Into the Vanessaverse

The Magic Market was a world between worlds, a place where spellcasters, magicians, and assorted arcane practitioners could gather. As the name implied, often this took the form of hawking unique wares across dimensions, simplifying the gathering process immensely and providing a solid means of socializing otherwise. There was even a tavern nearby, and a spa.

Vanessa, of course, was banned form about half of these locations due to her penchant for mischief. But there was still the errant peddler who hadn’t heard of her reputation and thus could be bartered with without consequence. Even when there weren’t any ignorant shopkeepers around on her visits, it was still nice to window-shop around the stalls and examine the sights. She wasn’t under any time restraints, either; the Market was a dimension outside of natural time, and thus any time spent within would be near-instantaneous in their home dimension.

On one such outing, Vanessa was merely enjoying the experience. Wandering amongst the stalls, as well as observing the other mages. The usual fair, although it was rather dull compared to her other ventures.

Then she heard the music.

It was faint at first, as though from a great distance. But the longer she listened, the clearer it became. A flute of some kind, perhaps, with a wistful melody that was both gracious and mesmerizing. And how sweet it sounded by itself, at that, quite haunting. She absolutely had to find its source.

She doubled her pace, keeping an ear out for the music as she squeezed past other bystanders in the marketplace. As she walked, it grew louder, closer, and with it so did her own passion for the song. It was practically mesmerizing…So she shook her head briefly as she walked. Hypnotic, perhaps, she theorized. But it didn’t mean that she didn’t want to explore it still.

Vanessa found herself inside a tent. A dimly-lit area, even more dim due to the presence of a minor crowd enjoying a spectacle. At the center of the tent was the source of the melody, and even Vanessa was surprised.

It was a woman with tan skin, carefully yet dexterously playing her flute. As her fingers danced across her instrument, a sleek serpent was in turn dancing across her body, slithering around as though in a trance of its own. Her clothing looked ornate and yet practical, akin to a desert maiden’s wear, complete with an exposed window across her belly region. She seemed to be quite lovely in terms of looks, something that would have intrigued Vanessa on itself. The inclusion of a snake into the midst—one that was under her spell at that—merely cinched the deal.

She soon finished her song, with the snake carefully perched upon her shoulder. The audience clapped for her, and so did Vanessa, quite pleased with what she saw here. She was perfect.

“I thank you all for coming,” the woman smiled, giving a small bow. “I shall hold another show soon, so do look forward to it.”

The audience began to disperse, though Vanessa hung around still, keeping her eyes on her prize. “Excuse me,” she said.

The woman turned her head, noticing the gothic witch. “Hmm?” she said. “Oh, hello. I take it you enjoyed the show?”

“Oh, I did, darling,” Vanessa agreed. “And your music was simply divine. I could hear it across the market.”

“Very kind words,” the woman smiled. “I am Jasmine. And you are?”

“Vanessa,” Vanessa greeted. “Welcome to the market, then. I must say, this is the first time I’ve seen such a performance around here, and I’ve been a…well, a long-term shopper here.”

“I had decided to bring my craft here only recently,” Jasmine explained. “My own brand of magic. It makes people happy, you see.”

“Which makes you happy in turn,” Vanessa agreed. “I can understand that one, yes. Though what sort of magic is it exactly? I could detect a little bit of hypnotic suggestion in your song.”

Jasmine gave a small giggle, amused. “Ah, then the music called you especially,” she said. “It is subtle, but yes. Some suggestive properties make up my melodies. Although it can be a tad more in-depth than even that, if you would like a demonstration.”

Vanessa quickly nodded. “I would very much like that,” she agreed.

Jasmine stepped to her side, gesturing an arm to the back of the tent. “Then by all means,” she encouraged. “Come with me to my private quarters.”

Vanessa happily went along with Jasmine’s directions, walking towards the back of the tent and past the cloth wall. There was another room behind it, one more befitting a bedroom. It was all very luxurious, with a soft bed complete with a mystical canopy, drawers lined with gold, and a pristine bathtub in the corner. Most striking was the terrarium she possessed, with several snakes mingling and feeding amongst the natural simulated environment. They all looked so happy

“Some of them are my guests,” Jasmine explained, upon noticing Vanessa’s gaze. “Others have willingly joined my group. It is a happy family.”

“Ah, you’re that kind of witch,” Vanessa gave a chuckle, realizing what Jasmine’s specialty was. “Those snakes didn’t start as snakes, did they?”

“How observant,” Jasmine complimented. “You are correct, Vanessa. My little ones were once human, or human-adjacent. But they have willingly given themselves to me, temporarily or permanently, to become one with the snake.”

“Hot,” Vanessa remarked. Even just standing in the room with a fellow mage who could do such magic was arousing to her. “So what’s your secret?”

Jasmine walked to her dresser, lifting a bottle of lotion. “Snake lotion,” she explained. “My own creation. I rub it upon myself, and I become irresistible to those who wish to shed their skin. The rest follows suit.”

“It’s certainly potent,” Vanessa said. She tugged at the corner of her blouse, her neck already feeling warmer. “I…Oh, excuse me…I can already see what you mean.”

Here, Jasmine gave a small laugh. “Oh, Vanessa, there is no need to hide it,” she explained. “I knew the minute you had explained where you heard the music from.”

Vanessa blinked. “You did?”

“Of course,” Jasmine nodded. “You are especially in-tune with serpent-hood, though you may not know it yet. To hear my melody so clearly from so far away means that you are destined to be one, if only for a small while. A kinhood, as it were.”

The thought certainly amused Vanessa, as well as drove her wild with excitement. Being a snake, then? It wasn’t one of her more common forms to take, but she could think of nothing else. And that body…Jasmine’s body. The sheer thought of coiling across her smooth stomach, her tongue flicking across the skin, tasting her…

“Whatever you need to do, do it,” Vanessa declared, heavily excited now. She could barely stand still without fidgeting now. “I want this so badly, Jasmine, darling.”

Jasmine smirked lightly, impressed with herself. To have courted such a catch without much effort was truly an excellent display on her account. Not that she didn’t admire Vanessa herself, of course; she seemed to be affectionate and playful, a perfect match for her performances.

The dancer started uncorking the snake oil, rubbing some of it on her stomach. “First start by giving it a kiss,” she instructed. “The rest shall follow.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Vanessa chuckled. She bent down, stooping so Jasmine’# belly was level to her eyesight. Then she puckered her lips, giving the exposed skin a firm smooch.

The taste was incredible. Whether it was Jasmine’s natural body, or the additional help of the oil’s magical properties, the taste was far too good to pass up. A cacophony of sensual tastes that only an experienced witch would be able to experience, all of them blending together into a mesmerizing swirl. Vanessa had to have more.

The experienced witch found herself forgoing formalities in favor of merely licking Jasmine’s belly outright, tongue extended and sliding across the surface. Jasmine giggled at the touch, slightly; she was not immune to how ticklish one could be, even with her own practice. Then she could only admire Vanessa, watching as her tongue started elongating. It switched movement, from a slow and sensual passover, to a quick and reptilian flick across her skin.

Even Vanessa was surprised by this development, although not negatively. In fact she rather enjoyed the feeling of her tongue reshaping, growing thin and pointed at the end. It wasn’t her first foray into being a reptile, she figured. But there was something far more sensual about this time that especially encouraged her to keep going.

Even as Vanessa’s jaw started to unhinge, she was in bliss. She could feel her mouth and chin readjusting, her cheeks shrinking to allow the proper mouth formation for a snake. Dislocatable by nature, after all. Her sense of smell diminished as she felt her nose push against her face, her nostrils closing nearly the entire way, leaving naught but two slits. Her eyes blurred briefly, irises adjusted into more animalistic shapes, prime for any predator.

There was the strange sensation of tugging against her neck on both sides. A flaring of skin started to grow, a gentle curve outwards into a fine hood. Jasmine took one look and smiled.

“It had been some time since I last had a cobra in my performance,” she remarked. “I have a feeling you will make a great one,”

“Thankssss…” Vanessa hissed out, her vocals already changing to compensate her new form. She could feel her head readjusting, her nose and mouth pushing forward into a snake muzzle. All the while she continued to flick her tongue to taste Jasmine’s lotioned skin…and now she was beginning to coil around her.

As the changes progressed, Vanessa’s arms and legs were beginning to shrink and shrivel. A snake had no need for limbs, barring a mighty tail that would be the primary means of locomotion for such a proud snake such as she. She could feel her other limbs starting to fuse to her body, her clothing tearing apart at the seams in order to do so, no resistance allowed. She stumbled briefly, only to latch onto Jasmine once more, this time completely off the ground as she continued to work her way around her companion.

The tail, meanwhile, was beginning to develop, with the nub growing from just above her buttocks at first. Then it swelled and grew, tapering to a point. She swished it gently, finding it so much easier to move with its inclusion. As though it were a natural part of her form the beginning.

“You certainly do enjoy it,” Jasmine laughed, watching Vanessa become more and more like a cobra with every passing second. “That is good, of course. You are a natural at this.”

“Thank you, Jasssssssmine,” Vanessa hissed again, this time more like a serpent. The changes were starting to reach their peak, it seemed, and her senses were heightening. Natural instincts kicking in, although she would of course retain her sanity throughout the entire process. It would not have been her first time undergoing a feral form, nor would it be the last. But it certainly was one of the first for the sake of a performance.

Her scales were starting to grow in now, some merely appearing while others outright tore through her skin to make room. Shining, glimmering purple scales began to adorn her body, a dark rainbow of color. Her hair was beginning to recede, shrinking into her body as well; what didn’t wither, instead had fallen entirely out of her head, landing gently on the floor in a curled mess. This would be sorted out later, she figured. It wasn’t her problem anyway; she was a cobra, a wonderful and powerful predator reptile. And she was under the care of her handler, Jasmine, at least for the next short while. She was a fantastic specimen, prime and ready to dance along with Jasmine.

At last, Vanessa began to shrink a fair amount, becoming less of a human-sized snake and into a holdable size—not for a pocket, but holdable nonetheless. Jasmine couldn’t be more proud with her companion’s work.

“You have turned out wonderfully,” she remarked. “Ah, such a gleam to you. And such care despite your power…”

Vanessa flicked her tongue against Jasmine’s stomach in appreciation. The sensation still tickled Jasmine, perhaps more so due to her already-affectionate outlook at the time. Something about companionship made some experiences better, she supposed.

“Now then,” Jasmine said, gently stroking her new snake. “We have had our fun time, and we shall have more soon. But it is almost time for the next show.”

In all the excitement, Vanessa had nearly forgotten the entire reason she was drawn out like this. The performance Jasmine was so skilled at. And evidently she would be a part of it! It was quite exciting, all around.

Jasmine started to lightly cradle Vanessa’s body, carrying her directly towards a wicker basket, empty for the time being. “All you must do it wait in here,” she explained. “And I will do the rest.”

Vanessa didn’t quite get it herself, but wagered it had something to do with that flute of Jasmine’s. What sort of magic could it hold to bring about a performance without any preparation? Hypnotism, perhaps. Usually hypnotic suggestions took some effort to drag herself down, so it must have been quite powerful to lure a witch. What it would do to a snake…

She was placed inside the basket, and Vanessa gave her tongue one last flick towards Jasmine to tease her. Jasmine giggled a little, before setting the lid atop the basket. Then she hoisted the entire construct past the curtains and into the main stage area.

The duo had evidently spent more time than Vanessa had thought engaging in their private transformation and sensual moments together. There was already a small crowd forming, waiting for the next showing of Jasmine’s performance. Vanessa couldn’t see it of course, having the wicker basket impede her view, but she could hear the murmuring of the audience. She would have grinned if a snake could grin. This would be quite the show.

“Hello, my friends,” Jasmine began. “I am pleased to see so many familiar faces. If you are returning, welcome back. For those newcomers, welcome to my show.” A pause. “I am Jasmine, mistress of snakes. A whisperer, one may say. For this show, I have a very special specimen to present.”

There was a brief moment of silence from Jasmine, no doubt so she may position her flute carefully, prime to play. Vanessa waited patiently, curled inside her basket.

Then the melody began to play.

It was a strange sensation for the witch. From the first note, it was like a firecracker being lit within her brain. Her concentration was immediately eroded, her willpower sapping rapidly. The song was so intense to her reptilian brain that she could think of nothing else. She had to…Had to…

Her head started lifting up, as did the rest of her body, in time with the music. The lid of the basket was raised along with her head, with Vanessa not even noticing. She didn’t notice much, anyway. Not the audience, not her surroundings. She focused squarely on the song. The song, and Jasmine. Her mistress.

Jasmine continued to play her music, watching Vanessa swirling and squirming gracefully as a snake can be. She began to leave the basket, before slithering against her body, maneuvering across her skin once more, only this time to her own notes. The audience was amazed, especially considering how dangerous a cobra can be around its prey.

Vanessa, meanwhile, was smitten entirely. All of her movement was involuntary, at the mercy of Jasmine’s gentle nature. She didn’t mind in the slightest, however, merely enjoying the art of dance like a good snake. And for the time being, that’s what she was. A snake. Jasmine’s snake.

The song eventually finished, with Vanessa curling back inside the basket just before the last note. Then all fell silent, until the crowd started to applaud once more. Jasmine gave a bow; Vanessa quietly appreciated the attention her mistress was giving and getting.

“I thank you all,” she said. “I must rest once more, my friends. But we shall resume in due time.”

The crowd dispersed gradually, in high spirits due to the nature of the show. Jasmine, meanwhile, had picked up the basket once more to peek inside the wicker. “You did an excellent job,” she smiled. “A natural dancer, Vanessa.”

Vanessa looked up, happiness in her eyes. Her tongue flicked lightly. She was still very much dazed by the song’s effects, the melody quite potent on the witch. Jasmine could only giggle at the sight.

“Goodness, I had no idea my instrument was that good,” she said. “Perhaps it was the oil…I really must see how it impacts others myself one day.”

She set the basket down, then reached once more for Vanessa. The cobra coiled happily around her arm, flicking her tongue against bare skin again. She walked to the terrarium slowly.

“Normally I would let you go,” Jasmine said. “And I will soon. But based on your lovestruck expression, it may be unwise to leave you to your own devices until you recover. You can rest here for now until your mind is your own once more.”

Jasmine smiled, kissing the top of Vanessa’s snout lightly. Then she lowered her into the terrarium, where other fellow snakes were slithering. They were pleased to see their new houseguest, scary as she was, and provided their own tongue-flicking kisses. Vanessa, in turn, did the same.

“You truly would make an excellent addition to my troupe,” Jasmine remarked. “I do hope you would join me again someday.”

She walked to her bed, climbing onto it, and lounged across the surface. A good rest would help her recover between her shows, after all. And it would give Vanessa time to play and enjoy being a serpent. She could already see the cobra coiling with her new friends. Charmed, she was sure.