if this is a disrespectful question to ask, I sincerely apologize and you can delete it. But I was curious, how and when did you realize you were therian? Its a sort of area I kinda have no knowledge nearly at all in myself
Hardly disrespectful at all!
I think being surrounded by other otherkin and, therian folk helped. I only really started identifying with it... maybe early last year? My memory's shot, so I apologize, but around that sortsa timeframe.
I knew for a while, subconsciously that like, I didn't identify with being human. At least, didn't want to be. You know? Like going to bed as a kid wishing and praying and that I'd wake up as a little Riolu pup (in Treasure Town, ideally), blowing on countless dandelions. Always playing the family pet whenever we'd play house, always choosing to be anything but a fucking human whenever video games would give me the option. I didn't want to be human.
I dunno. When I started embracing furry, and then like. Designing Winter, and realizing that this little pocket-sized puppy was a more... accurate reflection of me than what was in the mirror? How much I enjoyed acting and being treated like a puppy. I enjoyed making puppy babbles and barks and growls, I enjoy babbling a lot more than I do talking!! It felt correct—it is correct, to be perceived as Winter than it did to be perceived as, "me." To be an animal, without any of the shitty expectations that comes with having skin instead of fur.
It was euphoric!! It felt right! If I tried really hard, I could feel my tail, my ears, my snout, my paws. If I tried hard enough, I could feel it, where they should be. I wanted to feel them...
When I learned that being otherkin was a thing. Like, not an option but a valid identity. I latched on really quick, awoo. It made sense to me. I'm, not human! And there are other not-humans all around the world!! People that felt just like me, in different ways. Kittens, dogs, dragons, robots, lizards, even other Riolu... it feels good to not be alone.
I'm, Winter!
I hope this all made sense and answered your question ;w; I ramble a lot but, I hope it all makes sense, awoo ;;;
