(You) are Anon, and you just arrived in Ampilly. After a long and quite boring commercial airship flight to Brossainc, you took the train to your final destination. The Ampilly train station was certainly not the grand, sprawling complex as seen in the bigger cities, though it still had its charm, reminding you of the small train stops you’d see in a wild western movie from back home.

It was (quite literally) the middle of February, and since you were in the mountains, you had a thick coat on you. The cold here clearly had nothing on what you’d be dealing with in Avtukia, for example. However, you figured that since you’ve found yourself in a world that had not invented antibiotics yet, you were not in the mood to take chances.

There was nothing of interest in the Ampilly train station except for a postal clerk. You could only see hippogriffs coming in and out of the station building, minding their own business. Leaving the warm embrace of the station building, you walked out onto the busy street. After a bit of walking, you found yourself smack-dab in the middle of the city.

Downtown Ampilly was a nice sight to behold, the sight resembling one of many idealized pictures of French cities. There were stores, housed in the ground floors of Victorian French “Haussmann-style” residential buildings which were lined up on either side of the pedestrian-exclusive street, selling all kinds of wares: from candy stores to mares’ clothing boutiques.

An establishment that caught your eye was a mercenary recruitment office nestled in between a gun store and a “patisserie”. You looked through the window of the store and saw an assortment of small bite-sized cakes. Failing to recall the last time you had tasted something sweet, you decided to satisfy your sweet tooth.

As you opened the door to enter the patisserie, the shopkeeper’s bell chimed, inviting out a pink-eyed green hippogriff mare wearing her chef’s whites out of the kitchen to tend to her new customer. She was visibly surprised to see such an alien creature like you.

“Bonjour… monsieur?” She said, reminding you that you’re going to have to put your elementary knowledge of the French, or rather, Cilarean language to use.

“You are an tourist?” The griffmare said in broken Equestrian as your brain was scrambling for two Cilarean words to put together. With a sigh of relief, you said: “Oh, you know Equestrian?” 

The mare replied with a nod and a friendly smile. “Oui… yes. Not much.” 

“Well then. Can I get a dozen of those… macarons?” You pointed towards the pastries you wanted.

“Dozen… douze?” She audibly counted from one to twelve in her native Cilarean on her claws. “...dix, onze, douze?”

You understood her, and replied with a “Yes.” The griffmare put on a glove on one of her claws before taking a pair of tongs into her gloved claw. As the griffmare neatly packed the macarons into a cardboard box, you took a second look at the pastries on display. 

You could see a few dozen rose-shaped small cakes, one half were red while the other were white. The trays the roses were laid in neat rows on were labeled “Spécial: « fête des roses »”

As the griffmare finished packing your initial order, she saw you look at the rose cakes. “Oh, the roses. They’re for the… what is the word… celebration of the roses.” You let her continue, preparing your wallet to pay for the pastries, “Every… quatorzième? In deux days, there is a celebration of love.”

You chuckled. You wouldn’t have been surprised if this world had its own equivalent of Valentine’s day. But the parallels going so far as to take place on the same day steered your mind away until the griffmare snapped you out of it: “Monsieur, will that be all?”

“Yes, madam.” You said, and the griffmare giggled. “Douze macarons… a silver coin, please” 

She took the glove off her claw before reaching out to you. You give the mare the coin before taking your box of cakes. You opened the door, once more hearing the chime of the bell, and stepped out of the store. The cold February weather reminded you to close the door behind you before continuing your stroll around town.

You decided to open the box of cakes right after leaving, with the intention to snack on them as you roamed. Suddenly, you spotted a shadow over you becoming larger and larger. As you considered turning your head towards the source of said shadow, you felt a claw land on your left shoulder. Shortly after, a familiar-looking blue arm reached around your neck before the creature behind this stunt pulled you up a bit into the air.

“Gotcha, Anon!” A familiar female voice exclaimed as you were dangling a meter or so above the street. The griffmare giggled before properly embracing you from behind before flying you higher, elegantly setting you down onto the roof of the building you were just in. By some miracle, none of your macarons have fallen out of the box you clutched for dear life, and your backpack with the limited luggage you had was still on you. 

You turned around to see none other than Ocean. Immediately after you turned around, she stood up on her hindlegs and went in for a hug. Being the bigger-than-average hippogriff mare she is, Ocean on her fours makes it so that she’d be on eye level with you. However, as she stood on her hindlegs as she held you in her embrace, this meant that you had a faceful of her chest.

Besides sending you to heaven for as long as it had lasted, the hug was also the catalyst that finally sent the macarons you barely got to taste to pastry heaven, as they were crushed in between your and Ocean’s hug. As the griffmare placed her head on top of yours, you let the crushed box of cakes hit the ground before returning the hug, wrapping your arms around her.

Ocean split from the hug in her unique way: jumping before flying a bit backwards and sticking a perfect textbook landing. “How did you even find me?” You asked her, flustered and still reeling from being swooped up into the sky.

“Oh, I saw you enter that patisserie. I couldn’t resist jumping you!" Said Ocean, still giddy from the little adrenaline rush she gave both to you and herself.

“Really?” You replied, surprised that she could clearly spot you from God-knows-where from.

“Yeah. I mean, Anon, you are quite easy to single out in a crowd of hippogriffs.” The griffmare said with a smug smile as she poked you on the chest with her claw.

“That’s fair… but I-” You said before being interrupted by Ocean.

 “Anon… How come a sharpshooter like you…” She reached out her claw towards your face before gently pressing two of her talons against it, really close to your eyes, “...have such bad eyesight? You can’t single out your *favorite* mercenary in a crowd?”

Her comment made you blush slightly, though you soldier on. “Well, I guess I just couldn’t recognise you in civilian clothes…” You said, your words causing the griffmare to put on a more genuine smile.

“Well, maybe you should get a good look in while you’re here. I’m on… a break, I guess you could call it.” Ocean swept her claw from your brow, across your hair, ending at the back of your head. You felt her pulling your head slowly up and down, forcing you to quite literally get a good look at her.

Ocean stopped moving your head around as your eyes met hers, her painfully smug smile failing to hide *something* in her scarlet eyes. You couldn’t exactly put your finger on it, though your subconscious was preparing you for a kiss.

That look was gone after a blink. “Sorry for the cakes, by the way.” Said Ocean, as she let go of your head, not before giving you a small head pat however.

“As a matter of fact, I was going to that same place to put in an order for a cake. I’ll get you something…” The griffmare looked over to the crushed up remains of the box of macarons, now on the ground. “It’ll be my treat!”

Before giving you a chance to respond, she jumped into the air, and took off. She then dove in to sweep you up from the roof, ending up in another mid-air embrace, though this time your eyes met hers. In a few seconds, the griffmare carrying you had perfectly replicated the landing from before, setting you down in full sight of the pastry chef griffmare looking at you and Ocean through the window.

Ocean took your wrist in a claw and barged into the same pastry shop with you in tow. "Bonjour?" The griffmare behind the counter nervously greeted Ocean, "Why are you doing this with one of my customers?" said the pastry chef. 

"Ah, Sugar, this monkey-minotaur creature is my coltfriend!" Ocean said before giving you a beaked kiss on the cheek, "...See?" 

The chef looked at you with suspicion, though her expression relaxed after finding that you were a blushing mess after that small peck. "Fine, then. I guess I'll give you that lover's discount. What would you like to order?" 

"I'd only like to order a cake for my birthday, something chocolate…" Said Ocean before turning her head to you, "And a couple of those rose cups for the gentlecolt here."

"The chocolate birthday cake will be done by tomorrow, as for the roses… it'll be 10 coppers for four." The chef mare prepared her glove and tongs as she saw Ocean take out her wallet. 

Ocean put two silver coins on the counter, both to pay for the up-front of the cake and for the roses she got you. The chef did the same song and dance, packing up the pastries in a box before taking the coins. Ocean took the rose cakes and receipt for the birthday cake she had ordered before barging back out into the streets, still dragging you along with her. 

"Coltfriend? Really?" You said, as you've been let go of, and given the box of cakes Ocean bought to make up for the macarons. 

"A discount is a discount, what can I say?" She laughed, opening the box in your hands and taking one of the red rose cups out of it. "Open up, coltfriend~!" she said, standing up on her hindlegs before holding the cake up to your mouth. Looking down on you, she put her other claw on your shoulder for leverage as you let her feed you the rose.

“Here we go! Good boy!” Ocean ruffled your hair, giggling. The cake was quite tasty, the sourness of the cherries and bitterness of the dark chocolate, and the sweetness of the sugary red coating all complemented each other very well.

Ocean seemed to have had her fun with you for now, getting back down on her four legs and waiting for you to chew up the cake she fed you, grabbing one of the cakes for herself. 

"So, when is your birthday, Ocean?" You asked her, breaking the silence as you finished the last cakes.

"On the fourteenth, in two days." Replied Ocean, much to your amusement. 

"I guess I'll have to get you two presents, then… " You chuckled, giving her a cheeky wink before leaning forward to gently say in her feathery ear: "...Marefriend~!"

"Oh, you want to play like that, huh?" Ocean whispered into your ear, prompting you to brace for the consequences of your actions, or rather, words. The griffmare reared to stand on her hindlegs, once again putting her claws on your shoulders. 

Then, Ocean jumped and her wings started flapping, keeping her entire body up in the air at eye level with you. You noticed the look of desire in her eyes from before, which made your legs tremble. Deciding to test the waters, you dropped the empty box you held and put your hands on her chest, slowly creeping up and around her neck. 

Continuing with no regard for onlookers and passers-by, Ocean put one of her claws on the back of your head and slowly pushed you towards her, the other claw sliding along the shoulder it was set on towards your head, its talons caressing your cheek. 

After Ocean seemingly got her fill of having you melt in her claws, she dropped back down on the ground, once again standing on her hindlegs. The griffmare extended her wings and concealed your head from any onlookers before leaning her head down to touch your lips with her beak.

Emboldened by the privacy provided by your “marefriend’s” wings and the feeling of her beak against your lips, you gave her beak a smooch. Ocean responded with a kiss of her own. It was short but passionate, just enough to set your heart ablaze.

"Want me to fly us out of here? I got lunch back at my house." Said Ocean, separating from the kiss, though still maintaining the winged curtain over and around your heads. 

"That sounds great, Ocean. Just scoop me up and take me away. " You said, and she did just that. She pushed you over before grabbing you in a sort of interspecies reversed gender role princess carry. Afterwards, she soared into the sky at a full vertical angle before leaning forward and heading home.

You weren't really able to do any sightseeing from above, though looking at the big, strong hippogriff mare that is carrying you home more than makes up for it. 

Ocean suddenly dropped in altitude before barging in through an open window, presumably into her room. She then set you down on her bed, which was the first time you've laid down on something comfortable in a week's time. You enjoyed the soft bed while Ocean had her back turned to you, closing the window she presumably flew out and back in from.

She turned back to see you enjoying her bed a little too much. "Save that for later! I gotta introduce you to mom and dad." She laughed, offering you her claw as if to help you up, which you accepted. "Come on, now!" Ocean pulled you up and you stood up from the bed. 

You took your backpack off and put it on her bed. The thick coat also came off of you and was placed on the bed next to the bag. 

Ocean examined your look for a final time before leaving her room to make the introduction. She quickly used a comb to fix up your hair from the wind and headpats she gave you, and then took your hand in a more romantic fashion, your fingers and talons intertwined, before exiting the room and heading downstairs to meet with her parents. 

As you went hand in claw towards what most probably will be a chewing out by Ocean’s parents, the eager griffmare still insisted on outpacing you, pretty much towing you in exactly the same way she did back in the patisserie.

She chuckled to herself, wondering what her parents’ reactions would be. You, on the other hand, remained relatively quiet, silently pondering on what to say to introduce yourself. On the way, you noticed plenty of militaria lining the walls: sets of armor, weapons of all kinds from firearms to swords.

You were dragged into the living room by Ocean. She was expected, of course, but you took the hippogriff on the sofa solving a newspaper crossword completely by surprise. The pencil fell out of the griff’s claws, hitting the coffee table before a feminine voice spoke out: “Ocean Twirl! Who or what is this creature?!”

“Mother, this is a friend of mine I found wandering around town! He’s the only one of his kind in this world or whatever, right?” She looked at you. As the conversation was in Cilarean, you weren’t able to understand anything. You simply stared back blankly at Ocean as she looked at you, expecting you to sound off.

“Ooooh! I’m sorry, Anon!” She said in Equestrian, before turning to her mother and continuing in Cilarean: “He only speaks Equestrian.” Her mother nodded, though her face radiated suspicion.

“So, what I wanted to ask is: can you introduce yourself to my mother?” Asked Ocean.

“Very well, My name is Anon, I am a human.” You turned to the mother, politely introducing yourself.

“Er… pleased to meet you, Anon. I’m Ocean Gale, Twirl’s mother.” She responded, extending her claw for you to approach and shake, a gesture which you honored.

The hand and/or clawshake seemed to have made Gale more comfortable. “Why don’t you two sit down, I’m curious to learn about… humans.” The mother said, gesturing to the empty space on the sofa next to her. You sat next to her, with the younger Ocean joining you.

“Coffee?” Gale offered you one of the cups from the stack of empties on the table. Besides the newspaper and the empty cup stack, there was a plate of biscuits and a warm kettle. “Yes, thank you.” You replied. The mother put the cup from the top of the stack in front of you, before grabbing the kettle and pouring the not exactly hot coffee into the cup.

Gale asked you as she poured, “Twirl mentioned that you were the only one of your kind, is that true?” 

“In this world, yes. I’m the only human. There’s a whole ‘nother world of us out there though.” You replied, using two fingers to touch your cup, checking if the contents are too hot to drink. It seemed that the coffee was pleasantly warm enough to drink, so you sipped. The coffee had a nice chocolate-y taste to it, along with a more creamy texture.

As you took your time tasting the drink, Gale asked you another question: “You came here from another world? How did you manage to do such a thing?”

You shrugged. It was the thousandth time someone asked you that question. At this point, you’d make something up, something so passive-aggressive yet veiled in humor sufficiently enough to warrant at least a smile from the creature that asked. However, as it was your… “marefriend’s” mother you were talking to, you decided to play it safe. “I.. went to sleep, and I woke up in the Avtukian tundra. I almost froze to death.”

“That’s where I found him!” Twirl proudly exclaimed in Cilarean, “Remember the job up north where the Tsar hired me and Silent to act like griffons for his little battle reenactment?” 

You only understood a few words, though Gale was quick to correct her daughter in manners. “Dear, please speak the language everygriff can understand.” The younger griffmare, against what you’d expect of her, apologized first to her mother and then you, before paraphrasing what she said before in Equestrian.

“Yes, I think you and your colleagues were rehearsing.” You chuckled before mockingly saying whatever Luanan Griffish (or Spanish) commands that came to your mind.

Twirl chuckled at your display. “Yep. We were getting used to the language until my cousin dragged you in.”

“...And you took whatever was in my pockets?” You poked at Twirl with your elbow.

“Hey, you helped me pawn your “phone” thing off to some unicorn at an absolute premium! I even got you some proper clothes as a thank-you!” The younger griffmare wrapped her arm around and pulled you to her.


“You mean you paid me my cut?” You pushed yourself deeper into her embrace, laughing.

The mother smiled at the sight of her daughter embracing you, “And how did he exactly become friends with you?” Gale asked her daughter.

You let Twirl speak her mind about you. “For a start, he’s pretty knowledgeable of our trade for a civvie. Not only that, he’s also a pretty good shot, he beat one of the Mechanist nerds we brought along with us in a target shooting match.”

You smiled, remembering the scene Ocean caused in order to get you in the competition. She was quite persistent about including you, to the point where she made quite a fat bet on you winning even your first match. 

“Really? My husband, Rapid, would like some new competition. You could ask him after lunch.” Said Gale. Her daughter interjected: “Now that I’d love to see. Two of the best sharpshooters that I know against one another… the best sharpshooters that are among the living, at least.”

“Sure, I’ll try and-” You were interrupted by Twirl: “Oh, and speaking of. Dad! You haven’t met Anon yet!”

You realized that her father entered the room wearing an apron on top of his normal indoor clothing. He laughed at the sight of his daughter with her arm wrapped around a “definitely-just-a-friend” visitor. Approaching you for a clawshake, he introduced himself: “Rapid Gust. Pleasure to have you as a guest, Anon.” As you shook his claw, you noticed him turning his eyes towards his daughter, giving her a wink before turning back to you.

“Anyways, lunch is ready, ladies.” He informed his family in Cilarean. He then turned to you, speaking in Equestrian, “I assume “little” Ocean invited you over. I’d gladly break bread with a *friend* of my daughter’s.”

The emphasis on the word “friend” made Twirl chuckle, inviting a suspicious look from her mother. “Are you and your father up to something again?” Gale asked.

Twirl just looked at her mother before turning her head towards you. You looked at her, asked her, “What’s going on?” until suddenly, the griffmare gave you a small peck on the cheek, right in front of mother dearest.

Gust stomped one of his claws against the floor, cheering and laughing. Gale gasped in the face of the sudden revelation, covering her beak with a claw, “I didn’t know you were friends like *that*!” 

Twirl tightened her hold over you, “We sure are!” She said, though omitting the fact that the decision to make you and her “coltfriend” and “marefriend” less than an hour ago.

“Well…” Gale looked to her happy husband, smiling daughter and her love and let out a small sigh, “...Even if he isn’t a hippogriff, as long as he is willing to continue the family, I'm fine with it. 

Continue the family? You looked at Twirl after hearing those words. She smiled back and ruffled your hair with a claw. “We’ll see if he’s worthy.” Said your marefriend.

Your train of thought has been stopped by Gust, calling everyone to the meal. As expected of a “French” equivalent culture of this strange world you’ve found yourself in, this wintertime meal in question was an onion soup. It was an acquired taste, the taste of onions was strong, but the umami-flavored contribution by the caramelized onions provided a nice balance to… just onion. 

The red wine Gust brought out helped with the fight against the onions in your mouth. You weren’t big on wine, you couldn’t describe it using snob nomenclature, however, it was safe to say that the wine in question was one of the better wines you’ve had.

Of course, you, Twirl and Gust cracked jokes about a variety of things, from the hot topic of the day: (You), Twirl’s new coltfriend, to more tame topics like sharpshooting and mercenary/military life. Gust and Gale were both fascinated at your knowledge, as much as how Twirl was when she met you.

You took the opportunity to challenge the father to a target shooting match, a move adored (quite vocally) by Twirl and met with a smile from her mother. Gust accepted, though you had to go with him to the gun store to buy some extra ammo for the occasion.

To top it all off, the constant reminders from Gale to keep their voices down at the table. It seemed like Twirl got her sociability from her father, with the pair of them not having a care in the world. Knowing Twirl’s other side, you would rather not go around finding out what trait she inherited from her mother.

You helped with cleaning up after lunch as a way to show gratitude before going out with Gust to fetch some extra rounds for the challenge. Leaving the two Oceans alone with a deck of cards in between them, you left for the town on foot, the father opposed to flying as he wanted to ask you about the finer details of your relationship with his daughter.

“Well, Anon. As Twirl’s father, I’d like to know a few things. You know how it is” He asked you. Interrupting your affirmation after only hearing a single word of it: “Sure.”, he continued, “First question, what do you see in her? What attracts you to her?”

It was a good question, it left you thinking in silence, though Gust kept piling on suggestions. He suggested the family’s wealth? Lust, maybe? You shook your head in disgust. “None of that, sir. The way she acts, though. Bold, outspoken, yet, past that surface layer, she’s a sweetheart in her own unique way.”

“Really? She caught you with her tough mare personality?” He laughed, “I thought nogriff would touch her with that, at least for something long-term in mind.”

“Well, sir, I think it was a case of love at first sight…” You paused for intended comedic effect, “Rummaging through my pockets like she did.” 

You got a laugh out of Gust. As he laughed, you continued: “We had fun together, first in camp for a good two weeks. Nearly became a Red Corsair mascot, though the bossmare didn’t want to pay me anything except for food and a bed, so I refused.”

“Go on.” Said Gust, prompting you to continue: “Her marauding didn’t win me over, as funny as it is in hindsight. What really did was the fact that she did not keep what she thought of me to herself. Direct, no hesitation, brutal honesty. At the same time, she was always there to talk with to pass the time. I found myself talking to her about the way my flightless kind wages war in the air for hours upon hours with childlike wonder on her face.”

“So you have self-respect, refusing that mascot “job” offer, and Twirl doesn’t have to carry the conversation with you when the topic is about her line of work. I like it. Did you part ways with her after breaking camp, or?” Gust paraphrased what you said, making mental notes, before asking.

“Actually, we went on a date the evening before she had to ship out to go home. Stopped by the nearest shooting range for a rematch, almost tied by one whole point in her favor that time.” You told Gust. The father asked: “You challenged her, too?”

“The first one was back at that camp, as a part of the big tournament the boss put together. Twirl blew me out of the water the first time around.” You replied.

“Very well. I have a feeling the match we will have is going to be fun.” Gust said, to which you replied with a simple “It sure will.”

“Anyways, we had some lunch together-” You were saying before getting interrupted, “And she paid for both of you?” 

“Yes, why?” You said. Your answer made Gust laugh hard, “That does it. You’re married now. You might not know it, she may not know it either, but trust me when I say this: the moment she started paying for you, your clothes, your meal, you two were pronounced husband and wife.”

“But… why is that so?” You asked, flustered at the fact her father basically sees you as an in-law now.

“Me and Gale taught her to follow us in our hoofsteps. Get as much money as she can get for retirement, just like how we did.” Said Gust, “The fact that she not only gets you a gift out of common courtesy, but also pays for a bunch of other things… you caught her eyes.”

“What now, then? Do I just… treat her as if she were my wife?” You said, still confused and flustered in equal measure.

Gust chuckled again, “If you’re really in it for the long run like you say you are, yes, you should. Just keep the tough mare personality in mind.”

You gave the father a cheeky smile, “As if I already don’t adore her for it.” You said. Gale nodded, “I’m glad you do… just… don’t go about it too fast. I almost screwed up my chances with Gale back when I was younger and dumber. I know the fire you have in your heart…” He tapped a talon against his head, “...Never let it take over control up there.” 

You replied with a simple “Yes, sir.” Gust paused, seemingly trying to remember what he wanted to say, even cursing his aging memory under his breath. It finally came to his mind: “How did you know where to find her after you parted ways?”

“She told me of this country, and this city. Come in a month, she said, and that was back in January.” You said. Gust was really out of reasons to not trust you, even with his fatherly instincts. He simply kept a smile on his face for the rest of the walk to the gun store, the same one that neighbored the patisserie from earlier. You followed him into the establishment.

The store wasn’t that busy, with a few black and purple clad mercenaries browsing the more expensive hunting rifles on the racks. You had a good look around yourself as Gust went to fetch a box or two of cartridges. Muskets, more muskets. Seriously, you could arm a regiment with the stuff lined on the walls. Looking at all these guns, you were reminded of Ocean. You really should get her one of her two gifts meant for the day after tomorrow.

You searched for something cool. Ocean definitely has dozens of muskets, rifles and whatnot, you thought to yourself. No, you needed something *new*. Suddenly, as if a light from the heavens was shining upon it, you saw a big brand-new revolver. It reminded you of those big Texas ranger big irons that needed a similar powder charge when compared to proper muskets.

Seeing this world’s equivalent of the desert eagle, you took it and as Gust was about to leave with his ammo, you stopped him.

“Hey, Mr. Gust. Does Ocean have one of these?” You showed him the revolver. He chuckled, “Son, your Ocean or mine?”

Whaaaaaaaaat? He really did stop you in your tracks with that one. He continued as you slowly snapped out of it: “I’m sure she doesn’t. Trust me, if she did buy one of those, I’d be the first griff to know.”

“Well, can I just… buy it? No paperwork or anything?” You asked.

“Nope. Just a signature.” You were left even more speechless. Gust laughed and patted you on your shoulder. First you get a tomboy hippogriff mare (not yet) wife and now you get the right to bear arms with the only limit being your wallet? You definitely died in your sleep and went to heaven.

“You’re going to buy this as a gift for Twirl, right?” He asked you, snapping you out of your trance.

“Yes, sir.” You said, which made him flick his talons against your forehead. “I’m not a sir to you anymore, just call me Gust. No “Mister Gust”, just Gust.”

You decided to bring out the big guns for this one. “Yes, dad.” The both of you laughed, causing every pair of eyes inside of the store to turn to you two.

You asked “Right, let’s buy this big iron, shall we?.” to yourself before turning towards the clerk at the counter. Gust followed behind you, saying something about acting as a translator. Approaching the griff with the revolver held by the barrel in your hand, you placed it on the counter. Before you were able to say anything, Gust already spoke out on your behalf in the local language: “This gentlecolt would like to purchase this six-shooter. A box of cartridges and primer caps for it, too, please.”

The clerk nodded as he turned to rummage through the big pile of cartridge boxes in search for the ones meant for your gun. He then put it all on the table before whipping out a fat book of gun models, numbers, names and addresses, tapping where you’re supposed to leave your mark with a talon before pointing to a fountain pen meant for this extremely limited amount of paperwork.

“A gold coin for the revolver, and a half gold for the ammunition.” Gust translated the price for you. Fortunately, you came to Cilarine prepared, though now you found yourself stripped of the coin you set aside for amenities excluding a week’s stay at a mediocre hotel and enough equally mediocre chow to keep you alive though said week. You paid for your toys before finally leaving for home with Gust.
 
The walk home was brimming with conversation with the father. Mostly, he wanted you to elaborate more on “human aerial warfare”. You explained the topic to him in a much similar way to how you did to Ocean, “demonstrating” maneuvers with your hands for fighter planes as you went along the road home.

As you approached the chateau, the conversation between you two still went on, though the topic had changed to the similarities between this world and the one you came from. The topic centered around Valentine’s Day, in particular. 

“You celebrate it on the 14th as well? Wait… what do you call it again?” Gust asked.

“Yes. I call it Valentine’s day. And you call it? You responded.

“It’s the Day of the Roses here, and in other Hippogriff kingdoms south of us, like Liogne.” He cleared his throat, interrupting himself, “I guess it’s my turn to give a history lesson.”

“Go ahead.” You said, before the old Hippogriff stallion continued: “When Equestrian explorers and merchants came over and made contact with us Hippogriffs a few centuries back, one of the things we picked up from them was their Hearts and Hooves day. We call it the Day of the Roses, or “la fête des roses”. We changed the name purely because… well… the griffs of that time liked it that way, I guess?”

“I suppose it’d roll off the tongue better in your language?” You added to the conversation. Gust responded with a shrug, “Or, it may be personal taste. It doesn’t matter. We both know what that day is still about, right?”

“Yep! Showering the love of your life with gifts!” You excitedly say, looking at the wooden case in your hands, which contained the rather heavy six-shooter along with its ammunition.

“You might want to hide that box until the day comes.” Said Gust. You looked at him reaching for a keyring of some sort from his coat pocket, “Here, take this. It’s the keys to the shed out back.”

“You want me to hide this in some shed? You asked. Gust smiled and simply said, “That’s where the tools of the trade are held.”

“The guns, I’m guessing?” You took the keyring. It only had three keys on it, each labeled separately. You could make out what the markings meant: one for the door, and the other two for what you assume are gun safes.

“The ones we didn’t have space to put on our walls in the house, yes.” He laughed. How many guns would that turn out to be? You kept that question to yourself as Gust instructed you to do the following: “Get two of those matching long hunting rifles, and take the ammo I bought. I’ll get the girls and come to you.”

“You got it.” You said… and off you went. At a rather quick pace, too. You did want to make a good impression on Ocean’s ma and pa after all. Words are nothing if you’re incompetent in their eyes.

Coming around to the back of the house, you saw a perfect target range. There was a table before a low wooden railing, and a number of wooden targets. You’d think they are a good 100 meters away from the firing line, presumably represented by the wooden railing.

They already had targets painted on them, consisting of the bull’s eye, an inner circle and outer circle in white. The bull’s eye itself, along with the border and the ring separating the circles into two layers were painted in black.

The "tool" shed was conveniently right next to the range, too. Placing the ammo boxes Gust bought on the table, you approached the shed with the keys in hand. 

Unlocking and opening the door, you were pleased to see dozens of miscellaneous muzzle-loading smoothbore infantry muskets on racks placed all along the walls, except for the corner to your right, right after entering, as that space was occupied by the two pretty big gun safes. There were some muskets just stacked on a pile in a far corner of the shed, too. You’ve felt your soul ache for the mistreated muskets, though you had no time to do any spring cleaning.

You opened the safe marked with the number 2, and like what Gust said, there was a pair of absolutely beautiful flintlock hunting long rifles. You put the wooden case into the safe, stashing it among a larger, though similar-looking box. You assumed it contained a pair of dueling pistols, as there was a pouch of pistol caliber lead balls next to it.

Taking the two rifles, one in each hand, you left the shed. As you leaned the rifles against the table, you saw the family all come in from above. You idly watched the hippogriffs land, prepared to give the keys back to the father. 

“Hey, Anon! Need any help?” The father asked. 

"Only if you'd like to lock the safes and doors behind me?" You answered, offering him the keys. He quickly took them and did just that. As he did that, you opened the box to see neatly packed paper cartridges. Pouring them out of the box onto the table, you begin loading one of the rifles. 

As you were about to finish loading the first rifle, you wondered what was taking Gust so long. Grabbing the second rifle to load it, he came up to you, whispering: "I tried to stow your gift for Twirl a bit better." You thanked him as he took the loaded rifle that was leaning against the table. Instinctively, you warned him that the gun he took was loaded. 

You noticed Twirl smiling, most definitely admiring you loading the rifles. 

Gale cleared her throat and established the point system and rules. 10 for bullseye, 5 for inner, 3 for the outer. Hits on the ring separating the inner and outer layer count as a hit on the inner, as do hits on the outer border of the target count as outer hits. 10 shots each, higher points wins. Standard stuff, really.

The younger Ocean giddily watched as you two loaded your rifles. Meanwhile, the older Ocean waited for the shooting to start with a spyglass in her claw. 

"Challenger first?" Gust asked his wife, "Yes. Anon, when you're ready!" She replied. 

You just finished returning the ramrod back under the barrel. Taking aim at the target in front of you, you try and get a feel for the gun. It was quite front heavy compared to the muskets and rifles you've used with Ocean before. 

You sounded off with a “Ready!” before pulling back the hammer. Ready to fire, you put the front sight post right on the bullseye, before nestling said front sight post neatly in the rear sight’s notch. 

Emptying your lungs and bracing your mind for the loud noise, you pulled the trigger, and… BANG! Gale called out where you struck: “Inner circle, 6 ‘o clock” You figured that you’d need to aim a bit higher to strike that bullseye. Nonetheless, 5 points for you.

As you loaded, you heard Gust pull the hammer back on his rifle and, after a brief pause, a bang. “Ring between inner and outer circle, ‘11 ‘o clock” 5 points for him, though either the old retiree merc’s skills rusted, or his gun is worn out.

It was your turn again, and by aiming a tad higher, you’ve scored yourself a bullseye. Twirl cheered the both of you on throughout the match. For you, keep it up and for her father to catch up to you.

Some time passed, and you were on your last shot. You had 2 bulls, and 5 inners. Additionally, you also had a hit on the inner border which counted as an inner ring hit, and a hit on the outer ring. That ought to be 53 points. You were in the lead, as Gale had 51 points in total.

The tension was palpable. If you nail the bullseye, you’d win by default. The barrels were dirtied by powder residue, however. You’d need to be lucky to get it… and you didn’t. 57 points for Anon. Observing Gust as he made his last shot, you noticed him turning his eyes to you. You saw him slightly lift his barrel before firing. He overshot the whole target, the bullet grazing the very top of the target post. “Miss! No points!” Gust exclaimed, putting her spyglass on the table to give you both a round of applause.

Twirl had a different idea of congratulating you. As you turned to the small audience to lean the rifle against the table, the younger Ocean had damn-near jumped in front of you. She reared, spread her wings, and put her claw on the hand you held the rifle in. She put her other claw on your shoulder while taking the rifle away from you, using the rifle with its stock on the ground as a support as she slid the claw she claw she had on your shoulder around to the back of your head.

You read her like a book, and took matters into your own hands by getting on your tippy-toes and whispering in her ear: “This again?"

“Oh, you don’t want a kiss?” She asked, an evil grin starting to form on her beaked face. Before you got a chance to explain yourself, she gave you a surprise in the form of a push and headbutt. Your ass fell to the ground, but the “attacking” griffmare did not stop there. She returned to standing on all fours, stood over you, and with her free claw fastened one of your wrists to the ground, looking at you square in the eyes.

“Twirl, you *do* have a room, you know...” Said Gale, walking over to her daughter. 

“True…” Twirl replied, “...What do you say, Nonny?” She gave your nose a boop.

You erred, not knowing how else to respond: “Sure?”. That was the only thing Twirl needed to hear before scooping you up and taking to the sky, letting the rifle she had used as a crutch hit the ground, provoking the ire of her father. You understood her father’s lament, you'd also get ticked off by one of your better rifles hitting the dirt unceremoniously. “Sorry, pa!” She yelled out as she made her way to her room via the window.

She set you down on the bed… again. You chuckled and decided to poke her again… “This again, too? Seriously-” …and she’s now on top of you.

“How’s that for something new?” She giggled. Deliberately choosing to not hold you down to the bed, she bowed her head down to offer her beak for you to kiss. You gave her a smooch before she lifted her head back up and signaled you to scoot over with a claw gesture. Rolling over to your right, Ocean laid down right next to you, wrapping her arms around you.

Ocean held you tight as the two of you enjoyed each other’s company. “Y’know, Anon…” She started a conversation, “...While you were out with my dad, my mother sat me down and gave me a good talking-to about you.”

She started playing with your hair, twirling a bit of it around with one of your talons before letting go of it, only to start the same process over again. The griffmare continued: “I told her everything I liked about you…” she paused to chuckle, “...I would've told her everything I *didn't* like about you, though I couldn't come up with anything.”

You murmured to her to go on, and she obliged. “She said we're compatible. Just like her and pa… and I agree with her.” 

“Wait, how so?” You asked in response.

“Remember the way we hung out during our time back in Avtukia? We were inseparable. Sure, we started off on the wrong hoof with my cousin needing to protect your pockets from me, but when I got to know you, Nonny, you were like one of us back there.”

You chuckled, “Almost makes me wish to relive those few weeks all over again. You and your comrades are good company.”

“Damn right. It was more of a party than a job.” She replied. 

The conversation halted as you enjoyed the warm embrace you've found yourself in. 

“Anyways, Anon… I think we should try being a couple. Seriously.”...and here it is! You officially now have a tomboy hippogriff mercenary marefriend. A crucial detail is still yet to be answered, however. 

“What about your job? We won't be able to stay together unless I join up with you… and I doubt I'm qualified.” You pondered out loud.

“Well, you're already qualified to be a sharpshooter, that's for sure. When it comes to fitness…” She paused, it was obvious that she had something wacky on her mind. A cruel training regimen that'd just fuck your shit up until she deems you sufficient both sounds appealing and horrifying at the same time. 

You did voice that concern, though you only traded said concern with confusion as she answered: “Both of us will enjoy what I have in mind, Nonny~...”

“What was that tone, Ocean?” You asked, turning your head around as far as it can go towards the mare behind you.

“Oh, you know already. I love screaming at no-good slackers that haven’t lifted anything heavier than a feather in their lives.” Said the griffmare, raising her voice and shaking you back and forth as she said her piece. You chose to ignore the suspicious part, that was not directly mentioning what was in it for you.

“Riiight…” Your head fell back to its original position, steering the conversation away from the prospects of being the main focus of an 80s movie training montage, you said: “I could fall asleep like this… which reminds me, I still have to check in a hotel or whatever there is here…”

“Tsk, tsk, Nonnie…” She held you tighter, “We’re already sharing the same bed.”

Ocean continued, “And before you ask, I’ve been crammed in a ship sleeping in between two of the most insufferable hippogriffs for a week straight before returning home…”

The back-and-forth conversation continued for a while, you and Ocean enjoying the roles of little spoon and big spoon respectively throughout. The hour-long streak was broken by knocks on the door with Gust’s voice asking to be let in. With your marefriend’s approval, her father opened the door and entered the room.

His proverbial jaw hit the floor at the sight before his eyes. Closing the door behind him, he reared and stood above the bed, looking down on you and Ocean. “Had fun, there?”

He continued, looking around the room in a comedic manner, "The room does not need a renovation, so…” 

“You’re never going to let me live down the last time, aren’t you?” Ocean chuckled. Gust noticed your expression change: if “wait, what?” was a facial expression, it would be the exact face you were making then.

“I’m out of the loop? Gust?” You turned your head to him, only to be met with a shaking head. “Some things are best kept quiet, Anon…” 

“Well, don’t let me disturb you.” The father excused himself, leaving you two alone.

“I’m scared.” You broke the silence, chuckling. Ocean laughed with you, reaching around to boop you on the nose. “You should be.”

You spent some more time in bed with the hippogriff, until she got bored of just laying around. Ocean rummaged around in her room and found her chest of games. There were card decks galore, “spares” she said, but there were at *least* a hundred in that box. Under the layer of card decks, there was a smaller wooden box which contained the game she’d wanted to play. 

She put the box on the floor and sat down. When she started taking wooden blocks out of said box and putting together a tower of them, you put two and two together.

“Is that… jenga?” You asked.

She turned to you, “How do you know? This game isn’t even found on this continent!” 

You sat right across from her and started helping. “My world had this game, and it was popular where I’m from. Funny how the name is the same.”

“Well, this game is only found in the zebra kingdoms to our south. I was told by the merchant that the name meant “to build” in their language.” Ocean replied, appreciating the help, and the fact that she won’t have to explain the rules.

“Wait, how do zebras even play this game with hooves? The point of this game is being good with your fingers, as far as I know.” You asked.

“Zebras use two sticks, see?” She showed you the two chopstick-like wooden sticks. “I gave up on playing the zebra way, after some point I’d given up on these and used my talons instead.”

“So you’re playing the human way, now.” You said, as you held the last block in your hand. You put it in its place and the game can now begin.

After a few rounds, you packed up and decided to call it. You went down with Ocean to have a bite for dinner, then went out to spend the late afternoon out on the range once again, ending the day back in Ocean’s room, cuddling with her and snoozing into the next day.

THE NEXT MORNING…

You woke up with a jolt of adrenaline going from your gut up to your head as your marefriend, sitting on top of your groin as her claws were firmly dug into your shoulders. She was fully kitted out for war, just like how you met her. 

She was… not to be so rude as to judge a lady’s weight… pretty heavy. You figured you ought to not let her know that, as said weight is mostly muscle. Adding her cuirass, knapsack and other smaller bits and bobs of armor too, and she had your pelvis aching quickly after gaining consciousness.

“Wake up, Nonny! Hey!” She said, shaking you violently back and forth. Letting out a giggle and cutting back on the severity of the shaking as she saw your eyes immediately open wide in a panic.

“Get dressed, you have… I’ll spare you this time. Five minutes. You’re going on a ruck march with me.” She took her right claw off your left shoulder and rubbed your cheek with it. Aided by her wings, she jumped off you and landed on her all fours on the floor next to you. “Tick-tock, Anon~! You’re going whether you like it or not!”


Thanks to the adrenaline coursing through you, you were quick to acknowledge your “orders” and quickly rummaged through your bag for a new set of clothes, save for your coat. You quickly got out of your pajamas and put on whatever you fished out of your travel bag. As you were putting your coat on, you heard the griffmare exclaim to you through the door: “You’ve got a minute left!”

Shortly after, you opened the door and were greeted by Ocean handing you a knapsack. You took it, and holy shit it’s heavy. “What’d you put in here?” You asked her, trying to keep the straps not meant for creatures the likes of you around your shoulders. 

She said, helping you tighten the straps around your shoulders: “Rocks!” 

“Rocks?” You replied.

“Rocks.” She chuckled.

“Rocks…” You said as the knapsack was now firmly and comfortably fit on your shoulders, “You kidding?”

“Nope…” She reached around you and pulled one out of your bag. “...Voilà! Now. Follow me, and I’ll get us started.” 

And so, the struggle began… or at least you thought so until Ocean let you to the “toolshed” and gave you the biggest, most “fuck you and the five guys standing behind you (and also my shoulder)”-like caliber flintlock musket that could qualify as a small cannon if the barrel were on a limber instead of an appropriately-sized wooden musket stock.

“Here you are!” She giggled at the sight of you struggling with not letting the thing hit the dirt. “Ready for war!”

Taking a bit of pity on you, Ocean showed you exactly how to hold it. “Here…” She took the gun out of your hands, “...Reach your arm out, hand facing upwards…” Rearing on her hindlegs, she placed the definitely-not-a-cannon’s buttstock and held it up with both of her claws.

“...Now rest your elbow.” She pushed your elbow downwards with a talon of a freshly freed-up claw, “...like so… and…” The remaining claw pushed the gun over onto your shoulder. “Comfortable?”

You gave her a grateful nod. The sloped arms position she got you in had made your life easier for sure, though it certainly wasn’t a miracle cure. “I sure am now. Thanks.” You said, sloping the gun further back to allow your elbow to rest against your hip.

“Right.” She took her rifle and slung it over her back, over the knapsack. “Follow me!” She exclaimed, looking back at you and waving her arm forward. You quickly waddled to catch up to her, slowing to match your pace.

After some time passed, you’ve decided to start a conversation. “Is this what you had in mind?” You asked her, remembering the conversation about becoming a mercenary to stay alongside her after this vacation.

“Sure is. Half of it, at least.” She gave you a wink. It was anything but reassuring, though.

“Half of it?” You tried to ask but were shut down. “It’s a surprise!” she said. “You’ll find out!” she said. 

“Any question other than trying to get me to spoil what’s next, Nonny?” She asked you.

“Well, what’s bugging me the most is… do you really think I have what it takes to be one of you? No matter how much weight you lay on me, I can’t learn to fly like the rest of your comrades.” You asked.

“You don’t have to be a winged creature to do that, there are lots of worthy mud-stomping creatures that I work with, in fact. The Corsairs, in particular, have a lot of zebras.” Ocean reassured you, before continuing with a question of her own: “Say, do you *really* want to become a mercenary, or is this just to stay with me?”

You sighed, knowing that you’re a hair away from signing your ass off to a mercenary company. Still unsure, you muttered out: “It sounds nice, going on adventures with you, but err…” you paused. Her question really made you double-take your situation. 

“But what, Nonny? What’s up?” She asked, stopping the march in its tracks.

“I guess it’s a lot to take in at once.” You meekly replied, while taking the opportunity to rest your arm by resting the rifle’s buttstock on the ground as you held it pointed upwards.

You steeled yourself and spoke your piece, like a subordinate reporting to his general, looking right in her scarlet eyes. “The truth is, Ocean, that I love you, and I’d gladly follow you wherever.” You paused to gauge her reaction. She gave you a warm smile that spoke for itself as she let you pour your heart out to her.

“I think I’d even kill for you, but I’m getting quite ahead of myself here.” You let out a semi-nervous chuckle. 

“What’s the problem with just saying “yes”, then?” She asked, coming closer to you, putting a claw on the big gun resting in your hands before taking it and placing it down on the ground.

“I’m just not ready for that sort of life yet, and there’s so little time for you to prepare me… not to mention that I’m-” She interrupted you with a tender “shhh” and a talon on your lips.

“Don’t worry about that, Anon. There is plenty of time to prepare you.” She slid her talon from your lips to your chin, “supporting” your head as you looked slightly upwards into her eyes. You’ve spent a good half a minute looking into each other’s eyes before Ocean decided to get back to work. “We’re almost halfway done. You’re gonna have to earn your breakfast, so you better come with.” Said the griffmare.

She lifted the big gun up and helped you rest it against your shoulder. It’s been only 15 minutes so far. Having someone to talk to really does help with passing time, with hours seemingly gone in a blink of an eye. 

As you were back-tracking, Ocean remembered the spot where the two of you stopped for you to get reassured. “Oh, Nonny?” She called out to you, “...I love you, too.” The peck on the cheek she gave you shortly after sealed the deal. You were pretty sure in your choice to join her in her relatively selfish quest to get rich off of blood money and retire.

As Ocean went to take her armor off, you left the big gun and big bag of rocks you were lugging around for the past hour back in the shed, you immediately felt an air of relief around you… until you remembered that Ocean would definitely throw something else at you. The relief was quickly swapped out for a state of alertness of mind.

“Good morning, lovebirds! Using the front door for once, I see?” Gust said, looking up from the morning’s newspaper as you and Ocean entered the house. “I already prepared your breakfasts.” 

You exchanged greetings with the father as he turned his eyes back onto the papers, before following Ocean to the dining room. Two plates with omelettes were waiting for you, and in true Gust fashion, they’re very pleasant! You’d even dare say that he did it better than your grandma (just not in front of her, it’s not *that* good).

The two of you were starving after the morning ruck march, and quickly gulped it. It barely took you two two minutes to finish your meals. You two stared at each other for another minute, in awe of the complete obliteration of the egg dish that was before you, before breaking into a chuckling fit over the fact. Ocean quickly snapped out of it, shushing you. “Quiet! Don’t wake up my mother!”  She said, in a hushed tone.

Ocean elected to not stay for long. You could see it on her face that being quiet is simply an impossible task for her, and stood up from her chair. “Want me to show you around town, Anon?” She asked you. Feeling bored and with a lowered guard, you accepted her invitation to go on yet another walk, though without the whole carrying around a backpack of rocks and a big boomstick shtick.

Taking the same path you had walked down with her father yesterday, you were on the road to town. As you walked, you could see her give you the side-eye and a very cheeky grin. You turned to her and asked what’s up.

“Oh, nothing. Just that you unwittingly crossed the border into Vederoa with me back there.” She laughed.

“We invaded a country?’ Intrigued, you asked her to elaborate.

“The purple and yellow pole you leaned against to catch your breath? That’s the boundary!” She rubbed it in with a quick punch to your shoulder.

As you came to terms with this newfound information, Ocean continued: “Y’know, living this close to a border as porous as this, you ought to run into a nasty piece of work eventually.”

You let her go on, “You’re good with guns, sure, but what when you are caught without one?” She stopped, and turned her head away for a moment, before clearing her throat and turning back to you.

She quickly drew a small caplock derringer, similar to the one that sent “Honest Abe” to Jesus back in ‘65, startling you.

“Gimme your money!” She said, or at least something along those lines, in heavily accented Luanan. Catching you by surprise with the gun, a feeling of betrayal went down your spine. In spite of it all, you hoped that it was all a joke… and it was.

She aimed to the ground away from either of you and pulled the trigger, only for a click to sound. “I gotcha, didn’t I?” She chuckled before cocking the pistol again, “...The look on your face!” The chuckling turned into laughter.

“Could’ve given me a heads-up?” You asked. She replied promptly: “You don’t get one. You never do in these cases. Now…” She pointed it back at you, “Let’s try this again.”

“Fine… so, what do I do with a gun pointed at me, for starters?” You folded your arms, staring down the griffmare. She smiled and said: “Here, I’ll show you.” before giving you the pistol.

You pointed it at her, and signaled to start the demonstration. She feigned distress, made herself look smaller, and tossed some “practice” copper coins by your feet. As you bent downwards to take them, the hand that held the gun was quickly pushed over to the side, away from Ocean. You pulled the trigger out of reflex, though if it were loaded, she’d have been out of the way, and the bullet would’ve gone nowhere.

Before getting a chance to react, you’ve found yourself on the ground. The derringer was on the ground, and you were pinned to the cold grass by Ocean. “That’s how.” She pecked you on the nose before jumping off of you and helping you up afterwards.

You had one question though, and you asked it as you grabbed the practice pistol off the ground and gave it to her. “Can I expect the mugger to just… drop his guard for the money on the ground?”

“You sure can, Nonny. That trick ought to work if the failure in life that’s sticking you up is a chicken. Those guys sure love their money, probably the only thing we have in common.” She replied

“Hippogriffs and griffons have similar anatomy though?” You pondered.

“Except for how we look. We’re still taller and more menacing than them.” She replied, you immediately interjected: “*You* are taller and menacing than most hippogriffs too, might I add.”

“And that’s why you love me!” Ocean laughed.

You chuckled. She was right, nothing like a big, strong, tomboyish hippogriff mare to enjoy life with. “Right. Stick me up, already.” And you raised your hands in mock-surrender.

“Fine. Here. Your coin, claw it over now!” She waved it around, pretending to be a low-life highwaygriff instead of the hardened mercenary she is. She was reared up on her hindlegs, her wings extended for balance as her claws were occupied by “business”. Her height when reared added a intimidation factor to it all.

You did what Ocean did previously, and when she looked down to take the coins you threw to the ground next to her, you pushed the gun aside and, venting your frustration about being held up by her as some sort of prank, managed to push her to the ground. Your advantage was short lived, as she pushed you off of her, and back onto the ground.

“Close, I’ll give you that...” She smiled as she examined the situation. She had both of your hands in her claws, pinned on the ground. Your body was pinned even more so by the sheer weight of the quadruped on top of you. You could see a look of self-satisfaction on her, as if she has a thing for humiliating her sparring partners in hand to hand (Hand to claw? Claw to claw?) clashes. The more time she spent on top of you, the more you were into it yourself, though obviously being on the receiving end in your case.

Your attempts to break free, puny when put up against Ocean’s strength, entertained her. “I could do this all day.” She giggled in delight as she pushed your hands further, nearly burying them into the ground through sheer strength.

An idea to provoke your marefriend suddenly appeared. “Same…” You smiled, “...Being humbled… no, humiliated, by a strong and beautiful hippogriff mare-” 

You got yourself kissed. She plunged her head down and met your lips with her beak, your tongues rubbed off against one another as Ocean deliberately closed her beak down on your cheeks, drawing blood with the sharp tip of her beak. Meanwhile, you squeezed her claws that kept you pinned to the ground.

She violently separated from the kiss, scratching your cheek up a bit on the way up. You felt a pinching sensation coming from the little scratch, and at the same time, noticed a bit of red on the tip of her beak. 

“Did you scratch me?” You asked.

“Looks like I did.” Ocean slowly crept closer to your head before licking the cut clean. She raised her back up afterwards, licking her beak as she gave you a predatory stare with her scarlet eyes. 

“I like colts like you. So confident in yourselves despite my strength, lashing out like that… only for me to hammer them back into their place...” She rubbed her beak along the side of your neck, loudly inhaling and sighing in pleasure afterwards. “...Fuck, you got me worked up.” The mare moaned out.

“Put me back in my place, then.” You went in for the proverbial “kill”, though Ocean’s reaction was completely different from what you had expected. 

“Oh, you’ve spoiled it for both of us, now, Nonny~...” She relaxed her grip before standing over you, “...I can’t just let you get what you want just like that, now.” As she helped you up off the ground, she whispered into your ear: “It’s more fun when the both of us are pent up”

You quietly walked along with Ocean, trying to process whatever happened back there. You and your loud mouth got you hung out to dry, though when you thought about it more, not doing it outside might’ve been a good thing after all. Exibisionism wasn't really your thing. 

“Did I get your tongue too?” Ocean joked at your silence, “Or are you mad that you screwed yourself over instead of getting to screw me?”

“Maybe…” You muttered out, noticing her reaction afterwards: a villain-y, comically evil grin. You couldn't get yourself to say anything in time before the griffmare decided to rub it in, most definitely to forget about her own predicament. 

“Damn right you do.” She said, followed by an evil chuckle, “You should've kept your mouth shut, and now we both have to wait.”

“Until when?” You gave her a thinly veiled plea for mercy. The only response you got from her was “Tonight.” The desire in her eyes and voice to pin you to any appropriate flat surface and ride you until waist-down paralysis really showed as she set the date.

“You err… sure you'd be able to function until then?” You asked her, amused. 

“Oh, fuck no. Unless you get me a drink.” She paused, “And speaking of drinks, we're almost there.” Said Ocean, pointing towards the town. 

Eventually you two swept what happened on the way under the rug as you made your way to your final destination. 

“And here we are. The number one mercenary recruitment office!” She said, standing before a pub entrance. It had a comfy atmosphere, being nestled neatly into a street corner of a downtown residential building. The Clam’s Pearl it was called. As you entered, you noticed that it had a maritime theme to it. Signal flags hung from thin ropes on the ceiling above the uniformed barkeeper, wearing an old Crimson Corsair uniform. Ship’s wheels and portraits of famous Corsair ship captains, among other things, lined the walls as decorations.

There was a typical bar table against the wall, right in front of you as you’d enter. It was tall enough to necessitate hippogriffs to rear in order to lean on it, in lieu of chairs and stools. As many were at work, instead of drinking, the barkeeper was found relaxing by himself at his side of the table, with the only customers being a dozen workers having breakfast by the window side tables, having their work-related chit-chat.

Ocean took you by the wrist and towed you in a beeline towards the bar, greeting the barkeeper. Turning towards Ocean and you, he greeted her: “Ah, Ocean Twirl! You’re back!” Before leaning forward on the bar table to get a closer look on you, “And who is this?” The fiery orange looking griff asked.

“Oh, that’s Anon. I met him on the job in Avtukia. We should actually talk in Equestrian, for his sake.” She said, causing the barkeeper to apologize.

“Ah! Sorry, Anon!” He reached his arm out, introducing himself in a pirate-like accent, sans stereotypical pirate voice, “Burning Torrent. Happy to have you here.”  

Ocean released your wrist before rearing to lean on the bar table herself, allowing you to accept the friendly griff’s claw and shake it, returning the introductory phrases while doing so. “What brings you here?” You were asked. You pointed to the mare next to you.

“Ocean here. She invited me to… er…” Turning your eyes to her, she chirped out: “My birthday. Maybe something more.” She wrapped her arm around you and pushed you to her.

“Another victim, aye?” He laughed.

“Just give us a drink. Y’know what I like.” Ocean slid a silver coin towards Torrent. “Right away.” He replied.

As he got to work, you asked Ocean: “Oh yeah. What’s the big deal about that?”

“Let’s just say… I get violent in bed.” She whispered in your ear. Her arm, still wrapped around you, squeezed you against her body to make the message clearer.

“Holy shit.” You grinned, which intrigued her. “You into that sort of stuff, Nonny?”

“Maybe. The sample I got on the way here sold me on the idea.” You leaned your head against hers. “No takesy-backsies then, Nonny.” She reached for your head and patted you.

“I’m fucked, aren’t I?” You reached your arm around Ocean.

“Don’t get me wrong, you’ll be doing it, but *I* will be in charge.” She paused before looking around for Torrent. There he was, on his way with a full bottle of what she called “her mama’s cooking”. 

“Here you go, Twirl.” He said before leaning over, almost to the point of slipping and falling, to grab and slide over two glasses for you and Ocean to drink out of.

“Merci!” Said the griffmare,  cheerfully twisting the cap off and pouring the two of you a drink. 

Torrent was called over by the patrons who were seated when you came in, leaving you and Ocean alone to talk in relative privacy.

“Wait… it’s barely 10 in the morning, why are we drinking now?” You protested at the last minute.

“Why not? Not an enjoyer of a morning drink?” She asked.

“It’s seen as a trashy thing where I’m from, is all.” You still put a hand on the glass. If she doesn’t mind, why should you be worried?

“Believe it or not, I have a habit of just… not caring about things like that.” She chuckled.

Her response surprises you. “So, do you say something like “I’m sorry, it *will* happen again!” or do you beat them to death?”

Ocean laughed, “The latter, mostly… though it depends on a person to person basis.” She took her glass and raised it. “Santé!”

“Cheers.” You mustered the courage to bottom-up the glass, getting the bitter and intoxicating contents down you. Ocean on the other hand, she poured the glass into her beak in a blink. The one drink didn’t have an effect on her, either.

“I felt it go through me.” You told her, and she raised the bottle. “If you can feel something, you haven’t been drinking enough. Here.” Ocean poured another drink for you and then for herself.

“This one… and one more.” You said as you raised the glass before downing its contents.

She laughed. “Fine. You’re the one colt that I’d actually want to be sober for, so…”

“What?” You asked. 

“You heard me.” Ocean replied, chuckling as she poured you your last drink, “I think that’d be it for me, too, in that case.”

You cleared your throat in an effort to steel your nerves in the face of being threatened with a good time. “Right, err-” …before you were interrupted by her sheer audacity. Ocean left a space between her and the bar table that she eagerly pushed you into.

You were taken by surprise, getting handled by Ocean like that. Her upper body squished against you, her rising chest as she breathed, pressing you even more. Struggling to fill your lungs as your body was heavily pressed, in a whisper you whimpered out: “Ocean, calm it down a little!” You pleaded.

“You like it, admit it.” She said, taking the glass meant for you and put it against your lower lip. “Open up!” She beckoned you, and you did… well, you barely did, before she poured it down you. Surprisingly, most of it ended up where it was actually supposed to. “Good boy!” She put the glass down, and with the same claw patted you on the head.

“Here. Take my glass and do the same to me.” She nodded towards it, still on the table, by itself. You took the glass and put it against Ocean’s beak. 

Unprompted, she opened up, allowing you to pour the glass’ contents in. It started off smoothly, before the excess spilled off to the sides of her beak, getting her to quickly put her claw on your “feeding” hand and raise her head along with it in an effort to save the alcohol from being spilled, in turn forcing you to get on your toes in order to not stretch out your arm.

She gasped after letting you go, before you two burst into laughter. She swung around again, leaning on her side with only one arm on the table for support. “You’re so cute when you’re flustered…” She cooed, “When you’re scared, too. Damn it… everything about you is cute.” The drink had gotten a grip on the both of you by now. 

Ocean, if she weren’t up-front and honest enough already, became a gushing oil well of brutal honesty. You, on the other hand, reacted by going for a hug. Wrapping your arms around her, you buried your head into her chest and almost made her lose her balance. She tried to lean with her back on the bar table, though with her wings in the way, she slipped and fell on her flank, with you still latched on to her.

Whatever went on in your mind quickly faded away as you too slipped, fell and ended up on the floor with Ocean, your head resting on her stomach. Upon realizing what you’ve done, you immediately scrambled to stand up and help her up, though you were stopped by a pair of claws pushing your head against her. “Nope. Stay here.”

As you put your hands back on the mare, Torrent approached you two, looking down. “Are you two good?” He asked.

“Yes… why?” Ocean replied, looking up at Torrent.

“You’re on the floor.” He replied, a grin slowly forming on his beaked face.

“Oh shit, yeah. Anon? You’re gonna have to get up off of me.” She pushed you off of her before the bartending hippogriff standing above helped you up. 

You offered a hand to Ocean as she was halfway through getting up by herself. 

“If you’re gonna lay about on the floor like that, I might as well give you two a blanket.” He chuckled, before turning to the bottle given to you and Ocean, examining how much you’ve had.

“Huh…” He took the bottle, “Barely half?” Torrent turned to Ocean before putting it down. “Did I mistake you for your cousin Ocean, Madame Silent?”

Ocean laughed, “I called it quits, but it was for this colt’s sake.” She laughed, giving you a quick shoulder punch. 

“He’s got a lot to learn from you, then. Look at him! I’d say he was about to fall over but he already did!” Torrent said.

Ocean chuckled. “Wouldn’t say *he* fell over, but yes, he does have a lot to learn.” She then turned to you, “You’ll be breaking skulls *and* emptying bottles by the end of the year!” 

“Yeah, I’ll drink to that.” You replied.

“Well then, drink!” She poured you another shot and fed it to you without any protest from your part. Ocean laughed, putting the glass down. 

“We ought to stop now. How about you and Torrent get to know each other while I take care of some business?” She winked, with massive emphasis on the word “business”.

Before you had the chance to ask her about said business, Torrent came in. “You want me to foalsit this lightweight?” He complained as he took his usual place behind the bar, turned to you, and excused himself by simply stating “No offense, Anon.”

“Come on, now. It’s not babysitting! Anon is an aspiring Corsair!” She gave Torrent a polite smile. His demeanor immediately changed, “Oh, really?” The old griff examined you closer.

“Can’t fly… but a biped. Ought to put him on a boat then? He can’t really go on the same jobs you tend to take” He pondered.

Ocean paused. “I think I have an idea to remedy that, but that comes later. Gotta hurry!” And she’s off! Trotted right out of the door and took off immediately after leaving the building. You were now leaning against the bar, trying to find a topic to talk about as Torrent quietly washed glasses.

“Well er… Torrent?” You try to start the conversation. Successfully so, as you catch his attention. “You and Ocean are old friends?”

“I was the griff that trained her. They grow up so fast, don’t they?” He talked with you as he mechanically continued his chores, “What about you? Lovers, I take it?”

“Pretty much. It was pretty spontaneous, but I’m not complaining.” You said, looking at the bottle that remained on the table..

“How spontaneous?” Torrent put his last, now clean glass in its place and faced you, “Did she pick you out for a quick ride, or not?”

“We got to know each other when she was on the job up North, as she mentioned. Both of us were stuck in that training camp, for similar reasons.” You reminisced, continuing when asked by the barkeeper to elaborate: “Oh, I would’ve frozen my ass off, and she would’ve gotten her ass beat for wearing a Luanan uniform in the nearby town.”

Torrent laughed, “Ocean probably would’ve gone out wearing it to get into a fight.”

“No, no! You don’t know how much they *hate* Luanan griffons up North.” You retorted, “So, no leaving camp, period. And that’s on top of the fact that said camp was in the middle of nowhere, so we only had the Avtukian army reenactors practicing on their own in a separate camp, and they were very much into method acting.”

“Method acting?” He asked.

“Yep. We actually had some mock skirmishes to alleviate the boredom.” You replied, to Torrent’s amusement. “Card games can only do so much, huh?”

As you paused to reminisce more, Torrent interjected. “So, Ocean’s training you up to become a mercenary. How’s that going?”

“We started this morning, quite abruptly. She woke me up by rattling me around like some toy and loaded me with half my weight’s worth of rocks.” You laughed, “I like her methods, did she get them from you?” You asked.

“The waking up part? No. I figure that’s just how she shows affection. The rocks, though? A classic.” Torrent proudly smiled.

Suddenly, the barkeeper turned his head to look through a window into the street. A familiar mare pulled up with a cart with goods for the pub, namely cases of booze, and entered the establishment.

“Madame Gale! Good day!” He greeted the mare. It was Ocean’s mother.

“Good day Torrent…” She looked at you, “...and Anon?” Torrent interjected, “Twirl dragged him in here, wanted him to meet her old, now decrepit mentor.” 

“Very well. The goods are here, shall I bring them in?” She offered. Before Torrent was able to respond, you stood up-straight and offered to help.

Gale hesitated at first, as if she was debating whether or not to accept. Eventually, she accepted with a simple “Sure.”.

Going out and stretching your legs, you started taking random cases or boxes off the cart and bringing them into the pub’s storage room in the back. Torrent spent his sweet time counting out the coins to pay Gale. The absurdity of the currency that happened to be the international standard imposed by giant Griffonstonian merchant companies, and its non-decimal system struck you ever more, every time you passed behind the old griff doing the math for what would ordinarily be a minute’s work of counting cash.

When everything was done, you returned to the bar and once again leaned against it. Gale seemed happy with your help as she Torrent adieu until next time. The old griff also thanked you with a beer on the house. As you waited for Ocean to come back, you talked about Gale and her daughter. Being Twirl’s mentor and close family friend, he was bound to have knowledge about and even attachment to the family.

A Black Heart flying skirmisher in her time, she retired with her husband and raised Ocean to continue the mercenary lineage, as per Cilarean social expectations that mercenaries were expected to uphold. You learned from Torrent that the old griffmare was strict, and had high expectations for her daughter, instilling an extremely competitive mentality in Twirl.

The young Twirl was, despite all her achievements during her youth, too unprofessional for the ‘Hearts, the company her mother worked for. Her type was just right for the more individualistic Corsairs, however, and because of that the young griffmare found her place without any effort. Her induction into the Crimson Corsairs, however, would’ve been much harder if it were not for her tutor. And, while at first Twirl had to contend with her mother’s albeit well-masked ire, when she had proven herself to be a natural, Gale had no reason to complain.

Just when the work day for Torrent had started picking up pace, with patrons coming in from all walks of life which dwell in the city, you were left alone, munching on what resembled french fries, sitting at a table for two in a far corner of the watering hole you’ve found yourself in, Ocean came back to pick you up.

Her grin, coupled with her eyes pointed right at you as she approached, both excited, and spooked you, both in equal measure. “Guess whaaat~?” She reared, her claws planted on the table before you. You were at a loss of words, being abruptly and without warning broken out of a stupor of boredom, only muttering a “W-wha?”

“Mom’s still at work and Dad’s gone out to buy stuff for dinner!” She giddily tapped her claws in a rhythm on the table, with her hooves doing the same against the tiled wooden floor, “Guess what that means?”


“Ocean, I don’t remember… wait… oh.” You nervously smiled, “Oh!”

Then you remembered, going from wordless due to your mind being shaken up by the stimulation brought by Ocean’s demeanor, to wordless and a blushing mess. Ocean laughed in your face before displacing her claws from the table to your shoulders, leaning into your ears and in a not-so-hushed voice said: “I’m gonna fly you home, take you to my room, and we’re gonna fuck!”. Afterwards, she returned to her original position, claws back on the table.

Taken aback by her broad-daylight advance, you said in a shaky voice: “Damn, Ocean, I know subtlety is not your style but…”

She traced her right claw’s “knuckles” along your chin, “I know what I want, Anon, and I know that you want it too. There’s no point in keeping quiet about it.” 

She giggled, taking her claw off your face and with it took a fry out of your bowl before putting it vertically against her beak, sliding her tongue upwards along its length before circling around the tip. God, you wish you were that, how it’s called in this world, a Venidissian fry. Ocean noticed you admiring her innuendo. Chuckling, she threw the fry into her beak and gulped it down.

“Now, shall we?” She offered you her claw. Taking it, you were gently dragged out of your comfy corner seat before being further dragged out of the pub. Ocean then proceeded to sweep you off your feet by taking to the air, swinging around to carry you properly at a harmless altitude. The excitement ran through you, as your marefriend flew you back home.

Flying up to the locked window of her room, she held onto you with only one arm as the other was busy looking for her keys. After a bit of fumbling about, you were in! Now comes the final stretch: she crashed onto the bed with you still in her embrace, immediately poking at your lips with her beak looking for a kiss. 

You eagerly obliged her desire by kissing then licking her beak, which devolved into a decadently passionate tongue wrestling match which had no end in sight as both of you enjoyed the sensation of each other’s warm, humid breath clashing with your cold lip and her beak. Her claws scrambled from being nestled in between you and her bed in a rush to hold your hands.

You paid no mind to the nigh crushing weight of the griffmare that laid on top of you, nor Ocean the lack of air in her lungs, having no need to breathe for a good three quarters of a minute while enjoying the fight with your tongue. Eventually, however, both of you had to breathe. Ocean split off, gently so as to not scratch your face again, and started panting. “Told ya…” She wheezed, “...it’s better when we’re pent up.”

After you’d caught your breath, you replied: “Well, where’d we leave off from last time?”

“I was about to put you in your place.” She paused, smiling, “You’re a good colt though… so I’ll start easy.”

She licked her beak as she arched backwards, pressing herself upwards with one claw, using the other to unbutton your coat, though after finishing with the buttons, she paused. “I think we ought to get up for this.” She said, rising from the bed to sit on it, pulling you up by your hands so as to sit on your knees facing her. As she pulled the coat off of you, raised and waved your hands about to free yourself from the sleeves, to your partner’s delight. “Good boy.” She whispered, throwing the coat over to the side, landing onto the carpeted floor.

You put your hands around her as she went after your shirt, performing the same song and dance, exposing your upper body at the end of it, completely naked. Her leathery claws traced vertically upwards along your belly and chest. The griffmare chuckled, “Look at how soft you are! No wonder I got a good night’s sleep, you’re like a stuffed toy!”

“Let’s see, are you hard down there…” She reached for your member, still covered behind two layers of clothing. It was erect and already leaking precum, staining your underwear. “Shit, it’s as hard as a gemstone!” Said Ocean, before starting chipping away at your pants’ buttons. In one move, by grabbing at both layers of your clothing, she exposed you fully by sliding your garments almost to your knees, resulting in the sight of your erect, leaking member at full display greeting the beholding griffmare.

“So this is what it looks like for you humans?” She wrapped a claw around your shaft, stroking it a few times, “I like it. It’ll be a smooth ride without any annoying rings in the middle for sure.” 

Kind of weirded out by the comparison of your dick to an equine one, you tried to change the subject. “How about I undress you? I’ve been wanting to see you au naturel.” You slid your hands around, touching her still clothed chest. Fortunately, no cuirass to figure out how to take off, as she wore her red coat and a shirt, much like you. “Go ahead, Nonny.” She cooed, raising her arms as far upwards as she could, and further adding to the sheer majesty of seeing her like so by extending her wings.

You undid her buttons a tad faster, though her uniform red coat had certainly more of them which prolonged the process. As you went to take off a garment, the griffmare elegantly shook it off, leaving you to add it to the bedside pile of clothes she had started with yours. The mare went to spark  conversation with you as you’ve been unbuttoning her shirt: “Hey, Nonny.” She chuckled, “You a virgin?”

“Is that important? I-I know what I’m doing.” You responded. She could tell instantly, however.

“I can tell. You haven’t been clawing at my clothes to get them off the moment I had started on you.” She spoke as you finished quietly undoing the buttons on her shirt.

“Don’t worry, Nonny. I like it when a stud is timid in the sack.” She took her shirt off and entrusted you with it, before taking your member in her claw once again, “Lie down, now.” You were told, and so you did. Laying on your back, with your head resting on the pillows and your legs fully extended to allow your partner to finish undressing you by sliding your pants off, you prepared for what came next.

She took a minute to get her pants off before rejoining you on the bed. Embracing, rubbing your naked bodies against one another, you got a feel for her body. Bald spots left by long-healed scars were noticeable as you traced your hands along her toned, bright blue coated body. The feeling of her natural coat against your skin felt extremely arousing, as you put your chest against hers. You were there for each other, for every breath and every heartbeat for the few minutes you spent lovingly caressing each other. 

Ocean offered you her beak to kiss before sliding downwards to start off by servicing your member. She treated your penis to a tongue bath, licking it repeatedly starting from the sack and ending at the tip to lap up the precum that oozed out of you. Feeling her warm breath hit the thin skin of your parts only added to the pleasure, as her tongue moved to circle around your member's head. She put one of her claws to hold one of your legs down, while using the other to gently hold your shaft and balls while she neatly nested your member in her beak, using her tongue to cushion it at the bottom.

The griffmare went down your shaft, masterfully keeping her beak out of the way and letting her tongue do most of the work. Your member was soaked wet from your partner's saliva and the feeling of her warm exhales hitting your wet cock made you shudder in pleasure. Eventually, she got so far as to start taking your member into her throat. Having become comfortable with the feeling, she sped up fucking her own throat with the tip of your cock, her tongue still wrapping around the shaft as she reached the base. 

She paused after you'd told her that you were close, giving you a minute's respite before starting slowly again, though it quickly returned to where you left off, with your cock prodding her throat. It didn't take you long to get back on the edge again, and so you warned her. Ocean kept going until you let out a loud moan, letting her know that you were cumming. The griffmare pressed her beak against your crotch as closely as possible as your cock shot strings upon strings of cum directly into her throat. 

Your seed flowed over to the sides of her beaked mouth and along your shaft in unequal amounts as she slid her head upwards, exposing your still hard member coated in her saliva and your semen. After freeing your cock from her beak, as if she were crazed, she took it upon herself to clean your member with her tongue, lapping up every drop of your seed off of your shaft as she breathed heavily into it, keeping you stiff and aroused. Only then she elected to take a breather. 

“Phew! That was a lot!” She chuckled as she crept towards you, not to embrace, but to sit on the side of the bed, before reaching to pull open her bedside drawer “And you’re still hard? We’re going to have so much fun! C’mere and see what'dya wanna use!”

Rising to sit beside her, you saw quite a few items inside of the drawer that could and definitely were used as sex toys, though the sight of a leash awakened your inner sub once again. You laughed, “Wanna put me on a leash?”

“Sure can!” she responded, taking the leash before you two turned to face each other. With a delighted smile, the griffmare put said leash around your neck and tightened it. “Here we go. Not too tight, but not too loose, so that you don’t forget who owns you.” 

“Get off the bed, now. Give me space.” She said, and you followed your mistress’ command, standing up. The leash was long, and the mare did not pull on it as she assumed her desired position: laying on her back, her wings half-extended and her hindlegs fully raised. She tossed over the long, loose length of leash in between her thighs before completely closing in on it. Standing there silently as you awaited the pull of the leash that’d force you back in bed, you could see your partner, or rather, mistress’ mare pussy wink at you, dripping with desire for a thorough fucking.

Without a heads-up, she wrapped the excess length of the leather leash around her talons and reeled you in, pulling you forward to her. You landed face first into her toned thighs before receiving new orders from Ocean. “You’re now going to return the favor. Lick.” She demanded, before spreading her legs and exposing her scarlet eyes and convincingly crazed smile. 

Looking downwards, you noticed that her belly had no scars like the rest of her body, concluding that she really is a master of her craft. Further down, you saw a pair of teats. You just couldn’t help yourself and disobeyed your mistress by instead burying your face in her supple twins.

A quick tug snapped you out of worshiping her teats. “LICK!” She yelled out. “Y-Yes ma’am!” You replied before going down on her. 

Her marehood was soaked from all that anticipation, and her winks just pushed more and more of her fluids out, even flowing downwards onto the surface of her anus and tail. Giving her vulva and the occasionally winking clit a series of long upwards licks and kisses, you got a pleasured reaction out of your mistress. “Yes, Nonny. Just like that.” She sighed and moaned in pleasure, her long-awaited release finally coming.

Once indifferent to the salty taste, your pheromone-riddled brain convinced you to love it, and to want more of it. You buried your tongue deep into her cunt and rubbed her wet, soft, velvety insides. Her clitoris was under constant gentle friction with your tongue as you ate her out, until you hit the sweet spot. The mare you were eating out had tensed up and squished your head in between her thighs. “AAAAAH! That’s the fucking spot!” She yelled.

Your head was stuck in place, though you kept prodding and rubbing the spot with your tongue, making the mare squirm around. Putting your hands on her well toned flanks and massaging them, you intensified her pleasure even further. “ANON I’M GONNA-” She screamed as the long awaited torrent of smooth and lubricating mare cum unleashed onto your tongue and lips. 

Extremely aroused by her orgasm-induced wailing, you made an active effort to lop up as much of it into your mouth, continuing until her thighs let go of your head. You separated from her marehood, leaving a string of your saliva and her cum to your mouth as you did so. Ocean beckoned you to come to her with her leash as you tried to catch your breath, shuffling over to her on your all fours before getting to crash next to her. 

In between heavy breaths, she told you: “Don’t think I’m done yet, Anon, I can do this until sundown!”

“Oh really?” You responded, wanting to challenge her sexual stamina, “We haven’t even fucked properly yet!” Flipping about to get on top of her, getting a faceful of her fluffy chest, you waited for her response.

“Oh, I’ll show you.” She laughed before pushing you off and swinging you back where you were previously. Just like on the walk to the pub, the grass, she got on top of you, though this time you were naked, dead-set on fucking each other’s brains out and completely alone therefore free to do so with impunity.

Your member was neatly nested in between her teats as she scrambled for the leash. After taking it into her claw once again, she lifted herself up and onto your member. With both your cock and her pussy being thoroughly prepared by previous “lubrication”, she slid it inside of her with no effort.

“Oooooh, fuck yeah!” Ocean moaned as she once again wrapped the excess length of leash around her talons, stopping at the point where the leash became tense, ready to be pulled when she deemed fit. Her other arm supported her body as she sat up straight in order to get as much of your dick inside of her as possible.

You put your hands on her waist and gave her a nod to let her know that she can start, if that even mattered with you on a leash. Slowly, she started grinding against your crotch as she took your entire length. You couldn’t help but moan, realizing how tightly she squeezed your member with her vulva while her wet insides suckled on your shaft.

Lifting herself up, you saw your shaft covered in her sexual fluids before she violently crashed down on your crotch, again, and again. You felt her winking clit rubbing against your cock as she bounced on top of you. Every downwards crash onto your crotch heralded a heavy exhale or a loud pleasured yell coming from the griffmare, and a creak from the bed. You couldn’t help but look her in the eyes and ask her to go faster, to go harder, which she gladly did.

The faster she went, the louder both of you were. Groans and moans were replaced by yells and screams as the bed’s faster creaking and slapping of flesh added to the decadently passionate and erotic cacophony performed by you and Ocean. 

The griffmare pulled the leash, dragging you up to her, though causing her to slow down her ride to a screeching halt. “C’mon Nonny, wrap your arms around me!” She egged you on. After doing so, she started riding once more, the cacophony picking up pace as fast as Ocean did. You moaned into her chest and enjoyed her sweaty, warm embrace as you held on to her. 

Ocean kept upping the pace, and you felt your climax getting closer and closer, until she finally went over the edge and came again, spraying her sexual liquids all over your shaft and crotch. The sensation of her rapidly winking, orgasming mare pussy squeezing you for every drop sent you over likewise, making you fill up the griffmare you’d latched onto with your cum.

“So warm…” She chuckled, head rested on your shoulder “You’re lucky you can’t knock me up… just yet.” Ocean suggested, wrapping her wings around you, electing to stay in this position for the afterglow.

“You’d want that?” You asked, catching your breath.

“Not now. Maybe when we get rich and retire.” She paused, enjoying the post-coital bliss, “...You *do* want me to train you for that, right?”

“Will err… will there be more of this?” You laughed, getting your face out of her chest and looking up into her eyes.

“Well, as long as you’re going to stick with me. That was fun. The best I’ve had, actually!” She giddily exclaimed.

The two of you paused the conversation to simply enjoy each other’s company, before quickly rushing to take a bath together before Gust or Gale return home. For all they know, at least until Ocean spills the beans to her dad over a few drinks, you were just playing that “dumb zebra brick game” as her mother put it.

After cleaning yourselves up, you and your marefriend, still naked, crashed on the bed and cuddled facing one another, with your forehead pressed on her chest as your head was held in place with one of her claws, while the other was placed on your lower back, pushing you to her from behind. You felt your skin glide along Ocean’s smooth, clean coat upon every tiny movement. 

The fresh and flowery smell of the soap gently caressed your sense of smell with tones of roses, though the sheets had the signature musky stench associated with sex, occasionally reminding you two of what had transpired mere minutes ago.

“Say, Nonny?” Said Ocean, breaking the silence, “Where’d you, as a virgin, learn to do whatever magic you pulled off with your tongue?”

You pondered exactly how to answer, “It’s simple, but complicated. I wouldn’t know how-”

“You’re one of those colts, huh?” Ocean interrupted you with a chuckle, “Must’ve been a good book, then.”

With her seemingly answering the question by herself, you conceded, “Putting it like that? Close enough, actually.”

Ocean sighed after reminiscing the experience, then chuckled while bowing her head down to rub her beak against your pate, “Never thought I’d fall for one of those, and here we are.”

Getting a small peck on your head, you smiled. “I still can’t get over how fast we went from being buddies to dating… to this.”

“Funny that you mention dating, we barely did, yet dad’s just about ready to pronounce us husband and wife.” Ocean replied, raising her head back up and closing her eyes.

“We sleep in the same bed! My life now is just one constant date with you until your dad finally gets around to doing so.” You sighed, silently pondering about how lucky you are to have her.

“Shit, you even get your lines out of these books.” She poked fun at you, and literally poked at your naked back with a talon.

“Hey, don’t blame me for being well-spoken-” Your retort was interrupted by the sound of a door on a lower floor opening. “Speaking of, I think that’s dad.” Said Ocean, “Better get dressed quick, Nonny!”

It was hard to bid adieu to Ocean’s naked embrace. You wouldn’t be lying if you told yourself that you’d be able to remain in that position, unclothed and cuddled up with her until hunger forced you off… which would’ve been the case, basically missing out on lunch in favor of a good time with your marefriend.

Putting on your pants was a matter of muscle memory, so you fortunately managed to get a final look at her toned, scarred body. She noticed you staring as she sat on the carpeted floor with her wings extended to put on her shirt, and winked at you. “Don’t think this’ll be the last time!” Ocean said, beginning work on buttoning up her shirt, but not before teasing you by showing off her physique while half-naked.

Having finished donning on your clothes save for your coat, you followed Ocean downstairs at a quick pace to greet Gust. There he was, sorting the groceries he bought out on the dinner table. “Hey, kids!” Gust greeted you, hearing you come, “I got what you wanted, Twirl.” said the smiling, happy father before turning to you specifically, “You’re about to taste a landlubber kitchen classic!”

“Can’t wait, Gust! How may I help you go about it faster? I’m starving!” You heard your stomach rumble as you asked that question. It seemed as if the mere mention of food made it audibly protest.

“How about…” He looked around himself. Seeing that he was almost done with sorting the groceries, he went to the ice box and gestured for you to come. “Take this nice cut of beef and that over there cutting board, I’m going to need you to dice this meat while I take care of the pasta. ” 

“Pasta?” You asked as you approached him, surprised. 

“What's the matter? Too good for foreign cuisine?” He said, turning to Ocean, “It's little Twirl's favorite, y’know?”

“Nothing! I like it too, is all.” You replied.

“Well, I like the stew that goes with it more, but sure.” Twirl also replied to her father. 

“Pasta completes the dish! That's how you feed more with less, dear.” He replied, looking back at you, “Anyways, son, do what I tell you, and we'll get this done quick.” He left it at that, though he still had something to say: “Oh! And wash your claws or whatever have you first!”

You took the frosted cut of beef out of the ice box (after washing your hands of course), placed it on a wooden cutting board and went to work. Meanwhile, Gust went to work making the pasta dough. Finishing your respective tasks at about the same time, he ordained himself “head chef” as he ordered you to get a pot and to follow his further instructions closely.

Putting the pot on an already fired wood stove, you were told to add a generous helping of olive oil into it, enough to cover the bottom of said pot. As the oil turned hot, you had diced a single big onion and a few carrots into tiny pieces and put them into the pot, immediately starting to sizzle and causing both ingredients to radiate each a smell of their own as they sauté’d in the olive oil.

With the help of a big wooden cooking spoon you mixed the vegetables for a minute until putting in the meat, mixing it around to make sure it cooks evenly as Gust went around the kitchen, putting in various spices one at a time for you to mix in. 

Using a can opener on a tin of tomatoes as he stood next to you, he noticed the scar on your cheek and started chuckling. “Looks like she got you good, huh?”

“What?” You turned to him, still mixing the contents of the pot. Your neutral expression turned embarrassed as he gestured along his cheek.

“I figure you had fun while I was gone?” He inquired. Naturally, as said “fun” had occurred not even an hour ago, you turned as red as a rose, as if he simply walked in on you and Ocean fucking each other’s brains out. Ocean was silently observing you and her dad bonding and had overheard his discovery.

“Yeah, we did the deed. The scratch was from the walk we went on after breakfast though.” Ocean spilled it out, even the specific detail about when exactly you got the scratch that got you busted. You decided to sigh and just stir the pot.

As Gust added the tomatoes to the pot, he poked fun at your embarrassment, turning to his daughter. “Look at him, his head’s still stuck in the clouds. You really did a number on him!”

You thought of a retort as you mixed the tomatoes in, watching the soft red fruits and their juices coating the previous contents red. “Are you two always open about this sort of thing or something?” You blurted out.

“Sure. I taught her to be honest and open about some things. Family business is one of them…” Gust laughed, “Just don’t tell Gale. She probably thinks her little Ocean got delivered to us by a stork after we kissed with a little bit of tongue.”

You and Ocean couldn’t help but join Gust in his laughter. The father continued, “Anyways, as a father, it helps to know at which stage you two lovebirds are at. One thing is hosting you for a night or two before you head off to wherever, and another is to expect you to stick around for a while.”

“Speaking of, Twirl? Will Anon be staying for long?” He asked, turning to his daughter to ask the question.

“Oh, he’s going to stay, and go with me. I’ll have to take some more time off to train him up.” She said, approaching you from behind, still focused on cooking, and took your free hand in her claw. “Is that right, Nonny?”

“That’s one way to recruit new aspiring mercenaries, Twirl.” He laughed as he poured hot water into the pot and took the reins of cooking away from you, letting you turn your attention to the griffmare.

“Didn’t you and mom meet in the same way?” She chuckled. 

“Hey now, I wasn't saying that was a bad thing. In fact, that was the best thing that happened to me! Besides, I was already a Corsair when I met her.” He said, tapping the wooden spoon against the pot before closing it with a lid, leaving the wooden spoon on one of the pot’s handles. 

“Right, this will cook for a while. Want to help us with making the pasta, dear?” Gust asked Ocean, inviting her to sit at the dinner table currently used as a sit-down workspace for multiple people. The large ball of yellow-ish pasta dough is sitting in a bowl, waiting to be molded into proper noodles. You and Ocean sat next to each other while Gust sat across you. 

In lieu of proper pasta making gadgets however, you three had to make do with the traditional substitute. Gust demonstrated to you how he had done it in camp or aboard a ship, revealing the story of how he met his wife as he went through the motions. 

Flattening the dough and cutting it into short, two finger (or talon, rather) wide strips, he took a sewing needle and wrapped the dough around it before sliding the needle out. You and Ocean helped by doing the same process. 

 “I did it with a bayonet, sometimes, too. Just make sure you haven't used it for its intended purpose before doing so.” He laughed before getting back on topic. “Anyways, where was I…”

“You were telling Anon how you met mom.” Ocean interjected, flicking a finished noodle into a bowl. 

“Right. I met her while on a job… in Griffonstonian Arondinia. The chickens wanted us to watch over their possessions, and they needed help on both land and sea.” He reminisced. 

The Griffonstonian possessions during that time were protected by hired help from the Black Hearts and the Crimson Corsairs, on the ground and sea respectively. While zebra raiders with their more agile lateen-sailed xebecs were the nemesis of the Corsairs, the Hearts had no such clear adversary. 

This monotony, despite being a safe source of income for those involved, didn't sit well with the younger Gale. When the Corsairs asked for more on board flying skirmishers to more effectively deal with the raiders, Gale was among the first to sign up for this escapade. It was aboard the same ship Gust was in that he met her. 

Gust and Gale kicked off their friendship much like how you and Ocean did: boredom that naturally came with being confined to a small space. The parallels you saw made you ask about what his career was like after getting together with a mercenary mare from a different company. 

“We tried to stick together as much as possible, on our own, doing independent jobs together.” He responded. 

“I suppose it'd be different for me. I'll definitely be joining the Corsairs.” You turn to your marefriend to be met with a reassuring wink.

Ocean quickly interjected, “Well, I like jobs that involve flying around, you can't fly, but…” She closed her eyes, as if she'd made a big decision, and smiled as she opened her eyes, “...I'll take you to jobs we can work together on, Nonny. We won't be going to war for your first job!”

As you talked, you three had finished making the noodles. Gust quietly went to put a pot of water to a boil before putting the noodles in. 

Gust worked, chuckling to himself before uttering a few daring words, “So, when's the wedding?”

Ocean laughed and put her claw on your shoulder, “Now that I think about it more…” She said, squeezing your shoulder with her claw, “I'd give it a year, at most.”

“Shit, Twirl, I was joking…” Gust paused, facing you two. You were as red as the stew that you helped cook while Ocean gave him a smug look. He continued, “Well, now I know.”

You were, on the other hand, shocked. “We're getting married?” You asked, turning your head towards her. 

“Why not? If you turn out to be a good mercenary, which I know you will, we might as well make it official.” She laughed, “Especially since there are some neat benefits to it.

“Like what?” You asked, curious. Her honesty about there being benefits to it made you chuckle. “Married couples pay less taxes to the bureaucracy.” She said. 

Your respective trains of thought had been interrupted as Gale made her return from overseeing the family business, just as everything had finished cooking. “Dear!” Gust greeted his wife, pecking her on the cheek. You and your… what now, fiancée? greeted her, still sitting at the table with your arms wrapped around each other. Gale returned the greetings, though with a simple “Hi.”.

The old griffmare looked at you and her daughter sitting next to each other, and smiled at the sight. It was as if she were looking back in time, with her and Gust sitting beside each other. Turning to her husband, she simply muttered out: “My love, I'm starving.”

“Take a seat, you came just in time!” Said Gust, “Kids, set the table for us, please?”

And so you got up, and stumbled around the kitchen, trying to find the plates. Eventually after finding them, you'd bring the plates to the table, with cutlery to boot. Only then you could finally sate your hunger. You poured the stew over a plate of pasta, and finally, food. 

It might’ve been the hunger, or the simple fact that you'd helped in its making, or even both, but you thought that an angel had come down from the heavens and blessed your tongue with an indescribable feeling. 

Gale seemed to have felt the same way, and commented after tasting the dish: “I still can't get over how good your cooking is.”

“I had some help.” He replied, nodding towards you. 

Gale chuckled, “You really are trying to impress us, aren't you, Anon?”

You paused to mull over your reply, using your full mouth as an excuse to say quiet for the duration. “Not necessarily. I simply want to help the family of my fiancée in any way I can, ma'am.” 

You now had all the griffs at the table looking at you. Gust and Twirl smiled, entertained by the sheer audacity of your choice of words, and Gale seemed skeptical. “Wh-what do you mean, fiancée?”

Twirl, in her infinite honesty replied: “Oh, I just told Dad. Anon and I are getting married if he becomes a fellow merc…” A devious smirk takes form on her face, “...And he will.”

“So…” Gale paused, putting her fork down, leaning it against her porcelain plate, making a clinking sound that ought to have been heard halfway around the world. 

The mother oh-so desperately wanted to add another question to the pile, however, her husband clearly noticed that something was wrong. “Gale, dear, what's wrong?” He asked. 

“They… they grow up so fast, don't they?” The mother muttered out before picking her fork up from the plate to finish her meal. The table became silent, as all four of you pondered the family's future with you likely in it, and it remained so until Gale asked you to go outside with her, to talk in private. 

You reluctantly accepted her request, and stood up to follow her. The old mare outpaced you as you tried to follow in her hoofsteps until she had stopped and stood by the front door, waiting for you. Stepping outside, Gale started questioning you. 

“Do you know what you're getting into, Anon?” She asked, a thousand yard stare piercing through your eyes, looking right into your soul. 

“Ma'am, I… what is the meaning of this?” You protested, growing even more concerned for her every passing moment. 

“Do you really want to become a mercenary, to kill, for my daughter's love?” Her direct tone cut deep into your skin.

She did not let you get a word out, however. She continued: “Do you realize how ridiculous that is? I saw things, I did things no creature should, for money. As a daughter of a mercenary family, I had no choice.”

Gale laughed, though with a helpless look in her eyes, “You get the money, sure. You comply with what's expected of you, yes. What griffs fail to mention are the nightmares. The faces. The sounds! You remember everything, and those memories will follow you into the grave.”

“Mrs. Gale… can you hear me?” You interjected. 

She looked at you in silence. “Yes, Anon.”

“Focus on your breathing, ma'am. Clear your mind, and look at me.” You pleaded. 

“Anon…” She let out a shivering sigh, “I don't want you to end up like me. You have a choice, and I didn't.”

You remained silent for a bit, figuring out how to say no to her pleas. She really wanted you to remain in civilian life, for your own good. 

“You're silent. You want to say no.” She laughed, “You love Twirl so much that you'd stain your soul for her. Go. I did what I could.” Gale turned to go back inside, until you stopped her.

“Gale, wait!” You exclaimed. The mare stopped, not facing you, replied: “Speak.”

“I have no choice, either. I have no home anymore, except for what little I left behind in Avtukia after I waited and finally got to heed Twirl's invitation to come here.” You paused. The old griffmare turned her head toward you as much as she could, considering that her back was facing you.

You took the silence as a cue to continue, “I'm sorry, but I love her. She is all I have in this world, and doing what you suggested is as good as me putting a gun in my mouth and pulling the trigger.”

Gale turned towards and approached you. Smiling, she said, “Very well. You have been warned.” She offered you her claw.

“We will be talking more about you and my daughter later. Until then, love her as much as she does you, and I know she would move mountains for you if need be.” Gale still had her claw out for you.

You firmly shook the mother's claw. “And not a word about this. If anygriff asks, I gave you my blessing, and that's it.” She said, in a threatening tone.

Quietly retreating back indoors, you sat down at your seat as Twirl and Gust were not to be found at the table. They had finished their meals and were heard playing a card game over in the living room, while yours and Gale's plates had cooled down.  

You silently finished the rest of the meal, and walked over to see what your… fiancée and her father were up to. “Nice of you to join us, Nonny.” Ocean greeted you, “Wanna play?”

“Finish what you started, I'll join in later.” You laid back on the sofa, silently pondering what just happened. 

Today was an emotional rollercoaster. Deciding that you wanted to join Ocean for her mercenary career, then her aggressive flirting with you before going home and “having fun”, and topping it off with a marriage proposal and… whatever the hell happened with Gale. You ought to respect her, though, as she thought you were just some lover boy that didn't know any better. 

“Ha! I win” Twirl's celebration interrupted your inner monologue.

“Nope, I just let ya!” Her father replied, chuckling.

“Hey, we’re three griffs… or two griffs and a human. Wanna play poker with us?” She asked you, giddily shuffling the cards. 

“I barely know how to play it. I prefer blackjack, there's more skill involved.” You replied, “Besides, what are we betting?”

“We split the big bowl of copper coins, and use ‘em as betting chips.” Gust pointed at said bowl, already on the table.

“Right. Expect me to be a pushover though.” You chuckled, and got comfy for the family game night.

As you’ve expected, you’ve been forced to “cash out” by grabbing another fistful of coins from the bowl at least half a dozen times. If this were a real poker game, you’d find yourself begging on the streets come morning. Gust eventually took pity on you and insisted on a few games of blackjack, or as it is called locally, “vingt-un”: the game of twenty-one. Admittedly, you’ve embarrassed yourself trying to explain what exactly you meant by “blackjack”, as such a name for this game did not exist at all. After mentioning the number twenty-one, however, everything fell into place.

“I’ll be the dealer. You two lovebirds have fun trying to break my bank.” Gust chuckled, shuffling the card deck as you and Ocean took a fistful of coins from the bowl.

The cards started to be dealt, and the game was off to a funny start. An ace and a nine for you, an ace being worth either eleven or one, depending on the player’s initiative.

“I guess I’ll just… not do anything?” You chuckled, taking a few coins from your pile and betting against the dealer.

Ocean was in a worse-off spot, however. A two and a four. “Hit me.” she called, and another card came to her: a nine.

In addition to the face-down card, Gust took a hit of another card, a king, counting as a ten.

“Standing, Anon?” He asked you and you nodded. He then turned to Ocean, “Twirl?”

“I’m doubling down.” Said the griffmare, doubling her bet and receiving a sideways-placed card: a six!

“Two, four, six and a nine. That’s a twenty-one.” Gust counted out the coins from the bowl, with Ocean swiping her winnings after.

The dealer then proceeded to give himself another card: a three. Ending the round, the dealer turned over his face-down card and revealed it to be a queen.

“A queen, a king and a three. Twenty three.” He said, giving you your reward.

This continued for a few rounds until you all called it a night. Ocean stood up, and gave you her claw to “help” you stand up, before taking you with her upstairs back to bed hand-in-claw.

“What a day, huh, Nonny?” She sat down on the bed, you next to her.

“It sure is a lot to take in. We’re really getting married?” You said, leaning against her with your head ending up on her neck. She leaned into you and turned her head to rest it on the top of yours.

“We’ll be living together for the foreseeable future, and I really like you, if you couldn’t tell…” Ocean poked a talon into your side, triggering a small reaction from you. 

“Oh, I could tell…” You put your hand on her back, massaging her along the spine as you leaned your head forward, her heart beating within your earshot as you snuggled. Since your head wasn’t supporting yours any more, she looked down and embraced you even more, holding you in place with her arm.

She grew quiet, before yawning, “Want to hit the hay. Nonny?”

Switching to your respective pajamas, you latched onto her after getting into bed. Her body warmth, soft coat and the warm blanket helped you doze off in record time.

THE NEXT MORNING…

You woke up. Not to any wild shaking or anything of the sort you’d expect from your partner. Still latched on to her with both hands around her barrel, you woke up to her playing with your hair. “Good morning, Nonny!” Ocean said, “It’s a special day, so we’ll take it easy.”

“Good morning, love.” You replied, scooting upwards to give her a kiss, to start the day right.

“Wanna come with me to pick up the birthday cake I ordered?” She smiled. As if you possibly had it in your heart to refuse a good walk with her, you accepted. “Sure. Maybe we can get more of those heart-shaped cakes to share.”

“You want to relive your first kiss while we’re at it?” The griffmare bowed her head and pecked your nose with her beak, before raising it and continuing, “Now, now, Nonny. We don’t want to get out of shape. The cake will be enough, trust me.”

“Let’s get up, now…” You got up together, got dressed together, and came downstairs for breakfast together.

Stumbling upon Gale in the kitchen, making herself a kettle full of coffee, you sat down across from each other and waited for the apparently caffeine dependent mother to wrap up her business at the stove.

“Whaddya want for breakfast?” She asked you.

“I can cook us both eggs, just don’t expect them to be done like how dad does it.” You replied.

“Speaking of…” She turned her head towards the kitchen, “Mom! Do you know where dad went?”

Gale erred, “Gust is out shopping. He’ll be back in a couple hours.”

“Right.” Twirl turned her head back to you, “So you want to make us breakfast?”

“I sure can…” You responded, then an idea popped up in your head, “How about you go back to bed, and we have breakfast in bed.”

Twirl laughed, “You really are a hopeless romantic, you know that?”. The mare paused, however. She put on her signature devious smile. “Y’know, it does sound nice…”. 

You could tell she’s up to something, “Oh, that smile…” you paused, “You’re definitely up to no good.”

“I have an idea, yes.” She leaned her head forwards, supporting it with her claws, “You will have your breakfast in bed, alright, but…” the mare paused.

“But… what?” You interrupted the silence.


She turned her head towards her mother, still waiting at the stove for her coffee, before inviting you to come closer. Twirl whispered: “If you want your breakfast in bed, you’ll have to feed it to me… servant.”

You leaned back, smiling. “That sounds like a fun time.”

“Oh, it will be fun. I’ll be waiting in my room.” Twirl chuckled, stood up and went back up to her room.

You were left alone at the dining table, with only the smell of Gale’s coffee to keep you company. The silence was broken once again by the mother, however. “The stove is yours, Anon.” She said,

You thanked her and went to work on the eggs. After putting an oiled-up cast iron pan on the stove to heat up, you crack five eggs into a bowl and sprinkle some salt and pepper before scrambling them. You then proceeded to pour the eggs into the pan, immediately reacting with the heat as they hit the hot surface.

You certainly were no Gust, though, so no omelets would be had. The scrambled eggs would be divided into two portions in the pan before being taken out and plated separately. They looked plain, but that was the way eggs are prepared, a la mercenaire. A mercenary would even be lucky as to have pepper when in camp, though you figured the rough way of living would come in due time, opting to revel in the relative decadence of pepper on your eggs.

With a plate and fork in each hand, you started making your way to the stairs, though not before greeting Gale, enjoying her coffee in the same manner as when you were introduced to her by Twirl. She laughed upon seeing the plates in your hands, your destination being obvious.

Walking up to the door, and opening the door with an elbow, you come into the room to a sight that almost made you drop the plates. Ocean laid on her back, naked, in the middle of the bed. A white bed sheet only covered the region between her legs, leaving her well toned and scarred body for your eyes to feast on. Her head, upright, rested against both of your pillows. Her clothes laid in a pile on the carpeted floor.

“You’re finally here…” She said in a stern voice, though her smile betrayed her act.

Realizing what she is up to, you bowed. “Yes, mistress. Eggs, just like how you like them.”

Ocean chuckled, “Put them on the table…” 

You followed the order. As you were going for your plate, she stopped you. “Before we begin, I want you to undress.” The griffmare commanded, and pulled out the familiar leash out from under the pillows. As you were undressing, you put the clothes on the pile already “started” by Ocean.

“Good…” She chuckled. Now come and bow to me!” She prepared the leash. Playing along, you bowed over her, letting her put the leash on you. “Now, feed me.”

You started feeding her. She laid her head as far back as she could, her scarlet eyes looking at you, occasionally drifting down to take a short look at your half-erect member and balls hanging out. Her attention always turned back upwards as you reached your hand out to feed her with the fork. Ocean held a tight leash on you, essentially keeping you in one place until she deems it satisfactory to do otherwise.

Finishing her meal, she thanked you: “Very well, servant, you may eat now.” The griffmare said, loosening up the leash a bit

You went for the fork, until she pulled hard on the leash, making you stumble backwards. “Who let you stain your mistress’ cutlery with your lowly mouth? Use your hands!” She exclaimed, though quieter when compared to yesterday’s session in the sack. You were not alone in the house, after all.

You took the plate in your non-dominant hand, and standing before your mistress who once again has you on a quite tight leash, you used your other hand to take some eggs and quite uncomfortably put them in your mouth.

The control over you seemed to have worked her up. Ocean started squirming, putting her legs together in an effort to pleasure herself while maintaining the act, causing the bed sheets that covered her bits and teats to slide off. By the time you had finished your meal, the mare had a talon circling her marehood’s vulva.

“Good boy… Put the plate back, and climb on the bed next to me.” She shifted a bit to the side and patted the empty space next to her.

She tugged at the leash a tad to speed you up as you got in bed next to her. Laying on your back, she turned over to the side, and put one of her claws on your member. “I demand my morning rut, servant.” she purred, “You will not stop until I say so, understood?”

“Y-yes, ma’am!” You said. Your mistress loosened your leash to allow you to come around to sit on your knees before her rear as she returned to lying on her back once more. Her wet winking marepussy practically begged you to stuff it with your cock. She, however, did not have to beg you for it. “Put it in, *now*!” She exclaimed, adding emphasis to the last word with a sharp tug, almost sending you face first into her teats.

You took your cock into your hands, and scooted forward, putting your knees on level with her flanks before guiding it into your mistress’ wet, needy cunt. As your member’s tip entered, her pussy winked and rubbed against you. Leaning forwards, putting your hands on the bed for support and locking eyes with her, you thrusted into the mare, making her marehood wink as she took your length.

“That’s it… Good boy!” she tightened the leash. Tugging it, she said, “Come on, now. Please your mistress!”

You started with slow thrusts, using your entire length to pleasure her. Ocean breathed heavily as she raised the claw that held the leash high. “Fuck… faster, servant.” 

The griffmare’s marehood’s warm insides squeezed your member as you made deep thrusts into her, slowly increasing in pace. Soon enough, your faster thrusts started causing the familiar sounds of bed creaking and flesh slapping. Ocean started moaning into her free claw, “Yes, just like that. Keep going!”

Unfortunately, you couldn’t last long enough in the face of this overwhelming pleasure, and you slowed down as you pushed yourself over the edge. “Did I tell you to stop?” The mare said, pulling on the leash as hard as she could, making you fall over on top of her, “Keep fucking me, servant, or else!”

Ocean reached for something from the drawer of “toys”, and something suddenly stung you on the back. “Don’t you dare fucking stop!” The mare said, striking you again. You turned to see a whip in her hands, whose sight itself beckoned you to keep pounding her close to orgasming pussy. 

You sped back up again, though it wasn’t enough. Ocean gave you another strike across your back, not letting you off of her. She kept striking you with her whip as you hurried to up your pace to escape her wrath. Pushing yourself even closer to her, you felt her sweaty body rub off on yours as your waist kept moving back and forth as fast as it could.

Eventually, you’d reached the point where the strikes stopped, though were replaced by something sharper. As the griffmare got closer to orgasm, she wrapped both of her arms around you, leash still in claw, and buried her talons into your back. You almost shouted out in pain, though she pushed your head into her chest fast enough for you to be muffled. Despite this, your body kept going through the motions until her marehood winked and sprayed you with warm mare cum.

Your mistress’ orgasm sent you over the edge once again, though your second load was comparatively pitiful compared to the first, having been given no time to rebound. “Ah… hah… you can stop now, Nonny…” she moaned as she patted you on the back of your head. You, so tired from the frenzied fucking you’d given your “mistress”, immediately rolled over and very nearly dozed off.

Ocean laughed as she rolled over to her side and wrapped her arms around you, spooning you, “That was so good, Nonny!”

You were still trying to catch your breath. In between heavy breaths, you muttered out: “Anything for you, my mistress.”

“I appreciate it, but you can drop the act now…” She said,

Ocean kept talking, but everything turned to a blur. You almost fell asleep before being awoken. “Hey, don’t doze off on me, now! We still need to pick up that cake!”

With those words, your naked body was untimely, though with a valid reason, deprived from Ocean's embrace. You had no opportunity to start getting up yourself as your partner tugged at your leash and pulled you out of the bed by it. 

“C’mon, Anon!” Ocean laughed, “We got a whole day ahead of us! On your feet!”

You, however, did not land on your feet. Your ass hit the carpeted floor as you were pulled out completely. The mare responsible, your partner, laughed and let go of the leash as she offered you a helping claw, which you gladly accepted. “Let's get dressed now… and if anygriff asks about the smell-” Ocean said before you interrupted. 

“...We're fresh from the gym?” You quipped. “Exactly!” She laughed as her talons worked on freeing you from the leash. 

The two of you got dressed quickly and left the room. Following your marefriend down the stairs, you glanced towards the sitting room. Gale paid you no mind as she kept to her coffee and newspaper. “Ma! Anon and I are going out!” Ocean exclaimed as she unlocked the front door and exited, with you following closely behind.

Ocean sighed as you two went on your way to town. “I think we'll walk to town again. I want to spend some more alone time with you before we start getting guests.”

Her statement intrigued you. “I thought you loved company?”

“I sure do!” She responded, extending her wing and putting it on your back as you walked side by side, “I just want to spend more time with you all to myself.”

“Shit, Ocean. I'm all yours already…” You muttered, responding to her wing on your back by getting closer to her and wrapping your arm around the back of her neck. 

A loud silence ensued as you two continued down the dirt road downhill from the chateau to the town, enjoying the embrace you found yourselves in. “Look at us. Two lovebirds enjoying the day of the roses.” Ocean chuckled, breaking the silence. 

“Enjoying doesn't even get close to describing the feeling.” You turned to her and responded, provoking your marefriend’s laughter. “Alright, alright, settle down you hopeless romantic.” She turned her head around to face you and got on the tips of her talons to give you a small peck on the lips. 

You laughed in unison as you went closer and closer to Ampilly. Eventually you reached the very patisserie Ocean found you in front of with the same green griffmare cheerily applying icing to a chocolate cake behind the counter. 

The pastry shop was in the middle of town, which permitted you to witness in full glory the local festivities. The street vendors were out in full force peddling roses of various colors, the clothing stores were full of griffs looking to buy a gift for their special somegriff. Even the gun store close to the patisserie had griffs buying gifts. You're fortunate your gift was already bought and stashed away, otherwise you'd be stuck waiting for a good hour.

The patisserie, however, was cleaned out. The morning's batch of rose cakes were first to go, then everything else. “Guess we won't be sharing the rose cakes again.” Ocean commented as she let herself in, with you in tow. “Ah, Ocean! Good morning! You've come just in time.” The chef mare greeted Ocean in Cilarean before turning to you, “And you too, monsieur? I thought Twirl was just joking with me.”

“Nope!” She proudly puffed her chest, “Anon here is my special some…human.” The griffmare behind the counter chuckled. “Alright…” She made a final adjustment to the cake, “And voilà! Your chocolate cake, miss Ocean Twirl! Happy birthday.”

“Thank you, Sugarstream!” Ocean eagerly received the cake before handing it over to you before reaching into her pocket. “Two silvers, was it?” The griffmare said as she counted them out and gave them to the pastry chef mare.

It was a brief and professional exchange, as Sugarstream had to tend to her upcoming second batch, which will immediately fall victim to the many couples spending their hard-earned coin. You walked out of the store with the cake in your two hands as Ocean held the door open for you. 

“Looks good, doesn't it?” She asked you, “Sugar makes the best chocolate cakes around!”

“The cake looks amazing…” You replied, turning to her with a wink, “We'll have a lot of calories to burn afterwards!”

“Uh-huh!” Ocean caught your drift, but never heard of so-called calories, and curiously asked, “What are calories, Nonny?”

“Oh, that's how humans measure energy our bodies get from eating food an-” You tried to explain, though you were interrupted by the griffmare making a loud snoring noise. Turning your head to her, you saw that her head was cocked as far back as she could manage. Her eyes were also closed and her beak hung open.

You chuckled, “Hey, you asked for an explanation!”

Ocean immediately snapped out of her act and fired back: “Not from a fuckin’ mechanist!”

“Right, listen. Cake?” You lifted the box up a bit, “Many calories. Much sugar. No protein! You get fat! Juicy steak, Much protein! Muscles grow!”

The griffmare laughed, “Alright, alright, I get it. And how do you… ‘burn’ them?”

“Exercise, and… ‘exercise’.” You punctuated the latter instance with a wink.

Ocean let out another chuckle, “We’ll see about that.” 

After five minutes of walking, Ocean elected to scoop you and the cake up before flying you home, evading the crowded downtown street. You landed, and as you were stretching after being held by Ocean, you noticed a familiar hippogriff flying into the chateau’s front yard shortly after you made your return with your mare. 

“Early, like usual…” Ocean chuckled as she gave you the cake to hold again before fully turning to the now grounded mare, Ocean's cousin Silent Sea. 

Silent Sea and Ocean Twirl are like night and day, While Ocean is a cut-throat and overall wild mercenary mare, Silent is more refined. Being a Gilded Gallant, she is much more honorable in her dealings. This difference expectedly causes a lot of friction; in your “rescue”, for instance. Ocean had to be stopped by her cousin from cleaning out your pockets as the more honorable griffmare carried you over to her tent. 

The dark blue mare landed, for some reason still in her gold plated armor, at the foot of your marefriend’s family's property before making her way over to the front entrance on hoof and claw. Her stoic demeanor was quickly broken after seeing you standing next to Ocean. 

“Good morning, cousin… and Anonymous?” Silent looked at you like an alien (which you were), “I didn't expect you here?”

Ocean laughed and went to hug her cousin, “Good to see you, Silent. And yes, I invited Anon over too. Turns out we're pretty compatible!”

“Compatible, huh?” Silent gave Ocean a surprised look, “Don’t tell me you’re…” the mare uttered under her breath, though you and Twirl could've heard her. 

“Fuck yeah.” Ocean put a wing on your back, “Nonny is great. Who knew a civvie like him could catch my eyes.”

You greeted Silent with a small bow, making up for the lack of free hands to offer for clawshakes on your part. As she turned her attention from her cousin to you, you greeted the griffmare, “Hello, madam Silent.” The mare smiled and replied by returning the nicety.

The three of you made your way into the house. You excused yourself to place the cake in the icebox in the kitchen as the two griffmares went to spend some time with Gale. Being able to listen in to the conversation had by the mares in the sitting room, you took your time with your business in the kitchen

“So, cousin. About Anonymous…” Silent started talking to Twirl at her usual pace when it came to interrogatives, however that slow pace ground to a screeching halt.

Slow and very careful when it came to picking her words. Ocean seemed to not want to be kept waiting, “C’mon, cous’! Out with it!”

“I’m concerned for him. I’m concerned that you’re going to… break him. His heart, mind… soul, even.” Silent spilled her mind out, the words 

An eerie silence came over the living room as you entered just as Silent spoke. Twirl did not take it upon herself to continue the conversation.

“Ladies?” You shot the trio a confused look.

The room remained quiet, the mares all sat next to each other, their claws to themselves, though Twirl was visibly pissed, Silent was embarrassed, and Gale was tired of the two younger griffmares’ shit.

“I think Anon needs to know what you think-” Twirl suggested, before getting interrupted by Gale.

“Twirl, shh.” Gale shot down any prospects of escalation before facing you. “Wait outside.”

You raised your hands at head level, palms facing outwards as you turned about on your feet and walked right outside, only catching a few words from Gale meant for Silent. “And you’re going to think, and tell Anonymous to his face…” 

You closed the main door behind you, took a few steps forward onto the manicured grass out front and turned toward the door. Shortly after, the dark blue, white maned cousin of your partner stepped out of the door, shortly followed by Gale, who stood by the door and opted to watch from a distance.

“Anonymous…” Silent uttered, her thoughts definitely still half-baked in her birdhorse brain, you snorted and reached out your hand, putting it on the griffmare’s shoulder.

“Silent, listen. I was given the same lecture about loving mercenaries as a civilian by your aunt just last night. I’m not interested in the same from you.” You calmly reasoned with the mare, though you couldn’t help but have some frustration show through your tone.

“No- well, yes. What I’m worried about is…” Silent leaned closer, continuing with a pleading tone, “Ocean, in particular. She is different, my friend. You remember, she basically forced you to sell your, whatever, trinket you had. She is ruthless like that, and I’m afraid that she’d eventually betray you, or break your heart by doing something cruel for a few pieces of gold.”

“Like what?” You sighed, hearing her out.

“There are some situations… where mercenaries can’t properly process the prisoners they capture. The captains then deem it necessary to execute them all. The executioners volunteer because the incentive is bonus pay, and you’ll always find Ocean taking that offer up. There are worse cases, but nothing infuriates me more than when she does that…” Silent defended her… protectiveness?

“And I’m supposed to be surprised? To… fall to the ground and faint?. As I said, I know what can of worms I am opening by loving a mercenary, Silent! Do you think us humans are all innocent? You remember what I showed you on my “trinket” before pawning it off… Pawning it off to buy a decent change of clothes, mind you! Ocean, in fact, helped by haggling. I could afford to come here at this time thanks to that.” You put your other hand on the mare’s other shoulder and leaned closer.

“And if you think she’ll betray me… well, you have the chance to gauge whether or not that could happen.” You gave the griffmare a pat on the shoulders before backing off, “Now, how about we go back inside and we all calm down?”

Silent sighed, “Sure. I’m sorry, Anon. I just don’t want any creature to be unnecessarily dragged into this life. If you consider yourself… sufficiently troubled in the head…” She cleared her throat, “...to jump from civilian to mercenary, please help my cousin see the error of her ways. I’m sure… humans consider murder bad too.”

You turned your head forward to see Gale. Giving her a nod of acknowledgement, you chuckled and responded to Silent’s request: “If you want me to be a positive influence… fine. Don’t expect any miracles, and don’t expect me to brush this off either.” you stopped right in earshot of the mother, “Ocean treated me better than what I’d expect from most people when I had been at my lowest, not discounting you, of course.”

You paused to give a few seconds to Silent to soak up the words before continuing, “I owe you, but I also owe your cousin. As a Gallant, you understand exactly what I mean.”

After opening the door for Silent, and closing it after she entered, you sighed and looked at Gale. 

“Gallants, thinking they can act like… I don’t know what, even.” Ocean Gale put the palm of her claw to her face, sliding it down her face as she groaned, “I know I’m scary, and I had done more than my fair share of  scaring off potential civvie suitors for my foals, but that was scarily *annoying*.” The mare sighed and reached into a coat pocket for a cigarette.

“You should keep my Ocean company, Anon. I can exchange a few words with you, but I insist that you leave me alone after that.” Gale pulled out a cigarette and a match with the same claw, placing the cig to hang out of her beak as she leaned against the railing of her family home’s small porch.

“One thing for now. Is everygriff going to try and convince me that Twirl is some sort of monster now?” You asked the mother, making her stop trying to light the match in her claw.

“That’s what this all was about, huh? My Ocean?” The mare spaced out looking into the horizon, saving the cigarette from falling out of her beak with a talon before recollecting herself, “What we… “discussed” last night wasn’t a “scary parent” routine, you know. All I’ve seen over my career has convinced me that if my foals were to live a decent life, they should be prepared for everything that comes with it.”

The mare did not bother lighting the cigarette, yet did not take it out either. She continued, “I realised I overcorrected a long time ago. Ever since Twirl joined the Corsairs. Just a tad bit too eager to kill and loot for the Black Hearts’ captain, I suppose.”

Gale then turned her head a bit towards you, giving you a side-eye, “I expected a worse suitor, with the “work ethic” she took from me…” She shuddered, “Whichever deity creatures worship that is in charge of this world decided to spare me the torture from being invited to Blood Disciple weddings.”

“Is it that bad?” You broke your silence with a small chuckle.

“Hey, I only gave you the possibility to ask one question, now shoo. Go be with your… fianceé. Can’t believe I’m saying this, and I barely got to know you. Just go.” Gale sprung up from the railing and quickly tugged the door open.

You noticed her biting her tongue, but didn’t push it. You entered to find the two younger mares sitting next to each other in silence. Ocean was eagerly awaiting you while being “ignored” by her cousin, reading, or at least pretending to read the newspaper that was previously left on the coffee table. Ocean gave you a smile as she stood up and went in for a hug, giving you a face full of griffmare chest.

“Did mom bite?” She chuckled, still enveloping you with her arms and one of her wings.

“She was about to bite if I didn’t go back inside to give you a little kith!” You said, getting on your tippy toes to reach her cheek, tightening your embrace.

Ocean let out a quiet chuckle before audibly giving her reply to your move, “Just that? Oh… yeah. We’re talking about mom, after all…” She paused, turning herself - and you with her - to provide a better view for Silent, still sitting, barely keeping her focus on the boring civvie newspapers in her claws.

“...Mom doesn’t like it when we do…” She quickly unfastened one of your shirt’s buttons. “...this! And…” so went another button.

With the second button unfastened, your neck was satisfactorily naked for Ocean to make her next move. “And… thmmh…” Her speech got muffled as she bowed down her head to “bite” the base of your neck, licking it while also breathing hot air into the wet areas, giving you goosebumps while also getting a little moan out of you. Your hands drifted downwards, getting a feel of her waist as she went about doing her own thing.

Silent sighed, “I get it, Twirl. You don’t have to lay the human in front of me to prove your point.” she said, giving up on the newspaper, folding it and leaving it where she found it.

“You don’t, Silent…” Ocean paused her theatrics, “His name is Anon… if you’d forgotten already…” Turning her full attention back to you, she squeezed you tighter with one of her arms, while using her other arm’s claw to pull you by your unbuttoned collar, ending up with you having your lips resting against her beak.

Gale appeared behind you, sounding off by clearing her throat.

“What am I looking at?” the mother asked.

Another familiar voice sounded off. Mr. Gust had come to save the rest of the day from abject boredom, “Foals being foals, I reckon.”

“Exactly that, dad.” Ocean brightened up, chuckling and letting you go, “What'd ya got there for lunch?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know. We had your favorite yesterday, it’s my turn now!” He laughed, lifting up a bag up to his head, “Porkchops. My special way. This will slow cook until dinner. I’ll give you some coin to go out someplace to eat with friends for lunch, so you won’t have to spend your birthday cooped up inside.”

“Ooh.” Ocean mareooo’d at the announcement, before turning to you. “That’s what we call “payday dinner”, Nonny. You’ll love it.” Then she turned back to her dad, “Don’t thi

“Your father’s cooking is already a good sign, love.” You slowly started buttoning your shirt back up, before getting stopped. Your comment made Gust add more pride in his walk to the icebox.

“No, Nonny. Let me do it.” She said while gripping your hands before pushing them against your chest, whispering deliberately long enough for the voice to reach Silent’s ears, who stood up to greet Gust with a clawshake. Ocean topped off this show of coddling (you), her partner with a bombastic side-eye directed squarely at Silent.

Having finished, she gave you a tap on the cheek with a palm and a peck on the top of your head.

As Twirl was pampering you, Gust walked back into the living room, “Aww, look at them, Gale…” 

He cleared his throat, reaching for his pockets, “This is going to take a while, children, so I suggest you two…” He dangled the keys to the gun shed, “...have some fun outside.”

“Ah, I’ll take that.” You quickly snatched them before turning to Ocean, “Ocean, I’d like to show you something. Come with me.”

Without elaborating further, you took her claw and gave her a smile, “Mm-hm! I’ll let you have this, you sap. Lead the way.” said Ocean, squeezing your hand hard. “Silent? Want to come with?” Ocean asked, turning her head to her.

As Silent responded with a “Sure.” you led your griffmare by her claw to the gun shed. While you were still sure you’ll hit the mark with your gift, the walk to the shed had your mind racing nonetheless.

Upon arrival, you let go of her claw before unlocking the door to the shed. Going straight to the locker you’d stashed your gift for your marefriend, you retrieved the box. Afterwards, you spun yourself around on your heels towards her. You giddily walked towards the range table and placed the box down. You presented the box to the griffmare.

“Here it is. It’s for your birthday, open it.” You smiled, standing next to the box with your arms half extended towards it.

Ocean chuckled and became the smuggest griffmare in the world, maintaining eye contact as she approached the box, only breaking it to look down into the box she had opened just now.

“Whoa.” The mare grabbed the big revolver, immediately replacing her smugness with awe.

Silent also spoke up and approached you two, “That’s a big one. A *big* one.”

“I want to try it~!” Ocean chuckled, “You know how to use this thing, right?”

“Sure, pass it to me, I’ll teach you.” You said, extending your hand towards Ocean. The mare giddily gave you the gun before getting *really* close to you.

“Thank you-” You felt your hair rising as Ocean rested her head on your shoulder as you were about to grab the cartridge box out of the bigger box.

“I’ve seen this sort of pistol at my last job, but it was much more practical and concealable compared to this.” Silent commented as you took everything you needed out of the box.

“These take pretty much the same powder charge as a carbine. A smaller one would break under such force.” You showed Silent and Ocean the cartridge, fresh out of the box, “Here it is. It uses a load of powder and ball wrapped in a chemical coated paper cartridge.”

You put the cartridge into the one of the chambers from the front, “This lever below the barrel is basically a ramrod. Position the chamber under it, and this’ll pack it nice and tight… like so.” After using the integral ramrod, you push the cylinder around with your finger so that the loaded chamber faces the 3 o’clock position.

“Cap goes on this nipple thingy here.” You put the cap on the nipple of the loaded chamber and turned the cylinder in order to prepare the gun to fire, “And we’re ready. One of the six chambers, at least, but the process is the same.

“Yep!” Ocean took her head off your shoulder, “I know how guns work enough to deduce everything else, Nonny. Now, may the birthday girl have the honors?” She chuckled, and put her claw on the gun. You nodded and released it. Ocean, of course, immediately pointed it downrange.

Reacting quickly, you put a hand on her, “One thing with revolvers. You never put a talon on the cylinder while gripping a revolver to fire it. That’s how you lose a talon.” You gave her a very vital piece of information, apparently just in time considering that you saw her “pointer” talon curl around the grip after hearing you.

“You had a talon there, didn’t you?” You chuckled and tapped her.

“Shut up.” Ocean quipped. Clearing her throat and preparing for the big boom and even bigger kick, she pulled back the hammer and fired off a shot into the dirt. 

“WOOO!” She cheered, waving the smoke away with her free claw, “This thing’s awesome already. Thanks, Nonny.”

“I knew you’d like it. Happy birthday, love.” You leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. As your lips parted from the mare’s cheek, she pushed the gun to your chest. “Can you load all six chambers for me?”

“Sure thing!” You took the gun and obliged. First, however, you took the time to swab the chamber that was fired. “You gotta be careful with overheating, too. Cylinder gets too hot, all “tubes” fire at once. You’re strong, so it won’t hurt you, but I wouldn’t like losing all my shots in a close fight.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. It gets cold high up though, won’t that help with the cooling?” Ocean asked.

“Sure, it will. I don’t think you’ll be reloading off the ground, though.” You responded.

“I can take a little breather on a cloud while doing it, don’t you remember we can do that?” She nudged you.

“Well, fair enough…” You started reloading the revolver. After the third chamber, Ocean insisted on continuing the other three by herself. Of course, you had to loom over her to watch for any mistakes, though fortunately she loaded the gun with no issue.

“Another thing, a trick one would use with smaller types, but since you are… Well, you. I think you can manage to pull it off with this big thing.” You said.

“Sure, let me just… test the accuracy.” Ocean took aim at one of the bare wooden posts about 20ish meters away before firing one shot off, making a hole in the lower part of the post. You noticed a devious smile forming on her face as her pupils shrunk. After a few second pause, she fired a second shot, expanding the hole on the post.

The pauses disappeared after the third shot. Fourth and fifth shots after that simply contributed to cutting down the post further, for the final, sixth shot to blow the post apart and split the thing in two.

“For a pistol. Damn accurate.” Ocean blew the smoke off of the barrel before spinning it around cowboy style, as if a spirit of one of those old western outlaws possessed her claw, “Despite it being a hunk of steel, it’s pretty balanced, too. Definitely better than a flintlock or caplock pistol. What did you want to show me, again?”

“Oh, yes. Fanning.” You extend your hand, “asking” for the gun. When Ocean obliged your request, you gripped it, putting it at waist height before putting your other hand’s palm on the hammer.

“You get in the stance like so. That’s how it looks for humans, but it’s mostly about where the hands, or claws are on the gun.” You elaborated, starting to pivot your waist around, “You can’t aim beyond pointing your body at the target, like so…” Your weird alien movements invited an audible chuckle from Ocean and Silent.

“In any case, you’re not supposed to do this against threats farther than spitting distance. This is why.” You cocked the hammer once, then pulled the trigger. When the first click sounded off, you immediately swept your palm over the hammer, moving your palm quickly to where it was before immediately after firing again. You repeated the move as much as there were imaginary bullets.

Ocean tilted her head, “And where did you learn this, Anon?” 

“Best I could describe it, would be stories of-” Your elaboration was interrupted by Ocean rearing, putting a claw on your shoulder, pulling you towards her with your back to her and grabbing your head with the other before shaking you vigorously.

“Books! Fucking books! You won’t believe this, cous’!” Ocean turned to Silent, “This is the second time something this human has taken from a book and impressed me.” Said Ocean, ceasing shaking you only to move her “hand” claw over to your belly and squeeze you tight while resting her head on your other shoulder, pushing her head into yours.

“And the first time… he learnt how to shoot from the first one? He’s pretty good if I recall correctly.” Silent innocently quipped, amused by the show before her.

“No, that’s when he sent me flank over head in bed yesterday.” Ocean gave her cousin the side eye as her beak pushed into your cheek.

“You… *did* it already? With a creature not even documented in science nor legend?” Silent’s expression turned from her stoic neutral to the beaked equivalent of a jaw drop.

“I like being the first in doing things.” She chuckled, still holding on to you as you desperately avoided eye contact with Silent.

“Fine. Whatever. You do you, cousin.” Silent shook her head.

After a minute of silence, Ocean began loading the revolver again. Finishing the process, she offered Silent to fire off a few, until being interrupted by Gust bringing a familiar, brown hippogriff colt. You recognised each other immediately.

“Cinnamon Lagoon.” You said, approaching him and Gust.

“Hey, Anon! Didn’t believe mister Gust you were here-” He stopped himself to rephrase “What are you even doing here?” Cinnamon said, nonetheless happy to see you.

“Me and Ocean figured out how we’d meet each other again way back in Avtukia. The plan worked, as you can see.” You offered your hand, which the young griff shook gladly.

“Also, kids, come back home no later than seven. You got a whole afternoon to yourself, you two.” The father addressed you and Ocean before turning to the esteemed guests, “The rest of you, I invite you to the house for the cake at that time, too.” 

Gust bowed out and took off, quickly going back to work.

“Reconsidering that Crimson Corsair mascot deal?” Cinnamon asked, having waved back to Gust.

“No, I suppose I’ll go and try becoming one properly.” You replied, “Ocean would run me through the ringer, but I got the shooting part down.”

“Really? You, a mercenary? With what you told me about how humans fight their wars, anyhuman could easily fit in with the mechanists.” Cinnamon nodded towards Ocean, paying attention to the conversation as she’s loading her new toy. You turned to her as well.

“I hear you two. You’re not taking the referral bonus from me, brown boy.” Ocean semi-threateningly “joked”, adding a hint of malicious intent in loading the final chamber of the six shooter.

“What do you have there?” Cinnamon approached Ocean for a closer look.

“Nonny bought me this as a gift. I love it. Fire in the hole!” She took aim, warned the newcomer stallion to mind the loud bang, and fired before Cinnamon actually had time to process the heads-up. Afterwards, she finally gave Silent the chance to try the thing out.

“Ahh! My ears are ringing! This thing is like a cannon!” Cinnamon reacted to the noise by putting his claws over his ears, as you and Ocean kept an eye on where Silent put her talons.

Fortunately, Silent paid attention, and she fired off two shots, one of them hitting the “gong” target at 50-ish meters, a bit off to the side. “I think… I may get one of these.” Silent let a smile show on her beak before returning the pistol to Ocean. 

Cinnamon asked to give the gun a try, too, but he was interrupted mid-sentence by the three remaining rounds being fired off in about a second by Ocean. 

She giggled audibly, “That ought to scare a boarder! Don’t worry, Cinnamon, I’ll load two for you, and another two for Anon, but then we’ll have to stop. I want to do some practice alone, and we already burned through half the ammo.” Ocean then clawed the revolver over to you, “Here you go, Nonny. Cinny, Anon’s going to show you how to use it.”

Demonstrating the proper technique and whatnot to Cinnamon, you fired off your shots and failed to particularly hit anything despite aiming for the gong Silent had hit previously, with the kick sending your arms up as to reach out to the sun after each shot, inviting laughter from Ocean. “You got a long way to go, Nonny.”

“I sure do. Cinnamon, you’re up.” You gave the gun over to Cinnamon, and it was the same story with him.

“I’ll get some more… reasonably sized examples of these when the crowd in the gun store bucks off.” Cinnamon checked the gun before giving it back to Ocean.

“Weak… Feeble…” she put on an exaggerated evil voice to poke at the brown griff, before snapping back to her usual self after a hearty laugh, “I’ll put this away, then we’re going to town. Dad gave me some pocket money for us to celebrate.”

“In fact…” Ocean hesitated to close the box, turning to you, “Nonny. How’d I carry this safely in a holster?” 

“The hammer is the safety mechanism, just don’t have it cocked and you’d be safe, though to maximise safety, you’d load five of the six chambers and have the hammer rest on the empty chamber…” You took the gun from the box and pointed it downrange, “...that way, if the hammer acts out for any reason, it’d be striking for nothing, ‘cause it’s an empty chamber.”

“And when I need it, I just… cock the hammer and the cylinder would rotate onto a loaded chamber?” Ocean asked, to which you replied by doing just that and dry firing. “Yep.”

“You want to carry it instead of your usual pistol?” You asked.

“Damn right. Obviously, I do! If a bandito tries to jump me, I’ll have five shots.” She smiled maliciously. “The fanning trick you taught me makes me want to actively look for a fight, just to scare one off!”

“Oh, the chicken would turn tail and run… but I think our time would be better spent enjoying ourselves today. Going out picking fights with roadside bandits by the border is definitely not a birthday activity, love. Doubt you’ll get a bite anyways, considering your company.” You chuckled, nodding to the two guests beside you.

“Well, you’re not wrong, Nonny… The gun’s dirty now, anyways.” She chuckled at the still lingering idea of actually going out to pick a firefight with a bandit, “Fine, Nonny. Gimme the gun and the key to the shed. I’ll pack it up then return the key.” She continued, in a louder tone, “I’ll meet you all at the front gate, hear?” 

“Aye aye, cap’n!” You jested, giving her the revolver and key before heading off to the front gate with Cinnamon and Silent.

“I still can’t believe it. Twirl and you really hit it off, inviting you to keep her company while on vacation and everything.” Cinnamon broke the silence first.

“Well, it was either that, or spending a good part of my life washing dishes in some restaurant in Gracemare. The locals were very welcoming, at least.” You sighed.

“Why do you say that? Ampilly is a nice little town. Just big enough to have everything one needs to enjoy life, and small enough for everygriff to know each other.” Cinnamon gave you an inquisitive look.

“It’s nothing like that… Perhaps I hadn’t had a chance to experience Ampilly without stumbling into Ocean within the first hour.” You replied, “Are you from here too? Sorry if I’ve offended you or anythin-”

“Nah, Anon. You don’t get it. Running into Ocean *is* the Ampilly experience.” He laughed and gave you a pat on the back. The comment even got a chuckle out of Silent.

“She’s notorious? Infamous, or something?” You asked.

“She’s a troublemaker alright. Mostly known for her… highly inconsiderate flying stuntsmareship. I suppose you and her already went to Torrent’s? That’s the only bar she goes to.”


“Yeah, but not really. We got a few drinks, then she left me alone with Torrent for a good hour before picking me back up and going home and… uh…” You paused before getting the wind pushed out of you by Cinnamon by a smack on the back.

“Did you…” he wiggled his eyebrows.

“Err…” You tried to come up with an indirect way to say yes, only for you to be spared the trouble thanks to Silent interjecting.

“Yes. I had the misfortune of Ocean informing me that Anonymous is good in bed.” She sighed.

Cinnamon chuckled then whistled, “With how you mingled when you first met, it’s a miracle you didn’t do the deed before.”

You struggled to find a way to respond to the scrutinization of your sex life, and gave a nod to Silent, with a pleading look in your eyes. “We shouldn’t be discussing this, Cinnamon.” The mare came to your aid, “Sorry for adding fuel to the fire, Anon.”

“Fine. I’ll stop it here.” Cinnamon adjusted his glasses, “I don’t know how it’s looked at in your world, or from where you come, Anon, but that topic isn’t really anything to be ashamed of here.”

“All is fine, I just hadn’t expected this topic to come up as one of the first things we talked about after meeting back up, Cinnamon.” You paused, “How’s your… uhh… what were you working on in your spare time again?”

“Light automatic firearms. Your world’s inventions gave me a *lot* of inspiration, as a matter of fact. I had already made a prototype based on what you described as… what was it… aha! Gas operation!”  Cinnamon proudly declared, then immediately started pondering, “I just couldn’t manage to get the thing to cycle fired cartridges properly, as if they’re too weak…”

“Really, now? You gotta show me that. I’ll definitely be able to sell the idea to Ocean. Give Ocean an AK and she could become her own mercenary company..” You smiled.

“I was hoping you’d say that…” Cinnamon reached into his pocket and produced your phone.

“That’s…” You were taken by surprise by the sudden sight of your phone, and simply remained silent as Cinnamon confidently navigated with the help of a pen-like implement.

“Here, I managed to take a photograph of it with your… whatever it’s called.” Cinnamon passed you the phone, noticing that you’re still in shock.

“How the fuck did you get it? I and Ocean sold it to some trinket monger-” You said, then Cinnamon added, “And the trinket monger sold it to yours truly. I had a fun time figuring this thing out. Discovered how to power it without any fancy human stuff, how to navigate it, and so on. Anyways, the gun? What do you think?”

You looked down at the phone in your hands. You noticed a faint scratch mark that was not there when you parted with it. Besides that new detail, you looked over the gun in the slightly out of focus picture. It resembled an old-timey machine gun from the first world war, without the big water cooling jacket around the barrel.

“Hmm. It looks like one of the older, heavier models you’d come across back in my world… about, well, a century back. Certainly better than anything in the world currently, if you manage to get that little issue straightened out. Using black powder might be an issue, you may be right about the cartridges being too weak…” You smiled, “Let’s see here-”

You swiped to look at the previous photo in the gallery to see a botched “selfie” of Cinnamon, with only the upper three quarters of his head occupying the lower half of the frame, the rest being the wall behind him. 

The sight of the picture got a good laugh out of you before he swiped the phone out of your hand. “Alright, that’s enough. I get it.” He said, chuckling, too.

Suddenly, Ocean came from above and landed behind you, before suddenly putting her claws on your shoulder and using you as a support as she looked over your head. “Did ya miss me, Nonny?” The mare gave you a peck before noticing the familiar contraption in Cinnamon’s claw.

“You gotta be shitting me. Cinnamon! You could’ve told me you wanted that thing!” Ocean exclaimed, more confused than upset.

Cinnamon quickly explained himself: “I wanted it, but so did a few other colleagues of mine. I can’t let them know that I have this grail of otherworldly knowledge I can use for inventing stuff, now, can I?”

Ocean chuckled, “In that case, you’re forgiven… Anyways, what was Nonny laughing over?” The mare leaned further forward, resting her head on your nape.

“Show her, Cinnamon. Please.” You started laughing again. The brown griff obliged and showed Ocean the botched selfie.

The griffmare on your back laughed, “I don’t know why…” She said, wiping a tear from her eye, “...but that is so fucking hilarious-”

The sudden shift of weight applied on your back caused by Ocean letting go of one of your shoulders caused you to stumble forward and crash onto the grass, taking her with you, with the both of you on your backs facing upwards. The two griffs with their wits still about them looked down upon you as you and your marefriend laughed your asses off.

“Are you two… alright?” Silent said, her concerned tone of voice betrayed by the mare’s smugness.

“Yep… phew.” Ocean replied, getting up before giving you a helping claw to get you back on your feet, “That was something. Haven’t laughed like this in weeks.”

“Ha. Ha. Ha.” Cinnamon replied as he stowed the phone back in his jacket pocket, “So, where are we going? Torrent’s?”

“Sure. Could go there for lunch, while we’re at it. I’m not in the mood to wait in a line to get a table for us at a restaurant.” Ocean said.

“You’d probably get into a fight while waiting in line…” Silent chuckled.

“Only if the bastard cuts in front of me… so Torrent’s it is. Allons-y!” Ocean went off, leading the way along the path to town.

You walked and enjoyed the company, appreciating the fact that despite their ability to fly, the three hippogriffs you’re accompanying had no second thoughts when it came to simply walking. Eventually, you and the group passed by a familiar spot.

“Hey, Nonny. That’s where I pinned you to the ground yesterday, remember?” Ocean quipped smugly.

“Wouldn’t have anything against doing *that* again, though not in front of friends.” You replied, touching the scab on your cheek from the little cut she gave you yesterday.

“Why? Are you shy?” She chuckled.

You leaned forward and said into her ear, loud enough so that the others could hear for dramatic effect: “I don’t want to make anygriff jealous.” You chuckled. The comment made Ocean giggle.

Cinnamon jumped into the exchange head first, “Hearing how Ocean throws her colts around like sacks of potatoes when she’s doing it, I’d feel sorry for you, instead of jealousy, Anon.”

“No, no… that’s how my one night stands go.” Ocean took one of your hands in her claw and squeezed tightly, “Nonny is here to stay. I’ll treat him just right.”

Silent snorted upon hearing the topic go back to sex, which prompted a “What’s wrong?” from her cousin. “Nothing, except that I’m not a fan of the topic.”


“Why, cous’? Did they make you take an oath of celibacy for some weirdo’s contract?” Ocean prodded, though the smugness on her face was replaced with an expression of intrigue.

“No! Thank goodness no. I’m just going through a dry spell.” She spoke before getting interrupted by Ocean audibly holding in her laughter.

“Hey, don’t laugh. Unlike you, I can’t just find a random drunkard or whatever to bed whenever I get the itch. I have a reputation to uphold.” Silent said with a hint of anger in her voice, before looking at you and softening up a little, “No offense, Anon.”

“Hey, I didn’t mean to poke at you, cous’. I know you got that Gallant brand to uphold. Just didn’t know it was… affecting you in that way.” Ocean, in a rare case of wanting to avoid escalation, tried to defuse the situation.

“I know, cousin. It’s just that everygriff thinks I’m too good for them, out of their league… It’s a story as old as time.” Silent rolled her eyes,

“Nonsense. You’re putting it as if it’s a bad thing. Your status separates the cowards from those worthy of you.” You added, trying to make her feel better.

“You can be brave, and still be scum… It’s hard-” Silent lamented before being interrupted by Ocean saying two words.

“Double date.” She chuckled maniacally, looking at Silent.

“You gotta be kidding, Twirl.” The two said in unison.

“I’m not. It’s the socially mandated lovey-dovey day. Come on!” The mare continued cackling.

“Well…” Cinnamon pondered, “There is a speed dating event going on at the valleyside restaurant… maybe-”

Ocean sighed, “But I can’t jump the lines at that place! They know me!”

“You want me to… quickly sift through random stallions until I find a date for today?” Silent tilted her head, paused, then gave Ocean a smug look. “Cousin, if you’re going, then I’m going. Those are my terms of surrender.”

“Deal!” Ocean giddily pranced in place, giggling, “We’re going to have to pull you out of that armor, though, cous’. Imagine a young colt, with enough courage in his heart to go for you, you manage to bed him - or otherwise- and then!” She paused, long enough to prompt a response

“Then what?” Silent broke the silence,

“The armor’s in the way. No matter how much the poor colt tries, he just couldn’t get it off!” Ocean exclaimed,

“I can undo it myself, you know?” Silent replied,

“But where is the fun in that? You know, last night, when me and Nonny got things started, watching him unbutton my coat, then shirt, then feeling-” Ocean described yesterday’s encounter before getting the side of her torso lightly punched by her cousin.

“Enough.” Silent protested, snorting, “What? You want to take my armor off and put me in a fancy dress or something?”

“Damn right. And not the stinking thing you wear below as padding. A real dress, like the one I bought a while back.” Ocean chuckled, only emboldened by her cousin’s punch, “I’ll even pay for it - in full~! - if you get laid tonight!”

“Ocean Twirl, I swear-” Silent groaned and stomped as she continued walking, turning her head away from Ocean. A silence then befell your group.

“You know…” You broke the silence, “Armor is actually pretty damn hot.”

Ocean was caught off guard and fought hard to hold in her laughter while Silent responded: “Anon… what?”

“Oh, you heard me. Colts like armored mares, right? Or is that just a human thing.” You looked to Cinnamon, “Back me up here, bro.”

“Oh, yes. Mechanists, in particular. I know a bunch of stallions like that…” Cinnamon pondered.

“See? No shortage of colts that like their armored mares. Maybe you’ll match with one of them.” You chuckled.

“Now that I think about it, there’s probably a dress code for the event… so we may want to play it safe and still get you a dress.” Cinnamon suggested.

“Unfortunate…” You paused. “Want to take up the offer on the new dress anyways, then?”

Silent nodded, “If that’d make you shut up. You better pay me back tomorrow when I, how you put it, “get laid”, cousin.”

“I’m always true to my words, cous’!” Ocean winked, “Now, wanna fly over to the boutique?”

Cinnamon blinked, “What about… Anon?”


“Don’t worry, Cinny. C’mere Anon.” Ocean stopped walking and called you over. Smiling, you immediately went to her and were promptly scooped up and carried in a princess carry before your marefriend took to the sky.

“HOLYSHITOCEANWHATAREYOUDOING?!” Cinnamon freaked out, prompting Ocean to do a few tricks with you tightly held in her claws

“Unlike you I can lift things. You’d expect an artillerygriff to be as strong as yours truly but alas…” Ocean said, spinning around, “Now, shall we?”

You gave Cinnamon and Silent a thumbs up, “I’m good, guys! Come with!” 

With solid proof that you aren’t shitting your pants, the other two griffs from your group take to the skies and follow you and Ocean to your new destination, the boutique.

“Oh, I like this one already.” Silent commented on an outfit on the window display. It was a tomboyish fit, with the most distinguishing part being a fur lined leather jacket. 

“I dig it, cous’. Maybe I'll get one for myself if I like how it looks on you.” Ocean supported her cousin, giving her a thumbs up. 

“Alright… I'll try that one or maybe something similar if it doesn't stick, and I'll meet you at the valleyside restaurant. Get a table, do whatever, I’ll find you, okay?” Silent said, “I can't drag my armor around town, you know. I’ll leave it at your place if that’s fine.”

Ocean chuckled, “If that’s what it takes to peel that armor off, I’d be fine with it, cous’.”

“Sure, sure. I’ll make sure to leave it at the most inconvenient spot for you~!” Silent cheerfully exclaimed before waltzing into the boutique.

“Fuck you too~!” Ocean responded.

“You two complement each other, you know that, love?” You commented after a hearty chuckle.

“We sure do. You’ve seen nothing yet, Nonny.” Ocean smugly replied, “Shall we fly to Valleyside now? Get a table and wait for Silent to come back to us?”

Cinnamon agreed, though you had something to say: “I haven’t gotten to buy you roses yet, though. We’ve been sticking together the entire day so I couldn’t… and I *really* would like to at least do the gesture.”

Ocean sighed and looked around, “Sure enough, Nonny. Here’s a flower shop right around the corner. Do you have a silver coin for a bouquet or shall I claw one over for you?”


“I think I do-” You rummaged through your pockets, finding just enough leftover spare change to cover the price. “I got a silver… and a few dozen coppers. Think that’ll do fine.”

You paused, and cleared your throat. “How about you wait here. I-i… shit.” 

Suddenly, you felt your chest get squeezed and your stomach turning. Ocean noticed and nudged you away from her as a form of encouragement. “Come on, then!” the mare said, smiling, “You’re brave enough to “fly” with me, giving your mare roses is nothing!”

Ocean and Cinnamon looked on as you turned to walk away from them, and then around the corner.

There was a short queue given the occasion, however the shopkeeper was efficient with already bundled bouquets ready to be clawed over and sold. It barely took a minute for you to come up. The transaction went swiftly, considering the fact that *you* yourself were asked by the shopkeeper if you wanted red roses or not. It was a basic phrase in the local tongue that you simply responded with an “oui monsieur”.

Having paid for the roses with some of the last coin you brought to Cilarine, you slowly turned the corner and you felt as if every creature in your sight except for your Ocean turned monochrome in color. You smiled and waved the bouquet in one hand while closing the distance with the last remnants of confidence and composure you didn’t know you even had remaining.

“Well, um, here you are.” You offered Ocean the flowers. She put her claw on the hand that held out the roses for her, and tilted the bouquet closer to her, letting her dip her head down a bit to smell them. The mare then gently pulled you by that same hand closer to her, letting the roses rest against her chest all the while your head and hers got close enough for a few shared breaths, followed by a comment from her.

“You’re melting, huh? I can feel you tremble.” The mare chuckled as she spoke into your ear. You felt the vibration coming from her beak, being pressed against your cheekbone. “I want to see… how long would you last like this, hm?” 

The mare put her free claw around your waist and rubbed your back, “Now… say you love me. *without* any stutter-”

“I-i-i l-love you. You interrupted her, having tried to obey her, though your shaking jaw hadn’t been much help in following the order to the tee. 

“Again.” She whispered, and you did so again. For the third time, she made some separation between your head and hers, your lips and her beak grazing each other. You were able to look her right in her red eyes, “I love y-yo-” You pushed out of your mouth before Ocean went for a kiss. A nice, passionate, but not *too* passionate kiss.

Ocean moved her free claw to your cheek, starting to rub your cheek with her thumb and squeezed the claw that held your hand even more firmly. “I think you need a little break, Nonny.” You felt your seized hand get freed as she said that. Both of her claws were now on your shoulders, “C’mon. Up to the rooftops for a little breather.”

With no time to object or respond affirmatively, you were swept up, and then set down behind the parapet wall of a random rooftop Ocean took you to. She sat you down and she sat down next to you, though not before covering your back with one of her wings. The bouquet was set aside as you were bound hand in claw with your marefriend, heads resting against one another.

Cinnamon popped up behind you, flying up to the roof you were on then peeking. “I suppose I should leave you two alone for a while? 

“Mhm…” Ocean responded, “You’d definitely understand. You melted the same way when you got more serious with your wife…” As Cinnamon dipped, she turned to you and gave you a pat on the head. “Just a few more minutes.”

By some miracle, those few minutes were like a lifetime.

“Hmph.” The griffmare shifted around, separating your heads from their previous position, “You know, Nonny. About this time I usually take a break from everything. Especially while on vacation since I have every excuse to do so.”

“I suppose… that was our “jenga” session the other day?” You turned your head to face her.

“Sure. That was fun…” Ocean pondered, “And what we did yesterday, too. That was… even more fun.”

“Yeah. I would’ve liked to bask in the afterglow for a lot longer, however. Perhaps even fall asleep… our naked bodies cradling each other-” Your reminiscing was cut short by a little tap to the back of your head.

“Don’t make me want to take you right here where everygriff flying above can see.” Ocean chuckled, “Besides, I prefer the bed…”

“Not at all curious about-” You were interrupted mid-sentence once again, “About adding another reason for griffs here to be suspicious of me? Vandalism, public drunkenness, the list goes on. This is my hometown, so I have to keep it tame.”

“Tame.” You chuckled, before noticing an odd look on Ocean’s face, “You alright, love?”


“Oh, yes. The topic just reminded me… I’m trying to think how it could work…”

“How could *what* work?” You probed.

“Sex in flight.” She deadpans you.

“Shit. You got me thinking too.” You respond. She then elaborated, “Yeah, so you can’t walk on clouds since you don’t have that kind of magic in your body, and I don’t know how you could latch onto me while in a decent enough position to squeeze you dry. You slipping and falling wouldn’t be an issue because I can catch you very confidently… I wouldn’t be taking you flying otherwise.”

“How about we try positions and whatnot in bed tonight?” You proposed,

“Hmm. They’ll hear us. Which is why… well, I’m spoiling the surprise, but I…” Ocean shows you the gun shed key.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” You quipped, and Ocean nodded, “Sure. I wanted to surprise you with a quickie in the shed…”


She stowed the key back in her pocket and closed it, “...No role-play or anything tonight, though, Nonny. Just you and me making love. Then we’ll sneak in through the window and doze off. Sounds good?”

“Sounds perfect, Ocean.” You give her a smooch on the cheek before resting your forehead against it. Your nose is in prime position to fully immerse itself in her smell. Sweat from your “exercise” earlier today enhanced by a hint of a perfume you couldn’t put your finger on. “Think it’s a good thing we can’t make babies, err, foals without magic or whatnot. We’re fucking like rabbits.” You commented, the topic along with the pheromones assaulting you through your nose working you up a tad.

“Seems like it…” Ocean paused, “Would that be normal? Despite everything, I only had one previous relationship that was, well, a proper one with all the negatives that come with such…”

“You’re fuckin’ asking me? You took my virginity!” You chuckled, nudging Ocean gently.

“Fair, fair…” She let out a chuckle followed by a sigh, “I’ve been winging it ever since I jumped you back at the cake shop on your first day here. It’s worked so far, obviously, but… I don’t know, Nonny. I would ask Lily for advice, but she *definitely* does not want anything to do with me outside of the “business”.”

“So… your first relationship. It didn’t last long?” You prodded, lifting your head back up from her neck.

“Sure. It was with some gentle dweeb, kinda like you in a way. Weirdly enough, despite being a fellow mercenary he couldn't “keep up”, for a lack of better words. Fortunately he simply spoke up, and we agreed to part ways”

Ocean then turned her head fully towards you, “Which then brings me to (you). You come out of nowhere, and suddenly we click.”

“I'm not sure where you're getting at with this. You're not sure what goes after digging your talons into me?”

“Yeah, pretty much. Dad says here is this honeymoon phase where, as you said, we fuck like rabbits among other things. Then there is “love” that comes after that. And that love is more… I mean less gratifying in the short term.” Ocean pondered,

“It’s about dedication to one another, which strengthens or weakens in line with a couple’s bond. and duty. Duty… because, well, normally we’d be a foal or two deep.” You paused, “Here, we don’t have that bind. Mercs like you work and retire, *then* think of foals.” 

“Foals are something you do, as a merc here. Whether you like it or not, it makes life much easier. It is a no-brainer.” Ocean explained, paused, then side eyed you, “How many foals do you think you want to have with me?”

“W-what?” You replied,

“Ha! You heard me.” She booped you on the nose, “I have 5 siblings. 6 foals… is above average here. Not the highest.”

“Well, um… the number most human pairs plan for is two, maybe three.”

“No shit!” Your reply surprised Ocean, “Three foals it is, then. I don’t have the nerves my mom had to *survive* raising a half dozen foals, and hearing what you said, I don’t think you’d be up for more either.”

“Hmm. I think… we have a deal. When do we get to work?” You chuckled.

Suddenly, Ocean stood up. You raised your hand expecting her to help you up, but instead she stood over you and put her claws on the parapet your head was resting on, both ending up on their respective sides of your head.

“Fuck, you’re cute when flustered.” Ocean bowed her head down to face you.

“You… already said that line-” You gave a sassy reply only for the mare on top of you to bow her head even further down, pushing her beak onto your lips. You opened your mouth, inviting her for a deep kiss. As your tongues wrestled, you felt a pinching sensation on your cheek. 

Ocean sharply separated from the kiss and started panting, “Haah… aah, did I scratch you again, Nonny?”

You swept a finger across the spot on the cheek and checked for blood, “Don’t think so?”

“Yep, Untouched.” Ocean rubbed your cheek with the back of her talons.

You commented, “Hmm. I like it more when you leave your mark on me. I just *know* you want them to know.”

Ocean grumbled and went in for an even more passionate kiss, and gave you a new scratch right next to the one from yesterday. “Here.” She chuckled, “You’re damn right I want them to know.”

Ocean stood up and gave you a claw to get up, “Alright. We’re going to fly to that restaurant. Cinnamon’s waiting for us, so we shouldn’t keep him waiting.”

The griffmare scooped you up and quickly took to the sky. The trip to the restaurant was quick, though you definitely took longer than expected by taking the time to smooch on that roof. Cinnamon waited for you in front of the restaurant.

Ocean noticed the queue, a line extending outside of the establishment. “Shit.” the mare cussed as she circled around before going for a landing,  “Look at that line…”

“What took you two so long? Did you screw on that roof or something?” Cinnamon greeted you, mildly peeved.

“Almost, Cinny. I was on top of him and all, but I remembered to not keep you waiting!” Said the griffmare, setting you on the ground before landing herself. Cinnamon rolled his eyes.

“Whatever. There’s a little queue that extends to the outside of the front door of the place, so we should get in line before any more show up.” Cinnamon went to the queue, waving to you and Ocean to follow him.

And so, you got in line. Minutes passed. Monotony reigned supreme, occasionally interrupted by taking a whole two steps forward as the queue progressed, all the way until you were greeted, then guided to your table.

You sat down, sighing. “Shouldn’t have made that wager, Ocean. I think your pa’s already done cooking dinner for us…”

“Aye, tell me about it. Look at the bright side though, We’re making Silent… not-so!” She smiled, then turned her attention to the menu. “Speaking of dad’s cooking, we ought to go easy here. Luckily these fancy restaurants like charging more for less. A small steak frites for us, Nonny?” Ocean suggested and you agreed. 

Cinnamon then spoke up, “Whoa, Frites a la Gracemare? I figure the chef went with us and brought the recipe here… I'll take that.”

“Gracemarean fries? You mean, fries with a bunch of stuff poured on top? You liked that stuff?” Ocean chuckled, definitely not judging Cinnamon’s pick. 

“Gravy and cheese, yessir!” Cinnamon said, putting the menu down just as the waiter arrived. 

“Two steak frites for me and the gentlecolt…” Ocean said, nodding to Cinnamon, 

“And a large frites Gracemare for me. “ said Cinnamon

The waiter then narrowed his eyes towards Ocean, “Twirl, please no trouble, I implore you.”

She sighed, “And I'm still banned from the drinks bar, correct?”

The waiter nodded, “You can still have a bottle of wine brought to your table, but you're officially cut off from the hard stuff.”

You and Cinnamon side eyed each other while watching the interaction. Ocean sighed, “That sucks, I can't support my mom's business, she deals in that stuff… Fine, Give us some red wine. Something in the two-four silver price range.”

The waiter nodded, then looked at you before going to the kitchen.

 Cinnamon chuckled, “Oh yeah, you still haven't told me what happened to get you banned from the bar.”

“Threw somegriff through a glass window.” Ocean said bluntly, “He deserved it. Was a bit too flirty with me, so I did the sensible thing and sent him flying.”

You snorted, trying to stifle your laughter, Cinnamon looked around and whispered, “Are you crazy, Twirl? You can't just-”

“Yes, I am. How did you know?” Ocean smiled. 

Ocean, sitting next to you, noticed you trying to suppress your laughter, “What's so funny about it, Nonny? Nervous?”

“Kinda, yeah.” You tilted your head toward her slightly.

“Oh, that was a while ago. You were living your boring human life while all that was going on. It’s settled now.” Ocean tapped her talons on the table. Suddenly her pupils shrunk as she turned to the drink bar. Turning to take a look yourself, you see Silent leaning on the bar, in her new leather jacket.

“Would you look at that…” Ocean mumbled,

Cinnamon added, “Perhaps participants in the speed dating event get to skip the queue?”

“No, Cinny, not that. Just look at her. That jacket makes her look rough and tumble. Does that look like a mare that your shy flank would fall for when she makes her presence and intentions known?”

“Using big words now, I'm proud of you.” Cinnamon chuckled, “Sure. I'm a married stallion, but if I weren't…” 

“Right then. Nonny! Give her some pep talk. I can't be seen at that stupid fancy bar. Up and at ‘em!” Ocean tugged at your shoulder,

“Fine.” You obliged, stood up and went to Silent.

Silent immediately noticed you. “Ah, I thought you three couldn't recognize me in this.”

“On the contrary, Silent. Your cousin was quick to notice you… and since she's cut off from the bar here I was told to pep you up before the speed dating thing begins.” You leaned against the bar, right next to her. 

“Oh, really?” Silent took a sip of her drink, “And what *valuable* advice does she have for me?”

“Well… what are you drinking, for starters?” You asked,

“A lemonade. What, you want it to be in a dirty glass?” She chuckled,

“You could use a little drink to ease yourself up a bit, is all. That lemonade isn’t gonna cut it where you’re going, miss.” You joked, “The lucky stallion you’ll meet will be nervous “dating” a stranger of sorts, and it’ll be up to *you* to take control, and give him a good time.”

Silent cleared her throat, “Anonymous…” she paused, “That is actually smart. It’s like Ocean’s advice spoken out by a creature with an actual brain.”

“Yep. Be a little dominant, you know, confident, act with purpose and generally seem like you know what you’re doing. I guarantee, it works because that’s how your cousin caught my heart. Of course, some colts won’t be into a more dominant mare, but think of it as separating the wheat from the chaff.”

Silent blinked twice, “I still can’t believe you fell in love with Ocean, with a heart as light as yours…” the mare found herself thinking, sipping on her lemonade, “The bet was me bedding whomever I get my claws onto, right?”

You nodded, “Yeah. You may need to find a room for the night out in the town, but you’re getting that fit paid for by Ocean if you do it.”

The mare chuckled, “And how will she confirm it?”

You shrugged, “Dunno. She’ll definitely notice a difference in demeanor.”

Your attention was caught by Ocean calling you over. The waiter had brought the food. “Well, that’s all from me. Get something hard, and give a colt the time of his life. You got this.”

Silent grumbled, “Hmph. Fine. I’ll order a shot of Gale’s stuff, and puff up my chest, I suppose.”

With a pat on the shoulder, you returned to the table.

“So Nonny, she didn’t try to choke you to death, means she took your advice well!” Ocean said as you sat down, then turned her attention to Cinnamon’s dish, “What is this pony food? It’s foal food!”

Ocean then took a napkin and tried stuffing it down Cinnamon’s shirt collar, “Here, Cinny! Now our little boy won’t get his shirt dirty!”

Cinnamon took the napkin out of his shirt and put it on the table, “Ha-ha. Very funny.” he said, deadpanning Ocean.

You began enjoying your food, A nice, medium rare steak paired with noticeably less salty fries when compared to the fries at Torrent’s. You chuckled as you watched Ocean “trying” to steal a fry from Cinnamon, with every attempt being met by a light slap. Eventually, Cinnamon let you and Ocean dip your fries in his dish’s gravy.

A bell rang and suddenly the vacant tables to your right got filled. “Ooh, they’ve begun!” Ocean giddily exclaimed, looking for her cousin.

Silent was quickly spotted out of the bunch. A smaller, shy stallion sat across from her. “She’s over there!” Cinnamon whispered and pointed.

She was seen sitting across a stallion somewhat smaller than her. Both were visibly clueless on how to proceed, which made Ocean sigh, “Come on, cous’...”

Ocean turned to you, “What did you tell her?”

“To get a drink beforehand so that she can puff her chest more freely, is all.” You responded

“Doesn’t look like she’s acting on any of your-” Ocean was interrupted as Silent stood up and leaned forward, making the stallion that was matched up with her somewhat sink into his seat.

“Oh, here we go!” Cinnamon chuckled, while Ocean kept her beak shut and stared 

Silent could be heard calling a waiter over. Cinnamon quickly added, “Shit, that means they agree on dining together. This might be it.”

“I’m not happy until she gets laid, Cinny.” Ocean whispered. Cinnamon nodded in agreement.

“Anon, quick-” Cinnamon gave you “your” phone, “You know how to use it as a… spyglass-type thing, right?”

“Sure?” You turned on the camera and zoomed in.

“Times fucking eight? I thought it only went up to two times!” Cinnamon was caught off guard with the power of the otherworldly gadget.

“Might be a little too much zoom… and here we go.” You opted to be careful, and leaned the phone against an empty upside down glass. The two griffs with you earnestly watched the phone’s camera output.

“I can see the look in her eyes, Nonny. It’s like she’s in the middle of a fight… It can’t be that bad, right?” Ocean commented,

“I know a stallion.” Cinnamon said, “Would rather be in a metal can getting showered with bullets than talk to a mare.”

“Yeah, but Silent isn’t like that. She’s reserved, sure, but…” Ocean pondered.

“Probably because we’re watching her- no, scratch that. We’re forcing her to get laid on the first date with a colt she found in a speed dating event.” You commented.

“Maybe you’re right. Want to change the rules for her? Within the first three dates?” Ocean chuckled,

“A kiss within the first three dates, with tongue.” You haggled.

“Sure!” Ocean agreed.

“You two will be a headache to deal with.” Cinnamon sighed.

As the date you were spying on went smoothly, Ocean got another idea.

“I got a full stomach, so it won’t fuck me up as bad…” The mare popped a pill

“Ocean what the fuck-” Cinnamon facepalmed.

“A little bit of MIND. I want to focus on hearing ‘em…” Ocean whispered, before starting to relay information.

“Oh, Anon, remember the talk about armored mares? He’s one of them colts.” Ocean turned her eyes to you for a second before snapping back to the pair.

“Well then, do you want to bring the armor so that she can put it on when she and the colt get out to continue their date? Well, that’s what I hope for, at least.” You asked.

“Can’t fly well on MIND. Fight and fly on it, sure, but when I'm simply flying it’s just a bad experience. Besides, we don’t know where she stashed it.” Ocean responded, which ended that topic.

A few seconds passed before Ocean spoke up again, “She’s talking about the deal we made…” You could see that the small stallion was visibly flushed.

“Oh? They’re agreeing?” Cinnamon noticed,

“I think Silent here is going to get a one night stand, at least…” Ocean pondered, “They’re about to finish their food and leave. Honestly, I don’t want to follow and confirm, as fun as that ought to be.”

“Sure, love. We have some *laying* of our own to do.” You gave Ocean a wink,

Cinnamon cleared his throat, “Crap, speaking of which, I gotta get a few things for my wife and myself for tonight.”

Ocean laughed, “And what could that possibly be?”

“The good stuff. Potionbrewer came up with a neat concoction that’ll have us up until sunrise, and he told me he’s only selling it on this day every year.” Cinnamon explained, “You want me to get you some?”

“Hm…” Ocean paused, “Out of curiosity, does he make… compatibility potions?”

A “whoa” came out of both yours and Cinnamon’s mouths, “I’m pretty sure, yes, but… Isn’t it too early in your relationship with Anon for foalmaking, Ocean?”

“Yes… If there were a guarantee that you would survive until retirement, I would gladly look after our first foal…s, but foals without both parents come out wrong into adulthood.” You pondered

“I’m smart enough to know that, you two. I just wanted to know if me and Anon could have foals without traveling to fucking Zebrica.” Ocean sighed,

Cinnamon said, looking at Silent and her prospective boytoy, “They’re up and leaving. Let’s go with?”

After Ocean paid for your meals, you met with Silent, and her “acquaintance/coltfriend”, as she put it.

“...So his name’s Harpoon Lake. This is my cousin, Ocean and her friends Anonymous and Cinnamon”

“What did you say again? Acquiantance “slash” coltfriend? Just call it a friend with benefits, cous’.” Ocean chuckled then shook claws with the colt.

“Don’t be a smartflank, Twirl, you put me up to this!” Silent protested, “What’s next, doing the deed?”

“We thought of a change, to make your prospective relationship more healthy…” You said, “Three dates and a kiss with tongue-”

“And you can have whatever you spent on the jacket, cous’. I’ll consider it a business expense.” Twirl gave her cousin a smile, “I’ll pay you back.”

You got a rare laugh out of Silent, “Three dates and a kiss with tongue, huh?” She looked at the shy stallion beside her, “Consider it done~...” She gently said, with the express purpose of making the guy flush even more.

“So that was the bet you were talking about?” Harpoon asked, “Maybe, Silent, we could go through with the first deal?” He tried flirting back with all his leftover social battery. He reminded you of, well, you getting to meet Ocean for the first time.

Silent looked at him, then you, then him again, “Sure. I'm not from here, so it'll have to be your place. Would you be such a gentlecolt as to keep my armor in your care for the night?”

Harpoon nodded. “Come on, then. Allons-y!” Silent said, taking his claw and gently took to the sky. 

Ocean laughed at the exchange, “They remind me of you and your mare, Cinny.”

“Hah, if it were only that easy back home.” You interjected.

“Was it that bad for you in this regard, Anon?” Cinnamon patted you on the back. 

“It's hard to talk about it without sounding like a sore loser, my friend, and I certainly do not want to sound like one next to Ocean.” You sighed,

Ocean walked up to you and gave you two taps with her claw on your cheek, “I could tell things weren't going too well back home for you, considering that you aren't desperately clawing at any opportunity to go back…”

You sighed, and nodded. 

“Don't keep your mind back “home” if that's the case. Think of me instead.” Ocean gave you a peck. 

“Alright, you two. Would you accompany me to the brewer? I know you like drug fueled ruts, Ocean, but potions are much better, believe me.” Cinnamon joked as he took to the air.

“Lead the way!” Said Ocean, taking you into her embrace before taking off. 

Cinnamon led you and Ocean downtown. It was so crowded that one couldn't land without endangering a pedestrian on the ground, so you landed on the brewer’s house's roof. 

You and Ocean waited as Cinnamon tried to access the store via the window on the mezzanine floor of the building. Soon enough, you found yourselves inside the shop, and were welcomed by a zebra stallion. 

The shop was a small operation, the storefront was one floor down - on the ground floor - and you landed and entered via its storage. It seems that either Cinnamon is a good friend to the zebra, seeing that normally your entry through the back won’t get you anything in any other store. The storage room had a cauldron, chests and shelves of empty and full vials, ingredients, everything needed for a potion shop.

“Greetings to you, Cinnamon, the usual for you and yours on this day?” He said, noticing you and Ocean, “Oh, and you brought friends, how lovely. Same for them?”

“The usual for me, mister Zarrid.” Cinnamon said, “As for the pair with me, I’ll let them decide if they want anything.”

You and Ocean looked at each other, then back at the striped gentlestallion before you.

“Yeah, I wanted to ask you about interspecies compatibility potions. Do you do those?” Ocean said,

“I do. Congratulations on making that step in your life, you two.” Zarrid said.

“No, I only wanted to know for much later.” She looked at you before turning her eyes back to the zebra.

“Well, potions such as the compatibility potion, which take time to ferment and therefore are alcoholic, can last a long time, even acquiring a taste similar to wine.” The zeeb explained.

“Will… the efficacy of the potion change over time?” Ocean asked.

“That was studied, ma’am. No notable change was noticed, aside from the similarity with wine becoming more and more apparent over the time.” He replied.

“Well… Nonny? Want to age a bottle of this until we’re ready?” She looked at you, smiling.

“Sure, love.” You replied. Ocean immediately put down an order for one vial of this “fertility” potion.

“Come back tomorrow for the potion, and once again, congratulations.” The zebra followed you out of his shop, exiting out of the main door.

“Well… Shall we head back home? A piece of cake for you in it, and another piece for the wife to go.” Ocean asked Cinnamon.

“Yep. I would like to pop in for some cake.” Cinnamon said, taking to the sky, “Lead the way, lover birds.”

Making her way back home, Ocean did her classic landing through her room’s window. She put you on her bed and pinned you on it, then gave you a smooch. Ocean got off you before helping you up, then down to the living room where Cinnamon and your future in-laws awaited.

“Where’s Silent. Ocean Twirl, if you made her mad, you’ll regret it.” Said Gale, sounding grumpy.

“No, no, miss Gale, she… met a colt and we simply had to leave her with him.” Cinnamon covered for Ocean.

“Fine. Gust, dear, bring out the cake.” Gale told her husband, and he obliged.

The cake was brought out in all its glory. You could already feel and taste the decadence of chocolate glazing upon generous doses of chocolate filling in between fluffy cake layers, though first, Ocean had to blow her candles first before any cutting. Twenty eight of them. 

Of course, there was the singing of the local equivalent of the birthday song. You couldn’t understand a thing, but still participated by clapping to the tune.

The cake was then cut. The birthday girl got the first slice, and you got yours immediately after. The cake was just like how you imagined it. Decadent indeed.

After the cake, the room fell silent. Cinnamon was already long gone, and the parents were visibly tired. Ocean tugged you on the sleeve and whispered in your ear, “My room?”

You nodded and took her by the claw. She led the way upstairs to her room with you in tow. She opened the door and pinned you on the bed and put her beak on your lips. Pulling out of a kiss and while sharing breath with you, then rolled over and laid down beside you, “I’m so tired.” She murmured.

You responded by putting your forehead on her chin, “A cuddle session never hurt anybody, love.”

“Truth, Nonny.” She said, wrapping her one available wing around you as she held you tight to her body.

“I can fall asleep like this-” the mare said, interrupted by a yawn.

“It’s been a long day.” You responded, “A big day. Twenty eight, huh?”

“It’s like my first solo job was just yesterday.” She sighed.

“What was your first solo job?” You asked, “Surely it’s memorable, right?”

“Memorable doesn’t scratch the surface. It was for a smaller town near here that had that winery that closed… the village went with it. Damn, I miss that wine.” Ocean closed her eyes,

“Anyways, the mayor of the town hired me to hunt down some wolves that have been scaring off the local hunters.” She continued.

“Wait, they had hunters of their own. Why hire you?” You asked,

“For lack of a better term, yes. They were cowards that were scared of a few wolves though, and were only good for shooting rabbits with ancient claw-me-down crossbows.” She explained, “So I got my shiny new rifle - the same one you used the other day to win that match against Dad - and went to work.”

“I spent the next week camping around those woods and bagged myself a half dozen wolves before calling it quits. I also made sure to respect the animals by not leaving their pelts out to rot, and got a sweet golden coin extra for the lot.” She proudly recalled,

“Must’ve been hard hunting wolves with a muzzleloader, though.” You added,

“It sure was, but I could fly up and reload on a tree. I had to be formulaic, deliberate and consistent, shooting then flying away.” Said Ocean, “After the hunt, I was welcomed back as a heroine, and they threw a party in my name. There was so much of that wine that I took for granted, it was more readily available than water!” The mare laughed,

“You sure sound like you’re craving that wine.” You prodded,

“Damn right I do.” Ocean paused, “Well, we do keep a few bottles spare for special occasions, but y’know, they’re off limits. Maybe we’ll open one at our wedding?”

“Oh, um, sure.” You pushed words out of your mouth. Ocean smiled as she observed your reaction to what she had just said.

“Caught you off guard with that one, huh? Don’t worry, Nonny. We’ll take it slow… we kinda have to.” She chuckled and ruffled your hair.

The conversation halted as the two of you enjoyed your time alone together.

“Wanna play some jenga?” Ocean perked up.

You nodded, “Sure.”

Ocean got up and pulled out the case with the wooden bricks. You helped her set up the tower and began playing. A half dozen towers later, Gust knocked on the door and said that dinner is up.

You and Ocean took your seats as Gust brought out a pot. Opening it, he revealed four pork chops resting on a bed of pickled cabbage.

“This, son, was the meal aboard my ship whenever we got paid.” Gust proudly explained, “Provided, of course, we were in port and had access to a butcher shop. Otherwise it’d be salt pork for your protein.”

The griffstallion served you your chop with a generous helping of pickled cabbage on the side. The meat was tender, and the cabbage was pleasantly warm, sour, and also oily due to the rendered fat from the chops.

After dinner, you and Ocean went outside.

“Well. To the shed?” She looked at you, undressing you with her eyes.

“Don’t mind if I do. Lead the way.” You chuckled.

She led you to the gun shed and unlocked the door. Opening it, she laughed and grabbed the big bag of rocks.

“You gotta earn it first, Nonny. Put this on your back.” The mare held the bag for you. “Gotta get pent up… then we’ll fuck.” She said, throwing it into your hands.

“Hmph. I’ll humor you.” You chuckled, taking the rather heavy bag of rocks and put it on your back. “Lead the way.”

“No, you lead the way. I trust you enough that we won’t jump the border and accidentally invade Vederoa… like yesterday.” She chuckled, “I want to see you work for it.”

You rolled your eyes. “Fine. Follow me.”

And on you went, trying to follow the same path from yesterday’s morning walk. You felt the air you breathed get wet. “I got a feeling it’s going to rain.” You said, wearily.

“Yep. There’s rain scheduled for tonight, if I remember right.” Ocean laughed, “Afraid of a little rain, Nonny?”

“Scheduled?” You asked,

“Oh yeah. We can manipulate weather with magic. Ampilly has a team of weather jocks belonging to the Hearts. Mom wanted me to be one of them, but I’m not Black Heart material, as you may know.” She chuckled,

“So you knew all along that it’s gonna rain?” You prodded, groaning a bit as you adjusted the bag on your back.

“Yep. Imagine, Nonny…” The mare sighed, “The rain hitting my… our room’s window as we cuddle into the night.”

Your response was only silence, and Ocean spent the next half minute chuckling to herself.

“Wowee, Nonny.” She broke the silence, “You really want some, huh? Work those legs!”

You kept marching on all the while Ocean kept pelting you with taunts and overt flirting. Suddenly, you felt little droplets of rain hitting you.

“Wanna at least fly back, Ocean?” You stopped to ask her.

“Where’s the fun in that? You’re going to be running!” She laughed.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me.” You rolled your eyes,

“Come on now, Nonny! I’ll be right behind you!” She gave you a slap on the ass which made you flinch in surprise.

You could read her like a book. She wanted you to “fight” back. Not wanting to let Ocean down, you started off at a jog. “Oh yeah? Try to keep up first!” You exclaimed, not looking back as the rain started coming down in earnest.

“Yeah, Nonny! I’m gonna get you…” The mare cackled, her voice getting closer to you, “And when I do, I will fucking squeeze you for every drop you have leftover from this morning.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time!” You hollered back at her,

“Nice guess! I’m gonna make you *bleed*!” Ocean laughed, keeping pace with you.

Your legs slowly started hurting and the rocks weighing you down are not helping you alleviate your fatigue. Despite this, the sensation of running in the rain provides you with a second wind in the form of a raw, primal feeling of competition.

With the shed finally in sight, you sprinted towards it. Ocean was right behind you.

“Home stretch, Nonny! Come on!” She exclaimed.

Winded, sweating and soaked by the rain, the two of you burst into the shed. You laid next to each other on the ground, looking deeply into each other’s eyes as the sound of you and her panting and the sound of raindrops hitting the wooden roof above filled the air. Ocean put her claw on your cheek, and closed in for a kiss. A deep, messy kiss, with a few breaks for air in between as the two of you were exhausted from the run.

As you kissed, you shook the bag’s straps off your shoulders before rolling over on top of her and started working on her buttons.

“Eager, are we?” She looked at you smugly, and locked your waist in place with her hindlegs.

“I won the race, and I’m getting my reward…” You whispered, burying your face in her now exposed fluffy chest and moved up to the side of her neck.

“I let you win…” She chuckled, “...But I’ll let you ride the high.”

You lined the side of her neck with smooches, In between kisses, you responded, “It was unfair, you had me carrying that stupid bag.”

“Sure, and you deserve it. C’mere…” Ocean said, closing one eye and opening her beak. You went in for another kiss. She rubbed your cheek, ears and hair with one claw as the other one was wrapped around you.

After the kiss, you continued undressing her. She joined in on the fun by proceeding with undoing your coat and shirt buttons. You, having undone her clothes, got up from her to sit on your knees before your marefriend.

“How about we start off easy, and you just lay back and relax, huh?” You put your hands on the mare’s pants, starting to undo the buttons.

“You’re lucky I trust you enough for this. Not everycreature can- ahhhhh…” Ocean recoiled in pleasure as you fingered her through her panties.

“Help me with your pants, and I’ll give you something to remember, alright.” You poked at her marehood.

“Fine. Here.” Ocean kicked her pants off and let you take them off completely. You then proceeded to slide her panties off, with which she gladly helped you, too. You took her panties, in your hand and sniffed them. Oh, the hormones firing off in your brain just by smelling this treasure, your marefriend’s velveteen panties with a floral pattern.

Ocean laughed at the sight. You continued the joke, “I’ll keep these as a lucky charm.” You chuckled as you pocketed the panties.

“Now…” You bowed your head down and gave your marefriend’s marehood a big lick. Her marepussy winked as your tongue went up, and her clitoris was promptly coated in your saliva.

“Ah… Nonny…” Ocean’s hindlegs twitched as you pleasured her orally, “Fuck, you’re kidding me, I’m close already…”

Hearing this, you focused on her clit. You gently licked it in between deep thrusts of your tongue into her velvet depths.

“‘Non… Nonny… ah!” She suddenly put her thighs together, around your head as your tonguework pushed her over the edge.

As she calmed down after a wave of orgasmic bliss, Ocean murmured as she released your head from in between her thighs, “You know what? You deserve it. You can keep those panties.”

“Don’t mind if I do.” You chuckled, sitting cross legged and admiring your work, a very satisfied griffmare.

Ocean rolled over to her side before getting up, just to sit down facing you. “I needed that after a good run. You want anything special for my end of the bargain, Nonny?” she smiled, undoing the buttons on your pants and freeing your throbbing member.

“Hmm… How about...” You chuckled, leaning back and supporting yourself with your hands, “You ride me while I’m sitting like this.”

“Sure. Let’s try that. Let’s see…” The mare stood up then proceeded to seat herself on your member. Slowly, you saw your shaft enter your marefriend’s marehood.

“Ah, I see what you want now, Nonny…” She chuckled, resting her beak on the top of your head. You, on the other hand, got to enjoy a faceful of her chest fluff, and the luxury of hearing Ocean groan as she slowly started sliding your member in and out of her.

She sped up, chuckling, “You know, I like your weird human dick… No bullshit in the middle, no nothing. Just pure… fun.”

“I’m happy you- ah!” You moaned into her chest, “Happy you think that.”

“You must be close, huh?” She asked.

“No… I’m about to fall over-” You responded. 

Ocean then pushed you over and pinned you on the floor, pausing the ride. She licked her beak, letting a drop of saliva fall on your face. “Don’t exert yourself, Nonny. Just lay back and enjoy, okay?” The mare chuckled, getting up to continue riding your dick.

The wooden floor creaked under you as the mare added her wings into the mix, riding you faster and faster. You could only watch as her marehood took your entire length. Just above, her teats were bouncing as she rode. The sight of your member getting swallowed whole by your mare’s pussy was just enough to send you over the edge.

“Cumming!” You moaned out as you felt yourself being pushed over your limit. Ocean crashed down on your pelvis for the last time, taking your full length as it shot your baby batter deep inside of her womb.

Ocean let out a pleasured sigh, “Let’s go back inside, then enjoy the rest of the evening in bed, hmm?”

“Aww. What about round two?” You said, tilting your head and smiling at her.

“A little break, then we’ll do it in bed.” Ocean nodded, smiling back.

You nodded. The mare slowly rose up and slid your cum and marecum coated member out of herself as she stood up. She then helped you up. Quickly, you made your way outside, then flew up to enter your bedroom via the window. Not wasting any time, you and Ocean undressed yourselves fully before entering the bed to, as your marefriend said, enjoy the rest of the evening.

You were in bed with your marefriend, under the covers, naked and facing each other. Your mare’s arms were around your waist, while yours were on her chest.

“I gotta say, Nonny, fucking you just keeps getting better and better.” She giggled.

“How? I just lay back and take what you throw at me.” You asked her in response.

“That’s true, though what you do in a rut doesn’t tell the full story.” Ocean let out a pleased sigh, “You’re dedicated to me. That… makes you fuckable. You take what I throw at you… not only in bed. But when I had you run in the rain just now, and you did it without complaining. Made my marehood wink, that did.”

“Truth be told, I did it to impress you, not… to obey you.” You chuckled, “Do you have a thing for… obedience, err, domination?”

“Who doesn’t, Nonny? It’s perfectly natural to feel a sense of accomplishment when you tell someone to do something, and they do, without question.”

“Yeah, well… I have limits when it comes to just that in bed. The thing with the leash was hot, but I wouldn’t go past that.” You replied.

“No big deal, Nonny. Don’t worry.” The mare smiled deviously, “Eventually normal bedroom shenanigans will get boring.” She laughed

“Yeah, Ocean. Eventually we’re going to have to switch places. How about I rail you from behind right now, huh?” You shot back, laughing.

“In your dreams, fucker.” She immediately went to shut you up afterwards by rolling over to lay on top of you before once again your lips and her beak meet, open and tongue wrestle for a few seconds.

“So about that round two? I have an idea, Nonny.” She got off from on top of you back where she was just a few moments ago, and reached for your member, starting to stroke it.

“Fuck, Ocean. You’re squeezing me too hard.” You complained, putting your hands on her flank.

“Sorry, ‘Non.” She loosened her grip on your cock by just enough for you to feel pleasure from the clawjob, “Now come on, fuck me with the these fingers of yours.”

“Yes ma'am.” You chuckled, obliging immediately by inserting your index and middle finger inside of her, stimulating her pearl. The more pleasure you caused her, the harder she went at your cock.

“Tell me when you're close, Nonny. I don't want a mess… Mom would kill me.” She purred, maintaining a steady pace. 

“You're so wet, love… I don't know, there is definitely a mess down there anyways. 

“Hmph. SmartaAAA-.” The mare hit a high note right as you doubled down on assaulting her pearl with your fingers, her hindleg twitching out of pleasure. 

“Hey, I didn’t know you could hit that note!” You chuckled, inviting Ocean to jerk you off harder in response.

The next several minutes were spent in relative silence, only broken by pleasured moans and groans. Your heads rested against one another as you did your best to pleasure each other.

“I’m close…” You groaned

“Me too. Let’s stop now, let me roll over.” Ocean said.

You both stopped masturbating each other, letting her roll over and raise her flank and flare her tail.

“Come on, Nonny. You wanted to take me from behind, right?” Ocean shook her rump.

Without a word, you got up and inserted your member into Ocean’s wet marehood. It only took you a few thrusts inside of her to push you over the edge. You pumped yet another load into your mare’s pussy. You didn’t stop, however. Shortly after recovering, you started plapping your marefriend’s griffmare flank until she had her own orgasm.
 
Pulling out and laying next to the mare, you sighed.

“Good boy… C’mere, now.” Ocean invited you into her embrace, and you slowly drifted off to sleep; naked, cradling each other.

THE NEXT MORNING…

You woke up next to Ocean, still latched on to each other. She was nuzzling the side of your neck with her beak.

“Morning, Nonny.” She purred

“Morning, my love.” You replied just as Ocean went in for that sweet, sweet good morning kiss.
 
One big ol’ smooch on the beak later, she returned her head to the previous position.

“Last night was… wow.” She whispered into your ear, “I never bent over for someone to rail me like you did. Consider yourself lucky.”

You whispered back, “I do consider myself lucky. I have you.”

“Right. Give me your shoulder.” Ocean deadpanned you, though with an undeniable deviousness in her eyes.

“Why?” You asked.

“You’re getting too sappy again. I gotta reset you. Now hold still.” She said before giving you a punch to the shoulder to remember.

“Ow!” You rubbed your shoulder, “You didn’t have to go that hard!”

Suddenly, the door swung open. It was Gust.

“Good morning, children!” He said, walking in on his hindlegs, his wings raised for balance. In his claws he held a tray.

“Oh- Dad!?” Ocean pulled up the bed sheet up to her neck, taking your part of the bed sheet, stripping from you the only barrier between your modesty and your father-in-law’s eyes.

“Ocean!” You quickly covered your modesty with your hands and rolled over to your side, with your back to him.

Gust only laughed, “What’s up, lovebirds? Thought I didn’t hear you going at it last night?”

You remained silent. Ocean, however, lashed back, “Just give us our breakfast and leave us alone.”

“Alright, alright.” Gust chuckled, setting down the tray on the bedside table next to Ocean and simply left without a word more.

You turned back to face Ocean, “What the fuck’s his deal?”

“He heard us last night, somehow…” Ocean shrugged, then returned your part of the bedsheet, “Sorry for that, ‘Non.”

A pause ensued, which you broke, “What’d he make for us, anyways?”

“Looks like he went to the bakery this morning and brought us croissants… and made us coffee.” Ocean took a sip, “Nope. That’s mom’s coffee. She’s in on the joke too.” She laughed

“Does this happen often?” You asked

“Only when I get caught. First strike is breakfast in bed. Second strike is Gust giving us a room at Torrent’s for a week, kicking us out of the house.” She laughed, “I learnt that the hard way.”

“Mmm. A shabby inn room where we do nothing but eat, drink and fuck for a whole week…” You put your hand on Ocean’s flank.

“As much as I’d love to do that, Nonny, I have work to do. *We* have work to do.” She shook her head, “Gotta get you signed up and get you your first job.”

“Sure. Let’s eat what your dad brought us and let’s get out of here.” You nodded.

After having your breakfast you got dressed and got out of the house, avoiding eye contact with your in-laws in the living room. On the way out you heard a chuckle from Gust as you exited out of the front door.

“So, where are we going?” You asked Ocean,

“The mercenary recruitment office… You saw it, right? It’s right next to the bakery.” She answered, “Your flank will belong to the Crimson Corsair mercenary company until we retire.”

“Oh, we’re retiring together?” You turned to her, “I expected me to be forced to keep serving until I'm old enough to retire. Retiring is all about the money here?”

“Yep. Not like that in your world?” She asked you,

“Well, you can retire early if you get enough money to not work, but most people’s idea of retirement is growing up to a ripe old age then retiring for a pension afterwards.” You scratched the back of your head.

“Nope. That, as you describe it, doesn’t exist anywhere in this world. That’s what family is for, though.” She smiled, “Speaking of, what about our marriage? I did tell Ma and Pa about that at the dinner table a few nights back.”

“Ocean… we knew each other for what? Barely a month, and that includes the few weeks I had to wash dishes in a Gracemarean bistro in order to get enough money for a two-way ticket here.”

“Two-way? Why two-way?” She chuckled, putting a claw on your back.

“Better safe than sorry. Don’t give a shit about the return trip now, unless you want our honeymoon to be in Gracemare.” You laughed

She laughed back, “As nice as that sounds… having seen half the world, I can tell you now that nothing beats Ampilly. It has everything I’d ever want.”

You cleared your throat holding back your laughter, “*You* are everything I’d ever want, so I’m fine with- OW!”

Ocean punched your shoulder, “I wonder if you like getting punched like this…” She smiled,

“Well… I reckon these punches are your way of saying “I love you too.”” You snickered,

“Yep, sounds about right.” Ocean nodded, “Damn it feels nice being on the same boat as your lover. No misunderstandings, no arguments, it’s elysium.”

“Definitely. Well, I’d be scared to start an argument with you, for sure.” You nervously chuckled,

“Why?” She asked you,

“‘Cause you’ll beat my ass.” You said, unwavering.

“Come on, it’s not that bad…” She grabbed you by the wrist, “Come here.”

She led you onto the grass by the roadside before letting go of you, “Come on, let’s tussle a bit now. We’re not in a hurry.”

You looked around, and grumbled, “Fine” before assuming a fighting stance.

Ocean reared and punched her chest, “Come on, now, monkey-minotaur boy. Pin me to the ground.”

You charged head first into your sparring partner and surprisingly enough brought her to the ground. Now, to pin her down.

She laughed, “I would’ve sent you flying if the roles were reversed…” the mare said as she kept your hands at bay and locked your body waist down with her hindlegs.

You gave up and rested your head on her chest, “Now you see. I’m no match for you.”

She stroked your hair, “Don’t worry, Nonny. I’ll make a fighter out of you yet.”

Silence reigned as you rested on top of the griffmare. Ocean occasionally looked around for any random passers-by, but mostly she kept her eyes on you.

“You comfy?” She asked you

“Mmm-hmm.” You sounded out.

“Too bad.” She said, rolling over before standing up over you. At least, she gave you a helping claw to get up.

“We gotta go to work, Nonny.” She patted you on the shoulder 

You and Ocean walked the familiar path down to downtown Ampilly. Right next to the patisserie, there it was; the mercenary recruitment office. As you and Ocean entered, you saw five different front desks, one for each company. She towed you to the Crimson Corsairs’ one, but not before being waved over by Cinnamon.

“Cinny? You’re on recruitment today?” She asked him, towing you over to the Mechanists’ desk instead.

“Yep. Perks of being a captain… “perks”. It’s boring here.” He leaned forward on the desk, “So, what brought you here? Want to put Anon where he belongs?”

“What does that mean?” Ocean tilted her head,

“Listen, I looked through Anon’s phone thing. I think he belongs in the Mechanists. I’ll even give you a recruitment bonus. How much would the Corsairs give you?” He pleaded with Ocean.

You turned to Ocean, “Perhaps he’s right. My skillset is more in operating vehicles than… claw to claw combat and intimidating folk.”

“You sure, Nonny? We won’t be able to work together-” Ocean was interrupted by Cinnamon,

“Yes, you can. In fact, I’ve helped a friend with a flying machine of his with the human designs found on his device. Just give me a chance, you won’t need to send him off to a camp to train for three months if all goes right.” Cinnamon looked Ocean in the eye.

She sighed, “Anon is not a foal going to school, Cinny. If he wants to join you, then we'll arrange a meeting with your friend.”

You smiled giddily, “You mean, you made an aeroplane with my phone's help and you need a pilot?”

“That's how you call it? And yes. The prototype is ready. We just need somecreature brave enough to try flying it.” Cinnamon explained, “Well, Anon? He extended his claw over to you. 

You shook the claw. Ocean giddily applauded, “Nonny the Mechanist!”

“Well, not yet. The meeting is at my friend's house, tonight at 7. Come to my place a bit earlier so that we can come in together.” Cinnamon tapped a talon on the desk. 

“Well, Nonny? Wanna celebrate down at Torrent’s? My treat.” Ocean patted you on the shoulder.

You nodded, “Sure, let’s go.”

Cinnamon quipped as you left the recruitment office, “Drink a shot of something strong for me.”

“Oh, we will!” Ocean replied as she closed the door.

“That was… something.” You chuckled, “Being a pilot sounds like a job for me. Us humans have naturally resorted to contraptions to make up for deficiencies of our blood and flesh. Being a mechanist… just sounds *right*, you know?”

“I… Well, Nonny, you don’t have to justify yourself. If the mechanists are going to accept you without a hitch, then congratulations. It looks like we won’t be working together, though.” She sighed, offering you her claw which you naturally took.

“You know, Ocean, humans have boats that can carry dozens of such flying machines, and those machines, aeroplanes, can carry bombs and rockets that can destroy enemy ships. The Corsairs will eventually ask the Mechanists for a boat like that, and I’d be the first in line to be a carrier plane pilot.” You reassured her, smooching her on the cheek.

Ocean chuckled, “And we’ll fly together, vast blue nothingness both above and below us… Just us. I like that idea.”

“Well, first, we have to get the prototype off the ground. Then we’ll talk about carriers.” You sighed.

You made your way to Torrent’s. It was rush hour, you struggled to find your seats, but in the mess you found Silent and Harpoon sitting in the corner lounge. Naturally, Ocean joined them.

“Heyyy, ‘cous!” She sat down right next to her, “How was the sex last night? Did ya even get laid? Don’t tell me you didn’t fuck.”

“Ocean- Gah! What is the meaning of this?” Silent shook her head. Harpoon, on the other hand, stallionstared at the two mares’ sudden exchange.

“Just trying to be friendly. You know how it is, ‘cous.” She leaned back and waved a waiter over, “Anyways, what are you doing in this watering hole? I thought you’d be in a more refined place.”

“M-my mom was home, we didn’t… uhh…” The young stallion twiddled his talons trying to explain

“Ha! So you didn’t!” Ocean exclaimed, tapping Silent on her shoulder.

“That’s why we’re here. Why inconvenience a fancy hotel’s staff while we can just… you-know-what in a shitty pub’s bed and be done with it.” Silent took a sip out of her wine glass.

“You don’t have to, y’know…” Ocean took out her coin purse and put four silvers down on the table, “Here. Money for the clothes that you bought, as per the deal.”

“Well, I like Harpoon. He’s a nice little stallion. I don’t mind bedding with him, since we both are… consenting adults looking for some fun.” Silent said, sipping her wine.

“You? Looking for some fun?” Ocean snorted. “Say you’re joking right now.”

Silent turned to harpoon and, in a blink of an eye, entered into a sloppy tongue kiss with him.

“Look at them go. This is why we call this liquid courage…” Ocean took the glass of wine Silent was sipping on and tasted the wine herself, “Yep. It’s wine alright.” She said before putting the glass down.

Silent separated from the kiss, “Haa… The aphrodisiac is kicking in, honey. Do you want to go up to our room now?”

“What?” Ocean tapped Silent on the back, “What do you mean, aphrodisiac?”

“The wine. It’s one of *those*” She chuckled, patting Harpoon,

“Don’t tell me my cousin needs something to light that fire in her!” Ocean laughed,

“Isn’t it the same as your… drug fueled ruts?” Silent chuckled.

“Where is that damn waiter?” She waved him over again, “Anyways, that aside, what have you been up to, ‘cous?”

The waiter approached you. Ocean immediately ordered two “royal beef patties with cheese” and two pints, one for each of you. This was going to be a long afternoon at Torrent’s.

Silent found her time to speak after the waiter went away, “Err… Harpoon introduced me to his parents last night. They were honored to have a Gilded Gallant over and we slept together there.”

“How cute. Your first time having a mare in your bed, kid?” Ocean prodded at Harpoon,

“Yes? I’m completely new to this.” He responded.

“Anyways, we agreed to meet up here and do the deed. After that I’m going to show him around the local Gallants chapter and possibly have him be a squire in training…” Silent nodded.

“Aw, how nice of you. Anon here has a meeting today with the Mechanists, they’re interested in his skillset.” Ocean told Silent.

“Really? Congratulations, Anon.” She offered you her claw to shake.

As you shook her claw, the food arrived. Silent and Harpoon excused themselves quietly as Ocean began wolfing down her cheese filled meat patty.

Your marefriend’s appetite was huge. She downed three big minced beef patties stuffed with cheese, as you were still on your first. Her desire for drink was even bigger. You “shared” a bottle of cheap wine, though she did the heavy lifting on that front, too.

“Ocean, dear… don’t you want to stop?” You asked her

“Nah, I’ll just take a nap here. Torrent!” She stood up and drunkenly went to the bar. She bought a room and led you upstairs. Unlocking the door with the key provided by the barkeep, she immediately climbed onto bed and groaned.

You laid down next to her and for once assumed the spot of the big spoon as Ocean immediately started snoring as her head hit the pillow.

ONE NAP LATER…

You were awakened by violent shaking. “Ocean… love… please no rocks this time…” You muttered as you opened your eyes.

“What fucking rocks, Nonny? We’re runnin’ late to the meeting with Cinny and his friend. Now get up!” She exclaimed, helping you out of bed.

“It was your idea, getting black out drunk.” You pouted

“Yeah, well… Sorry. Let’s just go now, aye?” She patted you on the shoulder.

Walking down the stairs into a significantly less crowded pub, you commented, “I wonder how many diseases were on that bed that we shared.”

“You don’t want to know…” Ocean chuckled, 

Torrent quipped from his workplace, the bar, “What, you don’t trust ol’ me?” He laughed.

“Oh, it’s nothing, ‘unc.” She responded to Torrent.

“Had fun up there, kids?” He asked Ocean as she returned the key to him.

“Nope, we just took a little nap together. No round two, though, we’re in a hurry.” She leaned against the bar.

“Oh, really now?” He turned to you, “Kid, if you only knew how many griffs fell victim to her in those very rooms.”

Before you could respond, Ocean interjected, “Anon doesn’t need to know that, I’m settling with him now. I’ll treat him well.”

“Oh, is that true? Well, congratulations to you two” Torrent gave a little bow.

You both thanked him and excused yourselves.

“What a griff.” Ocean shook her head, chuckling to herself.

“Is he really your uncle? Why’d you call him that?” You asked her.

“Not my uncle, but he is like a brother to Pa… Can’t help not considering him like family, after what he’s done for Pa, and me.” Ocean sighed, “Anyways, to Cinny’s? His officerly flank lives downtown, so we can walk the distance, no need to fly… unfortunately.”

“Sure… Lead the way.” You nodded. 

You had begun your journey to Cinnamon’s. To break the silence, you patted your marefriend on the back of the neck and asked her a question.

“So, love, what’s your body count?” You quipped.

“One hundred and fifty-something. I lost count.” She shrugged, “Why?”

Your face paled and your eyes opened wide.

“Wait, no, seriously, why? Why is your face like that?” Ocean asked, slightly worried.

You bowed and whispered into her ear, “You fucked a hundred and fifty stallions?”

“What? No! That’s my kills! What the fuck?” Ocean flushed, “ What did you think?’

“In the human world, we use body count as a codeword for that…” You chuckled nervously.

“Oh, well… you’re asking about how many I’ve fucked?” She asked, whispering.

You simply replied, “Yes…”

“Fifteen. With you, sixteen.” She patted you on the head,

You chuckled, “I can’t blame a mare that goes on dates with death for a living…” You elbowed her, “Besides, I like me a mare who has… experience.”

“I’m glad you understand, Nonny…” She snickered and elbowed you back, “Half the stallions I meet expect a mare that waited for marriage. Hate to break it to you, but those mares, as you said, brush shoulders with death every day they’re not at home. They have to enjoy life, too.”

The rest of the walk to Cinnamon’s house was silent. 

“And here we are.” You arrived at Cinnamon’s home. He had already been waiting for you.

“You’re five minutes late.” He jested

“Fuck off, Cinny.” She shot back, flicking a talon on the top of his head.

Cinnamon rubbed the spot where Ocean’s talon hit her. “Ow. Anyways, are we ready to see Reef?”

“I’m ready. I hope.” You said.

“Always ready for a little flight, Cinny.” She perked up.

“Alright, let’s go.” Cinnamon took to the sky, You and Ocean followed closely behind him.

Flying to Reef’s house, something came to your mind.

“Hey, Ocean, Mind flying us closer to Cinnamon? I want to ask him something.” You asked her.

Without a word, she obliged. You ended up in formation right next to Cinnamon. “Hey Cinnamon!” You yelled out.

“Yeah?” He responded

“How does Mechanist initiation work? Do I just join and get an assignment or what?” You asked him.

“There are two entrances to the Mechanists, my friend. You either demonstrate a good grasp of operation, mathematics or both, or you do something that catches the higher-up’s eyes. What you’re about to do, my friend, is the latter.” He explained.

“Alright. You hear that, Ocean? I’m a nerd that means business! Gonna make your beak drop!” You laughed.

She laughed back, “Sure, sure, Nonny.”

“Here it is. Reef’s place.” Cinnamon commented, looking down, circling around his house. Ocean with you in tow kept following him closely.

Reef’s property was a humble abode on the foot of the mountain Ampilly was situated in. Natural flat ground ideal for a runway. Alongside the house, there was also a hangar-like building that looked like a simple repurposed barn, and that is where  Cinnamon landed.

“Reef! I got a flyboy for you. Reef?” Cinnamon called out for him.

“Here! Here I am.” He exclaimed from inside the “hangar”, his voice muffled.

Cinnamon led the way, opening the huge door of the barn and squeezed through the opening he made for himself. You followed closely behind him, with Ocean behind you. The barn smelled like booze. The elephant in the room, of course, was an airplane eerily similar to a World War I biplane. It was a three seater with one engine. You wondered how the hell did the guy figure out internal combustion engines all by his lonesome.

“Whew. It smells better than at Torrent’s in here.” Ocean commented before inhaling deeply.

“That’s good ol’ moonshine, miss?” Reef emerged from underneath the airplane.

“Mrs. Ocean.” She chuckled. Her remark gave you and Cinnamon whiplash. 

“Ah, and this must be the mister Anonymous I’ve heard so much about.” Reef shook your hand, “So, you’re the one going to earn your wings tonight, huh?”

“Sure am.” You smiled giddily, reviewing the plane’s exterior. It was unmarked, uncolored. A veneer of bare canvas hiding the wooden airframe.

“Well, thanks to the device you brought to this world with ya, and thanks to Cinnamon for snatching it for us, I managed to create something similar to what you humans have, or had.” He patted his “baby”, the airplane, “You humans have these in all shapes and sizes, I couldn’t figure out how a rocket one would work, but a propeller one was right up my alley.”

“What I’m wondering… how did you find a reference for this on my phone? I don’t remember having anything to help you like this.” You asked Reef.

“It was a musical of yours you had on that thingamabob. About… a red baron or something. I gotta say, it was cool as fuck seeing these machines duke it out with your strange human instruments in the background.” He chuckled.

“Ah, I see. Well, mind if I take a look at the interior?” You smiled

“Sure. If everything goes right, that will be your office for the rest of your career.” He waved towards the plane.

You climbed inside the cockpit and were taken aback. You started manipulating the controls. The ailerons were controlled by a large wheel in front of you. The elevator was controlled by a smaller wheel to your right while, fortunately, the rudder was controlled by the familiar pair of pedals. The throttle was also at a familiar spot, a lever to your left.

“Look at him, a chick spreading his wings!” Reef laughed, while Ocean looked at you, worried.

“Can I fly with him? You know, to make sure he lives if anything happens.” She asked.

“Sure. We’re going to need three griffs on board to simulate it being fully crewed, or, well, a hooman and two griffs.” He shrugged. ”Help me fuel this thing up, now?” Reef said, grabbing two large bottles of hooch.

Ocean, naturally, took a bottle and took a swig. “Ah, this shit is poison!” The mare said, spitting it out.

“It is not poison, Mrs. Ocean. It’s our fuel.” He said, pouring the contents of the bottles in the fuel tank, “Those two, and two more, then we’ll be ready.”

Ocean helped by grabbing two more moonshine bottles for Reef. After fueling, Reef and Ocean pushed the plane with you still in the cockpit out of the barn, then off to the right where there was already a prepared runway.

Reef showed you how to start the engine, and got Ocean to enter the plane on the seat right behind you. The engine roared to life after a few tries and some words of encouragement from Reef. Reef himself climbed in the back seat behind Ocean and waved to Cinnamon. You were ready to take off.

You pushed the throttle lever halfway and you felt the plane starting to move. Immediately, the plane veered to the right, which you counteracted with the rudder. Having gained sufficient speed, you pushed the throttle lever to the max. Suddenly the plane went tail up. You counteracted by manipulating the elevator wheel. Soon enough the plane had no choice but to take off.

Immediately after taking off, the plane wanted to turn over to the right because of the force of the clockwise turning propeller. You manipulated the aileron wheel to the left to counteract.

“It’s like muscle memory for me.” You commented, looking back to the griffmare sat behind you, making conversation as you gained altitude.

“Just don’t crash the only prototype! Eyes front, no flirting!” Reef laughed.

“Anyways, what’s going to be the purpose of this plane once it enters combat?” You asked Reef.

“Spotting for siege artillery. Flying up and using the binoculars by oneself is one thing. But having a stable platform? That’s worth its weight in gold.” He replied, “Also, I feel it’d be useful for general reconnaissance, too.”

You nodded and turned around to face the “runway”, you cut the throttle and nosed down.

“What are you doing?” Ocean asked you,

“Showing off.” You chuckled.

You pushed the throttle to the maximum before nosing up just above the ground. You performed a touch-and-go in front of Cinnamon as he was watching you from the ground. After “bouncing” back from the ground you performed a sharp rise upwards. After a few seconds, the plane started stalling, nosing down. You pushed the rudder pedals all the way towards the right and got into a spin. Immediately, you turned the aileron wheel all the way to the left and turned the elevator wheel all the way “up” to fight the spin.

Having recovered from the spin, you laughed.

“I was about to jump out to save you, you dumbass!” Ocean yelled out.

Reef immediately jumped in to defend you, “Let the kid fly, Mrs. Ocean! Look at him glow! The sky is his home. Just save these moves for your debut.”

“Debut?” You asked,

“Of course. Your debut as a mechanist. You aren’t one of us now, but tomorrow when we get the bigwigs here, they’ll accept you if you impress them.” He explained, “Now put this thing to the ground, it’s getting dark.”

You nodded, and turned back to land. Much like your previous touch and go maneuver, you touched down and this time cut your throttle all the way, slowing down on the ground. You spun the elevator wheel all the way up again to nose up. Eventually, you stopped a bit far from Cinnamon, but seeing as you stopped, he galloped over to you.

“That was awesome Anon!” Cinnamon applauded.

Ocean took flight and dragged you out of the cockpit, hugging you in flight. She yelled out to the other two griffs on the ground, “Meet ya at Torrent’s! We’re celebrating!”

Cinnamon waved to you before Ocean took you away, back to Torrent’s pub.

“Don’t tell me you’re gonna get drunk again.” You chuckled,

“Nah, we’re going to have a toast and dinner, and that’s it.” She said, soaring through the skies with you in tow, “I’ll have a surprise for you when we come back home, though.”

“Ooh? What kind of surprise?” You asked,

“Tsk. I’m not gonna say. You’ll see it and you’ll love it.” Ocean shook her head.

“Are we gonna have sex again?” You laughed,

“Well, yes, but it’s gonna be special, trust me.” She replied, “Besides, it’s either that or running with rocks for our daily physical activity. I’m always happy to switch.”

“Oh, no no no. I’d happily make love to you any day, love.” You swiftly responded.

“Good boy.” She patted you on the head.

The rest of the flight back to the pub was silent. A familiar face was out on a smoke break right outside the pub. It was Gust!

“Ah. Look who it is!” He commented as you and Ocean landed.

“Pa? You’re working for Torrent today?” She asked,

“Yep! He asked me for some help in the kitchen. His usual cook is sick, so I’m here. It’s honest money, enough to buy Gale an anniversary present.” He nodded, “Of course, that means I know what you were up to this afternoon. Naughty, naughty!”

“Dad!” The mare scrunched.

“Not to mention, seeing you and Anon walk upstairs, then having to clean up after you…” He chuckled

“No, that was Silent and her new coltfriend. Me and Anon were napping before our meeting with the Mechanists!” Ocean stomped with her claw, somewhat embarrassed.

“What? Silent got herself a coltfriend?” Gust was shocked.

“Yep! We goaded her into going on a speed dating event at that fancy restaurant. He found herself, guess what, a colt that is into armor. I wouldn’t be surprised if they screwed while the armor was on!” She laughed. Gust also smirked.

“Anyways, how did the meeting with the mechanists go?” Gust asked you.

“Well, it hasn’t happened yet. It was just an inventor - a mister Reef, Cinnamon and Ocean. The recruiters and bigwigs will come tomorrow. You can come, if you want.” You answered.

“I’m working tomorrow too, unfortunately. I’d love to see you show them what-for. You’re a smart kid, so you’d fit in with the mechanists, no problem.” He nodded.

“Alright. Me and Ocean will be getting ourselves a drink to celebrate… not crashing and getting a mouthful of dirt.” Your head gave your father-in-law a small bow.

“Sure. Just don’t overdo it this time, Twirl.” He chuckled

Ocean nodded, “Yes, Pa. Just one or two.” she said as you entered.

The lounge corner with space for a half dozen friends drinking together was vacant. Ocean quickly rushed with you in tow by your wrist to claim those seats.

“Shall we wait for Cinnamon and Reef?” You asked her.

“Sure. We’ll get a beer while we wait, though.” She answered.

Gust walked up to your table. “Whaddya want, kids?” 

“A beer each and a bowl of fries.” You smiled.

“Coming right up!” said Gust.

Ocean waited for Gust to walk away before turning to you.

“So, Nonny, my love. I hope you understand that… I didn’t mean anything bad back there, calling you a dumbass.” She leaned back and sighed.

“It’s fine. We almost ate dirt. It’s a perfectly natural reaction.” You chuckled, “Besides I am kind of a dumbass to begin with. I’m just good with machines like this.”

“Well hey, if you can learn how to operate any war machine they put you in, you’re definitely gonna make it in the mechanists.” She chuckled, shuffling close to you and putting an arm around you, “I’m proud of you, Nonny.” She gave you a peck on the cheek.

“I couldn’t do it without you, love.” You returned the kiss and rested your forehead against her cheek.

Suddenly, Cinnamon and Reef entered. Ocean waved them over.

“What do we got here?” Cinnamon chuckled, taking a seat next to you.

“Just congratulating Nonny on a job well done.” She let go of you. 

“Looks like more than that.” Reef commented, “Anyways Anon. Ocean here snatched you before I could receive your feedback. Could you write it all here?” He offered you a pen and paper.

“Sure” You took the paper and began writing. First and foremost, your main gripe: no stick. The ailerons and elevator should be controlled by a control stick; movements left to right should control the ailerons and movements forward to backward should control the elevator.

Another thing you wanted to put in was offensive and defensive armament. Preferably Cinnamon’s new machine gun.

Third thing would be armor. Armor plates protecting the crew would do wonders. To offset the added weight, the fourth suggestion is, of course, a new, stronger engine.

“I think that’ll be all.” You handed over the paper back to Reef.

“Very well. I’ll see what I can do.” Reef stood up and excused himself. Cinnamon remained to hang out.

Gust came back with the beer and fries, asking Cinnamon what’d he like. He wanted a beer, and he got it pretty quickly.

“So. How the fuck did you learn how to do this, Anon?” Cinnamon elbowed you.

You took a sip of your beer before answering, “There’s a thing in the human world called “video games”. There is a genre of video games that simulates combat, in this case, air combat. I played a lot of that when I was a kid, and I still would be playing those games in my spare time if it weren’t for my current circumstances.” You looked to Ocean and smooched her, “I like this more, though.”

“So wait, as a kid? They were preparing you for combat since you were a kid?” Ocean asked you, “That’s certainly what a mercenary family does to their kids alright.”

“No, actually. I played these on my own free will, in my spare time, and so on. My parents would’ve actually been upset if I were to play these games too much.” You replied

“Ah, well, “war games” in another sense would describe mine and Cinny’s foalhoods, too.” Ocean chuckled.

“Honestly, I would’ve loved it if we had elaborate war games back in my world. The most I’ve experienced in my childhood was pointing gun-shaped sticks at one another and occasionally hitting other kids with said sticks.” You smiled. Ocean laughed while Cinnamon struggled to not spit out his beer.

“Well, there’s no shortage of war in this world, lemme tell you that.” Ocean patted you on the shoulder.

“Aye. Hopefully you’d be here with me all the way through, but I doubt it.” You sighed.

“No, no, we can totally work together. However there are times where an entire company is hired, that could be either mine or yours, and that’d separate us. You’ll be fine, though, Nonny, I’m sure.” Ocean gave you a smile.

“Yeah. I’ll be your foalsitter in lieu of Ocean.” Cinnamon laughed.

“Fuck it. Sure.” You slapped the table lightly.

After a good talk with Cinnamon, you and Ocean excused yourselves and went home.

You flew back home and entered through the window of Ocean’s bedroom. She set you down on the bed.

“Stay put, Nonny…” She purred, looming over you and patting you on the side of the head.

So you, as a good boy for your marefriend, did just that. Ocean left the room and you waited and waited until suddenly she emerged. Naked, except for the black lingerie; night gloves, stockings with garter belt, black panties and a corset. The sight immediately made you hard as a rock, however, before you could take off your clothes, she pounced on you.

Her beak touched your lips as she laid over you, her weight pinning you down to the bed. You felt her chest rise and fall as she breathed. You put your hands on her flanks and gave her beak a kiss before licking it, inviting her tongue out to play.

Your tongue wrestled with her thicker, longer tongue and put up a hell of a fight. A fight that you were bound to lose, unless you did something…

You squeezed Ocean’s rump, making her moan into your mouth. Grabbing her by the rump, you tried pushing her off of you with some success, though that meant separating from the kiss. You were now both on your sides.

“It’s *my* turn to call the shots, now.” You chuckled. Before she could object, you licked her beak again and as she opened her beak to speak, you assaulted her tongue. You then wrapped a leg around her hind legs and pushed yourself on top of her, flipping her over. You separated from the kiss again, causing a string of saliva to stretch as you separated.

“Feisty, aren’t we today?” She asked you.

“I sure am. With you, I feel like I can choke a dragon to death.” You replied, “ Let me get naked, first, though.”

She nodded. “Go right ahead. I’ll be waiting.”

You got off her, sitting before her waiting, winking marehood and juicy ponut, not to mention the teats that just scream “squeeze me!”. Your member was liberated from the tyranny of your underpants, letting it rise to full mast. 

You went back on top of her, stroking her mane and cheek with your hands and went in for yet another kiss. She put her claws on the back of her head and rubbed your nape and back of neck as you kissed. Your hard member was nestled in between her teats, with your pelvis occasionally thrusting forward out of desperation to feel some pleasure. She pulled your head up by your hair, separating you once again.

“Choke a dragon to death, huh?” She poked at your cheek with a talon, your hair still in her firm grip, “I think I’m gonna let you have this round. I won’t be so forgiving next time around…” She said, letting your hair go, patting the place where she grabbed you.

Without a word more, you rose up and took your member into your hand, driving the tip into her marehood. You hilted before moving your knees forward in order to allow for deeper thrusts and bowed down over her, taking her claws into your hands and looking her straight in the eyes as you started thrusting slowly, using your entire length.

“Ah! Aaah! Just like that, Nonny!” She let herself moan her brains out. Ma was at work and Pa was still helping out Torrent, after all.

You heed her call, continuing with the slow thrusts. Every time your pelvis met her soft mare flank, she clenched her marehood, making you grunt and moan. 

Your body went down and right on top of her, your naked chest touching her fuzzy chest tuft. You let go of her claws, which immediately went for your neck and shoulders. Your neck and back were scratched with an intensity reflecting her pleasure. After a few minutes of slow thrusts inside of her, you felt her grip tighten on your neck. You started speeding up, each hilting causing a fleshy *plap* to sound out.

“Nonny I’m gonna… aaaah!” She clenched and drenched your member and crotch with her nectar. Her orgasm made you stop for a few seconds, but the plapping continued. You grunted and gradually upped the pace bit by bit until your mind went blank. You went as fast as you could for the few seconds before you sent yourself over the edge and hilted, shooting your seed deep inside of her womb. Your head rested beside her neck in post orgasmic bliss.”

As you two came to a half-minute later, the first thing you noticed was the smell. The smelly smell of sex, sweat and mare’s cum.

“Alright Nonny. Get up off of me.” The mare slightly pushed you. You got off your mare, pulling out of her velvety depths. You saw your seed drip out of your mare’s cunt as you pulled out and crashed next to her.

“You can only tame me for so long, Nonny~!” She deviously smiled and rolled over on top of you, “My turn, now.”

She loomed over you, before standing up and turning around. She flared her tail as she sat down on top of your crotch, her back facing you.

“What are you waiting for?! Put it in, Nonny!” She shook her rump. You gladly obliged her, taking you once again hard member and putting the tip inside of her needy cunt. She crashed hard on your pelvis.

“Ah!” You moaned out, and again, and again, as the mare rode you. She looked back at you and smiled. “That’s right. Those moans of yours are music to my ears~!”

She sped up, once again, the fleshy *plap*s sounded off as the mare rode you on and on. You put your hands on her rump and started playing with it and squeezing it. She sped up as she felt her orgasm come close yet again. 

The crescendo drew closer and closer until suddenly, the mare crashed down on your pelvis one last time, grinding on your hilt and clenching, coating your member and crotch in another coating of her juices. The pleasure made you squeeze her flank hard as you shot ropes inside of her.

She looked from underneath her as she raised her butt up one last time, getting a good look at your coated member, with drops of your seed from her marepussy falling on your crotch as it came leaking out of her. She crashed down next to you.

“Ahhh…” Ocean took your arm and hugged it, “Nothing like a good rut at the end of the day.” She whispered sweet nothings into your ear as you recollected yourself. “Pa has a tub of ice cream in the icebox. Want some?”

You laughed, “Okay then, sure.”

You then switched to your respective pajamas before Ocean went down to get the ice cream. You meanwhile went down with her and sat down on the sofa, grabbing the deck of playing cards and shuffling it.

“Up for some poker?” You called out, and a “Sure, Nonny!” came from the kitchen.

You then played a few hands… er… claws of poker before deciding to call it quits. Ocean won, of course, with her superior knowledge. She swore that she’d teach you how to play that game one day. You finished your ice cream then went to bed and cuddled into the night.