The Refreshing Taste of Iced Tea
Ah, I found another. Silencing the magic glowing around her horn, Rarity trotted a few steps off the path’s edge before striking the grass with her hoof. Bit by bit she chipped away at the dirt, hollowing a small trench through the soft soil until her hoof finally hit something hard.
Pulling dust covered foreleg away, Rarity peered at the dirt, a glint of green winking back at her. Relighting her horn, she plucked the emerald from its nest, dusting it off with a finely haired brush before depositing it in her saddlebags.
Why did Twilight need Spike to tidy the library on gem-hunting day, and such a hot day as well. Rarity drew her dirty hoof across a sweaty forehead, striking another line of brown below her messed mane. It does not matter, I must keep going, ponies depend on me.
Returning to the mountain path, Rarity continued her search, horn aglow as she groped the ground for gems. Her saddlebags swung as she walked, jingling with the cries of jewels, plucked from their home and restrained to the tight, cramped space. Sweat stuck Rarity’s usually bouncy mane against her scalp, its groomed curl flattened in the heat.
Up ahead stood a lonely oak, its only company two mossy rocks. Good, some shade. I’ll take a small break to refresh myself. As she neared the tree a soft whisper graced her ear, the sound growing to a roar by the time Rarity stood underneath the shade.
A waterfall, rushing down the mountainside, emptied into a clear pool, the water twinkling in the sun’s light. Water, just what I need. Stepping from the oak’s shadow, Rarity bounded towards the water, saddlebags and all.
A step from the water a tuneful humming broke through the waterfall’s roar, the unnatural sound causing Rarity to freeze, ears twitching as she listened. A moment past, the only sound reaching Rarity’s ears the crashing of water. The sun must be driving me mad, causing me to imagine things in the heat.
Allowing the breath she had been holding to escape, Rarity took another pace towards the inviting pool of water before stopping again. There it is again, and it sounds familiar. Creeping round the pool’s edge, Rarity searched the mountainside for any sign of a pony, the sight that greeted her eyes knocking the breath from her.
I have not seen such beauty in a unicorn since Twilight’s coronation. A white coated mare stood on the mossy rock underneath the waterfall, her aurora-like mane and tail hanging heavy with water around her neck and legs. Such natural beauty, the way the colors of her mane mix so wonderfully, pink, blue and green, almost like Princess Celest-
The unicorn spread her expansive white wings, shaking the water from them with a flap. No it can’t be, why would she be up here? White wings returned to their resting place as Celestia turned, a smile finding her lips as she spotted Rarity.
“Rarity, what a pleasure to meet you here. You look hot, would you like someplace to cool off and something to drink?” Celestia beckoned Rarity with the swing of her neck before turning and stepping through the waterfall behind her.
Mouth still hanging with open, Rarity forced it closed with her hoof while magically pulling at her mane, attempting to curl the mess of hair. I can’t see Celestia in a state like this, but I can’t refuse her invitation either, oh what do I do?
Deciding on the later, Rarity scaled the damp slope of rock, watching the ground, picking her hoofsteps carefully. The waterfall was thin but its touch soothing, Rarity stopping to let it run over her face momentarily before stepping through completely. On the other side a surprisingly large cave waited for her, glowing orbs of magic lighting the space.
“Have a seat Rarity, would you like some iced tea?” Celestia sat on a plump cushion opposite the entrance, a crystal jug and matching glass in her golden grasp.
Wordless, Rarity crossed the cave, dead purple mane bobbing with a nod. She relieved herself of her saddlebags’ burden before sitting on a pillow similar to Celestia’s. Why does she have a secret room up in the mountains? Why does she have tea and cushions as well? Why did she invite me inside? Rarity’s features twisted with each question that swirled around her head.
Chuckling, Celestia filled the glass she was holding with tea before levitating it to Rarity, the sweaty unicorn grateful for its cooling kiss. “I can see you have many questions. Are you wondering why I’m here?”
Rarity nodded again, holding the now empty glass before Celestia.
“I’m sure you can imagine how stressful it must be for a Princess,” Celestia spoke as she poured. “From dawn to dusk, decisions to make, ponies to meet, letters to read. Every now and then I take an unofficial day off to relax, and this is my favourite place to do so. The water is refreshing and there is no one around to bother me.” Her shoulders heaved in a sigh, bliss written across her face.
“I completely understand Princess, work is a stressful thing, ponies always wanting something. Sometimes you just need time to relax, have some fun.” The pair sat in silence for a few moments, the only sounds rushing water, dripping manes and the sipping of tea.
Soon enough the crystal jug was empty, Celestia producing another out of thin air with a flash of dragonfire. “If you don’t mind me asking Rarity, why are you up in the mountains, I thought you worked as a dressmaker?”
Rarity opened her mouth to reply, catching the words gem hunting in her throat before they could escape. I can’t let the princess of all ponies knowing I was performing such a brutish task. No, I wasn’t hunting for gems, I was doing something classy, something lady-like. “I was practicing my ballroom dancing.”
“Ballroom dancing you say?” Celestia held a hoof to her lips, as if she were thinking. “Would that not be hard with saddlebags?”
A mouthful of iced tea shot from Rarity’s mouth in a spurt. “Ah, yes, it would. I was simply carrying some food in them, I took them off when I was dancing.” She gritted her teeth in a forced smile. Please don’t check the bags.
Celestia’s horn rung with gold, jiggling Rarity’s pink saddlebags slightly, the gems inside clinking in response. “That seems like a such a strange sound for food to have, it almost sounds like.”
“Gems,” Rarity cut in. “Yes, they are full of gems.” Come on, think, think, why would I have gems in my bag? “They’re there because I accidentally switched my lunch with Spike this morning, just a silly little mistake.”
Refilling her own glass, Celestia’s muzzle twisted, the hint of a grin showing itself before disappearing. “I see how that could happen, but ballroom dancing without a partner? Isn’t that a little difficult?”
“Yes it is,” Rarity’s eyes rolled into her head. Come on Rarity, you’ve made it this far, just a few more lies. Well actually that one isn’t completely a lie. “Spike was supposed to be my partner for the day, but Twilight had already had him stacking books in the library.”
Celestia chuckled, a wide smile spreading her lips. “Ah yes, sometimes I wonder if Twilight misunderstands why I gave her that baby dragon.” The cave fell back into silence, Celestia slowly sipping tea as she stared at someplace beyond the waterfall. “So you are in need of a partner then,” She said finally. “I believe I can be of help.”
She can’t possibly mean to. Rarity thought as she watched Celestia deposit her glass on the stone near her cushion, still wet tail sliding over the plush material as she climbed to her hooves.
“What are you waiting for Rarity, you do need a partner don’t you?” Foreleg outstretched, Celestia waited for Rarity, a playfulness on her features.
I guess she really does. Standing as well, Rarity brushed the dirt from her hooves as she stepped across the room. “Who is to lead?”
Celestia decided without a word. Taking the surprised unicorn’s hooves in her own she pulled Rarity into a half-reared position, snouts inches away from each other. Celestia stepped forward first, Rarity following by instinct, her years of practicing the art allowing her to move without thought.
Hooves clicked against the stone as the spun together, like two duelists facing off before a fight. Their manes painted the cave’s walls with water as they twirled, Rarity matching Celestia step for step, the princess’s pace increasing with each movement.
One of Celestia’s eyebrows raised briefly, Rarity barely catching the movement. Is she taunting me? Rarity scarcely had time to finish her thought before Celestia altered the dance, waltz to samba, Rarity almost missing a step as Celestia pirouetted her, the spin dizzying.
Just as quickly, the princess changed again, slowly her steps, drawing Rarity closer to her. The foxtrot. They continued to twirl around the room, Rarity able to feel Celestia’s heartbeat against her chest. One final spin and Celestia leant over Rarity completely, the unicorn only held up by the princess’s strength.
Panting from the burst of movement, Rarity found herself staring into Celestia’s pink eyes. Such beautiful eyes to match such a beautiful mare. I could stay here forever. The moment went as quickly as it had come, Celestia pulling Rarity back up, allowing the unicorn’s hooves to fall from her own.
“I cannot doubt your tale Rarity, it seems you are quite the dancer.”
Rarity felt a warmth coming to her cheeks, the compliment sending a rush through her body. “I, thank you princess. You are amazing yourself.” In more ways than just dancing, this is the royal treatment I was looking for at the Grand Galloping Gala.
Pushing her mane aside, Celestia shifted her eyes to the waterfall. “It seems I have grown quite hot from dancing, would you care to join me for a swim Rarity?”
Of course my love. Rarity caught her tongue before the words escaped. “I would love to princess.” Following Celestia, Rarity stepped through the waterfall, scrunching her eyes and shaking her head. Silly, foalish thoughts. This is the princess of Equestria, she’s just giving me some company, nothing more.
A splash of water greeted Rarity on the other side of the waterfall, Celestia having already dived into the pool of water below. “Come on in Rarity, the water’s lovely.”
That’s not the only lovely thing waiting for me. Rarity shook her head again at the thought. She’s just a friend, nothing more. The pool of water embraced her in its soothing grasp when Rarity jumped in, the feeling of dirt and sweat washing from her body heavenly.
As she came back up for air a squirt of water waited for her, Celestia giggling at Rarity’s surprise before sending another splash towards the unicorn. Oh it is on. Lighting her horn, Rarity levitated a sphere of water above Celestia’s head, giggling herself as she let it fall.
“I see you’ve finally come out to play Rarity.” Two streams of water hit Rarity’s cheeks, like a slap from each side the impact pushed the air from her mouth.
The pair fought for sometime, Celestia’s extra limbs and further reach giving her the advantage, both mares trading equal blows regardless. Eventually exhausted, Rarity waved a tired foreleg at Celestia. “How about we call it a tie?”
Panting, both ponies climbed from the water to rest on the surrounding rocks. The hard surface was hot from the sun, the soft burning heating Rarity and Celestia’s backs as they stared at the sun.
“I never knew you could be so much fun princess,” Rarity said breathily. And so alluring. Closing her eyes, Rarity hit herself softly on the cheek. Go away thoughts, the princess will think I’m crazy.
“There are many things you don’t know about me Rarity,” Celestia said before pausing for a moment. “Would you like to learn of a few?”
She can’t possibly mean? No, she’s probably just speaking of some long kept secrets. “I could never refuse a juicy bit of gossip.” Rarity rolled onto her side, propping herself up on her elbow so she could watch Celestia’s face.
“Well if it’s gossip you want, I guess I could give you some. I was thinking of sharing something of a much more intimate variety.”
She didn’t just say that, I must be dreaming, this is the kind of thing that only happens in the books I read. Ignoring the thoughts in her head, Rarity kept her face straight. “What exactly did you have in mind?”
Celestia adopted Rarity’s position, rolling onto her side and shuffling forward until their muzzles were only a few hooves apart. “There’s one secret I have, only my sister knows what it is, and even she’s not certain of it.” Celestia leant even closer, her breath mixing with Rarity’s. “I’ve never shared a kiss with anyone.”
Author's Note
An idea I just had to write, hopefully I will be able to finish it tomorrow.
Feel free to post whatever you hate or love about it in the comments.
“I beg you pardon princess, I think I may have misheard you. Did you say you’ve never kissed anyone?” Rarity said, straining to keep her features calm. Half of her mind was screaming Kiss her, kiss her. The other half trying to stay sensible, This is just the sharing of secrets between two ladies, nothing more Rarity, nothing more.
“That is what I said.” Celestia smiled, seeming at ease.
Those lips are untouched, maybe I could? Rarity swallowed hard, suppressing her urging thoughts. “Why is that? I thought a mare as beautiful as yourself would have countless suitors lining up for marriage.”
Celestia chuckled at the comment, a hint of pink touching her cheeks. “Do you really think I’m beautiful Rarity?” Eyelashes fluttered as Celestia blinked, lowering her snout into a puppy dog look.
“I,” Oh why does she have to be so tempting, it’s almost like she’s intentionally doing this to me. “Of course you’re beautiful princess,” Rarity bit back the other half of her sentence. Do I tell her? What will she think of me? Silence hung between the two for a moment, Rarity’s lower lip quivering.
Eventually Celestia pulled away, rolling back onto the stone to stare at the sky above. “You sound just like the rest of them,” She said with a sigh.
Did I say something wrong? “What do you mean?”
“The hundreds of other mares and stallions who’ve spoken those same words over the last few thousand years. Always hollow words, as formal as a greeting, never any passion or emotion to them.” A pained look briefly crossed Celestia’s face before disappearing, her usual serene smile returning.
“But princess, I’m not like those ponies,” The words spilled from Rarity’s mouth before she could stop them. Celestia shifted onto her side, an eyebrow raised at Rarity. Oh she’s good. Shaking her head softly, Rarity locked her eyes with Celestia’s. There’s no backing out now. “You’re more than beautiful to me, you’re the most attractive pony I’ve ever laid my eyes on, your mane, your form, it’s all so perfect. I just,” Rarity averted her eyes. Do I say it?
Celestia’s smile grew an inch as she rolled onto her stomach, shuffling closer to Rarity, their muzzles almost touching once again. “You just?”
“I don’t feel like I know you enough, this all feels so forward. I always thought ponies were supposed to spend more time together before these feelings happened.” Rarity lowered her gaze. “You’re the princess of Equestria, and I’m just, some pony.”
“Oh Rarity,” Celestia lifted Rarity’s chin with her hoof, their snouts brushing against each other in the tight space. “I’m just a pony too. Just because I govern the realm as a day job doesn’t mean I lack the things most ponies have.” The princess leant forward, her lips brushing against Rarity’s.
Pulling away, Rarity found the princess staring back at her in surprise. Oh silly Rarity, why couldn’t you just let it happen? You know you want it. One half of her said, urging her body forward. The stronger half held back. There’s something you need to tell her.
“Did I misinterpret your words Rarity?” Celestia questioned, her voice soft, almost wounded.
“No,” Rarity quickly shook her head. “To be truthful I’m nervous, I’ve never done anything like this either.” The confession out, Rarity felt a heavy breath leave her lungs, the twisting knot in her stomach unwind. “I don’t know if I’m ready.”
“I always assumed from Twilight’s letters that you were quite expert in that field?”
Rarity chuckled, her eyelids lowering and lips puckering into her practiced temptress act. “I do try to portray myself that way, but I’ve never had the courage to follow through with anything.” Until now.
“That makes the moment that much more special does it not?” Celestia draped a foreleg over Rarity’s shoulder, idly stroking the flattened purple mane. “There’s only one question that remains, who is to lead?”
Rarity blinked, flashes of a flying blue and pink mane filling her vision as Celestia closed the gap, the sound of hooves ringing against stone in her ears. Their chests up against one another, Rarity felt Celestia’s heartbeat once again, as fast and warm as her own.
White lips against white, Celestia nudged Rarity’s mouth softly, the unicorn feeling her head tilt instinctually. This can’t be happening, I’m going to wake up any second aren’t I? Celestia’s lips embraced Rarity’s, the tight grip sending a burning flame through her body, the sun somehow seeming brighter.
The ball of light above grew more and more intense until Rarity found herself completely surrounded in white, the feeling of hard stone underneath and the soft embrace of Celestia fading into the sticky feeling of sweaty sheets.
Gasping, Rarity sat up in her bed, darkness meeting her eyes. Just another dream. She sighed sadly, a tight pressure in her bladder begging for attention. I really shouldn’t have drunk so much iced tea, She thought as she stepped from her bed, making her way to the bathroom door.
Lighting her horn so she could see, Rarity gazed forlornly back at her bed as she sat, the blue glow of her horn highlighting her purple sheets, pink pillows and the white of a pony’s coat.
Author's Note
I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to cast your eyes over the thoughts that fill my mind.
