Julie swallowed. She was transfixed on the false visage of her sister. She snorted through her nose in resignation and smiled. "You're not as human as you think. Look again."
Joy searched her arms and midriff for stripes. Anything. She threw her arms in the air. "Is this some fucking joke?"
Julie used to think so. Not so much now. "You do have fur, Joy. Beautiful, striped fur, just like I have. Watch it grow."
Joy looked at her arms again and her whole body trembled. From her perspective, she watched her bare skin blossom into a rich field of orange, black and white. "Oh my god... O-ohhhh..." The sensation was almost overwhelming. She pawed at her jeans as the fluff filled them tight. Her white-tipped fingers adjusted the studded belt higher up her soft hips.
Julie let Joy savor that stage for a little while before she continued. "And your hair is like mine, too: thick, curvy and cinnamon, right down to your knees. You look wild, girl."
A prickly rush swept over Joy's scalp, stronger and more concentrated than the feeling of her fur growing. Thin brown and bleached locks transformed in front of her eyes, and everywhere else, into a wild mane of reddish curls. She felt them tickle her fur and brush her butt and the backs of her legs. Joy leaned back and pushed all of her hair behind her shoulders. She ran her hands through the silky locks as if she was taking a shower.
"Shit," Joy squealed with a giggle. "This is... a lot of hair!"
"And you love it," her sister cooed. "You love the feeling of having your fur and hair stroked. You especially love scratches on your chest and chin, and everywhere else a cat does." Her smile widened, reaching a little into sinister territory. She was so looking forward to getting revenge for Joy's prior "tickle attack."
Joy slid her hands down her striped sides and laughed. She bounced forward and ran to her sister, who embraced her tightly. That was a hug for the memoirs. Impossibly soft. Unbelievably warm. And yet, it was possible, and they believed it with all their being.
"Go on and purr for me," Julie said as she nuzzled her nose against Joy's. Almost immediately, a familiar rumble grew. But it wasn't coming from Julie's throat.
Joy paused, blinked, then said "I don't know how." Her purring continued.
"Yes you do. You're purring right now. It's so loud everyone in this room can hear it if they stay very quiet and listen."
A few seconds of silence later, Joy's eyes widened and she redoubled her squeeze around Julie. "I can hear it! I'm purring! I'm purring like a real kitten!"
Julie raked her fingers through Joy's back fur. "You certainly are, sis. We're the same again."
Some in the audience were a little confused at what had just gone on, but the emotional climax resounded all the same. Applause lit up the tent once more.