Like Clockwork - Sidestory - Sunlight Storing Chimes

Like Clockwork - Sidestory - Sunlight Storing Chimes

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“Please tell me this petition is a joke,” Bridget said as she handed the letter she was reading to Lavini before pausing to rubbed her temples, her gears twirling a little to release some of the pressure.

“Sadly, it is not,” Lavini said. She couldn’t help but smirk at Bridgets flabbergasted tone as she read the letter. The pair had been going through the church's daily mail and weird requests weren’t anything new to them but occasionally, there were the ones that surprised even them.

“So the farmer honestly wants us to implement a regional hour time shift just so he has enough time to make the QTZ concerts after work,” Bridget dead panned, sounding slightly exasperated at the how inane some of the requests they got were.

“I must say, Daylight Savings Time is a rather catchy phrase, is it not? It could be a useful designation if we ever needed to do such a thing,” Lavini replied, ever the face of ladylike tranquility and forethought. “Not that we should ever need to.”

“Why not just change their own schedule? Makes more logical sense then expecting us to force everyone else into a temporal change or asking QTZ to start later,” Bridget groaned. She tried her best to drown out all the thoughts of the technical details something like that would even begin to require. 

“Knowing their fans, I am certain that he has already asked them to start later. Thank the goddess they manage their own fan mail,” Lavini said. She shook her head while looking at the other pile of mail next to the auto sorter machine. QTZ’s mail stack was anywhere between 10 to 1000 times larger than the official church mail bin depending on how recent their last concert was. While they had proven to be a major financial and popular boon, not everyone was interested for the right reasons.

“Do they really? I saw Rose eating her mail the other day at dinner,” Bridget said as she took the letter back from Lavini. “She said something about consuming the information being faster that way.”

“Is it that different from Akita digitizing them and absorbing the bytes? Sometimes our analog methods might just be old fashioned,” Lavini shrugged as she grabbed the next letter from the pile.

“Hmm… I guess not. Actually, you know what? It’s their fan. They can handle it however they please!” Bridget smiled at her resolution, placing the letter in QTZ’s bin. “Just add it to their fanclub outreach program or whatever Cassie was calling it. After all, we don’t want any more perverts sneaking around after hours.”

“Whatever happened to that one,” Lavini paused in thought. It had been relatively recently but thankfully she hadn’t been involved with that whole mess. Cassie had been rather tight lipped about it, though her blush spoke another story.

“I don’t know. The time schedule is being rewritten for that. Pure said something about them being far too lewd,” Bridget shrugged as the pair went back to work.

 

 

 

“Why did I get this one?” Milky sighed as she shook her fist in annoyance at getting roped into the fan outreach program. Admittedly, after the incident with the prevert, they all agreed to help out so it wasn’t just her doing it but why did this one have to be out in the countryside. 

Apparently the Seeress Rylla had foretold future perverted incursions if they let their fans do their own thing, so they established an official fanclub quest raffle to deal with the worst cases in a controlled manner. Still, it wasn’t all bad. This was probably the first time since her revival and subsequent transformation that she had a chance to stop and smell the roses so to say. A countryside run was a nice change of pace from the bustle of New Stepolis and would be a good way to clear the mind to work on some lyrics. She couldn’t just let Pure and Rose come up with all the songs after all.

“Miss Milky. Can I get an autograph?!!” 

“Looking good!”

“Hubba Hubba!”

“Bouncy bouncy bouncy!”

“NEIGH!!!”

“WOOFFFF!!!”

“Meow!”

The catcalls were somewhat normal and expected. Nowadays, she couldn’t take two steps without hearing at least one. Well, maybe not from the animals... Still, was there something going on? Milky knew she was popular as all the guys and most girls couldn’t help but stare at her normally but why were they all walking into each other and into walls today? At one point, she even saw a guy absentmindedly walking into a well, giving Milky quite the fright but she was relieved to see his arm successfully hooking back over the edge. Maybe she should have worn that sports bra Cassie was complaining about after all? But honestly, her main batteries needed no support or restraint. 

Despite all that, running in the countryside was surprisingly fun. Even with the notable height reduction and class change between her old form and her new form, she was still faster than her peers. In fact, she might have even been faster than she had ever been before. Fully charged streaks of lightning literally lit up between her strides as the positrons and negatrons discharged between every step. Blazing past the other people, she waved as she shook her head at the thought. Her positrons and negatrons were also known as limbs to most other people. She had found it had altered the way she thought about certain things ever since that day. She still remembered it. The day of their revival from heaps of crystallized shards and their subsequent transformation into the forms they carried now. Her soul that was once Bali had intertwined with the others and was now beating together with them to form QTZ. It had been a total accident but it was their own fault. Not that Milky minded it. She had been Bali long enough, but now she was Milky Quartz! 

Though, all things considered, some things would never change for Milky ‘Boobies’ Quartz. Being the main charge and battery of the group wasn’t all that different from being the heart of the party, even if the dynamic had changed. Her quartz oscillated, her chest bouncing in step, in beat, in motion, jiggling with each stride as she kept her breakneck pace on the road. Smoky ‘Booties’ quartz oscillated her own quartz back as they traded barbs and beats in an eternal drum together while Rose and Pure could only sigh and beat together in repose. No matter their distance, she could always feel the synchronized beat of their hearts so it wasn’t like she was ever truly alone. 

Even with her blazing speed the run through the countryside, it took a few hours to reach the location that this letter had come from. Just looking at it, Oats Farm wasn’t anything special. Given its size, it was likely just another small farm like several others she had passed on her way here. Why would the person from this one specifically become an issue? The farm itself looked like it had seen better days. The lack of farm animals or workers was a slight concern, though the lush, vividly colored vines and budding melons that covered the farmyard looked like they were doing well.

“HELLO!! Is there an ‘Oats H’diki’ here?” Milky projected her voice. While not as loud as Pure, she could still belt it out with the best of them as the trees swayed and birds fled in the distance just from her volume.

“Oh, is someone there?!” A loud but overly nasally high pitch voice bellowed in response as the small mound of hay by the farmstead’s crops turned out to definitely not be a mound. Admittedly, their green flannel shirt, dirt brown overalls, brown fur, and golden brown hair definitely made them blend in.

“Milky Quartz, here for the QTZ fan outreach program! You're one of the lucky winners in our first ever raffle quest! And... you’re a... big minotaur farmer, aren’t you Mr. Hidiki,” Milky said as she found herself looking up as he approached with a waddle. Milky had met more than her share of minotaurs over the years and being an idol she welcomed fans of all races but he was definitely one of the largest she’d ever met. Oats was probably a few feet taller than her old height. It was hard to tell exactly how much given how he slouched over. Well that, and he was several times her width as well. If it wasn’t for the very distinct minotaur characteristics, mainly the cow snout and over the top hay like hair between the horns, she probably would have guessed he was an ogre.

“Thank you, gods, for hearing my prayers!” Oats said, clapping his hands together in prayer and nodding his head. It looked like he tried to bow but it was hard to tell given his roundness. 

“No goddess needed. Just their priestesses, a few cute idols, and some charity work,” Milky flashed her smile at him. “Apparently, you were having issues with making our shows? Hmm, mounts are probably… no definitely not… maybe an elephant would...”

As Milky thought out loud the minotaur farmer waddled his roundtub body closer and closer. Milky, even deep in thought casually sidestepped outside of his range before he could ‘suddenly’ hug her.

“Hey there, buster! Just a friendly warning. If you try anything funny, I’m fully authorized to light you up, literally. Capice?” Milky stated, her face dead serious as she let the electricity pulse between her positrons and negatrons. A part of her kind of wanted him to try it out, but the idol in her knew that it wasn’t fashionable to beat up fans unless they went full creepier so she let this attempt slide. 

“Awww I just wanted to… uh… nevermind,” Oats said, sweating nervously as the electricity arced around them as Milky’s stare bore into him. Milky breathed out as she released the oscillating pulses of energy and her face returned to her standard smile. Somewhere out there, she could feel the other Quartzes giggling at her.

“Not to complain but is it just you, Miss Milky? Or is the rest of QTZ here also?” Oats asked timidly as he looked around hopefully. “Not that I don’t like you Miss Milky! You're clearly the best with those big boobies.”

“I see you're a man of good taste!” Milky smirked, chest bustling in pride, “but nope, it’s just me. You're not the only raffle winner and we’ve all got busy schedules. Besides, your issue isn’t even that bad. I understand you missed our last couple of concerts because of work, right? Why did you think the best way to get around this is that daylight savings time idea of yours? I mean, the actual duration of a day doesn’t even change. Just the relative times,” Milky asked curiously. “I mean, why not just leave early? With a small farm like this, you're probably your own boss.”

“Well, I can’t really do that. In the winter, the days are so much shorter and I need all the sunlight I can get. Leaving early is therefore out of the question. But… I wasn’t actually expecting anything from my daylight savings idea. It was just a silly daydream I had. I knew it was unrealistic but for some reason I felt like I needed to send it. The dream was so vivid… like I was saving the light in me or something. I’m honestly not sure how to explain it better than that,” Oats said blushing sheepishly as he scratched his head.

“Interesting. Well I did think of some lyrics on daylight savings on the run over so if we have time I’ll give you a first peek! But first, let's get this quest done first,” Milky answered matter-of-factly as she examined  “So, did you try anything else.”

“I did try to improve my speed! I bought a machine from one of the machinist guilds to make the farm work faster. It’s an all in one farming machine that's supposed to double your production,” Oats said while waddling back into the field as Milky followed. 

“All in one devices aren’t always the best way to go about these sorts of things. Especially since it looks like you only have two types of crops,” Milky said, deep in thought. “Or is there something wrong with the machine? I might not be an artificer but we do have a somewhat intuitive understanding of machines.”

“Hmm, well, the machine did stop running after a few days but it still makes these delicious potions. I’ve always been a little chubby but ever since I started taking these energy potions I might’ve put on a little extra weight,” Oats said blashfully as they approach what looked to be a fairly advanced, wheeled magitech device sitting in the middle of the field.

A Multiform Tractor... Milky paused examining the machine as the general information database Akita had installed in them identified the machine for her. A fairly recent magitech design popularized for tillage, seeding, milking and countless other farm requirements. It was pretty impressive looking with the weird threaded wheel design and metallic wagon like frame. Still, there was nothing on why a tractor would make energy potions, much less one equipped with self sufficient light mana absorber panels... unless… 

“Please tell me you read the instructions?!?! You do realize that energy potions are literally energy potions and not stamina potions, right?!” Milky said in panicked realization as she turned to find Oats in the middle of drinking one. 

“Uh? What's the difference?” Oats said with a confused look as he licked the remainder off his lips.

“It’s literally liquefied mana! It’s for powering the equipment, not yourself! That can’t be good for you…” Milky said with slight panic. “Don’t worry, we can find a local priest or doctor to check you out.”

“Oh, so that’s why I’ve been having that tingling feeling afterwards. But it's so tasty, like sunl-” Oats said gesturing to his chest before suddenly collapsing. Milky watched with horror as Oats began to foam at his mouth, his limbs twitching erratically.

“Oh come on!! I don’t know any healing songs!! Why couldn’t Rose or Pure get this one?!” Milky panicked as she paced around as she pondered her options. She could run for a local church… but she didn’t know where the nearest one was. Well, when in doubt, best to ask for help. She just needed to oscillate at the right frequency and there we go… 

[Ladies, I might need some help!] Milky oscillated out as she explained the situation.

[What do you mean, your fan is dying?!] Pure said aghast as they oscillated like only she could.

[Teheheheheh!! Sorry, but they really mixed up energy potions and stamina potions? And ya lassies were mocking my Snek!] Smoky oscillated before turning into full blown laughter. 

[This isn’t funny!] Milky oscillated back annoyed. [At least mine isn’t a pervert… I think.] 

[OhohIknow,thisrequiresMilkytodohernamesakeandmilkitoutofthemwiththemcguffin

Magitechjustsittingthereunused.She’llusherthisbrandnewsinglethatwillbeagreatesthit. Thenthey’lljustendupworkingforusasoursexpets!!Imeanasourfanclubandconcessionslaves.] Rose oscillated in her usual hyper maniac cutesy flair. 

[Not now Rose. We can deal with your weird fetish fanfictions later!] Pure oscillated seriously. [I could teach you a healing song but this sounds more like a poisoning effect. I’ll check with the priestesses and get back to you. Just try to keep them alive in the meantime!] Pure oscillated back.

[No no no, Rose has a point. For once… I think] Smoky butted in. 

[Hihihi, thank you, Smokey! You can use the multiform tractors syphon device to milk out the light mana. It shouulllddd be in there! You might need to jury rig it a bit but most of those models should have syphons by default] Rose oscillated as Milky looked around the machine.

[Oh, I think I found them!] Milky oscillated back as she found a series of suction devices. [But where do I put them? Nevermind, found the auto process system and... it’s not working!] Milky stepped back as she activated the full syphon processing mode of the multiform device only for the device to putter [Oh right he’s been drinking the energy potions… How to give it a quick charge.]

[Hmm, you can input mana directly to the system! While that’s definitely not in its standard functions, if you ionize it between your positrons and negatrons, it could use it as a discharge point since the standard input is already there.] Rose oscillated, her technobabble was far more technical than Milky understood.

[What she means to say, me lassie, is to just sing into it] Smoky oscillated somewhat seriously. She then took in a deep breath before starting to hum an intro tune. 

[Oh oh oh! Improv acapella time!!] Rose cheered excitedly. She, too, began humming. Two octaves higher than Smoky but still matching the tones.

[Wait, really? Fine… the music is never wrong after all.] Pure oscillated. She was a bit distracted between this internal oscillated conversation and the external conversation she must be having at that moment. She halted what she was doing as she too now joined the chorus, bringing with her the melody.

[Just give yourself to the music. We all know you can do it,] the other Quartzes oscillated as the sun shone down on Milky, gathering almost as if it was a spot light as they were all swept into the flow.

“I’ll call this song, Sunlight Storing,” Milky oscillated as the frequencies vibrated in the air, into the mana itself.

“That last minute was the worst, When we remember forever”

“A blessing and a curse, If we could turn back with more power”

The energy coalesced around them. The tractor began to hum to life as the light mana flowed around and through them. Milky danced back as the tentacle-like syphons jumped to life. They almost attached to her but eventually linked to Oats instead with some of Milky’s guidance. 

“Maybe we could've made you twerk. Maybe we could've focused on one another first”

“We would've left off on better farms. If we could turn back with more power”

Milky danced around the pair as the machine found itself turning towards Oats when he suddenly rolled as the pair entangled. The machine seemingly drummed a beat line as the suctions began their work. Oats twitched slightly as the light mana began to draw out.

“Like Sunlight Storing. Like Sunlight Storing”

“If we could remake that bestowment again, I would never let it end that day”

“Like Sunlight Storing. Like Sunlight Storing”

“If we could transform with more power”

Milky posed stationary, her hands needing to dance with the drumming beat of the machine as its six suctions began syphoning… no it was definitely milking Oats. The mana drained out of his body which seemingly caused him to shrink except for the draining points as the fat seemingly rounded around each like the melons around them while the nipples elongated to fit the syphons perfectly.

“I watch time slip away. Like idol love with a simp, that's right”

“Seen manly guys' maid to obey. Oh, if we could transform with more power”

“Maybe we could've made it spark, Maybe we could've focused on one another first”

“Could've left off on better terms ‘MOOOOooooo!!!’, If we could transform with more power”

Oats’ high pitched Mooo was melodical perfection, cutting into the transition like no normal words could. His face changed, softened, shrunk. His minotaur features transformed into the huddle of femininity. His fat melted, draining away as the beat of the machine kept marching, the machine overloading in ether light as it was too much energy for even it to bear. The energy condensed like a caterpillar cocoon. The tractor began to fuse with him.

“Like Sunlight Storing, Like Sunlight Storing”

“If we could remake that bestowment again, I would never let it end that day”

“Like Sunlight Storing, Like Sunlight Storing”

“If we could transform with more power”

Milky belted out as the absorber panels melted with Oats clothes and then his skin. The black and white patterned flannel mixed with his fur, aligning the splotches as they worked in tandem to absorb and convert the light. The thudding beats of the six torpedo melon breasts as they milked out the light was pleasure and perfection. The bell around her neck chimed, only adding to the song. 

“Maybe we could've made you twerk. Maybe we could've focused on one another first”

‘MOOOOooooo!!!’ 

“Could've left off on better terms. Oh, wish we could transform with more power”

Oats consciousness had clearly returned, her eyes in pleasure as she screamed, no, Moo’ed in pleasure. The machine began to merge and it milked the last of his masculinity out. It pumped, it pulled, it sucked itself in. Beating over and over as it milked him until even the flesh faded to light. The round melon like rump, fluffy tail, and moist lips were all that were left. 

“Like Sunlight Storing, Like Sunlight Storing”

“If we could transform in a hour”

“Sunlight Storing, ah, ha Sunlight Storing”

“Wish I could go back, ah ha ah ha”

Milky breathed hand outstretched to the sky as the accompanying oscillating acapella faded. As the thick light mana, dimmed leaving her with Oats as they lay exhausted.

“Haha! I did it! Suck it boobies for the charge!” Milky gloated her heart oscillating at the full 32768 hertz as the sunlight faded. “Uh… why did he transform though??”

[I know it is the year of the Ox and all but that… was not what I was expecting. I’m starting to hear a theme here] Pure sighed. [Still, all’s well that ends well...]

[Figures ya would get a cow, ya boober] Smoky said. She somehow oscillated her smirking face clearly into Milky’s mind.

[Well, you did overclock the machine. Those all in ones machines are designed for hyper efficient milking and what better way to reach that is there than to just merge with the person it’s milking?] Rose oscillated, clearly leaving something out.

[We’ll leave the rest up to you then. Pure out] Pure oscillated.

[Can’t wait to meet your new best pet friend!] Rose oscillated and vanished from the frequency.

[We’ll see who's single is better when you get back] Smoky oscillated. She too changed her frequency, leaving them all to their other functions again.

‘Clap clap clap’ 

“That was an amazing experience, Mistress Milky!!” the mintouress was clapping. Or was it a holstaur? The subtypes always confused her. Still, Oats gushed in complete adoration at her as she walked closer hesitantly.  

“You're surprisingly calm about all this,”' Milky smiled as she hugged Oats, petting the girl she accidentally transformed. Oats’ cow splotched panels were surprisingly fluffy even if she was half machine. 

“Well, I was human once. The minotaur curse was like my fifth one so I’m somewhat used to it,” Oats stated simply. She blushed in embarrassment as she realized that she had just admitted to getting herself cursed and transformed so often… still, she was very pleased with the hug she was granted from her idol.

“Well, you know what they say. There’s a sixth time for everything,” Milky said. She wasn’t sure whether that was how the exact phrase went but she shrugged regardless.

“This is my first female transformation though. Hmm… Mom did say she was going to name me Avena if I was born a girl… So I’ll go with that,” Avena smiled as she let go of Milky. “Ohh, I can feel the light gathering in me! Mooo! Would you like some?” 

“Sure why not,” Milky shrugged. She did wonder what light milk tasted like. “Though, honestly wouldn't it have been easier to just get a job in New Stepolis?” Milky paused in introspection as they stared at each other.

“Well I do like my farm and, well, I doubt anyone would need a farmer inside the city… Mooo!” Avena blushed in pleasure as she started pumping a bottle for Milky.

“Maybe not a Farmer… but we could use Gardener…” Milky smiled in thought.