****

Ari

I loved mornings, especially if they all began like this one.

A tongue was nibbling along my wing bone, attempting to preen what it could, which really wasn’t much, but Chrissy’s effort was appreciated. Humming in contentment I nibbled her ear earning me a appreciatory moan, putting my nose in her mane I inhaled her scent, no, our scent. Her cinnamon slightly spicier than it was yesterday.

“More?” Chrissy mumbled from my wing, tongue twisting around a primary a little longer than nessaccary.

I would have said yes had I not felt the sun through my eyelids, the knowledge that we had a schedule to keep, if only because I didn’t have enough bits for a room. However after last night it was also the knowledge that my mare would keep me in bed…

Wait I never made it to bed, opening my eyes I saw that I was on the floor.

“I want to say yes but I also want to get rid of certain ponies sooner rather than later…” I trailed off content to stay on the floor with my mare wrapped in my arms and wings despite what I was saying. Having a mission doesn’t always mean wanting to do it, somedays I would prefer to laze around and do nothing. Today was starting to feel like that, unfortunately today was one day I couldn’t relax.

After I get rid of those two I can relax with Chrissy for a day or two, sex and cuddles sounded good.

Except Lyric will still be there, a dampener on my mood. I still had to get her caught up on the mission which could be interesting considering I said it was getting Azure and Barium to Equestria. Sex in front of her didn't sound like a good idea either.

At the thought of Equestria the words of the god replayed in my mind, I was supposed to breed them and stop them from raising the sun and moon. Basically he wanted me to make babies and take away the princesses namesakes, which was theoretically their only purpose; I mean I didn’t know much about them at all really. I felt wrong doing that, not the whole saving the planet bit, the part about breeding them like they were fucking cattle, er, broodmares in this case. If they were anything like the ponies and creatures I have met then they were people, fallible beings that can be both good and bad, beings with their own wants. But I believe that the god thinks we are toys if his callous treatment of me is any standard, that god was definitely a special sort of crazy.

“I need a bath, I smell like sex and sweat.”Chrissy said with half heartedly disdain as she released my wing from her mouth.

“But you feel better now?” I questioned as I nuzzled her cheek.

“Mmm, infinitely better, I can actually think about something besides sex now. I know you wanted to wait but glad you didn’t.” She gave me a light kiss, “Thank you.” At her words I felt a small rush of happiness at her relieve.

“It was my pleasure-.” Chrissy giggled at that.”- I actually feel better about it too. I’m not sure if this makes sense but it feels like…”

Chrissy twisted around to face me looking curious as i trailed off. I wasn’t sure if my instincts were better left in my head, but she felt like mine now, and that made my heart feel a sense of contentment that my previous relationships hadn’t provided. Surely it wouldn’t be bad to share such a sentiment?

“It feels like your really my mare now, not that-“I never finished as Chrissy attacked my lips, purring against them as her tail started flicking against my sheath.

We weren’t getting out of here anytime soon if this continued.

With a lot of regret I separated from her mouth, a little breathless, and a disappointed sigh sounding. “We need to shower now if we want to be rid of some ponies tomorrow. Otherwise I assure I wouldn’t be soo insistent to move on.”

Sighing, Chrissy rolled away from grip. I think I may have done my job too well as she used her back hooves to shakily raise her rump from the floor, then her front hooves to raise her chest from the floor. The view alone was a reason to stay down but alas, my coin purse reminded me that I couldn’t afford to enjoy the view right now.

Standing up I made my way to her side, enjoying her smooth chitin on my fur, and the way she leaned on me ever so slighty. It felt good to be needed. I motioned to the previously forgotten door on the left side of the room, nodding, we made our way to it on stiff and shaky legs. New muscles protesting from the sudden abuse last night, still no regrets though.

The sun was still rising as we entered the bathroom.

This country was understandably poorer than mine but I was still underwhelmed at their facilities. For a toilet we had a large clay bowl that was low to the ground, a small green jewel sat embeded in the middle of the bowl. The shower was a smooth slab floor with a brass shower head overhead; I couldn’t see where the knobs were to turn it on though. In fact I couldn’t see any way of flushing the ‘toilet’...

Was I supposed to dump it in the street? Let it sit? I never had this problem on the road. Wait a minute! The road was clean and didn’t smell like Victorian England so they can’t toss it into the street like a chamber pot, I was going to regret asking this but I did need to know.

“Chrissy, you can laugh at me but how does this bathroom work? Mine look a little different on earth.” Beside me Chrissy blinked rapidly before giving me a wry smile then surprising me with a nod. I guess my ignorance is getting pretty normal for her now.

“Come on then I will show you, it’s not that hard.” This caused me to blink and splay my ears, I mean I was ready to shower with her BUT the toilet seemed a little too personal.

“err-“

She giggled and walked shakily to the shower pointing at a light blue jewel on the left wall in the shower stall. “Put your hoove or horn on the enchanted gemstone once to turn it on, tap it twice to turn it off.”

Joining her in the stall I looked at the blue gem that I had dismissed as decoration before, “Really? That seems too easy. Where does the water come from and where does it drain?” I looked at the floor seeing a green gemstone embedded in the floor but no drain.

Instead of answering me she rolls her eyes and touches her horn to the blue gem, almost instantaneously warm water started to fall from the showerhead. Giving a surprised snort I looked up through the water at the showerhead then at the wall, then I glanced at the smooth shower floor where the green gem was glowing as the water touched it.

“Magically enchanted gemstones?”

Another giggle and nod, Chrissy moving back to my side with water running down her chitin. My mane was soaked and my fur was no better as I kissed her. Releasing her lips I glanced at the floor as white foam rinsed from my fur, “No shampoo?”

She sighed and shook her head, “Sorry the guard just gave us a basic room, it is a little low end but still pretty generous considering he didn’t have to.” Yeah, he was pretty generous but then agian he probably just wanted us to leave. But if I ever see him again I will have to thank him, best night ever, I felt amazing today.

Nodding my understanding I let the warm water wash over me, this was definitely needed, travelling through the desert all day had made me a sweaty, not ot mention dirty. Looking back at Chrissy I noted how she looked clean as a whistle now, no dirt in the water running off her body. Before long the water leaving my fur was clear as well and I tapped the blue jewel twice, ending the warm stream.

“Hold on, let me leave first handsome. I remember how you get dry.” What did she- Nope, now I know, giving her a shit eating grin I decided I didn’t hear her.

“No-no, d-“ But she was too late.

Shaking my whole body and fluttering my wings to remove the water, I looked at the mess I had made with my ears forward.

The shower’s walls and the bathrooms walls were covered in water droplets, the floor had the same treatment, and my mare stood in the center of it with her ears pinned back and her eyes scrunched shut.

Eyes opening, I grinned at the sea green eyes looking at me now, taking joy at the look there. It promised a great amount of fun.

“Run.”

I gave a playful whinny as I barged into our room, I spun around, ready for her comeback.

*Knock knock knock*

Chrissy paused in her pursuit, grin falling from her muzzle as she gazed at the door. I looked at the door, reminded that we had certain interrupting ponies to be rid of first. Grumbling I made my way over to Chrissy, “Sorry.” I whispered in her ear before I turned back to the door.

“Aintazar.” Hold on. I called out as we got ourselves presentable, Chrissy being engulfed in green fire as her disguise took hold and me reaching for my thobe.

But before I could put my thobe on the door opened, I froze with the thobe in my magic, only to relax at the pony at the door. Lyric stood there with a tray of food balanced in her magic, a nervous smile on her muzzle, faltering for a second as her nostrils flared.

“Wajabat ‘iiftar?” Breakfast?

My stomach answered for me, giving a sheepish smile back I nodded.

Forgoing my thobe for now I laid down on a clean patch of the floor, motioning for Lyric to enter, closing the door she approached nervously. Chrissy laid down into my barrel and surprisingly ignored Lyric, I wasn’t complaining though, a peaceful interaction between them is a good sign. Not being a expert on this planet’s culture I could only assume this was a good sign.

She levitated the tray in front of me, gently placing it on the ground she looked around my room shuffling her hooves. This was kind of painful to watch, she looked uncomfortable, and a little fearful. Not that it is uncalled for given the way she met Chrissy, nor the interactions after. I couldn’t think of a single positive interaction between them off the top of my head. They had fought, Lyric had been bitten, hit, and hissed at by Chrissy mostly, a few sentences of biting words was the most they had actually conversed.

We still had to travel with her to through the Minotaur lands, the Gryphon mountains, and across the sea to Zebrica…Then back again in a airship. This might be a long trip if they don’t get along. Not mention my mare needs female friends to talk mare things with, right?

“Soo…Are you hungry Lyric? I think there is enough to share.” And there was, on the tray five steaming bowls of porridge each topped with an orange fruit, while one small piece of chocolate cake in the shape of a heart sat in the middle.

We weren’t subtle at all.

“Aren’t those Azure and Barium’s breakfasts?” Chrissy asked, looking at Lyric with a raised eyebrow. I looked at her as well, there were five of us and five bowls, which was one too many but no one had to know that Chrissy didn’t eat the conventional food.

“They were, now they are Ari’s.” Lyric’s nervousness was forgotten for a moment as she gave a small smirk.

I really couldn’t help myself, I started chuckling at that, even Chrissy gave a small amused snort. Lyric might end up being fun on this trip.

“Fair enough, I won’t complain I haven’t felt full since I landed here-“ Shit. Now I had some explaining to do, Lyric didn’t exactly know about me or my mission yet.

“Landed h-“, I interrupted her question, “Not now, later, after we drop them at the border. Okay?” I gave her a serious look and she looked a little taken aback before nodding.

With that over with we tucked in to breakfast. The porridge wasn’t really different than earth porridge but the orange fruit wasn’t citrus or peachy like I expected, it reminded me more of a strawberry in flavor. Cake was still cake here, although Chrissy rolled her eyes when I moaned at the chocolatly goodness. After having fruit and nuts for the last couple of day chocolate was pure nirvana for my tastebuds.

“I guess it is true…” Lyric muttered.

“What is?”

“Alicorns love cake and never get full.” I had to blink at that assumption, it was ludicrous, I just was appreciating the sugar rush, cinnamon buns are still far superior. I wonder if they exist here? Not to mention I haven’t eaten enough to fill a human belly since the I left the oasis, a apple and trail mix just didn’t cut it for anybody.

“I actually am not partial to cake, cinnamon buns are much tastier. As for getting full, I have hardly eaten at all the last couple of days, a apple and trail mix doesn’t count.”

“The thirty pounds of Charona berries? The acre of Tronana and Magoo trees? Does any of that ring a bell Ari?” Chrissy was giving me a doubtful look that was soon joined by Lyric’s raised eyebrow.

“Really, that does sound like a lot of food. I hope that wasn’t all at once.”

Gulping down the last bowl of porridge I defended myself, “No that was over-“

The door burst open as Azure and Barium barged in stumbling over each others words.

“S-she-“

“Lyric is-“

“- Gone!” They finished for each other.

I shared looks with Chrissy and Lyric before we all looked back at them, innocent looks on our faces as we waited for the couple to calm down. After a second they realized that Lyric was not in fact gone, but had fetched breakfast, and then they locked eyes on the empty bowl floating back to the tray in my magic.

“Our breakfast!” Barium shouted as I got up, slipping on my thobe, and trying to keep from laughing at his expression.

“Was very delicious, if you every make your way back here you should try it.” Chrissy and Lyric snorted before getting up as well.

“That wasn’t very nice Ari.” Azure frowned at me, trying to go for a disapproving look i'm sure, but on her small stature it just made her look cute, sort of like a kid pouting.

“No it wasn’t, but you the saying ‘the early bird gets the worm’, and you were late. the sun has been up for at least a hour now, late birds have to get moving.”

They both pinned their ears at me as I walked towards them, “Come on we are losing daylight.” Pushing past them I stood in the hallway looking at their scowling faces.

“Hayaa!” Come on. I said heading down the hall, looking over my wither as I heard them grunt, ‘Silver Stream’ and Lyric were trotting to catch up to me. Grumbling Azure and Barium started trotting to catch up.

All the way down the stairs, hallway, and final set of stairs Lyric was trying to stay by my side, while her touch didn’t bother me like Azure’s did, I already had a mare. A mare that didn’t want to share which was perfect for me, the whole idea of a polygamous relationship was just another new idea that I just couldn’t wrap my head around. It was crazy enough that I was doing this to begin with, never in my wildest dreams would I imagine changing genders, species, and going to a new world.

Chrissy was quiet about Lyric’s closeness but kept an eye on Lyric’s movements the whole time.

On the main floor, it was nearly empty with just the inn keeper and a brown stallion talking quietly by the counter. They looked up from their conversation, the mare blushing while the stallion rolled his eyes.

“Sabah alkhyr Ari.” Good morning Ari. The inn keeper greeted me cheerily, while I just a despondent good morning from the stallion beside her.

How did she know my name?

“Sabah alkhyr ya anisa. Shukraan lak eali altaeam.” Good morning miss. Thank you for the food. I gave her a big smile to let her know exactly how good it was, it may not have filled me but it sure tasted good.

Chrissy nudged me and Lyric pressed into my side as the mare gave me a big smile back, I can take a hint, the mares were trying to guide me towards the door.“Wadea. ‘atamanaa lak yawm jaydin!” Goodbye. Have a good day! I called to her as we exited the inn.

Back up on the street we looked around in interest as stores were opening up and the first customers of the day milled down the streets, a few store owners waved at me trying to entice my business, to which I merely waved back. Maybe when I had more than twenty bits to my name.

We made our way back to Main Street and I couldn’t help but smile, not because I just had another day of Azure and Barium, but because this world felt soo alive now. There was people milling about, joking, hurrying to work, and the scent of many new and exotic food stuffs hung in the air. Nuzzling the top of Chrissy’s head I couldn’t help but sigh at how nice this was.

We traveled in a happy silence down main street, the sights of the wakening city keeping our attention, soo much so, that before we knew it we could see the desert again, although this time there was a scattering of trees across the sand dunes. But before we could reach the freedom of the sand dunes there was another squad of guards at the exit.

You can imagine my excitement.

Glancing at Chrissy I gave her big eyes to which she shook her head at, darn I was hoping she repeat what she did last time but it appears her ‘itch’ has been scratched for now. Sighing I turn to Lyric, only to jump as I feel Chrissy nip my wither. Okay maybe I won’t ask Lyric to do that.

Turning back to Chrissy I gave a sheepish smile, she snorted and motioned to the exit, ahead of us another group was exiting without inspection…

Of course, anyone in the city would have already been cleared!

I have my stupid moments.

We passed past the guards with a nod, the sand on our hooves again, in the near distance I could see a faint cluster of beige dots. Traymare must be a half day's walk ahead, I could practically see the border in my mind.