It was interesting, being in the dream realm. I was being active, but when I left it behind I still felt as if I had gotten a good night's sleep. It was convenient at the very least, it meant I could spend as much time as I wanted trying to get the damn plumbing to fucking work already. I had just made another exploding shower head when Luna came to visit.

"Sir Elfilis? Is everything alright?" No, I was being defeated by piping.

"Well enough I suppose. Is there something you needed or is this a social visit?" She shook a hoof in a so-so manner.

"We thought you would like to know that our sister is drafting plans for an 'Education Reformation' bill for towns and cities in Equestria that don't get much traffic from our neighbors." That sounded pretty good actually.

"That's great, but, your sister has been in charge for a millenium? How come it's only coming up now?"

"I had asked her something similar. Our ponies had always been skittish, and it was something we had tried to rectify before, but in my absence Celestia had not left Canterlot except for special occasions."

"And Canterlot is the capital, so it sees foreign dignitaries and traders with some regularity. Ponyville, as close to Canterlot as it is, is just another rural village next to a dangerous forest with no significant tourist attractions."

"Er, correct. Yes, Celestia has impressive foresight most days, but she failed to see that some ponies weren't being disabused of their old misconceptions." That made sense I guess. "It is taking some time to write up, one of the systems she wants to create requires some cooperation from other nations, so it is slow-going. In the meantime, she has scribes copying appropriate information from our library. The hope is to give teachers material to help them introduce foreign culture to their students."

"Thanks for letting me know Luna. Carina was pretty upset earlier, maybe this will help cheer her up."

"Thou art welcome. Do not forget to take some time to yourself friend. You seem to taking on more responsibilities again, despite being 'on vacation'." I knew she was right, but it was still frustrating.

"Unfortunately, I might need to get a job of some kind. Carina insists on exercising her freedom to go broke but we don't have an income."

"Nay, Sir Elfilis." I pulled my attention to Luna, and away from the leaking pipes I had just failed to create again. "Thou have knights defending Equestria in your name. It will not be hard to get Tia to agree to pay for services rendered." That, I wasn't sure I was comfortable with that, but I was going to take it.

"I'll accept on the condition that you give a good portion to the Knights. They may be busy, but I'm sure they would appreciate a paycheck. They aren't greedy, but they know the value of currency." She nodded her assent.

"It shall be done. I hope your day is well Elfilis."

"Right back at you princess." And then she left, and I ended the dream.

I had a surprise waiting for me as I woke up. Carina had to have gotten up much earlier than me, as a full breakfast meal was set up on our table. Oranges, juice, pancakes (freshly baked), everything. Speaking of, she was fiddling with the cutlery, apparently trying to make it look just right. I cleared my throat.

"Elfilis! Good morning! Are you hungry?"

"I am now. It looks great, what's the occasion?" She beamed up at me. "I'm not missing out on some holiday am I?"

"Nope, this is 'Carina does all the work today' day, which means you get to relax as I take care of you!" Luna definitely spoke to her. I decided to play along though as I sat up from bed. "Now grab a plate! We have an appointment in Canterlot in a bit." It was a great breakfast, with fluffy flapjacks and real maple syrup. We made idle talk, just what we were thinking about. Apparently she had even gone out and hired somepony to watch Toby for the day, so we wouldn't have any potential interruptions. I had the feeling today was also 'Carina tries to seduce Elfilis' day. It was fine with me though. She went through all this effort after all.

"Where to now 'Rina?" We were in Canterlot now, standing off to the side of the road as carriages passed us by. Looking around for it, I did see a couple of gryphons, a few mules, and a minotaur in the crowd, all doing their own thing. It still didn't seem terribly diverse, but I supposed it might have just been a matter of exposure therapy.

"Now, we head to the spa, with bigger baths and full beauty treatment, courtesy of the crown. It's this way." She had definitely already spoken to Luna. I stayed silent as I followed her down the main road. I wasn't sure I was very enthused about another fancy bath only a day after the last one, but I was really trying to just, stop worrying about it. This was Carina's day, she wants to worry for me today. It would ruin the point if I got stressed.

It was only a little while later we reached the 'Canterlot Stones Massage Parlor.' It was nearly three times the size as the one in Ponyville, which was a good sign, but I couldn't help but notice how busy it was. I needn't have worried (and I shouldn't have, relax damn it), it turns out Carina had thought of that.

"Hello," She batted her eyelids at the receptionist, "We are here for the reservation under Elfilis?" She had made a reservation. I knew massages and such weren't normally public events, but pony society had proved my 'knowledge' false on more than one occasion. And then the receptionist spoke some absolute bullshit.

"I'm sorry, it says here that Sir Elfilis is already making use of his reservation. I'm going to have to ask you to leave miss." She didn't even look up at us. Carina was gaping like a fish, and I figured it couldn't hurt to let myself be a little responsible. I stood up to the desk and cleared my throat as loud as I felt was appropriate, I might have overdone it though. I pulled most of the rooms attention. The receptionist mare, a peach color with yellow mane, still didn't look up. She just glibly asked, "Can I help you sir?"

"Yes. I would like to meet the pony who thought it was appropriate to claim someone else's reservation."

"I'm sorry sir but I can't interrupt... a... uh." She had finally looked up.

"I'm sorry? You can't do what now? You can't even bother trying to make sure that the sir who took the reservation was the one who booked it?" She just kept looking up at me before she silently backed up through the 'Staff Only' door behind her. The room was silent enough at this point that I was able to hear her speaking to someone rather frantically. I pat my partner on the shoulder, she was frustrated at me or herself, and I would rather she not right now. It wasn't long until a massive minotaur came crouching out from under the door and stood up in front of me. Minus Celestia, he was the only one to stand up to my height. He had much more muscle though.

"I'm Stern Hold. You say you're this Elfilis fella?" I was guessing this was the owner. I don't think anypony in the lobby saw that coming, I was no longer the center of attention. He was big crimson bull who could probably step over the desk. "You know, if you're lying the guard will be the last thing you'll have to worry to about." I... don't think he was looking for a fight? He certainly looked like he could, but I decided to call his bluff.

"If that's the case, then I'm sure you'll have a fun time dealing with whoever it was that stole me and my dates spot." He just kept his eyes narrowed at me before he cracked a smile at me.

"Well let's see who it was that had the balls to steal a reservation in my establishment. Shall we?" I tried not let out a breath in relief. I didn't think I would be in any danger, but having to explain why I kidnapped a masseuse was probably not on today's schedule. "You don't have to worry about Point Pass anymore either. That was her last strike acting like she did to a customer. It's like she thinks I don't have ears! I'll run some reception myself today." I just nodded at him, he seemed friendly enough now as we followed him deeper into the building.

We finally made it to a big, steamed over glass door as Stern Hold put a key in the handle and opened it up.

"Hey!" Someone yelped from inside. "You Elfilis!"

"Yes?"

"Are you asking or telling!"

"Telling! My name is Elfilis." Could they really not tell they had been caught.

"You should have kept asking. Get out here you damned thief!" Great disposition for a spa owner. I was starting to like him.

"Excuse you?!" He finally walked out from the steam. He was absolutely dripping in searing water. "You speak to me that way?! The Princesses will hear about this!" I spoke up at that point.

"Correct, they will hear about this." He barely got a look at me from behind the minotaur's bulk before a portal opened up underneath him and sent him away.

"... Do you wish to explain to the court who you are and why you are soaking the carpet?"

"Uh, my name is Elfilis?" Celestia just shook her head.

"Guards, apprehend him please. I'll deal with it later."

"Hahahaha! I wish I could do that to ponies sometimes! He barely had the chance to realize what was going on! Oh boy. Alright, sorry for the trouble sir. The rooms ready for you. I'll let your guide for the day know what happened so she isn't confused to see you instead. Have a great time, ya' hear!" Such a cheery guy. I thanked him as me and Carina made our way inside and sat down at a bench. It was a sauna, obviously, and I was already sweating like mad. Why did ponies do this again?

Carina spoke up from my side.

"Sorry about that Elfilis. I should've been able to handle that."

"It's not your fault. Just enjoy yourself. It's all smooth sailing from here. It's still your day." I was back in 'relaxation mode,' for all that really meant when it came to me.

"Mmmm~ It sure is..." I glanced at her before I realized what she was on about. I was in a hot sweaty room. I was giving her a show. Well, two can play at that game. I stretched backwards and spread my legs as far as the bench allowed. I had to stop myself from chuckling as she crossed her own. "H-hey! Teasing is my thing!"

"Hm? You say something?" She just pouted at me before giggling.

I don't know how much time later it was that our 'guide' came to interrupt the changeling's ogling. And also to take us to our next appointment. It was a bath, but it was one where professional ponies cleaned us for us. Hooves all over us. Carina was one-hundred percent cheating and trying to get me in the mood. I kept my mouth shut the whole time, only letting the sounds of my breathing escape as they ran combs and suds and hoses over my fur. And as I suspected, they didn't leave any bit of me unscrubbed. When it was over, I calmly pulled my cleaner aside and asked what the name of the package under my name was. 'Honeymoon Ensemble.' Very cool Carina.

It was finally time for the massage, and it was meant to be a deep muscle routine. It seemed to be doing wonders for my pink partner, if the ridiculous sounds from the other side of the curtain were any indication. I... didn't get the same experience. It was strange, I had scraped my knees on my first day in Equestria, hurt my nose on the floor of the Golden Oaks library, and Luna and her photocopy knocked the breath out of me. This massage though? The pony standing on my shoulders and glutes was growling at himself at this point. I could tell he was there, it was weird and uncomfortable, but nothing he did went any further than skin deep. So I just had a pony dance over my spine for thirty minutes before he gave up and got us some water.

Carina was still enjoying herself though, and now I didn't have any distraction from the noises that were, without a doubt, on purpose.

"Now, we have lunch at a fancy gryphon restaurant! They serve meats and meat substitutes for those more our taste. Doesn't that sound great?" Carina was definitely feeling lighter. She was skipping ahead of me as best she could. That made it really obvious though when something went wrong though. She turned the corner and froze, before sitting down in disbelief. It didn't take me long to see the problem as I caught up to her. A huge crowd of ponies with signs blocking the entrance to a two-story restaurant with the sign 'Roost Roast.'

"No!" That was Carina, extremely incensed. "Why today?! Of all days! They don't make a fuss of anything for two years and they're back on the one day I made plans for!" I was guessing she was familiar with this group then. I pushed the thought out of my mind as got on my knees and put my hand on her shoulder.

"... I'm sure there is at least one thing on the schedule that only involves the two of us." She didn't respond for a second, but I could see and feel the moment she caught on as her ears slapped the underside of her 'antlers.'

We were sitting on the bed, facing each other. It was happening.

"Are you sure? Your not doing this because you felt bad that the day hadn't gone the way I wanted."

"I'm sure. I don't really know why, or if this is normal for me, but I want to do this with you. I'm ready." I paused. Well... "You'll have to take the lead though. You know I don't know what I'm doing." She giggled before looking at me with a sultry expression.

"Well, then, lay down and enjoy~" It wasn't vanilla. I knew that much, I don't think Carina was capable of it. Mouth, teats, whatever she could conceivably make sensual. When she finally had her fun, she got up and put her antlers against mine, both of us breathing heavy. Then, she brought her hips to mine and made us one. It was perfect. Impulsive or otherwise, this was the right decision. I felt that in my SOUL.

And I felt it everywhere else too, as she began to move.

I looked down at her from my place on the foot of the bed. She was asleep, with a content smile on her face and a sheen of sweat on her form that played tricks on my eyes as her barrel pushed air in and out. We had a lot to talk about later. I was confident that what we had just done was a big step in our relationship. I wish I could say that nothing had come up to bring me concern. I very slowly used my levitation to move her back legs apart from each other.

Ignoring the mess, I hooked a finger under the ledge in her chitin that had formed halfway through. I pulled away from her marehood and watched as it came up off of her, forming a hole in itself as it left her mammaries behind. The chitin underneath was covered in green slime and I watched as it hardened into a slightly rounder shape then it had been when we started. I looked down at her old stomach plating and realized that as little as we knew about her new biology, there was one who might have the answers I needed to guarantee that Carina was going to be okay.

I had a Queen to interrogate.

Author's Note

"Just the two of us~"
Whatever did Toby get up to anyway?
You all enjoy? Did I do the first time justice? I wanted it to sound really damn important without it just turning into porn. But I also didn't want to just go, "They Fucked. It was cool."
Wouldn't really match the mood I have going would it?