Spread

Chapters

Prologue: The Offer
Chapter 1: The Shoot
Chapter 2: The Reaction
Chapter 3: The Apology
Chapter 4: The Italian Stallion
Chapter 5: The Heat
Chapter 6: The Solo
Chapter 7: The Confession
Chapter 8: The Passion
Chapter 9: The Deal
Chapter 10: The Final Day
Chapter 11: The Surprise
Chapter 12: The Talk
Chapter 13: The Attraction
Chapter 14: The Conversation
Chapter 15: The Walk
Chapter 16: The Reveal
Chapter 17: The Analogy
Chapter 18: The Kiss
Chapter 19: The Release
Chapter 20: The Climax
Chapter 21: The Date
Chapter 22: The Comfort
Chapter 23: The Letter

Prologue: The Offer

Prologue: The Offer

“But Lyra,” Rarity said, trying to hide the desperation in her voice, “surely you haven’t changed your mind about buying a dress for that party.”

“Look, Rarity,” Lyra said, smiling apologetically, “it’s not that I don’t want the dress. I do, I really do. But Bon Bon’s losing business at the candy shop and I just can’t afford it right now.” Lyra was about to leave the Carousel Boutique when Rarity stepped in her way.

“Oh, darling, if price is an issue then I’m sure we can negotiate—”

“Rarity, I’m really sorry. I don’t even think anypony’s going to wear anything for this party. I don’t want to look stupid.” Lyra stepped around Rarity and made her way toward the exit. As she opened the door the little bell on top rang out, a sound Rarity hadn’t heard all day until Lyra had first come in.

“Okay,” Rarity called after her as the door was shutting, “if you change your mind you know where to look!” Too late. The door shut before she could finish her sentence. Rarity groaned in frustration and wanted to kick the door for slamming in her face like that, but she knew it would do no good. A lady must never lose her temper, she reminded herself.

Rarity would be spending this time working on an order, but no new orders had come in in a week. The end of the month was coming up and she didn’t know if she had enough to pay the bills. Well, let’s not fly blind here. I’d better look at the numbers. Rarity gulped as she made her way upstairs to her room, where she kept the books.

She looked at her sales for this month and found the number a lot lower than normal. You’d think more ponies would want to dress up in the middle of summer, when all the parties are going on. Perhaps I should ask Pinkie Pie to throw one, just so everypony in this town will have a reason to shop here.

Now that she had seen how much she had made this month, she flipped over to another page where she kept a list of all of her expenses. She wouldn’t be needing any new materials because she still had plenty unused after this month. The mortgage was non-negotiable. But when she added up all the numbers, Rarity realized that she didn’t have enough to pay both the electricity and the hot water.

I have to give one of those up! she realized in a panic. Okay, Rarity. Just calm down and look at this objectively, like Twilight would do. No electricity means no television, so I can cut that out of my expenses as well. But then I won’t have power to run the sewing machines. I suppose I could ask Twilight to teach me how to heat water with magic. Then I wouldn’t have to pay that expense. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that was what she had to do. She didn’t like the sound of it; she was uncomfortable using magic for anything other than finding gems and other menial tasks.

She considered asking her friends for some money to help her out this month, just this month until things picked up again. But she remembered a conversation she’d had with Applejack about the tough financial times in Ponyville.

“Ah’m barely makin’ any cider sales this summer,” Applejack said, “and that’s the most important item to sell durin’ the summer. I’ve been talkin’ to ponies walkin’ past, and they said they just couldn’t afford to buy ‘luxury items.’ Since when is a good ol’ fashioned beverage a luxury? Tell me at least yer business is doin’ well, so I can feel better about somethin’.”

“Oh, I’m doing fine,” Rarity said, her eyes turning away from Applejack’s. “In fact, if you ever need any help paying the bills, all you have to do is ask.”

“Nah, we’ll manage. The house we’ve owned since Granny Smith was just a filly, so we don’t have a mortgage to worry about. Look, are you sure yer okay? If cider’s a luxury, ah can’t imagine ponies wantin’ to dress up in prissy clothes...no offense.”

Rarity grimaced but hid her discomfort. “No, really, I’m faring well right now. No need to worry about me.”

“Right,” Applejack said flatly. “Well, don’t be spendin’ money ya don’t have. Ah know ya like to buy nice things fer yerself, but try to hold back a little. There ain’t enough money to go around these days.”

“I’ll be careful. Thanks, Applejack.”

“No problem.”

Now Rarity wished she hadn’t been lying, but that’s what she had been telling all her friends. Pinkie wasn’t selling enough goods at the bakery and Fluttershy had less animals to care for, and she had told both of them she could help them out if they needed it. Twilight and Rainbow Dash were on a fixed income, so they weren’t hurting quite as much. But Rarity didn’t want to impose anything on Twilight, and there was no way in hell she’d ever want to borrow money from Rainbow Dash.

If only there was some way to make some extra money... Suddenly Rarity remembered a letter she had gotten a few weeks ago that might be the solution to her problem. She rummaged through her nightstand to find it and read it again. It had come from Photo Finish and was written in horrendously bad English, which was clearly not her first language. The offer she had made to Rarity had sounded ridiculous when she first got it, but now it seemed like the only way out.

Dear Miss Rarity,

How’s ze fashion going for you? I know Fluttershy couldn’t make it as a model, but I know she tried ridiculous hard to help you. Ah, but zat was so long ago.

Back when ze money times were good, I got an offer from a ridiculous good magazine asking me to do a photo shoot in Canterlot with you as ze star. So excited I was zat zis letter I had to write. But ze magazine it not be the type you might want.

Zey tell me the offer still stands and you can take as long as it takes to decide. Just remember ze fame and ze fashion and you could become a star! And I leading you there, such a dream come true!

Okay, but it wouldn’t be fair for me not to be warning you. Ze magazine is Playcolt, so you’d have to be super sexy to make zem happy, but that should be no problem for you, ja? I blew it not making you a model, so zis may be a chance for ze comeback, no?

Please to be writing back either way. Fame is just a few photos away! Just be sure to make ze magic if you say ja.

Stay fabulous, darling!

PF

Rarity had been so excited to do the photo shoot until she saw that it would have to be for Playcolt. She’d never actually bought a copy of the magazine, but knew perfectly well what kind of pictures they’d be looking for. In any other circumstance she’d turn down this offer without even thinking about it, being a dignified lady and all.

But now that times were so tight, Rarity had to reevaluate her options. If she understood correctly, Playcolt models were paid pretty good money, more in a day than she might make in the boutique in a month. It would be a minor inconvenience to travel up to Canterlot for the day, but for that kind of money she could afford to be away from the boutique, especially when she hardly had any clients.

While she was thinking about it, she realized how popular the magazine was and how many ponies would be looking at her photos. With any luck, the extra publicity could put a spark of life into her business with new clientele, and that would pay off even better than just the one day’s shoot. And to top it all off, she would be famous across Equestria. Stallions might give her more than a passing glance as they recognized the gorgeous model from the magazines. Rarity had wanted to become famous ever since she was a little filly, but after all the buzz about being an Element of Harmony died down, she had given up on that dream. But this...this might bring the fame she was looking for.

Now the choice was clear. Rarity went over to her desk and took out a piece of parchment and quill and ink. She took the quill with her magic, dipped it delicately in the ink, and began to write.

Dear Photo Finish,

I have to admit that I thought the offer to do a shoot with Playcolt ridiculous when I first read your letter, but now that I’ve had time to think about it, I realize that I might not have a choice. You mentioned a downturn in the economy, and I’ve felt that really hard in Ponyville. You might not believe it, but nopony wants to buy clothes when they can barely afford to keep food on the table!

As nervous as I am about doing it, I have to accept your offer, as long as this is a one-time thing. The money just has to come from somewhere. You understand that, don’t you?

Anyway, I would be honored to let you take photographs of me. It’s an opportunity I have dreamed of ever since I first heard your name, and if it wasn’t you behind the camera I might have said no. But knowing you’re at the lens puts me at ease.

Let me know when you want me to take the trip to Canterlot, and I will be there as soon as I can. Thank you again for considering me for this opportunity.

Lots of love!

Rarity

Chapter 1: The Shoot

Chapter 1: The Shoot

A knock at the library door woke Twilight from a sound slumber. She wasn’t going to answer it, but she could hear Rarity’s voice calling for her from the open window. Twilight stumbled out of bed and down the stairs to answer the door.

“Rarity,” Twilight said groggily, opening the door. “It’s really early. What are you doing here?”

“Twilight,” Rarity said as Twilight opened the door to the library to let her in. “I have some news I’d like you to forward to our friends. I don’t have time to tell them all personally, I’m late enough for my train as it is.”

“Train?” Twilight asked, looking worried. “And what’s with all that luggage? You’re not moving, are you?”

“Oh, no no no, darling! Just going up to Canterlot for a few days.”

“Oh, that’s a relief,” Twilight said, wiping her brow. “But why so sudden?”

“I was asked by a client to come to him with some fabric samples for a new dress she wants to order. She’s terribly busy and can’t find the time to come down to Ponyville, so I’m going up to her instead. I can’t believe I forgot to tell you until now. I just get so busy that it’s hard to keep track of everything.”

“Okay,” Twilight said, still wary but not enough to ask her friend any more questions. “Well, I don’t want to be the reason you miss your train. Have fun in Canterlot, and I can’t wait till you get back.”

“I’ll tell you all about it, darling,” Rarity said, giving Twilight a light kiss on the cheek. “Take care of yourself, dear.”

“Bye, Rarity,” Twilight said. “Wait, are you sure you don’t need help with your luggage?”

“It’s fine, dear,” Rarity called out from outside the library as she carried all of her luggage in a magical aura. “I’m used to handling it on my own now, but thank you for the offer.”

“You’re welcome,” Twilight said. She hesitated a moment before closing the door. She brought her hoof to her cheek and rubbed the spot where Rarity kissed her. She quickly shrugged it off and went upstairs to go back to bed.

***

On the train ride to Canterlot, Rarity was buzzing with excitement over this new opportunity. She had made sure to pack as much makeup in her luggage as possible so she could look her best for the photo shoot. Though at first the idea repulsed her, the more she thought about it, the more she was excited to do it. Any publicity is good publicity, the words rang out in her mind.

What would everypony in Ponyville think of one of their own making it into such a lurid magazine, but also one of high caliber? Would they be happy for her? Jealous? Aroused? The possibilities were endless, and Rarity spent much of the train ride mulling them over in her head.

She’d had to arrive on the very first train to Canterlot, as the photo shoot was to begin at noon and the city was a good seven hours from Ponyville. That would put her there at about eleven o’clock, giving her just enough time to unpack and freshen up before she had to go.

But while she was excited for this opportunity, she had to admit she was also incredibly nervous. She imagined what Photo Finish would be asking her to do and the discomfort that was sure to follow. What would she ask her for? She had wanted to purchase a few issues of Playcolt from Ponyville’s own Paper Back Bookstore, but the ponies around town could be judgmental about a mare purchasing a magazine clearly intended for colts. Not that Rarity herself found anything wrong with that, but she didn’t want ponies to get the wrong impression about her.

Right, I’m worried about making a bad impression and I’m doing this... She tried to think about something else, but the train came out of the tunnel and revealed that they had arrived in Canterlot. The conductor made the announcement over the intercom, but everypony was already gathering their luggage, waiting to depart.

Rarity had to push through a huge crowd carrying her luggage with her magic haphazardly. She made her way directly for the station’s exit, but somepony walked straight in front of her, calling her name in a thick accent. It took Rarity a while to recognize Photo Finish, but when she did she was surprised to see her there.

“Photo Finish, darling, it’s so lovely to see you,” she said, setting her luggage down and shaking her hoof. The other ponies stepping off the platform grumbled as they tried to walk around Rarity’s luggage.

“Come, Miss Rarity, we haven’t much time! Zey want you as soon as possible!” Photo Finish beckoned Rarity to follow her as she cantered away. Rarity lifted her luggage and made her best attempt to follow behind her. Ponies had to dodge the heavy luggage being controlled by Rarity’s magic, and they were displeased about it.

“But Photo, dear, I expected to check into my hotel.”

“Already taken care of, darling. We checked you in this morning.”

“But my luggage—”

“We brought somepony to take that to the hotel for you.”

As Rarity and Photo stepped out into the street, they saw a hefty looking unicorn stallion waiting for them outside a carriage. He stepped forward to introduce himself.

“Heavy Weight, nice to meet you, miss,” he said, shaking Rarity’s hoof firmly. “I’ll be driving you over to the studio and then bringing your luggage to the hotel.

“O...kay,” Rarity stammered, taken aback by the sheer size of the pony. He was even more massive than Big Mac.

“Come, we haven’t much time!” Photo cried, pushing Rarity into the carriage before stepping in after her. After Heavy Weight loaded the luggage, he harnessed himself to the carriage with magic and pulled out into the street.

“How far is the studio?” Rarity asked Photo.

“Too far, if you ask me,” Photo said. “It’s already 11:10 and it’s way on the other side of town. We’re never going to make it!”

“You underestimate me, Photo Finish,” Heavy Weight called from outside the cart. “I’ll get you there in fifteen minutes, no sweat. Then you’ll be early, Rarity.”

“Thank you!” Rarity called out.

“Don’t mention it,” said Heavy Weight.

***

They arrived faster than Heavy Weight expected, in only twelve minutes. Still, Photo rushed Rarity out of the cart and into the studio.

Rarity had only just a moment to take in the bright spotlights and decor they were using as a set before she was whisked off to have her makeup done.

“Really, it’s all right,” Rarity tried to say. “I brought my own—”

“No time for that,” said one of the makeup artists. “We’ve got a lot of photographs to take.”

“It’ll only be for a few hours,” Photo said, “and then you’ll have the night to yourself. Maybe I should set you up on a date with Heavy Weight.”

“What?” Rarity asked, blushing, though it wasn’t noticeable under all the heavy makeup. Photo still recognized the effect.

“I’m just kidding, darling,” Photo said. “Okay, zat’s good enough! It’s time to dress her in ze first outfit.”

“Outfit?” Rarity asked, her eyes lighting up. “I didn’t know I was getting outfits.”

“It’s Playcolt, darling,” Photo said, as a clothing rack was carted out into the studio. “What did you expect?”

“Is it because you never see a pony wearing clothing?” Rarity asked.

“Precisely, darling. Now, just hold still while we get this ensemble on you.”

Rarity held tight as a few unicorns fit a dazzling purple dress on her. It matched her mane and tail perfectly and glimmered with diamonds sewn into the fabric. Rarity had never seen a prettier dress in her life.

“A quick look in the mirror, to see if you like,” Photo said, directing Rarity to a nearby mirror. She glanced at herself and was taken aback by how pretty she looked. She then noticed how short the dress was at the hem. Oh my... she thought.

“Come! To the set! It’s time to begin!” Photo barked.

***

Rarity was now posing in lacy lingerie lying prostrate on the couch. She had her hoof in her mouth while Photo was taking shots of her.

“Brilliant, darling,” Photo said. “Now, take off ze panties for a moment. We’re about to do the centerfold.”

“Centerfold?” Rarity asked.

“Yes, zis has to be the most sensuous photo of all! Now take zem off!”

“All right,” Rarity said, her stomach buzzing with nerves as she used her magic to take the bottoms off of her. She instinctively hid her more personal effects from the view of the camera, but Photo shook her head vehemently.

“No, no, no! We need to see it.”

“See what?” Rarity asked, playing dumb.

“Isn’t it obvious? Your pussy, darling! We need to see zat succulent young pair of lips!”

Rarity had been posing in all sorts of sultry ways all afternoon, but that was with clothing on. Now that she felt so much more exposed, she was starting to feel very nervous. She did as she was told, however, and spread her hind legs open.

“Good, good,” Photo said. “Now I need you to start playing with yourself.”

“Excuse me?” Rarity asked, closing her legs and sitting up. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Do you want to get paid or not?” Photo asked. “No playing with yourself, no paycheck. Zey made zat clear when they hired me to do this photo shoot.” Photo saw Rarity quivering and decided to change her tone.

“Look, I’m sorry to push you like zis, but you can’t blow this opportunity. You told me your shop was not doing so well, ja?”

“Well, yes, I did say that...” Rarity frowned, already realizing what she had to do.

“So, all we have to do is zis last shot, and we’ll be done, you’ll get paid, and we’ll never have to speak of this again. Is zat all right with you?”

Rarity didn’t need time to think about it any longer. “I’ll do it.” She spread herself wide open and brought her hoof down to her soft lips.

“Go on,” Photo said, “pretend you’re at home thinking about your lover...”

Rarity started to rub herself gently, which was fine for a warmup, but Photo needed more out of her.

“You just got home from your first date, you had your first kiss, and now you can’t stop thinking about him,” Photo said, encouraging her. “Yes, zat’s it...”

Rarity started to breathe more heavily as she became bold enough to start toying with her clit. She could feel herself getting slick as she continued to touch herself.

She needed no further encouragement. Rarity imagined Heavy Weight boring into her, and that turned light strokes into hard rubbing. Pretty soon she could feel herself coming close to orgasm, and just as that high hit, Photo started to take pictures. Rarity had completely immersed herself in her fantasy, and had forgotten she was being captured on film, but the renewed thought of that only made her hotter. The orgasm lasted as Photo took shot after shot, and she only stopped when Rarity came down from her high.

“Zat’s perfect! Exactly what I needed. Thank you so much, Miss Rarity.”

“That’s it? We’re done?” Rarity asked. After three different outfits and much posing, she was just starting to get used to the idea of being a model, but it was all over now.

“Yes. You’re free to go. Enjoy the city on your night off, and the check will be mailed to your boutique tomorrow.”

“Thank you so much, Photo Finish,” Rarity said, reaching out to shake her hoof.

“Wash your hooves first!” Photo cried, and it took Rarity a moment to understand her objection. Once she did, the two started laughing. What a way to end the day, Rarity thought. That was fabulous!

***

Twilight was down at the Paper Back Bookstore looking for a few novels to add to the collection at the library. They were running out of mystery novels, and she was looking for some of the Sherlock Hooves books.

“Oh, Twilight, just the mare I wanted to see!” called a stallion’s voice. Twilight turned and saw a pony wearing a tie. Twilight recognized him immediately and went over to shake his hoof.

“Nice to see you, Paper Back,” she said.

“Oh, Twilight, something just came in today that I’m sure you’ll find quite interesting,” Paper Back said.

“Is it a new book?” Twilight asked eagerly.

“It’s better if I show you,” said Paper Back. He led Twilight over to the magazines, which put Twilight off a bit. She considered magazines trashy and not worth her time. It only got worse when she realized Paper Back was taking her to the mature aisle of the magazine section.

“Look, if this is some kind of joke about my sex life, you can forget it. It’s not fun—” Twilight stopped talking when she saw the cover of Playcolt. On it was a pony she very much recognized wearing a purple dress with diamonds sewn in. The caption next to the photo said “Meet Rarity, Ponyville’s Most Fabulous Fashion Designer (and Pretty Hot to Boot).” Twilight was completely floored, to say the least.

“What’s inside it?” she demanded of Paper Back.

“I don’t know, I haven’t looked,” he said, “but I’m sure it’ll be worth your while to buy a copy and see for yourself.”

Twilight was about to strongly object when she realized that her curiosity had gotten the better of her.

“All right, fine,” she said, levitating the magazine and bringing it over to the counter. She paid the necessary bits and stepped outside carefully, but not before Paper Back called her back and gave her a discrete bag in which to hide the magazine. Twilight thanked him and trotted briskly back to the library.

Spike, gratefully, was not at the library, having some errands to run for her. She bolted up to her room and shut the door, locking it firmly. She then unsheathed the magazine from its plastic confines and opened the magazine. She found the relevant article about Rarity and flipped until she started seeing the pictures.

She had never seen Rarity degrade herself like this before. Picture after picture of her pouting for the camera and wearing slutty outfits lined the magazine pages. Twilight was disgusted at first, but the more she saw them, the more intriguing she found them to be. She finally flipped to the centerfold, and when she saw Rarity touching herself, she stared for a good thirty seconds until she finally came to her senses.

Realizing what she was doing, she blushed before closing the magazine and stashing it inside one of the books on the shelf. No way do I want Spike seeing that, she thought.

The pictures lingered in her head as she paced around the room, trying to think of how to respond to this shocking display of her friend’s. It took a good minute for her to realize that she needed to figure out why Rarity did it in the first place. With new resolve, she trotted briskly out of the library and toward Carousel Boutique.

Rarity, Twilight thought, we need to talk.

Chapter 2: The Reaction

Chapter 2: The Reaction

Twilight, who was wearing a saddle pack, knocked politely on Rarity’s door. She started to tap her hoof impatiently as she waited for Rarity to come to her door. Soon enough, the bell tinkled as Rarity opened the door.

“Good morning, Twilight,” Rarity said. “What brings you here this morning?”

“Can I come inside?” Twilight asked.

“Certainly. Do come in.” Rarity stepped back to let Twilight inside. Once the door was closed Twilight pulled the issue of Playcolt out from the saddle pack using her magic. She showed Rarity the cover and gave her a stern look.

“Explain,” she said curtly.

Rarity giggled nervously trying to come up with a quick lie about why she’d had to do it. “Well, it’s like this, darling. Photo Finish sent me an offer to do a shoot for Playcolt, said something about my devilishly good looks and a high sense for fashion. So I said to myself, ‘Rarity, what’s the harm in trying this out just for fun? You’re not in the middle of any important orders, it’ll just take up a few days’ time, and you’ll be the talk of the town for a little while after it comes out.’ So I naturally accepted the offer and thoroughly enjoyed myself while I was away in Canterlot.”

“This is what you went to Canterlot for?” Twilight asked, shaking her head as she put the magazine on the table. “You told me it was to meet with a client!”

“Well, I think I get off on a technicality there. I did meet up with somepony I provided services for, thereby making them my clients.”

“That’s not the point!” Twilight yelled. She wasn’t sure why she was so incensed about this, but she suspected it had to do with the centerfold. Now that she was thinking about it, Twilight flipped the pages with her magic until the centerfold was in plain view. Rarity took a long look at it and blushed a deep crimson.

“I do regret taking that one a little, but all the other ones were in high taste, let me assure you.”

“That looks pretty genuine,” Twilight said, shutting the magazine to spare both of them some decency. “Were you actually masturbating for the camera?”

“What do you expect? It’s Playcolt! They’re not about to ask you to smile and say cheese.” Twilight turned as if to leave, but Rarity caught up to her and touched her shoulder. “Now, Twilight, I know you’re upset, but I’m a lady who can make my own choices. The opportunity came and I took advantage of it, that’s all. What would you have me do, turn down this once-in-a-lifetime chance?”

“Well, no,” Twilight said, “but it’s a little embarrassing.”

“Oh yes, I suppose I could be embarrassed by it but I mean really—”

“I meant embarrassing for me,” Twilight said, sucking the life out of the room with her frankness. “Can’t you just imagine it? Stallions asking me if I have your phone number so you can show them a good time. Mares turning their backs on me because I’m associated with you. What is the town going to think of me? And most importantly, what will they think of you? I’m not embarrassed of you as much as I’m embarrassed for you. Do you understand now how I’m feeling?”

Rarity looked crestfallen as she gazed into Twilight’s eyes. Twilight couldn’t bear to face her and looked toward the ground. She blushed quite hotly remembering the other embarrassing thing, namely the excitement she had felt seeing the photos. Always quick on the uptake, Twilight realized what this might mean, but there was no way she was telling Rarity about that here and now.

The awkward silence was broken when Rainbow Dash flew in the door. Dash nearly knocked Twilight over but didn’t even notice her because she was looking for Rarity. Once she found her, she swooped right in front of her and showed her the issue of Playcolt she had apparently just purchased.

“That is you, right?” Dash asked, waving the magazine in front of Rarity’s face. Rarity made to snatch the magazine from Dash’s hoof but Dash flew out of reach. She was laughing as she soared through the boutique.

“This is just priceless,” she sang in between her laughter. “Aw, man, wait’ll I show the other ponies. Oh, hi, Twilight,” Dash said, finally acknowledging her presence. “Wait, does that mean I missed your initial reaction? Dammit. Well, what did you think.”

“I was...pretty confused actually,” Twilight admitted.

“Damn, would have loved to see the look on your face. Let’s show Applejack!” Dash made a beeline for the exit but Twilight shut the door with her magic. Dash hit the wall and slid down it to the floor. It took her a minute to recover from the impact.

“Rainbow Dash,” Rarity said, “I think it would be best if you did not show our other friends.”

“Why?” Dash asked. “Are you ashamed of it?”

“Not in the slightest! I just want to spare them the shock and confusion that Twilight had, because that would most likely be their reaction instead of yours, that you find the whole thing hilarious. Now drop the magazine, leave the boutique, and don’t speak of this to our friends.”

“All right, all right, I’m leaving,” Dash said. She set the magazine down on the table and walked towards the door, which Twilight opened. Once the door was opened, Dash took off in a blur, snatching Twilight’s copy of the magazine and racing out the door in one swift motion.

“Psyche!” she called out, leaving Twilight and Rarity to chase after her in a desperate attempt to keep her from showing any of their other friends the photos. It didn’t take long for Rainbow Dash to leave them in the dust, but they persisted chasing her until they found her at Applejack’s stand in the market.

“Put that away!” Applejack cried. “Don’t be showin’ off crap like that in public.”

“So what do you think?” Dash asked, a mischievous smile on her face.

“Rainbow Dash!” Rarity called irately. “You need to stop what you’re doing right now if you know what’s good for you.”

“What’s the problem?” Dash asked, flying out of reach of Rarity, who was trying to swipe the magazine from Dash’s hooves. “I just want to show my friends the good news, that you’re famous!”

“I am not famous,” Rarity objected. “Not for that, at least.”

“If you’re so ashamed of it,” Dash asked, “why’d you do it in the first place?”

“Ah have half a mind to ask the same thing,” Applejack said, “and if ya ask me ah think what you did is despicable. Nice example to set for young fillies.”

“Oh, get off your high horse, Applejack,” Dash said. “What would you do if you had that kind of opportunity in your lap?”

“Well, ah wouldn’t let mah lap do anythin’ like this!”

“Girls, can we keep our voices down?” Twilight asked. “We’re starting to draw attention to ourselves.” Sure enough, the four friends looked around and saw ponies on the streets staring at them in bewilderment. They carried on their conversation in hushed whispers.

“Does anypony else in Ponyville know about this, Rarity?” Applejack asked.

“Not that I know of, or I’d be hearing about it.”

“Where’s Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie?” Dash wondered out loud. Twilight used her magic to pry the magazine from her hooves. “No fair!”

“Sorry, Dash, but Rarity deserves her privacy.”

“Yeah, right. She gave that up when she agreed to do this.”

“I’m afraid Rainbow has a point, darling,” Rarity said. “This might have been fun to do in private, but now that I’m seeing your reactions I dread what the public will think of me.”

“Oh, come on, Rarity,” Dash said, “everypony in town already thinks you’re a whore.”

“Excuse me?” Rarity asked, her horn glowing and eyes glowering.

“What? Somepony had to tell her,” Dash said, holding her hooves up feigning innocence.

“Yer so thickheaded, Dash,” Applejack said. “Nopony thinks that of you, Rarity, though after this spread ah’m not sure what they’re gonna think now...”

“Heya!” called a chirpy voice. The four ponies turned to see Pinkie Pie bouncing toward them, followed somewhat reluctantly by Fluttershy.

“Pinkie Pie,” Fluttershy said, “I don’t think they want to be disturbed right now. They look like they’re in a pretty private conversation.”

“Whatcha got there?” Pinkie shouted, looking at the magazine in Twilight’s magical grasp. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold the phone! Is that you Rarity? On the cover of Playcolt.”

“Pinkie Pie, for the love of Celestia, keep your voice down,” Rarity begged.

“Oh, sorry,” Pinkie said in a whisper. “So is that you on the cover?”

“She’s more than just on the cover,” Applejack grumbled. “She’s just about everywhere in the magazine, too.”

“Ooh! Can I see?” Pinkie asked. Twilight took a step back.

“I don’t think you want to be looking at this,” Rarity said.

“Aw! Why not?”

“Pinkie,” Fluttershy said meekly, “if Rarity wants to keep this secret, it’s wrong of us to intrude.”

“Like this is gonna stay secret now,” Dash said. “Pretty soon every stallion in town’s gonna know about it. And whatcha gonna do then, Rarity? Huh? Let Pinkie have a quick peek.”

“I absolutely forbid it!” Rarity pleaded.

“Oh, that’s okay, you guys. I can just get my own copy at the bookstore. Be right back!” Pinkie bounced away cheerily. Rarity made to go after her, but she quickly despaired.

“Oh, what’s the use?” she asked. “She’s going to find out sooner or later...”

“Um, sorry, I just got here, so I don’t understand what the problem is...” Fluttershy whispered.

Rarity let out a long sigh. “Twilight, show her,” she said. Twilight opened to the first pages featuring photos of Rarity, and Fluttershy stared at them in awe as Twilight flipped the pages. She was about to put the magazine away when Fluttershy noticed part of the centerfold peeking out.

“Can I see that one?” she asked.

“Fluttershy,” Twilight said, “it’s not really a good idea—”

Dash flipped the page and let the centerfold unfold itself. Fluttershy blushed hot crimson and turned away.

“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight scolded, but it was too late.

“Okay, okay, I get it,” Fluttershy said. “Just please don’t make me look at it anymore.”

“Sorry, Fluttershy,” Twilight said, shutting the magazine and hiding it away.

“I’m sorry, too, dear,” Rarity said. “I don’t know what I was thinking when I agreed to do it. It just sounded like a wonderful opportunity, but I didn’t think about the repercussions at the time.”

“It’s all right, Rarity,” Fluttershy said, giving her a hug. “We all make mistakes.”

“Wow!” Pinkie Pie said, bouncing back to the group. “I took a look at those pictures, and holey moley, Rarity, those are some hot shots! Especially the centerfold. You really went all out on that one.”

“Pinkie, dear, you’re shouting again,” Rarity said nervously.

“That was so cool, though!” she said, bouncing off the ground gleefully. “I wish I could have done it. Then everypony in town would think I was one hot potato! But I’m not as gorgeous as you, so I don’t think I could pull it off—”

“Pull what off?” called a stallion walking up to them. The group recognized him to be Time Turner.

“Good morning, Time Turner,” Twilight said. “How are you?”

“Fine,” he said in his chipper accent. “Pull what off, Pinkie Pie?”

“Oh, you mean you don’t know?” Pinkie asked.

“Pinkie, I’m warning you...” Rarity said sinisterly.

“What? What’s the problem?” Pinkie asked.

“I’d prefer to keep that a secret,” Rarity said bluntly.

Pinkie nodded and zipped her lip literally, with a zipper appearing on the side of her mouth.

“Well, looks like it’s in that magazine,” Time Turner said, indicating the periodical Twilight was trying to hide beneath her. “I guess I’ll just ask Paper Back about it. Sorry to bother you.”

“Time Turner, wait—” Rarity called, but he didn’t turn back. Pinkie unzipped her mouth and the zipper vanished.

“Whoops! Guess the cat’s out of the bag now. Sorry, Rarity. I didn’t mean to be such a bigmouth.”

“Don’t worry about it, darling,” Rarity said. “The truth was bound to come out sooner or later.”

“I can’t wait to see how Ponyville’s gonna react,” Dash said devilishly, rubbing her forehooves together.

“Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said in a low voice, “try not to sound so eager about it. We have to be supportive of Rarity.”

“I know, I know,” Dash said. “Really, I get it. But I mean, come on, Rarity shoulda known what she was getting into.”

“Can ah voice mah opinion?” Applejack said. “Since y’all have been ignorin’ me for the past ten minutes.”

Rarity sighed. “Go ahead, Applejack.”

“Ah just wanted to say ah’m shocked that you agreed to do somethin’ so disgustin’. If ah ever catch my brother cloppin’ to this magazine, ah’ll be so ashamed as a friend. Ah don’t know what got you to do this, but whatever it was, it wasn’t worth it. Promise me ya won’t do somethin’ stupid like this again.”

“Applejack, you have my word,” Rarity said, not knowing what the future was about to bring to her, unaware that she’d have to break her promise to Applejack very soon.

Chapter 3: The Apology

Chapter 3: The Apology

Despite the magazine having just released, or perhaps because not enough ponies had seen it yet, Rarity had not received that much attention from the other ponies in Ponyville. Time Turner never came back to make any comments, so she assumed she was in the clear and that nopony else would bother her about the spread either. She was able to concentrate on tidying up the boutique, still anxious because the check had not come in the mail yet. Perhaps the postal service is just a little delayed, she thought. Still, she hadn’t wanted to put herself out there like that for nothing.

With her worrying about the check, she forgot who was coming to sleep over that night until she heard knocking on the front door. Rarity fluffed up her mane and put on a cheery smile before answering the door. At the doorstep stood her little sister carrying a saddle pack.

“Sweetie Belle, darling!” Rarity squealed, hugging her sister. “Oh, now I remember. You’re supposed to be staying here while our parents are away in Trottingham. Oh, I’m terribly sorry I forgot. Oh, come in, come in, what kind of a host am I?” Rarity stepped back to allow Sweetie Belle inside. The normally chipper filly was looking crestfallen for some reason. Being her big sister, Rarity instinctually addressed Sweetie Belle’s mood.

“What’s wrong, dear?” she asked. Sweetie Belle glared at her.

“You said you wouldn’t let Apple Bloom and Scootaloo sleep over with me.” She huffed and trotted throughout the boutique, looking at all of the nice dresses and tuxedos.

“Sweetie Belle, darling,” Rarity said, “I would love to have them over, but I’m terrible with foals and you three tend to make messes wherever you go. I can’t have my boutique looking like a tornado swept through it.”

“Whatever,” Sweetie Belle muttered. Rarity cringed as Sweetie Belle went towards the parlor, remembering what she left lying on the coffee table in there. No way am I letting her see that!

“Sweetie Belle,” Rarity called. “Why don’t you go up to your room and unpack? Then we’ll go out for dinner. Does that sound good?”

“I guess,” Sweetie Belle said, and she made her way back towards the stairs leading up to her room. Rarity took the magazine and hid it under the couch. Now just pray to Celestia she doesn’t look under there for anything.

Rarity thought she would help Sweetie Belle unpack, so she went upstairs and found that the room was closed and locked. Rarity knew there was a spell that could open locks, but Twilight had shown it to her so long ago that she couldn’t remember it now. Besides, it would be more polite to knock on the door first, so Rarity did so.

“Go away,” Sweetie Belle called from inside the room.

“Look, dear, I know you’re upset, but there’s no good in shutting yourself in and not talking about it.”

“Okay, okay, fine,” Sweetie Belle said. The lock clicked and Rarity was able to open the door. It seemed as though Sweetie Belle was already unpacked, as she had learned not to travel so heavy (something Rarity had yet to master). Sweetie Belle looked up at Rarity sadly and started to speak frankly.

“It’s not really my friends I’m upset about,” she admitted.

“Oh? Then what’s bothering you?” Rarity asked delicately, placing a hoof on Sweetie’s shoulder. Sweetie Belle sighed and decided it was best to spit it out now.

“There’s strange stallions asking if I know you and...” Sweetie Belle looked too afraid to speak up. Rarity had a dread in the pit of her stomach that told her what this might be about.

“Are they asking to see me?” she asked. Sweetie Belle nodded. “Well, um...try not to read too much into it, darling. They might just want to talk to me.”

“They had this look in their eye...” Sweetie Belle said, staring at the ground. “Like when Scootaloo goes to Sugarcube Corner. That kind of look. Rarity, I don’t understand...”

Rarity pulled Sweetie Belle into an embrace. “I think I know what’s occurring here,” she said, “but it’s not something to be explaining to you. You’re too young to understand.”

“I hate it when you say that,” said Sweetie Belle, pouting.

“Yes, but it’s true,” Rarity said. “There are powers at work here that you can’t understand right now, but I will explain everything in due time. Right now, let’s just get something to eat. Is there anywhere you want to go?”

“Um...how about The Hay Bale? They have good hay fries!”

Rarity smiled. “Sounds wonderful, dear. Let’s go.”

***

Rarity and Sweetie Belle ran into a bit of trouble on their way to the restaurant. Sweetie Belle noticed some of the same stallions she had seen walking to the boutique this morning, and they were now speaking quite rudely to Rarity.

“Hello, beautiful,” a burly, gray stallion remarked with a saucy wink. Rarity ignored this joker.

“You lookin’ for a date?” asked a second, dirtier stallion.

“Excuse me, there are foals present!” Rarity objected, but the stallion just left and moved on.

“I knew they were up to no good.” Sweetie Belle asked. “Why are ponies asking you out?”

“It’s not something I want to explain to you right now, dear,” Rarity said. “I’d prefer we just get a lovely meal and return home as soon as possible.”

Along the way a few other stallions catcalled her as they walked past, apparently completely ignoring Sweetie Belle’s presence. It wasn’t just the stallions, either. Mares were giving Rarity looks, too, except these were looks of contempt instead of looks of arousal. These were almost more uncomfortable; the stallions’ attention was at least, in its own disturbing way, flattering, while the mares’ contempt was definitely hostile in nature.

“Rarity, what are they doing?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Why’s everyone looking at you all funny?”

“Don’t worry about it, dear,” Rarity said, waving to a stallion who was grinning wickedly at her.

The two finally arrived at the Hay Bale. Rarity requested seats inside, even though it was a beautiful night, because she didn’t want passersby making rude comments and confusing Sweetie Belle even more. They still got a few second glances inside the restaurant, but nopony in here whistled or made a comment. That allowed Rarity and Sweetie Belle some time to relax.

In a short while, the waiter came up to take their order for drinks. He recognized Rarity and looked at her quizzically.

“Good evening, ladies,” he said, then he turned to Rarity. “Weren’t you the one in that—?”

“Yes, that was me,” Rarity interceded, “and I’d rather not talk about it in front of my little sister, if you please.”

“Oh, of course. My apologies, miss. Can I take your drink orders?”

“What were you in?” Sweetie Belle asked Rarity.

“Never mind, darling. She’ll have the grass juice and I’ll just take a water.” Unfortunately, Rarity thought, they don’t serve alcohol in this establishment.

“I’ll be right back,” the waiter said, leaving Rarity and Sweetie Belle with the menus. The two of them sat in awkward silence for a moment as they perused their options for food. Sweetie Belle apparently already knew what she wanted, because she closed her menu and stared directly at Rarity.

“What was the waiter talking about?” she asked.

Rarity sighed, exasperated. “Sweetie Belle, it really doesn’t concern you. I’m starting to regret even bringing you here.”

“Why?” she asked. “Just because you did something naughty doesn’t mean I should be punished.”

“Whatever makes you think it was something naughty?” Rarity asked, giving her a nervous smile.

“I’m not five. I know when stallions whistle at you it means they like you. I mean, I know you’re pretty and all, but I’ve never seen you get looks like that before. You must’ve done something naughty.”

“Well, even if I did, do you really think I would tell you about it?” Rarity returned to looking at her menu, analyzing the kinds of salads she could be getting.

“I’m gonna find out what you did,” Sweetie Belle said with a determined gaze, “whether you want me to or not.”

“Be careful with that, dear,” Rarity said, not even looking up from her menu. “You might regret it.”

“Yeah, right,” Sweetie Belle replied, sticking her tongue out. “You can’t hide it from me forever. I’ll get Apple Bloom and Scootaloo to do some detectiving with me.”

“Feel free to do whatever ‘detectiving’ you want, darling. It won’t get you anywhere.”

“You’ll see! We’re gonna figure it out!”

“Yes, yes, of course.”

Sweetie Belle slammed her hooves on the table. “You’re not even listening to me anymore!” A few of the nearby patrons glanced over at the noise.

“Sweetie Belle,” Rarity said, now paying more attention to her, “you really have to calm down. We’re at a restaurant.”

“Duh,” Sweetie Belle replied, rolling her eyes. “Okay, fine. Have it your way.”

The waiter came back with the drinks and was ready to take their order of food.

“Oat burger with hay fries, medium well, and make sure the fries are extra crispy,” Sweetie Belle said straight from memory.

“I think I’ll just have the garden salad,” Rarity said, glaring at Sweetie Belle for not trying something else.

“What kind of dressing on your salad?” the waiter asked.

“Oh. I suppose ranch will do.”

The waiter smirked. Rarity smiled nervously. She and Sweetie Belle handed over their menus.

“I’ll be right back with that,” the waiter said. Sweetie Belle glared at Rarity.

“Why was the waiter smiling like that?” she asked.

“Oh, for the love of Celestia, Sweetie Belle, you’re not going to get all the answers,” Rarity said. “It meant nothing.”

“Baloney!” Sweetie Belle said. “I missed something funny and I want to know what it is!”

“Sweetie Belle,” Rarity said in a harsh whisper, leaning towards her sister, “even if I wanted to tell you what was going on, I wouldn’t want to in a family restaurant.”

“So it was naughty!”

“Keep your voice down!” Rarity said harshly. “Don’t make me regret taking you out to eat.”

Sweetie Belle’s ears drooped and she wore a frown on her face. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m just so confused about this whole thing.”

“I wish I could explain it to you,” Rarity said, “but it just wouldn’t be appropriate. Maybe when you’re older I’ll tell you what’s going on.”

“How much older?” Sweetie Belle asked, her ears perking up.

“Maybe a few years,” Rarity said. Sweetie Belle’s mouth dropped open.

“That’s not fair!” she said, leaning back in her seat and crossing her forehooves.

“Can we just forget about this and enjoy dinner?” Rarity asked.

Sweetie Belle took a moment to think about it. “I guess...”

“Thank you,” Rarity said, feeling relieved for the first time since they left the house.

After that, Sweetie Belle backed off and they were actually able to talk about more enjoyable subjects. Sweetie Belle recounted all of the crusading she had done with her friends, while Rarity told stories of the adventures she’d had with hers. There was a lot of laughter to accompany the good food, and the time just seemed to fly while the two of them were talking. Before long, the waiter came back with the bill.

Rarity was sure to hide the bill from Sweetie Belle, as the waiter had left his street address on the back of it. He didn’t get a very good tip.

There was less catcalling and whistling directed at Rarity on the way home, so she assumed the novelty must have died off. This made Rarity feel a lot better, and she was glad she and Sweetie Belle had finally had an enjoyable time. Sweetie Belle was quite tired now, though, and it was time for her to go to bed. Rarity brought her to the guest room and tucked her in before getting herself the glass of wine she had wanted all day.

What a stupid idea this was, she thought to herself as she sipped her wine delicately. The check hasn’t even arrived yet and I’m now apparently the hottest commodity in Ponyville. I wanted attention, but not this much.

There was nothing for it. She’d just have to wait for the attention to die down. Rarity finished her glass of wine and thought about pouring herself another one, but she knew getting drunk tonight was definitely a bad idea. Resolving to start fresh tomorrow, Rarity tucked in early, going up to her bedroom and starting to fall asleep...

A knock at the door disturbed her. A call from outside told her it was Twilight. Rarity grimaced. After the way her friends had reacted to the news of her photo shoot, she didn’t have a desire to see any of them. But Twilight sounded desperate to talk to her, so Rarity conceded to answer the door.

“Thank you, Rarity,” Twilight said as Rarity answered the door. “I hope it’s not too late to come over.”

“Not at all, darling. Come in. Do you want a drink?”

“No, I won’t be here long. I just came here to say that I acted like a complete idiot when you told me about your spread.”

“Twilight, no, really, it’s all right. I shouldn’t have expected you to react any different.”

“Well, I should have,” Twilight said, sitting down and burying her head in her hooves. “All those things I said about you being an embarrassment, I’m really sorry. I was shocked and angry and now I feel really confused about the whole thing...” Twilight started gasping for air, clearly in the bout of an anxiety attack. Rarity sat down next to her and rubbed her back.

“This must have really upset you,” Rarity said. “But I assure you I’ve gotten over the poor reactions of my friends.”

“Rarity, I talked to Dash and AJ and they wanted to come over to apologize, too, but Dash has late night weather patrol tonight and you know how AJ is about the farm. I told them I would relay their messages.”

“And what might those be?” Rarity asked, feeling elated that perhaps her friends were finally coming around.

“Well, Applejack said she realized she was incredibly judgmental and wanted me to tell you that whatever makes you happy is fine with her.”

“Well, I shall make sure to thank Applejack the next time I see her.”

“Okay. And Rainbow Dash promised not to run around showing your photo shoot off to everypony anymore.”

“Well, that doesn’t matter too much anymore,” Rarity conceded. “All of Ponyville must know about it by now, the kinds of looks I was getting today.”

“And I wanted to apologize, too,” Twilight said earnestly, gazing into Rarity’s eyes. “I shouldn’t have been so self-centered. This was your thing and I was taking it on as my own issue when I shouldn’t even be the one worrying about it. What you choose to do for fun is totally acceptable to me.”

“Well, I appreciate that, Twilight. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Twilight got up and was about to leave.

“Where are you going so suddenly?” Rarity asked.

Twilight felt like a bundle of nerves. In truth she’d had a whole other reason to stop by, but now it seemed too difficult to bear. She decided just to give her a smile and a wave.

“It’s getting late,” she said. “I really must be going.”

“Whatever you say, darling,” Rarity said, standing up and giving Twilight an embrace. Twilight’s cheeks flushed, but as she broke away from the hug, she turned away from Rarity so she wouldn’t notice.

“I’ll see you later, Rarity,” Twilight said.

“Goodnight, Twilight,” Rarity said, leading her to the door and shutting it behind her. Rarity sighed, feeling much better than she had before, even though she didn’t notice feeling anything really wrong before. She knew she would sleep more peacefully tonight, knowing that her friends were now behind her, as they should have been from the start.

***

Spike was cleaning the shelves in Twilight’s room while she was downstairs reorganizing the shelves down there. He accidentally knocked a book over, and he was surprised to find a magazine slip out of it. He put the book back on the shelf and took a peek at the magazine.

I thought Twilight hated magazines—HELLO! he thought after seeing Rarity on the cover dressed in a very scanty purple dress with jewels embedded in it. What’s Rarity doing on the cover of...Playcolt? What’s Twilight doing with a copy of Playcolt? Oh, wait, she probably got it because Rarity’s on it. But when did Rarity...?

Spike opened the magazine and started leafing through the pages. He had no care for any of the articles in the magazine. He was just looking to see if he could find more pictures. He came to the middle of the magazine, where there were pages of Rarity wearing barely anything and striking poses that got him inexplicably excited. He was about to see the centerfold when he heard hoofsteps coming up the stairs. Spike panicked and tucked the magazine under his bed. He went back to dusting just as Twilight opened the door.

“How’s it going up here, Spike?” she asked.

“Everything’s fine!” Spike said a little too loudly. His hand was shaking as he swept dust haphazardly off the shelf.

“Is...everything okay?” Twilight asked.

“Never better,” Spike said nervously. “What makes you think everything’s not on the up-and-up?”

The up-and-up...? Twilight wondered. “Um...it’s nothing. Never mind. Keep up the good work.” Twilight smiled and let Spike continue his cleaning.

As soon as she was back downstairs, Spike dove under the bed and pulled out the magazine again. He had to find Rarity’s pictures again, but when he did he stared at each one for a long while, taking in every curve and every pose. When he finally reached the centerfold, he was totally confused. What’s Rarity doing with her hoof? And why is she...? For no reason Spike could readily explain, he felt his member start to swell up. Ah! What’s going on? The feeling was foreign to him, but as the shock wore down, he realized it was a good feeling and that he liked it.

He wished he could stare at the magazine longer, but if he didn’t finish dusting the shelves, Twilight would know something was up. He vowed to turn back to it the moment he got some time alone. He tucked the magazine back under his bed, folded so that he could open directly to the centerfold, and continued his dusting.

***

Rarity was up early enough to hear the mail come in. Deciding it was best to let Sweetie Belle sleep in, she gathered up the mail and sorted through it. The first meaningful piece of mail was her check, which she’d have to deposit in private so as not to confuse Sweetie Belle even more.

There was also some mail addressed to her from Canterlot from an address she didn’t recognize. Normally she’d throw it out, but this didn’t seem like junk mail to her. Curious, she opened up the letter and began to read it. The writing was sloppy, as if whoever wrote it didn’t have a good grasp on his quill.

Dear Rarity,

You probably don’t know me, but I know you from that wildly successful photo shoot you did for Playcolt. I was told by them that they’ve had their best sales on a new issue in a long time and that they were very grateful that you came in. Being an Element and all, I wasn’t surprised, but they sure seemed to be.

I just want to tell you that doing that kind of work can be a leg up to bigger and better things. The next step for most Playcolt models is to dip their hooves into the film industry. Imagine you becoming a movie star! Then the cash will really start rollin’ in.

Well, I just so happen to be one of the more successful directors in Canterlot, and I would love it if you could come up for a month to star in a project of mine. I promise you the initial pay is competitive, and you’ll get a portion of the video sales as well. It’s good money, baby! Don’t let this opportunity slip by!

Anyway, you don’t have to respond right away. I’m actually in the middle of another project, so we wouldn’t be able to start immediately. Just let me know in the next few months whether you’re interested and we’ll see where this thing takes us.

Until then, stay pretty, baby!

HC

It took Rarity a minute to figure out what this “HC” was talking about, but she quickly understood what he was getting at. The idea completely revolted her, so she tore up the letter and threw it in the trash. She opened up the letter with the check in it, and found that the check would hold her for a few months. That’s surely enough time for my business to pick back up, yes? I think so. No need to participate in any more smut.

To avoid confusing her sister, Rarity went out to the bank to cash her check now, so Sweetie Belle wouldn’t be asking questions about it later.

Chapter 4: The Italian Stallion

Chapter 4: The Italian Stallion

As the months rolled on, ponies gradually forgot about Rarity’s spread, although she did get some comments from some of the more persistent stallions. That was about the only good thing that happened. The boutique was still doing lousy, and she found herself once again in dire financial straits. Every time she had a slow day, she thought about that letter she threw away, that opportunity she let slip through her grasp. The letter was gone now, taken in the trash weeks ago, and she had no way to respond to it without the return address.

She still wasn’t even sure she wanted to go through with it, because that would be quite a leap from a photo shoot in a magazine. Even with what little she knew about pornography, she could at least guess that the sex was not simulated. She’d literally be fucking on camera. If the photo shoot didn’t destroy her reputation, a porno certainly would.

But was her reputation really so important if she was struggling now to make any kind of sales? What did she have to lose if she was about to be homeless anyway? She considered once again asking her friends for money, but she was too proud. She had always been taught you have to make it on your own, pull yourself up by your own horseshoes, and she wasn’t going to deviate from that lesson.

But even if she were to go through with it, she’d have no way to get there, so what was the point in speculating? She gave it up and prepared herself for the inevitable. She would have to ask for money from her friends now. She vowed to do it tomorrow, to go over to Twilight and see what she could offer. Rarity was most at ease with Twilight, whom she knew wouldn’t judge her (like perhaps Rainbow Dash) or downright refuse to help her (she could see Applejack doing something like this).

But with the next day came another letter. She recognized the return address immediately and realized she now had a chance to make it on her own again. She opened the letter and read through it quickly.

Dear Rarity,

Hey, it’s HC again. I know since you didn’t respond to my last letter that you probably weren’t interested, but I’ve finished my project and was now really hoping you’d get on board with this one. The pay’s still going to be pretty good, and it’s not going to take up too much of your time.

I don’t wanna bother you, so I’ll keep this brief. If you’re interested, write back so we can get the ball rolling. If not, could you please let me know anyway so I can work on finding somepony else? It would really be a shame if it wasn’t you though.

Anyway, write back either way. Stay pretty, baby!

HC

Rarity did not hesitate this time. She thought about penning a lengthy letter apologizing for not getting back to him at first and explaining how busy she had been at the store (a lie, of course, but she didn’t want to seem desperate). But every letter she wrote in her head sounded like too much. In the end, she resolved on something short and to the point. She sat at her desk and penned a quick letter.

Dear HC,

I’ll do it.

***

“So, you’re going to be in Canterlot for a month shooting for a TV show?” Twilight asked. Rarity had once again woken her up at four in the morning to announce this just before boarding the train. It had been an honest accident the last time, but this time she was sure Twilight was going to figure out what was going on and would try to convince her not to do it.

“Rarity,” Twilight said, “is this really a good idea? The last time you went up to Canterlot you came back with...well, you know. What is this show you’re going to be in?”

“Well, I’m not sure, really. They didn’t really tell me what I would be doing. All I know is that it’s a small role as an extra, but they need me for a month because I keep showing up in all the action scenes as sort of an inside joke.”

“Huh? That doesn’t make sense.”

Rarity’s eyes shifted nervously. “Well, it didn’t make much sense to me either, but a chance to star on the small screen was one I didn’t want to pass up. You understand, right?”

“I guess so. I’ve never had a desire to be in a TV show, so I don’t know that I can relate. But if you want to do it, then go for it. It can’t be any worse than the last time.”

“No. That was a silly mistake on my part. Never again.”

“Promise?” Twilight asked, looking intently at Rarity.

Rarity stared at the ground. “Promise.”

“Okay then. Have fun.”

“Thank you so much, Twilight,” Rarity said. She kissed Twilight on the cheek and hurried off with all her luggage. Twilight felt warm inside and remembered a feeling she had been grappling with for months.

She had lost the copy of the magazine soon after it came out, apparently not remembering which book she stashed it in. She hadn’t dared to buy another one in case Paper Back started heckling her or, even worse, started to get suspicious. Twilight didn’t want anypony to know about what was quickly becoming a crush on Rarity.

It had come so suddenly. Seeing Rarity in those alluring poses had triggered it in her, and even with the memory of those images fading away, Twilight had felt a growing feeling of passion for her friend.

She had been so mad when she misplaced the magazine, because in times of weakness she had wanted to use it to help her pleasure herself, something she wasn’t normally in the mood to do. She had tried to imagine her friend in her own head, and it worked from time to time to get herself off, but somehow Twilight knew it wouldn’t be as good as having the pictures in front of her, especially that centerfold.

Perhaps it was for the best, because if she had that then her feelings for Rarity might have become even more intense, and then they might have become harder to hide from her friends. She didn’t have time to think about it now, though. It was time to get some sleep. Maybe I’ll dream about her, Twilight hoped, or feared, she wasn’t sure which.

***

After Rarity had replied to the letter, the mysterious “HC” told her he’d meet her at the train station. Rarity was both eager and terrified to meet what was assuredly the director of this pornographic film. Nerves coursed through her for the entire train ride, and it was torturous to be unable to do anything about them. She had brought a romance novel to read, which turned out not to be so smart, because that just reminded her of what she was about to do, and it made her so anxious that she couldn’t focus on reading.

Finally, the train stopped at the Canterlot station, and Rarity stepped out with her luggage. With some effort, she finally spotted a short pony with a messy brown coat wearing a beret and sunglasses and holding a sign that said “RARITY.” Rarity knew that was the stallion, and she muscled her way over to him.

“We got Heavy Weight back to haul your luggage again,” he said briskly. “He volunteered to assist me after he found out you were coming back.”

Somehow that made Rarity even more anxious, but she did her best to hide it.

“Oh,” he said, “my name’s Hard Core.” Rarity shook his hoof. He had a firm hoofshake. “Kind of awkward to put in a letter, so I just go by ‘HC’ when I’m writing. Follow me.” Hard Core had a fast gait that Rarity struggled to keep up with. Apparently this stallion meant business, which actually put Rarity a bit at ease. It was better to know she was working with somepony who knew what he was doing.

Rarity saw the carriage and then Heavy Weight. He greeted her with a handshake, somehow softer than Hard Core’s despite being far more massive, and got to work loading her bags.

“We’re gonna start shooting this afternoon,” Hard Core explained. “Also, you’re not going to a hotel. You’re staying at a trailer at the studio.”

“Oh,” Rarity said, failing to hide her displeasure. Hard Core smiled, which, with his stained teeth, looked rather creepy.

“It’s not as bad as you think. It’s got all the commodities: a kitchen, a nice bedroom, a shower. Communal laundry, but that shouldn’t matter, seeing how almost nopony wears clothes.”

“Right,” Rarity said, smiling nervously. She followed Hard Core into the carriage just as Heavy Weight was finished loading it. He harnessed himself and set out on his way through the Canterlot streets. Rarity felt a strong sense of déjà vu, only this time she was much more noticeably nervous.

“You need to chill out,” Hard Core said. “You’re shaking like a leaf. Relax. I’m sure you’ve done this a million times already.”

“I’m sorry, what have you heard about me?” Rarity asked.

“Why?”

“Because this is my first time shooting a movie like this.”

“It is?” Hard Core asked. “No wonder I couldn’t find you anywhere at the porn shop! Geez, I thought you must have been in some really obscure ones, but I didn’t realize this was your first porno.”

“Does that change anything?” Rarity asked.

“Actually, it’s fine,” Hard Core said. “The character you're playing is supposed to be losing her virginity, so she’s gonna be real nervous and unsure what to do. You’ll fit perfectly. You’re not actually a virgin, are you?”

Rarity remembered one passionate night in summer with a client who couldn’t afford to pay for the clothes he had ordered. “No, I’m not.”

“Good. I’d hate to have that weighing on me, letting a mare lose her virginity shooting a porno.”

“Right,” Rarity said, laughing nervously. Hard Core then patted her on the back.

“You’ll do fine, kid,” he said. “I’m the best in the business. I know how to direct rookies. I’ve catapulted more than a few ponies to stardom in the industry, not the least of which is the actor playing opposite you. I’d tell you his name, but he introduces himself way better than I can. Guy’s practically his own agent now.”

“I’m looking forward to meeting him,” Rarity said. Hard Core laughed.

“Look, no need to be so formal. You’re filming a porno, nothing classy about it. Just relax and you’ll do fine.”

“Okay,” Rarity said, and she took a few deep breaths. Hard Core smiled again.

“That’s more like it,” he said.

***

“So, here’s your trailer,” Hard Core said, showing Rarity the space. It was a bit dingy, but she figured it could be much worse. Besides, she didn’t really have much of a choice, as the other ones she saw were even worse for wear, save one. Hard Core had told her that one was reserved for the lead actor, and that he’d been using it ever since his first film.

“Whaddya think?” Hard Core asked after Rarity had seen all the rooms.

“It’s...homey,” Rarity said.

Hard Core laughed. “Ah, you’ll get used to it. C’mon, I’ll show you the set.”

Hard Core took her inside the studio, where the finishing touches were being put on the set.

“I’m on a tight budget for this one, so we could only afford a few rooms, but that’s really all we need. You’re gonna be foolin’ around in the living room here,” he said, showing her the first set. There was a gorgeous front door and ornate furniture, so Rarity was sure her character was incredibly wealthy. There was no ceiling, but the wall had crown molding on it, another nice touch.

“It’s quite lovely,” Rarity said.

“Pfft, that’s nothing. Wait’ll you see the bedroom.”

Hard Core lead Rarity to a different set, and Rarity’s jaw dropped. On the wall hung a mural she recognized as being painted by Mohammed Saddle, one of the most important painters from Saddle Arabia. It depicted a horse lying collapsed in the middle of a dust storm. But what really drew Rarity’s attention was the bed. Mauve sheets and gorgeous pillows were all framed by sleek gossamer curtains which surrounded the canopy bed. She forgot her nerves as she stared in awe at what would be one of the most important sets in the movie.

“We got the sheets to complement your mane,” Hard Core said. “We figured the deep purple in your hair would stand out against the sheets. Go ahead and lie down on it, get a feel for the bed.”

“Really?” Rarity asked. She wished she could sleep on that bed instead of the plain twin mattress in the trailer.

“Go for it. It’s your movie. We need to make sure you’re comfortable.”

Rarity bounded over to the bed and collapsed in the sheets. It was even more luxurious than her own bed, which wasn’t something to sneeze at itself. If she weren’t so excited, she could easily imagine taking a nap here.

“You look ripe for the picking,” came a deep voice from the side of the set. Rarity jumped up and saw a rugged Earth pony with a jet black mane and a coat to match. Heavy Weight had been no bum, but paled in comparison to this stallion’s chiseled jaw and debonair smile. Rarity blushed as she rose from the bed to meet him.

“I am the great Italian Stallion,” he said, shaking Rarity’s hand gently. “You must be Rarity. I’ve heard so much about you.” He knelt on the floor and kissed her hoof. Rarity giggled nervously.

“He’s the leading man,” Hard Core said. “A little full of himself, but that comes with success. Besides, he’s got me to keep his ego in check.”

“Definitely,” Italian said, “although you could fill my ego up quite a bit,” he added to Rarity, giving her a wink.

“Oh, you’re awful,” Rarity said with a goofy grin on her face. Pull yourself together! she thought.

“Okay, no time for flirting,” Hard Core said. “Save that for the movie. Somepony get these two gussied up so we can start filming this thing!”

***

After Rarity was clothed and made up, she looked at herself in the mirror and was impressed. She had expected the makeup to be caked on in a really amateur way, but Hard Core must have set a higher standard for his films, for she looked absolutely gorgeous. It was just the right amount of crimson blush, eyeliner, and lipstick to accentuate her features. She was also wearing a white dress with gold trim that looked like it could be worn by Canterlot royalty.

She took a look at Italian, and he was looking quite dapper in a white tuxedo that contrasted his black coat. He didn’t need as much makeup, as his face was dark enough already, but he looked even more handsome than he did when Rarity first met him.

There was little time to ogle each other, because it was time to start filming. Hard Core directed them to sit on the couch with half-full glasses of wine on the coffee table. In the midst of all her excitement, Rarity realized that there was something missing.

“What are our lines?” she asked. “I haven’t seen a script.”

“You’re gonna improvise,” Hard Core said. “Italian’s better off script, and you’ll be able to play off of his dialogue real nicely. He’s fantastic at leading the conversation, with just the right amount of flirtatious drip. Just roll with it.”

Rarity was even more nervous now, but there was no time to mull about that.

“Action!” Hard Core said. Italian looked right at her and smiled.

“That was some party, wasn’t it?” he said. “The way we danced on the balcony under the full moon, it’s something I’ll never forget.”

“Yes,” Rarity said, “and when that shooting star passed, it was so beautiful. I made a wish on that star.”

“You did? Tell me, my sweet, what was it?”

“I wished that you would kiss me.” Suddenly Rarity burst out laughing.

“Cut!” Hard Core called, looking annoyed but amused as well. “That’s good, Rarity, but you’ve gotta get serious. Your laughter totally kills the mood. A little nervous giggling is fine, but you have to deliver your lines better. Also, I’d like things to progress a little slower, so hold off on the kissing until I tell you to get there.”

“Do you want me to say something else?” Rarity asked.

“Just agree with Italian for now. Let him do the talking,” Hard Core said.

“All right,” Rarity said. “I’m ready.”

“Okay. Lights! Camera! Action!” Hard Core shouted. Italian looked directly into Rarity’s eyes again.

“That was some party, wasn’t it?” he said. “When that song came on, I knew I was dancing with the perfect woman.”

“It was so dreamy,” Rarity said. “I’m afraid I’m going to wake up and realize this was all an illusion.”

“There’s nothing fake about this,” Italian said. “When I first saw you at those races, I thought you would never look my way. Then you came to me and introduced yourself so modestly, and I knew you were the one.”

“I was so nervous when I did that!” Rarity said. “I was afraid you wouldn’t like me.”

“How silly we once were,” Italian said.

“Cut!” Hard Core called.

“Did I do something wrong?” Rarity asked, looking at Hard Core.

“No, that was perfect. I just want a camera change. Thanks, guys. Nice and slow. Good.”

“You’re really good at improvising,” Italian said. “Have you worked with Hard Core before?”

“I’ve never been in a pornographic film until now,” Rarity said.

“What? That’s crazy. I mean, I can tell you’re nervous, but I thought that was an act you were putting on.”

“No, I really am quite nervous,” Rarity said. “But I also know how to perform.”

“I hope so,” Italian said with a wink.

“Okay, the cameras are in position,” Hard Core said. “Take it from right where you left off.”

“All right,” Rarity said, gulping.

“Action!” Hard Core called.

“Yes,” Rarity said, “we were both so foolish, so young. But now we’re older, more mature, more ready.”

“Ready for what?” Italian asked.

“Ready for...dammit, I lost my train of thought.”

“Cut!” Hard Core called. “It’s okay. I didn’t like where that was going anyway. Do you want me to prompt you?”

“No, I think I’ve got it,” Rarity said.

“It’s all right,” Italian said. “You’re doing great. Just fall back on me if you don’t know what to say next.”

“All right,” Rarity said. “I trust you.”

***

“Cut! That’s a wrap,” Hard Core said. “Pretty good for an afternoon’s work. I thought it would take you a lot longer, Rarity, to get used to this, but you’re a natural.”

“Thank you,” Rarity said, feeling much more relaxed than she had when she started.

“Don’t thank me just yet. The real test is going to be the sex,” Hard Core said. That made Rarity nervous all over again.

“We’ll pick up from where we left off tomorrow,” Hard Core said. “Get a good night’s rest. We’ve only got a month to pull this off, and I don’t need anypony sleeping on the job.”

“Goodnight, Rarity,” Italian said.

“Goodnight,” Rarity replied. They went off to their opposite trailers. Rarity was a little upset that he didn’t want to talk to her more. We only just met, Rarity said to herself.

Oh, but the way he was sweet talking me.

That was just for the film. When the cameras aren’t rolling, you’re coworkers. Keep it professional.

All right, I will, Rarity resolved. For now.

Chapter 5: The Heat

Chapter 5: The Heat

He was massaging her as she lay flat on the table. The steam from the hot tub in the other room was filling this room with a misty fog, and Rarity found the hissing noises of the steam soothing to the ear. The room smelled of jasmine, Rarity’s favorite flower, allowing her to relax under her stallion’s touch. He pressed down on her, causing her shoulders to cry out in pain, but that made it feel so good when he stopped. Rarity had to admit he was doing his job well.

He slowly moved his hooves down her back, working out all of her kinks and sending her into moans of relief. He took his time on the areas that caused her to moan the most, as he understood that those were the spots that needed the most attention. But to relieve her back pain was not all he wanted, and Rarity knew it, because she wanted the same thing he did.

A lady must always be patient, she told herself while her body was screaming at her to roll over and reach his lips with her own. If he wanted to lay her, he would have to make the initial move. As he massaged her lower back, Rarity’s moans became cries of “yes” and “that’s it.” She was hoping to encourage him to make his move, if he was even going to do it at all.

It turned out he didn’t need nearly as much encouragement as she thought he did. He gently prodded her buttocks with his hooves, rubbing them in a circular motion as slowly as he could. Rarity moaned to express her delight, and he responded by planting light kisses on her lower back. His hooves rolled through her coat and found the area beneath her cheeks. Rarity impulsively spread her hind legs open and he stroked her pussy, causing it to moisten with his touch.

“Turn over,” he said, helping Rarity flip the other way around on the table. It was only then that she recognized Italian Stallion as the one who had been pleasuring her. He gave her a wicked grin and proceeded to rub his hoof through her wet pussy. Rarity panted as his strokes became more fervent, and she urged him to go on. He suddenly pulled his hoof out and licked it, tasting her delicate juices.

“Delicious,” he whispered, leaning closer to her waist. “I have to have more...”

“Yes, please...” Rarity begged, and she got her wish. He licked her succulent lips with his tongue, tasting more of the sweet juices and smelling a musk seeping from Rarity’s mound. He stuck his tongue into her hole and lapped at her clit, somehow finding it quickly despite not being able to see it. Rarity cried out in delight as his tongue continued to work her.

Rarity was on her mattress, rubbing vigorously between her thighs, and when she woke up from her dream she realized what she’d been doing and stopped immediately. She could feel a cold sweat dripping down her forehead and a hot fire searing between her legs.

Not good, Rarity thought. If she was masturbating during her sleep like this, it was a telltale sign that she was in heat. They had been filming a week the preliminary scenes, and Rarity had certainly grown fond of Italian. But this was the first night she’d had a wet dream of him, and she knew they would start filming the sex scenes tomorrow. Hoping her slowly growing crush and her searing condition wouldn’t make her take things out of hoof, she closed her eyes and tried to find a more peaceful sleep in preparation for the next day’s work.

***

Rarity didn’t dare tell anypony about her sexual fantasy from the night before and hoped to Celestia it wouldn’t interfere with the film production. The mares were making her up and dressing her in that same white dress as usual. On the other side of the room she could see Italian getting dressed as well, and an overwhelming feeling of arousal filled her loins, so overwhelming she feared staining the dress. Keep it under control, Rarity, she told herself, and she managed to rein in her heated desire.

Hard Core came into the room, barking about why his lead actors weren’t ready to begin filming yet. Rarity and Italian both came up to him, looking just as impeccable as they had the day before. Hard Core was pleased.

“Good. Now, places. Italian, you’re going to make the move on Rarity and swoop in for a kiss, and from there I want you to go wild. Not too wild, though; save that stuff for the bedroom. That’s where we want the real rutting to happen. Got it, you two?”

“I believe I do,” said Rarity.

“Got it,” said Italian.

“We all set to roll here?” Hard Core asked.

“Yes, boss,” called one of the crew members.

“Then give me lights.” The spotlights came on, illuminating the set with a glow that Rarity was used to by now. “Camera.” The cameras zoomed in, red lights glowing. Rarity had become accustomed to ignoring them. “Action!”

“I’ve never felt quite so drawn to anypony in my life,” Italian said, picking up from where they had last left their conversation. “You’re an absolute goddess. And don’t think this is the wine talking. If you would only say the word, I will take you where we stand.”

Rarity felt a searing flame in her loins. She looked down at her dress and indeed found a wet stain seeping through the fabric. “Oh, my,” Rarity said, trying to roll with it. “It appears my body certainly knows what it wants.”

“Indeed,” Italian said, also taking note of the stain on the dress. He suddenly swooped forward and kissed Rarity, his tongue probing her mouth. Rarity, though caught off guard, opened her mouth and let his tongue in, kissing him just as eagerly. She couldn’t be sure what this meant to him, but to her it was her wildest fantasy coming true.

She took a firm hold of his mane and pressed his body down on the couch, keeping her lips locked with his as she held his face with her other hoof. Italian, however, did not take too kindly to being on the bottom, and so he forcefully turned her and mounted her before attacking her mouth with his own. He ran a hoof down her body and stroked her thigh as his other hoof took her mane in its grasp.

“I could take you right here, on the couch,” he moaned between kisses. Out of the corner of her eye, Rarity got a cue from Hard Core to move it to the bedroom. She held a hoof up to stop Italian and implored him.

“I just want to let you know, this is my first time,” she told him, adhering to the loosely-written script. “If you wish to bed me, you will have to take me to a bed first. Let me lead you into the bedroom, and I promise I will make it worth your while.”

“Whatever you say,” Italian said.

“Cut!” shouted Hard Core. “Very nice, you two. You’ve set the scene for the real rutting to begin. Rarity, getting yourself to stain your dress was fucking brilliant. Really, you have no idea. You could become something in this business.”

“Why, thank you,” Rarity said, not sure if she should be flattered by the compliment or horrified by the implication that she could make a career of this.

“Come on, follow me to the bedroom. We’ve got a lot to talk about for these next couple of scenes.” Hard Core rose from his chair and beckoned Rarity and Italian to follow him.

“You two are mad for each other,” Hard Core explained, “so I don’t care how much those clothes cost. I want you to tear them to shreds while you’re stripping each other. Well...not literally, but put some energy into it.

“Next I want you, Italian, to eat out Rarity’s pussy. Has anypony ever done that to you, kid?”

Rarity remembered her first boyfriend once again. “Yes, they have.”

“Good. Now from what I know about Italian, he can make you cream fast and hard. Get excited, get into it, but don’t scream so much that it’s obnoxious. And remember, it’s only round 1.”

“Round 1? What does that mean?” Rarity asked.

“I’m getting to it. Now, after he’s done this to you, he’s gonna rut you silly. Hunched over you with his dick slamming into your pussy. It’s your first time, so struggle with it a bit, but show how pleasurable you feel. Encourage him to keep going and don’t fight it when he cums.”

“Wait a minute,” Rarity said. “He’s going to ejaculate inside me?”

“Oh, don’t worry about that,” Italian said. “The doctors cast some magic on my sperm. I’m infertile.”

"That's very convenient," Rarity admitted, "but why?"

“What kind of business can I run if a porn star’s gonna impregnate all the mares he fucks?” Hard Core asked. “Trust me, it's been well taken care of.”

“Oh, good, good,” Rarity said.

“All right,” Hard Core said. “Think you’re ready to do this?”

“I know I am,” Italian said.

“I’ll do my best,” said Rarity, giving a nervous smile.

Hard Core stepped close and patted her on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, kid. Your best has been pretty damn good so far. Keep up the good work.

“Now, I gotta get the set prepped. You two feel free to shoot the shit, get to know each other a little better so you’re not just a couple of acquaintances fucking each other.” Hard Core left Rarity and Italian alone. Italian beckoned Rarity over to some seats so they could talk.

“You’re a far more gifted actress than I anticipated,” he said to her. “I was expecting a complete amateur, but we’re running way ahead of schedule because you’re delivering when it counts.”

“Why, thank you,” Rarity said. “You’re doing a fine job yourself.”

“Well, that’s to be expected.” Italian smiled smugly. “I was meaning to ask you, though. How’d you get yourself wet like that?”

“Wet like what?” Rarity asked. Italian pointed to the stain on her dress. “Oh, that. Well...I guess I got caught up in the heat of the moment.”

“No, you don’t seem to understand,” Italian said. “Hard Core’s usually spritzing the mares down in between takes to simulate that arousal, but you did it naturally. How the hell did you pull that off?”

“Well...I’d rather not say. Industry secret and all.”

“Oh, so that’s how you’re gonna play it,” Italian said, holding his hooves up. “All right, I see how it is. You don’t have to tell me until we’re done shooting, then I’m gonna pester you about it until you spit it out.

"Oh, Hard Core’s beckoning us over. We’d better get moving.”

“All right,” Rarity said hesitantly, knowing a real test was about to come. Having sex in front of a camera. Kissing had been hard enough, but now they’d literally be fucking on film. She would just have to make sure not to face the camera or let the eyes of the director and the crew distract her. She decided it was best to let Italian lead the way, as he was the stallion who knew what he was doing.

Then she thought of that vivid wet dream from last night, him massaging her and tasting her juices, and that made her willing to let this stallion take her where she would lie. He would taste her just as he’d done in the dream. Rarity was giddy to feel that experience for real this time. And then, a hard cock forcing itself into her body, filling her with a flood of sensations, was an experience Rarity hungered for.

Rarity checked her dress to see if the stain had spread, and it had expanded from her loins. Giddy, she took her position in Italian’s hooves as they were to clumsily make their way to the bed.

Hard Core sat down in his chair and called for the lights and the camera. He was brimming with anticipation. This seasoned professional and this hot talent together were about to make big things happen for him, and he couldn’t wait to say “Action!” So he didn’t.

“Action!”

Italian swooped in for a rough kiss as he marched Rarity towards the bed. Rarity, swept up by his sudden advances, steadied herself and returned his passionate kiss with fervor. Italian pushed her onto the bed and positioned himself so that he was looming over her. He moved quickly, nibbling her ear and nipping at her neck before ripping open the dress and wrestling it off her. Rarity straightened up to help him tear the dress off of her, and the entire back seam ripped as the dress came off. Italian flung it to the floor and then tried to tear off his suit.

“Hold on, hold on,” Rarity said, giggling. “Let me help you with that.” She used her unicorn magic to quickly untie the tie and fling that away. She then took off the rest of the tuxedo with her hooves, tearing it off of him. The two of them, both naked now, laid on the bed, and Italian delivered deep kisses to Rarity’s chest.

Rarity anticipated what was coming and cooed, moving up the bed to bring Italian closer to her now soaking set of lips. Italian licked the juices, which made Rarity feel extremely ticklish. She started laughing, but her laughter turned to moans when Italian’s tongue delved into her depths and began licking her vaginal walls. He was coming so close to the spot she wanted him to touch—no, to ravish—and so Rarity started moaning to him.

“Keep going...keep going...a little to the left...” She gasped as he brushed against her clit. “No go back, please go back...yes. Yes, yes, YES! Right there! Oh Celestia!” Rarity’s hips started gyrating as he tongued her sensitive nub. He could taste fresh juices squirting from deep within her cavern, but her bucking hips were making it hard to focus. He wrapped his hooves around her legs and held them down to the bed so he could keep her still enough to focus his attack.

Rarity’s cries of “Yes!” and “Oh Celestia” became long, drawn out gasps as she came to a thunderous orgasm, the first one a stallion had given to her in years. It felt so much better when she didn’t have to do it herself, and now that she wasn’t in control of it, she felt swept away by the electric sensation. Raw energy coursed through her veins and came out of her mouth in cries of delight before she started to fade from climax. Her breathing relaxed, her nerves stopped firing, and she could move her hips freely again as Italian released his grip on her legs and pulled out from her leaking pussy.

Rarity looked between his legs and saw his erect penis standing at attention. The thick black cock was incredibly large even just eyeing it now, and Rarity could only imagine what it would feel like inside her. It was certainly bigger than her last stallion’s cock.

With no time left to think about it, Italian turned her over and spread her hind legs open. Rarity felt tense, nervous, and incredibly aroused. This stallion was taking her where she lay, sweeping her off her hooves. It was all happening so fast, and in the midst of all of it Rarity’s heart was racing and she could feel beads of sweat dripping down her face. The bright lighting was amplifying it, and Hard Core couldn’t have looked more excited for what was coming next.

Italian thrust into Rarity’s cavern, but she was so slick that he slid in with only a little pain. Rarity winced but felt incredibly full as he pounded his shaft into her. Italian leaned over, grabbed her mane, and pulled it up so her head was off of the bed sheets. He leaned over and wrapped his lips around her ear. Rarity gasped and panted because of the expended energy of thrusting back and forth like this, and every push filled her up with more anticipation.

The musky scent of sex now wafted through the set. Hard Core wished he could have found a way to capture it, but to no avail. He could only focus on the two ponies humping on the bed, wrinkling the sheets and leaking on to them, with the sounds of his grunts and her gasps being picked up by the microphone. Hard Core was thrilled. Italian knew how to hold out, so he’d get a lot of footage for this first sex scene.

Italian could feel his loins clench as they were preparing to shoot his load into this beautiful mare. He did his best to contain it, to keep it held down so that the pressure would build up before the big release. Rarity’s gasps were getting louder and more drawn out. Rarity’s gyrating hips signaled that she was close to her second orgasm, so to push her over the edge he came, his cum streaming from the tip of his penis into her vagina.

Rarity felt the warm fluid fill her up and she cried out as another wave of raw energy coursed through her. She thrust her backside into him as a way to release the pent up energy, and his load continued to stream into her. Italian’s grunts were steadied, controlled, while Rarity’s cries were wild with rapture. Soon their climaxes subsided, leading the two of them to collapse onto the bed, Italian’s dick sliding out of Rarity and his leftover semen dribbling onto the sheets.

“Cut!” Hard Core finally called. Rarity and Italian slowly straightened up, looking winded but quite pleased with themselves.

“Excellent work from both of you,” Hard Core said as he walked over. “That was so fucking hot. Even I was getting a hard-on just watching it.”

“Well, that is the point, is it not?” Rarity asked with a wink.

Hard Core let out a raucous laugh, leaving no doubt to anyone in the room how pleased he was. “And to think we haven’t even gotten started yet. The real kinky stuff’s to come, so if you can continue to be as awesome as you are on camera, Rarity, this porno’s gonna blow everypony’s minds! Take a break, kids, you deserve it. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Thank you,” Italian said as Hard Core went off to consult with his film crew. He turned to Rarity and smiled awkwardly.

“Rarity, you were just...” he said. “Wow. You’re a natural at this.”

“I must say, that was incredibly delightful,” Rarity understated. She felt a strong urge to kiss Italian square on the lips and lure him to her trailer for another round, but the lady in her told her to keep it professional. However, she thought she could see some desire lurking in Italian’s eyes, or maybe that was part of his charm.

“Well, I have to get going,” Italian said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“All right,” Rarity said. “Farewell.”

Italian smiled and walked away to get his makeup removed. Rarity stared at him as his distance from her grew, and it took her a while to snap out of staring at him so she could get ready to go, too. As she watched him from a distance, she was sure who she would be dreaming about tonight.

Chapter 6: The Solo

Chapter 6: The Solo

“Now that we’ve gotten the first time out of the way,” Hard Core said, “it’s time we really get down to business. Rarity, you’re either gonna have a lot of fun with this or it’s gonna freak you the fuck out. Italian, you’ve done this shit before, so I don’t expect any problems from you.”

“Oh, definitely not,” Italian said smugly.

Rarity looked a touch more nervous, but now that she was getting used to filming explicit sex scenes, she was brimming with excitement as well. “What kind of things do you have in mind?” she asked.

“Well,” Hard Core said, coming down from his directorial chair and stepping close to Rarity, “first there’s gonna be a scene with you fucking yourself with a dildo, because Italian’s not gonna be there all the time and you’re still gonna be hot for him.” Rarity smiled. She had never used one before, but the thought had crossed her mind on some lonely nights when masturbation just wasn’t enough. Now she’d have a chance to try it.

“Then,” Hard Core continued, “when he comes back, saying he couldn’t keep himself away, you’re gonna try some real kinky shit. We’re gonna start with some role play. I picture you as a schoolfilly getting disciplined by the headmaster. It’s kinda cliché, but it gets good ratings.”

“All right then,” Rarity said, starting to get more eager. She wished she could be filming this part now, to feel that strong stallion’s penis penetrate her again. The thought that she was getting too emotionally involved never crossed her mind. “What’s next?”

“There has to be some BDSM, or it wouldn’t be a Hard Core film, know what I mean? You’re gonna be tied up and gagged, which might not sound very pleasant, but it’s what the ponies want. The research shows that—”

“Excuse me,” Rarity asked, her excitement having quickly been overcome by dread. “Did you say I was to be tied up and gagged?”

“Yeah. Everypony’s come to expect that from my films. They say it’s one of my specialties. You’re in too deep to back out now.”

Italian smiled. “Technically, wouldn’t I be the one that’s in too deep?”

Hard Core let out a hearty laugh, which set Rarity on edge. Italian was too cool to laugh at his own joke, but he gave Rarity a wink. Rarity smiled nervously back at him.

“So what comes after that?” Rarity asked.

“Well, if it were up to me, things would slow down a bit and there’d be a bit more dialogue between you two. Builds character. But ponies watching porn don’t care about that shit.” There was a subtle bitterness to his voice that Rarity just barely noticed. “So instead, the compromise is you’re getting an enema while you two are talking. Builds anticipation for...well, Rarity, do you know what comes after that?”

Rarity was starting to feel nauseous. She knew exactly what came after that, and the prospect of it made her very uncomfortable, to say the least. She was about to dig her hooves in and say it out loud when Hard Core held up a hoof to stop her.

“You don’t have to say it out loud. I can tell you’re nervous and I just wanna say that all rookies feel squeamish the first time they try that. It’ll be the last thing we film, so you don’t have to worry about it for a while.”

Rarity breathed a small sigh of relief, glad that it was going to be put off as long as possible. Italian looked almost disappointed.

“But that’s my favorite part,” he said. Rarity gawked at him.

“Which is why I’m saving it for last,” Hard Core said. “Your anticipation is gonna come through in your acting, which’ll make the film that much more authentic. You know that.”

“All right,” Italian said with a sigh. “I guess I’ll have to wait.”

In her nervousness, Rarity tried not to look directly at him. She glanced quickly at the ground, but caught Italian’s cutie mark out of the corner of her eye. Her jaw dropped when she looked at it more carefully. How did I not notice that before? she thought.

“What’s got into you, Rarity?” Hard Core asked.

“It’s his cutie mark...” Rarity said. She then started to burst out laughing. Italian looked at her knowingly and addressed it.

“Yes, my cutie mark is an erect penis,” he said. “How do you think I knew I’d get into this industry? Everypony in class made fun of me about it, and my parents were embarrassed to see it. They almost took me in to a specialist to get it removed, but I told them it was a part of who I was.” As Rarity listened intently, Italian became more dramatic. “It was all I could do to bear the ridicule day in and day out, but from that moment on, I had a dream. And I’ve come to realize that dream time and time again ever since.”

“You didn’t even notice my cutie mark,” Hard Core said. Rarity had never particularly had the desire to take a peek at Hard Core’s flank, but now that he mentioned it, she took a look and was shocked to see that his flank was bare.

“You don’t have a cutie mark?” she asked.

“I did,” Hard Core said, “and I wasn’t as strong willed as Italian. I got mine removed, and though I got teased for being a blank flank all my life, it was way better than what they would have called me. My name wasn’t even Hard Core back then. I had to change it to build a reputation in this industry.”

“What were you called before?” Rarity asked.

“Film Shoot,” he said, “and it was a great name for an aspiring director. But I didn’t make it to the big leagues and, strapped for cash, I got into this business instead.” A dark shadow seemed to cast itself over his face. It was at this moment that Rarity felt sorry for him, able to decipher his story from his minimalistic words.

“I should have realized it the first time I saw my mark,” he said, “but I was in denial until the harsh reality of the world brought me down.” Hard Core turned away.

“I’m terribly sorry,” Rarity said, trying to step over to comfort him. Hard Core stepped back, causing Rarity to pause.

“Hey, don’t worry about it,” he said. “It’s not like I absolutely hate my job. This gig’s got its perks, and I ended up making a name for myself after all, so everything worked out.

“All right,” he said, stomping a hoof down, “we’ve talked enough already. I gotta get the set ready so you can start filming. Get your makeup on, Rarity, cause you’re up first. Italian, you’re gonna help me with the camera.”

“I love doing that,” he said to Rarity. “At first I thought I was going to be a director, but then I made a name for myself in acting. Hard Core and I have been working together for so long that he gave me a chance to branch out. It’s gonna be a lot of fun filming you.”

“Well, then I assure you I’ll put on my best performance,” Rarity said, batting her eyelids. She walked towards the makeup chair, flicking her tail. Italian smirked and went to join Hard Core to discuss the camera work further.

Filming a masturbatory scene was going to be a lot of fun for Rarity. She had practically already done it for the photo shoot, and she relished the chance to do it again, this time on film. It would be important to keep up the performance the entire time, so she was nervous about that, but she was also confident she’d do a good job.

Now that she’d had her makeup done so many times, she’d gotten to know the makeup artist, Crimson Blush, a lot better. The two of them chatted idly while she applied the makeup with her magic.

“What do you think of Hard Core’s choice to film everything in one long scene?” Crimson asked.

“You know,” Rarity said, “I was just wondering that myself. Aren’t directors supposed to shoot short sequences?”

“Well, Hard Core says the most effective porn is drawn out in one fluid scene. The audience gets into it more that way.”

“Really?” Rarity asked. “I’ve never really watched porn, so I wouldn’t know about that.”

“Well, Hard Core’s the best in the business. It may be tougher to film with him, but it’s gonna be worth it when you get your paycheck. You’re gonna get a cut of the film’s profits, and it’s usually very good money.”

Just what I need to keep afloat, Rarity thought to herself, but she dared not say it out loud. She didn’t want anypony here to know how strapped for cash she was. Being poor was not very sophisticated, and Rarity was all about sophistication. Then she reminded herself that she was shooting a porno, so maybe she should stop trying to be so stuffy. Well, they don’t need to know about my financial troubles anyway.

“All right!” Hard Core called out. “I’m ready. Did you get her makeup done, Crimson?”

“All set!” Crimson yelled back, and she shooed Rarity on her way.

“Okay, Rarity,” he said when Rarity arrived on the set, “if it were up to me, the look of anguish on your face would tell the audience how upset you are that Italian’s just left, but that shit’s too subtle. You’re gonna have to say it out loud Then, when you start thinking about him, your hoof’s gonna slowly move lower until you start touching yourself. Keep it gradual, but build it steadily. Say his name out loud. You remember what his name is, right?”

“Um...what?” Rarity asked.

“Shit! Now I remember. You two never got to know each other’s names,” he said. “Why the fuck did I decide that? Ah well, I guess it ain’t too important. You’re gonna fantasize about him plowing you, so talk as if he’s there and you’re egging him on. Then, you’re gonna get frustrated, touching yourself just ain’t cutting it. There’s a dildo in the nightstand drawer, you take that out with your magic and shove it up your pussy. It needs to be rough, ’cause remember, you want this stallion badly. Get real vocal when you come to climax, and it’d be real nice if you actually climaxed for us. It’s more authentic that way. Got all that?”

Rarity had been listening intently, so she knew exactly what she was supposed to do.

“All right, then,” Hard Core said. “Action!”

Rarity just laid on the bed for a moment, a longing look in her eye that was truly genuine, though she didn’t care to admit it. Hard Core signaled her to start talking, and she obliged.

“Oh, where has my love gone?” Rarity asked. “I can’t stop thinking about him, even though he only just left last night. And I didn’t even get to know his name...” Rarity figured that was enough to build up the tension, so she lowered her hoof gradually, attempting to draw it out as long as possible. Truthfully, she was more than eager to find that dildo and stuff it up her vagina immediately, but she had to contain her excitement.

She found her lips and stroked them gently, the heat that had been bothering her since she started filming now burning at the touch. She couldn’t help herself; she bucked her hips and tried to push her hoof inside herself. Hard Core held out his hooves, giving her the universal signal to slow down. Rarity caught this out of the corner of her eye and obliged. She went back to stroking her lips. Closing her eyes, she bit her lip at the agonizing pleasure.

She could picture him now in her head, rubbing his cock against her moist pussy, teasing her almost like the way her hoof was teasing her now. She felt slick to the touch, and she was unwittingly staining the sheets, which thrilled Hard Core immensely. Italian zoomed in on her crotch, capturing on film the wetness forming beneath it.

“Oh, don’t be such a tease...” Rarity said aloud. She sensed that now was the time to start increasing the pace, so she penetrated herself with her hoof and found the sensitive nub within. The heat emanating through her body as she touched herself was starting to make her sweat. Italian zoomed out upon noticing this so the camera could film her sweat. It occurred to him just how realistic the performance was, and he knew Rarity was actually getting into it for real. He smiled; he had never worked with a rookie this talented before.

“Keep going, ah, yes, keep going!” Rarity cried. She clumsily moved her hoof back and forth, attempting to simulate the feeling of a penis thrusting into her. She remembered the dildo that was waiting in the drawer, so she used her magic to open the drawer and lift it out. The dildo was a deep shade of purple that matched her mane so well that Rarity figured it was chosen specifically with her in mind. That wasn’t important right now, though; all she wanted was to try this new instrument on for size.

Using her magic, she positioned it at her pussy and pushed it in. It was definitely a tight fit, but the warm material almost felt like Italian’s rod entering her, which was exactly what she was imagining. Rarity moaned as she gently moved the dildo back and forth, sliding it out of her vagina only to go back deeper.

Once her walls had stretched enough to fit the sex toy, Rarity started to make it thrust into her more rapidly. “Don’t stop, don’t you dare stop!” she cried as she rocked herself back and forth, almost as if she was rutting a stallion instead of an inanimate substitute. She could smell herself getting hot, which enticed her further, and she finally began to squirt all over the sheets. She let out a high-pitched cry as she climaxed, practically gyrating on the bed. She wanted to scream out the name “Italian” but realized just in time that she couldn’t, so she continued to cry and moan until the climax passed.

Rarity’s magic took the dildo out with a squelching noise. She stared at it, noting how moist it had become. A wave of melancholy suddenly hit her that she had only been pleasuring herself. How badly she had wanted it to be Italian’s cock instead of this glistening purple object.

Hard Core was loving this; it perfectly captured the anguish of being alone without her lover near. He motioned for her to speak her anguish.

“Please come back to me,” Rarity said, and she finally noticed how real this request was. She resisted every urge to look at Italian, because now she finally understood what had been fueling this heat for so long.

She slumped on the bed and shut her eyes, and the shot lingered before Hard Core finally said “Cut!”

“That was brilliant!” he cried, which made Rarity open her eyes and sit up on the bed. Hard Core had the biggest smile on his face, which still creeped her out a bit, but she was getting used to it now. “You were actually getting into it again, Rarity! Do you know how many actresses can’t do that? They get camera shy or they’re just so detached. But not you! What’s making you so fucking horny?”

Now being put on the spot, Rarity didn’t dare admit what she had discovered: her growing lust for the leading stallion. She put on a smug face and tried to shrug the question off.

“I guess I’m just really excited about being on film,” she said. “It’s a turn on.” She wasn’t completely lying, but she wasn’t telling the whole truth either.

“Well, if you keep this up,” Hard Core said, “this is gonna be one of the best pornos I’ve ever filmed. Don’t you agree, Italian?”

“I have to say, I’m impressed,” Italian said, which made Rarity’s heart soar. She did her best to hide her excitement. Italian continued. “I can’t wait to see what the rest of the film is going to be like, is going to feel like.”

“I’m looking forward to it as well,” Rarity said, now getting off of the bed and walking towards the makeup table. More than you know, she thought. More than you know...

Chapter 7: The Confession

Chapter 7: The Confession

Spike was glad that Rarity had been given a chance to play even a small role on a TV series. If what Rarity said about the frequency of her appearance was true, then it would be a show worth watching. The problem with it was he hadn’t seen her in two weeks, and the magazine spread she had done for Playcolt had been agonizing him.

Ever since finding that magazine in Twilight’s bookshelf, Spike had made sure to keep it hidden under a loose floorboard under the bed that he was almost positive Twilight didn’t know about. Late at night, while Twilight was sound asleep, he would sneak over to retrieve the magazine and just look at the pictures of his angel, especially the one in the center that he didn’t quite understand.

At first he was just staring at them in awe, but he started to notice an unusual sensation while looking at them. His penis—whose only purpose, Spike had thought, was to go to the bathroom—would elongate to an impressive size and feel firm to the touch. The first time he felt that, he had been quite alarmed, but he hadn’t wanted to wake Twilight up because he didn’t want her to know that he was holding onto this magazine. He put the offending culprit back in its spot and, to his relief, the swelling in his penis went down until it was at its normal size.

He thought he would never look at the magazine again for fear of that unusual reaction, but he found himself even more drawn to it than before. He fished it out one night and noticed his member grow hard at the sight of Rarity doing Celestia knows what to herself. Only this time, he felt an urge to grasp onto his dick and start tugging at it for no discernable reason. He tried it, and the pleasant feeling that emanated from his crotch immediately told him that what he was doing was good. So he kept doing it.

Looking at Rarity’s prostrate frame made the urge stronger, and Spike responded by tugging at himself faster. It took some getting used to to form a good rhythm, but he found one that excited him the most and dedicated himself to it. His penis, at first simply firm, now felt incredibly hard, unable to bend in any direction.

When his loins began to clench, a feeling foreign to Spike, he wondered if this was the next step in a long, escalating process. He was both fearful of the outcome and excited to find out what came next. Well, what came next came unexpectedly to him. He...came.

He didn’t know what that word meant in that context. All he knew was that spurts of white, creamy fluid shot out of his penis and all over the pages of the magazine. After a wave of euphoria coursed through him, Spike almost cried out in fright at the sight of this fluid. It was so alien to him that he was amazed it had come out of him at all. I know dragons have to go to the bathroom, he thought, but what the heck is this?

Whatever it was, he had to clean it up, and fast. He scurried to the bathroom like a mouse and pulled down a giant wad of toilet paper. He brought it back into the bedroom and wiped up the slick cream that had begun to gather on the floor. The magazine was stained, as if water had been poured on its pages, but Spike could simply hide it under the floorboard. The floors themselves were now perfectly clean, so there was no way Twilight had to find out what happened.

He stayed away from looking at the magazine for the next couple of days, afraid he would react that way again if he looked at it. All the while, he frequently caught Twilight roaming through books in her room, flipping through their pages and sometimes shaking them to see if something would fall out. Spike finally asked her about this one day, but he got a very curt answer.

“It’s none of your business what I do with my books,” she said. She huffed and put the book she had been shaking back on its shelf.

“Well, are you looking for something in one of the books?” Spike asked. “Maybe I can help you find it.”

“No!” Twilight protested too loudly. She caught her mistake and softened her tone. “I mean, no thank you, Spike. Just worry about the books in the library. Don’t mind me. I’m probably just acting strangely again.”

“Don’t say that, Twilight, you’re not strange.” Spike went over to comfort Twilight, but she took a step back.

“You don’t have to pretend I haven’t had my moments,” she said. “I just need to learn to keep them in check, that’s all.”

Spike stopped advancing. “Okay, Twilight, whatever you say.”

“Thank you, Spike,” she said with a warm smile.

“You’re welcome.” Spike nodded and returned to the library, his suspicions still strong but his curiosity to pursue them waning.

The magazine soon proved too tempting to resist. Every night he wasn’t looking at the magazine, he was imagining the pictures in his own head. Those pictures melded into other images, particularly of him and Rarity, that confused him. He imagined her kissing him on the lips the way he had seen couples do in Ponyville. These thoughts were enough to trigger his penis to grow erect again, and the urge to pleasure himself started to overwhelm him.

He finally realized that there was no use fighting it. Getting that fluid out of his system had felt too good, and he wanted to capture that feeling again. He pulled out the magazine and opened it to the center page. It was still darkened with his stain, but it had dried over the past few days and wasn’t as sticky to the touch anymore. Spike knew that this time he would be more careful where he sprayed, now that he knew when it was coming.

In the meanwhile, Twilight found herself in the middle of a dream so palpable she believed it was real. Rarity was posing for her while she took pictures, wearing the scantiest of clothing and spreading her legs open for her. It made Twilight’s loins burn and she felt a murmur of excitement in her stomach. But just when she had decided to take away the camera and become more personally involved, she woke suddenly and heard a soft sound coming from beneath her bed.

She rose out of bed, but Spike thought that was only her turning in her sleep, but when she lifted up the sheets and probed the underside of the bed with a glowing purple horn, Spike knew he had been bagged.

“Spike!” Twilight cried, startling him badly. “What are you doing down here?”

“Twilight?” Spike said, recovering and desperately trying to hide the magazine behind him. “I thought you were asleep!”

“I was asleep, and then I started hearing noises under here and now I see you. What’s that behind your back?”

A corner of the magazine had been sticking out from behind his tail. Spike tried to shift it further behind him, but Twilight’s magic was too quick for him. She levitated the object over to her and took a careful look at it.

“That’s my magazine!” she cried without thinking. “Oh, Spike, what have you been doing with this?”

“Wait...so that is your’s!” Spike said. “What are you doing with a magazine like this?”

“A magazine like what?” Twilight cried defensively. “No no, hold on. Get out from under the bed so we can really talk about this.” Twilight grabbed Spike with her magic and dragged him out from beneath the bed. She sat down across from him and glared at him for a few moments, making him feel frightened. Her expression softened when she realized what he had been doing, and it came to her as no surprise.

“Spike, the magazine’s been stained,” she said, flipping through the pages again. “I think I know what’s been going on.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Spike said, still terrified she would find out about his problem.

“I knew you liked Rarity,” Twilight said, keeping a façade of calm but secretly hoping Spike wouldn’t discover why she had wanted to find this magazine so badly for the past few weeks. “I didn’t realize you were masturbating to her.”

“Master-wha?” Spike asked, the word totally foreign to him.

“How can I explain this delicately?” Twilight asked, searching her vast intellectual resources for an explanation that wouldn’t completely disturb him. She went for the most scientific one. “You felt compelled by the erotic pictures of Rarity to take your penis in your grasp and rub it up and down to simulate sexual intercourse.”

“Can you say that in English?” Spike asked.

“You were tugging at your member,” Twilight said, and Spike’s jaw dropped. She’d had him totally figured out. “What I never understood is why that instinct is so natural. Nopony teaches you how to masturbate, but you find out how to do it on your own. It’s just like when people have sex. It comes naturally to them. I bet you felt pretty excited while you were doing it, huh?”

Spike wished very much he could bolt out of the library, but a latent curiosity concerning why Twilight had called it her own magazine kept him seated. “I guess so,” he admitted.

“And I know you’ve loved Rarity for quite some time, amplifying those feelings even more, correct?”

“Sure,” he admitted, blushing.

“Well then I find this perfectly understandable,” Twilight said.

“But something’s still wrong,” Spike said, rocking back and forth. “When I did it...something came out.”

“Oh, that?” Twilight asked. “That’s called semen. It’s half of what creates new life. It needs to merge with the egg cell of a female during intercourse to make children. That’s perfectly normal.”

“It’s normal?” Spike asked.

“Correct,” Twilight assured him, nodding her head.

“Yeah, but there’s still something fishy going on around here,” Spike said, and now Twilight was on guard. She had a feeling he was about to figure her out, and the prospect terrified her. “You had that magazine hidden in one of your books. I found it, and ever since then you were constantly searching through your books like you were looking for something. You wanted this magazine for yourself, didn’t you?”

“Whatever makes you believe that?” Twilight asked.

“Well, maybe it’s just because she’s your friend,” Spike said, completely ignoring Twilight’s growing trepidation, “but maybe it’s kind of like what happened with Moondancer.”

“You swore to never bring that up again!” Twilight shouted.

“You liked Moondancer and you were too ashamed to admit it!” Spike cried in protest.

“We’re getting way off-topic here,” Twilight said, crossing her forelegs. “I thought we were talking about you.”

“Oh no, we’re way past that,” Spike said. “It took you weeks for you to admit to me you liked Moondancer and then even longer to admit that you had feelings for other mares. I tried to tell you it was okay but you wouldn’t listen.” Something finally clicked in Spike’s brain. Maybe it was the ferocity of Twilight’s blushing, maybe it had been stimulated by the topic of her lesbianism. But why else would she be hiding the magazine? Why else would she be so afraid to talk about herself? “I don’t believe this...”

“Believe what?” Twilight asked.

“She’s mine, okay? Mine! I liked her first!”

“What are you talking about?” Twilight asked frightfully.

“Rarity! I liked her from the moment I met her. I don’t know when you started liking her, but it’s pretty obvious that you wanted to do the same thing with that magazine that I did. Except I don’t really know how that works, or if a mare can even do that...”

Twilight was flustered. “You’re talking nonsense, Spike.”

“Am I? What was the reason to buy that magazine in the first place? You didn’t have to do that. And don’t tell me it was to ‘support your friend,’ because if I remember correctly you were pretty judgmental about it to start.”

“I already apologized about that! We all did!”

“Just admit it already!” Spike yelled. “Go on, tell me that you like her. I know how it feels, you know. Barely giving me the time of day because she’s so busy at the shop. I like to help her, but all I get are a few gems and a smile. And they call her the Element of Generosity. If she were so generous, why doesn’t she give a nice guy like me a chance? Well, at least I didn’t have any competition until now. Now things are only gonna get harder...Twilight?” Spike stopped his tirade when he saw Twilight was sobbing into her hooves.

“What’s wrong, Twilight?” he asked, immediately taking on sympathy for her. He went over to her and wrapped a claw over her shoulder. Twilight took a deep breath and cried out in frustration.

“It’s so true, Spike!” she said. “I know how you feel. It’s a little better because we’re good friends, but it hurts when she doesn’t notice how much you want to be around her, or help her in the boutique, or have lunch with her out in Ponyville. Do you know how many times I wanted to tell her I liked her but couldn’t muster up the courage? At least you told her how you felt.”

“Well, technically, she stopped me before I had a chance to,” Spike said, qualifying the statement. “But I would have.”

“Well, that makes you braver than me,” Twilight said. “You deserve her more than I do.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Spike said. “Look, I know I was angry about it at first, and honestly I’m still kinda peeved, but you’re not my enemy here. We have a lot in common about this, and instead of treating this like some sort of competition we should work together.”

“And how would we do that?” Twilight asked, sniffling. Spike patted her on the back.

“We know now that I don’t have a shot,” Spike said, “but you still do. You haven’t told her how you felt yet. That means she hasn’t had a chance to either reject you, or confess she has the same feelings in return. Yeah, it’d suck if she didn’t like you, but how great would it be if she did?”

“I...I can’t even imagine it,” Twilight said.

“Me neither. But I’d love to see that happen for you. When she gets back from filming this TV show we’ll get to work. And hey, it’ll be between us, okay? Nopony else has to know about this.”

“Shouldn’t I tell our other friends though?” Twilight asked.

“Well, Pinkie would probably be safe,” Spike reasoned, “and I think Fluttershy’s word is good. But Applejack’s a terrible liar when confronted and Dash has the tendency to blurt out things she’s not supposed to repeat. But let’s just make it easier and keep it between us. I think the fewer ponies know, the better. Agreed?”

Twilight smiled at Spike and gave him a hug. Tears were still flowing down her face but she let them fall freely. She had been carrying the weight of her crush inside her for so long that it was a relief to be able to share it with somepony else, even if that somepony was a baby dragon. Now she wouldn’t have to go it alone. She remembered now that she had an ally to help her through thick and thin, as she always had. And that made all the difference.

“So, um...” Spike wondered, “what are we gonna do about that magazine?” Twilight and Spike both looked at the magazine, which had been dropped on the floor at some point during the conversation. “Do you want to share it?”

“No!” Twilight protested, shaking her head diligently. “I think it’s best if we just throw it out. It might distract us from pursuing the real thing.”

“Good call,” Spike said, and he set the magazine on fire.

“What did you do that for?” Twilight cried.

“What? You said get rid of it. I got rid of it.”

“Spike, you just sent that magazine to Princess Celestia!”

“Shit!” Spike blurted out. Twilight glared at him.

“Don’t use that kind of language. Although here, I won’t deny its appropriateness.”

“Write a letter and tell her we made a mistake,” Spike said.

“That’s a great idea,” Twilight said. “Thanks.” Twilight bolted to her desk to write a frantic letter explaining the mishap. But before she could finish it, Spike burped out a letter from the princess.

“Do you want to read this?” he asked. Twilight wrested it from his grasp and unfurled it. For Spike’s benefit, she read it aloud.

Dear Twilight,

Spike sent me something most peculiar just now. I assume it was sent completely by mistake or as a joke. Regardless, I found it most humorous, but not in a way to demean your friend.

It was a...curious choice Rarity made to do that photo shoot, but I suppose her dreams of fame compelled her to accept the offer. Rest assured that I neither judge her for doing it nor you for purchasing a copy in support of your friend.

I won’t breathe a word to anypony about this unfortunate mishap. The magazine will be properly dealt with with full discretion.

Thank you for the good laugh. It was a rough day and I needed the boost. But, next time, do provide me fair warning before you send me any mail. Heaven forbid your next illicit postage should drop down into my lap in the middle of an important conference.

Your faithful teacher,

Celestia

P.S. I find it apt to disclose that I will be giving the magazine to Luna. She has an affinity for these types of magazines that she is ashamed to admit. Watching her fluster when she sees it should be good for another laugh. Please don’t tell her I wrote that.

“Well, I guess we’re good,” Spike said.

“Maybe,” Twilight said, “but please don’t let it happen again.”

“Believe me, I’ve learned my lesson,” said Spike. He let out a loud yawn.

“It’s time to go back to bed,” Twilight said, “and please stay in your own bed instead of hiding under mine. You gave me quite a scare.”

“It won’t happen again,” Spike said.

“Well then good night, Spike.”

“Good night, Twilight,” Spike said before curling up in his basket and dozing off. Twilight realized that the two of them might very much share similar dreams that night. She smiled, knowing she at least had a friend to confide in.

Chapter 8: The Passion

Chapter 8: The Passion

To be honest, Rarity felt really naughty in her schoolfilly outfit. It had everything: the white button-down shirt, the plaid short skirt, and the loosely tied on tie. The skirt and tie had been chosen to match her luxurious purple mane, and the colors complemented her beautifully.

Goodness, she thought, this is the kind of thing I could picture Twilight wearing. The thought of Twilight in this outfit, bending over, ready and willing to be taken suddenly crossed her mind. It left her feeling a bit confused until she saw Italian.

He was wearing what looked to be the outfit of a school headmaster, the most prominent feature being the tweed jacket with the elbow pads. He wasn’t, however, wearing any pants. Rarity felt a now all too familiar quiver of excitement when she imagined what he would do to her next, but she kept her composure enough to follow him to the set.

For the scene, Hard Core had told them to talk a bit about how he couldn’t stay away from her, a little bit about Rarity asking his name, and then get down to the roleplay. Rarity was more than ready for Italian to take her again, but she did her best not to betray that (at least, not until she was on film). Italian was as debonair as ever, flashing his toothy grin at Rarity whenever she looked at him. Rarity responded with a nervous chuckle.

They were in their places, ready for the filming to begin. Hard Core wasted no time in calling “Action!”

“Fair lady, I couldn’t stay away any longer,” Italian said, putting on his best airs. Rarity went along with it.

“You don’t know how badly I missed you,” she responded. “I was lost in a sea of doubt, wondering if you would ever come back.”

Italian had to stifle a laugh at how hammy that line was, but he was a true professional and continued without breaking character. “I wish you had known I would return. There was never any doubt in my mind that I would come back.”

“That brings me such relief,” Rarity said, heaving a sigh to accentuate it. “But tell me, good sir, what is your name? I want to be able to scream it when we’re making love.”

“My name is of no importance,” Italian said. Rarity gave a look of dismay. “Don’t despair, fair maiden. What we share is far deeper than any name.”

“But why won’t you tell me?” Rarity asked with confusion in her voice. She moved towards him, but he took a step back and Rarity halted.

“I have my reasons,” he said. “Now come, is this really how you wanted to spend our time together? I’m ready to begin.”

Rarity wasted no time in jumping right into the role. “Headmaster,” she said in a mock child’s voice, “I’ve behaved badly.”

“Tell me what you did,” Italian said in as stern a voice as he could muster.

“I spanked one of the other fillies in my class,” Rarity said. “I’m afraid I have to be disciplined.”

“You will receive the proper reparation,” Italian said, procuring a ruler from the nightstand. “I find it usually helps that the punishment fit the crime.”

“Does that mean you’re going to spank me?” Rarity asked, curtailing but still displaying the eagerness in her voice.

“That will be part of it,” Italian said, drawing nearer to Rarity, “but you have such a record that I feel more severe measures must be taken. Turn around.”

“Yes, Headmaster,” Rarity said, smiling wickedly once her back was turned. She bent down and revealed to the camera and to Italian that her outfit had not come with panties. Italian leaned in with ruler in hoof and gave Rarity’s rear a good hard whack.

Rarity hissed as she received her punishment, but every hit was only making her hotter. Italian showed no mercy, aiming for the same part of her behind each time, so that Rarity would cry out louder.

“You’ll think twice about spanking another filly, won’t you?” he asked.

“Yes, Headmaster, I absolutely will,” Rarity said.

“Now, hold on,” Italian said, noticing how slick Rarity had become. “I see this is having quite the opposite effect from the one I intended. You’re actually enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“Of course not! This is my punishment.” But Rarity could feel the moisture forming on her pussy, so she knew what was coming next.

“Actually,” Italian said, keeping his eyes locked on Rarity’s wet lips, “this may work out after all. I believe the next phase of your punishment is about to begin.”

Rarity silently cheered when she felt Italian’s long, hard cock push itself into her vagina. She started moaning and grunting as Italian rocked her back and forth. They both started to breathe heavily as Italian pushed harder and harder. Totally improvising, Italian took the waistband of Rarity’s skirt in his teeth and yanked it up so it snapped back down. Rarity hissed again, but absolutely relished the experience as he did it over and over again.

She was getting so hot under the collar that she wanted to take the outfit off, but Hard Core had insisted that they stay clothed. Rarity understood; for ponies, clothing was rarely worn, so it was more titillating than it would be had they been in the nude.

Rarity shut her eyes and started to chant “Yes, yes, yes...” as Italian pounded her. She was disappointed that he had stopped snapping her waistband, but she had an idea.

“Hit me!” she cried aloud.

“With what?” Italian asked, trying to lead her to say it.

“Hit me with the ruler!” Rarity cried, and she soon felt the sharp burst of pain that came when the ruler smacked her ass once again.

“Do it again!” she cried, and Italian smacked her with the ruler a few more times.

“Harder!” Rarity shouted, which surprised Italian but he hit her as hard as he could. “Oh, yes...” Rarity cried, about ready to hit her peak. Italian was close, too, and he could sense that Rarity’s climax was coming soon.

Rarity pushed herself back into him and finally cried aloud as an orgasm coursed through her. Italian knew this was the sign he had been waiting for, and his semen streamed out of his cock and began to drip from Rarity’s pussy. Rarity’s cries were quite high-pitched, but she did her best to tone it back so it wouldn’t be too obnoxious. To her surprise, Italian hit her with the ruler again, and she squealed.

The climax couldn’t last forever, unfortunately, and the two of them slowly came down from the high. Once they had leveled off, Italian pulled his cock out of her and the two of them tried to catch their breath.

“I think,” Italian said, “you’ve been properly disciplined now. Did you learn your lesson?”

“Oh, yes, Headmaster, I assure you it won’t happen again.”

“That’s good,” Italian said with a smile. “Make sure you keep your grades up and you behave yourself, or I may need to discipline you harder next time.”

“In that case,” Rarity said, turning to face him again, “maybe I should misbehave again.”

“Oh no, that won’t work with me. You need to start getting high marks if you want that kind of treatment.”

“Then I’ll be sure to study hard for you,” Rarity said earnestly.

“Cut!” Hard Core called. “Great job as usual from you two. We’ll be starting with the BDSM tomorrow, so make sure you rest up good.”

Rarity and Italian went to be unclothed and to have their makeup removed. Rarity was so used to this by now that her mind wandered. All this time, she had been waiting for Italian to take her to dinner, or a movie, or somewhere. She had been taught to wait for the stallion to make the first move, but she was almost ready to defy the cultural standard for a chance to get to know him better.

If you’re going to agonize about it, why not just ask him out? she asked herself.

I couldn’t. It would be most uncouth.

Well, if you don’t do it, it’s never going to happen. Maybe he’s afraid you’ll say no if he asks you.

Or he’s just not interested in me. That’s a possibility, too, you know.

Well why don’t you ask him and then find out for yourself?

“Is something bothering you?” Crimson Blush asked.

“What? Oh, nothing,” Rarity lied, snapping out of her reverie and deciding to continue to wait. She was afraid of embarrassing herself, and if she was being perfectly honest, the only time Italian showed an interest in her was when the cameras were rolling. So she would keep it the way it was. After all, it’s not like she wasn’t getting laid on a daily basis. Maybe filming with him would be good enough.

That’s a lie, she told herself, but she did nothing to confront it.

***

Today was a day Rarity was most uncomfortable for. Although she had experimented with taking a little pain yesterday, she had no idea what to expect today. It could have been exhilarating. It also could have been a million times worse than that. She wouldn’t know until she tried.

The outfit she was wearing today had put her in a state of hysteria. A tight, jet-black corset made of spiked chains and buckles wrapped around her like a cocoon, only leaving her exposed where it counted. Italian was wearing something similar, although on him it looked far more menacing. Beneath Rarity’s frantic state was a level of raw excitement soon to be tapped into, although she wasn’t yet aware of it. But Italian would find a way to get it out of her. Of that, he was certain.

He had long since realized that Rarity was in the midst of an intense heat and that he really was the recipient of her sexual passions. He was flattered, to be sure. Not all the actresses were quite that enamored by him. But with Rarity, it felt like she would have done anything to receive any kind of sexual pleasure from him. But as attractive as she was physically, he knew hooking up with her was bound to be a bad idea, so he had remained distant, at least while not shooting. He hoped the on-screen sex wasn’t confusing her, but knew deep down that it was.

This was the state of their minds when Hard Core brought them to the set. Tall candles were mounted around the room that Italian was to light before the real sexual acts were to begin. Rarity wasn’t experienced enough to know what he might do with them, but Italian knew their purpose full well. It seemed unfair to catch her by surprise, though, so he prompted Hard Core with a question in the hopes that he would explain it to them, for her benefit.

“What’s going to happen in this scene?” he asked.

“You know the drill by now, Italian,” Hard Core said gruffly. “You’re gonna light the candles and then take out the ropes. Rarity’s gonna spread herself out so you can tie her to the bedposts. The ball gag gets strapped across her mouth after that. Next, you’re gonna whip her with that whip you’re holding and then you’ll drip the candle wax on her.”

“Excuse me just a moment,” Rarity said. Listening to that blunt description had her mortified, but when he had mentioned the candle wax she knew she had to intervene. “What are you going to do with that wax?”

“He’s going to drip some on you,” Hard Core explained again. “Not enough to singe your fur or anything, just a few drops. It’ll be really hot, but the pain will subside quicker than you think.”

“I thought actors weren’t supposed to put themselves in harm’s way like this,” Rarity squeaked with a pitch much higher than usual.

“What can I say? We do things a little differently in the pornography business. Trust me, you’re gonna be fine. Places, everyone!”

Before Rarity had time to object further, Italian brought her to her spot. She had gone through so much already, that she finally accepted that putting herself through these frightening new sexual experiences was the way for her to pay the bills. She also had come to trust Italian over the course of the filming, and she knew he wouldn’t really want to hurt her. That was the kind of professional he was.

“Action!” Hard Core cried without warning—either that, or Rarity hadn’t been paying attention. Italian went around with a flaming candle in his mouth to light the candles in the room.

“Hold on, love, let me do it,” Rarity offered, hoping that aiding her co-star would mean he would let up a little on her. With a twinkle of her horn she lit all the candles on the set.

“Oh no,” Italian said, putting out the small candle in his mouth and tossing it aside. “You’re not the one in control here. I dominate you, understand?”

This gave Rarity quite a fright, but she knew she had to go through with it. “Y-yes, sir,” she said timidly. Italian smiled.

“I would prefer ‘Master,’ but pretty soon that won’t matter.” Italian found the ropes on the floor and prompted Rarity to splay out on the bed. With some expert hoofwork, he tied her legs to the bedposts and pulled the ropes snug. Rarity could already feel numbness where the ropes were cutting off her blood flow, but she knew it was better not to complain.

“Almost ready...” he said before pulling the ball gag from the nightstand.

“Whatever are you going to do with that?” Rarity asked, finding it easy to display the nervous fright of somepony just starting this kind of sexual act for the first time.

“Well, I’m certainly not going to gag myself with it...” he said. He wrapped the gag around her face and tightened it. Rarity struggled to breathe, but finally found a way to breathe through her nose in a way that would keep her from passing out. This was getting far too real far too quickly, and she could only hope they could get over this as soon as possible so she could say she was done with BDSM for a lifetime.

“I’m ready to begin,” Italian said in a voice dripping with malice. It was a testament to his acting ability that Rarity became legitimately scared, forgetting at that moment that he meant her no ill will. Italian took the whip into his mouth and cracked it in the air. Rarity could start to feel herself sweat, but an entirely different kind of moisture was beginning to gather further down her body. She hadn’t noticed it yet, but she would soon.

Italian whipped her in the gut, and Rarity’s cry of pain was stifled by the gag in her mouth. She winced as the pain coursed through her, and as he continued to whip her raw she was torn. Half of her was pleading for him to stop, but the other, more primitive half of her was enjoying every minute of this.

After being sufficiently whipped, Italian tossed it aside and went over to one of the candles. Even though she knew it was coming, she was hit with a fierce anxiety and an incredible anticipation simultaneously. He held the candle over her stomach and let the wax slowly drip down the side of it.

When the first drop made contact with her fur, Rarity’s eyes began to water as she screamed. The searing heat was making her sweat even more, but now she was finally noticing how incredibly turned on she was. She wanted nothing more than for him to ravage her while she laid helpless on the bed like this. Every drip of wax built the sexual intensity inside her, and the anticipation of his dick pounding her from within gave her a thrill unlike any she had ever felt. This was not some mere confrontation with Discord; this was true fear and true excitement in their rawest forms.

Deciding that there had been enough foreplay, Italian blew the candle out and climbed onto the bed. His dick stuck out from his loins and looked rock hard to Rarity, and what had been cries of pain became cries of longing for that dick to fill her from within. Italian didn’t wait for it, he entered her swiftly, aided by the juices that had formed in her crotch.

He had been rough before, but he attacked with an animalistic hunger this time as he slammed himself into Rarity as hard as he could. He almost wanted to take the gag off of her to hear what were undoubtedly the shrillest sex cries Rarity had ever hollered, but Hard Core had directed him to leave it on. Those cries were still apparent even through the gag, and they made him even more eager to be as rough as possible.

Rarity was now tearing up, the candle wax continuing to sear her fur and Italian’s rod searing her in an entirely different sense. She suddenly started convulsing as a rocking orgasm spread throughout her body. Her eyes rolled up as the pain and pleasure competed for her attention. Italian grabbed onto her hips for support and thrust back and forth until his own hot cum shot out of his cock.

This climax was the longest yet for the both of them, and when Rarity finally came down from her unequivocal high, Italian left her body and undid the ball gag. Rarity gasped for breath, not knowing what to say about the most thrilling experience of her life. Finally, she threw all sense of dignity to the winds and used her magic to free her from the ropes. Then, without warning, she pounced onto Italian and kissed him feverishly, almost trying to choke him with her tongue.

Technically the scene was supposed to be over now, but Hard Core encouraged the crew to keep filming. Italian, who was still in character, wrenched himself free from the kiss and smacked Rarity across the cheek.

Rarity was stunned, looking at Italian in a way she had never looked at him before, in total submission. He stared into her eyes, breathing heavily through his nose, and Rarity began to quiver with fear and longing. He then pulled her in close and began to kiss her again, grasping onto her mane and pushing her down on the bed.

The two of them had their hooves all over each other, scrambling to grasp at the other as much as possible. Italian pulled his mouth free from Rarity’s and bit her on the neck. Rarity, whose mouth was free for the first time in a while, let out cries of pleasure that spurred Italian on.

Overtaken by passion, Rarity’s horn glowed as she cast magic to spread waves of pleasure into Italian’s body. He was overcome with a feeling not unlike being massaged all across his body, especially his cock. It was like a hoofjob tenfold, and his once receding dick now flared up and grew hard again. Once Italian got used to Rarity’s magic, he plunged his dick into her with fervor.

Rarity rocked back and forth as her horn glowed brighter. Now it felt to Italian as though a dozen mares were kneading into him like he was dough at a bakery. The feeling overwhelmed him in a way he couldn’t explain, and he shot his sticky semen into Rarity’s waiting loins.

The feeling of the thick fluid coursing into her made Rarity shriek as a second orgasm rocked her, even more potent than the first. Now her cries could be heard loud and clear, and Hard Core knew he’d have to edit the sound so that the cries didn’t carry so much volume. Rarity’s horn burst with light as she came, and the sparkling magic flowed from her horn not unlike Italian’s cum until it vanished into thin air.

As Rarity began to cool down, she said the words that first came to mind, words which, after she said them, she knew immediately to be true.

“I love you.”

Italian felt as if he had been punched in the gut. His suspicions had been confirmed, as that had certainly not been in the script and Rarity would never break character deliberately. But they were still filming, so he had to reply with the natural reaction.

“I love you, too,” he whispered before kissing Rarity softly on the lips.

“Cut!” Hard Core cried, and Italian pulled away, now looking a little on edge.

“I don’t fucking believe you two!” Hard Core shouted, and at first Rarity thought he was mad at them for falling whims to the on-screen passions. Hard Core then let out a ghastly smile. “I’ve never seen two ponies fuck like that on film. This is gonna be huge! Rarity! You took that BDSM like a champ, and your aggression really captured the moment beautifully. Italian, I’ve gotta ask, how do you feel about that?”

“It was incredible,” he said, and that was no lie, although Rarity took it in an entirely different way.

“Rarity. How about you? What did that feel like?”

“I...oh, Celestia...I don’t think I have the words,” she said, her mind feeling completely scrambled. “Outrageously hot,” she finally answered.

“You’re fucking right about that!” Hard Core said, and he let out a whoop in the cavernous studio that echoed across the walls. “Okay, tomorrow we’re filming the anal, but I gotta say it’s gonna be hard to top what you two just did. Maybe we’ll go for sensuality over fiery passion, so it doesn’t look like we’re trying to follow this the same way. Get some rest, you two. You definitely deserve it.”

Rarity and Italian went to get their equipment taken off and their makeup removed. Rarity couldn’t help but gaze at Italian the entire time. Crimson Blush shook her head in disbelief.

“I’ve never seen something quite like that,” she said.

“Mm-hmm,” Rarity said.

“Are you actually listening to me, or are you still in dreamland?”

“What?” Rarity asked. “Oh, I guess I’m still shaken up after that scene.”

“Understandable, dear. Look, you an Italian did an amazing job. Keep it up, and you’ll be sure to get a huge paycheck when the profits come rolling in.”

Rarity’s makeup was now off, and it looked as though Italian was done about the same time. He was walking swiftly toward the door when Rarity galloped up to him.

“Do you want to go out for dinner?” she asked boldly, looking him in the face. Italian cringed; this is exactly what he had wanted to avoid.

“Rarity, look,” he said, stooping down so his head was level with her’s. “I’m gonna give you some advice. Don’t mix business with pleasure.”

“Oh,” Rarity said, unable to look at him any longer. “All right, then. Have a good night.”

“You, too,” Italian said, and the next couple of steps were some of the hardest he ever had to take.

Rarity steeled herself, trying to tell herself that at least she’d had the courage to ask, but her thoughts were beginning to overwhelm her and she felt faint. Deciding it was best to go back to her trailer and lie down for a while, she left the studio with great haste, hoping to forget the swift and ironic rejection that had blown past her.

Chapter 9: The Deal

Chapter 9: The Deal

How utterly foolish of me! Rarity thought to herself as she lay upon the uncomfortable bed in her trailer. Ever since returning there after the day’s eventful shoot, she had been trying and failing to ward off these kinds of thoughts. Her steady resolve was beginning to crack, and she had to remind herself constantly to keep it together.

Over and over, she tried to tell herself that they’d had plenty of intimate moments on screen. But that was just the problem; it was all on screen, it was all an act. She had wanted to know if Italian had any real passion for her, and she had gotten her answer swiftly.

But what exactly did he mean? Rarity asked herself. After all, he never actually told me no. He said “don’t mix business with pleasure.” Does that mean he would if we were no longer working together?

No, don’t be foolish. If he really wanted you, he would have said so.

But what if he only said it that way because he was a professional? Perhaps he didn’t want to tell me no directly because he was afraid it would jeopardize our shooting the final scene.

Stop kidding yourself, Rarity! He doesn’t care for you. He’s made that perfectly obvious.

Rarity groaned and rubbed her temple. This inner conflict was starting to give her a headache. She wondered if there was any complementary wine in the fridge because she was an actress. No, drinking will only make matters worse. But the idea was too tempting, so Rarity lifted herself off of the bed and walked over to the fridge. When she opened it, she found leftover pasta from last night’s dinner and a gallon of milk. Since they were almost done filming the movie, there was nothing else left in there.

Of course, I should have remembered that, Rarity thought. It was a sign that she was not thinking clearly, and it bothered her. Realizing she was hungry, she took out the pasta and put it in the microwave. The aroma of the cooked pasta was enough to lift her spirits slightly, and by the time it was finished she was now quite ready to eat. She took out the pasta, grabbed herself a fork, then sat down at the table. She used her magic to control the fork; she had never been good at using silverware with her hooves. The benefits of being a unicorn.

But as she filled her stomach, an overwhelming sense of loneliness replaced the hunger. She remembered that she had been alone for quite some time. It hadn’t bothered her back in Ponyville so much because she was around good friends, but she recalled lonely nights at her boutique. The feeling was more amplified in Canterlot, a city full of strangers. Would there ever be a stallion to sweep her off her feet?

A single tear fell from her eye, serving as a reminder that she was taking this far too seriously. Perhaps a walk would distract her from her thoughts. Finished eating, she put the dishes in the sink and left her trailer.

Resisting the urge to find Italian’s trailer and give him a piece of her mind, she walked out towards the studio’s exit to see if she could stroll through the city. Before she could get too far, however, she heard hoofsteps coming from behind. She turned around to see who was following her and cringed. What could you possibly want?

“There you are,” Italian said, catching the breath that he had spent running after her. “I knocked on your trailer door and you didn’t answer. I thought I wasn’t going to have a chance to apologize before filming tomorrow.”

“Apologize?” Rarity asked in disbelief. The confusion was evident in her face, and Italian grinned sheepishly in spite of himself.

“Look, I didn’t mean to be so curt,” he said, “but this kind of thing has happened before, and my answer came out poorly because of it. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Oh, spare me the pity,” Rarity said, walking away from him. “I don’t need that on top of everything else.”

“Hey, I came out here to apologize,” he called after her. “The least you could do is listen to what I have to say.”

“Oh, I know exactly what you’re going to say,” Rarity hissed, turning back around to face him. Her glower made Italian quiver. She then mocked Italian’s voice. “‘Really, you’re a beautiful mare and I know you’ll find somepony someday who will cherish you. I really value our friendship and I look forward to filming with you again tomorrow.’ I don’t care to hear such drivel.”

“That’s not what I was going to say at all,” Italian said, looking insulted.

“Oh, really?” Rarity asked. “Then what were you going to say?”

“That I’ve never had more fun shooting a film before. That I’ve never been able to work with someone so naturally gifted. I really am impressed by you, Rarity, but when I realized what was happening on the set was not an act for you, I became concerned. I didn’t want the on-screen magic to fade away because you became disillusioned about me.”

“So you were using me to make the movie better?” Rarity asked shrilly. “Because if that’s what you meant, that’s the most despicable attempt of an apology I’ve ever heard.”

“No, you’ve got me all wrong,” Italian pleaded.

“No, I think I have you pretty well figured out,” Rarity continued, now steamrolling him. “You started working with me, realized ‘Oh, she’s this amazing actress who can really make herself orgasm on screen.’ And then you realized I wasn’t acting but you kept playing along because it made for good filming. And what about that is supposed to make me feel better?”

“That’s absolutely not what I meant,” Italian said.

“Well, I’ve got better things to do than to hear you ramble on and on about how ‘sorry’ you claim you are. You’re lucky I need the money from this gig or I would have packed my bags and headed back to Ponyville by now.”

“Hold on a minute,” Italian said. “Do you mean to say you’re strapped for cash?”

Rarity cursed under her breath, having given away the one thing she’d wanted to keep secret. An Element of Harmony struggling to make ends meet? She had wanted to bury that, so much so that she had decided to shoot a pornographic film rather than admit she needed financial help. Now the secret was out.

“If that’s the only reason you’re doing this,” Italian said, “then maybe I could help out. It’s the least I can do to make it up to you.”

“I’m not just some charity case!” Rarity shouted. “You’ve got some nerve, trying to buy my forgiveness. Do you even know who I am?”

“Yes, you’re an Element of Harmony. You’re famous all around Canterlot,” Italian said. “I discussed it with Hard Core before he petitioned you for this shoot, and we decided not to bring it up because we were afraid you’d think the only reason we asked was because of your status. After that photo shoot, we saw a lot of potential in you, and that was the foremost reason we contacted you.”

“And I suppose being an Element had nothing to do with the decision,” Rarity said, scoffing. “Like I’m going to believe that.”

“That was part of it, I’ll admit,” Italian said, “but we didn’t really know you back then. Now if we ever wanted to cast you, it would be because of your talent, not just what you are but who you are as an actress.”

“You honestly think I would be willing to do this again?” Rarity asked, glaring at Italian. “All along I’ve intended this to be a one-time thing to help me make ends meet until my business got back on track.”

“Okay, well how about this?” Italian asked. “We know you love to make clothing. We know you’re quite talented at it. We now know that despite all this, you’re struggling to make ends meet and you could use some extra cash. What if I said we were willing to hire you on to make the costumes for our films? It’d be a steady income, maybe not as well-paying as being an actress in a successful movie, but far less up to chance. You’d be doing what you love and you wouldn’t have to worry about paying the bills. I’m sure we can cover your expenses in Ponyville; I can’t imagine housing there to be nearly as expensive as it would be here in Canterlot.”

“And what gives you the authority to make that decision?” Rarity asked, refusing to believe that this was a serious offer.

“I’m one of the biggest producers working for Hard Core,” Italian said. “I fund a lot of the films, and I reap the benefits when the films are successful. I have a lot of say about the finances of the movie, and I’m sure I can convince the other producers to hire you on as our head costume designer.”

“And why do you suddenly need one now?” Rarity asked.

Come now, you’re not actually considering this, are you? she thought. After the way he’s been treating you tonight?

“The head costume designer we’ve been working with for years is retiring after this film,” Italian said.

“Oh, how convenient,” Rarity said. “It sounds to me like you’re just trying to put me on.”

“I’m being serious here,” Italian said. “You’d have a staff working for you to make the costumes. You’d be the one designing them. Of course, if you enjoy making the costumes, you could do that, too, but you could leave it to the staff if you can’t find the time to do it yourself. They’re all amazing at what they do, and they would follow the design exactly as you specify it. You can even work out of Ponyville, although you might need bigger accommodations, assuming that you’re the only one working at your boutique right now.”

“To be honest,” Rarity said, “I would love the idea, but it sounds too good to be true. How come Hard Core hasn’t brought this up with me?”

“Because nopony’s even discussed this as an option yet,” Italian said. “We’ve been talking plenty about keeping you on as an actress, you’re doing such a fantastic job. But I know you, Rarity, a lot more than you think. I know you would much rather be doing the kind of work I’m offering than being filmed having sex on a regular basis. I’ll bring it up with the other producers, see what they think of the idea, and I’m sure they’ll agree. They’ve been very impressed with your acting, and they also know the line of work you’re used to, so it’s really only a matter of asking. What do you think?”

Rarity’s anger had blown over while Italian had been discussing this kind of offer. Yes, she’d be making clothes for the porn industry, but it was still making clothes, the work she had wanted ever since she was a filly, the work that had earned her her cutie mark. She wanted badly to believe this could work out, so she was about to accept the offer.

Then she remembered what they would be filming tomorrow, so she decided to cut a deal.

“I will accept your offer,” Rarity said. Italian already looked relieved. “I will even accept your apology, but on one condition.”

“Name it, and it’s yours,” Italian said. “Like I said, it’s the least I can do.”

“To put it bluntly, I’ve never had anal sex before. When we film that scene tomorrow, I want you to make it as comfortable and enjoyable as you possibly can.”

“Done,” Italian said, “though I have to warn you that it’s very uncomfortable at first. But, with the enema, it’s going to be clean, and once we’re actually into it it’s going to feel very enjoyable.”

“Well, considering how much I enjoyed my first experience with bondage,” Rarity said, “I would tend to believe in your expertise. You know, I was very angry with you at first, but when you discussed the option of me being a clothing designer, you spoke directly to my aspirations. If this works out, I suppose I will have to thank you.”

“I’m glad you feel that way,” Italian said. “Really, it puts me at ease. And I really am sorry about what I said.”

“Well, now that I understand the position I put you in, I suppose I might be able to forgive you.” Rarity suddenly felt a shadow pass over her. “I don’t believe this...”

“Don’t believe what?”

“I’m selling myself out to the porn industry. It’s not just a one-time thing anymore, it’s becoming a career. It feels...dirty.”

“Oh, Rarity,” Italian said, stepping over and putting a hoof on her shoulder. “You really should talk to Hard Core about that. He went through the exact same thing when he started. He’ll be able to set your mind at ease.

“The producers are meeting early tomorrow morning, and I’ll be sure to pitch you in the best way I can. Hopefully that serves as apology enough.”

“All right then,” Rarity said tentatively. “You’ll let me know either way?”

“Absolutely,” Italian said, smiling. Rarity returned the smile in spite of herself.

“Thank you, Italian,” she said, turning to return back to her trailer. She didn’t quite need the walk anymore.

“Oh, and Rarity?” Italian asked.

“Yes?” Rarity responded, turning back towards him.

“It’s not going to go anywhere,” he said, “but once we’re done filming I would like to take you out on a celebratory dinner. It’s customary for the actors, director, and producers, and you can meet the ponies who will be giving you a job. Would you be interested?”

“I’ll think about it,” Rarity said, even though she already knew she was going to accept the offer. She didn’t want to betray too much forgiveness, after all.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow. Have a good night.”

“You, too,” Rarity said, and she returned to her trailer in a much happier state than when she left it.

Chapter 10: The Final Day

Chapter 10: The Final Day

If all went to plan, this would be the final day of shooting. It had been fun, but Rarity was looking forward to finishing the filming and returning to Ponyville. She dearly missed her friends and was eagerly anticipating returning to clothing design. Speaking of which...

Rarity found Italian getting his makeup done. Before she went over to do the same, she went over to ask him how the proposition went.

“I’ll tell you after we’re done filming,” he said. He didn’t look too happy about it.

“All right then,” Rarity said, feeling very wary but refusing to question him any further. Perhaps he was simply trying to build her anticipation for the filming. It was unlikely, but it was what she was willing to believe at the moment. She went over to get her makeup done for the last time.

“Eager to finish shooting?” Crimson Blush asked.

“Yes, to be frank. I really want to go home.”

“I understand, though it’s been lovely working with you. Everypony’s been really impressed with your talent as an actress. We’re finishing two weeks ahead of schedule mainly because of the speed with which you picked up the art of acting.”

“Oh, but if we’re ending sooner, doesn’t that mean you’ll get paid less?” Rarity asked.

“It’s a salaried position,” Crimson said. “Besides, we’ll have time to work on other movies now. No, you don’t have to feel guilty about cutting into my pay. We’re not punished for finishing early.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Okay, you’re all set. Good luck today!”

“Thank you,” Rarity said, suddenly feeling quite anxious about what they would be filming today.

“Don’t worry. You’ll do great!” Crimson called after her. Rarity waved to her but said nothing.

Italian was already in position on the bed. He was holding a bulb syringe that was shaded, like everything else, a deep purple. There were also plastic sheets protecting the bed from...well, Rarity was going to find out soon enough. She shook her head and felt even more squeamish now.

“Is this going to be uncomfortable?” she asked.

“Perhaps, but it will be worth it,” Italian said smoothly. Rarity hoped against all hope that he was right.

“All right, places everypony!” Hard Core called from his chair. The cameras all moved into position, the lights came on, and Italian and Rarity were ready to go.

“Action!” Hard Core called.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Italian asked, getting into position with the syringe.

“I-I think so,” Rarity said, not even needing to try to ask nervous.

“Don’t worry,” Italian said, “the discomfort is only temporary.”

“Okay then,” Rarity said, gulping. Italian moved to her and gently put the syringe into position. He began to squeeze the syringe, and Rarity felt the water begin to enter her rectum. It made her feel incredibly bloated, like her insides were drowning, and she started to shake.

“It’s all right,” Italian said. “You’re doing great. I’m very grateful that you’re letting me do this.”

Rarity nodded. She was starting to tear up a bit, but Italian stroked her back with his free hoof in an attempt to calm her.

“You’ll see,” he said, “it’s going to be enjoyable soon.”

“You mean what you’re doing right now?” Rarity asked.

“No, the part that comes after,” Italian said.

Rarity nodded and started to shudder, but she knew it was going to end soon, and the anal sex was going to be an entirely new experience for her. She imagined what it was going to feel like, and hoped it was going to feel better than this. To be fair, Italian was trying to help her through this as best he could. He understood how difficult this was for any mare, and he was coaching her through it.

“You know,” he said, “this time we’ve spent together has been really special.”

Rarity felt embarrassment at the way she had asked him out, but knew it wouldn’t do to have that filmed on camera. She smiled and shut her eyes, now getting used to the discomfort.

“I’ve really enjoyed it as well,” she said. Italian smiled, though Rarity could not see it, and kissed her gently on the back. Rarity smiled in spite of herself. He really was a gentleman. Another pang of regret came and past.

“And...it looks like we are done,” Italian said. He pulled the syringe out. “Now we just have to wait.”

“Cut!” Hard Core said. “Rarity, are you all right?”

“I think so,” she said. “I feel really bloated.”

“It’ll pass soon,” he said. “It’s going to take a minute, but you’ll be clean and ready for the final scene.”

“Okay,” Rarity said, holding her stomach.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” Italian asked, placing a hoof on her shoulder.

“It’s fine, really,” Rarity said. Italian stayed by her side and rubbed her shoulder. It took a few minutes, but then Rarity felt herself empty. This was precisely what Hard Core had not wanted to film, and Rarity knew it was for good reason. Gradually, she felt the bloating start to fade, and by the time it was completely done she felt a lot better. Members of the crew took away the sheets after Rarity stepped off of them. She breathed a sigh of relief, knowing the most uncomfortable part was now over.

“Are you ready?” Italian asked. Rarity nodded, now confident she could go through with this.

“Yes,” Rarity said.

“Then let’s not waste any more time,” Hard Core called. “Places, everypony!” Once again, the scene was set. “Are we all set?” Confirmation from the crew and the actors. “Then action!”

“This is what I’ve been waiting for,” Italian said. He gave Rarity a gentle kiss on the lips, which she gladly returned. They stayed like this for a while, and all that time Rarity felt the anticipation building within her. Italian was slow, though, making her wait patiently. She almost wanted to break the kiss and press him to do it already, but she let him go at his pace.

His tongue felt especially good in her mouth now. Because this would be the last time, Rarity made sure to savor every moment. When he finally pulled away, Rarity longed to have one more kiss, but she knew he was ready, and she propped herself up to make it easier for him to penetrate her.

Italian moved slowly, pushing himself little by little into Rarity’s anus. It was a very tight fit, and it was almost painful for Rarity, but she tried her best to relax her muscles so he could fit better.

“That’s it,” Italian said as he got further in. Rarity was breathing heavily, but Italian stroked her back in an attempt to calm her. It helped a little, and by the time he bottomed out Rarity was more used to the tightness.

Italian began to slowly rock back and forth. Rarity felt a spurt of pleasurable moisture seep out of her vagina, and Italian moved his hoof over to it to rub her. The dual simulation was pleasant, and Rarity cooed as his rocking became faster.

Italian was now grunting as he pushed more forcibly. He rubbed her with his hoof more vigorously, trying to penetrate her to stimulate her further. Rarity gasped for breath as Italian pushed his hoof into her and stroked her clit. The pressure in her anus was starting to make her feel excited, not unlike when he was whipping her or smacking her with a ruler. The pain amplified the pleasure.

Rarity whinnied unexpectedly as Italian pressed himself into her, and the sound caught her off guard. Italian was unfazed and continued to rub her down. Now more comfortable with his penis inside her, she started to push herself back into him, her backside coming into contact with his waist.

Italian felt himself building up to a climax, but he held it in as long as he could, hoping Rarity would come to her own before he was finished. Rarity was feeling hotter by the minute, and being in heat was only exacerbating things. She could actually feel sweat trickling down her forehead, and it took her a while to realize that it wasn’t just the sex causing it, it was also the heat from the lighting. She couldn’t waste any time thinking about filming though. She wanted to focus on pleasuring and being pleasured by Italian.

Rarity could feel herself coming closer and closer to climax, and she expressed her pleasure audibly in moans. This spurred Italian to push even harder, and the twinge of pain inside Rarity prompted her to gasp.

“It’s all right,” Italian said in between his grunting. “We’re getting there.”

Rarity caught a second wind and her breathing started to slow, but she could feel her heart racing as her hormones kicked into overdrive. Rarity moaned heavily and knew she was about to cum. Italian spurred her on with moans of his own. His balls were slapping into her back but Rarity didn’t mind; the sound only spurred her on.

Rarity suddenly came and started squirting all over Italian’s hoof. Her cries were shrill but contained, as she was used to this aspect of filming by now. Italian, however, was not ready to cum, and he pushed even harder into her to try to get himself going. He felt himself picking up in intensity and did not hold back. He climaxed, and his creamy sperm flowed into Rarity’s anus. Rarity felt some bloating again, but it wasn’t as bad this time and she was enjoying it a lot more. She wanted to cry his name so badly, but had to contain herself for the film.

It took a while, but the two of them came down and Italian struggled a bit to pull out. He finally did, though, and the two of them lay on the bed, totally spent.

“Cut!” Hard Core called. “Well, that’s not quite the same level as we’ve had in the past, but it’s fine. You two did a great job and I’m looking forward to releasing this movie to the public.”

“Thank you,” Rarity said. Italian smiled but didn’t need to say anything; Hard Core already knew.

As Italian went to get his makeup removed, Rarity followed him.

“What did they say?” she asked, and Italian cringed.

“They didn’t give me a straight answer,” Italian said. “Or, rather, their answer was mixed. They really liked your acting, Rarity, and they wished you would keep doing that. I told them you wanted to design costumes for them, but they said they needed to see some of your work before they’d allow it. If you can come up with something to impress them, they might consider it, but it doesn’t look good right now.”

“Really?” Rarity asked, feeling as though she had been put on. “But you said—”

“I know what I said, and that was my fault,” Italian said. “I was really trying to find a way to make things up to you and I convinced myself that it would work. I should have realized they wouldn’t have been as open to the idea as I was. I’m really sorry.”

“No, I understand,” Rarity said, though she was fuming inside. Would she really have to keep acting in these tawdry things just to make a living? Not that she hadn’t enjoyed it, but what would it do to her reputation if this became a career instead of a one-time experience?

“Did you still want to go to that dinner tonight?” Italian asked.

“And face the ponies that didn’t want my services? I’m sorry, but I really think it would be better if I just went home. The whole thing has worn me out and I miss my friends.”

“I see. Well, I can’t say I don’t understand. I just wish things could have been different.”

“Me, too, Italian. Me, too.”

***

Well, it was all over. Rarity had packed quickly and made the last train back to Ponyville. She wouldn’t be getting back till late, so she wouldn’t be talking to her friends until tomorrow. She was almost positive they’d have a hard time believing she could have filmed a TV show in such a short span of time, especially Twilight.

Come to think of it, Twilight had been on her mind a lot since she thought about coming back to Ponyville. She knew she was going to figure out what Rarity had really been doing, and Rarity wasn’t sure how she would react. Yes, the apology for the reaction to the photo shoot had helped ease her mind, but that had only been for a few pictures. Celestia only knew how her friends would react to her filming a porno.

She had been very surprised by the initial reactions of her friends, who normally supported all her endeavors. But maybe they had learned something about the way they had treated her and would be a little more forgiving this time around.

She wondered if she would tell her friends about it now, because waiting until it was released would probably be more likely to make them upset. The more she thought about it, the more she realized it was a good idea. It made her nervous to consider it, but they were going to find out sooner or later anyway. It was better if she were the one to tell them.

She spent some time now thinking about her financial situation, and realized that she couldn’t keep doing films like these to tide her along. It would be better to swallow her pride and explain the situation to her friends. That might make them more sympathetic to her choices, but she hated the idea of them offering to help her with money. She was a giver, not a taker. She was the Element of Generosity.

But the more she thought about it, the more she realized that she would have to admit to her problems and accept help. If she did this, she was almost positive Applejack would be more forgiving, having gone through a similar conflict herself.

With these things straightened out, and the disappointment about the costume designing slowly fading, she was able to relax and actually fall asleep on the train.

When she woke up, she was in Ponyville, but there was nopony to greet her. They hadn’t expected her back so early and she hadn’t written them in advance. No matter, she would see her friends tomorrow and tell them the whole story. She could do nothing else except hope for the best.

Chapter 11: The Surprise

Chapter 11: The Surprise

With the use of her magic, Rarity didn’t have a problem bringing her luggage back to the boutique, but she was still tired when she walked in. She decided it would be best to get some shut-eye and save the unpacking for the morning. She left her luggage on the ground floor and went up to her bedroom. The clock on the wall said 1:00 AM, and she groaned. Rarity was definitely not a night owl, and she thought she would pass out immediately upon lying on the bed.

She turned out to be right. She lay in the bed and shut her eyes, and when she woke up it was 10:30 in the morning. Still groggy, but not as tired as she had been before, she stumbled into the bathroom to take a nice hot shower. When she turned on the hot water and stepped in, she immediately felt soothing relief and a sense of rejuvenation. Rarity had always believed that hot water had a magical healing property, or at least it seemed that way, and she silently thanked the pony that had invented the furnace.

While her thoughts were free to roam in the confines of the shower, she found herself anticipating reuniting with her friends. Applejack and Rainbow Dash, they may have been a little uncouth, but they were the most loyal and dependable ponies Rarity knew, and it would be a great joy to see them again. Pinkie Pie was always good for enlivening spirits, and Fluttershy was there to provide a calming balance to the equation. But then there was Twilight, a friendly pony who was nevertheless reserved and, as a result, quite enigmatic.

What did Rarity know about Twilight? Well, she had a handle on her personality. Diligent, hard-working, but also neurotic and a perfectionist. Rarity had to admit that she had similar qualities, especially when it came to designing clothes. And of course, Rarity knew Twilight’s brother and royal babysitter, who both seemed friendly, but she didn’t know those ponies well enough to make any further evaluation.

But what of Twilight’s hopes and dreams? Her aspirations? Of that, Rarity knew very little. Surely a mare with such gifted intelligence didn’t dream of becoming a librarian in a small town like Ponyville. Rarity always thought that, under the tutelage of Princess Celestia, Twilight would achieve great accomplishments in her lifetime, but she didn’t know when that was going to happen for her. And she didn’t even know if that was what Twilight wanted.

How had she never thought to ask her such questions? Maybe it was because Twilight’s reserved nature didn’t really invite such personal conversation. Around her, Rarity was always comfortable sharing her dreams of becoming a top fashion designer in Canterlot, but Twilight offered little about her own dreams. What Rarity wouldn’t give to get to know that mare on a more personal level, to find out what made her tick.

So caught up was she in this train of thought that Rarity finally remembered towards the end of her shower that she was supposed to reveal to her friends her role in a pornographic film. Considering how well they had responded to the news of the photo shoot, Rarity was not looking forward to having this conversation with them. But they were her friends, and Twilight had assured her that they understood how poorly they reacted and promised to never do it again. If Rarity were to reveal the truth tonight, she would have to bank on that promise.

Shower over, Rarity stepped out to towel off when she heard a knock on the door. If it were a customer, she didn’t want to present herself with her fur soaked as it was, but if it were a friend, she didn’t want to keep them waiting. Rarity compromised by wrapping her mane up in her towel, walking down stairs and to the door, and asked who had come calling.

“It’s me, silly!” chirped a voice that was unmistakable.

“Pinkie Pie!” Rarity cried, opening the door and giving her a hug. Pinkie happily returned the embrace with so much enthusiasm that after a while Rarity found it difficult to breathe. It used to be that she would have to sputter and gasp to get Pinkie to let go of her, but Pinkie now knew when to cut off the embrace. She stepped back and beamed at Rarity.

“How did you know I was here?” Rarity asked.

“Because every day since you’ve left I’ve come here and knocked on your door, just so I was sure not to miss you when you came back! And today is finally the day! We all really missed you a lot and now everypony’s going to be so excited you’re back! How’d it go?”

“It was...interesting,” Rarity said, which wasn’t entirely a lie. “Definitely stranger than I expected, but all-in-all a good time.”

“Did you get to meet any super-famous ponies on set?” Pinkie asked.

Rarity considered carefully how to answer and decided to remain ambiguous. “You’ll have to wait and see,” she said. Pinkie’s bubbly persona seemed to deflate slightly, but she quickly recovered.

“Hey, I know you only just got back, but do you want to come to Sugarcube Corner around, say...8:00 tonight?”

“Why? Are you planning a welcome back party?” Rarity asked with a knowing sneer.

“Shoot!” Pinkie said, stomping the floor. “What gave it away?”

“Because you were the one asking,” Rarity said. “If Fluttershy had greeted me and asked to go, I would have thought of it as a nice evening out. But coming from you, it could only really mean one thing.”

“You know what?” Pinkie asked, placing a hoof on her chin thoughtfully. “Getting Fluttershy to ask probably would have been a better idea. Except nopony else knows you're back yet, and I was kinda hoping to invite them all to Sugarcube Corner so they’d be surprised to see you. But maybe that’s not gonna work out after all...” Pinkie frowned and slumped on the floor. Rarity ran a hoof through her mane.

“It’s all right,” she said. “I’m sure we’ll have a good time regardless. One question, though. How many ponies are going to be at this party?”

“Oh! Well, I wasn’t sure if you would want everypony in Ponyville to go or if you just wanted it to be between close friends. There’s good things and bad things about both. If we had a big party then everypony in Ponyville could have a good time, but it’s a lot more work to prepare for it, and since it’s so last minute it’s less likely that they’d be able to come. A party with just close friends would be easier to plan and more likely that everypony can make it, but it won’t be as much of a party as it is a get-together and I was kinda hoping for a big party.”

“Well, if you’re asking for my input,” Rarity started to say, but then caught herself. “Did you want to hear what I would prefer?”

“Whatever you want. You’re the guest of honor.”

“Let’s just make it between us girls.”

“And Spike, too?”

On this, Rarity was uncertain. Not that Spike wasn’t a dear friend of her’s, but she had been hoping to reveal the truth to her friends, and she didn’t want Spike hearing about that at his age. Then again, to say no to Spike specifically might arouse suspicion.

“Of course Spike can come,” Rarity said.

“Okay! I’ll let everypony know, and I’m sure they’ll be able to come, because they’ve all been waiting so long to see you come back. Especially Twilight. She knew I was coming to your door every morning and every time I saw her she asked me if I had seen you. Not sure what’s up with that.”

“Me neither,” Rarity said. This seemed to only add to the enigma that was Twilight.

“Well, gotta run! Have to get Sugarcube Corner ready for tonight and get the invites out. See ya tonight!” And without a further word, Pinkie Pie bounded away very quickly, taking Rarity aback quite a bit.

“Let’s see,” she thought aloud. “I should probably clean the boutique, get it ready for customers. And then I’ll have to allot at least an hour to get ready for the party...” She continued making the schedule in her head as she got to work.

***

It was about 8:03 when Rarity left the boutique to head over to Sugarcube Corner. She was always one to be fashionably late. Nevertheless, she didn’t want to keep her friends waiting any longer than they had to. Except for Pinkie Pie, none of them had seen her in weeks.

As she made her way over, a knot in her stomach was threatening to sabotage the evening’s enjoyment, and when she realized what her revelation might do to the mood of the party, she started second-guessing her decision to reveal the truth to her friends. After all, it can wait a day, can’t it? Let loose, have fun tonight, try to relax. You don’t have to tell them at this very moment.

So it was that by the time she arrived at Sugarcube Corner’s front door, she was combating a sense of impending dread. This will never work. They’ll know something’s wrong and then I’ll have to tell them. Oh, what will they think of me this time?

Rarity opened the door slowly and winced. The bell rang but aside from that there was dead silence inside, and the bakery was blanketed in thick darkness. It was still around late summer, so there was no way that was a natural darkness. That’s probably Twilight’s doing, Rarity thought. She anticipated the lights coming on and her friends yelling “Surprise!” even though it wouldn’t be a surprise at all. She cantered inside and shut the door, bell clinking behind her.

Sure enough, as expected, the darkness vanished. Five ponies and a dragon all shouted “Surprise!” and Pinkie fired confetti from the party cannon at Rarity. Some of it fell in her mouth and she had to spit it out, but Rarity appreciated the gesture all the same.

“I know it wasn’t really a surprise,” Pinkie said, dragging Rarity over to the group of friends, “but I still wanted to do that. But when you didn’t let us know when you were coming back, we had to do it this way instead. I wish we could have really surprised you.”

“It doesn’t matter, Pinkie,” Rarity said, freeing herself from Pinkie’s grip and smiling at all of her friends. “I’m ever so delighted to see you all again.”

“Man,” Dash chimed in, “you would not believe how quiet it was without you here. It was really boring.”

“There was nopony to go to the spa with,” Fluttershy said softly, “so I stopped going until you came back. I didn’t want you to miss out.”

“How sweet of you, Fluttershy,” Rarity said. “Thank you.”

“Ah guess Dash has a point,” Applejack conjectured. “There weren’t really anythin’ to talk about while you were gone. No gossip, no ‘how is your day’ or ‘good morning.’ I guess it was pretty...dull.”

“I wasn’t bored!” Pinkie cried, playing the host and getting everypony an apple cider, fresh from Sweet Apple Acres. Only Spike’s had no alcohol in it. “Then again, I’m almost never bored. But I did miss talking to you. Every time I knocked on your door and nopony answered, I got a bit more lonely. But now I don’t have to feel that way anymore!”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Rarity said, popping the cap off of the bottle with her magic and taking a delicate sip. The taste was surprisingly strong, but Rarity didn’t give that too much thought. Twilight and Fluttershy took small sips as well, but the other three ponies took full gulps, and Applejack had to jab Dash in the side to keep her from downing the whole bottle all at once. Dash shuddered as she let the bottle out of her mouth and chuckled. On the other end of things, Spike tasted his cider and looked almost disappointed.

“Now, Spikey,” Pinkie said, “I can’t let you get all tipsy-wipsy. You are a baby dragon, after all.”

“Don’t remind me,” Spike said glumly. Twilight chuckled nervously and hid her face by taking another sip of cider.

“Well, Twilight, Spike,” Rarity said, looking them square in the eye, “you two have been awfully quiet. Is something the matter?”

“Oh, no, it’s nothing,” Spike said. “We’re just...so glad you’re back that we’re speechless. Right, Twilight?”

“Um...” Twilight said slowly, as if she were pondering something. She sighed, took a deep breath, set the cider down on the table, walked over to Rarity, and gave her a hug.

Though she was taken aback a bit, Rarity returned the hug. She was surprised at how warm Twilight’s fur was against her own. It was like being wrapped up in a blanket on a cold winter’s night, reading a good book by candlelight. The feeling brought back a sense of nostalgia to Rarity, and she smiled as she settled her head on Twilight’s shoulder.

“I’m really glad you’re home, Rarity,” Twilight said, in a whisper only Rarity could hear. When Twilight pulled away, she was blushing profusely, and she returned to her drink and took a more generous sip from the bottle.

Spike gave Twilight a knowing look. Twilight balked and gave him a firm stare back, which made him look away.

“So what was it like?” Pinkie asked.

“Oh, Pinkie, I don’t even know how to begin to describe it,” Rarity said. She always had a flair for the dramatic, though, so she described in detail all the parts of filming that wouldn’t give away the truth.

“You think while you’re watching a television show that you’re looking into a normal house with normal lighting,” she began, “but in fact, the lighting they use on stage nearly blinds you.” Rarity held a foreleg in front of her eyes. “It’s a task simply to keep yourself from squinting, but after a while I got used to it.”

Rarity’s friends were all listening intently, fascinated by an experience so foreign to their lives.

“And then there’s all the ponies in the studio,” Rarity continued. “You only ever see the main actors on screen, but there are directors, camera operators, ponies in charge of audio and video, and even key grips.”

“What’s a key grip?” Pinkie asked.

“To be honest, I still have no idea,” Rarity said. Everypony in the room chuckled.

“Sorry,” Pinkie said suddenly. “Keep going.”

“Yes, well, those are only the ponies in the studio. There are also producers working behind the scenes to fund the filming, editors working in a control room parsing together all of the film and turning it into a coherent television program. Whenever I watched television, I was always amazed at how many names appeared in the credits, but now I think I understand why there are so many.”

“Yeah, but didn’t you say you were just an extra?” Dash asked.

“That is what I said, yes,” Rarity responded, that knot in her stomach growing again. She took a generous sip of her cider.

“So what did they make you do, like, walk around in the background or something?”

Another gulp, and Rarity was starting to feel her head start swimming. What did Applejack put in this cider?

“Applejack,” Rarity asked. “What kind of alcohol is in here?”

“Oh, about that,” Applejack said. “The party was kinda on short notice, so ah had to borrow some whiskey from my brother. It’s a little strong, but ah was hopin’ the cider flavor would make it easier to take.”

“Oh, well, do warn me next time, won’t you?” Rarity asked. “I have a low tolerance for alcohol, as it were, and I don’t need to be getting intoxicated.”

“Whatever,” Applejack said, taking another gulp from her cider. She seemed to be handling it fine. Fluttershy had barely touched her’s, but Pinkie Pie was a bit glassy-eyed and Dash looked a little off-kilter.

“You haven’t answered my question,” she said firmly, so she wasn’t as off-kilter as she appeared.

“Oh yes, about that...” Rarity said. A part of her was screaming for her to lie, but a firm voice told her it was best that the truth come out now. She would have to make it up to Spike somehow, because he was about to become very confused.

“I have to make a confession,” Rarity said.

“Wait, seriously?” Dash asked. “I asked a simple question, and all of a sudden we’re going straight to confessing. What gives?” Dash floated up in the air with her back straight.

“Take it easy, Dash,” Applejack said, coaxing her back down into her seat. “Don’t mind her,” she then addressed Rarity, “it’s the whiskey talkin’.”

“Well, I’m not sure how you’re going to all react to this,” Rarity said, “but when I said I was filming a television show, I was only telling a half-truth.” Everypony in the room was silent, waiting for Rarity to continue. She cleared her throat. “Well, I was filming something, but it wasn’t a television show...”

“What was it, then?” Twilight asked gently in an attempt to ease Rarity’s growing anxiety. Rarity took those words in and let them calm her demeanor. She took a few deep breaths to ease her discomfort and decided it was best to come out and say it now.

“I was the lead actress,” she stated, “in a pornographic film.”

For a few seconds the room was dead silent. Rarity glanced at all of her friends’ faces. Most of them looked confused, as if they hadn’t quite understood what she said. Spike, however, was the most confused of all. He looked up to Twilight for some kind of explanation, but Twilight was staring at Rarity, trying to fight the horribly lewd thoughts creeping in the back of her mind.

Rarity couldn’t stand the tension any longer, so she began to blurt out some kind of explanation.

“It was after the photo shoot,” she stammered, “and I got a letter from the director saying how impressed he was and that he wanted me to be in this film. I was...well, I suppose I have to tell the whole truth now. I was in dire financial straits, and I needed some form of income to tide me over, and they’re going to pay me a generous amount so it was absolutely worth it. I’m sorry if you don’t approve but I did what I had to do to pay the bills and I’ll stand by this decision till the day I die. I won’t let—”

Rainbow Dash put a hoof on Rarity’s shoulder. She was smiling kindly at her, and Rarity fell silent and grinned nervously back.

“It’s okay,” she said. “We’re not mad.”

“Just a little, um...” Fluttershy added, “surprised, is all.”

“Ah know ah reacted horribly about the photo shoot,” Applejack said, “but ah’ve gotta support whatever you do, even if ah don’t agree with it. Sure, it’s a bit exotic, but it was a great opportunity and ya made the most of it.”

“Can we see it when it comes out?” Pinkie Pie blurted out. Everypony in the room started laughing except for Spike, who still looked woefully lost, and Twilight, who’s face was as red as a beet, trying to hide her growing arousal.

“Well, I can’t say no, Pinkie,” Rarity said after the laughter had died down. “You’re free to do what you wish. Just be aware that you might not think of me the same way after you see it.”

“Oh, come on. I bet it’s super hot!” Pinkie cheered.

“Who’s the director?” Dash asked.

“I’m not sure if you’ve heard of him. His name is Hard Core.”

“Are you kidding me?” Dash asked, shooting into the air. “That’s my favorite director! I’ve got like all of his movies!” Everypony gawked at Dash, and she smiled sheepishly and sat back down. “Never thought a good friend of mine would ever be in one of those.”

“Ah don’t think ah’ll be watchin’ it,” Applejack said, “but ah’m sure you’re wonderful in it. Ah really am sorry for the way ah treated you after the photo shoot.”

“It’s all right,” Rarity said. “No, really, you have no idea how relieved I am. I was having fits debating whether or not I should tell you tonight or tomorrow or three weeks from now. But you’ve all come together to support me, a far cry from that photo shoot, and I’m so grateful.”

“Well, we learned from our mistakes,” Dash said. “We were real jerks about it before. Not something you do twice.”

Amidst the conversation, Spike nudged Twilight with his elbow. Twilight turned nervously toward him looking quite ill.

“Whoa, are you okay?” Spike asked.

“Oh, it’s just the cider,” Twilight said. “What about you?”

“I know they have magazines, but what do they put in a movie?”

Twilight heaved a sigh. “That’s...an explanation for another time. I think Rarity can explain it to you better than I can, but don’t ask her now.”

“Okay, I won’t,” Spike said. “But I’m still really confused.”

“I’m sure you’re not as confused as I am,” Twilight said.

“What?”

“Nothing, just talking to myself.”

Now that her biggest burden had lifted, Rarity was glowing and enjoying all of the company. Five ponies were now chattering amongst themselves about their curiosities. Twilight did her best to join the conversation but felt incredibly awkward and found it hard to contribute, so she ended up just taking gulps of her drink in silence. Spike eyed Twilight warily and wished there was something more he could do for her. He would have helped if he knew what was wrong. In the meantime, he was doing his best to ignore the explicit conversation going on around him.

“...and that’s when they told me I’d be tied up and gagged,” Rarity said. “And...hold on. Twilight, dear, is everything all right?”

Being suddenly singled out, Twilight started to fly into a panic. Her breathing got heavier and she felt abnormally hot in the admittedly stuffy bakery. She smiled in a way that convinced nopony she was all right and finally threw in the towel.

“I think I have to go,” she said curtly, downing the rest of the bottle of cider and using her magic to dispose of it. “Are you coming, Spike?” she asked in a way that sounded more like an order.

“Of course,” Spike said, eager to help his friend but also to find out what the heck Rarity and the others were talking about.

“I’m really sorry,” Twilight said on the way out. “Enjoy the party!” The door shut behind her and the bell tinkled once again. The five remaining ponies looked at each other warily.

“Do ya think somepony should go check up on her?” Applejack asked.

“If anypony should do it,” Rarity said, “it should be me. Clearly it was my revelation that bothered her, and I have to set it right.”

“But it’s your party!” Pinkie said. “What are we gonna do if you leave?”

“I don’t know, Pinkie, but I really think this is something I have to do,” Rarity said. “I’m sorry if this means we’re cutting the party short, but I think Twilight needs...she needs a friend to help her, and I want to be that friend.”

“We understand,” Dash said, already helping Applejack put the remaining cider away. “Sorry, Pinks. Maybe we’ll have a make-up party when everypony starts to feel better.”

“Oh, okay, that’s a good idea,” Pinkie said. “Oh, I hope Twilight’s all right.”

“Hopefully she’s just sick from the alcohol and needs to sleep it off,” Applejack said. “I prob’ly shouldn’t have spiked the cider with whiskey in the first place.”

“Maybe, Applejack,” Rarity said, “but I think it may be something more...”

Everypony glanced at Rarity worriedly.

“Well, I’m going to find out, and I’ll let you know the moment Twilight is feeling well. Thank you for the party, Pinkie Pie. It really was quite lovely.”

“You’re welcome,” Pinkie said, but Rarity was already walking out the door. The four remaining ponies were left standing awkwardly.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Fluttershy said. “Let’s not worry about it. Rarity will take good care of Twilight.”

“You’re right, Fluttershy,” Applejack said. “It’s up to those two to work things out.”

“Well, I hope they do work it out,” Pinkie said, beginning to sweep up the confetti. “I just want all my friends to be happy.”

“I think we all want that,” Dash said. “Let’s hope Rarity can make it happen.”

Chapter 12: The Talk

Chapter 12: The Talk

Most of the decorations for the party had been put away. Pinkie and Rainbow Dash were busy sweeping the floor, but Dash had gotten herself so drunk that she was doing a haphazard job of it. Applejack winced as she saw her flinging the broom around like it was a toy airplane, and she set a hoof on her shoulder.

“Maybe you should just go home and sleep it off,” she said.

“Whaddaya mean? I’m fine...” Dash said, but then she clutched her stomach. “Uh...gotta use the bathroom!” She flew off about as fast as Applejack had ever seen her go. The faint sounds of retching could be heard coming from the bathroom down the hall.

“She needs to learn she’s more of a lightweight than she thinks she is,” Applejack said with a sigh. “Can somepony check up on her? Ah gotta get all this cider back to Sweet Apple Acres.”

“I’m on it,” Pinkie said, and she took off towards the bathroom almost as quickly as Dash did. Applejack was always impressed that she could do that.

“Um...Applejack?” Fluttershy asked timidly.

“Yes, Sugarcube?” Applejack said, facing Fluttershy and taking a slow breath when she saw the trepidation in her face.

“Do you want my help carrying all the cider back to your farm?” Fluttershy asked meekly. Applejack smiled and put her hooves on Fluttershy’s shoulders.

“Ah’d really appreciate it, but you don’t always have to be so afraid to ask. Yer a kind pony and ah’m always grateful fer yer help.”

“Um, no offense, but you might be a little buzzed...” Fluttershy said, more to herself. Applejack heard it and laughed.

“All the more reason ah’ll need help then!” she said. “Now c’mon. Let’s get this stuff hitched on our backs and skedaddle.”

Applejack hitched the cart that Big Mac had dropped off for her at the start of the party, while Fluttershy took Applejack’s lighter cart. Wishing they could have given Pinkie and Dash proper goodbyes, they left Sugarcube Corner and began making the trek to Sweet Apple Acres.

For a while there was silence between the two ponies. Applejack wanted to break it, but she had never actually been alone with Fluttershy very often and wasn’t sure what to say. Fluttershy, however, had something pressing she wanted to say, but was afraid to bring it up. Reminding herself that Applejack wouldn’t judge her, she found her voice.

“When Rarity was talking about her porn film, I felt really uncomfortable,” she said. Applejack came to a halt, and Fluttershy quickly stopped, too. For a moment neither pony said anything, but Applejack cleared her throat and responded.

“Ah don’t like it much, either,” she said. “Personally ah think it’s disgustin’, even worse than the spread she did.”

“Oh, thank goodness,” Fluttershy said, and the relief lifted the expression of her face to one of calm, “I thought I was the only one.”

“Me, too, though now that ah think about it, ah should’ve known you wouldn’t take too kindly to it either.”

“It’s not even all about the movie,” Fluttershy said. “It’s the way she was bragging about it, like she was proud of it. Why would Rarity do that to herself? Doesn’t she understand it’s...”

“It’s what, Sugarcube?” Applejack asked.

“Well, if it were me,” Fluttershy said, “not that there’s any way I would ever agree to do such a thing. I mean, I guess if I was forced to do it, I wouldn’t be bragging about it like that. I’d try to pretend it didn’t even happen.”

“Well, Rarity already tried that reaction, didn’t she?” Applejack asked. “She hid the spread from us until Rainbow pulled a fast one on her.”

“Why did she do that?” Fluttershy asked. “It was so unlike her.”

“She probably thought it was cool and wanted to show it off,” Applejack said. “You’ve been friends with her longer than ah have. What’s her take on porn?”

“Well, I never asked specifically,” Fluttershy said, now looking directly at Applejack with some confidence, “but we were roommates in flight school, and once I found a large stash of magazines under her bed. I had no idea where they could have come from, but there were all sorts of pictures of mares and stallions in really, um...provocative poses.”

“Shoulda known she’d swing both ways,” Applejack said with a derisive smile. “Not that there’s anythin’ wrong with that, but havin’ it lyin’ around in yer room like that is...well, it’s kinda gross. Wait a minute...how’d you know what kinda pictures were in there?”

“Oh, no...” Fluttershy said, suddenly blushing profusely. “I mean I guess I didn’t really know at first what the magazines were, so I flipped through one of them because I was curious, and then I kept looking at all of them just to see what was in them. I got carried away, and...well, after that, Dash came in.”

“Wait, Dash saw you lookin’ at her...porn? Was she mad?”

Fluttershy now looked extremely uncomfortable, as if she now thought talking about this had been a bad idea. “She wasn’t mad. She laughed and asked me if I thought it was hot. I said no but I don’t think she believed me. She offered to share them with me as long as...as long as I didn’t stain them...”

Applejack was in the right state of buzz to find that hysterical, but she curtailed her laughter for her friend. “She’s always been a little iffy with boundaries,” she said. “That don’t surprise me in the slightest.”

“Well, now here’s the weird thing...” Fluttershy said. “Whenever I see a magazine like that, or whenever somepony talks about it, all I can think of is Rainbow Dash...”

“Oh,” Applejack said, unsure what to say after that odd confession. “Well, uh...have ya talked to Rainbow about that?”

“Oh, no no no, of course not,” Fluttershy protested, shaking her head so that her mane flowed back and forth. “I’ve just tried to stay away from it because I don’t want to feel awkward around her. She’s my best friend. I don’t want to see a dirty picture or video and start thinking about...” Suddenly Fluttershy was blushing bright red and she turned to hide her face.

“It’s okay, ’Shy,” Applejack said, patting her on the back. “Ah think ah get what’s goin’ on here. The question is...do you get it?”

Fluttershy refused to answer for a moment, but then she turned to face Applejack. “I get it,” she said meekly, “but I don’t want to get it...”

“Do you wanna stay over at Sweet Apple Acres fer tonight?” Applejack asked. “We can talk this out and see if we can get ya to feel better.”

“Oh, you would do that for me?” Fluttershy asked.

“Sure ah would! What kinda friend would ah be if ah just left ya hangin’ after a confession like that?”

“Oh, please don’t call it a confession,” Fluttershy said. “That makes it sound like...”

“All right, then it’s an epiphany then. Whatever ya call it, ah ain’t gonna leave ya alone to brood about it.”

“O-okay then...” Fluttershy said. The two of them set off again towards the farm side by side.

“Thank you, Applejack,” Fluttershy said.

“Don’t mention it,” Applejack responded.

***

“Twilight!” Rarity called, pounding on the door. She knew Twilight was there because she had seen her in the distance walking in this direction. “Twilight, please let me in! I want to talk to you!”

Nopony came to answer the door. Rarity was about to walk off in a huff when Spike cracked the door open.

“She doesn’t want to see you right now,” he said.

“And why is that?” Rarity asked, a little louder than she would have had she been completely sober.

“I can’t tell you that,” Spike said.

“Oh, so there is something,” Rarity said. “Well, if you won’t tell me, I’ll have to get Twilight to tell me herself. Could you be a dear and call her down for me, please?”

Spike groaned. “You’re not listening to me, Rarity. She doesn’t want to talk to you.”

“Look, Spike, I know what this is about,” Rarity said. Spike’s eyes bugged open, which Rarity wasn’t expecting.

“How do you...well what do you think this is about?” Spike asked. He cursed himself for almost blowing Twilight’s cover.

“I clearly made her uncomfortable discussing my pornographic movie, and I know she wasn’t the only one. Fluttershy was barely looking at me and Applejack had a stern look on her face. They were going along with it, sure, but I know how they feel about it.”

“So why don’t you go talk to them about it?” Spike asked.

“Because...well, I’m scared for my friend,” Rarity admitted. “Applejack’s a tough mare and I think Fluttershy has shown she can handle more than her fair share of discomfort, though I say that with regret. But when you and Twilight left the party she looked physically ill.”

“Well, she downed a whole bottle of cider in about ten minutes,” Spike said. “And didn’t Applejack say it had whiskey in it? That was bound to make her pretty sick.”

“How do you know about that?” Rarity asked.

“I’m not stupid, Rarity,” Spike said, and Rarity suddenly felt quite ashamed about forgetting that Spike was no baby in mind, even if he was in stature. “She got sick from the alcohol and she came home to sleep it off. Look, it’s not that I’m not glad to see you. If it were up to me, I’d say she could really use you right now.”

“What does that mean?” Rarity asked.

“Nothing, f-forget I said it,” Spike said. “But I’m sure Twilight’s passed out by now and it would be a bad idea to wake her up. Maybe you can talk to her in the morning, but now is not a good—”

“Let her in, Spike,” came Twilight’s voice from the shadows of the library. Spike jumped about a foot in the air and Rarity’s stomach gave a lurch.

“Where did you come from?” Spike asked. Twilight stepped into the light, and she looked exhausted, but she smiled when she saw Rarity.

“Twilight,” Rarity said softly. “Good heavens, you nearly gave me a heart attack.”

“Sorry for startling you,” she said, “but I heard you shouting for me and, well...would you like to come in?”

“Of course, dear,” Rarity said. Spike opened the door to let Rarity in. Twilight lit the library with a magical aura so they could see.

“Do...” Twilight started to ask, but she shuddered. She swallowed a lump in her throat and recovered her composure. “Do you want to talk upstairs?” Her stomach was twisted in knots and she was still debating in her head whether talking to Rarity was a good idea.

“Yes, darling, I most certainly do,” Rarity said. She and Twilight started walking up the stairs, with Spike following. Twilight smiled and turned to face him.

“Spike, would you make sure we don’t get any more unexpected visitors?” Twilight asked.

Spike looked up at Twilight sadly, but he thought he knew why she wanted her privacy. A part of him felt sad, but another part of him was rooting Twilight on. Hopefully things would go well, and he was happy to play his part.

“No problem, Twilight,” he said, making his way back down the stairs.

“Thank you,” Twilight said as emphatically as she could, hoping to send Spike a message of her true gratitude. She and Rarity continued up the stairs.

Twilight felt so shaky on her legs that she thought she would fall over, but there was no way she was going to make a fool of herself in front of Rarity, so she remained steady as she entered her room. She hopped up to the bed and, to her surprise, Rarity sat right next to her. Twilight’s heart was pounding, so much so she was afraid Rarity might hear it, but her logical sense reminded her that this was not a possibility. She took a calming breath before trying to speak, but Rarity spoke first.

“Twilight, I know you’re upset and I know it’s more than just the liquor,” she said. “I first wanted to apologize to you for the way I was recounting my sordid experiences. My mind was a tad foggy and I lost my sense of judgment, and I failed to pay attention to how uncomfortable it was making you.”

“Um...thank you,” Twilight said flatly. She was mad she couldn’t yet say what she wanted to say, what she needed to say to her friend, but Rarity was leading the conversation for her.

“But I can sense that’s not the only thing bothering you,” Rarity said. “I’ve noticed a level of discomfort about you whenever I’m in the vicinity. I fear as if I may have done something to upset you and you’re unwilling to admit it. If I’ve done something wrong, I want you to tell me so I can correct my erroneous behavior. If there’s something that needs to change I will make every effort I can to change it—”

“There’s something that needs to change,” Twilight said, the words flying out of her mouth almost of their own volition. Suddenly cast in the spotlight, she began to breathe heavily and could feel her heart pounding louder now. Rarity placed a hoof on her shoulder, but Twilight winced and drew away from her as if she had been burned. Rarity withdrew her hoof and gazed upon Twilight sadly.

“Is there something wrong between us?” Rarity asked.

“No! Nothing’s wrong! Everything’s wrong! I have a copy of your spread!” Twilight hadn’t intended to say that last part, and she covered her mouth and cursed silently.

“You...you have a copy of my...?” Rarity asked.

“It was for Spike,” Twilight said, steering the conversation out of danger, at least for now. Rarity took a calming breath and smiled knowingly.

“I should have known he would want that,” Rarity said. “Oh, but I’ve been so insensitive to him. The poor dear must have been so confused, the way I was talking about the sex I was having. Oh, I’m such an idiot...”

“You’re not an idiot, Rarity,” Twilight said.

“I am about this. I didn’t realize it out of concern for you, but he must have been even more uncomfortable and I didn’t even apologize to him.”

“Don’t worry about him, he’s fine,” Twilight said. “We were talking about it before you arrived, and he said he didn’t understand any of it anyway. You didn’t emotionally scar him, if that’s what you were thinking.”

“Oh, well, that does make me feel a bit better,” Rarity said. “But I can tell you’re still in need. You said something needed to change between us. What did you mean by that?”

“I’m sorry,” Twilight said, turning away from Rarity’s gaze, “I shouldn’t have brought it up. It’s a long story...”

“I have all night,” Rarity said, scooching over closer to Twilight and making herself more comfortable on the bed. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Twilight wasn’t sure whether to scream or start crying, so she chose neither. She took another calming breath and faced Rarity. Her beauty struck her at that moment and she almost lost control again, but she remained steady. If she was going to do this, she was going to do it right.

“I should start from the beginning,” Twilight said, and now that she had an outline of what she wanted to say to Rarity it was easier to continue. “I brought the copy of the magazine home, but it wasn’t for Spike...it was for me.”

“Twilight...” Rarity said, looking at her with confusion. “What...?”

“I’m sorry,” Twilight said. “I know it’s wrong, but I was so...so drawn to it and...well then I lost it and I got really upset...but...oh, this is all coming out wrong!” Twilight groaned and buried her head in her hooves. Her upper body started convulsing, a sure sign of the tears falling, and a soft sobbing confirmed it.

Rarity was still unsure what was going on, but a growing suspicion entered her mind and she knew she had to be the best friend she could be. She moved Twilight’s hooves away from her face and lifted her chin so they were face to face. There was a pained look in Twilight’s eyes, and when Twilight dared to stare at Rarity, she started to lose control of her breathing. She turned away and relaxed herself, then realized that if this were going to make any sense, she’d have to explain it clearly and concisely, just as Celestia used to teach her as a filly.

“I brought the magazine home for me, because...because I found you very attractive.” It was easier to say this looking away from Rarity, but at the same time she couldn’t see how she was responding. Nevertheless, it was time to lay down this burden, and however she needed to say it would have to be good enough. “I wanted to...to pleasure myself to your pictures.”

“Twilight, please...” Rarity started.

“Rarity, please let me finish,” Twilight said, turning to face her. Her heart plummeted when she saw Rarity’s face. She looked terrified. For a moment Twilight feared she was pushing her friend away, but her rational sense told her to finish the story before making any judgment on Rarity’s reaction.

“I’m sorry,” Rarity said. “Go ahead.”

“Well, I lost the magazine,” Twilight said. “I was hiding it in one of the books on my shelf, and at first I thought I had forgotten where the book was. During all my free time I kept searching for it, hoping I could see you. I became irritable, I started lashing out at Spike. I later found out he had found the magazine and hidden it for himself, which I realize now is not surprising in the least.” Twilight and Rarity started to laugh, and the laughter proved to cut through the tension that had been stifling them. It lifted Twilight’s spirits and made it that much easier to finish her story.

“We got into an argument about it, and then we both admitted how we felt...how we felt about you.” Twilight turned to face Rarity, who still looked scared, but she was also smiling. Twilight smiled back, and Rarity relaxed her gaze.

“You know how much Spike loves you,” Twilight said. The sentence seemed to hang in the air, its implicit meaning clear.

“Yes, I do,” Rarity said. “I’ll have to apologize to him.”

“For what?” Twilight asked. Rarity’s face seemed to be closing in on her. Twilight held her breath, not wanting to believe what she thought was happening.

“I think I’m about to break his heart...” Rarity said. She closed the distance and pressed her lips up against Twilight’s.

Twilight’s mind seemed to go numb, so her body reacted for her. She pressed her face closer to Rarity’s and stroked her cheek. Rarity liked this feeling and so kissed Twilight more deeply, her tongue brushing up against Twilight’s lips. Twilight opened her mouth as if on instinct and felt Rarity’s tongue slide against her’s. Twilight played with it using her own. The two parted lips for a moment, but could not resist bringing them back together again and again, as much times as necessary. They both laid down on the bed, and Rarity brought Twilight’s body up against her’s, holding her in her hooves. Her fur was warm in the heat of a late summer’s night, and the touch stimulated them.

Suddenly, Twilight was afraid where this might take them and she pulled away. Rarity looked warily at her and was scared when she saw fear in Twilight’s eyes.

“Is everything all right?” Rarity asked.

“Rarity,” Twilight said, “Rarity, this is amazing, but I don’t think I’m ready for...”

“Ready for what, darling? Ah.” Rarity had figured it out and now the fear was gone. She smiled warmly at Twilight, and Twilight’s fear ebbed away as well. “I’m not ready for that either. But another kiss would be lovely.”

Twilight smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. She gladly met Rarity’s lips again and the two of them embraced each other, losing all sense except for pure happiness, which Twilight had longed for and Rarity hadn’t known she was missing. Neither of them wanted this good feeling to ever end, so they enjoyed for as much as they could until a stupor came over them. They parted lips, gazed into each other’s eyes, and chuckled softly.

“You wouldn’t mind if I...slept in your bed tonight, would you?” Rarity asked.

“If that’s all right with you,” Twilight said, but a thought suddenly struck her. “We forgot about Spike!”

“What?” Rarity asked.

“He’s been down there waiting for us to finish our talk. He’s gonna flip out if he finds out what we were doing, what we might have done...”

Rarity planted a strong kiss on Twilight’s lips, and Twilight’s body visibly relaxed.

“I think he might have fallen asleep by now,” Rarity said, “but I can check up on him if you want. If he’s asleep, then I have no qualms with staying here for the night. Do you?”

“No, of course not,” Twilight said.

“Then I’ll be right back.” A quick kiss later, Rarity climbed out of the bed and walked out of the bedroom. Twilight’s heart began pounding as a million thoughts went racing through her head. She was still unsure if this was all a dream and she’d wake up lonely and hungover from the party, but those kisses had felt real enough. Rarity came back with a smile on her face.

“He’s passed out on the couch,” she said.

“Okay,” Twilight said, but then she groaned. “We’re gonna have to explain this to him in the morning.”

“Never mind that now,” Rarity said. “We need to get to sleep ourselves. It’s been a long day.”

Twilight let out a long yawn. “I guess you’re right, Rarity. Um...thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me darling,” Rarity said, “I enjoyed it as much as you did.”

“It really was great,” Twilight said, but Rarity put a hoof to her mouth.

“You don’t have to say any more,” Rarity said. “I already know. Good night, Twilight,” Rarity said and she lay down and got comfortable on the bed.

“Good night, Rarity,” Twilight said, lying down on the other side. Rarity scooched over and wrapped Twilight up in her hooves. Twilight smiled as the two shut their eyes for what would probably be the best night of sleep they’d gotten in a while.

Chapter 13: The Attraction

Chapter 13: The Attraction

Applejack and Fluttershy were in Applejack’s bedroom, the former waiting for the latter to start talking. Fluttershy was rocking back and forth sitting in the bed next to Applejack, and Applejack knew that if she was going to get anything out of Fluttershy, she’d have to coax her into it.

“Look, ah don’t wanna push ya into talkin’ about somethin’ you’re not comfortable with,” she said, “but ah always feel better when ah talk out mah feelings. It gives you the willies at first, but once you start it’s pretty easy to continue until you’ve gotten it all out.”

Fluttershy looked at Applejack warily. “I know you’re right,” she said, “but I don’t know where to start. There’s so much going through my mind that it’s hard to focus on one idea.”

Applejack smiled as an idea came to her. She put her foreleg over Fluttershy’s shoulder. Fluttershy started to rock a little bit less. “Why don’t ya start from the beginning?”

“The beginning?”

“When’d ya first realize you had a thing for Dash?”

Fluttershy pondered the question carefully and shook her head. “I don’t remember when it started. The first time I noticed it was when I saw her with Thunderlane.”

“Thunder-who?”

“A pegasus from flight school,” Fluttershy explained. She started to rock a little bit more. “I was, well, all I could feel was this jealousy. Dash spent all of her time with him outside of class. They played hoofball with the other colts, ate lunch together, and Dash was always with him on the weekends.” Fluttershy took a deep breath and exhaled.

“At first I thought I was jealous that Dash wasn’t spending any time with me,” she continued, “and that was true, but it wasn’t the only thing. I often saw her with Thunderlane in the hallway, and every time I noticed myself wishing that I could be Thunderlane.”

“Do ya mean you wish you were in Thunderlane’s position, as Dash’s colt...er, sorry, marefriend?”

“Oh, I never admitted it to myself at the time, but that must have been what it was. I was jealous because I wanted Rainbow Dash to be with me and not him. But Applejack, there’s something really wrong with all of this.”

Applejack frowned and retracted her foreleg. “If yer gonna start tellin’ me it’s wrong fer a mare to like another mare, ah’m gonna have to stop you there because it just ain’t true.”

“Oh, no no no, it’s not that at all...” Fluttershy said, “although I’m not sure how my parents would feel about me being a fillyfooler. It’s about what I want from Rainbow Dash.”

“Well, what is it exactly that ya want?”

Fluttershy looked at Applejack with a heavy gaze that made Applejack’s heart sink. This had been weighing on Fluttershy’s mind for a long time; that much was evident in her face, which looked worn and weary from years of carrying the burden.

“Well,” Fluttershy said, ready to make the effort to confess, “it’s about what I don’t want as much as it is what I do want. I don’t want to marry Dash, or adopt a foal, or even move in with her.”

“Wait...” Applejack said, having been put off guard, “really? Ah always took you as the type that’d want to settle down and raise a family.”

“I don’t feel old enough for that yet,” Fluttershy said. “I’ve heard from other ponies that your twenties are supposed to be the time you have fun, dating casually and enjoying yourself.”

“Till when, you settle into marriage and live out the rest of yer miserable life?” Applejack asked. She hiccuped a little and covered her mouth.

“That’s not what I meant at all,” Fluttershy said, drawing away from Applejack. “I mean, marriage is nice, but it’s a different kind of nice, and I always thought you were supposed to have one before you have the other.”

“So ya feel like yer missin’ out on something?”

Fluttershy nodded, twiddling her hooves.

“Did ya ever date anypony durin’ flight school?”

“No,” Fluttershy answered almost immediately. “Well, there was this one time...” Fluttershy shuddered and lost herself in a memory, but she snapped out of it soon after. “That doesn’t count though. I’ve never had a colt or a marefriend. To be honest I wasn’t interested in anypony else besides Dash, and she was obviously taken.”

“Oh right, hold on a minute, ah think we got sidetracked,” Applejack said, attempting to reel the conversation back in. “You told me what ya didn’t want if you were datin’ Dash. So what do you want?”

“Oh, well, um...” Fluttershy said, and she couldn’t look Applejack directly in the eye. Applejack leaned closer and put a hoof on Fluttershy’s leg. Fluttershy let out a sigh.

“I feel so selfish,” she muttered.

“Don’t go puttin’ yerself down now,” Applejack said. “We all have needs we’ve gotta satisfy. Oh, now hold on...” It was all starting to make sense. Fluttershy’s anxiety had been especially rampant when this very topic came up in conversation at the party, and her claim of selfishness fit in perfectly with Applejack’s theory. “Yer lookin’ to be ‘friends with benefits,’ right?”

“Oh, but please don’t tell anypony,” Fluttershy said. “It’s bad enough I’m attracted to my best friend. I mean, I do care about her deeply as a friend, but I’ve always found her so attractive and I can’t help but think about what she must be like under the covers. When I’m in heat especially, it drives me crazy at night and whenever I’m around her. I’m surprised she hasn’t noticed by now.”

“Shh...” Applejack whispered, patting her leg to slow Fluttershy’s shaking. “Ah think ah get it. Ya always thought what you were s’posed to do was find a pony and get married before ya started ruttin’. But with Dash, you wanna skip the marriage part and jump straight into the sex. Ah’ll admit it’s dangerous territory, but there’s nothin’ wrong with it, really. As long as both partners agree, ah reckon it’d be a lot of fun, and enjoyin’ yerself can’t be wrong, can it?”

“I’m not so sure about that...” Fluttershy said. “I was with Pinkie Pie at Sugarcube Corner a few weeks ago, and she was eating a lot of sweets. They were tasty, but they made her sick, and I remember her saying that she had enjoyed eating a little too much.”

“Well, of course, moderation’s important,” Applejack said, “but what’s got you so tied up on the idea that what you want is wrong?”

“My parents always used to tell me. ‘Sex, Love, Marriage, Foal,’ you can’t separate them. I think that was part of why I didn’t want to admit what I really wanted.”

“Ah see, it’s how you were raised.” Applejack said. Fluttershy lowered herself into a lying position on the bed, and Applejack soon followed her. “Ah guess ah’m more open-minded, ’cause ah never found out what mah parents would’ve really wanted, and Granny Smith never wanted to talk to me about it. But Big Mac’s always said ‘whatever makes you happy,’ so ah don’t think it’s a bad thing that you want this. The question is now, what does Rainbow Dash want?”

“I almost found out once,” Fluttershy said.

“Whaddaya mean?” Applejack asked, scooting closer to Fluttershy to hear her better.

“Oh, I shouldn’t say,” Fluttershy said. “Rainbow Dash asked me not to tell anypony about it after it happened, and I promised her I wouldn’t. I don’t want to break my word.”

“Ah know what Pinkie would say,” Applejack said once Fluttershy ceased to talk. “‘Breakin’ a promise is the fastest way to lose a friend,’ or somethin’ like that. But this sounds important, and ah think you know by now that sometimes keepin’ a secret can lead to a big misunderstandin’. Dash and I are real close, and ah know a lot about her that maybe even you don’t know. Ah promise yer secret’s safe with me.”

“Are you sure?” Fluttershy asked. “Because I really want to tell you, but it might change the way you think about Dash...”

“Fluttershy, look. Ah know secrets are important, but this is killin’ you. Ah’ve never seen you look so tired. Ah promise I won’t tell anypony what you’re about to tell me.”

“Okay, then...” Fluttershy said, and now Applejack was tensing up. She could sense that this was important. Fluttershy began. “Dash and Thunderlane had been going out for about two years, but she was flying past his house on the way to school. Thunderlane had said his family was going to Fillydelphia for the weekend, but Dash could see candlelight in the house. She got curious and peered into the window, and she swore she could see Thunderlane kissing another mare named April Showers.”

“Consarn it, that two-timin’ knucklehead! She musta been devastated.”

“She was furious,” Fluttershy said, “so much so that she broke into the house and slapped April in the face. April quickly left, and Thunderlane and Dash screamed at each other for hours before Dash broke down and started crying. Apparently he tried to console her, but she said they were through and flew out of the house. They never talked to each other after that, not even a greeting in passing.”

“That doesn’t sound like the kinda thing Dash is willin’ to admit,” Applejack reasoned. “How’d ya find out about it?”

“She flew back to our dorm and started pouring herself a drink,” Fluttershy said. “I was always against it, but Dash snuck in alcohol and stored it in a fridge under her bed. We were of age in Cloudsdale but the flight school forbid alcohol on campus.”

“Let me guess,” Applejack said, “she got drunk and started talkin’ to you about it because you were the only pony she could confide in.”

“I was the only pony at flight school she could trust,” Fluttershy said. “She told me that. She confessed how much she loved him and how hurt she was that he obviously didn’t love her back. She went on and on about wondering when the right pony would ever come and was afraid of being alone for the rest of her life.”

“She musta been pretty drunk, then.”

“Oh yes, she’d had quite a few drinks by that point, but I knew her feelings were real. When she started crying again I hovered over to her and gave her a big hug. She looked like she really needed it. I’ve never felt anypony hug me so tightly and so close, not even Pinkie Pie, and I started to get the feeling something was wrong. She kept saying how I was her only true friend and only I could understand how she felt. I stroked her mane and hushed her, trying to calm her down, but then she took me by surprise.”

“What did she do?” Applejack asked.

“She kissed me...” Fluttershy whispered. The two ponies let the words hang over them so they could slowly sink in. They could hear a cool breeze blowing in the apple trees and the stars twinkled in the sky as bright as they’d ever seen them.

“Mouth-to-mouth?” Applejack finally asked, admittedly an awkward way to break the silence, but it was the only thing she could think of. Fluttershy nodded.

“I was so surprised that I didn’t react at first. But then, for a split second, I was ready to finally show her how much I wanted her. I wanted to hold her close to me and kiss her until all the bad memories faded away. But I think Dash took my initial hesitation as a sign that I didn’t want any of that. She pulled away, horrified, and I tried not to show how upset I was that it didn’t go further.”

Fluttershy stopped talking for a moment, looking quite conflicted. She was holding her stomach in her hooves and looked to be on the verge of tears.

“I...” Fluttershy said, “I think I wanted to take advantage of her. At the time, I thought I just wanted to comfort her and show her she was not alone, but looking back, I wanted to take the opportunity to move in on her when she was at her weakest, the weakest I’d ever seen her. I was so selfish...” Now tears were slowly leaking from Fluttershy’s eyes, and she turned her head away from Applejack to try to hide them. Applejack stroked her moist cheek with her hoof, and Fluttershy turned to look at her once again.

“That’s not the way ah see it,” she said. “Ya coulda told Dash ya wanted to be with her, and Dash might have said yes. She was drunk and vulnerable and woulda probably agreed to whatever you wanted to try to make herself feel better. But you didn’t take advantage of her. You knew it would make her uncomfortable and you avoided doin’ somethin’ you woulda regretted.”

“That’s not how it was,” Fluttershy said. “I was ready to do it, I really was, but she looked at me with such fear in her eyes that I knew I had to stop. Her fear reminded me of my own and I held back. I was afraid of letting my feelings show, and because I was a coward I pulled back.”

“That wasn’t cowardly at all, Fluttershy,” Applejack said. “It’s the bravest thing ah think you’ve ever done. You sacrificed pleasin’ yerself by recognizin’ what Dash needed first. You were there for Dash when she needed somepony she could trust. You stopped the cheap fling to save the friendship, and if ya didn’t truly care about her, ya wouldn’t have done that. But what happened next?”

“Well, that certainly made her forget about Thunderlane for a while,” Fluttershy said. “She spent a long time afterward convincing me she didn’t like mares that way, not that I wasn’t attractive, but that she would never date a mare. The more she confessed, the more I didn’t believe her, and then I realized that we could have been something after all. If only Dash had liked me the same way, we could have been together, and I didn’t even think it was a possibility until she kissed me that night. I know Dash was hurting more, but I could feel my heart breaking, too.”

Fluttershy was noticeably less shaky, but she looked like she was ready to pass out from exhaustion. Applejack smiled and ran a hoof through Fluttershy’s mane.

“’Shy, you’ve spent all this time makin’ sure Dash got what she needed,” she said. “You’ve been holdin’ back yer feelings fer years to save Dash the discomfort of admitting she might be bisexual. But she’s more mature now, a much stronger mare than she was in flight school, perhaps more willin’ to accept that she likes mares. And that night, even though she was drunk, she opened her heart to you. It’s about time you opened yer heart to her.”

“After all these years, you’re saying I should tell Rainbow Dash how much I want her? But I know she doesn’t want me, and I don’t want to ruin our friendship by making things awkward.”

“Sugarcube, think about it,” Applejack said. “There’s a few possibilities. Either she doesn’t like you, and you end up right back where ya started, or she does like you, and then you have some work to do but it could turn into somethin’ mighty fine. And if yer friendship with her is in jeopardy if ya admit yer feelings, then it wasn’t a strong friendship to begin with. Ah wanna see you take that risk, really go after what you want like you never have before. And ah’ll back ya up every step o’ the way. Does that sound like a deal?”

Fluttershy looked at Applejack timidly. “I don’t know...”

“Look, if Dash gives ya a hard time, ah’ll kick her in the flank and straighten her out. You’ve got nothin’ to lose.”

Fluttershy gazed at Applejack. “Go after what I really want?”

“Absolutely.”

“Tell Dash how I truly feel?”

“Exactly that.”

Fluttershy smiled, the first smile she’d had all night. “It’s a deal then.”

“Alrighty then, well, it’s way too late to start tonight, but first thing in the mornin’ we’ll come up with a plan. Sound good?”

“So soon? Shouldn’t we think about it for a little while first?”

“Fluttershy, you’ve had years to think about it. It’s time to act.”

Fluttershy smiled bashfully. “That’s true, I suppose...”

“Then it’s settled. Tomorrow we make a game plan. But tonight, we gotta get some shuteye. There’s a sleepin’ bag under the bed if ya don’t mind the ground too much.”

“Um...I don’t know about that,” Fluttershy said. “The last time I slept on wooden floorboards I ended up with a splinter. Could I just...?”

“Sure ya can sleep next to me on the bed if ya want. I won’t read anythin’ into it.” Applejack gave her a wink. Fluttershy chuckled and took a relaxing breath. Applejack scooched over to give Fluttershy room to lie down. Fluttershy lay with her back facing Applejack’s, and the two of them closed their eyes. As Fluttershy began to breathe deeply, however, the feathers in her wings brushed up against Applejack’s back.

“Consarn it, ’Shy, yer wings are ticklin’ me,” Applejack said with a laugh.

“Oh, I’m ever so sorry,” Fluttershy said. “Should I sleep on the other side?”

“Yeah, that’d prob’ly be fer the best.”

Fluttershy flipped over and lay with her stomach facing Applejack’s back. There was some space in between them, but it was pretty snug fit on Applejack’s bed. Fluttershy had nowhere to put her forelegs so she draped one over Applejack’s back and tucked the other one beneath her. Applejack smiled but made no comment.

Fluttershy thought she would find it difficult to fall asleep, but being here, lying next to a friend she could trust, made the night that much more calming. Fluttershy shut her eyes, hoping for the most refreshing night of sleep she’d had in a long time.

Chapter 14: The Conversation

Chapter 14: The Conversation

Twilight awoke to the smell of jasmine that was coming from Rarity’s mane. The sun was already well into the sky, meaning she had slept in later than usual. Hard not to when she had slept so well the night before.

She was still in some disbelief about what happened, though she was growing accustomed to the idea of her and Rarity being together. It took her a moment to remember there was a third player involved here, the one who had passed out on the couch downstairs.

Twilight’s stomach fluttered. How would she break the news to Spike? He had been so good about supporting her before, but now that she and Rarity seemed to be an item, Twilight could only imagine the disappointment that Spike would go through. With Rarity having stayed the night, she worried that he might jump to conclusions and end up very upset.

Accepting the inevitable discomfort of telling him what happened, Twilight returned her attention to the lovely mare beside her. Rarity was apparently a very sound sleeper; Twilight hadn’t felt her move all night. She looked at her peaceful face and could tell that she was still deeply asleep. Twilight had half a mind to wake her with a kiss, but she decided that it might be an uncomfortable thing to wake up to.

Twilight slowly got out of bed and walked to the bathroom, turning and taking another look at Rarity before she entered and closed the door. She turned on the shower and used her magic to heat the water faster, a trick she had been using for years to save some time getting ready in the morning. Once the water had reached the perfect temperature she stepped in and relished the pleasant feeling of the water coursing through her fur.

Now that she had time to think about it, she wondered what it would have been like if Rarity had gotten up and kissed her awake. She would have enjoyed it immensely. She decided that if Rarity was still asleep when she got up she would kiss her.

But right now, in the heat of the shower, it was all too easy for Twilight to imagine Rarity joining her, scrubbing her with soap and lavishing her with wet kisses. Oh, the things they could do while bathing each other. We’d be getting dirty while we’re getting clean, Twilight thought, and the pun amused her. She didn’t want to fantasize too much, however, not with the sobering thought of her imminent conversation with Spike.

It would be better if she and Rarity could discuss their newfound relationship with Spike together. That way if the conversation trailed off into an awkward silence, one could pick up where the other left off. It wouldn’t do for Twilight to sit alone with Spike and watch him try to be happy for her when they both knew how disappointed he was.

The shower came to its inevitable end, and Twilight stepped out to towel off. This she did as slowly as possible in a futile attempt to delay her conversation with Spike. But once she had dried herself off and left the bathroom, she found that Rarity was no longer in her bed.

Now Twilight didn’t know what to do. Rarity had clearly gone downstairs and most likely woken up Spike. What if they were in a deep conversation and Twilight interrupted it? Wouldn’t that make things more awkward? What if she walked in on Spike bawling his eyes out and Rarity trying her best to console him. Well, in that case, she was sure Rarity would want backup, and the possibility of interrupting a conversation was worth it if it meant she could be helping Rarity mend Spike’s broken heart. As quickly as she could, she rushed down the stairs.

She was surprised to see Spike in the kitchen flipping pancakes while Rarity was setting the table for three and pouring everypony orange juice. They looked so congenial that it was as if there hadn’t been a problem at all. Having expected the worst, Twilight was taken aback.

“Oh, good morning, Twilight!” Rarity said, galloping over to her and giving her a strong hug. “Did you sleep well?”

“I slept great,” Twilight said. “Um, good morning, Spike.”

“Hey, Twilight. Hope you like oat pancakes.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Twilight said before turning to Rarity and lowering her voice to a whisper. “What’s going on?”

“The dear was absolutely delighted to see me and immediately suggested the three of us have breakfast,” Rarity said. “He looked so excited.”

“Maybe a little too excited,” Twilight suggested, taking a careful look at Spike. There was something about his demeanor that seemed forced, like he was trying to compensate for some inner sadness. Or maybe she was just imagining things.

“I don’t quite see what you mean,” Rarity said. “He looks positively chipper, the happiest I’ve seen him in a while.”

“I know Spike,” Twilight said, “and I know how...possessive he can get about what he loves. Have you told him why you stayed the night?”

“Well...” Rarity said, pondering the question carefully, “to be honest, he didn’t really give me a chance to explain. He just rushed into the kitchen after greeting me and immediately started preparing the pancakes. Oh...now I think I see your point.”

“We’re going to have to coax him into expressing his true feelings,” Twilight said. “I think the best way would be to calmly explain what happened the other night and see how he reacts. I know he’s hurting, and we have to let it out so he can start to feel better.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Rarity said, “but I hate to see the poor thing so upset. However, I understand it’s for the best, so let’s do it.”

“Okay,” Twilight said, before calling out to Spike. “Do you need help with anything?”

“Nah, I’m good,” Spike said. “You two lovebirds just sit down and enjoy yourselves. Let ol’ Spike handle the grub.”

Lovebirds? Twilight thought nervously. Rarity gave her a look, and Twilight knew she was thinking the exact same thing. They sat down on opposite ends of the table and decided to wait for the meal to start before trying to talk to Spike.

Somehow that made her sad.

Realizing that now was the best time to start talking, Twilight set her silverware down and cleared her throat. Spike looked at her, chewing an enormous bite of pancakes. Rarity warily waited for Twilight to start talking.

“Spike,” Twilight said, trying her best not to talk down to him. “You know why Rarity’s here this morning, right?”

Spike held up a finger and continued to chew on the pancakes. He finally swallowed them in a big gulp and took a swig of orange juice before answering. “Well, I guess you two had kind of a sleepover. So I’m guessing the talk went well...?”

“It did,” Rarity said. “Twilight and I are...well, what would you call it, Twilight?”

“Um, we’re...I guess you could say we’re an item now,” Twilight said.

“Does that mean you’re marefriends?” Spike asked.

Twilight and Rarity looked at each other uneasily. It was a simple question, really, but delivering the answer was not so simple. Twilight decided to take the mantle on this one.

“Yes, Spike,” she said, looking him straight in the eye. “Rarity and I are marefriends.”

“I thought so,” Spike said, and then there was silence. It lasted only a few seconds, but felt much longer. “Well, I’m...I’m happy for you.”

Twilight looked at Spike carefully. He seemed to have deflated quite a bit from his cheery nature when he was making pancakes, so she knew they were getting closer to getting his feelings out in the open.

“Spike,” Rarity said, “it’s no secret that you’ve had quite the affection for me ever since we met.”

“That obvious, huh?” Spike asked, his tone growing ever duller. Twilight looked at Rarity in alarm; she hadn’t expected her to cut to the chase quite that much.

“Well...yes,” Rarity said. “Twilight and I were just wondering how you felt about all this. It’s happened overnight and I’d think it might be a big deal for you.”

“What do you mean?” Spike asked. Rarity looked at Twilight uneasily.

“I think what Rarity means is that you might be upset about her being with someone else,” Twilight said, eager to have some input before the conversation turned south.

“Upset?” Spike asked. “I’m not upset. I’m happy for you two. I mean, if I couldn’t be with Rarity, at least she’s with somepony who loves her...”

The conversation died off again. Spike was looking noticeably more downtrodden now, and Twilight knew the facade was about to end.

“I mean...that’s what I’m supposed to feel, right?” Spike asked. “I should be happy for my two best friends, that they found each other...”

“That sounds to me like you’re feeling something else,” Rarity offered. “What are you truly feeling, Spike?”

“Um...” Spike said, now looking quite nervous. It hurt Twilight to see him staring at the floor, flipping his fork back and forth on the table. “Disappointed, I guess...” he finally said, and a single tear fell down his cheek.

At that moment Rarity wanted to get up and give Spike a hug, but she thought the close proximity might be confusing for him, so she remained seated. Spike sniffled and straightened up in his chair.

“But that’s no big deal,” he said. “What matters is that my two best friends are happy, so I should be happy, too, right?”

“Spike...” Twilight said, and she hated the sound of her voice. She didn’t want to come across as pitying him, as she thought that would be too condescending. “Your feelings are important, too. You were so good about supporting me when I told you how I felt about Rarity. I feel like you put me ahead of yourself, but it’s important for you to take care of you, too. It’s okay for you to feel disappointed, or sad, or even angry. We just want to help you work through it.”

“Oh, so that’s it, huh?” Spike said, his voice suddenly rising in volume. “You thought, ‘Oh, Spike loves Rarity, he’s going to be so upset when he finds out she’s with Twilight now. Let’s help him get over his disappointment so we don’t have to feel guilty anymore.’ Is that it?”

“Of course not, Spike,” Rarity started to say. “That’s not it at all...”

“What do you think I am, some kind of baby? Sure, I’m a little upset Rarity doesn’t like me the way I like her, but you assumed I was going to be all jealous and whiny when I found out she was dating somepony else. And not just somepony else, but my closest friend, who’s like a big sister to me. Well, I’m not angry! I’m not pouting or acting like a baby about it. I’m happy for you two, so why don’t you stop pitying me and just LEAVE ME ALONE?”

Those last three words echoed across the kitchen in the silence that followed. Twilight had dreaded something like this happening, and she didn’t know what to do to alleviate the situation. She looked at Rarity and could tell she didn’t have a clue either. They both turned to Spike and he looked crestfallen. Apparently all that anger had left him void of any energy. He pushed his seat back and stood up before walking towards the stairs.

“I’m not hungry anymore,” he said as he walked past.

“Where are you going?” Rarity asked.

“I wanna be alone,” Spike said as he began to climb the stairs. Twilight had every intention to ignore that request and try to help her friend—her little brother, even. She stood up and made to follow Spike. Rarity gave her a stern look and shook her head, and Twilight sat back down.

“We need to give him some space,” Rarity said. “He needs time to think about things. Then he’ll be ready to talk.”

“I want to help him, though,” Twilight said. She looked at her pancakes and realized she wasn’t hungry anymore, either.

“As do I,” Rarity said, “but we are helping him right now. This is what he needs. When he’s ready to talk, he will, and then we’ll start to help him feel better. But there’s nothing we can do now.”

“I guess you’re right,” Twilight said, staring at the pancakes in front of her. They really had been delicious, too, but she didn’t have the heart to continue eating.

“Do you want to go for a walk?” Rarity asked. “It might be best if we left the library at this point.”

“I don’t want to waste the pancakes,” Twilight said, wishing she could just enjoy them. Spike had clearly worked hard to make them taste as good as they did. But she knew any bite of them she could take would taste like guilt.

Twilight opened a drawer and brought out some plastic wrap. She wrapped each stack of pancakes up tightly and put them in the fridge, to hopefully be heated up later. The syrup stuck to the wrap quite badly, but it was the best she could do.

“I guess we can go for a walk now,” Twilight said. She and Rarity walked side-by-side as they exited the library. Twilight dearly wished she had kissed Rarity awake now, as it might have ended up being the only good thing about the day.

Chapter 15: The Walk

Chapter 15: The Walk

The sting of Spike’s anger echoed within the minds of Twilight and Rarity as they stepped outside the library. Both of them were eager to discuss it, but neither of them knew what to say. They looked at each other awkwardly and smiled, turning their eyes away. The silence between them had to be broken somehow, and Twilight was the one to break it.

“How are we going to help Spike?” she blurted out. Rarity cringed and shook her head.

“There’s no helping him right now, Twilight,” she explained.

“I don’t mean right now. I mean eventually,” Twilight said in an attempt to clarify her position. “We’re going to have to address this with him sometime soon. I should have realized he wouldn’t take it well. Then I could have…”

“Could have what, darling?” Rarity asked, glancing nervously at Twilight. Twilight’s eyes remained facing forward.

“Could have...I don’t know, explained it to him better. Made it not so much of a shock.”

“Well, to be honest, dear, I was surprised myself,” Rarity recalled. “Your outpouring of emotion took me off guard, but I think deep down I knew what to do about it before my mind had a chance to catch up.”

“You mean you were acting on impulse?” Twilight asked, now looking over at Rarity. Rarity turned her eyes away.

“I was acting from the heart,” she clarified. “Make of that what you will.”

“Okay,” Twilight said, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders that she hadn’t even realized was there.

It wasn’t much longer before the two of them ran into Applejack and Fluttershy in the center of town. Twilight and Rarity hustled over to them.

“What are you two doin’ here?” Applejack asked.

“What do you mean?” Rarity responded.

“Ah mean, ah don’t normally see you two walkin’ together at this time o’ day.”

Twilight and Rarity glanced at each other nervously before turning back to their friends. Twilight cleared her throat.

“Well, I guess I could say the same about you two,” she said warily. Applejack and Fluttershy looked at each other and chuckled.

“Bit of an odd thing to say, if you ask me,” Rarity interjected.

“Oh wait...consarn it! That’s right. Ya went to go comfort Twilight after last night. Guess that means ya stayed the night, huh?”

Rarity was now blushing. She was surprised to be in a position in which she might have to explain her newfound relationship to her friends this soon. She stammered a bit looking for a response.

“Well...I did. And it was far more quiet without you there.”

“Oh, ah see,” Applejack remarked with a sneer. “Without me stirrin’ up trouble, it must have been a quiet night.”

“Not exactly…” Twilight said, turning her eyes away from Applejack’s. Fluttershy gazed at Twilight carefully.

“What happened when Rarity went over?” she asked. “You look a lot better.”

“I am feeling better,” Twilight chirped with a smile, then she bit her lip. “Things got a bit...interesting last night, though.”

“Will ya quit beatin’ around the bush and just tell us what happened?” Applejack snapped. She then started blushing and drooped her head. “Sorry, ah let my curiosity get the best o’ me.”

“No, no, it’s alright,” Twilight said. “Well, there’s no point in delaying it any longer. After last night, Rarity and I decided...we’re a couple.”

“A couple o’ what?” Applejack asked, scratching her head. Fluttershy, however, gasped and started bouncing up and down.

“You mean you two are dating?” she squealed, unable to understand her excitement.

“Oh…” Applejack added, having caught up. “Wait, what? Since when were you two so keen on each other?”

“I have been for quite a while,” Twilight admitted, her cheeks growing scarlet again. “I think I didn’t realize it until I saw that spread.”

“Oh, my…” Rarity said. “Well, I was far more unaware of my emotions until Twilight laid her heart in my lap. Then it felt as if I was on a roller coaster just as it was reaching its peak.”

“That’s a nice metaphor…” Fluttershy remarked. Rarity beamed at her. Twilight rested her head on Rarity’s shoulder. Fluttershy smiled and Applejack chuckled.

“Gotta say, that one came outta left field for me,” she explained.

“Oh, you said you wanted to know what we were doing on a walk together,” Fluttershy reminded the group. Rarity nodded but then reconsidered.

“Only if you’re comfortable with it, darling,” she said.

“Well, I think it’s safe to tell you, but I only want it to be between us six...well, really five…”

“What about Spike?” Twilight asked.

“Oh. Six, then,” Fluttershy corrected herself. “It’s just that I have feelings for somepony that are hard to explain…”

“Feelings for who, darling?” Rarity asked. Fluttershy shifted her eyes nervously and walked closer to Rarity and Twilight. She whispered the answer in their ears.

“Rainbow Dash…”

Rarity covered her mouth in surprise and Twilight lifted her head off Rarity’s shoulder, looking at Fluttershy nervously.

“Exactly what kinds of feelings are we talking about…?” she asked.

“Do ya want me to explain it to them?” Applejack asked.

“No, no,” Fluttershy resisted. “These are my feelings to tell, and I trust them to understand.”

“Understand what, exactly?” Rarity inquired.

“Oh, well…” Fluttershy started, pausing briefly to compose herself. “Well, they’re certainly feelings of attraction, but I can’t say it’s the kind of feelings you and Rarity seem to have for each other.”

“What do you mean by that?” Twilight asked.

“Oh, I’m trying to explain!” Fluttershy sputtered, but then she took a deep breath. “What I mean is, I don’t necessarily want to be in a relationship with Rainbow Dash. I just want...you know, the physical aspects of a relationship… Does that make sense?”

Rarity and Twilight took a moment to think it over and then both nodded.

“I understand,” Rarity said. “I’ve had quite a few of those feelings myself, especially when I was a teenager. Nothing to be ashamed of.”

“But what should I do?” Fluttershy asked. “I’m afraid to tell her because I’m afraid she’ll turn me down, or it’ll make things so awkward she won’t want to be friends anymore…”

“Well, ah don’t think you’ll be satisfied until you admit it to her,” Applejack advised, trying to get back into the conversation after waiting patiently for Fluttershy to explain herself. Fluttershy turned to her and smiled sheepishly.

“That’s easier said than done, Applejack,” she remarked shyly. “Remember who you’re talking to.”

“Oh, don’t say that, Fluttershy,” Rarity said, walking over to her and placing a hoof on her cheek. “You’re one of the bravest ponies I know. You will find the strength to open up to her when it counts.”

“Uh, might wanna make that quick…” Applejack warned, looking up at the sky. The other three looked up as well and saw Rainbow Dash diving towards them. Fluttershy’s cheeks were already hot red by the time Dash landed. Dash, however, didn’t seem to notice.

“What’s up, guys?” she asked, moving over to Fluttershy and tousling her mane. Fluttershy took a step back.

“You’ve missed a few important developments since last night,” Rarity explained. Dash looked at her quizzically.

“What are those?” she asked.

“Well, Twilight and I have decided to begin a romantic relationship,” Rarity explained.

“Oh, wow. Sweet! Good for you two,” Dash said. “I mean, now that I think about it, wow… Didn’t see that one coming!”

“Neither did we,” Twilight said. “You can’t be as surprised as we were.”

“Or Spike, for that matter,” Rarity remembered, gazing at Twilight uneasily.

“Oh, right…” Applejack remarked, looking at the other ponies. “Ah guess he didn’t take it well, then?”

“Not at all,” Rarity explained. “He shouted at us and went to Twilight’s room to sulk, is more or less what happened.”

“Want one of us to talk to him?” Dash asked, indicating herself, Applejack, and Fluttershy.

“No, it’s best if we do it,” Rarity said. “Help should come from the parties involved, if you don’t mind.”

“Oh, that reminds me,” Fluttershy said. “Um...Dashie? Can I talk to you in private for a second?”

Applejack, Rarity, and Twilight tried to contain the anticipation that just sprung up within them. Fluttershy’s nervousness, however, was more than the three of theirs combined.

“Sure, Shy. Sounds good,” Dash said. Fluttershy and Dash looked up into the sky and took off into the air.

They soared high enough so that Ponyville was out of earshot, then looked around at the clouds that were spread about the blue sky. This place was peaceful, secluded, private. Just about the perfect opportunity for Fluttershy, and that racked up the tension even higher.

“So what’s up?” Dash asked, pulling over a cloud for the two of them to sit on.

“Well, it’s kind of a long story, if you don’t mind hearing it,” Fluttershy said meekly.

“I’m down for that,” Dash said simply, paying careful attention to Fluttershy.

“Really, though,” Fluttershy said, “if you feel uncomfortable at any point, feel free to interrupt.”

“Come on, how long have we been friends?” Dash asked. “You can tell me just about anything.”

I hope, Fluttershy thought. She took a deep breath and began her story.

“Do you remember the night you caught me looking at your stash of magazines?”

Well, if that didn’t catch Dash’s attention, nothing else would.

“Oh, you’re talking about that?” Dash asked, looking concerned. “Well, that was a pretty awkward night, but what does that have to do with anything?”

“I didn’t know until last night,” Fluttershy said, “when I was talking to Applejack about Rarity’s spread.”

“Right,” Dash said. “I can see how that would bring it up.”

“Anyway, I was talking to Applejack about it, and I remember that time when you caught me flipping through your magazines. And...I guess I got caught up in association.”

“Whaddya mean?” Dash asked.

“Well, now every time I think about ponies in those kinds of positions...I think of you,” Fluttershy finally confessed. Dash, however, was still looking clueless.

“Uh...not to be blunt, but...what’s your point?” she asked.

“Oh, Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy sputtered. “You must understand. If sex makes me think about you then what do you think the natural conclusion is?”

“Hey, calm down,” Dash said, holding up her hooves. “You’re being kinda subtle right now. But...oh, now I get it. Wait...did you just say you wanna have sex with me?”

Fluttershy sighed and nodded ever so slightly.

“Oh, okay...um...what’s the best way to break it to you?” Dash asked hesitantly. She was squirming in her seat, and half of her wanted to fly away from Fluttershy for a little while. But the stronger half knew she had to be there for her friend, so she stayed put.

“I think I know what you’re going to say…” Fluttershy muttered, blushing hotly, her eyes watering.

“I mean, yeah, I went through a period where I thought I liked mares,” Dash tried to explain, avoiding Fluttershy’s gaze. “And, I mean, that was fun and all. But I fly straight now, so I don’t want you to think it’s something personal about you, because it’s not. Look, you’re a really good friend, but I wouldn’t wanna start dating you and messing it all up.”

“I wasn’t talking about dating,” Fluttershy whimpered, and Dash was left trying to catch up again.

“Oh...oh, I see. Well…” Dash pondered this for a moment. “Um, a ‘friends with benefits’ type deal is not a good idea, even if I was up for it. I tried it once with Blue Skies, and it did not end well.”

Fluttershy didn’t respond. Her heart felt like it had deflated and was now lying flat in her stomach. Dash wanted to wrap a hoof around her, but she didn’t want Fluttershy getting the wrong idea.

“Look, Flutters,” Dash said, “I know it’s tough to hear right now, but I don’t think this is gonna ruin our friendship or anything. We’ve been through tougher problems. Remember that time I thought Thunderlane was seeing you behind my back?”

“Oh, yes, I remember that clearly,” Fluttershy admitted.

“I didn’t speak to you for weeks, until I remembered that you would never lie about something like that. It was just hard to believe Thunderlane at the time, because obviously he would’ve denied it either way, and I let that cloud my judgment about whether I could trust you. So...don’t worry. We’re gonna be cool.”

“That’s okay, I guess,” Fluttershy said, rising from the cloud.

“I think I’m gonna go back down to the ground now,” she said.

“Do you want me to go?” Dash asked.

“Um...no, that’s okay. I don’t want you to miss out on seeing our friends. I think I’ll just go home…”

Dash reached out for Fluttershy as she flew away, but she pulled back, knowing there was nothing she could do for her now. At this point, it was no good sitting alone and thinking about it. She flew off the cloud and dove back down to catch up with her friends.

Applejack, Twilight, and Rarity saw Dash coming down and rushed over to her, eager to find out what happened.

“Did she already tell you?” Dash asked. They all nodded.

“Well,” Dash said, “I basically told her it wasn’t gonna happen, and she just went home. I don’t think she’s taking it too well, to be honest.”

“Ah think ah’ll go talk to her,” Applejack suggested, walking away from the group, eager to console her friend without truly understanding why.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Dash asked. “She looked really out of it. I think she wants to be alone.”

“Well, ah’ll just have to find out for myself, won’t ah?” Applejack asked. Before anypony could answer, she was off, heading towards Fluttershy’s cottage.

“What’s that all about?” Dash asked. “Did AJ and Flutters suddenly get really tight?”

“I believe she was talking to Applejack about her feelings for you last night,” Rarity said. “Perhaps they bonded over that?”

“Yeah, but since when do they talk to each other?” Dash asked. “I thought she’d go to you for that kind of stuff, Rares.”

“Well, given that I was preoccupied, I suppose Applejack was the next best thing.”

“It does seem odd, though,” Twilight said, tapping her chin with her hoof. “I mean, it’s great that they’re bonding, but why so suddenly? What’s behind it?”

The three ponies took a moment to consider Twilight’s question.

“Whatever,” Dash said. “If they wanna be best buds all of a sudden, there’s no point trying to find out why.”

Rarity and Twilight took a collective sigh.

“As much as my curiosity has grown,” Rarity said, “I suppose forming theories won’t help answer our questions, so it’s best to put it aside for now.”

“I guess you’re right,” Twilight concurred.

“Welp, I’ve got stuff to do, so I gotta fly,” Dash said. “Maybe I’ll check up on Fluttershy after work. Think she’ll be feeling better by then?”

“She should be,” Rarity said. “She’s a strong pony, however meek she may seem. And she has Applejack to comfort her now, so there’s no doubt she’ll be feeling better by the time you arrive.”

“Bye, Rainbow!” Twilight called as Dash flew away, leaving her and Rarity alone again.

“Think Spike has cooled down yet?” Rarity asked. “We’ve been gone for quite a while.”

“I suppose there’s only one way to find out,” Twilight said. “Time to go check on him, I think.”

“Splendid! And then, maybe we’ll find some time later to do...other things…”

“We’ll see about that,” Twilight said with a smirk. Rarity giggled to herself as the two of them headed back towards the library.

Chapter 16: The Reveal

Chapter 16: The Reveal

Applejack considered herself a fit pony, but she was struggling to keep up with Fluttershy as she ran back to her cottage. Fluttershy must have been desperate to get home. For a second, Applejack started to question if it was really a good idea to talk to Fluttershy right now. Normally she was already withdrawn; now that she was hurting it was possible she’d be very difficult to talk to.

Applejack continued to follow Fluttershy as they left the village of Ponyville proper. Fluttershy showed signs of slowing down, so Applejack poured on the speed and caught up to her. The two ran side by side as Fluttershy turned to Applejack, tears welling in her eyes.

“What do you want?” Fluttershy cried, turning her head away from Applejack.

“Ah wanna help ya,” Applejack said, now panting from the run. “Ah know things didn’t go well with Dash and I wanna help ya feel better.”

Fluttershy began to blush and started slowing down, too tired to keep up her speed. She came to a stop, and Applejack stopped right beside her. Across the way they could see the roof of Fluttershy’s cottage.

“Do you wanna talk inside?” Applejack asked.

“Not really,” Fluttershy replied. “I don’t understand why you’re following me. I’d rather just be left alone.”

“Ah was afraid o’ that,” Applejack said. “But bein’ alone tends to make things worse. Yer thoughts get all muddled and it’s hard to get outta yer funk.”

“How would you know?” Fluttershy was starting to regain her stamina, and she thought about running from Applejack, but those thoughts were quelled when Applejack gave her a smile.

“Ah think ah might have a story to tell you that’ll help ya feel better.”

Fluttershy looked into Applejack’s eyes tentatively. There was a twinkle in them that she normally didn’t notice, and it comforted her. Fluttershy returned a smile and hid coyly behind her mane.

“I guess I could hear a story,” she said softly. Applejack beamed, and the two of them made their way to Fluttershy’s cottage at a more casual pace.

Until they reached the cottage, Fluttershy and Applejack stayed in a comfortable silence. They both knew there’d be plenty of time to talk once they were situated indoors. When they reached the cottage, Fluttershy opened the door and beckoned for Applejack to enter.

“Thank ya kindly,” Applejack said as she entered the cottage. Fluttershy followed her and shut the door. Applejack hung her hat up on the hat rack, and then the two of them sat down on the couch in silence for a few moments, each waiting for the other to speak.

“All right,” Applejack said, “ah’ll tell my story first. It was a colt in school, and I was just a filly, not much older than Apple Bloom. His name was Baritone, and as you can guess, he was really into music.”

Fluttershy settled into the couch as she listened to Applejack’s story. Applejack knew how to spin a good tale, a trait that she’d learned from Granny Smith. Fluttershy wondered why she didn’t ask Applejack to tell more stories.

“Anyway, I weren’t so keen on music ’til ah talked to him, and then ah listened to all kinds o’ stuff on the old radio back at home. Most of it was terrible, but we always had somethin’ to talk about. We were really good friends.

“Well, rumors started flyin’ from the other fillies, mainly, about how we were keen on each other. At first we laughed it off, ’cause it was kinda ridiculous. But then ah started gettin’ all giddy when ah was around him, and my stomach felt kinda fuzzy. So ah asked Granny Smith about it, and she told me ah had a crush.”

“Oh my,” Fluttershy chimed in. “How did that make you feel?”

“Well at first ah got mad, sayin’ o’ course ah don’t have a crush on him. That’s just silly talk. Granny told me to sleep on it, and in the mornin’ ah realized she was right.”

“What made you change your mind?” Fluttershy asked.

“Well, ah kinda had a...dream about him.”

“What kind of dream?”

Applejack started blushing.

“The kinda dream ya don’t forget easily,” she remarked. “But ah don’t really wanna say what it was.”

“All right, then,” Fluttershy said, not wanting to push Applejack into saying something she didn’t feel like disclosing. Applejack cleared her throat and continued.

“Well, ah wasn’t one to sit idly by and wait for him to make a move, so ah resolved to tell him ah liked him. It took me a few days to muster up the courage, but ah got him alone at recess.”

Fluttershy stared into Applejack’s eyes carefully, and she saw in them a lingering pain. Was it really difficult to recall this after so many years? She almost wanted to ask if she was okay, but figured it would be rude. Besides, Applejack was on a roll now.

“Ah started stammerin’ over my words, and he asked me if somethin’ was wrong, and ah said it was nothin’.” Applejack recalled bitterly. “And then I poured my heart out to him. I started babblin’ on and on about how the other fillies were right and ah had butterflies around him and then ah told him about the dream…”

Applejack paused to brood for a moment.

“The dream?” Fluttershy asked. “How bad was it?”

“It was pretty bad for bein’ ten. He told me he really liked me as a friend but that he was actually startin’ to have a crush on Bon Bon. Ah hated her after that, but not as much as ah hated myself for openin’ my big, fat, stupid mouth.”

“That sounds dreadful…” Fluttershy said, reaching up and stroking Applejack’s mane. Applejack winced but relaxed as Fluttershy ran her hoof through her mane.

“Oh, but ah’m bein’ silly...Ah was supposed to be helpin’ you…”

“Well, you still can,” Fluttershy said. “How did you get over it?”

“Um...well, things just kinda went back to normal after a while,” Applejack said. “Ah never really did get over my first crush, but it got manageable and we were still good friends, at least ’til the end o’ the school year. He moved to Trottingham after that. We promised to write, but we kinda lost touch after that…”

“I’m sorry, Applejack.”

“Nah, it’s fine,” Applejack said. “But enough about me. How do you feel?”

“A bit better, actually. I mean, I know I said I didn’t want you around, but it’s nice to have a friend to talk to about all this.”

“Yeah, but ah’ve been the one doin’ all the talking!” Applejack proclaimed. The two of them laughed, and the room settled.

“Don’t let Rainbow getcha down,” Applejack said, giving Fluttershy a smile. “She don’t know what she’s missing.”

“Thanks,” Fluttershy whispered. “Um...what exactly do you mean by that?”

“Huh? Well...ah’m just sayin’ you’d make a pretty good catch.”

“Applejack…”

Applejack squirmed in her seat. “What? Ah’m bein’ serious.”

“That’s not exactly what I want to hear right now,” she said. “It doesn’t really help…”

“Oh,” Applejack said with a sigh. “Um, well...sorry, ah think ah just…”

“Just what?” Fluttershy asked, leaning closer to her.

Applejack took a deep breath and turned to face her. “There’s somethin’...somethin’ ah wanna say, but now’s not the best time. Ah wanna give ya time to bounce back before ah burden ya with any more nonsense.”

“Applejack, I’m sure what you have to tell me isn’t nonsense.”

“Yer too kind,” Applejack responded, turning her head away. “But trust me, it’s silly and not fittin’ for this time, not with you just gettin’ yer heart broken.”

Applejack and Fluttershy both stared at the floor, listening to the clock ticking from the back wall. Applejack rose from the couch and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?” Fluttershy asked.

Applejack hurried over to the hat stand and put her Stetson on. “Ah think ah have to get going.”

“But Applejack, I want you to stay.”

Applejack turned over to Fluttershy and gave her a careful look. Fluttershy’s cheeks turned pink and she looked away.

“I could still use your help,” she muttered. “I could still use a friend…”

Applejack smiled and returned the Stetson to the hat stand. She slowly walked back over to the couch and sat down. Fluttershy sighed but gave her a small smile.

“Thank you, Applejack.”

“No problem. Mighty kind o’ you to let me stay.” Applejack then chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” Fluttershy asked with a slight pang in her voice.

“Oh, nothin’,” Applejack said sheepishly. “Just wonderin’ if this is gonna turn into another overnight.”

“Would that be a bad thing?”

“No! Not at all. In fact, ah think it’d be great!” Applejack reached over carefully and began to rub Fluttershy’s back. Fluttershy grew visibly calmer. “Ah really appreciate the chance to get to know you better. We never really talked to each other before.”

“I know,” Fluttershy whispered. “I’m really glad we can be there for each other right now.”

“Fluttershy, ah…you’re a really good friend.”

“Applejack, what’s going on?” Fluttershy asked suddenly. Applejack stopped rubbing her back and her stomach felt like it was churning butter. “You’re being so nice to me, and we’ve been with each other so much over the last few days, and you said you had something to tell me.”

“Fluttershy, ah don’t think…”

“Don’t think what?” Fluttershy asked. She sat up and faced Applejack with a stern look on her face. “Look, I know you’re trying to be respectful, but if there’s something on your mind, I want you to tell me what it is. There’s no reason to suffer in silence.”

“What makes you think ah’m suffering?”

“You seem so unsure of yourself,” Fluttershy observed. “You’re usually so bold around our friends, but with me, especially right now, you’ve been a lot more...tender, I guess is the word. I’ve never seen you like this, and when you told me you wanted to tell me something, it got me thinking.”

“Thinking what?” Applejack then shook her head. “No, it really ain’t a good idea to get into it. Ah’m not even sure of it myself, and ah don’t wanna disappoint you—”

“Disappoint me?” Fluttershy reacted. “I’m sorry, forgive me for interrupting, but how could you disappoint me? You’ve been such a good friend.”

“Look, it’s somethin’ that even ah don’t fully understand, and ah don’t wanna confuse you or nothin’, so ah really don’t think…” Applejack then groaned and buried her face in her hooves. Fluttershy pulled her hooves away and looked into her eyes.

“I think I know what it is,” she whispered. Applejack’s pupils retracted, and Fluttershy had never seen her look so terrified. Despite herself, she couldn’t help but grin.

“Well, let me just say that I understand why you don’t want to tell me now. I’m just getting over this thing with Rainbow Dash, and you don’t want to take advantage of me while I’m vulnerable. I agree, it wouldn’t be a good idea right now, but maybe we can give it some time and I can reconsider.”

“Now yer just makin’ assumptions. What makes you think ah like you like that?”

Applejack froze for a few seconds and then covered her mouth with her hoof. Fluttershy smiled warmly and pulled her hoof away.

“That is it, isn’t it?” she asked. “That is what you were afraid to tell me, yes?”

“Aw, consarn it, it is! Ah can’t believe ah couldn’t keep my big mouth shut, especially at a time like this. Ah didn’t even realize until ah hung out with you for the past few days, but ah’m still not really sure and ah don’t wanna put you through any more grief and—”

Fluttershy placed a hoof up against Applejack’s lips.

“Shh…” she whispered. “You don’t have to worry so much about it. I’m flattered, and I’m curious to know what’s going to happen here. Just give me some time, okay?” Fluttershy lowered her hoof.

“Okay,” Applejack said, breathing a sigh of relief. “Well, now that that’s outta the bag, what now?”

“Let me make us some dinner,” Fluttershy suggested, “and we can just talk, like good friends always do. Then we’ll have a nice evening and a good night’s rest, and tomorrow everything will start to look a little brighter, hopefully for the both of us.”

“Yeah, it’s been a pretty rough day,” Applejack remarked. “Some dinner sounds nice right about now.”

“Then I’ll get it started.” Fluttershy rose off of the couch and sauntered over to the kitchen, humming to herself. Applejack still had the willies, but she was feeling a lot better, too, maybe even a little hopeful. At the very least, Fluttershy seemed to be feeling a lot better, so, at least in that respect, her confession seemed to be a success. She just hoped that success didn’t stop there.

Oh, Applejack, she thought, what are ya gettin’ yerself into?

Chapter 17: The Analogy

Chapter 17: The Analogy

Spike was in Twilight’s room, lying on her bed and staring at patterns in the wooden ceiling. His temper had faded away, but a bitterness wore on him like dead weight. He couldn’t believe it. His dearest, most beloved friend was going out with the only mare he’d ever loved, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Who am I kidding? I’m always playing second fiddle to Twilight’s friends. Why can’t something go right for me for a change?

His thoughts continued on like this until he heard a rapid rapping on the door. Groaning, he pushed himself out of bed and dragged himself down the stairs to answer the door. The knocking continued as he approached the door.

“I’m coming, I’m coming! Hold on,” he shouted before swinging the door open. He was met with Pinkie Pie’s beaming face, and she had been standing so close to the door that their noses almost bumped when Spike opened the door. Spike jumped backward and sighed when he realized who it was.

“Hi, Spike! How’s it going?” Pinkie asked.

Spike rolled his eyes. “Lousy, actually, but you probably don’t wanna hear about it.”

“Well, I did come to check on Twilight, but with you looking so sulky I think I should help you out first!” Pinkie Pie bounced into the library and took a seat on the nearest couch. Spike shut the door and sat in the chair facing her.

“Well, Twilight isn’t even here right now, so it’s not like you have a choice,” he said.

“But why would I choose not to help a friend in need?” Pinkie asked, frowning at Spike. Spike smiled in spite of himself, but the moment was brief.

“I don’t know,” Spike said. “I guess I’m just a little sore about being ignored, like my feelings don’t matter.”

“Spike, that’s not true,” Pinkie said, leaping off the couch and bounding over to him. “We all care about you, especially Twilight and Rarity. I mean, Twilight’s been with you all your life. Why would she ever take you for granted? And I know you help out Rarity a lot and she really appreciates it. She’s constantly saying good things about you.”

“Well, tell me this, then. If they care so much about my feelings, why are they dating now?”

“What?” Pinkie blurted out, taking a step back. “Since when? They weren’t dating last night when Twilight left the party, so it must’ve happened overnight. Weird, I’m usually the first one to know about these things.”

“I guess you’re the second,” Spike said, resting his elbow on the armrest and his head on his hand. Pinkie’s expression turned more serious.

“I think I see the problem now. You had all kinds of feelings for Rarity, and you love Twilight like a sister, and it just breaks your heart to see that they got together.”

“Yeah,” Spike snapped, “you basically summed it up.”

Pinkie ignored the lashing out and smiled again.

“Can I tell you a story?” she asked. “I think it’ll help, because I’ve seen this kinda thing before and it all worked out.”

“Well, I don’t have anything else to do right now, so go ahead.”

“Okay, well it was just before I left the rock farm, so I was eighteen years old. My twin sisters Limestone and Marble Pie were sixteen, and they both had a crush on a colt from a neighboring farm. I think his name was Igneous or something weird like that.

“Well, Igneous came over a lot to hang out with my sisters, and they were constantly arguing about whether or not he liked one of them. My mama told them to stop arguing about it, but they didn’t listen. They wouldn’t listen to me either, and I thought about telling Igneous to work it out with them, but I think he was kinda clueless about it.

“Well, it turns out Igneous had a crush on Marble. He took her aside one day and I guess they told each other about their feelings because they came back over to Limestone and said they were going out on a date. Well, I was there, and I saw a light go out in Limestone’s eyes that night. She ran into her room crying, and she refused to come out to eat dinner. Actually, the twins shared a room, so it was really their room, but Limestone shut herself in anyway, so it might as well have been her room at that point.”

“Okay, I get that part,” Spike interrupted before Pinkie started going off on a wild tangent.

“Sorry,” she said, and without a breath to recover she kept going. “So my parents tried to coax Limestone out of the room, but she wouldn’t come out. Then they asked me to try to talk to her, and I had no idea what to do because I never had a crush on anypony and so didn’t know what it was like. Well, nothing I said to Limestone through the door helped at all, and it was only a matter of time before Marble got back from her date and wanted to go to sleep.

“I told Marble that maybe it was a good idea not to go into the room, but Marble said it was both their room and Limestone couldn’t keep her out of it. Marble went in, and the last thing I heard before the door shut was Limestone swearing at her. I walked away at that point, because I didn’t want to hear them fighting.

“Limestone eventually left the room and slept on the couch, and she stayed there for like a week. My parents told her to stop being so petty, but they couldn’t stop her from sleeping on the couch. Finally, I decided to try to talk to her again, because I had thought and thought about the problem and come up with a nice little analogy.”

“What kind of analogy?” Spike asked. He was now sitting up and listening intently to Pinkie’s story, hoping to get something out of it that would help him feel better.

“So I said to Limestone that imagine you saw a cupcake at a bakery, and it looked like the most delicious cupcake ever! Red velvet, with cream cheese frosting and red sprinkles on top! Well, at least, that was my favorite kind of cupcake at the time. Anyway, I said that imagine if somepony else bought the cupcake and ate it. You’d be pretty bummed out, right? I mean, it looked like a really good cupcake, and you had to stand there and watch someone else enjoy it.

“But then I said that there were plenty of cupcakes in the world, and that she would find one that tasted just as good as that cupcake or better, and she’d be the one to buy it and enjoy it.”

“Oh great,” Spike said, “is this one of those ‘there are plenty of fish in the sea’ analogies? Because that doesn’t help at all. It’s just so cliche!”

“Yeah, I know. That’s exactly what Limestone said at first. But then about a week later, this other family moved in to a nearby rock farm, and they had a colt about her age called Sedimentary, or Sed for short. And Limestone couldn’t believe it, he was way cuter than Igneous, and funnier, too. Well, there was no way Marble could beat her this time, ’cause she was still dating Igneous, and the two of them really started bonding. Limestone finally confessed her feelings for him, and he gave her a big ol’ kiss on the lips!”

“How do you know that?” Spike asked, his jaw agape.

“Because Limestone told me,” Pinkie chirped with a giggle. “What, do you think I was spying on them?”

“I, well I...I didn’t know what to think.”

“Because that was when they were having sex, not when they were kissing.”

“What?!?”

“I’m kidding!” Pinkie said with a smile. Spike started laughing, and at first he tried to hold it in, but then he let go and clutched his sides. Pinkie laughed and snorted with him, and by the time they stopped, their bellies were aching.

“Don’t say things like that,” Spike chided her jovially. “I can never tell when you’re being serious or goofy.”

“I’m always goofy!” Pinkie responded, but then her ears drooped. “Except when I’m not. Hmm...well, I wasn’t being goofy when I told you that story. I think pretty soon, you’re gonna find a better cupcake than Rarity, and Twilight won’t be around to take it from you.”

“What happened between Limestone and Marble after that?” Spike asked.

“It was like it never even happened,” Pinkie explained. “In fact, they got along so well, they had a double date with them and their coltfriends and had an orgy in their room!”

“Pinkie!”

“Sorry, sorry. I couldn’t resist.”

Spike was chuckling again, though it didn’t compare to the first joke Pinkie made, which had been unexpected.

“Well,” Spike said, “I guess it’s not so cliche when it actually happens. I think I’m starting to feel a little bit better.”

“Well, that’s good to hear!” Pinkie exclaimed. “So don’t worry about it. Besides, you’re a real cutie. I’m sure you’ll find somepony who you like and who likes you back in no time!”

“You really think so?” Spike asked, starting to blush.

“You never know who might be waiting in the wings…” Pinkie said, giving him a roguish wink. At that moment, a magical aura opened the door, and Twilight and Rarity walked in. They were surprised to see Pinkie, but even more surprised to see how much calmer Spike seemed to be.

“Heya, Twilight, Rarity! I was trying to check in on you, Twilight, but I guess Rarity had that covered and then some! So I guess I should get going.”

“Are you sure, Pinkie?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah. I wasn’t planning on staying this long, and I have to get to work at Sugarcube Corner. We’ll catch up later. See ya!” And with that, Pinkie bounded out the door, and with her seemed to go most of the energy in the room. There was an awkward silence left in her wake, but Spike smiled and waved at them.

“How are you feeling, Spike?” Rarity asked delicately.

“Well, Pinkie and I had a pretty good talk, so I’m starting to feel a bit better.”

“What did she say?” Twilight asked.

“Basically that somepony else is sure to come along soon enough, and then I’ll be able to eat a really good cupcake!”

“Uh...come again?” Rarity asked.

“Oh wait, I think I’m screwing up the analogy…” Spike stroked his chin. “Oh well, the point is, I’m not quite as mad as I was. I’m sorry I lashed out at you.”

“We’re sorry about the way things happened,” Twilight said. “We didn’t consider your feelings, and we should have found a better way to tell you what happened.”

“Whatever,” Spike said with a grin, “that’s in the past now. Why don’t we have some lunch? I’m starting to get hungry.”

“Oh, yes, about that,” Rarity said, reaching into her saddlepack and pulling out a dazzling topaz. “We thought you deserved a treat after the turmoil we put you through. We hope you enjoy it.”

“Really? Thanks, Rarity,” Spike replied, taking the topaz in his claws and licking his lips.

“Think nothing of it,” she said. “We were planning on trying to talk with you, but apparently, Pinkie already covered that.”

“Yeah, she was great,” Spike said, losing himself in thought. “Twilight, do you think…?”

“Think what?”

“Never mind, it’s not important,” Spike said, shaking his head. “Let’s just go eat. I’m starving.”

“I’ll prepare the lunch,” Rarity said, leading the way into the kitchen. “It’s the least I can do after that lovely breakfast you made for us.”

Spike smiled sheepishly and followed Rarity into the kitchen, with Twilight behind him. It looked like the three of them were going to get along a lot better than they did this morning. And for all three of them, that was a welcome change for which they had Pinkie to think.

“Remind me to buy some dessert at Sugarcube Corner after lunch,” Spike said. “It’s the least I can do to thank her.”

“That’s a lovely idea,” Rarity said, smiling at Spike and Twilight. “What do you think, Twilight?”

“Sounds good to me.”

And as the three of them tucked in and began to eat, Spike couldn’t help but daydream about seeing Pinkie again...just to thank her in person. It wasn’t going to be any more than that.

Really.

Chapter 18: The Kiss

Chapter 18: The Kiss

Pinkie Pie took to visiting Spike at the library quite frequently over the next few weeks. Spike’s mood state with and without her was like night and day. When she wasn’t around, he had little else to do but mope and get angry. He was constantly snapping at Twilight, reluctant to help out around the library, and refused to cook. Though she was displeased with the behavior, Twilight allowed it to happen, because she had no right to tell him to stop being unhappy when she was the reason for it in the first place.

But when Pinkie came over, Spike was like his normal self. Actually, not just normal. He was happier and more cordial than usual, laughing at Pinkie’s jokes and making many himself. He always offered to cook dinner when Pinkie was around, and Twilight started to hope she would come by so she’d have a decent meal to eat. But of course, the real reason she was glad to see her was because Spike felt so much better.

It was hard for Twilight to believe this, but after a few weeks of Pinkie coming over, the two seemed to be growing a lot closer. They were constantly whispering to each other and giggling. They always sat close to each other on the couch to read, Spike cuddling up against Pinkie as he read the book aloud. But the most telltale sign, and the one that got Twilight thinking, was that every time Pinkie had to leave the library, she would give Spike a soft peck on the cheek. And whenever Spike saw Twilight looking, his cheeks turned a fiery crimson.

Because Spike had fallen so hard for Rarity, it was difficult for Twilight to imagine him having those feelings with another pony. But the signs were quite similar, too similar for Twilight to dismiss as mere friendship. But what was different was that unlike Rarity, Pinkie seemed to be showing some signs of reciprocating those emotions.

This was the thing that actually concerned Twilight. Sure, she was glad to see Spike so happy, but he was still a baby dragon, and Pinkie was a full-grown mare. Spike’s crush on Rarity had been cute because it had been harmless, at least until Rarity started to date Twilight and it all fell apart. But if Spike and Pinkie Pie got together...she didn’t even want to imagine the problems that might arise.

There was the age difference and the species difference, which Twilight knew the citizens of Ponyville would not readily accept, so there was risk of the two alienating themselves in the community. And what if the relationship went sour? A misunderstanding here, an argument there, and Spike might end up feeling even more depressed and potentially close off his heart entirely.

But then there was also the possibility that things would turn out well. Too well. They maintain a relationship for years, they eventually get married, and if the other ponies in town hadn’t shunned them before, they would certainly do so now. Not to mention there was the horrifying possibility of the two of them becoming physically intimate…

All this had Twilight worked up enough to request a private word with Pinkie when she was over one day. Pinkie was happy to follow Twilight upstairs to their bedroom, leaving Spike to read ahead the book they were sharing.

“Pinkie,” Twilight started, feeling her stomach flutter, “I just want to say that I’m so grateful to you for being there for Spike the way you have. You come over every day, and he’s always so happy to see you. It was a nightmare when he found about about Rarity and me, but around you, it’s like he forgets all about his heartache.”

“Yeah, I guess he’s really been happy,” Pinkie said. “Well, that makes me glad, Twilight. You’re welcome.” Pinkie turned to go back downstairs, but Twilight stepped forward and touched her shoulder.

“Hold on,” Twilight said. “That being said, I’m afraid of something. It might sound completely ridiculous and it might just be me being paranoid as usual, but…”

“But what?” Pinkie asked. “Look, Twilight, you’re my friend. If you have something to say, don’t be shy! I want to know what’s bothering you.”

“I know, but it’s hard to talk about these things sometimes.” Twilight took a deep breath and decided it was best to just rip off the bandage. “I think Spike’s got a crush on you.”

“You think so?” Pinkie asked, looking far too gleeful for Twilight’s comfort. “Wow, that’s interesting, because I thought I was getting some of those vibes, but I didn’t wanna say anything in case I was wrong and that would have made things really awkward…”

There was an unnerving silence following that statement.

“Which brings me to a question I had,” Twilight said slowly. “Pinkie, do you...I don’t know, like him back?”

Pinkie stared blankly at Twilight for a moment, but then smiled.

“Well, of course I do, silly! We’ve been friends ever since you came to Ponyville. He’s really sweet and charming, and I’m just glad he’s so happy to see me—”

“No, Pinkie, you misunderstood,” Twilight objected. “I mean do you like him as more than a friend?”

Pinkie took a moment to think about the answer, a moment that felt like an hour to Twilight. When she finally responded, Twilight let out a breath she hadn’t known she was holding.

“I’ve actually been feeling a little funny around him,” Pinkie said, “but I didn’t really get what it was. But now that you say that, it’s starting to make sense a little. I mean, I get all jittery when I’m around him, and I’m always so happy to see him, and I had no idea he liked me back until you mentioned it, so—”

Every word Pinkie was saying was giving Twilight more discomfort, so she had to cut her off.

“Pinkie, don’t you realize? This is bad!”

“Bad?” Pinkie asked with a sense of childlike confusion. “We like each other. Why would that ever be bad?”

“Because,” Twilight said, then groaned. “Because you’re a pony! And he’s a dragon! And it was cute when he liked Rarity because it wasn’t reciprocated. But now that you like him I don’t want you two to start dating!”

“Dating?” Pinkie asked. “Aren’t you getting a little ahead of yourself?”

“Well, it’s only a matter of time you’d think to bring it up, and it’s just a bad idea, Pinkie, it really is.”

“Okay, miss Meanie-Pants!” Pinkie snapped back, looming over Twilight. “Spike had a crush on Rarity, and you couldn’t handle that because you liked her, too, and rather than take his feelings into consideration you two just hooked up and hoped he would understand in the morning. And you know what? As horrible as that is, I can’t be too upset, because Rarity never liked Spike back. But now Spike likes me, and I like him, and for some reason, you can’t handle that either! So you’re trying to prevent us from dating why? So you can keep Spike all to yourself? So you won’t have to share him with anypony else? That’s really selfish, Twilight, and I thought you were better than that.” Pinkie turned and stormed off, making her way downstairs to say Celestia knows what to Spike, and Twilight couldn’t stop it.

As Twilight stood in her room, she thought about her objections. Was Pinkie right? Was she really just jealous of Spike spending time with anypony else? Who was she to keep him from dating anypony else?

But there was that social stigma that she knew they were going to face, and she had just been trying to save them from becoming pariahs. But Pinkie’s rant had her second-guessing herself. She quickly decided to hasten downstairs and apologize, but when she got down there, the two of them were gone.

Twilight wanted to rush after them to see where they went, but she knew it was pointless. Regardless, even if she wanted to go, somepony knocked on the door. Twilight sighed as she considered ignoring it. She’d had enough to put up with already. But then she heard the voice of the patron.

“Twilight, are you in?” Rarity asked. Twilight smiled, relieved she had somepony to confide in, and she let her in gladly. Rarity gave her a deep kiss on the lips, and when she pulled away she gave her a devilish smile.

“It’s coming out tomorrow,” she purred, giving Twilight a letter. Twilight stared dumbly at Rarity for a moment, at a loss for words, but then she snapped out of her trance.

“Darn it, Rarity, why do you always have to be so seductive?” she asked. Rarity pulled Twilight in for another kiss, leaving Twilight grinning goofily when they pulled away.

“Because, darling,” she whispered, “I’m just that good.”

“Hold on, do you mean the film…?”

“Now we’re all caught up,” Rarity teased. “Read the letter.”

Twilight held the letter in front of her with her magic. It was brief, so it took her all of thirty seconds to read, but when she was done she felt waves of excitement and nervousness.

Dear Rarity,

I am pleased to inform you that the film Pleasuring Royalty starring you and Italian Stallion will be released on DVD tomorrow. I’ve provided money to cover the cost of the film if you want a keepsake.

I just wanted to reiterate how wonderful it was to work with you, and I hope you’ll consider doing work with us in the future, should you be interested.

Hope all is well.

Sincerely,

Hard Core

“Rarity, that’s…” Twilight started to say, but she was at a loss for words. Rarity laughed.

“Well, I’m actually quite nervous about it,” she said. “The magazine spread was one thing. Here I’m actually talking and doing...well, you can probably imagine.”

“Yeah…” Twilight said, staring off into space. Rarity leaned over and licked her ear, causing Twilight to draw back in surprise.

“Rarity!” she cried. “Don’t do that.”

“Sorry, dear, but you were off fantasizing and I really need you here for this conversation.”

“Well, in that case, I’m sorry for losing my focus.”

“It’s all right, dear. Now, the reaction to my spread was a little stirred up at first, but it seemed to die down relatively quickly. This...not so much, I’m afraid.”

“What are you thinking?”

Rarity turned away for a moment. “Well, if I had only done the spread and left it at that, the ponies here could have written it off as a one-time little experiment, just a blip of excitement in the ordinary day-to-day life we live in. But now that this film is coming out, it’s going to start looking like a pattern, and I’m terrified to think how the ponies will react.”

“Rarity…” Twilight said, placing a hoof on her cheek. “I understand your concern. I’m starting to worry about Spike and Pinkie for the same reason.”

“Oh yes, you’ve told me all about that,” Rarity said. “Well, there’s nothing I can do to alter this decision, so I’ll just have to live with the consequences, I suppose.”

“And I’ll be right there with you,” Twilight said. “We’ll bear the load together. Heck, if it makes you feel better, I’ll say it was my idea.”

Rarity smiled and waved a hoof. “You don’t have to take it that far, dear. Just knowing I have your support will be enough. Anyway, I was wondering if I could stay here for the night, if it isn’t too much trouble.”

“Oh…” Twilight said. “Do you mean…?”

“Mean what, darling?” Rarity asked.

“It’s nothing,” Twilight said, even though it wasn’t. “I would love to have you over.”

“You don’t think Spike would mind?” Rarity asked delicately.

“At this point,” Twilight said, “I think he’d be pretty cool with it.”

“Is it okay if Pinkie stays over?” Spike asked Twilight. The three of them and Rarity had just finished another one of Spike’s delicious meals, and the sun was low in the sky.

Twilight wanted to say no, but since Rarity was staying over, she had no right to object.

“That’s fine,” she said. “Do you want me to set up the spare bed down here?”

“That’d be great, Twilight!” Pinkie chirped. “Thanks.”

Twilight smiled at Pinkie, knowing full well the risk of having one bed for two individuals who were just developing feelings for one another. Rarity helped Twilight levitate the bed from the upstairs to the downstairs, and once that was set up they said goodnight to Spike and Pinkie and made their way upstairs. Spike and Pinkie laid on top of the bed and looked at each other.

“I had a good day today, Spike,” Pinkie said with a soft smile.

“Me too,” Spike responded. The two continued to look into each other’s eyes. Spike felt a fire burning up in his belly, one that felt all too familiar. It was that feeling he got whenever Rarity was around, or at least, the feeling he used to get. He hadn’t been feeling that way at dinner, at least not about her…

Was it just him, or had Pinkie’s face moved closer?

Suddenly, Spike realized what was about to happen and pulled away.

“Hold on a second!” he protested. Pinkie looked disappointed as her head stopped moving. “What the heck is going on here?”

“What are you talking about, silly?” Pinkie asked, trying to brush it off as if nothing had happened, but she was feeling quite sore now. “I was just...well…”

“What is it?” Spike asked.

“That talk I had with Twilight,” Pinkie said, wondering if it was right to even bring this up, “she told me you were starting to like me, um...the way you like Rarity.”

“She told you that?” Spike asked. “Well, what if I am? What does that even mean?”

“Because I like you, too,” Pinkie said, and Spike was thrown completely off guard. He hadn’t expected her to say that, nor had he expected her to be so direct about it. His heart was racing, feeling like this was all happening so suddenly, even though he knew this had been developing for weeks, ever since that heartbreaking news about Rarity and Twilight.

“Pinkie, well...Twilight’s right,” Spike said, and Pinkie perked right up. “I guess I do kinda like you.”

“‘Kinda’ like? Or really like?” Pinkie asked.

“I’m...well, I’m not totally sure,” Spike admitted. “It’s not the way I feel, or used to feel, about Rarity. This feels a lot more...real.”

“Real? What do you mean?”

“Let’s face it,” Spike sighed. “I knew Rarity and I were never gonna happen. I was daydreaming a lot about her, and I had this picture of her in my mind that was nice to imagine, but deep down I knew I never stood a shot. But being with you, it’s like...like, this could actually happen. And it’s exciting, but it’s also terrifying. I have all these questions about what it would be like to date you, what our friends would think, what everypony else would think, whether we’d be a good match. It feels a lot more realistic, almost practical. Do you get what I mean?”

“I guess so,” Pinkie said slowly. “I mean, I haven’t really been thinking about it all that much, because I didn’t even realize what I was feeling until Twilight asked me about it. But now that you mention it, I suppose that’s stuff we’re gonna have to think about in the future, if this is even going to be a thing. But Twilight doesn’t want us to be together.”

“She doesn’t?” Spike asked.

“She was really worried. She said it was a bad idea.”

“Who is she to butt in?” Spike cried. “She needs to stop trying to be so controlling. I’m not a little kid anymore.”

“Well, you’re still a baby dragon…” Pinkie reminded him. Spike grumbled.

“I think I know a lot more about this kind of thing than a baby,” he said.

“Hey, why are we doing all this thinking and wondering,” Pinkie suggested, “instead of just going for it and seeing what happens?”

“Going for...what exactly?” Spike asked.

“Like this!” Pinkie chirped, and she pulled Spike close and planted a kiss on his lips. Spike was completely taken aback, but the more he felt Pinkie’s lips brush against his own, the more he realized that he liked it. A lot. Spike wasn’t sure what he was supposed to be doing, so he tried to follow Pinkie’s lead and move his lips around with her’s. When things were starting to get a bit heated, Spike leaned too far forward and bumped his forehead against Pinkie’s.

Pinkie pulled back in surprise and looked at Spike warily. The two of them smiled and started to laugh. They laughed quite hard at the ludicrosity of it all, but knowing at the same time that this had a shot, this could go somewhere. They were happy, and they were together, and if they at least had that, then it was a good start. They stopped laughing, and Pinkie spoke up first.

“Did you like it?” Pinkie asked eagerly.

“Yeah, I did,” Spike readily admitted. “I didn’t know what I was doing at all, but it was pretty nice…”

“Well, it’s not my first kiss, so I’ll teach you how to get to the juicy stuff!” Pinkie promised. “But maybe this is all happening too quickly for you. I mean, you’ve never kissed a girl before, right?”

“No, that was my first…” Spike confessed. “And it was a pretty nice one. But I think you have a point. Maybe we should just go on a date and get to know each other a little more before we see where this takes us.”

“Sure, that sounds great!” Pinkie said. “Where do you wanna go?”

“Well, I don’t have any money,” Spike realized, “so I don’t know that we can do anything.”

“I’ll spot you,” Pinkie said. “And I guess I’ll pick the first date, but it’s gonna be a surprise.”

“Why? Do you have an idea?” Spike asked.

“Nope! Not a clue! That’s why it’s a surprise!”

Spike laughed, and Pinkie chuckled and snorted with him. Spike was feeling a lot calmer, that burning sensation replaced with a warm feeling inside, like he was sitting in front of a fireplace. Pinkie smiled and just looked at him, and Spike looked back, smiling in return.

“I’m feeling kinda tired,” Pinkie said. “How about you?”

“Yeah, it’s getting kinda late for me, too,” Spike said, though he felt too excited to sleep. “So, uh...goodnight, I guess.”

“Night, Spike!” Pinkie exclaimed, and she closed her eyes and started to breathe heavily. Spike yawned and stretched his arms before shutting his eyes as well. Hopefully he would wake up in the morning and find out that this wasn’t just a good dream.

Spike laid there with his eyes closed for a while, but then he opened them and looked at Pinkie. There was something about her, the way her mane moved as she breathed, her bright pink coat. But there was something else about seeing her so calm, peaceful. It was a side Spike rarely saw from the hyperactive pony, and it made him feel special to see this side of her.

Pinkie opened her eyes, hoping to catch a glimpse of Spike sleeping, but taken aback when she saw him looking at her.

“Oh, sorry,” Pinkie said. “I didn’t know…”

“It’s fine,” Spike said, his brain whirring. “Hey, Pinkie?” he asked.

“Yeah?” Pinkie said.

“I kinda wanna try kissing again…”

Pinkie beamed at him.

“Okie dokie lokie!” she said, and she pulled Spike in for another kiss, deeper this time. This time, Spike was willing to learn from an experienced kisser. He could feel her tongue pushing against his lips, and almost by instinct, he opened his mouth. Her tongue slid into his, and the strangeness of the foreign object in his mouth made him a bit unnerved and excited. He played with her tongue with his own forked one, and Pinkie was pleasantly surprised by the way his tongue felt. She pulled her tongue out of his mouth and waited, hoping he would return the favor.

Spike was a fast learner, so he probed Pinkie’s mouth with his tongue instead. He lapped against her tongue and her teeth, and Pinkie brought Spike’s body in closer as they continued to kiss. Every time they pulled their mouths away to breathe, they returned the kiss with more energy. That fire in Spike’s belly was heating up again, and it felt hot enough to escape his mouth. Then he realized it really could escape from his mouth if he wasn’t careful, so he pulled away abruptly.

Pinkie looked at him nervously, but Spike smiled and calmed her nerves.

“I felt like I was about to belch flames,” he said. “I honestly didn’t expect that.”

“I guess things did get a little heated, huh?” Pinkie asked.

“You could say that,” Spike replied.

“That’s not taking things slow, is it?”

“Nope, but that’s okay.”

“It is?”

“Well, I’d say we’ve reached a good limit for now. Kissing you is really nice.”

“I like kissing you, too.”

“I suppose we don’t have to fall asleep right away…” Spike said softly.

“Works for me!” Pinkie replied, and she pulled Spike in to make out some more. If this is what dating somepony was like, Spike thought he could get used to this real fast. It was a pleasure he couldn’t have imagined until it happened, and that made it all the sweeter.

Chapter 19: The Release

Chapter 19: The Release

Twilight didn’t waste her opportunity this time. Rarity was sleeping like an angel, but hopefully the way she woke up would make up for the interruption in sleep. Twilight leaned in and pressed her lips against Rarity’s. To her surprise, Rarity wrapped her hooves around her and pulled her close, returning the kiss deeply. Twilight blushed as she felt her body temperature rise, and for a moment she was afraid of where this was going, but Rarity stopped the kiss and opened her eyes to gaze into Twilight’s.

“I was expecting that to happen,” she crooned, making Twilight blush an even deeper crimson.

“Hold on,” Twilight said. “You weren’t pretending to sleep just so you could surprise me like that, were you?”

Rarity giggled. “Maybe. It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do to you since we started dating. But I wasn’t sure if you would be okay with it. Now I no longer need to hesitate.”

“That’s if you ever get up before I do,” Twilight scoffed.

“Well, I did this morning,” Rarity reminded her. “How else do you think I was ready to react?”

“Touché,” Twilight said, lightly pushing Rarity back and rising out of bed. She went towards the bathroom, ready to take a shower. Rarity followed closely behind her.

“What are you doing?” Twilight asked with a nervous giggle.

“Well, you know what today is,” Rarity said. “I want to be able to buy myself that keepsake.”

“Right, the movie. Well...oh, so you wanted to...oh.”

“I figured we’d save a little time if we joined each other in the shower…”

Twilight frowned and turned her gaze away, and Rarity’s expression softened. “Is something the matter?” she asked.

“Not really,” Twilight said. “Well…that’s not entirely true. I’m just...I don’t know.”

Rarity brushed Twilight’s mane back with her hoof and looked into her eyes.

“I don’t want it to feel like I’m rushing you into anything,” she said, “so we can take separate showers if you like. There’s no hurry to make things too...intimate, if you’re not ready.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to,” Twilight stammered, hoping her meaning wasn’t misconstrued. “It’s just...I’m a little scared.”

Rarity gave her a soft smile. “Being frightened is nothing to be ashamed of. I’ll admit, when you confessed your feelings to me, I was scared, too. But as long as we go at our own pace, there’s nothing to fear.

“You can use the shower first. Celestia knows I’ll take longer than you will.”

Twilight gave Rarity a small smile. “Thanks,” she said simply before walking into the bathroom. Rarity returned the smile and made her way downstairs to eat some breakfast. She expected to bump into Spike and Pinkie, who most likely had an interesting night. But when she got downstairs, they were nowhere to be found.

“Odd,” she said to herself. Without the gifted chef there to make breakfast for her, she would have to make due with something simple. She walked over to the counter and found a loaf of bread. She pulled a few slices out of the bag and put them in the toaster. Crude, perhaps, but enough to satisfy her hunger for the moment.

Shortly after the toaster popped and she had sat down, Twilight came downstairs, her mane still wet from the shower. Rarity smiled in spite of herself; the wet mane look suited Twilight quite well. Twilight smiled back and put some bread in the toaster herself before sitting down. Rarity was about to take a bite of toast when she set it back down on her plate.

“Oh, don’t wait for me,” Twilight said. “I don’t want your toast to get cold.”

“All right, then,” Rarity said, lifting the toast back up and taking a bite. “Mmm, your toaster cooks the bread far more thoroughly than mine does. I really need a new one.”

“Well, with the money you get from this movie, I’m sure you’ll have more than enough to afford a new toaster and then some,” Twilight remarked.

“Indeed. Oh my, how will Ponyville react to this film? I didn’t warn anypony about it.”

“That’s fine,” Twilight said. “Besides, it doesn’t matter what anypony else thinks, not really. As long as you had fun.”

Rarity grinned guiltily. “Well, I won’t say I had a bad time doing it. I just hope the town doesn’t think too poorly of me.”

Suddenly somepony flew through the front door. Twilight already knew who it was before they came into view.

“Twilight, Rarity!” Dash said, taking a seat at the table. “The whole town’s buzzing about the porno!”

“What are they saying?” Rarity asked.

“Well...some ponies think it’s funny. Some are shaking their heads and complaining. A few of them are actually really happy about it. So I guess it’s kinda mixed.”

“Oh, dear,” Rarity said, beginning to blush. Twilight rose from her seat and patted her on the shoulder.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” she said. “Let’s go out and see what ponies say to you. It’s how they treat you face-to-face that’s really gonna matter, not what they say behind your back.”

“I suppose you’re right, darling,” Rarity said with a smile. “I really should go out and face the public. If they can’t remain civil around me, I suppose that’s their problem.”

“Don’t worry about it, Rares,” Dash said, waving a hoof. “You’re an important part of Ponyville. They can’t judge you ’cause of one little thing. Just look at what you’ve done for the town! For Equestria! You’re gonna be fine…”

“I hope you’re right, Rainbow Dash,” Rarity replied. “Well, I suppose I’d better clean myself up and go to the store. I’d like to see this for myself. Twilight, you’ll accompany me, won’t you?”

“Of course,” Twilight said.

“How about you, Dash?”

“I already got my copy,” Dash said. “I have the day off, so I was gonna go home and watch it.”

“Oh my,” Rarity said, blushing fiercer now. “To think my friends want to watch it.”

“Don’t worry,” Dash said. “I ran into Applejack and Fluttershy earlier. They both told me they weren’t gonna watch it. Who knows what Pinkie’s gonna do, but she’s always random. Besides, she won’t judge you. Look, I’m sure it’s not that bad.”

“I don’t know, Dash,” Rarity said. “You weren’t there filming it.”

“Good point,” Dash replied. “Well, I gotta go. See ya later!” With that, Dash rocketed out of the library as fast as she had come in. Twilight and Rarity looked at each other with concern.

“Well, I’ll be back down soon,” Rarity said, rising from the table, “and then we’ll head out.”

“Sounds good,” Twilight replied. Rarity left the room, leaving Twilight with a growing feeling of dread. How would the citizens of Ponyville react upon seeing Rarity? They would just have to find out on their own.

Rarity came back downstairs, having toweled off her mane well. She didn’t want to make herself too attractive. That might give ponies the wrong idea. Twilight greeted her with a soft kiss and smiled.

“Whatever happens,” she said, “I’ll be by your side.”

“Thank you,” Rarity responded. “It means the world to me.” The two of them left the library and made their way towards the store.

Well, Dash had been more or less accurate about the reaction from the town. It really was mixed. Some of the ponies glared at Rarity as she and Twilight walked past. Some of them waved to her, just as friendly as usual. A few snickered when they thought they were out of sight. But what weirded them out most was a few stallions catcalling and whistling at her as they passed. Rarity normally liked the attention, but it disconcerted her this time around.

“Do they know I’m with you?” she asked Twilight.

“We’ll walk closer together,” Twilight said, “so if they didn’t before, they will now.”

“All right.” Twilight and Rarity walked side to side as they made their way to the store.

When they arrived and started perusing the shelves for the movie, they noticed the store was busier than usual. The other ponies in the store tried to avoid Rarity’s gaze, as if they didn’t want her to know they were looking to purchase her film. Rarity saw through this ruse and tried to wave politely to them, but they didn’t respond. Finally, in the Adult section, they found the movie sitting on the shelf, only a few copies left.

When they saw the cover of Pleasuring Royalty, Twilight and Rarity squirmed. The cover had Rarity lying on top of a bed with her hind legs spread open and a lascivious look on her face. Italian Stallion was looming towards her with his back towards the camera. On the bottom right corner of the cover were the words “Featuring the Element of Harmony RARITY” written in boldface, the deep purple color matching her mane.

“They took a few shots for the cover,” Rarity said, “and they didn’t tell me which one they were going to use. I guess they picked the one that had me as prominent as possible.”

“I’m sorry, Rarity,” Twilight said as she saw Rarity wince and blush again.

“No, I should have expected it,” she said. “Let’s just buy the copy and get it over with.”

“You hand me the money,” Twilight said, “and I’ll go up to the counter and buy it. You don’t need any more embarrassment.”

“I won’t look like a coward,” Rarity sternly objected. “I’ll face the stallion at the counter like a grown mare and take whatever snarky comments he can think up. Let’s go.”

“Okay,” Twilight said. Rarity grabbed the movie and marched over to the counter, putting the movie down and eyeing Paper Back.

“Well, if it isn’t the leading lady herself,” he said. Rarity shook her head.

“I don’t want to hear it right now, Paper Back. I’m just here to purchase a movie.”

“Your movie, I see,” he replied. “I guess you get off to yourself, huh? Coulda fooled me.”

“I could say the same thing to you, given the way you like to hear yourself jabber,” Rarity remarked. “I don’t have to offer you my business, you know. And you should pay a little more mind to customer satisfaction in your line of work.”

Paper Back laughed. “Look, I’m sure you’ll be plenty ‘satisfied’ when you go home to watch the thing. And is this your marefriend? She gonna watch with you?”

Twilight blushed and looked away, but Rarity held her resolve.

“Just ring me up and let’s be done with it,” she said menacingly.

“Okay. Fifty bits,” Paper Back said. He didn’t want to cause a scene in his store, and he figured he had gotten enough digs at Rarity for one day. “Want a bag?”

“No thank you,” Rarity said. “Save a plastic tree.”

“Suit yourself. Have a good day.”

As Rarity and Twilight turned and walked out of the store, Paper Back grinned widely. Neither Twilight nor Rarity looked back as they walked out the door.

“Rarity, I should probably tell you something,” Twilight said, “about what Paper Back was saying.”

“Pay him no mind,” Rarity replied. “He’s not worth the trouble.”

“But he was right about something,” Twilight insisted. “And I know, this is probably going to go against my initial misgivings about the shower this morning, but it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while now.”

“And what is that, darling?”

“I...well, I want to see the movie,” Twilight said.

“Oh...well, I suppose that shouldn’t surprise me. You’re my marefriend, and you’re naturally curious about my work, no?”

“It’s not just that,” Twilight said, leaning closer to Rarity. “I want to watch it with you.”

“Oh,” Rarity said. “Well, I’ll be happy to watch it with you, if that’s what you like. Ah, wait...you want to do more than just watch it, don’t you?”

Twilight nodded, her cheeks growing red.

“Well, I suppose that can be arranged,” Rarity said, winking at her. “We’ll just have to make sure we have the place to ourselves. Better yet, we can watch it at the boutique. Spike won’t be there to interrupt us, and, well...I have an old set of sheets lying around, just in case we get, let me say, a little too excited…”

“Rarity, please,” Twilight said. “I’m blushing hard enough as it is.”

“Okay, I’ll say no more,” she said. “When do you want to arrange this viewing?”

“I don’t know, maybe it’s not such a good idea…” Twilight said, shifting around uncomfortably.

“Nonsense,” Rarity said. “It sounds like a lot of fun, and you were the one who suggested it. Why don’t we do it this Friday night? That’ll give me enough time to ensure Sweetie Belle doesn’t come around and interrupt us at an inopportune time. She’s usually sleeping over at Applejack’s on Fridays.”

“That...sounds okay,” Twilight said with a sheepish grin. Rarity kissed her on the cheek.

“Then it’s a date! Why don’t we drop off the movie at the boutique and we can grab some lunch?”

“That sounds nice,” Twilight answered.

“Splendid!”

And with that, Twilight and Rarity headed towards the boutique, both of them brimming with excitement and nervousness about Friday night, both anticipating what might happen. It would be an experience neither of them would likely forget.

Chapter 20: The Climax

Chapter 20: The Climax

Rarity opened the door to the Carousel Boutique and invited Twilight in with a smile. Twilight gave a nervous smile back and stepped inside, with Rarity shutting the door behind them.

“So, how are we going to do this?” Rarity asked. “I think a little wine might be in order, just to get ourselves limbered up, so to speak. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Sure,” Twilight said all too quickly. Rarity pecked her on the cheek and sauntered off into the kitchen. Twilight, however, was staring at an intricate purple dress on one of the racks in the boutique proper. Its sequins reflected the rays of sunshine coming in through the window.

Rarity came back with the wine bottle and two tall glasses levitating in front of her.

“All right,” she said. “I’ve got the movie, so I’m all set to go upstairs when you’re ready to join me.”

“Um...right,” Twilight said. Her hooves were shaking as she followed Rarity up the stairs and into her bedroom. To her surprise, the bed had the same sheets it always did, and the room was bright with the sun peeking in through the window.

“Oh, goodness me,” Rarity mused. “This sort of ambience won’t do at all. It’s far too bright in here. I’m going to get some candles and shut the blinds.” Rarity was already moving towards the window. “While I’m doing that, could you put the movie in and get it ready? I never use that old DVD player and I’ve forgotten how to work it.”

“Sure, Rarity, n-no problem,” Twilight stammered as she took the movie from Rarity. Trying to avoid looking at the DVD cover, she took out the disc and used some of her other magic to turn on the player. She inserted the disc into the tray and closed it. When it looked like the disc was loading, Twilight used the remote to turn on the television set. She changed the input to AV but saw nothing but a blue screen.

That’s okay, Twilight. The cables probably aren’t plugged in. Twilight poked her head behind the TV and saw the AV cables lying on the floor, so with an uneasy grasp with her levitation she connected the cables to the DVD player and the TV. Now the disc menu popped up on screen, and Twilight saw a picture of Rarity with the lead stallion’s cock in her mouth.

Twilight cringed and turned away from the screen, and Rarity finished setting up the candles.

“Can you light the candles with your magic, darling?” she asked, but then took a careful look at her face. “My, Twilight, you look absolutely unwell. Are you coming down with something?”

“N-no, Rarity. Just a little nervous.”

“A little nervous?” Rarity asked, scrutinizing her carefully. “Darling, you’re shaking! Are you sure you’re ready for this? I wouldn’t want to force you into something you’re not ready for.”

“I’m afraid I’m about as ready as I’ll ever be,” Twilight admitted with a sheepish smile. “I mean, this isn’t all just fear. I’m really excited about all of this, too. It’s just that I never imagined what it would be like to be with...well, to be with anypony, really, but especially another mare. They don’t teach you about that kind of relationship in health class.”

“Shame on them for not,” Rarity said. “Look, Twilight, I understand your trepidation. I feel as giddy as a schoolfilly. Let’s just take things slow, and let me make you as comfortable as possible before we do this.”

“Okay,” Twilight said. Her horn flashed, and all of the candles in the room were lit with a dancing orange flame. Rarity used her own magic to shut the blinds, and suddenly they were thrown into a dim darkness that cast shadows across their faces. Rarity flashed a grin and poured a generous helping of wine for Twilight and then for herself. She offered one of the glasses to Twilight.

“Thank you,” Twilight said, taking the wine with her magic and looking it over. The best way she could think of to describe the color was that of faded gold. “What kind of wine is this?”

“Just some white zinfandel, darling. I wanted to keep things simple. Don’t be shy, drink up. It’ll steady your nerves.”

Twilight and Rarity clinked their glasses together and each took a generous gulp of the wine. It went down smoothly for Twilight, indicating to her that the wine was not as simple as Rarity had made it out to be.

Rarity turned around and saw the TV screen. She nearly dropped her wine glass and burst out laughing.

“Oh dear, Twilight! I can understand your trepidation now. That must look very unsettling.”

“Oh, that?” Twilight asked, doing her best not to look at it. “Oh no, that’s nothing. I mean…”

“You mean what, darling?” Rarity asked. Twilight remained silent.

“Oh, come now, darling. If we can’t talk about what’s bothering us, we’ll never be able to properly enjoy ourselves. What’s causing your distress?”

“That’s the first time I’ve seen oral sex,” Twilight explained, “and, now that I think about it, there’s gonna be a whole bunch of firsts where that came from. I guess I didn’t quite think this through when I initially offered.”

“Here, Twilight, let me put it this way,” Rarity said, walking over to her and draping a hoof over her shoulder. “There is a part of you that is anticipating seeing all of this for the first time. It might seem paralyzing, but there’s also a lot of excitement there. If you weren’t looking forward to it on some level, then you wouldn’t have suggested it. Does that seem reasonable?”

Twilight looked at Rarity with a grin, a small blush forming on her face. “The logic is sound, I suppose,” she said.

“Good. Now, don’t worry. It’ll be far less awkward and more alluring when you see the sexual activity in motion.”

“You sure about that?” Twilight asked.

“Mostly,” Rarity said with a wink. “Don’t worry. If all goes to plan, we won’t be seeing very much of the movie after a while.”

“I suppose that’s true,” Twilight said with a giggle.

“Marvelous. Now drink up, darling. I don’t plan on saving this bottle for any other occasion.”

“All right,” Twilight said. She went to take a sip, but she instead drained the glass and levitated it towards Rarity. She laughed and gave Twilight a refill, which Twilight quickly drank about half of.

“Okay, Twilight,” Rarity said with a nervous laugh, “don’t drink it all at once, now. We don’t want you to get sick.”

“Right, right, sorry,” Twilight said.

“It’s all right. Now come up to bed, darling,” she said warmly, climbing into her bed and beckoning Twilight to follow. Twilight was blushing as she climbed into bed next to her. She rested her head on Rarity’s shoulder.

“I guess you can hit play now,” Twilight decided.

“Of course,” Rarity said, hitting a button on the remote.

The movie started abruptly with a shot of Rarity on a couch, flanked by the leading colt.

“Is that him?” Twilight whispered.

“Italian Stallion, yes,” Rarity said.

“That was some party, wasn’t it?” Italian asked. “When that song came on, I knew I was dancing with the perfect woman.”

“I see they’ve changed his cutie mark,” Rarity pointed out. “It definitely wasn’t a sword and shield.”

“What was it?” Twilight asked.

“Oh, you’re going to laugh,” Rarity said. “Let’s just say it was like a royal guard standing at attention.”

“Huh?”

“Like a skyscraper towering over the streets of Manehattan.”

“Um…”

“One could say this tower ‘stood erect...’”

“Oh,” Twilight said, then her eyes widened. “Oh. That must have been embarrassing!”

“I think he got used to it,” Rarity said. “He embraced his destiny and is now a prominent actor in the business. He was absolutely wonderful to work with.”

They returned their attention to the movie just in time to watch Italian swoop in for his first kiss with Rarity. Rarity chuckled and blushed, but Twilight was staring with dead eyes into the screen. Rarity felt her stiffen up, but she chalked it up to nerves.

The kissing soon grew more heated, and Twilight took her head off of Rarity’s shoulder. Rarity turned to face her.

“Is everything alright?” she asked.

“Fine. Everything’s great.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes.”

Rarity shrugged and turned back to the movie. They had cut to the bedroom, and now Italian was ripping open Rarity’s dress as he kissed her body. Twilight swooped in with her magic and paused the movie before getting out of bed.

“I can’t do this,” she said sternly, making for the door. Rarity shut the door with her magic.

“Twilight,” Rarity said, “if there’s something wrong, I need you to tell me what it is. I thought this was what you wanted.”

“I know, Rarity, but…”

“But what, darling?”

Twilight was staring at the floor, noticing patterns in the carpeting. “I don’t like it.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t want to see you making love to somepony else!” Twilight cried, and she was shocked to find a tear dripping from her eye. Rarity unplugged the DVD player and turned off the TV before getting out of bed and kissing Twilight as passionately as she could.

Twilight went to break free from it, but she stayed with the kiss and tried to lose herself in it. Rarity ran a hoof through her mane and brought Twilight to the floor so she was straddled over her. Twilight giggled and pushed Rarity back a bit, but gave her a warm smile.

“I know what you’re doing,” she murmured. “You really want to do this, don’t you?”

“I want you and only you,” Rarity whispered before attacking Twilight’s face with kisses. Twilight giggled and pecked at Rarity’s lips with her own. They quickly kissed deeply, and Rarity rubbed her hooves on Twilight’s chest. Twilight pulled Rarity down so they were lying next to each other, and Twilight ran a hoof through Rarity’s mane.

Their hind legs wrapped around each other as they pulled their bodies closer. Sweat began to bead on Twilight’s head, and she could feel a bit of slickness towards her waist. She couldn’t tell if it was hers or Rarity’s. Or it might have been both.

Rarity slowly lowered her head towards Twilight’s waist, kissing Twilight on the way down. Twilight stiffened, and when Rarity noticed this as she reached Twilight’s belly, she stopped.

“Is this too sudden?” Rarity asked breathily.

“No,” Twilight responded, “just...be gentle.”

“Of course,” Rarity said, and she lowered her head to Twilight’s waist and kissed her thighs. Twilight bit her lip and moaned when Rarity pressed her lips against Twilight’s crotch. She dug her hooves into the carpet as Rarity penetrated her with her tongue.

The nerves in Twilight’s loins were firing at an incredible rate, far more than they would have if she were pleasuring herself. Her moans became gasps and she bucked her hips. “Don’t stop, Rarity,” she pleaded. “Don’t...ah…don’t stop.”

Rarity used her forehooves to keep Twilight from bucking so hard as she continued to play with her. The musk coming from Twilight was sharp, and the slick fluid of her loins tasted salty and sweet simultaneously.

“Rarity you’re gonna make me...gonna make me...oh!” Twilight cried as she gasped for air. A surge of energy coursed through her as her mind went numb. Rarity felt Twilight squirt her and did her best to take the fluid in her mouth. When Twilight stopped ejaculating, Rarity pulled out her mouth and rubbed her with her hoof to prolong the orgasm as long as she could.

When Twilight finally caught her breath, Rarity scooted back up to her and kissed her softly on the mouth. Twilight pulled Rarity into an embrace and melted into the kiss. She could have kissed Rarity like that all day, but she pulled away from Rarity’s mouth and gave her a warm smile.

“I want to do that to you,” Twilight whispered, “but I don’t think I can.”

Rarity giggled. “I’m sure you’ll feel wonderful. Please, don’t be shy.”

“I’ll try,” Twilight said, but she couldn’t fight the blush forming on her cheeks.

“Actually, it’s okay to be a little shy,” Rarity mused. She brought her mouth to Twilight’s ear. “It’s actually a bit of a turn-on…”

Twilight’s stomach fluttered and she blushed harder. Rarity giggled and gave her a kiss. She then gently guided Twilight’s head lower down her body, and Twilight recovered her focus and moved down the rest of the way. There was Rarity’s vagina, embraced with white fur that was already looking stained with her nectar. Twilight gave it a tentative kiss.

“Yes…” Rarity moaned. “Get right in there.”

Twilight stuck out her tongue and lapped at Rarity’s crotch. It was enough to get Rarity moaning, but Twilight knew what she had to do with her tongue, having read about it in a book on the anatomy of the sex organs.

Come on, Twilight! This isn’t the time to think about books…

Twilight spread Rarity’s hooves out wide and found the sweet spot. She stuck her tongue in as far as she could and toyed with it. Rarity gasped and breathed heavily as Twilight continued to toy with her.

“Come on, Twilight. Oh yes! Keep going!”

Twilight flicked her tongue back and forth as fast as she could, making Rarity’s clit squirm and its owner cry out with joy. She tasted wonderfully salty, and her smell was making Twilight eager to climax again. But it was Rarity’s turn to reach that height of pleasure that only a mare could feel, so Twilight recalled everything she knew about bringing a mare to climax and put it to work. She rubbed against Rarity’s crotch with her hoof and buried her tongue into her without relent.

Rarity stopped voicing her pleasure and could only try desperately to catch her breath, but soon it proved to be too much. She screamed as she reached that elusive height, catching both her and Twilight by surprise. Twilight pulled out and crawled back up to kiss Rarity. Rarity grabbed Twilight’s head and pressed her lips hard against Twilight’s. The taste of her own cum only drove her more mad, and it took a good while for her climax to wane.

When Rarity had calmed down, she pulled her mouth from Twilight’s and gave her a smile.

“I feel awful for thinking this,” Rarity said, “but orgasms can be elusive, and I was afraid you wouldn’t get me there the first time. Consider me pleasantly surprised and excited to keep going to see if I can get it again.”

“Oh, um...okay,” Twilight said. “You have to do me next, though.”

“Oh, of course. I wouldn’t dream of going out of turn,” Rarity said. She giggled and brought Twilight in for another deep kiss as the hours of the day slowly ticked away.

Chapter 21: The Date

Chapter 21: The Date

Fluttershy’s cutie mark seemed appropriate at the moment, because she could feel the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Running a brush through her mane, she looked into the mirror and did a final check on her face. There was not too much makeup on her face. At least, not as much as Rarity would have suggested. She had accented her eyes with pink eyeshadow that matched the color of her hair, and just a hint of blush that she was still unsure she would actually need.

Angel hopped over to her, chewing on a carrot. He gave her a curious glance, and Fluttershy smiled and patted his head.

“I’m still not sure why I agreed to it,” she said, brushing her mane again. “Applejack’s a wonderful friend, but after that fiasco with Rainbow Dash, I’m not sure I’m ready for a relationship.”

Angel let out a cough and shook his head.

“Oh, you’re right. I’m getting ahead of myself. I have to stop making this into more than it actually is. I just have to get my bangs just right…”

A knock at the door made her drop her brush. She rushed over to the door to answer it and saw Applejack waiting for her with a rose in her mouth, looking dolled up but still wearing her Stetson as if she were trying to counterbalance the makeup on her face.

“You’re early, Applejack,” Fluttershy stammered, running a hoof through her mane to make sure there were no loose hairs sticking out. “Um, if you don’t mind me asking, why the rose?”

“I thought it would look pretty tucked behind your ear.” Applejack walked over and placed the rose gently behind Fluttershy’s ear. She took a thoughtful glance at it and chuckled.

“I actually think it’s a little too much,” she concluded, “but you can always just put it in some water. That should keep it alive at least a few more days.”

“Sure. I’ll go ahead and, um...take care of that.” Fluttershy rushed into the kitchen and poured water into a vase with a shaky hoof. Applejack showed herself in and took a seat on the couch. Once the rose was properly placed in the vase, Fluttershy returned to the living room and saw Applejack kicking up her hooves.

“We should get going if we’re going to fulfill the reservation,” Fluttershy suggested. “We wouldn’t want our table taken by somepony else.”

“Aw, shucks,” Applejack agreed. “And here I was thinking we’d have time for a quick glass of wine before we left. Oh well, I guess you’re right. Let’s get going.”

Applejack walked out of Fluttershy’s cottage. Fluttershy followed behind her and shut the door gently. Applejack led the way down the dirt path leading into Ponyville proper.

Fluttershy took a closer look at Applejack’s face to see her makeup. That was certainly mascara on her eyelashes; no way were they normally that plump and lengthy. And that looked like red lipstick on her mouth. She also seemed to have put on some blush as well, although Fluttershy couldn’t be sure that wasn’t just her being nervous.

Applejack turned to look at Fluttershy and smiled.

“What are you lookin’ at?” she teased, nudging her with her hoof.

“Oh, please forgive me,” Fluttershy said, “it’s just...you look really pretty.”

“So this wasn’t too much?” Applejack asked, the pitch of her voice rising a bit. “I fought Rarity tooth and nail over the makeup; she wanted green eyeshadow and the lipstick she tried to buy me was thicker and redder than blood, but we compromised. You sure it looks nice?”

“Absolutely,” Fluttershy assured her. “I think it’s just right. Rarity does overdo it sometimes.”

“That’s what I figured,” Applejack said. “And pardon me, where are my manners? You look lovely tonight.”

Fluttershy cleared her throat. “Thank you,” she croaked. She covered her mouth and her eyes widened. Applejack laughed heartily and smiled at her.

“And here I was thinkin’ I would be the nervous one tonight,” she said.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Fluttershy said, “it’s just…”

Applejack wrapped a hoof around her shoulder.

“Don’t worry about it,” Applejack said. “I’m still more nervous than you are, I reckon.”

“Really? You, nervous?”

Applejack laughed again. “Hard to believe, ain’t it? Why’d you think I wanted that glass of wine? But that ain’t important, there’ll be plenty to drink at the restaurant. You have whatever you like. I’m buying.”

“Are you sure?” Fluttershy asked. “We can each pay for our own.”

“Nonsense,” Applejack said. “I asked you out on this date, so I’m buying. You deserve it, after all.”

“Oh. Well, thank you,” Fluttershy said, pulling away from Applejack’s hoof and smiling politely. Applejack gave her a timid smile as well and then started to stare at the ground. Fluttershy lowered her head to try to look into Applejack’s eyes, but Applejack was avoiding her gaze.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Fluttershy asked.

“Oh, I am,” Applejack assured her. “I mean, I don’t usually do this, especially with all this makeup on, so I might be a little out of my comfort zone. But Rarity gave me a pep talk and said if I don’t go out to catch her that somepony else will sweep her off her hooves.” Applejack suddenly looked frightened. “Not that I’m tryin’ to catch you like you’re a fish or anything! I just told her that old fish-in-the-sea analogy and we kinda just ran with it. You see what I mean, right?”

“Of course,” Fluttershy said calmly. “I never thought I’d be the one to say this, but you don’t have to be so timid. I’m really happy to spend this time with you.”

Applejack smiled with relief. “Thank Celestia,” she said. “I was hopin’ you’d say that.”

“What else would I have said?” Fluttershy asked. “That I’m only doing this out of obligation and that I’m not enjoying myself?”

Applejack chuckled. “Right, that’d be silly…”

She then glanced nervously at Fluttershy. “Just to make sure, you don’t actually mean that, right?”

Fluttershy chuckled. “Applejack, you should really relax. Why would I do something like that?”

“’Cause maybe you’re too polite to let me down easy and you’re just goin’ on this date to make me feel better and what am I saying? I must sound like a paranoid nut right now. Maybe you’re right, Fluttershy. I really oughta relax.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying all along,” Fluttershy said. “I can’t wait to see how tonight goes.”

“Me neither,” Applejack said. “Me neither.”

Fluttershy and Applejack entered the Work Horse, a restaurant that was charming, if a bit plain. The lighting was dim, perhaps as a way to try to hide the brown walls, but there were pictures of local Ponyville celebrities, including a few of the Elements of Harmony. It wasn’t all that fancy, but Applejack had felt uneasy about going somewhere nicer.

“Do ya like the venue?” she asked nervously.

“Of course,” Fluttershy said. “This is one of my favorite restaurants in Ponyville. You always have good taste.”

“Thanks,” Applejack said. They were led to an open booth by the host, and shortly afterwards a waiter came over to their table.

“Good evening, young mares,” he said. “My name is Main Course, and I’ll be serving you tonight. Let’s start things off with a drink.”

“I’ll take a cold, hard cider,” Applejack said out of habit.

“Just water is fine,” Fluttershy said, surprising Applejack a bit.

“I’ll be right back to take your orders,” Main Course said before walking away. Applejack smiled nervously at Fluttershy.

“Is something wrong?” Fluttershy asked.

“Oh, um…” Applejack stammered. “Well, to be honest, I thought you’d be orderin’ somethin’ a little stronger.”

“Really?” Fluttershy asked. “I want to make sure I can think clearly tonight, if you don’t mind.”

“Okay. Well, one cider’s not gonna put me over or anything.”

Fluttershy and Applejack took some time to read the menu and decide what they wanted to eat. The waiter returned with a bottle of cider and a glass of water.

“Are you ready to order?”

“Yes,” Applejack said. “I’ll have the daisy and rose sandwich.”

“I’ll just have the garden salad with lilies,” Fluttershy said. The waiter took their menus and walked away.

Fluttershy looked over Applejack’s shoulder and saw two familiar figures walking in. Spike and Pinkie Pie walked past them as they were being led to their seats. Pinkie saw them and waved enthusiastically, prodding Spike on the shoulder and pointing to them. Spike looked and waved as well. They were seated across the restaurant, and pretty soon Pinkie rushed back over to them.

“Spike’s ordering drinks,” Pinkie said. “How are you guys?”

“We’re doing great,” Fluttershy said. “How are things with Spike?”

“Super!” Pinkie said. “I never thought I’d be dating a dragon, but he’s a lot of fun. He can get even goofier than me, if you can believe that!”

“I’m sure,” Applejack said.

“So what’s going on here?” Pinkie asked. “Just a couple friends hanging out?”

“Actually, Pinkie, um…” Fluttershy started, but she found it difficult to tell her the truth.

“This is kinda a date,” Applejack filled in.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Pinkie chirped, blushing a little. “I’ll leave you two alone then. Have fun!”

“Thanks, Pinkie,” Applejack said. She turned back to Fluttershy as Pinkie left the table. They smiled at each other and glanced away.

“Do you think Pinkie’s gonna check on us again?” Fluttershy asked.

“No, I think she knows to leave us alone,” Applejack said. “How are ya feelin’ now?”

“Great,” Fluttershy said, smiling at Applejack. They gazed at each other, but then looked at their drinks instead. They both sipped at their beverages, each of them waiting for the other to speak.

“Um, Applejack?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yes?” Applejack said with relief.

“Do you think this might go better if we...pretend we’re not on a date?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, it’s a little awkward to think about this in a romantic sense,” Fluttershy said. “It’s just we’ve been friends for so long, and this is all a big change, and it’s a little overwhelming for me.”

“We can’t just pretend it’s not a date,” Applejack replied. “That’s not how datin’ works. Maybe we can talk about what’s makin’ us uncomfortable.”

“Okay. Um…can you start?”

“Sure.” Applejack cleared her throat. “I guess I’ve been thinkin’ about this for a long time, and now that it’s happenin’, it’s makin’ me a bit rattled. I...I just have a lot of expectations, and I don’t wanna blow it.”

“Hold on,” Fluttershy said. “Expectations? What exactly are you expecting?”

Applejack took some quick breaths and shook her hooves. “Nothin’ like that! Just...I was hopin’ we’d hit things off a bit.”

Fluttershy put a hoof on Applejack’s. “You already told me how you feel about me, and I wouldn’t have agreed if I didn’t feel the same way. So I don’t think you have to worry about that.”

“Thanks, Fluttershy,” Applejack said with a smile. “So what’s botherin’ you?”

“I don’t want to disappoint you,” Fluttershy said. “You were so eager to ask me out, and I’m afraid I won’t measure up. I want us to have a good time and I want you to be happy.”

“Do you know what would make me happy?” Applejack asked. “I want you to be happy. I could have all the fun in the world, but if you didn’t have a good time, I’d feel sad about that. So what’s gonna make you happy?”

“Hmm...I don’t know yet. Let’s just see how this goes.”

“Fine by me.”

The two of them chatted amiably about Fluttershy’s animals and the work on Applejack’s farm. Even though they’d talked about those things a million times before, this time felt different somehow. They were chatting so much that it felt like no time had passed when the food arrived.

“This looks delicious,” Fluttershy praised as she saw the colorful salad being set down in front of her.

“Thank ya kindly,” Applejack said to Main Course. He bowed gracefully and stepped away from the table.

Without further ado, the two mares dug into their meals. Applejack ate her sandwich ravenously while Fluttershy looked on uncomfortably. She quickly stopped and ate in a more dignified manner. Fluttershy was eating her salad like a bird, and Applejack raised an eyebrow as she picked through the green vegetables and flowers. She blushed and started eating a bit more quickly.

With nothing but the sound of chewing going through their ears, they both began to wonder and panic in their own ways. Fluttershy felt her heart pound, and Applejack was feeling a bit hot under the collar. She finally cracked and set her sandwich down.

“Do you think this was a good idea?” she asked, making Fluttershy drop her fork.

“No,” Fluttershy said reactively. Applejack looked crestfallen, so Fluttershy started to fluster. “I-I mean not that I don’t appreciate the offer or anything. I’m just not sure I’m ready to be in a relationship, and I know that’s thinking too far ahead, but that’s where you wanted to go with this, wasn’t it?”

“I would never wanna rush you into somethin’ you weren’t ready for,” Applejack assured her, giving her a calming smile, “but I can’t say you’re wrong neither. I’ve liked you for a long time, and I was real happy when you said yes. But I can tell you’re uncomfortable, and that’s makin’ me uncomfortable, and neither of us are havin’ a good time like we’re supposed to.”

“So what should we do?”

Applejack took a deep breath and gave Fluttershy a reassuring smile. “Let’s just finish the dinner as friends and call it a night. Wouldn’t wanna pressure you into anythin’ you aren’t ready for. But look, if you ever change your mind, let me know and I’ll see if…”

Fluttershy was frowning, so Applejack cut herself off.

“You know what? No pressure. If it ain’t there, it ain’t there, and there’s nothin’ I can do about it now. I’m just glad you gave it a chance is all. You’re a real kind pony, Fluttershy.”

“Thank you, Applejack,” Fluttershy said, “and thank you for being so honest with me. I know this must hurt, but thank you for putting my feelings into consideration. You’d make a wonderful marefriend.”

Applejack beamed, and the two of them resumed eating at a more comfortable pace. Just as they were finishing up, Pinkie came over to check in on them.

“How’s it going, you two lovebirds?” she asked. Fluttershy cleared her throat and Applejack gave her a nervous glance.

“It’s not that kind of date anymore,” Applejack explained.

“Oh sorry! That stinks. I was kinda hoping you’d get together.”

“I know, Pinkie,” Fluttershy said, “but we’re just going to stay friends for now.”

“All right,” Pinkie said with a frown.

“How are things goin’ with Spike?” Applejack asked, eager to change the subject.

“He’s such a gentledrake,” Pinkie said dreamily. “He offered to pay for the whole meal, even though I ordered the most expensive thing on the menu. I told him I had tons of bits to cover my part of the meal, but he wouldn’t listen. I’m a really lucky mare.”

“Reckon you probably want to get back over to him,” Applejack said. “Don’t wanna leave a drake waiting.”

“Oh, believe me,” Pinkie said saucily, “I won’t.”

She trotted away, leaving Fluttershy and Applejack to glance awkwardly at each other.

Applejack dropped Fluttershy off at her cottage, the two of them quite tuckered out from their night out.

“Thank you for walking me home,” Fluttershy said.

“Well, it was the least I could do,” Applejack replied. “I had fun tonight.”

“So did I,” Fluttershy said. She leaned over and kissed Applejack on the cheek.

“Goodnight,” she said before walking into her cottage.

Applejack began to make her way back to Sweet Apple Acres mentally kicking herself. I didn’t wait long enough and now she ain’t comfortable! Stupid, stupid Applejack. Why couldn’t I just wait for her to come around?

These thoughts plagued her the entire way home, and she knew she would have to talk to somepony about them if she was to get any sleep that night. Hopefully Big Mac’s still awake waiting for me to come home. I could really use my big brother right now.

Chapter 22: The Comfort

Chapter 22: The Comfort

“It ain’t fair, Big Mac,” Applejack groaned as she entered her house and saw him reading. “It ain’t fair.”

“Date didn’t go well?” he asked.

“It was squirmy, and Fluttershy just wants to be friends.”

“I’m sorry, AJ,” Big Mac said, setting the book down and going over to give his sister a hug. Applejack accepted it eagerly and sniffled.

“You had a lot ridin’ on this, didn’t you?” Big Mac asked.

“It was my one chance, Mac, and I blew it.” Applejack took a seat at the couch and put up her hooves on the coffee table. Big Mac sat down next to her.

“What do you think happened?” he asked.

“I didn’t wait long enough,” Applejack replied, staring at a picture on the wall of her and her friends. “She was still not in a good place to date, so I think I rushed it.”

“Are you sure that’s it?” Big Mac asked, causing Applejack to look at him.

“What are you saying?”

“Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be.”

Applejack sighed. “Are you really gonna play that card? Why do you think me and Fluttershy wouldn’t make a good couple?”

“Because you ain’t right for each other,” he explained. “She didn’t like you that way, so any relationship you’d have had with her wouldn’t have worked out. It’s like trying to bake a pie with apples and bananas. They just don’t go together.”

“You don’t know that,” Applejack said.

“Uh...have you tried eatin’ an apple and a banana at the same time?” Big Mac asked. “’Cause I have, and trust me, it ain’t to pleasin’ to the taste buds—”

“I mean you don’t know if Fluttershy and I would’ve worked out,” Applejack interjected with a laugh. “We had a really nice talk when Dash shot her down, and we were gettin’ along great. Ain’t that what makes a relationship work? That you can talk to one another?”

“That’s not all of it,” Big Mac said. “There’s gotta be that excited feeling between ya.”

“The what?”

“You really like Fluttershy, don’t ya?”

Applejack glared at him. “What kind of a question is that? Of course I do!”

“And do you think she really likes you back?”

Applejack hesitated, mulling over the question with doubt. Big Mac patted her on the back.

“That’s why you two wouldn’t have worked out,” Big Mac said.

“I...but…”

“No buts about it. If you ain’t got that excitement, you ain’t got nothing.”

“Dammit,” Applejack said with a groan. “I suppose you’ve got a point. Well, is there a way to get that spark to happen?”

“You can’t just make it happen,” Big Mac explained. “It’s gotta be there from the start.”

“And how do you know? Can’t two ponies learn to love each other?”

“Sometimes, I guess,” Big Mac said, rubbing Applejack’s back. “But just look at Twilight and Rarity. I’ve been talkin’ to Spike, who spent a lot of time with both of them. Twilight liked Rarity for a long time, and he hated to admit he could feel the same comin’ from her. The Cakes always talk about how they had those excitin’ feelin’s before Carrot even found the courage to ask Cup out.”

Applejack stared at the floor, sniffling again.

“I know it’s hard to hear,” Big Mac said, “but sometimes there ain’t anythin’ you can do about it. Best to just move on at this point.”

“After one shot? What if I don’t wanna move on?”

“Applejack,” Big Mac grumbled, his voice rising, “if you keep pesterin’ that poor mare, you’re only gonna drive her away. I still can’t talk to that filly I pestered in grade school ’cause I couldn’t learn to accept no for an answer.”

“Oh yeah, I remember her,” Applejack recalled. “What was her name?”

“Not important,” Big Mac quickly stated. “All I know is that if you want to stay friends with Fluttershy, you’re gonna have to let this go. And who knows? Maybe she’ll come around someday, but until then I wouldn’t wait for her. When you do find somepony that you love, that mare’s gonna be very lucky.”

“You’re just sayin’ that,” Applejack grumbled.

“Hey, how do ya think I got that date with Cheerilee? Not by mopin’ around.”

“Okay, Mac. I guess I’ll have to think about it.”

“Good enough for me. Now we should probably go off to bed. Waitin’ up for you got me beat.”

“Thanks again for doin’ that,” Applejack said. “Maybe a part of me knew this would happen and that I’d need my big brother to help me out.”

“Maybe,” Big Mac said, “but I would’ve waited up for ya even if ya didn’t ask for it.”

“Har har, very funny,” Applejack said, jabbing Big Mac in the side. Big Mac smiled, and the two of them walked up the stairs and into their respective bedrooms to get some much needed shut-eye.

Spike and Pinkie were laughing as they left the restaurant. The disappointing news about Applejack and Fluttershy aside, they were instead focusing on Pinkie’s numerous pranks she had pulled over the years.

“And did I ever tell you about the one where I hid Maud’s pet rock under my bed?”

Spike stopped laughing. “Uh...that seems kind of bland.”

“I was five.”

“Oh…well, what happened.”

“Nothing,” Pinkie said, shrugging her shoulders. “She was stony-faced as usual.”

“You mean ‘stone-faced,’ right?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Pinkie said. She started fidgeting as the two of them made their way for the library to drop Spike off.

“You’re all twitchy,” Spike noted. “What’s up?”

“Nothing!” Pinkie blurted. “Everything’s fine, all good here.”

“No it’s not,” Spike said, stopping and turning Pinkie’s head so she was looking at him. “What’s going on?”

“Can we talk about this in the library?” Pinkie asked, glancing around to see if anypony was listening to them.

“Okay,” Spike said. “Twilight and Rarity might be doing...things, but we can stay downstairs and it should be fine.”

“Twilight and...Rarity,” Pinkie said with a sigh. “Okay, that’s fine.”

“So did I ever tell you about the one where I swapped Twilight’s ink with invisible ink?”

“Uh-huh,” Pinkie said, not even looking at him as they continued to walk. Spike fell silent, and the two of them remained uncomfortable all the way to the library. When they finally entered, they could hear murmuring going on upstairs.

“Doesn’t that bother you?” Pinkie asked all of a sudden. “We obviously know what they’re doing up there. Twilight’s muffling spell doesn’t block everything out.”

“Why would that bother me?” Spike inquired.

“Well, it’s…” Pinkie hesitated. She took a deep breath. “It’s about Rarity.”

“Rarity?”

“Am I...am I a silver medal?”

“What are you talking about?”

Pinkie stared at Spike desperately. “Am I some kind of second-place trophy?”

“What? Of course not, don’t be ridiculous.”

“Well, you clearly liked Rarity first and me second, so that kinda makes me second-place, right?”

“What’s gotten into you?” Spike asked, brushing aside Pinkie’s bangs. He could see the fear in her bright blue eyes.

“I know we’ve been dating for a while,” Pinkie said, “and you’ve been super fantastic to me. But I know how much you liked her, and I feel like when she was snatched up you kinda just fell into me instead.”

“Oh, I see,” Spike said. “Well...I guess I was so fixated on Rarity that I didn’t even know how I felt about you until it hit me. But that doesn’t make you a silver medal.”

“You’ve never given me a gem,” Pinkie said flatly like a zombie.

“What?”

“You gave Rarity that beautiful ruby, and I got squat.”

“Pinkie, this isn’t about some stupid gem,” Spike said. “Obviously you don’t know how much you mean to me, or you wouldn’t be talking like this. Am I doing something wrong?”

“No, of course not! You’ve been so nice to me. It’s just…” Pinkie groaned. “I’m so...gah! I don’t even know what to say!”

“Shh…” Spike hushed her, planting a soft kiss on her lips. She was tense, but she began to loosen up under Spike’s touch. He pulled away and stared into her eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“Sorry for what?” Pinkie asked timidly.

“I’m sorry for not showing you how much I care about you.”

“I said it wasn’t about that—”

“No no,” Spike said, planting a finger on her lips. “No more talking. Let’s go sit down and be with each other, and I promise you’ll feel better.”

Spike led Pinkie over to the couch and sat her down. He cuddled up with her, and the two of them shut their eyes.

“This came so suddenly,” Spike said. “How long have you been feeling this way?”

“From the beginning,” Pinkie replied.

“Unacceptable. From now on, I don’t want you to think like that. You’re even better than taking home the gold medal.”

“Better than a blue ribbon?”

“Absolutely,” Spike said, “and don’t let anypony tell you otherwise.”

As the two remained seated listening casually to the muffled cries of Twilight and Rarity from upstairs, they shut their eyes and lay with one another. They could easily fall asleep in that position, and sleep they did. Spike hoped that in the morning Pinkie would feel better. He didn’t know what he would do if she was still upset.

Things are gonna be okay, he thought to himself peacefully.

Chapter 23: The Letter

Chapter 23: The Letter

Rarity woke up next to her lover feeling rejuvenated. She gave Twilight a soft kiss that woke her from her peaceful slumber. Twilight smiled at Rarity as her eyes slowly opened.

“Good morning,” she mumbled, then looked at her devilishly. “Do you have somewhere to be?”

“Oh, darling, I know exactly what you’re implying,” Rarity crooned. “But unfortunately, I have to get straight to work on some orders on which I’ve procrastinated a bit too much. Would you care to help me?”

“Sure,” Twilight said, “just let me get up first…”

“Would you like to shower together to save time?” Rarity asked with a wink. Twilight rolled her eyes playfully.

“Knowing us, it’d probably take longer if we do it that way,” she reasoned.

“Fair enough,” Rarity said. “I’ll let you take the first shower, as it is your home.”

“Hey, I think you gave up on that idea a little too quickly,” Twilight complained.

“Not before you did, darling,” Rarity said. “Will we at least have time for a bit of pleasure at the end of the day? We can stay at the boutique if you’d like.”

“That sounds nice,” Twilight said. “It’s a deal.”

She rose and made her way to the bathroom, leaving Rarity to attempt to run a brush through her mane. It was so unkempt in the morning, and it took her far too long to shape it just right before the day began. It would take even longer with a dry mane, so she soon gave up on the prospect and went downstairs to grab a quick breakfast.

When Rarity came down the stairs, she saw Spike and Pinkie cuddled up and fast asleep. Knowing better than to wake them, she went to the kitchen and levitated over two slices of bread, a jar of jelly, and a butter knife.

She enjoyed the quick breakfast as she ran over designs in her head, but her mind kept wandering to Twilight in the shower. Rarity considered going into the bathroom and surprising her with a massage. Maybe I could massage a very specific place on her body, she thought. No, no, there’ll be time for that later, as much as you want to take part in it now.

It would have been too late anyway, as Twilight came down the stairs about a minute later. Rarity held a hoof to her lips and pointed to Spike and Pinkie on the couch. Twilight nodded and gave Rarity a peck on the cheek as they switched roles. Twilight used the bread and jelly already out, but she used her magic to brown the bread and make toast.

It took a bit longer for Rarity to finish up in the bathroom than Twilight had, but soon the two of them were ready to leave. They opened the door quietly so as not to disturb Spike and Pinkie, and they shut it behind them just as quietly.

When they arrived at Carousel Boutique, Rarity saw the flag standing up on her mailbox.

“The mail’s awfully early today,” she said, levitating the pile of mail out from the mailbox. Most of it was the usual junk, but underneath the pile of promotional letters was one addressed to her from Hard Core.

“Oh my, whatever could he want?” Rarity asked. Twilight looked over the envelope as well to confirm from where it had been postmarked.

“Well, let’s go inside so we can read it,” she said. Rarity didn’t need to be told twice; she and Twilight hustled into the boutique and took seats on the couch. Rarity opened the letter quickly and unfolded it so she and Twilight could read it.

Dear Rarity,

How are things? The film’s been an enormous success, thanks in no small part to you, and as a result, we’ve reconsidered your request to take on a role as costume designer.

Your work on the film was very much appreciated, and it’s become so successful that we’d be fools not to take up your offer to continue working with us. Therefore, I speak on behalf of all the executives at the studio to offer you that position as lead costume designer.

I know what you must be thinking. That no-good harlot is running back to me now because of all the money from that film. Yes, it’s true. This is a business, and it behooves us to make decisions based on the bottom line.

We weren’t sure if starring an Element of Harmony would lead to a successful film. We were afraid the idea would spark some controversy and tarnish our reputation. (Listen to me, talking about the reputation of a porn studio!)

So, we were pleasantly surprised when our fears were proven wrong, and we wish for you to work with us in any way that you want. If that means becoming the lead costume designer, then we will definitely welcome you back to the studio and look forward to what will be truly exquisite work.

Let me know in a reply if you want to take up the opportunity. You can even work from Ponyville if you don’t want to uproot yourself from your home.

Looking forward to hearing back from you either way.

Regards,

Hard Core

“What are you going to do?” Twilight asked. Rarity kept staring at the letter blankly. Twilight nudged her and snapped her out of her reverie.

“Well...it’s not exactly the kind of work I was expecting to get into, but I did request it before, and it would be foolish of me to turn down the offer now. Besides, it should be more consistent work than taking orders from clients, and that bodes well for my bottom line. And besides, it gives me a chance to work my way into another film if I so choose.”

“You’d really do another one?” Twilight asked.

“What can I say? The process is infectious, and I’ve found myself wondering what more I can do while on film. I daresay I will accept this offer!”

“Are you sure that’s what you really want?” Twilight asked.

“Yes, I am. But you sound unsure. Do you have any trepidations about this change in my career?”

Twilight stopped to think for a moment, then rested a hoof on Rarity’s shoulder. “I never expected that you would ever be involved in the industry of pornography, and the idea seems strange to me even now. But don’t let me stop you from pursuing what interests you. I’ll support you no matter what you decide.”

“And I’m sure me staying in Ponyville makes it a lot easier for you to support my decision.”

“Well, I guess so,” Twilight said, blushing. “I’d miss you if you had to move to Canterlot.”

“Oh, I appreciate that,” Rarity said. “What do you say we get to work on the orders from the last of my clientele, and then have some fun to celebrate?”

“I would very much like that,” Twilight said.

“Then there’s no time to lose!” Rarity announced. “Let’s get to work.”

As the sun set on what had been a long, exhausting day, the prospect of sex was just enough to keep Twilight and Rarity energized. They entered Rarity’s bedroom with a half-empty bottle of wine trailing behind them. Twilight set the wine bottle down on the floor and joined Rarity in the bed.

Rarity leaned close and kissed Twilight softly on the lips. Twilight wrapped her hooves around Rarity’s neck and held her close as they exchanged tongues. Rarity’s hooves wandered down Twilight’s back, prodding at the various muscles to relax them.

“You’re quite tense, dear,” Rarity whispered. “I know today was rough, and you’re not quite used to my workload.”

“I’m fine,” Twilight cooed.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to give you a massage?”

“I know exactly what I want you to massage,” Twilight crooned. She took Rarity’s hoof into her own and brought it down to her loins, pressing it close to her succulent lips.

“Well, in that case,” Rarity said, “the feeling is mutual.”

Twilight took the hint and brought her hoof down to Rarity’s own pair of lips. The two of them slowly rubbed each other, feeling the slickness of their partner as their bodies began to lubricate them. The slippery fluid loosened their lips enough to allow their hooves to penetrate their partners, and their hooves quickly pushed in and out as the heat of the room intensified.

Twilight brought Rarity in for a fierce kiss as the two of them continued to rub each other down. Rarity felt like she was almost ready to burst, and chided herself for climaxing so quickly. It couldn’t be helped, though. Twilight’s touch sent a spark through her heart that was unmatched by anypony else she had ever been with, including that debonair Italian Stallion. Indeed, Twilight’s hoof felt better than any penis she had ever had inside of her precisely because of who that hoof belonged to. Twilight, needless to say, felt the exact same way.

Rarity broke the kiss to gasp audibly to release some of the pent up energy inside her. This encouraged Twilight to continue stroking her sensitive clit, and she felt closer to climaxing herself, knowing what she was doing to her lover. Twilight could feel the slick nectar squirt out from Rarity’s blooming flower, and soon Rarity’s cries of ecstasy filled the room.

“Oh, Twilight!” Rarity cried as she felt her mind go numb with pleasure. Rarity was too busy with her orgasm to continue to stroke Twilight effectively. In fact, she removed her hoof and held on tightly to the bedsheets as she gyrated her hips. The climax finally eased, and Rarity stared at Twilight with a deep smile.

“Simply wonderful, darling,” she said softly. “Now allow me to return the favor.”

Rarity lowered her head to Twilight’s luscious lips and ran her tongue across her folds. Twilight gasped with delight as Rarity’s tongue probed her, lapping lightly at her clit with a delicate touch that was uniquely Rarity’s. It was wonderful to be here with her, to lean back and enjoy the intense pleasure the mare of her dreams was granting her.

Rarity used her hoof to help spread out Twilight’s slick fluids across her lips, then gave them a fierce kiss. Her tongue continued to lap at her, and Twilight was soon driven over the edge. She thrust her hips forward and dislodged Rarity from her vagina, but Rarity rubbed her vigorously with her hoof to help finish the job.

Once Twilight had settled down, the two of them kissed fiercely as the room began to cool. They slowly came to a halt and stared at each other dreamily.

“Did I ever tell you how much I enjoyed your spread?” Twilight asked.

“You never had to,” Rarity replied, kissing Twilight softly as the two of them lay in bed while Celestia’s sun was setting.