Locate the stray horses

Morning arrived with chirping birds and a gentle breeze, slowly rousing you from your slumber. Tango stayed asleep a little longer, until you started to run your fingers lightly along her back. "Mmmh... mornin'." Tango smiled, propping herself up a bit to lay atop you. "I worried it was all a dream, I'm glad last night was real. I suppose we should get back on the search, though. We don't want to miss 'em if they actually did go into the canyon and need to get out again."

"Too bad that we can't just stay here and I could massage you all day." Your fingers ran along her shoulder blades, then along her sides.

Tango shuddered, it almost felt like you were challenging something inside her. "W-well... if you wanted, then... you just have to say, and I'll stay still how you want while you touch me in any way you want..."

You chuckled a little, and kissed Tango's forehead. "Tempting, but you're right. It's important to finish our work out here, we'll have more time in the future. Tori likes you a lot, so I don't think it'll be the last time we get an opportunity to do things like this. I'll give you all sorts of commands another time, okay? Let's get camp cleaned up first."

With a nod, Tango unzipped the sleeping bag, grabbing the clothes that rested on the rocky ground next to the sleeping bag, shaking everything off as she dressed again. You followed suit, getting back into yesterday's attire. You really felt like you needed a shower, but you'd just have to grit through that for a little while longer. Tango and you worked quickly to make sure everything was packed again. "Thanks for our special night, Pete. It's always a little different when I share control with Tori, but any command you want, I'll make sure she does it for you, any time." With a wink, she glowed purple, and moments later, Tori stood next to Tsunami Tango once more, resting her hand on the horse.

Tori blinked, realizing it was morning. "Wait, did..." She turned to you, looking at you quizzically. "You and Tango? She really needed the attention, huh?"

"She did," you confirmed. Tori grinned widely.

"I can feel all those little moments where I'm assuming you gave her a command. Each time you did, it was like you pushed a button of pleasure. She's immensely grateful to you, I'll savor that feeling. Kind of wish I knew what you two did..." Tori winked. "Maybe sometime you'll repeat last night for me? Color me immensely curious. Maybe a little jealous, even though it was done with my body. Ooh, maybe I can grab some memories when I taur things up!"

You and Tori quickly get Tango geared up again with the saddle and bags, and then Tori's blue magic touched the horse, once again returning to her taur shape from yesterday. "...Oh, oh my. What a night! Next time, I want to be there too. Wow, but that hair, that needs to be there too. And right at the end... do you like it when Tango makes me do things for you and I can't help but comply? I might like it, too." You declined to answer, but Tori winked at you all the same.

You and Tori ride off again, heading down the hill and toward the canyon, feeling refreshed for the day. Tori couldn't stop giggling as fractions of memories popped into her head, from everything Tango had done with her body last night. She moved quickly, this time following what looked like tracks that only led one direction with no sign of disturbed grasses and brush leading out of the canyon yet. It wasn't too far to reach the canyon, a couple hours at most. And once the path down to the canyon came into view...

So did the horses!

"Look! That's... that's all of them, I think! They all stayed together." Tori buzzed with excitement, using her equine half to giddily trot down to meet the other horses at the water. "Ah, yeah, that's all of them! Oh, I'm so relieved. It really does make a difference to channel someone with expertise on this. Pete, can you find the walkie talkie? That'll make things easier if someone in the search party is in range." Tori could not stop grinning and giggling, as the horses began to look up and glance over at you and Tori. They recognized the body of Tsunami Tango, and the face and torso of Tori, and that seemed to be enough for them as they trotted over to examine the newcomer.

You looked in one of the bags, pulling out a large walkie talkie with an extending antenna, something with some real heft to the signal. Clicking it on, you listened for a moment to static, before you handed the device to Tori. "Victoria Ward to Laredo, anyone out and about this fine morning?"

You two listened to some static for some time, as the remainder of the horses gathered around you and Tori. It seemed that Tango's seniority took precedence in the wild. Maybe they weren't out searching yet? You figured they would be, given how critical these horses were to the ranch.

Eventually, the radio clicked. "Tori? It's Jeremy from Tanner Ranch. Something wrong? Problems with Tango? Linda said you took her out yesterday, she sounded kinda worried when she didn't hear back."

"Negative, Jeremy, no problems. We've located Laredo's horses near Echo Canyon, the southern bend. Do you know if there's a road nearby?"

The walkie-talkie fell into a soft static for a while as you waited. The radio clicked back on, and you could hear the rustling of a map. "Echo Canyon... yep, okay. There's a forest service road due east, it's about seven miles away but it's your best shot. You're not going to try to herd them yourself with Tango, are you? You're a great vet, but herding's another matter y'know."

Tori glanced around at the company surrounding her, armed with Tango's knowledge for how to get a horse to follow her. "I think we'll be fine, thanks Jeremy. Can you call Laredo and have him meet us there with the trailers? Otherwise, we've got a long trek."

"You got it, Tori. Nice job."

As Tori began to travel, starting slowly and whistling to signal the other horses, the group began to move in sync with Tori. When it wasn't you issuing commands, Tori and Tango seemed to revel in that authority she had over the others, her feisty energy coming back as she looked over her shoulder at you. "Look at us, some real search-and-rescue heroes!"

Other than a few little hiccups where Tori had to maneuver her taur body back to keep the cluster of horses together, the group moved through the fields and hills without further incident. When you reached a gravel road and another small pond, Tori slowed the group to a halt again. "I think it's time to end the channeling, Laredo wouldn't be too far off from us. We need it to look like we're just riding normally, I don't want to have to answer questions about centaurs." With a giggle, Tori turned to you, and pulled you forward into a kiss. "Hey, uh. Don't forget about last night. Tango and I truly wouldn't mind a repeat someday. I think she might be smitten with you!" Tori glowed again, and you watched as she appeared next to Tango, patting the horse's side.

"You wanna ride her for a bit?" you asked Tori, but she shook her head as she took one of the sleeping bags off the pack.

"I'm fine," Tori said. "I think she'll be happy with you guiding her forward anyway. I'll hop on Pepperoni For Breakfast." With her makeshift saddle and a little help from you and Tango to lift Tori up, she seated herself on Pepperoni. You spurred Tango forward, and she obediently complied, walking alongside the road, side by side with Tori.