Feathers and Leather

It was raining in Canterlot as Pearl ran through the streets, trying to stay under umbrellas and overhangs to stay as dry as possible. She cursed softly as she finally made it to the coffee shop, taking a moment to catch her breath and shake off some of the water before walking in. She was greeted with the smell of roasting beans and sweets being baked and relaxed a bit.

Pearl made her way to the counter, asking for the ‘house special, 5 scoops of sugar.’

It was a code word for society members to be let into the ‘Clocktower Friendly’ room, where she knew Ebony would be waiting for her. The hostess knew her, and she knew the hostess, but this sort of dance was necessary to ensure safety.

After ringing up her order Pearl gave her a clawfull of bits and one special coin. The coin was something given to members and usually kept in the pipsub, inscribed with the clocktower insignia. This was stage 2 of the code word, in case someone really did just want a house special with five scoops of sugar.

The mare took the coin and slyly deposited it in her apron, nodding her off to the side. Pearl moved over, letting the next customer order. When her order was called Pearl took the cup of ‘coffee’ - in actuality just an empty cup that only had a key inside - and went back outside and into the alley next to the building.

Thankfully the alleyway was covered, Pearl’s ear tufts flicking at the sound of rain pounding on the tin overhang. She walked a couple steps down until she saw a door with a faint clockface carved into it, opening the cup and taking the key out. She opened the door and stepped in to the cozy space.

It looked much like the coffee shop she had just been in, the same smells, same food and drink offered, but it offered a safe space for Clocktower related business - without needing to take place in the Society itself.

A stallion behind the counter returned her coin for the key, quickly making her actual order. Pearl smiled at the cup of vanilla chai tea, a beautiful rose designed on top in foam.

“Beautiful as always Toffee, thank you.”

The stallion smiled and nodded near the back. “Ebony is back there.”

Pearl nodded, taking her cup and letting out a deep breath before making her way to the back. Dread hung heavy on her claws and paws as she hesitantly walked, her mind swirling with just why she was meeting with Ebony. She had a wonderful night with someone, but they both wore red. Her contract at the auction was only a single night. There was that moment in the shower. The night of tears and tissues when she got back home.

Pearl put her tongue in her beak as she saw the back of Ebony’s head, taking another moment before forcing herself to the table. “Ah, hello Pearl dear. I was almost afraid you would try and skip this meeting.”

While anyone could hear the teasing in her tone, Pearl recognized the threat in her eyes if she had tried to not come.

She smiled and chuckled nervously, “Heh, you know I would never do that Ebony...”

“...again.”

Ebony raised an eyebrow, pretending not to hear Pearl’s addition. She nodded at the seat opposite her. “Sit.”

Pearl quickly did so, she had seen Ebony angry before, and did not fancy making her upset again. While she was there to comfort and guide Pearl, she had a ‘tough love with no nonsense’ approach.

“So, Pearl, about what happened the other day, care to elaborate?”

Even though it was phrased as a question Pearl knew it was anything but rhetorical. “Uh...well, you see that was the night I was placed in auction…”

Ebony nodded, “Yes, I recall seeing your name on the rosters. Did it not go well? I would think a griffon slave would be a great buy.”

Pearl sighed, looking down at her cup. “That’s the thing…”

She looked up, tears pricking her eyes. “It went amazingly. I was sold to a thestral named Snow Quill and she took me to ‘The Sweet Spot’ and then to her apartment after where we had the most wonderful shower. She washed me and preened my feathers Ebony! It was during that shower that something...something happened. I don’t know what triggered it but I looked in her eyes, and all of a sudden I felt I couldn’t be without her. Ebony, you are going to think I’m crazy...But I think I fell in love.”

Ebony nodded along, a slight smirk spreading across her lips. “I thought that might have been the case. I requested the presence of a special guest for our meeting, I hope you can forgive me.”

Pearl blinked and cocked her head at Ebony. “Huh? Who?”

“Good afternoon ladies, this seat taken?”

Pearl’s wings poofed out, her fur standing on end at the voice. Slowly, she turned her head to confirm that, yes, Princess Cadence was standing right in front of her. Her jaw dropped, much to the amusement of the Princess of Love. “Oh my Ebony, you were right, she is an absolutely adorable griffon!”

Pearl struggled to bring her wings back to her sides and close her beak, watching with wide eyes as Cadence slipped into the seat next to Ebony, embracing her like a close friend. “P...Princ...Princ-ce-cess..”

Cadence giggled and extended a hoof to Pearl. “Please, call me Cadence dear.”

Pearl’s thoughts swirled at an alarming speed, rushing through her mind like a roaring river as she struggled to make sense of what was happening before her.

Her brain decided it was simply too much and Pearl fell forward onto the table, fainting from the overload of information. She vaguely heard the yelps and cries of the mares before darkness overcame her.

~~

“-arl? Pearl? Pearl please wake up darling.”

“H-huh..?”

Pearl slowly opened her eyes, seeing Ebony’s worried gaze. She could feel something warm and fluffy behind her, tilting her head to see Princess Cadence holding her. “Shh, deep breaths dear, deep breaths.”

Pearl nodded, still in a bit of a daze. She closed her eyes again, just relaxing in her comforting hold.

The comforting hold of a princess.

A pony princess.

Pearl’s eyes shot open and she lunged forward, scrambling away from her and rushing out a series of apologies. “Oh my goodness I’m so sorry your highness please forgive me!”

She quickly turned and bowed deeply, shaking slightly as her mind screamed at her for how stupid she was. She flinched at feeling a hoof on her shoulder, “It’s okay Pearl, I promise. You may rise.”

She nodded, gulping as she looked up into Cadence’s...kind...and worried...and totally not upset in any way eyes...

Pearl slapped a claw over her face, groaning in embarrassment as a blush spread across her cheeks. “I am so sorry Prin- C-Cadence.”

She smiled and gently nuzzled Pearl, “It’s quite alright my dear, your dear Den Mother should have warned you before hand.”

Pearl blinked as she saw Ebony wince, ears flat against her head as she muttered something. The griffon giggled, it was quite a treat to see Ebony flustered.

“Now then, we have matters to discuss. Pearl, would you like to sit in the booth? I ordered another one of your drinks, the other one...Well...Toffee wasn't too mad about the broken cup, rest assured.”

“Wait, WHAT?!”

~~

A short time later, after many more apologies and flustered explanations, the two mares and hen sat and talked.

Cadence nodded along to Pearl’s story as she recounted what she had already told Ebony earlier, smiling warmly the entire time.

“Well Pearl, what have you heard about me? In and out of the Society.”

“Well, you are the Den Matriarch, in charge of all the Den Mothers. You are also the Princess of Love and help Clocktower West’s Genderwise division.”

“Very correct Pearl. Now, why do you suppose I am here?”

“Because Ebony asked you to be?”

“Well, yes and no. Do you remember the history of the Fire of Devotion?”

Pearl hummed, putting her tongue in her beak and thinking. “The Fire of Devotion helps protect Equestria.”

“Yes it does. Now, what is not so widely known, is that it speaks to us.”

“Wha-huh?”

Cadence and Ebony giggled, looking at each other before looking back at Pearl. “The princess speaks true Pearl. The Fire is so much more than a protective force, it lives and breathes as we do. It senses budding devotion and recruits us Den Mothers to help guide love in its truest form.”

“Huh...Well, I suppose that makes sense. So, what do I do now? How are you going to ‘guide’ me?”

Cadence brought out a copy of The Canterlot Chronicles, opening it and sliding it over to Pearl. She pointed her hoof to a specific section, an advice column, ‘Ask Shimmering Stars’.

~~

Snow Quill sighed as she poked her key at the hole in her apartment door. It was a long, miserable day full of rain and asshole cab drivers and even more rain. She cursed as the key slipped out of her grasp and fell to the ground. She glared down at it, almost as if she wanted to melt it.

But if she melted it she couldn’t get into her apartment, and that would mean talking to her landlord. And paying another fee for a key to be made. And waiting for that key.

In other words, fun, fun, fun.

She swiped the key with her wing and thrusted it into the darned keyhole, sighing in relief at the soft ‘click’ signifying a successful unlocking to her abode.

She threw open the door and walked in, throwing her damp saddlebags to the side and closing the door with a back hoof.

Her ears perked as she saw her magical blower had a scroll in it. She trotted over and pulled out the scroll, a small smile lifting her lips as she was it was a letter to her advice column, ‘Ask Shimmering Stars’.

Her mood significantly improved at the thought of being able to help someone, she brought the scroll to her working desk, turned on her lamp, and laid the letter out.

Dear Shimmering Stars,

A friend told me I should write into you so I am. I am not sure exactly what to write, but I do like your column and would love some advice.

The other night, I met someone. She honestly took my breath away. We enjoyed a marvelous night together and there was this moment, this confusing yet wonderful moment in which I looked in her eyes and felt complete. I probably sound a little crazy writing this, but I swear I fell in love with her right then and there.

This is where I need your advice.

Equestria is a big place, and I don’t know how or if I can find her again. She gave me her name, but I have no idea her work or if she even felt the same way! Please, what should I do?

• Confused and in love

Snow giggled after reading the letter, her gaze softening and drifting to another piece of paper she had on her desk. She didn’t even remember taking it home, but she supposed she had.

It was a copy of the auction contract she signed when she bought that cute griffon, Pearl.

She sighed as she looked over the letter, laughing bitterly. “Heh, looks like we are in the same boat, ‘confused and in love’.”

Snow thought back to when she was sitting in the auction house...

Snow sighed as the purple on purple mare was brought up. She was an earth pony and while her kink list sounded interesting, she just didn’t interest the bored thestral.

The mare was sold in a decent bid, 15 tallies, to a stallion near the front. Snow let out another sigh. The auction had just started, that mare being the first one brought up, but Snow felt restless. She loved going to auctions, the thrill of not knowing just who would be coming up and the adrenaline rush of winning a bid against someone else sent shivers up and down her spine. But tonight, the excitement just wasn’t there.

She had just turned around to leave when an excited murmur rippled across the room. Snow turned and gasped, a beautiful griffon brought up onto the stage. Her white feathers spottled with black, those beautiful legs that reminded her of a snow leopard...

As Snow listened, she became even more entranced with the hen. She wore a red collar, and the contract was only for one night, but that didn’t matter to Snow. Even one night would be enough. As soon as the auctioneer finished his description there was a flurry of bids, Snow among them. She raised her hoof and fought her way to the front.

“10 Brands!”

Snow whipped her head around to see a medium sized dragon with a cocky grin, easily drowning out the crowd. Even Snow’s voice stuck in her throat, ‘NO! Snow, don’t give up, you can beat him!’

“10 Brands do I hear 11?”

Encouraged by her thoughts Snow cried out, “13 Brands!”

She looked over to the dragon, a slight smirk crossing her lips. The dragon yawned, “16 Brands.”

Snow growled, stomping her hoof. “20 Brands.”

“25 Brands.”

Snow shook slightly as she tried to breathe deeply. She was reaching the end of her savings, but there was something about that griffon, she just HAD to have her.

She glanced up at the auctioneer, feeling all eyes on her. The auctioneer opened his mouth but Snow beat him to it. “30 Brands.”

Snow smiled as she pulled herself from the memory, Pearl had been worth every tally.

The thestral bit her lip and pondered the letter, a niggling thought in the back of her mind begging for attention, meekly crying out that this can’t be a coincidence.

It had to be though, right?

The chances of that griffon feeling the same during...whatever happened in the shower, wanting to seek her out, writing in to hercolumn?

It was ridiculous, nearly impossible even.

No matter how much she said that to herself, her heart and that darned thought just wouldn’t let it rest.

Snow huffed, glaring at the paper that had given her joy just minutes ago. “Okay, say it isn’ta coincidence. How in Tartarus am I supposed to reply? Do I write, ‘oh hey, if this is you Pearl, its me Snow Quill, come meet me at my apartment.’”

Snow groaned and face planted onto her desk. “Okay Snow, think. You know her name, you know she is at least a sub if not a switch. You could send her a message through your pipsub. What if thats too forward though? She was willing to write in to who she thought was a stranger for advice…”

She turned her head and rested it against her desk, in intense thought. Finally, she sat up and nodded determinedly. She picked up her pen and grabbed a paper to respond.

Dear Confused and in love,

It sounds like you had a real connection with that mare, you should definitely try and pursue her! There is no harm in asking after all. Love is a special thing, especially the kind where one night has your heart singing. If you aren’t sure where to start looking for her, trying starting where you met. The journey of a thousand steps starts with one afterall. Hope that helped and I wish you the best of luck in your romantic endeavors.

• Shimmering Stars

Satisfied with her response, she rolled it and the original letter up and put it in her magical blower, where it would be printed into the paper tomorrow.

“Now then, to follow my own advice…”

Snow looked over to her saddlebags, where her clocktower badge and pipsub lay stowed within.

~~One week later~~

Pearl nervously looked at the clock in the Teahouse, watching the seconds tick by before tearing her gaze away from it...Only to look at the door, waiting and hoping to see a familiar blue mane.

She was startled by a teapot being set on the table, the maid looking at her in concern. “Are you okay dear?”

“Oh, yes, I’m fine, sorry, just, waiting for someone.”

The maid nodded and curtsied. “Of course, just wave one of us down if you need anything.”

Pearl nodded and watched her trot to another table before turning her attention back to the teapot. She poured herself a cup of the mint tea, sighing happily as she brought it to her beak and sipped at it. “Mmm, perfect.”

She closed her eyes, letting the minty steam rise from her cup and wash over her face.

“Oh my stars above I am so sorry I’m late!”

Pearl opened her eyes to see Snow, flustered and looking a bit unkempt, sit down. “You would not believethe traffic jam I had to sit through. I should have just flown but I was sharing a cab with my boss and you know how that is, especially since my piece on the Garden Party was a bit late, which totally was not my fault but...oh, look at me, rambling about work when you’ve been waiting to see me.”

Snow chuckled and shook her head, reaching for the pot and sniffing it, smiling when she discovered it was mint. She poured herself a cup as Pearl giggled. “It’s okay Snow, really. I get having stressful work, I had to cover for a coworker today at Penny Pincher’s Accounting…”

Pearl shuddered, taking another sip of her tea. “Anyways, we aren’t here to discuss work.”

Snow blushed and nodded. “N-no, no we aren't. I must say I was very relieved you responded to my message. I couldn’t believe I really found you.

“I still can’t believe I wrote a letter to you, about you.”

They both laughed, a comfortable silence settling over them after. It was quickly discovered there wouldn’t need to be any conversation, one look in each other’s eyes enough. They sipped their tea, sharing a nervous giggle and smiles as they both reached for the teapot at the same time, prompting apologies and ‘no, you first’s among more giggles.

Snow sighed happily as Pearl held her hoof across the table, the adorable compromise as Pearl poured them both new cups.

“So, Snow, where do you want to go with this?”

“Well, I would like to...date I think, for a bit. It would probably be a good idea to keep red for a while. Just because we wish to be together outside, doesn't mean we have to be together in here.”

Pearl nodded. “Of course. Though...I think I would still like to play together another time, we never did get around to, how did you phrase it, ‘fully explore a griffons body’?”

Snow blushed at her wink, stammering and looking around. “W-well if, if you really want to..”

Pearl laughed and squeezed her hoof. “You are very cute without your mask you know.”

Snow playfully pouted at her, half threatening to pull her hoof from Pearl’s claw. Pearl smirked, arching an eyebrow, “Now now dear, we both know I have my mask in my bag and you have your collar, should you wish to turn the tables~”

Snow’s face exploded in red, even her ears falling victim to the burning blush. Snow looked to the side, muttering under her breath.

Pearl just smiled and squeezed her hoof more before drinking more of her tea. “Well then, how about we go on a date now? There are plenty of restaurants here that are green areas.”

Snow looked back at Pearl and nodded, her leathery wings fluttering by her side. “S-sure, uh...what do you feel like?”

“Hmm...How do you feel about fish?”

Snow licked her lips and nodded. “Fish sounds amazing, how about ‘The Salty Herring’? I have heard good things about them.”

Pearl nodded, finishing her tea. “Sounds lovely. Well then, shall we go, my lovely lady?”

Snow blushed, standing up and taking Pearl’s offered claw. “Y-you know just because I am part thestral doesn’t mean I am of any noble blood.”

Pearl smiled and rolled her eyes playfully, “I will call you princess if I so wish, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”

Snow pouted, muttering more under her breath as she walked alongside the laughing griffon.