Serene

Chapters

1. Luna
2. Embrace
3. Ad Astra

1. Luna

Part I : The Silver Shoals

~ 🌙 ~

Tuesday, May 1st, Year 3 of Princess Twilight

Marble Pie sometimes wondered why she trusted any word that came from Pinkie’s mouth. Not that her sister didn’t mean well, but…

Pinkie could be a bit biased in her assessments. Marble should have spotted the problem early, especially when her twin had told her the Silver Shoals was the place for her ‘super-duper-extra-relaxing’ solo vacation. Relaxing, the Silver Shoals could probably be called that, if one did not mind the considerable number of tourists that crowded the picturesque little village. Marble firmly belonged in the ‘did mind’ category.

In recent years, the quaint fishing village had developed into a villegiature hotspot, its population often multiplying tenfold during holidays. Even during weekdays, there were still far too many ponies for Marble’s tastes. On her second day of wandering around, Marble had scratched off all the activities Pinkie had said couldn’t be missed, having done none of them.

Marble did find some interesting spots, however. The whole town was composed of hundreds of buildings, most of them raised on wooden stilts over the hilly shore and linked by meandering, labyrinthine pathways. Wandering off from the busier beachside, Marble stumbled upon an antique shop. The collection of maritime curios — and lack of crowd — sparked Marble’s interest.

She pushed the door, a soft, pleasant shime signaling her presence. A soothing aroma of tea and flowers welcomed Marble inside the quiet store, the pleasant smell immediately putting her at ease. Marble didn’t see anyone, but she could hear two or three ponies in the cluttered aisles. Enough not to be creepy, not enough to be annoying. Perfect.

Marble idly wandered along the shelves, peering over their content. There were quite a lot of interesting little things — bottled ships, antique lamps, old paintings, silverwares, sea shells, and the likes. The wooden floor creaked under her hooves as she stepped over the planks, a sound which reminded her of home on the rock farm.

As Marble made her way into another aisle, she finally saw another pony, a pony significantly taller than her. Princess Luna. Marble froze, seeing the dark, slender, ageless alicorn so close in front of her, examining a few antiques with an expression that was somehow both intense and relaxed.

The Princess’ gaze fell on Marble. Icy terror filled the young mare’s veins, like every time she was put in the spotlight. Luna gave Marble a polite nod and a calm smile, merely acknowledging her presence. Marble’s fears vanished like a cold mist under sunlight, and she returned the gesture automatically. Luna went back to her perusing, and Marble moved on to the next aisle.

The exchange had lasted an instant, but it stayed on Marble’s mind as she kept exploring the boutique; Luna’s cyan eyes, her calm smile… their image etched in Marble’s memory.

The antique store was by no means big, but it was full of little discoveries, and Marble took her time. Beside her and the princess, the only other pony inside was an old, hard-of-hearing stallion who appeared to be the shop’s owner. Eventually, Marble made her way toward the exit, promising the old stallion she’d be back to buy a few things before she left town.

Another voice called to her, a feminine voice with a hint of an ancient inflexion in her speech, Luna’s voice, “Sorry to disturb, but your opinion would be most valuable.”

Marble turned around curiously, coming face to face with the Princess of the Moon. “Hm?”

“I ponder on these stones, and would need an expert’s advice. Are these true ocean’s gems as stated, or mere quartz from the nearest quarry? Unfortunately, I can not tell.”

A coffret holding a set of translucent stones floated in front of Marble, held aloft by Luna’s cobalt blue aura. Marble observed the stones a moment before looking back at the princess. She could already answer Luna’s question, but there was something more pressing on her mind.

“Um, how… erm… You know who I am?”

Luna gave Marble a gentle, knowing smile. “Marble Pie. I know your sister, Pinkie Pie. And… we’ve met before, you and I. Do you not remember?”

Met? Marble certainly did not remember meeting with Princess Luna before; she had seen her, but not from up close. Unless…

Yes, she had indeed met the princess before, but not physically: in her dreams. The memory was a wisp in Marble’s mind, almost lost, but still there. She cleared it from her thoughts, putting her focus back on the living princess in front of her.

“Oh, I see… Well, these stones are regular quartz. They’re pretty, but common. That would make the twenty-five bits on the price tag excessive, except for this bead over there, the dark blue one. It’s a real gem; you’d have to ask a jeweler what it is exactly, but it’s worth a lot.”

“I see. It is good to know. Thank you, Miss Pie.” Luna gave her a courteous nod, and went back to her business.

That… was odd, Marble thought as she left the antique shop.

~ 🌙 ~

By the middle of the afternoon, the spring’s Sun had heated the Silver Shoals considerably, which was why Marble was very glad to find an ice cream kiosk by a little plaza.

Unfortunately, the ice cream machine broke down as the stallion at the counter prepared her order. His claim that it’d be ‘just a minute’ turned out to be far too optimistic; it was only fifteen minutes later that Marble finally left the kiosk with a giant banana-chocolate-peanut butter ice cream — the stallion having given her extra for her patience.

Adding to her annoyance, Marble realised all the nearby benches had been taken during the wait. With a sigh, she made her way to find a new spot, precariously balancing a pile of ice cream far too big to eat by herself.

Of course, it didn’t take long for Marble to drop her treat. The tumbling ice cream didn’t hit the ground, however; surrounded by blue magic, it reconstituted itself and floated in front of Marble. She picked it back up, somewhat confused.

“Hello again. You should sit down, and enjoy your dessert before you lose it.”

Marble looked back and saw Princess Luna once more. “Oh, um… thank you. I-I was looking for a place to sit, actually.”

“I understand. Come, then. I know a spot just around the corner where we can enjoy this pleasant weather in peace. For me too, a little break would be welcome.”

Marble followed Luna around a side alley, and indeed arrived at a secluded bench with a view of the sea. She settled next to the princess, and took a big bite from her hard-earned treat.

“Mmmmh!” Yes, the effort had been worth it.

Luna gave her an intrigued look. “This does seem appetizing… but, is it not a fair bit too big for one mare to eat?”

Marble stared at the mountain of bananas, ice cream and fudge. “Um… mmhmm. I didn’t order it like this: the stallion gave me a bigger one because I had to wait a while.”

A little smirk appeared on Luna’s face. “Perhaps it had less to do with the wait time, and more to do with your natural cuteness.”

Marble blushed, taking a bite of ice cream to dodge the subject. The princess let out a soft giggle.

“Sorry, I should not tease…” Luna approached. “Say, would you share your dessert with me? It seems delightful."

Caught by surprise, Marble hurriedly swallowed a big mouthful, and almost choked on it. She certainly hadn’t been expecting that from a princess. Marble had never shared her food like this; she didn’t even have a spoon.

Why would she want my half-eaten sunday? She can surely afford to buy her own… They’d probably give her a free one if she asked.

Taking a look at the alicorn, Marble met Luna’s hopeful gaze. That settled it, and she raised her ice cream to offer it. “Um… okay.”

Luna smiled brightly, and took a bite, licking the chocolate off her lips. Looking back at her treat, Marble stared at the princess’ bite mark.

She probably left some saliva…

Deciding it didn’t matter, Marble ate too, then brought it back toward Luna. They shared the ice cream, taking turns eating. Soon, Marble stopped caring about her earlier reservations, and simply enjoyed her time with the princess.

“Ah, I enjoyed this! Thank you very much for sharing this, Marble,” Luna said, licking her lips as they finished.

“Um, it’s no problem. It was too much for me anyway.”

They stayed there, looking at the sea.

“Princess?” Marble said after a while. “Am I boring you? You don’t have to stay with me, if you don’t want to.”

Luna came back from whatever thought she was lost in, and gave her a puzzled look. “Boring? No, not at all. I love to enjoy the day like this. Truthfully, it is pleasant to share this with a pony who can enjoy the peaceful silence.”

“Oh… Sorry to disturb you…”

Luna did a double take, backpedalling a bit, “No, no, I did not mean so. You do not make me uncomfortable. Simply, most ponies are… unpleasantly loud, and obnoxious.”

Marble actually giggled. She very much understood what Luna meant. “Yeah, Pinkie told me I could get some relaxation here in the Silver Shoals, but it seems like it’s mostly loud clubs and windsurfing.

“Hah! My sister loves those. That is her, in fact.” Luna pointed at a group of surfers in the bay.

Squinting, Marble observed the riders. Indeed, Princess Celestia was amongst the group, windsurfing on the waves.

“Since we retired from the throne, my sister has been enjoying herself. I think her presence is the source of all this industry of tourism, though I cannot blame her. Still, there are plenty of ways where one can enjoy the Silver Shoals in peace. Would you like a tour? I so seldom get to enjoy the pleasant atmosphere with another pony.”

“Oh, mmhmm,” Marble replied, surprised by the proposition. “That would be nice.”

~ 🌙 ~

Hours later, Marble was in a cozy restaurant, enjoying local specialties with Princess Luna, who kept ordering dishes for the two of them.

Not that Marble had much doubts to begin with, but Luna really knew her stuff. It was strange to hang out with an alicorn, though it really wasn’t as overwhelming as Marble would have thought; the princess was nice and friendly — perhaps a little formal, but it suited her somehow.

"Your hooves and mane are really well maintained, especially for a pony who works with stones every day," Luna commented as they finished their last plate of fried kelp.

Marble blushed, hiding behind her bangs. "Oh… thank you, Princess. I… I take good care of them. I used to go to school in Rockville, and I learned from other fillies in class." She raised her foreleg, glancing at her hoof. "Though, I guess I'll have to redo them soon."

"So do I," Luna replied with a sigh. "I could really use a hooficure. Oh! Why don't we go back to my home, and do a little makeover?"

Marble's jaw dropped. "Uh, wha—"

Luna came down from her excitement, noticing Marble's expression. "My apologies, I was out of line, inviting you like this. You probably want to return to your hotel soon, after such a day."

Looking down, Marble fiddled with her hooves. She followed Luna outside, the alicorn paying the bill without asking for Marble to pitch in. They parted on the front door.

“This has been very enjoyable,” Luna said, her ethereal mane shimmering with the sunset’s warmth. “I wish you a pleasant evening. It is my hope that we meet again before you leave the Silver Shoals.”

“Yeah… Good night.” Marble gave Luna a courteous nod, and watched her depart.

Marble wondered what she’d do for the evening. Return to her hotel room? That would be kind of boring. It was still pretty early. Hang out in town? She didn’t know what she’d even do.

Princess Luna spreads her great dark wings, preparing to take off, leaving Marble to herself.

Without thinking, Marble cantered to catch up with the alicorn. “Wait, Princess!” Luna turned around, quizzical, her wings folding back in place. “Um, I don’t really have anything to do tonight, so… erm… I wouldn’t mind doing something with you, if… you know… that’s not a bother.”

Luna smiled wide, and brought Marble into a bone-crushing hug, making the gray mare gasp. “Oh, most wonderful! You and I will have much fun! Erm… sorry…” She released the slightly shell-shocked Marble, who shook her head to clear her mind and make her long, two-toned mane fall into place. “Come, I shall lead you to my home.”

“O-Okay…”

Princess Luna’s house wasn’t in town, but a short walk up the nearby cliffs. Built on a single floor, it had a great terrasse and bay windows overlooking the ocean. The other sides were surrounded by beautiful gardens and tall hedgerows. An ornate metal gate bore the inscription ‘Eventide Cottage’. The mention ‘Home of Luna’ was inscribed on a wooden sign, along with ‘No solicitors. Ask Celestia if you need something’.

Ushered inside, Marble peeked around, curious about what the home of a princess might look like. The Eventide Cottage wasn’t particularly small, but it was nowhere near the palace Marble had been expecting. It was beautiful though, with white stone walls, silver accents and fabrics of various shades of blue. The layout consisted of a main room — including both kitchen and living room — surrounded by other rooms: a bathroom, a library, an office, a bedroom and what appeared to be some kind of arts-and-crafts room. Luminous glass orbs bathed everything in a relaxing bluish light.

Luna flopped like a filly on her large, alicorn-sized bed, Marble joining her with a little grin. The princess levitated a box from her vanity and placed it on top of the plush bedsheet, revealing a dazzling variety of cosmetics.

“Woah!” Marble gushed, giddy with excitement. “This is amazing, Princess!”

The alicorn giggled. “Please, call me ‘Luna’. I would like to be friends with you, Marble.”

Friends? The actual Princess of the Moon wanted to be friends with boring little Marble Pie? It was so entirely unexpected, and it gave her a shiver, part nervousness, part thrill.

“I… I’d like to be friends with you too, Prin— erm… L-Luna.”

A bright smile lit up Luna’s face. “Wonderful! We can have a sleepover! Should I give you a hooficure? Or, I could brush your mane?”

“Hehe! Whatever, you want! Then I could do yours, too.”

They shared a knowing grin.

For the next couple of hours, both mares took care of each other. As the sun dipped over the horizon, brilliant stars replacing it over the vast ocean, Marble felt positively radiant. It had been ages since Marble had any fun filly-style like this, doing makeovers with somepony else; her parents were out of the question, Limestone hated it, Maud wasn’t interested, and Pinkie was… Pinkie. Marble didn’t really have anypony else.

Taking care of Luna had been fun too, once Marble managed to actually get over her nervousness and touch the millenia-old royal alicorn. She had polished and varnished the princess’ hooves, who also taught her how to preen her great, dark blue wings.

It all had been incredibly relaxing. So relaxing, in fact, that Marble eventually fell asleep on the princess’ bedsheet as Luna brushed her soft, silky mane.

Not wanting to disturb her new friend’s slumber, Luna gently pulled the blankets over Marble’s sleeping form, and left the bedroom. A while later — Luna had stopped doing night shifts, but she still never went to sleep before midnight —, she joined Marble for the night. The little gray earth pony had not moved an inch, though she was snoring a bit. Luna slipped under the covers on the opposite side of the bed, careful not to wake Marble.

A few minutes later, she had fallen asleep too.

2. Embrace

Part I : The Silver Shoals

~ 🌙 ~

Wednesday, May 2nd, Year 3 of Princess Twilight

Marble woke up in an unknown, but incredibly comfy, bed. Groggy, she squirmed a little, trying to get her bearings. Slender, dark blue legs, wrapped from behind around her neck and barrel, tightened their grasps on her body, pulling Marble into a warm embrace. With a start, she realised she was being hugged by Princess Luna, the sleeping alicorn tenderly nuzzling her long mane.

Marble tried to pull herself free, but to no avail. She was strong — after all, she was an earth pony and she crushed rocks for a living — but Luna’s legs were unusually powerful. Marble could have probably bucked the alicorn harder, but she wasn’t that desperate, regardless of how bizarre the situation was. With a sigh, she accepted her fate as a princess’ living pillow for the time being.

Minutes dragged on in the still bedroom, Marble thinking about Princess Luna. It was… odd, to say the least, to be cuddled like this by an ageless alicorn. As a foal, Marble had heard — like everypony else — the legend of Nightmare Moon; the concept that the kind, witty mare that had called her ‘friend’ was that same dastardly villain, reformed after a thousand years locked on the Moon, was difficult to wrap her head around. Luna’s hug was gentle, comforting: a relaxing experience.

That is, until the princess bit her ear.

Marble gasped, then moaned. Luna’s teeth, gently clenched around her pointed ear, brought delightful sensations that coursed through her body like a wildfire. Her hindlegs twitched.

"L-Luna!?" There was no response: the princess was still sleeping, even drooling a bit in Marble's mane.

As Luna kept suckling her ear, Marble's clits winked. Eyes wide, she felt her vulva flush with blood, growing moist with her natural lube. She blushed, turning crimson with embarrassment. But she couldn't help it; her body had longed for another pony's touch for so long, and Luna was providing, albeit unconsciously. Marble felt dirty, like she was abusing Luna, enjoying her touch like this. Feeling very guilty, she dipped her hoof in her wet folds. She couldn't hold back her moan.

Luna woke up, Marble's ear still between her lips. It took the alicorn a few seconds to understand what was going on.

"Aaah!" Luna pulled back in a flash, taking her hooves off Marble's body like she had burned herself. "Sorry-sorry-sorry! Oh, I am so sorry, Marble! I… I did not… I did not mean to… to do this!"

Marble panted, shame mixing with the awful ache of having been denied release. She looked down, trembling, not meeting the princess' gaze.

"I, uh… I had not wanted to disturb your rest, so I let you slumber in my bed… I must have held you while lost to my dreams," Luna explained shakingly. "I cannot apologize enough; I did not wish to make you uncomfortable."

"I, um, need to go to the toilet." Marble left the room in a hurry, locking herself in the bathroom. She sat on the bowl, starting to sob as she emptied her bladder. Her morning business done, Marble flopped down on the cold stone floor.

Marble mashed her hoof between her legs, trying to masturbate, but she couldn't do it. She was a horrible, no-good, lewd pony who had betrayed her princess' trust.

A few minutes later, Luna knocked on the door. "Marble? Are you okay?"

She didn't respond.

"Marble, may I come in? Please…"

Still no answer. Blue magic surrounded the doorknob, unlocking it. Carefully, Luna peeked inside, finding Marble on the bathroom floor, staring blankly at a wall. The princess lay down next to her, close but not quite touching.

"I'm so sorry, Princess…"

"What for? It is I who must apologize. As I have said, I did not want for you to be uncomfortable."

"No… it's not that…" Marble let out, fidgeting with her hooves. "It felt good, so good. I shouldn't have…"

"Oh…" Luna draped her wing over Marble's back. The gray mare leaned onto the princess, finding comfort in the alicorn's warmth. A dark blue hoof gently stroked her mane. "Marble, do you remember that dream?"

Marble nodded. It was faint in her memory, but what had led to it was crystal-clear.

A few years back, shy little Marble Pie had met a stallion who seemed perfect for her, a big red workhorse who didn't talk much either. She'd kept thinking about him, imagining making love with him, carrying his foals and raising a family. A couple years later, day for day, she had met him again, and she had seen him kiss his wife under the mistletoe, breaking Marble's heart. Princess Luna had appeared in her dream that night.

"You… you told me that, one day, I'd find the pony that would be just for me. You said that he'd be lucky to be with a mare like me."

"Did you?"

Marble shook her head, tears threatening to flow.

"I… I did not know."

"And… and then, you made me feel… but you were sleeping, and I… I shouldn't have… It wasn't right."

Luna embraced her. "It is alright. It is wholly natural to want to feel such things, to feel somepony else's touch. I take no offense. Would it help if I helped you climax?"

"Uh? You… You'd do that? With me?"

Luna nodded, a kind smile on her face. Lost in the princess’ eyes, Marble murmured a throaty 'okay', giving her consent. Luna's hoof ran along her back, gently moving down toward her rump. Instead of going even lower, it moved back up, rubbing Marble’s back.

The princess kept doing this for several minutes, letting Marble relax. Eventually, Luna’s hoof wandered down her thigh, approaching — but not quite touching — Marble’s flushed marehood. “Should I go further?” Luna whispered, slowly stroking Marble’s butt.

Marble looked up at Luna, the alicorn lying at her side on the bathroom’s floor. She lost herself in her gentle eyes again, soothed by her reassuring smile. Everything would be fine. “Please…”

Not breaking eye contact, Luna slid her hoof under Marble’s tail. The young mare felt it dip between the lips of her vulva, tenderly parting them. Marble let out a tiny gasp, burying her face in her forelegs as the princess stroked her most intimate place, soaking her royal hoof in her fluids. Marble tensed, her vagina clenching as she was pleasured by another pony for the first time. Luna ran little circles over her marehood, slowly, carefully masturbating the smaller mare.

Luna’s slick hoof moved up a tiny bit, tenderly rubbing the pert rim of Marble’s tailhole, making her moan softly at the illicit touch. Luna soon moved back to Marble’s vulva, caressing her winking clit.

Princess Luna licked Marble’s ear, murmuring, “Faster?”

“Mmhmm…”

Luna’s hoof pressed harder in her slit, picking up speed. Marble squirmed in delight, waves of pleasure radiating through her body. She looked back up to Luna, her mouth open as she panted for breath. There was a gleam in the princess’ blue eyes; both mares’ eyelids closed of a common accord, Luna pressing forward to meet Marble. Their muzzles met slowly, their lips melding together.

Marble felt Luna’s tongue slip in her mouth, and she welcomed it with her own, her saliva mingling with the princess’. They made out tenderly, sharing a deep, delicate kiss, Marble moaning softly as Luna masturbated her.

They parted a few inches, a slim strand of saliva linking their lips. Luna rubbed Marble’s pussy harder, faster, bringing her toward an orgasm more wonderful than she’d ever given herself. Marble gazed at Luna, the alicorn face flushed with excitement, the earth pony taking in the beautiful sight of the mare giving her such pleasure.

"Ngh… Aaaah!” Marble arched her back, her fluid gushing from her vulva, coating Luna’s pastern and cannon with her pleasure. Her vagina clenched hard around nothing as she came, seeing stars. Luna held her close, rubbing Marble’s pussy deeply, prolonging the young mare’s climax until she couldn’t take any more.

Marble went limp in Luna’s embrace, the alicorn removing her hoof from her vulva before her pleasure turned into discomfort. They stayed like this a while, neither mares saying a word as Marble recovered from the orgasm she had just experienced. Fascinated, she saw the princess lick her own hoof, tasting Marble’s snatch and not letting a drop go to waste.

Luna gave Marble a kiss on the cheek and rose from the bathroom’s floor, helping her up.

“Did you like it?” Luna asked, a cute blush on her cheeks.

“L-Luna, I… I don’t know what to say. Thank you. That… That was wonderful.”

Princess Luna nuzzled her mane, whispering, “I loved it too.”

“But, uh… you, uh… you didn’t come too. Shouldn’t I… you know, help you too?”

“Perhaps another time,” Luna replied kindly. “Do not worry, you needed satisfaction, and I was happy to give it to you.”

‘Another time’? Does she mean… Marble shook her head, clearing her thoughts. She was all sexed out for now, and she had other matters to take care of. “Luna? I’m pretty hungry… Do you have something for breakfast?”

Luna grinned. “Would you help me prepare it?”

Marble smiled in return.

~ 🌙 ~

“Are you sure? I love your place, but the hotel is fine.”

Luna waved her hoof dismissively. “Of course! I so seldom have the chance to entertain guests in my home.”

“Well… okay! I’ll go pick up my bags and give back the key!” Marble trotted inside the lobby, a little excited bounce in her step.

They had spent the entire day again in each other’s company, the hours flying by as they enjoyed everything (that wasn’t too extreme or crowded) that the Silver Shoals had to offer. As they shared dinner yet again, Luna had offered Marble stay at the Eventide Cottage for the duration of her vacation.

Marble left the hotel a few minutes later, her back loaded with a pair of saddlebags. “Okay, that’s everything. I suppose we should go back to the cottage and drop this?”

“That will not be necessary. Here, let me.” A blue glow enshrouded Luna’s long, elegant horn, and Marble felt the weight on her spine vanish with a fwap. “There, I sent your bags ahead. If you do not mind, I have something I would like to see. Do you wish to accompany me?”

“Oh… well, sure. Why not?”

Luna led Marble out of town again, bringing her to the base of the great cliffs. The tide was high, and the ocean battered the rocks beyond the beach. They jumped from rocks to rocks, making their way as the seabreeze caressed their manes, the last glow of daylight guiding their steps.

Luna eventually stopped in her tracks. “It is here,” she said, pointing a hole large enough for a pony to pass through, halfway up the cliff.

Marble looked at the cave entrance, perplexed. “This? But, how do we — “

Luna flapped her wings and soared high, doing a great loop before gliding back toward Marble. The earth pony saw the princess’ shining horn and her amused grin; in a flash, she understood what was about to happen. Luna swept past her, a blue glow surrounding a wide eyed Marble.

“Waaaahaaa!” Like she’d been grabbed in a giant, invisible talon, Marble lifted off the ground, soaring screaming after Princess Luna. The alicorn spread her wings, slowing herself down, then flapped to stabilise her flight near the entrance of the cave. Marble floated in front of her, her heart thumping in her chest like she’d galloped a hundred miles.

Luna flashed Marble a wicked grin. “How is this?”

Marble was panting hard. “Ah… hah… ah… ahah… ahahahah… HAHAHAHA! HAHAHA! Hehehe, hahaha! That… That… ahaha! That was AMAZING! Again! Hahaha!”

Luna busted out laughing too, making Marble do a few loops around her. “Okay, okay… ah…” the princess let out as she calmed down a little. “I am pleased you like it. Perhaps we can do this again another time? I still want to see inside this cavern.” She landed into the dark opening, depositing Marble on the smooth ground next to her.

Lighting up the way with her horn, Luna descended into the passage, a curious Marble Pie on her tail. The path followed a gentle downward curve into the earth, smelling of seaweeds and saltwater.

The cavern was probably of natural origin, Marble thought as she observed the rock walls, but the tunnel’s width and smoothness told her it had seen heavy use sometime in the past. Generation of ponies — or other creatures — had once stepped in this now silent place. As if to confirm her suspicions, Marble spotted faded engraving along the walls, depictions of sea motifs and animals.

“Luna? What is this place?”

“Nopony knows. It is older than I am. Does this darkness unnerve you?”

“No, not really. There are a lot of caves and old mines near my family’s rock farm, and I often go in to search for rare minerals.”

“I see,” Luna said. “This place should be safe. Ponies sometimes come here from the town, and I have been too.”

“Oh. Why come now, then?” Marble asked.

“I wish to put a rumor to the test. You shall see soon.”

The passage leveled out and expanded. The light of Luna’s horn revealed a large, mostly circular chamber with a ceiling sporting strange, primitive bas-reliefs. A large, deep pool of seawater covered much of the cave’s floor, while the rest of the surface was composed of soft sand.

Luna approached the dark waters, observing the still surface. With a flash, she teleported a small object in front of her and held it in her hooves.

“Isn’t that the stone I told you was a real gem, when we met in the antique shop?” Marble asked, recognising the dark blue stone.

“Mmhmm. Thank you again for your help. I have been wanting to test this for a while.”

“Uh… what’s going to happen?”

“I am not sure, but it should be safe.”

Not entirely reassured, Marble stepped back behind Luna. Without ceremony, the princess tossed the gem into the pool.

Plop! The sound echoed throughout the cave, breaking the deep silence. For a long moment, nothing else happened.

A small glow appeared beneath the water’s surface, soon followed by several more. Luna extinguished her magic, the many-hued aura of the pond projecting a slowly shifting kaleidoscope upon the chamber’s ceiling. The princess knelt down next to the pool, Marble settling down at her side.

Peering into the glowing water, Marble saw hundreds of luminescent fish slowly circling around, lighting up a passage that went much deeper under the clear water.

What was going on? Marble didn’t know, and Luna didn’t either. They simply observed the gentle, peaceful spectacle of these glowing fish in their subterranean haven. Marble felt like there should be some strange, otherworldly music, but the cave was silent.

Marble leaned into Luna’s side, the alicorn’s wing wrapping over her. “This is so beautiful, Luna,” she murmured, feeling the relaxed pulse of the princess’ heartbeat beneath her dark blue coat. Luna nuzzled Marble’s mane.

Looking into Luna’s gaze, Marble saw that same heated gleam she had already seen in the princess’ eyes. She wrapped her forehooves around the taller mare’s neck.

They kissed, slowly, softly, deeply. Their tongues entwined, and they explored each other, making out on the cave's soft sandy floor. Luna ran her hoof through Marble's silky mane. They prolonged their embrace for what felt like hours, finally parting only as they had to in order to breathe. They rolled on their back, watching the light show above as they caught their breath.

Without a word, Luna embraced Marble again, and their lips met once more. They shared a series of short, playful kisses.

Marble's excitement grew as she felt Luna's hoof venture down her belly. She moaned into the princess' mouth as the dark blue hoof lovingly parted the lips of her engorged slit. Marble cooed as she was once again masturbated by the Princess of the Night. Pressing her body closer, Marble let her own hoof wander down Luna’s slender barrel.

There were no protests from the princess, just approving little moan as she rubbed Marble’s flushed sex, so the young mare explored between Luna's hindlegs. She felt something plush, warm and wet: Princess Luna's vulva. The alicorn twitched as Marble began to pleasure her in return, both mares moaning and cooing in shared pleasure.

Marble pressed harder into Luna's soft pussy, watching her squirm in delight. She wanted, needed to see her friend's pleasure, to see the princess orgasm under her touch, to have her climax because of her.

Their mutual masturbation grew increasingly desperate as they approached the peak of their pleasure, both mares trying to get the other off with frantic intensity.

Marble, however, didn't stand a chance against Luna's centuries of experience. The princess' hoof skillfully rubbing her clit, the young mare climaxed, her panting gasps of delight resonating in the underground chamber. She didn't let go of Luna's marehood, though, and she stroked the aroused labia in a frenzy.

Coming down from her peak, Marble met Luna’s heated gaze, seeing the passion burning in the alicorn's twitching body. Determined to see her climax, Marble stroked Luna's winking clit. The princess bit her lip, looking like she was about to cry, and buried her face in Marble's neck. The younger mare embraced her tightly, her hoof giving her the last few strokes she needed to go over the edge.

"Mmmmh! Hmmm!" Luna tensed, her vagina clenching. Trembling, she came in Marble’s embrace.

Marble felt something warm gush from the alicorn's snatch, coating her hoof with slick mare fluids. She kept gently rubbing Luna's pussy, prolonging her orgasm for as long as possible. Eventually, Luna pulled back slightly, signaling that she had enough, so Marble let go of her sex.

They stayed like this a long time, embracing each other on the cave floor, the evershifting multicore glow of the pool lighting up the scene. Slowly, the light ebbed, and the cavern returned to darkness. Luna lit up her horn again. "This… This was wonderful, Marble. I… I have not… I have not felt something like this with anypony else in a very long time."

Marble looked down, a deep blush on her cheeks. "Um… I never… felt like this… for a mare. I… I didn’t think I could like another girl, just like… you know, like a stallion. But, with you… it's…"

"Would… Would you like to share my bed again tonight?"

Marble sighed, hugging Luna. "Yeah… yeah, I'd like that."

They made their way out of the mysterious cave, Luna taking Marble for another flight back to her cottage.

3. Ad Astra

Part I : The Silver Shoals

~ 🌙 ~

Friday, May 4th, Year 3 of Princess Twilight

Marble wiped her hooves and trotted inside, not bothering to knock on the door. “Luna! I’m here! I found everything we need!”

Luna peeked from the cottage’s kitchen, a smile lighting up her face. “Ah! Most wonderful!”

Raising her head, Marble briefly kissed Luna’s lips and gave her a quick hug. She dropped her saddlebags on the counter, and unpacked it.

The princess peered at the content. “Oh, you have even found the Seaquestria spices? This meal shall be most delightful!”

For the past few days, Marble and Luna had lived together like this. It felt like the most natural thing to do, enjoying their time with each other. Said time was quickly coming to an end, for Marble’s train departed from the Silver Shoals on the morrow.

They prepared a lavish meal for their last night together, with cooked greenery and fresh desserts. Eating with Luna had been an experience in and of itself for Marble; she wasn’t sure she could really go back to the bland cookery of the Pie’s rock farm anymore.

Later that evening, her stomach pleasantly full, Marble cuddled with Luna on the living room’s sofa, occasionally taking a sip of exquisite wine from her glass. “Hmmm… This is so nice. I… I don’t want to go. I want to stay with you, just like this.”

Luna tenderly nuzzled her mane. “I know… I know… But this shan’t mean we cannot see each other again.”

“Promise you’ll visit?”

“Soon.”

“Will you write to me?”

Luna giggled. “Of course. And… perhaps I shall even visit your dreams, if you’d like.”

Marble let out a relaxed, happy sigh. “Yes, I’d like that.”

Luna playfully nibbled her ear. “And, as you may know, this evening is still young,” she whispered.

A slow, knowing grin appeared on Marble’s lips. She could recognise an invitation for intimacy when she heard one. “Did you have something in mind?” Marble teased, sprawling on the plush sofa, and letting Luna peek at her vulva before covering it with her tail. The princess mounted her, rubbing their slender tummies together.

On her back, pinned underneath Luna, their faces within inches of each other, Marble shuddered in anticipation, her marehood growing wet without even being touched. Her sight was filled with Luna’s deep cyan gaze. Then their eyes closed, and their lips met. Their muzzles melded into the kiss, letting their tongues play. Marble pushed back into Luna’s mouth, licking her teeth and tasting her saliva. They parted briefly, to catch their breath, then dove back into another kiss.

Luna went down Marble’s body and rubbed her face all over her cute gray chest fluff, caressing her flanks with her hooves. She eventually dropped her chin between the earth pony’s forelegs, their eyes meeting at an odd angle, Marble having to raise her neck to look at the princess on top of her.

Luna planted a kiss on her partner’s chest. “I feel bad… I should not have waited so long to do this with you.”

“Wha —”

The princess went lower down her body, leaving a trail of little kisses all along her belly. She nibbled Marble’s flat teats, then kept going. With bated breath, the gray mare felt Luna move down her crotch.

“Aaah… aaah…” Marble panted. Luna’s lips planted a gentle, tender kiss on her vulva. “Ooh… L-Luna…”

The alicorn’s tongue parted Marble’s slit, softly lapping her aroused sex. The younger mare stifled her little panting gasps with her hooves. She lost herself in pleasure. Having Luna like this, between her legs, kissing her most private place, doing this to her, it was so… intimate.

And then, Marble felt Luna’s supple tongue slip into her vagina. She moaned, loudly, a throaty purr her hooves couldn’t muffle. She shuddered, squirmed, heaved in delight, her head spinning as another pony penetrated her marehood for the first time in her life. The soft caress of Luna’s tongue went deep in her canal, her vaginal muscles clenching around their first guest. Luna stroked in and out of Marble’s twitching, winking sex.

With a delicate kiss on Marble’s flushed labia, Luna pulled back slightly, letting the gray mare relax a little. Then, she went lower. With a gasp, Marble felt the princess’ lips on her tailhole.

“L-Luna? That… that’s…” Marble squirmed, but Luna held her hindlegs firmly in place.

The alicorn parted Marble’s tight pucker, the young mare’s face turning scarlet as she felt that wonderful tongue slip into her rectum. She had never expected to feel pleasure like this, never expected anypony to want to do something of the sort to her. Luna lapped inside her ass without a shred of reluctance.

Luna pulled out, planting a loving kiss on Marble’s anus, giving her a coy smile before gently wrapping her lips around her engorged clit. Marble gasped, shuddering as Luna suckled her sensitive nub, electric pleasure spreading deep in her vagina and womb.

Mouth open, panting, Marble watched Luna tenderly pleasure her, her mind spinning in overwhelming arousal. The princess pulled a little harder, and suddenly she couldn’t hold back anymore.

Marble let out a quiet whimper, arcing her spines, and dousing Luna’s face with her yellowish emission. The alicorn lips stayed firmly on her clit, her tongue giving little licks on that winking button, keeping Marble on an intense plateau of delirious orgasms. Her vagina clenched hard around nothing, shocks running through her entire body.

Exhausted, overwhelmed, Marble pushed Luna’s head away, clenching her hindlegs and protecting her overstimulated sex with her tail. All her muscles gave out, her head falling down limply against the hoofrest. She saw stars, her mind blank in her afterglow.

Marble barely noticed Luna lifting her from the couch with her magic. The princess brought the dazed mare to the bedroom, carefully depositing her on the bed. She felt Luna’s hug, the warmth of her embrace, and instinctively wrapped her hooves around her neck.

As she regained some of her faculties, Marble realised she wanted more. Putting her hoof between her legs, she touched her slit. She winced: her marehood was so sensitive she couldn’t bear to touch it.

Luna masturbated next to her, radiant in her pleasure. Putting her will into it, Marble rose to her hooves, mounting her partner and gently batting her hoof away.

“I… Luna… I wanna do you…” Marble murmured, looking into her eyes.

Luna smiled, nodding. Taking a cue from her previous experience on the receiving end, Marble made her way down the alicorn’s slender body, planting a series of tiny kisses in her soft coat. The younger mare nibbled her teats. The little nubs were more developed than her own; had the princess given birth before? Marble had never heard anything about that. Deciding Luna’s pleasure was a more pressing concern, Marble moved down further, until she came face to face with the dark blue bulge of the alicorn’s pussy.

Marble had seen Luna’s vulva plenty of times by then, but never from so close. Taking a deep breath, she smelled the powerful aroma of arousal coming from the winking sex. She observed the prim, teardrop-shaped labia, the delicate pink color of the inner flesh, even the cute butthole underneath. Marble parted the soft lips with her hoof, revealing the entrance of Luna’s vagina.

A gentle hoof pressed behind her head, Luna carefully guiding her forward. Taking the hint, Marble closed her eyes and kissed her princess’ vulva. She ran her tongue, slowly, between the plush labia, starting near Luna’s tailhole and going up, tasting the alicorn’s tangy marehood. She felt a gap — the vagina — then a smaller hole — the urethra — and finally the nub of her clit. Luna caressed her mane, encouraging her young partner.

Marble went to work, licking, suckling Luna’s most private parts. She dipped her tongue deep into the other mare’s vagina. Marble lost herself in the task, enjoying Luna’s gasps and twitches as she pleasured her. The princess guided her with her hoof, nudging up or down as required.

She soon focused exclusively on Luna’s swollen clit, the princess reacting by pressing harder behind her head. Marble was tiring out, her tongue going numb from the effort; there was no way, however, that Marble would stop there, with Luna so close to orgasm. She suckled hard the exposed nub, almost biting it.

Luna howled her pleasure, unleashing a powerful “AH! YES! Aaaaah! YES! YES-YES-YES! Oooh…”

Something warm and wet squirted from her vulva, dousing Marble in smelly liquid. Perplexed, the younger mare pulled back from Luna’s marehood, leaving the alicorn to her afterglow. Marble wiped her face and examined the fluid coating her hoof: urine. Luna had peed on her. Strangely, it didn’t bother Marble; it was a little messy, sure, but not overly gross. She gracefully leapt off the bed and made her way to the bathroom to clean up a bit.

Before returning, Marble prepared two cups of tea, using the calming lavender-blend Luna loved so much. She placed the fragrant cups and some cookies on a silver platter, and brought it to the bedroom.

She found Luna still on the bed, waiting for her, her cheeks rosy with an embarrassed blush. Marble deposited her platter on the nightstand.

“Ahem… erm… thank you, Marble dear. And… um… I apologise about earlier. For, uh… you know… on you.”

Marble giggled, settling down next to the princess. “It’s alright. I already cleaned up. Besides, it was worth it to thank you for… when you licked me before.” She took a sip of warm tea.

Luna, looking more at ease, levitated her own cup. “I am glad. Pleasuring you is wonderful, too.”

For all the delights it reminded Marble of, it also brought forward some unpleasant thoughts. “You… you have done it before.” It wasn’t a question.

Lune sighed. “Yes, I have.”

“R-Recently?”

“I… I have had lovers before… but no, not recently.”

Lovers…

Marble deposited her teacup and snuggled close. “Luna… I want to know… I…What am I to you?”

“M-Marble?”

“Do you think… think of me like a lover, too? Or… is this… is this just fling to you… It’s… so wonderful, to be with you but, I… I… I don’t… I don’t want to feel… used…” Tears glistened in Marble’s eyes.

Luna’s magic went out, snuffed like a flame. Her empty teacup bounced on the bed and shattered on the floor. She grasped Marble, wrapping her in a crushing hug. “Marble… I… I do not know what our future holds, but… no, no, never. I would never just… I wish to be with you, Marble. I… I would love to call you my lover, if you desire so in return.”

A hopeful, happy smile broke through Marble’s tears. “You… Luna, you r-really mean it? I never thought I’d feel like this for another mare, but you’re beautiful, and kind, and… oh…”

Both mares held each other tightly, not wanting to let go. Of course, they did eventually parted. They shared a little giggle, relieving some of the tension. Marble wiped her eyes. “Sorry, for being sappy like this. It’s just…”

“It is alright. I understand. I, too, would not want to be left alone after knowing the touch of somepony.” Luna lifted the remnants of her broken cup and placed them on the platter. “I have lived a long time, and I have shared some of it with other ponies that were dear to me. I mated with them, even sometimes I…” She trailed off.

“I noticed your teats, earlier. You’ve foaled before, haven't you?”

Luna nodded, a bittersweet look in her eyes. “Yes, I have been a mother before. My foals… none of them were alicorns. I saw them grow old, and… well… It was a long time ago.”

Silence settled between them.

“Luna? I have another question… Why me?”

The princess fiddled with her hooves, looking down. “Most ponies… are difficult to be around. It is exhausting. But, with you… it is comfortable. I can be myself. I do not have to put on the mask of a princess. We are much the same.” A little smile appeared on her lips. “And… you are quite beautiful.”

Blushing, Marble buried her snout in Luna’s soft fur.

“Also…” Luna’s smile vanished, replaced by a blank stare. “I admire your strength…”

“Uh?”

“It’s… the way you speak about your sister.”

“You mean… Pinkie?” Marble tilted her head, trying to understand where Luna was going with this.

Luna looked away. “You speak of her with such love, respect. Marble… I, too, have a sister who outshines me, a sister who is loved by many. My parents, they died when I was just a filly. Celestia and I, we promised them we would rule Equestria for the benefit of our subjects. My sister, she kept that promise…”

Tears streamed from Luna’s eyes. “I… did not. I broke my vow… for petty, selfish reasons. I let my jealousy fester. Nightmare Moon, she was not me, but I let her happen. My bitterness invited this darkness inside me, and I suffered a thousand years for my failure.”

Luna cried in Marble’s hooves, the younger mare gently stroking her ethereal mane. “It… It… It was so awful. And I cannot help but think, ever since we have met, that if I would have had your strength, your love… I could have stood beside my sister for all this time, as I had vowed.” She fell silent.

Marble kissed the alicorn’s forehead, hugging her tightly. She let Luna cry, letting her purge herself of her grief. Eventually, she grew still and quiet; Luna had cried herself to sleep. Marble pulled the blanket over them and extinguished the lights. She fell asleep too, cuddling Luna.

Her lover.

~ 🌙 ~

Saturday, May 5th, Year 3 of Princess Twilight

The Silver Shoals’ quaint little train station was crowded, as usual. Marble barely noticed, too busy chatting with Luna to be bothered by other ponies. She gave the princess a little bow, the corner of her mouth showing a slight smirk. Luna, amused, responded in kind.

They did not kiss, nor hug. Neither mare wanted to be bothered by paparazzis by showing their relation in public. Anyway, they had shared their kisses and hugs before leaving Luna’s cottage, as well as other, more exciting, and intimate, things.

Her saddlebags on her back, Marble climbed aboard the train that would take her back home. She saw Luna waving her hoof by the windows as the train departed, and she waved back.

Eventually, the station disappeared around the bend, and Marble was left by her lonesome again. Sitting comfortably in her seat, she thought of her time in the Silver Shoals. And of Luna, of course.

She let out a happy sight. Her vacation might have come to an end, but she had started something far more precious.