Shooter
"You can talk?" She asked me, still staring, wide eyed. "T-that's not possible. My ability only works on animals, and..."
"I am an animal. Just one that can talk. Lots actually can, just maybe not in a language you'd be able to understand." I shrugged and nuzzled under her chin again. That wasn't an insult, just a reality.
"What are you?" The man that had been doing most of the talking asked. He had placed himself between us and the rest of the group, looking suspicious and defensive.
"I'm a transformer. We are part of the kingdom of beasts. The line that separates people from animals is a little more blurry than you probably think. No need to get into that right now. Just go ahead and assume I'm as intelligent as any average person you'd meet."
"But... I'm so sorry. I didn't know you were...I mean, I would never have..." Her voice slightly quivered with remorse and fear.
"Oh don't worry." I laughed and smiled brightly, trying not to show off my fans too much. "Feel free to order me around whenever you want."
The blush that came to her cheeks was adorable. But the whole situation was clearly confusing for her. She looked away from me and fidgeted with her hands like she didn't know what to do with them. I sighed a little. Now that she knew I could talk, she probably wouldn't pet me anymore. People are so much less comfortable with physical contact than animals.
"What do you want? Why were you at the Rataran compound?" The man was now clearly in interrogation mode. I looked at him a little more closely. He had a few scars and was standing in a fighting stance. He had training and seemed to be a warrior of some sort. And he was defending the others even though his surface thoughts revealed they were all strangers.
"We were there on a personal matter. Following a lead. I just happen to see you guys and," I turned back to her with a smile, "When you told me to help, I just couldn't refuse."
"I thought you were a bird. I was just hoping for a distraction... was that some sort of illusion?"
"Nope. Transformers can change shapes. I'm not really a dragon either." I changed into a fluffy fox-type creature. Most people think they're very cute. She gasped and couldn't resist petting my fur as I circled her, rubbing against her in my best cat impersonation.
"That's amazing! So, what do you really look like?"
"You know that mass of light between the change? That's it. We're basically energy that can form a shell that looks like other species." My voice came out a little softer in this form and seemed to help her feel even more relaxed. I made a mental note to thank Dad for teaching us how to put people at ease, a skill I'd never particularly cared for before now.
"Are there more like you?" The man asked.
"Of course. Four of my siblings were there with me. They were just in humanoid forms."
"So, you can look like a person as well?" He was clearly doing calculations in his head, still considering my usefulness. A scan of his thoughts revealed a reluctance to use the female's ability to control a sentient creature, but he was clearly trying to weigh the benefits of using such an ally. He was being practical, but I didn't feel threatened or offended in the least.
"That's amazing." The woman stared at me with a huge smile. She had no thoughts of my usefulness. Just innocent amazement. I could also feel her quiet resolve to never use her ability on me again. Oddly, that just made me want her to even more. I suddenly had a feeling that I wanted her to dominate me... in other ways. The thought was a bit surprising, and confusing, but also intriguing. She was intriguing.
And suddenly, I didn't want her to see me just as a cute and cuddly animal. At least, not exclusively. I'd happily be anything she wanted, but I wondered how she'd react seeing me as her own kind...
I transformed without another thought. New forms are always fun to try out. Some are more comfortable than others. Some take getting used to. As I found myself suddenly eye to eye with probably the most beautiful and interesting female I'd ever met, and saw her face suddenly blush even deeper than before, I had a feeling I'd like this new form very much.
Standing up, I went ahead and stretch and moved. I was shorter than usual. This species must be shorter on average. Looking over at the other males, I was a bit taller than most. About the same as the one who'd been talking. I was a little broader and more muscular than him, though this is one of the more lithe forms I'd been in. But I was always a little taller than average, and more on the bulky side.
Looking at my hands, and running my fingers through the loose stands of hair that fell around my ears, I tried to get an idea of my new color scheme. I'd picked the same race as the female I liked, so was similar, though my hair was a lighter shade, and my skin slightly darker. My guess was I probably got more sun exposure than her. That often had a similar effect on color shades in a number of species. Though it could be diet or random variation.
I also tried to style my clothes in lose garments similar to theirs. Though I couldn't replicate the synthetic fabric, I thought the soft cream colored hide still looked similar enough to pass.
"What do you think?" I spun around, getting familiar with my current center of gravity, and letting her get a good look. I'd never paid attention, but always got the impression I would be considered handsome. For maybe the first time in my life, I actually wondered if I was, or at least if she'd think so. I was also starting to wrap my head around the idea that my interest in her was more than idle curiosity. This was new territory for me.
She stood and looked me up and down. I bowed in an exaggerated and playful way, earning a small giggle. Standing up straight, I realized I was only an inch or so taller than her. "Your males aren't that much taller than your females, huh?" I reached my hand out to the top of her head and brought it back to me; it was at about eye level.
"Um, no there isn't a big difference between Nehwalian men and women." She looked a little bashful. The man off to the side of us got an defensive expression, so it was probably a trait that incited ridicule.
"I kinda like it." I leaned down and turned my head to the side to look up at her. She looked even prettier that way. "Transformers are kinda similar. My mom's pretty close to my dad's height. Though, she's tall for a female, and he's barely above average for a male."
"Are you close with your family?" She asked, looking curious but also a little sad. It didn't take a genius to realize she was worrying about her own family. Qualin had said all Nehwalians were slaves, so her family was likely all enslaved.
"Yeah, we're real tight knit. Nothing is more important than family."
She nodded. Tears were welling up in her eyes.
"I'll help you get your family."
"What?" Her eyes widened, but the tears stopped.
"I can teleport anywhere you've been, and to anyone you know. If you have loved ones you need to rescue, I'll help. I'll get you all to safety."
"Are you serious? You can do can that?" She looked from me to the rest of the group; they all seemed to be holding their breath.
Like usual, I'd jumped into something without thinking it through. Oh well. There was only about half a dozen people here. I could do this. I could at least help them get their immediate families. My family would understand if I went on a little side mission.
"To clarify, I might not be able to get everyone today. I can only teleport so many times before I need a good night's sleep. And there's a limit to the number of individuals I can get in one trip...but I have a few more jumps in me. How about you all decide who you want to get to, and in what order. Anyone who lives together to save on jumps would be good.
"Thank you," she started, tears threatening to spill from her eyes again, "Oh, I never asked your name!"
"I'm called Shooter." I subconsciously touched the white streak that always showed on my forehead. She touched it with a warm smile and seemed to understand the reference.
"I'm Everrie."
"Well, Everrie, who are you most eager to save?"
She closed her eyes and sniffled a little. "My son."