Ghost Patrol (Hu Tao FTM TF)

The vibrant banners of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor flapped enthusiastically in the gentle breeze of Qingce Village, a stark contrast to the usual solemnity associated with such an establishment. At the heart of this cheerful advertisement campaign stood Hu Tao, the 77th Director herself. Her twin tails bounced with every emphatic gesture as she addressed a small, and visibly shrinking, crowd of villagers.

“Death is not an ending, but a new beginning! Think of it, dear villagers, as the ultimate adventure! And who better to guide you on this journey than Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?” Hu Tao’s voice, usually brimming with playful mischief, took on a theatrical gravitas, though the sparkle in her crimson eyes betrayed her underlying amusement. She brandished a pamphlet adorned with a cartoonishly cheerful ghost, “Our services are unparalleled, our prices… well, let’s just say they’re to die for!”

A few polite coughs rippled through the crowd, mostly from elderly villagers who were probably just trying to be polite to the young director who was trying so hard. At the edge of the gathering, a figure with a long, intricately carved staff leaned against an ancient willow tree, his face etched with a deep, almost unsettling calm. This was Old Lao, a formerly warrior, now a retired who preferred the quietude of Qingce Village to the bustling world. He had initially found Hu Tao’s relentless cheerfulness amusing, but after an hour of non-stop funeral parlor promotions, his patience was wearing thinner than parchment in a rainstorm.

Hu Tao, oblivious to the rising irritation radiating from Master Lao, continued her sales pitch. “Imagine, a personalized coffin decorated to your exact specifications! Perhaps carved with lotus flowers? Or maybe a miniature Jade Chamber? The possibilities are endless!” She winked, holding up a small wooden coffin painted bright pink. “Perfect for the… more flamboyant individual!”

Old Lao sighed, the sound carrying the weight of decades. He mumbled under his breath, a few archaic syllables escaping his lips, words not meant for advertisement woes, but imbued with the slightest hint of spatial manipulation. It was more of a frustrated flick of magic than a deliberate spell, just enough to… shift things, subtly.

In the middle of extolling the virtues of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor’s ‘departure discounts’, the cobblestones beneath Hu Tao’s feet grew strangely smooth and polished. The scent of fresh mountain air was abruptly replaced by a cacophony of unfamiliar sounds and a disorienting aroma of… popcorn? Hu Tao blinked, her wide eyes taking in her new surroundings. Gone were the quaint houses and verdant rice paddies of Qingce Village. Instead, she stood in a dazzlingly bright, enclosed space, filled with towering structures displaying colorful images of… food? Clothing? What were these strange symbols?

People, dressed in clothes she had never seen before, hurried past, some carrying bags overflowing with… things. Loud, rhythmic music pulsed from hidden speakers, a far cry from the soothing melodies usually played at the parlor. “What in the…” Hu Tao muttered, craning her neck to look up at the ceiling, which seemed to be made of glass, letting in an unnatural, unwavering light. Was this some kind of elaborate prank? But by whom? And why?

This was… utterly fascinating. Forget funeral parlors for a moment! This place was a treasure trove of the unknown! Hu Tao's initial confusion morphed into excited curiosity. She bounded forward, her usual playful energy returning, pamphlets forgotten for the moment.

As she turned in a slow circle, trying to make sense of this bizarre landscape, her scarlet eyes landed on a figure in a dark blue uniform, strolling purposefully towards her, a walkie-talkie crackling in his hand. He wore a badge on his chest that read 'Security'.

“Tao, you’re late for your shift,” the man said, stopping in front of her. His voice was firm, but not unkind. His eyes narrowed slightly as he took in Hu Tao’s appearance. “And what in the world are you wearing?”

Hu Tao blinked again, utterly bewildered. “Tao? Are you… talking to me?” She gestured to herself, still clad in her Wangsheng Funeral Parlor attire – the plum blossom hat perched jauntily on her head, the intricate red and black robes swirling around her.The security guard raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. “Well, who else would I be talking to? Look around, kid. You stick out like a sore thumb.” He chuckled lightly. “Looks like you’re ready for the annual cosplay convention, not a shift at the Westview Mall.”

Hu Tao frowned, a wave of confusion washing over her. “Cosplay? Westview Mall? I… I don’t understand.”

“Come on, Tao,” the guard sighed, checking his watch. “Head Security won’t be happy if he sees you like this. You know the dress code. Uniform, clean-shaven, presentable. Go change, quickly. Locker rooms are just down the hall, past ‘Giggle Burger’. Men’s is on the left.” He pointed vaguely down a brightly lit corridor, lined with shops displaying even more bewildering merchandise.

The name 'Tao' echoed in Hu Tao’s ears. It sounded… vaguely familiar? Like a shortened version of her name perhaps? She shrugged mentally. Maybe this was some strange local custom. And the ‘uniform’… perhaps it was some sort of performance requirement for this ‘mall’? Always up for an adventure and new experiences, Hu Tao decided to play along, at least for now.

“Right, uniform,” she repeated, nodding slowly. “Locker rooms… Giggle Burger… Men’s on the left.” She set off in the direction indicated, her initial confusion giving way to a spark of curiosity. This ‘mall’ was certainly… unique.

Following the guard’s directions, she found herself in a corridor that smelled distinctly of fried food. ‘Giggle Burger’ was indeed there, its neon sign blinking cheerfully. Just beyond it, two doors stood side-by-side, labeled, rather unimaginatively, ‘Men’ and ‘Women’. Without much thought, and perhaps a little too much faith in the guard's directions (or a momentary lapse in attention), she pushed open the door on the left, marked ‘Men’.

The locker room was… functional. Rows of metal lockers lined the walls, a few benches sat in the center, and the air was thick with the scent of deodorant and… man. A few men in similar blue uniforms were changing, seemingly oblivious to her presence – or perhaps simply used to seeing all sorts in this strange place. Hu Tao, slightly flustered but determined to get this ‘uniform’ business sorted, quickly scanned the room for… uniforms.

In one corner, neatly folded stacks of dark blue clothing sat on a shelf. She grabbed a set – trousers, a shirt, and a jacket, all in a rather sturdy-looking material. She found an empty corner, and with a swiftness honed from years of changing in and out of funeral attire, began to strip off her robes.

As she pulled the uniform shirt over her head, a strange warmth spread through her body. It was not unpleasant, more like… invigorating. She flexed her arm, and a flicker of surprise crossed her face. Had her muscles always been this… defined? She shrugged it off, attributing it to the excitement of this new place.

By the time she had wrestled herself into the trousers and jacket – which were surprisingly comfortable, if a little loose – a definite shift had occurred. Her movements felt… stronger, more grounded. Looking down at her hands, she noticed they seemed… larger, the fingers thicker. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in a nearby mirror and blinked. Her face… it was still recognizably hers, but… sharper, more angular. And… was that a hint of stubble on her chin? She touched her jaw, a rough texture greeting her fingertips.

As she stepped out of the locker room, back into the bustling mall corridor, the security guard was still there, leaning against a directory sign, waiting. He looked up as she approached and a wide grin spread across his face.

“There you are, Tao! Much better! See, I told you, uniform is the way to go. You were looking like you wandered off the stage of some theatre production back there.” He clapped her – his – shoulder, a friendly, solid thud.

“Tao?” Hu Tao repeated, the name now feeling… oddly right. It was short, punchy, efficient. Like… her. Or… him? He looked down at his chest, at the badge. ‘Tao’. Yes, that was right. Tao. It felt… natural.

“Yeah, Tao! That’s you! You okay? You seem a bit… out of it today. Rough night?” The guard chuckled again. Tao – because yes, that felt right now – Tao laughed, a deeper, more resonant sound than she remembered her voice being. “Rough night? Nah, just… getting into the spirit of things! This uniform… it’s surprisingly… comfortable!” He flexed his arm again, admiring the way the fabric stretched across newly defined muscles.

“Comfortable and professional,” the guard agreed. “Listen, Head Security wants to see you in his office, pronto. Something about the new zone assignments. You know where it is, right? Level 3, by the fountain.”

“Level 3, fountain. Got it!” Tao replied, a surge of enthusiastic energy bubbling within him. Zone assignments? Fountain? It all sounded… perfectly normal. Like things he knew, things he did every day. He gave the guard a quick, playful punch on the arm. “Thanks, uh… what’s your name again?”

“Marcus,” the guard – Marcus – replied, grinning. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten your own colleagues already, Tao! Been working here for months, remember?”

“Months? Right! Months!” Tao laughed again, a booming, cheerful sound. Months. Of course. He remembered… patrolling these brightly lit corridors, ensuring shoppers were safe, keeping an eye out for… things. Vague images of… flowers? Coffins? Flickered at the edge of his awareness, then vanished like wisps of smoke. Nonsense. He was Tao, Security Guard of Westview Mall. Had been for months.

“See you around, Marcus!” Tao called out, turning with a newfound spring in his step. He headed towards the escalators, a grin plastered across his face. Level 3, Head Security, fountain. He knew the way. He always patrolled Level 3. It was his zone. He was good at his job. Energetic, vigilant, always ready with a cheerful greeting and a reassuring presence. That was Tao.

Reaching Level 3, he spotted the fountain, a glittering, multi-tiered structure in the center of the open space. Head Security’s office was just behind it. He straightened his uniform, puffed out his chest, and strode purposefully towards the office door. He stopped before entering, took a deep breath, and then, with a crisp, military salute – a gesture that felt strangely ingrained, utterly natural – he knocked sharply. He was ready for his zone assignment. He was Tao, Westview Mall Security, and he was ready for anything. Hu Tao were completely, utterly, gone.