Claire-ity with Dahlia (Claire's POV)

(Claire’s POV)

Ed was on a plane to visit our father amongst other unsightly details. I was fine letting bygones be bygones, but Ed always wanted him to get his comeuppance. That brashness inside of him has been there since we were kids. Running into danger, trying to save those being bullied despite being outnumbered. Chivalrous to no end. It got him into more trouble than it was worth, especially when it came to me and our father.

I admired him, I mean, who wouldn’t want a big brother that looked after, protected, and cherished you. Although, admittedly he was a bit overprotective. Maybe that’s why I became a cop, to show that I could look after myself.

I was making dinner for the night, some real comfort food; macaroni and cheese. Look, I know it’s a simple dish, but with Dahlia coming over, I didn’t want to overcomplicate things!

“A pinch of salt into a saucepan full of water, wait for it to boil, then chuck those funny pasta shapes in,” I recited to myself, making sure I didn’t forget anything. As I closed the lid on the pan of boiling pasta, I heard a knock on the door. Dahlia had arrived.

“Oh… Dahlia, you’re early. I’m still making dinner.” I said, opening the door.

I thought this was going to be a casual meetup, so when I saw her in a tight form-fitting maxi dress, my eyes widened in surprise.

“...And you’re all dressed up too?”

“I couldn’t arrive here without making an effort for a cutie like you~”

She posed in front of me, grinning like a cat, every part of her screamed confidence. Her red hair was neatly tied up into a ponytail, the dress an emerald green to match her eyes with high heels to complete the look.

“So, what do you think?” She asked in a sultry tone.

“I think you’ve overdressed for the occasion,” was my sardonic response.

She pouted, I suppose she thought I’d be entranced by her beauty. She recovered quickly, however, any hint of disappointment was replaced by a sanguine expression.

“What are we having tonight?”

I paused. Just seeing her in that outfit made me feel out of place, like I was wearing pyjamas to a business meeting.

“Oh, I was making mac ‘n cheese… but I guess… since you’re wearing–”

“That sounds delightful, need any help?”

She sauntered to the kitchen, and drained the pasta that I had completely forgotten about.

“There’s really no need, I–”

“Nonsense, now, do you have a roux prepared?”

“A what? I have a tin of pasta sauce that I use to coat the pasta before I put it in the oven.”

“And they say I’m a monster. Alright, let me give you a quick cooking lesson. I was once a Michelin star chef, you know.”

Almost like an army general, she ordered me to fetch her; milk, flour, and cheese. Although, when teaching me the proper consistency and ratios I should be using, she was very gentle and calming. It was a miracle how she managed to keep all the flour away from her dress when she was stirring it all together.

Before we knew it, the macaroni and cheese was ready. I placed the tray between Dahlia and me, and she scooped a portion onto her plate.

“Mhmm, there’s something about making homemade food that makes it all the more delicious,” Dahlia said after taking a bite.

Taking a bite myself, I was impressed by how silky smooth and cheesy that sauce– sorry, roux– tasted. Something which Dahlia must have noticed too.

“Enjoying it? We make a good team, don’t we~”

She never seems to stop flirting, does she?

“I suppose… Dahlia, I wanted to ask you something about skinwalkers.” I asked, my voice wavering slightly from the fact I was talking about her true self.

“Oh? I thought Ed and I told you everything you needed to know?”

“Well, you mentioned something about editing memories and I wanted to learn more.”

“Ah, a very useful feature that stops unnecessary explanations and, of course, helps mask a skinwalker's presence.”

“Before you became Dahlia, she didn’t act like you are now?”

“Heh, not at all. She was mean, spoiled, and vindictive. Now, I’m a kind, sweet-talking lesbian~”

“And if you left her would she–”

“I could alter her memories, make her think it was all her doing… but that’s not what you really wanted to know, is it?”

It was rather unnerving how perceptive she could be.

“Not that I’m accusing you of anything, but Ed went from being really cautious about you to trusting you in quite a short amount of time.”

She was quick to reassure me.

“I’m not into boys, whether that be dating or wearing them, nor do I have any interest in manipulating Ed~”

I watched her carefully. I trusted Ed, who trusted Dahlia, but I wasn’t so convinced if Ed’s trust was genuine. She, of course, noticed my apprehension.

“Look, I could have skinned you and made you fall in love with me, but I didn’t because I promised Ed. I could have very easily gotten what I wanted if I was unscrupulous.”

I thought deeply, thinking about her words whilst munching on the macaroni in front of me. What she said was true, but the undeniable power dynamic between us filled me with unease. There was one thing however. If she wanted me to trust her, she’d have to trust me.

“Is there a way I could wear Dahlia’s skin?” I said, breaking the silence between us.

“Sure, it’s possible, I could remove Dahlia’s skin for you to wear… I don’t think that’s a good idea, though,” she said, the first time she’s shown the slightest hint of nervousness. “I wouldn’t want you to see the gory nature of a skinwalker. And besides, I’d be all exposed.”

“Well, um… you could wear my skin in exchange.”

“Really?” Her eyes lit up.

I suppose I might have volunteered myself a little too quickly, but I didn’t like the idea of some innocent bystander being used for what amounted to a trust exercise.

“That’d be a touch more complicated though,” she mused. “But I think it’s possible, I’ve never switched souls before.”

“Then it’ll be a new experience for the two of us. Best we do it tomorrow, though, I have enough chores to keep me busy all night.”

“Alright, Claire. I appreciate your candour, even after what I did to your brother.” She sounded rather genuine there, her sultriness all but evaporated.

I smiled at her, and took the now empty plate to the sink.

“Any desserts?”

To Dahlia’s dismay, all I had to offer her was some store-bought apple pie. In her words, they were ‘cardboard sugar’. Admittedly, I didn’t really notice. If it was sweet, I ate it.

We chatted onwards after dinner and played some video games. It seemed none of the skins she’s worn had any experience with Tekken since I trounced her thoroughly. We switched to some more casual games which she was more accustomed to, but since they were my games, she was still outmatched. She took it well though, enjoying the company over the activity itself. Honestly, the more we played and talked, the more open she became. Perhaps, it was the fact that she could finally share that skinwalker side of her to Ed and me. How she talked about experiencing different lives, different bodies, different cultures, in all honesty made me a little jealous. Ed would become like that too, I guess.

Eventually, it was time for Dahlia to leave, she had classes and I had work the next day, so we couldn’t stay up all night. After a small cleanup and a quick shower, I was in bed wearing my pyjamas. I contemplated what I had agreed with Dahlia during dinner. Switching bodies essentially. It was scary yet undeniably exciting.

****

The next day rolled over, and all I could think about was the ‘switch’ that Dahlia and I were going to make. She was really pretty, and having that opportunity to flaunt that was arousing to say the least. We agreed to meet at my place again, same time as yesterday. But first I had a full day of work.

Police work was nowhere near as glamorous as it’s depicted on TV. It’s paperwork, mountains and mountains of paperwork. Making sure everything is correctly filled in, all the details are correct, passing it on to the superior officer, to then having it sent back to me to fill in the one section I forgot to fill in. Rinse and repeat. The only respite I got was being able to text Ed during the day to ask how his trip went.

I hadn’t been this excited to clock out.

Once I got home, I changed into a pair of denim overalls. I considered something more risque since Dahlia would be wearing my body, but my wardrobe was built for comfort rather than style. While waiting for Dahlia, I occupied myself with the usual assortment of video games – a ritualistic reward for a hard day's work.

Soon, I heard a knock on the door. I opened it, seeing Dahlia once again, this time she was in a ruffled blouse and mini skirt.

“Oh, hi, Dahlia, so when are we–”

The last thing I felt was the coldness of Dahlia’s spine plunge its way into my neck. It wasn’t painful, yet all my energy faded to nothing as I was turned into a husk.

I woke up, groggy, the same feeling I’ve had waking from a sleepless night. I was lying on the couch? And… is that ginger hair blocking my view?

That rose me from my stupor, memories of Dahlia stabbing me with her tendril which meant I was in her body. I sat up, brushed away those stray hairs, and heard those glossy black heels on my feet, clack against the wooden floorboards.

“Hello,” I said with apprehension hearing Dahlia’s voice a little deeper than her regular high-pitched tone.

I heard footsteps from my bedroom and saw myself enter the living room. I knew it was Dahlia, but it didn’t make the situation any less bizarre.

“Hey, you’re up!” I heard my body say, in a cheerier tone that was unfamiliar to me. I could only look at her astounded.

“You don’t know how much of a pain it was, putting that outfit on my body while you were ****. I should have worn something a little baggier~”

I looked down, seeing that same tan blouse Dahlia wore when she entered my home. I ran my finger around the hem of her leather mini skirt feeling the cold, smooth material on my now smaller fingers.

“Are you okay, there?” She asked, bemused at watching me inspect her clothes.

“Huh, ehm… Dahlia, I’m–” I spluttered.

“You’re Dahlia now, I’m Claire, remember.” She said gleefully.

“Right, sorry, Claire.”

“Heh, loosen up, tell me, how does it feel being me?”

“Well, um… losing an inch makes everything feel that tiny bit smaller, and I suppose it’s weird seeing–” I looked down towards my cleavage.

“...those being bigger.”

Dahlia cracked up, while my face reddened.

“You’re so adorable, even when you’re in my body.” That didn’t help me feel any less embarrassed.

“Come on, let’s go to the bathroom, so you can have a real look at your new body.” She said, grabbing my hand and pulling me off the couch.

I saw my reflection in the mirror, entrancing emerald eyes were the first thing that caught my attention. The bravado that Dahlia normally carried was replaced by my fawn-like apprehension. I reached up and ran my fingers through my new copper locks.

So silky smooth, I’ll have to ask what kind of shampoo she uses.

While reaching up, I got a hint of Dahlia’s deodorant – flowery, almost like a perfume. To my side, I could see Dahlia grinning, watching me experience her body.

“Don’t get too attached, that’s still my body.” She said in a sing-songy tone. I wasn’t listening, too enamoured by the girl in the mirror.

“God, you’re so pretty,” I murmured, lost inside my reflection.

“You’re not so bad yourself. If I was still in my early days as a skinwalker, you’d be awfully tempting.”

“Uhm… thanks?”

“Sorry, that was supposed to be a compliment, but that might have been a bit creepy to hear.” She said, reminiscent of my own awkwardness.

“I’m glad you find me attractive though.” I said, a little giddy that someone as beautiful as her saw me that way. Dahlia perked up from my remark.

“Of course. I mean, I wouldn’t give Dahlia up if the body I wasn’t switching into was of equal or higher value~” Hearing my body say those words in such a teasing way was surreal.

I never knew I could sound so sultry.

We stayed in that bathroom a while longer, each of us complimenting features of the other’s body. Dahlia was impressed by how strong my body was despite my ‘cute’ appearance. Honestly, I thought she was just trying to be nice, but she was so enthusiastic about it.

“All you’re missing is the right outfit, and you’ll be a real showstopper!” She beamed, posing my body in front of the mirror.

“I don’t think I want to bring attention to myself in the station.” I retorted.

“Oh, I forgot you were a cop… Wait, that means–”

She rushed to my bedroom, I followed not quite fully used to Dahlia’s heels, and saw her holding my police uniform.

“Can… I try it on?” She asked with anticipation.

“Eh, sure, it’s nothing special though.”

“I do love a girl in uniform~” She giddily exclaimed, while taking off my overalls. It was strange to see myself so excited about something I did almost every day.

Wearing my shirt, trousers, and badge, her look was complete, well almost. I handed her my hat, which she excitedly placed on her head.

“You’re under arrest.” She said with authority using my voice, before sticking her tongue out and laughing at herself in the bedroom mirror.

“I didn’t think you’d find this so much fun,” I said, bemused by her antics.

“With you on the streets, everyone’s going to commit crimes just to see you. Crime rates are going to skyrocket~!”

“Stop it, I’m not…” I blushed, not sure how to respond.

“Hmm, do you have handcuffs, we could have fun~”

“They’re at the station, I don’t keep that kinda stuff at home.”

“A pity, perhaps another time~”

It seemed Dahlia could make the most mundane moments into something exciting. After a little more playing around, she eventually changed back to my overalls, and we went back to the living room.

“Don’t you want to try something in my body, Dahlia?” She asked me, while we were sitting on our living room couch.

“Oh, I don’t know, being in your body is already enough,” I responded, feeling embarrassed already.

“Why don’t you try acting more like me, be more seductive and teasing, while I can be the shy blushing cutie for once~” My eyes widened at the suggestion.

“Uh, sure. So, um, Claire… do you like what you see~?” I said, gesturing to my body.

She struggled to suppress a laugh while I said that.

“Sorry, sorry! You’re doing great!”

We had a lot of fun, pretending to be each other – or at least an exaggerated caricature of each other. It was difficult at first, trying to detach my nervous tendencies in favour of what I would describe as a seductress. But as time went on, I could see Dahlia was impressed by my acting. It was a challenge for Dahlia too, since she usually relied on the memories of her host to imitate them. She had skinned quiet, mousy girls before, allowing her to have some personalities to draw on, but that was far long past that it didn’t help much.

“Think we could trick Ed?” I asked out of curiosity after a good half hour playing pretend.

“Ah, we should probably switch back before he arrives, I did promise I wouldn’t do anything to you.” She said, pressing her fingers together, clearly she was worried about how he’d react.

“You’ll be fine,” I reassured. “It’s a bit of fun, he’ll understand.”

“But… but… what if he–” Dahlia stuttered, copying my nervousness from last night.

“Claire, your brother cares a lot about you. He won’t harm you~” I teased.

“Alright, Dahlia, I trust you.”

Now we had to wait for Ed to arrive.