August

Sunset woke up to the sound of singing birds coming through a glass window. She squinted in the bright sunlight and moved to shield her eyes. Her hoof did not do the job. Sunset beamed and used magic to close the curtains.

Sunset followed her nose to the kitchen and found two awake Twilights and one sleepy Moon Dancer. Where is human Moon Dancer. Iunae.

“Where is Iunae?” Sunset asked.

Midnight shrugged. “She’s a night owl she is probably sleeping in. I mean she was late yesterday.”

Sunset nodded and began levitating food. Midnight happily ate food off of Sunset’s fork. Salto, Princess and Spike gossiped about their Canterlot friends.

By the end of breakfast Sunset was getting worried about Iunae. She had still not showed up.

“If you are really worried about Moon- Iunae then perhaps you should go check on her.” Princess suggested while she levitated the dishes towards the kitchen. Spike followed her.

Sunset and Salto walked towards Iunae’s room.

Sunset knocked on the door. There was no answer. Sunset knocked a few more times before opening the door.

The smell of blood hit the two ponies immediately. They exchanged worried looks. Sunset walked into the room. The pony sized lump on the bed was breathing.

Sunset was so focused that she didn’t notice the book on the floor. Sunset tripped and caught herself. She levitated the book and squinted at it in the dim light. Parenting Smart: A Guide to Razing Rowdy Foals. Sunset pace the book on top of a stack of books. The books were all about parenting and pregnancy.

Sunset reached out a hoof and placed it on the blanket.

“Hey Moon Dancer what’s going on? Are you alright?” Sunset began to remove the blanket. The smell of blood grew stronger.

Iunae twisted and burrowed into the blankets like a vampire avoiding light.

“We are worried about you Moon Dancer please talk to us?” Sunset said.

Iunae moaned. She seemed to be muttering something.

“Are you injured?” Salto asked stepping forward.

In one motion Salto ripped the blankets off. Iunae covered her eyes with her arms. There was blood all over the bed. Iunae herself was covered from hoof to tail the fur on her back was covered in bloody patches. There were towels on top of the sheets to protect them but most of them were soaked through.

Salto stared in horror. “What’s going on!” Salto demanded.

“I’m having my period. And a migraine.” Iunae muttered. She rolled over and buried her face into her pillow.

Sunset groaned loudly.

Salto glanced at Sunset. “What’s a period?”

Sunset wished she had her hands back to massage her forehead with.

“Human reproduction is very different from pony reproduction. In the human world I kept my pony cycle. I should have realized that the humans would keep their cycle in this world. I wonder where Twilight is in hers.” Sunset said. “What kind of menstrual products do you normally use? We can try to recreate something.” Sunset asked Iunae.

“I used a menstrual sponge and cotton pads. But I’m really sensitive. I think it would be best if I just bleed.” Iunae said quietly.

“What does your wife do when you are having a migraine?” Sunset asked.

“Normally she brings me breakfast in bed and hand feeds me and then lets me sleep or read or whatever.” Iunae said quietly.

“Alright what kind of food would you like for breakfast?” Sunset asked.

“Honestly I’ve been craving red meat.” There was a pause. “It’s probably just an iron deficiency. I’ve always been a little anemic. Do you guys have iron supplements here?” Iunae said softly.

“Yeah we should. I know you can make vegan iron supplements out of kale and seaweed.” Sunset said.

“Sounds good.” Iunae muttered. She snuggled into her pillow.

“Alright. We need to get clean sheets and towels. Perhaps the hospital will lend us some bed pads.” Sunset said to Salto. “Perhaps Princess can use her authority to get supplies.”

Sunset carefully placed the blankets back on top of Iunae and then her and Salto trotted out of the room. The two Twilights were waiting for them.

“Why does her room smell like blood? Did she hurt herself?” Princess asked.

“Iunae is menstruating.” Sunset said coolly.

“Really?” Midnight said.

“She’s what now?” Princess asked.

“Menstruating. Human reproductive cycle.” Sunset said with a smile.

“That thing?” Princess said.

“I bet Rarity has the supplies. If we did some sketches we could make some pads.” Midnight said.

“Well Sunset can’t stick around. She has an appointment with Celestia.” Princess said. “The chariot is going to arrive any minute.”

Sunset stood frozen for several minutes. Midnight is the only other pony who knows about menstruation but she can’t use her horn well enough to be useful. On the other hoof I do really need to talk to Celestia. “I’ll try to be as productive as I can before the chariot arrives.”

“Productive how?” Princess asked.

“Iunae needs clean sheets and blankets as well as some bed pads.” Sunset said.

“What’s going on?” Spike asked.

“Iunae is having lady problems.” Midnight said cooly. The ponies stared at her. Midnight pulled her ears back and looked uncomfortable.

“Ponies don’t really use euphemisms. At least around reproduction.” Sunset reminded her.

“Spike with you please fetch a FULL set of clean bedding for Iunae?”

“Sure!” Spike jogged away.

“So we are just going to use bed pads? What about if she wants to get up and walk around? We don't want her trailing blood all over the castle of outside.” Midnight asked.

“Outside is probably off the table.” Sunset said.

“Why?” Midnight asked.

“To minimize the amount of explaining necessary.” Sunset said.

“Yeah we should probably confine her to the castle.” Princess said.

“How long does this usually last?” Salto asked

“It varies from person to person. It can be anywhere from one to five days. Normally.” Midnight said.

“I’ll get a letter sent to Rarity requesting her assistance.” Princess said. She wandered off in the direction Spike went.

“Is there anything else we can do for her?” Salto asked.

“”What do you mean?” Princess asked.

“She just seemed so miserable I was wondering if there was anything we could do for her.” Salto said.

Midnight and Sunset glanced at each other and shrugged. “When my cramps are really bad I like being left alone.” Midnight said.

“Yes but thats back in the other world when you can take care of yourself. What do you do when you are alone?” Salto said.

“I usually take a hot bath or shower or if my flow is lighter I like to relax in my parent’s hot tub.” Midnight said casually.

“Mad you were privileged.” Sunset said. “When I had craps the best I could hope for was a hot pad of rice heated up in the school microwave.”

“You don’t have a menstrual cycle when did you get cramps.” Midnight asked.

“I had them both before and after both of my spontaneous abortions.” Sunset said. There was an awkward pause while Sunset and Midnight avoided each other's eyes. .

“So in general humans females like relaxing, bathing activities and sustained heat on cramping muscles while they are menstruating.” Salto asked.

Sunset nodded.

“Yeah. That’s a fair summary.” Midnight said.

“Okay. I’ll go set up a hot shower for Iunae.” Salto said and started walking away.

“Why not just let her sleep?” Midnight said.

“Spike is getting her fresh bedding. It would be useless if her tail and fur are still covered in old blood.” Salto said.

Spike and Princess came back into the hall.

“Sunset the chariot is here.” Princess said.

Sunset nodded and trotted off in the direction Princess indicated.

“Where is Moon-Salto going?” Princess asked.

“She said she wanted to help Iunae take a hot shower.” Midnight said.

“Okay. Why is she walking away from Iunae’s bedroom?”

Midnight shrugged and wandered off to find the library.

Salto walked to Iunae’s room with a basket full of her special soaps and brushes. Normally she didn’t like to share her personal hygiene supplies but Iunae didn’t have any and she guessed that the two of them would have similar tastes in cleaning products.

Salto knocked on the door. After a moment she opened the door and slid in.

Iunae was laying on her side facing Salto.

“Who's there?” Iunae asked.

“It’s me the other Moon Dancer.”

“Oh.” Iunae sighed. “ How are you?”

“I’m fine.”

“What are you doing in my room?”

“I want to help you take a shower. We need to clean up your ben and there is no point in putting you back in it if you are still covered in blood.”

“Okay.” Iunae squirmed in her bed and fell out on the floor.

“Are you alright.” Salto said alarmed.

“I’m fine.” Iunae had her eyes closed. She walked towards the sound of Salto’s voice.

Slato glanced at all the books in between them and quickly began moving them out of the way and stacking them next to the desk.

Iunae waited until the sound of shuffling papers stopped and then continued walking.

Iunae walked into Salto’s personal buble and Salto realized that she didn’t know when to stop.

“Uh Close enough! Stop!” she blurted out.

Iunae jumped and looked startled. Her ears folded back.

“Sorry.” Salto said.

“It’s okay. I have a migraine so bright lights and loud noises really stress me out.”

“Okay. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Salto lead Iunae into the bathroom. Salto turned on a single light over the sink. “Do you want me to lift you into the tub or do you want to open your eyes and crawl in?”

Iunae considered her options. “I’m going to trust you.”

Salto put the basket down and pulled back the shower curtain. She carefully lifted Iunae up and set her gently back down.

Iunae exhaled loudly. “I didn’t realize I was holding my breath.”

“Yeah. I guess I got used to being picked up a lot as a foal it doesn't phase me as an adult, so long as I trust the pony.”

“That makes sense.” .

“So I realize that if you are anything like me you are very picky about cleaning products but I’m kind of hoping you are going to have similar tastes as me so what I brought can work for you.” Salto said nervously.

“You brought me your own supplies?”

“Yes.”

“Wow. I first moving in with my wife I hid some of my stuff so she wouldn’t touch it.”

“Really?”

“I wanted to observe how she used her products before I shared mine.”

“That is offly controlling of you.”

“Yeah. I know.”

“And you trust me?”

“Well they’re your products. Also the blood in my tail and fur has become uncomfortably sticky and you’re my best hope for getting it all out. Worse comes to worse I just take another shower later.”

“Good point.” Salto turned on the water. She directed the water away from Iunae until it was hot. “How do you like the temperature. She directed a small stream to hit Iunae’s wrist.

“Can it be a little hotter?”

“Yes.” Salto adjusted the temperature. “How about now?”

“I like it!.”

Salto let the water flow normally.

Iunae squeaked as the how water landed on her back.

“Are you okay.”

“Yeah. Ah. This feels nice.” Iunae took several deep breaths as she enjoyed the sensation of the hot water on her aching muscles.

“Let me know when you are ready for the soap and brush.”

“Okay.”

The two Moon Dancers stood in silence for several minutes.

“So what kind of soap is it?” Iunae asked stretching.

“I have a fancy soap for your fur and a fancy soap for you mane and tail. They are both odorless.”

“Okay how are we going to do this?”

“I was going to put some soap on this curry comb and then start scrubbing your sides.”

“Okay can you start off gently. I don’t know… I don’t know if I’m going to like how this feels.”

“Okay. Just keep talking to me. I won’t take it personally.”

Salto applied soap to the curry comb and then brought it close to Iunae’s side. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Salto began gently rubbing Iunae’s fur in small circular motions.

Iunae tensed as soon as she felt the brush. Her skins protested to the sensation of her fur being rubbed roughly. Her furs was being pushed in all directions instead of brushed the way it ran naturally. After a few circles she felt dirt and dust she didn’t know was there wash away.

“How does this feel?”

“It wired. I don’t like my fur being brushed in all directions but my fur feels some much better.”

Salto chuckled. You sound just like me when I was a foal when my sister bathed me. As a foal I didn’t like it but if you do it every day you just get used to it. You fur is pretty dirty but if you do this more regularly it doesn't take as long.”

Iunae’s eyes filled with tears. She took as shaky breath. “Me an Sunset often wash each other’s hair when we shower together.” she said sadly.

“I’m not going to lie. I am very surprised at how well you have held yourself together.”

“I just try not to think about it too much. Princess says the most likely scenario is that she is somewhere safe with nice ponies and that she is making progress in finding her.”

“Yeah that’s true. It’s just strange that no one has come forward.”

“I don’t understand this world.”

“What your biggest fear.”

Iunae shuttered.

“I’m sorry that was too personal.” Salto mentally slapped herself. Why did I say that!

“I’m afraid that she’s all alone, that she’ll go into labor without anyone to help her. I’m afraid that something bad happened to her. I’m afraid that she needs me and I can’t be there for her. I’m afraid that we are going to be too late and she is dead.” Iunae started crying.

Salto kept rubbing Iunae’s fur with the curry comb. Her movements were smooth and rhythmic.

After several minutes Iunae’s sobs quieted then stopped.

“I think I needed to cry.” Iunae said.

Salto didn’t know what to say.

“What about you?” Iunae asked. “Do you have a significant other?”

“A what?”

“You know a partner? Some you are dating or married to?”

“Ah. No.”

“Is there someone you have feeling for?”

“Yes.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Salto sighed. “Fine.”

“You don’t have to.”

“You answered my personal question. Is should answer yours.” Salto said. She was still using the curry comb. Salto noticed that Iunae had several little scars all over her body and a big that covered most of her back.

“I have feelings for Princess Twilight. I have for well years. Ever since we were foals at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. Nighter of us were very social back then. We both kept to ourselves and thus ended up partners when Celestia demanded us to work with at least one other pony. Twilight was smart and confident and I was shy nervous I looked up to her as a role model. Of course later it would become obvious she was confident because she didn’t care. But when you are a foal none of that matters.”

“And you still have a crush on her? All these years later?”

“What do you mean?”

“I had a school crush on a girl when I was really little and then I grew out of it. We were classmates in middle school and high School but at that point it didn’t matter. I still thought she was a cool person but I didn’t have any feelings for her.”

Salto sighed. “I never really got over my crush. I saw her every single school day. When we were tean agers my feelings changed a little. Instead of sitting me down and talking to me, Celestia gave me a stack of books about puberty and told me to talk to her if I had any questions.”

“Ha my parents took that approach. Did you ever go to her?”

“No way!”

“Me neither when I had questions I went to Cadence.”

“You mean Princess Cadence!?” Salto was shocked.

“Uh. No. Back… on the other side of the mirror she is a math teacher. Was a Math teacher now she is a Dean of students.”

“Okay.” Salto said slowly.

“What about you?”

“I just went to my big sister.”

“Lili!?”

“Yes.”

Iunae was silent for several minutes.

“I’m really glad that Lili was there to talk to for you. She never was for me.” Iunae finally said.

“Why not.”

Iunae’s breath caught in her throat. “She didn’t want me around very much. She kind of intimidated me. I didn’t feel like I could go to her.”

“I’m sorry. Honestly I can’t imagine that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Lili was all I had. Our parents were dead. I didn’t have anyone else to go to other then my teachers.”

“Wait did you not get adopted?”

“No. Did you?”

“Yeah.”

“So you have adopted parents… and that didn’t work out?”

“By the time we were adopted a lot of damage was already done. We had been split up and sent to separate foster homes. The first one I was sent to was fine but my sister was abused by her foster parents.”

“Really? How did they get a foster child if they were terrible?”

“I don’t know. Any way after three bad homes were were reunited. We went to a new house together. My sister said there were the worst of all of her foster parents. I don’t remember too much of it honestly. It still traumatized me but I escaped some of the worst of it. But I still saw the results. My sister was deeply damaged. She still won’t talk about what they actually did to her. The people that adopted us were, are, nice people. They had been told by their doctors that they were steril. They really wanted to be parents so they thought they would find a kid to adopt. Then two* months after we moved in my mother found out that she was pregnant. They were delighted but my sister knew what this meant. And she was right. They always made excuses. Lili and I felt like we were still foster kids. Like we were just attached to an otherwise happy family. Yes our parents loved us but they always loved their son more.”

“I’m sorry.” Salto didn’t know what else to say.

“What about you?” Iunae asked. “We obviously had very different lives.”

“Well…” Salto pause. “I was one when my parents died. You?”

“Same.”

“Right. Princess Celestia arranged us to stay with an aristocratic family she knew. My sister was a student at her school for gifted unicorns and her majesty wanted to keep track of us. There were nice enough but they never had time for us. They had five kids of their own and were always away doing business or politics or something. They had nannies but it wasn’t enough for us. We were always secondary to their children. We also did get along with their kids. We really didn’t like them. They kind of bullied us. We would hide in the library when they got rowdy because they were allergic to reading if you know what I mean.”

Iunae chuckled.

“When my sister turned fourteen she demanded emancipation from our guardians. She took them to court and won and then she went back to court and demanded guardianship of me. The court said she was too young so she went to Celestia and asked her to intervene. Celetia told the court that Lili was responsible enough to have guardianship of a foal and I got to move out.”

“Wow. So what was it like living just the two of you?”

“It was tough.” Salto sighed. She finished using the curry comb on Iunae. “I’m going to brush you down now. This will be quick.”

“Okay.”

Salto levitated her body brush and began brushing Iunae’s side. She did her best to be gental over Iunae’s scars.

“My sister was working full time and she was still trying to finish school so she was almost never home and constantly exhausted. There wasn’t a bit to spare. If I wanted anything that wasn’t absolutely necessary I had to work for somepony else. Celestia persuaded one of the librarians to take me on as an assistant because she didn’t want me working for somepony she didn’t know. It was tough but we made it work.”

“Wow. How old were you when… What is your age difference with your sister?”

“Seven* years.”

“Same. And what’s the age of legal maturity here?”

“Seventeen to be a legal adult and twenty to drink alcohol.”

“Okay. Wow. It was just you and your sister together for eleven years.”

“Yes.”

“And you two got along.”

“Yes.”

“I’m impressed.” Iunae said. “My sister left as soon as she could.”

“What do you mean?”

“She graduated from high school with top marks. She got a huge scholarship to go to this forin school. She took out a loan to cover the rest of her costs and took off. I only saw her twice a year. At Least until she got her Ph D. in Anthropology. And then she moved again and we didn’t here to mush from her. The last time I saw her was her graduations. I invited her to mine but she said she was too busy.”

“I’m sorry what’s Anthropology?”

“Oh. Sorry. It’s the study of Humans.”

“Sounds interesting. My sister is an Equopologiest. The study of ponies.”

“Sounds like our sister have similar interests.”

“That begs the question… what exactly did you study?” Salto asked.

“I double majored in physics and robotics and I just finished my first year of a design and engineering masters program.”

“Interesting. I went into a different direction. I double majored in biochemistry and Magic studies. And I am now a Scientist working in the field of Biomagical engineering.”

“Well that sounds nerdy.”

“It is!”

The two Moon Dancer’s laughed.

“Alright are you ready forme to wash your mane and tail?” Salto asked.

After lots of careful communication and lots of hot soapy water everywhere Iunae was finally clean.

“Thanks so much my coat feels so much nicer and lighter.”

“Yeah this was much more enjoyable then I thought it was going to be.”

Slato used a mane dryer to carefully dry Iunae’s fur, mane and tail.

“Thanks for everything. I enjoyed our conversation.” Iunae said.

“Yeah. that was nice.” Salto guided Iunae back into her bedroom. There was a note on the floor. Salto picked up the note and read it.

“What’s going on?” Iunae asked.

“Twilight. Princess Twilight wants us to meet her in the Grand Chaimber. They set something up for you to sit on. We are going to have lunch with Octavia and Rarity.” Salto sumerized the letter.

“Okay. Lead the way.”

Princess Twilight was seated in her throne Rarity was in her seat and Octavia was in Fluttershy’s. Spike was dishing himself up. The others were waiting with their food.

Salto lead Iunae over to the serving table. “What do you want to eat?”

“What are my options?” Iunae asked.

“There is a mixed greens salad, a huge pile of hay fries and daffodil sandwiches and fruit salad.” Salto said.

Spike walked away from the table with a plate full of fruit salad and hay fries much to Princess Twilight’s chagrin.

Midnight wandered in and Spike hurried back to the table to help her dish up.

“I would like a small mixed green salad. Is there any hot water for tea. I really want camomile tea.” Iunae asked.

“Princess?” Salto inquired.

“Coming right up.” Princess said standing up. “Anyone else want tea?”

“I would take a mug of earl grey if you have any.” Octavia said.

“I would have some peppermint if you have any.” Midnight said hopefully.

“Okay coming right up.” Princess left the room.

Salto smelled fresh blood from Iunae. She turned to Rarity and Octavia. “Where did Princess intend for Iunae to sit?”

“AJ’s maternity couch is set up for her.” Rarity said.

Salto guided Iunae over to the couch. “I’m going to pick you up and set you on it.” Saltro told Iunae.

“Okay.” Iunae braced herself.

Salto carefully picked up Iunae and set her down on the special blankets placed on top of the cushion. Iunae shifted around on the sofa. The cusion was made of a special foam that molded to her body and was immensely comfortable.

Midnight sat in Rainbow Dash’s chair and Spike sat in his usual seat.

Salto headed back to the serving table to dish up.

“You know I thought the smell of blood would be very distracting but it isn’t the most distracting smell in this room right Moon Dancer.” Octavia said coyly to Salto.

Salto blushed furiously and Iunae looked confused.

“Octavia!” Rarity gasped at her fiance.

“I’m just teasing her.” Octavia said innocently.

“I don’t understand.” Midnight said looking between the three mares.

“Surely you’ve noticed the way Moon Dancer smells.” Octavia said.

“Do I smell bad?” Iunae sat up and looked worried.

“Wrong Moon Dancer.” Salto said her ears drooped.

“Oh.” Iunae settled back down.

“What’s wrong with the way Salto smells?” Midnight asked. “I think she smell nice today.”

Salto’s mouth fell open, Rarity face hoofed and Octavia began laughing.

“Wait untail Sunset hears this!” Octavia said.

“What did I say?” Midnight looked worried.

“Octavia!” Rarity snapped. “She doesn't know any better!”

Midnight looked to Salto. “What is going on!?”

“I’m in heat.” Slato said flatly.

“In heat?” Midnight asked.

“I’m ovulating. If I mated now I would almost certainly get pregnant.” Salto said flatly.

“Oh.” Midnight said. “I still don’t get what’s going on.”

“Back when Sunset and Princess where describing pony hearts they said mares get gex crazy. I beg your pardon but you don’t seem sex crazy.” Iunae said.

Salto immediately turned beat red again.

“What exactly is the problem?” Midnight asked.

“I’m impressed at the lengths Moon Dancer has gone to to suppress her instincts for this long. I haven't met many twenty one year old virgins.” Octavia said.

“There is nothing wrong with waiting for any reason.” Iunae said. “I didn’t feel ready until I was twenty two.”

“Remember what Sunset said? Our cultures are different.” Midnight said.

“Does that really change the fact that it is okay to wait if that’s what you want.” Iunae asked.

“Your right there is nothing wrong with waiting I was just teasing Moony because Princess said you were acting prickly and now you’re not leaving one obvious conclusion.” Octavia said.

Salto silently walked over to Applejack’s chair and sat down silently.

Princess returned with three large mugs of tea. “Camomile for Iunae, Peppermint for Midnight and Earl Grey for Octavia. Oh and Iunae I put a glass straw in yours.” Princess levitated the mugs of tea to the correct ponies. “Did I miss anything.”

“Octavia was teasing Salto over her lack of a sex life.” Midnight said matter of factly.

Princess turned her head and blushed deeply. “Oh.” she sat down and stared off moodily.

“So are we going to talk about the topic we were called here for or what?” Midnight asked.

“How about we eat first before we lose our appetite.” Salto said picking up her fork.

“I thought you guys were the ones who weren’t squeamish about sex.” Midnight said.

“Yes but normally the topic doesn't involve lots of blood.” Rarity said picking up her fork. “I think eating now is a great idea.”

“Then let’s eat!” octavia said picking up her fork.

Everyone turned to Princess. Princess was still staring off into space.

“Princess Twilight?” Salto asked.

Princess jumped in her seat and looked around. “What?” she asked.

“We all want to eat and then discuss business.” Rarity said.

“That’s fine with me.” Princess grabbed her for and stuffed a huge bite of fruit salad into her mouth.

Iunae opened her eyes and squinted at her salad. The room was bright and glittery and it took over a minute to focus on her salad. Iunae decided someone was going to need to feed her.

Midnight scooped and shoveled her salad into her mouth. Octavia bocked at Midnight’s lack of grace. Princess debated intervening but decided not to. Who cares if Midnight is a messy eater. Princess thought to herself.

“So what have you two been up to?” Iunae asked waving her hoof in Rarity and Octavia’s general direction.

Octavia and Rarity glanced at each other.

“We have been busy working and planning out wedding.” Octavia said simply.

“What do you do for work Octavia?” Iunae asked.

“I’m a musician. I play the cello primarily but I can play the violin, the viola, double bass and washtub base.” Octavia said.

“Oh. Wow.” Iunae said. “That really cool! Do you compose or play old songs or both?”

“Both.” Octavia said.

“That really cool.” Iunae said. “What about you Rarity?”

“I’m a professional tailor.” Rarity said. “I design ponies custom cloths, I mend things and I do other artistic odd jobs to make ends meet.”

“Cool. At home I take scraps of fabric from anywhere and I sew quilts.”

“Neet!” Rarity said. “Some time after you… thing is over, you can come to my botique and show me.”

“Okay it will be difficult without hands but we can figure something out.”

“How did you learn how to make quilts.” Salto asked.

“My grandmother… my adopted father’s mother uh… she quilted. She was a stay at home woman and she quilted in her spare time. My sister and I got stuck out at her place for several days during a nasty snow storm and she taught me some of her methods and techniques. She gave me her books because she had memorized them all and it was cool. And I was board. When she passed I got all of her quilting stuff and It’s a just a hobby now.” Iunae said dismissively.

“Wow.” Princess said.

Salto was silent.

Iunae opened her eyes and squinted at her tea. She located the straw and tested the temperature with her tongue. She tried sipping it. It wasn’t too hot. She began drinking it.

“Iunae… what’s it like to have a grandmother?” Salto asked quietly.

Iunae choked on her tea and started hacking.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…” Salto spluttered. She blushed. “I didn’t mean to…”

Iunae was still coughing very hard. After a while she was able to breath. Iunae flopped down on the sofa and buried her face in one of the blankets. She was panting heavily.

“How about we move on.” Midnight said.

“Okay.” Princess agreed. There were several minutes of quiet eating before Princess spoak again. “So can we start the conversation about pads and more?”

“I’m okay with that.” Rarity said taking her last bite of fruit. She glanced at Octavia’s plate. It was empty and so was Midnights. Salto had stopped eating and Iunae never started.

Iunae sat up.

“Alright. First things first. Rarity do you know how to make bed pads?” Princess asked.

“Yes, well I didn’t know but after I got your letter I did some research and I am confident I can make some. The issue is going to be material. I don’t have very much of the water proof fabric that makes up the bottom. Depending on how many you need I may not be able to fill your order today.” Rarity said in a business tone.

“Okay.” Princess said. “How many do you think we are going to need?”

“Sunset and I have talked about this before. She works at a Assisted Living Facility and she says it is a balance between sanitation and convenience. Also how much they can hold. For a heavy wetter who is incontinent, Ideally for hygiene everything is changed every two hours all throughout the day and night. But that is time consuming and resource intense. How heavy is your flow?”

Iunae squirmed on the couch. “It’s pretty heavy.” There was already a lot of blood on the blankets and on her fur and tail again.

“Right. And you said you used a sponge?” Midnight asked.

“Yes.” Iunae said.

“And how often did you change it? Or empty it? However that product works.” Midnight asked.

“Normally very longest I can wait was six hours.” Iunae asked.

“Okay.” Midnight said slowly. “That seems a little short.”

“I use a small size.” Iunae said shyly.

“Wait you put a small sponge… Inside your vagina?” Octavia asked alarmed. Rarity looked just as horrified.

“Yes.” iunae said. “But it’s… It’s not… the kind of sponge is coral. A coral sponge. You know the sea animal.” Iunae struggled to explain. “ They are designed to be body safe. There really gentle and I need that because I’m sensitive.”

There was a long pause as the ponies exchanged glances.

“Right.” Midnight took a deep breath. “Moving on. I think six hours is a good time duration between changes… Rarity would it be two much to ask for eight bed pads?”

“I think I can do eight. Yes.” Rarity said.

“Perhaps you could get an order in for extra supplies incase we need more.” Princess said.

“Okay. Even with rush shipping they may not be here until day after next.” Rarity said.

“Tell me what to order and I’ll order it princess express.” Princess said.

“Okay.” Rarity said.

“The final thing to discuss is monetary compensation. How much do you want to charge for this Rarity?” Princess asked.

“For this? I thought it was a favor.” Rarity said squirming uncomfortably.

“I insist that you atleast except the cost of the supplies. If you insist on volunteering your time I will accept that.” Princess said.

Iunae was relieved to crawl into her clean bed at the end of the day. She had taken another shower and her bed had been freshly made with new bed pads and black sheets.

Spike helped pull the blankets up around Iunae as she settled in.

“Thanks Spike.” Iunae said.

“No Problem.” Spike picked up the enchanted journal and a quill. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.” Iunae cleared her throat.

Dear Human Friends,

This is Moon Dancer.

Today was wild. I got my period last night and it has caused some problems. Imagine going through all the usual unpleasantness in a foreign body surrounded by people who have no idea what you are going through. Also I had a migraine.

I hope you all had a better day then I did.

I did get to bond with my pony counterpart some. And Pony Rarity made me some bed pads. I am confined to places that are easy to clean or have protective blankets. It’s annoying.

Also I woke up this morning craving red meat… awkward! Princess was able to find me some iron supplements and I feel better now.

Sunset went to Canterlot today to meet with Princess Celestia. Princess Luna sent a letter wich spike will transcribe.

I hope to hear from you all soon.

Moon Dancer.

Author's Notes:

1) this is a retcon.
2) I don't think I confirmed their age gap but I did initially plan on it being five. I changed my mind.

Sorry this took so long. I hope some of you are still interested because I am still writing.