Zecora settled onto a small rug in the corner of her hut. Muscles scorched with fatigue dropped her down with perhaps more force than she intended. The rug's rough woven fibres made it a less than comfortable sit for most everypony else in Equestria, but the zebra had long since grown accustomed to its coarse texture digging slightly into her backside. After a long night spent gathering ingredients and materials for her various pursuits, including some items that only appeared under the light of the full moon or in the fresh scales of nocturnal creatures, she even dared enjoy their company, and quickly slipped into the contented trance of meditation.

Thick canvas sheets blocked the daylight outside, leaving only the otherworldly glow of her cauldron to illuminate the roof of her hut in a green hue. Nothing could distract her from her leisure, and the aches and soreness of her trek faded away into the shadows around her, leaving her floating in a sea of absolute peace.

A gust of wind threw open the door, blowing off one of its hinges, and tainted her space with the glare of the midday sun. A beam caught Zecora right between the eyes, and she heard herself screech like a startled fruit bat, pawing at the air to try and get it away from her. Though, she stopped as soon as she realized how foolish she looked. The fatigue in her limbs came back with a vengeance, almost like the light itself had dragged it out of the dark and into sharper relief. Standing was a chore.

“I am one fates like to tease,” Zecora grumbled, dragging her heavy feeling legs across the hut. “Why else send an obnoxious breeze?”

“Why, oh why, indeed?” crooned a smooth voice. Zecora stiffened, it wasn't a voice she recognized. A figure dropped into the archway.

Zecora tilted her head at the stallion standing in front of her. He might have been considered handsome were it not for his tragic mane bun and unkempt facial fuzz. He was tall, lean, not quite gangly, with a tealish coat, blonde mane, and the most cheesy grin she'd seen in recent memory. His hands were stuffed into a pair of ripped jeans and his purple jumper looked especially uncomfortable in the afternoon sun. A pair of sunglasses hid his eyes, but his head looked up and down her body appreciatively. Zecora was tempted to think she was reminded of Rainbow Dash, but the creature in front of her was far more... Pathetic.

“Well, well, well. Sis was right, you look positively exotic, Miss... Zecora?” he said, grinning.

“That much is true,” Zecora said slowly. “But, who are you?”

The stallion rolled his hand in a theatrical circle and placed it across his chest.“Why, a breeze that's just blown his way into your life, of course. Zephyr Breeze!” He paused, clearly waiting for a reaction. Zecora only stared at him. It was a struggle to keep her eyes open, as tired as she felt. Zephyr's smile crashed like a lead weight, dragging his posture with it until he looked like a crooked line. “Wait. Sis never mentioned me?”

“No. I have been warned of you by your 'sis',” Zecora beckoned Zephyr to follow and dragged herself towards a desk stocked with tea leaves, herbs, and a tiny stove. “I just need some tea before I am ready for this,”

“Warned?! Aw, come on. I'm not that bad, am I?” Zephyr huffed, looking around the hut.

“You broke my front door. Annoying, I won't lie. Now, why am I face to face with the brother of Fluttershy?”

Zephyr tipped his glasses enough to look at her directly. “You know, I just realized you're doing this weird rhyming thing,”

Zecora fought not to grind her teeth. She struck two glittering stones together. Supernaturally large sparks leapt from the rocks and set the tiny stove alight. She placed a pot of water onto it. “Me, rhyme? Perhaps you misheard?” She rasped dryly. “Why would I do something so completely absurd?”

“No, see, you did it again right there. Not that I mind, of course. I have been known to dabble in a bit of poetry of my own from time to time,” he grinned playfully. “Naturally, that was before I focused on my mane therapy work full time.”

“You have a full time profession, yet your time seems so free. Again, why have you come looking for me?”

“Well, the Shys are having a get together with the Dashes tomorrow night, and a son needs a gift for his mother. Not to mention, a brother needs another for the other in his family that he smothers cuz he loves her. Heh! I still got it. Kinda.”

Zecora sighed. “You need a gift for Fluttershy, and your mother?”

“And I've got bits, so any price I can cover! See, got to that rhyme before you did! Heh. But yeah, I need something those two will appreciate. I was big into herbal bath salts and stuff back when I was meditating. Never quite found inner peace, fancy that, maybe I missed something somewhere, but Flutters said you were a one stop shop for tonics, lotions, all that jazz. Got anything you can recommend to a brother in need?”

Zecora didn't respond. The pot of water had finished boiling. Zecora poured it into a cup filled with crushed leaves and granules. The smell from the mixture was as bracing as it was pleasant. Zephyr said some more things, but she tuned him them out while she enjoyed her cup of tea. The stimulative effects of the leaves of the Dynamo plant would keep her going enough to get him out of her hut. Barely. Already, she had an idea, as the mist of fatigue retreated slightly from her mind.

She spun in place and reached out to the still talking Zephyr.

“Course, that's just what I told Rainbows. Even mom knows she's head over heels about-” Zeph tried to continue speaking, but was cut off by Zecora gripping his lips closed.

“I can help you, of course, my dear sweet young Zephyr,” Zecora said, smiling knowingly. “Tonics? Perhaps, but I can do you one better,”

“Sweet! What is it? How much do I owe ya?”

Zecora gestured to her front door. “My door needs some fixing, otherwise it's a steal. Just give me your mane of blonde and coat of teal. With the brew I'll create, their affections you'll reel. They will all know exactly how about them you feel,”

***

“I was talking about this with the girls at work. I never would've guessed how snugly that Wonderbolt outfit fits on you, Dashie,” chirped an excitable blue pegasus. Her massive grin threatened to split her face in half. “We all bet you've found yourself a mess of admirers already, looking as sexy as you do up there!”

“Mooooom!” whined Rainbow Dash, sinking into her armchair and masking her blush with her dainty cup of tea.

Windy Whistles gasped. “Oh! Sorry, hunny," The middle aged mare looked genuinely apologetic, and took in a calm, measured breath before continuing. Her tone didn't completely lose its mild sense of awe, but that was who her mother was, Dash supposed. “I only meant to say you looked fetching. The girls at work and I felt a little... Jealous,” she giggled softly.

“The suits aren't about fashion or attractiveness,” Rainbow Dash lied. She totally looked like the shit being hugged by all that lycra, but her mom didn't need to know that. “It's all about the aerodynamics. Stuff I know nopony here cares about,” she gestured to her company.

Both the Dashes and the Shys were gathered around a cute little mahogany coffee table. All the furniture Mr and Mrs Shy had in their lounge had been arranged in a circle to allow everypony access to the table's modest spread of finger foods and sides. Rainbow's Dad may have been looking on in rapt attention next to his wife, but Fluttershy and her parents sitting opposite, all stared into their tea cups, mortified and trying politely to ignore the topic. When Windy noticed, she yelped.

“Please, forgive me! It's a habit at this point. We see our little Dashie and the words just start tumbling out," Windy averted her eyes and scratched the back of her head.

“We don't mind,” whispered Mrs Shy. “You've been doing it for years already.”

“Ever since Rainbow Dash was born, come to think of it… But we're used to it,” added Mr Shy, smiling comfortingly. He looked at Dash. A gaze of absolute warmth shone from his watery eyes. "You have a daughter worth gushing over. We couldn't bring ourselves to stop you when you're both so passionate."

Bow Hot Hoof leaned forward and emphatically placed his cup down. “Yeah? Well, no longer. We're not going to embarrass anypony with our antics anymore. We promised Dash.”

Rainbow Dash sighed. “You know I'm not expecting any miracles from you guys. Just... Try.”

“'No miracles, just effort.' Got it,” repeated Hoof with a determined grin.

“Ooooh, you should put that on a t-shirt, Mr Dash.” Fluttershy giggled.

“Fluttershy! Dash told us all about your new animal sanctuary. Sounds exciiiitiiiiing!” Windy sang. “She always said you had it in you! Have things been running smoothly?”

Shy opened her mouth to reply, but just then the front door of the house nearly smashed from it's hinges, and a teal blur skidded into the lounge.

“Guess who isn't late?!” Zephyr cried.

“Everyone who isn't you?” Rainbow said lowly.

Zephyr wagged his finger. “Wrong, my little Rainbow Cake. You... Were all here early. No party truly begins until moi arrives.”

“And where were you exactly?” said Fluttershy, peering at her brother suspiciously.

Zephyr raised a wooden box above his head triumphantly. “Getting the perfect gift for mother and yourself, of course. I had a chat with your zebra friend,”

Mrs Shy flushed. “You didn't need to get us anything, dear. Just seeing you is enough,”

“Zecora?” Fluttershy tilted her head. “But... She said she'd be busy harvesting in the Everfree forest for the next few nights. You didn't bother her while she was sleeping, did you?”

Zephyr's eyes bulged. “M-me? Of course not. She was a bright eyed and bushy tailed little thing when I met her,” Zephyr said as he looked around for a seat. He eventually decided to perch himself on the arm of Rainbow Dash's chair. Rainbow instinctively flinched away from him. “Anyway, she gave me this potion,” he said, rattling the box. Clinking glass could be heard within.

“Oooooh. What's it do?” Fluttershy asked.

“Heh. This baby lets you feel my emotions. Apparently. Just the once, I'd like you both to know, truly, how much I love you. Ah, hell. Dad, you should have a go as well...” Zephyr paused. He regarded Dash out of the corner of his eye. His gaze smoldered. “You too, Dash. If you want.”

“You're insane,”

“That wasn't a no...”

Rainbow shot a pleading look at Fluttershy. She could only throw a helpless gaze back. Well, if Fluttershy was going to give it a go, she might as well suffer with her. Zecora wouldn't have given him something dangerous, would she?

“No, it wasn't a no,” Rainbow glared at him for a second, then huffed “Just get it over with,”

“Niiice,” Zephyr threw open the wooden box and yanked out a pair of vials. The liquid in both shimmered the same shade of green as the contents of Zecora's cauldron. “I'll just sprinkle a little of this in your teas and viola.”

Zephyr started administering the drops. Dash's parents looked on eagerly. The Shys looked at them apologetically, muttering for them to excuse their son.

Bow raised his cup. “Hit us up,”

“Huh?” grunted Zephyr.

“You heard him. Give us that stuff too!” Windy beamed.

“Uh... I don't even know you two,”

“Dashie told us all about Zecora,” said Windy.

“And we wanna try out something made by the zebra with the Rainbow Dash seal of approval,” Bow winked at Dash. Dash blinked. Her parents were giving her matching sympathetic looks. They must've caught on to her silent exchange with Fluttershy, and were trying to support her by joining in.

‘You guys…’ Rainbow Dash thought affectionately.

In the end, Zephyr shrugged and gave their cups a drop as well. Everyone at the table now held a spiked drink in their hands.

“Okay then. Everypony drink up!” Zephyr cried.

The Dashes were the first ones to bite, or slurp, as it were. They downed their drinks in a single gulp and high fived each other. Rainbow and Fluttershy followed suit. The drink didn't taste any different to Dash, and Fluttershy burped slightly when she was done. She covered her mouth and muttered a tiny apology. Her parents drank last, hastily gulping it down. Zephyr positively glowed in anticipation.

“Ok. Now.... We wait,” Zephyr smirked.

“We... Wait?” Fluttershy asked.

“More specifically, I wait,” Zephyr said.

After letting that hang for a few seconds, Zephyr unceremoniously ambled over to the staircase and started to climb.

“And where in Equestria are you going?” Rainbow snapped.

“To bed. I'll see you guys tomorrow,” Zephyr shot them a smile. Rainbow couldn't tell if it was smug or genuine. “I hope the rest is therapeutic,”

“But... We're not tir-” Mrs Shy started, then abruptly slumped over sideways and landed in her husband's lap, fast asleep and snoring tiny snoring squeaks. Just as instantly, everyone else at the table keeled over into someone else's embrace, except for Dash, who settled into her chair. Her last thought was a curse for Zephyr, and a curse for Zecora too for good measure. What had she been thinking?!

***

Rainbow's eyes snapped open and she sat bolt upright. Cold sweat tickled her spine. The Shy house in nearly complete darkness. Only the tiniest hint of orange lamplight from outside made it through the shutters. It was enough to make out her friend and families, still lying in various heaps. Rainbow hopped up to check on them. They were all breathing and appeared to be comfortable.

“Shy? You ok?” Rainbow asked softly, poking her friend in the side. There was no response. Rainbow clicked her fingers an inch away from Shy's ear. Again, there was nothing.

Rainbow's gaze shifted to the staircase. Anger flushed away the cold feeling in her face, and she started stalking towards it. Zephyr was a dead stallion. Her knuckles clenched so hard they popped.

Then, something flickered out of the corner of Dash's eyes, and she froze mid-stride. She turned, and her own face turned to look back at her. Only a mirror. The reflection had simply startled her. She was about to turn away, when her head refused to move. Something was pulling at her. Her eyes didn't want to leave her reflection for some reason. Dash took a few steps closer and gasped. All her anger towards Zephyr nearly buckled under what she saw.

Rainbow didn't understand why, but all of a sudden she looked... Good. Incredibly good. Like, she hadn't physically changed at all, but Dash couldn't ignore the mounting thrill in her guts as she continued to stare. Her wide eyes, her soft lips, her prominent cheekbones. It was like all her eyes could comprehend was how awesome she looked. She could almost drown in it. Overwhelmed, she bit her lip. Instead of looking awkward, she thought even that looked absolutely adorable. Her mane held just the slightest hint of frazzle from her nap, and a lock of red threatened to cover her eyes. The collarbones at the bottom of her long, slender neck stood out every time she breathed, and she felt them beg for attention. She absently raised her hand to feel them. Her calloused fingers barely brushed herself, when a feeling like an electric shock almost made her squeal, causing her to grip the collar of her shirt. The muscles in her arm flexed when she clenched down, and she whispered a moan as she watched the firm, wiry shapes bulge enticingly against the silky softness of her coat. The cold sweat from before dripped almost scorchingly warm now. The moisture bled deeply into her shirt, and brought the faintest outline of her chest into relief; two tiny, and yet also perfectly sized, mounds. The fabric started clinging to her hips as well, their slight flare just barely too wide and girly to belong on most boys.

Rainbow breathed, it sounded ragged and deep, and used her other hand to lift the shirt over her belly. Her abs looked even more solid than she remembered, puffing out from her otherwise flat gut. She ran a finger over them, drawn to the contours and crevices between them. They tingled with heightened sensitivity. She felt like a fucking beast. Two sets of warmth kindled in her body. The familiar one blazed needily between her legs. The other...

It was in her stomach, she noted. An unnatural warmth that travelled up past her chest and caressed her brain. The thoughts of how wonderful she was came from that heat. Dash recoiled from her image. Other thoughts were there too, nagging innocently behind the lust she felt for herself. A strong affection for Fluttershy and her parents seeped through. Thick familial love that pulsed steady and strong.

‘This is how Zephyr feels.’ Rainbow realized. The potion worked... ‘Dammit!’ She looked back at herself. She looked so fuckable and strong. This was how Zephyr looked at her? Rainbow wanted to feel disgusted... But, her hand hovered over the waist of her jogging bottoms, waiting for the go ahead from her brain to dive in. She wanted to. So badly.

Before she gave in, Rainbow couldn't help but wonder how the others would handle this, and how long it would last...

Her fingers slipped inside her bottoms, and Dashie hissed.

Author's Note

No full on clop in this chapter. I just wanted to set up the situation first. It'll be pretty much all clop from now on. XD

I had fun writing a scene between Zephyr and Zecora. I always wanted those two to meet for some reason.