Stories of Human Miniaturization: Part 5

Slice of life story of individuals who are willingly shrunk to three inches tall

Continuation of Stories of Human Miniaturization: Part 4


Chapter One

They walked under the flowers, along the path of many colors. Cal and Veronica walked together, with Trina and her friend Svetlana behind them. The path was narrow, with loose black soil on either side, with crushed and dried flower petals laying on the ground on either side. Treks through the forest had been interesting before they’d miniaturized, and there still were forests with lifelike trees to hike though here. But sometimes a walk in the flower bed was much better. Stalks of flowers rose up around them, some with sharp, long thorns, others with spindles poking out. Above their heads was a canopy of flower petals, with the light from above giving them brilliant colors. The air was thick with the fragrance as well. They could get this on the outside of course, but here the flowers were just as well tended, without the insects and lizards. And the watering came at a set schedule, which they were sure to avoid. It was always a pleasant walk, especially with the breeze that came through. Especially for a new arrival like Svetlana. The skinny blond girl was their age, and had come with her family.
“I’ve finally gotten my family to accept my size change,” Veronica was saying, “I think my parents will admit one day that they actually like it. Not anytime soon, but I know they like me small now. The rest of my family clearly like it, too. They want me to visit more often.”
“Yikes,” Svetlana said with a shudder, “I’ll never be going out into the real world. My family and I are staying here, and won’t be leaving…ever. We have no desire to see things as big as they are. Especially not big people. IT would be terrifying to see people I used to know so…large.”
“It is disorientating at first,” Cal said, “But you get used to it.”
“That’s the usual thing we say,” Veronica said, “No matter how unusual it is, we’ll always get used to it.”
“Not me,” Svetlana said, “I’m not even going to try. I’ll be perfectly happy never to leave this place. I’m finding how wonderful it is, and even if the outside wasn’t…what it is, I’d still not want to leave.”
“You don’t want to see big people,” Trina said, “But didn’t you get examine by big people at the lab?”
“Yeah,” Veronica said, “That’s how I knew I could leave the habitat and visit big people…seeing the examiners to large wasn’t as scary as I thought, so I figured I could see my loved ones too.”
“Yes,” Svetlana said, “I was examined by a big person. “It was terrifying for me. Even though they were quite gently and warm. But they were just so…big!”
“I had a black haired woman examine me,” Trina said, “She had a very relaxing demeanor, so I wasn’t as scared. She really put me at ease. Which was helpful to a sixteen year old in a very odd situation.”
“I had a man,” Cal said, “He was of Xin descent. He was also very disarming and friendly. I didn’t feel threatened at all by him, despite being the size of a building. He put me at ease too.”
“I was examined by the same man, I think,” Veronica said, “His name was…um…Shenji I think.”
“That wasn’t who I was examined by,” Svetlana said, “It was an older light haired woman. She wasn’t unkind, and was actually very friendly. And like you said, very warm personality, and tried top put me at ease. But it was still unsettling. She told me most are like me, extremely uncomfortable with giants. And most of us never come back to the real world. And shouldn’t. I knew then that I’d never leave the habitat. My family feels the same, fortunately.”
“Well, then don’t leave,” Trina said, “The big world isn’t for everyone. But I personally like it out there. I don’t mind being small, surrounded by massive things and people.”
“I don’t mind it much either,” Veronica said, “Now that people are accepting me.”
They continued down the path in silence, marveling at the amazing flowers above their heads.


Chapter Two

Shenji glanced at his paperwork, to be sure he was seeing the right one. He was one of the few special people whose job it was to give medical exams to newly shrunk clients. Working in the lab was the most interesting thing he’d ever done. He was glad he’d become a scientist, and got to work with such unusual subjects. He looked down, to see a three inch tall figure on the table in front of him. She stood outside her travel box, looking up at him expectantly. The woman was naked, with a slightly rotund figure and long blonde hair. Her file said she was twenty seven, and named Kelsi.
“Hello Kelsi,” he said to the tiny woman.
“Hello,” She said in the high pitched voice typical of shrinklings. She’d just been shrunk, and was in her first few days. But she seemed calm and unabashed, and the notes in her file indicated that was the case for the last few examinations as well. She seemed to be adapting splendidly.
“Have you been having any discomfort or pain?” he asked.
“None at all,” she said, then asked, “does that happen?”
“Not usually. Sometimes there’s soreness or nausea. But we want to be sure there’s not a one in ten thousand case of side effects.”
“Are side effects that common?” she asked. Her voice was faint, she’d have to learn to speak up soon.
“No, there have been none so far, but since we’re not even close to having ten thousand people miniaturized, we’re assuming those would be the odds. It could be one in a million, or a trillion.”
“Well, I’m feeling fine,” she said, “I just thought I’d be less fat when it was all done.”
He chuckled. “The miniaturization process takes things exactly to scale. You lose tattoos and scars, as well as moles and beauty marks, but tissue and fat stays proportional.”
“Oh well,” Kelsie said, “I guess I’ll be getting a lot more exercise anyway. Little people like me must have to walk long distances just to get anywhere.”
“Yes, over time, the minis I’ve seen have quite athletic builds. You’ll be in shape in no time.”
“So what happens for this exam?” the small woman said, “The same stuff as the day before?”
“Yes. And we’ll soon let you go out into the world. Will you be staying at a habitat?” Most did, he knew.
“Yes, I’m going to be living at Cricket’s Run,” she said, “I’m excited.”
“That’s a nice one, I hear,” he said. “Now let’s get started.” He set down the papers, and took a magnifying device out of his pocket. He attached it to his glasses, and bent forward, and down, and Kelsi stood there stoic as he looked her over. He gently pulled her arm up with his fingers, and brushed her hair away from her back with a fingertip to get a better view. Her skin was unblemished, with no rashes or signs of injury. She looked healthy. Afterward, he stood up straight, and put the magnifying device down. Then he reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out an inch by inch rubber cube. He set it down, and Kelsi sat down on it. He put the stethoscope in his ears, and gripped the inch lone tube in his fingers, and pressed the end of it against her skin at different places. He heard her heart beating, and her lungs inhaling. Again, she was completely healthy. Now he would test her senses.
He took out a pin, with a rounded ball on one end and a sharp point on the other. “You’ll have to close your eyes for this one. Sorry if it hurts some.” She did as instructed, closing her eyes and pointing her head up. He gingerly poked the subject with either end, and she told him if it was sharp or dull. He did this on her arms, legs, back, front, hips, pelvic area and her butt. He never broke skin, he was very delicate. Then he tapped her with another pin, one end hot, and the other cold. She said “hot” or “cold” depending on which end touched her. When it was finished, he said, “You did well.”
“Thanks,” she said, “That wasn’t nearly as painful as I thought it would be.”
“Now the cognitive tests,” he said.
“I always do terribly on those,” she said, “I’m not a smart girl.”
He chuckled, “It isn’t about being as smart or smarter than other people. We just want to make sure your small brain works as well as it did before. Your brain is as big as a mouse’s, but much more complex and powerful, of course. That was one of the most difficult challenges in miniaturization, figuring out how to get people’s brain function to remain the same.”
“Well I’m glad I won’t be getting dumber,” she said, “My mouse brain can’t handle that.”
With that, he began asking her scripted questions, ones she’d been asked before undergoing the process. She answered consistently, as did all the others. Another healthy client. he thought gladly.


Chapter Three

Audrey got back from a relaxing day at the sauna. She hadn’t bothered to put clothes on yet, sitting naked on her sofa with her butt on the soft fabric. Expensive fabrics weren’t so expensive when you only needed a few square inches of it, so everything in her house was comfortable. It made wearing clothes seem silly. She was thinking on that, when she saw she had a message on her tablet. Curious, she opened it, and read something unexpected. A lawyer was contacting her. Apparently, it was regarding some property she owned, that she had inherited years earlier. Someone wanted to buy or rent a small part of it. “Huh,” she said to herself. She had no idea how to proceed, and what to do.
After consulting her parents, who were able to refer a lawyer for her to call, she was told that both lawyers would work out the deal for both parties. So she called the lawyer, and talked to him for several minutes. Their faces were on the screen, but she made sure only her head and shoulders were visible, as she still wasn’t wearing clothes. “Will there be any meeting in person for this?” she asked.
“There will be,” he said, “I’d like to meet you in person to discuss this, and both of us will need to meet with and talk to the other lawyer in person as well. Is that a problem?”
“Well…” she said, “I’m sort of miniaturized. Which means I’m really tiny.”
“I can do business with a mini,” he said, “Are you comfortable leaving your community?”
“I am,” she said, “I leave all the time. I just hope my size won’t be an issue with meetings.”
“It won’t be an issue,” he said, “I’ve worked with minis in the past. You’re still a full person according to the law. It won’t affect how we work out the details of the long term lease.”
“That is good to know,” she said, “I look forward to meeting with you, then.”
After the call was over, and the appointment was made, she set the tablet down in relief. This would be a lot of work, but she’d make some money off it. Not that her future children would need much of it, being small, but her nieces and nephews could use some inherited wealth some-day, she was certain.
Days later, the travel box was set down on the desk, and not long after Audrey emerged. She looked up at the looming figure of the receptionist, who looked down at her blankly.
“Hi,” Audrey said happily, “Sorry for the extra trouble with meet with your boss.”
“It’s no trouble,” the woman said, “Just a little bit of me carrying...people.”
Audrey giggled, “Yeah, we make things strange.” She looked around at the receptionist’s desk. A wall to her back separated the woman’s desk from the waiting room, with a ledge at the top for signing forms and such. To her sides were papers, pens and other work implements. A computer monitor towered over her a stones toss away, with a keyboard sitting in front of it. She couldn’t see behind the woman, she was too big and blocking the rest of the small room. But she saw a printer and some shelves with binders, books and boxes of office supplies off to the side near the far wall. A typical office.
“He will be with you in a moment,” the woman said, “I’d have set you in the waiting room, but I’m not sure of your safety out there. I might miss someone picking you up.”
Audrey laughed, “Thanks for the concern, but we have bracelets that give self-defense.” She held her arm up, showing off the silver ring wrapped around her arm. “Anyone who gets too close gets zapped.”
“Intriguing,” the woman said, “I had no idea you all had things like that.”
“Yep,” Audrey said confidently, “They make us quite safe out in the world. They know all the possible dangers, and prepare us for them. I can call for help, or food, or a courier, or just go on the offensive and hurt someone if I wanted. It really helps with avoiding the helpless feeling of being so small.”
“Wow,” she said, “I have to remember not to offend you.”
“Not to worry,” Audrey said, “I’m not easily offended. And you seem respectful.”
She talked with the woman for several minutes, with the giant seeming to be glad for the break, before the lawyer sent a message that he was ready for her. The receptionist stood up, and set her hand down on the table, flat and palm up. Audrey stepped into it, and was slowly lifted, and edge of the hand was held against the fabric of the pants suit. She was carried through the office, down a hallway, and to the man’s office that she was here to see. It was a gently ride, and the complemented her as such.
She was carried into the lawyer’s office, and the hand set down on the desk. She thanked the woman who brought her, and got a warm smile in return. Then the woman turned and retreated, leaving the room and closing the door. Audrey turned to face the man across the desk from her, towering like a building. She walked across the desk, as he smiled pleasantly down at her.
“Hello Audrey,” he said, “It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”
“It’s nice to meet you too,” she said, stopping about a foot and a half away from him.
“Has your journey here been pleasant? Was my receptionist accommodating?”
“She was very accommodating,” Audrey said, “And the trip was very comfortable.”
“Excellent,” he said,” Shall we get to business?”
“Yes, please,” Audrey said. She wanted to get this sorted out as soon as she could.


Chapter Four

Kelsi sat in the luxurious but small room, in the nice dress she had made for herself, in the cushy chair with the straps on it. She’d felt the ‘room’ be set down, and the sinister green light came on, indicating she could exit the travel case. She undid the straps, and composed herself. She was incredibly anxious, and regretting her decision to come out like this. She hadn’t left the dome since arriving weeks earlier, and had gotten comfortable there. But there, everything seemed normal. Here, away from all that, nothing was normal. Actually, everything was normal, to people who hadn’t been miniaturized. But she had been, and nothing she knew would be the same. They were advised to never leave their habitats, to stay in the safe and secure domes, where everything was made to look normal. But she’d disregarded that. Most followed those suggestions, but she had chosen not to. And now she was about to have the reality of her choices smack her in the face. And she couldn’t control her anxiety at that.
She took a breath, and stood up. She walked to the ‘door’, which was a circular opening that was sealed most times. She pulled the lever, and the pressure seal released. The door slid open, and the air from outside came as a gentle breeze. She saw a table surface beyond, and a wall in the distance. She recognized the wallpaper at her family’s home. So she was in the right place, at least.
Kelsi emerged from the container, taking a few brave steps, and turned to face those at her side. Her mother, father and brother were there, looming like massive cliffs, watching her intently. They smiled wide smiles upon seeing her. They had talked many times since she had left, but only seeing her online. At first she’d avoided the questions of visiting in person, but she’d soon started giving vague answers, and then finally decided that she should visit. She stepped toward them, crossing the table hesitantly. They watched in silence as the tiny blonde haired girl moved across the table at the pace of a snail. She’d greet them when she emerged, but they were too far away to be able to hear her well. She wasn’t used to yelling up to people yet. When she was about a foot from them, she yelled, “Hello!”
“Hello,” the three of them said at once. But they did not say anything else, just looked at her, amused.
“So, this is me…small,” she said, spreading her arms out beside her. They all smiled.
“And how was your trip?” her mother asked.
“Very nice and peaceful,” she said, “I played my favorite music and waited while they drove me in.”
“That doesn’t look like a very big space,” her mother said, “Were you comfortable?”
“Very. It’s more of a private room on a train than a hotel room,” Kelsi said. “It’s plenty of space.”
“Probably better than a seat on a plane, or a car ride,” her brother said.
“Exactly,” she said. “There are no windows, but that’s not an issue. The case is in a shelved box with other travel cases, in the back of a van, so there’s nothing to see anyway.”
The giants looked at her, still with amused looks on their faces. She must look so tiny to them, she thought. She felt tiny. Looking around the room, the counter, cabinets and sink were in the distance across the room, beyond the edge of the expansive table. The ceiling seemed hundreds of stories high, and the room thousands of yards wide. A bowl of wax fruit sat behind her travel box, large enough for her to climb if she had wanted. And her family kept their eyes locked on her mouse sized figure.
“So what has been happening with all of you?” she asked.
It took them a moment to get out of their staring, but they began telling her about recent events and stories they’ve heard. She stepped around the space in front of them, to get close to each of them, moving from person to person. Talking up to their cliff like selves. Throughout the whole conversation, they never lost their amused expressions. Kelsi the mouse sized girl was that interesting, she guessed.
After a while of talking, she was getting tired of bending her neck up. She looked across the table at a bowl of wax fruit. “Can you pull that over here” she asked.
One of them reached over and pulled the bowl over. Kelsi went to it, reached for the rim, and pulled herself up. She climbed up a fake orange, stepped on some fake grapes, and across a banana. Then she mounted an apple to reach the top. One of them reached and grasped the bowl with their fingers, and pulled it to just under their faces. She now sat much closer, and the seat was soft. “This is much better.”
After talking for a while, Kelsi’s mother got up, and left the room, her footsteps thudding as the skyscraper sized women went. She came back with a box, and lowered it to the surface of the table, tilted it, and the contents spilled out onto the table with a sharp clattering.
“I gathered some things for you, Kelsi,” she said, as she took her seat again, “That you might find interesting in your shrunken state.”
“Alright,” she said, and stood up, and stepped down the wax fruit and hopped onto the table. She walked to the junk that lay scattered on the table. She bent down and picked up a coin. It was shiny and gold, and the size of a sewer hole lid. She held it in front of her with both hands, looking at old earrings of hers were there, she picked those up and examined them. And there was a ring. She found that was heavy as she lifted it. She put her feet and ankles through it, to see how far up her legs it would get, but it got stuck at her calves. She stepped away from that, and found a needle and thread. The threat was like a chord, and the needle like a rapier blade. She looked closely at the tip, seeing the rounded end. As she went through the smallish things, her brother and parents got up and walked around, clearly tired of sitting for so long. She was glad to move around as well, looking at large sized knick knacks.
Her mother came back into the room, and stood beside the table with her hands behind her, her head seeming to brush the ceiling from Kelsi’s perspective. “I have something else for you,” she said.
Her hand came forward, holding something large. The shape plopped onto the table with a riffle, casting a shadow. Kelsi screamed in delight. “My bear!” she exclaimed.
“Yes,” the towering woman said, “I dug it out from your closet. You loved it as a child.”
“I did,” she said, running up to the two story tall stuffed bear. She spread her arms and slammed into its plush exterior, as if trying to embrace it, burying her face in the napping. She stood there, leaning into the stuffed bear for a few moments, before stepping away. “Thank you, I’m so happy to see it again.”
“I’d hoped to give it to your children when you had any,” her mom said, “But since they’ll be tiny I can’t really give them something so big for them.”
“I’ll let them crawl and climb over it,” Kelsi said happily.
Not long after, the three of them had sat back down, and she stood before them, looking up at them. She told them more about her new home and new friends. And how she was enjoying her time there. “There are all sorts of activities and games, for people to meet each other and occupy our time. It’s quite empty though,” she admitted, “they aren’t getting as many volunteers as they expected.”
“So you’ll just have to visit us more then,” her father said.
“I’m definitely going to be doing that,” she said, “I think I like the big world. And talking to big people.”
“And we enjoy talking to your bug sized self,” her brother said.
“I don’t want to imagine a bug as big as her,” the mother said.
“I am not a bug!” Kelsi stated sternly, adding more lightly, “I‘m like a mouse. I’m a mouse girl.”
They snickered at that, and she chuckled at herself. All she needed were the ears and a tail.


Chapter Five

Shenji finished with his last subject, watching him go into his “room” after the last examination. The man had been easily accustomed to his new situation, as had his wife before. The fortyish couple seemed enthusiastic about the change. They had no children, and both their parents were gone, and they were ready for a new life. Hopefully they liked it, he thought as he cleaned up the workspace and put the instruments away. When everything was locked up, he was soon leaving the facility, on his way home, to interact with normal sized people. Dealing with miniatures all day gave him an odd perspective on things, making him feel like a giant. But back in the regular world, that feeling faded, and he felt normal again. He had a dinner planned with his sister, and was looking forward to normalcy, with no little people and little sized things. He’d have to cook, but it would be worth it for her.
Hours later, the pair enjoyed the dinner he’d made, making casual conversation. Sitting across the table from the young woman, as she laughed and joked was refreshing after a long day at work.
“So how is work?” she asked, bringing up the subject he’d hoped to forget.
“Tiring,” he said, “I deal with people all day now. I wanted to be a researcher, and work with inanimate objects, or animals. But instead, I still work with people. They’re friendly, but I get tired of the interactions. I have to be gentle and pleasant, reassuring and give the subjects a feeling of safety. They’re new to their situation, I have much be delicate in all that I say. It’s actually quite stressful.”
“Wow,” she said, “I just thought it would be fun to see and interact with minis all day.”
“They’re not pets, Rongji,” he reminded her, “They’re patients, who have undergone a radical change.”
“Oh, I know,” she said, smirking, “I’ve done loads of research about it lately. I know about their issues with maintaining dignity. I’m sure some of them are cute, though.”
“Some of them are indeed cute,” He admitted, chuckling.
“I’m sure I’d be cute,” Ronji said, smirking again.
“Well, probably. But most young ladies are. But being cute is the last reason someone does it,” he said.
“I know, there are so many reasons one does it,” she said, “Better for the environment, less societal pressure to wear clothes, more interesting world with everything being big, and not having to work…”
“Yep,” he said, “Those are the reasons most give me when I talk to them.”
“Like an unfulfilled sense of adventure,” she added, “And wanting to escape a boring and tedious life.”
“That’s also a reason, but few admit to that,” he said, “It’s one of the unspoken things, the real reason people do it. They want adventure. They believe their lives are boring, and want a change. And why we try so hard to talk people out of it. Get them to realize it’s not really for them. Fortunately, we succeed more often than not, and get people to change their minds. Saves so much despair later on.”
“I know,” she said, “I’ve…uh…actually seen some of the presentations they made them watch.”
“Yeah, which makes my job easier. People are certain they want it, so when they get to me, for their examinations, there are no regrets. Though some do regret it, sadly. There are some cases of outright horror at their surroundings, and people that want out of that situation immediately.”
“And what happens to them?” Ronji asked, “Do they get to go back?”
“No,” he said, “They don’t. There is no going back. They have to overcome their fear. They have to learn to adjust, and live as they are. We don’t bring people back.”
“Never?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Only in the most extreme of cases. The lab would go bankrupt if we brought back only a small portion of the people we’ve miniaturized. And we make that clear, we just can’t do it. There’s too many people.”
She was silent, and went back to eating. A brutal thought, he knew, but that’s what was needed to say.
It was silent for a few minutes, Shenji glad to no longer be talking about work.
Ronji broke the silence, suddenly saying, “I am going to do it.”
He looked up at her, curiously. “Do what?” he asked. Suddenly anxious.
“I am going to be miniaturized,” Ronji stated, seriousness on her face.
“You can’t really be thinking of doing it,” He said, “It’s awful, it’s terrible, it’s…a nightmare to some.”
“I’ve done my research,” she said, “I’ve said I’ve watched the presentations, all of them.”
“The only way to have watch all of them is if you’ve already…”
“I applied months ago,” she said, “And I’ve been accepted. Mother and Father know.”
“And they’re letting you?”
“They were opposed to it, like I’m sure you will be. But I’m twenty five, I can make my own decisions. And they’re accepted that I’m going to do it, and support me. Will you?”
“Ronji,” he said, exasperated, “This is a major life change, one that you can’t come back from…”
“I know you’re going to try and convince me not to. I know all the reasons not to do it, I’ve heard all the stories, and I’ve considered them all. I’ve thought very intensely about this, for a long time. And I’ve made up my mind. I’m doing it. I’ve made the arrangements and I have a day scheduled.”
He was aghast, but she smiled defiantly. He knew that smile, there was no way she was changing her mind now. He tried over the next few hours, bringing it up when he had a chance, but she simply said her mind was made up. She was doing it, and she was certain it was what she wanted.


Chapter Six

Kelsi stepped out from the security of the travel room, onto the surface of a kitchen table. She casually approached the massive upper body in front of her, with a wall of stomach at the edge, and breasts hanging just above the table. She looked up at the huge face of the girl in front of her, as her friend gazed at her with a wide smirk. Clearly Bianca was amused by the sight of little Kelsi. She reached the area just in front of her, where she could look past the breasts up at the face without craning her neck too much. “Hi,” she said, knowing it would sound like a squeak to the normal sized girl.
“Why hello,” Bianca said softly down to her, “How is my littlest friend?”
“I’m glad to be out of the travel case, which is a cramped hotel room to me.”
“Is it comfortable in there?”
“Very. But it is cramped, and stuck in a small room for hours isn’t fun. It’s good to be out.”
“Even in the world where everything is huge to you?”
“I don’t mind the hugeness,” Kelsi said, “I did choose to be small, after all.”
“Can I hold you in my hand?” Bianca asked. When they’d spoke over the phone, Kelsi had mentioned she would be able to do that. The red haired girl didn’t waste time in asking.
“Absolutely,” Kelsi said, “Just make slow movements when I’m in your hand.”
The hand came up from under the able, and laid flat, with the palm up. Kelsi kicked off her shoes, and stepped onto the cushy skin. She stepped to the middle, her feet feeling hard bones and the soft spots in between. She felt the rough lines of the skin under her feet, and the small bit of moisture as the big girl sweated slightly. She stood in the middle, and looked up. The hand lifted up, slowly rising. Kelsi struggled to balance herself, keeping her feet planted apart to keep from falling over with the movement. The hand stopped, and she again had to balance herself. She looked at Bianca’s eyes as they peered at her curiously, shifting up and down, examining her tiny body.
“That’s a nice dress,” Bianca said, “Did you make that?”
“No, we have people who make clothes as a hobby. I got this from them.”
“Neat. Looks good on you.”
“Thanks. I try to avoid the doll look,” Kelsi said, “Lots of us minis fall into that.”
“Is it scary at all, being so small?”
“No. It’s an adventure. Like an amusement park, or a vacation that never ends.”
“So you don’t have any regrets? This is permanent, after all.”
“None at all. I’m excited about it,” Kelsi stated. She smiled at the large eyeballs. She felt movement, as the hand slowly lowered. It set down on the table, and Kelsi hopped out. She turned and looked up at her friend again, “Now that you’ve ogled me, what do you want to do?”
“Uh…what do little people normally do?”
“Whatever. Just hang out and live our lives. What would we be doing if I was regular sized?”
“Watch a movie or something,” Bianca said.
“Then let’s do that. In a few minutes, of course. I want to talk some more.”
“Please do,” her massive friend said, “What does my small friend want to talk about?”
“Well, you’ll never believe what happened the other day…” with that, Kelsi went into a story, and Bianca listened intently, looking down at her. Sooner or later, these interactions would be considered normal.
After talking up to her friend, and a break in talking, Bianca asked, “ready for the movie yet?”
“You bet I am, I’ve been looking forward to seeing this.”
“So, how do we transport you over to the TV room?”
“Just pick me up,” Kelsi said, “Be firm but don’t crush. I don’t want to fall, or be broken in your hand.”
Bianca reached for her, placing her open hand upright next to her. She slid the hand to her, so the wall of flesh bumped against her. Then the hand flexed, the fingers curled, and closed around her. She was pressed from all sides, her face smothered against the inside of a digit. She felt herself be lifted up, and the motion from being carried. She squirmed, pushing her body up along the fingers, until her head poked out of the top of the fist. She looked up to see Bianca’s looking ahead, as the hand swayed from her walking movement. “Hi!” Kelsi yelled, getting the giant’s attention. Bianca stopped, and looked down, asking “Is it firm enough for you?” Kelsi answered with a “Yes.” Then she started walking again.
Bianca sat down, and raised the fist to in front of her face. “Where do I put you?”
“I’ll sit in your lap, on your leg.” The fist was lowered, and opened. Kelsi slipped through, landing on the fabric of Bianca’s pants. The hand moved away, and Kelsi looked up past the stomach and chest to her friend’s face, looking at her curiously. “Comfortable?” “Yes,” Kelsi responded, sitting down and facing forward. There was some shifting of the mass under her, as her friend picked up the remote control and turned on the TV. Then they were both watching, engrossed in the screen, ignoring the odd situation.


Chapter Seven

Shenji finished with the woman he was examining, as she put her clothes back on and squeaked thanks. The tiny shape only made him think of Ronji. His younger sister was being miniaturized today, and from looking at the time, it had happened by now. He tried not to think of it, but as much as he pushed it from his mind, the poor girls face came back to him. He’d never see her the same again.
When the subject was back in her room, he left. It was time for a break anyway. But he didn’t go to the break room, he went down to the technical part of the facility. He went to room with the newly miniaturized, with had a small box. He went to the box, and opened it from the top. Inside were a dozen sleeping people, all small. Covered with blankets, they were in beds about a thumb wide. He recognized Ronji’s face. He pulled back the blanket, carefully with his fingers, and saw her tiny body.
He hesitated, then slid his finger under her legs, and pressed his thumb over her ankles. He lifted her up, and dangled her upside down, with her black hair flailing toward the floor. She didn’t wake up, she wouldn’t for almost an hour. He put his fingers from his other hand on her back, and lifted her so she was horizontal, with her arms hanging limply. He then placed his thumb over her stomach, and pressed slightly, so she was held firmly as he released her ankles. He held her between his fingers, and slowly lowered her into his pocket. Then he crept out of the room, placing the cover on the box.
He sat at his desk, pondering what he’d done. He’d stolen a subject. He looked at her, lying on the flat of the table, with the sheet over her to her shoulders. He had to get back to work, hopefully they won’t notice she’s gone before the day was done. He pulled out some papers, and began the more tedious part of his job. Looking up occasionally at the prone, tiny figure.
Ronji stirred, rolled, and sat up, she gave a squeak of surprise, looked around, and saw Shenji. She started a moment, then pushed herself to a sitting position. The blanket fell away, as she peered at her surroundings. Then her gaze went back to him, and she stood up on shaky legs. The small nude woman walked down the desk, across the paper he was filling out, and looked up at him.
“Am I supposed to be here?” she asked her voice now high pitched and faint like the others. He could barely hear her, without the microphone that minis typically used to amplify their voices.
“I can get you into the regrowth chambers immediately,” he said, “You can be back to normal before…”
“I don’t want to be normal,” she said, looking around some more, “I want to be the way I am.”
“You actually like being that tiny?” he asked, “Like a bug? I can have you back to regular size in hours.”
“Regular size?” she asked, “The process is too expensive to grow people back. I’m stuck this way.”
“No, you’re not,” he said, explaining, “We don’t tell people the truth, that the regrowth process isn’t as prohibitive as we make it out to be. While expensive, the government gives us grants to get people back to normal when they want it. People who panic at their situation…your situation, we get them back into the regrowth chambers, and they’re back to normal.”
“The only situation I seem to be in,” she said, crossing her arms across her chest, “Is that I’ve been kidnapped and brought to the office, when I should be in the labs…getting ready for my new life.”
“You don’t want this, Ronji,” he said, “You’re so tiny! A cat could get you, and…”
“I can fight a cat,” she said, “Humans have killed mammoths and other large animals in the past. It’s overly concerned brothers that I need to worry about. So anybody can get back, if they want to?”
“Yes. We don’t tell them, unless they come to us, desperate to be back. And then we get them back. But we don’t want them to know it’s an option. We want people to stay. But many do go back. And they’re bound by a non-disclosure agreement to not interact with any minis who knew them, or tell anyone what happened. Anyone they know who knew, must sign the agreement as well. It must stay secret how frequently we return people. We want miniaturized people to stay miniature.”
“Except me, of course,” she said pointedly.
“They want you to stay small, but I can get you big again.”
“I don’t want to be big,” she said, “I want you to put me in your pocket and sneak me back to the lab.”
“You really want to stay small? You aren’t horrified to be so tiny and vulnerable?”
“Do I look scared? Do I look horrified? If you could see my face close up, you’d know I am frustrated!”
He stared at her for a moment, as she gave him an impatient and defiant look. She didn’t seem vulnerable, she seemed angry. He got the feeling he had made a mistake.
“Are you certain you want to stay this way?”
“I am certain,” she said. “And if you have me regrown, I’ll just apply again, and be shrunk again.”
“Very well. I’ll take you back to the lab, and put you with the others.”
“Good,” she said, “And we’ll never speak of this again.”
He stood, seeing her wince at the noise, and plucked her up. He dropped her into his pocket. And casually walked back through the facility, to the lab, and into the room. He opened the box, seeing all were still asleep. She’s woke early because she was on a hard, cold surface, while the others were comfortable. They didn’t budge as he picked her up again, and lowered her into the box. She went back to the bed, and laid down. Quietly, he replaced the cover, and crept back out of the room. He’d tried to keep her from staying shrunk, but she was persistent. So now his own sister was a mini.


Chapter Eight

Kelsi looked up at her friend, Samantha. She was standing on the coffee table in her friend’s apartment’s living room, while Samantha sat on the floor, with the large woman’s shoulders above the table surface. Kelsie was chatting up to the giant, as she’d done many times. Their interactions no longer seemed unusual. Kelsie spent most of her time in her community, but she did come out to visit for days at a time. She’d stay with family or friends. Last time, she’d stayed at her parents, now it was Samantha’s turn to host her, yet again. “I’m thinking about leaving the community altogether,” Kelsie admitted, “And just living with someone regular sized.”
“You can stay with me!” Samantha said excitedly, her face lighting up.
“My parents say the same thing, as do my brother and sister. And my other friends. Everyone wants me to live with them. I’d have thought the novelty of a little person would have worn off by now.”
Samantha grinned, “While we’re all used to you being small, we still like having you around. You’re nice, fun, and don’t cost any extra to feed, and you take up so little space. Who wouldn’t want a thumb sized roommate? If you were full sized and I had the extra room, I’d want you here then too.”
Kelsi laughed, “I’m horrible to live with. You wouldn’t want a full sized me around. I don’t clean up after myself as much as I should, I leave dirty dishes and used clothes everywhere. I don’t shower very often, either. And when I’m on my own, I usually walk around naked. I rarely wear clothes at my cottage.”
“Well, it’d still be nice to have you here,” Samantha said, “Even if you were naked all the time. I probably wouldn’t even be able to tell you weren’t wearing clothes, since you’re so small. Nor could I smell you.”
“I’ll consider it,” Kelsi said, “And seriously, someone would have their feelings hurt that I wouldn’t be able to stay with them. I’d have to move every few days to appease everyone.”
“That’s a good point,” Samantha said.
“So what else is new? Have you heard any new gossip about anyone we know?”
“Trixie is getting divorced. And Hank was in a bad accident, he’s unable to walk for several months.”
“Yikes,” Kelsi said, “But I’ve heard about all that.”
“I’m sure I’ll have plenty of more gossip in a few weeks,” Samantha said, “After the reunion.”
“Reunion? For high school?” Kelsi said, taken aback.
“Yeah, silly. It’s been ten years,” Samantha said, then adding, “Wait, didn’t you get an invitation?”
“How? In the mail? I don’t exactly have a mailbox.”
“They didn’t send any kind of email,” Samantha said thoughtfully, “But surely they’d have sent a letter.”
“Huh,” Kelsie said, “Weird that I didn’t get anything. It might have gone to my parents, I’ll have to ask.”
The next day, Kelsie was curious, so she called her mother. After a few minutes of chit chat, she asked, “Did I get anything in the mail, like about a high school reunion?”
“Oh yes, dear,” her mother said thoughtfully, “You did get something for that. A nice looking invitation. I forgot to mention it, since you can’t go.”
“What do you mean?” Kelsi asked. “Why wouldn’t I go to my high school reunion?”
“Kel,” her mother said, chuckling, “you’re three inches tall.”
“So? There’s no height requirement at the door or anything.”
“I don’t see you going to a large gathering with hundreds of people,” her mother said, “With you tiny.”
“Well, maybe I will go,” Kelsie stated emphatically. She tried hiding her annoyance. It had been awfully presumptive of her mother to assume she wouldn’t go. That she couldn’t go. She could go anywhere.
The other woman laughed, “Someone would mistake you for a shrimp in the first five minutes.”
“Well, perhaps,” Kelsi said, “But shrimp usually don’t yell when people pick them up without permission. And I also kick and bite.”
The other woman snickered, “I’m sorry, I should have mentioned it. I just figured it didn’t really matter.”
“Well now I’m actually thinking of going,” Kelsie stated. Her mother was right, it was reasonable to assume that she wouldn’t go. She was tiny, in a gym full of big people. But now she was considering it.
“Just be safe, Honey. That’s a lot of really big, inebriated people you’d be around. Some of which you really didn’t get along with. Unless you’d have your friends waste their time watching over you.”
“I know,” Kelsi said, “It’s really not a good idea for me to go to something like that. But there shouldn’t be places I just don’t go to, out of fear.”
“It isn’t fear, Kelsie. It’s self-preservation. Some things are just too dangerous.”
She had to agree. It had been a lighthearted exchange. But after the call ended, she wondered if she really should go. It did sound fun. And her choice to be little shouldn’t get in the way of her living life.
The next morning, Kelsi walked out of her ‘travel case’, which was really just a portable hotel room. A comfortable one, that she didn’t mind staying in for her excursions in the real world. It was placed in the corner of the living room, on the lower level of a bookshelf. She hopped down the four inches to the hardwood floor, and Kelsi crossed the room. She walked under the coffee table, admiring the grains of the wooden floor as she went. She reached the opening to the kitchen and went in.
When she stepped onto the cold tile, she looked up in the distance to see Samantha perched on a chair at the table, coffee mug in hand as she blinked ahead tiredly. Kelsi walked towards her, but wasn’t spotted. So she walked under the table, past the chair legs, and up to her friend’s foot. Her legs were crossed, and one foot was on the ground, the other hung against her leg. Kelsi climbed up the foot, and put her hands against the base of the ankle for support. Then she waited. Fortunately, Samantha hadn’t felt her and reflexively kicked her away. She just reached down and wrapped her fingers around her diminutive friend. Kelsi was lifted into the air, feeling like she’d left her stomach behind. She was lifted to above the table, and set down there, in front of her host.
“I’m glad I have self-restraint,” Samantha said, resting her hand next to Kelsi, “Usually if something’s crawling on me, I assume it’s a bug or something. Not my littlest friend.”
“You know it’s me,” Kelsi said, “How often do bugs crawl up on you? Probably never.”
“It hasn’t happened yet,” Samantha said, “I haven’t had something try to climb me besides you. But one of these days, I’ll think it’s you, realize you aren’t here, and discover it’s a mouse.”
“Mice are scary,” Kelsi said, Samantha nodding in agreement, “They’re so big with such long sharp teeth. And those claws! It’s like a bear, but instead of honey it loves cheese.”
“I didn’t mean like that,” Samantha said. “Anyway…good morning.”
“Good morning,” Kelsi said cheerfully.
“I didn’t want to wake you up if you were asleep,” Samantha said, “So I didn’t come get you.”
“You’re walking woke me. I thought it was thunder. But I’m glad you didn’t get me up. I needed the walk anyway. Do you know how much weight I’ve lost since miniaturizing?”
“All of it?” Samantha said with a grin.
“Proportionally,” Kelsi said, putting her hands on her hips, “I’ve burned so much fat walking so much.”
“Good,” Samantha said, “I actually have noticed that. You’re much thinner now.”
“And I discovered that I did indeed get invited to the reunion.”
“Excellent. I couldn’t believe they’d leave you out, just because you’re…you know.”
“I’m thinking of going,” Kelsi announced.
“Wow,” Samantha said, “That would be interesting.”
“It would be. I wouldn’t have you or anyone else watch over me or anything. I’d be on my own.”
“I’d take care of you,” Samantha said, “Me and the others don’t mind being your caretakers.”
“But I shouldn’t need a caretaker,” Kelsi said, “I’m not disabled. I’m just small.”
“Would it be safe?” the black haired giant asked.
“I’d have my bracelet. It can zap people who get too close.”
“Everyone would want to see you. You’d be popular.”
“I hope not. I wasn’t before, and I liked that fact. I’ll have to shoo people away if they linger around.”
“Well good luck,” Samantha said, “If you decided to go. I’d like to have you there, but I won’t pressure you one way or the other.”
Kelsi smiled. It sounded like quite the adventure. And that was why she’d miniaturized in the first place.


Chapter Nine

Shenji was enjoying his dinner, he’d prepared it and cooked it, and was quite happy with it. He looked down at the small bowl beyond his plate, with bits of fragrant plants and seasoning floating on the surface. And his sister, leaning against the side, her arms resting on the rim. Her bare back and backside protruded out into the bowl, with her legs underneath. She looked like a dumpling, as small and light skinned as she was. She peered up at him with one eye, as her head rested against her arms.
“Are you ready for more hot water?” he asked her.
“No,” she said, turning her head up, “Not yet.”
“Do you want some food?”
“Yes,” she said. He picked some up from his own plate with his fingers, and glided them over to her. She pushed herself up and stood, reaching and taking the bits of rice and vegetable from his fingers. She held her arm against her chest and piled it there, and sat back down. She munched on it, looking out into space, beyond the rim of the bowl and across the table, toward the far wall of the kitchen.
“How do you like the domed community?” he asked her.
She looked up at him, “We call it a habitat. That’s more of what it is, like a place you put animals to make them feel at home. Except the animals are tiny humans. But it is pleasant, I like it there.”
“Good,” he said, “You seem happy there.”
“I am happy there,” she said, “So many nice people, and they do much to keep us entertained.”
“Great,” he said, “I don’t see that end of things. I only work with the new arrivals.”
“People know you,” she said, “I’ve met people who remember you. They’re delighted to learn I’m your sister. They say you made them first feel comfortable with their situation.”
“I’m glad they think fondly of me.”
“They do,” she said, “You’re the first person they meet after miniaturizing, and you make the transition easier for them. You speak softly and handle them gently. And you speak to them with respect and tenderness. And they feel that’s very important to those new to miniaturization. At least, that’s what they tell me. I don’t tell them you kidnapped me and tried to force me to grow back.”
“I was thinking of your best interest,” he said defensively.
“I know. But I like the way I am. I’ll take being tiny any day. I never want to go back.”
“That’s good to hear,” he said, “I’m glad you like it.”
She laughed, and having finished her food, sat back in the bowl. “Our dinners have become so much more entertaining. You know, Mommy and Daddy like my new size. They think it is great having a tiny daughter, that can fit in their hands. And climb on them. And they love holding me, too.”
“I’m sure they do,” he said, “But you were always the entertaining one.”
She stood up, stepped a leg over the rim of the bowl, and straddled it. Then she swung her other leg over, and pushed off from her butt, her feet hitting the table surface. She walked toward him. As the tiny naked figure crossed the six or so inches between his bowl and hers, he set his fork down and sat back in his chair. She reached the rim of his bowl, which was half full of food.
“I’m surprised you are not complaining about my nakedness at the dinner table,” she said.
“I know how casual minis are with nudity,” he said, “You all walk around naked all the time.”
“It isn’t all the time,” she said, “At least not everyone. We’re just more relaxed about it.”
“Besides,” he added, “I’ve seen so many minis naked…I’m probably more used to them that way than with clothes on. They aren’t bashful during the initial examinations, either.”
“I wouldn’t expect so. We’re already feeling vulnerable,” she said, “no clothes really doesn’t add to it.”
She bent over and reached an arm into the mass of rice, sauce, meat and veggies, pushing down past her elbow. She brought her hand up, clutching a handful of rice coated in sauce. She took one grain in her hand, and casually began eating it. Then ate another.
“Eating one grain of rice at a time,” he said, “How odd.”
“They’re burrito sized to me,” she said, “Except the good stuff is on the outside, not the inside.”
“I could have handed you some,” he said, “There was no reason to get out.”
“I like to get things myself, when I can,” she said. “Did you know we have specially cut rice, which seem normal? A grain is cut with lasers to make many grains, and we eat just like normal.”
“Interesting,” he said, watching her dig some more into his pile of food, eating at the edge of the bowl.
“We have some good chefs,” she said, “Human ones. Robots do make most of our food, but people do some, too. They make all kinds of food. People do it as a hobby, since we don’t have jobs. A lot of useful stuff is done by hobbyists. I’ve looked into hobbies, but can’t find anything I’m good at.”
She turned and walked back to her own bowl, with her hands empty of food, and hopped over the rim and landed in the water with a plop. Some splashed onto the table, leaving drops.
“I can use more hot water after all.” She said, sitting in the middle of the bowl.
He smiled down at her, before getting up to pour in more hot water. It was nice to see her so happy.


Chapter Ten

The big night came, and Kelsi arrived from her community, excited for the reunion. Samantha asked her, “are you sure you want to do this?”
“Yes, very sure,” Kelsi said excitedly. She wore a nice dress of light colors, and fit her snugly.
So Samantha set her purse down on its side, opening the top. They wouldn’t be taking the travel case, but Kelsi had a portable toilet in a sealed box. So she’d be traveling in a purse tonight.
Kelsi stepped into the purse, and Samantha righted it, and looked down into it at her friend, who gave her a thumbs up. Then she closed it, and went to the party.
A hand came down to retrieve her, sliding into the purse interior and lying flat on the pile of contents. Kelsi crawled onto it, and smacked the flesh with her hand, indicating she was ready. The hand lifted up, and she found herself in the gymnasium of her old school. It was dimly lit, with some areas more illuminated than others. The hand set down on the tablecloth, over a circular table. Kelsi slid out of the hand, and stood as it lifted away. Samantha looked down at her. “Scared?”
“Nope,” Kelsi said, “I think this will be fun. I like big people.”
“You just like being shrunken,” Samantha stated.
“That too,” Kelsi agreed sheepishly. Most people didn’t understand how she actually liked being tiny.
“I’m going to mingle,” Samantha said, “There are some people I’d like to talk to. It’s early, so there aren’t too many people here yet. Will you be alright here by yourself?”
“I’ll be fine,” she said, holding her arm up and tapping the bracelet on her wrist, “If anyone tries to abduct me, they’ll get the zap of their life. Or if they come along and annoy me. Or just talk to long.”
“Don’t be causing people to lose their bowels just because they annoy you, Kelsi.”
Kelsi laughed mischieviously. Samantha shook her head, straightened, and turned and stepped away. The building sized woman retreated into the distance, joining other building sized people. Kelsi sat down in the shadow of the purse, putting her knees to her chest. This night would be interesting.
Soon, people came over to her, their shadows stretching across the table. “Kelsi?” one of the three woman asked. She stood up and walked out into the open area of the table, where there was a little more light. “Hello!” she yelled, waving her arm over her head.
The women smiled broadly, leaning in so their faces were within a grain of sand’s toss.
“Wow, you really did shrink! You’re so small now.”
“Yep,” she said, looking at the faces and trying to place them. “People think I’m crazy for doing this to myself. They’re right, obviously.” The women chuckled.
Then she recalled who was who, and named them. She was right, to her relief. They weren’t the teenagers she’d last seen ten years earlier, but grown women. And also huge.
“So tell us about it,” Navia said, “What is it like?”
Kelsi knew there would be lots of this, so she went into her prepared discussion about her life. After the first few minutes, she was able to steer the conversation away from her size, and talk about normal things. The women talked about their own lives, and soon it was just a regular catch up conversation. By the time they left, she’d decided that those kinds of chats weren’t so bad. And then the next person came up to talk. It seemed Samantha was mentioning that she was here. But that was to expected, she was here to socialize after all. So she just talked up to the big people, sated their curiosity with her boring life. Little people weren’t that interesting, it seemed. At least in her opinion.
She saw another skyscraper sized figure approach, and when the face was close enough, she realized it was Rani. Her body bumped against the edge of the table as she slowed to a stop, and she bent down with her face approaching. The dark skinned girl grinned, stopping so her face hovered a few inches above Kelsi. “Well hi little one!” she said, “You look so cute, Kelsi!”
“Cute isn’t what I was going for,” Kelsi said, “but I’m glad you like it!”
“I love it,” Rani said, “Such a nice look for you. I miss seeing your eyes, though.”
“You’d have to pick me up and hold me up for that,” Kelsi said, “And I’m not in being picked up mood.”
“Do you mind if I sit with you tonight?” Rani said, her thick black hair hanging down from her head in a huge clump. She’d always had that kind of hair, it stuck together. “Samantha did say I could join you.”
“Yes, please sit down,” Kelsi said, “We have so much to catch up on. We haven’t talked in years.”
The giant straightened, took a few steps along the table, pulled back a chair, and sat with a whump. Kelsi walked across the tablecloth to her. Rani watched her curiously as she did.
“I’m sure you don’t want to talk about…it all night,” Rani said, motioning toward her with a hand.
“That’s right,” Kelsi said, “I get tired to each person wanting to talk about it. Yes, I’m tiny. I have other qualities. But it’s new to them, so they want to only talk about that.”
“Well, Samantha told me most of it, so I’ll let you talk about other things.”
“Or, you could tell me about yourself,” Kelsi said, “no one ever wants to talk about themselves with me, they only want to talk about me. And I’m not the type to enjoy that.”
Rani smiled, then started telling her about her own life since they’d last spoken. Kelsi stood and listened to the sitting woman, making comments or laughing when appropriate. It was a nice conversation.
Samantha came back, and sat in her own chair with a whump, laying her clasped hands on the table with a thump. She sat next to Rani. A few others had come and sat, friends of theirs from school. They were very respectful towards Kelsi, which she found nice. And didn’t bombard her with questions.
“Kelsi was telling me about her trip to Xin a few years ago,” Rani said, “Before she…you know.”
“Yes, I went with her on that,” Samantha said, “it was so much fun.” And the conversations continued. Kelsi walked around the table, visiting with each person in turn, catching up. She liked boring chit chat.
Samantha and the others would get up, and return not long after with clear plastic cups filled with punch. Then take sips as they talked. The cups were to her chest, of solid but bendable plastic. Kelsi went over to the tank of punch, and put her hands on the rim, peering inside, taking in the smell.
“Uh…can they have alcohol?" someone asked from across the table, a guy.
“Hey!” she shouted at him, “There is no ‘they’ as if we’re some weird tiny creatures. I’m still a woman.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” he said, looking rebuked.
She added, “And of course we can have alcohol. It’s just that we have to be careful not to get too drunk, with so many things that can crush us, and being up so high all the time. But our bodies can handle it.”
Samantha was grinning at her from above, and let out a giggle. “Don’t worry, she only acts offended. She refers to herself and other minis as ‘us’ all the time. And alcohol works on their tiny bodies the same as ours. They’re still big enough to break everything down, as with all other food. They’re like us.”
With that, she wrapped her fingers around the side of the cup opposite from Kelsi, and lifted it slightly, tilting it toward the tiny girl. Kelsi bent down and let her chin and mouth break the water line, going through the film that formed on liquids due to surface tension. She slurped, taking in a mouthful. And finding it tasty, she slurped in a few more mouthfuls. When she pulled her face out, the underside was coated in punch, and she used her finger to wipe most of it and push it into her mouth. She stood back, and the cup tilted back so its bottom thudded on the tablecloth. The liquid sloshed around from the movement. Having drank at least a cups worth, she stepped away and sat down on a napkin, lifting the corner to wipe her face. The others watched, wordlessly, then looked back up and resumed conversation. She soon felt the drunkenness come, but not after getting another drink from the tub.
When she got up, she walked across the table toward Rani. She stumbled some, catching the eye of Willard, one of the guys at the table. “I think our mini might have had a little too much,” he said.
“She has a fast metabolism,” Samantha stated, “All minis do. They eat many times a day, and they eat a lot for someone their size. They also sleep a lot. And they sober up fast when drinking.” Those at the table nodded, and Kelsi plopped down on her butt in front of the looming figure of her brown skinned and black haired friend. Rani smiled at her, “Glad you could make it over.”

Kelsi found herself sitting next to the clasped hands of Rani, her dark skin like mahogany. She flinched every once in a while, unknowingly. The huge indo woman lifted her head level to talk to others, and took down at the figure near her hands and talked to her. Kelsi felt quite included. There was commotion as one of the men who had gotten up returned, he sat down loudly across the table. He looked around and spotted Kelsi, “Hey Kelsi, did you know there’s another tiny here?”
“Another one?” she asked, stunned, unsure if she’d heard that correctly. Rani repeated what she’d said.
“Yes. I wasn’t sure who he was, I felt it would be rude to ask. I talked to him for about a minute, not about his size, of course. But I didn’t recognize him because he’s so small.”
Kelsi stood up and walked across the table to him, “Where was he?”
He told her, turning and pointing. “Thanks. I’ll have to see who it is later.” With that, she turned and across the table again, stopping in front of Seri, who’s eyes lit up when she stopped.
“Hello.” The two women talked, in their own conversation, recalling when they were children and going to school together. They’d been friends of course, but hadn’t talked since their teens.
“You grew up,” Kelsi said, “While I shrunk down. Interesting, isn’t it?”
Seri agreed, chuckling. Then her size wasn’t mentioned again. It was nice they were respecting that.
Kelsi went up to Samantha, who had her arms resting on the table like fallen trees. A clear plastic cup of punch sat within reach, like a tank of reddish liquid. “Hi little stuff!” she said happily.
“I hear there’s another tiny here,” Kelsi said up to her.
“Yes,” Samantha said, “I saw him getting my drink. He’s at one of the snack tables.”
“I think I’d like to talk to him. I’ve never met another tiny out in the real world like this. Every little person I meet is back at the habitat, or online.”
Samantha twisted her mouth, to make a face that suggested she did not want to get up. She sighed, “I guess. I’ll take you over there. Can you be left alone safely?”
“I have my bracelet,” Kelsi said, holding it up. The arms slid off the table, and Samantha stood up. She set a hand down in front of her friend, palm up. Kelsi stepped onto it, and sat down in the center. She was lifted up, which was a normal sensation for her now, as Samantha turned and walked away from the table. She held her hand against her stomach, as she weaved between people, who were oblivious to the person she was carrying. Fortunately, no one among the crowd bumped into her, a force like that would have jarred the hand Kelsi was in. She wouldn’t have fallen, but it would have been uncomfortable. As they walked, Kelsi looked level, only seeing the shirts and top halves of dresses.
Samantha stopped, and lowered her hand. As she did, Kelsi saw the miniaturized man, talking up to a woman, both oblivious to Samantha and her. The hand set down, and Kelsi stepped off. It raised, and reached for some snacks on a nearby tray. Samantha began munching, on the snacks in her hand.
“I’ll be back for you when you alert your bracelet on your wrist,” the building sized girl said.
“Yes,” Kelsi said, “I’ll alert yellow. Red of course means I’m in trouble, but I don’t think that will happen.”
With that, her friend turned and stepped away, disappearing into the crown. Kelsi was on her own.
She went to the snack tray, stepped onto it, and began breaking off chunks of cheese. She sat on the cheese slab, as she picked pieces off. After a few minutes, the towering woman bid the tiny goodbye, and turned and walked away. Kelsi got up and stepped off the plastic tray, and approached the man. He was looking around the room, at the giants that milled about, and she was able to get within a foot before then turned and saw Kelsi. “Oh my gosh!” he said, stunned, “Kelsi Klammath?”
“Tommy Gieioger?” She exclaimed, coming face to face with him.
“Wow, nice to see you so…small like me,” he said.
“Yep, I guess we’re the only two in our class who became tinies.”
“I thought I was the only person from our school to do this.”
“Same here,” she said, “I don’t know anyone else who has done this. Except people at the habitat.”
“Which habitat are you at?” he asked, “I’m at Vole’s Corner.”
“I’m at Cricket’s Run,” she said.
“So do you have actual cricket’s there?”
“We do!” she said, “The live in the woods, but we see them on hikes. Loud little suckers at night, too. Luckily there’s sound dampening so it’s not so loud.”
“We have ants,” he said, “cute little things. They’re kept away from the habituated areas, though.”
“I like ants,” she said, “Big shelled suckers. They tickle feet when they walk over them.”
“How long have you been miniature?” he asked.
“Over a year,” she said, “it goes by fast.”
“It does. It’s been three years for me.”
They sat down on the tablecloth, and talked about their own experiences and lives. They hadn’t been friends during school, and barely had interacted at all. They’d both been weird, nerdy types, but happened to hang out in different circles. But they’d both been kids then, both had changed.
As the night went on, people came up to them and talked. Word was getting around about the minis there, and people made a point to say ‘hello’. “I never knew you two were friends,” one guy said.
“We don’t hang out or anything, we just are tonight because we’re the only two minis,” Kelsi stated.
“That makes sense,” he said, “They should have a miniature table for you.”
“You’re right, they should,” Tommy agreed. Kelsi nodded in agreement as well.
More and more people came by to visit, one after the other, and the diminutive pair stood around six inches apart, so people wouldn’t think they were together. They talked to each person, dismissing none. Not even those they hadn’t gotten along with in school. Sometimes they addressed someone together, sometimes separately, but they enjoyed chatting with their humongous former classmates. It was much easier and more comfortable when there were two of them. When there was no one there to talk to, they talked to each other. Or they’d walk behind a raised section of the display next to the snack tray, where they were mostly out of sight, so they could have time to themselves.
That was where they kissed. It wasn’t expected, but they soon found themselves making out. Then they felt awkward, and went back out to talk to the big people.
One of the caterers came by, carrying another couple trays. The current one was empty, with the pair of them taking random bits and pieces. He spotted them, and said, “Wow, minis!” as he set the trays down. Then left. There were two levels of porcelain tray, one over the other, the second story held up by a metal frame. Kelsi felt bold, so she climbed up the metal bars to the top plate.
“Should you be doing that?” Tommy asked, concerned.
“No,” she said down to him, “I absolutely should not.” And she continued to climb, reaching the top tray and tossing some bits of food down to him. She ate some, and then climbed down to the table. That had been fun, she thought. They stood there and greeted more snackers, snacking on their own.

When a good portion of the night had passed, Samantha came to collect her. His own friend came to collect him as well. “It was nice meeting you…again,” she said. “Same here,” he agreed. She sat in Samantha’s hand as she was carried back to the table, where only a few people remained. She hopped out into the tablecloth. “You’ve been gone awhile,” Rani commented.
“Yeah, I’ve….made a new friend,” Kelsi said. Rani grinned. “You’d make a cute couple.”
“Don’t all minis make cute couples,” Mick said from next to her.
“That is true,” Rani said thoughtfully, looking at Kelsi. “You all are exceptionally cute.”
There was a whump as Samantha sat back down, “Well Kelsi, it seems you like him.”
“Yeah, he seems nice. Good men are hard to find, especially ones who have miniaturized.”
“He’s a good guy,” Willard said, “we’ve hung out quite a bit.”
“So have you talked to everyone?” Rani asked.
“I think so,” Kelsi said, “So many people came up to me at the snack table. Most didn’t even get snacks, so I know there were there to see us. But it was nice to talk to them.”
“That’s what we’re here for, after all,” Mick said.
“And thank you all for spreading the word about what I do and don’t like taking about.”
They all looked down, some looking bashful, Willard saying, “How did you know?”
“I figured. I saw you all up and talking to people. And people seemed to already know what I do and don’t like talking about. And people really seemed to respect that. So thank you.”
They all nodded. Then she walked back and forth around the table, talking with each one of them, feeling bad for neglecting them for most of the night. Looking up at them and talking was normal to her now, and they were sitting, the others had been standing, so less bending her neck to look up.
Across the room, Tommy stood on the table, looking up at Chuck and Carla, who were shoulder to shoulder, looking down at him. “So you and Kelsi Klammath,” Carla said idly, twirling her red hair on her finger idly. Her low cut dress showed skin all the way down to his level at the table’s edge, it was good she had a flat chest, he thought. “Did you get to talk to everyone?” Chucked asked.
“I think so,” Tommy said to his enormous friend, “I chatted with so many people. It was weird seeing everyone so huge compared to me.”
“I’m sure it is,” Carla said, resting an elbow on the table a few paces away. Red hairs poked out of her fair skin on her arm, the light glinting off them oddly.
Larry sat down, loudly as his enormous frame put seeming tons of pressure on the chair, though he was a slender main. Tommy walked across the table to him. “I got a look at a little blonde girl that you were talking to,” he said, “But I wasn’t able to get close enough to see her face. Was she in our class?”
“It’s Kelsi Klammath,” he said, “that girl we had Econ with.”
“OH yeah,” Larry said, his face lighting up, “Wow…so she’s a mini too.”
“Yep,” he said, as Carla added, “Tommy here stole a kiss or two from her.”
“That’s great,” Larry said, “She was always cute back then.”
“She’s cute now too,” Tommy said, “but she had put a little weight on.”
“Haven’t we all,” Chuck said, then looking at his girlfriend, “Except Carla here.” The pair had been dating since high school, and were married with kids now. Those kids were intrigued with Tommy, sadly. Nothing as awkward as a little girl that towers over you like a five story building, wanting to play.
“We’re going to be getting going soon,” Chuck said after a few minutes, noting that most people were gone already. “Yeah, I need to go soon too,” Larry said sadly.
“You know what that means, Tom,” Carla said, “Back in the purse.”
He sighed. It wasn’t the best way to travel, but it was better than a bulky box that he’d have to keep track on. But her purse was somewhat comfortable, and he’d spent a lot of time in there already.
“I think I’ve talked to everyone I need to,” he said, looking around for anyone he wanted to see. It had been a fun night, and he was glad he’d come. He’d had to fight for his invitation, as people didn’t’ think he’d actually show up. Kelsi had the same issue, she’d said. No one expected minis to go out and about into the world. That was a myth that he’d have work to dispel.
When the night was over, and they’d said their goodbyes, Samantha lifted her up and set her in her purse. Kelsi got snug, squeezed between a pack of tissues and a box of candies. The she was carried away, as the pair left the building with the rest of them. It had been a good night, she decided in the dark purse interior. Everyone had been nice, and she’d always felt safe as comfortable. She’d had fun, and was glad she’d went. She’d proven to herself that miniatures like her could go out in the world, and act like normal people. It was always nice to feel normal in her strange life.


Chapter Eleven

Shenji was looking forward to the evening. Namiko was going to come over, and they were going to have a nice date night. Ever since he’d started dating her, his life was so much brighter. And he’d kept his house, and himself, cleaned up. He was just straightening things up, when there was a knock on the door. He opened it, to see his date’s smiling face. “Come in, come in,” he said, leading her inside his apartment. She’d been here before, but he was still nervous about impressing her.
“Hello Shenji,” she said in their ancestral language. He responded in the same way. She was only half Xin, her father had been white, but she looked much more Xin than not, and was engrossed in the customs of her motherland. She took a seat on the couch, and he sat next to her.
“I was thinking after dinner, we could drink some wine and watch a movie,” he said.
“I would like that,” she said. They talked some, telling each other about their days. He couldn’t share the specifics with her, nor even mention that he worked with minis. And Namiko didn’t see m to be very aware of minis either. She’d never mentioned little people, nor of ever seeing a little person, or showed any interest in them, so he figured there was no reason to go into detail about the clients he worked with, and their bizarre situation. And he didn’t want to talk about work at all today.
After their dinner, when he was cleaning up, there was another knock on the door. Curious, he answered. And to his surprise, the special courier was there, and handed him the oblong box.
“There must be some mistake,” he said, “I wasn’t schedule to get a delivery today.”
“She disagrees,” the young man said, grinning, “So if you can sign here, taking possession of one Rhonji.”
He exhaled in annoyance, signed the form, and took the box. He carried it away from the door, and Namiko asked from the next room, “What is it, Shen?”
“A package,” he said, “They have to hand deliver them here.” He took the box into the spare bedroom, which had become his sister’s domain when she stayed. He set it on the table next to the bed, and pressed the button on the top. Rhonji emerged from the box, her tiny form stepping to the middle of the table. “Hi,” she squeaked.
“Rhonji, you’re not supposed to be here,” he said.
“I felt like making a surprise visit,” she said brightly.
“Well, I have…someone over.”
“So? You can introduce me to your friend.”
“It’s not that kind of friend,” he said, “We’re dating.”
“Oh,” the tiny girl said, and a wide smile appeared on her tiny face, “I didn’t know you had a girlfriend!”
“We’re not official yet,” he said, “And she’s very shy.”
“What’s her name? Is she Xin? Does she like minis?”
He told her the name, and that she was half Xin, then said, “She doesn’t care about minis, and I’m not going to force her to interact with one.”
“I’m not just some mini,” Rhonji said sourly, “I’m your sister.”
“I’ll spend time with you tomorrow, and we’ll do normal sibling things. But we’d like to be alone for tonight, mini or not. You can stay here, but please stay in the room.”
“Very well,” the little person said, “Just put the remote control on the bed. I’ll watch the TV.” The TV was at the foot of the bed, perfect for her viewing, so he tossed the remote on the mattress and left the little annoyance to herself. He closed the door behind him, regretting that he was giving her such a rude welcome. But she had showed up unexpectedly, and could ruin his plans.
When he got to the living room, he was pleasantly surprised to see Namiko on the sofa, holding a glass of red wine, in her birthday suit. She smiled as if nothing were amiss. He grinned. “I like your date night attire,” he said, admiring her smooth brown skin and small breasts. He was soon just as unattired, and they sat on the sofa together, sipping wine and talking.
Namiko got up to relieve herself, and he watched her walking across the room, and disappear around the corner. He watched the movie they had been ignoring, and barely heard the toilet flush. A few moments later, he heard a shriek. It came from the bedrooms.
He sprang up, glanced at the floor out of habit, and ran to the hallway. His bedroom door was still closed, but Ronji’s bedroom door was open. He ran into the room, to see Namiko standing beside the bed, bent over, hitting the bed. He yelled, “Stop!”
He reached her and put his hand under her arm as she was bring it down, catching it gently. He saw the small figure darting around the bed, then stop.
On the bed, Ronji had seen the huge naked woman approach, and bend down and reach for the remote control. Then the hand had frozen, hovering in mid air. The woman was looking directly at her. Her eyes went wide, then she shrieked. And the hand raised, and came down toward her. Ronji heard the whisking of the air as she jumped out of the way, and felt it hit the bed behind her. It raised again, and again Ronjie scampered out of the way as it came towards her. Then Shenji appeared in the doorway, and rushed in and stopped the barrage.
“What are you doing? Stop trying to smash her!”
“It’s a bug!” the towering woman said, “A big, gross one.”
“That’s not a bug, silly, it’s my sister.”
She gave him and odd look.
“She’s a mini. That’s a little person. Not for smashing.”
After a moment, the woman turned to Ronji, who stood there awkwardly. The giant bent down over her, the breasts hanging slightly from her chest. She gasped in surprise. “It’s a girl!”
“Uh, hello,” Ronji said, “Sorry I scared you.”
Minutes later, the couple was seated back on the sofa, wind glasses across the chasm on the coffee table. Ronji sat on the bare brown skin of Namiko’s leg, as the giant gazed down at her.
“I’m really sorry I almost smashed you,” she said again, “I didn’t realize you were a human.”
“It’s a common mistake,” Ronji said, hiding her annoyance. The couple hadn’t boethered to put clothes on, but felt obligated to bring her. Now she saw just below the hip, a few paces away from the woman’s black public hair, which was groomed into straight lines. Across a short gap was Shenji’s hip, with his member laying against his far leg. Ronji hadn’t seen one since shrinking, and realized it was bigger than her whole body was. She looked away, up at the cliff of Namiko’s chest, with small breasts protruding slightly. “I just heard the TV, and thought to turn it off,” Namiko was saying, “Then I noticed…Ronji.”
“Not the first time she’s been mistaken for a bug,” Shenji said, “And as kids I’d have loved the opportunity to crush her.”
“Ha ha, you really funny,” Ronji said up to him, getting a chuckle from the towering duo.
“So, you just live…tiny?” Namiko asked.
“Yes,” Ronji said, “Though I usually stay in a secure community for minis. But I do venture out at times.”
“So interesting,” the giant girl said, looking from the tiny girl up to her date.
Ronji continued sitting there, on the girl’s leg, as the couple loomed high above her on either side. They sat side by side, watching the romantic movie and sipping wine. The glasses whisked up and thumped down each time they took a drink, the giants oblivious to the noise. Ronji considered that continuing to stay would be rude, but her brother and his girlfriend seemed to forget she was there, though they did remember as they occasionally threw smiling glances down at her. They clearly felt bad for trying to kill her, and didn‘t want to exclude her, and despute the nudity, nothing they were doing was private or especially intimate. They were just a couple watching a movie sipping wine, and happened to be nude while doing it. She watched TV in the nude all the time at home. She was almost within reach of the girl’s pubic hair, strands laying just above the skin where her legs met. Her legs were slightly apart, showing the hair reaching down to her underside. Labia were visible through the mess, pressed together firmly. Ronji wasn’t bothered by that, or the penis just a few paces away, in its own nest of hair. She was naked so often here, and had pubic hair as well, so it would be hypocritical to complain. And she saw plenty of those things at home, in the community where there was always at least one person naked. Things were never as big or up close as they were here, of course.
The legs shifted up absently, and rested again. Then she felt a gaze on her, and looked up to see Namiko’s shaded face peering down at her. “I am sorry I almost killed you. A terrible way to meet.”
“But if I were wearing clothes, you might have realized I was a person,” Ronji said up to her.
“We were naked too though,” Namiko said, “All of us seem to like being in the buff.”
“Ronji is unclothed quite often while she’s here,” Shenji stated, “I think she just does it to annoy me.”
“Well I like being nude when I’m here as well,” Namiko said, “so all three of us can be comfortable.”
“When you two start kissing, I’m leaving,” Ronji said, “I’ll just slid down your leg to the floor.”
The huge girl grinned. Then said, “Can I look at you? Up close? And hold you?”
“You may,” Ronji said, standing up. A hand reached down, and fingers pressed into either side of her at her torso. She was lifted into the air, and suspended in front of the woman’s face. The eyes peered at her, examining her. Ronji put her arms on the outside of the fingers, to help hold herself up.
“I’ve never seen a tiny before,” the mouth under her uttered as a breath. “I didn’t really think I’d ever encounter one. I knew it was a thing, I just never really thought much about it.”
“I see them all the time,” Ronjia said, “They’re nothing special.”
The hand lowered after a few minutes, and set her down back on the leg at the hip. Ronji sat back down, as Shenji spoke to his date about her from above. It was weird to be hearing yourself talked about, but Ronji was tired of yelling up. So she got comfortable and gave her attention to the movie.
After several minutes, her attention was on the movie, and she stopped thinking about the huge couple, with hands interlocked nearby. A long while later, she heard the obvious noises, and looked up to see them kissing. Ronji did not want to be here for this, and they needed their privacy. And seemed to have forgotten about her. So she hopped down and landed on the cushion, then hurried across it. She leapt off the cushion, sliding down a bare calf, until falling a few inches to hit against the ankle. She slid against the heel, landing on the carpeting. She was between the two feet now, and didn’t pause. She ran, crossing under the coffee table, and hurried across the room. Once across the room, she rounded the corner out of sight. Then it was a walk back to the bedroom she stayed in, and a climb to her hotel room. It had been quite an eventful night. But it always was when out in the Big World.