"Huuuhhhhwwwuuuuaaaaahhhhhh..."

Not the most coherent noise I've ever made. But if there was such a thing as 'the noise you make when you cum between your two alien girlfriends' colossal pairs of tits after watching a parade of beauty, extravagance, and sexuality in a crowded room,' that was probably pretty close to being it.

I slumped the side of the taxi-carriage, just barely catching myself before I slid all the way down to the sidewalk. "Holllllly fuck..." I groaned, wiping down my face.

Derpy and Trixie shared a giggle at my overwhelmed reaction. Derpy's laugh was light and bubbly while Trixie's was more of a deep, sultry chuckle. They pulled back, revealing the white semen splattered and strung across their cloverleaf of cleavage. Derpy lifted, pulled, and squeezed her huge tits up towards her muzzle and stretched out her long, broad tongue to start licking up the cum off her boob. Trixie, meanwhile, seemed not to mind the stains at all and instead crouched down further to lick and suckle the head of my cock, drawing out the last leftover pearls of cum from the tip, making me shudder and quake even more. Hell if I didn't need a thorough treatment, though.

Through the hasty double-titfuck, Spitfire and Moondancer had been chatting a few feet away. Moondancer in particular seemed a little worked-up watching us go at it. "Lucky dog..." the blushing bookworm muttered.

Spitfire scanned the unicorn up and down, then smirked and said, "Somehow I'm not surprised you're the 'penis envy' type."

"Yeah yeah, 'the quiet ones,' heard it a million times," Moondancer grumbled sarcastically, looking away as her cream-colored face slowly turned tomato-red.

"Nah nah, I didn't mean it like that," Spitfire replied chummily, giving the student an all-too-friendly smack on the back. "We're all about acceptance, here, remember?"

Trixie pulled her mouth off my cock and licked her lips while giving me her best bedroom eyes, daring me to go for another round, right out in public. It was tempting, oh so tempting, in a 'to hell with all of my responsibilities' kind of way. "So what now?" Trixie purred.

The air in my lungs deflated and I slouched a bit, craning my head towards the castle above the town. "Now... it's probably time for session two with... y'know."

Derpy pouted and let out an "awwwwww," then resumed licking cum off her breasts.

I pushed myself off the taxi-carriage (belonging to an earth-stallion driver who was waiting very patiently for us) and rubbed my forearms nervously. "And... I get the feeling that... that project is going to become the main focus of the rest of the weekend, so... this might be the last time we're all together for a little while."

Spitfire nodded and rolled her shoulders with a groan. "Ach, I've gotta get back to rehearsals anyway. Air-show season doesn't even stop for you, Hypnodude."

Moondancer nodded, some of her blush starting to fade. "Feel free to send for us if you need help." She scratched the side of her temple. "Though... I'm not sure if I ever gave you my address..."

Derpy's eyes lit up. "Oh!" She looked up at me knowingly.

I blinked, then reached into my pocket where my 'honeymoon present,' the little weekly planner booklet, was waiting. I barked out a little laugh and opened it up to the address section. Passing it and the little pen that came with it around, I said, "Here. This way I can get in touch with you."

As Moondancer scribbled her mailing address into my planner, Spitfire smirked and reached into her own back pocket. "I'll do you one better." She pulled out a Wonderbolt-themed business card and handed it to me. "Congrats, you're one step closer to being an actual professional."

With a laugh, I replied, "Not a chance."

Derpy took the booklet next, but only to show me with a proud grin that she'd already written her address long before she'd given it to me, which I legitimately hadn't noticed until now. I chuckled and grinned back. She moved to hand it over to Trixie, before pausing when she remembered the magician's living situation. So instead, Derpy gave it back to me. I slipped Spitfire's business card between the pages and put the item back in my pocket.

"Well, if you're doing therapy," Trixie mused as she stood back up, my semen still adorned on her bouncing tits, "I might head in a different direction rather than stay in that stuffy palace all evening. Anyone up for dinner?"

Spitfire's and Moondancer's eyes immediately widened, and they stammered and blushed. "Not if it ends up like last time..." Moondancer mumbled.

Trixie sneered evilly. "Oh, please, that was a special occasion...! I'm sure you won't end up my playthings after a few drinks a second time..."

The Wonderbolt stretched her wings and took to the air by a couple of feet. "In all seriousness, I gotta rest up for drills tomorrow. Good luck, everyone!" And she took off into the golden sky like a shot.

Moondancer rubbed her arm and looked aside bashfully. "Honestly, I kinda want to head home... Just want to relax."

Trixie nodded with a small sigh through her nostrils. She glanced down at Derpy. "Dinner for two?"

Derpy stood up. The upper surfaces of her boobs shone with her saliva, licked almost completely clean. She swallowed and cleared her throat a bit, then said, "Naw... I was thinking of getting on the train back to Ponyville 'cuz I've got work in the morning... Sorry..."

"Right... The perils of being the only pony on vacation," Trixie muttered. She shrugged. "Can't be helped. Stuffy palace it is." She climbed into the taxi's open carriage.

Derpy gave me a tight hug, being careful not to squish her breasts too much and squirt my chest again. "Mmm, be safe, Pasky, okay? And take care of your mares, too." A kiss on the lips.

Moondancer awkwardly offered her hand for a shake, which I awkwardly took. "Break a leg," Moondancer said. "Er, if that applies..."

I blinked as I remembered our conversation from inside the convention center. Still holding onto her hand, I said, "Wait. Let me try something..." Moondancer watched me a little nervously as I thought about the phrasing I wanted, and then I said, "'You can do anything or ask any favor, so long as you explain that it's "for science" or "for an experiment" or some such, and people will be compelled to answer your questions honestly about their thoughts and perceptions during it.'"

A blue glow passed down from my shoulder and through our palms into Moondancer's body, who jolted like she'd been zapped by static. "Wh-What...?!" She pulled her hand back and stared at it. "What was that...?!"

Derpy's eyes lit up. "He's giving you an aura!"

"Not an aura," I said smugly, one hand on my hip, "but a trigger." As Moondancer just stared at me in shock, I continued. "I know you said you wanted to try going your own way without all this craziness, but what you said in there got me thinking. I could really use your analytical mind helping to figure out all the aspects of this power. This way, it's not constantly 'on,' but you can use it temporarily whenever you think of an appropriate 'test.' Whaddaya think?"

I could almost hear Trixie folding her arms grumpily back in the taxi.

Moondancer took off her fogged-up glasses and continued staring blankly at me. "R-Really...? You're... sharing it with me...?"

I nodded firmly. "I wouldn't have made it this far without you, Moondancer. Do with it what you wish. No strings attached."

Before I knew it, I was wrapped up in another big-busted hug. She was considerably warmer with that black sweater she always wore. She buried her muzzle into my shoulder. "This... This is a lot to take in, but..." Moondancer pulled back and smiled prettily. "I'll do my best. Thank you!"

I didn't really know what else to say, so I shrugged bashfully. "Least I could do."

Not long after, we said our goodbyes and went our separate paths, each looking into the future in different ways. I sat down next to Trixie, who was finally cleaning the semen off her tits with her magic. The stallion at the front started to pull the carriage down the street, causing stunningly beautiful ripples to dance across Trixie's toned, hyper-curvy body. Not really looking her in the eyes, I asked, "You doin' alright, Trixie?"

"Hmm? Oh, no, I'm fine," Trixie insisted. She scooted next to me and leaned into my side, watching Canterlot roll by on either side of us. "Don't mind me."

"Well, I try to pay attention, and... it seemed like you got a little... grumpy back there."

Trixie's reply caught in her throat for a moment. I was starting to recognize the little purse in her lips that meant she was fighting the urge to say something flippant. She finally shook her head and replied, "It was nothing. Really."

"You sure?" I had to ask.

Trixie gave me a flat annoyed look. "What have we talked about repeatedly, Pascal?"

I was at a loss for words.

Trixie sighed and rested her head on my shoulder. "I want you to take charge of my bad impulses. Reward me properly. If you spoil me every time I whine," she added with a slight sultry smirk, "how will I ever learn?"

I chewed on that sentiment for a few moments, and wrapped my arm behind Trixie's back to hug her close. "That doesn't mean I can't try to do fun or nice things for ya, though."

Trixie gently shook her head. Her arms wrapped around my middle and squeezed me tight. "You've already indulged me a lot today. But just between you and me? This is the nice, fun thing. I know I put on a show when we're around the others, but... I like these quiet, intimate little moments with you. And Derpy. ...Don't tell the others I said that."

I chuckled. The taxi driver stallion looked back and chuckled. "Awww...!"

The magician sat up and immediately glared daggers at the driver. "Eyes on the road! And don't tell a soul about what you heard! Pascal, make sure he never tells a soul."

I let out a sigh.

When Trixie and I returned to Canterlot's royal palace, one of the golden-armored guards approached me at a slightly urgent pace. He carried a box bound in twine, just a little bit larger than the breadth of his fingers.

He cleared his throat and spoke to me in a low tone of voice. "The Princess asked me to pass along a message and this package to you as soon as you arrived. She says she will not meet with you in-person tonight. Instead, you are to use this item in your office and follow the included instructions."

How mysterious and slightly bizarre. I gingerly took the package and said, "Sure thing. Thanks."

The guard walked away, and Trixie stared at the box for a few seconds before throwing her hands up. "Sounds like it's 'for your eyes only.' I'll grab some dinner for both of us, then maybe go out and enjoy the view from the gardens or something."

"Sounds good."

We split up, Trixie heading for the nearest cafeteria while I made a hasty beeline straight to my suite. I passed a few ponies, guards and servants and aides, who were all just as lightly bewildered by the human carrying a mysterious package down the hall as I was. There were naturally a lot of questions, but for now I was just happy she wasn't blowing me up for the whole master/slave play thing from earlier in the day. Though there was always the chance the box contained a bomb. Maybe even in a non-metaphorical sense.

It was strange, coming back to what was basically my Canterlot home. The two sections, the psychiatrist's office half and the love-nest half separated by a thick curtain, felt totally alien to my low-middle-class self, calling it mine. Even if it was specially made and on loan to me in exchange for services to the crown, rather than owned directly by me. It was still going to be one of the nerve centers of my new life in this world, and I'd barely started living in it.

I sat down at the little dining table in one corner of the office and set the box down in front of me. After a moment's trepidation, I untied the twine and lifted the lid. Inside was... a glass orb on a pedestal, which I set on the table, and a neatly folded letter.

This orb has been enchanted to connect our voices across large distances. It will only work for you and I, and only when we are both ready. During the connection, our voices will be silenced to any outsiders, and a blurring effect will make it very difficult to lip-read.

Just touch the orb with your hands with the intent to make a connection when you are ready.

No signature. Even the handwriting style was deliberately simple. But there was no mistaking who the message was coming from.

I glanced at the shimmering orb, filled with a violet swirling mist. "Long way to go for what's basically a secure cell phone..." I muttered to myself. I sat back and considered the item for a little while. This seemed to be the consequence of my tomfoolery earlier today – Celestia was too upset to meet with me in-person, so we were doing our second therapy session remotely. Or she didn't want to be tempted by my human pheromones and the other unnatural attractors built into her sexed-up body. I wasn't sure if I was relieved or disappointed that blackout sex with the Princess was off the table for tonight. Leaning towards relieved, honestly.

Beyond the questions and concerns, I was a little bit dreading this next session. It seemed like, other than some forward steps made during our first therapy session, we had done nothing but slide and stumble back. And yet, for Celestia's sake, I needed to be a pillar of support, confident that she could improve and get better. Not exactly second-nature...

With one last sigh of resignation, I reached out an placed my hand on the orb. It glowed brighter and warmed beneath my palm. The violet light inside spread up my arm rapidly and surrounded my head, casting everything around me in a pinkish-purple glow. A tunnel of magic connected my head to the orb, stretching and shrinking no matter where I moved. All the other ambient sounds in the room were immediately muffled, and there was a half-tingling, half-buzzing above my shoulders.

"Yyyello?" I called out experimentally.

I heard a shuddering of breath. A whimper in Celestia's voice.

Well. We were off to the races, then.

There was a familiar shifting of fabric. Was Celestia just laying in her bed? Oh dear.

I lowered my forehead to my palm and sat there for a few moments. Celestia was silent as well. Great, neither of us knew how to start this. Which meant she definitely had heard about it and the onus was on me to clear it up.

"Look, Celestia..." I finally managed to say, "I'm sorry about earlier today. It was reckless, it was stupid..."

There was a sharp intake of breath and a sniffle. Honestly, I had been expecting far more anger. Maybe a strongly worded lecture. Celestia just sounded... distraught, on the verge of tears. Which was somehow way more devastating. There was an audible swallowing and gasp of breath. The sound of a pillow shifting as she turned her head against it. "No... No..."

Now I was confused. 'No' what? I felt it was best just to continue the apology. "If it had just been in the privacy of our own... room, that'd be one thing, but we paraded it around under your own roof. That was unforgivable."

"No, no, no...!" Celestia murmured, audibly holding back tears. "You... You're adults, that's fine..."

That was fine?? Clearly it wasn't. Was the Normal pushing her in a way she didn't want? This therapy session was off to a very strange, confusing start.

Then again, if one's therapist had been parading the fetish dynamic that had traumatized you in the past...

I was a shitty therapist.

"It wasn't... oh..." Celestia took a deep, shuddering breath to try and calm herself. "I was a little upset when the rumor reached me... Well, I was very upset, but not for... for just that reason...!"

It was a hard thing, listening to the Princess choke back tears through a magical voice-sharing orb. It wasn't like Celestia could 'pull away from the phone' for a second, so I had to hear every whimper, every sob like she was right in front of me. And my natural instinct to try and comfort her (how, even?) was denied by the sheer distance. So, note to self: Remote sessions have a few downsides.

Still, it sounded like I was getting somewhere, perhaps somewhere important. It was starting to sound like Celestia had something she wanted to tell me. I sat back in my chair and tried to remain calm and supportive. "Alright... What was the major reason you were upset, Celestia?"

I heard her nod against her pillow and make an 'mmhmm' sound, like I'd found my way to the point. "I... I..." There was a tossing and turning in bed as Celestia's fight to hold back her cries of sorrow failed for a moment.

Geez, was this the life ahead of me? Listening to people cry uncontrollably as they force out the thoughts that are torturing them deep down? That was some great fast-talking on Sunday morning, Pascal. Real good career move.

But... that didn't make me want to help any less.

Feeling that I had been silent too long, I said, "It's okay, Celestia. I'm here for you. Even if I fuck up sometimes."

That managed to get an amused scoff from her, which interrupted the choked sobs, thankfully. She sniffled. There was a tinkling of magic, and I heard Celestia blow her nose into a tissue. With this setup, it was practically right in my ears, and I winced. "Th-Thank you..." Celestia mumbled.

She was quiet for many seconds, collecting both her composure and her thoughts.

"I... I was jealous."

I involuntarily smacked my lips. There... was a kind of logic there...

"And I hated it. I couldn't figure out exactly why. Until..." She sniffled hard, twice. "Until a horrifying thought came to me..." Celestia fell quiet again, breathing through her nostrils shallowly, trying to hold back another wave of tears.

I slumped in my chair, bracing myself for whatever revelation was incoming. "What exactly was that thought?"

Another audible swallow. "I... Deep down... I..." There was a sigh with finality and resignation. "I've always wanted the Masters to return."

My mouth opened, but every word I tried to say just kinda died in my throat.

"I was jealous," Celestia repeated. Her voice sounded low and flat, like she'd been hollowed out from the inside. Which was probably how she felt, too. "I've..." There was a pause and I heard the faint shifting of another tissue dragging across skin. Was she wiping her eyes? Another sniffle. "I've wanted the Masters to return and take the fight out of me, take everything, and just... return it all to the way things were. Much like you and Trixie."

I finally found some words. "What Trixie and I did..."

"...was an agreement between consenting adults, I know. And clearly a test of your powers, because I couldn't think of Slave Trixie as anything other than normal."

Provably not quite true. It was easy to think of her as spectacularly inconsiderate, considering the circumstances...

Wait, no! Not a single soul had blamed Trixie in all this! Raven's complaints and the rumor mill and Celestia's reaction were all about what I had done, taking her as my magical slave under Celestia's roof! And even though I had my aura of acceptance... I had enchanted Trixie so thoroughly that the fact of her enslavement was even more normal than me!

Learning things!

While my neurons were sparking, Celestia went on in that hollowed-out voice of hers. "The principle of... someone else taking charge... a human, especially... I have no choice but to accept... that I've wanted that so, so badly for 1300 years...!"

I grimaced so hard my teeth ground together painfully. This... didn't sound wrong, per se, but I had many, many concerns. "Look, uh– We've been down this road before. My power has a way of pushing people towards incomplete rationalizations..."

"It's the same as Saturday night, remember?" Celestia's voice asked waveringly. "I... wanted this. I surrendered to this. And I became eager for it."

"I... I could hear the anguish in your voice," I cut in, haunted by the memory. "Even as you were loudly declaring your defeat..."

There was a pause and a shifting of bedsheets. It seemed that Celestia was now sitting up. "Your power doesn't create thoughts out of thin air. Even the power of rationalization is done through the processes of our own minds. Therefore..." Sniffle. "This is my thought. My desire. My deepest, darkest secret."

I stifled a sigh and covered my eyes. This was such a backslide it wasn't even funny. Celestia was now more convinced than ever that she was her own worst enemy. And, hell, such was often the case in psychology, but it wasn't going to help my job if Celestia dug this particular trench any deeper. Still, what could I even say, especially on the spot like this? A flash of insight came to me, and I forced out the breath I was holding and gazed upon the orb again. "Celestia, maybe that's the case. But you've also been paranoid about exactly that nightmare scenario for 1300 years. And, y'know, paranoia... When we're paranoid about something, it's not too far a stretch to say that we want it to be true or to happen, right? Because then the tension will be released and we'll at least have the satisfaction of being right. Because the thought that we tortured ourselves for nothing is... just... too much to bear..."

Gee, speaking from a little experience much, Pascal?

Celestia was silent for a while, and I had no read on how she was taking those comments. But eventually there was a neutral 'mmhmm' on the other end of the magical line, which I interpreted as 'I don't really believe you in this case but it makes enough sense.' Which was at least something.

I leaned back in my chair, slumping and sliding and staring up at the ceiling. I had a brief moment of 'What the hell am I even doing with my life?' "Celestia..." Oof, the words I was thinking were going to be risky, but I had to start setting up for my long-term plan. "I think it's fair to say that, as much as you want to deny it, there was a moment you were happy under the Masters."

I braced myself for a reaction. I didn't hear so much as a breath from Celestia. The connection was still on, so I assumed she had just clammed up. I had no choice but to complete my thought.

"Call it naiveté, call it misplaced trust. And you were betrayed, no doubt about that. But... it feels like... those memories, those happy memories of being a servant and sex slave of the Masters..."

There was a choked sob in my ears.

"I'm not saying you need to revert to that," I said hastily – even though, in retrospect, that was kind of the plan?? "I'm saying that the keys to being happy with your sexuality, with your existence as an ex-slave... They're locked away in those times you've repressed; the part of yourself you've maybe labeled a traitor." Time to put the cards on the table. "I think the way forward is to get back in contact with that former self."

I got the sense that Celestia was shaking her head slowly. Maybe some of her head motions were being transmitted as vibrations through the voice-link? I had no idea. "I'm–... I have happiness now," she said in a quiet, weak voice. "I have my little ponies. They don't have to... grow up like I did..."

But you've certainly projected your repressions onto them, I mentally noted but perhaps wisely chose not to state aloud. "...It's about connecting those two sources of happiness. Your present self needs to know how to be happy with her own body. And your past self needs to know what the future is like without the Masters. But... it's too painful to push past all those years of resentment and shame to reach back to her, isn't it?"

Another sniffle. "Mmhmm...!" A loud blowing of the nose, again directly into my eardrums.

I was pretty much constantly rubbing my temples at this point. "Then... I want you to hold off on passing judgment on yourself. Wait until we can ask her if that's what she really wants, for the Masters to return and enslave you all." I was going out on a limb here, but... "Because I think the answer might surprise you."

"W-What...?"

That was about all I could do on that topic. It was up to Celestia whether she believed my words or not. All I knew was, we weren't solving this tonight. "Any other thoughts, insights, revelations, breakthroughs? Just things you've been thinking about?"

Celestia sighed, wordlessly acquiescing to my implied request to change the subject. "I've... I've been really worried about Twilight Sparkle."

No surprise there. Frankly, she was worth worrying about. "...Yeah. Yeah, I can see why."

"I heard you two fought," she said quietly.

What a moment to be reminded of. Although... I had to chuckle a bit. "Truth is, we've been a thorn in each other's sides since I got here. What we did was finally stop fighting, really. We called an armistice."

"Oh..." Celestia sighed. "I'd be lying if I denied I knew as much... and was counting on it a little, during the time I wanted to separate you from her protection..."

"What was the goal, actually?" I asked out of sudden curiosity. "I get run out of town, or I get sent to some lunatic asylum, and then...?"

"...Before the Normal?" Celestia murmured absentmindedly. "Isolate you, study you even further, gather every scrap of information I could that would help prepare us against a possible return of the Masters. ...Oh, thanks for reminding me, I should tell Twilight the truth about Fillydelphia State Lunatic Hospital. Its reputation as a madhouse is just a smokescreen for a secret research facility. That's why I wanted you there."

Really now. "G-Greeeaaat," I couldn't help but groan out with a grimace. Thanks to that reputation, we had taken simply putting me in an asylum to treat my mental inability to cope with all the giant titties off the table and ended up with the Normality debacle instead. Funny how life worked.

From the way Celestia sighed, the same thought was crossing her mind. "Do you think...?"

"Your knack for secrets, spies, conspiracy, and manipulation comes from this key moment of existential betrayal in your life? I mean... that and a thousand years of statecraft, probably. Don't need a psychiatrist to point that out."

I'd meant it somewhat jokingly, but Celestia just let out a sad 'hmm' and remained silent.

This was getting more awkward by the second. (What else was new in my life?) "Ahem. Getting back to Twilight..."

"What else is there to say?" Celestia half-whined. "I was her teacher, and she admired me to a fault. I betrayed her by withholding this information, and I destroyed the pedestal I'd let her put me on!" Her voice began to rise as she got more angry with herself. "And the only excuse I have is that I was so scared of you I wasn't thinking straight!"

"I mean, to be fair..." I didn't want to say it out loud, but she definitely had a reason to be scared, irrational or otherwise.

"And now I've permanently damaged our relationship. The relationship between two of Equestria's Princesses, potentially putting my people in more danger down the line!"

Again, not untrue, but... boy, did Celestia and Twilight look perfect for each other right now.

The door to my suite clicked open, and Trixie walked in levitating several plates and bowls of food from the royal kitchens. She raised an eyebrow at me and the magical aura around my head. I knew she wouldn't be able to hear me or see my lips, so I just sort of made patting motions on the surface of the table. She nodded and set down the dinner portions meant for me, then walked through the curtain with her meal to give me my privacy.

I cleared my throat. "Sorry, uh, Trixie came in with dinner..."

After a moment's pause, Celestia asked, "Is she still your slave?"

I kinda jolted at that. "Uh, no. No. We, uh, stopped that after the meeting with Raven and we kinda realized... how it looked. And it turned out the type of enchantment I used was mentally draining, so it was probably for the best..."

"Enchantment?" Celestia echoed. "You're... enchanting ponies?"

"I've been testing out further depths of my power with consenting ponies that I trust to be honest with me," I replied. "If I place my hands on something and describe an effect... I can..." It was hard to explain. "...pour a part of my magic into them. Create deeper layers of hypnosis, share a customized part of my normality aura... even... make somepony feel normal and look normal being my slave. Y'know, stress tests."

"So that... was the reason...?"

"And because Trixie asked. But right now I'm taking every opportunity I can to... to get stronger. For you." That last part kind of slipped out before I could reconsider.

There was a pregnant pause on the other end. "You want to use this power on me?"

I froze up a bit. Should I just admit it outright? That was the plan, wasn't it? It took me a while to figure out what to say. "I don't know if my normal aura and my normal words are enough." My head tilted towards the floor. "You're still clearly suffering. If... If the whole hypothesis is that I can use this power for mental healing, then... I need more than just surface-level bandages. I need to know how to go deeper. And... I know that sounds scary–"

"I trust you."

Immediately, I shut up.

"You had Equestria in your hands – you had me as your loyal, broken slave. And you gave it all up. You were ready to turn into a pony, and suffer an identity death, to spare me." An audible swallow. "And I didn't deserve it."

Gravity felt heavier on my shoulders. "Don't believe that," I said in a rare moment of clarity and strength. "After everything you've been through, you deserved it. I'm here, still here, still helping you, because you deserve it. And I'm not going away. So... I know it's hard, but try to think that a little less."

Sniffle. "Okay."

I let a silence fall between us as we both mentally and emotionally caught our breath. After a while, I said, "Anything else? Anything else you want to talk about?"

Celestia didn't answer for a little bit. But then: "I've made some changes to my schedule for the weekend."

There was a hesitation in the way she said so that put me on edge. "Oh...?"

"I've completely cleared this Saturday. My only duty will be to raise the sun. To the rest of the world, I'll simply be taking a very rare personal day, but... I expect you at my tower first thing in the morning."

My blood chilled. First thing in the morning? All day? After going cold turkey for three days...?

"I hope that's alright with you. An all-day session...?"

Little hard to say no when you've already cleared out your schedule! "...Sure. I can do that." Gears started to turn in my mind. "But I have an important condition."

"Hmm?"

I opened my mouth and paused. This was going to be a doozy. "I'd... like to invite some friends to this next session."

There was a stifled gasp.

"Specifically, your friends. Anyone who knows the truth and can be a source of emotional support in these trying times. Luna comes to mind. And yes, they'll... see you. Maybe even end up watching, or participating..."

I could almost hear her wringing her hands. "I don't– I don't– I don't know if..."

"I know, I know," I muttered, furrowing my brow at my own idea. "It's very soon. But... I get the sense that you've kind of isolated yourself. Especially from ponies like Twilight."

"I can't–..."

It was hard not to back off right then and there, hearing her whimper like that. But it was like my subconscious had nearly worked out the missing piece of this puzzle and was insisting this step was important. I leaned forward with my fist planted firmly on the table. "I'm just a human pervert, Celestia. I can't convince you alone that your body doesn't matter, that you're okay, that you're still loved by those you love. I want your friends there..." I faltered for a second. Why? "...because I can't reach back into your past without a strong anchor in the present. An anchor that will remind you that you are loved no matter what happens. And... like everything else in this world, that anchor is going to be your close friends and loved ones. Yes, the ones you're afraid to meet again, to disappoint. I've met some of them, and I promise you... if you trust them, they will reward that trust."

Was I bullshitting a little bit? On reflection, maybe. I was the kind of guy that was never certain of anything. But I had to be confident for Celestia's sake.

After an eternity of silence, one last deep sniffle. "...Okay. I'll think about it."

I tried not to sound too exhausted from that push. "All I ask. So... Saturday, first thing in the morning, all day, with guests. That'll be our next session."

"Yes. Thank you."

"And Celestia?"

"Yes, Pascal?"

Another occasion where I needed to word things carefully. I probably wasn't going to do that well. "There are two things I want to you to think about between now and then. First: Is it possible that, in your perception of the past Celestia, you've constructed a boogey...mare for yourself that doesn't quite reflect reality? And second: If you could go back to that past Celestia and speak with her, what would you say? And what might she say to you?"

Silence.

Nothing else I could do. "That's all. And, uh, again, apologies for what happened earlier today. I won't ever do that again under your roof."

A hollow half-scoff, half-chuckle. "I appreciate it."

And then the orb's glow faded, sucking the magic away from my head and back within the glass. My ears popped a little as the room's normal ambiance returned in full force, like someone had taken noise-canceling headphones off my head without warning – though more like someone had removed an entire space helmet from my shoulders.

I leaned back in my chair and could do nothing else but let out a "Hwuuuuuuuugh!" at the ceiling.

Trixie's magic grabbed the dividing curtains and pushed them aside. "Go well?" she called from the bed.

I tilted the chair back and looked over at her lazily. "She... wants to go all-day Saturday. From sunup to sundown."

Trixie paused mid-bite of her food. She gulped. "Um..." The magician dabbed her mouth with a napkin and sat up from the pillows. "I know you're leery of the whole 'enhancing yourself to be more on-par with stallions' thing, buuuuuut... This might be the time to make an exception!"

I returned my squinting gaze to the ceiling. I was feeling a headache coming on. "I have tomorrow to prepare for my one shot at reversing this backslide. If she doesn't fuck me to death first, fuck!"

Why was I in this situation again?! Except now I had forewarning! And that didn't make it better!

"Uh, Pascal?"

"What??"

"Why are your hands... blinking?"

I raised my hands to my eyes. Sure enough, they were repeatedly pulsing with the bright blue light of my magic from within, in a steady rhythm over and over. "What the..." My eyes widened. "Oh no... no, no!"

"No no no no no!" Twilight Sparkle yelped, clutching her mane in her hands as she watched the Friendship Map zoom in on Canterlot, while the cutie marks on her hips pulsed brightly. In the holographic view of Equestria, a blue orb and a purple star hovered around the side of the mountain.