Offcuts - Pt.5 - Surprises & Secrets (Patreon)

*** Club Luna Book 1, chapter 8; Sunday November 1st, 2020 ***

=::= Julie's PoV =::=

"So it's Cassandra now, is it?" I asked our newly-minted daughter. "That's a pretty name hon. I take it that's why you asked us to start calling you Cass last year? Short for Cassandra?"

Her cheeks coloured again as she nodded. It seemed like her natural shyness was competing with her euphoria as she replied quietly, "Yeah. I kind of started wishing that could be my name, but I never thought it could ever really happen..."

My wife gave her a compassionate smile as she said, "You could have just told us hon. You didn't need to keep that secret, we'd have understood."

Cass's blush grew brighter as she cringed a little deeper into her new navy-blue hoodie, while I leaned closer to pull her into another hug. 

And as I held her I was about to explain why we'd have understood, but before I could say anything I caught the expression on Tanya's face. And the slight shake of her head as she moved her lips to silently say, "Not yet."

I frowned at her but didn't argue. Instead I kept my arms around Cass for a few more moments as I suggested, "Why don't we get you something to drink hon, then the three of us can go sit in the living-room while you tell us all about what happened, ok? Your mum and I would like to know what kind of magic you encountered, and how it 'accidentally' gave you a body you're obviously very happy with."

"Ok mom," she mumbled, while I felt her cringe again through our hug.

After I let her go Tanya and I topped up our coffees again, and we made up some hot chocolate for Cass. Then the three of us moved into the living-room, where we all sat down together on the sofa. Our daughter was in the middle, with Tanya on the right and me on the left.

"So how about you tell us what happened Cassandra?" my wife asked. "I take it this all started at school on Friday, after classes were over?"

I added, "And what have you been up to since then? Obviously you did a little shopping, since you've got that cute new outfit."

Our daughter blushed but smiled, then in between sips of her hot cocoa she told us all about the secretive new club she inadvertently joined and how walking through a magic witches' circle somehow triggered her transformation.

Tanya and I exchanged more than one surprised look as the tale went on. We'd known since shortly after we adopted her that our child would break any magic or enchantment she came in contact with, but we'd never witnessed her using magic herself before. Yet according to May Hawthorne, Cass's magic-fuelled transition was something she caused herself, albeit subconsciously. 

The surprises continued as she told us how Miss Hawthorne bought Cass a few changes of clothes, then took all the girls out to dinner. My wife and I had some very mixed reactions to the 'ghost hunt' that followed, but at least it sounded like our daughter and her new friends were safe and the spirits were treated with respect before being laid to rest. 

I was very interested to hear about this ritual they performed during the full moon last night, but unsurprisingly Cass didn't understand the mechanics of it and according to her story Miss Hawthorne didn't share those details with the other girls either.

In all it took twenty or thirty minutes for her to relay the details of her weekend, and by the time she was done we'd all finished our drinks. And despite my remaining concerns and questions, there were at least a few points that were very positive. 

"Wow hon," I smiled. "It sounds like you had a very tumultuous weekend. I'm really happy and excited for you though, that you ended up realizing that you're trans and getting a body you're happy about and comfortable with."

Tanya agreed, "Same! I'm so happy for you Cassandra, I just wish you didn't have to go through such a confusing and frightening ordeal along with it."

Our girl blushed and smiled and shrank down into her big hoodie again. Then she shrugged and mumbled, "It's ok I guess. It was neat being part of a group and doing stuff with friends."

That was the other big positive, as far as I was concerned. I smiled, "I bet! That must be exciting, making all those new friends over the weekend?"

"Yeah," Cass nodded. "I sort of knew them from school, or at least Kaylee and Paige since they're in my grade and some of my classes? And I'd seen both Marissa and Brooke around too, I knew who they were. But it was cool being invited to hang out and do stuff with them."

After a slight pause she added, "The ghost hunt was a bit scary, but after that it was nice hanging out with everyone. And it was kind of neat seeing them do magic, and seeing Miss Hawthorne to it as well. They're even going to teach me, so maybe I'll be able to do magic too someday?"

My wife and I exchanged another look, then she asked "Maybe you can tell us a little more about that? You said they're all witches, and now you're a witch too? That's why you've joined this witch club?"

"It's actually called Club Luna," Cass explained, "But I don't think you're supposed to know that. It's all a big secret..."

She went on to tell us a little about the magic the other girls were using, something about a Will, a Way, and a Word being key. I had to take some of what she said with a grain of salt considering she'd probably only had the briefest explanation and may have mis-heard or mis-remembered some of it, but the basics sounded vaguely plausible while still being quite unfamiliar to me. And from the look on her face I could tell Tanya wasn't sure about it either. 

On the other hand it was obviously effective, if the girls were using it to raise circles and open locks and light fires. Although to be honest I wasn't entirely comfortable knowing that someone was teaching children how to use that kind of power.

Tanya obviously felt the same way as she commented, "I'm glad you're excited about learning magic hon, but please be very careful with whatever they teach you, ok? And I think your mom and I would both be happier if you didn't use any magic around the house. I don't think either of us want to explain any mysterious phenomena or unexplained fires to our neighbours. Or the fire department."

"Ok mum," Cass replied as she cringed into her hoodie again. Then she added, "Actually um, is it ok if I head up to my room now? I still need to unpack the rest of the clothes Miss Hawthorne got me, and I haven't even looked at my homework yet this weekend."

I smiled, "Of course hon! Speaking of clothes, I guess we're going to have to take you shopping soon? You're going to need a lot of new things, now that you're a pretty young woman."

"And I don't just mean clothes," I added in a teasing voice.

She cringed again as she got up, then after excusing herself she hurried out to the hall. She grabbed her backpack and a couple bags of clothes waiting out there, then made her way up the stairs to her bedroom.

After we heard her bedroom door close I looked to Tanya and said softly, "I wasn't going to tell her about our secrets, at least not before you and I had a chance to talk in private. The only thing I was going to share with her is that I'm trans too. I thought she might appreciate knowing she could come to me about any questions or problems that come up relating to her transition."

"I know love," she replied just as softly. "But if you told her that, she'd probably want to know about your transition. Then you'd either have to lie to her, or we'd end up revealing everything else after all."

Before I could reply she added, "Anyways let's wait until we have the house to ourselves. I'll take tomorrow off work, then we can talk without any chance of being overheard."

"All right Tanya," I agreed with a sigh.

*** one day later; Monday November 2nd, 2020 ***

=::= Tanya's PoV =::=

"Don't forget we're taking you clothes shopping after school hon," Julie commented as our daughter headed for the front door. 

Cass somehow managed to blush smile and grimace all at the same time as she responded, "I know mom, I won't forget! It's not that big a deal though, it's just clothes."

My wife and I shared a little smile as I reminded her, "It's not just clothes Cassandra. You need a whole new wardrobe honey. And while leggings and hoodies are comfy, you need more than that. Just imagine how pretty you'll look in a nice dress! Or some cute skirts? We're also going to get you some make-up, and you'll need a few other things. Which reminds me we'll also have to do 'the talk' again!"

Cass blushed and cringed as she mumbled something. Then she followed that up with, "Anyways I have to go now or I'll be late! Have a good day mom, enjoy your day off mum!"

Julie replied, "Thank you Cassandra, and good luck with school hon. If anything comes up or you run into any problems you call us ok?"

By that point our daughter had a hand on the doorknob and she was obviously eager to get going. 

She nodded, "I will, don't worry! But everything should be ok? Miss Hawthorne said the magic will keep people from noticing anything, they'll think I was always a girl or something."

"I know Cass," I replied, while suppressing a grimace of my own. "Even so, you call us if anything comes up. Otherwise we'll see you this afternoon."

She nodded, "See you later, bye mom bye mum I love you!"

And with that she was out the door before either of us could delay her any further. 

"She'll be fine," I told my wife as the two of us returned to the kitchen table, where fresh mugs of coffee were waiting for us both.

Julie nodded slowly, "I sure hope so. It's a lot to take in though Tanya. And I don't just mean for you and I. Three days ago all three of us thought she was our son, going in to school on a Friday morning.  She's had less than seventy-two hours to come to terms with a huge change to her own identity, a new and different physical body, and the revelation that magic and the supernatural are real."

"I know it's a lot love, but at least the identity thing shouldn't be that disruptive?" I pointed out, "She seems really happy about being a girl, and getting an unexpected instant transition has to have helped a lot."

My wife stated "It's still a shock Tanya, especially when she didn't realize she was trans until after it happened. Her happiness at the outcome might be the only thing keeping her from having a little breakdown about all the other revelations."

"Speaking of which," she added after a sip of her coffee, "It's time you and I had that conversation. I think this changes things, don't you? I think we should go ahead and tell her now."

I sighed as I had some of my own hot drink. "I'm not so sure. In fact to be honest Julie, I really think we need to wait. Last time we talked about this we agreed on her eighteenth birthday, I think we should stick to that plan."

"I don't like it any more than you do," I quickly stated before she could protest. "And it's got nothing to do with Cassandra. It's her new friends I'm worried about, especially that Miss Hawthorne."

Julie's shoulders slumped as she nodded, "We know she's not human, but I'm not sure what kind of supernatural she is. She's obviously taken measures to conceal her true nature, although I can hardly blame the woman for that. After all, you and I are doing the same thing."

I had to agree with her there. "I get that love, but that's not why I'm wary of her. My guess is she's something holy. Call it a hunch, but I wouldn't be surprised if she's either an angel or maybe even a weak goddess. And I don't have a problem with that either, but there's something about May Hawthorne I'm not comfortable with."

"Oh I agree with you on that," my wife nodded. "Major warning vibes from her. I don't think she's evil, I don't think she'd intentionally endanger our child or any of her other students. But I'll bet that woman has more secrets than the Vatican. She's got some kind of history, or maybe she's got something going on right now, and she doesn't want anyone to know about it."

A moment later she sighed and added, "On the other hand she's Cassandra's favourite teacher. And it seems like she's also going to be teaching our child magic. Maybe not directly, but it's May's magic Cass will be learning from the other students in their witch club."

I grimaced, "Right. And that brings me to my other concern. It's one thing to trust our daughter with our secrets, but if she's going to be spending her time with a group of magically-inclined friends who have knowledge of the supernatural, and who are aligned with May Hawthorne..."

Julie sighed again, "I get it Tanya. And you're right. Honestly I'd like to get to know these new friends of hers regardless, as I'm sure you would too. Except we really can't demand she invite them all over immediately -"

"Definitely not," I agreed. "I'm sure you're as happy as I am that she's finally got friends. I know we've talked about that repeatedly, and frankly I'm relieved she's actually interested in socializing with other kids her age. The last thing I want to do now is scare her new friends away, or give her the impression that you and I need to vet anyone she wants to spend time with."

My wife nodded, "Exactly. I'm sure we'll meet all her new friends eventually, and when we do we can get a feel for what kinds of people they are."

I asked, "So we're in agreement? We'll keep our secrets from Cass for the time being, until we can be sure her new friends and that teacher don't pose any potential threat to our daughter or ourselves."

"It's probably better for her this way too," I added. "Like you were saying earlier, she's had quite a few significant shocks over the last couple days. Telling her now would only make things worse for the poor girl."

Julie sighed, "I suppose so. It's moot at this point anyways, until we know more about her friends and that teacher."

*** This chapter was brought to you courtesy of Camille, who commissioned it! ***