Chapters An Introduction from the Host
...Oh! Hi there! I've been expecting you.
I'm Mi Amore Cadenza, but you can call me Cadance. Princess of Love and Family, Guardian of the Crystal Empire, et cetera, et cetera. But that's not what we're here to talk about today.
We're here to talk about sex.
...Well, not exactly. But, now that I have your attention!
As Princess of Love, I essentially hold court over the very concept in Equestria. Now, that's not to say that I'm a full-time magical matchmaker or anything, but I definitely have done that before. Don't worry, don't worry, they came to me. I'm not some kind of omniscient goddess that gets joy from toying with ponies' hearts...
...but I do enjoy snooping.
Again, I'm not omniscient. I don't have a crystal ball where I can see everypony's budding relationships or what they do behind closed doors, and I can't enter ponies' dreams like my auntie Luna. I also don't go around peering through windows like a creep, so you can rest easy there. But I do love hearing ponies talk about their lives together, how they fell in love, big romantic gestures, you know the stories.
Now, I mentioned sex just a moment ago. I promise I wasn't just trying to grab your attention! Let me tell you about this crazy book I found...
I was doing some tidying up around the castle the other day while Shining kept the baby occupied. I happened to make my way down into the basement and in one of the side rooms I found this little writing nook absolutely filled to the brim with old documents from hundreds of years ago, maybe even from a thousand years ago when the Crystal Empire disappeared. Buried under all these stacks of paper was a pitiful old desk, and on that desk was this book, old and leather-bound with yellowed pages, but it had this magical pinkish glow from within. I opened it up, and the words themselves were emitting the glow! Almost as if it was written with neon pink ink!
But that's not the craziest part--the book seemed to be writing itself. On one page I found words scrawling themselves before my very eyes, writing a story as it happened! No matter how many pages I turned, I couldn't reach the end of the book in either direction; the pages seemed to stretch on infinitely, the glowing words telling stories from the distant past and unceasingly scribbling out their story into the future as well! I have no idea who created this book or why, but its magical power is immense. I can only surmise that it must have been written by a former Princess of Love, one of my predecessors from millennia past. When I flipped through some pages to actually see what was written there, I was quite surprised to find that the entire tome seemed to be dedicated to accounts of ponies' relationships, from beginning to end, with special emphasis on... shall we say, acts of intimacy. The first time a pony is ever intimate with another, there's a little gold star by the paragraph.
Again, why was this artifact created? I have no idea! I haven't asked Celestia or Twilight or anypony about it yet, but I can only assume that some former Princess of Love, either as part of her duties or for her own amusement or both, decided to create this weird, magical book that keeps track of ponies' first times throughout the centuries! It's impressive, perverse, and fascinating all at once!
With all that said... I have not been able to put this book down. I've started calling it the Virginomicon and I sneak away to read from it whenever I get even the slightest free moment. This definitely makes me the biggest snoop in the history of the universe, but I don't care. Some of these stories of virginal love are so sweet and innocent and just downright captivating --even the ones that are pretty naughty! I can't get enough of these tender stories, so I wanted to share them with somepony... that's why you're here.
I've picked out ten of my absolute favorite stories from this book, chosen from within the last half-century so you know who all we're talking about. I think you'll find the stories of some of these colts and fillies quite charming, as have I--though, I'll be stopping these tales just short of any sexual acts. Hate to tease you like that, but it's purely for their privacy, you know? We're already violating it enough as it is, let's leave them at least a shred of it.
So, make yourself comfy! Grab a seat, pour yourself a nice hot cup of tea, but don't spill any, because that's my job! Get ready to stick your nose into the business of ponies sticking their noses in each other's business!
...Was that not an obvious joke? Because they... you can... use your... okay, fine, whatever, Shining's bad puns have rubbed off on me. Let's GO!
Subject: The (soon-to-be) Mayor of Ponyville Age: 24 Place: Her home in Ponyville
It had been a stressful month leading up to Election Day, not that every month you're on the campaign trail isn't stressful in some way. Nonetheless, Ms. Mare had shown herself to be quite the candidate, appearing at numerous events for the public, answering every question she could at town hall meetings, and kissing Celestia knows how many local babies. Of course, the fact that the platform she was running on was solid as a rock and perfectly geared to attract Ponyville's support helped, but at times it felt as though it couldn't matter less. Sometimes, it seemed, ponies just voted for whoever could talk the loudest while saying things they mildly agreed with.
As the sun set that evening before the election, the prospective mayor and her campaign manager, a white-coated, purple maned unicorn older than her, pored over countless graphs and charts in the den-turned-office long after everypony else had gone home for the night. Looking over the endless strings of opinion polls, district turnouts, and other convoluted statistics, they were prepared to quite literally burn the midnight oil... mostly because it made Ms. Mare feel better. Realistically, there wasn't anything more they could do but wait for the polls to open.
"Ngh... I feel like we could've campaigned harder on the southeast side of town." said the candidate, leaning on her desk as her eyes burned a hole through it. "Just because they voted along our lines last election doesn't mean they will this time. Never assume anything is certain when it comes to voter bases."
"Ms. Mare, it will be fine! " said the unicorn sitting across from her. "Please relax! You know you've got the best campaign team this side of Canterlot. We've put in so much work over the past months compared to the opposition. If we don't win this election, I'll buy a new hat just to eat it."
The earth pony chuckled through her nose and slowly sat back down, straightening her lavender ascot.
"I suppose you may be right, Prism." she said. "If there's one thing I know I can be sure of, it's how well we've all performed this season, especially you. I can't think of anypony I'd rather have managing my election campaign."
Prism allowed herself to swell with pride for a moment. "Well, I knew when we first spoke that you had what it took to win. Otherwise, I never would have accepted the offer. I'd never seen an up-and-comer like you, and I've seen a lot of first-time candidates."
"And most of them crash and burn, I know, I know. That's not the first time you've told me that."
The two mares shared a laugh; Prism shifted in her seat to become more comfortable, but her candidate still sat rigidly, not quite done fretting over the papers before her.
"Prism... whether or not we end up winning this year... I just wanted to say thank you."
"Oh?" asked the unicorn, levitating a glass of ice water to herself.
"Not only have you done so much for my campaign, for my chances of winning, but... you've also become one of the best friends a pony could ever ask for." Ms. Mare looked up, brushing her bright pinkish mane from her eyes before continuing. "You helped me get settled here after I left my parents' house, you helped me with all the chaos required to even consider campaigning, you've taught me so much about politics and about life... you've been here for me whenever I needed you. I can't thank you enough for that."
Prism's eyes softened and a smile spread across her face. She found herself instinctively reaching a hoof across the desk, resting it gently on her friend's cheek.
"Marie... " Her voice was just above a whisper. "It... means a lot to hear that. When we met, I remembered where I was at your point in life, and how much I needed more than just a good business partner. I was determined to be as good a friend to you as I wanted somepony to be to me... I'm glad to hear that I've succeeded."
Marie returned the smile, reaching a hoof up to wrap around Prism's. She hoped she didn't notice that her eyes were glistening a bit.
"You're my best friend too, y'know." Prism continued.
"I know."
"Then please, trust me when I say it's okay to relax now. No matter what happens, filly, I'll be here for you."
Marie closed her eyes and smiled again. She leaned back and pulled her legs up underneath her in the chair, sighing.
"Okay, Prism. I'll relax. Or at least I'll try to."
Prism rose from her seat and gave a slight giggle. "Good. Just remember, deep breaths."
The earth pony took some slow breaths in and out from her seat, feeling her chest rise and fall, as the unicorn stepped over to a side table to pour her friend a glass of water. She quickly trotted back over and around the desk, and Marie gingerly took the glass from her. Prism was tall and long-legged; she stood nearly a foot taller than Marie, and was 12 years older.
"Thanks." she said, and took a sip.
"Not a problem." replied Prism. "It's getting pretty late, and I live across town. Mind if I crash here tonight?"
"My home is always open to you, my friend." said Marie. After another sip of water, she spoke up once more. "Hey, Prism?"
"Mhm?"
"Do you remember that thing you did after I hurt my shoulder a couple months ago? After the farmer's market speech?"
"You mean the massage?"
"Yeah." she said, setting her glass down. "Could you do it again?"
"Hmm... you do seem pretty tense tonight." Prism grinned. "I suppose it couldn't hurt."
The elder mare carefully moved behind her friend and placed her forehooves on her petite shoulders. Marie gently sighed through her nose as Prism worked the flesh below her neck into a more relaxed state. Her ears lolled to the side as Prism rested her chin on top of her head; Marie gave an amused smile as the massage quickly evolved into a hug from the side.
Now in closer proximity to her friend, Prism's eyes perked up as she detected an interesting scent that didn't match Ms. Mare's usual floral perfume.
"...You're on your heat, aren't you?" she asked gently.
Marie's eyes popped open and her ears shot up. Instinctively, her knees met in front of her, and she turned her head slightly to look at Prism, who was still rubbing her shoulders. She was a little embarrassed, true, but she played it off with a chuckle.
"All of that stress couldn't have come from the election?"
Prism chuckled in return, shifting back and returning her attention to Marie's shoulders. "Well, let's just say that I've been around long enough to sense these things on the air. Pheromones and such."
"Uh huh. " Marie turned her eyes away, unsure where to look. "It's a curse, isn't it?"
"Hmm, sometimes. " Prism smiled coyly. "There are ways to make it pass a little easier."
"Heh, yeah. " Marie chuckled, rolling her eyes. "If I could even get an hour alone with my own hooves nowadays."
"Mmm... well..." Prism leaned down to whisper in her ear. "It's even nicer when it's somepony else's hoof. "
"Pfft, yeah, but I..."
Marie stopped herself when she felt the gentle, hot breath in her ear. She quickly re-analyzed the statement and spun her chair around to look at Prism.
"Prism, what do... uh... are you..."
The unicorn simply giggled. Marie was silent for a moment.
"Huh. " She finally said. "I never imagined you as..." Her voice trailed off, but Prism just smiled and shrugged.
"You never asked."
At the time, same-sex relations were far from taboo in Equestria, but it was still viewed as a bit odd--perhaps quirky was the better word--in small rural towns like Ponyville. Regardless, sexual topics of any kind were generally seen as something not meant for casual discussion.
"And, uh..." Prism glanced at her hooves briefly before looking back up. "...What about you? "
Marie was too flustered to answer. Her face wasn't upset, fortunately for Prism, but moreso a mixture of embarrassment and confusion.
"The reason I ask..." Prism continued, "...is, uh... well... you need help relaxing. I... can help with that."
After another awkward pause, Prism cleared her throat and mustered her confidence.
"I, uh, ahem... I've done this before, Marie, with other mares... I like to think I know what I'm doing. It would be fun, for both of us. But before you say you don't want to ruin our friendship, I understand that... and we don't have to. I'm just proposing one night, the two of us, just a friend doing a favor for a friend. And then, the next day, back to normal; just friends and professionals."
Marie's face was bright red at this point, her mouth somewhere between a flat line and a nervous smile. In truth, she'd never spent much time thinking about who or what turned her on, but she was feeling very turned on at the moment. The past few years of her life had been spent preparing for a career in public service... but her body was telling her now would be a great time to start exploring this facet of herself. And, though she wouldn't know it until later, her heart was telling her the same thing.
"I... uh..."
Marie stared at her own hooves, the heat on her forehead building to rival that between her flanks. Prism stood there, holding a gentle smile that seemed to light up the night.
"I... c-can't deny, Prism... I-I'm... rather tempted by your offer..."
Prism put a hoof on her friend's shoulder, but was careful to give her enough breathing room.
"You're a good, close friend, Marie... and I want to do this for you. I can't make you do it, but if you decide you want to, I'll be here." Prism slowly cantered away, and Marie's eyes followed. The unicorn's purple tail swayed in just such a way as to allow a brief glimpse of the parts it concealed.
"I'll be getting ready for bed."
But before Prism could exit the room, she heard the sudden noise of a chair rolling across the floor and papers on a desk rustling.
"Prism, wait."
The elder mare turned to see Marie standing atop her desk, pinkish mane covering half her face dramatically. Without a word, the little earth pony hopped down, trotted across the floor, put a hoof to Prism's face, and locked her in a kiss.
Prism pulled her in close with her hooves and gave herself fully into the lip-lock; excited, frustrated little noises came from her partner as their tongues met for the first time, but definitely not the last. Using her magic, she carefully undid the ascot around Marie's neck and draped it on a nearby table.
After a few moments, Marie broke off the kiss, and it was the best one she'd ever had... except for the even longer one that followed it. In a few minutes, she begrudgingly broke it off as well, looking Prism in the face. They both wore serious expressions, fully ready to commit to whatever happened next.
"Y-You've been in this business longer than me, Prism..." Marie said, her voice and her hooves trembling with excitement. She turned and trotted back over to her desk. "You know what it means to be a pony-pleaser..."
Marie dramatically cleared her desk with a hoof, careless of all the clutter adorning it; even her clock and inkwell took a tumble. She threw her upper half across the surface, stood on her hoof-tips, and flicked her tail to the side, revealing herself to the world. Her body was more than ready.
"Teach me what that means."
Subject: Photo Finish Age: 18 Place: A studio in Bridleberg
"All right, class. You've done an excellent job today." The teacher's voice sounded about the studio as the model stepped down off her catwalk, careful not to ruffle her dress. The various students proceeded to pack up their belongings--sketchpads, cameras, and other such accoutrements.
"This weekend would be an excellent time to study for the upcoming test." He continued. "In the meantime, continue to practice your camerawork and expand your portfolios. Now... would anypony like to volunteer to stay late and clean up?"
Truthfully, the proposal had been less of a question and more of a command. The photography class rented this space on good will, so it was always customary to have somepony stay late and put everything back where it belonged. It was a lengthy process, but it kept the class in the good graces of the studio's owner.
A powder blue hoof shot up from among the crowd. It belonged to a young mare with ambitious dreams in fashion photography. Though she wasn't yet known across Equestria, she'd already started crafting her own unmistakable style: perfectly cut bangs and a flared skirt, though the pink glasses would come later.
"I'll do it." said Photo Finish. The prospect of cleaning up seemed more appealing than an evening spent studying over takeout.
"I'll help her." came another voice. Photo turned her head to spy a dashing young lad named Chroma, a purple unicorn with a fiery mane, who likewise had a passion for fashion. The two shared a brief, sly smile; over the course of the semester, it had become clear to these two that there was a mutual attraction between each other, and, while it hadn't gone farther than some flirtatious exchanges, Photo Finish definitely liked flirting with him.
"Very well. Ms. Finish, Mr. Chroma," the teacher said, "you two will clean up the studio for us this evening."
The two spent more time talking than actively focusing on cleanup, and so it was nearly night by the time they were anywhere near finished. Photo liked spending time with Chroma--not only was he knowledgeable about photography, fashion, and modeling, he had a genuine, friendly aura about him, as well as a good sense of humor. He knew how to make Photo laugh rather easily, but whenever she did, she always laid it on just a little bit more, since she knew that stallions liked fillies who thought they were funny. Whenever they exchanged glances, she'd toss her mane in a playful way and get a little smile out of him. She hoped that her deep purple eyes were as compelling to him as his were to her, two bright lenses of blue.
"Well... I guess we're almost done, Chroma." The mare said with a lilt in her voice as she finished folding several chairs.
"Yeah." replied Chroma, pushing a cart into storage before trotting back out. "Sort of a shame that class goes by so quickly. It's a real joy to watch you with a camera, you know."
Photo blushed slightly and ran a hoof over her camera case. "Aw, well... you're pretty great too, you know. I think you've got a bright future in this field."
"I appreciate the thought." Chroma smiled back. "But your outfit designs always turn out far better. I mean, look--you designed and made the dress you're wearing right now! I can barely manage a vest." He humbly brushed some dirt off his collar with a hoof. "Someday, all the ponies in Canterlot will line up to see your latest fashions, Photo. And you can be sure I'll be among them."
Photo Finish wasn't sure how to respond, so she simply smiled. Her hoof went to her chest, vainly hoping to conceal that her heart was on fire.
"You know," Chroma continued "the big studio lights are the last thing to put away. Maybe you'd like to model for me before we do? I could use some practice with different light sources anyhow."
The young mare's eyes widened instinctually, and her ears perked up. He was asking her to model for him? Sure, she'd modeled on the catwalk before, but that was in front of the whole class. This was much more... intimate.
"...Okaay..." she replied in a mixed tone of awkwardness and enthusiasm.
Photo took to the catwalk and strutted down it like a proper supermodel, blind to the lights and the audience, striking confident poses to show off her work. Chroma's shutter clicked all the while; he'd occasionally suggest a pose to strike, but for the most part, it was up to Photo. The colt would occasionally adjust the intensity of the large lights on either side of the stage, varying the way his subject was illuminated.
"Keep it up, Photo! These are turning out great!"
"Hehe... am I a good model, then?"
"Of course! You know how to work the catwalk!"
"Ah, I know I do. Next time, maybe you can get up here and strut."
The photography session went on for several minutes, and both model and photographer felt the artistic spirit flowing through them. Chroma would encourage her to shine for the camera, and Photo would oblige with myriad positions to catch the eye. While striking a rather dynamic pose, Photo's rear hoof happened to knock into one of the little lightbulbs lining the edge of the catwalk, jarring it loose from its socket.
"...Oh! Whoops, one second, Chroma."
As Photo Finish turned her back and leaned down to fix the bulb, however, she was surprised by a sudden noise.
*click*
Jumping back upright, she spun on her hooves to look at Chroma with an accusatory smile. He simply shrugged as if nothing was wrong.
"You perv! Did you take a picture of my rear just now?" Photo asked amid her own laughter.
"I saw a beautiful shot and simply had to take it." Chroma said, his smile barely able to hold back a chuckle of his own.
Photo wasn't at all upset, and they both could tell it. What Chroma didn't know was how the illicit snapshot made Photo feel inside. Something about having her most vulnerable, private side exposed to the camera was... exhilarating. Not least because he was the one photographing her.
Her cheeks began to turn pink, and her heart started beating faster. She lidded her eyes at Chroma and gave him a welcoming smile.
"...Hmm... very well, then..." She took a few steps back up the runway. "Chroma, do you know what I think would make your photographs a lot better?"
"What would that be?" he asked.
Photo carefully lowered her flanks to the catwalk, her upper body sprawled out across it. With a sultry look in her eyes, she slowly raised her right hindleg high into the air, splaying open her skirt and revealing her tender flesh to him.
"If they had more exposure. "
Chroma's face immediately contorted in surprise. It didn't take him long to catch her drift, though; his eyes still wide, he raised his camera once more and began snapping pictures of Photo's marehood. She smiled like never before.
Eventually, she slipped out of her dress completely as the photos became more provocative. The two worked in tandem to turn Photo's nude body into art of the most sublime sort, a kind neither had worked with before but were both extremely eager to experiment with.
The poses Photo assumed and the tone of Chroma's voice as he encouraged her grew more intense as they both became increasingly aroused. Photo wasn't sure if she could finish the shoot without her heart exploding, and Chroma, while fixated on his dazzling model, became increasingly aware of his own body's response to her presentation.
As the colt's cheering became more intense, Photo found herself moving closer to him, as if wanting to negate the camera's zoom in order to give him the closeup they both desired. Eventually, the little blue mare was right up at the edge of the catwalk, her thighs spread eagle, when the camera emitted a different sort of clicking.
They'd used up the roll of film.
As Chroma slowly lowered his camera, setting it gently upon the floor, he and Photo locked eyes and didn't break their gaze. Both of them were breathing intensely, and they were both intimately aware of how exposed Photo's body was. The two artists were barely a foot apart, reading into each other's eyes what they couldn't say with words.
Finally, Chroma pounced forward, eagerly putting his hooves on Photo's shoulders. She did the same, pulling him into a heavy, lustful kiss. He pulled her body close to his, and he took her right there in the studio.
Subject: Fashion Plate Age: 20 Place: His first apartment in Canterlot
The young bluish unicorn carefully squeezed his way through the front door, forelegs occupied with a large, flat, squarish object. The tiny hallway that acted as a mudroom to his apartment was cramped, and the door didn't open fully to begin with, making it even harder to fit the thing through the door. Finally, with one last exertion, he maneuvered it through, followed thereafter by the pony who'd been wrestling with the back end, another unicorn named Tailor Made.
"Could we not have just used magic to get this thing in here?" he asked, somewhat exasperated.
"I wouldn't trust my erratic horn with something this valuable, Tailor." replied Fashion Plate. "I'm far too excited to see how it looks on the wall! I'll go clear the path for us!"
Tailor had to quickly light up his horn to catch the opposite end of the parcel as Fashion darted off towards another door. Glancing around, he took note that his friend's apartment wasn't quite as disheveled as his own, though he figured a pony like Fashion would be a little bit more tidy; then again, the life of a student is hectic and stressful, especially when you're paying to go to Canterlot's most prestigious design school. Tailor was frankly surprised Fashion could afford an apartment this cheap-looking.
"So this is where you live, huh?"
"Yeah! It's... not much, but it's...! Well, not much. But it's mine!" Fashion called from his bedroom as he quickly tidied up. "At least until I graduate. Hopefully I can move out after I've struck it rich, y'know?"
Tailor chuckled. "Well Fashion, if anypony's got that chance, it's you, buddy." He paused for a moment to shift the object in his grasp to a more comfortable position. "I tell you what, this school's about beat that kind of energy out of me. But you hang onto that dream! Don't let anypony make you drop it."
Fashion emerged once more, smiling and rolling his eyes. "Especially Professor Hawthorne, right?"
"Yepshe'sanoldcow-- " Tailor spat out as he staggered a bit. "Speaking of dropping things, if you don't mind--?!"
"Oh gosh! Sorry!" The colt quickly rushed to grab the package again and take the pressure off his friend. "Forgot how heavy this was."
"You're fiiiine. Let's just get it on the wall before I get a hernia."
It took only a few steps to cross the tiny apartment to the open bedroom door. Fashion's sleeping quarters were slightly less claustrophobic than the so-called mudroom, but not by much, especially with the cumbersome package in hoof, which the two stallions finally got to rest upright against the wall.
"There. " said Fashion. "Let's rest a bit before we try to hang it."
"Way ahead of you." said Tailor, proceeding to flop exhaustedly onto Fashion's slightly ruffled bedspread.
"Hey! Who said you could use that?"
"Are you gonna make me get up?"
"...No. "
"What is that thing anyway, Fashion?"
The younger unicorn excitedly clicked his hooves on the floor. "You're gonna love it! Look!"
His horn coming alight, Fashion ripped through the brown paper and twine that had carefully been wrapped around the frame. The two unicorns were greeted by a slightly dingy version of their own reflections. Fashion practically squeed in delight.
"It's a Vitre du Baltimare Soir Cheval -type vanity mirror!" The colt's eyes lit up as he said the words. "I won it in an auction!"
"Explains why I met you at the auction house. " quipped Tailor. "How much did you pay for it?"
Fashion turned on his hooves and coyly winked. "I don't wanna tell you! " Turning back to the mirror, he ran a hoof along its intricately carved frame, taking in the faded, chipped paint and the slightest crack in one corner of the glass.
"Oh, the history behind this mirror, the dignity, the things it must have seen... it's perfect. "
Tailor rolled over onto his side. "Wouldn't any old mirror have done if you needed one?"
Fashion dramatically spun back to look at him. "Not for admiring my designs! This mirror's 120 years old! It's dignified, it's fabulous, and my designs are likewise! ...Besides, I really like it."
Tailor laughed through his nose. He propped himself up a bit, watching Fashion Plate preen and admire himself in the antique mirror. He supposed if it meant that much to him, he couldn't help but agree.
"By the by, Fash," he said "what kind of stuff are you working on now? I know midterms will be coming up soon, and Hawthorne always makes her sophomores show something off."
Fashion gave a little gasp, unsure if it was out of excitement or nervousness. "Well, I..." he began "I've got a piece or two or three coming along... they're, y'know, kind of dapper, kind of turn-of-the-century. They're works in progress still."
"Can I see?"
Fashion felt his face redden slightly. He sat silently for a moment. "...You don't want to see my designs ..."
"No, Fashion, it's fine. I do." Tailor hopped down off the bed to go comfort his young friend. "I know this school's been hard on you, and you've got a couple more years of it yet. But don't be down on yourself. Take it from someone who's almost done and just barely squeaking by: you've got the talent in you. You're going to find your way into this world somehow, be it designing, media, modeling, anything you want."
Fashion ran a hoof through his dark mane, not yet grayed by time. "You think I could model? "
Tailor froze momentarily, trying to think of a response. "I mean-- hey, whatever you want to do, you're gonna make it in the fashion world, I know it. Heck, Fashion's your literal name! "
Fashion made himself look Tailor in the eyes; they were a dark purple, something he'd never really noticed before. The care in those eyes, he had seen before, though. He felt his confidence swell.
"...Alright." said Fashion at last. "I've got a couple things I could try on for you, just to get your thoughts. Gimme just a second."
Sorting through his closet and various piles of works-in-progress he had about the apartment, Fashion slipped off to the adjacent bathroom to change. Each new outfit he would trot out with as though he were on a walkway, posing for himself in the mirror and for Tailor, who looked on giving advice on seams, patterns, and all the rest; it helped having an upperclassman as a friend, he thought. Tailor really was a good friend, and had been since he'd come to campus, helping him pick up on the intricacies of sewing, design, and how to put together an ensemble. He'd also had several of the same professors before him, and could help him navigate their eccentricities and pet peeves. They'd spent plenty of time together, in and outside of the workshop and studio, and they'd bonded over their shared interests and dreams. Tailor hoped to one day open a quiet little shop in Canterlot or Manehattan to sell his designs, or even just to fix clothes for ponies; his aspirations weren't as lofty as Fashion's own, and perhaps that level-headedness was what drew him to the elder unicorn.
As Fashion moved on to showing off a couple of designs he'd been working on for midterm, he found himself looking less at the details in the mirror as Tailor commented on them, and more on the stallion himself. His coat, a deep forest green. His mane, sea green and peaked about his horn. Some stubble on his chin suggested a shave a couple days old. He wore a necklace he'd gotten on a field trip they'd taken together. He tied up his short tail with a fashionable bow in an androgynous color. His voice was warm, and soft yet sonorous as he gave his advice on the attire, which Fashion half-heartedly noted down.
He wondered what he'd done to earn such a good friend.
"Fashion?"
He snapped out of his wandering thoughts. "Y-Yes?"
"I said you look good in that vest, dude. Looks sharp!"
The blue colt turned to check himself again in the mirror; it was a sleek, button-up vest with a plaid front and a neckerchief in the breast pocket. A decorative chain suggested a pocket watch.
"Oh! You think?"
"Yeah, for sure! Definitely use this in your project, see what you can pair it with. Can't guarantee Hawthorne will like it, but she doesn't like much of anything."
They shared a laugh. They stood silently before the mirror, just looking over the outfit, watching each other smile. After a moment, Tailor slung a hoof over his friend's shoulder, and he grinned wider.
There was another silence. Tailor gingerly raised his second forehoof. With hesitation, to the point he almost didn't do it, he put his other hoof on Fashion's other shoulder, effectively hugging him from behind. Fashion allowed it for a moment, before carefully moving himself around to face Tailor.
"Hey, Tailor... um..." Fashion unconsciously put his own hooves on those of his friend.
"Yeah?"
"I... wanted to thank you. For all you've done for me. All the advice, all the guidance, all the late-night conversations... you're... you're a good friend." He shyly spoke with his head down, and their horns were almost touching.
"Thanks, Fash. You know I feel the same."
"It's not just that, though..." Fashion butted in. "It's the little things too, y'know? The things you don't even think about in the moment. Like, 'You wanna come with me through the snow to grab a pizza?' or, 'Hey, let's chill together while we wait on laundry' or--"
"Or 'You're too stressed, Fashion, let's get you drunk'?" Tailor said with a chuckle.
Fashion couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, that too. So... thank you, Tailor. For being my friend."
"Of course."
Another silence came. They held each other in a tender hug.
"...Tailor?"
"Yeah, Fashion?"
"Remember that time we got really drunk down by Ponyville and started talking about our love lives?"
He chuckled again. "I remember." he said, knowingly.
"And I told you that I hadn't found somepony I thought was special enough to sleep with yet?"
"Yeah?"
"Well..."
More silence, as Fashion found the words catching in his throat. Tailor pulled himself back slightly, tilting his friend's chin up to look into his eyes. Fashion glanced away, cheeks red, but made himself meet Tailor's gaze once again, a tiny smile nervously getting his point across.
"Are you sure about this, bud?"
"I mean... I... I like you, a lot, as my friend... a-and I'd trust you with my life..." a shy chuckle broke up his thoughts. "I just... I want that first time to... to mean something, y'know?"
Tailor glanced away too; though his smile didn't fade, he wanted to make sure Fashion knew what he was doing. "Fashion, you're cute, I'll admit that. And I adore watching you get passionate about your art. But I don't think we'd work out in the long-term. I'm just not that kind of pony."
"I don't think I care , Tailor." Fashion said, just above a whisper. "I just... I want this to happen. I want to show you how much I care... and it'll definitely mean something to me, even if it... doesn't turn into... you know..."
"Bud, you can show me... any number of ways you care." he replied with a chuckle. "Are you sure this is what you want?"
"Do you like me?"
"A-- I-- yes, I like you; you're my friend, I admitted you were cute-- "
"And you're not opposed to the idea?"
"...No. I'm not. Not at all. I just want to make sure you know that this is what you want."
Fashion Plate's face was bright red now. He glanced at the floor, his ears pinned back in a mixture of embarrassment and frustration. Would this be a mistake? He didn't know. But he knew he cared deeply about Tailor Made. And in this moment, it was a mistake he was willing to make.
He summoned all his courage, quickly slipped a hoof behind Tailor's head, and pulled him into a deep kiss. Tailor was surprised at first, but gave himself into it. He'd kissed a few colts in his day, but few had the passion within them that Fashion seemed to now.
After what felt like an eternity, they broke the kiss and stared into each other's eyes, just breathing, horns but a hair apart.
"Does that answer your question?"
Tailor smiled. He supposed if he was dead-set on it, he should make it worth his while. He felt Fashion tremble in his hooves as he glanced down between their bodies. Glancing back up, he gestured with his eyes to the bed.
"Come on, dude. There's more I can teach you about than just clothes. "
As their hearts joined in a friendship deeper than friendship that day, the antique mirror added one more event to the list of things it had seen.
Author's Note
Hadn't intended for two fashion ponies to follow each other, but it just happened to happen anyway!
