Rawr means I love you (non-canon one-off)

[This is not a real update. It's a copy of "Meeting with Ashley" with a different last paragraph, because I don't believe in keeping dumb ideas to myself. Someone should teach me self-control.]

The next day finds you in the park, sitting on a bench with Tibby on your lap, her head resting on your shoulder. Her tail has been swapped for a light brown clip-on that's attached somewhere below her yellow summer dress. She's also switched from her studded collar back to the black choker, which Ashley had just given back to her.

Ashley is sitting next to you, Tibby's legs draped over her lap. She absentmindedly massages her lookalike's calves while she talks.

"During my last checkup they found some irregularities in my blood. They sent a sample to the lab for analysis, and um, the results are in. My hormone levels aren't what they're supposed to be."

"What does that mean? Are you sick?" You ask, concerned for your friend.

"No, I'm not sick exactly. I'm just... unbalanced? My hormones levels are somewhere between those of a pet and those of a regular woman."

"Whoa. So what are you-"

"I don't know! I don't know. It's not like there's been much research on how any of this works. I've been interested in pets since I before I was since before puberty, but that doesn't mean I want to be one. I've been planning my career for almost as long. I'm starting college in a month for cripe's sake!"

Tibby raises her head off your shoulder sleepily. "Ashley, how did you feel when you had my ears on?"

"It's hard to describe. It was kind of exciting, but it all felt off. Like a dress that's the right color, but the wrong fit."

The three of you sit in silence for a moment before you blurt out, "what if you were just wearing the wrong ears?"

"Huh? What, you think I would have felt better if they'd been a different color?"

"No, he's right!" Tibby exclaims. "Except it's the shape, not the color! They're cat ears. Who says that's the right animal for you? Every pet has to find her own identity."

"Oh. So how are you supposed to do that?"

Tibby shrugs. "I just knew, I guess. I didn't want to be a cat, I just knew that I was one."

"Well that doesn't help at all," Ashley grumbles. "How can I know something like that when I don't even know how I feel about being a pet at all?"

"Maybe you need some inspiration," you venture. "We can go wherever pets get their accessories and see if you respond to anything."

"I can show you where I got mine," Tibby nods. "They have a big selection. It's a bit of a drive though, it's near my old neighborhood."

Ashley looks unconvinced, but when you remind her that you let her drag you to the pet store at the start of this story she agrees to give this a shot too.

As you drive through the suburb you notice Tibby is staring out the window gloomily, and you wonder if being this close to her past is bringing up any bad memories. You decide it's best not to ask right now, and her carefree attitude resurfaces when the car stops outside a mid-sized warehouse. A crooked banner hanging from the roof marks it as your destination. Tibby practically flies out of the car and urges you inside, her enthusiasm infectious enough to make even the still-**** Ashley walk a bit faster.

The three of you wander the aisles, chatting and occasionally stopping to inspect what's on the shelves. While Tibby and you are looking at something, Ashley disappears around a corner ahead of you.

By the time you catch up to her, she's strapped on a pair of wings and a scaly tail.

"I'm a dragon, roar!" she laughs.

"Whoa," you gape. "I didn't know that was an option."

"Told you they have a big selection," Tibby grins.