"Hey Dusk, wake up, Buttercup!!"

Dusk Shine flailed helplessly as he tumbled to the ground under a pile of books from his desk as the voice of his sister jerked him out of a pleasant, sunny dream he had been having. His jaw ached from lying flat on the desk while the kink in his back twinged unpleasantly, the reward for sleeping at his study desk again.

As he pulled himself up, he could see the form of his sister, Gleaming Shield, silhouetted in the doorframe. Her usual stern expression, reserved for the recruits and green solders under her command, was replaced with an amused grin as she surveyed her younger brother's predicament. Stepping over a pile of books, she picked one up with her hands while her horn glowed, lifting the other two dozen off her hapless sibling. "You know, Princess Celestia was nice enough to give you a tower that includes a bed. You might try sleeping in it once in a while. Ever since I started sleeping in beds, my back has NOT been killing me."

"Har-Har. I STILL haven't forgiven you for the 'short jog' you conned me into taking with you last month. I burn all the calories I need to with my magic, I don't see why a unicorn like you or I needs to 'work out'. Well, I guess it is traditional for soldiers... but not scholars" stated Dusk, rising and rubbing the corner of his eye.

"You haven't forgotten the run, or the fact I had to carry you for five of them?"

His cheeks burned red at the memory of the tittering Celestia had unleashed, watching her new Captain of the Guard carrying her new Prized Pupil up four flights of stairs like a sack of grain. Since then, she had 'hinted' that he might want to go out and do more physical activities in order to get in better shape. Dusk Shine, however, adhered to a strict policy of Mind over Matter, which included using magic for... pretty much everything.

His sister walked over to his dresser, pulling open the top drawer while setting the books down on the bed as Dusk yawned, stretching and looking out the window. Evening already? I must have slept all day. OH CRAP ON A STICK! My assignment!

Luckily, a quick cantrip was enough to pull a sheet of parchment from the top of the stack and reassure him that he had enough done for the day. Fifteen thousand or so words, and all that was left was to have his faithful assistant help him edit it. Four or so re-writes should be enough to make it presentable. Gleaming Shield, however, snorted as she rummaged through his dresser. "You need to do laundry again. Seriously, if you don't start taking better care of yourself, I'm gonna tell Mom to come over here and get your ass in gear."

Finally registering his invasion of privacy, he shooed Shield away, slamming the dresser drawer before certain... literary masterpieces and their accompanying interesting articles were discovered. The last time his sister had raided his erotica stash, she had teased him mercilessly for months while hanging it over his head like an ax as blackmail. She seemed to get some sort of weird thrill making him polish her sword and helmet. "Seriously, personal space? Shield! Don't you have yelling and marching and stuff to do? Get out!" He said, pushing his sister towards the door.

She laughed. "No guard duty today! I have the next two days off, and then I plan on using a week of my vacation. Benefits of being the Captain" she said, winking. Dusk struggled not to roll his eyes. If anything could define his sister, it was her pride. While they had always had a friendly rivalry for their parent's praise and adoration, the fact was that they held a fairly even standing, with both of them being trusted, close servants to the Crown. "That's actually why I am here. Spike got a letter from Celestia while helping me pack. Turns out she is heading to Gryphony on a diplomatic mission..." she started.

Dusk's eyes lit up, and he opened his mouth. Finally! A chance to travel abroad with his teacher, and perhaps have some uninterrupted time with her for the first time since her sister returned from banishment! His heart already beat faster. For so long, he had gazed into the Sun (Metaphorically, unlike Solar Aire who had been in the hospital six times, according to his sister, for gazing into the sun. Something about a sacred covenant and jolly cooperation) that he had just about lost all hope of touching it.

"-and you are getting a couple weeks off while she is gone, since she is taking her sister with her and the gryphons have a thing about large groups of ponies ever since we kicked their flanks in the war."

One could almost hear the crack of his hopes and dreams shattering at her words. "I... I'm not going? But... I'm her... her most faithful student..." he said, trying not to let a tear out. His lower lip quivered as he fought to get his frustration under control, using his magic to snatch the scroll from his sister's hands and scan it for himself.

Dusk Shine

You know that you are my most prized pupil and most faithful student. However, the diplomatic tensions with Gryphony and Prance are too volatile at the moment to bring anyone but a trained diplomat along. While your intelligence and curiosity, along with your relentless pursuit of knowledge make you a fine young wizard, I believe that it is time for you to take a break from your studies and see a bit more of the world. Twilight Velvet let slip that you have never left Canterlot in your life, and I think it is important that you get out there and have a bit of fun.

Do not take this as a sign of disapproval. I have never been more proud of anypony than I am of you, and you know that I trust your judgement and value your insights. Still, not everything in the world can be learned from a book. To that end, I suggest you take a short trip and enjoy your time off while I am gone. Manehatten is popular this time of year, or you could watch the Wonderbolts perform in Vanhoover.

Your Mentor,

Celestia

He looked up. Gleaming Shield stood there, a grin on her face as she dropped his luggage bag on his already-crowded bed. She held up two stubs of paper, waving them back and forth under his muzzle. "I've got two tickets to paradise, and you're coming with me. No cuts, no buts, and no coconuts. Well, maybe some butts. It IS a resort and retreat, after all." He blushed, having never been as comfortable with discussions of sexuality as his sister. Then again, at five-eleven and one hundred and seventy pounds of toned muscle, she had quite a bit more to flaunt than him. Not that he had ever been looking of course...

"Shield... I'm not in the mood. I'll stay here and... finish my dissertation on the Treatise of Studies in the field of Arcaneology and Alchemy in the Fifteenth Century."

It was her turn to roll her eyes. "Dusk, two things. First, this is the grand opening of a brand new lunar-themed resort and I was granted an invitation as Captain of the Guard, and I get to bring a plus-one. I am sure as hay not bringing one of my knucklehead sergeants with me, and Bolero and I aren't together at the moment thanks to his... indiscretion. Being the Prince of Love is NOT an excuse for cheating."

Dusk folded his arms, looking up to meet his sister's eyes. "And the second?"

"I'm not ASKING you to come. I'm letting you know that we are getting on a train in about an hour, and I took the liberty of packing your bag" she said, tossing his duffel bag at him. "Saddle up, brother mine. We're going traveling!"

One Long-ass Train Ride later

"LAST STOP! MOON SHINE RESORT AND RETREAT! Everypony off!"

The loud voice of the conductor woke Dusk Shine from his sleep. The trip, supposedly only four hours by train, had taken nearly ten hours after a breakdown in the middle of the desert. If the buffalo had not shown up when they did, one of the pegasi would have had to have flown for help. The first thing he realized, upon waking up, was that his head was resting on something extraordinarily soft and pleasant-smelling. Opening his eyes, he could see part of the celing of the train car they were in, though it was blocked by two mounds jutting out above him.

Dusk Shine was a pony of Science and Magic. He prized himself on, above all, his vast knowledge of esoteric secrets and random trivia. He had never lost a competition of wits (except to his sister, who never lost at ANYTHING), and he was proud of his skills of deductive reasoning and structured thought patterns. Even the smallest things, and even when he was just waking up, could be sorted as a list in his head.

1: I am on a train.

2: My head is on something soft.

3: My sister did NOT pack my pillow.

4: I am lying down on one of the rather uncomfortable train seats.

5: Something is blocking my view of the ceiling.

6: TWO somethings.

7: That smell is the same one that has been around Gleaming Shield since... well, for quite a while.

8: The soft thing that my head is on is warm.

Conclusion: I am lying down, my head in Gleaming's lap, staring up at her breasts.

After the conclusion set in, his cheeks burned bright red as he struggled to sit up. However, just as he was rolling to where he could support himself, the train lurched to a stop. Everything was flailing confusion as he fell off the seat while Gleaming Shield tried to grab him to stop his descent to the floor. A moment later, his left hand was on something soft, his right hand on the floor, and his muzzle buried in something VERY soft and warm... and somewhat musky. After a couple of moments, his eyes traveled upward. Gleaming Shield's face was somewhat scrunched up, looking like she was either about to burst out laughing or pass gas (and he dearly hoped it was not the latter, given their circumstances) as his hand was on her left breast... and his muzzle planted firmly in her crotch.

For a full five seconds that felt like an eternity, they stayed like that until Dusk flopped backwards onto his rump, looking up at his sister. After a moment, her face returned to normal as she coughed. "Well. That was a thing. If you're done ogling me, I think we've already given enough of a show here" she said, smiling at the other four ponies in the car, two of whom were struggling to suppress grins while an older mare waved a fan at her face. Dusk struggled back to his feet, face a step beyond flushed before Shield reached up, grabbing his bag and tossing it to him. By reflex, he caught it in his magic, his magenta aura enveloping it while Shield hefted her bag over one shoulder.

"Come on! You're going to love this place. You said you love learning new things, right? Well... this is going to be a culture shock for you! You ever been to the Lunar Badlands?"

Dusk shook his head. "I, ah... uh, you know I've never left Canterlot, G-Gleam..."

She sighed, stopping and turning around as we joined the line forming as ponies got out of the other forward cars. The resort had a high wall, but it looked like a large crevase in between two large plateus with a single dam-like wall serving as a barrier. A sign in lettering too small to make out from this far away stood next to two lunar pegasi who stood guard. "Dusk, you nuzzled me and grabbed my tit. It was an accident. If I was mad, or even upset, don't you think a soldier like me would have made sure you know? Dusk, you are my little brother and I love you. Now, lets have a great vacation."

He nodded before stepping in line with her. As they approached the guards, who were checking IDs and invitations, she paused. "Oh, right! I was saying that this is gonna be pretty new for you. You see-" she said, looking back as Dusk unzipped his bag, digging inside for his comb. That mane didn't stay very well kempt after he slept, and he still had bedhead from the train. However, upon looking into the bag, a small discrepancy caught his eye.

"Uh, Gleam? Where are my pajamas? Wait... where are my clothes? Gleam! You pack things all the time, how come you forgot my clothes? I only have one set for the next week and a half?"

She giggled. Gleaming Shield, the Captain of the Royal Guard and Commander in Chief of the Canterlot Volunteer Peacekeepers, decorated soldier and anointed Knight of the Realm, never giggled. Tittered, laughed, guffawed, but never giggled. Not unless she was truly amused by something, usually at Dusk's expense.

"Don't need clothes here. I was just getting to that bit. This is a Naturalist resort, where ponies go to get in touch with their... wild side. This resort is technically the property of Archduchess Lunar Solstice, the most recent descendant of Luna's best friend in a long line that goes back to the Lunar Rebellion. This place is a bit more... primitive than you are used to."

If his face was red on the train, it was something new now. It was too late for words, however, as the guard on the left approached, checked their tickets, and waved them through. On the other side of the door was a small hallway with several rooms off to either side and a number of deposit boxes. Dusk caught a glimpse of a tail and the heel of somepony's hoof as they stepped around the corner. In front of them stood a pair of stallions. The first thing Dusk noticed about them was the obvious: They wore no clothing whatsoever. Not even a headband or a uniform sleeve or anything to show they were staff. The shorter of the two smiled.

"Welcome to Moon Shine Naturalist Retreat! Are you two lovebirds ready to take a walk on the wild side?" He said, smiling and pulling out a basket.

Dusk was still trying to process two naked stallions in front of himself until his words caught up. "L-lovers? We're not-" he said, only for the larger stallion to furrow his brow. "You two are the last arrivals for this trip, yes? We only have one lodging left, the Lover's Loft. Then again, you two ain't pegasuses either. Happy Dance, you sure this is them?"

The smaller one checked a clipboard. "Dusk Shine and Gleaming Shield? Says here you have the Love Bird Special. I mean, it's not unheard of for unicorns to use the loft, but we have you down as a couple. If this is in error, we can schedule another visit in about six months or so, but we have filled all other lodgings."

Dusk was about to speak again when Gleaming Shield put her arm across her shoulder. "What he MEANT to say is that we only just started dating. He's pretty shy, probably something to do with a badass older sister who loved to torment him as a foal."

The older one guffawed, slapping his younger companion on the back. "Sounds just like you, Happy! I hear ya. Here at the Retreat, we value guest privacy and try to make sure your needs are met. First vacation together as a couple?"

She nodded. "Yeah, I got offered two VIP tickets here as a promotional thing with the Canterlot Royal Guard. Something about how, as the pony in charge of the Princess' security and such, I should get a vacation once in a while. Plus, I think Lun- ah, Princess Celestia pulled a couple of strings after I got that crowd of reporters away from her. So, what now?"

The smaller one smiled. "Well, allow us to introduce ourselves. I am Happy Dance, and this is River Dance. Before you ask, yes, we are married, and yes, we are more than happy to allow same-sex couples to enjoy their time here. Most, if not all, of our clients are very open-minded due to the nature of the services we provide. Ponies who are, how do you say it..."

"Prudes?" remarked River Dance, smiling.

"Uptight. Can't use that word, River. If we go to Sensitivity Seminar, I'm telling everypony it was your fault."

"Right. Anyway, as my smallish friend is saying, beyond this point there is no clothing whatsoever. Now, unlike many nudist or naturalist resorts, we do NOT frown on... ponies who get a bit frisky. We DO ask that you keep your fraternizing somewhere OTHER than out in the open. Other than that, enjoy yourselves. You can get undressed here, or in the side room. You two lovers enjoy your stay, okay?"

She nodded. "Thanks! C'mon Dusky, lets do this."

Dusk Shine could only sputter as his sister dragged him into the changing room.

In the small changing room, there was a single bench, a basket to put their clothing in with a name tag to fill out, and no privacy whatsoever. Gleaming Shield looked at her brother, her heart hammering. The thing her little brother didn't know, despite all of his vast intelligence, creativity, and reasoning ability, was that she had carefully planned this. She loved him... more than a sister should. SHE had set up the lovebird special... and Celestia had arranged it. The Mistress of Dreams may have been banished to the moon, but her loyal Dream Watchers continued her work, and waere rather understanding, given her and her sister's... unique, and ancient relationship. Now, nearly a year of planning was coming together. It was time to make a show... and see if she could draw his eye. The happy accident on the train had nearly given her intentions away, and she was astounded he could not smell her pheromones. The Lunar Pegasi certainly did, and no doubt that contributed to their assumption. That, and the 'lovebird' thing.

As Dusk stood there fidgeting, Gleaming Shield put a hand on his shoulder. "Look... if you're not comfortable Dusk, we can... go home. I mean, I have about a week and a half off. We can find a beach over in Manehatten, or visit Las Pegasus."

For a moment, her heart stopped as Dusk seemed about to agree... before he stopped. "Shield... You said Princess Celestia helped set this up? Why?"

She paused. That was unexpected. "Dusk, do you wanna do this or not?"

After another long moment, he finally squared his (rather slim) shoulders. "Gleam... I... thanks... Princess Celestia said I should get out more... I guess this is a bit more than she meant... but thanks. So... how do we do this?"

"Well... we gotta lose the clothes. Here, I'll start. Officers should lead the way, right?"

Dusk paused. "You know, I heard the guards outside the tower mention a funny quote... something about if officers are leading from the front, expect an ambush from the rear... or an attack, or something."

"Well, sometimes. What, you calling me a coward?" she said, placing her hands on her hips and pouting, causing Dusk Shine to flinch, backpedaling. "N-no! Of course not!"

"Geeze, you have no spine at all. I guess that explains the slouch" she said, setting her bag down and pulling off her jacket. Her shirt was made of a much thinner fabric than she usually used, allowing her pert mammaries a bit more freedom than they usually got. Gleaming Shield gave a sigh as she finally got a chance to get a bit of air. She smiled as she watched Dusk's back while he pulled off his shirt. After folding her jacket and placing it in the basket, the shirt was the next to go, leaving her in only her standard-issue GI Jane 'saddlebags'. A small smirk went across her face as her brother turned around, mouth open to speak before his eyes gravitated toward her chest, right at his eye level. "I, ah, I, um... you..."

Gleaming Shield held his eye contact for a moment before turning around. "Mind giving a girl a hand? Fastener is in back. I don't want to accidentally bend the clip, these come out of my paycheck."

Though she could not see it, she could imagine his more rapid breathing, his higher heart-rate, and above all his flushed cheeks. For a moment, she again thought he would chicken out before she felt his fingers on her back. While her hands were a bit rough and calloused, the result of eight years of brutal physical training and hand-to-hand combat, his were soft and warm, the hands of a scholar and philosopher. You know... a small voice spoke in her head, Hands that soft would feel great somewhere else... and he is a skilled mage... good with his mouth, probably.

Three seconds passed, then six, then ten while her brother fumbled with the fastener. "Um... problem?" she asked, looking over her shoulder. "Never undone a bra before?"

"No! I mean, yes! I mean, no, I have not... personally. Um, do you always need help?"

"Sometimes. Oh!" she said, as Dusk finally got the clip undone. She gave a sigh as her assets finally got a chance to swing free. "About time. Geeze, that feels good."

Without warning, she turned around, giving her little brother his first full view of her bare chest since they were both much younger. Since then, she had filled out quite a bit with healthy D-Cups, his ever-analytical mind told him. NOT that he had EVER done research on THAT sort of thing, of course. Except for science. "Finally, give the girls a bit of air. You okay?"

Dusk stood frozen, nearly cross-eyed as each attempted to track its own breast. For the first time in his nineteen years, hormones that had been repressed in favor of calm logic reared their head, battering against their cage as he finally saw his sister in a new light for the first time.

The Princesses were well known, featured in works of art for millennia. They were revered as both protectors and goddesses, controlling the heavens for the benefit of not only their subjects in Equestria, but the entire world. However, though many may lust after them or shower them with secret love, they remained on another level from the common pony. They were untouchable, out of reach, and something to desire, not to have.

However, his older sister had been an object of love for many since she first made waves after her capture of a gryphon terrorist trying to assassinate Prince Bolero at a diplomatic dinner, earning her a fast-track through the Royal Guard. Since then, she had been approached by several suitors. Commoner or Noble, Stallion and Mare, she had rejected them all, instead having a brief tryst with the Prince. Since then, she had enjoyed flaunting her sexuality, teasing and pleasing as she wished. Ponies with years of experience in the sexual arts would have had trouble keeping up with her. Her repressed younger brother had no chance at all as a fire raced from his head to his groin, taking the blood with it.

His sister was sculpted like an ancient proto-equestiran goddess. Her abdominal muscles were arranged like a chocolate bar, and defined enough that a corner of his brain remarked that one could probably sharpen a quill on them. Her smirk gave a glimpse at the utter surety that defined her; she never questioned or second-guessed herself in anything. When she wanted something, she acted as she wanted. Her arms, each trimmed with perfectly defined muscle that remained compact rather than bulging gave the impression that she could have cut a grypon in half with an axe if she wanted to. From there, his eyes traveled down.

Her waist, unlike the dreams of many mares, was not some waspish hourglass. She flowed smoothly with only slight curves from her shoulders to her hips. Between her legs, however, was a small tuft of blue fur that teasingly concealed her most private of places. Though he could not be sure, it seemed to glisten just a bit more than her mane. Her legs were not the pillars one may expect of someone who runs ten miles every day, and twenty at least once a week. Instead, they were toned and lean. Under her pelt, he could see the wiry muscles, moving like oiled steel cables as she stretched before him. A light cough brought him back to reality, however, and his eyes snapped up to meet hers as his cheeks burned harder than ever before. A slight pink shade colored her cheeks, though her sardonic smile remained. "You know, I charged the photographer for the Guard Swimsuit Calendar extra for ogling me. How much does Celestia pay you?"

"Um... I get a royal stipend... I dont know how much. I kinda just ask the guards to go buy me something, and they do it. R-research stuff, mostly."

"I'll bet. Your turn. Lose the leggings, and let's get going" she said, eyeing him carefully.

Seeing no other recourse, and steeling himself for the fact that this WAS rather thrilling, even if he hardly wanted to admit it, he looked at her again. "Um... can you turn around?"

"No. Look, you gotta get used to this, okay? It's gonna be a long week and a half if we you are afraid to show off the goods. Want me to do it for you? Fair is fair?"

He shook his head. "I... I can do it. Um..."

Finally, he began to work on his belt and leggings. For his reluctance, the process did not take long, and it was less than a minute before Gleaming Shield got her internal squee going as she finally got a good look at the body she had wanted for so many years. Unlike her, he had little to note save for the obvious bit she was interested in. His body, while lacking the definition of hers, showed clear signs of one who both ate less than he should, but hardly moved around much. His arms and legs were soft, much more so than hers, and his coat was not quite as sleek and shiny due to a lack of the proper vitamins that kept it glossy. However, thanks to the Princess' insistence he DID use magic to regulate his metabolism. His eyes, however, still roamed over her as she took in his form.

"S-so... is that it?"

"Let's get going, mine little brother" she said, before surprising him and grabbing him around the shoulders with one arm, rubbing her fist through his maine in a noogie. "You ready to live a little?"

Dusk thanked Luna's stars that he was too embarrased to display the arousal he was feeling, and struggled to remember the mental control Celestia had taught him to control his magic surges. As they walked out through the doorway, into the gloomy light of the caverns the resort was built into, she smiled to herself, while he struggled to maintain decorum. Each of them was thinking just the oppisite.

Dusk, walking beside her, was VERY aware of her body pressed against his. This is going to be a LONG ten days.

Gleaming Shield, smiling to herself, squeezed him a little tighter. These ten days are not long enough.

Author's Note

I am NOT apologizing for the dark souls pun.