Fallen Eagle

Chapter 43: Tea for a Friend

All right guys, welcome back to another chapter. So, I can tell you it was a little weird this weekend and last that I woke up on Saturday and Sunday and there was no new episode or a race on. The weekends feel just a little more empty now. However, the silver lining to that is I have more time to work on my fanfics. And this particular chapter was giving me some fits. I know it's much shorter than normal, but I have several reasons for that. 1) The love scene I know most of you have been waiting for was going to be included in this chapter, but as I discussed this chapter with my friend, Sassymouse, we decided that the love scene would more than likely overshadow this talk Ivan has with Rarity about what happened in the pond. I really want this to be akin to the talk Ivan had with Celestia on his birthday or the talk he had with Luna in the confession chapter.

2) I have less than a week before the semester of school ends and I'm heading to Las Vegas the day the semester ends for my 21st birthday. With that said, I don't know what 'time wasters' could pop up and delay the chapter further, so I felt publishing a heart to heart talk between Ivan and Rarity would be good enough, especially since we learn a few things.

3) Adding on to my vacation, I would hate to rush the love scene with what little time I have; this also gives me more time to really think about how I want it to go down.

4) I still have that Applebloom and Checkered Flag one shot to finish, and believe me I've wanted to publish for so long now, but I hated making you guys wait for new chapters on this story.

Also, I will begin writing my very first MLP Christmas Story very soon. All of the reasons that Ivan stated why he loved Christmas are the reasons why I love Christmas. I wanted to write a Christmas story last year, but one never came up. However, this time I have a plot and I can't wait to start writing it. All I can say is it takes place with all the characters as humans, but not in the EQG universe, and yes, Ivan is the main character. If anyone can check that out when it is posted (I do not have a title for it as of yet) I would much appreciate it.

I know some might be afraid that I won't update Fallen Eagle for a short time because of my vacation, but that doesn't mean I won't use free time to write. I vow to get some time in to work on the love scene while in Vegas. Will I update the story on vacation, more than likely no. But even though it is early, and I'll say this in my Christmas story, I hope everyone of you has a safe and merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, and happy Kwanza.

OBSERVER01: Yeah, it did get pretty heated. Though that lasso scene had to be rewritten several times before I got it just right.

SkullCrusher550: Thank you. I'm glad you still find CouJack interesting.

Dixie Darlin: Well I'm glad no one called bullshit on it lol :) I've never dealt with sweet talk before, so I kind of surprised myself with how much everyone loved it. I'm still doing the REVERSE of Bella and Edward, and Anakin and Padme. And the Valentine's Day ritual, ugh.

Jarius Black: Thank you; and no, I have written romance before, I just think I'm doing it much better than before. And the thing with the two farmhands will be mentioned again soon, good memory!

Aethnear: Oh I know you're dreading the days of the final chapters as I do. However, this won't be the only story with CouJack in it, I guarantee it.

SquirtlePWN: Anything can go now; this is a mature slice of life story. I'm not afraid to take risks in my writing. However, I'm most worried about the potential negative backlash for a human and pony relationship going that far. But thank you for the kind words about the chapter anyway.

adhdluke: Who knows?

Sassymouse: Wait, it's your birthday?! *Checks calendar* Oh haha, very funny! I wasn't born yesterday ya know! At least everyone else is chill with the wait. God knows it kills me whenever things get in the way of updating for you guys. Uhhhhhhhh, I don't think 'WHEEEEEEE' is the right word for it, Rarity... Oh and BTW, Twilight: Spike, I'm so proud of the young dragon you've become, mommy will always love you.

delta111: Thanks

Chaosstripe: What the hell is number 11? Are you a Denny Hamlin fan? I kid, but thanks for enjoying.

Srey: WAIT! SCORPIONS AND EUROPE?! Dude! Lucky as hell. How did it feel to be rocked like a hurricane during the final countdown? And thank you for pointing out the mistakes; I'm glad to have readers who do point those out for me. I scratched my head at first when you guessed Derpy, but then I thought her always positive attitude, especially about muffins, would probably lighten up the mood for anyone. As for the temper, well you'll have to wait and see.

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(Outside Carousel Boutique; Ivan's POV)

The walk from Sweet Apple Acres all the way through town seemed like a distant dream to me. As much as I knew with whom I wanted to speak, my brain was clogged up with so many thoughts, questions, and uncertainty that I could not remember walking that far at all, no matter how hard I tried. Scotty could have beamed me from the Apple family farm into town and I probably would not have noticed a difference. But with my travel seemingly undocumented in my memory banks, I had subconsciously reached my destination without bumping into anything or anyone along the way. However, I found myself unable to gather up the courage to knock on Rarity's door.

The dimly lit streetlights were only barely able to illuminate the door in front of me. Luna's moon was behind the large building, thus creating another silhouette on the night. I had no clue how long I stood there, just staring at the door and fighting myself to knock. I wanted more than anything to ask the seamstress for help on the matter, but would I be waking her up in the process? The mare loathed having her beauty sleep interrupted unless it was a dire emergency. Yet I was in a bit of a crisis right now with my girlfriend and wanted to smooth things out with her sooner rather than later. Feeling like a peeping tom, I cupped my eyes with my hands and peered in through the window on the purple door, praying to see any signs of an awake Rarity.

After scanning my eyes around, I could only see but a few inches of flooring bathed in the faint glow of the streetlamp behind me. There was not even a dim hallway or entryway light on in case Rarity or Sweetie Belle wanted a midnight snack or 'powder her nose.' I sighed, pulling my hands and face away from the window and took a step back from the building. Breaking in was not going to happen, but I wasn't ready to give up just yet; I couldn't face Applejack without the support or wise words of a friend. I hated to disturb the unicorn like this, but I was backed into a corner with only one option.

Knock, knock, knock, knock.

My knuckles rapped onto the purple door several times, hoping that Rarity or perhaps her adorable little sister would hear the commotion and answer the door. Lowering my hand back to my side, I waited patiently for a brief moment, keeping my eyes on the window before me. "Please, Rarity," I mumbled, craning my neck up to watch the windows on the second story in case any lights upstairs flickered on.

"Yes, what is it?!"

"GAH!" I yelled as Rarity's door creaked open. Her head was peeking out of the partially opened doorway with a stern look on her face. My mind had been so wrapped up and distracted that I had not noticed the lights downstairs turn on. Nor did I hear the door creak open or the jingling of the silver bell above her door. Grabbing onto the streetlight next to me, I braced myself while my pulse dropped back down below mach one.

"Do you require help with anything, Cougar?" Rarity's tone did not match her stern look. The unicorn's mane looked a tad frazzled, a far cry from her perfectly sculptured violet style. Her red pair of sewing glasses adorned her face, and a yellow tape measure hung loosely around her neck like a necklace. She sounded more exhausted than annoyed. "I didn't frighten you, did I?" A soft giggle escaped her lips.

"S-sorry," I clenched the streetlight tighter, slowly regaining my composure. Rarity watched on as I breathed in and out through my nose. "I'm just a little on edge right now." Raising an eyebrow, the mare peered over her red spectacles, studying me with her deep blue eyes.

"You? On edge, Cougar?" She questioned incredulously. I realized that it had been quite some time since Rarity has seen me without my serious or normal demeanor. It was comprehensible if she had a hard time believing that I was nervous or worried. "Apologies," she yawned, "but I'm not really in the mood for jokes at the-" the seamstress was about to understandably shoo me away when she noticed my head droop low. "Are you all right, darling?" she questioned, more alert and worried now.

"Kind of," I conceded with a sigh, releasing my death grip on the pole. Rarity's blue magic gently shoved the glasses up against her face as she raised her head back up, willing to listen. "I just need some help with...us," I cut right to the chase with the pronoun game, hoping that Rarity would pick up on what I meant. Her blue eyes shot open as her jaw dropped; a soft gasp escaped her mouth.

"Inside, now!" She ordered, throwing her purple door open. I felt her magical aura engulfing my hand before she yanked me inside to the fitting area of her home. The room was still scarcely lit save for a dull yellow light in the stairway leading to the bedrooms and Rarity's inspiration room. As she drug me through the fitting area, I half expected her to escort me upstairs to her large sewing room to be where she was most comfortable. That idea was shot down when she bypassed the stairway, flicked on a few more lights, and pulled me into her kitchen. The blue light glowing off my hand dissipated, only to reappear around one of the chairs surrounding the table. "Have a seat, please," Rarity politely requested as her magic pulled the chair out for me.

"...Okay" I obliged, gently sitting down as the unicorn took the seat across from me. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything," I pointed out her red glasses and yellow tape measure that still adorned her body. Without any hesitation whatsoever, Rarity chucked them onto the counter near the refrigerator, holding her front hooves together.

"Well, I was just putting some last minute touches on a dress for Misty Fly's mother's birthday," the mare explained, her eyes never looking away from me or blinking. Being polite, I took off my hat and set it down on the table, folding my hands together. "But you have more pressing matters at hoof," the mare dismissed her current task. "Tell me, Cougar," the seamstress placed her hooves on the tabletop, "are you and Applejack having problems?" she questioned. My body language and tone of voice had made it quite clear that there was in fact a problem, but I assumed that Rarity would want a little more information before drilling deep into the subject.

"We may have a problem," I roughly swallowed. With what had transpired, a problem could have been any number of things ranging from me trying to take advantage of her to me just moving our relationship too quickly. "I have a bad feeling that I might have just killed our relationship," I flat out admitted. Rarity's right hoof quickly covered up her mouth, muffling the loud gasp that was undoubtably forming.

"Did you two get into a spat?" She quickly asked, leaning forward over the table.

"No," I shook my head, keeping my eyes lowered onto the table. "It's not that simple, unfortunately," I slowly rose my eyes to meet hers.

"Your spark hasn't disappeared, has it?" Rarity was actually sounding about as worried as me. AJ and I had her full support since we announced that we had gotten together. The threat of us breaking apart probably would crush her as well.

"Good God no," I chuckled uncomfortably, replaying what had happened in the pond. The knuckles in my left hand popped as I clenched it while I ran my right hand through my hair. Rarity raised her eyebrow again, her brain scanning any other possibilities for why I feared my relationship with AJ was in jeopardy.

"You didn't-" I cut her off, immediately knowing what she was guessing.

"NO! I'd never cheat on her," I held up a hand, quickly dismissing that ridiculous idea. "It's just, embarrassing," I admitted. "And it makes me feel like scum."

"Darling, enough tiphoofing around this. If you and Applejack are having a problem, then you must tell me so that I can assist you," Rarity said sternly. I couldn't blame her for having a little bit of short fuse considering the late hour and that I kind of pulled her away from a project. "Now, what exactly happened that would make you think your relationship is over?" Rarity reached across the table and placed her white hoof on top of my hand. "I'm not here to judge," she added. There was no turning back now; Rarity was my only option for help, and I wasn't about to waste it or her time. So I told her about our plans for the day and how we executed them. All the while having the time of our lives and feeling our love grow.

I found myself smiling like an idiot when I was telling her about our picnic and how Applejack spent time to help me try out a lasso. I had to pause a few times when Rarity would gush over a tiny detail about us playfully teasing each other or how I even lassoed AJ and pulled her in. Those really did make me think twice, but when it came time to tell Rarity where it all went sour, the bad memory made it difficult for me to form the words out of remorse. It was like trying to re-live cutting out a deep splinter from my thumb. "Oh my," Rarity blushed when I told her about AJ and I swimming together and kissing fiercely. Considering my clothes weren't wet, she must have pieced together that I had to have been in my boxers or maybe… "Did Applejack coerce you into, ahem," Rarity's cheeks turned redder.

"No; I was wearing my boxers," I cleared my throat. The mare cleared her throat as well, pushing herself away from the table. "Wait a minute," I realized, "Sweetie Belle can't hear us, can she?" I questioned fearfully, not wanting an innocent filly to hear any of this. The unicorn didn't answer me right away. I studied her as she hummed a soft melody whilst digging around a few cupboards with her magic, producing a tea kettle and a pair of mugs.

"My darling sister is at mother and father's tonight," Rarity finally responded when she turned on the heat to her stove. "Our discussion should remain private barring any unforeseen visitors," she smiled, sitting back down at the table. "The tea should be ready in just a moment or two," she added. That made me feel little better knowing that I wouldn't mistakenly scar innocent little Sweetie Belle.

"I would appreciate it if we kept this just between us Rarity," I requested, knowing that Rarity loved discussing other ponies' lives as topics for conversations. Thankfully, she just loved up-to-date information and wasn't using the information for malicious purposes, but I still wanted to keep something like this under wraps.

"Absolutely, Cougar," Rarity nodded. "I understand the certain stresses that come with relationships; no other set of ears shall be graced with our conversation," she promised. "Oh, except maybe Opal," a sly smile creeped across her face.

"The cat?" I looked over at her cat's food and water dishes next to the fridge.

"Just in case I feel the need to get it out of my system," Rarity explained. "And so I can technically keep my promise," she added with an innocent bat of her eyelashes.

"Fine, I guess," I rolled my eyes. Rarity smiled with glee, making me shake my head. "Is there any particular reason you're making tea, Rarity?" It wasn't like I hated tea, I just didn't know why Rarity would go to the trouble considering how late it was.

"Oh, it's just an old recipe mother gave me when I was around Sweetie Belle's age. Mother told me it helped to quell one's nerves and prevent hysterical outbursts," she explained, finishing off with a giggle. "Of course, I didn't think it worked on me. Can you imagine, hysterical outbursts coming from moi?" she fluffed her mane about, as if bragging.

"Nope, can't imagine anything like that from you," I replied sarcastically, leaning forward with my arms on the table. "But thank you for the tea."

"Think nothing of it. You are a friend in need after all," the mare replied.

"Anyway," I shook my head again, though this time was to get my train of thought back on the correct track, "sorry for changing the subject."

"It's perfectly fine," Rarity assured me. "Like I said previously, I understand how stressful this can be. Which is another reason I made us some tea, to make this as relaxing as possible. Don't feel like you must tell me everything up front."

"Let's see," I put the back of my index finger in between my top and bottom jaw, chewing it softly. Where we had left off just barely slipped my mind.

"Ahem, you were swimming in the pond with Applejack," Rarity reminded me. I couldn't tell if there was a draft in the room or if it was just me, but right after Rarity said that, I felt the temperature drop.

"R-right," I choked, "the pond." Rarity either didn't notice or care that I put my elbows on the table, but I had to in order to help keep from slumping over. "Well, as I think I already told you, I had assumed we were going back inside to go to sleep; maybe even snuggle a bit after Bloom announced everyone was going to sleep," I swallowed.

"Well, that sounds like a reasonable thought," the sophisticated unicorn again tried to soothe me and keep the atmosphere in a comfortable tone. Despite her best efforts, I was still feeling uncomfortable about everything.

"And then out of left field, she took off her hat and took out the hair tie in her mane before diving into the water," I continued. "I didn't know what to think of it at first. Having a girl invite me to go swimming just like that had never happened to me before, so I couldn't move or think clearly," I explained, expelling a breath. "You could say I was just a little nervous."

"Hmm, I'd say you were more stunned," Rarity corrected.

"The word really doesn't matter. All I can tell you is that I couldn't say no to Applejack, not after everything she's done for me." I ripped my gaze from Rarity, looking down at the tabletop with my hands cradling the sides of my head. No matter her efforts, I just couldn't help but feel horrible about what happened. "I just couldn't say no," I repeated in a much lower volume, "I didn't think it would turn out the way it did. We were just swimming around and splashing each other, but then my eyes locked with hers. I thought a simple hug would be enough to show her I cared for her."

"Everything seems normal to me so far. Hugging your special somepony shouldn't throw out any red flags," Rarity added her opinion on the matter. "What happened after that, darling?" Without moving my head, I shifted my gaze back up to the genuinely concerned pony across the table.

"She looked so beautiful, and I told her," my voice dropped a little lower in volume, yet Rarity didn't ask me to speak up. "She felt touched by it, so w-we kissed in the pond under L-Luna's moonlight," my voice started to crack. "I can't re-remember who started it, but we started to get really into the kiss," my breathing started to become choppy and rapid.

"Cougar," Rarity tried to get my attention.

"At first, I had my hands on her shoulders; she had her hooves on mine. But as we started using our, tongues," I paused to gulp, "my primal lust for dominance started to take over. And I started to touch her in a place I never should without her approval. She moved her hooves down to my waist, but that was probably because she was feeling awkward about it." I sensed the temperature starting to rise; my palms were becoming clammy, and I felt warm in my torso.

"Cougar," I heard the mare repeat my name, tapping her hooves on the table top.

"I-I just can't believe how far I took it. I squeezed her flank like she was a…..toy," I spat.

"Getting caught up in the heat of-"

"All Applejack ever did was show me love and compassion and treat me like a person; she became an object to me," my hands gripped the sides of the table as I felt an urge to throw up. "She even told me about the two farmhands who tried to take advantage of her. AJ put all her trust in me, and I repaid her by acting no better than those sons of bitches."

"Cougar!" Rarity's voice shouted.

"I'm disgusting…." My voice was drowned out by the high-pitched whistling of the tea kettle on the stove, yet I didn't hear Rarity's chair scoot back. Before I could even look up, there was a burning stinging sensation on the back of my head the had no trouble grasping my attention.

THWACK

"What the hell was that for?!" I demanded as I rubbed the back of my head. Surrounded by the blue magic from the seamstress was a rolled up fashion magazine that had been used as a weapon against me. I sat still, shocked as the mare stared at me with empty eyes before dropping the magazine on the table. Her magic then switched off the stove, silencing the tea kettle. "Rarity?" The mare never answered me. She silently poured the drink into two coffee mugs and brought them over to the table.

"Drink up," she requested softly, sipping her own mug politely. Knowing that I couldn't refuse, I took a small whiff of the tea before taking a small drink myself. The flavor was actually quite good; it wasn't the greatest thing I've ever tasted, but it was nowhere near the worst.

"Hmm," I smacked my lips with a weak smile. The mare set her mug back on the table and lightly dabbed her lips with a napkin.

"How do you like my mother's recipe?" She asked. Instead of giving an audible reply, I shrugged and raised the mug before setting it on a coaster. "Are you feeling any better, sweetie?" Sweetie? I hadn't expected her to call me anything except my call sign or darling. But then again, this was Rarity; she called Spike 'Spikey-Wikey' after all. Considering she was the oldest of the six mares in the group, thus older than me, she could be recognized as the group's big sister.

"A-a little," I responded, grazing the tips of my fingers around the edge of the mug. Rarity gave me a look of uncertainty, not really believing my answer. "Rarity, your tea is great, but I don't think it's going to magically fix everything." Scooting back in her chair again, the pony stood on all four legs and gradually walked over to my side of the table. "What?" I questioned before she raised her forelegs and wrapped them around my shoulders, cozying the side of her head to my cheek.

"I apologize, darling, but you must clear your mind," her voice sounded like silk when she talked directly into my ear. The mare cooed as she squeezed my shoulders a little tighter before releasing her hug and dropping back down onto all four hooves. I was feeling less stressed and more caught off guard from receiving my first hug from Rarity.

"C-clear my head how?" I stammered, licking my lips of residual tea. Rarity stayed silent until she retook her seat, folding one hoof over the other. "You didn't put anything in this that doesn't belong there, right?" I questioned when I reached back to the mug for another drink. The mare rolled her eyes with an exhausted sigh, letting me know how stupid my question was.

"May I ask you something?" Rarity asked after her drawn out sigh. Without giving me time to even nod or acknowledge my permission, she asked anyway. "Is there any particular reason why you chose me out of your other choices of friends to seek out help? Even with Princess Cadence just a letter away?"

"I thought that would be too obvious, Rarity," I replied, just holding the coffee mug. Under normal circumstances, I would have said that more lightheartedly, but that reply was said with 100% honesty.

"You'll just have to forgive my curiosity, but I would imagine Cadence would have been your first choice for a problem such as this?" Rarity guessed almost poetically. The sophisticated mare blinked several times, patiently awaiting my answer. I took another quick sip of tea uncomfortably.

"Well, yeah Cadence was my first choice," I looked down from my reflection in the tea before shifting my eyes back up at the unicorn. "She was the one who got me to stop lying to myself about my feelings for Applejack at the Gala. And dealing with love is her entire job description!" I exclaimed.

"So then, why didn't you go to her right away, darling?" Rarity questioned again.

"Because," I cocked an eyebrow, "she lives hours away by train, so that's out. The only way I could contact her was through a magical letter," I continued, "and that meant I had to go to either Celestia, Luna or Spike and Twilight."

"And why didn't you go to at least Spikey or Twilight?" Rarity pressed on further. "They're much closer than the royal sisters and I'm positive they would have no trouble sending letters to Cadence for you," she theorized. Great, now I would have to explain why I singled Rarity out of my numerous other options. If she wanted me to clear my head by changing the subject, then she was going to get the honest truth. Tapping more into my human nature, I gripped the handle of the coffee mug tightly, throwing it into my mouth and guzzling down the rest of the tea, ignoring that the temperature was still pretty hot. "Careful!" Rarity warned, "You don't want to burn yourself!"

"You really need to ask why I didn't ask Luna, Celestia, Twilight, or Spike for help?" I questioned, sounding a little more rough than I had intended. It didn't seem to faze Rarity, although.

"Actually, I can understand why you wouldn't want to tell Spike. Twilight would probably send him to another room for speaking of such a subject."

"That's not really the reason why I didn't want him to know, but we'll go with that," I corrected, drumming my fingers on the table. "The point is, if I wanted to talk to Cadence about this, then I would rather do it face to face. But again, my only option for that was to get on a late train bound for the Crystal Empire."

"Because you wanted some advice that would lead you back to Applejack quicker?" Rarity surmised after I nodded. "Well, I can say that is a mature decision," the mare patted my hand with her hoof. "However, not that I don't mind being of help to you, Cougar, what is the sole reason you chose me?"

"Erm," I thought about how I wanted to respond to that. I didn't want to sound vulgar or sour about it. "I mean, Luna and Celestia are too far away like you said, but they're also in their first real relationships in thousands of years I'm guessing." Rarity's quick nod confirmed that I was indeed correct. "Fluttershy was really the first one to be crossed off my list. She's too sweet and innocent to want to discuss something like this. And she'd more than likely freeze up and not be unable to talk," I added.

"Even though Twilight has a boyfriend and a heart of gold, I think going to her for advice on relationships would be like asking a blind guy to drive you to the store; it won't end well. And she'd, for whatever reason, likely pull out an anatomy chart and give me a lecture on what body part works and for what." Rarity's white cheeks turned a brilliant shade of red at my reasoning for Twilight. She took a sip of her tea, darting her eyes back and forth.

"Well, ahem, that does sound like Twilight," the seamstress coughed. I would have stopped there, but Rarity asked me for the sole reason, and I was going to give it to her.

"Pinkie Pie, oh God. She would take it way too literally and magically pull out a jumbo box of condoms and tell me 'Good luck you stud!'" I tried to mimic Pinkie's helium-like voice with little success. Rarity began gagging on her tea, whacking her chest to get the liquid down the correct pipe. "Oh, and then plan a congratulations party on top of that," I added with a roll of my eyes. "And Rainbow Dash? Please, if I went to her with my problem, she'd probably have a good laugh about it, slap my back and say, 'Go get her you pussy!'"

"Language, please!" Rarity barked, gathering my attention from my rant.

"Sorry, what?" I blinked several times in Rarity's direction. The mare looked as if she was trying to keep herself from snorting like an angry bull.

"I said I would assist you, but not if you're going to flood my home with a foul mouth!" Shrinking back front the outburst, I covered my mouth, waiting for Rarity to calm down. "Now then, I can see you put much thought into who you wanted to seek advice from."

"It's not like I can just choose anyone for this," I took my hand away from my mouth, clicking my tongue. "Look Rarity, out every single one of you around Ponyville or Canterlot, you're the most mature when it comes to relationships and….romance," I gulped. The mare squinted her eyes at me in response. "I told you what happened because you would genuinely be serious about it, and you're the most comfortable talking about relationships. I would even consider you like a big sister when it comes to this." Her chair creaked as she leaned back onto the backrest for support, a sort of smug smile on her face.

"Cougar, while I'm flattered you think of me like that, I'm going to take a shot in the dark about this," was her response.

"A shot in the dark about what?" I asked. Rarity's magic engulfed a napkin, lightly holding it over my lips to keep me quiet.

"Please know that I am not mocking you in any way, nor do I think of you as less of a, ahem, man, about this," she politely requested. "I understand you're worried that you forced yourself on Applejack, but there is a second reason why you wished to see me, isn't there?" My eyes widened as if a snake had wrapped itself around my leg in the dark; she knew. I didn't even say a single word about this matter.

"I know it's kind of pathetic for me to be worried-" I tried to reason.

"You're a virgin, are you not?" The fashionista asked me so casually. I froze, unable to speak, before dropping my head so low that my chin made contact with my chest. "Oh darling," Rarity cooed, "believe me, it's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of," she soothed.

"Not like it matters if I am or not." I snorted. "Even if I did know how to handle a sexual relationship, I already fucking blew it!" I complained, glaring down at my reflection in the empty coffee mug.

"Blew it how, darling?" Rarity ignored my foul mouth for whatever reason. She may have not realized the horridness of the 'F word' here in Equestria. "Cougar, how did Applejack react to your advances in the pond?" Rarity once again failed to give me time to answer. Perhaps she was just being rhetorical.

"How do you mean?" I pushed the mug away, looking up at the pony.

"Did she try to resist, push you away, or try to defend herself?" Rarity cupped her chin with a hoof, propping her elbow on the table.

"…No?" I knew Applejack didn't try to force me back or resist. She had kissed me and touched me all over like I had to her, but I assumed she did only because she didn't know what else to do and wanted to get it over with. "She just kissed me in return and pulled me closer with her hooves," I added.

"Well then Cougar, it appears she was enjoying herself in your arms as you were in hers," Rarity smiled. "I believe that with how fast you two were moving coupled with the heat of the moment caused both of you to over stress yourselves when you realized what you were doing. Completely understandable and not too uncommon," she advised.

"Then why did she apologize too and then run off?" I debated. "How are you positive it wasn't my fault?"

"Because, darling, she was just afraid for the same reasons you were. Afraid that she had tried to push you too far and betrayed your trust after what happened during Estrus last year. I know Applejack and I rarely see eye to eye on nearly everything, but I can see how much she loves you. Don't run away from her, run to her and embrace your love with her."

"B-but how? How can I, Rarity?" I begged, starting to feel heavy in my chest. "I want to at least make things right in my eyes. Even if you don't think I messed up, I still think I did; I want to fix it," I explained.

"Darling, you came to me for advice, and you shan't leave without it," Rarity swore, standing up from her chair. "I can't exactly tell you what to say when you get back home and confront Applejack, which you will or I will hunt you down and strip you of your stallion hood," she growled, forcing me to plant a hand over my crotch. "I know you truly love her, Cougar; only you know what you have to say to 'fix things' as you believe you must. If you two feel you are both ready for this step, then heed my words."

"O-o-okay," I squeaked almost like Fluttershy.

"You must take things a little slower than you did in the pond. Diving right into things can not only ruin the mood, it's also not as enjoyable without a little foreplay." Foreplay? Why is she bringing up foreplay? I wanted to make things right, not turn into James fucking Bond! "You also must listen to every word Applejack says," Rarity continued, locking her eyes with mine. "Not for kinkiness or pleasure, mind you. But in order for both of you to enjoy this, a lady must have full confidence that you're doing this out of love and passion, not just for the pleasure that comes with it. If Applejack is uncomfortable with what you are doing, STOP; the same applies to you in a reversed situation. If she feels more pain than pleasure, STOP. "

"You may already know this, but this is more than giving in to your lust or animalistic instincts, Ivan," I nearly had a heart attack when someone other than Applejack used my real name. Rarity knew how to keep my attention. "Making love with your special somepony will not only be the most magical moment of your entire existence, but it also means you're ready to merge your two souls together as one and exchange each other's hearts and trust. Are you truly ready for that?" Rarity took a step back, allowing my body to shake. I wasn't feeling sick, cold, or disgusted with myself any longer. The amount of emotion welling up inside for what I felt for Applejack was almost too much for my body to handle. Rarity's soft and delicate hoof on my hand placated my nerves until I was as still as a statue.

"Rarity?" I was barely able to say. The mare's horn lit up with her magic, engulfing an object in the dressing room. The next sound I heard was the creaking of the front door and the gentle jingle of the silver bell above. She said nothing, only gesturing with her hoof toward the exit. "Th-thank you," I quivered while kneeling down and hugging the mare.

"It's no trouble. I'm always here for my friends," Rarity reminded me as she patted my back. I stood up, taking in deep breaths to help prepare for my journey back home. "Is something else on your mind, darling?" Rarity questioned worriedly when I had stood in one spot for a few moments.

"I-I hate to keep asking favors of you," I said sheepishly. "B-But tomorrow, if Spike asks you for a cup of coffee or just a walk, can you give him a chance?" I asked. Rarity softly lowered her head, looking down at the ground below and away from me, contemplating my request. I of course had gone to Rarity's only for help in my relationship, yet I couldn't help but think about the poor dragon who had eyes only for Rarity. He deserved a chance.

"If he asks, indeed I will," Rarity finally replied. And with that said, I bowed my head to Rarity and exited her boutique, setting my sights on straightening everything out with the mare I cared more about than even my own life.

End Chapter 43