Companions Chapter 14: The Reception
#14 of Companions
[Companions Chapter 14]
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WARNING! The following text contains explicit adult subject matter. It is not intended for anyone under the age of 18. If you are under the age of 18, then you must stop reading now. The author has taken steps to ensure that this story does not appear in any subject-inappropriate or age-inapropriate forum. This version has been posted with the author's permission to Yiffstar.com.
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* _COMPANIONS_
* by Evoquus
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* (c) Copyright 2002, Evoquus, All rights reserved.
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* Feedback is appreciated: [email protected]
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Rating: NC-17 for explicit sex: M/M, Human-Stallion-Mare, Anal, Oral
Chapter 14: The Reception
"You guys aren't leaving before the reception, are you?"
"What is a reception?"
"Tell him, Danny. It's the best part of a human wedding."
"I think you might be confusing the reception with the bachelor party, Parceph."
"Bachelor party! That's what I meant. Wait. It's too late for that, now. Oh bullocks, it was my job to host it, too."
"Come on, Parceph, what do you call that little shindig you fired up in the horse trailer? If that wasn't a party for three eligible bachelors, then I don't know what is."
"I guess, but I wish I'd had more notice."
Parceph was disappointed, but not in a self-pitying way. He simply wanted to have some more fun, and I found myself warming up to the idea.
"You know what, Rovaun, your Best Stallion is right. We should have a wedding reception."
"I still do not know what that is, Companion."
"It's just a big party with music, dancing, and cake."
Rovaun's eyebrows hit the roof. "What kind of cake?" he whinnied.
"Wedding cake," I laughed. "I promise you'll love it."
"In that case, I approve. How do we start this reception?"
"I believe it begins with the happy couple's first dance," boasted Parceph, touting his superior knowledge of human affairs.
"How do you know so much about human weddings?"
"I've been to a few in my time," said the big shot.
"And just how exactly did you manage that!?"
"Pulling the wedding carriage. There were times when I was quite in demand, sometimes doing two or three weddings a week. And that's when I learned that humans don't seem to really understand the concept of marital fidelity. You'd be surprised how many brides and bridegrooms fondled me when no one was looking."
"I would have."
Rovaun snorted.
"I'm not going to deny it, Husband. If I married someone, and you were pulling the carriage, you can bet I'd find any excuse to 'straighten my tie' for a few minutes alone with you."
"Then why would you get married in the first place?"
"It's complicated. Life is short, and humans have a terrible fear of living it alone. That's why they often settle for a less than ideal mate. It's easier than spending their whole lives looking for a soul mate that might not even exist much less be available."
Pretending to take notice in a passing bird, Parceph turned away from us, suddenly feeling the onset of some unpleasant emotions that he did not want spoiling the occasion. The talk of searching for soul mates was particularly difficult for him, for he had actually found his, but ended up causing the man's destruction. No matter how much it could be argued to the contrary, emotionally, he still considered the death to be his fault. My marrying my soul mate only seemed to exacerbate that feeling within him. He needed a party more than anyone, so I was happy to give him one.
The first dance called for a slow number led by the married couple. I consulted the repertoire of music in my head, and found it sadly lacking in that respect, being almost entirely stocked with classic rock from the '60s and '70s, and also some contemporary progressive rock. There wasn't much that The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, or Spock's Beard offered to remedy this situation, but then I recalled a side project by Led Zeppelin's lead singer that might do the trick.
The Hipponaurs ears all perked up and swiveled around when the opening strings played through my virtual loudspeakers. I led my groom to the center of the recently-grazed dance floor, and we hugged as Hipponaurs while swaying to The Honeydrippers' rendition of "Sea of Love."
I held close to Rovaun, but kept an eye on Parceph just in case he lost it completely. But he was a trooper, taking a deep breath and then turning to watch us with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes. Being familiar with the tradition, he allowed us the first minute to ourselves, then escorted Shianna to the dance floor and joined in. We motioned for the rest to join us as well, but most were too self-conscious to do so, and remained content to stand and sway on the sidelines. It made me chuckle to myself, since I was the same way at most of the receptions I had attended.
I enjoyed slow-dancing with my husband, but it really required arms to do it right, so I emerged wearing a tastefully modest white tuxedo and hugged him around the neck while we danced. He smiled at me with watery eyes and returned my hug tenderly.
"How do you like the music, Husband?"
"It is very romantic," he said. "An excellent choice."
"'Sea of Love' might be a good choice for Malaya and Tantau's wedding dance, too," I mused.
"That would be more like 'Beach of Love.' Is there such a song?"
"I don't know. Emerson, Lake and Palmer made an album called 'Love Beach,' but it pretty much confirmed that their careers were in the toilet, which is where I think I left it."
"Then perhaps 'Sea of Love' it should remain, unless a more appropriate song comes along in the next seven years."
"Why seven years?"
"That is when Malaya and Tantau will reach adulthood."
"What!?"
"You were not aware of that?"
"No... I just assumed that it would take decades... at LEAST."
"No, Companion, it takes Hipponaurs about twice as long as ordinary equines to reach physical maturity, but after that, we stop aging almost entirely."
"Wow... They hardly have any time to grow up. No wonder it looks like they're having so much fun in the dream - they're still kids."
I smiled warmly at Tantau's mother dancing next to me. Shianna politely returned it with a sniffle and a smile of her own, while inside her, Tantau sang along with the syrupy lyrics. With an emotional sigh, she switched shoulders with Parceph, so that she would not have to endure the visual reminder that Rovaun was now permanently hands-off. Parceph smiled at me in a "she'll get over it" sort of way.
The "Love Beach" scene in Malaya's dream now had me confused. It only lasted a couple of seconds, so there wasn't much to go on, but there was no question that there were a lot of Anthrauns in love. The one's I could see up close seemed to be nearly the same age as Tantau.
"Rovaun, if Tantau and Tattoo are supposedly the first Anthrauns, then where did all of the other Anthrauns on the beach come from?"
"Perhaps they are all ours," he kidded. "I told you that you would be pregnant forever."
"But I don't have any human DNA anymore. How can we continue to make them?"
"I have faith in you, Companion."
Parceph tapped Rovaun with his nose. "May I?"
Rovaun turned to him and snorted. "May you what?"
"I think he wants to cut in, Husband."
Rovaun looked at me, completely baffled at Parceph's rudeness. "Does he not understand that we are married now?"
"It is entirely appropriate for us to dance with our guests. Go take care of Shianna."
Rovaun gave him a silent glare, then attended to Shianna, who hugged him tighter than I did. I put my arms around Parceph and resumed dancing. He was remarkably nimble on his feet, taking the lead, but remaining easy to keep up with. I suspected that he was actually a much better dancer than I was, but was purposely toning it down so as not to put me to shame. I felt him tremble ever so slightly in my arms, obviously still fighting back his demons, then he sighed deeply again and whickered to calm his nerves. I thought perhaps some small talk might help as well.
"Thanks for suggesting the reception, Parceph."
"My pleasure, Danny. And thank you for pulling it off so well. You are truly an extraordinary human being. I hope Rovaun appreciates what a good thing he has."
"I think he does. And I also think that both you and he are equally extraordinary Hipponaurs. It's a shame I couldn't marry you both."
He hugged me hard and then started to cry.
"Oh Parceph... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
His whole body shuddered in my arms as he tried unsuccessfully to control the tears. I rubbed his neck with a "shhhh" to console him.
"I miss him so much, Danny."
"I know, Parceph."
"I still dream about him. We dance just like this. When we're together I am so happy, and then I wake up and he's gone again."
"Don't you ever dream about finding another Companion?"
"No. My dreams are of only him in the past."
"Parceph, you know that doesn't mean it won't happen. You'll find someone, I'm sure of it. But you've got to start making your own dreams for your future. Destiny obviously doesn't give a flying f... fig about you, so screw her! You're smart and sexy - you'll have a new Companion someday. Just... please be careful."
"I know," he sighed, recomposing himself.
"And whenever you need a human hug, I'll be here." I felt myself modifying the neck rub into a caress. "And... you know... maybe sometime... if it's okay with Rovaun..."
He gave me an admonishing eyebrow, so I restrained myself.
"Sorry about that, but you see? That's the power you hold over humans."
When the song came to a close, Parceph gave me one final quick horsey hug, then stepped back to appease Rovaun, who was still monitoring him. I needed a change of mood, so I returned to my Hipponaur body, turned up "Love Shack" to full blast, and became a rocking horse. Parceph whinnied cheerfully and rocked out with me, followed by Rovaun and Shianna. Even the sidelined Hipponaurs got into the groove, bucking and kicking to the pounding rhythm. Soon we had this Hipponaur rave rolling.
I peppered the set with different genres, from 50's rock and roll, to classic rock, to R&B and even a little disco. The Hipponaurs never missed a beat and Tantau and Tattoo couldn't get enough of it, which only confirmed to me that they had my DNA. The award for the best dancer, without question, went to Varyl, not because he was any good, but because he was by far having the most fun. Civilian life really agreed with him.
For a brief moment I thought it would be a kick to do some country line dancing, but I loathed country music and I'd be damned if I'd allow it at my own wedding reception. Instead, I played Elvis and Chuck Berry, The Stones, Blondie, Fine Young Cannibals, and the Bee Gees. I finished the set with The Beatles' "Twist and Shout," which the Hipponaurs had considerable difficulty "twisting" to, since it was a type of dance that could only be performed on two feet, maybe one, but definitely not four.
When the set was over, they were all thankful for the much-needed break, which then brought the question from my mate, "When do we eat wedding cake?" Now was as good a time as any, since I didn't think I could manage both a virtual cake and a virtual sound system, simultaneously. I conjured up a traditional three-tiered white wedding cake with a little red stallion and black mare on top, to which the gallery responded with ooohs and aaahs. I was just about to cut the cake when Parceph interrupted.
"Aren't I supposed to give a toast at this time?"
"Uh... I guess so, but I don't think I can manage simultaneous champagne for everyone."
"How about just for you and Rovaun, then?"
"That I can do."
The cake disappeared and I produced two bubbling crystal flutes, one of which I handed to Rovaun, who held the base clumsily in his mouth.
"To my best friends, Rovaun and Daniel: I owe you my life, but I'd much rather keep it, so I offer you this toast instead. May the undeniable love you share for one another grow ever stronger each day, and may your friends who love you grow daily in their numbers. We all wish you a long, happy and fruitful marriage. May God bless you and your family."
I clinked my glass with Rovaun's and nodded to Parceph to acknowledge his superb toast while the Hipponaurs whinnied and stamped their applause. After taking a sip of the crisp, dry vintage, I assisted Rovaun with his glass, but the bubbles made his nose itch, which then made his eyes water when he tried to suppress the oncoming sneeze. When the champagne flowed onto his tongue, he discovered that it tasted far worse than barbecued hamburgers, so he let loose a huge sneeze anyway, blowing it all out of his mouth and onto my dry clean-only tuxedo. The only one not laughing at this point was Rovaun, whose tongue dangled from his mouth, still dripping with the horrid brew.
"Here, Love," I said, handing him a slice of white wedding cake with lemon filling.
He tasted it cautiously, then devoured it whole, swishing it around in his mouth to wipe out the rest of the noxious virtual champagne molecules.
"Thank you," he said, kissing me and dusting my cheek with frosting.
The other Hipponaurs lined up for their cake, which being virtual, necessitated that I feed it to each of them individually for best results. Most had never tasted anything like it before, and some liked it better than others. Serving them the dessert was just as fascinating for me as it was for them. I marveled at each of them, since no two Hipponaurs were at all alike, and the more I considered Hipponaurs and Humans, the more it seemed that there was very little difference between the two races.
"My compliments to the chef," said Parceph. "It is the best wedding cake I have ever tasted." Then he confided, "...and I've had more than my fair share. Once, I ate nearly half of the whole cake before I got shooed away with a broomstick."
"You are quite the scoundrel, Parceph. I must hear all of your stories."
"Perhaps after your honeymoon," he winked. "Then you'll have some stories to barter with."
I shook my head and laughed at the ribald equine. Rovaun was the love of my life, but Parceph, when he wasn't so sad, was so much fun. I dearly hoped we could keep him close to us in our lives.
After cake, we danced a little more and wrapped up the party "Doing the Locomotion" by making a long, winding Hipponaur train. Rovaun and I were the engine followed by the wedding party and guests and ultimately little Malaya as the caboose on the far end. The train snaked around the meadow while we all danced to the song, then ended in a playful train wreck as this dance often did when the leaders made a wrong turn and terminally spiraled inward. Though I had a photographic memory, I still wished I'd brought my camera.
A few Hipponaurs politely found the festivities "not quite to their liking," but most had a good time and were sad to see the party end, which was the best time to end it. I could tell that Rovaun was quite overwhelmed by all of the attention he was not used to receiving, so we made our good-byes short in order to spend some quality time with each other for the rest of our wedding day.
"So where are you guys off to? Disneyland?" joked Parceph.
"It is a secret," said Rovaun.
"I hope you're going to share it with me," I said sarcastically, knowing how possessive he was with them.
"I will, my Love, and I assure you, it is one of my best kept secrets, EVER."
"Oooooh, let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go..."
[End of _COMPANIONS_ Chapter 14: The Reception]
[Next in series: Chapter 15: Eden]