Rarity's Colt: Snickers's Harmony Trials

“Ugh, that’s road apples,” Scootaloo said and Silver Spoon grimaced, “you can’t tell us something we can’t understand. Tell us!” Scootaloo slapped a hoof on the table making everything jump.

Rarity called from her sewing room, “Girls, if you’re going to start this early I’m going to have to send you to school at different times again.”

Scootaloo and Sweetie rolled their eyes. “She always says that, but we just wait at the end of the house for each other. I think she knows that because it would make us sad to go alone, and no adult wants us to be sad.” Sweetie pouted and looked up with shimmering eyes. The other fillies did the same action adding their forehooves touching together. A sight that would make any adult cave in to their wants, needs, and demands for anything short of running the town for more than a day.

Snickers was barely affected, but a part of him wanted to give them a candybar and send them on their way to keep them as sweet as they looked.

“Okay, stop it, sheesh,” Snickers finally stopped looking at the three fillies and at the scrambled eggs with cheese on his plate. “I just… need to talk with Fluttershy or Rainbow Dash before I can try to tell you. I need their advice.”

“Why? What can they do that three fillies can’t?” Silver Spoon asked between chews.

“Offer adult advice that foals can’t in a society I don’t completely understand, for one.”

“Oh… I guess that makes sense,” Scootaloo said. “Ask Rainbow, she’s gonna know the answer to anything you ask. What?” Scootaloo looked between the other fillies, “she helps me with my math every week as part of our sister hangout time.”

“You really think that flying stunt mare has more than ten braincells she can use for anything more than talking about the Wonderbolts and how awesome she is?” Silver Spoon snarked.

“Hey! Rainbow Dash is the coolest and most awesome--”

Snickers cleared his throat softly and the table fell silent. Snickers looked at Scootaloo and then glanced down; to his surprise she sat and stayed quiet. He looked at Silver Spoon and glanced at her food and she ate silently. Both fillies glared at one another, so Snickers sniffed and raised his eyebrows while looking between both fillies and they sighed.

“Silver Spoon, I’m sorry I yelled at you and said mean things. I was mad and you didn’t deserve it,” Scootaloo said.

“No, Scootaloo. I might not like a lot of things about you, but I’m starting to get to know you, and there’s a little more than I thought there. So, I’m sorry for being a bully to you most of all.”

Sweetie smiled while looking between the other two fillies and nodded at Snickers. Snickers, for his part, mentally did a backflip. Not only did he get them to agree on something, he did it using a technique he’d only seen mothers do to their children or husbands.

Sweetie Belle’s spoon clinked on her plate as she resumed eating and the others at the table did the same in companionable silence.

“So, Snickers… what’re you gonna do besides talk to Rainbow Dash about stuff?” Scootaloo asked while she put on her saddlebags along with the other fillies.

“I dunno, think things over, head to the library and read a book on science and electronics, talk with Twilight about some stuff. Ya know, slice of life stuff.”

Scootaloo blinked. “Oh… that sounds boring,” she said and then cinched her bags tightly.

“Scootaloo, do you have to be so rude to him? You should be nicer, because he likes nice girls, right, Snickers?” Silver Spoon asked and ran a hoof along her braid.

“Can you be any more obvious, Silver Spoon?” Scootaloo retorted.

Again, Snickers cleared his throat and Scootaloo stepped back from Silver Spoon and both their ears drooped. Sweetie Belle walked between them. “It’s okay, I’ll keep between them on the way to school. You just go about your day and we’ll see you at about two or three today after school.”

“That sounds like a good time, maybe I can get a nap in, too. I didn’t sleep the best last night.”

Silver Spoon cocked her head. “Why not? I thought you’d have slept all night through.”

Snickers looked towards Scootaloo, then away and blushed. “N-no, rough night, didn’t sleep enough. Hugs before you leave for school, okay?”

He sat and opened his forelegs and the fillies lined up. Scootaloo got the first hug and a soft kiss, then she whispered into his ear and left with a tail swipe to his face. Sweetie got a firm hug and a nuzzle. Silver Spoon walked to Snickers and leaned in for a nuzzle, but got a big hug that made her squeak in surprise. As a bonus, he gave her a kiss on her cheek that made her stumble back when he let her go.

Silver Spoon blushed and smiled goofily, she was so unstable she had to lean on Sweetie Belle as they left through the front door. Snickers chuckled and closed the door behind them and walked to the nearby couch, climbed on it, and sighed. “Not even six years old and I’m already feeling like an old stallion. Ugh,” he grabbed a pillow and covered his head. “I can’t be that old yet. I just have to be a wussy version of myself and I can fit in here… I need to talk to someone about last night,” he grumbled under the pillow to himself and whined. “Damn it.”

After a while, Snickers got up and went to the sewing room and watched Rarity focus on her sewing machine while levitating the blueprints for a dress design she was making opposite the machine. “Hey, mom?”

Rarity flinched, then looked over. “Yes, Snickers? How can mommy help you? Are you still hungry, thirsty, maybe?”

“No, I’m fine. Can I go to the library? I wanna talk with Twilight and I’ve gotta find Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy to talk about something personal.”

“Oh… do you think you can talk with me about it? I am your mother, after all, and I am going to do better,” Rarity said, stopping her work completely.

“Um… I don’t think so. This is a professional problem and I need to talk to someone… somepony more professional.” Snickers watched as his accidental dagger stabbed her in the heart.

“Oh… very well then. I suppose a more professional mare should be advised in some areas of your life while I should help you in more domestic matters… However, I won’t let you travel through town alone. I’ll guide you to the library,” she said and started to set her work aside.

“No, you don’t have to! I know the way, I’ll be there in seven minutes, tops.”

Rarity shook her head. “No, I won’t waver on this. I need to be there when you don’t know you need me. This may be an idyllic town of four hundred ponies, but that doesn’t mean it’s totally safe. And you, while you believe you’re adult enough to handle transversing the town alone, there are plenty of distractions a colt your age can be lured to.

“The arcade, for example. Not to mention Bon Bon’s Candies and Sugarcube Corner... and given some of your proclivities, I fear you’ll find your way to the Salt Lick and find a way to imbibe unsavory amounts of alcohol. There’s a reason you only have one quarter of a glass of wine with dinner while Sweetie can have half, as you recall, I’m sure.”

Snickers, leaning against the wall, nodded. “Yeah, but it was good and I drank it too fast, is what happened.”

“No, darling, what happened is there’s too much salt in the wine to make it more potent and you became intoxicated from half a glass. Until you build a tolerance, either you have less or I serve you juice with a sprinkle in it like a yearling would have. It’s up to you,” Rarity said, passing him.

“I can have normal wine! I’m big for a colt my age, look at me! I’m almost as tall as you,” he said standing as tall as he could with his head held high on his neck, still barely reaching her chin in height with his ears up.

“Yes, Celestia will awe at you when you look her in the eyes, I’m sure,” Rarity said with a laugh in her voice. Rarity donned a turquoise scarf and opened the front door. “Come along, now. I have my own chores to do and while you’re with Twilight I can do them and maybe find one of our flying friends for you.”

Snickers, accepting her offer, followed her out into town. “So, what’re your plans, mom?”

Rarity smiled down at the colt. Her colt, her son. “Well, I have to do some shopping for supper, schedule an appointment with the spa for later today with you and maybe Fluttershy, see a supplier to purchase more fabric from… adult stuff that would just bore you to tag along with me for. Oh, do you see that stallion over there?” Rarity nosed the direction of a yellow unicorn and Snickers nodded. “He’s in a relationship with two mares and is trying to join their herd, but the mares he’s interested in are actually interested in his sister, if you can believe that.

“Ah, that mare approaching us won’t stop unless we block her, watch…” Rarity stopped and smiled, “hello! How are you doing today?”

The mare nodded and didn’t slow down. “Fine, thanks, see you later, Rarity.”

Rarity returned her attention to Snickers. “See, she’s a carrier mare. It’s like a post mare, only she delivers packages across town and has to be from one place to another at a certain time. Ponies of her profession don’t get the respect they deserve, I say,” she started walking again, “because everypony only thinks of the mail, but who delivers across town at all hours of the workday while the post is going through their rounds?”

Snickers listened attentively as Rarity told him of smaller nuances of Ponyville life and the ponies that they passed. Rarity slowed as they passed a street that showed town hall. “Oh, that’s something I don’t think you know about. In town hall there’s a bulletin board with various odd jobs and tasks on it.

“The jobs near the bottom with a green line across the base are open to all ages, including foals your age and up. Some might have you run a package across town, another may request you mow a lawn, or maybe you’ll find one from a certain seamstress that needs a real pony to stand as a model for her couture.”

Snickers looked at Rarity’s suggestive grin and smiled back. “Hm, if that last one pays enough to buy a shake or two, I may have to look into it.”

“Hm, perhaps if the model does well, that seamstress could just take him and his friends for shakes and fries as well as pay him a couple bits for his troubles.”

Snickers stopped and tapped his chin. “Yeah, that sounds like a bribe and I can certainly double my costs if that were the case.”

Rarity sighed. “Or, perhaps the seamstress can trade the offered bits for some one-on-one time with the model so they can bond and become closer?”

Snickers laughed. “Wow, sounds kind of erotic. I hope you’re ready for the consequences of all that.”

Snickers felt a small tug on his ear. “Not with a foal, you naughty colt.”

Snickers rubbed his ear. “Hey, I’m just clarifying what you said. It’s not my fault you implied I’m a stud,” he pranced around her and Rarity giggled.

“Well, perhaps in two years when you become a stallion in certain ways for another mare. But until you’re eight, I don’t even want you to think of mares that way, and if I have anything to say about it; you won’t lose your virginity until you’re ten, at least.”

“Ha, you’d be lucky if I made it to seven… wow that sounds so weird to say,” Snickers looked back at what he could remember of his life.

“Why’s that?” Rarity asked curiously as the Golden Oaks Library came into view.

“Well, the age difference… it’s just so different.”

Rarity looked at Snickers. “Is it, now? This mythical species you say you’re from must be quite long lived.”

Snickers shrugged. “Average lifespan was sixty with basic medical support at my time. I would have lived to seventy-ish. The wealthiest and healthiest would live to one hundred; that’s all dependent on whether or not we died by another’s hand, weapon, or sickness we didn’t have immunity for.”

“Well, that’s most… unfortunate. The average lifespan for a pony depends on the tribe, I suppose. If all goes well, I should live to be a ripe old age of sixty-five while a pony in Canterlot would add ten, even thirty years to their lifespan living at a magical nexus as they do.”

Snickers looked around him. “What’s a nexus?”

Rarity moved them to the side of the street and stopped. Her horn lit. “I’m going to touch my horn to your head, it won’t hurt, alright? I’m only going to share what’s called Magic Sight with you. It’s difficult at first, but you’ll understand when you see it.”

Snickers nodded and Rarity’s horn touched his head. There was a flash of blue to the world through his eyes and then every color seemed more dull, except for a wall through town that he followed with his eyes. “What’s that?”

“That, Snickers, is a ley line. Magical energy that crosses the world and connects at points. One is the center of town where two interconnect, there’s a small nexus where three link at Sweet Apple Acres; but one of the largest is that way,” Rarity said and moved Snickers to the corner of the street. He shielded his eyes at the glare from Canterlot. “There are thirty seven that link right there. Magic is everything to a pony, and the more we have the better we are. A pony living near a nexus will live about ten years longer than a pony living near a line only. Ponies living miles from a leyline will probably only live to a natural forty, maybe fifty.”

Snickers glanced at the capital city of the land and watched as the light dimmed. “It’s going away.”

Rarity nodded. “Yes, it’s a barely used spell for that reason. There’s not a real need to know about such things so it’s an elective spell. I chose to learn it since the best gems grow along the path of former leylines. Those are the ones I try to use in my clothing or for sale and trade.”

“Huh, crazy,” Snickers shook his head and started walking towards the library as his vision returned to normal, then mumbled to himself quiet enough for only himself to hear. “What’ll I learn next, that space is full of air and the sun moves by magic?”

***

“Snickers! My colt,” Spike said bumping his chest to Snickers’s, ”here for another book on the wonders of science?”

Snickers shook his head. “Yeah, bro. Plus, I’ve gotta see Twilight about my brain getting all scrambled up.”

“Ouch, I heard about that,” Spike said and walked ahead of Snickers with Rarity watching from the back with a smirk at their friendship, “glad to see you’re better, though.”

“” Snicker said and Spike spun around.

“Wow, I have no idea what you said, but it was awesome. Was that that other language you know, from where the spaceship dropped you off at?” Spike asked with a twinkle in his eye.

Snickers looked back to Rarity and smirked. “Yeah, Spike,” Snickers said a little more dully. “You know you shouldn’t announce that, though. I’ll have to take care of that.”

Spike covered his mouth. “Oh, no. Not again,” he groaned and slumped.

A few seconds passed before Rarity brushed her foreleg against Snickers’s hind leg. Snickers cleared his throat. “Hey, Spike, why’re you standing like that?”

“Standing like what? This is how I stand when you wipe my mind… er, I mean, I don’t know what you’re talking about, eh heh heh,” Spike rubbed his neck awkwardly.

“So, you were saying you were gonna make Rarity some chamomile tea with honey… how’s that coming?”

Snickers suppressed a giggle as Spike looked between himself and Rarity, then took a step back. “Uh… right, mind wipe,” Spike mumbled. “I mean, be right… as in be right back with that, just hold on, Rarity, I’ll get that for you!”

Spike pattered from the room with his tail swaying quickly behind him with every step he took. Rarity walked past Snickers and bopped the top of his head. “Ouch,” Snickers rubbed his head and fixed his mane. He pulled his shirt down his chest from where he’d bumped against Spike.

“While I’m pleased you’re closer with my darling little Spike; must you tease him to believe you’re an alien with mind powers?” Rarity chided while walking to the stairs.

“No, but it’s good safe fun that got you tea, so it’s a win-win.”

“Smartass,” Rarity whispered under her breath.

“What was that, mom?” Snickers asked, hoping he heard her correctly.

“Nothing you need to worry yourself about. Now, I’ll get Twilight and you can… get a book or assist Spike with the tea you’ve tricked him into making for me.”

Snickers sighed ironically. “You know he’d have done it regardless, he’s got a huge dragon bone-- to pick with me about my choice of wording,” Snickers gave a toothy smile at Rarity’s preemptive frown, “right, mommy?”

Rarity rolled her eyes and began climbing the stairs. “Just be quiet and don’t make a mess while I get Twilight.”

“Fucking nag, can’t even take a joke,” Snickers mumbled as he walked across the room to a bookshelf he was becoming close friends with. He leaned in and used his lips to pick a book about thaumic theory in mechanical kinetic energy transferal and pranced to a reading nook he liked.

He lay on the cushion provided and inhaled deeply following a familiar scent to the surface fabric and then buried his nose into it, taking in Twilight’s scent. Her coat always smelled of something he couldn’t put words to below the aroma of berry shampoo and the slight tang of her natural musk.

“Well, it seems like he likes my second favorite reading space, too,” Twilight joked and startled Snickers into standing up on the spot. “Oh, my…” Twilight looked away and Snickers fell back to his belly. “It seems he really likes it,” she giggled.

Rarity tittered. “Yes, it’s so cute to see him learning about mares this way. I’m willing to wager you wish you kept the pants I made for you now, aren’t you?”

Snickers was blushing, but nodded. “I was just gonna read, honest, then I smelled berries and--”

Twilight waved her hoof at him. “Don’t worry. At least you’re not that old guy with the yellow mane. He’s creepy.”

Rarity tapped Twilight’s back. “Perhaps we should get to the point?”

“Oh, yes, sorry,” Twilight apologized to Rarity, “Snickers, I have no idea what happened to your language. The fact you now speak two is astounding and I hope you can write in that language as well because I have so many questions,” she said and shoved a notepad and pencil under his left foreleg.

Snickers looked at the writing tools. “Well, can it wait, since you’re clueless and work with me on this,” he tapped the book. Rarity’s eyes narrowed.

“I hear you using that word often since you began to speak Ponish again… what is it, ? If it happens to be a naughty word then I’ll certainly start adding more bits to your jar every time you say it.”

Snickers smirked slyly. “I promise I won’t say , you have my word.”

Twilight’s ears twitched. “No, that’s not it. The word she’s thinking of is . You’ve said that word four times that I’ve counted, can you write that word down for me?”

“No, I don’t think so. There’s no translation, it’s just an expression. A cultural expression, that’s all.”

Rarity blinked but didn’t stop scrutinizing him. “I’ll keep my ears open for that word, and if it happens to be something profane then I’ll react accordingly.”

Snickers cocked his head and felt the cushion move with him. “This is kind of familiar from that dream I had. You were gonna put bits in the jar for all the swearing I did, a whole year’s worth, I think.”

Twilight grinned. “Oh, your Harmony dream! You have to write that down for me and future researchers into first time Harmony experiences, you can use Ponish or the other. I’ll start translating once I have a base to work with, with your help!”

Snickers took the paper and pencil, put them on the table beside his book, and took his book to his forelegs. “You’re making this weird, Twilight. I’m gonna try to learn about thaumic electricity now.”

Twilight whined and walked to him, layed on her belly, then presented the frogs of her hooves to him. “Please, give me new science from another world! You have so much to teach us…”

Rarity picked up Twilight in her magic and stood her on her hooves again. “Twilight, don’t beg him for what he can’t provide. He certainly has some fine traits, but being an alien from some mothership isn’t one of them.”

Twilight stepped towards Snickers. “But he is! Not only did he say so, he shared some of his technological knowledge with me and Spike. Thanks to Snickers, the Ponyville Dam is producing seven percent more energy than it was last week. Just think of what that could mean for the future of Equestria!”

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “You mean we can light seven percent more houses, Twilight? That’s hardly--”

“Try nine hundred! Ponyville’s population is four hundred. With the energy created at the dam, we can now power all of Ponyville and grow the town into a city over the next five years thanks to this single innovation!” Twilight hopped in place. “This could solve so many problems, not to mention what he was telling me about power currents! What was it called again?”

Snickers took the notepad to his legs and pencil in his mouth. He drew a symbol and held the notepad to face the mares. “AC/DC,” he snerked. “I’m gonna use the slogan Electricity Rocks. How’s that sound?”

Twilight, still giddy, tapped her chin. “Well electricity doesn’t come from rocks, but if we use some gems it would work just fine. Yes! Electricity Rocks! Yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes!”

“Twilight, please stop bouncing around me,” Rarity pleaded.

“Rarity, I have your tea ready. We were low on chamomile, so I picked some fresh from out back just for you,” Spike said and held the tray to Rarity.

Twilight took the tea and drank it in one slurp. “Thanks, Spike! I need some time with Snickers, Rarity. Spike! Get some more paper, I’ve gotta take notes for the future of everything everywhere!”

Snickers watched Twilight hop and land outside his nook and rest her forehooves on the table. It was a small area large enough for one pony to be able to lay and read; the look Twilight was giving Snickers was almost pleading for him to let her lay with him again. “Pwease, Snickers. I’ll let you snuggle between my legs again,” she pouted and turned her hooves up to him again.

Snickers sighed and stood up, glad to have had his friend go back home for the time being. Twilight giggled and climbed onto the cushion and pulled Snickers to her barrel and held him protectively between her forelegs while Rarity watched. In that instant, Rarity saw an expression on Snickers’s face she’d never seen before.

He was content and happy just being held. Something else they’d never shared. Rarity felt a tingling under her tail and she prepared to leave them alone. “Very well, you two have a good time while I go shopping, alone. I’ll be back before you know it, Snickers. Don’t misbehave,” she said and backed toward the doorway.

“Yeah, will do. Thanks a ton,” Snickers said as he flipped through the book with Twilight watching pages turn.

Rarity opened the library door and left, closed it, then stood tall and walked around the tree to begin her shopping.

“Rarity, wait! I’ll help you,” Spike called and raised Rarity’s mood.

“Oh, Spikey Wikey, I knew I could count on you in my rough times. Come, let’s get a pretzel at the market, shall we?”

Spike sighed and nodded. “Only if I can share it with you.”

“Only if you get the first and last bite,” Rarity replied sweetly enough to bring a flutter to Spike’s step. “I must watch my figure, after all,” she said and swayed her hips getting the happy feeling she tended to have when Spike would look her over and size her up. The tingle under her tail got worse. “A-actually, Spike, I have to run home for something I forgot, would you like to accompany me and wait just outside? It won’t be but a moment.”

Spike saluted and spoke dreamily. “Yes, my angel, as you wish.”

“That’s lovely, darling. I’ll dash ahead, I have to take care of something quickly.”

Rarity cantered briskly back to her home and prepared to unlock the door when Rainbow Dash landed between her and the door. “Hey, Rares, I noticed you rushing back after leaving a few minutes ago,” she looked at Spike trying to catch up and then back to Rarity’s face. “Your tail’s flagging, are you planning something I should tell Twilight about?”

“No!?” Rarity shouted in panic. “No, Rainbow Dash,” she said in a calmer voice while looked at Spike who was ten seconds away. “I have something to do of a personal matter that does not involve anypony else.”

“Uh-huh,” Rainbow said standing with her side against the door latch, “and is Mister Ed going to be involved?” Rarity’s eyes darted around the sides of the boutique. “Don’t bother, Rarity. Fastest flier in Ponyville, answer the question.”

Rarity’s tail swished from side to side. “Ugh, fine… yes! I need personal time, just three minutes to scratch my little itch, as t’were.”

Spike arrived. “Rarity, I’ll help you scratch any itches you have,” he said kneeling over and panting.

Rainbow snerked and laughed. “Yeah, I bet this is one itch you’d love to scratch! But I’m here to help her learn to handle this itch in a different way that can be more constructive and less wasteful. How about a race to the river, Rarity?” Rainbow said hopping into the air with a flap of her wings.

Taking the chance, Rarity grabbed Rainbow in her magic and tossed her aside while opening the door and rushing in, slamming it behind her. She didn’t know why, but Rainbow thudded into the door an instant later with her blue face pressed to the small window set in the door, blocking what little light there was and casting the room with a murky shadow.

“Sorry, Rainbow Dash, I’m not ready for this intervention and wouldn’t race to the--” Rarity stopped gloating when she turned around to see Fluttershy lying between herself and the stairway. “Ah, Fluttershy, what a pleasure it is to see you again so soon. Would you like some tea, by chance?”

Fluttershy stood up and shook her head. “N-no, but thank you very much for the offer. It means a lot that you would think to do so much for me… but I… well, was hoping you’d be willing to go out for a walk with me, if you wouldn’t mind. Maybe to the park or to get some tea at Bon Bon’s Candies, maybe?”

Rarity turned on the light with her magic and flipped her mane. “Oh, that sounds lovely. Just let me pop upstairs for a moment and gather some things I’ll need for the walk.”

Fluttershy flapped her wings and flew to Rarity’s side. “Oh, that’s okay. You look fine as you are and anything we need we can live without for a moment of maybe five, right?”

Rarity stepped closer to the stairs. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of leaving looking the way I do. A few minutes in the bathroom with certainly freshen me up, I’ll just--”

“I heard you with Rainbow outside just now, Rarity,” Fluttershy spoke up in a firmer voice. “I won’t let you keep self destructing by using sex as a go-to for emotional satisfaction. I’ve seen ponies off all types use all kinds of ways to hide from their problems, but you’re one of the ones I feel I’m comfortable enough to help.”

Fluttershy flew over and landed, draping a wing across Rarity’s back and pulling her close, ignoring the saddlebag pressing into her side.

“Well, it seems as though you’ve found your voice at last, Fluttershy, however this isn’t something one can go ‘cold turkey’ off of, as the gryphon saying goes. Shouldn’t one be weaned off bad habits or addictions?”

Fluttershy’s looked at the floor in thought. “Well, I suppose you’re right. Cutting you off would be detrimental in the short and possibly long run of this matter.” Rarity sighed in relief and moved to step away, but was held close. “So, the girls and I have made a schedule for you to be able to take care of your problem.”

Rarity bit her cheek. “A… schedule?”

“Oh, yes. It’s quite nice, actually,” Fluttershy said reaching her head under her wing and pulling a piece of paper from between some feathers. “You see, once in the morning before you start work but after the foals are out of the house, or before you leave bed and start your day. Once in the afternoon as long as you’re alone, in private, and not just stopping work to do it, and once immediately before bed.” She rolled the paper on her chest and tapped Rarity’s head.

“No more being caught in the shower. No more doing it when the foals are taking a bath, eating meals, or having play time. No more interrupting your work for this. No, more, addictive behavior encouragement and reasoning,” Fluttershy tapped the paper on Rarity’s head with each part said. “Oh, I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “Sweetie, darling, good friend… while I certainly appreciate your candor, I still believe this is an issue I can handle by myself with as little involvement from you and the others as possible,” Rarity said finally stepping out of Fluttershy’s wing and facing her. “I really feel this is getting out of hoof.”

“Rarity, we care about you enough to sacrifice our own time and become a part of your sex life for your own safety as well as your interpersonal relationships. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

Rarity nodded. “Yes, darling, of course it does. I just don’t feel this is something that can be rushed. Why, once I’m back down here I’ll be fine for a couple hours and we can go over the schedule you have and make tweaks to be certain it’s reasonable. You’ll see I’m not a lost cause, I’m certain of it.”

Fluttershy watched Rarity step closer and closer to the stairs. “Rarity, I’m sorry to have to do this, but you’ve left me no choice.”

Rarity went on guard. “And what are you going to do to stop me? This isn’t an issue worth fighting over, however I have two years of Cam-Fu training to defend myself against what you have to attack with.”

Fluttershy cowered back. “N-no, I wouldn’t attack you… p-please don’t hurt me.”

Rarity calmed and stood up again. “Oh… well, then what were you going to do?”

Fluttershy smiled just a little and pursed her lips. “Just this.”

She whistled a quick note and waited. “You were going to whistle at me? Surely there’s more--”

Rarity noticed a mouse at her hooves and screamed, prancing back and turning to the nearest chair so she could climb onto it. “Fluttershy?! What in Celestia’s name are you doing with a rodent in my boutique! Take it out before it multiplies!”

The mouse looked at Fluttershy and they shared a look. “Rarity, you do know that nothing multiplies that quickly, right?”

“Parasprites, darling! They do, and others must as well. Take it away! Please, Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy stretched her wing to the floor and the mouse climbed up along the whole way to reach Fluttershy’s head where it sat and waved at Rarity. “This is Harmond, Harmond, this is Rarity. Harmond is one of many of my little friends that will be living around your house and helping you to find other ways to vent your frustrations in non-sexual ways.”

Rarity hopped from the chair to the floor and scowled. “How do you even think that rodents in my home will stop me from doing what I must? I’m more likely to spend all my time keeping them from my fabrics and… oh no, my fabrics!”

Rarity ascended the stairs and turned to her inspiration room, screaming loud enough to rattle windows. “Bleh.. how… you… you’ve organized everything! My inspiration… it’s ruined! That does it, you may be friends with Fluttershy, but you’re no friends of mine! Out,” Rarity shouted as she tried to chase one of the dozen mice she saw, only three more seemed to run from where one more went to.

Fluttershy looked into the room and smiled at Harmond. “I think this is going to work fine. You were right, I’ll thank Twilight for the illusions of yourself when I see her next. Oh,” Fluttershy giggled, “she’s trying to catch them with magic now,” she and the mouse quietly laughed as the illusory mice were picked up and then slipped from Rarity’s magic.

“No, stop! Don’t multiply any more! Sta-ha-hap,” she wailed as she chased them around the room unintentionally creating new inspiration as she focused on them and actually discovered a way to avoid self pleasure for the first time in years.