Blue satin shimmered with a lazy swish of his long, dragon-like tail. Paisley prints framed the ripe swell of his pregnant belly, the thin material hugging so tantalizingly to his wide hips as they descended to a pair of purple hooves which creaked across the polished floorboards. 

“Oh my,” said Bantur, his hand thrust into the curve of his lower back. “The natives are restless this evening.” The djinn laughed, his voice a high, clear tinkling, like a silver bell. “I sure could have used some help out there, brother.”

Seated on a plush stool, a second djinn sat. One shapely leg crossed over the other, Sashur faced the small mirror sitting on the vanity and ran a silver comb through his long, dark hair. The familiar golden pin sat on the wooden counter, its jingling bauble glinting in the light of the arcane cubes which bathed the brothers’ room with a pale, yellow light. He was clad, much like his brother, in a robe of red satin. His belly, a small hump which swelled over his lap, was warm with the first patterings of new life. Sashur said nothing, his gaze riveted to the mirror. His golden eyes were hollow as he ran the comb down his hair. 

“Brother?” said Bantur. “I’m speaking to you. Did you not hear me?”

There came a sharp click as Sashur slammed the comb down. His black lips were pressed together into a thin, bloodless line as his normally elegant face was contorted into a scowl. 

“I heard you, brother,” he growled. “All too well.”

Bantur’s ears parted, swivelling forward. “And what, might I ask, has gotten into you?”

Sashur spun around on the stool, his eyes like molten gold as he fixed a hot gaze on his brother. “You know all too well. Don’t feign ignorance with me.”

“Oh? You mean how I ate the last of the eclairs?” Bantur grinned and cupped his swollen belly. Through the folds of his robe, his distended navel appeared. The silver ring glittered yellow, affixed with the shard of raw jet, blacker than midnight. “Well, if you wanted it you should have said so. Besides, I’m eating for two, you know.”

“I know, damnit,” snapped Sashur with such venom that his brother winced. His hand came to his belly, his fingers kneading the small hump of his pregnant middle. “I’m expecting too. But, that’s not what this is about.”

Bantur crossed the rug and sat down on the edge of the bed. Springs howled beneath his gravid weight as he fell to his side. Tucking his hooves up to his buttocks, the djinn drew his legs up, his tail coming to curl around him like a cat as he regarded his twin. “Brother, please, what has gotten into you?”

Sashur sighed, his gaze turning to the fireplace where the leaping flames popped and crackled. “Ammah,” he said.

“And what of our sweet cousin?” replied Bantur.

Sashur whirled from the flames, his eyes fever bright. Fresh tears sparkled from the corners of his eyes as his voice rose into a screech. “Last week, you went and saw him by yourself.” He balled his fists, pounding his full, soft thighs as a judge would bang his gavel. “You went and had your dalliance with him and you didn’t think to invite me.” Tears were streaming freely down his mocha cheeks, glimmering like diamonds in the soft light. 

“Is that what this is about?” Bantur rolled his eyes. “Honestly, brother, you must learn to control your jealousy.”

“Jealousy?” Sashur was on his hooves. His fists trembled at his sides. Hot tears dribbled to the floor boards, beading up as he stomped over the rug. “Jealousy? I’m the one carrying his baby, Bantur, not you? Why do you get to see him and not me?”

Bantur’s golden eyes narrowed. He snatched up the pillow from the bed and hurled at his brother, striking him full in the face. Sashur let out a squawk and stumbled back. 

“Enough!” cried the djinn. “Quit your whining, Sashur. You couldn’t go because you had your meeting here, remember? And how was the little soiree? 

Sashur crossed his slender arms. His lower lip stuck out in a pout, ebon flesh glistening wetly. His ears drooped as he looked down at the pillow. “It was fine,” he muttered. Giving the pillow a swift kick, he then added, “We had many new members who, I should add, have certainly made plenty of future members.”

“So a success,” replied Bantur. He rolled his back, his hands to his belly. “Wonderful news, indeed.” His fingers flew to the sash on his robe. Tugging the knot, he let the flimsy garment spill open. His belly rose, a great chocolate pearl peaked by the glittering ring. His breasts wobbled, bloated with fresh milk, while two dark peaks stood rigid from his bumpy areolas. The scents of spices and vanilla, cinnamon and rose, mingling with the djinn’s own musk wafted gently through the room. “Why don't you come over here and celebrate with me?”

The cloying aroma tingled Sashur’s nostrils. His cock twitched, coming to life with the promise of the rich treasures which lie between Bantur’s jiggling mounds. The heavily gravid djinn struggled to his hands and knees, his rump thrust out, inviting his brother to partake. But, in spite of the display, Sashur shook his head. 

“Really?” Bantur’s eyes widened. “Surely, you are not ill, brother? It’s not like you to refuse.”

“My heart is just not in it tonight, Bantur,” said Sashur. The djinn came to sit on the edge of the bed, his hands dangling between his knees.  

“Go see him.” Bantur rose to his knees. He draped his arms around his brother’s neck. His pregnant belly nudged against Sashur’s side, the flutter of new life pressing into the djinn’s ribs. “I know what you truly want, Sashur. Go see Ammah, tonight if possible.”

Sashur’s ears pricked up. “Do you mean it, brother?”

Bantur’s lips met his in a soft kiss. “Of course,” replied. “Go see Ammah. I’ll find one of the other members to keep me entertained this evening.”

Sashur bounded to his hooves, his face splitting into a wide grin that flashed every fang in his head. “Oh, oh yes,” he chirped. “I-I should, right away.” He clapped his furry claws, hopping from one hoof to another. “Oh, what should I wear?”

“How about what you have,” giggled his brother. 

“Uh, yes, I can do that.” Sashur wrung his hands. His ears twitched as his gaze darted about the room. “Oh, dinner! I can take him to dinner and then, perhaps a lovely suite at that hotel in town? Yes,” he cried. “Yes, that would be perfect. I’ll call him right away.”

[center]***[/center]

“Hello,” I answered. “ Sashur? Is that you?”

I stood in the middle of my darkened living room. Lit by the glare of the television, my chocolate skin glowed a bluish silver. I had changed out of my work clothes and now wore little more than a pair of short, black athletic shorts and a sports bra to hold up my ever increasing bust. My clawed hand was clasped to my swollen belly as I held the phone to my ear. 

“Dinner?” I squeaked. “Oh my, how could I refuse?” Especially since my fridge was currently empty. “Where are we going? Meet you at the corner of Elm and Picaresque? I know the area, yes. What’s that? Dress nice? I can do that, see you then, cousin.”

I tapped the screen and the phone went dark. Setting my phone down, I looked at my belly and smiled. 

“We’re going out,” I said to my gravid hump. I gave my swollen middle a loving caress. “Oh dinner sounds fantastic.” I clapped my clawed hands together. “Oh, I need something to wear. Hmm, Sashur said to dress nicely.” My ears swiveled up and down as I tapped my cheek. Suddenly, Iet out a sharp cry. “I know! I have just the dress. I never had a chance to wear it. I just hope it fits.”

The sun was sinking fast over the horizon of the glimmering skyscrapers when my hooves clicked smartly on the glittering, mithril veined sidewalk. Overhead, the streetlights with their sconces of orange crystals had flickered to life with the fading of the sunlight. I had not quite reached my destination, maybe a block away, when I suddenly stopped. 

“I do hope that I didn’t overdo it,” I muttered. 

Beside me, a closed down shop offered me its expansive picture window and to this I turned. A djinn peered back at me, my own reflection, though I hardly recognized myself. My long, dark hair spilled down my back, tied up in a series of fat braids. I painted my lips a vibrant gold, the color standing out from my chocolate skin, along with the dusting of gold eyeshadow that made my eyes pop out like swirling pools of molten gold. A faint covering of powder made my button nose almost pink. My gaze wandered down to the swell of my full breasts, wobbling freely within the confines of my dress. It was a black, sequined affair, shimmering like a million diamonds in the glow of the nearby streetlight. My pregnant belly strained against the thin material, every curve on loving display. I slowly turned, a bloom of crimson flushing my cheeks when I saw how my fat ass bulged in the back. My back was bared, my tail swishing freely just above the V where the material came together above my ass. 

“Oh dear,” I said, clutching my handbag. It was a handbag, not a purse. I have said before, only women carried purses. “I didn’t realize this dress left so little to the imagination.”

I pushed my glasses back up the bridge of my nose and gulped. No time to go back now. I hope I did not keep Sashur waiting. My purple hooves scuffed the glittering concrete as I rounded the corner to stand before a building of fine, white adobe. The windows were of a dark, heavy oak, the glass criss crossed with veins of lead, lending it that look of an old tavern or inn. My heart instantly fell to my hooves as I read the name of the restaurant aloud.

“The White Pine!” I whimpered. “Sashur, are you serious?”

The “White Pine” was one of most prestigious eateries in town, a four-star restaurant. My poor wallet let out a death knell from within my bag as my ears drooped to my shoulders. 

“Oh, there’s no way I can afford this,” I whined. I looked down at my belly with a frown. “I guess it’s going to be mineral water and breadsticks for us.”

My belly gave a small, forlorn kick, causing me to place my hand over my swollen middle. 

“Well, guess I better go inside.”

Pushing open the heavy oak door, I slumped into the foyer. The floor was over smooth, grey stone, the mortar inlaid with crystal dust. Above me, a chandelier of raw bronze hung, blazing with crystals of red, blue, green and yellow, casting a scintillating array of colors over the room as I trudged up to the maitre d’. He was an amphibian, his skin a slick green that reflected the light above. His large, goggling eyes regarded me as little more than a piece of street flotsam as I staggered up to the podium.

“Reservation?” he rumbled in a dry croak. 

“Uh,” I stammered. Sweat prickled the back of my neck. My eyes darted around, searching for any sign of my cousin. “Um, that is…”

“Do you have a reservation?” he croaked again. The frogman tapped his slippery finger on the guestbook, his wide mouth set into a grimace of disdain.

Drumming my fingers on my bag, I sputtered, “Um, uh, I… Well…”

“Your name?”

My ears pricked up, “My name? A-Ammah, Ammah Aldaroon.”

“I do not see your--” the frogman started, but was quickly cut off by a sudden cry from the door. 

“Ho there! The reservation is under Sashur Aldaroon.”

“Ah, Master Sashur,” the amphibious maitre d’ smiled. “It’s good to see you.”

Turned to see Sashur, clad in his familiar red robe. His round belly peaked out from the folds of satin, the gold ring in his navel, with its sparkling diamond, swirled with every color of the rainbow. The djinn flew to my side, taking my arm in his. 

“I do hope that you were not giving my dear cousin too much trouble,” he said to the frogman. 

To my surprise, the amphibian actually quailed beneath my cousin’s withering gaze. 

“O-Oh, was this one with you?” he croaked. “Do forgive me, I had not seen the family resemblance.” He scooped up two leather bound menus and smiled. “Um, please, right this way.”

“Sashur, how did--” I began. 

“The club does well,” he replied. “And it affords me some degree of renown.”

Taking me by the arm, Sashur led me through the winding labyrinth of tables. The patrons around us were dressed in the kinds of clothes I only read about in romance novels. Suits of fine cotton, dresses of silk and satin. Lace erupted from throats, ties of a higher thread count than my bed sheets shimmered from the table lights to mingle with pearls, diamonds and rubies. 

“Sashur, I don’t think I can afford this,” I whispered. 

“Nonsense,” he replied. “You aren’t spending a dime. This is my treat. Let no one say that I ever let my date pay for anything.”

A date? A blush rose on my cheeks. How long had it been since I was taken to some place this fancy, treated like a princess? Well, if Sashur was volunteering to pay, who was I to argue? The maitre d’ ushered us to a small two topper nestled beside an actual white pine. The rough bark of the trunk ascended into the ceiling and gave off a pleasant odor. The table was polished wood and adorned with two crystal wax candles which burned with a soft, silver light. 

“Enjoy,” he croaked, placing the menus down before us. 

Not long after the amphibian had scuttled off, a slender vulpentine materialized from the gloom. The scales of his fox face glistened in the candlelight as he smiled cheerfully. His starched white shirt and black tie was crisp and neat as the waiter bowed. 

“Good evening,” he said. “Can I recommend a drink?”

“Soda please,” said Sashur. He patted his belly. “Alcohol would not be good for the two of us right now.”

“Of course,” the waiter replied. “I will be back to take your order.”

My pregnant belly bumped against the edge of the table, forcing me to lean forward. My milk heavy breasts flopped onto the table, wobbling like two brown gelatin molds. 

“This isn’t exactly dignified,” I said, my ears drooping a little. “Um, me and tables don’t get along right now.”

Sashur chuckled, his hand covering his purple lips. “Well, cousin, it certainly has garnered you some attention.

“Me?” I squeaked. I looked around, but could see little more than the faint traces of figures in the gloom. “Oh, I can’t imagine anyone is paying attention to me.”

“What? Nonsense,” said Sashur. “Why, you’re the most beautiful one here.”

Me? Beautiful? My face blossomed bright crimson. A small smile crept across my lips. “Oh now, you can’t mean that.” I tugged on one of my braids. 

Sashur leaned across the table, his hand gently falling on top of mine. For an instant, a faint thrill raced up my arm, causing the heat to bloom on my cheeks.  When I looked up, I beheld his soft golden gaze, his eyes piercing me to the very core. 

“Ammah,” he whispered. “You’re a goddess.”

My free hand came up to clutch at my breast as my eyes grew wide. “S-Sashur,” I stammered. 

Above him, the boughs of the pine hung with globes of blue glass, twinkling like Christmas ornaments. My heart thudded in my chest. This was like one of those dates I only ever read about. The handsome protagonist casts his affections on the sweet, innocent damsel. Slowly, he coaxes her into revealing herself, then the pair would soon join in a hot, scintillating embrace. Oh, I do love  good romance. But wait, this was no novel from the dusty shelves of my shop! Sashur was real, I was real! I gulped, finding my lip quivering. This was all happening so fast. Luckily, the moment was broken by the return of the waiter. The vulpentine sat two flutes of a clear, bubbling liquid down on the table. With a frenzied swipe, I snatched up the glass, downing the entire concoction in one swallow. 

“Mmm, vanilla,” I mumbled before thrusting the empty glass back to the waiter. “I-I’ll have another.”

“Thirsty, Ammah?” laughed Sashur. He opened up the menu and began to wander down the cream colored page.

My fingers numb, I groped and fumbled for the menu. Opening the leather bound flap, I scanned over the items. My ears fell as I squinted over my glasses. “I don’t know what any of this is.”

“Oh, just pick anything you like,” replied my cousin.

“Um, I don’t know,” I said with a giggle. I scratched my cheek, my mouth curling into a crooked grin. “I usually don’t eat anything fancier than pizza.”

The look Sashur gave me would have turned a basilisk to stone. The djinn snapped the menu shut and handed it to the waiter. “I’ll have the duck and my poor deprived cousin is going to have your best. All of it.”

“A-All of it?” I stammered. 

The waiter bowed and retreated with a smile on his scaly face. “Of course, right away.”

I would soon learn that all of it consisted of over five courses. The waiter returned, baring two silver platters heaped with roasted duck in a thick, syrupy orange glaze. The smell made me drool as I gazed upon the golden-brown skin surrounded by tiny roasted potatoes. 

“Now Ammah,” I heard Sashur say. “This is one of their signature dishes. You should really take your time and savor each-- Good lord! Did you eat it already?”

I turned up from my empty plate, my cheeks puffy with sweet, juicy meat that rolled off my tongue and slid effortlessly into my belly. “Rut? Ish good.”

Sashur’s face paled at my apparent lack of table manners. Hey, don’t invite a pregnant djinn to dinner if you don’t want to see me inhale everything on the table. “R-Right,” he said. “Um, someone bring out the next dish.”

The next plate was a heavenly piece of fish. Salmon, I think. The herb coating was slightly spicy and had a bitter after taste that washed down well with the vanilla soda water at my elbow. 

“Oh, this is wonderful,” I gasped. “Get me another.”

Sashur picked at his food, his gaze riveted on me. “You’re like one of those stuffing fetish types.”

“Anymore and I might just pop out of this dress,” I chuckled. 

A sly grin curled his lips. “Mmm, don’t tempt me, Ammah.”

I blushed, biting my finger as I looked away. My distended belly gurgled and I ran my finger down the tight swell of my stuffed middle. Goosebumps broke out along my rich, chocolate skin as I relished in the delight of being so wonderfully full. My tongue running languidly across my golden lips, I moaned, still tasting the bitter tang of the salmon.

“Sashur.” The name was a breathless whisper upon my lips. “I want you to feed me.”

The waiter placed down the next course. My cousin, with a suddenly tentative hand, picked up his fork and thrust into the plate. It was rigatoni or tortellini or porcini or one of those noodle things that was like spaghetti, but not. Anyway, it was soaked in a lemony sauce that was just to die for. Sashur twirled his fork, raising a fat pile up to my greedy lips. My jaws parted and I twined my tongue around a single delicate strand. Our eyes met in the dim glow of the candlelight. I wrapped my lips around his rigid fork, pulling back, leaving it bare as I slowly swallowed his precious load. 

“Mmm, more,” I groaned.

More would come. Sashur brought the steaming pasta to my mouth and I was quick to slurp it all down. The fluttering of contentment kicked against my ribs, telling me that I was not the only one to enjoy this meal. My tail wagged behind me. I could not help but to grin like an idiot. Oh, it was all such a magical time. My belly growled, straining painfully against my dress. Every movement would cause the tight fabric to rub on my sensitive skin, making tingles rise up my bare back. My claws fell to my belly, so heavy and full. I did not think that I could eat another bite. Then came a wonderful ham coated in a thick glaze. The sweetness of the sugary brown syrup mingles so well with the saltiness of the meat. Sashur sliced a large hunk from the white, slick bone, raising the dripping meat to my quivering lips. My white fangs tore into the succulent flesh, the dripping fat oozing between my teeth as I bit into the tender morsel. Juices streamed down my chin, pooling between my heaving breasts and I cared nought who saw me. 

“You want to taste the bone?” he asked. 

My lips wrapped around the white bone, suckling the marrow as I turned my soft, golden eyes to Sashur. My tongue lolled from my mouth, circling the dripping tip as I sighed, lost in utter contentment. Gnawing my lower lip for an instant, I suddenly kissed the tip of the ham bone. Sashur’s eyes smoldered in the gloom and saw the glimmer of arousal in his gaze.

“I haven’t eaten this well in ages,” I purred. I swallowed another mouthful, my belly straining, easily doubling in size as I shovelled everything into my face. “Oh, but you have to try this. It’s so--”

A fat chunk fell right on my heaving breast. A thin stream of shining glaze ran down my brown skin to leave behind a syrupy trail. Sashur leaned forward, picking the errant piece from my bosom. 

“Not bad,” he said, sticking the hunk of ham into his mouth. “Oh, but what a mess you’ve made.”

His muzzle found my tender flesh, his lips grazing my skin as he licked the sweet syrup from my breast. My mouth hung open, bits of half-chewed meat clinging to my teeth. Not exactly the most attractive, but what did I care? 

Sashur rose, licking his lips, his eyes bright. Meanwhile, I was reclining into my creaking chair, claws on my swollen, full belly. 

“Ah, that was satisfying,” I sighed, but I was not speaking of the food. Delicious it may have been, but I was beginning to hunger for something a tad more filling. Well, until the waiter came bearing a tray of quiche.

“The next course,” the waiter said. His face was the color of raw clay as he sat  the next plate down on the table in front of me. 

A rich aroma of fresh butter and flaky crust wafted to my nostrils. I placed a sticky claw to my wet breast, still slick with the juices of that ham. “Oh, more.”

“Ammah,” my cousin chuckled. “Have you not had enough?”

“Enough?” I mumbled through a mouth full of buttery quiche. “No, Sashur, I could never have enough.” But, I was looking at him when I spoke. My belly ached, but not for the quiche which tickled my palate. “Feed me, cousin. I hunger so.”

“I think, Ammah,” he laughed. “That you may have had enough.”

The spell broke. My ears flattened as I scowled at my cousin. “Are you calling me fat?” I sat up, my heavy, gravid belly thumping on the table. “Because I’ll have you know--”

[i]Rip![/i]

I stopped in mid sentence. My face instantly drained of color. My jaw fell as my gaze wandered to the seam where my dress joined at my wide, motherly hip. A tear had formed in the thin material. My fat, bloated belly had grown so full that my clothes really were bursting! I turned back to Sashur, my lower lip trembling as if to speak. But, the evil creature only giggled with an impish grin on his face. He clapped his clawed hand to his mouth, his golden eyes sparkling. 

“Oh my, I think everyone here is about to see you pop out of that dress,” he said. “I’m sorry, cousin, but I should have warned you sooner.”

I sat down with a heavy thump. My ears drooped as my lips curled into a frown. I slumped back in the chair feeling so utterly dejected. Seeing the empty platters stacked up before me, I suddenly felt like such a fat, dopey fool. Here I was in a classy establishment acting like some boob. My eyes began to mist over when I felt Sashur tug my wrist. 

“Oh come now,” he said gently. “Don’t be like that, cousin. Come on, I think we’ve had enough of dinner. Let’s go for a little stroll.” He took my arm, helping me up from the chair, which I believe was more than grateful to be shed of me. 

“Where are we going?” I asked as the cool night breeze hit my face. 

We were standing out on the sidewalk. Above us, the moons careened across a sky like black felt. The stars twinkled back at us, a million diamonds set in an endless sea. Sashur was on my elbow, the djinn was barely able to contain his mirth as he dragged me down the sidewalk. 

“Come on, Ammah,” he cried. “I know just where to go.”

“W-Where is that?” I asked. 

“I’m not telling,” he laughed. “But trust me, you’ll love it.”

