Donning One's Daughter (Aga's POV)

I watched as she withered to an empty husk in my hands. Claire, the girl I’d given birth to while I'd worn Patricia. I felt giddy about seeing her again, even if she was nothing more than another face to wear at the moment.

“So, you intend to wear her after all?” Minh asked as he entered the apartment, gently shutting the door behind him.

“Yes.” I responded curtly. “She is the quickest way to strike at Edward. As for this Laura girl I'm wearing, I’m sure you’ll find her life a fun distraction while we wait.”

Minh smirked.

“Should be fun. I can't say I've been a skater girl before. I'm looking forward to slipping into her for a bit~”

Minh proceeded to peel out of Claire’s co-worker. All too eager to leave the confines of the male form. I also quickly undressed the girl I was wearing and removed her before I tossed her Minh’s way, and then giving him a little poke with one of my spines to transfer her soul to him.

“Now Minh, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be stepping into the other room to get dressed.”

Walking towards what looked like her bedroom, I wandered inside the dwelling that would be mine for the foreseeable future. Now in some degree of privacy, I looked down at Claire.

Claire, the closest thing I’d ever had to a real daughter. I’d never had the chance to become a mother before I was turned. All these years I’d never settled into a life to fill that role. Even as Patricia it was mostly to keep up appearances while I reaped the rewards of her marriage with that rich fool she’d called a husband. I’d felt very indifferent when Edward was born, but when I’d had Claire something inside me just… clicked.

At first I was planning to raise her to adulthood. Steer her life in a direction most befitting of me before slipping in and taking her life as my own. But as time went by my intentions began to fade as I wavered in my resolve for the first time. I believe I had begun to feel love for someone. A child I could call my own. Edward had even started to grow on me a bit as well, but past experiences told me I couldn’t grow too attached. If I ever had to leave Patricia, I didn’t think I’d be able to let them go. So I offered them little gifts of affection. It rattled their father a bit, and it was amusing for sure. But after a while, their verbal altercations with their father drove them to the brink. So, as a final act of discreet kindness, I got in contact with Nikolai to help aid me in Claire’s escape from her father's abuses. After she finally escaped, she found her way to her brother who had been kicked out four years earlier.

And with that, she was gone.

Gone from the life I was living, and it indeed hurt a little. But after some time, those wounds had healed as I lived Patricia’s life and I spent time with my coven.

After several months had passed since they had both left, my comfortable life as Patricia began to fall apart. And wouldn’t it be my surprise that my Edward had been blessed by another of our kind. With our gift at his disposal, he’d decided to strike back at his father and topple the company his father and I ran. I should have been angry. Furious even. But that wasn’t the case. No. I felt proud of him. My offspring had not only been blessed, but had also embraced the skinwalker gift to enact vengeance!

My life as Patricia was now over. Now that he’d stripped me of my comforts, I began to worry that to some extent he could possibly threaten those whom I considered my true family. My coven. I’d have to do my duty as a mother and set my troublesome offspring straight.

I chuckled to myself recalling it all.

Slipping into Claire, a satisfied grin crossed my visage. If I was going to prove a point to my now skinwalker son, I’d have to hit him where it hurt most. By skinning and wearing his dear sister.

“Mmmm… You feel really good, dear. If you hadn’t started to grow on me as a child, I most certainly would have reveled in taking your form for myself. You could've been a wealthy and successful lawyer, or even an aspiring business mogul had I stayed true to my plans to steal your life as my own. It's almost poetic that we've been reunited in such a twisted and lovely way."

In the end, Claire would end up as my vessel as intended, but only for a brief time. I still cared for her, even after all this time. That’s why I could never let someone else wear her. Slipping her head over mine, I looked at her in the mirror she kept in her room. She was beautiful, and strong. I could see her as a ripe target for many of our kind. But she was mine. No one else could have her.

My mind then went to thoughts of what I’d do after I’d made my point to Edward. I could turn Claire and have both of my darling children become skinwalkers. Oh how that could rattle some~ Children I’d birthed from a previous skin also becoming skinwalkers! It would be magnificent. On the other hand, I could have Edward guard her. According to her memories, Edward had taken a female form with a lot of clout and funds that he could use to keep her safe. That and the skinwalker that had turned him had also befriended my children. How amusing. The poor dear must have been all alone. They seemed sincere, at least. Quite comfortable with their current face. I’d have to make sure they wouldn’t be eyeing my Claire at some point. Just to be sure.

“Oh sweety if only you were a skinwalker, then I’d have you join our coven~ It would be wonderful to have you as part of the family again." I said as I posed in the mirror in her skin. Admiring her form and feeling a sense of pride that she was my child was an addictive feeling I hadn't felt since my early days of being a skinwalker.

"You really are special, dear. Don't worry, I won't let anyone hurt you as long as you and Edward can reach an understanding with me and my coven."

Now wrapped up tight in Claire, I dressed in the clothes she had been wearing before we arrived, and walked out into the living room. On the couch sat Minh, now inside the Laura girl, feeling up the body he now wore.

I cleared my throat.

Minh turned around with a sultry look plastered across Laura’s face.

“Oh, hey Claire! Just give me a moment and I’ll be out of your hair. Gotta make sure everything is in order before I head out.”

"No worries, Laura! Just make sure Al makes it home okay. He's been a huge help tonight, he deserves some rest."

Minh then got up, and grabbed a shoulder bag containing the deflated form of Al. With a wink and playfully sticking Laura's tongue out, he strutted out of the apartment.

"Now with Minh gone, what do you do to entertain yourself," I said looking around the room. My eyes landing on a video game console as I felt Claire's desires kicking in.

Sitting down on the living room couch, I grabbed a controller and booted up the console and started playing Mario Kart. Alternating between Claire's own skills at the game and my own inexperience to create a pseudo-bonding moment. A strange and twisted way to have her show me how to play. Spending hours running time trials and cups until my eyelids felt heavy as lead.

"It was fun playing with you tonight, Claire," I said as I shut the console off. "I hope Edward... no... Yun will come to an understanding. And that Dahlia girl. I do want to learn more about her. She's had many opportunities to become you, yet she has stayed in her current skin. I wonder if she has truly settled down in that life, or if she may have more she's hiding."

Laying down in her bed, and snuggling under the covers, I lay there with my thoughts picking through her memories. How she had felt about me was probably something I should have avoided, but my curiosity persisted. If I hadn't had to keep up appearances, would she have been more accepting of me? Should I have scorned Victor for his treatment? These things had never crossed my mind at the time because she was still with me. I could revel in the comfortable life of Patricia while watching over her, and that was enough for me... but that wasn't what I should have done as a mother.

I chuckled, "It's quite amusing to think that I developed these motherly instincts. I've spent many years with many faces, never once developing true bonds with the humans I mingled with. My coven has always been my true family, and yet you and Edward somehow awoke something in me. I would love if you both could join us, but I fear that if I push too hard I'll only push you away. But at the same time if Edward... Yun does raise a finger against us, I won't hesitate. I just hope if it does come to that, that you won't get caught in the crossfire, my dear Claire..."

With a gentle sigh, closed my eyes and let sleep take me.

The next day, I had to admit, was a bit refreshing. To live such a normal life as a single girl after spending so much time as Patricia and Elise was a nice change of pace, although I did long for the nights of passion I’d spent as Elise with her lover. I shrugged it off though, and went about Claire’s daily schedule before meeting Minh, still in Laura, at a local café that Claire was fond of.

Sipping on an espresso in the chilly, exposed brick cafe I saw Minh skate by the storefront window and up to the door. Walking in, Laura was looking a lot more put together than when we had met her. Minh must have enjoyed exploring her wardrobe and dolling her up a bit. As long as he didn't draw too much attention, I didn't really care what he did as long as he stayed focused on our mission.

He approached the counter, discreetly eyed up the cute barista before placing his order, and then strutted over to my table to sit across from me.

"So, how has your day been Laura?" I asked, "Anything interesting you want to talk about."

Settling into his act, Minh responded with a sigh.

"You know, same ol' same ol'. Just trying to muscle through the lectures until the weekend gets here. Trying to figure out plans. Waiting on Dahl to get back so we can hang. Maybe do a sort of 'staycation with her or do a trip of my own with another friend."

"Oh, what do you have in mind?" I responded with a smile.

"I was thinking maybe hanging out with Sherine a bit. She's a friend of Dahl and me. I'm sure a little bonding time between girls once Dahl gets back would be just what the doctor ordered." he said as he twirled Laura's hair between his fingers.

The barista then approached our table and sat down an iced tea and a sandwich.

"I hope you enjoy!" she said with a smile before noticing both of the table's occupants.

"Oh, are you a friend of Claire's? She's here quite often on her off days. I hope you enjoy our little establishment as much as she does!"

With that she scampered off, back behind the counter. Minh breaking character for a moment to watch her with a devilish smirk.

"Now Laura, it's not nice to stare."

"Yeah, I know Claire, but she's just so cute~ Maybe I'll come back and chat with her after hanging with Dahl and Sherine."

"Don't get too caught up, Laura. You wouldn't want to get side tracked and loose time you could spend with friends and family."

Minh sighed again, "You're right, Claire. As much fun as it would be, I've got to make sure to get my work done after hanging with my friends."

With that, Minh then started on his sandwich while I continued to sip on my coffee. We also continued to exchange coded conversation with each other to maintain appearances. After I had myself another cup, and a few biscotti, Minh had finished his meal and we both left to head to the apartment that Claire had been living in. Edward would be arriving soon, and we had to prepare ourselves for the meeting.

"So, do you think I'll have time to change before they get back, Claire?" Minh asked as we approached the apartment.

"You should have plenty of time. Dahlia and Seo-Yun won't be back until later this evening." I said as I unlocked the apartment and ushered Minh inside.

"Cool, I'll be right back." Minh said as he walked off to one of the bedrooms.

In the meantime, I sat myself down and booted up the Switch. This time deciding to occupy myself with some Mario Party while I waited. After about half a session of play, Minh sashayed into the room in his usual skin.

"Room for one more?"

"What took you so long, Minh?"

He gave a gentle smile as he sat on the couch, "Just wanted to clean up Laura after spending time in her. I think it'd be rude to give her back without at least cleaning her up a bit."

He picked up a controller and brushed his long purple hair over his ear.

"How would you say Laura stacks up against your usual skin?" I asked as we started a round of Mario Party.

"Oh, she's cute and quite comfy but I much prefer my Asian beauty and flowing purple locks~" he said with a smile. "Also, I don't think the Dahlia girl would appreciate me staying as her any longer. But I'm sure you're already aware of who I intend to wear while I stay behind."

"Not worried that will stir up animosity?"

"It will a bit, but I believe it will catch their attention better than staying as Laura. And being anyone else wouldn't have the impact we need to get through to them."

I smiled, taking my turn in the game, "I'm glad to hear you've figured out your plans for the week."

"So, Aga, why did you pick me to help you this time?" Minh asked as my die landed.

"Well, Minh, as you know Nikolai and Oliver are preoccupied with their own business. Aisha can be a bit possessive of me, and I doubt she'd be jumping at the chance to get involved with the human children I'd had as Patricia. I fear her jealousy would cloud her judgement. As for Ashley, her history with Edward could prevent her from doing what needs to be done to send the message we need to send. So that left me with you, and Matthew. From there I weighed your abilities, personalities, and willingness. So I came to decide on you, primarily for your personal evolution as a fallback if we'd ever need it. Also, I felt you'd enjoy wearing some new girls while we worked."

Minh chuckled, "Well, I'm glad you brought me along, Aga. Whatever your reasons were. It was nice to explore the college Laura attends. To see all those cuties through a set of unassuming eyes. Getting to skateboard for the first time in all my years as a skinwalker. That was exhilarating. But I can't say I was too fond of her smoking habit. It's not my body, but the dear really should take a little bit better care of herself. She's quite the looker, and her personality was lovely to have. I do hope she maintains a good, healthy life moving forward."

"Yes, I hope these girls won't cause us any further trouble. For their sake, and ours."

We continued playing for a few more hours. Without relying on Claire's knowledge, we ended two games to one in my favor before having to end our fun. Shutting off the console and taking our seats, we began waiting for the return of Edward.

Oh, Claire, sweety... I do hope Yun will come to an agreement with us.

I settled into my own personality and began to wait for Seo-Yun's return.