Intoxicating Scales

Quivering, Rarity pulled the covers up further. Rubbing her swollen stomach and rubbing her face against the pillow. Tonight was peculiarly cold for the summer, why she was unsure. No doubt Twilight or Rainbow would know.

Thunder rolled in the distance, harming her pounding head from how little sleep she had gotten last night. Sprinkles of rain trickled down the windows, lightning faintly lighting up the room every ten minutes. Groaning, she pulled herself from bed and walked downstairs to make herself some tea.

To her surprise, the kitchen light was already on. With one Sweetie Belle pulled up close to the table, sipping away at a hot chocolate with tiny marsh mellows and whipped cream. Noticing each other, they smiled.

"Rough night for you too, huh?" she asked warmly.

"Yeah, haven't been able to turn off my brain tonight." Sweetie replied, rubbing her head.

"Oh? Whatever have you been thinking about?" Rarity asked while levitating the tea pot from a cupboard and staring at her assortment of tea.

"I don't think you'd get it," Sweetie sighed, "It doesn't even make sense to me."

Sighing, she stared at the chamomile tea. "Go on dear, I'm listening and will support you."

"I don't know. Is it- is it possible to have two crushes at once?"

A glimmer of hope ignited in her chest. "Oh of course darling. We can indeed be charmed by more than one."

"But I'm not sure if either like me back."

"Oh? Who are they? Spill the tea darling."

"That's where it gets even more complicated."

"Try me darling." she cooed with eyebrows raised.

"Well, one's a... mare."

"And?"

Sweetie cast a static stare at her older sister, before laughing, wiping a tear from her eye. "You aren't opposed to it like mom and dad?"

"Very unopposed darling. I've had my own adventures dappling."

Sweetie's bottom lip trembled lightly, "That honestly really comforting. And well, it's Apple Bloom."

"Aww Sweetie, now that is just plain adorable." Rarity fawned.

"Oh stop it." she said, face flushing pink. "But yeah, she kind of is."

"And who's the other?"

Rubbing her neck, she clenched her teeth, looking down at the table. "Well, that's the-"

"Is it Spike?"

"How'd you know?!" she shrilly blurted out.

"Oh please. How much you talk about him, setting up the booth outside the castle, everypony sees you two running around PonyVille together-" her heart stung as she realized how obvious it was once she said this. "-And accepting his help with something that doesn't really need fixing. I've played this game too."

"And you don't think it's weird that he's, you know, not a pony?"

"Not really."

"Do you think he could have a crush on a Pony though? Like...in that way."

Rarity's eye twitched at that final part. Chewing her cheek she responded coolly, "Well, I don't know for absolute certain. But I think it may be unlikely for...that way. Dragons and ponies have very different biology after all."

"Oh..." she sighed mournfully, before grinning. "Well, I do appreciate you being honest with me. Hopefully it is just a faze as its only been recent, he's just so kind and sensitive."

"I think perhaps talking to Apple Bloom would be best." Rarity beamed, "Honestly, wouldn't surprise me if she reciprocates some kind of feeling."

A knock sounded on her bedroom door, abruptly waking her. Slinking out of bed, the afternoon sun caught on her deep purple mane. Opening it, Fluttershy stood in the doorway.

"Looks like I'm not the only late riser," the pegasi chuckled, "Now, should we get straight to business?"

"What business?" the unicorn yawned, stretching her back legs and motioning for her to follow into the kitchen.

Fluttershy giggled, "You know what. Your little crush."

Taken back to yesterday, she clicked her tongue, "Ah yes, well, you see-"

"How's tonight sound? Tomorrow you're going to the spa with AppleJack, and then we'll have tea and I would really like to hear how it goes then." she said with a saucy look.

"Fluttershy, you deviant. Today...actually does work for me, surprisingly." she said while pouring a bowl of vanilla oat swirl.

"Well, where were you thinking of going then?"

"Oh, um, I..." Rarity said, flabbergasted. She hadn't done this in quiet some years. "Somewhere to eat perhaps?"

"Oh he'd love that. Normally he'd probably cook for you, but he is still in the process of moving back here."

Rarity's ears pinned up, though she tried to act like she knew this. "Wow! I-"

"You'dve loved his house in Canterlot. Too bad the rock slide took most of it out. You could see so much of Equestria from it."

She smiled at her friend, "It sounds divine. I just hope he remembers me."

Fluttershy's eyes looked ready to pop out of her head, "Remembers you? Rarity, you do remember you were his first crush, right? In fact, his only crush that I can recall."

The unicorns face turned a bright red, "O-Oh?"

"And your face is plastered all over Canterlot, no, he hasn't forgotten about you. Kind of hard to. He nearly fainted when I told him you were thinking about him- he did actually. Scared the daylights out of me. Thought you'd forgotten about him a long time ago."

Guilt weighed heavily in her stomach knowing she had forgotten him up until yesterday. "So...where do you think we should go?"

"Well, you too both really like high society food, why not the noodle place across from the fabric store you go to?"

"Sounds grand."

Rarity fussed with her hair a final time before calling her friend back in the room. "Fluttershy! Are you sure this works?"

The yellow mare leaned her head inside the bathroom and gasped. "Oh Rarity, you look stunning."

The unicorn had her mane stylishly pulled up into an elegant bun with sharp bangs, glistening smoothly in the light. After washing, it looked and felt softer than a cloud. Her tail was arranged similarly, though a few ringlets spilled out, bouncing with every movement. A garnet dress hugged her in the back, displaying her smooth buttocks and bump where her marehood was; which felt particularly puffy tonight. But sloped low enough to showcase her downy torso. A sparkling necklace of emeralds and sapphires shown against her porcelain fur. Periwinkle eye shadow was the icing on the cake, causing her deep blue eyes to put the sapphires on her neck to shame.

"Gosh, I hope he brought extra boxers." Fluttershy said dryly.

"Stop it you, you're sounding more thirsty than I am. I have to admit, I am feeling a tad nervous. This has all really gone fast, I hope it doesn't send the wrong impression."

The pair giggled. "We should get going, we can order the drinks before he even gets there, and then I'll set off after I reintroduce you two."

"That's for helping me with this, you're really an angel."

The duo walked the few blocks to the restaurant, Fluttershy in a plain blue dress. "Don't worry about me, I came here earlier." she chuckled, "Their five cheese bread is to die for."

Stepping inside, they were meet with the aroma of a diverse amount of food, and employee and customer banter. The restaurant had a blue color scheme with, decorated with starry wallpaper. Above each table was an iridescent stained glass lamp, pools of diluted rainbows to leak across the table. Stepping importantly inside, and being guided to a table.

"A gentleman named WolfBane will be joining us later this evening, if you would be so kind as to point him our way." Rarity told the host.

"No problem ma'm," said the stallion, eyeing her with interest.

"If things don't work out, he seemed into you." Fluttershy whispered.

"Honestly, when did you get so filthy? I have to say, I'm loving it."

They hunkered down at a booth halfway down the restaurant. Ordering refreshments mentally preparing. Rarity taking the moment to apply a little more blush from her purse.

"Do I really look okay?" she pouted, "Maybe I should've warn the black dress."

"Rarity, stop. You look gorgeous and you know it."

The pair sat there until the drinks arrived, Fluttershy setting the other aside for her cousin. At first Rarity cheerfully reminisced about what it was like attending school at PonyVille in her youth, and how she remembered her date being. Halfway through her soda however, she nervously peered around the restaurant.

"You did tell him to meet here right? With directions?"

"You're nervous, don't worry. I can say with confidence he'll be along."

A waitress had already offered to take their food order twice, refilling her second glass by the time the two looked at each other solemnly.

"It's been half an hour." Rarity sighed. "He's just not coming. Doesn't mean I don't have to enjoy myself however. In fact, this means I can something a little messier and more of it! Would you like a dessert or something? For waiting so long with me? We shouldn't let this opportunity go to waste."

"You're right. Unless he is in the hospital right now, I don't think I will be talking to him anymore."

The waitress came back, nearly kicking them out until they made it clear they did want to order this time. After ordering a hefty amount of food, she slunk back into her seat, loosening her previously tight bun and completely undoing her tail so it draped across the space beside her.

"You know, I prefer it this way. No racked nerves or stress."

"Mm hm! I'm going to stretch my legs a little outside real quick. I'm not used to sitting down so much and my bum is hurting a skosh."

With that the yellow pegasi jumped from her seat and trotted out of sight. Rarity stretched a little beside the table, since no pony was around at this time. Grinning eagerly as a waiter came bearing out a plate of loaded nachos, corn on the cob, a hay-burger, and a generous sundae. On Fluttershy's end a small slice of boysenberry pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream laid.

Unable to hold back, she levitated half the nachos into her burger. Taking hearty bites, melted cheese, ketchup and small bits of bread, vegetables and hay clung to her face. She ravenously altered between the burger and corn, taking sips of soda when she needed more moisture to swallow.

"Now this is what I call an evening." she smiled with flecks of food staining her mouth. Outside she could see Fluttershy coming back in, however if she was comfortable eating like a wild animal around anypony, it was her. Burying her muzzle into her nacho-burger once more, she jumped when she heard a timid, soft, "P-Pardon me?"

Turning her head around, she dropped her food at what she saw. A tall, dark grey pegasi with a strong, rectangular jaw stared out at her. Wearing a dazzling mahogany suit that made his eyes stand out; which were the color of the brightest orange leaves of autumn. A long voluminous, silvery blond mane and tail were brushed back, though she could see parts that refused to stay flattened and curled in light waves.

"Sorry, I just couldn't help but notice you look a lot like the mare I am supposed to meet here tonight. I arrived early and have been waiting on the other end of the restaurant. I apologize, I should've gotten up and looked around better earlier. I put my name under Flourish, I am so sorry if that caused any confusion, that's my bad."

The two just stared at each other and said nothing for a few moments. Rarity's eyes as wide as the moon from both embarrassment and- well this stallion was treated extremely well by his sexual maturity. Her stomach felt like butterfly with knives stabbing her.

"Would you like me to just go? I would completely understand if-"

"No no, sit down darling."

"Is it really okay? Looks like somepony's pie is here. I wouldn't want to intrude after-"

"Honestly, just sit down." she snarled, not meaning to come off so aggressively, apologizing as she wiped her face. "I'm sorry. You really are too polite though. A misunderstanding is fixable. You caught me in- well a pickle I suppose." she said, plucking a third of a pickle off of her.

Thanking her and giggling, he shifting into the seat, carefully moving over the drink and pie. Pressing himself against the wall. She could see he was trying to muster the strength to look her in the eyes, but his face still gave away his guilt and nervousness.

"Would you still like to continue this?" she asked, furrowing her eyebrows sympathetically.

He nodded in reply, "Yeah, I'm really sorry it's just-"

"Hard to face your first crush?"

He cast a shell shocked expression at her, before chuckling. "Yeah, I'm sorry. It's been an extremely long time since I've done something like this."

"You're not alone in that," she said, beaming at him and meeting his warm gaze. "I just hope I've aged as well as you have."

The stallion blushed a furious red. "You're not making this any easier. And you really have, you look... ...I don't even know the word for it. Gorgeous doesn't even scratch the surface. B-but I hope you don't think I'm just interested in you physically, which I am, but, wait I mean- "

She offered a hoof to him, which he obliged. It was warm to the touch, his fur just as silky as it looked. "Shh darling. You're getting yourself all flustered, I get what you're trying to say. And I feel the same way."

"You know, I could just about faint right now. I didn't expect this to progress so well already."

"Oh my, is your blood pressure low? Here, this soda is yours, Fluttershy said it was your favorite. And well, if anything I have looks good you're welcome to it, it would be awhile before we could get you something else."

"You're too nice, you know?" he cooed, "And my blood pressure is a little low, but I could faint because I didn't envision this realistically going this way. Especially since I messed up."

"We all make mistakes dear. Though what matters is what we do after to correct them. Sorry if you don't like olives or jalapenos, they were only two bits extra and I just love them." she said, levitating some over to him.

He shyly opened his mouth, accepting the charity. Still staring out dumbfounded. "I love olives and jalapenos too." he said with a straight face, staring deep into her eyes.

The duo began to snort with laughter, catching up on what they've been up to throughout the years. Upon receiving another spoon, they split the sundae. Rarity feeding him a few spoonful, and him feeding her a couple.

The two bantered for a little while before Rarity assured him Fluttershy likely saw them and wasn't coming back for the pie. Which he sloppily scarfed down too, so "They'd be even." Pie crust and berries hung from his mouth, a few drizzles of ice cream running down. As he licked his face, she couldn't help but watched, enamored as he worked his tongue around to lap up every morsel.

"You know, when Fluttershy told me that you had a little crush on me, I just didn't know what to think. I thought it was a joke, and then I had to wonder, "what's happened to her, what's she like now?" I used to see your face everyday on the walk home from work on posters. And now I'm sitting down with the real deal and..." he rested his head on the table, mane shimmering like a waterfall of dandelion-dimonds. "I'm feeling a little light headed again, but in a good way."

"C-can I stroke your hair? Please?" she pleaded, pinning back her ears, "Sorry, that sounded creepy, it just looks so soft."

He raised an eyebrow, "If you get to touch mine do I get to touch yours?"

She giggled behind a hoof, "Ooh, that was nice and saucy. I'd say it's a deal, but be careful of the bangs, it took forever to get them this way."

Upon planting a hoof in his hair and gently rubbing, she found it was even softer than anticipated; softer than a cloud or feather. She let out a soft, pleasured whiny, causing them to both look at each other.

"I'm sorry, your hair is just so soft and downy and velvety. It just feels really good." she said, flushing pink.

He laughed, "I can tell. Never have made anyone make that noise before, it feels nice- helping you feel that way and your touch. But I think it is my turn now."

Raising his head back up so she could fit her head down, he softly placed a hoof in her hair. She could hear a moan gathering in his throat that he was trying to swallow, but finally letting it out. "Oh fuck me, your hair is amazing. It's smooth, strong and it smells just...Mmhh.." he defected into a whiny as well, blushing scarlet.

Rarity couldn't help but drool a little onto the table, her marehood felt like it was on fire with desire. Would it be rash to ask him to come back to her place only after the first date? That could scare him off. Knowing she had to play it cool, but also realizing neither could help but touch each other already yet. Her heart felt like warm water was coursing through it, repairing any recent damage. She wanted to actually get to know him first- see him smile, know his interests. And of course be plowed by this picturesque stallion until she couldn't trot straight.

"You know, I was really nervous this would be stressful for both of us. Worried what you'd think of me, wondering if I'd do something to sabotage everything. And when I saw you from across the way undoing your hair and digging into that nacho burger, I was paralyzed. I'm sorry it took me a little bit to approach you, you're just...an otherworldly, striking kind of gorgeous. Way out of my league for sure. But thank you for seeing me anyway, I hope I didn't caused too much stress."

Rarity snickered, "You're doing it again, Flourish."

"You even make my name sound gorgeous. Are you having a good night? Is there anything you'd like me to do?"

"I am dear, are you? Perhaps we could finish up here and feel up each others mane's in a less public place?"

His hoof stopped rubbing, allowing her to raise back up her head, "Is that cryptic for something else?"

"Oh, no darling! I mean, yes I would like that- but I mean-"

He grinned coyly, "See? It's easier than you think. How's the park sound?"

"That sounds divine."

"What side of Fluttershy's family were you on again? I apologize, its slipped my mind." she asked sitting on a swing.

"Hmm, well her mom is my aunt, so moms side." he replied from the one beside her, lightly pushing himself with a long leg. "Next time I think I'll wear something more comfortable, that way you can see what I casually wear. You know, I am curious, what kind of clothes does a famous fashionista like you wear when you're just at home?"

"Nothing exiting. Light dresses, my pink robe, comfy pajamas, that sort of thing."

A smile melted across his face, sinking into his soft eyes. "Me too- except for dresses. I work from home as well so I don't go out much. This is my one hitting the town outfit."

Rarity clutched her heart, "Just one! Darling, met up with the right pony. Though...a pajama date does sound quite nice.
What is your vocation?"

"Well, I study plants and how they grow in different environments and conditions, and how they affect us and other creatures. My name probably gave that away though. My research went into some of the Canterlot archives actually, but that's the most impressive thing I've done. I used to really be into cooking though. But I don't blame ponies for not trusting a pony named WolfBane to handle their five cheese ricotta and spring salad."

This caused her to laugh more than it should have, "Sorry, I can feel the resentment radiating off that. So...I am curious, what is your cutie mark? I know that's a very personal question, and I don't mean to impose and you don't have to show me, but what did you get it in? What's the story behind it?"

He chuckled, "That can be a story for another day as it is getting quite late. But it's a wolf head surrounded by purple monkshood- or, wolfsbane. Luckily it corresponds with what I am doing now. What's yours?"

"Three blue diamonds," she smile, "It does correlate with my dressmaking thankfully. Though I do enjoy the hunt for them."

His wings shyly fluttered a little against his back. "That's...wow, I actually do too. I am really happy that we were able to meet up, and I hope it won't be the last. Perhaps we could go to the Gem Collectory in pajamas up in Canterlot next time? I've seldom seen another pony there, so we could feel up each others manes 'n tails in peace."

"Oh? You want to feel up my tail now? Isn't that a fifth date kind of thing?"

"Oh, um, sorry, I-I,"

"You may feel my tail next time, granted I get to feel yours."

"You're too good at this, you know? Would you like me to walk you home?"

"That's very kind of you, but you don't have to. It's not far from here actually. I could accompany you home however, f you'd like."

He pinned his ears back, "It is pretty far from here, and-"

"I really don't mind."

"It's a Cloudemonium, it the sky. Lower than most, and it's tethered but I wouldn't want to tire you out any more. And you'd only see the bottom, nothing exciting. And most ponies are in bed around this time- I forget not everypony wakes up in the afternoon."

She just smirked at him, "I do that too. And tonight we can walk to my house, next time we'll go to yours."

"Sounds like a deal. When's the next day you're free?"