Melissa Jenkins stared at her new friends gathered round her in their fursonas.
Were-vixen Megumi Tachibana, granddaughter of Skulk leader Tachibana no Akane, to use her formal Japanese name; Trevor the were-bull; Jason, a weretiger; Alice, a wererabbit; and Rob, who was a classic werewolf.
She looked at them all. Moments ago they were "normal" high school teenagers.
If "normal" still had any meaning in Moon Lake.
But now...
Melissa stood and stared at all of them for a long time.
If asked, she wouldn't deny some temptation in regards to a couple of possibilities, but considering this was a "once and done, no retakes or do overs" situation...
"I'm sorry," Melissa said, looking at all of them. "I just can't decide. Besides, what if my father decides to become the family were?"
"If he does, then that would fulfill the Mandatory Were Law of Moon Lake*," conceded Megumi, "yet that doesn't mean you can't become a were later if you want to," she added.
Seeing that "show and tell" was over, the rest of the established weres sat down and helped themselves to refreshments, while Megumi and Melissa grabbed a couple of drinks before they sat down on the couch and continued to talk.
"I can't deny a growing fascination with the possibility," admitted Melissa, "but like you said, despite the deadline on the Mandatory Were Law, this isn't something to rush into."
"True," agreed Megumi. "Even without a deadline, it is difficult for some normals to choose. I have heard many analogies to the situation, but the one I like best compares it to being in a bookstore. You love to read and everything's available, but you only have enough money for one item."
"How come once you become a were, you can't decide to be a different were later?" wondered Melissa.
"Tachibana Industry scientists have been trying to figure that out for decades, according to my grandmother," replied Megumi, "but gave up on that quest. They figure nature knows best. After all, normal humans have been trying to tweak and improve their appearance for centuries, with not all those attempts successful."
"Can't disagree with that," conceded Melissa.
"Besides that and other questions, they have been researching ways to transfer some of a were's natural immunities to others in need, but there has yet to be a patient who, while cured of whatever they are suffering from, didn't become a were in the process."
"Just what can a were do?" asked Melissa.
"Regardless of species," began Alice, as she sat down next to Megumi with a pawful of snacks and a bottle of water, "we're immune to a lot, including the common cold. No were contracts a Sexually Transmitted Disease, let alone HIV or AIDS from intercourse, but for some reason it's still possible to acquire the latter through either a dirty hypodermic needle or an unclean tattooist needle."
"On the other hand though," began Jason, "most weres don't bother getting tattoos because the fur covers up the art, and once you resume your human form, the picture tends to disappear anyway. You should have seen my older brother. He got this tat in Seattle, but it totally disappeared after his next transformation. He was pissed for a month that he blew $100 for nothing."
"But weres are not invulnerable," added Rob the werewolf. "Bullets and knives hurt us like anyone else in either form. ALL weres, not just us wolves, are also allergic to silver for some reason, but not like it's portrayed in the movies. From what I hear, it hurts like pouring salt in an open wound if exposed. Not something I'd want to experience."
"Me neither," agreed Trevor. "Yet were or normal, we're also still vulnerable to stuff like car accidents, some cancers, aneurysms..."
"On the other paw though, weres do have an extended life span," revealed Megumi. "Baring accidents, the average were lives close to 400 years."
"And besides the improved looks in both forms, as long as you take your were birth control pill everyday, because of our higher libidos, rutting can be pretty intense, especially with the right partner," added Alice, while winking slyly at Melissa.
"Look. I know this is a lot to take in, so I understand you not wanting to immediately take the plunge and go furry right now," conceded Megumi. "You still have time to decide and you should talk it over with your father. However, the necessity of the Mandatory Were Law aside, there's two other factors to consider if you ever want to join were society."
"What are those?" asked Melissa.
"One, if you have some secret wish or fantasy to fulfill. According to my grandmother some people, especially science fiction/fantasy fans and teenagers, become the were of their dreams once they realize it IS possible to become whatever they've fantasized about."
"And the other reason?"
"Love," answered Megumi. "I heard a young Freshman just recently became a were-merman because he fell in love with a were-mermaid.**"
"Wait. Just how many choices are there?" Melissa wanted to know.
"Lots," replied Megumi, as she realized what Melissa was getting at. "You got some kind of pamphlet from the Town Chancellor, didn't you?" to which Melissa nodded her head affirmatively. "That thing is new and seriously short on info. Hang on, and I'll get you a more detailed list of your possible options," she added, before leaving the room.
Hmm... thought Melissa, watching the were-vixen leave. I can't deny having a few... fantasies as it is, and Trevor is a hunk and fast becoming a good friend, although even if we do actually ever fall in love, I'd have reservations about becoming a were COW. I wonder if inter-species are allowed in Moon Lake? But the more I think about it, the more becoming a were some day doesn't sound like a bad idea. Depending upon what dad thinks...
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*One member of a family moving to Moon Lake must become a were so all have a stake in protecting the town secrets.
**She's referring to Eric Anderson and Julie Stovall.—tmw.