Troy and the short, over-muscular Tabby left the store, the cat very proud of his new shirt.
Lancer’s enthusiasm was cute. Troy imagined the world he was summoned from (he didn’t want to dwell on whether that world actually existed or was just a fabrication) didn’t have the luxuries available for people like his world did. Running water was especially interesting to the former Leonin. Troy smiled, watching his…well, friend with benefits, he supposed…play with a bubbler.
“You say they are all like this?” Lancer asked.
“Yup. Toilets, showers, baths, everything has running water.”
“I heard tales of ancient civilizations that had such feats of engineering, but to see such a thing myself…!”
Troy frowned. “Lancer, you guys had magic. Are you telling me reverse-engineering the architecture was beyond you?”
Lancer frowned, wandering back to Troy’s side.
“My world is filled with monsters and warring city-states. Most intellectuals study warfare and magic, not…conveniences.”
“Right.” Troy tapped his chain. “But clean, running water really cuts down plagues and famines.”
“I’m sure there are many things I can learn here that would benefit my society greatly.” Lancer nodded sagely. “However, even mining a quarrying stones is fraught with dangers. Hunting is difficult as well.”
They continued walking, Troy lost in thought. Maybe there was something he could do to help Lancer’s world. Eventually, when he obtained all the Books, that is.
“How far away is this game shop?” Lancer asked.
“Oh, we’ve got a good mile or so to go.” Troy replied.
“A city that stretches miles. Incredible.” Lancer breathed, the tabby’s tail flicking.
“Are you okay with being a tabby?” Troy asked.
“Yes. Of course. Why?” The tabby asked, golden eyes staring up at him.
“You were a Leonin. A minute ago.” Troy said. “Really big cat-man.”
“Oh.” The tabby blinked. “It matters not.”
“What do you mean?” Troy asked, incredulous.
“Any form I take here is reversed when I return to my world.” Lancer shrugged. “Even death simply recalls me home.”
They walked past a pizza place and Lancer sniffed curiously.
“What’s that?” Lancer pointed. “These strange baked bread things.”
“Pizza.” Troy smiled. “It’s good. Want me to order delivery?”
“Can we not just-”
“No, we’re going to be a bit late as it is, and baking a pizza can take half an hour.” Troy pulled out his phone. “I’m calling them now. It should arrive by the time we do.”
“Call….” Lancer’s muttered, then his eyes widened. “Instantaneous long-distance communication! Another amazing device.”
The wandered past the park. It was around 6, the sun beginning to set, making the city park rather beautiful, the golden rays shining through the greenery. Troy walked through it-a shortcut to the shop. In the center of the park was a huge fountain. Children laughed and giggled, playing in the water. It made Troy nostalgic.
“You ever wish you could go back, be carefree?” Troy asked.
“Carefree?” Lancer blinked. “Ah, I see, your world is passive. My childhood was spent mourning the deaths of my parents and training to become a Paladin.”
“Oh.”
“But I understand your meaning. I wish my life were as casual as yours is.”
Troy paused, looking around. No one in the park was paying any attention to them. He did see something strange. His Mass Shape spell should only have hit a block…maybe two, with the other Book powering the spell. However, he was seeing antho-puppies and -kittens playing in the fountain alongside human children.
“I think my changes were a lot more wide-reaching than I thought,” Troy groaned.
“You shifted reality.” Lancer shrugged. “What did you expect?”
Troy sat silently on the bench.
“What troubles you, Troy?” The tabby laid a paw on his shoulder.
“Same thing that was bothering Mark.” Troy said. “I can’t change myself without someone noticing.”
“Troy.” Lancer raised a brow. “You live in a city. No one would bat an eye if they met a tiger version of you, so long as they never knew you before. That’s just like a reality shift.”
“What about the cops, or-”
“Get a new driver’s license.” Lancer shrugged. “I only know so much about your world, but why not simply gaslight people?”
“But what-”
“You have decided that you are a tiger or a bear or whatever you wish and if they don’t like it, you’ll sue.” Lancer smirked. “See? I am blending in now.”
“Where did you learn about lawsuits?”
“A TV Show that came on while you were sleeping, and then I ‘Boogled’ it.” Lancer smiled proudly. “My knowledge base kicked into high gear when I do even cursory research.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Troy sighed. “The guys at the office know me.”
“Ah yes, Mark, the manchild who understands your plight and would defend your ‘lifestyle choice’.” Lancer rolled his eyes. “I believe this is what is known as a ‘Modern World Problem’.”
“What should I do?” Troy turned to the tabby.
“Mass Half and go with the flow, if the form is one you enjoy.” Lancer shrugged. “Truly, you are…” The cat paused. “’Making a mountain out of a molehill’.”
“You’ll get hit.” Troy pointed out.
“So?”
Troy stared into the tabby’s orange eyes and took a breath.
“Okay, plug your ears.”
Troy waited for the cat to do so, pointed and then muttered. “Mass Half."