Hippo on the Inside, Hippo on the Outside - RPLOG
From Rusted Promises
Participants
Date
18/5/478
Log
With the Rain coming down steadily Market business has almost ground to a halt today, only the most determined go getters braving the elements to haggle for prices and pinch coin. Which was definitly putting a damper on a certain coyote and his wonderful traveling Tent of fleshcrafting! He was just inside the tent, sitting on a crate while counting the coin he had managed to gain today before the rain became to great, a bored expression on his face with his back to the opening flap.
Edmund marches into the tent, tossing the flap aside imperiously and looking around as he removes his sturdy pith helmet from his head. The rain could hardly deter a determined Good! "Hello?" he calls out, "I understand that you perform certain. . . special services here?" The beaver seems awfully sure of himself, bursting in like that!
The coyote perks his ears up as a potential customer walks in, even if they were a little impolite! "Hello, hello!" Came the greeting as he is up and spinning in place to study his customer....confused at the moment as he doesn't notice anyway one first, before he looks down. "Ah, my apologizes good sir I did not see you there. What is it that you require?" He asks as he bows to Edmund, that coyote's grin sharp, but warm as he speaks.
Edmund gives a sharp salute. "Sir Edmund Good, at your service," he says, though it is quite evident who he feels is at whose service, "I understand that you have a magical device for changing the physical appearance of beings? As you might have noticed, I have a bit of an. . . issue, that I hoped you might be able to address." He waves unhappily at himself. "I assume that your machine CAN in fact, perform as advertised?"
Now that definitly gets mister salesmans attention, a good of all things looking for his help! He clasps his hands together, standing up a little straighter as he smiles at the royal. "Well of course Sir Good, I would be happy to help you with this. Can you tell me what you want changed specificly?" He asks as he ushers Edmund in and towards a rather large device hidden under a cloth, a bored looking mole lounging against it before he notices beings coming over.
"Well," Edmund says, suddenly a little less comfortable, "I suppose you can imagine that it is. . . difficult to be a beaver in a house of Hippos. I had rather hoped your machine could, well, make a proper hippo of me." The rotund rodent looks askance at the covered machine. "This thing IS safe, isn't it?" he asks, though it seems a moot point, as he looks pretty determined to go through with this, "It's not going to just zap me away or somesuch nonsense, is it?"
"Ah, so you want to become a true good then." Answers the coyote, nodding to himself as the Mole stands up and eyes them both before speaking. "Ehhhh, this old thing? Don't ya worry, won't be zappen ya like that. But ya may feel a few jolts." With that in mind he turns, ducking under the cloth as he starts fiddling with a few things. "Just wanna change into a Hippo?" He asks, his voice muffled as the coyote leaves Edmund with him.
Edmund hesitates for a moment. "I- I suppose so?" he says, "I mean, what else would I change?" He looks over his own short, round figure, uncertainly. "I mean," he says, "Is there anything I should ask for? Does it help to be specific? I wouldn't want anything to go awry just because I decided to be picky!"
There is a wave of a hand, which is rather hard to do under a thick cloth covering as the Mole's muffled voice is heard. "Just wondering if you wanted something special, we get some people in here that want special additions to their changes. Had some weird feline that wanted a heart on his butt once." There is a click, and a humm as the fleshcrafter stirrs from its slumber, the Mole returning from under the cloth as he wipes his hands. "Alright, are you ready sir?"
Edmund squares his shoulders. "Yes," he says firmly, "I am ready!" The beaver, soon to be hippo marches firmly into the machine and stands there with his eyes closed. He is obviously terrified, but he is not about to turn back now! "What should I do?" he asks, eyes clenched tightly shut.
"Take a deep breath and relax, this is not going to hurt unless you start squirming." Came Edmunds answer before the machine starts to hum a little louder, turning into a high pitched whine as the Fleshcrafter shudders. Inside lights start to come on, bright enough to hurt Edmund's eyes as he can feel the change starting to come over him.
Edmund takes a deep breath and does his best to relax, closing his eyes and pretending that he is not in a strange contraption that he has not even managed to see run by a shady looking coyote. As he stands still, breathing, he can't help but notice that his breaths get progressively deeper, and his chest falls less with each exhalation. Great Goods! This thing was actually DOING something to him!
The humming gets louder, the changes coming faster as there is just a little bit of pain with the changes. Clothes start to rip and tear as Edmund's form becomes that which he had asked for.
Edmund cries out a little, his voice suddenly dropping an octave or so and gaining some volume and power! He can feel his bones and muscles melt and change! The soon-to-be hippo imagines that he even feels his teeth and hair tingle with the magic of the machine. Despite the discomfort of his clothes pulling and tearing under the strain of his changing form, Edmund does his best to hold carefully still until he is told it is safe to move!
The Mole waits quietly as the Crafter does it's thing, buffing his nails as it slowly starts to quiet down again. "Alright, it's safe to come out now." He shouts, giving Edmund the all clear as he steps under the cloth again, pulls something down that clicks, the crafter going completly quiet as he steps back out with a set of robes for the new Hippo.
Edmund cracks his eyes a bit, and seeing that everythings seems to have come to a stop, he steps out of the machine and blinks his new eyes in the dim light of the tent. "Great Galloping Goods!" he bellows in a newly augmented, robust voice, looking down at himself, "Just look at me!" The former beaver runs thick hands over his thick chest, reduced belly and powerful arms in wonder and twists to look at his wgging, stubby tail. He crosses his eyes and grabs his broad muzzle and flaps his ears with elation. The hippo turns and grins hugely at the mole, revealing that his teeth are still slightly bucked, but that he has the new addition of lower tusks. "I'm HUGE!" he bellows happily, marveling at his not quite four foot frame, "Shame about the uniform, though. You ever try this thing?"
The Mole shakes his head silently in response as he offers the robes. "I have not no, have not really found a need to use the Crafter." He answers, giving the new Hippo a big smile. "I do hope that you enjoy your change, and that you recommend us to anyone wanting a little change in their life."
Edmund takes the robes, nearly dancing with his excitement. He discards the ruined clothing, collecting his medals and regalia, along with his fine sabre. From among his things, the new hippo produces a small pouch. "Lunar dust," he says, "Five ounces is your price, correct?" Edmund feels more inspiring and regal already! Surely, this was the best thing he could have done!
The pouch is pocketed, the Mole giving a nod. "five ounces yes." The Mole answers, flashing Edmund a smile once more. "Now don't be going and throwing around your new weight just yet, you may want to get use to the new look." He pats the new Hippo, before leading him to the entrance to the tent once more before departing.
Edmund struts out into the streets, overjoyed with his new appearance! "Just wait till the boys get a load of me now!" he rumbles to himself happily as he heads toward the castle district, "Get some new clothes first thing tomorrow!"
