“So, you have a van, why?” Gilda asked Snow as she sat in the passenger seat of the old, beat up “surfer dude” van.

“It was my brother’s, gave it to me when he got a new car.” Snow smiled at her as he drove down the highway. “It gets me where I need to go and has space for if I need to move anything.”

“Oh, yeah, moving. I need to finish moving my stuff out of my place, cause my lease will be up at the end of the month.” Gilda hummed.

“I told you G.” Dash commented from the back seat.

“I’ll make a note.” Fluttershy said, staring at her laptop from her spot in the middle seat, next to CC.

“Thanks Flutters.” Gilda said. “Gotta admit, that while the money is nice, taking a break from the web is kinda nice.”

“I’ll take some pictures for chat.” Dash added. “Fuckin’ hyenas.”

“Now now, they’re the ones that suggested we take a day at the beach, while the weather was still nice for it,” CC pointed out reasonably. “Not sure what all I can do while we’re there, but it’ll be nice to relax for a day at least.”

“Swimmings good. Sun’s good for you, mostly. Napping on a beach towel isn’t bad.” Snow listed.

“Sandcastles.” Flutters added.

“I don’t like sand. It’s coarse and gets in my feathers.” Gilda grumbled.

“Ugh. Don’t mention that movie.” Dash groaned out.

“Huh? What movie?” Gilda asked, craning her head around to look back at Dash.

“...When we get back, movie night,” CC suggested. “We’ll need to be able to get each other’s references or understand when we’re making them.”

“Hi, I’m the Dark Lord Agrippa.” Flutters said quietly, giggling.

“Liiike that one,” CC said, mostly to himself.

“Awww.” Flutters wilted a little.

“Yep.” Gilda nodded. “Movie night, tonight.”

“Sounds good.” Dash agreed.

“And, it’s not the ocean beach, but hey, a big lake is good.” Snow announced turning into a mostly full parking lot.

“Woo!” Dash cheered as the van pulled into a spot and parked.

“Sun, sand, and water are all you need for a good summer day,” CC pointed out, unbuckling himself. “I’ll grab the cooler, you all find a spot,” the pegasus stallion suggested.

The group unbuckled and piled out. Flutters and Gilda made their way onto the beach with a few towels, while Dash and Snow grabbed umbrellas and a blanket. Both Flutters and Gilda were in a t-shirt and shorts, having their swimsuits on underneath. Flutters also had her laptop under an arm.

“Oh, How’s our numbers?” Gilda asked as the pair looked for a spot. Both Flutters and her didn’t notice the sign they passed.

“We dropped down to three. The Royal Three are still at the top, obviously, and we dropped below Change Gang.” Flutters said as Gilda pointed out a spot and they started setting towels down.

“Right because the idea of a bunch of royals fucking for the common folk is hot, for some reason, and who wouldn’t love the ability to bang whoever you wanted? Gilda rolled her eyes as she sat down on the towel and tugged her shirt off to reveal a black bikini. “Shapeshifters probably eat well too, so, bonus.”

“Mmm’hmm.” Flutters nodded, sitting crosslegged and opening the laptop.

Dash and Snow joined them. Snow laying down the blanket and Dash setting down a couple umbrellas for shade.

“What’s up?” Dash asked.

“Eh, just asking our positioning online.” Gilda shrugged.

“Ah, yeah. I’d expect us to slip a bit.” Dash shrugged too.

Snow seemed to be blushing and looking at the blanket.

“What’s up?” Dash gave him a look.

Snow just gestured around, causing the other three to look around. The stallions and mares around were in varying degrees of undress. Some mares were topless or even naked. Same went with some stallions.

“Did you guys not see the sign?” Snow asked.

“What sign?’ Gilda asked.

“The clothing optional sign.” Dash giggled. “Seriously, we thought you did this on purpose.”

“Welp, I’m not taking anything off.” Flutters blushed herself and scooted back to sit on the blanket next to Snow.

“Gabs would love this.” Gilda chuckled. “Sad that she decided to stay home.”

“She’s streaming herself watching Bleach.” Flutters commented.

“Ah, well at least she’s not bored.” Gilda shrugged.

That was about when CC showed up, carrying the coolers in each hand as finally found the rest of them. “Ah, hey there guys, I have the drinks and food,” he said, thumping them down in the sand next to the blanket. A stretch of his back had his shirt off, and it was only a matter of moments before he was down to just his swim shorts. All the effort he’d been putting in to keeping himself fit was starting to show, with muscles starting to be defined on his arms and legs. He’d probably turn a few heads while they were here.

“Looking good Dweeb, you should go shirtless more often.” Gilda snickered.

“I wouldn’t say no to that either.” Dash smirked.

“No comment.” Flutters squeaked and focused back on the laptop.

“Lookin’ good. Keep that up and you’ll be ripped in no time.” Snow said proudly, his prudishness momentarily forgotten.

“Eh, I’d rather just be toned than end up looking like I live at the gym,” CC shrugged, sitting on one of the blankets afterwards. “It’s mostly to make sure I don’t fall back into bad habits now that I’m not at school with a P.E. class, like eating a lot without exercising.”

“Good, keep that up.” Snow nodded. “If you want, you could join Dash and I at the gym.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll probably stay home,” CC answered easily. “Heck it took bribes from Gilda to get me to agree to come out and do this.”

“Bribes?” Snow raised a brow.

“That is slander and lies.” Gilda said with a huff, crossing her arms under her bust.

“Uh huh, sure,” CC hummed. “How’s your ass feeling this morning?”

“... fuck you Dweeb.” Gilda grumbled, and looked around at the other beach goers. CC noted her gaze shifting and turned to look as well, before coughing and looking ahead at the water.

“Um. Guys? Why are half the mares half-naked or more?” he squeaked plaintively.

“Clothing optional sign.” Dash commented, opening a cooler and pulling out a soda.

“We swear we didn’t see it!” Flutters said quickly.

“Oh. That’s...okay then,” CC blushed a bit. “I think I’m going to lie here with some sunglasses on so I don’t get in trouble,” he observed aloud.

“Dweeb, looking is fine, touching is different, fucking requires some consent.” Gilda rolled her eyes.

“That’s why I’m not looking at anyone.” Snow coughed, pulling a book out of his bag.

“Yeah, I know that even looking would get me in trouble, even if G says otherwise,” the other pegasus stallion said with a nod. “I’d rather not find out what claws feel like tonight on sensitive bits of me.”

“Oh my gosh!” A loud gasp made the group jump. Gilda looked up to see… a giraffe. A tall, lanky, female giraffe. She had orange fur and patches of brown all over her. Her “mane” was a brown mohawk-like crest that ran down the entirety of her long neck. She looked like she didn’t have one bit of muscle on her. She was just wearing white bikini bottoms, not that a top would do much as she was flat as a board.

The giraffe was staring directly at Gilda.

Gilda blinked. “Can I help you?”

“Oh! I’m such a big fan! I’ve seen you online! You’re so hot!” The giraffe babbled excitedly. Her green eyes stared at the hen, twinkling with excitement.

“Thank… you?” Gilda said, flushing a little.

“Gemma!” A short, black-furred, gray-eyed husky in a blue bikini raced over. “Sorry about her. She gets a little over excited.”

“But it’s Gilda, from the chatroom.” ‘Gemma’ said to her friend, pointing at Gilda. “She’s here and I had to say hi.”

“Gemma, that’s rude. They’re probably here to relax, like we were supposed to be doing.” The husky sighed. “Sorry, this dolt is Gemma. I’m Angel.” ‘Angel’ said, then looked back to the giraffe. “Also Gemma, that's not really appropriate to bring up in public.”

“But it’s a nude beach.” Gemma wilted a bit.

“Technically, but that still doesn’t mean that you can bring stuff up like that. Now say you’re sorry.” Angel scolded.

“Sorry for bothering you.” Gemma said with a sad frown.

“I mean, I’m kinda used to it, a little,” CC said with a shrug. “Not the first time we’ve been recognized. A little weird still, but I can shake it off sooner.”

“I’m still not used to it, but it’s cool.” Gilda shrugged, craning her neck to meet the giraffe’s eyes. “Nice to meet you, Gemma. I’m Gilda. This is Flutters, Dash, CC, and Snow.”

“Hi!” Gemma waved happily.

“Thanks for humoring her.” Angel relaxed. “That was embarrassing.”

“It’s all good.” Dash shrugged.

“Yeah, no real harm,” CC added on. “It’s not like she suggested anything other than a meeting.”

“Well, could I come on stream?” Gemma asked.

“Gemma…” Angel face-palmed.

“Our streaming stuff is at home,” CC pointed out. “Gabby’s there watching some anime and streaming her reaction for the Chat. Something cute and wholesome. Only thing we’ve got is Shy’s laptop.”

“Dweeb, our couch isn’t black or leathery enough to be a casting couch.” Gilda groaned. “I don’t care if you want to bang a giraffe, just go about this with a little tact.”

“We could come over some time.” Gemma smiled.

“We?” Angel raised a brow at the giraffe.

“I could make a poll later when we get home.” Flutters shrugged.

“Take a picture of her with the webcam,” CC suggested. “You could post it while we relax.”

Flutters scooted forward and angled the camera. “Say cheese.”

“Cheese!” Gemma grinned happily, making v’s with her fingers.

“Cheese.” Angel said flatly, deadpanning at the laptop.

“Got it.” Flutters said, scooting back. “Hey we met a fan. This is Gem and Deva. What do you think?” Flutters spoke aloud as she typed out the message to go with the picture.

“Want our numbers?” Gemma asked excitedly.

“Ya know, fuck it.” Gilda held out her phone to Angel, which the husky took and started typing at.

“Honestly, we could just enjoy the day together,” CC suggested, lying back on his blanket. “I think together we’d stand a better chance at not being bothered by anyone else.”

“Oh, could we?” Gemma bounced a little.

“Why not?” Angel sighed. “Gemma, stay here, I’ll get our stuff.”

“Okay!” Gemma grinned and settled herself in front of Flutters. “Hi.”

“S’up.” Dash chuckled.

“She’s kind of cute, kinda like Pinkie Pie.” Flutters commented.

“Huh. Come to think of it, yeah.” Gilda nodded, turning around. “So Gemma, what do you do?”

“I’m a barista at StarBucks.” Gemma grinned happily. “Angel wanted to come in case somebody tried to kidnap me.”

“That was a joke.” Angel said, rolling her eyes as she set down a towel and a cooler. “Though you never know with some people.”

“Is it really kidnapping her if she comes with us of her own volition?” CC posed out loud. “We do seem to acquire people quite often that way.”

“Feel like her fucking guardian most days.” Angel shook her head.

“I know, I’m not that smart, but it’s all kay.” Gemma said with a smile.

“People are smart in different ways,” CC propped himself up with his elbows and pointed at himself. “I’m good with computers, but social situations tend to puzzle me. Gilda’s good at sports,” pointing at Gilda now, “but needs help with more advanced subjects. Snow-” and now the stallion was pointing at the physical trainer, “Is smart about the body and what it can do. I’m willing to bet that you,” CC pointed one of his wings around to point at the giraffe, “Could tell me all about the relationships and drama in your life with nuance and detail, or what you’ve observed from your customers’ lives in the coffee shop just from their orders. It’s been proven by scientists that emotional intelligence and more contemporary intelligence are two different things that different people have in different amounts in their brains. Usually, it’s more of one and less of the other.”

“I wonder if Miss Willow is doing okay.” Gemma commented airily.

“I think that’s your answer.” Gilda commented.

“Huh, for some reason, Chat is requesting wholesome stuff.” Fluttershy commented. Suddenly she blushed. “Eep!”

“What?” Dash asked.

“Th-they want m-me to cuddle S-Snow.” Flutters squeaked out.

Snow buried his face in his book.

“Cuuuuuute!” Gemma squee’d.

“That’s actually cute.” Angel nodded.

“Well, we’ll have the camera on them this evening.” Gilda chuckled.

“Please no!” Flutters squeaked.

“You’re right, why wait?” CC smirked evilly. “You’ve got a camera on the laptop, they’re being nice, let’s give them a picture of the two of you snuggling up against each other on the beach.”

Flutters blushed furiously, however Snow, also blushing, set his book down and scooted over to Flutters and put an arm around her. Flutters stiffened, then leaned over. She snuggled up against Snow’s side.

“And that’s adorable.” Gilda said, grabbed Flutter’s laptop and tapped at it.

“When are you going to take the picture?” Flutters asked, her face burning.

“Gimme a sec.” Dash leaned around and snorted. Gilda had the video on.

“Ummm… I don’t really mind…” Snow said quietly. “She’s comfortable.”

“And this is why we needed this day,” CC sighed, smiling at the sight. “Okay, I’m just gonna lie back and relax,” he declared, putting actions to words and falling back on his blanket.

Gilda snorted. “Okay, got it.” However Flutters didn’t move. Gilda then handed the laptop to Dash and crawled over to cuddle next to CC.

“Hey Chat, it’s Dash.” Dash muttered as she typed away.

“This is nice.” Gemma just sat there and grinned.

“Yeah, it’s nice to have a chat liking wholesome cuddles, the perverts,” CC spoke up without opening his eyes. One arm and wing wrapped around Gilda and drew her closer. The hen nuzzled into his shoulder.

“Might need a break, if just to let you all heal a bit.” Snow commented. “Sex everyday, while it sounds nice, actually isn’t good for you.”

“More wholesome stuff then?” Gemma asked. “I mean, the sex is hot, but I can like cute things too.”

“We should have a cuteness day every so often,” CC mused. “Just a pile of bodies cuddling each other.”

“Cuddle Pile!” Gemma said with a gasp.

“No… Just no.” Gilda groaned.

“Couple cuddles.” Flutters countered.

“Better.” Gilda nodded into CC’s shoulder.

“What about Dash and Gabby?” CC riposted.

“Hey, I like the D, but Gabs is cute. I wouldn’t mind.” Dash shrugged.

“Angel!” Gemma pulled Angel into her lap.

Angel sighed. “Fine.”

“Just piles of people cuddling, eh?” CC chuckled. “Well then. We’ll pick a day and just surprise Chat with wholesomeness.”

“Sunday.” Gilda mumbled. “Sundays are lazy anyway.”

“True,” CC admitted. “Then again, so is today at the moment.”

“Yep.” Dash nodded, closing the laptop and laying on a towel.

“And we might need to do this more often.” Gilda yawned.

“I’ll look into it,” CC promised. “I know there’s a few art installations in town that we could spend time looking at. Or just the local museum, it’s got a few rotating exhibits. Last month it was mummies.”

“Eep!” Flutters yelped.

“Yeah, Flutters doesn’t like scary things.” Dash chuckled, with an arm over her eyes.

“They’re just dry bois, nothing scary about them.” Gilda countered.

“But they could move.” Flutters said weakly.

“Then light them on fire. Fire solves that problem pretty easily.” Angel replied. “Mummies take double damage from fire. Then again, same goes for radiant damage.”

“Angel plays D&D.” Gemma giggled. “I don’t really get it that much, so she always makes my characters for me.”

“Heh,” CC flashed them a thumbs up. “As for what’s on offer now...I think the current exhibit is one of the more famous physicists. All the science leading up to his work and how we can build on it.”

“That’s interesting.” Snow looked at the other stallion.

“Probably would go over my head, but cool.” Gilda shrugged.

“I think his work was used to help us take a picture of a black hole? Not sure, he did a lot of work with black holes,” CC admitted. “Proved they didn’t just suck things in, but emitted some form of radiation as well, that sort of thing.”

“Cool.” Dash commented.

“That was an impressive group effort.” Flutters added. “All those scientists and countries, working together to get a picture of something. If only Moonstone Spirit could’ve lived to see it.”

“Mhm, and the fact that we can do that means that we’re only going to get better at dealing with space,” CC nodded. “Granted, I don’t think I’ll ever manage to go myself. Not physically fit enough, not my fault.”

“I’m content being here on the ground, for the moment.” Gilda chuckled.

“Won’t stop me flying.” Dash chuckled herself.

“Yeah. Still...we could just spend a lazy day at the museum of science, walking around and taking in the sights. Everything from the hall of life and all the models of the animals to the world, to the dinosaur halls,” CC offered.

“Sounds like fun.” Flutters said with a smile.

“Maybe in the next few days.” Snow offered.

“We don’t exactly have plans.” Dash added.

“Yeah, but I like keeping you all happy,” CC noted. “They have a more traditional space hall, a mining hall, a couple of other rotational exhibits - I swear one was a Sherlock Pones exhibit one month. Or was it more ‘how it could have happened if it were real…’” CC mused. “Anyways, the next month it was all about real life murder mysteries, and one of the others was about pirates. They do a little bit of everything at the science museum. The only things that are stable are the halls of life, the dinosaurs, the mining hall, and the space hall. Oh, and the aviator’s hall, can’t forget that.”

“Might need to make that a weekly, or monthly thing.” Gilda shrugged. “For now. I just wanna chill.”

“It’s a good day just to relax.” Snow nodded. “You guys need it.”

“Can’t be in the public eye all the time.” Flutters nodded.

“Technically we are in public,” CC pointed out, pointing a wing at Gemma. “We’re just not on camera for all our pervert fans to see us doing such lewd activities as cuddling.”

“Or hand holding.” Gilda snickered.

Flutters gasped. “How could you say that in public?!”

“Flutters, I want to hold your hand in public.” Snow said with a deep chuckle.

“Awwww!” Came a coo from the other girls, while Flutters face burned.

“I ship it.” Gemma nodded.

“I was trying to be funny, serious.” Snow’s face turned pink.

“Too late, you are now doomed to such fates as holding Flutter’s hand in public, going on long walks through the park with her, and offering her opinions while she tries on clothes,” CC intoned.

“I wouldn’t mind that…” Snow mumbled.

“Neither would I.” Flutters nodded, hiding behind a wing.

“You know this would be much cuter, but Gemma has her tits out.” Angel deadpanned.

“She has tits?” Dash asked.

“I do?” Gemma looked down.

“Says the mare with only bumps on her chest.” Angel smirked at the rainbow-maned mare.

“Yeah, take’s one to know one.” Dash snorted at Angel’s lack of bust.

“And fuck you too.” Angel snorted.

“Don’t tempt me.” Dash winked.

“Hey, wholesome, deal with your sexual tension later.” Gilda grumbled.

“Dash, cellphone, number, now.” Angel stated, struggling to get out of Gemma’s grip.

Dash tossed her phone at the husky, which she tapped at quickly.

“I guess some tension was unavoidable,” CC noted. “It’s been, what, three days since we last tried to stretch Dash?”

“Then I don’t blame her for being pent up.” Angel snorted a laugh as she chucked the phone back to Dash.

“Problem is, Dash doesn’t like to give up, and she sees my dick as a challenge,” the stallion continued. “And I’m not about to break her to make it fit.”

“And thank you for that.” Dash returned to laying her arm over her eyes.

“Not that he doesn’t want to.” Gilda added.

“Gilda, I’m not a unicorn, I don’t know any fancy stretching spells,” CC rolled his eyes under his lids.

“Your mission. Should you choose to accept it, find a unicorn.” Angel stated before giggling.

“Please no, we have only so much room.” Gilda groaned out.

“I’d rather wait for someone to come out with like, a pill, or a toy, or something like that, to either make Dash stretchier or make me fit in her better,” CC shook his head. “Heck I could use it for Gilda too.”

“You should see his browser history.” Flutters stated blandly.

“Never check another stallion’s browser history,” CC intoned.

“Facts.” Snow nodded.

“Hey, anybody hungry?” Dash asked.

“I could eat.” Gilda commented.

“Mmmhmmm.” Flutters nodded.

“CC, wanna buy us, and our new friends here, some lunch?” Gilda asked.

“Oooo, food.” Gemma grinned.

“You don’t have to.” Angel said quickly.

“We did bring some food, but getting something hot sounds good right about now,” CC admitted. “I think I saw a vendor on the way in.” He stretched a little bit, before turning to peck Gilda’s cheek with a kiss. Begrudgingly, the stallion disentangled himself from the hen’s embrace and sat up.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll get up.” Gilda groaned, sitting up.

The group got up and started to pack things up. They said their goodbyes to Gemma and Angel, with promises of various calls between each other.

Nobody noticed that Gemma got a good look at their van before they left.

Author's Note

Question for the audience. Should Gemma follow them home?