"I know exactly what I want to be," Sonya exclaimed. She picked up the lion statue she had been examining earlier. "According to the description, this statue is supposed to grant people the qualities of a lion."
Derek still had trouble wrapping his mind around the idea that the store promised actual, real transformations. "I'm not totally sure I want to change just yet..."
"Then stay human. Find a costume. Maybe a lion tamer! Like from a circus."
"Okay," Derek conceded. He was concerned, but not surprised, at the enthusiasm Sonya was showing.
They paid for the statue and left the store. A block away there was a costume shop, and they bought a flashy circus outfit and a mock whip for Derek to wear. The whip they purchased wasn't nearly as dangerous as the real thing, Sonya made sure of that.
They went back to Derek's house to wait until it was time to go to the party. They watched a little tv and had a little make-out session, but through it all Derek could tell Sonya was distracted. When it came time to get into costume, Derek watched critically as Sonya placed her hand on the lion statue's tiny brass head. The bottom of the statue had the proper incantation, which she had written on a piece of paper and was now reading aloud.
"King of jungle, lord of prides, gift to me thy greatest prize!"
Derek rolled his eyes, not expecting what was to come next. Sonya dropped the statue as her body twisted. It fell to the carpet with a thud, and soon Sonya followed suit. Derek leaned over her, shouting her name. She looked at him with wide eyes and said quickly, "It's okay, I'm fine!"
Derek backed away as he watched her writhe on the floor. She rubbed her body up and down. Soon Derek could see her skin turning a golden brown. A few seconds later, he realized it wasn't her skin, but fur. Her red hair grew and thickened, and even though the locks were dyed, the new growth was the same fiery color.
A thin golden tail snaked its way out of her spine. It grew two feet and gained a thick tuft of red hair. Meanwhile, her hands grew thicker. Her palms turned white and her nails lengthened into claws. Her feet got larger and formed lion's hind paws. Her entire body bulked up slightly, gaining the powerful muscles of a feline.
During her transformation, Sonya's face was rapt with pleasure. A blissful smile exposed sharp teeth. Her nose pushed out into a small muzzle, turning pink and widening a bit.
Finally, her changes subsided and her motions ceased. Sonya slowly stood up, looking her body over. She turned to Derek, looking at him with expectant, wide, orange, slitted eyes. "What do you think?" Her tail swished rapidly behind her.
Derek was at a loss for words. She looked so much more confident, so powerful and bold. He knew she already had those qualities, but her lioness form brought them out visually. He walked straight up to her and embraced her in a kiss. He thrust a hand into her thick red mane as he squeezed her soft, furry body with his other arm. He felt her rough tongue on his and her heavy breath snort from her nostrils. Her claws lightly dug into his shirt as she gave him a powerful hug.