Christmas with centaurs

Brandy explained that centaurs have their own Christmas spirit, a helper of Father Christmas believed to have been their own winter spirit before being assimilated into Christmas. Her name was Kunama, a chremileo centauress who places presents in the saddle bags of good centaur children and leaves manure for the bad kids. A mare from the herd often dresses up as Kunama in blue fluffy robes with silvery embroidered snowflakes to distribute gifts. She has to be careful not to accidentally relieve herself anywhere. However, they might choose to do so outside the caravans of known troublemakers.

Yong foals have a habit of relieving their bowls anywhere, like a horse. This is harmless when on the move can be unsanitary when stopped and frowned upon in modern society. Parents will often encourage foals to clean up after themselves or to use the toilets when stopped for family gatherings and celebrations. Using the fear that they might be seen as bad kids if another foal mistakes their own mess for one left by Kunama.

It was Merrie’s turn to be Kunama this Christmas, so with your and Brandy’s help, she got dressed in the costume and went out late at night to distribute presents. “I have a particularly nasty load locked and loaded for that Turner kid.” She remarked as she left, tapping her rump.

“Ewe, Mum.” Brandy said in disgust.

“I gave her some of my pickled herring to eat earlier.” Marnie remarked.

“Ewe” You and Brandy replied.

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You awoke to the sounds of joy and delight. All around the encampment were children walking up on Christmas morning to find presents in the saddlebags.

Then came the mocking of laughing and cries of “Turner got dung!” and other similar phrases spreading the news in the herd that Turner had been marked as a bad kid by a pile of excrement next to his saddle bag.

You got up and had a quick breakfast with Brandy, Marnie and Merrie. You each had gifts to open before Christmas Lunch. It was centaur tradition for the herd to gather outside, set up tables and each bring food to share and gifts to exchange. This was done around mid day. Mornings were for the people inside your caravan, your mother and siblings and any specific guests. The afternoon was for the herd. The herd leader, the other members of your extended family and any guests.

You helped Merrie cook a vegetable stew and gather the presents for the other families. When you went out to set up the table it was wonderful to watch all the adults working together while the kids ran and played with their new toys.

The meal was fantastic. There was plenty of food of all kinds, mostly Christmas staples: turkey, roast potatoes, pigs in blankets (sausage wrapped in bacon), roast parsnips, steamed vegetables and Brussel sprouts. Then came the dessert: Christmas cake, Christmas pudding, Yule Log, mince pies and trifle. There was wine, beer, cider (the alcoholic kind), cola, lemonade, water and squash.

Brandy ate so much she ended up looking pregnant, her equine belly bulging. Marnie was happy to see that among the Christmas food was freshly caught trout and smoked salmon. You went for your favourites with second helpings of dessert.

When everyone had had plenty to eat, but most were still finishing, Yarraman stood up and raised his glass of cider. “A toast, to a very merry Christmas!” His voice boomed over the tables.

“Merry Christmas!” Everyone cheered and took a swig of their drink.

“Now,” Yarraman drew the attention back to him. “As most of you know, My darling Brandy has decided to start a herd and get married to two beautiful young ladies, she has been living and studying with at University. I am very proud of her. She proposed in the human tradition on Halloween; and it will shortly, once Fudge has stopped stuffing his face...” everyone turned to see a small grey pony centaur loading his plate with a 4th helping of Christmas pudding with a side of mince pies. “...be time for us to follow the centaur tradition and build the soon-to-be herd leader a caravan. As we know a proposal on a holiday is bound to result in a large and happy herd and Brandy has managed to do that twice. I hear she also plans to follow the Mermaid tradition of raft building in the Easter time so that’s triple the luck.” He ended his speech with a swig of his drink. The gathering erupted into chests, claps and the sound of stomping hooves of approval.

Many hands make light work and as a guest and one of the people getting engaged you only had to contribute minor details. It was not long before a large caravan with turquoise fabric and side panels was created. Brandy led you inside. It has one large comfy looking bed at the back. It has a kitchen with storage cupboard and a small wood burning oven and gas powered stove top. A reservoir hidden as a top cupboard held water for running through the taps and toilet that collected in a septic tank below. Outside hand a pump to refill the reservoir and window boxes to grow plants. There was a table in the middle with a bench down one side, the other open with a rug for Brandy to lay on. It was perfect.

“A herd leader’s caravan is meant to be pulled by the herd leader but we have modified the design to work on the road and be pulled by a car if needed.” Yarraman explained.

You enjoy the rest of Christmas day and your first night together cuddles up in the new caravan. Brandy in the middle with you and Marnie on either side. You stayed with the herd till new year, Brandy movie the caravan through the new forest as the herd moved. You sold the centaur box as you now had the caravan.

You kept the caravan parked at your Uni house. It was cosy but the house was warmer and had hot water. The three of you worked hard through the spring term. Learning and studying for your final exams in summer.