Beyond the Looking Glass

A warm breeze.

It was a strange combination for the princess. Twilight had rarely known both a warmth on her coat, accompanied with a cool breeze. She didn’t want to open her eyes, though. Everything just felt too right, too perfect to do something as foolish as opening her eyes. She was comfortable, happy, and content. Why ruin a good thing?

“Snrrrrrrkkkkkkkx!”

Her bloodshot eyes popped open at the sound of a loud snore right into her ear. “What is that horrible—oh…” Twilight said, looking to her right and noticing the cyan mare that was laying on her side.

She watched as Dash simply snored away, sawing logs as she slumbered away in dreamland. Twilight smiled a little as she surrounded Dash’s muzzle with a sound-proof spell. Without the noise coming from her, watching Dash sleep was actually kind of cute. In her opinion anyway.

Twilight spent a few moments just watching her before remembering that Dash wasn’t the only mare she needed to keep an eye on. She looked down from the cloud and to the other two; a small amount of relief crossed her face as she saw Rainbow and Twi hadn’t moved since she had fallen asleep.

Rainbow looked more comfortable now than when she was having sex. The girl was topless and sprawled out on the grass, her small b-cup breasts heaved up and down with every intake and exhale of breath she took. Twi was resting comfortably on her stomach. The girl had positioned herself just so her butt rested upon Rainbow’s shirt and her head was upon the girl’s lower stomach. She did so to prevent her skirt from getting any grass stains, but looking at them now Twilight figured that some part of Twi must have planned it. She looked too peaceful for it not to be in some way intentional.

The side of the Twi’s head was resting on Rainbow’s bare stomach, her eyes were shut and there was a small amount of drool leaking onto Rainbow’s belly; a small puddle of which was already starting to collect.

Twilight could have watched them for hours. In a way it was like watching her and Dash’s relationship from an outside perspective. But an unwelcome thought popped into her mind, causing her to shoot up and disturb her sleeping marefriend.

How long have we been asleep?

Twilight looked around, seeing the end-of-day activities everywhere she looked. Royal Guards were wrapping up their training and patrols. Several night guards were already stirring and getting ready for their shifts.

She looked back to Dash who started to yawn in a silent gesture of her sleepiness. Twilight looked at her confused until she remembered the sound damping spell on her muzzle. With a quick flick of her horn, she removed the spell.

“—oing on, Twilight?”

“Sorry Dash, what’d you say?”

“What’s going on, Twilight?” Dash asked as she stood up on the cloud and started to stretch her hooves and back.

“We fell asleep on the cloud,” Twilight said, “I blame my comfy bed partner.”

“The hardships of being my marefriend. I’m sure all of Equestria will weep for you,” Dash replied, smiling.

“The hardships? So there are more of those?” Twilight asked teasingly.

“Well, sure. I’ll like to eat my egghead out once in awhile,” Dash said, grinning back

“Dash!”

“Oh yea, I’d love to have you topped with a little chocolate syrup. Maybe some whipped cream and a little cherry right on top.”

“That talk of food play really got to you, didn’t it, Dash?”

“What can I say? You simply look delicious and hot, even without any extras.” Dash said, all the while purring and wagging her eyebrows.

Twilight blushed, looked down to her hooves, back up at Dash, and then back down.

“C’mon, Egghead, you can’t tell me this still embarrasses you?”

“Maybe… we should save room for dessert tonight?” Twilight asked.

Below them, sleeping on the ground, Rainbow stirred awake at the sound of Dash’s joyful cry. She yawned and stretched her hands above her head. It took her a second to realize that she had fallen asleep outside. Rainbow was laid out on the grass, topless, with the sun bearing down upon her bare chest. She paused for a moment, admiring the tan that had developed over her breasts before realizing that Twi was sleeping on her stomach and had drooled on her.

Rainbow wasn’t even mad. She chuckled a little about it while she placed her hand upon the girl’s head. It was rare for Twi to take a nap in the middle of the day, much less for her to do so without Rainbow wearing her out.

If she fell asleep, she must have been comfortable. I must have been too to fall asleep like this.

She tore her gaze from Twi and looked up into the sky, just in time to see Dash and Twilight flying down from ontop of a cloud. She rested her hand on Twi’s head, as if to prevent her from waking up.

“Hey Twilight, Dash,” Rainbow said.

“Comfy, Rainbow?” Dash asked with a smile.

“I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“Not even for dinner?” Twilight asked.

Rainbow said nothing.

“Rainbow?”

“Let me think,” Rainbow said, chuckling a little.

Twilight chuckled a little. “You should wake her up, she won’t want to miss what’s about to happen.”

“What’s about to happen.”

“Celestia and Luna are about to lower the sun and raise the moon.”

“And besides, didn’t she promise you some fun tonight?” Dash asked.

“Oh yeah. Twi, wake up.” Rainbow lightly ran her hand upon Twi’s hair and shook her ever so slightly.

“Mhh, no, I don’t want to go yet. We have time until the first lesson starts, Rainbow,” Twi muttered, her eyes still closed.

“But you’ll miss your test about proper dildo usage.”

“Wait…” Twi opened her eyes. “What?”

Rainbow laughed. “There’s my little egghead. And don’t worry, you already passed that test with flying colors.”

“That was mean,” Twi asked, before smiling. “And I know that, your moans are more than proof enough,” she whispered the last part into Rainbow’s ear.

As Twi removed herself from Rainbow, she looked down in surprise at the puddle of drool she left behind, blushing she wiped Rainbow clean. “Sorry.”

Rainbow blew her a raspberry. “I’m not complaining. Besides, it’s not the worst thing you’ve left on me.”

“Rainbow!”

“You know I’m right,” she replied back, grinning as she sat up on the grass.

“Yesh, but that doesn’t mean I wanted to be reminded of that.”

Rainbow pressed her lips to Twi’s. When they broke apart, she said, “I didn’t complain then, and I’m not complaining now.”

“So romantic, Rainbow,” Twi replied back, grinning.

“Hey, I don’t complain in bed when you go wild, but you do complain about talking about it during the day. Who’s the pussy now?” Rainbow blew her a raspberry.

“We both are,” Twi replied smugly.

Rainbow glared at her. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

Twi chuckled a little as she stood up. Reaching down, she grabbed her impromptu towel and looked it over. The entire back of Rainbow’s shirt was covered in grass stains. She looked up at Rainbow as she got up as well. “We’re going to have to do something about our clothes.

“What for? it’s already weird enough going back to wearing them as is. I say we ditch them and go all-natural.”

“Rainbow,” Twi replied as she handed the shirt back to Rainbow. “We can’t just do that, not without—”

“Actually it’s normal to go around without clothes here,” Dash interjected, alerting the girl to her presence.

“But… listen, we got breasts up here, they aren’t as small as ponies ones,” Twi said.

“Actually, there is a pony living in trottingham that’s got teats as big as your breasts,” Twilight said.

“And trust me, any strange looks you two get will be because you’re human, not because you’re not wearing clothes,” Dash said.

“Can’t argue with myself, Twi,” Rainbow said, chuckling.

Twi just glared at her. “I’m not ready for that yet.”

Rainbow shrugged. “Okay, okay, it’s fine, we’ll wait until you’re ready.” Or something happens to those clothes. She grinned at that thought as she slid her shirt back on over her head.

Twilight cringed a little as she took stock of the stains on Rainbow’s shirt and the back of her shorts. Maybe our Rarity can design them some new clothes? I’m sure she will, of course getting Rainbow to hold still so she can take her measurements will be a challenge.

“Hurry up you two, Celestia’s about to lower the sun,” Dash said.

“Oh, we get to see that?” Twi asked.

“Yeap, but you’ll only get the real show if we hurry,” Twilight replied as she started to head back into the castle and to Celestia’s room.

Twi grasped Rainbow’s hand, “C’mon Rainbow, let’s go!”

Rainbow rolled her eyes, and was then taken completely by surprise at the amount of force that Twi exerted pulling her along. She was forced to start running else get her arm pulled out of its socket. “Wow, damn, Twi. Not life and death here.”

“I don’t want to miss it, Rainbow,” Twi said.

Well, how can I say no to that? Rainbow thought, grinning.

“We don’t have to run to see it,” Twilight said with a smile. “Just walking a bit faster than usual. I can understand though. The first time I saw Celestia raising the sun, I was excited as a little filly.”

Dash cocked her head. “I thought you were a little filly at that time?”

Twilight blushed. “Well, yeah, I guess.”

“She’s cute when she blushes,” Rainbow said.

“Yeah she is,” Dash replied.

“You two are bad,” Twi said, chuckling a little as they took a right and started down the next hallway.

“Doesn’t make us wrong, does it?” Dash asked.

“Guess not.”

“Oh, speaking of bad, what about the bathroom situation?” Rainbow asked.

“I talked to Celestia and she got a team of ponies installing bigger toilets and tubs in our room for tonight. She also sent a message to Ponyville to do the same in my castle. The one here should be ready already, and the one in Ponyville will be ready by the time we get there tomorrow.”

“So we’re only going to be able to use the restroom in two places in the whole nation?” Twi asked.

“We can always go outside,” Rainbow said, only somewhat joking.

“Sorry, I know it’s going to be somewhat of an inconvenience,” Twilight said.

“It’s fine, Twilight,” Rainbow said. “We’ll make do.”

Together, they turned down the next hallway, and their destination immediately became apparent. Twi spotted the decorated, golden door with the sun emblem engraved upon it. Twilight went up to it and knocked three times with her hoof. “Princess Celestia, can we come in?”

“Of course, Twilight,” Celestia’s voice replied.

The lavender alicorn opened the door with her magic and gestured for the girls to head inside. Twi and Rainbow walked in; seeing a room that was more in line with what one might expect from a teenager—as far as it’s size anyway—but easily fit for a princess. They saw Celestia talking away with the night princess. From the looks of things they were each discussing something rather unprincess-like. That become even more apparent when Twi saw Celestia blush at the sight of her. Or more specifically, at the sight of her breasts.

“Ha, nice to see you again, Luna,” Rainbow said.

“Same to you, Rainbow,” Luna replied back with a smile.

“It’s about time for you two to switch the sun and moon, right?” Twilight asked.

“Oh, yes, I do believe it is about that time,” Celestia replied as she glanced up to her clock. “I can’t believe we got so wrapped up in our conversation that I almost lost track of it.”

“Well, sister, it was a quite good conversation,” Luna said.

Rainbow caught a glance at Celestia’s blush and the fact she was starting at Twi. “Yep, I bet it was,” she grinned, causing Luna to giggle and Celestia’s blush to intensify.

“What were you talking about?” Twilight asked, curious about Celestia’s reaction.

Celestia went to say something, but she didn’t; she just smiled. When no one else took over, she sighed and settled on something a little more cryptic. “We were just talking about how nicely your studies are coming along in other areas, Twilight.”

Twilight looked at her confused, but before she could say a world, Celestia got up and walked over to the window. “If you’ll excuse me, it’s time to perform my duties.”

Twi walked up to get a better look. Celestia smiled and extended her wings. Magical energy surrounded the princess, levitating her off the ground.

Twi gasped as she saw it, as she felt it. The window they were at was westward facing, allowing Twi and Rainbow to see the sun set in the distance in accordance to the alicorn’s wishes. Twi found herself at a loss for words as she witnessed an event that most would only attribute as the work of Gods. She watched as the sun—a body of condensed hydrogen millions of miles away—responded to the magical energy of this alicorn, this princess, this… goddess.

Not even Rainbow could bring herself to say something. Both of them watched as the sun fell below the horizon, only to gasp as the dark-blue alicorn repeated her task of raising the moon. Luna’s form was surrounded by blue magical energy as she raised up into the air and, in the distance, right next to where the sun set, the moon came up.

They both moved the distance to the edge of the balcony, skirting around the Princess of the Sun as they watched Luna go to work. It came as natural as breathing to Luna. But to Twi and Rainbow, it was a sight they’d never see the likes of again.

They sky itself was less created, and more… revealed. There were a few clouds that hid the full sight of the moon, allowing glimpses and rays to shine through; but that little light was more than enough to ignite the night sky in a deep blue which radiated with its own brightness.

Stars soon appeared beyond the clouds—small in number at first. Twi could only gawk as their number grew exponentially. Some were but dim pinpricks, while others were so bright they had to be galaxies in their own right.

Canterlot had almost zero light pollution, so nothing was obscured. The blue rays of light shone through the clouds, illuminating both girls as they stared out of the balcony in wonder and amazement.

“It’s beautiful,” Twi said.

“Yeah, almost as beautiful as you,” Rainbow replied.

Twi tore her gaze from the sky and looked at Rainbow with a blush upon her face. The tall girl wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close as they looked back up just in time to see the moon moved in comfortably. The whole scene looked less real and more drawn by a master painter’s brush.

“I think they’re impressed,” Celestia said to Twilight. All the ponies were watching the humans now. Even Luna, who, admittedly, put a little more work into it tonight than she normally would have.

“We all were the first time we saw it,” Twilight said back.

“Speak for yourself, Twilight,” Dash said.

“Oh, Dash? That never impressed you? What if we scan your memories and check for ourselves?” Celestia said, calling Dash’s bluff, even if it was an empty threat.

“I just meant the act… yeah, that’s it,” Dash corrected, not wanting Princess Celestia to go there.

Celestia chuckled, but said nothing. However, that changed when she saw the seventh shooting star out the window. She walked over and whispered to Luna, “Sister, I think that’s enough for tonight.”

Luna blinked her eyes clear and levitated back to the floor, letting the magic she had expended fade away naturally. She looked over at the two humans who were still gazing out the window and then to her sister. “We may have been… overzealous. ‘Tis for a good cause though.”

Celestia looked at her confused, that is until she looked back up at the humans with huge smiles and looks of awe on their faces. Well, it has been a while since she really saw someone appreciate her night for the first time. “Sister, you know the Canterlot Orphanage is hosting it’s annual Princess Carnival in a two weeks. Why don’t we move it to a little later in the day and you host it this year?”

“The Princess Carnival? But Tia, thou loves doing that. Thou always talk about the looks of happiness upon their young faces.”

“Yes but I’ve got such a busy schedule this year, and besides, I think a night like tonight would make those smiles so much bigger than my day ever could.”

Luna blushed. “Thou are a horrible liar, Tia. But we’d be honored.” She hugged her sister.

Twi and Rainbow smiled at the sight of the two alicorn princess hugging, one for very different reasons and thoughts than the other. Amazing Rainbow said nothing, and Twi waited until they were done before asking her question. “You two do this every night?”

“Well, ‘tis no—”

“Every night,” Celestia said, winking at her sister.

“That’s amazing,” Rainbow said. “You two are like, gods or something.”

“Gods?” Twilight asked.

“Not a conversation we want to have,” Twi interjected before Rainbow could follow up. “I do need to ask something slightly more pressing though.”

“What’s wrong?” Twilight asked.

“Is there any bigger-sized bathroom we can use?” She asked, starting to twitch her legs.

Dash started to giggle and then laugh, Twilight blushed at that, memories of Rainbow’s ‘incident’ coming back fresh to her mind, regardless if she wanted to think about it or not. Celestia just looked down. “I’m sorry, but the contractors said it won’t be ready until tonight. You’re welcome to use mine, it’s a little bigger than a normal-sized bathroom.”

“Oh thank you, where is it?” Twi asked.

Celestia gestured with a hoof to a door to the left. Twi nodded and took off in that direction. Rainbow couldn’t help herself. “Need any help?”

“I got it!” Twi shouted back and she went into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

“Pee emergencies for the win,” Dash said as she managed to get back to her hooves.

“Dash, it’s not funny, proper timely relief is both necessary and healthy for a strong bladder.”

“Yeah, you won’t win that fight, Twilight,” Rainbow said, doing her best to not let out a few chuckles herself.

“‘Tis almost time for dinner, will thou be joining us?” Luna asked.

“I could eat,” Rainbow replied, placing her hand upon her stomach.

“Again? Didn’t you have like six helpings during lunch and then take a nap?” Dash asked.

“Yeah, but one of your helpings is like a fourth of ours, so shut up.”

“I wonder if there’s a word for arguing with yourself?” Celestia asked as she watched the two Rainbows argue back and forth.

“We think it’s called insanity,” Luna said, smiling a little before she took note of Rainbow’s clothes. “Rainbow, your garments are covered with grass stains.”

Rainbow paused in the middle of her retort and looked back. “Yeah, we took a nap outside, Twi used it as a towel to sit on.”

“Thou have nothing else to change into?” Luna asked.

“All we came over with, and Twi’s being self conscious about nudity because we’re in a strange place.”

Luna nodded in understanding than powered her horn. In a flash of magic, Rainbow’s shorts and shirt was completely stain free.

Rainbow looked down at her soccer uniform. “Oh, cool, thanks!”

“‘Tis my pleasure,” Luna said with a smile. “Though if you do wish to wear clothes, we’d suggest finding some new ones sooner rather than later.”

Rainbow mumbled, “Not my wish.”

At that the door opened and a very relieved looked Twi walked out. “Hey, Twi. No mess to clean up in there I hope?” Rainbow asked with a giggle.

Twi glared at her. “No, it’s a little tricky to use, but way bigger than the other one was.”

“Let me have a go then,” Rainbow said as she walked past Twi and to the bathroom. “You know, before we go eat dinner.”

Twi watched as Rainbow walked past her and into the bathroom. “Yep, this is bigger,” Rainbow said with a chuckle before shutting the door behind her.

Twi was about to comment about how Rainbow’s clothes were suddenly clean, but decided there was a more pressing issue that needed to be dealt with first. And she had a suspicion that the answer would be ‘magic’ anyway. “You did say the other one will be ready for us?” Twi asked Celestia.

“The contractors said that it should be ready by eight,” Celestia confirmed. “So after dinner you’ll be able to use the restroom in Twilight’s old tower.”

“That place?” Twilight asked. “Last time I was there it was covered in dust.”

“I asked a cleaning crew to go in and tidy it up. They also put in a bigger bed across from your old one.”

“Like we’ll really need two beds,” Dash chuckled, more to herself than anypony else.

Twilight nodded at Celestia’s words. “I’ll have to teleport them up to it, but it should work.”

“Teleport us? Why’s that?” Twi asked.

“It’s at the top of a tower,” Twilight said, “and the walkway to the entrance might be a little dangerous given your size.” She turned to Celestia. “You said you sent a message asking them to modify my castle in Ponyville too?”

“Yes,” Celestia confirmed. “Given that one will take a little longer than the one here. But it should be ready to go by the time you get there.”

“So… it is just going to be the two bathrooms in the entire nation that’ll work for us while we're here?” Twi asked in grim acceptance.

“Sorry,” Twilight said.

“No, no, thank you. I know it’s a lot of work, and I’m grateful for everything, really. I’m just trying to think of the… operational issues it’s going to cause.”

“Don’t want to have to use the tub again?” Dash asked, smiling.

“Dash, don’t be crude,” Twilight said.

“Oh please, Rainbow says—and does—far worse than me.”

“You really want to be like her?”

“I am her. And yeah, why wouldn’t I want to? She’s awesome.”

“We are confused, is she not you?” Luna asked.

“Exactly,” Dash replied, grinning.

Twilight looked at Twi with a look on her face that all but said ‘help’. The girl smiled and shook her head. There was no help that could be given, not for this. It was just part of what made Rainbow, Rainbow. Or in this case Dash, Dash.

The girl bent a knee and placed a hand on the alicorn’s head. “It’s part of the charm, just like I told you, remember? Fighting against it would be just like fighting against the current. You can kick and scream the entire time, but in the end you’re just going to tire yourself out. There’s a lot to enjoy if you let yourself.”

“So she’s going to be a sex-hungry mare too?”

Twi chuckled at that question. “Most likely, but you’ll enjoy it if you let yourself. I used to always fight against it, throw a scene; it didn’t change her behavior and just caused an excessive amount of stress between us.”

Twilight cocked her head. “So it’ll get easier if I just go along with it?”

Twi smiled. “Exactly. Just roll with it and enjoy.”

“What about when it’s inappropriate? Does she ever start up in front of your family or friends?”

Twi blushed. “A few times, but she was always good about not taking it into the obvious levels, provided I could contain my moaning.”

“Oh…”

“But she also saved my ass more times than I can care to count. Like this one time when we were out with my family for christmas dinner, she—”

The sound of the door opening drew their attention. “Wow, I feel better. Let’s eat,” Rainbow said with a smile as she walked out of the bathroom.

“Enjoyed not having to use the tub this time, Rainbow?” Twi asked jokingly as Rainbow wrapped an arm around her and they made for the door.

“Much, not that I couldn’t use a shower though,” she replied.

“Maybe after dinner,” Dash said as she followed coat-to-coat with Twilight.

Celestia and Luna followed after the pairs of Twilights and Rainbows. Luna couldn’t help but chuckle. “Bet you didn’t see this one coming, did you, Tia?”

Celestia smiled as she lightly butted Luna with her flank. “I don’t think anypony could have seen this coming. Still… I’m happy for them,” she said, eyeing the pair of ponies as they watch their human selves’ antics with glee. Dash was doing her best to imitate Rainbow, but all she managed to do was to whack Twilight on the flank with a feather a few times. Feathers were good for a lot of things, but they’d never fully imitate the way Rainbow groped Twi’s ass.

“Even with that warning thou gave them?” Luna asked.

Celestia didn’t look at Luna; she didn’t want to look at her for this part. “Friendships are strong bonds that connect us to each other. Twilight’s friendships have saved Equestria on numerous occasions, but somethings tend to run deeper.”

Luna was taken aback. “We think thou are worried about nothing.”

Laughter came as Twilight managed to tickle the other side of Dash’s barrel, earning herself a scowl and then a kiss from the pegasus. “I hope you’re right, Luna, I hope you’re right.”

The group made their way down the stairs and to the kitchen. Twi and Rainbow had been there two times already and were learning their way around the castle, not that ‘that’ stopped them from almost getting off on the wrong floor, something Twilight was quick to correct.

As they arrived in the dining area, another problem became apparent when Rainbow and Twi took their usual seat, Luna’s seat.

Celestia and Luna paused, Luna with a look of indignation on her face, Celestia with a look of mild humor. “You can have my seat, Luna.”

She huffed, but walked over to Celestia’s seat all the same. The Princess of the Sun chuckled and sat on the floor at the spot right across from Twilight and Dash.

“Oh, you don’t have a seat, Celestia,” Twilight said, as she saw the small issue.

“It’s fine, I don’t mind,” Celestia replied, smiling.

Twilight looked around. “Celestia, where’s Spike?”

“Sleeping, I think. This is the first day, since you’ve been gone. He’s slept more than four hours.”

“Oh…” Twilight said, berating herself for making him worry so.

“What’s for dinner, anyway?” Rainbow asked, hoping to change the subject.

“Did you forget the griffon ambassador is in Canterlot?” Celestia asked.

“Yeah, what’s up with him?”

“He brought some of his cooks with him. I asked them to prepare a much wider selection of meat for you and Twi.”

“Thank you, Celestia.” Twi smiled thankfully while Rainbow pumped her fist into the air for managing to score meat two times in a row. Even if she didn’t know what to expect other than fish, again.

“And for the non-meat eaters?” Dash asked.

Celestia smiled “The usual. A wide arrange of daisy-sandwiches with different toppings, fruit salads, and also cold plates with bread and cheese.”

“And your usual arrangement of dessert?” Luna asked

Celestia chuckled. “I don’t want to get ahead of things, to keep you from drooling, Lulu.”

Luna blew her a very un-princess like raspberry, much to the amusement of Dash. Twilight glared at her, but said nothing out loud about it.

Luna grinned and waved a hoof. “Well, I would say we are ready for the food.”

Again, the ponies loaded with plates came in. But this time, they were followed by two griffons with white chef’s hats and a huge plate carried between them. While the ponies set the plates down in front of Celestia, Luna, Dash, and Twilight, the griffons placed their plate in front of the humans before opening it.

Despite the novelty of seeing actual living breathing griffons, Rainbow’s mouth couldn’t help but water as a large selection of meat of every kind was uncovered, the delicious smell penetrating her nose. She was in heaven. Twi’s stomach growled at the scent and even she couldn’t hold back a longing look.

“Well, bon appetit then,” Celestia smiled softly.

Twi moved the plates around, sticking Rainbow’s to the left where she could easily get at them, and hers to the right. Of course, touching Rainbow’s almost cost her a finger when the girl couldn’t hold herself back and grabbed a chicken leg to start chowing down.

The food was… pony sized. That part couldn’t be helped. The leg looked small, comically so in the tall girl’s hand. But that didn’t stop her from stripping the meat off in second and going back for another leg.

“I hope they brought enough,” Celestia chuckled as she watched Rainbow digging through the plates. “I remembered that the fish portions were too small for you, so I ordered a full meal that could serve four griffons for each of you.”

Dash chuckled at their antics. “I think she could give Pinkie a run for her bits.”

“Yeah, no,” Twilight said, memories of Pinkie devouring an entire table’s worth of food coming back unbidden. “Pinkie’s got an endless stomach that defies the laws of physics. Seriously, I’ve seen her eat three times her weight in food.”

“Yours too?” Twi asked.

Twilight just nodded at that right before Dash called out. “Rainbow, don’t forget to save room for dessert!”

Rainbow looked confused for a second until Dash gestured to the girl on her lap with her eyes. Rainbow nodded in understanding before placing down a small chicken breast back to the plate and turning her eyes over to a pony on the side of the room. “Hey, come here for a second,” she said.

“Rainbow?” Twi asked.

“It’s a surprise,” Rainbow replied, kissing her on the cheek before the white unicorn stallion in the monkey suit walked up to Rainbow.

Twi looked at her strangely as she leaned over and whispered into the stallion’s ear. He looked at Rainbow confused before sighing and nodded his head in understanding.

Twi watched as he left. When he was out of earshot she asked Rainbow, “And I gather this surprise somehow involves me?”

“All the good ones do, but if I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?” Rainbow asked as she poked Twi on the nose with her index finger before going back to eating.

“Have thou given any thought to what thou’d like to show them?” Luna asked Twilight.

“Show them?”

“Twilight, they are guests to our land, it would be rude to not show them around.”

“Princess Luna, would that be wise? I mean, we’ve never had humans in Equestria before.”

“Twilight, I’m surprised in you,” Celestia said. “If the ponies in Equestria are anything, it’s accepting other races.”

“Unless you’re a zebra,” Dash said under her breath.

“Shush!” Twilight quickly stuffed her muzzle with the sandwich she had been eating. “I just mean, well, they’re…”

“You?” Luna asked.

“Exactly,” Twilight said.

“Don’t see the problem,” Dash replied.

“How often do you see doppelgangers walking around?” Twilight asked.

“Counting the mirror pool incident with Pinkie?”

“Yeah, but that was… I mean…”

“Twilight, we don’t want to be a burden.” Twi said as she carved into her own notably small slice of fish she was eating from. “If you don’t want to—”

“I… I never meant it like that! You would never be—” Twilight started to panic before Rainbow unceremoniously shoved a daisy-sandwich into her muzzle.

“Calm down, I think they know that,” Dash said. “We’d love to show you around, we’ll take a trip to the Crystal Empire.”

“Oh, we can see Cadance again!” Rainbow exclaimed, far too excited by that prospect. “And your brother.”

“Leave my brother out of your plans!” Twi said.

“Yes, leave him out of this,” Twilight said, not really enthralled by the fact that Shining would know about her and Dash. Then again, Cadance probably let him know as soon as she got home… I hope he’s not upset or anything.

Rainbow pouted. “Oh, pft, no fun.”

“It’s not like Cadance would let you.”

“Actually,” Rainbow said with a smile. “If we play our cards right, we may be able to get in with her. Or actually, she maybe able to get us in.”

“Rainbow,” Twi warned.

“Okay, okay,” Rainbow replied with a grin that said she was anything but going to stop.

“It does fall in line with some of the things I’ve heard,” Dash added.

“Dash, stop,” Twilight pleaded.

“We are confused, are thou talking abou—”

“Luna, stay out of this,” Celestia warned.

Twilight gave them both a look that all but said, ‘not you too’.

“But if it is our niece thou are speaking of, tis it not true? We have heard that Shini—” She was silenced by a glare from Celestia.

Rainbow couldn’t help herself. “But you know Twilight, Cadance did say it’s fine if she brings—”

Twi interrupted her with a kiss. “Rainbow, I love you, but don’t finish that sentence.”

Rainbow looked at her, then grinned. “If she brings playdates to bed.”

“And at that I’m going to bed!” Twilight exclaimed, her anger apparent from the topic of conversation, and partly for her lost innocence.

“Rainbow!” Twi said as she sat up.

“What?” the girl replied, playfully.

“You don’t want dessert, Twilight?” Celestia asked, half amused, half happy she wouldn’t have to share.

“NO!” Twilight yelled before yelping. “Um, no, thank you.”

Dash rolled her eyes. “Twilight, don’t ruin this, please.”

Twilight sighed. “I didn’t. Thank Rainbow for that.”

Twi stood up and glared at Rainbow. “You really had to go there, didn’t you?”

“How long have you known me?” Rainbow asked.

“Rainbow…”

“Twi,” she replied.

“Get up, we’re going to go apologize,” Twi said as she pointed in the direction the alicorn was leaving in.

“It’s not necessary,” Twilight said. “But my appetite is gone now, so it doesn’t matter anymore.”

Rainbow shrugged her shoulders as if that was it; the look on Twi’s face said it was anything but through. She sighed and got up. “Hang on, Twilight.”

Dash finished off her sandwich before nodding to the princesses. She got up and headed over to where her marefriend was.

Twilight paused and glared at Rainbow. “Yes?”

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have told you that.”

Twilight looked up at her, and then back to the ground.

“Twilight?” Rainbow asked.

“She did say sorry, Twilight,” Dash said.

“Apology accepted,” Twilight said after a few minutes. “But please, no jokes about my brother or sister-in-law?”

Oh if you only knew, Rainbow thought. “Fine, I’ll try and control myself.”

“That’s pretty much the best you’re going to get,” Twi stated.

“Figured,” Twilight mumbled.

“So you want to go back to eat, or still want to go to bed?” Dash asked.

“My appetite is gone,” Twilight said. “Princess Celestia, would you mind if we…” she paused, her eyes took in Celestia muzzle deep into a carrot cake.

“‘Tis fine, Twilight. See you in the morning,” Luna replied, chuckling a little as she saw the realization on Celestia’s face that she had just been caught.

“Night, Luna!” Rainbow gestured with a hand up and a smile.

“‘Twas a pleasure, Rainbow,” Luna said.

Twi chuckled a little as she waved goodnight as well.

Dash took wing and flew by her human self’s ear as they all walked out of the dining room, heading to Twilight's tower. “Did you save room for dessert?”

Rainbow chuckled as she leaned closer to her pony self’s ear, “There’s always room for dessert.”