Lilly had never felt so happy.
How could a day where everything seemed to go so wrong, just go so right? She had an awful lot of self reflecting to do, but the burden felt less now. Her favourite teacher, Miss Violet was right. She was being too hard on herself. She was only eight years old, but was still trying to think like she used to. It was natural for someone older to worry about a test, and certainly natural to fear failure at the critical junctions of her life...
... but that was the thing. This was not a critical moment of her life. Would anyone really care of a test she did when so young? Of course not! But she was so caught up by the memories of who... who she was and had fallen into that state. Being neither the eight year old squirrel girl, or the teenage boy, but certainly forced to experience the world of the former with the conceptions of the later was frankly, detrimental to her self esteem.
Second, there was the reason she wanted to be friends with Jenny and Artemis. They had magic- sure... but it wasn't just that. She was impressed by it sure... but what else was it? They seemed nice, happy and... she wanted to be part of that. Was that the child in her wanting that? She liked them not just for their magic, but who they were too. Couldn't she expect the same in return, if they were real friends?
It was at that point Lilly made her decision. She would have to be the eight year old girl, if there was any chance to... to just be happy. She would have to let go of certain things and thoughts. Maybe not all of it- but yes, probably a lot. It was not a decision made lightly, but... there was just no way to reconcile the differences inside her mind, and the body she now had- along with the expectations made of herself, and of others. The demands were too great otherwise.
This decision seemed to calm her even more. It felt almost... peaceful? Some might have called it surrender, but in Lilly's mind this was probably the most grown up, practical choice she could make. Besides, maybe... it need not be so bad? Was her human life really all that 'interesting' as Lilly's life so far? Maybe Lilly could be just.. another her? A different her, with different needs, different ideas, but.. still her? Could it really work like that?
She went back into the classroom to collect her things and saw Artemis. She jumped in front of the moon girl before she could use whatever trickery she did, to escape unnoticed or evade her. The sudden movement stunned the moon girl but Lilly beat her to the first sentence. "Artemis! Please le'me talk to ya!" she was tense... but strangely, her voice also carried confidence. Why?
The moon child sighed. "Yeah?" She inclined her head a little. Everyone was saying she should be a little nicer to Lilly but what she said-
"Y-You were right." Lilly stated quickly.
"Huh?" Artemis, for the second time today, was surprised.
The furry girl looked meekly. "I- I did just want to just be a boy. B-But im not an- an-" Her confidence was starting to fade, but she reached down inside to her soul. This was important and there may not be another chance. "Artemis- I- know I- messed up an- can we please forget it an'- I want to be your friend- an- well- maybe you can teach me.. how to be a girl?" She meant it, she really did.
The moonchild was now quite shocked. What just happened? What in the world was Lilly asking? "Uh- I don't think it works that way Lilly. But... look I'm sorry too. You got me real mad an' we only wanted to help." Her voice became a little sullen.
"I- I know." The squirrel girl said looking very remorseful. "Give me a chance. I- I think I'm going to be okay now-" She surprised herself at those words. Yes... she is going to be okay- if she just remembered, she was just a child. The same as them. It felt... almost... liberating?
Artemis folded her arms appraising the furry girl in front of her. Whatever anger she had just seemed pointless. Maybe she was just a little insensitive too? she had not experienced a gender change, but even so her own change brought a few problems. She felt her own were more significant then whatever a boy would go through turning into the animal-girl she saw in front of her, but who was she to judge? Not to mention there was.. something about Lilly that seemed off. But she couldn't work out what it was. "There's somethin' really different about you," said Artemis looking at her. "I dunno what it is- but I'd like us to be friends... sure."
The squirrel-child looked ecstatic and hugged her.
The moon child gasped, "oh- hey your fur's ticklish."
Jenny noticed them and smiled. "My two fri'nds have ma'e up? This is the best satudray eva'" she said happily.
The Three girls got into a group hug.
Lilly blushed a bit but again remembered, she was just like them. She could play and not seem foolish for it. There was so much now she could do, that would give a lot of freedom. If she would embrace it, to make up for... what she would have to give up.
"Wanna join us in a patrol Lilly?" Asked Jenny.
"I- I- I'd love to!" The squirrel girl squealed gleefully- and probably just a touch too girlishly.
Artemis smiled a little. She didn't realise that Jenny and Lilly were good friends as this. In a way, she felt a little bad. After all she walked into Jenny's life and their mutual abilities just made the two better allies... and from that, they became close friends. Lilly being the odd one, managed to forge her friendships on her own. There was a real power to that, and it is one the moon child respected. "Come on Lilly, we may have a big monster to fight. You have no idea what went on yesterday."
"Oh a- wait I got you a-" Where was her friendship bracelet? Oh no- she didn't forget it did she?!
"You mean this?" asked Artemis showing her wrist, with the bracelet on it.
"H-How did you..."
"Dunno. I guess it's cause we're friends now." She said smiling. "Maybe I should ask you how you did that."
Max wondered what to do this Saturday. She didn't have any real plans. Saturday's were always so lazy. She used to play football but... she glanced down at herself. No these things were way to big and bouncy. Yet that warning from the harpy made her think. She didn't want to get fat and unhealthy. If she was some kind of cat-creature, she had to keep moving and burn her energy. But with these things on her? how was she supposed to do that?!
So for now, she decided to just be really careful with what she ate. She realised her diet had changed a little. High protein food such as fish, seemed preferable. Her pallet had a dislike for anything too fattening. Although she still had a taste for milk.
Her computer gave a little ping, as she received an E-mail. It was from Hiro. She had to think a moment to remember- oh yes it was that strange cyborg.
*"Dear Max,
"I hope my changed form didn't scare you. I'm still getting used to it. I was wondering if you felt like it, we could go have a pizza some time. Sorry if I came across a bit awkward, I still want to get to know you and I think it might be fun. Feel free to bring a friend if you want.
Hiro Hibiki.*
Max blinked. She thought she saw the flutter of something on the screen... but then it was gone. Was the cyborg asking her out on a date? But if he was- did he even know who she used to be?! It was unlikely given her name could be a short feminine name... she wondered if she should confide in melody about this, but Max was certainly old enough to deal with this. She didn't want to let Hiro down... but... she just wasn't ready to do any kind of 'dating'.
Was she?
Yet at the same time, that isn't what Hiro was asking. If she were male still, they might be friends- maybe. She wasn't sure. But on the other hand, shouldn't she at least give him a chance? But- urgh! This was nuts! Was it really true then? Could a girl not be friends with a boy? Nonsense! Of course they could! She had seen many.. so maybe she could just go see Hiro today. If only to prove it.
but... what if he wanted more?
Robert woke up, feeling terribly sore as she hugged her naked form. It just seemed easier then to find pyjamas for herself. Sleeping in this body was still something she was working out. Sleeping on her back worked, if she kept her tail tucked between her legs- though that lead to a lot of... awkward feelings. Sleeping on her front was- painful. Her eight breasts were crushed unpleasantly. So sometimes she would sleep at her side. The jiggling of her torso was unsettling as she breathed, but otherwise it was okay.
She swivelled to the side, as her heavy cloven hoofs clopped onto the ground. That sound.. was... still weird to her. She didn't know why. The sound also alerted the devil baby orphan. Robert had bought a little crib for her. The baby made gurgling noises, and Robert went to the kitchen. She carefully warmed up some milk, and placed it in the bottle. She fed and cleaned the little baby.
Admittedly her taking care of the child was supposed to be temporary... there certainly were services that could take care of her- however Robert was a trusted minister, and... frankly, she was starting to grow to love the child. She wasn't sure why. Seeing someone so innocent to the dark contrast of her own form, which seemed laden with... the most terrifying of sinful desires in her every breath... yet with the baby, her form became... maternal in thought? Was- it okay to think so?
She started to put on her six cupped bra. It took a while, she was getting faster at it but... it still felt strange. Then of course, there was the question of her lowest set. She looked at them, as the nipples had been rubbed very raw by her normal pants. She tried to wear ones with a larger waist, and hoped that would work well with the padded belt, but the whole thing just rubbed together when she walked. She was somewhat stuck on just what she could do. The sales lady had recommended wearing a dress, but it would have to be one of those full dresses starting from the top. It wouldn't be that much different from a robe... without trousers... but she still bulked at the idea. It would be too easy to see her multiple additions through a dress. She had yet to even buy one anyway.
"Maybe I can handle just.. one more day, she said, ignoring the painful pleas of her lower breasts as they were once more suffocated by the elastic, giving one final cry as the band snapped into place. "Urgh..." The devil woman winced.
She had to hurry. she had a sermon to get to this morning. She went back to the cot alarmed to find the baby wasn't there- but then suddenly looked up, to find the baby flying straight at her, hovering onto her blossom. "Ah! The devil woman shouted as she wrapped the flying baby into her arms. "N-Naughty. you're supposed to walk before you can fly!" She was so shocked as she stared into the little girl's innocent eyes. The baby could so easily have been hers... she wondered if the child was imprinting on her? Or was she imprinting on the child? Did- that happen? What if... it did that? Could she really take care of her? It was such a daunting responsibility. She wrapped the child up in the blanket, as she took her on the short walk to the church.
"Come on dear, 'Mommy' may have to do some more clothes shopping." She shook her head at that. Mommy. indeed.. her?
