: Establishing trust with a Shapeshifter Alright, I can't figure out how to write a scene. I have a character that has never revealed the fact that she can turn into animals, not even to her

Vote Up Vote Down

Have a conversation first.
Explain herself to her confidant, make it clear she IS a shapeshifter, and willing to prove it, until the person she is talking to demands a demonstration. Then provide the demonstration.
You can think of this as a form of intimacy, she has been keeping something about herself private. So write it similar to revealing a long held romantic attraction to another person: You don't typically announce that by taking all your clothes off, or trying to take theirs off, or even trying to kiss them if you are not certain they wish to be kissed in that moment.
You would approach it with talk, perhaps obliquely ("what do you think of shapeshifters?") or more directly.
You don't have to equate it too directly with romance (unless that helps your story), but the dynamic of the reveal is similar. The shapeshifter feels the reveal is necessary, but is fearful of how the reveal will change their relationship. She desires a more intimate level of interaction, but may be rejected and lose a friend.
It will be easier (on the confidant) if they are the ones that demand proof of this claimed shapeshifting ability.

(0)

Vote Up Vote Down

First, Shapeshifter would sit Confidant down and make them both a nice cup of tea. Then, when they were settled and chatting comfortably, she might start thus(ish)ly.

Shapeshifter: "Hey, Confidant, what's your favourite animal?" (big smile)

Confidant: "Erm, rabbit?"

Shapeshifter: "Cool - I like bunnies too! Hey, you remember that once upon a time we found out that Jeremy was a Shapeshifter and then we all lived happily ever after?" (anticipatory smile)

Confidant: "Yup, I remember that." (slurps tea)

Shapeshifter: "Well, watch this!" (turns into a rabbit)

Then paint a scene where Confidant chases the rabbit around the (rugged) room, catches it and then skins it for the pot. After all, it's dinnertime and, as she said, rabbit is her favourite meat!

Oh, wait - that wouldn't be so easy on Shapeshifter. Maybe skip the events of the previous paragraph.

So: comfortable surrounding, something good to eat/drink, happy preamble, an illustrative story where everything turns out good for all concerned and the grand revelation. The rest is just detail and yours will (of course) be different to mine.

(0)