Standing the Heat

"So darling, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?" asked Rarity as soon as they were out of earshot of the nearest ponies.

"It's nothing really... In fact, I'm sure you're going to tell me I'm over reacting. I don't even know why I'm bothering you with it..."

"Twilight, would you stop babbling and please just tell me what's wrong?"

"Well... It's just... You know how Richard didn't seem to be responding to the potion? Do you think there's a chance he wasn't joking last night? That he could deal with the heat as easily as he said? That I could lose?"

"Hmm," Rarity hummed thoughtfully as they passed the first few buildings. "Well, I suppose it's possible. But I do think you're rather fussing over nothing. I mean, when we're in heat, it doesn't come on thick and fast does it? It normally builds up over the week. I'm guessing that's how it will work for him."

"But what if it doesn't?" asked Twilight, an edge of panic. "What if he deals with it easily? I can't afford to lose. After what we've put him through, I wouldn't be surprised if he puts me through Tarturus."

"Well, 'if' that is the case, which I highly doubt, you'll just need to ignite the spark to turn his heat into an inferno."

"And how do you suppose I do that Rarity?"

"Why, you use you feminine wiles of course."

"My what?" Twilight spluttered as her cheeks blushed crimson. "You know as well as I do, Rarity, that I have absolutely no experience in that field whatsoever."

"Well then, it's good you have a friend who can teach you these things, isn't it?" Rarity punctuated her remark with a small sway of the hips and a precisely calibrated flick of the tale which immediately caught the eye of the nearest stallion, who was immediately berated by the mare accompanying him. "See?"

"But I only have a week. How do you expect me to learn enough in the week? I suck with this sort of stuff, it's why I could never ask Flash Sentry out."

"Well, it's not as if you'd be flirting with Richard for real, darling. Besides, I'm sure what you'd lack in experience you'd make up in attraction."

"What in Equestria do you mean by that, Rarity?"

"I mean, all joking by Rainbow aside, Richard does seem to have taken rather a liking to you."

"Well duh, we're friends." said Twilight causing Rarity to roll her eyes.

"No, Twilight, I mean he has taking a 'liking' to you." Rarity repeated, hoping her emphasis wasn't lost on her companion.

"Oh..." Twilight's cheeks turning an even darker shade of red as she understood. "But... Why..?"

"Why not?" asked Rarity with a smile. "You're a very attractive and well read mare. You're kind, loving, and lets not forget the fact you're a Princess. I'm actually surprised there aren't droves of ponies outside your palace day and night trying to be your suitor." Twilight's blush extended from her cheeks to consume her whole head as she dealt with the barrage of compliments.

"I'm really not..."

"Nonsense, darling, you really are quite a catch."

"But I'm not even the same species as him."

"Doesn't stop little Spikey Wikey now, does it?"

"That's different, Spike is..."

"Spike is what exactly? Young? A dragon? A perfect example of a gentledrake? None of which explain why it's okay for him to like me and not okay for Richard to like you."

"Spike's from our world, Richard isn't. And I didn't say it's wrong for Richard to like me, I'm just saying Spike has more reason to like a pony since he's been raised among them."

"They had pony's back in his world didn't they?"

"Well, yes. But the ponies on his world are nothing more than animals, hardly a fair comparison. In fact, it's just another reason why it makes no sense for him to like me."

Rarity let out a sorrowful sigh.

"I'm sorry Twilight, as much as I'd love to spend time convincing you of your attractive qualities, I've got a lot of work to do and you need to catch up on some sleep." Twilight nodded sleepily in agreement. "Still, I suppose if I hurry my work up and miss my mid morning tea I can be ready to meet you for a late lunch, say around three?"

"That sounds lovely, Rarity, thanks."

"Just glad I can be of help, darling," Rarity said with a smile. "Now you trot along and get yourself some sleep. I'll meet you at the small café in town and we can discuss how to handle the situation from there."

Twilight gave Rarity another tired nod before heading back up the path towards the palace, leaving Rarity alone on what remained of the short walk to Carousel Boutique.

'Now, how to push Richard's buttons?' Rarity asked herself. 'He's always so... shy, I suppose that's the best word for it, around Twilight. I mean, it's clear to anyone apart from Twilight he's smitten with her, but if I could work out the exact reason, everything will be so much easier.'

Finally reaching her destination, Rarity opened the door to her home, chewing on her cheek as she mulled over the problem.

"Sweetie Belle, darling, I'm home!"

Twilight approached the café nervously, her stomach a knot of discomfort filled butterflies as she considered what she was about to learn. How to flirt. Something she'd never really ever paid much interest too. Sure, she'd been interested in a couple of stallions in her life, but she'd never had the confidence to try and 'attract' their attention. And now here she was, about to learn how to do it for a bet.

Spotting Rarity waving at her from a table, she swallowed. This was it, she was going to learn how to manipulate the members of the opposite sex. Passing quickly past the greeter at the entrance to the café, she made her way over to Rarity's table and took her seat opposite her friend.

"Good afternoon, Rarity, I hope you got your dresses done okay."

"Indeed I did, Twilight, and might I say you look a lot better than you did this morning. It seems you slept well." Twilight nodded her agreement.

"Yes I did. Now, about Richard..."

Rarity silenced Twilight with a raised hoof.

"Please can that wait until after we eat? After a morning of running around my workshop I'm absolutely famished."

"That sounds nice, I haven't actually eaten myself yet today." Twilight said with a smile as she picked up a menu from the table and opened it up, quickly gazing down the list of foods on offer.

As they both looked over their menus, neither one noticed as a waiter approached their table.

"Ahem," the waiter coughed, announcing his presence. Placing down her menu to take the waiter in, Twilight was immediately struck by his smile, it was blinding white and stretched to the point where it moved beyond genuine into cheesy.

"Good afternoon ladies, I'm Silver Platter and I shall be waiting on you today. Are you ready to order or do you need some more time?"

Doing her best to stifle a chuckle, Twilight glanced at Rarity to see if she was ready to order and was surprised to find her friend staring at the waiter, Rarity's jaw hanging slightly open as she did her best to respond.

"Um..." said Twilight trying to come to her friends rescue. "I think we need a few more minutes, thank you."

"Very well, If you need me, you need only call and I'll be here right away."

The moment he left, Twilight turned to her friend once more to find her gasping.

"Wow..." whispered Rarity as she began giggling like a school filly.

"Wow?" asked Twilight confused. "What in Equestria do you mean?"

"Did you not see him, Twilight? He's absolutely, positively handsome."

"You really think so? He just looked so cheesy to me."

"Well, darling, every mare has different tastes I suppose. But that suit... And those muscles... What I wouldn't give to design for a stallion like him."

"Rarity..." Twilight sighed. "I thought you said we were going to eat before we got to flirting."

Rarity's cheeks blushed for a second before getting herself under control again.

"Well, yes of course, darling. But a lady can appreciate the view while she eats."

"You haven't even ordered yet..."

"All in due time, Twilight, you should never rush a lady."

"Fine." said Twilight picking up her menu once more. "Do you have any idea what you'd like to order?"

"Hmm, I feel in the mood for a bit of foreign cuisine today, I think. Perhaps the kebabs..."

Twilight scanned the menu and quickly found the kebabs. Skewered pieces of fruits and vegetables cooked over an open flame and glazed with sweet and sour sauce. Her mouth already salivating at the thought.

"Hmm, they sound lovely Rarity, I think I might order some as well."

"Very well, shall we order then?"

"Sure."

Rarity raised her hoof and let out a rather dainty cough, immediately drawing the attention of their waiter who hastily made his way over to their table.

"So, what can I get you two?" he asked, once more flashing his eye wateringly blinding grin.

"I'll have the kebabs, please." said Rarity.

"Certainly, and to drink?"

"I'll have some mineral water."

"And for you miss," he said turning to Twilight. "What would you like to eat?"

"I'll also have some kebabs as well please."

"And to drink?"

"I'll have a strawberry milkshake please."

"Certainly. Is that everything?" Both mares nodded in response. "Very well, I'll just go and get your drinks now and bring your food over when it's cooked." With a quick bow he turned and left them to their own devices.

"Well, that certainly was wonderful wasn't it?" Rarity said rhetorically as she lowered her last empty skewer to the plate, her meal now devoured.

"Yes." agreed Twilight. "That wasn't half bad."

Pushing their empty plate forwards, both of which were taken almost immediately by Silver.

'Say what you want about his behavior,' thought Twilight. 'But the level of service he provides is stellar.'

"So..." said Rarity

"So..." parroted Twilight.

"I believe I was going to teach you how to get Richard all hot and bothered." Rarity's openness of the subject causing Twilight to go red.

"Y-yes." Twilight stuttered. "I-I believe w-we w-were."

"Now, I spent all morning thinking about this while working and I think the main problem we're faced with is your lack of confidence. It's clear from our small chat this morning that you don't think there's a reason for him to be attracted to you, which is clearly preposterous as I said. You really are an attractive mare."

Rarity flashed Twilight a comforting smile as she started turning beet red

"This really is an easy problem to solve. Though, for your sake, I'm going to take it slowly. After all, he's already attracted to you so there's no need to grab his attention. Instead your aim should be to get him thinking you might be interested back."

"How do I do that?"

"It all depends on your experience level. Mares with more experience might be able to signal with a sway of a hips or a twitch of a tail or a flutter of the eyelashes. But for you, I think we will start off with a gentle touch."

"A gentle touch?"

"You know what I mean Twilight. Gently touching his arm in conversation, letting a hug linger a little longer than normal, that sort of thing."

"Oh... Okay, I think I can do that."

"Well, go on then." purred Rarity

"What now?"

"No time like the present."

"But I don't even know where he is." said Twilight.

"Hmm, that is a little bit of a problem. Maybe one of our friends has seen him." Rarity glanced at the town around them before eventually spotting a dash of rainbow hanging over the edge of a nearby cloud.

"Hey Rainbow Dash, is that you?!" Rarity called.

"Huh, Rarity?!" Rainbow Dash called back as she poked her head over the clouds edge. Noticing her friends sat at the table below, she took flight and within seconds landed on the ground next to their table, much to the distress of several other customers. "What's up?"

"Aren't you supposed to be practicing your stunts?" asked Twilight.

"Yeah, well, it's a bit dull with no one to watch, so decided to laze around until later. Richard said he would watch me when he's done. So what did you two want? I was about to nap you know."

"Actually, it's about Richard." said Rarity. "You wouldn't happen to know where he is?"

"He said he was spending the day building a fence for some mare called Roseluck. My guess is he's still there."

"Thanks Rainbow, you can get back to your napping now if you want." said Rarity.

"Oh, yeah, sure. Seeya later." Rainbow took to the air, eager to get some sleep.

"Oh, this is perfect." Rarity squeed, clapping her hooves excitedly together the moment Rainbow Dash reached her cloud.

"How?"

"Because, now not only do we know where he is, but we also have a reason for you to visit him."

"What do you mean?"

"Use your head Twilight, he's been building a fence all day, standing in the sun, he's going to be boiling."

"So..?" asked Twilight confused.

"So, you're going to go and take him something to drink. It gives you a excuse to visit him, and you can practice your 'gentle touch' as you pass him the glass."

"Are you sure about this?"

"Of course I am, Twilight. Oh waiter?" Rarity stuck her hoof in the air drawing the attention of their waiter once more.

"Yes miss?"

"Could we have a pitcher of your finest lemonade please?"

"Of course, miss, coming right up."

"Rarity, I'm really not sure about this." Twilight said as the waiter walked off.

"Why, what's wrong?"

"I don't know, Rarity. It just feels... weird."

"Oh, Twilight, that's natural. It only feels weird because you don't have much experience. Trust me, after this week, you'll not only win the bet, but feel a lot better about flirting."

Twilight gulped, her stomach becoming a nervous pit of butterflies.

"I guess you might be right." Twilight rubbed a hoof nervously across her shoulder

"Oh, don't worry darling. Of course I am." Rarity fixed Twilight with her most comforting smile as the waiter arrived with the pitcher of lemonade which she pushed towards Twilight. "Now, go get him tiger."

"There you go, Miss, that should be the last of it." Richard smiled at the cream coloured mare standing before him as he wiped the sweat from his brow with the shirt held loosely in his hand.

"Hmm." Roseluck hummed as she inspected the newly erected fence, testing it carefully with a hoof. After a couple of tests, she seemed satisfied and pulled her hoof away from the wood with a smile. "You did a good job. A really good job." She positively beamed at him. "You know, when you told me you could get it done in a day, I didn't believe you, not for a second. But the discount you offered if you didn't, well that made it a hard bargain."

"I aim to please, miss." Richard said as he stretched out his various limbs.

"It shows, and please, just call me Roseluck. Makes me feel old with you calling me miss all the time."

"Fair enough then, Roseluck. Now, about my payment..."

"Oh, but of course, silly me. Wait here, I'll just go and get it." Roseluck turned and trotted towards the open backdoor to her home, muttering quietly under her breath. "Now, where did I put my purse?"

Richard watched, almost too attentively, as Roseluck walked into the darkness of her home. Because of this, he was surprised by the gentle tapping of a hoof on his shoulder.

"Hi Richard."

Twilight's familiar voice from behind caused him to turn and see the violet unicorn just standing there, a large smile pasted across her face and a jug of yellow liquid held in her magical grip.

"Um. Hi Twilight, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, you know, a little birdy told me you were out in the sun building a fence and I thought you might be a little hot and bothered so I decided to bring you something to drink."

Richard couldn't help but notice as Twilight pawed at the ground with a hoof as a slight blush appeared on her face.

"Twilight, are you feeling okay?"

"Of course, never felt better. So, how about some lemonade?"

Fixing her with a gaze, Twilight refused to meet his eyes, making it hard for him to believe her. Despite this, he had to admit he was rather hot and bothered and something to drink would definitely hit the spot.

"Sure, I wouldn't mind a glass. It isn't more potion though is it?"

"Nope," Twilight answered with a smile. "It's lemonade."

"Cool, hit me then."

Twilight's horn flared for a split second and Richard watched as a glass appeared next to the jug. Carefully, she filled the glass with lemonade, the glass quickly frosting from the cold liquid. The glass now full, Richard fully expected her to just levitate it into his hands like she usually would, however what happened next shocked him.

Instead of just passing the glass to Richard, Twilight reached up with one hoof and plucked the glass out of her field. Then she reared up on her rear legs, placed her other hoof against Richard's chest for support and personally placed the glass into his open hand.

"Twilight..?" Richard gasped, letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding in. "What are you doing?"

"I'm just handing you some lemonade," she said innocently. "Why do you ask?"

"Because you have a hoof on my chest."

Twilight bit her lip and avoided looking straight at him as her blush deepened.

"Do you not like it?"

It was Richard's turn to blush as he contemplated Twilight's question. Her hoof was warm, soft and gentle, certainly not an unpleasant experience. Yet, at the same time, there was something else. Like a stirring deep inside that emanated from the spot where her hoof contacted his skin. It was strange feeling, both warm and comforting but at the same time left him feeling vulnerable and scared.

Opening his mouth, Richard was saved the embarrassment of answering by the sound of gangling coins as Roseluck returned.

"I'm back, sorry for keeping you busy."

Richard turned to find Roseluck staring at them opened mouthed. For a moment he was terrified she'd seen the awkward moment, but a quick glance down showed Twilight's hoof thankfully absent.

"P-princess," stuttered Roseluck as she bowed. "I w-wasn't expecting you."

"Please, just call me Twilight. And I'm sorry for intruding, Roseluck, I just wanted to bring my friend here a glass of lemonade. Would you like some?" Twilight offered Roseluck as she summoned a second glass, filled it and held it in front of the mare.

"T-thanks." Roseluck nervously plucked the glass from the air before taking a quick sip. "And it's okay, you're always welcome."

"Most kind," Twilight nodded to the mare."Have a good evening Richard, and you too Roseluck."

"You're leaving?" Richard asked, more than a note of disappointment in his voice.

"Yes, sorry. I need to meet up and discuss something with Rarity. I might see you later though."

Before he could respond, there was a flash of light and Twilight was gone, temporarily blinding both Richard and Roseluck. Slowly their eyesight returned, both of them staring at each other over their glasses of lemonade.

"Well, that was certainly strange," said Roseluck, taking another sip of her drink.

"That's one way of putting it," agreed Richard, taking another sip himself. "Mmmm. Nice lemonade though." Roseluck nodded in agreement.