Stripes and Crimson - The Meeting

Final's Estate - Final's Quarters

It was very early in the morning and Celestia's golden sun still had not yet breached the mountain peaks. Not a single sound disturbed the empty halls of the estate, sans the soft wing beats of a certain thestral mare. Arabella had done her best to keep quiet so as not to wake her superior.

The mare had already started on the cleaning of the manor, her eye having caught the letter left by Shadow and Luna. As she moved the letter from the night stand, she could not help but give the Stallion a warm smile as she watched the slow and laboured breaths of his sleeping figure while the one who was in her charge lay sprawled across him awkwardly, flopped across his belly, the underside of her thigh pressed against his neck and her back hoof kicking idly at the air every so often in a cute display that one would find akin to a sleeping puppy.

The thestral continued cleaning deep in the confines of Final's quarters, while Shadow began to stir. As he groggily opened his lidded eyes, the first thing he saw was Final's tail and bow pressed against his muzzle. This accompanied by the initial scent of the mare was confusing, but not unwelcome for him to wake up to.

"Uhhh... hon. Not that I mind or anything, but why is your red ass in my face?"

Final stirred, her ears flickering as she picked up the sound of his soft voice. "yawwwn... I already told you my ass isn't red.

The zony smirked some before swatting her flank rather harshly with the underside of his hoof.

SMACK!!!

"Yipe!" Final let out a yelp as his hoof struck.

"It is now,hon... Now let me up. Your ass, while very nice and all is not doing me any favors right now... "He stated rather firmly.

Final having remembered back to the night before regarding Shadow's feelings towards boundaries, immediately hopped to, her flank still stinging slightly as Shadow got a full view of her rear.

"Oh shit... Did I do that?" He asked

"Oh don't act so surprised.... You know very well you did that... owwiiie."The mare whined in a pitch that would Rival Ponyville's finest fashionista. "Did you have toooo?" She asked with a pout while staring back at the zony.

Shadow immediately became flustered as the mare played to his more sensitive and protective side. He inwardly cursed himself out feeling rather guilty as he did so. "I- I'm sorry Final, I don't know what came over me. I'll make it up to you..."

Final turned and faced forward with a calculated grin as she said back over her shoulder. "You my handsome Stallion can in fact make it up to me... "She turned around and slowly crawled up his figure until her muzzle was level with his. "My favourite coffee place is not too far from here. You can take me there for a coffee today with some of those bits you earned taking me out." She smirked. "Taking a mare out, only to end up taking her out... Now that IS irony."

Shadow rolled his eyes at the mare and gave her a playful shove. "No puns..." He paused in his tracks as he noticed something out of place. His letter, where was his letter?! "Shit, she can't see that!" He shouted, bolting off the bed and searching the floor frantically.

"I can't see what?" Final queried the Stallion.

"I didn't even say you!" He shouted in a panicked tone.

"I know, I just naturally assumed that it was regarding me because of the way you are getting so worked up... I do have that effect on ponies..." Final said as she stretched cat-like across the bed.

"Would you drop the ego for one second... this is important, but you're right. It's about you and something I would rather keep between myself and Luna for now." Shadow thought for a moment. If she found out that Luna tasked me with looking after her, she may get the wrong idea... I can't let her see that letter.

"Anyway, get that red ass out of bed... I owe you a coffee and I will not renege on that promise." He said with a stretch, cracking his spine in the process. "nnnng- that's the stuff..."

"Very well, I shall go and get ready and you can feel free to do whatever." Final said as she hopped down from the bed and headed for the bathroom to get ready for their little outing.

"Do whatever hmm..?" for the next forty or so minutes presumably, he would have the manor to himself, sans the thestral. perhaps he would return Final's favour from last night and admire her assets. He chuckled as he entertained the thought, making his way to the bathroom to get a front row seat and to enjoy the show.

Shadow like his namesake was stealth incarnate, and unlike Final... graceful he was. He watched as the mare perused through her selection of clothing, slipping on her heels and adjusting the straps accordingly so that they wrapped tightly around her ankles, letting cute padlocks hang freely at the sides, giving any potentially dirty minded Stallion or Mare ideas.

"Why heels Final..? You know they are impractical and for the most part look ridiculous and you of all ponies do not seem to be capable of wearing them without falling on your face..." He said pointedly to himself as Final was out of earshot. He was quick to eat his words however as Final then put on a graceful display as she adjusted to her heels, almost as if she were more in her element while wearing them than not. He also had to admit, while ponies usually did not pull them off, they did well to accent her legs and posture while making her even hotter than he'd imagined.

"ffffffuck..." It was all he could say really, and who could blame him? Final in heels was truly a sight to behold, and graceful she was... Surprisingly.

After spending the better part of an hour getting ready, mostly delicately applying her eyeliner, Final made her way out of the walk in vanity and over to Shadow who was casually stroking Arabella's mane on the bed.

"I was about to say, it took you long enough. did ya get lost?" The Zony asked mockingly.

"if you must know..." The mare sniped back, "My mane was caked in what I can only hope was your drool..."

"only hope was my- oh no..." The Zony thought to himself. "Ya know, I heard it's actually good for hair and the complexion..." He said, trying to make light of the situation.

Final enjoyed messing with Shadow, so she continued. "Now, I use the word hope rather loosely here, mainly for your sake because to be honest it's been so long that I wouldn't mind in the slightest."

Shadow's eye twitched somewhat. "parden..?" he queried. This mare was going to be the death of him and he was enjoying every minute of it.

Final chuckled to herself and tapped the Zony on the shoulder. "Oh relax Shadow, I was only teasing."

"Yah, no shit... ya good at that." He said dryly.

Final shrugged, levitating her coat to her as she headed for the door. "well, aren't you coming..?" She asked as Shadow still sat there stroking the thestral's mane. He loved bat ponies, even had one of his own that he knew named Moonlight.

"Well of course i'm coming, but i'm kinda trapped right now..." He said, gesturing to the sleeping thestral.

Final let out an irritated sigh. "Fine, i'll wait in the hall..." She said making her way to the entrance. Something on the table near the front door caught her eye however. It was the letter from Princess Luna she had forgone prying into last night. Curiosity got the best of her however, and if he was going to keep her waiting, she would simply read his shit.

"I... what?" Final dropped the letter, turning to Shadow who had just entered the hall.

"Damn Final that mare is a cute- oh..." His eyes went from Final to the letter and back to Final once more. "How much did you read?"

Finals response was one of defeat. "Enough... I think you should leave."

"Leave, now why would I do that?" He asked, knowing full well that she was upset.

"Because you- I thought we... You only put up with me for her!"

"No, I put up with you for me." he replied curtly. "Because as stupid as it sounds, I may have finally found somepony I am actually interested in."

"BULLSHIT! you did it for your dick and were probably just going to fuck me and fuck me off! you already have Luna!" She shouted, almost in tears.

In his rage at both himself and her accusations, he shouted back, making his feelings quite clear. "FUCK LUNA!!!" This knocked her back a peg as she sat there pulling her hoof back in a type of flinch. She paused briefly, her face on of both shock and flattery as she knew he respected Luna more than to say that. Did this mean his feelings for her outweighed even that respect for his beloved Princess?

"Fuck Luna, because she has nothing to do with how I feel... So don't you dare..."

Without another word, Final stepped closer and put her hoof on his. "Alright then, new plan... You're not getting me coffee as an apology... you're taking me on a date." She said rather bashfully, her cheeks flushing crimson, like her mane.

Shadow's muzzle turned about as red as Final's mane and flank if you want to go there..."A d- date?" Becoming flustered, he took a moment to get his head around it. Yes, he was absolutely infatuated by this mare and yes he absolutely wanted to turn her bed into a giant crater with her beneath him... but this seemed a little faster than the casual bit of fun he was used to.

"well..?" Final asked, fluttering her eyelashes cutely.

"fuck..."

"Maybe if you're good..." The mare replied in a sultry tone.

"shit..." He said following up his initial lack of vocabulary for the given moment.

Final raised her eyebrow in response. "yeeeeah... no, not into that."

Shadow responded with what would be one of many new catch phrases. "For fuck sake Final..."

They both made for the entrance, Final leading the way and Shadow in tow as he grabbed his coat while enjoying the view. Setting their sights towards Ponyville, this would be the first of many coffee dates for the two.

Ponyville - Marketplace

Before long, the two ponies had made it to the Ponyville marketplace. It was here supposedly that they would find a nice cafe. Shadow was less than convinced and while he did not partake in the enjoyment of coffee like our resident immortal, he did have some knowledge, especially pertaining to the fact that while rustic villages are a nice getaway and a nice touch to a date, she would in fact fare better in her en-devour for the perfect brew in the confines of Canterlot city. Final of course knew this, but wanted the Stallion to enjoy his time as much as her.

"You know Final" Shadow spoke up as they walked. "The better choice for coffee would be in a main city rather than a country town, any particular reason you decided on Ponyville other than the obvious 'Shadow can't teleport'?"

Now, Final was known for being quite boastful and talking herself up when the time called for it, but the occasion had not yet called for it and she wanted to make a good impression on this Stallion so that he could make a good impression on her mattress later. She chuckled silently to herself at that little quip.

They had arrived at a quaint little cottage amongst what seemed like a small homestead within a little knoll off of the beaten track from the marketplace, the sign which hung above the doorway read 'The Morning Bite - for all your waking up needs'.

Shadow seemed a little weary as the name was too cliche, but the sudden appearance of the waitress was quick to sway him, also a few words from Final. "Oh look, a thestral."

"Ooh, where?!" Shadow replied all excited as he looked around like dog looking for it's missing treat.

The newer mare giggled and said in a country drawl. "Over here cutie" but then proceeded to cover her muzzle with a blush while cautiously looking at Final, the red head not even being fazed.

Final decided to break the ice and kill all awkward tension. "Look sweetie, you can stop shitting last nights fruit cup and relax. We're not together and more to the point, even if we were there is something you should know about me... I don't mind sharing." She said with a lidded gaze towards the thestral mare while resting her chin on her hooves and elbows on the table.

Shadow snickered and turned to Final. "Final don't be mean to the poor mare, you can clearly see she is interested, stop toying with her"

The thestral looked as though she were about to tear up before Final responded with. "Oh, I'm not toying with this mare, (as much as I want to be...)" She said with a giggle.

"Oh shit... you're not joking. Um, random bat mare, she is not joking..." He said with quite the worried expression.

This earn't a surprised gasp from the mare, her breath catching in her throat. "Ah- hem... Ah think we should get your order outta the way fore' skippin ta desert..."

Final took a serious tone once more as she placed her order. "I'll have a hazelnut latte with almond milk if you have it, and I'll try your strongest blend. Captain Adult here doesn't like coffee so I'll see what he wants instead."

Shadow simply glared at Final as he retorted. "Not all ponies are museum exhibit worthy, Final... Some of us youngin's want to keep our tastebuds in check... Despite the fact that I don't have much of a sweet tooth myself. Point taken and acknowledged, but still fuck you ya ancient relic..." He continued to browse the menu, and something caught his eye... "Oohh, now ya know I said I wasn't much of a sweet tooth, but ya can't go wrong with a good root beer" The zony said as he looked up at the mare.

The thestral turned to both parties. " Ya done orderin darlin's?"

Final looked the menu over once more and thought fuck it, why not. "Actually, I'll have a slice of the red velvet if that's alright?"

The thestral replied enthusiastically. "Course it is darlin, after all, the more you order the more food goes into mah own mouth"

Final couldn't help herself as the opportunity was served to her on a silver platter, by a waitress of all ponies. "Oh sweetie, you should know that bits or no, at Casa de Final you eat out for free..." She said with a whimsical smirk towards the mare, causing her to shrink down some as the female dominant teased her with just her words."

Shadow simply shook his head. "For fuck sake! Final..."

Clearing her throat some,the thestral relayed the orders. "So that'd be one hazelnut almond milk latte and a red velvet fer you Red and-" She was at a loss of how to address the zony as she didn't wish to come off as racist.

Shadow picked up on this however and helped the mare out. "Alright, if ya going to call Final a color based name, then it's not racist if you go with one for me as well. Some friends call me Stripes but my name is actually Shadow Strike. And you are, if ya don't mind me asking?"

The mare hardly skipped a beat. "The names Shilo, darlin... and ah don't mind at all." She said, casually sizing him up.

As the mare sauntered back off to the kitchen, obviously to prepare the couple's orders, Shadow stared at Final. "Really..?" He queried the red head.

"What..? Did you honestly expect any less from me?" She replied as he simply shook his head. "Come on hon, you can't deny that she is a cutie."

Shadow could not fight her on that one, as mares went, she was indeed cute and a thestral to boot. "Alright fine, I'll agree that she's cute if you get off my back about it and tone it down for five minutes.. Now i know that is asking a lot but note that I said "tone it down" instead of 'behave' because we both know that is asking the impossible."

Final begrudgingly slunk in her chair, lifting her head and groaned... "Uugh... Fine, I won't be lewd for the next five minutes dad... She then added with a hiss "Are you happy?"

Shadow chuckled victoriously. "Yes... That I am."

"Smartass..." Final said with a pout.

"Hey, you brought this upon yourself..." Shadow affirmed. "Now shut up and drink your precious wake up bean water."

Finals eyes lit up as she saw the mare approaching their table with her beloved coffee. Before it had touched the table, Final reached out with her magic and took the treat to her lips. Shadow was quick to berate her. "Final, manners..."

Final responded with a growl before sipping her elixir once again.

Having regained her vigor for the day, she proceeded to prod Shadow with questions about his adventures and travels. She did after all want to learn all she could about her Stallion of interest, and what better way than over a nice coffee date?

Shadow was about to answer her latest question which had something to do with a demon called a Hymm, which he had apparently encountered in his travels. "They are parasites that latch on to tainted souls and live off of their host. Bad and evil deeds feed them until it has had it's fill." He looked Final deep in the eyes, heart full of pain and a serious tone to his voice. "If you encounter one with a host, consider yourself lucky you were not the victim. They will not harm the host, however I would rather be harmed than subjected to forced evil deeds of my own doing against my will while being puppeteered."

Final took a moment to process this, wondering just what this Stallion had been subjected to. She placed a comforting hoof on his and gave him a reassuring smile. "You are far too pure to play host to such an abomination." With a smirk, she also added. "besides, my idea of fun is making you suffer with my own special brand of punishments... I daresay the Hymm would likely be scarred for life.

Shadow stared at Final, eyes wide and mouth agape."You really do scare me sometimes...

"You love it." The mare interjected.

"Uugh... You're not wrong."

Final smirked once again. "Name a time when I ever was in the short time we've known each other."

"I'd give it about one more day before I can answer that properly" He said with sarcasm.

"and what is that supposed to mean?" she asked incredulously.

"You're you... You're either going to be too stubborn, try to prove me wrong and royally fuck up or you're actually going to make an honest attempt, be a derp and royally fuck up. Either way, I cannot give you a definitive answer until tomorrow when it actually happens, which it will." He paused for a moment and let out a sigh. "Reason being... I have not known you for even 24 hours yet, but I'm counting on you to fuck up at least once a day..."

Final stared at him with an annoyed expression. "Gee, I love that you have confidence in me and my abilities... Such a supportive husband you'll make."

Shadow spat out his beverage and started choking.

"Annnnd, got him." She then added for extra salt in the wound. "But in your dreams sweetie, maybe I can talk to Lu for you?" She suggested, referring to the princess of the night.

"COUGH COUGH- H- ACK.... You're a bitch, d'ya know that?" The zony choked.

"No shit Shadow, You practically tell me every day... You've only known me for one so... yeah, every day." She observed.

Shadow rolled his eyes as the thestral returned with the Red Velvet cake that Final had ordered.

"Ooooh, now that is the third most appetizing thing I have seen all day. I could just eat you up..." Final said eagerly

The thestral turned to Shadow with a puzzled look.

"Stripes, Pink bat, Red velvet..." The zony made a point of listing off each appetizing thing from Final's morning, leading the mare to blush once more. "But Final... You wouldn't want to upset Arabella by not including her now, would you..?" The zony goaded.

"Fine, the FOURTH most appetising thing" Final corrected herself.

Shadow smirked smugly at Final. "Good girl... I guess this is my life now..." He looked on as Final enjoyed her prize.

Could be worse I guess...

As they each finished their snack and drink respectfully, they took a moment to take in the beautiful scenery around them. They were in a little knoll right behind the market, almost akin to the old historically preserved towns of Denmare, specifically the surrounding isles. The rooftops were overgrown with what appeared to be grass or moss of some sort, creating a soft cushion of insulation between the sun and the tiled roofs.

The structures were built between grassy knolls which appeared to be straight out of the renaissance, the local boutique towering up over the trees behind, being the only noticeable landmark to guide one back into town. It really was off the beaten track and quite well hidden if you did not know where to go. It was so well hidden in fact that one could even liken it to a trap street, if you had no prior knowledge of the place you would likely never find it. It was perfect.

Shadow let out a content sigh. "Ya know Final, as far as coffee places go, this was not a bad pick. Really quite beautiful if I'm being honest."

"I know, I really am.." Final said pretentiously.

"annnd ya went and ruined it... good job, I think I have some dog treats lying around here somewhere." He said mockingly.

Final simply glared daggers at the Stallion. "I am not a dog, Shadow..." She paused for dramatic effect. "But, I will bite..."

Shadow simply gulped and backed down, because knowing her, consent or not she was probably referring to his Stallionhood. "Yeah let's not bite of the zony's dick please..."

"Whatever you say sweetie, you are in charge after all" She said, messing with the Stallion and catching him off guard with such an offhanded comment.

"Wait, you say what now?" The zony asked in disbelief as the mare gave him yet another whimsical stare. Damn she was good at making him uncomfortable in the best of ways.

"Exactly what I just said..." She said while leaning across and walking her hooves up his chest. "You." She made a point by tapping his chest with her hoof for each syllable. "are... in... Charge." She pushed her hoof into him, tilting his chaair back and knocking him to the ground comically.

"Oof!" The Stallion was stunned and took a moment regain his composure. "Ok... I'm going to be first to call bullshit on that, because since when did you ever listen to anything I say? Or anypony for that mater..." He added pointedly..

"Well, I'm a switch if we're being honest and I think I like and respect you enough to give you the leash for some time, it could be fun." She said in a serious tone.

"oh for fuck sake, Final..." Shadow groaned. "Would you just sit back down and behave." He continued.

Final instantly picked herself up and sat down quietly, while staring up at him with an heir of surrender in her eyes.

Now Shadow knew she was eager, there was no mistake. But to lower herself to this... That was a surprise, but not unwelcome in the slightest. In fact, the zony could have quite a bit of fun with this. Without taking his eyes off of the mare, he gave a simple order. "Stop eating..."

Final, while quite distraught at this new chain of events still did as she was told and stopped, turning her head in curious anticipation for what the zony had planned.

Embarrassment, embarrassment and humiliation is what he had in mind.

"Now, close your eyes and no peaking..." He commanded.

Without skipping a beat, Final did as she was told as Shadow placed the remaining cake on her muzzle with a snicker. "alright, now wait for my command like a good bitch..."

"Oh you are milking the hell out of this, but you wait Shadow..." She thought to herself as she balanced the cke on her muzzle with a hypnotized expression while Shilo watched form the sidelines, trying to hold back her amusement.

Without warning, Shadow shouted. "Ok girl, now!" With a toss of her head, the cake flew about a hoof into the air and made it's way back down to the front of Final's muzzle. But instead of snapping for it with her teeth, the red head keppt her maw closed and shoved her head forward, boopig the cake with her muzzle with significant force, launching it right at the zony's face.

SPLAT!!!

The cake hit it's target successfully, exploding into spongy, creamy and sweet display of color all over the stunned Shadow's face.

Final could not help but snort at the display as she watched his expression flatten to one of annoyance. He stood up and dropped his bits on the table, thanked the thestral for the drink and stormed off towards what Final believed was the direction of the park. Again, you really can't tell with all the surrounding hills.

Knowing she had more than likely fucked up big time, Final got to her hooves, also thanked the bat and went in pursuit of the Stallion. "Wait, Shadow!"

Minutes had passed and she had tracked him to a small pond nearby. He was sitting alone, head down and eyes closed. For a moment she could swear she saw moisture in the corners of his eyes but he would never admit that.

"Go away, Final..." He really seemed quite hurt by her actions.

She sat beside him, laying her chin against him. "Now, why would I do that..?"

"Because I requested it, "Pet"" He said the last part through his teeth. "Now fuck off..." He was not impressed that he had been strung along so easily.

"I really don't want to, and so we are clear, while I did want to have a little fun... I actually meant what I said." Final said, while making sure to be as sincere as possible.

"Oh really..? You know I need more time to get to know a mare..." The zony said, giving her a gentle reminder.

Final raised a brow at this. "I'm calling bullshit, because Luna's slit would like a word...."

The zony turned to her... "That's not a relationship, that's just sex..." He said in a frustrated tone, as if he hadn't explained it several times already.

Final got up close and personal to the Stallion, leaning her body close to his, and gently gliding her tongue up his cheek licking off the cake. "We can still play even though we're not a couple..." She then smirked some as she nibbled his ear. "And you get to play with Luna still, so you're having your cake and eating it too."

Shadow shuddered as she nibbled his ear, but had to deadpan at the pun. "Did you really just-"

He was cut off as Final pressed her muzzle to his in an act of lust that had been building within her since she first saw this hunk of a Stallion. He pressed back, allowing her entry into his mouth, their tongues at war, almost as if they were fighting over the recent events that had unfolded, taking out their aggression on each other.

The kiss went on for a few minutes, both parties short of breath by the end.

"wow..." It was all Shadow could say, Final was a hell of a kisser. "That was... wow."

"Well..? Luna hasn't contacted you quite yet. What say we enjoy the rest of today in private?" The zony was a little hesitant as things were moving a little quick.

"Ummm..." Shadow began.

He was cut off by the mare who simply offered a proposal with a deadpan. "You can bring the Bat."

His eyes lit up and he shouted an affirmative. "Yes ma'am!"

Both parties made their way back to the cafe and Shadow cleaned himself off, with much fussing and a little help from Final.

"Oh that... that sounds like a heck of a time if ah do say so mahself. So who outta ya'll are runnin this rodeo?" The thestral asked in her southern drawl.

Shadow pointed at Final almost accusingly."Who else..?"

"Ah, makes sense, point taken..." Shilo was quick to roll her eyes as she realized it was a silly question as it went without saying... She knew the mare for little more than a few hours and already knew she was a pervert...

"Oh, by the way Shadow?" Final asked.

The Stallion turned to her. "Yes Final?"

"Same question as before. When have you ever known me to fuck up?" She asked one again.

"Well,I would say the cake incident... buuuut you saved it in the end so let's wait until tomorrow." He said with a chuckle.

"Hey!" The mare complained with a pout, crossing her hooves.

Both Shadow and Shilo turned to each other and burst out laughing.

It was indeed going to be an interesting day.

End chapter Three