A Different World

It was curious. I watched Lyra practically dance circles around a defeated looking mare with a candy-colored mane. The mint one could barely contain her cries of glee as she cavorted like a rabbit on meth.

"You said as soon as I made it big, I'd get to join your herd," shouted with uncontained glee.

The other mare nodded slowly, looking at the ground. "Yes, Lyra. I did."

"Well, I got it, the story of the century," she shouted as she gave a huge spinning leap while waving a stack of notebooks over her head.

Did I mention it was night now? Damn, she had literally asked me about my first memory up until now. She ran out of notebooks and wrote the rest on her clothes and herself. Dedicated. I liked her.

She hopped away giddily as her friend, Bonbon, moped on after her. Gee, special relationship they had.

"Well," I said after they were gone, "now that that's out of the way. What were discussing again?"

Rarity groaned, a multitude of empty wine bottles in front of her. "Ugh... we were going to discuss which one of us you would stay with first. But, it's getting late, and we need to get you inside before it gets much later."

"Wait. What?" I asked. "Why do I need to get inside?"

She and the others looked at me awkwardly for a minute. Fluttershy was the one who answered.

"It's just a town regulation," she started. "So that mares don't accidentally leave their stallions and colts outside overnight where they could get hurt."

"It would just be a lot less of a hassle if we didn't get stopped by some guardsmare," Applejack commented. "You, some mare trying to get a closer look at ya?"

"I see," I nodded, I guess it was understandable in a world like this. "Then... whose house shall I be staying at?"

All the mares turned to the blue one, who blushed and looked away. "Th-that would be me."

"We figured you two needed to learn to get along the most," Rarity explained, garnering nods from all the mares. Including Rainbow. "She will be your host for a few days."

I looked Rainbow over, she blushed redder by the second. "I see. I hope we can learn to get along better, Rainbow."

She didn't say anything.

* * *

Rainbow's house was made of clouds. Because... why not? My two maids had to be given cloudwalking spells. The guards stayed outside in a tent the pitched on the cloud itself. I was about ready to give up applying logic at the point.

Anyway, it was like a mansion inside. So much space. Guess it made sense for a mare that loved to fly. Probably easily claustrophobic. The walls were covered in trophies and ribbons, as well as poster. She wasn't all talk it seemed. She really was a champion athlete.

She gave me a quick tour.

"There's the stairs, bathrooms up there as well as the bedroom, kitchens over their, and here the living room." Like I said, quick.

I nodded. "Alright. So then... where will I be sleeping?"

She looked at me odd. "In... my bed? Where else would you sleep?"

I looked to Sugar Beet and the other maid, Cinnamon Bun, they looked at me just as odd as Rainbow.

"We sleep in the same bed?" I asked. "You sure that's safe?"

They seemed to get what I was saying.

"Of course," Sugar Beet said. "An engagement is just as binding as the marriage itself. This is a little out of order, but, just be sure that Princess Celestia gets the first mount. Other than that, you're free to explore each other."

"Though, usually it's just the mare exploring the stallion," Rainbow chuckled dryly. Wow, no wonder she was so nervous. "It... it really should be one of the princesses that goes first. Or Rarity. She'd know how to... do everything."

She'd been picked because they were afraid she'd chicken out at the last minute. That's what they meant by "getting used" to each other. I decided I should break the tension.

"Alright, I think I understand. How about we just get things moved in and maybe take a warm bath before heading to bed?"

"We'll get things put away," Sugar Beet stated, grabbing the luggage. "You two have a nice bath together."

They were really laying it on thick.

* * *

Not as big as the bath in the palace, but large enough for the two of us to be relatively comfortable. She had even lit scented candles. Though, it seemed her apple-themed friend had been having a sale. It was a weird mixture of normal apple, apple pie, apple fitter, and applewood smoke. Not really off-putting, but not the most glamorous of romantic baths. I remembered few I had with that witch of a wife of mine. This horse, I mean, pony lady was an upgrade.

We practically sat on opposite ends, just looking at each other. Well, I was looking at her, she was trying to act like she was looking at everything else. That bar of soap seemed interesting for the twelfth time.

"Just so you know, in about ten seconds I'm going to start exploring every inch of you," I said so suddenly that she almost jumped out of the tub.

"Woah... woah," she said desperately, waving her arms. "I-I'm just getting comfortable. I've never done this before, okay?" She crossed her arms and began muttering. "Probably would've been a virgin my whole life if I wasn't invited."

I sighed. "I understand, Rainbow. I procrastinated a lot too in my youth. But, I'm sure a beautiful mare like you would have no trouble if it really came to it."

She paused. "Really? I... I know these seems weird and out of character. But... I guess being around a male... I can be more myself."

"I get it. Since stallions of this world are... less talkative, you naturally feel more comfortable being open about your feelings." Another advantage I had in the world. Yeah me.

She nodded. "Sounds about right. I've never even really thought about how to approach this kind of thing."

I nodded and relaxed a bit. "Take your time, Rainbow. We don't need to do anything while we're here other than get to know each other. I'm really just grateful for all the company I've had since coming here. You all have been quite the blessings to me."

Rainbow was a quiet, blushing and fiddling with her fingers. Then she nodded and took a deep breath and stood up, water cascading down her body, dripping from her magnificent breasts and trailing down her toned body.

"Selfen… I want to see you stallionhood," she declared nervously.

So it begins.