Leading from an early fall Shifting was born into a harsh winter and had a rough start in life. His mother, seemingly burdened by and unprepared for the babe struggled to feed, warm, and care for rapidly growing child. Without the child's father in the picture Shifting drained any finances they had and weighed a constant stress upon her with his endlessly hunger. While its unclear if he was separated from or abandoned by his mother young Shifting wound up alone in the streets of Gridania at the age of no more than five summers.

Unaware his mother would not return the child prowled the streets as a general nuisance before hunger turned him into a tiny terror. With few morals, no guidance, and a growling stomach the boy wandered alone, stealing from and bullying other children for their sweets, snacks, and lunches if possible. They wised up, beating and chasing off the lone child who was forced to turn elsewhere. Chasing fish in the Black Tea Brook, pit pocketing newcomers to the city, and eventually straight snatching food from guests in the Caroline Canopy, his poor attempts at robbery eventually landed him in custody before long.

The Wood Wailers were not unkind, many families had been effected by the calamity after all, but the boy was so young and clearly unaccustomed to his abandonment making it an odd scene. They asked where his guardians were, if something had happened, if he had run off, an reason as to why a child so young was alone and utterly filthy, but the Miqo'te had no answers. Incapable of describing his caregiver past the unique scent she had compared to the forest, and with an abundance of Miqo'te in the city they had little to go off of for making a reunion. As time passed and with little hope he was eventually placed in the care of the Conjurer's Guild.

Authorities thought it to be a good plan, a way to ease the boy's worries while giving him a skill to empower himself. But.... it didn't take. Not only did Shifting loathe the magical art, and feel he had no innate skill for it, the unruly child did not respond well to their calm, disciplined studies. On a regular basis he would interrupt lessons, meditations, and other sessions with boisterous call outs and other childish disruptions. The town kids he had previously fought with still picked on him, especially with his new 'silly robes' and often he would creep back into the guild bruised and dirty. He wouldn't heal his own wounds either or allow others to in an attempt to display his disdain for the art.

Guildmaster E-Sumi-Yan was patient but firm with the boy. He knew all he needed was guidance, something to soothe his restless spirit and lead him to a constructive path. Moreso, he had to teach him manners, social skills, and paitence above all to even allow that brighter future. While he was no fool and could see Conjury was likely not his calling he hoped it would be a stop gap, something encouraging as the boy found his footing. All he had to do was give it a chance.. but Shifting was not having it. Instead of seeing a happier child he watched as Shifting continuously ran away from the guild in a fury. Such tantrums became weekly, no, near daily occurrences, and it was one such episode that lead the boy to a discovery.

After yet another terrible lesson Shifting stormed off in a hurry. He swore off Conjury, yelling and venting his frustrations to the wind before having to hide from disturbing the peace. Sheltering behind the Lancer's guild the Miqo'te hid from all prying eyes as a commotion caught his sensitive ears. Peaking out from behind the building he watched as a caravan made its way to the Sweetbloom Pier. Hefty boat-hands were loading crates onto a ship, their hearty laughs echoing throughout the woods. Curiosity got the better of him, and Shifting watched with intense eyes. When all their cargo was safely aboard one Roegadyn started to walk away to return the pack chocobos and cart, and an idea suddenly came to the boy. The angry child was never one to think things through, never one to worry about the future, and as soon as the idea popped in his head he was ready to take that opportunity.

Bolting out from his hiding spot and avoiding any Wood Wailers, Shifting made his way to the boat and scurried onboard. Hiding below deck he thought nothing of the consequences, nothing of the implications or reprimands if he was caught. He stayed until suddenly the boat started to move, and such an intense and unfamiliar feeling was enough to frighten the boy out of hiding. Running up onto the deck and straight to the railing his face spread with awe at an endless sea. It was a sight like he'd never seen before, so jaw-dropping he lost his footing and toppled over the low rail. Were it not for the quick grasp of a shipwright he would have plunged into the ice water below.

The kitten was even more frightened, fearing he would be beaten for being a stowaway, thrown with more force, or even brought back to Gridania, but the crew were surprisingly amiable. At first they worried they had stolen someones child, but after declaring himself an orphan, and practically a hostage to magic in his pitiful life, the Roegadyn's just gave the same hearty laugh. "So, you're not going to turn me in?" He asked tensely, unable to read the situation. One gave a firm pat on his back before chugging from his bottle of grog. "Kid, Limsa Lominsa is pirate country, born and raised. If you're tough enough to sneak on this ship I think you got what it takes to make a new life."

Feeling true support for the first time ever Shifting stood and stared over the rails once more (with a much firmer grip). His first sighting of the ocean, minus the near-death experience, would mark a turning point in his life. From behind, he even heard the Roe mutter, "Besides, with a name like yours you belong around the open sea."

Real: Fantasia'd from a Hyur to a Miqo'te and never looked back.
Canon: Started a new life for himself in the sea city of Limsa.

just a lil bit of text here, i imagine.