50 Shades of Hay

"Come on, we need to get dressed – that is, if you want to meet my mother.” She grins, leaps off the bed, and hastily pulls a shirt around herself. I struggle to my haunches.

“Gee. Ah’d love ta, sweetheart, but Ah kinda have a pre-existing problem here.” I gesture to my still bounded hooves.

Her grin widens. Leaning towards me, she undoes the tie. The woven pattern left a slight indentation in my fur, around my forehooves, just above my hooves. Dash gazes at me with amusement. She kisses my forehead quickly, then resumes getting dressed.

I climb to my hooves and brush my untidy mane aside. “Dash, why do Ah need ta get dressed? Ah don’t normally wear clothes.”

She turns on her heel almost immediately to face me. “No, Applejack, normal ponies don’t wear clothes.” She glances over her shoulder briefly. When she returns her attention to me she looks… uneasy, that’s not a good sign. “My parents aren’t exactly normal.”

“Granted, but the only thing Ah have is what Ah wore here and, well…” I gesture to the crumpled heap that was my dress at the foot of Dash’s bed.

Dash face-hoofs as she grunts in frustration.

“Maybe Ah should just stay…”

“Oh no you don’t,” Dash threatens. “You can wear something of mine.” She runs her hoof through her unkempt mane. Suddenly, I’ve lost my train of thought…

“Applejack, you could be wearing a potato sack and you would still look beautiful. Please stop worrying. I’d like you to meet my mother. Now, get dressed, I’ll go and calm her down.” She turns to leave the room, but not before she calls to me over her shoulder, “I expect you to see you in five minutes, or else I’ll drag you out here in whatever you’re wearing. My T-shirts are in my drawers, and there are shirts in the closet, help yourself.” She eyes me for a second, and then leaves the room, shutting the door behind her.

I sigh.

Well, it’s nice to know that I had a choice in this decision. Not that I don’t want to meet Dash’s mother, it’s just that, with this whole agreement, I honestly wasn’t expecting to.

Lazily making my way over to her chest of drawers, I take a look inside. On the rare occasion that I do wear clothes, I can say with absolute certainty that I’m not a ‘T-shirt’ kinda girl. Making my way to the walk in wardrobe, I find a slew of business shirts, most of which have both long sleeves and collars.

Walking deeper into the wardrobe, I find something odd yet intriguing, a blood red, zip-up jacket. I couldn't help my smug smile as I slid it off the rack and promptly dress myself, making sure it was long enough to cover my wrists. Not that I was worried about Dashes mother seeing the marks, she would only be able to see them if she was really looking for it. Still, better to be safe than sorry.

As I stand on my hind legs and do up the zipper, I realize that the jacket was also long enough to curve around my flanks. Hopefully, this will be socially acceptable enough for her mother, because wearing pants is where I draw the line.

Closing her wardrobe, I quietly open her bedroom door and dash across the hallway into the bathroom. It was at this point, when I looked up at the freckle faced mare in the mirror, that I realized just how much of a catastrophe my mane was. My thick, blonde hair was a mess of frayed ends, with single hairs popping up everywhere, and a few remaining curls, courtesy of Rare’s makeover.

Fortunately for me, not only did she have a mane brush in the cupboards under the bathroom sink, but she also had a few hair ties. After a couple of minutes of fierce brushing, I managed to get my mane and tail to resemble my signature style.

Okay, now that I look more presentable, I think I’m ready to meet her mother. Wait, something is missing… my Stetson! I look around frantically trying to find it, until I realize that I didn’t wear it here, and it’s still back at the farmhouse. Laughing nervously to myself, I stroll out of the bathroom and carefully make my down the stairs into the main room.

“Here she is,” Dash stands from her position on the couch.

Her expression is warm and appreciative. The sandy-haired Unicorn mare standing next to her turns to me with high browed surprise. Wait, Unicorn? Oh, right, I keep forgetting they’re not her real parents… she is immaculately dressed in a caramel-coloured knit sweater dress, which in a weird kinda way, offsets her light pink coat really well.

“Mother, this is Applejack. Applejack, this is Helping Trevelyan-Dash.”

Dr. Dash extends her hoof to me. Trevelyan, so that’s what her initial stands for.

“A pleasure to meet you,” she murmurs. If I’m not mistaken, there is an abundant amount of surprise in her… everything. However, that doesn’t stop the warm glow in her hazel eyes. I meet her hoof and offer the friendliest smile I can muster.

“Dr. Trevelyan-Dash,” I murmur.

“Please, call me Helping.” As she grins, Rainbow frowns. “I am usually Dr. Trevelyan, and Mrs. Dash is my mother-in-law.” She looks at Rainbow, questioningly. “So, how did you two meet?”

“Applejack interviewed me for the Equestrian Insider.”

She looks at me with even more surprise. “Oh, so you’re a journalist?”

I laugh awkwardly. “No Ma’am, that would be mah roommate, Rarity Belle. She was ill at the time, and Ah was kinda roped inta doin’ it.”

“I see.”

Dashes mobile starts ringing. “Sorry, I have to take this,” Dash states, then crosses into the dining room, leaving me alone with her mother. Well, at least this isn’t awkward or anything! (Obvious sarcasm.)

“So, Applejack, what do you do for a living? If you don’t mind me asking, that is.” She crosses over the wall-window between the piano and lounge room, I follow her.

“Ah’m an apple farmer by trade. Currently Ah own mah own farm, Sweet Apple Acres.”

“Interesting, and how long have you known my daughter?”

“Uh, about a week, maybe a bit more, maybe a bit less. Time’s been a bit funny fer me.”

“And you two are, er…” She seemed to be having trouble finding the right words.

“Together?” I offer.

She gives me a small smile and nods.

“It’s kinda complicated. But yes, we are.”

“I see. Well, I can safely say this was the last thing I was expecting. I mean, I didn’t think that she was-“

“A fillyfooler?” I deadpan.

Helping looks up at me with shock. “Well, yes and no.” She doesn’t quite meet my eyes. “I’m sorry, I meant no offense. You have to understand, Rainbow is very reserved, and she never talks about her personal life.”

I cast my gaze to Dash, who has her back to us and is still preoccupied with her phone call. “Yeah, that’s why it’s complicated. Dash doesn’t like others knowing about her orientation, but ya can't blame her her, she had bad experiences when she was still in the orphanage.”

Helping snaps her gaze back to me almost immediately. “She told you about the orphanage?”

I meet her gaze with a weary look. “Yeah…”

“We’ve been trying to get her to talk about it, since we adopted her.” She looks amazed.

Okay, that surprises me. “She never told you?”

She slowly shakes her head. “How did you manage to get that out of her?”

I take a deep breath. “Well, Dash wanted a… relationship, but she wanted it ta be a secret. Now, Ah don’t much care fer lying ta others, so Ah confronted her, and asked her the reasons fer her decision. Which was probably the worst thing Ah could do, ‘cause she shut down and wouldn’t talk ta me. Ah told her Ah wasn’t gonna leave, and if she needed someone ta talk to I’d be there. So she talked and Ah listened.”

Helping shakes her head in disbelief. “You’ve know my daughter for a week, and you’ve already done what I couldn’t in twelve years.”

Twelve years!? I open my mouth to reply, but Rainbow chooses that exact moment to re-join us.

“My apologies.”

Helping smiles at her. “Work?”

Dash nods, and Helping sighs as she shakes her head. “You know, you really should take more personal time. I haven’t seen you for two weeks, darling.”

“I know, I’m sorry,” Rainbow murmurs, her expression is unreadable.

“I was hoping we could have lunch together, but I can see that you have other plans, and I don’t want to interrupt your day,” Rainbow offers her a cheek, which Helping steps up to and plants a brief, sweet kiss onto. She doesn’t touch her.

“I have to take Applejack back to Ponyville.”

“Of course, darling. Applejack, it’s been a pleasure. I do hope we meet again.” She extends a hoof to me again, only this time, she smiles warmly.

I return the gesture, “Likewise, Ma’am.”

Soarin appears with a long, cream coat draped over one of his extended wings. Wait, Soarin? Where did he even come from…?

“Mrs. Dash?”

“Thank you, Soarin,” He leads her through the steel sliding door and out of the, house…? I guess I hadn’t put much thought into that, is this a house? It doesn’t look like one, in the traditional sense anyway.

Dash steps up to me after they’ve gone, she does not look happy, “What were you two talking about?”

I blink, slightly stunned at the bluntness of the question. “Nothing. Just mah job, and your… orientation.”

She narrows her eyes at me, but doesn’t say anything else. She trots into her study, and emerges a few minutes later with a document tucked under wing.

Her expression has returned to neutral has she trots up to me, “This is the contract. Read it, and we’ll discuss it next weekend. I suggest you do some research, so you know what’s involved.” She pauses. “That is if you agree, I really hope you do,” she adds in a softer, anxious tone.

“Research?”

“You’d be amazed what you can find out on the internet,” she murmurs.

Internet? I don’t even have access to a computer! I guess I could use Rare’s, although, I am under a nondisclosure agreement. And it would be just a little awkward if she asked me what I needed it for…

“Is something wrong?” Dash asks, with a cocked head.

“Ah, don’t have a computer. Ah might be able ta borrow Rare’s.”

She hoofs me the contract, “Hmm, I’m sure I would be able to, err, lend you one. Go and get your things, we’ll head back to Ponyville and get some lunch on the way.”

“Sure,” I nod and head towards the bedroom, still holding the contract against me chest with my right hoof. Walking on three legs. while difficult, is not impossible. It only takes a few minutes for me to gather my dress from last night, when I meet Dash at the entrance. She hoofs me a leather messenger bag, which I sling over my back, and use to carry my personal possessions.

“Are you ready?”

I nod, and we head outside. The air is crisp as the wind swirls around us, in hindsight, it was a good thing I picked the jacket. Soarin is standing next to the carriage on the landing pad when we step up to him.

“Tomorrow,” Dash says to him, and he nods.

“Very well, Ma’am, have a safe trip.”

Climbing into the carriage, I take a seat by the window, and we are soon whisked on our way towards Ponyville. I stare at the passing view, not really taking in anything or paying much attention to it. As I blankly stare into space, one fact becomes abundantly clear to me…

I need to know more about sex.

Huh, it’s nice that I can say - err, think the word without blushing like school filly. But moving on, I really do need to learn more about it. Maybe Rare can help fill me in, logically she’s the only choice, I mean, I can’t ask Dash about it. And I would prefer not to talk to Mac about it, because that wouldn’t be awkward at all…

“Applejack?”

I blinked twice, and turn my head towards Dash. “Hmm?”

She has a look of concern that touches her eyes, “I was calling your name, are you alright?”

I sigh, “Well, no. If Ah’m completely honest.”

“Oh?” I have her full attention now.

“Well...” I flush. Okay, maybe I can’t talk about it without blushing like a school filly… How can I put this? “Ah need ta talk ta Rare. Ah have so many questions about sex, and you’re too involved. If you want me ta do the things you want… Ah just need a point of reference.”

She rolls her eyes, “Fine. Talk to her if you must, but make sure she doesn’t mention anything to Elliot.”

“She wouldn’t. By the same token, Ah wouldn’t tell you anything she told me about him.”

“The difference is, I don’t want to know about his sex life,” Rainbow murmurs dryly. “Elliot is a nosy prick like that. But only tell her what we’ve done so far,” she warns. “Rarity would probably have my clit in a vice if she knew what I wanted to do with you,” she adds softly. I don’t think I’m supposed to hear it. Truthfully, I kinda wish I didn’t, because now all I can think about is how painful that would be!

“Okay,” I reply timidly.

Her lips quirk up, and she shakes her head, “The sooner I have you submission the better, and then we can stop all this.”

“Stop what?”

“You, defying me.”

I’m defying her? How? We both fall into silence, and I return my attention to the passing scenery, at this rate we should be back on the farm by midday. Dash doesn’t speak again until we’re just on the outskirts of Ponyville.

“Are you hungry, Applejack?”

I nod, “A little.”

She smiles at me.

The restaurant is small, and homey. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve even been here before. Not that I get much free time to go out, mind you. But after living here for my entire life, you would think that I’ve seen everything that this town has to offer.

I would describe the décor of the restaurant as… Chaotic, random wooden chairs and tables adorned with vases of wildflowers make up the cramped patio.

“I haven’t been here for a while. We don’t get a choice – they serve whatever they’ve caught or gathered,” Rainbow wiggles her eyebrows in mock horror, and I can’t help but laugh at her.

The waitress is a purple Pegasus mare with a long, a dark green stylized mane that covers the right side of her face. She takes our drink orders, and flushes when she sees Rainbow. She tries her best to avoid eye contact with her. You know, it’s refreshing to see that I’m not the only mare that is reduced to putty by Dashes charms.

“Two glasses of the Pinot Grigio,” Rainbow says with the voice of authority.

She nods, and hastily flees from out table. I can’t help but feel sorry for the poor girl.

“So, my mother likes you,” Dash announces, snapping me from my train of thought.

I smile. “Well Ah’m glad, she seems like a lovely pony.”

She nods curtly.

I frown. “She didn’t know you were gay, did she?”

Dash glares at me, as if to say ‘we’re in a public place’ but that’s exactly the reason I feel so confident that she won’t do anything, at least I hope not anyway.

She sighs. “No, that wasn’t exactly how I planned on coming out.”

I quirk an eyebrow. “Really? And how did ya plan on coming out?”

“I didn’t.”

I stare at her, unsure how to respond to that.

“Although, I suppose it’s not a completely wasted endeavor.”

I tilt my head. “Why is that?”

She smiles. “Because, she always thought I was a virgin. And perhaps now, she’ll stop trying to set me up on blind dates.”

I can’t help but giggle at that. “Why did she think that?”

“Because she’s never seen me with a partner.”

“Really? Not even one of the fifteen?”

She smiles, “You remembered. No, not even one of the fifteen.”

“Oh.”

“You know, this has been a weekend of firsts for me, too.”

“Has it now?”

“I’ve never slept with anyone, never had sex in my bed, and never introduced a mare to my mother. I’ve also never let another pony go down on me before,” Her eyes burn with a soft intensity that takes my breath away.

“Go down on you?”

She smirks. “What you did with your mouth? In the bathtub?”

I blush, “Really!? You’ve never done that before?”

She shakes her head. “No. I don’t very much like the idea of another ponies teeth on one of my most sensitive areas. That being said, it was not as terrible as I thought, what are you doing to me, Applejack?” She smiles.

The waitress arrives with our drinks, and I immediately take a quick sip from mine, “Ah really enjoyed this weekend.”

She smiles, “Me, too.”

A few seconds pass, before I decide to test the waters. “So, err, have you really never had ‘vanilla sex’ with anypony else?”

She nods, “Sort of.” Her voice is wary. She frowns for a moment, almost as if she’s debating whether or not to tell me something important, “One of my mother’s friends seduced me when I was fifteen.”

“Ya don’t say,” Seduced? When she was fifteen? Sweet Celestia, that’s barely older than Apple Bloom!

“She had very particular tastes. I was her submissive for six years.”

“Huh,” I don’t even know what to say to that.

“So, I do know what it involves,” Her eyes glow with insight.

I stare at her. I think I can safely say this is the first time in my entire life, that I have ever been speechless, not counting all those other time Dash has caused me to ‘come up short’ as Rare would put it. Dash takes my silence as a cue to continue.

“I didn’t really have a run-of-the-mill introduction to sex.”

Now, my curiosity kicks in, “So, you’ve never dated anypony before?”

She thinks for a moment, “Anypony? No,” She shakes her head to articulate her point.

The waitress comes back and delivers us two bowls of soup, Rainbow digs into her immediately. I, on the other hoof, find myself hungry for something other than food.

“Why?” I ask once the waitress has left.

She smiles sardonically at me, “Do you really want to know?”

“Yes.”

“I didn’t want to. She was all I wanted, all I needed. And she would’ve probably have beat the shit out of me if I did,” She smiles fondly.

That might have been a bit too much information – but I want to know more…

“So, if she was friends with your mother, how old was she?”

She smirks, “Old enough to know better.”

“Do you still see her?”

“Yes.”

“Do you still, see her?” I blush a little.

“No, she’s a very good friend.”

“Does your mother know?”

She gives me a ‘don’t be stupid look’, “Of course not.”

I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. Dash returns her attention to her soup, seemingly satisfied with her exposition dump. But, being the stubborn pony that I am, I’ll be damned if I’m going let my curiosity go unsated.

“So, you were her sub. But it couldn’t have been full-time?”

“Well, it was, although I didn’t see her all the time. It was… difficult, after all, I was still in school, and then university. You should eat your soup.”

I prod my bowl with a tepid hoof. “Ah’m not really that hungry.”

Her expression hardens, “Eat,” she says quietly, a little too quietly.

I stare at her. Reluctantly, I slip my hoof inside the cuff at the base of my spoon - designed so Earth and Pegasus ponies can use cutlery - and take a small sip, I force myself to swallow. Despite the fact that this soup is delicious, I just don’t think I can stomach that much more.

“Good,” she smiles to herself.

“Is this what our relationship'll be like? You telling me what ta do?”

“Yes,” she murmurs.

“Ah see.”

“And what’s more, you’ll want me to,” she adds in a low voice.

Ha! I doubt that very much, “It’s a big step,” I murmur as I take another sip of my soup.

“It is,” Her voice sounds tense.

I glance up at her; her eyes are wide and grave. “Applejack, you have to go with your gut. Do the research and read the contract, I’m happy to discuss any aspect with you. You have my number, don’t hesitate to call me if you need to.”

“Ah appreciate that Dash, Ah really do. But right now, Ah just need time.”

She nods shortly, “That’s understandable. Perhaps we could have dinner – say Wednesday? Would that give you enough time?”

I nod, “Ah think so.”

“Good. I really want this to work Applejack, more than you could possibly know.” There is sincerity in her voice that is reflected in her eyes. And now I can’t help but think, why does she want me? Surely one of the fifteen could sate her needs, what does she want? Unless… Am I just a number? The sixteenth conquest she’s claimed, and added to the list?

I furrow my brows at her, “What happened to the fifteen?” I blurt out.

She raises her eyebrows in surprise, “Well, various things, but it all boiled down to… incompatibility,” she shrugs.

“And you think Ah might be compatible with you?”

“Yes.”

“So ya ain’t seeing any of them anymore?”

“No, I’m not. Contrary to popular belief, I am monogamous in my relationships.”

Really? Well, that’s news to me. I figured Rainbow of all ponies would have engaged in multiple partners at once… I wonder what that would be like? Four sets of hooves tenderly caressing my body. Two different tongues…

I feel myself blush as I bite my lip, Dash looks over at me with a wicked smile.

“I would give anything to know what you’re thinking right now.”

“It’s time like this, that Ah’m glad you can’t read my mind.”

“Your mind, no,” Her eyes trail up and down the length of me, “But your body – I’ve gotten to know that quite well since yesterday,” Her tone is suggestive.

I put my spoon down and push my half-empty bowl away from me, I can’t eat anymore.

“That’s it? That’s all you’re going to eat?”

I nod. She scowls at me, but chooses not to say anything. How does she do that? How does she switch from one mood to another so quickly? It’s… difficult to keep up with her. After she’s finished her meal, she motions for the waitress and asks for the bill. Once it’s paid she stands and extends her wing to me.

“Come,” Taking me under her wing, she leads me back to the carriage. I smile. This contact, fur against fur, this is what normal ponies in relationships do, isn’t it? This is all I want. Maybe submitting, and signing the contract is the right choice here. If it gives me more moments like this, then it has to be the right choice, right?

Neither of us speak for the entire three minutes that it takes to drive out to Sweet Apple Acres. When we arrive at the farmhouse, the sun is just starting to set behind the mountains to the West. Sweet Celestia! How long were we at that café?! Dash steps out of the carriage and offers me a hoof, like a proper gentlemare.

Taking it, I smile at her, “Would you like ta come in fer while?”

“No. I have work to do,” she says simply, gazing at me.

I give her a polite smile and turn to walk away. I stop when I feel her wing stretch across my back. Confused, I turn back to her.

“Wait,” she whispers. She looks conflicted, like she doesn’t quite know what to do. Suddenly, she leans forward and plants a kiss on my cheek, “Thank you for this weekend, AJ. It’s been… the best. Wednesday? I’ll pick you up from here?”

“Wednesday,” I nod, and feel myself blush as I look down at my hooves. I realize that I’m still wearing her jacket.

I rear up onto my hind legs, “Dash?” I call softly. She is about to climb into her carriage when she turns and looks at me with surprise. Unslinging the shoulder bag, I slowly unzip the jacket, and shrug it off, holding it against my body, I slowly make my way towards her on three legs, “It wouldn’t be proper if Ah took ya clothes…” I lay the folded jacket across her back, pressing my cheek against hers as I do so. I whisper delicately in her ear, “Even if Ah am naked right now.”

I pull back to see her reaction…

The word ‘shocked’, doesn’t quite justify it. Her eyes are wide and her mouth is hanging open, there is a faint blush across her cheeks, and her wings twitch and flutter uncontrollably. I couldn’t have asked for a better reaction.

I smile at her with low, half-lidded eyes, “Wednesday,” I whisper. I turn, snatch the bag up with my teeth, and saunter up the dirt path towards the farmhouse. As I go, I make sure to sway my hips exaggeratedly. I grin to myself the entire trip. YES! I can affect her just as much as she affects me! My entire mood has changed and I feel amazing.

When I enter the house, I find Rare lounging around in the living room. “You’re back! Where’s Rainbow? How are you?” Her voice is anxious, she bounds up to me and locks me into a bone-crushing embrace.

“Well, how was it? I couldn’t stop thinking about, after Elliot left, that is,” She grins mischievously at me.

I smile politely back at her, and sling the bag over my back once again, “It was good Rare. Really good, Ah think.”

“You think?”

“Well, Ah don’t have anything to compare it to, do Ah?” I slowly make my way towards the kitchen.

“Did she make you come?”

Whaa?! I trip, and fall flat on my face. Rare rushes to my side, and helps me to my hooves. “Dang it Rare! You’re about as subtle as a buck ta the face, ya know that?”

She grins sheepishly at me, “My apologies, darling. But did she?”

I dust myself off, and frown as I decide what to tell her, you know, being in possession of a signed legal document and all. Only what we’ve done so far. That’s what Dash said, so that’s what I’ll tell her. I can’t help my coy grin as I take a seat at the kitchen table. “Yeah, she did. Twice.”

“Twice?!” Rare gushes, as she takes a seat opposite me.

I nod.

“That is good.” She looks at me with disbelief, “Your first time. Good heavens, Rainbow must really know what she’s doing.”

I smile, if you only knew…

“My first time was horrible,” she continues, making a sad comedy face.

“Really?” That has me curious, she’s never told me this story, but then again, I never asked.

“Yes, Snowflake. High school, dickless jock.” She shudders, “He was rough, and I wasn’t ready. We were both drunk. Ugh – it took me months before I tried again, and not with him, praise Celestia. I was far too young, you were right to wait.”

“Rare. That sounds terrible.”

She looks wistful, “Indeed, it took me almost a full year to have my first orgasm, and here you are… twice? On your first time?!”

I nod shyly. You know, I thought losing it would make talking about sex less awkward, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

“I’m glad you lost it to someone who can at least tell their arse from their elbow. So when are you seeing her again?”

“Wednesday, we’re having dinner.”

“So you still like her?”

“Of course. But, Ah don’t know about… the future.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s complicated, Rare. Our worlds are completely different.” That, and the fact that she wants to make me her sex slave.

“Oh, Applejack. Don’t let it be about the money. You know, Elliot said it’s very unusual for Rainbow to date anypony.”

“Really now?” My voice is higher than I anticipated. Argh! I really want to tell her, this doesn’t feel right. I’m not usually one to keep things to myself, but I'm not sure what Dash would do if I disclosed anything. Now that’s an interesting thought, what would she do? Take all my money?

Actually, I should probably look up ‘penalties for breaching a non disclosure agreement’ while I’m doing my ‘research.’ Gee whiz, it feels like I’ve been given a school assignment. Ha ha, yeah, and Rainbow is the professor grading me. B-because, I’m just the poor school filly, who’s gotten behind in her studies, and needs to stay after class for detention…

“You are in dire need of some disciplining, young lady.” Dash grins, as she smacks the ruler against her hoof in anticipation.

My eyes widen, “No ma’am, please! Ah’ll do anything!”

Her grin darkens, “That’s right, you will.”

I bite my lip. Oh professor, I’d do anything for and A…

“Um, Applejack?”

I blink, “Say what now?”

“Uh, you dazed off for a bit there, darling. Is everything alright?”

I can feel my cheeks redden as I put on a forced smile, quick say something! “Uh n-no, I mean yes! I mean… actually, I wanted to ask you something, about Pegasus wings…”

She quirks an eyebrow. “Yes?”

“Well, when Dash and Ah were… together, her wings were acting all weird. Ah was just curious if you knew anything about that?”

She smiles. “Ahhhhhh. Just a second, I’ll be right back.” She disappears out of the kitchen. When she returns she has a smug look on her face. Trailing next to her, suspended in her magic field, is a large looking leather bound tome.

Setting the book down in front of me, Rarity smiled. “I believe this should hold all of the answers you are looking for.”

I pull back the leather cover to reveal a blue book with an anatomical drawing of a Pegasus smothering the cover. I read the title out loud…

“Mood Wings: Observations of Pegasus Body Language, by Keen Eye?” I look up at Rare, puzzled.

“Quite a fascinating read, if I do say so myself. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Pegasi body language, but were too afraid to ask, is contained within that book.”

I smile, as I sigh and fold the dust cover back over the book. “Well, looks like Ah’ve got a bit of light reading to do.” Standing, I snatch the book off the table, bid Rare a good night, and head up to my bedroom.

Nudging the door open, I close it behind me. It feel like forever since I was in my bedroom, but nothing has changed. My Queen size double bed is still, just to the right of the entrance. With my bedside table literally right next the the door. My study desk is still in the far left hoof corner. Nothing has changed, but everything's different.

Setting Rare’s book down on my bedside table, I unsling Dash’s messenger bag and throw it onto my bed. I plop down onto my haunches, and sigh a breath of relief. Today has been, just… what did Dash say? The best? Yeah, yeah that sums it up pretty nicely. A smile spreads across my face as I gaze at nothing in particular.

And now that I’m by myself, accompanied only by silence, and the occasional chirps of the crickets outside, that inevitable question rears its ugly head.

Do you really want to do this?

I sigh. That’s the million bit question, isn’t it? I want to, I really do. But I want what we had today, hearts and flowers, but I get the feeling that Dash is only humoring me until I sign the contract, and once that happens, all bets are off! But that’s just the thing, I want more of today, not just the sex, but the actual ‘relation’ part of the relationship. I don’t want this to stop, far from it in fact, but I’m not sure I want to be her sex doll either.

But what about Hearts and Flowers? My subconscious whispers to me.

I blink.

The carriage, outside the farmhouse, not fifteen minutes ago. When Dash kissed me. She looked, unsure. "I don’t know anything about romance.” But still, she kissed me. At least she's trying...

I glance at the bag on my bed with tired eyes. I sigh again, if she can try to accompany something she's not used to, then I have no right to do any less. Besides, I can’t sign the contract if I don’t know what is involved. Climbing onto my bed, I hoof the bag open and slide the contract out. Well, now or never, I glance down and begin to slowly read the first page.

Maybe I’m looking at it all wrong, maybe this isn’t a bad thing, nothing ventured and nothing gained, after all. I mean, honestly, how bad could it possibly be?