Chapter 26: Mammals

Night was falling while Chris sat near the waterfall, running through news feeds on his ARHUD. A voice interrupted him.

"Hey Chris."

He swept his hand and cleared his vision, seeing the green Equestrian mare he'd felt a good rapport with before accidentally groping her up today. "Oh hey there Emmy. What's up?"

"Not much, really. I was down in the laboratory for awhile, but we're done working on the rifle magazine enhancement spells for tonight."

He eyeballed the Glock on her thigh. Since their successful training, all the Equestrians had been officially issued both pistols and rifles. Generally the rifles were kept in quarters inside a biometric safe for convenience, but all personnel were highly encouraged to carry the handgun at all times.

"How's the holster working out for you?" He said this before thinking about it, and mentally facepalmed himself afterwards. Why would I ask that of all things?

She smiled a little. "It's great. It's almost like I'm wearing nothing at all!" She shook her hindquarters. "See?"

"That's nice," Chris said blankly, at a loss for words.

"I'm just... looking for something to do, I guess. I.. don't really know what to do around here, though. I thought..." she hesitated, staring at his confused expression for a moment, then she dropped her gaze. "I... I guess I'll let you go back to whatever you were doing." There was sadness in her face as she turned abruptly to leave.

"Uh, Emmy?"

She froze, then looked back at him. "Yeah?"

"I'm not doing anything right now. If you want, I can show you around."

Her demeanor brightened instantly. "That would be wonderful!"

"Actually, I know a place with a very nice view, if you'd like to see it. We can get some fresh air."

"Yes, please."

Chris walked Emmy out to the parking area and got into his car. He was momentarily surprised when Emmy was able to easily slip into the passenger side in the same position as a human, rear hooves on the floorboard and back reclining against the seat. Equestrian flexibility was an amazing thing.

They both closed the doors and he activated the vehicle. A buzzer sounded.

"Buckle up, Emmy."

"Do what?"

"The belt. By your right shoulder."

"This one? What do I do with it?" She batted curiously at the buckle hanging near her head.

"Here. I'll show you. Sit back please, I'm going to have to reach across you."

"Go for it."

Chris leaned over Emmy in the passenger seat and tried to grab her seat belt. He tugged on it, but it was stuck fast.

"Uh, Emmy? I think you're sitting on it."

"Oh dear. I don't know what to do."

Awkwardly Chris tried to reach behind her. She shifted slightly, and he managed to pull on the belt, only to find it had become entangled with her tail.

"It's twisted up pretty good, Emmy."

"Can you get it free? Do I need to get out?"

"Uh, I don't think so. Just a second."

Chris wrapped both arms around her and tugged on the seat belt gently with the left, trying to extricate it from her tail with the right.

"Almost got it..."

The seat belt released suddenly, and Chris's elbow slipped off the center console. He found himself firmly gripping Emmy's smooth flank, his face on her neck, buried in her soft mane. He froze.

Her muzzle lifted a little and she inhaled sharply, sitting very still. She quivered, her body tense.

Chris quickly pulled himself back clumsily, his face on fire with embarrassment for the second time that day. He averted his eyes from her, fumbling awkwardly with the belt and the clasp next to her hip, but it slipped away again.

He shifted slightly in his seat, hoping she couldn't see his erection.

What the hell is wrong with you, man. She's not even human.

But she is really cute in her own way...

Chris mentally slapped himself. "I'm sorry about that. It was an accident."

"Sorry about what?"

"I... I... Uh, my hand..."

"It's okay, Chris," she said. "Really." She stared at his blushing face intently while she grabbed the seat belt with her hoof and buckled it the way he'd been trying to do. Finally she lowered her eyes down to the belt she had drawn across her chest. "Um, what is this thingy for?"

"Oh, ah, that. Yes. It's a safety device. It keeps you from hitting the windshield or dashboard if we crash. This vehicle can travel very fast."

"You'll have to show me later."

"For sure I will."

He turned the LED headlights on and pulled the car out of the parking spot, swinging onto the main road.

"Oh! This is fast!" Emmy exclaimed excitedly. "It's different from the bus."

Chris laughed a little. "I haven't even done anything yet."

She looked through the window as he drove towards the Oblivion Gate security line, watching the trees hum past in the deepening dusk. "This is already better than just sitting in my room."

"I'm glad you're enjoying it," Chris said, looking at her out of the corner of his eye as she peered out excitedly.

At the gate, the guard robot scanned his wristband and eyes, then hers.

It rolled back from the vehicle and waved at the opening gate. "Mr. Lance, you and Miss Emerald Resonance may enter the restricted area."

***

"Well what do you think?" Chris asked softly.

Emmy gazed down from the gazebo lookout point over the Oblivion Gate valley.

The light was fading, the distant chatter of the endless waterfalls mysterious in the late evening twilight.

"It's one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen," she said, leaning over the gazebo railing, her voice filled with awe. "That bright, domed building, that's the Gate? The one we came through?"

Chris moved beside her and leaned on the rail. "Yes. I haven't actually seen it at night before, either. You're right. It IS beautiful."

He looked at with a sideways glance, her wide, clear eyes filled with sparkling stars and wonder. It's not the only beautiful thing out here tonight.

After a bit, she moved back to sit on the bench behind them. Chris followed her, and sat down as well, nearby so they could talk. From here the gazebo roof cut into the view of the sky above them somewhat, but there was still a wonderful panorama spread out in front.

They sat in silence for a while as the sunset faded, letting the distant thunder of the waterfalls roll over them.

"You know," she said eventually, "It's been years since I really sat down and enjoyed a view like this."

"Really? Equestria seems like such a wonderful place. There must be countless natural wonders to visit."

"You're right. There are many amazing things to do and see. But I was so absorbed in my studies and training, that I rarely took time to do other things. The job Princess Celestia gave me was a great honor. I took it... take it, very seriously."

Chris nodded. "I imagine you are very good at it."

"Am I? Because I haven't really done anything particularly useful yet. I'm supposed to help protect Equestria. I'm supposed to be at the front of the charge, and I'm supposed to know what to do to save lives. But all I've done is eat pancakes and loaf around on park benches." She gestured at herself unhappily.

"Sitting here on an alien planet, surrounded by aliens. Working on plans to save our world and yours. Oh and learning to handle alien weapons."

She sighed. "You're right, Chris. I guess I am doing something. Even though it feels like I should be doing more."

"Sometimes taking a break is exactly what you need to do. Pushing yourself too hard in the downtime means you will break in the crunch time."

"And it's such a beautiful night for a little relaxation, Chris."

She leaned towards him slightly, and then she was nestled against him.

"I'm glad you took me here," she said softly.

Chris felt his heart beat rise, and he slipped his arm around her shoulders.

She snuggled herself into the crook of his arm, her head against his shoulder. Her mane smelled faintly pleasant, the after tinge of her shampoo.

"You known, Chris," she murmured. "I haven't sat like this in a long time."

Her head tilted back slightly, her muzzle suddenly very close to his mouth, her eyes partly closed. He felt her warm breath on his face, and found himself leaning towards her.

Something cracked loudly in the trees behind the gazebo.

Instantly Chris had his Glock out, the powerful beam from the light mounted below it spotlighting a very startled goofy-looking marsupial with big eyes. A green laser dot was glowing right in the middle of its forehead.

"We should probably head back," he said, clicking the light back off as the terrified little critter scampered back into the trees. "There are large predators that live here, and they come out at night. A wise man does not risk the preventable wrath of nature, armed or not. Let's go back to the car."

"You're right, as usual," she said reluctantly. "Although I feel really safe around you."

"It's okay. I'll walk you back to your room."

The drive back held a certain tension. Emmy didn't say anything, and the sadness had returned to her expression.

Chris finally spoke. "Emmy, back there, I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

"It's okay," she interrupted. "I understand. I won't do that again."

"I thought-"

"Don't worry about it."

He parked the car back at the main building, and they got out, standing for a moment in the warm night air.

"Are you hungry?" Chris asked. "We could get a snack."

"I'm not really hungry right now. I feel stupid."

"Don't say that."

"Well, I do. I should just go back to my room."

"I'll walk with you."

She glanced at him briefly. "You don't have to."

"Maybe I want to, Emmy."

She searched his face again, and there was a spark in her eye this time.

"Do you like me, Chris?"

He hesitated. "I... uh, think you're a really nice pony, but..." he trailed off, glumly.

"Ouch. I guess I asked for that. But it still stings. Let's just go inside before I embarrass myself any further."

They entered the building together and got into an elevator headed to her floor in silence.

At her door, she paused. "Thanks for a great time. It was really beautiful out there. I... I'm sorry I wasn't as good company as I should have been."

Chris stared at her. "I..." He trailed off, and they stared awkwardly at each other.

"Goodnight, Chris." She hung her head slightly and turned away, stepping into her room.

As the door closed behind her, Chris suddenly reached out and stopped it. "Wait."

"Hmm?"

He gulped. "Emmy, would you like to come to my room and watch a movie with me or something? It's just down the hall that way."

She looked up at him for a long moment, questioningly, studying his face. Then she nodded, and a little smile appeared. "Yes I would." She came back out of her room and let the door shut behind her without a backwards glance. They walked a short distance, and then Chris was scanning his own bracelet at his door. He let her enter first, then he closed the door behind her and turned back towards the room.

Emmy looked up at him, her eyes glistening. "You sure about the movie?"

"Emmy, I'm not sure about anything. But here we are."

"Alone together?"

"Yeah. And there aren't any trees with freaky animals in them here."

"Hmm, well no trees, certainly. But I wouldn't be so sure about the freaky animals." Suddenly she reared up on her hind legs, putting her hooves on his shoulders, her head almost on a level with his.

He leaned back against the door, and they stared into each other’s faces intently for a moment, his eyes widening and hers already immense, her pupils dilated and shimmering.

There was electricity in their nearness, a wall of unseen fire connecting their bodies. An eternity crackled between them in a moment as she waited for him to make the final move, trembling with anticipation, with trepidation, with desire.

Then his arms went around her, and the last barrier was shattered. He pulled her towards him, smelling the sweet hay scent of her breath as she leaned forwards.

She eagerly pushed into him until their mouths were touching. Chris kissed her back hard, crushing their bodies together while her hooves gently wrapped behind his waist. She pressed her open mouth to his, teasing him with her tongue. He ran his hands through her soft mane and down her back, feeling her firm, shapely rump as she ground herself rhythmically against his thigh.

He shifted slightly, pushing his knee between her legs, feeling a wet spot on his pants leg where her crotch rested. She flicked her tail, brushing his fingertips when he squeezed her rump. Then she stopped kissing him long enough to start pulling his shirt off. He reached up and helped, dropping it on the floor. Then he guided her to the bed, pushing her backwards on top of it and crawling over her to kiss her neck and throat. He helped her take off her weapon belt and drop it gently on the floor next to his own.

She suddenly resisted, pushing him to the side onto his back. Then she leaned over and unzipped his pants, pulling them and his underwear off to free his rock hard shaft. She immediately leaned forward and took him into her mouth.

Chris gasped as her tongue wrapped around and did something he'd never imagined to his cock, melting him with pleasure.

Emmy slurped and bobbed her head, her mouth and throat big enough to engulf his manhood all the way to his balls with ease.

Chris put his hands on her head, stroking her ears and gently pushing her down. She responded eagerly, and could feel her saliva dripping on him as he thrust himself into her warm mouth.

"Emmy, I... I..."

"Not yet!" She stopped sucking his cock immediately, and crawled up his body to straddle him, leaning in and whispering in his ear as she gently rubbed her body against him. "Chris, I want you inside me."

He didn't answer, but grabbed his dick and guided it towards her. She squatted down, and he felt her sopping wet pussy rub against the tip of his cock, and then she slid down over him, and he was lost inside her.

He squeezed her in his arms as she moaned and rocked on his iron shaft.

"I want you on top," she said, finally.

They rolled over carefully so he didn't slip out, and she spread her legs on her back while he pushed deep inside her over and over.

"Chris, I'm... ohhh!"

He kissed her on the mouth as they came together, grunting as his dick pumped spurts of hot jizz into her eagerly pulsing pussy, her legs and body shaking as she moaned with pleasure, orgasming hard until he collapsed beside her.

She snuggled against him, her head nestled in the crook of his arm. He kissed her forehead, and soon they fell asleep, cradled in each others arms and hooves.