Golden, too, was rather impressed. He kept swirling around the others, exclaiming, ''She said I have a pretty face!'' He grabbed Gwen, and begged, ''Do you think I have a pretty face?'' She turned to face Golden, ''Goldie, we've only been trying to tell you that ever since Michael brought you home! You have to hear it from a silly mortal?''
Golden disagreed, ''No, that's not it. But she was an impartial observer. I've been thinking . . .'' And his voice trailed off hesitantly. Gwen sat the both of them down on their lumpy sofa, and patted his leg, ''So what have you been thinking?''. Goldie shyly demured, ''I, er, I . . .'' and just blushed. Gwen kissed him, and urged, ''Come on now, OUT with it!''
Goldie blushed, ''Um, she thought I was an ordinary girl, a fat ordinary girl, but an ordinary girl, just the same. NOT a freak!'' Gwen reassured, ''You do look beautiful in those brocade robes and the make up suits you very well.'' Goldie whispered, ''If I look well enough, if I mean, I, well . . . What I mean to say, in regards to the matter of 'he' or 'she' fitting me, I've not known what really fits. Neither really fits my mixed up body. But I've come to understand my personality . . . I'm rather more, um . . .''
A long draw from a mug of water, and the words were out, ''I'm rather more um, girl-like in behavior, so, um, do you think SHE would suit me better than HE?'' The crimson did not leave Goldie's cheeks. Gwen looked into Goldie's deep blue eyes, forcing them to return a look into hers, ''Do YOU feel more comfortable being called SHE? What feels more natural to you? I can tell you what I think all day long. I've been delighted to see your experiments of expression lately. I think you're really coming into yourself. Cast aside any vestiges of shame, and let your heart tell you!''
Goldie's 'lengthened and thickened' eyelashes fluttered rapidly, ''May it be? Could it be? I think it should be . . .'' And then the voice lowered to a barely audible whisper, ''Um, ah, SHE!'' Gwen embraced Goldie, while her body trembled in Gwen's arms, after the effort and relief of the admission. Gwen stroked her back, and smiled, ''Then SHE it is! Welcome, dear sister!'' And she embraced her with all the strength she dared, for it had grown since her vampiric change.
''Thank you!'' was all Goldie said, short and breathy, but the glow illuminating her face told the julibant story. Golden Aurora Smark was at last born to the fullness that was her birthright.
Each of the others joyfully embraced and claimed their new and not-new sister.
Rare happiness such as this needed to be grabbed tight, and savored to its fullness. Gwen had seen Goldie's gradual evolution from a very scared and depressed teenager, to a radiant young woman, and she rejoiced greatly. She, more than the others, could understand what a precious thing it was. She had known a transgendered teenager during her college days, and she'd tried to help her friend. But all the obstacles to full self-expression seemed insurmountable to Jamie, and Gwen was shattered to learn her friend would not be returning to college with her the next year, for s/he'd taken he/r life by an overdose of pills during the summer.
Gwen had always asked herself if there were signs she should have caught. The space between the carefully handwritten letters grew farther and farther apart, and their length shorter and shorter, but she'd not paid it any attention. She just assumed Jamie was busy with friends, having a happy summer. But that wasn't the case, and the frustrating helplessness she felt that year was unbearable. It never really left her, and only in being witness to Golden's journey, did it ebb with the knowledge that sometimes things DO work out right. She was fiercely grateful to have been part of it.
For the defiant truth which needs to be told, she would always be a fierce defender, and endeavor never to let a weak one fall, if possible. Gwen's thoughts were rich later, when attending to her tasks and later feeding. Sometimes, solitude was so precious to her. In the moonlight, while the world was quiet, she could hear her thoughts better, and know their true depth and variety.
It was in this state that she took heed of her senses after a satisfying feeding, which brings to blood drinkers a special pleasure. She reclined on the soft hay, and cast her eyes to the moon, while she let her words come, ''Soft panting, gentle panting, happy panting. Lightening relief and ease. What in this delicious feast should I feel guilt about? Happy lightness. A serenity of the moment bids me smile. A guilt-free feast, with no expectations, just acceptance. The warm glowing of fullness subsides into a pleasant clarity. I am content.'' And she laid there happily and let sleep come.
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