The Reluctant Diplomatby AbruptDescentChaptersThe SpeechAnywhere Is Better Than HereThe Reluctant RoommateThe Reluctant PauseIntermission IIntermission IISessions I (Corrie in this World)Sessions II (Corrie in this World)The Reluctant Demonstration Pt.1 (Corrie in this World)Those Damn Fingers - (Octavia Masturbation Clop)Bottles of Red and White (Corrie in this World)Bottles of Red and White Pt. 2 (Corrie in this World)Bottles of Red and White Pt. 3 (Corrie in this World)Snowbound in the Embassy (Corrie in this World)Snowbound in the Embassy Pt.2 (Corrie in this World)Random Bit of Clop (Corrie x Octavia)Snowbound in the Embassy Pt. 3Snowbound in the Embassy Pt. 4 (Corrie x Octavia Romance Light Clop / Makeout)Snowbound in the Embassy Pt. 5 (Corrie x Octavia Clop)The SpeechAuthor's Note Working on fleshing out the backstory. I had a decent (I thought) idea for it to put out before this but it didn't sit well with me as it was. I think I might part out the history in the telling of the next few chapters if there's any interest in the story. I'll make sure to edit the tags per chapter, depending on where the story goes. I'll try to put cliff notes version of the Cyberware described in the stories in the notes here, to give an idea of what it is / does. This is in part inspired by an old character sheet I ran across cleaning up some old things in old boxes. Corrie is based roughly on an old Shadowrun character I had. Nostalgia and tinted glasses. That was a horrible (and by horrible I mean wonderful) campaign. Our GM was one of the best. A true sadistic tale spinner. We all went through hell. And that got me thinking what would happen if I displaced a being from that dystopian future. If any of you have read the renraku arcology shutdown sourcebook, it will give you an idea of what he had to work with. Not exactly original, true. But what is anymore? The Speech "Mares and Gentlecolts. Men, woman, and other assorted beings I have not had the pleasure of meeting yet, I greet you all." The young lady said. Standing behind a modified dark stained podium, the dais she was on faced out to all the tables and the various races seated therein. Her alabaster skin, dusted with a fair share of freckles faced them all undaunted. Turning her head, feeling her long red ponytail slide over her shoulder she looked over to her patron and friend Princess Cadence. Large purple eyes meeting her much smaller brown ones. "I and those now displaced thank you, and all the sponsors from all the races here, who have allowed these people to settle among them. Bringing them in their own communities and making them feel at home. More than that. You made them a home in your lands, and your hearts. Your Many-Kind have showed this humankind a level of compassion and friendship not thought possible. At least on my own world, and many of theirs'". Quite a few nods from the humans and polite hoof stompings from the crowd. At least they agreed on that. Frowning and looking down at all the pages of her notes she sighs. "Look, you've all heard me talk so much this last year, do you really need me to keep going on?" A resounding "NO!" comes from the Yak delegation table. No surprise there. With an evil grin Corrie raised her left hand, two of the three metal fingers folding, giving the Yak's the diplomatic's salute. They returned the salute with one clearly all there own. Followed by a dissonant braying laughter. She bites back a chuckle into the mic mid laugh. Clapping and hoof stomping could be heard from most of the tables. A few of the tables of human delegates frowned and looked quite displeased at her actions. 'No fuckin' surprise there, so ka?' she thinks to herself smiling widely at them in return. Some though, mostly the primitives, banged on the tables and laughed along. They will do good in the Yak lands indeed, she believes. There was already talk of setting up cross camp habitations. 'Sometimes fate is good' she thinks to herself. 'Sometimes'. "Okay, so anyway let's just get through this quickly so we can eat". She continues. Rolling her eyes and smiling at the "Too late!" bellow from the Dragon delegation table and more laughter from the crowd. Clearing her throat into the microphone for a moment brought the room back to silence. "Seriously though." Tossing her notes aside onto the table next to Cadence. "Proud of you all. Can't wait to see what develops in a year, and all the years to come. Let's get this banquet going!" Bowing her head a moment she turns to her attention to Cadence. An odd shine in her eyes catches Corrie's while she stands up on her hind hooves to hug the human woman. Surprised but returning the embrace the room erupts in cheers. No more worries for the refugees and their families. Almost every single person placed. 'Almost' Corrie frowns thinking to herself. The hug still felt well deserved to the red haired woman. Almost. The dinner was loud, Dionysus blessed with the happiness of beings in good spirits and generous natures. Happiness flowed as free as the cider, and the new wine presses were coming up with some rather decent, if not magically rushed vintages for the occasion. There still were the cliques, races staying in their own areas at the tables set up for the dinner. Cadence however, made sure to keep the tables of delegates as diverse as possible so there were chances to intermix as much as desired. It worked to great effect, it seemed to Corrie. A lot of beings talking to one another. It was all too short lived however, as they delegations slowly made their way out of the dining room towards the ballrooms. Walking into the hall sharing small talk with one of the human industrial delegates, Corrie could feel the loud thumping of some kind of techno music bouncing off the walls and the beings walking past. Apparently one of the dance halls was set up for the younger party crowd of delegates to get their cider and dance on. If she concentrated she could hear strings and some larger arrangement of more classical tone could be heard when one of the doors on the opposite side of the hall opened up to allow some beings entry. She excused herself from her present company and moved towards one of the benches in the center of the hallway. Remembering to sit cross-legged in this little black dress, she sat smiling to herself proudly. It was so different from the Doc Wagon jumper she usually wore. The fabric, whatever it was, is gloriously soft on her skin. The seamstress nearly had a heart attack when Corrie asked her to sew the fast draw sheath on it's lower back however. After an hour of arguing that would have given the most convincing carnival barker a run for their money, she reluctantly consented after an agreement to hide it under a silken black waist wrap. It wasn't going to hide her pistol much, or hinder the draw, so Corrie agreed. but she always carried the Ares Predator with her whenever she went. Life in the Barrens taught her that. In the end though, the dress was great, and Corrie had nothing but admiration for the hard working marshmallow seamstress. A shame Rarity had to miss the party. She would have shown in the company of beings such as this. 'I bet she dances like a demon' crosses her mind and Corrie smiles at the thought. A floating martini glass filled with some purple liquid floats into her view. "Drink?" Says her friend Candence as she slowly walks over, another glass by her head filled with a dark brown liquid. A quick nod from Corrie and the magic releases it's grip when she grabs the glass. "Neat trick, you should take that on the road". She grins at her pink friend, giving her a little elbow to the barrel while Cadence tries to get comfortable on the bench. "Princess of Love and Martini's? Has a nice ring to it " Cadence puts a gold shod hoof to her chin and pretends to ponder. "I wonder what Celestia would think". Finishing her sentence and taking a long drink from the amber liquid she turns and smiles at the human next to her. They share a quiet moment together. Watching beings pass by. A nod to some, a smile to others. All the while just enjoying each others company. Once the crowd dies down and only the two were left in the hall by themselves did Cadence look again at her friend. Corrie looked back at her questioningly. "You have a question" Corrie intones accusingly at Cadence. "Well yes, in fact I do" Cadence replies, an odd twinkle in her eyes. Taking a deep drink of the wine she was given, Corrie steels herself for what's to come. She did promise this, after it was all said and done. "Okay. Spill it. What's your question". She gruffly intoned to the Princess of Love. "Your in heat, aren't you?" Cadence whispers conspiratorially to her. The curse of the pale skin strikes Corrie full force as she tries in vein not to blush. "I'm sorry, what?" she manages to stammer out to Cadence. "It's your scent." Candence continues to whisper. "I know you humans are really sensitive talking about this sort of thing. But I noticed your scent changed earlier. You smell like sandlewood you know, most of the time. But this is like a scent under the scent if you know what I mean?" If it wasn't for the sheer honesty of her expression and in her voice, Corrie would have thrown the drink in Cadencen's face regardless of what world she was on, in what ever bar she was in. Still it was a bit unusual of her to make any such comment that she could tell so far. "Candence..." She begain "Wait, please" She held up both hooves in a placating gesture. "Princess of Love. I know these things". Giving Corrie a warm smile she whispers again "Your attitude has changed in the last little while too. More grumpy and short tempered with the delegates." Nodding to herself "Yep, it's for certain, your in heat". She puts an arm over her shoulder and leans into her human friend comfortingly. "Cadence. Listen" Corrie tells her, eyeing her warily "I know we haven't talked much about the differences between human and ponies. But I can tell you I'm not in heat." And leaning to whisper in Cadences ear "And I've told you about some of the modifications I've had. I can't have children". Pulling her head back Cadence looks you over with a grin "Who said anything about children?" She goes back to her pondering face and looks at you. "Maybe you humans have a different way to say it. A scratch to itch, perhaps?" She gives the stunned human woman a smile wiggling her eyebrows for emphasis. "Well. I sure didn't expect this today" Corrie manages to stutter out. "What else you got for me, so ka?" She says deadpanning CitySlang to Cadence. "I also know you like mares. Well woman. Or both?" She eyes Corrie quizzically running a hoof through her red hair. "Cadence. Are you hitting on me?" whispers Corrie to her now feeling really, really close friend. For all the tech stuffed in her head, the meat part of her brain failed to process any other thoughts. Static from both sides. Rebooting in 30..... The laughter that sprang forth from her friends muzzle was perhaps the happiest sound she heard in quite a while. She wasn't sure that she ever heard something so pure and unadulterated in her life. On either world. "Oh no. You and I are destined to be friends, forever." Pulling her in close she whispered to the human "If I didn't have a destiny already I think, perhaps, I would give it try. I think your the kind of girl that could make her partner a very, very happy mare. You just have a lot of processing to do." Frowning at her human friend. "There's a lot of sorrow. And not a small amount of anger. You just need the right mare to help you work through it." And then it clicked. That click sounded just like the 'on' switch sound set up with her smartlink and pistol. She knew it. It was a trap. "You've set me up on a date, haven't you?" she manages to squeak out. "Guilty as charged. She's waiting for you through those doors." A worried smile plays on her lips for a moment. "Look Corrie, I don't want to overstep my bounds, but again, Princess of Love. I see the signs. You've worked so hard this last year. It's time for you to mingle. No grand schemes, no large groups. Just you, and somepony else. Maybe a little drinking, a little dancing. Who know's where it will lead?" The sparkle returns to her eyes. "Give yourself the chance to let go and have fun. You've earned it." Removing her arm and standing up she stretches. "Okay fine. But I don't have to enjoy myself with this 'fun' you speak of." And I have the right to bail if it goes bad. I do have some more treaties to translate and copy before the weeks end...." Corries rant was stilled by the gold shod hoof covering her mouth. "Shhh..." Cadence leans in and kisses her cheek. "Go have fun". With that she returns to all fours and saunters back into the dining room. Smiling at her friend disappearing behind the double doors, she realizes she never asked. Which door does she go through to meet the mysterious mare? Anywhere Is Better Than HereEven with the sound dampeners in her headphones the explosive roar of a Panther Assault Cannon not too far in front of her, turned Corrie's world into an extremely high pitched ringing nightmare. The flash off the barrel though, that was fine. Her eyes were closed anyway. And kind of fucked up, truth be told she ruminated. The concussive blast wasn't too bad, either. It actually pushed her immobile body a few feet closer to the doorway they were trying to bug the fuck out of. Twenty eight feet more to go now. Not that it was roses before. No, there was nothing rosy about it all. Unless you count the bleeding wounds left by the tools of both machine and man. Laying on the ground, paralyzed from whatever toxin coursed through her leg Corrie tried to open her eyes. The retina display across her right eyeball displayed her vitals in a most distressing shade of red in the dark pool of her right eye swollen shut. Only a handful of survivors from the recovery team she was in still lived. Clutched and fought for another minute, another second of life.The yellow icons of the team members turning red for wounded, or black for dead, almost one per second, she notes absentmindedly. Such worries belonged to the living, not the dead to which she felt she would be joining soon enough her self. A pleasant voice with a distinctly female Elven accent in her mind's ear informed her prior to system reboot PanAidOmega will be dispensed. The default tone and the warmth in her gut started to grow as the internal pumps started their work. Feeling the cocktail mix of pain management and not overly tested stimulants for people with enhanced nervous systems wash over the pain and numbness. Opening her eyes and watching the reboot display go to daytime mode and blend into the background she sits up. The ringing in her ears was still there, so she couldn't hear the gunfire or screams of the dying. She could however see the fire blossoms at the ends of the barrels of the cyberzombies guns. Fierce exchanges of gunfire rattled the corridor. And she could move. Two more dervishes spinning and whirling dropped from the darkened ceiling in front of the rest of the extraction team, spraying toxic darts into everything in the area. She could see her headware targeting system provided the icons above them in case she wanted to reengage in combat. It was also trying to track the few kangaroo panther something fifth world kinda magic drek animal machine hybrids that killed most of her team. Corrie most certainly did not want to engage. All she wanted to do now is pull the long metal sliver out of her leg, which she did, tossing it into her DocWagon TraumaKit. And get the hell out of there. Turning sideways to use her arms to help push her to a standing position she noticed the unconscious form of one of their extraction targets. Staggering the few feet to him she places her hand on his head to check his vitals. Her software responds that he's off in a bad way. Some thing the size of a dinner plate seemed to be attached to his lower back. It was circular and looked like it had long strips of metal across it's body. It reminded Corrie of one of those leeches Mamma Cat Mojo had for occasional spell casting needs. Except this one was much larger. And made of some kind of undulating metal. They can analyze it later, she thinks to her self as she grabs the man by his armpits and starts to drag him towards the exit. With any luck she will be able to get at least one extraction out of this whole mess. The modified drag and shuffle with her bad leg was exceeding the limits of her pain meds. She could feel the synthetic fibers in her leg muscle fraying and scraping it's way into her 'natural' muscle and bone. About twenty feet left, she realizes her extract's vitals have gone dark. And he seemed stuck on something. Looking down again at the leech she realizes it started extracting some kind of silver liquid under it's belly and into the man himself and the floor below. Whatever it was just fused his lower back to the metal floor under him. She gives one more good pull to verify, but to no avail. For better or for ill the two closest Cyberzombies realized their plight long before the tiny redhead was impaled in the leg. With blank stares and point to point communications they executed their plan. One stays behind laying down suppression fire with his minigun. The other turns on his movement suite software and heads for the extract. Corrie could move fast. Well, when there wasn't a hole in her leg and she fired up the move by wire system. The thing that was once a man was much faster. Her software informed her he closed the gap between them in the span of half a blink. She tries to move out of the way, but it's impossible to dodge his outstretched arms. She sees his mouth moving, trying to tell her something. but she's still deaf from the previous explosions. And now the high pitched whine of the minigun would have made it still impossible to hear. He picks her up, the lower body of the mans dead form separating from his torso that was still cradled in her arms. The pop of the separation wasn't audible to her, but she could feel the jolt of it in her arms all the way to her shoulders. The viscera oozing out of his chest was making her DocWagon jumpsuit slick. She tosses the remains to the side as he keeps running. The smell was so overpowering she found herself retching on the chest of her savior. His dead eyes paid it no heed. He just stretch his arms out fully and kept running. Corrie muses she might have blacked out then. There was a brief flash of light. Splinters of pain drove through her brain with the force of a banshee's howl, driving her to her knees. A kaleidoscope of colors cuts through her vision, turning it into a migraine inducing nightmare of colors and shapes. Cradling her head with her hands she screams forcing the palms of her hands into her eyes. Her linguasoft sytem tries to filter through it every language processed and extracted to be spoken at once. She can feel something in her throat tear, her scream changes to a strangled cry as her throat fills up with blood. Lurching forward she catches herself with her hands. Her stomach heaves and she retches out a mouthful of blood. The bitter taste of metal and saliva threatening to choke her, Corrie vomits again and again. A wave of dizziness sweeps over her and she falls down onto her right side. Curling into a ball she tries to fold herself as small as possible. Blood and mucus coming out of her mouth and nose with every hitching breath and cry. She can feel the rain caressing her face, cleaning up some of the mess she made, as well as the mess of the corpse she was carrying just a moment ago. For a brief moment, she feels something. A odd fluttering in her chest, and everything stopped. Whatever messed up her Cyberware was gone. Her mind staggers, expecting a never ending cascade of painful stimuli. Sobbing to herself she continues to lay there in a ball on the stretch of ferrocrete sidewalk. The Reluctant RoommateLooking at the crazed blue mane of the pony frantically pounding on and old looking Victrola record player with a rubber hammer. The sight before her didn't exactly fill Corrie with confidence. Old fashioned gears, clear glass bulb looking things, glowing with what was hopefully magic rocks, and old tech parts scattered haphazardly throughout their room. Her bed included. The one thing of her dreams. The only thing of her dreams. Two really good classes and a horrible third class made her only want one thing. Her bed. And it laid covered in the debrie of her roommates newest ADHD fixation. A polite female voice with a pleasant Elven female accent in her mind's ear warned that her blood pressure and heart rate were elevating quickly, and did she want to turn her targeting software on? Staring eye to eye with her roommate she intoned to the voice to fuck off. 'Silent mode engaged!' the voice chimed back cheerfully. Vinyl knew she bucked this up. Her heart was in the right place, she was sure that Corrie new that, right? She worried for a moment. That look in her eyes. It was so easy to forget she was from a predator species sometimes. This was not one of those times. She was also the Diplomat. No, not by a bucking long shot. The intel they had on her was correct, in her humble scared opinion. Celestia help anyone not fast enough to get out of her way if they were in her path to her goal. Maybe friend and foe alike. The thought crept into her mind. She could feel her legs staring to back away on their own. That's it, she's been compromised. She'll have to be replaced. So much for spy school. 'And I was so close!' Vinyl thinks angrily to herself. She did mention to her that she though her idea might be possible, didn't she? Maybe she should have mentioned she had today off and decided to pick up some parts and actually work on the thing. Trying to squeeze herself smaller and backing way the flight mode neurons in her brain starts to ignite. Lowering her head and trying to stammer out an apology before running out of the room, a new sound fills her ears. Corrie is laughing. It's high, like a clear bell. Just an unusual tone. Not unpleasant to her ears though. She dares to peek up at her five foot six 'towering' frame to the nearly fear crazed mare. There is a smile on her face. 'That's good, right?' Thinks the ex-spy soon to be DJ cowering to herself in a corner. It's just a little lopsided. And now that I think about it, she muses, it looks kind of sad too. Okay, fine. Corrie thinks to herself. If this is how the universe wants to play it. So be it. Whatever malicious forces residing in the exhausted woman's soul screamed in triumph as she opened the gates. Oh little pony I've got almost every human language *(not that many but her anger brought on the exaggeration) loaded up in my Linguasoft and your about to hear every. Gods. Damn. One. Of worst words and usages in either world. 'Silence override' she hears in her mind's ear. 'Happy Birthday!' she hears. Fanfare with a note with wings flying across her retina. Two new messages! The first one she kinda expected but it still hit her. The reminder for her nanotattoo design was now done and locked in it's current pattern until unlocked and changed. Deleted. There were two simsense videos attached to the next message. What stopped her anger was the name on the sender line.It wasn't her that stopped her. She couldn't have even if she wanted to. She was a tool of Cats dispassionate state. Just those three words could stop her. And they did. The inhale made Corries chest heave with indignant fury. By the time she exhaled it passes like a pleasant breeze on a hot day. Gone without the memory of it even remaining. All she felt now was tired and alone. On a strange world surrounded by beings that just wanted to help her. And here she was about to make her only real friend she's made here piss herself crying in the corner. She starts to laugh a little. Then stops. Looking down again into her friends eyes she tries to give her a smile. It comes out sad and tired, and they both know it. She drops to her knees and opens her arms and gestures for her friend to come to her. "I'm so sorry Vinyl. So so sorry". Corrie says in a low tone, choking back tears. Vinyl gallops into her arms, raising herself up to return her human friends hug. They spend a few moments consoling each other as friends do when drawn back from the precipice of disaster. And the universe leaves them alone and untouched for a little while, to do so. The two friends, human and mare lay on the floor, very little space between them. Red eyes to red eyes. Most of the crying was out of the way it seemed. But Corrie new it was just the beginning for her. This wasn't over yet. "So. Why the waterworks?" Vinyl asks, her voice just a hint lower then usual. She makes sure that the earnestness of her question belies the lightness of her words. On impulse Corrie rolls to her side and places her metal fingers on the tear stained trails just below Vinyls's left eye. She can fill the mare flinch a moment, then relax. A nervous gaze turns to confusion as she can see her process that her fingers feel warm. Corrie loses herself in the moment just following the trails down idly with her fingers. It was oddly soothing, in a way. A physical apology for the emotional trauma she just caused, Corrie supposed. Vinyl just laid still and enjoyed the sensation of Corries fingers on her face. 'Maybe if I stay still longer, she'll keep doing it' she hopes to herself. With a silent prayer to Celestia, she tries to will it to be so. Oh please, oh please, oh please! Regaining her composure momentarily, she tries to redirect the conversation. She comes back to with a start. A sharp "Ahem" from her roommate. Vinyl makes her eyes even larger and gives her the universal 'well, get on with it' look. Complete with head nod. Indifferently the human woman responds "Yesterday was my birthday. In the midst of all this, I was reminded" she taps her right temple a few times to indicate the hardware in her skull. "I turned 20. Or 19. Or 21" Frowning for a moment to herself. "Not really sure." Shrugging she looks back at the mortified face of the mare across from her. "How. What? How in Equestria do you not know your age?" Vinyl blurts out quickly. Too quickly to catch herself. Corrie just smiles a small grin and leans closer to whisper in her, now adorably looking furry, ear. "Most everyone is mad here". She breathes lightly into it. She can see the hairs inside her ear start to stand up. She knows where that trail of electricity starts in the tip of the ear and goes down to the foot. Leaving a delicious trail of sensation along it's blessed path. Then she blinks and slowly sits up, realizing to herself she just tried to turn on a horse. -- It took every ounce of willpower Vinyl had not to let her left leg buck and spasm with that weird sensation that went down her ear, all the way to her hoof. Not to mention other places she wasn't even thinking about before. Doubling her resolve she turns on her side and places her hoof on the humans chest, just above where she thinks the humans heart would be. Her hoof is met with a small amount of spongy resistance. Firm, but malleable under the pressure of her hoof. Something small was poking her frog though. For a moment she really wasn't sure what she was going to do about Vinyl's hoof. Face it, Corrie shrugs to herself. It's been a while. She decided to wait a moment more, enjoying the sensation and the dawning of understanding that was now lighting Vinyl's eyes. Teasing her could be fun she thinks. "Eeep" -Vinyl's brain "So that's where the human's mammaries are. Very good Vinyl. Any other questions?" Corrie keeps her tone light, hoping to diffuse any nervousness her roommate might be feeling about groping her roommate while gently removing the offending hoof. Now that her hoof was removed from the humans chest, it seemed that Vinyl could think again. If she didn't look at the now prominent nipple demanding attention sticking out in Corries blue blouse. She tried stutteringly to speak. Taking a deep breath to calm herself. "What was that about, that thing you said?" Looking into the humans eyes she could see that hit a nerve. She looked sad again, but tried to cover it up. Vinyl could read her a bit better now, it seems. "It's from my favorite book. I actually learned to read from it. I've got it in storage, I'll have to read it it you sometime, if you like?" Corrie finds herself saying, and offering in surprise of equal measure. 'I guess we all are mad, indeed' she thinks and sighs. Vinyl nods to her slowly. "I'd like that." Sitting up Vinyl has an idea of thunderous magnitude. Corrie sees trouble brewing in the mares eyes A few minutes later her suspicions were justified. Sitting on the floor with a strange contraption strapped to her head. She wasn't overly worried, it wasn't connected to her Datajack so all should be well. Should. Redrawing up her living will might help her feel better. Not like anyone here could read it, she admonishes to herself and sighs. It wasn't that Corrie was worried about the electricity. Nothing here could power enough juice to fry her headware, or even give her much of a headache. Her seizures did more than this could ever do. It was the magic. That always brought a level of chaos and uncertainty. But then again, she concluded, so did Vinyl. "So yeah maybe the music in your head isn't the music they had on their worlds." Vinyl agrees with herself muttering. "But it's human music, all the same. Maybe it will provide some of the other humans comfort to hear it." Shrugging she continues. "Don't you think it's working hooking up your noggin' to possibly see if we can get a listen to it?" She's now standing on the tips of her two back hooves, somehow bouncing up and down still excitedly. If she had breasts, she'd be blackening her eyes. Wait...Where are their breasts.. Corrie's train of thought is disrupted by Vinyl's next mad-mare outburst. "Besides it might give us a bridge to understand you humans in another way. You could say" , she goes back down to all four hooves and moves closer towards the human sitting crossed legged as she called it, on the floor "That we're looking" she inches closer towards the strange little humans face. "To maybe strike a note with your people". She stops, her muzzle barely an inch from the humans eyes. Vinyl tries to keep her poker face up but it's slipping. She can feel her eyebrows start to wiggle. Turning her flank a little to the side, she jiggles her cutie mark a little bit for emphasis. Her human roommates' mouth just opens slightly, jaws working but no sound coming out, her eyes rolling. She brings that odd metal hand to her face and closes her eyes while pinching the bridge of her nose. She exhales deeply. "Oh Gods, Vinyl, how long have you waited to say that? That was..." Something like her Momma Cat Mojo would have continued before the mare rudely inturrupted her talking, by moving her hand away from her face with her cool, smooth hoof and kissed her. The Reluctant PauseThe kiss started out as something quick and chaste. Dry lips on dry, if not furrier lips. But when they first parted to catch their breaths, stunned hazel eyes making contact with Vinyl's magenta ones. They both hesitated, deciding to stare slightly startled at each other a moment longer. "Vinyl, wait please" Corrie said, moving her hand up to place it on the unicorns alabaster chest. The sensors in her hand informing her of the ponies elevated heart rate and blood pressure before she turned them off. Vinyl nods once slowly. Moving her arm up she takes that strange little metal hand in her hoof and moves it to the side. She feels the metal and normal fingers grasp the end of her hoof and give it a gentle squeeze. Raising herself to her full height she takes a wobbly step forward before coming to rest in Corries lap. 'Having knees like this does have some advantages', Vinyl thinks to herself as she wiggles a little bit in her new seat to get comfortable. Wrapping her legs around the humans back now, She feels Corrie's other arm reach around to hold her, resting her had just above her tail. Face to face the mare and woman sit. They both share a momentary shy smile. "It's okay" Vinyl tells her, as she wraps her other arm around the humans tiny slender neck. "We can take all the time you need. Go slow. All that jazz". Resting her head forehead on the human woman's, careful not to nick her with her horn. Her actions belied her words however, as she started almost unconsciously planting little kisses on the sides of Corries' little pink mouth. "Oh Yeti shit and you know it" Corrie growls, while casually raking her fingers slowly up the unicorns back with her right hand. Just enough pressure to part the fur and rake the skin. From her tail to the bottom of Vinyl's neck she lightly sinks in her fingernails, tracing them all the way up her backbone. She feels the little mare quiver at the sensations moving up her spine. "Oh buck you" Vinyl retorts breathlessly as she feels her legs buck out involuntarily for a moment. Never in her life had she ever felt such a pleasure on her skin from such a simple form of contact. The contrast between the pressure of her fingers, and those sharp little points on the ends made Vinyl's breath hitch. The heat and almost crippling sensation momentarily left her paralyzed. Gathering her willpower and with an eager smile she gives Corrie a resolute look. She's determined not to be one upped by this pale redheaded cheater under her she leans in again to express the pleasure of the back scratch with another kiss. Corrie was pretty sure Vinyl's tongue was magic. Or she was using magic, somehow to enhance her kissing prowess. That had to be it. That's why her head was spinning. Must be it, surely. No metahuman she'd kissed before even came close. Smaller though in size, the panting redhead deduced her current partners' tongue was about the same as the Elvish razergirl she made out with at the last concert she went to. Wider some. But longer too. And it was very, very unfair with how much skill in her kissing technique she used with it.. Just enough to make her want more and more. Little by little she felt herself relaxing, mentally shutting down a few systems in her headware to enjoy the moment without distraction. There were tiny little patches on Corrie's tongue, Vinyl noticed with hers after a not so few moments of exploring this new territory with abandon. When she ran her tongue over the sharper points of her teeth, it made her pant into Corrie's eager mouth. The fact of those sharp teeth, that small tongue reminded her this was no other pony she was making out with. Still, it was inviting and warm, eager to battle her for the right to explore each others mouths. But so alien too. That thought alone was enough to give her shivers. Flying high on a wave of indecent thoughts and adrenaline, Vinyl transferred some of her remaining brain cells not distracted by the kissing to get to work on the next stage of her plan. Corrie knew something hinky was going on. She could feel Vinyl's grin start to grow out of the corners of her mouth. She realized that the mare was now applying a little more and more pressure into the kisses, and leaning forward. The human woman took the hint and slowly laid her back down on the floor. Staring up at the wild maned girl above her she realized she was being duped. There was a faint purple haze around Vinyl's horn. And a matching colored patch of the same magic clumsily but gently lifting the front of her shirt up over her bra. "I figured since I felt one earlier, I could take a peek and see...." Vinyl coyly said while tilting her head turning an eye downward to peek at her pilfered treasure. She froze, all four legs locked in place over the smoldering hot human laying under her. Above the tiny little strip of the thing she called a bra, there was a symbol etched in her skin. Her already large eyes seemed to grow even wider as she looked up in wonder at the face of her human concubine. "You have a cutie mark!" She exclaimed loud enough to make the human jump. "My marefriend is going to freak out when she sees that! It told her you humans would have them! Wait until she sees it! She's gonna flip!" The joyful sound of Vinyl's voice was cut off by an odd high pitched sound and the feeling of something cold pressed against her temple. Bringing her eyes upward she realized she may have overstepped her bounds with lifting her shirt. Vinyl figured she could make some corny pun or joke to ease the situation, an apology for whatever transgressions she had caused. The look in Corrie's eyes shut that thought process down quick. Whatever she did, Corrie was back to being mad. And Vinyl really had to pee, like now. She also hated herself for a moment from the whimper that escaped her lips. "What do you mean you have a marefriend?" Corrie asked. Her voice quiet, but terse. Intermission I"Girls night out, huh?" Sardonyx asked the purple unicorn walking up to him. Finishing the conjuration the grey door shaped portal hovered in the air a few feet from them. "Yep." Twilight Sparkle nodded her head happily. "It's a great chance to make a few new friends. Well new one or two, I already know Octavia". Using her magic to finish brushing her main she stands beside her human companion. With a nod they step through the portal and walk face first into a cold autumn breeze. Shivering and stepping closer to each other for warmth, they walk the last few feet to the doorway of her friends house. "Vinyl." Sardonyx nods to the unicorn in the doorway. There was a treaty tonight on their shenanigans. But still he held the grip of his water gun tightly behind his back, ready to come out and start firing at a moments notice. Vinyl couldn't be trusted to honor that agreement. She was as wild and unpredictable as her mane, tossed this way and that like it did on the battlefield. "Sardonyx" Vinyl nods in return. They both stare at each other a few moments longer before smiling. A little blue aura shone from the tip of her horn matching the one on the door handle. She could tell he can sense the second tendril of magic snaking out behind the door to her right. Her water gun held tight in it's grip. Sardonyx couldn't be trusted to honor the treaty tonight. She had to be prepared. He was as wild and unpredictable as his long goofy named ponytail he wore, twitching about in starts with the wind. Twilight just rolls her eyes at the exchange. She understood why they played the game, but for the life of her she couldn't figure out what or who started the friendly rivalry between the DJ and the Mage. Kindred spirits she supposed. Making water guns on this world was tricky at the start, but there were decent enough ways about it. A little magic helped too. But once he mentioned playing games with those and water baloons as a young man, Vinyl took to it like, well like a unicorn to water. Since then they've ambushed each other every chance they got. So far they and a hooffull of others have enjoyed the new game. Twilight steps up and hugs Vinyl. "Good to see you" she tells the pale unicorn. The unicorn returns the hug, still holding onto her magic "You too" Vinyl responds. "You still single?" she asks her, while staring at the human in the doorway. Twilight rolls her eyes and makes her way past Vinyl to go into the house. Sardonyx points two fingers at his eyes then slowly turns his hand to point at hers. Matching her stare for stare, grin for grin. A third aura of magic appears above Vinyls head. It shapes itself into a cylindrical object with a rounded tip. The shape starts rotating slowly while she turns to follow Twilight down the hall. As the door closes slowly he can hear her say "Hey Twilight? When your showering with your human, have you ever dropped the soap?" Click, the door closes leaving a stunned and speechless human on the landing gaping like a fish. Vinyl: 1. Human: 0. After a long moment of mental disconnection he was brought back to the world by an older pony gently pulling on his coat sleeve. "You okay, son?" he asks, concern woven into his voice. "Huh? Oh... Yes" He shakes himself and gives the pony a smile. "Mare trouble" he tells him. Oh that Vinyl was going to get it, he swears revenge to himself while thinking he should go to the store for more water balloons. The old pony smiles back at him. "Mares are all trouble". He nods sagely. "You know what helps that ailment sometimes?" he looks up into the humans face with a sly smile. He's not sure where this little pony / human hybrid jazz club came from, but he was sure glad his new friend led him to it. The lush sounds of John Coltrane coming through on the little speakers in the dimly lit room was akin to the feeling of running into an old friend. Little pony tables and chairs, with some human sized ones thrown in for good measure. A small raised platform with a few instruments on stands rested near a beautiful shiny black piano. Sitting on the little cushioned stool next to his new friend at the bar, they clinked their glasses together in a toast and drank. The brandy was like a fireball in his throat, slowly going lower and lower burning until it was just a warm sensation in his stomach. With a sigh he opened his eyes and nodded at the bartender. He places his glass down and it was refilled quickly. The old stallion sits there for a moment longer, eyes closed and a smile on his face that is as close to joy as any one the human as ever seen. He sighs and looks up at the human next to him. "Told you." He says proudly. "That you did, friend". Sardonyx tells him. He holds out his hand for a hoof bump "I'm Sardonyx. It's a pleasure to meet you". "Anchor's Away" He responds bumping the humans fist gently. "I know who you are colt. I think every pony does, no offense meant." Nodding to himself he continues " Man, stallion, or mare, it would have made no difference. Someone looking that dumbstruck is an easy target for pickpockets" Shaking his head "Or those crazy colts and fillies running around with those water guns and balloons getting everyone all wet". Sardonyx stirs in his seat a bit "Yeah, funny business that" hoping Anchor didn't see the water gun hidden in the holster in the small of his back. "I'm glad it was me for another reason to run into you. I think someone should have a talk with you." Anchor tells him. Keeping eye contact with Sardonyx, he pushes his glass forward for another refill. Sardonyx's expression changes to one of wariness, perhaps a little anger. "About the Princess, you know?" "I'm not sure what you mean, Anchor. And if I did I'm not sure it's any of your business". Sardonyx says in a low, neutral tone, leaning forward a little bit. "Shut it young'n. I've raised six children of my own with four beautiful wives. If I know anything in this world, it's sailing." With a boisterous laugh he takes another quick sip. "And love. It's in your eyes, colt. Your hooked and you don't even see it." Twilight hides her face behind an ivory couch cushion. It's not like that she's a prude, she's had heat cycles before. And all those she spent alone jilling herself off in just about every room of the library. But the way her and Octavia talked about Corrie was making her blush. And her head spin a little. Humans really were different that they were. But there were enough similarites, it seemed too. All the other mares were laughing and cackling, sharing stories. Excusing herself she makes her way to the bathroom. Using her magic to lock the door she gives herself a moment to enjoy the respite from the noise. She hears peals of laughter coming down from the hallway. She's not sure if they are laughing at her shyness when it comes to this sort of thing, or not. But it really didn't matter, did it? Walking to the mirror she puts her front hooves up on the sink and stares in to the mirror. "Could he really think I'm beautiful?" She says to her reflection trying to see if the truth could revealed in her own purple eyes. "Well I think your pretty" a voice comes from the bathtub. "And i'm human too. So there's that". Corrie says. Floating in a hot bath of bubbly water, she was too preoccupied with soaking away her stress from the last negotiation treaty to shoo her out of the room. Twilight froze. She tried to stammer an apology at inturrupting the diplomats bath, but it seemed Corrie was having none of it. She just asked for a moment to hop out and change, she'd been meaning to talk to the purple princess for a while now. Good as time as any, she reasons. After she left the room and gave Corrie a chance to dress, she returns to the bathroom and Corrie motions her over. She's sitting on the bathtub rail, grey slacks and white tee shirt clinging to her frame from the moisture leftover from a quick drying off. She walks over curiously and the woman gently turns her around with her hands, and gently pushes on her back. Twilight confused sits down in front of Corrie but facing away. She was about to ask her what she was doing, but she felt the hairbrush near her horn to start working on her bangs. A cooing sigh was all that came out. 'We talked once before, you know." She told the little unicorn between her legs. There was something so relaxing about brushing their manes, Corrie found it was one of her favorite things to do now, with Vinyl and Octavia. Looking up to make sure the bathroom door was still open she smiled. They are not jealous creatures, like us humans, much. But why take chances? Moving the brush lower to the middle of her neck she starts to work on the pink stripe. Twilight nods. "He told me once. Out in the woods?" Corrie nods "That was the night he came back so preoccupied. He was quieter than usual after that." Looking down at the floor. "That was the first time we really hugged, you know? Not like our regular hugs. It felt different." She finishes with a whisper. Corrie decides honesty would be best in this situation, she owed her that much. Humans were not the easiest beings to love in her experience. Herself included. She nods to Twililight's reflection. "It was. I came home and hugged my mares probably in the same way he hugged you. Did he look a little sad?" She tilts her eyes meeting hers in the mirror. "Maybe a bit reluctant to let go?" Twilight nods. "It was almost bittersweet, that feeling." She agrees quietly. "It's because he's going to have to kill again, sweet bainganee k’i-lin". Corrie tells her in a matter of fact tone. "It's not something he's fond of doing, and thank Cat for small favors. He'd be a terror if that ever happened." Eyeing her handiwork in the mirror she continues. "I've seen him look at you when you've been out in functions. He'd be a bad one to cross. Doubly so if someone crossed whomever he loves." and those fools did she finishes to herself. And he does. Love her that is. She can tell that too. Finishing up with her mane she uses her hands to have Twilight stand so she could work on her long tail with the brush."But it was bad." Corrie confirms. "There really isn't an easy solution to this. But he and I agree that something has to be done." "If you love him" Corrie tells her "You need to tell him. Show him". She places a gentle hand on her forehead just above the horn. "And no, I don't mean like that." She gives Twilight a face in the mirror, eyebrow raised "unless you've already.." She can actually she the blush shining through the purple mares fur and the heat on her forehead growing. "Oh..Uh..No" she starts to stammer out. "We've hugged. And held hooves. Hands. Whatever." Bringing her hooves up to her eyes she covers them with a sigh. "It really is complicated, isn't it?" Twilight says, tears forming under her hooves. Corrie leans into her back and wraps her arms around her barrel in a hug. "Oh Twilight." she says hugging her new friend tight. "Only if you want it to be". Intermission IIAuthor's Note Warning: Sardonyx x Twilight clop. Also, if your interested the song referred to in the story is Gymnopedie No. 1 by Erik Satie. Find the two hour loop version on youtube and read this in the background if you want. I've always loved that song. Intermission II It was a strange night, Sardonyx mused to himself. Both he and his marefriend seemed to be to distracted with the days events. After walking to the library from his house to meet her, they shared a small quiet hug at the door. Neither one wanting to relinquish their hold on each other. The crisp autumn air chilly on his skin, but her fur pressed against his exposed skin felt warm and inviting. They reluctantly parted and headed to their destination for dinner. They had a quiet dinner out, small talk to a minimum. Walking down the cobblestone path together back to the library he watches the city worker ponies lighting the magic streetlights for the evening, bathing the little towns streets in a cozy amber glow. A few more late stragglers nodded politely to him, and little walking half bows for the Princess. Making it back to their destination there was a package at the door, labeled for him. They take the package inside and shut the door to the chill outside. "I've wanted to do this for a while now." Catching what he just said he groaned internally. Blushing furiously he stammers a moment before finding his words again. "Well that, too, but it never seemed the right time, did it?" The little purple princess sitting on the couch just nodded her head in agreement. Her blush was as red as his. Her purple eyes sparkled and reflected the warm cozy glow of the fireplace. "I know a lot of things are different between our worlds. But I'm glad this is at least the same". He tells her, walking slowly over to the couch. Giving her a smile he ruffles her main a bit. Feeling his touch sent little firework sensations through her scalp and into her brain. She sighs a moment and catches herself trying to lean into him, which would put her face right in his crotch. She sits back quickly, blush doubling in size and radiance. "I know I've.. We've been waiting to do this. And I'm glad we did." Kneeling down so he is face to face with Twilight, he leans in for a quick kiss on impulse. She returns the peck and gives him a warm smile. " We don't have to do this tonight if you don't want to." Sitting on the couch next to her he holds her hoof. "It's okay" Twilight tells him. "I think we've waiting long enough." She looks at him, worried but resolute. "We should really find out tonight." She looks down at the hoof in hand. "I really want to Sardonyx." "Okay then" he tells her. "Want to help me take it out?" He says with a grin. Turing around he holds it in both hands. Proudly displayed for her viewing pleasure. She rolls her eyes at him but smiles. Holding out both hooves, "bring it here." She finishes, eyes alight with curiosity. Giggling to herself she unwraps her present. He's seen these before, modern time ones, not old fashioned ones. So he was glad Twilight was there to help. It wasn't really much different. Wax platter on the spinning wheel, needle on the arm goes down and the magic happens. But still, technology was odd in this world of ponies. The starting crackle of the record signals the music about to start. Both the man and the mare sit next to each other waiting for the music to start. She scoots a little closer and rests her head on his shoulder. Sardonyx leans a little into her and brings his hand up to rub her cheeks. The first four notes of a song from another world penetrates the air. He starts humming the tune lightly to himself. Not on key, but no ones perfect. Twilight moves her head off of her coltfriend and looks up at him. It was a pretty tune, simple sounding, but a strange, almost melancholy sound woven throughout it. She watches him for a little while. Amused to see him close his eyes and lean back in the couch to enjoy the music. He brings a hand up and starts punctuating the notes in the air. Little tears form at the corners of her eyes. Twilight's not sure what made her. Maybe it was because he looked so happy, and so sad at the same time she wanted to comfort him. Maybe she was just horny, starting up her heat cycle. Maybe she was just curious, who knows? She slowly leans in and with a light brush of her tongue, laps up one of his tears. It was an odd sensation, feeling a tongue on the corner of his eye, he concluded. Not unpleasant, just odd. Sardonyx opens his eyes to see a much larger pair of purple eyes not to far away from his own light green ones. He brings up both of his hands to cup her cheeks and draws her in for a kiss. It was as if the weeks of pent up frustrations and passions ignited in both of them. The kiss turned into something more, a deeper need, a growing hunger. as he started pulling on her lower lip with his teeth while she wrapped her arms arms around his head locking it into place so he couldn't move. Teeth clinked on each other, tongues were accidentally bit, but a more gentle rhythm took over after the initial rush of excitement passed. Parting for air and panting, she looked into the green eyes of her human paramour. She could see the need growing in them, to match her own. Shuddering to herself Twilight realized no one has ever looked at her with such hunger. The desire radiating in his eyes made her knees weak. Drooping her eyelids she gives him a sultry look and leans in for more. The couple kiss for a while longer, exchanging pleasantries and moans in equal measure. When they part for air again, he lifts her gently, and turns her around so she's now facing away from him. Back pressed on his warm chest, she can feel his heartbeat through the thin shirt and her fur. Her plot resting in his lap. She wiggles a bit and feels something growing under her. She scrunches her face up at being denied the kisses she was so enjoying. Opening her mouth to protest it was quickly changed to a spastic breath as he used his fingers to rake lightly down each side of her rib cage. She can feel her forehooves twitch randomly at the sensations running up and down her sides. Sardonyx places the palms of his hands on his mares ribs and starts to rub slowly. Bringing them up and forward to her chest he realizes he's trying to grope the breasts that aren't there. He squeezes where they should be for a moment and tries to formulate a new plan while he figures this out. He settles for leaning his face into the back of her neck to plant little kisses and bites. Twilight was pretty sure it was his canines that were making her want to crook her neck back and freeze every time he replaced a kiss with a nibble. From pleasure to pleasure with a little fear. Like he was going to worry her neck side to side and try to eat her. She realized that thought made her worried and wet in equal measures. After tasting the fur (Not so bad when you figure out it's not going to come out in mouthfuls when you nibble), and the sweaty skin underneath, Sardonyx was convinced he wanted to take that exploration of her body everywhere with his tongue for these new tastes. Earthly and salty. Foreign and familiar at the same time. The smell of her fur and skin was intoxicating. Breathing deep he realizes there isn't a day he doesn't want to smell her scent. Twilight contents herself to trying to grab her human consort anyway she can. Even with her elbows, getting to feel him like this was tricky. She could rub his head with her hooves, and she could tell he liked that by the happy sounds he made while kissing her neck. But she wanted more. To see more, to feel more. To be more for him. She grabs his right hand with her hoof and places it on the center of his chest. Sardonyx can feel the quick rhythm of the little mares heartbeat frantic like a hummingbirds wings in flight. He's pretty sure his heart is keeping pace with hers. Sighing contentedly at the feeling of the fur on her chest, as well as her neck on his lips he continues the exploration moving further and further up towards her ears. He stops though for a moment when he realizes she's slowly moving his hand down to her nethers. Twilight's body was aglow with the sensations the hands and fingers of this human created on her skin. She started moving his hand lower and lower. Slowly dragging it down her chest to her rapidly warming nethers. Pushing lightly on his hand to increase the friction she gives a little hiss of pleasure when his extended fingers bump into the top of her folds. Moving his hand down a little more she can feel his fingers separate. She can feel him bend his fingers and bring his hand back up gently raking her sex, a wet finger meets her clit for a moment then slips by rubbing it with a quick short motion before pushing back down softly with his palm, moving down again. She moans while her back legs fold in and give a few weak kicks. Not done with his explorations, Sardonyx moves his middle fingertip in a slow, circular motion around her clit brushing it occasionally. Never staying long enough to appease the sense of release she must be seeking at his touch. Rewarding her moans and gasps with his hand, he brings his left arm around to drape over her chest in a hug, while feeling her hips buck and sway at his touch. In a more lucid moment between the gentle sensations of being kissed on the back of the neck, and having her labia explored Twilight tries to return the favor. She brings a hoof down and tries to slide it under her plot so she can get a better feel of what is growing rapidly underneath her. He gently grabs her hoof and gives it a squeeze. "Tonight is about you." Is all he whispers. The sensation of his warm breath in her ear makes it twitch uncontrollably for a moment and he chuckles. He keeps her hoof in his hand, caressing it gently. "No.. Complaints..There" She says between gasps as he slowly and gently inserts his middle finger into her, just a little. Another hiss from his marefriend tells him he's on the right path. Taking it out he feels her hips buck more, as if trying to recapture the offending digit for leaving. Bringing his hands up again he uses all of his now slick fingers to rub firm circles on her clit. Her heart is hammering in her chest, her stomach muscles are pushing out and down hard, she can feel her orgasm building faster and faster. She brings one arm over and covers her eyes. The other hoof she places on top of his hand in silent encouragement to go faster. He obliges. Her panting and moaning increasing. Sardonyx quickens his movements, occasionally sliding back down to her leaking hole to keep the lubrication on his fingers, faster he slides his hand into a circle while her hips buck harder and harder under his touch. She freezes for a moment, her face help up to the side in a wordless cry, and he feels her go limp. 'Guh...Guh....." she stammers as she comes hard from the humans hand. Her stomach muscles contracting and her legs bucking again she twitches involuntarily for a while just laying on her humans lap, spent. Twilight seems to be floating on her own little cloud. Her eyes look glazed over and there's an odd little smile on her face. Summoning his magic he conjures a blanket from her room. With the sound of a gentle breeze the purple blanket with her cutie mark emblazoned on it comes dancing on the wind, down to the couple cuddling on the couch. He takes the blanket and wraps it around her and himself. She snuggles into his chest and gives a content sigh. He rests his chin on her head, at an angle to not get speared by the horn wraps his hands around her barrel. She shivers a while in his embrace before falling asleep. Her human lover not far behind. Sessions I (Corrie in this World)Paradox in Purple (Sardonyx in this World) Twilight Sparkle eyed the cave entrance warily. A cozy glow could be seen just a few feet in, presumably made by a nice warm fire in a big hearth. She stamped her hooves, first the front two, then the back to shake off any snow matted into the fur. She was thankful for her winter garb. Up here in the mountains the nights got very cold, very fast. The fat wet flakes of snow that covered her brown winter coat and hood seemed to weigh her down and sap the warmth from her bones only made her feel more miserable. Stomping a front hoof again she wondered for the thousandth time why in Celestia's sake did she send me on this mission? The rumors abounded before she left on her long voyage. Strange beings tumbling out of portals all over Equestria! And if the rumors were to be believed, even one in Canterlot itself. By the time she was able to organize a meeting with Celestia, she was given this mission, find the source of strange magic in the mountains, hurriedly told it was a matter of utmost importance, and pretty much shoved out the door, not that much wiser for her efforts. Feeling the growing cold as the sun sets behind her, Twilight finishes grumbling to herself she steels her resolves and walks slowly into the cave. A pleasant chime could be heard, an alarm spell at the doorway she realizes. Harnessing her magic, she conjures a thin protective sphere around her and continues further in. "Hello?" She calls before stepping over the threshold into the cave. A few more feet and she stops. The ringing sounds of her hoof falls on the stone ground were now replaced by the distinct clacking sounds of her hooves crossing a wooden floor. Looking down at the seamless transition from stone to wood, her suspicions were confirmed. There was strange magic a-hoof. Continuing on down the now hallway she is greeted by an open doorway a few more feet ahead to her right. Peeking around the corner she sees the source of the light. It was a fireplace indeed. It seemed molded out of the wooden wall itself, more sculpted then built into a recess. A cheery fire sat burning merrily in an ornate fireplace, on top of a stack of good sized logs. A large pot with a lid half removed bubbled happily within. She could smell the vegetable stew and it made her stomach rumble lightly. Chagrined she hoped that no one was around to hear it. Two old fashioned high backed chairs sat a few feet apart from each other in front of the fireplace. Comfortable if not a little worn cushions on the seat and back. A small sitting table between them. A few pieces of paper, a couple of writing quills, and a pot of ink all rested on it. She took a hesitant step into the room, then another. Using her magic she removed her hooded coat and floated it to a nearby coat rack. Her boots followed, levitating with purple auras to go under the rack. "Make yourself at home, Daughter of Magic". A voice could be heard from a little chamber to the right of the 'sitting room'. Twilight jumps, but keeps her composure. Facing the doorway she calls out "Thank you. There's quite a chill out tonight". Whatever Celestia wanted her to find, she probably didn't expect a pleasant living room, much less a pleasant voice talking to her. "The storm is going to pick up really soon. Maybe another foot or two of snow". She finishes. Shivering she takes the unseen voice up on his offer and walks over to the chair that faces the open doorway where the voice came from and hops on. Comfortable at least. "Sorry for the lack of hospitality, I haven't had guests in the hat for a long time..... Oh holy shit a unicorn" The man stutters out the last few words of the previously pleasant sentence. Twilight looks at this strange new being in front of her. Is this being one of the things that has caused all the rumors around Canterlot? He stood maybe two or three times her height, and only on two legs! Light brown hair pulled back into a small braid with leather straps over one shoulder. Light grey eyes sparkled just as merrily as hers. Pale skin with various abrasions and marks on his arms. "Are you a human?" She asks him, eyes aglow with excitement. Wait, what did he say? "And yes. I am a unicorn. My name is Twilight Sparkle. It's nice to meet you!" Shaking his head, he blinks a few times to process. The alarm spell at the door told him there was a caster arriving, and pretty strong one too, but it neglected to mention it was a unicorn. And a purple one at that with large, lavender eyes. "I'll never complain about things not getting weirder ever again." He says keeping his tone light. "The names Sardonyx. Pleasure to meet you. Milk?" Holding out the tray in his hands, offering his guest a large brown pottery glass full of cold milk. Twilight nods "Thank you" she responds using her magic to lift the cup and place it on the table before her. "Wait. What was that you said about a hat?" She tilts her head and looks up at him again. Focusing her magic again she realizes just about everything in the room has a faint glow of magic around it. Walking over and taking a seat on the unused chair he places his glass on the table as well. "Yep. Hat." Putting a finger in the air he draws a circle encompassing the room. "Lucky I had it on when I ended up here. I hate the cold." Understanding dawns in Twilight's eyes. "Dimensional pocket space? Teleportation bridge? Reality overriden...." She claps her hooves happily and tries to eye everything in the room all at once. "More of the first, none of the latter?" He says biting back a grin. Curious one that she is! "It usually takes the form of a well worn, but very comfortable peddler's hat. But that too, can change. Are their such items of magic on your world?" She nods in agreement more to herself then him. "A few objects here and there. Although the creation of such items is time consuming and exhausting work, most magicians here don't bother overmuch". Still craning her long neck to stare intently at just about every object in the room, Twilight realizes she's being rude to her host and looks back to the being sitting on the chair across from her. She notices him intently watching her, studying her like a teacher watching his pupils reaction to something it seems. Well fair is fair she surmises while staring back at the strange being. "So." He starts. Stops. Clears his throat and gives a small smile, and looks away. "So." She as well looks down from his gauze, running a hoof up and down her other foreleg nervously. Sardonyx clears his throat again. "I'm feeling a bit out for asking this, but where exactly am I?" He finishes. Twilight can tell from the relaxed tone he asked that question, he was feeling anything but. Smiling at her host she responds. "You are in Equestria. It's a world populated by earth ponies, unicorns, alicorns, pegasi, a few dragons, and so much more! " Clapping her hooves excitedly. "Strangers in our world! It's so wonderful! Have you traveled to other worlds?" She catches herself and stops. Organizing her thoughts she tries again. "I was sent on a mission to find out this weird magical reading, which is I'm guessing was your hat." She smiles at the small nod he gives her. "And here we are." A chime not unlike a grandfather clock rings gently through the room. "Oven's done, be right back." Sardonyx stands up quickly and heads towards the kitchen. "Help yourself to some stew if you like. There's plenty. Just save some room for dessert". He calls out over his shoulder, he can hear her hop down and trot towards the cooking pot eagerly, ears twitching in excitement at the prospect of a warm meal. A few moments later Sardonyx finds himself standing in the kitchen doorway just quietly watching his house guest. A plate of chocolate chip cookies rapidly cooling on a plate in his hands. In that moment something stopped him from crossing that threshold into that cozy sitting room. Later he would reason it was perhaps all the days events finally catching up to him, culminating in the fact he was about to share a dinner with a purple unicorn the size of which could barely come up past his waist, sans horn. Her purple fur given a cozy glow from the fireplace light. The shadows dancing on her form creating such deep pools of color it was almost an impossible shade likened to ripened mulberries. Dinner spoon glowing with it's own faint purple magical aura surrounding it as she would use her magic to scoop up the stew as she ate. It was her eyes though. The lavender pools reflecting a myriad of colors. Deep and radiating. It was something the man had never seen before. Awestruck, he reasons is a good word for it. There were very few noises, aside from her regular breathing. 'She was a quiet eater, thank the gods for that' he though to himself. Nothing worse than bad table manners. Although in this case it really shows a level of magical dedication to her craft. The fact she could eat so quietly using whatever spell that was, spoon barely scraping the bowl while she ate. A lifetime of dedication and casual use of such precision was impressive. Clearing his throat quietly as much to inform his guest he was returning into the room, as to help gather his nerves before returning. Setting the plate down on the little table after moving the papers and quills out of the way, he turns his head towards his guest. "You can eat chocolate?" He asks her. Her little nostrils flaring quickly catching the scent of the treats cooling on the plate made him bite his lower lip hard to fight the urge to laugh. Guess that's that. Twilight's eyes look up at the humans face seeing the mirth in his eyes and she gives him a lopsided grin before nodding. "Very much so!" she says enthusiastically. The pair eating quietly, the occasional praise for the food, some weather small talk infrequently breaking through the warm fireplaces burning logs crackling cheerfully to themselves. The dessert passed just as quickly and quietly. Two beings from different worlds watching the chaotic dancing flames lost in their own thoughts. Sardonyx quietly stands up, gathering the plates and sliverware to take to the kitchen. Before reaching the mugs a purple nimbus of magic surrounds them lifting them in the air a few inches. "Let me help you with that" Twilight tells him, jumping down from her chair to stand next to him, stew pot ladle now floating next to her. With a nod, he leads her into the kitchen. It was a small affair, and pretty simple looking Twilight noticed upon entering the room. A few closed wooden doors promised more exploration beyond the confines of the little kitchen, but for now she satiated her curiosity by watching her host. She gave him a small smile when he looked her way, pointing to the sink where the floating objects she held in her magics grip should go. Gently bobbing through the air they reached their destination and gently landed in the sink with nary a sound. An open pantry with a long set of shelves on each side, seemingly going on forever. Burlap sacks, wooden crates, barrels of all shapes and sizes lined the shelves and floor. Even a few hanging baskets of vegetables and herbs. She even noticed more than a few wheels of cheeses in various packages. The kitchen itself was a small affair, compared to the pantry. A stove not unlike one from her world sat next to one that looked like it could belong in an antique museum, all dark iron and grim stature. Even still, it radiated a seemingly cheery warmth and bathing the room in a cozy 'i'm home' kind of feeling. Twilight found herself thinking of fond memories of home with her family while following the human back into the living room. "I like your house. Hat. Sorry. It's very cozy." She says, jumping onto the chair she previously occupied. Settling herself in she faces the man. "Thank you. It's been a boon to have, let me tell you." Sardonyx tells her, sitting down as well. "More than once it's saved me from sleeping in some flea bitten tavern bunkhouse." Idly itching his arms at the thought he continues. "I'll give you the tour if you like, sometime. Only two of us in here, but it can host a bit more if needed. But some of the rooms are always available. Like the kitchen. And the library." With a whooshing noise and an audible 'pop' his guest vanishes from view, only to reappear again mere inches from his face with the same 'pop' that makes him blink. "Library?" Twilight asks him, her voice barely containing her excitement. Sessions II (Corrie in this World)Sessions I (Corrie in this World) The kissing session was going well so far, in Corries mind at least. That strange sensation of furry lips on her own bare ones still gave her a shudder. Like an uncertain tingle down your spine, she mused while using her tongue to gently battle Vinyl's tongue in her mouth. She inhales through her nostrils and smells the inhuman scent of her paramour. The lascivious feelings of kissing this equine pulsing both arousal and hesitation in her in equal measures. Still, equine or not, it was pleasurable just the same. Just... Odd. All in all not bad so far. Tilting her head and opening her mouth a little more, she grants the little unicorn's tongue further access. She can feel the strange but similar texture of Vinyl's wet muscle on hers, running across the canine teeth in her mouth and a little moan escapes her. It's when she feels Vinyl's somehow now soft hooves caressing her cheeks gently she startles. Jerking away from her sort of, kind of, (Maybe?) marefriend, she opens her eyes and sees Vinyl doing the same. Concern and worry, as well as a bit of lust shine in her magenta eyes. Moving her hooves back down on the couch, she stays seated on all fours, facing Corrie. "Whoa, stop please" Corrie says quietly. She wasn't sure what it was. Maybe she expected fingers touching her instead of those hooves? Was it the texture of them? Or maybe just the fact they were hooves, and not hands? Corrie struggled with this for a few moments. Silently sitting on the couch, head lowered, body facing towards the unicorn. Frowning to herself she starts to process her feelings on the new situation. Vinyl watched the human lower her head, brow furrowed. She took a deep breath to steady herself. That human is one heck of a kisser. Just as good as Octavia, she grins internally at the though. Honoring her wishes, she sits silently on the couch. Just watching Corrie, admiring the luster of her red hair. The pale skin with those little freckles scattered generously all over her. Vinyl vows to kiss every one of those freckles. Everywhere she has them. 'Someday' she promises herself with a smile. A polite cough breaks both of their reveries. Both the mare and the maiden look over at Octavia in her favorite chair. Her eyes were shining with something Corrie couldn't identify. The need however, was bright as cat's eyeshine in the dark. Hopping down off the chair with a little bounce that made her cutie marks jiggle gently, she made her way over to the couch and jumped on, sitting on the opposite side of Vinyl. Making herself comfortable and facing Corrie Octavia smiles warmly at the human as she turns to face her. "I understand your hesitation" she starts. Reminding herself that Corrie basically flinched at the hooves on her face, she stops herself from trying to hold the humans cute and odd little hands. Leaning a little closer, voice lowered she continues. "Have you ever kissed someone, something, not human in your world?" Closer still she plants a gentle, chaste kiss on Corrie's cheek. Corrie nods her head once, slowly. "Demi-human. Elven Razorgirl. Tall and fair, with a tongue like a..." Corrie catches herself. The click of her jaw is audible to the three in the room. Sighing to herself she pinches the bridge of her nose and gently squeezes. Octavia was very insightful, Corrie reminded herself. And determined to make this odd little trio thing work. Corrie wasn't sure if it was because it was her time to be beta, while Vinyl held the title of alpha this time around. She was still a bit unsure at the pecking order of things when it came to the dating rituals of ponies. Nothing book-wise in her headware was any help there either. Moving her face to kiss Octavia on the lips, a return gesture just as chase and gentle as the one she received. Octavia was the kind of girl...err.... filly? Mare? Whatever, Corrie grinned to herself. She liked to take things slow. A measured pace of romance. She respected Corries boundaries as much as Vinyl liked to sneak across them like a thief in the night stealing Rigger tags. Octavia would be the one to go for hours she muses. Vinyl would be hot and heavy and quick. Passion burning bright like a bonfire in a trido movie. Like a quick fuck in a changing stall in the Arc Shopping Mall, she surmised. She'd probably get off on getting off in public, Corrie makes a mental note to test that theory soon. Octavia though, has strategy in everything she does. No wasted motions. Romance in measured but rewarding motions. She'd be the one to fuck all night. And probably well into the morning. She wouldn't be surprised if she found lingerie in the grey mare's dresser. And toys. Corrie blinks and pulls away slightly from Octavia who was starting to plant little kisses on her neck. What do their toys even look like? Little round tubes, or would they look like real stallion's cocks? Realizing her lack of knowledge, the Encephalon in her head helpfully provides a few pictures of real horse cocks in her display screens. All manner of sizes, shapes, colors, and not to mention oddly large testicles invade her view. "Oh gods damn it!" She exclaims in surprise, jerking her head back from Octavia. Banishing the horse members off her screens she tells her headware to go fuck itself, and no more pictures like that, thank you very much. "What happened?" Octavia looks up at her, obvious worry in her voice and posture. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she opens her eyes and smiles at the little earth pony. "I have to stop now, for tonight." Placing her left hand on Octavia's cheek she starts to rub gently with affection. "It wasn't anything you did. I want you to know that." Octavia nods "Thank you for telling me. I appreciate it. But if you do have some concerns, please let us help you with them. You are not alone in this, you know?" She finally takes one hoof and places it on Corrie's right hand. Giving it a gentle squeeze she continues "You can always talk to us, you know?" Corrie returns the nod. "Thanks. It's just... Well I just need a little more time to process this all. I just realized how little I do know of your kind." "Popcorn and movie time?" She hears in a light voice behind her. Turning she sees Vinyl smiling at her. "That would be great, thank you". Giving her an affectionate hug, Vinyl wraps her arms around the slim human and returns the hug before bounding off the couch into the kitchen. Leaning back she makes herself comfortable on the couch. Octavia moves closer and Corrie wraps her right arm around the earth pony. With a content sigh, Vinyl leans into her human awaiting the banter filled battle over tonight's movie selection. The Reluctant Demonstration Pt.1 (Corrie in this World)Sessions II (Corrie in this World) Corrie eyes the mug of drekking honest to goodness coffee in her hand with something close to worship. 'Four a.m. is not too early for real coffee, thank you very much.' She thinks while grinning to herself in the dark. The odd hours of her old job and this one made her infinitely grateful for making the decision to go ahead and have the Sleep Regulator surgery in her own world. On average three hours a day of sleep was enough to make her well rested and ready for whatever the day would throw at her. The ability to prolong sleep for extended periods while still feeling rested was a godsend as well in her old job as well in her new one. Thinking of her house-guests currently sleeping in her little apartment above the diplomatic offices, she decides to peek in on them, just to make sure the coffee maker and her moving around in the middle of the night didn't wake them. These ponies were really big on sleepovers, she muses. It shouldn't be a surprise considering how social these beings are. Rarely do you see one alone, unless their job required it. After that though it was all about connecting with their friends, family, and loved ones. Pony networking in an unwired world. Making her way through the living room Corrie admits to herself that it is a nice feeling, to be included. It's taken some getting used to, however, and she still didn't feel fully integrated into their way of thinking yet. She spent a lot of time in her old life in the company of a small circle of friends. And even then she valued her privacy, and the quiet rooms of her old apartment the refuge and solace from hard days at work recovering clients with more sense than money. Usually Shadowrunning, gang assaults, a few tissue sample escorts to Corp headquarters, the usual paramedic practices in the Awakened world. Peeking in through the bedroom doorway she pauses at the threshold. Her little sleeping guests have managed to stretch out and cover most of the queen sized mattress. The two mares somehow entwined and yet splayed haphazardly on top of the quilt. She can hear the steady rhythms of their breathing. Her headware picks up and displays their vital signs in the lower field of her vision. Heartbeats per minute, as well as respirations and pulse. All is well, she thinks with a small smile forming on her lips. Returning her attention to the her coffee, the alluring scent and steam rising from the cup is a powerful ambrosia to her olfactory senses. The mix of honey, creamer, and sugar dolled out in perfect measure making her early start to the day an enjoyable one. Bringing the cup to her lips she inhales deeply one more time, intent on savoring this moment for as long as possible. 'Nothing,' she thinks to herself 'Could top this feeling in this moment'. Before her first sip however, Octavia's ear twitches in what she can only describe as adorable as her little forehooves make little involuntary movements in her sleep. Even snoozing Vinyl responds to her marefriend. Moving her head closer she rubs her muzzle on Octavia's and the two share a little kiss in their slumber. Octavia sighs contentedly to herself and Corrie can see her body relax once more. Vinyl wraps her arms around Octavia and they snuggle close together. The grey mares head moves down to rest by Vinyl's chest. Vinyl cradling her protectively. The soft glow on their fur from the moonlight through the half closed blinds through the window gives both the mare's fur a warm inviting aura. It takes all of Corrie's willpower not to stealthily move to the bed and caress their sleeping forms. Instead she stays put, leaning into the door frame while committing the view before her, to memory electronic and chemical both. One pot of coffee down and a few hours later Corrie finds herself still buried in the paperwork for the Human Construction Consortium. Zoning treaties, land negotiations, supply chains, hardware requisition forms, and all manor of nonsense danced in her vision. Quite a few of the electronic books in her head did hold some valuable information that helped a lot in these cases, but not this one. Who would have ever thought in a million years she'd need this kind of drek? Shoving the paperwork in a messy pile before while deciding that she was done for now. It'll still be there in a couple hours. Looking morosely at her empty mug, she decides against another cup of coffee for now. Time for a shower. Moving quietly as she can through the bedroom, she can hear a light snoring sound from one of the mares. Biting her lower lip she tries not to giggle at the sound. Making it to the bathroom she shuts the door with a quiet click. Resting her back against the door she allows herself a quiet laugh at the snoring mare. Eyeing the large shower stall with appreciation she removes her long pajama shirt and panties, setting them aside on a little plastic table next to the towels. The shower here was a luxury and a half, as well as being about twice as long and wide due to the previous occupant being a Pegasi. Apparently they needed a lot of room to stretch out their wings in the bathtub so extra accommodations were made for their bathtubs and shower stalls. Multiple faucets to make sure every inch of fur and feather were reached. Almost like a decontamination tower, but bigger jets and plenty of hot water. Adjusting the knobs for the exact right temperature she enters the streams of hot water with an audible sigh. Turning her back to the long wall in the shower she feels the stress of the paperwork melt under the caresses of the hot waters embraces. Stretching lithely on her toes she extends to her full five foot six height, arms extended above her, tips of her fingers just reaching past the tallest shower head. A few slow rotations to get her body used to the heat before she runs her hands all over her now slick body. Reaching for the bottle of body wash she freezes for a moment. She must have missed hearing the door opening, but now she hears slow clicking of hooves on the tile getting closer. "Sss...Vinyl.. I told you to wake me up when you did." She hears Octavia say in a sleepy little English accent. Corrie hears the sound of the toilet seat resting against the water tank with a small clink. The sounds of Octavia hopping on the toilet made her realize she's never really considered this. Obviously they use the facilities they built, but it never really came to mind how they use them, sans hands. Apparently just fine it seems, from the sounds of the grey mare currently peeing in the toilet. "Oh for Celestia's sake did you really not replace the toilet paper, Vinyl?" With a tired frustrated sigh she hears her hop off the toilet, flushing it after. "Fine then." Corrie realizes where this is going about a quarter second before it does. A small opening in the back of the shower stall allows Octavia's head to peek through. "I'll just steal some hot water and clean...Oh!" Corrie can see the very crimson blush appearing on the mare's cheeks. Covering herself the best she can with her left hand in front of her nethers, right arm crossed over her small breasts, she can feel her own blush matching Octavia's. Watching the dawning awareness of the situation in her purple eyes, as well as seeing the grey mare try to stammer out an apology, Corrie realized at that very moment this was her life now. A lot of it still felt strange, sure. And that will probably never truly fade away. She was an outsider in this brand new world, no matter how accommodating the little beings were. But this, this had a feeling of normalcy, something she would find on her own world after bringing home a Joygirl for the eve, usually after long night of dancing and drinks. Laughing to herself at the folly of the situation she takes a quick step forward and kneels in front of the mare. Taking both of her hands to gently clasp her cheeks she leans in and kisses her as passionately as she can. She feels Octavia freeze for a moment, stunned at the turn of events before returning the kiss. After a few long blissful moments of kissing the mare, Corrie pulls away slowly, just far enough to breathe in her captivating scent. "I'm sorry, Octavia." she whispers quietly. Octavia opens her eyes and looks at Corrie dreamily. "For what, dear?" she inquires as she moves a hoof to rest gently on Corrie's cheek. "For taking so long to decide if this was right for me. It's all so strange and new." Planting little kisses on the side of Octavia's mouth she continues. Kiss, whisper, kiss, a slow lick across the mare's lips before planting more gentle kisses on the other side of her mouth. "You pretty little thing you. You have my attention now". she finishes with pulling her in for another deep kiss. "Oh really now?" Octavia says in a breathless voice. "And now that I am in your sights, whatever shall you do with me?" Blinking her eyes demurely while giving Corrie a coy smile. Corrie responds with a low growl. "I have a hunger, mare." Trailing her mouth down the side of Octavia's face, worrying the skin and fur with her teeth in random spots on the way down to her neck. Octavia gaps feeling the teeth on her skin. She can feel the muscles in her legs tightening in surprise. Little firework sensations in her nerves from the contact of those strange little teeth. "And what do you want to eat, Corrie?" the panting grey mare asks. "Meat" Corrie whispers in hear ear, bringing her mouth up to the tip and biting gently before looking at Octavia's beautiful eyes. For a moment Octavia almost gives in and shoves her way into the shower with the wet, slippery human. Instead she places a gentle hoof on her forehead and gives her a strong but playful shove backward. "Breakfast in bed, perhaps?" she says, tone all honey and promises before turning around and trotting to the doorway. Corrie realizes she's going down, but not in the way she first intended. These earth ponies are so drekking strong! The shove was enough to put her off balance, slipping backwards on the now treacherous surface landing on her ass with a loud wet smack. 'Oh hells no!' Corrie thinks to herself while trying to get purchase to stand. Gripping the side of the tub she decides the little dirty fleeing mare needs a shower, indeed. With a snarl she fires on her Wired Reflexes to give chase to the mare having traction issues on the tile before her. Watching Octavia in slow motion trying to gain traction was wildly humorous to the now rising human. Seeing her little hooves sliding with stretched out clopping noises, fighting for purchase all their own. To her surprise, and probably Octavia's as well she finds it. The clattering sounds replaced by a loud, slow "Huzzah!" as she bounds forward near the doorway. With cat like agility Corrie uses the side of the tub to launch herself at her pray, making it halfway across the room in a bound. The gods of good karma gracing her with not slipping and breaking her fool neck while landing on the slippery tiles, she reaches out to grab the little mare. Octavia brings her haunches under her and moves forward even faster, just out of her reach. Both of them making it out of the doorway at almost exactly the same moment, Corrie just centimeters behind her. With triumphant yells both the mare and the maiden have the same idea. Simultaneously launching themselves in the air towards victory and the rewards in promised between the sheets for the two lovers. "What in bucking Celestia's name were you thinking??" Vinyl belted out, nervously pacing on all fours in the living room in front of the coffee table. A bruised and concussed pair on the couch stared at each other and winced at the same time. "I could have killed you both! Do you think.... " Vinyl drones on worriedly. Blah blah blah blah blah" was Corrie and Octavia could hear over the drumming headaches they both shared. The talking unicorn wasn't helping that much, at all. "Who knew startling a sleeping unicorn was a bad idea?" she whispered to Octavia, wincing at moving her head towards the mare's ear. "Our fault really" Octavia responds, voice heavy in pain as she in turn winces at the loud barrage of worried words from Vinyl. The redheaded woman nods slowly. "So I'm guessing breakfast is out of the question?" Corrie asks her, half jokingly. "Hmm...Let me check my schedule...." moving a hoof across a pretend book in her lap she makes a pondering face. "No. Breakfast is out. Looks like Brunch will be cancelled as well, due to concussion I'm afraid". Giggling then groaning and holding her head in pain. "How's dinner looking for you?" Corrie asks, trying to look seductive while crossing her eyes and making a pained face. Wincing again at the throbbing in her head she groans out a weak 'worth it' before staring into those gorgeous purple eyes. Octavia snickers and grins at the human. Reaching out she grabs the pale hand with the metal fingers and gives it a gentle squeeze. Looking deeply into her little eyes, she huskily responds. "Dinner looks delicious to me." The look in response Corrie gives her makes her spine tingle and she shudders from it a little, never breaking eye contact. This was a thing that was going to happen, the grey mare determines. It will be done. "Dinner?" Vinyl inturupts her own tirade to stare at the two on the couch, apparently having some sort of private moment. "What about breakfast? I'm starving!". Those Damn Fingers - (Octavia Masturbation Clop)The Reluctant Demonstration Pt.1 (Corrie in this World) :'Stir-Crazy. (ˈstər-ˈkrā-zē ). :Also see available links on neurosis for further information about prolonged confinement!': Corrie's A.I. assistant informs her, picking up on her thoughts of leaving this room, but having a panic attack every time she's tried so far. The pleasant female Elven voice just sounded too chipper to be discussing the insanity she was probably descending in to. Dropping the book she was holding onto the little coffee table she leans back into the soft cushions and gives a small sigh. History was never her strong suit. Reading for prolonged periods wasn't either, when it wasn't for enjoyment. "Would have become a librarian instead of a paramedic if I wanted to sit around and read myself to death." the redheaded human mutters to herself, eyeing the other fourteen books on The History and Evolution of the Beings of Equestria and the Laws and Regulations Pertaining Thereof....." After reading the title on that book : (Volume 3! : the voice chimes happily and she mutes with with an internal snarl) . Sure she learned her letters. Momma Cat Mojo wanted to make sure she could read, not just talk that 'Garbage CitySpeak hockey'. So she did. It was hard, at first like many things. But the stories she read only fueled her desire to read more. At least when it came to fantasy books, sci-fi, old dusty tomes from a century or two ago she couldn't get enough of. However, this wasn't fantasy. This was history. So dry. So tedious. So now when she couldn't read anymore, eyes swimming and losing focus from boredom she started committing headware space to scanning the books to store in her memory. At least this way she could reference without needing to hit the books, but gods the process was tedious! Since waking up in this little room in this strange world, it had become her haven from the unusual place, as well as a self imposed prison. Anxiety flared every she tried to cross the threshold to explore this new place. She just didn't fell strong enough to process this just yet. A whole world out past that doorway so vastly different than her own. Soon she will try she theorizes, but not yet. As per her request there were no mirrors in any of the rooms, bathroom included. A few tasteful paintings on the walls provided some much needed color to the otherwise grey walls. An unbarred window over the writing desk let in plenty of light during the daytime as well as an ever cooling breeze. The furniture was made of some honest to goodness stained wood. It looked handmade to boot. A sitting chair, two recliners at angles facing the softest couch Corrie ever sat on. A coffee table stained dark, as well as a few knick knack tables and shelves currently used to store the gear that made it with her during her transition from her old world to this one. Tasteful rugs scattered throughout the living room and bedroom. All of the furniture was smaller than in her old place, but being only five-six herself, she wasn't really that inconvenienced at all. So far no too tall shelves she'd have to stand on her tiptoes just to retrieve something from them. That was nice. Not to mention the bathtub. Long enough for a large pony to lay down in comfortably to soak sore muscles, she could lay flat in the bottom underwater and her feet wouldn't even touch the end of the tub. Doubly glorious, that. The kitchen gave her the most fits. After a lifetime of pushing buttons at the local fast food places, and even the Stuffer Shacks, her grip on cooking like this was pretty weak. Sure Momma Cat Mojo had a couple hot plates to cook on with in her place, but those were only really used for special occasions, such as rat meat and rice night, when hunting the alleyways with her stray cat friends paid off. Otherwise it was algae based foods, tofu, and flavor spigots for the variety of flavors desired. So far she's only had to use the fire extinguisher three times. After the third try though, she just gave up and started ordering in for a while. The little beings that called themselves ponies were rather pleasant, but most were a bit wary of her. That, she could understand at least. Strange thing in a strange land after all. And she didn't even mind the two guards outside her door, day and night. As much for protection for her as well as them. Sensible decision, she concedes to herself. She'd do the same if roles were reversed. And even the guards were nice. The guards at night were a little more relaxed, and just a bit stranger than the daytime guards. She just chalked that up to night shift workers in all worlds were a usually an odd bunch anywhere you go. She even went so far as to accept their invitation to play some dice games with them. Her sitting in the doorway, not ready to leave her room just yet. Talking to them about the customs of the new world helped ease her mind, and give her pause. From what she could tell there was no Mega-Corps running anything. Some kind of quasi-medieval government. Headed by an apparently immortal being called an Alicorn and her sister. And possibly one or two more? She'd seen Celestia only once here since coming to. She was polite, they made small talk over tea when she was still bedridden and healing. Corrie realized that during the brief talk with her that she was friendly, there were more humans popping up here and there randomly, and that she wasn't a prisoner. She was more than welcome to leave at any time. The crown would help her get her set up in her new life while she looked for whatever profession she chooses. Even the offer to go back to school, if that's what she was doing in her old world. Academia was never Corrie's strong suit, but she did keep the offer in the back of her mind. Even if she failed everything she set out to do there, a University might be the best place to get an idea for what these little ponies are really about. She'd call it people watching still. Pony watching just sounds too odd to her. She was thankful they had a decent grasp of chemistry here, although she has to concede to herself it's more like alchemy and less like chemistry. Magic seemed to go in to just about everything the denizens did here. All that matters is some fundamentals still worked, she could make gunpowder for her Ares and she was very grateful for that. Knowing you had a finite amount of rounds to ventilate your enemies was a troublesome thing. She'd just have to find the time to set up a workshop. -- A few days later she decided it was time to get to work. The better part of this day was wasted cataloging her inventory, pacing, drinking copious amounts of tea, inventorying again, and exercising to help bleed off excess energy that was building with the anticipation of actually doing something. Her only concern was that her guards wouldn't go for it, and she'd have to find a more stealthy approach to getting done what she wanted to do. Shadowrunning was never her forte, but she could do what needed to be done in a pinch, for survival. The two guards for this evening turned out to be Night Light. Well Night's Grace and Temple's Light. More often then not it was these two that guarded her door now. Their upper ranks decided it was a good thing that someponies bonded with the human so their new assignment came to be guarding her, and helping her adjust to her new life. One thing that would probably baffle Corrie for all her days was the their whole naming structure, some of it had to do with their 'Cutie Mark's' that appear sometime in their lives to show themselves and others what their calling was. So for these two ponies, brother and sister apparently, she just called them Night Light since she's never seen them apart. Sheepishly she told them about that after a couple cider's a few days ago and they laughed at the nickname. For some reason it stuck with them, and she was informed that more of the guards were using the moniker now for the duo. It felt strange, making friends with these beings, these ponies. But in a nice way. They were very good natured in general. Pleasant dispositions, and these two had a very dry sense of humor that Corrie found enjoyable. "Hey Corrie!" Night belts out in a husky voice. Like bourbon and pipe smoke that voice was. Very pleasant to the ears. She gives the human a little fist bump at the door and slips by the redhead. Corrie smells pizza from the heating bag on her back. "How goes it, prisoner?" Light grins at her while speaking and emulating the previous hoofbump and shuffle around the human into the room. His voice was deep, but clear. A slow bronze bell kind of ring to it. His saddlebags carried a few colorful cardboard boxes and what seemed to be a six pack of cider. "Hoi. What's that you got there?" Corrie asks them, shutting her door and making her way to the sofa. The two ponies look at each other with matching smiles and look back at her. "Game night!" they both exclaim at the same time. The two busy themselves with setting up the pizza on the dining room table and unpacking little miniature pieces of what looked like little warrior ponies. Wizard ponies too, by the look of the pointy hats. Some kind of archers, and a few other things she couldn't make out. Night continues "We thought you might need a break from studying to have some fun for a change". After a few more minutes she waves Corrie over to the table. Apparently they were done setting up. Some paper, pencils, and dice in little cups were now set up as well. -- A couple of pleasant hours pass and Corrie realizes she's lost this match about an hour ago. Long term tactics weren't exactly her strong suit, all things considered. Light's forces already routed Night's this round, and basically from what she could tell, it was just a quick mop up job for him to take her out as well. Sighing to herself she flips her sheet over and declares surrender. Light jumps off his table and starts flexing like a bodybuilder. Night just rolls her eyes and groans at the display of 'humble victory' as she called it. Corrie laughs. She's always hated her laugh. To her it was like the barking of a Coyote Shaman summoning his totem animal. Like gunfire replaced by barking dog sounds. She couldn't help herself though, watching these two ponies have a mock serious battle about humility and the whole craziness of the situation washes over her. It was a good laugh, healing and cleansing though. The two poines couldn't figure out what the strange noise was coming from the human. They figured she was choking on something and got up from their debate (which turned into a full on wrestling match), to see if she needed help. When they got closer they realized she was laughing. Small tears forming at the corners of her eyes while she did so. Night grins at the human and gives her a timid smile. "Been a while, huh?" she says, nudging the humans arm with a hoof. Light smiles at the human too, putting an arm around his sisters shoulder. "See Sis, I told you she needed this" he says. "I did. Thank you" She finishes the sentence by reaching out and holding a hoof from each of them. Giving each a small squeeze, she lets go quickly and places her hands on her lap. "Which is why I feel kinda like crap for wanting to ask a favor of you two, now." Oddly enough it was true. Favor for a favor is usually how it went on the street. Nuyen talked and made the world go 'round, but the favor system was the grease in the wheels when it came to that particular machinery. "Well, what is it?" Light asks her, tone casual while taking another slice of pizza to his plate. She could tell however, he was a little on edge. It's not like her to ask for anything so far. This was new. Night worries her lip and turns her head to the side. "We will if we can, but you do understand.." She waves a little hoof around the room. "I know. And I promise I wouldn't ask anything of you I didn't think you would be willing to do. Or jeopardize your careers." She smiles the best she can, a twinge of regret courses through her on that last part. She's not exactly sure if that's true. But she was allowed to explore the castle and it's grounds. She figured it would be better to have those two come along with her, as to help her find what she needed, as well as to keep her out of trouble. If she did do something wrong, or committed some social faux pas, they would be there to help. "So what is it?" Light asks her. Locking eyes with the human. "All that build up, and you say you need tools?" Light chuckles to himself. Holding a hoof up to steady himself. Corrie looks a bit chagrined at the ponies in mirth sitting in front of her now. "Well, yeah" A light blush through her pale skin starts to show, and she can feel herself growing hot being embarrassed. The curse of the pale skin in full bloom. "Look yeah, I was going to ask you to overthrow the monarchy or go on some grand adventure, no. I'd never do that". Shaking her head at the thoughts she continued "I just didn't know if it would be okay. Some of my gear is really damaged, and I'm not sure if you have what I need here to fix it, but I have to try." Night and Light give each other a long look before turning back to the human. Their was a seriousness in their tones as well as their body language. "There's a workshop of sorts a few floors down from here. " Light tells her. "We can take you there if you want to go. It's a pretty easy walk from here, actually." "However, we want to ask something of you in return. If you don't mind" Night says, hastily ending that sentence in a bit of a nervous squeak. Corrie thinks a moment and nods. "If I can give it, I will" she tells her guests. "Show us what you can do?" They both speak in unison while shuffling over to the confused looking human. Corrie blinks slowly, staring at the ponies now moving slowly towards her. Their eyes seemed to be gleaming with some internal light of their own. Mischief, curiosity, something else? She couldn't place it And for a moment it throws her off balance. "Sorry, what?" Bottles of Red and White (Corrie in this World)Those Damn Fingers - (Octavia Masturbation Clop) Octavia glanced at the wind up clock on the nightstand. She had just enough time to do this before before bed tonight. With a sly smirk to no one but herself in the darkness of her bedroom, she starts the usual ritual by licking the tip of her right hoof gently, while moving her left hoof slowly down her body. She gives a quick sharp inhale as her hoof meets one of her tiny grey teats. Moving it gently with with the flat of her hoof she manipulates it to giver her hardening darker grey nipple a light pinch. A momentary spasm of pain followed by the brief pleasure that follows gives her a small sigh. And then with a little giggle she stifles by biting the hoof by her mouth she realizes she had the image of Corrie gently pinching her in just that way. Tiny slender metal fingers giving just enough pressure on each side of her swollen and very sensitive nipple. With a start Octavia freezes for a moment, blush coming hard to her cheeks. She hasn't thought of that before. Something...New. Odd. Do some humans pinch their nipples like some ponies do? Her tiny little teats so strangely on the tops of their 'chests', and Corrie's wasn't even a hoof-full! But she had those fingers. Long slender promises of secret places explored thoroughly, of places hooves and even perhaps her toys, couldn't explore. Those damn fingers! It all started when they agreed to take it slow. Date nights, luncheons, that sort of thing. A leisurely pace for all three of them to adjust to the idea of being a herd. Well, more for Corrie's sake then theirs. Vinyl and her have been together for a little while now. It was a good thing in retrospect. Humans were very contradictory creatures, after all. One moment full of bluster and bravado. The next moment insecure and retrospective. But even that wasn't the most frustrating part. What Octavia found frustrating was that Corrie talked. Not a lot, or at a great length of any things she really didn't have a handle on. And not more so than any other mare (or chatty stallion) did. Her voice wasn't unpleasant either. It was that she talked with her hands. Big gestures, small gestures. Tiny angry gesture of one finger in the middle, usually accompanied by a flustered look at something she was really displeased with. She tried to explain it to Octavia once. It was part of her species non-verbal communications. Something about the "Italian Syndrome", whatever that was. The grey mare was pretty sure if she tied Corrie's hands behind her back, she wouldn't even be able to speak at all! A lascivious grin briefly crosses her lips at the thought of the bound and naked woman on her back. And it wasn't even her hands really. It was those fingers. Wrapping themselves around wineglass stems. Casually parting and running through her hair. Even watching them wiggle when she was embarrassingly caught dancing with herself, some unheard music in her mind dictating the beat. Watching her write her notes and communications for work, tip of her tiny pink tongue sticking out just so from her mouth in concentration. Nervously chewing on the flesh and bone 'fingernails'. Occasionally looking around abashed when she realized she was trying to chew absentmindedly on a metal one. And Octavia found that she couldn't stop herself from watching them. Those damn fingers! Looking up at the ceiling she allows herself a guilty smile. Since the first meeting with Corrie didn't go so well, thanks to Vinyl jumping the gun (considering that thing the little human carried with her, it may have not been the right idiom but the words sounded right all the same to her), she'd been pleasantly surprised by the redheaded woman. Buck! Octavia realizes her pacing was slowing down with her thoughts. Redoubling her efforts she starts moving her other hoof with her saliva coated tip down her body quickly she spreads her legs a little wider and shuffles a bit on the bed to make herself comfortable. Feeling the tip of her hoof reach her marehood she bites her lower lip as she runs the slick hoof tip down her slightly pulsing lips. Excitement mixed with anticipation makes her jump as it quickly slides over the sensitive nub of flesh it was aiming for. Her right hoof shakes with a quick spasm that trailed down her leg, leaving her senses reeling for a moment. Celestia! It's been ages since she's done this! Moving her teat in a small circle while pinching her nipple sporadically, she turns her hoof flat and moves the tip up to spread her lips just a little bit, mind you! A naughty peep show in progress for an unseen phantom lover. Moving her hoof flat again she places the tip on the top of her clit while moving it also in a slow rotation. She lets a little moan escape her lips at the same time she imagines seeing Corrie's face hovering over her sex with a lascivious grin. Fingers gently raking the top of her pubic area, fingers spread just enough to leave little furrows in her fur. Octavia could tell she was close, but she needed just a little more than this it seems. With quick and frustrated movements she hopped off her bed to grab her hair brush on the nightstand. Grabbing the now conscripted sex toy, she begins sucking on the handle to get it nice and slick, she rolls it with her tongue, imagining the long plastic thing was a finger. She jumps back onto her covers making a satisfied cooing quietly to herself. Instead of returning to her usual position, she instead hooks the head of the brush through one of the carved highlights in the headboard. A brief smile of anticipation on her lips as she used her hooves and steady it in place with a couple of hair ties. Wiggling it a bit and satisfied it won't fall off if she wasn't too forceful with it, she turns around, facing away. With the heat of a very large blush burning in her cheeks and her sex, Octavia bends her forelegs and presents herself to the brush handle, plot in the air, tail raised and to the side. Imagining it was the redheaded woman moving said tail she could feel her plot quiver in anticipation. She slowly leans backward, giving out a gasp when the brush handle just touches her slick entrance. Feeling just the tip of it slide into her, there was some resistance from the rest of the brush. Moving her forehoof back down under her body she spreads her lips a little more, and returns to rubbing her clit, faster now with just a hint more pressure. Her juices now coating her inner walls and by virtue of her movements, and the new slickness inside, her brush slowly pushes deeper into her. Octavia can feel her clamping down on the brush already, only partway inside. She wasn't sure if other mares were as sensitive as her, but she could swear she could feel every hill and valley of the brushes rubber handle. Moving her hips up and down now, increasing speed just a little, the new sensation of the brushes tip scraps the top of her slick tunnel. She lets out an involuntary gaps. Resting her head on the bed now, she repeats the same motions over and over, faster and faster gaining speed. She could here the sounds of her slick hoof sliding across her clit in ever shortening circles, but gaining speed with the promise of the impending orgasm. "Just a little more" she pants out loud to herself. Faster and faster she goes, striving for her release. Biting her lip she can imagine Corrie above her, her right hand pressing down on her head, keeping it still under her while she leaned into Octavia's plot from behind. Running two of those cool, metal fingers inside of her. She was almost there, she was panting now,her breathing was coming after longer intervals. Holding her breath she relaxes her hips, feeling all the tense muscles in her hips, thighs, and legs release. A stray random thought crosses her mind before she comes. Corrie biting her ear and whispering "Come for me" in a wholly deep and sexy voice while fucking her with those little metal fingers. Slamming her plot all the way back against the bedboard she hilts herself with the brush handle. Riding it up and down while treating her clit like a redheaded stepfilly (Sorry Corrie!) she now tenses every muscle again, ever fiber of her being holding down that growing pressure, fighting with it, knowing the release will be all the more sweeter for keeping it in. With a few more guttural noises to break the rhythm of the thump, thump, thump of her plot on the headboard she comes. A great wave starting from her throat and sliding all through her body, gaining force and pleasure with every nerve leading to the culmination of her leaking some of her juices past the handle and down the headboard. She covers her mouth with her free hoof and moans into it quietly. A few moments of self gratifying bliss later, Octavia finds herself back down in Equestria. Barrel heaving with the explosive breaths escaping her. She tries to clamp down on her abdomen muscles that are already in the process of releasing waves of her receding orgasm in little aftershocks rippling through her body. Celestia damn it, what was it? Why and how could such little things, such tiny. dirty little things really, compared to their hooves, cause all this? And even just in her own imagination! Those damn fingers! Bottles of Red and White Pt. 2 (Corrie in this World)Bottles of Red and White (Corrie in this World) Oh God, why did I go through with this? A frantic Corrie thinks to herself while bolting out of the shower. In her mind's ear she can hear the alarm reminding her that her date will be here soon. Grabbing her towels she makes her way to the bedroom, wrapping her small frame up from hair to hip. A few small pieces of makeup on a tray sat next to the foot of a tall standing mirror she borrowed from one of her co-workers. She could have done her makeup downstairs in one of the employee bathrooms, but she was getting ready for a date after all. Her first date on this strange new world. Sitting on the floor now in her towels, she went over the collection of jars and boxes. A few of the powders or concealers on this world yet could cover the little imperfections she would have liked to cover on her arms. Shrapnel scars, burn marks, sensor patches, some surgery scars. And no amount of makeup would cover the surgery scars and damage on her back. At least she wasn't chromed up as much as the rest of her team was. Only her left hand and a bit of her left forearm showed any signs of augmentation by machine. The rest were all concealed in her body. Pausing for a moment, Corrie realizes she's never seen a seriously messed up pony before. A few had scars here and there, but surely industrial accidents happened? Hospitals were abundant here in this place, and that was all well and good. But was magic just that good enough to replace limbs? She'd have to look into that. Making a mental note and hearing the save chime she focuses on the image before her and continues to work. In the end though it all added up to just a tad too much that she'd like to show out in public. And there was no way in hell aside from magic would ever make her nose straight again. Always a little crooked an to the left a titch now. She never really considered getting it fix or replaced on her old world. It would just keep breaking anyway. Why waste the Nuyen? And nothing doing about the amount of freckles over her pale skin. 'Dotted from the rooter to the tooter to the scooters' as Momma Cat Mojo used to tell her. She could have went with contacts too. She oddly missed her green ones, back in her old apartment. Human or metahuman if you had red hair, everyone expected you to have green eyes, not brown. Sometimes blue was acceptable too. But green got you laid quick, when you were in the mood. She liked her eyes however. Hazel just seemed to her to fit her red hair perfectly. But what could you do? A few opened mail parcels behind her on the bed with various pieces of clothing strewn about them. A riot of colors in the otherwise drab tones contrasting against her usual tastes. Less likely to get shot at in a crowd if you don't stand out, in her own world. Her last dress was considerably shorter. And tighter. Okay, it was a miniskirt she concedes to herself. But under plated to absorb a shock or two. That was a good party dress. This though, this was odd. Made her shoulders itch feeling that exposed. Standing now in front of the borrowed full length mirror placed in her bedroom, Corrie wondered if there was time enough to change. Dressing up was one thing, but this might be too much. Looking at the reflection of herself in a little black dress made her really feel exposed and uncomfortable. No padding, no armor plates. Scar tissue from the nape of her neck down to the middle of her back almost fully exposed. At least they got the length right, she concedes. When she twirls or walks quick in it, the clips for her Ares strapped to one leg didn't show. She should have requested a full backed dress. Maybe a hoodie and sweatpants. Frowning, she ignores that problem for the moment to work on the next. Her hair. Flaring out the dark black dress with her hands a little she gives herself an unsure turn in the mirror. The feeling was almost like being naked. Two little straps on her shoulders, no firm armor plates on anything. The breeze on her ankles when she walked, only blocked in one area from a pair of pistol clips strapped to her lower leg. It was all so new. They did get the belt right, the holster for her Ares fit like a glove in its place. A little loop strap for her bit pouch. Top notch craftsmanship from an old human leather worker. Corrie smiles and runs her right hand across it again. Not bad at all. She's going to have to meet this man some day. Worth every Bit. After playing quick draw a few times to bleed off some nervous energy, she holsters her Ares and heads to clean up the mess she made while getting prepared. "One moment!" Corrie yells to whomever it was knocking on her door. Considering the hour it was probably her date. It could be work though, but the evenings now have turned more into catching up on paperwork, than it did face to face meetings. People were starting to get into their little rhythms of living new lives here in Manehattan, which made her job a little bit easier at night. It even allowed some free time to herself now and again, like this evening. Shoving the last of her clothes haphazardly in the closet and shutting the door, she gives herself one more quick look in the mirror. Barefoot and making her way though the living room she gives a silent prayer to Momma's Cat Spirit for luck while opening the door. "Octavia" Corrie says, and her words catch and stop right in her throat. Standing on her hind hooves, front right hoof extended and resting on the doorway for balance just above the doorbell stood Octavia. Corrie suddenly felt like the cheapest Joygirl she'd ever seen working in a coffin hotel. Her throat felt dry and she was finding it hard to blink. And talk. What Corrie did in haste, Octavia did in perfection. From her makeup, large purple eyes accentuated with eyeliner, mascara and lifted eyebrows making every blink a sultry affair. Just the right amount of a deep red lipstick on her tiny lips. Not a smudge or a smear. Blush? Please! Corrie thought nothing manufactured could beat that shade of blush radiating from her cheeks at this moment. Her hair was done up and the perfect amount of bangs hung just above her eyes. The rest pulled to the side and tied with a little purple bow. It was the dress though. Matched her cutie mark color and eyes to a T, just right. A small v-neck just dipping down to where if she had cleavage, the right amount would be shown, and no more. Every snug curve on her small outstretched frame on display tactfully. Full length down to just above her freshly manicured hooves. Said hooves had no color on them, just the natural shade buffed up to an almost mirror like shine. "Corrie" Octavia says in a low, husky voice. Apparently from the look in the little humans face this was without a doubt the right outfit. Although she wasn't moving. Or blinking for that matter. Letting a little smile encroach on her lips, the young mare realizes she might have shorted out her date. "Corrie." She nods politely to the human. "May I come in?" she asks, a whisper of humor in her accent. 'You can come on anything you like right now. Preferably on my face' Corrie catches that errant thought at the last minute before the brain to tongue transfer could be completed. Thank god for small favors. Her clock display informs her they have been staring at each other for about fifteen seconds now, before Octavia gives a little cough. An excuse to break eye contact Corrie takes. She didn't think she would have been able to without it. The young woman nods, watching the mare cross the threshold into the apartment with grace born of one with near perfect balance. She resists wolf whistling at the shimmying flank going past. Barely. Just barely. "Please, make yourself at home." She says while face palming herself in the doorway. Fuckin' perv so ka? Rolling her eyes she closes the door and follows Octavia into the kitchen. A few moments later the pair find themselves staring into each others eyes at the kitchen table. After the usual pleasantries and offers of refreshment, the conversation just sort of stopped between the mare and the maiden. Corrie was still trying to figure out how Octavia didn't get a single smear of lipstick on the glass of water she just sipped from. A comfortable silence surrounded the pair, the only sounds their light breathing, and the radiator ticking to life, warming up the kitchen nicely with it's magic and heated water. Corrie looked up at the same time as Octavia, in the interest of saying something. Anything really. But something in that mare's eyes stopped her. There was a look in those eyes she'd only seen a couple of times. Admiration. It was a strange feeling to be considered something to be admired. By anyone or anything. Sure, going out and having fun was one thing, but that look hinted at something else. Long term planning was going on in that mare's mind, she surmised. Was that really a bad thing though? It would have to be something to ponder later on. For now it was time to go. Reaching forward she meets Octavia's hoof, already heading for her left hand. Surprised at the the early contact between the two, Corrie grasps her little hoof in her hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. Nervous laughter from the two rings gently in the room before the comfortable silence returns. "Ready to go to dinner?" Octavia asks her politely, removing her hoof and hopping down off the chair. "Listen. I'm not really good at this kind of thing?" Corrie tells the little grey pony while standing up as well. Giving a little shrug she adjusts the strap again on her dress that started to fall down from the movement. "But thank you for saying yes. I know we got off on kind of the wrong foot. Hoof. Whatever. Both? Gah!" Putting both hands up in a gesture of pleading to some unhearing deity she bemoans off key "This place is going to kill me with this language drek." Octavia gives her a laugh. "It's alright. I'm actually looking forward to spending some alone time with you. It's a good chance to get to know each other without interruptions. Walking through the house with the human, she helps turn off the lights before heading out the door. "After all, you were kissing my marefriend when we met." She cheekily bumps Corrie with her flank as the human closes the door amid stammered apologies. Manehattan was having what they called on Corrie's world an Indian Summer day. The warm weather of the day inviting ponies and people alike a reprieve from the chilly air, even if just a short lived one. More beings were out and about in the street as Corrie and Octavia decided to instead walk to their destination instead of hailing a taxi. It was only a few blocks away all told, an easy walk to work up the appetite they both agreed. The contrast between here and her Seattle was apparent in everything from the near litter free streets, to the lighting. No sewage flowing down the gutters from makeshift pipes out of the tenements. No bodies in the alleyways. She didn't even have the smartlink to her gun activated. No overcast sky promising acid rain, just water falling free of the pollutants of her old world. But for today at least, clear skies. It was a big town, although she never could get a straight answer about the total population. It seemed to be in flux quite a bit. But it was by no means as big as her old stomping grounds. No skyscrapers reaching past the heavens trying to reach the stars. No mass transit or hours waiting in cabs and buses to go to one side of town to the next. No bike gangers trying to kill you between the bad sections of town either. That was a plus, she conceded to herself. The image of a little pony biker gang, all leather and spikes chromed up and ready to rumble made her bark out a laugh for a moment. Waving off the question her mare friend obviously had. She would tell her that later. Reaching their destination the two stopped a few feet away from the garishly colored green door. A sign above it with a chef's hat jauntily tilted to the side. 'Tonio's' was all that was on it, in an overly ornate script. "Been here before?" Corrie asks the grey mare. Octavia shakes her head. "No. It's a fairly new place. Human run, with a Griffon chef for the meat eaters of your kind as well." Looking sideways to her date "Do you eat meat?" she asks, trying to keep her tone neutral. Corrie catches the gist pretty easy on that question. "I have before yes. It's been a long time ago, and nothing that would be served at a restaurant." Moving closer to the mare and lowering her voice she continues "Most of the food on my world was algae and soy based. Synthetic flavor tubes could make you just about any flavor you like. Meat was only commonplace for the richer of our society. Or wildly primitives who still relied on hunting to survive. But the answer to your unasked question behind that question is no." Leaning closer still she watches her little ear twitch at each puff of air from her mouth making it dance like it had a life of it's own. A little revenge was in order. Tit for tat, after all. "I've never eaten horse before. Never seen one in the flesh before coming here. But that could change tonight, couldn't it?" Holding in a laugh at her date expense at the look of dawning understanding on Octavia's face and growing blush she reaches out and opens the door, as she was taught proper to do. A slightly off balance grey mare nods her thanks and makes her way into the cozy atmosphere of the eatery. Bottles of Red and White Pt. 3 (Corrie in this World)Bottles of Red and White Pt. 2 (Corrie in this World) A pony waiter in a little black vest with gold buttons came up to the couple at the door. After confirming the reservation with Octavia, they were lead to a little booth for two in the back of the building. Trying not to stare overmuch at the other beings in the place, Corrie realizes she's trying to threat assess the patrons and tries to relax her shoulders. She can see a few other patrons looking at them and whispering. No doubt they've figured out who she is. With any luck she can make it through dinner in peace. Surprisingly enough to her at least, it looked to her like there were a few more human and pony couples scattered throughout. Not many, but enough to make her a little happy at least. integration like this was slow, but happening. Friends will be made on both sides, even if she had to pistol whip everyone to achieve it. She might have discreetly not noticed a smiling couple even holding hoof and hand. A nervous looking young man holding the hoof of an attractive pale white mare with a silver mane. The smile on Octavia's face marked she noticed the affectionate gesture as well. Resisting the urge to rub the grey mare behind the ear, stopping only because she didn't want to mess up her mane, the two arrived at their table. With a little flourish the waiter retreats after making sure his guests were seated, Corrie with the booth facing the doorway, Octavia facing her, and menus were placed before them. A unicorn balancing a tray in an aura of her magic that matched her dark green mane came by and placed two glasses of ice water in front of them before retreating as well. A third waiter, human this time wore a small smirk as he brought two little wax covered bottles to the table, one red, one white at the rear of the table. With a quick gesture of his hand he sleigh of handed up what looked like an old fashioned lighter. After getting the candles to light, he nods to himself. "Diplomat" He says with a little bow, then two retreating from the pair. Corrie rolls her eyes and smiles at Octavia. "I'll never get used to that. I've got a name and title already." "Used to what, Diplomat?" Octavia responds with an innocent look that almost stops Corrie's heart. "Smart ass. Smart pony. Whatever. Read your menu" Corrie responds in a mocking gruff tone. Octavia rewards her date with an adorable giggle, but indeed does check her menu. It was dinner time after all. Settling on an alfalfa noodle alfredo plate with mushrooms she puts her menu down to see Corrie absentmindedly looking past her. Her hazel eyes twitching back and forth, up and down, like she was reading something in the air. She looked a little sad. Leaning forward and placing a hoof on the human's left hand "Are you okay, Corrie?" Corrie gives a little start and blushes. "I'm sorry. I just realized I don't think I've ever eaten anything like this that wasn't synthetic." Frowning to herself. "I don't even know what it will taste like. Will it be like the flavor settings at the Stuffer Shacks? Will it all be like that fake cherry flavor that doesn't taste anything like a real cherry, from what I'm told? I just don't know." Giving a short bark of a laugh. "I don't even know if I'm allergic to any of this stuff? I don't know. Maybe we should do something else? Go rent a few movies? Maybe take a nice long walk?" Octavia realized that the redhead in front of her seemed on the verge of a little panic attack, oddly enough. She's never seen her this nervous or uncertain before. Impulsive yes. A bit short when she was grumpy in the mornings at work pre-coffee, Celestia yes. She had bravado and backbone in spades, but it was a little endearing to Octavia to see a little crack in that wall she had around her. Banter or no, she's kept a lot of her close to her little chest. "Hey, Hey" Octavia tells her gently, bring her other hoof up to cup that odd left hand in both of her hooves and gives it a gentle squeeze. "It's only dinner. Look, I've got an idea." Standing up and using the table to balance herself on her back hooves, she shuffles over to the humans side of the table and scoots her over. Jumping up and sitting next to her on the tiny booth, Corrie had to give ground and move her left arm over the shoulder of the little grey mare for both of them to have room on the seat, but it was a close fit. Both could be seen with a light blush, but neither one moved away. "Now. I've eaten quite a few of the new things from these new worlds, all vegetables and pastas, mind you. I am a bit of a foodie, if you will pardon the expression. I can help you decide." Bringing up the menu she asks her human companion "It's a hard question, but what flavors do you like with your meals in your own world? What did you usually get there?" Octavia's questions helped Corrie feel a bit more grounded, but that was almost countered by the close proximity of her warm fur clad body. Their hip and flank almost touching, and she could imagine feeling the heat radiating between them. She could smell the exotic scent of equine and some flower based perfume under it. Steeling her resolve she once again looks at the menu. Antonio peeked through the kitchen door. Two pony heads peeked out just underneath his, like an Equestrian totem pole. "You sure that's her? She looks a bit small" Antonio whispers. "Yes boss, that's her" the first wait-pony that lead them to their seats confirmed. "I was there when she uprooted the squatters out by the river's bend. Got them moving proper and into the city." "I've seen her go into the Diplomatic Offices too" the other head chimed in. The unicorn stared at the grey mare with a twinge of jealousy. "Never seen her dressed outside of that weird jumpsuit she wears all the time. Must be a pretty special occasion." She surmises. "Well in that case, let's make sure everything goes well. I'll prepare the tiramisu and take it out myself for dessert." Moving away from the doorway he beckons his two compatriot spies to follow him. After placing their orders with the first wait-pony, Corrie noticed that Octavia didn't move back to her seat. Taking a chance, she slid a little closer to the pony, hip just bumping flank gently. She feels a small but strong bump in return from the mare. And for a moment she is surprised by the warm form of the little mare leaning into her, but just for one short sweet moment. "So...Um..." Corrie starts, instead trading her words for the glass of water. Maybe she can think of something to say after. Saved by the ghost, Octavia speaks first. "So." Octavia stops for a moment. Arching her left eyebrow she looks up at the human. "What is your last name, by the way? I've always heard your first name, and your title but I've never heard you speak it." "Which one?" Corrie responds wryly. Seeing the Shadowrunner joke fall a bit flat on grey ears she clears her throat and tries again. "It's kind of complicated. And a whole lot personal." Giving a frustrated sigh and shrugging her shoulder she has to readjust her dress strap again, she notices Octavia's eyes dart down to her chest trying to get a peek. Cheeky mare, that. "Look, I don't mean to sound coy, or vague, or even mysterious with you since were on a date, but I'm not sure really what to say over such a little question." "Well that's kind of the point of a date, isn't it? To get to know each other?" Giving the human a warm smile and placing a hoof on her hand. "So?" She says, repeating the eyebrow arch with a little wiggle. "I didn't have a last name growing up. A lot of us don't. Didn't I guess I should say now. No point in having a last name if it wasn't ever going to be used." Using her right hand she furrows her brow and picks idly at some of the sensor patches on her left arm. "I was an orphan. I was found and raised by a woman named Momma Cat Mojo." Giving Octavia a little sad smile, memories of her Momma coming to the surface. "I supposed Mojo could technically my last name. But everyone in the neighborhood just called me Momma Cat's Kitten, or just Kitten for short. When I started running numbers" Holding out her hand to stall the question on her companions lips "Kind of an odd job. Kept you busy and Nuyen in your pocket. I was still Corrie, or Kitten." A small sigh through her nose. "I remember getting into a fight with her a few years ago about it. I was so young and on fire to find the truth. I wanted to know so badly who my parents were." Her shoulders slumping at the memory of the fight. Idly picking now at the napkin on the table "She finally snapped. I think I hurt her pride with how bad I wanted to know after all she did to take me in and raise me. She was once a hell of a 'Runner, I was told. Cat Spirit Magician. I've seen her do things.." Remembering that she wasn't taking to another person from her own world she froze a moment. "The end result was I got an answer I wasn't expecting, which in turn led me to not getting an answer at all." "So, like me in this conversation then?" Octavia tells her gently, making sure the humor in her tone can be heard. Corrie gives another short barking laugh. "Aye, Razorgirl, I suppose so." Giving the grey mare an appraising look and really seeing her for perhaps the first time. "I think she'd like you. She didn't like but a scant handful, hoof-ful of girlfriends I'd ever brought over for her to meet." At the lull in conversation started the two just enjoyed a moment of being together. Dinner arrived and it visibly lightened the mood at the table. As per Octavia's recommendation she just ordered something simple. Spaghetti and noodles, with a few tofu meatballs on top for good measure. That she knew at least she could eat. Dinner was finished rather quickly. The two sharing bites of food from each others plates, minus the alfalfa noodles, instead using a breadstick to mop up the sauce from Octavia's plate. It was determined by both parties that if they ate that good every day one would grow fat, and the other would founder, followed by little giggles. The walk back to the offices was quiet, but pleasant. Arriving at her doorstep Corrie turns to face Octavia. "Would you like to come in?" Corrie asks Octavia, now standing at the open gate to the diplomatic grounds. "Oh I would" Octavia tells her "But I can't." Holding up her hoof she stops Corrie asking a question for once. "I want to, please believe me. But I'm not that kind of mare. I know if I go up there, it will be warm and cozy." "Very" Corrie grins evilly at her. "We'd sit on the couch side by side. I'd even turn the heater down a bit so we'd have to snuggle close to get warm." Rubbing her hands together she gives the mare a mock evil grin. Octavia moves a little closer to her "There would probably be a drink or two. Just a little cider to take the chill out of the bones. Maybe help relax us in a potentially nervous situation." "Well I do have a few bottles in the fridge" Corrie moves a little closer to the grey mare. "We'd probably end up laughing over some trivial little thing and then I'd gather the courage to give you a kiss on the cheek." Corrie kneeled down, face to face with the mare and her beautiful purple eyes. " I'd have to return the favor. Courage like that should be rewarded." Bringing a hoof up and placing it on the humans pale cheek "But is that enough?" Octavia worries her lower lip just a little "Would it go farther than that? It would wouldn't it?" "I think it would." Corrie tells her. Bringing her one left hand to cup Octavia's cheek and give it a little rub. "But we can take it at your pace. I can wait." Smiling at her and kissing her gently on her right cheek Corrie pulls back and gives her a smile "I thank you for your honesty." Octavia returns the kiss on her cheek with one of her own on Corrie's. "I thank you then, for your patience." Standing up, Corrie eyes her surroundings quickly. "Let me walk you home. It'd be a shame for you to be swept away by some fast talker from another world after all." Grinning at the eye roll she received, she stands up and stretches. The worker-ponies for the street are just starting their shifts, lighting up the little globes with magical crystals in them, identical to the ones at the castle. Night lights go on, Smartlink goes on. Happiness is a warm gun after all. As the two make their way down the little sidewalk Corrie rubs her hand gently on the top of Octavia's head by her ears. "Octavia?" "Hmmmm" Octavia hums before a quiet "Yes?" is her response. "I want to be that kind of girl for you too." Corrie tells her. Snowbound in the Embassy (Corrie in this World)Bottles of Red and White Pt. 3 (Corrie in this World) "Here we are" Octavia tells Corrie. She can detect a hint of pride in her voice at the building before them. A few wide wooden stairs leading up to a long porch, off white paint matching the rest of the house, trim was all done in a darker shade of blue for the windows and door frames. Two stories tall, inviting and not the least imposing. Some kind of bench suspended to the roof of the covered porch by little chains and hooks in the ceiling. The glow of little crystal lanterns from inside the house gave it a cozy looking glow through the windows. A small crystal in a frosted glass sphere hung just over the doorway radiating the same inviting light. Say what you will about all this patchwork science and magic, the lighting on this world was so much easier on the eyes then her old one. She follows Octavia up the stairs and to the doorway. A moment of nervous blushing and feet and hoof shuffling from the pair made them both realize they didn't want their date night to end just yet. Octavia nods her head at the bench swing and They both amble over to it. Octavia hops on, and settles in while the swing adjusts itself in motion. Corrie times the rhythm of the swing and turns to sit on it when it comes back her way. Realizing this was a lot like learning how to fall again after her Balance Augmenter implant. Just enough to tip over and land. After a crazy careening moment where Octavia scooted over to the human while holding her still, Corrie froze. She wasn't sure if it was the unintentional hug, or her Augmenter was trying to make her fall out of the damn thing to regain her orientation. A few moments and the ride subsided a bit. Octavia would tap the ground with a hoof every now and again to keep the swing going at a leisurely pace. Tap, swing, tap, swing. She didn't move away from the human she snuggled next to. Moving her arm around the little grey mare Octavia moves in closer. "Hey, Octavia?" Corrie asks her grey companion on the swing. "Hmmm...Yes?" Comes the quiet response from the mare who decided that she'll borrow some of Corrie's body heat by snuggling close to her. "I don't really know that much about you at all, come to think of it." Grinning she places her head on top of that well groomed mane. "Just that you've got an odd taste in girls, err mares, and you have a good head on your shoulders. What do you do?" She can feel a smile creep on to Octavia's face. "You've seen my cutie mark right?" Corrie nods her head, well just rubbing her cheek back and forth slowly on her head in acknowledgement. The floral sent wafting off her main while she did so was intoxicating. She turns her head and gives her a quick kiss on the head, watching her left ear twitch adorably at the contact. "Well I've just started second year at Uni in town for musical studies, and I'm in between semesters right now so I've moved back in with my family for a time. Saves on Bits, and I can help out mum and dad when they need it, so I can work for Bits too when I'm running low . I study the cello, you see." Corrie, chagrined at herself has to look up what a cello is in her headware books. Pictures, descriptions, audio samples, and long history of the device swims in her vision while she picks and chooses what bits of info to save to read for later. At least now if it comes up in conversation, she wouldn't look like a total idiot. Just a regular every day garden variety one. Octavia points a hoof towards the porch window. Corrie can see the curtain ripple, but she missed who was peeking out a moment ago at the pair. "Dad there works hard. Maybe a little too hard. He's always been that way, though. Mum's kind of a homepony but don't let that fool you. She could go back to teaching mathematics full time at University if she wanted to, but for now she's happy taking care of the house and working part time at the local middle school teaching fillies and colts." "Uni huh?" Corrie says feeling wildly inadequate. Thinking of her block letter handwriting, a freshly learned and laborious task when she first starting training how to do in Canterlot, she was pretty sure she was swimming out of her depths with this adorable grey shark with purple eyes eyeing her hungrily in the pool. Sure she could read just fine, but everything was electronic in her world. Groups of symbols and imagery replacing old fashioned words, sentences, and paragraphs. Everything presented quickly in digestible chunks for the augmented and A.R. enabled eyeballs. University was for CorpKiddies and the wealthy. No time for that in the Barrens when your just trying to get through day by day. Being SIN-less also didn't help that a bit, either. Public schooling required you to be stamped and numbered, and in the system. To which she was not. And her fake SIN for work wouldn't get her into one in the first place, even if she tried. It was a pretty flimsy disguise. All it needed to be was a work visa so she could get paid. It did what it was supposed to do, and no more. And even then anything written out like they do here, would have been scanned and added to public databases ages ago. Writing was becoming a lost art in her world, in the old fashioned sense of pen and paper. It was too slow for the modern age she lived in. It couldn't convey it's messages fast enough to keep up. And that was that. "So what does your dad do, then?" Corrie asks her. Trying to change the topic to anything but 'proper education', something she had very little first hand experience with. "He owns a hotel here in town. Four stories tall, large convention center, and a giant heated indoor pool and spa. I may be biased, but I think it's the best one in town. It's also a kind of a family business affair. His two brother's run their own hotels in different cities." Looking up at Corrie and giving her a warm smile "You should see the one in the Crystal Empire! Don't get me wrong, our hotel is wonderful, but that place is made of almost entirely magical crystal grown right from the ground." Giggling to herself "Dad's always been a bit jealous, but he keeps it in check. He knows he has a great place here, but he's always been fond of the Crystal Empire. Our whole family hails from that area". "I've heard of the Crystal Empire, haven't been out there yet." Frowning and bringing her right hand around to place on Octavia's right hoof she gives it a gentle squeeze. "I'll have to go out there someday and set up a new branch of the office one of these days." Giving the grey pony a little squeeze with her left arm "Since you've got family there, maybe you'd like to go with me when I do?" It's going to be a mess, I can feel it. Would be nice to have a friendly face there." Apparently the people that popped up around there were a better class of the human specimen. Minimal troubles. A lot of them however were casters, and large groups of those made Corrie nervous. From her reports a lot mages ended up heading towards the place. Drawn to some kind of magics she had no concept of, she's sure. But so far they've all registered their I.D.'s, paid their taxes and stayed the hell out of the way of history. That bullet she couldn't dodge she thinks with only a little jealousy. Maybe they were her kind of people after all, she considers. She's brought out of her ruminations when she's forced to lean forward a bit to allow Octavia's foreleg to go around her middle and give her a squeeze in return. "I'd like that. I can't really travel during semester, but if you do go when I'm out on break I'd like that. A lot" She finishes looking up a the human. Leaning her head now on Corrie's little chest they stay together for a while. Just the sounds of the oncoming night keeping them company along with Octavia's rhythmic tapping of her hoof keeping the swing going. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Like a slow, steady heartbeat shared between the two. A little while later Octavia stirs. "Corrie, can I ask you a question?" "Sure, fire away" Corrie answers, nudging her lightly. Octavia takes a deep breath. " I don't mean to offend you, but I am curious and I have to know." Turning her head sideways a little she looks up at Corrie with one purple eye. "I'll answer if I can. Best I can do" The redhead tells her. A little smile on her lips. It didn't quite reach her eyes though, Octavia notices. "What makes you so comfortable with this? Us?" Placing her hooves on Corrie's legs, she uses them for balance while she sits up. "I've seen a lot of ponies and humans as friends, but aside from the pair in the diner earlier, I can't think of a single other human and pony who have tried dating yet." Frowning to herself Octavia inhales slowly through her nose. "I know were different species and all, but are we all that strange to you?" "That is a deep question, Octavia. Many, many wells deep" Corrie sighs. "Look, I can't speak for any of the other people here on your world but I can say this for myself. Okay?" The grey mare nods, looking apprehensive and excited in equal measure. She was leaned forward in anticipation of hearing what Corrie had to say. "I've fucked a Yeti. What can I say, I like hairy girls." Corrie tells her trying to keep a straight face. Corrie found herself in the odd position of trying to laugh while at the same time doubled over from the sucker punch to the gut from the now irritated mare next to her. She could have sworn she heard a bark of a laugh through the window as well, but she wasn't one hundred percent sure with her being hunched over and all trying to regain her breath and laugh at the same time. "Corrie" Octavia looks at her sternly "I'm serious. I really want to know." Compromising with herself she helps Corrie lean back in the swing again before starting it up and placing her head back on the humans chest. Corrie returns her arm around the little mare. "I won't lie, it does feel a little odd at times. Like when I look over to respond to someone talking I still look head level to where a humans head would be, before looking down." Resting her head gently on Octavia's head once again "It was a little strange when your marefriend kissed me. Not sure what to think of her lips. Little furrier around the edges then I'm used to. But ya know, some hair in the teeth does happen. Comes with the territory." The little grey mare gives of something in the mix of a giggle and a groan. Corrie idly brings her left hand up and starts scratching Octavia's cheek gently. "People on my world changed, Octavia. And not in the metaphoric sense either. Literally something happened with their genes and they changed. It wasn't pretty, it wasn't quick, and there were very, very few people who didn't freak out or react in a really bad way." Calling up an old Newsie file about the Night of Rage, she shivers. "I can't imagine something like that happening here. The reaction, that is." "After things settled down a bit and we all got back to the daily routines, it just kind of was out there. We're all different. We could be changed at the drop of the hat. What matter is it that your friend couldn't find a decent hat because the horns on his Troll head made it a pain to shop. Or has tusks. Or pointed ears and cat slit pupils?" Tapping her metal fingers lightly on Octavia's cheek gently "That doesn't even cover what we do to ourselves with our machines, Awakening or no." Sighing the human adjust herself on the seat again, gently placing Octavia from her side to her lap so she could they could be face when they talked. "I don't know? Maybe I don't have the answer that you are looking for. You're nice, you're smart. A hell of a lot smarter than me. You've got a great laugh when you choose to share it. And you have the most beautiful eyes i've seen on two worlds." Taking her hoof again in her hand and placing it on her own chest by her heart. "Hoof, hand. Don't care." Octavia's eyes turn heavy lidded for a moment and she leans in towards the human. "Smooth talker, you" she says breathlessly. Using her right hand Corrie places it gently on the face about to encroach into her territory. "However you need to understand something." Corrie almost laughs, the look of the mare denied something so close was priceless. Like an adorable form of petulance. "Honestly Octavia, I don't know what I can offer you as a partner. Or even what I could offer in a herd. I can't give you all the intellectual conversation I think you crave." Giving her a little smile before removing her hand from the soft velvet nose she gives it a gentle boop. "I'm not learned as you are. I have libraries, literal libraries of information stored in my head. And sure, I use it for reference in dealing with people, ponies, but it's not my intelligence. I never learned these things. It's just efficient bookmarking really. Index following. None of that is mine." Feeling wildly self conscious for a moment, Corrie looks down. "I don't even know why they wanted me for the job. I'm guessing they really didn't know what to do with me, Octavia." Nervously wringing her hands now placed in her lap "I've hurt a lot of before you know." she tells the grey mare quietly. "Before my job, and during. And yet I'm not a soldier. And I'd do it again with no reservation to protect my friends and family." Biting her lower lip she pauses. "I thought about trying school here so I could ditch the whole 'diplomat' gig and going back to just being a paramedic. But those skills are all really for combat. Extracting people from deadly situations. I'm so lacking in everything traditional that would have to start so far back in it, that I'm pretty sure your mom would be teaching me math. Can't really practice medicine without a licence here." The occasional creaking of the swing and the breathing of the two beings on it were the only sounds in the night for a while. "No." Octavia breaks the silence. Voice heavy with emotion. "I'm sure you've had your reasons to do what you did over there. We will talk about them in time." Octavia says to the woman. Using her hoof to gently lift Corrie's head with that tiny little chin she moves closer until the human is forced to make eye contact with her. "I think we've had a good date. Let's not end tonight like this okay?" Corrie nods, grateful for an exit. Impulsively Octavia reaches out and hugs her. Corrie returns the embrace, before Octavia wiggles out of her grasp and jumps daintily down to the floor. Corrie takes the hint and stands up. She walks the grey mare the few feet to the door and they share a small smile. Corrie leans down while Octavia lifts her head and stretches her neck just a little. Enough to let their lips meet in a warm kiss. "Good... Good night" Octavia stammers after the kiss, almost missing the door handle to open it. A little nervous giggle and a look over her shoulder. "See you tomorrow?" "Anytime. I've got a full day of work. Stop by for lunch or dinner if you like. I'll make the time" Corrie tells her. A few more nervous goodbyes and Corrie watches her enter her house, door closing with a quiet click. She makes it down a few of the stairs before she hears the door open again behind her. "Corrie, a minute please?" She hears in a deep male voice. Snowbound in the Embassy Pt.2 (Corrie in this World)Snowbound in the Embassy (Corrie in this World) Winter finally made it's presence known just a few days after Corrie and Octavia's date. A piercing cold wind now crept through the streets of the city, caressing everyone person and pony alike with it's chill. There were a few beings hunched over in the streets leaning into the wind and bemoaning the fact they had to be out in the weather, no doubt. When a courier Pegasus came yesterday to hand her the winter's weather schedule Corrie firmly believed they were trying to yank her tatas. Magic is one thing, sure. But this is weather control, and on a scale absolutely unfathomable to the young woman's mind. It was only until she sheepishly asked Vinyl about it this morning, that they did indeed, control the weather. Vinyl really looked shocked at the fact that on her world, they didn't. As a precaution then due to the oncoming ice and snow, she sent the office staff home early as well for a long weekend off. The two guards refused to leave their post, so she dismissed them with a pouch full of bits to get provisions for themselves and gave them an extra set of keys to the offices below. At least they didn't have to stand out there and freeze to death. But in the here and now we were. Standing at the tall window in her living room looking out at the growing grey sky as a herd of Pegasi moved in the clouds. The quiet chime in her mind's ear telling her it was now noon in ponyland. She stood there for a while, perhaps an hour or so, just sipping her coffee while watching the multicolored winged creatures bring on the winter. Systematically moving the unruly things into their proper places. Some kind of elaborate dance of shuffling the clouds together meshing the right color schemes in the right places. By some unseen agreement the group breaks off from the clouds, making slow lazy circles in the air until they all come together in a big group. She can hear them singing, no doubt some of the gyrations up there were a form of dancing and flying combo she's never seen before. After that they split apart and reform in one great long line that stretched as far as Corrie's eyes could see in the sky. With a brash cheer the pegasai all folded their wings as one, slowly tipping over backwards until they started falling from the sky. Corrie realized she was holding her coffee cup in a vice like grip while whispering 'No' to herself over and over again. It looked like all their wings were locked up tight to their bodies and they were plummeting from the sky. Before she can turn to run out of her little apartment to the grounds below something changed. Every single wing shot open with a snap that could be heard and felt through her body. Another triumphant yell as one from the Pegasi as they shot back into the air, fueled by some unseen magics they hurled themselves faster and faster at the clouds base. Extending one hoof in front of them at the same time they pierce the clouds. In a flash the pegasi were gone, swallowed up in the grey ceiling of clouds. With the rumble sound of receding thunder, the first snowfall in this strange land had arrived. Just fine. That's what the lady standing in the window would have told you she was feeling at that moment, had you asked. Small tears at the corners of her very bright eyes. A shine lay over the hazel that seemed to reflect the inner joy she felt but couldn't describe. A tumultuous churning of feelings in her chest made it feel like her heart would burst. Nothing in her life, here or before, could have prepared her for the joy she felt at that moment. So, just fine. It would have to do. After the display of the Pegasai winter crew, she went to her little work space in the attic. One of her Trauma Kits long since converted to a miniature fabrication machine sat on the table in front of her, tools of her trade scattered haphazardly on it's surface as well. The little sounds of hissing and crackling as it worked on making the casings for her Ares rounds. The small hoppers on top of it closed and full of raw materials for it to work with as needed. Every twenty minutes or so she would hear a happy chime noise come from the machine, a tiny 'tink' noise as the newest member of the family landed on the pile below it. She was tapping her foot slowly, listening to Antiq-N-Roll in her mind's ear from her music collection. She started earlier with music from her generation, but Momma Cat taught her an appreciation for the older long before the music of her generation piqued her interest. A lot of it was cheesy, sure. And redundant? Oh gods yes. But it was made by hand, and with primitive machines. How they produced so much sound and emotion with what little they had to work with back then was nothing short of a miracle to Corrie. But it was also fun to sing, and fun at Karaoke on the weekends after a hard work week to boot. She'd never tell any ponies that. Damn their souls no. She'd seen what happens when word gets out some human has musical ability. They get dragged into random bursts of spontaneous musical numbers complete with backup singers. Drek that. Shuddering at the thought she tries to banish it with newer tunes. A little Maria Mercurial would go down well right about now. As the first few notes of 'Murder by Music' starts she's already humming along and reaching for her soldering gun. It was time to get to work. Leaning back in her chair and stretching languidly, she can't help but feel a moment of pride. It looked like crap, there was some duct tape still melted to the top of the headband, but it was done. On a little tray before her now sat the fruits of her hours of labor. A crappy looking pair of headphones that wouldn't be out of place on a cheap pre-awakening walkman, and a little pink quartz the size of her thumb. It was flat as a piece of paper and as thin as her fingernail. A small metal diode protruded out of the side. Her stomach reminded her just moments before the alarm in her mind's ear went off. Six p.m. in Ponyland and time for dinner. Taking a moment to clean up a few areas before turning off the lights, she closes up the attic and locks up. Tray in hand, she places it on the dining room table before stopping at the refrigerator to grab a bottle of water. Tapping her foot to her music still in her mind she hears a knock at the door. Finishing the water she places the glass bottle in the sink gently before heading into the living room. Turning on the Smartlink to her gun by route she opens the door. A little purple wool hat with a matching yarn ball on top dangles to the side of a shivering grey ear. A thick woolish looking coat dyed grey with purple trim. Four adorably small purple winter boots. And one tooth chatteringly cold Octavia stood at her door. "Trogs's Tits what are you doing here?" Corrie exclaims, She reverts to Cityspeak, surprised at seeing the grey mare at her doorstep. Octavia gives her a look, little lips shivering as she tried to speak "F-F-F-f-fffff- freezing" is all she gets out before Corrie ushers her inside. Gently leading her guest to the couch she helps her take her coat and boots off, tossing them haphazardly on the floor while the shivering mare leaps onto the cushions of the couch. Corrie goes into her bathroom and grabs a towel. For good measure when she passes through her bedroom she grabs the quilt off the top and takes it with her. Sitting on the couch she pulls Octavia closer to her, making sure they both are facing the same way. Wrapping the shivering bundle of adorable in her quilt, Corrie gently removes the little purple hat and tosses it on the floor. Using her hands, she gently massages Octavia's frozen ears with her hands. After a few moments of being bundled she can still hear Octavia's teeth chattering a bit. Grabbing the towel she wraps her main up in a messy tower to dry. She gives the mare in the blanket a few rubs on her forearms and back before standing up. "You need a hot bath. I'll be right back" Corrie says finishing her sentence already in the bedroom heading for the tub in the next room. After starting the bath she returns to her frozen companion. "Corrie?" She can hear a voice though the apartments main door. "Hope you don't mind, we brought up her things." One of the guards peeks his head through the open doorway his horn glowing with a faint silver aura. "Thank you" She tells him warmly. "Place it all on the table, please?" With a nod he floats a little backpack into the room next to something that looks like a crock pot. They land with nary a clatter and the auras dissipate from them. "Have a good night, Diplomat. Octavia." he tells them with a wide smile at Octavia before looking back at Corrie. Wiggling his eyebrows at her, he closes the door gently. Rolling her eyes at the closed door she returns to the couch. Unwrapping the protesting bundle, she decides that the time for decorum is passed, she's still shivering. Bending her knees and leaning forward she picks up the now protesting grey mare. "Enough. I'm gonna drop you" Corrie barks while laughing at the squirming bundle in her arms. Octavia feeling how warm Corrie is decided to let the matter rest for the moment so she settles down in her arms. Snuggling her head into the woman's chest she wrinkles her nose. "S-s-s-sss-ss Stinky". She says. The daintiest 'A-choo' Corrie has ever heard escapes Octavia's lips. "Jesus fuck you're adorable" Corrie tells her while placing her in front of the tub. "I'll go and boil some hot water for you. I'll be right back." As she turns to go she feels Octavia's hoof grab her hand gently. "S-ss-tay" She stammers, teeth still chattering lightly. "pp-pplease". Octavia looks up at the human with wide purple eyes. "Okay fine. I'll stay" Corrie answers her. Straightening up she starts to turn away from the mare. "I'll turn around so you can get...." Stopping herself from saying anything else so she didn't look like the world's greatest fool. Octavia gives her a level look. With one slow motion she undoes the clasp on her little collar and it falls to the floor gently before her. "Naked?" She asks in a flat tone. Corrie sits down quickly in front of her. Crossing her legs she brings Octavia into her lap gently setting her down. Bringing both her hands up she places them on each side of Octavia's face and draws her near. Kissing her gently on her lips, she slowly feels Octavia's mouth warm up and return the pressure on her mouth and her kiss. The pair sit on the the bathroom floor hungrily exploring each other's mouths with their tongues. Corrie taking the initiative by starting off with gentle prods against her lips when they tiled their heads to explore each angle of their locked lips in the newfound pleasures within. Octavia's growing hunger and boldness more than a match for the woman she now wrapped her forearms around Corrie, sitting up and leaning into her human lover's body. Corrie returns the favor by placing her hands on her shoulders, lightly caressing her fur and flesh underneath with her figertips. She is rewarded by small moans of pleasure escaping through Octavia's lips when their mouths would separate for air, panting for breath in each other's mouths. Neither one willing to move one millimeter farther so they can resume kissing as soon as they catch their breath. Corrie remembers somewhere errantly in her mind that she promised Octavia she would go at her pace. Something felt wrong, out of place. After sliding the palms of her hands down the mare's forearm she stops at her hooves and gives them a squeeze. Pulling back a bit in the fog of the moment "Octavia" she breaths out her name gently. "We have to stop." "No. Why?" Octavia tells her just as quietly, a tiny whisper of a thing as she lowers her head to plant little kisses on the humans slender neck. "I'm getting wet." Corrie tells her in a soft tone. Hating herself for moaning right after she said that, she still moves a bit under Octavia who matches her movements by lifting herself up a little and lowering herself down again once the human under her adjusts herself on her rump. "I am too." Octavia tells her in the same whispered voice. "Look" She takes one of Corrie's hand and places it on her chest right above her heart. Staring into the hazel eyes of her lover, she feels her knees grow week from the hunger she sees in those eyes. Slowly she takes Corrie's hand and guides it slowly down her barrel to her belly. "No, Octavia. We have to stop" Corrie tells her. "Why?" Octavia pulls her head back, frustration clearly showing in her face. Can't those tiny human eyes see how much she wants this to happen too? "I'm getting wet. The bathtubs overflowing" Corrie tells her, trying not to grin. "Oh." Octavia looks down now and notices for the first time how Corrie's pants were getting soaked with the rapidly cooling water from the tub being absorbed into them. "Oh! Corrie! I'm so sorry." She starts to stand up, placing her hooves on the woman's shoulders to help her balance when she does so. On impulse Corrie darts her head forward while Octavia is halfway to standing. She nips the flesh of the mare with her teeth right where the mons pubis would be for a human woman. She's rewarded with a gasp of surprised pleasure from Octavia and the sound of one of her legs convulses, hoof hitting the tile in rapid succession. Tack tack tack echos through the small room. Octavia looks into the eyes of her human chair and growls. Corrie laughs and gives her one more quick kiss on the lips before the two separate, Octavia moving over to turn off the tub, Corrie to stand to head to the bedroom to change her wet clothes. Octavia turns back to the woman after she stops the flow of water into the tub. "Hey" She says. "Yes?" Corrie asks, walking gingerly on the slick tile so as to not slip. "You are still stinky. Come join me in the tub when you get those soaking wet clothes off?" Octavia asks her in the most sultry voice she can muster. "yachad ytakh ze hamakom ha'ahuv alay, pretty pony." Corrie tells her, turning back and walking slowly to the tub. Random Bit of Clop (Corrie x Octavia)Snowbound in the Embassy Pt.2 (Corrie in this World) Corries' attempt a seductive walk turned more into a flailing slide towards the tub instead. Slick tile finally living up to it's name, she slides right into Octavia's arms, and the grey mare helps her regain her balance while giggling and the boggle-eyed human. "S'thanks" Corrie tells her, placing her hands on Octavia's shoulders. After a moment of setting their hooves and feet the pair come together in a long embrace. "I think I'm going to clean up this mess before someone dies." Corrie says. Staring into the mare's eyes she brings her face closer and rubs her tiny, crooked nose on the larger, and much softer grey nose. Octavia gives her a little smile and they rub noses, giggling to themselves. With a sigh, Octavia disengages from the hug to return to all fours. Corrie steps out of the room to grab the mop out of the kitchen pantry. Octavia pulls the stopper from the tub and retrieves her wet collar, hanging it up on the sink faucet to dry. A little time later the Corrie and Octavia are back on the couch. The quilt draped over their legs, Corrie in her PJ's, and Octavia in a borrowed t-shirt from the guest closet. Corrie wasn't sure how the bright pink shirt with a strange green unblinking creature on it got in there in the first place, but there it was. One of the refugees might have left it there, but none came upstairs to her recollection. Octavia leans into the woman and sighs contentedly. Looking sideways at her she asks "Hot cocoa?" hope in her voice. "Oh, sure. I'll..." Corrie starts before a hoof is gently pressed onto her lips. Octavia with a mild case of panic in her eyes stops her. "No. No no. I'll get it" She jumps off the couch quickly and trots into the kitchen. 'Cute, yes. A good kisser, without a doubt. Major fire hazard in the kitchen, doubly more than the first two' she thinks to herself. Corrie can hear the clattering of one without hands in her kitchen. It's an odd thing that, knowing she's in their using her mouth to grab all the pots and ingredients. Sitting for a minute she realizes she's absentmindedly shaking her leg with nervous energy. Moving around will help, she decides. Standing up and taking the quilt off the couch she proceeds to slide it across the floor rotating it, to face window instead of the living room. "What are you doing in there?" Octavia calls out from the kitchen. Going into her bedroom she grabs the four pillows off the bed, and a second blanket. "Nothing" Corrie responds in a singsong voice. Using the blankets she makes an enclosure with them on the cushions. The pillows she uses two on each side with the armrests. Placing one of the lamps gently on the floor she moves the coffee table in front of the couch to have a place to rest their mugs. Turning off all but two small crystal bulbs for lighting leaves the majority of the light coming in from behind them as to not obstruct the view outside of the softly falling snow. "Mrftfls-drnn" She hears from the kitchen. Octavia walking out with the two hot cocoas on a tray in her mouth. Setting the tray on the table she eyes the couch appreciatively and jumps on. Corrie joins her and they settle themselves in. Sitting in the middle of the couch wrapped in blankets, the pony and the human woman quietly enjoy their cocoa as well as each others company. "So what do you think? Your first snow on a new world." Octavia asks her human companion on the couch, pointing with a hoof to the view outside of the swirling flakes. "It's amazing. It looks clean enough to eat. Who knew snow could actually be this white" Corrie tells her, studying dancing snowflakes in the air. Corrie notices the mare giving her a strange look out of the corner of her eye. "Hmm.?" "I'm sorry. I though you were joking there for a moment. About the snow, that is." Octavia tells her. Nodding head absentmindedly she responds "Grey more than anything. Seattle was always a mess at the first snowfall. Grounded planes and angry drivers. One of the best and worse times to work DocWagon." Smiling to herself she continues "They always tested the upgrades for the Rigger systems when it snowed. So many Doc driver's pukin' and passing out when their rigs would slide out and crash. " Surprising herself with a laugh " Last year we had so many drones drop out of the sky from bad conditions, white outs, limited visibility, that sort of thing," Waving her left hand in the air with a wobble for emphasis then crashing it down on her knee "We started calling the Advanced Death From Above Team instead of the usual 'AirSayfe' drek. 'Security at your shoulder', my tatas." "I was told a lot about what happened in the offices, I only saw the tail end myself. But they said the puke was so bad in the drone station they had to scrub half their drives clean before they could roll 'em out. And we had 30 Wheelers at that station alone, sans helicopters." Looking down at her lap and fidgeting with her fingers with a sigh. " When we rolled in after a call just a tail twitch later, there were EMT's treating the EMT's. There were so many bloody noses. People just jacked in 'net looking poleaxed, flopped over their decks just wheezing away." Corrie glances over at Octavia out of the corner of her eye. With a hint of pride in her voice "We only lost six Riggers last year. And four drivers. Recovery teams don't count in it, obviously. We're a disposable asset up until about the High Threat response levels." Picking at a fingernail now, nervously. She never really had people to talk to about work. It felt kind of nice. It really didn't make polite dinner conversation usually, telling people how you had to reattach some poor fool's arm in a firefight at night in the Barrens. Corrie pulls her legs up and rests her chin on her knees, still looking outside at the cold wind making the pristine snow dance to it's unseen designs. "I had a friend, Richard. Big. Big Troll. Had these awesome tusks" Holding out her hands about six inches apart "Always kept them shined and crack free. Which is hard, since they never stop growing. LIke sharks teeth." Shrugging her shoulder. "We hit it off really well. I could stand on one of hands and he could lift me to the ceiling." Chuckling lightly " We got wrote up once, changing lightbulbs in the station that way. Made it to fourteen though first. We're out there getting shot at and nearly getting killed on a daily basis and they're worried about how we were changing lightbulbs on a lark." Laughing again to herself, the only world she now could see was her old one, in her mind. "We just kind of ducked out of work after that. Full of stupid indignation. A big ol' Troll with a chip on his shoulder, and a redheaded girl just big enough to be the size of that chip." A quick shrug. "So, what happened then?" Octavia quietly asks, putting a hoof on her shoulder. Corrie jumps a little at the contact of her hoof, but still keeps her gauze out at the snowfall. "We got drunk. So much gin and this awakened vodka. Tasted like Ghouls ass but boy did it kick." A little shudder at the memory of that foul liquid. "Ended up singing Karaoke at this dive for the Hallow's Gang. The end of the night, he walks me home. All old fashioned Trido gentleman drek. I kept trying to think if I'd led him on, or he'd be expecting something at the end of the night. But when we got back to Momma's house, I still was trying to figure out to tell this mountain of a a metahuman i'm not into Samurai swords, so to speak. I'm standing there stammering and he brings up this huge hand, time and again as big as my head. Puts a giant finger on my mouth to shut me up and says something like 'moya mladshaya sestra'. And he tips his head and waits till i'm in the house. He only leaves after he hears the door lock click." She can feel the corners of her eyes moisten. "He sounds like a good friend then. But what was that, he said?" She asks Corrie, who was now looking visibly disturbed at something in her mind's eye. "He is. Was. Whatever. We started hanging out a lot. As for what he said, I just chalked it up to him just mumbling something drunkenly." Her breath hitching in her chest again. "About two weeks later we were called in for a retrieval. Some idiot near us decided he'd rather shoot than pay his dealer's tab." Making the 'futile gesture' sign with her hand. "Anyway he had a wristband, we had to go. It was chaos." "Those BTL slash drug dens were just about the worst places to go. Like two, three story fortresses. All plastisteel and metal barriers on the windows. Reinforced doors. Sometimes Mages. Fucking finger wagglers out here with a pair of binoculars on the room waiting to geek you, you'd never see it coming." Shivering a little she feels Octavia rest her head on her shoulder. "Our luck held for once, the guy somehow made it out of the doorway before we got there. He's holding his hand with one hand, the severed one was holding his intestines in his abdomen. His eyes are glowing, and he looks hopped up on gods know what, his eyes were going this odd silver color. Magic sparks and shit were coming off him. He's chanting away and turning back before the building about to unleash god knows what, when like magic his left arm just comes off. Slides off." Turning her head she looks at Octavia "you know how sometimes you get a carrot piece stuck on a knife? When your chopping them, that moisture just holding it onto the surface? And it slowly starts to slide off?" Corrie watches the understanding dawn in her eyes. Giving her a small nod. "Yeah his arm does that." "This Razorgirl just appears. All chrome and promises of death. And I mean appears a split second after his arm starts to separate from his body. Before you can even see the top of his bone. Perfectly clean cut. She's just standing there, chromed unblinking eyes just staring at us. She's retracing this little wire back into her fingernail. She gives us this small smirk and she's gone." "I've never been more grateful for not having to go after someone. She was on a level all her own. Not even sure why she was there. Serious tech. I'm fast, Octavia. Unnaturally fast when I need to be, even. But that." Waving a hand "That was on a level High Threat responders would get into. And some of those were just like her." Well, most really, Corrie finishes that line of thought, keeping it to herself. "So the Rigger pops open the rear doors and we go spilling out like we do. A four squad out, two wait by the doors, 'Pizza Time' we called it. Never did figure out why." Turning her head back to rest it on her knees, she continues to talk, looking outside at the pristine snowfall. Feeling anything but that herself. She feels Octavia straighten up and lean back on the pillows instead of leaning back on her. Sadly she knew that would happen. It's going to be too much, and she should have kept her mouth shut, Corrie berates herself. But she can't make herself stop. "And then what happenes?" Octavia asks her in a small voice, sounding very far away. "I make it to our target. By that time he's bleeding out something fierce, face down on the ground. We have these patches, trauma kit stuff. We can seal up the hole with some NewSkin, most of the stuff we have in our crash carts is useless. "Can't cure magic with tech, they tell you in training.' So I kneel down next to him. Rodger is standing over me while I work on this guy. And the next thing I know I'm on the ground. Some rat fuck had this giant sniper rife on the roof. Looked like an anti-tank gun when I was finally able to see it, after. Hit me in the right shoulder. The shock plates held. The underarmor I had held too surprisingly. Even more surprisingly was my karma held. This shell was implanted into the plate on my shoulder. Flattened out the size of at tea cup tray. Should have went right through me." "I should have died, that impact alone was so hard I broke some of the client's ribs when I landed on him. Cracked my head so hard I chipped some of my skull over my left eye. Broke my nose, Again. Shoulders busted. I can't breath. I can't even imagine trying to move my arm, much less anything else and then I hear it. This horrible, guttural roar. Richard was a Bear Shaman. He'd thought I'd been killed, and I think he flipped a little." She could feel the tears starting to slide down her face in little hot trails. "He casts something. I can't hear what it is. This horrible ringing in my ears. My headsets all fucked up, stats and numbers and klaxons going off. The whole world was tilting in this crazy way. But I remember looking up at the building. There was this Bear Shaman on the street chanting and pointing. These two clouds come together above where this guy with the rifle is, and it starts to rain. Large green drops of drek knows what and he starts screaming. LIke a broken leg kinda scream. Except it goes on and on. He leans over the side of the building and I can see part of his face melting. Some of the plastisteel is now melting too. There's a loud clatter from behind me. Before I pass out feel his hands on me, linking our systems, checking my vitals, that sort of thing. I can see his smile when he realizes I'm alive". "Almost the best smile I've ever seen" She tells Octavia quietly. "He knows I'm recording since I can't hear anything, he mouths some words slowly, and picks me up so gently in his arms. He leans down again and starts to make a pile, handing me the arm and the hand that fell off him earlier. "Hold these, please" He tells me. He stands, turns around and grabs something else. Slings it over his shoulder, then retrieves the client. "We all get back in the van, hook him up to the carts, and the run is done. As they say." Corrie sees his timid face in her memory, peeking in through the recovery door. A somehow gentle knock with those huge knuckles. He dips his head, looks around for some troll sized furniture. Seeing none, he sighs in weary resignation and sits on the floor next to her bed. He's still tall enough that he still has to look down to look at her eye to eye. He gives her a warm grin. She holds out her left hand and he grasps it in his huge one. She can see the scabs on the tops of his hands bandaged up. He was so worried for her he was picking them off in the waiting room. She gives his hand a gentle squeeze. He knows, that she knows. He blushes a little. And honest to goodness Troll blushing! Sheepishly, he shrugs his shoulder and says" I was worried for you." His accent thick. "I was so afraid that he'd killed you. That I'd have to live through that again. And I snapped." Corrie remembers the pain of trying to sit up. The Chemdispenser hisses at her aggressively, trying to remind her to sit still. She wanted to tell him she understood. Cat was the same way. Momma Cat Mojo would flay a man alive if she ever saw one of her kittens being hurt. He gently helps her forward and engulfs her in a giant, gentle bear hug. "He said I reminded him of someone he lost long ago. Said I reminded him of his little sister." Eyes widening in fear at what she just said to the grey mare she sits stalk still. Well, job one great, that. "Ah hells" she breathes out. "I'm sorry." She whispers. Wiping the tears away with the sides of her hands. A strange silence fills the room. For a time the only sounds were the odd gust of wind outside, or of a deep inhale, a sigh given when lost in the memory of the moment. Leaning forward Octavia gives Corrie a quick peck on the cheek. "Thank you for sharing all of this with me." Holding up a hoof "Please understand however, I have a lot. A lot of questions about what you all just said. I think I get the general idea, but there is so much there to unpack." Hopping down from the couch she turns and puts her blanket and pillows into a bundle. "I think I need some time to process all this." With that she uses her mouth to transfer the bundle to her back. I'm going to lay down on the bed and process." Corrie nods slowly. "I understand. Good night Octavia. Sleep well." She tells the mare. Hoof-falls slow and stop. "Just give me a little time, okay? Then come to bed." Octavia says quietly, then resumes her walk into the bedroom. Snowbound in the Embassy Pt. 3Random Bit of Clop (Corrie x Octavia) Corrie lay on her bed, fully unclothed to the delight of the mare currently sitting on the floor between her legs. What started out as a friendly wrestling match over what to have for dinner tonight ignited a spark of passion between the two. Every grab lasted longer, every pin more and more body weight pressed against each other. Every movement, every slow gyrating rub of body on body ended when Corrie who had enough teasing thank you very much, picked her up, tossed her on the bed and unceremoniously finger fucked her until Octavia nearly passed out. Just thinking of those fingers raking her insides so gently but firmly, made her heat rise, her marehood wet. She kept her hoof on her clit moving it in slow, lazy circles while she observed her prize with hungry glee. Looking up from Corrie's womanhood she sees the woman give her a devilish look. Slowly bringing her hand up she starts licking her metal fingers clean. Slow, laborious licks that made sure that no trace of her marefriend's juices remained. Keeping her eyes locked on hers. Realizing her marehood was clamping down hard watching the display, she had to fight the urge to climb back on the bed and present herself to Corrie so she could do it again. No, that would be impolite and improper as she moves her muzzle closer towards the human's sex. She could smell that odd tint of arousal from her so much clearer now. An almost copper like scent. Mixed with her sweat and sandlewood, though she couldn't place where that was coming from. No matter. Time to return the tongue show's favor with one of her own. Tilting her head a little, she uses her lips to spread her lover's and slowly makes contact with her entrance. Just a slow, tentative lick to start. Corrie's body sits upright in surprise, legs going over Octavia's back, ankles locking. Smiling into her sex, she gives another lick. A little harder now, just enough to push her way in. The tip of her muscle parting her and sliding inside makes Corrie gasp. The little human starts to mutter something about 'unfair tongue sizes' but Octavia doesn't let her get far. Turning her head just a little more she slides about a quarter of her tongue length inside of her lover's body. She then proceeds to slowly lick her way back out of Corrie's now very wet pussy. Corrie clenches Octavia's sides of her head and moans. The deep primal sound from her marefriend only spurs Octavia on. Just a little faster now, a little more tongue inside. Raking the tip of her muscle across the folds and bumps inside of the humans pussy is intoxication to Octavia. So similar and yet so different from pony-kind and her limited experiences with mares such as herself. "Jesus fuck, Octavia" Corrie pants out. She makes a hissing noise through her teeth and arches her back, falling again onto the bed. Her hands stay clenched to her head though. fingers digging into her flesh. Octavia's grin of satisfaction almost throws off her rhythm. One thing Corrie keeps neglecting to remember, Octavia thinks with a ravenous glee, is how strong our necks are. It must be from these humans having such short, dainty ones themselves. Perhaps a demonstration is in order. Corrie feels her lower half being lifted off the bed by the grey mare, giving her more access to her womanhood. Lifting her head she tries to focus her eyes on what she's seeing. In that moment she would admit to have some difficulty thinking. And breathing. And pretty much everything else for that matter. It wasn't everyday your marefriend hilted you with her rat fucking tongue after all. Corrie feels the imminent build up coming quickly. Chest and abdomen muscles constricting and writhing in anticipation of the ecstasy to come. Octavia's purple eyes meeting hers. She knows how close Corrie is. Octavia relishes in the moment all that it has to offer. The exotic tastes on her tongue and lips, the strange smells of this human being just about to come all over her muzzle. With an odd feeling of victory, she redoubles her efforts, lapping at the insides of her human lover's sex. Corrie's had it. She's wrecked and she knows it.She keeps moaning out loud and repeating 'oh no' over and over again. She can't remember when her eyes didn't feel crossed. Throwing herself forward in one of the spasms of pleasure this unfair pony keeps rolling through her is enough to crack her willpower. Pulling her close, she can feel the teeth of the mare grinding into her sex as she rotates her hips, trying to match Octavia's movements. A kind of strange dance between the two species commences. Corrie comes hard on her lover's tongue. For a moment there is no words. No worlds. No other sensations but that brief moment before she pass out. The gentle calm of the body, an almost casual indifference to the fact that she couldn't breathe. The ringing sound in her ears from her blood pressure soaring. And then a gentle nothingness. Octavia feels Corrie go limp and slide backwards down onto the bed again. Her hands release their vice grip on her face, and slowly pull away to fall limply at her sides. Octavia stands, placing both hooves on her lover's hips. Staring down at her face she sees something that she's never seen before. Corrie looks relaxed. A limp bodied, tiny breasted, totally relaxed human. A little goofy grin on her face as she opens her eyes and see's Octavia gently jump onto of the bed, on top of her. "Hey, pretty pony" Corrie says to the pretty mare with the purple eyes and wet muzzle standing over her. "I'm kinda tired, mind if I take a nap?" she asks gently, still unsure where the hell she was. Octavia leans forward and kisses her passionately. "That's quite fine. Rest up." She hops over to lay next to Corrie, face to face. Nose to nose. Octavia drapes her tail over Corrie's hip and swishes it gently around on her flesh. Mine now, she thinks to herself. All mine. As she hears Corrie's breathing slow, her body preparing for her nap she hears Octavia faintly. "I can't wait for round two when you wake." Snowbound in the Embassy Pt. 4 (Corrie x Octavia Romance Light Clop / Makeout)Snowbound in the Embassy Pt. 3 The snowfall outside of the young woman's apartment mirrored the thought processes going on inside of her. A peaceful memory here, a good memory there, just idly drifting through her mind. The old neighborhood with all it's little stages and players. A little gust outside throwing the dancing snow in chaotic swirls before finding themselves adjusted to their new course. A sad memory, a quiet memory. Simple things, old world troubles now she supposed. This world has been so much better than her last, by a factor of at least a thousand she argues with herself. But if so, with all it's troubles and worries, why did she miss home so much? Corrie was smart enough to realize a lot of this had to do with her Momma's passing not long ago. That bitter spear point lodged in her chest was covered over, sure. A scab just waiting to be picked. All of this in her new existence gave her the perfect excuse to repress it and throw herself into her work. That and adjusting to this new place helped place a pretty thick bandage on that scab. Enough to make it manageable for now. She could feel it though, pushing it's way up and out. A slow and steady demand getting closer and closer. Waiting patiently for the day to pierce the skin and reopen the wound. Then and only then will it demand her immediate attention. But for now, it lies sated in it's meandering path through her chest. Sighing through her teeth and adjusting again to find a comfortable spot on the couch, the young woman leans over and rests her head on the cushioned arm of the couch. The problem with knowing her problems is that she was smart enough to know what they were. She was just too emotionally immature to handle them properly, unlike that little grey pony currently sleeping in her bed. She's got her head screwed on straight. Snorting in derision at herself and her lack of basic functionality, she realizes this might be one of her biggest hurdles in adjusting to her new life. It's why she pushed Vinyl away, she supposes. Too similar. As much fun as she was to be around, she reminded Corrie of her own younger years. A silent laugh escapes the woman's lips. 'Younger years' she whispers to herself before more of that odd laughter engulfs her again. Like those were so long ago. That could be part of it too. Just by her very nature she might not be a good fit for anyplace here, or any-pony for that matter. None of what she is, or who she is translates well into this place. She wouldn't wish her life growing up on anyone else. But she wouldn't change it for the world for herself. How could she without losing who she was? But, she considers, who is she really after all? The problem with the past is that it rarely ever stays so, the young woman concedes. Sitting back up and resting her chin on her knees, Corrie re-wraps the blanket around her and watches the snow continue it's dancing parade outside her window. Inhaling deeply, she can smell Octavia's many scents from drying off under the blanket. Wet mane and fur. Faint shampoo, a hint of her mareness on the part she sat on. All without any headware. She could pick out her scent in a crowd of a thousand, she guessed. Intoxicating and unusual. Wrapping herself up tighter in the blanket she takes in a deep breath while thinking warmly of Octavia. Her own pretty little pony. Allowing herself a moment of happiness thinking about the purple eyed mare. With a fading smile she understands she just might not be good for her though. Or good enough. No not one bit. And she really wasn't just hers, was she? With a frown she unwraps herself from the blanket. Standing up she folds it neatly and places it on the couch. No sleep tonight it seems. Might as well work. Making her way through the kitchen she grabs a bottle of cider from the fridge before opening up the attic door and climbing the little stairs. Octavia opens one eye slowly, scanning the bed. "Corrie?" she says quietly in the room. Lifting her head and opening her other eye she realizes indeed, she's alone in the room. Climbing out from under the blankets she trots her way to the living room. Calling her name quietly one more time going around the couch she sees it is empty as well. Her ears twitch a moment, and she hears something from the kitchen. She feels a moment of shame mixed with panic that Corrie might be trying to cook something. It's not everyone who can goo toast however, so caution was warranted. Peeking her head through the kitchen doorway she sees the lights are out, and nothings cooking (or burning) so she sighs in a moment of relief. The attic door is open however. That's where the noise is coming from. Walking as quietly as possible towards the light through the kitchen she realizes she's hearing Corrie singing to herself. With a grin she redoubles her effort to maintain her silence walking, and slowly creeps up the stairs. Octavia peeking around the corner and seeing Corrie turns her grin into a look of confusion. Sitting on her little swivel chair, she's hunched over, one elbow resting on her knee, head facing down. Occasionally her right hand would twitch in a shooing motion, eyes darting to the side left to right as if reading, but there was nothing in her lap to read. A long black cord sunk into the nape of her neck trailed out into one of her DocWagon boxes. The very same one her left hand was also inserted into. She could hear little machine noises gently humming out of the device. Worrying her lower lip, she takes a tentative step towards the redhead. "Corrie, are you okay?" She asks gently. "I heard a noise?". Octavia realizes she can't stop staring at the little cord in the back of her neck. Two silver colored disc the size of a half-bit piece held together by something. And just how long did that go into her neck? The grey mare ponders while walking a little closer. The little room was warmed up nicely by all the little machinery quietly running in their little respective places. Enough so, that Corrie had taken her pj pants and shirt off it seemed, only clad in a small brown sports bra and pink panties. Stifling a giggle Octavia can't decide if the woman was either color blind, or had no sense of color coordination. Or both. Blinking a few times quickly, she realizes she's never seen her wear matching socks either. And there were so many freckles. Like an angry artist shook a brush at an offending canvas leading to a crazy array of little brown dots all over her body in varying hues. She was used to seeing the ones that covered her nose and cheeks, and the errant few of those on her forehead and chin, but when she really took the time to look at them all, there were really quite a lot. Except on her back. Just a half inch or so down from the nape of her neck the skin was mess. It looked like it somehow melted and started pouring down her back. That's the best description she could give it. Like waves from the ocean frozen in a snapshot. No freckles there, just pale skin covered in scar tissue with matching indents on each side of her spine, in centimeter measurements from top to bottom. Each one a small silver point contrasting the brown freckles on the rest of her body. Close enough to stretch out her hoof slowly, not entirely sure she could stop herself from doing so, she gently rests her hoof on the center of her back, gently. She had to know what that felt like. It may have sounded like signing to Octavia while she crept up the stairs, but Corrie was talking in Cityspeak to her a.i. assistant in her headware. It was pretty rough, but capable. Programming wasn't her strong suit, but a lot of basic programming for pre-purchased software came with a lot of snap in place iconography to work with, so even the most fumbled of fingers could handle teaching it new things to do. Mostly indexing in her case. Trying to find a more efficient way to handle all the new information was a little trickier than expected. The doorway sensors told her someone of the four legged variety was coming up the stairs. She figured it was Octavia. It could have been one of the guards, sure, but they would have clanked up the stairs. Not stealthily creeping like this little one tried to do. Figuring she'd see her like this sooner or later, she chose to let her have a moment to digest what she saw. They've been in a few compromising positions so far sure, but she's never really let Octavia take a good look at her like this. Open and actually quite vulnerable. Interrupting diagnostics on the Move By Wire system could lead to some bad redundancies in the software requiring a reboot to fix. Which in this case rebooting is a seizure. She couldn't see her, there were no cameras here for her to access with her headware. But she could hear her breathing, and smell her scent in the air as she was starting to heat up a little from the warmth. Her breathing picked up as well, not at the verge of panic breathing, but getting there in little increments the more she stared. "I hear you, Octavia. I just can't see you right now." Moving her right hand she gestures the grey mare to come stand in front of her. Octavia blinks slowly but follows the woman's hand gesture and goes to sit before her. Corries right hand reaches out to her and she grasps it in her hooves. "What's wrong with your eyes?" She asks, trying to hide the rising concern in her voice. "Part of the machines in my head. Like a movie you can interact with. Move the actors around, pick up scenery, put it down elsewhere. That sort of thing." Gently squeezing one of her hooves "It's only temporary. I usually don't let myself be blind, but I needed to do a few things at once." Hopefully nodding to the DocWagon box her hand was resting in. "Figured you were snoozing and I'd have time. It's going to be a little while before I can see you, that is." Corrie tries to give her a grin, but realizes she might not even be looking the right direction. Octavia stands up on her rear hooves and leans forward. With one hoof she gently traces the black cord from the back of Corrie's neck. "And what is this doing? What is it for? How does it even work?" As she talks she takes her hoof and slides it cautiously across the wire to the DocWagon box her marefriend's hand was resting in. It gave a gentle warning beep when she got too close, her hoof freezing in place. "That's just part of the readouts for my diagnostics. It let's the machines in my head and body talk to it. I can do it without the wires, but I needed to upgrade a few things, so the wires the way to go. It just handles more information quickly than the other way." Corrie tells her. Breathing deep she can smell how close Octavia's barrel is to her face. She surmises if she blows hard enough she'd tickle her ribs with her breath. "And these?" Octavia asks. Pressing her hoof up and down gently on her back, slowly moving lower. "Can't feel that." Corrie tells her. "Well, I can't, but the machines tell me your pressing on my back. I'm guessing the little dots?" She can feel Octavia's messy mane in her face brushing up and down now, slowly, nodding in agreement. "These are the contact points for the machines that put in my Move By Wire system." Corrie resettles in her chair again, trying to get comfortable. That surgery was, intense and horrible to say the least. Not a good memory. "Hey. Sit on my lap?" Corrie asks the mare, still trailing her hoof up and down her back. Octavia pulls back and gently legs her way onto the human woman's lap. She wasn't sure what Corrie was seeing, but it was hard watching her hazel eyes dart too and fro while she talked. Blushing to herself she felt bad for being grateful she closed her eyes while facing her to speak. Her legs folding behind the back of the little chair, she wiggles a bit to get comfortable. She feels Corrie gently wrap her right arm around her, holding her little frame. She feels her thumb idly rubbing on her back rubbing her little vertebrae, hand gently resting still. "I spent a lot of time in surgeries. Most of my friends over there did too." Giving a little shrug. "You get used to it, mostly I suppose. It's got to be a little strange for you to see all this." Octavia nods absentmindedly. "It is. I've never seen anything like it before on my world. Or anyone like you." She admits the last part quietly. "There is a lot I just don't understand." She finishes, leaning into the human. Corrie adjusts her right arm into a makeshift hug. "It's okay. I can explain it all. The machines I mean. I don't have a clue how this whole relationship thing is supposed to work." Pulling back a little she rubs her cheek slowly onto Octavia's soft grey cheek. In a very small voice she continues "Momma used to sing me a song, over and over again, when the System was placed in my back. I was so scared. Her magic was always entwined in those songs. I can teach it to you if you want?" "I'd like that Corrie. Very much." Octavia tells her. Nodding once she releases her grip so Octavia can lean back to see her face. "There's only five little words you need to know. When I squeeze your hand. Hoof, sorry. Sing them with me, okay?" - Author's Note The song if your interested is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BakWVXHSug Snowbound in the Embassy Pt. 5 (Corrie x Octavia Clop)Snowbound in the Embassy Pt. 4 (Corrie x Octavia Romance Light Clop / Makeout) Clearing her throat, Corrie looks down at the little mare in her lap. Well, she'd look at her if she could see at the moment. The last few notes of Octavia's voice still hung in the air. She could still feel the strange tingle in her chest from her voice. "I uh. Well. Wow." She managed to sputter out. "It's not just because of my love for the cello, you know?" She takes Corrie's right hand and and puts it gently on her cutie mark. "I've always loved to sing as well, you see." Octavia can't help feel a moment of pride at the awestruck woman's face. "You are not too bad yourself, you know?" "Pfffffffff" was all Corrie could reply before barking out a laugh. "Stars and mud, that's the difference between you and me singing filly. Stars and mud." Rubbing her hand gently on the grey mare's flank, feeling no difference in either the texture or the length of the fur of her cutie mark. To her it was all warm, cozy fur like sensations to her blind eyes and off hand. Giving a little squeeze for good measure and for science of course, she was rewarded for her efforts by quick panting noise from the mare in her lap. It was always an awkward feeling using her off hand, but Octavia didn't seem to mind the gentle administrations of her fumbling fingers. Octavia leans forward a little, enough to just turn her head so, to gain access to the the woman's tiny ear. "Corrie" she breathes her name out quietly only a fraction a second before she plants a little kiss on her left earlobe. Corrie's head turns involuntarily to the intruder of her personal space. She could feel the hairs along her arms rising while the left side of her body grew very, very warm. "Ears are cheating, mare." She tells her breathlessly. "Thank you for teaching me the song." Octavia whispers in her ear, sultry and low. Taking the dry tip of her tongue she runs it gently from her lobe to the top of it's little curve. Corrie's right leg extends out and spasms a few times while her body shudders. "Oh my" she whispers again while sitting up a little higher on her marefriend's lap, blowing gently into it this time after speaking. "Did we hit a nerve?" Conceding the momentary advantage to Octavia with a moan that escapes her lips. "Not. Fair. Not fair at all." Corrie tells her unseen paramour. Moving her hand slowly from her flank and around to her chest, dragging her fingers lightly on the skin through her fur until she reaches near the top her her barrel, giving the flesh below her hand a gentle squeeze. She didn't need the sensors in her hand to tell her that Octavia's heartbeat was picking up at a good pace. The shudder from the contact with her fingernails and a little gasp were all she needed to hear. Octavia regains her balance quickly after the slow drag of fingers on her flesh. Nibbling gently on the top curve of her ear in retaliation, she smiles to herself. "Quite sensitive, are we not?" She breathes the words into Corrie's ear again. She hears the human woman's breath hitch and she hisses something quietly. Her grey ears twitch as she leans back to stare into the face of her lover. "I couldn't quite hear you. What was that?" she tells her. "I said kiss me." Corrie tells her bringing her right hand up and around to the back of her marefiend's neck, drawing her head in closer to her own. She applies gentle pressure with her fingers causing Octavia's neck to arch slightly under the control of her fingers. Mouth to mouth, lips only a hairs breath away from each other she holds her steady. Corrie relishes in the moment, the feeling of Octavia's breath being drawn in through her own inhalations, into her lungs, filling her and sending a shiver down her body. As well as a growing hunger rising in her chest making her want more. Now. Octavia can feel the smooth movements under her as her marefriend shifted her arm lower now to just under her plot. Instinctively she lifted herself a little so it was now resting on the outstretched arm in Corrie's lap. Leaning in for a kiss, the gentle pressure increased and she stopped. Nearly panting into Corrie's mouth she gave a little whining noise, a sound of frustrated denial at a promise long overdue. Corrie stands in one fluid motion, the bonded cords of Gortex and Linthol fibers woven throughout her muscular structure working in harmony with her own flesh and blood muscles were the only reasons she could pull this off in the first place. Lifting her mare with her right arm she turns to face the workbench. Using the DocWagon kit stuck to her left hand she turns it into an improvised plow sweeping everything on the table to the floor. "Corrie what are you.." Octavia tries to ask before their lips finally meet in their heated embrace. For a moment they stand still. All save the but the motions of the lips and tongues of the two different species vying for oral dominance. Their motions increasing, heads now turning to find new angles to try to find ways past their lovers tongues with their own. Octavia's panting only seemed to spur her humans administrations further. The breathless panting the fuel for her amorous endeavors. The grey mare throws her arms around the slim neck to balance herself, still mindful to go low under the cord currently resting in her lovers body. She gives her human a strong hug, wanting to feel as much of her as she can with her own body. She feels herself lift an inch or two as Corrie raises her arm and gently sets her down on the workbench. Now sitting nearly her marehood to Corrie's womanhood on the bench, she can see the deep blush on Corrie's face. The look of blind hunger matching her own. A quick moment of panic as Octavia's fore-hoof somehow tangled itself in the cord while she was being moved causing Corrie's head to turn sharply to the left. Gently her human uses her right hand behind her to untangle her hoof, resting the offending member gently on her barrel. "Oh Corrie, I'm so sorry!" Octavia tells her. "S'kay. You good." Corrie responds, leaning in to kiss her marefriend to reassure her that all indeed, was fine. A few moments of gentle, tender kissing between the two broken only by the need for oxygen and nervous giggles. She can fell Octavia drawing back a little. Hesitations in her kissing. She knew where this was going. Counting down from three..two..one. In her mind. Right on time Octavia speaks. "Please Corrie. Can we stop for a moment?" She asks the blushing redhead before her. Nodding to herself, Corrie takes a deep breath in and releases a very pent up sigh. "I'm sorry. That happened really quickly. Was it too fast? Too strange?" She reaches forward to find her hoof and gratefully feel her hoof brush up against her hand reaching for her in turn. "No. Well yes. And no." Octavia tells her. "It was the cord." Watching Corrie's head tilt to the side for a moment. Closed eyes seemed to be scrunched up in concentration. "It was rather unexpected, you understand?" She asks. "I do." Corrie tells her. She starts to move away, but Octavia's legs wrap around her hips and lock behind her, pulling her back. "Oh no. You misunderstand me. We are doing this. Tonight." She tells her in her best seductive tone she can muster. "I just want to do it when you can see me. Be here with me. Not stuck in there." Tapping Corrie's head gently with a hoof, she continues. She feels Corrie move her head to the side again, but this time she rubs her check gently across Octavia's hoof and nods. A shy smile spreads across the woman's face. Moving her hoof lower onto her humans chest she gives it a light squeeze in return as Corrie did to her, and was rewarded with a gasp and her lover biting her own lower lip in pleasure. Good to know these human breasts were just as sensitive as her teats. Good to know indeed. "How quickly can you finish your work?" Octavia asks. Author's Note I wouldn't count it as clop Percy (per se), but I'm going to put that in the title just in case. I don't want to surprise people in a negative way not expecting something in the story that randomly pops up.
The SpeechAuthor's Note Working on fleshing out the backstory. I had a decent (I thought) idea for it to put out before this but it didn't sit well with me as it was. I think I might part out the history in the telling of the next few chapters if there's any interest in the story. I'll make sure to edit the tags per chapter, depending on where the story goes. I'll try to put cliff notes version of the Cyberware described in the stories in the notes here, to give an idea of what it is / does. This is in part inspired by an old character sheet I ran across cleaning up some old things in old boxes. Corrie is based roughly on an old Shadowrun character I had. Nostalgia and tinted glasses. That was a horrible (and by horrible I mean wonderful) campaign. Our GM was one of the best. A true sadistic tale spinner. We all went through hell. And that got me thinking what would happen if I displaced a being from that dystopian future. If any of you have read the renraku arcology shutdown sourcebook, it will give you an idea of what he had to work with. Not exactly original, true. But what is anymore? The Speech "Mares and Gentlecolts. Men, woman, and other assorted beings I have not had the pleasure of meeting yet, I greet you all." The young lady said. Standing behind a modified dark stained podium, the dais she was on faced out to all the tables and the various races seated therein. Her alabaster skin, dusted with a fair share of freckles faced them all undaunted. Turning her head, feeling her long red ponytail slide over her shoulder she looked over to her patron and friend Princess Cadence. Large purple eyes meeting her much smaller brown ones. "I and those now displaced thank you, and all the sponsors from all the races here, who have allowed these people to settle among them. Bringing them in their own communities and making them feel at home. More than that. You made them a home in your lands, and your hearts. Your Many-Kind have showed this humankind a level of compassion and friendship not thought possible. At least on my own world, and many of theirs'". Quite a few nods from the humans and polite hoof stompings from the crowd. At least they agreed on that. Frowning and looking down at all the pages of her notes she sighs. "Look, you've all heard me talk so much this last year, do you really need me to keep going on?" A resounding "NO!" comes from the Yak delegation table. No surprise there. With an evil grin Corrie raised her left hand, two of the three metal fingers folding, giving the Yak's the diplomatic's salute. They returned the salute with one clearly all there own. Followed by a dissonant braying laughter. She bites back a chuckle into the mic mid laugh. Clapping and hoof stomping could be heard from most of the tables. A few of the tables of human delegates frowned and looked quite displeased at her actions. 'No fuckin' surprise there, so ka?' she thinks to herself smiling widely at them in return. Some though, mostly the primitives, banged on the tables and laughed along. They will do good in the Yak lands indeed, she believes. There was already talk of setting up cross camp habitations. 'Sometimes fate is good' she thinks to herself. 'Sometimes'. "Okay, so anyway let's just get through this quickly so we can eat". She continues. Rolling her eyes and smiling at the "Too late!" bellow from the Dragon delegation table and more laughter from the crowd. Clearing her throat into the microphone for a moment brought the room back to silence. "Seriously though." Tossing her notes aside onto the table next to Cadence. "Proud of you all. Can't wait to see what develops in a year, and all the years to come. Let's get this banquet going!" Bowing her head a moment she turns to her attention to Cadence. An odd shine in her eyes catches Corrie's while she stands up on her hind hooves to hug the human woman. Surprised but returning the embrace the room erupts in cheers. No more worries for the refugees and their families. Almost every single person placed. 'Almost' Corrie frowns thinking to herself. The hug still felt well deserved to the red haired woman. Almost. The dinner was loud, Dionysus blessed with the happiness of beings in good spirits and generous natures. Happiness flowed as free as the cider, and the new wine presses were coming up with some rather decent, if not magically rushed vintages for the occasion. There still were the cliques, races staying in their own areas at the tables set up for the dinner. Cadence however, made sure to keep the tables of delegates as diverse as possible so there were chances to intermix as much as desired. It worked to great effect, it seemed to Corrie. A lot of beings talking to one another. It was all too short lived however, as they delegations slowly made their way out of the dining room towards the ballrooms. Walking into the hall sharing small talk with one of the human industrial delegates, Corrie could feel the loud thumping of some kind of techno music bouncing off the walls and the beings walking past. Apparently one of the dance halls was set up for the younger party crowd of delegates to get their cider and dance on. If she concentrated she could hear strings and some larger arrangement of more classical tone could be heard when one of the doors on the opposite side of the hall opened up to allow some beings entry. She excused herself from her present company and moved towards one of the benches in the center of the hallway. Remembering to sit cross-legged in this little black dress, she sat smiling to herself proudly. It was so different from the Doc Wagon jumper she usually wore. The fabric, whatever it was, is gloriously soft on her skin. The seamstress nearly had a heart attack when Corrie asked her to sew the fast draw sheath on it's lower back however. After an hour of arguing that would have given the most convincing carnival barker a run for their money, she reluctantly consented after an agreement to hide it under a silken black waist wrap. It wasn't going to hide her pistol much, or hinder the draw, so Corrie agreed. but she always carried the Ares Predator with her whenever she went. Life in the Barrens taught her that. In the end though, the dress was great, and Corrie had nothing but admiration for the hard working marshmallow seamstress. A shame Rarity had to miss the party. She would have shown in the company of beings such as this. 'I bet she dances like a demon' crosses her mind and Corrie smiles at the thought. A floating martini glass filled with some purple liquid floats into her view. "Drink?" Says her friend Candence as she slowly walks over, another glass by her head filled with a dark brown liquid. A quick nod from Corrie and the magic releases it's grip when she grabs the glass. "Neat trick, you should take that on the road". She grins at her pink friend, giving her a little elbow to the barrel while Cadence tries to get comfortable on the bench. "Princess of Love and Martini's? Has a nice ring to it " Cadence puts a gold shod hoof to her chin and pretends to ponder. "I wonder what Celestia would think". Finishing her sentence and taking a long drink from the amber liquid she turns and smiles at the human next to her. They share a quiet moment together. Watching beings pass by. A nod to some, a smile to others. All the while just enjoying each others company. Once the crowd dies down and only the two were left in the hall by themselves did Cadence look again at her friend. Corrie looked back at her questioningly. "You have a question" Corrie intones accusingly at Cadence. "Well yes, in fact I do" Cadence replies, an odd twinkle in her eyes. Taking a deep drink of the wine she was given, Corrie steels herself for what's to come. She did promise this, after it was all said and done. "Okay. Spill it. What's your question". She gruffly intoned to the Princess of Love. "Your in heat, aren't you?" Cadence whispers conspiratorially to her. The curse of the pale skin strikes Corrie full force as she tries in vein not to blush. "I'm sorry, what?" she manages to stammer out to Cadence. "It's your scent." Candence continues to whisper. "I know you humans are really sensitive talking about this sort of thing. But I noticed your scent changed earlier. You smell like sandlewood you know, most of the time. But this is like a scent under the scent if you know what I mean?" If it wasn't for the sheer honesty of her expression and in her voice, Corrie would have thrown the drink in Cadencen's face regardless of what world she was on, in what ever bar she was in. Still it was a bit unusual of her to make any such comment that she could tell so far. "Candence..." She begain "Wait, please" She held up both hooves in a placating gesture. "Princess of Love. I know these things". Giving Corrie a warm smile she whispers again "Your attitude has changed in the last little while too. More grumpy and short tempered with the delegates." Nodding to herself "Yep, it's for certain, your in heat". She puts an arm over her shoulder and leans into her human friend comfortingly. "Cadence. Listen" Corrie tells her, eyeing her warily "I know we haven't talked much about the differences between human and ponies. But I can tell you I'm not in heat." And leaning to whisper in Cadences ear "And I've told you about some of the modifications I've had. I can't have children". Pulling her head back Cadence looks you over with a grin "Who said anything about children?" She goes back to her pondering face and looks at you. "Maybe you humans have a different way to say it. A scratch to itch, perhaps?" She gives the stunned human woman a smile wiggling her eyebrows for emphasis. "Well. I sure didn't expect this today" Corrie manages to stutter out. "What else you got for me, so ka?" She says deadpanning CitySlang to Cadence. "I also know you like mares. Well woman. Or both?" She eyes Corrie quizzically running a hoof through her red hair. "Cadence. Are you hitting on me?" whispers Corrie to her now feeling really, really close friend. For all the tech stuffed in her head, the meat part of her brain failed to process any other thoughts. Static from both sides. Rebooting in 30..... The laughter that sprang forth from her friends muzzle was perhaps the happiest sound she heard in quite a while. She wasn't sure that she ever heard something so pure and unadulterated in her life. On either world. "Oh no. You and I are destined to be friends, forever." Pulling her in close she whispered to the human "If I didn't have a destiny already I think, perhaps, I would give it try. I think your the kind of girl that could make her partner a very, very happy mare. You just have a lot of processing to do." Frowning at her human friend. "There's a lot of sorrow. And not a small amount of anger. You just need the right mare to help you work through it." And then it clicked. That click sounded just like the 'on' switch sound set up with her smartlink and pistol. She knew it. It was a trap. "You've set me up on a date, haven't you?" she manages to squeak out. "Guilty as charged. She's waiting for you through those doors." A worried smile plays on her lips for a moment. "Look Corrie, I don't want to overstep my bounds, but again, Princess of Love. I see the signs. You've worked so hard this last year. It's time for you to mingle. No grand schemes, no large groups. Just you, and somepony else. Maybe a little drinking, a little dancing. Who know's where it will lead?" The sparkle returns to her eyes. "Give yourself the chance to let go and have fun. You've earned it." Removing her arm and standing up she stretches. "Okay fine. But I don't have to enjoy myself with this 'fun' you speak of." And I have the right to bail if it goes bad. I do have some more treaties to translate and copy before the weeks end...." Corries rant was stilled by the gold shod hoof covering her mouth. "Shhh..." Cadence leans in and kisses her cheek. "Go have fun". With that she returns to all fours and saunters back into the dining room. Smiling at her friend disappearing behind the double doors, she realizes she never asked. Which door does she go through to meet the mysterious mare?
Anywhere Is Better Than HereEven with the sound dampeners in her headphones the explosive roar of a Panther Assault Cannon not too far in front of her, turned Corrie's world into an extremely high pitched ringing nightmare. The flash off the barrel though, that was fine. Her eyes were closed anyway. And kind of fucked up, truth be told she ruminated. The concussive blast wasn't too bad, either. It actually pushed her immobile body a few feet closer to the doorway they were trying to bug the fuck out of. Twenty eight feet more to go now. Not that it was roses before. No, there was nothing rosy about it all. Unless you count the bleeding wounds left by the tools of both machine and man. Laying on the ground, paralyzed from whatever toxin coursed through her leg Corrie tried to open her eyes. The retina display across her right eyeball displayed her vitals in a most distressing shade of red in the dark pool of her right eye swollen shut. Only a handful of survivors from the recovery team she was in still lived. Clutched and fought for another minute, another second of life.The yellow icons of the team members turning red for wounded, or black for dead, almost one per second, she notes absentmindedly. Such worries belonged to the living, not the dead to which she felt she would be joining soon enough her self. A pleasant voice with a distinctly female Elven accent in her mind's ear informed her prior to system reboot PanAidOmega will be dispensed. The default tone and the warmth in her gut started to grow as the internal pumps started their work. Feeling the cocktail mix of pain management and not overly tested stimulants for people with enhanced nervous systems wash over the pain and numbness. Opening her eyes and watching the reboot display go to daytime mode and blend into the background she sits up. The ringing in her ears was still there, so she couldn't hear the gunfire or screams of the dying. She could however see the fire blossoms at the ends of the barrels of the cyberzombies guns. Fierce exchanges of gunfire rattled the corridor. And she could move. Two more dervishes spinning and whirling dropped from the darkened ceiling in front of the rest of the extraction team, spraying toxic darts into everything in the area. She could see her headware targeting system provided the icons above them in case she wanted to reengage in combat. It was also trying to track the few kangaroo panther something fifth world kinda magic drek animal machine hybrids that killed most of her team. Corrie most certainly did not want to engage. All she wanted to do now is pull the long metal sliver out of her leg, which she did, tossing it into her DocWagon TraumaKit. And get the hell out of there. Turning sideways to use her arms to help push her to a standing position she noticed the unconscious form of one of their extraction targets. Staggering the few feet to him she places her hand on his head to check his vitals. Her software responds that he's off in a bad way. Some thing the size of a dinner plate seemed to be attached to his lower back. It was circular and looked like it had long strips of metal across it's body. It reminded Corrie of one of those leeches Mamma Cat Mojo had for occasional spell casting needs. Except this one was much larger. And made of some kind of undulating metal. They can analyze it later, she thinks to her self as she grabs the man by his armpits and starts to drag him towards the exit. With any luck she will be able to get at least one extraction out of this whole mess. The modified drag and shuffle with her bad leg was exceeding the limits of her pain meds. She could feel the synthetic fibers in her leg muscle fraying and scraping it's way into her 'natural' muscle and bone. About twenty feet left, she realizes her extract's vitals have gone dark. And he seemed stuck on something. Looking down again at the leech she realizes it started extracting some kind of silver liquid under it's belly and into the man himself and the floor below. Whatever it was just fused his lower back to the metal floor under him. She gives one more good pull to verify, but to no avail. For better or for ill the two closest Cyberzombies realized their plight long before the tiny redhead was impaled in the leg. With blank stares and point to point communications they executed their plan. One stays behind laying down suppression fire with his minigun. The other turns on his movement suite software and heads for the extract. Corrie could move fast. Well, when there wasn't a hole in her leg and she fired up the move by wire system. The thing that was once a man was much faster. Her software informed her he closed the gap between them in the span of half a blink. She tries to move out of the way, but it's impossible to dodge his outstretched arms. She sees his mouth moving, trying to tell her something. but she's still deaf from the previous explosions. And now the high pitched whine of the minigun would have made it still impossible to hear. He picks her up, the lower body of the mans dead form separating from his torso that was still cradled in her arms. The pop of the separation wasn't audible to her, but she could feel the jolt of it in her arms all the way to her shoulders. The viscera oozing out of his chest was making her DocWagon jumpsuit slick. She tosses the remains to the side as he keeps running. The smell was so overpowering she found herself retching on the chest of her savior. His dead eyes paid it no heed. He just stretch his arms out fully and kept running. Corrie muses she might have blacked out then. There was a brief flash of light. Splinters of pain drove through her brain with the force of a banshee's howl, driving her to her knees. A kaleidoscope of colors cuts through her vision, turning it into a migraine inducing nightmare of colors and shapes. Cradling her head with her hands she screams forcing the palms of her hands into her eyes. Her linguasoft sytem tries to filter through it every language processed and extracted to be spoken at once. She can feel something in her throat tear, her scream changes to a strangled cry as her throat fills up with blood. Lurching forward she catches herself with her hands. Her stomach heaves and she retches out a mouthful of blood. The bitter taste of metal and saliva threatening to choke her, Corrie vomits again and again. A wave of dizziness sweeps over her and she falls down onto her right side. Curling into a ball she tries to fold herself as small as possible. Blood and mucus coming out of her mouth and nose with every hitching breath and cry. She can feel the rain caressing her face, cleaning up some of the mess she made, as well as the mess of the corpse she was carrying just a moment ago. For a brief moment, she feels something. A odd fluttering in her chest, and everything stopped. Whatever messed up her Cyberware was gone. Her mind staggers, expecting a never ending cascade of painful stimuli. Sobbing to herself she continues to lay there in a ball on the stretch of ferrocrete sidewalk.
The Reluctant RoommateLooking at the crazed blue mane of the pony frantically pounding on and old looking Victrola record player with a rubber hammer. The sight before her didn't exactly fill Corrie with confidence. Old fashioned gears, clear glass bulb looking things, glowing with what was hopefully magic rocks, and old tech parts scattered haphazardly throughout their room. Her bed included. The one thing of her dreams. The only thing of her dreams. Two really good classes and a horrible third class made her only want one thing. Her bed. And it laid covered in the debrie of her roommates newest ADHD fixation. A polite female voice with a pleasant Elven female accent in her mind's ear warned that her blood pressure and heart rate were elevating quickly, and did she want to turn her targeting software on? Staring eye to eye with her roommate she intoned to the voice to fuck off. 'Silent mode engaged!' the voice chimed back cheerfully. Vinyl knew she bucked this up. Her heart was in the right place, she was sure that Corrie new that, right? She worried for a moment. That look in her eyes. It was so easy to forget she was from a predator species sometimes. This was not one of those times. She was also the Diplomat. No, not by a bucking long shot. The intel they had on her was correct, in her humble scared opinion. Celestia help anyone not fast enough to get out of her way if they were in her path to her goal. Maybe friend and foe alike. The thought crept into her mind. She could feel her legs staring to back away on their own. That's it, she's been compromised. She'll have to be replaced. So much for spy school. 'And I was so close!' Vinyl thinks angrily to herself. She did mention to her that she though her idea might be possible, didn't she? Maybe she should have mentioned she had today off and decided to pick up some parts and actually work on the thing. Trying to squeeze herself smaller and backing way the flight mode neurons in her brain starts to ignite. Lowering her head and trying to stammer out an apology before running out of the room, a new sound fills her ears. Corrie is laughing. It's high, like a clear bell. Just an unusual tone. Not unpleasant to her ears though. She dares to peek up at her five foot six 'towering' frame to the nearly fear crazed mare. There is a smile on her face. 'That's good, right?' Thinks the ex-spy soon to be DJ cowering to herself in a corner. It's just a little lopsided. And now that I think about it, she muses, it looks kind of sad too. Okay, fine. Corrie thinks to herself. If this is how the universe wants to play it. So be it. Whatever malicious forces residing in the exhausted woman's soul screamed in triumph as she opened the gates. Oh little pony I've got almost every human language *(not that many but her anger brought on the exaggeration) loaded up in my Linguasoft and your about to hear every. Gods. Damn. One. Of worst words and usages in either world. 'Silence override' she hears in her mind's ear. 'Happy Birthday!' she hears. Fanfare with a note with wings flying across her retina. Two new messages! The first one she kinda expected but it still hit her. The reminder for her nanotattoo design was now done and locked in it's current pattern until unlocked and changed. Deleted. There were two simsense videos attached to the next message. What stopped her anger was the name on the sender line.It wasn't her that stopped her. She couldn't have even if she wanted to. She was a tool of Cats dispassionate state. Just those three words could stop her. And they did. The inhale made Corries chest heave with indignant fury. By the time she exhaled it passes like a pleasant breeze on a hot day. Gone without the memory of it even remaining. All she felt now was tired and alone. On a strange world surrounded by beings that just wanted to help her. And here she was about to make her only real friend she's made here piss herself crying in the corner. She starts to laugh a little. Then stops. Looking down again into her friends eyes she tries to give her a smile. It comes out sad and tired, and they both know it. She drops to her knees and opens her arms and gestures for her friend to come to her. "I'm so sorry Vinyl. So so sorry". Corrie says in a low tone, choking back tears. Vinyl gallops into her arms, raising herself up to return her human friends hug. They spend a few moments consoling each other as friends do when drawn back from the precipice of disaster. And the universe leaves them alone and untouched for a little while, to do so. The two friends, human and mare lay on the floor, very little space between them. Red eyes to red eyes. Most of the crying was out of the way it seemed. But Corrie new it was just the beginning for her. This wasn't over yet. "So. Why the waterworks?" Vinyl asks, her voice just a hint lower then usual. She makes sure that the earnestness of her question belies the lightness of her words. On impulse Corrie rolls to her side and places her metal fingers on the tear stained trails just below Vinyls's left eye. She can fill the mare flinch a moment, then relax. A nervous gaze turns to confusion as she can see her process that her fingers feel warm. Corrie loses herself in the moment just following the trails down idly with her fingers. It was oddly soothing, in a way. A physical apology for the emotional trauma she just caused, Corrie supposed. Vinyl just laid still and enjoyed the sensation of Corries fingers on her face. 'Maybe if I stay still longer, she'll keep doing it' she hopes to herself. With a silent prayer to Celestia, she tries to will it to be so. Oh please, oh please, oh please! Regaining her composure momentarily, she tries to redirect the conversation. She comes back to with a start. A sharp "Ahem" from her roommate. Vinyl makes her eyes even larger and gives her the universal 'well, get on with it' look. Complete with head nod. Indifferently the human woman responds "Yesterday was my birthday. In the midst of all this, I was reminded" she taps her right temple a few times to indicate the hardware in her skull. "I turned 20. Or 19. Or 21" Frowning for a moment to herself. "Not really sure." Shrugging she looks back at the mortified face of the mare across from her. "How. What? How in Equestria do you not know your age?" Vinyl blurts out quickly. Too quickly to catch herself. Corrie just smiles a small grin and leans closer to whisper in her, now adorably looking furry, ear. "Most everyone is mad here". She breathes lightly into it. She can see the hairs inside her ear start to stand up. She knows where that trail of electricity starts in the tip of the ear and goes down to the foot. Leaving a delicious trail of sensation along it's blessed path. Then she blinks and slowly sits up, realizing to herself she just tried to turn on a horse. -- It took every ounce of willpower Vinyl had not to let her left leg buck and spasm with that weird sensation that went down her ear, all the way to her hoof. Not to mention other places she wasn't even thinking about before. Doubling her resolve she turns on her side and places her hoof on the humans chest, just above where she thinks the humans heart would be. Her hoof is met with a small amount of spongy resistance. Firm, but malleable under the pressure of her hoof. Something small was poking her frog though. For a moment she really wasn't sure what she was going to do about Vinyl's hoof. Face it, Corrie shrugs to herself. It's been a while. She decided to wait a moment more, enjoying the sensation and the dawning of understanding that was now lighting Vinyl's eyes. Teasing her could be fun she thinks. "Eeep" -Vinyl's brain "So that's where the human's mammaries are. Very good Vinyl. Any other questions?" Corrie keeps her tone light, hoping to diffuse any nervousness her roommate might be feeling about groping her roommate while gently removing the offending hoof. Now that her hoof was removed from the humans chest, it seemed that Vinyl could think again. If she didn't look at the now prominent nipple demanding attention sticking out in Corries blue blouse. She tried stutteringly to speak. Taking a deep breath to calm herself. "What was that about, that thing you said?" Looking into the humans eyes she could see that hit a nerve. She looked sad again, but tried to cover it up. Vinyl could read her a bit better now, it seems. "It's from my favorite book. I actually learned to read from it. I've got it in storage, I'll have to read it it you sometime, if you like?" Corrie finds herself saying, and offering in surprise of equal measure. 'I guess we all are mad, indeed' she thinks and sighs. Vinyl nods to her slowly. "I'd like that." Sitting up Vinyl has an idea of thunderous magnitude. Corrie sees trouble brewing in the mares eyes A few minutes later her suspicions were justified. Sitting on the floor with a strange contraption strapped to her head. She wasn't overly worried, it wasn't connected to her Datajack so all should be well. Should. Redrawing up her living will might help her feel better. Not like anyone here could read it, she admonishes to herself and sighs. It wasn't that Corrie was worried about the electricity. Nothing here could power enough juice to fry her headware, or even give her much of a headache. Her seizures did more than this could ever do. It was the magic. That always brought a level of chaos and uncertainty. But then again, she concluded, so did Vinyl. "So yeah maybe the music in your head isn't the music they had on their worlds." Vinyl agrees with herself muttering. "But it's human music, all the same. Maybe it will provide some of the other humans comfort to hear it." Shrugging she continues. "Don't you think it's working hooking up your noggin' to possibly see if we can get a listen to it?" She's now standing on the tips of her two back hooves, somehow bouncing up and down still excitedly. If she had breasts, she'd be blackening her eyes. Wait...Where are their breasts.. Corrie's train of thought is disrupted by Vinyl's next mad-mare outburst. "Besides it might give us a bridge to understand you humans in another way. You could say" , she goes back down to all four hooves and moves closer towards the human sitting crossed legged as she called it, on the floor "That we're looking" she inches closer towards the strange little humans face. "To maybe strike a note with your people". She stops, her muzzle barely an inch from the humans eyes. Vinyl tries to keep her poker face up but it's slipping. She can feel her eyebrows start to wiggle. Turning her flank a little to the side, she jiggles her cutie mark a little bit for emphasis. Her human roommates' mouth just opens slightly, jaws working but no sound coming out, her eyes rolling. She brings that odd metal hand to her face and closes her eyes while pinching the bridge of her nose. She exhales deeply. "Oh Gods, Vinyl, how long have you waited to say that? That was..." Something like her Momma Cat Mojo would have continued before the mare rudely inturrupted her talking, by moving her hand away from her face with her cool, smooth hoof and kissed her.
The Reluctant PauseThe kiss started out as something quick and chaste. Dry lips on dry, if not furrier lips. But when they first parted to catch their breaths, stunned hazel eyes making contact with Vinyl's magenta ones. They both hesitated, deciding to stare slightly startled at each other a moment longer. "Vinyl, wait please" Corrie said, moving her hand up to place it on the unicorns alabaster chest. The sensors in her hand informing her of the ponies elevated heart rate and blood pressure before she turned them off. Vinyl nods once slowly. Moving her arm up she takes that strange little metal hand in her hoof and moves it to the side. She feels the metal and normal fingers grasp the end of her hoof and give it a gentle squeeze. Raising herself to her full height she takes a wobbly step forward before coming to rest in Corries lap. 'Having knees like this does have some advantages', Vinyl thinks to herself as she wiggles a little bit in her new seat to get comfortable. Wrapping her legs around the humans back now, She feels Corrie's other arm reach around to hold her, resting her had just above her tail. Face to face the mare and woman sit. They both share a momentary shy smile. "It's okay" Vinyl tells her, as she wraps her other arm around the humans tiny slender neck. "We can take all the time you need. Go slow. All that jazz". Resting her head forehead on the human woman's, careful not to nick her with her horn. Her actions belied her words however, as she started almost unconsciously planting little kisses on the sides of Corries' little pink mouth. "Oh Yeti shit and you know it" Corrie growls, while casually raking her fingers slowly up the unicorns back with her right hand. Just enough pressure to part the fur and rake the skin. From her tail to the bottom of Vinyl's neck she lightly sinks in her fingernails, tracing them all the way up her backbone. She feels the little mare quiver at the sensations moving up her spine. "Oh buck you" Vinyl retorts breathlessly as she feels her legs buck out involuntarily for a moment. Never in her life had she ever felt such a pleasure on her skin from such a simple form of contact. The contrast between the pressure of her fingers, and those sharp little points on the ends made Vinyl's breath hitch. The heat and almost crippling sensation momentarily left her paralyzed. Gathering her willpower and with an eager smile she gives Corrie a resolute look. She's determined not to be one upped by this pale redheaded cheater under her she leans in again to express the pleasure of the back scratch with another kiss. Corrie was pretty sure Vinyl's tongue was magic. Or she was using magic, somehow to enhance her kissing prowess. That had to be it. That's why her head was spinning. Must be it, surely. No metahuman she'd kissed before even came close. Smaller though in size, the panting redhead deduced her current partners' tongue was about the same as the Elvish razergirl she made out with at the last concert she went to. Wider some. But longer too. And it was very, very unfair with how much skill in her kissing technique she used with it.. Just enough to make her want more and more. Little by little she felt herself relaxing, mentally shutting down a few systems in her headware to enjoy the moment without distraction. There were tiny little patches on Corrie's tongue, Vinyl noticed with hers after a not so few moments of exploring this new territory with abandon. When she ran her tongue over the sharper points of her teeth, it made her pant into Corrie's eager mouth. The fact of those sharp teeth, that small tongue reminded her this was no other pony she was making out with. Still, it was inviting and warm, eager to battle her for the right to explore each others mouths. But so alien too. That thought alone was enough to give her shivers. Flying high on a wave of indecent thoughts and adrenaline, Vinyl transferred some of her remaining brain cells not distracted by the kissing to get to work on the next stage of her plan. Corrie knew something hinky was going on. She could feel Vinyl's grin start to grow out of the corners of her mouth. She realized that the mare was now applying a little more and more pressure into the kisses, and leaning forward. The human woman took the hint and slowly laid her back down on the floor. Staring up at the wild maned girl above her she realized she was being duped. There was a faint purple haze around Vinyl's horn. And a matching colored patch of the same magic clumsily but gently lifting the front of her shirt up over her bra. "I figured since I felt one earlier, I could take a peek and see...." Vinyl coyly said while tilting her head turning an eye downward to peek at her pilfered treasure. She froze, all four legs locked in place over the smoldering hot human laying under her. Above the tiny little strip of the thing she called a bra, there was a symbol etched in her skin. Her already large eyes seemed to grow even wider as she looked up in wonder at the face of her human concubine. "You have a cutie mark!" She exclaimed loud enough to make the human jump. "My marefriend is going to freak out when she sees that! It told her you humans would have them! Wait until she sees it! She's gonna flip!" The joyful sound of Vinyl's voice was cut off by an odd high pitched sound and the feeling of something cold pressed against her temple. Bringing her eyes upward she realized she may have overstepped her bounds with lifting her shirt. Vinyl figured she could make some corny pun or joke to ease the situation, an apology for whatever transgressions she had caused. The look in Corrie's eyes shut that thought process down quick. Whatever she did, Corrie was back to being mad. And Vinyl really had to pee, like now. She also hated herself for a moment from the whimper that escaped her lips. "What do you mean you have a marefriend?" Corrie asked. Her voice quiet, but terse.
Intermission I"Girls night out, huh?" Sardonyx asked the purple unicorn walking up to him. Finishing the conjuration the grey door shaped portal hovered in the air a few feet from them. "Yep." Twilight Sparkle nodded her head happily. "It's a great chance to make a few new friends. Well new one or two, I already know Octavia". Using her magic to finish brushing her main she stands beside her human companion. With a nod they step through the portal and walk face first into a cold autumn breeze. Shivering and stepping closer to each other for warmth, they walk the last few feet to the doorway of her friends house. "Vinyl." Sardonyx nods to the unicorn in the doorway. There was a treaty tonight on their shenanigans. But still he held the grip of his water gun tightly behind his back, ready to come out and start firing at a moments notice. Vinyl couldn't be trusted to honor that agreement. She was as wild and unpredictable as her mane, tossed this way and that like it did on the battlefield. "Sardonyx" Vinyl nods in return. They both stare at each other a few moments longer before smiling. A little blue aura shone from the tip of her horn matching the one on the door handle. She could tell he can sense the second tendril of magic snaking out behind the door to her right. Her water gun held tight in it's grip. Sardonyx couldn't be trusted to honor the treaty tonight. She had to be prepared. He was as wild and unpredictable as his long goofy named ponytail he wore, twitching about in starts with the wind. Twilight just rolls her eyes at the exchange. She understood why they played the game, but for the life of her she couldn't figure out what or who started the friendly rivalry between the DJ and the Mage. Kindred spirits she supposed. Making water guns on this world was tricky at the start, but there were decent enough ways about it. A little magic helped too. But once he mentioned playing games with those and water baloons as a young man, Vinyl took to it like, well like a unicorn to water. Since then they've ambushed each other every chance they got. So far they and a hooffull of others have enjoyed the new game. Twilight steps up and hugs Vinyl. "Good to see you" she tells the pale unicorn. The unicorn returns the hug, still holding onto her magic "You too" Vinyl responds. "You still single?" she asks her, while staring at the human in the doorway. Twilight rolls her eyes and makes her way past Vinyl to go into the house. Sardonyx points two fingers at his eyes then slowly turns his hand to point at hers. Matching her stare for stare, grin for grin. A third aura of magic appears above Vinyls head. It shapes itself into a cylindrical object with a rounded tip. The shape starts rotating slowly while she turns to follow Twilight down the hall. As the door closes slowly he can hear her say "Hey Twilight? When your showering with your human, have you ever dropped the soap?" Click, the door closes leaving a stunned and speechless human on the landing gaping like a fish. Vinyl: 1. Human: 0. After a long moment of mental disconnection he was brought back to the world by an older pony gently pulling on his coat sleeve. "You okay, son?" he asks, concern woven into his voice. "Huh? Oh... Yes" He shakes himself and gives the pony a smile. "Mare trouble" he tells him. Oh that Vinyl was going to get it, he swears revenge to himself while thinking he should go to the store for more water balloons. The old pony smiles back at him. "Mares are all trouble". He nods sagely. "You know what helps that ailment sometimes?" he looks up into the humans face with a sly smile. He's not sure where this little pony / human hybrid jazz club came from, but he was sure glad his new friend led him to it. The lush sounds of John Coltrane coming through on the little speakers in the dimly lit room was akin to the feeling of running into an old friend. Little pony tables and chairs, with some human sized ones thrown in for good measure. A small raised platform with a few instruments on stands rested near a beautiful shiny black piano. Sitting on the little cushioned stool next to his new friend at the bar, they clinked their glasses together in a toast and drank. The brandy was like a fireball in his throat, slowly going lower and lower burning until it was just a warm sensation in his stomach. With a sigh he opened his eyes and nodded at the bartender. He places his glass down and it was refilled quickly. The old stallion sits there for a moment longer, eyes closed and a smile on his face that is as close to joy as any one the human as ever seen. He sighs and looks up at the human next to him. "Told you." He says proudly. "That you did, friend". Sardonyx tells him. He holds out his hand for a hoof bump "I'm Sardonyx. It's a pleasure to meet you". "Anchor's Away" He responds bumping the humans fist gently. "I know who you are colt. I think every pony does, no offense meant." Nodding to himself he continues " Man, stallion, or mare, it would have made no difference. Someone looking that dumbstruck is an easy target for pickpockets" Shaking his head "Or those crazy colts and fillies running around with those water guns and balloons getting everyone all wet". Sardonyx stirs in his seat a bit "Yeah, funny business that" hoping Anchor didn't see the water gun hidden in the holster in the small of his back. "I'm glad it was me for another reason to run into you. I think someone should have a talk with you." Anchor tells him. Keeping eye contact with Sardonyx, he pushes his glass forward for another refill. Sardonyx's expression changes to one of wariness, perhaps a little anger. "About the Princess, you know?" "I'm not sure what you mean, Anchor. And if I did I'm not sure it's any of your business". Sardonyx says in a low, neutral tone, leaning forward a little bit. "Shut it young'n. I've raised six children of my own with four beautiful wives. If I know anything in this world, it's sailing." With a boisterous laugh he takes another quick sip. "And love. It's in your eyes, colt. Your hooked and you don't even see it." Twilight hides her face behind an ivory couch cushion. It's not like that she's a prude, she's had heat cycles before. And all those she spent alone jilling herself off in just about every room of the library. But the way her and Octavia talked about Corrie was making her blush. And her head spin a little. Humans really were different that they were. But there were enough similarites, it seemed too. All the other mares were laughing and cackling, sharing stories. Excusing herself she makes her way to the bathroom. Using her magic to lock the door she gives herself a moment to enjoy the respite from the noise. She hears peals of laughter coming down from the hallway. She's not sure if they are laughing at her shyness when it comes to this sort of thing, or not. But it really didn't matter, did it? Walking to the mirror she puts her front hooves up on the sink and stares in to the mirror. "Could he really think I'm beautiful?" She says to her reflection trying to see if the truth could revealed in her own purple eyes. "Well I think your pretty" a voice comes from the bathtub. "And i'm human too. So there's that". Corrie says. Floating in a hot bath of bubbly water, she was too preoccupied with soaking away her stress from the last negotiation treaty to shoo her out of the room. Twilight froze. She tried to stammer an apology at inturrupting the diplomats bath, but it seemed Corrie was having none of it. She just asked for a moment to hop out and change, she'd been meaning to talk to the purple princess for a while now. Good as time as any, she reasons. After she left the room and gave Corrie a chance to dress, she returns to the bathroom and Corrie motions her over. She's sitting on the bathtub rail, grey slacks and white tee shirt clinging to her frame from the moisture leftover from a quick drying off. She walks over curiously and the woman gently turns her around with her hands, and gently pushes on her back. Twilight confused sits down in front of Corrie but facing away. She was about to ask her what she was doing, but she felt the hairbrush near her horn to start working on her bangs. A cooing sigh was all that came out. 'We talked once before, you know." She told the little unicorn between her legs. There was something so relaxing about brushing their manes, Corrie found it was one of her favorite things to do now, with Vinyl and Octavia. Looking up to make sure the bathroom door was still open she smiled. They are not jealous creatures, like us humans, much. But why take chances? Moving the brush lower to the middle of her neck she starts to work on the pink stripe. Twilight nods. "He told me once. Out in the woods?" Corrie nods "That was the night he came back so preoccupied. He was quieter than usual after that." Looking down at the floor. "That was the first time we really hugged, you know? Not like our regular hugs. It felt different." She finishes with a whisper. Corrie decides honesty would be best in this situation, she owed her that much. Humans were not the easiest beings to love in her experience. Herself included. She nods to Twililight's reflection. "It was. I came home and hugged my mares probably in the same way he hugged you. Did he look a little sad?" She tilts her eyes meeting hers in the mirror. "Maybe a bit reluctant to let go?" Twilight nods. "It was almost bittersweet, that feeling." She agrees quietly. "It's because he's going to have to kill again, sweet bainganee k’i-lin". Corrie tells her in a matter of fact tone. "It's not something he's fond of doing, and thank Cat for small favors. He'd be a terror if that ever happened." Eyeing her handiwork in the mirror she continues. "I've seen him look at you when you've been out in functions. He'd be a bad one to cross. Doubly so if someone crossed whomever he loves." and those fools did she finishes to herself. And he does. Love her that is. She can tell that too. Finishing up with her mane she uses her hands to have Twilight stand so she could work on her long tail with the brush."But it was bad." Corrie confirms. "There really isn't an easy solution to this. But he and I agree that something has to be done." "If you love him" Corrie tells her "You need to tell him. Show him". She places a gentle hand on her forehead just above the horn. "And no, I don't mean like that." She gives Twilight a face in the mirror, eyebrow raised "unless you've already.." She can actually she the blush shining through the purple mares fur and the heat on her forehead growing. "Oh..Uh..No" she starts to stammer out. "We've hugged. And held hooves. Hands. Whatever." Bringing her hooves up to her eyes she covers them with a sigh. "It really is complicated, isn't it?" Twilight says, tears forming under her hooves. Corrie leans into her back and wraps her arms around her barrel in a hug. "Oh Twilight." she says hugging her new friend tight. "Only if you want it to be".
Intermission IIAuthor's Note Warning: Sardonyx x Twilight clop. Also, if your interested the song referred to in the story is Gymnopedie No. 1 by Erik Satie. Find the two hour loop version on youtube and read this in the background if you want. I've always loved that song. Intermission II It was a strange night, Sardonyx mused to himself. Both he and his marefriend seemed to be to distracted with the days events. After walking to the library from his house to meet her, they shared a small quiet hug at the door. Neither one wanting to relinquish their hold on each other. The crisp autumn air chilly on his skin, but her fur pressed against his exposed skin felt warm and inviting. They reluctantly parted and headed to their destination for dinner. They had a quiet dinner out, small talk to a minimum. Walking down the cobblestone path together back to the library he watches the city worker ponies lighting the magic streetlights for the evening, bathing the little towns streets in a cozy amber glow. A few more late stragglers nodded politely to him, and little walking half bows for the Princess. Making it back to their destination there was a package at the door, labeled for him. They take the package inside and shut the door to the chill outside. "I've wanted to do this for a while now." Catching what he just said he groaned internally. Blushing furiously he stammers a moment before finding his words again. "Well that, too, but it never seemed the right time, did it?" The little purple princess sitting on the couch just nodded her head in agreement. Her blush was as red as his. Her purple eyes sparkled and reflected the warm cozy glow of the fireplace. "I know a lot of things are different between our worlds. But I'm glad this is at least the same". He tells her, walking slowly over to the couch. Giving her a smile he ruffles her main a bit. Feeling his touch sent little firework sensations through her scalp and into her brain. She sighs a moment and catches herself trying to lean into him, which would put her face right in his crotch. She sits back quickly, blush doubling in size and radiance. "I know I've.. We've been waiting to do this. And I'm glad we did." Kneeling down so he is face to face with Twilight, he leans in for a quick kiss on impulse. She returns the peck and gives him a warm smile. " We don't have to do this tonight if you don't want to." Sitting on the couch next to her he holds her hoof. "It's okay" Twilight tells him. "I think we've waiting long enough." She looks at him, worried but resolute. "We should really find out tonight." She looks down at the hoof in hand. "I really want to Sardonyx." "Okay then" he tells her. "Want to help me take it out?" He says with a grin. Turing around he holds it in both hands. Proudly displayed for her viewing pleasure. She rolls her eyes at him but smiles. Holding out both hooves, "bring it here." She finishes, eyes alight with curiosity. Giggling to herself she unwraps her present. He's seen these before, modern time ones, not old fashioned ones. So he was glad Twilight was there to help. It wasn't really much different. Wax platter on the spinning wheel, needle on the arm goes down and the magic happens. But still, technology was odd in this world of ponies. The starting crackle of the record signals the music about to start. Both the man and the mare sit next to each other waiting for the music to start. She scoots a little closer and rests her head on his shoulder. Sardonyx leans a little into her and brings his hand up to rub her cheeks. The first four notes of a song from another world penetrates the air. He starts humming the tune lightly to himself. Not on key, but no ones perfect. Twilight moves her head off of her coltfriend and looks up at him. It was a pretty tune, simple sounding, but a strange, almost melancholy sound woven throughout it. She watches him for a little while. Amused to see him close his eyes and lean back in the couch to enjoy the music. He brings a hand up and starts punctuating the notes in the air. Little tears form at the corners of her eyes. Twilight's not sure what made her. Maybe it was because he looked so happy, and so sad at the same time she wanted to comfort him. Maybe she was just horny, starting up her heat cycle. Maybe she was just curious, who knows? She slowly leans in and with a light brush of her tongue, laps up one of his tears. It was an odd sensation, feeling a tongue on the corner of his eye, he concluded. Not unpleasant, just odd. Sardonyx opens his eyes to see a much larger pair of purple eyes not to far away from his own light green ones. He brings up both of his hands to cup her cheeks and draws her in for a kiss. It was as if the weeks of pent up frustrations and passions ignited in both of them. The kiss turned into something more, a deeper need, a growing hunger. as he started pulling on her lower lip with his teeth while she wrapped her arms arms around his head locking it into place so he couldn't move. Teeth clinked on each other, tongues were accidentally bit, but a more gentle rhythm took over after the initial rush of excitement passed. Parting for air and panting, she looked into the green eyes of her human paramour. She could see the need growing in them, to match her own. Shuddering to herself Twilight realized no one has ever looked at her with such hunger. The desire radiating in his eyes made her knees weak. Drooping her eyelids she gives him a sultry look and leans in for more. The couple kiss for a while longer, exchanging pleasantries and moans in equal measure. When they part for air again, he lifts her gently, and turns her around so she's now facing away from him. Back pressed on his warm chest, she can feel his heartbeat through the thin shirt and her fur. Her plot resting in his lap. She wiggles a bit and feels something growing under her. She scrunches her face up at being denied the kisses she was so enjoying. Opening her mouth to protest it was quickly changed to a spastic breath as he used his fingers to rake lightly down each side of her rib cage. She can feel her forehooves twitch randomly at the sensations running up and down her sides. Sardonyx places the palms of his hands on his mares ribs and starts to rub slowly. Bringing them up and forward to her chest he realizes he's trying to grope the breasts that aren't there. He squeezes where they should be for a moment and tries to formulate a new plan while he figures this out. He settles for leaning his face into the back of her neck to plant little kisses and bites. Twilight was pretty sure it was his canines that were making her want to crook her neck back and freeze every time he replaced a kiss with a nibble. From pleasure to pleasure with a little fear. Like he was going to worry her neck side to side and try to eat her. She realized that thought made her worried and wet in equal measures. After tasting the fur (Not so bad when you figure out it's not going to come out in mouthfuls when you nibble), and the sweaty skin underneath, Sardonyx was convinced he wanted to take that exploration of her body everywhere with his tongue for these new tastes. Earthly and salty. Foreign and familiar at the same time. The smell of her fur and skin was intoxicating. Breathing deep he realizes there isn't a day he doesn't want to smell her scent. Twilight contents herself to trying to grab her human consort anyway she can. Even with her elbows, getting to feel him like this was tricky. She could rub his head with her hooves, and she could tell he liked that by the happy sounds he made while kissing her neck. But she wanted more. To see more, to feel more. To be more for him. She grabs his right hand with her hoof and places it on the center of his chest. Sardonyx can feel the quick rhythm of the little mares heartbeat frantic like a hummingbirds wings in flight. He's pretty sure his heart is keeping pace with hers. Sighing contentedly at the feeling of the fur on her chest, as well as her neck on his lips he continues the exploration moving further and further up towards her ears. He stops though for a moment when he realizes she's slowly moving his hand down to her nethers. Twilight's body was aglow with the sensations the hands and fingers of this human created on her skin. She started moving his hand lower and lower. Slowly dragging it down her chest to her rapidly warming nethers. Pushing lightly on his hand to increase the friction she gives a little hiss of pleasure when his extended fingers bump into the top of her folds. Moving his hand down a little more she can feel his fingers separate. She can feel him bend his fingers and bring his hand back up gently raking her sex, a wet finger meets her clit for a moment then slips by rubbing it with a quick short motion before pushing back down softly with his palm, moving down again. She moans while her back legs fold in and give a few weak kicks. Not done with his explorations, Sardonyx moves his middle fingertip in a slow, circular motion around her clit brushing it occasionally. Never staying long enough to appease the sense of release she must be seeking at his touch. Rewarding her moans and gasps with his hand, he brings his left arm around to drape over her chest in a hug, while feeling her hips buck and sway at his touch. In a more lucid moment between the gentle sensations of being kissed on the back of the neck, and having her labia explored Twilight tries to return the favor. She brings a hoof down and tries to slide it under her plot so she can get a better feel of what is growing rapidly underneath her. He gently grabs her hoof and gives it a squeeze. "Tonight is about you." Is all he whispers. The sensation of his warm breath in her ear makes it twitch uncontrollably for a moment and he chuckles. He keeps her hoof in his hand, caressing it gently. "No.. Complaints..There" She says between gasps as he slowly and gently inserts his middle finger into her, just a little. Another hiss from his marefriend tells him he's on the right path. Taking it out he feels her hips buck more, as if trying to recapture the offending digit for leaving. Bringing his hands up again he uses all of his now slick fingers to rub firm circles on her clit. Her heart is hammering in her chest, her stomach muscles are pushing out and down hard, she can feel her orgasm building faster and faster. She brings one arm over and covers her eyes. The other hoof she places on top of his hand in silent encouragement to go faster. He obliges. Her panting and moaning increasing. Sardonyx quickens his movements, occasionally sliding back down to her leaking hole to keep the lubrication on his fingers, faster he slides his hand into a circle while her hips buck harder and harder under his touch. She freezes for a moment, her face help up to the side in a wordless cry, and he feels her go limp. 'Guh...Guh....." she stammers as she comes hard from the humans hand. Her stomach muscles contracting and her legs bucking again she twitches involuntarily for a while just laying on her humans lap, spent. Twilight seems to be floating on her own little cloud. Her eyes look glazed over and there's an odd little smile on her face. Summoning his magic he conjures a blanket from her room. With the sound of a gentle breeze the purple blanket with her cutie mark emblazoned on it comes dancing on the wind, down to the couple cuddling on the couch. He takes the blanket and wraps it around her and himself. She snuggles into his chest and gives a content sigh. He rests his chin on her head, at an angle to not get speared by the horn wraps his hands around her barrel. She shivers a while in his embrace before falling asleep. Her human lover not far behind.
Sessions I (Corrie in this World)Paradox in Purple (Sardonyx in this World) Twilight Sparkle eyed the cave entrance warily. A cozy glow could be seen just a few feet in, presumably made by a nice warm fire in a big hearth. She stamped her hooves, first the front two, then the back to shake off any snow matted into the fur. She was thankful for her winter garb. Up here in the mountains the nights got very cold, very fast. The fat wet flakes of snow that covered her brown winter coat and hood seemed to weigh her down and sap the warmth from her bones only made her feel more miserable. Stomping a front hoof again she wondered for the thousandth time why in Celestia's sake did she send me on this mission? The rumors abounded before she left on her long voyage. Strange beings tumbling out of portals all over Equestria! And if the rumors were to be believed, even one in Canterlot itself. By the time she was able to organize a meeting with Celestia, she was given this mission, find the source of strange magic in the mountains, hurriedly told it was a matter of utmost importance, and pretty much shoved out the door, not that much wiser for her efforts. Feeling the growing cold as the sun sets behind her, Twilight finishes grumbling to herself she steels her resolves and walks slowly into the cave. A pleasant chime could be heard, an alarm spell at the doorway she realizes. Harnessing her magic, she conjures a thin protective sphere around her and continues further in. "Hello?" She calls before stepping over the threshold into the cave. A few more feet and she stops. The ringing sounds of her hoof falls on the stone ground were now replaced by the distinct clacking sounds of her hooves crossing a wooden floor. Looking down at the seamless transition from stone to wood, her suspicions were confirmed. There was strange magic a-hoof. Continuing on down the now hallway she is greeted by an open doorway a few more feet ahead to her right. Peeking around the corner she sees the source of the light. It was a fireplace indeed. It seemed molded out of the wooden wall itself, more sculpted then built into a recess. A cheery fire sat burning merrily in an ornate fireplace, on top of a stack of good sized logs. A large pot with a lid half removed bubbled happily within. She could smell the vegetable stew and it made her stomach rumble lightly. Chagrined she hoped that no one was around to hear it. Two old fashioned high backed chairs sat a few feet apart from each other in front of the fireplace. Comfortable if not a little worn cushions on the seat and back. A small sitting table between them. A few pieces of paper, a couple of writing quills, and a pot of ink all rested on it. She took a hesitant step into the room, then another. Using her magic she removed her hooded coat and floated it to a nearby coat rack. Her boots followed, levitating with purple auras to go under the rack. "Make yourself at home, Daughter of Magic". A voice could be heard from a little chamber to the right of the 'sitting room'. Twilight jumps, but keeps her composure. Facing the doorway she calls out "Thank you. There's quite a chill out tonight". Whatever Celestia wanted her to find, she probably didn't expect a pleasant living room, much less a pleasant voice talking to her. "The storm is going to pick up really soon. Maybe another foot or two of snow". She finishes. Shivering she takes the unseen voice up on his offer and walks over to the chair that faces the open doorway where the voice came from and hops on. Comfortable at least. "Sorry for the lack of hospitality, I haven't had guests in the hat for a long time..... Oh holy shit a unicorn" The man stutters out the last few words of the previously pleasant sentence. Twilight looks at this strange new being in front of her. Is this being one of the things that has caused all the rumors around Canterlot? He stood maybe two or three times her height, and only on two legs! Light brown hair pulled back into a small braid with leather straps over one shoulder. Light grey eyes sparkled just as merrily as hers. Pale skin with various abrasions and marks on his arms. "Are you a human?" She asks him, eyes aglow with excitement. Wait, what did he say? "And yes. I am a unicorn. My name is Twilight Sparkle. It's nice to meet you!" Shaking his head, he blinks a few times to process. The alarm spell at the door told him there was a caster arriving, and pretty strong one too, but it neglected to mention it was a unicorn. And a purple one at that with large, lavender eyes. "I'll never complain about things not getting weirder ever again." He says keeping his tone light. "The names Sardonyx. Pleasure to meet you. Milk?" Holding out the tray in his hands, offering his guest a large brown pottery glass full of cold milk. Twilight nods "Thank you" she responds using her magic to lift the cup and place it on the table before her. "Wait. What was that you said about a hat?" She tilts her head and looks up at him again. Focusing her magic again she realizes just about everything in the room has a faint glow of magic around it. Walking over and taking a seat on the unused chair he places his glass on the table as well. "Yep. Hat." Putting a finger in the air he draws a circle encompassing the room. "Lucky I had it on when I ended up here. I hate the cold." Understanding dawns in Twilight's eyes. "Dimensional pocket space? Teleportation bridge? Reality overriden...." She claps her hooves happily and tries to eye everything in the room all at once. "More of the first, none of the latter?" He says biting back a grin. Curious one that she is! "It usually takes the form of a well worn, but very comfortable peddler's hat. But that too, can change. Are their such items of magic on your world?" She nods in agreement more to herself then him. "A few objects here and there. Although the creation of such items is time consuming and exhausting work, most magicians here don't bother overmuch". Still craning her long neck to stare intently at just about every object in the room, Twilight realizes she's being rude to her host and looks back to the being sitting on the chair across from her. She notices him intently watching her, studying her like a teacher watching his pupils reaction to something it seems. Well fair is fair she surmises while staring back at the strange being. "So." He starts. Stops. Clears his throat and gives a small smile, and looks away. "So." She as well looks down from his gauze, running a hoof up and down her other foreleg nervously. Sardonyx clears his throat again. "I'm feeling a bit out for asking this, but where exactly am I?" He finishes. Twilight can tell from the relaxed tone he asked that question, he was feeling anything but. Smiling at her host she responds. "You are in Equestria. It's a world populated by earth ponies, unicorns, alicorns, pegasi, a few dragons, and so much more! " Clapping her hooves excitedly. "Strangers in our world! It's so wonderful! Have you traveled to other worlds?" She catches herself and stops. Organizing her thoughts she tries again. "I was sent on a mission to find out this weird magical reading, which is I'm guessing was your hat." She smiles at the small nod he gives her. "And here we are." A chime not unlike a grandfather clock rings gently through the room. "Oven's done, be right back." Sardonyx stands up quickly and heads towards the kitchen. "Help yourself to some stew if you like. There's plenty. Just save some room for dessert". He calls out over his shoulder, he can hear her hop down and trot towards the cooking pot eagerly, ears twitching in excitement at the prospect of a warm meal. A few moments later Sardonyx finds himself standing in the kitchen doorway just quietly watching his house guest. A plate of chocolate chip cookies rapidly cooling on a plate in his hands. In that moment something stopped him from crossing that threshold into that cozy sitting room. Later he would reason it was perhaps all the days events finally catching up to him, culminating in the fact he was about to share a dinner with a purple unicorn the size of which could barely come up past his waist, sans horn. Her purple fur given a cozy glow from the fireplace light. The shadows dancing on her form creating such deep pools of color it was almost an impossible shade likened to ripened mulberries. Dinner spoon glowing with it's own faint purple magical aura surrounding it as she would use her magic to scoop up the stew as she ate. It was her eyes though. The lavender pools reflecting a myriad of colors. Deep and radiating. It was something the man had never seen before. Awestruck, he reasons is a good word for it. There were very few noises, aside from her regular breathing. 'She was a quiet eater, thank the gods for that' he though to himself. Nothing worse than bad table manners. Although in this case it really shows a level of magical dedication to her craft. The fact she could eat so quietly using whatever spell that was, spoon barely scraping the bowl while she ate. A lifetime of dedication and casual use of such precision was impressive. Clearing his throat quietly as much to inform his guest he was returning into the room, as to help gather his nerves before returning. Setting the plate down on the little table after moving the papers and quills out of the way, he turns his head towards his guest. "You can eat chocolate?" He asks her. Her little nostrils flaring quickly catching the scent of the treats cooling on the plate made him bite his lower lip hard to fight the urge to laugh. Guess that's that. Twilight's eyes look up at the humans face seeing the mirth in his eyes and she gives him a lopsided grin before nodding. "Very much so!" she says enthusiastically. The pair eating quietly, the occasional praise for the food, some weather small talk infrequently breaking through the warm fireplaces burning logs crackling cheerfully to themselves. The dessert passed just as quickly and quietly. Two beings from different worlds watching the chaotic dancing flames lost in their own thoughts. Sardonyx quietly stands up, gathering the plates and sliverware to take to the kitchen. Before reaching the mugs a purple nimbus of magic surrounds them lifting them in the air a few inches. "Let me help you with that" Twilight tells him, jumping down from her chair to stand next to him, stew pot ladle now floating next to her. With a nod, he leads her into the kitchen. It was a small affair, and pretty simple looking Twilight noticed upon entering the room. A few closed wooden doors promised more exploration beyond the confines of the little kitchen, but for now she satiated her curiosity by watching her host. She gave him a small smile when he looked her way, pointing to the sink where the floating objects she held in her magics grip should go. Gently bobbing through the air they reached their destination and gently landed in the sink with nary a sound. An open pantry with a long set of shelves on each side, seemingly going on forever. Burlap sacks, wooden crates, barrels of all shapes and sizes lined the shelves and floor. Even a few hanging baskets of vegetables and herbs. She even noticed more than a few wheels of cheeses in various packages. The kitchen itself was a small affair, compared to the pantry. A stove not unlike one from her world sat next to one that looked like it could belong in an antique museum, all dark iron and grim stature. Even still, it radiated a seemingly cheery warmth and bathing the room in a cozy 'i'm home' kind of feeling. Twilight found herself thinking of fond memories of home with her family while following the human back into the living room. "I like your house. Hat. Sorry. It's very cozy." She says, jumping onto the chair she previously occupied. Settling herself in she faces the man. "Thank you. It's been a boon to have, let me tell you." Sardonyx tells her, sitting down as well. "More than once it's saved me from sleeping in some flea bitten tavern bunkhouse." Idly itching his arms at the thought he continues. "I'll give you the tour if you like, sometime. Only two of us in here, but it can host a bit more if needed. But some of the rooms are always available. Like the kitchen. And the library." With a whooshing noise and an audible 'pop' his guest vanishes from view, only to reappear again mere inches from his face with the same 'pop' that makes him blink. "Library?" Twilight asks him, her voice barely containing her excitement.
Sessions II (Corrie in this World)Sessions I (Corrie in this World) The kissing session was going well so far, in Corries mind at least. That strange sensation of furry lips on her own bare ones still gave her a shudder. Like an uncertain tingle down your spine, she mused while using her tongue to gently battle Vinyl's tongue in her mouth. She inhales through her nostrils and smells the inhuman scent of her paramour. The lascivious feelings of kissing this equine pulsing both arousal and hesitation in her in equal measures. Still, equine or not, it was pleasurable just the same. Just... Odd. All in all not bad so far. Tilting her head and opening her mouth a little more, she grants the little unicorn's tongue further access. She can feel the strange but similar texture of Vinyl's wet muscle on hers, running across the canine teeth in her mouth and a little moan escapes her. It's when she feels Vinyl's somehow now soft hooves caressing her cheeks gently she startles. Jerking away from her sort of, kind of, (Maybe?) marefriend, she opens her eyes and sees Vinyl doing the same. Concern and worry, as well as a bit of lust shine in her magenta eyes. Moving her hooves back down on the couch, she stays seated on all fours, facing Corrie. "Whoa, stop please" Corrie says quietly. She wasn't sure what it was. Maybe she expected fingers touching her instead of those hooves? Was it the texture of them? Or maybe just the fact they were hooves, and not hands? Corrie struggled with this for a few moments. Silently sitting on the couch, head lowered, body facing towards the unicorn. Frowning to herself she starts to process her feelings on the new situation. Vinyl watched the human lower her head, brow furrowed. She took a deep breath to steady herself. That human is one heck of a kisser. Just as good as Octavia, she grins internally at the though. Honoring her wishes, she sits silently on the couch. Just watching Corrie, admiring the luster of her red hair. The pale skin with those little freckles scattered generously all over her. Vinyl vows to kiss every one of those freckles. Everywhere she has them. 'Someday' she promises herself with a smile. A polite cough breaks both of their reveries. Both the mare and the maiden look over at Octavia in her favorite chair. Her eyes were shining with something Corrie couldn't identify. The need however, was bright as cat's eyeshine in the dark. Hopping down off the chair with a little bounce that made her cutie marks jiggle gently, she made her way over to the couch and jumped on, sitting on the opposite side of Vinyl. Making herself comfortable and facing Corrie Octavia smiles warmly at the human as she turns to face her. "I understand your hesitation" she starts. Reminding herself that Corrie basically flinched at the hooves on her face, she stops herself from trying to hold the humans cute and odd little hands. Leaning a little closer, voice lowered she continues. "Have you ever kissed someone, something, not human in your world?" Closer still she plants a gentle, chaste kiss on Corrie's cheek. Corrie nods her head once, slowly. "Demi-human. Elven Razorgirl. Tall and fair, with a tongue like a..." Corrie catches herself. The click of her jaw is audible to the three in the room. Sighing to herself she pinches the bridge of her nose and gently squeezes. Octavia was very insightful, Corrie reminded herself. And determined to make this odd little trio thing work. Corrie wasn't sure if it was because it was her time to be beta, while Vinyl held the title of alpha this time around. She was still a bit unsure at the pecking order of things when it came to the dating rituals of ponies. Nothing book-wise in her headware was any help there either. Moving her face to kiss Octavia on the lips, a return gesture just as chase and gentle as the one she received. Octavia was the kind of girl...err.... filly? Mare? Whatever, Corrie grinned to herself. She liked to take things slow. A measured pace of romance. She respected Corries boundaries as much as Vinyl liked to sneak across them like a thief in the night stealing Rigger tags. Octavia would be the one to go for hours she muses. Vinyl would be hot and heavy and quick. Passion burning bright like a bonfire in a trido movie. Like a quick fuck in a changing stall in the Arc Shopping Mall, she surmised. She'd probably get off on getting off in public, Corrie makes a mental note to test that theory soon. Octavia though, has strategy in everything she does. No wasted motions. Romance in measured but rewarding motions. She'd be the one to fuck all night. And probably well into the morning. She wouldn't be surprised if she found lingerie in the grey mare's dresser. And toys. Corrie blinks and pulls away slightly from Octavia who was starting to plant little kisses on her neck. What do their toys even look like? Little round tubes, or would they look like real stallion's cocks? Realizing her lack of knowledge, the Encephalon in her head helpfully provides a few pictures of real horse cocks in her display screens. All manner of sizes, shapes, colors, and not to mention oddly large testicles invade her view. "Oh gods damn it!" She exclaims in surprise, jerking her head back from Octavia. Banishing the horse members off her screens she tells her headware to go fuck itself, and no more pictures like that, thank you very much. "What happened?" Octavia looks up at her, obvious worry in her voice and posture. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she opens her eyes and smiles at the little earth pony. "I have to stop now, for tonight." Placing her left hand on Octavia's cheek she starts to rub gently with affection. "It wasn't anything you did. I want you to know that." Octavia nods "Thank you for telling me. I appreciate it. But if you do have some concerns, please let us help you with them. You are not alone in this, you know?" She finally takes one hoof and places it on Corrie's right hand. Giving it a gentle squeeze she continues "You can always talk to us, you know?" Corrie returns the nod. "Thanks. It's just... Well I just need a little more time to process this all. I just realized how little I do know of your kind." "Popcorn and movie time?" She hears in a light voice behind her. Turning she sees Vinyl smiling at her. "That would be great, thank you". Giving her an affectionate hug, Vinyl wraps her arms around the slim human and returns the hug before bounding off the couch into the kitchen. Leaning back she makes herself comfortable on the couch. Octavia moves closer and Corrie wraps her right arm around the earth pony. With a content sigh, Vinyl leans into her human awaiting the banter filled battle over tonight's movie selection.
The Reluctant Demonstration Pt.1 (Corrie in this World)Sessions II (Corrie in this World) Corrie eyes the mug of drekking honest to goodness coffee in her hand with something close to worship. 'Four a.m. is not too early for real coffee, thank you very much.' She thinks while grinning to herself in the dark. The odd hours of her old job and this one made her infinitely grateful for making the decision to go ahead and have the Sleep Regulator surgery in her own world. On average three hours a day of sleep was enough to make her well rested and ready for whatever the day would throw at her. The ability to prolong sleep for extended periods while still feeling rested was a godsend as well in her old job as well in her new one. Thinking of her house-guests currently sleeping in her little apartment above the diplomatic offices, she decides to peek in on them, just to make sure the coffee maker and her moving around in the middle of the night didn't wake them. These ponies were really big on sleepovers, she muses. It shouldn't be a surprise considering how social these beings are. Rarely do you see one alone, unless their job required it. After that though it was all about connecting with their friends, family, and loved ones. Pony networking in an unwired world. Making her way through the living room Corrie admits to herself that it is a nice feeling, to be included. It's taken some getting used to, however, and she still didn't feel fully integrated into their way of thinking yet. She spent a lot of time in her old life in the company of a small circle of friends. And even then she valued her privacy, and the quiet rooms of her old apartment the refuge and solace from hard days at work recovering clients with more sense than money. Usually Shadowrunning, gang assaults, a few tissue sample escorts to Corp headquarters, the usual paramedic practices in the Awakened world. Peeking in through the bedroom doorway she pauses at the threshold. Her little sleeping guests have managed to stretch out and cover most of the queen sized mattress. The two mares somehow entwined and yet splayed haphazardly on top of the quilt. She can hear the steady rhythms of their breathing. Her headware picks up and displays their vital signs in the lower field of her vision. Heartbeats per minute, as well as respirations and pulse. All is well, she thinks with a small smile forming on her lips. Returning her attention to the her coffee, the alluring scent and steam rising from the cup is a powerful ambrosia to her olfactory senses. The mix of honey, creamer, and sugar dolled out in perfect measure making her early start to the day an enjoyable one. Bringing the cup to her lips she inhales deeply one more time, intent on savoring this moment for as long as possible. 'Nothing,' she thinks to herself 'Could top this feeling in this moment'. Before her first sip however, Octavia's ear twitches in what she can only describe as adorable as her little forehooves make little involuntary movements in her sleep. Even snoozing Vinyl responds to her marefriend. Moving her head closer she rubs her muzzle on Octavia's and the two share a little kiss in their slumber. Octavia sighs contentedly to herself and Corrie can see her body relax once more. Vinyl wraps her arms around Octavia and they snuggle close together. The grey mares head moves down to rest by Vinyl's chest. Vinyl cradling her protectively. The soft glow on their fur from the moonlight through the half closed blinds through the window gives both the mare's fur a warm inviting aura. It takes all of Corrie's willpower not to stealthily move to the bed and caress their sleeping forms. Instead she stays put, leaning into the door frame while committing the view before her, to memory electronic and chemical both. One pot of coffee down and a few hours later Corrie finds herself still buried in the paperwork for the Human Construction Consortium. Zoning treaties, land negotiations, supply chains, hardware requisition forms, and all manor of nonsense danced in her vision. Quite a few of the electronic books in her head did hold some valuable information that helped a lot in these cases, but not this one. Who would have ever thought in a million years she'd need this kind of drek? Shoving the paperwork in a messy pile before while deciding that she was done for now. It'll still be there in a couple hours. Looking morosely at her empty mug, she decides against another cup of coffee for now. Time for a shower. Moving quietly as she can through the bedroom, she can hear a light snoring sound from one of the mares. Biting her lower lip she tries not to giggle at the sound. Making it to the bathroom she shuts the door with a quiet click. Resting her back against the door she allows herself a quiet laugh at the snoring mare. Eyeing the large shower stall with appreciation she removes her long pajama shirt and panties, setting them aside on a little plastic table next to the towels. The shower here was a luxury and a half, as well as being about twice as long and wide due to the previous occupant being a Pegasi. Apparently they needed a lot of room to stretch out their wings in the bathtub so extra accommodations were made for their bathtubs and shower stalls. Multiple faucets to make sure every inch of fur and feather were reached. Almost like a decontamination tower, but bigger jets and plenty of hot water. Adjusting the knobs for the exact right temperature she enters the streams of hot water with an audible sigh. Turning her back to the long wall in the shower she feels the stress of the paperwork melt under the caresses of the hot waters embraces. Stretching lithely on her toes she extends to her full five foot six height, arms extended above her, tips of her fingers just reaching past the tallest shower head. A few slow rotations to get her body used to the heat before she runs her hands all over her now slick body. Reaching for the bottle of body wash she freezes for a moment. She must have missed hearing the door opening, but now she hears slow clicking of hooves on the tile getting closer. "Sss...Vinyl.. I told you to wake me up when you did." She hears Octavia say in a sleepy little English accent. Corrie hears the sound of the toilet seat resting against the water tank with a small clink. The sounds of Octavia hopping on the toilet made her realize she's never really considered this. Obviously they use the facilities they built, but it never really came to mind how they use them, sans hands. Apparently just fine it seems, from the sounds of the grey mare currently peeing in the toilet. "Oh for Celestia's sake did you really not replace the toilet paper, Vinyl?" With a tired frustrated sigh she hears her hop off the toilet, flushing it after. "Fine then." Corrie realizes where this is going about a quarter second before it does. A small opening in the back of the shower stall allows Octavia's head to peek through. "I'll just steal some hot water and clean...Oh!" Corrie can see the very crimson blush appearing on the mare's cheeks. Covering herself the best she can with her left hand in front of her nethers, right arm crossed over her small breasts, she can feel her own blush matching Octavia's. Watching the dawning awareness of the situation in her purple eyes, as well as seeing the grey mare try to stammer out an apology, Corrie realized at that very moment this was her life now. A lot of it still felt strange, sure. And that will probably never truly fade away. She was an outsider in this brand new world, no matter how accommodating the little beings were. But this, this had a feeling of normalcy, something she would find on her own world after bringing home a Joygirl for the eve, usually after long night of dancing and drinks. Laughing to herself at the folly of the situation she takes a quick step forward and kneels in front of the mare. Taking both of her hands to gently clasp her cheeks she leans in and kisses her as passionately as she can. She feels Octavia freeze for a moment, stunned at the turn of events before returning the kiss. After a few long blissful moments of kissing the mare, Corrie pulls away slowly, just far enough to breathe in her captivating scent. "I'm sorry, Octavia." she whispers quietly. Octavia opens her eyes and looks at Corrie dreamily. "For what, dear?" she inquires as she moves a hoof to rest gently on Corrie's cheek. "For taking so long to decide if this was right for me. It's all so strange and new." Planting little kisses on the side of Octavia's mouth she continues. Kiss, whisper, kiss, a slow lick across the mare's lips before planting more gentle kisses on the other side of her mouth. "You pretty little thing you. You have my attention now". she finishes with pulling her in for another deep kiss. "Oh really now?" Octavia says in a breathless voice. "And now that I am in your sights, whatever shall you do with me?" Blinking her eyes demurely while giving Corrie a coy smile. Corrie responds with a low growl. "I have a hunger, mare." Trailing her mouth down the side of Octavia's face, worrying the skin and fur with her teeth in random spots on the way down to her neck. Octavia gaps feeling the teeth on her skin. She can feel the muscles in her legs tightening in surprise. Little firework sensations in her nerves from the contact of those strange little teeth. "And what do you want to eat, Corrie?" the panting grey mare asks. "Meat" Corrie whispers in hear ear, bringing her mouth up to the tip and biting gently before looking at Octavia's beautiful eyes. For a moment Octavia almost gives in and shoves her way into the shower with the wet, slippery human. Instead she places a gentle hoof on her forehead and gives her a strong but playful shove backward. "Breakfast in bed, perhaps?" she says, tone all honey and promises before turning around and trotting to the doorway. Corrie realizes she's going down, but not in the way she first intended. These earth ponies are so drekking strong! The shove was enough to put her off balance, slipping backwards on the now treacherous surface landing on her ass with a loud wet smack. 'Oh hells no!' Corrie thinks to herself while trying to get purchase to stand. Gripping the side of the tub she decides the little dirty fleeing mare needs a shower, indeed. With a snarl she fires on her Wired Reflexes to give chase to the mare having traction issues on the tile before her. Watching Octavia in slow motion trying to gain traction was wildly humorous to the now rising human. Seeing her little hooves sliding with stretched out clopping noises, fighting for purchase all their own. To her surprise, and probably Octavia's as well she finds it. The clattering sounds replaced by a loud, slow "Huzzah!" as she bounds forward near the doorway. With cat like agility Corrie uses the side of the tub to launch herself at her pray, making it halfway across the room in a bound. The gods of good karma gracing her with not slipping and breaking her fool neck while landing on the slippery tiles, she reaches out to grab the little mare. Octavia brings her haunches under her and moves forward even faster, just out of her reach. Both of them making it out of the doorway at almost exactly the same moment, Corrie just centimeters behind her. With triumphant yells both the mare and the maiden have the same idea. Simultaneously launching themselves in the air towards victory and the rewards in promised between the sheets for the two lovers. "What in bucking Celestia's name were you thinking??" Vinyl belted out, nervously pacing on all fours in the living room in front of the coffee table. A bruised and concussed pair on the couch stared at each other and winced at the same time. "I could have killed you both! Do you think.... " Vinyl drones on worriedly. Blah blah blah blah blah" was Corrie and Octavia could hear over the drumming headaches they both shared. The talking unicorn wasn't helping that much, at all. "Who knew startling a sleeping unicorn was a bad idea?" she whispered to Octavia, wincing at moving her head towards the mare's ear. "Our fault really" Octavia responds, voice heavy in pain as she in turn winces at the loud barrage of worried words from Vinyl. The redheaded woman nods slowly. "So I'm guessing breakfast is out of the question?" Corrie asks her, half jokingly. "Hmm...Let me check my schedule...." moving a hoof across a pretend book in her lap she makes a pondering face. "No. Breakfast is out. Looks like Brunch will be cancelled as well, due to concussion I'm afraid". Giggling then groaning and holding her head in pain. "How's dinner looking for you?" Corrie asks, trying to look seductive while crossing her eyes and making a pained face. Wincing again at the throbbing in her head she groans out a weak 'worth it' before staring into those gorgeous purple eyes. Octavia snickers and grins at the human. Reaching out she grabs the pale hand with the metal fingers and gives it a gentle squeeze. Looking deeply into her little eyes, she huskily responds. "Dinner looks delicious to me." The look in response Corrie gives her makes her spine tingle and she shudders from it a little, never breaking eye contact. This was a thing that was going to happen, the grey mare determines. It will be done. "Dinner?" Vinyl inturupts her own tirade to stare at the two on the couch, apparently having some sort of private moment. "What about breakfast? I'm starving!".
Those Damn Fingers - (Octavia Masturbation Clop)The Reluctant Demonstration Pt.1 (Corrie in this World) :'Stir-Crazy. (ˈstər-ˈkrā-zē ). :Also see available links on neurosis for further information about prolonged confinement!': Corrie's A.I. assistant informs her, picking up on her thoughts of leaving this room, but having a panic attack every time she's tried so far. The pleasant female Elven voice just sounded too chipper to be discussing the insanity she was probably descending in to. Dropping the book she was holding onto the little coffee table she leans back into the soft cushions and gives a small sigh. History was never her strong suit. Reading for prolonged periods wasn't either, when it wasn't for enjoyment. "Would have become a librarian instead of a paramedic if I wanted to sit around and read myself to death." the redheaded human mutters to herself, eyeing the other fourteen books on The History and Evolution of the Beings of Equestria and the Laws and Regulations Pertaining Thereof....." After reading the title on that book : (Volume 3! : the voice chimes happily and she mutes with with an internal snarl) . Sure she learned her letters. Momma Cat Mojo wanted to make sure she could read, not just talk that 'Garbage CitySpeak hockey'. So she did. It was hard, at first like many things. But the stories she read only fueled her desire to read more. At least when it came to fantasy books, sci-fi, old dusty tomes from a century or two ago she couldn't get enough of. However, this wasn't fantasy. This was history. So dry. So tedious. So now when she couldn't read anymore, eyes swimming and losing focus from boredom she started committing headware space to scanning the books to store in her memory. At least this way she could reference without needing to hit the books, but gods the process was tedious! Since waking up in this little room in this strange world, it had become her haven from the unusual place, as well as a self imposed prison. Anxiety flared every she tried to cross the threshold to explore this new place. She just didn't fell strong enough to process this just yet. A whole world out past that doorway so vastly different than her own. Soon she will try she theorizes, but not yet. As per her request there were no mirrors in any of the rooms, bathroom included. A few tasteful paintings on the walls provided some much needed color to the otherwise grey walls. An unbarred window over the writing desk let in plenty of light during the daytime as well as an ever cooling breeze. The furniture was made of some honest to goodness stained wood. It looked handmade to boot. A sitting chair, two recliners at angles facing the softest couch Corrie ever sat on. A coffee table stained dark, as well as a few knick knack tables and shelves currently used to store the gear that made it with her during her transition from her old world to this one. Tasteful rugs scattered throughout the living room and bedroom. All of the furniture was smaller than in her old place, but being only five-six herself, she wasn't really that inconvenienced at all. So far no too tall shelves she'd have to stand on her tiptoes just to retrieve something from them. That was nice. Not to mention the bathtub. Long enough for a large pony to lay down in comfortably to soak sore muscles, she could lay flat in the bottom underwater and her feet wouldn't even touch the end of the tub. Doubly glorious, that. The kitchen gave her the most fits. After a lifetime of pushing buttons at the local fast food places, and even the Stuffer Shacks, her grip on cooking like this was pretty weak. Sure Momma Cat Mojo had a couple hot plates to cook on with in her place, but those were only really used for special occasions, such as rat meat and rice night, when hunting the alleyways with her stray cat friends paid off. Otherwise it was algae based foods, tofu, and flavor spigots for the variety of flavors desired. So far she's only had to use the fire extinguisher three times. After the third try though, she just gave up and started ordering in for a while. The little beings that called themselves ponies were rather pleasant, but most were a bit wary of her. That, she could understand at least. Strange thing in a strange land after all. And she didn't even mind the two guards outside her door, day and night. As much for protection for her as well as them. Sensible decision, she concedes to herself. She'd do the same if roles were reversed. And even the guards were nice. The guards at night were a little more relaxed, and just a bit stranger than the daytime guards. She just chalked that up to night shift workers in all worlds were a usually an odd bunch anywhere you go. She even went so far as to accept their invitation to play some dice games with them. Her sitting in the doorway, not ready to leave her room just yet. Talking to them about the customs of the new world helped ease her mind, and give her pause. From what she could tell there was no Mega-Corps running anything. Some kind of quasi-medieval government. Headed by an apparently immortal being called an Alicorn and her sister. And possibly one or two more? She'd seen Celestia only once here since coming to. She was polite, they made small talk over tea when she was still bedridden and healing. Corrie realized that during the brief talk with her that she was friendly, there were more humans popping up here and there randomly, and that she wasn't a prisoner. She was more than welcome to leave at any time. The crown would help her get her set up in her new life while she looked for whatever profession she chooses. Even the offer to go back to school, if that's what she was doing in her old world. Academia was never Corrie's strong suit, but she did keep the offer in the back of her mind. Even if she failed everything she set out to do there, a University might be the best place to get an idea for what these little ponies are really about. She'd call it people watching still. Pony watching just sounds too odd to her. She was thankful they had a decent grasp of chemistry here, although she has to concede to herself it's more like alchemy and less like chemistry. Magic seemed to go in to just about everything the denizens did here. All that matters is some fundamentals still worked, she could make gunpowder for her Ares and she was very grateful for that. Knowing you had a finite amount of rounds to ventilate your enemies was a troublesome thing. She'd just have to find the time to set up a workshop. -- A few days later she decided it was time to get to work. The better part of this day was wasted cataloging her inventory, pacing, drinking copious amounts of tea, inventorying again, and exercising to help bleed off excess energy that was building with the anticipation of actually doing something. Her only concern was that her guards wouldn't go for it, and she'd have to find a more stealthy approach to getting done what she wanted to do. Shadowrunning was never her forte, but she could do what needed to be done in a pinch, for survival. The two guards for this evening turned out to be Night Light. Well Night's Grace and Temple's Light. More often then not it was these two that guarded her door now. Their upper ranks decided it was a good thing that someponies bonded with the human so their new assignment came to be guarding her, and helping her adjust to her new life. One thing that would probably baffle Corrie for all her days was the their whole naming structure, some of it had to do with their 'Cutie Mark's' that appear sometime in their lives to show themselves and others what their calling was. So for these two ponies, brother and sister apparently, she just called them Night Light since she's never seen them apart. Sheepishly she told them about that after a couple cider's a few days ago and they laughed at the nickname. For some reason it stuck with them, and she was informed that more of the guards were using the moniker now for the duo. It felt strange, making friends with these beings, these ponies. But in a nice way. They were very good natured in general. Pleasant dispositions, and these two had a very dry sense of humor that Corrie found enjoyable. "Hey Corrie!" Night belts out in a husky voice. Like bourbon and pipe smoke that voice was. Very pleasant to the ears. She gives the human a little fist bump at the door and slips by the redhead. Corrie smells pizza from the heating bag on her back. "How goes it, prisoner?" Light grins at her while speaking and emulating the previous hoofbump and shuffle around the human into the room. His voice was deep, but clear. A slow bronze bell kind of ring to it. His saddlebags carried a few colorful cardboard boxes and what seemed to be a six pack of cider. "Hoi. What's that you got there?" Corrie asks them, shutting her door and making her way to the sofa. The two ponies look at each other with matching smiles and look back at her. "Game night!" they both exclaim at the same time. The two busy themselves with setting up the pizza on the dining room table and unpacking little miniature pieces of what looked like little warrior ponies. Wizard ponies too, by the look of the pointy hats. Some kind of archers, and a few other things she couldn't make out. Night continues "We thought you might need a break from studying to have some fun for a change". After a few more minutes she waves Corrie over to the table. Apparently they were done setting up. Some paper, pencils, and dice in little cups were now set up as well. -- A couple of pleasant hours pass and Corrie realizes she's lost this match about an hour ago. Long term tactics weren't exactly her strong suit, all things considered. Light's forces already routed Night's this round, and basically from what she could tell, it was just a quick mop up job for him to take her out as well. Sighing to herself she flips her sheet over and declares surrender. Light jumps off his table and starts flexing like a bodybuilder. Night just rolls her eyes and groans at the display of 'humble victory' as she called it. Corrie laughs. She's always hated her laugh. To her it was like the barking of a Coyote Shaman summoning his totem animal. Like gunfire replaced by barking dog sounds. She couldn't help herself though, watching these two ponies have a mock serious battle about humility and the whole craziness of the situation washes over her. It was a good laugh, healing and cleansing though. The two poines couldn't figure out what the strange noise was coming from the human. They figured she was choking on something and got up from their debate (which turned into a full on wrestling match), to see if she needed help. When they got closer they realized she was laughing. Small tears forming at the corners of her eyes while she did so. Night grins at the human and gives her a timid smile. "Been a while, huh?" she says, nudging the humans arm with a hoof. Light smiles at the human too, putting an arm around his sisters shoulder. "See Sis, I told you she needed this" he says. "I did. Thank you" She finishes the sentence by reaching out and holding a hoof from each of them. Giving each a small squeeze, she lets go quickly and places her hands on her lap. "Which is why I feel kinda like crap for wanting to ask a favor of you two, now." Oddly enough it was true. Favor for a favor is usually how it went on the street. Nuyen talked and made the world go 'round, but the favor system was the grease in the wheels when it came to that particular machinery. "Well, what is it?" Light asks her, tone casual while taking another slice of pizza to his plate. She could tell however, he was a little on edge. It's not like her to ask for anything so far. This was new. Night worries her lip and turns her head to the side. "We will if we can, but you do understand.." She waves a little hoof around the room. "I know. And I promise I wouldn't ask anything of you I didn't think you would be willing to do. Or jeopardize your careers." She smiles the best she can, a twinge of regret courses through her on that last part. She's not exactly sure if that's true. But she was allowed to explore the castle and it's grounds. She figured it would be better to have those two come along with her, as to help her find what she needed, as well as to keep her out of trouble. If she did do something wrong, or committed some social faux pas, they would be there to help. "So what is it?" Light asks her. Locking eyes with the human. "All that build up, and you say you need tools?" Light chuckles to himself. Holding a hoof up to steady himself. Corrie looks a bit chagrined at the ponies in mirth sitting in front of her now. "Well, yeah" A light blush through her pale skin starts to show, and she can feel herself growing hot being embarrassed. The curse of the pale skin in full bloom. "Look yeah, I was going to ask you to overthrow the monarchy or go on some grand adventure, no. I'd never do that". Shaking her head at the thoughts she continued "I just didn't know if it would be okay. Some of my gear is really damaged, and I'm not sure if you have what I need here to fix it, but I have to try." Night and Light give each other a long look before turning back to the human. Their was a seriousness in their tones as well as their body language. "There's a workshop of sorts a few floors down from here. " Light tells her. "We can take you there if you want to go. It's a pretty easy walk from here, actually." "However, we want to ask something of you in return. If you don't mind" Night says, hastily ending that sentence in a bit of a nervous squeak. Corrie thinks a moment and nods. "If I can give it, I will" she tells her guests. "Show us what you can do?" They both speak in unison while shuffling over to the confused looking human. Corrie blinks slowly, staring at the ponies now moving slowly towards her. Their eyes seemed to be gleaming with some internal light of their own. Mischief, curiosity, something else? She couldn't place it And for a moment it throws her off balance. "Sorry, what?"
Bottles of Red and White (Corrie in this World)Those Damn Fingers - (Octavia Masturbation Clop) Octavia glanced at the wind up clock on the nightstand. She had just enough time to do this before before bed tonight. With a sly smirk to no one but herself in the darkness of her bedroom, she starts the usual ritual by licking the tip of her right hoof gently, while moving her left hoof slowly down her body. She gives a quick sharp inhale as her hoof meets one of her tiny grey teats. Moving it gently with with the flat of her hoof she manipulates it to giver her hardening darker grey nipple a light pinch. A momentary spasm of pain followed by the brief pleasure that follows gives her a small sigh. And then with a little giggle she stifles by biting the hoof by her mouth she realizes she had the image of Corrie gently pinching her in just that way. Tiny slender metal fingers giving just enough pressure on each side of her swollen and very sensitive nipple. With a start Octavia freezes for a moment, blush coming hard to her cheeks. She hasn't thought of that before. Something...New. Odd. Do some humans pinch their nipples like some ponies do? Her tiny little teats so strangely on the tops of their 'chests', and Corrie's wasn't even a hoof-full! But she had those fingers. Long slender promises of secret places explored thoroughly, of places hooves and even perhaps her toys, couldn't explore. Those damn fingers! It all started when they agreed to take it slow. Date nights, luncheons, that sort of thing. A leisurely pace for all three of them to adjust to the idea of being a herd. Well, more for Corrie's sake then theirs. Vinyl and her have been together for a little while now. It was a good thing in retrospect. Humans were very contradictory creatures, after all. One moment full of bluster and bravado. The next moment insecure and retrospective. But even that wasn't the most frustrating part. What Octavia found frustrating was that Corrie talked. Not a lot, or at a great length of any things she really didn't have a handle on. And not more so than any other mare (or chatty stallion) did. Her voice wasn't unpleasant either. It was that she talked with her hands. Big gestures, small gestures. Tiny angry gesture of one finger in the middle, usually accompanied by a flustered look at something she was really displeased with. She tried to explain it to Octavia once. It was part of her species non-verbal communications. Something about the "Italian Syndrome", whatever that was. The grey mare was pretty sure if she tied Corrie's hands behind her back, she wouldn't even be able to speak at all! A lascivious grin briefly crosses her lips at the thought of the bound and naked woman on her back. And it wasn't even her hands really. It was those fingers. Wrapping themselves around wineglass stems. Casually parting and running through her hair. Even watching them wiggle when she was embarrassingly caught dancing with herself, some unheard music in her mind dictating the beat. Watching her write her notes and communications for work, tip of her tiny pink tongue sticking out just so from her mouth in concentration. Nervously chewing on the flesh and bone 'fingernails'. Occasionally looking around abashed when she realized she was trying to chew absentmindedly on a metal one. And Octavia found that she couldn't stop herself from watching them. Those damn fingers! Looking up at the ceiling she allows herself a guilty smile. Since the first meeting with Corrie didn't go so well, thanks to Vinyl jumping the gun (considering that thing the little human carried with her, it may have not been the right idiom but the words sounded right all the same to her), she'd been pleasantly surprised by the redheaded woman. Buck! Octavia realizes her pacing was slowing down with her thoughts. Redoubling her efforts she starts moving her other hoof with her saliva coated tip down her body quickly she spreads her legs a little wider and shuffles a bit on the bed to make herself comfortable. Feeling the tip of her hoof reach her marehood she bites her lower lip as she runs the slick hoof tip down her slightly pulsing lips. Excitement mixed with anticipation makes her jump as it quickly slides over the sensitive nub of flesh it was aiming for. Her right hoof shakes with a quick spasm that trailed down her leg, leaving her senses reeling for a moment. Celestia! It's been ages since she's done this! Moving her teat in a small circle while pinching her nipple sporadically, she turns her hoof flat and moves the tip up to spread her lips just a little bit, mind you! A naughty peep show in progress for an unseen phantom lover. Moving her hoof flat again she places the tip on the top of her clit while moving it also in a slow rotation. She lets a little moan escape her lips at the same time she imagines seeing Corrie's face hovering over her sex with a lascivious grin. Fingers gently raking the top of her pubic area, fingers spread just enough to leave little furrows in her fur. Octavia could tell she was close, but she needed just a little more than this it seems. With quick and frustrated movements she hopped off her bed to grab her hair brush on the nightstand. Grabbing the now conscripted sex toy, she begins sucking on the handle to get it nice and slick, she rolls it with her tongue, imagining the long plastic thing was a finger. She jumps back onto her covers making a satisfied cooing quietly to herself. Instead of returning to her usual position, she instead hooks the head of the brush through one of the carved highlights in the headboard. A brief smile of anticipation on her lips as she used her hooves and steady it in place with a couple of hair ties. Wiggling it a bit and satisfied it won't fall off if she wasn't too forceful with it, she turns around, facing away. With the heat of a very large blush burning in her cheeks and her sex, Octavia bends her forelegs and presents herself to the brush handle, plot in the air, tail raised and to the side. Imagining it was the redheaded woman moving said tail she could feel her plot quiver in anticipation. She slowly leans backward, giving out a gasp when the brush handle just touches her slick entrance. Feeling just the tip of it slide into her, there was some resistance from the rest of the brush. Moving her forehoof back down under her body she spreads her lips a little more, and returns to rubbing her clit, faster now with just a hint more pressure. Her juices now coating her inner walls and by virtue of her movements, and the new slickness inside, her brush slowly pushes deeper into her. Octavia can feel her clamping down on the brush already, only partway inside. She wasn't sure if other mares were as sensitive as her, but she could swear she could feel every hill and valley of the brushes rubber handle. Moving her hips up and down now, increasing speed just a little, the new sensation of the brushes tip scraps the top of her slick tunnel. She lets out an involuntary gaps. Resting her head on the bed now, she repeats the same motions over and over, faster and faster gaining speed. She could here the sounds of her slick hoof sliding across her clit in ever shortening circles, but gaining speed with the promise of the impending orgasm. "Just a little more" she pants out loud to herself. Faster and faster she goes, striving for her release. Biting her lip she can imagine Corrie above her, her right hand pressing down on her head, keeping it still under her while she leaned into Octavia's plot from behind. Running two of those cool, metal fingers inside of her. She was almost there, she was panting now,her breathing was coming after longer intervals. Holding her breath she relaxes her hips, feeling all the tense muscles in her hips, thighs, and legs release. A stray random thought crosses her mind before she comes. Corrie biting her ear and whispering "Come for me" in a wholly deep and sexy voice while fucking her with those little metal fingers. Slamming her plot all the way back against the bedboard she hilts herself with the brush handle. Riding it up and down while treating her clit like a redheaded stepfilly (Sorry Corrie!) she now tenses every muscle again, ever fiber of her being holding down that growing pressure, fighting with it, knowing the release will be all the more sweeter for keeping it in. With a few more guttural noises to break the rhythm of the thump, thump, thump of her plot on the headboard she comes. A great wave starting from her throat and sliding all through her body, gaining force and pleasure with every nerve leading to the culmination of her leaking some of her juices past the handle and down the headboard. She covers her mouth with her free hoof and moans into it quietly. A few moments of self gratifying bliss later, Octavia finds herself back down in Equestria. Barrel heaving with the explosive breaths escaping her. She tries to clamp down on her abdomen muscles that are already in the process of releasing waves of her receding orgasm in little aftershocks rippling through her body. Celestia damn it, what was it? Why and how could such little things, such tiny. dirty little things really, compared to their hooves, cause all this? And even just in her own imagination! Those damn fingers!
Bottles of Red and White Pt. 2 (Corrie in this World)Bottles of Red and White (Corrie in this World) Oh God, why did I go through with this? A frantic Corrie thinks to herself while bolting out of the shower. In her mind's ear she can hear the alarm reminding her that her date will be here soon. Grabbing her towels she makes her way to the bedroom, wrapping her small frame up from hair to hip. A few small pieces of makeup on a tray sat next to the foot of a tall standing mirror she borrowed from one of her co-workers. She could have done her makeup downstairs in one of the employee bathrooms, but she was getting ready for a date after all. Her first date on this strange new world. Sitting on the floor now in her towels, she went over the collection of jars and boxes. A few of the powders or concealers on this world yet could cover the little imperfections she would have liked to cover on her arms. Shrapnel scars, burn marks, sensor patches, some surgery scars. And no amount of makeup would cover the surgery scars and damage on her back. At least she wasn't chromed up as much as the rest of her team was. Only her left hand and a bit of her left forearm showed any signs of augmentation by machine. The rest were all concealed in her body. Pausing for a moment, Corrie realizes she's never seen a seriously messed up pony before. A few had scars here and there, but surely industrial accidents happened? Hospitals were abundant here in this place, and that was all well and good. But was magic just that good enough to replace limbs? She'd have to look into that. Making a mental note and hearing the save chime she focuses on the image before her and continues to work. In the end though it all added up to just a tad too much that she'd like to show out in public. And there was no way in hell aside from magic would ever make her nose straight again. Always a little crooked an to the left a titch now. She never really considered getting it fix or replaced on her old world. It would just keep breaking anyway. Why waste the Nuyen? And nothing doing about the amount of freckles over her pale skin. 'Dotted from the rooter to the tooter to the scooters' as Momma Cat Mojo used to tell her. She could have went with contacts too. She oddly missed her green ones, back in her old apartment. Human or metahuman if you had red hair, everyone expected you to have green eyes, not brown. Sometimes blue was acceptable too. But green got you laid quick, when you were in the mood. She liked her eyes however. Hazel just seemed to her to fit her red hair perfectly. But what could you do? A few opened mail parcels behind her on the bed with various pieces of clothing strewn about them. A riot of colors in the otherwise drab tones contrasting against her usual tastes. Less likely to get shot at in a crowd if you don't stand out, in her own world. Her last dress was considerably shorter. And tighter. Okay, it was a miniskirt she concedes to herself. But under plated to absorb a shock or two. That was a good party dress. This though, this was odd. Made her shoulders itch feeling that exposed. Standing now in front of the borrowed full length mirror placed in her bedroom, Corrie wondered if there was time enough to change. Dressing up was one thing, but this might be too much. Looking at the reflection of herself in a little black dress made her really feel exposed and uncomfortable. No padding, no armor plates. Scar tissue from the nape of her neck down to the middle of her back almost fully exposed. At least they got the length right, she concedes. When she twirls or walks quick in it, the clips for her Ares strapped to one leg didn't show. She should have requested a full backed dress. Maybe a hoodie and sweatpants. Frowning, she ignores that problem for the moment to work on the next. Her hair. Flaring out the dark black dress with her hands a little she gives herself an unsure turn in the mirror. The feeling was almost like being naked. Two little straps on her shoulders, no firm armor plates on anything. The breeze on her ankles when she walked, only blocked in one area from a pair of pistol clips strapped to her lower leg. It was all so new. They did get the belt right, the holster for her Ares fit like a glove in its place. A little loop strap for her bit pouch. Top notch craftsmanship from an old human leather worker. Corrie smiles and runs her right hand across it again. Not bad at all. She's going to have to meet this man some day. Worth every Bit. After playing quick draw a few times to bleed off some nervous energy, she holsters her Ares and heads to clean up the mess she made while getting prepared. "One moment!" Corrie yells to whomever it was knocking on her door. Considering the hour it was probably her date. It could be work though, but the evenings now have turned more into catching up on paperwork, than it did face to face meetings. People were starting to get into their little rhythms of living new lives here in Manehattan, which made her job a little bit easier at night. It even allowed some free time to herself now and again, like this evening. Shoving the last of her clothes haphazardly in the closet and shutting the door, she gives herself one more quick look in the mirror. Barefoot and making her way though the living room she gives a silent prayer to Momma's Cat Spirit for luck while opening the door. "Octavia" Corrie says, and her words catch and stop right in her throat. Standing on her hind hooves, front right hoof extended and resting on the doorway for balance just above the doorbell stood Octavia. Corrie suddenly felt like the cheapest Joygirl she'd ever seen working in a coffin hotel. Her throat felt dry and she was finding it hard to blink. And talk. What Corrie did in haste, Octavia did in perfection. From her makeup, large purple eyes accentuated with eyeliner, mascara and lifted eyebrows making every blink a sultry affair. Just the right amount of a deep red lipstick on her tiny lips. Not a smudge or a smear. Blush? Please! Corrie thought nothing manufactured could beat that shade of blush radiating from her cheeks at this moment. Her hair was done up and the perfect amount of bangs hung just above her eyes. The rest pulled to the side and tied with a little purple bow. It was the dress though. Matched her cutie mark color and eyes to a T, just right. A small v-neck just dipping down to where if she had cleavage, the right amount would be shown, and no more. Every snug curve on her small outstretched frame on display tactfully. Full length down to just above her freshly manicured hooves. Said hooves had no color on them, just the natural shade buffed up to an almost mirror like shine. "Corrie" Octavia says in a low, husky voice. Apparently from the look in the little humans face this was without a doubt the right outfit. Although she wasn't moving. Or blinking for that matter. Letting a little smile encroach on her lips, the young mare realizes she might have shorted out her date. "Corrie." She nods politely to the human. "May I come in?" she asks, a whisper of humor in her accent. 'You can come on anything you like right now. Preferably on my face' Corrie catches that errant thought at the last minute before the brain to tongue transfer could be completed. Thank god for small favors. Her clock display informs her they have been staring at each other for about fifteen seconds now, before Octavia gives a little cough. An excuse to break eye contact Corrie takes. She didn't think she would have been able to without it. The young woman nods, watching the mare cross the threshold into the apartment with grace born of one with near perfect balance. She resists wolf whistling at the shimmying flank going past. Barely. Just barely. "Please, make yourself at home." She says while face palming herself in the doorway. Fuckin' perv so ka? Rolling her eyes she closes the door and follows Octavia into the kitchen. A few moments later the pair find themselves staring into each others eyes at the kitchen table. After the usual pleasantries and offers of refreshment, the conversation just sort of stopped between the mare and the maiden. Corrie was still trying to figure out how Octavia didn't get a single smear of lipstick on the glass of water she just sipped from. A comfortable silence surrounded the pair, the only sounds their light breathing, and the radiator ticking to life, warming up the kitchen nicely with it's magic and heated water. Corrie looked up at the same time as Octavia, in the interest of saying something. Anything really. But something in that mare's eyes stopped her. There was a look in those eyes she'd only seen a couple of times. Admiration. It was a strange feeling to be considered something to be admired. By anyone or anything. Sure, going out and having fun was one thing, but that look hinted at something else. Long term planning was going on in that mare's mind, she surmised. Was that really a bad thing though? It would have to be something to ponder later on. For now it was time to go. Reaching forward she meets Octavia's hoof, already heading for her left hand. Surprised at the the early contact between the two, Corrie grasps her little hoof in her hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. Nervous laughter from the two rings gently in the room before the comfortable silence returns. "Ready to go to dinner?" Octavia asks her politely, removing her hoof and hopping down off the chair. "Listen. I'm not really good at this kind of thing?" Corrie tells the little grey pony while standing up as well. Giving a little shrug she adjusts the strap again on her dress that started to fall down from the movement. "But thank you for saying yes. I know we got off on kind of the wrong foot. Hoof. Whatever. Both? Gah!" Putting both hands up in a gesture of pleading to some unhearing deity she bemoans off key "This place is going to kill me with this language drek." Octavia gives her a laugh. "It's alright. I'm actually looking forward to spending some alone time with you. It's a good chance to get to know each other without interruptions. Walking through the house with the human, she helps turn off the lights before heading out the door. "After all, you were kissing my marefriend when we met." She cheekily bumps Corrie with her flank as the human closes the door amid stammered apologies. Manehattan was having what they called on Corrie's world an Indian Summer day. The warm weather of the day inviting ponies and people alike a reprieve from the chilly air, even if just a short lived one. More beings were out and about in the street as Corrie and Octavia decided to instead walk to their destination instead of hailing a taxi. It was only a few blocks away all told, an easy walk to work up the appetite they both agreed. The contrast between here and her Seattle was apparent in everything from the near litter free streets, to the lighting. No sewage flowing down the gutters from makeshift pipes out of the tenements. No bodies in the alleyways. She didn't even have the smartlink to her gun activated. No overcast sky promising acid rain, just water falling free of the pollutants of her old world. But for today at least, clear skies. It was a big town, although she never could get a straight answer about the total population. It seemed to be in flux quite a bit. But it was by no means as big as her old stomping grounds. No skyscrapers reaching past the heavens trying to reach the stars. No mass transit or hours waiting in cabs and buses to go to one side of town to the next. No bike gangers trying to kill you between the bad sections of town either. That was a plus, she conceded to herself. The image of a little pony biker gang, all leather and spikes chromed up and ready to rumble made her bark out a laugh for a moment. Waving off the question her mare friend obviously had. She would tell her that later. Reaching their destination the two stopped a few feet away from the garishly colored green door. A sign above it with a chef's hat jauntily tilted to the side. 'Tonio's' was all that was on it, in an overly ornate script. "Been here before?" Corrie asks the grey mare. Octavia shakes her head. "No. It's a fairly new place. Human run, with a Griffon chef for the meat eaters of your kind as well." Looking sideways to her date "Do you eat meat?" she asks, trying to keep her tone neutral. Corrie catches the gist pretty easy on that question. "I have before yes. It's been a long time ago, and nothing that would be served at a restaurant." Moving closer to the mare and lowering her voice she continues "Most of the food on my world was algae and soy based. Synthetic flavor tubes could make you just about any flavor you like. Meat was only commonplace for the richer of our society. Or wildly primitives who still relied on hunting to survive. But the answer to your unasked question behind that question is no." Leaning closer still she watches her little ear twitch at each puff of air from her mouth making it dance like it had a life of it's own. A little revenge was in order. Tit for tat, after all. "I've never eaten horse before. Never seen one in the flesh before coming here. But that could change tonight, couldn't it?" Holding in a laugh at her date expense at the look of dawning understanding on Octavia's face and growing blush she reaches out and opens the door, as she was taught proper to do. A slightly off balance grey mare nods her thanks and makes her way into the cozy atmosphere of the eatery.
Bottles of Red and White Pt. 3 (Corrie in this World)Bottles of Red and White Pt. 2 (Corrie in this World) A pony waiter in a little black vest with gold buttons came up to the couple at the door. After confirming the reservation with Octavia, they were lead to a little booth for two in the back of the building. Trying not to stare overmuch at the other beings in the place, Corrie realizes she's trying to threat assess the patrons and tries to relax her shoulders. She can see a few other patrons looking at them and whispering. No doubt they've figured out who she is. With any luck she can make it through dinner in peace. Surprisingly enough to her at least, it looked to her like there were a few more human and pony couples scattered throughout. Not many, but enough to make her a little happy at least. integration like this was slow, but happening. Friends will be made on both sides, even if she had to pistol whip everyone to achieve it. She might have discreetly not noticed a smiling couple even holding hoof and hand. A nervous looking young man holding the hoof of an attractive pale white mare with a silver mane. The smile on Octavia's face marked she noticed the affectionate gesture as well. Resisting the urge to rub the grey mare behind the ear, stopping only because she didn't want to mess up her mane, the two arrived at their table. With a little flourish the waiter retreats after making sure his guests were seated, Corrie with the booth facing the doorway, Octavia facing her, and menus were placed before them. A unicorn balancing a tray in an aura of her magic that matched her dark green mane came by and placed two glasses of ice water in front of them before retreating as well. A third waiter, human this time wore a small smirk as he brought two little wax covered bottles to the table, one red, one white at the rear of the table. With a quick gesture of his hand he sleigh of handed up what looked like an old fashioned lighter. After getting the candles to light, he nods to himself. "Diplomat" He says with a little bow, then two retreating from the pair. Corrie rolls her eyes and smiles at Octavia. "I'll never get used to that. I've got a name and title already." "Used to what, Diplomat?" Octavia responds with an innocent look that almost stops Corrie's heart. "Smart ass. Smart pony. Whatever. Read your menu" Corrie responds in a mocking gruff tone. Octavia rewards her date with an adorable giggle, but indeed does check her menu. It was dinner time after all. Settling on an alfalfa noodle alfredo plate with mushrooms she puts her menu down to see Corrie absentmindedly looking past her. Her hazel eyes twitching back and forth, up and down, like she was reading something in the air. She looked a little sad. Leaning forward and placing a hoof on the human's left hand "Are you okay, Corrie?" Corrie gives a little start and blushes. "I'm sorry. I just realized I don't think I've ever eaten anything like this that wasn't synthetic." Frowning to herself. "I don't even know what it will taste like. Will it be like the flavor settings at the Stuffer Shacks? Will it all be like that fake cherry flavor that doesn't taste anything like a real cherry, from what I'm told? I just don't know." Giving a short bark of a laugh. "I don't even know if I'm allergic to any of this stuff? I don't know. Maybe we should do something else? Go rent a few movies? Maybe take a nice long walk?" Octavia realized that the redhead in front of her seemed on the verge of a little panic attack, oddly enough. She's never seen her this nervous or uncertain before. Impulsive yes. A bit short when she was grumpy in the mornings at work pre-coffee, Celestia yes. She had bravado and backbone in spades, but it was a little endearing to Octavia to see a little crack in that wall she had around her. Banter or no, she's kept a lot of her close to her little chest. "Hey, Hey" Octavia tells her gently, bring her other hoof up to cup that odd left hand in both of her hooves and gives it a gentle squeeze. "It's only dinner. Look, I've got an idea." Standing up and using the table to balance herself on her back hooves, she shuffles over to the humans side of the table and scoots her over. Jumping up and sitting next to her on the tiny booth, Corrie had to give ground and move her left arm over the shoulder of the little grey mare for both of them to have room on the seat, but it was a close fit. Both could be seen with a light blush, but neither one moved away. "Now. I've eaten quite a few of the new things from these new worlds, all vegetables and pastas, mind you. I am a bit of a foodie, if you will pardon the expression. I can help you decide." Bringing up the menu she asks her human companion "It's a hard question, but what flavors do you like with your meals in your own world? What did you usually get there?" Octavia's questions helped Corrie feel a bit more grounded, but that was almost countered by the close proximity of her warm fur clad body. Their hip and flank almost touching, and she could imagine feeling the heat radiating between them. She could smell the exotic scent of equine and some flower based perfume under it. Steeling her resolve she once again looks at the menu. Antonio peeked through the kitchen door. Two pony heads peeked out just underneath his, like an Equestrian totem pole. "You sure that's her? She looks a bit small" Antonio whispers. "Yes boss, that's her" the first wait-pony that lead them to their seats confirmed. "I was there when she uprooted the squatters out by the river's bend. Got them moving proper and into the city." "I've seen her go into the Diplomatic Offices too" the other head chimed in. The unicorn stared at the grey mare with a twinge of jealousy. "Never seen her dressed outside of that weird jumpsuit she wears all the time. Must be a pretty special occasion." She surmises. "Well in that case, let's make sure everything goes well. I'll prepare the tiramisu and take it out myself for dessert." Moving away from the doorway he beckons his two compatriot spies to follow him. After placing their orders with the first wait-pony, Corrie noticed that Octavia didn't move back to her seat. Taking a chance, she slid a little closer to the pony, hip just bumping flank gently. She feels a small but strong bump in return from the mare. And for a moment she is surprised by the warm form of the little mare leaning into her, but just for one short sweet moment. "So...Um..." Corrie starts, instead trading her words for the glass of water. Maybe she can think of something to say after. Saved by the ghost, Octavia speaks first. "So." Octavia stops for a moment. Arching her left eyebrow she looks up at the human. "What is your last name, by the way? I've always heard your first name, and your title but I've never heard you speak it." "Which one?" Corrie responds wryly. Seeing the Shadowrunner joke fall a bit flat on grey ears she clears her throat and tries again. "It's kind of complicated. And a whole lot personal." Giving a frustrated sigh and shrugging her shoulder she has to readjust her dress strap again, she notices Octavia's eyes dart down to her chest trying to get a peek. Cheeky mare, that. "Look, I don't mean to sound coy, or vague, or even mysterious with you since were on a date, but I'm not sure really what to say over such a little question." "Well that's kind of the point of a date, isn't it? To get to know each other?" Giving the human a warm smile and placing a hoof on her hand. "So?" She says, repeating the eyebrow arch with a little wiggle. "I didn't have a last name growing up. A lot of us don't. Didn't I guess I should say now. No point in having a last name if it wasn't ever going to be used." Using her right hand she furrows her brow and picks idly at some of the sensor patches on her left arm. "I was an orphan. I was found and raised by a woman named Momma Cat Mojo." Giving Octavia a little sad smile, memories of her Momma coming to the surface. "I supposed Mojo could technically my last name. But everyone in the neighborhood just called me Momma Cat's Kitten, or just Kitten for short. When I started running numbers" Holding out her hand to stall the question on her companions lips "Kind of an odd job. Kept you busy and Nuyen in your pocket. I was still Corrie, or Kitten." A small sigh through her nose. "I remember getting into a fight with her a few years ago about it. I was so young and on fire to find the truth. I wanted to know so badly who my parents were." Her shoulders slumping at the memory of the fight. Idly picking now at the napkin on the table "She finally snapped. I think I hurt her pride with how bad I wanted to know after all she did to take me in and raise me. She was once a hell of a 'Runner, I was told. Cat Spirit Magician. I've seen her do things.." Remembering that she wasn't taking to another person from her own world she froze a moment. "The end result was I got an answer I wasn't expecting, which in turn led me to not getting an answer at all." "So, like me in this conversation then?" Octavia tells her gently, making sure the humor in her tone can be heard. Corrie gives another short barking laugh. "Aye, Razorgirl, I suppose so." Giving the grey mare an appraising look and really seeing her for perhaps the first time. "I think she'd like you. She didn't like but a scant handful, hoof-ful of girlfriends I'd ever brought over for her to meet." At the lull in conversation started the two just enjoyed a moment of being together. Dinner arrived and it visibly lightened the mood at the table. As per Octavia's recommendation she just ordered something simple. Spaghetti and noodles, with a few tofu meatballs on top for good measure. That she knew at least she could eat. Dinner was finished rather quickly. The two sharing bites of food from each others plates, minus the alfalfa noodles, instead using a breadstick to mop up the sauce from Octavia's plate. It was determined by both parties that if they ate that good every day one would grow fat, and the other would founder, followed by little giggles. The walk back to the offices was quiet, but pleasant. Arriving at her doorstep Corrie turns to face Octavia. "Would you like to come in?" Corrie asks Octavia, now standing at the open gate to the diplomatic grounds. "Oh I would" Octavia tells her "But I can't." Holding up her hoof she stops Corrie asking a question for once. "I want to, please believe me. But I'm not that kind of mare. I know if I go up there, it will be warm and cozy." "Very" Corrie grins evilly at her. "We'd sit on the couch side by side. I'd even turn the heater down a bit so we'd have to snuggle close to get warm." Rubbing her hands together she gives the mare a mock evil grin. Octavia moves a little closer to her "There would probably be a drink or two. Just a little cider to take the chill out of the bones. Maybe help relax us in a potentially nervous situation." "Well I do have a few bottles in the fridge" Corrie moves a little closer to the grey mare. "We'd probably end up laughing over some trivial little thing and then I'd gather the courage to give you a kiss on the cheek." Corrie kneeled down, face to face with the mare and her beautiful purple eyes. " I'd have to return the favor. Courage like that should be rewarded." Bringing a hoof up and placing it on the humans pale cheek "But is that enough?" Octavia worries her lower lip just a little "Would it go farther than that? It would wouldn't it?" "I think it would." Corrie tells her. Bringing her one left hand to cup Octavia's cheek and give it a little rub. "But we can take it at your pace. I can wait." Smiling at her and kissing her gently on her right cheek Corrie pulls back and gives her a smile "I thank you for your honesty." Octavia returns the kiss on her cheek with one of her own on Corrie's. "I thank you then, for your patience." Standing up, Corrie eyes her surroundings quickly. "Let me walk you home. It'd be a shame for you to be swept away by some fast talker from another world after all." Grinning at the eye roll she received, she stands up and stretches. The worker-ponies for the street are just starting their shifts, lighting up the little globes with magical crystals in them, identical to the ones at the castle. Night lights go on, Smartlink goes on. Happiness is a warm gun after all. As the two make their way down the little sidewalk Corrie rubs her hand gently on the top of Octavia's head by her ears. "Octavia?" "Hmmmm" Octavia hums before a quiet "Yes?" is her response. "I want to be that kind of girl for you too." Corrie tells her.
Snowbound in the Embassy (Corrie in this World)Bottles of Red and White Pt. 3 (Corrie in this World) "Here we are" Octavia tells Corrie. She can detect a hint of pride in her voice at the building before them. A few wide wooden stairs leading up to a long porch, off white paint matching the rest of the house, trim was all done in a darker shade of blue for the windows and door frames. Two stories tall, inviting and not the least imposing. Some kind of bench suspended to the roof of the covered porch by little chains and hooks in the ceiling. The glow of little crystal lanterns from inside the house gave it a cozy looking glow through the windows. A small crystal in a frosted glass sphere hung just over the doorway radiating the same inviting light. Say what you will about all this patchwork science and magic, the lighting on this world was so much easier on the eyes then her old one. She follows Octavia up the stairs and to the doorway. A moment of nervous blushing and feet and hoof shuffling from the pair made them both realize they didn't want their date night to end just yet. Octavia nods her head at the bench swing and They both amble over to it. Octavia hops on, and settles in while the swing adjusts itself in motion. Corrie times the rhythm of the swing and turns to sit on it when it comes back her way. Realizing this was a lot like learning how to fall again after her Balance Augmenter implant. Just enough to tip over and land. After a crazy careening moment where Octavia scooted over to the human while holding her still, Corrie froze. She wasn't sure if it was the unintentional hug, or her Augmenter was trying to make her fall out of the damn thing to regain her orientation. A few moments and the ride subsided a bit. Octavia would tap the ground with a hoof every now and again to keep the swing going at a leisurely pace. Tap, swing, tap, swing. She didn't move away from the human she snuggled next to. Moving her arm around the little grey mare Octavia moves in closer. "Hey, Octavia?" Corrie asks her grey companion on the swing. "Hmmm...Yes?" Comes the quiet response from the mare who decided that she'll borrow some of Corrie's body heat by snuggling close to her. "I don't really know that much about you at all, come to think of it." Grinning she places her head on top of that well groomed mane. "Just that you've got an odd taste in girls, err mares, and you have a good head on your shoulders. What do you do?" She can feel a smile creep on to Octavia's face. "You've seen my cutie mark right?" Corrie nods her head, well just rubbing her cheek back and forth slowly on her head in acknowledgement. The floral sent wafting off her main while she did so was intoxicating. She turns her head and gives her a quick kiss on the head, watching her left ear twitch adorably at the contact. "Well I've just started second year at Uni in town for musical studies, and I'm in between semesters right now so I've moved back in with my family for a time. Saves on Bits, and I can help out mum and dad when they need it, so I can work for Bits too when I'm running low . I study the cello, you see." Corrie, chagrined at herself has to look up what a cello is in her headware books. Pictures, descriptions, audio samples, and long history of the device swims in her vision while she picks and chooses what bits of info to save to read for later. At least now if it comes up in conversation, she wouldn't look like a total idiot. Just a regular every day garden variety one. Octavia points a hoof towards the porch window. Corrie can see the curtain ripple, but she missed who was peeking out a moment ago at the pair. "Dad there works hard. Maybe a little too hard. He's always been that way, though. Mum's kind of a homepony but don't let that fool you. She could go back to teaching mathematics full time at University if she wanted to, but for now she's happy taking care of the house and working part time at the local middle school teaching fillies and colts." "Uni huh?" Corrie says feeling wildly inadequate. Thinking of her block letter handwriting, a freshly learned and laborious task when she first starting training how to do in Canterlot, she was pretty sure she was swimming out of her depths with this adorable grey shark with purple eyes eyeing her hungrily in the pool. Sure she could read just fine, but everything was electronic in her world. Groups of symbols and imagery replacing old fashioned words, sentences, and paragraphs. Everything presented quickly in digestible chunks for the augmented and A.R. enabled eyeballs. University was for CorpKiddies and the wealthy. No time for that in the Barrens when your just trying to get through day by day. Being SIN-less also didn't help that a bit, either. Public schooling required you to be stamped and numbered, and in the system. To which she was not. And her fake SIN for work wouldn't get her into one in the first place, even if she tried. It was a pretty flimsy disguise. All it needed to be was a work visa so she could get paid. It did what it was supposed to do, and no more. And even then anything written out like they do here, would have been scanned and added to public databases ages ago. Writing was becoming a lost art in her world, in the old fashioned sense of pen and paper. It was too slow for the modern age she lived in. It couldn't convey it's messages fast enough to keep up. And that was that. "So what does your dad do, then?" Corrie asks her. Trying to change the topic to anything but 'proper education', something she had very little first hand experience with. "He owns a hotel here in town. Four stories tall, large convention center, and a giant heated indoor pool and spa. I may be biased, but I think it's the best one in town. It's also a kind of a family business affair. His two brother's run their own hotels in different cities." Looking up at Corrie and giving her a warm smile "You should see the one in the Crystal Empire! Don't get me wrong, our hotel is wonderful, but that place is made of almost entirely magical crystal grown right from the ground." Giggling to herself "Dad's always been a bit jealous, but he keeps it in check. He knows he has a great place here, but he's always been fond of the Crystal Empire. Our whole family hails from that area". "I've heard of the Crystal Empire, haven't been out there yet." Frowning and bringing her right hand around to place on Octavia's right hoof she gives it a gentle squeeze. "I'll have to go out there someday and set up a new branch of the office one of these days." Giving the grey pony a little squeeze with her left arm "Since you've got family there, maybe you'd like to go with me when I do?" It's going to be a mess, I can feel it. Would be nice to have a friendly face there." Apparently the people that popped up around there were a better class of the human specimen. Minimal troubles. A lot of them however were casters, and large groups of those made Corrie nervous. From her reports a lot mages ended up heading towards the place. Drawn to some kind of magics she had no concept of, she's sure. But so far they've all registered their I.D.'s, paid their taxes and stayed the hell out of the way of history. That bullet she couldn't dodge she thinks with only a little jealousy. Maybe they were her kind of people after all, she considers. She's brought out of her ruminations when she's forced to lean forward a bit to allow Octavia's foreleg to go around her middle and give her a squeeze in return. "I'd like that. I can't really travel during semester, but if you do go when I'm out on break I'd like that. A lot" She finishes looking up a the human. Leaning her head now on Corrie's little chest they stay together for a while. Just the sounds of the oncoming night keeping them company along with Octavia's rhythmic tapping of her hoof keeping the swing going. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Like a slow, steady heartbeat shared between the two. A little while later Octavia stirs. "Corrie, can I ask you a question?" "Sure, fire away" Corrie answers, nudging her lightly. Octavia takes a deep breath. " I don't mean to offend you, but I am curious and I have to know." Turning her head sideways a little she looks up at Corrie with one purple eye. "I'll answer if I can. Best I can do" The redhead tells her. A little smile on her lips. It didn't quite reach her eyes though, Octavia notices. "What makes you so comfortable with this? Us?" Placing her hooves on Corrie's legs, she uses them for balance while she sits up. "I've seen a lot of ponies and humans as friends, but aside from the pair in the diner earlier, I can't think of a single other human and pony who have tried dating yet." Frowning to herself Octavia inhales slowly through her nose. "I know were different species and all, but are we all that strange to you?" "That is a deep question, Octavia. Many, many wells deep" Corrie sighs. "Look, I can't speak for any of the other people here on your world but I can say this for myself. Okay?" The grey mare nods, looking apprehensive and excited in equal measure. She was leaned forward in anticipation of hearing what Corrie had to say. "I've fucked a Yeti. What can I say, I like hairy girls." Corrie tells her trying to keep a straight face. Corrie found herself in the odd position of trying to laugh while at the same time doubled over from the sucker punch to the gut from the now irritated mare next to her. She could have sworn she heard a bark of a laugh through the window as well, but she wasn't one hundred percent sure with her being hunched over and all trying to regain her breath and laugh at the same time. "Corrie" Octavia looks at her sternly "I'm serious. I really want to know." Compromising with herself she helps Corrie lean back in the swing again before starting it up and placing her head back on the humans chest. Corrie returns her arm around the little mare. "I won't lie, it does feel a little odd at times. Like when I look over to respond to someone talking I still look head level to where a humans head would be, before looking down." Resting her head gently on Octavia's head once again "It was a little strange when your marefriend kissed me. Not sure what to think of her lips. Little furrier around the edges then I'm used to. But ya know, some hair in the teeth does happen. Comes with the territory." The little grey mare gives of something in the mix of a giggle and a groan. Corrie idly brings her left hand up and starts scratching Octavia's cheek gently. "People on my world changed, Octavia. And not in the metaphoric sense either. Literally something happened with their genes and they changed. It wasn't pretty, it wasn't quick, and there were very, very few people who didn't freak out or react in a really bad way." Calling up an old Newsie file about the Night of Rage, she shivers. "I can't imagine something like that happening here. The reaction, that is." "After things settled down a bit and we all got back to the daily routines, it just kind of was out there. We're all different. We could be changed at the drop of the hat. What matter is it that your friend couldn't find a decent hat because the horns on his Troll head made it a pain to shop. Or has tusks. Or pointed ears and cat slit pupils?" Tapping her metal fingers lightly on Octavia's cheek gently "That doesn't even cover what we do to ourselves with our machines, Awakening or no." Sighing the human adjust herself on the seat again, gently placing Octavia from her side to her lap so she could they could be face when they talked. "I don't know? Maybe I don't have the answer that you are looking for. You're nice, you're smart. A hell of a lot smarter than me. You've got a great laugh when you choose to share it. And you have the most beautiful eyes i've seen on two worlds." Taking her hoof again in her hand and placing it on her own chest by her heart. "Hoof, hand. Don't care." Octavia's eyes turn heavy lidded for a moment and she leans in towards the human. "Smooth talker, you" she says breathlessly. Using her right hand Corrie places it gently on the face about to encroach into her territory. "However you need to understand something." Corrie almost laughs, the look of the mare denied something so close was priceless. Like an adorable form of petulance. "Honestly Octavia, I don't know what I can offer you as a partner. Or even what I could offer in a herd. I can't give you all the intellectual conversation I think you crave." Giving her a little smile before removing her hand from the soft velvet nose she gives it a gentle boop. "I'm not learned as you are. I have libraries, literal libraries of information stored in my head. And sure, I use it for reference in dealing with people, ponies, but it's not my intelligence. I never learned these things. It's just efficient bookmarking really. Index following. None of that is mine." Feeling wildly self conscious for a moment, Corrie looks down. "I don't even know why they wanted me for the job. I'm guessing they really didn't know what to do with me, Octavia." Nervously wringing her hands now placed in her lap "I've hurt a lot of before you know." she tells the grey mare quietly. "Before my job, and during. And yet I'm not a soldier. And I'd do it again with no reservation to protect my friends and family." Biting her lower lip she pauses. "I thought about trying school here so I could ditch the whole 'diplomat' gig and going back to just being a paramedic. But those skills are all really for combat. Extracting people from deadly situations. I'm so lacking in everything traditional that would have to start so far back in it, that I'm pretty sure your mom would be teaching me math. Can't really practice medicine without a licence here." The occasional creaking of the swing and the breathing of the two beings on it were the only sounds in the night for a while. "No." Octavia breaks the silence. Voice heavy with emotion. "I'm sure you've had your reasons to do what you did over there. We will talk about them in time." Octavia says to the woman. Using her hoof to gently lift Corrie's head with that tiny little chin she moves closer until the human is forced to make eye contact with her. "I think we've had a good date. Let's not end tonight like this okay?" Corrie nods, grateful for an exit. Impulsively Octavia reaches out and hugs her. Corrie returns the embrace, before Octavia wiggles out of her grasp and jumps daintily down to the floor. Corrie takes the hint and stands up. She walks the grey mare the few feet to the door and they share a small smile. Corrie leans down while Octavia lifts her head and stretches her neck just a little. Enough to let their lips meet in a warm kiss. "Good... Good night" Octavia stammers after the kiss, almost missing the door handle to open it. A little nervous giggle and a look over her shoulder. "See you tomorrow?" "Anytime. I've got a full day of work. Stop by for lunch or dinner if you like. I'll make the time" Corrie tells her. A few more nervous goodbyes and Corrie watches her enter her house, door closing with a quiet click. She makes it down a few of the stairs before she hears the door open again behind her. "Corrie, a minute please?" She hears in a deep male voice.
Snowbound in the Embassy Pt.2 (Corrie in this World)Snowbound in the Embassy (Corrie in this World) Winter finally made it's presence known just a few days after Corrie and Octavia's date. A piercing cold wind now crept through the streets of the city, caressing everyone person and pony alike with it's chill. There were a few beings hunched over in the streets leaning into the wind and bemoaning the fact they had to be out in the weather, no doubt. When a courier Pegasus came yesterday to hand her the winter's weather schedule Corrie firmly believed they were trying to yank her tatas. Magic is one thing, sure. But this is weather control, and on a scale absolutely unfathomable to the young woman's mind. It was only until she sheepishly asked Vinyl about it this morning, that they did indeed, control the weather. Vinyl really looked shocked at the fact that on her world, they didn't. As a precaution then due to the oncoming ice and snow, she sent the office staff home early as well for a long weekend off. The two guards refused to leave their post, so she dismissed them with a pouch full of bits to get provisions for themselves and gave them an extra set of keys to the offices below. At least they didn't have to stand out there and freeze to death. But in the here and now we were. Standing at the tall window in her living room looking out at the growing grey sky as a herd of Pegasi moved in the clouds. The quiet chime in her mind's ear telling her it was now noon in ponyland. She stood there for a while, perhaps an hour or so, just sipping her coffee while watching the multicolored winged creatures bring on the winter. Systematically moving the unruly things into their proper places. Some kind of elaborate dance of shuffling the clouds together meshing the right color schemes in the right places. By some unseen agreement the group breaks off from the clouds, making slow lazy circles in the air until they all come together in a big group. She can hear them singing, no doubt some of the gyrations up there were a form of dancing and flying combo she's never seen before. After that they split apart and reform in one great long line that stretched as far as Corrie's eyes could see in the sky. With a brash cheer the pegasai all folded their wings as one, slowly tipping over backwards until they started falling from the sky. Corrie realized she was holding her coffee cup in a vice like grip while whispering 'No' to herself over and over again. It looked like all their wings were locked up tight to their bodies and they were plummeting from the sky. Before she can turn to run out of her little apartment to the grounds below something changed. Every single wing shot open with a snap that could be heard and felt through her body. Another triumphant yell as one from the Pegasi as they shot back into the air, fueled by some unseen magics they hurled themselves faster and faster at the clouds base. Extending one hoof in front of them at the same time they pierce the clouds. In a flash the pegasi were gone, swallowed up in the grey ceiling of clouds. With the rumble sound of receding thunder, the first snowfall in this strange land had arrived. Just fine. That's what the lady standing in the window would have told you she was feeling at that moment, had you asked. Small tears at the corners of her very bright eyes. A shine lay over the hazel that seemed to reflect the inner joy she felt but couldn't describe. A tumultuous churning of feelings in her chest made it feel like her heart would burst. Nothing in her life, here or before, could have prepared her for the joy she felt at that moment. So, just fine. It would have to do. After the display of the Pegasai winter crew, she went to her little work space in the attic. One of her Trauma Kits long since converted to a miniature fabrication machine sat on the table in front of her, tools of her trade scattered haphazardly on it's surface as well. The little sounds of hissing and crackling as it worked on making the casings for her Ares rounds. The small hoppers on top of it closed and full of raw materials for it to work with as needed. Every twenty minutes or so she would hear a happy chime noise come from the machine, a tiny 'tink' noise as the newest member of the family landed on the pile below it. She was tapping her foot slowly, listening to Antiq-N-Roll in her mind's ear from her music collection. She started earlier with music from her generation, but Momma Cat taught her an appreciation for the older long before the music of her generation piqued her interest. A lot of it was cheesy, sure. And redundant? Oh gods yes. But it was made by hand, and with primitive machines. How they produced so much sound and emotion with what little they had to work with back then was nothing short of a miracle to Corrie. But it was also fun to sing, and fun at Karaoke on the weekends after a hard work week to boot. She'd never tell any ponies that. Damn their souls no. She'd seen what happens when word gets out some human has musical ability. They get dragged into random bursts of spontaneous musical numbers complete with backup singers. Drek that. Shuddering at the thought she tries to banish it with newer tunes. A little Maria Mercurial would go down well right about now. As the first few notes of 'Murder by Music' starts she's already humming along and reaching for her soldering gun. It was time to get to work. Leaning back in her chair and stretching languidly, she can't help but feel a moment of pride. It looked like crap, there was some duct tape still melted to the top of the headband, but it was done. On a little tray before her now sat the fruits of her hours of labor. A crappy looking pair of headphones that wouldn't be out of place on a cheap pre-awakening walkman, and a little pink quartz the size of her thumb. It was flat as a piece of paper and as thin as her fingernail. A small metal diode protruded out of the side. Her stomach reminded her just moments before the alarm in her mind's ear went off. Six p.m. in Ponyland and time for dinner. Taking a moment to clean up a few areas before turning off the lights, she closes up the attic and locks up. Tray in hand, she places it on the dining room table before stopping at the refrigerator to grab a bottle of water. Tapping her foot to her music still in her mind she hears a knock at the door. Finishing the water she places the glass bottle in the sink gently before heading into the living room. Turning on the Smartlink to her gun by route she opens the door. A little purple wool hat with a matching yarn ball on top dangles to the side of a shivering grey ear. A thick woolish looking coat dyed grey with purple trim. Four adorably small purple winter boots. And one tooth chatteringly cold Octavia stood at her door. "Trogs's Tits what are you doing here?" Corrie exclaims, She reverts to Cityspeak, surprised at seeing the grey mare at her doorstep. Octavia gives her a look, little lips shivering as she tried to speak "F-F-F-f-fffff- freezing" is all she gets out before Corrie ushers her inside. Gently leading her guest to the couch she helps her take her coat and boots off, tossing them haphazardly on the floor while the shivering mare leaps onto the cushions of the couch. Corrie goes into her bathroom and grabs a towel. For good measure when she passes through her bedroom she grabs the quilt off the top and takes it with her. Sitting on the couch she pulls Octavia closer to her, making sure they both are facing the same way. Wrapping the shivering bundle of adorable in her quilt, Corrie gently removes the little purple hat and tosses it on the floor. Using her hands, she gently massages Octavia's frozen ears with her hands. After a few moments of being bundled she can still hear Octavia's teeth chattering a bit. Grabbing the towel she wraps her main up in a messy tower to dry. She gives the mare in the blanket a few rubs on her forearms and back before standing up. "You need a hot bath. I'll be right back" Corrie says finishing her sentence already in the bedroom heading for the tub in the next room. After starting the bath she returns to her frozen companion. "Corrie?" She can hear a voice though the apartments main door. "Hope you don't mind, we brought up her things." One of the guards peeks his head through the open doorway his horn glowing with a faint silver aura. "Thank you" She tells him warmly. "Place it all on the table, please?" With a nod he floats a little backpack into the room next to something that looks like a crock pot. They land with nary a clatter and the auras dissipate from them. "Have a good night, Diplomat. Octavia." he tells them with a wide smile at Octavia before looking back at Corrie. Wiggling his eyebrows at her, he closes the door gently. Rolling her eyes at the closed door she returns to the couch. Unwrapping the protesting bundle, she decides that the time for decorum is passed, she's still shivering. Bending her knees and leaning forward she picks up the now protesting grey mare. "Enough. I'm gonna drop you" Corrie barks while laughing at the squirming bundle in her arms. Octavia feeling how warm Corrie is decided to let the matter rest for the moment so she settles down in her arms. Snuggling her head into the woman's chest she wrinkles her nose. "S-s-s-sss-ss Stinky". She says. The daintiest 'A-choo' Corrie has ever heard escapes Octavia's lips. "Jesus fuck you're adorable" Corrie tells her while placing her in front of the tub. "I'll go and boil some hot water for you. I'll be right back." As she turns to go she feels Octavia's hoof grab her hand gently. "S-ss-tay" She stammers, teeth still chattering lightly. "pp-pplease". Octavia looks up at the human with wide purple eyes. "Okay fine. I'll stay" Corrie answers her. Straightening up she starts to turn away from the mare. "I'll turn around so you can get...." Stopping herself from saying anything else so she didn't look like the world's greatest fool. Octavia gives her a level look. With one slow motion she undoes the clasp on her little collar and it falls to the floor gently before her. "Naked?" She asks in a flat tone. Corrie sits down quickly in front of her. Crossing her legs she brings Octavia into her lap gently setting her down. Bringing both her hands up she places them on each side of Octavia's face and draws her near. Kissing her gently on her lips, she slowly feels Octavia's mouth warm up and return the pressure on her mouth and her kiss. The pair sit on the the bathroom floor hungrily exploring each other's mouths with their tongues. Corrie taking the initiative by starting off with gentle prods against her lips when they tiled their heads to explore each angle of their locked lips in the newfound pleasures within. Octavia's growing hunger and boldness more than a match for the woman she now wrapped her forearms around Corrie, sitting up and leaning into her human lover's body. Corrie returns the favor by placing her hands on her shoulders, lightly caressing her fur and flesh underneath with her figertips. She is rewarded by small moans of pleasure escaping through Octavia's lips when their mouths would separate for air, panting for breath in each other's mouths. Neither one willing to move one millimeter farther so they can resume kissing as soon as they catch their breath. Corrie remembers somewhere errantly in her mind that she promised Octavia she would go at her pace. Something felt wrong, out of place. After sliding the palms of her hands down the mare's forearm she stops at her hooves and gives them a squeeze. Pulling back a bit in the fog of the moment "Octavia" she breaths out her name gently. "We have to stop." "No. Why?" Octavia tells her just as quietly, a tiny whisper of a thing as she lowers her head to plant little kisses on the humans slender neck. "I'm getting wet." Corrie tells her in a soft tone. Hating herself for moaning right after she said that, she still moves a bit under Octavia who matches her movements by lifting herself up a little and lowering herself down again once the human under her adjusts herself on her rump. "I am too." Octavia tells her in the same whispered voice. "Look" She takes one of Corrie's hand and places it on her chest right above her heart. Staring into the hazel eyes of her lover, she feels her knees grow week from the hunger she sees in those eyes. Slowly she takes Corrie's hand and guides it slowly down her barrel to her belly. "No, Octavia. We have to stop" Corrie tells her. "Why?" Octavia pulls her head back, frustration clearly showing in her face. Can't those tiny human eyes see how much she wants this to happen too? "I'm getting wet. The bathtubs overflowing" Corrie tells her, trying not to grin. "Oh." Octavia looks down now and notices for the first time how Corrie's pants were getting soaked with the rapidly cooling water from the tub being absorbed into them. "Oh! Corrie! I'm so sorry." She starts to stand up, placing her hooves on the woman's shoulders to help her balance when she does so. On impulse Corrie darts her head forward while Octavia is halfway to standing. She nips the flesh of the mare with her teeth right where the mons pubis would be for a human woman. She's rewarded with a gasp of surprised pleasure from Octavia and the sound of one of her legs convulses, hoof hitting the tile in rapid succession. Tack tack tack echos through the small room. Octavia looks into the eyes of her human chair and growls. Corrie laughs and gives her one more quick kiss on the lips before the two separate, Octavia moving over to turn off the tub, Corrie to stand to head to the bedroom to change her wet clothes. Octavia turns back to the woman after she stops the flow of water into the tub. "Hey" She says. "Yes?" Corrie asks, walking gingerly on the slick tile so as to not slip. "You are still stinky. Come join me in the tub when you get those soaking wet clothes off?" Octavia asks her in the most sultry voice she can muster. "yachad ytakh ze hamakom ha'ahuv alay, pretty pony." Corrie tells her, turning back and walking slowly to the tub.
Random Bit of Clop (Corrie x Octavia)Snowbound in the Embassy Pt.2 (Corrie in this World) Corries' attempt a seductive walk turned more into a flailing slide towards the tub instead. Slick tile finally living up to it's name, she slides right into Octavia's arms, and the grey mare helps her regain her balance while giggling and the boggle-eyed human. "S'thanks" Corrie tells her, placing her hands on Octavia's shoulders. After a moment of setting their hooves and feet the pair come together in a long embrace. "I think I'm going to clean up this mess before someone dies." Corrie says. Staring into the mare's eyes she brings her face closer and rubs her tiny, crooked nose on the larger, and much softer grey nose. Octavia gives her a little smile and they rub noses, giggling to themselves. With a sigh, Octavia disengages from the hug to return to all fours. Corrie steps out of the room to grab the mop out of the kitchen pantry. Octavia pulls the stopper from the tub and retrieves her wet collar, hanging it up on the sink faucet to dry. A little time later the Corrie and Octavia are back on the couch. The quilt draped over their legs, Corrie in her PJ's, and Octavia in a borrowed t-shirt from the guest closet. Corrie wasn't sure how the bright pink shirt with a strange green unblinking creature on it got in there in the first place, but there it was. One of the refugees might have left it there, but none came upstairs to her recollection. Octavia leans into the woman and sighs contentedly. Looking sideways at her she asks "Hot cocoa?" hope in her voice. "Oh, sure. I'll..." Corrie starts before a hoof is gently pressed onto her lips. Octavia with a mild case of panic in her eyes stops her. "No. No no. I'll get it" She jumps off the couch quickly and trots into the kitchen. 'Cute, yes. A good kisser, without a doubt. Major fire hazard in the kitchen, doubly more than the first two' she thinks to herself. Corrie can hear the clattering of one without hands in her kitchen. It's an odd thing that, knowing she's in their using her mouth to grab all the pots and ingredients. Sitting for a minute she realizes she's absentmindedly shaking her leg with nervous energy. Moving around will help, she decides. Standing up and taking the quilt off the couch she proceeds to slide it across the floor rotating it, to face window instead of the living room. "What are you doing in there?" Octavia calls out from the kitchen. Going into her bedroom she grabs the four pillows off the bed, and a second blanket. "Nothing" Corrie responds in a singsong voice. Using the blankets she makes an enclosure with them on the cushions. The pillows she uses two on each side with the armrests. Placing one of the lamps gently on the floor she moves the coffee table in front of the couch to have a place to rest their mugs. Turning off all but two small crystal bulbs for lighting leaves the majority of the light coming in from behind them as to not obstruct the view outside of the softly falling snow. "Mrftfls-drnn" She hears from the kitchen. Octavia walking out with the two hot cocoas on a tray in her mouth. Setting the tray on the table she eyes the couch appreciatively and jumps on. Corrie joins her and they settle themselves in. Sitting in the middle of the couch wrapped in blankets, the pony and the human woman quietly enjoy their cocoa as well as each others company. "So what do you think? Your first snow on a new world." Octavia asks her human companion on the couch, pointing with a hoof to the view outside of the swirling flakes. "It's amazing. It looks clean enough to eat. Who knew snow could actually be this white" Corrie tells her, studying dancing snowflakes in the air. Corrie notices the mare giving her a strange look out of the corner of her eye. "Hmm.?" "I'm sorry. I though you were joking there for a moment. About the snow, that is." Octavia tells her. Nodding head absentmindedly she responds "Grey more than anything. Seattle was always a mess at the first snowfall. Grounded planes and angry drivers. One of the best and worse times to work DocWagon." Smiling to herself she continues "They always tested the upgrades for the Rigger systems when it snowed. So many Doc driver's pukin' and passing out when their rigs would slide out and crash. " Surprising herself with a laugh " Last year we had so many drones drop out of the sky from bad conditions, white outs, limited visibility, that sort of thing," Waving her left hand in the air with a wobble for emphasis then crashing it down on her knee "We started calling the Advanced Death From Above Team instead of the usual 'AirSayfe' drek. 'Security at your shoulder', my tatas." "I was told a lot about what happened in the offices, I only saw the tail end myself. But they said the puke was so bad in the drone station they had to scrub half their drives clean before they could roll 'em out. And we had 30 Wheelers at that station alone, sans helicopters." Looking down at her lap and fidgeting with her fingers with a sigh. " When we rolled in after a call just a tail twitch later, there were EMT's treating the EMT's. There were so many bloody noses. People just jacked in 'net looking poleaxed, flopped over their decks just wheezing away." Corrie glances over at Octavia out of the corner of her eye. With a hint of pride in her voice "We only lost six Riggers last year. And four drivers. Recovery teams don't count in it, obviously. We're a disposable asset up until about the High Threat response levels." Picking at a fingernail now, nervously. She never really had people to talk to about work. It felt kind of nice. It really didn't make polite dinner conversation usually, telling people how you had to reattach some poor fool's arm in a firefight at night in the Barrens. Corrie pulls her legs up and rests her chin on her knees, still looking outside at the cold wind making the pristine snow dance to it's unseen designs. "I had a friend, Richard. Big. Big Troll. Had these awesome tusks" Holding out her hands about six inches apart "Always kept them shined and crack free. Which is hard, since they never stop growing. LIke sharks teeth." Shrugging her shoulder. "We hit it off really well. I could stand on one of hands and he could lift me to the ceiling." Chuckling lightly " We got wrote up once, changing lightbulbs in the station that way. Made it to fourteen though first. We're out there getting shot at and nearly getting killed on a daily basis and they're worried about how we were changing lightbulbs on a lark." Laughing again to herself, the only world she now could see was her old one, in her mind. "We just kind of ducked out of work after that. Full of stupid indignation. A big ol' Troll with a chip on his shoulder, and a redheaded girl just big enough to be the size of that chip." A quick shrug. "So, what happened then?" Octavia quietly asks, putting a hoof on her shoulder. Corrie jumps a little at the contact of her hoof, but still keeps her gauze out at the snowfall. "We got drunk. So much gin and this awakened vodka. Tasted like Ghouls ass but boy did it kick." A little shudder at the memory of that foul liquid. "Ended up singing Karaoke at this dive for the Hallow's Gang. The end of the night, he walks me home. All old fashioned Trido gentleman drek. I kept trying to think if I'd led him on, or he'd be expecting something at the end of the night. But when we got back to Momma's house, I still was trying to figure out to tell this mountain of a a metahuman i'm not into Samurai swords, so to speak. I'm standing there stammering and he brings up this huge hand, time and again as big as my head. Puts a giant finger on my mouth to shut me up and says something like 'moya mladshaya sestra'. And he tips his head and waits till i'm in the house. He only leaves after he hears the door lock click." She can feel the corners of her eyes moisten. "He sounds like a good friend then. But what was that, he said?" She asks Corrie, who was now looking visibly disturbed at something in her mind's eye. "He is. Was. Whatever. We started hanging out a lot. As for what he said, I just chalked it up to him just mumbling something drunkenly." Her breath hitching in her chest again. "About two weeks later we were called in for a retrieval. Some idiot near us decided he'd rather shoot than pay his dealer's tab." Making the 'futile gesture' sign with her hand. "Anyway he had a wristband, we had to go. It was chaos." "Those BTL slash drug dens were just about the worst places to go. Like two, three story fortresses. All plastisteel and metal barriers on the windows. Reinforced doors. Sometimes Mages. Fucking finger wagglers out here with a pair of binoculars on the room waiting to geek you, you'd never see it coming." Shivering a little she feels Octavia rest her head on her shoulder. "Our luck held for once, the guy somehow made it out of the doorway before we got there. He's holding his hand with one hand, the severed one was holding his intestines in his abdomen. His eyes are glowing, and he looks hopped up on gods know what, his eyes were going this odd silver color. Magic sparks and shit were coming off him. He's chanting away and turning back before the building about to unleash god knows what, when like magic his left arm just comes off. Slides off." Turning her head she looks at Octavia "you know how sometimes you get a carrot piece stuck on a knife? When your chopping them, that moisture just holding it onto the surface? And it slowly starts to slide off?" Corrie watches the understanding dawn in her eyes. Giving her a small nod. "Yeah his arm does that." "This Razorgirl just appears. All chrome and promises of death. And I mean appears a split second after his arm starts to separate from his body. Before you can even see the top of his bone. Perfectly clean cut. She's just standing there, chromed unblinking eyes just staring at us. She's retracing this little wire back into her fingernail. She gives us this small smirk and she's gone." "I've never been more grateful for not having to go after someone. She was on a level all her own. Not even sure why she was there. Serious tech. I'm fast, Octavia. Unnaturally fast when I need to be, even. But that." Waving a hand "That was on a level High Threat responders would get into. And some of those were just like her." Well, most really, Corrie finishes that line of thought, keeping it to herself. "So the Rigger pops open the rear doors and we go spilling out like we do. A four squad out, two wait by the doors, 'Pizza Time' we called it. Never did figure out why." Turning her head back to rest it on her knees, she continues to talk, looking outside at the pristine snowfall. Feeling anything but that herself. She feels Octavia straighten up and lean back on the pillows instead of leaning back on her. Sadly she knew that would happen. It's going to be too much, and she should have kept her mouth shut, Corrie berates herself. But she can't make herself stop. "And then what happenes?" Octavia asks her in a small voice, sounding very far away. "I make it to our target. By that time he's bleeding out something fierce, face down on the ground. We have these patches, trauma kit stuff. We can seal up the hole with some NewSkin, most of the stuff we have in our crash carts is useless. "Can't cure magic with tech, they tell you in training.' So I kneel down next to him. Rodger is standing over me while I work on this guy. And the next thing I know I'm on the ground. Some rat fuck had this giant sniper rife on the roof. Looked like an anti-tank gun when I was finally able to see it, after. Hit me in the right shoulder. The shock plates held. The underarmor I had held too surprisingly. Even more surprisingly was my karma held. This shell was implanted into the plate on my shoulder. Flattened out the size of at tea cup tray. Should have went right through me." "I should have died, that impact alone was so hard I broke some of the client's ribs when I landed on him. Cracked my head so hard I chipped some of my skull over my left eye. Broke my nose, Again. Shoulders busted. I can't breath. I can't even imagine trying to move my arm, much less anything else and then I hear it. This horrible, guttural roar. Richard was a Bear Shaman. He'd thought I'd been killed, and I think he flipped a little." She could feel the tears starting to slide down her face in little hot trails. "He casts something. I can't hear what it is. This horrible ringing in my ears. My headsets all fucked up, stats and numbers and klaxons going off. The whole world was tilting in this crazy way. But I remember looking up at the building. There was this Bear Shaman on the street chanting and pointing. These two clouds come together above where this guy with the rifle is, and it starts to rain. Large green drops of drek knows what and he starts screaming. LIke a broken leg kinda scream. Except it goes on and on. He leans over the side of the building and I can see part of his face melting. Some of the plastisteel is now melting too. There's a loud clatter from behind me. Before I pass out feel his hands on me, linking our systems, checking my vitals, that sort of thing. I can see his smile when he realizes I'm alive". "Almost the best smile I've ever seen" She tells Octavia quietly. "He knows I'm recording since I can't hear anything, he mouths some words slowly, and picks me up so gently in his arms. He leans down again and starts to make a pile, handing me the arm and the hand that fell off him earlier. "Hold these, please" He tells me. He stands, turns around and grabs something else. Slings it over his shoulder, then retrieves the client. "We all get back in the van, hook him up to the carts, and the run is done. As they say." Corrie sees his timid face in her memory, peeking in through the recovery door. A somehow gentle knock with those huge knuckles. He dips his head, looks around for some troll sized furniture. Seeing none, he sighs in weary resignation and sits on the floor next to her bed. He's still tall enough that he still has to look down to look at her eye to eye. He gives her a warm grin. She holds out her left hand and he grasps it in his huge one. She can see the scabs on the tops of his hands bandaged up. He was so worried for her he was picking them off in the waiting room. She gives his hand a gentle squeeze. He knows, that she knows. He blushes a little. And honest to goodness Troll blushing! Sheepishly, he shrugs his shoulder and says" I was worried for you." His accent thick. "I was so afraid that he'd killed you. That I'd have to live through that again. And I snapped." Corrie remembers the pain of trying to sit up. The Chemdispenser hisses at her aggressively, trying to remind her to sit still. She wanted to tell him she understood. Cat was the same way. Momma Cat Mojo would flay a man alive if she ever saw one of her kittens being hurt. He gently helps her forward and engulfs her in a giant, gentle bear hug. "He said I reminded him of someone he lost long ago. Said I reminded him of his little sister." Eyes widening in fear at what she just said to the grey mare she sits stalk still. Well, job one great, that. "Ah hells" she breathes out. "I'm sorry." She whispers. Wiping the tears away with the sides of her hands. A strange silence fills the room. For a time the only sounds were the odd gust of wind outside, or of a deep inhale, a sigh given when lost in the memory of the moment. Leaning forward Octavia gives Corrie a quick peck on the cheek. "Thank you for sharing all of this with me." Holding up a hoof "Please understand however, I have a lot. A lot of questions about what you all just said. I think I get the general idea, but there is so much there to unpack." Hopping down from the couch she turns and puts her blanket and pillows into a bundle. "I think I need some time to process all this." With that she uses her mouth to transfer the bundle to her back. I'm going to lay down on the bed and process." Corrie nods slowly. "I understand. Good night Octavia. Sleep well." She tells the mare. Hoof-falls slow and stop. "Just give me a little time, okay? Then come to bed." Octavia says quietly, then resumes her walk into the bedroom.
Snowbound in the Embassy Pt. 3Random Bit of Clop (Corrie x Octavia) Corrie lay on her bed, fully unclothed to the delight of the mare currently sitting on the floor between her legs. What started out as a friendly wrestling match over what to have for dinner tonight ignited a spark of passion between the two. Every grab lasted longer, every pin more and more body weight pressed against each other. Every movement, every slow gyrating rub of body on body ended when Corrie who had enough teasing thank you very much, picked her up, tossed her on the bed and unceremoniously finger fucked her until Octavia nearly passed out. Just thinking of those fingers raking her insides so gently but firmly, made her heat rise, her marehood wet. She kept her hoof on her clit moving it in slow, lazy circles while she observed her prize with hungry glee. Looking up from Corrie's womanhood she sees the woman give her a devilish look. Slowly bringing her hand up she starts licking her metal fingers clean. Slow, laborious licks that made sure that no trace of her marefriend's juices remained. Keeping her eyes locked on hers. Realizing her marehood was clamping down hard watching the display, she had to fight the urge to climb back on the bed and present herself to Corrie so she could do it again. No, that would be impolite and improper as she moves her muzzle closer towards the human's sex. She could smell that odd tint of arousal from her so much clearer now. An almost copper like scent. Mixed with her sweat and sandlewood, though she couldn't place where that was coming from. No matter. Time to return the tongue show's favor with one of her own. Tilting her head a little, she uses her lips to spread her lover's and slowly makes contact with her entrance. Just a slow, tentative lick to start. Corrie's body sits upright in surprise, legs going over Octavia's back, ankles locking. Smiling into her sex, she gives another lick. A little harder now, just enough to push her way in. The tip of her muscle parting her and sliding inside makes Corrie gasp. The little human starts to mutter something about 'unfair tongue sizes' but Octavia doesn't let her get far. Turning her head just a little more she slides about a quarter of her tongue length inside of her lover's body. She then proceeds to slowly lick her way back out of Corrie's now very wet pussy. Corrie clenches Octavia's sides of her head and moans. The deep primal sound from her marefriend only spurs Octavia on. Just a little faster now, a little more tongue inside. Raking the tip of her muscle across the folds and bumps inside of the humans pussy is intoxication to Octavia. So similar and yet so different from pony-kind and her limited experiences with mares such as herself. "Jesus fuck, Octavia" Corrie pants out. She makes a hissing noise through her teeth and arches her back, falling again onto the bed. Her hands stay clenched to her head though. fingers digging into her flesh. Octavia's grin of satisfaction almost throws off her rhythm. One thing Corrie keeps neglecting to remember, Octavia thinks with a ravenous glee, is how strong our necks are. It must be from these humans having such short, dainty ones themselves. Perhaps a demonstration is in order. Corrie feels her lower half being lifted off the bed by the grey mare, giving her more access to her womanhood. Lifting her head she tries to focus her eyes on what she's seeing. In that moment she would admit to have some difficulty thinking. And breathing. And pretty much everything else for that matter. It wasn't everyday your marefriend hilted you with her rat fucking tongue after all. Corrie feels the imminent build up coming quickly. Chest and abdomen muscles constricting and writhing in anticipation of the ecstasy to come. Octavia's purple eyes meeting hers. She knows how close Corrie is. Octavia relishes in the moment all that it has to offer. The exotic tastes on her tongue and lips, the strange smells of this human being just about to come all over her muzzle. With an odd feeling of victory, she redoubles her efforts, lapping at the insides of her human lover's sex. Corrie's had it. She's wrecked and she knows it.She keeps moaning out loud and repeating 'oh no' over and over again. She can't remember when her eyes didn't feel crossed. Throwing herself forward in one of the spasms of pleasure this unfair pony keeps rolling through her is enough to crack her willpower. Pulling her close, she can feel the teeth of the mare grinding into her sex as she rotates her hips, trying to match Octavia's movements. A kind of strange dance between the two species commences. Corrie comes hard on her lover's tongue. For a moment there is no words. No worlds. No other sensations but that brief moment before she pass out. The gentle calm of the body, an almost casual indifference to the fact that she couldn't breathe. The ringing sound in her ears from her blood pressure soaring. And then a gentle nothingness. Octavia feels Corrie go limp and slide backwards down onto the bed again. Her hands release their vice grip on her face, and slowly pull away to fall limply at her sides. Octavia stands, placing both hooves on her lover's hips. Staring down at her face she sees something that she's never seen before. Corrie looks relaxed. A limp bodied, tiny breasted, totally relaxed human. A little goofy grin on her face as she opens her eyes and see's Octavia gently jump onto of the bed, on top of her. "Hey, pretty pony" Corrie says to the pretty mare with the purple eyes and wet muzzle standing over her. "I'm kinda tired, mind if I take a nap?" she asks gently, still unsure where the hell she was. Octavia leans forward and kisses her passionately. "That's quite fine. Rest up." She hops over to lay next to Corrie, face to face. Nose to nose. Octavia drapes her tail over Corrie's hip and swishes it gently around on her flesh. Mine now, she thinks to herself. All mine. As she hears Corrie's breathing slow, her body preparing for her nap she hears Octavia faintly. "I can't wait for round two when you wake."
Snowbound in the Embassy Pt. 4 (Corrie x Octavia Romance Light Clop / Makeout)Snowbound in the Embassy Pt. 3 The snowfall outside of the young woman's apartment mirrored the thought processes going on inside of her. A peaceful memory here, a good memory there, just idly drifting through her mind. The old neighborhood with all it's little stages and players. A little gust outside throwing the dancing snow in chaotic swirls before finding themselves adjusted to their new course. A sad memory, a quiet memory. Simple things, old world troubles now she supposed. This world has been so much better than her last, by a factor of at least a thousand she argues with herself. But if so, with all it's troubles and worries, why did she miss home so much? Corrie was smart enough to realize a lot of this had to do with her Momma's passing not long ago. That bitter spear point lodged in her chest was covered over, sure. A scab just waiting to be picked. All of this in her new existence gave her the perfect excuse to repress it and throw herself into her work. That and adjusting to this new place helped place a pretty thick bandage on that scab. Enough to make it manageable for now. She could feel it though, pushing it's way up and out. A slow and steady demand getting closer and closer. Waiting patiently for the day to pierce the skin and reopen the wound. Then and only then will it demand her immediate attention. But for now, it lies sated in it's meandering path through her chest. Sighing through her teeth and adjusting again to find a comfortable spot on the couch, the young woman leans over and rests her head on the cushioned arm of the couch. The problem with knowing her problems is that she was smart enough to know what they were. She was just too emotionally immature to handle them properly, unlike that little grey pony currently sleeping in her bed. She's got her head screwed on straight. Snorting in derision at herself and her lack of basic functionality, she realizes this might be one of her biggest hurdles in adjusting to her new life. It's why she pushed Vinyl away, she supposes. Too similar. As much fun as she was to be around, she reminded Corrie of her own younger years. A silent laugh escapes the woman's lips. 'Younger years' she whispers to herself before more of that odd laughter engulfs her again. Like those were so long ago. That could be part of it too. Just by her very nature she might not be a good fit for anyplace here, or any-pony for that matter. None of what she is, or who she is translates well into this place. She wouldn't wish her life growing up on anyone else. But she wouldn't change it for the world for herself. How could she without losing who she was? But, she considers, who is she really after all? The problem with the past is that it rarely ever stays so, the young woman concedes. Sitting back up and resting her chin on her knees, Corrie re-wraps the blanket around her and watches the snow continue it's dancing parade outside her window. Inhaling deeply, she can smell Octavia's many scents from drying off under the blanket. Wet mane and fur. Faint shampoo, a hint of her mareness on the part she sat on. All without any headware. She could pick out her scent in a crowd of a thousand, she guessed. Intoxicating and unusual. Wrapping herself up tighter in the blanket she takes in a deep breath while thinking warmly of Octavia. Her own pretty little pony. Allowing herself a moment of happiness thinking about the purple eyed mare. With a fading smile she understands she just might not be good for her though. Or good enough. No not one bit. And she really wasn't just hers, was she? With a frown she unwraps herself from the blanket. Standing up she folds it neatly and places it on the couch. No sleep tonight it seems. Might as well work. Making her way through the kitchen she grabs a bottle of cider from the fridge before opening up the attic door and climbing the little stairs. Octavia opens one eye slowly, scanning the bed. "Corrie?" she says quietly in the room. Lifting her head and opening her other eye she realizes indeed, she's alone in the room. Climbing out from under the blankets she trots her way to the living room. Calling her name quietly one more time going around the couch she sees it is empty as well. Her ears twitch a moment, and she hears something from the kitchen. She feels a moment of shame mixed with panic that Corrie might be trying to cook something. It's not everyone who can goo toast however, so caution was warranted. Peeking her head through the kitchen doorway she sees the lights are out, and nothings cooking (or burning) so she sighs in a moment of relief. The attic door is open however. That's where the noise is coming from. Walking as quietly as possible towards the light through the kitchen she realizes she's hearing Corrie singing to herself. With a grin she redoubles her effort to maintain her silence walking, and slowly creeps up the stairs. Octavia peeking around the corner and seeing Corrie turns her grin into a look of confusion. Sitting on her little swivel chair, she's hunched over, one elbow resting on her knee, head facing down. Occasionally her right hand would twitch in a shooing motion, eyes darting to the side left to right as if reading, but there was nothing in her lap to read. A long black cord sunk into the nape of her neck trailed out into one of her DocWagon boxes. The very same one her left hand was also inserted into. She could hear little machine noises gently humming out of the device. Worrying her lower lip, she takes a tentative step towards the redhead. "Corrie, are you okay?" She asks gently. "I heard a noise?". Octavia realizes she can't stop staring at the little cord in the back of her neck. Two silver colored disc the size of a half-bit piece held together by something. And just how long did that go into her neck? The grey mare ponders while walking a little closer. The little room was warmed up nicely by all the little machinery quietly running in their little respective places. Enough so, that Corrie had taken her pj pants and shirt off it seemed, only clad in a small brown sports bra and pink panties. Stifling a giggle Octavia can't decide if the woman was either color blind, or had no sense of color coordination. Or both. Blinking a few times quickly, she realizes she's never seen her wear matching socks either. And there were so many freckles. Like an angry artist shook a brush at an offending canvas leading to a crazy array of little brown dots all over her body in varying hues. She was used to seeing the ones that covered her nose and cheeks, and the errant few of those on her forehead and chin, but when she really took the time to look at them all, there were really quite a lot. Except on her back. Just a half inch or so down from the nape of her neck the skin was mess. It looked like it somehow melted and started pouring down her back. That's the best description she could give it. Like waves from the ocean frozen in a snapshot. No freckles there, just pale skin covered in scar tissue with matching indents on each side of her spine, in centimeter measurements from top to bottom. Each one a small silver point contrasting the brown freckles on the rest of her body. Close enough to stretch out her hoof slowly, not entirely sure she could stop herself from doing so, she gently rests her hoof on the center of her back, gently. She had to know what that felt like. It may have sounded like signing to Octavia while she crept up the stairs, but Corrie was talking in Cityspeak to her a.i. assistant in her headware. It was pretty rough, but capable. Programming wasn't her strong suit, but a lot of basic programming for pre-purchased software came with a lot of snap in place iconography to work with, so even the most fumbled of fingers could handle teaching it new things to do. Mostly indexing in her case. Trying to find a more efficient way to handle all the new information was a little trickier than expected. The doorway sensors told her someone of the four legged variety was coming up the stairs. She figured it was Octavia. It could have been one of the guards, sure, but they would have clanked up the stairs. Not stealthily creeping like this little one tried to do. Figuring she'd see her like this sooner or later, she chose to let her have a moment to digest what she saw. They've been in a few compromising positions so far sure, but she's never really let Octavia take a good look at her like this. Open and actually quite vulnerable. Interrupting diagnostics on the Move By Wire system could lead to some bad redundancies in the software requiring a reboot to fix. Which in this case rebooting is a seizure. She couldn't see her, there were no cameras here for her to access with her headware. But she could hear her breathing, and smell her scent in the air as she was starting to heat up a little from the warmth. Her breathing picked up as well, not at the verge of panic breathing, but getting there in little increments the more she stared. "I hear you, Octavia. I just can't see you right now." Moving her right hand she gestures the grey mare to come stand in front of her. Octavia blinks slowly but follows the woman's hand gesture and goes to sit before her. Corries right hand reaches out to her and she grasps it in her hooves. "What's wrong with your eyes?" She asks, trying to hide the rising concern in her voice. "Part of the machines in my head. Like a movie you can interact with. Move the actors around, pick up scenery, put it down elsewhere. That sort of thing." Gently squeezing one of her hooves "It's only temporary. I usually don't let myself be blind, but I needed to do a few things at once." Hopefully nodding to the DocWagon box her hand was resting in. "Figured you were snoozing and I'd have time. It's going to be a little while before I can see you, that is." Corrie tries to give her a grin, but realizes she might not even be looking the right direction. Octavia stands up on her rear hooves and leans forward. With one hoof she gently traces the black cord from the back of Corrie's neck. "And what is this doing? What is it for? How does it even work?" As she talks she takes her hoof and slides it cautiously across the wire to the DocWagon box her marefriend's hand was resting in. It gave a gentle warning beep when she got too close, her hoof freezing in place. "That's just part of the readouts for my diagnostics. It let's the machines in my head and body talk to it. I can do it without the wires, but I needed to upgrade a few things, so the wires the way to go. It just handles more information quickly than the other way." Corrie tells her. Breathing deep she can smell how close Octavia's barrel is to her face. She surmises if she blows hard enough she'd tickle her ribs with her breath. "And these?" Octavia asks. Pressing her hoof up and down gently on her back, slowly moving lower. "Can't feel that." Corrie tells her. "Well, I can't, but the machines tell me your pressing on my back. I'm guessing the little dots?" She can feel Octavia's messy mane in her face brushing up and down now, slowly, nodding in agreement. "These are the contact points for the machines that put in my Move By Wire system." Corrie resettles in her chair again, trying to get comfortable. That surgery was, intense and horrible to say the least. Not a good memory. "Hey. Sit on my lap?" Corrie asks the mare, still trailing her hoof up and down her back. Octavia pulls back and gently legs her way onto the human woman's lap. She wasn't sure what Corrie was seeing, but it was hard watching her hazel eyes dart too and fro while she talked. Blushing to herself she felt bad for being grateful she closed her eyes while facing her to speak. Her legs folding behind the back of the little chair, she wiggles a bit to get comfortable. She feels Corrie gently wrap her right arm around her, holding her little frame. She feels her thumb idly rubbing on her back rubbing her little vertebrae, hand gently resting still. "I spent a lot of time in surgeries. Most of my friends over there did too." Giving a little shrug. "You get used to it, mostly I suppose. It's got to be a little strange for you to see all this." Octavia nods absentmindedly. "It is. I've never seen anything like it before on my world. Or anyone like you." She admits the last part quietly. "There is a lot I just don't understand." She finishes, leaning into the human. Corrie adjusts her right arm into a makeshift hug. "It's okay. I can explain it all. The machines I mean. I don't have a clue how this whole relationship thing is supposed to work." Pulling back a little she rubs her cheek slowly onto Octavia's soft grey cheek. In a very small voice she continues "Momma used to sing me a song, over and over again, when the System was placed in my back. I was so scared. Her magic was always entwined in those songs. I can teach it to you if you want?" "I'd like that Corrie. Very much." Octavia tells her. Nodding once she releases her grip so Octavia can lean back to see her face. "There's only five little words you need to know. When I squeeze your hand. Hoof, sorry. Sing them with me, okay?" - Author's Note The song if your interested is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BakWVXHSug
Snowbound in the Embassy Pt. 5 (Corrie x Octavia Clop)Snowbound in the Embassy Pt. 4 (Corrie x Octavia Romance Light Clop / Makeout) Clearing her throat, Corrie looks down at the little mare in her lap. Well, she'd look at her if she could see at the moment. The last few notes of Octavia's voice still hung in the air. She could still feel the strange tingle in her chest from her voice. "I uh. Well. Wow." She managed to sputter out. "It's not just because of my love for the cello, you know?" She takes Corrie's right hand and and puts it gently on her cutie mark. "I've always loved to sing as well, you see." Octavia can't help feel a moment of pride at the awestruck woman's face. "You are not too bad yourself, you know?" "Pfffffffff" was all Corrie could reply before barking out a laugh. "Stars and mud, that's the difference between you and me singing filly. Stars and mud." Rubbing her hand gently on the grey mare's flank, feeling no difference in either the texture or the length of the fur of her cutie mark. To her it was all warm, cozy fur like sensations to her blind eyes and off hand. Giving a little squeeze for good measure and for science of course, she was rewarded for her efforts by quick panting noise from the mare in her lap. It was always an awkward feeling using her off hand, but Octavia didn't seem to mind the gentle administrations of her fumbling fingers. Octavia leans forward a little, enough to just turn her head so, to gain access to the the woman's tiny ear. "Corrie" she breathes her name out quietly only a fraction a second before she plants a little kiss on her left earlobe. Corrie's head turns involuntarily to the intruder of her personal space. She could feel the hairs along her arms rising while the left side of her body grew very, very warm. "Ears are cheating, mare." She tells her breathlessly. "Thank you for teaching me the song." Octavia whispers in her ear, sultry and low. Taking the dry tip of her tongue she runs it gently from her lobe to the top of it's little curve. Corrie's right leg extends out and spasms a few times while her body shudders. "Oh my" she whispers again while sitting up a little higher on her marefriend's lap, blowing gently into it this time after speaking. "Did we hit a nerve?" Conceding the momentary advantage to Octavia with a moan that escapes her lips. "Not. Fair. Not fair at all." Corrie tells her unseen paramour. Moving her hand slowly from her flank and around to her chest, dragging her fingers lightly on the skin through her fur until she reaches near the top her her barrel, giving the flesh below her hand a gentle squeeze. She didn't need the sensors in her hand to tell her that Octavia's heartbeat was picking up at a good pace. The shudder from the contact with her fingernails and a little gasp were all she needed to hear. Octavia regains her balance quickly after the slow drag of fingers on her flesh. Nibbling gently on the top curve of her ear in retaliation, she smiles to herself. "Quite sensitive, are we not?" She breathes the words into Corrie's ear again. She hears the human woman's breath hitch and she hisses something quietly. Her grey ears twitch as she leans back to stare into the face of her lover. "I couldn't quite hear you. What was that?" she tells her. "I said kiss me." Corrie tells her bringing her right hand up and around to the back of her marefiend's neck, drawing her head in closer to her own. She applies gentle pressure with her fingers causing Octavia's neck to arch slightly under the control of her fingers. Mouth to mouth, lips only a hairs breath away from each other she holds her steady. Corrie relishes in the moment, the feeling of Octavia's breath being drawn in through her own inhalations, into her lungs, filling her and sending a shiver down her body. As well as a growing hunger rising in her chest making her want more. Now. Octavia can feel the smooth movements under her as her marefriend shifted her arm lower now to just under her plot. Instinctively she lifted herself a little so it was now resting on the outstretched arm in Corrie's lap. Leaning in for a kiss, the gentle pressure increased and she stopped. Nearly panting into Corrie's mouth she gave a little whining noise, a sound of frustrated denial at a promise long overdue. Corrie stands in one fluid motion, the bonded cords of Gortex and Linthol fibers woven throughout her muscular structure working in harmony with her own flesh and blood muscles were the only reasons she could pull this off in the first place. Lifting her mare with her right arm she turns to face the workbench. Using the DocWagon kit stuck to her left hand she turns it into an improvised plow sweeping everything on the table to the floor. "Corrie what are you.." Octavia tries to ask before their lips finally meet in their heated embrace. For a moment they stand still. All save the but the motions of the lips and tongues of the two different species vying for oral dominance. Their motions increasing, heads now turning to find new angles to try to find ways past their lovers tongues with their own. Octavia's panting only seemed to spur her humans administrations further. The breathless panting the fuel for her amorous endeavors. The grey mare throws her arms around the slim neck to balance herself, still mindful to go low under the cord currently resting in her lovers body. She gives her human a strong hug, wanting to feel as much of her as she can with her own body. She feels herself lift an inch or two as Corrie raises her arm and gently sets her down on the workbench. Now sitting nearly her marehood to Corrie's womanhood on the bench, she can see the deep blush on Corrie's face. The look of blind hunger matching her own. A quick moment of panic as Octavia's fore-hoof somehow tangled itself in the cord while she was being moved causing Corrie's head to turn sharply to the left. Gently her human uses her right hand behind her to untangle her hoof, resting the offending member gently on her barrel. "Oh Corrie, I'm so sorry!" Octavia tells her. "S'kay. You good." Corrie responds, leaning in to kiss her marefriend to reassure her that all indeed, was fine. A few moments of gentle, tender kissing between the two broken only by the need for oxygen and nervous giggles. She can fell Octavia drawing back a little. Hesitations in her kissing. She knew where this was going. Counting down from three..two..one. In her mind. Right on time Octavia speaks. "Please Corrie. Can we stop for a moment?" She asks the blushing redhead before her. Nodding to herself, Corrie takes a deep breath in and releases a very pent up sigh. "I'm sorry. That happened really quickly. Was it too fast? Too strange?" She reaches forward to find her hoof and gratefully feel her hoof brush up against her hand reaching for her in turn. "No. Well yes. And no." Octavia tells her. "It was the cord." Watching Corrie's head tilt to the side for a moment. Closed eyes seemed to be scrunched up in concentration. "It was rather unexpected, you understand?" She asks. "I do." Corrie tells her. She starts to move away, but Octavia's legs wrap around her hips and lock behind her, pulling her back. "Oh no. You misunderstand me. We are doing this. Tonight." She tells her in her best seductive tone she can muster. "I just want to do it when you can see me. Be here with me. Not stuck in there." Tapping Corrie's head gently with a hoof, she continues. She feels Corrie move her head to the side again, but this time she rubs her check gently across Octavia's hoof and nods. A shy smile spreads across the woman's face. Moving her hoof lower onto her humans chest she gives it a light squeeze in return as Corrie did to her, and was rewarded with a gasp and her lover biting her own lower lip in pleasure. Good to know these human breasts were just as sensitive as her teats. Good to know indeed. "How quickly can you finish your work?" Octavia asks. Author's Note I wouldn't count it as clop Percy (per se), but I'm going to put that in the title just in case. I don't want to surprise people in a negative way not expecting something in the story that randomly pops up.