Erin pulled out what almost looked like a high chair for adults, and set their meal. "I can tell you about myself while we eat," she says, as she serves the salad into his bowl. "And if you like, I can give you a ride around a path some people don't take in the park," she adds, "something I do enjoy." John wasn't just being polite, but was enjoying the salad, and was happy to keep listening as she talked. As John eats his salad, she continued, "sorry, I'm just so used to being like this, I don't even stop to think anymore that I was ever different."
John was curious, "So, you weren't always a centauress, or was there some other change?"
"Well, it's like this. I was in college. A girl was rumored to be in a family of witches. She was aloof, snotty, had a major attitude problem, and a temper to match. The rumor was that a guy tried to attack her, and he disappeared the same night. The other rumor was this wasn't the first time, and she was the youngest in a family of witches."
"As stories go, it's different, but can't argue with you standing in front of me that something must have happened. So, you did something to upset her?"
"Intentionally. "
"Intentionally? Really?'"
"Intentionally. Really. She had been a total jerk to a couple of guys in my class, including friends. Then some girlfriends I had at the school mentioned she was a bit tough to take and was making threats. Really wacky stuff, none of it could be believed until you had that information about her being a witch and actually using it on people. Until that point, I never had any idea I could get transformed. It was always just fantasy, then suddenly it seemed possible, so I decided if she could be so bad in her way, I was perfectly within my rights to try to get her to use it for me. And someone needed at least to confront her about her bad attitude."
"And, obviously, it worked!"
"Well, no, it didn't. I goaded her about how she treated others, and she called me a bitch. Then turned me into one. Not how I was expecting it would go. No fun. One second I was me, the next I was this dog. She made a gesture, and it was done in an instant. She didn't know her parents were using a camera to keep an eye on her after hearing some of the rumors themselves. They saved me from literally living my life as a dog. They're also very nice people, and they have no clue how their daughter turned out with that attitude of hers. But, they basically apologized, told me I could choose to be anything I wanted, and I chose this. Which is what I was after in the first place. They told me any time I wanted to use their knowledge in the future, for anything, I only had to ask. That even means taking lessons, even though I can't think I have their affinity for it. But, they gladly gave me exactly what I wanted, and we've become friends. I just don't think anymore about it; this is just who I am and who I've always wanted to be." Erin noticed that John had stopped chewing, and was just listening and looking into her eyes. "As far as blind dates go, I hope this isn't just weird."
"I've had worse, even if you measure by the standards of others. But, so far, I'm amazed how well this is going. I've got someone open and honest who is starting things out by sharing things I wouldn't expect another person would even allow to be seen in public, and talking to me like a person, not just a sex object or an inferior or someone different. I'm also surprised you mention going out to eat...I mean, I'd think you would be noticed more than a bit."
"Oh, well, my friends have made it so outside my house, it's a little more difficult for people to wrap their heads around the whole situation, so people tend not to make a scene. They're only aware if I make them aware, like what I'm doing now. I just don't think much about it. And, I get around really well with this body. It's one of a great many perks."
John was silent for a moment, then said, "you know, I'm a bit jealous...a really gorgeous girl, offering to give me a ride, self-confident but just comfortable with herself and comforable to be with. I'm feeling lucky to be here. I've no idea why you'd need a blind date when you should be turning dozens of heads and have anyone around you'd want to be with."
"I want to be with someone. I've always been a bit clumsy about relationships. A friend told me enough about you, and I thought I'd like you. So far, she's been right. I'd like to get to know you." Erin took a token mouthful of the salad, trying to give John a chance to talk.
"I think I'd be more comfortable if I could run at your speed and take that jog with you. Riding my date, well, that seems a bit intimate, in the context of a ride in the park. And I have to admit you have attributes that are tempting, so it would probably be a bit stimulating as well. I guess that's a hazard of me being a guy."
"You're flattering me just by telling me you think of me so much as a girl, not a horse, not a freak, not a mindless animal."
"You're a girl. None of those other things. Why should I treat you any other way?"
"Our friend was right. You make me feel good."