8-Immortal Bonding

White marble halls surrounded the group of three as they walked through the castle toward, Daedalus assumed, the dining room. Guards and maids alike stopped and stared before continuing on their way, likely accustomed to the sight of foreign species.

The virus was discussing some of his abilities with Princess Luna as her sister listened, occasionally asking a question as well. He hid little of what he could do, mostly the extent of his regeneration. After all, if they became enemies, he didn't want them knowing how to kill him.

"You can alter your body's genes? What exactly are genes?" The darker mare asked.

Daedalus laughed as he shook his head. "You ponies have strange technological progress. You don't know about DNA and genes, but you understand cells and atoms."

She pouted as him and he could see a slight smile from the corner of Princess Celestia's mouth. "For us, its not strange."

Daedalus conceded his point. "True. Genes are the blueprints of our bodies. Your genes are why your coat is blue, not orange. Its why you five feet tall, not two or ten. Your genes are unique to you and you alone."

"What about offspring? They usually look like their parents." Princess Celestia asked.

"Well, Princess, that's simple. Half of a child's genes come from the mother and half from the father. This combination makes a new, unique code that defines exactly how the child's body will be."

"And you change this way?"

"The virus allows me to alter myself on a genetic level. My right eye is the most obvious change I have right now. A normal eye can see what's called the 'visible spectrum.' My right eye can see what we call 'infrared,' or thermal radiation. Essentially, I can see heat."

Princess Celestia looked back to examine his eye more. It was somewhat disconcerting to see her staring intently at him, but he couldn't resist the urge to comment. He smirked at her and spoke. "Are you enjoying what you see?"

To his supreme surprise, a pink dusting appeared on her muzzle and she looked forward again. Her sister giggled a little before the solar mare spoke, ignoring the comment. "It must be odd for you. Your eyes are seeing two different things, I assume."

"You are right. My left eye sees you as you are. Yet to my right, you both are reddish blotches. However, my nature is to change, Princess. I adapted to this quickly."

Princess Luna asked a question he was waiting to be asked. "You mentioned this to be the most obvious change. What are the others?"

"Simple enhancements. My muscles are far more efficient and compact than a natural living being, making me hundreds of times stronger. My skin is condensed, making it harder than steel. My eyes can see colors ponies don't have names for. They can see the individual cells in your body, or a spec of dirt miles away. I can hear your muscles moving and your blood from flowing. Lastly, I have no pain receptors in my body."

She scoffed in reply. "'Simple?' Sounds impossible."

Daedalus shrugged. "You have the right to believe what you want. I can choose to believe that the world is flat. Of course, I know otherwise, but you get my point."

Princess Luna glared slightly at him, but it was Princess Celestia who replied. "You don't seem to show much respect for royalty."

"I have respect for both of you, Princess. I am simply blunt by nature. If someone chooses to doubt me, they have the right to do so. I will not argue, especially since I can't prove it. I would have to infect her with Blacklight, a painful and irreversible choice. Particularly, a choice I would not make on a whim."

They rounded a corner and another door loomed directly in front of them. Without hesitation, two guards opened the doors and the group walked through. Inside, large rectangular marble table was capable of seating thirty four. Tapestries depicting the sun and moon emblems hung from the ceiling while windows allowed natural light to filter in.

Thirty two seats were plain, unadorned chairs. At the far head of the table, one chair had Princess Celestia's cutie mark, and the other had Princess Luna's. They took their seats and Daedalus chose to sit on Princess Celestia's side, to her right.

A servant came in and asked the Princesses what they wanted. The solar mare had chosen a simple salad and soup with a slice of cake while the lunar mare requested cinnamon porridge. When the servant turned to Daedalus, he simply shrugged. "Surprise me."

With a moment's hesitation, the stallion left and Daedalus became aware he was being stared at. It was Princess Celestia who asked the question both of them were thinking. "What kind of food do you eat?"

He smiled. "As a human, I could eat fruits, vegetables, some plants, some roots, and cooked meat safely. As a virus, I can eat anything. If I can get some termite DNA, I can eat wood. Once I harvest some genes from Spike, preferably a shed scale to avoid exposing myself, I'll be able to eat rocks, gems, and metal. However, the special thing about me is that, as a Blacklight, I don't need to eat at all."

He received two sets of wide, surprised eyes at that before they spoke in unison. "How?"

"As a virus, I am considered a non-living thing. As a non-living thing, I don't need food, water, or sleep." Daedalus said, smiling at their reactions.

They were silent for a moment before Princess Celestia spoke up. "I would be interested in learning more about you, Daedalus. You treat us with respect, yet also as normal mares. You are a rather curious being."

Daedalus simply smiled. "If you are interested in learning more, perhaps you are willing to play a game."

"Oh?" Was the interest reply. Even Princess Luna was interested.

"Its an old but uncommon game from humanity. Its called 'two truths,' rather self-explanatory. You say two truths about yourself and one lie. Its the goal of others to point out the lie."

They thought for a moment before nodding. Princess Celestia smiled at the idea and spoke. "Why don't you go first?"

Daedalus thought for a moment, then replied. "I'm immortal, I have a Master's degree in Physics, and I have been to the moon."

Princess Celestia raised her eyebrow. "With or without the memories of others?"

"Not counting the stolen memories I have." Daedalus said simply.

Princess Luna began mumbling to herself, yet the virus could hear it. "The degree has to be true. He can't be immortal and been to the moon. Hmm. If his kind can create a virus, they may be able to travel in space. Of the two, its more likely he's been to the moon."

Princess Luna spoke louder as she answered. "The lie is that you're immortal."

He turned to look at the other alicorn. "Your turn."

Princess Celestia, at first, was inclined to agree with her sister. However, she had a feeling that something didn't match. Staying silent, she thought for a moment. He, as a virus, isn't alive. He's not dead or undead, just not alive. Something like that won't age because he doesn't have the capability. He likely can't be killed, either. Not alive means no heart, no lungs, no blood or brain. He's immortal.

"I disagree. You've never been to the moon." She said, confident in her decision.

Daedalus was silent for a moment before smiling. "You're right. I haven't even been in space."

"How are you immortal?" Princess Luna nearly shouted, shocked.

Daedalus just smiled at her sister. "Ask Princess Celestia. I believe she figured it out."

When the night mare turned to look at Princess Celestia, she smiled and spoke. "Luna, what is it that allows ponies to die?"

Her head cocked to the side in confusion. "Nature?"

With a laugh, she shook her head. "No, what event happens when we declare a pony clinically dead and unable to be revived?"

"The brain dies." She said, understanding the question.

She nodded. "Correct. As a virus, Daedalus is not alive. Ergo..."

Princes Luna answered, a look of realization and awe overtaking her face. "He has no brain."

Daedalus nodded. "Or heart, or lungs, or blood, or bones. I'm immortal in the same way a mountain is. What's not alive can't be killed."

Then, he smiled as he continued. "Now, since you figured it out, its your turn, Princess Celestia."

She hummed a bit before she spoke. "I'm three thousand years old, hate cake, and dislike formalities."

Princess Luna scoffed. "I know exactly which one is a lie, but you should answer first, Daedalus."

He smiled. "Its pretty obvious. You don't hate cake. That has a bad lie since you ordered some."

"He's right, sister."

Princess Celestia just smiled. "I hope you take the third choice to heart and call me Celestia, and does that mean you go again?"

Daedalus shook his head. "Nah, we just go in a circle from this point. Princess Luna's turn."

The lunar diarch quickly corrected him. "Just Luna."

He nodded, but before she could continue, the door opened and several servants entered and placed trays in front of them before leaving. Looking down and examining his food, he saw that he had been giving a well done steak, showing they were likely listening. Ignoring the utensils, he formed his index and middle fingers into blades, using one as a knife and the other as a fork.

Slicing a piece, he quickly ate it and nodded at the flavor before looking up to see both Celestia and Luna looking at him in disappointment. "What?"

Celestia spoke what they both thought. "We had hoped to see you consume the food as you mentioned."

Daedalus rolled his eyes. "I do enjoy eating like a normal being sometimes, but if you really want to see, I'll show you."

His hand dissolved into a mass of tendrils before covering and consuming the steak. Afterward, it reformed into his hand, revealing an empty plate. He smiled at the interested eyes that watched him. He gestured toward Luna. "Anyway, its your turn."

She took a spoonful of porridge and ate it while thinking. After swallowing, she spoke. "I'm good at writing, love alcohol, and enjoy helping ponies with nightmares."

Celestia's brow furrowed as she thought. "I'm not sure I know this one "

Luna just giggled. "You shouldn't. I've never shown it. Well, Daedalus?"

"I have no doubt that you enjoy helping ponies, so that isn't the lie. You've had plenty of time to become great at writing and other creative arts, so I have to say that you don't like alcohol."

"Tia?"

"I have to agree. I haven't seen you drink before."

"You both are correct. I can't stand the taste of most alcohol, and I hate getting drunk." Luna said.

"Your turn, Daedalus." She said before continuing to eat, Celestia soon following her lead while he thought.

After a couple minutes, he spoke. "I'm good at cooking, good at baking, and good at painting."

"Painting." Luna said instantly.

"I have to say you can't cook." Celestia said.

"I grew up in a state called Louisiana. Everyone learned to cook there and plenty learned to bake. Before my infection, I had an unsteady hand. I couldn't paint or draw."

"Ha! I got it right, Tia!" Luna shouted while pointing a hoof at her sister.

Celestia stuck her tongue out in reply. "We are tied. We both got one of his right."

Daedalus smiled to himself. They act like real sisters. I wouldn't be surprised if they had a chance to let go like this very rarely. Its rather endearing in a way.

Celestia turned back to him as she spoke with a smile. "I'm still surprised you can cook and bake. I may ask you to make something for us one day."

He laughed a little. "If its food, I hope you like spice. Cajun cooking is filled with it. As for baking, I may know a recipe or two that you would enjoy."

Luna spoke before Celestia had a chance to reply. "If its cake or chocolate, she'll love it, even if its burnt."

Daedalus raised a brow at the blushing mare. "I have a problem, okay? Luna keeps trying to put me on a diet."

"That she breaks by sneaking into the kitchen with invisibility spells."

Daedalus chuckled. "You two really are sisters. Seeing you act like this reminds me of my sisters."

"Oh? Tell us about them." Celestia said.

"Well, they both were younger than me. Melanie is twenty eight while Amaryllis is twenty five. For the record, I'm thirty two. Mel's an artist. She loves drawing and would always tape them to her walls. She often joked that we couldn't be related because of my artistry skills, or the lack thereof."

"Then there's Amy. She followed me when it came to talent. Where as I love Physics, she was amazing at Biology. In high school, she had taken Bio, Bio II, and AP Honors Bio and passed all three with an A average. She got her degree at the same college as I did."

"It was luck we went to the same college, actually. I hadn't gone straight out of school like she did. I traveled a bit. Not the world, just the country. Anyway, when we were in college, I helped her though her required math classes while she helped me through my Biology classes."

"After we graduated, and Mel graduated from an art school, we all met up for a party before going our separate ways. I went to Manhattan to work at a lab, Mel went back to Louisiana, and Amy went on some field study in Australia."

Celestia and Luna shared a look before asking Daedalus a worried question. "Is Melanie safe from Mercer?"

Daedalus laughed. "Oh yeah. Once I got infected, I contacted them. I emptied my bank account into hers and she and my parents fled the country. They crossed an ocean so it at least bought them time if it doesn't save them. Anyway, its your turn, Celestia."

"I can paint, I'm good at math, and I'm good at science." She said instantly, obviously already having planned hers.

"You being good at math is true. It has to be, ruling a country. Taxes and such. I wouldn't be surprised if you were a skilled painter just as your sister is a writer. You aren't good at science."

"Agreed." Luna said. "I already know it."

She laughed and nodded. "The math portion is easy. Its experimentation and deduction I don't like. I prefer it to be straight forward and simple. I am rather decent at painting."

"Don't let her fool you." Luna said. "She's great at painting. I often take inspiration from her paintings, just as she does for what I write. It seems we each have our own unique skills."

"Science, painting, and writing. Your go, Luna."

"I think being cold is better than being hot, I enjoy combat, and diplomacy comes easy to me."

"Hmm. This one's a hard one. I can easily see all three being true." Daedalus said.

"One's a lie, and I know which one." Celestia said with a smile.

Daedalus rolled his eyes, albeit with a smile. "I'm sure. I have to say you don't like combat."

"Disagree. Diplomacy isn't easy for you."

"Celestia is right." Luna said simply before continuing. "I can be diplomatic, but it isn't easy and I don't enjoy it. I prefer being on the field, defending Equestria."

Daedalus nodded. "I can respect that. Same with being cold. Even in winter, I would have my fan on at all times. Granted, even in the dead of winter, we would wear shorts and a shirt in Louisiana."

"Why do you wear clothes, Daedalus?" Celestia asked.

"Well, as I am now, it isn't necessary. Humans wear it because we get cold really easy and also because unlike stallions, we have no sheathe. While I can easily remove that body part, I'm used to being clothed."

Looking closer at the Princesses, he saw them both blushing brightly, causing him to laugh. "You behave like you've never been intimate."

This seemed to strike a nerve with them. Two sets of ears, one alabaster and one dark blue, dropped as two muzzles tilted down, dark red splotches appearing. If it weren't for the specific situation, Daedalus would have laughed at the symmetry of it all. As it was, he was only bewildered. "Really? At your age? Oop, that was probably offensive, apologies."

Celestia shook her head, blush still at full force. "Nay, do not worry. We have long accepted we will forever be of great age. It doesn't bother either of us. Especially when our ponies prove ever so often that we are still beautiful in their wandering eyes."

When she finished, it was Luna who replied to his actual comment. "While both of us have been intimate in a sense, neither of us have ever been with a stallion, or a male of any species, really."

Daedalus leaned back, interested in the conversation. "So you both have been with mares?"

If Daedalus' eyes hadn't been nearly as advanced as they were, he would have missed the instant, worried glance that two sisters gave each other. He paid little attention as Luna answered. "Yes."

Both alicorns became concerned when he straightened from his ever-present partial slouch to give an amused smile to them. "So, this mare, I assume they know you very well?"

They both nodded, blushes darkening. In their present state, they didn't notice his phrasing as their embarrassment combined with concern distracted them. Daedalus took advantage of this state to try to confirm his theory. He quickly sent out a viral pulse and was satisfied when it told him no one was near enough to hear.

"Probably been with you a long time, huh?" His smirked deepened when they both nodded, blushes deepening further.

"Celestia, that dark colored coat and those teal eyes must be heavenly, correct?" Without waiting for a reply, he continued. "And Luna, the bright colors must be in wonderful contrast to your own, agreed?"

His smile broke into a full grin as they both nodded. Satisfied, he leaned back in his chair as he spoke the sentence he knew would snap them out of it. "So how long have you two been together?"

Their heads snapped up, eyes wide, as two sets of magic instantly cast sound-proofing spells around the room. All three were silent as they stared at each other, one with amusement and two with concern and fear. Eventually, it was Celestia who spoke.

"Daedalus, I beg you, do not share what you have discovered." She spoke with a firm tone that demanded absolute obedience, a voice he felt she rarely used. Naturally, it had no effect on him.

"Why shouldn't I?" He said, tempting her on as him smile faded to stone. He wanted to see her reaction. Not the mask she put on but the true fear underneath. He wanted to see how much Luna really meant to her.

Tears started to form in her eyes, but her face remained firm as she slammed a hoof on the table. "This is a private matter that my ponies do not need to know."

He leaned forward, hand coming to rest on the table near her hoof. "And why shouldn't Equestria deserve to know that her Princesses partake in this sort of relationship."

Her facade broke further as tears rolled down her cheeks. A quick glance told him that Luna was in a similar state. In their mind, their love was about to be exposed to the world, a world who was not ready to accept it. "Because I'll lose my sister."

"And not your crown?"

She snarled as her hoof slammed down again, cracking the marble. "Buck the crown! I would abandon it if I could stay with Luna!"

Daedalus' stony expression faded into a content smile as he leaned back. "Good."

Both mares blinked in shocked confusion. Celestia's anger faded in an instant, replaced by confusion. "What?"

Daedalus' smile grew as he shook his head. "I don't have a problem with your relationship. It makes sense to me, as I'm rather open minded."

Both mares' confusion deepened as they spoke in unison this time. "What?"

He shrugged. "You both are thousands of years old. Throughout that time, you are all the other had. It doesn't surprise me that the familial love you two shared deepened into something more. Honestly, its kind of hot to me. Really hot, actually."

"What!" They shouted together, blushes returning full force.

Daedalus broke out into laughter. While he laughed, they recovered and dried their eyes before staring at him in amazement. The world saw them as perfect goddesses and yet, this man, when he discovered their relationship, had the audacity to provoke them, then call it hot before laughing for several minutes. The alicorns shared a glance, thinking the same thing. It seem they found another immortal who could become a close, trusted friend of theirs.

Daedalus calmed himself before looking at them. "Seriously though, I have no problem with it."

"Then why did you speak like you would expose us or try to blackmail us?" Luna asked.

"I wanted to see if it was love or lust between you two. As it is, its clearly love. No one would abandon a crown for lust." He said, explaining his reasoning.

Luna smiled this before daring to nuzzle her sister, provoking a blush between the two, sparking Daedalus to chuckle. "You two blush like kids with their first love."

"Well, its not often we are capable of showing affection in front of others. You are the second to know and not judge, and the first to instantly accept it." Celestia replied.

"Who's the first?"

"Our adopted niece, Cadence. She is the Lady of Love and sensed our affection quickly. She did not accept it as easily as you did, but grew to understand it." Luna answered.

They were silent before Luna asked another question, one that had her blushing before she even asked it. "Are you honest when you said you find our relationship 'hot?'"

Daedalus chuckled. "Yep. You are both pretty damn hot, sexy even, and with my nature, I have a very active imagination. You can guess where my mind went."

Both mares had intense blushes, blushes that seemed like they would never fade with how often they them during this lunch. Daedalus then noticed that both Princesses had forgotten their meals, but he deemed it a good sign that they enjoyed his company. "You know what? Since this conversation has been embarrassment after embarrassment for you, I'll let you ask three embarrassing questions of me, and I'll answer them truthfully and honestly."

Luna instantly spoke up, asking one of her questions. "What kinks do you have?"

Daedalus raised a brow. "They don't have to be sexual in nature."

She dipped her muzzle down, covering her face with her wing before he continued. "Nevertheless, a deal is a deal."

Thinking for a moment allowed Luna to recover before they both waited in intense interest. "My kinks are unusual ones for most humans, I think. At least, compared to the memories I have. First, during sex, I am intensely dominate. Not to the point of making a girl beg, but definitely holding her down and having my way with her. Second, I find the idea of incestual sisters attractive, especially in a threesome."

The eternal blush on both mares had only deepened as Celestia commented. "You are certainly... blunt, Daedalus."

He nodded. "Yep. I normally can't stand beating around the bush or politicking, although I can do both. Next question."

Celestia asked this one. "This is both of my questions. Do you find ponies sexually or romantically attractive and would you be willing to form a theoretical herd?"

Daedalus closed his eyes just in time to miss the glance Luna gave her sister, one that was met with a sheepish smile. Luna rolled her eyes before smiling as well and performing a half-nod combined with a shrug. "That's... an odd question. As I said, I'm open minded. I've accepted that ponies aren't animals like they are on Earth and that I'm quite capable of seeking a deeper relationship with one. That being said, I'm strange in that body doesn't mean much to me. Personality means more."

"Oh?" Came a unison question.

"Let's see, what's a good way to explain it? I can be sexually attracted to a horribly ugly mare if her personality is good enough for me. Of course, I'm still a man, so an attractive mare with the same personality would be even more appealing to me. Essentially, in the right situation, yes, I could be attracted to a mare."

"As for a herd?" Celestia prompted.

Daedalus hummed slightly before answering. "It would be a struggle, but I think I could adapt and do it. Humans are strictly monogamous and Evolved, being genetic shapeshifters, tend not to care about things like gender."

"What do you mean?" Luna asked.

"If I fell in love with a mare and she asked me to become a woman for her, I would do it. My own gender means nothing to me. However, I can't see myself dating a guy, even with a female body. Why the sudden interest in my romantic beliefs?"

Celestia shrugged lightly, an action that looked rather odd on a pony. "No real reason other than curiosity."

Daedalus looked at her for a moment, doubting the truth of her statement, before moving on. "What's your last question, Luna?"

She smiled mischievously before asking her question. "How attractive do you find my sister and I?"

Daedalus' eyebrow raised substantially before he spoke. "Before I answer, why have you been so interested in these topics? I would assume two Princesses wouldn't speak of this. Its been bugging me for a while."

They both laughed before Celestia answered. "That question has a couple answers. First, we don't get the chance to speak freely and without restraint often. You provide us with a unique opportunity to speak of more natural aspects of life. Second, you've shown you won't judge us for our choices, so we feel a sort of freedom with you that we experience with nopony else."

Luna quickly continued where her sister left off. "Lastly, we are both, at heart, mares. Mares who can be playful and teasing."

Accepting the answer, Daedalus spoke simply. "A simple, blunt answer to your question is that, if you consented, I would have my way with both of you for hours on end before I was satisfied."

The virus smiled internally as both alicorns' heads dipped and were covered with their wings. It seemed he had made them reach a new height of embarrassment, a fact that amused him to no end. He waited several moments before they recovered enough to speak.

"T-truthfully?" The solar mare stuttered out.

"Entirely." Daedalus replied.

She coughed to clear her throat before speaking again. "Let's change topics, why don't we?"

He grinned at the two before nodding. "Sure, why not?"