Weeks had passed since Silver’s first night on the job and all parties seemed to agree that she was turning out just fine so far. Luna had informed Thomas on the specifics of the little tests they had been throwing her way. While he wasn’t exactly pleased they were actively doing this sort of thing, as it seemed rather manipulative, he couldn’t deny that he saw the function of it all, especially since they were all tests of character, which he understood were important for this job. Even Moonlight seemed to be growing closer to the mare.

Breakfast had concluded and the group had accompanied Luna to her cooking lessons. Upon being invited to come along, Silver looked ready to jump out of her maid uniform. She was practically bouncing as she was directed to the back of the kitchens with Talon while Moonlight got to go up with Thomas.

“Excited, are we?” Talon asked in amusement.

“Excited doesn’t even begin to cover it.” Silver beamed. “How many other ponies can say they got to watch the Princess of the Night giving private tutoring lessons? Oh, my sisters would be so jealous.”

Talon blinked and chuckled lightly. “Think ya might have things a little backwards there, sweet wings. It’s actually chimp who’s giving Moonbutt the lessons.”

Silver turned to Talon, staring at the griffon like she’d suddenly grown a second head. “What are you talking about?” She quickly glanced back at the Princess. “Is he schooling her on exotic human recipes or something?”

“More like they’re both reading from a cook book while he acts as her good luck charm.”

“Why would the Princess need a good luck charm?” Silver queried.

Talon proceeded to give the bat pony a short history lesson in the alicorn mare’s past attempts at cooking, including the various disasters that took place, and all culminating in her most recent successes and lesser disasters with Thomas by her side.

Silver looked utterly dumbstruck. “I don’t believe you.” She almost growled. “There’s no way the glorious and elegant Princess of the Night could ever be so… inept.” She whispered, the word feeling especially dirty in this context.

“Alicorns ain’t perfect, sweet wings,” Talon sighed, deciding to ignore the bat mare’s earlier challenge. Silver thought the world of Luna, so it was only natural she’d be resistant to the idea of her goddess having any faults. However, while that devotion was cute to an extent, it could also become a problem if not properly addressed. “Don’t get me wrong. They’re great at almost everything they try, but they still mess up sometimes. The fact that Moonbutt’s been gone for so long is a testament to that, I think.”

Silver nodded gravely. She didn’t like to think about it, but there was simply no denying that Nightmare Moon happened. Just the thought of what Princess Luna had to go through back then that culminated in her possession by such a monster… it was heart wrenching. The mare had to suppress the urge to take flight across the room and pull the alicorn into her embrace. But that wouldn’t do. This was Princess Luna she was talking about after all. One simply did not do that with a Princess. Then again, the more she thought about it, the more it seemed her knowledge of propriety might not be what she thought it was.

Sensing the question, Talon nodded. “They’re used to their little ponies idolizing them from afar, and they deserve it, but even alicorns like to come home and be surrounded by folks who just treat them normally.” She explained as they continued to watch Thomas and Moonlight finish setting up their materials. The box labeled ‘Brownie Mix’ was the giveaway.

“So… how did you make your Princess feel… normal?” Silver whispered, never taking her eyes off the alicorn as she swayed her rump from side to side in casual contentment as she measured the ingredients. She knew none would dare fault her for such a transgression.

“Basically, I romanced her like she was any other pony.” Talon said plainly. “We all did, in our own way. Chimp kinda went above and beyond with being her kitchen charm, but that wasn’t planned out or anything. He just saw there was something she really wanted and volunteered to help her get it. We’ve all had moments like that. There isn’t really any advice I can give, other than whatever you do, do it from the heart. Get it?”

Silver didn’t. All her life her parents had taught her that the alicorns were goddesses to be worshiped. Service as concubine was merely a form of worship few were lucky enough to practice, which was why the behavior of the solar concubines continued to vex her. Wild cheers, fart jokes, and more sexual innuendo than she could track was hardly the mark of reverence these deities in pony form were owed. It provided an oddly relaxing atmosphere, which even the alicorns seemed to appreciate, yet still struck her as inappropriate. “I… I think s-”

“Hit the deck!” A mare shouted.

Silver tried to look up, only for Talon to grab her and carry her off behind a cabinet where they took cover. Before she could ask why, an explosion shook the kitchen, its force reverberating in her bones as she balled up in fear. After a while, Talon released her grip of the smaller mare and chanced a peek over the counter.

“Clear!” A different mare announced.

Still trembling, Silver joined the others as they rose to their hooves. The first thing she spotted was Luna climbing off of Thomas. Apparently she’d inadvertently smothered him in an effort to cover him with her body. Moonlight, who had done the same for Luna, was currently climbing off her Princess and checking both of them for injuries. Satisfied that no pony seemed to have been hurt, Silver’s eyes wandered to the pot they’d been using to mix their brownies. It was singed and the top part of the metal had been blown open so that it now resembled a blooming flower of twisted metal. Above the pot rested a green goopy substance that had stuck to the ceiling. Silver felt a chill when she thought she saw it move, which it absolutely didn’t, no matter what any of the other witnesses claimed.

**********

“What to do? What to do?” Silver repeated her mantra as she paced around Luna’s room. Rather than going back to hers, she’d snuck off to her Princess’ chambers under the flimsy excuse of tidying things up. Her own room was an apartment in the servant’s quarters, only a fraction of the size of Talon’s room, to say nothing of Luna’s. It suited her well enough for now, for soon she’d be receiving an upgrade to one of the guest rooms along with the other concubines, or at least she would be if only she could think of something to do for Luna to make the Princess feel normal. The idea still seemed absurd to her, so she’d rationalized that this was all some sort of test she’d understand only after passing.

“Flowers? No. She probably has those all the time.” Silver reasoned with herself. “Maybe I could bake something? No. ” She groaned, smacking her palm against her forehead. “After what happened tonight, she might take that as a jab against her cooking. Then I’ll be sure to get that room upgrade, only to the deepest darkest dungeon.” She joked to herself.

“A gift seems like a good idea, but it probably can’t be anything bought. That’s for sure.” Silver concluded. “Jewelry is definitely out of the question. What she considers cheap might cost more than my family estate. And even if I got her something really nice, all that would prove is that I can afford to throw bits around. That hardly says ‘Oh Princess. I think you’re so normal. You should like and take me to your bed so you can rut me silly’.” She concluded in a mocking higher pitched imitation of her own voice.

Silver hummed as she scratched her chin. “Normal. Normal…” She mulled the word over in her head as she recalled Talon’s words. “Normal… romance! That’s it,” she exclaimed. “If the harem is like a herd, then it’s not enough to simply ask to join. I have to be approved of by all other members. However, Luna still probably follows older traditions, like asking the lead mare. Well, she’d definitely fit that bill, and she definitely knows I’m interested, but… no.” Silver shook her head, remembering what else she’d been told from both her parents and her talk with Sun Dancer. “In the harem, it’s the Senior Concubine who’s considered the lead. Yes.” The idea was taking shape.

“To woo Luna, I first have to finish winning over Thomas.” Silver grinned from ear to ear, resisting the urge to smack her head again at how obvious the answer was. “I can take him out, show him a good time, and if he likes me, which I know he will,” she snickered, “then I ask about something I can do for Luna. If nothing else, he probably has some ideas for what to get her for Hearth’s Warming Eve. Oh, Silver Bell. You’ve done it again!”

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

Silver blinked in surprise. A sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach lead her to suspect she knew who it was. “Yes. Who is it?”

There was a brief pause.

“Sir Thomas of Princess Luna’s Harem!” The familiar voice of Moonlight Shield proudly announced from the other side of the door.

“And that one sexy mare who likes to stalk him.” Thomas added, followed by the muffled sounds of laughter and good natured arguing.

Silver shook her head with a soft grin as she could just imagine what those two were getting up to. Both had become noticeably more outgoing since they’d formally decided to start going out and their cheer had become contagious. However, as much as she would have liked to welcome them in, Silver looked down to find that she was completely naked. “Oh buck!” She whispered as she scanned around the room for her maid outfit. She’d taken it off to be comfortable while on break, but it still felt terribly inappropriate to be seen by her boss without it while on duty. On the other hand, it would take her far too long to dress and they would surely think her rude for making them wait. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Silver took a calming breath and made for the door.

“Welcome, Sir Thomas.” Silver tilted her head in a respectful bow as she greeted them. “Welcome, Private Moonlight Shield.” Her heart began to quicken when she read their expressions. Moonlight seemed relatively unfazed by the bat mare’s nudity. She was also wearing less than her full suit of armor, which suggested that this was meant to be a more casual visit. However, Thomas’ bulging eyes betrayed his surprise. Oh-no-oh-no-oh-no. She panicked, cursing her bad luck and being caught out of uniform and how Thomas might be viewing her for this possible indiscretion, not to mention the hundred and one other ways he might be critiquing her appearance. I set out to make a good impression, only to fail before I even start.

Spotting Silver’s drooping ears, Thomas smiled warmly. “Sorry,” he chuckled. “One day I’ll get used to this whole nudity thing.”

“Oh…” Silver blinked, holding in her relieved sigh. “Well, I’m sure you will too. But I forget myself.” She stepped aside and made a sweeping motion with her arm to welcome them in to where they had every right to be. “Please. Come in. Might I offer you… the two of you some drinks?” Now that these two were courting, it was especially important to be mindful of her niceties to both of them.

“I don’t suppose you have any tea?” Moonlight inquired as Silver shut the door behind them.

“As a matter of fact,” Silver began as she took flight to the cabinets where she hid her secret stash for just such emergencies. Stupid! Don’t look too desperate. “I just bought a fresh batch of jasmine, if you’re interested.” She grinned in delight.

“Sounds great. I’ll take a bit of milk in mine.” Thomas agreed as he sat down on a nearby couch.

“A lump of sugar, if you please.” Moonlight added as she stood beside her charge, her posture conveying professionalism.

“So,” Silver began as she prepared the tea. “I was actually just about to look for you when you showed up.”

“Well that’s convenient.” Thomas commented. “What’d you need?”

Silver took in a long and slow breath as she recalled Tali’s words. Just speak from the heart, she told herself before peeking over her shoulder. “To be frank, I was just thinking that it was about time that I courted you, formally and properly, Sir Thomas.” She admitted before quickly refocusing on her task.

“You don’t say.” Thomas grinned, exchanging a knowing look with Moonlight. “Well, coincidences abound, because I was actually thinking the same thing.”

“Y-you were?” Silver briefly froze in her task, but quickly regained her composure, reminding herself that she’d been trained for this very thing. “I suppose I am to take this as a good sign?” She asked with a giggle.

“I suppose you can if you’d like.” Thomas shrugged. “Anyway, I’ve been talking with Luna and the others, and it’s pretty unanimous that it’s time we moved on to the next step.”

“I… see.” Silver straightened her back and puffed out her chest as she carried the small tray of three tea cups to her guests. She cursed herself for not being able to make better conversation as she handed Moonlight her cup and set out the others. While she quickly surveyed the room for a chair to pull up, her eyes were drawn to Thomas patting the spot on the couch beside him. Drawing courage from the stallion’s forwardness, she sat her rump exactly where he’d indicated.

“Don’t be fooled by his calm demeanor.” Moonlight broke the silence. “He’s actually feeling as awkward about this as you are.”

“He… he is?” Silver blinked as she glanced between the two.

“He is,” Thomas sighed. “Honestly, this polygamy thing is another of those pony customs that still feels really weird to me. It’s especially weird when your girlfriend’s standing right next to you,” he gestured with his head towards Moonlight, “and encouraging you to hit on other women… even if they are mares.”

“She… encouraged?” Silver studied Moonlight carefully. In her excitement, she’d nearly forgotten that these two had decided to start courting. On top of that, her past history with this other mare had left Silver to wonder if Moonlight might have judged her to be unworthy of her stallion. However, here Moonlight was, in Luna’s colors, encouraging her coltfriend into the arms of another mare no differently than if Silver were being invited into their herd. Seeing the unicorn nod in affirmation, a wave of relief washed over the bat pony as she regarded the other mare in appreciation. “Thank you.”

“Just remember that he’s still my stallion,” Moonlight added warningly. “At best, you’re his mare.”

Thomas’ eyes darted between the two mares, but mostly he focused on Moonlight with a querying look. The mare dismissed it with an ‘I’ll-tell-you-later’ look.

Silver couldn’t help but chuckle at the mare’s assertion. It was adorable, especially with the look of confusion on Thomas’ face. He really did have a lot to learn, and hopefully she could make this learning experience an enjoyable one. “In your place, I think I’d say the same if I had a stallion this cute.”

Moonlight gave another affirming nod, glad that they all knew where they stood… at least for now. “Since you were looking for us anyway, what did you have in mind to woo his… manly?” She asked, glancing down to Thomas for confirmation that she’d said it right. He nodded. “… his manly heart.” She concluded.

Silver grinned, broadly, taking a sip of her tea. “I was actually thinking of taking the both of you” she emphasized, “out to Dusk’s Cider House, the very place where Thomas and I first met.”

“Awesome.” Thomas cheered. “But before that, I’d actually like to do something for you.”

“F-for me?” Silver queried, only to remember their differing cultures. “Forgive me, but when a mare is courting a stallion, normally she is the one who is supposed to take action to make him happy.” She informed gently, only to reflect on how the reverse filled her stomach with butterflies.

“And when a man likes a woman, he’s supposed to do things that make her happy,” he explained softly as Silver processed his words. “Trust me. You’ll like what I have in mind. Think of it like a cultural exchange.” At the mare’s continued hesitation, Thomas smirked as he delivered the finishing blow. “Luna always likes it.”

“Likes what?” Silver blurted, the words leaving her mouth before she knew what she said. Thomas, to his credit, managed not to chuckle at her outburst.

“I admit a little curiosity, myself,” Moonlight added earnestly as she leaned in. “What exactly are you planning?”

“For her,” Thomas gestured to Silver, “a token of good will. For you,” he gestured to Moonlight, but only grinned. “How ‘bout the two of you get on the bed so we can get started?”

“B-bed?” Silver stuttered as her courage failed her, yet her legs managed to carry her over to the bed just fine. “Isn’t it a little… soon for that? Shouldn’t we wait until after we’ve gone out?”

“Don’t worry.” Moonlight assured as she followed the bat pony. “I know Thomas, and he’s not going to do that just yet.” She grinned before turning a skeptical eye on the human. “He’s not, is he?”

“You’ll see.” Thomas smirked.

The human ran ahead of both of them and climbed onto the bed, propping up on the pillows as he leaned against the headboard. He then motioned for the two mares to lie on either side of him with their heads on his shoulders, and for Moonlight to remove her helmet. She did as she was told; now having a good idea where this was going, but Silver was still clueless as she shook with fear and laid against the human’s silky smooth skin.

“You ready?” he asked, setting a hand on both mares’ shoulders. At their nods, he began.

“Nnnnngh!” Both mares grunted as Thomas went to work on their ears, gently caressing the fuzzy lobes.

“So…” Thomas grinned as the mares squirmed in his grasp. “How is it?”

“Gah!” Silver grunted. “No… no pony’s ever touched my ears like that, before.”

“We…” Moonlight panted. “You are going to start doing this more nnnnngh… often,” she commanded between quick suctions of air.

“That all depends.” Thomas adjusted himself to the weight of the combined mares. “You gonna explain what that ‘my stallion’ and ‘his mare’ stuff was about?”

Moonlight gripped the sheets between her fingers as she glowered at him from the corner of her eye. “You’re asking while I’m under duress?” Thomas nodded serenely. “That’s extortion,” she growled, followed by a low whimper.

“Call it whatever you like,” Thomas shrugged impassively. “So long as I get what I want, I don’t mind making you suffer for it.” He hissed.

“You’re… evil.” Moonlight groaned.

“And you love it,” Thomas countered, smiling when Moonlight tried to turn away to hide her own grin.

“It’s…” Silver panted. “It’s a show of dominance.” She watched as Thomas and Moonlight turned their attentions on her. “The lead mare is just… reminding the newcomer where she stands in the herd,” she said through a wide and pleasured grin. “Its… ngh… instinctual.”

“Fascinating.” Thomas commented before gliding his fingers along the mares’ scalps to their previously unattended ears, causing them to moan anew. “So,” he whispered into Moonlight’s ear, teasing the lobe with his hot breath, “you’re just marking your territory, is that it?”

“I…” Moonlight moaned as the pressure around her ear intensified and she met Thomas’ eye with a serious sideways look. “You’re my stallion,” she declared before lunging forward and stealing a kiss.

Silver watched in fascination as the pair locked lips and exchanged saliva. When it was over, she felt her body move of its own accord as she seized a less passionate kiss from his pleasantly soft lips. “And tonight, I’ll be your mare.” She whispered throatily, chancing a glance as Moonlight and finding her smiling contentedly.

Thomas let his head fall back against the pillows as he continued massaging the mare’s lobes, though much less intensely. “Ya know what?” he asked no one in particular. “Might be too early to say, but I think I might not be so terrible at this herd thing after all.”

Thomas might not be a good goodluck charm for Princess Luna, considering what still happens, but he’s still the best they can find. Silver works up the nerve to make the final push into Luna’s harem, and it all seems to be going well enough so far. Let’s see if it can last.