“Uuugh, pie,” Dusk groaned as he slowly walked, head hung low. His stomach bulge was even greater than Barb’s, proportionally speaking, of course.

“I don’t know why you’re so glum. That was great!” Barb cheered. Prancing in circles around Dusk, her tremendous tummy wobbled with every hop. “Those ponies were so friendly. Not one of them looked afraid of me. Also, that orange mare was pretty cute, huh?”

Dusk sighed and rolled his eyes, ignoring his stomach pains. “They were just being nice because of the badge, Barb. Granted, it’s commendable that they put politics and making connections over prejudice, but I wouldn’t go overestimating a bunch of small-town yokels.”

“Not even ones with flanks strong enough to crush boulders?” Barb pressed, turning Dusk’s facial fur from purple to crimson. Barb merely laughed and pulled out the mayor’s parchment. “Deny it all you want, but I can tell. Anyway, the next thing on the list is the clouds. Hmm, a pony named Rainbowdash is supposed to keep things clear, but just look at that.” She gestured up at the abundance of white obscuring the blue sky.

“Oh, goodie,” Dusk grumbled. “Now I have to deal with some lazy-assed good-for-nothing who can’t even—Gah!” A rainbow blur came out of nowhere and impacted the purple unicorn’s side, knocking him into a mud puddle. Blowing bubbles in the muck, Dusk looked at what had hit him, finding a cyan pegasus mare with a raggedy rainbow mane lying on his back. Sure enough, once the mare realized she was on top of a stallion, her forelegs wrapped around his barrel.

“Hehe, sorry, little guy. I guess I didn’t see ya,” the mare said, almost gyrating as she cuddled the smaller pony against her. Her teats meshed against his backside as she buried her nose in his mane. Only the mud stopped her from licking his cheek as she inhaled his aroma and began grinding her hips. “You must be new around town. I don’t remember cuddling you be—”

“GRRR!”

“… oh.” The mare finally noticed the third wheel, and her tail reflexively tucked between her legs.

Barb was in full attack mode, spines bristling, slit eyes almost red with rage, and teeth bared as she fell into a pouncing stance. “Let. Him. GO!”

“Whoa!” The muddy mare shot several feet in the air, hooves held high in surrender. “Easy there, big girl. I didn’t mean anything by it. It was just an accident, and, ya know, once a mare gets ahold of a cutie like that, we do what comes naturally.” When this well-reasoned and fact-based argument failed to quell the drake’s anger, the mare tried another approach. “Here, let me fix it.” She promptly retrieved a cloud heavy with water, positioned it over the purple unicorn, and bounced atop it until she triggered enough of a shower to wash off the mud. Then, moving too quick for the drake to strike, she formed a twister to instantly dry the stallion. “There ya go, my patented Rain-blow dry. No-no, don’t thank me. You’re quite welcome.”

Still growling, Barb positioned herself between Dusk and the new mare, never tearing her eyes off the rainbow pattern. “You alright, Dusk?” she asked out of the corner of her mouth.

“Y-yeah, I’m fine. It’s nothing that hasn’t happened before,” Dusk sighed in surrender. This was just what happened when mares got ahold of unattended stallions. While annoying and somewhat socially discouraged, it was far from illegal. However, while brushing himself off, Dusk was particularly perturbed by how the mare stared at him with watering eyes. “What’s that look for?”

Without warning, the cyan mare fell over backward, laughing hysterically. Things got worse when Barb glanced back to see what the issue was. Her draconic wrath instantly evaporated, starting with a cheek-puffing chuckle and then morphing into full-on guffaws. Bobbing his head a little, Dusk found his mane and tail had become obscenely poofy and deepened his scowl at those laughing at his expense.

“Let me guess. You’re Rainbow Dash,” Dusk dryly inquired.

The mare instantly recovered from her laughing fit to strike a pose. “The one and only. Why? You’ve heard of me? Interested in a date? Well, I’m not saying I’m not interested, but I’m a little busy with the Summer Sun Celebration and all.”

“Busy, huh?” Dusk remarked, sighed, and adopted a more diplomatic approach. “My name is Dusk Shine, and I’m here to oversee preparations for the Celebration. That includes ensuring the skies are clear, which I see has been neglected.”

“You?” Rainbow incredulously asked.

“Yes, me. Got a problem with that?”

Rainbow shrugged. “Eh, whatever. Anyway, I’m busy practicing. I’ll do the clouds later.”

“Excuse me? What could you be practicing for that’s even remotely as important as—?”

“The Wonderbolts!” Rainbow cheered, going off on a long, excited rant about how she planned to show off for them tomorrow.

Thusly, finding his adversary’s weakness, Dusk adopted a mischievous grin. “Oh, please. I doubt THE Wonderbolts would be interested in a pegasus that couldn’t even keep the skies clear for one day.”

Rainbow regarded Dusk with a’ the-fuck-you-say?’ expression. “Hey, I could clear this sky in ten seconds flat.”

Dusk smirked as Barb did the same. “Prove it.”

Challenge thoroughly accepted, Rainbow lived up to her boast, kicking clouds into disintegration almost too quickly for Dusk to track. As she did, the stallion once again found himself enthralled with the mare’s technique. Like Apple Jack, Rainbow Dash demonstrated an impressive blend of precision and power, but also speed. Dusk thought back to the mare holding his back and nuzzling his mane, only to realize that he wasn’t as upset as he usually was when mares breached Barb’s protection and invaded his personal space. Rainbow’s touching felt a lot gentler than most mares, and something about the way she cuddled him made his loins twitch as he watched the last cloud disappear. ‘Why do so many mares in this town seem to have a talent for hitting things in their sweet spots?’

“What’d I say?” boasted Rainbow as she hovered before Dusk, her task complete. “Ten. Seconds. Flat. I’d never keep Ponyville hanging.” Seeing how the stallion and the drake’s jaws had dropped in awe of the amazingness that was Rainbow Dash, the mare chuckled. “Haha, you should see the looks on your faces. I can’t wait to hang out more.” However, just when she was about to fly off, she stopped, spun around, and pointed at Barb. “Hey, sorry, but I didn’t catch your name.”

“It’s Barb.”

“Barb. Cool. I’ll remember that. You’re a tough-looking gal. I wouldn’t mind wrestling you sometime, if ya know what I mean.” Rainbow winked before flying off, leaving the guests from Canterlot utterly flummoxed.

“D-did she just make a pass at me?” Barb wondered aloud. “Huh, that’s different.”

Dusk eventually blinked back down to earth and regarded the drake. “You looked ready to kill her a second ago.”

“Yeah, but, like she said, it was an accident. Also, I think she was into me,” Barb explained in a mild state of shock at the revelation. Then she snickered. “Sorry, but you seriously need a comb or something.”

Dusk rolled his eyes and marched ahead, biting back the urge to argue that Rainbow had really been interested in him. “What’s next on the list?”

“Decorations in the Assembly Hall, which is apparently distinct from Town Hall. Weird,” Barb answered.

“I’ll bet it’s just the rec center that they renamed to sound fancy,” Dusk postulated as Barb pushed open the building’s doors to behold a sea of ribbons, artistic tapestries, and a tasteful amount of royal imagery.

“Yes, I’d say the decor is coming along nicely,” Dusk appraised.

“Beautiful,” Barb said in awe.

“Indeed. The banners are—”

“Not the banners,” Barb cut in and gestured ahead. “Her.”

The unicorn sorting through ribbons on the stage was sheet-white, her royal violet mane done up in a quaff that screamed refinement, as did everything else about her. Her posture, makeup, and even her feminine hums as she worked were the very picture of regal grace. Being from Canterlot, Dusk and Barb were used to ponies presenting themselves as important for big shindigs and other such events. However, this mare had yet to notice them, and with no one else in the vicinity, she clearly wasn’t doing this for an audience. The only conclusion was that this was just how she was; a refreshing change of pace from the try-hards back in the capitol.

Feeling his mouth go dry, Dusk cleared his throat to get the mare’s attention. “Excuse me, miss.”

“Not right now. I’m in the zone,” she dismissed, barely paying the stallion a fleeting glance.

While Dusk was used to being ignored, he could at least appreciate a mare too preoccupied with work to bother with trivial socializations. Now this was an attitude he could get behind, and not just because her behind had such a splendid and round shape that—Whack! Dusk slapped himself, sensible, and looked anywhere else, only to catch Barb looking as hypnotized as he’d been. But, alas, the stallion could not bring himself to scold his familiar for falling into the same trap as him.

Finally, the mare selected the perfect ribbon, muttering, “Rarity, you are a talent.” Then, facing the newcomers, she said, “Now, how can I help yo—AHH! Goodness, darling, whatever happened to your mane!?”

“Oh, this? It’s a long story,” Dusk dismissed. “I’m just here to check on the decorations and get out of your hair.”

“Out of my hair?” Rarity asked. “What about your hair? No-no-no, this simply won’t do.” Approaching the pair, she caught them off-guard by addressing Barb first. “My, but aren’t you a fine specimen. I take it you’re the keeper of this strapping young lad, Ms…?”

“Hmm? Oh, uh, Barbara. B-but friends call me Barb.”

“Barbara, like those lovely spines of yours? Oh-ho-ho. Graceful yet deadly, like the thorns of a rose. I love it! Anyway, my name is Rarity, and your stallion is in a dreadful state. Might I make him look as presentable as he deserves?”

“Uh, y-yes, by all means,” Barb allowed with a goofy laugh. Since stallions seldom went out alone, it was common manners to address their accompanying mares and ask permission before getting too involved. Most ponies overlooked Barb for being a drake, so to be regarded as Dusk’s rightful guardian by such a lovely mare was not only a pleasant detraction from the norm, but it left her giggling like a schoolgirl.

Before Dusk knew it, he’d been herded off to Rarity’s shop, Carousel Boutique. It was a clothing store with garments as refined as their tailor, who was presently focused on cleaning her fellow unicorn while finding just the right outfit for him. Much to Dusk’s relief, this impromptu game of dress-up avoided anything undignified, such as overtly foalish attire or worse. Even the act of putting Dusk in the various outfits only had slightly more touching than was absolutely necessary. All things considered, the ponies of Ponyville were remarkably well-mannered if nothing else. Then, at one point, Dusk mentioned that he was from Canterlot.

“Canterlot!?” Rarity exclaimed. “Oh, I’m so envious. The glamor. The sophistication. I’ve always wanted to live there. You simply must tell me all about it. Oh, we’re going to be the best of friends, you and I,” she finished by throwing a leg over the stallion’s side and nuzzling his cheek.

Thinking back as hard as he could, Dusk couldn’t recall ever showing Rarity his badge. She seemed to have no idea who he was or his (undesired) importance in the royal court, so she wasn’t trying to make a political connection. Come to think of it, Apple Jack had the same casual friendliness during their interaction. Did none of these ponies intend to use Dusk in their twisted political schemes? Did they even have political schemes? Had he not been overtly disrespected for being a stallion since meeting the mayor? And, more importantly, why did the mares around here smell so pretty? Dusk glanced at Barb to silently beg for help, but the drake appeared utterly smitten with the fashionista’s grace.

Noticing this, Rarity batted her eyelashes at the deadly creature smiling at her with predatory teeth, and she said, “That goes for you too, Barbie-Warby. Perhaps I can take you both out for dinner sometime? Hmm, I’ll need to find a perfect outfit for the occasion, though. Wait here. I’ll be right back.” And she disappeared into another room.

“Quick, let’s get out of here while we can,” Dusk said, grabbing Barb’s tail as he attempted to run, getting nowhere fast. “Barb? Barb! Snap out of it!” When Barb failed to snap out of it, Dusk used his magic to manifest a paddle, with which he delivered a single swift swipe upon the drake’s derriere.

Barb whirled around, teeth bared and ready to help her assailant find out after they’d fucked around. However, all she found was Dusk, utterly devoid of fear and causing her wrath to almost instantly fizzle into confusion.

“Good, you’re awake. Now, hurry up before she tries dying my fur a new color.” Dusk once again tried pulling the drake’s tail to no avail. Instead, the annoyed drake whipped the small pony onto her back and trotted out of the store, looking back with forlorn eyes.

“What is with you today?” Dusk demanded as he rode atop the drake to the town’s scenic outskirts.

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. Suddenly, you’re going all googly-eyed at every mare that smiles at you.”

“Oh, like you haven’t?” Barb shot back. “Rarity’s wasn’t the only plot I caught you staring at.”

Dusk blushed while shaking. “Well, excuse me for being short. I can’t help looking at what’s on my level.”

“Then why get so defensive?” Barb asked with a wry grin. “I’m not ashamed of where my eyes have been wandering. Although, if you want an excuse, try admitting you’ve got stallion urges.”

Dusk crossed his forelegs and turned away in a huff. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I don’t? So, that’s not a boner rubbing on my back?” Barb queried, laughing when Dusk hurriedly tried adjusting himself and nearly fell over. “Come on, just admit it.”

“Admit what? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Admit that you’ve finally met some mares that aren’t self-absorbed bitches, and you like it.”

Dusk grumbled a second before conceding. “Okay, fine. Have most of the ponies we’ve met in this town been unusually nice and polite to me? Yes. Do I appreciate this refreshing change of pace? Absolutely. But that doesn’t—”

“You’ve also barely stuttered any.”

Dusk blinked several times as his brain rebooted. “Come again?”

“These girls keep flustering you out of your formal voice, but you’ve hardly stuttered any,” Barb elaborated, her grin broadening. “Dusk, you’re actually talking to ponies!”

Dusk was rendered silent, unable to think of an argument. It was true. He’d actually held semi-casual, non-work-related conversations with ponies who weren’t family or part of Celestia’s inner circle. That hadn’t happened since, well, Barb’s egg hatched, and Celestia took an interest in him. While others had been rightly intimidated by the regal alicorn, Dusk had found her surprisingly easy to talk to, and the same went for three of the last five ponies he’d encountered in this nowhere town. “What’s happening in this place?”

Then, as if in answer, the pair caught wind of an elegant and harmonious bird choir. One look from Dusk told Barb to check the list, which she showed to the stallion some called her master, but she’d always thought of as a companion. Sure enough, music was next, so the pair snuck into some nearby bushes to observe without being seen. The pegasus had a long pink mane with butter-yellow fur. Her voice was positively angelic and even more melodious than the birds she tenderly instructed. Also, she had a pretty great butt, the kind that neither of the two would mind sitting on their faces.

Suddenly, Barb decided to test her hypothesis and threw Dusk out of the bushes, inadvertently frightening off the birds.

At the drake’s urging, Dusk resigned himself to abide by Barb’s whims, figuring she wanted to test his stutter or something. “Um, hello,” Dusk greeted as gently as possible. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle your choir. I just wanted to say they sounded beautiful.” So far, so good. He was using full words. However, the yellow mare averted her gaze and scratched her hoof at the ground, making Dusk’s heart flutter from a cuteness overload. “My name is Dusk Shine, and you are?”

The mare muttered something inaudible.

“Sorry, what was that?”

The mare muttered something inaudible again, backing up a little.

“Didn’t quite catch that.”

The mare squeaked and backed up further.

Dusk’s heart and legs melted into jelly as he felt for this mare. He saw in her eyes the same apprehension that beguiled him whenever he was forced to interact with strangers. He’d never imagined meeting a kindred spirit in a mare of all things. The stallion just wanted to take this mare somewhere secluded and quiet where they could talk about their inability to talk with others. He didn’t even mind the inherent paradoxical nature of his desire. Dusk just wanted to sit with the mare, connect with someone who really got him, maybe touch her mane, and possibly feel her hot breath pelting his face as she—WHACK! Dusk smacked himself, startling and confusing the pretty mare, leaving a sizable bruise on his cheek.

“Well, uh, I s-see your birds are back.” Dusk gestured awkwardly at the tree. “So I guess everything’s in order. Keep up the good work.”

Not looking the little guy in the eye, the mare squeaked appreciatively. Then her eyes widened when she saw the drake’s serpentine head poke out from behind the bushes to congratulate Dusk. “A baby dragon!” she exclaimed in joy, dashing past Dusk in a blur before skidding to a halt before Barb. “Goodness, I haven’t seen a baby dragon in years! Oh, and you’re so big, but still so cute,” she cooed.

Barb blinked, blushing as she was taken aback by the mare’s words. “Uh, no one’s called me cute in a long time, but why’d you call me a baby?”

“Well, it’s rather obvious,” chuckled the yellow mare, low-key bragging. “Firstly, your snout is quite short despite your size, a common characteristic across numerous species to distinguish the youths. Secondly, dragons don’t grow wings until they’ve reached adolescence. Hmm. Your calm behavior suggests this isn’t a greed-induced growth.” She touched her hoof to her chin in deep thought before finally looking Dusk in the eye, and her expression lit up again. “Oh, I see. It’s not traditional greed. You’ve just grown big enough to protect your hoard,” she concluded, pointing at the purple pony.

Dusk blinked, just as shocked as Barb, but with an added blush. “H-how did you figure that out so fast?”

The mare shrugged. “Well, I’m a bit of an animal expert, and I’ve read all I can about all the amazing creatures of the world, but dragons have always been especially fascinating. They’re naturally greedy beings prone to acquiring whatever they value in a hoard, which doesn’t necessarily have to be gold and jewels. Dragons have also been known to hoard books, pillows, clocks, and mates. Although, I’m guessing you’re more like family than a mate.”

“Dusk hatched me, but his parents helped raise me, so he’s kinda like my older brother,” Barb confirmed.

“Oh, that’s so precious,” gushed the mare. “And you grew out of love and the need to protect your precious family. It’s just like something out of a fairytale. Oh, I’m sorry, but I didn’t introduce myself yet. My name’s Fluttershy. What’s yours?” she asked the drake.

“Me? Oh, ahem,” Barb cleared her throat. “I-I’m Barbara, but most call me Barb. Ya know.” She turned her body sideways and bristled her back spines, showing off rather than in aggression. “Cuz of these.”

“Hehe, that’s too precious,” Fluttershy tittered as her examination continued. “Hmm, and you look so healthy, too. Such exquisitely full flanks. I can tell you’ve been eating well,” she added while side-eyeing Dusk. She stepped closer to the drake and conspiratorially whispered, “Tell me, just between us girls, do you like him going in the… other way?”

Barb and Dusk blushed, making Fluttershy giggle some more. Sharing a look, it was clear they were both awed and a little frightened by how much this mare had figured out so quickly. However, fearing what else this beautiful and intelligent mare might discern, Dusk ran around to Barb’s side, giving Fluttershy a wide berth. “S-sorry, Ms. Fluttershy, but we—”

“Oh, you can just call me Fluttershy,” she intoned while batting her eyelashes seductively at the odd pair.

Dusk slapped a hoof to his chest when it felt like his heart had briefly stopped, only to go wide-eyed when Barb reacted similarly. ‘This mare is going to kill us with cuteness!’ he thought. “Yes, Fluttershy, good. You’ve been very nice, and I think you’re very pretty, but—”

Fluttershy’s encroachment finally ceased as she backed up and averted her gaze, her long pink mane partially concealing her face as her prior shyness returned. “Oh, um, y-you think I’m pretty?”

‘Too much cuteness!’ Dusk internally screamed as he hopped on Barb’s back, scaled up her neck, and pressed his face between her eyes. “We have to get out of here before the cuteness overwhelms us!”

Seeing Dusk’s panic snapped Barb back to her senses as she nodded and took off, leaving the heart-stopper behind. They didn’t stop until they’d reached Ponyville’s tree-shaped library near sunset, both panting from Barb’s sprint and Dusk hanging on for dear life. The pair then collapsed in exhaustion near the door, taking a moment to recompose themselves.

“S-see what I mean,” Barb said between gasps. “Th-these ponies can be nice.”

Dusk huffed dismissively. “Y-you’re just saying that because her encyclopedic knowledge of dragons rivals mine, and that turns you on,” he accused.

“Oh, hello, Pot. Kettle called. He said you’re a damned hypocrite,” Barb playfully shot back.

“Wh-whatever,” Dusk grunted, finally getting back on his wobbly legs. “Sh-she wanted me to go in the… o-other way,” he stammered, his blush returning with a vengeance.

“You don’t sound too upset about it,” Barb observed, nosing the pony’s side so that her snout grazed his hanging erection. “You’re little stallion must be so happy. It never gets to come out this much.”

Dusk’s face scrunched in impotent rage as he couldn’t think of a proper argument. “Sh-shut up,” he groaned as he staggered past the drake and opened the door into the dark abode. “It doesn’t matter. Nightmare Moon is returning, and we can’t afford to let ourselves get distracted by—yipe!” he winced as Barb roughly yanked him back by the tail. “What was that f—?” he tried demanding, only for the drake to slap a large claw over his mouth.

“I smell you,” Barb called into the darkness, lips curled and teeth bared. “There’s no point trying to sneak up on us.”

Dusk sat still in the drake’s large claws, unconcerned that such sharp talons could easily rend his flesh from his bones if Barb so desired. Such a thought never entered his mind, as he was too focused on staring into the same darkness. Sure enough, he saw movement in the shadows. Had a rival house sent someone to this backwater town to abduct him? It wouldn’t be the first time. Although to ensure things went differently from last time, Dusk lit his horn so Barb couldn’t hog all the fun to herself.

“Ah, pooh,” whined a mare as the lights suddenly came on, revealing the library was filled to the brim with ponies as confetti and balloons fell from the ceiling. Standing center-stage was the pink poof from earlier, looking a tad glum. “Note to self. Dragons make throwing surprise parties difficult. Anyway, surpriiise!” she cheered, unleashing her high spirits at full force. “I threw this surprise party just for you two. The surprise part didn’t pan out—great nose, by the way—but I hope you’ll enjoy the festivities. When I saw you, I realized you were new in town and probably didn’t have any friends. So, I went around to all the ponies in town, asking if they wanted to meet the stunning new bachelor and his smoking hot dragon babe sidekick. Speaking of which,” the pink mare nodded to Barb. “The name’s Pinkie Pie. May I invite you and your stallion to my little soiree?”

Barb pursed her draconic lips as her aggressive posture relaxed, and she set Dusk on his hooves, though the little introvert kept close. “Uh, I don’t have a problem with it.”

“That’s great! You two looked just so glum when you showed up. I couldn’t stand it.” Pinkie then lowered her head to Dusk’s level as her eyes grew focused. “Although, now that I get a better look at you, you strike me as more of the introverted type.”

Dusk was taken aback. “Y-you can tell that?”

Pinkie proudly nodded. “Sure can, so don’t feel obligated to mingle too much. I know how exhausting that can be for you guys. My sister, Maud, is the same way. She’s the bookish type, so I think you’d like her since you’re the bookish type, too. I mean, how could you not be. You’re living in a library, for crying out loud! Hehe!”

“That’s, um, v-very considerate of you,” Dusk replied after finally catching the pink mare between breaths. Her mouth ran a mile a minute as she excitedly bounced around, following him and Barb while other ponies mingled, but kept a respectful distance. As an earth pony, Pinkie had a fuller figure than most. However, unlike Apple Jack’s muscle, the thickness in this mare’s flanks was more of a pudge, not that there was anything wrong with that. Pudge was soft and pillowy, perfect for resting your head after an exhausting day. Not that Dusk had ever done so, of course! He just heard what other ponies said. Regardless, the more this one talked and bounced, the more the stallion’s eyes were drawn to her bubbly backside, perhaps the biggest and juiciest he’d ever seen, at least, for a pony that didn’t have an arguable god-like status. However, amidst the chatter of the ponies in the background, Dusk eventually realized that Pinkie had stopped talking at some point, and he caught her catching him staring.

“Like what you see?” Pinkie asked, enticingly shaking her balloon-emblazoned rump at the purple pony. “You can touch it if you want. I don’t mind. Of course, if we get started, I can’t promise I’ll be able to stop. You’re just too adorable, like an innocent, bookworm virgin whose naïve about the ways of the world, and in need of a mare’s gentle guidance.”

“Gentle? Ha!” crowed a familiar rainbow-maned mare as she hovered overhead. “Sex is like getting in a cold pool. Best to just jump in and get through the hard part all at once. Then you can have all the fun you want,” she added while suggestively wiggling her eyebrows.

“My, such crassness is unbecoming of such a fine gentlecolt,” added Rarity as she stepped into the scene.

“Oh yeah? And how would you do it?” Rainbow Dash challenged.

“Firstly, I’d inform the stallion’s guardian of my intentions,” Rarity replied, fearlessly walking under Barb’s arched neck, only to gently flick the drake’s nose with her perfumed tail, rendering the powerful female momentarily dizzy. “Obviously, I’d ask her to join if she so desired. While the size difference may be tricky, I must admit, I find the challenge rather enticing.” Then her gaze fell upon Dusk. “Of course, then I’d properly woo the stallion, turning him to putty in my hooves. We’d have a nice dinner, get to know each other, and then…” Rarity suggestively licked her lips while batting her eyelashes.

“Good call on invitin’ Barb inta the mix, but we ain’t talkin’ a proper courtin’,” Apple Jack interjected, coming up behind Dusk and startling him. “Sorry ‘bout that, li’l fella, but that jus’ proves mah point. Yer a bundle ‘f nerves. Best cure fer that is a ride in the hay, ‘n’ Ah got the sturdiest ride in town, not ta mention the softest lips.” She emphasized with kissy faces that made Dusk’s knees weak. “No need ta tie yerself in knots with plannin’ anythin’ beyond that.”

“Oh, are we talking about getting it on with the cute new guy?” Pinkie asked, literally jumping in. “Oh, boy! Well, he’s an inexperienced virgin, so the mare will have to take the lead, which is okay. I’m good at helping stallions get where they need to go. Mares too. Just anypony, really. Although, this big dragon body is giving me ideas. Just look at that long neck, those sharp teeth, strong legs, and, of course, the booty that’s almost bigger than me.” She then turned around and frowned at her own butt. “Sorry, girl, but it looks like we’re no longer the biggest in town. Don’t worry, though. I promise I’ll make it up to you by discovering what a dragon’s tongue feels like. Oh, a dragon and a stallion would be double the fun!”

“Um, ex-excuse me,” Fluttershy inquired, keeping her head low as she approached Barb, her volume much softer with so many eyes upon her. “Ms. Barb, could I ask you something?”

Barb lowered her head to Fluttershy’s level, grateful to finally be addressed directly while the horny ponies made her hips grind to stifle the building heat. “Sure, ask away.”

“W-well, since dragons have many of the same instincts as ponies, and with you being so close with Dusk, I-I was wondering if you, um, kn-knew what would make him happy?” Fluttershy’s straightforward question caused the bickering mares in the immediate vicinity to go quiet.

“Shoot, Ah should’ve thought ‘f that.” AJ face-hooved as the others made similar responses. “Course, the sister would know a thing or two.”

Barb scratched the back of her neck and averted her gaze, blushing at being called Dusk’s sister. “I-I don’t know. I’ve, ya know, never really talked about this kind of thing outside the family. Although, I guess I should set the record straight and say I’m Dusk’s familiar, not his sister, and he isn’t a virgin.”

“Tsk-tsk,” Rarity politely tutted. “Begging your pardon, Barbie-Warby, but everypony knows it doesn’t count within the family.”

“Yeah, that’s just practice for the big time!” Rainbow hooted.

Barb simply stared. She’d heard that line before, but never paid it much mind. However, if it was truly the standard that sex didn’t count within the family, then how did she fit into this?

“Speakin’ ‘f big, where’d the li’l guy go?” Apple Jack inquired, prompting the others to look around, but there was no purple stallion to be found.

Author's Note

This wraps up the main body of the first episode, with something of an interlude to follow before we get the big arrival of you-know-who. I really enjoyed expanding on Dusk and Barb’s characters, having her act like the protective older sister archetype despite being younger. Hopefully, Fluttershy’s explanation for the dragon’s bigness is sufficient to satisfy readers. However, in truth, I just wanted an excuse to make the dragon assistant big, as it’s a dynamic I’ve rarely seen with variations of these two.

The same hope applies to my portrayals of the mares. Most interpretations of a male Twilight with five female friends has them being varying degrees of flirty, so I cranked it up a tad for both comedy and world-building. After all, this is a reverse gender role world, so the ladies pursuing the guy is kind of a given, but it was also fun describing the protocol that ought to be followed with Barb. Few do, making this encounter special enough to flummox her as much as Dusk.

And thanks to my subscribers
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