3 Culture Shock

"...Wot?"

"What?"

We stare at each other for a few more moments before Soahc clears their throat. "My apologies, I think I misheard you. Could you repeat what you said?"

"Sure. I want to be reborn as an adorable cat girl. I mean, not like the cutest in the world, but still fairly adorable. More than average, definitely."

They blink at me and don't respond. Did I say something weird? They did say it's a wish right? Is there some kind of limit they forgot to mention? Is there a rule that I have to be the same gender when I reincarnate? No, they said they turned the last guy here into a girl. Do I have to be the same race then? That would suck.

It takes a few minutes, but then Soahc finally responds. "So, let me get this straight. You want to use your ONE, SINGLE WISH, to ensure you're reincarnated as a cat girl? Not to make sure you are a master of magic, become some kind of harem lord, or to have the some kind of OP cheat power? You JUST want to ensure you're a cat girl."

I nod my head in sagely wisdom. "Yes, but no. I want to be an ADORABLE cat girl. Cuteness reigns supreme afterall."

"Wha- bu- ho- WHY!? You have the chance for incredible power, but you would rather ensure that you become a female beastkin?" I raise a finger and they roll their eyes. "An ADORABLE beastkin."

I lower my hand. "Yep."

They run one hand down their face. "Why though?"

I shrug my shoulders. "I mean, why not? I lived my entire life as a human male, so why not change things up for my next life? I mean, if I have the chance to go to a fantasy world, you can bet your robe that I'm not gonna want to be a human. And I've always been fond of catgirls. And cuteness. So being both sounds great!" I beam at them.

They let out a deep sigh before shrugging. "Ok, whatever. Your life, your choice. Are you sure? I'm not going to be letting you change it after this."

I grin and give them a confidant nod. "I'm sure."

Another sigh. "Very well. Some quick details before I send you away. You'll be reborn in a sixteen year old body, which is the age people are considered an adult. I'll also imbue you with general knowledge so that you don't seem like some suspiciously ignorant girl.

You're being tossed into the world in a random location, at this point I'm too tired to try and be careful choosing a good place to put you. I can at least assure you that wherever you end up won't be a death sentence. Like in an active volcano or in the middle of the ocean."

They seem to take a moment to think. "... I suppose I'll give your new body clothes, as funny as it would be to watch you scrambling around to find clothes. For some reason you give me a bad feeling if I put you into that kind situation."

"Anything else I'm forgetting? Oh yes, the phrase to open your status will be 'karma'. Not sure why it works like that in this dimension, it just does. I think that's all of it. Anything else you need to know should be covered by the "general knowledge package" I'm giving you. Just to be clear, this does not cover everything. For example, it won't give you knowledge of every kingdom and city in the world, but just some VERY general info for whatever kingdom you end up in first, like it's name."

"Well, that's it. Anything you'd like to say before I send you off?"

"Of course," I nod. I bow at nearly a ninety degree angle before shouting out my heartfelt words. "Thank you very much for this opportunity! I will endeavor to live an exciting life for my own sake, as well as your entertainment. May I grow powerful enough for us to meet once again! Thank you, Lord Soahc!"

Soahc blinks at me before looking up. "Damn human. You don't need to thank me, I already told you that I'm only doing this for my own amusement. Off with you!"

They wave their hand at me without looking, and suddenly I'm airborne. I look around myself with wonder. Around me, I can see streams of neon blue light passing me by, speckled by a smattering of pure darkness.

It's beautiful.

Then it feels like something hits me in the head and I lose consciousness.

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Soahc stand in the same place for a few moment, staring at the place where the strange human had been standing. The quiet is interrupted as a single tear falls from their eye and hits the ground.

"... I've never been thanked before." Indeed, in their millenia of existence, no mortal that they've shepherded on their journey has ever said 'thank you' to them. This was a first. One of the few new things they've been able to experience in who knew how long.

They let out a chuckle. "... I suppose that I can give them a LITTLE help. They motion with their hands, making like their molding a shape into a ball. Quickly, energy begins to gather, glowing all the colors of the rainbow. Once it's fully formed, it begins to float under its own power before shooting in the human's direction.

Soahc chuckles one more time before turning away. "I wonder what they'll do in that world, how they'll change it. After all..." They pause. "Ah, so that's what I was forgetting. Oh well, they'll find out about it at some point. Anything interesting needs a few twists after all!"