[Ozzy’s POV, 11:45 a.m.]

The three of us had a late start the next morning, so we didn’t have much time to clean ourselves up and chat idly during breakfast. When we left for our first appointment, I remembered I had the necklace Solar gave me in one of the pockets of my laptop case. I was hesitant to tell the girls what happened last night, mainly because of what Solar asked me to do; however, though it could be seen as a selfish act on my part, I do care about Fleur and Shiny enough that I believe they should know what has been going on behind the scenes. I’d rather not get chewed out, possibly complicating our newly found relationship, for keeping something from them either, so this was for my sake as much as theirs.

We were in an extended photo shoot as our first appointment for the day where Fleur worked with other models in showcasing designs that would be on sale later in the fall season. It was going to take a while, so we had a chance to take a forty-five minute lunch before we got back into it. We went to a nearby sandwich shop where we had a light lunch of our choice before getting back to work. I wasn’t sure if it was the best time for me to bring it up when there were other things going on afterwards, but it’s like what some people say: It’s better to rip off a bandage fast than to drag it out.

“I’ve been meaning to ask this for a while, but you looked like you have a lot on your mind today, Ozzy,” Fleur pointed out.

Shiny perked up at the perception mid-bite of her sandwich and raised a brow. “Is something the matter?”

“It may matter quite a bit,” I answered. “I didn’t bring it up last night because I was uncertain of it myself, but after much thought, I felt you two should have every right to know about it.” The girls looked at each other with raised brows as I got my laptop case and reached inside one of its pockets. “First, do either of you recognize this?” I pulled out the necklace in plain sight, the silver fleur glimmered in the sunlight.

Despite the color of her fur, Fleur suddenly grew pale and dropped her sandwich. “C-Can I… see that?” I held the necklace out to her before she took it with a shaky hand.

Once Shiny inspected the jewelry with Fleur, she turned to me with a glare. “Ozzy… Where did you get this?”

“Last night, after Silver and I had a talk over drinks,” I explained. “I stayed behind sometime after he left, and… Solar took his seat at the booth later on.”

“You talked with Solar Flare?!” Shiny yelled while slapping her hands to the table and standing over me. I was pushed to the back of my chair, stiffened by Shiny’s outburst as her irises shrunk to pinpricks. She gritted her teeth and panted through her nose as her body trembled.

“Shiny! Calm down!” Fleur exclaimed while resting a hand on her shoulder. “This is as much of a surprise for me as it is for you, but let’s hear him out before we vent, alright? We can’t get anywhere understanding the situation until we settle down. Please, Shiny?”

From Fleur’s plea, Shiny took a few deep breaths and slumped back to her chair. She took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes. “Just try and get to the main points from last night, please,” Shiny said. Fleur and I sighed while we relaxed ourselves.

Once I got my act together, I tried to explain the bigger points from what Solar and I talked about last night, from beginning to end, while Shiny ate her sandwich and Fleur was examining the necklace in her magical aura before she got back to her lunch. Despite how Fleur flushed once I got to him sneaking to our home during our sex, she was concentrating as she took in the words I said, sort of like how she did the evening we first met. Shiny, on the other hand, looked like she was going to flip the table over when I got to that part, but amazingly restrained herself by crunching the ice from her drink instead.

“So Solar seeks to apologize to both of us properly before he gets back into show business, the times he had seen us were coincidental, and we don’t know what Puff is up to after his last meeting with him, which was most likely the result of me bringing up Brushstroke’s ‘critique’,” Shiny listed while counting her fingers. “Does that sum things up?”

“More or less,” I answered.

“Tch. I’m honestly not surprised he didn’t take me into so much account after leaving me with that lovely gift, much less not knowing what happened afterwards,” Shiny scoffed.

“I’m honestly surprised he kept this all this time,” Fleur said as she held up the necklace. “I figured I didn’t matter as much to him anymore and just tossed this away after seeing all of those mares while we dated. I tossed my necklace with his cutie mark almost immediately after things were over between us.”

“So is that necklace legit?” I asked.

“Surprisingly. It’s the same necklace he gave me on our first anniversary since dating, and it looks like he took pretty good care of this. I didn’t see anything suspicious that would make me think otherwise, even after giving it a magical scan.”

“Magical scan?”

“It’s like a spell that detects any magical activity that was placed on an object, scanning whether such items are enchanted or the like. It can also be used to see what the objects are made of, too.”

“So it can differentiate whether a ring for example is made of gold or just painted such a color?”

“Exactly. It’s a kind of spell some upper-class unicorns in Canterlot would learn so they don’t risk getting scammed. Mother and Father couldn’t possibly stress the importance of it enough when they taught me and Fancy this.”

That’s odd. I can see why they taught Fancy, but why Fleur, too? I’ll have to ask her about that later.

“We’re going off topic,” Shiny interrupted. “What’s important right now is what we should do about this. I know I said I was going to try and give stallions the benefit of the doubt, but I can’t forgive what Solar did to me and Fleur. Of course, I can’t forgive Puff Tie for abandoning me the way he did, either. He can fail to find a job and go homeless for all I care.”

“That’s kind of harsh of you to say, isn’t it?” Fleur asked with a raised brow. “I agree what he did was downright disgusting, but neither Ozzy nor I were there when you, how you say, ‘ripped Puff a new one,’ that drove him to such a state Solar described last night. Did you say or do something else besides reading aloud what Brushstroke wrote to him?”

“… No.”

Shiny was strangely reluctant to answer for a moment there, enough for Fleur and me to raise a brow at her response.

“I mean, I did mention how priceless the look on his face was, and how he slammed the door on me and cried like a foal afterward. Those are they only things that happened after reading the critique to him.”

“Are they really?” Fleur asked.

I haven’t known the girls long enough to read the signs, but I could tell they were close enough to where they could communicate through their gazes alone. Fleur was practically interrogating Shiny with her piercing glare, while the latter could possibly shrink in her seat from how she was being stared down.

Finally, Shiny sighed, took off her glasses, and rubbed her eyes. “Okay, I might have told a fib about him crying and left something else out. I didn’t bring it up because I thought I wouldn’t hear of him again, and the truth was kind of uncomfortable to bring up. Still is, now. I didn’t think Puff would react this way, if what Solar said was the truth.”

“This could be important since it concerns the four of us. Five, now that Ozzy knows what went on in our relationships and has met both of our exes,” Fleur pointed out. “I think this might be the best time to explain what happened while we still have the time left in lunch.”

“Right. I suppose I should start off with what happened after I got the critique printed out.” Shiny put her glasses back on, took a few sips of her drink, and cleared her throat. “So I arrived at Puff’s place, admittedly smug about rubbing the news in his face. He was annoyed about my presence when he saw me, and after some skepticism, he allowed me to read the critique aloud. After that…”

[Shining’s POV, a few weeks ago]

Puff stood there with his mouth agape and eyes wide open, his body almost shivering. “No… That can’t be right, there’s no way.”

“It is what it is,” I broke in with a shrug, failing to keep my grin hidden. “Brushstroke basically—”

“Shut up!” he exclaimed, making me jump back a little. “My designs were perfect! I put everything I had into them! Always from the very beginning! I’ve finally gained recognition for my creations to fit the most beautiful of ponies! There’s no way my designs could be this flawed!”

The more he yelled, the more I wanted to just beat him senseless, but then I remembered my promise to Oz and Fleur.

… No. This pony isn’t even worth the effort. If he can’t even see it, then I need to hit him where it hurts most, and I have no problem with getting it all out there and not holding back.

I took a deep breath and loosened the grip in my fists. I fixed my glasses and pierced him with my gaze while crossing my arms. “You know, I’d have to agree with Brushstroke. I looked through them myself out of curiosity, and I realized how much not only you’ve changed, but your works as well.”

“… What?” he spat with poison in his tone.

“I’ve tried to remember why I loved you in the first place while we dated, and after taking a closer look at your recent works, I think I have some idea. You always had a unique perspective of the world around you, seeing the beauty of some things that other ponies probably couldn’t. You even confessed how I was one of them, and the way you expressed it through your art and design left me amazed. Even when I had doubts with my appearance, you would say otherwise, and your assurance made me feel better about myself every time.”

I thought back to the good times we had together as I explained, a slight pain in my chest reminding me how different things were back then. “Even after high school, your works were incredible, and helped kick start Solar’s, Fleur’s, and my own careers while we did our best to showcase your creations wherever possible. We were almost like a team, using our respective skills and talents to help each other rise to the masses.

“But… when we got high enough, you and Solar drifted from us. He was busy with his acting and seeing other mares, while you drew designs that only met the companies’ expectations without even putting your own spin into your creations. Your works at that point weren’t the same as they used to be. It’s like I didn’t see you in your designs anymore, and you hardly ever looked at me anymore while we still dated.

“And then there was that incident after Fleur’s and Solar’s breakup.” I glanced down and held my hand over my scar before looking back up to him, who had an unreadable expression. “Even when it was just one scar, I felt like you saw me as something broken and not usable anymore. When we broke up, I realized I was right. Out of all the injuries, that was probably the worst I’ve ever experienced. It hurt more than Solar’s stab to my stomach. You really hurt me, Puff. Your idea of what beauty was before meant everything to me, and I got self-conscious about my appearance after you rejected me.

“It has taken me some time, but I’m finally starting to get back on my hooves, and my secretary has taken a big part in helping me out with it. And now, here you are, your designs rejected the same way I was before. The only difference is that I know how to pull myself back together, while you… your ideas of beauty are as broken as you thought I was before, and you don’t have a clue how to fix it.”

I passed the portfolio back to him, his hand was shaky as he grabbed it, and I turned my back to him. “Now if you’ll excuse me,” I said with my eyes closed. “I’m going to stuff my muzzle with pizza and soda with Fleur and Oz, and be beautiful in my own way. Good-bye, Puff Tie.” I open my eyes and walked off his doorstep with a small smile on my face and a stray tear running down my cheek.

[Ozzy’s POV, present, 12:15 p.m.]

“And that’s how it all went,” Shiny finished. She took a few swigs of her drink while Fleur and I sat there with jaws agape, and widened eyes.

“… Damn,” I said as she finished with a sigh. “I’m very impressed. It sounded like you finally made closure with him, despite how harsh that might have been.”

“How come you didn’t tell us this back then instead?” Fleur asked.

“I was awkward and embarrassed just thinking about it, still am now,” Shiny answered. “And I didn’t want our pizza night to be spoiled on my account. Plus, I thought if I really finished my business with Puff, there wasn’t much of a reason to bring up the subject again. Now, hearing about how he handled it from what Solar told you, I can only guess he’s dealing with what may be the artist’s block that tops all others. Since designing is as much of his life as his special talent, it must seem like all his work up to now was for naught and is taking this much worse than I did after our break up.”

“Certainly sounds like it,” I said. “So what should we do now?”

“Hmm…” The girls hummed with fists on their chins.

“If we end up seeing Solar again at some point, we should probably prepare for anything that could happen,” Fleur said. “Frankly, I’m rather curious to how exactly he’ll want to apologize to us. Shiny?”

Shiny sighed and rubbed her temples. “If this means we can have him off of our backs for the rest of our lives, I’ll give him the benefit of a doubt. Puff, though… I don’t know what he’ll do from how Solar explained it. He isn’t very strong for an earth pony, so if he somehow gets frantic, it shouldn’t be too hard to pin him down.”

As tense as this situation is right now, I was sort of glad the girls are still able to think this through logically. I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but it could be possible this won’t turn out as bad as we’re making it out to be.

“Anyway, is there anything else that happened yesterday that should be discussed?” Shiny asked.

“There is something, but we’re out of time right now,” I said. “I’ll tell you about it when we get home.”

The girls nodded and we quickly finished our lunch before cleaning up and heading back to finish the rest of the photo shoot.

[Fleur’s POV, 6:00 p.m.]

As the day went on, I kept what Ozzy talked to us about in mind. Though I was still able to get through my modeling without a hitch, it was a bit of a challenge not to think about it while working. In between appointments, I looked back at the necklace Solar had held on to for so long. I even double-checked my magic scan on it in case I overlooked something, but nothing was found. I was conflicted with myself up until we came back home with dinner we picked up along the way. It was such a long day, we thought eating take-out would be better than having Ozzy fret over cooking for us.

I know I told Ozzy I wanted to talk with Solar about what happened, but I didn’t think the opportunity would jump onto my lap like this. I’m having second thoughts on whether or not I should forgive him for what he did, too. Cheating on me was one thing, but stabbing Shiny is a completely different matter, especially since he was intending to get me in the first place. I’m not exactly sure just getting him to move on and out of my life is a good reason to forgive him as well. He did say he didn’t mind not being forgiven if what Ozzy told me was true. If all he wanted to do was apologize so he could move on, I can’t deny that I’m partly okay with that.

That brother of his, though… Even after all of what Solar did, he didn’t give up on him for even a moment. Sounds like he hasn’t changed a bit, just the same way I… Oh, shit, does Ozzy know about my past crush on him, now? Shameful as it was, there were times I wanted to get closer to Lens than I did with Solar while we dated, but Mother and Father were strict about staying faithful to a pony. After everything that had happened, I felt really awkward approaching Lens, and I just stopped talking to him altogether later on. I still love Ozzy, but I wonder if he’s worried about my past feelings for Lens? Maybe I should—

“Fleur?”

“Huh?” I blinked while I snapped back in reality. The three of us were at the table having dinner. Ozzy and Shiny were staring at my stiff posture with a fork in my hand, barely a few bites taken out of my plate.

“Are you feeling okay?” Ozzy asked. “You’ve been sitting like that for a while.”

“Excuse me. I guess I was just spacing out for a bit.” I brushed off with my free hand in front of me. “What were we talking about again?”

“I was going to explain the other thing that happened yesterday,” Ozzy answered. “If you don’t mind me asking first, but, uh… When does your heat come around?”

Oh dear.

A bit of warmth filled my cheeks while Shiny’s were a deep red. She cleared her throat. “For the record, it’s awfully rude to ask something so personal to a mare. Don’t the females of your species get embarrassed talking about their own cycles, too?”

“You’re right, I know it was insensitive, but with how we don’t know whether or not humans can reproduce with ponies, I’d rather not take any chances, you know? I’m also worried about how things would turn out if what I heard about a mare’s heat is true and how I should prepare myself for it.”

“Oh please, it’s not like you’re going to die having sex. We aren’t that rough.”

I raised a brow at her while I tried to get the message, ‘should you be saying that after what I’ve seen you do during your time?’ across to her.

“At any rate,” Shiny continued while fixing her glasses, “we would let you know enough ahead of time when our time comes around. Fortunately, I was actually going to bring that up anyway. Right now, it would be best that we make the arrangements after Mascara’s trial, as it may come up some time a week later from there. But what exactly are you bringing up if it has something to do with this?”

“Fancy and I had a talk after our meeting with my lawyer,” Ozzy explained. “He had the same idea on how your heat is coming soon, and he came up with a suggestion.” He reached for his wallet and pulled out a business card he passed over to Shiny. I looked over her shoulder to read the card.

“Mistress Silk’s Magical Pleasure Store and Services?” I read aloud. “How did Fancy even get his hands on something like this?” Considering how he swings that way, this is certainly not like him at all.

“He said he got it from one of his acquaintances from a past charity,” Ozzy answered. “He wasn’t interested because of how busy he is right now, and he mentioned one of this place’s services is casting a temporary infertility spell.”

Shiny and I looked up to him with widened eyes. “There’s a spell for that?” I asked.

“Apparently, and from what his associate said, it’s never failed for him yet. I don’t know how it’s cast, but if it works for a human as well, that would mean I can help you two through your heat when it comes around. What do you think?”

Shiny and I exchanged glances between us, the card, and Ozzy before I held up a finger. “Excuse us for a moment.” We stood up from the table and briskly walked up to my room.

I shut the door behind us and cast the sound proof spell in the room. “Okay, what are your thoughts, Shiny?”

“I’ve never heard of this company before, it seems like their business is on the west side of Canterlot, and their services are rather questionable and vague.”

“But?”

“Fleur, after all of what we’ve been through today, this is like Hearth’s Warming coming early for us this year.”

“Isn’t it?! I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve heard how much better the sex is when somepony’s in heat. I’m shivering just thinking about it!”

“And this time we’d finally have a guy to help satisfy our urges, and we won’t risk getting pregnant too early! Well, getting you pregnant early, but you know what I mean.”

“I am worried about how this spell is cast, though. I’ve never heard of such a spell myself, and I can’t help but wonder why Mother and Father didn’t bring this up to me and Fancy in the first place.”

“Probably an upper-class pride thing or something.” Shiny shrugged. “I do agree with you about the spell, however. I wonder if you can get the ponies from this to teach you so we don’t have to worry about paying for the occasion every time.”

“Good question.” I leaned against the wall and hummed. “Perhaps we should give them a call and see what we’re dealing with here. They do come to a customer’s home for an appointment, and if they’re this kind of company, I’m sure they’re open enough to answer any questions and concerns we have for them.”

“That sounds reasonable. Shit, is it bad that I want this to go well?”

“Don’t worry, Shiny, I feel the same way. I mean, we’re doing this with a stallion we both love after being single for so long, and we might end up doing a threesome if our heats come up at the same time.”

“I’m pretty sure Ozzy would love that.”

“Yes, indeed.”

“You too?”

“I actually find it quite arousing, and I’ve been wanting to try it with you and Ozzy for a bit.”

“Oh, thank Celestia I’m not the only one thinking that.” The both of us chuckled our tensions out in the air before we hugged. “Boy, what happened that got us like this?”

“I think it’s safe to assume Ozzy plays a part in this. I don’t think we’d get this close if he never came into our lives.”

“Yeah, and I don’t think I’d tolerate stallions without scaring them off if he wasn’t here, or be so comfortable with my body.”

“I kept telling you you’re a beautiful mare, Shiny.”

“I know. I guess what happened between Puff and me affected me more than I thought, but I’m okay now. I don’t know what Puff will do, but I think I can finally get to moving on, starting with taking down his pictures from my gym.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Now how about we get back to dinner and relax for the rest of the evening?”

“I’d like that very much.”

With the conversation finished, we stepped out of the room and went back to dinner. Though neither of us knew what lay ahead of us, I think we can both agree that we have something to look forward to once we clear our two hurdles: One is the question of that infertility spell, and the other… Mascara’s trial. I honestly don’t know how Ozzy will behave when that time comes around, but I’ll definitely be there for him to get through it. I just hope things don’t get too uncomfortable in court.

Author's Notes:

Looks like we're getting down to the nitty gritty. How will things go with the trio's approach to the "magical store's" services? When will Solar decide to make his move? What's Puff going to do? How will the trial go? When will we see Jude and Ozzy reunited? Ugh, so many questions and more, I don't even know where to start.

I'd like to apologize for my inactivity on the site. Not only am I occupied with college, but I also needed to prepare for an internship (and if that doesn't work out, initiate a backup plan), and make preparations for the graduation ceremony that's happening next month along with finals. Before anyone asks, I'm not officially graduated and earn my degree until the end of this upcoming fall term. I'm just eligible to participate in the walk according to my adviser.

At any rate, updates will be slow for a while, and though it's WAY past due, I'm still planning to publish that Mother's Day special chapter for DMC. Until this fall term ends and I adjust to my summer schedule, I hope I'll be able to get back into a moderate writing pace. In the meantime, thank you guys for being so patient and understanding, and I'll make it up with the highest quality upcoming chapters (and bonus chapters) I can manage. So until next time,

This is Dudeler, signing off.