Not exactly. This is metamorphic shapeshifting, not magical shapeshifting, so it takes longer and works differently. The genetic blueprint for the body changes. It is easier to dump excess mass and become smaller overall. It is possible to lay out the framework for a larger body by redistributing the available mass. At least some of the extra needed to fill out the pattern may be added in progress if the person has proper medical support during metamorphosis, or may be consumed after emergence. So going from small to large may start out with a thinnish tall size, but won't necessarily stay that way for long.
Shapeshifting is useful and fairly reliable, but not 100% safe. Sometimes people die of it. That happens most often right at the beginning or end of metamorphosis, occasionally in the middle. Logically some of those deaths would be from the body trying to reshape itself in a way that it just doesn't have the resources to do, and others from running out of fuel.
Things like this are why it's safer and less unpleasant to have the backup, rather than shifting by reflex in the middle of nowhere as a response to severe injury.
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dancing_serpent
Well...
Date: 2014-02-22 05:22 pm (UTC)Shapeshifting is useful and fairly reliable, but not 100% safe. Sometimes people die of it. That happens most often right at the beginning or end of metamorphosis, occasionally in the middle. Logically some of those deaths would be from the body trying to reshape itself in a way that it just doesn't have the resources to do, and others from running out of fuel.
Things like this are why it's safer and less unpleasant to have the backup, rather than shifting by reflex in the middle of nowhere as a response to severe injury.