Second Time Around

Chapters

I Felt a Super Sensation
24k Magick
Rock With You
If You Only Knew
Animals
The Weight of the World
Sex Pistols

I Felt a Super Sensation

Rarity looked over her newest line of dresses inspired by the last Nightmare Night her and Twilight had spent with the princesses for a royal sleepover. She had taken the time to admire the old fashion of Princess Luna long before her banishment and thought she could bring it back with a little Rarity Twist. The bolts of fabric in royal navy blue and eggshell white were strewn and hanging in the air as she dexterously cut out the corresponding segments with her magic grip tightening on the scissors.

It had been quite some time since she had been able to dive into a project since she had opened her second shop in Canterlot and an offer for another in Seaddle. With a huff and a sigh the unicorn set down her materials and smiled at the fourth project she had finished in a day. Surely, she began to think, she had earned that glass of wine.

She smiled to herself and trotted with a hum to her kitchen where she was just about to pull the bottle from the cabinet when she heard a knock at the door.

"Who in the world could that be?" She whispered to herself as she walked to the front of the shop and adjusted her mane accordingly.

"Welcome to the Carousel Bouti-" She began as she found her voice catch in her throat as she immediately recognized the earth mare standing at her door.

The mare had a white coat and a gray mane with cyan streaks which immediately established her identity to Rarity. Her kind eyes closed as she flashed a smile at the star struck mare with a light giggle.

"You must be Miss Rarity. I have heard so much about you."

Rarity froze and felt her mouth fall open as she stuttered a response.

"C-countess Coloratura!" She all but screeched as the mare laughed openly and kindly.

"I see you already know who I am. Sorry to make such an abrupt appearance." She stated as she flicked her mane from her eyes.

Rarity collected herself with some effort and bowed slightly.

"But of course! Your reputation far precedes you Countess." She gushed with a smile so wide it threatened to take her head off.

"I'm flattered! But... I'm not here for myself but for my partner over there.. Where did he go?" She asked as she turned and began to look around with an exasperated expression.

Rarity beamed at the possibility of gossip from the pop star singer. A partner? Did she find a stallion, a mare? Had she developed feelings for Applejack, her old friend? The possibilities were endless. She looked around too until the mare shook her head and stomped her hoof into the ground.

"MAYES YOU GET YOUR FLANK OVER HERE THIS INSTANCE OR I'LL HAVE YOUR HEAD!"

Rarity faltered momentarily at the volume but also at the name. She had heard it before but where? Her question however was soon answered as a tall bipedal creature rounded the corner with his hand clutching a small bag emblazoned with gems and ribbon. His strive was precise and wide, each step sure of itself in a way that made Rarity falter once again.

He stopped and looked down at Rarity with a sheepish grin and a hand massaging the back of his neck which tousled his well cut and neat chestnut mane, if that is what it was called.

"Sorry Rara, I was catching up with Fluttershy around the corner and lost track of you." The creature spoke softly in a tenor voice that also seemed unfitting for him.

This was not the same creature that had... was it?

Rarity beamed and stood perfectly still as Coloratura scolded him and pushed her hoof into his leg.

"You know better than to get sidetracked. We need to get you a new suit before rehearsal and we don't have time for you to absentmindedly be wandering like a lost dog." She chided with a soft smile beneath her scowl.

Finally the creature looked down at Rarity and his smile faltered. Rarity saw the look in his eye and was immediately filled with memories of a similar face, a similar expression.

"Miss Rarity. It's... been a while."

Rarity felt panic grow deep in her chest as flashes of flowers, grizzled hands holding cakes and gifts, and a soft spoken creature that hadn't a bit to his name let alone the means to shower her with the gifts she had graciously turned down. She felt her mouth go dry as she looked down at the ground and attempted to recollect her thoughts.

"Mayes, darling, you look... absolutely handsome! What have you done with yourself?" She gushed as she tried to generously compliment him to hide her apparent panic and shame.

The man seemed to take a hit from the sudden compliment and blushed as his hand reached to rub the back of his neck once more. Rarity had met the man a few times and recalled that he was... human. He had appeared in Ponyville and had been mistaken for a creature from the Everfree but within a few weeks ponies had begun to see him as just another oddity that became a normal thing in the town. Months had passed and he had begun to work at the pub in town cleaning tables but had developed an infatuation with the clothing designer.

"I've um... I've been on a diet, been on the road with Rara and Sapphire for the last few months touring around." He sheepishly admitted as his blue eyes fell back on the unicorn.

Rarity had her turn to look shocked as she pieced together that he had been traveling with Sapphire Shores and Countess Coloratura.

"On the road? Doing what? When did this all happen?" She questioned as Coloratura smiled gently and let the two speak.

"You... didn't notice that I was gone? I figured you'd at least hear about it but I guess not." He asked as his entire body seemed to deflate.

Rarity bit her tongue and suppressed the urge to scream at herself.

"I left a few months ago. Rara here found me singing during closing hours at the pub and offered me a gig headlining her next performance. A show or two later she asked if I wanted to tour with her as the Singer from beyond the stars."

Coloratura laughed and nudged him with her side.

"It was a much better title than what you had picked out."

"Hey nothing wrong with The Great and Exuberant Mayes!"

Rarity felt her mind screaming so loud she had trouble actually hearing the two shoot back and forth. Pure unbridled shame and panic filled her gut as she recalled the times he had left gifts and asked to go out for a bite to eat in the past. A few months ago he was shaggy, a strange growth of fur on his face and clothes that almost seemed to fall apart. If Twilight hadn't asked her to make him some fresh clothes he might have wandered without them.

"Ugh. Regardless of your terrible sense of titles we are here to get some clothing made for you."

Rarity snapped out of her inner turmoil to flash one of her patented Rarity smiles. She had to quell the rising astonishment in the humans transformation. He had become lean, almost muscular beneath his black shirt and denim pants. His scraggly face fur was trimmed to almost non existence outlining a strong jaw, and a once tousled and knotted mane was cut to medium length where a bang or two hung over his strikingly blue eyes. Was it really the Mayes she knew?

"Of course, please step in and I'll draw up some designs. Can I offer either of you two a drink or anything?"

Coloratura politely declined and Mayes merely kept quiet, a far off and hesitant look in his eyes as he walked into her boutique. Rarity quickly cleared her scraps and mannequins from the ground as she began to try and gather her thoughts. Why would they be asking her to make his wear after all she had done to shoot his interest down, and why now was it bothering her so?

"Oh! What budget are we working with? I am more than happy to give a friends only discount if you like." Rarity added with a smile as she began to shoot measuring tape around the shocked and speechless Mayes.

"Friends? I didn't assume we were friends Miss Rarity." He added coldly as he set the sack in front of Rarity.

Again the screaming and hurt inside the unicorns mind almost made her break character. Luckily she still had control of the situation.

"Mayes of course we are. You are a friend and family member to all of us here in Ponyville."

Mayes smiled only slightly as he reached down and opened the sack for the designer to see.

"I uh... hope it's enough for a suit and maybe some day to day clothes."

Rarity looked into the bag and felt her body go rigid. There were enough bits for an entirely new wardrobe. How had he made so much in a few months, was it saved up, was he making that much performing for Coloratura and Sapphire, how had she not heard of his performances?

"Mayes this... This is way too much for just a suit and some clothing. I could fill a new wardrobe for you with this!"

Mayes smiled faintly and rubbed the back of his neck once more.

"Consider the majority of it an apology for how I um... For how I was always following you around and stuff. I know you were just trying to be nice to me before and I know you'd never be interested in some strange creature." He added the last bit almost too quietly for her to hear.

She heard it.

"Mayes I'm sorry for how I acted before. I was under so much stress when I was doing the royal wedding and then the changeling attack..."

Mayes sighed and looked away from her.

"No I get it, no hard feelings alright?"

His voice was controlled but the tinge of hurt made Rarity wince visibly.

"Now you must tell me why you need these clothes dear. I will make an attire that will make the mares want to be with you and the stallions wish they were you." She added with a fake smile as she pulled out bolts of her best black fabric.

Surprisingly it was Coloratura that spoke up.

"Well we have a date with Photo Finish and the the press from Mare Vogue to get some pictures for the centerfold. I thought with One Shot and Mayes here doing dress rehearsals for the Canterlot Show we needed the most gorgeous clothes to make him pop." She said as she bumped him gently with her flank, "Not that Mayes needs it."

Rarity froze as she watched Countess Coloratura flirt with Mayes. Was she flirting with him? Was she into him?

"Rara I told you I'm not posing for Mare Vogue. That's for stallions and mares not... me."

Rarity thought for a moment about Mayes wearing her line for Mare Vogue. That would bring in even more clientele and even open up a world of fashion to other bipedal creatures.

"I think it's a wonderful idea." Rarity added with a dazzling smile.

"I'm sorry but what?"

Rarity finished her measurements and wound a thin bolt of green fabric around his neck like a scarf.

"I think you'd be quite the fetching stallion in Mare Vogue. I think a lot of ponies would be very interested in seeing more of you."

Mayes had such a fierce blush that Rarity almost felt a sense of pride.

"Y-you really think so?"

Rarity merely smiled and took the bag of bits to test it's weight.

"I do. Now in regards to this payment it is FAR too much. Though if you insist on paying I'm sure I can create quite the ensemble for you."

Mayes smiled she noted his hand holding the fabric still held in her magical grasp. Slowly she felt his pressure on her magic and felt a heat rise in her face as he gave her the first genuine smile she had ever seen.

"Thank you Miss Rarity."

Rarity coughed and pulled the fabric from him as she shook the feeling of giddiness from her head. Surely it was the stress or having the Countess in the room.

"Yes well I should get started. Will I be expecting a messenger coming to pick up the order?"

Coloratura smiled and waved a hoof.

"Nonsense why don't you come on by tomorrow morning to rehearsal? I'm sure a mare of your skill would like to see how Mayes moves in your attire." She put emphasis on the word moves.

Rarity smiled a fake dazzling smile and nodded.

"Of course I'll be there, nine sharp?"

Coloratura smiled brightly and nodded her head.

"Did you have to ask her to the rehearsal?" Mayes asked with an edge of annoyance as he and Coloratura walked away from the boutique.

Coloratura merely hummed joyfully as she bumped the grumpy human with her hip.

"She's your muse is she not? You have written many fantastic songs thinking of her and when she looked at you I could see that predatory hunger in your eyes." She added teasingly while blowing a raspberry.

"She's not my muse. just somepony that I used to know."

"Now that's a name for my next hit." She mused as she chuckled gently.

"Only if I get half royalties." The human laughed with a wicked smirk.

"What happened between you two? If I can ask once more yet again."

Mayes frowned and walked on ahead of the mare with a heavy step.

"It's nothing and that's all it will ever be."

Images played in his mind like a super 8 film roll. He had been in a world that was not his own, thrown into politics and magic and even war where he wasn't ready for it. He had spent a maddening time trying to find a way out of the worst time of his life and in the end he had stumbled upon a unicorn that offered a room for him to sleep in and a hot meal.

"No frowning, come on champ let's go meet Photo Finish and One Shot for some drinks.

24k Magick

Rarity bundled the clothing neatly into seperate brown packages and then set them inside her saddlebags. Though she would not admit it to anyone she had been up all night making a suit and some nice new attire for Mayes. With everything packed away she looked to the clock on the wall and grimaced as she noted her tardiness.

"I certainly hope they don't mind my tardiness." she said to nopony in particular as she left her humble home and made her way to the concert hall in the center of town.

The town was abuzz with ponies as they all crowded around the area hoping no doubt to get a look at Coloratura or One Shot who was an up and coming singer with some strange and albeit, erotic, dance moves. Rarity shook the image from her mind as she made her way to the door where two large Minotaurs stood watching the crowd coldly. Rarity cleared her throat as she did her best to approach in only the most regal of fashions.

"Good morning boys I'm here to deliver some clothes to Mayes." She stated with a dazzling smile.

The first looked to her and raised an eyebrow before looking to a pamphlet in his hands. After what seemed like an eternity holding her smile Rarity heard him huff as he set the pages down.

"Not on the list. Go home."

Rarity felt shock for a moment before she shook her head.

"That can't be, I'm here on behalf of my friend Mayes."

"That's what everyone says. Scram."

Rarity felt her cheeks flush not only from anger but from curiosity. That's what everyone says? Surely Mayes had let them know she would be coming. Wouldn't he?

"Well rest assured I have his clothing ready for him to rec-" Rarity was cut off as the doors opened with explosive force sending the guards to their knees. In a flash of dazzling confetti and light a mare wearing what could only be described as massive piles of metal and garbage stood before Rarity with a pair of obnoxiously large glasses.

"DARLING ZO GLAD TOO SEE YOU HERE COME IN COME IN COME IN." The exuberant mare gushed as she ushered Rarity into the building.

Photo Finish. Only Photo Finish could dress so strangely.

"Oh Photo it is an honor to see you once more." Rarity whispered as she was rushed past stallions and mares running around with equipment and costumes. There were an awful lot of them Rarity pondered as she was led to the seat in front of the stage.

"No shush. You came right in time to see.. ZE MAGICS." She whispered with a flourish as she pushed rarity into a seat and tossing her bags next to her.

Rarity pondered wordlessly what she meant until she heard a familiar voice on the stage.

"No. Come on guys. Chests out plots down then a shimmy with your front arms!"

Rarity felt her neck snap as she looked wide eyed and open mouthed at what she saw. There, standing in nothing but some slacks and a thin sleeveless shirt was Mayes. His arms glistened with sweat as he looked to a few mares and stallions who looked like they just found out Santa wasn't real. His face was the vision of concentration as he went around messing with the manes of the dancers and giving the stallions reassuring slaps on the flank. Rarity couldn't help but grin as they all treated him as their close friend.

"I know you guys can do it. We've gone through this half a dozen times." He reassured as he got on his knees and ruffled the mane of a scrunchy faced unicorn mare. "Now, one more time. One shot! Get over here."

Rarity looked over to the right of the stage to see a tan coated stallion talking to a few of the photographers. His mane was long and jet black and hung loosely over one eye with a curl. On his torso was a simple white frilled shirt that opened to show some fluff coming from his slender barrel.

One Shot. The Stallion with the moves that melted the hearts of mares and stallions alike.

"Of course, one second bud!" He chimed in with a melody to his voice before trotting up to Mayes.

"Bud?" Rarity mouthed as she looked at them bump fists/hooves and shimmy next to each other.

"One more time? Should we use the recording or sing acapella? " One Shot inquired as he brushed the mane from his eye.

"Recording, gotta get the dancers into the beat. Alright guys from the top!" Mayes barked with a laugh as he took a standing position next to One Shot.

Rarity felt her head being pushed down low as Photo Finish giggled like she was eyeing a piece of candy.

"The magics are about to happen!"

The music started with a beat Rarity found hard to ignore as Mayes rolled his shoulders and looked to the ground with other performers in tow.

Tonight
I just want to take you higher
Throw your hooves up in the sky
Let's set this party off right

The song began and Rarity marveled as the left arms of the dancers rose and fell to beat, all of them in sync as if held together with strings. At the center was Mayes as he shimmied and looked to the dancers with complete concentration.

Players, put yo' hoofs up to the moon
Mares, what y'all trying to do?
Twenty four karat magic in the air
Head to hoof so player
Look out!

The dancers all jumped and circled around Mayes and One Shot as they flung one arm out to the sky and traced it down their chests. Rarity felt her breath catch in her throat as they began to strut to the front of the stage in an almost sauntering fashion.

Pop pop, it's show time
Show time
Guess who's back again?
Oh they don't know?
Ya'll tell em
Oh they don't know?
Ya'll tell em
I bet they know soon as we walk in showin up!
Wearing gryphic links
Designer minks
Canterlots finest shoes
Don't look too hard might hurt ya'self
Known to give the color red the blues

As the next verse started Mayes and One shot dropped to their backsides and while tracing a hoof/hand up their chests and across their face to move the mane from their eyes. Rarity found her chest getting hot and she did her best to hide the glowing blush as she watched them dance.

Oh shit, I'm a dangerous stallion with some money in my pocket so keep up!
So many pretty mares around me and they waking up the rocket, keep up!
Why you mad, fix ya face, ain't my fault y'all be jocking

Players only, come on
Put your hoofs up to the moon
Mares, what y'all trying to do?
Twenty four karat magic in the air
Head to hoof so player
Uh, look out!

Again the dancers circled and rolled their shoulders to the beat, sweat flying as manes became whipped around from the sheer heat of the dance. Mayes kept face as he mouthed the lyrics and One Shot sang along with such excitement it was almost contagious. Rarity looked to her side to see Photo Finish snapping discreet photos while biting her lower lip.

Second verse for the stallions
Bad mares and ya ugly ass friends
Can I preach an I preach
I gotta show 'em how a pimp get it in
First, take your sip, do your dip
Spend your bits like bits ain't shit
Whoop, whoop!
We too fresh
Got to blame in on Celestia
Hashtag blessed, they ain't ready for me!

The song drew to a close as the performers lined up directly behind Mayes and One Shot before triumphantly throwing their heads and a hoof to the sky. Glistening sweat poured from the dancers and Mayes in particular which made Rarity suddenly question why her face was so hot. Must have been One Shot the stupid sexy stallion she chided to herself.

"MARVELOUS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING SO MUCH MAGIC!" Photo screamed as she leapt from the seats to the stage with a gleeful prance.

Mayes looked at her and rolled his eyes as he got to a knee and ruffled her cyan and lime green mane. The smile on his face was wide and kind and the way he laughed was full on from the chest Rarity noted.

"You must have done so much more for your viewer." Photo whispered as she pointed directly at Rarity.

"R-Rarity!?" Mayes managed to ask as he tripped on a cable falling off the stage in a loud yell.

The resounding crash drew the combined grunts of sympathy from everyone within eyesight. Rarity felt her hooves carry her over as she magicked the wires and cables off of Mayes as best as she could.He pulled himself to his knees with a sigh and shooed the cables away while looking away from Rarity.

"Mayes darling are you okay?" Rarity asked as gently as possible.

"Yeah I'm fine I just wasn't expecting you to see... that." He stated as he motioned to the stage.

"See what? That you dance for One Shot?"

The dancers began to laugh which caused Rarity to pause in confusion.

"That's what it is right?"

Mayes looked away as a blush crept across his face.

"Dance for me? Oh honey May-may isn't my dancer," One shot chimed in as he jumped off the stage to lend a hoof to Mayes, "He's my personal dance instructor. In fact he's Rara's instructor as well. His moves have shot my music videos to top of the charts." He added with a sing song voice.

"Don't call me that One shot wonder." Mayes reacted with a snarl.

Rarity herself was having trouble imagining that her idols dance moves all came from the man she had turned away. How had she not seen or known about his talent?

"Alright enough gawking, Every pony get ready for the next song." One Shot yelled with a laugh as he waltzed passed Rarity.

"By the way, great job getting him riled up." He added with a wink and a raspberry.

Mayes stood to his feet and sighed while laying the cables back where they were. The entire time he ignored Rarity as she stood beside him completely stuck in her one train of tormented thought. A sigh tossed Rarity from her spell and she looked up to see Mayes still blushing and rubbing the back of his neck once more.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you or anything I just figured when you were late that you weren't going to show. That's all."

"Well of course I'd be here I had to bring your clothes didn't I?"

Mayes looked confused for a moment before his mouth formed an O.

"My uniforms! I completely forgot for a second with the fall and utter embarrassment."

Rarity giggled and covered her mouth with a free hoof before setting the clothing in his hands.

"Enjoy. I hope I get to see how you look in them."

As Rarity made an attempt to escape she felt Mayes take his hand and put it on her mane.

"Please. You already saw me make a fool of myself, maybe you could..." His voice trailed off as his fingers massaged the top of her head.

Rarity felt a purr begin to form in her throat but pushed it down as quickly as it had come on.

"Yes dear?" She managed to ask quietly.

"Maybe you could... stay here. See how the clothing looks under stress." Mayes tried to say matter of factly but the feeling of Rarity's locks in his hand betrayed his voice.

"I'd like that." Rarity found herself cooing gently.

"Come on May-may we need to boogie!" She heard One Shot call out from the stage.

"Yeah yeah I'm coming."

Rarity didn't move for a moment even after his hand left her mane. She cared not if he messed it up because for a few moments it felt like heaven had descended on her head. Shaking her head and dispelling the thoughts she sat in the chair next to Photo Finish and tried to enjoy the performance as platonically as possible.

"Iz good performance no?" Photo cooed as she let her eyes wander on the dancers with a wide grin. "One never knows what lies inside the mask we wear for others."

Rarity smiled and nodded her head as Mayes showed One Shot how to walk backwards with the illusion he was moving forward.

"I can see why he's a success." She told herself as she cocked her head to the side.

"I'm a disaster." Mayes said to himself as Coloratura packed up her equipment into a neat box.

It had been a week since they stopped in Ponyville for rehearsals and a break. One week since he had seen Rarity and made a complete and utter dolt of himself. Now however was infinitely worse than any of that.

"What's a disaster hon?" Coloratura asked as she walked to his side to see what was in his hand.

There on the front cover of Mare Vogue was a picture of him in the middle of a pose with One shot next to him. Not in the costumes provided to them but as they were when they rehearsed 24 Karot Magic in front of Rarity. His face was glowing with a triumphant smile on his face, fist in the air, hips out, and his body had been touched up to show the muscle he had accumulated along with the glimmer of sweat. Mayes groaned and sunk his head into his hands while his compatriot laughed gently.

"I think you look strikingly handsome" Coloratura added with a light tease in her tone. "Maybe even sexy." She whispered immediately after.

Mayes grumbled into his hands apparently not hearing the final remark.

"Read page sixteen."

Coloratura hummed quietly as she picked up the magazine and flipped it to the desired page opting to read it aloud.

"Equestrias newest bachelor isn't who you think it is. An in depth look at the man, not pony, that makes all the mares blush. We sent our top photographer to get the magical scoop on the up and coming human that has mares fawning over him."

Coloratura laughed and wiped a tear from her eye.

"I don't see what's so shocking aside from you making cover."

Again Mayes grumbled.

"Keep reading."

The mare raised an eyebrow and turned her attention back to the magazine.

"In an unprecedented reveal the human known as Mayes is not only Equestrias most eligible and exotic bachelor but also the brilliant mind behind One Shots tantalizing dance moves. In the words of our own Photo Finish his moves were found to be spicy, like a flow of magma that trails to the..." Coloratura stifled a laugh and choked as she looked at Mayes with a raised eyebrow, "Groins of all the mares that look upon him."

"Keep going."

"But what is it that makes this man so tantalizingly unobtainable? A local florist came forward and said it is because of his divine obsession to a local mare that will go unnamed. But what does that spell for Mayes? Only time will tell. For now we wait as Mare Vogues number one bachelor makes his way to Canterlot for the Tri-concert featuring himself, One Shot, and Countess Coloratura."

She dropped the magazine and began to laugh so hard she fell onto her side. As she laughed Mayes continued his almost melting action into his hands. He wanted so hard to just go away and fade into nothing. Nothing could possibly make this day any worse he thought.

"Mayes, dear?"

Rarity called out from behind the stage as she walked out carrying a few briefcases. Much to the confusion of him Coloratura raced over and giddily embraced the unicorn. Rarity looked very well. she wore a gray knitted turtleneck that Mayes noted accented the curve of her barrel very well. Shaking his head quickly he looked again to see Rarity looking at him with one eye poking out from her white sun hat. The eyes shimmered like the ocean and a small smile crept along her face.

"Mayes, you're staring hon." Coloratura called out shaking the man from his gawking.

"Sorry. You just look... incredibly lovely today Miss Rarity." He quickly replied with a nervous laugh.

"Well thank you darling but I assure you this is merely my travel wear." Rarity remarked with a closed eye grin.

"Travel? Where are you off to?"

Rarity looked at Mayes with a confused expression before brightening up and letting loose a laugh that could have lit the faces of anyone near.

"Mayes I'm coming with you. You really didn't expect me to let some ruffian do the touch up work on my designs did you?"

Mayes had a smile that twitched at the edges and with the movements of an automaton he stood, took the chair he was holding, and quickly smashed it against his own head.

Rock With You

"Why in the three hells would you do such a thing!" Coloratura yelled at Mayes as he leaned against the seat in the train cabin where he had been dragged after his bout of self harm.

"Really? You really don't know why I'd do such a thing? Could it possibly be that you decided not to tell me that she was going to join us?" He shot back with a groan as another jolt of pain shot through his head.

Coloratura handed him a bottle of water which he began to eagerly suck down as if his life depended on it. The cool water quelled the pain in the front of his skull but did little to quell the pain in his own heart. With a distant stare and a sigh he positioned his elbow on the window and watched the country side move across his vision like a movie. How had it all come to this?

"Mayes... We've been on the road for months. We've seen a lot of bad in both of our lives so I gotta ask one more time." She spoke quietly as a hoof touched his knee. "What happened between you and Rarity?"

"Well I guess I got a confession to make first." Mayes began as he felt his mouth already going dry, "I'm a fool. I got tired of starting again somewhere new. Women, mares, that kind of thing."

He fidgeted with his hair as he recalled the first time he ever came to be in Equestria.

"I wasn't initially attracted to mares. The whole concept was incredibly alien to me so for a while I lost all hope of finding romance, love, or... well... you know." His cheeks flared up momentarily as did his companions.

"That all changed when I met Rarity for the third or fourth time. Granted she was incredibly afraid or disgusted with me either or I could never figure out. I was without a home and I was sick of Twilight prodding me with questions and tests so one night while it was pouring I left. Wandered around Ponyville for a few hours feeling sorry for myself but," He paused as a smile graced his face "Then a light came on like it was from heaven itself and there standing in the doorway with a blanket was Rarity."

Coloratura felt her eyes moisten a bit as she watched her friend open up in a way he had previously never had before.

"She took me in, we had tea, biscuits, played games for hours and when she finally went to bed I felt a little less lonely in this world. I wanted to court her in a sense so I worked any job I could find to get her cakes, jewelry, anything at all to pay back that priceless act of kindness. I guess I kind of became infatuated with her."

His demeanor changed from content to somber within a moment.

"She wasn't interested. It took me a long time to finally accept that partially and that's when I met you. " He looked to Coloratura with a faint smile, "You took me in and gave me a chance to better myself. So that's two mares that I owe my life to."

Coloratura smiled widely with moist eyes and hoofed him in the knee.

"Don't get all sappy on me Mayes. At least she seems to be happy to be around you now."

Mayes cringed and shook his head without looking back at her.

"She's only here now because I'm the newest trend. I'm her model, her key to greater success, a stepping stone."

Coloratura bit her lip and placed her hoof back on his knee.

"Mayes..."

He snapped her hoof away and looked back out the window.

"Don't Mayes me Rara. She didn't want me before so why would she now unless it benefited her in some way."

The train car became deathly silent as the two continued to reflect on their own words.

Rarity on the other hand was having an equally hard time. Refusing to be seated away from Mayes after he assaulted himself Rarity agreed to share a cabin with One Shot in the car behind Mayes and Coloratura. She looked out to the horizon much like Mayes was and sighed quietly as One Shot looked over Mare Vogue.

"Can't believe my little May-may got front cover." He chuckled gently as he read through the columns. "And Mare Vogues number one bachelor to boot! Never thought I'd see the day."

Rarity had read the article several times before even meeting up with Mayes to head to Canterlot. Though hurt for a bit that her designs hadn't been featured she had felt a swelling sense of pride that she was asked to accompany the group as Mayes costume designer. More than once though she had stopped to question herself on why she had agreed in the first place with the fall fashion line up approaching quickly.

"Excuse me, Mr. One Shot dear," Rarity finally spoke without letting her eyes leave the scenery, "How exactly do you know Mayes?"

One Shot grinned widely and let out a giggle that took Rarity off guard.

"Oh? Are you interested in little May-may?" He inquired with a raised eyebrow and a glint in his eyes.

Rarity felt her face grow hot as she shook her head quickly.

"Of course not. We established a very professional relationship a long time ago. Why; I was worried when he was gone."

One Shot frowned slightly and looked at her closely.

"You're lying though."

Rarity felt her ears splay back as she realized this stallion wasn't as aloof as others she had met.

"Well I.... didn't actually know he had gone to be frank. I thought after that... incident that he had just grown distant and with the madness of everything going on I hardly had the time to seek him out to apolo-" She cut herself off as One Shot let out a soft hum in response.

"Me doth think the lady protest too much." He stated with a dramatic sweep of his head.

With a slightly bigger smile he looked at her as if he was not only giving her a once over but looking into her very soul.

"you know. When I first met Mayes he was this awkward creature that couldn't formulate a coherent sentence without stuttering let alone instruct thirty ponies a dance routine. Hell the first time I met him I almost tried courting him myself."

Rarity felt her ears perk up and with a flabbergasted stare she merely tried to ask the question. THE question.

"What? You really thought I was just into mares?" One Shot whispered heatedly as he broke character to laugh loudly.

"The look on your face! Totally worth playing along." He added with a teary giggle "Seriously though Miss Rarity. I'm not at all into Mayes any more than a friend. In fact I'd say he's my best friend."

Rarity felt a pang of guilt that she had never even given him a chance at real friendship. One Shot continued as he looked out the window deep in thought.

"Rara brought him to me with Sapphire three months ago. She claimed he would be the newest hit in Equestria while he spent the whole time assuring us that would never happen. At first I was skeptical probably same as you were. Over time though..." He paused as a hoof tapped his chin. "I found that he is far gentler, far more interesting, and far greater than any stallion or mare I have ever met."

He paused to give his full attention to Rarity who had opted to remain silent.

"So my very serious question is, why are you interested in him now?"

Rarity had a million answers for the seemingly simple question roll through her mind and none of them left a particularly good taste in her mouth except one.

"I... I'm not sure to be honest darling." Rarity began as she spoke slowly. "I'll admit Mayes and I didn't have the best friendship especially after... well that was a long time ago."

One Shot leaned in so close she didn't notice he was an inch from her nose.

"You are NOT gonna leave me hanging like that, what the hell happened between you two? I mean he still likes you a lot."

Rarity blinked and then widened her eyes.

"He does? What has he said?"

One Shot shook a hoof at her dismissively.

"You tell me what happened and I'll tell you the secret of Mayes success."

Rarity stopped for a moment in thought before nodding her head.

"Well, it all happened about five months ago or so..."

Rarity sat at her sewing station pumping in bolts of fabrics in a shades of blue, white, and soft grays in the hopes that her scarves would be ready to set up for the winter festival stalls. The snow was going to be coming any day now as the reports from the pegasi ccloud forecast forecast and her scarves would see very fast.

A knock at the door carried the focus of work away from the her as she heard the door open and a very jubilant cry from her little sister.

"Mayes!" Sweetie Belle yelled as she jumped into the arms of the human that stood in the doorway.

Rarity smiled gently as she watched her sister place her hooves all over the scraggly humans face as he tried his best to get a word in over her insistent questions.

"Sweetie, please get your dirty hooves off of our guest." She colded as she noted the muddy hoof marks all over Mayes shirt and pants.

With a huff and a scrunched snout Sweetie let Mayes put her down as she whispered a few choice PG words at Rarity before sulking off into the kitchen. Rarity sighed as she approached Mayes who reached into his pocket while she approached. Rarity already knew what he was doing and felt a terrible weight in her stomach as she began to shake her head.

"Mayes darling you didn't bring another gift did you?" She chided as the human pulled a small brown package from his pocket and handed it to her.

It wasn't that she wasn't flattered. The first few times she gladly accepted the kindness and generosity of the human and even gifted him clothes in return because she felt it was right. He had tried so hard to pay her back for the space where she let him sleep and stay while he looked for a more permanent residence.

She hadn't taken him in for reward. She was worried when she saw him walking in the pouring rain that time ago.

"Well... Yeah. I saw this set of gems at the market and thought you would like them. Maybe throw them into another awesome dress or something."

Rarity tsked gently and shook her head as she took the package into her magical grasp. As she prepared to chide the human once more she lost the words in her throat; there in the little box were seven uncut natural sunset gem stones. One alone would set her back a weeks pay but Mayes had brought her seven.

"Mayes. I can't possibly accept these." Rarity whispered as her eyes stayed glued to the shimmering gems.

She looked up to see Mayes no longer smiling, a look of hurt across his face as his eyes refused to meet hers.

"I was afraid you'd say that." He began as he rubbed the back of his neck. "It's because I'm not a pony isn't it?"

Rarity suddenly understood what all the gifts were for, all the flowers, the cakes, the fabric and gems.

It was to court her.

"Mayes dear I...." She panicked as she tried to find the words to say to him.

"It's fine. Sorry I dropped by unannounced. It Won't happen again." He said with a defeated expression as he exited the boutique closing the door gently behind him.

Rarity didn't say a word. She couldn't.

"So... You shot him down with silence?" One Shot asked coolly after hearing Rarity recount her tale.

"No not at all! I just didn't know-"

"What to say. Well you were thinking something." One Shot interrupted while he shook his head.

"That explains a lot..." He continued while he maintained his gaze at the unicorn mare. "You know he barely talked when Rara found him at the pub? He looked like he was wasting away and the only reason, thank Faust, she took him in was because he was singing the most heart breaking song she had ever heard."

Rarity felt her ears splay back as One Shot continued to scold her on something that she believed wasn't entirely her fault.

"Though I guess that was what got him into Coloratura and Sapphires hooves in the first place. The guy didn't know what to do because you didn't say anything."

"I didn't think I was interested at the time!" She shouted without seeing the door to her cabin slide open.

"Weren't interested in what Miss Rarity?" Mayes asked with genuine curiosity as he looked at the flustered mare and One Shot sporting the widest grin he had ever seen.

Rarity however took the opportunity to put her face into a pillow and scream as loudly as she could.

If You Only Knew

Mayes spent a good long time pondering why Rarity was red faced and flustered the entire walk to the hotel in Canterlot. When he had walked in on One Shot and her talking she had answered his inquiry by screaming into a cushion. His mind wandered even further when he noticed One Shot hadn't let the cheesy grin on his face fade at all. While Mayes was lost in deep thought so was Rarity and, for that matter, Coloratura as well.

"Wow, fancy place." Mayes said with a whistle which drew the following trio out of their conjoined thoughts.

The hotel was three stories tall and was accented with white marble and gold. If Mayes hadn't seen the Princess' castle he would have assumed this place was saved for royalty. The banners displaying Canterlots purple, white, and navy blue colors waved in the wind as ponies ran around excitedly pointing at Mayes and the group.

"Get ready hon for your first taste of glory." Coloratura whispered as she hoofed Mayes in the knee.

"Don't get me started they're here for yo-" Before he could finish he was immediately flanked by several mares and stallions with paper and quills in hoof.

"Mayes oh my gosh the tuxedo wonder!" One of them squealed as she bounced in place with stars in her eyes.

Her mane was a bubbly pink mess and her coat golden-yellow. Amongst her were a number of other mares that all joined in her cries as they tried to prod him with hooves.

"Uh... hi. Can I help you, erm, lovely mares?" Mayes asked soon regretting his choice of words.

"OH MY GOSH HE SAID WE'RE LOVELY!" They all cried in unison as the onslaught only continued further.

The resounding series of autographs, photos, and questions continued for a little over half an hour as Coloratura and One Shot smiled vibrantly at their friends new attention. Of course they too talked among the fans leaving Rarity to watch on as Mayes smiled and answered all the questions he could. She had never seen him so animated and happy. After a time however she got a chill up her spine as the crowd began to quiet down and a tall slender unicorn came through them. Her coat was snow white and was accented in an almost divine sense by her soft pink mane which was straightened and adorned with gold jewels.

"Fleur." She whispered heatedly as the smiling model approached Mayes with a soft smile.

"So, I dare say this is the bel étalon I have heard so much about." She began as she smiled widely and offered her hoof to him. "My name is Fleur de Lis. It is quite an honor to meet the face behind the music."

Rarity watched as a clearly blushing Mayes took her hoof in his hand and began to shake until One Shot hoofed him gently but sharply. He took the cue and lowered himself to kiss the very tip of her hoof briefly before standing back up.

"Oh my and quite the gentle stallion too. I am quite pleased I was informed of your arrival for I was afraid I might miss it." She cooed softly as she lowered her eye lids at him.

"Is she... no it couldn't be." Rarity whispered as she watched the mare stand on her back hooves and wrapped her front around his shoulder to kiss him gently twice on the cheek. "She IS."

Immediately cameras flashed and the group of ponies talked excitedly at the exchange. Fleur lowered herself back to her hooves as she nodded her head at the incredibly rigid and flustered man before her.

"I dare say I might have caused quite the gossip. I apologize if you were not prepared for Prench hospitality." She whispered to the group as her eyes never left Mayes. "Might we continue inside? I feel crowded as it were."

Mayes merely nodded stiffly as the group went past the door guard into the regal hotel. The pillars and fountains alone gave the impression of divinity and the conjoined oohs and awes echoed through the lobby as a Stallion wearing a white tuxedo approached them.

"Good afternoon honored guests. My name is Mr. Goodwin. It is a pleasure to have all of you staying at my establishment." He paused as he looked Mayes up and down. "Especially you sir. It is quite an honor having you stay with us."

Mayes blinked twice before forming words to speak.

"It is? Even though I'm..."

Mr. Goodwin smiled widely and genuinely as if he understood.

"Not a pony? Sir I personally love the fact Coloratura said you'd be coming. My daughter absolutely adores your music." He paused and looked uncharacteristically sheepish. "In fact I was wondering if I could organize a meeting? She has talked non stop since I gave her the news. You know how young fillies get."

Mayes just stood there as he was praised. He had never expected this let alone fans.

"I... I think that'd be lovely. I have practice and such throughout the week but I'd love to meet her."

Mr. Goodwin smiled brightly with a swish of his tail.

"Wonderful! Well let's get you to your penthouse. I assume you must be exhausted from your travel. Will Miss Fleur be joining you?"

Rarity wanted so hard to say no, to make an excuse so she could stop the unicorn but her body kept still as she waited for the others to respond.

"Sure. I mean is there enough room?" Mayes asked as he scratched the back of his neck looking to the model next to him.

"Room? I say sir I'd be offended if I wasn't going to get a rush out of showing you to your room." Mr.Goodwin laughed as he made his way to the elevator.

Mayes let Fleur and One Shot go on ahead as he stopped Coloratura to speak to her silently.

"You told me my music was only released to friends of yours, why do I have a group of ponies asking for my autograph?" He whispered at the devilishly smiling mare.

"Well I may have leaked your first three songs to a radio station while you were back in Ponyville last month." She added with a wink.

"And three songs is enough for all.... all of this?" He added perplexed.

"You are also Mare Vogues number one bachelor." She said as she walked past him while flicking his chin with her tail. "Now come on, you have a model that wants to talk to you."

Rarity approached Mayes with her ears pinned.

"Mayes dear, are you alright?" She asked softly as she watched him furrow his brow.

"Yeah... I just don't know what to do." He began to say as he followed the group that waited at the elevator. "On my world I was just a chef. I cooked meals and lived low key. I was never a super star or a celebrity. This is all a bit too much."

Rarity could relate even though she wouldn't say it. She was a small fashion designer in Ponyville until Twilight got into her life and now she was a hero of the country. Her fashion design had become featured more times than she could count and even she had trouble coming to terms with it at times.

The elevator ride was quiet and relaxing as Mr. Goodwin detailed the history of the hotel and how much he enjoyed having creatures from all walks of life frequent his doors. Mayes watched Fleur as she leaned against him a few times and admired how good she smelled. Rarity on the other hand spent the time reflecting on Mayes words and wondered how much she truly knew about him.

"And this," Mr. Goodwin whispered as he drew a key from his jacket and slid it into the keyhole on the terminal, "Is where you all will be staying."

The door slid open revealing an enormous living room with a roaring fireplace, several large luxury couches, a patio looking over the city, and walls lined with art that even made Rarity gasp. The open space gave way to a kitchen fitted with crystal tops and the newest appliances along with four welcoming baskets with fruit, fragrances, and other miscellaneous pleasantries.

"This... is..." Mayes began to stutter as One Shot and Coloratura pressed against either side of him.

"Welcome home Mayes!" They both yelled as they dragged him into the living room.

Mr. Goodwin gave the four a tour of the entire area while Fleur aid elegantly on a couch and got herself a glass of wine. The five rooms had their own large bathrooms, beds fit for royalty, and all had a view that made each one gasp with delight. The patio had a small hot tub that came fitted with jets and the newest in unicorn crystal magic and of course came with all the towels, shampoos, and soaps they would need during their stay.

"This can't be cheap." Mayes told himself as they went back to the living room.

"Well to be honest it isn't. "Mr. Goodwin began as he sat with them all on separate couches. "But Mare Vogue insisted on paying for the very best for all of you. I was as surprised as you probably are when they told me they would hoof the expenses for your stay before the concert."

Mayes sunk into the chair with a sigh as he tried to take it all in.

"Well I must attend to my other guests." Mr. Goodwin stated with a grin as he nodded to each of the ponies. "Pleas call if there is anything I can do for you. And Mr. Mayes? May we discuss meeting my daughter tomorrow?"

Mayes nodded and watched as the stallion left the room. One Shot and Coloratura smiled and looked to one another as they excused themselves to get settled in. This left Rarity, Fleur, and Mayes alone in the living room with a crackling fire serving as ambiance.

"So Mrs, Fleur was it? What is it you wanted to discuss?" Mayes asked as he rested his elbows on his knees.

"Please mon cher call me Fleur. There is no sir in my life as of yet." She giggled as she sipped on her wine. "I had to meet you when I learned of your coming. I have listened to your music and absolutely love what you create."

She paused to grab two more glasses with her magical grasp and poured a glass for Rarity and Mayes respectively.

"But why? I'm not that special." Mayes stated with a sigh as he sipped on the wine.

"Special? Mon cher you are more than special." Fleur giggled once more as she stood and sat next to Mayes on the couch drawing a soft glare from Rarity. "Your music is filled with such beautiful things. Why my favorite is Second Time Around."

"That one!? Why?" Mayes chortled as a smile graced his face.

"I felt a super sensation from the second I laid eyes on you. Never gave into temptation because I didn't want to lose my cool." Fleur began to sing softly as she closed her eyes and bobbed her head gently. "With a late night call mixed with alcohol we connected right where we left off. If we start as friends and live it up again maybe we can make it through longer lasting, brand new."

Mayes stared slack jawed as the ivory unicorn sung his music back to him.

"Apologies, I probably did not do it justice." Fleur whispered as she covered her muzzle with a hoof. "I love the energy you put into a song about second chances, starting something new. Something exciting."

Rarity felt her cheeks heat up as she thought on the lyrics she had never heard. Was he singing about her? No it couldn't be that.

"No, that was amazing Fleur! You have quite the voice." Mayes gushed as his smile widened even more.

Fleur smiled and tossed her mane from her eye as she watched him up and down.

"I don't know why a stallion such as yourself doesn't have a very lucky mare on your arm."

Mayes lost his smile as he looked away.

"I'm not a stallion Miss Fleur. I'm not from your world."

"Well all the more reason to want you!" Fleur cooed softly as she pressed the side of her head into his shoulder. "Perhaps you would be willing to give a mare a chance then, hm?"

Mayes stared at her with a blush as his body went stiff.

"What exactly are you saying?" Rarity interjected drawing stares from both of them.

"Well... I hate to be so quick, especially with your arrival and shock to the culture. Perhaps you would... go on a date with me then?" Fleur whispered as she batted her eyes at the awe struck Mayes.

"You... want to go on a date... with me?" Mayes stuttered as the mare nodded her head with a smile.

"I wish to court you Mr. Mayes. If you will allow me to of course."

Rarity stared with her jaw hanging loose. She couldn't believe what she was witnessing. She couldn't believe the feeling in her stomach as she watched Mayes smile brightly.

"I... I... Yeah! I'd love to go on a date with you." He gushed before regaining his composure at the unicorns giggle. "If you would really like to that is."

"Oh Mayes," Fleur began as she kissed his cheek quickly "Nothing would make me happier."

She wiggled her rump slightly as she walked back to the kitchen to deposit her empty wine glass before coming back.

"Would tomorrow night be sufficient time to prepare? I know of a fine restaurant near the edge of the city. We can have our privacy there."

Mayes merely nodded with a glowing blush as Fleur walked towards the elevator.

"Tres bon! I will pick you up tomorrow at seven. Oh and have a wonderful evening Ms. Rarity. I apologize that I was giving my full attention to this handsome stallion."

Rarity felt her cheeks growing hot as she tried to give a reply.

"You too Fleur. Please have a pleasant evening." She replied finally before whispering. "Fall down a flight of stairs while you're at it."

After Mayes gave the details to a smiling One Shot and Coloratura he had opted to bathe and go to bed. With the sun long set Rarity decided to talk to the two ponies since Mayes was busy in his room.

"Can you believe Fleur De Lis asked Mayes out on a date?" One shot chimed as he shook his head back and forth. "The hottest mare in all Equestria next to the princesses and she asks Mayes on a date!"

Coloratura took a deep drink from her stein and yelled back with a drunken blush.

"And he said yes! Faust above I can't believe he got the balls to actually do it!"

Rarity stared at her straws and spun the umbrella in her daiquiri with her magical touch while trying to find out what she was feeling. She had never seen Mayes so excited, so happy, so...

"Rarity?"

She perked her ears up and saw One shot and Coloratura staring at her expectantly.

"Oh, sorry. I was lost in thought. What was the question?"

One Shot let his smile falter as he cocked his head to the side.

"We asked what you think about Fleur courting Mayes."

Rarity couldn't find it in herself to answer the question promptly rather she continued to nurse her drink as she tried to think clearly.

"if he's happy then I'm happy. I just can't help to think Fleur might be using him for her own gain."

Coloratura groaned and stood from her seat as she walked right up to Rarity.

"You're jealous."

Rarity stared wide eyed and stuttered.

"I most certainly am not, Mayes has the choice to-"

"To what? Keep pursuing a mare that doesn't even like him?" Coloratura growled as she swayed back and forth. "You. shot. him. down. He spent weeks refusing to get into a studio because he kept saying, oh what's the point. Why would anypony want to hear songs about heart break? You wanna know the first song he wrote, I'll SHOW you."

Coloratura grumbled over to her pack and brought out a very well used blue notebook before skimming through to thrust a page at Rarity. Rarity looked to the angry Coloratura before looking at the page in front of her face.

If you only knew
I'm hanging by a thread
The web I spin for you
If you only knew
I'd sacrifice my beating
Heart before I lose you
I still hold onto the letters
You returned
I swear I've lived and learned

It's 4:03 and I can't sleep
Without you next to me I
Toss and turn like the sea
If I drown tonight, bring me
Back to life
Breathe your breath in me
The only thing that I still believe
In is you, if you only knew

If you only knew
How many times I counted
All the words that went wrong
If you only knew
How I refuse to let you go,
Even when you're gone
I don't regret any days I
Spent, nights we shared,
Or letters that I sent

If you only knew
I still hold onto the letters
You returned
You help me live and learn

Rarity read through the lyrics once more before looking to Coloratura without any words to say.

"He... He wrote this?" She whispered as she looked to One Shot who merely nodded.

"All of his first songs were like this. Don't get me wrong they're good but...." He paused to shake his head. "It took us weeks to get him to try and write something more upbeat. We wanted him to get out of his rut so when he wrote "July and "Second Time Around we stopped worrying so much. Hell he helped write 24k Magic and that was a damn good piece."

Rarity felt anger rise inside her gut as she stood to get in Coloraturas face.

"Then why did you drag him to my boutique? Why even drag me into this if you... you... hate me so!"

Coloratura recoiled and pinned her ears down with a sigh.

"I ddn't drag him there.... He did."

"What?" Rarity asked with a look of shock.

"He told me if he was going to tour with us then you were his first pick to do his costumes. He said that he wanted to see you one more time." Coloratura explained as she sat on her flanks with tears forming in the corners. "So when I brought him back to Ponyville he just seemed so... distant. He went to the pub, gave half of his earnings to the bar keep for hiring him, gave some of his earnings to the school, to Fluttershy, then he gave another chunk to Applejack for helping him get back into shape. When we walked to your boutique he kept talking about your hospitality and kindness."

Coloratura cried quietly before putting a hoof into Rarity's chest.

"All I see is a mare that dragged him around because she didn't know what she wanted. So now when he is doing better and finds a mare that actually wants him you get jealous? What in Hades is wrong with you?"

Rarity sat on the chair and looked away as she tried her best not to cry as well.

"Rara that's not fair. She's not the only one that dragged him around..." One Shot began as he got up to let Coloratura lean against him.

"Do NOT get me started One Shot. This is not the place." She began to say before shaking her head. "You know what, no, it IS the place. I actually LIKE Mayes. He's sweet, kind, handsome, and worth more than a thousand of you." She hissed as she looked at Rarity dead on.

"All he wanted was you. All he cared about was you. It's... it's not fair." She finally whispered.

Rarity felt true defeat as One Shot escorted the drunken mare to her room. Alone, and left to her thoughts, Rarity aid on the couch with an open bottle of wine and for the first time in her life looked at everything she could have done.

Everything she could have said.

All long gone and far too late.

Animals

"Rarity?"

Rarity grumbled as she opened her eyes to the piercing rays of the sun.

"Faust, close the blinds for the love of Faust." She moaned as she tried to cover her eyes with a hoof.

She adjusted slightly and noticed she was still uncomfortably positioned on the couch where she had her melt down the night before. Standing next to her with a concerned look was Mayes, dressed in a pressed collared shirt, black slacks, a silver and blue rose emblazoned vest and a black tie that matched very well. Rarity smiled gently and pressed a hoof to his chest.

"You look absolutely handsome Mayes. What's the occasion?"

Mayes raised an eyebrow at her as he held a glass of steaming coffee to her hoof.

"Rarity I have my date with Fleur tonight. You slept half the day away."

Rarity shot up in her seat and looked out the window to the city below. Sure enough the sun was past the center point in the sky and she could hear the busy sounds of the street below. Groaning to herself she graciously took the coffee in her grasp as Mayes sat next to her. The two shared a silence as she sipped slowly while Mayes rested his head in his hands.

"I talked to Rara last night." He began which caused Rarity to stiffen her entire body. "She told me about what you said regarding Fleur asking me out. I gotta say Rarity I'm surprised and I'd be lying if I said not pleasantly so."

Rarity felt her stomach flutter as she looked at Mayes expectantly.

"But I don't think I fully believe what either of you had to say."

Rarity felt her ears pin back as she chewed her lower lip.

"What do you mean dear?"

Mayes stood up and stretched while refusing to look at the saddened mare next to him. She chewed harder as he took a deep breath as if trying to form his words carefully.

"Rarity I am... I was very interested in you. You were the first mare to actually show me that you cared and that I was worth something in this world. Over time I became infatuated with you, I wanted a life being by your side, repaying you in full for your kindness."

Rarity smiled weakly as she tried to speak but Mayes cut her off.

"But now I think you only care for yourself."

She felt her body grow heavy as he continued.

"You didn't even stop to see if I was still in Ponyville. Fluttershy, Applejack, even Pinkie Pie asked around town and sent me letters. The only pony I cared about more than anything though? She didn't even care. She didn't ask around, didn't look for me, didn't care."

Rarity looked up to him with tears already forming in her red and sore eyes.

"That's not true, it's simply not true at all."

Mayes turned to her and she winced as a once kind and nervous face was rigid and cold.

"Then why? Why didn't you even ask somepony? Your sister, sweet little Belle asked all over town. Surely you heard from her?"

Rarity stopped to ponder if she had heard her sister bring Mayes up and sure enough a memory surfaced where she was asked if he was okay to which Rarity responded with something off subject because she was designing new dresses for her friends.

"Mayes... I'm sorry that I didn't think to see how you were doing after that day. I became so engrossed in-"

"Your work? Rarity please. You took a whole week off so I wouldn't be alone don't give me the work before anything spiel. I may not be a pony... I may not even be worthy of your affection... But I'm most definitely not stupid." He snapped back as he rubbed the back of his head fervently.

"I don't even know why I'm bringing this up. Coloratura was sobbing the whole night and One Shot didn't know what to do so she spent the night with me."

Rarity felt her eyes go wide and before she could ask he answered.

"We didn't fuck. I... I like Rara way too much to string her along like I have been in the past." Mayes clenched his fist and sighed loudly. "I always get pulled around. Every woman I end up getting attached to loses interest. They fall out of love but I guess in this instance you never loved me to begin with. You probably never liked me until I got famous anyway."

A resounding smack filled the stale silence of the room and Mayes look on shocked as his left cheek tingled with pain. Rarity sat next to him with tears in her eyes as her horn glowed gently. With a huff she stood up and looked up to Mayes as best she could without choking up.

"How dare you. Mayes I took you in not out of pity. You were kind, helpful, always willing to put other ponies before yourself but I couldn't have been with you like you wanted. I don't know you Mayes. I didn't know you can sing, I didn't know you can dance, I didn't know you had dreams, goals, or a life before Ponyville." She sobbed for a moment before taking a deep breath. "I have gotten a glimpse of you. I see your love for music, for your fans, for the young ones that adore you, your love for One Shot and Coloratura, I see that and it's beautiful."

Mayes cringed at her impassioned words.

"And... And..." Rarity closed her eyes and turned down to the ground. "I do like you. I liked you in Ponyville and I like you now. I just copuldn't understand these feelings."

Mayes remained silent as Rarity continued.

"But you don't know this world. You don't know the things I've done, the trials I've had to overcome. You don't know the ponies here that would use you and toss you aside-"

"This is about Fleur isn't it? God damn Rarity when Rara said you were jealous I didn't want to believe her."

Rarity opened her eyes and blinked. She tried to tell Mayes that wasn't what she meant but he continued

"I've been here for two years Rarity. Two years without my friends, without my family, without anyone that could look at me like I'm not some... some... SOME GOD DAMN MONSTER!"

Rarity lost her breath as she watched Mayes twitch and shake. His face was contorted, his eyes closed tight as he grabbed his hair and pulled.

"I know, okay? I know I'm not a pony, or a gryphon, hell I'm not even like a diamond dog or minotaur. I'm a freak, just some weird animal in a world that's not my own. Do you have any idea how hard that is? How hard it is to want to be held, touched, kissed?" He opened his eyes as a sigh escaped his throat. "I just want what everyone else has. So I'm going on this date, and I'm going to try to have a good time because..."

He paused and shook his head without looking at Rarity.

"I can't wait for you anymore."

Mayes walked away as Rarity fought to make her body run to him, run after him, stop him. Alas her body stayed in place as the door to the elevator closed leaving Rarity once again alone in the bleakness she began to suspect she created. Sobbing to herself Rarity stood and let her tears fall to the ground, let all the hurt flow through her, all of the feelings that were developing, the ones already there, falling down and splattering into nonexistence upon the ground.

"Mon cher? You seem awful quiet."

Mayes snapped out of his thoughts as his attention was drawn to the absolutely stunning mare next to him. Fleur had picked him up as promised at the hotel in a private carriage and despite Mayes feeling like garbage for talking to Rarity in such a way as he had his mouth had dropped when he saw the unicorn open the door.

Fleur was wearing a teal long sleeved coat with a puffy white collar that accented her eyes. on her hooves were long stockings of a similar color and texture that most ponies would view as a tad bit scandalous. Mayes of course had been immediately drawn from her legs up to her face which had only a tiny touch of icy blue makeup aound her hauntingly gorgeous eyes.

"My apologies Fleur. I'm nervous is all." He lied as he laughed under his breath.

"Oh my bel amant you have no need to be nervous. I am the one that should be nervous." Fleur reassured as she smiled gently at him.

"You? Why you? Are you afraid what the press will say?"

Fleur laughed gleefully and covered her muzzle with a hoof as she looked dreamily at Mayes.

"There is no such thing as bad press mon cher. I am merely nervous to be in your presence. I was sure you would not be interested in romancing somepony like myself."

Mayes raised an eyebrow with a smile as he chuckled.

"Somepony like you?"

Fleur coughed gently and traced her hooves together as she looked up at Mayes through a lock of her mane.

"I am merely a model. Many do not take interest in me except for my looks. You however seem to look beyond that if I can be émousser."

Mayes rubbed the back of his neck and shrugged gently.

"Well Fleur I'm honestly surprised you'd want to, er, court me to begin with. I'm not even a stallion."

Fleur hummed to herself and closed her eyes as she nuzzled and smelled the humans neck.

"Rub my ears mon cher."

Mayes flinched at her touch and became flustered at the request that followed.

"I'm sorry but, what?"

Fleur giggled and wiggled against him before repeating her request. Mayes took his hand and slowly brought his fingers behind her ears, scratching gently and admiring the softness of her fur. A soft groan escaped Fleur as she giggled to herself.

"you are very good at that I must say."

"What rubbing your ears?"

"No silly. At making me feel like a real mare."

Mayes continued to rub Fleur's ears and run his hands through her scalp unaware at the soft clicking that came from the seat across from them.

A sudden ding coming from the elevator door brought Rarity from her unexpected slumber. She did not know how she had fallen asleep or how much time had passed. Grumbling to herself she walked towards the door while mumbling about Fleur taking advantage of a lonely and no doubt pent up male. Quickly trying to get herself somewhat presentable she approached the door and hit the button to open it only to see-

"MIZ RARITY ZIS IS MOST AWFUL I'M SO GLAD TO HAVE FOUND YOU." Screamed a mare wearing a black skin tight jumpsuit and several clanking bangles.

"Photo I'm simply not in the mood." Rarity sighed as she cringed from the screaming.

"You do not understand! Mayes is with that flagrant whorse Fleur!" Photo insisted as she entered the living room and gave Rarity a look over.

"Mayes is no longer in my company I'm afraid." Rarity began as she tried to remain professional. "He has requested that I cease my interest in him."

Photo took off her goggles and stared at Rarity with a worried look in her eye before taking a manila envelope seemingly out of nowhere and placing it in Rarity's grasp. Rarity sighed and proceeded to open it and read over the contents as her eyes grew wider and wider.

"Is this..." She began before Photo interrupted her.

"An immediate cancellation to Fleur's contract as a model for Mare Vogue. She was caught using stallions and mares to boozt her popularity with the viewers. I fear that she might-"

Both mares were interrupted as a voice chimed in from behind them.

"Use Mayes to boost her popularity to get her modeling contract back." Coloratura murmured as she stepped between the mares with her mane disheveled and eyes still red.

"Yez. Itz would be the endz of Mayes if she got him in her spidery hooves." Photo said as she looked at Coloratura with an equally worried glance.

Rarity bit her lip and looked down as she approached Coloratura. An apology was needed and with a dry throat she looked into the mare eyes and saw the same hurt she was going through.

"I'm sorry about last night dear. I'm sorry I've been selfish to not only Mayes but you as well. I had no idea that you-"

"Loved him?" Coloratura finished with a sigh.

Photo and Rarity stared as the slightly blushing mare traced a hoof on the ground.

"I was too afraid to tell him. So I used his feelings for you to draw attention away from myself." Coloratura explained with ears pined back. "Last night while I was drunk I got mad because I only wanted him to look at me the way he always looked at you."

Rarity smiled weakly as she nuzzled under Coloraturas chin with a sigh.

"We're both very foolish and selfish mares aren't we?"

Coloratura smiled and nuzzled back as Photo murmured to herself.

"I zee now what we must do. We must infiltrate and stop this date!"

Both mares looked at Photo was crazy before the jump-suited mare continued.

"I know Fleur. She will bring him in with her sweet looks and sultry gaze. She will document her interactions with him and use his human naivety to her advantage."

Rarity felt her cheeks grow hot as she imagined the things the whorse might do to drag Mayes to his demise. She couldn't let such a thing happen to Mayes. Not after all he went through on account of her.

"But how? He's already long gone on his way?" Coloratura chimed in as she stepped forward with a new sense of purpose.

For a moment her and Rarity looked to each other and a single thought, no, a desire surged through them. Even if it mean losing Mayes forever they would do what needed to be done to protect him. They both smiled gently and nuzzled one another quietly while Photo smiled wider and wider.

"It's... the magicz." She whispered as inside of her a steel resolve began to form.

"I know where Fleur took your Mayes." Came a male voice from the elevator.

The three mares looked over to see Mr. Goodwin dangling a spare key from his hoof with a solemn look on his face.

"I knew when she came that it would be trouble. I've seen her bring many into this place to toy with them to boost her ratings. Fancy Pants, Spitfire, Whenever she becomes less popular she always goes after celebrities to regain her power like a succubus after its next meal."

He nodded to Rarity and Coloratura before smiling wickedly.

"We can use my carriage. If you're going to knock that whorse down a few pegs let me be apart of it."

Rarity blinked and approached the stallion with a look of curiosity.

"Why would you want to help us dear? You don't know us."

Mr. Goodwin merely smiled.

"Because Mayes genuinely cares about you two. He cares about ponies and unlike most of the celebrities that walk through my door he treated me like a stallion instead of a background helper. Plus he said he'd meet my daughter and she would be destroyed if the tabloids said he was with that fake."

"We have not much time! We must be quick!" Photo interjected.

Coloratura and Rarity looked to one another and nodded as they made their way out of the hotel. An unspoken bond had formed between the designer and the singer. A bond of friendship, a bond of unity, a bond of longing.

A bond that had the seedling of love.

The Weight of the World

"You have hardly touched your food mon cher." Fleur said with a pout as she watched Mayes look off into the distance as the restaurant sprung to life around them.

Mayes was thinking hard on Rarity and Rara. His conversation with both of them had left a rather bad taste in his mouth and also gave him a bitter sadness that nestled right in his heart. Watching Rarity cry was enough to bring him to the brink of tears. It was too late for that. Focus on the now.

"My apologies Fleur, my kind eat substantially less than you do." He lied once more with a fake grin as the mare in front of him hummed thoughtfully.

"I do not mind at all. I merely hope you saved room for dessert." She added with a wink as she licked the end of her spoon almost seductively.

Mayes' brain was running at such a speed from the display that the room slowly began to spin in his vision. This wasn't what he expected from the date, or from any interaction for that matter. Most ponies had treated him vehemently badly with not the slightest hint of an interest outside of an oddity. Within a short time he had gone from a monster to some kind of performance piece and even though it had been pleasant he found himself beginning to get anxious over the whole matter.

"Would you mind one moment? I have to use the washroom." He quickly said as he got out of his chair and hurried past the ponies that had begun to take notice and whisper.

"How peculiar." Fleur whispered to herself with a giggle as she continued to enjoy the pudding that had been laid in front of her by the waiter. In her mind she began to formulate the plan needed to get back what was rightfully hers. Sure Mayes was a sweet oddity, a distraction even, and she soon began to think on perhaps playing with him through to the end. It might be just as fruitful if not more so than her other play things.

"Fleur."

Fleur opened her eyes with a short gasp as she saw Both Coloratura and Rarity standing at her table with glares venomous as a snake.

"Putes sales." Fleur spat as she set her silverware down delicately.

"Back at you skank." Rara managed to spit back with her eyes narrowing to fine points.

"Pray what are you des gens ordinaires doing here? Can you not see Mayes and I are enjoying dinner?" Fleur whispered in an obvious attempt to get the two mares to leave.

"Well of course we are aware darling." Rarity began while holding a very sweet and understanding tone. "Aware you're using him to bolster your ratings like a flagrant whorse!" She finished with a yell while slapping down Fleurs termination papers with enough force to shake the table.

"Rarity? Rara? What are you doing here?" Mayes asked as he rounded the corner shaking his hands at his sides.

Rarity was the first to look at him. He looked worn, tired, yet deep down she saw he was actually happy to see her and Coloratura. Something was off. Something didn't feel right to her.

"Mayes! These jealous imbéciles have barged in uninvited to interrupt our pleasant dinner." Fleur chastised as she pouted at Mayes with the biggest puppy dog eyes he had ever seen.

Mayes took a moment to look at the scene unfolding before him. On the one hand he had a beautiful mare dining with him but on the other he had his closest friend and love interest there as well. Rara and Rarity wouldn't have come to merely sabotage his date. Something was definitely up.

"What's that on the table Fleur?"

Fleur felt it was her time to panic. As Mayes went to reach for the stack of papers she immediately magicked them from his grasp and held them close to her face.

"Mayes dear this is nothing. Merely a ruse concocted by two mares that don't wish for you to be happy."

Mayes faltered and crossed his arms to glare down at Rarity and the other mare.

"Are you fucking serious?" He finally sighed as he brought a hand to rub his eyes.

"Mayes it's not like that." Rarity interjected.

"No not you," Mayes continued as he turned his attention to Fleur. "You. Are you seriously so full of yourself that you'd honestly expect me to believe you over my closest friend and Rarity?"

Fleur looked like all the color had drained from her face as she began to sputter quietly.

"H-how dare you!? I am Fleur De Lis! I am the face of Mare Vogue and I will not be treated as such!"

Mayes smiled softly to himself with a chuckle and pointed at her.

"Yep. There it is. God damn I hate it when things are too good to be true."

The room fell into a deadly silence as the three mares and Mayes stopped to merely think deep on what was about to happen. As Mayes began to open his mouth Coloratura decided it was finally time to be a bit daring. Her entire time with him had culminated to this feeling of butterflies and bombs going off in her chest and for once she was going to do what she was meant to do.

She reached up with her hooves, grabbed his tie in her teeth, and yanked him down for a kiss.

Mayes was so taken back by the gesture he didn't even know how to react. The soft fur of her lips was warm and inviting, much softer and more pleasant than any woman he had ever kissed before. With shaky hands he moved them down and held her neck, cradling her head as he kissed her back, completely oblivious to the crowd that was staring slack jawed.

"Mayes... I um..." Rara began as she broke the kiss and merely let herself melt into his grasp.

It was at this point however that she noticed the silver platter hovering towards her and a very angry Fleur controlling it.

"Fresh Grünkohl!" Came a exuberant cry as one of the stallion waiters swung forward directly in front of the platter.

A loud clang and a crash echoed throughout the whole restaurant as the platter fell and Fleur was coated in a wet and slimy green spinach material from her mane to her clothing.

"Terribly sorry about that miss! I didn't notice the floating platter until I turned the corner!" He blabbered on as he pressed his hooves to her mane trying desperately to get the material out.

"That's our cue to leave darling." Rarity whispered as she grabbed Mayes sleeve with her magical grasp.

The three made their way to the check stand where Mayes paid for the meal and promptly inquired about the waiter.

"Brick Wall. Most of us ere' call im cock block. Right good fella hard on customas'." The mare at the stand explained as she watched Mayes pile more bits into a pile.

"That's for him. Thanks for the meal!"

A Short Silent Walk Later

The walk to the chariot and the ride back was silent. Rarity sat on one side of Mayes while Coloratura sat on the other. Seeing Rara kiss Mayes had stirred something deep inside of the dress maker. She felt her cheeks heat up and her body go rigid with an infernal heat that muddled her mind much more than she was comfortable saying out loud. She chided herself at the thought of kissing Mayes AND Coloratura and chalked it up to the adrenaline of the events that had transpired.

"Alright guys and gals. We're here." Goodwin proclaimed from the front as he hopped down and opened the doors.

Mayes left the carriage first and stared at the ground while he shook his head.

"So much for that royal welcome eh?" He chuckled as Goodwin hoofed him in the side gently.

"Welcome to stardom kid. Just be glad you got two lovely mares that are looking out for you. That Fleur has dragged many a stallion and mare down with her in the hopes of prolonging her failing career."

Mayes merely nodded and looked back to the mares that stood behind him.

"Yeah. I am thankful... for both of them." He added with a smile to Rarity.

Rarity felt her ears grow hot as his stare lingered on her momentarily after he had finished his thought. The entire time she was with watching, waiting for a moment to make her feelings as well known as Coloratura.

"YOU FILTHY PUTES COMMUNES HOW DARE YOU SULLY THE NAME OF FLEUR DE LIS!?"

Rarity didn't know what came over her after a groan and a growl echoed from her. Much like the Changeling invasion of the capital when she was forced to be very unladylike she felt herself black out. Moments later she noticed the body of Fleur was lying twitching on the ground in front of her and Mayes staring with the biggest grin she had seen in her time knowing him.

"I... apologize I don't know what in the world came over me." She said to him as she looked down at her throbbing fore-hoof.

"Are you kidding? That was a just round house punched her! I had no idea you could even think of doing that! God that was sexy as hell." Mayes yelled as he grabbed her from under her barrel and carried her with Coloratura into the hotel lobby.

The elevator ride was quiet but only because both Rarity and Coloratura were unable to speak with Mayes carrying them both under his arms. Rarity in particular was giddy as a school filly at the idea of Mayes carrying her like a veritable prince charming.

"So... Rara. You wanna tell me why you kissed me?" Mayes finally asked as the door opened into their penthouse.

Rarity felt a little color drain from her face as he let her down and walked to the fridge to grab two bottles of clear liquid. She decided to follow Coloratura to the couch where they both sat waiting for Mayes to come back with his drink.

"I mean. I kind of figured you were into me with the glances and the stares but I just didn't... know." He continued as Rarity saw him filling up three glasses.

Coloratura blushed as she rubbed her fore-hoof with the other.

"Don't make me say it Mayes. I always liked you it just was hard to talk to you when you were always fawning over Rarity."

Fawning over me... Rarity thought as she looked down with a soft smile.

Mayes returned to the living room with three glasses of wine and handed each of them out to Rarity and Coloratura before sitting between them. The three sat in silence as Mayes quaffed a glass then filled another while staring at the fireplace.

"Alright. I think I've finally gotten to the point where we can talk about this like adults. Rarity you're going first." He said while placing a hand on Rarity's head to rub at her ears.

The reassuring gesture hit its mark and Rarity felt a groan escape her throat as she leaned into his hand.

"Why now Rarity? What's changed?"

Rarity felt herself bury her chin into the tuft of fur under her neck in a show of embarrassment and thought. She had asked herself quite a lot since her return. Whether it was physical attraction alone or more she hadn't sufficient time to figure out but just hearing his voice and feeling his hand on her head was enough to make her struggle for air.

"Darling I'd love to t-tell you what's on my mind but your hand is doing t-terrible things to my mind." She said with a flirtatious tone she hadn't realized she possessed.

Mayes withdrew his hand with a cough that clearly accented his own blush. Rarity turned to him in time to see Coloratura nuzzling his wrist with her snout while humming softly to herself.

"I was never able to allocate the proper time to allow a suitor Mayes. I was completely serious about my work being overwhelming in the past and while I did love every gift you gave me I always felt that wall I built that forbade me from sharing any similar feelings" Rarity began as she chose her words carefully while nuzzling under his chin.

"But certain.. events have led to some feelings that I've never had before. Feelings that have caused me to be very unprofessional and very unladylike."

She took a moment to smell the sweat on his neck. The subtle scent of pine cologne and musk mixed so sweetly she almost couldn't stop herself from having a taste. The man before her was yielding some very interesting effects on her.

"As much as I... APPRECIATE!" He yelped as Coloratura licked at his jawline, "Your um... honesty I'm just not sure how to carry on."

Coloratura and Rarity stopped their ministrations and looked at him with concern.

"I just... I don't want to choose between you two. You both mean a whole lot to me... I mean... I love you. Both of you."

Rarity felt tears in her eyes as she smiled brightly at him. Luckily enough it was Coloratura that broke the silence with a simple reply that would change the course of the night and their lives.

"You don't have to love. There's a reason why it's called a herd."

Sex Pistols

Mayes had quickly found himself in the best possible situation but also the worst possible one. Before him were the two loveliest mares he had ever seen and cared for basically inviting him to a three-way and what could possibly be the best night of his life. He had for a time dreamed of such a moment but not with both of them at the same time.

"I'm sorry... a herd?" He stuttered while watching Rarity and Coloratura slide off the couch to stand in front of his seated posture.

"Well of course darling. you think with the mare to stallion ratio there would be common monogamy?" Rarity simply purred as she leaned in and rubbed her side against her musical idol.

Coloratura shot her a knowing purr before she abruptly turned to Rarity to nuzzle her neck before planting a very brief yet electric kiss on her lips. Rarity paused for only a moment before a hungry predatory growl escaped her mouth; eliciting a shudder from Mayes as he watched the two mares begin kissing harder, deeper, and with more force between them. Rarity bit the mares lower lip and with half lidded eyes looked to Mayes with a shuddering sigh before separating herself from the obviously ferocious mare next to her.

"That was..." Mayes whispered before clearing his throat. "That was the hottest thing I've ever seen in my life."

This time it was Coloraturas turn to give Mayes a very sultry growl. She leapt back on the couch and pinned him back with a hoof as she whipped her hair from its bun releasing the lustrous mane beneath.

"If you think that was hot Mayes wait until we get your shirt off." She began as she nipped his neck. "Then your pants, then the real fun begins. Face it tiger," She whispered hotly as he felt Rarities magic begin to unbutton his shirt, "You just hit the jackpot."

Rarity felt her face grow even hotter as she watched Mayes hands trace down the sides of Coloratura, his fingers grasping and clawing at her soft flanks as he hissed with each nip and playful lick. Not one to feel left out she licked her lips as she saw the growing bulge in the pants she had made for him. She knew it would be a ghastly sin to destroy art but the thought alone of destroying her work to see a true masterpiece far outweighed her current mind set.

Oh how poetic. Rarity pondered as she licked her lips once more.

"Girls I'm really flattered but are you sure it's not the wine or," Mayes began to speak before a sharp yelp overlapped the sound of fabric ripping.

"Sorry dear but your eyes belong" Rara began as she took a hoof to his face "right," a kiss on the cheek, "here." She finally finished with a hiss as she bit his lower lip.

The molten kiss ebbed down his throat to his loins where Rarity was hard at work peeling her own personal art off of Mayes legs to reveal the true artistic sculpture beneath. The eyes of the mares were fill with the fiery passions that only true lust and love could produce only to consume the trio in ways that breached human and pony cognition.

A breath was sucked in with a whistling groan from both Mayes and Rarity as finally his spire was released, poking delicately against the white mares snout as she breathed in his unique musk. Her eyes narrowed as a tongue exited her lips and grazed the veiny path of flesh from the base all the way to his tip.

"F-fuck." Came Mayes shuddering confession as he led his hands into the sides and flank of Coloratura.

Spurred on by his gripping and twitching Rara pushed her damp marehood against his thigh and rode it gently; pushing the tip of his erect cock directly into the waiting maw of the unicorn that so achingly wanted to taste him, to fill her mouth and throat in ways only primal lust could satisfy. Her tongue flicked once more before she took the tip into the warm and wet heaven that was her mouth. Mayes bucked hard and pushed a quarter of his length in, desperate to feel the warm tongue guide him deeper into that holy place of pleasure. She paused only momentarily to guide a tiny ball of magic to her damp folds, pushing gently and caressing herself to the motions of his cock in her mouth.

"As a lead stallion of the herd," Rara began as she looked into his blue eyes, "You'll have to ensure both of your mares receive pleasure equally." She stopped to nibble his ear as she raised her flank from his thigh. "Can you do that tiger? Can you please both of us?"

Mayes made his response clear by lowering himself into the couch, popping his cock free from Rarity to point the very tip to Raras folds. A mere fraction of a second passed and he pulled her down, piercing her and allowing his full length to plunge into her quivering passage. Rarity watched in wonderment as a pleasure filled cry rang from the songstress spurring a whine from her throat as the burning seemed to only escalate at the thought of her soon to be mate impaling another mare.

"What are you...unf... waiting for, come here and enjoy our stallion." Coloratura purred as she looked over her shoulder at Rarity, her fiery eyes bringing forth future fantasies too hot for words inside the white mares mind.

Rarity crawled up the couch, sitting and unsure what to do as the view allowed her to see Mayes enter, in and out, sliding so tantalizingly slow that she could see every twitch and throb. Coloratura brought a hoof to the mares mouth and they shared a kiss hotter than any other they had experienced. The heat was palpable as Rarity moaned into the mouth of her new second lover.

"I can't hold out if you two keep doing that." Mayes whispered as he tried in vane to slow his thrusts.

Coloratura shot him an evil smirk as she pushed him back. Rarity saw the look in her eyes and with a fervent blush she laid back at the edge of the couch. The view was unbidden, glistening even in the light of the fireplace. With little time to question Coloratura left Mayes lap and lowered her chest, looking back to shake her hips at the perplexed man behind her.

"Come on Mayes. I want to know what a fine jewel tastes like while you rut me silly."

Rarity blushed harder as the flirtatious praise reached her ears. Before she could vocalize her pleasure Coloraturas tongue flicked her most sensitive bits, causing waves of pleasure to echo through her.

"I won't last long girls. I've been a little out of practice for quite some time." Mayes ashamedly admitted as he positioned himself inside one of his mares.

Rarity felt a tiny pang of sadness but that was overwhelmed with the pleasure from the mare at her thighs. The three achingly ministrated each other. Time passed, the lapping of a tongue became berserk, desperately working along kisses and suckling while the groans and huffs of a man on the edge overpowered them all. The scent of sweat, arousal, skin on skin, it became too much, the damn broke, and a loud cry simultaneously arose from the three as they all achieved climax.

Mayes fell back with a triumphant sigh while the two mares crawled up into his arms, each anxious and ready for what the future held for them. It was love. Pure, unfiltered, passionate love.

"I love you, both of you." Mayes sighed as he held them even closer to pepper them with kisses.

"I love you too." Was the unified response from the mares.

All fell into a peaceful slumber as they drifted off to sleep with each other.

Five Months Later

Mayes waved to the last of the fillies that were in line for his autograph. He had been smiling and ruffling the manes of young ponies as they had lined up for hours just to see him but despite his busy schedule and fame he greeted and spoke to every single one until they were satisfied. Mare Vogue had called him the most personable star of Canterlot and praised him time and time again throughout the months. His performances went from being a guest star/oddity to doing his own shows and that was more than he could ever ask for.

"Mayes darling could you grab these suit cases, we're both feeling a bit tired." Came Rarities voice from behind the curtain.

"Of course love, lemme grab those you two really shouldn't be moving around so much." Mayes lovingly replied as he went around to grab the luggage.

Rarity beamed at him as she bumped hips with an equally ravishing Coloratura. Mayes knew the pregnancy of both of them was incredibly early but the glow they had was indeed visible. With a happy chuckle Mayes hefted the luggage and leaned down to kiss both of them.

"We received a card from One Shot. He says the wedding was great and he hopes to be your best man if more are added to the herd." Coloratura said with a giggle.

She herself had canceled future shows for a short while so she could travel by Mayes and Rarity's side. The love they formed that fateful night only grew with each day and she had the feeling it would grow even more still.

"That asshole only likes giving speeches because he likes hearing his own voice." Mayes shot back.

"Well darling if last night meant anything it sounds like you hearing yourself too." Rarity interjected with a wiggle of her hips.

"I've never heard a stallion so vocal in his oral ministrations." Rara joked back with a feigned look of shock.

"Very funny girls. We should get to the train we have a long ride to Seaddle."

The three walked along with playful shoves along the way, ponies looking on with cameras and general looks of happiness. Whether it was the magic of music or the fact Fleur got thrown to the proverbial curb Canterlot had gotten a lot brighter since the column about the marriage.

"Oh Mayes dear, there was one more letter from an unknown sender." Rarity added as she magicked a plain white envelope to him.

Mayes raised an eyebrow as he took the letter and opened it to read its contents.

Dear Mayes, Rarity, and Coloratura,

I'm pleased things have been going so well for you and it was, quite frankly, a long time coming. Many ponies have watched your tale of love and passion throughout these many months and have inspired not only me, but so many others you don't even know. I hope you all the greatest happiness you can possibly have.

P.S.

Two healthy children are going to be a pain, it's dangerous to handle alone so take this!

Sincerely, S.A.

Mayes pulled out three tickets as he finished and looked at them peculiarly.

"What is it Mayes?" Coloratura asked after listening to him read the letter.

"Looks like three vouchers for that new cruise off of Marida. Should we go?"

"Well I don't see why not." Rarity replied for the group.

"A cruise trip might be a great addition to our story."

Author's Note

Long time coming but it's completed. Might not be the ending some people thought it would be but I really enjoyed doing it.

Thank you all for the journey.