around with a big smile on my face. “I’m gonna see the one who rented the town!” I then continued my run into the crowd, side stepping and passing by everybody, some said happy birthday, others just said hi. I ran passed my subdivision. So much stuff was being set up, and I didn’t care. I just wanted to find her. That was...a birthday to remember. The party was a week long, nothing but food, music, more food, more music, and Barb. I found her exiting the mayor's office, dressed in her large puffy ball gown. She quickly had me fitted for a tux and we danced like a scene from a fairy tale. It was nice. While the town celebrated my birthday in style, Barb and I spent it more...simply. We gamed, watched Tv, YouTube...kissed. French kissed. That was a trial and error since her tongue is like a snakes and her teeth are sharp as hell, but we figured it out. We told my parents and they didn’t seem to care she wasn’t human, nor a celebrity, they were just happy their goofball son finally found someone. My best friend about fainted, then tried to hit on her. That was a side of Barb I had never seen before, territorial/protective...It’s hot. We quickly became the talk of the town and the internet, Barb now revealing her true form to the world as well as her love for me, and mine to hers. That’s likely why the party lasted so long since people of all races, Magical and mortal, celebrity, most from Barbs work, and news people came to party and report on the party. Finally though it ended, Barb had somehow moved her house to a few streets away from mine and she just used it’s Doctor who logic to go to work and back. I got work in the towns movie theater, it’s a 24 hour theater so it’s open all night and day, since some of the towns magical residents are nocturnal. I normally worked the day or evening shifts but tonight I was stuck with the Nocturnal shifts. Mom had to give me a sleeping pill after breakfast this morning so I could sleep til dinner to get ready for work. Started at midnight, leaving at seven in the morning. It’s not too bad, some people came in, most horror movie nuts wanting some thrills. It was a slow night over all. Co-workers of mine say that depending on the movies being played the Nocturnal shift can be as busy as a day shift. Sadly all the movies on have been out for a while now and in a small town those than come in to watch are either just late to watch it or are watching it again before they can buy the DVD or see it on Netflix. At the moment now though there was no one in the theater, which sucked. Since the bosses know it’s a slow season I’m the only one on staff too. I mean, this isn’t a big theater, there’s only four showing rooms, each switching which movies they play daily. Part of me wanted to head into theater two and see the new Godzilla remake, the other half knew that if I left and someone came in wanting a ticket and I wasn’t here that the boss would have me on theater floor and bathroom cleanup for a month. Strict old geizer. Still, the money wasn’t bad, only reason I have this job is so when Barb is away filming I don’t just sit around my or her house, besides, living off her would make me feel like a leach, and since I was now eighteen, out of school, and largely board, I needed a distraction. Thud. ...What was that? THUD! Shit! Earthquake?! In this part of america!? “Oh Wes~” That voice! Suddenly the whole front entrance of the theater was torn open, a giant purple claw reaching in and grabbing me. “I wanted to watch Godzilla, not king kong!” I yelled. I was raised up at least six stories when I saw her face, a face I’d recognize anywhere. Barb stood at six stories high, wearing her signature puffy dress, and looked amazing as always. “Barb?! I didn’t know you could get THIS big?” “Hehe, yeah, it’s a pain to stretch this much but I thought you’d find it hot.” She replied. “W-what gave you that idea?” “I saw your internet history.” “Oh…” She giggled, and despite her size, gave me a rather soft kiss on m head. The air and slight wetness of her lips making my hair stand up, making her laugh as I laughed along fixing my hair back down. I went for a long hair look a month ago, it’s not bad but I’m gonna get it cut come next paycheck. “So, how’s work?” “Boring, if anyone but you did that damage I’d either have to pay for it or be fired on the spot.” I said, fixing my hair flat now. “Well, in that case, how’s about a little hooky, huh~” She asked, giving me a wink. I blushed. “What kind of hooky?” I ask. Last time she had me play hookie I found myself in Japan, the both us us newborn nude, my V-card apparently swiped ten times over. It was like I was living The Hangover. All the proof was on an HD camera pointed at the bed...yeah… We deleted it but since then have has sex whenever privacy let us be… Her abilities at their finest. She smiled, putting me on the top of her nose. It was fairly flat, let her keep an eye on me and gave me a great view of the town. She, despite her size and dress, started walking around, carefully trying and failing to avoid stepping on cars and fences. It was like a cheesy Godzilla movie. I couldn’t help but laugh. This was funny and frankly was kind of hot. She slipped when we came to the highway, her large butt making a crater in its shape. We laughed, she got back up and kept me in her hand for this part as we made it to the ocean. It was nice. It’s still dark out and there wasn’t anyone on the beach. Barb put me down and she began undressing. I blushed. I’ve seen her naked already but at this size everything is just more...visible. Surprisingly, under her favorite puffy dress she wore a...rather revealing bikini. “Like?” She asked as all I could do was nod stupidly. She laughed as she began walking into the water. Her backside was rather visible...it was a european bikini bottom… Hey wait. “Barb!” I shouted out to her. “Yes?” She replied simply, half way into the water already, but her butt still above it. “Why is there a Tattoo on your butt? That wasn’t there before!” “Oh that? It’s new. Wanted something you can look at and be proud of~” I blushed at that, now understanding why her butt has a Tattoo saying Property of Wes… “That’s uh...nice, and a tad embarrassing.” “Isn’t it true though?” She asked. I jumped. I didn’t even see or hear her move down, her face/head now in front of me. “You took my virginity.” “You also took mine.” “True, but I know which parts of me you eye the most. I just thought you’d like the commitment.” “I do, really but...we aren’t even married yet and-” “Yet?” Barb asked, her expression confused. “Wes...are you implying you...want to propose?” I was speechless. Red hot from blush and fright. I was, have been for a long time really now...but I chicken out whenever I get to the jewelry store. “I….yes. Every time I get to a Jewelry store I chicken out and leave. I know you love me, and I love you so much Barb… I just feel like proposing would be rushing a bit too fast. I mean, I just turned eighteen a few months ago and if it got out we’re marrying now press will be...well, nuts.” “Wes.” She said, using her parge finger to knock me to the ground and keep me pinned as she looked at me. “I get it. Our relationship has been...rushed, but it’s because we both care for each other deeply. Mom used to tell me that when Air Dragon's rush into a relationship it’s because they just...click, with their spouse.” “Wait, so it’s normal for your culture?” I asked. I wasn’t trying to squirm out or anything. I knew she wouldn’t hurt me like this. “Yes and no. It’s like what humans call True love, you just know it when it happens. If you want to take this a bit slower we can try and-” “It’s not that Barb.” I interrupted. “I just...get scared when I think about asking you. Frankly I don’t care how rushed this is, I just can’t get over my own fear of asking you.” “Hmm.” Barb humed. She took her finger off me and got up. “I’ll be right back, stay here, alright.” “Of course. You’re my ride after all.” I launched, earning a smile from her as she entered the water and dived into the deep side, well, deep for her. The water was made into a large wave that slashed me, soaking me completely, a starfish was on my head. I spit out some sea water than got into my mouth and tossed the starfish off me. I waited for a good hour before Barb resurfaced. If she were human I”d be worried. As she walked back up to dry land she also began shrinking to her normal size. Her bikini also shrank too. Part of me was sad about that. Once she was next to me she took a seat, a smile on her face. “In my culture, when a male and female wish to me life mates, the male dives into the ocean to find three pearls, and some iron to smelt and forge, by hand, an engagement ring.” She said, pulling out a ring, simply made, with three pearls embedded into it. She then took my hand, and placed the ring it it as I looked at her. “I’ve done half, now you do the rest.” She said, standing up. Quickly, I got up on one knee, breathing deeply as my nerves tried to get the best of me. “Okay, okay...Barb...Will you make *gulp* me the happiest human in this strange world of ours and marry me?” She never lost her smile, taking the ring, putting it on, then lifted me up from my sides. I always forget how strong she is, and kissed me. A kiss I returned as she put me down, our lips never parting. When the kiss ended, she was still smiling. “Of course love.” “Heh...so, what now?” “Now, we start obeying some laws.” “Wait, what?” “I didn’t pick this beach at random Wes.” She said, getting close to whisper something to me. “It’s a nude beach.” She whispered. My face turned red before a smile of my own crept it’s way to my face. “Well, we don’t want to get fined now, do we?”