Wand upraised, Stacy continues to keep all three hanging in midair, the end of her wand emitting swirls of color.
A wide-eyed Mitch whimpers, "I was just trying to stop it, Stacy.."
The border collie bitch eyes him for a moment, then slowly nods her head. With a light twitch of her wand, she releases Mitch from the spell, and he falls unceromoniously to the floor. Thud!
Mitch starts to protest, but upon seeing the dangerous look Stacy is giving him, he decides to keep his muzzle shut. Instead, he stands and begins to rub his injured arm, and indignant look on his face.
"Now, Dale," Stacy says, turning to the hovering sheepdog, "All of us, Alan included, realize his statement was uncalled for. But in no way did it justify a fight. If I let you down will you keep your fangs to yourself?"
Although still angry, Dale agrees with a short nod of his brushy head, "Yes," he grumbles, scowling at Alan. Alan returns a hurt look and says, "I'm sorry Dale.."
The sheepdog's initial reaction is to snort and look away, anger still the dominant emotion. But after a few moments pass, moments in which Dale appears to think with Stacy and Mitch standing watch nearby, he sighs and looks back to Alan.
"I don't know what came over me Alan," Dale says softly. "I realize now that I overreacted, but the strange thing is, I don't know exactly why I got so angry." He folds his ears apologetically and holds out a paw. "Still friends?"
Still shaking somewhat from the ordeal, Alan nods his head and takes the paw in his own. "Still friends," he agrees.
Both prick their ears and turn to Stacy as she begins to speak again. "Much better," she says, smiling, and with a wave of her wand, both tumble to the floor.
As they climb to their paws, a thoughtful expression crosses the border collie's face. "You seem to have forgiven each other, but I think it might be a good idea if we try to prevent future occurances, don't you?" She looks to all three in turn, then flicks her wand toward Alan, who throws up his paws defensively.
"Se flerai oschosi!" she cries, and an oddly pink cloud of magic surrounds Alan.
Dale and Mitch look at each other then watch with growing curiosity as the cloud begins to fade.
Nearby, Stacy is looking rather pleased with herself, but offers no hint as to what exactly she has done.
Moments before the cloud fades completely, Mitch and Dale notice that their friend's scent has changed. It's Alan yes, but at the same time it's not. When the Indian dog finally comes into view, looking rather shocked, both instantly understand, and it's very apparent that Alan is not pleased. And no wonder. He has become a she.
The two remaining males burst out laughing, unable to help themselves.
"Quiet!" Stacy warns, holding up her wand threateningly. "I did it to teach him a lesson, so he might better understand the situation you two are in. Do you wish to join him. Er.. her?" she asks.
Immediate silence follows. "I thought so," Stacy says, then turns back to Alan who is looking quizically down at herself, unable to believe what's happened.
Alan looks up at Stacy, "How long is this going to last?" she whines.
"Only for a few hours," says Stacy, "Time enough for the dance." She smiles widely. "Which means we need to find you a new name and a date."
Giggles erupt from nearby, and Stacy whips around to glare at Dale and Mitch. Both quickly grow quiet again.
"Sorry," Dale apologizes, but it's quite obvious that he's far from it. "How is -she-," he glances pointedly at Alan, "going to know how to act?"
"And how are you going to explain her?" Mitch adds. "Who is she going to be? We need to come up with something good. We're already pushing it with risking me and Dale going together."
Another smile crosses Stacy's face. "Oh, we'll figure out something for a story," she says, "And I'll teach her how she should behave." She places her wand back into it's pouch, then turns to the silent, confused-looking Alan. Clasping her paws together in front of her, she says, "Where to begin.."