Ruby’s first experience back to the world was the heavy smell of sex, sweat and Luna’s scent. She instinctively pulled herself closer to the warmth that was lying next to her and nuzzled her face deep into the ethereal mane. The mare wasn’t fully awake, but she knew enough that her very first time had been taken by the Princess of the night. She didn’t know what this meant for her. Were they marefriends?

No, of course not. The Princess wouldn’t date somepony like me, she thought, her mood dropping, despite the feeling of warmth spreading through her.

Ruby’s vision finally cleared as the sunlight trailed across the pillow, right where her eyes had been just a few minutes ago. She let out a slight yawn, and against her entire beings reluctance to leave the warmth of the Princess, pulled away. Even if she wanted to stay with Luna the entire day, she had classes later on and needed to get ready. Letting her hooves tap down on the polished marble, Ruby couldn’t help but feel her mind wander.

Last night felt like such a dream…

Walking around the bed, towards the toilet, Ruby gazed back at the sleeping form of her lover and finding herself blush horribly once again.

She is so beautiful. She could feel her eyes water from the thought of never seeing the Princess again, other than in celebrations and posters. The best night she had would be their last.

With a sigh, she entered the bathroom and quickly did her morning business to make herself look at least semi-presentable, before exiting and making for the imposing double-doors that led out into the rest of the castle. Just as she began to open the doors, she froze, her heartbeat quickening! What would she say to anypony that asked? What if she saw Princess Celestia?!

Ruby felt her mouth dry up at that thought, yet she knew she had to get home and even the most basic teleportation spell was way beyond her capabilities.

“Maybe I could just lie, and say I got lost. Yeah, that could work, right?” she whispered, chewing her bottom lip. Her nervousness was keeping her rooted to the spot as she chastised herself for being so weak. “C-Come on, Ruby. Just exit the room and leave the castle; simple.”

Closing her eyes, she nodded in a half-assed attempt to drum up even a little bit of confidence, then pulled open one of the doors. Sticking her head out, she saw that the hallway was just as exquisite as the rest of the castle, seemingly crafted busts of famous ponies were placed here and there, as well as purple curtains that kept the halls dark.

Ruby took a tentative step outside and gently closed the doors before letting out a scream as she jumped about three feet in the air upon hearing a cough behind her.

“You must be Miss Ruby Haze, I assume?” somepony asked behind the shaking mare.

Ruby turned around, seeing that it was one of the numerous guards the castle employed. Her eyes were wide and the attempt at taming her mane had instantly been for naught now.

“Y-Yes…” she mumbled, looking anywhere but the pony’s accusing gaze. She could feel her heart was going to explode from the sheer panic, but she didn’t want to give the guard to think she was doing anything wrong by galloping away.

The Pegasus was decked out in the uniform customary for most of Luna’s guards, a deep navy-blue full body suit along with Luna’s cutie-mark along their flanks, obscuring their own. Their head was covered in the same armour but allowed them to keep their peripheral vision open for dangers. Ruby wasn’t sure if the guard was a mare, or stallion, but considering that she could hear a deeper voice than most of the guards had, she would have assumed a Stallion.

“I have been tasked by the Princess of the night to escort you to your residence,” he stated, gesturing down the hall.

His voice was flat, as if he had to rehearse that very line many times.

“She gives her apologies for not being able to see you off, but the ruling of the kingdom requires sleep.” The guard didn’t seem to notice Ruby’s growing blush, nor when she was still standing by the door, at least until he was several feet away from her.

Glancing back, he raised his brow and asked, “Are you okay?”

In response, he let out a soft squeak and rushed over to him and fell in line.

The pair trotted through the hallways in relative silence, with only the sounds of the maids cleaning or nobility complaining to each other.

Some things never change…

Ruby was sure that each pony that flicked their eyes over to the pair knew. They had to, surely. Some young mare, mane dishevelled being led out of the castle by a guard and leaving Princess Luna’s section… it was just so obvious!

She swallowed what little she had to try and stem the feeling of bile. Everypony in the university would know what kind of mare she was by the end of the day if even one of them spoke it outside of the castle. Ruby didn’t have- she had one friend and Cinnamon would probably want to distance herself from a… well, a whorse like her!

The mare was on the verge of tears by the time the pair had reached the front gates, only managing to stop herself from the fact that she didn’t want her anxiety to grow any further.

The guard turned to her as the gate beside them opened slightly, and upon seeing how distraught she was, looking confused.

“Miss Haze, are you okay?” He asked, placing an armoured hoof on her shoulder. “The Princess would hate to see you leave so upset.”

She sniffled and felt herself tense up once more, looking away from the guard. “I’m fine. Just a lot to process, you know.”

The guard nodded and pulled back his hoof.

“I may be but a simple guard for her majesty,” he said, pressing a hoof to his chest as his voice quieted down to a whisper, “But that was the first time the Princess has let anypony sleep in the same bed overnight.”

Ruby blinked, not believing that. Surely the Princess would have had so many suitors and could pick anypony! There was even a rumour that she and Princess Twilight were dating, but that had been quickly squashed, but not without plenty of gossiping about it.

Yet, even the smallest hint that he was telling the truth reignited that need to find somepony for herself and Ruby took a step closer. “Really?” she asked, the faintest echo of a smile re-emerging on her face. “I, uh, mean… that’s only because I fell asleep,” she reasoned, more to quench the growing hope that she would no doubt have broken sooner than later.

“I wouldn’t lie about my regent’s actions. But if you wish to tell yourself that, I doubt I could change your mind,” the guard replied, lowering his head down for a short bow. “But, if you do not believe me, then I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly happy.”

With that, he turned and trotted back into the castle, leaving the mare there with a quizzical look on her face.

With a heavy sigh, she moved through the gate and squeaked when it closed shut behind her.

***

After a rather uneventful trek back to her dorm room, Ruby sighed, fwomped right down onto her bed and let out a long, drawn out groan. She stared over at the stack of books that she had to study, then turned her over, doing her best to not catch her horn on her pillow.

If mom and dad saw me now…

She pulled her covers over and up her body, covering her up as she stared up and out of her window, into the bright sky beyond.

She could feel her dam about to break once more and took a breath.

“It wouldn’t do to cry,” she told herself, rolling onto her back and now staring up at her ceiling. Her focus was shattered completely when her alarm blared that it was time to get up, which earned it a quick smash with her magic, shattering it much like her patience.

The mare laid there, staring directly into nothing for the longest time, until her vision drifted, and she blinked.

“Ugh, why am I so stupid!” she said, letting out a huff as she hit her hooves into her covers with a shallow ‘pomf’.

Her stomach was doing flips as she kept thinking back to the night before. Luna had been so firm with her, yet guided her along, knowing it had been her very first special time. The Princess had made her feel like the luckiest mare in the world and yet, why did she feel like she didn’t deserve any of it.

Ruby’s focus was shattered once again by a knock at her door. She pushed herself up, so she was staring at it and asked, growing nervous.

“Hello?”

Her eyes widened in shock as the door opened, causing her horn to glow with her charge of magic. That was, until Cinnamon’s light blue mane poked around the door, then the rest of her head.

“Hey. I heard you arrive back, how’d it go last night?” Cinnamon asked, forgetting all about personal space and entering the room as Ruby winced at the words. Not seeming to notice though, she moved up to the bed, noting the plates and cans still scattered about.

“I assume that it didn’t go great, judging by how you’re lying in bed?”

Ruby didn’t know how to reply to that. She had the hard choice of being truthful and having to tell the mare all about it or lie to try and forget about the most amazing mare ever!

“I, uh,” she said, noticing that she had been taking a little too long making her choice, which caused Cinn to look at her with a knowing gaze.

“Come on, tell aunty Cinn all about it!” The pink mare ordered, climbing up onto the bed and causing Ruby to squeak as she slid under the covers.

“What are you doing?!” she squeaked, now shaking from the close contact.

She knew yesterday was needed for her to actually go to the club, but this was way out of her comfort zone and it was making her worried.

“Hey, this is how I got over my ex! I snuggled up close with a friend and talked crap about the stallion!” was the response from Cinn.

It didn’t help Ruby in the slightest.

Trying to quell her nervous shaking, Ruby looked away and closed her eyes while she felt the warmth of the mare settle in next to her. “Fine,” she mumbled, feeling her cheeks flush from the contact.

Even though every sense was telling her to get away and hide from this cuddly mare, a small, very small part of Ruby was thankful to have somepony to hear her out.

“Take your time, Rubes,” Cinnamon said, having stopped squirming down. She simply cuddled next to Ruby and enjoyed her presence, even if it wasn’t wanted. She was rewarded with an ear flick and a huff, but didn’t react against it, knowing what it was like ‘the night after’.

“I,” Ruby started, but closed her mouth and went quiet, feeling her cheeks flush bright once more. It took her a couple minutes of silence to start once more. “Imetsomepony,” she mumbled, not turning to look at her new friend.

Cinn took a second, her smile widening slightly but didn’t react otherwise and let Ruby talk at her own pace.

“We had a few drinks and I went back to hers.”

Ruby’s voice was faltering at this point from embarrassment. Yet, her mind continued to remember how comforted and secure she felt in Luna’s… her mistress’s guidance. “We… you know…”

Cinnamon’s cheeks turned a slightly darker shade of pink as she heard that but kept her composure.

Internally, she wanted to grin and hug her new friend for doing something that, frankly, seemed to be completely out of character for her. It was a momentous occasion, but she had to keep her cool for Ruby’s sake.

“It was my first time, so I was… well, me…” Ruby continued, giving a little chuckle. “But she was patient and caring and amazing.”

Cinnamon’s smile turned knowing as she took the chance and wrapped a leg around Ruby, holding her tight. Before she could hear any response, she interjected with, “You seem to really like the mare. So, why’re you here instead of in her bed?”

Trying to ignore Cinnamon’s pleasant scent of strawberries, Ruby let out a sigh and reluctantly stopped fighting her friend. “She had work and I have classes soon.”

Hearing this, Cinnamon was now starting to grow more curious.

“Work, you say?” she asked, “What does she do?”

Ruby’s eyes shot open in slight fear as she felt her anxiousness flare up once again at the prospect of telling Cinnamon about Luna. “She, uh… works at the palace.” Even she didn’t feel convinced by that.

Raising a brow, Cinn didn’t seem convinced either. “At the palace? What does she do there?”

“Uh, it’s Princess Luna!” Ruby choked out, wincing at those words. “I met Princess Luna last night, just like you said I would, and she took me back to her room!”

Ruby couldn’t believe she was saying that! It was like the words simply tumbled out of her mouth and the more she tried to stop, the easier it was to say them. “We had sex and I spent the night in her legs!”

Cinnamon froze upon hearing that. Did she really just admit to being taken back by Luna? Slowly, the mare’s smile widened, before she wrapped Ruby up in her legs and squeezed, laughing.

“I can’t believe it!” she cried, happiness oozing from every pore. “I freaking told you, didn’t I! If you pretty yourself up, you can even get a PRINCESS!” Cinnamon nuzzled Ruby’s neck and cheek, giggling. “Does this mean you’re marefriends?! Are you royalty now?”

Ruby whimpered at the attention but didn’t put up a fight. She did squirm and lean away from the friendly nuzzling though.

“Yeah, okay, I get it!” she grunted, a hint of redness still on her face. “I don’t know what we are. She was asleep when I left and a guard escorted me out,” she explained, rolling her eyes at the last question. “And don’t be silly, I’m not royalty. One night with a Princess doesn’t mean royalty.”

The pink mare giggled and shook her head. “Well, you seem quite hooves over horn for the mare. Perhaps it’s time to be a little forceful if you want her,” she suggested, wiggling her ‘brows.

“What? No, I can’t! She’s all powerful and can move the moon on a whim. She could squash me like a fly!” Ruby replied, squirming out of Cinnamon’s legs and climbing out of her bed. Her cheeks had darkened considerably from hearing herself talk about the princess like that.

“Ooh, you like that sort of stuff,” Cinn teased, receiving a mixture of shock and embarrassment from the mare in return. “Don’t worry, Rubes. We all enjoy different things behind closed doors. Trust me, it’ll be pretty normal if it’s with a princess.”

That didn’t really help Ruby as she paced back and forth along next to the bed. “Ugh!” she groaned, drooping her shoulders. “Why do I have to have it so bad for Luna!”

Cinnamon let out a soft giggle. “You know why, but you don’t want to admit it.”

Ruby huffed and rolled her eyes. “Not helping!”

She continued to pace back and forth, being watched by the mare in her bed for a few seconds more, before stomping her hoof. “Fine, alright! Because she… she makes me feel bucking normal!”

Cinnamon climbed out of bed and grinned. “There we go. Wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“Buck off,” Ruby grumbled, moving closer to give a very hesitant nuzzle. “Thanks.”

***

Princess Luna, Regent of the night had awoken, much like Ruby, to the settling smell of sex and musk. With a pleasant sigh, she pulled the covers off of herself and wandered into the bathroom to deal with her own ‘morning’ ritual. Twenty minutes later, she trotted over to the double glass doors of her balcony, opened them with her magic and stepped through. Her mane and tail were still a little damp from her shower, but it would have to wait while she had her duties to attend to.

She scolded herself a little for waking up a little too late, again, and set to work. The Alicorn’s horn glowed as she reached out with her magic and contacted her celestial body. Feeling the comforting coolness of the orb, she began to pull it up and across the sky, letting it gain enough momentum to reliably arc its way through the night. It wouldn’t do if she had to stop and move it once again.

Luna leaned against the railing and gazed down upon Canterlot. The mid-day bustle had given way to the evening slow and a quiet peace had begun to settle around the city. Luna, however, found herself frowning and thinking back to the night before. She had enjoyed the feeling of dominating Ruby, however brief it had been. For her, she was no stranger, but it had been the younger mare’s first time and Luna was grateful for being her first. However, her appreciation wouldn’t quell any thoughts that the student would have.

It was obvious to Luna that Ruby was a stranger to most affections. Even with a couple of drinks in her, she was still so delightfully awkward, and Luna found a light smile form from her lips. How easy it is to enjoy, after the fact, she thought, gazing out upon the city.

Fluttering her wings in the evening breeze, she finally pushed off the railing and began the walk to see her sister for the only time they had together in the evenings. As usual, the maids were polite and bowed as she passed, along with the high-class ponies who gossiped and complained.

“Some things never change, do they, Wing Strike?” Luna asked, glancing back at the guard who had silently fallen in line with her as soon as she had left her room.

“Of course not, Princess,” he replied, a knowing smile on his face.

“How was our pony this morning?” Luna inquired, continuing on her pace, despite one ear flicking towards the guard to hear him easier.

“She seemed unused to our procedure,” he answered, easily keeping up with the mare. “It would appear she’s more delicate than the others.”

“I agree, but I’m sure she’ll be perfectly fine once I spend some time with her.”

With that, the pair stopped in front of the royal dining room. Luna turned to the guard. “Please contact her and ask her when she would be available for dinner and ask her if she has any suitable clothing,” she ordered. Just before she entered the dining room, she turned back. “and be discrete. I don’t want a repeat of last time.”

Wing Strike bowed deeply and sped off as soon as Luna entered the room.

The royal dining room was a small offshoot of one of the kitchens that sat almost in-between the Two Princess’s sides of the castle. As such, the pair had made sure to make it as cosy as possible for their crossover period in the day. Plush cushions sat in one corner, along with an Alicorn sized blanket. A long, six-cushioned dining table was placed in the middle, covered in only the bare essentials for their meal together. The room itself was covered in a pleasant floral design oddly reminiscent of Fluttershy’s animals.

At the end of the table, Celestia sat. Her ethereal mane blowing in the non-existent wind while she brought her spoon up and ate some soup. Looking up from her food, the alicorn raised a brow at Luna. “You’re late.”

Luna froze for a second, then continued on and found a seat next to her sister. “I made it, didn’t I?” she grunted, getting comfortable. “Besides, we still have plenty of time together.”

“You went out last night.”

This time, Luna felt her stomach twist at the tone of those words, and she turned to her sister. “Am I not allowed to?” she asked, unsure where this was going.

“Of course. But you could have invited me…” Celestia said, her neutral expression morphing into a smile. “It’s no bother though. I read a nice book and slept, like an old mare.”

Celestia held a hoof up to her forehead and dramatically continued, “Woe is me, being locked away at home while my sister enjoys herself with our ponies. Whatever shall I do to fight this boredom!”

Luna let out a burst of laughter and rolled her eyes. “Come now, ‘Tia. All you have to do is ask and we can share,” she replied, winking and receiving a choke in response. “Why, indeed. I have found a delightfully shy mare to spend ou- my time with,“ she stated, giggling at her slip up.

“D-Don’t be silly Lu, we can’t share, not since- wait, you found somepony nice? You didn’t freak them out, did you?” Celestia asked, smirking. “I know you’re into some kinky stuff and not everypony can take that.”

Seeing Luna’s blushes and stutters, she laughed and nuzzled up close to her sister. “I’m only teasing, Lulu,” she purred, nuzzling deep against her.

“Well, I’m having to go slow anyway,” Luna replied, letting out a huff as she was assaulted with love. Despite this, she still felt her cheeks warm up from the words but offered no resistance. “It was her first time.”

“Really? That’s rather bold. Did she stay the night?” ‘Tia asked.

Feeling a quick nod, she found her smile grow. “Well, looks like Lulu found a marefriend!” she teased, giggling a little. Quickly jumping back to dodge a hoof, Celestia moved to her cushion and sat back down, a smug look plastered on her face.

“I swear I’ll give you nightmares one of these days,” Luna grumbled, although the hint of a smile betrayed her true feelings. “I told Wing to ask for a date,” she continued, feeling a little self-conscious now and ruffling her wings.

Despite the many suitors that were chomping at the bit for a date with her, Luna was still as nervous as any mare about dating somepony.

Celestia's teasing quickly tapered off upon hearing that, her smug grin turning into a warm smile. "Ah, to be young and in love. I still remember all of my lovers," she mumbled, sighing. "Treasure her, Lulu." Celestia's tone had tightened slightly as she stared at her sister.

Luna looked away and down at the table. "I know. I might not be as old as you, but I've had ponies before, 'Tia."

"You're my baby sis, I have to say these things," Celestia went to sip her soup, but grimaced at tasting the cold food. She placed the food down, feeling the atmosphere in the room change. "Anyway, did you hear what Twilight found?"

***

Ruby couldn't believe where she was. Instead of being at home and starting to study, like she was supposed to be doing, she was out at a bar! Even worse still, she was surrounded by ponies who she didn't even know! Apparently, they were all Cinnamon's friends, but how a pony could have so many, she couldn't fathom.

The bar itself was relatively modern. It had been renovated from an old Canterlot brewery and still kept many of the old beams and struts that held the roof up, while including new supports to make sure it didn't kill everypony. Plenty of cushions were scattered around the various tables to let ponies sit and chat. With it being a university bar, most of the ponies were students, as such it was almost always lively.

An extra second level had been constructed, which covered half of the ground floor, along with a spiral staircase in the centre to allow ponies up and down.

All of them seemed like nice ponies and she tried to follow along with their conversations, but the intricacies of animal husbandry for beavers or the relevance of hoof covers within a post-discord era really flew over her head. Of course, she wasn't delusional to think anything she enjoyed would be understood by them either, as such it left her in her current situation of sitting there and simply listening to bits and pieces of conversations.

She was nudged by the grey coated, blond-maned stallion next to her and she looked over with a quizzical look, trying to remember his name.

"Hoof Kicker, right?" Ruby asked, unsure.

She didn't know specifically what he was studying, but if his cutie-mark was any indication, it was something to do with hoof-ball or sports.

"You remembered right!" he replied, smiling. "What are you drinking?" Hoof asked, gesturing to Ruby's empty glass. "I'm going up."

She looked down and then back to him. "Oh, uh," she froze, unable to remember the name of the drink.

Her heart thumped harder and she was sure somepony laughed. "Surprise me?" Ruby stammered, hoping beyond hope that he didn't think she was dumber than a bag of rocks.

"A surprise? I like that," he replied, nodding his head. "I'll surprise you."

Ruby looked down and took in a breath, holding it for a few seconds and let out her breath. It didn't work as well as her old therapist said it would, but it did calm her down enough to start looking around. What she didn't expect for no pony to be paying attention to her. They were all off in their own conversations and didn't have time to laugh at her.

The mare looked down once again, then slowly leaned her body over to rest her shoulder against Cinnamon, who simply tensed against her to keep her still. Ruby felt herself calm even further from the contact and closed her eyes.

Cinnamon was having her own conversation with some other mare about fashion, but her smile did grow warmer at the contact. It wasn't a lot, but Cinn was seeing an improvement in the mare. It was a good thing that Cinnamon was a more caring pony than most.

Hoof Kicker returned and placed down a small mug of black liquid in front of Ruby, who opened her eyes and gaze down at it.

"What is it?" she asked, her eyes moving over to Hoof, who was now sitting on his own cushion that was slightly closer.

"It's a wingbeater. Apparently, they mix in some sort of cloud while pouring. Some sort of Pegasus drink, I guess."

Ruby supposed it was the thought that counted.

"Thank you, Hoof." she levitated the drink up and smelled the scent of elderberries and lime. A strange combination. She sipped a little bit and felt the kick of a mule! "W-Wow..." Ruby coughed. "That's strong."

"Oh, horseapples. I got the wrong thing..." Hoof said, looking worried. "I can get something else if you don't like it?"

"No, uh, this is fine." Ruby took another sip to emphasise the point, suppressing the urge to cough. She hated the drink, but he had already paid for it and she didn't want to make a scene in front of ponies she had only just met.

At that moment, Hoof turned to look at Ruby. "Hey, so you've not said what you're studying here." Despite losing it as a statement, it was more of a question, one which Cinnamon was interested in.

"Oh, uh... It's nothing interesting," Ruby replied, feeling a sharp tint on her cheeks.

"I'm sure it's super cool!" Hoof said, nudging her.

Ruby winced and she felt her breath hitch at the contact. "I-It's, uh, gems " she mumbled, trailing off as she fought back some nausea.

Hoof leaned in to try and hear. "What with gems?" he asked, not realising she was now leaning more against Cinnamon, who was frowning at him.

Cinnamon actually used her magic to ease him back a little and shook her head while a leg wrapped around Ruby's shoulder to comfort her. "It's okay," she whispered, "take your time."

Ruby hated feeling like this. Like she'd break under everypony's hoof. How even a simple question could cause her breathing to quicken and for her to grow nauseated.

Yet, Cinnamon didn't cause this in her. Ruby had even told her to 'buck off' before and didn't even feel like her world was spinning. Plus, she could actually tell her parents that she had a best friend. They would be so proud of her!

It was during Ruby's self-reflection that the Cinnamon softly rocked her. "Ruby, there's somepony for you," she whispered.

Ruby opened her eyes to see a vaguely familiar face standing off to the side. She had seen those eyes before. The guard at the palace! Her own eyes widened upon recognition and she could feel a cold sweat form. Why was he here?

Cinnamon was the one to shake her out of it. "Hey, you okay?"

She stared into Cinnamon's eyes and felt herself calm down. "Yeah. Sorry."

Ruby pulled herself up and shakily wandered around the group of ponies, who were only now going back to their talking.

Wing watched as Ruby wandered around the group and gestured to the outside. He led her out onto the balcony and gave her a warm smile.

"The Princess sends her warmest regards," he said, bowing to the mare and causing her to flush brightly. "She wishes to extend the formal invitation to dinner at a date of your choosing. She will work her duties around your schedule."

Ruby didn't know if her coat could get any paler, but it certainly tried when she heard that. "Lu... And me," she mumbled, unable to believe it. "Really?"

Wing nodded. "She also asks if you have any, and I quote, suitable clothing?"

The mare could feel herself start to hyperventilate and turned around to lean over the railing. The sound of her emptying what little she had in it could be heard as she groaned.

"Should I take that as a no then?" Wing asked, a hint of a smirk on his face, at least until he jumped as Cinnamon rushing past him.

Cinnamon wrapped a leg around the heaving Ruby and rubbed her back. Glancing back at Wing, she glared and asked, "What the buck did you do?!"

"I've been instructed by her majesty, Princess Luna to ask Miss Haze when she would like to have dinner," he replied, honestly. Though, he was worried the mare would end up hurting herself. "The Princess is flexible with when."

Cinnamon looked shocked now but kept rubbing Ruby's back to comfort the shivering mare. "You need to answer him, Rubes," she said, pulling the mare up once she seemed to finish dry heaving. "We'll get some water after, okay?"

Ruby nodded and sniffed, feeling a painful burn down the back of her throat. She was still quivering in Cinnamon's hoof, but she could actually move from the edge. "I," she groaned, coughing. "In three days, seven o'clock."

Wing thought for a second and nodded. "I shall tell her exactly that. Did you need funds for suitable clothing?"

"She will have clothing ready for then," Cinnamon stated. "I assume the Princess will pick her up?"

Taking a second, he turned to Cinnamon and nodded. "It would only be right. Please have a good night." With that, he flared his wings and shot off into the darkened sky, instantly disappearing and leaving the pair standing there on the balcony alone.

"Come on. Let's get you back in the warmth."

Cinnamon led Ruby back into the bar and sat her down. She rushed off and returned with some water. "Here, drink it slowly," she said, brushing her hoof down Ruby's mane.

"I," Ruby tried, only to choke up. "I'm sorry. I'm so useless," The mare whimpered, covering her face with her hooves. "I can't even accept a date by myself!"

Thankfully the pair were well away from the group, so Ruby didn't have the added embarrassment of having to deal with that. But she did have a fussy Cinnamon to deal with.

"Stop that!" she scolded. "You just got a date with Princess Luna! You are not useless." she said it as a fact, giving no room to budge the issue. "If you don't, I'll go on it instead of you," she teased, closing her eyes and smirking.

"No!" Ruby gasped, forgetting where she was. "I mean, no. She chose me..." she looked down, her cheeks having turned blood red. "She chose me."

Ruby repeated that under her breath a few more times, as if trying to make herself believe it, until she felt her friend's embrace. Ruby still felt herself tense up, but it faded quickly, and she nuzzled deep against her neck, taking the time to inhale deep, a smile etching itself onto her face.

Author's Note

Heya!
Really hope you enjoyed this chapter. <3
As usual, any thoughts on it would be appreciated. I decided a little less sex and a little more character development would do Ruby wonders.