Towards the Beach

Matt looked once again at the mirror, the waspish body elegantly held, the dark bra and panties peeking out from the semi transparent red shawl and sarong, his tussled red hair that matched with his seductive lips and lowered dark eyes. Could he really go out there like this?

"If you have trouble getting to your destination in time, we can call for some assistance."

"NO," Matt yelled, his painted lips opening wide to say it. He had no idea what sort of "assistance" the machine would offer, but based on everything else....

He would have loved to grab at least one more thing to cover up. A jacket, a cloak, anything... he considered asking the machine but considered against it. Going out exposed like this was probably better than whatever the machine would cook up. In a short time it had taken his hair, his masculinity, even his voice. He needed to quit while he was behind.

Strutting towards the now open exit, phone in hand, he almost panicked as he heard arms moving towards him, but thankfully they only put the red purse over his right shoulder (which he put the phone back in), a rolled towel in his left arm, and a pink flower in his hair. Walking on, he passed the threshold into the bedroom, and choosing the right door this time, he went out onto the landing.

The idea of navigating descending stairs with six inch heels and a completely different center of gravity was a terrifying prospect, but just as the SynthSkin adjusted his movements so he walked elegantly, it was also able to adjust its movement for the stairs.

Matt held what little breath he had, he happily let the skin do most of the work as he just tried to move forward. His heeled feet were neatly guided, step by step, down the hard steps. One foot in front of the other, the sway exaggerated by the larger movement, and arms calmly holding onto towel and bag.

He got to the bottom, paused as he exhaled his breath, and took a moment.

With the AI mostly integrated upstairs, maybe he should take a break. Forget about going outside, maybe sit on a couch, watch TV? It sounds good. But what about that "missing person" thing? And more importantly... the Email Verification he'd need to make any changes to the schedule.

"Wait... can you update my email address."

"Certainly, we'll send an email change confirmation to your current email address..."

"Wait, don't I'm fine."

A plan formed, a spark of hope. But he'd need a computer to do it and he definitely couldn't do it now, not during daytime when "normal people" could potentially be checking their phone.

Until then he.... had to act as "normally" as possible. Raise as few waves as possible. Make sure no unintended action could send an alert to the real Vanessa.

"Vanessa, you have your sunbathing activity in 18 mins."

Matt gulped, "Well then let's hit the beach."

Striding forward with an exaggerated sway, Matt moved towards the front door that opened in front of him, and walked out into the sun and fresh air! Somehow the fake skin could even let him feel the warmth of the sun. It was beautiful.

Looking around the resort, he could see several other houses, and a pool in the center. That was how demented this AI was, couldn't sunbath right out front, it had to be in a more public place on the beach. Looking at the phone again he noticed directions weren't that complicated. Follow a path over a road or two to the beach, and there was another path that followed the coast to the intended destination.

"Miss, do you need any help?" Matt looked up to see an athletic man in swim trunks leaning over the low wire gate that separated the path from the pool area. Matt's heart beat for a second in panic.

"No, I think I'm okay," Matt smiled in a "please go away" expression, that came across as coy on his bright red lips.

"Are you sure," he seemed to reach for the gate's opening mechanism, "Because if you have any trouble...."

"HONEY? Are you OKAY?" A voice from further into the pool area.

"YEAH... I'M FINE..." with the man distracted in responding to his presumed wife, Matt took the opportunity like a shot and walked away down the path.

The experience with the husband made Matt more self-conscious. With not many options to cover up, Matt pulled the large sunglasses over his eyes and walked on.

The accelerated pace made Matt even more aware of his new body. His rear end shaking every time he moved one heeled foot in front of the other, his chest bouncing up with each step, the sarong tickling against his thighs in a way he totally didn't expect, his long red hair moving in the breeze and tickling his shoulders and upper back.

And he wasn't the only one noticing.

A gardener watering one of the plants looked up and didn't even pretend to hide his gaze as Matt walked by, pretending not to notice.

A teenage girl pleaded to her mother, "See, look how good it looks. Why won't you let me dress like that?"

A jogger passed by, altered his route, and passed by again slightly slower.

By the time Matt had reached the road crossing, he was worried he'd literally cause an accident. Thankfully no such thing happened. The cars just stopped early at the crossing and gave Matt plenty of time to cross it.

A few more steps on, he could see the beach path. Partly boardwalk, partly standard tarmacadam. It followed the beach along the coast, giving great access to the sandy shores, and great views of the people having fun and the crystal blue sea.