Derrick found himself watching the centaur as the massive creature plodded past. Muscles rippled under the glossy golden hide, and the long feathering covering dinner-plate sized hooves was brilliant white. The human part was well tanned and smoothly muscled, looking like a weightlifter. Maybe early twenties, with long golden hair that matched the horsehide split by a long off-white mane that ran down his human back. His eyes were unnaturally large and wide-set, and his lower face protruded into a slight muzzle. The coarse features and horselike cast should have been somewhat homely, but Derrick found the centaur to be amazing looking. Then he flushed as the creature grinned back at him and winked, and then wiggled a finger that could only mean ‘follow me.’
Embarrassed at being caught, but intrigued, Derrick fell into step behind the centaur. They left the main lobby and entered a much plainer, wide hallway that looked to be used mostly by staff. More of the fauns, nymphs, minotaurs, and centaurs were moving back and forth, many carrying trays or boxes. A few grinned and winked at him as they passed, and one centaur whinnied something that made the one he was following laugh.
They turned off and entered a huge stable. Derrick looked around, amazed, as he continued to follow his centaur. The stalls were enormous, and fitted with shelves of books, basins, cabinets, and artwork. A few were occupied by other centaurs, and at least two had curious-looking grooms brushing them. Nude males, the stable boys were humanoid, but had equine characteristics. Both had tails and manes, and the larger one seemed to have hide instead of skin. Both had dark, oversized genitals that looked like what the centaurs displayed.
His centaur entered one of the big stalls, and Derrick automatically followed. Once inside, the centaur turned to face him and reached out to stroke the side of his face with one large finger. He whinnied softly to Derrick, the sound oddly penetrating in his mind. The second time the centaur made the noise, Derrick blinked as he understood it as words! The centaur was offering him…