Archmage: Square One

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Chapter 8 – Running

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“Star! So glad you could make it!” I smiled as Lotus cheerily greeted me, though I didn’t get a very good look at her home before she wrapped me in an exuberant hug.

“Oof! Hiya, Lotus.” I returned the embrace readily, despite my scarf threatening to choke me to death. When she pulled away, I felt breath rush back into my lungs and a blush rise to my cheeks – mostly thanks to the cold. “Thanks for having me over.”

“Happy to have you, dear! Breeze has wanted to meet you for a while now. Nugget hasn’t quite shown up yet, but she should be along soon.”

“Nugget?” I asked, arching an eyebrow.

“Gold Nugget. She’s the one I invited you over to meet.” Lotus winked as she turned to lead me into her home. Her horn glowed as she unwound my scarf and took it for me. I left my boots by the door and followed her into their rather well-appointed home.

“Wow.” I looked over the comfortable den with a fire crackling healthily in the hearth, and opposite that was what appeared to be an office of sorts. Lotus led me past that and into a more intimate living room, where Breeze was waiting for us.

“So you must be Star.” She grinned at me before offering a hoof. “Lotus won’t shut up about you somedays.” Breeze was a sleek and slender pegasus, almost a full head taller than myself. I’m not that tall, but I’m not very short either. Decidedly average. Finding another pony who stood taller than me – at least by such a large margin – was a rarity. She wasn’t quite as tall as Twilight, and perhaps a little less stocky, but she certainly seemed imposing – though not in a threatening way.

Or maybe it was her gigantic wings that did the trick. Seriously, like, huge wings. If I had to guess, she had a wingspan that rivaled any of the princesses, if not beat them by a fair bit. Even tucked up against her back as they were, they were an impressive display. Half of me wanted to see her fly, just to watch those massive beauties unfurl and flap.

Okay, so maybe I have a thing for pegasi. Her coat was a deep, dusky blue and her mane a light yellow. I glanced her cutie mark, and it looked like four wisps of air curling back upon themselves. She was a striking figure, very large and commanding despite her slender frame. She might have been tall, but her torso and legs were much smaller than my own. When she tucked her legs and spread her wings, she could probably fly like a bullet.

“Heh,” I took her hoof gently, but she shook it vigorously. “Th-thanks, I guess.”

“She was right though,” Breeze winked at me. “You do have a cute mane.”

Now I was blushing. Furiously.

“Be nice to our guest.” Lotus chided Breeze. “And besides, I thought we agreed; no more threesomes.”

If I had a drink, I’d have spit it out.

“Well I’ll give Star the evening to change your mind.” Breeze winked at me again before turning towards what looked like a drink cabinet. “Can I get you anything?”

“Just water, please… Or coffee if you have it. I-I don’t drink.” Being as ‘intellectually inclined’ as I was (I thank my parents for attributing that phrase to me,) I tended to dislike things that made it more difficult to read… Let alone walk. I’d had my foray with alcohol in the past, and it didn’t end well. Plus, having a long mane means there’s more of it to catch the vomit. Which is a pain in the flank to wash out. Breeze cast me a sideways glare of ‘don’t you dare tell me you don’t drink’ but Lotus drew my attention with a soft touch.

“I could use some help with dinner if you’re willing. Breeze is a terrible cook.”

“-Hey!”

“Shush, darling, you are.” Lotus winked at her wife before leading me into the kitchen. Many years of frugal single life had taught me how to cook well. Lotus and I gossiped for a little while as I helped slice and sear veggies, mix the salad, and prepare the sauce to go with our Portobello steaks. As per usual, I found myself sharing more about myself than Lotus did, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. I was sure I’d be sharing more about myself before the night was out anyways; and a warmup was due.

Breeze poked her head in now and then to sample the smells or ask how things were going, or to refill my coffee. I had had another sparring session with Twilight that morning, and I was running on fumes by now. At least I had avoided any more broken bones this time.

Breeze re-entered the kitchen for probably the fifth time, but not to ask for food or top me off. She instead nudged my flank, smiling deviously.

“She’s here~”

“What? Who?” I flustered, leading Breeze as she herded me out of the kitchen.

“Your date.”

“Date?! I don’t- eep.” Right in front of me was probably the cutest damn pegasi I’ve ever seen. Gold Nugget’s mane glimmered like her namesake, and hung in entrancing ringlets around her face. She hid behind half of it, but I could see one beautiful amber eye peeking up at me widely. Her coat was a bright yellow, and her cutie mark was similar to her mane in color, looking like a brick of gold bullion.

“Hi.” I managed, blushing once more. “I’m Star Caster. I assume you’re Gold Nugget?”

“Just Gold please… Or Goldy.” She gave me a shy smile, her eyes lighting up a little. “I’ve heard a lot about you. You’re Princess Twilight’s student, aren’t you?”

“Uuh, yeah.” I felt my blush intensify to all-new levels. Throw me in front of two drop-dead gorgeous pegasi and I was reduced to naught but blushes and terrible, terrible thoughts.

Okay, maybe I had a huge thing for pegasi.

“It’s nice to meet you, Star.” Gold flipped her hair aside so I could see her entire face (and oh what a face it was) before offering a hoof. I tentatively shook it, hoping against hope that my own hooves weren’t dry or cracked. Maybe they were, or maybe Gold was just my dream mare, but she had the softest, most gentle touch I’d ever felt. I could have died a happy pony there. Instead, Lotus poked her head out of the kitchen.

“Nugget! Glad you could make it, love!”

“I told you to stop calling me that,” Gold complained, albeit in the cutest possible manner. Lotus just laughed and swept forth for a warm hug.

“And why would I want to stop calling you that, my little golden nugget?”

“Lotus!” Gold blushed, casting a furtive glance my way as she fought to squirm out of the white unicorn’s exuberant hug. “Leggo, pleaseeeee…” She finally managed to break out, though she looked a little flustered. Lotus just laughed it off, and even Breeze seemed to be enjoying the show. Gold went to stand beside me, if only to escape Lotus’ grasp.

“Well, dinner’s ready.” Lotus calmed herself with a breath, though she still smiled warmly at Gold. “It is good to see you again, love.”

“You too. And you as well, Breeze. How are things with the weather team?”

“Ugh.” Breeze led us into the dining room, taking her seat at the head of the table. Lotus sat to her left, with Gold and I side-by-side at her right. “I swear, this weather is murder. It feels like Ironsides is running us into the ground.”

“I was actually gonna ask about that,” I interjected, trying hard to avoid tearing into my food immediately. “There’s been a ton of snow and wind lately. What’s going on?”

“None of us know.” Breeze shook her head. “Ironsides gets his orders straight from Tradewind, who controls weather teams across Equestria. She’s so secretive she just throws the work at us and expects it to get done. Don’t get me wrong,” Breeze waved a hoof. “I love my work; I just wish I knew Tradewind’s reasoning. Maybe then I wouldn’t dream of running her into a cloud next time I see her flying home.”

“Huh.” My stomach was growling, but I couldn’t forget proper decorum. “So, you see popular ponies like Tradewind flying around every day?”

“I wouldn’t call her ‘popular,’ but yeah. I spot quite a few in this line of work.” Breeze settled into her ‘conversation’ pose, clearing me to take a small bite of my mushroom steak. It was delicious, as I knew it would be. “I see Princess Twilight and Princess Celestia flying to and from different towers at the castle now and then, and Snapshot jetted by me the other day on his way to another photo shoot, I think. He was carrying a lot of gear… But yeah, I do see quite a few popular faces now and then.”

“That’s pretty cool-“

“Like yourself.” Breeze winked at me. I paused, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks once again.

“R-right,”

“I know you live in that charming little house at the corner of Hay Road and forty-eighth. You always follow forty-eighth to Castle Road and then the palace.”

“I…”

“Though you do stop off at that one shop behind the department store on Yarborough Lane…”

“Okay!” I cut her off, feeling even more flustered. “What, have you been spying on me?”

“No, I just tend to notice these things.” Breeze shrugged. “I follow a lot of ponies’ movements on their way home. Sometimes you can kinda pick up on folks. Like two days ago, you seemed to be in a foul mood on your way back from the castle, so I lowered that headlong wind down Castle Road.”

“Hey, yeah.” I frowned at her. “I remember that wind is always kinda brutal, but it wasn’t as bad Wednesday. You did that?”

“I do stuff like that now and then,” Breeze blushed a little. “You know, to help out…”

“Huh.”

“She’s really nice like that.” Gold chimed in, drawing my attention once more. “So is Lotus, though.”

“Oh hush, darling. I’m not that nice.”

“She really isn’t.” Breeze muttered with a mouthful of food. “You remember what she’s like between the sheets, Gold.”

“Boy do I ever.” Gold rolled her eyes, and I suddenly felt very out-of-place. In fact, Lotus’ words came back to me. ’And besides, I thought we agreed; no more threesomes.’

Heavens help me, this is just like me, Blazer, and Mint Leaf…

“Wow, I uuh…” Lotus and Breeze just laughed, while Gold retreated behind her mane once more. “I dunno what to say.”

“Relax, darling.” Lotus waved her wine glass at me. “We don’t do any of that anymore, I promise you.”

“So, you three…?”

“We used to,” Breeze nodded. “Up until about a year ago or so. I guess Lotus and I just got old enough that we could settle down and be content with one another.” Breeze smiled at her wife, winding their hooves together. “Thankfully, Goldy decided to stay our friend. We’ve been trying to make it up to her since then.”

“… Make it up to her?” I quipped, glancing at the brilliant pegasus to my right. My blush could probably have lit a fire right about then. Lotus affirmed with a nod.

“I’ll admit we have more than one reason for bringing you here tonight. You see, Gold’s been a good friend to us ever since we used to all sleep together, and she never stopped being our friend once we ended our little… Bedroom forays. Breeze and I love one another fiercely, and we were sad to see that our little nugget-“

“Shut up.”

“-Wasn’t receiving any more attention.”

“Oh. Oh! Oh boy.” I connected the dots then. “I’m a hookup, aren’t I?”

“Well,” Breeze rolled her eyes. “We’re not forcing you or anything, but…”

“It has been a long time for Nugget-“

“Shut up still.”

“-And I know you’re missing some companionship yourself, are you not?”

“Y-yeah,” I looked down at the table, trying hard to avoid combusting on the spot.

“See? Problem solved.” Lotus swirled her wine and took another sip, smiling at the two of us. For the life of me, I couldn’t look at Gold. I could feel her eyes on me, and I knew that if I took one look my judgment would be clouded quicker than I could blink.

’Think, girlie. You’re dying to have somepony to come home to. You even broke your hairbrush earlier this week. Furthermore, you want to buy vibrators and a proper dildo… Why do that when you can just hook up with this absolutely gorgeous little filly here?

‘But it’s all so sudden. Am I really the type to just fuck anypony the first day I meet them?

‘Who says you have to fuck her tonight? Just talk to her, get to know her a little. Maybe invite her over to your place-

‘There’s the fucking again!

‘Doesn’t have to be fucking. Let her know you’re not comfortable taking that step just yet. Ask her to start off slow, with some conversation, or maybe a movie… And then take it from there.’

When I looked up at her, I couldn’t help but grin.

“Alright. I’m down.”

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I felt the wall slam into my back, and Gold’s luscious form press against me tightly. And truth be told, I could care less. The night at Lotus’ had gone wonderfully after I had agreed to their little proposal. I told stories about studying with the princess, and Gold had listened with rapt attention. We chatted late into the night, until it was well after dark and a heavy snowfall was starting.

I invited Gold to my place, since it was actually kind of close by. She agreed, and together we trudged through the snow. Granted, our ‘chat’ had devolved into innuendo and sultry looks by then, so we pressed close to keep warm against the chill snow. Even while walking, Gold’s hooves tended to wander, and I found myself riled up tighter than a spring by the time we made it to my place.

As soon as we stepped in the door, it was a rush to kick off our boots. We didn’t even remove our scarves. Gold just laid her hooves on my shoulders, lifted me up onto my hind legs, and slammed me back against the wall. Her mouth fell on mine like a hammer, our tongues lashing against one another’s with a hunger I hadn’t felt in ages.

She was like a fire in my hooves. Alive and passionate, burning away at whatever inhibitions I’d had earlier that night. To hell with decency, I needed a rut and I needed it now. When Gold pulled away, we looked at one another with half-lidded, sultry eyes. It felt like riding a bike. I was an awkward, blushing young filly on our way over here, but the memories of all my times with Mint Leaf and Blazer were coming back.

I looped my forelegs around Gold’s hips, pulling her tight against me. She pressed close, and I could feel the heat of her core against my coat. She leaned in, moaning into my ear.

“Take me to bed right. Now.”

“Why settle for bed,” I squeezed her hindquarters. “When we can do it right here?”

“Eep!” She squeaked as I pushed her down, slowing our fall with magic. We laid on the floor, with Gold underneath me, her eyes wide and eager. I kissed her again, deep and slow. She wound her hooves around me, pulling me down against her insistently. I could feel her wetness against my thigh, egging me on as our tongues joined the fray once more.

We went back-and-forth several times before breaking apart for a few breathy, eager pants. Her breath smelled of wine and passion, and I found the scent was irresistible. I cast one quick glance down, my lips curling in a soft smile. “May I?”

“Please.” Gold nodded, gnawing on her lip. I gave her neck one deep kiss before slowly making my way down her body. I stopped now and then to give her a quick, teasing kiss, but soon enough I found myself exactly where I wanted to be. Gold’s legs spread wide open before me, her petite marehood glistening in the low light of my living room. The scent of her arousal hit me like a ton of bricks, my own haunches squirming in anticipation.

“Hmm,” I moaned, spending no time in laying my tongue against her and licking upwards. She quivered under the first lick, and the second made her give a thin, breathy groan. The taste of another mare flooded my senses, bringing back the most wonderful memories of my time spent between Mint Leaf’s thighs. All my techniques and experience were put to good use.

Gold was alive underneath me, her wings flared out flat on the floor, her spine arching with each new succinct flick of her clitoris. Her hooves shot into my mane, giving it a firm tug. My mouth was plastered against her crotch, and I gave her a few long, sloppy licks in return.

“Star!” Gold panted, her stomach twitching as I closed my eyes. “I’m gonna… I’m gonna… AHN!” She bucked her hips straight up into mine as she came, flooding my mouth with a musky, delightful taste. I groaned in response, lapping up every delicious bit of liquid she gave me. I didn’t stop until I was certain she had come down from her orgasmic height, but I felt her quickly ramp up to the next one. I remembered that pegasi were quick on the draw and had a lot in the tanks; they could keep going for longer than most ponies gave them credit for.

So I kept licking until she begged me to stop; which was a cute display in and of itself. She dug her hooves into my mane, pulling me away with a hot exhalation. “Stop! Star, please…” She pleaded, looking up at me with lusty eyes. “Give… Give me a chance to breathe… Holy shit.”

“Too much?” I teased, licking my lips to catch the last bits of her release.

“No, darlin’… You’re just fine… I just… Wow, it’s been a while.”

“For me too,” I admitted. “How about we move to bed now?”

“Yeah.” Gold nodded warmly, rolling to her hooves as I rose up off of her. She smiled and flicked her tail, swatting at my face playfully. I responded by biting that luscious bit of hair, giving her a firm yank towards the stairs.

“C’mon,” I muttered. “You owe me.”

“Hehe.” Gold let herself be pulled by the tail, and I could tell from the look in her eyes she was enjoying it. I let her go at the stairs and she fell into step behind me, following me up and to my messy bedroom. I hadn’t even taken the time to pull my comforter across my bed this morning. I did so now, lighting my room with a brilliant aura of magic.

“Nice place.” Gold chuckled. I shot her an indignant glare before hopping up onto my bed.

“C’mere.” I beckoned her up, even as I rolled onto my back. “By my count, you’re four ahead of me. You’re a pegasus, though, so I gotta give you a little lee way. Still, I think you owe me at least one.” I spread my haunches, exposing myself to Gold. “Get to it.”

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“Good morning, Star. You look… Well, for lack of a better word, frumpy.”

“’Mornin, Twilight.” I grumbled at my teacher, following up with a wide yawn. “Didn’t sleep much…”

“Ah huh.” Twilight grinned at me. “Have some company last night?”

“Yeah…” I rubbed my eyes. I really hadn’t slept that much since Gold’s visit. Last I checked, she was still slumbering peacefully. I had left her a note before making my way to the castle.

“Do you want to take a day off?” Twilight asked, though I could hear in her voice she wanted me to do anything but accept. I shook my head and sighed.

“No, let’s just… Avoid sparring today, okay?”

“Shame.” Twilight sighed. “I was looking forward to whipping your flank again today.”

“Har har.” I stuck my tongue out at her before smiling faintly. “Did you have something specific in mind?”

“Not particularly,” Twilight shrugged, gesturing with a wing that I should follow her. “I just wanted to drill you on your combatives a little more. You were kind of sloppy yesterday.”

“Sorry,” I muttered.

“Nothing to apologize for, Star. You’re just not in my league… If only there were somepony else you could spar with. Perhaps Spear-“

“No!” I cut her off, blushing furiously. “Anypony but him.”

“Aww, you’re no fun.” Now it was Twilight’s turn to stick her tongue out at me. “Well, Basil is on his way back from the Gryphon Territories, and he should be here in another day or two. Perhaps you can spar with him.”

“Basil’s your aide, isn’t he?”

“He is indeed.” Twilight smiled. “I’ve had him studying the Gryphon’s knowledge cache for the past two years, and he’s finally found what he’s been looking for. He’ll be here soon enough, and I can introduce you two. I dare say you’d get along perfectly with him.”

“Maybe…” I mused. “I haven’t even met the guy yet. What kind of name is Basil, anyways?”

“Oh Star,” Twilight chuckled. “You’ve no idea how well that stallion can cook…”

“Well here’s hoping I’ll find out in a few days. Still, the question stands. What can we do without sparring today?”

“I dunno,” Twilight shrugged once more. “I really want to keep you on sparring and combatives. I guess we can look at some of the old form scrolls?”

“I suppose…” I frowned a little as Twilight turned down the hall leading to her office library. “But… Why?”

“Well, they’re a visual aide-“

“No, I meant why are you drilling me so hard on combatives?” I stopped in the middle of the hallway, frowning up at Twilight. “I like fighting and all, but… There are other things I want to learn too.” I spoke my mind, as I knew Twilight liked. We stopped in the hallway as she looked down at me. Her face was rather pensive just then, and I found myself blushing a little.

“It’s about my prophecy, isn’t it?”

“That wouldn’t be entirely inaccurate.” Twilight nodded. “Do you remember when I told you that your thirst for knowledge would save your life?”

“Yeah…” I frowned at her. “I figured that’d mean learning many different things…”

“It does.” Twilight drew the word out, leaning a little closer. “I just… Want to cover the important bits first. For your protection.”

“But I thought I was safe here?” I remembered back to six months ago with Luna and Twilight. “I thought there weren’t any threats against Equestria?” Aside from Twilight’s journey to Trottingham, of course, but I figured Twilight had it well in-hoof, so there wasn’t anything to worry about on that front. Besides, Trottingham and Canterlot were rather well-removed from one another. I frowned up at her intently. “Twilight…”

She frowned at me.

“Just how safe am I?”

“Here? Perfectly safe.” Twilight sighed. “But where I’m sending you? I honestly don’t know, Star.”

“Wait, you’re sending me somewhere? What’s going on?” I felt my heart beating wildly.

“I’m sorry, Star, but I can’t deny this request from the Seers, or from Princess Celestia.” She leveled her gaze at me, and I could almost see the tears in her eyes. “Your train leaves for Trottingham and the Timberwolf territories in one week.”