Although Joe got ahead at first, Derrick found that the longer he ran the easier it got. He pulled even with the other satyr, and then managed top pull ahead just before Joe laughed and stumbled to a halt. "OK! You win! You're a natural at this. You sure you weren't born a satyr?"
Derrick stopped and trotted back, amazed to find that he could balance easily on the tiny cloven hooves that had replaced his feet. "Nope! Pure human as far as I know." Neither of them were even breathing hard, though both were sweaty. It created an even stronger male odor for both of them, smells that he found he liked a lot. "But I don't know if I want to change back when this vacation is over. Do they let guests go home like this?"
Joe made a face and shook his head. "No. Magic stuff only works here. If you left the resort area like that, you'd end up as a billy goat. A very cute, sexy billy goat, but still an animal."
"Oh!" That didn't sound good, though Derrick had liked the part about being cute and sexy.
"It's not so bad, really. Sorta fun for short times, but I would not want to be a real animal forever." Joe grinned mischievously. "Besides, hands are useful for a lot of fun things."
"Wait. You mean you have been a goat? A real goat?" Derrick stared at the satyr. "You can change back and forth?"
Joe looked back toward the main building, looking thoughtful. "Did you tell anyone you where you were going?"
"Nah. I just was heading out when I bumped into you. My family doesn't even know I went into the Spa. much less that I ended up a satyr. Man, are they gonna be surprised!" Derrick grinned and looked around. They had run quite a distance, and the resort buildings were barely visible through the trees. Some centaurs were galloping in a small herd on the far side of this field, and a minotaur was dragging a dead tree out of the woods. Several large deer were grazing under the watchful eyes of a magnificent buck, and some satyrs and nymphs were chasing each other around the edge of the trees. None were paying Derrick and Joe any attention.
"Come on. I want to show you something." Joe trotted over to a gap in the trees, revealing a well-hidden path. "Guests are not supposed to be in this area. Hardly any even leave the resort."
"So, what's down there?" Derrick stared down the path, but it twisted and vanished into thick forest.
"A fun place." Joe took a few steps down the path. "Something special I want to share with you. I could get into trouble if management found out, but I really like you. Come on! it will be great!"
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