Ryker meets Fynn a wolf from Intramorph's Generation 1 test subjects. Fynn starts to show Ryker around the facility starting with a hearty breakfast, followed by unpacking Ryker's belongings, growing a little bit closer.

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Chapter 3: Introductions

Written by: Ryker-Wolf

      The high ceilings of the Great Hall loomed over me as I stepped past the door. There was colorful furniture everywhere in all sorts of fun shapes. It almost felt like a trendy game studio! The ceiling itself was one massive skylight, filling the room with the warm, morning sunlight. The began to peeked through a gap in the clouds, shining bright rays of warmth through the skylight. I felt so warm. I hugged my arms and tilted my head towards the sun. I closed my eyes and basked in the warmth.

      “Hey!” someone called to me, shaking me out of my bliss. My eyes shot open, looking around for the source of the voice. I was a little disorientated. I hadn’t noticed any of the other test subjects in the room. They were all moving to and fro, some to the cafeteria and others to the gym or the dorms. There were a lot of different species, from alligators to wolves to tigers to lions to hawks to golden retrievers to snakes. I started to feel a bit overwhelmed and small as they towered over me.

      To my left was a huge wolf man. He was staring straight at me, but his eyes weren’t those of a predator, but those of a friend. The cream-colored wolf stepped toward me, his massive head looming over my own. He had to be seven and a half feet tall at least! He wasn’t very wide though, a runner’s build. There were streaks of light grey and brown fur scattered across his body, running underneath his clothes.

      He wore a blue striped button up shirt with a dark green crew neck shirt underneath. The button up was open, showing the green shirt underneath which was tucked behind a dark brown leather belt. His black jeans ran a little short down his leg, showing off his strong calves.

      The wolf’s face was kind. His sapphire eyes seemed to sparkle with wonder as they stared into my own. His pointed ears were pierced, black stud earrings accenting his bright fur. The fur puffed out around his neck. It looked soft and fluffy, inviting. The wolf’s smile was wide and toothy, black lips parting to reveal the sharp canines I had expected to see.

      He snapped his massive fingers, “Are you Ryker?” I blinked, mesmerized by the talking wolf in front of me. It took me a moment to process what he had said, but I ultimately nodded my head, still wide eyed and awestruck. “Ok, cool! I’m Fynn! I’ll be your mentor and buddy throughout your transition. In case you didn’t know, I’m a gen 1 test subject.” He stepped back and held his arms wide so I could get a better look at his form. I smiled slightly, causing his tail to lazily swing back and forth. I spent more time gawking at him before he stepped up again and set a massive paw on my shoulder, “anyway, we’ll start the grand tour of Homestead. How about the cafeteria?” He leaned his head lower, “how hungry are you?”

      As if on que, my stomach growled loudly. I had forgotten that I hadn’t eaten anything since last night. I looked at my new VitaWatch: 10:02 AM. Yeah, it was definitely time to eat. “Extremely!” I rubbed my stomach, “I haven’t eaten anything yet.” Fynn’s tail wagged faster.

      “Cool! So I’ll show you the cafeteria first! It’s one of my favorite spots in Homestead.”

      “Homestead?” I wondered. We began walking towards the cafeteria.

      “Homestead is our name for the ‘observation wing.’” He moved his hands in an exaggerated motion. “It sounds more homely don’t you think?”

      “I guess so, but why Homestead?”

      “Well, lots of pioneers made homesteads. We’re the first animal-human hybrids, pioneers if you will!” His tail swayed faster, “I’d say Homestead is a pretty fitting name for our home, don’t you think?

      I smiled, “Yeah! I like that!” With that we arrived at the large double doors to the cafeteria. These doors were also heavy, but more closely resembled blast doors with how they slid into pockets in the wall. As soon as I stepped into the cafeteria, a medley of different smells permeated my sinuses, sweet smells, savory smells, even fishy ones.

      “Over there,” Fynn pointed to our left, “are the terminals where we select our food. After that, the kitchen crew cooks it up and places it on their end of the pie case.” He pointed to a rotating rack of food behind a large hexagonal glass case. True to its name, it looked like those old pie cases at old diners.

      The wall between the terminals and the pie rack was replaced with a series of conveyor belts. A few of the other residents walked up with empty trays and plates, placing the dirty dishes on the belt and letting them sail off and out of sight.

      The cafeteria was even bigger than I had thought. Seeing it from the doctors’ observation rooms made it seem so small, like an ant farm, but being at eye level with everything made me feel more like the ant, especially with how high the ceiling was from us.

      The room itself was pretty similar to the cafeterias I had been in since grade school. Long, grey tables with hard benches split the room into a few lanes of traffic, like busy city streets between towering skyscrapers. The walls were just as sterile as every other wall I’d seen throughout the facility, only interrupted by large glass windows peering into the observation rooms.

      We walked up to one of the terminals. There was a short line, so I took the time to see what other beast people I could see. It seemed that everyone around me was fully transformed, aside from a small handful of guys scattered throughout the massive room. I saw a few beast-folk inspired by mythology, like griffons and anthropomorphic western dragons. My head pounded at the thought of messing with the settings from the app long enough to design a mythical creature.

      Before I knew it, we were already at the front of the line. Fynn took the lead. He swiped his watch over the screen, bringing it to life. “Okay, so these terminals are pretty easy to navigate. You select which kind of meal you want. So, for us we’ll pick breakfast.” He tapped on a rising, orange sun over a yellow background.

      “Next, we navigate the menu curated for our species.” He began scrolling through a list of icons denoting different animals, landing on one of a howling wolf. “As a wolf, high protein and meat are my main jam, but I still need some veggies for the human part of me.” He scrolled through a new menu with icons of meals, selecting a plate of scrambled eggs and sausage.

      The menu changed to a modifications page with a list of ingredients and toppings above buttons saying: SIDE, LIGHT, REGULAR, and EXTRA. He picked chives, hot sauce, and a fruit cup. I never got why people always like hot sauce on eggs, heck I didn’t get why people liked eggs as a dish. Why not pick something sweeter like waffles or pancakes?

      “Then, we select a drink. We don’t get to have alcohol save for special events. I don’t think the egg heads upstairs like the idea of hulking drunk beasts roaming the facility!” He smiled weakly. “Probably scared we’ll break something,” Fynn’s expression soured a little. “Regardless, there are still a bunch of great options all around!” He navigated a similar menu with icons of different types of drinks, landing on orange juice. “Your options will be limited early on in your transition. They’ve been trying to get new subjects to change and grow faster.” He shot a sour look toward one of the observation windows.

      Fynn shook his head before hitting a green confirmation button, closing out the screen and returning it to its idle state.

      “Hmm.” I scanned the VitaWatch like Fynn had. I had SIGNIFICANTLY fewer options to choose from, all of which had eggs. I frowned. I tapped on the plate of sausages with a single boiled egg. I never really liked eggs, but I guess I would have to give it a try and hope I get used to the taste.

      I selected to have salt and pepper on the side. I also added a side of ketchup to hide any less-than-stellar flavor. I selected a glass of OJ and water, both of which had an asterisk next to the names that sat below each icon. I looked at the bottom of the screen to see what it meant. Drink(s) contain a serving of ACCELERATED EVOLUTION POWDER (unflavored). Read nutritional page for more details. I tapped at my VitaWatch, looking up the term. ACCELERATED EVOLUTION POWDER is a dietary supplement designed to accelerate the process of transition, making subject more susceptible to genetic modification. Oookay. My face scrunched up, something about that definition rubbed me the wrong way. After a moment of hesitation, I confirmed my order and looked to Fynn.

      “All set?” I nodded. “Okay, so our watches will get a ping when our food is ready.” His VitaWatch promptly pinged. “That’s the sound we’re listening for! That means my food is ready.” We walked over to the pie case and looked inside. I could see warped shape of a kitchen on the other side. The unique shape of the glass made it too difficult to see any of it in detail.

      “Here it is!” He pointed to a tray with meal Fynn had selected on it. The cup was plastic with a lid on it and a straw beside it. In front was a little name tag with Fynn’s name on it. Fynn Baker. I guess that was his last name.

      He opened the door and plucked his tray from the turntable. “Could you close it for me?” I nodded and shut the glass door. “We’re gonna sit with the other wolves today. You don’t have to talk to anyone if you don’t want to, but it might be a good idea to introduce yourself to your new family…or pack if you will!” He laughed. The sound was a deep base, reverberating through the air like waves in the ocean. Every display of emotion from him felt so real and honest. It seemed like he wore his emotions on his sleeve, although, I guess a tail would give a way plenty of them on its own.

      Fynn set his tray on the table. He waved at a few of the other wolves at the table and sat down.

      Before I could sit down, my VitaWatch pinged. “That’s the food ping right?”

      Fynn had already taken a big bite of sausage and egg, cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk’s. “Yheah, chust grib id.” He swallowed, “I’ll save you a spot.” He patted the seat next to him. I turned and quickly made my way back to the pie case. Sure enough, there was a tray of food with two covered drinks and a name tag. Ryker Rice. Right, I still don’t like my family’s last name. Maybe I could change it with my new identity? No, that would be like disowning your family and abandoning them. I don’t want to alienate my family. Maybe I could take on someone else’s name once I got married? I sighed as I took my tray, balancing it on one hand and resting the rest on my shoulder. I closed the door with my other and returned to the table.

      I took my seat next to Fynn only to find that he had eaten nearly half of his food already! He sure ate fast. I grabbed my utensils and dug into the sausages first. They tasted great!

      “Mmm!” They were juicy and hot. The spices in the sausage elevated it even further. I caught Fynn smiling a toothy grin as I chewed. Those sapphire eyes gleamed, even in the harsh, artificial light. I turned my attention to the OJ and chugged half the cup in one go, setting down and sporting a juice-stache. I licked it off my lip and cut open the egg.

      It smelled better than I expected. It smelled like the spices from the sausages. My mouth watered. I stabbed it with my fork and took a hesitant bite. Flavor exploded in my mouth prompting another bite. “zhis egg ish relly gud!” I swallowed and finished off the OJ. “I don’t really like eggs, but this one is really good!”

      Fynn’s tail wagged as his smile broadened. “The food here is the best I’ve ever had. I don’t know what they do to make it taste so good, but, man! We eat like kings here!” I nodded as I finished the egg and drank most of my water. No wonder Fynn ate so quickly, this stuff is good! I hardly noticed that he had finished his own food amidst my absolute inhalation of my meal.

      “Next up, we’ll go to your room and help you settle in. Then we can go outside!” His began sweeping the floor. The anxiety from this morning melted away. I felt happy here, no stress from school or worries of disappointing people, just…bliss.

      I polished off the sausages and downed the water. My stomach gurgled for attention. “Can I get seconds or maybe a snack? Or do I have to wait for lunch?” His ears perked up.

      “We have a long day ahead of us…you could get seconds if you want, but why don’t I show you our special vending machine?” I tilted my head. “It’s got some great stuff that should fill that tummy of yours!” He stood up. “Can I take that tray from you?” I nodded as I helped him organize our dishes. I used to work at a kitchen where I’d have to bus tables, so I knew a thing or two about making work for the dish washers easier.

      Fynn took the trays and set them on the dish conveyor belts. I watched as they turned away behind the wall. “So where’s this vending machine?” I arched an eyebrow. He smiled that toothy grin of his and held out his paw.

      I took it as he led me back out of the cafeteria doors into the Great Hall. We walked across the room toward a similar set of doors labeled: DORMS. Inside was a long hallway with doors on either side. The ones on the right had species names plastered in big, bold letters.

      “On the left are the communal showers, they’re pretty fancy and the staff keep it nice and clean for us. You’ll have to check it out in the morning.” His tail flicked behind us, smacking the walls.

      “There’s a security booth in every hall for every species. Think of them like an RA.” He opened the door marked: WOLF, CANINE. Inside was a tall staircase stretching to the top of the building. “Your room is on the third floor.” He pulled out a small sheet of paper from his shirt pocket, “Room #W-305.”

      We climbed up the metallic steps to the third floor and walked through a matching door as on the base level. “Most folks don’t stick around the dorms during the day. They tend to hang around the rec rooms or the gym. It’s why so many of us tend to be in such great shape!” He flexed an arm, the muscle pressed up against the fabric. The fabric strained against his bicep, leaving little to the imagination. His forearms, however, looked almost as big, if not bigger than his bicep! The fabric stretched taught, looking like it could tear if he flexed any harder.

      I smiled, causing Fynn’s tail to resume it’s quick tempo. I felt warm and swiped my VitaWatch at the panel beside the door. It opened with a soft woosh!

      On the other side was a much shorter hallway with doors on one side with a small security office at the front. Inside was a human man. He looked tired, dark bags below his sunken eyes.

      He pressed a button on the control panel in front of him, “what’s your business?” His voice had a metallic twang. His monotonous voice echoed through the hall with an energy matching his worn expression.

      Fynn ears flattened against his head, “Just showing Ryker to his room and helping him get settled in!” I felt his tail whack me in the back as it started wagging again.

      “Understood. Scan your watches.” A panel glowed blue beside the locked door to the office. Fynn scanned his watch and motioned for me to do the same. I did the same.

      The panel flashed green. “On your way.”

      We turned and started walking toward my new room. Fynn leaned in and whispered in my ear, his hot breath tickling my skin, “We only have to do this during the day, at night we just walk straight to our rooms. Laundry room is just past the door at the end of the hall.” He pointed to a normal door with a large vending machine standing next to it. It hummed with an electric buzz.

      “You scan just scan your watch and make a selection. I’d recommend the Fill ‘n Grow bars. They’re designed to help accelerate your transformation. Plus they make you feel full for hours!” He beamed with a wide, wolfish grin. “You only get three of these total, any more could cause some problems.” His smile faltered a moment.

      I nodded and selected the snack. The machine whirred as the spiral imprisoning the green snack bar rotated around it until the bar sat at the edge, moments from freedom. The metal twirled a little more, releasing the bar and letting it fall to the bottom with a thud. I reached into the chamber and pulled out my prize. It looked like a mix between a candy bar and a nutritional bar with the bright colors and bold text. I tore it open, revealing the granola-like bar beneath it.

      I took a bite. It tasted like granola. Maybe a bit sweeter? Sweet like honey. I quickly scarfed it down and crumpled the wrapper. “There’s a trash can right there,” He pointed to a covered trashcan beside the machine. I pushed open the flap and dropped it in.

      “Alright, let’s get you settled into your room now.”

      We walked up to my door, which sat near the end of the hall, just three doors down from the vending machine. “You’ll be able to customize your door with stickers and stuff later. Let’s just focus on getting you unpacked.” He motioned for me to scan my watch at the panel by my door. It flashed green as the lock released. The door slid into the wall like the ones at the cafeteria had.

      The room itself was plain and white. In front of me was the bedroom itself with a closet and an attached half bathroom, equipped with only a toilet and a sink. The mirror acted as a medicine cabinet, swinging open to reveal small shelves for toiletries.

      The bed was full sized with an empty desk just beside it. The sheets were plain. Maybe I could order different sheets later? The set I had brought could only fit a twin-sized bed, effectively worthless to me now.

      My bags sat at the foot of the bed. I didn’t bring much with me. There wasn’t much to take afterall.

      “What can I do to help you unpack?” Fynn looked at me with faux puppy-dog eyes. Those sapphire-blue eyes grew wide and innocent. I smiled and pointed to the one actual suitcase I had brought.

      “You could grab my quilt and blankets and stuff and get some color onto my bed.” At least my blankets were oversized. I liked to curl up and wrap the blankets around me like a cocoon. I opened up the duffle bag and pulled what few clothes I had brought and started hanging things.

      Intramorph told me not to bring much in the way of clothes, saying that most of my ‘apparel’ would be provided. The closet had plenty of hangers, but what caught my eye were a few robes on one side of my closet. They gradually got bigger and bigger, all of which were way to big for me. “What’s with the bath robe stuff?”

      His ears turned towards me as he got up from spreading my quilt over the bed. I’m glad I thought ahead to get a full-sized one instead of a twin-sized one for my old dorm room. “Hm?” I pointed to the robes. “Oh! Those are for when you outgrow your clothes. When you need to start wearing the biggest one, let me know so I can request new clothes for you. You won’t have shoes though. Paw pads get the job done just fine. Having a pair or too is still useful from time to time, especially for extreme heat or cold. The asphalt is NOT kind to us!” He smiled.

      “Okay.” The idea of outgrowing all of my clothes hadn’t occurred to me before. My stomach sank. I liked to express myself through the clothes I wore.

      Fynn seemed to notice my mood change. “Hey, when you’re all done with the transformation, you’ll be able to talk to a Fabito and get some REALLY nice clothes!” He winked and flashed his toothy grin again, pinching at his shirt with his short claws. I returned his smile.

      “That’s good to hear! Ooh! I had better start thinking of what I want to wear!” His tail thumped against the side of the bed as he finished spreading the quilt and blankets.

      “What’s next?”

      “Nice!” I looked around, “is there a linen closet or something in here?”

      He nodded, “Yeah, it’s just across from the bathroom.”

      “Cool, can you unload the rest of my suitcase into that then?”

      “Can do!” I pulled out a handful of books and the rest of my personal effects from the bag and set them on the desk.

      I set my laptop and gaming equipment on the desk, making a mental note to get a TV screen or monitor so I could properly hook up my stuff without staring at a tiny screen.

      I had just set put everything in the desk when I heard Fynn gasp. “You have stuffed animals!?”

      I blushed, “yeah, just a few select ones I brought from my parents place. These guys are my favorites. I don’t really cuddle with them anymore, but they always help me from feeling blue.” I picked up a small polar bear. “This one was my favorite as a kid. He always makes me smile!” I placed the plush toy on top of my pillow and smiled.

      “That’s cool dude!” His tail wagged again. We quickly put the other stuffed animals away, making a pile of cuteness in the corner of the bed that met the corner of the room.

      With that, we had unloaded everything. I had unloaded my writing utensils and notebooks into a drawer when I was setting up the gaming equipment. My bags weren’t the most organized!

      I dumped the empty bags onto the floor of the closet and looked around. The room still lacked a lot of personality, but it would get there eventually.

      “I think that’s everything!” I said. We had finished unpacking all my stuff within an hour.

      “Cool! Are you ready for recess?” Fynn asked, raising a brow.

      “Sure!” I smiled back.


      

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