Princess Celestia | Castle Throne Room

Turns out, being numbered among the three currently existing Alicorns, one of the most magically superloaded creatures alive, and the very Princess of the Sun, doesn't spare you from stomach aches when you eat an entire Royal Kitchens worth of baked goods.

Who knew?

Celestia did, now. She also knew before, but every few years she forgets her folly, assumes she can handle it, and is sorely reminded that it'sactually a terrible idea. It was a vicious cycle that ruins her sweet tooth for a few days; this one might do her in for a week of no cake. How devastating.

In short, Big Pony Tummy Hurt.

Faust, she felt bloated. It was no ponies fault but her own, of course. That's what
she gets for reinviting that... was it Vanhoover, or Manehatten baker? She was forgetting the details, but she felt like she deserved a little treat for handling that whole Dragonlands issue so smoothly. Dare she say, she might need to cut back after that little indulgence. Five entire, whole cakes. She was ready to call it at three, but they were just... they kept coming. And they were so good. And that Baker was so pushy, but in the best of ways...

She stifles a rather unfriendly burp with a hoof, that comes up more like an 'urp', apologizing quietly to nobody more than the open air. Weugh. No more thinking about eating. Not for a while.

That was yesterday. Today was noon, and she still felt full. The idea to burn some energy to help was one she considered... but moving wasn't her favorite topic right now. Nor could she find a quiet place to slowly simmer away; she had social obligations of the royal pedigree.

She sat on her throne, barely listening to one of her little ponies speak about... something about how early the lamp posts are lit in the evening. Truly, a riveting topic that would be amended by editing a five to a four on a ledger somewhere, and a few words to the Lamplight guild.

This was going to be a long day...

Diarchal Advisor Arnon, Tumble Stumble | Castle Garden

"So you guys have Hoof-Ball... which is like, my worlds Football..." Arnon mumbles, tossing the not-a-pigskin-pigskin towards Twilight. "But no Basketball?"

Twilight catches the 'hoofball' with her magic, freezing it in mid-air. She definitely didn't seem the sporty type, but villains-of-the-week and a disgustingly potent grasp of magic meant she could keep up pretty well, even if she looked bored. Well, she'd be more bored, but Arnon was baiting her with interdimonsional information quizzings, so she played along. Still, he appreciated the chance to not be cooped up.

It's actually kind of fascinating to watch, how she handles sports. She's not entirely lacking physically thanks to her lifestyle as an Element, but being an indoor-loving bookworm with a habit of forgetting to eat and staying up too late despite her own schedules still had its impact. Yet, her magic prowess was so exorbant, she could easily keep up with him. She wouldn't even move to catch it, just stare at it until it got reasonably close to enough to 'catch', before her magical glow encased it and fully stopped all momentum, floating it through the air and sending it back. Kind of like watching a disabled kid in a rocket-powered wheelchair win a drag race.

"Basketball?" Twilight parrots, chucking it back. Well, more like lobbing it at him, with the arching velocity she sends it at him, but he manages to catch it with a wide step. His hand is starting to sting from the impacts, and it's a bit awkward with one arm still in a sling.

Is she putting spin on it? Where'd she figure how to do that?

"Sport for tall people -- you've gotta stop whipping this thing so hard, I don't have gloves!" Arnon rebukes, shifting his grip on it before whipping it back down the grass to Twiddle. Stopped by magic again. This time, it swirls over directly in front of her, evening out.

"What's the matter, Arnon? I thought you said you knew Hoofball?" She goads, grinning. The ball swirls with magic, before being squeezed on one end -- and it sounds like the crack of a gun with the speed it launches out at.

"Wheaugh!?" Arnon utters loudly; he doesn't even try to catch it, diving for cover and hitting the grass.

Spitting out the fresh greeny of the ground, Arnon expects some lofty teasing, perhaps even a few floaty brags.

Nope, she's just staring at where he was. Why is --

Holy shit, she put a hole in the hedges. The leaves are sizzling, and he can see right through the next several layers of sculpted shrub. It just keeps going -- can't even see the hoofball at this point. It's probably splattered against a distant wall, if it didn't start taking down walls.

"You almost put a HOLE in me, Sparkle!" Arnon shouts, a rare anger in his tone, clambering to his feet.

"I-I didn't meant to! I thought you--" Twilight starts to stammer, backpedaling.

"COME HERE!" Arnon yells, charging across the grass towards her.

"EEP!" Twilight yelps, scrambling like a frightened dog on wood flooring, so startled she probably forgot she could've just teleported away.

They're in the Royal Gardens, specifically positioned as far away from any stone-statues-that-might-be-forgotten-villains. It's comfortably sunny out, only a few clouds in the sky. The gardens are lush, and fairly private considering their lengthy walls and well-maintained hedges. There's a fountain, a little pond... quite the little getaway. Each of the Princesses personal balconies overlook the Garden.

Poor Twilight was eventually caught by the enraged humanoid before she remembered she could simply magic her way out of this, leading to an untimely demise.

"A-Arnon, s-StoUOP! I'm Se-HEE-rheeius!" Twilight snort-giggles, furiously throwing hooves in an attempt to escape from being ferociously tickled on her back, until she had snot run out of her snout. Gross, but she had it coming. She's not even sure how he's managing it with one arm, but she's too busy flailing to figure it.

Arnon stands, resting his hand on his hip. That should teach her. As Twilight gathers her breath, definitely not conniving revenge, Arnon's gaze floats over the various windows and balconies of the castle.

The temptation to spiral their hoofball right into Luna's balcony door to ask her if she wanted to play was a tempting one, now equally a past one, considering the hoofball was probably floating in the fountain, deflated or in smithereens. Luckily, all damage seemed to be to hedges and bushes, which should... hopefully grow back. But considering its midday, even if they still had the ball, that idea was one that would likely end in his swift demise; and he's already avoided one of those today. Another time.

Twilight's horn begins to glow as she squints towards Arnon --

"H-hey! What happened to the garden?!" The distant voice of an alarmed Solar Guard proclaims, casting a worried, guilty gaze they share.

The two swear to secrecy to feign confusion regarding any questions towards the gardens, if prompted, and beat a hasty retreat back inside, together bygones be bygones. For now.

Princess Celestia | Castle Throne Room

The lamp-post problem had in fact, been solved by a slight number change. Now a Noble rants about the date of the Gala, and how it would be more appropriate to host it... in the middle of winter.

She has difficulty not rolling her eyes. Her Solar Guard are well trained, but she can see that even some of them are having trouble staying awake.

Goodness, she's a little more irritable than usual. Perhaps it's because Arnon had been excused to spend some time with Twilight, to ensure she doesn't feel ignored during her visit... his empty desk is an odd thing to glance at, having gotten used to his company and snide remarks.

Or, probably that she had overeaten, felt ill and disgusting, and was being treated to a particularly drab day of Day-Court when she'd rather be curled up in bed.

Honestly, this was probably one of the worst ones in recent memory. The serious-issues line had been nearly empty from the very start... which meant a day of opinions and venting. She had her natural limit, benevolant and loving as she was, but it felt shorted today. And this was treading over it.

Quietly, she grumbles, shifting her weight on the throne. Her mane is a little more animated than usual.

Her hooves idly tap the hoofrest if her throne, making a quiet tap-tap-tap.

Her lip twitches, nostrils flaring.

" -- And better yet, if the Gala were to be renamed, the rebranding costs could easily be dolled over by a generous donation from --"

"Brazen Glare?" Celestia suddenly calls, glancing beside herself, urging forth one of her guards.

The Nobles words trail off in confusion, a few murmurs whispering through the crowd. The Solar Guard, Brazen, startles and nearly drops his spear. Lifted from the edges of dozing off, he quickly shuffles beside the throne, bowing his head.

"Yes, Princess?" He dutifully asks.

"I am afraid that something has come up. Please, send apologies on my behalf to the remaining ponies, and close Day Court." Celestia poignantly states, staring to rise.

"Of course, Princ--" The guard goes to respond, but an outburst below cuts through the room.

"WHAT?!" The noble proclaims loudly, drawing several eyes. The exact personification of a smimey Nobles Son, he's a brightly-colored stallion who looks like he hasn't worked a day in his life.
"Princess, I was in the middle of speaking! Surely, you would not deny me my chance to speak amongst the Day Court! The alterations to made would be a clear benefit to--"

Celestia's hoof raises to silence him, a shiver running down his spine. There is no gentle soft smile sat upon her face, no bevolant gaze offered unto her little pony.

"Regal Brush." Celestia addresses, loud and firm, touching upon the Canterlot voice of old. "You've been blatantly discussing bribing the crown for the last twenty-five minutes to have the Grand Galloping Gala renamed and rescheduled to a time that would best suit the preference of your wife, no matter the impact to everypony else who might visit. Did you think of the numerous travelers, or of the Ambassadors who take time of their schedule to forge these connections? Mind you, the fee your estate has offered to cover is almost unsubstantial to the costs of the Gala itself, and would, at best, cover the cost hiring a single bellcolt. I say this with a meager level of respect that is quickly eroding, Regal. Stop. Talking." She denounces, her tone going from calm, to displeased, to heavily puncuating her words, a sting with each one uttered.

To say that silenced the room would be an understatement, a deafening quiet that has Regal left blinking and stammering. The Solar Guard are quick to follow up, ushering Regal Brush and the remaining ponies out of the halls while Celestia rises from her throne.

"See that I am not disturbed, if you would, Brazen?"

Brazen quickly nods, bowing and stepping away. The Princess almost never shut court down this early, and especially never this harshly. Whatever was happening must be serious, he wonders quietly, watching the Princess depart from the room -- the door slamming shut behind her. He wouldn't question how she came to know something was amiss, either; she was their Princess of the Sun. She was nearly otherworldly with her keen awareness.

~

As Celestia slowly walks the halls, a frown sat upon her brow, she sighs in discomfort. She wasn't putting up with that any longer, at least not today. She was normally quite tolerant of the Nobles and their antics... Perhaps a slow infection upon on her views now that they had Sundays off. Perhaps, this was just truly one of those rare days she took to herself.

After all, her tummy hurt.

Serial Tickler Arnon, Loose Cannon Twizzler Sputnik | Royal Study

"Don't you dare tickle me like that again, Arnon." Twilight hisses, jabbing a hoof at him and roughly poking his chest.

"Twilight. You almost put a hole in me. Fuck you, get tickled." Arnon retorts, slapping her hoof aside.

She blows a raspberry at him, face scrunching.
"Well, I'm sorry, but I didn't! You moved!" Twilight protests, stomping a hoof.

"Twilight..." Arnon groans, face in hands.

They were tucked away in the comfy confines of the royal study. Because of course they were; with Twilight around, where else would they go?

There was a small commotion in the garden now, some of the guard looking for a potential intruder and the source of the damage. Until that mess blew over, they planned to stay here, hidden among the books and shelves. None but the Princesses came in here, mind the odd cleaning staff, so they had the place to themselves as per usual.

A pursed-lip Twilight anxiously kneading her hooves on the study floor, staring at the wall.

Arnon eventually sighs, running a hand through his hair and slumping back to the floor, sprawled out and staring at the ceiling.

A purple snout slowly leans into view, looking down with concern-filled pools of equal purple hue half-hidden from dangling, flat blue bangs.

"You're... not mad, are you?" Twilight asks quietly.

"A little." Arnon admits.

She purses her lips, glancing away.
"...Sorry, Arnon. Do you... want to be alone?" She waits a long moment as Arnon sighs again, only further adding to her growing anxiety.
"...Can I stay here though?" She mumbles sheepishly despite it.

Of course. Fucking bookhumper.
"...Not really." He grumbles, rubbing his eyes.

"Oh. Then... you aren't mad?" She asks, hopeful.

"No, still kinda mad."

"O-Oh. You want... the study then?" She asks quieter, visibly deflating. This absolute fucking nerd.

"What? No, Twilight! I wanted you to realize you nearly killed me!" Anon shouts suddenly, flailing his hands around.
"If you put a hole in me, I die. Period. Full stop. No magic, remember? You already dropped me here from my own world, I'd rather not have a hole in my chest to go with it."

Twilight visibly deflates, head hanging. God damnit, she was too good at that sad puppy shtick. She mumbles something, but it's too quiet to hear.

It's a long, quiet moment punctuated by nothing at all.

Potential danger to his life aside, Arnon is starting to realize he's probably over-reacting, if only by a little. She doesn't even have an interest in Hoofball, yet was still willing to toss it around with him, even before he started offering little informational tidbits about his home. Twilight was even the one who went digging for one of the damn things.

Arnon groans, catching a side-eye from Twilight.

"...It was pretty cool how hard you launched that thing, though." Arnon eventually mutters.

Her ears perk, but she's still looking away, lip wobbling.

Goddamnit purple, work with me here, Arnon chides internally.
"You wouldn't have happen to have been putting some spin on it, would you?"

"...A little."

"I thought you didn't care for Hoofball?"

"My brother played it all the time, before he made Guard. We'd often play while he quizzed me on my upcoming tests... and I kind of forgot that's what we weren't doing. He'd always hype me up for how hard I was able to send it back to him." Twilight sniffles, shuffling in her spot to look at Arnon again.

Started to make a little more sense why she was upset. She'd been trying to connect with him the same way she did with her brother, and he spurned it. She was trying to show off, garner his praise while stepping out of her comfort zone for him.

Well, neither of these two were particularly graced with social grace. Only one thing for it.

Arnon holds his arm out, waiting. Can't do much with the other, but the intent is clear enough. Bring it in, purple.

Twilight raises a cautious brow, looking between him and his hands.
"...No tickling?" She asks tentatively.

"No tickling." Arnon assures her, fingers waving her forward.

Slowly, she leans down beside him on the study floor, as furless arms meet furred body in a careful hug.

"Sorry--"
"Sorry--"

Both pause, glancing at each-other before quietly giggling.

"You don't need to be sorry, Twilight. I shouldn't have gotten angry at you, you meant well and were doing something for me." Arnon admits, patting her back.

"It's alright, Arnon. I need to remember that you're not exactly stoked to see magic when it's aimed at you. It's a... bad habit of mine, apparently." Twilight relents, resting her head on his chest.

"Huh?" Arnon questions.

"Well, first I drag you here from your home... and now I'm launching Hoofballs at you, among other things." Twilight huffs.

"Like the time you tried to teleport me --" Arnon starts, though Twilight quickly catches on.

"-- and only teleported your clothes?" She finishes, giving him a look.

Both devolve into a fit of chuckles at the memory. With Arnon's alien origin and utter lack of magic, it was a topic that endlessly fascinated Twilight, even if it came with a hint of guilt each time. She was the reason he was stuck here... yet he never blamed her for it, even after she ended up yelling at him over it.

"Still a little mad?" She questions.

"...Nah, can't stay angry with you." Arnon blows a raspberry, getting a grin from the pony.
"You're a cute little magical pony, Twilight -- of course you're going to use magic if I ask you to chuck a ball with me, like you'd expect me to use my hands when you ask me to read a book."

"Cute?" Twilight repeats, ears flicking as her nose hovers near Arnon's.

"Well --" Arnon tries to recover. He doesn't get the chance.

"Ah, my Advisor and Student. So this is what you get up to when I'm not around. Might make an old mare jealous."
A white snout proclaims as it appears, leaning in to view opposite of the purple one, startling them both.

Arnon, Twilight and Princess Celestia

"Princess?!" Twilight startles, trying to twist around and look at her mentor, blushing furiously like she'd been caught in a compromising position. Well, they might as well have been, the way neither noticed Celestia open the study door and trot inside.

"Hello, Twilight. Do you intend to continue to hog my Advisor all to yourself, or might you be willing to share a spot?" Celestia asks playfully -- though there's a strained tone to her voice.

Arnon holds his arm out in a welcoming gesture, though with only one available, somepony is gonna have to settle for the leaning carefully against his sling.

Celestia promptly lowers herself against Arnon -- there's much more horse here to wrap his arm around, and unlike the tentative, slow lowering of Twilight, the Princess holds no such reserves. She fully flops against him, letting a low groan escape her as she settles in, getting her side patted.

"Hey, Tia. Thought you were in Day Court?"

"This doesn't leave this room." Celestia states suddenly, catching both Arnon and Twilight's attention.

"...Buck Day Court." Tia mutters. "At least for today." She quickly adds.

Surprised gasps escape both Purple and Furless, looking to each-other as if to affirm what each just heard. They huddle close, whispering to each-other of suspicions of a Changeling incursion, until Tia huffs at them.

"Must have been pretty bad for even you to get sick of it, Tia. You can put up with the most inane Nobles for hours." Arnon comments, offering a few reassuring side-pats. They're met with Celestia laying her head overtop Arnon's face, muffling him to the fluff of her neck.

"Normally, it is as you say. But I'm afraid today is a rare, tragic case." Tia sighs.

"What happened, Princess? Is everything alright?"

"Ah, Twilight... it is something I hope you must never suffer under my tutelage."

"W-what would that be, Princess?" Twilight stammers, concerned. What could possibly ail the Princess to such a degree?

"An upset stomach." Celestia mumbles, stifling an unappreciated burp.

"Tummy hurt?!" Arnon proclaims, truly shocked.

An ailing Celestia nods, huffing in a rather pouty manner as she receives her sympathetic pats.
"A visiting baker... tempting sweets, and eyes too large for my stomach."

"Ah. A tale most tragic, and familiar to all." Arnon nods sagely, with deep understanding. And more side-pats, of course.

Twilight's face is scrunched, trying to gauge if she's the subject of a pre-planned joke, or if this was just... normal. Though the Princesses continued noises of discomfort soon dissuade the notion.
Twilight's mind has more trouble relaxing however, rampant thoughts disturb her chance at her own return to comfort.

Did they really just... casually do this kind of thing? The massage of days prior comes to mind, reminding her that their casual interactions were a constant. And here she thought she was making progress on Arnon after their little hiccup... in trots the Princess, flopping right down on him, Arnon more than willing. It wasn't too far off from Arnon's and her own friendship... but this was The Princess.

Eventually, she settles against Arnon again, the three all laid upon the quiet study floor. It wasn't jealousy she was feeling, was it? She adored the Princess.

...Did she want such a casual relationship with the Princess, as Arnon had?

Little purple pony is left to her big pony thoughts, while Celestia enjoys the pampering. It helps.

In the warm midday, there's little reason to get the fire going... instead, the ambient and distant sounds of birds are their only company, mind the odd set of hooves that trail the halls. Staff or guards on their usual routes, likely.

Celestia's ear twitches, neck craning. Shes's listening to some of the guard as they pass the door...

Her lips purse, squinting her eyes at Arnon.
"...Why do I hear the guard discuss damage to the garden?"

Both Twilight and Arnon's eyes go wide, sharing a mutual look. They'd already sworn each other to secrecy -- no time to falter now.

"No cl --"
"We put a hole in the hedges." Twilight blurts.

"God damnit, Purple." Arnon mutters, glaring at the weak link.

Twilight grins sheepishly, looking away.

"...Did the garden shrubbery offend? I thought it was quite nice..." Celestia comments, now more curious than anything.

"We were tossing a Hoofball." Arnon admits.

"Hard enough to put a hole in the hedges?" Tia questions, giving the pair a quizzical look.

"Well, one of us was using magic. I'll let you figure out that mystery." Arnon teases to a sheepish purple.

"Hm. They were due for a reshaping, anyway. According to the nobles, rectangles are last season." Celestia huffs, rolling her eyes. "Cylindrical is 'in'. Tell you what..." Tia hums, face scrunching.

Celestia rolls over, looming over the two hedge-offenders, a coy look on the Princesses face.
"Next time..." She whispers, placing a hoof on Arnon's chest. "You should invite your Princess. It's been some time since I've gotten to partake... I still remember the first game where it found it's inception. Perhaps if you do, I might forgive this... grave floral attack on the crown's shrubbings."

Arnon's response is a coy brow-raise at the closing proximity.
"How benevolent of you, Princess. Truly, a most gracious ruler, you be."

Tia shifts the hoof over, pressing it against Twilight's chest, bringing her nose close to her prized student's snout. Twilight takes a brilliant flush on her face at the very close distance, eyes wide.
"And you, dear Twilight... try to limit the property damage, will you? I'd hate to have to privately tutor you on limiting your power... again." Celestia chuckles.

Twilight's response is to stammer like a flooded engine, completely flubbed. Seems purple pony still hadn't worked out all those feelings -- something Celestia let's herself giggle over, before her eyes glaze and she quickly stifles another 'urp' with her hoof.

"Ough." Celestia grunts, promptly flopping across Arnon again, making him wheeze with the sudden impact.
"Nonny... make me feel better. Your Princess demands it." She mumbles.

"And just -- hrnk -- how am I to do that, Princess?" Arnon mumbles, trying to shift her to a more comfortable spot -- her weird pony knee leg joint thing was jabbing his side.

"Dunno. Your job. Figure it... out." She grumbles. It'd be in a playful tone, probably, if she wasn't feeling so yucky.

"Perhaps some fresh air?" Twilight offers.

Tia grunts at the notion of getting up and moving, but Twilight presses the idea.
"You're usually cooped up inside, aren't you Princess? Getting outside, in the sun, might do you some good!" Twilight tries to urge, getting an incredulous look from Celestia.

"....Mmrphm." Celestia grunts.

"You do like the sun." Arnon adds, though the effort gets him a face full of flowing, ethereal hair that seems to wriggle faster than it usually does.

"...Perhaps the study could use a balcony." Tia mutters, horn starting to glow a weak gold. She points it towards the back wall, which hosts a few half-filled bookshelves
"That wall could probably go."

"NO!" Twilight decries, leaping atop Celestia and sprawling out on impact, in a brash attempt to save the literature.

"Twi--URP--"

Not exactly the greatest maneuver when the one casting the spell was on the verge of getting sick.

Upside, Arnon now knows Tia barfs rainbows. Whod've thunk. Downside, Arnon's shirt now leads to a pot of gold.

Royal Barfisor Arnon, Twirope Slambunkle, Princess Yucklestia | Equestrian Field

The suggestion had been the gardens. Though, even with a Princess for backing, the guard were all over the entire yard now, combing for this mystery hedge-holer. Instead, following a quick cleanup, the trio are surrounded by a firm, warm glow of gold that swirls surprisingly fiercely, before it pops like a bubble, leaving the study empty.

Around them now were wide swathes of grassy fields and hills as far the eye could see, all washed in a warm midday sun. What must be thousands of dandelions sway with the grass, as a gentle breeze tickles over the top, rustling it ever so slightly and creating the faintest illusion that this could very well be an ocean formed of green and yellow. The sky is beautiful, speckled with soft clouds that lazily drift through the endless blue expanse above them. Far, far in the distance, one can see the hint of Canterlot over the hills. They must be even further than Ponyville is, judging by how tiny it looks from here.

Alicorns. Monsters of Magic.

Hang on, why is that breeze so... breezy?

~

"Again, I'm... so, so sorry Princess." Twilight says softly, walking beside her mentor. The tall grass tickles the bottom of her barrel, though Tia strides through it with ease.

If she hadn't just yucked up on Arnon moments ago, the image of her majestically trotting the fields akin to the wild horses of his old home might invoke some symbolism of beauty, or nature.

"You need not keep apologizing, Twilight. Your dedication to the preservation of Equestrian Literature is an admirable one, even if it puts our resident human in... the splash zone." Tia snrrks. Turns out, that was just what she needed, the Princess of the Sun now feeling a fair bit better.

"You think you were having an allergic reaction to something you ate, and your super-alicorn-consitution was just having you put up with it?" Twilight theorizes, tilting her head in thought, ears wiggling.

"An allergy?" Celestia hums, intrigued. "I've never had one of those before... though I did partake in several new types of cake... I'll have to review which ones. It's an interesting thought, though the likely truth of the matter is I simply need not to feast so much to the point of indigestion."

"Hate to be the one to break up the barf-chat, as genuinely interesting as getting yarked on by a Princess is -- but where's my shirt?" Arnon cuts in, trailing behind the pair.

"I poofed it elsewhere while I poofed us here, Nonny. Why?" Celestia notes simply, pausing to turn, Twilight doing the same.

Arnon would cross his arms, but one of them being in a sling makes that a touch difficult. Instead, he settles for a brow raised at her coy expression.

Twilight wasn't exactly subtle with where her eyes roam, with that deep flush on her fave; and neither was Tia, though her ogling was much bolder.
"You didn't have to teleport it too."

"Hmm? It was dirty, Arnon." Tia answers simply.

"I had an undershirt." Arnon tsks.

"Oh? Did you? I must have missed that... What a terrible occurrence. Thankfully, the weather is so peaceable..." She muses with exaggeration, waving a hoof around and glancing around. She could at least try to hide the grin on her face.

"And pants." Arnon adds, gesturing to himself.

"Well, I hardly see the issue, do you, Twilight? After all, now you're simply dressed like we are, enjoying a gallop through the fields. If your furless self is truly in peril, I'd take no offense in offering you some of my own warmth. What about you, Twilight? Would it behoove you to aid in Arnon's plight? It appears these winds are far too chilly for a furless one such as he."

"Huh? Sure. I think you look fine though, Arnon." Twilight says simply. Tia was probably banking on a more playful response from her student, but... she's busy staring.

Tia rolls her eyes, stifling a giggle at her students... simple approach to the subject of flirting.

"You've seen me in less before, Twilight." Arnon huffs. Mostly accidentally. Sometimes not so. She is a pretty nosy pony.

"Well, not often." Twilight retorts surprisingly quickly. "I'm... reviewing your physique for my Human case study." She offers as an excuse, though the smile she makes after shows even she knows that's an adorably weak excuse.

"Well, Nonny? Cold?" Tia asks, matching his gaze and taking a step forward, practically purring.
"We could go back, if you need to..." She offers after a long pause, though she gives the second offer a much poutier lip.

Probably her way of getting back for having her ass-up in front of Twilight for that massage. Twilight seems a fair bit more comfortable in the scenario, idling up beside her mentor as she watches Arnon.

"B-r-r. If only there was a big, walking carpet --" Arnon rolls his eyes, sounding out the 'Brr'.

He doesn't even get a chance to finish playing along, before Celestia slides in beside him, her incredibly soft fur pressing against him, offering the warmth of her body. A few minutes of this, and Arnon might be sweating with how hot this all-natural powerhouse runs.
"Say no more, my poor, ailing subject. I, your Princess, shall ensure you may enjoy Equestria's beauty without issue." She says gallantly, like a noble protector.

"Not a difficult task, with how close she tends to keep." Arnon huffs, leaning into the Princess. Her wing slowly drapes over his back, a low purr escaping her to match the flirting... she slowly leans closer to his face, their noses nearly touching. Was she about to kiss him?

Her eyes widen, and she pulls her head away, covering her mouth with a hoof and stifling another intrusive 'urp'.

"Am I still in the splash zone?" Arnon snorts, trying to contain a laugh.

"Mm... tentative no." Celestia decides, sighing.

"...I'd be willing to take the risk." Arnon whispers.

"That's disgusting, Nonny. Good to know, but gross. Perhaps we'll keep it to just warming you up." She rolls her eyes, though a grin forms nonetheless.

A shorter, less ungodly-soft purple mass of fur nestles in to his other side tentatively, trying to match the energy. She's not as warm as the Princess... but there's something akin to a childhood friendship in her touch, a determined but nervous stare floating up from her towards him. Comforting in a familiar way, and a presence that he's grown accustomed to over his time staying with her, before moving to the castle; though she's... hesitant.

Arnon remembers their talk in the study, her willingness despite her inexperience. It'd be cruel not to meet her attempts in kind.

"There she is." Arnon hums, looking down to Twilight

The encouragement seems to spur her confidence as a little smile creeps onto her face, if even a little, and she leans against him harder in turn. Even Tia, leaning to peek around Arnon, hums softly when she sees her student join in.

Big white on one side, little purple on the other, in a sea of yellow speckling green.

...Yeah, the cold wasn't an issue anymore.

Still could've left him with his pants, though.

Author's Note

alicorn wit no ali