Commission for Agentxy14, with story by them, Aubrey and colouring by AxiomTF
Agent needed a haircut desperately.
He typically allowed himself to grow out his hair for a short while—enough to form some characteristic depth and add something nice to his silhouette—before trimming the entire mass and starting from scratch. On that occasion, however, he was three weeks overdue for his usual trim, and his hair had grown unruly in the process. The extra length was not unnoticed by Vanessa, who gave an amused noise.
“That certainly makes you look cuter,” she said, peeking over her favorite recliner to comment on her ward. “Lose the beard and we could make a proper female. Or femboy.”
Agent blushed very hard at that. “I don’t—I really don’t think I could manage that,” he said, trying to brush off the comment. “I just can’t find a good barber.”
Vanessa twisted her body around, giving Agent her full attention. “Why can’t you use your usual?”
“It closed down,” Agent explained. “I guess they just couldn’t compete in this economy. Or it was a front, I’m not entirely sure.”
“Well, fortunately for you, I have a solution,” Vanessa smirked. She reached into her bottomless cleavage, pulling out a colorful business card. “Courtesy of the United Kingdom in some reality.”
She handed over the card, Agent taking it delicately. He inspected it carefully. “Aubrey’s Boutique” was the name of the business, the card itself professionally constructed and crafted. Plus, a bonus! “Bring this card for 50% your first trim!” was the special offer on the back. Quite a bargain, Agent thought.
“This guy’s the real deal,” Vanessa said, with uncharacteristic seriousness. She patted her own styled hair to demonstrate. “You think these gravity-defying tips are natural? Well, they are, but someone has to upkeep them.”
“Neat,” Agent said. He still felt apprehensive, however. “I don’t know, though…”
“Oh boy, this again…” Vanessa said. “Look, we’ve talked about you trying new things. That means new businesses. And new people.”
Agent rubbed the back of his neck. “I suppose…” he said. “Okay, sure. I’ll give it a try.”
…
Thus he found himself outside a quaint shop in a smaller village within the mythical and fantastical realm of modern-day England. It seemed nice enough, a stout brick structure that had some history, while still keeping up with current-generation sensibilities. There were also plenty of flowers adorning the windows and side walls, making the whole area pleasantly scented. It was all so inviting.
So suspicious.
He opened the door cautiously, peeking inside even as he heard the tinkling of the bell above him. Agent half expected the inside to be some sort of otherworldly portal or incomprehensible architecture. But no; it was standard faire for a modest barbershop out of the beaten path. A few stools in front of mirrors, posters advertising hair-care products and the shop’s own specialties. There were quite a few knick-knacks on shelves, various artifacts that looked fancy and expensive. Various other features looked rather pricey, too; a chandelier above, made of crystal, for example. And the colors were vibrant and bright, complimenting the inviting nature of the outside with the comforting inside.
“Why, hellooooo!”
A voice called from around the corner, before someone stepped into view. Agent was mildly surprised to see how well-kept they were, similarly bright colors and a comfortable state of attire on them. He was slightly more surprised to see the voice and the owner of said shop was in fact an anthropomorphic snake, smiling with the air of a fond relative. Agent relaxed somewhat at the sight. Despite the fangs, it was clear this figure was no threat.
“My, don’t you look lovely today,” the snake said, stepping forward to catch a closer look. “Well, don’t be shy, darling! Step on inside and we’ll have a look at you, hmm?”
Agent did as instructed, walking fully inside, hearing the door shut behind him with a gentle thud and a light tinkling from the bell. He still felt uncomfortable, an affect of being somewhere new with someone equally as new.
“You mussst be Agent,” the snake said, a light hiss when he said his “s” sound. He offered to take his hand, something that Agent slowly reciprocated. The snake gently clasped Agent’s hand in both of his own, before leaning in for a light kiss of greeting just atop the knuckles. “Vanessa spoke highly of you and told me you were scheduling an appointment here. My name is Aubrey, and it is a pleasssure to make your delightful acquaintance today!”
“Likewise,” Agent agreed, giving a small smile. He was quite flattered at how flamboyant Aubrey was being, the snake acting as the picture of class and sophistication. He couldn’t exactly tell whether Aubrey was also subtly flirting, however; he’d have thought, after spending time with Vanessa for so long, he could figure these things out, but it was still too early to tell. He was handsome, though, he thought.
Aubrey put his hands against his hips, deep in thought as he analyzed Agent’s hair. “Hmm…” he said. “Yes, with a bit of styling…Maybe a smidgen of coloration…”
Eventually he snapped out of it, giving an apologetic grin. “Ah, how rude of me,” he said. “Stylist’s insight, darling. I was imagining what we could do with your glorious locksss, but I should first seek your input. Our clients come first.”
“Oh, this?” Agent said, idly brushing his hair with his fingers. “I…hadn’t actually thought it out. Maybe just trim the whole thing?”
“The whole thing?”
Aubrey seemed distressed at the thought, and Agent lightly shrunk backwards. Aubrey wasn’t angry, though; he was merely alarmed. “To cut off the entire length is quite a drastic change, dearessst,” he explained. “Why would you go about such a decision?”
“I dunno, I just…” Agent had to ponder this question. “I just don’t really do much with it…”
Aubrey nodded, lost again in thought. “I see,” he said. A firmer nod, realization striking. “Before I get to work, would you care to humor me for a spell?”
“I…sure,” Agent said.
“See, that's what has been bothering me since you first walked in,” Aubrey said. “The walk, the hesitation. Trimming a fabulousss asset. You, my darling friend, have confidence issues, do you not?”
Agent blinked at how forward this question was. “Well, yes,” he said. “Was it that obvious?”
“You don’t get to be my level of mastery without learning about people deeper than they know themselves,” Aubrey chuckled. “You’re merely going with what you know and understand, fearful of the unknown. Fearful of change. When you look in the mirror, you want to see the same old you every morning.” He shook his head. “No way to live life. Carpe diem, that’s the ssspice of life, darling.”
It was like Aubrey was listing off Agent’s autobiography. “Ouch,” he said, rubbing the back of his head. “What would you suggest? I’ve tried a lot of things before.”
“Yes, but were they your choice, or Vanessa’s?” Aubrey said. He gave a pointed glance, idly gesturing with a pair of scissors in the process. “Don’t get me wrong, I love Vanessa like a sister, she’s wonderful, but she understands nothing about personal growth and consent. I bet she just drags you out on adventures that SSSHE wants you to do. You just grow by proxy.”
“I mean, you’re not wrong here,” Agent admitted, increasingly awkward about the whole affair. “How would I break away from it?”
“By being given a choice of your own, and taking it,” Aubrey explained. He walked over to his stylist’s desk, flinging a set of cabinets open on one side of the mirror. He rummaged through the contents, eventually giving a pleased “aha” from his find. He pulled out a small glass vial, setting it on the desk, and then closed the cabinet.
“What we have here is a potent ingredient of my own making,” Aubrey explained. “Normally I would prank Vanessa with this one, but you, my darling, could use the beneficial effects more than even she.”
“You say it’s a prank?” Agent asked. He wasn’t certain how this factored into Aubrey’s plans, but he gave the snake the benefit of the doubt.
“This incredible piece of alchemy is a Thimble of Twinning, imbued with my most exquisite self as the base,” Aubrey said. “I merely lather this directly into your scalp, and the ingredients sink in, changing you into myself, mind and body.” He winked. “No better shape, in my opinion; I’m simply fabulousss!”
“R-right,” Agent stammered briefly. A twinning potion? No wonder Vanessa recommended this place so highly. And yet... “Why tell me all of this?”
“Because I will strictly abstain from using it on you unless you explicitly ask,” Aubrey said, raising a finger; his wrist remained limp from the motion. “Remember, about making a conscious choice to embrace the unusual and grow from the experience? I will give you your requested haircut, as much as removing those gorgeous locks pains me. There will be no consequence for not doing it, of course. But should you wish to experience life as one of the most confident people out there? Experience true beauty? Have my mentality rub off on you after the fact? Merely say the words, and I will happily provide you with your sssanctuary.”
Agent didn’t immediately say anything, even as Aubrey gestured to the barber’s stool. “Now then, I do believe we’ve dawdled long enough,” he explained. “Let’s begin your appointment, darling.”
The nerd obediently followed his stylist’s instructions, taking a seat on the stool carefully, facing the mirror. He could see Aubrey’s reflection prepare a smock to keep the hair from falling onto his clothing, tying it around Agent’s neck.
He didn’t really focus on Aubrey’s movements, however. Nor did he look at his reflection, just as awkward as he saw this morning. His vision was directed at the vial Aubrey called attention to, just sitting on the desk. Untouched. Practically calling for him.
It would have been quite the change, he knew, though this wouldn’t be anything he hadn’t experienced before. Who knew how many times Agent had turned into an anthro twin of another? He certainly lost count. This didn’t even factor in how often Vanessa forcibly made herself a twin sister for the manor to have around.
It was fully his choice. A conscious decision he could make could be the first step he needed to truly build confidence. To be another identity, however? It was a real Ship of Theseus situation, he supposed. If it bled into his own personality, that would certainly justify the changes, but otherwise he was just putting a bandage on top of the problem. Hiding from himself.
No, not hiding. Not quite, anyway. Facing his identity head-on, perhaps. How much of himself was himself? After turning into a snake man, could he truly look at himself the same after?
Aubrey had held his scissors in place, examining Agent’s hair from all angles, debating where to start. Closer to the skull, perhaps? Or should he start near the neckline, give himself some breathing room?
“Wait.”
Aubrey’s motions were paused. He looked into the mirror, seeing Agent’s face, resolve written all over him. Deep inside, Aubrey could tell what was about to happen. And he was proud.
“I’ll take it,” Agent continued. “The vial. I’d like to experience it myself.”
Aubrey looked down at his own experiment, giving a smile. “Why, certainly,” he said. “And I must say, I’m so very pleased at your decision. You’ll make a most exquisite me.”
He took the vial off of the desk, removing the stopper on the glass lips. Tantalizingly, he dangled it over Agent’s head with a mischievous grin, before pouring the entire contents atop his hair.
It already had felt oddly tingly on Agent’s scalp, even on the surface. The latent magic energy was certainly effective, he thought, moments before Aubrey started massaging it deeper, allowing the substance to sink in through the pores. The results were rapid, that same tingling sensation swiftly covering every square inch of Agent’s body, intensifying, tightening. It was all so...so...marvelous.
As Aubrey continued to massage the elixir into his ward’s scalp, he could feel the hair between his fingers moving with ease. A reptile such as himself could not grow hair, after all, and thus Agent’s changing physiology was learning this fact in real-time. Some clumps started shrinking and reabsorbing themselves into his skull. Others began falling out entirely, softly landing on the ground and on the apron in a tidy heap. It was bittersweet, Aubrey thought. Such luxurious hair, gone. But with time, and after the transformation would end, it would grow back just as majestically as the original.
For now, the snake barber watched as Agent began to shift and warp under his delicate fingertips. Scales were forming piece by piece, patches appearing in groups of two, then three, then much more, all in the same vibrant color he himself possessed. Through the mirror, he could see Agent’s mouth, and the growing fangs jutting out from beneath his lips. His face, too, was pushing forward into a pristine snake muzzle, not too short and not too long.
From Agent’s perspective, new sensations were forming. His internal clock was working overtime, the curious feeling of years passing in seconds overtaking him, from twenty-eight to the mid-thirties. It didn’t fully register to Agent, however; the once-human was feeling the mental changes do their work, superimposing new memories over his old ones, dreams of being a stylist, a childhood as a snake-boy, the many guys he had pined over. This wasn’t to say that everything was being concealed, of course; Agent still had full awareness that he used to be a human male with a limp personality. The new mindset merely was a tarp over the original mentality, concealing the old traits temporarily while the new ones ran the body. And that, New Aubrey thought, was perfectly alright by him.
He closed his eyes, humming to himself as Aubrey continued to massage his scalp. Truly he knew his craft, as well as all the best places to knead into for maximum pleasure. He allowed his tail to grow, pushing against his jeans until the pressure was too much, tearing through the threads with an audible ripping sound, the new appendage coiling longer and longer. He felt somewhat colder now in the room, his blood changing to match his proper species. Perhaps the air conditioner was up too high again...Fortunately there were some spare clothes in the back room, just his size. Just his style, too. A handsome snake such as himself had to look his absolute best at all times.
Eventually Aubrey allowed his hands to pull away from his twin’s head, and he examined his workmanship. It was, literally and figuratively, like looking in a mirror, an exact replica of himself in the stool in front of him. The new Aubrey was smirking with mischief on the mind, preening his head slowly to the left and right, absorbing the new features.
“An exquisite job as always, darling,” he said. “Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less from myself.”
“It’s such a delight, knowing I’ve made another of my clientsss pleased,” the real Aubrey said with a wide smile.
The original stylist stepped around the copy, taking both hands gently into his own. He helped his clone stand up, the two firing each other flirtatious glances all the while.
“So, tell me,” he asked. “How do you feel?”
“Better than I have ever felt,” New Aubrey said. “I feel...Well, like my old self, but better. More alive, I suppose? It’s a lot to take in, but it’s certainly nothing a pair of strikingly delightful ssspecimens can’t handle, no?”
“Very true,” Aubrey laughed. He carefully untied the apron, setting it aside, all while never breaking eye contact. He certainly did an excellent job, he thought, down to the last physical detail. Of course, some more intimate details might have to be inspected later, when the boutique was closed for the night.
“I’ll be sure to pass you along to Vanessa,” Aubrey continued. “Later. For now, I could use a hand styling some of my later clients, if you wish. Perhaps we could get to know each other better?”
New Aubrey grinned. “That sounds like a sssplendid idea, darling,” he said. “And I can use your years of practice to speak with everyone as well. I thank you for your charitable offer.”
The two laughed in stereo, pleased with the company of themselves. Two identical serpents, the pictures of grace with the attitude to match.
Agent needed a haircut desperately.
He typically allowed himself to grow out his hair for a short while—enough to form some characteristic depth and add something nice to his silhouette—before trimming the entire mass and starting from scratch. On that occasion, however, he was three weeks overdue for his usual trim, and his hair had grown unruly in the process. The extra length was not unnoticed by Vanessa, who gave an amused noise.
“That certainly makes you look cuter,” she said, peeking over her favorite recliner to comment on her ward. “Lose the beard and we could make a proper female. Or femboy.”
Agent blushed very hard at that. “I don’t—I really don’t think I could manage that,” he said, trying to brush off the comment. “I just can’t find a good barber.”
Vanessa twisted her body around, giving Agent her full attention. “Why can’t you use your usual?”
“It closed down,” Agent explained. “I guess they just couldn’t compete in this economy. Or it was a front, I’m not entirely sure.”
“Well, fortunately for you, I have a solution,” Vanessa smirked. She reached into her bottomless cleavage, pulling out a colorful business card. “Courtesy of the United Kingdom in some reality.”
She handed over the card, Agent taking it delicately. He inspected it carefully. “Aubrey’s Boutique” was the name of the business, the card itself professionally constructed and crafted. Plus, a bonus! “Bring this card for 50% your first trim!” was the special offer on the back. Quite a bargain, Agent thought.
“This guy’s the real deal,” Vanessa said, with uncharacteristic seriousness. She patted her own styled hair to demonstrate. “You think these gravity-defying tips are natural? Well, they are, but someone has to upkeep them.”
“Neat,” Agent said. He still felt apprehensive, however. “I don’t know, though…”
“Oh boy, this again…” Vanessa said. “Look, we’ve talked about you trying new things. That means new businesses. And new people.”
Agent rubbed the back of his neck. “I suppose…” he said. “Okay, sure. I’ll give it a try.”
…
Thus he found himself outside a quaint shop in a smaller village within the mythical and fantastical realm of modern-day England. It seemed nice enough, a stout brick structure that had some history, while still keeping up with current-generation sensibilities. There were also plenty of flowers adorning the windows and side walls, making the whole area pleasantly scented. It was all so inviting.
So suspicious.
He opened the door cautiously, peeking inside even as he heard the tinkling of the bell above him. Agent half expected the inside to be some sort of otherworldly portal or incomprehensible architecture. But no; it was standard faire for a modest barbershop out of the beaten path. A few stools in front of mirrors, posters advertising hair-care products and the shop’s own specialties. There were quite a few knick-knacks on shelves, various artifacts that looked fancy and expensive. Various other features looked rather pricey, too; a chandelier above, made of crystal, for example. And the colors were vibrant and bright, complimenting the inviting nature of the outside with the comforting inside.
“Why, hellooooo!”
A voice called from around the corner, before someone stepped into view. Agent was mildly surprised to see how well-kept they were, similarly bright colors and a comfortable state of attire on them. He was slightly more surprised to see the voice and the owner of said shop was in fact an anthropomorphic snake, smiling with the air of a fond relative. Agent relaxed somewhat at the sight. Despite the fangs, it was clear this figure was no threat.
“My, don’t you look lovely today,” the snake said, stepping forward to catch a closer look. “Well, don’t be shy, darling! Step on inside and we’ll have a look at you, hmm?”
Agent did as instructed, walking fully inside, hearing the door shut behind him with a gentle thud and a light tinkling from the bell. He still felt uncomfortable, an affect of being somewhere new with someone equally as new.
“You mussst be Agent,” the snake said, a light hiss when he said his “s” sound. He offered to take his hand, something that Agent slowly reciprocated. The snake gently clasped Agent’s hand in both of his own, before leaning in for a light kiss of greeting just atop the knuckles. “Vanessa spoke highly of you and told me you were scheduling an appointment here. My name is Aubrey, and it is a pleasssure to make your delightful acquaintance today!”
“Likewise,” Agent agreed, giving a small smile. He was quite flattered at how flamboyant Aubrey was being, the snake acting as the picture of class and sophistication. He couldn’t exactly tell whether Aubrey was also subtly flirting, however; he’d have thought, after spending time with Vanessa for so long, he could figure these things out, but it was still too early to tell. He was handsome, though, he thought.
Aubrey put his hands against his hips, deep in thought as he analyzed Agent’s hair. “Hmm…” he said. “Yes, with a bit of styling…Maybe a smidgen of coloration…”
Eventually he snapped out of it, giving an apologetic grin. “Ah, how rude of me,” he said. “Stylist’s insight, darling. I was imagining what we could do with your glorious locksss, but I should first seek your input. Our clients come first.”
“Oh, this?” Agent said, idly brushing his hair with his fingers. “I…hadn’t actually thought it out. Maybe just trim the whole thing?”
“The whole thing?”
Aubrey seemed distressed at the thought, and Agent lightly shrunk backwards. Aubrey wasn’t angry, though; he was merely alarmed. “To cut off the entire length is quite a drastic change, dearessst,” he explained. “Why would you go about such a decision?”
“I dunno, I just…” Agent had to ponder this question. “I just don’t really do much with it…”
Aubrey nodded, lost again in thought. “I see,” he said. A firmer nod, realization striking. “Before I get to work, would you care to humor me for a spell?”
“I…sure,” Agent said.
“See, that's what has been bothering me since you first walked in,” Aubrey said. “The walk, the hesitation. Trimming a fabulousss asset. You, my darling friend, have confidence issues, do you not?”
Agent blinked at how forward this question was. “Well, yes,” he said. “Was it that obvious?”
“You don’t get to be my level of mastery without learning about people deeper than they know themselves,” Aubrey chuckled. “You’re merely going with what you know and understand, fearful of the unknown. Fearful of change. When you look in the mirror, you want to see the same old you every morning.” He shook his head. “No way to live life. Carpe diem, that’s the ssspice of life, darling.”
It was like Aubrey was listing off Agent’s autobiography. “Ouch,” he said, rubbing the back of his head. “What would you suggest? I’ve tried a lot of things before.”
“Yes, but were they your choice, or Vanessa’s?” Aubrey said. He gave a pointed glance, idly gesturing with a pair of scissors in the process. “Don’t get me wrong, I love Vanessa like a sister, she’s wonderful, but she understands nothing about personal growth and consent. I bet she just drags you out on adventures that SSSHE wants you to do. You just grow by proxy.”
“I mean, you’re not wrong here,” Agent admitted, increasingly awkward about the whole affair. “How would I break away from it?”
“By being given a choice of your own, and taking it,” Aubrey explained. He walked over to his stylist’s desk, flinging a set of cabinets open on one side of the mirror. He rummaged through the contents, eventually giving a pleased “aha” from his find. He pulled out a small glass vial, setting it on the desk, and then closed the cabinet.
“What we have here is a potent ingredient of my own making,” Aubrey explained. “Normally I would prank Vanessa with this one, but you, my darling, could use the beneficial effects more than even she.”
“You say it’s a prank?” Agent asked. He wasn’t certain how this factored into Aubrey’s plans, but he gave the snake the benefit of the doubt.
“This incredible piece of alchemy is a Thimble of Twinning, imbued with my most exquisite self as the base,” Aubrey said. “I merely lather this directly into your scalp, and the ingredients sink in, changing you into myself, mind and body.” He winked. “No better shape, in my opinion; I’m simply fabulousss!”
“R-right,” Agent stammered briefly. A twinning potion? No wonder Vanessa recommended this place so highly. And yet... “Why tell me all of this?”
“Because I will strictly abstain from using it on you unless you explicitly ask,” Aubrey said, raising a finger; his wrist remained limp from the motion. “Remember, about making a conscious choice to embrace the unusual and grow from the experience? I will give you your requested haircut, as much as removing those gorgeous locks pains me. There will be no consequence for not doing it, of course. But should you wish to experience life as one of the most confident people out there? Experience true beauty? Have my mentality rub off on you after the fact? Merely say the words, and I will happily provide you with your sssanctuary.”
Agent didn’t immediately say anything, even as Aubrey gestured to the barber’s stool. “Now then, I do believe we’ve dawdled long enough,” he explained. “Let’s begin your appointment, darling.”
The nerd obediently followed his stylist’s instructions, taking a seat on the stool carefully, facing the mirror. He could see Aubrey’s reflection prepare a smock to keep the hair from falling onto his clothing, tying it around Agent’s neck.
He didn’t really focus on Aubrey’s movements, however. Nor did he look at his reflection, just as awkward as he saw this morning. His vision was directed at the vial Aubrey called attention to, just sitting on the desk. Untouched. Practically calling for him.
It would have been quite the change, he knew, though this wouldn’t be anything he hadn’t experienced before. Who knew how many times Agent had turned into an anthro twin of another? He certainly lost count. This didn’t even factor in how often Vanessa forcibly made herself a twin sister for the manor to have around.
It was fully his choice. A conscious decision he could make could be the first step he needed to truly build confidence. To be another identity, however? It was a real Ship of Theseus situation, he supposed. If it bled into his own personality, that would certainly justify the changes, but otherwise he was just putting a bandage on top of the problem. Hiding from himself.
No, not hiding. Not quite, anyway. Facing his identity head-on, perhaps. How much of himself was himself? After turning into a snake man, could he truly look at himself the same after?
Aubrey had held his scissors in place, examining Agent’s hair from all angles, debating where to start. Closer to the skull, perhaps? Or should he start near the neckline, give himself some breathing room?
“Wait.”
Aubrey’s motions were paused. He looked into the mirror, seeing Agent’s face, resolve written all over him. Deep inside, Aubrey could tell what was about to happen. And he was proud.
“I’ll take it,” Agent continued. “The vial. I’d like to experience it myself.”
Aubrey looked down at his own experiment, giving a smile. “Why, certainly,” he said. “And I must say, I’m so very pleased at your decision. You’ll make a most exquisite me.”
He took the vial off of the desk, removing the stopper on the glass lips. Tantalizingly, he dangled it over Agent’s head with a mischievous grin, before pouring the entire contents atop his hair.
It already had felt oddly tingly on Agent’s scalp, even on the surface. The latent magic energy was certainly effective, he thought, moments before Aubrey started massaging it deeper, allowing the substance to sink in through the pores. The results were rapid, that same tingling sensation swiftly covering every square inch of Agent’s body, intensifying, tightening. It was all so...so...marvelous.
As Aubrey continued to massage the elixir into his ward’s scalp, he could feel the hair between his fingers moving with ease. A reptile such as himself could not grow hair, after all, and thus Agent’s changing physiology was learning this fact in real-time. Some clumps started shrinking and reabsorbing themselves into his skull. Others began falling out entirely, softly landing on the ground and on the apron in a tidy heap. It was bittersweet, Aubrey thought. Such luxurious hair, gone. But with time, and after the transformation would end, it would grow back just as majestically as the original.
For now, the snake barber watched as Agent began to shift and warp under his delicate fingertips. Scales were forming piece by piece, patches appearing in groups of two, then three, then much more, all in the same vibrant color he himself possessed. Through the mirror, he could see Agent’s mouth, and the growing fangs jutting out from beneath his lips. His face, too, was pushing forward into a pristine snake muzzle, not too short and not too long.
From Agent’s perspective, new sensations were forming. His internal clock was working overtime, the curious feeling of years passing in seconds overtaking him, from twenty-eight to the mid-thirties. It didn’t fully register to Agent, however; the once-human was feeling the mental changes do their work, superimposing new memories over his old ones, dreams of being a stylist, a childhood as a snake-boy, the many guys he had pined over. This wasn’t to say that everything was being concealed, of course; Agent still had full awareness that he used to be a human male with a limp personality. The new mindset merely was a tarp over the original mentality, concealing the old traits temporarily while the new ones ran the body. And that, New Aubrey thought, was perfectly alright by him.
He closed his eyes, humming to himself as Aubrey continued to massage his scalp. Truly he knew his craft, as well as all the best places to knead into for maximum pleasure. He allowed his tail to grow, pushing against his jeans until the pressure was too much, tearing through the threads with an audible ripping sound, the new appendage coiling longer and longer. He felt somewhat colder now in the room, his blood changing to match his proper species. Perhaps the air conditioner was up too high again...Fortunately there were some spare clothes in the back room, just his size. Just his style, too. A handsome snake such as himself had to look his absolute best at all times.
Eventually Aubrey allowed his hands to pull away from his twin’s head, and he examined his workmanship. It was, literally and figuratively, like looking in a mirror, an exact replica of himself in the stool in front of him. The new Aubrey was smirking with mischief on the mind, preening his head slowly to the left and right, absorbing the new features.
“An exquisite job as always, darling,” he said. “Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less from myself.”
“It’s such a delight, knowing I’ve made another of my clientsss pleased,” the real Aubrey said with a wide smile.
The original stylist stepped around the copy, taking both hands gently into his own. He helped his clone stand up, the two firing each other flirtatious glances all the while.
“So, tell me,” he asked. “How do you feel?”
“Better than I have ever felt,” New Aubrey said. “I feel...Well, like my old self, but better. More alive, I suppose? It’s a lot to take in, but it’s certainly nothing a pair of strikingly delightful ssspecimens can’t handle, no?”
“Very true,” Aubrey laughed. He carefully untied the apron, setting it aside, all while never breaking eye contact. He certainly did an excellent job, he thought, down to the last physical detail. Of course, some more intimate details might have to be inspected later, when the boutique was closed for the night.
“I’ll be sure to pass you along to Vanessa,” Aubrey continued. “Later. For now, I could use a hand styling some of my later clients, if you wish. Perhaps we could get to know each other better?”
New Aubrey grinned. “That sounds like a sssplendid idea, darling,” he said. “And I can use your years of practice to speak with everyone as well. I thank you for your charitable offer.”
The two laughed in stereo, pleased with the company of themselves. Two identical serpents, the pictures of grace with the attitude to match.
Category Artwork (Digital) / Transformation
Species Snake / Serpent
Gender Male
Size 3673 x 1827px
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