With two princesses desiring transport to Manehattan, securing seating proved to be a simple affair. Similarly, the convention itself had been quite eager to have them as guests. Twilight was a little uncomfortable with how quickly and easily everything was put into place. "This is a lot different than the last time I visited..."

Silver shook her head. "You hadn't fought Tirek at that point. You hadn't made newslines a few more times with our shenanigans. You can only get in the papers so many times before it starts sticking." She pointed at herself. "I was kind of a freak celebrity from the start, and we're together. Do any of the girls want to come along?"

Twilight perked her ears. "Good question! I'll go ask them." She trotted off towards Ponyville in search of the Mane Six.

While she was away, Zecora approached Silver. "Hello and good day, I'm afraid I have bad things to say. Your wife is swelling full of life, she must be spared from strife. Leave her in the comfort of home, where she need not roam."

Silver tilted her head. "Did you talk to her about this already?" Zecora nodded. "Well, I want what's best for her, and what she wants. Will this stop her from working on the road?"

"I have tried my best to dissuade, but none of my words persuade. She will work until she cannot, which may be moments before the foal is caught." Zecora softly patted Silver's shoulder with a smile, then turned and walked away.

Silver felt confident that Night was in good hooves, but wanted to speak to her anyway. She spread her wings and launched herself towards the Everfree, soaring above it until the fledgling road came into view, cutting a slow line into the dense forest. She landed beside Night, who was shouting orders at the workers. "Night, dear. I'm told you won't be joining us?"

Night's ears fell. "I'm really sorry. Zecora's orders. She wanted me to stop working here too! Can you imagine?"

Silver leaned in and kissed Night's cheek. "You are a true soldier, and I couldn't be prouder of you." Night warmed at the praise and attention. "I'll be thinking of you while I'm away."

Night kissed Silver back and rubbed noses. "Try not to make this trip to Manehattan as traumatic as the first one, even if you are missing your 'rocks'. Maybe you should invite Sweetie Drops along?"

Silver snorted loudly. "No, she's been dragged around enough already. Our... time together is quite finished. It was a bittersweet thing, our last meeting, but she's definitely moved on. Her and Lyra are an adorable couple, and I won't come between them again."

Night canted her head one way, then the other. "Huh, that sounded strange out of your mouth. You're growing up." She hugged Silver firmly. "Now get out of here. I have ponies to yell at." Silver departed to the sound of her getting her workers in line.

Silver's return trip was interrupted by a cyan pony with brightly-colored mane and tail. "Hey Silver!"

"Hi Rainbow." Silver smiled at her, hovering with her in the sky. "How's it going?"

"Fantastic! Twilight just invited me to a huge comic convention. You going?" Rainbow gestured enthusiastically with her hooves as she spoke.

Silver nodded quickly. "Sure am, it'll be nice to have you along."

Rainbow flew in close and poked Silver's ribs. "Have you been practicing? You're still looking a little rough around the edges."

Silver snorted gently. "I've been flying less than a year, unlike you, Rainbow Dash. Have a little mercy."

Rainbow shook her head. "I didn't give up on Twilight, I'm not giving up on you. You've got everything you need to fly fast and straight." She tapped her head. "The only problem's up here! You want to fly, right?"

Silver gave her a flat look. "We're flying right now."

"No, we're hovering. Flying is way more fun." Rainbow flashed a bright smile. "Come on, race you to that cloud?" She pointed. "If you win, I'll give you a treat."

Silver burst into a fit of giggles. "I'm not a dog, Dash."

Rainbow leaned in. "It's a treat I'm sure you'll like."

Silver lifted her shoulders. "Fine. A little workout won't hurt me any. On the count of three. One, two--" Silver took off towards the cloud, shouting, "Three!" as she went. Rainbow's expression went sour a moment before she zipped after her with a whoop. Rather than focusing on winning, Rainbow kept pointing out little mistakes.

"Raise your wings a little. Tuck in your barrel." Her hooves softly poked and prodded at Silver, keeping up easily. "That's more like it. Faster!" The faster Silver went, the more mistakes Rainbow could see, and she pointed them out ruthlessly until Silver landed on the cloud gently. "Ooops, looks like you won, rookie."

Silver stuck out her tongue at Rainbow. "You just wanted to see me fly."

Rainbow shrugged. "Maybe."

Silver pointed at her instructor. "Alright, so what's this treat you have in mind?"

"A kiss."

Silver blanched and backed up a few steps, almost falling from the cloud.

Rainbow laughed at the reaction, flopping onto her side. "Oh man, you should see the look on your face! I'm messing with you. No kisses. You got Twilight to play sucky-face with." She rolled up onto her hooves, standing on the cloud easily. "And Night, Fast, uh, the princesses? Dude, you have a lot of kissing partners now that I think about it. What's up with that?"

Silver tapped her chin lightly. "Well it kind of... just worked out. Night, my first, was a gift to me, from Luna. She put her by me, knowing we'd eventually hit it off, and we did." Silver sighed softly. "I'm so glad she did that. Night understands me, and I think I understand her."

Rainbow waved a hoof. "Yeah yeah, mushy stuff. You two at least look like a pair."

Silver frowned a little. "Because we're both lunar ponies?"

Rainbow shrugged. "Yeah? No offense or anything, but it's kind of a distinct look." She sat on the cloud. "How'd you get Twilight wrapped up in this?"

Silver pointed at Rainbow. "These are very specific questions."

"Most are." Rainbow crossed her forelegs and sat up on her hinds.

Silver snorted softly. "Are you worried for her?"

"She can take care of herself!"

"No offense intended." Silver tapped her chin. "Are you... jealous?"

Rainbow shoved Silver suddenly, knocking her over onto the cloud. "I'll take that as a yes. Sorry. I don't want to keep Twilight away from you, RD."

Rainbow leaned in over Silver, stepping over her and pinning her. "Why should I believe that?"

Silver snorted softly and gently teased Rainbow right at the wing bases where she'd been taught was sensitive, "We're friends, RD. I want you to be happy, and Twilight too. You're friends, and I--"

Rainbow reared up, wings fluttering. "Stop that!" She went red in the cheeks. "That..."

Silver did not stop, softly working Rainbow as she began to wriggle and pant. "I want to remain your friend, Rainbow. How can I prove we're friends?"

Rainbow's wings spread out to stiff fullness as Silver's teasing expanded over her body, working her with all the skill of the pony form that Silver had learned. Rainbow licked over lips, looking indecisive. "Well, uh... You could start by inviting the rest of us on your adventures."

Silver smiled. "Ask Twilight, it was my idea to invite you." She reached up and hooked her forelegs around Rainbow's neck, pulling her down. "I want you to come with us."

Rainbow's blush only grew worse. "Alright, enough! Your point's made. Unless you're trying to expand that herd of yours, stop... doing that." She kicked a leg against the cloud. "By Celestia you're too good at that! Is... Is it true you can become a stallion at will?"

Silver released her magic grip on Rainbow, ceasing her sensual teasings. "Who told you that?"

Rainbow snorted softly. "So you can! Oh wow. I thought that one was fake!" She grinned down at Silver. "Show me?"

Silver went red and tried to squirm out from under Rainbow Dash, but that wasn't happening, the athlete following her easily. "Rainbow, that's... You just made me stop working you up, now you want to see that?"

Rainbow shrugged softly. "If you're too scared to show it to me, I guess I understand."

Silver giggled as she waved a hoof. "That might work on you, RD." A thought suddenly came to her. "Wait... Answer me truthfully, are you and AJ a thing?"

Rainbow's wings, which had gone relaxed, suddenly sprang out. "What?! Who said that? I mean... Gotta go!" She vanished through the cloud they were on, off on a streak of a rainbow.

Silver rolled over onto her belly, watching Rainbow's retreat thoughtfully. "What if Rainbow and AJ were trying to figure out how to come out to Twilight, and I suddenly showed up..." Her expression soured into a frown. "This just got more complicated..." She wasn't sure who to approach with this information. Twilight would only be driven to confusion. Night would tell her to just ignore Rainbow and Applejack and treat them as any other pony, and Fast... Well Fast might suggest bringing the two athletes in despite the size of the herd. Celestia and Luna were worse than useless in this. She doubted she'd get any more than vague platitudes and serene-sounding words from either about it, and possibly a chastisement for causing trouble or even considering anything but outright refusal.

Silver slipped from the cloud and sailed on the air currents in the vague direction of the castle, mind heavy with thoughts and considerations. She didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings more than they had likely already been trampled.

Author's Notes:

Two steps forward, one step Back, all the chance needed for the typos attack!