It was such a strange situation. Derrick stared at the mirror, watching himself finish the transformation. He looked exactly like the other horseboys now, and the desire to return to the stable and his centaur was stronger than ever. "Two weeks as the Centaur's groom? It is the best vacation I can imagine." He turned back and almost ran to the stable, where he found his centaur waiting. "I was hoping you would change your mind. Welcome back." He gave Derrick a quick hug, and then let the former boy get back to work.
Derrick continued to take care of his centaur, settling into a steady routine that was both easy and comfortable. He cleaned the stall, brushed the centaur, provided food and water, and helped with the care of the non-sentient equines as well. There was no thought for himself, though he was pleased by his ability to work. And the pleasure he gave others was far more rewarding than anything he had done for himself.
Another long but happy day came to a close with his assigned stalls all cleaned and animals groomed. His centaur approached him with a sad smile. "You have been the best caregiver I could hope for, but your two-week vacation ends tomorrow. Do you want to spend it with your family?"
Derrick had to think a moment to even remember he was just here on vacation, and that he had not looked like the other stable hands before. It took effort to remember his human self - his pale, hairless, scrawny young human self. He did NOT want to go back to that form or that life. Wasting time in school, sitting around doing nothing at home, contributing nothing, helping no one. "But, what if I do not want to leave? Can I stay, remain with you and work in the stables?"
The Centaur frowned, more to himself than at Derrick's words. "I do not know. No guest has ever been one of our caregivers before, and I can't think of any who have wanted to continue in a subservient role. You should speak with your family, and get away from this place a little while before such an important decision is made."
As much as Derrick hated to leave, he had faith in the wisdom of his Centaur, and agreed to return to his family. Buit only as he was. "I want to stay a Caregiver, not be that useless human boy again." The Centaur nodded. "I could not change you back anyway. That is strictly up to you."
So the big humanoid equine that had been Derrick returned to the main Spa. The receptionist took him to where his parents and sister were. It occurred to him that his sister had visited the stables before, and though he had not really reacted to her then, she knew who he was. That was before he had finished the transformation - now he was identical to all of the other caregivers. Still, she cocked her head when they entered the suite and then grinned. "You gotta be Derrick!"
His mother and father were taken aback when they saw the large equine creature, but they had tried other forms over the past two weeks as well. His Dad chuckled. "Well, you certainly got to explore a different life! Maybe you will help more at the house when we get home."
Derrick wasted no time. "I do not want to leave the stable. Can I remain here?"