The Rise of Passion

Gallus awoke, still in Zecora's bed. She'd walked off, leaving a glowing trail of goo. He had presumably satisfied her conditions, and now it was time for her to help him. He followed the trail to a towel hanging on a hooked tree root. She'd wiped herself off. He would do the same.

No longer dripping, he went upstairs to see if he could find her. She was in the front room, stirring a small cauldron over a small fire sticking out of an oven. "A good evening to you, my gentleman caller. Is your fifth leg still standing a little taller?"

Gallus shook his head. "It went down on its own. How are you?"

Zecora smiled. "I'm glad that you have asked my state. You care about my feelings, and that feels great. I haven't forgotten what that piece of shit said, but now it's not just filling my head. Thank you, truly, for your help in this task. Now I shall help you with what you ask."

"Great," nodded Gallus. He sat down in a chair at her table and waited. He was silent for a few minutes while she worked, stirring ingredients into her hanging pot, tasting it every so often. "Is it safe to be drinking that potion you're brewing? wouldn't that lead to you feeling its effects?"

Zecora chuckled and shook her head. "I'm not making a potion for you. This is my dinner: vegetable stew."

"Oh." Gallus looked around. "Is one of these potions the one I need, or are you going to work on mine after?"

"No potion exists that can change Sandbar's mind. To be one with him, you must be intertwined. Do unto him as you have to me, and your views and desires are what he will see."

Gallus raised his eyebrow. "You know Sandbar's a stallion, right? He doesn't have the same parts as you. Plus, how do I know he's even interested?"

Zecora returned to her stirring after adding what looked to be dill seeds and peppercorns. "He's interested in you; don't ask how I know. Be affectionate with him, but take it slow. Give him a week for his stock to run out, and you'll see what he comes to me about."

Gallus leaned back and folded his claws. "You've been giving him something, haven't you? Something that alters his mind."

""I cannot resist their powerful charms; Yona's warm coat, Gallus's muscular arms. They call to me, and I cannot resist. I need something to calm me down, I insist!" He came to me and pleaded for aid, and when a cure I offered, farewell he bade. No compensation for my act. So, no longer from you I will distract."

Gallus swallowed. "That's it? I just have to wait a week, and he'll jump into my arms and beg to be with me?"

Zecora nodded. "Give him a reason to pick you as his first, and after your cock, you will see him thirst."

Gallus stood up and walked over to the zebra, giving her a hug. "I can't thank you enough for this. If there's ever anything you need, don't hesitate to ask."

She hugged back. "You're welcome anytime into my hut. But practice some more, so your stuff you can strut."

Gallus took a deep breath and opened the door. It was time to return to the school and start working on seducing Sandbar. At the very least, he needed to be more appealing than Yona.

As he was walking away from the hut back toward where he had left Trixie, Zecora poked her head out the door. "One last thing before you go!" she called out, prompting Gallus to look back. "Give my warmest regards to Cozy Glow."

As the door swung shut, the colour drained from Gallus's face. He hadn't said anything about Cozy. How could she have guessed? She was smart, sure, but could she read minds? Was she psychic? Had he said something in his sleep?

He shook the thought from his head. Maybe she didn't know. Maybe she was probing him for information, and he just had to act naturally to lead her off the trail. She couldn't know for certain, right?

Trixie led him back through the forest, while he quickly went over everything that had happened inside of Zecora's hut. Trixie was equally concerned, but posited the idea that perhaps Zecora was just trying to make him return regularly to extract more payment from him.

It was late when they returned to the school, and the two split up. Trixie needed to meet up with the faculty to explain where she was and why it had taken so long, while Gallus went to the commissary for a bowl of stew before going to his dorm room.

It was a fairly small room with light blue walls, two raised beds over two desks, a single bowl-style light fixture on the ceiling, a wide dresser with three drawers on either side and a window on the far wall that didn't open. Gallus had already claimed his bed, tossing his duffel bag onto the bed on the right. While he'd been gone, Sandbar had done the same for the bed on the left, only his bag was empty and his desk and half of the dresser were full.

Now was as good a time as any for Gallus to set up his stuff. His supplies went to his desk, his gear into the dresser, and under the far side of his desk went his safe. While there was a door lock keeping everypony out, the safe would add an extra layer of security for all the things he needed to keep extra secure.

As the latch on the safe clicked into place, the door opened and Sandbar walked in. "Hey, Gallus. I saw your name on the door when I came in. Looks like we're going to be rooming together this term."

Gallus looked up at Sandbar. He was holding a drink in a bottle that looked very familiar. It was one of Zecora's, indicating that he had been there for a potion in the past. Could that be the potion that made him act normal? If Gallus disposed of that, could he speed up the process? "What's that you're drinking?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

"Berry Punch made some berry punch for orientation. Since I was helping out, she gave me some. I'd offer you a sip, but I put some of my medicine in it. I'm supposed to use water, but as long as it's non-alcoholic, it'll be fine." He took a swig. "There's another event tomorrow, if you're not busy. We still need some volunteers."

Gallus walked over and wrapped a claw around his shoulder. "I'd love to help you out, Sandbar. We'll go together."