I lay in my bed and let my humanity fall away.
It's simple and natural, like removing a coat, or releasing a held breath; for it is no longer a part of me, no more than the clothes I wear. Simply something I don for convenience and for society.
I close my eyes and picture my claws on the earth, my wings upon my back. I envision the world as through glittering gold-orange eyes, and feel the weight of my horns upon my head.
Even solely in the mind's eye, it is comforting beyond belief.
I let out a little, pleased growl, and slip into restful focus, as I picture my body as it should be.
And when I open my eyes again, I see my room, and hear the endless sounds of afternoon Manila traffic. And yet, my scales and wings and tail and horns remain with me. I feel the shades of their presence, wrapping around me - the missing parts of me, at last returned, invisibly present.
I get up from bed, and stretch and yawn. For a moment, my anxious heart was stilled; stilled by a feeling of completeness and peace. A reminder, once more, that I am not human. That I never was human, really.
That the dragon that I am - the beast that is me - is finally free.
That I'm finally free.
