Who Are You, Really? [SHINO'S COMING OUT SCRIPT]

Shinonome: -Since the fight with Arrow, he hasn't exactly been sulking, but he's definitely been a little more belligerent than usual, particularly when the tom is around. Watching his friend chatting with another cat, he swishes his tail in annoyance and turns away, padding across camp with his ears slightly flattened, looking for someone to distract him.-

Basil: //Laying in the shade between the leader's den and the nursery, she's grooming herself, spotting Shinonome looking not-so-top.// "Hello, Prim." //Purrs loudly to catch the kitten's attention, smiling.//

Shino: -Lost in his own less than pleasant thoughts, he looks up a bit startled when Basil hails him.- "Oh, hi Grammy." -He attempts a smile, and then scowls instead when he fails to make it feel real, and pads over to flop down beside her- "Whatcha doin'?"

Basil: "Just enjoying the day" //Smiles lightly, reaching out to pull Shino over and dragging her tongue over the top of his head.// "How are you, baby? You seem disgruntled."

Shino: -Flattens himself out on the ground and allows Basil to groom him- "I'm disgruntled." -He doesn't really know what that word means, but it sounds like what he feels- "Arree is being dumb. He keeps giving me these looks, like he's hurt or mad at me, but then he pretends like nothing's happened and ignores me. And being mean to him doesn't make me feel any better!"

Basil: "Aw, love." //Smile softens, a bit sad, and continues to groom Prim's ears.// "If being mean to your friend made you feel good, then there'd be a problem. It means you're a sweet person, Prim." //Nuzzles his cheek.// "So what happened?"

Shino: -Grumbles a bit, just to be grumpy and contrary- "I'm not sweet." -Flattens his ears and shoves his nose under his paws- "It's just 'cause he said I was like a sister to him. At the gathering. And I got mad at him, so now we're fighting. Only I don't know why!! I'm really mad and upset about it, but I don't even know why I feel like this. It just... it made me feel gross when he said it. I don't wanna be his sister. I wanna... I wanna be like an equal to him. He's already got plenty of other little sisters, I thought I was more than that. Like... Like... I don't know. He's like a brother to me, but I don't want to be his sister. It doesn't make any sense."

Basil: "Hmm." //Smiles sadly, grooming Prim's head.// "Well, let's think about it. I don't think him calling you his sister means he thinks you're less than him. I'm sure Arree considers you his equal. What would you rather he call you? His friend, maybe?" //Rolls Prim onto his side to nuzzle his belly, trying to cheer up him a bit while she cleans his fur soothingly.//

Shino: "I don't knoooow, that's the problem! It's not that I don't wanna be his sibling, he's family to me and I want to be family for him too, but I don't wanna be his sister. I don't feel like a sister. I never liked it when any of my siblings called me that anyway." -Flops over like a ragdoll when Basil nudges him, and squirms a little when she nuzzles him- "Hey, that tickles!" -He lets out a halfhearted giggle and flails his legs a bit-

Basil: //Laughs lightly, tickling his belly a bit more.// "Mm, well..." //Contemplates, leaning over to lick his nose.// "You don't have to be a sister. Would you rather be something like bebi? He's not a mama or a dad, he's a bebi. Or maybe you're a brother?" //Considers this, continuing to groom Prim's face in proper motherly fashion.//

Shino: -Gets really quiet for several seconds- "...Hey... How coma Bebi is a Bebi? I never asked. I mean, I know he's more than just a Mama, and he's not a Papa, I mean, he explained it to us when we were little... I remember there was a kit when I was younger that kept saying he was a Papa though, and I knew then it was wrong. But... Is he... Are cats allowed to do that? Decide they don't wanna be what everyone says they are? Can... Can I do that?"

Basil: //Ahh. Smiles softly, and turns Prim so he's facing her properly.// "Listen to me, love. You don't choose what you are. Bebi isn't a Papa. A Papa is a certain thing that Bebi just isn't. And if you're not a sister, then you're not a sister. If you're a brother, or if you're like Bebi, then that's what you are." //Folds forepaws.// "I wasn't always a grammy, you know. For a long time, I was a bit like Bebi, a bit like Grandpapa. But now I always feel like a grammy. It's all about what you feel, Prim. And if you feel that you aren't what everyone says you are, then you aren't. It's that simple. Other people saying you're something doesn't make it the truth. You know the truth yourself, and the ones who love you will accept that." //Leans closer and nuzzles Prim's cheek.// "So what do you feel you are, baby?"

Shino: -Takes a minute to process this, leaning his head back against Basil. The part about knowing what he is... He's kind of always known, really. He never liked being referred to as 'sister' or 'daughter', because it felt wrong. It felt like being told something was true that wasn't.- "I think..." -He pauses, staring at his paws- "I think... I want to be his brother. I want to- No, I am, everybody's brother. I always was. Only... I didn't know it." -Looks up at Basil- "Is that right? Is that okay? Will... Will everybody be okay if I tell them they got it wrong? Will they listen to me?"

Basil: //Smiles softly and licks behind his ear gently.// "It's okay, Prim. It's right." //Pulls him closer, nuzzling into his neck.// "If they don't listen to you, then they're cruel, and they're wrong. You are a sweet, brave, smart little boy, Prim. Your Bebi and your Mama will be very proud of you. And your siblings will always love you." //She's seen those kittens, and she knows that much.// "It's hard to find yourself. You're still very young. Some cats don't realize that they're a girl or a boy until they're a lot older. I'm glad you figured this out for yourself, Prim." //Nuzzles his cheek.// "I'm proud of you."

Shino: -Feels a wonderful little warm tingle spread from his belly when Basil calls him a boy, and suddenly has to blink very hard to keep himself from leaking tears- "...Thanks, Grammy." -Turns and buries his face in her fur, scooting close and leaning into her. He's too emotional to do much else for the moment.-

Basil: "You're welcome, my precious grandson." //Smiles, licking Prim's cheek to wipe a tear away, then nuzzling against his back, curling around him.//