(This was supposed to follow through nothingsp's interesting insight which I had previewed.)
Mikey slowly settled in class with the others changed by the ‘mist’. Mostly, she was curious about Amanda. The spider girl who said she was ‘born’ that way. It was not something she had really thought of before.. but then the mist did seem to be changing people more often… still… having someone born that way must be hard yet the spider girl looked pretty normal- besides having eight legs.
Amanda seemed rather quiet though it looked like everyone knew she was one of the born changed. (so technically not a changed?) Mikey decided now was a good a time as any to learn what the Mist was. “Miss?” she called out raising her wing. “What.. is the mist? What does it do?”
Miss Stella, the fairy on the desk perked up at that question. “Oh, well I suppose we might as well get a refresher on this.” She smiled as she pulled down a diagram on the top of the blackboard with a flutter of her wings. “So, who can tell me who the first Mist changed were?”
Dennis the cat boy, raised his hand first. “People think it was first recorded in Ancient Greece.” He said. “That’s why there are lots of legends there.”
The fairy nodded. “True, that is where it was first ‘recorded’. However, there is a belief that they have existed in small numbers in the past. Back in history, there would be one changed in each continent and would often get a rather privileged position-”
“Like fairies in England?” Asked Amanda giggling.
Miss Stella blushed a bit at that. “Yes, like that. “Or the Giant Sphinx of ancient Egypt… but sometimes they would also be considered devils like..”
“Like Amanda!” giggled Dennis.
“Hey!” Mikey stood up defending the spider-girl. “She’s not a monster-”
“No more then the rest of us,” The wolf-girl grumbled. “My dad told me people thought I would be a werewolf. I've no idea what they would have made of you though.” She said looking to Mikey. “Probably dinner?” she grinned with a wolfish snap of her muzzle.
Miss Stella made a slight spark of light explode. The sudden glimmer of.. oddness.. that made Mikey think of magic startled her. “Uh- H-how.. did she do that?”
“Tricks,” whispered Alice quickly. The rabbit girl was also thrilled to see it. “I’ll explain it later. Everyone has one or two..”
Miss Stella shook her head. “This stuff was all in the past. If I could show you the ‘population’ Diagram… here...” She showed a diagram that seemed to come in waves. “As you can see, there was only a very small number of changed people in history. There is no known cause or reason for it.. It was just something that happened.” She continued to explain. “People reacted in different ways, not all of them good...” she didn't want to think of the various ways people treated someone who became a fairy in the past- it gave her a slight shudder. Not all of it was good at all… “However, the important thing to see here is that it is rare in the past- very rare. We can probably estimate it happened with one in a million births.. given the population was less then five million- for the entire world”
Mikey imagined that.. an ancient world… if she had suddenly become a harpy back then. She shuddered at the thought. It made her glad she was born in this time after all.
“Now- this is where it gets ‘interesting’” the fairy gestured to the graph. “After the industrial revolution, the total population of the changed follows a ‘wave’ … Let’s say we have a population of three million. That means there are three changed in the world. Let’s assume they have normal life spans.. often they live a bit longer, but let’s assume this for the moment...” She often wondered how best to explain this to the children but it was important for them to know. “For some reason, the changes would just… stop. Nobody would be changed for many generations… but then later on, it would come back often in higher numbers.”
“I don’t get it,” said Alice. Her rabbit ears flopping down to the side. “So it’s a virus? Maybe they stopped getting sick?”
“It’s.. like a virus,” Stella mused. “Though I would be cautious calling it that. We are trying to find patterns in something when there might not be one. The mist is aptly named simply comes, then goes… but each time it comes back, it only affected a small number of the population- though recently, it’s been happening with far more frequency. We’re at the moment experiencing a larger then expected explosion in people changing.. some of them older teens, and in some very rare cases adults.”
Mikey raised her wing at that. “Miss? Why don’t adults change?”
Stella gave that some thought. “We’re… not all that sure.” She said grimly. “If it’s a virus, perhaps there is some kind of immunity going on but that doesn't seem to be the case.” Stella didn't want to suggest there was a god or… something else going on.
“Do adults that change have anything in common?” Asked Amanda suddenly.
“A few things,” The fairy admitted. “Though nobody really knows the connection…who knows.”
Mikey leaned into her desk. So… if changes were this rare… it meant that fundamentally humans expected to see other humans. When they saw her, they would see a freak…
“Miss?” Asked Amanda. The spider-girl suddenly thoughtful. “How come there are not many changed that have families in the past?”
“That is a very good question,” said Stella. “Sometimes they often did- that is if copulation was.. physically possible.” The fairy looked saddened for a moment. “Ahem- the result was usually a normal human… perhaps with one or two small traits of the parent, but these would diminish with time. If they found another changed with similar bodies then.. well.. we would get someone like yourself,” she said with a smile.
Amanda blushed at that. She never thought of herself as special, just because she was born from an egg. “So- could it be genetic then? Maybe people are reverting to what they once had?” Amanda asked curious still.
“Ha! It’s not impossible that there is something genetic going on, but it will take many generations for it to be mapped. Amanda, your mother is a spider girl, and your father is.. human I believe?”
“Uh huh,” she nodded.
“It’s very rare for you to be born as you are- but that makes you all the more special,” she nodded.
“Daddy always said he liked me as I am.”
It was the end of school now. Jon had to wait for Mikey. He was worried about her… he hoped this new class would be okay for her.
Jon was still unsettled by his quiet realization. What in the world was wrong with him? He felt.. well.. he wasn't sure. Maybe he was just a mixed up teenager with odd attractions but still- if had some ‘inkling’ that he could possibly be swayed by.. by…
“Hey Jon,” Karyn smiled. She noted his face and grew concerned. “All’s well? You worried about Mikey still?”
“Um- a- a little.” he admitted. “Hmm,..” she had a sudden thought. “You know, why don’t I walk you home? Mikey can go home with Zoe. Spend a little ‘sister-sister time’.”
Jon felt a bit conflicted on that. In their last talk, It felt like he didn't do a good job helping Mikey at all. He was her brother and.. Mikey was.. was… sort of taking a ‘different’ journey to him. Of course he wanted to be there for her too but… “I’m.. still her brother,” he said adamantly. “Even if she’s a girl.”
“I know,” said Karyn. “It’s just you look like you got something on your mind too. I’m all ears,” she said waving her cat triangle ears at him. Jon blushed suddenly at that making Karyn grin even more. “hehe… that always turned you red.”
Jon’s eyes suddenly widened. Did.. did she know about his feelings!? How weird it was to know he was attracted to.. to.. maybe Karyn would know. “Uh- maybe we can talk… I’ll let Zoe know to take care of Mikey.”
Jon had returned back to his house. He didn't say a word until they were alone. It would be a good hour or so. “Karyn? I.. um… don’t know quite how to… explain this.” He said quietly. “I need you to promise you’ll never ever- EVER say a word. Not one word about it to anyone. I just need to work out why I feel-”
“Whoa- slow down Jon,” Karyn sat down next to him. “Come on, what’s wrong?”
“… I… um… I met Biff.” he looked completely white as a sheet. He blanched a bit as he imagined that cute…
“Oh...” Karyn’s ears flattened. “What did he do? What did he say? Want me to get into a cat fight with her?” She teased. “Cats are pretty teritorial and she’s the new cat- so believe me I could-”
This made Jon grimace even more. “What? No! She was.. hurt… um… a bit sad… and… I… I uh...” He looked really unsettled. “… I found her… well… nice...”
Karyn looked at him. “Oh?” Karyn tilted her head. “So… what’s the problem?”
“She was.. er… I found her.. pretty.” Jon trailed off. It was hard to confess this. Wrong even… how could he feel such a thing to an animal… Karyn was one thing she looked human but- everything in his mind told him that what he was feeling with Biff had to be wrong. It had to be!
Karyn looked to Jon waiting for the punchline. “What- that’s it?”
“I found her pretty! She’s an animal though and I- I found her-”
The cat girl looked at her with her eyes widening. “Wait- you’re confusing the hell out of me Jon. What’s wrong with her being part animal?”
“It’s- It’s wrong!” Jon finally brought out. “I’m not some...”
Karyn looked at him with the lines forming between the dots. “Oh! I get it.. before you made your wish animal people didn't exist. I forget that sometimes.” She wasn't quite sure what to think. She didn't want to think her friend was some human ‘purist’ type… Jon had never had those kind of sentiments before. He was ‘normal’ .. .”It’s not wrong Jon…” She smiled. “To be honest, I would be worried if you didn't feel an attraction.” She waved her cat tail behind.
Jon placed a hand on his head. “Yeah.. what’s wrong with me...”
Karyn looked bemused. “Nothing. I mean- you’re a normal boy. You like girls, and you like animal girls. I think growing up I probably gave you a kink for cats.”
“I- huh?” Jon was surprised. “How? Why? I mean- HOW!”
“Well.. we are friends,” Karyn reminded. “We grew up together. When I first changed, we still hung out. You wanted to touch my cat ears..” she giggled in the memory. “Though I’m sure you would love to see a wolf or a cow-girl too.” she winked.
Jon looked shocked. Completely shocked by this turn of events. He was friends with a cat girl growing up so.. what else did they do? Did they kiss? Did he-“Oh God- that’s- What did we do Karyn?”
“Normal childhood stuff,” Karyn rolled her eyes. “We didn't do anything else besides being friends. You just.. happened to have a thing for cats after that, from what I observed. Maybe it was always in you? I don’t know… but I guess if we were friends and I had changed, some of you must have changed too… you just don’t remember it.”
Jon bit his lip. He had not changed but those around him had.. and maybe that even changed some of his instincts. “Well- glad I don’t have to follow it..” He shuddered at the idea of him being with… ‘Biff?’ Even if she was a cute sphinx- a- sphinx...
Biff’s first session with the councilor didn't go very well. She was not really up for being psycho-analyzed and being told all the things she couldn't do, and that her in ability didn't make her any less of a man- her anatomy did that quite well on its own, but even the councilor was trying to tell her to look beyond her physical form. It was all mumbo jumbo. Physical form was -everything-. He didn't believe much else.
“This will take some getting used to-” the councilor explained.
“You try walking on all fours bumping into someone’s ass.” Biff spat back.
The guidance councilor was a human… a young woman, with dark black hair. Sally Windmill was thin and pale, with bright red lip-stick. Biff found it distracting, because the smell of makeup was so artificial and just seemed to add to how ‘fake’ she felt this whole thing was.
“Biff, you just need to give yourself some time. You've been caught off guard… everyone has. The Mist doesn't normally change late teens-”
“Well it did!” She growled. “I was changed ‘as’ a kid when it hit me a second time.” She leaped off the seat.. her tail wildly flicking. “I don’t want to be this thing… I can’t do anything… I’m not even a man- do you even know what that feels like! You can’t possibly know… nobody can… don’t even try to tell me you can or anyone else can because I’m not them! I’m not one of those.. types.”
The councilor waited patiently. “… you are right Biff,” she said gently.
“What?”
“You are not like anyone else… and nobody can understand -specifically- what you would go through.”
Biff settled down at that. At least the councilor seemed to be hearing him out. “Right.. so what’s the point.”
“The point is to work out what you want to do… what is possible and what isn't possible- but remember the things in your own mind are under your control. I can teach you how to understand your feelings so you won’t resort to physical attacks- not that I don’t think you can handle it, but you are a -very- strong changed. Your body is fully capable of causing irreparable harm… I know you think many things right now.. but tell me, does Biff.. does this Biff honestly believe his pride is worth hurting someone over...”
Biff looked it over. He was no stranger to defending his pride. Someone messed with him, a swift punch and it was over. He was the typical alpha male.. strong and now he was made into something else… something others thought they could make fun of.. yet.. if he punched them in this body, he might very well tear their head off. “… I.. only wanted to make sure they knew not to mess with me.”
“I think the message was made quite clear today,” The woman said with a little smile.
“.. doesn't change that they think I’m a girl… I lost my girlfriend.. I lost.. everything- I can’t play my guitar. I can’t even sit down right to watch a football game. People think I’m the bloody mascot-”
“Forget what others think.. You can still do many things Biff… let’s just take this one day at a time okay? You can tell me anything you want, nothing will be said beyond these walls. Have a think on what bothers you most and let’s see if we can work through it. The most important question right now for you is.. if something is important, why is it important… try to consider this...”
Biff was now on her way home. Walking.. on all fours; down the street. She felt humiliated… a freak... but didn't let it show. It’s not as if anyone else could see her emotions so she just kept this snarl and stared straight to her destination.
Home for her now was Ms Collins’s house. She frowned a bit as she glanced at one other possession from her old house she had forgotten. She walked up to the side of it… “My car,” she placed her front paws onto the top of the window. It wasn't that fancy, more then what most teens his age would have certainly. A small car for when he felt the need to drive…
… he was feeling it. He just wanted to get away from here. “Where did I put that key...”
He went to Ms Collins’ house. Frowning a bit she knocked her large paws at the door. This was … worse then she thought. She was her freakin’ pet. That’s what it was.
“Hello Biff,” Smiled the fox-woman as she opened the door. “Come in.”
Biff went inside.
“How was school?”
“...Fine. I’m going out.”
Ms Collins smiled at that. The fox woman’s tail was almost animated with glee. “I’m so glad Biff! You should enjoy yourself. Going with any friends?”
“… no I’m just going out.” She muttered as she stomped her padded paws up the stairs.
Collins gave a sideways glance up. Something about this all felt odd. She wasn't sure what happened in school, though she could guess. It was… unusual for a teenager to suddenly change like this even if it was becoming more common. While she was technically her guardian, she didn't feel she could ask the teachers about it. Well- ‘maybe’ she could, but it would not go down well with the proud sphinx. She just had to be there for her. “Well, I’m making some dinner tonight,” She called up gently. “I’ll have it set on the table if you want anything.”
Inside her room. She started to slash her paws at one of her old jackets. A car-key was eventually freed. She fumbled with it in her paws before realizing this was not going to work.. and promptly put it in her mouth. The taste of metal and plastic was disgusting but she endured it. She just wanted to drive her car now…
Once more she crawled down the stairs. Her front paw felt awkward doing this, as if it was just a bit too short while her back legs caught up. It felt like she was getting almost used to it though.. finally she was at the front door. She looked up at Collins … trying to be patient.
“Oh- sorry yes.” She opened the door for her once more. “I’m sure I can work out something for the door later Biff.” She looked apologetically to her.
Biff didn't say a word. Not that she could with the key in her mouth. She just nodded and walked out. Being let out like some kind of pet was.. the worst feeling ever.
Finally, Biff could feel a bit of freedom. She wiggled and tugged at the key, biting into the button to release the lock. “Yuck!” she spat. Using her huge paws she was able to open the door. The smell of the interior caught her off guard. More of her ‘male’ scent… among other things. He could smell Sarah too… and… oil, gasoline, plastic, rubber… it was all so very offensive.
“Okay… how am I going to do this...” she crawled into the front seat, her front paws and legs taking up an awful lot of room. Her stretched out claws ripped into the fabric of the chair. “Damn it-” she cursed. Not to mention her wings, which took up a bit of space too. She kept each clasped towards her torso. Closing the door was another task that took a lot longer, at least an entire minute. She reached out, bit by bit. After a few swipes she was almost ready to give up. She stretched out her back legs, forcing one to the front… it was just -barely- enough to close the door.
“Key...” she mumbled with it still in her mouth. She spat it out, holding it between her claws. If she uses both of her paws she could just about put it in the ignition. Progress was slow… but she was almost there.
The next part was deciding how to actually reach the pedals. She surveyed her body, and started to push her back paws into the alcove of where a human’s legs would normally be. This was not at all comfortable for her back, which felt like it was suddenly completely in the wrong position. She adopted a more ‘standing’ position, leaning onto the steering wheel. She pushed the chair all the way back.. as far back as she could. This was.. a lot better. Though she struggled a bit standing on a single paw without losing her balance. Using a single wing, she leaned it onto the window steadied her.
“Why the heck did I have to get a shift stick,” she grumbled as she pushed at the key. The engine roared into life, vibrating through her body. Leaning into the steering wheel the sensation of her chest caught her… somewhat off guard. “Freakin’ hell!” She cursed. “Okay… no problem. You got this man.” She couldn't sit down but she was in a reasonable position now to work the car.
Slowly, the car started to move. Biff quietly grinned to herself. Her lion tail flicked in excitement on the back seat. Finally, she felt like she was.. normal.
