They were right. Living with the tail was a pain but eventually you get used to it. I spent a few days getting it caught on and in everything. From doors to knick knacks on tables, nothing was safe from me. Add the irritation of knocking everything over to the itchiness of the feathers in my pants and it was not a fun time. When I am the only one in the house, I ditch the pants and just wear my boxers around. This made it quite a bit more comfortable and easy. Although I try to avoid windows. 

 

So that’s standing solved. But sitting is a new game for me. There is not a single chair in my house that I can sit with my back against. I can sit on chairs sideways or sit on the armrest of the recliner/couch. But nothing that I can lean back against. Nothing we have has anything close to a design that would accommodate me. 

 

Even laying down is a multi step process. First I have to sit with a slight lean forward. Then I lay onto my side and roll into place on the bed. This is the only way I can find that gets my tail feathers to lay flat and straight against the bed. But it is what works and my only real options now. At least the weird dreams have stopped. Honestly I don't seem to really have any dreams whatsoever now. It's just eyes closed at night to eyes open in the morning.

 

I visited the AA crew the day after Jeremy arrived. Everyone was going about their normal day. Jeremy was quiet though, which is a way different to how he was in the short time I knew him prior to the changes. It seemed his mouth never stopped moving. Now, he never would even try to say a word. Instead he would only answer yes or no questions with a nod and point his hands. Anything beyond that required either texting or pen and paper. It’s just odd to see someone trying to ask for something when they have no words. At times it seems like he gets left out of some conversations without anyone realizing it.

 

Sometimes when he was really having difficulty getting his point out. He would repeat whatever motion or gesture again and again. When someone would finally guess right, you could hear him make those same odd sounds. I guess it was his only way of making his excitement known when he is finally understood. Like a game of charades, but never ending. Everyone was trying their best to accommodate him. But at times it could be 20 minutes before you realize the simple thing he was trying to say.

 

After talking with Nash, I learned he is essentially the designated person to go out in public. Matthew, Damien and Rylie pretty much just stay put in the house. Nash was almost thinking that maybe Jeremy could assist with errands. But then of course what happened, happened. He thought that maybe it would be annoying to ask Jeremy to help with a task that would require communication like that, especially in public. I offered to help him do running and he didn’t hesitate a moment on that offer. 

 

It’s been a week since the changes started. Nothing else has changed and everything seems to finally be getting into a groove. Nash picked me up from my house the next morning and we made our way to the local supermarket. Nash was an odd case when it came to his changes. Most people seemed to have had their changes more spread out across their body. Not Nash though, he was short for sure but still looked like a normal human. That is if a normal human had the bright red and black head of a cardinal. Down to the bottom of his neck were feathers, all the way up his face and to the top of his head was covered in red feathers. In the dead center of his face was a bright orange beak. His voice was slightly affected by it, not having lips and all, but his speech was surprisingly clear considering.

 

“Maybe I can leave the talking to you” he said with a chuckle. “They see me often enough as it is. Maybe a new face with me will help a bit” 

 

“Is there anything special you have to do for going out? Or do you have to do anything different?” I asked him.

 

“Ehh, not really. Some people just like to treat you a bit differently. Nothing awful, but they are not good at hiding it.” He said with a bit of a laugh.

 

“Well, I haven’t been out really since…. This” I said looking back at my tail.

 

“Yeah, it’s not as bad as people make it out to be. You’ll have people who stare but not many will say anything” Nash said.

 

“Do people… ever say anything?” I asked him

 

“Sometimes you’ll get the fella who decides that letting you know they don’t like your kind is better than whatever else they gotta do.” 

 

“Does that happen often?” I asked

 

“No, usually I pretend I can’t speak. Makes it easier than saying anything back. Just ignore them and keep on your way.” Nash said, looking over at me.

 

“Sounds like you have a bit of experience.” I said.

 

He chuckled to himself.

 

We pulled into the parking lot of the store. Nash and I got out and made our way to the doors. Once inside we walked to the grocery section. I couldn’t help but feel like something was off. Everywhere I looked it felt like people were watching us. I could see everyone’s motions in super clear vision. They would look towards us, as soon as I would look at them they would quickly turn away. If we walked into the same isle folks would move to a different isle. Maybe they couldn’t help but look? Not many hybrids go out in public.

 

“Are people avoiding us or is it just me?” I whispered to Nash.

 

“Maybe they are avoiding you. I haven’t been paying attention” Nash quipped.

 

“No, I mean people are staring and actively avoiding us.”

 

“Well yeah, I told you that’s how’d they be. Just don't pay them any attention and you’ll be fine.” Nash just kept walking and grabbing things as he went.

 

We kept navigating the store. Nash grabbed everything from cereal to fruit to sirloin. I still could feel people staring. I’ve never been one for attention but this was just creepy. We made it to the self checkout lanes and started walking towards one of the open terminals.

 

“Wait!” Nash said.

 

“I forgot the damn nuts. Ehh….Lyall can you go get a thing of unsalted peanuts?” Nash asked me.

 

“Oh sure. Unsalted nuts.” I said as I walked back towards the grocery section.

 

I made my way to isle 14, which was a snack isle. I found a large tube of peanuts but they were the salted kind. I kept searching the shelf until I found a large tin of unsalted nuts. I started to walk back when I heard a voice yell out.

 

“Find what you need?” The voice asked.

 

I turned to face him and reply back. But I saw his face. It was not exactly a friendly expression on his face. He had a slight smirk and was looking me dead in the eyes.

 

“Getting some nuts shifty?” He said in a heavily sarcastic tone.

 

I froze. With no clue how to react, my body did the first thing that came to mind.

 

“What?” I said blankly.

 

“You heard me shifty.” He said to me.

 

“Nuts? Yeah.”I said, stumbling over my words.

 

I felt a warmth rising up my back. I was getting worried. What if he was to do something? Do I run away? Do I fight him? 

 

He had an odd look overcome his face. He just stopped suddenly and turned around and walked away quickly. He rounded the corner and was gone. I turned around and started walking back to the register, still feeling hot. I saw Nash’s red head as I got closer. I handed him the container without saying a word.

 

“Oh your back, have trouble finding em?” He said looking at the can.

 

He looked up at me and after just a moment of looking at me, the feathers on top of his head stood up.

 

“Dude, you feeling ok? Did something happen?” Nash asked worried.

 

“I’m good. Just a thing. It's nothing” I said back trying to calm myself.

 

“It ain’t nothing dude. You got feathers all up your cheeks man.” 

 

I reached my hands up to my face. I could feel them. Soft, tiny feathers sticking out from my skin and laying back towards my ears. They ran off my face and down the sides and back of my neck. They kept going on down my shoulders to my biceps and down my back to meet with my tail. My legs were burning and itching.

 

Nash hurried along and finished ringing out. He grabbed me by the arm and practically dragged me to the car. He opened the side sliding door and sat me down inside. 

 

“Dude you need to try changing back NOW. No time to waste.” He was basically yelling at this point.

 

I tried to concentrate on myself. I tried to think about how I looked before. My smooth skin on my back. I could feel the feathers on my face slowly fall out. But they were not making haste as they ever so slowly fell. I felt my arms cool off, followed by my shoulders. The inside of Nash’s van was covered in small brown and white feathers. But he didn’t seem to care, or at least didn’t right now. He lifted the back of my shirt and was looking at my back, brushing feathers off.

 

“I think you got ‘em buddy. Maybe a little bit of growth upwards, but nothing terrible or really noticeable.” Nash said, sounding relieved himself.

 

“Ok that’s fine. I can deal with a tiny bit more” I said back. 

 

But, I could tell something still wasn’t right. My pants were irritating my legs like crazy. It felt like there was sand in my pants irritating my skin. I wanted so bad to just pull them off and get all the loose feathers out. But in public that’s not really an option. 

 

We drove back to the AA house. The drive had the irritation from my tail feathers and the loose feathers in my pants together. Once we got parked Nash told me to go ahead and get myself cleaned up. He worked on unloading the few things we picked up. I made my way to the upstairs bathroom. 

 

Once inside I pulled my pants off and stood in my boxers. My legs and pants were full of loose feathers. I tried brushing the feathers off my pants as best as possible. But they just clung to the fabric. Once they were decently clear, I started on my legs. Brushing and picking feathers off was easy, but definitely tedious.Once I got to the tops of my legs I dropped my boxers to my ankles. And brushed all the feathers free, well except for some. It seems any hair in my groin region was replaced by light cream colored feathers. These feathers also extended around my thighs to my rear, where they met up with my tail. 

 

All of my body parts all seemed to be intact, just surrounded by the feathers. I reached up and felt above my tail. Now I had feathers below, above and around where my tail hung from my back. While feeling for the extent of the feathers I did notice my butt was seemingly slimmer.

 

I pulled my hand out from beneath my tail as the whole idea of what was going on there both weirded me out. I tried to pick up all the small feathers off the ground and put them into the trash can. But while doing so, there was a quick knock on the door.

 

“Lyall? You almost done?” Rylie was asking through the door.

 

“In a minute! Trying to…do a thing” I quickly replied trying to think of somthing to say on the fly.

 

“Is everything ok? Do you need Damien?” She asked

 

“Yeah, no. I’m ok. I’m fine.” I said back.

 

I tried to pick them up quicker. But with the small size and vast number of them it was not an easy task. It felt like as soon as I would get a decent number they would just fall out of my hand as I picked more up. I started just shoving them in the little trash can. But they quickly took up too much space.

 

There was another knocking on the door.

 

“I’ll be done in a sec!” I yelled out.

 

“Lyall, is everything fine?” Damien asked.

 

Last thing I need is him worrying about me right now.

 

“Nash told me about what happened. Did anything stick?” Damien asked.

 

Well the cats out of the bag now. I dropped the small number of feathers in my hand. I got up and walked to the door. I unlocked the door and swung it open to see Damien standing right against it. Behind him was Rylie, Jeremy and Benji.

 

“Anything stick dude?” Damien asked.

 

I saw Rylie turn around to face away from me.

 

“Not his pants apparently” Rylie said loudly.

 

I looked down and realized I was standing nude in front of all of them. I reached my hand to cover myself. Just as I did I felt Damien grab my shoulder and lightly push me into the bathroom. As the door was shutting I heard a sound from the hallway from Jeremy.

 

The door slammed shut. Damien turned, locked the door and flipped a switch on the wall. The droning sound of the exhaust fan started. 

 

“Anyways, did anything stick?” Damien asked looking down at me.

 

“A little bit, could have been much worse though” I said looking down at my hand covering myself.

 

“Looks like a little on the legs and crotch. Did your body change anymore?” He asked, gesturing down.

 

“Uh.. yeah it’s all still fine. I think” I said back to him

 

“Well that’s up to you to find out. I really don't want to know any specifics” He said laughing a bit.

 

“It’s up my back a little too. It was way worse in the store, like to my face and stuff” I said trying to remember.

 

“Not a big deal. Get dressed and we can get back out there.” He said with a pat on my back.

 

I turned around and started pulling my boxers up.

 

“My advice though, you may want to skip the boxers. May get a bit uncomfortable with your pants. I won't tell anyone.” Damien said while looking away.

 

I took the boxers off my legs and pulled my stretchy jeans up. I turned around and Damien was picking up the last of the feathers. And throwing them in a bag. We stepped out to find no one at the stairs. On down we found everyone in the main room sitting and talking or trying too. 

 

I sat down but Damien stayed standing and walked over towards Nash.

 

“Nash, you mind driving me and Benjil? We are already a little late.” Damien asked, looking at Nash.

 

“Sure thing D.” He quickly stood up and walked towards the door.

 

Benji stood up and started making his way to the door more slowly. Damien walked up beside him and put his arm around his shoulder.

 

“We will be back later. If we don't make it back before y’all sleep. G’night” Damien said as they walked out the door.

 

The door shut with a click and it was silent in the house for the moment.

 

“So it's just us tonight then? Anyone have any ideas?” Matthew asked the little group of us on the couches.

 

“Kind of burned out of movies.” Rylie said.

 

“I’m just along for the ride” I said to him.

 

We looked at Jeremy who, of course, didn’t say a word and just stared.

 

“Great idea Jerm! Let’s order food and go from there.” Matthew said with a wink to Jeremy.

 

Jeremy looked at me and Rylie with a confused look. Matthew flipped out a phone and started typing on it. 

 

“Usual for you Ry?” He asked Rylie.

 

“What about you?” He asked, looking at me.

 

“I guess whatever you're getting” I said back.

 

“And you?” He looked over to Jeremy, who just looked at him.

 

Jeremy reached out a hand and was handed Matthews phone. He typed something in and handed it back. Matthew did some more typing on his phone before telling us it would be here soon.

 

We all sat around for a bit and tried to make small talk. I knew the elephant in the room was what happened at the store. Rylie was trying her best to ask about it without just straight asking about it.  After a few questions I just told her.

 

“I can just tell you what happened if that’s easier” 

 

“Sure, why not.” She asked while chuckling.

 

I told them everything I could remember. About the nuts, the guy, the warmth and the feathers. I did leave out how far the feathers stuck, but told them the extent of the initial changes. 

 

“Sounds like he didn’t like what he saw. Probably better for you anyways” Matthew said.

 

“Same reason I stay at home. I don't understand how Nash can deal with it.” Rylie added.

 

“Nash doesn’t seem to notice anything. He just goes without paying anyone any attention” I said back.

 

We decided to try and at least make an attempt to involve Jeremy. We tried pen and paper which is hard as conversations can just move too quickly. Eventually he quit trying and just continued to sit quietly. 

 

The doorbell rang. Matthew looked around at the group. Before pointing at me.

 

“You get to answer the door this time,” He said, looking at me.

 

“Why do you say that?” I asked him.

 

“You are the most human and most dressed” He said back with a smile.

 

I got up and answered the door. The delivery driver handed me a large bag. He seemed a little surprised at first, maybe a little hesitant. But I thanked him and he was on his way.

 

Matthew opened the bag and started distributing the food. I’m not entirely sure what it was or where he ordered it from but it smelled strongly of spice. Mine and Matthew’s was some kind of pork or chicken in a thick orange sauce. Matthew ate a piece so I figured I should at least try it. 

 

I put a piece in my mount and it was about the hottest thing I have eaten in my life. My mouth was burning from the spice and I felt my eyes tearing up. Matthew ate a second piece before looking at me with a funny look. 

 

“Lyall? You ok there dude?” He asked me.

 

The heat was more of a painful sting than any flavor. I tried to drink some water but nothing helped. The heat was burning my entire mouth and throat. 

 

“It’s HOT!” I yelled to Matthew.

 

“It’s got spice but it's not hot to me” Matthew said shrugging.

 

Rylie reached over with a fork and grabbed a piece. As soon as she put it in her mouth, she started saying the same thing.

 

“Damn, dude! That’s really hot!” Rylie said, trying to spit it out.

 

“Jerm, want to try a piece?” Matthew said laughing to Jeremy.

 

Jeremy shrugged and ate a piece. After a few moments he had no reaction. He just tilted his head and gave another shrug. 

 

“So either you guys can’t handle anything spicy or Jeremy and I are just the gods of spicy food?” Matthew was laughing. Jeremy started giggling as well.

 

“Whatever, freak” Rylie said, still trying to get rid of the burning in her mouth.

 

I could feel my phone vibrate. I pulled it out to check the notification. It was a text from Kole.

 

“Need to talk soon. Let me know when you can” it read.

 

“Everything cool?” I sent back.

 

“No.” The reply said, followed by a quick “More changes.”

 

I’m not sure what seemed off but his texts seemed to be a bit different from the usual. Not like how he would normally text. Something must really be wrong.

 

“I’ll be over” I sent back.

 

“You guys know when Nash is getting back? I need to get to my friend’s place.” I asked the group. “Seems like it may be urgent.”

 

“No, but neither of us can drive.” Matthew said looking over to Rylie. “Can your Mom give you a ride?”

 

“She’s working so I don’t think she will for awhile.” I said to Matthew.

 

“Erhrhrh?” Jeremy said, looking at me while pointing at himself.

 

“Are you able to drive?” I asked him.

 

“Erh” He said back while nodding.

 

Jeremy drove me to Kole’s. I told him I would find a way home. He grabbed my phone and pulled up the passcode screen. I unlocked it and he opened up the notes on it. He put down his number and a short message.

 

“Let me know if you need a ride. Just text, don't call :)” it read.

 

I walked up to Kole’s door and knocked. No response. After waiting a bit I knocked harder. This time I got a text from Kole.

 

“Come in” It said.

 

I opened the door and looked inside. I could see Kole’s head sticking out from the couch. The couch was sitting with the back facing the door. The back rest of the couch blocking my view of his body.

 

“You alright?” I asked him.

 

“I’m trying my best!” He said in a half joking tone.

 

I walked around the couch to look at him. The sight was shocking. Kole was wearing no pants and instead his lower half was entirely covered in white and brown fur. His hands and feet were now fully hooves. His nose had turned black and a black ring of fur that went down and around his chin.

 

Kole looked up to me with a face full of worry.

 

“It went quick dude. It started and just wouldn’t stop.” He said.

 

“How much changed?” I asked him.

 

“Well, all you can see. I haven’t looked too far though. Been both too tired and just can’t bring myself to look.” He said looking at his hooves.

 

I sat down on the arm on his couch.

 

“I get ya man. I had a scare at the store earlier. Luckily I had Nash with me.” 

 

“Nash is the…. Crow?” Kole asked

 

“Cardinal. He’s the cardinal, the crow is Matthew.” I replied back

 

“You know one day I gotta meet these guys. Maybe if I’m around them I can turn into a sparrow or something.” Kole said laughing. “Would take that any day over this”

 

“I’m sure you’ll meet them at some point. Any day there seems to be a trip.” 

 

We talked for the next few hours and watched TV. I told Kole about Jeremy, the incident at the store and my new minor changes. Kole talked about a few things that had happened at home. Him getting stuck in the bathroom because hooves and doorknobs don't pair well. Falling down the wooden stairs because hooves don’t grip well. Mostly it was just him venting about his hooves. I just listened as it seemed he just needed to let it out.

 

“I dropped out. Mom wasn’t happy but I can’t do the classes.” Kole said with a change of tone.

 

“Yea, I quit going. Haven’t dropped yet, but I’m pretty sure I’m done.” I said back.

 

Following was a period of silence until we heard the door open. Kole’s mom stepped in the door and her eyes went straight to me.

 

“Lyall! Great to see you!” She said as she walked in front of the couch. She looked at my tail and gasped.

 

“Oh my! When did that happen?” She asked, stepping around for a better look.

 

“A few days ago. It's been a royal pain though.” I said looking over my shoulder at her.

 

“It’s gorgeous. Such a nice brown color!” She said.

 

Kole’s mom seemed super chill about the changes. She almost seemed excited to see mine. Don't take it the wrong way, but it's different than most. Most see them as a horrific thing. It’s a little refreshing to hear her excitement over others who always seem to pity you over changing.

 

I tried to feel for the one muscle I wanted. I could feel my tail swaying, then I found it. The tail flared out to a large semi circle, then came back into place. Involuntarily it shook, getting all the feathers to sit in the right spot. Getting to know how to control the new parts of my body has been a fun side activity. Doing so has helped keep the weird balancing motions my tail does to a minimum, or at least know how to keep them from kicking things over.

 

“Fancy tail work!” She said in a dramatic voice.

 

Kole laughed and rolled his eyes. He laid down on the couch trying to get comfortable. His legs hanging off the end and his arms pulled in close to his body. Crossing his hooves he just laid there watching me and his mom. I looked outside to see the sun was starting to set.

 

“I’m thinking I may need to head home. It is getting a bit dark out. Turns out these eyes are sharp but I can’t see hardly anything at night.” I said standing up.

 

“Do you need me to give you a ride home?” Kole’s mom asked.

 

“I wouldn’t say no to it”

 

The drive home was pretty relaxed. Kole’s mom asked questions about how my mom was doing and how I was dealing with the changes. I just told her that my mom came around to what was happening and I was just trying to keep moving. She dropped me off and I made my way into the house. 

 

“Lyall, is that you?” I heard my mom yell out.

 

“Yeah” I yelled back. “I’ll be upstairs if you need me”

 

”Sounds good! I have dinner in the fridge if you want to reheat some of it” she said back/

 

I made my way upstairs and into my room. I closed the door and sat down at the end of my bed. I rolled over onto my side, then onto my back. I laid there looking up at the ceiling. I couldn't use any furniture at the house due to the tail and laying on the bed was really the best option other than standing. I did have a plastic folding chair that I could sit in, but hard plastic starts to make me sore after awhile.

 

My pants had been rubbing on my feathers all day. Now that I was in the privacy of my room, maybe I could get away without them. I pulled them off and threw them to the floor. It felt wrong to be just laying there with no pants on, but man did it feel good.This was the first time today I have been able to actually relax. I closed my eyes for a moment and let out a sigh.

 

“Lyall, I’m going out, is there anything you need?” I heard my mom through the door.

 

“No, I'm good.” I said back.

 

It was weird that she is going out this late. Normally when she’s home for the night she never leaves. I opened my eyes and looked at the ceiling. The room was lit brightly, much brighter than it was just a moment ago. I looked out the window and it was bright and clear outside. I must have fallen asleep and not realized it. I got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom.

 

Looking over myself I didn’t see anything that wasn’t there before. A small amount of feathers on my lower body but no more than yesterday. My face looked the same with just my golden eyes. Everything was fine and nothing new this time.

 

I changed my shirt and made my way downstairs. Poured out some cereal and unfolded my plastic chair. Right before I sat down I heard the kitchen door open. My mom walked in hurriedly and grabbed her bag off the counter. She turned to look at me, looked down at my lower body and quickly turned around.

 

“Oh my. Maybe warn me next time!” She said.

 

“Sorry! I thought you had left already” I said back embarrassed and covering myself.

 

“Not to be nosey, but are those feathers new?” She asked, still looking away.

 

“I’ll have to tell you about it later. It's really nothing new.” I said turning around.

 

She left and shut the door. In a way I wish the feathers would just finish covering my privates. It would solve the pants not fitting right, along with the boxers rubbing the feathers. The more I thought about it, maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad idea. No pants, no discomfort and maybe easier walking.

 

I SHOULD be able to control it right? Jeremy was able too. Sure he had issues but that was from trying to revert it. I just want to go a little bit further in one area.

 

I looked down at myself. I just need a little more right? If I revert by thinking of what I normally look like. Then if I think about what I would look like with the feathers they should come? Sounded like a solid idea. I walked to the dining room where there was a tall mirror. I looked at my reflection and thought, what could go wrong? It's just a little change. It’s not like I’m changing my whole head or something crazy.

 

I closed my eyes and imagined myself with feathers covering my lower body. I didn’t feel anything. So I tried to concentrate as hard as I could, seeing them grow in my mind. I started to feel the warm sensation. My crotch area and rear felt extremely warm for a bit then the feeling stopped and the warmth faded. I opened my eyes and saw exactly what I expected.

 

Cream colored feathers covered my lower body. All the way from my hips to just above my knees. They laid down forming a flat smooth looking surface that was broken up only by the edges. I turned around and my rump was also covered in the same feathers. The pants issue was now solved, or at least was less of a problem.

 

I walked around looking at my reflection as I did. Showing off my handiwork to myself. I was able to control it and make myself change for the better. Proud I went and finished my now soggy cereal and went to the restroom to get ready for the day. I brushed my teeth, brushed my hair and put on my socks. Almost ready to head for the AA house I thought maybe I should try and revert the changes.You know to make sure I am able too. What would Damien and the others really think If they saw me like this?Did I really think this through? Did this shorten the amount of time I had left?

 

Possibly I could revert the changes but enough would stick to cover myself up. That way I’m covered but its not as obvious. But then again, not wearing pants is pretty obvious already. I closed my eyes and thought of my body before. Nothing happened. I tried to really clear my head, the only thing I could think of was my featherless body. Again nothing happened. I tried over and over, but nothing changed back. The changes were stuck, burned in now. 

 

Now I’ve really begun to worry. What story can I make up for what happened? My mom knows I didn’t wake up like this. Will Damien figure me out? Now I have to go partially naked everywhere! My anxiety was going rampant. My stomach started to feel tight and rumbled. I felt a little sick. I tried pacing around but it did not help At first. After walking around the bathroom a bit and finally getting myself calmed down a very quick and sudden urge came about me. I NEEDED to use the bathroom. Not a slight feeling of it, but a feeling as in it had to happen NOW!

 

I sat myself down on the seat sideways to make room for the tail. Made sure I was positioned right as usual. I’m not sure how to explain this without sounding gross. But when I gave the signal in my head, my tail lifted up slightly and then in one extremely quick act I went. It felt incredibly alien to me. It was a quick push then it was over. The time from the feeling to actually going was only seconds. It was an incredibly shocking and surprising feeling.

 

I stood up quickly and my tail instinctively shook. Still shocked by what happened. Without looking down, I flushed and looked at myself in the mirror. I started to think about it, using the restroom before was just like any other time. Did I change more than I originally thought? What could have changed to do this?

 

I looked down at the perfectly smooth feathers covering my groin. Not a single ripple in them, which shouldn’t be possible. I reached my hand down and laid my hand on the feathers. They were soft and moved easily with just an easy nudge with my hand. I dug my fingers into the feathers as they pushed away and in between my fingers. My hand touched my skin which apart from the quills going into it, was smooth. I ran my fingers further down and expected them to eventually make contact with my genitals.

 But there was nothing there to find.