To most people, turning 15 didn't seem as big a deal, especially when the 16th birthday has much more significance. But in Latin America, especially in Mexico, it's when a girl comes of age and is considered a woman. Long ago, it used to be when a girl has become illegible for marriage and where she's presented to potential suitors. Of course, things have considerably moved on from that particular point, but the 15th birthday is still considered a very important coming of age.
Nio has certainly become a woman much more than other girls hir age. That was because shi had become a double-dosed Animalian, which made hir an adult physically and legally. Of course, Nio had also become a hermaphrodite, which almost made hir feel a little guilty about having a quinceañera as shi wasn't fully female. But then, hir parents wanted hir to have one even back when shi was human and non-binary. Nio found it easy to push whatever trouble feeling shi had aside, especially as shi found shi liked being the center of attention.
Which was just as well because it was quite difficult for hir to not be the center of attention. Even setting aside that shi was now a herm jaguar, hir conversion had given hir the body of a titaness. Shi was considerably above average for a jaguar, even for other big cats. In fact, Nio was bigger than the herm horses and only a bit smaller than the rhinos and elephants. Shi also outsized the herm horses in muscles, breasts, and, er, hermhood. The scientists' explanation was that the pituitary tumor was producing a lot more mixed hormones for the Animalian virus to work with and hir getting a double-dose made them go into overdrive.
Nio's new figure could be easily seen through hir quinceañera dress. Shi had gone for a traditional pink gown, though it left a lot above hir collarbone exposed as well as a good amount of cleavage. If shi were still physically 15 years old, it would be quite scandalous, but shi was a true adult now. Even sitting, shi still towered over hir other family members. The hardest part was explaining hir new gender identity to the rest of hir family. Gender-neutral pronouns do not come easily in Spanish and there were no pronouns at all for hermaphrodites. So Nio had to be content with being referred to in feminine tones. Quinceañeras were meant for girls anyways. It made Nio quite thankful that English was a lot more flexible.
Still, Nio was able to enjoy the various quinceañera traditions. Shi was given hir first pair of high-heel shoes, which was adjust to the Animalian standard. It was easier to walk in high heels when they were naturally-inclined to walk on what were the balls of their feet. It required a stepladder for hir mother to put the tiara on hir head. And shi received a very cute jaguar doll in a dress. Nio was a bit too gigantic for some of the traditional dances, but shi was at least able to waltz a little with hir father.
At the lunch table, Nio carefully rang a glass with hir fork. With hir bigger hands and greater strength, it would be a little too easy for hir to smash hir glass. "Atención a todos, por favor," shi called. Once shi had everyone's attention, shi said, "I have an announcement to make. As you can all see, I am not only a gato gigante, but a grown woman now, in more ways than one." That elected a few laughs from the others. "As such, it will be hard enough for mi madre y padre to support me with food and clothes, let alone how I can barely fit in my own room. So I made a decision: I'm moving out."
There were a few mutters of protest and Nio said, "Now, hear me out. The simple fact is that there is no room for me at home, literally. And in Lyre, they're well-adapted to large Animalians like me. Their school is likewise adapted so I'll be able to finish my education there. I've already found a place at a boarding house, so I'll be moving once all the preparations are made."
"And how are you going to support yourself?" asked one of hir uncles.
"I'm glad you asked," said Nio, "Since fate has given me such an incredible body, I'm going to profit off of it." There was the start of outraged protests but Nio quickly said, "Not that way. I intend to enter the bodybuilding competition at this summer's IAC. And I should think I have a form that qualifies." Shi flexed one of hir arms, showing off the thick, powerful muscles inside.
"I should say so, Músculos," said one of hir aunts, making the others laugh.
"Of course, the prize money alone won't be enough to set me for life," said Nio, "But I'm hoping more offers will become available after I win."
"Yeah, you could become a luchador," said one of hir cousins.
"I've thought of that," said Nio, "They already have wrestling there, so lucha libre ought to catch on there."
"Just don't forget about us little people when you're a mandamás," said hir cousin.
"Never, a luchador needs hir familia back home," said Nio. Shi lifted hir glass and said, "A la familia."
"A la familia," said hir family.