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Chapter Two: Cadence and Discord

**

Dalten lay in his bed and stared at the ceiling. He didn't have problems coming up with melodies or counterpoint exercises this time, now, this time he was wondering just what the future would bring.

**

During the late 20'th and early 21stcenturies there was "The Event" so profound it changed the shape of the world forever. Sometime during that era, medical experiments, as well as some type of outward force (some say aliens) forced changes on the human race. By 2079 it was widely spread, and panic had set in. People were turning into "monsters." Animals were becoming sentient. One minute a grocer would be helping a customer, the next minute he'd be on the ground in pain, and would have grown antlers and fur all over his body. Or a hunter would be training his gun sight on a deer, only to have that deer fall to the ground, grow bi-pedal legs and beg to not be shot in clear English (or whatever dialect was dominant in the region). The human changelings were known as "modified." The others were known as "ferals." True humans were known as "originals."

Chaos ensued. In the end there was an accord, and by 2095 all species were known as "the people." This included a very small and limited amount of humans. They had opted for some Atoll in the pacific, and lived peacefully. It was rare to see a human in society, but they did exist.

No, this wasn't what bothered Dalten, it was speciesim. About 80 years ago some genius noted that canines could only reproduce with other canine species, only bovines with bovines, and so on. Sometimes a hybrid would occur. It was theorized that the remnant human DNA allowed this somehow, but almost always the creature was malformed, or sterile. Very rarely was the creature whole, sane, and virile. No one outwardly disallowed inter-species coupling, but it was frowned upon.

**

Dalten thought of his mother. The small sorrel equine had married Dal's brute of a father young. Virginia had produced two offspring, and only two. Kelten Froederick (Ken) and Dalten Samuel (Dal) who were fraternal twins. The experience had discouraged his mother from ever having more children as the pregnancy of a Clydesdale to a "normal" Equine species was rough.

Dalten was only of a few of the people who had human ancestry and feral ancestry. His many times great grandfather had been a Mr. Samuel Taylor, a farmer in a place called Illinois. Dalten carried his name as his own middle name. His "wife" was one of his Clydesdale drey herd. One day he was out feeding the herd, and one of the mares changed. Sometime later they married and produced Dalten's ancestor, Forsythe Alonzo Taylor, founder of the farm his parent's owned.

His mother though wanted both boys to "man up" and start families. Even though Dal preferred other males, his mother still would snort and tell him, "save that for after having kids and continuing the line."

Dal rolled over on his side. Sure this friendship might finally wake his mother up to the fact that her son was not interested in having children, but he doubted the fact the young man, who was canine in nature, would go over well. Never mind how well they meshed.....Dal could not even see that they could mesh....physically - he was so much bigger....

He stopped that thought quickly and snorted. He was getting ahead of himself. Stupid horse, can't tell where the road goes because you're too worried about the sound of the wagon behind you. He was assuming the Dalmatian would WANT a relationship, never mind the kiss, lick, or whatever that was.

One day at a time Dal, one day....

**

Rick stared at the ceiling unable to sleep. His poster of the human composer Bach glared down at him. _Did he even mean what he said? Was he just being nice to me? God, I've never played so well before._Rick's mind played the events over and over in his head. As soon as Dal had started playing a counterpoint to his own tune it was like lightning had gone off in his head. He could see the music. The tonalities were almost tangible. He'd read of abilities like that before. Some type of mixing of senses, but he'd never experienced it on such a grand scale.

All he did was show me one tune, and all other tunes were there. We traded tune for tune effortlessly. Rick sighed. He didn't believe in fate like some of his human ancestors. Sure there were things that could not be explained like why people had turned animal, and animals more human like, why some people could think in terms that were alien to others, or why Rick was drawn to Dal.

"Dal. Not Dalten." Rick sighed. The full name was too formal. Too full of it self. Not that Rick blamed Dal for being given that name.

"What am I thinking of? Monogramming my napkins!?" Rick sighed and got up, his one room dorm completely empty. His roommate, some Cheetah named Seth who was studying Art History, had left for the weekend to visit family.

He paced to the small bathroom and relieved himself. He was sorely confused as well. The tall handsome equine was all he would want in a boyfriend, or more, but well, he wasn't canine was he? What would his human father think?? He was one of the incredibly rare stable hybrids. It was incredibly rare in that a human, and a changeling / modified Dalmation had produced him. He suspected it was why he had blue eyes instead of his mother's or father's brown. Mr. Agustus Wells had been a wealthy man on the Atoll, but had moved to the continent for work. He'd fallen for Kendra and married. They'd had to go through so much legal trouble, it was simply amazing that they were even allowed to marry, let alone reproduce.

And reproduce they did. And their offspring were baffling to Scientists of the day. All eight of them stable, and all eight of them male and virile. All but Rick were straight.

What if Dal had problems with his species? Well that will have to wait. I want friendship before anything else regardless of how I feel. Besides I have a few days to think about it. My first lesson with Dal isn't until Monday. I'll practice tomorrow and Sunday, and then just hope for the best.

Rick laid back down in his bed, closed his eyes and fell asleep. He dreamed easily that night, of a certain strong equine face.

**

Dalten furiously finished his notation in his book. He was designing exercises for Rick for the lesson. Tomorrow would be their first reunion since Friday, and he knew he wanted to finish these exercises early. There were plenty of texts on the subject, but none for people who already had talent but didn't know how to channel it. Dalten was sure the youngster had talent with a capital T. The more he thought about it the more he was sure that in time the young Dalmatian would surpass his skills as composer.

Dal smiled at that thought. It was good to have a colleague and competition at the same time. It would force him to hone his own skills. Speaking of which....

"I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew!" Dalten looked down at the commission letter. It had been signed by the Prefect and the Governor. It read:

"In celebration of the 190's anniversary of "The Event and Final Founding" we are formally commissioning you, Dalten Samuel Taylor, to compose a celebration mass and requiem for those who survived and those we lost. The following musical details will be required:"

The letter went on to decree key, length (three hours), instrumentation, visual effects, and a librettist. Dal scowled at that. He hated word smiths. They always insisted that the words come before music, and were more important than music. As if declamation was the key to all melody.

The pay was going to be more than worth it though. A semi-national requiem? This was almost unheard of anymore. Sure once in a while you might get an opera, or a symphony, or a commissioned concerto, but never a mass celebration / requiem. He had a few months though.Plenty of time! After all, Beethoven's Fidelio wasn't written in a day.

Dal groaned. He'd made a mental pun and offered up a benediction to his favorite composer.

"Sorry Ludwig, that was in bad taste...."

Ding

The chat program on his computer sounded. He glanced over stretching his cramping hand.

"Any plans for Monday? Mom wants to talk." Ken had sent. Dalten groaned. This would mean using the Video Chat system again. Technology had come to a standstill during The Event, and only recently had technology started to improve from over 200 years of no immovation. Still, the Video Chat system was complex, and his mother would fluster and fume the entire time. It would just be better to make a visit, but Dalten didn't have the time.

"I have a student lesson at 3, but can be ready to talk at six. What's this about?"

Ding

"Inheritance and the future. I have no idea really, she's been hot to get you here for a meeting, or at least on the video to talk." Ken sent.

"No doubt about me continuing the line again."

Ding

"No doubt. You heard me and Darla are getting married right?" Ken sent.

Dalten smiled. Darla and Ken had grown up together. Darlina Renton Smith-Cribbens was the daughter of the farm owner next door, a beautiful young sorrel. Dal thought long and hard before responding. He didn't want to make his brother feel guilty after all.

"Ah, I see, so since you're getting hitched I should too. I think I see where this is going. The same old song and dance. She wants me to breed a brood, regardless that I can't perform with a female."

Dal scribbled for a while in his notebook wondering if he'd crossed the line this time.

Ding

"Probably. Hey, I gotta go, dinner is about ready."

Ken signed off.

Dalten sighed. Great, just what I need, another load to haul....

**

Rick rapped on the door with trepidation. He was a little nervous, and very excited at the same time. He was only 10 minutes early. He'd paced the sidewalk in front of the building for 20 minutes before he figured 10 minutes was an excusable amount of 'early.'

The door opened, and there stood Dal. Tall. That is what would always strike Rick the most. Just how tall the equine was. And broad. And handsome...and....well dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt that was straining at his shoulders.

He realized he was staring.

"HI!" He all but shouted. "Ah....I made it.

Dal smiled down at him. "And with time to spare, please, come in, and have a seat."

Rick came in trudging his guitar and backpack with him. This was going to be a long session. Dal had agreed to teach Rick. They'd exchanged e-mails over the weekend. Rick would be over Monday, Weds, and Friday, three hours each day. In turn, he'd spoken to Dr. Carson, and had gotten Rick off of normal practice study for the next month. After that, Dal would assess his student, and either continue, or pass him back to Dr. Carson.

Rick walked over to the huge grand and sat on the stool near it. He glanced left and saw a blond guitar on a floor stand. His ears perked as he cocked his head.

"Who is that for?" Rick asked turning his head to Dal. The huge equine was walking over with a leather bound book in his hands.

"Me. And you're not going to be using your guitar."

Rick stared. "I--I'm what? Not going to?"

"No." Dal sat down on a similar stool and motioned to the piano. He set the book down on the music stand. "No in fact, you need to broaden your horizons. Your playing is impeccable. You need to get better at other instruments. Now I studied them all. Keyboards, winds, strings, percussion, brass, you name it. I even studied some esoteric ones. However, you are a master of the guitar and lute. Time to spread your wings."

Dalten picked up the guitar and began tuning it, his eyes crossing in concentration.

"You also need someone who is not good, to be able to practice against. Not everyone is a master at their chosen instrument. I'm hardly a master at keyboards or organ, but that doesn't stop me from playing. So I get to stumble through simple melodies and counterpoints as do you, both of us on different instruments."

Rick could only think of one thing to say as his jaw dropped open..."But...."

Dal nickered at him. "No buts, just notes. Now sit that spotted rump of yours down, and give the first melody line a try.

Rick sighed. He's passed Elementary Keyboard his first year. Barely. He glanced at the notes and oriented himself as he sat on the stool and had to quickly stand. It was far too low for him. He quickly turned it to the right height and sighted the music.

Middle C.....um...here. Ok....this is in A-minor. No major deviations, looks almost Baroque. Perhaps some nice trills here.....and here..... Quickly Rick pulled out a pencil and began making notes.

"What are you doing?" The voice was deep and cold. He could feel the equine staring at him in the back.

"Uh....making notes, figuring out my fingerings before hand, making sure I'm prepared."

"Good." Was the reply. Rick looked back. Dalten had a slight smirk on his equine lips.

"Always expect questions. Just because I ask them, doesn't mean I'm right or you are wrong. When you're finished, just begin." Dalten finished tuning and sat back with the guitar poised in his arms.

Ok....so...A-minor....3-4 fingers here....we move to dominant and Ah yes a raised seventh for a nice leading tone at the end.

Rick sighed and began playing.

**

Dalten picked out a very simple counterpoint he had already composed for this tune and winced a time or two at the wrong notes the canine made. Soon they came to the end.

"Not bad, but it could be better. Now where did you go wrong?"

The spotted dock pondered the question, his tail still with thought.

"I made a few wrong notes?"

"Think again." Dalten kept his face neutral. He was going to have to be stern. The pup had a massive amount of talent. Coddling him would not help.

"The trills?"

"No." Dalten was a little more gruff.

"You stopped." Dalten said with a snort.

Rick's eyes bulged..."But...you said.....the tune, the first tune...."

"Yes and when ever in an improvised piece does the music end with only one tune. It modulates, it changes. You take the tune _I_played while you were playing and build. Single line becomes double, double line becomes tripple, quartet, quintet, and so on."

Rick stared back..."I can't....."

Dalten snorted loudly. "You can, I've seen it. Sure the piano is not YOUR instrument, but do you really want to be caught with only one skill as a musician? What's your plan to just play weddings and concerts for the rest of your life?"

Rick raised a finger and stopped. Dal was right. That WAS what he was planning on doing.

"If you do, you are going to waste a lot of talent. I don't take on students. The other night you were amazing. And that was without training. With training you may even surpass me. So, maestro, again, from the beginning, and this time do not stop. Here's your instructions....modulate after the end to C major, I'll keep the main tune, you improvise my line in a major key. Change it slightly. It will be tune A1...."

Rick stared and took a few notes hoping to keep up.

Finally they started again.

**

Two hours later Rick was sweating. This was hard work. Not physically but mentally, and his nerves were getting to him. Dalten was a relentless teacher. Time after time he'd shout "No!" Few praises came. Finally he needed a break and slumped after a 10 minutes improvisation round.

"Good!" Dalten snorted. He stood up, and walked over to his computer and typed something in.

"What?" Rick wiped the sweat out of his eyes.

"I said Good! As in good job, here, move aside and listen." Dalten punched a few keys on the keyboard and stepped to the Piano.

"Do you mean you had that thing recording and set up to the....ah" Rick deflated. All of his mistakes captured for all to hear.

"Yes I did, but listen to what you did, actually listen."

Slowly the tune started playing on the keyboard. The same notes he pressed were pressed and depressed. Rick had heard of "Player Pianos" but they were an antique technology.

Then Dalten joined in the tune with the same melodies he had played on his guitar, and added two other lines.....after 10 minutes the song finished.

"But....those other lines....I didn't" Rick began startled. The fugue had been very beautiful and haunting, if overly Baroque sounding.

"Yes you did, look here." Dalton pointed a thick equine finger at the screen of the keyboard. There were the other two lines, ones he had improvised two hours before.

"Really?"

"Yes...that was all you. I gave a main tune, and you, my youngster, just composed a full blown fugue. Congratulations!" Dalton hit "Print."

"God I hate technology" Dal muttered as the printer spat out reams of music.

"Now, for Weds we will build on this and devise a toccata. That will be all you, on keyboard, this time a harpsichord. I'm borrowing one from Dr. Polin."

Rick walked over to the couch and slumped down.

**

Dalten watched Rick slump on the couch. The poor thing. Dal had been rough, but fair. In truth he hadn't expected the lesson to go as well as it did. Over time, and with encouragement, Rick had shown aptitude at keyboard composition. A good step and skill. He hated he'd been rough, but what can you do? Being overly kind would not get a lesson across every time.

"You know, you did amazingly well..." Dal rumbled taking the final sheet, and shoving all of them into a binder, handing it to Rick.

"I did?"

"Yes. With no prior experience you just composed a baroque fugue in the style of Bach in less than three hours. Even Bach took about that amount of time in transcription, and he was a keyboard master!" Dalton sat down on the couch next to the young canine.

"Thanks, I think." Rick ran his paw over his sweaty head. "Can I have some water?"

"Sure!" Dal quickly rose and brought them both some large glasses from the kitchen.

"It's just that, I never thought about composing or improvising before. All I knew was the theory. You at least had experience in both first. I just had....well...knowledge."

Rick slumped down exhausted.

Hrm....dare I?

Dal sat down right next to the young canine and offered him a glass. "You had knowledge and no direction, I just gave you a direction to go." The canine leaned against his shoulder and sighed.

"I guess...."

"It wasn't a guess" Dalten replied looking straight ahead. You have a lot of talent."

"mmm...if....you....."

Dal caught the glass before it shattered on the floor and sighed. He sat the glass down gently on the end table and let Rick curl up next to him. He tentatively reached over and stroked Rick's neck. The spotted tail wagged a few times...."mmmph" the Dalmation murmured drifting off to sleep.

Dal smiled.......not bad for a first lesson.

**

BeepBeep - BeepBeep:

Dal raised his head. He was curled up on his couch - with...Rick? He must have been tired. He remembered sitting down next to the canine and stroking his neck fur. At some point he must have lain down and Rick had....

Climbed on top of him.....and had drooled on his chest. He had a huge wet spot on his shirt.

BeepBeep - BeepBeep:

Dal cursed. The dalmatian woke with a start. "Whatz....where?" He began then smiled at Dal. "Uh sorry, fell asleep."

"I'd noticed" Dal rumbled. "Excuse me, that's the vid screen."

"Oh!" Rick scrambled up. Dal hastily got to his hooves, slightly sliding on the floor and leaving a gouge in the wood. "Shit!"

He made it to the terminal and tore the cloth off on the last ring and hit the answer button.

"Hello? Dalten? Is that you!?"

His mother's white blaze down her muzzle filled the screen from one end to another, one eye staring intently.

"Back up mom, you're too close again."

"WHAT!?"

"Honey, turn up the volume if you can't hear." Dalten's dad's voice sounded in the background. Dal snickered.

"BACK UP MOM!" Ken shouted.....

Finally all three equines were visible. His dad's dappled gray form, his brother's grey form with a white blaze down his muzzle, and his sorrel mom with white blaze all glared at him. The garish floral wallpaper of the kitchen brought back a lot of memories for Dal.

"Dalten Samuel Taylor, what is that on your shirt!" His mom cried.

"Um....ah...drool...I was....um...napping!"

Rick snickered in the background.

"Napping? It's Monday afternoon and you're napping?? Did you loose your job as composer son?" His mom got too close again eying her son wildly with one huge brown eye.

"Mom - he can't loose a job as a composer, only a comission. I've told you he works long hours...." Ken whispered on the other side....

"How can he work long hours if he's asleep on a Monday afternoon!?"

Dalten was already getting a headache and rubbed his eyes. He quickly glanced back at Rick who was watching him with amusement.

"Mom, I work odd and long hours ok?"

"Well.......I guess."

She backed up again. His dad coughed. "Everything OK son? You look nervous."

"Yes!, No! I'm fine. I have a student here though."

"A student!? I thought you were napping!?" His mother all but whinnied in exasperation.

"Look mom, we'll talk about that later when I come home for a visit, what is this about?"

His mom looked nonplussed. Ken rolled his eyes and his father looked away and coughed.

This didn't bode well.

"You know you're twin is getting married." She huffed, snorting at the end of the sentence. He could also hear her hoof stamp across the line.

"Yes mom, I heard, congratulations Ken! When is the happy day!?" Dalten responded brightly.

"Thanks bro! We're thinking of..."

"And When are YOU going to settle down and give us a brood eh!?" His mom interrupted eyeing the screen wildly.

Dalten couldn't escape it. He glanced back at Rick who was grinning hugely. He sighed and shook his mane habitually.

"Mom, we've discussed this. I'm not. You have Ken, and I'm sure he and Darlina will do their part AND mine to carry the line...."

"That is NO excuse young man. You have a duty to us, and to your ancestors to see this line continue....I want you to...."

Dalten had never snapped at his mother before.

"No mom! No. Not now, not ever. You never listen. I CAN'T. I cannot give you grandchildren!"

His mom spluttered and looked as if she was doing a champion imitation of a braying mule, muzzle wide, eyes staring, and ears out to the side flat.

"What!?"

"You heard me mom. The last time I tried was with Darlina's sister Meghan. I couldn't. At all, mom, don't make me spell it out."

"Spell WHAT out!?"

"I COULDN'T GET HARD OR EJACULATE OK!?" Dalten closed his eyes. There was a gasp behind him.

Oh great!

**

Rick heard those last words and knew what was about to come. The normal discussion about artificial insemination and whatnot. The thing was, it was obvious Dalten didn't want kids, not now anyway, and not in this fashion. He needed to help his friend.

He cleared his throat loudly.

Dalten's head snapped around.

"And WHAT was that!?" Dalten's mother shrieked.

"Um....that was....."

"Rick Wells ma'am. Rick stepped forward speaking loudly so the microphone would pick him up. Dal backed up like he'd seen a ghost. He was trying to make some type of negatory hand gesture. Rick ignored it.

"The one who was napping with your son. Sorry about my drool."

"You were WHAT!?" Dal's mother filled the screen angrily.

"I slept with him on the couch. My muzzle was on his chest. I tend to drool when I sleep. I'm his friend. Why are you pestering him so much?"

"How Dare you..." his mother began....quickly she was shoved aside...

"Dal....who is this young man?" Dal's father took up the screen, Ken was speaking lowly and heatedly with Dal's mother in the background.

"This is Rick. He's a student, and a good friend." Dal rubbed his neck. To Rick's eyes he looked mad, grateful, and fearful all at the same time.

"Hrm, much like young Andrew Gonzales was a 'friend?" His father intoned making quotation marks in the air.

"Um...well....I...." Dal stuttered. His voice dropped another octave.

"Ah I see." His father sighed.

Finally Ken took up the screen. "Mom's not happy Dal, but she does want to talk some more, in person. Think you can manage a visit next weekend?"

Dalten glanced at Rick and sighed. "I think I'd better." The screen went blank.

Dal stared at the smug pup. He wanted to scream so badly.

**

Rick tilted his head. Dal was obviously fuming.

"What? Like it could have gotten any worse!?"

Dal flung his arms in the air. "Only if you'd made out with me in front of them!"

Rick laughed deeply. "Well, it wouldn't have been because I DIDN'T want to....but you need to let them know what you want in life and not beat around the bush."

Dalten open and closed his muzzle several times before angrily answering "And what about my lack of performance with the ladies seamed like I was beating around a bush....?"

Dalten paused....

"Wait...what?"

Rick sat down on the couch. "I said not to beat about the bush because...."

Dalten stepped forward one hesitant step. "No....you said it wouldn't have been because you DIDN'T want to....what make out?"

_Poor guy. I wonder if he's ever really had a boyfriend._Rick thought to himself.

"Listen Dal, the reason your mother is acting the way she is, is because she's in denial. Did you know I'm a hybrid? A stable hybrid at that? Do you know how many people even think that's possible? Most excuse my existence as either a fluke, or a medical mistake, but I assure you that Augustus Wells would very much dispute that. Those who can't accept my existance, just like your mother, can't see what is in her own eyes, which is you are here, and what she really wants is what is in your own best interest." Rick glared at a claw and pretended to clean it.

Crap....did I just....I did. I said I'd make out with him...I would but......"

Dal's expression softened. "I know, but you're avoiding the question. You said you'd make out with me....."

**

Dal held his breath. His mom's opinions could wait.

Rick was blushing. Canine blushing was hard to see, and Dal was more used to equine mannerisms, but in the ears, nose, and the body language indicated a full body blush.

"Well, yes. I did."

"You did?" Dal couldn't speak properly. His words came out in a deep rasp.

"Dal, can I ask you a question?" Rick cocked his head in canine inquiry, the blush quickly fading.

"I think I need to sit, but yes." Dal sat on the piano stool, letting his legs stretch to accommodate the canine's height adjustment earlier.

"How many boyfriends have you had?"

Dal was shocked. He'd never really thought about it. School had been such a predominant part of his life for so long. He thought hard.

"One. Andrew." Dal sighed.

Rick's face was impassive.

"Tell me about him." Again Rick cocked his head. Dal could not deny that cute and inquisitive look.

"He and I met through our teacher. He was another equine, but small. Mountain Pony stock. His parents were miners. We hit it off. We were together, oh a year while he studied piano, but then I left for college, we drifted apart, and he got married."

Rick nodded. "And he was local to where you grew up. I take it he married a - uh filly?" Rick coughed into his paw. He hoped that was the right term.

Dal rubbed his neck. Thinking of Andrew always made him hot. That short little stature, but very broad shoulders, and shaggy mane were so hot. "Um, yes. Elsie. They have two colts, and a filly of their own now."

"And you still don't see why your mother thinks this is just a phase?"

Rick tapped his nose.

"She thinks you want a family, and everything else, just like her. She'd probably be thrilled with an "Andrew" as long as you had foals, er, pups, or kids. But you don't have an Andrew. At least not yet. She doesn't know what you want, and neither do you." Rick huffed a bit, his ears going back a bit. "THAT is the problem."

Dal shrugged. "Huh. I guess you're right."

Rick stood up and pawed over to the stallion. Even sitting Rick had to look up into those big chestnut eyes.

"Of course I am. Until they see what you are for who you are, and know you for who you are in here..." the canine laid one firm hand on the thick equine chest " they will not accept what you want. This isn't 2095 where there is a referendum species right, but stigma still exists all these years later. Your father is ok, your brother, hot as he is, looks ok, it's just your mom. Why do you think that is?"

Dalten stared down at the deep blue eyes. "You think my brother is hot?" He snorted feeling jealous. The canine punched him lightly in his pec.

"WHY does your mother think they way she does?"

Dal laid his ears back. "Because she doesn't want to see me alone really. I think she's worried no one will give me what I want. I left when I was young. I didn't fit the mold of farm horse. Now....now she wants me to be 'normal' in her eyes, a good farm horse or Drey, and surround myself with love."

Soft lips touched his as he closed his eyes instinctively. The soft canine muzzle pressed against his and the sweetest tongue swirled around his thick lips passionately. Dal groaned deep in his chest and pulled Rick tight to his thick chest, gently cradling the canine in his arms, his own flat tongue searching Rick's muzzle. After a few moments they both pulled away.

"Um.....wow." Dal said. His head was buzzing.

**

Rick sighed "Wow is right. Um.....lets take this slow. I like you Dal, I really do. I'd like to do more than just kiss you but it's only been a few days...." Ricks ears splayed flat against his canine head.

Dal looked crestfallen. His ears laid back and his head drooped.

"Look - Dal, I'm not saying it isn't going to happen, I just don't want to rush into these things. You always hear about people who fling themselves into relationships, and it never ends well, and when it does it's rare.....I.....I want us to have a good, terrific happy ending ok?"

Dall audibly swallowed, his ears coming up. "Ok. Yah...a very happy ending, for us both"

That bass voice, those strong hands, it was all Rick could do to not jump into the equine arms and lick Dal from mane to tail.

Rick leaned in for one last kiss....."Dal...think about what you want, and where you want to be, that's all I ask.

Dal sighed as he too leaned in for one last kiss.

"Ok." Dal rumbled, happy for the first time in a long time.