“Last call for the Crystal Empire. All aboard.”

Blink. Blink.

The drone of the conductor's voice vibrates through the loudspeakers, rousing you from your sleep. You groan, lifting a hand to your ear even as the echo fades off into the hum of the engine.

"Jus'...shuddup..."

You'd never been much of a morning person. That much hadn't changed, even after moving to Equestria.

You grumble to yourself, punching the travel pillow propped up at your side.

Damn ponies. Putting you on the night train like this. It'd be hours until dawn.

Bleary eyed, you glance around the interior of the traincar. Under the bleached, flourescent lighting, you can just make out the outline of another passenger in the far back seat.

You scratch your neck.

How long had it been since you boarded? Twenty minutes? Thirty?

You blink again, shifting your gaze to the windows. Aside from the flickering lampposts dotted around the station, the night air is pitch black. Not another soul in sight.

You roll your eyes. Not that it was a surprise. Who in their right mind would be up at this hour anyway?

Sighing, you press your head back into the pillow, doing your best to ignore the creaks and groans of the cars ahead.

How had it come to this?

You sigh again.

Since you'd found yourself in this land of bipedal ponyfolk, it had been more of the same.

Sure, at first it had been interesting. Nobody in Equestria had ever seen a human before. Conferences, formal events, guest appearances, Canterlot tabloids—you were the hottest topic in the country. You'd even met the princesses once or twice. Friendship Ambassador. That's the unofficial title they'd given you.

You feel a bitter grin light your face, despite yourself.

After a while though—a few months, half a year—the novelty had started to wear off. Fewer venues looking to host you. Less and less ponies stopping to speak to you on the street. Smiles replaced with odd looks. By the end of it all, it seemed like you'd become a liability—an annoyance. A misfit nobody really knew how to deal with anymore.

You crack your eyes open, eyes landing on an advertisement for last year's Equestrian Games plastered against seat ahead of you. The wrinkled ad hadn't been changed out in months.

That's why you were bound for the Crystal Empire. Equestria's backwater. Sure, the official “assignment” read something along the lines of improving relations between humanity and the crystal ponies, but you knew better. The letter—no doubt only glanced over and stamped by Celestia's hoof—was just the Equestrian government's way of getting you out of the picture. Problem solved, all for the price of an off-peak train ticket.

You tense, the shrill call of the train whistle piercing your ears. Before it's even finished, you can feel your car lurch forward, the low hum of the engine picking up as the train starts to move forward.

Oh well.

You shake your head, settling deeper into the cushion beneath you. Thinking of that now wouldn't do you any good.

Another whistle. You watch as the lights of the station disappear behind you.

Might as well get some sleep.

***

“Right this way to the throne room, sir. Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor are already waiting for you there.”

“Ah—um, thanks—thank you.”

You shake your head as the armor-clad guard turns to lead you through the gates. As much as you tried acclimate, seeing pegasai was still unnerving. There was something about two wings protruding out from a person's shoulders that you couldn't help but stare at.

Dismissing the thought, you continue forward, glancing around the hall as you match the guard step for step. Backwater or no, the Crystal Castle was actually pretty impressive. Gem studded doors and archways, stained glass windows—the whole nine yards.

A flash of irritation lances through your chest.

If they could afford a place like this, the least they could have done was spring for a better ticket.

Your grumblings are cut short, however, as you approach the entrance to the throne room. With a nod from your guide, two equally winged guards reach for the handles, the massive doors creaking as they turn on their hinges. A faint boom echoes through the hallway as they settle into place.

Before you, the pegasus steps to the side, offering a slight bow as he motions to the entryway.

“They will see you inside.”

You frown, offering a hesitant nod of your own.

“Thank you....I guess I'll be going in then.”

You wince a bit as the last bit leaves your mouth. Sound a little more awkward, why don't you.

Another head shake. You seemed to be doing those a lot lately.

Steeling yourself, you start forward, the clack of your footsteps echoing in your ears as you make your way down the violet carpet. The throne room is just as impressive as the one in Canterlot—possibly even moreso considering the glitter of the crystal walls.

Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack.

Yep.

You nod to yourself.

Just like Canterlot. The walking never ended.

After an age, you finally reach the base of the steps, eyes completing their circuit of the room as they come to rest on the throne for the first time.

Standing beside the throne is a blue maned unicorn stallion in full royal regalia—red vest and black pants etched with gold trim and clasps. A crest with a six pointed star is strapped across his chest, the glint of polished silver flashing as he shifts in your direction. His stance is impressive—well muscled and broad shouldered, he stands at least half a head taller than you ever could hope to.

You straighten your posture.

Shining Armor. Prince of the Crystal Empire. Captain of Equestria's Royal Guard. You'd seen him in pictures. One of the few stallion figureheads in the Equestrian government, as far as you could tell.

You shrug as you take note of his wide smile.

Seemed friendly enough.

You slide your gaze to his side.

If that was Shining Armor, then, next to him must be...

Your eyes widen a bit as they take in the sight of the figure seated at Armor's left.

Perched atop the crystal throne is a slender, pink mare in a sparkling cyan dress, a conservatively sized gold tiara peering out behind her horn. Her multicolored mane is brushed back behind her pointed ears, flowing down past her wings to the small of her back. Gracing her neck is a golden, v-shaped necklace, the pointed tip dipping low into her surprisingly liberal neckline. Two thin shoulder straps are all that's there to support her ample bust—its prominence made all the more noticeable by the tight dress hugging her slender frame.

Your gaze continues downward past her waist to her crossed legs, one knee tossed casually over the other. On one side—her left—the dress is slit open, revealing the entirety of her leg to your sight.

You trace the slender limb with your eyes. Down her thigh. The length of her exposed calf. Her ankle.

Your eyes widen another fraction of an inch.

Stretched out before you lies the mare's sandal clad foot, tapping soundlessly in the open air. Two thin, golden straps wrap around her ankle, holding it tight to the ungodly steep arch of the stiletto heeled sandal underneath. The top of her exposed foot lays bare your vision, save one, last, gem-lined strap across the front. And protruding from under that strap—five pink, pedicured toes, each sporting a thin sheen of light blue nail polish the same color as her dress.

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.

Unf.

“Ahem.”

The polite sound of a female voice clearing their throat rouses you from your visual tour. Glancing up, your gaze meets that of the mare, her dark purple irises popping out at you behind her eyelashes. One eyebrow is raised slightly above the other, a bemused lighting her face as she moves to speak.

“On behalf of Shining Armor and myself—Princess Mi Amore Cadenza—welcome to the Crystal Empire, Ambassador.”

You can feel the blood rush to your face.

She had absolutely caught you staring. One hundred percent.

“Ah—sorry!”

You fumble an apology, scratching at the back of your head.

“Still a little tired from my ride, it seems.”

You let out a nervous laugh, averting your gaze from the princess's own.

Dumbass!

Shining Armor, however, doesn't seem to notice your misstep. With surprising swiftness he steps forward, prompting you to take a step back as he grabs your right hand up in his own.

“Don't sweat it! It's a long ride from Canterlot. We've all been there.”

You stifle a yelp as he pumps his arm up and down, his hand gripping yours like a vice.

“Aha—is that right?”

You let out a sigh of relief as the stallion finally lets go, the circulation returning to your fingers. You spare a glance in Cadence's direction—embarrassment returning as she locks gazes with your own.

Eeesh. You kick yourself, trying to find the right words to say. No doubt she thought you were some sort of perv now.

Thankfully, Shining Armor picks that moment to chime in again, oblivious to the uneasy silence.

“Well, now that you're here, we'll have one of the guards bring you up to your room so you can sit back for a little while.”

You glance back at the beaming stallion, trying hard not to blanch at his enthusiasm as he continues.

“We've got a place set aside right here in the castle. A couple floors up, if I remember right. It's nothing fancy, but at least it will be close to all the rooms you'll be using during your stay.”

Nothing fancy. You stifle a grin at Shining's modesty. You doubted you'd even be able to afford a mop closet in a place as expensive as this.

Ignoring the thought, you nod instead.

“That sounds great. Should I head up that way now?”

The stallion nods, motioning toward the guards posted at the entrance to the room.

“Go ahead. We won't keep you. Feather Light or Cool Breeze over there should be able to take you up whenever you're ready. We even had Ink Quill prepare a tour of the castle for you once you're all settled in.”

You cough as Shining gives you a firm pat on the back, realigning several of your vertebrae.

“That said though, Cadie and I were wondering if you'd like to meet with us for dinner tonight so we can talk some more.”

“Dinner?”

Shining nods, motioning between himself and Cadence.

“Yeah. The two of us have some work to get done this afternoon, but if all goes well, we should be done by nightfall.”

“Ah—is that so?”

You offer a quick glance in Cadence's direction. She still hasn't spoken since her introduction, the same look of quiet amusement resting on her face as she studies you.

Ahhhh, kill me.

Wincing, you meet Shining's gaze once more, mind playing through the situation in your head. Awkward feelings or not, if you wanted things to change, this was a first step that you were going to have to suffer through.

Allowing yourself one last sigh, you offer Shining a slight nod.

“I'd love to.”

***

“Here's your drink, sir. Please wait here. Cadence and Shining Armor will join you shortly.”

You nod your head at the waiter's words, sipping from your glass as he disappears through the archway into what is, presumably, the kitchen. From the looks of things, this dining hall appeared to be one of the castle's smaller rooms—the narrow, rectangular table and its seating-for-eight giving it a markedly more intimate feel that most of the rooms you'd seen during your tour.

You glance around from your seat at the table's corner.

Small as it was, though, it wasn't any less ornate than the other rooms you'd seen. A golden, gem studded chandelier hangs from the ceiling, meshing well with the array of wallet-shaming tableware laid out on the silken tablecloth before you. The whole place practically glows with refinement.

You finish off your drink, carefully setting it back on its coaster.

“Fuck. Sure is taking them a while.”

You stare at your glass a moment longer before slumping forward in your seat.

You were not looking forward to this.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

You chide yourself for the umpteenth time, remembering the Princess's expression. Way to make things awkward off the bat. Now she probably thought you were some kind of creep.

You grab a fork with your right hand, tapping it lazily on the table.

There goes your attempt at a good first impression.

“Stupid. Stuupid. Stuuup—”

“Sorry for the wait!”

You leap halfway out of your chair as Shining's voice fills the room, your legs slamming against the table as you rock back into your seat. The fork in your hand goes flying, landing squarely into one of the table's flower bouquets with a faint rustle.

Turning as casually as possible, you smile through throbbing of your undoubtedly well bruised thighs.

“No problem.”

Oblivious to your pain, Shining enters the room, Cadence at his side. You quickly avert your eyes, feigning interest in the chandelier as the couple walks around the opposite side of the table to take their seats.

Was she still making that same face?

You steal a couple quick glances at Cadence as the two make their way across the room. She doesn't seem to notice, however—her eyes closed in a very princessly manner as she steps forward with an indifferent expression.

Huh.

Your shoulders loosen a bit as the two take their seat—Shining to your left at the head of the table, and Cadence in the seat opposite yours.

You offer another quick glance, just to make sure.

Nope. Eyes still closed.

For the first time since that morning, you can feel yourself start to relax. She may not have been smiling, but at least she didn't seem to care about what had happened anymore.

"Long time no see! Sorry again for the wait. You wouldn't believe what happened at the training field this afternoon..."

You smile—genuinely—nodding toward the incoming waiter as Shining starts off into a story about one of his exercises earlier that day.

You could work with this. You could work with this.

***

“...and so he says, 'peanut butter hoof? Yuck, no, not even with jelly!'”

You nearly choke on your drink as Shining finishes his story, the taste of wine burning your sinuses as you spray a mist of red over your half eaten plate.

Shining, for one, is laughing right with you, hand pounding the table with gusto as his deep guffaws ripple through his torso.

Wiping a tear from your eye, you offer the stallion a small nod, chuckling at his antics as you do so. Though their bodies might look similar, it seemed ponies didn't have the same alcohol tolerance as the folks back home. Well, not Shining Armor, at least. Though the two of you had both put back only a glass or two, you could already see the stallion getting a little red around the ears.

Salvaging what your can from your drink, you take another sip, taking a moment to appreciate the situation. The night had been turning out better than you'd hoped. Despite your misgivings about coming here, your first day in the Crystal Empire had been one of the better ones in a while.

You set your glass back on the table, not bothering to look for the coaster this time.

You could get used to this. You really could. Good food. Friendly enough ponies. Everything going well, except, maybe...

For the first time in a while, you glance across the opposite side of the table. Cadence had been silent this whole time, quietly eating away at her meal as Shining went through one story after another. The same, regal, eyes-closed expression lights her face as before—indifferent to the world around her.

You shrug, glancing back to your plate. Oh well. Like you'd already decided—as long as she wasn't openly disgusted with you, things would probably work out.

Beside you, Shining's laughter finally starts to die out. Taking another sip from his glass, he turns in your direction.

“Yeah. We do have our fun times over there. It's hard work running a guard unit up north—more monsters than you'd think. But those colts make it worth it.”

Another sip.

“So, Ambassador. What all have you been up to these past few months? Enjoying your time in Equestria?”

You shrug, drumming the table with your fingers.

“Ah, you know, this and that. It was pretty busy at first, but things have been pretty quiet lately.”

“Ah sure, sure. I know how it is."

Shining's glass hits the table with a dull thud as he raises his hand to make a point.

"You can save Equestria one day and then have everypony forget about you the next. We've been through the same thing a time or two. Isn't that right, Cadie?”

Cadence, for one, doesn't respond his comment. Instead, she simply takes another sip from her glass, expression unchanging.

Shining, however, doesn't seem to notice, continuing right on through into his next thought.

“Yeah, it seems like Equestria needs saving all the time, these days. Last year alone my sis and her friends had to fight off some anti-cutie mark cult and stop a time spell crisis. Both started by the same mare. Real piece of work. She's Twily's pupil now, actually.”

You nod, zoning out as Shining continues. You'd been in Equestria long enough to hear about most of the exploits of Twilight Sparkle and her friends. The six were celebrities. Real celebrities though—the kind that didn't lose favor after a couple months like you did.

You decide to let Shining Armor have his moment, though. No point in ruining his fun.

Stretching, you sit back in your chair. Might as well get comfortable and let—

Nudge.

You blink. Had something just bumped your shin?

You pause a few moments before shaking your head.

Whatever.

You finish shifting around, sinking into your backrest. Too bad the seats on the train hadn't been this plush. Might have let you sleep a little better.

You shift your attention back to Shining's voice, checking in on the conversation.

“...and then there was that time Tirek broke free from Tartarus. You know Tirek, right? The centaur? Yeah, that was pretty bad. Did a lot of damage too. I wasn't around for most of that one either, but the whole thing started this one night when...”

Nudge.

There it was again. A brush against your left leg.

You grab the bottom of your seat and scoot it an inch to the right. Must be bumping into Shining or something. He did tend to get pretty animated when he talked. This ought to do—

Nudge. Rub.

You freeze in your seat.

Definitely not Shining. You'd felt in on your right leg this time. It hadn't just bumped you either. Something had intentionally slid itself down the length of your calf.

You pause for a moment, hesitant to pull up the table cloth and check. There were cats here in Equestria, right? Did Shining and Cadence have cats at the castle?

You glance in Shining's direction, searching for an opening to ask.

“...so Sis and her friends finally break free and show Tirek a thing or two. We get him locked back up and, what do you know, Sis gets her own castle out of nowhere! But that doesn't even compare to the time when...”

Nudge. Rub. Rub.

Again, you freeze in your seat.

You'd felt cats rub against you before. That wasn't a cat. Whatever it had been, it was deliberate in its motions—tracing two, slow lines up the inside of your calf. It had felt firm too, almost as if you'd been grazed by someone's sh—

You pause mid thought.

No. Nooo. That couldn't be it, could it?

You shake your head.

No. Nooo. Of course not. That wouldn't happen. That kind of stuff didn't happen.

Slowly, casually, you tilt your gaze to Shining's right. Cadence continues to eat across the table from you, stopping only occasionally to sip from the wine glass at the side of her plate. Just as before, her eyes are closed, features still resting in that same calm expression.

See?

You chide yourself, smiling sheepishly for even having the thought. It's not like Cadence would just...in the middle of dinner...

Your smile dies on your lips as you see Cadence's left eyelid crack open halfway. The slightest of smirks lights her expression as she reaches for her wine glass, pink fingers wrapping around its stem.

Rub. Rub. Sliiiiide.

You can feel your face grow warm as the sensation returns, stroking inside of your calf with light, playful movements. This time, however, it doesn't depart—the contact lingering as it slowly trails up your leg.

No. Noooo.

You look for words.

Nooooooo.

For all your effort, your mind is a jumble.

Why would she be doing this? Was it a test? A prank? A joke? Were you supposed to say something?

You glance nervously toward the door, waiting for somepony from the waitstaff to glance in your direction.

Nobody there.

Sliiiide.

The sensation continues to escalate—the flat bottom of Cadence's sandal now easily discernible through your pant leg. The mare continues to tease further and further up your calf—each light stroke sending small shivers down the back of your spine.

You offer Cadence a quick, helpless look, but she only returns your gaze with that same cracked eyelid. That same small smirk.

She takes another sip from her glass.

You glance in Shining's direction, voice catching in your throat.

"Uhm...uhm..."

Shining, however, continues on with his story, alcohol having raised his ramblings to new heights.

“...so everyone in the Crystal Empire is trapped. Black crystals here. Black crystals there. Sombra closing in—no idea if we're going to make it out alive or not. Then Spike—my buddy, Spike—jumps right off the side of the castle with the Crystal Heart. Right off the side of it! So, without thinking, I turn around and grab...”

The toe of Cadence's sandal reaches your inner thigh, halting any hopes you have of speaking up. What's worse, you've come to a disturbing realization.

You're starting to get hard.

Shrinking back into your seat, you do your best to avoid attention, mind racing with the beat of your heart.

This was bad.

Day one as Frienship Ambassador in a new nation and you were already in a situation like this.

Your heart skips a beat at the implications.

What would they do if they found out? Could you be exiled for this? Imprisioned?

You swallow.

Executed?

You grip the table as the point of Cadence's sandal snakes closer to your crotch.

You silently curse yourself for not doing any research into Equestrian royal law.

“...so that's how that one worked out, anyways. The crystalling effect was only temporary though—wore off after a few days. Speaking of transformation effects, that reminds of this other time in Canterlot when...”

You latch your attention onto Shining's story. Anything to get your mind off the situation at hand. Maybe she'd stop if you didn't react to her.

Yeah. That was it. Just don't get hard. Don't get hard. Don't get hard. Right. You weren't excited at all.

Shit.

You grit your teeth in frustration. You were hard. And not just hard but hard. Like bend-a-steel-rod-around-your-dick hard. There'd be no standing up and walking out anytime soon.

Slowly, your eyes drift down past the table into your lap. You can feel the ripple of the tablecloth as, ever so slightly, the pink mare trails her sandals closer to your restrained member.

Sensing movement, you glance across the table to see Cadence slowly close her open eye. With all the casualness in the world, she reclines back in her seat, grabbing the stem of the wine glass in one hand and tracing the rim with the other.

Her smirk widens.

Your eyes drop back down to your lap. With a shimmer of movement, you see the tablecloth part to reveal five, pink, pedicured toes peeking out from the strap of Cadence's right sandal, all pressed against your inner thigh. She drums them rhythmically, flashing you alternating glimpses of her perfect cyan nails and pink toe pads as she slides ever further up your leg. And on her second toe...

Your heart catches in your throat. A thin metal band rests around her second toe—tiny studded gems sparkling in the light of the chandelier.

Your dick jumps visibly at the sight, straining to break free of your zipper. Cadence appears to notice as well, giving her toes a happy wiggle. You glance up, once again met with the gaze of her purple iris behind a half closed eyelid.

Slyly, the mare's sandal slides between your legs, the end of her sandal resting just below your crotch. With a slow, steady, stroke, she lifts her toes up, tracing the underside of your tightening sack with her perfect nails.

“F-f-fuck.”

The word escapes your mouth without warning. You freeze.

Had Shining heard?

You quickly glance to your left, eyes scanning for the stallion's gaze.

Shining, however, continues to drone on, unaware. His cheeks grow a shade redder as he takes another sip from his glass.

“Boom! Bang! Everypony's hitting Changelings left and right. Now I was out of commission for this one too, but I could see everything! More spells and explosions going off than you could imagine. So Sis and the gang finally break through the front doors and...”

Your spine tingles again as Cadence slowly resumes her earlier drumming, the tips of her toes teasing your sensitive parts as they draw small, delicate circles.

You grip the table more closely, your hunch growing more pronounced. Once again, you glance in Cadence's direction.

This time, both the mare's purple eyes meet you beneath half closed eyelids. Watching wordlessly, she takes another small sip from her wine glass, never shifting her gaze from your own.

She smirks again, nipping at the edge of the glass with her teeth.

Unf.

Slowly, deliberately, Cadence's toes trail up past your sack to the base of your shaft. Arching her foot back, she presses the toe of her sandal against your base, curling her toes as she starts to tease up and down your shaft.

Your eye twitches as you try to look away, helpless to the situation unfolding. Any move you made could attract Shining's attention.

Sliiide.

“Fuu-ahh.”

Without warning, Cadence's sandal slides up to your head, the flat surface pressing your dick against yours lower waist. You struggle not to curse out loud as she begins to move in short, quick strokes—cute pink toes wiggling as she toys with your member.

A familiar tension starts to rise in the base of your shaft.

Shit.

This was bad. If something like this happened...

You grunt, watching as the corners of Cadence's lips twitch upwards in amusement. Varying her movements, she suddenly twists her ankle—wedging the tip of your dick between her toes and sandal beneath your pants.

“Gnnh.”

Another grunt. Cadence drums her toes again, the pads of her pink toes drawing tiny stars across your vision.

Shit. Shit. Much more of this and you were going to—

“Am I right, Ambassador? Am I right?”

The motion on your member suddenly slows, the tips of Cadence's toes trailing back down the length of your shaft. A moment later, you register the sensation of her shoe trailing down the inside of your leg as it disappears beneath the table.

Spots dancing on the sides of your vision, you glance up at the source of the voice, meeting Shining's eyes for the first time in minutes.

“Ah. Uhm.”

Slowly, you can feel the cogs grinding back into position—forcing your language center through the boot up process. Trying to remember where his story had been going, you offer your best guess at a suitable reply.

“Uhm...yes?”

“See! That's what I told him. I knew you'd think so!”

The stallion falls back in his seat, slapping his side as he takes another sip from his drink.

Warily, you glance across the table. Cadence's eyes are once again closed, thin fingers wrapped around her glass as she sips her drink.

You sigh in relief.

That had been a close one.

Offering silent thanks to the stallion beside you, you take a moment to consider your game plan. If you could just keep his attention on you...

“So. Shining.”

You wrack your brain, trying to think of a topic.

“You uh...seem to mention your sister a lot. I take it you two must be close?”

Shining meets your gaze, a wide smile lighting his lips at the mention of Twilight.

“Oh, Twily? Yeah! We've been close ever since we were foals. She's my L.S.B.F.F. after all.”

You nod emphatically, trying to keep things moving along.

“Oh yeah? That's great, where did you guys—”

“Yeah, I couldn't ask for a better little sister.”

Shining cuts you off before you can finish, the volume of his voice swelling with pride.

“Twily and I go way back . We did everything together before she left Canterlot. That in itself is a whole nother story. I remember it like yesterday though. Twilight had just come up telling me about this letter she received from Celestia—”

You stare at Shining, mollified, as he starts into another story, his attention entirely not on you.

“Uh, Shining? Shining? Shine—”

Click.

Clack.

You grow silent as you hear a succession of soft noises—the sound of a clasp unlocking, followed by a light tap against the floor—echo from beneath the table.

You glance at the content-looking face of Cadence, studying her in silence.

Had you just imagined it? It didn't look like she was—

Your eyes widen as you see a dim glow form around her horn.

Click.

It was her, then. But what was she doing?

Your eyes do a quick circuit around the room. Everything seems to check out.

Thump. Clack.

You flinch as you feel something impact against your shin before falling to the floor.

You shoot a quick glance at Shining. Enraptured in his story, he doesn't seem to have noticed.

Peering to the side as casually as your frayed nerves will allow, you glance over the edge of your chair at the small patch of floor not obscured by the tablecloth. It takes a moment for your eyes to adjust to the shadows, but when they do, your heart skips a beat.

Cadence's sandal.

You blink twice, trying to register the sight before you.

Cadence's. Sandal.

Slowly, you raise your eyes to meet the lidded gaze undoubtedly fixed on your own. Peering out from behind the lip of her glass, Cadence's eyes lock with yours. With a small, knowing grin, she sinks further back in her seat, breasts heaving beneath her dress. The movement prompts a lock of her mane to fall out from behind her ear, partially obscuring her stare.

Your eyes widen as you feel Cadence's touch resume on the inside of one—both—legs. This time, you can't make out the sensation of her sandal—only the tips of Cadence's toes tracing up your calves.

This time, however, she doesn't waste any time toying around. Before you can say a word, her right foot once again pokes out from beneath the tablecloth, her left pressing firmly against your inner thigh.

You hold back a grunt as her pink toes once again resume their strokes against the base of your still-hardened member—the sensation that much more gripping without her sandal in between.

Unable to offer Shining a passing glance, your eyes widen as you watch the rest of the mare's petite foot emerge, her soft sole enveloping your member beneath your jeans. You can feel your dick start to twitch again as she pinches at your cockhead with her toes, drumming her digits along your tip. She slides her left foot in closer, tracing her nails lazily against your sack as she had before.

Your earlier excitement quickly returns—heart pounding with even more fervor than before. You watch, transfixed, as Cadence's foot works your member, flashes of her perfect pink soles meeting your eyes with every playful stroke.

You grunt, suddenly very aware of how tight your pants felt around your crotch. You can feel your dick twitching beneath the fabric, straining—struggling—to break free.

Cadence's toes seem to sense this. She slows her strokes, edging her big toe beneath the clasp of your pants.

You raise an eyebrow, heart thumping at the thought of what was coming next.

She wouldn't—

Click.

With a flick, the clasp of your pants comes undone, the tip of your dick already protruding out from beneath your boxers. You watch, mouth agape, as the mare deftly takes your zipper slide between her toes, and tugs.

You immediately hunch another few inches forward as your dick springs halfway free—the elastic of your boxers offering little resistance. Still speechless, you watch the princess's toes draw tantalizingly close to your bare skin as they slide your boxers down your shaft.

You can sense Shining out of the corner of your eye, but the stallion doesn't appear to have noticed. His words are there, but they sound distant—his story lost to the thumping of blood in your ears.

Your heart skips another beat as you see five more pink toes emerge, Cadence's left foot snaking out from the tablecloth and coming to rest against your lower stomach.

Your dick bobs at the sight, straining for stimulation. Teasingly, Cadence's right foot slides over to the base of your shaft, the tips of her toes making contact with your skin for the first time.

You groan. Audibly. Quietly, but audibly.

Left foot still pressed against your stomach, Cadence slowly begins to slide her right upward, her soft pink sole wrapping snugly around your shaft.

Another quiet-but-audible groan escapes you.

You can't even sense Shining anymore. You know he's there, but you can't sense him. Half of you doesn't even care anymore. All you can process now is the touch of cool skin slowly working its way up—

The stars return at the edge of your vision as the tips of Cadence's toes reach your cockhead—the tiny pink pads tapping away at your bare skin. You can feel the slight grating from the studs of her toe ring there too—the only rough patch of otherwise smooth sensation playing against your tip.

Your stomach flip-flops as you see a pearl of precum form at your head. It's quickly swept away by the mare's toes, coating the bottom of Cadence's pretty pink pads with a thin, sheen of liquid.

You can't see the mare's expression, but you know what it is. Lidded eyes. Another knowing grin.

She had you. There was no going back now.

Sensing your closeness, Cadence draws her toes back, her soft sole once again wrapping around the length of your shaft. Your dick twitches beneath her foot, her painted toenails wiggling playfully just below the head of your shaft.

With slow precision, Cadence's left foot slides down your stomach, coming to rest beside her right. Sliding her right off from your shaft, she positions her feet on either side, your cock wobbling obscenely against the sides of her pink soles.

Another drip of precum rolls down your member, running off onto the bare skin of her left foot. Slowly, Cadence drags it back, the side of her foot glistening with the trail of liquid. Wordlessly, she repeats the same motion with her right foot until only the sides of her big toes are pressed against your cock.

The tightening at your base is almost unbearable.

Your thoughts are a mess. Confusion, fear, self-consciousness, excitement.

Only your rationality has a chance of holding you back.

Glancing upwards, you meet the inevitable gaze of the two purple irises behind the glass.

Your rationality, however, had died off long ago.

Unable to hold back, you mouth a single word.

[Please.]

Slowly the mare closes her eyes, her small smile growing ever so slightly on her lips. Eyes trailing down, you sense the mare shifting her legs against you for a better angle.

You watch as the princess turns her feet outward, exposing the smooth pink skin of her soles to the open air on either side of your dick.

Slowly—agonizingly slowly—she draws her feet together until the undersides of her toes are wrapped firmly around the sides of your cock. Without a word, she begins to stroke your shaft, her toes clenching and unclenching in a steady rhythm against your bare skin.

Your eyes widen as new sensation starts to take hold.

Here it comes.

Your breathing picks up—faster than it already was—knuckles growing white as you grip the table.

Here it comes.

Noticing the change, the princess increases her cadence, her painted toes teasing their way further and further up your length.

Here it comes.

The dots at the edges of your vision turn to blotches. You can feel your body writhing with pent up stress, lightheadedness setting in from the prolonged stimulation of princess's feet. The sensation of cool skin against your cock continues the mount as Cadence's toes rub just shy of your tip.

Here it—

“FUCK!”

Any control you had dissipates the second Cadence's pink toes grip the head of your cock. With feral grunt, your dick erupts, a hot jet of spunk arcing straight up between her toes, spattering wetly on the exposed skin her foot and ankle. Spurt after spurt follows suit, coating the princess's pedicured toes in cum. By the time the last rope leaves your cockhead, both her painted nails and toe ring are barely visible beneath the thick layer of white.

“Fuck.”

A faint ringing fills your ears as your eyes glaze over, your senses only dimly present as Cadence slowly strokes your deflating member between white painted toes. You watch dumbly as she splays them wide for you to see, strands of semen clinging lewdly between the gaps.

You slide back into the chair, holding a hand to your head. You can feel the princess's toes slide off you a moment later, disappearing once again beneath the tablecloth as if nothing had happened.

Not that that was the case.

For the first time, you notice that Shining's voice has stopped—the silence only confirming your worst fears.

You swallow.

Execution it is.

Eyes still closed, you turn to your side, fumbling to get an apology out from your mouth.

“Shining. I—I don't know what to say. I-I'm sor—”

Peeking out from beneath your eyelids, your eyes snap open at the sight of a passed out Shining Armor, snoring away with his cheek flat against the table.

You hold perfectly still, the absurdity of your apparent luck not allowing you to accept it.

There was no fucking way.

Despite your disbelief, however, the stallion snoring appears genuine. A small puddle of saliva had already begun pooling at the side of his mouth. Celestia only knows how long he had been passed out for.

Not sure how to react, you lean further back in your chair, inadvertently sliding your midsection under the tablecloth.

The action doesn't come a moment too soon. At the edge of your vision, one of the wait staff suddenly appears, nearly sending you tumbling from your chair. You catch yourself, however, doing all that you can to keep your spent member concealed from sight.

“Ah, I see his highness has had a few too many drinks again.”

The unicorn, an older pony from the looks of his graying beard and mane, walks to Shining's side and lifts, propping the sleeping stallion up on his shoulder with one smooth swoop. From the practiced look the motion, it appeared this wasn't the first time he'd done it.

“I'll see him to his room. I trust you'll be retiring too, your highness?”

You shoot a bewildered glance in Cadence's direction, having almost forgotten her presence. Eyes still closed, the mare sips the last drops of liquid from her wine glass, setting it down neatly before flashing a demure smile in the waitpony's direction.

Click. Click.

“Of course.”

Not even sparing you a glance, the pink mare rises from her seat and follows the waitpony out, the click of her heels echoing through the otherwise pin-drop silence blanketing the room.

As she rounds the corner of the table, your eyes are inevitably drawn down the length of her calves. As they meet their destination, your heart stops cold.

The princess's cum covered toes peak out at you beneath the gold of her sandals, glistening wetly under the light of the chandelier. As if aware of your gaze, Cadence drums them one last time—the sticky white digits left glaringly obvious from any angle.

Dumbfounded, you stare at her back as she passes through the archway and out of the room. For the briefest of moments, you swear you can see her flash you a wink, before disappearing from view altogether.

Joints creaking, you turn forward, staring blankly into your drink. A few moments later, you grip your backrest, straightening in your seat.

“Shall I escort you to you to your room as well, sir?”

You immediately slouch back down, nearly falling out of your seat (again) as another wait-pony enters the room.

The two of you share an awkward glance, the room sitting in silence.

You glance back at your drink. Then Shining's seat. Then Cadence's.

For the final time that night, you shake your head.

“Uhm—if you don't mind, I think I'll have desert first.”

Day one in the Crystal Empire: complete.

***

Author's Note

Oh, colt. It's been a while. How's everyone doing?

A somewhat erotic bout of inspiration struck me earlier today and—against my better judgement—I found myself writing.

And writing. And writing. And writing.

Long story short, you find out a lot about yourself after fantasizing for ten hours straight. Interesting stuff. Weird stuff. Sexy stuff.

And people tell me I should get myself a girlfriend.

Not sure who all this might cater to in the fimfiction sphere, but I'll throw it out there just in case. At the very least, I had fun writing it, so the least I can do is put it out there in case it helps scratch someone else's sexy itch.

Who knows? If inspiration strikes again, there may be more to come. In the meantime though, thanks for the read.

Quandary, out.