"The feminist movement means that there are a myriad of opportunities available," said Loki, "many more so than in past decades."
"The feminist movement?" asked Steven. "What does that have to do with our Charles?"
"Oh, it's very simple," said Loki. "I can ensure Charles's future by transforming him into a girl."
"What?!" blurted Charles.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea," exclaimed his mother Mary Ellen.
"What?!" Charles repeated.
"Please don't be rude to Mr. Loki," said his father. "He's making you a very generous offer."
"But I don't want to be a girl!" said Charles, standing up quickly enough that his chair fell behind him onto the carpeted floor of the dining room.
"What's the matter?" asked Loki. "I want to assure you that my powers change the very fabric of reality itself. As far as everyone in the world besides your family is concerned, it will be as if you were always female. And don't worry, I'll give you some special gifts and abilities that will make life easier for someone who wasn't born as a girl -- I promise, they're things that most actual women would envy."
"Did you hear that, son?” Steven asked Charles, a bit of excitement in his voice. "Special gifts and abilities!"
Charles looked to his father, then his mother, who looked back expectantly. He stammered, "But I-I just don't -- I don't know, I --"
"Mr. Loki, Charles sometimes has trouble coming to a decision," said Steven. "Please, go ahead and make the change. I'm sure he'll thank us later. Oh, excuse me -- she'll thank us later."
Mary Ellen nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, please."
Loki extended his arm and pointed his index finger in Charles’s direction. Charles cringed, but no lightning bolts appeared, no thunder claps were heard, and he didn’t feel any pain. Instead, he felt the unusual sensation of various parts of his body shrinking, and a few stretching, and a few others moving their positions. He did feel a little sick to his stomach as his penis and testicles receded with a faint but audible “slurp.”
Charles was a “she” now. She looked down to see that she was wearing the same T-shirt and jeans combination she’d been wearing as a boy, but it had apparently shrunk to account for her smaller body. She could tell her waist was thinner and her hips were wider, and she felt the unfamiliar sensation of shoulder-length hair against the back of her neck. She reached up to touch the small breasts that were now underneath her shirt, a bit surprised to feel that she was now wearing a bra.
”Your clothes are a good example of my reality-altering power,” said Loki. Charles looked up, and Loki continued, “Your clothes changed a bit because the past changed -- your clothes now fit your female body.”
”Oh, that’s wonderful,” said Mary Ellen. “We won’t have to buy you a whole new wardrobe.” A look of concern crossed her face. “Although I have to admit that’s not a very feminine look on my new daughter.” The phrase “new daughter” caused Charles to take a deep breath. She saw her breasts rise and fall out of the corner of her eyes, a sight she wasn’t used to.