Alix took Felka’s offer to become a familiar for the young mage. If spending more time at the side of her best (read: only) friend in this world was the condition for her getting a proper body of her own, she'd take it any day. She still felt some remorse for just stealing the harpy’s body, even if she killed her original body, and hoped that there was a way to give it back to her. But first they’d have to convince Felka’s mother to help.
What she didn't expect was for Fawn Deamonne, Felka’s mother, to immediately reprimand her daughter for being late, which only got worse when she found out about Felka being attacked. From their discussion Alix could infer that Fawn was not only an overprotective mother, but also an infamous witch. She originally didn't agree with Felka's wish to become an adventurer out of fear that their relationship became known and her daughter would be persecuted. While the attack on Felka was not directly related to her concerns, she still felt validated. Only when Felka mentioned her rescue by Alix and the proposal to make her a familiar, did the elder witch become silent and turned to Alix to address the harpy in the room for the first time.
And immediately hugged her. After being caught off-guard for a moment Alix quickly leaned into the hug. Human contact felt good after such a long time, especially where the chests of the two females met. Alix couldn't tell if her human or harpy side enjoyed it more. It didn't help that Fawn was what Alix would describe as ‘a total MILF’. Too soon for the harpy’s liking did they part again.
“Not only did you save my dear daughter's life, but you voluntarily enlist yourself to become her protector. I’ll forever be in your debt. Whatever wish you may have, I’ll try everything in my powers to fulfill it.”
Alix saw this as the perfect chance to mention her body problem and started to recap again everything about her possession-skill. When finished Fawn started chuckling confidently.
“You came to the right witch for this. I happen to have quite the knowledge in regards to soul-magic. But a simple biodoll won't do, you deserve better. And luckily I happen to have the perfect body for you lying around here.”
When Fawn returned Alix’ jaw nearly dropped. In her magic she held what seemed to be a human-sized doll or maybe even a robot.
“You have an automaton?” Felka exclaimed.
“It was meant as a surprise present for you,” Fawn answered. “But this situation is too perfect. The only thing it's missing is a soul to power it. You see, an artificial body would harmonize perfectly with your ‘possession’. You won't have to worry about atrophy when leaving your body for longer periods and it can't die unless its core gets destroyed. As a believer in destiny these are way too many coincidences for me not to think that this body is meant for you.”
Alix took a good look at the automata body. It looked a bit like a big mannequin, white artificial skin with doll-like joints, some of which giving a glimpse into innards made out of gears and servos. The legs didn't end in feet, but rather in stilts that looked a bit like ballet-heels. Boobs, tits and ass had the right size for its six feet tall body (and the right firmness, obviously), though there weren't nipples, anus or vagina. Why would it, it doesn't eat and therefore doesn't produce wastes. Despite that it still managed to feature a noticeable cameltoe. It's short, silver hair was in a bob cut. The facial features were sharp, but in a cute way (though she doubted it was more expressive than her current one), and there were black lines going down from its eyes. The head also featured a round, purple stone on its forehead and two metal horns coming out of its sides. The more Alix looked at it, the more she liked the body. The young girl inside of her was also excited at the prospect of becoming a badass fighting robot. “I’ll do it.”
Fawn quickly prepared the necessary rituals. Alix moved her wings over her body a final time before saying the line, “Possession.”
The doll body opened her eyes, revealing purple irises, and the gem on its forehead started glowing. Alix carefully took her first movements as an Automaton. Similarly to when she possessed the harpy she instinctively knew how to control her new body down to her built-in weapons, including a magical energy blast and a hidden energy blade. Somehow she also knew she could augment and improve this body with additional weapons and upgrades if she chose. Speaking of harpy, it was lying on the ground unconscious.
“Is everything alright?” Felka asked.
“Everything's great.” While Alix intended to give a big grin from ear to ear, the best her new face could manage was a small, more subdued smile. She was also secretly happy that the sexual tone in her voice was gone now and instead was replaced with a robotic undertone.
With that cleared they immediately moved on to the ritual to make Alix Felka’s familiar. Under Fawn’s directions she drew the necessary runes and spoke the incantation. The automata watched a magic circle forming around her throat.
“And now you have to give her a name,” Fawn instructed.
“What? But… uh…” Felka stuttered.
“Don't worry. I don't mind,” Alix spoke up. She didn't have any real attachment to her current name considering she randomly gave it to herself just a few hours ago.
Felka looked more nervous now, but still continued. “Okay… uhm… Autonoe.” The moment Felka spoke the new name the circle around the automata’s throat melded into her artificial skin forming a marking that bound them together as master and familiar.
“Autonoe the automata? Really?” Fawn snorted. “That's the best you could come up with?”
“You know I’m bad with names! You should've told me beforehand,” Felka whined. She turned to her familiar. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s alright, master. As long as it's from you, I’ll accept any name,” Autonoe said, not really certain herself why she was compelled to say ‘master’.
“Okay, then it's good. I’m glad for you.” Felka moved forward and hugged her familiar.
“I really don't want to ruin such a sweet moment, but what’re we going to do with her now?” Fawn pointed at the unconscious harpy still lying on the ground. “Your possession did quite a number on her soul. I should still be able to restore her original personality or we could take advantage of it and implant a new one, make her a bit more docile. Or, you know, some harpy parts can be useful for spells. Or I know an interesting merge spell that could transfer some of her best traits to you. You brought her here, I’ll leave it up to you what to do with her.”