You wake up, and glance at your wristwatch lying next to you. The time reads seven o'clock. Yawning, you throw off the blanket covering you, then groggily close your eyes again and turn over onto your other side.
Then you realise that you can't.
Huh?
Your eyes snap open. They take in the sight of the equine forelegs that you possess. Your hand brushes against your furred trunk. Memory kicks in...
Oh, yes. Of course...
You grin and lovingly stroke the horse fur below your waist. Then you see Rachel's face lying just beyond your watch. She's still asleep.
Carefully raising a hoof, you feel along Rachel's foreleg. She stirs and wakes up - before slipping on her glasses and removing her blanket. For a few seconds, she too looks confused as to why neither of you are in your separate hotel rooms. Why you are both lying on your sides in a communal hall, surrounded by sleeping centaurs. However, the sight of you, along with your slightly-pointed ears, and half-equine form, makes her beam.
"Good morning, Rachel." You smile warmly.
"So it wasn't a dream... Our first morning as centaurs, Ben! And judging from the windows, what a sunny morning it is! Did you sleep well?"
You frown. "Last night's events... What happened to Krista and Harry... I relived it, in my dreams. Anyway, I feel refreshed! I'm ready to get up."
You look around. All the other centaurs are asleep - apart from two of your armed kindred, who you know are patrolling outside, on guard duty.
"Hmm... I'm not ready for breakfast yet. That supper was quite filling," Rachel ponders. She grins with relish, however, at your next words.
"Let's go outside and get into our stride," you suggest.
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In the open air, you pass the smiling Michael (who's on watch). Rachel and you, now comfortable walking four-legged and being taller, gradually pick up speed, and start cantering around the nearby meadow. In the sunlight you can now see all of Rachel in her true colours, for the first time. Dressed only in her green bikini, she makes a stunning, chestnut-coloured centauress. The sight of her, whooping with joy, makes your heart melt. Despite the loss of your old life, and the people you've left back home - you know that you've made the right decision in staying and being transformed. And in joining the species of your choice.
"Come on, Ben!" your girlfriend breaths. "I promised to race you, after we were changed!"
You allow your lungs to recover after your prancing. You feel great! "Last one to the beach is a sissy, then!" you declare, kicking off. Rachel starts running besides you.
The grassy earth feels firm and welcoming underneath your hooves. You gather your strength and try to push yourself further - keen to discover what speed and endurance levels you now have.
Rachel started a couple of seconds behind you - but she draws level at the midway point in the meadow. Then, with a determined expression, Rachel gradually edges past. She reaches the narrow gap in the stone wall at the far end just before you do. Rachel yells triumphantly as her fore-hooves strike sand.
When you come to a halt, you are both sweating and gasping. However, two exuberant centaurs are soon hugging each other at the edge of the wide beach. The sounds and scents of the roaring sea soothe your senses.
"That was...incredible!" You laugh. "Well done!"
"Sissy!" Rachel sticks her tongue out at you. Then she steps back and appraises all of you with her attractive green eyes. "You're really a beautiful stallion, Ben!"
"Thanks! You're pretty cute, yourself!"
Rachel smiles, then sniffs at you. Finding your new, horsey scent to her liking, she reaches forward and tenderly kisses you on the lips. You return the gesture, then slip your arms around her human torso. You are soon lost in each other - rubbing both skin and fur.
Breaking off, Rachel gives a shy smile. "Well. I guess it's time."
You see her tail instinctively swish, and you grin. "Okay... I hope I'm not too heavy for you."
"I know you will be a gentleman," she laughs.
With trepidation on both sides, you and Rachel line up. With your two hearts beating madly, you focus, then rear up upon your hind legs. You find your way forward.
Landing on Rachel's lower back, you lock yourself into position - then manage to reach her neck with your nose. You nuzzle, then kiss her there. She, in turn, moans and stretches her arm back to stroke your face and hair.
The two of your remain in your positions for some minutes, as you experience - together - another side of centaur paradise. Eventually, you sigh with pleasure, and break contact with Rachel. Then you both move around, so you can kiss and hug each other again.
"That...was beyond words, Ben!" Rachel gasps. "Thank you."
"Thank you..." You smile back. "...my wonderful mate!"
"Well, our relationship has certainly...changed...in the last couple of days," Rachel points out.
You nod. "I had feelings for you, before - Rach. I just didn't know...if you thought of me, as anything other than a friend."
Rachel smiles. "I guess our first run-in with the satyrs made me realise I do care for you, Ben. And now you're more than my friend. You are my boyfriend, and my mate. I don't ever want to lose you!"
You hug Rachel close, and make to her the pledge that she made to you yesterday. "I'll be yours, for life!"
Rachel squeezes you tight, then she wipes aside her tears of joy.
After a quick shower, you both decide to head back to the beach. The two of you hold hands, and listen to the sounds of the crashing waves and the cries of the seagulls above. The scenery is perfect. The sun is shining brightly.
Suddenly, you and Rachel notice movement along the beach to your left, underneath the rise of the first cliff, just south of you. There are three figures there, sitting on a rock ledge a couple of feet above the incoming tide. One of the figures waves to you.
Rachel meets your gaze. "Well, I guess we should introduce ourselves." She breaks into a trot. You soon catch up with her.