Author's Note
KINK WARNING: F/M ♦ Oral ♦ Anal ♦ Cumflation ♦ Interspecies ♦ Vanilla Sex ♦ Cock Worship
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A Taste of the Wild Side
Saffron Masala nearly jumped in shock as the door to her restaurant banged shut. Even with the bell jingling merrily atop it, today was so windy that the door boomed in its frame when a hoof left its handle.
Might need a softer doorframe, she thought as she trotted to ask Minuette if she needed a refill. Or some soothing cinnamon tea, either or.
Normally, such a structural issue would be a job for Mr. Rubber Doorstop. But Saffron’s eyes were trained on that door for more than its cannon-like closings. Even now, her hasty trip behind the counter nearly sent Rarity’s monogrammed envelope tumbling to the ground. And inside that innocuous little parcel was a message, as rich with ‘darling!’s as it was with opportunity.
Apparently, one of the representatives for the Canterlot Census in three days was about to knock on her door for some etiquette lessons today! And it’d be a thousand bits per session!
Holy Spectra! Saffron had yelled in her mind, the second she’d broken that seal and saw those words. The profile bump that the Tasty Treat could get from an upper-class upstart learning under her roof would be meteoric! And having Rarity around to hook her up was amazing.
Saffron’s brain was a hot mess as she boomeranged between filling chili bowls and delivering them to customers. Her father, Coriander, had happily brushed her up on the lessons for her sessions - ones she was reciting as she worked. Thankfully, being both cashier and server for so long had made such multitasking routine to her.
But between every Salad Fork, Dinner Fork, Dessert Fork, and Knife, Teaspoon, Soupspoon echoing in her noggin, Saffron’s brain reminded her that it would be the instructed that counted. She could point, prod, whisper, or wail - but how much they absorbed would determine whether they and the Tasty Treat would prosper.
And despite her flawless strides around the oaken floors of her restaurant, the specter of potential failure lingered closely like a lover. Her store’s success had owed a lot to Rarity and Pinkie, despite her menu choice winning out in the end.
What happened if she stumbled now, with nopony else to catch her?
TAP TAP TATAP.
Almost as if that specter had stuck a hoof underneath her, Saffron tumbled when a loud knock rang out. Thankfully, only an empty chowder bowl suffered a break on the hard floor. And even then, Saffron's glowing horn went to work reassembling it as she paced to the door. After all, those knocks were what Rarity told her to listen out for.
Fighting off the embarrassed blush on her cheeks - and the feel of two dozen shocked customers’ eyes pricking at her neck - Saffron composed herself. Checked her tan shirt for any food droppings. Checked her teeth in the doorknob’s reflection for any parsley stuck within.
Then Saffron, with some effort, pushed the door open.
The first thing Saffron thought of was the peppers that complemented so many of her dishes. She’d regret it in about ten seconds, but the look of her guest swelled her heart. Lush green and oranges, sleek yet shiny in the sunlight when she picked them. And yet, the firmness belied the heart - and heat - underneath.
“Um, hi?” A cheery voice rumbled above those long limbs. “I’m King Thorax. Here for the… etiquette lessons?”
And there was the regret! “Oh! Uh, sorry about that, I’ll take your orde-oh right, not a customer!” Finally sighing loudly to keep her poor brain from deep frying, Saffron beckoned in Thorax with a forehoof. “Come on in, Thorax. Dad and I have been expecting you.”
To his credit, Thorax’s laugh was too cheery and kind to have been because of Saffron’s tongue-tied talk. The eyes in the restaurant that had needled at Saffron, however, bugged out at seeing the king of the changelings. Some were from fear - after all, it’d barely been a year since thousands of his darker kin had stormed this fair city to exert their mad Queen’s will. But Saffron was humbled to see how many marveled, as she had, at Thorax’s vibrant features. Some fillies even playfully bopped hooves with him, making him look like a Hearth’s Warming tree.
Right at home, around a sea of love.
Suddenly, Saffron could see why Rarity sent this strange bug-horse her way.
However, Thorax was soon overwhelmed by the hoofshaking fillies surrounding him. And as her father took the fragile but reassembled bowl into the kitchen, Saffron found she needed his help.
“Dad, can you take over? I have to help our special guest.” A nudge of her head to the envelope still on the counter, and the returning Coriander understood.
“Of course. Do us proud, my girl.” Coriander gently unanchored Thorax from the throng of cheering ponies. There were some glum faces as Saffron ushered the changeling behind the curtain.
But judging by the cheers after his offer of free chili cheese sandwiches for everypony, Saffron could guess they’d leave happy.
“Alright, King Thorax. This is a traditional tableset, and we'll tackle this first.”
Despite Thorax’s rushed nod - and damp brow - it was Saffron who felt a bit hot under the collar. The afternoon light peeking through slits in the curtain behind them washed over Thorax, giving him an irreverent glow. His looming crouch over the tiny table set up between them, hilarious in any other context, brought attention to his rippling muscle and height advantage over Saffron. Even his eyes, alert and locked on her, twinkled like cut sapphires.
With several rapid shakes of her head, Saffron banished those tawdry thoughts. Today was about King Thorax. Nothing else.
“I understand.” Thorax’s eyes shot down to the setting in front of him. One porcelain plate - stacked high with peppers and potatoes - three spoons, a knife, and three forks. Each silver utensil had clamps at the end, to fit his hooves. “So I’m to use the right tools to eat this, right?”
“Y-yes.” Saffron breathed. Oh, how she longed for a fan. “Now, I know it’s a bit like throwing you in the di-deep! Deep end!” Ignoring Thorax’s bemused expression, Saffron continued. ”But seeing how you handle things from the jump will let me see which skill I need to focus on.”
Thorax nodded. “Sure, Miss Masala.” Yet his voice hitched a little as he scanned over his instruments. “I guess I start with the dinner knife?” A green hoof bopped against the sole knife on his plate.
“Yes, that’s a dinn-waitbuhhuh?” Saffron was… almost certain that Thorax wasn’t supposed to know that yet. Yet she silently nodded as he took up the knife. After several spirited cuts, the vegetables were neat triangles among mountains of mashed potatoes.
“Right. Next up is choosing the right fu-fork! For this, It should be… Um...“ The utensils swam in front of Saffron’s eyes as her muddled mind scrambled for answers. How could her recitations fail her now? And how could a sweat-strewn changeling still smell sweeter than any curry plate she’d ever brewed? “Well, King Thorax… I know that the fork you need is the-”
“Dinner fork?” Thorax offered, pointing to the center of the trio of forks. “Though, the salad fork could work as well, since this is a vegetable-heavy plate.”
Saffron’s heavy breathing came to a stop. She didn’t know whether to apologize or bottle his aroma. Goodness, it felt like she was being taught by her student. “Y-yes. Correct,” she said. “You’re... quite the quick study.”
“T-thank you. Spike does put me through the paces.” Now it was Thorax’s turn to clarify after Saffron’s eyes widened. “I’ve… dined often with Princess Cadance and Prince Shining. That dragon’s well-versed in table manners, what with Twilight’s counsel.”
Attack the sweat pouring under her horn with a towel, Saffron lit it up again. A platter of cheese slid out before the happily dining changeling. “Alright, Thorax. When you’re done, we’ll handle dairy dishes.”
For that short moment, Saffron just watched Thorax eat. Even that seemed well-refined, as his maw and mandibles clicked to an unheard beat between every swallow. It almost made her wonder what Thorax was really doing in the Tasty Treat.
A part of Saffron’s mind wondered if those wary gazes Thorax shot her way meant something more. Did it mean that Thorax was in the mood for something warmer from her?Of course, rationality prevailed, and Saffron turned away from the stare clearly reacting to her staring at him.
Besides, Thorax was a king. And a damn fine diner, her mind concurred. He wasn’t here for anything raunchy, especially not with her. Thinking it would happen was a pipe dream. Best to see him through, get the bits, and nurse her lonely heart in silence.
But all her mind shot at her through plate after plate of well-cut food were two words: What if...
The second day was almost exactly like the first. Thorax came in, then Saffron eventually collected enough of herself to take him to the staging room (with less broken bowls this time, thankfully.) And they both went through the curtain to that little table. Once again, Thorax tackled every meal Saffron put in front of him with the right utensil. And Saffron loved seeing that Thorax’s skills were just that; skills, not one-day habits to impress her. Repetition was key, after all.
However, Thorax’s glance at Saffron continued, even though Saffron's didn’t. And she couldn’t help but feel her heart flutter a bit faster at each. Maybe it wasn’t just her imagination? Was it?
Just as the bright white rays turned rust-orange with afternoon’s call, Thorax inexplicably stopped. His bread knife was left half-buried between a whole wheat loaf as he drew himself up to full height. Yet even now, his lip trembled as he spoke.
“Saffron, I…” Catching his thoughts, Thorax continued. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to be here, and you’ve been so courteous with me. But I…”
Saffron could have floated over to that changeling. “Yes? I hope I haven’t stuffed you too much.”
Was Thorax blushing now? The sunlight kept Saffron from confirming, but Thorax’s cheeks did seem redder. “No, it’s that, well…” And his next words came out as an uncharacteristic flurry. “I’m not sure I can take this any longer. There’s something I must know before we continue. Just between you... and me.”
Be still, Saffron’s beating heart; she was certain it’d burst soon. “Anything, King” she whispered.
As Thorax finally drew closer to Saffron, his head craning as if to kiss her, Saffron’s eyes slid shut in glee. Oh goodness, she couldn’t believe it - even her voice was failing her! But it was finally happening! Thorax wanted to romance her, Thorax want to rut-
“Are you sure Rarity told you the real reason for these lessons?”
Saffron’s eyes snapped open. “H-huh?” she squeaked. But all she saw of Thorax was his neck, the changeling having whispered in her ear.
Thorax drew back, then cleared his throat again. “Rarity. She pointed out that my issue over these negotiations weren’t my table manners. Right?”
“Um… no,” Oh no! Had Saffron stopped reading that note after she saw the price-tag for her counsel? Had she screwed up? Blood rushed to her face as she pondered her next move. For right now though, honesty seemed the best policy. If her dad said it, it had to mean something.
“I apologize, King Thorax. I... may have missed it.” Her head bowed in apology. “Should I have gotten through my lessons faster? Made the assortment of food broader?”
“Oh no, you’ve done perfectly there. I… almost want it to stay on this step.” Thorax rubbed a hoof along the back of his neck. “But yes; my problems weren’t about what was in front of me at the table. They’re about… who’s across from me.”
Saffron thought back to that note, confused by Thorax’s confession. Who’s across from him? She wondered. But I don’t think that was even in the letter! All Rarity mentioned was that ‘Thorax had an Ember that he obsesses over, darling, and he needs help looking his best in the face of it’. And while I’m not much for candlelight, getting past eccentricities was part of my du-
Saffron shot up now, the pieces connecting in her mind. Ember? As in Dragon Lord Ember? That was who Thorax obsessed over? Shock, and something hotter, shot through her body like electricity.
“Ember is the person you’re negotiating with?” Saffron asked.
“Y-yes. I assume I can trust you with the reason why?”
Saffron was taken aback a bit but nodded.
“Well… it’s because Ember is so… frustrating!” The last word flew from Thorax’s mouth like a pesky moth. “I mean, she treats my every opinion like it was plucked off her foot, she’s so oppositional-defiant, and then…”
“And then…?” Saffron asked, both dreading and desperate for the answer.
“Th-then, she just looks at me, with those dark slitted eyes, and it’s like… I can’t even remember what I was mad at her about before!” Thorax carried on, ignoring the red flush on Saffron’s cheeks. “It’s like - she takes my breath away every time she pauses to take in a breath, a-and then makes me want to rip my ears off the second she talks!”
Saffron paused for a moment. Certainly, the thought of somecreature captivating Thorax was - well, shocking. Not to mention surprising, considering Thorax’s towering bulk. But for now, it was her rational mind wedging the pieces in again. If Thorax was this flustered by Ember, that meant she had to change her lesson plans. All the posture and poise, all the manners she’d instilled in him - now came into conflict with this blue-scaled elephant in the room.
For once, Saffron didn’t feel like she was in traction with Thorax anymore. Now, she was trying to help an emotionally vulnerable changeling win the day against an intimidating dragoness.
“Okay, Thorax.” And Thorax was rapt at attention again. “What you need is more than just table manners. You need toughness, enough of it to bend Ember to your will in your talks. Which means…”
Saffron braced herself, then swept her forehooves across the table. Besides getting several sticky chunks of squash stuck to her hooves, none of the dishes were thrown to the floor as she wanted. She tried twice more. No results, besides her embarrassed blush growing. Finally, she lit her horn, raised the plates, and crashed them into the wall.
“Do… do you want me to clean that?” Thorax meekly asked, looking at the splintered ceramic.
“No, Thorax! No… I don’t.” Saffron raised a forehoof, steadying herself. By Faust, Thorax’s voice had this utterly alluring hitch when he was concerned. But Saffron’s focus was crystal clear now. “Not now. Now… it’s time we both got dirty.”
They’d spent two days at this. The sun had come hot and heavy, and Saffron’s orders came even heavier.
“W-well, Ember, I think this island is in my territory, and I can make sure we both benefit-”
WHAK. Saffron’s hoof struck the table. “Again.”
“Ember, look here: Our hive is starved for space, we need this island more th-than, oh Faust-”
WHAP. “Again, you buggy little brat.” Goodness, pretending to be Princess Ember was such fun. And seeing Thorax come out from his crouched stance with every repeat of their mock talk made her smile grow.
“Ember, I am King Thorax! This island is as good as mine, an-” And then Thorax retreated into his shell again. “I can’t! I can’t do this!”
“You can, Thorax.” Saffron's act dropped at last. Pulling back the gold head-guard shaped like Ember’s helmet, the cook helped ease Thorax’s twitching muscles. “We have one more day. And you’re the king of the changelings. We just need to push further.”
Slowly, Saffron brought the trembling shapeshifter under her hoof, letting her fake claws dance on his forehead in soothing strokes. A small part of Saffron wondered if Rarity comforted Spike like she was Thorax at that moment.
They spent the rest of the afternoon like that, until Coriander came in and with a “O-oh! Sorry, Saffron, I didn’t know...”, retreated back into the kitchen. Saffron giggled slightly at that, and both she and Thorax silently watched the sunset through the windows of the store.
On that last day, Thorax came before even the guests for the Tasty Treat did. And it surprised Saffron that he’d show up on her second-floor window. “You… you’ve put in so much effort to teach me. I want to return the favor.” It was a short explanation, but it was enough. Saffron’s eyes glittered with joy at seeing the steel in Thorax’s stance.
This time, both mare and changeling trekked to the storeroom in hushed yet eager whispers.
“...and really, Saffron, I knew Spike and Rarity were an item!” finished Thorax, gentlecoltly holding open the threshold-spanning curtain for her. “Just thinking of it got me abuzz! The Hero of the Crystal Empire, and the Facesmasher of Changelings? Even Pharynx fainted at that!”
“Yeah, I know, right?” Saffron’s laughter, muffled as it was, finally faded as she saw that familiar table. A guilt-given lump rose in her throat. “Actually, Thorax…” she turned to him again as an idea formed in her head. It might have been the earliness of the hour, or the determination flashing in Thorax’s eyes, but she was feeling bold. “Is Ember really that deep in your mind?”
“I… yes,” Thorax’s head drooped. “This meeting of united nations; it’s brought back all those feelings of loneliness I had while traipsing in the Crystal Caves. When I was… alone. Lost, inches from a world that seemed like it was just waiting for me to fail.” A heavy sigh shook his frame. “But then, I at least had Spike; coming out of the blue, offering me friendship. I can’t have him help me here. And despite all he’s done for me, I know I still have so much to learn.”
Saffron’s heart almost broke at that. Goodness, he dealt with feelings of dependency of those wonderful ponies and their friends too! He, a King! And it both lightened the load on her chest and the unease in her soul.
“I… just wanna show Ember I can stick up for those I love! Just fucking once!” Saffron almost jumped at the rare curse flying from Thorax’s maw. “But… I’m always thinking of her curves. Her sin-dripping voice. Her big eyes… and big everything else. And if I screw up, my fellow changelings suffer.” A lonely tear dripped from his snout. “By Faust, I’m so damned weak.”
Saffron couldn’t have disagreed more. And as she embraced Thorax, his sides quaking in his lament, her idea finally crystallized in her mind. It was risky, raunchy… ruinous, if a customer popped in now. But for this grieving gallant before her, it was worth the risk.
Besides, knowing that she’d possibly take the spot in Thorax’s mind that Ember did make her own heart race.
“Then I think what you need is somepony else to long for. Somepony who your thoughts about... are closer to home than she can ever get,” Saffron offered in a honey-sweet voice.
And Thorax’s nose quirked as if he’d caught that scent. His head craned up slightly, staring holes in the chair.
“Thorax. Look at me.”
Almost as if resigned to it, Thorax raised his head. At last, Saffron’s rosy face met his. But for some reason, the tint in her cheeks was different. And something deep and savage lurked behind those eyes now. “W-what do you mean, Saffron?” he squeaked.
“I mean…” Saffron’s muzzle drew closer to his. “That our final lesson starts now.” Then she leaned forward, bringing him to her in a short kiss.
Thorax’s chitin buzzed from the shock. Goodness, his teacher was kissing him now! It was like heaven being lip-locked with her. And her tongue battled his in a surprisingly lewd fashion.
Behind the sweet taste of Saffron as she deepened the kiss, something raw and hot sparked within Thorax as well. The doubts about Ember burned away. The room faded in his mind’s eye. For now, Thorax was again focused on one thing - and that was the wonderful unicorn sucking his muzzle off.
But then Saffron broke away, and Thorax was left sucking air. Even now, this captivating cook was keeping him on his tippy-hooves. “Well?” she asked. “Thinking of Ember no-umph!”
Thorax lunged forward and caught her lips again. He slowly drew the panting mare into his embrace, eventually holding her bridal-style as their mouths collided with hot smacks. Soon, they found themselves clambering into the small chair in a hot tangle of limbs.
Just like their first session, Saffron found herself letting Thorax take charge. Despite sitting on his lap as their tongues twisted, they did so in her mouth now. Despite their hips grinding together, she could only feel the flood from her folds drenching them. And despite both of them gasping for air between each kiss, only Saffron found herself drowning anew in Thorax’s heady musk.
Soon, though, Saffron’s short-circuiting mind remembered her task. She was supposed to make herself the center of Thorax’s mind. This meant that despite how good he tasted - and smelled - she had to attend to another head of his.
Her limbs felt like spiced gelatin as she clambered off her perch on the changeling. “Hold on, King,” she purred as she laid kisses on his shiny green chest. “I want to make sure you remember this.” He flinched as if those wet marks burned, yet his hooves held her head close to layer more upon him.
Soon, Saffron found her treat, the one three days of effort had brought to its plumpest form. Thorax’s cock was rigid and throbbing with life. It was an altar to virility, and it made Saffron’s mouth - and eyes - water at its mammoth size. Goodness, how long had Thorax been hiding a beast like this under his sheath, during Saffron’s every meet-up? How long had he longed to plow this down Ember’s mouth - or possibly that dragoness’ literal tight ass?
Well, Saffron had this tool in her hooves now. And as she felt the changeling’s cock pulse under her hooves, she almost laughed at what Ember was missing. But she didn’t. Even here, on her knees, her pussy gushing fountains for Thorax’s giant cock, Saffron remained composed.
“Allow me, Thorax.” Her hooves pushed down on his stiff shaft, bringing it to her lips. “I want to reward you. For all your tireless work as an ambassador.” And her reward was throbbing and tight, as she fed Thorax’s cock into her glistening maw.
Thorax stuffed a hoof in his maw - any slower, and his yell would have woken Luna herself. “Ummmm!” he moaned around the digit in his gullet, hips jerking into Saffron’s succulent mouth.
Stiffening her pose to better take him down her throat, Saffron positioned her mouth on Thorax. Her tongue twirled laboriously around his length, soaking in every salty bit of pre. Her deepthroating, much as it made her gurgle on his column, let her feel every vein throbbing at the roof of her mouth.
Quickly, Saffron found that she couldn’t leave her quivering slit alone either. One daring hoof snaked down to her puffy folds, her hooftip stroking feverishly at her wet nub. She moaned, long and low around Thorax’s member, and the jump of his hips pushed another couple inches of savory fuckpole down her throat.
Not that she was too concerned; at this point, Thorax’s cock-musk had spoiled her on spicy scents for life. Her motions sped up, deliberation swiftly giving way to desire. Ear-popping glukglukgluks rang out in the storeroom as she impaled herself on Thorax. Judging by his muffled wails, the treatment was driving him lust-crazy as well.
Or to his peak, considering how fast his bulb swelled in her needy throat. Saffron certainly hoped so; with how fast her hoof twisted around her clit, it’d be a race to the release. Her tearing-up eyes closed in anticipation. No way would any fantasy of Ember eclipse her now.
Then, Thorax’s last throat-thrust triggered his fuckbatter flood. His cock spewed rope after rope of sizzling jizz right into Saffron’s stomach, and she merrily took each load like Hearth’s Warming Eve dinner. At his third cumshot, she climaxed hard around her other hoof, bathing the floor in her pungent marecum. Yet Thorax didn’t stop cumming, his fitful thrusts making Saffron mewl and melt around him as he unloaded.
Despite the massive deposit, it’d take more than one climax to bulge out Saffron's abdomen now. As she yanked her head off of his softening shaft, with a yelp so erotic it made Thorax’s hips twitch, she could only dream of more. More time with Thorax, more time before her store opened, more time for him to pump her full of seed.
Alas, only one of those wishes would be answered today, and her hooves scrabbling to pull her up the table foreshadowed it. “Thorax…” she begged, soon turning to splay herself on the tabletop front first. “I need you to finish this. I-inside me.”
Thorax had watched Saffron the whole time, his ears twitching at every throaty purr pulled from her ravaged throat. But if Thorax needed more incentive to rut the Tasty Treat’s temptress, it came - and he nearly followed suit - when she flagged her fluffy tail. The spoils of her slit-stroking session showed itself, her snatch now swollen and soaked. And its twinkling shine called out to the love-drinker.
Saffron threw a sultry look behind her as if to add Well, King? My ransom’s all for the taking. So pull yourself up and take me.
In a flurry of hooves and hot breath, Thorax moved to cover Saffron’s prone body with his own. The table creaked as his weight bore on it, but the meaty plipplipplips of his cock as he dragged it against her folds drowned it out. Soon, he and Saffron were shamelessly gasping again, their hips sliding against each other like grindstones.
The second his cock felt tough enough to split bedrock again - and Saffron’s pleadings turned into unintelligible mewls - Thorax dragged a hoof between their sweat-speckled bodies. Gripping his massive member, Thorax’s hips drew back just enough to line it with her sopping slit. He waited until Saffron nodded in approval, gave her a watery smile - and then bared his teeth as he plunged into the cook’s caverns.
One solid thrust later and both of them were panting, the air driven from them by Thorax’s mighty ramming. Saffron felt like a vise around his length, and the way she wrung every thought of Ember from his mind was fucking miraculous. All that remained was to reward this saucy seductress, with the pounding of a lifetime.
For Saffron, it definitely felt like a lifetime passed in-between every mighty Thorax pump. Every time he pulled back, her pussy massaged and milked every square inch of him, desperate to keep him rooted. Every time he thrust into her, sparks rocketed before her eyes, her limbs curling. Even the rapid rhythm they set made her teeth chatter in bliss as they thrashed on the table.
Soon, their lips found each other, kissing hungrily as their hips slapped together ravenously. Their tongues tangled, their bodies trembled, and Saffron only briefly registered how close she was to cumming. This time, she chased that feeling with reckless abandon, her mind already lost to lust.
Then she was careening into orgasm again, hot pink flesh wet and spasming. She howled in Thorax’s mouth and her limbs stiffened and her sight washed over in white and she felt alive.
Saffron came down to earth several minutes after her thunderous climax. Slowly she breathed, wondering why her heart hadn’t burst if it was thumping so loudly in her ears. She turned to Thorax, his face softly painted by the dawning sunlight.
And she smiled at the sight.
Time almost seemed to speed away from her from that point. All too soon, Thorax had come down from his high, they’d giggled, then they kissed and kissed again. Then Saffron vanished away the cum with a poof of her horn, and they calmed down Coriander. The second they told him of the sessions’ success, Saffron was soon squirming happily in his rib-crushing hug.
Breakfast passed like a speeding Express, too. The chili cheese sandwich was succulently stringy and rich as she chewed on it. But all Saffron could think of was the pool of gooey white already resting in her stomach. And Thorax, despite his constant words of thanks to Coriander for ‘putting up with him’ - Thorax’s words, not Coriander’s - couldn’t keep his eyes off of Saffron. Each time he did, that grin of his turned just a little bit more impish.
Soon after, it was showtime, and Thorax trotted out for his negotiations. The blustery gales battering Canterlot had let up this morning, leaving only the lazy sun to brighten his figure. “Well, Saffron… I think I’ve got this,” he said, shaking her hoof. “Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome, King Thorax.” Saffron returned that grin. “Give Ember all you’ve got.”
“Bit late for that,” he replied, both of them laughing soon after. “But I’ll do my best. Besides...” And his eyes twinkled knowingly. “She’s the last thing on my mind now. If you wish, we could… go out for coffee after these talks?”
Saffron’s blush flashed back. “S-sure,” she stuttered. “I’d love that.”
“Music to a changeling’s ears,” Thorax tittered as he turned toward Canterlot. “I’ll see you then.”
Then his wings pumped hard, and he was gone. Saffron Masala nearly jumped in shock as the door to her restaurant banged shut.
