***Author's note (I don't know how to find the actual note option) I really think this story and my previous threads would fit better under the Chronivac storyline, but don't know how to move it. The 'device' was bought in a magic shop, but it's really just the chronivac idea after that. Sorry!***
Adam and Carl stared at each other for a moment, once again surprised at how quickly the world altered to accommodate the changes they made using the device.
"Adam?"
"Okay Mum! Coming!" he quickly yelled back, before whispering to Carl "Are you... are you still YOU in there? Can you understand me?"
The dog's head tilted to one side as he listened, the movement so naturally canine that Adam momentarily worried he'd turned his brother into a pet both physically and mentally, but his fears were allayed a moment later when Carl nodded in response. He then rose to standing on all fours, craning his head to look back at his changed body. The fluffy tail began to wag happily as he turned back to Adam, a husky's groaning *yip* escaping his throat as he play-bowed to his little brother.
Adam laughed, relieved. "Sorry I didn't tell you what was coming, but I had a feeling you'd enjoy it! It's only for 10 minutes though, and then you'll turn back - want to go outside?" He jumped up as Carl *yipped* again and raced out of the tent, turning at the door to make sure Adam was following. The two headed downstairs and out the back door, passing their mother in the kitchen where she was preparing a salad.
"Don't forget to give him his kibble, darling! He's a growing pup and needs the energy to keep up with you!" Katherine shook her head as they tumbled out into the back yard, Adam yelling an acknowledgement as he passed. Those two had been attached at the hip since they day they'd brought the Carl home a few months ago. Having a 5-year-old and puppy wasn't always easy, but Adam had yet to make her regret the decision - he'd been so good at taking on the responsibilities of dog-ownership, even if he was still a little too small to take the rambunctious pup on walks by himself.
Carl romped across the yard, astounded at the feeling of BEING a dog. Running on four legs, his claws digging into the soft grass, and OH the SMELLS! He left Adam momentarily to sniff under a bush, scenting... was that a rabbit? Lifting his head, his pointed ears twitched at the sound of a bird flitting in the tree branches nearby, and he could hear a squirrel higher up, chowing down on something with a chittering sound.
Turning back to the porch, he found a bowl of water next to one that smelled like food, and he turned to Adam as the boy joined him, wagging his tail and giving him true puppy-dog-eyes. He wanted to experience eating like a dog before the time was up and he turned back. Luckily, his brother got the message and filled his bowl with a scoop from the nearby bin, and after an initial sniff, Carl chowed down on the delicious-smelling kibble.
Adam was thrilled with how happy Carl seemed to be, and he paused as he realized just how happy HE was feeling. High school had been rough for him as a rather scrawny guy, and he couldn't remember the last time he felt as light and joyful as he did now. Maybe these changes weren't such a bad thing - being a little kid again meant he had a lot less to worry about!
Their father appeared from around the corner of the house where they kept the grill, carrying a plate of burgers. Carl lifted his snout as Joe approached, following the delicious scent of grilled meat. "Hey pal! You ready for dinner? How'd the shopping trip go?" Adam and Carl followed him back into the house where he set the platter on the counter, Adam recounting recent memories of his solo shopping trip with his mum this afternoon.
"Could you carry the silverware and napkins outside, Adam? I'll make a plate for each of us and bring it out. Joe, could you take those condiments to the table?" Katherine was already dishing out salad and some sweet potato fries she'd pulled from the oven, so father and son did as she asked and headed outside, followed by Carl the pup.