Author's Note

Here's a random screenshot I took from World of Warcraft the other day. What does it have to do with this story? Nothing. I'm just flippin' proud about it.

And now I've doomed this chapter to comments on the author's note and not the contents of the installment.

But never mind. Look! Purse and sandals pr0n(?)
-SS&E

Bring Your Sissy to Work Day 2: Straight to DVD

The main structure of the Cadenza Corp Industrial Facility was quite impressive—not to mention fancy in its architectural grandeur. The exterior was made of a white, dappled concrete, and much of the central facade was circular in its arrangement. From a bird's eye point of view, one might think the complex resembled petrified fungi growing white and firm in the middle of a dense forest. Even the far more standard buildings that flanked the facade had an organic look to them, with bent window frames to match the playful curves that the concrete foundation afforded.

All of this was surrounded by the most gorgeous lawn conceivable. Low hilltops of springy grass swam up and down in verdant waves, encompassed by bright white paths shaded by trees and accompanied by colorful flower bushes. To reach the entrance of the Cadenza complex, the amazon and her femboi had to ascend a healthy rise in terrain and walk a lengthy path that exercised their limbs in an invigorating way. During such a trek, the facility's facade appeared to them over the grounds—resembling in no small part that one structure that was overused as an establishing shot for the heroes' base in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers among several other bits of mid 90s televised sci-fi and fantasy.

It was a rather unfortunate shame that Flash Sentry wasn't paying much attention to any of these details.

Rather—he was far too encumbered with the heart-racing reality of walking outside in the sunny morning light, wearing a high school girl's outfit and carrying a burgundy purse. And it wasn't as if he was wearing a flimsy miniskirt or a revealing halter-top. The boi was used to wearing long, frumpy, bulky sweatclothes... so wearing knight's armor would undoubtedly feel like skipping around naked. And this was an undeniably feminine green blouse with tight jeans to boot. The fact that the legs were rolled up—something he still didn't quite understand Sunset Shimmer doing—only accentuated just how light, exposed, and vulnerable he felt.

Oh... well, there you have it.

And every time Flash fidgeted or tried to adjust his gait, he'd nearly-trip on the wedges of his sandals. They weren't high-heels by any means, but they did give his every step an extra lift, and the world felt like a tilting gravity well with each sidewalk panel he and Sunset traversed. His delicate toes were exposed—courtesy of the sandals—and his ankles tickled with the cool autumn air kissing his hairless skin.

He heard the growl of tiny engines and smelled freshly-cut grass. No doubt Cadenza Corp had hired landscapers to tackle the grounds that morning. There was no telling how many people were looking at him and Sunset over the green hilltops. Half of Flash feared that someone may have been gawking. The other half hated himself for not having better feet to look at—prettily painted toenails, at least. His mind rocked back and forth between both opposing takes, and it throttled his poor sissy heart with each oscillation. Nervous—and more than a little bit scared—he kept close to the amazon's side, clutching the cute purse that clung to his side like a screaming beacon of sparkles and estrogen.

He did feel like the teenage daughter to Mommy Sunset. Did the stars plan this?

At long last, they rounded the final bend in the surrounding park path. The central facade of the complex came back into view. It was then that Flash realized that there were plenty of visitors' parking spaces situated within a stone's throw of the entrance, despite all the distance that he and Sunset had just walked.

The boi clenched his teeth. She meant for them to walk this way. Was this an intervention in physical exercise?

Just then, a small child in a labcoat came walking the opposite way. It was only when the worker came within a few yards' distance that Flash realized it was a full-grown adult.

"Morning, Miss Shimmer!" the man said, nodding his head with a pleasant smile.

"Hiya, Todd!" Sunset waved, looking down at the individual as she and Flash passed him. " Lovin' the goatee!"

"Couldn't help it! Sunburst is infectious!"

"Hah! Isn't he, though?"

"Well, I'm done with my shift! Have a good day!"

“You too, Todd.”

Flash blinked, glancing back at the man. He turned and looked ahead—seeing that a bunch of children were milling about in front courtyard of the facility. Only they weren't children either.

"Hi, Sunset!"

"You're coming to visit today?"

"Shucks. And we just went on break!"

"Hey." Sunset pivoted about, shrugging at the group of off-the-clock technicians while she sidestepped. "Who knows? Maybe you'll come back in time to help me take notes."

"The boss will be happy to see you."

"She's here, then?"

"You betcha! Making the usual rounds through the labs!"

"Great! I look forward to it!" Sunset snapped a finger-gun at the group and walked on. "Stay smart!"

"You too!" Sunset gently patted Flash's shoulder, waking him to the moment and gesturing towards the front doors ahead.

Flash nodded nervously, scampering to keep up with her massive gait. He had spent so much of the past thirty-six-plus hours in the sole company of an imposing amazon. In that time, he had forgotten how puny regular-sized people were in contrast to the seven-foot-six Elements of Harmony. Being around Sunset for so long made Flash feel like the tiniest boi in the world, and—in truth—he secretly mourned the loss of that sensation while in public.

But then they approached the front entrance where a pair of tall security guards stood, and Flash was tiny once again.

“Sunset...” One guard tipped his hat and nodded at her. “Got a summons?”

“More like I'm thinking ahead,” Sunset said. “Although, I do think the Doctor is expecting me today.”

“I see you brought company.” The other guard turned and looked down at Flash. “Family?”

“Next best thing,” Sunset said. “I'd like to introduce you to my precious friend, Flash Sentry.”

Another tip of the hat. “Good morning, Miss Sentry.”

Flash opened his mouth to respond, but his brain broke. It wasn't the first time someone had mistaken his “gender,” but something about this particular occasion was so... blatant. The fact that he wasn't wearing his usual cocoon of sweatclothes certainly came to mind. But that his identity could be misconstrued... so easily...?

“You know the drill, Miss Shimmer,” one guard said, whipping out a metal detecting device. Its handle and central frame glowed with a strange blue energy source Flash couldn't put a name on. “Should be over in a sec.”

“By all means.” The amazon stretched her arms out, fully compliant. Flash watched as the guard walked around her, having to stretch his burly arms up to properly “scan” her neck and shoulders. “I swear, they really should get you poor boys a stool,” Sunset said.

The guard examining her chuckled. “Only if you keep paying these visits weekly, perhaps.”

“Still, I gotta wonder.” She arched an eyebrow, smirking. “Who do they expect to possibly impersonate any of us?”

“Same question I've been asking.” The guard stepped back, clicking a button or two on the wand. “But—procedure is procedure. You know how it is.”

“Indeed. Are those new C-12 models by the way?”

“Yup! Straight from the lab! No doubt Sunburst will be asking how well they performed.”

“And how well did they perform?”

“Exceptionally!”

“Hahah... alright!” Sunset looked at Flash.

Then the guards looked Flash.

Flash blinked—then jumped slightly in place! “Oh...! Uhm...” He stretched his dainty arms out, awkwardly.

“Will only take a sec, sweetie,” Sunset said.

“She's telling the truth,” a guard said, having to lean over slightly in order to accommodate for Flash's petite posture. A slight static energy tickled at Flash's skin as he waved the curious technology over and around the boi's figure, just inches from his precious flesh. “Best that Cadenza Corp has to offer. Built here in these very labs!”

“That... uh... s-sounds spiffy,” Flash stammered, shivering noticeably.

“It won't hurt you, darling,” the guard said, making Flash's tender heart flip over with a gazillion conflicting emotions. “Cadenza Corp is all about safety... even if you were packing a dirty bomb in that purse of yours.”

“Eep!” Flash's breath sucked into his throat. “I'm not! I'm n-not, honest!”

The other guard chuckled. “Your friend could use a sense of humor, Miss Shimmer.”

“Flash... doesn't get out much.” Sunset winked down at the boi. “I'm aiming to change that.”

Flash's nostrils flared as he stared ahead, still stuck in a T-pose.

She had planned this...

“Alright, ma'am!” The guard stepped back, sheathing the wand. “You're both good! You may proceed...”

Flash's cheeks reddened. He had been ogled up close by a man whose job it was to ogle people up close for safety... and still Flash had been addressed as “ma'am.” Back in the day, he would have possessed the knee-jerk reaction to bark at the man and ask for a rexamination.. but...

...today was different. And his heart was a'flutter. Flash gently grasped the strap of his purse and strolled ahead with a quiet flip-flop of his sandals.

“Uhm... th-thank you, gentlemen,” he murmured in as casual a voice he could muster.

“At your service,” one said, hat tipping.

Flash bit his lip and walked close to Sunset. The doors opened automatically and the two had to wait for Sunset to bend her body low... and shuffle slowly through the entrance so that her amazonian frame could fit inside. From then on, she walked proud and tall, and at any moment a slight sneeze might send her beautiful crown through the overhead ceiling panels. She smiled down at Flash—and at first he thought that she was proud of having entered such an encumbering doorframe. But then he realized that she obviously endured that every week here and instead she was proud about something else.

“Well, that went delightfully, didn't it?”

Flash took a deep, huffing breath. “This was all your idea.”

“So what if it was...?”

“Of all the days you would have forced me to wear Apple Bloom's hand-me-downs,” Flash muttered.

“First off, nobody forced you to do anything,” Sunset Shimmer said calmly. “Was I assertive?” She shrugged and nodded at herself. “Most certainly so. But at no point did you positively say 'no' to the outfitting, Flash. So careful who you blame.” She squinted down at him with an evil smirk. “Besides, if you wanted to have someone force you into wearing something then I would have chosen Sweetie Belle's hand-me-downs!”

Flash covered his blushing face. “Gosh dang it...” He wanted to be angry at Sunset, but instead he was feeling a... different heated emotion.

“Heeheehee...” Sunset chuckled as the two made their way across a squeaky clean, brightly-lit lobby. Their footsteps echoed in such a way that it masked their conversation from passing receptionists and lab workers. “I don't know why you put so much stress and anxiousness into it, Flash.”

“Into what...?”

“Don't play dumb, sweetie. You're anything but.” Sunset moved the two of them towards a waiting elevator. Flash took note of every average human being whom she towered above. “If nothing else, today should teach you that you can easily live that dream of yours.”

“Sunset...” Flash started to sigh.

“Besides... even when you tried to act masculine in public, exactly where did it get you?” She winked aside as they reached an elevator. “I looked and listened to you just now—with the guards?” She reached into her purse with a rattle of the beaded bracelet. “You stood natural. You talked natural. You looked natural, Flash! And what did you get in return?” She swiped the card, and a beacon on the elevator console lit up. “Respect and acknowledgment. Was that so terrible?”

“They were j-just being polite...”

Sunset leaned down, speaking in a low and emphatic tone. “They were treating you like a lady. Which is how you've always wanted to be viewed and treated! Admit it!” She leaned back with a faux look of “shock.” “Oh wait! You already did! Last night!” And she proceeded to chuckle like some haughty anime girl, only without raising the back of her wrist to her mouth. That kind of anime girl.

Flash stifled a girly groan. “I should have kept my big mouth shut.”

“Well, first off, two things.” Sunset gestured. “One... it's not that big of a mouth. And second...” The elevator doors chimed. “...for once in your life, Flash, won't you accept the fact that you can live these dreams of yours?” She smiled down at him.

He looked pensively back, biting his bottom lip.

The elevator doors opened.

Two young female lab technicians stood inside with clipboards. Once they had reached the lobby floor, they exited briskly, giving polite nods. “Morning, Miss Shimmer. And ma'am.”

Flash shivered again. Clutching the purse, he bird-stepped into the elevator. Sunset followed closely behind, bearing a dumb grin.

“Mmmmmm...” Flash shrank in the corner, his face turning beet red. “...let's just get this over with, please?”

Giggling like a triumphant succubus, Sunset slapped the button in question. The doors to the elevator shut, and they descended into the basement levels of Cadenza Corp.

“Flash, sweetie...?” Sunset Shimmer addressed him, as she was inclined to do. The elevator hummed and vibrated around them in its slow descent. “I just have to ask...” She adjusted the weight of her purse and gazed down at the slender boi. “...why do you fight against it so?”

He clammed up, gazing down at his curling toes in his sandals.

The amazon continued in a gentle, motherly tone: “Was it something someone said to you? Long ago? Did your parents shame you for wanting girly things? Or Magnolia? Or classmates?”

The boi fought a knot in his throat.

“I've been in your head, Flash. I've felt how beautiful and innocent and pure the sensation is for you.” She smiled sweetly. “I've felt the tickling excitement of that deeply hidden, naughty part of you as well.” A deep breath, and the telepath's voice wavered slightly: “And I felt the boundless joy when fate reached out and touched you—literally—thereby manifesting this world's Harmonic Well.” Her eyes grew misty, but she swallowed the borrowed memory away with strong resolve. “I know you may not believe me, but all of these wonderful, amazing things could be yours. What makes you want to keep it from happening? Is... is it that you enjoy being on the crest of something so monumentally breathtaking?”

At last, he muttered a response: “Why are you so intent on changing me?”

“Hmmm?”

He gazed up at her. “All my life, I've lived on that... so-called crest. From the first memories that I could recall, I knew that the universe had done something to... alter me. Maybe... y'know... not all of us are as fully trusting in a transformation as you and the girls have been.”

Sunset cleared her throat and smiled delicately. “I'd say it's done alright by the seven of us!”

“But how do we know it'd be the same for me? Why are you so insistent on it?”

“Flash, I—”

“Why are you going to such extreme lengths to... t-to cater to something that really shouldn't be running my life?” Flash grimaced, his eyes nevertheless wide with earnest. “Sure, pursuing a few kinks here and there might make me happy... but n-not forever! How could that even be p-possible?! You can't misconstrue lifestyle and career! It's... it's just not a realistic possibility in this world...”

Sunset ran a hand through her fiery bangs, glancing away from him. “Uhm... one might say the same about magic... being 'unrealistic' and all...” A weary smile crossed her lips. “But I learned to embrace that. And there's been no regrets.”

Flash sighed, gazing down at the floor once more. “I just... don't understand why you're so adamant.”

“And I'm not asking you to give up a fight you've struggled with your whole life, Flash.” Sunset aimed her smile at him. “But... rather... to consider fighting for something that would make your life better.”

“How do you even know that it will?”

Sunset bit her lip.

Flash sniffled, hiding his face. “I... I'm sorry, Sunset. You're trying so hard to make me feel better about things... about myself... and... and I-I must be coming across as the most ungrateful piece of crap...”

“Oh no...!” She moved towards him. “No no no no no, Flash! Don't you ever feel bad because of my—”

The elevator panel dinged again, indicating that they had reached the bottom basement floor.

Sunset winced. She looked to the doors as they were opening, and then she cleared her throat. “Let's... continue this conversation after the meeting. Okay?”

Flash sighed, straightening a long blue thread or two. “O-Okay...”

“Bad timing on my part. But...” Sunset sighed, staring ahead and composing herself. “...well... this is a visit I had to make,” she said in a monotone voice.

Flash glanced up... then at her beaded bracelet. It rattled as she walked briskly ahead. Nervous, he followed swiftly behind—just as the elevator doors closed after him.

The lower basement level of Cadendza Corp Industries looked like something out of the last act of a Resident Evil game. Only it was well-lit. And it had plenty of bright-eyed lab technicians. And there were safety rails lining every platform. And it was nicely air-conditioned. And the working staff looked evenly-integrated and healthy.

So, in short, it didn't look like a Resident Evil level at all. But Flash was at a loss for words, save to label it as a pleasant, bright, and all-around clean assortment of metal and concrete stages compartmentalizing a multitudinous array of partially-assembled equipment that belonged in all conceivable science fiction. Only it was considerably less fictitious, and 'splayed out in front of him and Sunset, with very real yet curiously glowing crystalline diodes powering up energy cores for innumerable projects in mid-construction. There was a tingle to the air; the basement smelled fresh, springy, and moist... but without any moisture. For such a sterile environment, it felt brimming with untapped electrical energy. The scientists moved about their stations, bustling with energy—but with nary a sweatdrop of anxiety to be found.

In the very center of the room there rested what looked like a large ATV fitted with VTOL engines instead of wheels—but that wasn't even remotely the most interesting thing. Flash blinked as he passed by what looked to be a large cylindrical jar of luminescent dust; the glowing sediment was levitating and animated to assume the shape of a beating heart. A few tables over, two scientists were working on a mechanical arm with joints that... appeared to be magnetically attracted to one another. Last but not least, Flash caught sight of a translucent energy shield straight out of Overwatch 2, and he jumped with a slight girly yelp when the thing contracted into the size of a lemon with the single application of a tesla coil spark.

“Shhhhhh...” Sunset reached over in mid-step and gently squeezed Flash's shoulder. “Stay calm. Nothing can hurt you here.”

Flash gulped, practically huddling by her thighs. “Everything just looks so... pointy and sparkly.”

“Mmmmm... yes.” Sunset nodded, gazing at the multiple operations as they walked along the outer fringe of the chamber. “But you at least like half of those things.” She stuck her tongue out like a teasing older sibling. “Or maybe both of those things and you just don't want to admit it.”

“Sunnnnnyyyy...”

“Will you relax? You're among friends here! My friends!” Sunset smiled. “And my friends are yours.”

He was about to respond—

“Miss Shimmer!” A technician walked by, gasping and waving with a smile. Her hair was in an unkempt bun, spilling scarlet bangs with berry purple streaks. “So nice to see you!” She hugged a clipboard to her chest and grinned from ear to ear. “Are you here to test out the PONE MK VI?”

“Sorry, Moondancer!” Sunset did a graceful mid-walk curtsey and shrugged. “Unless Sunburst can rope me into it, I'm just here to examine notes and meet up with the boss lady.”

“Well, if you can spare a few minutes, I really really think you'll be impressed with the latest upgrades!”

Flash's face was scrunched. “What's the PONE MK VI?”

Sunset glanced over her shoulder as they walked. “The Personal Operative Neural Enhancer. It's a computer interface system that responds to brain waves and optical movements. Powered by a crystalline mana leyline circuit.”

“It...” Flash blinked. “...sounds like a unicorn fantasy DBZ scouter.”

“Because it is a unicorn fantasy DBZ scouter,” Sunset Shimmer droned. “Only it's compatible with Linux.”

“... … ...huh.”

“Miss Shimmer!” A man could be seen waving from two stations away. “Check this out!” His co-workers flailed and winced as he unceremoniously lifted and waved a large, glossy helmet with glowing visor lines. “Aerodynamic! Adjustable for any degree of meta-transformation!” He ran a hand over the built-in ear guards. “Equine-friendly! Isn't it smashing?”

“Absolutely!” Sunset waved from afar. “Simmer down, Doctor Turner! I'll be sure to test it in due time!”

“Hah! You're speaking to the resident expert on time! Tell me!” The man smirked. “Have you decided on the date that your sabbatical will end?”

“That... uh...” Sunset smiled awkwardly. “...that's a conversation worth having with your boss, not me!”

“Well, if you insist! Nice having you visit, madame! Ta!”

“None of them...” Flash blinked at the group as they moved towards a raised office along the far end of the laboratory. “...seem all too weirded out by us.”

“And why should they be?”

“Well... no offense... but...” Flash looked at her and raised his hand super high for emphasis. “You're you...” He stretched his hand down low as far as he could while remaining upright. “And I'm me...”

“Did I tell you or did I tell you?” Sunset paused to face him directly. “These are my friends. They don't judge me for who and what I am.” She bent over slightly so she could clasp his hands in hers. “And they won't judge you either.”

Flash blinked. He squirmed guiltily, gazing aside as he muttered: “You knew that this would be a friendly atmosphere that you'd be taking me in.”

“Well, of course, sweetie...” Sunset caressed his face, smiling. “As much as I love seeing you squirm, I'm not out to make you miserable.” A gentle breath, and Flash could smell sincerity and lilacs. “I just want you to feel what it's like to be free... to be you... the you that you've always wanted to be. And it's okay. Really! It's not all that bad...”

He sniffled, hiding back a sob. “I'm sorry for talking so badly of you and what you're doing for me...”

“Hey... nothing to be sorry for! It's just... well... with you, Flash... heheh...” She winked. “We both know it takes tugging the leash.”

His muscles clinched suddenly. The boi's upper flesh turned rosy.

“Ohhhhhh...” Sunset stood up with a knowing nod. “So you like that word, huh?”

He stamped his sandal'd foot. “Sunnyyyy!”

She giggled mischievously and turned around. With a motion of her womanly hand, she led him further through the fringes of the laboratory. “I don't want you to ever have to feel alone, Flash. If nothing else, a place like this shows that we're all in this together. Not just me and the girls, but our friends' friends.”

“And your friends' friends' pocketbooks,” Flash murmured.

“Mmmhmmm.” Sunset nodded. “No denial there.”

“So...” Flash squinted aside at all of the fantastical projects being worked on. “...if the people here at Cadenza Corp know about you and the girls and the Elements of Harmony and Equestrian Magic...”

“Yes...?”

“... … ...what's to stop them from sharing this info with the rest of the world?” Flash blinked up at Sunset. “I mean... that's a heck of a lot of secrets to entrust to an entire facility of people!”

“Welllll...” A scrawny masculine specimen in a labcoat walked up, adjusting a thick pair of glasses over his smiling expression. “...when you're given the handsome kind of payment and benefits we've got, you'd even be flippin' quiet about aliens living in test tubes under the lobby!” He let loose a nasally laugh, and Flash couldn't help but notice a glorious shine to the young man's fire-bright goatee and neckbeard. Seconds later, he coughed delicately and gestured with a blush. “We... uhm... we d-don't have aliens living in test tubes under our lobby.”

“Sunburst...” Sunset loomed over the man, slapping a friendly hand down over his shoulder. “Been a while!”

“You too, magical shimmering horse lady!” The so-called Sunburst adjusted his glasses again, glancing at where her hand made contact with his shoulder. “You're not trying to steal the latest pages from my homewritten novel, are ya?” He winked up at her. “Eh heh heh heh...”

“Sorry, buddy.” Sunset shook her head with a sigh, leaning back. “Not employed at the moment.”

“Ohhhhhhhhh... so it's still the dry spell, huh?” Sunburst stroked his fuzzy chin, one eye squinting. “Y'know... if we could just get you to cross over to the other side and acquire some of those extra-precious bio-mana-condensing fluids gathered by our four-legged associates, then maybe we could mix it with a few blood samples and—”

“Sorry, Sunburst. But you've read the notes.” Sunset cleared her throat. “The Princess of Friendship already tried it. But don't you worry. I'm... uh...” Her eyes darted at Flash, then back to Sunburst. “...I'm working on a fix.”

“Is it a permanent fix?”

Sunset gulped. “One thing at a time, Sunburst.” She gave a shake to her wrist, and Flash heard the rattle of her bracelet beads. “I came here for something—”

“Oh! I know!” Sunburst practically jumped in place with a flap of his labcoat. Flash was faintly reminded of the lead protagonist of Disney's ambitious film Atlantis... a picture that he only got halfway through when he realized the featured female heroine would not be wearing a ballgown. “You're here to test out the Cosmic Cloppers 2.0!”

“... … ...” Sunset exhaled through a frozen, weary smile. “...I beg your pardon?”

“Y'know! The hyper-extended running boots we're designing for field-use! We've added propulsive enhancements to the leaping capabilities! It should make for excellent mountainous and urban accessibility!”

“Yes. That sounds great.” Sunset's eyes narrowed. “But did you really have to name them—?”

“And seeing as you're the least physically mobile of the Elements, you'd be perfect for testing out the Cloppers' weight and balance!” Sunburst pumped his fist in the air. “Oh, Awesome Archimedes, what good fortune that you're here!”

“Sunburst, that all sounds nice and good, but I really just came here for—”

“Oh! God's hooks! Where are my manners?!?” Sunburst slapped his own forehead and turned to bow towards Flash Sentry. “Good morning, Miss! Welcome to Cadenza Corp! Any friend and fellow scholar of the brilliant and resplendent Miss Shimmer is a friend and fellow scholar of mine!”

Flash fought a crooked smile. “Why... how nice of you, Mr. Sunburst.”

“Wait! Don't tell me...” Sunburst pointed with a smirk. “...I know who you are!”

Flash blinked. “You do...?”

“Okay, Sunburst...” Sunset Shimmer tried to block the conversation with her massive womanhood. “That's quite enough—”

“Of course!” The goatee'd man leaned forty-five degrees to peer around the amazon's hips. “I've seen the family photos!” He grinned. “You're Miss Applejack's daughter!”

Flash sweated. “... … ...uhhhhh—”

“Sunburst, that's quite enough, ya mangy little brain puppy—“ Sunset spat.

“Er... no... wait...” Sunburst winced. “Applejack's... cousin? Malus... Bloom? Bloomburn! Your name is Bloomburn! Wow, you got tiny—!”

“Okaaaaaaay, Sunburst...” Sunset gripped the man's shoulder and forced the two of them to walk towards the center of the labs. “How about this. If I agree to test out the mana-boots for you, will you then let me get to reviewing notes from the past week?”

“Hah! Why can't we do both?! Eureka! I'm brilliant when I'm in the zone, aren't I?”

“Ehhhhh—uh huhhhh—” But Sunset was soon drowning in little scientist people all bustling excitedly around the tall buxom Element of Harmony. They drew her into the center of the chamber and bombarded her with prototypes, diagrams, and a bevy of nerdy, nerdy grins. “Haaah... hoo boy...”

“I'll fetch the boots!” Sunburst gestured across the room. “Moondancer! Time Turner! Grab those files from last week, will ya? It's go time! Excelsior!”

Flash tried his hardest to contain a barrage of giggles naturally forming in his chest.

“Uhm... Flash... sweetie...?” Sunset waved from across a sea of labcoats. “Uhhh... why don't you go take a seat, alright? This will only t-take a moment!” She gulped, wincing as she was further and further submerged in the scientific mess. “I hope.”

Flash nodded. “O-okay!” And, in truth, he quietly reveled in the chance to sit down. His poor, tender feet were killing him.

As commotion drew to a happy buzz in the center of the room, the boi delicately limped his way to a thinly-framed sofa resting beneath the overhang of an office built into the basement wall. He sat—wincing—and peeled one sandal off a foot. He flexed his toes, relieved to be free of both the pressure of the straps and the constant balancing-act of the slight height the articles gave him.

And yet...

...a very quiet and demure part of him felt somewhat... proud that he had endured such prolonged discomfort to get there. Flash wondered if this was the sort of unnecessary pain suffered by one half of the gene pool who were compelled by culture at a young age to wear such things on their feet that would keep their pretty toes exposed.

And then Flash wondered just how sick and demented he was that he would take a baseline sort of pleasure in such a notion.

No...

Flash rubbed the back of his heel.

No, it's not that he felt that women deserved to experience such discomfort...

He gazed off into the lengths of the laboratory.

But himself...?

A delicate smile formed across his face.

...a sissy?

That smile immediately fated... melting into a wince.

Were... Sunset's “methods” finally getting to him?

A nervous sigh escaped his throat. With a shrug of his shoulder, he let the burgundy purse slide off his figure and settle into the seat at his side. Almost protectively, he pulled the bag over and sat it in his lap, just above his crossed legs.

“... … ...”

Or maybe...

The boi squirmed where he sat prissily, still rubbing his aching heel.

...it was always inside him, just waiting for someone... somewoman stronger to coax it out?

Fighting a lump in his throat, Flash looked down at his foot. He wriggled his clothes for good measure... pondering if they would look good in a color that matched the purse...

“You really should paint them berry blue,” a rich, womany voice spoke out of nowhere, looming above Flash. “I think it'd be a lovely match for your eyes. And hair.”

“Gah!” Flash jumped in place—and just like that, his purse flew off his knees and toppled to the ground. The contents thereof rattled loosely across the concrete laboratory floor. “Oh... shirt!” he femmecursed.

“Good grief!” that voice above him melodized, drawing in closer. “I'm terribly sorry! Why, you're a jittery thing, aren't you?”

“It's not even my purse!” Flash's voice cracked, and he winced, wishing he could just keep his mouth shut. “I... uh...” He squatted down low to pick the things up. “Lemme just—gaah!” He forgot his other leg was wearing the sandal, and the off-balance tossed him to the side like a limp doll.

“Ssssshhh... there there...” The voice was warm, like a caretaker's. Flash sensed a curvaceous pink shape melting gracefully to the floor beside him like a wax flower. The air was rich with spicy perfume, like the inside of the most expensive French boutique imaginable. “Allow me. It's the least I could do.”

“I'm sorry!” Flash stammered. “I didn't mean to—“ And he paused in mid-blink.

A magnificent specimen of womanhood was crouching before him, an act of nimble grace made all the more spectacular by the fact that she was performing this feat in a tight-yet-modest pencil-skirt. Flash watched as well-manicured hands liquidly scooped up the contents of his bag, with immaculate nail-polish that shined like gold in the laboratory light. He was too transfixed with the ballet-like ease with which this angelic businessperson accumulated all his things that he failed to take notice all of the curious extras that Sunset had stealthily added to his kit: a triad of hair ribbons, a pink brush, a packet of facial wipes, and what was undeniably a miniature can of mace spray. All of this was packed neatly and expertly into his purse within the span of ten narrow seconds, and Flash's eyes met hers.

Rose pupils, infinitely dazzling. Off-set by glamorous touches of teal eye shadow above her thick lashes. A soft skin that looked like fuchsia velvet. And a fountainous head of hair, alternating luxuriously between gold, pink, and regal violet bands. The woman stood tall, proper, and pristine—clad from head to toe in a modest yet authoritarian business dress. Her smile was a tranquil one, delicately maintained to dam in so much bursting splendor, and her lusciously curvaceous frame made every other soul in that chamber look like a living rectangle. Never before had Flash seen someone look so much like a supermodel and a prime minister all at once.

“Are you quite alright?” The woman reached a hand down.

Flash took it. Her fingers were warm and sisterly to the touch. He let loose a tender gasp as she effortlessly hoisted him up into a standing position. He was alarmed—humbled, even—to see that his brow was nearly even to her chin level. It was the closest he had come to staring absolute femininity straight in the eye, and it almost made him fall down again.

“I'm used to flattering others with compliments but not flattening them.” She smiled sweetly and handed the purse back to the boi. “Here you go. I do hope everything is in order.”

“Yes...” He squeaked, taking the purse and hugging it to his chest. “Everything is beautiful.” A wince, and he hugged the purse tighter. “I-I mean... everything is you...!” He winced again, and he hugged the purse till near-bursting. “I-I-I mean... beautiful is everyyou is—uuhhhh... uhmmmmm—!”

“How 'bout...” The woman gently took the purse from his grip and led him—and the bag—back to the sofa. “...we start over.” She sat the both of them down, facing him with her hands folded neatly in her lap. “You're a new face around here. And a pretty one at that.”

“You...” Flash stammered, his voice catching in his throat, turning higher and higher in giddy incredulousness. “You think that... that I'm...”

The woman hummed through a chuckle and merely gave a queenly nod. “Is that so hard to believe?” Her eyes darted towards the center of the room. “I saw you come in with Sunset Shimmer. She... does have a habit of making the prettiest of friends.”

Flash gulped. “Then... y-you must be one of her b-best...”

The businessperson merely smiled at that. “My my... we are all just... chock-full of compliments these days.” She straightened her already perfect bangs and looked him over with a warm, contemplative breath. “Am I right to guess that you are Flash Sentry?”

“You...” Flash nearly whimpered. “...you know me?”

“That I do. Courtesy of a photographic memory. Or at least... my beloved Shining says I have one. Not that it matters, Flash. You're a great deal more memorable than you give credit.”

“Wait...” He squinted, hand raised. “...I do know you.”

“Oh? Is it all coming back?”

“The Friendship Games... Canterlot High... Crystal Prep...” His eyes narrowed. “... … ...that cross-city fair where they had the 'Dunk-a-Dean' game!”

“Oh yes...” Her eyes rolled pretty and painful across the laboratory. “Truly unforgettable, that weekend.” She sighed into a wry smile. “I swear I had nightmares of hearing rubber balls striking metal targets for months afterwards.”

“Dean Cadance!” Flash chirped. “Or... no... wait...” He squinted. “You became Principal afterwards... right? Principal of Crystal Prep?”

“A proud time of my life,” Cadance said with a nod. “But I much prefer Doctor Cadance nowadays.”

“Oh...” Flash scrunched into his seat, legs dangling with guilty, curled toes. “I-I'm sorry!”

“Don't be. You didn't know.” Cadance leaned back in her sofa seat and exhaled slowly. “Truth is, Flash, we've all spent far too much time away from each other.” She glanced towards the bustling center of the chamber. “From what I hear, Miss Sunset is attempting to remedy that.”

“You know her these days?” Flash said. He spent a few seconds blinking stupidly, and then he sat up with a bright expression. “You're the 'boss lady' of Cadenza Corp?”

“Hahahaha...” Cadance swept her bangs back again with a dry smirk. “Oh, how I love Pinkie Pie... but I truly truly wish that her impulsive nicknames didn't stick so easily.”

“Still... you're the one who's funding Sunset and the Elements of Harmony and... uhm... all their super big houses and cars and stuff.”

“That's a rather simplistic way of putting it,” Cadance said. “Perhaps you may or may not believe me when I tell you that Sunset, Twilight, and their friends have given me far... far more priceless gifts in return.”

“I... I should have figured it out...” Flash sat cutely on his sofa seat, swinging his legs childishly as he smiled up at the corporate executive. “You're the sole heir of Cadenza Corp! That explains so much.”

“And you're a proud family member of one of our biggest partners in the pharmaceutical industry,” Cadance said. “Although most experts might deem us 'rivals.'”

Just like that, Flash's smile faded. He looked towards the floor. “Yeah, well... I guess that's true too.”

Cadance cocked her head aside with a thoughtful expression. “So... perhaps not so proud.”

“... … ...” Flash remained silent.

Cadance leaned in. “I hear that Sunset found you in some pretty rough straits the other night.”

“Mmmmm...” Flash nodded without looking. “She took me in. I... I owe her a lot. I really do.”

“And she's been... taking care of you this whole time?” Cadance asked softly. “...Flash?”

Blinking, he looked up at her with an eyebrow raised. “Uhm... yes?”

Cadance remained deadpan.

“Er... why?” Flash's brow furrowed. “Is there a reason why she wouldn't be?”

Cadance looked off at Sunset, Sunburst, and the crowd of ecstatic workers. After a firm breath, she stood up. “How about... we continue this conversation somewhere more comfortable?”

“... … …?” Flash merely blinked up at her.

“It's just up the steps,” Cadance gestured with a smile. “Overlooking this very room. I know for a fact that Sunset's gonna be headed there soon to meet with me anyways. We can greet her together.”

Flash nodded. “Uh... sure! Okay...” He slid his sandal back on, picked up his purse, and stood up. “Is... is everything okay?”

“I should say so.” She winked back at him as she led the way. “Girl talk!”

Flash chewed on his lip, blushing as he looked aside in mid-step. “Uhm... Miss... er... Doctor Cadance? I... uh... I think you should know s-something about me—”

“I know all about you, Flash Sentry,” Cadance stated. After ascending the small set of stairs, she opened the door into her office for him. “And it's quite alright. More than alright.” She smiled. “I promise.”

He gaped at her. “Did Sunset tell you?”

Cadance merely smiled.

Flash rolled his eyes. “Twilight.”

“Mmmmhmmmm.” Cadance led him inside. “No surprise, I'm sure. She does tell me everything.”

“How is Twilight Sparkle these days?”

“Hasn't Sunset told you?” Cadance held back a proud laugh. “Drop dead gorgeous!”

“Heh...” Flash stepped through the door, smiling crookedly. “You all really are the best of friends.”