[Cyan’s POV]

I swear, I thought Lumina’s behavior the last few days was odd before. Now I’m not even sure WHAT’S going on with her anymore. I’m not even sure what’s going on with ME right now. Why was I in such a fucking trance when I saw her in that wedding dress? Especially when she looked so… Innocent with that blush of hers? It was like everything I thought about who she was before was shoved to the side as I was looking at a totally new, different side of her then. It’s so confusing to see her normally right now, it’s like I’m looking at a bit sitting upright on its edge, and I don’t know which side is heads or tails. I really hope that whatever Lumina has to say after work tonight, I’ll gain a MUCH better understanding of her so I’ll know what I’m dealing with from now on.

After we finished our shifts and closed the pub for the night, Barley bid the four of us good night, and went to his room. I took a mental note to talk to him before Lumina and I leave the city at some point so I can understand why he took us in the way he did, and perhaps help me understand my situation a little better. As I walked back to our room, I noticed Orange whispered something to Lumina before the latter followed me. I didn’t know what it was about, but I tried not to worry too much about it. Before I started my shower first when I got to the bathroom, I took some time to make something from my Shadow Magic that should have come to mind since the first night we spent together here: pajama pants. Two pairs, one for each of us. I’ve been okay ignoring Lumina being in her underwear the past few nights, but since I can make clothes out of my magic now, I thought it was time I had her start wearing something like this. I made one for myself because boxers are considered to be underwear as well, and since I only brought those to sleep with, I was on the same boat as Lumina was. At least I made them loose and comfortable enough for us to sleep in.

After I finished my shower and changed into my night clothes, I stepped out, and gave Lumina the other pair of pants I made while explaining those were for wearing overnight. She was surprisingly okay with that as she took them and her other change of clothes before she got to the bathroom and started her shower. After I cast the sound-proof spell in the room, I took a moment to gather my thoughts.

Okay, the pants are feeling great right now. Soft, comfy, feel like they’ll keep me warm throughout the night, I should see if I can change its color to something else… Let’s try blue.

With that thought in mind, I focused my unicorn magic on my night pants with my color changing spell. It was strangely not doing anything, so I tried putting more effort into it, but there was still no effect. At that point I just gave up and let it be.

Okay, somehow I can’t change the color of the clothes made with my Shadow Magic. I’ll have to ask Shadina why that is after tonight. I should let Lumina know about this so she knows I can only make them into one color. Anyway, tonight I’ll be brushing Lumina’s mane and tail as she talks about herself tonight. I honestly didn’t expect her to suggest something like that out of nowhere. I was honest when I said it was soothing for me to do, like I can focus on doing something while listening to another pony, and not worry about what’s going on in the past or the future. It’s been a while since I last done it because Teala and I grew out of playing tea parties, and the brushes that came with that; however, now that I look back on it, she did try to spend more time with me outside of school like Roxxie after that. Maybe old habits die hard? I’m going off topic though. Getting back to what’s about to happen, I just hope my skills in brushing didn’t die down from lack of practice. Besides that though, all you’re gonna do tonight is listen to what Lumina has to say, ask questions for clarification, and respond to whatever she asks me. Not so much different back in my times with Teala, so this shouldn’t be too big of a challenge. I just hope that whatever Lumina has to say doesn’t result in me tearing some locks off by accident from the shock.

“Cyan? Are you doing alright?” Lumina asked while peeking behind the bathroom door which snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Y-yeah, I’m fine,” I responded. “How do the pants feel?”

“They feel very nice,” she said as she walked out of the bathroom with her slightly damp mane and tail while wearing the pants I made, and a loose t-shirt. She put the uniform to the side before she got on the bed with her hair brush in hand. “I’m honestly glad you made it, because there are some things to the ground rules we established yesterday that I’d like to change that would result in me asking you to make these.”

“You do?” I asked before I sighed in relief. “Oh thank Goddess I wasn’t the only one who thought so.”

Lumina giggled at my exasperation. “Why don’t you start off on what you want to change before I put in my thoughts, and we can get started?” She asked.

“Alright,” I said before I looked back to what we already established, and what I want to change before I made my first point. “As much as I’m gonna miss it, no kissing. Not even anywhere else beside the lips. It just sends mixed messages, which makes things THAT much more confusing between us.”

“I have to agree,” she added in. “I apologize for taking away your first kiss like that without having it to go anywhere. I think I was really mixed up with my emotions back there, and it just… Happened,” she looked down to the bed with ears folded.

“It’s in the past,” I replied while I waved. “I still really liked it though, I gotta be honest with that much.”

Lumina giggled in response. “Anything else?”

“I still won’t touch you in any of those particular places you pointed out, AND some of the places you said it was okay. Like I said before, there’s nothing wrong with them, but I just respect you too much to even take advantage of that much ground,” I clarified.

“I appreciate that. I was actually gonna say I want to have that changed too,” Lumina added. “I think I was… Not thinking very much when I wrote what I was okay with. The three places I wrote before that are not allowed to touch are still there, I’d like to add my breasts and butt into the list as well.”

“Done,” I concluded. “If there are other places you find you’re not comfortable being touched, don’t hesitate to let me know, and I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Same goes to you. So I’m gonna take a guess your cute butt and package are off limits for now?” She asked.

I couldn’t help but flustered from how she described such places on my lower body. “Um… Yes. Are hugs and snuggles still okay?” I asked.

“… I’d like to keep those if you’re okay with it,” Lumina answered.

“Alright. I think we can agree that there may be some places that will be touched unintentionally, but as long as we know where our hands are, I think we should be fine… And I apologize in advance if I somehow ‘pitch a tent’ while we make contact,” I said as I blushed and pushed my fingers in shame while looking down.

“I find it quite flattering to be honest,” Lumina responded. “But I appreciate you letting me know ahead of time. What else is left?”

“The clothes,” I replied. “Though I’ve put up with half of it the past few nights, I’m just not comfortable being around you while you’re in bras and panties.”

“Yeah, I think I might have gotten overboard with that response back there,” she laughed nervously while scratching the back of her head. “The boxer briefs were the only ones I had to wear for nightwear besides panties, so thanks for making these pants for me. And while I thought I was okay with it at first, I’m having second thoughts on how dressed you are while I’m in the room after seeing you this morning.”

“I figured you might,” I added in. “Don’t worry, I’ll change in the bathroom from now on… Crap, I just realized something.”

“What is it?” Lumina asked.

“What if we come to a place where we want to swim like a public pool or a beach? How different would our dress codes be then?” I asked.

Lumina looked to the side and thought about it at first before she turned back to me. “I think I’m alright with you just being in your swim trunks. Just so long as you don’t have any speedos on hand.”

“Oh Goddess no, I wouldn’t have something like THAT on me,” I replied. “And I think I’m fine with whatever bikini you want to wear as long as it isn’t too exotic or revealing like if you’re just wearing strings.”

“Alright, I can work with that. I think we’ve gone over everything, but is there anything else you want to add?”

“I think if you keep your teases to a certain low degree I should be fine, and I’m sure we’ve gotten to the point where we can talk to each other about anything in our minds right?”

“Of course,” she agreed with a nod. “If we’re done with the ground rules for now, shall we get to the brushing while we chat then?” She asked while holding up her brush.

“As long as you’re okay with me touching your mane and tail, sure thing,” I responded before we got to a comfortable position while I had Lumina’s brush in hand. We got to where I was sitting cross legged behind her while her tail lied across my lap. “Alright, are you comfortable?” I asked.

“Yep. I’m ready whenever you are,” Lumina responded before I held a couple of her strands, and started to lightly brush her mane from the bottom up as I slowly made my way from the left to the right of her head.

“So you mentioned there was something about yourself you want to get out of your chest?” I asked to start off the conversation.

“Yes. I’ve noticed I haven’t told a lot about myself except why I left the academy in the first place,” she pointed out.

“Right. So far I’ve only known about that, some tidbits about your mom and sister, you being a bisexual and seeing a lot of ponies before me, haven’t made a lot of friends, you accidentally caught some of your family members in the act, and you use Light Magic… Oh, and you have DD Cup size breasts,” I finished.

“I realize all of those sounded kind of vague and leave a lot of questions. Not to mention I haven’t really talked more about myself personally.”

“Well we’ve got all night to chat, and I’m always willing to know more about my friends, so I’m okay with whatever you’re comfortable telling me. My ears are wide open,” I assured.

“I should probably start things off about my home and family,” Lumina told as I continued brushing. “Before getting drafted in the academy, I was born and raised in Trottingham. In my house, I only had my older earth pony sister, Crystal Lustre, and my unicorn mom, Violet Lustre. My dad who was an earth pony died from a stroke when I was really young, so I never knew him all that well, but it seemed he and mom were happy together.

“For what my mom does for a living, she bartends a local club in town, but there was something she did before me and Crystal were born, before she had even met Dad…” There was a slight pause as I was finishing her mane. “Can you promise not to freak out from what I’m going to tell you?” She asked.

“Hey, you accepted me even when I was the son of a commander you served under. But of course, I promise.” I replied as I got started from the bottom of her tail, and worked my way up.

Lumina took a deep breath, and sighed out the anxiety that was holding inside of her. “My mom, Violet Lustre… Was a porn model,” she announced.

My eyes went wide as dinner plates while I paused mid brush as the both of us sat in silence.

Um… Wow. Though it may not be any right to guess, but some of the things I’ve learned about Lumina up to this point, and why she behaved like she did suddenly made more sense now. Seriously, the awkwardness in the air right now is thick enough to cut with an axe.

“It seems in our family history, whether it’s a unicorn, pegasus, or earth pony, the mares in the Lustre bloodline have been gifted with attractive bodies for generations,” Lumina continued with her story as I got back to my brushing. “And within that bloodline, a couple members here and there had worked in the adult entertainment business for a while. Whether it be through modeling for magazines, acting in movies, even writing erotic novels. Our family has been so well known over the years, just mentioning our name in a room would catch the attention of some ponies who’ve looked into my family’s works.”

Sheesh, I guess the ‘Lust’ in Lustre isn’t there for kicks. Wonder how awkward family reunions can be with them taking part?

“Mom was a well-known model during her time,” Lumina commented, stopping my train of thoughts. “She seemed to enjoy it while it lasted from what she had told me, but marrying my dad, and retiring her career to take care of me and my sister was the best decision she had ever made. She would always be there for us when we needed her. She supported us, made the effort to spend time with us, she was just so great, Crystal and I would try to help her out however we could around the house. We just loved her for all that she was, and probably still is now.

“During my time in school, I was pretty shy. I was so used to spending time with my sister and Mom, I didn’t know how to approach other ponies, or join them in games. Whenever recess started, I would just hang out on the grass next to the playground, and mind my own business. It went on like that for a while as I did okay in grades until my first year in middle school.

“I made my first friend during that time, at least who I thought was my first friend, named Gleaming Star. She was not only my first friend at the time, but probably my first crush on a mare too. We had spent time together after school, had sleepovers, did makeovers, and the other usual filly stuff we do and talk about. Cute colts included, especially this one that Gleaming had a crush on during our second year. She would always look at him dreamily, but never had the guts to ask him out, or confess her feelings. One day she asked me if I could go talk to him, and ask him if he would take her out on a date.”

“That had to be awkward, considering you had a crush on her too,” I commented as I finished brushing her tail.

“Pretty much,” she agreed. “Granted, the colt did look pretty cute, so I didn’t blame her for liking a colt like most fillies would. I had never really got to tell Gleaming my feelings for her, but I was still willing to be her friend otherwise. Anyway, I did as Gleaming asked, and told the colt about her. She watched us from a distance to see how it went while not being caught by him. When I told him about her, he told me something that had caught me off-guard.”

“What was that?” I asked.

“He had a crush on ME, and wanted to take ME out on a date,” she responded. “To be honest, I was one of those early bloomers in puberty during that time. I was starting to fill and develop my more feminine features, and I can only guess that’s part of the reason why he gave me some attention.”

“Sheesh, this is sounding more like a crazy romance novel with a complicated love triangle added into it,” I commented as I set Lumina's brush to the side of her things with my magic. “I think I’m all done brushing your mane and tail, but we can still talk if you want to continue.”

Lumina took a moment to check her mane and tail for their conditions. “Wow, not bad Cyan. I should probably let you brush me more often,” she complimented before she turned around to face me.

I chuckled a little while grinning like an idiot and scratching the back of my head. “Thanks. So what did you after his confession?”

“I told him I wasn’t interested, and suggested him to ask Gleaming out once more,” she responded. “But he said he wasn’t interested in her before we had our good-byes and he walked off. I talked to Gleaming about what happened afterward, including him having a crush on me, and she did NOT take it lightly. She pounded me with insults, saying how much of a traitor I was for grabbing his attention, and told me how she never wanted to see me again. We broke off our ‘friendship’ after that, and not spoke a single word throughout most the rest of middle school,” she concluded.

I sighed in frustration from hearing this while I pinched the space between my eyes. “Honestly, it’s not your fault he had the hots for you. That foal of a filly was just overreacting from all of that. You didn’t have any intentions of asking him out at the time did you?” I asked.

Lumina shook her head. “I didn’t. Not for a while. As we got into our third year though, and I developed more as a mare, he tried to ask me out again. He added to at least let me give him a shot to show how much he’s serious with me, and promised to leave me alone if I feel it wouldn’t work out between us. Of course at the time, I didn’t have any ‘friends’ to either betray or lose, and he was cute. So I went ahead and said yes.

“Our first date went okay, just a usual small dinner and a movie, and we had hit it off pretty well. It wasn’t until he had walked me home, and we said our good nights before I had gotten my first kiss. After that, we went out on more dates, spent more time with each other, and played around. We just couldn’t be happier with each other as we kept spending more time together, and had our intimate moments. Gleaming wasn’t all that happy with our development though, as she watched us from the sidelines.”

“Seriously? That’s just plain creepy. Stalker creepy enough to look into a restraining order,” I commented before Lumina giggled at the statement.

“Anyway,” she continued. “Gleaming knew about what my mom did when she accidentally ran into her… Collection of her best moments from her previous job. She didn’t tell me about it, but decided to use it against me by telling lies about how I got my mom’s way of dating other colts, pretty much calling me a slut, and he took it in almost immediately. One day before the end of our third year and our middle school days, he yelled at me for cheating on him, even though I had told him I didn’t know what he was talking about, and would never do anything like that. He was too stubborn to listen though, and he left after he called me a whore’s daughter. I broke down crying right there on the spot as our relationship ended on a sour note.”

“I’m so sorry all that happened,” I apologized. “You didn’t deserve all of that.”

“Thank you Cyan,” Lumina replied. “I had gotten over him later though, with my mom and sister telling me how hot and amazing I was, and he didn’t know what he was missing. It wasn’t until the summer after I finished middle school that I had discovered my Light Magic, and was pulled into private teachings with the old hag. Besides my mom and sister who knew, I didn’t tell anyone else about it. When I had started high school, I was more confident about myself than I was before. Probably because of the rough lessons I had went through, which still continued after I was done with classes for the day. I was still growing until I stopped like this in my junior year, and I saw colts and fillies during my time there. I was blunt enough to step up and asked THEM out rather than wait for them to come to me. With knowledge on having protective sex, and learning a nifty spell Mom taught me that filters a stallion’s sperm in their ejaculations, I already lost my virginity in my first year with no consequences.”

I guess for her mom being an ex-porn model, including others related to such a career, it would make sense that at least one unicorn in her family to know such a spell. Come to think of it, how come the school didn’t teach us that spell in sex ed.? Was it like a secret spell within the family thing, or something only known in the adult entertainment industry?

“The dates and nights we had spent together were fun while they lasted,” Lumina continued. “But Gleaming just kept barging in and spread more awful rumors about me, which made them drop me like a hot potato after that. I guess she thought if she didn’t have a chance in a relationship, then I might as well not either.

“It wasn’t until later that the whole school knew about my false reputation, and students would always glare at me as I passed by like I was some sort of villain. I had sometimes even heard them calling me a slut or a whore behind my back, but I had always told myself how much of a sexy and hot mare I was like Mom and Crystal had told me. That still didn’t brighten my mood when I had to go to school though, and the cycle repeats. I didn’t go to any dances because of those, or any sport events. The so-called ‘friends’ I had made were only there so they could get into my pants because they thought I was easy. When I had actually refused to get in bed with them, they just dropped me like I was dead to them, and they never spoke to me again after that. I didn’t even want to go to the graduation ceremony when I was done with high school, because I didn’t want to be near ANY of the students for who knows how long. I just picked up my diploma at school the next day after the ceremony, and it all stopped then and there,” Lumina finished with a look of melancholy.

I looked at her with sympathy, sadness, and concern after she finished. I couldn’t help but cried after hearing all of that. “Lumina… I am so sorry,” I cracked.

“Don’t be,” she responded while shaking her head. She leaned over, and wiped my tears with her hand on my cheek while she smiled sadly. “I appreciate your concern, and that’s part of why I’m so glad to have you as a friend Cyan. Granted, it’s been so long since I had Gleaming, I had almost… Forgotten how great it was to have a true friend with me, or how to act around them. Not to mention, it’s been so long since someone besides me or my family told me how beautiful I was like you said back at the wedding store. It’s part of why I’m still trying to figure out my feelings right now, especially after my last crush who was being nice to me, but wasn’t gonna move forward with it. Right now, I’m assuming he was already with that mare before he had met me, probably much longer before orientation at the academy.”

“What about the pony we’re meeting later? Was he a good friend?” I asked with concern.

“He was… okay. Things didn’t start well with us during our first couple of weeks at the academy, but we got to be… good acquaintances over time. Same goes for my roommate at the time, Cream Cloud, but I don’t think I consider us to be close friends,” Lumina explained before she looked at me with attention. “I want to ask of you something after telling you my story, and talking about it now has gotten me to think more too,” she said before she grabbed one of my hands in her own while she still looked at me. “I’m still trying to organize things in my head, and I don’t think I’m ready to get into anything serious right now if I’m not sure about what’s going on with me. I’m not sure what feelings you have for me, but I don’t want you to feel like you’re stuck with me until I figure things out in my head. So I ask that while we’re still in this unique friendship of ours, I want you to still think about your feelings for your friends. Maybe get more life experience with dating and life as we travel together, and I’ll even help you how to hook up with other mares.

“I think you can probably guess up to this point how much of a challenge it is for me to act around friends. I know I’ve put you quite a bit the past few days, and I appreciate you putting up with it up to now. I also know that there are some things I should change about myself for the better so that I can figure out which direction I want to take my life towards. I understand this is a lot to ask of you considering how young you are, but I need your help guiding me to become a better, healthier mare. I’m asking this of you because you are the most wonderful pony I’ve come to know, and I want to follow your example. So while I’m asking you to help me become a better mare, would you stay being friends with me, like you have been up to right now?” She asked while her eyes looked in mine with fear and uncertainty, with tears slowly welling up in them once more.

I sat there, staring down at our hands between us for a moment. I took serious consideration of where we stood, what I felt, and what Lumina needed. After taking a breath, I looked back up to her eyes with a serious expression in mine. With one of my hands still in Lumina’s, I placed my other hand on top of one of hers.

“Lumina,” I said. “After hearing your story, I’ve gained a higher respect for you, and you’ve further proved my point on how strong-willed of a mare you really are. I can’t say I’m much of a life coach, but if you’re wanting to improve yourself as a better pony, I think you’re already at a good start for making such a goal. I couldn’t be any prouder to be your friend than I am right now, and while I work out feelings of my own, I would gladly stay by your side and help you out,” I concluded with a warming smile.

Lumina got her hands covering her muzzle with a gasp, and tears started to roll down her face. I opened my arms while still smiling to see if she wanted a hug, and she happily accepted before she sobbed into my shoulders. She thanked me repeatedly over and over, and I just rubbed her back in comfort while telling her “it’s okay” again and again. After a few minutes, we broke the hug, and I pulled up a rag with my Shadow Magic to help wipe her tears and clear herself up. After she calmed down, I dissipated the rag before she looked at me with a smile. “Thank you so much for doing this Cyan. You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that,” Lumina said.

“Hey, helping each other out is what friends are for. That’s lesson number one on Cyan’s Unofficial Guide to Friendship,” I stated, which she giggled in response.

“Well I’m certainly glad to have a friend like you, I’ll tell ya that much,” she said before she yawned. “Oh man am I tired.”

“I think I could use some shut eye as well,” I agreed. “Why don’t we get some sleep for the night huh?” I asked before I started unfolding the sheets.

“Hey Cyan?” Lumina asked.

“Yeah?”

“I know we already said we shouldn’t, but can I… Just give you one more kiss? Just on the cheek to show my appreciation, and that will be end of that,” she clarified.

“I don’t know…” I responded with uncertainty.

“Pleeeeeeease?” She asked with an innocent smile and fluttering eyelids.

… Oh GODDESS that is just not fair! You’re older than me, and you’re playing the goddamn puppy dog eyes! Ugh, I don’t think she’ll stop unless I say yes.

I sighed in defeat from her overwhelming cuteness. “Alright, I’ll let it slide just this once, but you BETTER make this one count,” I stressed.

“Yay! Thank you Cyan!” Lumina exclaimed before she held my face in her hands, and placed her lips on my right cheek while savoring the moment. “Mmmmmmmwah! There, now that wasn’t so bad was it?”

“Probably not, but just remember that will be the last kiss. Any more approaches, and I’m putting a cone over your muzzle to prevent anymore smooching,” I warned.

“You have my word that will be the last kiss you’ll ever get from me,” she swore with her hand up.

“Good, now let’s flick the lights and get comfortable,” I suggested before I turned off the lights with my magic, and Lumina and I got close under the covers. Her head was against my chest, arms were wrapped around my waist, and her breasts were pressing against me while one of my own arms wrapped around her shoulders. “You comfortable?” I asked.

“Mhm,” she sighed in content. “This is really nice.”

“It sure is. Good night Lumina.”

“Good night Cyan,” she replied before I closed my eyes and took one last moment in my thoughts for the night.

I swear, hearing all of that tonight made me come to like her even more now for how tough and independent she is. I don’t think she knows how much of a great mare she already is right now. Still though, Lumina deserved so much better than what she was given throughout her years in school, especially for someone so beautiful and kind. I can’t even begin how I’d end up if I was in her position and I didn’t have friends like Teala and Roxxie to support me. Well whatever Lumina needs from me, I’ll do what I can as the best friend she ever had. She deserves that much for all she’s been through. I gotta grow stronger to protect her as well. She may be capable of handling and defending herself, but she needs someone to help tend the loneliness that’s within her heart like she did with me last night. Except she may need it much more, and much longer than I ever have.

I opened my eyes half way, and saw Lumina’s resting body rising and falling under the covers as she slept.

… Well, I gave her a freebie, I might as well do one myself.

I thought before I reached my head down, and kissed the top of her head, savoring it like she did with hers before I pulled back and whispered. “I promise I’ll grow stronger to protect you Lumina. You have my word as your best friend,” I vowed before I closed my eyes, and drifted to sleep.

Next Chapter: Chapter 25: Cyan Dusknight, and the Land of Foodtopia; Part 1 Estimated time remaining: 54 Minutes