The next term story: A Spooky engagement

It was the start of the final year and coming up to Halloween. You had been trying to find a good costume that didn’t fall under cultural appropriation. Most of the classic monster stories turned out to be prejudice against a particular group or the story of a single individual with a birth defect or disease. Zombies, serial killers/slasher movie villains, pumpkins and Aliens were all safe. Witches and pirates were real, but their costumes were far from the truth. Superheroes and other fictional characters were very popular.

The three of you were officially together as a thruple and had been since before The End party before the summer. Over the summer, you had brought a larger bed you could all lie on.

You settled on a zombie making rips into an old top with some fake blood and makeup, with ripped jeans.

Brandy and Marnie were going with a joint dullahan costume. Brandy was wearing a fake horse hat that covered her torso and arms. Marnie sat side saddle with a long Victorian-style skirt over her tail with fake feet sticking out. Her head was sticking out of a fake chest with a fake stump on fake shoulders and an oversized blouse. She had one hand holding her head and the other a fake spinal cord.

You were going to a party. You had been pre-drinking on the bed, but the time had come to put the finishing touches on your zombie make-up and make your way to the party. Lucky it was within walking distance as you were not in a state to drive, and centaur-suitable taxis were expensive.

You were confused when you arrived at the house. It was set up like a haunted house but it didn’t seem like a party was going on. “I’m sorry to break up the costume before we go in,” Brandy interjected from under her costume. “but could you take Marnie in. I need to find a bush to lift my tail. Those black Russians are going straight through me”

You sympathised with Brandy, not all houses had centaur-friendly toilets. You helped Marnie down, carrying her in your arms. “Are you sure this is the place? It seems dead.” You asked. Marnie laughed at your pun.

“It’s definitely the right place. We might be a little early, but my friend said the door should be open. I texted her when we left. Just go in, and I will catch up.” Brandy explained before trotting off towards the side of the house where there was a hedge that would hide her from the street.

You cradled Marnie as you approached the door. Marnie worked the doorknob, and you stepped into a dark room. There was a flickering light that was just enough to show writing on an old mirror in what looked like blood (fake, obviously). It read “follow the arrows”.

“Oh, I get it.” Marnie said. The house looks quiet because the party is in the back, and the house is to build atmosphere.” She did seem to be right. Following arrows drawn in fake blood on old framed pictures. Lead you towards the garden. As you stepped through the door, you were greeted by cries of “surprise” with shouts of “BOO!”

Marnie screamed, and you shrieked. In the garden was a whole group of people in different costumes. This included Lilly, an acid-spitting blue-scaled dragon with yellow belly scales. Who was not in costume but was in her full dragon form of 35 feet long, rather than use magic to take on the size of a horse. This gave her a very fearsome look.

Standing in the middle was Brandy, although standing was not quite right; she had lowered her front legs into a kind of kneeling position. She had taken off the part of her costume that covered her human half. She was holding something in her hands. “I’m sorry I was deceptive.” She apologised. “I arranged this whole thing. I wanted to make my proposal memorable.” She explained. “Marnie, Carrie, will you marry me in accordance with centaur customs?” She proposed, revealing three rings.

Centaurs traditionally have herds, like horses, with one male and multiple females. Modern culture allows centaurs of any gender to propose and marry to multiple people of any kind and gender. The Legal standing was that at least one centaur had to be involved, and one of the centaurs takes on the role of herd lead, the traditionally male role. This bypasses other laws against polygamy.

“OH MY GODS! YES!” Screamed Marnie in her highest pitch, sweetest tone of voice. She slipped out of your arms and crawled over to Brandy.

“Yes, Yes, Yes!” You added, running over and embracing her.

Brandy lifted Marnie up, standing into a more comfortable position, replacing Marnie on her back. She handed you each a custom engagement ring. Marnie’s had a pattern that resembled scales and horseshoes with an aquamarine stone set in it. Yours had a pattern that resembled horseshoes and footprints with a Jade for your favourite colour. Brandy had one with a pattern that resembled scales and footprints, with an amethyst for her favourite colour.

After lots of gasps and congratulations, a moment that didn’t seem real passed. You were able to breathe again and think clearly. You pulled the pair of them aside for a quick chat. “Brandy, did this really just happen? We’re engaged.” You stammered.

“Oh, I have been planning it for months. I got the rings made over the summer. I know it’s a bit hasty after us officially becoming a couple, but I have been I love with both of you since the swimming pool and was so happy to find that reciprocated. Sure, we all had our own relationships and flings, but it’s Uni, it’s fun. I want this relationship to last after Uni, for the rest of our lives. I hope you don’t mind me being the herd leader; otherwise, I could only agree to marry one of you, and I don’t think I could choose.” She rambled with excited energy.

“I don’t think I could choose either.” You replied.

“I would choose Brandy, but only because she can carry me around more easily.” Marnie replied mostly joking. “Now, are you going to put your costume back on, your ruining mine.” She gave a mock pout. She was so happy, she just wanted to make a point.

“Fine.” Replied Brandy and put the horse costume back on.

The three of you rejoined the party, enjoyed the congratulations and many free drinks. Lily came up to congratulate you. She offered to get her Auntie Thraxa to officiate the wedding. You graciously accepted. Having a dragon officiate would be a high honour.

You all got quite drunk off free drinks. Lily, being the only sobor one, not through lack of trying, ended up looking after people and making sure they got home safely. It would take an entire distillery to get her drunk at her full dragon size. She did have to stop an Aarakocra dressed as Gandalf from taking advantage of a passed-out elf dressed as Snow White. She showed him no mercy, gulping him down in one mouthful and burping so loud she woke the inebriated princess. She came round to a full-size dragon in her face, mouth open with sharp teeth and the stench of whisky on her breath. This caused her to faint once again. Lily ended up flying her to the hospital as the three of you stumbled home. Marnie was clinging to Brandy’s chest, cupping her boobs under the costume as the centaur swayed with each step. You, slightly less drunk. Helped steady Marnie and gently guide Brandy in a roughly straight path to your home.

About halfway there, Brandy simply lifted her tail and relieved herself in the street. Plops of centaur dung and a trickle of urine lay in the road. “They’ll just think it’s a horse.” She stammered.

You knew no one rode horses around here, but there were enough centaurs in the area that it would not be traced back to any particular one. Besides, you were too drunk and happy to argue with her. Once you got home, you wanted to rip off the costumes from the pair of them and show them how happy you were with the engagement. But they were too drunk and just needed sleep. You collapsed on the bed together and fell asleep.