The door handle turned slowly. It was groaning, like it had been practicing this one dramatic move for years.
I stood still. My hands—they were tiny, strange hands—were useless. I tried to breathe normally, but even that felt weird in this body. Everything moved differently. Everything.
"Lena? You in there?" The voice came again. Warm. Friendly. And somehow… familiar.
"Uh… yeah!" I murmured, wishing my tone didn't come across so shrill and awkward. Why did Lena's voice seem ideal, for pitching soap in commercials?
The door opened, and there he was. Average-looking guy, kind eyes, shoulders that didn't scream "hero," but somehow, reassuring. My brain immediately went: Okay focus. Observe carefully. Remain composed. Guidelines. Guidelines. Don't mess up…
Suddenly the truth struck me sharply.
I lived in this form. It possessed shapes I had never noticed before. My waist was narrower than I had ever pictured my arms appeared delicate. Dear Lord. My legs resembled those from a fashion spread. Why are they so lengthy? I wondered. Must I wear heels just to move about? My previous legs were just right for lounging on the sofa and gaming. I attempted to wiggle my fingers.
They seemed graceful which felt utterly pointless, for me. I noticed I had on a shirt that felt completely unfamiliar. This whole. My body were a slight, against my previous life.
I froze mid-step. He blinked at me.
"Are you okay?" he asked. Concern clear in his tone. I parted my lips prepared to utter something yet all that escaped was: "Um… hello?"
He smiled. "You appear… different."
I panicked. Different? Course I sound different. I'm a man trapped in a woman's body. THAT'S what makes it different!
"I'm… fine " I answered, hoping my voice sounded confident. Inside however my thoughts were, in chaos.
SYSTEM REMINDER: Watch, feel, guide. No panicking. No playing around. Feelings first.
Right. Rules. Got it. Don't screw up.
I tried to shift but faltered slightly nearly falling down. Without thinking he extended his hand.
"Lena, careful!"
I panicked. No! Can't fail! Must survive!
Instead of stepping back, I almost tackled him with a polite "thank you" hug — well, polite if you ignored the complete awkwardness of my new body.
"Uh… thanks " I muttered, my tone faltering. Just great. Totally natural. I quickly recoiled, sensing the uncomfortable press of the embrace. Retreat! Retreat! Too intimate!
Excessive physical closeness! I tried to clean my hands then remembered they belonged to me now.
Seraphine's voice gently resonated in my mind: Keep in mind: emotions influence others a bit. Lead with kindness not with dread.
Certainly it's simpler, to state than to carry out when your bones resemble the cords of a marionette.
He chuckled. "You've been working hard recently haven't you?"
"Yes " I answered. Observe, comprehend… oh my this is the connection phase isn't it?
"I suppose, uh you see… life… stuff..." I trailed off feeling completely foolish.
He tilted his head. "You look fatigued."
Then BAM. It felt as though a switch had been turned on inside my mind. This was no longer my emotion. It was Lenas emotion.
The fear, the profound exhaustion, the intense isolation that makes you want to fold into yourself and disappear—I experienced all of it as well. It was as if I had suddenly donned her cloak of sorrow.
This wasn't my typical sense of social awkwardness; it was a deep raw distinct pain. I understood, with precision that this was the reality, for millions of people every single day. It was unjust. It was terrible.
At that moment I was experiencing it in 4D. It was the burden of her whole existence this persistent terrible yearning, for someone, anyone to genuinely notice her. I sensed the chilling pain of existing without ever forming a genuine intimate bond.
My gut clenched tightly. This was far more significant, than merely attempting to flirt.
I coughed. "Yeah… I've been… keeping myself busy."
So I tried it. I focused, breathing softly radiating calm comforting… whatever. A heat, a glimmer of relief.
He paused. Shut his eyes momentarily. Gave a smile. "Thank you. That… truly matters."
Amazing. It truly worked.
I stood frozen in disbelief. I didn't quite know what I was doing. Yet somehow it worked. Just, by acknowledging her feelings showing empathy and suddenly—a subtle emotional impact.
"Okay " I murmured softly. "First rule: keeping beats losing it. Second rule: scary. Third rule: never become comfortable, with this state."
He gave a laugh. "You're funny when you're nervous."
I nearly died away. My inner voice shouted: Resist taking compliments. Remain silent. Prevent falling further.
SYSTEM REMINDER: Observe. Guide. No exploitation.
Right. Guiding. Not… whatever that feeling was.
I moved forward cautiously maintaining my position. Observing, comprehending, reacting appropriately.
He asked, "Do you want some tea?"
I paused. Tea? Chat? Small step. Not scary. Safe.
"Yes… please."
As he left the room to prepare it I swayed slightly adjusting to Lena's center of gravity. I pressed the bridge of my nose trying to soothe my thoughts.
Okay. Now I am a woman. My role is to assist in creating a connection, with someone. I possess abilities. There are also regulations. I need to spend 72 hours with each individual.
Failure results in termination. My heartbeat is racing. Amazingly this… actually works?
I looked out the window. Drops of rain slid down the glass. Everything seemed usual. Yet my entire life had abruptly become a series of blunders.
"Pure One " Seraphine whispered gently her wings shimmering at the corner of my vision. "Lesson two: connections form slowly. Watch closely notice, respond. Most importantly…"
I exhaled. "Keep cool. Got it. Panicked a dozen times already."
"Precisely " she answered, amused. "Your mission begins now. Fail and you disappear.. You develop… not just spiritually. Also personally."
I murmured quietly to myself: "Sure no problem." My to-do list was straightforward: 1. Stay upright. 2. Make sure to speak like Lena, not a caveman. 3. Work out how to sit without seeming. 4. Develop affection and make love with this person, he must be willing to do it.The entire task felt unattainable.
And just like that, I was officially on the job.
My first assignment: Delving into intimacy, comprehension and human bonds had begun. Somehow I had to manage it without collapsing, fainting or tripping over my hips.
Good luck, me.