Love And Dramas In The Government

Soon after reaching the base of the stairs, the mayor and his two companions were received by two serpent-like guards with legs and long tails clad in armor, who gave a small reverence to Mark before asking them to follow them, as they took them to their where their friends were held captive.

Curious the mares look at the human for answers as he explains what they were in their minds "Lamias can generate legs and hide and contract their tails at will. Yeah I was quite shocked the first time too"

Nodding and then thanking the guards, the 3 make quick haste and advance as fast as they can. Twilight and Rarity despite having a clear goal in mind couldn't help but look around in wonder as they saw the wonders of Subquestria.

"So Mark, you spend time here?" Twilight asks with some intrigue looking back at the mayor.

"A couple of years, actually, and yeah. Also, I suppose there is no point in hiding it either, knowing you are about to ask" The mayor raises his arm and activates part of his tattoos showing the tree-like pattern

"Yes Twilight, here is where I obtain my runes tattoos, the society is well versed in this type of magic, from cooking..." He points at an example with an open restaurant where a gecko right a ruin into the air that bursts into flame and heats a pot.

"...to farming" He points in another direction where a bipedal turtle wearing a farmer get-up was making the same in her arms causing a flood of water to burst from her hands to irrigate her crops.

"...to even arts and games" He plays with a bunch of children, all different types of lizards, spiders, and even scorpions playing with a ball that they keep using a rune of wind to keep in the air, not too far from there a woman spider was using her web to construct a dress and levitate paints to add colors and gems in different patterns.

"The use of runes is part of the daily life here in Subquestria, ancient and very malleable magic that has never seen the light of day, and they would like to keep it that way" The mayor explains lowering his arms "That is why I don't use my magic unless need it"

"Wait darling, you are saying you possess magic the likes Equestria has never seen before?" Rarity tells with intrigue and wonder.

"Which come from a rich and never explored culture that is centuries old and could redefine how we view magic as we know it today?" Twilight asks equally excited as they grab hold of both of his hands, making the mayor slightly uncomfortable.

"Yes that pretty much sums it up and I repeat, is a well-kept secret that I trust you two will keep, understood" The mayor remind the two with a stern face.

"Oh darling, I'm hurt, don't you trust your beloved mates?" Rarity asks with an exaggerated pose as she leans on Mark's shoulder which only serves to confuse him even more and put Twilight on edge.

The guards look back at the two with neutral faces, making the mayor flinch before he comes up with an idea and brings both mares' hands together with his own "Of course I trust you sweetie, but of you. It just well. I'm a bit on the edge, Subquestria is as much my home as it was Equestria. I own a lot to them, and I don't want to trust their trust or yours"

He then brings them into a hug "Just please promise me you will keep everything you see here a secret, or at the very least that you would respect Queen Vipra decision into how much you can share with the outside world"

"But of course darling that is more than a fact" Rarity replies as she and Twilight return the hug.

"Also you might want to scale it down a bit with the flirting Rarity, you don't need to act so hard here" The mayor whispered in her ear trying to understand why she had been acting so strange ever since they started their plan"

"I don't know what you are saying, darling. I'm just expressing my emotions, you knew that when you asked me out" Rarity whispered back "Plus this way, you two don't do anything that you might regret later" She added surprising both, but before either of them could ask what she meant, Rarity end the hug pretending to be startled and lightly punching Mark's shoulder.

"Darling! Please we are in public!" She fakes embarrassment and brings her hands to her checks looking away with a smile "I know how much you love your innocent pinches, but we are on a mission, right now. Wait until we are in our room "

The mayor and princess were rendered speechless at what Rarity just say out loud until she smirked and winked at them before pointing behind her. Looking up, they noticed what she was trying to pull when the two guards seemed to have tensed up and turned their heads ahead of them to advance at a faster paste.

Both the Mayor and Princess were at a loss for words, they both wanted to confront Rarity and ask what was her deal, and in the case of the mayor a part of him was feeling relief, that Cadence didn't accidentally mess with her head like she did him or at least not as much as he thought.

An act, she is getting to depth into her acting. That is all, I must admit. The rubbing? The act all dovey-lovey? Choosing the correct moment so others don't look at us while selling what we were supposed to be? I must applaud her, if all of this is just her acting as the dotting and slightly slutty girlfriend, then Rarity must quite possibly be one of the most skilled actresses I have ever met

The mayor thinks nodding a couple of times and convincing himself that Rarity's state of mind wasn't at any sort of risk, but promises himself to intervene and try to cut the spell if she gets too lost in her role

Once they reach a prison the 3 are met with a surprise that prompts Rarity and Twilight to cover Mark's eyes, one with her hand and the other with her wings, as 2 more guards bring Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie to them, wearing nothing but a dog collar and brought and the guards pulling on their leash as they brought them to them. Both are red from embarrassment as they use their tails to cover their crouch and arms to cover their breast, Fluttershy using her wings to save some of their shame.

"H-hi Twily, Rarity, Marky? What are you doing here?" Pinkie greets them with a nervous smile, while Fluttershy remains quiet with her head down, getting confused when she notices Mark

"Pinkie, Fluttershy!" Rarity yells before looking at the guards "What are you doing with them you brutes!?"

"Just as promised to the scaleless, returned safe and sound to him, they are all yours sir" The guard ignored her and went to hand the leashes to Mark, who remained quiet as the two mares kept covering his eyes.

"Scaleless?" Pinkie and Fluttershy repeat the latter finally looking up at him in confusion.

"They are naked and treated like animals, what did they do to you?" Twilight complains equally furious for the state of her friends.

"So did they, and you for that matter" The guard fires back "We gave you warnings to leave us alone and you send an animal caretaker in response? You are lucky we are even you allow here"

"Listen you..." Rarity was about to protest when Mark pat hers and Twilight's shoulder to let him go.

"Relax honey, I got this" Mark tells her with a serene smile and a calm tune surprising the two mares

"But Marky! Those are our friends!" Rarity complains looking at him in shock.

"I know, but this is their culture and I told you that it must be respected, don't worry I know how to speak their language" He promised and the two mares looked at him with hurtful eyes with how calm he was taking a situation as he takes a step forward but rather than taking the leash Mark put his hands behind his back and look at the guards straight in the eyes.

"I will say this once, you have exactly 10 seconds to take those collars off and hand something for my friends to wear before I see white from rage and burst your skulls open with my hands" He warns them keeping a serene and calm smile which in turn startled the guards.

"Ah sir, you are not serious with..." One of the guards asks taking a step back until Mark's eye lights up and all his body is covered in tattoos.

"TEN!" He started to count out loud, and the guards went pale before turning around and rushing to Pinkie and Fluttershy removing the collars and starting to undress to hand over their clothes underneath, all the while apologizing and asking for mercy from Mark's part.

Half another later the group makes their way inside the castle as Mark explains their situation and plan to Pinkie and Fluttershy.

"...and I know I should say something, but I made a promise to my friends that I would not say anything but when I heard that my friends put my other friends on a dog leash and strip them naked. Well...there is just so much anyone can ask of me" The mayor justifies his actions with a small chuckle as they advance while holding Twilight's hand.

Behind them, Rarity was finishing retouching Pinkie and Shy new outfits, which consisted of red shirts and black pants that she tailor-made to fit them better and used the extra fabric to improvise a small cape on their right shoulder and a little multicolor skirt to match their outfits, showing their belly bottoms and sacrificing the sleeves so they can be fresh under the hot weather.

"There you go darlings, and even if rushed, I say I did a pretty decent job with what I have" Rarity nods in pride

"Thanks, Rarity" Fluttershy thanked her still startled by everything that happened to her not too long ago.

"Yeah as always you rock when it comes to making clothing" Pinkie adds with a giggle as she prances ahead.

"Oh don't mention it" Rarity waved them off before looking at the two blushing soldiers who now only have their underwear beneath their regular armor. "And thanks for donating your clothes, you two. I promise we will compensate for this later, normally I don't work on male outfits but I never back away from a challenge" She promised with confidence while putting away her scissor and needle.

The guards just remain quiet with their heads down taking occasional glances at what she did with their clothes.

"We are at least twice their sizes, and those were male pants and shirts, how the hell did she manage to make two fit and stylized clothes in half an hour?" One of the guards asks the other in a whisper, completely astonished at her craftsmanship.

"I was getting worried for a second" Twilight mentions with content leaning closer to Mark and letting his head rest on her shoulder "How you remain calm while our friends were degrading that way"

"As I would ever let my friends suffer. Sorry for giving you the wrong impression a bad habit after years of being the mayor honey, it all about the volume of your voice and the body language while speaking, you would be surprised how effective it can be if apply them just in the right way" Mark chuckles with pride and tighten his hold in Twilight had, as she doing the same and both briefly forgetting the pretense and expressing their true emotions openly.

"Oh, ho ho ho, what is happening here?" Pinkie suddenly appears and asks in front of the two kneeling and pointing upwards at them holding hands.

Right away the mayor and princess were startled and separate and blushed with some embarrassment as they looked away. Mark pretended to cough having recovered first. "Oh yeah, you didn't know. I'm sorry to keep it a secret from all of you guys but the truth is..."

Rarity interrupts the two as she brings Twilight and Mark's heads together with hers using her arms as she giggles and replies "....that the 3 of us have been in a secret relationship for a while darling"

"You have?" Pinkie questioned in surprise and disbelief looking up at the two.

"Really?" Fluttershy adds with skepticism as she raises an eyebrow aimed at the mayor "Since when?"

"Now, now darling it's impolite to ask that kind of question to a lady" Rarity replied before either them or the guards could get suspicious "I promise we will fill you in with tea and crackers once we solve this little mess in our hands, right now. Twilight is the one that needs our support, so just think of this as a little surprise" Rarity ends by planting a kiss on both Mark's and Twilight's cheeks and giggles as she lets it go.

The mares still look unconvinced and confused by her act "Is this because you broke up with Spike after he cheated on you?" Pinkie casually asks shocking the mayor as he turns to Rarity.

"Wait, he did what..AOFHGTR?!" Twilight's entire body tensed up and she had to fight herself not to act the second Rarity rushed to Mark and planted one aggressive and possessive kiss to silence him as the guards looked at them in surprise and wariness.

Once Rarity separated she cleaned the saliva connecting the two and whispered into Mark's ear "Please don't ask" Rarity pleaded with a tune that sounded like she was on the verge of tears.

Getting the message Mark hugged her frame in a supportive manner and whispered into her ear back "If it hurts I won't, just know I'm here if you wish to talk"

Nodding Rarity hug him back and breath through her nose trying to calm down.

Mark looked at Pinkie who was looking at him in surprise.

"Pinkie it is a sensitive topic, for all of us. Just like Twilight's older flame" Mark explains extending a hand for Twilight to take. Getting the message she brags and squeezes his hand back, easing the tension that they were producing. "It still hurts me so my beautiful gem has to make some measure to keep me happy" He explains looking at the guards who nod in realization and understanding.

Once the situation is solved he looks back at Pinkie "And please don't bring it back Pinkie, I beg you" He pleaded with hurtful eyes making the party planner gasp in horror

"Sorry, sorry, sorry I didn't mean to make you sad. I didn't think and I...I...I will make it up to you promise"

Rarity chuckled and let go of Mark whispering a 'thank you' as she stood up "That is ok darling, like I say there is plenty for us to catch up on once this is over, for now, we must support Twilight.

They all nod and resume their march toward the throne room. Fluttershy still looked at Mark with skepticism but decided to hold her tongue, as the rest of their trip was spent in silence.

Eventually, the group reached a set of giant double doors where a lamia with back scales, a red-white sleeveless shirt that exposed her belly, and a long red loincloth were passing back and forward until he saw the group approaching.

"Mark!" Immediately the lamia grew legs and her inferior part became elongated legs with 3 talons and a long serpent-like tail, to cover her shame as she rushed toward the mayor who didn't waste time in opening his arms to receive the snake as she jumped and embraced him into a hug.

"Cobraline, how good is to see you" Mark chuckled as she smiled and started tickling him with her snake tongue as if they were kisses.

"I miss you too, we all do. You should have visited more" She broke the hug to look into his eyes as Mark kept her in the air

"I know, I know I try to stay in contact, but the rules. Be wary, be careful..."

"...and make sure that to be away from prying eyes" Cobraline finished for him as he put her down and rolled her eyes "I start to hate that rule, I mean we have members that can give Changelings a run for their money, and dragons are common things for crying out loud. You would think Mom would ease up on the secrets" They share a laugh and then Mark introduces the rest.

"Yeah but that is how the queen is, oh also Cobraline, let me introduce you to my friends"

"Ah so these are the mares that have been trying to corrupt you then" Her tune shifted to turned more sarcastic as she approached the group "Listen up, Mark is a gem for the world, and if you think for a second that I will let a bunch of warmbloods take him away then you..."

"OK Cobraline please, relax" Mark intervened before things could heat up "Please I love these mares, I don't want my friends to fight" He pleaded to her as he held her hand making her sigh

"Oh fine, I will play nice" She started again as she approached Pinkie "So how long did you wait until you spread your legs to my brother?"

"WHAT?!" The mares yell in shock as Mark intervenes again "Please excuse her, they don't get out much, better pass introduction for later, as I tell Cobraline that not ALL of the mares are my mates" He ends scolding the serpent as they both step inside.

"Well sorry, how I was supposed to know?" Cobraline apologies making Mark sigh

"The fact that you of all serpents are saying that is the most shocking thing of all" Mark mentions before looking back at the mares "One second girls, let me introduce you" He asks them to wait as he closes the doors.

The mares could only blink in astonishment trying to understand what was happening. Fluttershy finally spoke up trying to change the subject.

"So from what I saw, do you and Mark are trying a long-distance relationship?"

"Yeah, after previous experience, we thought of trying something different as we test new areas" Twilight mentions eager to try and change the subject.

"They say those relationships don't last but, if we manage to stay friends after so long, I say a relationship would be a trip to the park" Rarity adds with confidence, following Twilight's example.

"Wow, my best of friends and my best of human friends" Pinkie voiced her thoughts out loud "It's so awesome it's like if I get two new best friends in my old best friends" She concluded in her own Pinkie way chuckling, and improving the mood.

Moments later the door opened again and Mark beacon them to enter.

Taking a deep breath Twilight follows suit and prepares to talk with the ruler of another nation. Fluttershy and Rarity take her hand for moral support. "We are with you, darling"

"As we promise, we will tackle these things together" Fluttershy reminds her with confidence and calming Twilight even more as they step inside.