It's a day later when you return to Fluttershy's cottage on the edge of the Everfree. You'd opted to give the mare some time to decompress and cope with her new situation and role as an alpha mare. Not that you believe she can't handle it; in the last couple of days you'd learned your perception of the shy pony was gross oversimplification, and that she already was so much more than just a pretty, quiet thing. In days to come, she'll surely grow further. Despite not being a true recluse, however, Fluttershy—like most introverts you knew—would need time to process all this information.

You rap a hoof gently against the door so as to startle neither resident nor wildlife that may be about. The bear to your side (Harry, you seem to recall her naming him at some point) both reassured you your presence was welcome and unnerved you to no small degree. Fortunately Fluttershy opens the door with a warm smile that carried with it an undercurrent of nervousness.

"Oh, hello, Bluebell," she greets you in simple form.

"Hi Fluttershy. I hope I'm not intruding?" you query.

"Oh, not at all! I was...well, hoping you would come over, actually..."

"Oh? What's up?"

"Who is it, darling?" comes a voice you've heard a time or two before, and committed to memory.

Fluttershy simply ushers you in and closes the door behind you. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the sofa, and across its two occupants: At left, Ponyville's foremost mare in fashion, Rarity, sits somewhat uncomfortably, but doing her best to not let it show. It's a valiant effort. To the right, Sombra lounges with his forehooves crossed in front of him, the very picture of relaxed comfort. His poise makes Rarity look as awkward as Fluttershy seemed to so often feel, a hoof idly pawing at the cushion.

"What did I miss?" The question escapes your muzzle on its own.

"We may have a new...herdmate...?" It is a hopeful tone, not an uncertain one.

"Well, Fluttershy, dear, perhaps..." Rarity glances to the side, and does indeed appear nervous. "Perhaps. I think...I need time. It is no small change, after all."

"Indeed it is not," Sombra agrees, nodding once. His voice seems to send a shiver through Rarity, and if you have any measure of insight, that shiver was not an unpleasant one. "The lady is of course free to make her own choice, and in her own time."

"Okay, how much did I miss?" you amend.

"Well, after you left the other morning..."

Morning comes, and with it the realization that, for a second night in a row, you are not in your own home, but in Fluttershy's, and in her bed as well. Waking first, you have the opportunity to observe her as she sleeps, as she'd done yesterday. While still unconscious, she seems a lot more relaxed where she lay on her side, wing extended over you in a gentle embrace. It brings a smile to your muzzle as you stretch gently under the largely unnecessary sheets.

You take this moment to be fully honest with yourself: Escape is the last thing on your mind, but the sun is very gradually coming up. This means that Pinkie Pie will eventually be wondering where her new appren- Ahem. Will be wondering where her new employee is. A sense of discomfort passes briefly through you as you almost heard the first draft of your thought in her voice.

With some reluctance, you gently brush a hoof along Fluttershy's wing, deep blue and pastel yellow contrasting sharply as your coat slides across the arch of her wing. As sensitive as it is, it takes a mere touch and she stirs, the wing flexing in a stretch, then pulling back to her side with a yawn and murmur that you will remember until the end of your days.

How you ever deserved to end up in bed with this adorable mare is beyond you.

"Oh, good...good morning," she says as her eyes focus on yours. There's a blush, yes, but it's much more subdued than it had been. You find you almost miss the intensity.

"Good morning," you reply with a smile that you can't suppress if you try.

"I...think I like waking up with you," she admits.

You answer by leaning in and pressing your lips softly to hers. The kiss is soft, perfect for the morning, but the color rises to her cheeks just that easily in response, and you grin. "I do, too. And I would stay...but Pinkie is going to be looking for me." Speaking of missing ponies... "Wait, didn't Sombra come to bed with us last night..?"

"He did, but I think..." She trails off a little, searching for words through the remaining dregs of sleep. "He has plans. For us. For a lot of ponies, once they realize he's not...what we thought he was."

It's true. Sure, the thought that he might have yet betrayed you lingered a bit longer than you liked, or would like to admit. He could have been biding his time, but he has no reason to anymore: He's long since earned the trust of one of the most important ponies in modern day Equestria, and he could hope for no greater leverage than he possessed now. Your mind is hardly that of a spymaster or strategist, but you believe that no matter how charismatic or persuasive he is, going for all six of the Element bearers would be a fool's endeavor.

"He's definitely got us questioning what we know about him." A thought recurs, something you took note of from the story last night and simply hadn't voiced before bed. You voice it as you reluctantly slide out of the warm bed and stretch, girding yourself for another day. "Fluttershy? Did Sombra ever talk about what happened? Back in the Crystal Empire, I mean?"

"Well...no, not really," she admits. "He's very sensitive about it, but...I don't think he's hiding anything from us. I know it sounds strange, but it's almost like it hurts him to think about."

"Don't worry. I won't push him on it," you assure her. Oh, but how much you want to! How little do you really know about him? How little does Equestria know about him? The treasonous thought takes root before you realize it: What if we've never heard the truth?

"Thank you. I'm sure he'll tell us when he's ready to." Your herdmate escapes the persuasive clutches of her bed as well, her mane askew here and there. There's a small pang of regret that you aren't directly responsible for its state this time. "So, um, I'm meeting Rarity at the spa later, so I'll be gone until this evening. If you don't have to leave right now, though, did you want to maybe have breakfast? It's alright if not."

"I'd love to, Fluttershy."

A rather satisfying breakfast later, Fluttershy saw her friend off. Not just a friend, she corrected herself at the thought. My...my herdmate. It was so strange to think of herself in a herd. She, Fluttershy! In not just a relationship, but an alpha mare of a herd that was as volatile as any could conceive!

She reflected on this as she closed her door, saddlebags securely in place, and began trotting toward the town, and toward the spa. Volatile was the best word for this herd: It would grow, and it would be prominent, for better or worse. Sombra left no mistaking that inevitability, and the only question that remained would be if she and the ponies she held closest would be thrust into the spotlight and looked up to, or...

A bit of ice formed in her chest at the thought. There was a very, very real possibility that this could backfire. Her mind, naturally inclined to such thoughts (to her great displeasure), immediately conjured up a worst-case scenario: Celestia or, worse yet, Twilight found them out before it was time. Sombra would be imprisoned or destroyed. She, denounced for aiding and abetting a known enemy of Canterlot and the Princesses. And Bluebell, worst of all, punished in some manner, simply for being involved. It wasn't right, she was just a mare who was in the wrong place, she didn't ask for this..!

Fluttershy realized suddenly that she was in town, and ponies were backing out of her way with worried or apologetic looks. She then understood that she wasn't getting scared by that dreadful internal musing, she was marching forward with a determination, and an almost simmering anger. It was more than a wake-up call.

It was an epiphany.

She still had a spa visit to attend to with her arguably best friend, but there was no reason it had to remain justa spa visit, nor was there any reason that Rarity had to remain just her best friend. No, if this herd ended up in the spotlight, Rarity would positively gush at the prospect of being at her side. Her determined glare changed as her mind worked, and she bore an equally determined smile.

Which still had an occasional pony scrambling out of her way.

She reined herself in as she arrived at the spa; there was no need to alarm Rarity by acting so dramatic, and she couldn't be forceful about it anyway, no matter how much she wanted to simply beg Rarity to join them. Fortunately she knew Rarity better than anypony else may have, short of her own family. She could do this.

The bell chimed as she trotted into the foyer of Ponyville's premier and, in fact, only spa, and a dozen scents filled her first breath. Flowers, essential oils, candles, all that should rightfully clash and yet all of which came together in a delightful bouquet that immediately imparted unto her the relaxation that her outward expression was only mimicking a moment ago. That a place could calm even her nervous soul spoke volumes, and was one of the many reasons she came back.

"Over here, darling!"

And there was the other, seated on a plush bench in the waiting area, looking as though she needed this as much as Fluttershy did. Rarity often came to these meetings looking like she'd just left the spa, but today?

"Oh, my," Fluttershy remarked, brow faintly creasing. "Rarity? Are...you doing well?" It came out perhaps a bit blunt, but she was caught quite off-guard by the unicorn's appearance.

"Oh, just fine, dear," she replied, waving it off with a forehoof. "Certainly nothing to be concerned about."

"A-alright. You just look like you haven't had a good night's sleep."

Did she blush? It was gone an instant later, and Fluttershy couldn't be certain it was ever there to begin with. "Well, can you imagine a better remedy? I think not!" chuckled Rarity as she folded the magazine closed once more and slid off of the bench. The two closed the distance and exchanged a hug before separating. "And besides, Miss Aloe has informed me that they plan to offer a new service soon, and we get to enjoy a little sneak-peek for being such regulars here!"

"Oh? What is it?"

"A hot stone massage, darling! It's supposed to be incredibly relaxing, and is already quite popular in Manehattan. Canterlot is soon to catch on."

It at least piqued Fluttershy's interest, and she acquiesced with a nod and a smile. "Alright. It sounds like it might be very nice."

"Miss Rarity? Miss Fluttershy?" The lightly accented voice was unmistakable, though which one of the spa ponies it came from took a glance to discern. Lotus stood in the curtained doorway. "Aloe is preparing your room now. Follow me, if you would."

It felt heavy, and yet not uncomfortable. Each smooth, round stone that was gingerly set upon her withers or her wing joints was just an insistent, gentle pressure that radiated warmth through Fluttershy's muscles. Much to her embarrassment, her wings had flared momentarily before the relaxation set in and the limbs just slowly settled to alight on either side of her table. And then Lotus had started rolling the largest, hottest stone of all in smooth waves down her spine.

"My, Fluttershy, you certainly seem to be enjoying this."

At Rarity's amused observation, her cheeks lit up crimson again as she realized exactly what the sounds she was making would remind anypony of. She let out a soft squeak and became far more quiet after, before Lotus chuckled. "Miss Fluttershy, the intent is not to embarrass," she assured her softly as she reached forward for another stroke with the stone. "Relax, and enjoy, in whatever form that may take."

Fluttershy mulled this over for a moment with a soft groan as the earth pony's considerable strength laid into her once more. Her mind wandered to another pair of powerful hooves upon her back within recent memory. Her eyes closed and she let out a blissful moan.

"Miss Rarity? I hope you are enjoying so much as well," Aloe spoke in the following lull.

"Oh, it is positively divine, Aloe," the unicorn sighed in reply as she too felt the warmth rolling down her back. Still her reply sounded restrained somehow, contrasted with another purr from Fluttershy.

"You needn't repress yourself, if you are worried," Aloe said as she continued her work. "We mention this only when asked, but all of our rooms are fully soundproofed. Miss Sparkle herself re-checked the spells two months ago."

"Eep!"

"A tense spot, Miss Fluttershy?"

"...s-sort of. Um...keep going? Please?"

"Well," began Rarity, a bit uncertainly, "I suppose that is quite the comfort."

Meanwhile, Fluttershy's mind was racing again, and she felt the resurgence of worry and then a steel-hard blanket of protectiveness once more layered atop it. The massage was delightful, but idleness ill suited the pegasus right now.

"Rarity? Have you...been looking for anypony since...well, him?"

It was Rarity's turn to tense a bit, but not quite as sharply. "A rather sudden question, Fluttershy, but...well, I suppose it has been on my mind again as of late," she admitted. "If I'm having such vivid dreams, it may be they're trying to tell me something."

"Bad dreams? Um, is that why you look...well, tired?" She couldn't fathom how the two might fit together, but nightmares were the only kinds of dreams that Fluttershy immediately pictured keeping a pony up at night. Unless-

"Oh, far from bad dreams, darling." This time it did sound like a moan building in the back of Rarity's throat. "Mm, no, the sort that would leave a lady awake and, well, a stallion up at night."

Fluttershy and Lotus both chose that moment to giggle. "Apologies, Miss Rarity, but this is not so uncommon as you may imagine, and not to be ashamed of. Our spa is to relax the body, and the mind. Continue if you wish, and know our discretion is absolute."

"Oh, I cannot imagine these are common. Why, I could have written one of those...those bawdry books that Twilight never admits are actually in Canterlot's library, let alone her own."

One train of thought was that enticing Rarity to join their herd might not be so difficult after all. The other...Fluttershy couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. "Um...what was it about?"

Author's Note

Well! It's been a while, and I hope there's still some folks out there that are interested in the continuing adventures of Bluebell and the Sombra herd.

The end of this chapter, I realize, is a bit of a tease, but don't worry; it's deliberate, and I won't keep you waiting long for the next chapter! I've actually got it pretty much finished, but I'm letting my trusted greypone of an editor have his way with ~~me~~ the next couple thousand words before I press the proverbial little red button.

See you all again soon!