You walk alone into the basement and are almost instantly overwhelmed with choices. There are costumes to fit almost any need or fetish. Though the upstairs is a bit more sedate, with standard "French Maid" or cheap gorilla suits, this area is far more detailed. You look at the craftsmanship on a cow suit that looks to be made from real cow hide. Another suit, which you realize is a brown bear, for a moment looks real even though it's hanging from the rack.
It takes a few minutes to realize that this place is mostly animal or mythological animal types. There are a few human costumes, but even these seem strangely elaborate.
Turning a corner, you find a virtual pile of harnesses, straps and even small saddles. You realize pretty quickly that these are all sized for people, but look like they belong on horses.
With a lopsided, knowing smile, you pick up one of the bridles. You don't know a lot about horses, but you know this wouldn't fit one. You have your suspicions that this wasn't exactly made for the costume part circuit.
With a grin, you slip it over your head and adjust it to fit. You start to look for a mirror when your head stars to feel strange, almost puffy.
In the distance, you hear a young woman shouting, but you can't make out what she says. You turn your attention down the aisle to see where she is, but see nothing there.
You start to reach up again, but hear the voice again, this time your ears turn to catch the sound....
Turn?
You reach up and touch your ears, finding them to be a few inches tall and mobile. Your heart starts to beat harder as you feel your fingers move across your face, feeling a far extended jawline that seems to still be growing.
You hear the womans voice again, but it's still too far away to hear clearly. It sounds oddly familiar, and you even think that she's calling a name. Once more, you think that it might even be your name, but you still can't exactly make it out.
You're quietly freaking out when your uncle suddenly appears before you with a wary smile. "I see you found the horse section. All fine examples of horseflesh, not a bad one in the bunch."
You try to ask him what's happening, but all that comes out is a quiet, strained whinny.
He waves you off, "Don't worry, it's all part of the deal." He looks more closely at the harness, "I see..." he says thinking a moment, "That's a real full package harness. Comes with a new setting and everything. You're already hearing someone calling your name, right?"
You nod nervously.
"In a couple minutes, the transformation will be over and you'll find yourself in a large meadow. She's your owner, looking for you." He shrugs, "Beyond that, the setting is different every time. You might be a plow horse five hundred years ago, a racehorse currently running at Santa Anita, the war mount of an American Indian or the favorite filly of a rich teenager."
You try to protest, but he stops you, "Don't worry, it's not forever. There's a window to leave the setting every year in their time. Here that equals about fifteen minutes. You can't miss it. Simply walk through." He gets serious for a moment, "A couple of warnings. The window only lasts for an hour at a time, so you'll need to decide if you're ready to leave in a hurry."
You feel a strange tug at your body and you fall to all fours. As you start to get heavier, your uncle fades away. You hear him shout one last warning, "You can't come though the window if you...." and he disappears.
You jerk your head around looking for him, but all you find yourself in is an empty meadow under a warm, but not hot, sun. What the hell was the last warning? And what the hell are you now?