Down in the center of town, Pinkie was still running through a lot in her mind about what she was doing with Benny, or more accurately what she wasn’t doing with him.

“I still don’t get it. Why is everypony trying to date a human and I didn’t until today? I like Benny, but… I don’t know if I really like him like that. He’s cute and fun to be around. He likes my jokes and I love all the things he’s shared with me. He even helped save everypony from those mean ole Timberwolves. And I was able to do a lot more than I ever have before because of all the help he’s given me… so why wouldn’t I want to have Benny be my special somepony?”

As the bowling alley came into view, she shifted her focus to the movie they put in just before she left.

“I wonder why they got so worked up over those two humans having sex? And… why didn’t I know that’s what they were even doing? Everypony knows… duh… wait? Did I know? Is that even something I wanted to do? I’ve never done it before and I like doing new things… and that looked… I’ll have to ask Benny about that.”

With just enough time to finish those thoughts, Pinkie found herself in the bowling alley. Benny, of course, wasn't hard to find. Nearly six feet tall, pale, red hair, and currently having a blast by the sounds of it.

"Strike! Tavi, you are whooping my ass right now. This can't be your first time playing?"

"It is," Octavia laughed out. "And I'm barely beating you."

Rounding out the group, Vinyl sounded like she was having fun as well, but wasn't letting up on her competitive edge.

"Yeah, yeah. You're a born natural. Now get out of the way, I'm feeling a comeback is on its way."

"A comeback?" Benny jokingly asked. "It's one twenty-four for Tavi, ninety-five for me, and you just made it into the double digits last frame. I'm about ready to let you cheat out of pity."

The sound of them all having fun certainly did help to raise Pinkie's spirits. However, it was still her job to see how well they were all getting along.

"Sounds like you're all having fun," Pinkie happily greeted the trio.

Vinyl was the first to return the greeting to the party pony.

"Ayy! Pinkie, just the mare I wanted to thank."

Benny wasn't expecting her to show up but knew he had to pull her away from his dates.

"Oh, hey Pink. Glad you're here." He walked past Octavia and Vinyl to lead Pinkie away. "Vinyl you're up. Tavi, with only three frames left, you won this round. Try to help the poor girl out while I go grab us some drinks with Pinkie."

As Benny led Pinkie to the concession stand, Octavia could be heard struggling with Vinyl.

"No magic, Vinyl."

"Nuh-uh. Benny said I could cheat."

Getting far enough away, Benny didn't give Pinkie a chance to say anything as he immediately dropped his usual friendly demeanor.

"Okay, first off, why did you say this was a double, double-blind date if I'm the only guy they're all here to see? Luna is pissed off, and frankly so am I."

After hearing about Twilight sharing Sniff and Fluttershy wanting to share Cerb with Rarity, Pinkie couldn't have anticipated this kind of reaction from Benny.

"What? Why would anypony be mad at me about-"

"Because you didn't tell any of them that they weren't getting their own dates. Luna didn't even know that I hadn't considered dating anypony or even asking her out. Then she had to save face by making it look like she was just dropping me off here when Vinyl assumed I was her date. And that would have worked had Octavia not shown up and told us she was so relieved to find out I was her blind date. Thankfully, unlike Luna, they're actually interested in me."

Judging by Pinkie's expression, she didn't have a clue about how much trouble she’d almost caused.

"Do you have any idea how hurt those two were when they thought I wasn't their solo date? I had to tell them that I didn't know who was supposed to be with who or who the other two guys were. Because of that, I said I would take them both out so the whole night wasn't a wash."

Pinkie was speechless. She really messed things up, and now everyone was going to be mad at her for it, or so she thought.

Luckily, Benny could see how much this brought Pinkie down, if her rapidly deflating mane was anything to go by. For some reason, he just couldn’t stay mad at her and quickly changed his approach.

"Look… this was a bad set up, but it all worked out. Luna and I have a better understanding of each other, and I'm actually having a lot of fun with these two. Had you clued us all into this and not given them false expectations, none of this would have been an issue... but I'm glad I came."

"You are?" Pinkie asked, surprised to see the quick turnaround, her mane regaining some of its size.

Benny knelt down to give her the hug he knew she was needing. She was a simple pony, likely with no real understanding of what she was doing with this arrangement and had been given all the scorn needed to learn her lesson.

"Your heart was in the right place and you had the right idea. I'm not sure how this will all play out, but I'm not against seeing them again. You picked some good ones."

After hearing that, Benny pulled away, putting Pinkie at ease, her mane finally returning to its original size.

"I'm happy for you, but if things are going good then I'm going to get the snacks for the party. You have fun and I’ll see you back at your place."

There wasn't much of a goodbye from there. Benny was in a hurry to get the drinks so as not to keep the others waiting. At the same time, Pinkie knew that if she allowed herself to stay, she probably would fuck something up.

Nearing the door, Pinkie gave one quick glance back at Benny leaning against the counter, waiting for his drinks. It was just him. Everypony else was either in their lanes or busy working.

For at least a little while, Benny had been separated and left alone, but even by himself, he looked back towards the lanes he left his dates, a simple smile still curled in his lips.

"Hmph, would you look at that," Pinkie said quietly to herself as she pushed open the door, a similar grin on her face. "It might not be the biggest smile I've ever seen, but at least it's his. Phase one, complete."

A knocking came at the front door, waking Lumberman. As he came to, he wondered how long he'd been asleep. After a quick glance out the window showed the sun was still held in a high position, so it must not have been too long.

He gave a once over of Applejack. Still asleep, breathing sounded normal, no fever, no signs of bleeding, she'd be fine if he went and checked to see who it was. Probably one of their friends swinging by to check up on them.

After carefully freeing himself from the bed without waking the still recovering mare, he crept out of the room and made his way to the door. He opened it with his expectations being completely let down in the worst of ways.

"Whatever you want, you came at a bad time," he coldly greeted the unwelcome visitor.

Hard Hat stood outside the door, grief-stricken.

"I can't imagine I'd ever be a pony you'd want to see again, and I don't blame you for it. But, I didn't come here for forgiveness. I ain't done anything to deserve it. But, I did come to deliver these."

Lumberman looked over to where Hard Hat turned his attention to. There on the porch were three boxes.

"Galvanized nails, as requested," Hard Had clarified without a hint of pride in his voice.

Naturally, Lumberman was happy to have the shit that he paid for but wasn't impressed by Hard Hat doing what he was paid for.

"That it?"

Flinching at the sharp tone, Hard Hat lowered his muzzle, feeling he deserved everything that had come as well as whatever was to follow.

"Most of my old crew is now working for you, or fixen to see if you have any openings. I wanted to be mad at you… tried to be angry, but I can't. What I did was disgraceful. So, I'm not just here to deliver the rest of your order. If any of my crew drops you an application, I'm willing to give an honest review and letter of recommendation.”

Lumberman didn’t say anything, as the pony continued to pour his heart out.

In spite of all that had happened, Hard Hat looked to be legitimately trying to repent for what he had done. Even as he continued to apologize, it sounded sincere.

“For what's worth, I truly am sorry. I have no excuse for the way I acted."

Despite the clear sincerity Lumberman still wasn't ready to let this matter go, and what Hard Hat was offering wasn't cutting it.

"You know… a long time ago, I wouldn't have been the kind of guy to let you walk off this property after you laid yer hooves on Applejack. I would have ruined your life in every way I could. I'm still fighting the urge to do that right now. But… I'm not trying to be that guy right now and learned to let a lot of shit go. Apologizing for what you did does put you in a better light, but I'm not ready to let this slide just yet… we'll talk later. For right now though, I'm going to very nicely ask you to leave."

Hard Hat took one small step back. There was something demonstratively intimidating about this human's entire presence. The repressed anger, the sharpness of his words, and the veiled threats were enough to have him questioning many of his poor life choices, all of it justified if the rumors of this human and Applejack were true.

"I'll be available at the hardware store most often if you're looking for me. And… I was in town and heard… I don't know what happened, but I hope Applejack is doing okay. Far be it from me to say, but she's a good pony and… the whole town knows you're taking good care of her. I wish you both the best."

Those words came from such a lower position under Lumberman, it was hard to tell how sincere they were, or if they were coming from a place of desperation. Perhaps even fear? Regardless, he knew what Cerb would recommend in a situation like this.

"It's appreciated, and I'll come around soon. This whole thing between us needs to get worked out. Have a good day."

After swallowing his ego and having the fact he couldn't put the claw end of a hammer through the stallion's hard hat, Lumberman closed the door before a mutual farewell could be given.

The balls that stallion had to show his face at Applejack's doorsteps again. The things Lumberman would have done to him with a lead pipe in a dark alleyway, but no, he was past those days.

"That dumb son of a bitch… God damn, I need to calm down. It's not as bad as I think it is. I'm not… God... damn I want to beat his face in."

"Woody!" Applejack's voice shouted down in distress.

Forgetting his previous anger, Lumberman ran up the stairs and busted back into the room.

"Hey, I'm here. What's wrong?"

There was a noticeable quake running through Applejack's legs.

"I woke up and you weren't here, and they started to hurt again."

It was only then Lumberman realized the time.

"Shit, yeah. You're due for another dose. Hold on a sec."

It took some time and a lot of comforting until the pain was manageable again. Even then, it was hard to say what worked best, the medication, or just having Lumberman there to hold her. Regardless, Applejack was glad to have both.

"I can't wait for these darn things to heal up," Applejack's gripes rang strong with her annoyance. "I hate this. Going from feeling useless to helpless… and where'd you run off to earlier?"

"We had a visitor," Lumberman answered, not being able to hide his agitation. "Hard Hat finally delivered my nails. Wanted to apologize."

Applejack raised an eyebrow at what likely sounded ridiculous to her.

"That shit head?" She asked just as annoyed. "Was he actually sorry?"

Lumberman, in spite of how angry he had been at the time, could tell… mostly.

"Oh, I know he's sorry. He's probably gonna lose his business over what he did… and I don't know if I want to beat him or if I should try and help him out."

Applejack turned over to glare.

"You best not be start'en fights with anypony. He stepped outta line and apologized. You leave it at that."

"Like I said… or help him out," Lumberman repeated himself calmly. "Where I came from, before I met all my friends… when someone started a problem with our family, we gave them a bigger problem. I don't do that anymore like I used to, but that part of me still comes up to visit."

Given her current state, Applejack knew she couldn’t stop him if he started something, but she could at least try to talk some sense into him.

"Woody, fighting each other is not how we solve our problems here."

Lumberman sighed, some of his anger starting to cool.

"Apples… you don't know where I came from. If you thought Cerb's horror stories were bad, believe me, I got horror stories to match.”

Reading between his words, Applejack’s ears curled back.

“Woody… did you go to war, too?”

Lumberman went limp just thinking about all the bad memories.

“Not like he did, but I lived in an area with gangs that were just as bad as the terrorists that he fought. The whole reason I even moved to Indiana with them was because of how bad it got. My brother was shot and killed in a drive-by when I was eight, and we should have left then, but we couldn’t afford to. It wasn’t until I was fourteen when my dad was murdered that my mom got scared enough we moved in with one of her old friends in Indiana…"

He gave a long pause, countless repressed memories started to flood his mind as he remembered just how terrible his childhood was.

"I’ve seen people get shot and jumped. Hell, I even got jumped a few times. Had a kid break my arm with a baseball bat so he could steal my shoes.”

These were all difficult memories to bring up. They were of a terribly different era in his life that he couldn’t shake off. Even bringing them up could bring out the worst of him at times.

“A place like that ruins people, and at the time, I didn’t know any better. Didn’t know there was a way out. I ended up doing a lot of things I regret. I ain’t never killed nobody… but Cerb spent only a handful of years fighting in the war. I lived in a city with over a hundred murders every year. And those are only the ones that were reported.”

Applejack just sat there, her mind frozen in disbelief, unable to even process the idea that anyone would try to kill each other, much less so many in such a short space of time. And sadly, it was only gonna get worse.

“Thousands of reported assaults where people are shot, stabbed, beaten… When I think I have to hurt somebody because I’m afraid of what they’ll do to you, or anyone else I care about, it would be like you moving to a big city and looking outside a window looking for apple trees. But I know enough not to act on it.”

Despite the discomfort, Applejack pulled Lumberman against her.

“Woody… Y’all need to let go of them painful memories of yers. I know it seems like there’s danger around every corner with guards going crazy and Timberwolves coming after us, but here in Ponyville and on the farm, you don’t need to worry about that. I’m a little banged up right now, but I promise when these bandages come off, there won’t be nothing to worry about."

His thinking about all the recent events made her reflect on how bad things could be in comparison.

"Ole Hard Hat poken me in the chest is probably the worst that’s ever been done to me in these here parts, which ain’t saying much. So while I love the fact that yer willing to fight for me, don’t go starting a fight that don’t need to be had. Okay?”

Lumberman let Applejack hold him, actually comforting him for once.

“I won’t, I promise. And I never said I was going to. I changed my life around twelve years ago, I ain’t about to act the fool now. I can’t afford messing up like that without risking losing you because of it.”

Feeling relieved, Applejack nuzzled in closer.

“Us Apples stick together, Woody. Y’aint never gonna lose me. Even with these messed up hooves ‘uh mine, I’ll keep ya safe just like I did Cerb and Benny out there. And just as sure as yer mom was a trifling bitch, I won’t let ya go, neither.”

Lumberman chuckled stupidly against Applejack’s cheek.

“Yeah, that’s about as good a guarantee if I ever heard one. But I’mma still do all I can to keep you holding on.”

There was more Lumberman wanted to say, but the timing wasn’t right. Maybe he shouldn't have been so honest about his anger issues.

Violence and hate weren’t big sellers in their culture, despite how much ass she could kick. Regardless, give it some time, get a little closer, make sure what he was hoping for was right. Then again… could she make it any more obvious than she already has?

“Hey, Woody?" Applejack spoke up to interrupt his thoughts. "How we gonna do this bath thing if I can’t get my hooves wet? Ya don’t mind washing my ass again, do ya?”

Surprised at being surprised, Lumberman went right to going tit for tat with this mare.

“Damnit, this is the whole reason you wanted me to take you home, wasn’t it?”

Feeling well enough to mess with him, she didn’t let up.

“Oh, shut up. Don’t act like you ain’t been waiting to get them greedy little hands uh yers on my bomb ass again.”

“Says the mare always trying to talk me back into the tub,” Lumberman countered with playful mockery.

“You think we’d both fit?”

“... Probably.”

Of all the stories Luna had ever heard, from the obscure and tall tales of the impossible proven to be true, she had never heard a story like the one Kelly had been crying out.

From the first night Kelly had met Big Mac and carelessly thanked him with a kiss, their time in the orchard, how he saved her life and she found herself in love with him was so much more in-depth than any report she had been given.

Even more impactful was how she struggled with her preconceptions of what was wrong about what she wanted, or why she would have wanted it in the first place. Then compared to so many of the carnal acts this lonely human had committed over the years, such confessions left Luna speechless.

Not to be outdone, Kelly revealed everything she had contemplated and teased Big Mac with, leading up to their first intimate act that they put on display for each other and how it all ended. Unnecessary details of this adventurous human’s every action left Luna flustered with a racing heart and fluttering stomach.

Then the reason Kelly was in the royal chambers seeking private counsel. Her first experiences with her stallion only hours ago in his orchard. Every touch Kelly described that sent her stallion lover into a climax before she could enjoy herself had left her straining to control her emotions over the tragedy of it all.

Now Kelly was going on about how it was all falling apart and the misery it had left her in.

"I don't want to leave him and I don't want him to think he's not good enough for me," Kelly continued to explain as she sobbed into Luna's shoulder. "I'm too much for him. These fucking stupid hands of mine, any part of me that touches him. I don't understand. Everything was going perfect, and I would have kept going with him if it didn’t drain to the point he couldn’t even stand up."

Luna did her best to cradle and comfort Kelly, though the story left her conflicted.

"I am so sorry, Kelly. I understand that you were looking forward to a mutual sexual relationship with Big Mac, but just because he… cums so fast with you now, maybe he'll get better the more experience he has?"

Kelly's sobs only continued to deepen.

"I don't know. After he came from eating me out, we took a break. I told him to try and see if he could get going again by himself. I didn't really tell you about this part earlier. After about ten minutes, he couldn't really get it going. I thought if he was having that hard of a time even getting it up, he'd be able to enjoy me a little longer. Just for fun, but I barely touched him and he was already hard. So I tried to finally do it and he still lasted less than a minute because of me. Everything I do feels too good for us to enjoy anything."

Luna was so mixed up inside now, largely overwhelmed by the secrets of sex Kelly had repeated as she had explained them to Mac. All of it new to her, yet had requested the details to be provided, as if she was verifying the validity of what she was being told.

"We all knew your hands were gifted with touch, but we had never stopped to consider that… well, I can't say that I am surprised. I certainly felt… something when we laid together. But, now I need to know, when you requested me to hold you those nights we spent together while Big Mac was away, were those the kinds of comforts you were wanting?"

Kelly's sobs turned into a long whine as her weakness came back to haunt her.

"I'm sorry."

Luna held Kelly closer and rocked her back and forth softly.

"Don't be sorry, dear Kelly. I have no regrets other than not having the foresight to have visited you sooner or kept you awake longer.”

It might be shameless, but Luna had to see where it all would go. With Kelly here with her like this, sharing so much, it was her best opening to convey how she felt.

“This is embarrassing, and I’m sorry for asking you to be clear about your relationship with Macintosh before I would answer your question. I had wanted to make clear my feelings for you tonight. I had hoped for… what you already have with him. But when you came to me instead… even a princess of the night can dream of finding one who would long for being more than friends."

Luna's confession only made Kelly feel worse.

"I never wanted this to happen, I'm so sorry. I should have never kissed you. I didn't want to give in like that. I just thought you deserved some love if Mac couldn't see how amazing you are. Now he thinks I should be with you."

How twisted Luna felt in this situation. She could likely coax Kelly away, but maybe she could continue the trend floating amongst those closest to their human companions.

"Would it be to your benefit if we shared your needs?"

Kelly pushed herself away from Luna, completely surprised to hear such a question.

"You… what?"

Luna felt as if she were betraying something within herself by even considering this, but if Twilight could pull it off, she believed she could as well.

"What I am suggesting is that you continue your pursuits with Macintosh during the day, and we will see if I can fulfill your other needs at night."

Kelly was still trying to process how Luna was suggesting something Big Mac had fantasized about. Then a theory came to mind.

"Did you see in Big Mac's dreams that he wanted me to sleep with you?"

Now that was a detail Luna failed to hear during Kelly's story that would have been helpful to know. However, now knowing that, an honest princess would own up to her ignorance, but a wise one would continue to roll with it.

"What I see in the dream realm is not to be used for my benefit or self-interest."

Kelly remembered from the first night she spent getting close to Luna that those dream powers would pose an issue.

"I… fuck. I knew this would happen eventually."

Continuing to play along with the lie, Luna pulled Kelly's hand into her hooves.

"What if I told you that I would not be the first princess to share a lover? Or that two ponies sharing the one they care about to best take care of that pony, or human in your case, would be welcomed?"

Kelly started to dry her eyes, letting her emotions and hormones get the better of her self control.

"So, how would that work? Is this supposed to be like an open relationship or do we all sleep with each other? I mean… am I going to end up having sex with you both at the same time?"

Luna thought about all the things Kelly had described about her sexual past and what few things she had done with Big Mac. If they were all as fantastic as she had described, she would be willing to experiment. Perhaps their combined efforts would be enough to leave Kelly satisfied or give Big Mac the experiences they had originally desired. And if that could keep Kelly happy, that would keep her safe. Plus, Luna would still be getting both companions she had desired at once… possibly.

"I suppose if that were something you wished to try with us, and he was willing, it would be something I would be inclined to try as well. So long as he was not to attempt to take me as his wife without making it official by ceremony. Having an heir out of wedlock would be quite the scandal. However, if you wish to keep our arrangement secret, we would like to reciprocate."

She couldn't believe how reticent she was to venture into this. She was a virgin to all things romantic, her closest being Big Mac, but this was offering her everything if she could claim the moment.

"We understand these things tend to have a sensitive nature to them for you and your friends. It might be best to not draw unwanted attention to myself as well."

This was not the way Kelly had imagined things were going to turn out. She had humored the idea of a threesome or maybe even a tease to help get Big Mac excited… but Luna was basically asking her for something more committed and wanted to start some kind of pony human hybrid polyamorous relationship?

This had become a sad moment for Kelly. She questioned what she would be really willing to do with Luna.

The idea of Big Mac’s genitals at first sickened her, yet in her time of need, she enjoyed what she saw. Even in the limited time she was able to feel him, he was good. Hell, as horned up as she was, she would have likely only lasted a few minutes had he not came as fast as he did.

But sleeping with Luna? Her rationality brought her back to when she toyed with Big Mac. She had already sold herself on doing whatever was desired to feed her stallion's fantasies, so it wasn't like there were any standards for her to stand on. Even worse, she felt something with Luna, and when push came to shove, she had to stop herself from going to where Luna wanted it to go.

Her desire for sex and the release it gave, the comfort she could find, she had already wanted it from a mare. It was only her recent development of morals that held her back… that still held her back.

"I wasn't expecting this. I thought you had some interest in me, but… I don't see what it is you and Mac find so desirable about me. If it's because of my hands, I might just call all of this off. I'm not going to take advantage of either of you if that's the case."

Luna must have grossly underestimated the problems Kelly had been facing if she was willing to give up two promising partners. That, or her convictions were more noble than anticipated.

"It is true that your touch is gifted, but I would not agree to say that it is cursed. And even as you had told me of your history with Macintosh, your first kiss only appeared to have captured his attention, just as it were with me that night. So even if your hands may have softened my defenses, it was who you are on the inside that drew my desires to be with you.”

The heartfelt words from Luna had found their way to Kelly. It was confidence in who this troubled human mare was to her that needed to be addressed, not simply her attraction. That was how she was going to win over this beautiful tragedy of a lonely lover.

“Every night that you called me to your side, I found more reasons to consider you one worthy of my deepest affection. You are truly something special as I have never fancied a mare, not even of my own kind, not until you. Might I say you likely never felt the same for one like myself until the night we kissed?"

This was the bed Kelly made, now she had to sleep in it. However, a bed with Luna was one that she shamelessly enjoyed before, so why not give in and enjoy the night?

"Do you really want to be with me like this? Would you be happy knowing that I'd also be with Mac? You're not going to be jealous or upset knowing that the next time we kiss or end up doing more, you might be tasting some of him as well?"

That was an interesting outlook on their situation. One that had to be worth having Kelly at her side.

"Had you not described them with having such anticipation as you did, or Macintosh's voracious appetite, I would have had my concerns of such acts. But even you had no complaints despite your apprehensions. So, much like him, I am willing to take you as you are. Though, perhaps if we all are to share each other as you suggested, there wouldn't be any cause for alarm. Unless you were concerned about experiencing the same for Macintosh because of me."

Now Kelly was wondering if Luna was a closet freak like she was.

"I honestly never would have expected you to be so chill about this."

Luna could see how close she was, she had to seal this deal.

"If I could be completely honest with you, I did have my concerns about interfering with your relationship with Macintosh. In fact, in some ways, I was envious that he was so taken by you, yet I was conflicted of approaching you, worried that it would be another instance of my desires for a companion going unreturned… But you were so forward and reassuring that I was one to be desired and worthy of your affection. Then, and I tell you this in confidence, seeing how happy Twilight was that Peter was willing to be with her, along with our friend Oven Fresh, that gave me the confidence to approach you. Knowing that Macintosh supported such a desire for you… How could I not be so inclined as to hope this could be the same for us?"

"Woah, hold up," Kelly couldn't believe the odds. "Peter asked out both of them and they accepted?"

Luna quickly wished she’d have some tape to put over her mouth as she was divulging too much, but she was too deep into it now to back off or play ignorant.

"We apologize if this is news to you. We never wished to pry so much as to who was informed of his decision. However, now that you know, I feel I should mention that being with Twilight was something that only occurred this morning before I retired for the day. And it was Oven Fresh who first asked Peter to take her in as his own as well as she who encouraged Twilight to share him with her. Peter was just as apprehensive to accept as you are with me. However, now we are confused if this is something uncharacteristic for you to accept.”

Growing worried, Luna could see this was obviously a lot for Kelly to take in, who still had yet to offer any kind of response.

Why did these humans keep so many secrets? It was making the lives of all those around them so much more difficult to manage and keep track of. Although, thinking back to how this conversation first started with Kelly, there were a lot of questions Luna wanted to ask if she was joining in with this three-way relationship.

“I do not claim to know if Peter has been as intimate with either of his special someponies as you have been with Macintosh. As far as I am aware, Twilight and Peter may not even have kissed. So there is the risk that I may be as susceptible to your touch as Macintosh. Although, given the differences in how you explained our bodies function for procreation, as well as my higher durability and resistance as an alicorn, I’m sure I will be able to provide you with what you desire. The stars willing, I know I would love to feel more of you as well."

This was getting out of control. Kelly had thought Lumberman and Applejack could have been a thing, and maybe they still were, but was everyone going horse crazy? Could her life here be this simple? Was such an open relationship the norm and she didn't know about it?

Then again, what did she really know anyway? She still didn't even fully understand her initial lust for Big Mac outside of loving him for how good to her he was. How did that even happen? How much further was this going to go… and how much of her unsatisfied libido was going to influence her?

"I'm scared to say yes. I told you about who I used to be, and this feels like I'm walking back into it… but-"

She slowly traced her hands down Luna's back until they were sliding over the firm, yet silky-smooth flanks. They were no longer off-limits to her, and presumably nothing was. Yet the guilt and shame gave her a sickly feeling in her stomach… but she wanted so badly to give in.

"I can't deny how bad I wanted this. I’ve tried to be a good girl for Mac… I just need this too much. I'm afraid of what I'll do if I can't have this again soon. I don't want to want sex as bad as I do, but I can't help it."

Luna felt the change in Kelly's touch as soon as her confession was made clear. Emotions were tied to their touch, and even if on the surface Kelly was suffering, deep down, she must have been feeling wonderful if these caresses felt so lovely.

Perhaps this was lust? If it was, she felt it from Kelly's embrace at least once before, and now everything she’d talked herself into made sense.

"I will be new to this," Luna excitedly hushed. "-but I look forward to more than only that with you. There are many wonders of the night I have not been able to share, let alone had much of any company while protecting it."

Kelly slid her hands up over Luna's shoulders and took a seat in the lap of her princess, an empowering first step.

"I want to do this on two conditions."

Luna wanted to inquire as to what such conditions would be, but feeling Kelly's hands run down her chest all the way down to her thighs with lust as the motivation had distracted her momentarily.

"What are your wishes," she shuddered as she spoke lofty until a gasp sprung free with the briefest of contact of her breast. "I am sure that I can accommodate."

Kelly moved back and pulled open her bathrobe, now fully on display, bare, and not a patch of hair under all that had been hidden. However, she wasn't intending to let Luna take in the sights. Instead she moved their bodies together and held each other close.

"We can't play favorites,” Kelly answered in a warm calm tone. “I know I'm the center of attention in all this, but we can't hold each other away and be selfish. That means Big Mac will need help from both of us. If I'm too much for him, maybe you can help him enjoy himself longer than what I can."

Luna was entranced in their embrace. Kelly could have asked for a crown and a seat at the throne in Canterlot and she would have asked in what style and color Kelly wanted the cushions. Also, being able to let her limbs feel around the bare flesh underneath that bothersome robe Kelly wore was a devious tactic, but so was her pretending to know Big Mac's desires. Luna had no standing to protest.

"We're curious to learn if he is willing to share himself."

Kelly guided her hands up to Luna's face and held it still to give her the same kiss they had the night before. She held it there, letting Luna take in all the warmth and affection they both desired.

After Kelly pulled away, she gave her final request.

"I don't want anyone else. Just us. No more than that. If I can't get what I need from both of you, then I give up. I don't know what I'll do, but I'm not going to ruin this by turning it into something we'll all regret, if this isn't too much already."

Luna was drawing her breath slowly, trying to control her excitement and the new fervent impulses empowering her actions. It was so tempting to try any of the lewd acts she was informed of during Kelly's confession. Her mind and body both wanted to know how much better what they were doing now could be.

"If Macintosh will accept me as he has accepted you, we have nothing to worry about, nor a reason to include any others."

Feeling reassured enough to relax, Kelly held Luna close and rested in her embrace.

"Then we'll give this a try. But I do have two other requests if I'm not asking for too much already."

Luna chuckled, not being anywhere near her limits.

"These are hardly difficult requests you ask of me. What else do you desire?"

There was a noticeable touch of sadness from Kelly. Something that could be felt before it could be heard in her voice.

"I don't want to leave. If Twilight or the others can find a way home, I don't want to go back. I don't care about the money or other shit I'm leaving behind. I want this more than risking not being able to come back."

That gave Luna more confidence, along with a feeling of joy greater than hearing Kelly agree to this in the first place.

"We wish for the same, dear Kelly. I will always keep you. What else do you wish?"

Kelly cuddled in a little closer, letting her bare crotch grind subtly over Luna's leg.

"Can I sleep with you again? I'll wait until the sun goes down. I don’t want to wear Mac out or risk hurting him by keeping up this pace I started. He needs time to recover his fluids"

Luna giggled, such a silly way putting a noble request.

"I would love that."

Pinkie strolled in through the kitchen, a pile of boxes on her back strapped together.

"Who wants a Pre-Post-War-Party cupcake?"

The four she left behind were still glued to the screen, but at least they heard her.

"Hold on a sec," Rainbow requested. "Patient Zero of the Lust Fuck Virus is about to figure out the cure is cumming together with two girls at the same time."

"Geez, just spoil it for the rest of us at the same time why don't ya," Twilight scowled, yet still focused on the screen while using her magic to write down on a notepad.

"Spoil it?" Rarity scoffed. "Wasn't it obvious when he tested negative after he was with the two head nurses, and no, the pun has not escaped me. That’s why the Surgeon General of Sexology was so surprised when he tested positive again after Doctor Fuck Me-Hard did the extra examination to make sure he could still cum if giving anal."

Twilight gave a stronger look at Patient Zero with one nurse riding him cowboy style and the other sitting on his face.

"What? But Doctor Fuck Me-Hard said that it was a… oh… so she lied about it being a false negative? This is stupid. Fuck this movie.”

Fluttershy, who had switched to laying next to Rarity on the couch, feeling very comfortable, giggled at Twilight’s sudden change of opinion.

“This whole movie is about fucking. I don’t think you’re supposed to watch it for the story.”

Twilight groaned, now feeling worse than after reading the story.

“I can’t believe we’re still watching this. Even if I am learning a lot about human culture, movies like this are ridiculous. I’m so disappointed that there’s nothing even remotely related to biology in this movie. It’s just… humans having sex and making stupid puns. Just like so many of the inside jokes between Peter and the others, which are finally starting to make sense at least.”

With the novelty of the porn without a plot settled in, she was stuck thinking about her current reality and how at least verbally, this movie gave her some better understanding of her human friends.

“I can’t believe how much of their humor revolves around sex. And… Oh, Goddamnit, Peter. Watching a lot of girls insides gushing out? Is that what you meant?”

All attention was focused on one of the head nurses celebrating the cure by having a squirting orgasm over Patient Zero’s face.

Pinkie gagged at the sight.

“Did she really just use his face like a toilet?”

“No, Pinkie,” Twilight groaned at having to explain this concept. “She didn’t urinate on him. During sex, males will ejaculate sperm into a females vagina for procreation… or in this movie, lots of other places because… humans are weird about sex. Regardless, apparently, some females can ejaculate when they climax as well.”

Rainbow was still fixated on the movie, having grown particularly interested in scenes where they focused on anything oral.

“Yeah, I’m guessing the reason they like it so much is because it’s supposed to have sugar in it or something.”

“Sugar!” Pinkie shouted, immediately getting closer to the screen. “Humans make sugar when they have sex!”

Another doctor had joined the celebration and the focus on oral switched to the head nurse being taken from behind, allowing Rainbow to shift her attention.

“It’s not like sugar you put on food. I asked Becky about the fluids she was talking about they make during sex. She said it’s mostly water with something called phosphatase and fructose. Of course, I didn’t know what those were, so she had to explain those, too. I forget the technical nerd stuff for all of it, but the phosphatase is there to help keep the body clean, and the fructose is a type of sugar. All the doctors that looked into that kinda stuff said it’s most likely all there to help the lady get pregnant. The water helps the sperm swim around, the phosphatase keeps the path clean, and the sugar is to give them energy. Although, Becky said that not every girl is going to taste the same. Not every guy either.”

The scene made a quick turn of the guy pulling out so the nurse could suck him off, making a show of him cumming in her mouth. Rainbow, of course, was captivated by the scene.

“Humans and sex are so weird. Not only did they figure out about a million ways to have sex with each other, but they can do it the right way and still not get pregnant. I can't wait to try this with Soarin. Especially if that trick about drinking pineapple juice is true, but Becky might have been messing with me."

Pinkie, however, utterly ignored Rainbow’s comments as she felt something growing inside her. It was a tingle at first, but it started to grow into something more. Suddenly what she was watching didn't look so unfamiliar or disgusting. It looked… fun.

Her mind was flooded with thoughts of being that nurse on screen. Quickly that ugly tattooed guy on the screen was replaced with Benny and her entire body felt different.

"I want to do that with Benny."

Rainbow snorted and laughed as she turned to mock the party pony.

“Yeah, right. Now that you hooked Benny up with… uh… Twi? Or, Flutters, Rarity. Remember that stupid ear thing you were talking about earlier?”

All eyes were on Pinkie staring at the TV, her ears and tail twitching madly at the acts being displayed on screen.

Rarity face hoofed as a soft glow from Twilight's horn lit up across the room.

"Goddammit. This is getting ridiculous. Why is Pinkie Pie… Gah, nevermind."

She sat up and started to make room for the soon to be new member of the Wonder Rush Club.

"As Justin has said so appropriately, fuck it. Twilight, Rainbow Dash, please watch closely. I'm not going to repeat this demonstration. Pinkie, please sit on the couch. Fluttershy and I will walk you through the process, but we will not be joining you."

Fluttershy moved out of the way for Pinkie, already remembering the close call they narrowly avoided with Applejack.

"Dash, you said that you didn't get much out of doing this on your own. You may want to watch, since you plan on… um… doing things… with Soarin. This will help you keep control of yourself when… when you get to where we are at this point."

Twilight grabbed the bottle and tried to think about where she could go to busy herself.

"I think I'm going to sit this one out. The movie was bad enough, I don't think I need to see Pinkie do what I think you're going to show her how to do."

Sadly, before she could get far, Rarity reflexively tugged at Twilight and the bottle she carried with her magic.

"Twilight, dear, this is so very unladylike, but if you're not ready to even kiss Peter, you have to understand how to do this. Because at this rate, you're probably next in line to… awe, fuck me. We still have to have this talk with Cadance."

"Cadance?" Twilight asked in confusion. "What do we need to talk to her about?"

Rarity could have turned milk to cottage cheese with how sour her expression changed. What made it comical was how violently she intentionally thrashed her ears about to get the point across.

When it finally sunk in, Twilight felt the floor give way under her hooves and the weight of the world fall on her shoulders.

"Oh, God. Fucking. Dammit! She doesn't know?"

Fluttershy sunk into the corner of the couch, already fearing her friend’s wrath.

"We noticed it the night she left for the Crystal Empire. We wanted to tell her, but we couldn't get her alone in time. You remember how crazy of a time that was for us. We didn't even have a full understanding of it back then."

Twilight shook her head, her sanity slowly vanishing as the number of sex-crazed mares continued to grow.

"No. We're just jumping to conclusions. She probably just wants to give Flurry Heart a new baby brother or a little sister. I mean, come on. She's married to my brother for crying out loud." She was clearly showing signs of panic. "Those two are inseparable. If not for Shining helping us out in the Everfree Forest, they'd still be side by side this very moment!"

Seeing the rapidly declining state of her friend, Fluttershy started to question what, or who, could have caused the twitching reaction for Cadance.

"I was the first one to notice this type of behavior with the twitching, and it's only been when wanting to rut Justin, Lumberman, Peter, and now Benny. It's entirely possible that it happens between two ponies, but thinking about it, Cadence spent nearly as much time with Becky as she did nearly anyhuman else."

"Pft," Rainbow Dash was hard-pressed to buy into such a claim. "If it's any of them, it has to be Cerb. I spent more time with Becky than anypony else, and I'm not like that. And they don’t say anyhuman. It's anybody or anyone… If you don't talk to your humans about sex, what the fuck do you talk about if you haven't picked up on that yet?"

Ignoring the critique entirely, Twilight couldn't decide if that was helpful information or just complicating things even more.

"I hate to admit it, but spending so much time around Cadance while growing up, and seeing all the love she would spread around her, I'm pretty sure I'd remember seeing the ear stuff."

Pinkie was still glued onto Doctor Fuck Me-Hard getting double teamed by two other male doctors she had previously infected. Her ears and tail twitching wildly, as sweat started to form on her pink brow.

"My crotch feels like it's on fire but it's all sweaty! I need my BenBen! He'll know what to do!"

Rarity groaned, remembering Pinkie still had to be dealt with as the mare bolted out the door.

"Gah, Twilight. Leash, please."

Twilight's horn already had the spell conjured up, only now making it visible.

"Way ahead of you."

The sound of Pinkie getting choked out by Twilight's leash construct barked out from the kitchen, followed by the sound of Pinkie's hooves sliding out from her on the tile and her back slapping flat on the floor.

With a heavy sigh and a calm tone, Twilight reclaimed the leash, slowly dragging a panicked Pinkie along with it.

"From everything I've put together so far, it more than likely is Shining. They are in love and already had sex at least once. By the looks of Benny's movie, it's obviously good enough to do more than once. But even if it was Justin, none of these symptoms or reactions happen without first having some physical or near physical interactions. Or at least a heavy dose of their scent. And that's only after wanting to be intimate with them. I think Pinkie just proved that point perfectly."

Now that it was all being explained in plain terms, Rainbow was actually starting to get more interested in this whole process.

"How did you figure that out?"

Quickly catching Pinkie almost slipping free of the leash, Twilight added extra restraints and a muzzle. Returning the troubled mare, Pinkie was slowly dropped down to the couch between Rarity and Fluttershy as Twilight unloaded her deductions.

"Well, Pinkie spent all this morning with Benny. Then she got excited about dating him and probably wanting to have sex with him after seeing it in the movie. Next thing ya know, she checks in on him and then comes back to his house with his scent everywhere. Boom! Pinkie Pie, ready to rut."

In response to these deductions, Pinkie Pie rolled her eyes back into her head while groaning in an almost painful plea for assistance.

Rarity had quickly lost her cool, seeing how impromptu plans would have to wait. She didn't even have the time to run them by Fluttershy. Maybe after Pinkie Pie is shown the ropes?

"Alright, now Pinkie, I need you to listen to me. Your body has reached the point where it's ready to start a family… or maybe you really only want to have Benny fuck you silly. The line is really starting to blur for me. Regardless, what you saw earlier was an example of rutting. Obviously, with a pony, that would have put a bun in your oven. However, Benny might offer the risk-free version, but if you're out there with your tail up, and knowing you, probably a can of whip cream in one hoof and Benny's dick in the other before he even realized you took his pants off."

Pinkie nodded with a sad whine, making no attempt to deny such a claim.

"Mmmhmm."

Rarity could only sigh at how transparent her friend was. She knew Pinkie too well by this point, and that didn't sound like such a bad setup come to think of it.

"Right. Well, as fantastic of an idea as that sounds, our human friends are slow to allow themselves to be seen uncovered. It takes a lot for them to trust you, or anypony else to have that level of trust. And I'm also assuming that Benny has been slow to consider dating a pony and him even going out on your double, double-blind date wasn't all that exciting of an idea either?"

The thought of Benny’s hesitation and need for the same level of restraints came back to Pinkie, leaving her to nod again with an even sadder whine.

"Mmhmm."

"Well, then." Rarity hopped up on the couch with Pinkie. "To save yourself from running off and ruining any chance you might have, if not the rest of ours, you're going to have to take care of this urge you've suddenly developed. So, if we unbind your hooves will you let me and Fluttershy instruct you on what to do, or would you like to see how long every princess in Equestria wants to keep you in the Canterlot dungeon for what would likely be an interdimensional disaster the likes that would spell the end of our world as we know it?

Pinkie used whatever chaos magic-powered her essence and raised her tail to point it at Rarity, and then curled it into a heart shape.

Twilight took a deep breath and undid only the bindings Rarity mentioned, as well as enough to allow Pinkie to speak again. However, not before she got another question in.

"Rarity, just how strong are these urges?"

Fluttershy stepped up for this one, clearing having the most experience explaining these things.

"Rarity, you calm Pinkie down and tell her what to expect. I'll try to answer this as best I can before you start."

With a nod from her wingmare, she took a deep breath and tried to remember more clearly her experiences without triggering an urge of her own at the same time.

"The first one seems to take a while to really take hold of you and let you realize what your body wants. I know I told you the first few days I was dealing with it that it was exhausting. But that's because, well, I didn't really know what it was that I wanted. Of course, what I wanted was Justin. It was the same way with Rarity, but I was able to help her after her second time, which made it a lot easier after that. But the first one, you can't really avoid it. For both Rarity and I, we started doing it, mostly just improvising our way through it, but we couldn't stop. Even when we wanted to stop, resisting only makes it worse."

"Wow," Rainbow Dash piped in, half listening and half watching Rarity making Pinkie examine her frogs. "So it's really just like an instinct you can't fight. Kinda like how your body makes you jump out of the way of danger, or sing along to your song when the music starts?"

Fluttershy thought about that. It wasn't that long ago since she last sang. With Rarity no less.

"I guess so, but after a while of dealing with it, or finding somepony to help you reach a Wonder Rush, they're a lot easier to control. Also, I've been scared and saddened out of them at times. So, technically if you're miserable, they're not much of a problem."

Suddenly Twilight detected a familiar scent that teased the air.

"What's that… tangy… almost kinda sweet-"

"That would be Pinkie Pie, darling," Rarity answered. "I'm guessing, thanks to the addition of Dash's recent information from Becky, it must be the fructose."

"Really?" Twilight asked, though, at this point, wasn't all that shocked anymore. "Fructose is a fruit-based sugar, so that does match up with the smell… but it's almost like a perfume. Kinda funny because I totally thought-"

There it was. The scent again. The same she mistook as a perfume on Starlight the morning after she said she stayed up with Chris... after she moved his room next to hers… and smelt like him all morning...Click.

"Oooooh, son of a bitch! I am gonna kick Starlight's ass!"

"Twilight, shut up and get out of the way of the TV!" Pinkie shouted, looking ready to take a swing at Twilight if both her hooves weren’t preoccupied. "I'm trying to concentrate!"

Rarity rolled her eyes, deep in regret, and thought to herself, "This was so much more exciting teaching Applejack… I wonder how she’s faring on her end?"

Pinkie was deep in fantasy, clumsily imagining she was Doctor Fuck Me-Hard and Benny was Patient Zero, intentionally doing her doggy style for the sole purpose of getting the Lust Fuck Virus again.

"If I have the Lust Fuck Virus, I don't want to be cured!" Pinkie belted out as she felt over her sensitive hidden pink flesh, tongue momentarily lulling out the side of her mouth.

Rainbow found her eyes glued on Pinkie. The instant she made contact with her hoof between her legs the reaction was undeniable. Her normal wacky expressions were gone, replaced with a reserved, yet captivated look acceptance she had become lost in.

Begrudgingly, Rarity continued to coach Pinkie along, while Dash could only watch, stunned at the reaction from her normally random friend.

"That's right, Pinkie. Not too hard, just feel it out as you go along. Imagine who it is you wish to be with, letting them touch you, kiss you, pressing themselves into you."

Whether the others had intended to or not, they all stared silently, watching Pinkie find her pace, periodically changing the position of her legs until she found the perfect pose. One hoof on the cushion, the other dangling freely, she laid her head back and moaned.

Still, no words were exchanged while Pinkie looked to be lost within her mind. Tiny fidgets over her hooves and ears twitched as one eye opened to view the movie. Soon her hoof moved in tangent with the man on screen, quickening her quiet moans and panting breaths.

While Fluttershy was not impressed, if not overly disinterested, Twilight and Rainbow had become more focused on the display than the movie. In her first fruitless attempt, Rainbow wasn't able to see the bodily reaction of herself that she saw with Pinkie. For Twilight, the story did nothing to mentally illustrate what she saw here, nor did it match the intensity of the movie.

In both mare’s cases, what they saw allowed for much of their own curiosity seem much more tangible.

What wasn't tangible was the human Pinkie had suddenly found herself fantasizing over. But how many others were worth fantasizing over?

How close had she come to Cerb’s lever? What might she have missed while wrestling with Sniff? Why didn't Chris make a move or ask her out after she hugged him the first day they met? Lumberman… something, something somehow because he must have a penis, too!

The more she fathomed all the different ways she could have enjoyed any of the humans, the stronger her feelings got until it accumulated into an eruption of what felt like a million smiles and laughs inside.

To the amazement of the others, what had started so absentmindedly, ended with Pinkie stressing the limits on her restraints as she forced her legs open as wide as she could. Hoofing feverishly over the glistening mess of her marehood and pawing over her chest while pleasantly crying out as her climax hit, confetti showered the air and floor in front of her with the sound of a party kazoo wheezing the celebration of her first orgasm.

Stupefied, Twilight was denying everything she just witnessed.

“Did Pinkie just cum confetti?”

Sad to disappoint the princess, Rarity pulled out a still warm party popper from between Pinkie’s cotton candy-colored ass and the couch cushion.

“No, dear. It would appear that Pinkie sat a little too hard on one of her party favors.”

Overlooking the comedic finality to Pinkie’s first introduction to sex education, Rainbow was more impressed by how fast the party pony’s climax was reached.

"God damn… that didn't take long. The humans in the movies took at least three different positions before they… did Fluttershy call it a Wonder Rush?"

Ignorant to the world around her, Pinkie was in heaven. It was like her worst cravings for dessert had wound up in her crotch and her hoof was the cupcake… or a cream pie. She'd learn that pun eventually in all likelihood.

"Wow," she giggled and kicked her hooves playfully as some lingering convulsions of her climb down began. "That was literally the best thing ever. Can I teach Cadance how to do this since her ears do the flickerie thingerie?"

That didn't have a single good idea tab in the mental file Rainbow quickly put away.

"First of all, Pinkie, that should probably be Shining's job. And more importantly, can you even afford to take time off to visit the Crystal Empire any time soon?"

Pinkie sat up, rubbing her thighs together and wondering what the pony flavored fructose on her hoof must taste like.

"Why would I do that? She should already be here by now. I figured it was a good idea to send her the invitation last night so she could help welcome back Benny and Cerb at the party."

Top Shelf was still running through the logistics of Cerb's request.

“I’m sure I can pull a few strings to make that work for you. Umm… okay, so I know I said no questions asked, but this sounds-”

“I know what it looks like,” Cerb answered abruptly. “What it looks like isn’t my concern, though. I also don’t know a better way of moving forward without risking everything.”

Top Shelf sighed, both happy for him and the others, yet sad to see how this was looking for her.

“Well, the fact you were able to recognize this is going to make a lot of us change our plans.”

Thunder Glide was taking all of this in stride.

“I get the feeling these prospects are a lot more common and widespread than any of us realize, and frankly, I’m not even surprised now.”

A lovely new voice joined the conversation.

“Justin certainly is full of surprises.”

The small group did a quick turn to see Cadance standing behind them with an orange unicorn stallion, wearing glasses and sporting a goatee, carrying Flurry Heart.

Top Shelf and Thunder quickly dropped to bow. That must have excited Flurry Heart or let her take the opening to bolt out towards Cerb.

“Big Dolly!”

The new unicorn jerked and tried to grab the foal.

“Flurry, wait!”

Wham! Flurry slammed into Cerb, full force, cooing and giggling madly. This pleasant surprise had Cerb smiling and nearly laughing in response.

“Candy, Flurry… new guy… When did you get here?”

The aforementioned new guy, trotted up, excited at the sight before him.

“Greetings, my name is Sunburst. I’m Flurry Heart’s cryslter. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Do you prefer Cerberus, Cerb, Justin, or something else? I understand there has been some issues with the names and titles you’ve been addressed with and I’d rather not start things off on the wrong hoof.”

Cradling Flurry Heart in one arm, he extended his free hand, finding this introduction refreshing.

“Any of those are fine. I just find Mr. Cerberus weird.”

Happily, Sunburst shook his hoof in Cerb’s hand.

“If any are fine, I’ll probably stick with Cerb since it’s the shortest and easiest to say, and Princess Cadance was right. There is a significantly noticeable difference in direct contact with you compared to other Equestrians.”

Cerb pulled back his hand, not sure how to take that assessment.

“Yeah… so I’ve heard. What are you both doing here? Is everything alright?”

Cadance stepped up, a mix of excitement and concern fighting each other for the right to express themselves.

“Celestia sent me a letter, filling me in on the events of your time in the Everfree Forest. She wrote that everypony was fine, but then I received an invitation from Pinkie for your Post War-Party Party. She also gave an extra letter telling me that both you, Benny, and Applejack all were injured.”

Top Shelf shuttered, thinking about the day prior.

“The entire town heard Applejack screaming, but… nopony is saying what happened.”

Cerb had to look away from the bar and turned his attention solely on Flurry Heart who had taken to either batting at his earlobes and booping his nose.

“Like I said. It’s not my place to say, and you’re better off not knowing. Trust me.”

Either an intentional act to change the subject or a fortunate observation that had to be verbalized, Sunburst asked a question as he pulled a tall bottle off the wall from behind the bar.

“Excuse me, but is this alcohol? Princess Cadance had told me about these drinks you all brought with you, but I didn’t know it was available to the public already.”

“It’s not,” Top Shelf answered as she pulled the bottle back behind the bar. “Mr. Husk, Cerb’s proper name just so you know, along with Sniff have been very generous to gift us with a few bottles here and there. They have been very appreciative of the quality of service we provide here… or a bribe for special favors. Favors for others, though. Seriously, Mr. Husk, there’s a lot more favors you could have asked for. I still owe you more than what you’ve already asked of me.”

Cerb chuckled as he set Flurry Heart down on the bar, letting her play with his hand, something she suddenly became interested in.

“Okay, how about you do me a favor and start a tab for the four us?”

Top Shelf pulled out a notepad, laughing and shaking her head.

“I’m not even going to argue with you to let these be on the house. You are impossible to do a favor for.”

Sunburst looked up to Cadance, very excited at the offer.

“Would that be alright? We still don’t know how much it takes to suffer the loss of motor function and other side effects.”

Top Shelf already knew what Cerb was going to order, given his request earlier before Cadance arrived.

“You should be fine. My drinks offer more flavor than impact. I didn’t really understand why Sniff first told me to use less alcohol than what he remembered using for mixed drinks. Not until Italian Stallion asked for more in his cocktail. I think he slept in his office that night.”

Cadance was about to sit when she caught a glimpse of worry flash on Cerb’s face before smiling for Flurry Heart.

“Could I have our drinks sent over to us at a table? I’d like a moment to catch up with Justin.”

Thunder gave a quick glance to Cerb, who gave her a nod. Sunburst gave a silent response of not trying to interfere and instead focused his attention on the drinks being made.

Behind the bar, and weary of the talks about to be had, Top Shelf could only imagine what there was for her to catch up with Cerb on. Given all the recent turn of events and the rumors that surrounded them, there was obviously plenty of bad news hidden behind the good. Bad news this bar mare thought better not to know.

“Of course, Princess. Take any seat in the dining room you would like. Would you also like a menu to look over?”

Cadance gave another look at Cerb, still trying to gauge his injuries.

“Are you hungry? If not, I can wait, but I’ll buy lunch if you're covering the drinks.”

Lunchtime wasn’t too far off, and Cerb remembered one thing that sounded good at the moment.

“How about two bread bowls with whatever soup of the day you have. You’ll love it, Candy. Unless you got something else in mind.”

Cadance smiled and started towards the dining room.

“You haven’t offered anything I’d turn down yet.”

Not being able to control himself, Cerb chuckled.

“Phrasing,” He hushed under his breath, loud enough only Flurry could hear it before confirming his order at the bar. “Just the two bread bowls, please.”

Over at the table, Cadance again carried that emotional mixed look about her.

"How bad were the injuries?” She asked, her voice drenched in remorse.

Cerb sat quietly for a moment, thinking what was the best way to answer this heavy question. After taking another look at Flurry Heart, wondering if it was even an appropriate topic to discuss in front of one so innocent, he settled on the condensed version of the most pressing highlights.

“Benny was attacked while at the Castle of The Two Sisters. If you know about the old stories of the Pony of Shadows, he's real... or was. From what Benny told us, he’s the one responsible for bringing us here, but we’ll probably never know because Benny is just as anti-magic as me and ended up killing him in the ambush. Luckily, Benny only suffered a cut down his arm. Although, I’m more worried about his mental state after having something horrific from his past brought to life in front of him.”

“Oh, my goodness.” Cadance was blown away by the rapid escalation of Cerb’s retelling of the events. “How bad is he?”

“He’s fine,” Cerb calmly answered. “I guess Pinkie is taking care of him. She’s got’em by the scruff of his neck, making him start taking care of his issues. I’m doing better on that front also, but I’m a little worse for wear after it all.”

As the pair spoke Top Shelf took louder steps than normal and cleared her throat as she approached, trying not to intrude.

“Your drinks. I also put your orders in for you and told the staff not to bother you for now. I can only guess that you would rather not be interrupted.”

Happy for the momentary distraction, Cerb took his drink and dropped some bits on the serving tray for the bar mare.

“I appreciate it. If you can, have the food delivered to the bar and ask Thunder Glide to bring it over. There’s probably not anything we're going to talk about she doesn’t already know.”

Top Shelf nodded and took her leave, allowing Cerb to continue.

“Our mission to get all the herbs and flowers was a success. Unfortunately, Zecora, if you know who she is, was attacked by Timberwolves doing something unrelated to our mission. By chance, she ran into Onyx Armor’s recon team. We can give you the full rundown later, but me, along with Fluttershy, and Rarity had to engage. My, uhh… weapons, were overpowering against their wooden bodies, and I mistakenly thought I was invulnerable, which led to me getting some cuts and gashes on my shoulder and side.”

Carefully shifting the arm he used to support Flurry Heart, he lifted the right side of his shirt to show the bandages.

“Four lacerations on the backside of my left shoulder, another four on my right side, a bunch of bruises all over my right shoulder, and I aggravated an old injury in my right leg that left me with a bit of limp. Fluttershy said it will heal, but these are nothing compared to what happened to Applejack.”

Cadance couldn’t even reach for her drink. Hearing how bad Cerb’s injuries were feeding the thoughts of how severe Applejack’s had to be. Just thinking about it the horrors still unseen left her heart sinking into her stomach.

“How bad?”

Cerb sighed and held Flurry Heart, childishly seeking a little extra comfort from her.

“Applejack came in with the rescue party. There were literally hundreds of Timberwolves and she charged in head first with everyone else. For some reason, she was the only one to get hurt and it was from, of all things, splinters. Huge long ones that pierced into her hooves. We had… I… had to cut them out. We couldn’t afford the time to take her to the hospital and hope they knew what to do. We barely had enough time to get her drunk enough that… I don’t even know if it was enough to help her in the end, considering how bad it got.”

Cadance was speechless, leaving Cerb to try and wrap things up.

“I won’t sugarcoat what happened to her. Cutting her open and digging out the splinters was torture, not just for her, for all of us there. She suffered a lot, but it’s likely she would have died had we not operated on her there. But, for some good news, she’s healing faster than I am. It’s likely she’ll be back on her feet… I mean, hooves, before I’m healed up enough to get my stitches out. Plus, she has Lumberman taking care of her, so she’s more than fine. At least for now, I think it’s safe to say the worst is over.”

There was a long silence, interrupted by brief moments of Flurry Heart’s random noises she’d mumble. Occasionally, Cadance sipping her cocktail, likely hoping the alcohol would steady her nerves, seemed to hint at another conversation starter, only to give into more silence.

Eventually, Cadance had to ask what was most pressing on her mind.

“How are you holding up? It sounds like you were forced back into combat with overwhelming odds. On top of that, not only were you injured, having to deal with Applejack’s unfortunate situation, has that… made things worse for you?”

“Thankfully, not really,” Cerb answered, still oddly calm. “You ponies are a tough breed. Otherwise, I’m, uhh… not as magic proof as we all thought. Something we’ll give you a better understanding of later on, but I think it’s what helped me open up to Fluttershy and Rarity in the first place, so I’m relying on them a lot. Getting… a lot closer to them as of late.”

A bit of a smile started to curl on Cadence's lips.

“That’s wonderful to hear, but… you also seem troubled by it.”

Before Cerb could offer a response, an unexpected female's voice spoke up from the bar.

“Cadance? What are you doing here?”

Twilight teleported into the hallway in front of Cerb's room, bringing her four porno familiar friends along with her, and immediately started to pound on the door.

"Justin! Are you in there?"

Not as concerned as the princess, Rainbow hovered over Twilight's shoulder.

"Yeah, real calm there, Twilight. Why not just ask where his dick is while you're at it."

Comparatively, Rarity was far less patient than Twilight.

“If Cadance thinks she’s going to step in and take Justin away from Fluttershy and me… She better hope he’s only using her as practice or we might need the Elements to make sure Becky’s hands are working properly for all the stitches our Princess of Love is going to need.”

With a strong burst of magic, she forced open the door and darted inside with Fluttershy close behind, just as worked up.

“Justin! Are you in here?” Fluttershy called out. “We need to talk to you! Are you in the bathroom?!”

Pinkie bounced inside the bedroom with Twilight and Rainbow close behind.

“If human stallions really do like sharing special someponies like they do in the movie, do you think Cerb would practice with me?”

“Hey!” Rainbow shouted angrily. “You had your chance with Benny. Don’t be a bitch and try to steal Justin from them.”

Twilight groaned as she walked into the room, a familiar sweet scent drifting in from Cerb’s bed. The sweet scent only added more insult to injury as a reminder of how clueless she was until today.

“Pinkie, you need to calm down and get your vagina under control. And don’t be stupid. If anypony besides Fluttershy and Rarity has a shot, it’s Rainbow Dash.”

Rarity stopped digging through a closet and Fluttershy poked her head out from the bathroom, both shooting death glares. Their combined efforts were enough to strike fear into the heart of Rainbow.

“Twilight! What the fuck? I already had to fight Starlight over this shit and you’re going to put two more targets on my back?”

“Awwweee,” Pinkie painfully whined, hearing how slim her chances were. “But I want to feel a Wonder Rush from somehuman. Oh! Since you and Oven Fresh don’t mind sharing Sniffy, maybe I could-”

Before any pony knew what was happening, the temperature in the room dropped to a freezing temperature. As the air chilled to a crisp, an unnatural darkness swept over them, dimming the light until it grew so faint the sunlight no longer shined through the window.

In the darkness, noises that sounded like crystals forming or ice cracking silenced the mares before the light returned. Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow searched the room for the source of the disturbance. What they found was Twilight huffing steam from her nostrils next to Pinkie frozen in place, encapsulated from the muzzle down in a jagged formation of ice.

“Pinkie… for the last time… Chill. The Fuck. Out.”

Finally realizing she had taken things too far, Pinkie panically squeaked, “I’m chill. Super chill. More than chill. Freezing. Chiller than an ice cube. And might I add that I think you and Peter make for a great couple. Did I tell you that yet, Twilight? I’m really happy for you.”

Rainbow floated down and wrapped herself in her wings to stay warm.

“Just to be clear, I only said Peter was nice and Justin was attractive. And by that, I mean you all have good taste in humans. I’m not trying to fuck either of them.”

Realizing just how out of hoof things were becoming, Twilight started to pace back and forth, though made no attempt to melt the miniature glacier she’d conjured up.

"Okay, so if they're not here, we should split up and search the castle. Rainbow Dash, you search the other bedrooms. Fluttershy you check the roof and around the castle’s exterior. Rarity, you take the ground floor. I'll check the other rooms."

Desperate to redeem herself and be freed from her icy prison, Pinkie gave her best suggestion.

"Maybe they went out to eat? It is lunchtime after all."

The four unfrozen mares looked at each other, all of them thinking out loud the same thing.

"Grapes and Olives."

"Woo!" Pinkie celebrated her good call from her frozen bindings. "Yeah! Let's go!"

Despite sympathizing with the reactions from the others, Rainbow gave Twilight a regretful stare.

"Alright, if even I'm cold, she has to be chill by now. Let her out and let's go or she's going to get out on her own eventually. And with only four of us and five guys running around… you do the math."

Pinkie wasn't big on pride or shame when it came to getting out of trouble. If not, the damage these four could do wasn’t worth aggravating again.

"Plus, all my fun parts are numb. I couldn't do anything that I totally wouldn't do, even if I wanted to, because I don't."

Finally calming down herself, Twilight could see that she was overreacting again.

"Ugh, l'll let you out Pinkie. Just stop asking for sex so much. This is new to all of us, and Cerb is sensitive to these kinds of things. Even Peter, for all the sex he had back in his world, it took a lot for him to even consider dating Oven Fresh or me. Cerb isn’t even ready to date let alone much of anything else."

Still uneasy around her frigid friend, Rainbow kept her distance but knew she had to help keep Pinkie from doing something stupid.

"You also can't go by what the movie showed happening. Humans aren't really like that. If you haven't noticed, those humans were pretty dumb. All of our humans are actually really smart. That and they’re not infect with the Lust Fuck Virus… unless."

"No" Twilight quickly shot down whatever Rainbow was going to suggest. "We're working with too many theories as it is. Plus, the virus is both transmitted and cured by sex. So already that idea doesn't make any sense."

That may have been true, and Rainbow meant it more as a joke, although…

"I know the movie is all some fantasy for them, but aren't you all going a little colt crazy?"

Oh? Rainbow Dash wanted to play that game? Rarity could play that game too.

"You know, Rainbow.” She seductively spoke as she strutted her way over to Rainbow’s side. “Justin does have a lot of admiration for you after all the fighting you did alongside us in the Everfree Forest."

Cue Rainbow Dash's ego to fall right into the trap.

"Well, how could he not? Didn't you see-"

Seeing her friend taking the bait, Rarity cut her off to trigger the snare.

"And after all the dedication you've shown for Becky, someone he cares so much for to even risk his safety over, you should know that hasn't gone unnoticed. Not only that, aside from Nurse Redheart, he trusts you enough to see him unclothed."

The setup might have taken a moment to be made clear, but It finally hit Rainbow hard enough to make her back peddle.

"Woah-Woah-Woah! I'm not trying to-"

"But Rainbow?" Rarity sweetly asked, sauntering up to her prey with all the pho-apathy she could show. "After everything you said about what you found attractive about him, and how so many of those lustful acts you watched with us and said you might want to try-"

"Okay!" Rainbow Dash shouted, flustered, and turning red in the face. "I'm including myself in this colt crazy theory! I… want to find somepony for me, too. And had I been able to get as close to either Justin or Peter I'd probably be just as colt crazy as all of you."

She turned away sharply, both embarrassed and a little angry. "And don't tease me like that. I didn't tell you what I was thinking earlier so you could flaunt it in my face."

Not willing to give Dash any ground, Rarity continued to be just as passively confrontational.

"And we were not so forthcoming with how we felt so you could share your interests and pretend as if we were some special case of colt crazy mares."

Fluttershy rushed in to put herself between the two, hoping to prevent whatever fight was about to break out.

"Now that's enough, you two. What we're all feeling is natural. Even Becky said so. There's nothing wrong with expressing how we feel. We just need to be a little more respectful in what we say."

While Rarity and Rainbow returned to a more neutral stance, Pinkie, finally being free, shook the remaining ice and water from her fur.

"I'm sorry everypony, I got a little carried away. So, how about you all go find Cerb. I need to finish getting ready for the party and put Benny's movie back where I found it. I don't think he wanted me to share it… or find it… probably didn't want me to watch it either. Besides, Benny is my responsibility, so I need to make sure this party is everything a Post-War-Party Party needs to be."

Twilight teleported into the entryway of the restaurant with the remaining three others. No sooner flash cleared, she was promptly greeted by Italian Stallion himself.

"Princess, Twilight. Oh? I can only guess why you're here. Your friends requested some privacy, but I will show you where they are."

Despite the warm reception, something about that didn't sit right with any of them, but they played along as if nothing were out of the ordinary.

They were led past the bar, not even noticing Thunder Glide and Sunburst, who were too deep in conversation with Top Shelf to notice them from afar.

However, once at the entry to the dining room, they were met with a sight they weren't expecting.

Back in the corner of the room, on one side of a table sat Shining and Cadance, sharing a bread bowl. On the other side was Becky and Cerb, also sharing a bread bowl, though with Flurry Heart in attendance.

It was hard not to feel foolish at that point, but at least Twilight wasn't going to waste the moment to welcome her extended family back to Ponyville.

"Cadance, Flurry Heart. We were looking for you. Pinkie didn't tell us you were coming until this afternoon. How was your trip?"

The table was surprised to see Twilight and the others show up, but Cadance was actually happy to see them.

"Twilight, so good to see you again so soon. Although, I would’ve preferred it was under better circumstances."

Twilight pulled up a chair and joined the group, happy to talk about anything other than what led her there.

"Unfortunately, I have to take responsibility for this. Even if most of the injuries were only some bumps and bruises-"

"It's alright, Twilight," Cadance said, holding back Twilight from the long explanation. "Justin gave me a brief explanation of what transpired out there. You and Shining can give me the rest of the details later. I imagine there is much to discuss. More than what Becky and Shining have already added."

Unaware of the scare his sister had just gotten over, Shining finished up another bite of their bread bowl.

"That reminds me. I still owe Sniff those bits, but you should bring him down to visit us sometime, Twi. This bread bowl idea of his only proves what good tastes he has."

While it wasn’t likely Shining meant to imply any double entendre with that statement, the thought of what his poor phrasing meant…

“Phrasing?” Twilight thought to herself. “Son of a bitch. Is that another stupid sex joke for them? Although, that would make sense why Cerb used that word as a joke while Pinkie was getting a massage from Benny. Saying he was knuckles deep in Ballon Butt was phrased in such a way to sound like… yeah, that’s definitely the joke.”

Well, forget feeling embarrassed. Now knowing why that word kept getting dropped at odd times only made Twilight feel even dumber.

"I'm sure we'll be making our rounds eventually. But how did you all end up here?"

Cadence dabbed her lips clean, leaving the rest of the meal for Shining to finish off.

"After I received Pinkie's invitation, I asked Sunburst to join me so he could watch over Flurry Heart as well as see what extra help he might be able to provide in preparation for Becky's departure. But the guards informed me once we arrived at the castle that none of you were available. They were told this is where Thunder Glide would be escorting Justin, and I wanted to check up on him, given the news I received in the invitation. Plus, little Flurry Heart has been chattier than usual, asking for Dolly and Big Dolly."

As if to prove her point, they saw Becky unable to hold back another giggle as she cleaned Flurry's face for the umpteenth time.

"Me and Shining showed up because things took longer at the hospital than I thought and we got hungry. Then this little cutie nearly knocked me down as soon as she saw me. What brought you all out here?”

Twilight looked over to Cadance and Shining holding hooves on the table. Something about their embrace seemed to dispel any concern either had any intention of being unfaithful to each other, finally granting Twilight her relief.

“Like I said, we weren’t aware of Cadance coming out here again and wanted to find her. When we came back to the castle and didn’t find Justin there, we also wanted to make sure he was still being looked after. But now that you’re here, there’s so much we need to catch you up on. “

Shining munched down on another big bite, finishing off the bread bowl.

“Cadance only got the basics of what happened. I think we should finish bringing her up to date back in your study. We have time now, and since Rainbow Dash is here, she can escort Becky back, though she’s a little tired and might need some more time to rest before walking back.”

Rainbow perked up excitedly in her seat.

“Oh, I got that taken care of. If Becky doesn’t mind waiting foooooor another fifteen or twenty minutes, I’ve got a surprise for her.”

Becky was cradling Flurry in her arms, the lunch she helped feed the foal giving her a severe case of the itis.

“I can wait. Once she passes out for a nap, Sunburst can take her again and I’ll be free. If Cadance and Shining don’t mind us watching over her until we’re done here.”

Cadance gave a subtle bow.

“I see no problem with letting you two get more familiar with Flurry Heart. I just need to pay our tab before we head back to Twilight’s.”

With that, Cadance, Shining, and Twilight excused themselves from the table, with Twilight giving one last comment to Fluttershy and Rarity.

“I’ll let them know about everything that we’ve learned as of late. Hopefully, this will help calm a lot of our concerns. If I need your input for anything before the party tonight, I’ll let you know.”

“Of course,” Rarity said, knowing full well this update Cadance and Shining would be receiving included the sexual discoveries Twilight made that morning. “Fluttershy and I still have some tasks to take care of before the party, so we might end up meeting you in time for you know what, but we can still catch up on everything there.”

Looking to be considerate, Becky spoke up, keeping her eyes on Flurry Heart the whole time.

"If you got stuff to do, take Cerb with you now. Just leave Sunburst and Thunder Glide with me until Rainbow gets back."

The three had departed for their first stop at Fluttershy's place, prompting a response appropriate from Cerb.

"You live in a tree?" He asked. "Man, this place is weird."

Fluttershy giggled, knowing how even for ponies it was uncommon.

"It's a lot nicer inside."

As soon as Fluttershy opened the door, animals and birds of all types rushed towards their caretaker, only to run and hide just as fast at the sight of Cerb. Upon seeing their response, feeling like he was intruding, he couldn’t help but see how his presence was going to be an issue.

“I feel like they already know what my diet used to be. Is it going to be a problem if I stay here?”

“Nonsense,” Fluttershy encouraged him. “They might need some time to get to know you, but you’ll be fine.”

Seeing how unafraid Fluttershy was, some of the critters started to peak out again, though it was clear they were still on edge. Then, emerging from behind the couch, a large mass of dark brown fur started to rise.

Cerb, not being properly warned, or armed, couldn’t stop the feeling that maybe this is where he would die, even if he could logic together what, or who he was looking at.

“Harry isn’t violent or hungry is he? That is Harry, right? Having a bear in your house is normal and I’m not going to die, right?”

Fluttershy looked back at Cerb as if the question was rhetorical and he should have known the answer.

“Harry? Oh, no. He’s just a big ole teddy bear. Come on out Harry, I’d like you all to meet Justin. My friend, I was telling you all about.”

Harry cocked his head to the side, remembering some of the brief, if not confusing, conversations Fluttershy had over the last two weeks. If he was a friend, then he couldn’t be too dangerous.

Cerb held his ground, but if this grizzly could smell fear, he should have been pinching his nose on his approach.

Fluttershy stood between the two oblivious to Cerb’s fear, happy to introduce them.

“Harry, I’d like you to meet Justin. Justin, this is Harry. Can you both shake paws? I mean, paws and hands?”

Cerb held out his hand, cautious and questioning his sanity, while Harry seemed to be just as apprehensive.

They shook, paw to hand, and fear seemed to pass by with that. Nothing special happened. No flashing lights or sparks of magic. Not even any static shock. The only change was some of the other critters slowly emerging from their hiding spots. Most continued to keep their distance, but a few of the raccoons and various birds were curious enough to greet the new friend.

All the while, Fluttershy was still a little surprised.

“That’s strange, they’ve never been this skittish around new visitors. Not even Spike had them this nervous.”

Harry nudged Fluttershy’s side, grunting and growling something of concern.

“He smells like a predator?” She repeated the bear’s statement. “Is that why you’re all so nervous? Okay, well that’s understandable, but none of you have to worry. Justin promised he wouldn’t hurt any creature. You’re all safe. I promise.”

The last of the brave ones to make their way out was Angel. He bounced his way over and sniffed around Cerb’s ankles. After a few good whiffs, he sat back and shook his head in disapproval, then squeaked something, sounding rather offended.

Fluttershy quickly grew cross with the rabbit and glared down at him.

“Don’t be jealous or rude. You’re just hungry, but I’m sorry for being gone for so long. I’ll get you all something to eat.”

With a little help from Rarity and Cerb, the food was dispersed and a lot of them were let outside for some fresh air, though mostly for some much-needed privacy and an uncomfortable conversation.

While Fluttershy and Rarity finished cleaning up, Cerb had been sitting on the couch waiting patiently for whatever else was left to do. However, when the two sat next to him, he noticed the unusual distance both kept, he knew something was wrong.

“So… I’m guessing there’s something we need to talk about?”

Rarity looked to see the distance between them and realized how unprepared for this the two of them properly were if they couldn’t even sit without making him uncomfortable.

“We’re sorry, Justin, and it’s not anything terrible we need to discuss with you. More of an observation we noticed that has us concerned about your well being.”

Fluttershy laid a hoof on Cerb’s leg to try and keep him calm.

“It’s nothing bad you're doing, we’re just worried about you doing anything that might make you uncomfortable.”

It was amazing how fast Cerb could think he had something figured out with these two only for him to have the script flipped on him. However, given all that’s been happening, there wasn’t much it could have been other than the obvious.

“I’m guessing this is about last night and this morning? If I’m getting too familiar with you both or if I need to start wearing clothes again, or the kissing is too much, I can stop. And I’m sorry if I crossed the line-”

“No-No. Not at all, Justin,” Rarity answered a bit later than she wanted to. “This is largely our fault. We… we haven’t been very good at holding back showing you how much we both really care about you.”

Fluttershy kept her hoof on Cerb’s leg but could tell that he could feel her nervousness.

“I’m sure you know that we both would like to be more than friends with you, but we’re worried that you might be forcing yourself to please us by offering more of yourself because you're afraid of us leaving you if you don’t show us more affection, but that’s not the case at all.”

Rarity moved a little closer, but only close enough to rest a hoof on Cerb’s forearm.

“We never intended to have things move as fast for how close we’ve become. There were so many problems making life difficult for you here that we only wanted to help you settle in and not be so worried all the time… but then your nightmares had us sleeping together, and everything in the Everfree...”

This was quickly sounding a lot more like a rejection than Fluttershy wanted it to be. What she wanted was the complete opposite, but it wasn’t coming out right, so she took his hand in her hooves. Anything to help reassure him they weren’t trying to put more distance between them.

“We both would like to be with you, but we want whatever affection you have for us to be shared willingly and not because of the fear of losing us. No matter what happens, we’re always going to care about you and help you any way we can. And after this morning, we wanted to let you know that you don’t have to be afraid. We want you to express how you feel about us naturally and at your own pace.”

Poor Cerb had been thrown from one loop to another and couldn’t tell what they wanted anymore.

“Girls, I’m sorry about the bad communication and mixed messages we must have been giving each other, but you got this all backwards. I haven’t been more open and affectionate with you both because I was afraid you’d leave me if I didn’t.”

Rarity felt her heart begin to race and her hope to reach a new level of possibilities.

“It’s not? So… you-”

Cerb didn’t want either of them to start a new line of conversation he’d have to correct and decided to lay it all out on the table.

“I wasn’t afraid of bribing you with getting naked around you, or the massages and kisses. I started doing that because I was tired of being afraid of allowing myself to do all of that with you both. The only time I ever started to feel better or get over my issues is when I was close to you. Both of you. And… yes, some of the things I've been doing since we got back were things I thought would make you happy, but they were things I wanted, too."

Rarity could see all the signs changing to what she had been hoping for, inspiring her to ask the burning question, "How do you really feel about us? If even only while you're here with us, would you want to be more than just friends? Could we hope for something more?"

There was the question. Now all Cerb had to do was answer.

"When I first got here, I never would have considered it. But after everything we've been through and all you've both done for me… I don't want to let this opportunity for me to be happy again go."

Was Cerb really about to cross that line? Was he so desperate to feel normal again that he'd be willing to love someone not human?

“The only thing I really am afraid of, if I was to lose either of you… I don’t want either of you to feel like… I know you’re both trying-”

“Justin.”

Fluttershy finally moved close enough to cuddle up against his side. “I think we both know what you’re afraid of, and we understand why you would think if you chose one of us over the other, how that would change things for the worse… but we’re willing to try something if you’re willing to hear us out. The last thing we want to do is pressure you, but we don’t want to lose you either.”

Walking down the hall and finally having some privacy, Cadance was curious to what else had to be discussed.

"So… how bad was the rest of the information you had to tell me? What Justin touched on was already terrible."

There was so much to cover than just what happened in the Everfree Forest and the Castle of the Two Sisters. How could she tell Cadance what her twitching ears meant without suggesting there was doubt to the sanctity of the vows Shining and Cadance took?

"There's a lot. I'm not even sure how to start."

Twilight was about to give a simple outline of The Pony of Shadows, but there was something in the air that distracted her. She couldn't ignore that scent. Maybe she needed help on how to handle this, and the topic of sex could wait.

"I… started dating Peter."

That was one way to avoid the topic of her brother and sister-in-law lusting after their new human friends if that were even the case.

Naturally being the Princess of Love, Cadance glowed with pride and joy to see Twilight found a stallion of her own… or human. Whatever.

“Twilight, that’s wonderful news!”

Shining grinned and nudged Twilight’s side.

“Look at you, sis. Getting the Princess of Love herself excited for you. But, uh… you gonna tell her about… you know?”

Twilight sighed heavily, this moment of elation only making what she had to do worse.

“I think I'll wait until the party, so she can actually meet Peter first. And, I know I said there was a lot I had to fill you in on, but you and Shining I’m sure would like to spend some time together, and my brain needs a break. Shining? Could you tell Cadance everything else we discussed this morning? I need to talk to Peter for a while.”

Loving the proposal, Cadance nuzzled very flirtatiously up against Shining with a noticeable ear twitch.

“Oh, I would love to have Shining all to myself for a while.”

That gave Twilight even more reason to think her fears were misplaced. Maybe she would speak to her about sex in general at a later time. If she was right about this, perhaps they could even compare notes and work out some other theories she had started on. Though for now...it’d probably be wise to leave them to their own devices.

“I’ll leave you two alone to have fun catching up.”

Sniff was laying on his bed, trying not to think about sex and focusing on the audio playing through his headphones.

“Sorry! I don't want to get any blood on it! I’ll grab it later!”

The sounds of hooves clopping on the stone floor went on for nearly a minute, though it was heavily muffled by the sounds of the phone rubbing up against Luna and the breastplate she wore.

“Staff Sergeant Thunder Glide! I require your assistance!”

“Staff Sergeant Thunder Glide, reporting, Princess. What do you-”

An emergency that requires no interruption has come up. Gather the rest of the Solar Guard and lock down the castle. No matter what you hear, do not allow any to enter, and do not approach us unless called for directly. Understood?”

Understood, Princess! We should take no more than two minutes to ensure no entry is permitted.

The sound of what had to be fluttering wings rose and faded quickly.

What were you thinking? Allowing this expedition so deep into the Everfree Forest? Leaving Twilight in charge-” ”Twilight is in charge! Or have you forgotten how you abandoned her with this responsibility? And I’ll have you know that Cerberus and Benny have shown themselves more than capable-”

”They do not belong here! Let alone in the Everfree Forest. Even if they are guests and have free roam of the kingdom, they should have not been allowed to venture into such a dangerous place. And to take all the others with them? The only relief I have from all of this is at least Twilight had enough sense in her head to send the others back before engaging in the fight against the Timberwolves. But even in doing the right thing to rescue Cerberus and the others, what has happened to Applejack is proof this was a fool's errand.”

”Becky is sick and if she is not treated, her health and life are our responsibilities. What other options do we have to assist them if magic is not an option for her? Would you prefer another use of the Elements with even more ponies to risk another case of Magic Exhaustion? At the very least you should own up to your own reckless behavior. And while there may have been a few injured on this endeavor, the list of casualties are less than what you participated in.” [/color[

”This is nothing like the incident with Spearhead’s incompetence! The human’s lives are just as valid and priceless as any of our own, but Applejack is a dear friend to all of us and essential to protecting Equestria. Now, look at her! Bleeding and screaming in pain! And for what?! We don’t even know if this experiment of a cure will even work. And even if the flower only could have been gathered by Fluttershy, we could have found another way without risking so many lives.”

”Applejack and the others risked their lives for one in need because that is what they do. What we all do! And you say they are all equal in value, yet you hide yourself away and act as if the events that take place here are of no concern, and you still speak nothing of your hidden resentment towards them.” [/color[

”It is not resentment. Neither is it fear, or disgust, or any of the other accusations you have tried to paint me with. You do not understand, and I need you all to trust me on this.”

”You are impossible, sister. Confide in me. Confide in Twilight for Tartarus’s sake! You have left her to flounder on this task and the only proper guidance she has received has been from them! This is not the time to be testing her.”

”Not every task is a test. I left them to her because I have faith in her.”

”This is not a matter of faith alone, sister. And how can you have faith in her abilities when you have no idea what she has been dealing with? You should have been more involved than simply asking for her letters. If you take no responsibility for what happens here with all the answers to the problems we have been helping them with but do not share them, then you are only part of the problem.”

”We're not doing this right now. I can't believe-"

The conversation was suddenly muffled again as the voices were hushed and the quickening pace of clops masked anything intelligible. This break didn't last long and the conversation didn’t pick up until the clops slowed down enough where Sniff could remember the two sisters returning to the horror show that was Applejack being operated on.

“I’m holding you entirely responsible for this, so let me do the big sister thing and fix another one of your mistakes.”

“I’ll take my mistakes with lives saved over your cell blocks in Tartarus of lives damaged.”

Finally having enough, Sniff pulled the headphones off and stopped the playback.

"Well that didn't offer me much… why the fuck would Celestia want to stay so distant from us, though? Maybe because of Kelly? Maybe she feels responsible for it? But she was so chill after that… am I missing something?"

A knock came at his door, followed by the concerned voice of his favorite princess.

"Peter? Are you in there?"

Sniff sat up, wondering why Twilight sounded so depressed. Whatever the reason, it couldn't be good. Also, better close the playback. He had enough issues to tackle as is.

From the hallway, Twilight heard some rustling and within moments the door opened with Sniff there to greet her.

"Hey, Twigs, you doing alright?"

Understandably, Twilight had much on her mind. So much she still needed to understand.

"Can I talk to you for a while about something?"

"Yeah, sure," Sniff answered, opening the door more and inviting her in.

Once inside the room and the door was closed, Twilight made herself comfortable on the bed. She laid in such a way it was clear she wanted him next to her, and of course, he joined her.

"What's going on? Did something happen?"

Twilight again felt that connection with Sniff she did the night he comforted her. Needing that support again, she moved herself on top of him to take in as much contact with him as she could.

"I should have been more trusting of you earlier on and been more honest. When we talked yesterday, you asked me in a roundabout way about ponies and sex… and I didn't really know what to tell you. I didn't know anything about it, but I should have asked you to tell me what you knew instead of thinking I could learn what I needed to know from reading or asking Oven Fresh after we all split up."

That sounded like Sniff was in trouble.

"Oh… what did she say?"

Twilight hugged herself around Sniff and breathed in his scent, taking in his warmth but could feel the discomfort he had with it. That wasn't what she wanted to give him. Certainly not what she wanted to feel from him while he held her.

"She told me what you've done together. How much she enjoyed it. How good you are with your hands."

Quietly, she knocked him on the head with her hoof. "And I know what those puns you were making in the kitchen meant. “Helping with her opening? Repaying her for taking care of you? That she’ll be coming as soon as you're done giving her a hand? You’re such an ass… but very clever."

Sniff would have been fearing for his life had Twilight not laughed a little after admitting what she knew.

"You're not mad are you?"

Twilight shifted to better nuzzle in with him.

"No. We weren't dating at the time, even though I wished we were. I also don't mind that you two have that kind of relationship. You both enjoy it and I guess those are the kinds of things you're used to when you were back on Earth. I wouldn't want to keep you from enjoying that… but I would like to know more about it."

"Me and Ovens?" Sniff asked, unsure where this conversation was going or even coming from.

Twilight took another deep breath, rich with clovers and sea salt invading her senses.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I feel bad that Oven Fresh felt like she had to tell me, and it wasn't even a question I asked her directly. I just wanted to understand why the other girls have these feelings and I don't. Or why they had such a big change in their lives after meeting all of you and wanted something that seems so amazing, but all I wanted was to be close to you."

Was Sniff understanding her correctly? What was she trying to tell him?

"Are you telling me that you… feel bad for not wanting to have sex with me when… who else is trying to hook up with who? Jesus Christ. Did Chris say or do something?"

"No," Twilight softly answered. "This didn't have anything to do with Chris. And who it was I was talking to doesn't matter. And they don't have what Oven Fresh or me have with you. They want it. They even want to share each other as well as the one they're chasing after."

"Rarity and Fluttershy are trying to get with Cerb," Sniff said knowingly. It wasn't even a question.

Given the silence that followed his bluntness, he figured that was the wrong way to go about making accusations about her friends.

"Sorry,” He flatly apologized. “I imagine they want to keep it a secret, but it's about as obvious as Lumberman and Applejack or Kelly with Big Mac. Certainly with the last two."

So much for Twilight trying to be vague.

"You knew?"

Sniff wrapped his arms around Twilight and started to work his hands over her back.

"None of them have told me anything, but I can see it. Rarity and Fluttershy care way too much and cling way too close for them to just want to be friends, but I didn't think they'd be into sharing. Lumberman, though… I wouldn't have guessed it when we first got here, not even after the dance. I figured him out after he told us he was an honorary Apple. That, and how he held her when she was getting the slivers removed."

Those memories of Applejack still hurt, but knowing that made Twilight feel a little better.

"Those two really do make a good couple. I'm happy for her."

Sniff continued working his hands over Twilight's back and added in some attention to her wings.

"Lumberman has wanted a family of his own for years. Ever since he got to move in with Cerb. Cerb's family took him in and straightened him up. So, if those two do get together, if they're not already, he'd probably marry her and adopt a kid just so he could live that dream. But Kelly… she… damn… I don't think she has ever been with a decent guy her whole life until she met Big Mac. Hell, he's probably the reason she wants to live here permanently."

That got Twilight interested in his observations, as well as his inaction because of it.

"If you know all this and they're all falling in love, why aren't any of you talking about it?"

That was a good question, but not one so easily explained.

"Just like me, they're probably afraid of what others will think of them. This isn't supposed to be normal or acceptable for people. And with the exception of Chris, that's what we all thought. We didn't even think any of you were interested in us or ever would be. We even joked about it, and no offense, but… there's so much that’s hard to explain from a world where these relationships would be laughed at because they'd be thought of as nothing more than a fantasy. At worst, criminal, and they’d be cast out from society."

Twilight hugged tightly around Sniff and her voice came out sounding a little hurt.

"Your world is so terrible and confusing. How can such a horrible place create such amazing humans like all of you? And how can you find it in yourself to be with somepony like me or Oven Fresh when your world tells you all not to?"

"Our world is horrible, yet amazing," Sniff went on to explain. "But we're also so messed up that I guess we overlooked everything that should have been wrong for us and decided to try and be happy again. But more than anything, humans need to be loved and have someone to love."

None of that helped Twilight understand anything any better, but also made sense in a way she couldn't refute. She wanted Sniff when she wasn't supposed to. She wanted him even if it meant sharing him. It was pointless to try and stay on this topic.

"Are you mad that I'm not ready with trying having sex with you or trying other things? I know there are things that can be done other than using your hands. Even some of the other things, I think would also be enjoyable, but I don't think I'm ready for something I don't fully understand."

Sniff held his face next to Twilight’s and did his best to comfort her.

"I'm not mad at all, and I don’t want you to think you have to do something if you're not comfortable with it or didn’t want it. I'm okay with taking care of myself in the meantime."

Twilight couldn't believe she was willing to make her next suggestion, but her compassion and desire for his well-being compelled her.

"Ovens really wants to do more with you. Why not let her help you? If you're too big for normal sex, I'm sure she'd be willing to give you a blow job."

"Okay," Sniff spoke up, red flags proverbially waiving everywhere. "Who else have you talked to? I never told Ovens about that term, and I know none of you knew it before we got here."

And now she was busted. Might as well fess up to it.

"I found a way to restore power to Benny's house. Me and some of the girls met up with Pinkie there. We thought Benny was telling the truth about the movie he took away really being a biology documentary. And you said it showed a bunch of girls insides gushing out. You were right, but that movie couldn't be used to further our medical research like I thought it would. We were going to give Benny a huge payout if it would have given us a better understanding of how your bodies work and how to heal them, not fuck them. But… can you talk to me more about this? I want to better understand sex. I think the movie only confused me more."

For the first time, Sniff felt something he was hoping to achieve. He cared about Twilight, and while part of him wanted to reach down and show her what a loving relationship could offer, he was more interested in helping her without making it physical.

“If you watched a porno, it would confuse you. Anything they do sexually are things that can be and are done often, but the setup and dynamics are fucking stupid. They also grossly over exaggerate how good everything they do is. Real relationships don’t work or develop like they do in porn. But if I’m going to explain what relationships can really be like, you have to be honest with me on anything I ask. I don’t know what you know or don’t know, or what you even want. So, I’ll be honest with you about everything I want and don’t want and answer anything you ask as best as I can. Nothing’s off-limits.”

Finally, the tension Twilight felt around her chest released and the opportunity for real dialog could begin.

“Do you really find us attractive?”

The first question was a doozy, but one he would have to be honest about.

“Not at first, but it was more of a mental thing where I was looking at all of you as… and I’m sorry for saying this, but you should know that this is how our world works. I saw you as talking animals. But that changed after you and I first started having real conversations and you let me take Spike around to mentor him. Him having some of the same issues I did growing up made me change the way I thought this world worked. Then the night Cerb had his nightmare and Luna came down on you… That night I started to see that you’re a better version of what we consider to be human.”

While saying this in simple terms with a heavy dose of flattery in his language was easy, the real root of those feelings need to be more explicitly explained.

“Animals don’t care about expectations or have values. Everything is instinct and a response for physical needs. You care about us and your values on what’s really important to you are more honest and valid than anything a horse from my world could have… You’re better than most humans. Certainly better than me.”

Twilight shifted slightly, trying to apply the logic of the world Sniff was coming from.

“I can’t stop thinking about the horses we saw in the first movie we all watched together. I’m pretty sure I was still looking at them like they were fake, much like the movie itself was. They’re nothing like us. Almost as different as the monkey’s or Rafiki were in the Lion King movie from how you all look."

It was a harsh comparison to take, but coming from Sniff's perspective, she could understand his hesitation better.

"There were similarities, but comparing the horses from your world to us, they looked emotionless. Their eyes were empty. Even the least intelligent animals and monsters of our world have so much more expression or some ability to understand the world around them. So, I can understand why you felt that way. And if it helps, I could say that you looking at us as potential lovers was as strange of a concept to you as the idea as sex being for anything other than procreation was for us."

With that hurdle out of the way, she could move on to the new issue she was facing.

"Although, while you've already accepted us, I'm still apprehensive about anything sexual with you, which makes me feel terrible. You understand us, but I don’t understand how sex is supposed to work socially or emotionally… I feel like I don’t know how to be an equal partner in this relationship and I’m letting you down.”

Sniffed kept his hands high on Twilight, now knowing her sensitivities towards anything physically intimate.

“Do you want to understand it better so you can experiment with it, or do you want to have sex with me, but feel like you shouldn’t because you don’t understand it?”

Twilight nuzzled her muzzle in the crook of Sniff’s neck.

“I’m not sure. Some of the girls, like Rarity and Fluttershy, want sex so badly, but they care more about Justin than allowing themselves to pursue just the physical side of a relationship. And even Oven Fresh wanted a more traditional relationship with you, but after your first, well, second night with her, she’s so excited to share that with you. She loves seeing that different side of you that comes out when you do all those things with her.”

“Are you jealous or holding it against her that we have that?” Sniff carefully asked.

“No,” Twilight softly answered. “But I feel like it’s something I’m missing out on. It is something I would like to experience, and I’d love to see and feel how much you could enjoy it with me, but I don’t feel it and don’t want to force it. I mean, honestly, where do those feelings come from and why don’t I have them? How can I feel the way I do about you but not want what everypony else and even you, want?”

Sniff ran his fingers through Twilight’s mane and down her neck.

“There’s a lot that plays into attraction, sexual preferences, and what causes, or when we get aroused. Not everyone, male or female, wants the same thing the same way, or even at the same time. There’s nothing wrong with you not wanting it right now. If all you want is to be close and keep that emotional connection with me, I won’t push for anything more than that. That’s actually one of the things I really like about you and how we click together.”

That was comforting, but also left an insecurity exposed for Twilight. One that she was still worried would be a problem if she didn’t know where he stood with it.

“Do you want to have sex with me?”

Already expecting such a question, Sniff had to take a moment to reflect on that.

“I’ll admit, even I’m a little confused about that. When I took Oven Fresh out to Grapes and Olives, I was very uncomfortable with the idea of having sex. But after talking with her and… I guess I got so drawn in, just like I did with you, that I stopped looking at her like a pony and perceived her to be just as human as me. Then that fucking skirt she wore. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of it and seeing what was under it, I felt myself wanting it. Even though I didn’t want to allow myself to, eventually, I realized I wanted to have that kind of relationship again more than I wanted to hold onto the idea of what I was doing was wrong.”

It was a little sad the more Sniff thought about how all his concerns about talking with them seemed to have been in vain. Always dancing around the topic like some moral superiority complex he and his friends held now felt insulting to the mental capacity of Twilight and her friends. Of all ponies, really.

“So… even with you, just hearing how unsure you are about wanting to try anything, I can’t help but want to convince you to let me show you what it’s like so you’re not afraid or unsure about wanting it. But that has to be your decision. So, I’ll tell you this. When you want it, if you want it, and you’re afraid to ask if we can, just tell me what you want and I’ll do what I can with your request. And if you can’t muster the courage to say it out loud, I’ll give you a pass and say right now that you can just start doing it and I’ll follow your lead. Normally, that’s a bad idea to leave such an open avenue for sexual acts without confirming consent or having good communication before and during, but I’ll leave this open for you. I trust you that much.”

No pressure? No restrictions? A level of trust that even went against Sniff’s own acknowledgment of what should be allowed? Twilight was loving him more and more by the second.

“In the movie, they called wanting to have sex, being horny. Are you horny right now?”

If that was Twilight’s way of asking for consent, that was both cute and oddly arousing in and of itself.

“After the day I had… yes. Is there something you would like to try in particular?”

Twilight sat up just above Sniff’s lap and looked down at him with a bashful smile.

“I want to have a better understanding of how the sexual side of a relationship looks, and given how different our relationship already is, how different all these relationships between humans and ponies are turning out to be… can we go visit Oven Fresh so I can see how you two do it?”

So... Pinkie both got what she wanted... but at a price she didn't know she would have to pay. At least judging by how well Benny is getting along with Tavi and Vinyl. Although... that smile, though.

Then more of course, more Apple Hat and Lumberman... with a dash of some unwanted Hard Hat which brought about a side of him he didn't want to revisit. However, better understanding his past will hopefully help usher in a better future... and maybe another bath.

Then... yeah... Luan... Sorry if I made that transparent a good 30 and 20 chapters ago. Although, not sure how many of you would have expected Luna to be so clever in her means to make that shit work.

Although... it's nice to see Kelly is doing her best to try and be a good girl when she so badly wants to be the bad girl. Gotta see how this is gonna work out when Mig Mac wakes up.

And Hooooooooooe-leeeeeeeeeeee shit... The power of porn and poor, poor, Pinkie. Actually, that whole scene with all of them together. I had so much fun writing that out because I love pointing out just how stupid porn is when they try to put a story to it these days.

Case in point... Patient Zero and the Love Fuck Virus. However, everything Rainbow Dash explained is true. I didn't make that shit up.

Also, so many more bonus points for Rainbow Dash pointing out that her friends have been using the wrong pronouns to address them.

Oh! Twilight recognizing that scent and realizing that Starlight has been up to getting down with Chris... priceless. Which was almost as funny as Pinkie's cumfettie experience. And believe me, I so wanted it to be exactly that, but had to draw the line somewhere.

Que another complication of ear-twitchy Cadance showing up and the small group thinking some shenanigans were gonna go down.

Also, for any of you who wanted to see Sunburst... you're welcome.

Back at Twilight's castle, more hilarity ensues, although all of that did bring up some more interesting revelations about some pony's interests and the limits of others.

Back at Grapes and Olives, Twilight discovered what "Phrasing" means, which was fun. And yes, I totally stole that from Archer, if you haven't caught on.

Ohhhhhhhhhh! Another huge development! Cerb smells like a predator!

I mean, Flutters and Rarity finally asked the burning question and Cerb was all in. Enough with dragging that tension out for the poor mares.

Then, of course, For those who were worried about Cadance and Shining, fear not. Those two are still madly in love with each other. [spolier]Stay tuned for next chapter to check in with them.

Hey? Did any of you wonder what Sniff was up to with giving his phone to Luna during Applejack's hoof emergency operation, now you know? Also, kind of interesting to hear what the two sisters got to arguing about. Still leaving Celestia somewhere in the grey with what she was/is up to or what she has in mind.

But after all of that, I hope you enjoyed that softer moment between Twilight and Sniff. Finally opening up about what they knew, what they felt, and what they both wanted, it was refreshing and overall kind of cute.

Of course, being honest with the ugly truth of things can be hard to deal with, but thankfully these two can work through it.

However, sadly, you'll have to wait to see how Twilight's request for help will end up next week.

Sooooo! Like always, come back next week to see how much crazier things are going to get in Chapter 73.