"... and that's the last one," the young bull said, as he laid the heavy cheese wheel in the cart.
"Glad you could help me this morning, Harm," an older bull said to him.
"It's the least I can do, dad," Harm smiled to him. "I hope these will make some good money at the town market."
Harm's father looked more reserved. "I'm not sure if we can make a profit this time if sales are bad..."
"But it's quality produce! People are willing to pay a premium for that!"
His father sighed. "Yes, I know, but these cheese wheels need to get to the market first, and I have to pull the cart with the tractor. But the diesel prices have gone up quite a bit lately..."
"So it's the fuel?"
"Yeah, I'm afraid so."
The young bull's eyes lit up, having a sudden epiphany. "We don't have to use the tractor, dad. You know, I could pull it... with a bit of magic, you know..."
His dad raised his eyebrows. "Are you sure that's a good idea, Harm? You're still in training."
"No worries, dad, I've done it before. I just need to give myself a four-legged bull lower body and I'll be strong enough to pull the cart to the market. We can save all the fuel!"
"Very well, son. You'll take the stall to the market today. And get some fish while you're there to take home for dinner."
"Will do, dad."
"I'll get our cash register from the house then. Let's see if your plan has worked when I get back."
"Okidoki, dad!"
Harm's father walked back to the house, while Harm picked up an old harness from a hanger. These were for animals that pulled the cart and hadn't used these in decades. But now, he might be using these himself. He strapped them around his legs, which would soon be replaced by a big and strong taur body. This wasn't the first time he'd transform with his own magic. He gestured his fingers, initiating his transformation magic. He knew he had to focus on the form he wanted to become, a taur, and not let his thoughts get distract, like the fish he had to buy on the -
Suddenly he felt something very wrong. Instead of a lower body growing underneath him, he felt his legs weakening, and fell over. He saw his legs shrink into his body, while his tail got longer and thicker and... covered in scales? He realised what was happening: he was becoming half-fish, no, merfolk! The distraction had ruined the transformation. The change was completed, and he was laying there, with his beautiful, but totally impractical new scaly fish tail. There was not a major body of water in sight, only a few drainage ditches that were too shallow and muddy to swim in. Perhaps another transformation spell will fix this, he though.
Harm tried to initiate a transformation again, but nothing happened.
He tried for the second time, but still nothing.
Why was it suddenly so hard to transform? He tried to go through all that he had learned about formshifting magic in his head, and remembered one crucial piece of information: mer-forms are particularly more resistant against transfomation magic to prevent accidental drowning. But for him it meant he had to put in a lot more effort just to get some legs back...
His father came back, carrying the cash register machine in his hands, but almost dropped it when he saw is son laying there.
"What have you done, Harm?" he said in shock.
"I'm afraid you'll have to go behind the wheel today, dad," Harm blushed embarrassed.

___________________________

Any superpower can become a handicap without control, including magic. Harm just found out the hard way...
(Don't worry, he'll be alright... after some effort. These mer-transformations are more sticky than other kinds of form shifts...)

This illustration is drawn by  roxlyde-art in their MerMay sale. I gave them a carte blanche what to do with Harm in this picture, as I wanted to be surprised. As usual, they delivered on that.

Happy MerMay!