☆ Jᴀsᴘᴇʀ

From a young age, Jasper knew he was different. He struggled to socialize with the other cubs, aside from his littermate Ruby, and spent more time with the adolescents than those his own age, particularly the adolescent males. They were surprisingly kind to the curious young lion, answering his endless questions about patrolling, manes, and one day becoming a patrol lion instead of a hunter.

However, Jasper was repeatedly told "of course not, you're a girl!" As he grew into an adolescent, he began to resent his friends, mentors, and even his own name - Dawn. He hated how his body and appearance didn't match how he felt internally, watching his male friends grow manes while his own neck felt bare and vulnerable.

Jasper's broodmother, Tree, noticed his increasingly bitter demeanor and questioned him about it. In a moment of honesty, Jasper confessed he wished he'd been born a lion instead of a lioness. Tree empathized, explaining they had felt similarly in the past, and had the pride begin referring to them with different pronouns.

Intrigued, Jasper asked if he could simply choose to be a boy, but Tree gently explained that while he couldn't choose his sex, he was indeed a lion - he had simply been born in the wrong body. With Tree's support, they approached the king, Vitani, who was initially skeptical but agreed to allow Jasper to continue his training as a male.

Unfortunately, Jasper proved unsuitable as a patroller, and returned to his role as a hunter. However, he had changed his name, and the pride accepted him, now referring to Jasper with male pronouns. Even old Vitani adjusted, and Jasper felt he had finally found acceptance within the pride.

He is now a favorite among the young cubs, who bombard him with curious questions. Jasper answers them openly, hoping to make a difference in their lives, just as Tree had done for him.