The Pegasus & The Pegasister

“There it is!” Ashleigh pointed to Celestia’s castle, which was so close that they could see the waterfalls spilling off of it. “Awesome, we’re almost there.” Soarin said. “Maybe when we get to the water, you can take your clothes off again.” he joked, poking her in the arm.

“Oh yeah, totally.” sarcastically added Ashleigh. “Why don’t I just ask the guards if I can dry off in their suits.”

The two chuckled.

“Do you think we could try to make it there tonight?” asked Soarin.

Ashleigh shrugged. “I haven’t got the slightest idea. We’re gonna have to go around though, because there’s no way to get into the castle in the direction we’re going. So we may have to stop somewhere.”

And stop somewhere they did, they found a small abandoned wooden shelter on what looked like overgrown farmland.

“It’s getting cold.” commented Soarin, shuddering as a cold breeze ruffled his mane.

Ashleigh patted his back. “It’s okay, maybe the shelter will help keep out the cold.” she said, climbing in. However, the shelter did little to protect them from the cold.

Soarin’s teeth chattered. “C-cold.” he muttered, shivering ferverously.

Ashleigh gave him her jacket. “Better?” she asked, tucking it around him.

Soarin nodded. “Thanks. Aren’t you cold though?” he asked, his foreleg resting against her leg, noting how cold it was.

Ashleigh giggled. “No duh I’m cold. I don’t have fur all over my body like you.”

Soarin looked a little concerned. “Well how are you gonna stay warm?”

Ashleigh suddenly laid down beside him and put part of her jacket about herself. “Easy, we’ll share.” she said, pulling his foreleg around her middle.

Soarin looked a little nervous. “Uhh...are you sure?” Soarin was surprised at her offer. He knew there wasn’t much room for the two to sleep, but was this really the only option?

Ashleigh closed her eyes. “Yep.” she said, moving even closer to him.

Soarin blushed. “Oh...okay.

Ashleigh let out a gentle sigh. “Good night Soarin. Sweet dreams.” She moved her head a little closer and relaxed, her breathing becoming softer and more rhythmic as the next few minutes passed. He could tell by her soft breathing that she had fallen asleep. As much as soarin wouldn’t have admitted it to Ashleigh, he was flipping out on the inside with excitement that his crush was so close to him.

Does this means she feels the same way? he thought hopefully. Then again, there wasn’t anywhere else to sleep. But why did she put my hoof around her body? That’s what you do if you like somebody...Maybe she was cold. Soarin’s brain was wracked by these thoughts; he finally passed out, wondering of how he was going to tell the girl about how he felt about her, and explain why…

~

Soarin felt Ashleigh gently shake him. “Come on bud, get up. We have to get to the castle today.”

Soarin yawned and stood up. “Do I have to? I haven’t slept that good in days…”

Ashleigh laughed. “Same here. But we’ll sleep even better once we get to Canterlot.”

Soarin suddenly looked at Ashleigh. “Are you sure you’ll be okay? I mean what if somebody thinks you’re dangerous?”

Ashleigh grinned. “Well I guess I’ll just have to knock ‘em dead with my good looks.” she joked.

Soarin wasn’t done with questions, as the two started walking again, he popped in another one.

“So...how are you supposed to see the princess? Do you think they’re just gonna let you in?” asked Soarin. “Or are you going to try to flirt with the guards to see if they’ll let you in?”

“Great idea!” Ashleigh said. “Do you think just flirting will be enough? Or should I go for kissing?”

Soarin stopped in his tracks. “I-uh, don’t know if that’s a good idea.” he explained nervously.

Ashleigh froze. “Why not?” There was confusion in her voice, as though she didn’t know what Soarin was eluding at.

Soarin gulped. This is it. Put yourself in a situation where you have no other choice but to tell her. He told himself. He made eye contact with her, refusing to let his awkwardness get the best of him.

“Well I mean it seems kind of wrong.” Soarin said. “Just some best friend advice.”

Ashleigh still looked confused. “That makes no sense. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

Soarin couldn’t bring himself to tell her. “Nope, nothing I’m hiding!” he said, trying to sound energetic.

Ashleigh smiled. “Okay, but if there’s something that you’re not telling, you would tell it to your best friend, wouldn’t you?”

Soarin nodded. “Of course! I would never hide anything from my best friend!” Except for the fact that I like you. He thought sadly to himself.

Ashleigh nodded. “I guess you’re right.” Turning her head, she could see the castle guards outside the entrance.

“We’re almost there.” she said. “Ready to troll these guards?”

Soarin nodded, and the duo hurriedly carried on to the front entrance, where they were met by the guards.

“Who are you?” one guard asked, glaring at Ashleigh, though his tone was friendly.

Ashleigh smiled. “I’m just a friendly troll. I come from the mountains and wish to speak to Celestia.”

The guards looked at each other in confusion. “Troll?”

“Yeah, troll.” Soarin said, giving one guard a friendly grin. “And I’m her guide.”

Ashleigh laughed and started stroking one guard’s foreleg. “My my, what toned muscular legs. Do you work out?”

The guard blushed. “Well now that you mention it, I do work out a lot.”

Another guard butted in. “Not as much as me. Don’t my legs look toned?”

One by one, the guards started crowding around her, trying to impress her.

Ashleigh giggled. “This is nice of you, but I must speak to the princess. Can anyone help me out?”

One of the pegasus guards spoke up. “Princess Celestia is taking care of the plans for a royal garden today. However, if it pleases you, we can set you up a meeting tomorrow.”

“Certainly.” Ashleigh replied. “In the meantime however, is there a hotel that I can stay at while I wait?”

The guards looked at each other in confusion. “A what?”

“She wants somewhere to sleep for the night.” Soarin explained.

The guards looked at each other and nodded.

“Certainly! We have many amazing rooms. Would you like to go look at one right now?”

Ashleigh nodded. The guards opened the gates and let her through, however, Soarin was blocked off.

“Let him through please.” Ashleigh instructed. “He needs to speak to the princess as well.”

The other guards grinned nervously and allowed him to pass.

She pulled it off. Soarin thought in amazement as the two were escorted towards the castle.