Rose slept well that night, surrounded by her stallions and when morning came, she was well rested and in a fine mood. The fact that they had carrot-cakes for breakfast - not to be confused with carrot cake - certainly didn’t hurt. When her stallions informed her that they all had things to do, she playfully teased them, but nonetheless sent them on their way with kisses, before leaving to spend some mare-time with Ekua.

When she made it to the double-yurt of Ekua’s herd, she was greeted by the sight of Ekua embracing an old, grizzled stallion, who almost looked as though he might be older than Zephania actually was. His barrel and muzzle bore several crisscrossed scars and he wore bronze bracers, clearly of fine pony make, engraved with several zebra glyphs. As the two embraced, he nibbled affectionately at Ekua’s ear and the younger mare nuzzled him happily in return. Rose couldn’t help but flush faintly as a small smile crossed her muzzle, thinking fondly about the tenderness that this stallion and her own seemed to share. However, given her slow, almost lazy approach, she felt no need to call out and interrupt the two. There was even a small part of her that thought about the aging stallion in a manner most unbecoming for a claimed mare. As she approached, Ekua and the older stallion finally parted. They exchanged one last nuzzle and a parting kiss, before the stallion turned and slowly trotted away. As he did, Ekua turned and smiled over to Compass Rose as though she’d been aware of her presence the whole time.

“Hello, Compass Rose~” She called out sweetly, before trotting forward to meet her, the zebra’s many earrings and bracelets jingling the whole way.

“Your husband?” Rose assumed, making to give her a friendly nuzzle in greeting.

“That was Chidike, yes.” Ekua smiled proudly and gave her a slightly more than friendly kiss in return, “A handsome stallion, yes~?”

Rose found herself nodding, it being that, or blushing again. “He is, and quite affectionate by the looks of things. I can see why you fell for him.”

“Mmm, he is~” Ekua nodded, before turning to start leading her away, “But falling for him actually came after our wedding.”

“You married a stallion you didn’t love?” Rose blinked in surprise, she had known desperation, but she had never considered marrying a stallion she didn’t love.

Ekua chuckled softly and shrugged, “It is tradition for the Chieftain and his Medicine Mare to be wed. That is why inheriting my position is not hereditary.”

“Huh.” Rose remarked, not sure what to make of that revelation, “So...you two could’ve been loveless…?” She asked warily.

“I suppose we could have...” Ekua nodded thoughtfully, “Though Chidike is a good stallion either way. In some tribes, the marriage is more symbolic than functional. Our tribe has never done it as such, but he offered to let us try that if I did not want him.” Rose didn’t say anything as she thought about Ekua’s words and her respect for the old stallion only grew...that and an uncouth part of her that wondered what he was like~ “Now, I’m sure you didn’t come here just to hear about Chidike~” Ekua stuck her tongue out playfully with a knowing expression, before pecking Rose’s cheek, “Or maybe I’m wrong~?”

Rose failed to withhold a blush from the mare’s teasing, earning a playful nip from the pegasus. “That’s not fair~” She protested weakly.

“What~?” Ekua asked innocently, “There’s nothing wrong with being attracted to a virile old stallion~”

“He’s your husband, Ekua.” Rose proclaimed pointedly, before changing subjects, “Besides, you know I’m trying to learn about the way you do things.”

“Married, not dead~” Ekua tittered, before shaking her head, “But you have a point.” Clearing her throat, she turned to lead her forward once more, “Now, I have a few visits to make today and some supplies that need sorting, so we’ll be very busy. Pay close attention, because I want you to pick up some of the words I use as we go, to make our language lessons easier.” She gave Rose a playful smile, “I like to teach on the fly~”

“Alright, I’ll try my best, but I’ve never learned another language before.” Rose assured her slowly, “What kind of visits? Can I help?” She offered hopefully.

“I was hoping you would.” Ekua nodded slowly, “There is one young colt I need to check up on after I treated him for a snake bite, one mare with a broken leg, and,” Ekua hesitated for a moment, “...one stallion that was mauled defending a filly from a lion.”

Rose winced at that, hesitantly looking to Ekua. “Has he been seen by a doctor from Aura?” She asked gently, hoping that the suggestion wouldn’t offend her.

“Yes, Cherry Kiss was a great help in cleaning and mending his wounds.” Ekua nodded slowly, “Though I chose to take over once he was stable. I will however, consult her again if his condition worsens.”

Rose smiled gratefully at hearing that there was a doctor in Aura who had taken a look at him. “How is he?” She asked tentatively.

“He is doing surprisingly well.” Ekua chuckled with a wry smile, “Keeps trying to get up and about. I’ve had to fix bandages numerous times and I’ve had to restitch at least one wound.”

“Have you tried bribing him?” Rose asked curiously.

“Once or twice~” Ekua smirked playfully, “That’s the only reason you don’t see him limping around right now.”

At that, Rose finally nickered. “Nothing like a little bribery from a cute mare to keep a stallion in line~”

“It works surprisingly well in a number of cases~” Ekua tittered, “And you’re pretty cute yourself~”

“The sun has roasted all your striped-brains~” Rose waved a hoof dismissively.

“Oh, so now you think we are all hot~?” Ekua teased her with a soft peck to the lips as they neared her yurt.

Rose pecked her back, “Roasted, like a nut~!” She snickered teasingly.

“Oh, so you are saying you prefer nice hot nuts, then~?” Ekua waggled her eyebrows and held the door open for the pegasus.

“You should stick to teasing me about being a greedy mare that has too many stallions for her own good.” She snickered, stepping inside, but not before offering Ekua a playful bump with her snout.

“As if there’s such a thing as too many stallions~” Ekua giggled and nipped at her rump as she followed Rose inside, earning a squeak and a swat of her tail.

“Easy now, you’re nearly as flirty as my stallions~”

“Can you blame me~?” Ekua chuckled as she trotted in to begin searching through her supplies.

“I haven’t met too many mares that were that interested in mares, let alone me.” Rose declared, casually walking about the yurt.

“Spend enough time with the tribe and that will change.” Ekua hummed.

Starting to gather some of her supplies into a big cloth bag, the Medicine Mare began pointing out each poultice and herb, naming them off for the other mare, though most of the meanings were lost on her.

“So, where are we going first?” Rose asked as they finished.

“We’re going to visit that snake bite victim.” Ekua hummed, “A few more days of rest and a fresh poultice and he should be right as rain.”

“There a lot of dangerous snakes around?” Rose cocked her head curiously.

“Not many.” Ekua shook her head and slung the bag over her shoulder, “Just enough that you should be careful.”

“That’s good to know.”

“Now you’ll have to be careful with this colt.” Ekua warned her gently as she headed for the door and Rose looked to the mare with a curious expression at that. “He’s almost thirteen.” The medicine mare explained, “He’s going to start courting mares soon and he can be a bit...frisky.”

“I grew up with several brothers, I’ll be alright.” She assured Ekua with an understanding expression.

“Your brothers were frisky with you?” Ekua raised an eyebrow at her with an intrigued expression.

“Some of their friends were.” Rose shrugged.

“Ah, but if I am remembering correctly, pony colts are not considered stallions when they are thirteen, like zebra colts.” Ekua shook her head, “He may be a bit more...insistent than your brothers’ friends were.”

“Thank you for warning me, Ekua.” Rose nodded softly with a confident smile.

“You can thank me if you make it out of there without him trying to grope you.” Ekua tittered, before slipping out.

“Do mares not teach their colts to be gentlestallions?” Rose squished her nose at that.

“They do, but we are a much more open society, remember?” Ekua reminded Rose as she led her along, “He won’t be used to more...reserved pony mares like yourself.”

“Outright groping a mare is considered acceptable?” Rose exclaimed in surprise, taken aback by that.

“Well, not just outright groping her.” Ekua shook her head, “It will be preceded by compliments, then nips and nuzzles that ponies might normally consider forward. How you react will decide whether he proceeds to groping.”

“You mean, I’m going to have to turn down a colt…” Rose murmured, her brain trying to figure out how to even think through that concept after spending so long just trying to get the attention of a stallion.

“Looks like.” Ekua nodded with a thoughtful hum, “Unless you decide to accept~”

Ekua stuck her tongue out teasingly at the mare, her words earning her a sharp nip for her troubles. Tittering, the zebra bumped hips with her student, before trotting on ahead. It took only a few minutes for them to make it to their destination. They were met by a single mare, who looked to be somewhere in her thirties who was ushering several young colts and fillies out of her yurt to play, though there was no sign of a stallion or other mares.

“Boitumelo is one of those mares that wanted foals without a herd.” Ekua explained, before trotting forward to greet the mare.

Being the second time she had been exposed to a mare that had no herd, bearing foals from whatever stallion would have her, she was a little more ready for the strange idea. It was still no less strange for her, but it wasn’t so wrong as it had been the first time...just unusual. While Ekua was greeting the mare, Rose took a moment to wave to the foals who were heading out to play. The foals stopped and waved back cheerfully in return. When they did, she could count two colts and four fillies, and indeed none of them looked like they could belong to the same father, bearing completely different builds, eyes, and stripe patterns.

Within a few moments, Ekua had finished speaking with Boitumelo. The older mare offered Rose a respectful nod, which Rose returned with a friendly smile, before the older mare took a seat off to the side. There, she picked up what appeared to be an unfinished woven basket and set to work rectifying that.

“She says young Tichaona is waiting for us inside.” Ekua explained, before gesturing to the yurt.

“Where was he bit?” Rose asked Ekua punctually as she made to join her, displaying an attentive side that the Medicine Mare had not seen from the pegasus before.

“His left rear thigh.” Ekua informed her, before opening the door, “He stumbled upon it resting on a rock he liked to climb by the river.” She smirked a little, “He’s a strong young stallion. Fought through the pain long enough to kill it so it would not bother the other foals that go down there sometimes.”

“How did he get back?” Rose wondered curiously, as if trying to paint a picture of what happened.

“Luckily there were a few stallions nearby watching the foals. They heard his cries of pain and brought him to me.” Ekua explained as she led Rose inside.

The yurt was nothing too extraordinary, save for the large number of beds for her foals. A few bags and jars of supplies lined the walls, and sweet smelling herbs burned in a bowl off to the side. Across the unlit fire pit from them lay a colt that looked to be almost thirteen, presumably Tichaona. He was a very well built colt for his age, looking stronger than those that had left. His mane had been cut short, keeping it close to his neck and scalp, and his eyes were a very dark green. Wrapped around his left thigh were what appeared to be bandages that Ekua must have traded for in Aura. The wound didn’t appear to inconvenience him too terribly at this point, but nevertheless, he lay upon his right side in his bed with the leg propped up on a small box for their examination. With the angle at which he lay, this of course gave them a perfect view of his near adult sized sheath and scrotum, which he didn’t seem too concerned about covering up.

“Hello, Ekua!” Tichaona chirped happily when he saw the Medicine Mare, before catching a glimpse of Rose, “And who is this~?” He asked with a smile far more charming than any colt had a right to be.

Rose smiled back at him with a teasing expression. “If you’re going to flirt with a mare, you should start by giving her your name.” She gently chastised him in a coaching tone.

The colt playfully bopped himself on the forehead, “Of course! Forgive me, my name is Tichaona. May I have yours~?”

Rose nodded softly then, “I am Compass Rose.” She revealed to him, “I will be helping your Medicine Mare for a while.”

“Ah, what luck!” The colt beamed, “Not one, but two beautiful mares to care for me~” He declared sweetly, earning a titter from Ekua as she lead Rose around to him.

Rose smiled softly at the compliment, softly tittering at how true Ekua’s words were. “So, Ekua here tells me that you fought off the snake with your bare hooves?”

Tichaona smiled and nodded proudly, “I did what any stallion would do to protect his tribe.”

“And you did it well~” Ekua cooed, taking a seat by his thigh and setting down her bag, beckoning Rose over to her.

“I don’t know,” Rose hummed, “I’ve seen bigger stallions than you cry for their mares after being bit.” She nodded decisively, before grinning softly, “Now, honestly, how are you feeling?” Rose asked him, trying to coax an honest answer from him and earning an approving glance from Ekua in the process.

Tichaona smiled a little more softly at that, “Well, the bite is still a little tender and my leg feels a little weak when I try to walk.” He perked up a little then, “But it’s getting better and with your caring hooves tending to me, I’m sure I’ll be up in no time!”

Rose smiled encouragingly at his honestly, “Well, I’m no Medicine Mare like Ekua is, but maybe once she checks on those bandages, I can see if I can help your leg feel better with a little stretching.” She offered him considerately, before extending a wing, “I know it helped the last time I sprained a wing.”

Tichaona nickered at the thought, only to wince slightly as Ekua began to slowly unwrap his bandages, “I don’t think I’d mind doing a little stretching with you~” He returned, once more shooting off that charming smile of his, “I must say, your wings are beautiful~” He declared sweetly.

“Why thank you, Tichaona. You are a handsome young stallion yourself.” Rose offered him with a smile, “I bet as soon as you’re back on your hooves all the fillies will be swooning over such a brave stallion~”

Tichaona puffed up a little at the praise, “Well, I think I would prefer a beautiful mare over a filly~” He admitted with a flirty smile, causing Ekua to roll her eyes a little in amusement.

When she finished with the unwrapping, the wound was revealed to be two nicely healing punctures on top of some slight swelling and a little bit of discoloration, “Would you like to apply the poultice, Rose~?” Ekua asked her with a soft hum, before holding out a small jar to her.

“I suppose I can try.” Rose nodded slowly, “How much should I use?” She asked, never having applied a poultice before.

“Just enough to get a nice thick layer over the afflicted area.” Ekua instructed her, “After that, we’ll see how you do with bandages.”

At that she nodded confidently. “Bandages I’ve done before.”

Taking the jar from her, Rose poured out some of the thick liquid into the frog of her hoof, before making to gently spread out the healing-goop over his healing wound.

Tichaona winced and groaned for a moment, before relaxing with a sigh, “Your hooves are wonderful~” He nickered pleasantly.

“First aid was a requirement of flight camp.” Rose explained absently, before looking up to him with a kind smile, “I know there were a few ponies that were surprised I didn’t get a red cross for my cutie mark.”

“Mmm, perhaps you should have been your tribe’s Medicine Mare~” He suggested playfully, as Ekua pulled out a roll of bandages.

“Oh no, as much as I like caring for ponies, and zebras, there are much better ponies at medicine than I am.” Rose shook her head softly.

“Well, a bit of practice and instruction is all you really need.” Ekua assured her, before hoofing over the bandages, “You’ll get there.”

“I know I’d put myself in your hooves any time~” Tichaona nickered happily.

“Why thank you, Tichaona.” Rose offered him a smile as she took the roll from Ekua, “Why don’t you tell us what happened, while I wrap your leg?”

“Well, it’s actually not that great of a story~” He admitted with a small shrug, “There’s a rock by the river I like to climb and jump off of. This time, a snake decided it was a good place to sun itself. I heard a hiss and spun to buck at it without thinking. It was faster.”

“Hmmm...what did you learn from your encounter with the snake~?” Rose enquired softly as she focused on wrapping him properly, revealing to Ekua that she actually had some experience doing this.

“Don’t panic at the first sign of danger.” The young stallion chuckled.

Rose shook her head softly, “You’re not wrong, but perhaps the lesson to be learned is not to let fear control you.” She offered with a caring smile, before tying off the bandage and patting his hip, “A brave stallion is not one without fear, but one who controls his fears.”

Tichaona nodded solemnly at her words, “I understand. I will do my best to be a worthy stallion and control my fear.”

“Good stallion~” Ekua hummed, before starting to rise, “You had a good idea, Rose, trying to stretch his leg. Think you could work on that while I speak with his mother?”

“I think I can handle that.” Rose nodded.

Ekua smiled thankfully, before slipping out and closing the door.

“I guess it’s just you and me~” Tichaona once more flashed his charming smile.

“Let’s see if we can’t get that leg loose enough to get you back on your hooves?” Rose offered, shifting around to sit behind his rump. When she did, he subtly shifted his tail to once more put his balls on display. She placed one hoof upon his hip and the other grasped his lower leg. “Now you let me know when it starts feeling tight~” She instructed him, slowly starting to pull his leg back.

After a moment, he grunted softly, “About there...”

“Alright, now take a deep breath, I’m going to push just enough so to stretch them.” She informed him, before pulling his leg just a bit further and held that stretch while massaging his hip firmly.

Tichaona grit his teeth with a stoic expression as she stretched him, before smirking softly, “I don’t suppose you’d like me to return the favor when we’re done~?”

“That is very kind of you to offer, but we have other pon- zebras, to help today.” Rose smiled at him.

“Mmm, then maybe I could find some other way to repay you while you’re here~?” He suggested hopefully.

Rose smiled knowingly at him as she released him from that stretch, only to press his leg forward and into the next. “Tichaona, would you like some advice about mares?”

“A stallion always welcomes advice from a good mare.” He nodded with a soft smile. However, despite the more innocent gesture, she could see the crown of his penis just barely poking from his sheath.

“Focus on one mare at a time, make her feel special. It works better than flirting with every mare you see.” She winked at him, pulling his leg all the way up to his barrel.

Tichaona blinked for a moment, before nodding in understanding, “In that case...I would still like to make it up to you~” He replied with a more sincere, though still incredibly charming smile.

Rose smiled deviously at him then. “You know how you can thank me? Once we get you stretched out, if we can get you outside. You’re too handsome to be hiding from the sun~”

Tichaona merely smiled and nodded, before sitting up a little and cocking his head, “Though I had been hoping to give you a more personal thank you~”

“I think seeing you smiling in the sun will be thanks enough.” Rose then leaned forward and offered him a chaste kiss behind the ear. Tichaona nickered happily and a few more inches slipped from his sheath as he returned the kiss with a tentative nibble to her neck, earning a chastising nip and a tut from the mare. “Easy now, ponies are more reserved than zebras~”

Tichaona’s ears fell back at the nip, only for him to perk up a little at her words, “Oh, um...” This time he leaned forward to offer her a flirtatious nuzzle instead. “Show me how to treat a pony mare, then~?” He asked her sweetly, “I would be most grateful for instruction~”

Rose released his stretch, to help him sit up. “I am a claimed mare, with multiple stallions...does this change your desire?”

Tichaona blinked in surprise, before shaking his head and nuzzling her again, “Not unless it truly bothers you~”

Rose appeared thoughtful a moment, before smiling. “Well, I still have others to help this morning.” She informed him sweetly, “However, if you think you’re up to it, come to my yurt this evening under your own power and show your courage by convincing my stallions to let me teach you. If you can do that, I will teach you anything your heart desires.” She affirmed with a kiss to his cheek.

“Anything~?” He asked her curiously, his ears perking up.

“If you can convince my stallions.” Rose nodded, making a show of taking notice of his erection - though she had not actually been oblivious to it before.

Tichaona glanced down and shrugged a little sheepishly, “Heh, sorry~”

“No you’re not~” Rose teased him in return, giving his cheek another peck, “Think you’re up to try walking now? Get you outside~?”

“I think so.” He nodded eagerly and offered her his hoof, “Mind helping me up~?” Rose took his hoof with a tight grip - one as strong as many stallions Tichaona could think of - and easily helped him to his hooves. Put simply, the little pegasus was stronger than she appeared. “Ah, not just beautiful and tender, but strong as well!” Tichaona prummed and offered her cheek a chaste kiss, “Your stallions are lucky~”

Rose blushed faintly and smiled earnestly at the young stallion. “There you go, that’s a much better example of flirting.” She rubbed her cheek against his then, “Any stallion can drop cliche lines about a mare’s beauty, but taking the time to start finding other attributes about her that you admire is the real secret to earning a mare’s heart, not just a little tail.” Rose nodded toward the closed door, “How about Ekua? What do you admire about your Medicine Mare?”

Tichaona hummed thoughtfully for a moment, before smiling, “Well, she’s very intelligent and kind.” He declared, “She always has a moment to spare for someone in need.”

“Just remember to use your newfound power for good, Tichaona. Don’t try and lay every mare in your tribe~” Rose somehow managed not to giggle at her declaration.

Tichaona, however, couldn’t help but giggle, “I have a feeling that would be more trouble than fun.” He assured her, before trying to open the door.

“Probably.” Rose nodded sagely.

Outside, Ekua and Boitumelo looked up from where they sat with proud smiles.

“Tichaona, you look so much better!” Boitumelo stood with a happy smile, before turning to Rose, “Oh, thank you for coming by to help Ekua with him!” Leaning in, she offered Rose’s opposite cheek a friendly kiss.

Rose chuckled softly and offered the colt’s mother a quick nuzzle. “Ekua did all the real work, all I did was help stretch his leg.” Rose offered dismissively, “All Tichaona needs at this point is a little sun and he should start feeling right as rain~!”

“Thank you, nevertheless.” Boitumelo then trotted to her son’s other side to offer him some support.

“Thank you again, Rose.” Tachaona nuzzled her cheek affectionately, “I will remember what you said.”

“I’m sure you’ll catch the eye of a fine young mare very soon.” Rose offered him a reassuring wink.

“One can only hope~” He chirped, before bumping her shoulder with his nose, “Now go. I am sure Ekua still needs you.”

Rose nodded and offered him another smile. “It was nice meeting both of you.” She offered, moving to rejoin Ekua.

Ekua was quick to sidle up to her and start leading her on, “So, how did it go~?” She asked playfully when they were out of earshot.

“Didn’t grope me once.” Rose declared with a proud grin, before shooting Ekua a knowing grin, “But I think the young colt has a soft spot for his Medicine Mare~” She then bumped her friend’s hip playfully.

“Oh, that I already knew.” Ekua tittered and returned the bump, “But it seemed like he might be developing a similar soft spot for a certain pegasus newcomer~”

“I suppose only time will tell~” Rose grinned, admitting that she had noticed the same thing.

The mares’ next visit went by smoothly. They stopped to see a mare that had broken her leg nearly a week back and was well on her way to mending. With Rose’s help, it didn’t take too long for the Medicine Mare to check her splint and wrappings, as well as help her up for some exercise. In no time at all, they found themselves before the yurt of their final charge. It would have been a rather simple yurt, had it not been for a full lion pelt stretched out on a rack near the door, being brushed by a pretty young mare that nodded to them in greeting.

Rose absently nodded to the mare in return, while staring at the pelt, “Wow, he took that down?” She asked rhetorically in awe.

“He did.” Ekua nodded with a proud smile, “Gazini is one of our strongest warriors. The mare cleaning the pelt for him is his younger sister, Tumelo. She does not speak Equestrian, or she would have offered a more formal greeting.” She explained, while leading rose to the door.

Once more, they were greeted with a rather basic looking yurt, with the addition of a short, bronze spear and a wooden mask carved to look like a lion off to one side. Within, resting on his right side and smiling up at them was a very fit looking stallion, with oddly jagged stripes and deep blue eyes. Much of the stallion appeared to be whole, however his left shoulder, foreleg, and a good portion of his barrel were completely covered in bandages. Though rose initially eyed his bandages with a small wince, she quickly made to smile at the stallion in return, following Ekua’s lead.

“Hello, Gazini~” Ekua greeted him affectionately, “I trust you are doing well today?”

“Better with every passing day!” He proclaimed proudly, “All thanks to the many talents of our gracious Medicine Mare~” He regarded Rose with a winning smile, “And who might this be? Another set of tender, caring hooves to tend to this broken stallion?”

Rose waved a hoof dismissively at him, “Pssh, you broken? I think that lion is the one that’s broken~” She returned with a small smile, dipping her head bashfully, “My name is Compass Rose, Ekua here was kind enough to offer and teach me your language. So I’m helping how I can.”

“Ah, a worthwhile trade.” Gazini nodded approvingly as Ekua lead Rose to take a seat next to him, “This way, I might have the pleasure of conversing with such an interesting mare in two tongues~ I must say, you have a very pretty name.”

Rose smiled at the praise, “I’ll try not to be too boring~” She assured him.

Gazini sniffed and shook his head dismissively, before sitting up to allow Ekua to begin slowly and painstakingly removing his bandages, “As if such a mare could be boring~ A pegasus learning language and medicine from our tribe’s very own Medicine Mare? Please, you must tell me more of yourself!”

Rose blushed faintly then, “I wouldn’t know what to say.” She shrugged, “I just recently came to the Savannah from Equestria and everything is quite confusing to me.”

“Well, let’s start simple.” Gazini chuckled softly, “What do you like to do for fun?” As he spoke, the first of his wounds along his leg were revealed; a set of long, neatly stitched gashes that could only have come from a predator’s claws.

“Have you ever heard of a game called hoofball?” Rose asked with a small smile.

“Once or twice.” He nodded with a curious smile, “I have heard ponies speak of it, but never learned to play myself.”

“Even with Aura so close?” Rose asked in surprise now that she thought about it, “What do you do if not hoofball?”

Gazini shrugged nonchalantly, “Spar, run, kill lions, flirt with beautiful mares~” He chuckled softly, “I never had any reason to learn to play hoofball. Perhaps you might change that...”

Rose smiled brightly at that suggestion, “Once Ekua says you’re ready, I’d love to teach you. We could organize a five-on-five game with my stallions~!” She chirped eagerly.

“Ah, you have stallions of your own, then?” He cocked his head with an inquisitive expression.

Meanwhile, the extent of his injuries was being revealed little by little, including numerous gashes along his leg and side, as well as a clear bite mark on his shoulder.

Rose nodded slowly, a fond smile coming to her muzzle. “They saved me from a pack of lions that had run me up a tree.”

“They sound like brave stallions.” Gazini nodded approvingly, “Though, I must say, I am disappointed I did not find you first.” He added with a sad smile.

“Oh~?” Rose asked him with a surprised expression.

“Yes, what stallion wouldn’t desire to have such a mare that he might lavish with attention~?” He nodded solemnly.

Rose’s eager, happy expression was promptly extinguished, quickly hidden behind a cheerful mask. “They have given me more than I ever imagined...”

Both Gazini and Ekua frowned softly, before the stallion brought his good hoof to Rose’s cheek, “What is it that sours your mood, Rose? You cannot hide it from me. Have I said something to offend?”

“No, not all!” Rose assured him quickly, trying to offer him a reassuring smile, placing her hoof on his.

Gazini leaned forward to offer her a tentative nuzzle to her nose, which Ekua mirrored on her cheek, “You are among friends, Compass Rose. You need not put on a mask for us.”

Rose frowned openly then, “I have met stallions less well than you.” She offered enigmatically, “Please, I tried to hide it because I do not wish to speak of before.”

“Then do not let them trouble your thoughts...” Gazini offered her lips a chaste kiss, “They are far away and I cannot stand to see a mare saddened in my own yurt.”

“Sorry~” Without even realizing it, Rose returned the stallion’s kiss upon the lips.

Gazini smiled and wrapped his good arm around her neck to pull her close. At the same time, Ekua gently pressed a familiar clay jar into her hooves.

“Spread this on his foreleg.” The medicine mare instructed her with a soothing voice, “I will take his side.”

Rose’s ears folded back uncertainly, before looking up to him, “This might sting a little~” She warned him with an understanding smile that reassured him that his pride was safe with her.

“I might need something to bite onto...” He replied with a serious expression, before nuzzling her ear.

Rose looked uncertainly to Ekua, as if seeking advice in this situation. The Medicine Mare simply offered her an encouraging smile and flicked her ears up suggestively. The pegasus wasn’t so eager as to perk her ears up, but she did rub them against his nose in offering, before slowly making to spread the poultice across his wounds as gently as she could manage. Gazini hissed softly in pain, but rather than bite down on her ear, he held back and gently nibbled on one of them, while gauging her reaction. Rose whined softly in a mewling noise, as if unsure if she should be feeling good at having him nibbling at her, yet she didn’t flinch in her duty. Once more, Ekua offered her an encouraging smile as she tended to her own spread. However, sensing her unease, Gazini ceased his nibbling and instead began to gently kiss at her mane and neck. At her mentor’s reassurances, Rose’s mewlings ceased and she simply tried to concentrate on what she was doing, despite the fact that her tail seemed to have other plans. Noticing the way her tail was behaving, Gazini kept up his many kisses, right up until the moment they finished and Ekua took the jar from Rose.

“My, your tender hooves make even the most painful ordeals seem pleasant~” Gazini nickered, offering Rose a gentle squeeze, before loosening his grip.

Rose blushed and hesitated in moving away from him, “Thank you, Gazini.” She offered him with a small smile.

“No,” He leaned in and gently kissed her forehead, “...thank you~” As he spoke, Ekua once more passed a roll of bandages to Rose.

Receiving the roll, Rose leaned in close and began to wordlessly bandage his leg in a similar manner to how it had been, while Ekua wrapped his chest and side. As they worked, Gazini took to tenderly nuzzling at Rose’s neck and mane, and this time she unconsciously began to lean into his muzzle. By the time Rose and Ekua finished tying off his bandages, Gazini was starting to kiss and tentatively nibble at the side of her neck. Only for Rose to softly gasp - in pleasure - as she suddenly found herself with no other distractions from the sensual attention from the stallion. When she did not protest, Gazini gently wrapped an arm around her and nibbled his way up to her mane, earning a hesitant purr from her. At the sound of her purr, he gave her mane one gentle tug.

Rose gasped softly once more, before glancing up at him hesitantly, “Gazini…” She murmured his name.

“Rose~” He purred in return, caressing her side with his hoof and giving her mane another tug.

“I just got together with my stallions~” Rose murmured uncomfortably, “S-some of them h-haven’t…”

“Really, now?” Gazini murmured in surprise, before slowly releasing her and gave her ear a parting kiss, “It is alright, Rose~” He assured her, “I understand.”

“I’m glad you understand.” Rose offered him with a peck to the lips and a smile, “You are quite the handsome stallion~”

“Thank you, Rose~” He nickered happily, before bumping noses with her, “Why don’t you go to them now?”

“You should go enjoy yourself~” Ekua’s voice suddenly purred into her other ear, before the Medicine Mare slid around her to nibble on Gazini’s neck. “I know I’m going to~” She purred and at that moment, there was a distinctive slapping sound just below them and Gazini gave her mane a soft tug.

Rose nodded before glancing down at his erection, and smiling. “If you had found me first I would’ve let you plow me~” Rose whispered just loud enough for the stallion, before hopping away and briefly flashing him as she made for the door with a sweet laugh.

“And perhaps you still will someday~” He nickered, before pulling Ekua into a deep kiss as the Medicine Mare wrapped her arms around him with a soft moan.

“Per-haps~!” Rose trilled in a sing-song voice as she ducked out of the yurt with a bounce in her step.

As she trotted off, Ekua moved to crouch between Gazini’s legs and started to sensually lap at his flesh, earning a pleased groan while he caressed her mane.