Dave and the Unforgettable Party

Author: WolfNight740

image credits: Aaronjay

A letter arrived on a Tuesday. No return address, no stamp, just a plain envelope with an invitation to an "Unforgettable Costume Party." Dave, a young office worker with a monotonous life, read it, shrugged, and left it on the table. He didn't think much of it, but curiosity, a small spark, ignited inside him. That night, wearing the halfway decent police costume he could make, he headed to the indicated address.
Upon arrival, vibrant music and neon lights enveloped him. The party was in full swing. What surprised him most was the number of people dressed as animals—and not just any costumes. They were so realistic they reminded him of the Zootopia movies. Every detail, from the fur to the expressions, was perfect. Dave felt a little out of place in his polyester police costume.
It was then that an anthropomorphic bear, sturdy but slightly chubby, approached him. He appeared to be a security guard, but it was just a costume.
“Is that your costume?” the bear asked, his deep voice echoing.
Dave felt embarrassed. “Yeah, I'm a cop,” he said, trying to sound convincing.
The bear struggled to contain his laughter. “Dude, that costume is... well, kind of... terrible.” Dave felt sorry for the bear's hurtful comment, “Come with me, I'll get you something better. This party deserves a costume.”
Dave, though fearful, knew the bear was right. His costume was ridiculous. “I guess you're right,” he said, reluctantly following. “It'll only be for a while.”
They entered a room full of outlandish costumes. The bear, with a grin on his face, rummaged through the clothes until he found one that looked perfect. It was a bright orange astronaut suit. “Here, I know you'll love it,” said the bear, with a smirk that Dave ignored.
Once Dave put it on, he was impressed. “Hey, it’s not bad at all! Thanks, buddy. I’ll give it back to you at the end of the party.”
The bear shook his head. “No need. Besides, it still needs a few minor changes.”
Suddenly, Dave felt a strange swelling in his body. A tingling sensation ran through his skin. His vision blurred for a moment, and then a strange stretching and compacting sensation took hold. His bones creaked and readjusted. Fur began to sprout, soft and grayish at first, then thicker and mottled, covering every inch of his skin. His hands and feet lengthened, his nails turning into blunt claws. His face lengthened, his nose became wet and black, and his teeth sharpened slightly. His once human ears stretched and became pointy, covered with fur. Most surprising was the tail that sprouted from his back, bushy and wavy. Dave looked in a nearby mirror and saw a wolf in an astronaut suit adjusting to his new form.
“So that was the little detail?” Dave said, his voice raspier and more guttural than he remembered. A grin spread across his wolfish face. “I love it! I hope it's just for tonight.”
The bear burst into laughter. “Sure, it'll just be for tonight,” he said sarcastically. “Now you look amazing.”
The wolf, who used to be Dave, headed back to the party. The music was louder now, the colors brighter. He danced with other anthropomorphic animals, laughed, talked. But as the fun grew, a strange haze settled over his mind. Small fragments of his past life, his office job, his apartment, faded like distant dreams. The headache that accompanied it wasn't important; the party was everything.
In the midst of a frenzy, he bumped into the bear again.
“Do you want something to drink?” the bear asked, offering him water and a pill. “It’s for a headache.”
The wolf, without hesitation, accepted. The pill instantly dissolved in his mouth, and the headache disappeared, taking the last vestiges of his human life with it.
“Where am I? Who am I?” the wolf asked, genuine confusion in his eyes.
The bear smiled, a friendly smile this time. “You’re Mike the wolf. You’re the funniest, coolest wolf in the history of Zootopia.” The bear handed him a wallet that belonged to him. Inside, he found a driver’s license with his name, Mike, and other information on it.
Mike the wolf looked at his credential. “You’re right, bro! Why did I forget my name? By the way, what’s your name?”
“Jake,” the bear replied.
“Jake,” Mike said, his tail wagging excitedly. “How about we enjoy the party a little longer? A break would do you good.”
“Sure, that’s fine by me,” Jake said.
The two immersed themselves in the party, laughing and dancing. Mike didn’t realize his world wasn’t what it used to be. Zootopia was his home now, and as long as there was a party, he would be there. The party wolf, without whom the fun simply didn’t exist.