Her Collar, Her Love

Rarity nursed her morning coffee slowly, her eyes peering out her windows at the partially cloudy sky. The sun broke through the clouds, illuminating patches of Ponyville with stark shafts of light. As the weather ponies cleared up the remainder of the clouds, Rarity held on to that image of the heavens piercing their shadowy veil. It made her think of revelations-- the nature of them, not any revelation specifically. They could be brilliant, uplifting, revealing...

Or blinding, overwhelming, and searing.

She had known a sort of antsiness on previous play dates, but today had a different flavor to it, one that rivaled even her visit to Discord’s home. Then, at least, she hadn’t had to worry about it. There hadn’t been time! This was different. It felt… guarded. Alert.

How would Rainbow Dash take the revelation of Fluttershy’s owner?

And how would Rarity handle it? After all, Rainbow’s feelings would not be the only revelation of the day. This was a test. A measure of Rarity’s fitness as Fluttershy’s owner and just how far she’d come.

Thus far, the fashionista had concealed her lack of a concrete plan from her darling sub for one reason: to keep Fluttershy at ease. The truth of it was, she only had a general sketch of the evening’s activities sorted out. Her real goal? Keep it simple. If there had been one thing she had taken away from her last discussion with Dark Mask, it was to give what she was able-- and in this case, she only felt certain of her ability to keep Fluttershy feeling physically and emotionally safe under the most basic of scenes.

Not that she expected Rainbow Dash to go out of her way to hurt her friends. She was loyal to a fault, and overprotective to the point of obsession if she felt her friends were in danger. But Rarity was well aware of Rainbow’s penchant for overzealous teasing and competitive nature, things which clashed with her more admirable qualities. Together they could mix into a cocktail of emotional confusion, one which could very well blind her to disastrous results she might have otherwise taken care to avoid.

The day dragged on, those worries never far from her mind. Even so, she had her customers, like the mare with a serious addiction to neon green, who had taken nearly a full hour of compassionate coaching before agreeing to try on some softer pastel shades. She’d had a surprise visit by dedicated customer (and fan) Woah Nelly, a mare of unique proportions whose optimistic personality always moved Rarity to go the extra mile for her-- or in Nelly’s case, the extra length of cloth. A disastrous, last minute case had walked in just before closing time: a poor, misguided colt wearing poofy blue fuzzy pants that seemed wider than his entire frame. She dealt with these things like a doctor determined to do whatever it took to effectively treat her patients. But then....

The curtains were drawn.

The ‘OPEN’ sign was flipped to ‘CLOSED’.

And an air of nervous anticipation settled on the boutique.

Rarity sat before a newly brewed pot of coffee in her kitchen and began to pour a cup when she heard the door start to unlock. Her eyes whipped to the clock on the wall-- yes, yes, Fluttershy was punctual. How could she not be? Rainbow Dash had been hounding her for days for this, the poor thing. It was time to relieve her pet fully of this burden.

Her ear swiveled as the musical chime of the door opening reached her. Voices followed swiftly, familiar but indistinct. Rarity picked up her freshly poured cup of coffee, blew on it, then took a dainty sip. One more for the road, she thought distantly as she set the cup back down onto the saucer, then made her way to the foyer. As she neared (and consciously focused) on the words being spoken, she was able to pick out their meanings.

“Flutters, what in the hay are we doing here? I thought you said you’d-- ”

“I promised to take you to them, Rainbow. This is where we’re supposed to be.”

Rarity’s darling pet must have been in dire straits to utter such a rare interjection. Doubtless, the nearing of the moment of truth had ratcheted Rainbow’s more challenging attributes to their maximum. Once again, Rarity was in awe of Fluttershy’s ever-forgiving compassion. She was big enough to admit that, were she in the animal lover’s position, she would have lost patience with Rainbow long ago, and likely stuck her in a chiffon cocoon to be mailed to Captain Spitfire direct, complete with a royal purple ribbon and a note in flourishing (if angrily bold stroked) cursive that read, Most sincere apologies, but it appears one of your unruly recruits has managed to run afoul of the most basic principles of social behavior. She has been returned to your care for her own safety. Best Regards, Rarity.

Thankfully it seemed her very capable pet had managed the situation quite well on her own. But now was the time to ease the pressure. It was time for Rarity to play her part.

Rarity entered the foyer, finding herself immediately pierced by a sharp glare from Rainbow. It was clear the blue pegasus was hyped beyond measure, ready to meet and defeat Fluttershy’s new “owner” as a very real threat to the order of her world. It was no secret that Rainbow saw herself as a sort of champion for Fluttershy, that she was personally responsible for her friend’s safety, even if it was something she would never admit aloud. It wasn’t a role she’d sought out, but rather one she felt she’d inherited, thanks to their shared foalhood past.

Rarity met this heightened aggression with a certain measure of exasperation-- in other words, business as usual. It wasn’t that she didn’t wish to meet this misplaced bravado with a display of her own prowess, but overt declarations was not her preference unless under extreme situations, and her method of subtle supremity would be utterly wasted here. Rainbow Dash, for all their past history together, was not a complicated creature, if at least in initial approach. Discreet symbols of power and clever wars with words were utterly alien to the very physical and team-centric Wonderbolt. Being a leader to Rainbow was less about talking the talk, but walking the walk.

So Rarity had to strut her stuff-- Well, as much strutting as one could manage in the five feet from her curtained kitchen space to the foyer/main floor of her boutique.

Fluttershy sat just a little ahead of Rainbow Dash on the center floor, her spine slouched and her ears pinned back. Her discomfort was intensely obvious, like a stain on a white silk gown, and it took all of Rarity’s focus to tear her eyes away to take in Rainbow’s lithe form prowling just before the entrance. The Wonderbolt’s wing joints were angled down in a sign of aggression and her eyes scanned the room intensely. It were as if she expected Fluttershy’s owner to pop out from behind a ponnequin’s shadow, or from beneath a basket of ribbons.

Rarity approached the pair, stepping close to Fluttershy so that their flanks just touched. “Why hello girls!” she greeted, intensely aware of the stress that held her fillyfriend’s body taut. “My goodness, I haven’t seen a pair so tense since my last bridal job!”

Fluttershy opened her mouth to speak, but Rainbow Dash cut in swiftly. “Hey Rares. Sorry. I dunno why Flutters brought us here, but we were kind of in the middle of something.” Fluttershy’s sigh was a modest huff of irritation-- the equivalent of a volcanic eruption for the demure mare. Rarity placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder.

“Rainbow,” Fluttershy said, the ruffling of her primaries contrasting her patient tone, “perhaps you didn’t hear me, and I’m sorry if you didn’t, but this is where we’re supposed to be.”

Rarity quickly nuzzled her. Take solace, pet. Our trying friend shall soon be served a spoonful of sobering medicine! She pulled away just as Rainbow turned back to them with a scoff. “What could this place possibly have to do with what you’ve been telling me?” She laughed suddenly-- and though it sounded harsh, it lacked malice. Nerves, Rarity guessed. “What?” Rainbow went on, still chuckling a tad too high, “You pick up costumes for roleplay here?”

“Maybe you’d like to enlighten me as to what exactly you’re looking for?” Rarity cut in tersely. “I live here, after all!”

Rainbow Dash chewed on her inner lip, her rosy eyes cutting clean into Rarity before she relented with an anxious scrape of her hoof on the floor, “Only if Flutters says it’s ok.”

Rarity nodded with some approval. So she’s not completely beyond decorum… “What say you, Darling?” she asked her pet.

Fluttershy nodded, eyes sparkling with relief. The baton was passing. “I trust Rarity.”

Rainbow’s face twisted into a grimace, and she gave her head a rough shake. Rarity sensed it had more to do with her embarrassment over the topic rather than some offense regarding including Rarity in their little “secret.”

“Fluttershy says,” Rainbow started with strain visible in her voice. She gave one hard flap of her wings, making the clothes on display on the ponnequins around them flutter and stir. It almost gave the illusion that they were alive-- an audience of no one. When Rainbow Dash resumed, her voice had gained a subtle gravelly quality to it, like she couldn’t believe she was saying it aloud, but damn it, so be it: “Fluttershy says she’s got an ‘owner.’ Like, a kinky partner thing. Heck, I dunno. I just wanted to meet the stallion.” She looked sharply next at Fluttershy, who flinched under the attention. “Flutters, is he coming here? Is that why we’re at Rarity’s?” She looked back to Rarity, her eyes scorching with questioning heat. “Rares, you know about this? Have you met him?”

It was no use. What should have been painfully clear to her at this point was simply failing to compute. So, Rarity reasoned, it was time to demonstrate instead.

Walk the walk, right?

Rarity tossed her hair, her horn flaring as a familiar silk fan levitated into their midst. She smirked, winking knowingly at Fluttershy. “Let go, my dear. I shall handle the rest.” And in that split second, Rarity saw the briefest, most glorious gleam of gratitude and admiration in living memory glisten in her pet’s darling eyes.

The fan snapped open. Rarity gave her ceremonial bow. Fluttershy did her on the spot turn, then… “Mew!” Sunny was in her place, her eyes wide and loving.

Rarity’s horn brightened with her aura as she used her magic to jingle a new cat toy she’d purchased in her shrinking free time. It was in a corner of the boutique floor where she’d set up a large cat bed, a bowl of water, and a smaller bowl of fruit treats. (Opal had protested loudly when Rarity had informed her this was for a different pet.)

Sunny bounded for this little haven without a moment’s hesitation, her bright eyes honing in on her new prize.

Rainbow, meanwhile, looked on in befuddlement. “Flutters?” she called, her muzzle scrunching with incomprehension. She looked at Rarity next, who gazed after her pet with loving authority. The blue pegasus’ ears were starting to turn outward, just short of flattening against her head. “Rarity, what the heck was that?”

Rarity looked at her impassively. Moment of truth. “That was me telling my pet she could assume her coveted role.”

Rainbow Dash stared. Sunny’s new toy tinkled softly amidst the ensuing silence-- a red bouncy ball with a bell hidden inside.

“Your pet?” was all Rainbow seemed able to say after a full minute.

Rarity smiled softly and gave a single nod. “Yes. Mine.”

The blue pegasus squinted one eye as one of her ears drooped. Her eyes shot between Sunny to Rarity, then back.

Oh dear, Rarity thought with a mixture of both amusement and mild alarm. I seem to have broken the poor thing!

Rainbow pointed a shaky hoof at Rarity. “You’re the one,” she said slowly, swinging her hoof to point at Sunny, who had gotten bored of her toy and was now enjoying her bowl of fruit, “who is Fluttershy’s owner.”

“Whilst in this scene, she is to be referred to as Sunny. And yes, as you’ve suggested, I am her owner. Though I’m a little disappointed you hadn’t recognized my artistry in her lovely collar.”

“But…” Rainbow’s voice trailed as her mouth went slack. She stared at Rarity. “How can it be you?”

Rarity moved in closer, a throaty chuckle rumbling through her. “Well you see, it’s a funny story.”

“I’m listening,” Rainbow said flatly, shooting Rarity an irritated glare. She apparently didn’t appreciate the coy approach. (Still, Rarity was finding she quite liked seeing the brash pegasus squirm.)

“It all started when I confided in Fluttershy about a strange adventure a colleague had taken me on,” Rarity began, sitting with practiced poise next to her friend. Sunny was about halfway through her bowl of fruit-- she really seemed to be savoring the watermelon and pineapple pieces, Rarity noted. “It was my first glimpse of BDSM, and of all of my friends, I felt Fluttershy was the only one to whom I could confide my feelings and not feel judged or scrutinized.”

“What?” Rainbow demanded, “Really?” She actually sounded scandalized.

Rarity glanced at her mildly. “Certainly at the time, that is how I felt. It wasn’t that I thought my friends would somehow disassociate with me… but come now, Rainbow. Be honest. Would you have been at ease with me telling you about the things I saw? Ponies openly having sex before me, and in such elaborate ways! Can you imagine Applejack?”

Rainbow nodded reluctantly. “I guess you’ve got a point. I think I woulda wigged out on you a little. Applejack would’ve just about exploded! But Twi and Pinkie? I dunno.”

“Fair enough. But Fluttershy felt the safest place to go to. It was by no means meant to be a rejection of any of our other friends, including you!”

“Okay, okay… So you tell Flutters all this, and then what?” Rainbow pressed.

“Later on, she feels confident enough to reveal to me a secret desire of hers.” Rarity continued in a fond undertone. “Something she’d been pining for, but which she wasn’t sure she could trust anypony with.”

“But then you come along and say you saw all this stuff and that you were curious.”

Rarity bobbed her head gently. “More or less. I took some time to think it over, and… well… we made it official. I became her owner, and she, my pet.”

“Just like that?” Rainbow asked incredulously.

“No,” Rarity admitted with a little smirk. “Not just like that. I was glossing for the sake of time. This is our weekly playdate, after all.”

“Aren’t you guys supposed to have a safe word or something?” Rainbow protested-- almost whined. Her tail began to lash behind her.

Rarity nodded. “Oh my, yes! Right on the nose, Rainbow Dash. Ours is ‘cotton’. In fact, we’ve an entire list of acceptable and unacceptable actions. It goes without saying that for the duration of your visit, you shall honor this.” Before she even received a response, the unicorn levitated a scroll to them. Together, she and Fluttershy had endeavored to create a singular list, one that was… censored to some degree-- because after all, this was a dressed down playdate in front of an outsider. They needn’t unveil their kinks wantonly!

Magic unfurled the scroll for Rainbow to read. The pegasus scowled at it, Rarity’s aura vanishing as Rainbow’s hooves took hold of the parchment. She brought it up close to her face and began reading under her breath.

There. That ought to keep her busy for a moment, Rarity thought with some relief. The words of the document ran through her head, just as a memory check-- to be sure they hadn’t revealed overly much: roleplay, power exchange, costumes… Yes, it all ought to be fine for the moment.

“Sunny!” she called. Sunny’s head popped up, watermelon juice still dripping from her muzzle. Rarity’s voice dropped to a coo as she took a few steps toward her pet. “Come dearest, let your lady greet you properly.” She levitated the tip of the fan to her chin.

Sunny bounded over immediately, purring loudly as she pecked her owner on the lips.

“That’s my good girl,” Rarity gushed, petting Sunny between the ears before stroking her mane carefully with a manicured hoof. “Are you ready to learn some new tricks? Show Rainbow how clever you are!”

Sunny sat on her haunches, eyes wide and attentive as Rarity floated over a box of chocolates and removed the lid. “First, I think, I’d like to see my sweet kitty rise up. Can you rise up, Sunny?” She lifted a chocolate with her magic and dangled it over Sunny. Simultaneously, she lifted the fan flicked it in a jerky upward motion. “Up!”

But if Rarity thought that Sunny was ready to cooperate so easily, she was mistaken. The little kitty gazed up at the chocolate, one paw lazily reaching up toward it-- but she did not rise to the bait.

Rarity’s mouth puckered. I suppose I should have waited until after our lessons before providing the fruit! She seems hardly motivated now…

And as delightful as it was to see Sunny sitting obediently before her, Rarity really wanted to train the pretty pet. She also wanted to make the scrumptious little thing work for her treats.

“So you can’t tease her at all?” Rainbow cut in, making Rarity’s ears go flat.

With a quiet intake of breath, the fashionista made every effort to turn a calm eye on her brash friend. “No. And I warn you, Rainbow Dash-- should a single disparaging word escape from your lips, I shall teleport you out of here faster than shoplifters on fashion week!” Rainbow's eyes rolled up in thought as she counted under her breath. Oh for the love of-- “Rainbow!” Rarity snapped, jerking the pegasus out of her calculations, “I mean it. No teasing.”

“Geez! All right, whatever. I’m just trying to wrap my head around this, y’know, everything. Like, what is this about?”

The unicorn cocked her head to one side, one ear flicking idly in thought. Then a mischievous smile crossed her face. “Rainbow, I trust that Fluttershy explained to you that this is our playdate, yes?”

The question seemed to throw the pegasus. “Uh, yeah? So?”

“Well, given that you’re here, you must have been aware that there was a possibility that you would participate, yes?”

Rainbow Dash reddened under her blue coat. “I guess?” she admitted, her voice turning just a shade gruffer.

“Are you disappointed that the owner you were expecting was not, in fact, a stallion, but a mare?”

“Uh-- ”

“Because if you aren’t, I will need you to come up with a list just like ours to the best of your abilities please. Words can only say so much. If you really wish to understand ‘what this is about,’ I feel I can only demonstrate.”

Rainbow swallowed audibly. She gestured at the parchment with her hoof like she would a singing sunflower. “A-a list? You mean a list of ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’?”

“The very same,” Rarity said firmly. “You needn’t fear about us challenging your comfort zones overly much. You’re new to this, after all, and I’m afraid we’ve already settled on a rather simple playdate for the evening. In the meantime, I shall be working with my pet on a rather basic trick. Should you ever feel the need to retire from these proceedings, the door is right behind you, and I trust that you’ll keep discreet about what you’ve learned. Fair?”

Rainbow thought about it, her eyes turning down. When she looked up again, her ears were perked and there was a daring glint in her eyes. “Fair!”

Rarity gave a satisfied nod. She levitated an inkpot and parchment to the pegasus and returned her attention to Sunny. “Now, my willful little pet. Let us find what motivates you, hmm?”

Sunny yawned. She was full from fruit and feeling rather sleepy. Her day had been exhausting, and she was in no mood for parlor tricks. She could see the mild vexation on the Lady’s face, but viewed it quizzically, like a young foal trying to make sense of abstract art. What was the problem? She came when the Lady called, hadn’t she? What was the need of this ‘new trick’? She knew enough tricks!

Sunny groomed a fetlock as conversation moved away from her. It didn’t interest her in the slightest. Her mind wandered, thinking of the soft new bed next to her food bowl. Then one ear swiveled to the determined voice of her mistress speaking to her: “Let us find what motivates you, hmm?”

The kitty yawned before allowing her eyes to drift in the direction of the Lady. As per usual, her mistress looked lovely today. A pinnacle of beauty-- with her gracious line from loin to croup, her glossy and always perfectly curled mane and tail, her pristine white coat… the list could go on! Sunny perked, intensity sharpening her gaze as she quickly and smoothly rose to a slinking gait. The Lady observed her approach with what appeared to be wry amusement.

“Mrow,” Sunny half purred. She gently stroked her cheek on her owner’s shoulder, letting her body brush along as well as she sauntered past. As she did so, her eyes fell on the newcomer-- the loud interloper who had come into their space. She sat and purred with curiosity.

Behind her, she heard Lady Rarity say, “Ah, yes. I realize our guest today may be something of a distraction for you. Not an unpleasant one, I hope?”

Sunny craned her head around to blink at the unicorn.

“Reserving judgment? Very wise! But in the meantime, I’d like to exercise that clever mind of yours.”

Sunny purred her question, head cocking to the side.

The Lady winked at her. “You see my pet, your red bouncy ball is not the only new present I have for you. But I really must insist you put in the effort to learn this new trick, dear. Perhaps more enticing prey is in order?” Lady Rarity’s horn shone with her aura as the rear closet door opened and a rainbow-colored feather duster was levitated from within. The bright cleaning tool flew a whimsical path before stopping just over Sunny’s head. The kitty eyed it intently.

Pretty…

It swished left. Then right. Sunny tracked it carefully, her muscles going taut. The bright colors were mesmerizing… and familiar. She reached a paw--

Snap!

Sunny jerked, ears going flat as her eyes fell to her mistress and that ever commanding fan. Lady Rarity smiled beatifically as she closed the fan slowly with her magic. “Now, if you’ll recall my previous instructions… When the fan moves like so,” the fan jerked upward, still closed. “It means that I wish for you to rise up.”

Sunny blinked, looking from the colorful duster, to her Lady, to the fan. The unicorn laughed, her head tilting back as if her mirth was a wave rocking over her. When her humor subsided to giggles, she flipped her luxurious hair back and said mirthfully, “Oh my bright Sunny! I do not mean to confuse you. Mind my fan, and it shall let you know when you may pursue your coveted prey.”

A few short minutes later, and Sunny was rising promptly on command… after all, more than bright, the Lady’s Sunny was a good pet.

Rarity nodded her approval. “An exquisite performance!” Her smile curled at the ends. “Now let us expand upon it, hmm? Learn this, dear heart, and I shall promise the best of toys...”

Rarity was pleased by how much Sunny took to learning her latest trick. She only needed the right motivation, she thought with satisfaction. And just in time, it seemed.

Rainbow Dash was sauntering up to her, the scroll tucked under a wing. At some point she had slipped away to the kitchen-- either to better think on her list of permissions, contemplate the reality of Fluttershy and Rarity’s relationship, or simply because she feared that the pair’s latest round of “training” might lead to something she would rather not see, Rarity guessed. Perhaps a combination of all three. Rainbow’s puckered expression seemed to support the latter. It was like she’d just gone through a series of riddles with Twilight-- and gotten them all wrong, without comprehending why she’d gotten them wrong.

“Do you have a question?” Rarity asked mildly, her eyes barely glancing Rainbow’s way. Her focus was on her horn, and the brush she held in a soft cerulean glow. Sunny had taken to resting in her soft kitty bed, and the unicorn used her magic to lovingly run the comb through her hair.

“Kind of?” Rainbow Dash said uncertainly. Her voice sounded scratchier than normal, like she were parched.

The kitten gazed up at them with lidded eyes. Tucked under her was the prized feather duster.

Of course a simple cleaning tool appeals to her more than the red bouncy ball, Rarity thought wryly. Ah well! More opportunities to use my knack for fabulous crafts, I say! Already designs popped into her mind’s eye. Batik fabric tunnels! Bejeweled peekaboo boxes!

Muted by her sudden cloud of inspiration, but carried forth by her need to care for her guest, Rarity rose from her sitting position and entered her kitchen. Rainbow followed close behind, her brow tightening with questions. The fashionista offered her a warm smile as she used her magic to pour the pegasus a glass of water.

“Oh! Uh, thanks,” Rainbow said, now looking sheepish. Dropping the scroll on the kitchen table, she took a chair and grabbed the proffered glass with her hooves. She couldn’t help hazarding a glance back at Fluttershy before taking a sip.

“Your question, Rainbow Dash?” Rarity prompted softly.

A sigh. “Right.” She looked at Rarity seriously. “What do you get out of this?” She jerked her head at Sunny. “I mean, she told me what she gets out of it before. But I still don’t quite get what you get.”

“Granting a friend their deep desire fills me with the utmost satisfaction, I find,” Rarity answered promptly. She’d been waiting for the question. Had pondered over it for days in anticipation. “Then there is, of course, the obvious honor of being Fluttershy’s lover.”

Heat flushed Rainbow Dash’s cheeks as her wings pinched tight against her barrel. “You mean--?”

“We are a couple,” Rarity said firmly. Proudly.

When Rainbow continued to stare open-mouthed, Rarity bobbed her head and added reluctantly. “Yes, well-- we didn’t start that way. It was very much one of those ‘friends with benefits’ situations, but with time I found my feelings had grown far beyond the reaches of friendship.” A happy sigh. “Thankfully, Fluttershy reciprocated my desire for more.”

“So you two are a couple,” Rainbow said thickly, her face still slack with the effort of processing this new information.

Rarity smiled patiently and nodded once. “Yes.”

There was another long beat of silence, pierced only by the soft, happy purrs from across the room.

Finally, Rainbow Dash slapped a hoof to her forehead and exclaimed, “Geez!” Never one to waste words there, Dashie.

Rainbow gestured between Rarity and Sunny with discomfort on her face. “So I’m not just crashing a perv session, but like… a date night… between my friends?”

“Goodness!” Rarity laughed. “When you put it that way it sounds awful.” She scooted closer to her excitable friend. “But honestly… we chose to allow you into this space, Dashie. We are sensitive to how you are feeling.”

“Not just to how I’m feeling,” Rainbow sniped, looking at Rarity with ears pinned. “I’m not dumb, Rares! I know you didn’t give me the full list!” Her ears drooped. “But it’s not my business. I know. I just… worried about Fluttershy, y’know? I didn’t want her to get hurt.”

Rarity turned her eyes up in thought. Carefully, she murmured. “Mmm… yes on all counts, darling. You are not dumb, we didn’t give you the full list, and it’s not your business. But all the same, we didn’t wish for you to worry. Knowing you, it became swiftly evident that nothing short of a full reveal would convince you of the reality of the situation.”

Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Yeah, no offense, but you’re nowhere near what I was expecting!”

“And now that you know the truth, are you satisfied?”

The Wonderbolt considered this for all but a second before assuredly stating, “No way!” She took the parchment from under her wing and handed it to Rarity. “I know a dare when I see one! I want to see this through! Here’s my list. Now what in the hay is this all about, really?”

Rarity took the parchment and unfurled it, her face a mask of mild curiosity even as her heart thrummed hard in her chest. This outcome wasn’t unexpected, but she still found herself disbelieving the trajectory the night was taking all the same. Were they really about to take these next steps?

A quick scan of the parchment revealed Rainbow’s messy scrawl, a mere three lines written in childish capital letters. She sighed, and read aloud with her head slightly turned for Sunny’s benefit, “No pie. No uncool outfits? Honestly! And no... butt... stuff.” Rarity barely managed to finish the last line, and it took the remainder of her will to refrain from an eye roll or an outright grimace. Not only does she manage to ignore our very simple convention of color coding, but she exceeds even my expectations for offensiveness in just three short lines!

In an effort to center herself (This is a game of wills, and you knew that Rainbow would challenge thee. Just stand firm!) the fashionista stated, “You realize this leaves quite a bit of room for us to operate in?”

A shrug and a galling smirk. “What’cha got?”

Rarity snorted. Oh you are ASKING for it. “Do you at least submit to my authority for the duration of this evening’s scene?”

“Scene?”

“Our activity tonight, dear.”

“Oh. Yeah, sure, whatever.” Another one of those infuriating shrugs. Rarity had a brief (somewhat alarming, yet not totally unwelcome) idea of spanking Rainbow if she ever did it again. Within the confines of play, of course.

“Very well. I think we can accommodate this. Please recall that our safeword is ‘cotton’ should anything disagree with you. We shan’t stop for any other sort of protest, but be sure to heed it without question should anypony else say it.” At Rainbow’s nod, Rarity lifted her head and called, “Sunny!”

The kitten lifted her sleek pink-haired head from its place of repose, and then slowly rose with a great stretch and a yawn. She ambled over slowly, eyes blinking frequently as if in an effort to bring alertness to her mind.

“Sunny, I would like you to demonstrate some of your wonderful tricks for Rainbow Dash. Can you do that?”

Sunny licked her lips, her eyes widening as she beheld her mistress sitting, ramrod straight before her.

Rarity summoned the fan and signaled: Up.

Obediently, her pet rose.

A sideways glance showed Rainbow arching a brow. At least she’s biting her snark, Rarity thought with prim approval. Then with some devilish delight: She’s in for a surprise.

The fan tilted so that it was parallel to the floor. It turned in the air, pointed at Rainbow Dash… and jerked forward.

“Go,” Rarity said smugly.

The pegasus only had a moment to blink in befuddlement (“Huh?”) before a yellow blur darted into her, knocking her cleanly to the ground. Hooves in the air, prismatic hair splayed out across the floor, Dashie’s face had gone from confusion to outright shock. Sunny, meanwhile, lay atop her, her head butting under the Wonderbolt’s chin as her tail swished with great energy behind her. She was shivering… but her eyes were bright. Lips pressed tight with apology but upturned with a foal-like glee.

“What in the hay!?” Rainbow cried out, her hind hooves kicking. Her voice cracked. “Flutters, get off-- !”

“Sunny,” Rarity cut in as she slowly circled, “is quite the clever kitty, Rainbow Dash. In just a few short minutes, she has grasped my newest commands and follows them without question. She does so because she cares for me. That trust is everything to me, Dashie. Do you see?”

Rainbow Dash growled as she managed to roll over under her feline captor. Sunny, however, was determined to keep her new prize. And why not? It was a prize well earned for such good behavior! Forelegs wrapped around Rainbow’s neck, yellow wings spread, holding fast to the blue pegasus’ sides and effectively stopping any attempt at flying away.

She could wrestle bears for Celestia’s sake, of course she could hold down a pony, however athletic they were. The issue had never been “could she,” but “would she?”

Rainbow bucked a little, her hooves digging into the floor as she succeeded in lifting Sunny off the ground… but then the feline’s long and dextrous tongue slipped forth and licked an ear. Dashie let out a sort of choked squawk, and-- as if more weight had been suddenly added-- her legs collapsed beneath her, bringing the pair back down to the floor in a messy heap.

Rarity chuckled as she circled around them once more. “It makes me quite happy that Sunny enjoys her latest plaything. I try to reward her for good behavior, you see, and given your lack of objections to this evening’s activities, I thought she might enjoy playing with you.” A small titter escaped her, before she added, “Although, she appears to be more snuggly than I thought. You didn’t provide much of a chase, after all. I thought you would have made for better sport!”

“You surprised me!” Rainbow snapped. Her struggles had renewed, and she’d managed to twist onto her side so as to be able to shove a hoof into Sunny’s chest. With the feline’s forelegs still around her neck, she only managed a few more inches of separation. Sunny yowled, her ears pinning. Her tail started to lash.

Rarity stopped her circling to sit. The fan levitated before her. “A sound argument, I suppose.”

The accessory snapped open. Sunny’s head snapped up as she looked to her mistress. Her forelegs loosened. Rainbow Dash gasped as she wiggled out from under her.

“There’s a good kitty,” Rarity cooed. The fan touched her chin. Sunny left Rainbow without a backward glance, her lips meeting her Lady’s in a soft but earnest kiss. The unicorn nuzzled her pet. “Did that naughty new toy give you some trouble?”

“Mew…” Sunny responded in what sounded like a little sigh.

“I am not her toy!” Rainbow snarled. She had risen and did a full body shake, wings snapping wide open. Her colorful mane fell into her vivid cerise-colored eyes in a messy flop as she glared her indignation. “Sunny couldn’t catch me in a fair race!”

Rarity hummed her acknowledgement as she idly scratched Sunny under the chin. The feline’s eyes fell shut, a soft smile on her lips. She’s still in a good space, observed the unicorn. Excellent.

“It’s true that Sunny may not be able to catch you in a typical race,” Rarity acquiesced to the now pacing Wonderbolt. “But we’re hardly able to attempt such an activity, are we? After all, tonight’s exploits calls for discretion, and that is best achieved here. Indoors.” She pecked Sunny on the nose and cupped her face with her hooves. When she spoke next it was in her ‘baby talk’ voice. “But my dear kitty is quite the capable hunter! Yes she is! Aren’t you, sweetums? You can catch that rascal, Rainbow Dash, can’t you? Of course you can!”

A high purr. Rarity honestly wasn’t sure if it was excitement or apprehension her pet was trying to communicate.

Rainbow Dash pawed the floor with a hoof as she tossed back her mane. “Oh yeah! Well let’s see your pet try and get me now! So what if we’re inside? There’s still enough room for us to fly around!” and as if to prove her point, Rainbow took to the air in one powerful leap. (Ah, there’s the swift and silent take off she taught Twilight Sparkle.) In the boutique space, the ceiling was higher than the other rooms. Rainbow was well over their heads, but not so high up that her wing beats didn’t stir the clothing displays below. A few feet, really.

Sunny turned and looked up at Rainbow. Her spine slouched a little.

Oh dear, can’t have the mood ruined.

Rarity pet her mane, drawing the feline’s eyes back to her. Those blue eyes held a moist uncertainty. “Darling,” the unicorn breathed quietly. “My only wish is for you to have fun.” She winked. “Though, if you wish to cuddle with your new toy, she is a prize to be won, like any treat worth having.”

Sunny seemed to consider this, one ear flicking as her eyes turned down and glazed over.

“Yo, you gonna try your luck or what, pussycat?” Rainbow called above her. She did a loop-de-loop, then winked. “Come onnnn. I’ll even go easy on you!”

The kitten mewed, her tail lashing. Rarity stepped back, smiling her encouragement. Go on… let out the little predator I know is there!

Sunny rose up on all paws, her wings half-extending. Her eyes tracked Rainbow intently through the air.

Rainbow Dash, apparently already tired of waiting, had taken to doing her signature backwards glide, hooves behind her head as she did lazy eights near the curved ceiling. “Well hey,” she began with a small yawn. “Whenever you get around to makin’ up your mind, you can-- YOW!” Sunny’s blurred form zipped past her from below, making the Wonderbolt tumble in the air. Natural talent and specialized training allowed Rainbow to recover quickly before she fell too far, but she still whipped her head around as if not entirely sure just what had happened.

Rarity giggled as she watched Sunny whip around for another go. To Dashie, she called out, “Rainbow, my dear! Never underestimate a feline in pursuit of prey!” Then, after another near air collision that had Rainbow Dash kicking off a wall and Sunny’s tail whipping a ponnequin in the face, she added nervously, “Er… hopefully this pursuit can be done a touch more carefully?”

Rainbow Dash laughed as she evaded Sunny’s third attempt at catching her. She spared Rarity a glance. “Is hunting supposed to be careful?”

Oh ho! “So you feel hunted, Dashie?”

The response was breathless, but somehow Rarity doubted it had anything to do with exhaustion. “I didn’t say that!” Rainbow scowled down at the unicorn. A mistake.

Fwoosh. Yellow and blue collided, head over hooves. Rarity reacted just in time to catch the pair in her magic. They stopped just inches from crashing into a carefully set up fashion display, Sunny staring at Rainbow with surprise, her hooves around the pegasus’ barrel. Rainbow Dash blinked once, before allowing a slanted smile to cross her face.

“Darn,” was all she said as Rarity lowered the two of them back to the floor.

The unicorn was at first confused by this… until she ran back the last few moments with more discernment.

Rainbow really had been going easy on Sunny. She’d intended to be caught all along.

Smiling with approval and joy, Rarity nodded at her pet. “A prey well caught, Sunny. What shall you do now?”

The feline seemed startled by the question. She looked at Rainbow Dash, forelegs still wrapped around the mare’s body. Then she pressed forward with a loud purr, forcing Dashie gently to her back as she lay on top of the pegasus as if she was a body pillow.

Rainbow lifted her head, her muzzle scrunched. “Really?” she grumbled. Sunny licked her cheek, then settled in, her eyes closing.

The pegasus groaned under her captor and allowed her head to fall back with a thud. The corners of her mouth twitched up just a hair, her cheeks tinged pink.

Rarity shook her head, smiling with some disbelief.

If somepony would have told me the best way to conquer Rainbow Dash was to snuggle her into submission, I would have laughed them off. But now? Now I’ve seen everything!

And so the evening went. Rarity joined in on the snuggling, but it was a rather tame playdate, as far as their typical scenes went. The fashionista wrote to Dark Mask the next day, detailing the nights events.

Despite the simplicity of the evening, I found it was perhaps our hardest to date! First there was that feeling out, then the perfunctory negotiation, and then of course, trying to mind Fluttershy’s feelings while still dealing with Rainbow Dash! I tell you, I was so glad it worked out. Rainbow Dash swore to respect what we’re doing, and Fluttershy seems to have a new spring in her step! Playing with others besides myself was on her list, after all, and I think she is very happy her first scene doing so ended so well.

In fact, Fluttershy was still talking about it days later.

“Can you believe I caught her?” Fluttershy asked with quiet awe during their latest spa visit.

Rarity smiled indulgently, lounging beside her in the wet sauna. No sense pointing out Rainbow’s mercy on her when it was doing such wonders to her self-esteem. “You were like an apex predator, darling,” she said instead. “A veritable lioness in pursuit of succulent prey!”

Fluttershy blushed and pushed her hooves together nervously. “It… It didn’t bother you at all?”

Rarity’s eyes fluttered. That was the first she’d been asked that. Perhaps the poor dear had been trying to feel out her views all this time and had only just now worked up the courage to ask outright?

She reached over and patted her fillyfriend on the leg. “Now, now. I’m fine. The only thing I felt was joy seeing you have fun and let go of your worries.”

Some hidden tension eased itself out of Fluttershy’s posture as she sighed and smiled. “Oh, good! B-Because, I just wanted you to know, you’re the one I lo-- like.” The pegasus seized up, horror crossing her features. “I like you!”

Now Rarity blushed, sitting just a little straighter. She could feel her heart rate start to speed up. Was that really just a slip of the tongue, or...? She swallowed. Blast! This isn’t any less awkward in same sex relationships, is it? “Fluttershy… It’s quite all right, you know. I mean, that is-- if you truly feel that, then I invite you to be honest with me.” The moment the words left her mouth, Rarity regretted them.

Sweet Celestia, what am I saying? Do I even know how I feel? What am I supposed to say back if she says it!?

But Rarity didn’t get to hear Fluttershy’s response.

The sauna doors opened, revealing Rainbow Dash in a spa gown.

“Hey guys!” she greeted cheerily. “Aloe told me you two were in here. I’m just trying to unwind a little before practice tomorrow.” She sauntered into the room and hopped up onto the bench next to Fluttershy. “Actually, I’m really glad I caught you two. I’ve been thinking the past few days, and I’ve kinda had something I wanted to ask.”

Rarity sighed. Her and Fluttershy’s discussion was set aside, which certainly bought her time in thinking out her own feelings… except, she found, she really honestly wished to know.

Did Fluttershy love her or not?

It’s like one of my worst romance novels, she despaired inwardly. Always some inopportune interruption before that sweet release of love’s confession!

But that couldn’t be helped. Fluttershy, as far as Rarity could tell, was eager to latch onto the distraction. Her eyes were firmly locked onto Rainbow’s jovial face.

Willing a polite smile, Rarity said, “Please go on, Rainbow. What did you wish to ask us?”

Rainbow Dash took a deep breath, then let it out in a rush. “I wanted to ask if it’d be all right if we do that… thing again. Y’know, the three of us?”

Rarity felt the air rush out of her lungs. Had she slipped into an alternate dimension? Had she heard right?

Fluttershy seemed equally surprised. Her body seemed to go slack as her mouth fell open.

Rainbow looked between the two of them, her cheeks reddening. “Not, like, all the time. Just sometimes. And, y’know, just for the record, I’m still not crushing on either of you. I just…” she looked down, her wings fidgeting on her back. “Sometimes, Wonderbolt practice gets me really tensed up. But after the other night? I’ve been pretty chill! To be honest, I didn’t even feel like I needed to come to the spa to relax today. I was just kinda hoping to crash your guys spa date so I could talk to you.”

A long beat of silence.

With great effort, Rarity rediscovered the use of her voice. “Ah…” it took another moment for her to rediscover the power of words, however. When she finally did, the unicorn managed to get out, “You… you realize what you’re truly asking, right?”

Rainbow’s ears pinned and she slouched a little. “Aw man! Did I ask for something weird? Or too weird, I guess? I just figured, cuz your list said you guys were cool with other ponies joining--”

“No, no!” Rarity said quickly, and Fluttershy even joined her.

The animal lover continued next, “Rainbow, what I think Rarity meant was that… um…” her forelock slipped forward as her spine curled and she looked at her fillyfriend desperately.

“Th-that there’s a… sexual component to this that we really want to make sure you comprehend. It’s true that isn’t all that our scenes focus on, but they are still an integral part.” Rarity swallowed and asked carefully, “Does that sit well with you?”

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. “Well, duh! Why do you think I wrote ‘no butt stuff’ that night?”

Rarity blinked. She certainly has me there!

The Wonderbolt looked eagerly between her friends. “So? Is it okay?”

The lovers looked at each other.

“It’s surprising that a mutual friend of ours wishes to join in our escapades,” Rarity said slowly-- ponderously.

Fluttershy shrugged daintily. “We were friends when we started.”

“True…” Rarity frowned. “Well you know that I felt comfortable with you and Rainbow playing together. But how do you feel about Rainbow and I?”

Rainbow Dash turned a curious eye on Fluttershy upon hearing the question, and the animal lover turned her gaze downward in thought. A short moment later, she looked at Rainbow, then Rarity, and said with quiet certainty. “I’m fine with it.”

“Great--!” Rainbow Dash started.

“But only I can kiss you,” Fluttershy added-- her voice starting out normal volume before petering out to a shy mumble.

Rarity blinked in surprise. Then, eventually, she nodded. “Y-Yes! My goodness, yes. I think that sounds quite reasonable!” She started to flush. This is happening.

“Yeah,” Rainbow agreed. “I wasn’t really interested in kissing either of you, to be honest. Again, totally not crushing on you.” She grinned. “I just think it’s kind of exciting. And it helps me destress.”

“Right,” Rarity said with an assertive clop of her hooves. “How about we go somewhere private after the spa to talk things over in more detail?”

At Rainbow’s confused look, Fluttershy leaned over to her and whispered, “We’re supposed to negotiate what’s okay and what’s not the next time we have a scene.”

“Yes, and I’d like to get it down on paper, if you don’t mind. I keep it safe in my vault, so do not worry that it should fall into the wrong hooves!” Rarity stated.

Rainbow squinted one eye. “Negotiate? What else is there to talk about?”

Rarity closed her eyes and pressed a hoof to her brow. “Pardon my saying so, but your three lines worth of standards could use with some work.”

“And our real list is longer,” Fluttershy added with a squeak and a blush.

Rainbow sat forward, her ears perking. “Oh yeah? What else is on it?”

Rarity chuckled. “All in good time, Rainbow.”