Fluttershy waved goodbye to Thunderlane and Rainbow Dash. Looking down and to her right, she smiled at Angel. "You got on better with Rainbow than you ever have before." The gentle breeze picked up her mane and sent it streaming. "Maybe we could invite her over to play again?"

Lifting his head to look at Fluttershy, Angel Bunny squinted, gave a sigh, then bounced off toward their house.

"No?" Fluttershy giggled a little. "I know she has never been a wild animal, but she really likes just being a cute puppy." Following the bunny, Fluttershy thought she heard a hint of a gasp in the distance. She pondered it a moment, then closed her door behind her.

"You have a date?" Rarity's voice sounded close, really close.

Opening the door a crack, Fluttershy blinked at her friend standing just outside. "Um, yes?" Magic lifted Shy up, her wings flicking out wide in shock as her friend carried her to her table. "Rarity…?"

"Darling this is great news! I must make you the greatest dress ever. You will see, you will be the belle of the ball!" Rarity had her measuring tape out, having set Fluttershy on top of the table, and was checking her dimensions.

Fluttershy blushed and tried to hide her head, an impossible act when she was standing on the table. "I was just going to wear the—"

"Oh no, no no no darling. You simply cannot wear the same thing you have before. This is an occasion," the way Rarity said the word dripped with meaning, "you must be your best. Oh, I need to book the whole spa out, and get a mane stylist…" Rarity paused, partly for breath, but also she narrowed her eyes a touch. "How good has your brother gotten?"

"Zephyr? I don't think I want—" Once more, Fluttershy was cut off by her friend.

"No, of course not. I will get my stylist from Manehatten, Swirly Mane is the best stylist in Equestria, and we can't have anything but the best." Rarity levitated her little notepad up, writing down measurements and instructions both; if there was one thing she and Twilight both really believed in, it was a good list.

"Rarity." Fluttershy said the word as loud as she could, given that she wasn't actually angry with her friend. "I just want a quiet night, it is just a first date…" Even saying it made the little filly inside Fluttershy—like in every mare, it was the one who always wanted to grow up and be a princess—jump around and fluff her wings in excitement. "It's a date… with a cute stallion…"

"Oh dear." Rarity had only just teleported her fainting couch from her home in time to catch Fluttershy. She smiled and opened the little drawer on the end, retrieving the smelling salts. "Come on, wake up darling."

The sound of a rooster crowing stirred Fluttershy from bed. She folded back the covers and climbed out, stretching each leg as she did. Yawning, she smiled at the yellow mare in her mirror. Mussed up mane and tail aside, she liked how she looked, and particularly liked how her little collar looked. "Oh, what is this?" She stepped toward the long, full-length mirror, and plucking the paper off it with a wing-tip.

Fluttershy: Don't forget, date is today, get up early and meet Rarity at the spa.

—Fluttershy

There was a moment when she was still calm, when her legs were steady, her wing holding the paper. Then all the information sank into place and Fluttershy slumped to the floor. "It's today! It's today!" She bounced to her wobbling legs and raced downstairs.

"Hey, Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash had an assortment of animal plates on the kitchen table, along with an assortment of animals gathered around it. "You need to move it if you are going to meet Rarity before she gets in a huff." Dash carefully measured out each amount of food.

Fluttershy froze in her tracks and watched her friend. "You were never this good at dealing with my little friends before…" She narrowed her eyes and squinted, then realized what was going on. Standing in the middle of the table was Angel Bunny, glaring at all the other animals. "Angel, what are you doing?"

"He is helping me make sure that you don't have to worry today. We have a truce." Rainbow Dash didn't dare to attempt to pet Angel, but the pair nodded to one another. "Now go, before Rarity comes here and yells at me for making you late."

Looking between Dash and Angel, Fluttershy wasn't sure what to do about them. If either had been on their own, she might be able to find out what they were about. "Okay…" Turning, Fluttershy made her way to the door and left her cottage.

Rainbow almost slumped. "I owe you big-time, Angel." She looked at the grinning face of the bunny. Gulping, she returned to preparing all the breakfast bowls. "There is going to be brushing later, isn't there?" The bunny nodded to her, smiling wider.

The sound of songbirds assaulted Fluttershy, the world seeming to have woken itself up as normal. "Good morning." She smiled wide and started trotting toward town; despite her friend's warning, she wasn't in any great hurry to get to the spa.

Rarity was laying back in a relaxing chair, her face caked with special mud, while waiting for her friend. The moment the front door of the spa opened, she snapped her eyes open to behold Fluttershy. "Finally!" She was on her hooves in an instant, trotting toward her friend. "Where have you been, Darling? We have so much to get through before your prince steals you away to Canterlot…" Rarity closed her eyes, striking a pose; she was so captivated in the scene that she missed what Fluttershy said.

Fluttershy blushed a little, looking away demurely. "Uhm, all I need is—"

"Fluttershy? We can finally get started, yes?" Aloe gazed at her customers. "Your gentlepony-friend dropped this off," she held up a small box, "said you should see it before starting." She held it out, presented, towards Shy. "Miss Rarity has planed a big morning for you."

"I-I know." Fluttershy took the small box and opened it. "Oh my!" The exclamation was enough to get Rarity's attention, the mare stepping over to look.

"Darling, I am not sure where he found this, but that is exquisite." Rarity's eyes were glued to the gold-trimmed collar in the little box. Avarice flared briefly, but was tempered by her spirit into curiosity. "May I?"

"Oh… yes please." Fluttershy felt so eager, she tingled in excitement at the thought of a new collar from Thunderlane, and definitely didn't mind that her friend would put it on her in his stead. Holding still, she waited until she felt Rarity's dainty magic unfasten her old one. Anticipation blended with an odd feeling of nakedness. I am so used to wearing it…

Rarity set the old collar—the one she had given to her friend—to the side and lifted the new one. She almost dropped the strap when she saw gems glitter around the edges of it. "Are those dark onyxes?" Her heart fluttered in excitement as she lifted it up to her friend's throat.

As the collar pulled around her neck, Fluttershy closed her eyes, imagining that it was Thunder putting it on. The soft click had her voice catch in her throat.

"Well that is odd."

Her friend's voice snapped Fluttershy from her daydream. "What is odd?" She felt an edge of worry sink in.

Rarity stepped up beside her friend, eying the collar. "It fastened, and clicked, but I don't think there is a catch to unfasten it. It must be some kind of lock." As soon as she said it, realization hit Rarity. Of course it is a lock, it might be jewelry, but it is still a collar.

Fluttershy trembled in bliss at the mere thought of the collar being locked in place. Calm down, Fluttershy, this only makes you his in the bedroom, he needs to prove himself, today. The concept seemed new, but the words made sense to her, so Fluttershy still let herself feel a measure of bliss. "I guess he will have to show me how to take it off." Fluttershy stood tall, even though she was still mussed up from laying in bed. "Aloe, where are we starting?"

Left staring after her friend, as Aloe led Fluttershy into the spa, Rarity shook her head and started after them. That is a new side of Fluttershy, I have never seen her so confident, even when she was getting those… lessons. "Thank you." Rarity said the words automatically as she was passed a towel, following Fluttershy into the steam-room. Settling on a bench, Rarity set her towel down and sprawled out on it, literally rolling onto her back.

"Rarity!" Fluttershy could see everything, her friend had tucked her hooves up and was openly on display.

"This is all the rage now, Fluttershy darling, it helps the steam get where it is needed." Rarity relaxed utterly. "Now we are alone, you must tell me about him. How did it all go? What is the deal with Rainbow Dash? What does he mean to… well, to both of you?"

As her mind flickered to both Thunderlane and Rainbow, Fluttershy gave a happy sigh and lay down on her side. "Rainbow Dash feels… we were always friends, even as foals, but now we are closer." Memories of how close they had each been caused Shy to blush. "And Thunderlane…"

Rarity heard the way her friend said the stallion's name. "That much?" She looked down her body at her friend. "He must be quite the colt to keep two pegasi satisfied?"

"He is, he knows what we want, what we need. He doesn't hold back from giving it to us. This date…" It really is a date! Fluttershy giggled. "This date is him wanting there to be more between us."

"And you don't mind sharing him?" Rarity's words had a sharp inflection, she really was curious. "I don't know if I could share a stallion with any mare."

Snapped from her little daydreams, Fluttershy tittered at a thought. "What about sharing a stallion with another stallion?" The concept tickled her, but the little tingle of curiosity was nothing compared with how Rarity reacted.

"What?!" Rarity fell off the bench, shook her head, then glared at Fluttershy. "But then they would be… I would be…" She trailed off. "That is different!"

"Is it?" Fluttershy had felt the efforts of both Rainbow Dash and Thunderlane, not in equal measure, but she definitely didn't turn away from her friend in the bedroom—or basement. "Why?"

"Well… If there… With two…" Rarity was blushing up a storm, that the steam-room was thankfully covering. "Ahem. A lady would not—"

"Cheater." Fluttershy felt relaxed, calm, and more than a little piqued. "I told you all about us, but you won't tell me about a hypothetical pair of stallions?" She was surprised at herself, with how far she had come. Maybe those moments with Thunderlane… with Master, are the reason?

Rarity gave a little harrumph. "Very well then, Fluttershy." She rolled back up onto the bench, laying on her belly, legs tucked under her. "If you must know, I am sure any extra stallions that were in my boudoir, would be quite welcome."

Fluttershy gave up. "You know what, Rarity? Sometimes a mare likes being with another mare." Memories of making Dash cry out into Thunderlane's shaft as she ate her out, stirred warmth in Shy's body. "When you dressed me for—"

"That was different." Rarity gave her head a little shake. "We weren't doing anything sexual at all!"

Just at that moment, Aloe opened the door and leaned in. "Time for your bath, then mane-style." She closed the door once more, leaving both mares to get ready. Gathering their towels, both Rarity and Fluttershy headed out of the steam-room, following Aloe. "Your guest arrived moments ago, Miss Rarity."

"Wonderful. Oh Fluttershy, you will see, Swirly Mane will work wonders with your mane. I will leave you to get that done, and fetch your dress." Rarity was glad to have the confusing conversation behind them, particularly since she was sure Fluttershy seemed to have the upper hoof in it—somehow. "I will see you both again soon."

Fluttershy was treated to a wonderful bath, and soon was laying on a low couch, a strange stallion examining her mane.

"This is amazing, fabulous!" Swirly walked around Fluttershy, primping her mane into different poses. "Oh, Fluttershy was it?" He waited for a nod from the shy mare. "Well, Fluttershy, I can tell you really take great care of your mane. It is soft, full of bounce, and I could literally do anything with it!"

"Oh… uh… thank you." Fluttershy's words got softer and softer as she spoke, unsure of herself now her friend was gone. "I just want it… nice."

"I am under orders, you understand?" Swirly tossed his own perfectly-done mane to one side as he looked into Fluttershy's eyes. "When Rarity sends a message, telling me that her best friend is going on her first date with a very special pony, I couldn't resist coming. But she made me promise to make you look spectacular."

"So—" Swirly was about to continue, when he caught sight of Fluttershy's collar. "Is that… mark my stars, is that a genuine, one-of-a-kind Bridlecolt collar?" He gasped. Of course Swirly could see all the markings that signaled it as the real thing. "I had heard he was working on something new, but to see it…" He floated a little fan out of his kit bag, and began fanning himself.

"Is… is that something special?" Fluttershy's curiosity had the better of her. She really wanted to look at the collar now, and got the chance when her stylist floated a mirror over. "Oh, thank you."

"See the imprinting on the gold-work? The little etchings on each gem? Whoever your stallion is, he quite literally has the best taste in accessories… and mares." Swirly couldn't help giving the compliment. "Now, this changes everything."

"It does?" Fluttershy was a little confused.

"Of course it does!" Swirly used his magic to gather up all that lovely pink mane. "You simply must wear your mane up, show off every inch of that collar."

"I… but…"

"Make sure that stallion sees it all, if you catch my drift." Swirly was already working his—literal—magic. "I promise you, that when he sees your throat fully circled with that, he will be unable to say a single word for a full minute."

The thought of Thunderlane enjoying just looking at her, contented Fluttershy, and the way the stylist spoke reassured her. "Okay." It was easy to slip into a daze, when somepony was working on her mane. She closed her eyes, accepting the mudpack when Aloe brought it in, Fluttershy settled and let the time pass. Swirly moved on to her tail, and she felt him braiding it, working the huge length into a tight, but not pinching, mass.

"Darling, I have the dress!" Rarity trotted into the main section of the spa, and froze. "Oh my sweet Celestia…"

"When Rarity is lost for words," Swirly began, "you know something truly amazing is present." He put the finishing touches on Fluttershy's tail, while Rarity shook off her shock.

Shaking her head, Rarity presented the dress. "You need to get it on quick, Thunderlane is on his way here. I sent Rainbow Dash to slow him down, but she didn't sound very confident that she could."

Fluttershy's wings raised in alarm. "Oh… oh!" She was acutely aware of the mudpack. "Aloe!" Her cry summoned the spa pony instantly. It was a rush, but expertly done. Aloe had the mudpack removed, Fluttershy's face washed, and then dried again. "Thank you."

Aloe just bobbed her head in delight, her cheeks glowing. "Always a pleasure." She backed away, washbasin in tow.

Rarity started pulling the dress over Fluttershy, fastening it where needed, fitting and plumping it up elsewhere. It was a mixture of yellow that matched the pegasus' fur, along with gold-thread that really lit the outfit up. "Hold still, I almost have—"

Fluttershy felt when her friend fastened the last strap that secured the dress. It hugged her form perfectly, and when she took a step, the dress moved with her, pressing against her, showing itself and her off together. "Rarity, this is fantastic!"

"I agree." Thunderlane stood in the doorway of the spa, his eyes locked on just one mare. Wearing the finest suit he could get, he held out a hoof and half turned. "I can't believe how…" Words failed him, his eyes saw the collar. Thunderlane knew his mouth was hanging open, that he was staring, but as Fluttershy came closer and closer, his malady only deepened.

Walking right up beside Thunderlane, Fluttershy looked into his shocked eyes. "What do you think?" In answer, she got a kiss.

Author's Notes:

So I do this "Ask x" thing, x can be any pony within the story. You can ask them anything and I they will definitely hopefully reply. Keep the questions appropriate to the age-rating of the stories and of course, I they will answer the best question(s) in the author notes of the next chapter. The more votes a comment has the more likely I will get it to the right pony to answer, try and keep it to one answer per post! I They will pick one question per chapter.

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