The following morning Theo woke in cold sweats after having some of the strangest dreams he''s ever had.


    He dreamed that he was being princess carried in Sir Stelios'' arms while on the run from the Malton family... Sinatra was building-sized and punching the ground in front of them. At one point his grandmother turned into Violet and said; "Oh Lord Malton~". It was horrific.


    His eyes shot open in fright.


    He saw the trees passing by overhead through the window.


    It seemed that the house was still moving. The house with legs; Housy.


    A mobile house creature- a perfect companion for a [Witch] who''d visit towns to trade her brews and curses.


    Evidently they met close to her spawn- spawns and classes seemed convenient like that. Choose [Witch], and there''s a good chance you''ll spawn near a chicken house with an affinity for [Witch]s.


    Spawn as a [Changeling] [Doppleganger]- and there''s a good chance the game will commit murder on your behalf and implant you in the victims place. Good stuff.


    At least that was their current theory as to why Charles was already dead when Theo arrived. The games way of making things work narratively. Their late night talks covered a lot of topics, but he still didn''t know much about his [class] or [race]. They mostly talked about how real this world was.


    He sat down at the kitchen counter, rubbing his eyes. It was a relief to not wake up in a mansion. It''s hard to ever have a slow day when you wake up in a grand place like that. This was a ''slow day'' type of environment though.


    His grandmother handed him a clay mug of coffee. "Mornin''", "Mhmm." he hummed as he drank. He looked over to see Violet by the front door leaning in a chair. She was starring at him.


    He slowly sipped his coffee again. Then waved.


    ---


    Violet had dark circles around her eyes. She had woken up early- she couldn''t sleep hardly. These existential thoughts wouldn''t leave her alone...


    Her world was a lie. The ''world'' was actually created in six days, the history of her world didn''t happen during thousands of years- that time had been an illusion. But this time is real?


    She kept glancing towards Lady Yaga, Sinatra and Theo.... Those were ''real people''? She was created by a person not too different than herself then? Imperfect, fallible?


    The essence of who she was- could be summarized in lines of text and numbers. A copy of a something else. Did she really feel sad, or is that what the text that reads her existence command?


    Was it even close to what either of them would feel?


    ---


    "Grandma?", "Huh?", "What''s wrong with Violet?"


    They both looked towards the maid slumping back in her chair giving a thousand yard stare towards the both of them.


    After a uncomfortable moment his grandmother just shrugged.


    "I don''t know how Ai brains work. Go ask." she went back to fidgeting in the kitchen. She was doing alchemical things, moving fluids to different beakers and bottles.


    "Me? You go ask, you''re the one talking about faith and stuff.", "And you''re the smart computer guy. Isn''t she part computer?", he pinched the ridge of his nose at that. "Putting a computer together with the components isn''t being ''a computer guy''. Anyone could do it if they spent thirty minutes thinking about it."


    "Just leave her alone then. Give her some time to put it together."


    Sinatra had said as he walked over, refilling his mug of coffee.


    Theo and his grandmother just nodded at that. Violet was off in her own little world over there, nothing they''d say would probably register anyhow.


    "So, Babs, what''s the plan with the Arkai? We really doing this? You know- the others aren''t going to be happy."


    "They''ll be happy when they found out it was for a good cause. That Malton guy was a monster, he was like, impervious to damage. Besides, I''m the guild leader. What I say goes."


    Theo had been looking out the window as they talked. The storm had passed and now the marsh around them was drying in the sun. Well, as much as a marsh would dry.


    "So Theo, I was wondering, you said before you never got to choose your [Class] or [Race]? You just got thrown in?", Lady Yaga asked. "Yeah, I just woke up in that guys bed. And underwear. Speaking of which, can I get some clothes?"


    She shook her head. "I have no clothes in your size I''m afraid. Still, it''s so strange. Maybe anyone who joined after the game locked us in don''t get to choose their classes."


    Sinatra sighed; "The inventory system stopped working when the log-off button did, so gear can''t ''resize'' to the player anymore. So until we get to a shop, you''re kinda stuck wearing cut-offs."


    Theo had been wearing Charles Maltons purple outfit so far, with his smaller body some on-the-spot ''alterations'' had to be made. The pant legs and sleeves cut shorter, and the pants and shirt clasped tight around the midsection. It looked ridiculous.


    "Damn. So until we hit a market place, we''re out of luck. Do they have changeling sized clothes?" Theo asked. His grandmother and Sinatra looked at each other sullenly.


    "Theo... We need to talk about your [Race].", Theo guffawed; "About time! I''ve been wondering. You know the skills I got? I can climb on walls and ceilings! I can teleport stuff!"


    She shook her head. "Not about that, I mean, we can talk about that if you want. But the [Race] itself Theo- it''s uhm... Kind of like the Arkai. A monster [Race], meaning that faction wise, you can''t really just walk up to human settlements and trade with them. It''d be like us walking up to a demon kingdom and asking to trade."Stolen story; please report.


    "But that''s racism! Literally!", Theo slapped a hand on the table. Sinatra spoke up this time- "It is. But some things about [Races] here don''t work how they do in the real world. In the real world, [Race] isn''t real, it doesn''t matter. It''s just a color if that. Here, it''s stats. It''s abilities. It''s how you level up. And what separates monsters from acceptable classes are the evil bend their skills often get."


    "''Evil bend'', what do you mean? What''s evil about turning into other people and crawling on walls!" Theo said it. Then thought about it.


    Samantha put a hand on his shoulder consolingly; "You''re evil Theo. It''s okay, I''d accept you for whoever you are on the inside. This is a safe space.", he slapped her hand off- "This isn''t a time for jokes grandma! How am I supposed to live if society hates me!?"


    "Bah! What they don''t know won''t hurt ''em. Just stay in form! I''m only telling you so you''re careful, and don''t go talking about it willy-nilly. We''ll have you change. That''ll be another problem regarding clothing though..."


    This all seemed way too complicated to Theo. He''d have to find a new form every week or two, along with clothes. A new name. It all sounded way too tedious!


    "How do I get a new form? You said before that I can''t re-use the same form. But how do I get a new one?",


    Sinatra answered that- he put a hand up for a hive-five; "Like this- go ahead up-high!", Theo blinked a few times. Then slapped his hand.


    [Form Aquisition - Beastkin Beowolf]


    The words sounded in the deep voice again.


    "Man that voice is creepy." Theo shuddered. "Ah, that depends on our class too. Makes sense that a monster class has a halloween vibe. Babs'' is the same way ''cept it''s impish like an evil leprechaun."


    "I like it. It''ll say ''[Level Up!] [Skill: Murder of Crows!]'', it''s so cute." his grandma said the games system parts in a higher pitch cackling voice.


    "So how do I change?"


    ---


    That part wasn''t as fun to explain. Sinatra and Yaga took turns explaining the different aspects. For one, you needed to touch who ever you wanted to turn into. Then they would be saved to a database of possible forms.


    Depending on the level of the [Doppleganger], they can use the same skills and abilities the person they''re turning into had. With some exceptions like [Paladins] or [Cleric], god or patron-based classes that rely on a relationship with a higher power.


    [Dopplegangers] don''t really work on those apparently. Unless they''re gods or patrons with a fondness for monsters that is.


    To change, is another topic. Theo had to find a quiet place where he could ''sleep'' for awhile. He''d activate the [Form Change] skill and sit for hours as a cocoon formed around him. Yes, an actual cocoon like a cicada.


    After a few hours, he''ll wake up then break out of the cocoon as his new form.


    Theo now understood why they considered [Changeling]s monsters. It was a pleasant sight.


    Of course he had Sinatra''s consent to change into his form, he was the only one available really. Theo wasn''t interested in being trapped as the opposite sex for several days. Some people might find the idea appealing... But then those people should also take into account that the only other willing participant was an old woman that was your grandmother.


    So there was that.


    He undressed and sat on the floor in the tinier of the two bedrooms, and thought about the skill like they said. [Form Change - Beastkin Beowolf]


    The voice sounded;


    [Form Charge: Beastkin Beowolf Expended]x1


    [Form Change Activated]


    Then suddenly a feeling of fatigue came over him... He slowly closed his eyes and fell asleep.


    ---


    Violet look down at her fingernails. She had ruined the manicure another maid had given her by chewing them.


    "No wonder I''ve always felt trapped." she said finally. "Huh?" Lady Yaga asked.


    Violet got up, and walked over to the counter where Theo had sat. "Where''d Theo go?" she asked.


    "Oh, [Form Change], he''s changing into Sinatra here. Figured it''d be easier to get into town that way." Lady Yaga tapped the furred man on a hip as she said so.


    "Oh... W-well... I''ve been meaning to speak with you Lady Yaga, but after all these... Revelations.. I''ve been distracted... Now that I''ve failed my job, and I''m being hunted by the Maltons, I was wondering if your ''Guild'' -you called it? If your guild were looking for someone with talents like mine?" she asked, her voice tired.


    "Sure! We''ll get you trained up and get you sorted. You seem like a kind girl. You''ll love it! Our guild is super rich and powerful, I mean I don''t like to brag but- who am I kidding? Of course I do! I''m really good at running guilds in MMOs! I have a system figured out- you see, first you find an exploit to farm a decent amount of gold and experience reliably, then you put the noobs through that-"


    "Babs, I think you''ve lost her." Sinatra gestured to Violet who was drifting back into her thousand yard stare. He chuckled.


    He continued where she left off- "...In other words, we''d be glad to have you. Once we get to Yagas'' bog, we''ll be able to [Fast Travel] to a city with one of our guild halls. We''ll meet with some of our people, get you two settled and maybe do some training if you''re up to it... Me and Babs will probably going with some others to deal with another situation for a few days."


    Violet nodded, "Training, makes sense. Am I correct in assuming your guild handles in mercenary work then?", Sinatra nodded. "We handle all sorts of things. We actually could use a few sneaky types like you or Theo. So many people make classes devoted to dealing damage. But there''s a lot more to life than just hitting things hard. Most people didn''t come here trying to live full lives, but now that they''re trapped they''re forced to make due... And classes like yours or Theos are in higher demand. Like one of those rare [Farmer] players. Really unique perks and abilities are worth more than gold."


    Violet smiled politely. They were from another world, weren''t they? She hadn''t thought of it that way. They were trapped. At least Violet was born here- it was all she ever knew. She didn''t have another physical form that had to sit idle why she was here.


    "Should I tell you my level, class and stuff?", Violet asked. Sinatra shook his head, "Save it for the trainer. It''s not my department. I''m just one of those ''here to hit things'' people I talked about earlier." he chuckled.


    "Feel free to share though if you''d like." Yaga chimed in.


    Violet shook her head, "It''s fine. -Are we on water?" Violet asked suddenly, looking past them towards the window.


    There was waves lapping past the window, an occasional fish or scaled thing swimming by.


    "Oh don''t worry, Housy is just swimming to my island in the center of the bog. Keeps unwanted visitors away, this bog has some high level monsters. Reason why I''m so over-powered, having to tame this place took me days."


    The old woman said it like it was a long time.


    Trees laid half submered, their long roots lifted them out and above the water. Green algae gathered at the surface of the murky water in places. Cattails and buzzing dragon flies the size of a persons head.


    It was a sight to see, beautiful, in its'' own way. At night, it could be a creepy sight. But in the sunlight, it didn''t seem too gross or unsanitary. Just nature.


    The island was a ways off, it was about the size of the estate gardens. Enough room for the house to sit and for there to be a sizeable amount of land left around it.


    Rays of sunlight broke through the massive weeping willow trees and shone on the island, a field of flowers. The house kicked some water-lilies out of the way as it stepped onto the island.


    It made it''s way to the center and rooted down, resting comfortably in the sun.


    "It''s gorgeous." Violet said. "Thank you, I''ve done a bit of terraforming in the area, a bit of hunting so it''s the right kind of dangerous, you know? I like it at least."


    Sinatra spoke up this time-


    "Well Babs, I''ll probably head over and get things started. Let the others know about the Arkai questline. I assume you''re gonna wait for Theo?", she nodded. "Make sure to let them know we have another person from the monster faction and to make preparations to train a couple noobs."


    "Goes without saying, you know me Babs. Catch ya'' later Violet." he waved as he stepped out of the house.


    Violet watched him walk to a strange circle of mushrooms on the ground, in the middle there was a pile of stones that automatically floated up to form a glowing archway as he approached.


    As he stepped into it- he vanished.


    "A way-gate? That costs a kings bounty to make! How''d you get one Lady Yaga?" Violet asked, visibly impressed.


    "Oh, that old thing? A gift from a friend. -Forget about that!" she went over and got two mugs, then began filling them with tea. Smiling politely.


    "Now that it''s just us, let''s have some girl-talk. Like, what do you think of Theo? He''s a sweet boy you know, and outside of here he''s also quite handsome! You know he''s not really a changeling? We don''t have those. Just humans.."


    ---


    Inside the orange-tan colored cocoon in his room, a form swirled about. It had already grown massively, taking up a corner in the room.


    [Changeling Pod] is what it was called. Disturbing one would not be a good thing.


    Theo stirred a bit- he had the creeping suspicion that his grandmother was saying things that would annoy him.


    But he had to let the [Form Change] do it''s work now, once he started, it would be very unpleasant to stop. He sighed. Hopefully his grandmother had a way to change classes, he''d rather be a [Mage] or something like this. Perhaps a [Doppleganger] could multi-class?


    A doppleganger probably multi-classes by default. After all, they take after whoever they copy, their skills and stats. But not at full strength. What made them strong in their own right were the [Doppleganger] skills in conjunction to whatever they gained from who they copied.


    He thought about things like these as he drifted in and out of conciousness, it was like a fever dream. It felt like merging with this other ''essence'' of a person. This ''Sinatra'' guy was pretty calm. There was a bit of sadness there, but he is relatively a ''go-with-the-flow'' type personality it seemed.


    Theo realized that becoming like a person meant more than just becoming what they looked like. The process took time for a reason it seemed.


    And by the time he punched out with a furred muscly arm, Theo felt like he understood Sinatra. At least, a lot better than he had. The man didn''t talk much. He was still Theo, but now there was this ''other'' in his mind that he could tap into.


    He could channel his personality and even the way he used his skills. How he fought. He stumbled out of the cocoon and washing his fur off with the washcloth. It came off easily with water, whatever it was.


    ''Dude I''m ripped'', he said admiring his abs. He flexed in one of the tiny mirrors in the room appreciatively. Theo swept some of the clothes Sinatra left behind and got dressed. They were light linen clothes. Just regular pants and a sleeveless shirt. Barefoot, as Sinatra dressed.


    He looked out the window and gasped- "Wow, this place looks nice.", ''Just gotta test one more thing'' he said placing his finger tips on the ceiling. It wasn''t difficult, Sinatra was tall.


    He gingerly lifted his feet from the ground. He felt like a feather as he crawled onto the ceiling. He reached down and opened the door and crawled out. "BOO!"


    "AH!" Violet screamed at the 300 pound upside-down beastkin crawling out of the room.