So from the minds of myself and  JacktheLizard comes a story about redemption, finding new love, and a new life. Feel good story ahead.

PDF included as always
_________________________________________________________________
Cetacean Redemption
By born2beagator and JacktheLizard


Young Jacob was at the end of his rope. His parents recently died, he’d dropped out of college, had no job, and his bank account was starting to run dry. In short, he was screwed. This trip to SeaWorld was his last hurrah before the 21 year old moved out of the house and into a shelter. He couldn’t afford to pay his bills.


Going to SeaWorld always made him happy. He loved aquatic creatures, but today nothing seemed to interest him. He went through the motions, going from exhibit to exhibit, only focused on looking at a few animals and moving to the next. Even the centerpiece killer whale show did nothing to catch his interest. The last show of the day was the dolphin show. Normally the big attraction was Blue Horizon’s but that show was more like Cirque du dolphin than a dolphin show. Jacob settled into a seat, and put his head in his hands. This was it. The last hour of freedom before he was in a homeless shelter.


“I love this job.” Asbel mumbled to himself before walking through the plastic double doors that blocked him from the state immediately everyone began to cheer. “Hello all you fine ladies and gentlemen, are you ready for today’s show?”


Jacob just closed his eyes, imagining how horrible his life was going to be after today. Asbel whistled, bringing three dolphins up.


“Say hello boys and girl!” The dolphins chattered at the audience.


But Jacob didn’t even look up. Dolphins couldn’t fix this problem. He began to cry a little bit. “Virgil, Cato and Cassia are glad to see all you people.” Asbel paused for a second, then began to smile. “Would you all like to help us with today’s show?”


Jacob looked up, tears in his eyes, but stayed silent. “Who all is ready? Let’s make some noise!”


But the young man looked around at all the happy people, and he felt more tears well up. These people had no idea what the real world is like. Asbel grinned. He’s perfect.


“Alright, time to pick a volunteer. Who wants to be in the show?”


Jacob audibly cried now. He couldn’t believe he was going to be out of the free world and into a shelter tomorrow. Nothing could fix this.


“You sir! You in the top, all by yourself! How would you like to be in the show?”


Jacob looked up. Everyone was looking at him, and the trainer was pointing at him. Tears still streaked his face. Asbel gestured.


“You can come on up. Don’t worry, I don’t bite much” The dolphins all laughed now.
Jacob was so embarrassed. He couldn’t stop the tears. But he walked down and around onto the stage, sniffling. Asbel slapped him on the back.


“So what’s your name kid!”


“J-jac-ob,” He said between sniffling. Asbel switched his mic off.


“Jesus kid what’s wrong? You need to look happy.”


“I...I’m going to be in a homeless shelter tomorrow. My parents died a month ago, and I am completely bankrupt.” Asbel closed his eyes and shook his head.


“Sorry kid. I got something that might make your day here alright..” Asbel switched the mic back on. “So everyone let’s have a round of applause for Jacob!”


Jacob looked up at the applause, surprised. No one had ever cheered for him. Asbel slapped him on the back.


“Jacob you ready to help?”


The young man nodded slowly, wiping the tear streaks off his face. “Now Jacob, let’s meet our dolphins!” Asbel pulled out a bucket of fish. “Come on out Ovid!”


“What am I supposed to do?” Jacob whispered. A dolphin pulled itself up on the platform and Asbel handed Jacob a fish.


“Feed him.”


Jacob took the fish uncertainly and threw it to the dolphin, who happily caught it before sliding back into the water. “How was that?” Asbel asked.


“Pretty good I guess.” Jacob muttered, the corners of his mouth tugging a bit, trying to smile.


“Great! Now come on out Cato!” Another dolphin popped up and Asbel gave Jacob another fish.


Jacob took a fish and threw it to Cato, the dolphin snapped it up happily and joined Ovid. A definite smirk settled on Jacob’s face.


“And now let’s introduce Cassia!” A third dolphin emerged on the platform. Another fish was placed in Jacob’s hand.


“She is a girl?” Jacob whispered to Asbel.


“Of course? Are you surprised?”


Instead of tossing the fish to Cassia, this time Jacob knelt and rubbed her rostrum before setting the fish in her mouth. Asbel watched that.


“You’re really enjoying this aren’t you?”


Jacob looked at him with a wide grin. “Yeah...I don’t think anyone could be sad around these guys.” Asbel smiled.


“I know I’m not.” He turned the mike on. “Now Jacob, how would you like to lead your new friends through our routine?”


Jacob looked at him in shock. “You mean it? But I don’t know how.” Asbel laughed.


“Well what do you want to do?”


Jacob looked at the dolphins, they were so happy. “I just want to feel good one more time before I have to be in a shelter for the foreseeable future.” But then he shook his head. “I’ve no clue what to do though.”


“Just start by getting one of them to follow your commands.” Asbel smiled. “How about Cassia? Come on up girl!” The female dolphin popped up in front of the platform, chattering. “Give her a command Jacob!”


Jacob looked at the dolphin with doubt. This trainer had worked with them for ages, how was he to just step in and give a command. He raised his hand quickly. Maybe that meant jump? Asbel turned the mike back on.


“Who here thinks Jacob can get Cassia to jump? Who wants to see her jump?” The audience began to cheer.


Jacob smiled at the cheering. it wasn’t something he was used to. He raised his hand again towards Cassia. Cassia leapt up into the air and came back down, causing a big splash.


“Good job!” Asbel said as the crowd applauded. “Now Jacob, do you think you can order all three?” He whistled, causing Cato and Ovid to pop up beside Cassia.


“I’ll try.” Jacob said. He started waving his hands up and down trying to get them to dance. The three dolphins responded by splashing Jacob and Asbel. The audience laughed at this.
“Now that’s not nice!” Asbel switched the mike off. “Jacob, make a wave motion towards the crowd.”


The young man nodded, and waved his arms towards the crowd, unsure of what this was supposed to accomplish. The dolphin’s responded though, now turning their attention to the crowd. And as they had splashed Asbel and Jacob, they splashed the crowd. Asbel grinned.


“That was fun, wasn’t it?”


Jacob smiled from ear to ear. “Yeah the most I’ve had in a while. What’s next!!” He said exuberantly. Asbel tapped his chin.


“Who here wants to see our young friend ride Cassia?” Asbel held the mike out, capturing the cheer of the crowd. “What do you say Jacob?”


Jacob looked at him in shock. “Y-you mean it?” He asked in shock, looking to the perpetually smiling dolphin. Cassia nodded her head.


“Your friend seems excited Jacob. Why don’t you climb into the water?”


“I’m not exactly dressed for it.” Jacob said pointedly. Cassia responded by splashing him with more water.


“You’re already pretty wet.” Asbel said with a grin. “What would it hurt? You can have some fun.”


Jacob nodded. He had a point, he was already wet. He slipped into the water and grabbed the offered fin of Cassia. Cassia responded by swimming forward, with Cato and Ovid flanking her. They swam by the audience, who applauded.


“Wave to them Jacob.” Asbel said.


Jacob did so, laughing hysterically. The dolphins’ happiness was infectious. Asbel watched him with joy. The three brought Jacob back around and Asbel helped him up. “How was it Jacob?”


“Amazing.” He said, still laughing.


“Now everyone, how about a round of applause for our volunteer!” The audience began to cheer him and the dolphins.


“It’s...over?” Jacob asked, concerned. Asbel nodded.


“Yeah you did great kid.”


Jacob watched the crowd leave. Then he started to tear up. Within seconds he was crying freely. Asbel crouched down beside him. “Kid, what’s the matter?”


“That was the most fun I’ve had in a long, long time. Now it’s over. My life is over. Tomorrow I go to a shelter, and, honestly I think I’ll end up slitting my wrist within a month. No one would miss me.” Asbel hugged him.


I wonder…”Jacob, you said no one would miss you?”


“I’ve no family, no friends, no future unless it’s a dead end job at a grocery store or something. No, no one cares about me.” Jacob’s tears flowed freely now.” Asbel nodded.


“And no one to return to?”


“No one, I said no family.” Asbel nodded.


“And if you could stay here...what would you say to that?”


Jacob laughed sadly. “No one would hire me now. I’ve nothing on my resume.” Asbel nodded.


“What if you could stay though? Not as...an employee. Or a traditional employee?”


“Stay? What do you mean?” Jacob asked curiously, the tears slowing.


“If you could, would you stay? Would you give up anything?”


“Of course. I’d work as a janitor and sleep on a bench.” Jacob said, a little hope entering his mind.


“Not exactly what I meant. Would you give up anything? All you have to remain here.” Asbel smiled.


The young man laughed sadly. “I’ve got nothing to give up.”


“Yes you do.” Asbel said. “Your humanity. Would you give that up?”


Jacob recoiled a bit. Then burst out laughing. “To escape what I have coming? Sure, I’d love it, if there were magic in the world.” Asbel responded the only way he could, with a demonstration. He touched Jacob’s arm, leaving one gray spot on his skin.


“What do you think of this?”


Jacob touched the hairless gray skin. It was slick, and rubbery. Like...no way. “This is….” He trailed off. The skin suddenly shifted back to human.


“That was temporary. What I offer you is permanent.” Asbel said. “Are you interested?”


The rubbery skin receded. “That...that was dolphin skin! But how???” Jacob asked in shock.


“Are you interested? I won’t ask again Jacob.”


“I’m just curious, magic? How did you do that? Please tell me.” Jacob said. Asbel sighed.


“It’s not me who does this, it’s you. Tell me something, how did you feel when you came to this place?”


“Like killing myself.” Jacob said truthfully.


“And after you spent some time here?”


“During the show I was the happiest I’d ever been. I forgot about tomorrow. But I don’t see what that has to do with you turning a patch of my skin to dolphin skin.” Asbel smiled.


“This place is...magic. I don’t fully understand it myself, maybe it has to do with the positive energy or maybe our dolphin’s are magic. But what I do know is this, this is a place where desires can happen” Asbel laughed. “And I have found myself in a unique position many times. I was called here, to help people bring their desires to life.”’


“Are you saying…” Jacob was speechless. Could it be true?


“I can help you escape your life Jacob. To me it’s apparent you desire this. You want to swim with the dolphin’s don’t you?”


“I do.” Asbel nodded.


“Even as one of them?”


“Yes. As long as…” He looked at Cassia and blushed.


“As long as what?” Asbel asked. Cassia chattered.


“I want to forget everything about being human, I want the change slow...and I want to be with Cassia. I also want a new name.” Asbel nodded.


“This is your last chance to back out. Are you sure you’re ready for this?”


“Yes.” Jacob said with certainty. Asbel nodded.


“I’m giving you on last day with your humanity. Be back here tomorrow morning, then your change begins.”
____________________________________________________________________________


Jacob slept on the bench outside SeaWorld that night, expected to wake up in the ratty shelter bed from his good dream. Suddenly he was awoken by a tapping.


“Jacob, time to go.”


Jacob looked up to see Jackson. The owner of the shelter. He sighed. Of course, too good to be true. Jackson got on the bus and Jacob started up the steps to his doom.


“Jacob?” Asbel emerged from the park to see him about to get on the bus. “Jacob! Stop!”


The young man looked back. “My ride is here Asbel.” Asbel sighed.


“Remember our conversation yesterday? It’s time to go alright, to your new life.”


“That wasn’t a dream?” Jacob asked in shock, ignoring the voice of Jackson. Asbel shook his head.


“How could you think it’s a dream? You remember your change?”


With a rush, the patch of gray skin came back to him. “That was real!!!!” Jacob started jumping up and down.


“Jacob...let’s...GO!!!” Jackson yelled. Asbel rolled his eyes.


“Do you ever stop barking? No wait, of course not.” He snapped his fingers.


“What? What ar-ar-ARKARKARK!”


Jacob looked back in surprise. “What did you do to him?” Jackson suddenly sprouted a face full of whiskers. Asbel smiled.


“I’m making this man...useful.”


“Whiskers?” Jacob asked in wonder. Seeing animal parts on humans was still strange to him. Jackson began to freak out, arking like crazy as his upper lip split. His nose flared, turning coal black and shiny.


“Can you dig it?” Asbel said.


Jacob laughed. “I love it! Please go on! He will make a good seal!” Then he got an idea. “Hey! Instead of putting him with the seals, why not put him with us!” He shook his head a bit. “Did I just say us?”


“Well that’s a good idea Lucan but I’m afraid I have need for a seal.” Jackson tried to run but his legs suddenly pinned themselves together. His ears grew much smaller, against his skull and then moved up to the top.


Jacob was going to explain, but something overrode that first thought. “Lucan?” Jackson barked and his fingers slimed up. No, not slime, they grew membrane. It grew thicker, until his hands were two flat flippers.


“Don’t you like the name?”


“Lucan...Lucan...I like it!” Lucan smiled. “Now what I mean is, why not put him with us as a seal! I’m sure we would enjoy him….wait...who is us and we?” Lucan asked, still a little confused.


“A seal and dolphin show?” Jackson stumbled, his legs joining into one long tailfin, “I can see that. I think I’d like that, what about you two?”


“We...us...those are the dolphins aren’t they? This is really happening?” Lucan asked still not quite believing it.


“Yes it is. Shocking isn’t it?” Jackson barked with fear as his mass expanded rapidly. At the same time though, he lost height, growing to a more appropriate size.


“Maybe for you, you crotchety old man. But this is my new life! I’m sure you’ll be more accepting once your mind degrades.” Lucan looked to Asbel. “We are going to lose our human minds aren’t we?”


“Is that a bad thing?” Jackson’s eyes went blank and a fur pelt coated him.


“Maybe for him. But I don’t care if I lose my human mind.” Lucan said happily. “Can we go...home...now? So I can start changing?” Asbel smiled and nodded. He snapped his fingers and the new seal instantly vanished.


“Come along Lucan.”
____________________________________________________________________________
Lucan entered the backstage area behind Asbel. Jackson was already in the back, lazing in the sun. Clearly, he’d forgotten who he was. “Okay...Asbel how do we do this? I want to feel every change!”


“Well, what would you like to feel first?” Three dolphin heads emerged from the water.


Lucan laughed. “Well, you are going to be my trainer, I’ll leave it up to you! I’m sure I’ll love whatever you do!” He stole a glance at Cassia when he thought Asbel wasn’t looking. Asbel did see though, he smiled.


“Well, what does a dolphin need to start doing before anything else?”


“Hmmm…Swim?” Jacob asked uncertainly. Asbel nodded.


“Correct Lucan, swim. You need to swim. Can you swim now?”


Lucan shook his head. He’d thought of himself as Jacob. He was Lucan now. He slipped into the water, clothes and all and started to dog paddle. He’d never been a very good swimmer. Cassia and Cato came beside him.


“Guys, why don’t you help him some!” Cassia and Cato came up on both sides of Lucan. “Show your new podmate some love!”


“Hey guys!” Lucan said happily. He couldn’t believe this was happening. He’d avoided the shelter, and now was getting a new life. Who cared if it was as an animal?


“Take their dorsal fins, that’s it, you know what to do. Swim with them.”


Lucan nodded and wrapped a hand around the dorsal fins to either side of him. Cassia and Cato responded by pulling their soon to be pod-mate along.


He laughed as they pulled him through the water. Suddenly his grip started to slip, and he fell free. Pitifully, he dog paddled to try and keep up. Asbel smiled.


“You’re never going to catch up like that!” He called out. “Use your flippers.”


“I don’t have flippers!” I shouted around a mouthful of water. Jacob didn’t know how to turn himself into a dolphin! What did Asbel expect.


“Don’t you now?” Asbel laughed. “You’ve got two beautiful flippers,” Lucan’s hands began to shake, “But you’re not using them right.”


Lucan’s shaking hands felt really strange. But he couldn’t figure out how to get them to propel him through the water. “As far as I can tell, I still have arms Asbel.”


“No you don’t.” Asbel said. “You never had arms.” Lucan’s fingers began to liquefy into each other. “You’re mistaken.”


Lucan brought an arm in front of himself in amazement, then confusion. Why was his flipper pink? It was shaped oddly too. “Asbel! Something is wrong with my flippers!” Asbel smiled. Lucan’s fingernails fell out as his hands smoothed into two pink flippers.


“What’s wrong Lucan?”


“My flippers are too long!” He waved his arms ending in fleshy paddles. “And they are pink!”


“So they need to change?”


“Yes! They should be like Cassie’s! Shouldn’t they?” Lucan asked in confusion. A small part of him was rejecting this, but he tried his best to shove it aside.


“They are like Cassia’s.” Asbel said. “They’re short like her’s,” Lucan’s arms slowly retraced into him, giving him proper sized flippers. “They’re also smooth gray.” His new flippers slowly lost color, like a TV going dim, until they were both gray.


Lucan looked at his two flippers. Sleek dolphin skin covered them, they felt right. “Cassie! Check it out!!” He said, turning on his side and waving a pectoral at her, not realizing just how dolphin like this action was.


“Cassia, Lucan, that’s her name.” Asbel corrected. “Now please, swim over to me.”


Lucan swam towards Asbel. It was a little strange trying to get his pectorals to synchronise, but something clicked in his mind, and they began waving in synch. He came to a stop at the edge of the pool.


“Now, I think you deserve a reward,” Asbel crouched down, “Don’t you think so?”


“Yeah! Got any candy or cookies?” His trainer smiled.
“Nope, something even better though.” Asbel pulled out a fish and broke off a piece. “Catch!”


Lucan tried to catch the fish with his hands, forgetting that he no longer had hands. The fish plopped in the water in front of him and Cassia snapped it up.


“Lucan, what did you do wrong there?”


“I guess I tried to use my flippers.” Lucan looked down at the rubbery appendages. “I still thought I had hands for a moment.”


“Lucan you never had hands, remember?” Asbel broke off a piece of fish, “Want to try again?”


He nodded, and tried to put his pectorals out of his mind and focus on the fish. Asbel tossed it into the air...and Lucan caught it in his mouth, swallowing the piece whole. It was nasty...at first.


“What do you think?” Asbel asked. “Fish is a part of the diet of all my dolphins.”


“Its...actually really good!” Lucan said with a smile. Asbel rubbed his head. Lucan’s hair fell out, unnoticed by the dolphin.


“I expected it to be. It’s what you eat now.”


Lucan nodded. “I’ll get used to them.” He then treaded water there, waiting for further instructions.


“So you love having flippers instead of ugly human hands?”


“I think...it depends.” Lucan looks to Cassia and blushes. “Does she like them?” Asbel smirked. Might want to separate those two from the others, maybe the breeding pen…


“I think she does. What do you think girl?” Cassia chattered excitedly.


A strange noise somewhere between a laugh and a squeal came from Lucan. “Then I like them.” He edged closer to Cassia.


“I can tell…” Asbel said, noting the noise. “Let’s train you in something else. How well can you leap out of the water?”


Lucan tried...and succeeded only in rising a little bit out of the water before going under. “I can’t.” Lucan said.


“Sure you can.” Asbel said, “You’re just doing it wrong is all.”


Lucan kicked his feet and tried again. “I can’t get any higher.” Asbel laughed. He shook his head as the poor dolphin failed again.


“Well, how are you moving your tail?”


Lucan surfaced so Asbel could see his legs. “I don’t have a tail.” Asbel frowned.


“What do you have?”


Lucan kicked his legs out of the water. “Well, what’s it look like? Legs.” Asbel smirked.


“I don’t see legs.”


The young man looked back, and then put his legs on the side of the pool. “Yeah, these are definitely legs.” Lucan held them apart, flexing his toes.


“I don’t see that. Try again.” As if on cue, Lucan’s legs snapped together.


“Whoa!” He looked back to see a web of skin connecting his legs. Soon it wasn’t a web though, it thickened and encased Lucan’s legs. Lucan found himself with one set of bones, one set of muscles and one long tail leading down to two human feet.


“Something’s wrong though of course.” Asbel said with a smile.


Lucan allowed the fleshy mass to slip back into the water. His pants slipped off as he did. Something clicked in his mind. “The color is all wrong, and the texture.” He felt the skin. “And...is that hair? No, that’s not right at all!”


“That’s not all that’s wrong.” Lucan’s feat began to shudder and shake, toenails flying free. They flattened out and formed a V, creating flukes. The skin around them lost hair rapidly as it dulled into dolphin skin.


He kicked his flukes up and down and it surged him through the water to the side of the pool. Laughing, he looked to Asbel. “That’s better. But the skin above my flukes is still pink and hairy. Can you help me correct it?” He asked, not noticing Cassia edging closer to him.

“I could but I think someone else wants too.” Cassia responded by swimming into Lucan. She rubbed her tail against the back of his, up and down. With every rub, hair withdrew, with every stroke his skin changed color and texture, to match hers.


Lucan laughed almost hysterically. “I have a dolphin tail! Man I feel so happy!!!” Asbel nodded.


“You don’t have one though. You’ve always had one Lucan.”


The young man tried to think of his human legs...but couldn’t. His trainer had legs, but he was born with a strong tail to kick through the water. Finally he nodded. “Of course I have! Why would I ever have ugly legs? So useless for swimming!”


“Very good.” Asbel pulled out a fish and a hoop, “Ready to try something new?”


“Yay!” He tried to clap, then realized that his pectorals weren't made for that. Asbel held the hoop up.


“You’re going to jump through this Lucan.”


This got him really excited. He kicked his powerful tail and submerged...only to flip over and end up on his back. He surfaced, spitting water out. “I flipped!” He said in frustration.


“What are you lacking?” Asbel grinned.


This time he didn’t need to think long. “A….dorsal fin?” He asked. Asbel nodded.


“But you already have one of course.”


Lucan slipped out of his shirt. Looking back, he could see his torpedo shaped lower body, and rubbery gray skin fading to pink hairy skin at his belly button...and on his back, a small nub of flesh. Suddenly he had an idea. “Asbel? It itches, can you massage it?” Lucan pulled up alongside the edge hopefully.


“Of course.” Asbel dipped his hands into the water as Lucan swam by. He rubbed and prodded at the dolphin’s back, groping and grabbing. Soon he had a full fin pulled out, perfect for maintaining balance.


“Thats better!” Lucan said happily, looking back to see his shiny gray dorsal fin. He looked at the hoop, determined. Kicking his powerful tail he surged through the water and up through the hoop. Splashing back down he cheered for himself, occasionally breaking into squeals. “I did it!!!!”


“Very good, now come over here.” Asbel held up a piece of fish.


“Asbel? I’m a bit confused. Things are going through my head right now, telling me this is wrong. Was I...human?” Lucan asked curiously


“Just eat this fish for now. Let’s think on this.” Asbel held it just out of the water.


Lucan kicked his tail and rose out of the water, grabbing the fish with his teeth and swallowing. It tasted really good now. “Okay, now can you answer me? For some reason, I think I was human not too long ago.” Asbel ignored him, he had waited for Lucan to get closer. He jabbed Lucan on top of the skull.


“Ow! What was that for!?” Lucan cried, sinking into the cool water to sooth the stabbing pain. Asbel just smiled.


“Come back up again, do what comes naturally.”


Lucan dipped under the water, then surfaced. “Whoa!” He felt a strange rushing sensation on the back of his head. Asbel laughed.

“Your blowhole compliments you.”


“Thanks!” Lucan said with a laugh. “Now, answer my question...I didn’t have dolphin parts an hour ago did I?”


“What makes you think you didn’t?” Asbel asked.


“I have these memories, of a human named Jacob, and I’m sure they are about me.” Asbel bent down and rubbed the side of Lucan’s face.


“Your name is Lucan though.” He began to draw out Lucan’s face, “Remember?”


Suddenly a deep part of Lucan’s mind broke through. “Uh...I’m Jacob. I remember now. I was supposed to be going to the shelter today.”


“No you’re not, you’re Lucan and you’re being trained by me. You will perform for crowds.” Asbel continued to draw out Lucan’s head, changing the shape, pulling the mouth foreword.


“I….I….I don’t know.” Lucan couldn’t look forward now. “I’m sure I was human.” Abel finished, leaving Lucan with a beautiful (but flesh colored) rostrum.


“But how could you have developed that tail?” Asbel asked.


“You gave it to me.” Jacob was thinking clearly now. His body...it was contorted out of its human shape.


“That’s one way to view it.” Asbel said, “But there's another way.”


Jacob...or was it Lucan? Cocked his head so one eye can see him. “Oh?”


“Another way is that your human memories are a dream. A dream soon to be forgotten.” Asbel smiled, “You never were homeless Lucan.”

“A dream…? And I’m waking up now?” That made a bit of sense.


“Yes. All the abuse, all the yelling, all of the fear can just be forgotten. It’s gone on waking Lucan.” Lucan’s eyes expanded, from human things into black orbs. “Do you want to forget?”


“This has all been a nightmare?” Lucan began to feel relief.


“Yes Lucan. Just a nightmare.” Lucan’s head began to turn gray, slicker, now it was the skin of a dolphin. “Forget it Lucan.”


Lucan tried to turn his head...but his whole body turned. He looked at Cassia. She was so...beautiful.


“Are you ready to join her?” Asbel asked.


Lucan gave a squeal. Turning to asbel, he tried to speak, but only a chatter came out. Asbel smiled. He held up a squid.


“Catch this.” He threw it into the air.


Lucan kicked his tail, surging from the water to catch the fish. He plopped down, and swallowed it, before popping up again to see what Asbel wanted next. Lucan’s chest was all left unchanged.

Now that changed. His ribs began to expand into a barrel shape, consuming the rest of his body. New muscles grew out, giving Lucan a tube shaped form. His skin lost color and friction, becoming gray and smooth.


Lucan looked in the mirror along the side of the pool...and saw a dolphin, pure as if it had always been. This felt...right. Cassia chattered at him, swimming up beside him.


Lucan looked at her in surprise, he fired a burst of echolocation to her...telling her that he found her attractive. Cassia responded with a burst that suggested they do something about it.


Lucan was still new to being a dolphin, so he wasn’t quite sure what to make of that. Cassia sent out a second burst, this one suggesting they go somewhere more private.

The new dolphin recoiled. That? Already!? He backed up a bit more, unsure of himself. Asbel burst out laughing.


“Lucan, Cassia would you two like some private time with each other? Lucan she can help you with being a dolphin.” The dolphin looked from Cassia, to his trainer, and back to Cassia. But still, he wasn’t sure he was ready to...be a father.


“Relax, you don’t have to do anything you don’t like.” Asbel said, “Just spend some time with Cassia alone. See what you think of her.”


That sounded okay. Lucan squealed happily. Cassia did as well. A hatch in the wall opened for the two of them.

“Go ahead you two.” Asbel said, “I’ll be waiting.”


Lucan followed Cassia into the separate pod. It closed behind them. A label was on the door that said “Breeding.”


“I’ll get many good dolphins from him.” Asbel said, scooping up Jacob’s clothing. “And I got a seal out of this. It’s been one hell of a day.” He looked out at the empty stadium. “And it’ll be one hell of a show.” Asbel left to go prepare for his day.