In The Comfort of Her Majesty

Thunder awoke in a haze, his body still aching and disheveled from the previous evening's escapades. The morning sun was just rising over the eastern mountains, the room illuminated with its warm glow. He looked around to see Celestia's side of the bed empty and the sheets damp with sweat from their activities. His eyes widened as the gravity of it all finally sank in.

'Wow. That...that happened. OK. How...how am I supposed to feel? I mean...is this my whole life now? Just hang out, give advice, do favors, make love. I...' Feeling the weight bear down on his shoulders, Thunder put his hooves over his face and sighed. 'I...I need to get away. Away from...from this...for just a while anyway.'

A few moments later, the solar diarch trotted out of the bathroom, her coat matted down and a towel carefully wrapped around her mane.

"Ah. Good morning Thunder. I hope I didn't wake you up." she said with a warm smile.

Thunder quickly put his hooves to his side and tried to put on a happy face. "Oh, you didn't. I've only just stirred to be honest. Sorry I missed the sunrise this time."

"It's quite alright. I wanted to let you sleep in today. You seemed really tired after...our night together." she replied in a soothing tone, hoping to calm his apparent disquiet.

"Believe me, I was." Thunder continued to stretch his body and wings as the sun climbed higher in the sky. "Wow...what a night that was, right? That was...wow!" he said with a smile he hoped didn't looked forced.

The sun princess closed the balcony door and gazed at the pegasus with concern. "Thunder. I don't mean to make you do anything that you find issue with. If you have any concerns about the situation, please let me know. You do a lot to keep us happy and your well being is important to us."

"Oh." Thunder nervously clapped his hooves and stared down at the ground. "Well...maybe we can...not be...physical...for a while?" said Thunder with a slight cough.

"Of course. I understand completely."

"Thank you, your highness." he replied with a sigh of relief. "I... I think I will get used to those, er... duties, before too long,but... this is all so overwhelming," he finished with a sheepish grin.

Celestia smiled softly at him and nodded. "Take your time," she said in a gentle voice, "and all will be well. I am sure."

"I know...I know." He then hopped out of the bed and trotted in front of her. "Celestia. I hope this is not asking for too much, but would it be alright if I left the castle and walked around town for a while? I just need to clear my head for a bit."

"I don't see why not. I'll let Luna know where you are. Just remember your alias and make sure you're back before lunch time. However, if we need you, we will send somepony to come get you. Understand?"

"Yes, your highness."

"Good." She then opened her nightstand drawer with her magic and levitated a modestly sized pouch with a length of circular string looped through the top over to Thunder. "Here. Take this with you. A little spending money in case you need food or anything."

Curious, Thunder opened the pouch and was taken aback at the amount of gold inside. He peered further inside and did a quick count. "Celestia! This...this is like...three hundred bits!"

"Well, you have been the consort for almost a week now. Consider it...a reward, and an expression of gratitude for taking on your new responsibilities so readily. Enjoy your day. Get something nice."

"Wow. T...Thank you, Celestia."

"You're very welcome. Now, if you don't mind, I need to prepare for the day court."

"Oh, of course. Have a good day." He hung the pouch on his neck, making sure it was secure. Giving his mane a quick pat down, he trotted out of the white alicorn's chambers, hoping not to get stopped by anypony curious about his appearance. He headed downstairs and quickly went into his room, setting the pouch down on his coffee table. He then trotted into his bathroom and turned the hot water on to almost full blast. He cautiously stepped inside and let the warm cascade hit every part of his ravaged body. He spent a great deal of time just standing in the soothing steam and enjoying the peace and quiet of the moment.

After a small eternity of relaxing in the flowing water, he dolloped a small amount of soap on his hoof and began to lather his coat, making sure that his sheath was especially clean today. His work complete, he stepped back out and quickly groomed himself in the mirror.

'There. I look decent enough now. ...considering.' he thought with relief as he checked his reflection. He trotted back out and hung the bit pouch over his neck. He then trotted out onto the balcony, gave his wings a quick stretch, and took off into the sky. He quickly flew over the castle walls. the guards patrolling the walls waving him past. After a few minutes of flight, he saw a clear space below and touched down onto the cool cobble avenue. The few ponies that were up so early went about their business unconcerned with his arrival, which helped to soothe his still frayed nerves. Thunder began to trot down the road, taking his time and enjoying the scenery of the city. The morning sun cast a golden glow onto the buildings around him, making them shine with an almost ethereal glow.

After turning a few more corners, he came across to a familiar sight, his old apartment building. He looked over the humble abodes as a sense of nostalgia came over him. 'Less than a week. It's been less than a week since this whole thing started. Why does it feel like a lifetime ago?' he thought. He shook it off and continued down the winding streets towards another landmark: The Canterlot Royal Park.

He trotted towards the entrance when a sudden realization hit him; he had never been to the park as a guest. His experiences had been limited to a view from above as he herded clouds at the whim of other ponies. Shaking his head at the thought, he quickly trotted in and took in the carefully manicured greenery around him: the trimmed hedges, the lush trees, and the bushels and bushels of flowers in all the colors of the rainbow. As he trotted further in, he noticed a group of weather ponies overhead making sure that the guests and nobles were comfortable and cool. He squinted his eyes and made out a familiar sight: a whitish blue pegasus making a suggestive gesture to a oblivious noble.

"Sky!" Thunder called out.

The pegasus turned around and looked down to see Thunder waiving. He let out a hearty laugh as he flew down to meet his friend. "Well, if it isn't the big old weather adviser come out to see how it's done!" He wrapped his forelegs around his former brother in arms, securing him in a firm bro hug. "How you been?"

'Well, I just lost my virginity to the sun princess last night. But other than that, things are peachy!' he screeched in his mind. "Good. Doing...doing good. How about you?"

"Livin' and thrivin' my friend. Livin' and thrivin'. How's the new job been working out? Anything big weather system coming I should know?"

"Oh, you know. Settling in, stress, performance evaluations, the usual."

"I hear that. So, what brings you out here? You're not giving us an inspection or anything are you?"

"No no. I...I got the morning off from the princesses. Came out here to get out of the castle for a while."

"Ain't quite used to the high life yet, huh?" said Sky with a familiar smirk. "Tell you what. Go pick a spot out, I'll get a cloud over you to keep you cool."

"Sky...you don't have to do that because I'm the weather adviser."

"Hey!" exclaimed Sky while putting his hoof on Thunder's shoulder. " I'm doing it because you're my friend and I wanna do something nice."

"...Thanks Sky. Appreciate it." Thunder said with a smile.

"Anytime, dude. Anytime. Now sit your flank down and get relaxing." Taking Sky's sage advise, Thunder laid down on the cool grass and breathed in the sweet clean air. A few seconds later, Sky came flying in above with a small cloud, carefully maneuvering it to shield the stallion below from the bright morning sun. "How's that?"

"That's good. Thanks again."

"Awesome. Say, you planning on staying around long?"

"...Yeah. I gotta be back before lunch though. Why?"

"My break starts in about an hour. Wanna hit something up with me? Hang out for a while?"

"Sure."

"Sweet! See you then!" Sky quickly flew off further into the park. Thunder rested in the cool of the morning and let the tension ease from his mind.

"Court is in recess! One hour!" called the clerk. The delegates and nobles muttered in hushed tones as Celestia rose from her throne and trotted out of the court. She made her way down to the dining room to find Luna finishing of the last remnants of her breakfast. She gave her sister a warm smile, then quickly sat at the table and ordered a small cup of orange juice from a nearby maid.

"Morning Tia. Only a cup of orange juice? Are you not hungry?" said Luna in between mouthfuls of pancake.

"Oh, I already ate breakfast this morning. I just needed something to wet my throat." the elder sister replied.

"Ah... So, how...mmmmmmm...how goes the court?"

"Oh, just some general issues so far. The representative of Cloudsdale submitted his city's budget proposal today. He's trying to sneak in a provision asking for three thousand bits to redecorate his office, claiming it's a 'general maintenance' issue. I'll have to call him out on it when I get back."

"Serves him right! The nerve of some ponies." Luna put her utensils down and looked at her elder sister with a devilish grin. "So...how was your evening?"

Celestia quickly cleared her throat and took a quiet sip of her juice. "Well...Thunder and I got together and...had a pleasant time."

"I see. ...So, how was he?"

Celestia almost sprayed the juice onto her sister as her face turned bright red. "Luna! That's a bit personal for the breakfast table, isn't it?!"

"Oh, you can't blame me for being curious, Tia!"

Celestia rolled her eyes and sat her cup carefully down on the table. "Suffice it to say, he was a little nervous. I don't entirely blame him though; it was his first time and all. In the end, he did find his courage and...performed well."

Luna continued to smirk while picking up another portion of pancake. "Hm...Perhaps I should have a 'session' with him myself." she said with a speculative look. "Help him increase his skill."

Celestia shook her head gently, remembering her most recent conversation with the consort. "I don't think that would be wise, at least not now. He's asked that we not be...physical with him for the time being. Besides, he's only just become comfortable with his place here. We should take care not to push him too quickly; we have already disrupted his life a great deal."

"Oh you worry too much Tia. I'm sure he's not that shy. I will say this, when he does wish to be physical again, he will find a friend in me! I will teach him to be Equestria's greatest lover! No mare would be immune to his charm!" Luna said with a chuckle as she picked up her cup and took a small sip of milk, a confident smile on her face. "I mean, what is he likely to say?"

"No."

"Come on, Thunder! Help a stallion out!"

The two had retired to a small outdoor cafe a block away from the park. They sat opposite each other with Thunder groaning in sheer frustration. "Sky, I CANNOT use my authority as the weather adviser to lift your suspension. It doesn't work like that."

"Please, dude! You gotta do something! I'm desperate! Titan's got me working park duty almost every shift now! If I have to do it one more time, I'm gonna lose my freaking mind!"

Thunder finally sighed and held his hooves up in defeat. "Fine. I'll see what I can do. But I make no promises."

"Thanks, dude. You're the best, for real." replied Sky, giving him a friendly whack on the shoulder.

"Hey, what are friends for?"

Soon after, a waiter came over and delivered the pair's order: a cup of tea for Thunder and a large mug of coffee for Sky. "That will be ten bits even sirs." he said to them.

Thunder quickly opened his pouch, pulled out twenty of the gold coins, and sat them on the table. The waiter quickly grabbed them up and went about his way.

"Hey! Look out! We got a big spender over here!" said Sky.

"Cut it out. I just gave him a tip for doing his job."

"Yeah, but a hundred percent on the top? Wish I had bits to burn like that."

"Whatever." Thunder looked down at his warped reflection in his tea, his mind still dwelling on yesterday's events. Having nothing to lose, he turned his attention back to his friend. "Hey Sky. Can I ask your opinion on something?"

"Sure Thunder. You know you can talk to me about anything."

"Well...let's just say, hypothetically, that you were asked to...be intimate with a mare...frequently. Would you be able to do it?"

"...Dude, you're not getting into anything strange are you?" Sky asked with a look of genuine concern in his eyes.

"No, Sky..." he replied with a little sigh.

"Because if you are, you know I'd help you out anyway I could..."

"NO! I'm just saying...!" Thunder shouted, flailing his forelegs in the air. Noticing his outburst a little too late, he settled back in his chair and cleared his throat. "I...I just want to know what you would do is all."

Sky's bravado quickly took hold as he puffed out his chest. "Oh please, you know me! I would grab that mare, pin her on the bed, and show her what time it is!"

"...You're very tactful, you know that?"

"Hey, can't help it if the ladies love what they see. Look at this package: Jet black mane, toned body that can go all night, silver cloud cutie mark, blue eyes that make them swoon. Dude, I'm surprise I haven't got a mare by me right now!"

Thunder let out another groan and shook his head. "Sky! I'm being serious! ...You know what, forget it."

Sky's face fell as the humor left his voice. "Hey hey. I'm sorry bro. I didn't mean to... Look, for real now. You wanna get on a mare's good side, you gotta know how to work her just right."

"You don't think I can please a mare?"

"It's not that simple! Look, dude, there's 'pleasing' and then there's 'rocking her freaking world'! You want her coming back for more? You gotta get to know her just right. Find her sweet spots, make her drool, make her feel like you're the ONLY stallion in the world that could get her off! Trust me, I've had some experience." he added, waggling his eyebrows.

"Ugh! Dude! I do NOT want that image in my head first thing this morning!"

Sky ignored Thunder’s furrowed brow as he let out a fit of uproarious laughter. They bantered for a few more minutes before he sat his mug down and gave his wings a quick flap. "Well, I better get back to it. Faust forbid these nobles stand out in the sun for five minutes. Good to see you again, Thunder."

"Same to you Sky. I'll see you around."

"Right on. Fly safe!" Sky quickly took to the air and headed back towards the park, leaving Thunder to finish his tea in silence. He looked over at the clock hanging in the window and took notice of the time: 10:55 A.M.

'Huh. I still got a little time left.' He finished off his tea and trotted down the street. He walked down a few more blocks until he came across a modest looking book store. He trotted inside and started to look down the aisles and aisles of books, hoping to find the latest Daring Do. Passing by the usual fare of autobiographies, activity books for foals, and sports magazines (Free Wonderbolts Poster Inside!) he finally reached the adventure / fantasy section. Sure enough, a cardboard standee of the plucky heroine was pointing towards brand new copies of ‘Daring Do and the Seaponies of Aquarius’. He picked up one for himself and trotted towards the cashier with a small spring in his step. Once at the front of the store, he paid for his new book, trotted outside, and took off into the sky. He flew back over the city until he finally reached his bedroom balcony.

He went inside and sat his new book on his bed. He laid down and stared at the ceiling as Sky's words continued to echo in his mind. 'Rock her world. How can I possible rock the princess' world? How do I even start? UGH! This is so frustrating!' he though as a tension headache began to form. Not wanting to make himself sick, he began to rub his temples and breath deeply.

'Calm down Thunder. Calm down. This is something new. OK. I learned how to make her a little aroused last night. So, how do I go further? Maybe... explore her a little bit more? Touch her here and there? There's gotta be some way...' After a moment he shook his head briefly, then sighed.

'Well, I'm not figuring this out now. Might as well unwind a little.' Feeling the tension ease a bit, he picked up his new book and opened to the first chapter. He began to read how the famous archaeology professor Daring Do was tasked by the princesses herself to find the sacred magical amulet of the lost city of Aquarius....