Cruising

Chapters

Chapter One - Springfest
Chapter Two - Under Way
Chapter Three - Confessions: Applejack
Chapter Four - Sunbathing
Chapter Five - Biology
Chapter Six - Confessions: Fluttershy
Chapter Seven - Lunch
Chapter Eight - Set List.
Chapter Nine - Shopping
Chapter Ten - On the Beach
Chapter Twelve - Homebound
Chapter Eleven - Tricks and Treats

Chapter One - Springfest

Shake your tail ‘cause we’re here to have a party tonight!

Shake your tail! Shake your tail!

Shake your tail ‘cause we’re here to have a party tonight!

Shake your tail! Shake your tail!

I hit the G chord hard, leading us into the added chorus verse, Rainbow launching into her solo with gusto. We had all ponied up as we played our hearts out. This was an old favorite and had helped the Rainbooms get some of the recognition we had. Now we were opening for an actual professional band at the school fair the day before Spring Break officially began. This time tomorrow we would all be on a boat heading south for the Grand Caymanes.

Shake your tail! Shake your tail!

We switched, Rarity taking the lead. She played complex runs on her keytar, the classical training she had showing through as she added in snippets from Romance and Classical works that any piano aficionado would recognize.

We ramped up to another repetition of the chorus, this time just playing softly. We stayed silent vocally, tilting our mic’s out towards the crowd, the whole of Canterlot High singing the words back to us.

I glanced over at Twilight, standing by Fluttershy and urging the crowd to clap. She gave me a wink and I smiled back. Rainbow caught my eye and on her cue, we all sang along with the crowd one last repeat and ended the song with a strong finish.

We all stepped forward and bowed, smiling as we slowly de-ponified.

This is the way to end your senior year, no doubt, I thought.

We cleared the stage and the headlining act came on after their techs redid amps, mics, and the drum kit. Then the five girls from the band walked out, gathering around the central mic.

“I just want to thank the Rainbooms for warming you guys up, and they are totally right,” the lead singer said. “We’re going to have a party tonight!”

They took their positions and the drummer starting clicking her sticks together, shaking her purple hair out from her face.

Then the wall of sound hit us. I stared, slack-jawed at the pitch perfect opening chorus and the driving lead was crisp and quick.

Then the drummer growled, and the song turned up the edge.

Dash looked up at the stage, an awed look on her face.

“I think I’m in love,” she said.

Twilight edged close to me and whispered into my ear. Ok, she kind of had to shout to be heard, but you get the idea.

“Where did Celestia find these girls?”

I shrugged, turning to cheer as the guitarist launched into the first solo of the set.

“It's official: I’m in love,” Dash said.

They were good, the lead vocalist singing an overarching melody that echoed the opening lyrics while the drummer and keyboardist sang counterpoint underneath it. The bassist was loving it, grooving off to one side and the guitarist was dancing as well as one could with cords around your feet.

It looks like you’re not going to give up, am I right?

(Look it’s sparkling)

I’ll drag out my one chance just to take a gamble

but I can’t let it end like this!

As they hit the last note of the first song, I was cheering just as loudly as the rest of the crowd.

We sat around a table at one of the few diners still open after the show, excitedly chatting about our night and upcoming trip.

“This was a great show, guys!” Pinkie said, slurping the dregs of her chocolate malt through her straw. She still had confetti in her hair from her hitting her party cannon at the start of the show.

“We totally nailed it tonight!” Rainbow said, pumping her fist. “Best way to open for a kick-ass band like that, too!”

Fluttershy leaned forward. “Did anyone happen to get their name?”

Silence fell on the table. We all looked at Twilight, who was scraping some leftover ice cream out of her malt glass. She studiously ignored our looks, until I reached over and poked her nose, causing her to scrunch it up adorably.

“We know you heard us, Twi,” I teased. “You probably know not just the band name but the name of all the players.”

“Doll Box, I think,” she whispered. “And I only caught the drummer’s name.”

“Well, whatever the band is called,” Rarity drawled. “They surely give us a benchmark to shoot for if we continue to play after High School.”

We all assented to that statement. We all wanted to keep playing and we had all written songs in the last year that had made their way into our repertoire. Fluttershy, surprisingly, had been the most prolific.

Applejack finished her shake and leaned back in her chair, twirling her hat around on one finger.

“Now enough ‘bout that for now,” she said. “Now, we all agree on us takin’ Twilight’s pa and brother on their offer to let us use the family van t’get to the dock in Manehatten tomorrow?”

I looked around and saw no disagreements. Night Light had volunteered the van as it was more efficient than all of us piling into multiple vehicles to make the cruise ship before cast off. Shining Armor had volunteered to drive since the parking fees for the week we’d be gone were a little high.

“And we’re all packed, right?” Rainbow said, with a sidelong glance at Rarity.

“Whatever are you looking at me for?” the fashionista asked.

“One bag, Rarity,” Applejack said. “You agreed.”

“Pish-posh, Darling,” she said, waving a manicured hand. “I was packed yesterday.”

I saw Twilight yawning and I felt the pull of sleep too.

“It’s going to be an early morning, girls, and I have someone to get home and to bed.” I slid out of the booth seat Twilight and I had occupied and we said our goodbyes.

As I made our way to the Sparkle house, I glanced at her.

“You are packed, right?”

She nodded. “I even went through my checklist five times before you picked me up for the show.”

I smiled at that.

“Only five times?” I asked.

“Today,” she replied, leaning back in the seat with a smile. “I decided to take it easy this time.”

Author's Note

What's this? A chapter story going into February?

Yes, it seems that I had more vacation time accruing than I thought, so I'm going to take a spring break of my own to write my original things. The urge to get to this was too much to put off.

And Doll $ Boxx is an actual band and THIS blog post has the song they're singing for reference. I translated the final verse into English for the non-polyglots out there. Hana is the name of the drummer.

Chapter Two - Under Way

I reached over and poked Twilight. “We’re here, sleepyhead.”

She cracked an eye open and looked around. “Huh?”

I pointed out the window of the van, the cruise ship looming over the smaller buildings of the marina. “Looks impressive, doesn’t it?”

She pushed her glasses up onto her forehead and wiped sleep sand from her eyes. “It looks massive,” she said after replacing the lenses and following my gaze.

Shining Armor clicked on the overhead lights as he pulled into the parking lot. “Last stop, ladies,” he said, turning slightly in his seat. “Please make sure you have all your belongings and disembark at your earliest convenience. Thank you for patronizing Sparkle Cab Service.”

I rolled my eyes while Twilight cocked her head at him.

“Goofball,” she said.

“Bookworm,” he threw back with a grin.

We all climbed out of the van, collected our bags from the top and said our goodbyes to Shining Armor. I heard an annoyed grunt from Applejack as she hoisted the last bag from the luggage rack.

“Consarn it, Rarity,” she said as she dropped the large suitcase to the ground. “We’re only gonna be gone a week!”

“You expect me to survive a week without several changes of clothes?” The Fashionista looked horrified, turning her gaze on the rest of us.

We all hefted our duffel bags, backpacks, or satchels.

“Hmmph!” She pulled the handle out of her suitcase and started rolling it towards the embarkation ramp.

“Wow!” Twilight said as she bounded into the stateroom, dropping her satchel by the door. “This is amazing!”

I looked around, smiling a little myself. Outside of the two full-size beds, there was a large couch, a small refrigerator, and the attached bathroom had a large tub in it. Twilight went over by the porthole, staring out with the same grin I had seen on the train to Canterlot during Hearth’s Warming Eve.

“Penny for your thoughts, Sunshine?” I said into the silence.

“This is just so amazing. This is going to be such fun!” She turned to me, eyes wide. “When do we get to go swimming? Or would you rather catch a show? Should we get changed, or do we find the others first?” She picked up her bag and started digging through it.

“Simmer down, Twilight,” I said with a laugh. “We haven’t even left port yet.” I started to unpack my duffel into one of the two closets, making sure to keep some items hidden from my hyper fiancé. “But there is a meet and greet in the main dining hall in about an hour.”

“But what do we do until then?” she asked, unpacking like I had.

I went over to her and wrapped my arms around her, nuzzling the back of her neck.

“I can think of a few things,” I whispered in her ear before a yawn escaped. “A nap, for starters.”

We missed the announcements, but the comfort of the room’s bed made up for it.

We were making our way down to dinner when a voice called out.

“Twilight? Is that you?”

I turned to see a pair of girls running up to us. The blonde girl lowered her headphones as she got close, and her friend tossed her long white hair over her shoulder.

“Lemon Zest? Sugarcoat?” Twilight took the hug in stunned silence from the blonde girl. “What are you two doing here?”

“Taking a cruise,” Sugarcoat said. “Same as you.”

Lemon grinned. “We’re gigging with one of the onboard bands for this run,” she explained. “It’s pretty good money, and we get to essentially go on a cruise and be paid to do it. We may not get to show it much since Cinch shut down the music program, but Sugar is a classically trainer pianist and I led the drum line when we had one.”

Twilight shook off her surprise and gestured towards me. “You both remember Sunset Shimmer,” she said, flushing a little. “My fiancé,” she squeaked out in a voice that even Fluttershy would have found timid.

Lemon Zest looked at her with a look of amazement, her grin growing. Sugarcoat just blinked for a moment.

“Congratulations, Twilight!” Lemon said, pulling her into another hug. She looked at us both slyly, her smile turning a bit toothy. “Anything juicy to share?” she asked.

Twilight turned red as I felt some heat rise in my face too, turning slightly and rubbing the back of my neck.

“Lemon, you’re being a pest,” Sugarcoat said, her voice never varying in pitch. “While they look happy, I’m sure they aren’t as eager to share their exploits as you are for gossip.” She walked up and patted me on the back.

“She’s doing better, but she still shouldn’t speak in public just yet.”

She left, pulling Lemon Zest along with her.

I looked at Twilight, who shared a shy smile. She then giggled.

“What?” I said as we continued walking towards the dining room.

“Nothing,” she said. “I just thought about Lemon meeting your sister Glory and the amount of gossip it could generate.”

I pictured the two gossip hounds talking together and giggled too.

“Let's not encourage them getting together, what do you say?”

When we got to our destination, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rarity were already sitting down to eat and AJ and Dash were sauntering in from the other entrance. We hit the buffet and sat down.

“So who got berthed with whom?” Twilight asked, adjusting her silverware on her tray as she crossed her legs.

“I took the bunk with Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie,” Rarity said. “We have some simply wonderful ideas about how to spend the night tonight.” She was simply vibrating with excitement. “There’s a fashion show in one of the ballrooms tonight, showing some of the newest fashions out of Manehatten and Las Pegasus!” The amateur designer squealed with delight.

“And afterward there’s a super-duper mega dance contest until midnight!” Pinkie swallowed a biscuit in a single bite. “And Fluttershy is going to be my dancing partner!”

The shy girl flushed brightly but smiled excitedly.

“We obviously got roomed together,” I said giving Twilight’s thigh a squeeze. “And that leaves AJ and Dash sharing a berth.”

Silence descended on the table.

“Oh my,” Fluttershy whispered, twirling her fingers in her long hair. “Is that a good idea?”

“I’m sure it will be fine,” Twilight said as she started cutting one of her food choices into small bites. “Sure, they’re a little competitive with each other, but I’m certain they’ll set it aside for the time being.”

“Wait an apple-pickin’ minute, missy” a voice called out. “I was reachin’ for that dish!”

“Psh, ya snooze ya loose, apple-butt.”

I looked at Twilight, feeling six other eyes lock on as well. She was blushing slightly, adjusting her glasses.

“Annnnnnnny minute now,” she chuckled.

We all laughed. I glanced at her dish.

“That smells delicious, Twi,” I remarked. What did you get?”

“A bit of roasted corn, some buttered potatoes, rice, and a quesadilla.”

Chapter Three - Confessions: Applejack

I stormed back to the room, my boots clanking on some of the metal deck plates as I crossed them.

Darn that Rainbow Dash, I thought. Always has to be right.

I was so mad I could hardly see straight. Not only had Dash only cut in front of me in line - hardly a rare occurrence - but she had deliberately zeroed in for the final servings of several things she knew I liked. It was this sort of school-yard bully nonsense that got me so riled up.

I slammed the door to the stateroom once I got there, and growled out my frustrations. I plopped onto the couch our room had and let the funk settle over me. I was content to just stew for a bit and then get over it until the source of my annoyance barged into the room as well.

“What was that all about?” she demanded, posting her fists on her hips and looking at me.

“You know darn well,” I fired back.

“So I grabbed the last piece of apple pie. I thought you’d want anything but something with apples in it!”

“It ain’t about th’ pie, Rainbow!” I shouted, shooting to my feet. I was the tallest of our friends, and Rainbow’s relative height hadn’t changed since high school had started. I looked slightly down at her, seething.

“It’s more than a piece of pie. It’s how ya always have t’be the best at everything, no matter what!” I started ticking things off on my fingers. “You always have to beat me in a footrace. If Ah get too close to you in one of those games we play, ya either reset the’ game or yank the control outta my hand.”

She started to fidget in place, but I was building up to a good head of steam and just kept going.

“We’re supposed t’be friends, Dash! But sometimes, Ah don’t feel very friendly to ya.” I whirled away, pacing over to the window and looking out at the dark waves. “Can’t believe we got the same bunk, too.”

“I thought it was all in good fun,” she said softer than she usually did.

“Good fun usually means both parties enjoy it, Dash,” I said. I was cooling off now that I vented all the frustration. “Sometimes ya get carried away.”

“Only cause I don’t know how else to act around you,” she whispered before leaving the room.

I blinked. What in the hay was that supposed to mean?

It was late and I was laying in bed, my mind spinning faster that a twister. Dash still hadn’t come back to the room and I was starting to get a little concerned.

Ok, more than a little.

To tell the truth, in a little corner of my mind I had always liked the brash girl. She told it like it was most of the time, and I respected that. We had been friends since sixth grade, and I loved the fact that she was someone that was just as rough and tumble as I was at the time.

I smiled at the memories, even the slightly more embarrassing ones. Despite how competitive and nerve-wracking as she was now, she was always there for a friend if they needed her.

And even though I’d likely never admit it, there was a little bit of a crush on the athlete down inside. And I suspected that she wasn’t quite as full of herself as she put on, she just had to put on the front, no matter how annoying it was to her friends.

I glanced at the clock, seeing it was after three. I sighed and got up, pulling on my jeans and boots and heading out to find the wayward girl.

I found her on the topmost observation deck, leaning against the rail into the wind. I couldn’t see her face from where I was standing, but her slumped shoulders made it obvious she wasn’t in the best of states.

“Rainbow?” I said, stepping up to her but not touching her. “It’s late, sugarcube. You should hit the hay.”

“You ever think about it, AJ?” she whispered.

“Think about what?”

“The future,” she said, standing up a bit straighter. “I mean, for you and Rarity, it's pretty much a sure thing. You got the farm and she’s got her little fashion business.” She picked at a piece of loose paint on the rail. “Twilight and Sunset getting married, Pinkie opening up an event planning and catering business, even Fluttershy has plans for after school.”

“Didn't you get accepted t’that Northern Region soccer whatsis?” I asked, wondering where this was leading.

“I got a provisional spot,” she said. “They don’t usually let first years play in the actual games unless they’re exceptional. I still gotta earn a spot on one of their teams.” She flaked another paint chip off. “But how long does a professional soccer career really last? Ten years, maybe fifteen before you start slowing down, less if you get injured? What do I fall back on then?”

I wasn’t sure I was liking what I was hearing from my friend. “Rainbow, you’re scarin’ me a little.”

She chuckled. “I guess that makes two of us,” she said as she turned to face me. I saw by the moonlight and the lamp glow some tracks on her cheeks and puffy eyes.

“I’m always saying I’m awesome because if I believe it, I’m not worried. I think I can handle anything,” she said, sitting down on one of the benches, one foot up on the seat and her arms wrapped around her leg. “Truth is, if I was half as awesome as I said I was, I wouldn’t need to say it.” She sniffed, a tear welling up in her eye. “I’d be able to focus on saying other things.”

“Dash,” I sat next to the girl, one hand going to rub her shoulders. “You don’t gotta play it up for us.” I smiled for her benefit. “Just be yourself and that’ll be enough.”

She looked at me and smiled. Memories of her megawatt smile from middle school and freshman year painted themselves next to it in my mind’s eye, and it was wanting.

“Will it?” She asked. She swiped the tear from her eye. “You want to know why I’m always challenging you, races and games and what all?” she asked.

“You’re just competitive,” I said, pushing a handful of emotions back down.

“Yeah, I am,” she said with a rueful giggle. “But beyond that. I never challenge Pinkie, or Fluttershy. Maybe Sunset once in a while, but usually you.”

Thinking on it, it was usually me she put to task. I couldn’t bring up a single time she had challenged anyone besides Princess Twilight since we had healed that rift between us all.

“It’s kinda the only way I know how to spend time with you, ya know, alone.”

I blinked. “Come again?”

“I want to spend time with you, just the two of us. That’s why I traded Fluttershy room assignments. She was supposed to bunk with you, originally.”

I was still trying to keep up with the right angle turn she had taken. Was she saying…

“Dash,” I crinkled my brow. “Are you sayin’ what Ah think you’re sayin’”

“Depends,” she said, putting both feet on the deck and turning to face me.

“You feel anything for me besides friendship?”

Time stopped. I know it’s a cliche, something that only happens in them fru-fru romance novels Rarity reads, but that’s how it felt at the time. The question was so plainly spoken, in such a laid back way that it almost hid the fear behind her eyes. Fear of disappointment, fear of rejection, things that I should know a little about.

And in that frozen moment, I thought about how I did feel. Yeah, she annoyed me at times and the constant showboating was beyond old, but I kept putting myself in the position even though I knew what was going to happen. It was like an old dance that she and I just played our parts in.

And underneath that, there was a fondness a little stronger than what I had for the rest of my friends.

“Yeah,” I said, time returning to normal. “Ah think Ah do.” I leveled a look at her as she started to smile. “But we gotta come to an understandin’, here,” I continued. “The showboatin’ and trying t’get my goat has gotta stop.”

She smirked, some of the old Rainbow Dash returning. “I aint much for the sappy stuff,” she fired back.

“Ah aint no shrinking violet, neither,” I said. “But next time Ah start beating you in something, just take the licks cause you know it’s worth it.” I pulled her into a hug. “Ah’ll make sure it’s worth it.”

She pulled away after a second, pulling me to my feet. “You gotta check this out,” She said, dragging me to the railing. “Close your eyes,” she took a spot next to me, closing her pink eyes.

I followed suit, shutting my eyes and feeling the ocean breeze wash over me. It was faster and cooler than the breezes I enjoyed back at the farm. It almost felt like…

“Feels a little like you’re flying, doesn’t it?” Rainbow asked. “Ever since the Fall Formal, I’ve tried to keep that feeling alive. Now that we know how to pony up on our own, I try to grab a few hours a week in the air, low key, of course. For some reason, it's comforting, like it's right, somehow.” She shifted beside me, and cracking an eye open I saw her lean forward a little, arms stretching out to either side.

“Can’t do it too much longer,” she sighed. “I’ll be living in the city where somebody will notice a girl with wings.”

“Like people ain’t seen video of us fightin’ the Sirens or when Twilight went mad at th’ Games,” I said. “Ah’m surprised nobody’s come looking for us to begin with.”

“I’m pretty sure Celestia and Luna keep it tight under wraps,” She said, standing up straight and turning to lean backward against the rail.

I turned halfway, looking at her. “Tell me straight, Dash,” I said. “Just so Ah’m clear on things, how do…”

“I got a mad crush on you, AJ,” she said, cutting me off. “Since I moved to town from Cloudsdale.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “I never really got how this was supposed to work till Twi and Sunset got together. It was just me and Dad growing up.”

“So if we had inkwells, you’d have dipped my pigtails in them?” I smiled.

She mirrored the grin, snickering. “Yeah, probably.”

I put an arm over her shoulder. “Well, just like Ah said when Ah came up here, it’s late.”

She pulled away slightly, just enough for my arm to slide off her shoulders.

But she caught my hand before it made it all the way back to my side.

Author's Note

First POV change. Yes, I'm up at a ridiculous hour, but inspiration knows no time.

Ok, since most of this goes on in Applejack's head, I keep her accent to only her spoken lines. Not just for speed of writing, but none of us think we have an accent until it's pointed out. It's just how we talk.

As for why RD acts the way she does, she's the tomboy's tomboy. In grade school she'd likely be the girl teasing the kid she liked because she didn't know how to process the feelings otherwise. We all knew at least one kid like that growing up. Getting older meant that didn't work so she turns to showboating, and the rest goes from there.

I wanted to give Dash a respite, something that calms her down when she thinks she's alone. So I gave her the love of the feeling of flight, taking solace in her wings, using the feeling of that to ease how worried she is about the future. But of course, she has to hide feelings like that, she's Rainbow Dash. And that's where this chapter's inspiration came from, basically.

Chapter Four - Sunbathing

The boat was rocking gently, making me sleepy. I was also encompassed by the arms of my favorite girl.

“This is so much fun,” she said, taking her glasses off and placing them on the nightstand. “And it’s only the first day out of port! What do you want to do tomorrow?”

I laughed. “Well, Rarity did invite us to go sunbathing with her, and it sounded like fun.”

“Sunbathing?” she responded, suddenly nervous.

I looked at her. “Twilight,” I said rubbing her shoulder. “You still aren’t bashful about going in a suit, are you? Especially considering you made a big deal about which one for us to get?”

“Going like that in front of you or just the girls, that’s one thing.” she hedged, looking away slightly. “But there are going to be so many strangers there.”

I turned onto my side, facing her.

“Twilight Sparkle,” I said. “You are a beautiful young woman, and I love you.” I cupped her cheek. “It doesn’t matter if someone else looks at you., or even if you happen to look at someone else. I know where your heart lies.” I kissed her.

She relaxed a little. “I know that Sunny,” she said after we broke apart. “But I’m still nervous. I was never good with being observed.”

I held her close. “It’ll all be ok, Sunshine.” I smiled to myself.

“I think you’ll have something else to occupy your mind.

I walked down to the set of chaise lounges on the sun deck, waving back as I saw Rarity raise her well-manicured hand.

I sat down, adjusting the strap of the halter dress I was wearing over my bathing suit. “We’re not late, are we?” I asked as Twilight sat down on the lounge next to me.

“Nonsense, darling,” she responded, turning onto her stomach and reaching back to undo her suit’s straps. “You’re right on time.”

Twilight removed her tee and shorts, revealing the tankini she had bought on our trip with Rarity. It complimented the color of her hair, and while it was a two piece, it was also relatively modest, fitting in with her mindset perfectly.

I smiled, knowing the surprise I was about to reveal to her. She was convinced that I had bought the simple bikini in red that I had picked up on that shopping trip. I reached up and undid the tie of my dress, letting it fall around my feet.

Twilight glanced up and her mouth fell open. Instead of a plain red bikini, I had a halter-top emblazoned with the same colors of my hair. It was a bit more revealing than the bikini top would have been, but it was also a little more supportive, and I appreciated that. The boyshort bottoms were done in a gradient from my red into Twilight’s lavender. My cutie mark was on my right hip and a stylized star was on my left.

I looked down at her and gave a roguish smile. “I know your cutie mark was different in Equestria, but seeing as how you’re fond of this shape,” I said, touching the head of the hairpin she almost always wore, bearing a similar design to the cutie mark of her pony counterpart. “I thought that you might like it.”

She continued to gaze at me in surprise, and I leaned down and kissed her before sitting down and picking up the sunscreen. “Want me to get your back?” I asked.

She shook her head and seemed to regain her composure. “Right, please,” she hurriedly turned around. I rubbed the lotion across her back before giving it to her to return the favor.

I felt her hands slow as she reached my hips. I glanced over my shoulder and gave her a smile. “Problem?” I asked.

“Nono!” she said, pulling her hands away, an embarrassed flush spreading up her neck. I smiled and turned back, applying some of the lotion to my arms, legs, and torso. I leaned back and handed the bottle back to the sweating girl.

“Don’t get burned, Twi,” I said before leaning my head back and closing my eyes.

“That was quite spectacular, Sunset,” I heard Rarity whisper. “But I’m afraid now all she’ll want to do is stare at you while the three of us relax.”

“That’s the point,” I returned. “Now she can relax without worrying about people staring at her.” I cracked an eye open to see her finish applying the lotion and sit back, obviously trying not to stare at my stretched out form.

“You haven't lost your touch for manipulation, I see,” Rarity said with a smile. I saw a tray get lowered to the table between us, bearing three glasses with light liquid in them. “I hope you don’t mind, but I ordered for us before you arrived.”

I handed one to Twilight before taking a sip of mine, a strong lemonade crossing my palate. I smiled at the balance of sweet and tart in the drink and sighed appreciatively.

“I warned you, Twilight,” I said as we returned to our stateroom. “I think that you had something to keep your mind off your nervousness.”

“But you didn’t tell me you had that suit,” she said, gesturing at me as the wind ruffled the skirt of my sundress. “Where did you even find something like that?”

I leveled a kind look at her. “I had Rarity alter one, slightly.” I pulled her closer, my hand resting on her hip. “But was it really that scandalous? Rarity was wearing something much more revealing. Not to mention that we’ve seen each other naked more than once, and in more intimate situations than that.”

Twilight blushed at the memories and turned to continue our walk. She walked in silence for a few minutes. “It looked good on you,” she whispered as I unlocked our room’s door.

“Thanks, Twi,” I said as I closed the door. I turned to continue and apologize for the shock when I was shoved against the door by Twilight, her lips finding mine a second later. I melted into the kiss as the shock faded and wrapped my arms around her neck as hers slid down my sides. She pulled back slightly and I smiled at her, breathing hard.

“What was that for?” I asked.

She slid a hand through my hair. “You spent two hours laying in the sun, like some Greek goddess, and all I could think about was wishing we were alone so I could worship you,” she said, the lusty look in her eyes never fading.

“I wouldn’t say I was worthy of being compared to a goddess,” I smiled, brushing the back of my fingers across her face, her head tilting into the touch slightly. “But I appreciate the thought.”

She pulled me away from the door and pushed me down onto the bed.

“Let me show you some more appreciation, then,” she said, crawling up to join me.

I was laying on my back, panting in the afterglow when Twilight spoke.

“Sunny?”

I grunted, not wanting to engage my rational brain till I came down from the high.

“Did you know you kind of whinny when you climax?”

I gripes around and grabbed a pillow, swinging it at the girl. “I do not!” I laughed. “And if we’re going to talk strange noises, I could name a few of yours, Ms Sparkle!”

She blushed but her grinnnever faded.

“I love you, Sunset Shimmer,” she whispered, snuggling deep into my side.

“Love you, too, Twilight Sparkle.” I whispered back, kissing her head.

I fell asleep with her holding me, one bare leg laying over one of mine.

Chapter Five - Biology

I woke up to two distinct feelings. One was a pleasant, light touch across my stomach.

The other was a fierce cramping slightly below that. I groaned as I realized what it was, scurrying out of bed and into the head, digging my toiletries out.

“Is everything ok?” I heard Twilight ask.

I sighed as I went about the business I never had to as a pony. “It’s not that,” I said. “It’s just biology’s cruel irony.”

She blushed somewhat. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t know…”

I rubbed her arm as I came back and laid down, curling somewhat to relieve the cramping. “It’s ok,” I said. “An irregular cycle is better than estrus. That can be positively a nightmare.”

She flushed even more after her brain deposited the definition of the word into the forefront. “Oh, my,” she whispered.

I looked at her, a sudden thought striking me.

“Speaking of estrus,” I said. “You have been rather…aggressive, in your approaches to intimacy lately. Is there something you haven’t told me?”

She smiled shyly for a moment. “You don’t like it?”

I chuckled. “It’s not that,” I said. “It’s just a little out of character for you. Especially yesterday afternoon.”

“I’m capable of being spontaneous!” she protested.

“But it’s not your default setting, honey,” I said. I stroked her cheek. “You tend to evaluate and generate an opinion based on available data. You’ve gotten better, but you still measure out your ingredients on a scale set to measure in milligrams.”

“Precision is important in cooking,” she said, her cheeks puffing up a bit.

“Do you like my cooking?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“I don’t measure as precisely as you do, though. Does that change the taste any?” I shook my head. “By nature, your every choice is a measured action. Now - and again, not because I dislike it - what has brought on this sudden rush of uncharacteristic upswing in love making?”

“I read in some magazines Cadence had…”

“Research, eh?” I teased. She shot me a glare and I held up my hands in surrender.

“They said that adding spontaneity in a relationship could help keep it lively.”

“Twi,” I said. “I would hardly call our relationship dull.”

“I know,” I said. “I just want you to know how much this means to me.”

I reached down inside and plucked the strands of our bond with my love and lust, seeing her twitch in response.

“I think that proves that I feel the same,” I smiled. “But there is also something you’re not telling me.”

She fidgeted. “It’s stupid,” she said.

“Not to me,” I said. “Tell me.”

“I’m afraid one day you’ll see that I’m not worthy of you. You’re amazing, and a powerful Unicorn, and I’m just…” she waved her hand at herself. “Me.”

I sat up, ignoring the discomfort with years of practice. “Twilight Sparkle,” I said firmly. “Don’t you dare speak like that about yourself. I love you, and I won’t let you speak ill of the woman I love.”

She sat back, mollified. I went on.

“So you think if you act like some magazine says you should, I won’t fall out of love.” I smiled at her and pulled her into a hug. “It would require more power than all the Alicorns and the Maker combined to stop me from loving you.”

A tear was trickling down her cheek. I kissed it and rested my forehead against hers, sending the feelings of love and happiness through our bond, feeling it echo against hers.

After a few moments, she leaned back and looked at me, and I saw my face reflected in her glasses.

“So, when you say estrus is worse than a period,” she began. “What do you mean?”

I rolled my eyes and chuckled.

“Imagine every year being driven crazy by your hormones,” I said, trying to remember how it had been. Six years of human menses had replaced memories of pony cycles. “Making you want to conceive as soon as possible, not really caring who the stallion was as long as theybquelled the itch. We had various medicinal aides, herbs and spells, but sometimes it was just overpowering.”

She looked at me in rapt attention, her scientific mind compiling the data.

“Did you ever...” she began.

“Hook up with a stallion?” I finished for her. “Once or twice. Mostly my early heats, before I really got a handle on things. I always took precautions and frankly, it was never anything more than surrendering to a biological imperative.”

Twilight nodded as I went on.

“My first period was a shock,” I said. “You should have seen the amount of panic I was in! Once I figured it out, it didn’t bother me, though indonevmy you girls that have regular cycles. I don’t know what causes it, but you would do better tracking my cycle with a Magic Eight Ball.”

She tried - and failed - to stifle a giggle. She got up and headed to the bathroom and I smiled as I watched her move.

I leaned over slightly before she pulled the door shut.

“Twilight?”

“Yes?”

I smirked mischievously.

“You look really cute wearing nothing but one of my shirts,” I said, grin growing as she flushed a furious shade of red as the door clicked shut.

Celestia, I loved that girl.

Chapter Six - Confessions: Fluttershy

I laid in bed, trying to sleep. Rarity and Pinkie had already fallen off if their breathing was any indicator.

I couldn’t, for some reason. Every time I closed my eyes memories whirled within the blackness. Most were good, memories of my friends and I, the times we spent together, laughter and joy filling my heart.

But just as they did, black memories welled up behind them, a pair of young boys pushing me down on the playground, water balloons filled with dye ruining my favorite dress at a grade school dance, the taunting, the laughter.

Fluttershy, Fluttershy, Fluttershy will always cry.

I felt the tears rise at the memories. It had been almost seven years since anyone had chanted those words, but they were always with me. Just waiting for the chance to come out. I was stronger now, but there were still moments where I felt inadequate, especially when I thought of…

No, better not to think along those lines. It wouldn’t happen, anyway. Blinking away the tears, I closed my eyes and tried again to sleep.

I was picking at my food at breakfast, only giving half an ear to what Rarity was saying to the girls. The dreams from last night were still playing in my head. Dreams of…

“Fluttershy, darling,” Rarity said, cutting into my thoughts. “Are you all right, dear?”

“Um, yes,” I said in my usual quiet voice, brushing a lock of hair behind my ear. “Sorry, just thinking.”

“What’s on your mind?”

I started twisting a strand of hair in my hands nervously. “Nothing, just had a strange dream last night.”

That seemed to placate her, and I went back to picking at my food. It wasn’t that it wasn’t any good, but my stomach was twisting itself in knots. I started drifting back into my thoughts, a slight blush rising on my face as I remembered the dream, being held in welcoming arms, kind words being said to me, comforting me as I cried.

After we cleared our table, I went back to the wardroom I shared with Pinkie and Rarity, digging through my bag for a book. We were due to set in at the Bahaymas tomorrow and I wanted to read up on the animals that lived there.

I sat down on the couch, my feet tucked up under me and started to read. I was so excited by the prospect of new critters and birds to see that I didn’t notice when Rarity walked into the room and sat on one of the beds until she spoke up.

“Fluttershy, darling,” she said, startling me from my reading. “You were not quite yourself at breakfast. Are you sure you are fine?”

My nerves flared up again, the flush creeping up my neck as I ducked my head, letting my long hair shade my face from view. “Yes,” I said, but even as the word left my mouth I could tell that they weren’t convincing.

The fashionista moved to sit next to me, a hand on my knee. “Fluttershy, you can trust me,” she said. “If something is bothering you, I want to help.”

I whimpered, wanting to say what was on my mind and keep my private thoughts just like that at the same time.

Rarity looked into my eyes and seemed to understand my thoughts. “It’s not something on your mind, is it?” she said with some excitement. “It’s someone!”

Despite my best efforts, my face flushed red. Rarity cooed with joy.

“Oh, Fluttershy!” she said, taking my hands in hers. “Tell me about them? Do I know them? Oh, tell me, tell me!”

I looked down for a moment. “You know them,” I said. “But there’s no reason for them to want a silly girl like me.”

“That’s absurd,” she said. “You’re a wonderful young woman. Anyone would be lucky to have you.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” I said, looking away.

Fluttershy, Fluttershy….

“Fluttershy, talk to me.” Rarity had a look of concern in her eyes. “Why are you so afraid to open up?”

I pulled my hands away, twisting the strand of hair that dropped down again.

“When I was ten,” I whispered. “I told a boy I had a crush on them. He led me on up to the school dance.” The memories started flaring.

“I was standing outside the school waiting for him when he showed up with his friends,” Tears started to bubble to the surface. “They threw water balloons at me filled with paint and dye. It was my favorite dress.” I crushed my face into my hands. “And they laughed, and started chanting a taunt at me.”

“Fluttershy…” Rarity tried to find words to stem my confession but I continued.

“Fluttershy will always cry,” I whispered, tears escaping and flowing down my face.

Rarity encompassed me in a hug. “Oh, my dear,” she said. “I never knew.”

I nodded, trying to keep my tears from soaking her blouse. “Ever since then, I told myself I would never let myself be hurt like that again. I withdrew more and more until I was the girl you met in high school.”

She rubbed my back, trying to soothe me.

“The few times someone approached me, I always turned it aside from shyness because I was afraid of the memories.” I sniffled. “And, I never really had the will to approach someone myself.”

“Who is it, Fluttershy?” she asked, gently.

“Nevermind,” I whispered. “It’s not important. She wouldn’t want a silly crybaby like me.”

“Fluttershy, you stop that now!” Rarity said, holding me upright and staring me in the face. “You are kind, gentle, and a great friend. Any one would be ecstatic to have you! I would be glad to find someone like you.”

My heart stopped for a moment. Did she just say…

“Really?” I was surprised she heard me.

“Yes, truly,” she said, taking a hand and wiping my tears from my face. “I would also tell them so myself if they turn you down.”

I twisted my fingers. I could say it now, but should I?

“Rarity,” I started, then stopped, looking away.

She eyed me, and I saw the wheels turning in her head. Say what you will about Rarity, she has a sharp mind. I could see she was making connections in her mind.

“Fluttershy,” she said, “This person you like, is it one of our friends?”

“Yes,” I squeaked.

“Pinkie?”

“No,” I said. “I like Pinkie but she’s like a sister to me.”

“Dashie or Sunset?”

“You,” I said, my face burning up.

She blinked in shock. “Me?” she whispered.

“You’ve been so kind to me, and I like helping you with your designing. It makes me feel,” I hesitated, my voice dropping down to a whisper. “Beautiful.”

She took me by the shoulders, looking me in the eyes. “Fluttershy, you are beautiful. Any dress I make for you only enhances your looks. Between your beauty and your grace, you are like a breath of wind when you move.”

I had to swallow to remind my heart to keep beating.

“I’ve always wished I could have your strength.”

“Oh, Rarity,” I said. “I’m not strong.”

“You are, Fluttershy. Not like Applejack or Rainbow Dash, perhaps, but you are strong like the wind.” She smiled. “Bricks will shatter if beat upon enough, but you are strong like the wind. Willing to bend but when you need to you stand firm.”

She held me. “And why should you deny yourself happiness?”

She pulled me in, a hand cupping my face and she kissed me on the cheek.

“If you don’t mind,” she whispered. “I’d be glad to show you precisely how wonderful you are.”

I felt my heart speed up and I got a little light headed.

“But you’re always talking about your Prince Charming,” I whispered.

Rarity tsked in amusement. “Prince Charming seems to be a young lady with pink hair,” she said, resting her forehead against mine. After a moment she sat up and wiped another tear from my face.

“now then, I’m going to go browse the ships clothing store with Sunset and Twilight later.” She smiled at me. “I’d love if you came along as well, but I shan’t force you to. It’s your choice.”

She left and I couldn’t stop from smiling in happiness. I couldn’t believe what had just happened! I started hopping up and down and let out a happy cry.

“Yay!”

Chapter Seven - Lunch

“How do you figure on doing it, Pinks?” Rainbow Dash asked as she put the burger and fries on her tray. “Don’t businesses cost a lot of money?”

“Yeah, but we’re going to do it small to start,” Pinkie replied, bouncing as she looked over a set of chafing dishes in the main dining hall. She scooped up a couple of things of vegetable medley and some Swedish meatballs. “Sonata and I figure we could use the existing kitchen of the clients or our own if the venue doesn’t have one and slowly expand our services, both in range and offerings. Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!”

I put a serving of spinach and green leaf lettuce on my plate, moving down the salad bar to add some peas and olives. “I think it’s a bit more complicated than that, Pinkie,” I said as I rejoined them at the main food buffet, popping a crouton in my mouth as I did. “I mean, you’ve still got to pay for the food up front, and advertising. None of that is cheap. That’s one reason why neither The Rainbooms or Flash’s band get more than local gigs.”

“There’s the announcement board in Sugar Cube Corner,” she came back. “The Cake’s said they’d let us post there as long as we kept doing their catering jobs too. And from there we can find side jobs that aren’t large enough for the SCC minimum and we’ve got our niche!”

I blinked at her. Did she just use complete sentences and grammar? “And Sonata is fine with this too?” I asked. I was surprised that the youngest Siren had managed to secure a job with the Cakes, let alone a friendship with Pinkie, but leave it to the pink haired woman to do the impossible and improbable.

“Yep yep! It just came to her like BAM! and she told me and we started thinking out all the sticky complications that we’d have and we wrestled them down like nothing. It was simple, really.”

I nodded. That sounded a little more like the Pinkie I knew.

“Tell you what, Pinkie,” I said as we sat down. “Let me talk it over with Twilight and Cadence, and maybe you’ll have your first big catering gig for the bridal shower. You were already helping Rarity to plan it anyway.”

She gasped one of her long-winded ones and her eye got wide and watery. “Really?”

I nodded. “Really really,” I said around a mouthful of salad.

She shot both her hands up, fingers pointing. “Yes!” she said excitedly before looking around. “Speaking of Twilight, where is our Smarty Smartypants?”

“She’s in the ships bookstore,” I said. “I figured it would be easier to let her find her own way out than try and drag her out.” I held up my fiancé’s wallet. “She did manage to enact budget control before she wandered in. Her job at the electronics store may do direct deposit, but it’s not a bottomless hole.”

“It’s got a nice setup,” Dash said as she popped a fry into her mouth. “They’ve got the latest Daring Do book and the first omnibus edition.” She reached into one of the large cargo pockets in her shorts and produced said book. “I have my evening planned right here.”

“Ah hope that’s not all ya’ll are gonna do,” Applejack said as she sat next to the colorful rocker. She grabbed up a forkful of some sort of pasta dish and elbowed Rainbow before eating it. “Ya promised me we’d check out that rock climbin’ wall.”

“Actually, I think I challenged you to see who’d make it to the top first.”

“Same thing with you,” the farmer smirked as the smaller girl threw her arm around her shoulders.

I smiled. This trip was getting better every day. I was a little surprised that they had feelings for each other, but looking back it made sense. Rainbow was the kid that picked on the one that she had a crush on in grade school. It was just the way she was.

“So where’s Fluttershy and Rarity?” AJ asked between mouthfuls of her pasta.

“Fluttershy was a little out of it this morning at breakfast,” I said. “But she said she was going to go read up on the critters that are in the port at the Bahaymas.” I frowned. “I’m not quite sure where Rarity is, but we’re meeting up later to hit some of the shops with Twilight.” I grinned. “If I have to drag her out of the bookstore to do it.”

“I’m going to check out one of the magic shows,” Pinkie said. “I hear the girl they got is super duper wonderful!”

We chatted about various other topics, teased Dash and AJ about their relationship, got teased about Twilight and mine's relationship, and discussed things for the band, mainly the possibility of doing a short tour of the local live music scenes in the tricounty area.

I may not know much, but I know that was a lunch well spent.

Author's Note

If you haven't guessed it already, this takes place concurrently with Confessions - Fluttershy. I also moved Biology into it's chronological spot to fix continuity.

Chapter Eight - Set List.

I couldn’t help but tap my toe as the shipboard band rocked it’s way through this years top forty. I was surprised that Lemon Zest could play like she was, always having pegged her as a bit of a metal head. She was easily sliding her way back and forth between edgy rock and soft ballads, tossing her head back and forth in glee and her hair flying. Sugarcoat was less interesting to watch, as stoic in playing sweeping lines as she was in speaking.

“The band’s not bad considering they didn’t meet until the cruise,” I remarked to the table, consisting of myself, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Twilight. Pinkie was off at the buffet, making a plate of dinner. Dash and AJ were out at the rock climbing wall they had mentioned earlier.

“It is made of several remarkable musicians,” Twilight noted. “But I had no idea Lemon and Sugarcoat could play at all, let alone as well as they are!”

“You weren’t exactly close with most of the students at Crystal Prep,” Rarity said. “So it stands to reason that you weren’t aware.”

Fluttershy lead us in clapping as the band bowed and stepped off the stage before slipping an arm back around Rarity. The way the two leaned towards each other reminded me of how Twilight and I had been in the early days, before trips to Equestria and long nights at my place had cemented the fact that we loved each other beyond all doubt.

Not that we weren’t still prone to similar displays, far from it. Twilight was currently nestled under my arm, a hand on my thigh.

Lemon stepped over and plopped in one of the vacant seats at the table and grinned, laying her sticks on the table.

“So, what’d you think?” she asked.

“Not a bad set,” I said, smiling. “I was surprised to find musicians of such caliber at CPA.”

“You wont anymore,” Sugarcoat said, taking another vacant chair. “Cinch shut down the music program a year before the games. She thought it was frivolous and a waste of money.”

“That’s a shame,” Fluttershy whispered. “Everyone should be able to enjoy playing music. When you find the music inside, it just lifts you up to the clouds.”

Lemon nodded in agreement. “Nothing like sitting down and jamming with people that enjoy playing just as much as you do,” she grinned. “Any chance of doing the same with you all?”

Pinkie sat back down. “We’ve only got the one kit at CHS,” she said. “You’d have to bring your own set.”

Lemon frowned. “That’s a pain to haul around, though,” the rocker groused.

“Maybe you could take turns?” Twilight suggested.

“We’ll have to set up a time,” I said. “But furthermore, I want to know how you two got this gig?”

“There was an ad in the paper a few weeks ago,” Sugarcoat said. “We auditioned, we made it. Being eighteen meant that we didn’t need parental waivers and the cruise company provided the equipment.”

“And why did you two want to do it?” Twilight asked softly.

“Duh,” Lemon shook her head. “We get to go on a cruise, play on a regular basis, and get a little money out of it! It’s a great gig! I’m surprised there weren’t more people auditioning, actually.”

“Many likely don’t enjoy the prospect of being away from family for long stretches of time,” Sugarcoat countered in her monotone. “For example, this cruise is only a week, but some go for two or more.”

Twilight looked down, her hand squeezing my thigh as she thought. “I don’t know if I could do that,” she said. “Being away from my family for weeks.”

Lemon was about to say something when Sugarcoat stood and wandered back to the stage along with a few other of the band members. The long-haired drummer sighed and picked up her sticks.

“We’d better get invites, you two,” she said with a wink at Twilight and I. “This is something I’ve got to see.” She waved as she headed back and seated herself behind the drum kit once again.

“Not a bad idea,” Rarity said, smiling. “Having new friends come as well as old ones.”

“Well, we’ve got a little ways to go before we have to worry about that,” I noted. “But maybe we could have them come to the shower as a first step.”

Twilight smiled. “That would be lovely,” she said, leaning in and resting her head on my shoulder.

Lemon gave a hard kick to the bass drum and the band launched back into the rock set list.

Chapter Nine - Shopping

“This is pretty,” I said, holding up a paisley print blouse, its pale blue color would match my eyes nicely. “What do you think Twilight?” I held it up as I turned to her

The bespectacled girl glanced over from a rack of skirts in fall colors and tartans. “It makes your eyes pop. I like it.” She pulled a red and yellow tartan skirt from the rack and glanced over at me. “I wish Fluttershy had decided to come along.”

“Oh, she’s engrossed in that book,” Rarity said over by a rack of dresses, checking sizes. “I’m sure you can relate.”

“Yeah,” Twilight responded, her gaze dropping to see the bag from the bookstore before going to the skirt again.

I saw myself in a flash suddenly, wearing the skirt she was holding and a white blouse. my hair pulled back into two pigtails, looking down bashfully.

I blinked and shook my head, feeling a momentary flash of shyness and excitement through the bond. I glanced at Twilight seeing her still holding the skirt, a slight blush on her cheeks.

It couldn’t be, I thought for a moment. Surely I hadn’t seen something from Twilight’s imagination. Had I?

I put the blouse back on the rack, turning as Rarity called out my name.

“Do come and try this on, Sunset! I’m sure it will look ravishing on you.”

She held up a pale green dress with some sort of reflective thread woven into it, causing glints to sparkle in the shop’s light. Single-shoulder designed with a knee-high slit on one side. An attached shawl hung from the neckline. I took it gently and went into a dressing room.

I looked at myself in the mirror as I adjusted the shawl, making it drape off the bare shoulder before stepping out to the adoring coo from Rarity. I liked it, even if it was a touch loose through the hips. It just felt right.

Stepping up to an old-fashioned microphone, a quiet jazz orchestra playing a slow and smoky tune. I started to sing a ballad, but the words were indistinct.

I blinked my eyes, seeing the image waver and the shop coming back into view. Twilight was staring at me, a distant look in her eyes.

I did a slow turn at Rarity’s insistence, and mid-turn I was encompassed by another vision.

I slowly slid the zipper down, sliding the shawl back and slipping the shoulder strap down, gazing back over my shoulder.

I plucked the strand of our bond, the vision wavering as Twilight gasped.

I looked her with a narrow gaze as Rarity went behind me and adjusted the shawl. I mouthed at her. We’ll talk later.

This probably won’t be good, I heard Twilight’s voice, but I didn’t think she had spoken.

I blinked. “What?”

She gave me a confused look while Rarity paused in her adjustments.

“I didn’t say anything, darling,” Rarity said. She stepped in front of me and sighed. “I’m sure I could make some adjustments to the fit had I the resources, but alas. This is why I simply detest buying off the peg sometimes.” She gave another tug at the loose material around my hips and pulled her phone out, angling for a better view.

“Don’t just stand there, Sunset,” she commanded, hand waving in the air. “Give it a little flair!”

I shook my head and posed, hand on hip and one leg forward just enough to show my shin. I flashed a smile as Rarity snapped the picture, mentally laughing at the fact I was modeling a gorgeous gown with sneakers on.

Strutting down a catwalk, flashbulbs going off in my face.

Twilight! I thought firmly, and the vision vanished with an audible gasp from the bookworm.

I locked eyes with her. You’re hearing what I’m thinking, I pushed through the bond. And I’m seeing your little daydreams.

She paled, hands going up to her mouth.

Ohnoohnoohno. She saw!? What do I do?

Still broadcasting, honey.

She turned away, and I felt her clamp down on her emotions.

Oh yes, we were going to talk.

“What happened?” she said, eyes wide and hair in slight disarray. “When did I start projecting my thoughts? Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Why…”

I dropped the bag I was carrying and grabbed her by the shoulders and touched my forehead to hers, pushing as much calm and peace as I could muster given my own sense of confusion.

“Breathe, Sunshine. Just breathe.”

She took several hurried breaths, heading for hyperventilation.

“Slower, Twilight,” I said, guiding her to the couch. “In, and out. In, and out.”

She slowly calmed down.

“Better?” I asked.

She nodded, eyes still wide. I knew she thought this to be one of her greatest fears, losing control of her own mind.

“Why?” she whispered.

“I don’t know,” I said, falling to sit before her on the floor. “The bond, maybe? With all that excess magic flowing it could have been strengthened.”

“Radio waves with more power do have a longer broadcast radius,” she mused, her panic giving way slightly to the rational part of her mind. “It may have just been dampened by the ambient field of magic.” The glimmer of life was coming back into her eyes. She fell silent, eyes flickering back and forth as her brain made hypothesis and conjecture based on available data.

“Twilight,” I said. “About what I saw…”

She made a shushing noise, patting the air with her hand. I recognized it as her ‘I’m in the middle of something’ gesture. I rolled my eyes.

“Twilight,” I said again, a little more forcefully, snapping her out of her research mode.

“Sorry,” she said with a shy grin.

“About the daydreams,” I said, the images flashing through my mind. I saw her redden slightly.

“I’m sorry,” she started.

“Don’t be,” I said. “At least they all had me dressed in them.” I leveled my gaze at her, letting my playfulness slide into the bond. “How often do you have little fantasies like that?”

“Not often,” she said. “But lately it’s been getting more frequent, especially the last week or so.”

“Hmm,” I said. I leaned over and grabbed the shopping bag, climbing onto the couch.

“Let’s take it slow and make sure we don’t overdo this,” I told her, leaning over and hugging her. “It could be a natural development of our bond or it could be a spell that one of us cast without realizing it. If it persists when we get back, then we’ll see what needs to be done then.”

She nodded, a thoughtful look crossing her face.

“In the meantime, however,” I said, reaching into the shopping bag and grabbing one of the articles within.

She glanced over and blushed furiously as I pulled out the tartan skirt.

I smiled.

“I think I might need to stay after class, professor,” I said in a sweet and innocent voice.

Still smiling as she started giggling at my faux innocent act. We both knew it would be another few days before we could engage in any sort of activity like that, but knowing Twilight…

“I think I know just the thing, Ms. Shimmer,” she said, adjusting her glasses. “I’ll let you know soon what your extra credit will be.”

We both started laughing again, falling back on the couch cuddling each other.

“You know,” my love giggled after a moment. “I think I liked the gown more than I did that skirt.”

“Rarity refused to let me get something that poorly fitting,” I sighed. “It was pretty, though, wasn’t it?”

“She’s likely in her cabin drawing a design based off of it,” Twilight whispered, tucking her head against my shoulder a little more.

“Probably,” I agreed. A thought sprung up and I grinned down at the bespectacled girl.

“Want to see one of my fantasies?” I asked.

She sat up with a curious look and I leaned forward, touching our foreheads again and closed my eyes.

I stood before an altar in my pony form, dressed in a fine gown. Sunshine stood across from me, draped in a white gown of simple lines and a veil across her eyes. Celestia towered over the both of us, wings spread over us protectively as she pronounced us married,

“I always wanted her there,” I said as the image faded. “Even after I ran away, she was still important to me. Even if I couldn’t see it past the bitterness.” A tear slipped loose, trickling down my cheek.

Small, gentle hands came up and cupped my face.

“Hers is one of the first names on my guest list,” she whispered, leaning forward and kissing the spot where my tear had trailed down to.

Goddess, I loved this woman.

Chapter Ten - On the Beach

I stretched out on the towel, the breeze coming off the water providing a good balance with the tropical sun overhead. I sighed and enjoyed the warmth of the sun soaking into me. It was so relaxing, I felt like I could drift off if I wasn't careful.

I heard a page turn next to me and I opened my eyes. Looking over at Twilight, sitting in a folding chair made like a hammock, a thick magazine held in her hands. I rolled onto my side and looked at her with an amused smile on my face, hand draped across my hip.

“Honestly, honey, there are so many things to do on this stop beside reading a magazine on,” I leaned my head over slightly to read the title. “Planning a wedding?” I sat up in a crossed legged position. “Seriously? The ship had that in the bookstore?”

She looked over the book, a mischievous smile on her face.

“Have you ever planned a wedding?” she asked.

“Well, no,” I said, flustered.

“Nor have I, and for your information, there are so many things we have to decide on,” she said primly, setting the magazine down in her lap after carefully marking her place. She nudged her glasses up a bit.

“We have to pick out who’s going to be in the wedding party, for starters,” she said, pointing a finger out. “Who’s going to be maid of honor, best man, and so on. We’ve got so many friends and family on both sides of the mirror that it’ll be tough to whittle them down.”

She ticked another finger. “Budget has to be decided, settled, and finalized at least six months prior, and that means picking out a photographer, caterer, the entertainment, deciding on the officiant, choosing a venue, and florists.”

She tapped the third finger. “Then there’s the guest list. Who do we invite, who do we not? Who’s going to give toasts at the reception? What should the invitations look like?” She shook her head. “There’s so much more to this than I ever thought, it's just so many steps!”

I got up and padded over to her. I took her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist.

“Twilight, you forget that you have Rarity and Pinkie helping us plan this. Any detail you forget - as unlikely an event as that may be - they would have ready for us to make a choice on. And have you had a chance to think about who I suggested as far as the caterer?”

“Pinkie and Sonata?” she mused. “I’m willing to let them do the shower as a trial run if Cadence is.”

“And we’re members of a band, and even if we don’t have the girls play, we could talk to Vinyl or Octavia, or Minuette, or Lyra.” I sat up straight. “Or any of the Shadowbolts that we invite. I’m sure Lemon Zest would love the chance to play for our wedding.”

Twilight leaned back in thought. “True,” she mused.

“Besides, after talking with Cadence the other day, I’m liking the idea of an outdoor wedding.” I leaned forward and rested my head on her leg. “I know you’re nervous, and I am too. I want our day to be perfect. I'm sure it will be, with all of our friends willing to help.”

She started to run her fingers through my red tresses. “I just want to make sure we don’t have anything go wrong. Forewarned is forearmed, after all.”

“Come on, Twi,” I said, sitting up. “We’ve done the power drunk transformation angle three times. What are the chances of it happening again?”

“Don’t jinx us,” she hissed.

I rolled my eyes, then put my hand on her magazine as she tried to pick it up again.

“Sunny,” she said with a mild disapproval in her voice.

“I’ll make you a deal, Sunshine,” I purred leaning forward slightly. “You relax in the sand for a bit and join Fluttershy and I on that nature walk," I told her. "And tonight in the cabin we’ll make a checklist with as many details as we can think of. What do you say?”

The bookworm chewed on a thumbnail, thinking. She then took her hand off the magazine and stood up.

“Deal,” she said.

“Then there’s plenty of space on my towel for you,” I smirked in victory.

“Jokes on you,” she said, reaching into the bag she had brought with her.

“I always know where my towel is,” she said with a giggle, producing the said item and spreading it out next to mine.

I laughed as I caught the joke and give her a squeeze before laying down on my towel.

“A good point, my little hitchhiker.”

Chapter Twelve - Homebound

I twisted my hair around my fingers, eyes shut tightly as the boat rolled with the storm. My sea legs had fled with the sunny weather, leaving me laying in bed trying to keep some sort of equilibrium. Twilight returned from the bathroom with a wet hand towel and laid it on my head.

“Any better?” she asked, a kind look in her eye.

I shook my head, holding the towel in place. “Not really,” I said. “I don’t feel like puking now, but the boat still swims whenever I try to stand or sit up.”

Applejack came into the room, a look of caring concern on her face.

“So Dash ain’t the only one not likin’ the weather, Ah see,” she said, a weak smile on her face. “How ya holdin’ up, sugarcube?”

I smiled, sure my face was as green as her eyes. “I think I’ll survive,” I said. “Though I’m not happy this is how I spend our last day on this trip.”

Twilight picked a few errant strands of hair from my face and cupped my cheek. “Not much to do with the rain anyway, hon,” she said. “Most of the outdoor activities are closed and there aren’t any shows until later.”

“Maybe we can have a lil’ get together here in yer cabin, Sunny,” AJ said. “Talk ‘bout some o’ the things that happened on this trip.” She tapped a quick message out on her phone.

“Like you and Dashie?” Twilight asked.

The farm girl colored a bit, running her hand through her hair, the blonde tresses worked into a braid today. I frowned as a detail worked into my awareness.

“Where’s your hat, AJ?” I said. “Weather like this you’d almost be sure to wear it.”

The blush deepened, and she glanced away. “Dash has it,” she said. “She weren’t feelin’ good, and Ah was about t’ go out while she slept it off.” She smiled a little. “Said it smelled like me and Ah thought it might help her sleep.”

Twilight resettled herself on the bed, her presence comforting. “I can understand that,” she said, glancing at me.

“She steals a shirt of mine every time she comes over,” I clarified, glancing at my fiancé. “Sometimes she gives them back.”

“They’re comfortable,” the bookworm said, tapping her forefingers together.

“What’s comfortable?” asked Rarity as she walked in, Fluttershy behind her brushing some wet hair out from her face.

“Twilight steals my shirts sometimes,” I said as the two sat down.

“Completely understandable,” the prim girl said as she sat on one of the chairs. “You do have some lovely choices in your wardrobe.”

“Who wants nachos?” cried a giddy voice as the door opened to admit Pinkie, bearing said snack in her hands.

I slowly sat up, wiggling back against the headboard of the bed. The night was passed with laughter, especially after Rainbow managed to make her way down, feeling better following a nap. Her girlfriend's hat stayed on her head, however, causing a snicker from Twilight that brought a glare from me that was softened with a mental I love you.

We were watching as the ship eased up to the dock, large mooring lines being thrown over the sides to secure it to the dock.

I slung my duffel bag over my shoulder, glancing at my better half as she scoured the room for items we might have missed, somehow producing a checklist in a matter of minutes.

“That everything, Twi?” I asked.

She made a mark on her notepad. “Seems like,” she said, picking up her bag as well, tucking the notepad inside. I caught a flash of a tartan skirt. She followed my gaze and blushed a little.

Eyes front, missy, she sent with a wry smile.

I tittered as we left the room and met the rest of the girls on the deck. I looked at each of them and smiled. Applejack had her arm around Dash’s shoulders, Fluttershy and Rarity were holding hands. I felt Twilight’s hand slip into my back pocket and rest her head against my shoulder, sighing happily. I waved at Lemon Zest as I caught a glimpse of her through the crowd.

“I think this was just what we needed, AJ,” she said. “A nice vacation with nothing odd to happen to us.”

“Speak for yourself,” Rainbow said. “I didn’t expect to hook up with AJ the way we did.”

“Ya didn’t make it easy, ya know,” the tall girl said, resting her forehead against the athlete’s, smiles blossoming on both faces.

“Nor us, to tell the truth,” Rarity said.

“Though it was like a dream,” Fluttershy whispered.

“Awwwww,” Pinkie said. “I’m going to have to throw everyone a party when we get back to town for finding love!” She was grinning bigger than any of us.

“Are you saying you have someone, Pinkie?” Dash asked.

“Yep!” she returned, grabbing us all in a hug. “I got all of you as friends and you’re all happy!”

We couldn’t argue with that.

We waved as Shining Armor dropped us off at my apartment, Twilight letting him know she’d be home later that evening.

“It’s going to feel good to sleep in my own bed,” I said, dropping my bag next to my bed.

“I agree,” Twilight said, a teasing tone to her voice.

I glanced back at her and smiled.

“Perv,” I tossed back.

“Whatever,” she returned. “I’m starving, you want to grab a bite before running me home?”

“Sure,” I said, pulling my wallet from my bag. “Tudors?”

“Sounds great!” she replied.

The pub we parked at was the only one in town that offered vegetarian and vegan alternatives for their fare. I deposited a few quarters into a meter and was about to head inside when I felt a surge of surprise and shock through the bond.

“Everything ok, Twi?” I asked turning to see her staring across the street. She just pointed, directing my attention.

And there she was, red and yellow hair shorn in a chin-length bob, a sharp business suit, and expensive looking pumps. She was chatting into a cell phone, holding up a hand to flag a cab, slinging a leather attache case into the backseat of the hack that pulled up. The distance and the general din of the neighborhood made it impossible to hear anything.

We both stared as the cab pulled away, my counterpart inside.

“Huh,” I said.

Chapter Eleven - Tricks and Treats

I sat in the dark, Twilight holding my hand under the table we were sitting at as we waited for the show to start. In front of us were the last few scraps of our dinner sat amid glasses of wine. Rarity slid gracefully into her chair with no sound, shifting to the side to brush shoulders with Fluttershy.

I smiled at the action. It was something I recognized from my own early days with Twilight. Wanting to always be close, touching, as though a momentary lack of contact would make the other vanish. I found it amazingly warm, and I felt Twilight squeeze my hand as she noticed it as well.

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” a voice said over the auditorium speakers. “Please put your hands together for our featured illusionist, Lucky Card!”

A woman hopped out onto the stage, a pair of close-fitting slacks and a well-tailored vest with an embroidered playing card over a pocket covering her slim frame. A mass of poofy gold hair topped her head, curly enough to make me believe she could have been related to Pinkie Pie.

Lucky Card bent into an incredibly nimble bow, her arms almost wrapping completely around herself and when she rose from the bow, she had a bouquet of flowers in her hand. I smiled and applauded with the audience, I hadn’t even caught a hint of where or how she had hidden the flowers.

“I’d like to thank you all for that warm welcome,” she said, laying the blossoms of the bouquet in her hand. “And I’d like to leap into the act, but I’m afraid I’ll need something a little more dramatic than these geraniums,” she said, flicking the flowers against her hand, causing an eruption of flame to burst forth, leaving a short length of ebony wood in her hand as the flame flared out.

She smiled a toothy grin. “Much better,” she cooed as we launched into another round of claps for the trick.

Rainbow leaned over to me from the next table, AJ’s hat sitting on her head with a rakish tilt.

“Maybe we should have her give Trixie some lessons,” she stage-whispered.

I bit back a laugh, remembering a community talent show not long after the Battle of the Bands. Trixie had performed a short magic routine with less than spectacular results. If not for the smoke bombs she always carried for some reason, she would have slinked off the stage in shame.

The show was pretty amazing despite the relatively small stunts she would do. Prestidigitation was something I had learned early on as a student of Celestia, but I was always so fascinated by the more mundane manner some ponies - and humans by default - that I would always try to spot the method. But this woman was a seasoned pro, flowing from one trick to the next with no setup or hesitation. I didn’t sense any magic coming from her, so this was all skill and practice.

I applauded as the magician took another bow, thanking us all for our time and finishing off her show with a pyrotechnic trick, vanishing in the flare of the sparks.

Twilight was quiet as we lounged in our cabin that night. I was feeling like I was floating, likely an effect from the wine we had with dinner. I’m still not sure why the waitress hadn’t bothered to card us before offering wine selections, but Twilight and I both made the rational choice to limit the amount we consumed, but since we were used to cider, it did hit us a little harder than I had expected.

I nudged her with my elbow before rolling onto my side, causing her to shake her head from whatever thoughts she was having. We had managed to stop broadcasting our thoughts to each other, though I did miss the embarrassed squeak she would give whenever she realized she had just let me hear her some endearing comment or flash of a daydream.

“Some show, eh?” I said, running my hand along her arm.

“Yeah,” she said slowly, raising her glasses and rubbing an eye.

I frowned. “I know you can't be tired, Twilight,” I said. “We’ve only been up twelve hours.”

“I didn’t sleep too well last night,” she said, turning to face away slightly.

“Horsefeathers,” I said, taking her face in my hand. “You of all people should know you can't lie to me. I know when you do.”

She at least had the decency to blush at the rebuke.

“It’s difficult to keep from sending you every random thought,” she finally admitted. “It’s tiring and frustrating and I wish I knew another way to keep them in. I love being close to you, but I don't want to inundate your head with my thoughts.”

I pulled her into my arms.

“Oh, Twi,” I said. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize,” I kissed the top of her head. “Is there anything I can do?”

She shook her head, bun wobbling slightly. “I don’t know,” she said in a voice that ripped at my heart.

"Hold still," I whispered. "I want to try something." I leaned over and touched my forehead to hers, concentrating. This was an untested spell.

And felt her gasp as the wardroom of the cruise liner vanished to reveal a long stretch of grassy hills, with a few trees here and there. I smiled as she looked around, suddenly dressed in the same outfit she was wearing when we left for Equestria the first time, recognition glimmering in her eyes.

“This is the picnic fields outside Ponyville,” she said, looking down at herself. “But we’re not ponies right now.”

“This is completely in our heads, Twi,” I said. “I should have told you earlier about this. When we started sharing thoughts, I had the idea that this could be more than an uncomfortable circumstance. But I haven't had the chance to test it, so I didn't say anything.” I waved my hand at the scenery. “I spent most of our last trip sunbathing visualizing this place trying to get every detail as accurate as possible.”

“Why this place? Why even try to focus on producing this?" The bookish girl was walking towards the nearest tree, reaching out to touch it.

“You don’t recognize this place, Sunshine?” I said, smiling. I turned and pointed to a particular knoll, a setting sun slowly turning the sky into representations of both our colorations and namesakes. “This was the hill we sat on one of our last nights before we left,” I said. “Where I first realized just how I felt about you.”

“Where you kissed me for the first time,” she said, coming up to thread her arm through mine.

“You kissed me first in the castle the night before,” I said, looking down at the shorter girl.

“But this is where you kissed me first, of your own free will,” she said, a small smile crossing her face before turning to face me. “But that doesn’t tell me why you worked to bring this to mind,” she intoned, brows knitting together in her ‘I want to know why’ look.

I rubbed the back of my neck.

“I feel sometimes like I don’t do enough for you in our relationship, Twilight,” I said. “You cook amazing meals, and your family invites me over all the time.” I looked at the sunset, feeling a strange sense of calm in the view. “I really haven’t done a whole lot, to be honest, that even approaches the love and trust you all have given me.”

I turned towards her, a weak smile on my face.

“I just wanted to give you a place you could go whenever you wanted, someplace that was special to both of us, someplace that where only we had access to.”

Twilight looked at me, a smirk rising up on her face.

“While this is nice, Sunny,” she said, crossing her arms and squaring up against me. “I hardly think that you haven’t done much for the relationship.”

She started ticking things off, advancing a step with each point.

“Firstly, you saved me from being consumed by magic, letting my family get me back. Secondly, you were right there by my side whenever I felt self-conscious in my first days at CHS. You made sure that the other students saw me for me, not Princess Twilight or Midnight Sparkle.”

She poked me just above my heart. “You helped me get over my fears at Camp Everfree and embrace my magic. You consoled me when things didn’t go well with Timber.” She poked me with each point now. “You let me stay with you in Equestria that first time when you and the Princess could have just shoved me back through the portal and shut it behind me. You took me back to spend time with your family during one of the most special times of the year. You made me family!” Tears were leaking from her eyes.

“And now, we’re engaged, I’m wearing your mother’s ring for goodness sake,” she chuckled, holding up her left hand for a moment. “I do the things I do for you because I feel like I’m not doing enough sometimes.” She wiped the tears from her cheek.

I pulled her in, hugging her tightly and fighting tears myself.

“We’re quite the pair, aren’t we?” I giggled.

She pushed back slightly and kissed me.

“So what's happening to our bodies while we’re here?” she asked.

“Well, since we are technically using a dreamscape, I suspect we’re sleeping right now,” I said.

Twilight smiled. “Restful sleep, then,” she said in her scientific voice, eyes gleaming. “Dreams only occur in stage five sleep, which is the only stage where REM occurs. I wonder if this is superseding the natural cycle of sleep since REM state is so short the first time through in a night.”

I smiled as I saw her winding up for a long series of questions combined with rambling anecdotes.

And this is why I loved her. She was at her most adorable when this amount of energy was pumping through her body, her most vibrant. I almost hated cutting these long-winded monologs short, but there was something else I had planned for this little ethereal jaunt, and I wasn’t sure how long this would last.

I reached out and laid a finger across her mouth, silencing her abruptly.

“Let's find a better use for those lips, Twilight,” I cooed, smiling at her with hooded eyes.

She looked at me with confusion, though she recognized the look.

“But I thought…”

I replaced the finger.

“In the waking world, yes,” I said, tracing my finger down her neck and hooking it on the top of the zipper of her hoodie. “But this…”

Her grin went wicked. “Isn’t the waking world,” she purred.

“You got it,” I said, slowly lowering her zipper, exposing the smooth curve of her collarbone and the tops of her breasts.

She reached out and tangled her hand in my hair.

“Does this mean that I don’t have to keep a tight hold on my thoughts anymore?”

I smiled. “Since we’re kind of linked at the brain, I wouldn’t want to give you a definitive answer just yet,” I slowly pushed her to a seated position, unzipping her jacket the rest of the way, exposing the tank top she had underneath. She shrugged out of it as I leaned in and kissed the base of her neck, delighting in her shiver. "We may need practice."

My hands explored her upper body, sliding under her tank to trace the ridge of her spine and the feel of her waist. I felt her hands slip up and start to slide my jacket off my shoulders, her head dipping to kiss just behind my ear as I shrugged out my leather jacket, leaving my shoulders exposed in the halter top I was wearing. I slid my hands up and cupped her breasts through her bra.

“I missed that feeling,” She murmured into my ear before gently biting the lobe.

I felt her hands untying the neck of my halter, the top dropping down as she trailed her kisses down. I shuddered at the feeling, sighing in delight. She pulled at her tank, sliding it up over her body. I reached out grabbed her arms, stopping her where she was more or less trapped by it.

“Hey,” she whined in protest. She twisted and tried to extricate her head or arms, but the way I held her kept her blindfolded.

I smiled and kissed her neck before whipping the shirt from her and burying my face against the curve of her neck and following it down, grazing my teeth along her collarbone.

Breathing hard, Twilight looked down at me.

“This is a dream, right?”

I hummed a yes against the upper swell of her breasts, trailing little kisses along them.

“Then I can do this…” she said.

And we were suddenly both completely naked and laying on a cloud, both of us ponied up. I felt a strange pressure on my back and when I looked back, I saw wings of the same amber hue of my skin.

Twilight leaned forward, her wings reaching out and tracing along my sides.

“You’re my princess,” she whispered before kissing me. “You deserve some wings after all you’ve done for me.”

I flexed the wings, finding the sensation strange, and I found that I could feel something through them. I felt tears well in my eyes.

“Have I told you how much I love you today?” I asked, lips trembling.

“Yes,” she said, pushing me back down.

“But I never get tired of hearing it,” she said before capturing my lips again.