Jessie's return to consciousness is slow, awkward. Her eyes slowly peel open, and the bright lights of the room cause her to snap them shut once again. Her head throbs with pain. She's not aware of much else, other than that she's being watched. She can't see, but she can smell them... she's not sure what to think about that, but mostly because the pain in her head is keeping her from concentrating.
"Took quite a fall there, young lady," she hears a voice say. It's not her employer, the farmer, but it's definitely a man. She slowly opens her eyes again, allowing her eyes to accustom themselves to the bright lights. "You've been out for nearly four hours."
"Wh.... who?" She grumbles, unable to quite make out the man she's looking at. He looks like a dark shape with the bright light behind him. As her eyes start to focus and the pain slowly subsides, she begins to make him out a little clearer.
"Dr. Rutherford Cornelius," he answers. He's got a thick moustache, grey in color, hornrimmed glasses and a shining bald head. His white lab coat is pristine. His stethoscope dangles about his neck with a "click-clack" sound as he approaches her. "Doctorate in sorcery and veterinary medicine. You're lucky not to have been concussed there, Jessica." He places the stethoscope to her chest and the buds into his ears as he listens carefully.
"Sorcery? Veterinary? What's... what's going on here?" She asks, dumbfounded.
"*sigh*... you didn't read your contract when you signed it, did you?"
"No..."
"Well, if you had, you would have learned that not only did you sign to play mascot for the farm, but you also signed to volunteer for an experimental new magic I've been developing to facilitate a transformation from human to animal by way of these ridiculous costumes."
"WHAT?!" Jessie bolts upright, finally examining herself. Fur. She's covered with fur, and she has a tail and hooves for feet and her hands seem to be well on their way to becoming hooves as well.
"You technically agreed to it, young lady. Legally binding contract." Dr. Cornelius seems unimpressed by her shock. "Now, just so you know, we won't be going all the way on this one. Just half of the way."
"This isn't happening... this... isn't... happening!"
"It most assuredly is. Now, the change is only enacted while you're wearing the costume, and I'm afraid that the wound you inflicted upon your head will prevent you from entering the costume for a while. Though you most definitely are at the stage in your change at which it is most wise to take up residence at the farm."
"What? I can't... I... I have a life back home, I..."
"Not anymore, I'm afraid. Your change isn't quite finished yet, but you're about eighty percent through. WE've taken the liberty to move your personal belongings into your own private room in the barn..."
"Barn?!"
"Well, yes. It's what you agreed to..."
"This... this is ridiculous!"
Cornelius simply shrugs his shoulders. "You should have been more careful in reading your contract. It's irreversible at this point, so I suggest you relax and try to enjoy it. It's better than being all bitter, anyway."
"Enjoy it?! ENJOY IT?! How am I supposed to ENJOY being a... a pony freak?!"
"That's not for me to decide. I'm sure you'll come up with something. Now, I'll prescribe these for the pain and to hasten the recovery process. Regular pills or suppository?"
"Pills! How could you possibly think I'd want a suppository? Disgusting!"
"Well, it is the common form of medication for equine species..."
"I can't believe this..."
"Yes, we've already established that. You should be good to get back into the costume after two days. Until then, take it easy, enjoy the farm, and please, do get yourself some clothing. It's against the dress code to walk around nude like that."
Under the fur, Jessie blushes, hastily covering herself up with her arms and shrugging self-consciously. "You don't happen to have anything...?"
"I do have some spare hospital gowns." He walks over to a supply closet and pulls one out, tossing it in her direction. "Have a nice evening, Jessica. The exit is down the hall and to the right."