Biff walked on her four new legs, cautiously going up the stairs to her room. While she had mostly got the hang of walking on a flat surface there was something very tricky about stairs that didn't come naturally as yet. It was not like she was crawling, these legs had to be in certain positions across three dimensions. She only ever had to think about two legs doing that. As a result she had to remember to move her front legs slightly first -then- her back legs when the front legs were half way position. As long as she moved slowly she could do this.
She glanced back suddenly a bit anxious of the fact that she was still naked even if she had everything covered by fur. Ms. Collins didn't seem to take any notice of it.. maybe because she was a girl too? Or was she just being polite.. Was she right though? Would her father really well it wasn't impossible. A push with her forehead and the door to her room swung open, as she clambered up to her bed. More of that sickening smell.. though she had come to realise it was her old smell her old body, lingering here much like everything else.
She clawed open her drawer, using her nail to hook into the soft wood like it was paper. She pulled the claw out and saw her underwear, shirts, socks.. not exactly in a tidy fashion. She looked at it all with growing distress and the well of tears threatened to burst again. She hunched lower under her bed and with a few swipes pulled out a box. A few documents were inside.. birth certificate and some of his earlier grades.. a few photos of himself as a child when his parents were together..
"Can I help?" called Ms. Collins from downstairs, still somehow gentle despite throwing her voice some distance. "You know there is no rush "
Biff felt a bit territorial about her room. "I know I- it's just- I need to think-" she could feel herself gasping. She didn't want- "Just- maybe just in case could.. could you help me pack.."
The new sphinx heard the sound of footsteps, and even the scent before she was at her door. Soon Ms. Collins walked in, her fox-tail swishing behind her. She looked around the room with a small smile as if somehow seeing something funny. Not that Biff was amused by anything at this point. "I want to take this box.. and my football-"
"A football?" Ms. Collins arched an eyebrow.
"Yes a football!" Biff snapped but- tried to regain her composure. "...and.. could you carry my guitar? It's a bit too big to put in the box."
Ms. Collins's tail twitched at the request. She slung the guitar over her shoulders carefully, the strings slightly vibrating. She pursed her lips a little, not wanting to tell the sphinx that she might not be able to play it- well- maybe "Of course. Anything else?"
Biff thought about it looking around. What more was there to take? ... nothing. Nothing in this room was any good for her current body. She didn't know what else she needed but she could always come back. " I just need to use the bathroom- no- I don't need help with that." somewhat hurt still with her pride she walked out of her room.
Ms. Collins took the box with a shake of her head, and carefully waited in the hallway just in case.
Mikey stared up at Jon, with a mix of fear and worry. She didn't see anything that resembled disgust on her older siebling, but the young girl felt- well- she wasn't sure. What did she feel? Confused.. and hurt- or was she supposed to feel hurt, when there was no pain at all. She pulled her wing to the front, gazing at the red feathers with their strange softness and curious patterns. She felt the way her feathers on her front felt.. odd, covering her in a way that seemed a touch feminine. Inspecting her 'hand' she found it couldn't be rotated as much as a wrist, with the bones feeling fused into position. She tried to move her 'fingers'. "I can't move my hand Jon-"
Of course, it was obvious that she had also become a girl. However given Mikey's age and both Jon and Karyn felt.. protective, it was difficult to know how to explain this or point this out. Did Mikey even know herself? In the end, Jon simply reached out and gave a warm hug to his younger brother now turned sister.
Mikey cried on Jon's shoulder. She sniffled upset. "It's- It's not going to do anything more to me.. is it?" she looked with wide eyed fear.
"No," said Karyn behind Jon. "The nurse said.. your case is permanent.. so.. that's a good bet you wont change any more."
"I'm- I'm a- a g-girl.." Mikey cried again. "I'm sorry.. I- I'm not your brother an- any m-"
"Mikey," Jon held her tightly. "I'm your big brother. You're my little brother, or whatever you want to be."
Mikey blinked her tears then stared blankly. "I- I don't have to be a- a girl?" Mikey asked confused. "Even though I-"
Karyn rubbed her head. She knew how messed up this could be. "Mikey? Er- Jon why don't you to sit down for a bit.. I'll make us a bit of tea.."
Karyn boiled the kettle wondering what she could possibly say for Mikey. She knew the next few minutes would be crucial and.. she also knew Jon was not in any position to really offer advice. She didn't want to but into stuff that wasn't her buisness directly but was she able to smooth things over for Mikey?
She returned to the living room.
"I don't want to be a girl!" Mikey protested. "I'm not a girl! I'm not a bird!"
Karyn sighed. Well this was it."Mikey?"
Mikey looked to Karyn still upset. "What!"
She sat down next to him. "What I'm about to tell you is.. horribly complicated, but I'm going to try and make it simple. I need you to trust me though."
" " Mikey frowned then glanced at Jon.
"You can trust Karyn," said Jon. "She's always been right for me."
"Well.. okay What.. should I do?" Mikey asked.
"Well That stuff you feel I'm no expert but I think it's best if you don't focus on it. If you obsess over something that can not be changed.. it will hurt you."
"But I- I know I'm a boy-"
"I know you are too Your experiences up to now have been as a boy... and now you get to experience life as a girl. I did, and its not really that different or even that bad. It has its own challenges.. you might even enjoy it?"
" I don't see how." Mikey frowned flexing one of her talons. "I want my feet, my hands, I want to be normal again."
"You are normal.." Jon said quickly. "Mikey, regardless of what you are I'm still your brother."
"You don't know what this is like though! You can't ever know-" She sniffled.
Karyn sighed. "It's true, Jon can't know but we can imagine it. I mean I know what I would feel if I was turned into a cat-boy. Heh.. It didn't happen but- okay look- I want you to consider one possibility here..."
Mikey looked to Karyn listening.
"I can't tell you what the meaning of life is I can't tell you to not worry if you are going to worry heck I might be completely wrong- but- I choose to believe the universe is -not- a horrible place. That everything we experience adds something something important the myst did this to you but- is it random? I don't think so if there is a reason though it's got to be something for you to find it might take a few years, but Mikey- just enjoy life okay? You're only a girl, like half the population.. and you are a unique girl, unlike anyone else."
Jon glanced to Karyn. He half wondered how much of that Karyn believed or.. was she saying that to help Mikey? He wasn't sure if he could believe his friend's words. Still.. why not accept them for now?
Mikey blinked. She didn't know what to say enjoy life? As a harpy girl? How? Wear silly dresses and- stuff? Still despite the loss of her hands she didn't feel completely helpless.. her talons were pretty good. "I- I guess okay.. I'll try..."
