The Rod of Gender Transformation Ch. 6

“I can’t say I was thrilled with Mark today,” Lucas said.

“Yeah…” Brian agreed. “I tried to shut things down before it got too weird but I really didn’t need to hear that description of him feeling himself up. Er, her feeling herself up? You know what I mean.”

“Maybe introducing this item was a mistake,” Lucas mused. “I was excited about it but now I kinda just feel dirty.”

“You seem like you’re enjoying playing Willow as a girl, though,” Brian said. “So at least you got that out of it.”

“Yeah, but… maybe I should have just started a new character, you know? Rather than introducing something that other players could use to be weird.”

Brian shrugged. “I mean, any weapon or magic item can be used well or used poorly. I don’t think the rod itself is the problem. Rather, any issue lies with those who wield it.” He paused for a moment. “I can talk to Mark, if you want? Usually I’m fine with his jokes but if it’s making another player uncomfortable that’s over the line.”

Lucas chewed on his lip. “I don’t know if that’s necessary. I mean, it’s kind of my problem if it bothers me. It’s not like he was doing anything inappropriate to another player character or NPC. And obviously I think it’s fine for someone to touch their own body how they want.”

“No, I think your reaction is completely justified,” Brian said. “I specifically told him not to do this kind of thing when I introduced the rod. If anyone is the problem here, it’s Mark. Plus…

“Yeah?” Lucas asked.

“Well… you know how I mentioned I’ve been going through something?”

“Of course. Do you want to talk about it?” Lucas was determined to do his best to be a supportive friend, even if the change in topic seemed like a bit of a non-sequitur.

“I think I’m finally ready to do that, yeah,” Brian said. “Mark’s behavior was making me feel quite uncomfortable as well. While it was happening, I found that I took it–almost personally, if that makes sense. I felt in some way like a group I belonged to was being targeted.”

“Huh. Interesting,” Lucas said. “I guess I felt similarly? Maybe it’s because I consider myself, like, a feminist or a progressive or whatever. I mean, I don’t want to scold people for being into what they’re into, but I don’t think it needs to be an involuntary group experience, and I did think some of his behavior was a little demeaning to women. Rather than trying to approach interacting with the world in a new way, he just immediately focused in on the butt and boobs, which seems pretty reductive to me.”

“I agree with what you’re saying but I don’t think it’s quite what I meant,” Brian said. “Lucas… I believe I may be transgender.”