Author's Note

In honor of a new story we give a special treat of two chapters for the prize of one! Enjoy

The Man And The Beauty (Edited by NagaShark)

Exiting the bathroom with a shit eating grin, Mark takes a moment to breath in, as he prepares for his upcoming date with Daisy, drying himself with a towel, he heads to his wardrobe when a small groan alerts him, and looking at his bed he chuckles when he sees Milky starting to wake up with her mane standing on end, his form of thanking all of them for such a lovely evening still present as she along with the rest of her herd sisters were twitching slightly after their last session.

Putting on a pair of jeans and a red shirt, he approaches the mare in question, and kisses her forehead. “Morning honey.”

“Morning sweetie.” She weakly replies before panting. “Wow Mark last night…”

“I know, I'm just so happy. Thank you so much for organizing that play date with Silver and her friends. I wouldn’t have imagined that Canterlot has a meat district.”

“Love to hear you had fun and you managed to score a date too.” She chuckles a bit.

“Are you sure you will be ok? We kind of drained you last night.”

“Absolutely, I hardly think the date will be that long, or would end like that. Daisy is like all of you, a lady that deserves to be wooed properly.”

“Ha, then better be careful with those lips of yours.” She pats his cheek a bit. “Those things can be lethal weapons.”

“I’m sure I will be able to contain myself.”

“It’s not you, who I’m afraid will not be able to contain themselves.”

He chuckles and kisses her hand. “I will text you if anything happens, and I will be back by noon, maybe 2 or 3 tops.”

He lets go of her hand. “Breakfast is ready, you have plenty of water in the kitchen, and I informed a butler to help you out if you need anything while you recover.”

“Thank you honey.” She nods in appreciation as he stands up.

“Will you be ok? There is nothing else you need?”

“None, go Mark have fun and when you return, tell us exactly how it went.”

“Will do.” He waves at her before heading to the door and to his date with Daisy.

After a short walk the human found his destination in the city park where in front of the fountain he saw Daisy, wearing a red skirt a white shirt ending in a choker without sleeves and most adorable of all some small eyeshadow looking everywhere while holding a purse until she spots him approaching, and waves hello.

“Hey Daisy, you are early.” Mark comments approaching the shy Holstaur.

“Yeah, I didn’t want to be late, you look nice.” She took a moment to admire how he was dressed.

“Thank you, you look absolutely gorgeous, and cute if that is even possible.” He praises back, making her giggle and look away with some heat in her cheeks.

“Thank you.”

“Shall we start?” He offers her his arm, for her to pick, making her smile.

“We can.” she takes the offer but got a bit worried about how he was left from the size difference. “Are you grabbing my arm? Because of our size I practically leave you with your arm up.”

“Nah it’s ok, don’t worry, I like the feeling of your arm around mine.”

She smiles at the comment, as they head to the theater to see a movie.

“We have some time before the movie begins.” Mark looks at his ticket before looking at Daisy. “What would you like to do while we wait?”

“Well I wouldn’t mind learning a bit more about you while we wait, is that ok?”

“Sure.” They go to a bench, and sit next to one another. “So what would you like to know?”

“Well, I suppose the thing I’m more intrigued by is why me. Mark, you are a bit famous now, I don’t think there isn’t a soul in Canterlot that doesn’t know the true story of what you did when Tirek attacked.”

“Oh.” He looked down in sadness.

“N-Not like that I-I mean that also happened but I mean when you defended the city and prevented him from taking over. That was incredibly brave, and everyone is so thankful because of that. You could have chosen to be a celebrity, you could have asked out any mare you would like. Maybe all, but of all the options, why did you choose me?”
“That is easy because of them all excluding my herd of course you are the one woman that I've been more than attracted to for way too long, to the point I couldn’t even speak properly the first time we met.”

“Yeah I get that…now, but why? What did you see in me that you love so much?”

“Well to be perfectly honest, this might sound sappy but while your body got my interest it was your personality that got my full attention.” He confesses honestly.

“My…personality?”

“It's kind of my weakness when it comes to mares, yeah I love big boobs and ass, I’m man enough to admit it. But that is just appearance, what I truly love in a woman is kindness, her friendliness, outgoing, and their warmth. And Daisy you are one incredibly kind, friendly, and adorable Holstaur, that is what drove me crazy about you. Although the body helps a little.”

He jokes earning a chuckle out of her. “So that is why you like me? Because of my kind and shy personality?”

“I suppose it is, all the mares in my herd are like that, so you could see a pattern there.”

“Wait, but what about Umbral? She is in your herd, and well isn’t she a bit brash?”

“You would think that at first glance but you would be surprised Daisy, underneath that hard exterior she is as fluffy as a teddy bear.” He can’t help but to growl. “And boy that fur of hers, just to sleep on it, or maybe she is the excepcion but in my eyes I know how kind, friendly and loyal she can be.”

“Ha and I thought I knew the mare, who would have thought she had a soft side.”

“Yeah.” He agrees. “Daisy you don’t need to answer if it is a sore subject but you keep degrading yourself just because you are tall. Why? Skye was right, maybe some stallions might be shocked but anyone that is afraid of you just because of being tall, is a jerk, liar or blind.”

She blushes at the comment as she looks down. “Thanks, and I suppose you can chalk that up as childhood trauma, growing up, kids can be a bit cruel at times.” She sighs looking up. “Believe it or not, I was a late bloomer.”

“What?” Mark's eyes widen in disbelief, making her laugh. “I know it sounds almost impossible looking at me now right? But it’s true, up until I hit 16, I was like a plank, yet I kept growing up, in my school other kids call me names like Ms. Pencil, Holgiraffe, Lamppost and so on and on. It was harsh, mean, and well I used to lash out. Girls especially were the meanest, saying how because I was so freakishly tall, no one would love me and I would just be weird.”

“Daisy, that is horrible!” Mark put his palm on her arm trying to console her.

“It’s ok, I moved on eventually, I started training, got some muscle pretty fast thanks to my family.” She chuckles and flexes a bit. “In my family we all are very fit, and well kids can’t exactly tease you as much when you can toss them over a wall.”

“Oh Daisy.” He shakes his head.

“I know I was more aggressive back then, but when I injured someone to the point their arm broke, that was a wake up call ,and I decided to be more pacifistic ever since. Then 16 happened and 5 sizes appeared literally overnight.” She points at her chest making him blush and look away.

“And that is when the teasing returned, only this time mares were accusing me of stealing their bullfriends and bulls looking at me more lecherously. I hated it, feeling their gaze looming over me, licking their lips and yet…I also kind of liked it, now Ms Pencil was getting attention and nobody was mocking me.”

“I…have mixed feelings about that.”

“Don’t worry that is not why I became a stripper.” She dismisses his concern gently. “I simply liked to dance and well my muscles made my clothes rip pretty easily, there is more to the story, but bottom line I found a way to dance without caring anymore, and well it feels liberating, that is why I do it, and why I love being a stripper.”

“Ah, ok I get it now.”

“Anyway, back to the story, seeing all those bulls looking at me because of my appearance made me hate Minotaurs that were taller than me, and started to like dating those that are shorter.” She smiles and grabs his hand.

“One night my coltfriend of one year and I decided to take our relationship to the next level and I don’t know why I decided that, but I wanted to try being on top. We got too carried away and next thing that happened, we heard a snap that I realized I accidentally injured his hip. It was terrifying and even though he said it was ok I could see it in his eyes, the fear. The wariness, his once gentle gaze at me, turned into a fear of me hurting him.”

She had to clean a tear and sob. “T-That is why I hate being a bit taller, it’s easier to believe everyone is afraid, rather than give them a reason why they should.”

“Oh Daisy, I understand now, it sounds like you had quite a rough past but you shouldn’t think so little about yourself.”

She looks at him in surprise. “Yeah, what happened back then was traumatic, and scary, and I’m sorry you had such a bad experience, but you can let fear dominate you like that.”

“Thanks but it’s still something that to this day I’m not able to overcome completely.”

“Understandable, something like that takes time.” He smiles and grabs her hand. “But if you let me, I would gladly help you overcome it.”

“Even if that means not having sex for months maybe years?” She teases him with a smirk, but to her surprise he nods immediately. “Even if it takes forever, I would never pressure you into something you don’t want, I would rather you be happy, than just some primal desire.”

“Wow Mark, I…you really are willing to cut out intimacy completely? For me?”

“It will be one huge sacrifice for sure, but I say.” he lifts her hand and kisses it. “It will be more than worth it.”

Her eyes go misty for a moment, before she clears them and sniffs. “Oh well look at the time, the movie will be starting pretty soon.” She grabs his hand and they head to the theater once more.

“So after the movie you think I could ask you why are you ok dating me?” He asks with curiosity. “I think it would only be fair right?”

“It would be.” She agrees before pulling closer. “But something tells me you already know the answer. We are more similar than I thought, Mark.”

“Oh?”

“I also like kind stallions.” She winks at him with an innocent giggle, making him smile and blush.

Unknown to them, a certain bug Princess was watching the show with curiosity and smelling the air with contentment.

‘Ah pure love, he still has such a unique and delicious fragrance.’ Chrysalis can’t help but to lick her lips in memory and anticipation, until she feels a spray of water on her face.

“Ah, ha Chryssy what did I say about smelling love in the air?” Discord chastises her appearing on her shoulder with a spray bottle. Rather than her kimono she was now wearing a simple pair of back torn jeans, and white shirt without sleeves and was in her original form.

“Do you honestly expect me not to breathe!?” She harshly whispers at him, looking over her shoulder. “The place is virtually covered in that. This place is chock full of couples!”

She extends her arm, and Discord could see her point, as more than one group of herds or couples were gathering, buying tickets, chatting, or simply holding hands in silence.

“Hmm good point, ok, new rule you can only sniff.”

“What is the point of all this! I already cut myself off of robbing love, you want to tease me with it now?!”

“Now, I want you to look at them as other than food.” He counters stepping off of her shoulder and growing to his normal size. “Just look at them, Chryssy, so happy, so content, so pure. Rather than just go and take that, wouldn't it be better to just receive that kind of love voluntarily?”

“Are you actually trying to sell me Thorax speech by torturing me?” She says with a deadpan look.

“I don’t know, would just saying hi to Mark, and show him how much progress you have made in your reformation be considered torture?” He teases leaning forward and showing her a ticket for the movie he and Daisy just went in.

She kept staring at Discord before snatching the ticket away. “Give me that!”

“Haha, that is what I thought.”

“Yeah, yeah what exactly do you want me to do?”

“Well mostly just enjoy the movie, but if you are offering to buy me some popcorn and a large soda…”

“Don’t push it.” She warns him. “Also wouldn’t this be a problem?” She points at her wings and extends them so he could see how they were now glowing like they were covered in glitter.

“Oh don’t worry, they are hardly there.” She rolls her eyes and goes to search for a seat.

“Remember ponies are friends…”

“…not food! Yeah I get it.” Chrysalis mentions in annoyance, yet she just complies and other than scaring the staff slightly when she arrives, she behaves and doesn’t do anything wrong and even buys the treats Discord suggested.

“Oh Chryssy, you are so turning into a good guy.” Discord smirks.

“Should we give her a little prize?” Another Discord appears and asks him.

“Way ahead of you.” He pulls out his cellphone and sends a message to Mark.

The movie itself was forgettable, but the Queen of the Changelings took some enjoyment watching Mark do his magic on Daisy as somehow they managed to put her head on his shoulder and his arm around her while enjoying the movie in peace.

‘Poor Holstaur she has no chance whatsoever, Mark is so gonna make her smitten over him.’

She chuckles lightly as she sniffs the air coming from the two, until she hears some crunching next to her and looks at Discord in annoyance.

“Great movie, isn’t it?”

She rolls her eyes, and leans on her seat. “I suppose, it’s so bland I haven’t paid too much attention to it.”

“Yeah, your attention seems somewhere else.” He tosses a piece of popcorn at the couple.

“Hey what are you doing?! Leave them alone.” Chrysalis complains.

“Why? You said it yourself, the movie is bland.”

“Yeah, but even if their taste is bad they deserve to enjoy it.”

Discord remains quiet, smirking at her as she looks away. “Shut up.”

“Admit it Chryssy, you would kill to be in Daisy’s hooves right about now wouldn’t you?”

“I might kill someone, if he doesn’t shut up now.” She warns him. “It's not like I care, I simply appreciate a hunter at work, that human has his target practically wrapped around his fingers.”

“Game respect game?”

“Yeah, you could say that.”

“Hmm, makes me wonder how he would deal with you?”

“Me? Ha! If I were to have a date with him, the roles would be reversed and I would have him kissing the ground beneath me.”

“Oh really? You think it would be that easy, and I mean without cheap short cuts, like hypnosis or shape shifting.”

“Even without those I can still handle him”

“Sounds good, go right ahead then tigress, take your prize.”

She looked at him in surprise, before looking at the couple before crossing her arms. “And ruin his date? Not worth it.”

“Yay!” Discord whispers a cheer and puts a star on her forehead. “You are a good girl, now Chryssy who is a good girl, who is? You are!”

“Discord, shut up!” She keeps complaining, trying to make as little noise as possible.

Once the movie was over, Mark and Daisy decided to take a walk through the city without a set destination in mind.

“So have you kept training, or ever since you came to Equestria have you stopped?”

“Oh I train from time to time, the life of a stripper is pretty demanding, you know?”

“Really?”

“Ha, you think those jumps, spins and movements just happen? We all need to be in top shape all the time, Mark. Control our bodies, and work them up so they stay as nimble and flexible as possible.”

“Ha, I think Aspen takes that last part a bit too far.”

“Haha ,yeah maybe a touch, and what about you? Do you train?”

“Yeah I do, mostly as a hobby, but well when you get as strong as an ant, finding out ways to train can be challenging at times.”

She smiles and nods. “You know it’s a bit of a shame you landed here instead of Bullhorn valley, with that much strength, you would have fit in with everyone in no time.”

“Maybe, but even if I would have fit in, that place would be missing something.”

“Friends.” He replies immediately. “Sure I might have gotten along just fine, but being there would mean only being either a meathead, or maybe a warrior but here, I’m a handyman, I’m a man for almost any job, have friends, incredible friends with benefits, an amazing herd and you.”

She has to pause at that claim, as he smiles warmly at her. “Y-You are extra sappy today aren’t you?”

“Can’t help it, I get nervous and say corny things when talking with gorgeous ladies. Milky and the rest help me relax, but I still slip.” He half jokes to lighten the mood, as they chuckle and go for something to eat.

“So why exactly did you leave your hometown? Was the announcer right? Because you became a pacifist did they kick you out?”

“Hmm, not exactly, dad indeed wanted me to be his little warrior princess yeah, but he was surprisingly accepting me taking a more passive role. ‘Saying there is also a battle of the minds too’ he is a nice, and very cool dad. I have a brother and a sister too who are more on the aggressive side, but over all we all love each other. Mom was the one that kind of kept pushing me to be more cold blooded in whatever I do. Need to be number one and nothing more you know.”

She laughs at an inner thought. “I bet if she were to look at me now she would be angry, not because I’m a stripper, but because I’m not like the queen of strippers or something.”

“Man, sounds harsh.”

“A bit, but nothing I can’t handle, I suppose in the end, I just simply want to see more of the world and see it’s beauty, not wanting to be just ‘the best’ of anything and just stop and smell the flowers. My parents saw that as a phase and thought I only needed a study semester abroad to clear my mind.”

“So you came to Equestria to study in Celestia’s school then?”

“Hmmm t-that is kind of what I've been saying in my letters, yeah?” She confesses with some embarrassment.

“Wait, your parents think you are still a student?! For how long have you been keeping that lie?”

“Not much! I told them I finished my studies, and I started like that yeah, but well after I found my job I kind of told them that I took a job as Celestia’s apprentice?”

“What?”

“Not like in magic! Of course more like an…apprenticeship in…ruling a nation”

“Is that even a thing?”

She shrugs. “Don’t know, but they believed it so everything is ok for now, but I intend to come clean eventually, don’t worry. I’m just…looking for ways to break the news, and find a way to explain myself.”

“Daisy, you know you are also a model right? What happens when they ask why are you there too?”

“Oh I was honest on that one, they love the idea of me getting the attention of the masses.”

“Daisy, I’m not sure if you should continue that lie, maybe you should come clean. Like you say your family is very understanding, not like going to see your show for obvious reasons, but I’m sure if you explained, they would support your decision of being a stripper.”

“Ah, that is too kind of you Mark. And I know, I promise I will. I just need just a tiny bit more time to gather my courage, that is all.”

“Daisy if you want, I could support you, even if that is going way too fast into things, but yeah the more you wait the harder it will be to tell the truth.”

She nods, and says, that she would consider it, as they resume their walking as Chrysalis wasn’t too far behind.

“Oh keeping secrets, nothing good ever happens from that, right Chryssy?”

“Yeah, I get the irony, you know there are times one or two secrets are more good than bad right?”

“So…you think this is one?”

“I don’t know, it is her decision.” She shrugs before she starts to think of something and humm.

“Bit for your thoughts?” Discord asks, dressed as a homeless guy

“It's nothing, just a random thought. I know that I have seen that Holstaur before outside a magazine, but I can’t exactly remember where.”

“Well isn’t that a mystery. Let's hope it's nothing dangerous, we wouldn’t want something to happen to dear Mark right?”

“What? I…no he can take care of himself” He just keeps smirking at her until she sighs. “Am I his personal guard now? Fine, I will see what I can dig up.” She says in resignation.

“Good…” He was about to pet her head but she stops him. “…touch me, and you lose that hand.”

He retreats at that but continues to chuckle.

Eventually, Mark takes Daisy back to her home in an apartment in the rich part of the city, where they find her apartment door, and she starts to fish for her keys.

“I had a great time Mark.”

“Me too Daisy, I hope we can repeat it someday in the future.”

“Yeah.” She finds her key and starts to play with it. “Good thing I gave you my scroll number right.”

“Memorized and written down.” He demonstrates showing her contact in his scroll.

“Mark, what I said before this morning. Are you absolutely sure you would be ok waiting?”

“I would not have any issues whatsoever.”

“Thank you.” She smiles and looks away. “I just need time to prepare myself, it’s been a long time since I returned to the dating game, my previous boyfriend was an arranged blind date.”

“Your parents arranged a blind date?” He raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“A story for another time.”

“Sounds good to me.” Mark nods, and a small awkward silence starts to fill the room until she sighs “I can’t just let you walk away without at least something.” Daisy confesses and looks at Mark.

“Hope this is enough for now.” She leans forward, and getting the idea Mark closes his eyes and does the same as they share a kiss. The contact starts small, without any intention, but the sparks that fly inside Daisy’s head cloud her judgment as she slowly starts to intensify the kiss, for as long as it lasts until Mark ends it.

“Wow.” That is all she can mutter.

“Yeah they have told me that before.”

“I changed my mind, would you like to come in?”

Mark laughs and shakes his head. “Good night Daisy.”

“N-no I’m serious, I’m ready.”

“No, you are not, you got blindsided. Just take a couple of minutes and you will be fine, trust me it happened to my alpha too.” He mentions helping her open the door. “Until next time.”
“Ah, ok until then.” She says slightly disappointed, and closes the door as Mark leans on it and let’s go of a breath he didn’t know was holding.

‘God that was close! One second more and I would have jumped her!’

He needs a moment to calm down and collect himself.

‘It’s for the best, she needs time, we both need time, can’t risk having her remember what happened.’

Once he manages to recover enough, he starts to walk out of the apartment complex with Discord and Chrysalis waiting.

“What just happened, I don’t even need to smell the air to know how much you both want it, why are you walking away?” Chrysalis questions him in complete shock.

“Because a good relationship isn’t built on carnal and primal desires Chrysalis, it is built over time, knowing your partner, sharing time together, and building a solid friendship.” Mark replies right away.

“You seem awfully calm to find us here.” Chrysalis looks at him warily.

“Discord texted me.” He shows Discord’s message, and then smiles. “I’m glad to see you Chrysalis.”

“Y-You are?” She smiles and subconsciously checks her mane a bit. “I mean, obviously after my aid in defeating Tirek it was obvious you would be happy to see your saviour.”

He rolls his eyes, and approaches the two. “If you want to see it that way, I’m also glad to see how much progress you have made, did you really cut yourself off from stealing any form of love?”

“Don’t think too hard about it, they were treating me with putting Glimmer as my teacher if I didn’t.”

Discord shakes his head letting him know she was lying.

Smiling, Mark nods once. “Regardless, that was noble of you Chrysalis, but you do know even if not stolen, eventually any changeling needs that food right?”

“Don’t lump me with the rest of my brood human, unlike a regular soldier I as a queen can last longer without food.”

“Maybe.” He surprises her by grabbing her hips. “But that doesn’t mean we are going to starve you to death.”

“What are you doing!?”

“Your reward, enjoy some of my love.” Mark smiles, and before she could protest he kisses her full on the lips slowly and delicately, making her eyes widen and her pupils to dilate.

Soon her body sparks, shooting discharges of electricity, and her mane and tail to stand on end like she just got shot by a lightning bolt.

The kiss only lasted a couple of seconds but by the time it was done Chrysalis was rendered stiff, and she was looking at him with neutrality, crossing her arms.

“Hope that is enough love, not sure if changelings can survive with regular food alone, but in case they can’t. I can give you a bit of mine periodically. Did it taste good?”

She remains silent at him.

“Ah, well hope it helps your hunger at least.”

Again she didn’t reply.

“O…k, bye Chrysalis, glad to see you making progress, like what you did with your wings.” He goes back to the castle, waving at the two. “Bye Discord.”

He waves back, before looking at Chrysalis once more. “Well Chryssy, still think that receiving love voluntarily is bad?” He teases her, yet she is still rendered immobile.

“Chrysalis?” He gets concerned and snaps his fingers in front of her face, finally getting a reaction as she coughs smoke and falls down backwards. “Oh boy!” Discord acts fast and catches her before she hits the ground.

“Huh, talk about a fully charged Queen.” He sees her expression morphing into a goofy grin and some drool exiting her mouth.

“Could someone be such a troll as to take a picture of a Queen paralized by a single kiss?” He ponders to himself, before pulling his scroll out and grinning. “Yes he can~”

The moment the flash goes off Chrysalis' eyes re-adjust and she returns to reality. “Wha…what happened?”

“What happened is that you my Queeny can no longer say Thorax speech doesn’t have it’s merits.” Discord teases showing her the picture he just took leaving her cold.
“Discord, erase that picture.”

“Not until I send it to the hunter that made it possible.”

“Oh no you don’t!” She rushes at him, and tries to get the scroll, as he laughs and summons a portal to his dimension. “I’m serious Discord! Give me that camera, don’t you dare send that picture!” They continue to fight as they enter the portal before it closes behind them.