As Anton was helping set up Project White Lily, the first people he invited to join it were his old bodybuilding colleagues. It wasn't just because he was familiar with them. Obviously, there were not many people who would admit they've abused steroids so Anton wouldn't know as many people who could sign up for Project White Lily. But he at least knew enough for the project to get started and surely more people will come when they've heard about the success.
Right now, Anton was entertaining three such colleagues before they were converted. It just so happened that these three gentleman all hailed from the Southern States, though each came from a different one. Amos was from the broad state of Texas and he definitely looked and sounded like he was descended from cattle punchers. Esteban was from the southern end of Florida, where Hispanic blood was kept fresh. Buford grew up on the shores of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, namely where those rivers ran through or next to Missouri. Buford often boasted of how his 'great-great-great-grandpappy' was a steamboat captain.
The three of them had competed against Anton back in the day, though they had some point or another succumbed to using steroids to give them an extra boost. And as old age was starting to catch up with them, the consequences of their misuse was becoming more apparent. Anton noticed their arms looked a bit more withered than could be contributed to aging and he noticed that Amos and Buford both had a bit of a yellowish tinge to their skin. It was hard to tell with Esteban as his skin was browner. Anton suspected that their kidneys were not as reliable as they used to be.
The three of them were currently at Anton's house, enjoying a last beer before they got converted. "So, it ain't true that ya'll can't drink alcohol, is it?" asked Amos.
"Not particularly," said Larry, who was also there, "It can still get drunk, but your taste buds might not like what's boozing you up."
"Don't think I can go cold turkey," said Buford.
"There are some people who convert just to do that," said Anton pointedly.
"Well, that ain't gonna be me," said Buford.
"I don't intend to binge," said Esteban, "But life would be duller without a good refreshment."
"So, you boys thought about what you wanted to be converted into?" asked Marlysa.
"Well, I want to bring a little Texas color here," said Amos, "So I was thinkin' of becomin' a horny toad."
"A what?" asked Larry.
"It's a kind of spiky lizard," said Anton.
"Oh, we got some of those back in Australia," said Larry, "Call 'em thorny devils."
"There are probably some differences," said Marlysa.
"Yeah. Can yer devils squirt blood outta their eyes?" asked Amos.
"You're pulling my leg," said Larry.
"I think it's more like squirting from their tear ducts, to deter predators," said Anton.
"That would certainly work on me," said Larry.
"You know, you don't all have to be lizards because we are," said Marlysa.
"I know that, senora," said Esteban, "I am actually more interested in becoming a turtle. Particularly, as Amos would call it, a gator snapper."
"Oh, an alligator snapping turtle," said Anton, "I hear those are particularly large."
"Largest freshwater turtle in the world," said Esteban, "The turtle Animalians can remove their shells, right?"
"When they've reached their full maturity, yes," said Marlysa, "The shells on the children have to grow with the rest of them before they remove them."
"Well, I ain't just becomin' another reptile," said Buford, "I got bigger plans than that."
"Let me guess, mate. Ya wanna be a big bullfrog," said Larry.
"Nope, I'm gonna be a bull shark," said Buford.
Everyone gave him a surprised look. "A bull shark? As in the sharks that can swim up rivers and cause most shark attacks?" asked Esteban.
"I don't wanna be stuck by the sea all the time," said Buford, "And bull sharks can live in freshwater."
"I don't think I've heard of anyone converting to a fish," said Marlysa.
"Me neither," said Anton, "All the fish Animalians I know of where originally just fish before being uplifted. I don't think anyone's tried to convert into a fish."
"Why not? Ya think they might drown or suffocate?" asked Amos.
"But ya got amphibians here," said Buford.
"Well, not every amphibian can breathe underwater," said Anton, "But I suppose in theory there's no reason you can't be a bull shark."
"You could definitely be a trendsetter," said Larry.
"But don't forget about the rest of White Lily, the purification programs and all that," said Marlya.
"Missy, if it'll get me ma health back, I'll agree ta anything," said Amos.
"Certainly better than watching your body shrivel up with your soul still inside it," said Esteban.
"I'm ready to start a new life," said Buford, holding up his glass in a toast. The others raised theirs as well.