If there’s one thing Beatrice hates seeing more, it's supposed ‘friends’ being wishy washy with their feelings for one another.
A cliche would be far far too lenient to describe its atrocities. Like a pest, this trope infiltrated and infested itself within all of her beloved stories. From messing up her stories' pacing just to focus on their ‘feelings’ with one another to making up entire filler arcs for the sole purpose of them “coming to terms” with their feelings.
At least it only appeared within stories. Within books of amateur writers who didn’t know how to write a compelling romance story without this trope. But she must say, she had grown tired of it. Tired of reading the same nonsense over and over again.
Why was she harping on this point again? Ah yes. Because some idiots were reenacting the scene live for her.
It was the usual day. She performed some of her usual puppet shows, showing off magic tricks along the sidewalk and casting spells to amaze her audience. Being a witch made it easy to become a street performer - one of which her parents disapproved of.
But as she was performing her usual ventriloquist act, she spotted a couple, watching her show.
Both of them were guys. One of them, much bigger and fitter than the other. The taller one was an anthropomorphic shark with darker skin, stepping aside from the crowd to watch. Muscles were abundant on his body as he flexed them unconsciously with his white singlet.
The other one was a shorter dragon anthro. His face resembled a skull attached onto his maw. Significantly smaller in size, mechanical gears grinded against one another. Was he some sort of robot? Wearing a simple T-shirt, his brown long tail laid on the ground, blocking a good chunk of the way. As his grey fur brushed against the wind, his eyes sneaked glances at his friend.
“So erm… this is interesting …” The dragon spoke out, “Are you a fan of th…this?”
The shark rubbed against his neck, his voice deepened, “Not really… But it's better with you around…”
“Oh…”
Beatrice’s eyes widened, watching this scene unfold. They averted eye contact with one another, face burning red, rubbing their paws together. Her expression soured, putting down the puppet she was carrying.
“Miss, why is Freddie not talking anymore?”
She snapped back and grinned widely, “Freddie needs a little break, darling. So just wait a little while, alright?”
“Ok, miss!” The little girl rushed back to her parents, giggling about the show. Other people in her audience went back to their phones while she sipped some water. Deep breathes, Beatrice. She didn’t need to see those two ‘friends’ tal-her eyes accidentally glanced past them again, looking at their hesitant faces.
Seriously? She thought men had balls yet it appeared that neither of them had a spine. Just thinking about their actions made her pissed off. Ugh. This wishy washy ‘will they won’t they’ cliche had now invaded her real world and she had to watch it?
No. She won’t stand for it. She wasn’t reading some poorly written smutty fanfic, she was in the real world and so, they wouldn’t mind if she pulled a few strings here and there, right? A smirk rose from her face.
“For this next part, I’ll need two volunteers to help me perform this magic trick!” She exclaimed, “Just raise your hand and you can volunteer!”
Dozens of children followed her lead, raising their hands up excitedly around. She ignored them. They weren’t her real target.
With a little swish of her index finger, the laidback shark raised his hand up.
“Sean, didn't you think you’re interested in this?” The dragon mentioned.
He held an exasperated look, trying to put his hand down but couldn’t quite do so. Eventually, he shrugged, “Errr, yeah I guess?”
“Then I’ll join you as well,” His smaller friend giggled, “Rare to see you take initiative for this type of thing.”
“Like you’re any better, Xerxes.”
Beatrice locked eyes, watching them laugh. See how much chemistry they had with one another? “Alright, I made my pick,” She pointed at the couple, “May the two gentlemen at the back come up on stage.”
Cheers erupted as they walked up. Once by the stage, Beatrice raised a red cloak, covering everything under their necks. Sean and Xerxes glanced at each other, a little awkwardly. They were expecting more like cards or dice, not a full body experience…
“Alright, just gonna,” She chanted a spell under her breath, opening up a space behind their backs, “Just look in front and smile for the crowd, alright guys?”
“Sure?” Xerxes smiled now in front of the crowd. The crowd doubled, gathering around the stage. A little nerve wrecking for the clock dragon. His gears grinded faster while Sean rolled his eyes. What was this witch doing anyways?
Pushing her hands into the space, the duo twitched suddenly to the side - both to the right. Felt as though something was touching them from within. But it quickly disappeared. Good. Beatrice nodded. All going according to plan.
Beatrice stepped on her stool, barely inches above Sean, “Welcome everyone! Sorry for the wait but we shall now begin the magic show!”
Applause followed.
“So could you gentlemen introduce yourself?”
“Oh I’m Sean,” He waved to the crowd, feeling a little stiff around his arms, “Just your usual shark lifeguard.”
“And I’m… Xerxes,” His voice stumbled a little, “A clock dragon of sorts,” Something about being on stage made him extremely nervous, he wasn’t used to this many people watching him.
She nodded, “Alright Sean and Xerxes, you both have volunteered for this trick. But do you have any idea what it might be?”
Both of them shook their heads. A little sore and stiff around their necks. Sean rubbed against his neck. Strange, why was it smoother here?
Beatrice followed it up, “So today’s trick will involve a little quiz! Answer all of them correctly, and you’ll get a little gift!” Leaning closer to both men’s ears, she whispered, “Answered wrongly however, you’ll change into my little puppets.”
“Pupp-” Xerxes turned around as she shut his muzzle. Sean merely chuckled. Puppets? Really? What prank was this?
“First question to Sean: When did you and Xerxes first meet?”
From non-chalentness to embarrassment, his face quickly shifted. Oh shit, how was he supposed to answer this to the crowd? “Can I veto this question?”
“Of course you can, my dear puppet,” She widened her grin. This coward. She was doing him a favour and here he was trying to run away. Flee without furthering their relationship? Now that won’t do here. Her left ring finger pulled towards her, shortening his legs drastically alongside his tail as well. Now, he was half his original height with his feet above the ground.
Oblivious to the change, the shark glanced back at her, “Could you not ask such sensitive questions?”
She completely ignored him, now glancing at Xerxes, “Question two to Xerxes: What do you like most about Sean?”
“Err,” Their eyes locked before glancing back at the crowd, “I’ll veto this question…”
Likewise, her other ring finger pulled into his body, making his arms retract towards his body. This time, Xerxes noticed it, freaking out on stage. He could barely feel his arms. A numbing sensation was the only thing he could feel.
Sean immediately spotted his friend’s panicked expression and soon realized the changes. He couldn’t move his legs and his rough skin now was smoother and yet more rigid.
She hushed down her voice, “Listen up boys, either you two get together today or I’m forcing you to.”
Both men gulped. She really meant business but how could they answer the questions? Neither of them wanted to admit their feelings to one another… Beatrice glanced at the excited crowd before asking, “Third question for Sean: How do you feel about Xerxes?”
The shark hung his head low. Embarrassed at the question, he stole a couple glances at his friend before mumbling out some words. The hell was that? A mouse could squeak louder than that.
Another left finger pulled back. A force tightened around his chest, smoothening his rough shark skin as well as making his frame larger. Compared to the rest of his body, his chest was basically puffing out. Practically shouting out how strong he was.
Breathing was now a struggle. The shark panted out, gasping for all the oxygen he could get. Meanwhile, his friend reddened up even further, feeling embarrassed for wanting him further. His stronger bulkier body was the dragon’s type after all.
There, Beatrice noticed his smitten eyes. Surely, this time he could confess, right? “Question four to our dragon: What is your ideal relationship with Sean over here?”
“Friends,” He shouted, “Very… very… good friends,” The crowd was now staring at the reddened dragon; some of the children laughed at him, joking that he had a crush while the others gave him a shot of pity.
The witch sighed. Were their lips sealed or what? Why were they so scared of confessing? Pushing deeper into his body, her fingers now stiffened his joints. His fur flattened into smoother wooden surfaces with the same colors. Still preserving his smaller frame, the changes tightened up his body.
Now by this point, only their heads were left unchanged. Strings now sprouted from their limbs. Hanging lowly from their joints, their limbs were now incapable of moving, needing someone else to move for them. Actual puppets-like limbs.
Their eyes however continued to glance at one another. Fear mixed with desire to give a surreal vibe to how seriously they took the situation. Even with their bodies smaller than ever, both parties were concerned with each other’s well being. However, they certainly didn’t mind the upgrade to their bodies…
“Final question for the two of you,” Beatrice’s irritated voice shouted, ensuring everyone could hear her, “Do you guys like each other?”
“Nah… that will be weird…”
“As friends, yeah?”
The witch gave up. Pulling her entire hand out of their bodies, the space behind their backs sealed up, hardening into a wooden exterior. Their colors retained onto their bodies, just giving them the appearance of a miniature self.
While Xerxes glanced around in fear, Sean had a calm demeanor. He didn’t mind changing into a puppet if it meant keeping his feelings sealed up. It's impossible Xerxes would like him back, especially with his final answer. They were friends. Nothing more nothing less.
Xerxes tried to ask for help, he croaked out, “Please… he…” The crowd cheered louder, watching his muzzle solidify into a wooden block. His messy hair was preserved in the carving along with Sean’s laid back hair.
Powerless to do anything, both of them could only watch others. Senses of scents and taste faded away. But they could see and hear their surroundings.
Beatrice tied their strings up to a cross-like handle, allowing her to control them from above. Their lighter bodies were lifted above the cloak, revealing their new puppet form, “Tada! See, our two volunteers are now my puppets!”
Applause ran through them. Xerxes wanted to dig a hole and hide. He wanted to cover up his face and avoid the crowd’s gaze but his only expression was a stupid grin. Stupid grin looking at Sean’s newer body.
“Now we can start with a little story,” She lifted Sean’s leg, moving closer to Xerxes’ body. Weird was the first word that came to mind when she did so. Feeling like his body was no longer his, he could only accept fate, “Once upon a time, there’s a little clock dragon who encountered a manly shark.”
Xerxes' arms were raised, walking towards him. Wait, was he going to hug Sean? Beatrice mimicked his voice, deepening it to exaggerate his features, “Oh, hello there,” He cringed hard within the puppet body. Why did it sound this manly?
“Hello there, clockdragon,” Likewise, Sean’s voice was huskier. Red hues appeared on their puppet faces, “Would you like to be friends?”
“Certainly.”
More people gathered, filling up the pathway, much to the humiliation of the duo. Why did they sound so weird with stiff dialogue? And their thick deep voice definitely didn’t help, especially with how powerless both of them felt.
“So as they kept meeting up with one another,” She brought both of them together, their heads knocking into one another, “They developed feelings and liked one another. And they ended up dating.”
The puppet’s face completely went red. Their hands reached forward into each other’s back, much to their humiliation to do it out here in public. Yet, they couldn’t deny how good it felt. How nice it felt to confront their feelings.
Continuing to shove their red faces with each other, Beatrice made them kiss. Their hands wrapped around their heads with Sean’s bigger burly chest pushing against the smaller Xerxes’ body.
“And with that final kiss, both of them lived happily ever after,” Beatrice took a bow, raising both of them up. The crowd now clapped all around with their lifeless puppet body, hanging against the thread. Their embarrassment engraved with red hues on their wooden faces.
As the audience dispersed, Beatrice kept them inside her box. Their arms interlocked with each other's body, causing the witch to sigh. She had a feeling they might be happier this way. With a simple snap, she blinked to her next location to set up her stall.
This time with a puppet couple by her side.
thestrung-uppuppeteer for commissioning me! 
