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Ch9. Counterpoint

**

"Moving out?" Seth's eyes widened and Val looked stunned.

Rick canine grinned at the two lovers, then spread his shirt colar wide.

"Remember this Seth?" Seth nodded, Val's eyes went wide. "You.....you've been marked? As in Soul Marked?" Rick shrugged and nodded.

Val's feline lips made a 'o' shape. The realization hitting her full force.

Rick had spent a good day in the college library searching the humanities section of tomes, files, and of course online resources. There was plenty of material on marked pairs, but he was soon realizing that most of it was supposition and theory. There was little advice for anyone that truly was marked. The only good advice he'd found was in a very dusty thick book that read:

"The two marked become one, more than they remain the same. It isn't a mating of minds, but a mating of souls. Their personalities will remain district, but their hearts become one. No one who isn't marked will really ever understand."

Considering the individual was "Markus Bane" who had been a Panther marked by a canine over a hundred years ago, Rick was not going to argue. Their story was legend. He found this one quote to be the only authoritative quote from the feline, so he didn't doubt it. It had been recorded in an interview near the end of his life.

Rick packed his clothes and eyed the huge poster of Bach on the ceiling. He was afraid taking it down would damage it, but he didn't really want to leave it behind. He was as careful removing it as he could be.

"Well, I can't argue with that, Rick, I just hope that you visit us sometimes." Rick gave the felines a grin as he rolled the huge poster up into a tube. "Oh don't worry about that. One thing I know is that friends are hard to come by, and besides, you two are my best friends. I'm not leaving the friendship, just this room. Which makes me ask.....Val are you going to take over the residence agreement?"

Val blushed...

**

Dal sat in the locker room of the gym. His mane was matted with sweat. He always got up early, and made it a point to work his muscles out before he got too engrossed in composition. He found the workout made it easier to think.

"Hey Dal, how are things?"

Dal glanced up at the other equine, the only other one he'd ever really met in town. He was some type of laborer named Frank. "Fine Frank, just fine." Frank glared at him.

"What?" Dal looked back confused.

"You have something on your chest...."

Dal blushed inwardly.

"I know."

"Oh...." was all Frank replied. Dal headed to the showers to clean up. Like a real horse, if he didn't shower he'd stink all day. He doubted Rick would mind, but he would. Horse sweat was strong and tended to make him nauseous.

"Sorry I didn't mean to uh...pry...." Frank replied next to him in the shower. The other stud was pure black.

"No problem."

"So who's the lucky lady?"

"Look Frank, it's none of your business....."

"Sorry....." Frank looked hurt.

The hot water calmed Dal down some.

"Canine?"

Dal nodded and glanced at Frank. He had a scowl on his face.

"Look Frank, it isn't any of your business is it?"

Frank looked shocked.

"No but...."

"And I don't ask you who you screw do I?"

"No but...."

"So stay out of it and leave me alone....."

"No.... but Dal?"

"What!?" Dal turned, soap got in his eyes, but he got the distinct impression the other equine was looking at him intently.....

"What did it feel like?"

**

Ken grunted. He was on his fifth mile of the run, only the other equine and Jacob were keeping up. He kept his eyes on the ground as his hooves left deep clefts in the soft earth. The military had equipped him with metal shoes, much like a real horse. He could hear the bull breathing heavily behind him.

He couldn't keep Jacob out of his thoughts. The two had talked late the other night. After Ken had told him of his story, and how Jacob had guessed that what Ken really liked was to be told what to do, Ken had to admit the bovine was right. He'd followed orders easily. That was why he was here really. He didn't think well on his own.

Jacob had told him that was fine, he could barely think himself. They both chuckled at that. Their drill instructor, a lupine named Sanchez, was relentless in his training. The four biggest he put up against weights all the time, and had them run for miles.

The exercise cleared Ken's mind, and allowed him to focus. He was warming to the military life more and more. He'd had some distant ancestor who fought in some war centuries ago, but no one since The Event in their family ever joined. It was rare for non-carnivorous species to join. Almost as rare as humans.

Ken reached the finish line. "Not bad Taylor, I should put you in the contest." The drill instructor barked. "I expect next time to be faster!"

"Yes sir!" Ken barked, walking to cool himself down. Jacob finished second, the other equine coming in third. It was a good ten minutes before any of the other runners crossed the line.

Ken sat down and took a long drink of water.

"Private Jacob! What the HELL do you think you're doing?" The drill instructor shouted. Ken glanced over. Jacob had pulled up a huge stalk of grass and was munching on it.

"Eating sir?"

"Thats GRASS Jacob! Did I TELL you to eat it?"

Jacob put the grass down.

"No sir."

"Then why are you eating it!?"

"Was hungry....."

"Had it been cleared for you to just pull up the local shrubbery and have a snack Jacob!? Are you that thick headed? You know you are only allowed the rations we give you."

"Yes sir, Sorry Sir."

"Give me 200."

Jacob sighed and began doing push ups.

Ken felt bad for Jacob, but sometimes the bull didn't think at all. He knew it was an ironic thought, but they had been briefed on what to eat and what not to eat. The carnivores had even stricter rules. No hunting ferals, no making a snack of a fellow serviceman while in a fight, etc.

Ken was finding the regulations liberating.

**

Dal stared at the letter. The celebration was coming up. He'd expected the invitation, but not what had accompanied it.

"As a consideration of an added bonus, we invite you, as composer of the Requiem / Celebration to also conduct the orchestra and choir..."

The letter went on to state the practice was beginning soon. He'd have to make a trip three times a week to the capital for rehearsals. He was nervous.

He never performed. Oh, organ was one thing. He felt safe behind the console, protected by the ranks of pipes, but conducting? He'd conducted practices before, but never a public performance. In this case the event marshal felt that only a composer of his standing should be considered, and since he had composed the piece, they insisted.

The door opened. Rick hefted his bags inside setting them by the door. His canine frown faded as he spied Dal looking glum.

"What?'

"Look." Dal handed the canine the letter and put his head in his hands sighting and rubbing his nose.

"So?"

"They want me to conduct."

"So?"

"I can't perform!"

"Bull."

"No, horse, thank you." Dal smiled.

Rick looked aggrieved.

"You know what I mean Dal. You can. You will. You must. It's your piece after all."

"But....."

"So what is so different from conducting from performing on the organ?"

Rick began unpacking his things, taking armloads of clothes into the bedroom.

"Well for one, I'm all alone waving my arms about."

"Don't you do that on the organ as well?" Rick called from the bedroom.

"Well yes, but I'm more in control then."

"How so?"

Dal thought hard before replying. "I control the instrument. I can't control the players."

"Yes you can." Rick padded back into the living room.

"How?"

Rick gave him a 'look.' "Through practice." "Any word on your brother?"

Dal sighed, grateful for the change of subject. "Yes. He's in the Navy. He's in basic. It sounds like he's enjoying himself and making friends. Rick nodded.

"Sounds like it suits him. Maybe he just needs to be told what to do."

"That's what I'm afraid of Rick." Rick joined him on the couch snuggling up to him. Dal started his habitual scritching of Rick's neck.

"Ken takes direction well, until it's a direction he doesn't want to take. When we were kids he was the one always getting into trouble. He doesn't think things through. I'm afraid his decision to join the navy was a moment of pique, and nothing more. When he does realize he makes a mistake, he, well, makes worse ones."

Rick curled in his lap, shucking his shirt off at the same time.

"I think I see what you mean, like with me and your family."

Dal nodded. He began massaging Rick's back.

The canine didn't go to the gym and Dal was jealous. His back was very well defined and lean. Maybe another side affect of being a hybrid was good physical prowess. He'd certainly showed that in the bedroom the other night....

"mmmmm" Rick moaned as Dal hit a few tender spots.

"I had an interesting encounter at the gym today....this horse noticed my mark....."

Rick's ears perked up. He kept still enjoying the ministrations of the huge equine hands on his back. "Oh?"

Dal sighed. "He would NOT leave me alone. He peppered me with questions. 'What was it like' and 'how did it feel' and 'it was with a canine male?"

Rick chuckled. "If you don't like the attention wear a shirt.

Dal snorted.

"You're just vain.

Dal snorted again. But grinned. "You are right.....besides I think the mark is sexy."

**

Dal Sr ate his lunch in silence. Vi sat across from him reading a tablet. "So Ken sounds happy."

"Mmm" he responded as he bit into the bread.

"I hope this isn't another mistake of his."

"Mmm" Dal Sr was deep in thought.

"Dal!" Vi glared at him.

He swallowed his bite.

"Yes?"

"Are you listening?"

"Yes dear....I am, and I'm thinking along the same lines as you. Ken's made a huge mistake."

Vi nodded.

"At least Dal is happy."

"Mmmm" Dal Sr. munched on some more bread.

"Dal, honey, can you stop eating for one minute to talk?" Vi was giving him a look, and she seemed....nervous?

Dal swallowed.

"Yes dear."

"We should have him and his friend back. We need to talk about the family, and where they are going. Poor Meghan is well into her pregnancy now, and well, Ken isn't here. What are we going to do about that?"

Dal Sr. sighed rubbing his thick gray mane.

"I hadn't thought of that."

Vi smiled...."Dal, there are plenty of things you don't think about, but....there is more......um...."

Dal Sr. felt his stomach tighten.

"What?"

"Um.......remember the night after Dal and Rick left?" Dal Sr. remembered. It was the night Ken left. He'd wondered why they hadn't roused their son while he and Vi.....

"Oh....um....really?"

Vi blushed.

"At OUR Age!?" Dal bellowed.

"She threw her water in his face. "I'm five years younger than you!"

He chuckled but ran his hand through his now wet mane. "Hooo boy"

**

Rick panted heavily.......the equine tongue was working him over hard. Obviously Dal had some frustrations to work out. Rick was not complaining......

He felt the rough thick member probe him deeply. Dal sure was talented and confident in the bedroom. Rick grinned to himself. He had an idea....

**

Dal worked over his lover's rear....the thick scent of canine was sending him wild....Rick was oddly quiet. He pulled away. Rick's tail lowered. Dal was well into his throes. Without thinking he rougly hiked the tail himself and dove in harder. He got a strong gasp out of the canine.

Soon the canine was panting heavily. As he pulled away again to admire his handiwork Rick seemed to cool down.

Oh no you don't

Rick drooled on his fingers and roughly shoved them into Rick......

The panting started again heavily.....the further he pushed, the more reaction he got from Rick. Rick pushed back very eagerly. Soon Dal was lapping the hole his fingers were burried in. This time he didn't flip Rick over, or give warning. His thick member was already drenched in his own drool and pre, he lined up and mounted Rick....

**

Rick smiled to himself groaning in pleasure, but not too loudly. He wanted his stud to work on his performance after all. Rick clenched down as hard as he could. He felt his claws tear the sheets a little. Dal was getting rough.

Oooooh heaven.....

**

Dal thrust deeply and roughly into Rick. He finally got a deep moan from his canine lover, the paw mark over his chest felt very tingly. Dal was sweating profusely. He wouldn't be surprised if he began foaming soon.

He drove himself as deep as he could, as hard as he could.....

Inspiration hit him.....

"mmmmm Good boy....." Dal purred scratching Rick's neck harshly.....Rick moaned loudly....

"thats my good boy......you sure.....hmmmm....know what you like and how to take it don't you?"

Rick's tail wagged...

**

Rick felt Dal really take charge. When he called him a 'good boy' Rick thought the phrase was a little cliche - but as the ministrations got rougher and felt so good.....then he realized what it really was....it was pride....he was teaching the horse how to take charge....the second praise caused his tail to wag.....he was not going to last long no matter what he felt now....He was no longer under any control here and submitted entirely.

**

Dal could feel his head flare.....he grasped Rick's shoulders and slammed himself home shamelessly, a huge equine scream coming from his muzzel. Rick howled in pleasure. Load after load pumped into his canine lover. Finally Dal could barely stand, and slumped over.

"What.....what was that?" Rick asked under him.

"Um....I don't know?"

Rick chuckled.

"What?"

"I know what it was?"

"Mmm?" Was all Dal could manage.

"You took control didn't you."

Dal blushed. "Well....yes....when you didn't......"

Realization hit him.....he lightly slapped the canine ass he was still buried in.

"Didn't they used to call these things 'teachable moments' or something?" Rick was laughing.

Dal sighed. "Mmm hmmm. They did."

"Ow. I didn't know they'd feel soooo good.....and hurt soooo good at the same time."

Dal nickered. "Well you asked for it."

Rick laughed again. "No I didn't I just gave it to you, and you took it. Didn't you?" Rick slowly pulled himself off of the softening equine member.

Dal was speechless.

"Now think about doing that with an orchestra......and choir. They're yours to mold Maestro, as am I."

Dal blushed deeply.

**

'Allo?" Chas answered the antique telephone on his desk. He despised the video chat screens. He hated having to read people's expressions at times, especially as he was yelling at them.

"Chas? It's Rick." For a moment Chas could not remember a 'Rick' until he thought about the incident at his restaurant. "Oh yes! Rick! How are you?" William raised an eye at him from across the room.

"I have a question to ask."

Chas was good at hearing what wasn't said. "No you have a favor to ask don't you?" He could hear Rick stammer on the other end of the line. It must be near midnight in the states. "Um yes sort of. Listen, I need a place to practice in front of people. Dal needs to learn, and I thought I'd set an example. How would you like some free entertainment every weekend at 'Dine?'"

The tiger smiled. "I'm listening....."

**

Dal woke early and headed to the gym. He fended Frank off with excuses after his workout, and headed back to his apartment. Rick was obviously between classes and lounged on the couch doing homework. Naked.

Dal raised an eye but said nothing. He'd considered the same many times, but wondered how much of a distraction they would be to each other. Rick looked up and smiled. "Dal, I have some news for you."

"Oh? Dal shed his T-shirt and went into the kitchen, grabbing a gallon of milk and downing it all.

"I have a gig."

"Oh? Where."

"At 'Dine.'"

Dal tried not to splutter too much. "Really?"

Rick nodded. I spoke to Chas. I need practice performing in public. Dr. Carson thinks it's marvelous. I'll have to improvise a lot. It'll give me a lot of practice."

Dal smiled. "Hrm, I see. Setting me an example huh?"

The canine grinned hugely and cocked his head to the side. "Yup! Did it work?"

The huge equine sigh left his muzzle. "Yes. I'll call and accept the conductor spot. Between last nights lesson and your gig, I doubt I'd hear the end of it if I refused."

Rick chuckled.

BeepBeep:

The video screen indicated an incoming call. Rick quickly wrapped a towel around himself as Dal hit the answer button. His mother's eye took up the entire screen. He sighed as usual.

"Back up mom."

His mother backed up, finally looking normal, but nervous. Dal Sr. looked harangued.

"Oh no....it's Ken...what...."

"No no son, Ken's fine. Dal Sr. intoned." He looked like he was going to bolt at any second.

"Then what?"

"Dalten S. Taylor, what is that on your chest!?" His mother's eye filled the screen again.

"Um...Rick and I....we're marked....."

"Oh! Congratulations son!" Dal could hear his dad's exclamation. His mom backed up and smiled hugely."

"Good for you two!....Um......"

"That isn't why you called I know, what is it?" Rick smiled at his now "mother-in-law."

"I'm pregnant."

**