Thursday, April 14th, 5:30 am, Dusk’s Library, Ponyville

Lost in a comfortable sea of dreams, Dusk found himself being roused by foggy memories that began as a distant, distinct noise, despite sleep’s siren song. There was a voice... no, not one, but two, engaged in distant conversation nagging at his sleeping mind. The first memory that filtered in was garbled, a thick glob of words, sights and sounds all crammed together and jammed up. Faces were impossible to make out, but voices were easier to piece together. There was darling Barb, worry evident in her every word, even if she tried to sound angry. And Cadance, his favorite foalsitter, was talking about, what else: herds and foals, in such loving, gushing detail. Dusk couldn't help but smile to himself as he remembered that. The serenity in her open and honest joy was impossible to ignore.

Then Dash was back, and Dusk realized that he had moved on to a different memory. This one was a little clearer, and hot black tea was being helped down his throat. For some distinct reason, he knew this was the fourth cup, but it wasn’t the pain-relieving brew that Nurse Redheart put him on. Struggling against the distinctly unfamiliar taste, he remembered making a joke, before gesturing towards an unmade bed. There had been hesitation in Dash’s eyes and a momentary giggle before she made him finish the last glass and tossed a clean blanket over his head after he had laid down. In the warmth and darkness, he curled up with the blanket and drifted back to sleep.

How comfortable the idea of returning to sleep felt. In his arms, Dusk felt a warm body shift against him, hands and feathers brushing at his bare flesh. The weight of sleep seemed to push down on him again, trying to drive his nattering mind back into the comfortable darkness once more. That was when the first spike of pain exploded through his spine, the echoes of its painful course leaving Dusk’s mind aflame in the darkness. Thoughts of sleep burned away in the far too-familiar ache.

The distant voices were what returned first this time, after the pain finally made way for anything else. Breathing in ragged gasps, he began to repeat the meditative steps Redheart had drilled him on so many months ago. A slow breath in, and he tried to empty his mind despite the many chaotic thoughts attempting to force their way to the forefront. It worked, a little, but then there was a nagging memory of the train arriving in Ponyville long after dark, and a bitter exchange between Rainbow Dash and Barb that left him wondering what caused the two to start bickering.

Finally, when the pain had subsided to a level he could tolerate, Dusk regretfully opened his eyes to study his surroundings. The soft and inviting curve of Dash's neck was the first thing he saw, her head on his pillow, with hints of her wings and exposed bare back in the dim sunrise that glowed through his blinds. Realizing he would have to regretfully release her if he was to rise, Dusk tried to entertain the thought of returning to sleep, but only succeeded in fooling himself for a few brief moments before reality, and the next painful stab in his aching back, set in.

Making it free from bed and Dash's intoxicating warmth was a long, slow, and ultimately unrewarding process. The room was cool compared to her strong arms, and the tender brushes of her wings had been like having a second silk blanket in the bed that clung to him. Trousers felt like an impossibility in his weary state, so the pants he still wore from the night before would have to do. His housecoat, a bathrobe Rarity had made while prototyping her attempts to create a perfect magistrate’s robe, was at least thick, familiar, fleecy, and easy to pull on despite the way his shoulders cried out in protest at the ongoing torment.

The moment Dusk opened his bedroom door, a distant muffled conversation finally snapped into focus and he could at last make out the words. “... she just carried him upstairs and tucked herself in bed with him! Didn't even help me put away his laundry or go talk with Rarity and Applejack! She's lucky it was so late, or I would have went to get one of them myself!”

Bronze’s voice attempted to be comforting and calming, but Dusk could tell the mare had other things on her mind distracting her from Barb's half-angry ranting. “Now Barb, like you said, it was late when you three got home, and Dash had been partying with Dusk for a while before you met up with them and changed their plans for the night. An unplanned train ride back to Ponyville with a drunken stallion is probably really tiring. I'm sure Dash expected you to go to bed right away too. You'll see, I'm sure after she gets up she’ll be quick to go over to Rarity’s and tell the others all about her and Dusk, and how much she wants to join the herd.”

There was a sigh, and Barb's voice was soft as she spoke over the noise of rattling plates and the rush of water. “I suppose so, Bronze. But… well, Rarity and Applejack were helping me with the house chores for weeks before they ever made any moves on Dusk. And they were always open to me about what they wanted. Dash acts so flirty and carefree most of the time, but when I found her in Canterlot, she was trying to sneak Dusk out in the middle of the concert and he was blind drunk. I like fun as much as any dragon, but that's just not right!”

While dear little Barb started to wash up, Dusk felt a pang of guilt. He hadn't thought of poor Barb's feelings. She had gotten along so well with the other mares, and she always seemed awestruck by Dash's aerial tricks, that he hadn't foreseen this kind of mood overtaking the small dragoness. He closed his bedroom door loudly to announce he was awake, remembering how hard it had been to wake Dash at her place and hoping she would be just as likely to sleep through this as well. Then, yawning and making an act of stretching his arms over his head as he walked downstairs to join Barb and Bronze, Dusk kept up a bleary-eyed act, stumbling into the kitchen before surprising Barb with a hug. “Hey there, my number one assistant. It's good to have you home again. I hope we didn't rush you away too quickly last night.”

As distracted as he was by the pain in his back, Dusk didn’t miss the ruby hue that bloomed in Barb's cheeks, her spine scales standing on end and trembling slightly with her barely suppressed excitement. Hugging him tightly just below the ribs, Barb grinned up at him, her chipper voice gleeful. “Morning, Dusk! Got some hot water boiling for your tea. What do you want for breakfast? I made Bronze tomatoes on toast, but Rarity and Applejack did a great job keeping the icebox stocked, so I can make anything you want!”

Delaying only long enough to look over Barb's head to meet Bronze’s eyes, Dusk was surprised to see the guardsmare eating even so much as toast, remembering all too well her usual morning habit of fresh fruit and a jog. Grinning a little at the smile Bronze gave him, Dusk started to answer Barb, only to correct himself before he set off the protective dragoness. “Well that's good news Barb, because some mornings it was hard getting to the tea pot without your help. I'll be fine this morning, but I haven't really got much of an appetite… well, maybe a single piece of toast and some tomatoes, since you already have them out for our loyal retainer.”

Smirking over her slice of toast, Bronze gave a small half bow of her head from behind her elevated hand, her voice tinged with muffled laughter. “Good morning, magistrate. You know I could have delivered you tea in the morning if it was so hard for you to get up. Maybe I could carry you? Perhaps even pull you around on a chariot?” Taking a large bite from her toast, Bronze chewed thoughtfully before giving a playful shrug, chuckling just a little as she finished her thoughts aloud. “Now from what Barb tells me, you’re rather partial to a flask of wine or two when you’ve got nothing to do, and since your loyal Vicarius has all your paperwork up to date, no reason to wait.”

Rolling her eyes, Barb turned away from them and started heating the bread for Dusk’s breakfast while her tail wrapped around the body of the hot teapot, supporting it and drinking in the heat from the ceramic pot. She poured the hot water into a tall mug and started adding spoonfuls of the tea, and when she spoke, her voice was tinged with mild agitation. “The only reason I'm not saying anything to Rarity is because you and Dash were on a date. But if getting plastered like that is Dash's idea of a date then she's never staying over here again! And neither of you had better have thrown up in there or you'll be doing the laundry for at least a week, Dusk!”

Using a glimmering touch of his magic to take the heavy mug of tea from Barb as soon as he politely could, Dusk gently pulled away from the dragoness and joined Bronze at the kitchen table. Cupping the hot mug in both hands and enjoying in the heat, Dusk took a long deep draft of the herbal tea, glad for the familiar taste of the herbs. He had already resigned himself to the frustrating but soothingly numbing feeling that came when the medicine kicked in. Nearly anything was better than the constant stabbing pain in his back. Feeling like Bronze had ganged up on him a little with Barb, Dusk decided that after breakfast he would have to try his hand at revenge. “You really managed all of my paperwork, Bronze? What about the royal funding for the repairs we needed after the Parasprite outbreak? They've been dragging their heels over paying for the lumber for weeks.”

Sucking crumbs from her thumb, the young pegasus grinned at him, shaking her head. “All dealt with. Turns out that an old buddy of mine from boot is now secretary to one of Princess Cadance’s handmaids. After exchanging a few letters with her, we were able to finally get things started moving. Apparently the old buzzard that was handling your case file had never heard of Ponyville and demanded his assistant find proof of its founding and charter before he would process your claim.”

Intrigued, Dusk took another long draft of the tea, savouring the herbs for a moment on his palette. Even though he didn't care for their taste, the promise of their presence was more than enough to make them a familiar friend. At last, as the first distant feelings of numbing detachment began to form, Dusk gave a mild gesture to the guard. “I suppose it makes some minor amount of sense. If he'd never heard of Ponyville, and then some brand new magistrate suddenly started sending massive bills for repairs and replacement, I too would be very cautious, making sure to confirm that any of this was real before handing out thousands of bits to an obvious scam. Still, we are only two hours from Canterlot by express. Three with the normal service trains. It's disappointing we don't export anything famous enough to make Ponyville stand out on a map.”

Pulling Dusk’s slice of toast off the heat as Dusk and Bronze talked, Barb started to butter the bread lightly before cocking her head to the side so she could stare over at Dusk, speaking up in confusion. “What about Zap Apple Jam?”

Confused by her question, Dusk raised an eyebrow while staring right back at the dragoness. “On a tomato sandwich? That’s an odd and adventurous suggestion. Did Cadance or Princess Celestia teach you new bad habits for breakfast?”

Gawking at Dusk’s strange response, Barb was flabbergasted for a moment before she realized his confusion and shook her head vigorously. “No, I meant, isn't Zap Apple Jam popular enough to make Ponyville famous? It's at all the diners in Canterlot nowadays, and I swear I remember that back when I was a hatchling nopony used to carry it, right?”

His eyes widened as he realized Barb had stumbled right into a solid idea. Dusk drained the rest of his teacup, gulping down thick mouthfuls of the hot brew before gasping for air and fetching a quill and paper from his desk in the neighboring library. Ink pot following slowly behind in the grip of his magic, Dusk returned to his seat while fetching a jar of Zap Apple Jam Applejack had left in the pantry. He muttered under his breath as he examined the label for the rainbow jam. “Filthy has some kind of deal with Granny Smith, so the most important thing is to keep any redesign as close as possible to the existing branding. But space the right side out a little more so I can add details later…” Dusk started by swiftly sketching out a larger version of the label that proudly featured Filthy Rich’s smiling face and usual branding, working with care to adjust it all to the left, while still keeping the important information centered.

Watching as Dusk launched into a project outside his normal paperwork on such a sporadic whim, Bronze gestured at him where Barb would see, giving a questioning shrug while her jaw hung in shock. But Barb simply shook her head, turning away and letting out an overly-loud sigh before speaking softly. “He does that with projects. It's just Dusk’s way.”

No expert at graphics arts, Dusk was forced to slow down as he switched from sketching from the label on the jar to designing his own additional details in what little free space remained. “First add on Granny Smith as a balance to Rich, facing each other on either side of the main label. Then in a slightly smaller box below the branding, put ‘A proud product of Ponyville for’ …” Dusk’s voice trailed off as he tried to recall if Applejack had ever mentioned how old her granddam was, or even just when her family had started making the unique jam. Unable to recall anything valuable, Dusk very lightly wrote in the date of Ponyville's founding instead, though the half-true answer bothered him. “Make sure the typeset is smaller than the Rich family branding so Filthy doesn't complain… and make sure to fix that date before we show it to anypony. What do you think? That'll slowly let ponies know we exist, right?”

Turning the still wet paper to show to Barb and Bronze, Dusk felt confident in a small job done well. Instead both women stared in silence for a while, before Barb finally raised a finger and spoke up first. “Why not Applejack? She's the face of Sweet Apple Acres these days, right?”

A little surprised, Dusk looked down at the page from above, hesitating a moment before answering. “Well, yeah, but Granny Smith is a legend around Ponyville, and this is about promoting the town, not the farm, right?”

Bronze frowned a little as Dusk spoke, her eyes focusing harder on the paper in his hands before she grinned. “Then why don't you put her in her apron? It would help showcase her as the chef behind the jam more clearly, right?”

Delighted by the mare's idea, Dusk gave her a nod, returning to add that extra detail to the drawing. When Barb delivered his toast and tomato, he might not have even noticed if the dragoness hadn't stepped up on an empty chair and stood in his way while settling it down on the table before frowning crossly up at him. “I still don't see why you can't just have both of them there. They're a team, right? Granddam and grandfilly working together to make the farm great. And you'd better eat this and enjoy it before you answer, or I'm gonna bite you, Dusk.”

Well aware of just how much the tiny dragoness’ teeth could hurt, Dusk dried out his quill and capped the inkwell before wiping off his hands and picking up the toast. Barb had thoughtfully added a zip of mayo under the tomatoes as well as healthy hints of salt and pepper as seasoning. It was as he chewed on his third bite of toast when a fresh idea suddenly sprang to mind. Through a mouthful of his half-chewed breakfast, he asked, cautiously. “Why not the whole family? No reason to leave Mac and Apple Bloom out, right?”

Barb was glowering at him as she turned from the sink, but her expression calmed when she saw he was nearly through with his toast. Rubbing her jaw with one soap sud-coated hand, she gave a soft nod. “Seems like a good idea Dusk. Helps express the family unity that the Apples are so big into. Don't include Zecora or yourself though, at least, not until that stuff becomes official. By then, Filthy Rich will be begging for your face on the label. We all saw how badly he wants you to show up for his business opening last year.”

Looking down in an expression of deep concentration, his brow drew low as he focused hard on the page. Dusk bit at his lower lip, eventually nodding his head. “Well, I suppose that could work… but balancing it out is a real challenge. Perhaps if I put Filthy Rich at Granny Smith’s side, with the others behind them? Besides, I doubt Zecora would want in on a picture like this anymore than I would.”

Standing up on her side of the dining table, Bronze gave a moment's pause before loudly coughing into her balled fist to get Dusk’s attention. “You know, Dusk. You might be better off talking to Mr. Rich before devoting so much time into a project like this… he does employ Simply Art & Son to do that kind of work normally, after all. Who knows how well she’ll take you intruding into her years of expertise?”

Freezing in place as Dusk realized she was right, Dusk remained motionless, deep in thought for a moment, again chewing at his lower lip. As he processed her criticism, a low sigh hissed between his lips before he finally answered hesitantly. “I suppose I just spent a lot of time on something that she might have already mocked up before… still, it takes my mind off other things. Maybe if I approach her after Applejack, and pretend to be a befuddled and bored Canterlot noble, it might not come off as insulting… Tell you what, Bronze. Let me redo this with them all in one group, then I'll go wake up Dash. We've delayed your jog long enough, and she would have wanted you to join us for a run anyway.”

Turning on her heels away from the sink, Barb's spines stiffened and her shoulders hunched forward. “You drank so much last night that you couldn't even walk straight on the way home! Not to mention that Dash was saying your back was giving you a lot of problems! And! You just finished drinking a whole mug of Redheart’s tea! You are going to sit down and relax, take a day off, and see how you're doing tomorrow, or I’ll bite your tail off and make Applejack tie you down in bed before getting Fluttershy to babysit you like the foal you are!”

Carrying her plates to the sink, Bronze reached out and squeezed Barb's arm gently around the elbow as she slipped the dirty dishes into the near-boiling water, careful to avoid splashing herself. “You're probably right Barb, but you could have let me break it to him a little easier than that. Besides, I like how he looks with a tail, so I’d prefer if you didn’t bite it off… at least without a good reason.”

Dusk realized that despite Bronze being on his side, she wasn't going to let him get out from under Barb's watchful glare. Abandoning his plans to team up with Dash and tease Bronze mercilessly, Dusk returned to his drawing, speaking out of the side of his mouth. “I guess I get no say in this if I don't want to upset the friendship you two are finally starting to develop. But regardless Bronze, I was going to treat you and Dash to a trip to the spa after we finished with our jog. Maybe you and Dash should still go together; she loves overdoing it on our jogs and will probably need a massage afterwards anyways.”

Huffing, Barb glanced up at Bronze, keeping her arms crossed over her chest, before turning to glare at Dusk. “I get along with Bronze for exactly the same reasons I get along with Applejack and Rarity. They know how to do housework and are always willing to offer a hand. If somepony else learned how to help around the house, she'd be more welcome around here. You're just lucky I love you, or I'd have you tossed out on your butt, mister!!”

Fully aware that if she didn't disentangle herself from Dusk and Barb’s odd game of wills, it would probably drag her in and consume her entire day. Smiling innocently as she moved away from Barb's side, Bronze moved towards the hallway doorway, piping up in a gap in the conversation to excuse herself from the possessive dragoness and her obsessively absent-minded stallion. “Well, thank you again for breakfast, Barb. I’ll go talk to Dash and get my morning jog out of the way. I think you should draw more, Dusk, you really draw faces very realistically.”

If Dusk answered her, it came after Bronze began to climb the staircase to Dusk's room. A flash of memories back to the night Dusk had brought her here brought hesitation to her step, but Bronze found them more comforting this time, and firmed her grip on the banister as she continued up the stairs. Dusk’s door stood closed, but she confidently crossed the short distance and knocked as casually as she could. "Dash? Are you up?"

Muffled curses came from the other side of the doorway, and Bronze grinned a little bit to herself. "As similar as we are, it's funny how much she hates mornings."

Knocking lightly on the door once more, Bronze called again, louder. "I was just about to go for my morning jog, Dash. Dusk thought you might want to come along since Barb has him under house arrest for at least the day. I'd enjoy the company if you'd like to come."

Again a muffled response came from the room, and again it was difficult for Bronze to make out much of anything she said. Sighing gently, she grabbed the door handle and barged into the room uninvited. It was hard to not stare at Dash’s bare ass as she lay naked face down in a makeshift ‘blanket’ of pillows, half-buried under them all to hide from the soft line of sunlight that came through a thin gap in Dusk's curtains. Trying one last time, Bronze asked, "Dash? Dusk promised to pay for a trip to the spa afterwards if we go jogging together. I'll even preen your wings if you co-"

Bronze trailed off as Dash’s tail twitched, utterly distracted when the appendage curled around and framed Dash's perfect ass. She took a moment to admire the fine grooming the pegasus’ rainbow tail had received before she started to shift her admittedly lewd gaze up to Dash’s wings, unable to miss the fact the ace flyer badly needed a preening.

The sudden impact of a feathery pillow caught Bronze square in the face, catching her entirely unaware. In stunned silence, Bronze simply stood there and stared, considering what sort of response would be… appropriate. “In boot, they'd have flipped her mattress over on the floor. But with so many pillows and those wooden bedside tables, I don't know if I could flip it without hurting her...”

After a few more seconds, a decision came to her, and Bronze stormed up to the bed. Using her shock at the blow to the face to help with her impersonation of her old drill sergeant, she bellowed as loudly as she could, using her diaphragm to make her voice louder. “Rainbow Dash! You're getting up and going for a jog with me whether you like it or not!" The sound bouncing off the walls several times before finally fading away. Taking a hold of the sheets under Dash with both hands, she began to drag the lazy mare out from her pillow fort, muttering under her breath. "You're lucky I like staring at your butt so much."

Pausing her loud grumbling, Dash wiggled her flank before finally crawling out from the pile of pillows she had built up to protect her from the sun, stopping Bronze’s efforts to dump her on the floor, at least momentarily. Rubbing her eyes while turning to look blearily up at Bronze, she grinned a little. “You mean that little kiss Dusk delivered really was from you? Sounds like I just got even more popular.”

Putting her balled fists on her hips, Bronze glared back at Dash. Her frustration at how good Dash’s hearing really was only made worse by the lazy mare’s slow process of getting up. “Yeah?! Well maybe it was only ‘cause it was Dusk who delivered it. Now move it! You might have a nice ass now, but that can only hold a mare’s interest for so long. Keep up this lazy pace and I'll go see if Dusk wants to go to the spa, instead. At least I know he likes treating a mare right."

Reaching out to grab her pants and panties from the floor beside the bed, Dash rolled her head to the side and stuck out her tongue at Bronze. "You already said Barb’s got him under house arrest, and I'm up, I'm up!” She rolled onto her back as she started to get dressed, giving Bronze a long look at her pierced nipples. Dash grinned when she saw Bronze looking at them, barely holding back a laugh. “So just give me like... five minutes to put my freaking panties on. Why don't you go stretch and I'll meet you outside... unless you want to help me find a shirt?"

Rolling her eyes, Bronze snatched one of Dusk’s shirts out of the open drawer from his dresser, tossing it underhand squarely into Dash’s face in revenge before heading for the door. "There! You've been shirted. Now I'll be outside for five minutes, but no more. So catch up or eat my dust!"

8:00 am, a few miles outside of Ponyville

“Wait, what do you mean you haven't even talked to Rarity and Applejack about joining the herd?!”

What had started as a casual jog had turned into a fierce race that only grew harder and faster as Bronze kept matching Dash’s crushing pace with ease. Bronze enjoyed the freedom to race unburdened by her chainmail, trying her hardest to match pace with the agile pegasus.

Now, far from Ponyville and into the foothills of the mountains, Dash cursed under her breath for stopping to step under a convenient waterfall to cool off. Bronze’s questions made things hard. The more Dash said about finally hooking up with Dusk, the more the guard wanted to know about Dash joining the herd. Turning to face Bronze, Dash shook water from her hair. “Well, we talked about it a few months ago when they started setting Pinkie and Fluttershy up for dates with Dusk, but his horn had just been scarred by Gilda, and I didn't want to make a scene; it was my fault she came to Ponyville in the first place. I guess I could go talk to them sometime, but it's not like it's a big deal. They knew me and Dusk were gonna hook up eventually, right?”

Sitting on a rock at the edge of the pool that formed under the waterfall, Bronze shook her head at Dash’s attempt to play it cool and push away any responsibility. “But surely you realize there's a difference between ‘hooking up’ for one fun night and joining Dusk’s herd, right? Like, if Fleetfoot showed up and started ordering your weather team around without talking to you first, you'd be pissed, right?”

Suddenly wishing she hadn't said anything at all, Dash could already see where this conversation was heading. Hanging her head, Dash wandered out of the soothing waterfall and bit the obvious bait. “Well, sure, I mean obviously. But-”

“Then you should understand why Rarity and Applejack are going to be pissed with you if you don't go talk to them soon! Dusk’s their stallion. They've invested months into their relationship with him and making sure their lives work together smoothly. If you just butt in and start occupying Dusk’s time without negotiating some kind of deal, they might refuse you just out of spite!”

The exasperation in Bronze’s voice as she interrupted Dash made the prismatic-haired pegasus pause, before she finally approached the stone Bronze sat on. The guard mare grabbed Dash’s hands when she got close, squeezing them tightly. Worried by the seriousness in Bronze’s attitude, Dash tried to shake it off one last time. “But- well, we're friends. Why would they react like that, just because I'm fucking Dusk sometimes?”

Shaking her head, Bronze squeezed Dash's hands harder, worried by how much trouble Dash might cause by putting off a talk about the dynamics of their growing herd. Trying to keep her answer delicate, but concerned for her friend, Bronze tried again to explain. “Maybe in small towns and Cloudsdale, things are different, but I've seen enough in Canterlot to say this with authority: You've only gotten this far because they're your friends, Dash. Any other mares would have seen you inching in on their stallion weeks ago and put their foot down, harshly. So you need to go talk to them, because it won't just be a roll in the hay once in a while. It'll be dates, and plans, vacations, and foals, and a thousand other things!”

Running her thumbs over the back of Bronze’s gloved hands, Dash couldn't help but blush with shock at the sudden yet familiar change in the guard’s logic. “What is it with you and Princess Cadance!? Nopony is planning on foals yet, Bronze!”

At Dash’s sudden exasperation Bronze relaxed, easing her grip on Dash’s hands and smiled as she shook her head. The guardsmare leaned in closer so she could plant a kiss on Dash’s cheek. “Dash, you're so innocent. Don't you know? Foals aren't always planned! Sometimes they just happen! I know my ma didn't plan on having me when she was still such a young member of the royal guard!”

Shaking her head a little, Dash pressed her forehead against Bronze’s, sighing gently as she brought her arms around Bronze’s waist. Leaning down to nuzzle at Bronze’s throat, Dash gave a half-hearted sigh. “I suppose I should talk to them. Dusk’s a good stallion, and I do like Applejack most of the time. Even if she cheats half the time when we try to see who's better than the other at sports.”

Rolling her eyes at Dash’s playful jest about Applejack’s athletic ability, Bronze trailed her hands down Dash’s body until she managed to sink her hands into the back pockets of Dash's pants and squeeze her ass. “How about we hit the spa together, then go deal with talking with Rarity and AJ? I'm sure together we can get through the conversation, right?”

Grinning as she wiggled her ass against Bronze’s hands, Dash nodded with enthusiasm. “Oh, sure. If we ever finish at the spa, I suppose we could.”

Noon, On the way to Rarity’s boutique, Ponyville

The cool breeze that blew through Dash’s freshly preened feathers made for a heavenly distraction for the jumble of nerves in her belly during the walk to Rarity’s boutique. Bronze had given her wings such an extensive grooming that she couldn't help but spread them wide in the midday warmth and soak up all the warmth she could. Squeezing Bronze’s hand, Dash offered her a grin. “I have to admit, Bronze, I don't think I've had that good a feather preening since Fluttershy was in heat and Rarity was visiting her parents. Don't tell me you're secretly a pro masseuse too. ‘Cause some days my legs ache so bad, and-”

Rolling her eyes, Bronze squeezed Dash's hand back, shaking her head a little as she snickered softly. “No such luck, Dash. I figured that was why you spent so long talking about back massages with Lotus while I was changing. Don't tell me that I'm so rusty at flirting with mares that you lost interest already.”

Wrapping her freshly-groomed wing around Bronze’s shoulder, Dash leaned in close and kissed the mare’s cheek, smirking with devious glee. “No, not at all. Lotus just does their massage classes. Dusk’s back bugs him, right? So I figured if I can learn how to give massages, I might be able to help him relax and feel at least a little better.”

Nodding along a little as Dash spoke, Bronze stopped in her tracks and slapped a hand to her cheek. “Oh! By the Light, I’m such an idiot! Rainbow Dash, that's brilliant! I should arrange classes with Lotus, too. Giving Dusk massages would be a great way to get over how... uneasy Dusk makes me feel.”

Forced to withdraw from the comfortable way her wing hung around Bronze’s shoulder, Dash let go of Bronze’s hand and began to uproariously laugh at how suddenly timid the suddenly-blushing guardsmare looked. When she could breathe again, Dash asked, “Wait, wait, what? I thought you and Dusk were already a real item. Especially after the little show you two put on for Princess Cadance during Rarity’s fashion display.”

Blushing even harder as Bronze wiggled her index fingers against one another, she focused on her gloved hands to avoid looking Dash in the eye. “It's- well of course I like Dusk! It's just- well, when he looks into my eyes like that… or holds my hands, or gets all romantic and sweet… My knees go weak and my heart gets all fuzzy. It- it… it reminds me of how I felt under the Poison Joke. My emotions flare up, my heart beats a mile a minute and I have flashbacks to all the horrible things I was willing to do to have Dusk to myself. Because I just want him so badly, but I get it now, and I've got it under control. Besides, he's a good stallion. He'd never take a mare who was out of her mind like that. It’s why it’s all so frustrating because it just makes me want him even more.”

Almost giggling in delight, Dash pulled Bronze into a tight hug and kissed her tenderly before leaning in to whisper into her ear. “Did you know that you’re nearly as adorable as Fluttershy when you act like this? But you should join me! Lotus isn't even charging me that much. Twenty-two bits for six classes, and I'd enjoy the company. You could probably even get Dusk to cover it for you under ‘training and skill development’, or some bureaucratic junk like that.”

Hesitating at the idea, Bronze only began to slowly follow Dash towards the door when the weather mare used her wing to urge Bronze on. It wasn't until Dash’s rapid knock on the back door of Rarity’s home that the guard finally caught up and spoke. “Well… I suppose so, Dash.”

Still subtly laughing at her friend, Dash twisted the knob and opened the back door to Rarity’s house before calling out for the fashionista. “Rarity?! You busy with anything? Bronze thinks we should talk about Dusk… i-if you don't mind.”

Before she even heard an answer, the sound of blue jeans and leather chaps rustling against each other set off warning signs in the back of Dash’s mind, sending a shiver of nervous fear down her spine. Then Applejack spoke up, close enough that her mellow tone was clear as day to Dash’s sensitive ears. “Well, well, well. I'm guessing you were right after all, hun. Go on, invite her in. This fitting can wait awhile, but a stallion rustler? That's something that needs addressing right away.”

Dash couldn't help but shiver at the sound of Rarity’s heels clicking against the polished wooden floors, her casual stride echoing through the otherwise calm house. The fashionista stepped into the entryway in a nearly-sheer white silk dress, the taut fabric clinging to her majestic breasts. The backless piece was so low-cut that her tail barely managed to cover the hint of her perfect ass revealed by her dress.

With a nearly wolfish curl of her lips into an aggressively knowing smirk, Rarity practically purred her next words. “Good afternoon, Rainbow Dash. I take it you had a good time in Canterlot, since it took you so long to finally stop by?”

Applejack followed Rarity into the room, placing one hand on the unicorn’s bare shoulder. The pegasus couldn't help but feel momentarily lonely at how good, how close the two mares looked together. Straightening her back to stand as tall as she could, Dash carefully folded her wings neatly against her back and walked into the house completely, leaving the door open for Bronze to follow. “Hi uh- Rarity. Applejack. You see- err- the thing is, I was out jogging with Bronze this morning and she pointed out how I was being rude to you and Applejack for not thanking you for letting me have Dusk to myself for a few days, since you three have already formed a herd together.”

Dash jumped slightly when the door behind her let out a well-oiled click as it shut. A moment later, Bronze’s toned arms slipped around Dash’s hips in a supportive hug, and she nestled her chin on Dash’s shoulder, nuzzling comfortingly against the side of Dash's neck. If she was going to say anything, however, Rarity beat her to the punch. “Well, Bronze. You brought her here, but what do you think? Is she good enough for Dusk? For our stallion?”

Heart in her throat, Dash struggled to swallow as she looked Rarity in the eye, her tail flicking in nervous shock against Bronze’s thighs even as she balled her fists nervously at her sides. “Wait- wow! Why does she have a vote on this? I thought only you two were a part of Dusk’s herd!? She hasn't even slept with him yet!”

Applejack’s hand drifted down from Rarity’s shoulder to trail a finger down along the pale mare’s back, and she offered a broad shrug of her shoulders at Dash’s interruption. “Because she's already talked to us about how she feels about Dusk. Doesn't matter if she's officially part of the herd yet. But don't worry, since you saved Dusk in Cloudsdale, we could probably be convinced to let you in.”

Dash jumped again at the soft, wet pressure of Bronze’s tongue dragging over the nape of her neck. Dash shivered with pleasure, mind turning towards several interesting possibilities this situation almost seemed to promise. Speaking softly beside her ear, Bronze’s voice was low, and her lips tickled the flesh of Dash’s lobe. “I want her in. She's really dedicated to Dusk’s well-being, and I'm sure she'll learn to deal with sharing Dusk’s schedule with us.”

Closing the distance to stand before Dash, Rarity's heels echoed through the room with powerful clicks, while her eyes glittered with mischievous hunger. Leaning forward to stand on her toes, Rarity stroked Dash’s cheek before leaning in close, whispering gently in the same ear Bronze just tickled. “I think you'd fit in quite well, Dash. We just have to settle a few questions of scheduling and … compatibility.”

Finally understanding and joining the other three mares’ train of thought, Dash slipped her hands around Rarity’s bare hips, fingers trailing gently along the mare’s smooth skin. Cupping two handfuls of Rarity’s nearly-exposed ass, she squeezed appreciatively, eagerly. She met the hunger in Rarity’s eyes, excited to see where this was going. “Compatibility? I'm really good at being… compatible.”

As she pressed a kiss down onto Rarity’s soft lips, Rainbow Dash’s tail flicked where it was trapped between her and Bronze. Dash heard the guardsmare let out an eager noise behind her, and as she squeezed Rarity’s small body more firmly against her, Dash Couldn't help but think, “Was this why Bronze was acting so playfully at the spa? Well don't worry, soldier girl, I still have plenty of new tricks to show you, too.”

Saturday, April 16th, Fluttershy’s Cottage, Ponyville

Scratching gently under Harry's massive jaw, Fluttershy giggled at how the massive bear rumbled with delight at her attention, scooping her up in his arms and squeezing her tightly. Laughing like a filly, Fluttershy pressed her hands into his coarse chest hair, giving herself a little free space while laughing at the cuddly giant. “Enough, enough! I don't need anymore kisses, Harry! Go on your silly trip and have fun! It's not like you'll be gone so long that I forget your face!”

Releasing a slightly cubbish grumbling murmur, Harry nuzzled Fluttershy’s cheek one last time before setting her down at his feet. He then began casting his snout into the air, sniffing aggressively at the wind, hunting for a promising scent. Pausing to gaze over at her one last time, Harry growled a sweet-natured goodbye and padded off towards the Everfree, following the half-remembered scent of the mountain stream he had successfully fished from in the past.

Waving as enthusiastically as she could, Fluttershy fished up her abandoned garden hoe and leaned on it before finally calling out to the bear as he began to disappear into the treeline. “Enjoy your fishing trip, you big galoot! Just try not to hurt anyone you don't have to!”

Returning to work on her summer garden, Fluttershy began to softly whistle along with the birds. Enjoying their song as it filled the air, she carefully adjusted her phrasing just a little bit to remove the lewd meaning of the bird’s song. Besides, she wasn't like her bird friends, she wasn't looking for a mate, she had already fou-

“Fluttershy! Oh Fluttershy, darling!” Rarity’s powerful voice carried clearly through the open clearing around Fluttershy’s cottage, even though she was still some distance away on the pathway to the little bridge over the creek. Peeking up from her hoeing for weeds, Fluttershy wished she had taken Dash up on at least some of the extra training she always offered. In situations like this she'd have loved the extra clarity of vision Dash treated so casually. Turning away from the garden a moment, Fluttershy stood on her tiptoes and spread her wings before waving at Rarity, happy to see her beloved mistress, whatever her reason for visiting may be.

Beyond Rarity’s striking purple hair, Fluttershy was sure the mare was being followed by a small group of ponies, and nervously started to shift her grip on the hoe, her wings folding in against her back. Reminding herself to stay calm, Fluttershy studied the distant ponies, able to make out almost no details of who it was from so far away. As the older mare approached, she wasn't quite alone, little Barb followed close by Rarity’s side, her sweet voice a pleasant surprise. “But Rarity! Are you sure she won't mind?”

Shifting down to scoop up the short-legged dragoness in one arm, Rarity’s voice softened to a more private tone, just loud enough for Fluttershy to hear. “She's her own pony, Barb, but if I sweeten the deal enough for her, I don't see why she'd ever refuse such a good offer…” Shifting her free hand to begin scratching deeply under the curve of Barb’s jaw, Rarity giggled, loudly whispering into the dragon's earfin. “Besides! I convinced you to go gem hunting with me, and as hard a bargain you demanded, she's a real softie in comparison!”

Blushing despite her best efforts, Fluttershy stood up for herself as best she could, pouting only a little bit. “I'm not that much of a pushover, Rarity! But if you need a favor, I'll try to help. Just don't expect me to host a party for all of your friends over there! I've got gardening to do, and Angel Bunny is off on a date with Lady Argyle; the lovely bun buns are getting along so well!”

Something caused Rarity to hesitate, pausing as she looked down into Barb's eyes for a brief moment before she gently smiled again, shaking her head. “Oh, no no, Fluttershy, darling. I promise you don't need to host any parties. You see, the thing is, today is my turn to host the ‘Cutie Mark Crusaders’ weekly sleepover, but just this morning, I have a surprise visit from none other than… Sapphire Shores, the Pony of Pop! She saw the designs I made for Hoity Toity a few months back and literally begged me to make a dress for her new tour! Now I’ve hired Barb to come help me find and dig up sapphires for the design I've got in mind… but I can't just go dragging four innocent little foals all over Equestria hunting for gems just to make my masterpiece!”

Shaking her head along with Rarity, Fluttershy went through a rapid series of emotions, including shock, joy and remorse, as Rarity spun her tale. Pouting a little, she reached out to scratch Barb's spines to soothe her own frayed nerves. “Oh my! That's just so wonderful, Rarity! It's just so lucky you got to meet a pony as private and majestic as Sapphire Shores! So who did you find to foalsit the girls for you?”

The audible sound of Barb's open palm impacting her brow while she softly groaned just loudly enough to make Fluttershy gasp with worry. “Oh dear! Are you alright, Barb, sweetie?”

Struggling not to titter with laughter at the innocence of her pet, Rarity took her hand from Barb's scales and stroked Fluttershy’s cheek with a thumb. “I'm sure she's fine, Fluttershy, really I am. But on the foals, that's where I need your help. You see, my parents are away on a business trip to Trottingham, and Applejack is hosting Rainbow Dash and Bronze’s ‘training session’ in the apple orchard, and we both know that's just not something young foals need to get involved with.”

Nodding along with Rarity’s explanation, Fluttershy started counting off the foals’ families along with her mistress. “Oh dear! And I know that Derpy and Amethyst asked Big Mac to do the mail for them while they're in Canterlot for Ame’s checkup.”

“Exactly, Fluttershy!” Rarity’s obvious relief at how her innocent friend had started to finally pick up on what she was gently leading the mare up to. “Thankfully or not, it turns out that Peppermint Twist’s family went to visit family over in Fillydelphia, so we only have four foals to find a sitter for…”

Pouting heavily now and crossing her brow, Fluttershy didn't even notice as a foal politely took the hoe from her hands, focusing more on Rarity's problem. “Oh dear, oh dear. That really is a shame! Well… what about Dusk? He’s only a little bit absent-minded, I'm sure with Barb's help… oh no, that won't work either! You need Barb for your sapphire hunt! I don't know who to suggest, Rarity! I love Pinkie, but… well, she is Pinkie…”

Unable to help but reflexively reach over to fluff Sweetie Belle’s hair as the foal paused at Fluttershy’s side, she offered Rarity a sad smile. “I'm really sorry, I don't know who else to suggest to foalsit for you, Rarity.”

Placing a supportive arm around Fluttershy’s back under her wings, Dusk flashed a momentary smile at Rarity and Barb before joining their conversation. “Say! Fluttershy, would you be willing to foalsit the girls with me? I'm sure you could keep me focused on them and we could use it as an excuse to spend the day together.”

With a content sigh, Fluttershy gazed up into Dusk’s eyes, letting go of Sweetie Belle’s hair so she could wave at Dinky as the quiet foal ran across the small wooden bridge over the little creek by her house in a foot race with Scootaloo. Considering Dusk’s suggestion, Fluttershy leaned her weight into his side and turned slowly around, discovering that Applebloom was just finishing with the hoeing of her garden with a happy smile. “Apple Bloom? Why- when did you get here?”

Rolling her eyes, the filly gathered the weeds she'd removed from the large carrot and lettuce patch, tossing them into Fluttershy’s compost pile before returning the hoe. “I came with everypony else, but since you were all taking so long and talking, I figured the least I can do is help you with your gardening. So will you host our Cutie Mark Crusaders sleepover? Please??!”

Finally realizing she’d been set up the whole time Fluttershy looked over the four fillies as they joined in with Apple Bloom, softly begging while turning on their big eyes and cutest expressions. Laughing softly, Fluttershy walked out of Dusk’s arm and pulled out her hankey, brushing dirt off the earth filly’s cheek. “Oh, of course you can! I'm not some monster, how can I refuse somepony so cute and willing to help me garden?!”

Jumped by all four fillies at once, Fluttershy fell to the ground under their combined weight giggling and struggling against the overexcited fillies. Dusk turned to Rarity, shaking his head. “Just, you two dig carefully, alright? We don't need some hole caving in on your heads.”

Dismissively waving at him, Rarity grinned. “Oh, pshaw! I found a decent-sized collection of sapphires on Applejack’s land years ago, and just never needed them enough to dig so many holes in… dirt until now. Even if I split them fifty-fifty with Barb, there is easily more than enough to make Sapphire Shores’ dress!”

Beaming in Rarity’s arms, Barb nodded enthusiastically. “Besides! We’ll be nice and close to the orchard, so if we do need extra help, Applejack, Bronze, and Rainbow Dash will be just a few minutes’ jog away!”