At the base of the Crystal Empire’s towering castle stood quite the colorful cast of characters. Many were chatting and gossiping excitedly, while others were confusedly looking around, seeing a bunch of princesses, dragons, and changelings, and wondering what exactly they were getting themselves into.

All the conversation and confusion was put on hold as the rulers of the kingdom descended from the castle. Princess Cadence gracefully floated down to the ground, followed by her husband Shining Armor, rushing down the stairs.

Princess Cadence flashed a warm smile to everyone in attendance. “Hello, everyone! I’m so glad that you all could make it. I’m truly honored and excited that Shining Armor and I are your hosts for this year’s No Clop November!”

Out came an uproar of excited cheers, stomps, and claps, causing a few heads to turn and look at the crowd at the kingdom’s largest landmark discussing a topic that perhaps should have been taken to a place more private.

“I know most of you already have a good idea of what’s going on, but I know that a few of you are new to the little friendly game we play and might be feeling a little intimidated and overwhelmed by everything right now.”

There were a few hesitant and reluctant nods from some familiar, but still fresh faces in the crowd.

Cadence cleared her throat. “The rules are quite simple: Go the entire month of November without clopping out! Easy as that! That means you can’t purposefully and consciously bring yourself to orgasm at any point. And if you manage to make it, then your prize is being part of an orgy on December First with all the other winners!”

Just hearing about the legendary orgy celebration was enough to get some lips salivating, even from the game’s veterans and multi-time winners. The prize was downright irresistible, filling up everyone’s mind with sweet, sweet temptation.

Shining stepped up next to his wife, his horn aglow with his magical aura. “But if you think you can be sneaky and get away with cheating without anyone knowing, well…we have something for that.”

In the middle of the circle, Shining Armor teleported in a large display case, like it was lifted straight from a jewelry store. Inside the glass container were twenty-eight beautifully cut clear crystal hearts, each one had the image of a participant reflected in the central, heart-shaped facets.

The group immediately started gasping and staring in awe, quickly crowding around the case to try and find which heart was designated for them.

“It’s in your best interest to tough it out through the whole month,” Shining warned with a smirk. “Aside from losing out on the big prize, there are some things that’ll last longer than the shame…”

Though a few were still enamored by the big shiny crystal gem with their face in it, several of the participants caught onto Shining Armor’s words, and remembered the previous embarrassing displays meant to punish and deter anyone who failed. A few ideas came to mind as to what he meant, but none were brave or foolish enough to find out for themselves. Not willingly, at least.

Cadence quickly tried to dispel their worries. “But let’s focus on the fun part, here! We’re all gathered here in one place today, and hopefully, we’ll all be here again by the end of the month.”

A loud, dismissive scoff came out of Rainbow Dash’s mouth, “Pssh, like that’ll happen!”

Gallus and Smolder covered their mouths to try and hide their snickering.

Cadence let out a short, annoyed snort. Even Shining was holding up a hoof to his face to hide a smirk at Dash’s snarky outburst.

“...Hopefully.” Cadence rolled her eyes. As fun as it would be, statistically and historically, having all twenty-eight make it to the end was sadly a long shot. Though, that’s why she and Shining Armor had fun testing out the elimination system.

“Well, since the game officially starts tomorrow, I hope you’re all prepared! I know there are plenty here that already know what they’re getting into, but I hope that those of you that are new to the experience take this opportunity to connect with your fellow participants. You’ll be getting to know them a lot better if you make it, after all,” Cadence winked.

With the formalities out of the way, everyone went into an excited chatter.

As Tree Hugger stared vacantly off into the distance, getting lost in the lustrous glow of her surroundings, she was approached from behind by a familiar friend.

“Tree Hugger! It’s so good to see you!” Fluttershy grinned as she wrapped her hooves around her.

“Oh heyyy, Flutters!” Tree Hugger leaned into the embrace, tilting her head to rub cheeks with the pegasus. “This place is like, super cool! All the reflections of the light against the buildings creating these colors in the air, it’s like…woah…”

Both ponies took a moment to admire the scenery, with Fluttershy staring in awe as she started to see what Tree Hugger was talking about. The shining sun bouncing off all the different crystal buildings and ponies made a subtle yet beautiful light show that caused a soft gasp to leave her lips.

“Wow, Tree Hugger, I’ve been here plenty of times, but I don’t think I’ve really stopped to look!”

“Always glad to give you a new perspective on life, Fluttershy,” Tree Hugger nodded. “Though it’s really cool that I got the chance to be here.”

“Actually, now that I think about it, I didn’t take you for the type to be into this kinda competition! What made you wanna join?”

Tree Hugger let out a light chuckle. “What’s that supposed to mean, Shy? You don’t think I’m down for some really kinky stuff? Or did you forget that weekend in Baltimare?” she said while waggling her eyebrows.

Fluttershy’s face instantly flashed red. “O-Oh, I remember…” She sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck. “It’s just that…I didn’t think that not clopping for a month would be your…um…’vibe’, you know?”

Tree Hugger nodded. “Oh, totally. I mean, that’s definitely an obstacle, but like, the idea that so many species from all around get together and just love each other all night? Who wouldn’t think that’s absolute bliss?”

“So you’re not worried? This challenge isn’t exactly easy.”

“Does this look like the face of somepony who’s worried, Fluttershy?” Tree Hugger asked, fluttering her consistently half-lidded eyes.

Princess Twilight Sparkle stood between her mother and her mentor. And the conversation between the two was making her tense, to say the least.

“Really? Windy got the chance to do that to you?” Velvet asked, her mouth hung open in shock and a twinge of jealousy.

Celestia softly giggled. “It was a bit…impulsive of us, admittedly, but a very pleasant surprise.”

“So you’re saying it was worth it?” Velvet smirked, shooting the princess a cheeky grin.

Celestia sheepishly shifted her eyes to the side. “Hard to say, I do wish I could have joined in on the orgy fun, but I doubt that Windy would have brought over a celebratory cake just for me if I did.”

“Well, maybe I can have her beat by showing you my own spin on the recipe! After all, I’d like to get a taste, too!”

“Oh jeez…” Twilight groaned. Now she knew exactly how Rainbow Dash felt.

Celestia’s eyes widened upon hearing Twilight’s disgust. They had completely forgotten that she was right next to them. “Oh, I’m sorry, Twilight, did you want us to change the subject?”

Twilight put a hoof to her forehead and sighed. “No, it’s…it’s fine. I’m glad to see you here, Princess Celestia. You’re not upset that your winning streak was broken?”

“I’m not too bothered by it,” Celestia said with a warm smile. “It’s not like one loss would discourage me from participating forever.”

“You suuuure it’s not a sore spot for you?”

“Whatever would give you that idea, Twilight?”

“It’s just…” Twilight took one more look around the plaza just to be sure. “I don’t see Princess Luna here with you. That doesn’t have anything to do with…anything, right?”

Celestia chuckled, then nodded in understanding. “I assure you, my relationship with Luna is fine. She’s just decided not to participate this year to focus on some…diplomatic relations.”

“Hrmm…” Twilight pursed her lip. She believed Celestia and Luna were doing fine, but that euphemism could mean so many different things given who was and who wasn’t currently present…

“Actually, with you two and Shining Armor participating, I’m curious how Night Light feels about this whole thing,” Celestia pointed out.

“Oh believe me, I tried to get him to join, but the high stress of all the temptation just wasn’t his style,” Velvet explained. “It just means I have to have fun for the two of us!”

“I’m sure you’ll do him proud this year,” Celestia smiled, before her eyes lit up with excitement. “Did Shining Armor ever tell you about what he wanted me to do with him two years ago?”

Twilight Sparkle immediately started walking away, plugging her ears with her wings. “Oh for the love of-”

Babs Seed was busy surveilling the competition from afar, when she suddenly felt a heavy weight slumped across her back.

“Well well well, trying again this year, Babsy? You must be soooo desperate for a win…”

Babs blew her bangs away from her face in annoyance. “Psssh, what? Nah! You know me, Discord, this is the perfect opportunity to screw around some more!”

“Oh please,” Discord rolled his eyes, unconvinced by Babs’s excuse. “You’re almost as bad a liar as your cousin. It’s quite alright to crave that delightful orgy experience. It is quite a lovely, unique experience.”

Babs felt her ears start to burn up. “Yeah, well, doin’ some sabotage is what makes me happy, so dere!”

“Well, if you so insist on going through the same story arc once more, I shall not stop you.” Discord returned to his perch right on Babs’s back. “I suppose it’s my duty as a fellow Cutie Mark Crusader to help you on your thinly veiled quest.

“Hmmph…” Babs grumbled a few curses under her breath as she shook her head.

“Now then, I assume since you’re so intent on this sabotaging mission that you’ve already got some plans in mind?”

“A bit, was thinkin’ a starting with the yellow chick.” The earth pony smirked, practically hearing the steam shooting from Discord’s ears. “I think she’ll be an easy pick.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me, Dissy.”

Discord huffed and crossed his arms. “There’s quite a bit more this year, should we be calling for backup?”

“Mmm, maybe, but I think we already gots ourselves another partner in crime right here…”

Cozy Glow looked up to Chrysalis, who was extremely offput and uncomfortable, and for once, it wasn’t the pegasus’s fault. “Wow, Chryssie, I’m surprised that Cadence and Shining let you within a hundred miles of their kingdom!”

“And I’m surprised I haven’t thrown you into the nearest wall yet,” the changeling coldly replied, her worried frown turning into a fierce scowl.

“Aw, c’mon, you’re telling me you aren’t the least bit surprised that you got invited?” Cozy asked, undeterred by Chrysalis’s harsh attitude.

Chrysalis turned her glare over to Cadence in the distance. “Hmmph, I don’t know what she was thinking when she talked to me, and quite frankly, it doesn’t matter. I’m here to prove myself and win. Whatever her motivations were, I don’t care!”

“Spoken with the tone of someone who definitely doesn’t care.”

“What I do care about is making sure that you don’t get in my way again!” Chrysalis snarled, leaning down to bare her fangs to Cozy.

Cozy simply smiled innocently in the face of danger. “Aw, c’mon, I gave you free food that whole month! You’re not really mad at me for that, are you?”

A sharp huff of air left Chrysalis’s nostrils as she blushed through her glare. What Cozy did to her was humiliating and nefarious, but she still argued against herself if the absolute mind-numbing delight that she experienced was worth the manipulation. “...I’ll be watching you, you little brat!”

“Well, I’m glad to have an audience!” Cozy smirked. “Though maybe you should make sure your own kind isn’t striking out right now...”

Chrysalis looked over to see Thorax trying to talk to someone far more feathery than the usual griffons she’s seen. In fact, this one seemed to be all avian, with one limb being the exception.

Despite Thorax being taller than most ponies, the bird was actually towering over him. The fact that he was leaning back and shrinking in shyness wasn’t helping either.

“So…you’re one of the changelings, huh?” Celaeno squinted her eyes, suspiciously scanning Throax’s whole body.

“Um…Y-Yes?” Thorax forced a grin through the nervous sweat.

Celaeno didn’t seem convinced. “Hrm…from what Rainbow Dash told me, I thought changelings would be shorter…”

“Aheh, well…ordinarily yes, but changelings can transform into bigger creatures. I’m just kinda like this cause I’m their king and all…” Thorax rubbed his front hoof, feeling his neck leaning backwards with each passing second.

“A king, huh?” Celaeno put a clawtip to Thorax’s neck.

“Yipe!” Thorax could see a hungry gleam in the parrot’s eyes.

“If you’re a king,,,” Her claw slowly raised up to lift his chin “...that means you must have lots of treasure…”

Thorax’s hooves started to tremble, unable to break eye contact with the bird. “Uhh…n-not really? Just…a lot of love to share? Ugh…” His horrible attempt at lying made himself cringe.

“Aye?” Lie or not, Celaeno raised an eyebrow. “Well, given the circumstances, I guess that’ll do…After all, a changeling like you could prove to be quite…valuable…”

As Celaeno leaned in closer, Thorax’s heart pounded in his chest, unsure whether the parrot was moving in for a bite or a kiss.

But as Thorax was staring down Celaeno’s unyielding glare, the bird suddenly let out a lighthearted laugh and backed away.

“Hahaha! Oh, you should see the look on your face! Priceless!”

As if the previous few minutes never even happened, Celaeno draped her arm around Thorax. “You’re an interesting one, if you really do have a ton of love to share, I wouldn’t mind seeing how much you have to offer at the orgy later!”

Recognizing another familiar face, Celaeno gave the changeling a quick pat on the back before running off.

As soon as Thorax was sure that Celaeno was out of earshot, he wiped his forehead, his body ready to collapse on him. “Phew…First Spike and Ember, now this…what is it with everyone wanting my booty?”

A group of creatures still crowded around the display case as they looked at their crystal heart, still chattering excitedly as they pushed and jostled each other around to get a better look.

“Oooh, look at us!” Silverstream gushed, pressing her beak against the glass. “We look so pretty!”

Yona joined the hippogriff in smushing her face against the glass, fogging it up with her heavy breathing. “Yona agree! Friends in crystals look nice and shiny!”

“I dunno, I don’t think they captured my good side…” Gallus pouted as he examined his crystal with more scrutiny.

“What good side?” Sandbar and Smolder smirked. The words coming out of their mouths almost reflexively, before bumping hoof to fist.

Silverstream’s excited grin quickly turned into a disappointed pout. “Hmm, it still doesn’t feel right just having only five of us here…”

“Yeah…” Gallus sighed. “You sure Ocellus didn’t wanna join? It’s not like she’s got a bad record or anything.”

“Ocellus say she wanted break from No Clop,” Yona shrugged. “Wanted year to relax for once.”

Sandbar nodded in understanding. “I don’t blame her. These months can get bruuuutal, even when you do end up winning.”

“Great. Can’t wait for all that ‘stress relief’ in the middle of the month…” Smolder said through gritted teeth, side-eyeing Sandbar, Yona, and Silverstream.

“And the walls remain as thin as ever…” Gallus sympathetically grumbled.

Blissfully unaware of the Gallus and Smolder’s griping, Silverstream flew in between them, wrapping her arms around their shoulders. “Aww, but she’s gonna miss out on all the fun! I had like, so many boxes of toys I think she’d love to try out!”

“We know.” Gallus and Smolder groaned.

Sandbar walked back to the display case. “I still think it’s really cute how Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor put our two hearts right next to each other, Yona.”

“Yes! Yona and Sandbar best couple!” the yak cheered, giving Sandbar a bone-crushing hug to prove their love.

“So? Gallus is on the other side of yours, Sandbar,” Smolder snarked. “Does that make him your side hustle?”

“Hey!” Gallus interjected. “I think I’m more than just a side hustle to him!”

Despite her aversion to large crowds and general socialization, Tempest Shadow made a conscious effort to at least try to talk to someone new. Silently watching everyone off to the side would probably get herself another long-winded lecture from Twilight, or worse, Cadence.

There was at least one other pony that was also by herself, might as well approach her. “Uh…hello?”

The mare turned around, immediately starstruck by Tempest’s look. “Well, aren’t you a colorful one!”

Given her enthusiastic tone and vibe, Tempest genuinely didn’t know if that was a sarcastic dig at her or not. “Err…thanks?”

“Oh, where are my manners? I’m Kerfuffle!” the pegasus said. “What’s your name?”

“I’m…Tempest Shadow…” Tempest stood up straight, trying to say her name with more confidence, but less authority.

“Oooh, so dark and mysterious!” Kerfuffle giggled. “Well, how’d a pony like you get mixed up in all this?”

Tempest clicked her tongue, trying to delicately choose the right words that still technically counted as the truth. “I’m a…a friend of the princesses.”

Kerfuffle’s eyes were still as wide and starry as ever. “No kidding! Me too! Which ones?”

“Oh, you know, Princess Twilight and Princess Cadence…”

Kerfuffle gasped in shock. “No way! I’m also friends with Princess Twilight! Ooh, but I never met Cadence before, what’s she like?”

“Well, she’s…gentle, loving…like a fairy tale come to life…” There was some bitterness hidden in Tempest’s tone that she tried her best to push down.

Despite the contempt in Tempest’s voice, Kerfuffle was still in awe. “That’s incredible! Oh, you’re so lucky to be friends with two princesses, doncha know!”

“Yeah, I guess…”

Despite her best efforts, Tempest kept breaking eye contact with Kerfuffle, her gaze always wandering to her back hoof.

And those stares were something that Kerfuffle was keen to pick up on. With a sly smirk, she brought her flank around, lifting up her prosthetic leg as she stuck her tongue out. “Ya want a better look?”

Now that Kerfuffle was shoving her rear in Tempest’s face, the unicorn quickly tried to overcorrect and look straight at Kerfuffle’s face. “Uh…S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to-”

“Oh, it’s alright! I don’t really mind. Looks great, right?”

“It…yeah, it really does…”

“Yeah, designed and made it myself.” Kerfuffle let out a quick squeal as inspiration struck. “Ya know, I could make something for you ta put on your horn there! Oooh, maybe like a ring or some sort of cozy. Whaddya say?”

A genuine smile appeared on Tempest’s face as she tried to fight back tears. “I’d…I’d like that.”

Rainbow Dash quickly flew over to Ms. Harshwhinny’s side. “Woah woah woah! Didn’t think I’d see you here, Ms. Harshwhinny!” she said with some light ribbing. “Never took you for an orgy kind of gal. Or even a casual sex kind of gal.”

“Please, Ms. Dash, I’m no prude,” Harshwhinny scoffed, turning up her nose. “I just keep my personal life and business life very separate, that’s all.”

Dash raised an eyebrow in bewilderment. “But you seem like one of those ‘always on the clock’-type ponies. Kinda hard to imagine you rolling your eyes back in pleasure with a huge grin on your face. Would love to see that happen.”

“Is this your attempt at flirting, Ms. Dash?” Harshwhinny let out an amused snort. “I admit, I’ve heard far worse propositions, but I’ve also heard far better. Care to try again?”

Now intrigued, Dash landed in front of Harshwhinny, tilting her head with a cocky smirk. “Well well, let’s say it was me flirting, I didn’t hear a rejection. Are you saying that you’re…” she lets out a short, mock-surprised gasp. “...Interested in me?”

Harshwhinny countered with a brief almost-smile of her own. “Perhaps, but you’d have to be able to keep my interest.”

“Oh, you wouldn’t have to worry about that,” Dash scoffed. “You wouldn’t be able to keep your eyes off me when the tip of my tongue does laps ‘round your clit!”

“Is speed the only thing you’re concerned about?” Ms. Harshwhinny cocked up her eyebrow. “Have you never taken the time to do things slowly and live in the moment?”

“Well, I guess I could slow down and enjoy my food, provided I like the taste of what I’m eating, of course.”

Harshwhinny leaned her head forward. “I assure you, Ms. Dash, I’m an acquired taste.”

Rainbow Dash met her halfway, butting foreheads with Harshwhinny. “And I’ll be sure to acquire your taste at the end of the month!”

The two locked their gazes, the sexual tension between the two was electric. Dash’s cocky grin clashed against Harshwhinny’s stern glare. Both mares felt the hot and heavy breath of the other against their neck and chest.

There was a small, but growing feeling deep within both mares, the urge to just take that one last push forward and to kiss. It was so tempting, it wasn’t November yet, they could get away with one or perhaps ten. But the lack of professional behavior, the scene they’d make, the lack of anything that would stop them if they went too far…!

Instead, Ms. Harshwhinny smiled and pulled back. “Well, I wish good luck to us both then, Ms. Dash. I look forward to seeing just what you are capable of. Perhaps we’ll both get exactly what we want to see from each other.”

Flustered, but relieved, Rainbow Dash nodded firmly. “Oh, I’ll have you screaming out my name when I get my hooves on you!”

Braeburn took his hat off his head, holding it over his chest as he stared out at the landscape of the Crystal Empire. “Whew, we’re a real long way from Appleoosa, huh?”

Little Strongheart walked up next to him, taking in the scenery. “Yeah, I don’t think I’ve ever been this far from home, or seen so many unfamiliar faces…”

“Well, lucky for you, you got me to stick around with!” Braeburn grinned, leaning against her.

Strongheart playfully rolled her eyes, pushing him back up straight. “Well, you, Spike, and Rainbow Dash.”

The buffalo turned back around to see all the other participants. “You weren’t kidding, though, there’s all kinds of folk participating.”

“Heh, yeah,” Braeburn nodded. “Heck, it’s a lot more varied than my first time.”

“I don’t doubt it. I’ve never seen a yak before…”

“And Ah bet that she’s never seen a buffalo before either!”

Strongheart awkwardly shuffled her hooves against the ground. “So…as somepony with tons of experience, what’s this whole thing…you know…like?”

Braeburn nervously rubbed the back of his neck. “Aheh, I don’t really have that much experience…” he sheepishly admitted. “It’s uh…a lot harder than it looks…”

“Well at least tell me what the orgy was like!”

“Er…”

Braeburn’s hesitation into total awkward silence told Little Strongheart everything she needed to know.

“So, guess we gotta find out together, then?” Little Strongheart smirked.

“Heh, guess so.” Braeburn looked back out at the crowd. “So, if ya made it to the orgy, which one of them would ya do first?”

Strongheart sputtered, immediately going into a deep blush. “B-Braeburn! I-I’d like to at least know who they are first!”

“Well, you’ll have plenty of time for that,” Braeburn chuckled. “But just off looks alone, which one looks the most appealing?”

“Hmmm…” Strongheart took a long look at the others, trying to undergo the daunting task of visualizing having sex with each and every one of them. “Maybe the yak? She looks strong.”

“Aw, I’m not first on your list? I’m hurt,” Braeburn teased.

“Wh-I thought you meant besides you, you jerk!”

After a quick absence for an impromptu celebrity meet and greet, Spike returned to see a stallion very obviously eyeing up every single eligible female around.

“Enjoying the view?” The dragon smirked, standing beside him, trying to follow his eyes to see which one he currently had his sights on.

“Yeah…” Feather Bangs nodded. “I’m so lucky that I got a chance to join, I can’t believe I get to be surrounded by such beauty!”

“Hah, I know what you mean…” Spike smirked, eyeing up a few of the ladies in particular.

Feather Bangs let out a dramatic sigh, flipping his mane to drape his hoof over his forehead. “And yet that beauty comes with a terrible cost. How am I supposed to choose which one to pick?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m trying to figure out who’s gonna be the one for me. I mean, I know I have a whole month to decide before the orgy, but with all these lovely beauties around me, knowing I’d have to choose only one of them…Ohhh, it’d break my heart to have to break their hearts!”

Feather Bangs hung his head low in solemn angst, but Spike leaned back with bemused laughter.

“H-Hey, I’m being serious!”

“Ahaha…sorry, it’s just…who said you had to choose just one?”

Feather Bangs blinked in confusion. “Wait, but I heard that others find love during this thing!”

“I mean, yeah, that can happen, but it’s not a requirement or anything,” Spike casually shrugged. “It’s an orgy, dude. We’re all gonna be going at it for the whole night! You think we’re just gonna stick to one partner the whole time?”

“Well…now that I think about it…I guess not…”

Spike put his arm around Feather Bang’s shoulder, using his hand to adjust where the pony’s head was facing. “Look, Cadence is very happily married to Shining Armor, but I guarantee that she’d give you some mindblowing head if you asked her during the orgy.”

The idea that was now planted in his mind was enough to make Feather Bangs immediately blush.

“Take it from a veteran and an expert on love, it’s all gonna be fair game at the orgy. Though others certainly have their preferences. Nothing wrong with getting more intimate with that special someone, but you’ll probably have a better shot finding them by actually getting to know them all instead of gazing at them from afar.”

Feather Bangs let out a shaky, nervous exhale. “A-All of them? I’m gonna have my hooves full…!”

“Hey, you got a whole month,” Spike gave Feather Bangs an encouraging pat on the back. “Good luck, dude.”

Windy Whistles let out an energetic cheer. “Whooo! It feels good to be back!”

“I know what you mean!” Ember said, pumping her arms as if she was warming up. “So glad I get another chance!”

“Oh for sure!” Windy nodded. “I mean, I probably couldn’t pick a better way to go out, but oooh, the things I heard about the fun everyone had last year! I gotta stay strong so I can see what it’s like!”

Ember clenched up her fists with determination. “Last time I got too needy and desperate, and I ended up taking Spike down with me, but not this year! I’m gonna keep myself in check!”

“Yeah!” Windy cheered, matching Ember’s energy. “I’ve learned from last year, too. No baking for me this month! A-At least, no baking any cakes…”

All of Ember’s fiery momentum screeched to a halt. “Huh, you bake? Didn’t think you were the type.”

Windy sheepishly grinned. “Well, I’m no expert at it or anything, but I’d like to think of myself as pretty good at it!”

“Huh! That’s neat!” Ember grins with a realization. “Ooh, Spike told me about these things he’s had called ‘sapphire cupcakes’, do you think you could make those?”

Windy stared at Ember like she just grew a second head. “I…haven’t cooked with gemstones before, but…I think I could try it out if I had the recipe!”

Ember pumped her fists. “Yesss!”

“Well, if I manage to figure it out, promise me the cupcakes are the only thing you’ll eat, okay?” Windy said, giggling to herself.

Ember found the request a bit strange, but totally reasonable. “Yeah sure!”

Windy pursed her lip. The easiest thing would be to just ask Spike about what Ember was talking about, but what if he wanted to have some too? She didn’t have a problem making extras if she had enough, but could she guarantee her own safety against two potentially horny dragons? But how costly are sapphires? Surely Rainbow’s friend Rarity could find some, but what if she thought she was making them for just Spike? She did seem like the fiercely jealous type. Maybe she could ask for the favor of Princess Celestia, but if the princess wanted something special in return, could she really turn down the princess like that? How could she possibly pass up such an opportunity…?

Windy’s train of thought was interrupted by Ember interjecting. “Well, I can’t wait until you figure it out! I’m gonna go catch up with Thorax, see you later, Rainbow Dash!”

Cadence watched with a smile as everyone was happily chatting and getting excited for the upcoming month.

But Shining noticed that despite Cadence’s big smile, her chest was rising and lowering with a slightly irregular rhythm. Although subtly, she was breathing heavier than usual. He put a reassuring hoof on her back. “You doing alright, dear?”

Feeling the warm touch of her husband managed to calm her breathing just a bit. “I am, I’m just hoping that everything turns out alright this year. There’s a lot of pressure as host, you know.”

“You’re not gonna start Twilighting, are you?” Shining teased, poking her in the side.

“I think you’ll be able to ground me before I get to that point,” Cadence chuckled.

“C’mon, it’s gonna be fine!” Shining reassured. “Or did you forget all those long nights where we tested everything out?”

“Oh, believe me, I remember, sweetie.”

“So it’ll all be fine! Just enjoy how happy we’re making everyone, alright?” Shining gestured out towards the crowd again, prompting Cadence to take another look.

Cadence saw all the happy faces, all the excited chatter of friends, the casual and teasy flirting, the laughter from memories of previous years.

“...Thanks, Shining, I needed that.”

“And if you’re still nervous, then why don’t we go back inside for some…’stress relief’?” Shining winked.

Cadence was surprised by her husband’s suggestion, but not opposed to it. “You think we can just sneak away after that speech? Won’t all of them wonder where we went?”

Shining merely waved a dismissive hoof. “Eh, Twilight or Celestia can handle things. C’mon, we only have today left to be free!"

Cadence could see that Shining’s mind was already made up. “Oh, alright, but I get to pick the first five positions!”

Author's Note

Third time's a charm!