Ecstasy: an overwhelming feeling of happiness or joyful excitement. My father was pretty old fashioned, and to him there was absolutely no way my name could ever be misconstrued as something sexual or perverse. Nonetheless, growing up with a name like Ecstasy really affected the mare I grew up to be. In the place I lived for most of my life, my friends started calling me Exie, and it stuck ever since. I don't mind at all, Exie has a nice ring to it, and it sounds better when ponies call out that name in bed.

"Ecstasy, yes! Oh, Ecstasy, harder! Bite me, Ecstasy!" Total mood kill, right there.

These days, not many ponies know my real name, and I doubt my old friends remember me at all. I've never been one to make friends easily; well, permanent friends, anyway. I can make a friend wherever I go, but I won't want to see them again after the sun rises. I've been pretty independent ever since I left my home in Canterlot and moved to Manehattan. I never had a strong figure of parental guidance in my life, but I found something like that when a nice mare took me in off the streets and gave me a job. Her name is Cashmere, and she helped me get my life together; she gave me a purpose. And now she gave me a huge opportunity to prove myself. I won't let her down.

I've heard rumors about this place I'm going—Ponyville—and how apparently that's where some really good friends that save the world or something live. They had something to do with stopping the Changeling raid on Canterlot last year, but I don't have any solid details. I wonder what they're like, and what they'll think of me. I hope there are some cute ponies down there looking to hook up, otherwise this is going to be a really dull couple of months in the rural fields of Nowhere-Land...

A young, light peach colored mare with a deep scarlet mane merrily trotted down the quiet early-morning streets of Manehattan. Black thigh-high laced up boots hugged her hind legs, while short black leg-warmers with teasing tears adorned her front ones. She chomped on a large carrot as she went, her deep blue eyes sparkling in delight. As she made her way downtown, traffic began to pick up while various ponies made their ways to work. Subconsciously aware that some ponies may be eying her, she began swaying her hips as she stepped and teasingly whipped her tail from side to side.

"Hi, Exie," a young blue mare called out from across the street. "How's it goin'?"

Exie paused and looked the mare over, one eyebrow involuntarily raising. "Uhm. Good, you?"

"Great! I miss you ya know. We should hang out again soon, it's been like, forever. Still have my address?"

"Of course I do, but it's at home. Give it to me again and I'll head over to your place when I get off work." Exie smiled and closed her eyes, desperately searching her mind for a memory.

The young blue mare beamed and skipped across the street. Exie dug through her bag and produced a small notepad containing many more addresses. She flipped to a blank page and held it up to the mare, whose long blonde mane fell over one eye as she wrote.

"See ya soon?" The young mare fluttered her wings and sensually ran her tail beneath Exie's chin as she carried on in the opposite direction.

The young earth pony grinned and tilted her head as she watched her mysterious friend's curvy blue flank fade into the crowd that now filled the sidewalks. "Huh... Who are you?" she whispered.

She shook her head and continued down the street, nearing her destination. It wasn't uncommon for her to forget about a random one-night-stand, so she paid it little attention. As she arrived at her place of employment, Exie unlocked the front door to Sew Fine, a seasonal store that sells adult oriented Nightmare Night costumes and accessories. She pressed past the glass door and locked it behind herself, then dropped the keys into her black saddlebag.

"You here yet?" she called out, still chewing on her carrot.

"Yup," a feminine voice sounded from behind the dressing rooms.

Exie smiled and trotted in her direction, flipping her long messy bangs to one side. She glanced around at the shelves and racks displaying all the latest and hottest costumes of the year. Her eyes found themselves locked on a glossy pair of leather boots with sparkling chrome buckles lining the sides.

"Exie! Chop chop." A tall gray unicorn with a light blue mane stepped out from behind the fitting rooms, pressing past a draped tarp. "Are you sure you can handle this? It's a big deal ya know..."

The young earth pony scoffed and rolled her eyes, snapping out of her trance. "You're joking right? Of course I can handle it. I'm a pro."

The older mare gazed down at her with a wide skeptical eye. "You've been working here for five years now, and I trust you Exie. I just need to be sure you're gonna stay focused down there in Ponyville. Running your own shop isn't as simple as managing a few workers here. You're gonna have to hire a staff, meet with the building's contractor, set up inventory according to corporate standards, and manage all the-”

"Shhhh," Exie placed a hoof to her boss' mouth. "I'll be fine, Cashmere."

She then reached up and hugged the older mare, who sighed and put on a soft smile. "I know you will be kiddo. Make me proud." She pat her on the head and turned to a pile of boxes. "The cargo carriage is set to leave first thing in the morning, seven A.M. sharp. Don't be late. We can't afford any delays in Ponyville. Sew Fine's gotta make a good impression on the nice, impressionable citizens."

"I'll handle it. Ponyville's gonna have one hell of a Nightmare Night with me around. Just wait, you'll see." Exie closed her eyes and nodded with confidence.

"You'd better, or you're gonna be jobless when you get back." Cashmere smiled nudged the little mare away. "Now help me pack this stuff up."

With the flick of an ear, Exie did as she was told, and began to work.

Twilight Sparkle stood next to Pinkie Pie outside an empty building on the edge of Town Square. "Sew Fine? Opening September the first. That's in just over two weeks, and all they have is a sign? Somepony's going to be pretty busy when he or she finally shows up."

"Sounds like fun!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

"Pinkie, how does setting up a store on tight schedule sound fun?" Twilight tilted her head and shrugged. "It sounds stressful."

Pinkie Pie pressed her face against the glass and widened her eyes, gazing into the empty darkness. "What kind of store is it? Hmm?"

"Well judging from the name, it's a clothing store. I remember seeing one in Canterlot a few times around Nightmare Night. They sell costumes, I guess." Twilight placed a hoof to her chin and looked the building over. "I also recall being invited to a party held at one of these stores. I never went, but I think it was a rather obnoxious event."

"Ooh, a party? Now I know this place is gonna be great!" Pinkie leaned back and squealed. "And it looks like Rarity's gonna have some competition."

"Whoa!" Rainbow Dash fluttered down from a nearby cloud, her eyes reflecting the excitement in her voice. "Is this what I think it is?!"

"What do you think it is?" Twilight asked sarcastically.

Rainbow Dash joined Pinkie, peering in through the tinted glass. "It's a Sew Fine! They sell all the coolest Nightmare Night things. I'm gonna have so much fun this year! You ready to prank, Pinkie?"

"No!" Pinkie shouted. "Don't prank Pinkie, prank..." she glanced around nervously, spotting a nearby pony. "Prank Junebug!"

Rainbow smacked herself with a hoof and shook her head. "That's not what I meant... I mean, do you want to join my prank team this year. Together we'll scare the cutie marks off of everypony!"

"Sounds great!" Pinkie beamed.

"Perfect. You two have fun, I have some reading to catch up on." Twilight turned away and rolled her eyes.

"Typical Twilight," Rainbow nudged Pinkie with an elbow. "Too busy being an egghead to have fun. You know, I was gonna have you join my team too."

"As tempting as that offer is, I'll have to decline. I'm sure the town will have more than they can handle with just the two of you," Twilight explained with a calming sigh.

"Fine. Will you at least come to the party then?" Rainbow pouted and asked in a flat, insincere tone.

"Party?" Twilight turned back and shrugged. "What party?"

Rainbow threw her hooves into the air and fell to the ground, then spoke as if she were being forced to explain the most obvious thing in the world. "Every year on Nightmare Night, Sew Fine hosts the biggest and best costume party around. They always have to coolest bands in the area perform live, and everypony has a blast! It's for adults only, too. The last time I went to one of these things... You don't wanna know..."

Twilight frowned and nervously kicked at the ground, noticing Rainbow Dash's smug grin. "I think that sounds like a bit much for this small town, but we'll see how it goes. Looks like you have some competition as well, Pinkie."

"Are you kidding?!" Pinkie ecstatically shouted. "I'm gonna offer to help throw the biggest Nightmare Night bash in the history of Ponyville!"

"Alright!" Rainbow hopped up and bumped hooves with Pinkie.

"That's very thoughtful of you Pinkie. I'm sure the pony in charge will need all the help they can get. We'll be sure to make the staff of Sew Fine feel welcome. I can't wait to browse, I love decorating." Twilight attempted to peek into the window as well. "I have a good feeling about this."

As the evening fell, Exie yawned and stretched her limbs. "Phew. All done, right?"

Cashmere looked over the stacks of boxes packed into the back of a hauling trailer, a hoof to her chin and a wide, concerned eye. "Well I sure hope so... We ain't gonna have time for a trip back."

"If we forgot anything, I'll just improvise and make do." Exie leaned up and stretched her back. "So... I should really get some sleep soon if you want me up at seven."

"You're right. I'll clean up, you head on home. Good work today kiddo." The Manehattan mare gave a nod of approval and waved her employee off.

"Thanks. See ya!" Exie chirped as she skipped out the front door.

The young mare glanced over her shoulder, ensuring she wasn't being watched, then she pulled the notepad from her saddlebag. She read over the address, then hesitantly stepped in the blue pegasus' direction. With a deep, calming breath, she narrowed her eyes and forced her hooves to carry her down the street, and glanced back at the store with a pang of guilt in her stomach as she rounded the corner.

Only a few blocks away, she hastily trotted towards the mare's home, growing more excited by the second. She began to think about the mare once again, wondering when they had met before. She recalled most of her partners vividly, replaying various sleepless nights over and over in her mind. No matter how hard she thought, the blue pegasus remained a mystery.

Stopping at a tall apartment complex, she pressed her hoof to a buzzer and waited. Seconds later, the front door clicked open. Exie trotted in and made her way upstairs. A slurry of excitement and nervousness stirred up in her stomach as she neared the door. Even if she wasn't, it felt to Exie as if she was meeting a new mare for the first time. She lifted her hoof and tapped on the dark brown door.

A moment later, the cerulean pegasus answered, her long blonde mane falling over her chest. "Come on in! Glad you made it."

Exie smiled and stepped past the mare. "Me too."

"So, you missed me too, then?" The pegasus asked with a bright, hopeful smile.

Exie eyed the floor and cleared her throat. "Well, I have to be honest. I have no idea who you are. I've tried and tried, but I can't remember ever meeting you."

The pegasus tilted her head back in a small fit of laughter. "Silly me. Of course you don't recognize me. Wait here."

Exie grinned and scratched her head as the mare trotted into the other room. She tilted her head and waited, then took a seat a large, plush sofa.

"Remember now?"

Exie gulped and felt her cheeks grow hot. The pegasus stood in front of her wearing a skintight set of black stockings and a glossy black corset loosely fastened around her waist that was attached to a hot pink and black tutu. Topping off her look was a small black masquerade mask, and a single blue feather adorning it.

The young tan mare laughed under her breath. "Last year's Scared Sexy party at Sew Fine... Sassaflash."

"I knew you'd remember me. I hoped you come visit, but I'm sure a mare like you has a full plate, am I right?" she asked as she took her mask off.

Exie swallowed a lump in her throat as the sexy pegasus wiggled out of her skirt and corset. "How could I forget you? You were the sexiest mare at the party... well, second sexiest."

Sassaflash raised her eyebrows and seductively stepped towards Exie, who grinned with anticipation. "Second only to you, right?"

"In all seriousness, you do look really, really... really good. Even without the outfit," Exie said as she licked her lips, looking over the mare's perfectly sender body and full, round flank.

Sassaflash blushed and averted her gaze. "That means a lot coming from you... That night at the party was so unexpected, and so amazing. Not a day or night goes by that it doesn't cross my mind at some point. I was watching you since the moment I arrived, and when you spotted me I felt my heart stop. You truly showed me the night of my life at that party. I'm glad you're here now..."

Exie reached forward and pulled the pegasus onto the couch overtop of her, immediately locking lips. Sassaflash's long, silky yellow mane fell across Exie's warm, blushing cheeks. Her teeth playfully tugged at her friend's lips as she tilted her head and parted her own lips further. Her tongue slid out from its resting place, prodding for a way into other mare's mouth. The earth pony arched her back, thrusting herself up between her friend's legs as they kissed, their tongues now sliding across one another in a passionate exchange of saliva.

Sassaflash leaned up and stared into Exie's sparkling blue eyes. "So..." the pegasus placed a hoof against Exie's cheek. "Let's go to bed?"

Exie nodded and caught her breath as the pegasus slid off the sofa and stepped towards the hallway. She lay still for a moment, her heart blissfully kicking at her chest. She placed her front hooves over her eyes and tried to fight back the wide, goofy smile she knew she was wearing. All the while her heart pumped pure bliss through her veins, causing her smile to grow wider.

"You coming, or what?" Sassaflash called out from her bedroom.

Exie shot straight up and headed towards the hallway. She accidentally kicked the corset as she trotted, then shook her head and swallowed her joyful emotions. She had a mare to satisfy.

"'Bout time you showed up. I thought you got lost," the pegasus teased.

Exie shook her head and placed her front hooves on the mare's thighs. "Nope, I just couldn't decide if I was gonna take these off of you or not."

As the earth pony began gently tugging at the stockings, Sassaflash nudged her hoof away. "Nope. You first."

She scooted back and gestured for Exie to join her, who chuckled and hopped onto the bed. Sassaflash pressed onto Exie's chest, laying her down against the pillows. She gazed into the young mare's glistening blue eyes, then noticed her rosy cheeks and deep, uneasy breaths. The pegasus spread her wings and leaned down, nuzzling Exie's warm neck. Her lips gently grazed along the soft tan coat, and made their way to her ear.

Sassaflash let a deep, hot breath pour out over Exie's sensitive ear, sending chills coursing through her spine. She nipped at the tip, then kissed down her cheek and neck, stopping at her chest. With her eyes closed, the pegasus pressed her muzzle against Exie's warm chest and opened her mouth, slightly dampening her coat with the flick of her tongue as she kissed, moving lower.

Exie gasped as her friend's tongue made contact with her stomach, and joyous tingles echoed throughout her entire body as the sexy blue pegasus brushed her lips across her thighs. Sassaflash bit down on the top of Exie's boot and tugged at it, feeling the laces slowly sliding apart.

She leaned up and grabbed onto the boot, pulling it off teasingly slowly, sensing the warm, soft inner leather brushing across Exie's leg. She tossed the boot over the side of the bed and grabbed onto the other one. Exie pulled her leg back, helping slide the boot off.

"Happy?" Exie asked in a cracked, breathy voice.

"Mhm," the pegasus nodded and touched her muzzle to the swooning mare's lower stomach. "You are so hot, Exie. I really did miss you. That night was-"

"Shhh..." Exie pressed down on Sassaflash's head.

The pegasus grinned and kissed her stomach, inching down her pelvis and thighs. Exie closed her eyes and tilted her head back in anticipation, sinking into the plush pillows. Sassaflash wiped her muzzle and crawled over Exie, her eyes narrow and a loving smile spread across her face. "I work better when I'm not confined to a fitting room, you know."

Exie chuckled and rolled onto her side, pulling the mare down with her so that their muzzles were touching. "I do too..."

Sassaflash wrapped her hooves around Exie's neck, pulling her close as their lips met. Exie ran her hoof down the mare's side and flank, then slowly slid it between her thighs.

"Hey... I..." Exie cleared her throat and shook her head.

"You okay?" Sassaflash leaned back and widened her concerned eyes.

Exie took a deep breath and calmed herself, the thought of the morning coming so soon screaming in the back of her mind. "Yeah, but uhm, do you mind if I sleep here tonight?"

The pegasus shrugged and smiled. "I kind of assumed you'd be sleeping here tonight."

"Aw never mind... I can't anyway. The thing is, I have to be somewhere really early in the morning, and it's a long walk from here, and I don't have bits for a carriage... Ugh, sorry for ranting. I just didn't think about this before I came over." Exie sighed and hopped off the bed, picking up a boot.

Sassaflash huffed and sat up. "Wait! What, are you leaving?"

"I'm sorry. I'll get you next time, and I promise it'll be worth the wait."

As Exie began sliding her boot on, the pegasus fluttered off the bed and yanked it away. "No no no... I'll give you all the bits you need, and you'll get me right now."

The young earth pony shrugged and threw on a devilish grin. "Whatever you can spare should cover it."

"Just give the cab driver a bag of thirty bits and he'll rush you anywhere in town." The pegasus pulled open a drawer and tossed a sack of coins towards the devious little redhead.

"Perfect." She dropped the bits into her boot and stood up. "Now then..."

Sassaflash hopped back onto the bed and bent over, wiggling her backside in the air. "Ready when you are."

Exie rubbed her hooves together and licked her lips as if she were about to dive into a delicious meal. "I hope so. You're gonna love this."

As the sun peeked over the horizon, Exie stood at the front door to Sew Fine, slightly shivering in the cool autumn morning breeze. Her saddle bag was unusually heavy, being weighed down by a pouch of bits she didn't really need.

"Right on time. I'm glad you're being responsible about this. I'm counting on you..." Cashmere took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

"I snagged some start up money too, just in case anything goes wrong." Exie smiled proudly.

Cashmere narrowed her gaze and crossed her hooves. "Exie, you better not be on the street corners again. You could get hurt, and it ain't worth it, ya hear?"

"Oh, stop it. That was a onetime thing, and I won't do it again... I promised you... and... and I won't break a promise. Not to you." Exie lowered her ears and looked down, her voice flat and dry.

"Chin up, kiddo," Cashmere smiled and lifted the young mare's chin. "Where'd you get it then?"

"I ran into some mare and figured I could swindle her. It was fun." Exie looked up in time to see two stallions latching harnesses to themselves, ready to pull the large carriage to Ponyville.

Exie hopped into the back with the equipment and merchandise, snuggling up in a small cozy space between boxes. "I'm gonna catch some Z's now..."

Cashmere smiled knowingly at her exhausted little manager-to-be. "Good luck, Exie..."