Moondancer

Exhausted as much by adrenaline as the actual tower climbing they had done, Twilight and Moondancer decided to take a break in the orchard. With a little exploration Twilight had found some pear trees that had some edible fruit, and Moondancer had found a small stream bed. The summer heat had turned the brook into a trickle, but there was enough water for them both to freshen up after their recent diversions.

Supplementing their rations with fruit, the girls ate their supper. The peaceful surroundings made things feel positively civilised, and Twilight was happy that they were both once more fully dressed. Once the meal was finished, Twilight sat cross-legged under a tree, her map open in front of her, and engaged 'lecture mode'.

"I've been thinking about why the castle would be abandoned, and have identified a few possibilities. In order of likelihood, they are: A) Disease, B) Environmental Changes, C) A Terrible Curse, D) Political Intervention, and E) Invasion– oh! And F) Whimsy. In order to identify the most probable cause, we shall have to search for evidence for or against each possibility.

"Normally this would be an impossible task, but the preservation spells on this castle are strong. If there are any written records then they may have survived. We should start with this part of the building here," Twilight pointed to a structure on her map, "which appears to be a library."

"How can you tell?"

“It has big, tall, clear, glass windows that let in lots of light.”

“That doesn’t really prove anything, you know. It could instead be a ballroom, for instance.”

Twilight grinned.

“I could also see an awful lot bookshelves through those big, tall windows– Hey!”

Twilight knocked aside the pear core that Moondancer threw at her. Moondancer stuck her tongue out at Twilight.

"Sorry, couldn’t resist,” said Twilight, “But we should definitely head out to the library first. So many old books..." Twilight had a distant, dreamy look in her eyes. "This is going to be so exciting!"

"You got that right!", said Moondancer, with only a hint of sarcasm.

"Well, I think tomorrow we can inspect the library. We may be able explore the castle grounds as well, if we make good time. We might have to start work on the rest of the castle on Firstday, before we're rescued. We will certainly need to do lots of field trips out here to get to the bottom of things."

"Uh, we're not going to do anything more today?"

"The light is already fading a little. We could miss vital clues if we work in the dark. Anyway, we need to pitch the tents while we still have light. Don't worry, I'll come back. My very first dig site. It's going to be great!"

"Uh, could we at least look around the castle? We might get lucky and find something straight away..."

"What's the urgency? There'll be plenty of time to do the castle later. If you want history credit, you have to do things properly."

Moondancer looked a little panicky. She took a deep breath and sighed. "Okay, Twilight, I have a confession. Another one. I was going to keep quiet about it so you'd enjoy it more, but..."

Twilight looked at Moondancer suspiciously, but kept silent.

"You see," she said, gaining confidence, "You didn't actually agree to come out here and help me out of the goodness of your heart. I asked for help, but you weren't really interested. So, I, uh, changed into some other, er, tighter, clothes and made you an offer."

"Tighter clothes?" Twilight asked, with rising pitch, and rising blush.

"Yeah. I knew you liked me, and I was desperate, so I offered you a deal. You would help me get extra credit for History and I'd, um, help you with some extra-curricular practical biology."

"What?!"

"Uh huh. You kinda turned beet red, but agreed. I need something to show Professor Tablets by the end of the week, or I'm done for. So we agreed that you'd, come out and, uh, cut a few corners. We'd give History and 'Biology' 'equal time'. It had to be out here, you were terrified of others finding out. After hearing you come, I can see why. That's why I've been playing with you. Well, one reason why. You are really cute. And why you're wearing that underwear; you knew you'd be getting lucky."

“What?!” Twilight recoiled, “You mean, you mean– You, we, did that only because I’m paying you? I, I– I need to think.” Twilight struggled to her feet.

“No!” Pleaded Moondancer, “No! Twilight! It’s not like that! I like you! I really do! Please…”

Twilight turned to run through the garden and across the bridge, but drew up short when she reached the great barrier she had raised earlier. Moondancer approached slowly, careful to keep her distance and avoid panicking her. Twilight had her back to her, staring out over the ravine that surrounded the castle.

“Twilight! Please listen to me,” said Moonlight, some desperation coming through in her voice, “It’s not like that. I’ve wanted to– I’ve wanted you since first year, but you were never interested. How many parties did I invite you to? How often did I try?”

Twilight was clutching her sides, and slowly shaking her head.

“Twilight, when I realised what– When I thought of asking you for help, I thought I had an angle. A way to meet you half-way. I thought we’d both want the same things: to study history, and to have a little fun. There were lots of other people I could ask. I could have flirted with Lined Notes; he could have helped me get enough extra credit to pass, and I wouldn’t even have had to share his bed.”

“Moondancer. This is a lot to take in. This is not like me. I can’t believe I agreed to this, this arrangement.”

“Twilight, when you agreed, you told me that you wanted me ever since our first swimming lesson together. Tartarus, I packed a swimsuit and plenty of lube just so you could– No. Twilight. You did agree. You wanted this. You even gave me a list of all the stuff you wanted to try. You said you wanted the thrill. Please believe me.”

“It– It’s true that I first noticed you during that swimming lesson. I never told anyone that. But this just isn’t like me.”

“Twilight, what would it take? You dressed yourself this morning, including those panties, and I’m not the one who shaved your pussy.”

Twilight turned to face Moondancer.

“I gave you a list? Do you still have it?”

“Yes! Yes, it’s in my pack. Hold on.”

Moondancer feverishly rooted around in her backpack, before triumphantly pulling out a long roll of paper. She closed the distance between them to hand it over.

“That’s my handwriting, and, uh, it is the kind of thing I– Um. Wow. I really had the guts to write this? ‘Erotic massage’? ‘Bondage’?! ‘Spanking’?!”

“I did actually warn you that your ‘erotic massage’ would likely end up just being me groping you, with a lot of lube involved. You didn’t actually seem to mind that much.”

“Oh… Moondancer, I’m really sorry I doubted you. But, do you really want to do this? I mean, now that we’re out here, we could just explore the ruins. That would get you your extra credit. No need to, um…”

Moondancer took another step forward, into Twilight’s personal space. Moondancer tentatively reached her arms around Twilight’s waist, and gently pulled her forward until their hips were touching. She looked deep into Twilight’s eyes.

“Twilight, I promise you: if you had actually turned up to any of my parties, I wouldn’t have rested until we had done at least half of that list. You are not getting away from me that easily.”

“Ha ha. I’m doomed, am I?”

“Absolutely. No escape. Is that a problem?”

“Well, there is one problem,” said Twilight, secretly delighting in the slight edge of trepidation in Moondancer’s eyes, “If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it properly.”

“Huh?”

Twilight pulled away from Moondancer to fish quill and ink from her pack.

“Moondancer, don’t you know that half the fun of lists comes from checking the completed items?”

The quill was quickly dipped in the ink, and a big, clear check was placed next to the line that read ‘Fingering’.

“There!” said Twilight, beaming.

Moondancer smiled, shaking her head in bemusement.

“Okay, Twilight. Our original agreement was this: every time we make progress with our exploration, we do something from your list. You okay with that?”

“Sounds good.”

“Great, then let’s get our camp set up. Might as well pitch the tent in the orchard, so we don’t have to lug it around when we explore.”

Moondancer struggled with the tent. Twilight watched. More specifically, she watched Moondancer’s butt.

“I’d help you set up the tent, Moondancer, but I haven’t been camping before, and we can’t find the instructions…” she said, helpfully.

“Ungh, no problem, Twi. I– Grr– I can manage,” said Moondancer, trying to work out which way up it should go. She was on all-fours and Twilight was really enjoying the view, complete with the slight frisson of guilt. She really should be helping…

“–Wait. I’ve only checked one item on this list. Are you telling me that after finding this castle, making it safe, mapping it out, and making a plan, I’ve only earned one item?”

“Twilight, *huf*, I would love to review *unf* the tally and reward you appropriately, really,” said Moondancer, with as little frustrated sarcasm as she could manage, which was admittedly still a great deal, “But I really need to get this blasted tent set up. I promise, once that's done, I’ll be only too happy to fuck your brains out, or whatever.”

Moondancer fell back in surprise when a lilac glow surrounded the tent. The tent righted itself in a blur, the guy ropes shot out and anchored themselves to tree roots, or were pegged to the ground. The tent inflated with a snap, and the tent poles flew in to support the canopy. The bedrolls followed fast behind. Moondancer blinked; it had all taken a few seconds.

“Wow,” Moondancer turned to smirk at Twilight’s nervous grin, “Eager, much?”

Twilight just blushed.

“Well, that saved some time. And I do owe you something for our progress so far.”

Moondancer stood tall and casually undid the band that held her hair in its ponytail. The band was casually tossed to land near her pack, the bandana following after. With a shake of her head, her long red hair floated free. She met Twilight’s eyes and grinned.

“I don’t know about you, but it’s been a long day, and the sun’s pretty warm. I think I need to cool down a little.”

Moondancer slipped out of the jacket and let it drop to the ground. She gripped the hem of her t-shirt with both hands. Twilight nervously bit her lip, her eyes fixed on Moondancer. With agonising slowness, Moondancer pulled up the shirt, exposing a toned midriff and then a balconette bra that was as scandalously red as her panties. Soon the shirt, too, was added to the pile of discarded clothes.

“Liking the show so far– No, no, Twilight, don’t turn away. This is for you, after all.”

Twilight’s blush was bright, her hands flexed nervously, and she didn’t know where to look. Moondancer grinned wickedly, clearly enjoying Twilight’s excitement and unease.

It is hard to remove boots sexily, so Moondancer settled for deftly untying both sets of boot laces, and removing both boots and socks telekinetically. Twilight admired skilled use of magic, after all. The jeans came down slowly, pulled down by Moondancer’s magic. She gyrated her hips, with arms akimbo, as they fell.

It seemed to take forever for Moondancer’s cutiemark to show itself. The silver-crescent-moon-draped-with-red-silk cutiemark had haunted Twilight’s fantasies since that first swimming lesson. Twilight had suffered many a long night fantasising outlandish scenarios where she could get to see it up close. Twilight yearned to be that silk.

Moondancer stepped out of the jeans when they reached the grass, and kicked them aside. She was now only wearing the bra and panties.

“Twilight, could you help me with my undies, please?” she asked Twilight.

Twilight jerked her head back with surprise, but nodded. She nervously tried to walk around Moondancer to reach the bra strap, but Moondancer stopped her.

“Nope, sorry Twilight. You’re going to have to reach around.”

Blushing furiously, Twilight reached both arms around Moondancer and fumbled for the catch, her face held uncomfortably (and delightfully) close to Moondancer’s breasts. She quickly released the bra strap and stood back. Moondancer dropped it on top of the growing pile, letting her breasts free.

“Ah, that’s better. Thanks Twilight. The panties, now, please. Ah ah ah! Not with your hands. Or your magic. You may use your teeth…”

Twilight’s blush was the same colour as Moondancer’s panties. Her fantasies had never been this good.

“Keep trying… *Oooh* Nearly there… That’s good… There you go! Good job!”

Twilight slowly worked the panties down, getting an excellent view of Moondancer’s cutiemark, landing strip, and her excitement.

“Good girl. Now, I’m going to have a little lie-down. If you want to lie-down with me, do take your clothes off first.”

Moondancer knelt down onto all fours, and turned away from Twilight, to crawl into the tent. Twilight’s heart thudded at the sight Moondancer presented of herself. Twilight mentally calculated how long it would take to remove all the clothes she was wearing, and groaned.

“Twilight,” called Moondancer from inside the tent, “do hurry, or I might get started without you…”

Twilight blinked. She teleported out of her clothes, boots and all, and eagerly crawled inside. Her clothes hung suspended in the air for a microsecond before collapsing into a pile next to Moondancer’s.

Twilight Sparkle and Moondancer dressed silently, casting subdued glances to each other. Twilight awkwardly did a re-inventory of the items in her pack, and tried to arrange them neatly while she waited for Moondancer to get ready.

“Let’s check out the library,” said Twilight, “There’s still some light.”

“Okay.”

They walked through the garden to the great castle doors in uncomfortable silence. Twilight pushed open the rotting remains of the doors with her magic and peered into the dimly lit foyer. She entered cautiously, while Moondancer stood back, chewing her lip.

Twilight turned back to Moondancer to say something, but caught herself.

Moondancer had been absently staring at her butt, but blinked and raised her eyes to Twilight’s face, startled.

“Nevermind,” said Twilight.

“What?”

“Nevermind.”

“No, what?”

“Urgh. I was just going to say that it looks safe, but you really didn’t look too worried, so nevermind.”

“Twilight, I’m thorry–”

“No, really. It’s fine. I’ve been thinking things through: this will go a lot quicker if we skips this stupid ‘reward sex’ business. With no distractions to slow us down, you’ll get your ‘A’ easily by the time we’re rescued.”

Moondancer took a step back, alarmed.

“Twilight, no–”

“Moondancer. It was a stupid idea, as we have amply proven. Don’t worry, we’ll get you your ‘A’ and never speak of our stupid agreement again. Okay?”

“No! It’th not thtupid. We are doing thith!”

“It is stupid. Childish. I’m sorry! Alright? I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have made this idiotic deal–”

“No! It’th my fault! I wath puthing too hard–”

Twilight smirked, and then look chagrined.

“Argh,” said Moondancer, and then held up an arresting finger. She shucked off her pack and quickly got out the White Fire balm. Moondancer took a deep breath.

“Moondancer, no. Please, it’s my fault! I’m sorry. I should have…”

Moondancer glared at Twilight and then put some of the balm in her mouth. Twilight winced in sympathy. Moondancer yelled in pain.

“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck, that hurt! Owwwwwww!”

“Moondancer–”

Moondancer held up a blocking hand to quiet Twilight, and took a deep breath before gracefully rising back to her feet.

“No. Twilight. No. I did not just stick White Fire Balm in my mouth just to hear you apologise. Listen.”

Twilight swallowed and hugged herself, but didn’t speak.

“Twilight, do NOT apologise. You did nothing wrong. We ARE going to spend equal time– No, fuck that. We are going to have SEX. We are going to have lots of sex. Twilight, not everything that people do in bed works. Please believe me. We tried something. It didn’t work. That means we need to try something else. We are NOT just going to give up because you don’t like oral sex. Forget my bloody history grade. This is more important.”

“Moondancer, you tried. You really really tried. You tried to give me cunnilingus for so long that your tongue got a lisp. I just don’t think that I’m, you know, sexual like that. It’s okay. I don’t mind. I love my books, and learning stuff, and–”

“Don’t give me that. You were sexual enough on the wall. We just need to find what turns you on, that’s all.”

“But–”

“No buts. Twilight, you told me you were really looking forward to this trip. If it turns out that the only thing that makes you come is being fingered while you map a ruin from on top of a crumbling wall, then I promise you that is what we’ll do.”

Twilight stifled a giggle.

“No, I’m serious,” said a broadly grinning Moondancer, “You find something I can put in a report, we’ll tear up the map, climb up the nearest pile of rocks, and you can map the place all over again. We’ll do it however many times you like! Although I may try to persuade you to make your map while standing on a small rock or something; climbing that tower did a number on my jeans.”

Twilight couldn’t hide her giggles now.

“Thanks, Moondancer, but mapping doesn’t really turn me on. Well, um, not that much anyway.”

“Promise still stands, Twilight. We’ll find out what it takes. Come on, let’s find that library. We’re wasting light.”