Understated for a duke...

...which means lavish as all hell compared to anyone save the royal family. If there isn't a bathtub sized punch bowl at the reception then you're not even trying.

Ariane recruited Linne as one of her bridesmaids. She's not expected to help out very much since she's almost due, but Ariane said she'd be even more nervous if Linne wasn't there backing her up. In fact all but one of the bridesmaids are cataurs because Ariane wanted to give them all a chance in the limelight. A freshly transformed Chantel is the maid of honor, with Reine, Linne, Juliette, Sarine and Melody as the other bridesmaids.

The duke didn't find a snow leopard in time, plus Reine eventually brought him around to her point of view. So Reine is the odd one out, a feisty foxtaur among the cataurs. She's very proud of her new red hair and her dainty black 'stockings' of fur. She's easily one of the pickiest girls you've changed, demanding little tweaks to her face, her hair, her chest and her coat. It paid off though - she's very pleased with how she looks and it shows whenever she moves or smiles. You know the duke is very pleased too.

Juliette and Sarine are two girls you transformed for the army. The cavalry wanted some different 'taurs to go along with their new centaurs and they're quite pleased with these two. The cavalry commander, Lord Isander, is so pleased with Juliette that you think another wedding is already in the making. Both girls are rough and tumble, with Sarine an out and out tomboy. They love their powerful, fast bodies and have become great hunters. Cataurs do eat more than regular troops, but that's counterbalanced when they go out and hunt deer and boar.

Melody is the third cataur you transformed and a quieter girl, much more like Linne and Ariane. She's the mistress of lord Rolente. Unusually it was Melody who asked to be transformed. She's always been a cat lover and the moment she saw Linne she started begging lord Rolente. Not that he's complained - if she's like Linne then all the extra energy Melody picked up from the transformation probably makes her a demon in bed.

The wedding itself is relatively simple. You were asked to lead Ariane down the aisle since no one knows where her real father is and you're the one who created her current form. From your place in the ceremony you get to see that Linne and a few other cataurs are unable to contain their excitement, stepping from foot to foot to try and use up their nervous energy. Reine tries her best to stay still and look cool but supportive, but her big fox tail just won't stop swishing. That's a secret gift you gave to the duke - since Reine is such a cunning girl you decided to give her a tell by making sure her tail has a mind of its own.

Out in the crowd you see a lot of interested faces. A lot of nobles are taking note, since if a duke can marry a cataur then anyone could. You were already dealing with a lot of requests for cat, fox, dog and centaurs. This wedding isn't going to reduce their popularity.

After much cheering there's the reception, complete with not one but two massive half-barrels full of punch. There are endless people offering Ariane congratulations, there are lots of nobles interested in Juliette and Sarine, since those two haven't been seen around town as much. You smirk when Lord Isander has to plant himself between the two army cataurs to ward off interested young noblemen.

Once the booze starts affecting people you get a few interesting questions. One is from Mallia, a young maid, who asks 'hypothetically' about centaur foals and what would happen if a human girl ended up carrying one. Thanks to your magic you can tell she's slightly pregnant, so you bet you'll be seeing her later.

Another is from a drunken lord, asking about whether you've ever thought of crossing girls with ermines or squirrels. You tell him you're not sure those would look good, considering how much you'd have to enlarge the animal body, and try to move on.

There's a serving girl who you know is something of a professional mistress who asks about the costs of changing a girl. Looks like she's between clients and perhaps thinking of upping her game by adopting one of these new, popular forms. If you can't beat 'em...

Still, the high point of the reception for you is when Reine says she's heard that touching a pregnant cataur's belly is good luck for girls hoping for a child of their own. This is made up of course, but that doesn't stop Ariane from giving Linne a big hug. So close to giving birth Linne is finally looking at least a little pregnant, with her flanks rounded out and her belly hanging a little closer to the floor.

But Ariane doesn't pat Linne's side. Instead she rubs Linne's still taut stomach though Linne's dress. That's enough to make your wife spasm and lose the power to speak. She's turning red with all the attention.

Reine smoothly moves in beside Linne and rubs her flank, telling Ariane, "I think you have to do it like this."

Chantel, proving she's got a naughty streak just like Reine, moves to Linne's other side and rubs her other flank, saying, "Oh, like this?"

Linne sputters and asks, "Oh, oh no, are you both trying to get pregnant?"

Reine grins and continues rubbing Linne's belly as she says, "Whoops, I guess it could be taken that way." She keeps on stroking Linne's side and sighs dramatically, "Oh well, what's done is done."

Ariane gives Linne another hug and says, "Sorry about my sisters, they're terrible."

But you don't think Linne minds all that much, being trapped between a foxtaur and two cataurs. Getting petted like this has her tail snapping from side to side.