After a shuttle had collected the remnants of her damaged spacecraft, Mam Mamarella, along with Prince Plenn and the rangers assigned to pick them up, headed to the nearest planet, which happened to be H4-RMO.

In the last few decades, much of the planet had been turned into a decadent tourist destination for the wealthy and super-elite of the galaxy. While tall towers glistened in lights that choked off the glow of stars overhead, Mam was in the office of a low-level ranger station in the dingy shadows below.

“I told you,” Mam said to an officer, recording her statement, “I didn’t get a chance to see what he looked like. Whomever he is, you can dig him out of the rubble I dropped on him.”

“A retrieval team is currently examining the ship as we speak,” claimed the officer, “but they found no trace of anyone inside the ship.”

“Well something was flying that thing. I’m not dumb enough to wreck my ship and waste time not getting my client to their destination.”

“No one is saying you did, Ranger Marella. Your record shows you to be heavily-reliable.”

“So, when can I be given a temporary ship to get the prince to his destination?” she asked.

“Unfortunately, all reserve ships are in action,” said the ranger, “and by the current information we have, it will take at least three days to get yours repaired to the point of being usable again.”

“So that means…”

“At this point in time, your client’s father is already upset enough that the intended rendezvous time-frame has not been met. We are currently doing damage control, but he has demanded that his son be reassigned to another ranger.”

“What!?” cried out Mam, getting to her hooves so quickly, that her chest nearly smacked her in the face.

“It’s the most logical thing to do, Ranger Marella. In the meantime, your ship will be repaired, and once you have paid off the bill, you can move onto anoter-where are you going? Ranger? Ranger!”

Mam was already out the door and stomping down a dimly-lit hallway. Each hoofbeat echoed off the walls as she peered through one-way glass windows on either side, looking for the Prince. Eight windows down, she saw him seated in a chair with several rangers flanking him, speaking to a large image of his father on a holo-screen.

“Open up!” She cried out, banging on the door. “Open this door now!”

A moment later, one of the rangers inside opened the door, and was quickly shoved against a wall as Mam’s huge chest squeezed through the doorframe.

“Mam?” asked Plenn, as she walked past him, staring up at the King on-screen.

“What is the meaning of this intrusion?” asked the king. “This is a private-“

“Your highness, I am Ranger BE-113,” declared Mam. “I was assigned to deliver your son to the Emperor and his daughter Zircon, and I demand that I be allowed to complete my mission.”

“You…demand?” asked the king, before suddenly bursting out laughing. “By what authority do you have to demand anything from me?”

“Wait,” interrupted Plenn. “Father, is this true?”

“Of course it is! We’ve already lost valuable time, and are wasting even more at the moment. Fortunately, the Rangers have informed me that a new ranger assignment will not cost us any more time or money, and they have even given us a fifteen percent discount on the transit fee.”

There was a pause as the prince looked at the ranger he had been in company with. Her green eyes were fixed intently on the image of his father, but it seemed there was more determination in her eyes, than anger at this turn of events.

“Father,” said Plenn, “I wish to voice my thoughts on the situation. What happened during my transit was in no way this ranger’s fault. It is fairly obvious that somepony knew about where I was going, and something else is ahoof here. Might I recommend you interrogate those in employ to our kingdom?”

“Well, yes, of course,” replied the king, “we should investigate, but we also need to get you-“

“I wish to stay in Ranger Mam Marella’s protection.”

There was silence for a split-second, as the ranger turned her head to look at the seated stallion, her curled hair bouncing wildly.

“Really?” came the unanimous, shocked response from both the ranger, and Plenn’s father.

“Yes,” replied Plenn, standing up. “I have only been with her for a short time, but I must say that I am very impressed with her skills.”

“You…you are?” asked Mam, not realizing the blush that was spreading across her porcelain white cheeks.

“Impressive or not, you have an appointment to keep,” insisted the king. “Her ship needs to be repaired-“

“Then I shall wait until it is repaired, and we shall be on our way,” said the Prince.

“This-th-this is not how these things are done!” bellowed the king, his voice making everypony in the room back away, except for Mam and Plenn. “You have a schedule to keep! The Emperor is already having second thoughts, and if this deal fails to happen-“

“The Emperor will have to be patient,” said Plenn, his voice incredibly controlled, compared to the tension in the room.

“I can have the ranger corp shackle and deliver you to the Emperor by force-“

“Your threat won’t work on me, father. You wouldn’t dare do so, because it would make you look unstable, having your son led into the Emperor’s palace in chains, let alone you would not dare pay the ranger corp more than you already have in mind. I know you will not risk losing anymore credits on this task, and I am pretty sure the ranger corp is not going to give you anymore of a discount than what you’ve been able to squeeze out of them so far.”

The room was silent. Even Mam knew that in a situation such as this, interruption by one of the corp in the room would not make any difference. This family squabble would decide what would come next.

“If you do this,” growled the king, “any charges you incur while waiting to leave that planet, will be on your finances. And if the Emperor demands to know what is going on, you will take it up with him.”

“If that is what the cost of making my own decisions in this matter may be father, then so be it,” replied Plenn.

“You…should also see to it that you have some new identification made for now. If there is someone out to get you, your name could be in jeopardy.”

“Of course. I’ll make sure we get that taken care of next.”

“What do you mean, ‘we?’”

“Myself and Ranger Marella here.”

“What!?” came another unanimous declaration from the King and the curvaceous ranger.

“If she dresses as my security detail, it will be immediately suspicious. I would like her to go…undercover, in this situation.”

“Ranger,” said the king, turning his eyes on Mam. “If this is some ploy to-“

“This was my decision father, not hers! And before you say anything more, anything necessary for her involvement in this mission, shall be paid for by me.”

At these words, he turned to look at her.

“Ranger BE-113, I am requesting your continued services, outside the original parameters of your assignment. Will you accept?” he asked.

Mam could feel all eyes in the room (and on the screen) fixed on her. She knew this was a highly unusual request, and yet she knew it was currently the only way she could proceed, in order to complete her mission and receive some form of payment.

“If this is as you wish, your highness, then I shall accept your choices,” she said, addressing him directly, and bowing her head.

“See father?” smiled Plenn. “That should settle it. Though for good measure, how about I cover your repairs, Ranger?”

Mam tried to keep her eyes from shooting wide open at this.

“I-I, suppose if you wish to, your highness,” she said, struggling to keep her voice from leaking too much joy.

“I will take that as a yes,” nodded Plenn, and turned to his father. “Now, I’d say it’s time my escort and I were off to attain proper attire for our ruse. We’ll then have the corp fashion us new ID’s. I promise I will let you know where we are, and do let the Emperor know, I will contact him and his daughter personally this evening, to let him know I fully intend to fulfill my mission. His daughter will just have to be patient.”

Several hours later, Mam found herself sitting in a plush high-end speeder, whizzing through the elevated traffic as lights from numerous structures whizzed past the windows.

Like she had several times before, she pinched herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming…or possibly passed out on that barren planet, still waiting for a rescue.

Next to her sat Plenn, his ceremonial robes had been packed in a sleek travelcase, one of several in the trunk of the speeder, with one that included Mam’s ranger suit and gear.

In place of them, he sported a shiny, silver suit, a black suit-shirt, and black hoof-shoes.

It had taken a little longer to complete his ensemble, as the tailor they had found had to perform an emergency reinforcement of the crotch area. Mam tried not to look, but she couldn’t help but notice the sizable bulge, resting on the seat between his legs.

As for Mam, her dress was little more than fabric draped over her voluptuous body. As expected, there was nothing that would have properly fit her, so the tailor had to improvise.

“Don’t worry,” Plenn had assured her. “They have your measurements, and by tomorrow, they will deliver something more appropriate for your figure.”

They had then had pictures taken, and the corp had fashioned their new identities.

The Prince was now Larocé Fae, and Mam was now Elle Betweesi.

“How are you feeling?” asked Plenn, as the speeder continued on its way.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked.

“Yes, I’m sure. Why are you so nervous?”

“I’m not nervous, it’s just-“

“-your kind don’t normally do this,” he said, finishing her thought.

“Y-yeah.”

“Tell me something, Elle, when did you develop this, mental block towards, ‘my kind?’”

“Well, Larocé, it all started a long, long time ago. But you don’t want to hear it.”

“No, no I do,” he insisted. “The last thing you had mentioned was your guardian was a ranger, and took you in.”

“You remembered that?” she asked, with a surprise tone in her voice.

“Hey, I’m not some in-bred blue blood who can’t dress himself,” he chuckled. “I wanted to know about you, and I still do. So come on, spill it.”

“Oh, alright,” she continued. “The corp was already stretched pretty thin even back then. My guardian couldn’t afford services for minding me, so she did the only thing she could to keep me out of trouble: she brought me along on her assignments.”

“Really? H-how many have you been on?”

“Too many to count. Some of her associates are amazed I wasn’t killed ages ago…though after a few close calls, my guardian decided to train me.”

“When did she start doing that?”

“When I was six.”

“Sweet Celestia!”

“Yep, while the Emperor’s daughter was probably going to elaborate parties and having Daddy send her on countless vacations, I was soon helping out my guardian. Naturally, the ranger corp at first frowned on what was being done, but when I passed basic training for cadets 3 times my own age, they soon shut up.”

“And, when was that?” asked Plenn, a growing look of interest passing over his face.

“Eight. A year later, I was fully piloting my guardian’s ship. The corp frowned on what I was doing, wouldn’t even grant me a license to pilot it myself, so I could only do it when the coast was clear.”

“You definitely fly like a prodigy,” said Plenn. “I’ve trained on the aerial craft our kingdom has, but I wasn’t allowed near them until I was at least 10.”

“Oh yeah, 10,” sighed Mam. “That’s when things changed in a big way for me.”

“How so?”

Suddenly there was digital chime that sounded in the cabin.

“Sir, madame,” came the chauffeurs voice. “We have arrived at your destination.”

“Thank you,” said Plenn. As his door was opened by a green creature in a fancy suit.

“Welcome,” the creature said with a vibration deep in its throat, “To the Aluhbbrisian.”

Plenn stood to the side, and extended a hand out to Mam. As she took it, she squeezed through the doorframe and found her eyes darting about.

She had been so into the conversation that she hadn’t fully comprehended where they were: in the most decadent part of the vacation quarters of the planet.

It was as if they were insulated by light in all sorts of forms, shades, and sizes. The pathways glowed in multiple hues, and the trees along the path thrummed in different colors.

The structures to either side of the speeder pathway towered into the air, some of them having elaborate open balconies. The view was so bright that it almost blotted out the sky overhead.

“Darling?”

It took her a moment to realize Plenn was addressing her.

“Elle? We should check-in.”

“Oh, yes,” she murmured, taking his hand.

The building’s lobby was just as grand. Fancy marble floors gave way to glass walls and elaborate carvings that snaked up into a 12 story atrium. Around them, the elite strolled by, deep in conversation, though Elle could see a few stallions casting side glances at her wrapped figure.

“Welcome to the Aluhbbrisian,” greeted a desk clerk. “We hope your stay will be most pleasant. May I see your Identz, please?”

A few moments later, he was running them through the system, and a chirping sound was heard.

“Ah, Mister Fae and Miss Betweesi. I see you have recently booked our finest suite.”

“Yes,” noted Plenn. “Our cruiser had some problems, so we decided to take a few days to enjoy ourselves.”

“Well we at the Aluhbbrisian are honored to be in your good graces! Now don’t worry about your baggage, it is already in the process of being delivered to your room. And miss, we do hope you enjoy our promenade.”

“Um, excuse me?” asked Mam, who had been staring about the enormous room.

“The promenade, darling,” said Plenn. “It has some of the most amazing shopping facilits on the planet.”

“Oh yeah!” said Mam, a giggle going through her voice, “Sorry honey, guess I got a little distracted.”

“Well, before you go to your rooms, please scan your thumbprints here,” said the concierge, gesturing to a blue device.

There were a few moments of apprehension as Mam watched the machine scan her thumb, before it beeped and a green light turned on.

“Now you are properly registered to your suite,” smiled the concierge. “You can access it via your thumbprint, and purchases and services throughout the Aluhbbrisian can be charged to your room with a thumbprint. We do hope you have a lovely time with us!”

The glass elevator went so high up, that Mam had to turn her gaze as she felt a queasy sense of vertigo.

She tried to control herself, but the double-doored entry into the suite made her gaze about like a child.

The suite was massive. Mam estimated she could fit her ship inside it at least 8 times, and the ceiling extended up at least four stories, with elaborate gold and crystal chandeliers hanging over the room. At the far end, were 3 massive windows stretched from floor-to-ceiling, letting the light from outside bathe the room in multi-colored hues.

After tipping the bellboy and locking the door, Plenn watched as Mam began checking the baggage, making sure her suit and items were secure.

“So, what do you think?” asked Plenn.

“Of what?” she responded.

“The room. You were really taking it all in.”

“I…I was just taking stock of entry and exit points. For your protection.”

“Come on, Mam,” he smiled as he walked over. “You’re rather impressed, aren’t you?”

“Impressed? Impressed by what? How Galactic Barons have managed to divert wealth and resources away from those who need it to make these…pleasure-palaces? Besides, shouldn’t you be contacting the Emperor?”

“All in good time. I figured we might have dinner, and you can finish telling me your story.”

“Your highness, the Emperor-“

“The Emperor can wait!” retorted Plenn, with a tone in his voice that made her stop. “Right now, I think a meal and a pleasant conversation are in order.”

It was definitely the most expensive meal Mam had ever ordered.

The speed in the preparations was also incredibly quick, that within five minutes there was a knock on the door, just as Plenn finished sending off a holo-cam message to his father.

She felt a twinge of guilt ordering something that would have cost her several pay cycles, but the aroma from what she ordered was like nothing she had ever experienced before.

Most unexpectedly, Plenn had splurged on a meal-a-matic for her. This was a small golden device that carefully cut up Mam’s meal, and hovered up and over the curve of her massive chest to feed her.

“I figured it would allow you to sit properly at the table,” he smiled, as he raised a glass of green liquid. “How about a toast?”

“To what?” she asked.

“To you, one of the most impressive rangers the corp has ever had.”

“…alright,” she said, raising her glass and clinking it against his.

“So, you were saying?”

“I was saying what?”

“Your story. You stopped around the time when you were 10.”

“Oh yes,” she said, as she received another bite from the meal-a-matic. “Mmph, you sure you want to know?”

“Come on Mam, you can’t just leave me hanging like that.”

“Okay. Well, I turned 10, and a few months later I started to grow.”

“Grow in what way?”

“Grow, in ‘this way?’” she replied, gesturing to her chest.

“Ohh,” he said, trying not to stare.

“Anyways,” she continued. “It wasn’t bad at first. My guardian simply assumed I was maturing early, but then it didn’t stop. By the time I was almost growing out of the largest suit the corp had, she used one of her few leisure days to have me see a specialist. We were informed that somehow, I had been genetically altered during infancy.”

“Was…’this,’ their intention?” asked Plenn, trying to not think of his growing erection under the table.

“I don’t know, but really, anypony who would alter a baby for ‘this’ has to be pretty sick, if you ask me. Anyways, it was determined that given my age, there might still be a way to hamper what was happening to me. However, it would have required a very costly procedure.”

There was a beat, while she chewed a few more bites.

“So, what happened next?” asked Plenn.

“I stayed with the ranger corp, ended up on a mission with you, and here we are,” she replied.

“Come now, there has to be more to-“

“Why do you do this!?” she said, her hands slamming down on the table. “Why do you keep wanting to pry into my life like this!? I’m just a ranger, and that’s all I’ll ever be! That’s what this stupid universe decided I was going to be!!”

Plenn was shocked as she stumbled out of her chair, squeezed through the nearby bathroom door, and slammed it shut.

A few moments later, the Prince was knocking on that very door.

“Just leave me alone!” came her voice from the other side.

“Mam, I’m sorry if I upset you,” he said. “It was never my intent to make you feel uncomfortable, I just really, wanted to know more about you.”

“Why? So you can tell the Emperor and his prissy little daughter how pathetic your big-chested escort is?”

Plenn could feel himself getting upset at the pony behind the door. In his head, he could imagine just kicking down the door, but the impulse to do so quickly passed, as he took a few deep beaths.

“Mam Marella,” he said, “I like to think I’m a tolerant stallion, but I won’t lie when I say at times, your attitude really infuriates me. I have tried to play by the rules and be nice, but you keep thinking I’m your enemy. I am not an enemy, I am a stallion who wants to treat you with respect and dignity. I could have done as my father requested, and left you on this planet with your ship. But I…I liked you. You impressed me with what you demonstrated in our brief time earlier today, and I felt my actions would have you see I intend no ill-will towards you, or your past…but I guess I’m just a stupid elite, I can’t do anything nice because I might want something from you…well you know what? I do want something from you. What I want, is your trust. That’s all I want from you. I…forget it, this was obviously a stupid idea!”

And with a huff, the Prince went back to the table, and continued to eat. After he finished, he crossed over to the window, looking down at the blinding lights on the pathways below.

The click of the bathroom door was faint, but in the reflection of the glass, Plenn saw Mam squeeze through the doorway, and cross over to the bed, where she sat down facing the doors to the room.

Turning around, Plenn tiptoed over to the table, refilled her glass, and quietly walked over to her.

As she looked up at his face, he gave her a little smile.

“I heard you clomping all the way across the room,” she said.

“No way,” he said. “I was extra careful.”

“I’ve been on my guard for years,” she said, taking the glass of wine. “My ears are more attuned to sound than you realize.”

As she drank from her glass, Plenn sat down next to her, though Mam scooted over a little, keeping some distance as she twirled her glass in her hand.

“There’s…more to the story,” she said. “But it’s not, very happy.”

“Tell me,” he requested. “Please. I swear on my father’s kingdom, anything you tell me will stay between us. I won’t tell a soul, not even the Emperor, or his prissy daughter.”

The last bit actually made a small smile form on Mam’s face, as she looked into his golden eyes.

“My guardian weighed the options, and she decided to save up for the procedure, but she knew that she wouldn’t be able to make enough before the window to do so closed.”

“And when was that?” asked Plenn.

“The doctor said age fifteen. So, my guardian did the only thing she could: she took on more assignments. She would try to double, even triple her workload. If it was elite security, she was one of the first to go for it, and brought me along. Though by that time, I was having some difficulties handling the controls, so I became moreso her help. I don’t know how many security detail missions we did, but half of them, she got the assignment done in record time. And do you know how many of the elite were willing to give her an added tip for her speed?”

“How many?”

“None. She was never allowed to request tips, and she was never given a compliment by any of them. And then…”

“And then what?”

“Can…can I just not? It’s already late and, you should call the Emperor.”

“…alright,” he said. “I won’t push you, but still, thank you for telling me what you have.”

“…you’re welcome,” she replied.

“Can I get you some more wine?”

“No, thank you.”

Moments later, Plenn was set up over on the far side of the room with the holo-cam he had used to contact his father.

After typing in the proper information, he was put through to one of the Emperor’ assistants.

“His highness is currently in preparations for rest,” said the assistant.

“I still wish to speak to him,” insisted the Prince.

Moments later, Plenn found himself speaking to the powerful ruler of the galaxy, clad in a dark robe, and with a colored facial mask on.

“Do you have any idea, what time it is?” growled the Emperor.

“I do your majesty, and I greatly apologize,” said Plenn, bowing profusely. “I wanted to inform you and your daughter that I am well, and I shall be on my way to fulfill my duties in a few days.”

“I spoke with your father about this earlier today. I had expected the ruler of the Turgid Kingdom to understand the rules we set in place.”

“Yes, there are rules set in place your majesty, but I do not wish to abandon the ranger whom was assigned to me.”

“My boy, your ways are almost…odd. The ranger corp are here to serve us. It almost sounds like the one you have is trying to blackmail you, in my opinion.”

“I give you my word I shall be in yours and your daughter’s presence in a few days,” said Plenn, trying to change the subject. “Speaking of Zircon, might she be around? I feel I should speak to her as well.”

“Very well,” sighed the Emperor, gesturing to somepony off-camera. “Fetch my daughter.”

Moments later, the camera switched to Zircon. The pink pony was clad in a flowery robe, her silver hair glinting from the nearby lights, as her bright blue eyes focused on Plenn. Her quite ample chest dominated the lower part of the screen.

“Greetings, Zircon,” he said, bowing graciously.

“You’re supposed to be here?” she replied, snidely.

“I know, but I was attacked-“

“Attacked? By who?”

“No idea, but if not for the ranger I was with, I might not be alive and talking to you.”

“Who is that?”

“Who is what?”

“That pony behind you. Plenn, are you delaying our rendezvous on purpose?”

The Prince turned to look, and realized that Mam had gotten up from the bed, and was pouring herself some more wine.

“Oh no,” he laughed. “That’s Mam Marella, the ranger who is protecting me.”

“Oh, really?” said Zircon. “I didn’t know they made rangers ‘that big.’ Guess you needed a little excitement, because I wasn’t…big enough for you?”

“Zircon, you’re jumping to conclusions, y-just, Mam, can you come over here please? Can you introduce yourself to Zircon?”

A few moments later, Mam was standing next to Plenn.

“So, you’re a ranger?” asked Zircon.

“I am, your highness,” said Mam, bowing gracefully.

“Hmm, well-trained, I see. Tell me, Mam, in what high-priced brothel did Plenn find you tonight?”

“Zircon, please,” begged Plenn.

“Now-now Plenn, I want ‘Mam’ to answer. Tell me honey, where are you from?”

Mam’s head was still bowed, but she was struggling to keep her composure, before looking up.

“I do not come from a brothel,” she said, looking into Zircon’s eyes. “My name is Mam Marella. Space Guild Security Force Ranger BE-113. I was tasked with guarding Prince Plenn Te of the Turgid System, for delivery to you and your Father, the Emperor.”

At these words, Zircon began to clap her hands.

“Bra-vo!” she exclaimed. “That was quite an act! But come now Plenn, what elite invites a ranger to stay in his room?”

Before Plenn could open his mouth, Mam jumped to her hooves, and stormed across the room, throwing open her travelcase and rummaging inside. A few moments later, she returned, and shoved her Ranger Corp ID in the camera.

“Here’s my ID,” she said. “Look at it. It’s all there, clear as crystal!”

There were a few seconds, before Zircon ran a light across the screen, and the sound of a chime was heard.

“Well, I’ll be,” said Zircon. “Your story checks out, according to the scanner. Just remember your place, sweetie. You don’t get the goods, you deliver em.”

“Fine by me,” said Mam. “Now, if you two don’t mind, I’m going to clean up.”

As the sound of heavy hoofsteps and a slamming door were heard, Plenn turned back to the screen.

“You didn’t need to treat her like that,” he said. “She didn’t do anything to you.”

“Oh please, she’ll get over it,” said Zircon. “Now I need my beauty sleep, but before I go, I want to see a peek at your Princely Prize.”

“No, forget it,” said Plenn.

“Pretty please?” she begged. “I want just a little peek.”

“On one condition. When Ranger Mam Marella delivers me to you, you apologize for what you said.”

“You can’t be serious-“

“I am,” said Plenn. “Holo-Cam, pull up virtual contract mode.”

A few moments later, a virtual contract flashed across the screen. Plenn dictated what was to go on it, then scanned his thumb for conformation and payment, and a copy was sent to Zircon.

“Either you approve this, or no peeks,” he insisted.”

“Uuughhh, fine,” groaned Zircon. A moment later, her print was approved. “Now come on, show me.”

Plenn looked around, and then, pulled down his pants, revealing his cock contained in a specially-constructed pair of undergarments. He then began to pull down the waistband, and that was when his cock popped free, and dangled past his knees.

“Oh, my, gosh!” giggled Zircon. “Hold that pose, I wanna get a screenshot-“

“Nope,” said Plenn, grabbing his pants, and covering his dangling dick. “That’s all you’re gonna see for now.”

“I swear if I didn’t agree to this deal with father, I’d cancel it right now.”

“See you in a few days,” said Plenn, blowing her a kiss, as she scrunched up her face, and terminated the call.

Now that he was without pants, Plenn went to a closet and retrieved a shiny robe. He stuffed his penis back into his underpants, and put on the robe.

As he placed his suit on a hangar, there was the sound of a door opening, and he saw Mam peeking out the door.

“Enjoy yourself?” he asked.

“I don’t think I’ve had a shower this good,” she sighed. “This may be the cleanest I’ve ever f-wait a minute, why am I telling you all this?”

“Because you’re happy, obviously,” he replied. “By the way, I made a pact with Zircon. She’ll apologize when we meet in a few days.”

“And that’s good because?”

“Look, I tried to help-“

“And when she apologizes, she’ll do it because you told her to. She won’t really mean it. Now, turn around, I need to get into bed.”

Plenn faced the wall, and heard her clop across the room. A few moments later, Plenn saw her in the bed, the covers on her side rising up considerably due to her chest.

“Just so you know,” she said, “I am counting on you to stay on your side of the bed. And that includes certain body parts I do not wish to speak of.”

“Oh don’t worry,” he said. “I’m not going to sleep in the bed.”

“Excuse me?”

“Look, you obviously have trust issues, and the fact that I’m an elite is not helping. So, I’m going to sleep on the couch during our stay here.”

“Plenn, don’t be ridiculous,” she sighed. “You can sleep in the bed.”

“Nope, mind’s made up. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna clean up and sleep on my couch.”

And with that, Mam watched as he took some extra blankets and made a bed, before going into the bathroom.

What a weirdo, she thought, as she turned to a nearby switch, and dimmed the room lights. In a matter of minutes, the elegant comfort of the bed had her snoring away.

Mam wasn’t sure what the time was, but the unfamiliarity of her surroundings made her sit up quickly!

It took a few seconds before she realized where she was. Looking around, she realized that Plenn had dimmed the lights further, and had closed the huge window curtains.

Looking to the couch in the corner, she could hear him snoring loudly.

He really did it, she sighed.

Carefully, she got out of bed, and tiptoed over to the sleeping prince.

As she peered down at him, she turned to look back at the bed. As her horn glowed green, the other side of the bedsheets pulled back.

She then looked down at the Prince, and with her horn glowing, transported him across the room, and onto his side of the bed, before she wrapped the covers over him.

Returning to her side, she got back in bed, but gave him a little glance and a smile, before she closed her eyes, and drifted back to sleep.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Author's Note

And thus we get to one of those chapters that I really double-down on: character development. And as one can see, it really swelled in size compared to the others. There were some points where I did consider splitting the story in two, but could not find a proper way to do that.

While writing parts of this episode, I was also watching bits of the Pam and Tommy miniseries, so I sometimes feel a few parts for the argument between Mam and Plenn was a inspired a bit by what I saw (which might explain why a more aggressive approach was first penned for Plenn, before Chrome Shield talked me into rolling those actions back).

When it comes to H4-RMO, I set out to describe things vaguely enough so that the reader could use their imagination, to conjure up a place that could blind you with its bright lights, but wow one with its high-roller look that only a select number of ponies can afford to live and play in.

Btw, the meal-a-matic is a name I heard ages ago from a certain episode of a cartoon series, and seemed perfect to throw in so Mam could sit properly at a table.