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This work is based on 'The Birthday Ring' a story branch from 'Choose Your Own Change' interactive story site.

The first part of this tale has some text (and plot points) borrowed from the original chapter written by MaleKim, which can be found HERE (don't click if you want to avoid mild spoilers).

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The party had ended, and so did Anna's happiness.

The twelve-year old stood beneath one of the dining room's gas lamps. Nearby, the maids were sweeping up stray ribbons from the floor, and had cleared the table (and its eleven chairs) of plates and crumbs. Anna just watched them sullenly, with her new doll in hand.

It had been a good birthday. Her uncles and aunts had come over, and even her friend Sophia and her parents were invited. There were presents, they had a supper and cake with creamy pink frosting, and they played all sorts of games on the green of her family's mansion.

It should have left her joyful the whole day through. Yet...

"I thought it was a wonderful party," said Miss Celeste, in her usual long, black dress. She always reminded Anna of a hoodless nun.

"It was nice," Anna replied, a little lifelessly.

She felt the governess's gentle hand on her shoulder. "Your father would've wanted to be back," assured the woman. "He loves you, does he not? I'm sure he's trying his upmost to return to you."

Anna did her best to smile. Miss Celeste always tried cheering her up, even in the dreariest of days. She was a brilliant teacher too, enough that her parents didn't need to send Anna to a proper schoolhouse.

"Anna?"

Her mother's voice rang out from down the hall. "You have toys lying in the parlor!"

"Coming, mummy!", said Anna. Her governess stepped aside with a grin, as Anna hurried through the doorway and across the hall; lifting her mint green dress with one hand. She passed by their butler (her long blonde hair flicking by the kettle in his hand) and entered the parlor room, where her mother was sipping tea on one of the velvet chairs.

"You can't always leave these for your maids, Anna," said Mrs. Marley, gesturing to the tiny wooden animals on the table and floor. "You're twelve now. You'll have to pick some things up by yourself."

"Yes, mother," Anna replied, glumly. She bent down, and picked up a wooden pig beside the tea tray. "When's father coming home?"

"He should be here within the week," Mrs. Marley answered. "Oh, he's probably miserable about missing your birthday."

Anna nodded. She wasn't so sure of how her mother put it, though. Anna didn't want anyone to be miserable. Scooping up the figurines in one hand, she left for her bedroom.

She loved their house, with its pretty wallpapers and decorations even on its ceilings. Anna's family wasn't quite upper class, but certainly richer than most others. Her father inherited the home from Anna's late grandfather, and kept it all maintained with his job as a university professor. And quite recently, an archeologist.

Anna skipped towards the staircase, when she passed her father's study. Her eyes glanced at the large wooden globe, by a window facing the front lawn.

Innocently, Anna drifted in, passing shelves full of books (some of which Anna had tried reading), and a bare writing desk. Months ago, her father would've been sitting there, examining old papers and maps of Italy. Sometimes he'd be up till the middle of the night, and Anna would peek in.

She placed her toys on the desk, and kneeled down over the globe. It was one of those big globes that needed a table-like stand to hold it.

There was an island important to her father; right over Sicily and far off west of Italy's foot. For all its significance, it wasn't actually on most maps. It had the strangest name too: Aeaea.

Aeaea. It took Anna a week to learn how to pronounce it: ee-EE-uh.

She knew its story, from both Ms. Celeste and her father. Once, there was a Greek warrior named Odysseus, who tried to get home from a war (the one with the giant wooden horse). He and his men sailed through many adventures, meeting one-eyed monsters, flying bird ladies, and even traveling through the underworld. It was a long and exciting tale, and a little sad in parts.

At one point, Odysseus came across Aeaea, where there lived a witch named Circe. This witch liked turning men into pigs and animals, including Odysseus's men. She nearly turned Odysseus into one too, but Odysseus got her to change her mind, and even restore his men.

Anna wondered why she'd do it. Did Odysseus's men wrong her somehow? Or was turning people into animals just something witches do?

She found the spot. Leaning on the globe, Anna put her finger over a point in the sea, north of Sicily and west of Italy. She did this ritual several times while her father was gone, and not even Anna knew the reason. Perhaps a prayer that he'd return from his expedition sooner.

After all, he did promise to be back by her birthday.

Anna sighed, and stared at Aeaea's spot. She wondered if her father was really still on that island, sunbathing on the beach like it was a seaside holiday. Of course her father wouldn't be too eager to return to dreary England.

But a sound caught Anna's attention. Something that rattled faintly in the distance.

She glanced out the window. Under the evening sky, a carriage was coming up the path to the house, with large bags atop - no, it couldn't be...

Anna ran.

"Mummy!", she shouted, hurrying back into the parlor. "Daddy's home!"

"A-at this time?", Anna's mother exclaimed, putting her tea down. "It can't be!"

"I'm sure it's him, come see!"

Without waiting to see if her mother would follow, Anna raced for the front door. Pulling it open excitedly, she stepped out on the porch; not even minding the evening chill.

The carriage was approaching, with two horses at the front being driven by a top hatted coachman. With a controlled yell from the driver, the horses and the cart stopped. The black door swung open, and he stepped out.

"Daddy!!", Anna cheered, as she dove right into her father's arms. Laughing, her father clutched her tight, and swung her around in the air.

"Hahaha!!! Oh Anna, I have missed you!" said Mr. Marley, kissing her on the cheek. "You've gotten so big!"

"That's because it's my birthday!"

"How could I forget? The seventeenth of September!", he replied. "Oh, Viola!"

"George!". Mrs. Marley had hurried down the step, and met her lips with her husband. Mr. Marley hugged her close, all while her other arm held Anna.

"I didn't miss the party, did I?", Mr. Marley asked.

"It ended a few minutes ago, love."

"Oh dear," he remarked. "I am sorry, my angel!".

"It's alright, daddy," replied Anna, smiling. "I know you tried."

Mr. Marley looked over his family, with pure gladness. "I've missed you both so terribly. There's so much to talk about. But first, Anna..."

He gently let go of Anna, and dug into his coat pocket.

"Lets hope it didn't slip out...ah! Happy birthday, my sweet girl."

He opened his hand, and there it was: a sparkling gold ring, with not a single scratch or blemish on its band. The edges were smooth, and even with the evening sky, it seemed to gleam like Greek sunlight. Stuck into its side were two tiny rubies, which reminded Anna of a pair of blazing red eyes.

"It's beautiful!", Anna exclaimed, taking it in her palm. "Thank you, daddy!"

"George, you shouldn't have!", said Mrs. Marley. "Won't you get in trouble with the university?"

"Not if I don't tell them," replied Mr. Marley. "They've enough baubles and artifacts to glue their eyes on anyway."

Anna held the ring up, checking it at every angle. The lights from the mansion shone on its rims, almost giving it the glow of a halo.

"It's big, isn't it? You can wear it in a chain on your neck for now. When you're older, you can wear it on your finger!"

Anna nodded. Just as a test, she put it through her right ring finger. Sure enough, she had to part the other fingers besides it to let it reach the base.

She blinked. Did it shrink? No- it was a perfect fit!

"Daddy, it fits!", said Anna, showing her newly ringed hand.

"Well I'll be blowed, you're right!", Mr. Marley uttered, quite surprised. "Just like a glove!"

"Let's go inside for tea, darling," said Mrs. Marley. "I'll tell the servants to prepare some supper."

"Thank you dearie," said Mr. Marley, as the butler walked out the door. "Ah, Hudson! It's been so long. Could you help carry my bags to our chambers?"

"Very good, sir," said the butler, as he descended the steps, Anna's parents returned to the house, arm in arm, as her father asked if the maids could prepare the bath too. Anna smiled. This was a happy day after all.

She gave her ring another look-over. She couldn't wait to show this to Sophia, she would be so delighted. Oh! And Benjamin...

Hello?

Anna jerked her head up. A woman's voice. No...not a voice. It was hardly even a sound.

The girl stood still, and listened. Nearby, the carriage creaked and the bags ruffled, as the butler brought down her father's baggage. The horses of the carriage whickered, and brushed the dirt below its hooves.

She frowned. Perhaps it was just a stray thought in her head?

"Anna?"

Rose, one of Anna's three maids, was at the manor door. "What are you standing there for? Come on, you'll get a cold."

"Yes, Rose." Lifting the hem of her dress, Anna returned to the house. Behind her, the last lights of the sky slipped away, leaving only a foreboding night.

* * *

"It was quite a find," said Mr. Marley, between his bites of lamb chop. The family was in the dining room, with Mr. Marley having his late supper, and Mrs. Marley continuing with her tea. Anna sat close to her father, eagerly hearing about his adventure.

"We found the ruins of an old palace, just like that of the Minoans. Largely collapsed, but there were still frescos. Beautiful paintings, kept from daylight for all those centuries."

"So you were successful!," said Mrs. Marley. Anna was awed. All those stories about Circe and Odysseus, and her own father discovered it was real!

"Oh yes,", Mr. Marley replied. "At the least, it's a glimpse of the truth. Another explanation behind the Greek tales."

"Why did it collapse?", Anna asked.

"We think it was simply left to crumble," said Mr. Marley. "We also believe it was the Normans: the Viking descendants who ravaged Italy. Their things were all over the island, and we've found wrecked ships, too."

"Normans on Circe's island?", Mrs. Marley asked,

"They must've looted the whole place before they sailed for Italy. Fortunately, we found a few treasures they left untouched, but they might be the ones who ransacked the island."

"Poor Circe," said Anna. Circe didn't sound like a good witch, but she can't imagine what it's like for her home to be destroyed by Vikings. Or Vikings of a sort.

"Were there animals?"

"Oh, bones!", Mr. Marley remarked. "Humans and animal bones all around. We think a few even belong to pigs. "

Anna gaped at her father's words.

"...but my acquaintances had a more earthly theory. They think the island was lived-in by wealthy peoples who traded for animals and livestock. Until they met the Normans."

The young girl fell into disappointment. "Oh."

"Perhaps it's for the best," said Mr. Marley. "After all, if that fabled witch was there, you'd be talking to a pig now."

Anna giggled. "I'm glad you're not, Daddy."

They talked more. Her father recounted his brief stay in Paris and Rome, and of the cooking spices he brought for Anna's mother (much to her pleasure). He also brought back books, and a rolled-up painting of an Italian coast ("...by a fellow named Pramponio. Or Prampolino? Something on those lines."). Mr. Marley also promised Anna a day of fun tomorrow, to make up for his several months of absences.

Finally, it was Anna's bedtime. Before she accompanied her maid to her room, Mr. Marley gave Anna another kiss on her forehead.

Upstairs, Anna passed by Ms. Celeste. She was glad for Anna's happiness and gave a curious look over the girl's ring. They bid each other a good night, before Anna was whisked to her bedroom by Rose.

Not long after, Anna was in her little nightgown, and was being tucked into bed.

"Don't you want to take that ring off?", said Rose, as she inspected Anna's covers. The walls of Anna's room were coated with a creamy green, with shelves full of story books, and toys bought by her parents, aunts and uncles. There was even a large dollhouse in the corner.

"It's fine, Rose." Anna replied, holding onto her doll. The ring held quite comfortably on her finger, without even the slightest soreness.

Rose huffed. "It isn't proper for a child to wear jewelry like that,"

"But I'm not nearly a child anymore," said Anna. "I'm twelve."

"With all those toys of yours? You might as well be eight." Rose quipped. Anna remembered: after she had left her figurines in the study, Rose was the one to carry them to her room. Anna felt a tiny bit guilty about it.

"It's not like anyone would notice my ring."

"Oh, a ring as inconspicuous as that?", her maid replied. She held her tongue though. "...very well. Good night."

Rose stepped to the oil lamp on the dresser, and blew the flame out. Quietly, she left through the door, and closed it with a 'click'. Anna saw the lights in the hall dim as well.

The minutes passed. As Anna faced the dark bedroom ceiling, she thought of what she might do with father tomorrow. She thought of her birthday party, and what a pleasant day it also was. A twelfth birthday...

Twelve. Anna thought. It seemed an important number, and she was proud of it. But with each age came new responsibilities. New changes. Tiny, annoying changes.

Anna glanced at her playthings on the shelves, now nothing but shadowy silhouettes. Admittedly, she's been pretending with dolls a little less now. Those wooden animal figures too. Perhaps that was part of being a grown-up: being more bored.

Still, she couldn't imagine letting them go. What other fun could a girl have?

Anna yawned. Moonlight shone through the thin slit made by the curtains. Around the mansion, the servants were in their quarters in the attic, and her parents must be back in their chambers. Anna couldn't hear any more sounds in the corridors, so they must be in bed too. Soon, the last candle-lights would be out, and the house would be asleep.

Anna turned in her bed once or twice. Hugging her doll, she smiled for tomorrow, and closed her eyes.

Anna.

They opened with a jolt.

That voice again. It was definitely a woman's. Not like a sound in her ears, but from inside her skull.

Anna, is it?

Anna quickly sat up on her bed, full of alarm. "H-hello?"

No need to speak so loudly, child** , the voice echoed . It had an accent, like that of an exotic fortune teller from far-off Europe. I'm only in your thoughts.**

Despite this, Anna searched for the source of the voice. The shadows of her bedroom suddenly seemed hungry and threatening. "Are you a ghost?"

Perhaps.

She gripped her covers. "W-who are you?"

Who do you think, child?, the strange, unseen woman replied. Your father gives you a ring from the island of Circe, and you hear a voice. Who else can it belong to?

Anna eyed the gem-encrusted ring on her finger; still sparkling in the darkness. It can't be...

"Circe?"

The voice chuckled. Greetings, Anna.

Anna gasped. "B-b-but how do you know my name?"

I listened, said the placid voice of Circe . You know my tales, don't you? The Sorceress of Aeaea, daughter of the sun god Helios and Perse. Teaser and helper of Odysseus and his doomed men. I'm glad my legacy is still known."

"You're real!" Anna exclaimed, softly enough that no one else in the house could hear her. Was this a dream? Maybe she knocked her head somewhere on the way to bed?

Realizing who she was talking to, Anna immediately remembered her etiquette. "I-I'm sorry, Miss Circe. Does this ring belong to you?"

Belong to me? Child, the ring IS me.

Anna's eyes widened. "You're the ring?"

This is my body, changed by the gods. There's no need to fear me, child, for this is all I am now.

Anna was awed. Circe, the legendary witch from the Odyssey, living around her finger. If her father knew...

"I have to tell my father."

No!!

Anna stopped, half -way between sliding off the bed onto her feet. "No?"

No one must know.

"Why?"

Please, child. The gods made me captive in this form. I do not wish to be held captive by men as well.

"My father's kind. He wouldn't do that to you."

But other men might, Circe replied, with deep urgency._ Please, Anna, I beg of you. Leave me as a secret for now. _

Anna was silent.

She knew the tale. She knew how Circe turned Odysseus's men into pigs, and wouldn't turn them back till Odysseus seduced her. There were many other stories she couldn't remember, but she didn't remember them being good.

And she was a witch! Everyone, from children to grown-ups, knew that witches were wicked.

And yet...Circe turned Odysseus's men back, right? She helped Odysseus continue his journey, and Odysseus even came back for help at one point. That meant she must good in the end, right? At least she deserved to tell her side of the tale.

Thinking it over, Anna slowly sat back down.

If I could ask, child: what era is this?

"Era?", said Anna. "Um... Queen Victoria's era?"

Queen Victoria?

"We're in England. It's the year 1899"

I...see...

The voice went quiet. Anna waited.

I've lost count of the years. I was on that island, all that time.

"You were all alone?"

I had been killed. Betrayed by...someone close. Someone I loved.

"W-what happened?"

There was a battle, Circe replied, simply. And I died.

Silence. The young girl had a feeling Circe didn't like the subject.

He...they put an enchanted arrow, right into my chest. My beasts, my servant nymphs...they were all vanquished. My home and woods, set ablaze...

My soul had almost left my body, but then Helios, my father, came to me. He had pity on me.

Anna gaped at the sorceress's words. A real ancient god...

But he did not restore me, no. She continued_. Too simple for those gods to heal a dying woman. No, I had to be _ transformed. Not only transformed, but shackled like a slave.

Maybe he feared I'd make revenge for what I suffered. The sorceress laughed, humorlessly. He said it was no punishment. A damned ring, unable to cast magic unless worn and commanded. What else is that but punishment?

And they didn't come back. Not even before the gods stopped dealing with the mortal world. I had no one. I could only wait, sleep...slip into madness. I watched storm after storm hit my island, and my house crumble into nothing. Sometimes tens of years would pass when I wouldn't notice...it all blurs...

In the blackness of her room, Anna felt sullen. The ring on her finger suddenly seemed very fragile. "That's terrible..."

It was, said Circe. Even in her thought-voice, there was a hushed sadness.

_"_You must've been lonely," Anna replied, "I'm sorry for what happened to you."

You're kind to think that, child.

Anna gently rubbed the ring, almost like she was comforting it. She didn't know if Circe had been fully evil or good. But it seemed like she went through a whole lifetime of troubles. She can't imagine what it was like, stuck in a form like that for eternity, just waiting for someone to put her on.

Amid the long silence, Circle chuckled sadly.

You must want to see magic.

"It's alright," Anna replied. "Maybe when you're feeling better."

I haven't used my gifts in hundreds of years, Circe answered. Helios said he left my magic be. I'd like to discover the truth to his words. But with your permission.

Anna thought about it. There was a part of her that couldn't believe this; that the voice in her head was just a figment in her head. Perhaps she'll wake from this strange dream any moment now.

Still. Real magic....

"What do you want to do?"

The lamp, to your right, said Circe. Tell me to light them.

Anna looked over at the oil lamp on her dresser.

"Um...can you light the lamp?"

In a near instant, light sparked from the lamp's wick. And with a ' FWOOM!', a bright fiery column roared from the glass chamber like Vesuvius.

Panicked, Anna leapt off her bed towards the blazing lamp, while its flame were almost licking the ceiling. A fierce orange glow drowned out the bedroom's shadows. In Anna's head, Circe sigh with great relief.

He did not lie. I still have them.

The young girl fiddled with the lamp's knob, and the flame gradually shrank to a safe, yet still luminous light. "Careful! You could've lit my whole room on fire!"

Apologies , Circe stated._ These candles are strange. _

" You really are magic!" said Anna, grinning. She was talking to a witch. An actual magical witch.

"Can you do anything else?"

Oh, many things _. It seems it's only anything my wearer asks for. Or closely connected to my wearer's wishes. _

"So you're like a genie?"

....a what?

"A genie. A creature in a lamp, who grants wishes."

Ah, a Djinn, replied the sorceress. No, I can always choose not to use my magic.

"Oh."

Hmm. Let's say I am in your command. the witch replied, sounding a little devious now. Perhaps there's someone you want to be cursed, or changed. A man who deserves beast-hood, perhaps?

"Um...not really.

No one? No one in your life who's wicked or evil? No one who has ever hurt you? Displeased you? Disappointed you?

"I..."

Her family has caused her nuisances before. She wished her maids would nag her less. Or her mother stop reminding her on what it means to be a proper woman.

And certainly, Anna can think of a few awful cousins who might deserve better lives as frogs.

And, besides her family, there are plenty of people Anna had met, who weren't just mean to her, but others. Other children who threw rocks at her and at birds, gruff grown-ups who shooed children away for playing near them, .

Still, Anna hesitated.

"There's some people who annoy me," the girl replied, as she sat back down on her bed. "But I wouldn't like to change them. I don't like making anyone miserable."

The voice was silent.

Hmm. Such gentleness.

Anna blinked. Circe didn't sound too impressed.

Child, you'll learn there are people in this world who do not deserve a gentle hand, the sorceress replied . _ But you have my word. No one shall be a victim of my powers. Not unless you wish it._

Anna nodded, a little relieved.

But perhaps...you?

A shiver ran up the young girl's spine. "M...me?

If you allow it , I can demonstrate my powers to you, and you alone.

Anna wasn't sure where this was going. "You mean, you'll make me an animal?"

It's been so very long since I last used my powers. I would like to exercise them.

"But...but I don't want to be an animal," Anna replied, suddenly wondering if she should take off the ring. "I like being a girl."

What if it's only for a little while?

"Well..."

You have not wronged me, said Circe. You are the first soul I have talked to in centuries; perhaps the kindest I could remember. You helped me rediscover my powers, and tried to comfort me. I have no reason to trap you in beastly form."

That makes sense, thought Anna. She couldn't help but feel a little proud, being praised by a mythical sorceress.

And it is your birth-day, is it not? , Circe went on. Think of it as my gift. A payment for your kindness with my own. From the famous sorceress herself.

Being an animal...it does sound exciting. Not that she was sure Circe could do all she said she could.

"Will I be a girl again?"

Yes

"Will it hurt?"

Not at all.

Anna grinned.

"I'd like to be changed, Miss Circe."

Let us prepare then , Circe replied. Anna imagined the sorceress smiling as she said that._ May I use my magic on your room? I will clean it up when we're done. _

"You may," Anna curtsied; giggling as she did.

You'll have to undress, my child.

Anna didn't question it. Checking again for any lights outside her bedroom, Anna slipped off her bed, and starting removing her nightgown. She didn't have anything underneath, so she was immediately in the nude once her garment came off.

As she placed the gown on her bed, she heard an odd noise.

Through some supernatural force, the round mirror atop Anna's dresser had detached itself, and flew across the room as if suspended on strings. Anna opened her jaw in awe as the mirror rotated, and rested itself against an empty spot on the wall, and then stretched like taffy to fit Anna's height.

"Whoa!", she whispered. Making fire was one thing, but this? Anna wondered if she really wasn't asleep.

Simple tricks, my child, Circe remarked, with a hint of fun. Now, come up here.

Anna obeyed, and walked up to the mirror, now as tall as the dress-mirror in her parent's room. Part of Anna wondered if she should be blushing from being naked in Circe's presence.

Anna looked at her reflection. She liked to think she was pretty. She was proud of her wavy golden hair (only slightly rumpled), which flowed past her shoulders. Her chest was still flat as a child's, with twin nubs that ticked from the cold, but she wasn't too anxious for her 'bubbies' to emerge. Her limbs were slender, and her belly was only a tiniest bit bulgy.

Down below, her 'other' little lips jutted from between her legs, like two tiny lumps put together. There was a proper name for it, but Anna couldn't say it out loud.

Such a fair, innocent thing. You'll grow into a bountiful woman, my child.

"...thank you?", Anna replied, unsurely.

Have you bled yet?

"What?...oh, yes Miss Circe."

Good. You'll enjoy this very much, Circe replied. Anna thought back.

It started last month. Anna thought she had hurt herself 'down there', somehow, but her mother explained it's part of womanhood. Anna had to wear an uncomfortable cloth pantalette every night for a week, until the bleeding stopped. Her mother wouldn't explain what it all meant, but Anna did had to have fewer lessons with Miss Celeste for a few days.

Even Ms. Celeste was tight-lipped, though she Anna there was more 'strangeness' that will come to her body. Strange feelings.

A strangeness, Anna thought. Besides the bleeding, she didn't think she had other odd happenings to her body. She hadn't grown that tall, and her chest were still flat. Were there other things she wasn't told about?

Anna stopped thinking, though, when an odd tingling came from below her chest. The girl squinted at the mirror, as six dark blotches sprouted below her nipples, in two orderly rows. As they appeared, the middles of these spots pushed out into little nubs. Anna felt over them with her hands, and her eyes widened.

"T-teats!!" , Anna exclaimed, using the word she often heard them called. "I have more teats!"

Many creatures have more teats than humans , said Circe. Eight teats, Anna thought. What animals would have eight teats?

Along with this, a strange prodding sensation came from above her bottom, like something had forced itself out. Anna grabbed at the thing behind her, and to her shock, her fingers felt upon something ropy and curled, its rounded tip brushing her rear.

"I have a tail!", Anna nearly shouted, turning her rump around. Sure enough, her reflection sported a new curled tail above her petite bumcheeks. On the tail grew a layer of pinkish hair, which spread beyond the base of the tail like a ticklish infection; sprouting over her bum and thighs in patches.

That tail... thought Anna. it looks like...

"A pig! I'm going to be a pig?!?"

Very observant, child. remarked Circe. _ One of my personal favorites._

Anna's heart was racing now. A pig. Just like Ms. Celeste and her father's stories. She was really going to be a wild animal!

Worry not. If you wish me to stop, you just need to say so.

"H-hold on...won't my father and mother hear us?"

I have dampened your sounds. This night is ours.

Anna watched in wonder as the hair fuzz grew beyond her lower body, and even sprouted on her arms and chest. There was a new pulsing in her feet, and Anna gasped as her toes melted into one another, with her . She stayed rooted on the spot,

As for her legs, they were shrinking, making Anna even shorter standing up. Her calves and thighs bloated with fat and muscle, while her feet stretched obscenely, till Anna was almost forced to stand on her new toes. It was almost like wearing heels.

"A-EEEK!", Anna cried, as she went out of balance, and fell forward onto her hands and knees. As she landed, she discovered her arms were shrinking a bit too.

Are you alright, child?

"Y-y-yes Miss Circe," Anna stuttered.

She viewed her reflection. The skin on her rear had turned as pink as the frosting on her birthday cake. Below her new tail, her virgin slit was shifting higher up her arse, along with her bumhole. Not only that, her buttocks had flattened, giving the world a clearer view of her girly bits.

There's no need to be ashamed, said Circe. Anna's face was quite red from the sight.

"It's...a bit embarrassing."

It's all part of the pleasure. I'm sure even in your era, there are people who enjoy behaving like beasts. They find if delightful.

"D-delightful?"

In secret ways. In ways you don't want to admit to yourself. Do you feel it, child?

Was this the 'feelings' Miss Celeste talked of? Admittedly, there was something thrilling to seeing her body change, even if it was shameful.

"I-I don't think mother would approve of this."

Are children here still birthed from the womb?, said Circe. If so, any mother would've known these pleasures.

Anna felt tingling in her fingers. Looking down, Anna watched as her nails went a dark, charcoal color. She expected her ring to fall off, but instead, it grew; slipping over her changing fingers (which Anna now stood herself with) and then up her lengthening palm, like a band of clay. The ring then settled around her wrist, like a tight bracelet or shackle. Her hands were now trotters, just like her feet.

The light furs tickled her entire body below her neck, and it's then that the most pig-like changes came. Below, her chest and belly pushed out towards the floor, her ribcage expanding beneath her skin, and her stomach being inflated with more fat. Her spine was a lot stronger now, to carry the body of a plump sow.

Anna found it harder to look at her transformed hands, as the young girl's head was suddenly forced to face forward. Her neck was subtly elongating, and her neck bloated outrageously; ballooning to meet the fatness of her upper body. Soon, she barely had a neck at all, as her head seemed to just blend with everything else.

And then, all the tingles, stretching and molding abruptly stopped.

Anna eyed the reflection, her mouth hanging in wonder and disbelief. Her head was still the same, with nary a strand of pig fur or pinkish skin. But past that, her entire body was that of a common pig. Anna felt every bit of it, from the fuzz on her trotters to the wriggling cork-screw tail above her bum.

She couldn't help but giggle nervously. It was all so strange.

"I-I'm a pig!", Anna exclaimed.

Not yet, child, said Circe. Try your new feet.

Anna did. She stepped her right front hoof forward, then her left. She clopped upon the floorboards, slowly taking a stroll. It felt just as if she was born in this form, with not even the slightest stumble.

She strolled in a circle around the floor, and every step made the fat on her sides and buttocks jiggle. She could feel the cold air on her unmentionables, which were more exposed; it was humiliating.

And yet, Circe was right. With every waddling step of her fat body, her unmentionables grew pleasantly warmer, and so grew her excitement. She almost wanted them to be touched by something. Anything.

Strange feelings, thought Anna, remembering what Miss Celeste told her. She circled around a fourth time, when more strangeness came to her face. Her gaze fell back to the mirror.

Her nose, once petit like any other girl's, was flattening and swelling in size. Her reflection's nostrils flared back at her offensively.

Anna laughed. She looked absolutely ridiculous. But her cheer slipped, however, when she saw her blonde hair falling from her head in long clumps.

"My hair!", Anna shouted, her heart suddenly dipping with dread. The hair strands vanished into nothing before even hitting the floor.

It will return later, Circe assured. Anna's hair soon completely fell and vanished, leaving her with a completely barren scalp. Somehow, this distressed her than so many of her other changes. She loved her hair.

Then, Anna felt a soft pressure on her skull, and her head began remolding itself, its top flattening to that of a pig's. Anna suddenly worried about her brain being squished.

Anna's ears grew out into large, pointed flaps, which moved higher up her head, and flopped over the sides of her head. With her normal nose gone, all that was left of her human girlishness was her eyes and her mouth.

Suddenly it dawned on Anna on how serious this all was. What if Circe was toying with her? What if Circe was trying to break free, and the witch had just tricked her into being this? What if she really wasn't going to change her back??

"M-Miss Cirrrr_eeeheeeee!!!?!?",_ said Anna, as her voice dissolved into a shrill squeal. It was like the words were forced through a grinder, no matter how hard she tried.

She kept trying to speak, but all she could let out were more squeals, as her familiar face morphed hideously in the mirror. The bottom half of her face was pulled violent forward by a hook, with her pig-nose stretching. Her teeth flattened within her jaws, save for two on her bottom jaws, which poked out the sides of her mouth like proper pig's tusks. Or a monster's teeth.

"I-eiehhh-rheeee! Rheeeee!Rheeeee! ", Anna squealed in growing panic, as her eyes slid to the sides of her head. Her fear grew as her voice darkened and went hoarse, till she sounded like nothing but a wild animal.

Oh, what had I done?!?, she thought. All of Anna's curiosity and wonder had vanished, and instead there was blazing horror.

She was a beast. If her parents came in right now, they'd find a fat waddling creature, shrieking wildly on the floor of their daughter's bedroom. They'd toss her into a farmer's pig pen where she'll spend the rest of her life, until she's served for dinner as pork chops.

Anna wanted to cry. Even if she managed to escape, she'd have to run away to the woods, and live without clothes or toys or-

Anna.

It was Circe! Anna tried calling out, pleading to her. "Rhreh! Rheeeee!!!"

Anna, I am here! said Circe. Think to me.** Speak through your mind. Think out the words you want to say.**

Circe!

I hear you, Anna. Do not fear.

I...I'm an animal! I'm scared, Miss Circe!

Breath, Anna. Breath.

Anna snorted in air through her large, flared nostrils. The sound was quite vulgar.

I can make you a girl again , said Circe, as the pig kept breathing deeply. Would you like me to do that?

I-I....I...

As she heaved, she stood still on her four jittering trotters, while her eyes locked on the beast in the mirror. From first glance, her face was utterly inhuman, but then she saw them: her brown girlish eyes.

The shape was a bit warped, but she still recognize her own chocolate-colored pupils. Like her real human self was peeking out from behind an elaborate mask, with a slight glistening of tears at the corners.

Anna's body kept shaking, but her breaths steadied a little.

Anna?

I....I'm fine, Anna thought back. She tried to be brave.

Watching from her reflection, Anna felt her head tingle. Strangely, her nose shrunk in size, and her snout sucking back into her face. They formed back into her familiar button nose and lips, while her eyes slipped back closer together.

Once again, Anna saw her human face in the mirror, with her button nose and tusk-less mouth. It was slightly bizarre, as the rest of her head stayed piggish (her ears were still pointed flaps, and she was still bald). The girl felt calmer, nevertheless.

I promised I would change you back, said Circe. Do you believe me?

"Y-yes, Miss Circe.", said Anna, relieved to hear her normal voice again. "I believe you."

She was still nervous about her strange body and Circe's intentions. But the panic has faded. Her porkish limbs shook only slightly now.

I'm sorry , said Circe._ It can be frightening at first. _

"It's scary.", Anna remarked. She stared at herself; till now, she never knew how much she took her own face for granted. Or just being a simple girl who could walk on two legs and use hands, and be able to speak.

"Was that what you did? With Odysseus?", she asked. "His friends, I mean."

It was quicker with them, Circe explained._ I would take their minds, too. They'd have the thoughts of animals, and forget all memories of their past selves. _

"That's awful!"

Hm. It would be more awful if they kept their minds. Knowing that their bodies weren't their own, and that they'd stay trapped forever.

That did make sense to Anna, especially after all that. "But...but if you made them forget, they wouldn't be them anymore_."_

Oh, they wouldn't know, the witch replied. And they're all the happier for it. Take it from a sorceress, there is a bliss to being a beast, unchained by responsibilities, or manly pleasures. To be a beast is to be free.

No responsibilities, Anna thought. She did like the sound of that. But she wasn't so sure on spending her life naked in a mud pit, eating rotten food from a trough. Even if she didn't know that was a terrible life.

She bit at her lips (her teeth were once again human-like). Circe's kept to her promises so far, but Anna remembered why Circe seemed so evil in the stories to begin with. Did the sorceress really have no horrible tricks to play?

And the way Circe talks about being an animal...

"Have you turned into a pig before?"

Of course. I turn myself into many things, said Circe . Many kinds of animals.

"Why?"

Fun. What else to do on an island? If I wished, I could fly as a bird, swim as a dolphin, run as a horse...or mate.

Anna did a double-take at the last bit. "You mated?!?"

Yes. With all sorts of creatures. I can even change my sex.

"Your sex? You mean....you can be a boy?" Of all the things Anna heard tonight, this one had her gobsmacked. "But why?"

It's enjoyable.

"Enjoyable?"

...Ah. Do you think that sex is only for birthing babies?, Circe asked, toyingly. Yes, sex is creation, but also power. A divine, extraordinary pleasure, enjoyed by both mortals and Gods alike. The rawest expression of love.

"I didn't know that," Anna replied. "People don't usually talk about those sorts of things."

Hmm. This era must be absolute bore.

It didn't seem too boring for Anna. Then again, she knew there was a hidden side to this world. A side barely any grown-up was willing to talk about.

Perhaps you'd like to try it?

"What?" Anna realized what Circe was talking about. "I-I don't think I'm old enough."

Magic, Anna. I'll make sure you won't bear any piglets, assured Circe_._ And you are of twelve years, are you not? On the edge of womanhood. A perfect time to practice, if there was ever one.

"Practice?" Anna asked. "Like a lesson?"

Yes, said the sorceress. _ A woman's lesson._

Anna thought over it. Miss Celeste did encourage her to learn new things, whenever she could. But for these matters? She wasn't sure.

"But how? There isn't another pig here. "

Would you like to meet one?

Anna didn't know what was in store, but she wanted to see more. _A woman's lesson..._it sounded simple enough.

"Yes, please."

Circe didn't reply. Instead, the room around Anna seemed to shimmer. The mirror disappeared, along with the shelves, bed and toys in her room; consumed by a bright, enveloping whiteness. And in this white, other colors came into existence. The floor under Anna's feet became rocks and dirt, and a blue, sunny sky appeared over her head.

She was on an island, with a tall cliff nearby, and a horizon of turquoise ocean all around. It seemed so real, she could even feel the heat of the sun overhead, and a slight salty breeze. On closer inspection, it seemed all these natural features shimmered in the air, like a mirage.

"Where am I?", thought Anna, glancing around her new surroundings in awe. "Where's my room?"

You're still in it. said Circe. This is an illusion.** Somewhere for us to play.**

Anna felt a familiar tingling in her face. Once again, her nose began to warp, and she nearly went cross-eyed watching her nose stretching forward, and flattening into a pig's nose once again. Air breathed through her enlarged nostrils.

Just your nose , the sorceress assured. You'll want to look the role.

A deep grunt reached Anna's flappy ears. She turned, and saw a dark, hairy boar some distance away. The beast was a little fatter than Anna, but roughly her same size. Its fur and skin was blotched with black and brown spots, and it was staring right at her.

"There's another pig!" , Anna exclaimed. "...is that who I'm mating with?"

How eager of you!, said Circe. Do you know what to do, child?

That made Anna a little embarrassed. " N-no...."

She knew hints and pieces of it, but it wasn't the kind of thing taught to children, not even from her governess.

Although...she did see animals mating before. One time, she followed her father to a nearby farm, where she saw one of her father's horses being mated in a pen. It was a strange spectacle, with the stallion jumping on the girl horse's back. The view was blocked, but from what the farmhand said, the stallion was sticking his 'staff' into the mare's 'cunny'. Her father didn't quite like that last term being said out loud.

"I think...I'm supposed to turn around", Anna thought out. "Then he'll jump on me, and he'll stick his...um..."

Penis.

Anna was flustered. Usually, there were other words she'd call naughty bits.

"Y-yes. He'll stick his bits into my bits. Right?"

You know more than you think, child** , Circe replied, impressed. Would you like a try?**

"It won't be painful?"

Oh, it will be wonderful_._

The boar stood in place with a blank stare, like a dog waiting on command.

Anna mulled it over, as sea waves splashed against some nonexistent rocks around her. It's all just a game of pretend, right? Certainly, it's the most real-game of pretend she had ever played.

With caution, she put her left hoof forward. Like a mirror, the other pig stepped up with its own left trotter. It made no other move.

Anna continued her approach, and the boar did the same; imitating each step. Their hooves made hard sounds upon the illusory rock, until the two animals were just a few feet away from each other.

Up close, the boar seemed hairier than the pigs Anna was familiar with. Its black fur was as thick as a bear's, and it had long tusks jutting from the sides of his mouth. A strange part of her thought he looked handsome.

Maybe I really am a pig now... , Anna mused. As she got close enough, the boar stopped its mirroring, and dipped his head up close to her pink, furred skin. His nostrils flared as he took in Anna's scent. Instinctively, Anna gave a snort of her own; taking in a scent of dirt and barn-scent.

The act made her mouth curl into a grin. Glancing to the boar's side, she spotted the boar's dark, hairy bullocks hanging below its rear. Anna thought her pig cheeks might get even pinker.

Are you ready?

"I-I think so?", said Anna, putting on her bravest face.

The boar walked on, searching with its nose for Anna's behind. She thought back to the horses mating, of the stallion's 'instrument' and how it went in the other animal. Surely it was all that simple, right?

Turning on the spot, Anna presented her fat rump towards the boar; bits and all.

Well done, Anna, Circe praised gently. Now, be still. This may startle you..

Anna stood in place, waiting nervously (and a little shamefully). She heard hoof-clops behind her. And then, to her shock, a furry nose poked into her nethers.

"EEEK!", Anna yelped. No living thing had ever touched her like that, let alone a pig. She held in place, and the boar, with its front legs, climbed her rump and onto her back.

His weight nearly caused Anna to topple, but she managed to stay on her trotters. She felt the boar's hairy belly against her back, the hot air from his face blowing atop her chubby neck, and his forelegs grasping at her furry sides. Even as a pig, her body shivered

And she felt it. A sharp thing, prodding against the sides of her nether lips, like a woodpecker trying to dip its beak into a hole. It found her opening, and the boar rammed.

"OH!" Anna rang out in her head. She let out some loud moans, as the boar began thrusting; his screw-shaped member stretching the insides of her cunny.

"_O-ohh,_ oohhh_, ouhh!!"_ Anna let out, as her body rocked back and forth, with her tongue hanging out her jaws. A hot pleasure emanated from her loins, like blazing furnace inside her body.

How do you feel?

"I...I feel...."

Wonderful?

"Y-y-yes!!!", Anna panted. "Oh, it feels amazing!"

The boar kept on its movement, his cock drilling deeper inside her posterior. It was shameful and all kinds of wicked, and she didn't want it to stop_._

"H-how does it stop?"

You'll find out, Circe replied. Let your body do its work. I'll make you human again by the end.

Anna did so. Minute by minute, the act went on, with Anna's childish grunts mixed with her mate's like a choir. With each of the boar's thrusts, the fiery pleasure burned ever hotter.

"Oh-oough, uuurhree, r-rhreeee!!!!!", Anna squealed happily, as her girlish voice went hoarse like a pig's once again. She barely noticed the rest of her face morphing again, with tusks growing back, and her nose and mouth becoming a snout once more.

Good, Anna. For this single moment, surrender yourself. Accept yourself as the beast you are. You are a pig, Anna! A pig!

She did. Despite Circe's illusion, Anna imagined herself inside a pig sty, like the one owned by her friend's father who lived nearby. Anna thought of jealous pigs watching as the handsome boar rode her back, all covered in mud. She imagined the farmer Mr. Griffith leaning by the pen, with tobacco in his smirking mouth, seeing her as nothing but an animal fulfilling its purpose. She imagined his son Benjamin, gawking at her while she has a boar's tool inside her arse, and she didn't care in the slightest.

For she was a pig. A dirty, fat sow hungry for sex. She wanted this. It wanted this.

Yes! thought Anna the horny beast. Give me babies. Fill me up!!! Have me! HAVE MEEEE!!!

"RHEEE, RHEEE, RHEEEEE!!!", the pig wailed, as her mate's bullocks slapped against her rump, with a warm wetness filling up her insides. There were no thoughts of birthdays, parents and growing up. There was only endless boars, fucking her over and over.

Something rumbled within the animal. A flame hotter than the sun, with the roar of a boiling river surging with unstoppable floodwater, coming closer and closer, and-

"RH-EEEEEEEEEEE!!!!"

Anna screamed in her human voice. She was back on her bedsheets in her oil-lit room, bending on all fours with nude buttocks raised like a flagpole. With barely a second for her to realize, liquid gushed from her nethers.

She squealed, as euphoria shook through her body. Juice shot in wicked bursts, and the young girl cried out at each one. They rained into the air, and splashed all over her covers. Her little bum shook with each expulsion, and her hands gripped tight on her sheets, until the bursts slowly subsided, like the last spurts of a volcano.

Anna fell flat atop her bed. Her nudeness glowed orange from the nearby lamp, like a divine aura. Her bed (even the headboard) was stained with her girl juices, and beneath her chin, another stain formed from saliva leaking out her mouth. Anna heaved deeply, as if she had finished several thousand marathons at once.

Wondrous, isn't it?

"W...what..."

She was staring outwards, completely dazed. It was the most gloriously delightful feeling she had ever felt. And yet she was utterly lost on what had happened.

"What did...what did I-"

In an instant, Anna found herself in her nightgown. She looked down in surprise, when the oil lamp blew itself out, bringing the room back to darkness. The mirror restored itself back on Anna's dresser.

Shh! Into your covers, quickly!

Anna didn't ask more. Footsteps were coming up the hall, and she quickly dove into her bed (with its stains all miraculously vanished). Keeping herself still, she held her doll and shut her eyes.

The door opened. Anna didn't dare to take a peek. Who could that be, her parents? One of their maids? Ms. Celeste? Did they hear her screaming?

Whoever it was, they stepped closer, right up to Anna's bedside. Anna kept her body frozen. She felt a hand over her covers, expecting the mysterious person to realize she wasn't asleep. Her breathing was steady, but if one breath was too quick...

Quietly, the figure walked away from her, and back towards the hall. The bedroom door creaked, and then clicked shut.

Anna didn't open her eyes until the footsteps faded completely. Still bewildered, she put her legs together, and found her girly bits were still soaked. She didn't know who came to inspect her, but she hoped they didn't notice anything off.

"Miss Circe?," Anna whispered out, her mouth slightly under the covers.

Rest, Anna.

"But-"

Shhh. Sleep, child. You've experienced many things tonight, said Circe. All will be explained in the morning.

And Anna...thank you.

There was no further reply. The bedroom stilled, with only a lone, distant owl outside to break the silence. No more moonlight shone through the curtains.

As she listened to the sleeping mansion, Anna lifted her hand. Somehow, the ring still glistened in the blackness. She wondered if she should remove it from her finger, and leave it on her dresser for tonight. Surely Circe would understand?

Anna kept it on. Staring at her darkened ceiling once more, the twelve-year old girl wondered all sorts of new questions. One question proved to be the loudest of all.

...What on earth just happened?