I awoke in a familiar, and most desirable state: my face buried in my Gentleman’s chest, listening to the sound of his slow, rhythmic breathing as we lay tangled together in the hotel bed. Warm, muggy air poured in through the balcony window, the sky having morphed from black to dark blue. I could hear the sound of birds chirping as they heralded the coming of dawn.

Time to start prepping the flowers, I thought to myself sarcastically, unable to defy my infernal, internal clock. I lay awake for awhile just enjoying his warmth and the smell of his musk; my hunter had had a good workout with me last night, rutting me again and again with seemingly endless fortitude. I was going to be sore, but satisfied, for the rest of the day.

The day… he’d be leaving me again in an hour’s time. I felt butterflies in my stomach as I considered what needed to be done. Adjusting my neck upward, I gazed upon his ruddy, handsome face, seeing he was smiling as he slept.

Despite his obvious enjoyment of his time with me, doubt began to creep into my thoughts. Was I really the object of his happiness, or just another satisfied customer? I cringed thinking of myself in line, buying flowers from my own stand with Stuntman behind the counter, dealing with an endless stream of needy and difficult clients just wishing to reach the back of the line so he could take a fifteen-minute break.

That’s ridiculous! Came still another voice within my mind, refuting the other. He gave me his card and a discount so I could see him again that much easier. If he did that with all of his mares, he wouldn’t be able to eat.

If he liked you that much, he’d have just asked you out like the women from his world, my negative side retorted.

Unless he wanted me to do it first: to respect Equestrian traditions and allow me the chance to pursue him romantically. I felt my doubts begin to slip away once more. And this is why I always win!

I gave his right nipple a long, slow lick prompting a surprised gasp from my gentleman in repose. Wow, he’s really sensitive there! I filed that information away for future use.

“Good morning to you too, Rose!” Stuntman responded hugging me tight around the middle and unleashed a flurry of kisses up the length of my neck, returning my favor.

“Compose yourself, Stuntman; if you keep rutting me, you might never be able to settle for second-best.” I rolled on top of him and thrusted forward letting the short hairs of my pale yellow coat tickle his body — he shivered with delight. I felt his stiffened member poke me in the belly. Lyra’s advice comes through for me again! Is there anything that mare doesn’t know about humans?

“You’re not kidding, Rose! Are you going to make me beg this time?” He shivered again as I gave him another thrust.

“I just want to ask you a few questions before you fly off into the sky to give another mare the night of her life.” I gave my lips a slow, seductive lick.

“You certainly have ways of making me talk!” the Gentleman said smoothly, wiggling his eyebrows at me in his signature fashion. “You may ask me whatever you wish.”

I stood up on all fours and looked down at him, drawing strength from my position of authority, and choked down the anxiety that was threatening to resurface. “First, I want to know if you have a marefriend — somepony you’re holding out for.”

Stuntman looked serious for a moment. “Seems you’re after more than my rank and serial number huh?”

“Your what!?” I snapped at him, perhaps a bit too loudly. I reminded myself he was probably just being silly again. Clearing my throat, I spoke again more gently. “What I meant to say is, whatever do you mean?”

He gave me an appraising look. “We’re making progress already, not a single punch thrown in anger!”

I grinned sheepishly, remembering my unprovoked attack from our first encounter. “S-sorry!”

Stuntman reached up with both hands and began to massage my belly, parting the fur with his fingers with practiced manipulation. “It was a joke of sorts. when a soldier was captured on earth, back before we stopped using serial numbers, he was only required to give his name, rank, and serial number to his captors — a rule established by the Geneva Convention governing the rules of war. Today it's just name and rank, though most of my home country's enemies don't hold to any civilized code.”

“Rules of war?” I wasn't sure whether or not to be relieved that at least war was organized or disturbed that war was so prevalent as to require rules.

“To prevent war from going too far. We hold to the idea that life should turn back to normal as quickly as possible when hostilities have ceased, and set in place internationally recognized rules called the Geneva Convention regarding the treatment of war prisoners and captive populations. It outlaws torturing or starving captured soldiers for information, for example, and orders punishment against those who would. .”

My ears splayed back against my head. “Humans torture others of your kind? That's unthinkable to me! You're such a... good person…”

Stuntman looked at me sadly, continuing to message me. “Well not me personally or my parent nation, but there are people and regimes desperate or evil enough to do so as a means to an end. We're not proud of that fact, but recently on earth, people are talking about it more, and working to end it.”

I shook my head sadly. “We've had our share of torture from the likes of Nightmare Moon, and King Sombra, but this was so long ago that nopony alive, save for our Princess Celestia were alive to see it. We've never needed any such rules to survive. Your species carries a terrible weight of responsibility that it must confront such a threat.”

Richard nodded solemnly. “We do, but so long as I'm living, I'll work to make things better for my new home — to pay back your people's trust and kindness, however, I can.”

“You are a great, big sweetheart, Stuntman…” We embraced each other, my mind racing from everything he'd said. Can humanity be all that dangerous when even one of their warriors spoke so passionately for the virtues of peace?

After breaking our hug, he looked at me again, his face smiling once more. “As to your previous question, I am currently single.”

Dare I hope for the best? I plowed forward, “but you do have favorite clients I’m guessing. That’s why you gave me a discount!”

He nodded. “Most gentlemen have favorites that match their tastes. Me? I’m quite partial to mares with a certain love for danger and excitement like yourself!”

I felt my heart skip a beat at his admission. So far so good, Rose. Don’t screw up! I reminded myself, brushing the forelock of my mane away from my eyes out of nervousness. “Have you considered settling down with one?”

Stuntman continued to run his fingers through my coat, his expression polite but neutral. “I’ve had many girlfriends back on Earth and a few marefriends here in Equestria as well. I’ve never been married or even kept a relationship going for more than six months; I grew up in a military family and we were constantly on the move. You don’t keep romantic or even platonic relationships for very long when you’re a serviceman.” His expression went sad for a moment.

My ears drooped at his confession and the genuine pain in his eyes. How can anypony live such a life? “I can’t even imagine! I’m still friends with everypony I knew in school. I’ve lived in Ponyville my entire life, and I don’t know what I’d do without my friends.”

“You learn to make new ones. It isn’t the life for everyone though, and you have to learn to let go.” He sighed, but his handsome smile never faltered. “I suppose one day I’ll settle down, set up roots and enjoy life on the ground, but the sky has been the only constant thing in my life. And in all honesty... I need it, Rose. I may not have wings, but it’s a part of me as much as any pegasus.”

I considered my next words carefully. “I’m not asking you to give it up. I just think you’ll find life on the ground has much more to offer than you realize, Stuntman.” I grazed his groin with my tail, watching his eyes to admire the effect. I was so close, I could taste it! “Flowers need the sky, but also have to stay rooted in order to bloom, too.” I was proud of myself for coming up with the analogy.

He smiled at that, reaching up to run a hand through my mane. “If I were a betting man, Rose, I’d say you could bring anyone out of the sky,” he said with a longing in his voice that sounded out of place for the self-assured human.

“Oh?” I gently massaged his chest with my forehooves, allowing the gentle suction to have the desired impact as I prepared my finishing stroke. “Perhaps even you, great hunter? Am I truly the mare that can bring you down from Mount Olympus and have you walk amongst mere mortals?” I struck a Shakesponian tone, proud of my knowledge of human mythology.

Stuntman snickered. Then he sat up and looked at me, suddenly serious. “I do like you, Rose, and… I would like to give you that chance, but I must give you fair warning: I’m still a Gentleman, and I can’t just up and quit. You’re a wonderful mare Rose, and I don’t want to give you any false expectations.”

My brow furrowed, suddenly remembering some of the uglier rumors I’d heard about G4M. “You can’t quit? I hope you don’t mean you’re doing this against your will or something…”

He shook his head hard. “No, I mean I’m under contract for the next year, and I stand to lose a lot of money by breaking it; the rent on my Manehatten apartment isn’t cheap either.” He took my right hoof in both hands, gently rubbing the short fetlock stubs that had grown out.

I had a sudden moment of self-consciousness about the fact I’d let them grow out like that, quickly replaced by the implications of what he’d said. Of course he had his own life and responsibilities to think about, and it was foalish of me to think otherwise. He couldn’t just move right in, and Manehatten was hundreds of miles away. He could also have a hundred marefriends already for all I know...

He must have read the look on my face accurately because he continued, “Rose, don’t take this the wrong way, but I can’t help but ask… are you sure a guy like me is really what you want?”

“Yes!” I stomped my hoof down onto the bed, provoking a stunned reaction from Stuntman, perhaps worried that he was about to get punched again. “Listen, I’m not new to stallions, Stuntman. Men definitely, but not stallions; I know the difference between a serious relationship and doing your job,” I sighed. “I’d sure rather be getting paid to do your job than mine, but that’s a different story.”

Stuntman laughed in amusement and relief. “I hear that a lot, and I don’t doubt it! It’s a good life, even if it’s not perfect and not for everyone. I really do see myself retiring one day and settling down though, but for now, the reality is even we do get into a relationship, you won’t be able to see me every day or even every week. I’ll be all over Equestria doing what I can to make mares happy. If you really do want to do this though... I will make time to come and see you so we can spend time together.”

“I trust you, Stuntman,” I said plainly, my eyes watering and heart leaping, my very spirit doing somersaults in midair. “I know that you’ll remember my face no matter who you’re with, and I know you’ll come back to me.” I gripped him tightly, praying to Cadance herself to intervene on my behalf.

He kissed me deeply. “Please, call me Richard from now on, Rose. I trust you to not tell others of my real name. There are ponies out there, and people for that matter, who don’t really approve of my occupation. Gentlemen have already been exposed, and I don’t want to be one of them.”

I nodded. “Your secret is safe with me, ree-kard!” I repeated, pronouncing his name with the strange accent as he had.

I didn’t want to believe I could have won him so easily. The most beautiful and sought-after man in Equestria wanted to give me the chance of a lifetime to keep him warm and safe. Well, maybe not safe if really wanted to keep flying… I’m sure I can negotiate him down on that later, I assured myself confidently.

“Thank you, Roseluck. Shall we wash up before I go?” He gestured towards the bathroom.

“Aww, I like the way you smell!” I teased.

“Well I do have to think about the best wishes of my boss, too; she’s coming to pick me up and has to smell me all the way back to Manehatten.” He went for his bag and got a change of clothes.

“How very considerate of you, handsome!” I climbed out of bed and opened the door for him. “Shall we?”

“Surely!” After a brief stand-off at the door waiting for the other to enter first, we laughed and he settled on carrying me inside so we could both go first. Sometimes I curse my Equestrian politeness streak.

I didn’t get the sex in the shower I’d been expecting, taking me by complete surprise. That’s not to say the experience was unwelcome though. For the most part, my meetups with stallions follow a predictable course: I get their attention, we go for foreplay if he’s into that sort of thing, and we rut until he gets tired and goes to sleep. There’s an unwritten rule among mares that even if you’re just in it for the fun, you do have to work to be as good as possible at pleasing your stallion. This isn’t to say that all stallions are awful, oppressive jerks, but that it’s bordering on the impossible to have one tend to you the way I was that morning.

Instead of a shower, he drew me a bath and worked his magic on me with his fingers, washing and rinsing away the scent of the stale remnants from our night of passion. I was astonished to find such modern features as a detachable shower head which used to go over one part of me at a time. His skill with the brush was also on display, as he worked out the tangles and brushed them straight without a single broken strand. I thought he was done, but he shook his head with a smile and finished up by massaging my back, working the kinks out of it from all the work I’d done the previous week.

“Do you ever tire of making me feel beautiful, Richard?” I asked, turning to face him after he messaged the last of my stiff spots, gently pounding on it to break the tension before stroking it away with his fingers.

“It’s not a task that requires effort, but a privilege to be enjoyed, my little pony.” He kissed me gently on both sides of my muzzle.

I resisted the urge to dance at that knowing our time left was short; it was only minutes until the sun came up according to the clock on the table. “When will we see each other again, Richard? You aren’t even gone yet, and I already miss you!”

He thought about that for a moment. “I should be able to make time in two weeks, but I’m not certain on the day just yet.” Richard took out one of his Gentleman calling cards and wrote down two phone numbers on it. “The top one is to my apartment, but I’m only really there in the morning and I’m usually sleeping. The second number will let you leave me a message at my work. I’m not very predictable as far as when to call me, so I’ll make the effort to call you whenever is best for you.”

Such a noble stallion he is! “Anytime after 6 P.M. is fine for me so I don’t tie up the line for customers trying to call us up.” I gave him my number in return.

We exited the bathroom just as the sun rose up into the sky — time’s up. After one last kiss goodbye — our first as a real couple — we bid each other farewell. I watched from the balcony as he climbed into his chariot still elated at the prospect of having such a wonderful companion. I was on top of the world, and everything was going to be totally awesome. I checked out of the hotel, picked up a train back to Ponyville and back into reality.

Author's Note

Edited 5/28/2015. Added more to Roseluck's Interrogation, because 'cultural differences' and all that.

5/22/2018: Grammarly edit.