The small store was quiet as Derek and Sonya entered the shop. They glanced around and saw that many of the shelves were completely bare.
"Not much to choose from," Sonya said, dismayed. "And I was hoping we'd find some really interesting stuff here."
"I'm sure there's something we can find," Derek reassured her. "If this store is what we think it is, everything in here does something related to transformation."
"Hey, look at this." Sonya brought Derek into an almost empty aisle with a few animal care accessories. Among the occasional fur brush and leash, there was one single black leather collar. It had a red ruby fixed inside a gold setting in its center, and a gold buckle.
"That looks like the kind of enchantment we've been dreaming about," Derek smiled at her.
A man walked up to them from down the aisle. He looked in his forties, with a trim business suit and large black glasses straight out of the fifties. "Can I help you two with anything?"
"What does this do?" Sonya asked, gesturing to the collar. She was reluctant to touch it.
"That's quite a question. I see you two know somewhat the nature of this shop."
"We're always trying to keep an open mind," Derek said.
"Very good," the man smiled. "I can tell you are of a rare caliber. Many patrons don't know what they're getting themselves into."
"If this shop can help us transform into creatures of unimaginable beauty and power," Sonya said "We're ready to try it. Years of researching fantasies, even writing fantasies...it's just not enough." She exchanged a knowing look with Derek.
"Then you've found the right item. This is a transformation collar, however it is actually cursed. You see, it requires a second person to control what the wearer turns into. Originally, the wizard who created this meant to punish and demean those who wore this collar. If you put it on, anyone in earshot has the power to change you however they wish, but you cannot change yourself. I don't recommend it to lone buyers, but it looks like you're on good terms with each other, so I don't foresee any problems."
Sonya carefully took the collar from its hook. She admired the brilliant ruby in its center.
"It's one-size-fits-all, even shrinking or growing with its wearer. Be careful to remember that the wearer cannot transform themselves or take the collar off themselves, so don't leave each other's sight while you use it. The other of you must speak clearly the transformation to occur, and voila!"
"Will the transformation stay in effect if the collar is removed?" Derek asked, making sure to cover all the bases.
"Certainly."
"Are there any more of these?" Sonya asked.
"Sadly no. The shop just teleported from a TF convention in Europe and I'm sorry to say I won't be able to replenish my stock for several days, if not weeks. There will be no more of these specific collars, as the creator died centuries ago."
"And how much for this, given it's a rare item?" Derek asked.
The old man smiled. "Do you promise not to abuse this collar?"
"We'll only use it on ourselves, if that's what you mean," Sonya said. "As for abuse...," she winked at Derek, who smiled evilly.
The man blinked rapidly and chuckled. "Ah, of course. Kids these days. Well then I see no reason to push a profit if it would stand in the way of love. A hundred dollars for a lifetime's worth of experiences seems reasonable."
"Sixty dollars seems even more reasonable," Derek smirked.
"Eighty then."
"Deal."
The man smiled even more broadly. It looked to be a genuine expression. "I made more than enough profit on the others anyway. I can take a small loss." Derek handed him the cash, leaving an almost empty wallet to stuff back in his pocket, and shook the man's hand. "I wish you the fondest of memories." The man's eyes twinkled through the large glasses.
After they left the store, Derek took the collar from Sonya and stared at the genuine gold and ruby setting. "Do you think we just got scammed?"
Sonya stared deep into the collar's stone. "Nope."
"Me either."
They walked down the street toward their car. "So who gets to try it first?" Sonya asked.