Unearthing a Sparkling Romance

Ivory drove home and then after taking care of a few things, went to bed. Often she’d smell her hand, there was the scent of some very nice apple scented perfume or lotion lingering on the hand that had been holding Sparkling’s hand.

‘I’m glad Stardust Nova didn’t see any of that,’ thought Ivory to herself.

She knew that her friend would tease her unmercifully if she knew. But Ivory decided that she didn’t care.

Ivory’s clothes were put into the laundry bag to be taken to the cleaners. Then her naked form slipped between the crisp, clean sheets.

She kept reflecting on their parting. Yes, it was something completely out of character for the rough miner. But Faustdamn it! She was so craving to have kissed that special mare goodnight. And she’d bet a month’s profits that she’d be so soft to hold.

“Come on!” she said aloud, “am I really doing this to myself?”

Ivory’s mind tried to go into business mode thinking what this opportunity could lead to. Her gems in a nationwide line of beauty products.

Ivory’s magic extinguished the lights in her bedroom. Here underground, the dark was so thick that you could almost feel it. It was one thing Ivory loved about living here. No distractions from lights or traffic outside and no sounds except the distant faint sound of water dripping somewhere in one of the tunnels.

This gave her mind the ability to concentrate on any lingering thoughts. But now, the only thing she was thinking of was that beautiful mare she’d just had dinner with. In this dark, it didn’t matter if eyes were open or closed, it was the same. Because of this, she could see Sparkling Cider vivid in her mind. Her imagination ran wild and she could see Sparkling sharing the hot spring with herself. The passion they were sharing was nothing Ivory had ever imagined.

“If I was only that lucky,” said Ivory out loud. Then she turned on her side and drifted off to sleep. Her dreams were of a very special mare.

The rest of the evening was a blur. Sparkling took a quick shower and went to bed. Unfortunately, her mind was flooded with images of a goddess like figure. It was all Sparkling could do to not touch herself as she imagined what the mare would look like in the most intimate of settings.

She had the curtains drawn back and the stars were visible to an extent.

Stars that reminded her of gems.

Gems reminded her of Ivory.

After realizing she wasn’t going to sleep anytime soon, she got out of bed and went into her office and turned on her desk light. She started to make out a list for tomorrow:

1. A standard contract

2. 4 bottles of the best hard cider and glasses.

3. Change of clothing and underwear along with a toothbrush and tooth paste.

She didn’t understand why she put the last one down. Or at least she wasn’t willing to admit it to herself at this time.

After writing all this down, Sparkling lay back down and drifted off to sleep dreaming about a tall, strong and beautiful mare carrying her off to bliss.

Prism Wing was an early riser, but this was early.

The knocking she thought she’d heard was repeated, so she wasn’t dreaming it. Throwing on a robe, Prism walked to the front door and opened it. Without being invited, Ivory came in.

“Iv’y, why don’t you come inside?” said Prism sarcastically.

“I already did,” said Ivory with a smirk.

“I can see that,” said Prism, “did you need something important or is it Harass Prism Wing Day and I missed the memo?”

“I’m sorry Prism,” said Ivory, “I wasn’t thinking. I can come back later.”

“No Iv’y, I’m up now. What can I do for you?”

“Prism, I have a mare coming over later.”

“Good for you, it’s about time. So you’ve come over to brag, is that it?”

“No, I don’t know how to handle it. She’s a big shot in the cider and beauty products biz in Manehattan. She wants to buy industrial grade gems and crystals to grind up for cosmetics. It could be a very good business deal.”

“Okay… So I fail to see the problem.”

“The problem is, she’s hot as Tartarus! I could barely keep my mind on business as we ate last night. She’d arranged a meeting to talk business but we ended up holding hands and then I drove her home. I’m going to pick her up later to show her my operations.”

“So…” said Prism.

“Prism, I’ve never felt like this just looking at a pony. I was so much wanting to kiss her goodnight!”

“Well,” snickered Prism Wing, “don’t try to show her your bedroom too quickly!”

The two friends laughed hard.

Ink Blots was over at her friend’s apartment. She was asked to come over to fix up Sparkling’s hair. Inky told Sparkling it wasn’t necessary for a business meeting, but Sparkling insisted.

“So this mare must be very important,” said Ink Blots.

“Inky,” said Sparkling giving herself a hug and a short squeal, “this mare is beyond important. So much so that I don’t care if we come to some business arrangement. But I wouldn’t want to make a fool of myself to her.”

“She must really be special for you to want to go all out like this.”

“Special doesn’t even come close, Inky. The mare is a goddess come down to earth. I wish I had her as a spokesmodel for my products. But more than that,” said Sparkling blushing brightly, “I wish I had a chance to be held in those strong arms.”

“Sparkly, I’ve never ever heard you talk about anyone like that before. As your friend, I wish you all the luck in business and even more luck with the mare herself.”

The two friends hugged tightly.

It was 2:55 pm.

Ivory pulled up to the apartment where she’d dropped Sparkling off that previous evening.

Ivory was glad that the mare wasn’t out there yet. She needed to relax and find her center. She didn’t want to come off like a school filly with a crush. Although it could be forgiven. She never had any kind of a crush as a school filly.

This really was business, in spite of how Ivory had been imagining this. The last thing she wanted to do is come on too strong and there not be anything on the other mare’s mind other than business and she was just a friendly and outgoing mare.

That’d be a huge disappointment. But Ivory knew that life doesn’t always go as we wish or hope. And she didn’t want to blow a lucrative business deal because of an overactive libido.

This was all new to Ivory. She’d never had a coltfriend or marefriend in her life… Even as a filly. She was really never interested, so she was so far out of her comfort zone.

She’d never let anyone know of her ‘inexperience’. She was sure that if Stardust Nova knew, she’d have such ammunition to use against her to make her life miserable for some time to come. As if being a virgin at her age was something shameful or comical.

Plus she’d have to go through all the trouble of hanging Stardust by her suspenders from a stalactite until she felt like letting the little smartass down. Not to mention having to put up with all her swearing and screaming…

Like the last time.

Sparkling Cider was looking out her apartment window. She saw the convertible sports car of Ivory’s. She wanted to rush right down there, but her feet were frozen in place.

‘Come on Sparkling!’ she thought, ‘what’s wrong with you? She won’t bite…

Well hopefully she might nibble if I asked nicely.’

Sparkling giggled and her jest relaxed her enough to go down to meet her date… Business contact she corrected herself.

Sparkling’s brain kept telling herself that this was business and not a date. But her heart so wanted it to be a date.

Sparkling was pleased with the look on Ivory’s face as she exited the apartment building.

Ivory reached over and opened the passenger door. Sparkling put her bag in the back seat, sat down, buckled in and closed the door. Before she could do anything, Sparkling took Ivory’s hand.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re doing this for me,” said Sparkling.

“I’m happy to do this as well,” said Ivory.

Unfortunately, Ivory had to release Sparkling’s hand so she could operate the car. As they sped off in the late afternoon, Ivory would at times glance over at the mare in the car with her.

It was hard not to just look at her, but she had to keep her eyes on the road. But it was a thrill when she saw Sparkling looking at herself and smiling.

Soon enough they were out of the city and headed to the hills where the mine was located. Sparkling was in awe.

“I take it you don’t get out of the city often, Darlin’.”

Sparkling looked at Ivory and smiled.

“No,” said Sparkling, “most of my time is spent in the city. I do get a chance once in a while to go home to the apple farm. But it still isn’t this far out. I should thank you for this alone.”

“Sparkling,” said Ivory, “don’t take this wrong, but I’d be happy to drive you to the moon if you asked it of me.”

Sparkling and Ivory both blushed realizing the underlying meaning of what was just said. A feeling she was sharing as well.

But before much else was said, they turned off the main road and up a hill to a flat expanse. The only structure was a low metal building, like a large garage. There was also a street light on a tall pole that illuminated the general area. Nothing else to give an idea that someone lived there.

“This is where I live,” said Ivory.

“Somehow, it’s not like I’d imagined,” said Sparkling puzzled.

Ivory chuckled, this was always the reaction.

“Just wait,” said Ivory smiling.

Ivory pressed a button on the dash and the garage door opened, a light came on as well. Sparkling saw the reason why the building was so large on the outside. It wasn’t Ivory’s dwelling, but a large garage with what looked like a small room in the back corner. There were several other cars parked there. Most of them high end models. Along with a couple of impressive motorcycles.

Sparkling’s business had made her financially comfortable, not quite rich. But this hinted at a level of financial success over and above her own. She was impressed.

As they parked, Ivory said:

“Wait there just a moment, Darlin’.”

Sparkling watched as Ivory got out, went around to the passenger side, reached over and took Sparkling’s bag from the back then reached out her hand to her guest.

To the delight of both, Sparkling continued to hold Ivory’s hand as she was led to the small room in a back corner, as the garage door closed.

Ivory slid the door open and it was apparent that this was an elevator. Sparkling was intrigued. They entered the lift, closed the door and Ivory pressed a button. The lights in the garage turned off as they started to descend.

The lift moved so quickly that Sparkling wasn’t prepared and grabbed Ivory’s arm. Again, neither minded.

When they stopped, the door opened and Ivory led Sparkling out into the main cavern. It was breathtaking. The overhead, which was almost lost in the gloom, sparkled with multicolor gems. There was light from the crystals themselves.

“How far down are we,” asked the petite mare.

“This part of the mine is only about one hundred feet down. There are parts that go much deeper.”

Sparkling was slightly nervous about being this deep down. But as long as she was holding Ivory’s hand or arm, she felt secure.

Ivory led them to what looked like a wall which she grabbed a small protrusion and pulled. The door or wall opened soundlessly and effortlessly. Behind the hidden door was a very nice living room. Ivory put down Sparkling’s bag by a sofa and looked at her guest.

“Do you want to see the mine now or do you need to go to the bathroom or sit down first?”

“Please,” said Sparkling, “I’d love to see the mine.”

Outside the living area was a small worktable with tools. Hardhats were hanging on the cave wall. Ivory picked up a geologist hammer and slipped into her belt. Then she put on a hardhat and handed one to Sparkling.

“Safety first, Darlin’,” said Ivory. Sparkling smiled and put on the hardhat.

A magic glow appeared around the large crystals mounted on the front of both helmets. They started to give off a bright beam of light. Sparkling was amazed at Ivory being able to use magic like that.

Ivory continued to hold Sparkling’s hand as she led them back out into the main part of the cavern.

Sparkling was shown the major points of the cavern. There were several passages that went off in many directions. Ivory described how some types gems were found in lower levels and how some of them were everywhere just for the taking, if you only knew where to look.

“How do you know where to look?” asked the petit mare.

“I guess it’s the special talent of mine. If you ever saw my cutie mark you’d see a gem surrounded by stones,” said Ivory blushing. She was actually wanting to show it to Sparkling, along with the rest of her flanks and under her tail.

“Could you show me?” asked Sparkling. Then realizing what that sounded like, with a bright blush she quickly added, “finding the gems, that is.”

Although she wouldn’t have minded the other as well.

Ivory chuckled and smiled at Sparkling.

“Watch,” said Ivory.

With that, Ivory looked at the cave wall as her horn glowed a blue aura. Ivory reached out her hand, which was glowing as well, and moved it around as she felt the stone with her eyes closed. She opened her eyes, smiled and took the hammer from her belt. Then she struck the tool against the wall just a couple times with the chisel end.

When the loosened stone fell away, there in the wall was a brilliant diamond of a respectable size. Using the chisel side again, Ivory wedged it between the wall and gem and gave a mighty pull (her bulging arm muscles almost made Sparkling swoon) until the stone came loose. Then slipping the hammer back into her belt, Ivory reached in a pocket, and pulled out a jeweler’s loop and examined the sparkling diamond.

Sparkling was in awe at how quickly Ivory had found this stone.

“I’m sorry,” said Ivory handing the gem to Sparkling, “you can’t use this one in your products.

It’s flawless…

Just like you.”

Sparkling smiled at the complement and looked at it in wonder. Feeling the weight and seeing the sparkle, she imagined what the polished stone would look like. Then she handed it back to Ivory.

“Is there a problem, Darlin’?” said Ivory with a smirk, “perhaps you want a larger one? Maybe a ruby, emerald or sapphire perhaps?”

The diamond was the size of a large goose egg.

“You can’t give me this!” said Sparkling astonished.

“Why? It’s mine to give.”

“But it’s worth a small fortune!”

“And?”

“And… And that’s just so generous!” said Sparkling throwing a hug around Ivory. Ivory returned the embrace.

‘Don’t rush it, Iv’y!’ said Ivory in her mind, she was wanting to kiss this mare so badly.

‘Don’t rush it, Sparkly!’ said Sparkling in her mind, she was wanting to kiss this mare so badly.

They continued to explore the cave system. Sparkling was enraptured at the possibilities. But she was becoming more enraptured with the mare she was holding hands with.

Finally they made it back to the living area. Ivory put away the hammer and they took off the hardhats and went in.

Ivory had a lite dinner prepared of soup and sandwiches. The two ate at the kitchen table talking about little things, such as were they went to school and who they knew.

When finished, Ivory had Sparkling have a seat in the living room as she cleared away the dishes and put them in a dishwasher.

Now they sat side by side on a sofa with a coffee table in front of them. Sparkling went over the agreement paperwork, explaining it in very good detail. Ivory was impressed with the business savvy this little mare was displaying. She’d explained all the details, the two haggled over costs until everything was agreed on. Both signed and Sparkling put one copy along with the diamond in her bag and gave Ivory a copy.

They shook hands but it didn’t feel right. Like it wasn’t enough.

Sparkling took out of her bag two glasses and an insulated package holding 4 bottles of her best cider. They toasted each other and sipped at the wonderful cider.

Sparkling noticed that Ivory looked lost in thought, there was a strange look on her face as she looked at her glass.

“What?” asked Sparkling.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” said Ivory.

“Come on,” said Sparkling with a smile, “we’re business partners now.”

“I was thinking how nice this cider is and how it would go great with a dip in my mineral hot spring.”

“Ooo!” said Sparkling, in almost a squeal, “a hot spring! How nice, I wish I’d brought a bathing suit.”

Ivory looked down and mumbled something. It was the first that Sparkling had noticed any lack of confidence on Ivory’s behalf.

“What was that?” Sparkling asked.

Ivory looked away, blushing brightly.

“I never wear one,” said Ivory quietly.