While Mika was speaking with Kellie, Claudia was speaking with her alternate self and the alternate Mika. It was a little shocking to see how battered her alternate self was, especially with that neck brace. "I thought that magic could heal anything," said teen Claudia.
"Well, there are some things that are beyond magic ability to heal," said the adult Mika, "Certain diseases that can't be cured."
"But I am being healed gradually," said adult Claudia, "Spinal damage like this takes some time to heal. Besides, the doctors would be suspicious if I immediately heal from what should have potentially paralyzed me."
"And you couldn't just altered their memories?" asked teen Claudia.
"Try doing that with an HMO," said adult Claudia. Her younger self gave her a confused look. "You'll understand when you're older."
"So, anyways, it looks like you've been doing well," said adult Mika. The younger Claudia did look more confident than they had last saw her. It was rather surprising for them to see a Claudia who looked so withdrawn and meeker. But now she was just like Claudia when she was her age.
"Yeah, I've found a new source of confidence," said young Claudia.
"And what would that be?" asked older Claudia.
The younger Claudia looked around to see if anyone was watching. Then she called upon her magic, which she was becoming quite proficient with by now. To the other Claudia and Mika's surprise, she started growing taller. Her shoes and socks disappeared as her feet became paws. Red and black-striped fur appeared over her visible skin, though her throat and chest were turning white. A tail appeared behind her as her ears moved to the top of her head and became rounder. Finally, her face pushed out into a tiger's muzzle.
As many strange things that the alternate Claudia and Mika have seen, they hadn't seen too many anthros. And the other Claudia made an impressive anthro tigress. Not only was she taller, but she was more muscular and her curves were much more enhanced. Her clothes had grown with her though didn't do much to hide her body's shape.
The human Claudia blinked and said, "Uh, Claudia, have you been hanging out with Circe?"
Tiger Claudia gave a chuff and said, "She's not really as bad as everyone says. But I haven't start worshiping her or anything. Besides, there are lots of anthro people in my world now."
"Don't they stand out?" asked Mika.
"Well, Circe's magic makes it so people don't think it's too weird," said Claudia, "And they have to wear clothing in proper places like school or town halls and stuff."
"They walk around nude?" asked human Claudia, raising an eyebrow.
"Honestly, it feels better than having clothes on. Though I guess you wouldn't want to see me in the buff," said tiger Claudia.
"Anything else we should know about?" asked Mika.
Tiger Claudia hesitated a moment before saying, "I also turn myself into a hermaphrodite on occasion. Not right now, but other times."
"A hermaphrodite," said Mika bluntly.
"Yeah, best of both worlds," said tiger Claudia, "Get to keep everything down there. I could probably have kids with Mika someday. Or cubs."
Human Claudia turned to her Mika and asked in a wry tone, "Why didn't we think of that?"
"Tell me you're joking," said Mika flatly.
"Hey, it could be fun," said human Claudia, "Of course, you'd be the one who'll actually have the kid."
"One, what makes you think I would have to be the mother?" asked Mika, "And two, we already have a kid. I'm still not sure if the kitsunes are going to take Kari back."
"Well, I'm sure the kitsunes aren't all bad," said tiger Claudia.
"Being manhandled by one doesn't give you a good view of them," said human Claudia pointedly.
"But that's just one kitsune," said tiger Claudia, "Not everyone is like that."
Mika sighed and said, "I should agree with that. But what I saw... That should have been the actions of only one of them and Kari wasn't like that before she was made young. But many kitsunes are like her instead of him?"
"I think you'd be surprised," said tiger Claudia. Of course, there was a lot more that she knew about. She was well-aware of the sacrifice that her Mika had to make. Mika had told her as soon as she got her human memories back, which sounded very convoluted. Claudia didn't really understand quite what had happened, but Mika made a big sacrifice and the only reason she came back was because of her. But Claudia still loved Mika, despite her true form. Besides, if Claudia could love Mika as a fox, than Mika can love Claudia as a tiger. She just hoped their alternate selves would be able to understand this. But she was pretty sure they would.