Verve

With little else to do, and fresh foods served through the slats in the walls - the group had mostly settled in. Save for Vee, who bumbled about - staring awkwardly at the far wall, occasional gibberish following failed preening attempts. Pumpkin had dozed off herself on the bunk adjacent to hers, leaving nothing but a thin gap between her and her sister.

Arin, unfortunately, had his own problems. The bunks were made for a large buck at best, just an inch or two shorter than Celestia. Because of this, there was little room for a spare body to nestle in.

Arin wasn’t the spare, in this case. The Princess had evolved into a needy mare over the course of years, and needed a warm body to cuddle with. Or else she whined. Obsessively.

Crushed against the cool stone wall, and embraced in body squeezing wings, he felt more like a Seraph pancake. The gentle touch of hooves, while soft and significantly less bony than before - were more like heavy blocks digging in his back, crushed against him and the bricks. At the very least, the now returning, soft, and oh so supple fur of the Princess was still velvety smooth and squishy - though scentless. Nearly everyone gathered needed a proper shower after the falls, and he wondered if their fair treatment so far would include a bath in the near future.

Even in these less than optimal circumstances, the gentle embrace of Celestia was more than enough to ward off any fears. Even the thought of falling asleep and into the field of Nightmare Moon was quickly warded away, after a small discovery by the crew gathered now.

Nightmare Moon had no ability to manipulate dreams outside of the Lunar Plane. They were, at least at the moment - safe.

And with that, came possibly the second best sleep he’s had in a while. The first being the night prior, after days of struggling and toil - and escaping a waterfall bruised and battered.

Cuddled up for warmth, it was the stirring jar of the door sliding open in the ‘morning’ that snapped the party awake.

“Prisoners. As requested, your audience with King Aster has been granted. All rise,” a voice called, a new buck now - donning light vestments showing his relation to the royal staff. It was more like an overly regal medal with shoulder pads, but it served its purpose.

Stirring to their hooves and feet, Pumpkin had to inevitably lift the exhausted pegasus onto her back. Her dirty wings fell to either side of the smaller mare, the guard inspecting the half-starved guest curiously.

“Prisoner, what ails you?” he asked, daring to poke the Purple with a hoof. She hardly reacted, only rested her head overtop Pumpkin’s in a daze.

“S-She needs coffee, Mister D-Deer. She u-um… can’t function without it.” Pumpkin hid under her autumn mane, refusing eye contact with the buck.

“Coffee? The Court doesn’t carry much in the way of coffee, little one. Here, let me offer my assistance.”

His heavy antlers glowed a soft red light to match his eyes, hefting the tired pegasus with ease onto his back.

“I trust you all will cause no trouble in the halls of King Aster. Lest you are bound again, to prevent a scene. There is much to discuss, and resisting will benefit neither party.” His eyes focused heavily on Tempest at that statement, the defiant mare narrowing her gaze.

“I will only resist if resistance is necessary,” she said, as the Guard allowed them entrance to the hall.

“Then you will be quiet, and approach the King with dignity, I assume?” he said smartly back. As they left the jail’s hall, they were flanked on either side by two heavily armed Guards, bearing burdens of heavy green plate, with golden trim. Their armor made no sound with each step, and even their hooves on the tiled floor were awfully quiet.

Returning to the Grand Hall, it led steadily into a now occupied throne room - once more leaving Celestia envious. The throne was made of a rich maple finish, adorned with beautiful antlers scoring the sides. Gold trim lined the heavy, rich, red pillow in the center; at the crest of the backrest, a large emerald shone with timid beauty in the faint light of the moon.

The red carpet leading into the room ended in a small podium, in which an advisor or citizen may address the king, or a crowd - plenty of space for seating available in this wide hall. And a spectacle it was, with rich tapestries detailing historical moments lining the spaces between giant branch entwined windows. The gleam of stained glass filling the room in a rainbow of colors.

At this throne, sat the king. A towering giant of a deer, roughly a full head taller than Celestia herself - his noble green eyes rested over her. White and gold flecked fur, a sign of beauty among his kind, and the ponies gathered as well. Several purple flowers rested at the base of his antlers, true to his name - an autumn bouquet of asters. As they approached, his gaze settled on the battered Celestia, and stayed for far too long. As if seeing something he wished he shouldn’t, or a piece of his past come to life - a tale within stories was surely told within his glistening irises.

He spoke in a clear, steady, yet stern voice. Almost calming by nature, as if the very trees spoke with him. “Princess Celestia, if I may assume?”

Celestia was caught unaware by the proclamation, but nodded her head to recover. “Yes. I am Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria and its Realms. It is an honor to finally meet, yet I do not recall a past contact with you, King Aster. If I may inquire, how did you happen upon my name?”

At that, he hesitated - perhaps sampling his own words, before speaking in a fluent tongue. “I am a descendant of the Old Wood King, Lord Mapleheart; far beyond your time, who taught me well of your lineage. You were still ascending in your rule, when the paths of Deer and Pony split. But if I may inquire, how did you of all creatures enter my realm?” It wasn’t an accusation by any means, but genuine curiosity. A Princess should be in her castle, not traveling the wilds, after all.

“The very same reason that night has fallen, and not yet lifted, your Highness. A great evil has once again returned to the realm of the Material Plane, the place your kind has long abandoned. This very same evil has possessed my Sister, chased me from my home, and is intent on splitting the Fabric to shreds. If she is left unchallenged, then not only will Equestria be lost - but the very Feywilds you reside in, as well.”

Several of the gathered deer spoke in hushed whispers at her words, confirming the King’s suspicions. “I had wondered for many an eve why the passing of the moonlight had not come. Now I know. I will trust your words, Princess - but this leaves more questions. Why are you in my domain?”

“We are traveling to retrieve an abducted companion - her talent and skill may be the key to turning the tide against Nightmare Moon. We had intended to rest and gather supplies from our Pegasi companion’s home, but were intercepted by your bucks. It just so happened that the Lunar Plane’s presence is disrupting the natural existence of other planes within the Prime as well, and if left unchecked, could shatter the Feywild’s magics. Inevitably spelling disaster for both your subjects, and my own.” Celestia’s voice stood as a bastion of dignity, regardless of the pain her body had endured. When it came to politics, she was nigh unshakeable.

“I believe there is proof to your claims. I have heard word of mysterious structures and weather forming across my lands - ruins from another realm, and the chill of the Lunar magics. The Circlet Mystics agree on the decay of the Feywild’s power; and with your testimony, I have no other recourse but immediate action.” The noble deer slid up to his long legs, looming over the battered party with his majesty.

“As King of the Feywilds of White Tail Wood, I declare your presence fated, and as such grant you the ranks of Royal Guests. I apologize for the imprisonment laid against you, and offer you aid in your travels. If you are on a mission to save not just the Prime, but the Fey - then you are welcome within my Halls. But with this news, comes travesty.”

He stepped down from the throne, greeting them all on a more equal level. “I can not send Soldiers to aid you in your quest. The magics of other realms are unkind to my Kin, and many would die within a few days’ time from the arcane shock of drowning in balanced - or unbalanced - magic. This is an adaptation from thousands of generations of survival within these harsh lands, and can not be overcome with our current research; as there was no need to research it.”

He turned back to the throne, looking at the moon through an ornate window hanging overhead. “Instead, I will pay for any supplies you need for your journey, at the cost of the Circlet’s budget. Tools, arms, instruments, food - I will give this as both a gift, and as a contract.”

Aster faced them now again; “Your kind will make it their duty to avoid my Realm in the future. White Tails left the Material Plane to prevent conflict with pony kind; I will not risk the lives of my bucks, does, or fawns over ignorance. Once this established threat is dealt with, this rule will come into effect. Princess Celestia, her gathered kin, and strange being - I will declare your presence tolerated and accepted within my walls, until such a time it is not, when generations pass and the deer you see today take to the stars in their final trail.”

The Deer’s eyes settled on the Purple pegasus, still hanging limply from the buck’s back. “I have yet another question, before my servants will guide you to your accommodation. Is your feathered friend in condition for such a journey?”

The buck holding Vee angled his eyes down at Pumpkin - possibly the worst pony to ask - who froze on the spot.

“U-Um… V-Vee n-needs coffee, o-or she gets sick?...” She stumbled through her sentence like a train wreck, but the point was given.

“Coffee? I…” For once, King Aster’s demeanor broke, thoroughly confused. “...Yes, I suppose I can have the chefs serve coffee. Though it isn’t typically furnished upon my tables, I will see to it that her needs are taken care of. Until then, I am aware of three rooms available within my boughs. If you have a preference for partners in your accommodations…”

Celestia’s overly large wing scooped Arin close to her side, much to the worry of the Seraph. Aster gave a soft, small laugh at the sight, thought not as mirthful as one could expect. As if he saw something the party did not.

“I take it that this hindrance will not be an issue. You are dismissed.”

Their meeting with King Aster went absolutely well, all things considered. And with time slowed to a crawl outside of the Fey, Celestia could take plenty of hours to rest, eat, and recuperate from her horrible stint on the moon.

Unfortunately for Arin, this meant he was essentially locked into a room with possibly the most pent up mare in the world. Well, he wasn’t locked in, until Celestia clicked the latch in place and roughly tackled her Seraph to the bed.

While Celestia wasn’t heavy, when she was motivated - there were no counters to her disarming kisses. Resistance was pointless, futile, and overall ill-advised. Her hooves made an extra special effort to not destroy the buttons on Arin’s jerkin and shirt, wanting to feel the warmth hiding within.

“P-Please, air… I-I can’t… breathe…” He hissed. If this kept up, their ‘temporary’ arrangement may ‘permanently’ kill him.

Arin’s face had started to turn a rather worrying shade of blue from the tightness of her hug when a knock on the door saved his life. Celestia - perhaps a bit upset with the interference of her love, jumped up and rushed for the door, clicking the lock open and peeking around.

Seizing his chance to escape, he stood up - and quickly realized that the only way out was through the currently busy Princess.

“King Aster had noticed the state of your being, Princess, and had requested that extra cosmetics find their way to your hooves.” A soft voice said from beyond the door. Obviously a doe, Celestia bowed her head with a smile.

“Thank you, and please send King Aster my regards for this thoughtful gesture.” She accepted the basket of shampoos and soaps in her muzzle, quickly clicking the lock shut behind her.

Arin, standing and cornered - was not mentally ready for a second round of tough love. “D-Don’t I get a say in any of this?” He asked, nervous - Celestia approaching with a smirk. Setting the basket on her back, she giggled and seized his hand in a hoof.

“You did! Just last morning- er… night.” She flashed her pearly white teeth, before darting a wing around his back. “Come along now, I need lots of help washing up. I don’t have magic at the moment, after all, and I could use your big, strong… uh… Hands! Yes, hands to reach spots I can’t.”

“Can I just… take a nap, while you wash yourself?”

“Haha! Oh Arin, you’re such a card. No. You can’t.” She snapped her tail against him, making him sigh. What did he sign up for? Sure, he loved all of the attention - but she was only at a tenth of her strength, and already, her stamina was daunting. The handle to the bathroom door slid down, revealing the meticulously clean tiles and wood.

Arin sent a silent prayer to whatever sick, demented Gods that cursed him with possibly the most needy version of this Princess; please, free him from this trap. When he was younger, he perhaps would have liked to take things fast with any lover that found his bed - if he could find one. Now, he wished he could slow things down. If only just a touch or… several.

Well, at least she was soft and sweet when it came to cuddling. And those wings! Wonderful for warmth. But now, he had to clean them. He already didn’t like washing his own feathers, which was a new experience - they were awfully heavy when wet, and often needed excessive soap. But her wings were massive. He could feel the carpal tunnel developing at the thought.

With the water running and the mare splashing into an exceptionally wide basin, she eyed him curiously. “Well? Aren’t you going to join me? Or should I slow down a bit? Oh no - I’m not making you uncomfortable, am I?”

The usually happy Princess calmed down, upon seeing Arin fighting with his emotions. “No no - let’s just tone down the bear hugs and maybe be a little more… sensual? I guess? And I’ll be fine.”

She blushed, raising a hoof to her chest in the pouring water. “My apologies. I never meant to be so brash. Let me try again.”

She offered a soft hoof to the Seraph, and after a moment of soul searching - he took it. In truth, he expected her to yank him into the water. Instead, her soft pink-dawn eyes settled into his own, a warmth filling the air between them.

“Would you like to join me, my Sunshine?” she asked softly, her gaze warm enough to melt him. A smile filled the Seraph’s features, and he nodded.

“I would love to.”

Vee wheezed like a dying mare would; Pumpkin holding her hoof with a little giggle. The witchy Pegasus was well known for being overly dramatic, and this fitted her much too well.

Laying in the bed, a bag of coffee had been hoisted up onto the nearby bedpost. A steady drip of the precious bean-juice filling her mouth.

“Just leave me to die, Smol-fry. It’s too late for me. Tell my wife and kids I love ‘em.” She groaned, wiping the sand free from her eyes.

“Vee, you’ve been single for over a hundred years. You told me last month.”

“Oh.” She fake coughed, hiding her muzzle behind a wing. Which she secretly preened, spitting the feathers onto the floor. “Oho! Well then. Tell the most handsome buck you see to marry me, that way he can pay my medical bills. ‘Cause I’m broke.”

The tiny mare laughed, hugging her Sister tight in her hooves. “That settles it, then. I’m never letting you run off again! You may be as old as h-heck, but you’re still my Sister, darn it!”

Vee sucked down more coffee from the tube; Pumpkin still had no idea where she got it from, or how she convinced a deer to serve her coffee like this… but it was an interesting thing, none-the-less.

“Anyway Smol-fry, I’ve got to catch up on my wall staring. Why don’t you snoot up on Tempest? She’s probably sitting around, moping because she’s no fun. D’ohoho~ And by the way… Tell her I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting. A Vee like me needs to be free, and I don’t do well with Jerk-faces telling me what to do.”

Pumpkin nodded, simply relieved Vee was okay. “Just promise me you w-won’t bumble off on your own, anymore! S-Sometimes I swear, you’re one crash away from bringing down a mountain.”

“That was one time, Smol-fry! That rock deserved it. It was weak. D’ohoho!” She preened away another feather, simply happy to catch up on her heaps of hard work ahead. A feather a day keeps the Vee at bay, after all.