It was shaping up to be a long night in the tent for Nido, as he tried to take his mind off the events of the day. The purple ferret was wrapped up snug in his red sleeping bag, with a dim light from the firefly lantern keeping watch, as tonight he didn't feel like facing the darkness. Their tent was suited for three, but two of the bedrolls were unused tonight, and it was scary being out in the Great Forest on his own. Yet, he was a day from home, and so here he'd be. It was all Nall's fault, dragging him out here on an expedition to find riches in some of the ruins beneath the land. Once again, he'd found some ridiculous magical artefact; this time when the pine marten grabbed it, he'd changed into a flock of crows and chased them both back towards the surface. Nall had also decided two of them weren't enough for the expedition, so he'd changed Nido into two of himself; bunny, and ferret. And, his other self was still out there somewhere; they'd got split up in the madness. At least their tent was safe. It was also magical, not really hidden but protected by a charm of disinterest so most forest critters really wouldn't care if they stumbled upon it. Nall's idea again; most of the woodland life was magical and would certainly notice invisibility as a big blank spot in their way. Nido at least could try to get some rest before tomorrow. Honestly, it wasn't the worst expedition they'd done. But it was the current one, and so Nido needed to get back to town tomorrow and see if he could find help. Nall would probably sort himself out in time, but Nido felt bad for his twin who was still out there somewhere. If even half of the tales about this place were true, there were many creatures lurking out there who the ferret didn't really want to meet. Well, okay, some of the kinkier stories he didn't really mind. But Nido was hardly going to get a choice about what crazy myth he'd run into, was he? A rustling and a scraping noise startled him, and automatically Nido reached over for the frost wand he kept by his bed for such night-time intruders. Had the ferret been hearing things? No, there it was again, against one side of the tent and crawling round it. For all the ferret had heard about the protection of this tent, it spooked him all the more to realise someone had actually noticed it. What sort of creature would it be? What would it do to him if it got inside? Nido took a deep breath, gearing up for the possibility of a fight. After a few moments, he tensely poked his nose and his wand outside of the leather tent. Cool, humid air touched his whiskers; there was always life out there, but something was very close by. His eyes got used to the darkness, and he could see a little creature tugging on tree roots and poking at the tent. It was a small possum, a furry marsupial; they had been thriving in the forest for some time, and now were about as common out here as rats in the City. Nido let the tension drain from him, down through his tail and away, and he fell back into the tent sighing with relief. Well, he would be fine, but so much for getting any sleep tonight. The scent of berries drifted in, and Nido looked up and twitched his nose. The possum had come up to the door and poked his nose in; rather than being just white and grey, it was smeared with red and purple and blue, from face to paws and ears. The ferret's stomach rumbled, and he put a paw against it. Now all he could smell was rich, expensive dessert, and all he could see was the possum. Nido began to salivate, and he squeaked softly as the enchantment on the possum started to get into his thoughts. He'd sat up before he knew it, dropping the wand to pick up the little critter by the scruff. The possum fidgeted, and dangled, and tried to squirm free, but the ferret's grip was good. This was a bad idea, he knew, but he was on autopilot and everything felt like a dream. Just one bite, perhaps. His take from the adventure would barely cover costs, he'd be weeks away from food that was this good. Nido opened his mouth and in went the possum, head first. Without even chewing, he began to swallow and push in yet more, waist and paws, holding the sweet creature by feet and tail, swollen in the neck and warm in the cheeks from embarrassment, and blushing, and instilled euphoria. Something dripped from his chin and nose that seemed like juice, this was still a bad idea but it was so good, such a strong enchantment that captured him and encouraged him to swallow the critter whole, slurping down the tail like a big noodle. Possum was inside, a bit squashed but squirmy, fidgety, wiggly all the way down; naughty paws roamed down his stomach and between his legs, he couldn't think, his nose and mouth and senses were full of sweetness, he was the happiest ferret there ever was… -- "Ferret!" Nido woke up with the tall sun streaming in, warm in a pile of three bedrolls he'd made, quite dry and groggy for having been woken up from whatever dream he'd been having. The voice was his own, but it came from a purple horned rabbit who was outside the tent, looking in. "I'm glad you're okay. I had to sleep in the cave but I wasn't sure if you'd made it out." "Mrrf... maybe just sleep a bit more..." "It's almost noon, and we have a way to go. Come on, let's get packed up." The ferret couldn't quite hold onto his dream thoughts; what was that? Had that happened? There was something about smell and taste, but he couldn't sense anything different. He sighed, and sat up; this forest was not a safe place to be. Bunny was right, the sooner they got going, the better they'd be. "What about Nall?" asked Nido ferret, as they worked on stowing the tent. The bunny looked around, and then pointed up to a nearby tree where a pair of crows stood and muttered amongst themselves. "He's not far away. Though he has dodged out on doing any carrying for the way back. But I don't think he's worked out how to speak yet, so we might even have a peaceful walk back." The pair of birds started to caw, as if to prove bunny wrong, and Nido ferret grinned. Okay, he was definitely still in there. No artefact though, so they only had a few trinkets to show for their troubles. Not too long later, and it was time for the Nidos and the birds to head back towards the City. -- As the sun started to dip and evening set in, the little group stopped for a break and some dinner, and one of the Nall crows made fire with only a few singed feathers. Trail rations weren't that interesting, but they did the trick. Not long now until they'd be back in the City, and the trip was starting to feel worthwhile again. Nido ferret had developed quite the hunger, finishing off his rations quickly in a way that surprised the bunny. It had been a long day, but they hadn't done all that much! The ferret was still peckish, though. The urge for more food nibbled at him, and he even finished off Nall's rations; the crows chirped their displeasure, but they were preferring to eat off the land anyway. His stomach gurgled and the ferret flushed, embarrassed. Nido bunny grinned, and shook his head, and started to get ready to go again. But the ferret was watching the bunny, now. Curious instincts were happening, and taking hold, and he licked his lips. Oof, what was he thinking? There was simply no way he was going to eat himself, no matter how hungry he felt. A moment later, his fur began to prickle, and he felt unsteady; he stumbled down to all fours. Fire slid through his body until it tingled his ears and his feet and tail. He squeaked, and Nido bunny looked alarmed as his twin started to change. Purple fur started to bleach and grow long and coarse, turning white and grey. His short muzzle started stretching, growing along with his ears, making him yelp as he rolled and writhed on the ground. Fur fell from his tail, which became thick and fleshy. Nido bunny was alarmed, and looked up to the crows as if they could help, but he wasn't able to see them. Did they know what was coming? The fire burned low on the floor, but the one instead the ferret continued to build. Paws grew big and heavy, particularly his feet which looked more and more feral by the moment. Thick, warm fur crept over his body and face, muzzle stretched long with sharp triangle teeth and a big pink nose, his arms and legs shrank while his shape grew. It reminded the bunny of something, but he wasn't quite sure until a couple of possums crept out of the undergrowth and sniffed about, looking for something. Nido ferret was turning into a possum! But he wasn't shrinking, as though he'd be a little forest critter like the others. He was growing, bigger and bigger. His clothes tore, unable to stay on the marsupial; they were just too small. A giant of a possum he was, nearly twice as long as the bunny was tall. Nido bunny wondered if he should be running, but he couldn't tear himself away from the sight. Nor from the smell, which he noticed as it grew; rich, ripe fruit that claimed the air. The huge possum sat up, twitching his ears and long whiskers. He was still Nido, and he ached, but he felt good; powerful and warm and confident. The possums nearby seemed to be attracted to him, and he knew they were ready to be his minions. Knowledge, old and deep, started to return to him from whatever spell was working its magic. That tasty possum wasn't a dream? Nido felt the encroach of old, enchanted forces digging into his thoughts, the thick fruity veneer of Spoil the possum monster crawling over him inside and out. His claws turned orange, and patches of his fur went green and brown and black; wild mushrooms popped up on his head, as one of his eyes developed black and red strawberry patterns. His tail turned green, and swelled out into a bunch of grapes at the tip. His ears and tongue turned leafy and frayed; he became plump, gaunt, and positively monstrous. The tremendous old presence surrounded Nido's thoughts, and found control of the new possum easy to seize. Helpless and curious, he was captured by Spoil, now just along for the ride. Nido bunny should definitely have fled by now. The fruit scent was enchanted with fairy magic, and definitely intoxicating. But, seeing his twin rise as a giant monster sobered him up, and he turned to take his leave. The City was so close! If he got a head start, he was sure to make it. The fire was left behind, and with his one bag on his back he started to run. The flight lasted less than a couple of minutes, just time for Spoil to come back to his senses and realise where he was and what was going on. The City loomed close, and he was certain that if they found out he was back, another band of adventurers would set out to undo him once again. That would not do! The dire possum pursued the bunny on four legs, heavy claws raking up the ground, so quick and so sudden. His body was new, but his reflexes were well practiced; Nido the bunny found himself pinned down under the monstrous creature. The monster was warm, and wiry, and a little bit slimy; the ground shook, and Nido realised that was the possum's stomach; fairly empty, and in need of some nourishment after such a drastic change. Paws as big as his body grabbed hold of him, and he was held up in the air. Stood on hind legs, the possum was like a strange tree; firm, fruity, and indifferent to his furtive attempts to wriggle free. Spoil knew who he had been and who he was holding, and that didn't change the outcome; that colossal mouth opened wide, revealing rows of teeth and a strong arboreal scent that confused the bunny's senses and froze him quite still. Spoil knew that Nido was poisonous, but it wouldn't affect him; in fact, he could do with some poison of his own, just to discourage the fauna of the forest. There were only so many grapes and so many leaves he could stand to lose in a day, after all. The bunny went down feet first, slipping in down to his waist, forced in deeper still by warm possum paws. Nido squealed, but he couldn't move, and the tight fruity possum warmth was becoming ever more appealing, continuing to work on his thoughts. A good push, and the help of his tongue, coaxed the fuzzy bunny into that mouth and down into his body. It closed behind him, leaving him trapped and tight and slipping down into sweet, fruity darkness. Nall crows had seen all this from their hidden perch in the trees. The return of Spoil would be interesting to see! But the group of crows had other ideas, mostly to do with cawing and flying around a lot; it was hard to get them to agree on anything. Ah, such a busy few days they'd had! Spoil was content, and very full; his possum body could handle pretty much anything, and he laid out and rested for a while. In the meantime, little forest possums started to gather and get warm and feed on his tail, much as their ancestors had once done. Nido thoughts were curious, and anxious, and yet excited; he was going to be all back together again, though not exactly in the way he expected... --fin