"Don't you wonder what if would be like to be..." I trailed off, thinking. "...more human?"
My horse aunt suddenly stared down at the ground and clopped one of her front hooves against the kitchen floor, avoiding eye contact with me. "Oh, James." She said meekly, sadly. "Every day I dream of being more human. You shouldn't tease me with thinking like that. It makes me so sad." She raised her eyes to mine, heartbroken, and I could see the tears pooling around them.
"What if I told you I could help you become more human?" I stepped forward, putting my hands under her chin and gently rubbing her rough brown fur.
"You... you could?" She raised her eyes, suddenly hopeful, but cautious. "But how?"
"Magic!" I smiled, and wiped away her equine tears.
She took on an almost childlike wonderment. "Magic?" She whispered, giving the word a gentle whisper.
"Yes." I grinned wider. "But you have to do something for me to make it work."
She looked at me strangely and nodded quickly. "Anything, James! Anything! Even it it'll just make me a little bit more like a person. Please!" Her face nudged my hands. "Please, nephew! Use your magic on me!"
"Okay, auntie." I comforted. "Just calm down. To get it started, here's what I need you to do." My smile broadened. The entire time this had been going on, my inner furry was tempting me to try something naughty.