Chapter 15: “Those stallions should burn in hell.”

[11:15 a.m.]

The three of us were in a well-known restaurant for their breakfast entrees with a very awkward atmosphere around our table. Fleur and I received our food, but we barely took a bite as we only watched Shining eating her smorgasbord of a brunch like a ravage animal… Well, more animal than usual considering they’re ponies. That moment, she could care less about the high calorie intake that she was ingesting. There were three chocolate battered, chocolate chip pancakes in a stack with whipped cream, three strips of hay bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns, prench toast, two biscuits with blackberry preserves and butter, a chocolate shake, and finally a bowl of fruit to at least add something healthy to her feast. I wasn’t sure if eating her problems away was one of Fleur’s suggestions she didn’t mention this morning, but I’m pretty sure this is just a bit much for somepony like Shining.

Taking one for the team, I decided to make the first move to break the silence before things got more awkward. “Um… How’s the food?” I asked Shining.

Shining took a moment to swallow her food before answering with a furrowed brow. “Alright, I know that isn’t what you want to ask Oz. I know this is more food that I’m having than usual, I know you probably want to know how I ever was in a relationship with that prick, which I’m still trying to figure out myself anyway, and I know you want to know what he meant when I hit ‘rock bottom,’ and how I became Fleur’s manager to make up for it. I’ll burn off the calories and flabs of fat once we get back home, we’ll work on Fleur’s rehearsal after brunch, and I’ll tell you a little about my brief history with him later. Just…” She took a shaky breath as she rubbed her eyes under the glasses. “Just give me some time to calm down so I won’t lash it out on you, alright? Out of all the stallions I’ve met, you don’t deserve that the most. Just… Let me recuperate.” She then went back to eating her brunch, but more calmly and refined than when she started.

Fleur next to me put a hand on my shoulder, I looked to her, and she gave a silent nod, letting me know we should leave her be for the time being. I nodded in response before the two of us started eating our own brunch in silence, ignoring some of the passing ponies who were shocked at all the food that were on Shining’s side of the table.

[12:30 p.m.]

Shining didn’t finish all of her food in the end, so I helped lessen the load after I was done with mine. She didn’t want me to pay for half of her bill when we checked out, but I gave the excuse I would pay part of it since we shared some, and she gave in after that.

We took a walk through the city in silence after that, with Shining looking down, Fleur concerned, and me having no idea how to lighten the mood between the three of us. Besides a few fuck ups I made in the past, I was one who tried to avoid as much conflicts as possible, and while that made my life a little easier, it doesn’t help when I don’t have the experience to help someone, or somepony, with a problem that’s at least relatable. Funny how I’ve mainly learned how to deal with shitty people up to this point, but barely know how to help them solve problems, even with a few communication courses I took in college.

We ended up sitting on a bench in a park, one of the few places in the Manehattan where there were grass, trees, and a few flower patches to not make this city totally urban-like. As Shining was sitting between us, Fleur used physical contact to help comfort her by rubbing her back, while I was unsure that any action I would make to provide my own support could get her ticked at me like any other stallion.

Shining took a deep, shaky breath to calm herself down, trying to come up with something first to say. “Please be honest with me guys… How hard is it dealing with somepony like me? How much of a problem am I just being here? Am I even a good person?”

“What kind of question is that?” Fleur asked. “I’ll admit, we had our disagreements, and we said and done some things we regretted later, but you are anything but a problem Shiny.” She then pulls herself closer and gave Shining a tight hug. “You’ll always be my best friend, no matter what happens. I can’t even begin to imagine where I’d be right now if I never met you. You are more than just a good person to me Shiny, and that’s a fact.”

Shining returned the hug while I saw small trails of tears running down her cheeks, and savored the moment. She pulled back, sniffled a little, and wiped her eyes before turning to me now. “Oz? Your thoughts?”

“Well you certainly can be a handful at times, Fleur as well,” I explained. “Despite how things started out between us, you’re definitely one of the better people, or ponies, I’ve ever met. It’s been great being with you as your secretary and friend, and I hope things get better between us as times go.” I opened one of my arms halfway, offering her a hug of my own, and she accepted it gratefully.

“Do you think… I’m beautiful?”

My eyes widened at the question Shining asked as she pulled back, and looked at me straight in the eyes while waiting for an answer. Though I was having conflicts with my feelings for mares, this was one of those times I should shove it to the side, and give it to her straight.

“How do you think you’re not?” I asked. “You’re very beautiful. Plenty of it, both outside and inside. I’m surprised you haven’t thought of becoming a model like Fleur here.”

I think I might have stepped on something severe, because right when I said that, not only did she flinch, but looked down on the ground with her ears folded, while tears were welling up in her eyes once more. “That’s just it though Oz… I was,” she croaked.

My eyes widened greatly at that, and turned to Fleur. “Is… That true?” I asked, and she nodded silently at that.

“I was on the same boat as Fleur back in high school,” Shining sniveled before she wiped her eyes and nose, but still looked down. “I didn’t have a cutie mark until sometime in high school, and I still had no idea what I want to do, but like Fleur, there was a hint that I wanted to help ponies as well. I was more of a brainiac compared to Fleur though, and possibly shallower, I had to admit. I was a bit jealous for how popular Fleur would get for being one of the most beautiful mares in school, and I wanted to get as much attention, but not as ‘that mare who hangs around Fleur.’

“She noticed that, and decided to help me look prettier so they could start seeing me for being me. I switched from glasses to contacts at the time, which bugged me like fuck, but I endured; styled my mane and tail some; changed my wardrobe; and got tips on how to apply make-up before I started to get the attention I wanted while I maintained higher than average grades. It was around then that Puff Tie and I hooked up. Even then though, I still didn’t get my cutie mark until one day a pony came up to me and asked for help on their homework, since she knew how smart I was.

“I usually have study sessions with Fleur, mostly to help her get through her classes, so I offered that pony to join us that afternoon, and she accepted. So I helped her along with Fleur with their homework that night, and at one point she asked how she could be as pretty as I was so she could catch the attention of a colt she had a crush on. Her reason to look pretty was definitely better than mine, so I was more than happy to give her some tips like Fleur did with me. When I walked her home that night, I looked up to the sky, and saw those beautiful stars that I always loved. I was amazed that there was a princess that made those while raising and lowering the moon before she disappeared, and this was before Princess Luna made her return. I had hoped I helped that mare get her crush to see how beautiful she can be. The next time I saw her, she was walking down the school halls with a cute colt while holding hands. I was glad I helped her achieve something that special, and possibly go places with that newfound confidence that came with her new look, like I made my own star that will shine brightly one night, and that was how I got my cutie mark by then.”

“That’s a great story, but how did that led to you becoming a model?” I asked.

“I’m getting there,” Shining said. “Anyway, I ended up getting a cutie mark before Fleur, but it wasn’t too long before she got her own, and told me what she wanted to do for a living. Using her beauty to help other ponies was the most ingenious idea I ever heard from her, and that made me want to follow in her hoofsteps. So with the ‘help’ from Puff Tie providing designs for us to wear, gaining attention from other businesses and sponsors, Fleur and I became quite the duo, using our beauty to help others one thing at a time. Puff was also gaining recognition as a designer as time went, and Solar Flare became a successful movie actor if Fleur hadn’t told you that already. Things were going great for the four of us… At least until the time of the break up.

“I was growing concern when I noticed how much Fleur and Solar were growing apart as a couple, and you can bet how infuriated I was when I found out that he cheated on her, even when she told him she didn’t want to form a herd. So Fleur stayed at my place for a bit, I tried comforting her while we took a break from modeling for a few weeks to recover ourselves. One night, we decided to take a stroll to the park and stargaze. I thought having some time out of the house while enjoying the view of the sky was just what we needed… And that was when he came along…”

[Five and a half years ago, Shining’s POV, 8:45 p.m.]

“This feels… Nice,” Fleur said with a small smile as we sat on a bench in Canterlot Park, looking up at the night sky, stargazing. “Thank you for convincing me to come out here Shiny. I think this is helping me a little.”

“Anything for you Fleur,” I replied with an assured smile as I patted her back. “I’m just glad to see a little of that smile I always liked coming back.”

“Do you think… I’ll ever find a good stallion again? One that’s kinder than him since we first gone out?” She asked.

“Of course you will,” I replied. “There’s no need to rush on romance. Just take your time and think about what you really look for in a stallion, and I’m sure he’ll come to you one day.”

“Thank you Shiny,” she said before we hugged it out.

“Boy, it’s getting a bit chilly out here,” I commented. “You wanna head back inside?”

“Sure,” she replied before we stood up, and made our way home. Suddenly, a familiar voice called out that stopped us in our tracks.

“F-Fleur…”

Oh Celestia no, it can’t be.

The two of us turned, and saw a yellow pegasus stallion with a messed up white mane and tail walking toward us in an unbalanced manner. His clothes were filthy, his amber eyes were riddled with blood vessels around them, and was looking sweaty. He was a complete wreck, but we both knew who he was despite the drastic change of appearance from what we remembered.

“… Solar,” Fleur said.

“F-Fleur… Please come back,” the bastard pleaded. “I’m a total—total wreck without you. I need you back in my life. I’m sor—I’m sorry for what I did, and I’ll never do it again… I love you Fleur, please come back to me.”

I turned to Fleur who stared at him blankly until she furrowed her brow. “… You really hurt me Solar,” she said. “Not just sleeping with that mare, but not even giving me the time of day anymore before that. You were different before high school Solar. You’re not the same stallion I used to love now…” She turned around, not bearing to look at him any longer. “… It’s over for us Solar. It’s time to move on like I’m starting to… Good-bye,” she bid before she walked off, and I followed behind.

“… I see,” he replied, my ears perked at his sudden change in tone. “If I can’t have you…” I turned around, and my eyes widened in horror as I saw a sharp object reflecting the moon’s light was in his hand, unsteady as he was still drunk. “THEN NOPONY WILL!”

“FLEUR!”

SHHKKK!

Everything went cold as I stood frozen still, and my eyes widened at the shock. I looked down, and saw a handle was sticking out of my lower stomach, with a piece of metal still outside of it, covered in blood. Then everything heated inside me as adrenaline, anger, and pain were acting upon me. With all the strength I could muster, I grabbed the knife steady in one hand, looked up to Solar with fire in my eyes while he had a shocked expression of his own, and I pulled a fist back. “Y-you… Fuckin’ prick.”

POW!

With what strength I had left, I punched Solar right on the jaw, knocking him out cold as he hit the ground. I started coughing up blood, and my body started to weaken. I lost my balance as I fell to the side while I tried to keep the knife in my stomach steady.

“SHINY!” Fleur screeched as she caught me before I hit the ground. I looked up, and saw her face welling up in tears while her irises were shrunk to the size of pinpricks. “SHINY! YOU GOT TO HANG ON! PLEASE! SOMEPONY! ANYPONY! HELP!”

Her screams for help started to get harder to hear as it was replaced by white noise, and everything around me turned black while my body grew cold once more.

[Present day, Ozzy’s POV, 1:00 p.m.]

I was practically trembling in place, mixtures of rage, sadness, and anxiety welling up in my mind. Tears were streaming down my cheeks while I gritted my teeth, and tightened my fists. Shining still looked down on the ground with ears folded, depressed, while Fleur was sniveling and crying tears of her own.

“F-Fleur,” I said to her. “Was that… The traumatic experience you were talking about earlier?” She just nodded silently in response.

“I was in the hospital when I woke up,” Shining continued. “Solar was arrested, and imprisoned for eight years, but apparently was just released recently for ‘good behavior’. I got away from death by blood loss, but a scar on my lower stomach wasn’t the only thing I walked away with...” She took a moment to take a deep, shaky breath to calm herself down before she continued. “Because of the bastard’s drunk condition, he wasn’t close to where he wanted to stab, and ended up puncturing me right in the uterus. They couldn’t do anything to repair it as it kept on pouring out blood, so they ended up taking it out while my ovaries were still intact… Leaving me infertile.”

“He… Took away your capability to bear foals,” I said with a shaky voice, and Shining nodded in response.

“Once I was healthy enough, I tried going back to modeling,” she continued “But they couldn’t take me in because of the scar I came out of, and I couldn’t even get close to any stallions. I was… Afraid of them at the time, paranoid that one of them could be like Solar.”

“And Puff Tie?” I asked.

“Because of how poorly I was doing in modeling, there wasn’t any need for him to be around me anymore,” she answered. “Turns out with the addition of having sex, he was only with me to showcase his designs, and gain recognition in the fashion industry. I was pretty much his living, fuckable mannequin. It was then that my fear for stallions turned to hatred. With Fancy Pants and Silver Wheel being special cases, I vowed not to associate myself with another stallion ever again… At least until last week. Though I couldn’t get into modeling anymore, I still wanted to help Fleur in achieving her goal in aiding other ponies with the business, and become the greatest supermodel in Equestria. So I studied my materials, and became the manager you see today. Still doing my best to make Fleur shine as the brightest star in the night sky like my cutie mark implied.”

“Shining… I am so sorry,” I sobbed as I couldn’t hold in my tears any longer, took off my glasses, and tried to wipe my face of the mess that still kept going.

“There’s no need to apologize Oz,” Shining said as she held my face, and turned my gaze to her as she gave a small smile while tears were welling up in her eyes as well. “You’ve been one heck of a guy for putting up with me over the past week. Instead of backing off like all the other stallions I pushed away, you were patient, persevered, and even went so far as to help me with this problem. Something I’d never thought any normal stallion could accomplish, and I can’t thank you enough for doing this.” She then gave me a tight hug before I returned the gesture. I looked up to where Fleur was, and she was crying with probably tears of joy instead of sadness, as she smiled while dabbing her wet eyes with a handkerchief.

“I’m just glad I’m able to do something to help you girls,” I said. “And you can be sure you won’t get rid of me so easily. I’ll be at your sides for quite some time.”

“Still stubborn as usual,” Shining chuckled before she pulled back, and wiped the tears that were in her eyes. She then looked to me with a content smile. “Annoying at times, but one of your better qualities I suppose.”

“There’s one thing tickling my head that I’m confused about if you don’t mind me asking,” I said.

“Is it personal?” She asked, and I nodded in response. She thought about it while looking up, and shrugged. “I’m feeling pretty good after opening up to you like this, so ask away.”

“Alright,” I said before I wiped my eyes once more, and cleared my throat. “So… Fleur was telling me before we went to that club last week about mares and their… Heat cycles.” My face heated a little while looking to the side and scratched the back of my head in embarrassment. “She mentioned you had yours a couple days before I came here, but you said the doctors removed your uterus… I’m just making sure I didn’t get two different answers to the same conflict, so…”

“… Oh,” Shining replied before looking to the side with a blush of her own. “I still have my… Heats, yes. I think it’s because of my ovaries were still intact that are still producing those hormones as far as what the doctors have told me. Not to mention I get occasional mood swings since my uterus is gone.”

I figured there was something off about her odd behavior changes. Fleur must have hid it to give Shining some privacy up to now.

“Do you get more… Unpredictable with your mood swings when the heat comes around? Just to prepare myself in the future for when it happens,” I said.

“… Sometimes,” she replied before giving a devious smirk. “But you should see when Fleur goes into one. Her horniness can get pretty bad in some cases.”

“AH! Well I never!” Fleur harrumphed with a flush. “Well at least I don’t get really kinky when I get on mine! Especially with a riding crop!”

“Do you have to bring that up again?!” Shining rebutted with a blush of her own.

“I didn’t think you ponies had riding crops here,” I added in.

“NOT HELPING OZZY/OZ!” The girls exclaimed at me in sync.

The three of us sat there in silence for a moment before I started chuckling at the girls’ embarrassed faces, and they couldn’t help but joined in as we laughed our sadness away.

Shining sighed in content once she stopped laughing while wiping her eyes. “I didn’t think I’d feel this good after something like that.”

“Feeling better then?” I asked.

“Much,” she responded.

“Well, I think this is a good time as any to see that movie,” Fleur said as she stood up.

“Some sci-fi action sounds really nice right now,” I added in as I got up, and pulled Shining as well.

“I can’t wait to see that raccoon,” Shining commented as we walked over to the theater.

“You really like that raccoon huh?” I asked. “I honestly thought you’d be more into the green assassin. She’s like a living fighting machine.”

“I like her too, but the raccoon just looked so cute!” She exclaimed. “I’ve seen the trailers Oz, I just think it’s adorable how he acts like some sort of big shot despite his size.”

“You have a weird taste in cuteness,” I commented. “You sure it’s not about time to get a new prescription on those glasses?”

“Oh shut it Oz.”

CRACK!

“Ow! Again with the whipping Shining?! How can you even move your tails that well?!”

“Dearie, if you’re ever alone with a mare in the bedroom, you’d be surprised what else we can do with our tails,” Fleur commented with her usual playful, seductive look.

“… I could go my whole life in peace without hearing that,” I said as I looked away with a blush, while the girls laughed at my expense.

Laughing at my embarrassment aside, I’m glad the girls are able to relax briefly after what we talked about… But still, after hearing that, Solar Flare pretty much ties in with Robert as the most hated person in my list, along with Puff Tie, Justin Bieber, and Kim Kardashian following behind. I could go on and on with other celebrities I hate, but I’m going off topic. Anyway, if I ever see that bastard in person… No, it’s not good to think like that, no matter how despicable he is. I’m not going to repeat what nearly happened back on Earth, but if he ends up trying to harm the girls again like before… Things won’t get pretty, I’ll say that much. I should probably just stop worrying about these thoughts. For now, I’ll just enjoy five prison escapees kicking ass, and saving the galaxy.

[8:00 p.m.]

After enjoying what may have been the best movie I’ve seen so far in my life, the three of us took an opportunity to rehearse for Fleur’s interview tomorrow in a sound proof meeting room that was in the local library. Shining pretended to be the pony interviewing Fleur, while she and I acted like ourselves like we did at any other business meeting. I could tell the girls have done this numerous of times, as they went through the process very natural-like, and they were all ad-libbed. At least that’s what I thought, as I not once seen either one of them read through some kind of script or list of commonly asked questions in a meeting before that. I think it’s safe to say that even if Fleur may not get the part for the fall fashion line commercial, she’s guaranteed to get in the reserve list for the next one.

We then grabbed dinner afterwards. Thankfully, Shining didn’t go overboard with the food like she did this morning, which was a surefire sign that she was much better, along with the chuckles in between the conversation the three of us had. She was however tempted to have some of the place’s special cheesecake, along with Fleur. In the end though, we just went ahead and ordered three slices of it for dessert, worrying about burning the calories off once we got home, and my god was that cheesecake delicious.

After we paid the bill, we went ahead and walked our way back to the hotel to at least burn some of the dinner off while we enjoyed how very lit the city was at night. When we got to our hotel room, I raised a brow at the strange change in the arrangement, mostly the couch I was sleeping on.

“Hey, how come the room service folded the couch back up?” I asked.

“Oh! Actually, that would be our doing dearie,” Fleur admitted. “Shiny and I folded it up while you were waiting for us in the lobby this morning.”

“Why did you do that?” I asked.

“Ozzy, if there was one thing I was sure of when I woke up, it was how achy I was feeling in my backside from sleeping on it,” Fleur commented while rubbing her back in question. “I don’t know how you were able to sleep through it, along with waking up with the muscle soreness from Shiny’s workout, but I’m not going to let you spend the rest of the week sleeping in that monstrosity called a couch.”

“So where do I sleep? On the floor?” I asked.

“Nope. You’ll be sleeping on one of these beds, mine in particular,” Shining answered.

“But that leaves you with no place to sleep,” I pointed out.

“We’ll be sharing my bed,” Fleur replied. “Shiny’s used to waking up to me sleeping by her due to my sleepwalking, and it’s big enough for two, so it’s no trouble at all dearie.”

“You sure you’re okay with this?” I asked.

“We talked it over once I calmed down enough from the shower,” Shining answered with a smile. “Like she said, I’m used to it, and the two of us slept together a couple times before as fillies. So it’s kind of like a sleepover for us.”

“Alright, if you say so,” I replied with a shrug before I pulled out the bag of nightwear I almost forgot I carried around in my jacket. “I’ll take the usual quick shower first.”

“Take your time, the hot water doesn’t run up so quickly here.” Fleur waved.

I just shrugged in response before I went inside.

I came back out a little longer than last time, about fifteen to twenty minutes later in the same nightwear I wore last night.

“I’ll be going in next,” Shining said as she got up with her change of clothes, and went to the bathroom. Fleur sat next to me on my bed after I put today’s clothes away.

“So did everything today turned out okay for you?” I asked Fleur, starting the conversation off.

“It turned out pretty well near the end, all things considered,” she replied with a smile. “I got to hand it to you Ozzy, it was a good idea you brought up last night. I think I’m relaxed enough to take that interview head on tomorrow.”

“I’m glad.”

“Still though, for a moment there, I thought you were actually offering to take us out on a date,” she giggled.

“O-oh no, I wouldn’t do that.” I shook my hand out front. “Even if I did, I don’t think I would even have the slightest chance if I tried to go out with just one of you two.”

Fleur’s expression turned to confusion as she tilted her head to the side. “… What makes you say that?”

“Well I know Shining’s still trying to settle her problem with stallions, so she probably isn’t ready to date yet,” I explained. “Not to mention, even though I don’t know what kind of person she was as a model before… Well, that, she’s doing great today as a manager. Hard-working, smart, loyal, honest, and she looks fantastic at that. Screw what Puff Tie said about her earlier.

“You, well, you’re Fleur de Lis the supermodel. Sure it may have been sometime since you last dated, but I’m sure you want a handsome, caring stallion that’s way better than Solar Flare. Adding into your beauty, you’re also kind, generous, playful, open-minded, and you look out for others before yourself.

“Me? I’m just a plain human. I didn’t have as much of an eventful life as you two did before now. The only thing I could think of would be my first kiss from elementary school, and it turned out to be bittersweet because our classmates caught us doing it in private, and we got teased for it. The girl who had a crush on me at the time didn’t like how it turned out for us, and never talked to me again after that. I guess that affected my self-esteem enough to not bother with any other girls from then onward.

“I’ve mostly took care and looked after myself to get by, and I’ve had my share of getting bullied and teased not only by my peers, but my older brother as well. Sure the locals here are nicer to me, but I’ve come to realize they’re only interested because I was a human, and not being, well, me. Plus, you’ve seen a few times yourself how a mare sometimes try to hit on me so forward-like. They don’t want to get to know me as an individual, they just want to know how different humans are in bed. In the end, I’m just a walking display of a plaything… Like my brother kept on telling me…”

Fleur then pulled me to a hug where my head rested on her collar, and she laid hers on top of it.

“Ozzy… Is this why you have trouble being with other mares?” She asked. “Are you… Afraid of being used and thrown away like Shiny was? Or being ridiculed?”

“At this point? It sounds like a better excuse than me questioning why I’m starting to get attracted to mares,” I answered. “I can’t deny some look cute, but… Robert’s voice just keeps screaming in my head how pathetic I am, and how I’d only be used for their benefit."

“I didn’t realize your brother would be this cruel…” Fleur tightened her embrace on me in concern.

“Well, at least I won’t have to worry him coming here anytime soon,” I said. “When I finally moved out, he got arrested for illegal drug dealing.” Fleur’s grip suddenly lessened before she pulled back with widened eyes. “Yep. He was that bad, and even if he was released, there’s no way he’ll get here with his criminal record.”

“Didn't your father ever stepped in and said something to him about how you were treated?” Fleur asked.

“Being an alcoholic certainly affected his way of thinking, I’ll say that much,” I replied as I looked down. “He doesn’t barge in unless things got out of hand between Robert and I. Other than that, it was like I wasn’t there most of the time until I finally moved out.”

"... I want you to know something Ozzy,” Fleur said as she took my gaze back to her. “Whatever your brother Robert had told you is unforgivable, and completely untrue compared to who I’m talking to right now, so don’t you even think about degrading yourself like that anymore. As for your thing with mares…” She sighed in disappointment while rubbing her eyes. “I can’t deny that some of your suspicions may be partially true, especially for some of the most forward mares you’ve come across. However, those who’ve been kind and gave you attention didn’t do it just because you’re a human. There are some very friendly ponies out here Ozzy, probably much more than what you were used to back on Earth, and I’m sure they want to know more about you other than just being a human.

“I also want to apologize if I made you uncomfortable from all the dirty jokes I’ve made. I didn’t realize you’d be so wound up about this until now.”

“Actually… Though it was a bit tensing at first, it’s actually helping me a bit,” I pointed out.

Fleur blinked in surprise. “… Really?”

“I mean it’s still embarrassing to talk about, sure,” I explained. “And though I’ll still need to be wary of the more forward mares, you kind of make it funny sometimes, and something I shouldn’t be so scared about when my first time comes around. It’s also kind of cute how playful you can be with it.”

“… Oh,” she replied while looking to the side with a slight blush. “Well… Glad to be of help, I guess. But there’s something you should know about it that I’ve definitely learned after being with Solar.”

“What’s that?” I asked.

“While it is an enjoyable past time, it can be very beautiful when you’re doing it with somepony you love, especially if it’s your first,” she said as she looked back to me with a smile. “It’s that one time where you give yourselves to each other, communicating through your words and bodies that you trust, care, and love them with every fiber of your being. If your feelings aren’t in sync, you’re just two mindless animals clouded by lust. Take it from me who has received such treatment from somepony who acted as such. Does that make sense?”

“It does, and thanks,” I replied with a smile.

“And… From what you said about me earlier…” She looked to the side with uncertainty, and a tinge of fear.

“… Yeah?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Well… What if—“

“Goddess how I needed that,” Shining sighed in content as she came out of the bathroom in the same nightwear she wore previously, interrupting Fleur. She looked over to us, and glanced back and forth at the tense situation. “Uh… Am I interrupting something?”

“N-no no! You’re fine!” Fleur exclaimed as she stood up and cleared her throat. “Hey Ozzy? Do you mind if I told her what you told me?” She asked me.

“Might as well, today seems like we’re all opening ourselves up today,” I replied.

“Alright. Shiny? I need to tell you something in private,” Fleur said before she gestured back to the bathroom.

Shining nodded, and went back to the bathroom before Fleur picked up her change of clothes, and followed her inside.

The place turned deathly silent once the door closed. I could only guess Fleur probably cast that sound-proof spell in the bathroom to keep the conversation inside. I took the opportunity to think back on what I told her as I laid back on my bed.

Should I have told her about my nightmares too? I hate to hold something important from the girls now that they’ve started to open themselves up to me, but I don’t want them to get more worried over me at this time, especially with Fleur’s interview coming up. Plus, I’m still trying to comprehend whether what I did back then was right or wrong. Sure, Robert may be out of my hair for the rest of my life, and even if he got out of prison, there’s no way he can get here with his criminal history, but with how it all ended up for him, and how I haven’t even spoken to Dad since then… Was what I did make me as bad as him? Maybe even Solar Flare? It’s sickening to compare, even if my intentions were different from theirs, would that even be a good enough excuse? Maybe I do need a visit from Princess Luna. It’s uncanny that she’s over a thousand years old, but with her position and experience, maybe she can provide her point of view that could help me shed some light on this. Maybe I’ll tell the girls about the nightmare once I’m sure about my actions that led up to them. Whatever happens next… I guess that’s for them to decide.

Shining came back out a couple minutes later, with the sound of water running from inside, and kept going when the door was closed. I sat up as she walked over with concern written all over her face before she sat next to me, and looked directly at me.

“Oz… Has what Fleur told me true?” Shining asked.

“Pretty much,” I replied.

“Don’t you have any other family members you could have moved in with?”

“My parents were pretty distant with their relatives, so I can’t say for sure if my situation back then was not as bad compared to other households. The only people I know that have sort of looked out for me were a few of Dad’s friends, my counselors, and a few neighbors.”

“My gosh… It’s like you never had a family at all…”

“Call me crazy, but I wish I came across at least one person that's like you back on my world,” I said as I looked over to her who blinked from surprise. “That same night after the fight, sure, you may have been harsh with the language at the beginning, but you were telling me straight what I had done wrong, and what I should do next time something like that ever happened again. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten that kind of attention from anyone before I got here, as far as I can remember. I probably wouldn’t be so lame right now if I had someone like you as a parent. I’m not sure if you’ve looked into adoption, and with our human technology, there’s also the option of having surrogates, but I think you would be a great mother if how you’ve treated me up to this point is any indication.”

“… Y-you really think so?” She croaked with welled up eyes, and I nodded in response with a smile. She sniveled and wiped her eyes before continuing. “I’ve wanted foals for quite some time, even before the incident. Right now though, I just want to help out Fleur being her manager as much as possible. I’ll think about adoption once I get close to a certain age, whether I’m settling down with a stallion or not.”

“I’m sure you’ll find somepony one day,” I said. “I mean even if you’re not into modeling, you’re still quite an attractive mare. It’s crazy those ponies didn’t take you in because of that one scar.”

“Oz… My scar isn’t really that good to look at,” she rebutted while looking down with ears folded. “Even if I was comfortable with stallions again, who’s to say it would turn them off when we get to that stage?”

“Has Fleur told you that you’re beautiful? Even after the incident?” I asked.

“Well… Yes, but—“

“Shining,” I interrupted. “If a stallion doesn’t see you as beautiful as Fleur does, with or without the scar, then they’re not worth fretting over. When you come across a stallion who does, maybe more than that, he could be a keeper. Heck even if I haven’t seen it myself, I’m taking Fleur’s word that you’re more beautiful than you may think.”

“I bet you’ll change your mind once you do see it Oz,” Shining argued as she turned to me with a stern, stubborn look.

“You don’t know that for sure unless I saw it myself.”

“Well… Do you want to see it?”

“If you’re comfortable with it, sure.” I shrugged. “I can understand why you’ve hid it up to this point, but we’re all friends here. Whether you have a scar or not won’t change anything between us.”

“… I guess so. Alright, but don’t say I didn’t told you so if you get grossed out.” She hesitated for a moment once she turned her body towards me, and grabbed onto her top and shorts. With flustered cheeks and a shaky sigh, she slowly pulled her tank top up to the bottom of her breasts, revealing her well sculpted, hard abdominals. She then pulled her shorts a little down enough to reveal a large mark as a whole. The scar was lighter than her light purple fur that stretched from the bottom of her belly button down to a certain point. “The stab… Wasn’t as big as this, but the doctors had to open it further to remove my uterus… What do you think?”

“… Yep, still the same beautiful Shining Star I know,” I said as I looked up with an assured smile, and her irises shrunk to the size of pinpricks in shock. “Nice abs by the way. Despite the brunch and popcorn today, they still look pretty fit. I don’t think you’ll have much problems burning those calories off.”

“Y-you really mean it?” She asked as she covered herself back up, and I nodded in response. She then looked to the side still flustered. “Th-then… Would you—“

“Everything alright here?” Fleur asked as she stepped out of the bathroom with the same nightwear she wore previously.

“Yep, we’re good,” I said as I turned to her. “Shining showed me her scar while you were out.”

Fleur’s eyes widened in response. “What did you think then?”

“It’s no problem for me,” I replied with a shrug. “Being judgmental some ponies in Canterlot can be, I can understand why she’s shy about it, but it doesn’t really affect her appearance at all in my opinion.”

Fleur then turned to Shining with a smug expression on her face. “You see Shiny? I told you Ozzy wouldn’t mind.”

Shining sighed in defeat as she rubbed her eyes. “You were right. I admit it.”

“Do you feel better from hearing me say that?” I asked.

“… More than you can imagine,” Shining replied with a smile before she got up and stretched. “Well as much as I’d like to stay up longer, we should probably get plenty of rest tonight. We’ve got a big day ahead of us tomorrow,” she suggested as she set her glasses on the nightstand between the beds. “It may be a good idea to have a few more rehearsals before the interview. You can never be too prepared.”

“Even so, I’m sure you’ll definitely get in Fleur. You deserve it,” I commented with a smile.

“Thank you Ozzy. That makes me more determined to get that spot,” Fleur said before she got up and stretched. “I’m certainly up for some sleep as well,” she yawned.

“You sure you two are okay sleeping on the same bed?” I asked.

“Unless you want me to sleep with you again like this morning, I’m fine Ozzy,” she teased before giggling.

“Fleur, don’t give him any ideas,” Shining groaned while rubbing her eyes. “I’m worried about where his hands will go if they don’t come back to the same place twice.”

“Hey, I didn’t know Fleur would be like that until this morning, and I still don’t know how my hands got there. Cut me some slack,” I pleaded as I took off my own glasses, set them next to Shining’s, and got comfortable in bed.

“And if it does happen again, there’s no need for you to get brash since we know what to expect,” Fleur pointed out as she got under the covers.

“… Still irks me though,” Shining said before she joined Fleur in the same bed. With the help of Fleur’s magic, the lights flicked off.

“Good night everypony.”

“Good night.”

“Night.”

Author's Note

So many confessions in this chapter! So Shining Star was a model huh? Let that sink in your heads for a moment.

And before any of you ask and argue about biology, yes, I actually had to look into human menstruation and horse heat cycles after hysterectomy (surgical removal of reproductive organs) to see if Shining still having heat after her uterus was removed is legit. The results vary from as far as I've looked up, along with the mood swings that she sometimes display, so it's good enough for me to put it in here.

Anyway, the next chapter is the interview with Vogue itself. How will things play out for Fleur, and what other events will follow afterwards? Will Ozzy ever tell the girls about his nightmares? When will ~~Moonbutt~~ Princess Luna come to help him with this problem? You'll just have to find out in the next chapter.

In the meantime, sign a petition by leaving a comment with your username below to request Solar Flare and Puff Tie to be sent to the moon, or we'll form an angry mob to run them out of Equestria trying. I'll even ask Foxy to join us.

This is Dudeler signing off.