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Several Weeks Later

Molly Bradshaw, partially undressed, flicked through racks of alluring lingerie in a Violetta changing room. Beside her, chatting away in a similar state of attire, stood her lioness show partner Emily — verbalising a multitude of flattering and not-so-flattering notes about their next onstage performance.

“As played out as it may be," hummed the leonine female, “our next show together should stick to what we're good at."

Molly turned away from her underwear-rustling and faced Emily, hand firmly placed on her hip as her stance tilted with an impetuous swagger.

“Another hunt role-play?"

Emily shrugged. “Why not? It's popular. It makes money. Don't tell me it isn't exciting..."

“Exciting. Sure. But haven't we played out this tribal shit? Our audience may be lewd, loud, and loyal to a fault but even they get tired of repetition."

“I've heard no complaints."

“Like you'd know in the first place!" Molly chuckled. “Expecting online reviews? An old-fashioned paper form handed out to random clients? What did you think of our dancers' tits? How 'bout their ass? How wet or hard did you get? Please rate on a scale of one-to-ten!"

“So you're still bored with our choice of performance?"

“I think we should shake it up is all."

The half-clothed antelope paced around the changing room, Emily watching with interest.

“The reversal in the second act where I fight back against my predator is a good angle," she said, rubbing her cheek, “we should keep that dynamic but change the scenario."

“That's gonna be a hard choice. You can't get any more primal and sexy than cavewoman lioness versus cavewoman antelope."

“We could at least try!" Molly groaned, her voice saturated with an irritated tone. “Why not? Is it 'cause you don't need to rehearse as we've done it plenty of times already?"

Emily gave a faint laugh and shrugged. “That's part of it. I like working with you but time spent backstage isn't making as much money as time up front, showing ourselves off."

“Fair," Molly replied, who knew it was wise not to upset your sensual partner-in-crime. “Buuutttt...can't we try at least one time?"

Emily sighed.

“All well and good when you say that — you just show up and learn what I've choreographed. You don't have to put in the time thinking, planning...ideas are great but the follow-through can be a pain in the ass!"

“Enough, enough," Molly said waving her hand and rolling her eyes, “I get it."

She turned back to the wardrobe, plucking a tag from its depths and removing her maroon lace brassiere. Her chest rose and fell with her breathing. Long, slow breaths as the adrenaline of her practice striptease slowly dwindled. Ten minutes ago she had been the belle of the debauch ball, rehearsing each twist, turn, gyration, spread, and crawl for the sexual thrill of her patrons tonight. It wasn't a big elaborate show like the one her and Emily did every now-and-then (one of their 'duets') but the rush felt as good. The theme was pedestrian — exotic dancer painted in colourful patterns was just about the spiciest aspect.

Molly reached into her bag next, and withdrew some wipes to start cleaning off the ink on her fur. Fanciful streaks and stripes, accents around her eyes to accentuate the mask she had worn, flowing lines dividing her body into an erogenous mesh of criss-crossing beauty. All had to be cleaned up. The inks, dyes, and other make-up came off quickly, clear sweeps erasing a good hour of prep time. Emily was similarly adorned, as were the others they shared the stage with — squirrelled away into their own changing areas.

She stared up at the mask perched on a shelf in the wardrobe, at mid-height. The standout part of her 'Venus' costume stared back at her with empty eyes. The shield that protected her private life, her identity, from the gaze of strangers. She sighed softly and clipped the tag onto her bra, then hung it next to the mask. Her lace panties followed, removed and then earmarked with their own tag. The dry-cleaners would know what to do with the info contained on the small clips — a process now so automatic Molly scarcely even thought about how the vast array of personalised costumes and garments at the club were maintained.

Vi runs a tight ship, she mused. A feeling of isolation ran through her suddenly. A mote of longing to see her friend. But she'd yet to return, and Rylan was being coy about where she was — but there was no doubt in Molly's mind at this point...

She had a pretty good idea what the boss lady was up to!

Fully nude, she ran a towel over the rest of her body, mopping up the damp left on her fur from cleaning it. She could hear Emily do likewise; sounds of the big cat shuffling her limbs about, rubbing her coat dry, reached her through the closet door separating them.

This was where their paths diverged. Molly reached for her street clothes, grabbing first her more mundane regular underwear — as much as it would excite Cade to strip down and reveal her saucy garb at home, she wasn't going straight home and an unfortunate updraught could hike her skirt and cause a scene in public if she wasn't careful. An unlikely scenario — but the mind tends to fixate on the worst case.

Emily, instead, took another set of sexy lingerie and put it on. Her tan fur now bereft of artificial colour Molly could see her natural beauty emerge. Strong...lithe...

Neither strong nor lithe enough to stop me turning the tables onstage, she joked to herself. A smile crept along her mouth and terminated with a cute curl and a dimple forming on her cheek.

A knock at the door startled her. It swung open, the large cowgirl Juni leaning into the room with a tablet computer. Molly and Emily fought the urge to cover up any exposed fur — momentarily forgetting it was a pointless effort.

“Emily...fifteen minutes until you're needed to direct the supporting dancers," she said, her tone polite and businesslike. She glanced at Molly as the antelope dressed herself and offered a friendly 'hi Molls' to the performer.

“Hey," Molly chirped back at her.

“Can I..." Juni began, shifting her shapely bovine bulk beneath casual clothes and sliding over past Emily to her, “can I double-check something with you, Molly?"

“Sure, what's up?"

“You are working all week except tomorrow and Friday, correct?" she asked, tapping the tablet's screen.

“That's right. Need a bit of time to myself."

“Okay, yeah, just wanted to make sure I had the dates right," the bovine hybrid mused as she swiped through time-sheets, “but you'll be at the club on the Seventeenth won't you?"

“Uh, yeah I don't have anything planned. I'll be there. Why? Short-staffed?"

“Oh no — nothing like that. Rylan wanted me to ask you if I had the chance."

“Rylan...okay sure, why isn't he coming to ask me himself?"

Juni sighed. Playing the part of errand-girl was not her preference. “He's not back from his hiking trip for a few days, so he texted me to ask you and—"

“I get it. Running this club is a chore, and after Vi dumped all her duties on him he's gone and offloaded everything to you, hmm?"

Molly laughed as the bovine hybrid stood awkwardly silent, processing her words.

“I'm usually his go-to."

“Relax Juni. You know what you have to do now?"

“What?" the cow asked.

“Find someone to dump all your duties onto — make them do all the work. Then disappear for a vacation of your own!"

“Very funny Molls."

“Uh...ladies...this plan sounds fine by me, as long as I'm not the poor sucker you choose," interjected Emily, her former themed attire now completely replaced with sultry lingerie suited for table and private dances.

The lioness gave a polite smile to the other two. “Better get going," she said.

After watching her exit — drinking in the swagger of wide leonine hips and elegant swaying tail covered barely by a cute g-string — Juni spoke again:

“Okay so you should be around."

“What's this about the Seventeenth anyway?"

“We're expecting Vi back — hence my asking."

“Cool," Molly grunted, trying to wrestle with her coat. “Two days to go before we see what she's gone and done."

“Eh?"

Molly caught herself. “Oh nothing. Rambling to myself."

Further explanation was cut off by a ding from her phone. Checking it, she saw a message from Cade asking if she had her things in order — all set for a nice long lunch break. She commented about her mid-day plans to Juni.

“Y'know I hope you ain't taking advantage of Vi's absence to blow off work!" Juni's attempt at banter didn't land very well, leaving Molly to wave away the attempt at good-natured verbal sparring.

“Sure sure, keep thinking that..."

She was not alone in wishing she could relax. Juni sighed and glanced at her tablet, flicking through notes, grimacing.

“Speaking of," she said, “I gotta go — lots to do, and I need to make sure Stages Three and Four are redressed within the next two hours."

Bidding her farewell, Juni left the changing room and thus Molly was alone. Able to hear her own thoughts clearly, as casual suspicion swirled 'round in her mind.

I know what you've been up to, Vi.

Can't wait to see it.

* * *

Her lunchtime rendezvous with Cade rolled around sooner than expected. What felt like a thirty-minute drive into the city sped past, leaving Molly sitting in her car — mind miles behind her body, waiting for the rest of her to catch up.

Idle thoughts gave way to daydreaming. The kind of vacant, absent state of being that made you lose all sense of time and place. She waited a couple of minutes for Cade to show up.

Hope Vi's doing okay...

A sudden knock on the window jerked her out of her trance. She saw Cade and opened the door to greet him properly — with a kiss.

“Mm-whpah!"

“Nice to see you too," he said, answering her kiss with a peck of his own.

He continued, arms wrapping around her waist: “I didn't keep you waiting did I?"

“No, no way." Molly smiled as she locked the car. “Time just flew by...lost track...was thinking about...oh never mind..."

“Couldn't wait to see me?"

“Sure, flatter yourself!" she joked, leading out of the parking lot.

* * *

Conversation flowed as readily as the steaming hot coffee. Matters of homely routine gave way to saucier news as Molly and Cade's chat over lunch broached more delicious topics than the food...

“...and he and Sammy shacked up."

“That's two brand-new couples in two months, what else you got?"

Molly smirked. Regaling Cade with workplace happenings tickled her sense of daring — gossiping in confidence with the one persons she held closest and dearest. The past few weeks had seen Cade become more engaged, more willing to indulge in discussing her work life. It seemed appropriate given that her unconventional appearance and unseemly occupation, that hearing her boast of her sinful exploits 'midst a menagerie of exotic dancers (exotic in more ways than one) only served to fuel his attraction.

Plus he didn't partake in her social circle so he wasn't going to let slip any of the juicy details to those involved.

Molly knew of another titbit bound to tease...

“Violet..."

“What about her?"

“She's going through gene therapy."

“What, really? I thought you said she was away or something."

She glanced through the window at the urbanised world beyond, a mingling of many shapes and sizes. Her smirk softened into a gentle smile. “Rylan told me...well…he didn't tell tell me — but I pieced enough together from the way he avoided the subject to work it out. There's like a slim to zero chance I'm wrong. I tell ya! Kept in the dark for weeks and now I learn she's gone and finally done it! Well done Vi. Of course...all thanks to me bitching at her!"

“It really does sound like you pushed her to make a decision," laughed Cade.

“You know me," she remarked, her gaze returning to her partner, “I can light a fire under someone when I need to."

“How do you feel about it, if you don't mind me asking?"

“Feels like...like I need to find myself." She paused to take a drink. “I was her guinea pig to see how the anthromorphing process took. Her canary in the coal mine to monitor as I went on living. Little Miss Important couldn't leap into anything head-first — it's a side of her I'm used to."

“To think...everything you've changed about yourself, your body...all this because she asked you to."

“Eh? She may have asked me and gotten the ball rolling, but I wanted this as soon as I learned what it could do for me. There was no going back. I've basically regained years of healthy life. Rejuvenated myself. And found a handsome gentleman to escort me to-and-from my oh-so-wicked establishment!"

She eyed Cade as they shared a laugh.

Molly continued, her voice starting weak and crackly, until she pushed through the stirring emotions: “seriously. Without Vi's insistence I try it first I wouldn't have moved across the country, wouldn't have made as much money as I do now..."

“Wouldn't have met me?"

She grinned and nodded, raising her cup.

“Took the words outta my mouth!"

Another pause. The clatter and commotion of the café subsuming their attention in its chaotic chorus.

“And now," she added, “she's gone and done it..."

“Why don't we meet up when she's back? Might do the pair of you good to talk about life as a hybrid."

“Had that planned already. Or are you muscling in on this too?"

“Of course not!" he said, feigning outrage. “But...if you and her are left unsupervised for too long, will I have to worry about a herd gathering 'round me...?"

“Depends on what she ends up as, doesn't it?" she said in jest.

“Let's just say I'm happy with the one hybrid. I want to keep you all to myself...barring some hot and heavy antics in your shows that you have my permission for."

“Heh! I get up to some kinky stuff onstage but serial polygamy's not my style. Neither is serial adultery, in case my shows led you to think otherwise."

“Not in the slightest — you love me too much to break my heart."

“Mmm-hmm."

His hand crossed the table to gently caress hers. They spent a moment together, lost in each other's eyes.

“C'mon," said Cade, “let's eat..."

Time passed and the conversation floated from topic to topic, meandering as they munched.

“Any other news?" he asked after a couple of minutes.

“Afraid not."

“C'mon, that can't be all of it."

“I'm spent, Cade. You got everything outta me. What else is there to tell?"

“I don't know," he said, shrugging, “just seems like we got sidetracked talking about your boss."

“That counts as me gossiping so you should be happy." Molly reclined in her seat. “Y'know...I noticed you've gotten a lot more interested in my work..."

“Like I wasn't interested before."

“No, nuh-uh — this is more than a couple sharing their day. What's going on Cade? Why now?"

“I dunno, nothing major. Just...I guess I find it fascinating."

“Yeah but why though?"

Cade looked quizzical. “Because it...is? What else do you want me to say?" He slid his plate aside and put his hands on the table, palms pressed firmly onto its surface. “I feel," he murmured, searching for the right words, his fingers twiddling and tapping, “I feel like you don't realise how different things are because you're a hybrid. And working a racy job. When it comes to relationships I've had, this one stands out. Like...I think I've seen a handful on campus but no-one in my workplace is a goat-, or a cow-, or a weird bird-man..."

Molly leaned in, her hand reaching out to caress his cheek. “Careful sweetheart, I fear some of those descriptions are trailing into territory that isn't polite to use in hybrid company."

“Eh? Goat-man's a pejorative!? Wait, this is you fucking with me isn't it?"

“No way!" she said in a jokey manner. “Why on earth would I ever, ever want to lead you astray?"

“Shut up…" he shot back before she could tease him further, “...and you want to interrogate my motives..."

“Jokes aside, I'm interested in your recent...u __h_ h_...interest. I like our conversations. You're never short of honesty...never short of ways to make me appreciate having you all to myself."

“Look," he said, glancing around, “do you want to go for a walk? The park is just over there."

He gestured out of the window to across the street, where an ornate fence fighting desperately to hold back the tide of greenery from bursting through shone in the light.

“It's getting loud here," he continued, noting the increase in customers around them. “We could use some more time together — just us, talking..."

Molly agreed with his sentiment. A noisy café was not the best place to soak in soft sweet words of admiration for their partner. They rose from their table to escape the rest of society for the urban, curated embrace of Mother Nature.

* * *

The park was drenched in rich golden rays of sunlight as the pair strolled through. A beautiful day for all to enjoy. Cade watched the leaves rustle and the waters of the nearby ponds lap softly against the low-sloped shores. All of nature's entrancing offers of peace, quiet, and serenity paled in comparison to the woman he loved, by his side, as they moved 'neath calming canopy.

Molly walked beside him, arm looped around his, alternating between leaning over to rest her head against his or nibbling his neck when they were alone. Little affectionate contacts made over the course of their walk in the enclosed green spaces. The noise of down-town traffic muffled by the living tapestry of tree, hedge, and shrub.

“I remember," she said, her voice lifting from a faint whisper to a pleasant confidence, “when we first starting seeing each other — I took you for a walk in this park. Showed you a good time."

“Mmm," he mumbled, enjoying the scenery for a while before he could parse her words and answer. “I don't think we were dating yet."

“Hmm?"

“I can't remember all the details, but you might be thinking of when we...um...in that forest..."

Understanding gave way to humour in Molly's expression as her memory cleared. “Oh yes...heh! Wrong woods! But I was certainly coming on to you when we were here first — I even told you what I did for a living. Made sure you were okay with it."

“That's right." Cade paused, his brow furrowed. Then, his face lit up. “Haven't you forgotten something?"

Molly was confused. Her gait slowed, crawling to a stop as if her mind needed to catch its breath. Cade paused beside her, with a knowing look in his eyes. An entreaty to remember...

“Don't you remember our first kiss?"

Molly's hands flew to her face, cradling her cheeks.

“I completely forgot!"

“Of course you did Molls, of course you did," he chuckled, “let me remind you of the sequence of events: you opened up to me that day — we found out we were into each other, that I didn't have a problem with your job. After finding out we were 'compatible' (for want of a better word) our first kiss went a little something like this..."

He moved quickly, brushing aside her fingers and pressing his lips against hers. The soft rush of a gentle wind tickled her fur as his hands lifted her blouse, exposing her to the air.

Cade...

Molly fought back against his tender onslaught; she pushed his hands away and held his head, ruffling his hair — exploring the quaint patch of residual fur on her human lover, her animal subconscious questioning the usefulness of such poor insulation. Then, after letting her mind wander and dwell in the joyous space between heartfelt and horny, she broke the kiss. Staring into his eyes as they checked their surroundings for possible voyeurs, she planted another on his forehead.

“Easy tiger. Can't go further than that here...unless you wanna make love in a jail cell!"

“Just recreating that wonderful moment."

“It was a good attempt," she said slyly, “but we're not in the same spot — the trees are different, I can tell."

“If you hadn't started reminiscing about the start of our relationship maybe I would have led you to the right clearing, hmm?"

“Aww! I spoiled the moment did I?"

Cade sighed. “Not at all," he answered, truthfully, his happiness clear as could be. “Maybe, I was also getting some of the details mixed up with that time in the forest...after the car..."

Molly gave a slight moan as he touched her again. Her pulse rising.

“Details such as...?"

“After your duet with that lioness girl, Emily. Your first big show. We were driving home. It was late. Very late. You were tired."

“So tired..."

“And we pulled over in the middle of nowhere. Your idea..."

“Mmm...I got the ball rolling on a lotta things between us."

Cade smiled, holding her close. “You sure did. We had ourselves a good time. But it's afterwards...when we stepped out of the car and you went for a walk in the forest. Naked."

As he said the word 'naked' Molly's stubby tail flicked, as if summoning the feeling she had prancing through the open woods from the mists of time. Her mind swam in rapturous recollection as her contact with the wilderness had never been greater that day — that wonderful, soulful day.

Cade continued: “that was when I knew we had something special. How you looked when you emerged from the trees...you were like nothing I had ever seen. Heh, I can't even express how I felt—"

“You don't need to speak," said Molly, taking him by the arm and walking forward, leading him out of their corner of heaven. “I can see it written all over you." Clear as could be.

Her hooves pressed into the dusty trail, bare to the minute sensations of rock and soil. The dull crunch-crunch-crunch of their strides punctuated their stroll as the pace quickened.

“I thought..." he began before growing silent.

“Thought what?"

“When I saw you, I thought...I felt like I wasn't going to be able to keep up."

“..."

He brushed her fingers with his — taking her hand firmly. “Worried it wasn't going to last. That you'd get bored, or I'd fuck it up. An intrusive thought, sure, but it still happened. Kept thinking about what I would need to do to keep you..."

“Cade..."

“It all goes back to what you said to me: 'if you think that you need to do anything to fit into my life...anything more than you're already doing, you're wrong'. I had been stuck trying to work out my feelings until then and you cut right through the bullshit." He laughed and gazed into the middle distance, green and gold blurring in his vision. “Why was I doubting myself? It sounds embarrassing but now I look back on the whole 'anthromorphing' question as kinda dumb. I kept thinking that a relationship needs to be more than what is actually is — more than just spending time with someone you care for."

Molly paused and joined his stare. Aiming her nose in the same direction she gave him a churlish side-eye and leaned closer. “It can be — if you want it to. If you feel we're lacking in storybook romance we could always try new things. Go on a trip...pick up some hobbies...anything. You name it."

“Heh...I should stop being such a stick-in-the-mud and relax!"

“If it gets you out of this mopey mood I support you completely," she tittered.

The light danced through the park's canopy as they filtered through its winding pathways and trails. With the afternoon sun baking the streets to an uncomfortable degree, the shade the trees provided was welcome indeed. They walked around the sheltered perimeter, holding hands and taking in the Summer sights. The quiet atmosphere was broken occasionally by random passers-by, human and hybrid, as they relished their own peaceful ambling. Smiles and waves and the customary 'hi' or 'hey' greetings that marked the polite-yet-informal conduct followed each fleeting encounter. Then, as soon as they had been disturbed, Molly and Cade were once again alone. Able to enjoy the other's company without interruption.

Two beings, human and hybrid; alike in many ways. Two souls standing silent 'gainst soft breeze...

Such kinship dwelt underneath the layers of wordless whimsy as they froze, motionless, together beneath the trees. Recalling romantic adventures in the forest; thinking pleasant thoughts about the other.

How much time had passed? An hour? A half-hour? A quarter-hour? Any time at all? Neither could answer, for they focused only on the beauty of their partner.

Then, at last, Molly broke the spell:

“It's time I got back."

“So soon? Feels like we've only been here a few minutes."

“Time flies."

“Well I'm having just so much fun with you. No wonder...hey..." said Cade, leaning in for a farewell kiss. They pressed their lips together with tenderness, stealing another moment of privacy out of the way of other park visitors. Breaking apart, he cooed: “see you later, yeah?"

Molly brushed his cheek, and smiled.

* * *

In her apartment Rebecca the collie stood in front of the mirror and snapped a few quick selfies of her in various states of undress. Just to try out the look, she'd noted, as she broke in a new batch of negligée. Reflected in the mirror a sequence of scandalous and sultry outfits proceeded as she tried each one on.

Once finished, she took a deep breath and put down her phone (a real trial of her discipline let me tell you!). Canine instincts swirled about her hybrid mind as her attention was drawn to new things. Fun things (ooh look over there!). Fun things...like a particularly well-shaped toy glimpsed in the corner of her eye as she stripped down. This bitch needs to let off some steam!

Before she could storm out of her bathroom and indulge her phone buzzed — the vibrations coming across very loud as they sat on the ceramic surface of the sink. Yet again her nature betrayed her as she spun right around and replaced one fancy with another. Who could this be?

She flicked it to unlock and read the incoming message. It was from Esper, one of the feline dancers at Violetta, asking how she had been doing since at long last leaving the club. Rebecca fat-fingered a reply a couple times before giving in to her phone's autocorrect and sending:

Never better. U?

A response came as soon as she'd looked away for half-a-second, jolted back to attention by the sudden vibration of the device in her hand.

Three words lay in front of her, opening a world of possibility:

What's it like?

A grin spread across the collie's muzzle. Oh you sweet thing!

Esper, oh Esper — sweet barely-acknowledged Esper...the things that swirled now in Rebecca's mind...

Someone actually interested — and perhaps willing to join her?

An exchange of messages followed, throughout which the canine hybrid teased out her feline counterpart's ulterior motive. Confident in her line of investigation, she replied:

Want to try it yourself?

Some time passed. A minute or so. Then...

;-)

Contained within the single logographic expression of interest was everything she had been pestering people for. Rebecca leapt and yipped, overjoyed that she had found someone else to bother.

* * *

“If we need to hire costumes at such ridiculous mark-up, we may as well buy the stupid things!"

Juni and Emily scoured over receipts for their last big show, and what was expected for the next one. The lioness growled as she wasted her time on book-keeping. Where's Vi when you need her?

Or Rylan for that matter?

As if by psychic coincidence a large horse-head peered 'round the half-open door. “Heeeyyy..." warbled Rylan, “how you two doing?"

“We're doing your job for one thing!" said Juni, the angry cowgirl stomping her hoof, then shaking a tablet computer in his face. “Boss lady left you in charge — I gave up stage time to sort out your shit and all you can give me is 'hey'!?"

“And furthermore," she snarled, “what happened to 'I'll be away a couple days on a hiking trip'?"

“Oh that," Rylan chuckled awkwardly, “fell through. Turns out the forecast was all wrong. Rain and mud'll fuck you up when you're on the side of a mountain, so the group I was organising with called it off."

“Sorry to hear that," replied Juni, “but hooray for me!" She dumped the tablet and a sheaf of papers into his lap — forcing him to scrabble to avoid dropping anything. “Not covering for ya any more!"

The large bovine anthro sauntered out of the room, shaking her hips and swishing her tail in triumph. Emily watched her leave, and the faux-meek 'woe is me' expression on Rylan's mug, and simply laughed.

“Relax big guy. I'd just blame everything on Vi when she gets back. Where is she by the way?"

“Oh nowhere important — boss lady just wanted some time off," he said, a slight look of conspiracy in his eyes. Only there for a second, enough to be missed by someone busy planning a show.

“Cool...well we're stuck with you in charge until then, come take a look at this invoice—"

Rylan groaned.

As they argued over penny-pinching minutiae, the door to the office swung open again — this time a familiar antelope stepping inside, just returned from her lunch break.

“Molls! Care to join us? There's a fun activity called 'accounting' you might be interested in."

“Oh no, you two aren't pinning me down with that shit," she shot back. “I'm serving tables the rest of the day and that's that. Just looking for my mask."

“Fine," grumbled Rylan. “Emily and I can keep an eye on the back office, right?"

The lioness rolled her eyes.

“If you handle the boring stuff and let me focus on the show, then sure."

“Okay then, I'll go and take all this away," said Rylan, nodding down towards his arms full of paperwork, both physical and digital, “and leave you to work your creative magic..."

He left the room, with Molly following shortly after. He took a step back when she'd closed the door behind her and spoke:

“Hey Molls, you here on the—?"

“The Seventeenth? Yes. Juni already asked me."

“Oh good. Never mind then."

Rylan began to march down the corridor to Vi's office, his temporary place of residence in her conspicuous absence.

“What for?" Molly yelled back at him, though she knew what was going down.

“Oh, uh, nothing..."

Thoroughly unconvinced by Rylan's ability to lie, she chuckled to herself and went about the rest of her day.

* * *

Two Days Later

“Thanks for showing up."

“Always eager to provide moral support."

Molly smirked and glanced up at the tall equine standing next to her. Rylan looked at her and frowned, a low grumble emanating from his thick chest. The horse leaned against the wall as the pair watched a car navigate the parking lot and find a free space.

“You make it sound like I'm afraid of her."

“You went out of your way to make sure I was here when she got back. What does that sound like to you?" she teased. “Does the big strong hybrid need backup?"

“I'm her number two but I'd prefer to be out entertaining, not running the club."

“Oh no," said Molly, rubbing her brow, “you are not gonna dump any office work on me sunshine! Don't even try. I saw Emily and Juni practically tearing their fur out when you saddled them with all that...pun not intended..."

“That's...not what I meant. I'm glad to have the boss lady back. I don't like managing people..."

“So apart from that, any reason I'm here for Her Majesty's grand re-entrance?"

Rylan paused, a strange look on his face. “You're friends. Why wouldn't you want a heads-up?"

Molly laughed nervously. “To tell her how much I missed her?"

Rylan didn't respond.

She continued: “given our last meeting was an argument I thought she might want some space even after coming back to the club. That's me being her friend."

“Argument?"

“Oh yeah, never told you did I? Me berating her into doing this? Fun times."

“Wait, you know the reason why she was away?"

Molly glared at Rylan with a sardonic, exaggerated 'of-fucking-course' expression.

“Considering I knew her long-term plans before I started working here, yeah. I can guess what she was up to."

Rylan paused. He then sighed and apologised: “she asked me not to tell anyone."

“Why she felt the need for secrecy I don't know. Not like it was gonna be a surprise to me."

“Urgh! It wasn't complicated. I will be gone for reason 'X', for 'Y' amount of time, back on date 'Z'. Keep this between us. There was nothing I could spin as anything other than 'uh...she's away'."

“So she at least explained it to you. How long have you known?"

A mildly exasperated Rylan put his foot down — that is to say: he stomped his hoof on the floor with solid, affirmative force. The noise startled Molly, who watched him cycle through irritation, anger, and regret in quick succession as he realised the rudeness of his action.

“See? This is what I mean about managing people. It's a fucking pain!"

“And you think I want to shoulder some of that burden?"

“Again — not what I meant..."

“Sorry," said Molly, “kinda tetchy recently. I've had enough of talking seriously to people for a long long while. Saving all that for my boyfriend."

“Same. The sooner Violet's back in charge the better..."

From a distance they saw the car come to a stop, and a lean figure emerge from the driver's side. Tall. Slender. Walking with an elegant sway. The figure locked up and proceeded to walk towards the watchful pair. Every detail became clearer the closer she approached. Every aspect of her transformation bared to the world bar that which was withheld for reasons of public modesty.

Had this been any other day perhaps the quality of her outfit would be the aesthetic topic of discussion — did it suit her, was it comfortable, did the colours clash, etc...? Today, any conversation about physical appearance was going to veer completely in another direction as the long, pointed horns that spiralled and swept back in equal measure would prove only the first point of order towards said direction. Molly and Rylan were transfixed. Their eyes devoured the approaching hybrid from top-to-bottom.

Violet had chosen a gazelle.

A slim body with long limbs, a narrow snout, and dark stripes running through a coat of soft beige fur sauntered towards them. Thinner and a little shorter than Molly, who stared, gobsmacked at the result of her old friend's transformation.

The brand new hybrid came to a stop before her two trusted employees.

Molly said nothing. Neither did Rylan. Both took a moment to process what they were seeing.

After a brief passage of time Violet shuffled side-to-side and swept the air with her arms, opening them wide, fingers held together and slapping against palms as if prompting the pair to speak. As seconds ticked with nothing but the sound of the occasional speeding car to mark their passing, she took the initiative:

“What do you think?"

Her arms extended from her sides, letting her top hang from her slender frame. She twirled for effect, revealing a tuft-like tail poking out of her pants. Once again she paused, waiting for a response.

“I think you stole my look," said Molly.

“First off — no," Vi flatly stated, holding up one finger, “it's called inspiration..."

“Excuses, excuses..."

Rylan chuckled.

“Second," continued Vi, “I don't pay you to talk shit about me. I own the club, I'm in charge, I can do what I like."

“Yeah yeah," Molly chirped, “can see why you're never involved in planning our shows. Zero creativity. Copycat."

The gazelle's features reddened as she huffed.

“She's just saying that to annoy you," Rylan interjected, stepping between the two smaller herbivores, “right Molls?"

Molly answered his question with a pleasant smile, letting it sit in saccharine silence until it devolved into a wry smirk at her new hybrid boss.

The bemused antelope forced a smile of her own. “Of course. Welcome back."

Something stirred within her. Something new.

On an intellectual level she was aware this was merely the obvious result of her pestering Violet into finally going through her long-delayed anthromorphing. A case study in either peer pressure or supporting a friend, depending on how cynical one wanted to be. But on another level, a deeper level, she felt...upset...and fought hard to hide it from the other two.

Put your hang-ups to one side, she told herself, this has got nothing to do with Vi.

Which while true, didn't stop her from feeling like she was being replaced.

As if her subconscious was giving the game away, she blurted out: “you'd fit right in with us onstage!"

Vi laughed. “The thought had crossed my mind. Not worried I'd steal your thunder?"

Molly grimaced. “Ugh...three minutes in and you're already poking and prodding at my self-esteem." Don't wanna admit it's working, but could you be so kind as to not do that?

“Hey you said it. Not me."

“Whatever. Not in the mood to psychoanalyse myself."

“Doesn't stop me from thinking about it," said Vi, “perhaps I'll fill in for you when you need a day off?"

“No — you're not worming your way into my schedule thanks!"

“You sure Molls? Don't wanna spend time on your home life? Everyone needs to at some point."

“Okay, I know you're being cute — or at least think you are. But who gave you the idea that I wanted to slow down and let you take over from me?"

Her boss raised her hands. “Nothing," she said defensively, “nothing...just the vibe I was picking up on. You sounded like you were intent on stickin' around, but overworked."

“Overworked? Fucking hell Vi you talk like I'm some kinda charity case!"

“Right," said Vi, cradling her head, “let's not start arguing again — got enough of that from you last time! Back when I was shorter..."

Molly rolled her eyes.

“I'll admit," continued the gazelle, “I was still freaking out about the procedure even after deciding to do it."

“No shit, really?"

“Yeah I know — I'm the big baby who was frightened of life-altering gene therapy. Now, however, it's done. And...I feel...good? It's hard to explain."

Molly stepped forward and held her hand. “You don't have to explain it to me, remember?"

“Or me," added Rylan.

“Of course," Vi sheepishly replied, “just running my mouth. My brand new, differently-shaped mouth..."

With a groan Molly pulled at her hand, guiding her into the club. “Are you going to start talking about every single new experience in that body? Because that's gonna be a pain!"

“Cut her some slack Molls," Rylan said, following behind the two women, “she finally did it. Isn't that what you just said you bitched at her about?"

“Yeah, yeah, alright. We'll sit her down in her office and she can settle back into bossin' us around — how does that sound, eh?"

Rylan smirked, grabbing the door handle and drawing it shut behind them.

* * *

The front door swung open, crashing into the wall with a loud bang. Cade leapt from his seat in the living room at the sudden noise and stumbled to his feet. He heard the familiar beat of hooves on the floor.

“Aghh..."

Molly entered the room, walking with a swift stride; a serious look on her face. She tossed her keys across the room to a side table, her accuracy rewarded with a violent clinking as the metal fought with the smooth laminate surface and narrowly avoided skidding off the table. Cade approached her, about to ask what was up when she innocently cut him off:

“Long story short — I was right!"

“About?"

She ignored him, continuing to speak as if he was clued-in to her train of thought: “should've bet money. Could've won a bunch from the girls. Oh well, not like I had the opportunity to bring it up in conversation. To them she's just their boss. Probably could've made a bet with Rylan at least..."

“Molly!" interrupted Cade. “Start from the beginning."

She stopped, stammered, and looked at him for the first time since barging in. An apologetic expression blanketed her features. She breathed, went to set down the rest of her things, and returned to Cade.

“I...uh...sorry. Had a weird day."

“Maybe add more than just a single sentence of description?"

She chuckled. “Can't read my mind, eh? Okay. I was right about Vi. She did get the gene therapy. That's why she was absent."

“Good news then?"

Molly sighed. “She's my friend, and I love her...but she can get under your skin sometimes." She took a step back and gestured to herself. “She wasn't very imaginative when picking a species."

“No!" said Cade, filled with an amused surprise as he understood her meaning.

“Yep. Minus a few differences in coat, silhouette, and posture you'd think we were sisters."

“Isn't that, uh...specie-ist?"

“Not if I'm the one who can't tell us apart," she jabbed. “I'm kidding. There's enough of a difference between my looks and those of the gazelle she chose."

Cade nodded in agreement. “Too skinny?"

Molly looked at him, a strange glint in her eye. There was something in the air. Something she sensed that told her to be receptive. She'd experienced this before with Cade in moments of closeness. A part of her instinct-driven subconscious she enjoyed very much.

“Because," her boyfriend continued, “I like my beast-ladies rounder." He stroked her arm, hand dangling dangerously next to her breast, threatening to cop a feel. A welcome warming tingle travelled down her spine, causing her fur to stand on end. A sharp breath punctuated the moment as he caressed her.

“Just so we're clear — any comments I've made in the past about herds, herd-polyamory, and that whole side of hybrid behaviour were strictly for amusement purposes only. Think I should temper your expectations in case you got the wrong idea."

“Molls, I only have eyes for you."

“That's very sweet. But I'd prefer not to test your resolve anytime soon — you seem oddly horny right now."

Cade reached out and held her waist. “I do, do I?"

“Your scent's giving you away," she said, tapping her nose.

She nudged closer, her lips barely centimetres from his. He felt her hot breath against his cheeks; lingering panting from her energetic entrance.

“You seem horny too. Want me to take care of that?" he asked, gently nuzzling her collarbone as she gasped.

“Hmm...maybe..."

Cade withdrew and met her gaze. “It can wait a couple minutes."

Molly made a sad face and let out a soft whine. Why must you torment me so? was the clear implication. Why oh why?

It started to sting — the growing, gnawing heat between her legs.

“Sounds like Violet's got you all hot and bothered."

He watched her groan with a sadistic smirk.

“Can we not talk about my day? Bad enough my boss has become my doppelgänger, my instincts are driving me crazy! The two are connected. Definitely. My body's screaming at me to fuck you. Keep you mine, and mine alone."

“As much as that sounds like a fun time — are you worried? This is a new development."

Molly paused, biting her lip. “I don't know. Maybe it's because Vi's so similar to me in species it's awakened some territorial feelings."

“Or maybe you're having a weird day. Just like you said. It could all be stress," Cade said, a cautious level of concern in his voice.

“Hmmm," Molly purred, leaning into him. She pressed her body to his and breathed in his scent like it was a drug. It's true, her mind was a chemical soup of conflicting emotion. A tinge of jealousy at Vi imitating her elegance, a sliver of animal lust as her body fought to lay claim to her mate — wrapped up with a neat little sensory seasoning by a mixture of anxiety, anger, and fatigue. A lovely concoction.

“Come here..."

Cade knew she was feeling off, so he did his best to massage her hybrid ego back into proper working order. His compliments and declarations of his desire wormed their way past the walls she'd erected. They soothed her addled state. Left her with just enough strong emotions to enjoy their kiss as he planted his lips against hers.

They stood together, living in a moment of pure passion. Every second treasured between them.

Molly sighed as their lips separated. She stared into his eyes. Ready to take him.

Screw Violet. Why do I care what she looks like?

She's no match for me!

Cade brushed her cheek-fur and smiled. “Before we...deal with your...problem, I have a suggestion."

“For what?"

“It sounds to me like Violet being who she is now is something that you'll need time to adjust to. So why not take advantage of that so we can spend more time together?"

“A vacation?"

“It's only a suggestion."

“A good one," she moaned, grabbing his hand and placing it over her clothed breast. “I know we'd floated the idea before, but now is a good time to go for it. Give me time to wean myself off all this new angry sex I want..."

“Let's not go too far," laughed Cade, his sultry partner pushing all the right buttons to draw him hither, “don't want to rush through the fun part!"

Molly nodded, emitting gentle moans as Cade started to explore her body.

“N-no, we don't," she moaned.

The mood swiftly changed from teasing to yearning. Cade's deft motions dredged up a shiver at each spot he touched. Molly hissed as his human hands stroked and softly caressed her furred flesh. She felt tense. A wound spring coiling and coiling ever tighter. Each motion of her lover added another turn. She bit her lip, her head cradled 'gainst his. Her body fizzled; her senses drowned out their surroundings with flashes of intense feeling. Thunder and lightning combined couldn't compete...

Her breathing grew sharp, sharper still when she sensed Cade's fingers dancing near her clit. Worming his way beneath her clothes and touching her inner thigh with his left hand, the human ran his right behind her neck and across her shoulder, sliding off her top. She felt him kiss the exposed fur, leaning in to nibble and pinch. His other hand shifted from thigh to treasure — her nether-lips swollen and dripping.

Amid staccato gasps as he probed, Molly helped him undress her. Soon she was topless, and her bottom half was well on it's way to match, though it felt like an eternity thanks to his tender ministrations. His mischievous massaging. That strong yet sophisticated caress dove deep into her pussy, finding her favourite pleasure-spots and exciting them with finger and thumb. The room filled with the wet slick sounds of her being fingered, accompanied by the wet sopping and mashing of their lips as they rejoined to kiss.

They twirled 'round. Locked in deep embrace. The room kept spinning even after they'd come to complete stop, standing in the centre of the room. Stable, if a little wobbly.

Next came the sounds of Cade's belt-loop unbuckling, and the heavy moans of one intent on unwrapping their prize. Molly salivated at the thought of him entering her — all fired up after her day, seeing Vi, feeling like she needed to grab onto her partner and hold on to him as tight as possible. It wouldn't go away. That primitive feeling. That ancient animosity towards other females for the slightest possibility they would steal her mate.

The sensation of his fingers disappeared as he withdrew them. Her tender flesh aching for release brooked no abandonment, and she held him ever tighter in her arms. Cade made sure he returned with a vengeance — stroking and prodding and slipping inside. Amid the sensual congress of digit and damp he guided her bottom half free of all clothes. Then he started to lean forward, and as he did Molly took several steps back.

He wasted no more time. Pressed against the wall, he entered her. Molly could not contain the joy as she squealed, feeling his member force her open.

“AH!"

Cade built up a rhythm. Slowly rocking to-and-fro. Driving her wild. Low grunts accompanied her moans and cries as she was pinned to the wall. She felt his bulbous head explore every inch of her pussy, raking her sensitive walls. Fiercer and fiercer he grew. She savoured the punishment as she felt his balls smack against the bottom of her ass. A desperate passion; a need to conquer her welled up inside the human. It energised him. With little assistance from his larger mate he held her aloft, sliding her up-and-down, repeatedly penetrating her.

Neither spoke. Too absorbed by the throes of ecstasy to utter a single word.

Their minds fell into emptiness. Nothing but pure pleasure to bask in. Swim in. Dive deep into. A terrifying, tumultuous sea of raw lust. Two bodies crashing hard against one another in the swirling depths. The union of man and beast. Senses turned totally towards sensuality.

Molly let out a great cry, and she was shook. For as Cade drove into her she felt her end approaching. That enormous burst of mind-numbing pleasure soon to careen through any mental barricade and overwhelm her. If only this moment could be captured, held in perpetuity and indulged at will for her enjoyment. If only this could last forever. Those thoughts, and more besides, were the few that managed to spring to life in her drowning consciousness.

Cade too was wearying. He'd spent a good few minutes holding her up and pumping his hips, writing cheques his physique couldn't cash. His legs started to droop, then bow out, as he moved away from the wall. Molly, her own hips gyrating, grinding against his crotch, stomped one hoof on the floor and pivoted. The pair swung 'round and landed on the nearby couch. A soft giggle escaped the hybrid as she kissed and nuzzled her lover, ever-aware of impending orgasm.

Now he lay flat, and she straddled him. Rolling around his waist with her legs clamped firmly on either side, Molly drew herself up — adopting a traditional cowgirl position — and threw off her remaining clothes. Her furred breasts bounced free, jiggling with each twinge of nervous energy that blitzed through her. Cade groaned, his eyes shut tight. He grabbed her hips and bucked. After several erratic thrusts her gasped as his time came. Molly continued to ride him. Her pussy caressing his throbbing shaft as he erupted inside her. Delight filled her mind as his warmth filled her womanhood. Still, she continued to ride...

Jerking forward, Cade rose. His head rising to meet her breasts, becoming buried in her bosom. He held her around the waist as he gasped in sync with the last few spurts of his cock. Molly ran her fingers through his soft hair and cooed as he came down from his climax. His essence dripped from around her lower lips as she kept him inside, well aware her own time had not come.

“Cade," she managed to say after a while.

Cade...

She felt him move. His head shuffled free of her hands. Settling on one of her boobs he took her nipple in his mouth and gently suckled. The painful tingling of her stiff nubs abated thanks to his soothing. She sighed happily as he kissed and sucked her tender breasts.

“Cade," she said again.

He failed to reply. Too engrossed in her body.

She needed release.

“Cade!" she snapped.

After a third call he responded, but only to free his lips from her tits and press them against her mouth, mustering all the strength he could to climb the taller female whilst balls deep.

Molly liked the kiss — the soft, slow mingling of tongues one would expect in the heat of passions deep. But she had to take care of her own needs. Needs her addled boyfriend was in dire need of reminding.

Need...

“CADE!"

A mighty roar echoed through the house. A desperate cry of unresolved emotion that shook the foundations of the building (or at least felt that way to the smaller human buried beneath a tonne of antelope). Molly bore down on him, pinning his arms aside and draping her hungry form over his.

Looking at him, a tinge of regret ran through her thoughts.

He seemed confused...startled...

“Sorry," she breathed, “I didn't mean to shout..."

She dragged her boobs over his chest. Disappointed by the layer of fabric blocking real contact, she tore open his shirt with a growl.

“Not that sorry," he wheezed.

“Nah," she shot back, nibbling his bare flesh from shoulder to neck and then to the other shoulder. “You had your fun. But it seems you forgot about someone."

He smirked and mouthed a weak 'sorry'.

“Tsk-tsk. Apologising won't get you outta this. This girl needs to have her treat too!"

And with that she rolled atop him once more. Finding he was stiff enough to keep going, she fucked him for a minute or two more, summoning that lost sensation of climax that had been so close — so tantalising close — not five minutes earlier.

When it arrived it rocked her world.

Molly suddenly went taut and shuddered. Her body bent over and pressed against Cade's. A low whimper escaped her lips as she came. Her tender frame overwhelmed by the rushing embrace of sweet climax. Holding herself over him still she gasped and fought collapse. Muscles twinged. Teeth grit. And a short cry heralded a whole minute of divine contact. Perhaps more if she could stomach further exertion. But that was only a possibility, not a guarantee, given their energetic fucking.

Soon she joined Cade in tiredness. They were naught but a naked, cuddling pair. Too weary to move; too content to want to move. Forming an erotic tableau, the two lovers teased and murmured in their half-asleep state. Speaking soft words, often devolving into mere sounds. Mere cooing and sighing.

Molly's mind simmered in the sizzling soup of endorphins and the warmth of her body entangled with Cade's. There was nothing she could say any more to enhance their coupling. And there was nothing he could say to her to ruin this moment. Her stresses, her anguish, her irritation from today melted into the aether — fading from her mind's eye into the mists of partial recollection. Of dreams. Replaced by a waking dream of her love. Her body bound with his.

The pair lay finished. Spent. Exhausted. They knew they would eventually need to get up and get clean. Go about their remaining errands for the day.

They knew this moment of bliss would end. Time would pass. Reality would seep back into their lives. The knew there was no good without bad, no Heaven without Hell. That they would have to endure times when they argued...or fought fiercely — so fiercely it could spur the most abhorrent thought of all: is this the end? That there would be questions still to answer about their future together. That nothing lasts forever, even a well-paying job. That there lay in the murky, misty, multitudinous expanse of things yet to be all sorts of challenges to a couple like them.

But did they care?

No. Because beyond physical desire, beyond animal magnetism, beyond whatever-the-hell word you want to use to describe base lust they knew something else:

They were in the arms of their beloved.