Unearthing a Sparkling Romance

Ivory had finished up her work day. She was soaking in the mineral hot spring pool in her cavern. It had been a good day and the pile of jewels in the cart was impressive. It had been stored in the holding grotto near the back of the cave where there was access to the private road that came up the back of the mountain.

Now the hot healing waters were doing their magic and the tension in the tight muscles was melting away.

Many questioned Ivory because of her having all the wealth that the gems had given her, why she chose to live in a cave and not a house or an apartment in Manehattan?

They only asked because they’d never been in her cave. There she had carved out a grotto that had been made up with wall boards and polished stone for the flooring, even some false windows for looks. It was as tidy as any luxury apartment.

When you opened the hidden door on the cavern wall, you entered into room after room of opulence. With the way the walls, ceiling, and floors were covered, you wouldn’t know that you were deep underground. But with the light given off by certain gems and heat from ‘fire crystals’, it was as good as any place aboveground, if not better; what uptown apartment could boast a private mineral hot spring.

Ivory decided it was time to go to her rooms to rest for the evening and eat something, so she climbed out of the pool. The mineral rich waters cascaded off her almost perfect body. A body that incited desire in both mares and stallions.

Relations mare with mare was understood as necessary because in spite of the evolution of the race, they still retained the ‘herd animal’ 10 females to 1 male birth ratio.

Relations stallion with stallion were also accepted though fewer in number because of the smaller male population.

Polygamy was also accepted but the practitioners were few with the exception around the Salt Lick City area.

But as desirable as she was, Ivory didn’t make time for such things. Work came first and truth be told, she’d never met any other pony that aroused her interest.

She scooped up her clothing but didn’t worry about getting dressed. She was down here alone so who’d notice? Maybe her little sister who’d would drop in on her once in a while, but there was nothing to hide from her. Quite often she and Marble would lounge in the hot spring together.

Marble was a little jealous that her sister’s body was so hot and she was ‘just blooming’. Marble also envied Ivory’s wealth as well, although Ivory was very generous with the bits she’d give her ‘baby’ sister.

Ivory had an almost motherly love for her sister who was almost young enough to be a daughter. But Ivory would tell marble that she was just as skinny and underdeveloped as she was when she was Marble’s age.

“Give it time, Darlin’,” Ivory would say.

But truthfully, she’d never liked that answer when she was Marble’s age either.

As Ivory went into her ‘apartment’ she saw the note she left herself, sitting on the coffee table in the living room.

“Crap!” she exclaimed to herself. She’d been so busy that she forgot the important appointment.

She had less than forty-five minutes to be downtown and meet with some business mare about a very large order.

Hurriedly she put on a nice business suit including a mid-length skirt. It was nice but not too over the top. Ivory rarely wore skirts or dresses. Not best for mining, plus she didn’t know why she decided to wear this outfit. But later she’d be happy she did.

She applied the slightest amount of mascara, a hint of blush, eye shadow and eyeliner. Then she exited the room and headed to the elevator that took her to the world above.

Ivory’s friend, Stardust Nova, often kidded that Ivory lived a troglodyte lifestyle. But what other cave dweller could boast a bank account as large as hers or a garage full of sport and luxury cars? not to mention motorcycles.

But cave dwelling had a couple drawbacks. Ivory was glad it was getting dusk, that way she didn’t have to deal with the painful getting her eyes adjusted to sunlight. She chose her favorite car parked in the garage where the lift was located. Ivory was in it and gone in no time flat.

Driving with the top down, she sometimes forgot the feel of the cool evening air and the beauty of the stars coming out. The sparkle of the crystal in the ceiling of the cavern were beautiful, but they didn’t match the real stars.

Ivory was seen by many as a very stallion like mare. She was what others would say was drop-dead-gorgeous. She stood 6’ 2” without heels, muscles that were rock hard and she was a bit gruff at times with a risqué sense of humor. But she was all mare inside. She really did like ‘girly’ things but her lifestyle made it impractical to dress up and put on makeup just to swing a pickax all day.

As Sparkling Cider entered the restaurant, she was recognized by the Maître D' as the business mare that supplied the restaurant with its fine ciders.

“Is my table ready?” asked Sparkling reaching out a hand to shake the hand of the Maître D' who took it and then gallantly kissed the back of her hand.

“Ms. Cider,” said the head waiter, “your table is always ready.”

“I’m early, but there’ll be two of us tonight,” said Sparkling.

“Very good, Ms. Cider,” said the head waiter.

She was led to the table, the reserved sign was removed and the Maître D' called over a waiter, who quickly brought over glasses of sparkling water with lemon. Sparkling ordered a bottle of their best cider (her brand) and two glasses. Aside from her line of fine ciders, she also had a line of beauty products.

Originally just lotions, creams and soaps. But she had expanded to include makeups.

This was the reason for the meeting. Some of her makeups used pulverized substandard or industrial grade gemstones for color and sparkle. Unfortunately, the supply from southern Equestria had been slowing and the quality was dropping as the prices had been increasing.

Her friend, cartoonist and artist, Ink Blots, had mentioned that there was a gem and fine crystals miner and supplier just outside of Manehattan. Word was it was some of the finest stones in Equestria.

Sparkling thought it over and was afraid that if the quality was that good, there’d be major bits involved. But she wouldn’t know if she didn’t look into it. So she contacted the owner of the mine and made an appointment for tonight.

Arriving at the restaurant where she was to meet the client, Ivory pulled up to the front and allowed the valet to park. Ivory was amused at the valet because she couldn’t stop checking her out. Entering the establishment, she inquired if her client was already there. She was informed that the lady had been waiting for twenty minutes (Ivory wasn’t late, Sparkling was early). Ivory gave the Maître D' a 50 bit note and she was led into the restaurant.

At the table she was being led, was a petite mare with short, styled blond hair and green eyes that shown like stars. Ivory noticed that her short cut blond hair was mirrored with the short (stylish) tail.

To tell the truth, she was breath taking!

Ivory suddenly was glad she’d chosen the outfit but wished she’d put some thought to the minor amount of makeup she’d put on.

Sparkling Cider had been looking over some proposal documents and a draft contract when movement in her direction caused her to look up.

She saw the Maître D' leading a mare in her direction. Mare was probably the wrong word. She appeared to be a living goddess who’s almost pure white coloration and sapphire blue eyes made her look like she was a marble statue that had come to life.

Sparkling was afraid she was going to drool.

The Maître D' motioned to the table. As Ivory approached, Sparkling stood. She was amazed at the height difference, Ivory had to be at least a foot taller if not more, and she wasn’t wearing ‘heels’. Ivory extended a hand in greeting.

“Hello, I’m Ivory, delighted to meet you,” said the mare in a pleasant and almost husky voice.

“Very pleased to make your acquaintance, I’m Sparkling Cider.” Said the mare in a voice that put music to shame.

The hand shake was gentle, but Sparkling could feel the rough hands of someone who’d worked at physical labor all her life. Also she could tell that this hand could have crushed hers, literally, if so inclined. Such was the strength that was hinted. Sparkling was having trouble remembering why she was here. Such was the attraction and yes, arousal she was feeling.

Ivory thought how dainty and soft this mare’s hand was. The type of hand that would be Elysium if it were giving a back rub. Just the touch would be exciting and perhaps, arousing.

She was afraid that if she didn’t pay attention, she’d sign over the entire claim to this beautiful mare just because she asked it and not realize what she’d done until later.

‘Sparkling Cider? How appropriate,’ thought Ivory, ‘everything about this mare is intoxicating!’

They sat and ordered dinner, Ivory insisted that they not talk business until they’d eaten. She also insisted that she’d be picking up the cheque.

Since the first days that the pony race had risen in intelligence from the four footed and hoofed Equus Ferus Caballus to the bipedal and multiple-digit Equus Ferus Sapiens; the strict herbivorous diet had changed into a omnivorous diet. Many Neo-Ponies or (just Ponies as they still referred to themselves even though there were actual Equus Ferus Caballus ponies still in existence) still stuck to the mostly vegetarian diet; such as Ivory was assuming from her order that Sparkling Cider was one such pony. Others allowed themselves the consumption of meat.

It was conjectured that do to some ecological disaster in the past, the ponies had to scavenge meat as a way to survive as do all herbivores in times of decreased food supply or the food supply lacked some nutrient such as calcium or phosphorus. It was now thought that the consumption of the extra protein had jumpstarted the development of the equine brain.

Which because of the extra need for the manipulation of things in the environment (for those who didn’t have magic), the hooves had changed to hands and feet. The vestigial 3 toes had changed to 4 fingers and an opposable thumb with five toes on their feet.

As far as magic went, those of the Unicorn race still retained a small amount. But nothing like it had been in the past. Mostly levitation and other abilities as their ‘special talents’ required. Just as Pegasi had retained wings and the ability to fly, though maybe not as well as in the past.

After hearing the very attractive mare she was dining with order a dinner salad with cheese and nuts, Ivory thought that to avoid any debate or affront, she’d order a chef salad hoping that the little meat would be acceptable. But Sparkling had ordered her salad because she was assuming Ivory might be a vegetarian.

But no mention of the food was brought up.

The conversation was light and Ivory was successful in keeping her crude humor in check. At one point, Sparkling laughed at something and she placed her hand on Ivory’s. It was about to drive Ivory wild.

When Ivory told a funny story, Sparkling laughed hard. She put her hand out to steady herself and it landed on Ivory’s. To her delight, Ivory didn’t pull back but actually took her hand and held it.

Ivory was ready to release the hand she was enjoying holding if the slightest hint or resistance appeared.

It didn’t.

“So this cider is yours,” asked Ivory.

“Well, it isn’t mine per se. If you’re picking up the cheque, then it’s yours (both mares chuckled). But it’s from my company and my recipe. It’s kind of funny if you think about it. I go out to eat and pay for cider that the restaurant paid me for,” giggled Sparkling.

Ivory laughed at the irony of the situation, but truthfully, she was laughing at the joy she was feeling in the company of this mare.

They sat for several moments, just looking into the eyes of the other.

‘Don’t act like a dork and ruin this Iv’y,’ thought Ivory.

‘Don’t come on like a silly filly and ruin this Sparkly,’ thought Sparkling.

“So how can I help you Darlin’?” Ivory said at last.

“Besides the cider business, I also have a line of beauty products. We use substandard, industrial grade gemstones, pulverized, to add sparkle to many of our makeup products. These have been getting harder and harder to get from southern Equestria yet the price has been escalating. A friend mentioned your operation and I decided I had to…”

Sparkling unintentionally paused as she drew a deep breath looking at Ivory.

“Check you out…”

Sparkling sighed and then blushed, Ivory smiled.

“I mean check out your operation!

Understand that I’m not saying your product is substandard. I’m just wanting to see about acquiring any of the gems and crystals that are unsellable in the gemstone industry, what some call ‘industrial grade’.”

“I think we can come to some arrangement, Miss Cider,” said Ivory.

“Sparkling, please.”

“Thank you, Sparkling, I don’t usually do this, but why don’t I give you a tour of my mine. That way you can get an idea of…

Ivory also unintentionally paused as she drew a deep breath looking at Sparkling.

What it is that I have to offer you…”

Ivory hesitated looking at this beautiful mare holding hands with herself. But then with a blush of her own.

“I mean what I can offer.”

The two realized that the little innuendos, though unintentional, were saying what each mare was thinking. But they could tell that the other didn’t mind at all.

“I’d like that Ms. Ivory.”

“Just Ivory.”

“Thank you, Ivory. I could be available tomorrow. Say about 3ish? If it isn’t inconvenient,”

“If it was, I’d change anything that may interfere. Do you need directions?”

“No, just an address will do. That way I can take a taxi.”

“A taxi?” asked Ivory, “did a taxi bring you here?”

“Yes, it’s so hard to maintain a car in the city.”

“Well I don’t live in the city so having cars isn’t a problem. I’d be happy to give you a ride home. That way I can know where to pick you up tomorrow.”

“I’d like that,” said Sparkling giving Ivory’s hand, which she was still holding, a little squeeze.

The ride home was enjoyable for the two. The sports car Ivory was driving was thrilling for Sparkling. The company in the passenger seat was just as thrilling to Ivory.

As they stopped at the apartment building, Sparkling got out and looked at Ivory.

“Thank you for the ride,” said Sparkling.

“Any time, Darlin’.”

Sparkling stood there just looking at Ivory. Ivory was sitting there looking back. Both felt as if something was missing.

“See you tomorrow afternoon,” said Sparkling.

“See you then,” said Ivory.

Both were still stuck in place. But both realized what was going on. Ivory smiled and put the car in gear, Sparkling waved and turned to go inside.

As Ivory drove off, she was watching Sparkling go inside.

“Damn!” said Ivory as the building in the mirror faded into the background.