To his relief the female knight stood in the living room. She'd propped Alec's body on a chair at the table. A tension he didn't know he had drained from his body. He looked exactly as they'd left it, though his pants were a bit muddy.
"Nice work!" Vivian beamed.
Andrea meanwhile threw her usual critical glance at Alec's body.
"It was lighter than I expected it to be. Found any good loot?" The knight looked at the bag they were holding.
"Not as good as you'd expect from a witch of this power." Vivian tossed the purple dagger at the knight. "As thanks."
The knight caught it and tossed it right back. "Getting this body was the least I could do for transforming me back. I would recommend not hanging around here much longer. The air feels like the swamp is trying to take the meadow back with the witch gone." With that the knight turned and left the cabin. "See you around."
Vivian put Alec on the table. Looking at his own body a feeling of trepidation was crawling around his stomach. He hadn't been himself for so long now. As the the physically far superior Nekomata he'd been introduced to a brand new world of smells and sounds. Even as a kitten that new world was alluring, especially knowing how strong he could become.
As the ogre he'd felt much stronger, but very slow. But still so much stronger than his normal body. The world however was dulled as an ogre compared to the Nekomata. But how did that compare to his own body. He'd forgotten what it was like in his own body. And then as a cow he, well, they can't all be winners.
Was his own body a winner? Growing up as a Nekomata might not be that bad, least not with Vivian taking care of you. But was it worth leaving your own gender behind and what about the animal instincts that kept nagging him. They would be there every step of the way. And how would towns people react to a Nekomata just going around her business in town. Would they hunt him down?
"Doubts?" Vivian said as she pulled up a chair.
He just nodded.
They sat silently for a while, with Andrea standing at the table, arms crossed.
"It's not ethical to keep that body." Andrea said pointedly.
Alec sighed. "I know." he squeaked. "But you don't understand, this body..."
"If you are displeased with your current form than work on it. Do not take the easy way out, especially not magical. Magical shortcuts have a tendency to backfire in the long run."
"Those are wise words." Vivian nodded. "But it's ultimately your choice Alec. We can't make you do anything either way."