“You look thoughtful,” Violet commented as she and Tigerbright hiked their way through the forest to place more sensors.

“Hmmm? Oh, it’s something that Prince Destined said to me. Nothing to worry about.”

“Anything I can help with?”

The chakat shook hir head. “No, I think I need to work this out for myself. However, while we’re on the subject of alicorns, are your prince and princesses always like that?”

The mare gave hir a quizzical look. “Like what?”

“He had no crown or royal outfit. He wasn’t accompanied by several guards. It was more like an acquaintance dropping by rather than a royal visit.”

Violet chuckled. “I saw a lot of Prince Destined while I attended Celestia’s school. He takes after his mother, Princess Twilight Sparkle. Like her, he prefers to eschew the crown and regalia when he’s not in Court or some other formal occasion. As for Royal Guards, not only couldn’t they teleport here like he can, he doesn’t need them. He’s one of the most powerful beings in Equestria, not to mention the Federation.”

“Even powerful beings can be caught by surprise,” Tigerbright pointed out.

The unicorn snorted. “I don’t think he can be caught napping.”

“What do you mean?”

“Like he said, he’s the master of time as well as space. He can see every possible future event if he chooses. He can assess the probability of an event occurring an act accordingly.”

“Then, why didn’t he foresee the surges?”

“Because he didn’t look.” Violet stopped and turned to face her companion. “You have to understand that his talent would drive an ordinary pony insane. His special gift allows him to make sense of all the probabilities, but he still doesn’t dive into the timelines at a whim. If he sees a major event is coming up, or he has to travel across the galaxy for a meeting, he might check out the repercussions. However, while the surges have been annoying, so far they haven’t been disastrous. In other words, he not only didn’t notice them starting, he’s not going to meddle with time unless he perceives a real danger from them. I don’t know much about time magic, but even he has to act with extreme caution. It’s possible to create paradoxes and unintended side-effects that spiral out of control. Add to that where the surges are happening: Chakona and outer space. Naturally, his perceptions are centered around his physical location at that time.”

“I see. But he might still be aware of lesser probabilities happening around him?”

Violet shrugged. “I don’t know everything about the prince. That’s just what I learned about him in alicorn studies at school.” She resumed the trek through the woods.

Tigerbright followed, her mind considering the mare’s words. “That might explain part of what he said to me. Now I just have to figure out the rest.”

“Whoa! Slow down! What’s the rush?” Tigerbright demanded as shi bounded after Violet who was practically galloping through the forest by now.

The mare eased up, blushing a little. “Sorry. I… umm… have a lot of… nervous energy that I’m trying to burn off.”

The chakat pulled up beside her. “You’ve been getting more and more antsy for a couple of days since we left town. What’s bugging you, Vi?”

“Nothing. I’m just need to tire myself out a bit more.”

Tigerbright rolled hir eyes. “Right.”

They continued on at a more sedate pace until they reached their camping ground for that day. Situated in a glade abutting a small lake, it was both practical and picturesque. The pair had set up camp the same as they had the past few days and Tigerbright shucked hir hiking gear beside the storage tent before starting the fire needed to cook their meal. Violet assembled her equipment at a spot on the lush grass that was about as far away from the chakat as she could and still be within the boundary of the protective field covering their campsite.

The mare immediately set to work collating and analyzing the data they had collected that day. While she was still gathering geological data at the same time, she concentrated first on the information she had garnered from the sensors they had collected in the morning before moving here. They had finally gained enough readings to confirm that the source of the phenomenon was definitely on the island and not somewhere offshore. Now it was just a matter of narrowing it down. To that end, they had been installing sensors at two sites per day since leaving town, utilizing half their supply of the instruments at each. By now, they had covered the entire island with the broad-based measurements. The results from measuring tonight’s surge would enable them to begin the second stage of their search, reducing the area to be checked more thoroughly to about a tenth of the island.

Without tonight’s data, that would not be possible yet, but Violet buried herself into work with an unwarranted degree of fervor. This did not escape the notice of Tigerbright who gave her concerned glances even as shi chopped up vegetables for the stew that shi was preparing. After shi had put them into a large pot over the fire to cook, the chakat looked again at the unicorn who staring at her datapad screen intensely. Tigerbright couldn’t help picking up the mélange of emotions roiling off of her friend. Shi bit hir lip, considering hir course of action. Eventually, shi spoke up.

“Want to help me make the damper tonight? I’m thinking of making a fruit loaf. I’ve got a packet of mixed dried fruits to knead into the dough. I’ll let you snack on the remainder.”

Violet did not take her eyes from the screen. “No, thanks,” she replied tersely.

The chakat sighed. “Okay, enough is enough. I know what’s bothering you, Vi. Hell, I’ve been smelling it for a couple of days! You’ve gone into heat and you’re trying to hide it.”

The mare stiffened up for a long moment before throwing her head back and wailing, “It’s worse than that! I’m in Season!”

Tigerbright’s eyes widened. “You mean ‘shut down the town for a week’ type Season? But that happened a few weeks ago.”

“You don’t understand! The mares here are not in synch with those on Equestria. Heck! Even back there, the timing of the Season varied between regions. But I’m not due yet.”

“Then why are you now?”

The unicorn got to her hooves and start frantically pacing back and forth within the confines of their campsite, rife with the nervous energy that came with the major heat. “The immigration authority warned me of this possibility. Chakona has a different climate, seasons, background mana, and other factors. Even the plants add chemicals into the air that can trigger a fertility cycle. By this time next year, I should be in synch with the other mares in the colony but, right now, my body doesn’t care. It’s screaming out for a stallion and doesn’t care that I don’t want to get pregnant.”

“We could pack up and go back to town. I’m sure that we could find someone to help you through this period. You can’t be the first mare to have this happen.”

“No! I can’t afford the time away. We don’t know how long these surges will continue to occur and I would be devastated if they stop while I’m cooped up in the house while getting sexual relief.”

Tigerbright had not expected Violet to go for that idea, but shi’d had to put it forward before offering hir preferred option. “You know how I visit Morningmist to attend to our mutual needs? I could do the same for you.”

Violet stopped and turned to stare at the chakat. “Recreational sex?”

“Yeah. You wouldn’t even have to worry about getting pregnant because we’re not biologically compatible.”

“Tiger, I… are you sure? We’ve only known each other for a short time. This is… ohhh!” The mare shuddered as a surge of hormones hit her at the thought of what her companion was offering.

Tigerbright came over to the mare and laid a hand on her withers. While Violet flinched at the touch, she did not move away. “Hon, I am your friend and I like you a lot. Why wouldn’t I do this for you?”

“Because this is pure animal lust!”

“Violet, chakats have their sexual cycles too. We also get extra horny when we’re in peak female phase. Perhaps nowhere near as bad as you ponies, but at least I know what it’s like. There’s no shame in asking for relief.”

The unicorn gasped. “Oh, Sweet Celestia! I need you badly. Do it, please!” Violet turned around and raised her tail. Her vulva winked at the chakat.

Tigerbright had deliberately not shown the mare but shi was already aroused. Hir penis reached full erection even as shi placed hir forepaws on the unicorn’s back and brought hirself into position. While shi would normally indulge in foreplay with Morningmist before copulating, this was an act of need rather than play. As this was the first time shi’d had sex with any being other than a chakat, shi was careful at the start. However, when Violet groaned passionately when the head of hir cock lightly touched the entrance to the pony’s vagina, shi abandoned subtlety and plunged into the unicorn’s depths.

Violet cried out, but it was in pleasure as she felt the burning desire finally being attended to. Tigerbright empathically sensed that all was well and reveled in the broadcast emotion. Shi let hirself go with the feeling, concentrating on bringing maximum stimulation to hir companion, and not incidentally to hirself at the same time. Shi stroked until the mare shuddered as she was wracked by orgasm, but shi did not cease hir thrusts. Shi stepped up hir efforts knowing that the mare was far from satiated yet, and neither was shi. When Tigerbright sensed the incipient orgasm, shi allowed hirself to climax along with Violet and filled her with hir cum.

The chakat pulled free of the mare who sank to the ground, panting.

Tigerbright lay hirself down beside her and grinned. “Feeling better?”

Violet giggled. “Much. Are we done now?”

The chakat grinned. “Hon – Misty and I do this for about half an hour, only swapping back and forth who mounts whom. I’m happy to give you more if you need it. And don’t say that don’t want it. I can still sense the desire.”

The unicorn smiled almost shyly. “I know. I can feel yours too.” She winked. “In both a physical and psychic sense. I’m glad you could enjoy mounting me.”

“I’ll let you into a little secret – chakats are xenophiles. We are sexually attracted to most species. I’m probably not the first chakat to have sexual relations with a pony. We’ve been interacting for years now, after all. Anyway, it’s not the form that appeals to us most, although I think you are very beautiful. As empaths, we find emotional compatibility extremely desirable. Anyway, that’s the long-winded way of saying that if you’re ready for another round, I’m prepared to do the honors.”

Violet leaned over to kiss the chakat on hir cheek. “Please do. I want more, and that’s not just the hormones talking.”

Tigerbright got up and the mare followed suit. As the chakat got into position behind Violet, shi said, “This time, though, I’m going to take my time now that the urgency is gone.”

Violet giggled again. “You’re the expert. I’ve never been mounted before by a male, or a herm in your case. I’ve only had other mares providing relief. Let me state for the record that this is far better.”

“Nothing that I didn’t know already, hon,” Tigerbright replied as shi teased the mare’s vulva with hir penis before joining with her once more.

Some time and several orgasms later, the pair lay on the grass, panting and basking in the afterglow. For a long time, neither spoke, their empathic interaction saying everything. The fire that burned in Violet’s nethers had been thoroughly quenched for now. Then the chakat sensed a shift in the mare’s emotional output. Guilt.

“Tiger – I have a confession to make.”

The chakat raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“I knew I was going into heat even before we left town. I knew I would need sexual relief within days but I went ahead with the surveys anyway.”

“You already said that you wanted to be sure we don’t miss out on tracking the surges.”

“That was only an excuse. Yes, it was a really good one but not my primary reason. I wanted to be out here in the wilderness alone with you when I came fully into Season.”

“You intended to have sex with me?”

“Yes. I’ve wanted it long before the heat started. For the first time in my life, I was deeply smitten with someone, even though I did not fully comprehend why. However, after all I had told you about rejecting stallions and wanting a life and career unencumbered by one, I felt like a hypocrite in desiring you after having just met you a few days prior. I was too embarrassed to ask. Now, I feel like a fool. I let my hormones do the thinking for me and practically used you. I’m very sorry.”

Tigerbright shook hir head and Violet was startled to hear the low rumble of laughter. “My turn to confess,” shi eventually said. “I’ve known from the day that I met you that I wanted to be close to you. I came up with every excuse I could think of to be around you, right up to and including asking you to move into my house. No, it wasn’t just with sex in mind, although we chakats are not ashamed to enjoy it. There’s something that you should know about our species that has to do with our empathic nature. Sometimes, when two chakats meet for the first time, they are instantly attracted to each other. We believe that this happens when our empathic auras are perfectly in tune. That’s what happened when I met you.”

“But I’m not a chakat.”

“No, but you are an empath, unlike all the other ponies. I can look at them and think they are pretty or cute, but there’s no particular attraction. You, though, I wanted to know better since we met on Tower Peak. But you told me about all your bad experiences with matchmaking and you even fled to another world to get away from that kind of thing. So I shut up and decided to play the long game. I wanted you to grow to feel about me like I felt about you. And then you started to go into heat. Prince Destined must have realized that too and had sensed my desires. That explains part of what he told me. Anyway, I saw it as the perfect excuse to finally be with you intimately, so I made no attempt to hold you back. And tonight, when you were at your most desperate, I took advantage.”

Violet stared at Tigerbright for a long moment before throwing her head back and howling with laughter. The chakat waited for her to finish before asking, “What’s so funny?”

The mare grinned back at hir. “We really are a pair of idiots, aren’t we? Both of us wanting something the other wanted also but too nervous to ask. You’re right – we are perfectly in tune.”

Tigerbright chuckled. “I suppose so. That begs the question – where do we go from here?”

“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving, and that vegetable stew smells awesome,” Violet replied with a grin.

The chakat returned the smile. “Not what I meant, but I agree. Want to make that fruit loaf still?”

The mare smirked. “I have something else for dessert in mind.”

“Ooh. I like the way you’re thinking.”

Tigerbright was glad that shi had finished preparing the stew before being sidetracked. Both of them were very hungry due to their efforts in the field plus their carnal activities. They ate in silence, thinking about what they had just done and why. Although it had been a strange start to a deeper relationship, neither of them regretted it.

The sun had set and the sky was rapidly darkening when they finished cleaning up. Violet settled down next to Tigerbright and nuzzled hir.

“Tiger, we’ve known each other for a little over a week now. Despite all the subjects we’ve chatted about in that time, we really don’t know a great deal about each other yet. While I’m as convinced as you are that we are meant for each other, I also feel that we’re going to have to spend more time talking about ourselves. I so very much don’t want this relationship to be soured by misunderstandings.”

“Oh, I totally agree. We have a good thing going and not only don’t I want to spoil it, I’d like to see it grow even better.”

Violet smiled. “Hard to see how much better it could be while I’m feeling so joyful right now, but that sounds wonderful to me. So, if we’re in agreement, there’s just one thing I want to formally ask. Chakat Tigerbright, will you be my stallion?”

“That’s not something that I ever dreamed of being asked but it utterly thrills me. Yes, I will be your stallion. And I ask you formally, Violet Woods, will you be my denmate?”

“I don’t know yet everything that entails but I agree without reservation because I love and trust you.”

“And I love you too.”

Tigerbright leaned down, closing hir eyes. Violet raised her head so that her lips met the chakat’s and they kissed long and passionately.

When they finally parted, they panted a little to catch their breath, grinning at each other. Then the mare’s horn lit up and the chakat felt hir jacket being pulled open.

“What are you doing, Vi?”

“Now we’re going to consummate our commitment to each other, and we’re going to do it properly. This time, you’re going to undress and we’re going to make love instead of merely rutting. Besides, I promised dessert, didn’t I?”

Tigerbright grinned and allowed hir marefriend to remove hir clothing. They kissed once more before Violet got up. The unicorn gave hir a ‘come hither’ look as she walked over to the grassy verge of the lake. She picked up a blanket in her magic and spread it before her, indicating that the chakat should lie upon it. Tigerbright did as shi had been asked but raised an eyebrow when the mare told hir to turn over onto hir backs.

“What are you up to, filly?”

“Treating my stallion right,” Violet replied. “Besides, I haven’t had a good look at what brought me such pleasure and relief a little while ago.”

Tigerbright chuckled and watched as the mare bent her muzzle between the chakat’s hind legs and breathed in deeply. Then she licked hir sheath, long and sensuously, drawing out what was within. As the penis engorged, she encouraged it with more licks, tasting her lover. Before long, pre-cum started to leak from the cock and Violet tasted that too. Licking her lips, she leaned back and grinned at her mate.

“I’m impressed. I didn’t know chakats were as well-endowed as pony stallions. No wonder it fitted so well.”

“I’m happy that it meets your expectations. Now, would you mind meeting its?”

“Don’t mind if I do.” She bent back down, opened her muzzle, and slowly engulfed Tigerbright’s penis. She began sucking and caressing the member with her tongue. The chakat watched, biting hir lip. Tigerbright’s breath shuddered at the thrills of pleasure until shi could hold back no longer. Hir hips bucked as warm cum filled hir lover’s maw.

Violet leaned back, licking her lips, savoring the taste. “Like that? It’s the first time for me, so I hope I did it right.”

“My beautiful mare, I believe you swallowed the evidence of your efforts to please me.”

“If you liked that, you’re going to love this.” The unicorn got up and moved behind the chakat. She grinned at her lover from between hir legs. “Now, this is something I’ve had lots of practice with due to necessity.”

“Violet, I said I would be your stallion – you don’t have to do this.”

“My stallion has a vagina and it will receive the attention it deserves. So, please shut up unless it’s to ask for more.” She leaned between Tigerbright’s thighs and her tongue pushed through the chakat’s labia, seeking out the nub of her clitoris. A gasp heralded its discovery. Suffice to say that Tigerbright asked for much much more.

Eventually, Violet got up to stretch and noticed the condition of her lover’s penis. “I just got through pleasuring your female half and you still have a raging hard-on?”

“I told you we’re not two creatures jammed together. Stimulate one part and you do so for the other.”

Violet chuckled. “Good, because I am more than ready to finish it off. She then straddled the chakat. With her magic, she lifted the stiff appendage and positioned herself above it. Then she slowly impaled herself upon the penis, eliciting a groan of pleasure from both of them. Once her buttocks met Tigerbright’s torso, the delightful shaft could go no further.

“You’re in me, a part of me now,” Violet said.

“I’m in you, what’s mine is yours,” Tigerbright responded.

“We are one!” they chorused.

Then the mare set about stimulating hir as enthusiastically as the chakat had done for her earlier. She rode her lover until they both came with cries of ecstasy.

As Violet rested on the chakat’s heaving barrel while they both panted, she laid her head on Tigerbright’s chest. She found her head pillowed by the chakat’s plush bosom, a nipple an inch from her nose. Curious, she lifted her head and gave it a lick. Her lover squirmed and giggled.

“Oh, you liked that?” Violet asked.

“I told you that they’re sensitive.”

“Now I’m really curious,” the mare said with a mischievous grin. She started licking and nuzzling the teats, making Tigerbright writhe and then start to moan with pleasure. Emboldened, Violet started suckling on one and was startled to receive a mouthful of fluid which she reflexively swallowed. “You’re lactating!” she accused.

Tigerbright shook her head. “No, I’m not. But when chakats aren’t producing milk for cubs, our breasts store what we call milkwater. It’s mostly water fortified with vitamins and minerals. It serves as an emergency reservoir which we can re-absorb in times of need, but it can also be given to others, as you just found out. Feel free to drink more if you want.”

Violet couldn’t resist the invitation and suckled anew. She was rewarded with more of the sweet, warm milkwater. As Violet nursed, the chakat grew louder and broadcast hir pleasure freely. The mare stopped and said, “Does breastfeeding your foals always give you orgasms?”

The chakat giggled. “While it’s pleasant, no, we don’t have orgasms. My nipples only get this sensitive when I’m making love and, hon, I am still buried deep within you. This is turning me on something fierce.”

The unicorn grinned. “Well, it looks like I’ve discovered one of your kinks already.”

“What’s yours?”

“Getting humped by the lover that I crossed a galaxy to find.”

“Your wish is my command!”

Tigerbright threw a foreleg around Violet and rolled her under hirself whereupon shi began to stroke hir engorged phallus deeply and quickly, making the mare groan in delight. Violet did her best to use her vaginal muscles to grasp and tease the cock that was bringing her so much pleasure. With no more restraints or secrets between them, they let down their empathic guards and their auras meshed. It was both the most comforting and erotic feeling each had ever felt. Then, as if both were struck by lightning, they experienced an intense simultaneous orgasm which wracked their bodies for several long seconds before they were released and left gasping.

Tigerbright slumped to Violet’s side, still impaled in hir lover but too exhausted to withdraw. Neither spoke for a long time, their panting gradually easing. Then Violet nuzzled the chakat.

“Like your dessert?” she asked in a tired voice.

The chakat snorted weakly. “I think I ate too much.”

“We’d better go to bed.”

“Yeah, I agree.”

Neither moved an inch. Eventually Violet spoke up again.

“On second thought, I think I’ll take a nap right here.”

“Good idea,” Tigerbright responded.

Not another sound was heard from the campsite for the rest of the night as the light of the moon, Ka’turna, shone down on the exhausted lovers.

# # # # # # #

Author's Note

Well, you knew it was coming, but perhaps not so soon. Nevertheless, it was time for this story to earn its "Sex" tag. Speaking of which, if anyone would like to see the uncropped version of the couple mating, check out the tasteful NSFW pic by Blackbloodqueen.

The pic of the two kissing is by the ever-reliable Foxenawolf.

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