Julian smelled the scent of the moon all over the clothing. He knew this robe had to be magical. He grinned just a little. Finally, something... he had gained something of great power. He could almost feel it. This cloth was as nothing from Earth, and those fools just left it hanging on a washing line!
The wolf had to go somewhere quiet to decide on his next move. Somewhere hidden. He hid behind some buildings away from the main-streets as he continued to examine the robe, smelling it.
So... what now?
"Well if it's magic, wear it," he said graining. That's how it usually worked right? Maybe then it would grant him some kind of magical power. Something he could use to increase his territory. Perhaps even to the moon, and knock that angel from her pedestal. Even to grant an immunity against her power, would be something. So many possibilities, but none of them would be realised unless he tried to put it on.
Steeling himself he started to slip the smooth robe over his body. It felt a little strange, and a little too loose on the top for a robe. Still he concentrated on the goal. Power, power to reach the depths of space... power against those with magical power. A fact he had been educated on.
The wolf could feel something happen. It was a very strange sensation of static flowing across the robes. The completely alien material was reacting in some way to his body. Julian felt himself become tense- then suddenly... it happened.
The wolf was thrown into the ground by the sheer weight of the robes. It was like he was wearing a sheet of lead- no something even heavier. He howled as he hurt his back on the ground, straining to get up. He howled in pain. It was starting to become very difficult to breathe with the weight he had suddenly gained. With sheer muscle and force he got up from the ground, adrenaline pumping through him, defying the force that threatened to push him down in the dirt.
"Argh!" Was this some kind of test? He had to master the robe. That was it. At least he had proved he was not incorrect. These robes must be magic. "Damn it," he growled. "I am your master now... I want your power!"
The robe almost seemed to glow...
Mrs Gordon smiled as she placed her daughter on her knee, and started to do her hair. She was glad her daughter had hair to style instead of just fur. It didn't make sense but, what did these days? And such lovely curls she could do with it too! She styled her hair to try and show more of her shiny almond eyes.
Still she reminded herself of who Lilly used to be. She wasn't doing anything she didn't ask her to do before. Well- maybe just a 'little' more presentable. She was starting to wonder quite a bit now on the differences she used in raising her son and daughter. She meant well. However she couldn't escape that there were certain 'expectations' in society and of the particular mannerisms expected between the genders. It was just the thing that happened.
A boy was taught to suck it up, a girl was usually placated... not a hard fast rule of course, and highly dependent on the situation Mrs Gordon realised. yet being placated was exactly what Lilly didn't want. Conversely, when they tried to make her suck it up, to accept, it also back fired. Of course this was another thing an adult did for children. To try and 'enforce' their thinking in some way. Left on her own, the child just seemed to find some kind of understanding within herself. The conflict found a peaceful resolution. There was still the awkwardness in her eyes, but the little girl was doing 'okay'. She wasn't sure how much external influence was involved, or if Lilly had come to this state on her own, but it was a very welcome change.
After she was done with her hair, she moved on to brushing her fur, running it down the back untangling it.
Lilly imitated a strange chattering sound and covered her mouth embarrassed.
"I guess that means it feels better now," smiled Mrs Gordon.
Lilly could only blush more. "Y-Yeah," she said glancing back.
"You see you have to go with the fur, not against. Just brush yourself like this." Slowly Lilly was educated on how best to keep her fur tidy. It wasn't as hard as one might imagine. The fur was reasonably short, though soft at the same time. There was just a lot of it especially on her tails.
She glanced at her mother's brush and was amazed and quite embarrassed at how many loose fur she had with bits sticking to it. Maybe she should take more care in the future. As she thought of that future though, a thought was crept in her mind. Of being like this forever... and what she hoped to be."Um-Mom?"
"yes sweety?"
Lilly drew a breath. "I- I was wonderin'... what... what if...um..."
"What if what honey? Tell me." Whatever it was seemed to be very difficult to say.
"Um- What if... I... became a... magic girl?" she asked biting her lip. "C-could I?" She was embarrassed to ask. It felt wrong to ask in some way.
Mrs Gordon frowned a little perplexed by the question. "You can be anything you want to sweety... but..." Why this question? It must have something to do with Jenny and Artemis. "Ah I can understand why you feel the need to be. Is it because you want to be like your friends?" It was quite obvious now that she thought about it.
"A- a little," Lilly said ashamed to admit it. "But- I also would like to help people too. I- I think I'd be good at it. I've seen lots of stuff an'... well... I'd be good at that."She had done well without magic so far. Didn't she?
Mrs Gordon sighed. "Sweetheart... they became magic. You... did not. It's nothing to be sad about though" said her mother holding her. The last thing she wanted Lilly to feel was inferior. Not after all the progress she had made. It was still such a delicate time for her.
Lilly looked down a little. "So- you f'ink I can't?" her large teeth touched her chin slightly as her expression changed.
Her mother tried her best to reassure her. "I honestly don't know. I think a lot of people would want to be magical though, and only a few might ever be. Otherwise we'd be hearing a lot more of it in the news."
the squirrel girl sighed a little. Sakura decided at this point to brush against her leg. Because of being just brushed, there was just the briefest static charge that arced between them making Lilly jump slightly. The little cat seemed eager to interrupt them. Lilly petted the kitten as her mother placed the brush back in bathroom cabinet. "But... if I'm a girl now... that's gotta mean I can be a magic girl. Right?" it was very simple childhood logic. That had to mean she was at least 'half way' there.
Mrs Gordon gave a little chuckle and sighed. "Oh if only it could be so simple," she said patting her head. "I like to think you became what you are for some reason though. Though from what I can tell, part of being a magic girl is being chosen too."
Lilly blinked. That was something she never thought about but it made sense. "H-How would I get chosen?"
"Well..." her mother had to think on that. She didn't watch quite as many magic-girl shows. However she did know the general idea- though she never heard of an 'animal magic girl'. Still that was no reason to deter her. "I would say you would have to be very selfless, think of others before yourself, be pure of heart... there are so many things you need to be. I guess most of it is just being a good girl. Do good deeds..." her mother bit her lip just a bit saying this. After all, it was something all mothers told their children in some way. If you are good you can get what you want...
Lilly listened intently but cast her eyes downward as her mother spoke of those credentials, she realised just how unworthy a magic girl she could be. She was a brat when she became this creature, jealous when another girl became best friends with her friend, and even though she is calmer now she still remembered how angry she was at everything, when all Jenny showed was simple love and affection, even for Lilly when she was angry. The squirrel girl was different now... but... it didn't change how she acted before. Did she already spoil any chance of it?
Lilly looked down then back up at her mother. "I... I wont get angry any more. I'll think of others an' I'll be a- a good girl" she promised. "I'm gonna do some good deeds today." That should also be a good start.
"You'll always be our family's magic girl Lilly," she said hugging her once more. "I suppose you can help me tidy up the kitchen and living room first."
The little girl eagerly got on with the chores as directed by her mother. Each job she thought, brought her just a little closer to the thought that maybe...
...just maybe...
