Daring Do wiped the sweat off her brow. The short trek through the Everfree Forest posed no difficulty to her, especially compared to the adventures she’s had over the years. But after what she had to struggle through, she was more relieved that it was almost over.

Thankfully, the giant tree hut surrounded by masks and dangling bottles wasn’t hard to miss.

She looked back in her bag, making sure that the fruit was still there in one piece. She quickly knocked on the door. “Hey Zecora! I’m finally back, I got what you were looking for!”

Without much delay, Zecora opened the door. “Why if it isn’t Daring Do! What a delight to reunite with you!”

“Yeah, long time no see.” Daring reached into her bag, pulling out the fruit. “I really hope this was worth the long trip.”

Zecora grinned with delight. “Ah, you’ve fulfilled my request! Come inside and be my guest!” She stepped aside to let Daring Do in.

Daring stepped inside, admiring the exotic decorative flair. Some of the masks seemed familiar from places she’s visited, others still kept that air of complete mystery.

With the fruits in her possession, Zecora put them on a table near the cauldron. “I hate to say you look rather rough. I hope the adventure wasn’t too tough.”

Daring casually scoffed with a dismissive wave of her hoof. “Pff, nah, it wasn’t too bad. I’ve certainly had adventures that’ve left me worse for wear.” She took a seat nearby to rest her hooves. “So, what exactly are those things you asked me to get?”

“These fruits you brought are hard to find, but they’re perfect for the brew I had in mind.” Zecora explained. She started squeezing the fruits over the cauldron, letting the brew soak up the juices. As she began stirring the cauldron, she swayed her hips from side to side.

The rhythmic shaking was undeniably catching Daring’s attention, her eyes watching her flank go back and forth, making her slowly rub her inner thighs together until she caught herself, shaking her head back to attention. “Uh-huh…” she nodded, clearly unsatisfied with the answer. “So what exactly are you making?”

Zecora looked behind her shoulder, amused at how distracted Daring Do was, knowing that she’d be grateful for her help. “You’ll appreciate this, I think. I’m making a libido-dulling drink.”

“Oh, why didn’t you tell me that from the start?” Daring sighed in relief. “I mean, I’d have helped anyway, but telling me that would’ve given me a lot more motivation,” she cleared her throat in an attempt to save face.

“I’m sorry if you thought this was a ruse, I wanted to reward you with something you’d actually use.”

Daring sheepishly chuckled. “Well, I’m definitely not going to turn down something like this! It’s, uh, admittedly been difficult. Y’know, being out in those hot jungles all by yourself, the heat starts to get to you. I’ve been trying to write to keep my hooves busy, but it’s been hard to think straight when you’ve got other things on your mind.” She tilted her hat forward, barely covering her blushing cheeks. Even now, the uncomfortable twinges of arousal were constant. She was still able to keep control of them, but they were still ever-present in the back of her mind.

Zecora softly chuckled in understanding. “Just rest yourself, it will take a while, but I’ll make sure you’re repaid for your arduous trial.”

Daring eagerly kicked her hooves up to rest them on a nearby table. “So, how’d you figure out how to make this potion, anyway?”

“To my delight, or perhaps my terror, I found my success through trial and error,” Zecora winked. “I’ve tested ingredients and dosage amount, thankfully all when failure didn’t count.”

“I’d hope so!” Daring watched Zecora squeeze more of the fruit juice into the cauldron. “Gotta say, getting the fruits wasn’t as difficult as I’d thought it’d be. I’m pretty sure you could’ve done it yourself if you wanted to.”

Zecora nodded in agreement as she continued to stir, the contents of the cauldron turning from hot pink to a cooler, but still bright blue. “True, I could’ve set off on that mission, but you’re more suited for an expedition. You’ve yet to see that jungle before, didn’t you enjoy a new place to explore?”

“Hah, got me there. Was pretty nice to go somewhere new and not need to save Equestria from an artifact of doom.”

Zecora finished stirring, grabbing a ladle to pour it into a small wooden cup. “Here’s your reward, enjoy the taste! Don’t let a single drop go to waste.”

Daring gratefully took hold of the cup, but noticed that Zecora didn’t bother with pouring a cup for herself. “Aren’t you going to drink some?”

“That drink will certainly do the deed, but I save this for those with a greater need.” Zecora politely shook her head. “I’m satisfied helping others to their goal, I’ll get by on self-control.”

Daring let out a chuckle of disbelief. “You’re really something, Zecora. Well, cheers.” She quickly downed the cup, letting the taste swirl around in her mouth before swallowing. Slightly bitter, but still had that natural fruit sweetness to it.

Zecora sat herself down at the opposite end of the table. “I’d be remiss if I hadn’t checked, is the potion taking its effect?”

Daring let out a deep exhale. It wasn’t immediate relief, but she could feel the warm tingling in her crotch fading away. “Phew...yeah, I feel a lot better now. Like I can actually concentrate on writing for once!”

“Well, now that my brew is down the hatch…I think you’re also quite the catch,” Zecora said, fluttering her eyelashes.

While the potion dulled Daring’s libido, it didn’t stop her from getting flustered. Her wings didn’t pop out, but the blush on her face was undeniable. “J-Jeez…way to test out if the thing works...”

“Test or not, my words are true, I’m quite interested in knowing you.”

“Ah...er...really?” Daring contemplated what it’d be like if she was an author of romance novels instead of adventure. Perhaps then she’d have better words to say.

Zecora nodded in earnest. “You’re determined and smart with an adventurous flair. Around these parts, I’d say that’s quite rare. I feel we’re alike in several ways, I promise this is more than faint praise. A secluded life with plenty of history, I’d love to know more to uncover that mystery.”

Daring Do nervously rubbed her hooves together. “Well, I don’t really have anything else planned for the rest of the month, so I’d be more than happy to tell you a bit about me, especially to thank you for the help...A-And I wouldn’t mind getting to know you too...”

Author's Note

Imagine sending a celebrity on a fetch quest because you have a crush on her.