"You know guys." says Mitch, putting down a book. "I think it's about time we try some of these spells we've been reading.
"FINALLY!" says Alan with a smile "I thought we were NEVER going to get to them!"
"This should be fun." says Dale. "You know, I've read that there's a way to make the spells temporary so all three of us could transform at once."
"How great!" says Alan "We'll be packmates instead of roommates!"
Both Dale and Mitch roll their eyes. "Could I see that spell?" asked Mitch.
Dale hands a book over to Mitch. It's maked on a chapter called "Timed Transformations". After a few minutes of reading, Mitch smiles.
"This will be so cool! Look! here's a version to have our clothes meld into the new body, and here's a way to keep our human intelligence and speach."
Alan snorts "What fun'll THAT be? I wanna be a full dog, not some Disney stand in."
Dale and Mitch look at each other, then at Alan. "Fine." says Dale. You can become a full animal - but if you mess up the place you have to clean up after."
Alan gives him a wry smile "Fine, fine. So how do we cast the spell?"
"We only need a caccoon -which we have plenty of. The words are different for each spell." says Mitch. "We'll transform at the same time."
"How long'll the effects last?" asks Alan.
"As long as we want - I think an hour is probably best for the first time." says Dale.
"ONLY an hour?!" says Alan.
"Better safe than sorry." says Dale.
"All right." says Alan glumly.
Mitch looks at Alan and Dale. "So what type of dogs do you to want to be? I like golden retrievers."
"Old English sheepdog." says Dale.
"American Indian dog!" says Alan. Both Dale and Mitch look at him. He stares back "I have the picture to proove it! They're almost extinct now, but some still live! Whatd'ya think we use before the Europeans came - camels?"
Dale and Mithc chuckle and Alan pulls out a picture. The dog in it seems very intelligent and looks a little like a cross between a coyote and a wolf. Both of them gape.
"SOME people say we used the dogs that Vikings brought over to help breed." says Alan with a note of contempt "But the breed's been around for a couple millenia."
Dale and Mitch look at each other an shrug. "Who knew?" says Dale.
Mitch moves on and starts preparing the spell. He gets three caccoons and hands one each to Alan and Dale. He also starts writing down the instructions and hands a copy of each to Dale and Alan.
"Here's how it works. Alan, you're transforming Dale, Dale, you're transmorming me, and I'm transforming Alan. We'll recite the spells at the same time. On my mark - now!"
The three recited their incantations and pointed the caccoon at the appropriate person. Three green beams shot out, one hitting each of them. When it's finished the three look at each other. They are still human, but can feel the working of the magic.