FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

<I need to go.> Ben's mind voice was filled with a resolute 'tone' that made Lance sigh and step to one side as his friend walked past him with as much dignity as he could muster. Which wasn't much.

Lance stared after him, his ears set back and watched as the young stallion continued his way back to the dorms without even looking back. The last few days had been more awkward than he had any words to describe. He hadn't thought that much about Ben's last reaction, after all he had assumed that it was just embarrassing to talk about at that moment with so much unsaid, but there was no talking about it. Since that day he felt as if he were alone all over again, Ben was avoiding him. At night, the other colt didn't come in until the wee hours of the morning and then got up and left before Lance had a chance to wake up. Meals were taken in awkward silence with any question being answered with a nod or grunt instead of real words. It was a close down that made him feel like he had done something wrong and was being punished.

_I haven't done anything wrong! _ He snorted roughly and laid his ears down flat on his head and felt the urge to chase his friend down just to kick him.

There was no reason they should be awkward. Arousal was just a part of their bodies now and they were learning to control it. He still felt embarrassed sometimes if he thought about Emily too long, but that didn't mean that he had to let it dictate how he felt about the others. He let it all roll of him and just ignored it when he was half out of his sheath and went along his day without worrying too much about the implications. If he had worried about the implications he would have been concerned that people thought he was aroused by the grass or the walls or even his bed, but it wasn't a big deal and he had no idea why Ben was making it a big one. He just needed to find a way to relieve his tension and he'd get back to normal just the way he was. The former boy gave his head a shake, tossing his mane out of his eyes and turned away from the dorms and trotted down towards the main estate.

As of today, he and one other young stallion had been allowed in the main estate as long as Ulysses was in residence and able to keep a close eye on him. It was some new territory and thrilling to be able to move away from the cramped feeling quarters of the rest of the estate and go somewhere new, especially since there were actually new people coming and going. Ulysses was quite successful and did most of his business from his home instead of an office, that meant he got to meet actual strangers and different people. At first he'd been afraid to make a fool out of himself behaving as a makeshift servant in an effort to become accustomed to other people around him, but it had never embarrassed him the way he thought it would. It made him more comfortable, strangely, to know that he was able to interact with people one on one, even if they were humans instead of other unicorns.

As he picked up pace he felt a strange sensation at the last thought he'd had. His tail tip lashed in the air behind him as he coiled it. It had felt natural to think of humans as 'other', something that he hadn't done before and realized it, but now he rolled it through his mind. He was still shocked sometimes to look at himself in the mirror in the mornings and see a unicorn staring back at him, but it was happening less and less frequently. He was becoming distressingly comfortable in his new body, perhaps coming to accept that he couldn't undo the Change now that it had happened. Perhaps it was just a matter of time that it would happen entirely. He knew he couldn't erase what had happened, he couldn't turn back, but he had the support of Emily and that meant all the world to him. If she had turned away from him.... He didn't know what he would do, but he certainly couldn't imagine being alright with his body.

"Ah! Lance, correct? You are Lance?" A young woman called out as he approached the front and he set his ears a little nervously back.

<Yes, I'm Lance.> He managed to say the words without sending his confusion and panic. A girl. He hadn't really seen any women in the estate until this point, but there she was standing there.

The girl, or rather young woman, had her dark hair pulled up in a ponytail high up on her head and the ends fell down towards her collar before curling up. It was a natural look that showed her freckled face and earnest green eyes that looked down at him as he approached her nervously. She wasn't wearing a business outfit, she wasn't one of the people come to discuss things with Ulysses, instead she was wearing a neat blouse tucked into a pair of jeans so well worn that they were nearly white in spots along the knees and along the crease of her thighs. Tight jeans that hugged to her and were tucked into a pair of worn riding boots that had scuffs along the heels. He couldn't look away from her as he forced himself to stop quite a few feet away and set his ears to either side. Why was she here? Who was she?

"You're going to be helping me in the kitchen today, but where is your friend? He was supposed to help as well." She frowned, prettily. Every movement seemed lovely to him as he swallowed and felt his tongue go dry. She smelled... good. Very good. A warm rich scent that tickled his nose just right and made him lift his head up higher.

Oh god, why is she here?! He felt panicked as her scent made his heart beat speed up and began racing, his pulse fluttering along his long elegant neck.

<Peter? He's with Jonathan I think.> He kept his mind voice tightly under control, his emotions clamped down as heat surged through him.

"No, Dad said that the shy one was supposed to be helping today. Benjamin? I've seen him from the main house, I think." Lance went cold. This was one of Ulysses' daughters!

<He's back at the dorms.> Lance felt like he couldn't move, couldn't breathe, his body was lashed under strict control as the girl stepped forward with a slight bounce to her steps, drawing his eyes towards her chest before he jerked his gaze away guiltily.

"I'm Lydia. Why don't you go and get him, Dad wants both of you to help at the tables for dinner tonight." Lydia smiled down at him. "I'm cooking, so all you'll have to do is carry out meals, but since his clients are other unicorns he said it's best that I don't come and tempt anyone to steal me away."

Her laughter was merry, but Lance had to nearly force an answering sound from his throat. What sort of game was this? She smelled so lovely beside him that he could barely keep his wits about him, the only thing that kept his eyes focused to one side of her was the thought of Emily. Oh god, Emily. She smelled a bit like Emily, seductive and appealing, calling to every part of him that made him want to sidle up to her possessively, protectively. And if he did, Ulysses would make no bones about protecting his daughter in the most ruthless and perhaps painful way possible.

Damn Ulysses... Lance stepped away and turned about with a force of will to keep himself inside of his sheath. It was a test, it was a set up, and he had dragged Ben into this as well. _What is Ben going to do?! _

_ _

The panic at the thought of his friend being dragged into this situation, forced to deal with the alluring scent and sight of a virgin, had the same effect as cold water would have on Lance. Ben hadn't had any relief as far as he knew, Ben was being held back by a very thin wire, Ben could, quite easily, end up on the wrong end of the stallion who had offered them safe harbor. He had no illusions that his friend could keep himself under control with that scent around. It was one of the reasons he had assumed that Ben hadn't been invited into the estate to work, he wasn't to be trusted, so why would the stallion do this now?!

Oh bloody hell...What am I going to do?! Lance picked up his pace, moving from a walk and into a canter. _He's going to trip over his cock or end up under Ulysses hooves if he doesn't watch out! _

_ _

~ ~ * ~ ~

The kitchen turned out to be blasting fans towards the outside world in an effort to make sure that the heat didn't linger for those that had to work in it. That was a blessing that Lance was able to let out a breath at because it meant that Lydia's scent was effectively blown outside instead of lingering in the over heated tiled area. Even so, he stood nervously at the table where plates were being piled up and kept his eyes on Ben who was standing as far away as he possibly could. The young stallion was miserable, his head lowered, his haunches tucked and wearing the same sort of 'blanket' that Lance had worn when Emily had come to visit. At least he had that much dignity, but it didn't stop the fact that the colt was obviously being tormented in the worst way. Lance watched him with concern and shifted a little bit.

He was wearing a blanket as well, a neat one just like Ben, with the trim done to match the decorations of the dining room so they wouldn't stand out. He'd done it in an attempt to make Ben feel more comfortable and less conspicuous about the entire ordeal, but his friend just looked tired and embarrassed by everything that was happening. When he'd found Ben, the young stallion had been attempting to get a nap in the dorm while everyone was out and hadn't enjoyed being woken up, or told what was happening. They hadn't said more than a few sentences to one another as Lance was still rebuffed in his attempts to have an actual conversation, even one that had nothing to do with what had happened, Ben still avoided really talking.

In some ways, having his friend here, no matter how upset he was, was a blessing in disguise. His concern for the other unicorn was enough that he was able to keep his attention away from the human girl in the room. The scent of her was faded from the fans hitting the outside, but it was by no means gone and what he could smell called to him. He had experienced it with Emily, but that had been almost natural, he loved and cared about her as a matter of course! It had been embarrassing to suddenly desire her with an almost animalistic flavor, but it hadn't been out of bounds of normal. But to feel those emotions triggered by the girl that was working in the kitchen with Jonathan was beyond confusing for him. He felt as if he were cheating on her by simply sniffing or looking, his body was tense and trembling at times as he struggled to ignore it.

"Alright, take these on out!" Lydia chirped brightly and set two serving platters down on the table, pushing them out towards the edge. "It's salad and soup, so please be careful when you walk."

<Of course.> Lance's mind voice was controlled and he glanced back to see Ben edging out one step at a time, his eyes focused on the floor. He narrowed his sending to just the unicorn. <Just hold your breath, you'll be okay, it'll only take a second.>

<She smells good.> Ben's voice was small and tense as he stepped up and pushed his head under the platter, his nostrils not moving at all as he held his breath. At least mind-speech had the bonus of being able to happen without breathing, or without others overhearing if one worked at it.

<I know, but you can do it! I promise!> Lance assured him and dipped his own head down. <Just balance, lift and let's go.>

The platters were designed to allow their horns to slip into a narrow opening and their own telekinetic power could be used to balance them as they lifted them up. It wasn't comfortable at all, it took effort to keep them properly balanced and lifted, but they managed. Lance let Ben go first, the other stallion walking awkwardly with a gait that let him know that if he hadn't been wearing the blanket he would have been flashing the entire world. Lance couldn't help but feel somewhat victorious on that front, although still sympathetic to his friend, he wasn't hanging out of his sheath at the moment. He was struggling to not do something embarrassing, but the struggle was working as they exited the kitchen and went towards the dining room with Jonathan holding the door open.

Did the older man know? He had to know. He was likely behind a good portion of this, but why they had include Ben he had no idea. It wasn't fair, he was the one that was the most pent up and the most likely do so something he would regret. They should have picked one of the other colts that had actually gotten some relief. Lance's anger roiled beneath the surface as they made their way into the dining room with the trays, carefully navigating around the large table that seated four strange unicorns and their 'benevolent' host at the front of the table entertaining them. Ben came up from behind, his cheeks pink from flushing as he set down his tray on one side of the table and Lance set his own on the other side. Ulysses was watching them, both of them.

He's tormenting us! This is all a game to him! _ Lance felt the anger curling in his belly as he did his duty, struggling not to drop the plates or bowls as he lifted them with his horn. _He wants us to crack! To do something stupid!

_ _

He had never imagined their host to be sadistic. He had always seemed stern, but kindly in his own way, educating the next generation of unicorns using the wealth that he had amassed for himself. But there was no kindness in how he was treating Ben, there was only some sort of new torture to toss at someone who wanted no part of it. It seemed like forever until they stepped away from the table and in that time Ben walked a bit more normally as they picked up their trays and went into the hall. His friend started towards the kitchen door, but Lance stopped him with a touch of his shoulder against the other unicorn, moving his body to block the way just to make sure that Ben didn't keep walking out of spite.

<Clear your nose a bit, it'll take a bit for us to be ready to serve the next meal.> Lance tinged his thoughts with sympathy and tilted his head to let the tray slip from his horn to be propped up against the hall wall. <I don't want to be in there either.>

<I can't do this.> Ben's sent, his head dropping to lower the tray too, but his head remained there as he was shaking. <I can't do this!! She smells so good, and she's right there! She touched me, Lance!> The sapphire eyes were wild looking, ringed with white.

<It's okay, we don't have to actually be in there until we have to serve.> Lance tried to sound soothing as Ben kept his head at his knees, his sides were rising and falling rapidly. <Or.. You can just go back to the dorm, I can handle this.>

<No.> Ben lifted his head just a hair. <That's not fair.>

<Yeah, well, what's going on with you isn't fair either!> Lance didn't try to keep the anger from his mind voice. <Ulysses knows what he's doing and he's just tormenting you. I can handle this, I've got a clearer mind, you can go relax. I got this.>

<No.> Ben lifted his head up and his ears remained splayed to either side. <I'm the one that made this mess. It's not like this isn't going to be like real life. I mean, do you really think once I leave I won't see any girls that are...v-virgins.> His mind voice tripped over the word. The word was roiling with meaning, heated, sensual, desirable meaning that made Lance's body flush with sympathy.

<But not like this! You can get relief if you want out there, and actually pursue them if you want!> He argued and gave his tail an angry snap. <Not play like this because of one persons need to have a power trip!

<I can do this.> Ben repeated, but the thought was coated in doubt as he went towards the tray. <If I'm going to do this, out in the real world I mean, I need to be ready. If I can't get through this without doing something stupid then I deserve to get stomped.>

<Ben..> Lance set his ears back and sighed. It was embarrassing what he wanted to say, it wasn't the sort of thing he would say to another guy, but watching Ben lift up the tray the set of his features Lance continued on. <I don't like seeing you this miserable, alright? You're my friend. Hell, since all this started you're my best friend. You're the only one I can talk to around this place, and I'm not going to let Ulysses stamp you because he put you up to this!>

<He won't stamp me, I'm proving I can do this.> Ben replied, and paused a little with his ears twitching before he added a bit shyly. <You're my best friend too, you know.>

<Good, because we're in this together then.> Lance smiled slightly and gave Ben's shoulder a push with his own. It was the first normal conversation they had had since the night things had gone all wrong. Still, he had to continue on as they walked towards the kitchen door. <Are we good now? I mean, can we talk again?>

<Yeah. We're good.> Ben replied, his features pinkish in the light as he seemed to be flushing. <Besides, I'm tired of getting up before dawn anyway, I'm not getting enough sleep.>

Lance lifted his head up a bit more and felt some of the weight slip away from his shoulders as they continued together into the kitchen. The other night hadn't meant anything at all, it was all just because poor Ben was pent up and nothing more. The other colt had just been embarrassed enough he hadn't wanted to talk about it, and Lance couldn't blame him. There was absolutely nothing to talk about. There never had been.

~ ~ * ~ ~

Late that evening Lance and Ben left the kitchen both frustrated, angry and victorious. Being servants had been grim work, work they had been forced to set themselves too without showing how much it bothered them being around Lydia. Lance had been able to distract himself by worrying about his friend, by talking and joking and trying to take the colts mind off of it, but he hadn't been entirely successful. He felt ashamed of himself, it was as if he had cheated on Emily by being in her presence, by his body reacting to her scent. He had never fully dropped, but more than once he had realized he was showing under his blanket and had to fight to get himself back under control again, but he had done it. More importantly, Ben had managed to get through the entire dinner without bolting or making a pass at Lydia.

It had been close those, of that Lance had no illusions. At one point Lydia had been helping Ben load up his tray and the young stallion's upper lip had peeled back and his hips had shifted in just such a manner as he had begun to reach out. It hadn't taken much to stop him, just an 'accident' that had sent Lance's rump into knocking over some pans, but it had been worth it. He wasn't sure how much Ulysses' daughter was in on the 'test', but she had certainly not done anything provocative to try and get Ben to break his resolve. She had been polite, chatty despite their awkward silences, and up beat as the meal had gone out bit by bit until the last dessert when they'd both been cast free for the evening. He didn't think she'd missed how Ben had bolted, not that he'd been any better.

If this is what life is going to be like, I need to clamp it down. _He admonished himself as he breathed in a deep clear breath that was filled with the night air. _Emily deserves someone who will only have eyes for her.

_ _

Uncomfortably, he was aware that that phrase was harder said than done. He had never felt so drawn to another female that wasn't her. It made him aware that this was something he would have to deal with, and he would be under her eyes then. The knowledge of how hurt she would be to see him staring at some young woman, sniffing after her, literally, was a sobering and distressing vision. She wouldn't understand what he was reacting to, she would only see his eyes wander and his nose move, she would only doubt just how deep his feelings went for her. He could never let that happen, she was his world, the best and brightest part of his life and he was not an animal to go chasing after pheromones. She deserved only the best and if he couldn't give it to her...

<I hate him!> Ben's words interrupted his thoughts, and were coated in anger and frustration so thick that Lance was nearly choking on it as they stalked along the path towards the dorms.

<I thought you said it was for your own good?> Lance teased, trying to lighten the mood, only to rear up with a little squeal as a hoof nearly caught his nose. <Teasing! I'm teasing!!!>

<It's not funny.> Ben grumped and snapped his tail back and forth, stopping with his sides rising and falling as he gulped down the clear night scents. <I can't believe I did that.>

<Neither can I.> Lance bumped the other stallion with his nose playfully. <I thought for sure I'd be dragging you off by your tail, but you did it! You really did!>

<I did, didn't I> Ben's mind voice was tinged with pride and awe. He brightened up and Lance felt his own frustrations relaxing. <I made it through alright and that's to spite Ulysses right there!>

<You bet.> Lance grinned, showing his blunt teeth while he started up towards the dorms again. <I'm proud of you, I wouldn't have been able to do that. Hell I would have been dry humping the key hole if I had had to put up with what you did!>

Ben's head lifted a little bit, his eyes brightening into a fierce look that reflected in the lamp overhead, and well he should be proud. Lance just smiled and gave a little bit of a prance that took him forward, starting to stretch his legs out so that Ben was forced to canter to keep up. His spirits were high, he had managed to get through this, both of them had, he could deal with the real world soon enough and he was confident now he could do it. The pair of them mock raced each other, trying to stop and trip one another up with kicks or snaps of their tails as the exuberance of their triumph helped sooth away their angry frustrations. The energy they had raised ended with Ben snapping at Lance's tail and yanking roughly on it as he tried to overtake his friend, the sudden pain made him bray out in shock before kicking out.

<TOO SLOW!> Ben laughed and danced backwards on four light cloven hooves, his eyes bright and mocking. <I think I saw a mule at a farm move like that!>

<Mule?!?!> Lance pinned his ears and wheeled around with an angry snort. <You're looking at a prize stud, not some garden mule!>

<Your ears are kinda long for a unicorn..> Ben teased. <You know, if we're going to be roommates, we could always let you have a little shed outback so you can gossip with the other mules and donkeys.>

<Oy!> Lance pinned his ears and gave a short charge forward. He meant to tackle Ben, at least, that was the instinctive idea, but as soon as he ran up to him he realized that there was no earthly way for two hooved creatures to tackle one another in play.

Ben let out a whickering laugh and reared up, solving the problem by boxing out with his forelegs playfully before stepping backwards again. Lance's moment of confusion slipped away and he let out a short challenging squeal and reared up as well, crashing against Ben and playfully biting at him. They fought without hurting one another, save for clumsy attempts to kick out as they fought like young horses, all darting teeth and snorts while hurling insults to one another mentally. It was exuberant, the tension and stress were pushed away with every attempt to take the other male down as they stomped around in a circle, only dropping when one or the other lost their balance before coming together again loudly.

They didn't even realize that someone was watching as they kicked up dust, half tearing away the blankets they had been wearing as they tried to get the best of one another. Lance gave playful nip against Ben's shoulder, pawing at either shoulder as he tried to use his weight to bring Ben down, his nostrils flaring wide as dust was kicked up around them. He nearly got the other colt down when there was a loud clearing of a throat followed by the sound of a hoof neatly clicking on the cobblestone walkway.

<I assume that you didn't intend to awaken the entire estate?> Ulysses' mind voice was droll, but the annoyance lurked under the surface that brought Lance down to all fours and Ben quickly following.

Ulysses was wearing the same silver collar that he had at the dinner, his mane still braided back with a bit of blue and silver ribbon as well. On a horse or a man it would have look stupidly feminine, it should have looked feminine, but the aura the stallion carried made the idea of him being female laughable. He looked handsome, the blue and silver set off his coat and made him look more serious. He was handsome the way men in the 17th century had been handsome, when long hair had been more fashionable by the gentry and even makeup had been worn at one time. It hadn't made them look female, it had accentuated their own masculine beauty. His ears were flicked backwards, not quite lying flat, but certainly showing that he wasn't entirely amused at having to come up here to break up their play.

<Sorry, just a bit of play.> Ben answered somewhat cockily, his sides heaving as he caught his breath. <Had to release some tension after behaving all night.>

<Indeed.> Ulysses regarded both of them and Lance couldn't help a slight grin. <I must admit that I am not often proven wrong, but you have certainly gone out of your way to do just that, Ben. You are to be congratulated.>

<Thank you.> Ben was nearly preening and Lance innocently stepped back, catching the tip of his tail with one hoof so his friend jumped and snorted angrily.

<Although, I wish such maturity could follow you into duties outside of work.> The stallion looked from one to another. <You have passed the last hurtle and are ready to set out on lives of your own, although I will continue to be your sponsor and mentor as you should need it, but the basics of living outside of this estate have been learned.>

<So I can leave?> Lance's ears twitched up high on his head and his heart lifted up. <Both of us can leave together.>

<Yes. We have a program in place to help you find suitable apartments for your new forms, as well as ease you back into the real world.> Ulysses lost some his annoyed stance, his voice calming. <I'll have Jonathan call your families to let them know and then I'll help you pick out where to live and what you'll need.>

<We plan to be roommates.> Ben spoke up, his tail was twitching so fast that Lance felt it smacking into his own. <It'll make things easier.>

The older stallion went quiet for a moment, though his brows furrowed just a touch. <You might find it easier to live alone. Lance, I believe you have a girl friend who you'll be living with?>

<Yes, but not for a while.> Lance had a shivering feel of excitement, Emily, in his... well not his arms again, but no longer separated. <It'll be fine, I think it'll be easier having a roommate that understands what's going on. We're friends, I think we can manage to share an apartment together just fine.>

<Indeed, but traditionally unicorns do not live well together.> Ulysses mind voice was layered with... something. <It is easier to live alone or with ones females.>

<We live just fine together.> Ben retorted and gave his head a toss. <We all live together.>

<Yes, but you acknowledge that I am the lead stallion.> Ulysses tilted his head, pausing for a moment. <We are not animals, but we are closer than humans are to parts of us that are more primal, so the way you might react outside of this place will be different. Living together, you will be on equal ground and two young stallions in their prime will come to blows over a female if neither one is senior and leader. Even then, there can be....issues. It is only natural, you're young and still not sure of your places in the world->

<I think we can manage not to beat each other bloody because of Emily.> Lance snorted in disgust, his tail tip lashing a bit faster. <It's not like human men don't get into fights like that over women, but I never was stupid enough to get into those habits.>

<Exactly.> Ben chimed in, although a bit more softly. <I've not interest in beating up Lance just for his girlfriend. Not in the least.>

<I see.> Ulysses' mind voice was heavy with.. something. Lance had no idea what the emotion was, doubt? Amusement? Realization? Resignation? The flavor was off. <I am sure you will either find a way to work around your differences or embrace them, but just bear in mind what I've told you. Tomorrow we will discuss lodgings and setting you free in the world.>

As they trotted up to the dorms Lance was in high spirits, his legs lifted up high in the air and his ears pricked forward. If Ben was more subdued and seemed to be lost in his thoughts, the young stallion didn't truly take note, his mind was already on Emily and their eventual reunion. They could finally get a start on their lives, just where they left off.