Saturday, February 20, 2010

R & R for Shifters


The other day my husband asked me what my ideal vacation would be. Since it was one of those what-if questions I really didn't have to think about it. I knew his dream vacation would be something that involved fishing or golf or probably both. Mine would involve pampering. Massages and spa cuisine...and someone else cleaning up.

But then my brain started wandering and I started wondering what the perfect vacation for a shapeshifter would entail. So far, I've only written jaguar shifters in stressful situations. They've done the jungle/camping thing. I can't really imagine them relaxing this way. And a vacation, like anything else I'd set up in their world would probably depend upon their lifestyle. Hmmmmm.

A spa for jaguar shifters. Any spa worth its hot spring mud-baths would cater to their clientele's every whim. I'm imagining:

Deep muscle massage for those times when a "shift" became a little too strenuous and they've pulled a hamstring.

Aromatherapy. Hold the Wolf's bane, please. No really, Aconite is actually poisonous to everything, not just wolves.

Spa Cuisine. They could offer Steak Tartare and Pheasant Under Glass. I imagine the little glass dome would keep them from flying away.

Long nature walks...clothing optional.

I'd choose a spa but what about your shifters? Would they run off to the jungle/woods and revel in their primitive natures, hunting, howling at the moon...mating (did you think I could resist that one?) It might get boring dating within the same community you grew up in. Would they choose to explore some exotic locale and seek out other shifter communities?

Where would your shifters choose to relax and why? Oh, you know how nosy I am, 'fess up;-)

Paris

20 comments:

Garry said...

Well if you were Odo from Deep Space 9, all you would need is a bucket

Sandy said...

It would have to be in Costa Rica up in the mountains where there is lots of foliage to watch from. Smile.

Kayelle Allen said...

LOL! What a clever blog. I loved it. And the comment about Odo was priceless. ;) Costa Rica would be awesome, too.

I would like to suggest a hot tub and ice plunge. Those make muscles relax and the ice plunge definitely tightens up the skin, refreshes the body, and wakes up the mind.

That pheasant under glass had me rolling. How about some chicken wings? (plucking optional)Or a giant acquarium for an All-You-Can-Catch buffet?

Paris said...

Ohhh Sandy, that sounds so pretty. Do they have those little drinks with the umbrellas in them...and rum;-)

Paris said...

Kayelle,

Glad you enjoyed it! I love the idea about the hot tub and ice plunge. Sounds like just the thing they'd love. LOL! All-You-Can-Catch-buffet--I wish I'd thought of that!

Paris said...

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most! Someone explain the Odo/bucket thing--I'm totally clueless;-)

Anonymous said...

My wolves take family vacations (natch) and like to go deer, elk and turkey hunting, firearms unnecessary. For the coyotes, it's Vegas or bust.

Odo was an alien shapeshifter who spent most of his time in human form, but every 18 hours or so would revert to his natural state, which was a puddle of goo. Then he'd pour himself into a bucket for a couple hours of regeneration. I knew all those hours of watching Star Trek would pay off some day!

Pat C.

Paris said...

LOL! Thanks for the answer Pat, I'd totally forgotten that;-) Sounds like you have a lot of diversity and I can so see the coyotes in Vegas;-)

Fran Lee said...

The Chihuahua shifter would probably spend a few hours lounging at Taco Bell. The muskrat shifter would kick back and listen to some Captain and Tennile. And, of course, the Shetland shifters would definitely get a kick out of scoping out the bodacious fillies at the track...

Paris said...

LOL! Fran love the images;-) A Chihuahua shifter is priceless but the image of a muskrat shifter at the juice bar trying to pick up someone while "Muskrat Love" plays in the background--that one isn't leaving anytime soon;-).

Crystal Kauffman said...

I had a similar idea for vampire vacation spots that included a simulated lagoon and artificial sunlight, then I saw Charlain Harris had created almost the same thing for her vampire queen :)

Savanna Kougar said...

Paris, what a fab 'what if?'... I'm so glad Pat explained about Odo. She did it much better than me.

Hmmmm... vacation spots... My heroine, Sun Rocket, had just enjoyed dining at a great fish restaurant with a friend during her time off before she was beam-snatched... I should have gone with the Aquarium buffet... lol!

Everyday is a pampered day for Sable, however she can wrangle it... her fave vacation, though, is running the lands of her inner home world, the grassland savannas.

Let's see, Zio is already on the tangerine-colored carnal playground during his story... so, vacation... he prefers worlds with fantastic dancing music.

Trail vacations with the wild mustang herds on Earth... on his world he goes on camping/hiking vacations in his equine form.

Paris said...

Crystal,

I do love the Sookie saga;-)maybe I missed the spa but it's been awhile since I read them. You could always do a gargoyle playground where there's sunlight for however long you need it...there must be a way to pamper those hard bodies;-)

Paris said...

Savanna,

Yeah, the Aquarium buffet cracked me up too;-)sounds like your shifters have a lot of fun!

April Ash said...

I'm thinking there would be someplace like the old TV show "Fantasy Island" for shifters only. Each one could choose their own fantasy vacation and "let nature take its course".

Serena Shay said...

Paris, Great blog!!

A spa sounds heavenly, though I don't see my alpha's being able to allow their lady loves to be touched by another. ;) Being adventerous I bet they would love to make their way through the rides at Disney. hehe

Paris said...

April,

I love that idea! LOL! I'm seeing Fran's muskrat shifter as the assistant;-)

Paris said...

Serena,

LOL! Can you imagine a roller coaster full of shifters? What fun!

Anonymous said...

And on Monday morning the resorts have to vacuum all the shed hairs off the furniture.

Pat C.

Paris said...

LOL! I hadn't thought about that Pat but you're right. Hmmmm...a shifter cleaning company...At Your Service;-)