Let’s head out - Flurry could use some space and she’ll appreciate us not getting too close, too fast.

The FLURRY HEART METER improved by 1!

Currently the meter is at 5 / 10 !

“Ok, Flurry. It was nice talking with you… have a good sleep, OK?” Shining smiled and turned toward the hallway.

“D-dad!” Shining stopped at the sound of Flurry calling him.

“Yes?”

“Just… wanted to let you know…” Shining felt a strange pulling sensation on his blue tail, as his daughter’s magical aura bunched and lifted the long unkempt strands of hair. “U-uh… it’s the uh… style in the Empire to wear your tail up in a bun these days. Shows off your thighs.”

Shining looked back at Flurry. ‘This is great! She’s already giving me some fashion advice - she really does care!’ Her eyes were lingering on his butt though, instead of his face. He swallowed and shifted his rear legs closer together… with his tail held up like that, he’d be showing some… embarrassing bits to his daughter.

The movement seemed to jolt Flurry out of the gaze she was holding. She quickly dropped her magic field, letting Shining’s blue tail flop back between his legs. “J-just saying… so you don’t look like a complete Canterlot yokel.” She turned away from him, blushing furiously.

“Haha, I’ll try to remember that tomorrow, Flurry.” Shining nodded his head, “wouldn’t want to embarrass you. Good night!”

“G-good night.”

Shining closed the door behind him. He let out a deep breath, the air he was holding back draining from along with all the tension that had just built up. It seemed he’d had a successful ‘first contact’. Though just how successful would be hard to tell.

*BZZZZZZZZZ*

The buzzing sound clicked back on, coming strongly from Flurry’s room.

“Mmm…. b-buck… yes….” The soft groan slipped from under the door.

Shining shook his head with disbelief, then began to trot away, toward his bedroom.

‘She must really have a sore back!’

“Oh hey Shiny! All good in the barracks?”

Shining closed the double doors to the royal bedroom suite behind him. His beautiful wife was sitting on their luxurious royal bed, reading another of her romance novels. Her back was propped comfortably against the headrest, and she had on half-glasses that somehow managed to make her look even more sexy.

“Yes! There are some pretty clever officers in the Crystal Corps… this place basically runs itself.”

“I could have told you that.” Cadence smiled, closing her book and putting it onto her nightstand. “It was set up by the most handsome, most masculine, bravest stallion in all of Equestria, after all.”

Shining cocked his head. “King Sombra?”

“No! You silly.” She giggled, swatting at the air.

“I know, I just can’t get over how lucky I am to have a wife who’s still willing to blow smoke up my tailhole after all these years.” He collapsed onto one of the loungers that were positioned between the bed and the ornate fireplace.

“Well… if the barracks aren’t going to need your attention, that means that you really will be able to focus on other… more important things.”

Shining nodded and sighed, slumping lower into the comfortable seat. “Mmhmm… about that. I had a conversation with Flurry just now.”

Cadence’s ears perked up. “Oh? That’s great! What did you two talk about?”

“Well, she’d forgotten her diary in my study… I was just returning it to her.”

Cadence arched an eyebrow. “Her diary? She’s usually pretty careful about that. She probably left that there for you to find.”

Shining cocked his head in disbelief. “I… doubt that, she seemed pretty happy I didn’t look in it.”

Cadence shot her husband a knowing smile. “We mares can be a complex sort, Shiny. In any case, I think it means she wanted to reach out to you. That’s good!”

“I guess.” Shining sighed. “Hey, actually… I asked her if she was having trouble at school, and her immediate reaction was to ask if I’d been speaking to you about it.”

“Mhm? So?”

Shining circled his hoof in the air, hoping to prompt more out of his wife. “Sooooo… you get to talk with Flurry all the time. I see you two having heart to heart chats all the time… has she told you anything about school problems.”

Cadence sighed, looking at her husband over her half-glasses. “Shiny… I don’t want to share things that Flurry told me in confidence. It wouldn’t be fair to her.”

Shining groaned and rolled his eyes. “Aww come on Cadie! I’m her dad too you know! And I feel left out!”

“I know you do Shiny.” Cadence smiled sadly. “I’ve told her that she’s gotta work on that… it’s not fair to you… but… it’s complicated.”

Shining grumped, crossing his arms across his chest. “I think I deserve to know if I need to be doing something to protect my little girl - if she’s getting bullied at school.”

Cadence chewed the inside of her cheek for a moment. He hated when she observed him like this… she was truly the mastermind of the family. “Well Shiny, I understand that... Though I think you underestimate our daughter - she’s not a little girl anymore. Can you trust me when I say that I think everything will work itself out, in only a few weeks?”

Shining Armor’s ears perked up. A few weeks was exactly how long he had to get closer to Flurry before her birthday! The timeline would be cutting it far too close. Plus

“I mean… I won’t push her or anything Cadie.” Shining stood up, stretching his neck as he strode about the room. “But on this school bullying thing, I’m putting my hoof down. I need to know if she needs help.”

“She doesn’t need help.”

“Aha! So there is a problem at school!” Shining whirled and pointed at his wife.

“Well… sort of... “ Cadence rolled her eyes, “No more a problem than the usual struggles of a teenager trying to find how to fit in. I don’t really see how you could help her there…”

Shining Armor grinned and looked at his wife with a pitiful, deprecating look.

“Wh-what? What’s that look supposed to mean?”

“Oh, Cadie…” Shining Armor shook his head, “You were the most popular girl in school. I was the outcast nerd leading a gang of Ogres and Oubliettes fanatics in a race to see who could have the fewest actual conversations with a female before graduation.” He proudly held his chin up, “I think I could teach flurry way more about how to handle the stress of high school than you ever could.”

Cadence blinked at him, a deadpan expression in her face. “Really.”

Shining smugly nodded, confident he’d already won this argument.

“Ok, so… putting aside the fact you’re a stallion and not a mare. Did you also happen to be the only pink alicorn princess at your high school, with more attention being paid to you by the faculty and other students in a single day than most celebrities get in a year?”

“Uhm…”

“And did you also have the power to sense the love emotion of every single pony around you - their every crush, their every lust, their every salacious passion? Did you ever find yourself suddenly overwhelmed with the power of your princess abilities just as you were becoming a mare?”

“I… uh… guess not.”

“Yeah. I didn’t think so.” Cadence huffed out of her nose before rolling her eyes. “Not that it matters… I can already tell you’re going to come up with some zany plan. I won’t stop you - I know that you’ll go stir-crazy if you sit around on your hooves.” Cadence picked her book back up, cracking it open to the page that she’d left for herself. “But mark my words - you’re better off just waiting a few weeks..”

Shining was planning.

There was no way he was going to just sit back and let his little girl be stressed out at school. Regardless of his mission, being a dad would always come first. Nothing could stop him from protecting her. And if he played his cards right… he would be able to kill two birds with one stone - fixing her problems at school could bring them closer together!

But how?

Shining thought back to his military training. He needed to get up close and personal - get that reconnaissance that he was thinking about earlier. He had to find out just what was happening at Flurry Heart’s high school. Immediately, three avenues seemed to present themselves to him.

He lifted a hoof to his chin as he thought, scratching intently. He barely noticed Cadence shaking her head disappointedly as he schemed.

The first and most obvious choice would be to surveil the school from a distance. He knew that there were plenty of trees, blind spots, roofs in the area around the school-grounds. With a good pair of military binoculars and clever concealment, he could watch Flurry from afar… with no chance of her seeing him. Eventually, he could make his way closer, staying under bleachers or inside lockers… He’d received training from some of the best changeling infiltrators under Thorax’s command: the chance of detection would be quite low. But he’d always be distant - out of range… he might miss out the critical intel that would help him understand what Flurry was going through.

His second choice would address that issue up front. Disguising himself as a member of the student body would be risky. Very risky. He could pull a favor with the principal and have him registered as a new transfer student. With some clever wardrobe choices and a change of manestyle, he’d be able to blend right in… maybe even get close to Flurry and her circle of friends. There was a higher risk of detection - especially around Flurry… but he’d definitely figure out what was bothering his daughter.

His third idea split the difference. Infiltrate the student body… but as a substitute teacher. It would be easier to blend in with his larger size as a member of the faculty. He’d be far less likely to stand out to Flurry or her friends… but he’d also be unable to hang out with any students without arousing suspicion. He’d be close, but not close enough to get the really juicy tidbits.

‘I can’t choose!’ Shining grabbed his neck and squeezed in frustration. ‘They all pass the sniff test - sniff test? What is that smell?’ Shining’s nostrils flared again. That spicy vanilla scent from earlier… he’d stirred some of it up when he’d grabbed his neck.

The damn stuff smelled so… good!

He blushed a little bit and arranged himself. His ‘little Shining’ was starting to have a bit of a reaction to that heavenly musk. Those oils Cadence purchased always seemed to have this effect on him. This new flavor was even more intoxicating - the spice made it so much more… hot.

He was really starting to slip out of his sheath now.

Cadence arched an eyebrow at him, her eyes darting down at his groin at then back at his face. She grinned and shook her head, before continuing to read.

‘Maybe this is a sign.’ Shining gulped, his ‘appendage’ drooping down his inner thigh. ‘At the military academy, they taught that Flash Magnus used to use the performance of his female subordinates in bed as a portent before a great battle.’

Shining’s eyes darted about the room.

Behind him, just near the door, was the laundry hamper. He could see that it was quite full… almost to overflowing! That must mean that Flurry had also added her weekly garments to the pile. And there, on top of the dress his wife had worn on the previous weekend, like a sign from Celestia herself… were a pair of lacy black panties! He bit his lip. Black was his favorite color - Cadence almost always wore pink. He could easily slip those panties into his hoof, excuse himself to go get a late-night snack… then take care of himself in the kitchen! He knew that the staff would all have gone home by this time, and the kitchen wasn’t on the guard’s patrol rotation. The only ponies that would go in there at this time would be his own family! And Cadence would be reading for a while - so there’s nopony to worry about!

Or… he could just go to sleep. That spot next to Cadence looked so inviting. It had been a long, difficult day. Early this morning he was in Canterlot inspecting the defense plans for the capital. It wouldn’t be hard to simply sleep on his side, and let his erection subside naturally. Luna was often kind to him in the erotic dreams department - she rarely caused him to have anything so exciting as to give him ‘accidental relief’. In one sense, it sort of made sense that he should be ‘storing his energy’ until he completed his mission. He was in the midst of a battle! Relieving himself could wait until he’d accomplished his task and reconnected with Flurry. If anything it would give him more motivation.

His eyes traced over Cadence. She was reading her book - she didn’t seem to be very interested at the moment. But he knew her well… sliding underneath the covers at the foot of the bed, crawling up between her legs, burying his muzzle between her thighs. She’d quickly warm up. It had been a long day, sure… but with just a little more effort he was sure she’d reciprocate! And so what if he was getting distracted from his mission! It wasn’t like a little bit of sex with Cadence would reduce his motivation to fix things with Flurry!

He nodded thoughtfully to himself - he was resolved.

He’d let ‘little Shining’ do the thinking: whatever he chose would determine what his course of action tomorrow would be.

‘Flash Magnus would be proud!’

DOUBLE CHOICE!

1) High Risk / Low Risk: Take the panties and go to the kitchen to relieve yourself. This way you’re not disturbing Cadence, and you get to have fun with those erotic looking black panties! What are the chances anypony walks into the kitchen so late at night? (50% Chance of discovery by Flurry)

Tomorrow you’ll keep up the clandestine act by spying on Flurry from afar. You’ll be further away, but there’s almost no chance that you’ll be spotted. It will be hard to get useful intel on your daughter’s troubles, though. (5% Chance of discovery by Flurry)

2) Low Risk / High Risk: Let’s just go to sleep. We need to focus on our end-goal! Let’s store all of that enthusiasm and energy up for finding ways to reconnect with Flurry, and to keep our motivation high! I’m sure she’ll appreciate it! (5% Chance of wet dream)

Tomorrow we’ll use that ‘frustration’ to put us in the mindset of a young teenage colt - perfect for disguising ourselves as Chad Armour, fresh transfer student! In and amongst those young fillies that know Flurry personally, we’ll surely find something about what’s going on! (50% Chance of discovery by Flurry)

3) Medium Risk / Medium Risk: Cadence is right there. A few minutes in ‘Shining’s tongue-town’ and she’ll be more than happy to drain all of our ‘tension’ away. There’s nothing like making sweet love to your wife to end a bad day on a high note. It helps that Cadence is a really ‘vocal’ lover - hopefully these crystal walls are thick enough! (30% Chance of Flurry hearing her parents having sex)

We might not have as much frustration to channel the thoughts and feelings of a teenage colt tomorrow - so let’s disguise ourselves as a substitute teacher instead. A manestyle change, a cardigan, some glasses… nopony will be the wiser. It’ll be harder to get close to Flurry and her friends, but we’ll also reduce the likelihood of getting found out. A good compromise! (30% Chance of discovery by Flurry)

Author's Note

STRAW POLL HERE!

Vote for your choice! Once we hit 125 total votes I'll write the next chapter!

Great job guys! You blasted through 100 votes and hit over 200 votes without even blinking! Bumping the vote count requirement up to 125 but you're not going to have any problem hitting that! I won't bump the vote requirement up every time, we'd never make it to the end of the month... I just don't want to cut people out before they've had a chance to pitch in!

So an even higher percentage of folks than last time went for the option to simply exit. Probably a good call. Tickle time might have gotten... exciting for a little bit. But as soon as Flurry got her head back...

We'd be in BIG trouble.

A hug was a kind of middle-ground. Flurry would have found it a bit annoying, she's got a really 'stiff back' at the moment... and her dad hugging her might have just 'exacerbated' that. Likely a neutral outcome.

The end of this chapter presents our first DOUBLE CHOICE now you have to pick between Medium/Medium, Low/High, or High/Low! Can't go fully safe this time!

I've added some percentages in. I'll use a dice roll program to see if the outcomes do or do not hit and write accordingly. Let me know what you guys think of this system! Is it good? Too confusing? Tell me in the comments!

And as always... make sure to think hard about what you select in the poll...

Are you going to make the right choice? Think hard - it may not be obvious!

As always, commented suggestions are also welcome and can end up becoming a new choice / outcome if good enough!