There are times in life in which we feel the need to change, either by obligation, choice, or to adapt to various changes in our environment. But, sometimes, there doesn’t need to be a big reason that we change; sometimes it’s just so we feel comfortable or at ease with either certain situations or with ourselves. I’m sure we’ve all be there at one point or another. However, this lovely kitty has her own story on change, it has been something that has both affected her, as well as her way of life.

Name: Shania Nefris
Species: Cat
Age: 30
Background: Under the birth given name of “Shawn”, Shania was born to two attentive and loving parents who always wished for their daughter to be happy and healthy. Shania lived in a small neighborhood with her parents where she lived the first 10 years of her life. During that time, Shania played with children of her small town; exploring whatever she was curious about and always eager to see something new and unexplained. Unfortunately, Shania would soon have to say goodbye to her friends and neighbors when her parents decided to move, leaving her old home behind.

After the move and making it to her new home, Shania was noticeably depressed having to leave the home she knew all of her life. Given her shy nature at the time, Shania was hesitant to talk to other children in the new town, and as a result spent most of the time playing by herself. After a while, Shania found herself exploring the house she would then be living in, at times simply searching for things to do. After a while of seeing nothing of interest, Shania decided to look in the new house’s basement and see what she could find there. After rummaging through old boxes and containers, the curious cat came across a box of girl’s clothing. Oddly enough the clothing was too small for Shania’s parents and looked to be about her size. Unbeknownst to Shania, before her birth, Shania’s parents were gifted various articles of clothing for their new child before her gender was officially known; most of which was too large for her at the time. However, upon Shania’s birth, the parents stored the extra clothing in their basement and forgot about it when she was finally born. Trying the garments on, Shania felt comfortable wearing them, more so than her normal ensemble; and as she tried each piece of attire on, she felt a strange yet soothing feeling wash over her, as if the clothing she was wearing felt right. After a while, Shania began wearing the clothing around the house as it made her happy and gave her an unexplainable sense of comfort. Though Shania’s parents were slightly confused by the attire their daughter choose to wear, they very rarely questioned it, and instead viewed it as their child playing.

Soon after this, Shania found herself venturing outside wearing the clothing she stumbled upon, only for her parents to urge her to change back to her “normal” clothing before she did anything. Due to the comfort the clothing gave her, Shania was noticeably upset by this, but did as her parents told her, with her displaying a notable shift in demeanor. After several instances of seeing their child discouraged that she couldn’t wear the clothing, Shania’s parents reluctantly relented and let her walk outside in the attire. Thrilled by this, Shania continued to dress in the girl’s clothing and explored the neighborhood to her hearts content. However, one day, as Shania was looking around, she came across a group of girls her age playing. Seeing Shania, the girls invited her to come and play with them. Though shy, Shania accepted the invite and played amongst the girls, only to find herself having an enjoyable afternoon. During the play session, one of the girls asked if Shania had any toys with her so she could play along as well, only for the cat to say no, as she didn’t particularly care for the toys she had. Seeing Shania as a new friend the more they played, the girl gifted her with one of her own toys, stating she could have it. Shania gladly accepted the new gift and quickly found herself enjoying it far more than her regular toys, as if it also felt right like the clothing she was wearing. Upon making it back home, Shania excitedly showed her parents the new toy she was given and how much she loved it. Seeing the new plaything, Shania’s parents told her that she shouldn’t be playing with something like that, but as they reached to take it from her, Shania instead snatched it away and guarded it as if protecting a precious treasure. It was then that both Shania’s mother and father were at a loss as what to do as they couldn’t understand what was going on through the mind of their child due to her apprehension to do things they thought were “normal”. Shania’s behavior caused her parents to seek out a child counselor and see if they could possibly get answers in regards to Shania’s behavior. After roughly 2 weeks, Shania and her parents found themselves before the counselor, with the latter two were ready to discuss what had been going on with their child.

As the counselor spoke to the family, he periodically asked Shania questions in regards to what she liked and why she liked the things she did. Shania would constantly state that she liked dressing in girls clothing and playing with girls toys because she felt comfortable doing so. Giving Shania a warm smile and thanking her for talking to him, he told the young cat to wait for her parents in the lobby with the receptionist. After leaving the room, the counselor told Shania’s parents that the behavior she exhibited could possibly be a phase and that it was best not disparage or deprive Shania of the things she enjoyed, or else she may end up resisting her parents and finding another source to gain the level of comfort she felt. The counselor told Shania’s parents that the best thing they could do is encourage her, and maybe then she would grow out of the behavior. Shania’s parents thanked the counselor for his help and bid him farewell, ready to put his advice into motion.

What followed was Shania’s parents telling their child that she couldn’t wear the cloths any more due to them being old, stating they would instead buy her some new ones she liked. Hearing this, Shania was excited to see the new clothing her parents were going to buy her. Stopping by a nearby clothing store, Shania’s parents let her pick whatever she liked, with her choosing various dresses and other such clothing she expressed interest in. What followed was Shania dressing in the new attire, with it now being a regular occurrence. Seeing their child smile and play so vibrantly, filled Shania’s mother and father with warmth; however, when it came time for her to resume school, they became a bit uneasy. Fearing what might happen to Shania when she attended her new school, Shania’s parents preemptively talked with both the principal and teachers in order to explain their child’s circumstances and what was going on. Both parties understood and agreed to do their best with Shania as well as keep a relatively close eye on her to make sure nothing went wrong. Thanking the staff, Shania’s parents also insisted that they refer to her as “Shania” instead of her birth given name of “Shawn” to avoid any other suspicions. As the staff agreed to the parent’s terms, Shania’s mother and father left the school with a mild sense of relief but they knew that things were not yet over. After making the necessary preparations with the school, Shania’s parents then spoke to their daughter explaining her new name and other things to remember, even going on to say that at any point she wished to stop to simply tell them. Shania gladly agreed and was swiftly enrolled into her new school.

The morning of Shania’s first day was filled with both anxiety and uncertainty, with Shania being somewhat fearful about the new school, and her parents more than nervous as to what would happen. Shania’s mother helped her daughter get dressed with one of her new dresses and neatly combed her hair, reluctant but prepared to send her child off on her first day. Before dropping Shania off, Shania’s parents were more anxious than she was, with every possible worst-case scenario playing out in their distressed minds. However, as they could not be with her the entire day, Shania’s parents simply hoped for the best as they kissed their child on the cheek and drove away. Shania, tense about the school and her classmates, walked through the doors, unsure what the day would hold for her. Making use of the information she was given upon her enrollment, Shania managed to find her class where she was warmly welcomed by the teacher who directed her to her new seat. Following the sound of the first bell, the teacher greeted the entire class, informing them of the new student amongst them. The teacher then asked Shania to stand and introduce herself so that the class could get to know her. Shania, flustered, slowly stood up and with a trembling voice, greeted the class as best she could. All of the other students happily greeted Shania, which made her feel a bit more at ease. Though Shania was still a bit nervous, things would soon get better for her. Later that day, during recess, Shania was invited to play along with some of the other girls, some of whom she knew from the new neighborhood. Seeing familiar faces made Shania feel more comfortable, and it wasn’t long before her worries would soon melt away. When Shania’s parents came to pick up their child, they were both shocked but relieved to see her happily interacting with the other kids. Asking Shania about her first day, her parents were even more relieved to hear that she had a fun first day; something that gave them peace of mind. It was here that things progressed smoothly and Shania’s parents’ unease soon vanished. Shania would continue her school career smoothly, making friends and learning various things along the way. However, as time went on, Shania continued to dress in girls’ clothing and her mannerisms seemed to gradually change, in a way that seemed both natural and genuine for her. Even though Shania’s parents weren’t as uneasy or apprehensive about their child dressing in girlish clothing; they still expressed confusion regarding Shania’s behavior, especially due to how she was acting and the length of time she continued to do so. These thoughts caused Shania’s parents to schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist to see if there was a deeper reason for their child’s behavior.

Sitting with her parents in the doctor’s office, Shania was fearful as she had no idea why she was there, with the only comfort being her mother and father’s presence. Neither of Shania’s parents uttered a single word as the silence of the office was only mitigated by the soft tick of the clock. After a while, the doctor stepped through the door, breaking the hushed atmosphere of the room. Formally greeting the family, the doctor sat as his desk and silently went over a few sheets of paperwork. After finishing, the doctor looked up at Shania with a speculative glint in his eyes; but soon after he smiled warmly at her, giving her a comforting look that caused her unease to crumble away. The psychiatrist introduced himself and then asked Shania if she knew why she was there, only for her to say no. The doctor chuckled and said that Shania’s parents just wanted to see if she was alright due to having a few concerns. Asking Shania’s parents to step out for a moment, the doctor pulled out several slips of paper, stating he would be asking the young cat a few questions. The parents left with a somewhat fretful feeling, unsure of what the doctor would be asking their child; but due to his status as a professional, they had no other option but to trust him. After Shania’s parents left the room, the doctor asked Shania very casual questions in an effort to see what she was like. Shania answered to the best of her ability, and was excited to talk about the things she liked. It was only after that the psychiatrist began asking her why she liked wearing girlish clothing and playing with girls’ toys. Shania told the doctor that it felt very comfortable doing so, going on to state that playing with the things she had when she was younger and dressing in her “other” clothing made her feel abnormal. After hearing about the things she liked doing and the things she didn’t, the doctor was able to pinpoint the issue; but wanting to be sure, he asked several follow up questions. The doctor finished jotting down several notes and then asked Shania what she thought her gender was; only for Shania to say she was a girl. Hearing this, the doctor then asked if she ever felt like a boy and if anyone ever influenced her to think otherwise. Shania, answering no to both of the questions, told the doctor that she always felt like a girl. The doctor smiled and thanked Shania for her answers. After finishing, the psychiatrist asked Shania’s parents to come back into the office, and asked Shania to wait in the lobby while he spoke to her mother and father. Following the doctor’s directions, Shania walked out into the lobby and hugged her parents as they walked into the doctor’s office. As Shania’s parents took their seats, the doctor told them the various things their child had told him, going on to explain that mentally Shania was that of a young girl rather than a boy. The psychiatrist told Shania’s parents that while the condition was abnormal, it wasn’t too uncommon; and that raising Shania as their daughter rather than a son would be the best thing for her. Shania’s parents were taken aback by the turn of events; believing what at first seemed like a phase, was their child’s way of telling them how she felt in her heart. Shania’s parents agreed to the doctors’ orders of raising Shania as a girl, thanking him for his time and help. That day, Shania’s parents lost a son, but gained a daughter; and thought it would take time for them to fully adjust to the change, they were still happy to have their child with them.

As the years went on, Shania would continue her style of dress and presentation, and due to how natural it was for her and how she presented herself, no one so much as batted an eye, believing that she was just a normal girl, just like her earlier years. Even as Shania grew, her mother began teaching her various things that would help her as she got older such as how to apply makeup and style her hair; both of which Shania utilized to great effect. However, while things for Shania initially went well, it wasn’t until the later part of high school that issues began to arise and things grew difficult for her. During her junior year, Shania received a mysterious letter in her locker. Plucking the parchment from the locker slats, Shania silently read the letter, only for her heart to skip a beat. The letter was from a secret admirer that wanted to speak with her after school at a specified location. Shania was a stir with both excitement and anxiety, and though she briefly considered not showing up; she quickly reconsidered, eager to see who this admirer was. After school, Shania walked and waited at the specified location; and after several eerily uneventful minutes, Shania was greeted by the writer of the letter: a boy from her science class who had a secret crush on her. Shania was surprised by this due her already having feelings for the boy as well, but never having the courage to ask him out. The boy told Shania he had feelings for her and was wondering if she would go on a date with him. Shania, still taken aback by the unfolding events, eagerly said yes despite her burning cheeks preventing her from expressing the full extent of her joy. That same night, Shania told her parents about what happened, to which they expressed their own excitement and happiness for her. However, while Shania’s parents were indeed happy for their daughter, they felt an uncanny sense of unease regarding the situation resurface as if reliving an uncomfortable event. However, due to their skepticism being proven wrong in the past, Shania’s parents tried their best to ignore the feeling, believing everything would be alright in the end.

A week later, Shania met her date at the movie theater, where the two enjoyed a relaxing evening in each other’s company. The date ended with the two sharing a park bench, conversing about the movie and other topics at great length. After a while, the two agreed to keep seeing each other outside of school due to both of their schedule’s conflicting with one another’s; with the date ending with Shania giving her date a peck on the cheek. Parting ways, Shania couldn’t help but smile the entire way home, feeling her heart beat faster than it ever had; and upon making it home, she told her parents of how well her date went, only for them to be relieved once again.

Shania would proceed to go on several dates with her boyfriend, enjoying the time they spent together and cherishing the memories they created; but it was their final outing that would turn these sweet memories into bitter reminders of the past. After a fun filled day, Shania and boyfriend spent the evening out at the same park they rested at months prior. As Shania talked with her boyfriend, she told him how much she liked him, with the conversation ending with the two kissing passionately. However, this display of affection resulted in Shania’s date lightly caressing parts of her body, only for him to swiftly break the kiss and back off from her. Confused and alarmed, Shania’s date asked what she was, saying things such as she wasn’t a girl. Shania, told her boyfriend that she was a girl and tried to calm him down, only for him to deny her any time to explain. In a panic, Shania’s date ran off, ignoring her pleas for him to stop and listen. Devastated, Shania walked back home with her tears steadily falling onto the ground. After making it home, Shania’s parents asked why their daughter was so distressed, only for her to painfully recount the events prior. Shania’s parents comforted her and asked if she wanted them to talk to the boy’s parents, only for her to say no, believing it wouldn’t help. Instead, Shania, heartbroken, decided to go to bed early in an attempt to rid herself of the painful night. Over the rest of the weekend, Shania’s parents did whatever they could to comfort and cheer her up, only for their attempts to make little impact on her. Still hurt by her ordeal, Shania couldn’t express any emotion other than sadness and sorrow, with tears being the result of her remembering what happened to her. That following Monday, Shania told her parents that she didn’t feel well enough to go to school, knowing that she would come across the same boy who broke her heart. Shania’s parents understood fully and informed the school that their daughter wouldn’t be attending for several days due to being sick; with the principal and teachers acknowledging Shania’s absence.

Over the next couple of days, Shania tried her best to bring herself back from her depression, with various attempts failing. It wasn’t until the third day that Shania managed to let go of some of her pain, even if it was only a little. After a little longer, Shania felt somewhat better, and though she knew she would be able to avoid interacting with the boy for a while; she knew she couldn’t avoid him forever. Steadying herself, Shania went back to school, even if she was reluctant to do so. Saying bye to her parents, Shania went back to school and readied herself for the day. However, while things began normally, Shania began to take notice of some students giving her strange looks, while others whispered to others and silently pointing at her. Shania did her best to ignore the others but deep in her heart she sensed something was wrong and felt things were only going to get worse. It wasn’t until the near end of the day that her suspicions were confirmed when a small group of boys began making rude claims and accusations towards Shania. As Shania denied the various venom and hate thrown her way, she was able to quickly piece together what was going on. Quickly realizing that the boy she had been dating told various people about their final encounter, Shania ran away from her group of tormentors to search for him. The feeling of betrayal and remnants of heartache spiraled together in Shania’s mind, sending her into a frenzy of anguish and anger as she searched for the boy who betrayed her. After a moment of searching, Shania stumbled across the boy surrounded by a group of his friends. Confronting him, Shania frantically asked how he could betray her the way he did, only for him to say that he didn’t betray her, and that it was Shania that “betrayed” him. The boy, in the company of his friends, exclaimed how Shania tricked him, “pretending” to be a girl. When Shania insisted that she was a girl, the boy told Shania that she wasn’t and that she was “deluding” herself. Shania still flustered by this, recounted the various things to two did together, asking if it meant anything; only for the boy to adamantly deny any such involvement with her. Instead, the boy made up a lie that Shania tried to seduce him, loudly proclaiming that he wasn’t into the same sex. This proclamation got the attention of various bystanders and it was during this time that the boy exclaimed how “weird” Shania was and how she wasn’t a girl, throwing any trace of suspicion or doubt of himself while simultaneously directing everyone’s attention to Shania.

Shania was dumbfounded, physically incapable of uttering a single word. She could feel everyone’s gaze fixated on her almost as if it was tangible; and as she glanced around the area, she could see puzzled eyes locked onto her and small groups whispering amongst themselves as they pointed at her. The attention and judgmental looks the other students were giving her, made Shania feel sick, and it was then that she felt an overwhelming pressure on her heart. Unable to give a rebuttal and with no way to remedy the situation, Shania fled the school with tears clouding her vision. Although school wasn’t over yet, Shania’s utter anguish and sorrow cast aside all consideration for the consequences. Making it home, Shania made her way to her room and locked the door behind her, burying herself underneath her covers as she wept uncontrollably. It wasn’t until an hour later that Shania’s parents came home, with her father informing Shania that he received a call from the principal saying that she just left school. However, his words could not reach Shania due to the sheer amount of grief in her heart. Knocking on the door and receiving no response, Shania’s father could easily sense something was wrong with his daughter, and when he tried to enter only to discover the door was locked, he immediately knew something wasn’t right. Shania’s mom, gently knocked on the door and asked her daughter to open it as they just wanted to talk. Despite her desire to not to do so, Shania apprehensively unlocked her door so her parents could enter. Turning on the lights, Shania’s mother and father immediately took notice of their daughter’s puffy red eyes and the moisture that coated them. Shania’s parents instantly took to their daughter, asking what happened. Through her tears and straining voice, Shania told her parents what happened at school and how she was humiliated, explaining that that was the reason she left early. While her mother continued to comfort Shania, Shania’s father was livid and immediately went to call the school. Shania explained that she didn’t want to go back to school after the day she had, and even though her mother understood why; she said she couldn’t simply quit school.

After a while, Shania’s father returned explaining how he talked to the principal and how things were going to be dealt with. Despite this, Shania felt no better and utterly dreaded returning to school. Shania pleaded desperately to her parents stating she didn’t want to go back to school and how others treated her. Unfortunately, Shania’s parents explained how she couldn’t simply drop out of school given how close she was to graduating and stated that enrolling into a new one would be a difficult task due to no other school being close. Shania could feel her tears welling up again, but Shania’s father assured her things would be alright and the school staff would make sure she was safe. Though Shania took her father’s words to heart, it ultimately did very little to heal her emotional wounds. Still sensing her daughter’s distress, Shania’s mother told her daughter that she would prepare her favorite meal to help comfort her, something that made her smile, if only slightly.

Over dinner, Shania and her parents talked about what the principal had said and how the staff would help better the situation, not wanting her to feel like an outcast. Despite this, Shania was still unsure about going back to school at that point. However, Shania’s father asked his daughter if she would go back to school and make it through the rest of her courses. Shania, despite not wanting to, promised her dad that she would continue school, even if both her mind and heart felt differently about the whole situation. The next day, Shania went back to school, but her fears quickly began to overwhelm her. Despite this, she fought back her desire to turn and run and pressed forward, remembering the promise she made to her father. Upon reaching school, paranoia set in with Shania and though no one was watching her, she felt otherwise and throughout the day remained tense and apprehensive. Before she left that day, Shania was pulled aside by the principal who informed her of what he and the staff would be doing in order to prevent another incident from occurring, and what she should do if she ever felt threatened again. Hearing this, Shania felt somewhat calmer but her apprehension still held tightly onto her mind. Thanking the principal for his help, Shania walked back home, her heart still filled with dread. Over the weeks that followed, Shania continued her school life, but there were times in which she was bullied slightly by other students due to being different. Shania would frequently report these encounters and the staff would deal with them accordingly, but it wasn’t long before things reached a climax.

One day, Shania had to stay late to finish several assignments; and with much of the staff gone for night, she was one of the few people still there. After finishing up, Shania left, but before she could leave the school grounds, she encountered a small group of students, all of whom she had reported for bullying her days prior; including the boy she had dated weeks ago. The students expressed their anger with Shania for getting them in trouble, when they claimed that she was the issue due to her not being “normal”. Unbeknownst to Shania, some of the students knew she had to stay late, and as a result, found the opportunity perfect to get their “revenge” on her. What followed was Shania being chased, captured, and beaten by the small group of students, all the while they shouted disparaging and caustic remarks, claiming that she was a freak. The encounter left Shania on the ground weeping with varying injuries, with her self-esteem being the most damaged. It wasn’t until an hour later that Shania was found by two girls who went to Shania’s school. Seeing the injured feline, the girls ran and helped Shania up and thought it was hard to understand her through her tears and spastic breathing, they were able to help her back home. After reaching Shania’s house, the girls frantically knocked on the door, only to be greeted by Shania’s parents who immediately took note of their daughter’s disheveled appearance. Alarmed by this, Shania’s mother quickly embraced her daughter with the father asking the two girls what happened to Shania. The girls told Shania’s father they didn’t know what happened and that they found her in the condition. Shania’s father thanked the girls for bringing Shania back home, and immediately went to see about his daughter. Helping Shania upstairs, Shania’s father asked his daughter who did this too her, only for her to say she was beaten up by some kids from school. Hearing this, Shania’s father was beside himself with anger and decided he would be taking matters into his own hands. While Shania’s mother helped to clean up her dirtied daughter, Shania’s father told his daughter that they would be heading to the school and talking with the principal personally, stating how it was unacceptable how Shania was being treated. Hearing this, Shania expressed her refusal to go back to school as she didn’t want to face anyone ever again. Shania’s mother and father told her that this time nothing would happen to her as they would be there and they would make sure something was done about the entire situation. Hearing this, Shania could only smile slightly, but her fears had already taken root in her heart, refusing to loosen its grip.

The next morning, Shania, along with her parents drove to the school, with the latter determined to see action taken against those who wronged their kin. Shania’s father, still furious at how his daughter was treated, marched towards the principal’s office, eager to get results and justice for his child. Knocking on the door to the principal’s office, Shania’s father waited with fuming anger while his wife and daughter waited back. Upon opening the door, the principal was greeted with Shania’s father asking why his daughter was attacked, stating he gave his word that she would be kept safe. The principal shocked by this, invited Shania and her family inside to discuss the matter, with the former dreading the end results. After a lengthy conversation with Shania’s mother and father, the principal laid a school photo on his desk and asked Shania if she could identify her assailants. Her memory still vivid from the incident, Shania was able to point out the entire group who attacked her, going on to recount the things they said during their assault. The principal thanked Shania and assured her and her family that disciplinary action would be taken given how organized the attack seemed and due to it also being an act of intolerance. Shania’s father, not satisfied until he knew what the punishment was, asked what would become of the bullies. The principal told the family that due to the nature of the attack and the school’s policy regarding these matters, the bullies would be getting expelled from school immediately. The principal apologized deeply to Shania and her parents, stating that it was unacceptable that this happened. The principal asked Shania when she might be ready to come back to school, only for her break down and say she didn’t want to come back. As her tears of sorrow fell, Shania expressed her fear in coming back to school given how she was being treated, even going so far as to question what would prevent a similar incident from happening again. The principal, despite wanting Shania to continue, understood her fears and instead gave her an option that had only been explored several times in the past.

The principal told Shania, that he understood her, and told her that there was a way she could continue her education. The principal told Shania that she would still be enrolled at the school but she could continue her education at home with someone, be it family or trusted friend, delivering the assignments she would need to complete each day. The principal asked Shania if she was ok with that, only to receive an immediate yes given the circumstances and her lack of willingness to come back to school. The principal proceeded to fill out several forms and handed them to Shania’s parents, while asking the cat if she had anyone she trusted enough to deliver materials to her. Thinking for a moment, Shania could only really think of 2 people aside from her parents. Though her memory was somewhat vague, Shania looked back at the school photo and was able to pick out the two girls who helped her back home. Feeling as if she might be able to trust them, Shania picked them to deliver her work to her. Seeing her choices, the principal proceeded to call the two to his office. After a moment of waiting, the two girls arrived, where the principal proceeded to explain the situation and give them their tasks in helping Shania. The two girls gladly accepted the task bestowed upon them and stated it was no problem as they already knew where Shania lived and attended the same classes as her. Thanking the two girls, the principal dismissed them and told them to be back at his office at a later time to claim Shania’s work. After finishing several forms, the principal told Shania that she could clean out her locker and apologized deeply again for everything that had happened. Leaving the office and swiftly fetching all of her belongings, Shania returned to her parents who were ready to take her back home. Saying goodbye to the principal, Shania left with her parents, relieved she didn’t have to return. On the ride back, Shania’s parents explained how things would be go now that she would no longer be going to school, with Shania understanding what was expected of her.

For the next few weeks, Shania would continue her education from the comfort of her home, being visited in the afternoon by the girls she met, who diligently delivered her work every day. However, while Shania no longer felt like she was in danger, her heart continued to ache and her mind grew restless. Thinking about the things the bullies said to her about her not being a girl and the various slurs tossed at her caused her to feel depressed and anxious, even though nothing was happening. After a while, Shania’s parents picked up on this and asked why she was so distraught. Shania told her parents about what the bullies told her about not being a girl and how she felt she was, but also talked about how she didn’t look like other girls her age. Shania’s parents, not wanting Shania to feel this way, told their daughter that they knew of a procedure that would help her truly look the way she felt; not revealing it before due to not knowing if she truly wanted to go through with it. Shania, curious, asked if it was possible to see about it; to which her parents said yes. A week later, Shania, once again found herself in a doctor’s office with her parents, eagerly waiting to see what she would have to do in order to look the way she felt. The doctor walked in and shook each family member’s hand before sitting in his chair. Wasting no time, the doctor spoke to Shania stating various risks and procedures that she would need to undergo, along with the time frame for things to be complete. Though the amount of procedures seemed daunting, Shania had made up her mind to see things through. The doctor then gave the family a price range for everything, which caused Shania’s heart to sink. The doctor told Shania that he understood that price was a bit daunting but explained that they could set up a plan for everything. Shania’s mother then interjected stating that Shania couldn’t do the procedures right away due to still being in school, but stated as soon as she graduated, they would set everything up. Hearing this, Shania smiled vibrantly, ready to get the body that best matched what was in her heart. The promise of undergoing the procedures mentioned made Shania anxious, but the results filled her with childlike anticipation; but before she could think about that, she knew she would have to finish her school work first!

Over the following weeks, Shania worked diligently with her studies to ensure nothing got in the way of her finishing her school work. However, one day, the girls who had been bringing Shania her work, asked if it would be ok to work with her. Though cautious at first, Shania stated it was alright, inviting the 2 in shortly after. As the 3 girls worked, Shania felt unease surface given the other’s presence, not knowing if they were like the group who attacked her; and as a result, Shania rarely spoke. One of the girls however, spoke to Shania asking if she was ok after the ordeal, apologizing for not asking after so much time had passed. Shania, told the girl that she was indeed ok, despite still being a bit rattled by the situation. The other girl, told Shania it wasn’t right for the group to attack her just because she was different. These words, while laced with sincerity and genuine concern, triggered anxiety in Shania; as it told her that the girls she was with already knew that she was different. Every instinct told Shania to tell the girls that she wasn’t feeling well and hopefully get them to leave, but deep in her heart, she didn’t feel it was right. Realizing that the two with her hadn’t ridiculed, mocked, or attacked her despite knowing the truth; coupled with the fact that they helped her after she was assaulted, made her rethink her decision. Shania, nervously thanked the two for the help and tolerance and continued to work. Sensing Shania’s nervousness, the girls began asking her various questions and casually chatting with her; and overtime she became much more comfortable. The girls listened to everything Shania said and not once did they treat her like an outcast, instead acting very genuine with her. After the study session, Shania said goodbye to the girls and felt a sense of comfort she hadn’t felt in a while. This comfort would be the turning point for Shania as she would soon gain much more from the acceptance and company these two schoolmates provided.

Over the following weeks, Shania would continually talk and associate with the two girls, and overtime they formed a firm friendship. It wasn’t long after that Shania would find herself spending time with her new friends outside of doing classwork, going to events and outings that they all enjoyed, with the girls giving Shania various tips and advice. Everything seemed to be going wonderfully, until Shania overheard some distressing news. One night when Shania was getting ready for bed, she overhead her parents discussing the money needed for their daughter’s procedure and how it could cause financial issues at certain points, but expressed their desire to get the money so Shania would be happy. Overhearing this, Shania began to think about how much her parents had done for her, and felt guilty putting them through struggle so she could be happy. The next day, Shania spoke with her friends about the matter, only for them to tell her that she should try paying for the procedure herself. Shania thought to herself and soon realized now that she wasn’t going to school, that it would be a perfect time to get a job. So, with the end goal in mind, Shania set off with her friends and began going to various stores, filling out applications at any place that was hiring. After several weeks of waiting and several rejections, Shania was eventually hired at a small clothing store. Happy to get the job, Shania set aside a strict schedule to follow so that she could work efficiently and not fall behind in her work.

Over the following weeks, Shania worked as retail employee and continued her school work, always making sure she had time enough for friends and family. Shania was determined to pay for the procedure by herself so that she could alleviate some of the stress her parents were experiencing. However, as Shania continued to work and study, she soon began reflecting on much of her life, soon realizing that she would often times do things with her parents and felt as if she was TOO dependent on them. This realization sparked a drive in Shania as she wanted to become more independent. From this thinking, Shania then felt the desire to leave home after school and live a life on her own. After coming to this realization and much more self-reflection, Shania told her parents what she set out to do; only for them to express how proud they were of her and how much they supported her.

After finally graduating high school, Shania had more than enough money saved to get a small apartment closer to her job and the doctor’s office. Saying her final farewells and kissing her family goodbye, Shania packed her belongings and headed off to her new home, ready to start her new life. After settling in and getting several things for her new home, Shania made a plan to pay for her procedures and keep everything in balance. After saving as much as she could for several months, all the while rationing her expenses, Shania went back to the doctor to talk about the procedure she would undertake. However, upon talking to the doctor and all of her saving, Shania was still short of what she needed. Frustrated by this, Shania asked the doctor if there was any way she could pay for the procedure or possible alternatives. The doctor gave Shania as somewhat unsure look and told her that there was another way that was FREE, but the downside was it was highly experimental; going on to say the ONLY reason it was free was due to it being untested and therefore not approved. The doctor said that there was another hospital that had been performing research on an alternate procedure but required a willing test subject in order to see if it worked. The only reason the doctor never mentioned it was due to the alternative method constantly being turned down as no one wanted to risk it. The doctor then asked if Shania was willing to try it, then he would give the hospital a call and have them set up an appointment with her. Shania thought for a moment and considered the options, but after a while she made the decision to go through with the alternative, seeing as it would be a much cheaper option and would possibly allow her to get the appearance she wanted. The doctor thanked Shania for her choice and released her with the promise of a call from the hospital at a later date and time. Thanking the doctor for his help, Shania left the office with a bizarre mix of uncertainty and eagerness.

A week later, during Shania’s shift, she received a call from a number she never saw before. As Shania answered the call, the voice on the other line introduced himself as a doctor from another hospital. The doctor informed Shania that he understood she was willing to undergo the experimental procedure that the other doctor told her about, and as such wanted to see her as soon as possible. Shania confirmed that she was indeed ready to try the procedure, to which the doctor excitedly expressed gratitude. Giving Shania a specified address, the doctor told her to meet with him at a specific time the following day, as well as who to ask for. Jotting down the address and time, Shania agreed to meet with the doctor, to which he expressed his enthusiasm to have her. The next day, Shania drove to the specified location, only to find herself in an unfamiliar city, with the trip taking over an hour to reach. As Shania approached the hospital, she took note of how nice it looked and how upscale the area around her seemed, putting her more at ease. Stepping through the door and making her way to the reception desk, Shania gave the receptionist her name, the reason for her visit, and the doctors name who asked to see her. The receptionist took down Shania’s information and instructed her to take a seat in the waiting room while she paged the doctor. Thanking the receptionist, Shania nervously sat in one of the open seats, fidgeting with her dress as she waited. Shania’s mind began to go wild with thoughts about the procedure and the side effects. The more Shania thought about everything, her mind spiraling in a vortex or thoughts and possible scenarios. As Shania began to delve deeper into thought, she felt someone touch her shoulder, startling her and breaking her out of her frantic thoughts. Looking up to see a doctor greeting her with a sincere smile. Asking if Shania was alright, the doctor introduced himself and thanked the startled cat for meeting him, stating how much she was helping out given her willing participation. Asking Shania to follow him, the doctor guided the recovering feline to a fairly large office with various doctors walking about. Sitting Shania down in one of several chairs in front of his desk, the doctor took a seat and immediately began talking to her.

The doctor explained to Shania that she would be taking part in the testing of a new experimental drug meant to replace more than half the steps needed for a successful transition; stating that it would be a bit more “involved” than the standard practices. The doctor told Shania that if she was having second thoughts they wouldn’t continue further, but told her that if she chose to continue, she would be helping a great deal. Shania thought for a moment, but soon found herself saying she would like to continue on with the procedure. Thrilled, the doctor handed her several stacks of forms, asking her to fill them out and as she did, he would be explaining them in detail. Over the course of several hours, Shania filled out form after form as the doctor explained the reasoning for them. Waivers, personal history, release information, and legal documentation was only a small portion of the paperwork Shania had to fill out, but after signing the final piece of paper, she felt an undeniable sense of relief. After finishing, the doctor thanked Shania dearly; after which he directed her to follow him to the exam room. Asking Shania to strip, the doctor followed up by asking the cat various questions about her health and took her measurements in order to accurately get data. After finishing, the doctor left for a moment and came back with a small tray that held a small bottle of pills and a syringe. The doctor then proceeded to give Shania explicit instructions on how to take the pills, the possible side effects, and what she would need to do in case of an emergency. The doctor told Shania that the batch that was currently made would last 6 months, and that was how long the entire procedure would take. Preparing the needle, the doctor told Shania she would have to come back to the office biweekly in order to receive the next dose, which would also be the time in which he would check on her status. Giving her the first injection, the doctor again thanked Shania, giving her the pills she would need to take. After giving her a few more pieces of information, the doctor released Shania, reminding her to keep track of her dosage and her future appointments; but in addition, told her not to reveal any information about the procedure to anyone.

On the ride back home, Shania nervously thumbed the pills and felt a sense of both disbelief that she was getting ready to undergo the procedure she heard about, and anxiety about the end result; but as she had come this far, she wasn’t going to quit. Over the next 6 months, Shania would continue to live her daily life but was sure to maintain a strict schedule of taking the prescribed pills and seeing the doctor on specified dates. At first Shania felt tenderness and soreness in various parts of her body, but as time went on the feelings gradually lessened to the point that they ceased. As time went on Shania’s body underwent gradual, but easily recognizable changes; from her figure steadily getting slenderer and more feminine, to gaining both longer hair and slowly blooming breasts. The doctor took note of these changes, and recorded all the information, stating how well Shania was progressing. After the 6 months had concluded, Shania’s overall appearance and figure was drastically different from what it once was, with both her and the doctor being surprised at the end result. Having come so far, Shania couldn’t help but admire her new figure and appearance. The doctor expressed his utmost excitement at the information he collected and how much Shania had helped him! However, the doctor didn’t want to prematurely celebrate and instead wanted to wait a few years to make sure there were no issues. Advising Shania to keep his contact information, the doctor bid Shania farewell, exclaiming how much the information would help in the mass production of the new drug. Saying goodbye to the doctor, Shania left the hospital with a smile.

Over the next couple of weeks, Shania showcased her new appearance to both her parents and friends, with shock or awe being a common response from both parties. However, regardless of the response, one thing was constant: everyone was happy for Shania. However, after claiming the figure and appearance that truly made her happy, Shania felt somewhat empty. Upon reflecting, Shania quickly realized that aside from working towards her initial goal of the procedure, she had no goal outside of that. It was after this thought process that Shania decided to further her education and improve herself, now that her confidence with her appearance and identity had been solidified.

For the next couple of years, Shania continued to proudly live her life, but during each moment, she devoted a great deal of time to improve herself; building upon her educational standing and her confidence, she underwent a metamorphosis that caused her to blossom from the unsure little girl she was before to a more confident and self-assured woman. However, even after finding her confidence, as if fate itself was proud of Shania, various events began falling into place for her; from gaining a better paying job at an upscale clothing store to a secondary position at a book store that helped her pay for her courses all the while allowing her to live somewhat comfortably. In addition, the drugs Shania had taken years back had been having a profound effect on her, allowing her body to steadily develop and change as she grew with no ill effects on her. As everything for Shania improved, she was able to look back on how far she came and the trials she endured, only to smile at where she was now; with her able to look forward to the future and all it held.

Personality: In her earlier years, Shania was a considerably shy and somewhat nervous individual, rarely associating with people on her own accord unless the circumstances allowed her to do so comfortably or she was required to do so. Despite this, Shania still displayed a friendly and non-confrontational demeanor, which allowed her to make friends fairly easy, an aspect that made communication somewhat easier for her. As a child, Shania was naturally curious about subjects and topics that were new to her and would more often than not jump at the chance to explore them, regardless of the subject matter. However, despite how cheerful she appeared on the surface, Shania held various insecurities about herself such as the feelings she held in her heart conflicting with her appearance and the body she had been born with. These feelings caused Shania a great deal of inner conflict that were only lessened when she was allowed to be herself and dress in a manner that she felt comfortable with. As a result of this, Shania would often display distress, anxiety, or frustration when she was not allowed to act the way she felt, as proven by her vexation when her parents temporarily forbade her from wearing the types of clothing that brought comfort to her.

However, during her later high school years, Shania’s inner turmoil grew worse when her secret was revealed by someone she believed she could trust. It was at this time, that Shania held a deep complex in regards to her gender identity due to how she felt when her physiology was compared to that of her peers; causing her to feel as if she was living a lie despite the feelings that were so prevalent within her. These feelings eventually led to Shania being unable to trust those around her for fear that she would be ridiculed and mocked because of how she felt, believing she was vastly different from someone who was considered “normal”. These feelings only worsened following the assault Shania suffered at the hands of some of her school mates, birthing a fear of associating with people almost entirely due to how different she believed herself to be and not wanting anyone to find out about her. The inner turmoil that Shania experienced caused her to effectively question various aspects of herself, which caused her to fear the feelings she held for so long. However, the continued support from her family and friends who viewed Shania for her heart rather than appearance, helped to ease her pain and help her come to terms with these feelings. It was after her transitioning process that Shania grew significantly happier and relaxed in her own skin, feeling as if her outer appearance perfectly reflected her heart and mind.

Since her transition, Shania has expressed an almost unwavering sense of comfort and security in both her appearance and body, and as such feels no need to hide her true self from people. For this reason, Shania finds it fairly easy to tell others about herself, especially if she wants to include that person in her life. Because of this, Shania believes in being honest and open with those she wants to be close to or those who wish to be closer with her. As a result, Shania can reveal various details about her past with little hesitation, including the trials she went through prior to her transition. In addition to this, Shania’s confidence has allowed her to abandon the notion of what other’s think of her, making it difficult to shake her; allowing her to take negativity and disrespect in stride. Even being accepted is something of very little concern to Shania as she knows full well that those who truly appreciate and respect her will want her company, meaning those who don’t, matter very little to her.

As an adult now, Shania displays a much more relaxed disposition along with a more assured and confident mindset that seems like an equal metamorphosis that mirrors her physical one. Shania is typically presented with a calm demeanor, but she retains a somewhat soft aura that still makes her approachable and fairly easy to talk to. Through her past experiences and growth, Shania has gained a great deal of maturity and knowledge that has aided her in both her mindset and continued development. This is easily noticeable in how Shania behaves as she is able to talk to people directly and openly regardless of the circumstances, something that she struggled with as a child. Complimenting her maturity is the manner Shania chooses to carry herself, as she is very social and polite, very rarely declining plans with friends and family members and is always willing to engage in conversation. Shania displays a good deal of intelligence and rational thinking, usually preferring to respond to things in a calmer more logical fashion, rather than letting her emotions speak for her. As such, Shania can come across as somewhat cultured and intellectual. However, despite choosing to act more logically, Shania is not above showing bouts of various emotions, and at times it can be hard for her to hide what she’s feeling depending on how great that feeling is.

Having grown and developed over the years, Shania has demonstrated that she has effectively put her past difficulties and pain behind her, as evident by her being able to readily talk and have an open dialogue about it. However, Shania has stated that despite these difficulties she has experienced, she doesn’t want pity and will often discourage people from doing so, sometimes getting visibly annoyed by those who do so despite her wishes. While she appreciates the sentiment, Shania’s acceptance of what happened in the past has effectively allowed her to move on, but not forget what has happened to her. Its due to this mindset that Shania isn’t bitter or adversarial, even if there are parts of her past she doesn’t fondly recall. The negativity that Shania has experienced before and after her transition, has caused her to gain a greater deal of patience when dealing with those she deems “ignorant” or “foolish” in her eyes; commonly stating she is not willing to entertain someone’s attempts to upset her or make her feel like an oddity. This thicker skin has allowed her to brush off any and all attacks on her person, usually showcasing an uncaring attitude during these moments. Another reason for this tolerance is due to Shania’s belief that those who choose to act in such a way or not worth getting mad at, given that they ultimately mean nothing to her. Shania has sometimes reveled in peoples attempts to mock her or make her feel insecure, at times chuckling openly at them out of pure amusement, insulting their attempts to break her down.

Although, Shania appears levelheaded a majority of the time and has a fair amount of patience when dealing with trying situations, she still has her limits when it comes to dealing with people and things she deems as “troublesome”. When reaching her limits, Shania can still maintain a calm, level headed temperament but she will start to take a nonchalant approach towards the issue, quickly deeming it as “not worth her time” and choosing to focus her energy on more pressing matters rather than something that comes across as bothersome. However, if sufficiently agitated, Shania will become slightly more aggressive in her responses, but will still maintain the same well-spoken and sensible demeanor she normally displays. During this time, Shania can be snide, snarky, and catty, delivering caustic and cutting remarks that while delivered with her usual calm demeanor, can be scathing and laced with venom. Shania will even incorporate a smug smirk and various hints of condescension to further add to whatever insult she’s issuing, at times delivering her response with a blatantly sarcastic or mocking tone. Shania will usually insult someone with an equal measure of both wit and sass, allowing her to say various remarks while still appearing calm and measured. It is also worth noting that Shania can resort to harsher language depending on her level of anger or frustration at the time.

Shania has expressed enjoyment with emotional ties with others regardless of whether or not they are positive or negative. The reason for this is due to Shania gaining more knowledge and experience about the people she knows she can and cannot trust, and as such learns to temper her beliefs about people accordingly, but not prematurely judge them. Shania is perfectly willing to let others into her life, happy to have the opportunity to gain new friends and companions. However, due to having been betrayed in the past by people she believed to be her friends, Shania will often times use her honesty as a pseudo “lie detector” to see who she can possibly trust, choosing to figure out who she can let close in the beginning instead of being hurt later on. For those who genuinely befriend Shania, will be treated to a more light hearted and casual side to her, as she is slightly more prone to joking and showcasing sincere forms of affection such as hugs and kisses on the cheek.

Despite having achieved a major goal in life, Shania still wishes to undertake many more endeavors to improve herself and her way of living, more than willing to see what awaits her in the future. Though she has gone through a fair amount of pain and conflict, Shania believes fervently that while her past inner struggles and anxieties have helped to shape her, they do no define her; knowing full well that the only things she needs to truly focus on is her present and future.


And there you have it folks, a new character for the roster, another beautiful lady and another pretty kitty to admire! This beautiful ref was done by my good buddy  rapps who did a simply marvelous job on her. I hope you all enjoy the first winner of character selection journal!

*TRIVIA: Shania is the only cat, let alone feline, that is devoid of any sort of supernatural/spiritual power.