Before we get started, I just want to let you know that there will be some clop material happening in this chapter. I've marked down spots where it will start and end so those of you who aren't into it can just skip ahead.

At any rate, hope you enjoy the read.

Chapter 17: “P-Pizza?”

[5:45 p.m.]

I think this is probably the giddiest I’ve seen out of Shining so far, and I thought her behavior yesterday morning was strange enough already. When we got back to our hotel room, Shining kept checking her e-mail on my laptop every five minutes, waiting for Mr. Brushstroke send that letter of… ‘Critiques’ for her to print out and read aloud to Puff Tie. Since this was a special moment for Shining to rub in where it hurts, and technically reading what somepony else wrote to him, I wasn’t going to enact punishment on her for that.

“I don’t know about you two, but I could use a dip in the motel’s hot tub right now after today,” Fleur sighed. “I’m not up for going out to any place big for dinner tonight either.”

“How about we have pizza tonight?” Shining asked as she checked my laptop again. “I can pick up a few boxes on the way back from Puff’s groveling. Plus I think it’s a good way for us to take things easy tonight while we watch a movie or two.”

Pizza… When she said that word, I had a horrid realization. The day before I left Earth for Equius, I had one last feast that included meat. Now I wasn’t as much of a meat person as one who likes a rib-eye steak, but I do like food like cheeseburgers, hot dogs, some ham or turkey, and not much of a chicken fan unless it’s with noodles in soup on my sick days. The horrid realization I found when Shining mentioned tonight’s dinner, is that I forgot to have my last pepperoni pizza before I left. I don’t care how crazy would anyone think of me. They can keep their sausage and Canadian bacon, but going for the classic pepperoni is the way to go for me. I couldn’t remember the last time I had pepperoni pizza before I left, and since I’m in Equestria now, I would never taste the hot, spicy godsend of food ever again. I’d have to make do with either plain cheese, or vegetarian, which are okay too, but those don’t compare to the goodness that is the pepperoni.

A small piece of me died horribly inside after realizing that, and I fought every urge to break down into tears before answering. “S-Sounds good. I love pizza.”

“Me too!” Fleur exclaimed cheerfully. “Pizza it is then! Ozzy, I’ll be at the pool if you want to join me.” She then grabs a change of clothes from her bag before picking up the hotel key. “I’ll see you two later!” She said before she left the room.

… You know, as much as I don’t want to do this, but since Shining and I are alone, this may be a good time to do… Well, that. I’m still concerned how Shining behaved after the first time, but she wants to do this to get a better handle with stallions, and she trusts me enough to help her out. This is the least I could do to help and support her. Might as well do it now before she leaves.

“Um, Shining?” I asked.

“Yes Oz?” She asked while her eyes were glued to the laptop screen.

“Since we’re in private now, it may be a good time to… *ahem* Enact punishment?”

Her eyes widened as she turned to me, a blush showing on her cheeks. “O-oh yes, sure… How many do I get?”

“Seven,” I answered. “Three singles for three stallions, and four consecutives split into two from arguing that many times with me.”

“… Sounds fair.”

“Before we get to that, I want you to tell me what you did wrong with each stallion so you can keep it in mind for next time. I thought this might be a good way to learn from experience for the times ahead.”

“Very well,” Shining said before she looked up in thought, and recalled her experiences today. “Let’s see… The first one I shouldn’t have threatened to rip his head off after he bumped into me pretty hard.”

“Uh huh.”

“The second one I shouldn’t have threatened to break his horn off from cutting in line to grab our lunch.”

“Yep.”

“And the third one I shouldn’t have threatened to rip his wings off for not flying to his destination instead of taking one of the taxi carriages we were about to get into.”

“You got it.”

Yeaaaah, if you thought those were bad, I’m surprised she hasn’t threatened to rip somepony’s dong out yet. I’m not sure if she was holding back that threat because of how less reasonable it is than tearing a pegasus’ wings off, but I guess I can count that as some kind of progress… Oh wait, I remember how she threatened to ‘make a mare’ out of Puff yesterday, so I guess that’s sort of implied? But I gave her a freebie on that one, so no harm done I suppose.

Shining sighed as she stood up, and leaned on the back of the chair she was sitting for support while her back was toward me. “Alright, you said seven right?” She asked. “Try to keep the force of the pull the same as last time, and don’t hold back no matter how I’m doing.”

“Alright,” I replied as I popped some bones in my body to get myself more comfortable before I reached to Shining’s tail. It flicked a little before I gently grabbed it, and her body shivered like last time. “Okay, let’s do the three singles first.” Shining nodded in agreement before she shifted to a more comfortable position.

“One,” I counted as I gave the first tug about the same as I did the first time, and she squeaked in response (kind of cutely I might add). “Two.” Her body tensed slightly, and her knees buckled. “Three.” She bit her lower lip to keep herself from screaming as she arched her back. “Doing okay so far Shining?”

“Mm-Hmm,” she whined.

“Alright, we’re almost done,” I said. “Just need to get through four more split into two consecutive ones. Just hang in there a little longer okay?”

“Okay,” she whispered in a high pitch.

“Here comes the first two,” I said before I gave her tail two quick tugs, and Shining yelped at first before she slapped her mouth shut, her body shaking more intensely than usual while she barely held onto the chair for dear life with her free hand. “And here’s the last two.” I gave her the two last tugs quickly, and her scream was muffled by her hand covering her mouth.

I let go of her tail, and walked up to her side where I could see her face totally red, and sweating as she panted harshly while trying to keep herself supported on the chair. “Shining? Are you alright?” I asked with my hand on her shoulder.

“I-I’m fine,” she panted, but her condition didn’t left me convinced.

Shining yelped as I picked her up princess style, and carried her to the bed she and Fleur were sleeping. I gently set her down as she continued to pant harshly while looking at me.

“Sorry about that, but you looked like you could barely stand,” I explained. “Do you want some water to drink?”

“… Please,” she sighed before I walked over to grab a glass, some ice, and water from the bathroom faucet.

When I came back, her glasses were on the night stand, her jacket was laid to the side, and a few buttons from her collar, to the center of her breasts were undone. The open shirt showed a good amount of cleavage, and a slight hint of her bra that was peeking under.

I shook any lewd thoughts out of my head, and convinced myself that she was really hot from the punishments before I walked back, and gave her the water glass. “Here you go,” I said.

“Thank you,” she said before she took a few gulps from the glass. Some stray water droplets dripped to her collar, and slid down to the big valley in her chest as she drank. She gasped in refreshment before setting the glass back, and her breathing turned lighter.

Keep it cool Ozzy, keep it cool. Shining just needs some air, and that’s no excuse for you to get engrossed to her chest. Keep your eyes on hers.

“Feeling better?” I asked.

“A little, thanks,” she replied with a smile.

Suddenly, I picked up a few whiffs from a strange scent in the air I just noticed. “Why does it smell funny in here? I’ll open the window,” I said before I walked over to a window, and open it to let the room air out. I then walked back to Shining, and sat across from her on my bed. “You know you don’t have to put yourself through this much right? You look kind of worse compared to the first time when we got here.”

Shining chuckled a little before turning her gaze back at me. “No need to fuss over it Oz. This will just take me more time to get my strength back than before.”

“If you say so...”

“It’s still sweet of you to worry over me so much Oz. Thank you for that.”

“Well you kind of saved my ass before, so it’s the least I could do.” I shrugged. “Plus, you’re one of my best friends. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you and Fleur.”

“... Do you really mean that?” Shining asked.

“Of course.” I nodded.

“… Oz?”

“Yes?”

“… Don’t ever change, okay?” Shining asked.

I smiled, and nodded once more. “Do you need me to stick around before you leave for Puff’s place?”

“I’ll be fine,” she said with a smile. “Why don’t you go see what Fleur’s up to? I’ll bring the pizzas after 7:30 once I’ve done my business with Puff.”

“Alright, I could use a dip myself actually.” I got up, and went to my bag to grab a change of clothes, swim trunks, and my phone. “My flash drive’s in my laptop bag if you want to download the document in there. Let me know if you need anything else alright?”

“Will do,” she replied before I made my way out of the room. “Oz?”

I stopped midway out of the door before I turned to her. “Yes Shining?”

“… Have fun,” she said with a smile before I nodded.

“I will. Take it easy,” I said before I was on my way.

[Shining’s POV, 6:20 p.m.]

“*sigh* What the hell’s wrong with me?” I asked to myself as I stared up in the ceiling, taking a drink of water to cool the heat between my legs that were still burning in protest from not releasing the hatches. “Why did I even think this was a good idea in the first place? One more tug or two, and I could have climaxed right there with him behind me.”

And yet a part of you wanted that to happen.

“Oh fuck you,” I berated my thoughts. “Oz is my secretary, and I’m his manager for Celestia’s sake. I shouldn’t be having such thoughts, especially since he’s not interested in me. He’d be more into Fleur.”

Horseapples. You showed him your fucking scar, and he still sees you attractive. He said it himself. You have as much of a chance and right in getting him as Fleur does. Besides, you can’t say he’s not interested in you unless you heard it from his own lips.

“Why am I even arguing about this? It’s not like I have feelings for him. I didn’t have something like this when I was with Puff Tie.”

That’s because you never had feelings for him in the beginning you dummy.

“Well how do I know this is real then? I wasn’t like this with other stallions before him, not even with Fleur when we experimented.”

And boy did you have a blast with her, still do whenever you two are in heat. As for how you know about your feelings, think about what Oz told you when Fleur sleepwalked to his bed.

“… Do you have to bring that up? I’m still mad and want to slap him in the face for that.”

Ah, but that’s just it though isn’t it? If it were any other stallion, you’d tear them to shreds like that dick from last week, and not hold back.

“I held back because Fleur stopped me. Not to mention I promised I wouldn’t lash out on Oz while we tried to be honest with each other. What’s your point?”

My point Shiny, is that you weren’t mad at him for touching Fleur, you’re mad at him because he didn’t touch you.

“W-Why the fuck would I even be mad about that?” I asked myself with heated cheeks. “I didn’t want him to touch me there.”

Oh, but you do, and your little ‘angry masturbation’ in the shower yesterday can vouch for that.

“That image popped in on accident, and you know it!”

Oh yeah, and I’m sure him eating you out after he kisses your body down to it is also something that ‘randomly’ popped into your head. Yeah, that’s definitely an accident.

“… Goddessdammit! Now I’m pent up again!” I got up, grabbed my change of clothes, and went to the bathroom before slamming the door.

After locking the knob, I quickly stripped down to my nude form, let my mane down, and turned the shower on. I set the dial to freezing temperatures, and hesitated before I stepped in.

… Go on. You know you want to.

“… *sigh* I can’t believe I’m doing this… again.” I turned the dial to a warmer, comfortable temperature before I stepped inside, and closed the curtain.

CLOP STARTS HERE. SKIP TO THE END POINT IF YOU AREN'T INTERESTED IN READING THIS PART.

I laid down with my back against the edge of the tub to a comfortable position, having the water hitting my sex as I opened its warm lips. Even with the water hitting me, I could tell I was already wet before I stepped inside. I inserted a finger in my vagina, and gasped once I found my button.

“There you are,” I said to myself before I started playing with it by moving it in a circular motion, and I didn’t hold back my moans since I was by myself.

My mind raced to where I imagined Oz was standing over me on my bed, the both of us in our nude form as we kissed passionately. Our fronts were pressed against each other, especially my breasts on his chest, while his erection was sandwiched between us. He groped one of my breasts with one hand, while the other was supporting my lower back as we wrestled tongues next.

I used my own hand to grope my breast to get the feeling Oz would give me as I inserted another finger, and I moaned louder.

Goddess, why do I feel like I need this so much right now, especially with him in my mind?

“Amazing that a beautiful mare such as yourself hasn't been cared for properly. Allow me to change that tonight,” imaginary Oz said before he kissed my neck, making me gasp from the tingling sensation. Oz slowly kissed his way down before he stopped at my free breast while he still groped the other one. He then teased my areola, and erect nipple by lightly circling his tongue around them before taking the patch of flesh whole, and sucked it like a hungry foal.

I gasped in real life as I pinched the one I was holding to imitate the feeling, giving me a painful, but euphoric experience.

Oz then worked his way down lower to my scar, and gave it delicate, loving attention as he kissed and licked it caressingly while groping my ass cheeks.

“Oh yes, right there,” I moaned as I upped the pace of my fingerings.

He then moved to my snatch where he wrapped his arms around my thighs. He made out with my sex like he would kiss the lips on my muzzle, making me shiver and pant harsher than before as I gripped the bed sheets we were on. He inserted his tongue with his thumb and finger inside, and played with my clitoris, making me moan loudly.

“Oz! I’m… Almost there! Don’t stop!” I exclaimed in between breaths as I put everything I had into my fingerings.

With fantasy and reality in sync, I pinched my clitoris the same time Oz did, driving me to the brink.

“AAAAAH!” I screamed as I arched my back, and climaxed in the tub. My body tensed and shook as my snatch poured its juices that were washed away by the running water into the drain.

CLOP ENDS HERE

I slumped to the wall of the tub after I finished with my tongue lolled out, panting, and savoring the afterglow while the warm shower water added into the comfort. My fantasy was finished by Oz coming back up to me, and we shared one last, soft kiss, making me hum in bliss. I then pulled him into a loving embrace where he rested his head on my chest, and enjoyed each other’s company.

“I’m such a messed up mare,” I said to myself as my mind came back to reality, not sure if the water hitting me, or the tears welling up in my eyes were disrupting my vision.

Yes you are Shiny, yes you are. But do you still feel good after letting all that out though?

“… Sort of,” I sniveled slightly while wiping my nose and eyes.

What are you going to do with this?

“I don’t know… I’d rather not think about it too much right now. If anything, this might just be sex deprivation that’s making me like this or something.”

Well if you’re still feeling shitty, I know one thing that could cheer you up.

“What’s that?”

Printing out that document, and ruin Puff Tie’s life.

I chuckled a little at that. “Yeah, that could work. That pizza sounds pretty nice right now too.”

There ya go, now you’re getting it.

“I’ll have to think about what happened at the interview today too while I’m at it,” I pointed out. “It’s not sitting right in my gut somehow.”

Yeaah that Mascara seems off. There’s something up with her, and you’ll need to check through those photos tomorrow to see what her game is.

“Very true. But right now, let’s focus on ruining Puff’s life, and we’ll go from there.” I got up, turned off the shower, and started to dry myself off.

You’re such a bad filly.

“I play dirty when I need to.” I smirked to myself as I put on my change of clothes.

And I’m sure you’d love Oz to punish you for it with more of those tail tugs you like so much.

“… This conversation’s over.”

For now, but you’ll see me again soon. Ta ta~.

“… I just realized I’ve been talking to myself this whole time… I must be more messed up than I thought.” I shook my head straight before I walked out of the room with my old clothes, put them away, put my glasses back on, and opened the e-mail Mr. Brushstroke sent with the document. I double clicked the attachment, and fixed my glasses as I skimmed through the hate letter critique.

To Mr. Puff Tie,

I’ve taken careful consideration into putting my thoughts on paper after looking through your portfolio, and making the decision to enlist you in the design department of Vogue’s clothing company. The following entries to this point are my personal comments on your work, and some advice on what to do next.

Mr. Puff Tie, your designs are the biggest monstrosities in fashion history, and you should feel bad for coming up with them.

I don’t know how you were able to come up with these designs, but my eyes are still practically burning to the back of my skull as I write this, even long after I’ve finished going through your work. I cannot see any occasion that would recommend the line you came up with unless they’re taking part in an ugly contest, and even then the participants can’t get in because the dress code you came up with is too professional for their taste. The colors you picked for some don’t go together; others looked too uncomfortable for ponies to wear; some I can’t make heads or tails of what kind of dress you’re trying to lump them in, and finally there’s no variety that could fit mares with different figures compared to the bland, practically toothpick models you came up with.

Your style of work doesn’t fit in with our company’s goal of giving ponies, both mares and stallions, big and small, a chance to look and feel their very best for any occasion; a way to use our clothing lines to express themselves both inside and out; and finally leaving them satisfied enough to reel them back in to look through something else that’s to their liking.

Your current quality of work will never get into my design department, and unless you don’t change that, I suggest finding a better calling for your life that doesn’t require your taste of art that’s sourer than the largest water tower filled with the highest concentration of lemon juice. Don’t even think about applying for our company again, and I pray to Celestia that we don’t meet again.

From Chief Designer of Vogue clothing design,

Palette Brushstroke

P.S. For Celestia’s sake, lose that cringing choker around your neck while you’re at it. Ascots were so last century.

“Ooo~ he even managed to sign it to make it official, all the more delicious,” I cooed before I downloaded the document to Oz’s flash drive, pulled it out, grabbed Puff’s pathetic excuse of a portfolio, and made my way to the nearest print and copy place.

“Puff Tie, prepare to get royally screwed,” I said with a cynical smile as I walked out of the hotel, and laughed like a maniac along the way.

[Meanwhile, Fleur’s POV, 6:20 p.m.]

“… I’m so bored,” I sighed before I sunk myself into the bubbling hot tub, and blew my own bubbles in boredom.

If there was one thing that’s worse than anxiously waiting for an answer from a big company like Vogue, it’s getting bored while waiting for their answer. I was glad the hotel pool wasn’t active with other ponies that stayed in the hotel, especially since I had my cute black bikini on. Being a supermodel as I am, getting ogled by the public is one of those things you’d have to get used to, especially when you’re posing naked in some photo shoots and recordings. Sometimes it’s kind of fun, but there are moments where you just want some solitude from it all.

Or at least spend the quietness with a dear friend.

When I stepped into the hot tub, it was like my tensions were just melted away into the waters, but after sitting in the tub for about five minutes, I went from relaxed, to getting too much of it.

I know Shiny’s getting ready to hit Puff Tie where it hurts, but what’s Ozzy doing right now? He should’ve gotten here not too long after I did… Wait, why did I expect him to be here? It wasn’t like I asked him to come with me, I just told him I’d be here if he wanted to join. I mean it has been fun and interesting spending time with Ozzy lately, but I’m not getting that attached to him am I? Still, when Shiny and Ozzy are out and busy, I have been getting more lonely than usual recently. That feeling gets swept away when Ozzy’s around though. I mean I’m not lonely when Shiny’s nearby of course, but I guess there’s a kind that Ozzy’s filling in that makes me feel… Safe? Comfortable? Open? It’s hard to describe. I haven’t had this feeling since—

“Oh hey Fleur! Mind if I join you?” A familiar voice asked.

I turned to the source, and my bored mood lit up when I saw Ozzy standing beside the hot tub. He had a towel, a case for his glasses, and his phone in his hand, wearing a pair of black and blue swim trunks. What surprised me a little though was how lean he looked without his clothes. He didn’t have too much muscle, but it was just enough that he could do some heavy lifting. His torso also looked like it had enough fat and muscle to look healthy as well. Then there’s the biggest thing that surprised me the most that I found.

… There are nipples on his chest.

“Uh Fleur? Hello?” Ozzy asked with a raised eyebrow.

“H-huh? What?” I blinked.

“I asked if it was okay if I join you in the hot tub. Is that alright?”

“O-oh yes! Of course,” I replied before he made his way over, while I was still a little surprised of the nipples on his chest.

Once he set his stuff down, he hissed from the water’s temperature before he sighed in content, and eased into the tub. “Oh yeah, that’s the stuff,” he sighed. Soon his glasses quickly fogged up from the steam once he was inside. “Well, I guess I should take these off.” He then took off his glasses, and folded it up before putting it in his case, and turning to me. “So how have you been Fleur?”

I blinked a few times before answering. “Huh? O-oh, I’m doing okay.”

“Are you feeling alright? You seem kind of out of it.”

“… Do you mind me asking you something personal Ozzy?” I asked.

“What is it?”

“… Are those nipples on your chest real?”

He raised an eyebrow at that before he looked down, and gave one of them a test touch. “As far as I know. Why?”

“Stallions don’t usually have those here,” I answered.

“Huh. Actually now that I think about it, I did see a few without them in the locker room. That might explain why they kind of stared at me with my shirt off… Is it weird?”

“No no! Not in a bad way!” I shook my hands out front. “It’s just something I haven’t seen from humans yet… Can you lactate with them?”

“We can’t. Only girls do.” Ozzy shrugged.

“So they’re there just because?”

“I suppose.”

“And you somehow don’t cover them up at certain times and places?”

“Like at a beach and a pool?” He asked, which I nodded in response. “Pretty much. There are some who still wear tops over them just because, and there’s a couple times where I’ve seen guys just walk around in public without a shirt off, especially in the summer times.”

“Well that’s kind of odd. So human girls have to keep their tops on in public, while guys can just stroll around without them, and display their nipples out in the open?”

“Sounds about right, but I personally don’t like the sight of guys without a shirt on in public, especially when some are… Less fit than others. I mean I’m not shaming their bodies, I know it’s hot during those times, and they may want to get a tan, but for Pete’s sake, they need some sense of decency.”

Somehow that kind of irks me, but I don’t know why though.

“So are they sensitive too?” I asked as I pointed to the nipples on his chest.

“I… Guess so.”

The two of us sat there with only the bubbling waters filling the silence in the air. I had a strange urge to touch his nipples to see his sensitivity for myself, but that might lead to something more awkward than where we were currently in, and I’m not risking to ask his permission to do that… Not yet anyway.

“So uh… I like your bikini,” Ozzy complimented to break the silence. “It looks great.”

“Thanks. I got these during our last shopping spree,” I said with a smile, internally sighing as I was glad that things were starting to get comfortable again. “How’s being in Manehattan for you so far Ozzy?”

“It’s interesting, I’ll say that much,” he answered. “I didn’t grow up in a very big city when I was younger, so this is certainly something new for me to experience. Call me crazy, but I’d actually rather live in a city perched on a mountain like Canterlot than a place like this.”

I’m still questioning why Canterlot was put up there and hasn’t collapsed from the weight yet. It’d make sense if it was for defense purposes for the princesses, but doesn’t it put the citizens in danger as well? Either way, I’ve grown up in Canterlot my whole life, and there hasn’t been any news of the city ready to crumble yet, so I guess there’s no harm done for the moment.

“Can I ask you something Fleur?” Ozzy asked.

“What is it?”

“Have you met the princesses in person before?”

Huh, wonder what brought this up?

“Well you’ve already known me meeting Princess Luna in my dreams,” I replied. “And I’ve met Princess Celestia on a few occasions after my brother introduced me to her.”

“Does Fancy work close with them?” He asked.

“Oh yes, he’s one of the few nobles that provides insight on some of Equestria’s problems, and suggests courses of action to help those ponies that he’d personally provide the money to support. Considering how Princess Celestia puts her subjects’ needs first, she would be happy to allow it, and Princess Luna can be pretty gentle when I talk to her in my dreams.”

“Sounds like your brother’s quite the stallion,” Ozzy commented. “You must be very proud.”

“Proud is only the tip of the iceberg for me,” I replied with a smile. “It’s because of his help that I got a good start in modeling, and use the money earned to help other ponies. I’m sure our parents would be very proud of him…”

Ozzy changed his expression to concern and guilt when he caught how I worded it. “O-oh… Are they…” I nodded somberly in response. “Fleur, I am so sorry, I didn’t—“

“It’s okay Ozzy, you didn’t know,” I interrupted as I put a hand on his shoulder, trying to smile despite the slight pain inside. “Though they were strict sometimes, Mother and Father had raised us to become great, happy ponies like they wanted us to be. I’m sure they’re in a better place now.”

“And I’m sure they’d be proud to see how you and Fancy are right now,” he pulled me close to where our sides touched, and I leaned my head against his shoulder.

There it is again. That strange, yet comforting feeling inside me when we’re like this. I don’t know why, but when Ozzy’s like this, it’s like I wouldn’t have to worry about what’s around me for the time being. It’s just him and I, enjoying each other’s company, and I can relax. A part of me wished I could just live like this for the rest of my life without a care in the world. I may not know what exactly is making me feel this way, but I do know this:

Whatever happens, I don’t ever want Ozzy to leave, especially in the way I envisioned in my recent nightmare. In that one, Solar would stab Ozzy first like he usually did with Shiny in previous times before he would get to me. I pray to Celestia that I don’t see him again, and that nightmare doesn’t come true.

As if on instinct, I pulled Ozzy into a tight embrace, not wanting to let him go. He was surprised at first, but he returned the gesture while my tensions slowly loosened from the comfort.

“Are you feeling okay Fleur?” He asked.

“I am now,” I answered before I pulled us back with a smile. “Thank you Ozzy.”

“No problem,” he replied with a smile of his own.

“What do you say we find a movie or two to watch while we wait for Shiny to come back with the pizzas for tonight?” I asked.

“Sounds good,” he said before he got up, grabbed his towel, and dried himself off before I followed suit.

“Since Shiny and I got to see one of your human movies, I think it’s about time you watch a few pony ones of our own if that’s alright?” I asked.

“I’d like that. I’m curious to see how different movies are here,” he said as he put his glasses back on. “Should we head to a store to rent one after we change?”

“That’s what I’m planning,” I responded once we got to where the halls diverged to different locker rooms. “I’ll see you in a bit Ozzy.”

“See ya,” he responded as we made our way to the locker rooms.

After a quick shower to wash off the tub water’s chemicals, and dried myself off, I went to the locker where I stored my things in my nude form. As I got the stuff out, I recalled what Princess Luna was telling me during our recent talk in my nightmare.

Your dear human friend is carrying something dreadful that’s locked within his heart my little pony. It has been troubling him in forms of nightmares over the past week that I haven’t been able to see into yet, which shows just how bad his circumstances are. It perhaps may be wise to keep a safe distance from him until I know for sure what’s going on.

I don’t know why Ozzy hasn’t told Shiny or me about these nightmares yet. Probably because of how he doesn’t want us to worry about it when I have my interview with Vogue to focus on, and he’s one who’d rather take care of personal problems on his own; however, holding something like this from us isn’t healthy for him, and only leaves me more concerned for his safety. I won’t press him on it, considering how he values his privacy if our conversation yesterday morning was any indication, but I’ll step in if it somehow gets out of hand. I may not know what’s inside Ozzy’s heart, but for what he has done for me and Shiny, even if I might get into dangerous territory, I want to do everything I can to help him in return.

I then cupped my bare breasts while recalling what Ozzy told me about his wake up that morning, making me heat up in the cheeks just imagining the thought.

Perhaps I can understand why I’m feeling this way for him in the process, and see what I can do about it once I know for sure… Maybe experiment something further than this while the two of us are awake…

I shook out these strange thoughts before I changed into my casual clothes, and met up with Ozzy out front.

[Ozzy’s POV, 8:10 p.m.]

After the two of us rented a few movies from the nearest store, Fleur and I cleaned up, and changed into our nightwear while we waited for Shining to return. Fleur had a violet camisole this time instead of her pink one, and I was in a different ensemble of nightwear myself.

“What time did Shiny say she was coming back?” Fleur asked.

“She said it was after 7:30,” I answered. “She must relishing Puff’s anguish longer than I expected.”

Fleur giggled at that. “I wouldn’t be surprised. She has a punching bag back in her home with his face taped on it for ‘motivation.’ I’m sure she wants to savor every last moment of it. Plus it might take some time for the pizzas to get ready as well.”

“True, true,” I agreed.

Suddenly a few knocks were heard from the door. “Coming!” I exclaimed as I walked over, checked into the peephole, and saw that it was Shining with two pizza boxes of different sizes, and a paper bag. I opened the door for her, and she stepped inside.

“Sorry for getting here so late everypony,” she apologized as she set the stuff down. “I had some trouble finding Puff’s place before I went to grab dinner.”

“How did he take the news?” I asked with a smirk.

“I could hear him crying like a foal after he slammed the door on me,” Shining chuckled. “The look on his face before that was just priceless. At last, my sweet revenge has finally been realized.”

“I’m glad you’re happy then,” I commented.

“Well what are we sitting around for? Let’s eat!” Fleur exclaimed.

“Before we do that Fleur, I have a bit of a surprise for Oz here,” Shining said before she took the smaller pizza box from the top, and brought it over to me.

“For me?” I asked as I took the box.

“Go ahead and open it,” she said with a content smile.

I opened the lid, and my eyes widened at the sight. I could have sworn this was some kind of dream, or a cruel joke, but that thought was overpowered by what may be pure happiness welling up inside my heart. I looked back up to Shining with disbelief. “I-is this… P-Pepperoni?” I asked with a shake in my voice.

“I had some trouble finding a place that sold those,” she commented. “Luckily there was a place ran by a griffon that serves this kind of food in Manehattan. Since you’ve cooked a bunch of meals for us, and endured our diet, I thought this might be to your liking.”

“Awww, Shiny, that’s so sweet,” Fleur cooed.

“Well go on, give it a bite. I want to see the look on your face when you try this,” Shining urged.

I looked back down to the hot, steamy goodness before me, and pulled a slice out of the box. The melted cheese was stringed to the rest of the pie, showing how much cheese they put on this, and how fresh out of the oven it was. Once I got the cheese cut and settled on top of my slice, I made my first bite on it, and my eyes widened. At that moment, I could have sworn angels were singing, celebrating the joy of all that is good and holy of pizza as I chewed. Tears were welling up as I tasted the beautiful, spicy taste of pepperoni, savoring every last bit of flavor until the angels in my head finished their chorus, and I swallowed my bite.

“Shining, I think I’m falling in love with you,” I sniveled, and wiped my eyes from the tears. “Thank you so much for getting this, you have no idea how much I’ve missed this from my world. I’m forever in your debt.”

Shining’s face flustered while her eyes widened before she glanced to the side, crossed her arms, and cleared her throat. “J-jeez Oz, no need to get that emotional over food ya big foal… But you’re quite welcome.” She then gave a small smile while her tail flicked a little.

“Well I’m happy you were able to give Ozzy a taste of home Shiny.” Fleur smiled. “Now let’s get some slices ourselves, and watch some movies huh? I got our favorites~.” She levitated over the movies to show, which had Shining widening her eyes.

“The Maretrix, and Pirates of the Mareibbean? Oh yeah, we’re going to have fun tonight,” Shining declared with a smirk.

Shining and Fleur had their first few slices with garlic bread sticks, and soda before the former changed into something more comfortable in the bathroom. I was taking a long time finishing my pie as I was savoring every last bite, and I didn’t care how cold it was already getting. I was only about a third way through before Shining came back with a different tank top and night shorts, and we started the first movie of the night while we had our food. We sat on the same bed as we watched, with me sitting in between the girls. The three of us finished the boxes part of the way through, and I enjoyed the comfort of having both of my friends leaning against me. When we got partway through to the second movie though, I couldn’t remember when I had fallen asleep from the drowsiness as everything went black.

Author's Note

What? You never had Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" played in your head when something magical happens? Eh, whatever.

So it looks like Fleur and Shining are questioning their feelings towards Oz. Question is, who will realize it first, and make the first move after that?

Hope you guys enjoyed that brief clop moment. I'm sure some of you wanted something to happen soon, and I'm glad I gave you something to read over and over again before we get to the real good stuff. Look forward to the next chapter, I'll try to keep my updates back to a consistent pace. Also, let me know in the comments if I made any mistakes in grammar or anything in writing. Anything helps.

This is Dudeler, signing off.