art by  3waycrash and story by  LurkingWolf

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"Jason! Jason, I made it!"

Jason was briefly confused by his girlfriend's excited exclamations, but he spun in his computer chair to face the door and see what she was talking about. Before he managed to meet her eyes, however, she had crossed the room to him and thrown her arms around his neck in an excited hug!

"H– hey!" he gasped with a laugh. "What happened? What did you get into?"

"The retreat!" she explained, finally stepping back enough to show him the open envelope and the letter that she held in her hand. "You know, the International Wizardry Fellowship!"

Realization dawned on Jason's face and he quickly returned her excited embrace. "That's amazing," he cheered. "You must have beaten out a thousand other candidates!"

"Oh, several thousand," Claire replied, giving a self-satisfied smirk. "I knew that my work would stand out, though! I can't believe I get to go on my dream vacation for free!"

Jason sat back in his chair and smiled, but there was a hint of sadness behind his eyes as well. He knew that the trip was only for magic users, so he would have to enjoy Claire's adventures vicariously from afar. "Have you decided who you're going to bring with you?" he asked.

"I've already told my mother to start packing," she replied. "I wouldn't have had this opportunity without her."

"I'm sure you'll have a great time." Jason's statement was genuine, but it was hard for him to hide his disappointment. Rather than bring down Claire's excitement, however, he spun in his chair to return to his computer, trying to distract himself with one of his pet projects.

"Hey." Claire's gentle voice came from close behind him, but Jason hesitated to turn around to face her. He didn't want to bring her spirits down, but it was hard to hide how he felt.

"Jason." As she spoke this time, Claire placed a hand on his shoulder, and an odd jangling sound drew his attention to the lightweight chain that now dangled over his shoulder, a set of metal tags dangling down towards his chest from where his girlfriend held the chain against his shoulder.

"You didn't think I planned on leaving you behind, did you?" Claire purred in his ear.

Jason recognized the tags on the chain. Claire had used them to tease him ever since she learned that he was a furry. She had called them a promise that she would someday learn how to craft an enchantment that would turn him into a dog. His mouth went dry at what she seemed to be implying, but he remained cautious.

"I don't know any magic," he protested. "They won't let me go."

"Certainly, not as you are anyway. They do allow pets, however."

"You… you learned the enchantment?" Jason finally suggested hoarsely.

"Well, not quite, but my mother was happy to help when I explained that I really wanted you to be able to come along." She paused long enough to let Jason think that she had said something more to her mother, but then continued in a quieter tone. "This certainly helped prevent her from wondering too much about why you might be interested in such a thing."

Now it was Jason's turn to be excited. He grabbed the chain and stood up, stammering awkwardly as he tried to speak. "How– or, I mean, well who or– or when do I get changed?"

Claire laughed at how flustered he was. "Oh, whenever you like," Claire answered. "My mother's magic is very powerful and thorough. Once the changes start, the enchantment will be tied into your body's natural mana current. The spell will last until you choose to turn back." Her eyes twinkled as she briefly left it at that, leaving Jason to imagine.

"...and if I never want to turn back?"

Claire grinned. "Well, you would also change back whenever I decide to take your tags off," she replied. "Of course, I might just decide that I like you better as a pet."

She winked to let him know that she was joking, but a splinter of nagging doubt remained at the back of his mind. He didn't feel any concern at all; if anything, the thought of remaining a dog permanently made the prospect of the transformation just that much more enticing. He had often wished that he could leave all of the responsibilities of humanity behind, to simply play and nap and protect his master–

"Well?" Claire's voice brought him back to reality. "Ready to give it a go?"

Jason didn't need any further invitation.

Claire managed to slow him down long enough to remind him that most of his clothing wouldn't survive the change, and a few minutes later Jason had gotten changed into a pair of shorts that preserved his modesty without hindering the progress of the change. His girlfriend chuckled as he threw the chain around his neck and clasped the tags in his hand, feeling a rising warmth in his palm as the magic began its work.

"There you go!" Claire encouraged. "You'll be a fine dog!"

"O– oh…" Claire's sudden change of tone surprised Jason, and he felt something shift, both in his body and his mind. He shivered as the magic began to permeate him, running his lengthening tongue across the tips of the sharpening teeth at the front of his mouth.

This was so good, but he wanted more!

"W–what did you call me?" he asked.

"Hmm? Oh, I called you a dog. Or would you prefer 'good boy?'" Jason's ears itched, the tips sharpening to points and beginning to turn to listen to his girlfriend's voice. "That's what you are, isn't it, boy? Such a good boy!"

The enchantment responded to Claire's praising voice, now focusing on his hands. Jason watched in excitement as a layer of brown fuzz began to grow around his wrists, spreading down towards his fingers in front of his eyes! The digits began to shorten before him, and his palms began to swell with thick, rough padding that would make them suitable for quadrupedal movement.

"Paws! I have paws!"

Jason's exclamation was somewhat prophetic, as the shapes hadn't totally adjusted yet. Chuckling at his excitement, however, Claire stepped in front of him and held her hand out.

"Oh? What was that about PAW?" she asked. She extended her right hand before him with the palm facing upwards, the mischievous look on her face only brightening as she watched Jason's eyes widen.

His Master said paw, and that meant–!

He almost moved too quickly, reaching out his right forepaw and placing it in her palm. As he did, the final adjustments were finished, thick digits now ending in dark, curved claws that had been carefully trimmed to prevent them from snagging on fabric. He panted as he looked up at his Master's face, trying to wag his tail as he started to become unsteady on his feet.

"Alright boy, we can't have you jumping up like that," Claire reprimanded. "Sit, boy!"