HOTEL LEX - FLOOR 6 (5/?) (Patreon)

"W-What?! Why?!" exclaims Emmett.

You think for a moment: why indeed? Well, from what the wolf said, the slime only really started to move on its own once it had consumed a living subject. You, are not living. Well, at least not living in the sense that you have cells that divide and grow. You are only fabric and if the glob takes on the properties of living things, perhaps it can be molded and shaped into a functional body. The glob isn't moving, meaning there is nothing controlling it or exerting influence over. Perhaps you can give it influence.

Emmett stares at you in disbelief. "I-I know you haven't eaten in a long time b-but this can't be the thing you decide to chew on..."

You say it's worth a shot, lest you encounter anything that requires you to run away. Being strapped to Emmett's back isn't exactly conducive to speed. He looks at the slime in dismay.

He lays you down on the table next to the capsule. He gives you a worried look but you reassure him in the name of science. He tilts the glass and you open your mouth wide. It has a very chewy, rubbery texture. You fail to take bites out of it; instead, it dances from one side of your mouth to the other and coats your mouth in thick goo. You try your best to swallow but it lodges in your throat and you choke. Emmett immediately rushes to help but you shake your head as best you can. The glob dissolves, and you feel a gentle warmth spreading through your otherwise fluffy body. You feel the gel slowly ooze down into you as well as up your nasal cavity. Pressure builds in the back of your head and you shut your eyes to bear the tension. You feel oddly stiff. The texture of the gel now reminds you of a plant stalk. You open your mouth and find that your tongue is coated in thick sap and you taste for the first time in a while. Your eyes fling open and you see Emmett stepping back slightly nervously as he watches your slow transformation.

Your right arm feels strange, the knot becoming increasingly uncomfortable by the second. You tell Emmett to undo it. He quickly dons on a pair of gloves nearby so as not to make contact with the rubber crawling down your torso. The rubber rushes into the new space like a hose that has been unkinked and your hand shudders at the touch. You groan as your physical body reconnects with yourself. It still doesn't hurt; in fact you feel at ease as you lie on the table absorbing the light from above. You feel re-energized as your new body basks in the glow and warmth.

Your fingers twitch and you hold up a hand before your eyes. Your fingers have formed into thick, stubby claws. You touch your face and instead of soft felt, you feel smooth, rigid gel. You poke at your plump cheeks and grab at your hair which now resembles the leaves of the plant next to you. You feel a slithering sensation beneath your skin and the awkward feeling makes you squirm. You let the transformation take root, lying back and focusing on keeping your identity intact.

You get up, your new form featuring a dull shine. You pull at yourself and it feels rubbery to the touch. You slide your hands down the sides of your hips and grope at your thighs that have the texture of the plant sitting beside you. You open your mouth and pull at your tongue. You blink, your vision noticeably different. It is a blend of near-infrared blues and reds. You can feel your surroundings, the energy radiating from nearby plants and artificial lights. You stand up and Emmett pokes your body gingerly with a pair of tongs. You tell him it is still you and he nods. You lift up your arms and let him circle you to examine everything. He then very carefully pokes you with one hand. Nothing happens. It confirms your suspicion that the goo reacts to living material and that Emmett isn't living. He gives you a hug, nuzzling his head into your chest. You give him a hug back, glad you're able to move your hands and arms once again.

"W-Where should we go?" Emmett says, readjusting his glasses.

You return back to the screen and look down at the map of the ship. The closest rooms are the navigation system and the crew quarters. You look at Emmett who shrugs. You look around and suddenly feel cold now that you're out from under the lighting.

> Search through the greenhouse.> Head to the navigation system.> Head to the crew quarters.

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