Even I managed to find a few books to add to my collection, including one on strange fashion trends throughout history and another that was filled with photos of men dressed in an assortment of bondage gear. The museum caretaker hadn’t evenraised an eyebrow at me as he rang it up, but then, I suppose if someone ran a place like this, very little shocked or surprised them.
We paid for our purchases and were on our way as a van full of laughing teenagers pulled up, music blaring, along with a trickle of smoke from the half-open windows. They reminded me of myself in my youthful years, always looking for something new and totally left of the norm to explore. Those experiences had shaped me into the man, as well as the designer, I was today. Such a contrast from the upbringing my pets had endured. I couldn’t imagine what it had been like for them, living in survival mode, scratching and clawing to create a home for themselves when they were cut loose at eighteen with nothing.
Listening to them excitedly talk about the things they’d seen in the museum while leafing through their books, showing each other the images inside, made my heart swell with joy as we pulled out of that parking lot. One stop into our journey and we were already making memories, and the best part was that there were many more to come.
20
RALEIGH
Daddy wasn’t kidding when he said that the event center would be packed. Even setup had been chaotic, with people hauling boxes and totes in and out. We had collapsible hanging racks for garments and tables that we set up for all the accessories, which we had ready by the time the vendor room opened. As soon as we’d finished, Daddy helped us into our gear, Murry in the unicorn and me in the pony one, since we’d spotted several ponies already, including a pair prancing while pulling the cart holding all their mama’s things.
“Alright,” Aspen said, “you three go explore, and for goddess’ sake don’t forget to pass out cards.”
“We won’t,” Daddy said, handing Murry and I baskets of them. “Ready to see the Dungeon, boys?”
I let out a whinny while Murry danced around in a circle, his sparkly horn sticking straight up in the air.
With how crowded it was, we stayed on two feet and right by Daddy’s side as he led us out of the vendor room and into a short line, where we had to show our badge before we could enter thedimly lit room. Music pulsed from speakers while blue and green laser lights slashed through the room.
We’d barely gotten inside when I spotted a cage suspended from the ceiling, with a young woman dancing in it, much to the delight of the crowd below. I waved up at her, and she waved back, then Daddy led us deeper into the room and around to where the pony races were taking place. Each had a little cart behind them with someone riding in it, and all looked like they were having the very best time.
I pawed at Daddy, prancing and pointing at the races, wanting to join in and have Murry ride in the cart.
“You’d like to try that, huh?” Daddy said, clearly reading my request. “Let’s see if there is a way to make that happen.”
Not only did I really want to do it, but I thought it would be amazing publicity for Daddy’s gear too. Murry and I stood with our arms linked several feet away from where Daddy stood talking to the folks who were running the races, because eavesdropping wasn’t polite, but we waved when they looked our way, and then Daddy motioned us over.
“Do you need me to harness him up for you?” a burly, bearded man in a kilt and boots asked.
“No thanks,” Daddy said. “I’m an old hand at buckling harnesses.”
He was too. Nothing pinched, nothing was too tight; he carefully buckled each strap, checked it, then gazed into my eyes to see if my expression changed any, but I was all excited energy. Murry rubbed noses with me before climbing into the wagon and taking the reins Daddy handed him, though they were just for show. The real straps were attached to the harness.
Once Murry and the rider in the other cart were situated and belted in, the burly man blew his horn, and I shot forward, shocked at first that the cart rolled so smoothly. We raced down that track towards a ribbon stretched across the finish line that I broke with my chest, triumphant. The whole way, Daddy cheered me on. I think he even raced along the sidelines, because his voice was always loud, even with others calling out encouragement to us. Whinnying and pawing in the air, I celebrated, pleased when Daddy stepped in front of me and hugged me.
“Beautifully run,” Daddy said, kissing my nose. “Now hold still for me to help Murry down and unharness you.”
I quieted down immediately and didn’t even twitch as Daddy helped Murry from the cart before unbuckling my straps and harnesses. By the time he’d freed me, Murry was busy passing out cards among pony handlers and unicorn handlers alike. Three had flocked around him, admiring his gear, which meant their daddies and mommies had questions for Daddy that he quickly stepped up to answer, but only after getting a bottle of water for me and helping me drink it.
My eyes had drifted back to the cage dangling from the ceiling; only instead of one dancer now, there were three in there, having the time of their lives as the cage barely swayed, despite their energetic dancing. That’s when I noticed the line. It was long at the moment, but maybe it wouldn’t be later, after we’d finished exploring the rest of the dungeon.
“Wow,” Daddy said when he was finally through talking to people and making notes in the notebook he always carried. “Guys, we just got two unique requests for the fantasy line.”
I pawed his shoulder to show I was interested while Murry nudged him with his horn. The fantasy line was rapidly becoming a favorite of ours, and I’d already spotted two things that had given me an idea for a brand new one too.
“Oh, you want me to stop teasing and tell you, huh?” Daddy said, looking thoughtful. “I don’t know; maybe I should keep these to myself until I have the prototypes ready.”
Murry pressed his hooves to his face and shook his head, while I pressed my head to the center of Daddy’s chest and nudged.
“Okay, okay, no teasing,” he said, holding up his hands. “We’ve had a request for a Centaur and a Pegasus.”
Murry bounded around tossing his mane and showing off his horn in response, while I nudged Daddy’s chest again before pointing a hoof to the cage.
“Yes, I had a feeling you’d want to dance in it before the night was through,” Daddy said. “We’ll get there, I promise.”
Well, he was right, but that wasn’t what I had in mind at the moment, so I nudged again and again until Daddy took a closer look at the cage, or rather, what was perched on top of it.
Two gargoyle statues leered down, and with Daddy’s love of gothic things and the way he worked with leather, I could see him creating some seriously badass gear that would allow someone to experience all the joys of pet play as one.
