Wednesday, April 6th, 7 am, Twist’s house.

“So did you two have a good sleepover last night at least?” Apple Bloom shifted her backpack over her shoulder, adjusting its weight to a more comfortable position and looking back over her shoulder at the trailing fillies. Walking hand in hand just a short distance behind her, they were currently keeping up, but she was sure the foals would instantly wander off if she didn't keep an eye on them.

Sweetie gave her a happy nod, smiling as wide as her mouth would allow. “Yes! It was so nice of Rarity to suggest it! With poor Amethyst feeling ill yesterday, I was so happy to be able to help by hosting Dinky.”

The quieter mare gave a small smile, but pouted a little. “I wish I'd have been allowed to stay and help Momma take care of Ame. She does so much for me.”

A butterfly crossed their line of sight, and the young foals stopped in place, fascinated at the sapphire-winged creature, watching with jaws slack and eyes wide with excitement, the previous conversation completely lost. Apple Bloom gave them no chance to wander off the path to Twist’s house, shoving two fingers in her mouth, releasing a shrill, ear-splitting whistle. Glowering a little she shook her head. “C’mon! Sweetie! Dinky! We don't got all day to get to school! We can hunt butterflies on the weekend or something!”

Pouting up at her, Sweetie fired back. “But we could have taken her to Fluttershy or Dusk! They would have known what species she was! Besides, she had really pretty wings.”

Dinky was quieter, and waited until Sweetie had finished her defense before speaking up, in a far softer voice than her friend. “Miss Cheerilee did say extracurricular research and independent study would be accepted starting next week.”

Confused, Apple Bloom stopped and pointed at the now distant butterfly, resting on the eavestrough of a nearby house. “Well, sure. But I get lots of extra credit for writing up reports on the farm, and keeping a journal of crop growth and rotation. Why d’ya wanna write about a butterfly?!”

Sweetie giggled and gave a shrug, but her voice was full of wonder. “Because her wings were the most perfect sapphire blue! Maybe I could get my cutie mark as a lepidopterist!”

Her eyes crossing, Apple Bloom tried to repeat the word. “Lepri-what?!”

Giggling again, Sweetie clutched her hands together. “A pony who studies butterflies!”

Dismissing her with a scoff, Apple Bloom turned back towards the path to Twist’s house. “But even if you got a cutie mark for researching butterflies, what would it even look like? ‘Cause Fluttershy’s cutie mark is already three little butterflies.”

Both of the younger fillies were stumped by that, but Dinky couldn't help but ask her just as confusing a question in return. “Well, Applejack’s cutie mark is three apples, and Big Mac’s is one large apple missing a slice. So what's yours going to be?”

Apple Bloom couldn't answer that, and instead ignored it, walking faster now that she could finally see Twist’s house in the distance. “Don’t matter. It will be what it will be!”

Apple Bloom was just about to step off the main path so she could cut across the lawn to Twist’s house when the door burst open, and her ginger friend rushed out, a peppermint candy cane in hand thrust into Apple Bloom’s mouth before she darted past to the smaller foals, gifting each of them with another of the white and red treats. “Ohhhh! Good morning! Good morning AB! Good morning Thweetie and Dinky!”

The joyful filly swept Dinky up into her arms, spinning the quietest member of their class around in the air over her head while laughing excitedly, and the others couldn't help but get caught up in Twist’s energy. Sucking on her candy cane, Sweetie giggled at Twist’s antics but found the time to question her. “Wow, Twist! You're in a real good mood. These peppermints are so good, too! Did your auntie Bonbon help you make ‘em?”

Delighted, Twist lowered Dinky to her feet, waiting just long enough for her to get her balance before rushing back to Sweetie, grabbing her hands and offering a huge silly grin. “No! I made them all mythelf! And I got my cutie mark!”

That made everypony fall silent; all eyes were now on the excited redhead. Taking a tentative step towards her, Apple Bloom lifted a hand to her friend, apprehension and excitement tinged with jealousy. “Yo… you did? Ca… can we see it?”

Giggling so hard she snorted, Twist released Sweetie and rushed to Apple Bloom, turning her back to her taller friend, her thick curly red hair pulled aside to expose her neck and her bare back. Crossed striped red-and-white candy canes were located between her shoulderblades right on her spine. Pushing her thick purple glasses back up her nose with one free finger, she whipped around and lunged forward into a powerful hug. “Do you like it? Do you, Apple Bloom? Ithn’t it the betht?!”

Twist’s good mood was overwhelming, and Apple Bloom did the best she could to push her jealousy aside to give her friend a big smile in return. “Th-that's just great to hear, Twist! You're so lucky!”

Grabbing her heavy school bag clearly filled with dozens more of the sweet treats, she snatched one of Apple Bloom’s hands, taking Sweetie’s hand when it was offered, and turned to rush to school, dragging the rest of the fillies behind her. Giggling the whole way she shouted to the world, “C’mon! I wanna thhow everypony in thchool!”

8 am, Rarity’s Boutique.

The sharp rap of knuckles on the door made Dusk stiffen up, looking back over his shoulder as Rarity lifted her voice just enough to be heard from the kitchen. “I'm still in the middle of things here, darling. Could you get that?”

Straightening up and forcing himself out of the chair, Dusk abandoned his tea and dragged his weary body towards the door, remembering to let her know only halfway there. “Of course, Rarity, it's no problem at all.”

The house door wasn't far from Rarity’s tea room, and Dusk was glad whoever was knocking had chosen that, as the boutique’s shop door was on the far side of the house, and his joints still ached after last night's excitement.

When he opened the door, Dusk thought he was looking into a rainbow-colored mirror. Dash was dressed in a thin pair of shorts, and a very thin, very short camisole that did nothing to hide her stomach. As sore as he was, Dusk's eyes still lingered on that exposed flesh as he took the rest of her in. She looked like she'd gotten less sleep than he had, though Dusk doubted that. Maybe an hour after he'd drifted off to sleep the previous night, Amethyst and Derpy had woken him up for more.

Suddenly jolting out of memory, Dusk remembered himself, and gestured inside. “Morning, Dash. We are just having some tea, and Rarity is making oatmeal.”

Dash gave him a little nod, as if automatically responding to his words. But her bleary eyes searched him, hunting for something and standing in the doorway.

Feeling uncomfortable under her searching gaze, Dusk took in her bedraggled hair, mussed up tail, and slack jaw. “Ha… has she passed out on her feet? Why is she so tired?”

Reaching out to touch her shoulder, Dusk nearly jumped out of his shoes as she suddenly straightened up and poked him with a swift jab in the chest. “Okay, Duskie boy. I didn't sleep worth a damn ‘cause they started work on my new place at five, and I'd only been asleep for, like.. three hours. What's your excuse? Too busy up reading all night with your books? What an egghead!”

Not even letting him answer, Dash thrust a hand into his hair, messing it back up before strutting into the house, leaving him at the door still trying to catch up with her rapid shift into action. Dusk shut the door and moved to return to his seat. Dash went straight to the table, pouring herself a cup of sugar with just a touch of tea for flavor, stirring only long enough to make the mixture qualify as liquid in a very open-minded sense, before drinking it all, making a foul face as he returned to his seat.

Inquisitive, even as he tried not to get sidetracked when she stretched her arms high over her head, giving him a grand view of her washboard abs and a hint of the slight swell over her bra-less breasts, Dusk nudged her lightly. “Dash, sit down at the very least. Do you not like tea? And if so, why use so much sugar?”

Returning her cup to the matching plate, Dash scowled as she looked over the uncushioned chairs around the table. As if inspired, she pushed the table over a foot, and slumped down so she could sit directly onto his leg, stretching hard and rubbing his chest with her wings and a little of the bare flesh exposed by her spaghetti string shirt. “Come on, Dusk! That should be obvious. It's like the only way to get a sugar rush this time a day without feeling bloated. Like, I'd go to Sugarcube Corner and get something gooey and glazed with extra butter, but I always feel so bloated afterwards, so I had to give that up!”

Rarity entered with one of her serving trays held in both hands, three fine porcelain bowls filled with steaming oatmeal and small chunks of diced apple. Settling the tray on the middle of the table, she put a hand to her mouth, clearing her throat with noticeable distaste at Dash’s choice of seat. “The construction still getting to you, Dash? I said you could use my guest room until they finish. No reason to keep fighting to get even a few hours of sleep!”

Wilting under Rarity’s glare, Dash followed the bowl the fashionista put before the plate beside Dusk’s, and moved over into a chair while leaning well over the table, sniffing the hot steam and fighting back her drool reflex. “I think I might take you up on that offer after the morning I just had!”

Reaching around Dusk for the bowl of brown sugar and a cup of cream, Dash set to work flavoring her breakfast before bending to the task of eating with glee. Dusk accepted the small shaker of cinnamon from Rarity and gave a light seasoning to his own before taking the cream back from Dash, adding just a little to his bowl before returning it to Rarity. Stirring with great care, Dusk watched Rarity, still thinking about yesterday, finally clearing his thoughts enough to broach the topic again. “Rarity, about Bronze. I wanted to explain about why she got so worked up yesterday-”

Catching her attention, Rarity straightened up, taking a tiny spoon of her oatmeal and tasting it with great care. Satisfied with the flavor, she lowered her spoon and sat forward, gripping his hand. “Oh, yes, yes. How was Amethyst? Did it go well?”

Now with Dash watching him closely, Dusk tried his best to stay calm, confused by Rarity’s deflection, and trying to shift gears to keep up with her. He ate a spoonful of the porridge before answering as casually as he could. “I think it went well. She was deep in her heat. It was very awkward, but we did our best to make it work. Hopefully it takes, but I promised to return if necessary.”

Dash was staring at him now, holding her bowl up near her mouth with one hand while shoveling food with her spoon. It was so clear she was deep in thought that before Dusk’s eyes, her brow furrowed and her glare intensified. Finally, as if asking some dark secret from the origin of Equestria, she pointed her spoon at him like a blade, her voice deadly serious. “Why were you hanging around mares in heat? Don't you know the smell makes most stallions go dim? I'm sure you're bright enough to deal with it, but don't get cocky, Dusk, they'll drive you bonkers. Don’t you remember when AJ was in her heat, and she got near you, then I-” Dash cut herself off suddenly, looking at Rarity and turning a deep red. Coughing, she tried to get her blush under control and continue. “A-anyways, I've seen it happen plenty of times before. You gotta be careful.”

Rolling her eyes, Rarity reached out and put a hand on Dash’s, forcing the younger mare to lower the bowl to the table. Staring into her eyes, Rarity spoke so plainly Dusk began to blush at how open she was. “Dash, Amethyst hired Dusk to stud for her. After all these years, she wanted a foal and figured Dusk would make a good sire. Why else would he spend the night with a mare in heat?”

Rarity’s hand showed surprising strength, preventing Dash’s reactive jerk at the news from spilling the sloppy mess of what remained of her oatmeal across the table. Dash twisted to face him first, and then back to Rarity again. Her jaw slack and eyes bugging out of their sockets, she stammered for something to say, finally settling on a simple, “Oh- I… I err… see… uhh… good for you, slugger?”

Watching the clearly distressed mare, Dusk felt only more embarrassed as he struggled to find an appropriate response, unable to ignore how badly his cheeks burned. “I-I, well, thanks, Dash. But I only did it because Amethyst and Derpy are such good friends. I had a similar offer from the spa twins, but I think they were simply being more playful than anything.”

Rarity waved away his concerns, shaking her head. “I'm sure they were just teasing you, dear. That's hardly worth worrying about right now, they’ll be busy with the transient workers for the next few months. Now eat up!”

Dusk accepted her word at that point, and pushed those thoughts to the bottom of his to-do list. Dash pushed her bowl aside, and gave a deep, self-satisfied burp, beginning to lean back in her chair while rubbing her belly. As her back came into contact with the decorative enamel backrest, however, she visibly flinched and began muttering under her breath. “No proper chair comes without a damn pillow.”

Reaching out as he swallowed the last spoonful of his oatmeal, Dusk let his fingers brush across Dash’s shoulder to get her attention, offering her a supportive smile. “Your back again? Don't tell me you pulled a muscle. Not with the Young Fliers’ Competition so close!”

Dash scowled at him, but didn't pull away, dragging her lip between her teeth, chewing the flesh as Rarity collected their plates. The fashionista leaned in as she collected Dash’s bowl, cooing softly in her ear. “Dash, feel free to go curl up in the spare room for a few hours. I've used the bed occasionally; it's quite comfortable.”

Dash’s cheeks darkened at Rarity’s attention, finally looking up at her and nodding a little. “Alright, thanks Rarity. I-I will. Can you wake me around two? We're supposed to have a light mist tonight, and I didn't bother to schedule anypony else to work on something that minor.”

Dash stood up, and looked like she was about to walk from the room when she froze, her hand stroking Dusk’s jaw. “And no, I didn't pull anything. I just slept bad and my neck and back are stiff, alright? I can still run circles around you, book-boy, but if you're serious about wanting to help, do the dishes for Rarity, so she can give me a back massage. Unlike some ponies, she's got a soft touch that'll make your knees go weak.”

Rarity paused in the doorway, laughing openly at Dash’s compliment, turning just enough so she could blow Dash a kiss. “I've got some designs that I simply must finish, Dash, or I'd fall for your subtle suggestion. Let Dusk give you a back rub. He may not be a masseur, but he can still do things with his hands that will make you see The Light.” The suggestive wiggle of her eyebrows had Dusk wondering if Rarity was simply teasing him, bragging, or tormenting Dash. Rarity left the room with an entrancing sway of her behind, and Dusk realized he wasn't the only pony who had watched her until she disappeared out of sight back into the kitchen.

Dash coughed roughly while he couldn't help but laugh at the awkward realization that they'd both been eyeing Rarity’s retreating stride. Dash thrust her hand into his, voice gruff, and she refused to look back at him. “Well? C’mon. Make yourself useful, like Rarity said. Maybe I'll even give you the day off jogging if you do half as good a job as Rarity suggests.”

Dusk followed Dash to the spare room, a simple thing just behind the private showroom with its short catwalk. Small, it was hardly five feet across, and six deep, and the bed touched both walls, with a small dresser making up the only other furniture room. The only other luxury feature in the room were five small paintings hanging on the walls. Her back to him, Dash slipped her hands up to her shoulders, pulling the spaghetti string straps loose. Turning just enough to look at him, she grinned just a little, with one hand across her small breasts for privacy. “I don’t feel up to putting on some big strip show today, Dusk. But do a good job, and I’ll show you what I got myself for my birthday.”

The suggestive brush of her tail against his groin and catty sway of her hips as she climbed into the bed held Dusk’s full attention. He noted that she only moved her hand away from her breasts after she had made herself comfortable. With both arms under a pillow, Dash closed her eyes, letting her tail sway lazily over her hips. Her wings flexed outward for a moment, settling against the bed so that Dusk would have an easier time getting to her back. Not looking back at him, she called back, “Come on, egghead. Let’s see what you got!”

Dusk was about to step onto the bed to straddle her hips when the door opened behind him, just missing his elbow. Rarity looked inside, putting a finger to her lips and pushed a small crystalline jar, filled with a thick clear liquid, into his hands. Leaving again in silence, she let her tail drag across his hip, teasing him playfully.

Dusk didn’t need to guess just what was in the jar. Stepping carefully up to the bed, Dusk threw one leg over to the far side of Dash’s hip, lowering himself to kneel just below the curve of her cute rump, doing his best to keep the weight of his body from crushing her legs. The cap of the bottle gave a soft rubbery popping sound as he pulled it free, and he set it aside on the dresser. The fluid inside oozed out thick, and the moment the oil came into contact with her bare flesh, Dash gave an excited gasp and sigh into the pillow. “You’re cheating! That’s Rarity’s icy hot oil, isn’t it?!”

Dusk only laughed a little, and attempting to be precise, let the oil collect on both of Dash’s shoulder blades. Setting the bottle beside the cap atop the dresser, he carefully gripped the edge of her shirt, slipping it down her back even further until he reached her hips. Leaning forward over her back, he bent down, nuzzling behind her ear, and Dash made a soft, eager noise as she tilted her head away from Dusk, showcasing the soft skin of her neck. Smiling, he began to whisper in her ear. “If it’s cheating, why is your back covered in goosebumps? I think you like this oil, don’t you?”

Refusing to answer, Dash turned her head away, but her tail brushed very slowly across his belly now that he was pressed close enough for her to reach, reassuring him she was enjoying their game. Shifting his weight back to his knees again, Dusk finally got to work, using first the tips of his fingers and the weight of his thumb to spread the clear, but thick oil over her back, only avoiding the base of her wings at the last second, remembering how it had affected Derpy last night. Dash’s long sigh as his fingers continued to brush over her back told him he was doing well. The spreading warmth of the oil on his hands made his fingers tingle, giving the work an exciting thrill beyond the sounds of Dash’s low moans at his touch, but the distant sound of the household door opening and closing again broke his concentration. Applejack’s voice was just loud enough to cut through the house. “Rarity, he’s gone again! I just don’t get it anymore! His work’s done, but he’s nowhere to be found!”

Suddenly, Dusk was glad he’d left the door open after Rarity had given him the oil. Shifting his hands to Dash’s ribs, he became more aggressive. Grinding his thumbs into the flesh along her spine, he hunted down the taunt muscles and took extra time to knead his knuckles into the tougher spots. The sound of Rarity leaving her inspiration room upstairs kept Dusk from welcoming Applejack just yet, and the fashionista soon joined her. “Oh dear, AJ! Are you sure he isn’t just working on his still or something? I’m sure Mac isn’t avoiding you or anything, and I know he said the still needed a lot of work after that parasprite outbreak last week.”

Dusk stopped the massage again, and Dash gave a frustrated grunt, glaring back over her shoulder up at him. But he playfully tapped the tip of her nose, and that made her freeze up as the icy hot oil tickled her. Dusk could hear AJ and Rarity hug, the edge in Applejack’s voice showed her exasperation. “He isn’t, Rarity. He was in there earlier, but when I went to bring him some breakfast, he was gone, and things were cleaned up and locked. He didn’t leave no note, and Granny didn’t see where he went. I’m worried, Rarity! He’s been like this since the thaw, and I just don’t understand why he’d lie to me!”

Dusk drew his thumbs down to the base of Dash’s spine, grinding them over the joint where her spine met her tailbone, earning him an instant groan of approval from the mare. A nagging thought spawned as his hands worked, and Dusk called to his lover. “Applejack, maybe he has simply picked up a second job around town to help pay for all the new expenses on the farm? Did you check with Ginger Gold at the labour board?”

Applejack showed no sign of surprise as he joined their conversation from another room, her worries still clear in her voice as she began to pace, her steps loud enough to carry across the house. “Oh… I don’t know, Dusk. You’re right, I didn’t ask, I’ll go check there next, thanks.”

Dusk shifted his hands, watching Dash, who had closed her eyes and was giving a quiet sigh and quiet murmur of pleasure as his hands continued to work over her back muscles. Letting his eyes wander her body, he found the sensitive spots that Derpy had so enjoyed again, realizing they were the only part of her back he had yet to work. His intense curiosity demanded he explore more, and his fingers drifted up her back, while he shifted his weight forward, to straddle her hips, directly planting his weight on her tight athletic ass, earning him a satisfied groan from the mare. Wetting his dry lips with his tongue, Dusk raked his fingers across the perimeter of the muscle around the base of her wings.

Dash’s reaction was instant: a powerful, lusty moan of great pleasure, far louder than he’d expected. Embarrassment flooded her cheeks, and she half-turned under him, her hand lifting to lightly bap him on the nose with the flat of her palm. Just hard enough to sting, but not enough to leave a welt or bruise, her voice was an odd mix of lurid moan and angry excitement, and her eyes danced with a mix of sudden lust and shock. “Dusk!!!”

The sudden laughter shared between AJ and Rarity was more than loud enough to carry out of the room. Applejack’s voice was for the first time relaxed, and laughter continued to ring in her tone. “Oh come on, Dash! I’ve only heard you make that sound for one reason before, and only when you really liked what we were doing together in bed. Don’t go too rough on him!”

Rarity kept laughing, and made some crude joke Dusk couldn’t quite make out, but Dash’s cheeks flushed only darker and she turned to yell back at her friends. “We already HAVE a room, Rarity! And I know what to do with a stallion!” After she’d finished, she buried her face in her pillow.

For a minute Dusk remained still, silent and worried he’d gone too far. As he waited, Dash’s wings flexed and flicked, unfolding to spread wide before laying flat again on the bed, once more revealing her back to him. Muttering out of the side of her mouth, she spoke softly, so the other two wouldn’t hear her. “Well? Are you going to keep going, Dusk? I can’t sleep properly if you don’t finish...”

Dash’s tone, and the playful dance in her eyes was unmistakable. Dusk stood up slowly and walked the two steps to the bedroom door. With care, he closed it quietly and turned the lock. Turning back to the bed, he was shocked to see one of Dash’s hands had been shoved into her thin shorts, and from her moans, he knew exactly what she was doing. Swallowing back a new kind of embarrassment, Dusk crossed back to Dash, returning to the bed. He straddled her ass again, letting his groin grind against it to torment her, and pin her lustful hand where it was in her shorts. She didn’t complain, but instead buried her face into the pillow, muffling her moans as her fingers continued to work in the folds of her sex, the sloppy wet sound something he could now easily identify as a mare pleasuring herself.

Dusk’s fingers found that sensitive muscle at the base of her wings again, dancing around the outside ridge with a light drift of his nails, while rocking his hips against her ass, knowing already just how much she liked the feeling. Dash’s reaction was just as strong as before, burying her face into the pillows to muffle her moans while he felt her writhing under his body. Dusk circled his fingers around the muscle about her wing base, noting the small differences between her and Derpy. Dash’s muscle was firmer, while Derpy’s was soft and squishy, and Dash’s had a more defined border, standing out on the athlete’s back.

As he moved his fingers towards the joint of her wing and back, Dusk found the muscle grew even firmer, and he assumed Dash’s constant flight worked the muscle harder, and had made a dramatic difference. Circling around the base of her wings on both sides, Dash’s hips began to jerk back against his groin, grinding against his hard-on uncontrollably. Her moans took on a higher pitch, and she tried to bury her face even further into her pillow.

Unable to help himself, Dusk leaned forward, keeping one hand on her flight muscles, kneading them gently but firmly. His other hand found the back of her free hand gripping the pillow, and after a moment, she loosened her grip just enough for him to slip his fingers into hers. He kissed the side of her neck, and her stifled moan was replaced by a muffled gasp. On a whim, he took her earlobe in between his lips, chewing on it gently and exhaling through his nose into her ear.

Almost immediately, Dash let out a loud scream into her pillow, tight ass bucking back against Dusk as hard as she could manage from underneath him. Her entire body began twitching randomly, and her wings had shot straight out to the sides to their full extent. As her scream tapered off, she slowly relaxed onto the bed again, Dusk still atop her. He couldn’t make out her low mumbling into the pillow, but she didn’t sound unhappy. Dusk let go of her ear and began placing more kisses against her neck.

After a few more moments, Dusk leaned back onto his knees. Dash felt his arousal pressing against her ass, and she playfully pressed into him for a moment before looking at him over her shoulder. Smirking, she said through a yawn, “Well, you earned this, at least.” Half-turning towards him again, clutching her pillow to her chest, she teased two fingers against his lips, before he let them in.

The taste of her was sharp and immediate, and meeting her grin, he took his time cleaning the fingers she’d been masturbating herself with. When she began pulling her fingers back, he let them go, before catching her hand and kissing her knuckles. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she turned back to the bed, laying down again. Her tail flicked up to tickle his chin, and she called back to him. “Tell Rares I said thanks for letting me borrow the room.”

He didn’t reply verbally, instead choosing to slip his hands up to her shoulders, taking a gentle grip and leaning in to kiss between her shoulder blades. She didn’t react, instead letting out a soft snore. “Asleep already. I suppose you really were the one who slept worse in the end.” Shaking his head and laughing a little to himself, Dusk stood up, taking a deep breath and straightening his clothing. Reaching for the door, a sudden sharp ‘Snork!’ made him freeze, turning to look back at Dash upon the bed. The mare had rolled over, and for a moment the room was silent, before she again began to snore, only this time her impressive volume matched her bold personality. Dusk couldn’t help but shake his head a little, admiring the half-naked mare, her pierced nipples now on full display from her new position on the bed. Muttering to himself, he resisted the urge to return to her. “Dash, you’re one mare in a million.”

Rarity was alone in the tea room when Dusk peeked in to check up on her, fingers coiled around a small porcelain cup. Her fingers lifted and lazily waved at him, while she gave a little nod at the open spot on the loveseat beside her.

Dusk knew a request when he saw one, and carefully settled into the seat beside Rarity, enjoying the plush cushion as his body sank in beside her. Rarity finished her tea and set it aside, then leaned her back against him, sniffing gently at the air and making a particular face, scrunching up her nose. “Oh, dear, oh dear, Dusk. You're going to have to learn some control. Everypony in town will know you were having fun with a mare if you go around smelling like that!”

Dusk hadn't noticed any strong scent, but instantly tried to find what she was talking about, shifting in his seat and sniffing his jacket, hands and even his armpits, awkward due to Rarity’s weight leaning back against him. Rarity began softly laughing, and he relaxed, wrapping his arms around the tiny mare, holding her close and lowering his head to rest beside hers, against her shoulder, nuzzling jaw to jaw. “Dash… got really excited when I tried some research. Do all pegasi go crazy after somepony touches the tender muscles at the base of their wings?”

Rarity’s soft laughter was silken, and she hugged his arms around her body, entwining her fingers with his, held him close, softly kissed his cheek before answering. “I'm afraid I've no answer, Dusk. Perhaps you could check with Bronze?”

Dusk sat up a little at the name but still held Rarity’s body close to his chest, sighing a little. “About Bronze, I-”

Rarity squeezed his hands tighter and smiled gently. "I'm sorry for cutting you off so quickly earlier, but I didn't think Dash needed to hear more right now. Besides, you shouldn't worry about it, Dusk, really. We talked a little more, and I understand. She's just not very comfortable around foals; it's really nothing that major, she'll get used to it in time. We could have her foal-sit Sweetie; if that doesn't make her feel more comfortable, nothing will."

Dusk winced, trying to decide just how much he could comfortably share without feeling like he was betraying Bronze and Cadence's trust. He put his hand on Rarity's, and squeezed her hand with a firm grip, giving her a smile, but shaking his head. "No, it's not just foals, Rarity. Look... when Cadence was treating her, she said Bronze... Bronze admitted to having violent nightmares about... about horrible things while under the influence of the Poison Joke. That's the real reason she is so leery. She's never been close to anypony romantically, and now all she remembers is the bad things that happened in her head. I... think she feels guilty at even having dreamed such things, even if it was the Poison Joke’s fault."

This gave Rarity cause to pause, and she watched him, at last finally understanding, he hoped. "Then, how about she comes over more often, so she can get more comfortable, and learn that things aren't as bad as her dreams. I want to work on a dress for her for the Grand Galloping Gala. I've nearly finished my pieces for everypony else, and I think she'd look simply wonderful if I could just get her to give me a few hours to work on the dress! Plus, it would give us time to relax and grow closer, and she'd see she be close to all of us, without any disastrous consequences!”

Dusk looked deep into Rarity’s eyes, and couldn’t help but be comforted by the depth of empathy he saw there. It was reassuring, and he let go of the breath he’d been holding without noticing he’d been doing so. He gave her a smile, at last releasing his worries about the damaged guard. “Alright, Rarity. You’re right. I’ll have her come over as soon as our work is done for the day. I hope you aren’t expecting me to wear one of those dresses.”

His attempt to diffuse the tension worked, and Rarity laughed, her hand stroking his jaw as she leaned in and kissing his lips softly. “No, Dusk. I’ve got something even better in mind for you... though you’d look rather stunning in a dress!” Her nose wrinkled as she got another whiff of Dusk. “Now, rather than confuse and tease Bronze with that smell, go jump in the shower, I'll lay out a new suit for you.” Gripping Dusk’s hands, Rarity stood up off the couch and pulled Dusk along behind her.

12:30pm, At school.

Sweetie Belle turned the sealed invitation in her hands, time and time again, looking around the classroom as the other foals ate, talked, or did Celestia knew what else. She’d finished her grapes and yogurt, but the invitation left on her desk continued to confound her. She didn’t need to open it, she’d seen the fake smile Diamond Tiara had plastered on while giving Twist her copy, and Apple Bloom had been quite loud about announcing she’d be there too, even before they’d given her an invitation as well. But now well into lunch, Apple Bloom continued to stare at her lunch, and hadn’t even touched the candy cane Twist had given everypony in class.

Scootaloo sat just a few feet away, and Sweetie knew she needed somepony to talk to, and Apple Bloom looked like she was in the same kind of obsessive mood as Momma got into sometimes. Swallowing back her worry about how grumpy Scootaloo could be at times, Sweetie got up and moved to Scootaloo’s side, gently tapping her on the shoulder.

Twisting around swiftly and scowling at first, Scootaloo glared up at Sweetie before her face melted into a momentary smile of recognition that was quickly painted over with a half-hearted glare. “Ya, whatcha want, Sweetie?”

Looking over Scootaloo’s shoulder at the busy classroom, Sweetie still didn’t feel comfortable, despite the fact that nopony around appeared to be paying them any attention. Leaning in close, she tried her best to not look worried and gestured outside, towards the hill Scootaloo always practiced at with Dash. “Ca… can you show me one of your awesome backflips? I haven't been able to come watch you practice in forever, and I really wanted to see how much you’ve improved!”

The glare that Scootaloo gave her at her feeble lie nearly made Sweetie’s knees buckle. She was already so nervous that they were already banging together. Giving a slight grunt, Scootaloo pushed her chair back and stood, throwing her arm around Sweetie’s shoulders and nodding to her. “Sure, Sweetie Belle. Maybe if you come to practice more, Dash’ll show you how to do backflips too.”

And that was it! They made their way outside the school without anypony paying them any more attention. Sweetie was sure at any moment somepony would jump up and question them, while Scootaloo talked on loudly about her special flight training. Sweetie was surprised at how casually Scootaloo acted when she could hardly stand up. Squeezing her hands into fists she tried her best to drive her panic away. “Just… just remember, Sweetie Belle. You're doing it for Apple Bloom! She does so much for you already.”

The teacher watching at the school door gave them a small wave, adding their names to the list of students who had left for the school yard during lunch, calling after them as she checked the clock. “Just remember, fillies! Only twenty five minutes left before class starts again! Don’t get too dirty playing in the grass!”

Outside, two teachers watched the other foals, though it was windy enough that few other students had bothered to come outside today. Scootaloo tried to stop right at the door, but Sweetie steeled herself and grabbed the older foal’s hand, and did her best to giggle casually. “C’mon, Scoot! Show me!” Running and doing her best to drag Scoot along, Sweetie tried to put on a normal smile and laugh. She wondered if other ponies had to pretend to be happy and casual when things troubled them. If that was something you had to learn to be an adult. The look on Apple Bloom's face was enough to sadden her, but she was trying her hardest to put on a happy face, at least until her and Scootaloo were alone. Recalling several breakfasts with Dusk over the last few months, she placed him firmly in the category of ponies who could put on a smile no matter how bad a day they were having.

Finally, they crested the hill where Dash always waited on the tree stump for Scootaloo and the other foals who needed help with flying. Empty this early in the day, Sweetie jumped up onto the short seat, brushing her skirt straight before laying her hands on her knees. Nopony was anywhere near them, and she finally felt like it was safe to talk without other ponies overhearing her, so she smiled up at Scootaloo. “Thanks for coming with me, Scoots. I-”

But Scootaloo didn’t let her go on, instead cuffing her on the shoulder playfully and taking a few steps back from the tree stump. “You said you wanted to see my backflip. Before we get all wrapped up in whatever you really want to talk about, you’ll watch me do a backflip and tell me I’m great, ‘cause I am!”

That made Sweetie laugh. Something in Scootaloo’s confidence made it impossible for her to say no. Sitting up taller, she giggled and clapped her hands together. “Alright! Then show me your best stuff, Scootaloo!”

Scoot cocked an eyebrow at that, and took another step backwards, her eye shifting to examine the space between them. Her tongue slipped free of her lips, wetting them as she squared her shoulders, and stomped down her right foot into the dirt, planting herself and adjusting her balance to the balls of her feet. Her wings unfolded behind her back, and flexed out, fully expanding them to the limit before relaxing several times. Cracking her neck, Scootaloo rolled her shoulders and finally locked eyes with Sweetie again. “J… Just don’t move, okay, Sweetie?”

Giggling softly, Sweetie kicked her feet as they hung off the tree stump, and nodded excitedly at Scootaloo. “Sure!”

Scootaloo suddenly launched off with her left foot, controlling her passage through the air with a precise series of wing flaps. Her arc was so steep, and Sweetie straightened up in her seat, all the while her jaw dropped, amazed at how high Scootaloo was soaring. Twisting around in midair, she suddenly dropped straight to the ground, landing heavily, nearly falling to her knees due to the weight of the impact with the ground. Just as Sweetie was about to cry out, Scootaloo suddenly kicked off again, this time staying low to the ground and flipping forward, her hands crossed behind her back as she cartwheeled across the grass, directly towards Sweetie. In one fluid motion, she landed the second low cartwheel, then launched off into a forward flip, this time flapping her wings again, to carry herself over Sweetie Belle’s head, landing and standing at full height behind her, hands thrown high into the air, wings spread wide. Only her tail’s excited dancing behind her hip revealed just how much she had enjoyed showing off for Sweetie.

Standing up and turning to face Scoot, Sweetie enthusiastically began clapping and dancing on the spot. “Scootaloo, that was amazing! You just did four flips in a row! Do you and Dash practise that often!?”

Blushing, Scootaloo crossed her arms behind her back, nervously planting the tip of her right foot in the dirt and rolling her ankle around in a circle. “What? I- well, uh. I’ve never tried that before. Changing the momentum around that much is kinda hard on the head, and I’ve been trying to practice that in private hoping I can show it off for Dash sometime.”

Sweetie jumped over the tree stump and hugged Scootaloo around the hips, burying her head against Scoot’s shoulder, laughing happily. “Scootaloo! You should totally show Dash you can do that! You’re fantastic, I’m sure she’d be so proud of you!”

Scootaloo blushed and kicked a foot in the dirt, refusing to look Sweetie in the eye, though she did slip a hand around the smaller filly’s shoulders. Taking a deep breath she straightened up and looked off towards the school. “So, uh yeah, before we’re late for class, what was it that you wanted to talk about, Sweetie?”

Remembering herself, Sweetie released Scootaloo and nodded, a hand straightening back some of her hair that had fallen out of place. Nervous all over again, she tried her best to straighten up and act confident like Rarity always did. “It’s about Diamond Tiara’s cuteceñera. I think th-”

Before she could finish, Scootaloo spat in the dirt and turned to head back to school, her wings flattening themselves against her back as she muttered aloud. “Yeah, ‘cause I SO want to go to that nightmare! Just standing in a corner while everypony in town pretends that Diamond Tiara is just so great while she rubs her cutie mark in my face! Thanks, but no thanks Sweetie!”

Having to run to catch up with Scootaloo, Sweetie grabbed her hand and tried her best to dig in her feet to stop the pegasus in her tracks. “But Scootaloo! You know Apple Bloom’s going to go even if we don’t! And you just know if she’s alone, Diamond Tiara will specifically find some way to single her out before all the adults, and that wouldn’t be right! We’d be horrible friends to leave her alone… and… well… oh... fiddlesticks!

Dragging Sweetie several feet as she talked, Scootaloo finally stopped, mostly because she needed a moment to catch her breath. Glowering at the younger mare, she shrugged, trying to free her arm from Sweetie’s grip. “So!? That’s her fault. Just ‘cause Peppermint Twist won her dumb bet with Diamond Tiara doesn’t mean we all have to go to her stupid party! Most ponies don’t even have cuteceñeras! It’s just an excuse for her to show off her dad’s money anyways!”

Stepping between Scootaloo and the school now that she’d stopped walking, Sweetie took a hold of both of Scootaloo’s hands and squeezed them tightly. “Yeah, but that’s why we have to go! If we don’t, Apple Bloom will be all alone. If we’re there, we can stick up for her, and you can tell Diamond off, and I can um… like… hide behind you or something, right?”

Fuming still, Scootaloo glared down at her, so Sweetie turned on her big eyes, the way she did that always worked on Rarity and Apple Bloom, and curled up her lip, pouting as deeply as she could. Twice, Scootaloo tried to form a response, but froze up each time. At last, she grunted and deflated, her shoulders drooping and head shaking. “Alright, alright! Enough. Just… just promise me you’ll get my drink and bring me snacks when I ask, alright?”

Releasing Scootaloo’s hands so she could excitedly clap her hands together and jump in place, she rushed to tightly hug Scootaloo around the hips again. “Thank you so much, Scootaloo! Maybe we can even have some fun at the party, right?!”

Groaning, Scootaloo ruffled Sweetie’s hair with one hand and rolled her eyes. “Sure, sure... and Silver Spoon will serve us cake and ice cream with a smile, right?”

Giggling, Sweetie linked arms with Scootaloo and joined her in walking back to class. “You’re right! That would be so much fun! Can you imagine it? She’d have to plaster a smile on and totally suck up to you!”

Author's Notes:

And another part complete. This is turning out longer than I'd thought but I am really liking how things are growing. Next comes the Diamond's Party, I can not wait to see how that goes. And just what is Mac up to?