Just Another Day

"Most of you know we shift forms at the Autumn Festival," Shaman Onami began. "Some of you have even tried it and nearly succeeded."

A black-haired cub elbowed a red-headed cub in the ribs and giggled. Shanku sat at the end of the line of five cubs. This was a stupid idea... She crossed her arms over her chest and pulled her wings up defensively. Rajé sat beside her, listening intently to the old shaman, oblivious to her glowering new friend.

"This is how you should feel right before you shift," Shaman Onami extended his staff towards the cubs. As it emitted a soft, golden glow, so did the cubs. The cubs exclaimed various expressions from excitement to confusion to pleasure.

Shanku, however, expressed a bit of a surprise and dislike. It was a strange, tingling sensation down deep in her stomach. Perhaps what frightened her most was that she liked it. Was she not already in enough trouble without wanting to indulge in magic as well?

"To use it, you must focus," Shaman Onami continued. "Concentrate on that feeling and try to channel it."

The golden glow extended to Shaman Onami. Every feather was outlined and began to fade, as did his tail. His claws shrank and became fingernails. His ears also diminished and lost their fur, leaving human ears in their place.

"With a little faith, you'll reach your goal," he smiled warmly. Then he warned, "But, remember, you'd best learn it on your own. Having somebody do it for you can be painful. I once had a cub who was struggling with the transformation had his older sister try to channel her energy into him without changing herself as well. I nearly lost him before I could set him right again."

The cubs began to try to shift on their own. The red-headed cub laid back his ears and his feathers and tail were fluffed in frustration. Bara developed a red double-ringed aura as he growled in concentration, but he did not shift.

The black-haired cub raised his hands before him. A small, orange ball of light formed between his palms but disappeared with a small pop. Eru stared at his hands in confusion, but was unable to shift as well, or create an aura again.

A young female with a tan aura clasped her hands together and concentrated. Kya's features faded in and out of sight, but she was not able to accomplish more than that.

Rajé was enveloped in a golden aura. Her eyes were shut and she looked positively delighted. Although it seemed she was more interested in basking in her new-found power rather than using it.

Shanku did not even try. She lay on the ground with her wings huddled around her and her hands on top of her head. Wine. Wine, now... What have I gotten myself in to?