“Lady Talon, Sir Moonlight, and Sir Thomas.” Firm Touch greeted as he tilted his head in a bow from his post behind the spa desk. “And I see you’ve brought with you some new guests,” he noted, gesturing at Honey and Surprise. “What may I do for you this fine evening?”

Positioning herself behind Thomas, Talon set her claws on either attendant’s shoulders and pushed all three up a ways. “These newbies just need some lessons on proper horn care.”

“Horn care?” Firm Touch asked as he examined the hornless foreheads of those who’d been presented to him.

“Not trying to steal your job or anything,” Talon assured. “It’s just that, what with all the horn they’ll have to be dealing with, I figured they’d need to learn the basics.” She concluded with a smirk.

“Ah,” Firm Touch nodded with a grin, understanding fully. He craned his head to call out to his staff, but he was cut off before he could say a word.

“Be sure you get the chimp a mare teacher,” Talon interjected.

Firm Touch frowned, but didn’t press for clarification. “Tender Finger,” Firm Touch called, clapping his hands. A green unicorn mare with a dark green mane appeared from the door way. She wore the sterile white uniform of the other masseuses, which was loose enough to hide her figure. She smiled sweetly at the sight of their guests before looking to Firm Touch for further instruction. “Sir Thomas and his friends are in need of instruction on proper horn care,” the stallion answered simply.

Tender Finger’s smile grew in elation at the prospect of teaching. It hadn’t taken her long to realize what her hornless students would need such lessons for and she quickly closed the distance between herself and the guests. “Sir Thomas,” she greeted warmly, extending her hand welcomingly. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“S-same,” Thomas said as he put on his best smile and took the mare’s hand. He’d been startled by how quickly she moved, but did his best not to show it. “Been a while since we did one of these lesson things,” he muttered to himself. “Tender Finger, was it?”

“You can call me Tender, cutie. All my satisfied clients do,” she winked before looking up at her other students. “And who might you lovely ladies be?”

“Apple Honey,” Honey greeted with a respectful tilt of her head.

“You can call me Surprise!” the mare cheered as confetti and streamers exploded from behind her.

“Should’ve seen that coming,” Thomas mumbled as the spa staff recovered from their shock at the display.

Tender then looked to Talon and Moonlight. “I assume you two wish to watch?”

Talon answered by fixing Moonlight with a firm stare until the orange unicorn stepped forward. “Actually, I’d like to volunteer as your test subject for the evening.”

“Oh?” Tender raised an eyebrow in intrigue.

“Moonlight?” Thomas asked.

“You need a unicorn to practice on while the teacher provides instruction, so I volunteer,” the guard said confidently. “Besides, I need to make sure you know what I like,” she finished with a wink.

Tender almost cooed as she studied the other unicorn’s flirtatious gestures. “Very well. Please, this way,” she gestured to one of the back rooms.

The company followed the masseuse to a room like the one where the Princesses had their massage, except this one only had one table. Quickly looking Thomas over, Tender adjusted the table until it was practically on the floor. She then looked to Moonlight. “Please. Your armor.”

Moonlight nodded firmly. It was a simple enough request. Her armor would have likely torn the fabric of the table, so it was only polite to remove it. As she began undoing the latches and straps, she noticed that Thomas was still looking at her with no signs of embarrassment. She smiled, taking this as a sign of progress.

Moonlight stripped down to all but her linen undershirt and trousers before climbing onto the table. There she took her position laying belly down with her face poking through a hole in the table.

“Alright, students,” Tender began chipperly as she stood beside the resting mare. “How much do you know about a unicorn’s horn?”

Surprise’s hand immediately shot up. “It’s the focal point unicorns use to focus their magic.”

“Correct,” Tender nodded as she sat on her knees to Moonlight’s left and motioned for her students to take the opposite position. “The horn, in order to carefully focus the turbulent nature of magic, is incredibly sensitive. Watch.” She leaned in and lightly blew across the tip of Moonlight’s horn, causing the guard to shiver. “You see?”

Thomas nodded. “So it’s like how the wings are sensitive to air currents.”

“Yaperooney!” Surprise declared, giving her wings a tentative flex.

“Bingo!” Talon cheered as well from the back wall. She’d already taken such lessons and was accompanying the group only for old time’s sake.

“Indeed. Exactly like the wings,” Tender continued. Her horn lit and a nearby drawer opened. A glowing black binder of some sort levitated out and set itself in front of the unicorn. The binder proceeded to unfold revealing a series of tools and bottles.

Thomas grimaced as some of the instruments looked rather sharp and made him think of tools a torturer might use. However, upon seeing what she was in store for, Moonlight relaxed at the familiar sight.

“This is your standard horn care kit,” Tender explained as she gestured over the tools and bottles. “Files, scrapers, various ointments, tuners, and other tools all necessary for proper horn care. For unicorns, tending to one’s horn is a lot like brushing your teeth. As we use magic in our daily lives, gunky residue has the nasty habit of building up. If it gets too bad, it can interfere with the magical flow or perhaps even cause damage, not to mention it’s rather unsightly to go around with an unclean horn,” she chuckled as she eyed Moonlight carefully.

The orange mare fidgeted nervously under the masseuse’s quiet glare. She suddenly felt insecure, wondering if she had missed a spot in her morning filing. “Is there a problem?”

“Not at all,” Tender shrugged. “Your horn is in fine shape. I’d dare say you gave it a rather thorough cleaning this morning,” she added accusingly. “Or is it early evening? I’m still getting used to these new evening shifts.”

“Same here,” Honey chimed in. “Ah think they’re going with early evening, or somethin’ like that,” she said before finally looking up to find a very displeased griffon leering at her.

“Really, smarty-corn? I thought we talked about this.”

“You talked,” Moonlight replied curtly. “But I will not be seen in public with an unkempt horn.”

“Whatever,” Talon shrugged, holding back the urge to smirk.

“No matter,” Tender said nonchalantly as she picked up one of the files. “I can still demonstrate the basics. Now, this is a standard horn file,” she held it up for emphasis. “First you take a little dab of this, and you apply it like so.” Gently she took the instrument, applied a squirt of ointment, and carefully placed the flat end across Moonlight’s horn, causing the mare to flinch at the alien touch.

“You alright?” Thomas asked.

“No problem,” Moonlight said as she struggled to regain control over her breathing. “It’s just a little weird to have a stranger touch my horn like this.”

“Would you prefer if Sir Thomas were to do it?” Tender asked, causing Moonlight to flinch.

“I’d rather not,” Thomas said apprehensively. “At least, not until I see how it’s done first. I don’t want to hurt her or anything.” He nodded when he saw Moonlight’s appreciative smile.

“Very well,” Tender resumed her instruction. “Now watch as I do.” She guided the flat of the file across the horn in slow, gentle strokes. Each movement elicited varying degrees of grunts from the guard at her mercy until finally Moonlight let out a long, contended sigh. “There,” Tender nodded approvingly. “It’s all about finding the right rhythm. Now, I think you can try.”

Moonlight let out a moan of disappointment as the relaxing touch of the file left her horn, but her gaze stayed glued to the instrument as it was moved across her face until it exchanged hands with the human. The orange mare’s heartbeat sounded like tribal drums, at least to her.

Looking between the file and his subject, Thomas propped himself on his knees to carefully examine the orange protrusion. He studied it carefully. The horn was much shorter than Luna’s with a much smoother tip. No doubt it could still probably stab things, but that wasn’t what it was for. He leaned in for a better look to study the spiral that encircled the horn. It was like a perfectly sculpted statue, except for the tiniest rocky bumps that protruded in a couple areas. He was already familiar with it, having touched the spiral appendage several times in past love making, but this was something else. “Looks like you might have missed a couple spots,” he observed casually.

Moonlight squeaked her embarrassment.

“In her defense,” Tender began with her hand over her lips, “it’s hard for most unicorns to see from that close.”

Thomas blinked and realized where he was. His face was less than an inch from her horn and his lips were slightly parted in absentminded curiosity. The top of Moonlight’s red mane was tickling the bottom of his chin. She must have used a rose-scented shampoo. That was the smell filling his nostrils, though not to the point where it was overbearing. He exhaled, and his hot breath over the exposed bone caused the unicorn to shiver at the sensation.

Talon was now leaning over the side of her table for a better look at what appeared to be a scene out of some cheesy romance or erotica. Any second now, she told herself, his lips would part just enough so he could take that first experimental lick. Similar scenes were playing out in the minds of the mares as well, so it was actually surprising that none of them groaned in disappointment when Thomas suddenly pulled back.

Although, Moonlight couldn’t help but sigh in relief. There’d be plenty of time for that when they could find a more private setting. Though, she wouldn’t be opposed to most of the current audience.

“Right then,” Thomas declared, hoping to put this awkwardness behind himself quickly as he lifted the file. “Like this?” He angled the file over one of the spots where he’d noticed the imperfections.

“That looks fine,” Tender said in approval. “Please begin.”

Nodding, Thomas carefully touched the file to Moonlight’s horn. As before, she flinched, but motioned for him to go on when he hesitated. Like Tender, he applied different levels of pressure, experimenting until he found a rhythm that Moonlight seemed to like. The human smiled as the unicorn practically purred at his touch.

“Excellent technique,” Tender said with a smile. “You really have a knack for this sort of thing. No wonder Luna chose you as her concubine.”

“Nah,” Thomas said dismissively as he worked away. “She just likes me for my body.” His words earned warm chortles from his listeners.

“Yes, well, I believe that’s good enough,” Tender said, motioning for Thomas to stop. “Surprise. Would you like to try next?”

Surprise sprung up with a wide grin on her face and took the file offered to her. “You bet!”

“Nothing crazy?” Moonlight warned. “Just some simple touch ups.”

“Psh. Don’t worry,” Surprise waved dismissively. “I’ve dealt with unicorns before, so I know how touchy you can be. It’s just like me with my wings.” She shuffled her wings for emphasis. “I know what I’m doing.”

Moonlight nodded apprehensively and did her best to relax back into the table.

Surprise reached out for the same ointment and dabbed a fresh sprit onto the file. She then proceeded to do as Thomas and Tender had done, placing it along Moonlight’s horn and applying gentle pressure as she stroked. Moonlight tensed momentarily, only to quickly relax and groan her delight at the white mare’s actions.

“See?” Surprise asked. “You can trust me.”

Moonlight sighed in contentment. “I do trust you,” she assured. “But, you know how it is. There’s trusting somepony with your wallet, but horns are a whole other matter.”

“Yeppers!” Surprise cheered as she happily filed away. “And I’m just pleased as punch you trust me enough with this.” She then removed the file and gave Moonlight’s horn a gentle blow, earning a rather tense shudder from the mare.

“Surprise!” she growled.

“Don’t worry. I’ll let you play with my wings when we’re done, kay?”

Moonlight blinked as she poked her head out of the hole. “Really?” That was an awfully intimate thing to offer. Pegasi almost never let anypony touch their wings, except as a show of unconditional trust.

“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” Surprise recited as she went through the motions of the pinkie promise.

Moonlight smiled and went back to resting. Despite the peculiarity of the pledge, the idea that Surprise trusted her with her wings made Moonlight feel compelled to reciprocate.

“Alright. I think it’s time for our last student,” Tender announced with a soft clap.

Even after being handed the file, Honey remained sitting in place as she eyed the tool warily.

“Something wrong, dear?” Tender asked.

“Ah… Ah’m not sure Ah should do this,” Honey admitted. “Ah ain’t so good with the tender stuff ‘n’ Ah don’t want ta hurt no pony.”

Thomas opened his mouth, ready to start encouraging her, but closed it when the words died in his throat. It was true that she was getting a lot better with their various exercises, but the possibility of failure weighed as heavily in his mind as it did for Honey. He was glad to have been standing outside of her peripheral vision, lest she see his hesitation and feel even worse about herself.

“Well, if you think that’s for the best?” Tender trailed off uncertainly as she opened her palm, ready to accept the file back.

“No,” Moonlight stated as she lifted her head up. “You’ve been working hard, Honey. I know you wouldn’t do anything that might hurt me.”

“B-but what if Ah do?” Honey countered. “Wh-what if…”

“Pretend it’s a dick,” Talon called across the room, startling everyone. “You’ve handled your stallion’s stallionhood, haven’t ya?”

Honey nodded warily.

“Then just pretend you’re holding your stallion’s most precious equipment,” Talon instructed matter-of-factly.

Blinking as she considered, Honey tightened her grip around the end of the file as she moved into position. She breathed heavily as she looked down at the bone spiral until it took on a more phallic shape in her mind’s eye. A sigh of relaxation left her lips as she took in the familiar image. “Okay,” she whispered.

“Honey?” Moonlight asked.

Honey tenderly ran a hand along Moonlight’s cheek as she smiled softly at the smaller mare. “Ah’m ready.”

“Okay,” Moonlight acknowledged as she set her head back down. “J-just listen if I say ‘stop,’ okay?”

Honey nodded and proceeded through the same motions of dabbing the file before placing it along Moonlight’s horn. Then, holding her breath, she began to apply the pressure. Moonlight’s moaning contentment allowed Honey to exhale in relief. “It’s working,” she cheered softly to herself. “Ah’m doing it!”

“Ah. Most excellent,” Tender congratulated warmly as she watched the earth mare work. “Although, I can’t help but wonder what you and your stallion might get up to,” she joked.

“Oh!” Surprise chirped excitedly. “Since Moonlight’s gonna practice on my wings later, maybe you should practice on Thomas so we can-”

“E’nope.” Thomas said in his best impression of Big Mac.

“Aww,” Surprise whined. “Why?”

“I’ve opened myself to a lot of weird stuff these last few months,” Thomas explained as he folded his arms over his chest. “But I draw the line at taking a stick to my penis.”

“If it makes ya feel better, Ah’m imaginin’ the stick is actually mah finger,” Honey explained, looking over her shoulder and giving her lips a lascivious lick. “Plow really likes when Ah play with ‘em like this.”

“Ah,” Thomas said evenly as he unfolded his arms, now much more interested. “Well that’s different, I guess.”

“Pardon me,” Moonlight spoke up. “But how exactly does that pay me back?” she asked with an overly dramatic tone.

Honey giggled as she looked back at her impatient patient. “Well, Ah could work the both of ya at once?”

Moonlight hummed as she thought. “I suppose that sounds fair.”

“Yay!” Surprise cheered. “Massage party!”

Sighing contentedly, Talon smiled as she watched the four interact. She’d deliberately abstained from the majority of lessons to see how well her friends got on without her. She was proud to see their progress in befriending these new ponies, but also a little sad at the same time. Deep down, she knew Luna’s harem had no more need for her services, and so turned to leave.

“Hey!” Thomas called.

Surprised, Talon turned slowly around, only to brace herself when she saw the human charging right for her. He jumped into her arms as she reflexively caught him, only to squeak in surprise when he pressed his soft lips into her beak. “Chimp?” she asked when he finally pulled away.

Thomas chuckled as Talon held him, averting his eyes at her eagle glare. “Well, we were all talking about going back to Luna’s room for some… massage stuff. Wanna join?” he asked, still not meeting her eyes.

Grinning widely, Talon set the human back down to his feet and patted him fondly on the head. “Good colt.”

Thomas blushed as he pursed his lips. “Y-yeah. Thanks,” he said softly. “So… You wanna hang out?”

The griffon brought her claw down to the human’s rump with a mighty *whack*, earning a delightful squeal from the man. “Always, bud.”

**********

“There’s a word for this,” Thomas stated plainly from his position behind Talon. He was working tentatively on her wings, stroking his fingers gently along the feathers until he found the loose ones and swiftly plucked them before placing them in the nearby pile besides Surprise’s.

“Word for what?” Honey asked. Her hands were the only ones unassigned anywhere, so she passed the time by gently massaging her breasts while Moonlight went to work on her mane and tail.

As Moonlight worked on the earth mare, Surprise sat behind her as she polished the unicorn’s horn. Behind her, Talon’s expert claws roamed through her wide white wings. And Thomas, from his spot in the back, was gritting his teeth at his inability to find the right word as he ignored the naked mares and wren in front of him.

“Damn. It’s on the tip of my tongue, I swear,” Thomas grumbled as he thought. “Oh! Braid train,” he laughed as he recalled.

“Neat,” Talon said as she swatted her tail over his clothed lap.

“Too bad Silver’s busy,” Surprise commented idly as she worked. “It’d be nice if she could join us.”

“Ah’m still tryin’ ta work mah head around that,” Honey blurted. “Ah mean, I get she’s with the Princess, but where exactly is she?”

Talon tittered. “Really? Seemed pretty straightforward to me.”

“Explain it then,” Honey requested flatly.

“Alright,” Talon agreed. “You know about the pocket dimension a lot of unicorns use, right?”

“E’yup.”

“Well, it’s a lot like that. Except the pocket is bent around Luna’s whole dress. In layman’s terms, Luna’s dress is bigger on the inside.”

**********

Elsewhere, a brown stallion with an odd metal wand tied to his waist flicked his head up as his ears stood at attention.

“What is it, Doc?” a wall-eyed mare asked.

“I don’t know,” he said ambivalently. “However, I have a feeling I just missed out on something important.”

**********

“Okay,” Honey said hesitantly as she nodded. “So… that’s where Silver is, inside the Princess’ dress?”

“Yup,” Moonlight answered with a smile.

“How!?” Honey demanded. “Ah mean… where does she stand, and what’s she doin’?”

“Whatever it is, I’m pretty sure she’s having a lot of fun at Luna’s expense,” Thomas suggested with a smirk.

Honey gave a low groan as she slumped forward. “The things that mare does just weird me out sometimes, ya know?”

“She can be a little funny,” Surprise agreed.

“Don’t ask me,” Thomas inserted. “I’ve just learned to accept everything as normal around here. Not sure if that’s healthy, though.”

“Yeah,” Talon agreed calmly as she sprung backwards, knocking Thomas back as she sat herself down over his groin. The commotion caught the attention of the others as they all looked back to see a very smug griffon sitting atop her captured prey. “Probably not the best idea to learn social cues from a bunch of weirdos like us.”

“Who you callin’ weird?” Honey demanded.

“The mares currently training themselves to be the personal playthings to the exotic tastes of a very creative, randy, and powerful alicorn,” Talon responded flatly.

“Eh. Fair enough,” Honey said with an accepting shrug and turned away.

Grabbing hold of the human’s ankles, Talon pulled her seat along with her, keeping her rear placed snugly against his groin. She set him back down in her prior spot and resumed her work on Surprise’s wings.

“Weirdos,” Thomas sighed in defeat, adjusting himself to be more comfortable under Talon’s firm backside. “I can certainly think of worse company to keep.”

Good lord, has this one been overdue. I mean, I’ve written a lot of chapters that just didn’t make the cut, being slung on the backburner until I could get them to a point I liked, but seriously. Not just the chapter, but this very concept was LONG overdue. I know this really should have been done back in the ‘Talon supervising Thomas’ training’ arc, but it looks like I put it so far down the list that I basically forgot it. Sorry.

Anyway, I eventually found it and applied the proper edits to make it suitable for recent plot developments. In rewriting, I found I really liked the idea of giving some screen time to Talon. She was a nice character who had a pretty important role in much of the earlier story. Alas, as the story swells with new characters, it’s only inevitable that other ones be phased out. The fact is that, well, she kinda served her role in getting both Thomas and Luna’s harem to a point that they didn’t really need her. But don’t worry. This isn’t the end of Talon. She’ll still turn up now and then, but her prominence will never be the same.