I finally managed to pin Rarity down a moment in private. "Rarity, I have a few questions about mares, if you have a moment?"

Rarity hiked a brow. "Oh my, we've just barely met, good sir."

I blushed even as I laughed. "Not like that. It's about mares in general." I waved a hoof at her. "How... Uh... This is going to sound bad, but I'm asking with honest curiosity, not trying to offend."

Rarity looked a bit more serious as she turned to look at me with her large eyes. "Alright. You have my attention dear. I will treat this with all the gravity it deserves. What's on your mind?"

I took a slow breath. "Alright, if two ponies... have sex, what usually happens afterwards?"

Rarity raised a brow high even as her cheeks colored. "I do hope this isn't about the birds and the bees. You do know where foals come from, do you not? I can scarcely believe such a strapping stallion would be unaware of it."

I shook my head quickly. "I know that part. I mean... relationship wise? Does sex mean something by itself?"

"By itself?" Rarity looked quite baffled a moment. "Well, I do suppose that depends who you ask, darling. Some ponies are more... liberated... about that kind of thing. If you're asking if you should have sex before marriage, I suggest against it. What would you do if you gave some poor mare a foal?" She fluttered her lashes. "That would be most ungentlecoltly of you."

I sat down on my haunches like a dog would. "Rarity. I had sex with someon--pony, and now she's acting like we're practically already married. Is that normal?"

Rarity frowned a little. "If she offered and you accepted... That is usually only done between already close couples. Do you... have feelings for her as well?" Her frown deepened into a scowl. "Is she some sort of trollop, trying to seduce you, sir knight?"

The mental image of Bed Time with bedroom eyes and seductive negligee made me giggle. "I don't think she's trying to be a bad pony. She seems to genuinely like me, and I... think I like her? It just feels so fast."

Rarity raised a hoof to my shoulder. "Then follow your heart. I know that sounds terribly cliche, but it remains true. If she truly makes your heart flutter, perhaps a life at her side isn't the worst thing that could happen? On the other hoof." She lowered the hoof to the ground. "If you don't wish to proceed, do not engage in... that... again. A first time could be described as an error of judgement, a second would be outright cruelty on your part. To, er, mount... a lady is to accept her as part of yourself. To accept a stallion in being mounted is much the same for her end of things. Your coupling should be a serious event, not an idle tryst."

I nodded slowly, thinking about it. "Alright... I think... You've been very helpful, Rarity. If I want to continue, then just do as I have been doing, but if not, we should keep it to hugs at most."

Rarity nodded her head with smile. "Precisely so. Be honest, with yourself, and her. Love can be a very thorny issue, but I have every confidence you will handle it with the grace required."

She rose and returned to the gathering just as Bed Time came up beside me and nuzzled into my neck I flinched in surprise, but quickly melted into her. "Hey Bed."

Bed yawned softly. "Parties always wear me out."

I wondered at that. "Are you sure?"

Bed paused, then frowned. A tremble ran through her body. "No..."

I felt guilty for throwing that existential grenade at her and turned to her. We shared a soft kiss and the moment was soon forgotten. "Well we got what we came for. Rarity will get to work on your suit."

Bed smiled brightly. "I'm sure it'll look great. So, uh... What were you talking to Rarity about?"

I considered a dozen different white lies before deciding to take Rarity's advice and try honesty. "I was asking about our time together, and how quickly ponies usually move relationships."

Bed Time perked her ears, looking at once nervous and hopeful. "Oh? Did... What did you say? What did she say? She took a half-step back. "I'm being rude. You don't have to answer that."

I advanced with her and rubbed snouts together. "It's OK. I never had sex with a pony before. You surprised me when you started acting like a wife the next morning."

Bed flushed darkly. "It felt right... If I'm annoying you..."

I rubbed nose-tips together gently. "You haven't annoyed me so far, just spooked me. I want to give this a try, a real try." Her expression brightened. "You're a good pony, and like you said, there's nothing tying you here. Worst comes to worst, you come with me after the game." Extradimensional loyal wife who knows how to cook and clean and keep a house? There are worse things one can get out of this. Besides, I really did like being around her, as I found every time we were together.

She perked an ear. "I had a question... If we find a way to, would you consider... staying here, in Equestria? You could be a hero here."

At what price? I wasn't sure I was quite that sold on the pony physique, wings and all, to trade in the human form forever. "I'm not ready for that leap. I will say, if I was staying here, I'd definitely stay with you."

She giggled girlishly and turned away, swatting me with her tail before she trotted off to the snack table.

Joe slid up at my side when she left and I chuckled. "Wow, is there a line waiting for me?"

Joe shrugged. "Maybe. I was watching. You get your question answered?" I relayed what Rarity said basically. "Huh, so...?"

"So?"

Joe pointed at Bed Time. "You doing it or not? Kind of creepy to me. She's not even a... real person. Paul made her up."

I frowned at that. "Sure she is. She's missing a past, but she's got a present and future. She has feelings, she has a body, and she worries about things just like we do. We should focus on making that future instead of worrying about a past that isn't there."

Brad snickered as she wandered up to join the conversation. "I bet you'll make a future, with little legs and the clippity clop of foals. That actually gives me a great idea. Anyone see Paul?" She wandered off without waiting for reply.

Joe watched Brad a moment. "I hope to whatever god is listening Paul does not make a pony for Brad. That would be so incredibly wrong."

I frowned a little. "I hope he doesn't make any more ponies at all. Bad enough making the monsters we hack our way through, come to think of it, at least they're temporary. Ponies have to live with the mess we make."

Joe shrugged softly. "What if this whole world is just like her, but better detailed? It could all be a big fat figment of imagination."

I waved a hoof. "Welcome to philosophy. They've been arguing life is a dream longer than either of us were alive."

Pinkie appeared abruptly, not approaching, simply being there. "Is everypony having a good time!?"

Author's Note

Philosphy, the true enemy of typos! I think? That may have been a dream.