Blueblooded Bluebell

by David Silver

First published 2nd of August, 2020

That Prince Blueblood treats mares terribly. Luna takes matters into her own hoof to teach him a lesson, but it is she that learns something instead.

That Prince Blueblood treats mares terribly. Luna takes matters into her own hoof to teach him a lesson, but it is she that learns something instead.

Tags: tg

1 - Course Correction

With the sound of wet mud, a mare landed face-first into a swampy circle. Blueblood had not assisted her across it. In fact, she felt increasingly certain as she rose up, mud running down across her fur and clothing, that he had put out a hoof to trip her. "Why, I never!" she shouted at the rude little prince. "What kind of prince are you?"

"The sort with things to do." He trotted past her as if she were not even worth the time to care about any further. He kept his ears erect and directed ahead despite her angry tirade behind him. She didn't chase him, and that was a little victory. "Little gold digger," he grunted under his voice. Another mare that saw an easy life and quick access to mountains of bits, if only they could get his attention. "I'm not for sale..."

A face withdrew around the corner, its dark-furred face creased in a small frown. "How rude," spoke Luna to herself, considering things. "Perhaps this is something I can assist with." She couldn't just arrest him. Poor attitude or not, he was royalty. Her sister would be quite cross with her if she started throwing them in jail or otherwise marching up on them in the hallways.

But she didn't need to ever see him, physically, to perhaps give him a taste of his own medicine. A wicked little smile spread as she trotted off. "This should be entertaining."

Finding his dream, later, wasn't that terribly difficult. It helped that he slumbered not far from her. She knew his face, his voice, and the way he walked. She knew him, at least on a surface level. She had not had many deep conversations with the prince, but the knowledge was enough to allow her to hop from bubble to bubble and land directly on the soapy surface that held his.

It was not dark or tense. There were no nightmares there. That was just as well. She might have felt bad, making any nightmare worse. That was the opposite of her usual job! Bad enough she planned to give him a dream to remember...

With a glowing horn, she seeped into the bubble, influencing it as she became part of it.

He awoke in his bed with a soft yawn and languid stretch as he threw his hooves off the side and rolled upright to the floor. He stepped slowly towards the waiting mirror to gaze upon his...

The brush he had been holding fell to the ground with a clatter, the fine bone piece making a sharp echo against the stone as Blueblood stared wide eyed at the reflection.

There, in the mirror, was a mare, looking back at him with equal shock.

Luna smiled from nowhere. She had no body at that moment, being the orchestrator of the dream and not taking a role. Her lack of a body allowed her to witness it all, as if she were everywhere at once. It was a curious sensation, helped that dream perceptions tended to focus sharply on the dreamer and not much further than that.

It was time for him to wail.

"It's..." Blueblood reached out a quivering hoof, touching themself through the mirror. "I'm pretty."

Luna blinked despite having no eyes.

"No more mares chasing after me." She turned in place with a giddy little giggle escaping her. She began to prance in place. "My voice is so high. I like it." She raised her snout high and began to sing. As a royal, she had taken lessons in doing it, but her pitch was so different as a mare. And she liked that too.

She turned suddenly and clopped a hoof to the ground. "I am Bluebelle!" she announced to the universe as if she could etch it into the very stone of reality if she said it loud and firmly enough. "I am perfect." Tears were escaping her and the dream began to dissolve. Emotions were running too high, and the bubble would pop soon. On some distant level, she knew it was a dream, and that was, somehow, the nightmare, not the dream Luna had created.

Luna was thrown clear as it ended. Blueblood had woken up, leaving her dizzy from the expulsion. "What was that?" She had misjudged his motivations. "This bears further investigation."

"He used to be such a nice little colt," reported an older maid. "Such a bright smile he had." She nodded mostly to herself. "That little fire seemed to dim over the years, a real shame too."

Luna inclined her head. "I see... Did anything cause that?" She lifted a hoof to tilt it. "Something at the start?"

"Well, no..." The older mare frowned with thought. "There was one time he asked Princess Celestia about something. I don't think he got what he was looking for. There was some shouting, and he never brought up whatever it was ever again." She lifted her shoulders. "I don't know what they were talking about."

"Thank you, for your time." Luna couldn't think of what else to ask, but it was still information. She felt closer to her goal. But could she ask her sister about that? Would she be seen as needlessly meddling?

She just had to be subtle! "Sister." She slid in alongside Celestia as she trotted down the hallway. "Have you a moment?"

"Luna? I thought you'd be asleep." Celestia swiveled an ear on her sister. "Not that it is bad to see you."

"I should be," admitted Luna. "Just a little question. A tiny thing. You know Blueblood, do you not?"

"A distant nephew," reported Celestia with a practiced smile. "What of him?"

"Did he ever ask for something you didn't want to give him?" That wasn't as subtle as she had desired, but she wasn't sure how else to phrase that. "In theory." Perfect.

Celestia arched a brow high. "Not for many years. He, thankfully, put that well behind himself. Why?"

Luna leaned in, curiosity building. "Good to hear he's grown past that. What was it?"

Celestia rolled her eyes. "He was sniffing after how Cadance became an alicorn. Don't think too ill of him, I know he can be a bit... conceited, and that is exactly why he would make a terrible alicorn, to speak nothing of the fact that alicorns are mares." She huffed and smiled. "I imagine he thought he could work around that somehow, become a proper Prince Blueblood."

Luna laughed, fake and hollow. "Oh yes, quite absurd. He set aside that goal?"

Celestia looped around in front of Luna, cutting her off. "I gave him quite the talking to. He only brought it up once, thankfully. Now, sister mine, I love you dearly, but I was on the way to the little filly's room."

Luna's cheeks darkened red. "Oh! Well, don't let me stand in your way." It was a fine excuse to end the conversation. She let Celestia go off to handle her business. She had a hint, a little hint.

There was really only one specific place she could go to.

Blueblood emerged from his room, ready to tackle the day. What he didn't expect was an exhausted-looking Princess Luna closing in on him.

"Blueblood, have you a moment?" asked Luna, yawning even as she spoke.

"Luna... you look quite tired."

Luna smiled at that. And they said he had no empathy. "I am, but I have enough energy for a little conversation. If you have the time?"

Blueblood stepped to the left, but Luna stepped with him. He tried to the right, but she kept in front of him. "Uh... it would seem I have little choice in the matter." He inclined an ear at her. "What's on your mind, Princess?"

Luna pointed past him, back into his room. "A private affair."

"Oh, certainly." He turned around and walked back inside. "I admit, you being here is a little... confusing."

Confusing enough to brush off some of that brusque attitude, Luna noticed. She stepped inside, her magic closing the door behind her. "Prince Blueblood, did you want to become a princess?" she asked with all the subtlety of a train.

Blueblood went as stiff as a board. "Who said that?!" he spat out in fiery denial.

"You asked Celestia once," reminded Luna. "Speak the truth. I will not judge you this day." Well, sure, she'd already been judging him quite a bit, though she was unsure of how all the pieces came together.

He turned to face her directly. "I don't care about being a princess."

"And yet..." she had to pause her statement for a thundering yawn. "You would have been... fine with being a mare?"

His face began to go dark. It suddenly clicked. "You saw it! You were snooping on my dreams!" He raised a hoof to his face. "You were only supposed to come in nightmares. That was private! Get out! Vile mare, you can't even let me have my privacy!"

"Be at peace," she hastily demanded, raising a hoof, flat towards him. "I would know more, not mock you."

"What is it you want from me?" He threw his head, mane flipping in the motion. "You're already royalty."

"That I am," she allowed. "Though I am unsure how that matters." She thrust a hoof at him. "Speak plainly."

He threw up a hoof with as much force as she had pointed. "So you can mock me? A prince does not tolerate that." He turned partially away, nose up.

"But a princess?" She stepped towards him, metal shoes tapping on the floor with her small steps.

"I am not one of those," he said a bit more quietly. He peeked over his shoulder to see the tired, but interested, Luna. She didn't seem to be throwing scorn at him. "You are a capable magic user, are you not?"

"Perhaps not as widely knowledgeable as Twilight Sparkle," admitted Luna. "But practiced, yes. Why?"

"Ugh." Twilight Sparkle... "That makes two." He turned towards Luna. "Can you turn a stallion into a mare?" His eyes darted to the left. "If you had to. As a punishment, perhaps?"

"That is a spell that exists..." she admitted. "But it is dreadfully..." She paused to let a yawn escape, shaking herself out. "complex and difficult."

His ears sagged. "Of course, it would be..."

"The most I could offer was a temporary thing." She inclined her head. "A few hours, a day on the outside?"

His expression brightened, hope emerging. "Would you?! I mean... that could be long enough to teach a criminal a lesson, perhaps?"

Luna smiled gently at the stallion that was about as subtle as she was. "That would not do what you're hoping for... but..." She tried in vain to fight the yawn within her. "Damn it all, I am... quite tired. Can we talk, more, later?" She inclined her head. "Perhaps if you could stay up a little, and speak as the sun sets? We have words to exchange, I feel."

"Oh, yes, of course." He reached up to straighten his clothing with fusses of a hoof. "Go on then. Sleep well, Aunt."

Luna's ears perked up. Of course, if he was Celestia's nephew, so too was he hers. "Have a good day, nephew." She started to turn and stopped. "I do have one small request?"

His brows fell and his body tensed. There was the time for a mare to make unreasonable demands. "What is it?"

"No making mares mad today." She finished her turn and began to walk out. "Just one day if you please."

"I can be polite!" he hotly refuted, but it didn't stop her from leaving. He willed the door closed behind her and let out a loud breath. With loud steps and quivering legs, he trotted up to the mirror in his room.

He could imagine that other version of himself, smiling at him, so happy and confident. Was Luna a potential way to reach it, or was she just another mare that would torture him? He reached out a hoof to rest on the glass, but Bluebelle wasn't there. Just Prince Blueblood, looking sad.

He scowled at the mopey prince. "This is not proper." He groomed himself back into condition and trotted out to meet the day. He had things to do!

Later that day, Celestia stepped into his room. He wasn't there, she knew that. She looked around suspiciously. "You did drop that... Hmm?" She pulled with her magic, casually turning some books around and lifting magazines, snooping about carefully.

There were no hints of anything but a prissy prince that kept on top of recent trends. And some romance novels? It was as shallow as her nephew had become. She turned and trotted out, shaking her head. "Not as bad as I had feared." Luna's words were reason for wondering.

A firm clopping knock awoke her. Luna sat up with a yawn and turned her eyes to her clock. It was about time to wake up, at least. "Who is it?" she called as she slipped from bed and got to rearranging herself.

"'Tis I, Auntie."

She raised an ear, confused a moment before it clicked. "Ah, Blueblood. One moment." She stepped into her shoes and finished getting at least reasonable presentable before approaching the door, her magic drawing it open. "Enter."

"Allow me to be perfectly blunt." He stepped inside, his magic closing the door. "If you mean to tease me, I won't have it." He turned up his snoot at her. "I am not here to be ridiculed."

"I am a guardian of dreams." She inclined her head at him. "I've seen stranger than yours, and speak naught of them. I did not summon you here to make jests. I could very well do that without you present." She pointed at hoof at him. "Now, do you wish to speak, or posture?"

"Prove it," he challenged. "Show me you can do it."

Luna let out a little huff. "A simple request. Very well, behold my magic." Her magic began to glow brightly from her horn as she wrapped it around him, enacting the spell she had refreshed herself on earlier in the day. "And be changed."

He lifted into the air, hooves flailing a bit, in worry perhaps? There was a burning silvery glow around him as his broad features slimmed. His little noises raised in pitch, then he... she, began to giggle. "Oh, you can do it!" she flicked her tail, held in the magic that was reshaping her. "Yes, this was the spell I was asking about. Now, how long--"

The magic suddenly flickered away. He hit the ground roughly, the magic gone, his form as he was born to. Luna had a hoof to her head, frowning and rubbing at a seeming headache. "What happened?" he demand as he scrambled to his hooves. "You can move the moon! This should be like foal's play!"

"The moon is my purpose," she hissed, pointing back at her rump. "This spell is not. It was even more complicated than I feared. You are lucky it did not go... poorly." She looked him over, but everything seemed to be in the right place, if one ignored that he was a he when the goal was a she. "Do you feel alright?"

"No," he spat out. He had meant for it to be a hot and fiery denial, but it was more of a sullen whisper.

Luna's magic wrapped around him, but it only drew him closer. She put a wing over him. "I apologize that I could not be an easy answer for you. But I have other ideas."

He perked at that. "Other ideas? You... had been thinking of this?" He glanced away and back. "Why are you helping me? What do you get from this?"

"Not a thing but lost sleep," she huffed with a little smile. "Sister dear worries over the big picture. I fuss over one little pony at a time. Will you accept my doting?"

"What do I need to do then?" He stood up tall. "If you are being honest, and wish me well."

"I do, and I am." She shook her head. "I have duties, as do we all. I will visit you again, in your sleep. I trust you permit this?" When he nodded, she pointed past him. "Begone, for now. We will speak more."

She came upon his dreams. Blueblood was already Bluebelle. "Hello, princess," spoke a guard, nodding respectfully as Bluebelle trotted past, a happy little smile on her upturned nose. Luna followed, just watching.

"Time to gussy up," called a maid, waving Bluebelle aside. Bluebelle entered a private room and sat down on a big pillow. The maid went right to work, curling her lashes and dashing makeup on her facial fur and generally doting on her to make her a pretty princess. Bluebelle accepted it all without a noise of complaint.

Luna remembered her own plans. She had thought Blueblood would be whining and fighting such treatment, a dash of a mare's life.

Bluebelle looked into a floating mirror to behold her freshened appearance. "You've performed admirably," she cooed in compliment. She stood up, her magic flicking a coin at the maid. "Get yourself something nice." The maid dipped her head and trotted away with the tip.

"Princess Bluebelle." Luna and Bluebelle both looked to a pony that was suddenly there in a fit of dream logic. There was Shining Armor, somehow larger and more handsome in the lens of the dream. "You're looking good today."

"How kind of you to notice, Captain." Luna inclined the head she didn't have at that moment. Shining Armor was still a captain in that dream? "Would you care to go for a little walk?"

"It would be an honor, princess. Perhaps a loop around the gardens?" Shining pointed the way and Bluebelle tittered, the two walking off to have a pleasant little loop around the courtyard garden.

Luna slipped away, more questions than answers received in what she had seen. She had other dreams to patrol.

Blueblood entered her room, stance formal and rigid. "You called, Auntie?"

Luna smiled gently. "I think my sister was wrong."

Blueblood blinked rapidly at that. "In what way? I thought you two saw eye to eye on most matters."

Luna snorted with raising laughter. "Oh, you know us so little it seems." Luna raised a hoof to her chest. "We are at odds with one another quite often. We do not always agree by half. I think you were right. At least attempting to learn how to be what you want to be is the right course of action.

She pointed at him. "Celestia scared you away from it, but you are not seeking power, are you?"

Blueblood inclined his head with clear confusion. "I'm already royalty. What more power could I ask for?"

Luna booped him, pressing her metal-clad hoof to his snout. "Your words encourage me. There is a forbidden wing, normally only allowed visitation by a select few." She withdrew her hoof to reach into her fur and draw out a token. "Such as those holding this."

The glow around the token shifted as Blueblood took hold of it. "What do you mean for me to do with this?"

"Study." Luna nodded firmly. "Learn, and find your answer. I am too occupied to perform such exhaustive research. But, this I can do. Enter the forbidden wing and learn the magic you need. You made quite the face when last I mentioned her, but know that Twilight Sparkle could manage this. You can't let that upstart new-royal show up a proper born royal, now can you?"

The play to pride was an instant success, his stance going tight. "No! Of course not. If she can learn such a spell, there's no way I cannot." He brought down a hoof with a loud clop. "Does she know this spell?"

"She knows it exists," allowed Luna. "But even she admitted it was beyond her. Perfect this and you prove you are better at magic than a commoner who thinks their cutie mark makes the difference."

"Oh, jolly good! Auntie, dear, you have proven me false." He nodded firmly. "Your head is put on quite straight. Thank you!" He suddenly stepped in and put an arm around her, hugging her. It was a light exchange, barely more than touching her with the arm. "I will take full advantage of your generosity."

"One thing. The token will allow you inside, but if Celestia sees you in there, she will raise uncomfortable questions. Take what you wish to read and study it elsewhere." Luna trailed paths with her right hoof to emphasize. "You don't want sister dear ruining your plan before it even begins."

"Too right." Blueblood nodded as he turned. "I will waste no time!" He charged right out of her room, only to poke his head right back into her room. "Where is this library?"

Luna barely restrained a chuckle as she described how to reach it. "Good luck."

"I need not luck!" And off her went, striding with full determination.

Luna resumed her business, feeling confident that Blueblood would try his best. Maybe he'd even succeed! Wouldn't that be lovely... "I never had a niece..." Though, as she thought of it, she likely did have some of those, but never really met them and talked to them. Cadance was an adoptive niece, did that count?

Luna shook her head softly. "No, get your head down from the clouds." And she got back to work.

"Auntie!" Cadance smiled at the image of Celestia. "Always a delight to see you. What brings you this way?"

"Do you remember Blueblood?"

"Prince Blueblood," scoffed Cadance with a little frown that eased away quickly. "What's that braggart up to now? Did he get into trouble?"

"No." At least none that she had been able to find. "I was trying to figure him out. I looked around his room--"

"Auntie!" Cadance frowned at her elder princess. "That was rude."

"I didn't find anything of note other than some romance books."

Cadance's face brightened. "Now we're talking. What kind of romance books?"

Confusion played over Celestia's normally careful features. "I confess I hadn't studied them much. Why does that matter?"

"Auntie!" Cadance waved at the image she was speaking to. "First you charge into his personal space, then you ignore obvious clues? The romance books a pony decides to read can tell you so much about them." She leaned in on the image, making her own face become much larger in Celestia's view. "Tell me you remember a title or two. This is of vital importance!"

"The Maiden of Halboney Estate," quoted Celestia slowly. "I remember that one."

"Ooo." Cadance sat back, clapping her hooves together. "A tender romance, about a mare who comes out of her shell and finds true love. Classic, just classic... But not one I'd imagine a stallion would be that interested in, more of a mare story really." She inclined her head faintly. "What a sweetie!" she suddenly gushed. "No wonder he's so snippy. He wants a soft and delicate mare, not one of the usual noble ones with their noses up in the air! This requires further research..."

"Cadance, I didn't..." But it was too late, Cadance was gone, likely already making plans to come visit. "Niece..." Celestia shook her head, but also stood up, the image fading. There was little she could do to stop Cadance at that point. She was a princess of shipping, and trying to get in the way of a ship got one run right over.

"Maybe it's for the best..." She envisioned Blueblood with a mare he treated well for a change. A little smile spread on her face. "That would be nice... Cadance, I hope you know what you're doing."

Author's Notes:

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2 - A Big Step

Just because he had the token didn't ensure he made it to the library that same day. Certainly, he had intended to. He marched through the hallways with royal pride and conviction, only to stop when the guards watching over that locked door came into view. He ducked into a side passage and shook his head. "This is just a passing fancy," he muttered to himself.

"You're letting a dream mislead you..." He waved at the air as if he could banish a thought with a simple gesture.

It was even possible that Luna had brought him that dream. That was a thing she could do, wasn't it? Nevermind that he had such a fancy once before. "I am prince Blueblood! It's right in the name, and a handsome prince am I." Sure, he had also made a pretty princess... "Get control of yourself." He returned to the hall, but turned away from the guards, heading back for more populated portions of the castle.

"Blueblood!" came an excited female voice.

"Prince Blueblood," he sternly corrected, turning to see who was addressing him so brashly. There stood Princess Cadance with a bright smile that was two steps too wide. "What... brings you so far away from your demesne?"

"I've come for you," she explained as she closed the distance at a light trot.

"You're already married," he scoffed with a roll of his eyes.

"Not for that." She snorted softly, her magic grabbing him and causing him to float as she marched right past him. "I have other designs for you, dear cousin."

"Cousin?" He floated along, keeping his hooves held in a proper posture despite the helplessness of the moment.

"We are both... I'm a niece and you are a nephew, both of Celestia. That makes us cousins, cousin." She looked over her shoulder at her captive. "And I'm going to help you today!"

"By what fashion do you intend that?" With a sudden bright flash, he rebuffed her magic, landing on the ground at a stride to follow her, no longer held in the air. "I am perfectly capable of walking on my own, cousin." He didn't argue the family tie, having no particularly good idea how to.

Cadance didn't slow down for his little rebellion, seeming just as happy to have him walking along with her. "I have a few ponies I want you to meet, that I think will be far better than the usual ones you run into."

That got a brow to raise. "Cousin, you have me at a loss. What are the 'usual' ones, and how do these differ?" He knew Cadance was no true royalty, risen from common starts, she had, at least, shown she could walk the walk, and was doing her job reasonably. He had to give her that much. "There is proper etiquette to introducing ponies of our station."

"This is for your own good." She pointed to an open door before striding through it. "Thank you for waiting."

Another female responded, "Oh, it's no problem, Princess Cadance." A demurely smiling mare looked past her to see Blueblood and she gasped, cheeks going red. "Oh my... I wasn't expecting..."

Cadance stepped to the side to make room for Blueblood. "Prince Blueblood, I present Gentle Mare." She gestured to the blushing unicorn mare. "She came because I called her."

Blueblood studied the mare with untrusting eyes. "Entirely your idea, was it, cousin?" The mare smelled of well-upkept peasantry. Not a noble, certainly not of royal upbringing. Was she another hopeful to dip her hooves into what he could provide, should she win his favor?

"N-nice to meet you." Gentle dipped her head, ears spread out in either direction. "You must be terribly busy."

"Indeed." He turned towards Cadance. "What is the meaning of this meeting?"

Cadance gestured at Gentle. "She came because I asked her to. She is as soft as her name implies and would just like to know you. She demands nothing of you but a moment of your time, if you can afford that?"

Gentle's blush grew worse by the moment. "It's alright!" she squeaked. "Sorry, Sir. You must have so many things to do, and I am obviously in the way of them." She rose to her hooves, trembling a little. "I'm sorry."

Blueblood had a routine worked out for pushy mares. But Gentle wasn't pushing. She was ready to fold and get out of the way. "No, no..." He reached to set a hoof on her shoulder. "I'm being rude." That mare didn't seem to be hunting him. "Please, sit yourself. We can speak for a small while?"

Cadance slipped from the room with all the grace of a Neighpon assassin, keeping her giggles to herself until she was well out of hearing distance. "Yes," she whispered to herself, pumping a hoof. They were talking! Surely everything else would fall into place. "I knew it, poor little cousin. You just want a mare that isn't trying to shove herself against you."

Gentle's blush had started to recede as Blueblood sat down across from her and they talked. She nibbled at some of the cookies on the table, as she told him about herself. She was a reasonably successful businessmare with no grand reaching goals beyond running her family's store. "Nothing like you, Sir. What's it like, being a prince?"

So few of the mares that bothered him really cared what it was like from his side, other than imagining themselves having it. "The life of a royal is one of countless responsibilities," he stated proudly. "Many subtle, some deadly overt." He turned a hoof over slowly. "Such as making time to meet with those introduced by their family. Tell me, your clothing."

Her eyes fell to what she was covered in. "What about them?"

"They are... serviceable." He inclined his head. "But lacking in refinement. If I were to appear dressed in similar, they would speak scandals in harsh whispers behind my back. That is one burden of many of a royal. We are judged constantly."

Gentle looked perplexed a moment, her ears falling. "Am I dressed... badly?"

"No, no no no. For a common pony, your clothing is just fine," he assured in perhaps not an entirely assuring way. "But we royals are held to different standards. Were I a mare, even this level of care would be insufficient." He raised a hoof to gesture over himself. "I would need an attendant to get it just right."

"Oh my." Gentle blinked owlishly at him. "That sounds like quite an ordeal. I don't think I'd want that." Her glowing horn plucked a cookie to nibble on. "You groom yourself then?"

"I do," he stated with pride. "As do you, I assume?"

"Oh, yes." She bobbed her head quickly. "But my mane isn't nearly... as... How do you get it to stay just like that?" She reached for him and he shied back at first. When her hoof froze with obvious worry on her face, he relaxed and soon she could feel his mane. "It's soft too..."

"The secret is in how you apply the shampoo," he advised with a little smile. They spent some time going over grooming advice, even if he was sure she wouldn't be able to comport herself as a proper pony of such breeding as himself.

"You're so much nicer than I expected," she inclined her head. "That came out so wrong! Of course you'd be a perfectly lovely pony, but I never expected to be able to swap mane-care techniques with a prince!"

Blueblood frowned at that, raising a hoof to his chest. "You did ask, and we were already speaking."

"But you're so good at it," she complimented. "I felt like I was with my marefriend, getting advice, instead of sitting in a really fancy place talking to a prince." Gentle stood up with a soft nod. "It has been a complete delight. If you ever have time again, maybe we could... No, you must be so busy." She glanced away. "Sorry."

"It's no trouble," he muttered, allowing her to flee. Was exchanging mane care advise unusual for a prince? He marched from the room, back to his own. His magic grabbed a receiver right off the wall even as he began pressing buttons rapidly.

It began ringing.

Another ring. He sighed. "Be there. Or at least have the courtesy to have a butler do--"

"Hello?" asked a female voice.

He recognized it. "Fleur, is Fancy Pants there? This is Prince Blueblood."

"Bluey," sang out Fleur, sounding happy enough. "I'll check, one moment." There was a click of the receiver being set down on a table and clip-clops receding away.

Blueblood tapped slowly and impatiently as his eyes wandered over his own room. "How untidy." He plucked up a few books that had been left out and floated them to his book shelf. "Diversions don't need to be strewn about."

"Blueblood, ole chap," came a voice from the phone. Fancy Pants had arrived. "I wasn't expecting this pleasure. What can I do for you?"

He almost dropped the last book in surprise. "Fancy! How nice to hear you." Well, hearing him on the average day was a bit of a wildcard. Sometimes it was perfectly lovely, other times, a bit trying. Ponies that lived near the upper crust of life were like that. He could respect that. "I have a little question, a tiny thing, really."

"If I have the answer, you know I'd be delighted to provide. What's on your mind?"

Blueblood smiled. Fancy was good for that, being straight forward. There were so rarely subtle plays behind his words, rare for someone so elevated. "Mane care. Mare thing, stallion thing, or something equally suited to any pony?"

"Oh ho, a fashion question," he crooned as if pleased for the question.

"Not exactly," demurred Blueblood. "I more mean, who would you approach for mane care advice, a stallion, a mare, or would either suffice?"

"That is a different question. Pardon me, chap, misread you. Now, in my experience, while stallions and mares can both enjoy a quality mane style, many stallions simply find the one they prefer and keep it there, mares are more likely to experiment with a multitude of styles. This capriciousness of fashion causes them, by necessity, to be more skilled on average in how to go about it."

Blueblood opened his mouth to reply, but Fancy Pants kept right on going.

"Now, don't get me wrong, a skilled manedresser can be a stallion or a mare. I wouldn't dream of turning away a talented hoof for such a silly reason. I'm just talking about the average pony and what you would expect."

"Yes, of course." He raised a hoof to run through his own mane, letting the soft locks roll across it. "So a stallion who wasn't a manedresser, but gave advice on mane care, would be..."

"A tad unusual," admitted Fancy Pants. "But not terribly so. We all have our hobbies, do we not? I can think of several worse than that." He laughed softly, a laugh Blueblood forced himself to join for its brief duration. "Now, anything else I can help with today?"

"No, just that little question. I'll see you in a fortnight, will I not?" He forced a smile that couldn't be seen.

"Ah, yes, the Spring-time Butterfly Buffet! Jolly good. I'll look forward to it. See you there." There was a click of the phone being set down.

Blueblood set his own receiver down, releasing it from his magic. "So I am an unusual stallion..." He turned away from the phone. "But still a stallion, am I not?" He flipped his mane and looked awkwardly in the mirror a moment after, wondering at the legitimacy of what he had just done. "He doesn't understand royal demands. Why, I should imagine even Celestia with her many attendants, must know how to tend her own mane. We simply must." He clopped a hoof down and trotted off, shoving the thought aside for the moment.

Cadance sat down at a large table. Celestia was also there, and she was smiling at her auntie. "You can relax now. I have it all well in hoof."

"While I am ever gladdened to have you visit me, dear Niece." Celestia's horn glowed as she took up a teacup and sipped gently from it. "This is quite the sudden visit. How is the Crystal Empire minding itself?"

"This is why it pays at times to have a husband." Cadance inclined her head at Celestia. "Are you certain you don't want me to hunt for one for you? A nice stallion would make your life so much easier." When Celestia's expression changed even slightly, Cadance rolled a hoof. "Or a mare. We're not here to judge."

"Cadance!" blurted Celestia, setting her teacup down. "Now, what is it you mean that I can relax? What is it you have handled, and how? This is about Blueblood, is it not? Surely you haven't--"

"--but I have," she cut in, looking so self-pleased. "Introduced him to a lovely little mare and ducked out while they were chatting it up. He was being perfectly polite and she was thrilled and I'm certain they'll become fast friends, and maybe..." Her brows began to waggle. "A little more."

"It was never that Blueblood was incapable of a polite conversation." She raised a hoof to her chest. "Were that the case, I would have ceased inviting him to events."

Cadance rolled a hoof. "But, with a mare?"

Celestia looked slightly less certain. "Not as often there."

"So admit I did well." She turned up her nose, but her smile was quick to return. "I'm keeping an eye on him. One little chat isn't the all clear, but I feel like I'm on the right track to getting him in the right place. If they see each other again, maybe I'll give them a little nudge." A heart began to float over her horn, her power visibly manifesting. "See where it leads."

Celestia raised a hoof. "Take a soft touch. Now, tell me how the Crystal Empire is doing. Shining Armor is leading it right now?"

"He's a lovable soul," she sighed. "And yes, he's taking the reigns while I see to this matter. He'll send word if things get too trying for him. He has help too. We've made friends, much like you have. Don't look at me that way. I've seen you vanish for a few days at a time without the country combusting."

Celestia coughed softly into a hoof. "I've had many years to get it right."

"And I've had you as a tutor." Cadance smiled warmly. "I was paying attention. Now enjoy your food before it gets cold."

"That goes just as well in your direction, Cadance." Celestia stuck out her tongue faintly, and they got back to eating.

"You're so nice to be around, like one of my mare friends," gushed Gentle even as she faded away.

"Not proper behavior of a stallion," noted Fancy Pants, even if that wasn't what he had said exactly.

"I always knew you were a sissy," taunted an old unfriendly acquaintance from many years prior. "Now it's proven." He laughed as he joined the others, fading away.

But they were all back, laughing, and surrounding him. Blueblood scrambled to get away, but no distance was made. No matter how hard he galloped, they were always just right there, laughing.

"Blueblood." The laughing stopped, and a large figure dropped to the ground in front of him. "What manner of nightmare is this?" She looked to the frozen faces of mid-laugh ponies. "Is that Fancy Pants?"

Blueblood cleared his throat, composing himself quickly. "Nothing! Nothing."

"This is a lot of nothing." She reached to tap his nose with a metal-clad hoof. "I am the princess of the night, Blueblood. Your nightmare called me, and here I am. I would lend a hoof, but only if you will take it."

He glanced away from her, silent a moment before he let out his breath. "May I be frank?"

"You may. I would prefer it." She inclined her head faintly, glancing at the frozen figures. "Is the magic too difficult?"

"It is not that." He sat on his haunches and crossed his arms. "You. Did you make me dream that?"

"Make you dream what?" She raised a brow. "Making dreams is not my usual habit."

He thrust a hoof at her violently, though not making contact. "What your normal behaviors are concerns me not, Auntie. Did you or did you not thrust that dream on me?"

"Which dream? You being a mare?" she asked incredulously before it dawned on her. "Oh..."

"Yes, 'oh'." He frowned at her. "You did, didn't you?"

"I had not intended it that way!" she hastily defended.

"What way!" he shouted at her, the other ponies fading away, unimportant. It was just Luna and him in an otherwise void. "You did this..."

"I was trying to punish you, you self-righteous stallion," she huffed out, raising to her full height. "I envisioned you would learn a thing, having to take a few steps in the horseshoes of a mare! Imagine my surprise when, instead of shock, your face lit up with such satisfaction."

His face went as red as a lobster as he began stepping towards her, the world trembling with each step of its god. "You're trying to make a mare of me," he yelled in outrage. "You're taking away the masculinity in me. Have I been that terrible, auntie? Is this your revenge." He just as suddenly crashed to his haunches, eyes rimming with tears. "I thought you were a kind and personal pony. How could you be so cruel?"

Luna's angry look of defiance faltered as he fell apart. "I was not trying to be cruel... Nephew, this is why I was lending a hoof. You have been long denied even looking--"

"You look at me and you see a mare." He stood up, shaking, but regaining some measure of composure. "A pretty princess, better than what I was."

"You see that," she countered. "And I would help you find that princess, if you wish. If you do not, then we can set it aside." She looked around the void. "I saw ponies making light of your manekeeping, but surely that alone isn't enough to cast such doubts in you, nephew. By what means do you feel improper?"

The world around them changed as he thought of it. They were at a polo track. There were ponies on other ponies. The ones on the bottom tended towards the larger varieties, most often big stallions that could easily support the weight of their as often mare as stallion riders.

"You're on the blue team, old chap," spoke Fancy Pants as he trotted into view, Fleur mounted on his back, a mallet grasped firmly in her magic grip and a smile on her face, clearly eager to play.

But Blueblood didn't want to step onto the field. It was a noble sport, there was no doubting it, but mussing his hooves on the muddy terrain, or having another pony on top of him? He shivered in revulsion. But he was expected to play, and he was a stallion of moderate build, not all suited to riding.

"Come on." There was Jet Set, also male, but much more slender. "You're not my first choice either, but we're both on blue and everypony else has a team. You're larger, I'll be the rider."

Luna waved and the scene stopped. "Were you jealous of that mare?" She pointed to where the hazy form of Fancy Pants and Fleur were, her right in the middle of striking a ball with her floating mallet.

"They look like they're having such fun," sighed out Blueblood. "Far more than I had that day." He indicated the vision of himself under Jet Set, the two looking to be caught mid-argument, Blueblood at a precarious angle that would likely result in them both being thrown into the mud moments later.

Luna waved a hoof, things changed. Blueblood was suddenly mounted atop Fancy Pants. "And you would be alright, being astride a stallion?" asked Luna as she approached at a light walk.

He looked down, but realized quickly he wasn't a he. Blue Belle was back, her tail giving a nervous little swish. "It's hardly improper for a male to allow a friendly mare atop him to play this noble sport." She swung the mallet and caught the ball that hadn't been there until it needed to be. With the satisfying crack of connection, the game was on, and Blue Belle was carried off by Fancy Pants, the game back on.

Luna looked to the left, where Blueblood sat. "Were there other times?"

Blueblood blinked, yanked so suddenly out of that dreamy frame of reference. "Mares expect so much from stallions," he suddenly huffed and the world changed around them.

They were at the Grand Galloping Gala. A gussied-up white mare was smiling so brightly at him. "Look at her." There was Rarity, hopeful look on her face. "She had a list of demands in her head before she ever met me. She wanted me to love her, sight unseen." Blueblood scowled at her frozen image before reaching up and casually shoving her aside. "Ha, dreams are lovely things. I wanted to do that for the longest time. Improper wench. You don't know me. You deserve everything you received!"

Luna's magic glowed around the toppled mare, casually setting her right as if she were an un-moving statue, which she was for the time being. "And stallions do not have similar expectations?"

"I have never approached a mare expecting her love," he huffed out. "Or that she obey my specific plans outside of her performing specific duties. I will not call demanding a maid comply with her tasks to be in line with expecting a stallion to fall in love."

Luna inclined her head faintly. "Have you not ever felt the touch of love?"

He never got to answer that question, as he woke up.

"Mmm what?" he mumbled as he kicked at his blankets. Something had woken him up.

"Cousin," sang a voice from the other side of his door. "Are you awake in there?"

"Cadance?" He frowned at the door and the timing of the mare behind it. "I endured your surprise visit, to what do I owe this?" He rolled to his hooves and began making himself presentable. "This is far outside my usual hours, you understand."

"I'm sorry about that. If this is a bad time, I can come back later." He heard her thump lightly, leaning against his door.

"I'm already awake," he grumped as he gussied up his mane as best he could on such short notice. "Come in." His horn grabbed the knob and drew it open as lights flickered to life around the room. "What is bothering you, cousin?"

"How did it go?" asked Cadance with that bright smile of hers. "Was she nice?"

"She was fine." He waved it off. "A polite commoner that knew to listen to her betters and learn something. A pleasant enough exchange."

"Oh..." Her smile faded. "Did you... like her?"

Blueblood huffed as he approached his bothersome cousin. "She was a decent enough pony, why?" It suddenly clicked. "She was after me, wasn't she? It was all an act!"

"No! No no no!" Cadance flailed her hooves wildly. "It was my idea! I swear! I just thought you two would get along. She wasn't part of it."

"Good of you to admit your wrongs." He pointed behind her to the door. "I will endeavor to not hold it against her then, as she was also the victim of a scheming mare and her assumptions."

And so Cadance was given the boot from his room.

Author's Notes:

This ship may be sunk, but will that prompt Cadance to give up?

Luna is trying to understand her nephew/niece. Best aunt? By the way, the patron wants to thump this faster, so we're up to twice a month at 4k updates!

Posted early for patrons. Want to get updates early, and/or get your own story here at atreon!

Don't want to do an ongoing thing? You could

Join my discord to chat!

3 - A Friend In Need

"Chap!" Fancy Pants closed with a smile, a few other ponies drifting in his orbit. That upper class pony knew how to draw a crowd of hangers-on, other members of the elite class who hoped to gain his favor, or rub off some of his magnetic charm. "There you are."

Blueblood smiled, rising to proper stature. "Fancy, always a pleasure," he greeted. "Just when I feared there wouldn't be anypony worth seeing." The others laughed softly, even if his words were a mild slight against them.

"Come. There's no point attending these little bashes if one does so on their own." He tossed his head to the right. "Have you sampled the snacks from Saddle Arabia? They really outdid themselves."

Blueblood allowed himself to be guided along with a little twitch of his tail. "I confess I haven't just yet. Are they that good?"

"To die for," assured Fancy with happy energy. "You simply must try at least one, though I hazard you won't stop there." He nudged an elbow against Blueblood. "Princess Celestia knows how to pick a caterer."

Blueblood inclined his head. "I have a question, if you've a moment."

"For you? All the time." He waved and his crowd dissipated without a word with the signal given. "I didn't want to say anything, but you did look less exuberant then usual, no offense."

Blueblood's teeth set, his failure to hide his mental state laid bare. "You did have a habit of speaking plainly."

"Guilty as charged," admitted Fancy. "Now, let's get one of these in you and you can share a few words." His magic snatched one of the little flakey rolls and brought it over to Blueblood. "Say ah and prepare for a ride of delights!"

Blueblood felt his cheeks warm, but opened his mouth as commanded. Fancy was a good pony, and he felt he could drop his guard, a little. The food slid in and he began to chew. "Mmm, just as good as you reported." His words faded, concentrating a moment on not making a mess of himself. Disposed of, he nodded. "Now, this is a matter of propriety."

"Oh ho! One of the more complicated affairs. I understand your concern." Fancy nodded gravely. "I will do my utmost to assist. What's troubling you?"

"How do you manage it?" He inclined an ear at Fancy. "Never mind, that was improper. I have gained a new acquaintance. She's inoffensive..." He tapped at the ground softly as he struggled for the proper words. "But she's from a lower class. The first few times I could excuse for the nature of her introduction, but that line of reasoning has run its course."

"Do you fancy her, or fancy fancy her?" he asked, facing the food table, his voice even and calm as if not discussing anything important. "The advice I can give changes depending on the answer."

Blueblood's face darkened a moment before he fought down the reaction. "I was speaking true when I said she was an acquaintance. I have no particular desire to deepen that connection, but she is a pony I find spending time with to be... tolerable, and we have done so."

"Chap." He circled around in front of Blueblood. "You're not being honest. I can only help so far. It sounds, to me, like you've made a friend. There's hardly anything wrong with that."

"But she's a commoner," hissed Blueblood. "Barely of the merchant class. The impropriety of a royal... Don't you understand?"

"But she is a merchant then? A merchant can be quite proper." Fancy Pants nodded slowly. "I recall another merchant that did quite well for herself in my circles, though, do be mindful, she likely had other lower class friends. They can really make things interesting if they all end up involved." He mused back on when Rarity crossed paths with him and chuckled at the memory. "Not a thing to forget."

"I could already see the waitstaff watching and taking note." Blueblood thumped the ground once before his magic grabbed something that looked bright and sweet and begin nipping at it. "She dresses plainly with no ambition."

"The way I hear it, old bean, that is likely what you favor in her." He winked at Fancy even as Blueblood took half a step back in surprise. "Don't look at me like that, I'm here to help," he assured, hoof to his chest. "Now, the way I see it, you can still have her around, you just need to become her ambition."

"Become... her? You've lost me, Fancy Pants. That sounds most improper, at best."

"How is that?" he suddenly asked, looking to the sweet thing Blueblood was sampling. "I hadn't had the chance to try one yet."

"Sweet without being overwhelming. I approve." That is when he noticed Fancy Pants had his mouth open, expecting a return favor. Blueblood brought over the treat, turning it in the air so the bite would come from a part he hadn't worked at yet. He felt a bit dirty feeding a stallion, but it was Fancy Pants, a longtime friend. Surely that was alright?

"My word, your judgement was right on point," complimented Fancy, his horn grabbing another off the table. "Now, as I was saying; take the mare aside and gently elevate her. Get her clothing more suited for somepony in your company, show her how to comport herself. She'll probably enjoy the attention."

He turned to Blueblood. "And before you ask, it's not being dishonest when someone of a higher station invites you to stand beside them. Why, consider our newest princess, Twilight Sparkle."

"Do I have to?" Blueblood smirked at the target chosen. "But I do see your point. Princess Celestia did teach her how to not make a fool of herself while she was running around the castle."

"Precisely so." Fancy Pants nodded. "I remember seeing that little filly a few times. Besides a few faux pas, which Princess Celestia was hasty to address, she minded herself reasonably. Accept responsibility, chap. If you like her company, and there's nothing wrong with that, rise to the occasion."

Blueblood let out a slow sigh. "When you say it like that, you make me wonder how I was confused in the first place."

"What are friends for?" Fancy Pants turned away. "Come on then. You--"

"--Thank you," cut off Blueblood. "For being there, for entertaining me. One more favor, if you would."

Fancy could see a new fire in Blueblood and inclined his head. "Chap, you know you needn't ask. You have the look of a pony with no patience and things in need of doing. I will cover your retreat."

"You are the best." Blueblood hurried away, confident that his friend had his back.

Earlier, Cadance had arrived with that too-wide smile. "I know you're a little angry at me, cousin, but I have a mare that is sure to pl--"

He shoved a hoof at her. "No, quite enough. I've tolerated your games quite far enough."

"I'm not playing games," she assured with a pout. "Blueblood, I know you don't think it can be true, but I really do want you to be happy."

"And the only means to that is to play matchmaker?" He hiked a brow at the large pink princess. Why were princesses always so much larger than princes? Hardly fair, but such was life. "To insist on meddling where one has been declined is a clear lack of decorum."

"I just feel awful. We're being honest now. I want to find somepony you can get along with," she assured. "No games. No tricks. No mares who just want to be royals."

"Then your task is complete." He turned his head away from her, nose uplifted. "You succeeded. Congratulations. Now return to your own kingdom, which surely misses you terribly." His sarcasm was difficult to miss.

"Blue... cousin, pardon me, but on what planet have I succeeded?" Her brow was raised high, peering at him harshly.

"You introduced me to a mare that isn't asking anything unreasonable of me." He turned towards Cadance, smiling smugly. "We have little conversations about nothing particularly important, just the way you wanted. You did it."

Cadance blinked rapidly. "Gentle Mare?! I mean... good! Good..." She felt a little dizzy. How had she not noticed?! "You two are getting along then?"

"Famously," assured Blueblood. "Now go home, cousin. I can manage myself from here."

And that was one nuisance removed, at least for a time. Though Cadance's fancies of a whirlwind romance were nothing more than a wild dream.

"Do you wish to talk?" There was Luna, standing before him in the middle of the dream he had been having about winning an eating contest. As if he'd ever do such a thing! How uncouth... "I know this is not a nightmare, but the last time we were interrupted, and you didn't stop by. Say the word and I will depart."

Blueblood rose to his hooves, abandoning the countless hayburgers he had been inhaling. "Is there some manner of 'knocking' that works in dreams, auntie?"

"Would that there were," she sighed. "I am not trying to be rude. A single word and I will depart."

His lips upturned just faintly. He believed her. "Terrible inconvenient that. Well, you're already here." He inclined his head at her. "What do you need?"

"I require little. It is you that has needs." She pointed at him. "I did not forget our time. I trust you did not either? I feel we are drawing closer to some measure of understanding."

"I am not a puzzle for you to while time away with idle hooves, auntie." He raised a hoof to his chest. "I'm just fine."

"I am uncertain I entirely believe that... Blueblood, I am on your side." She dipped her head, ears splayed. "I want you to find yourself; whatever that may be. Prince, princess, or something else entirely."

The hoof at his chest was brought away as he waved it away. "Auntie, I appreciate your concern, I do, but why? You scarcely know me, and propriety does not demand your intervention here."

"I have made my own decision." She stepped forward towards him, head lowering to put their eyes on even level. "I would see the dark clouds banished from your mind and heart. Will you help your aunt help you in kind? You deserve to be a fully realized pony, satisfied with who they are."

"And if I am not?" he posited, tongue curling a bit. "If what I am is what I am displeased with, what--"

Her horn glowed, plucking free the token she had given him. "I gave you a means to change what most would consider unchanging. The only thing I can't change, that is entirely up to you, is your mind. I won't force that, nor do I think I should even consider it."

The glow around the token shifted as he grabbed it back, though she didn't really try to prevent it. "I have heard there are spells that can change that. You could make me happy just as I am, I should think."

"But then I would be abandoning my principle." She shook her head. "I would rather fail honestly than stoop to that. Blueblood, do you think of your cutie mark often?"

He looked back over himself, setting his eyes on the cross-over-cross pattern that was his cutie mark. "What of it?"

"It is a compass rose." Luna reached, gently touching it. "A tool for finding, for navigation, for seeking... You are seeking, and if I can help you find it, I would be honored. Even if following that compass takes you in a grand circle, you will be happier for having completed the journey." A little smile touched her face. "Perhaps, afterwards, you will be more equipped to help other ponies tread their own paths, to find what is hiding from them."

But part of him quailed. Why was Luna so interested in him? And yet, another part wanted to hide under her. She cared... "I'm..." He glanced left and right as if someone might be watching, even if they were in a dream. "I... Aunt... May I make an admission, knowing it will never be repeated?"

"I swear it." She raised a hoof high, eyes closing. "I will never speak a word of what I witness in a dream without leave of the pony involved."

"Princess Luna..." He took a slow breath, even if he needed no breath in a dream. "I am scared."

And she didn't laugh. She didn't mock him. She gently set a hoof over him, and held him. No words were said, and not a single one was required.

They got no further that night in their conversation, but their understanding of one another grew despite it.

He looked around at the lines of clothing. "This is the best you have?" he asked suspiciously.

Jet Set rolled his eyes. "The best, he asks, as if we'd deal with anything else."

"It is to laugh," joined his wife, Upper Crust, a hoof raised to shield her laughter. "Of course it's the best. What are you looking for?"

They were judging him. It was basically their job... "I am shopping for an acquaintance," he declared, puffing his chest out. "They are a mare."

"Oh!" Jet shook his head. "You should have started there." He pointed across the room. "The mare's lines are over there. Mares and stallions do not often wear the same thing."

"Unless they're working," added Upper. "Probably somewhere they don't own." The two laughed at one, in sync in their derision for the lower classes.

The question he had was put to rest as Blueblood turned for the door. "I'm afraid they have very specific needs. I've chosen the wrong place." And he trotted out even as they blamed his lack of success on him. Surely it couldn't at all be their fault.

Blueblood heaved a great sigh. Before him was a store, but not any store. Canterlot Boutique. A perfectly reasonable place, for the lower classes... But that wasn't the really prickly part. It was the owner. He knew who claimed dominion over that store... and there was precious little love between them.

"Why couldn't you stay in that Podunk little town of yours?" he grumped with a little frown, though it quickly eased away. It didn't do for a prince to wear a frown. Adjusting his shirt, he advanced, determined to not let her stand in the way.

"Welcome to Canterlot Boutique," came a female voice, but not that one. A tall and gangly mare peeked up from over a clothing line. "Can I help, oh! Prince Blueblood, what an honor," gushed Sassy Saddles. "I'll just put a pin in what I was working on." She danced around the obstacle to reach him. "How can I help you today?"

His tension ebbed somewhat. That mare seemed more interested in helping him than judging, a point in favor of that establishment. "I am shopping, for somepony else. Kindly direct me to the mare's selection."

"What season are you looking for?" she asked, inclining her head but asking no questions about the need for mare's clothes.

"The current one." Blueblood tapped the ground. "This is for a common mare. I want her to look less out of place in my circles. Do you understand?"

"I certainly do," promised Sassy as she trotted past him, showing the way to the mare's section by merit of going to it herself. "Have a look around. Find the pattern that matches her and I'll be glad to help coordinate the rest of her ensemble. Should she match you?" She suddenly waved at the air. "Look at me, assuming things. I'll let you decide what she should match."

A difference there from the two upper class fashionistas he had just spoken to. "Thank you. I'll browse and inform you if I need your assistance." He advanced on a pole that held a dizzying variety of mare's dresses. It wasn't the number that bothered him, however. A royal pony, he was quite used to having quite the selection of fashion choices to meet specific needs. He reached up and began hoofing through them one by one.

Sassy trotted off, returning to her other duties. "Just give a call and I'll be over before you finish."

He mused between one and the next. "Too flashy. Too bland." He set them aside, always reaching for the next. "This could be nice..." It had frills in the right place that drew just the right amount of attention in his mind's eyes. "They'd accent her eyes." He held it up against himself, imagining its fit as he turned in place, gazing into a convenient mirror.

Sassy was busy with other customers, he could hear them talking. No eyes were on him.

The pony in the mirror winked, or was that his imagination? Bluebelle was there, posing in her clothing and looking so satisfied. They hugged her body in a different way than a stallion's attire would do, and she liked it.

But he was right there, just holding the clothing in his magic. "Get ahold of yourself," he chastised quietly. "I should see what it looks like..." He plucked a few pieces that fit his sense of fashion and trotted off, vanishing into a fitting room and locking the door securely behind him.

Not that he had a mare to put them on. Gentle Mare wasn't there. She was at home, or laboring in her own shop. She didn't even know Blueblood was off getting her a gift of clothing. "Nothing for it," he muttered, half excusing himself. His magic plucking his own clothing free and hanging them up properly one by one until he was as naked as the day he was born. Improper for a royal pony. Thankfully, that shame was hidden by the door.

"Everything alright?" came Sassy's voice. "Find something for yourself? How delightful!"

"I'm just fine!" he got out in almost a squeak. "I'll be out when I'm done."

"And not a moment sooner," easily agreed Sassy. "Please, take your time."

He took a moment just catching his breath. "For a friend," he reminded himself, lowering the mare's clothing and stepping into it. "I'll have to get her measurements before I finalize this anyway." He had selected a size that fit him, however, and with practiced ease, he slipped into it just like any other bit of clothing given his way.

Though the measurements were about right, a stallion was not shaped like a mare. The dress bulged in some places and hung in others. But he was wearing it. He turned to the mirror and his eyes swept over himself. "I'm not shaped well for this."

And a moment later he realized that was an odd thing to say. The clothes were the thing not shaped well, not him. But then, they were mare's clothing. They weren't designed to be worn by a royal stallion. He could imagine Bluebelle wearing the same clothing, posing left and right at him. "Missing... something." His magic snatched a hat and added to the ensemble. "Closer..." But something was off, he tilted his head, seeing Bluebelle imitate the gesture in the mirror.

"Ah, right." A saddlebag settled over his back, and her back, and he sat to bring up his forehooves and clop with approval. "Magnifique!"

"That was the sound of a happy customer," called out Sassy from elsewhere in the store. "Do you need any adjustments?"

"I'm fine!" he squeaked out before he composed himself. "Just fine. I realized I need to get some measurements. You do adjustments? Fantastic. Give me a moment..." He began climbing out of the dress, his cheeks warm with shame. At least nopony had seen him in his moment of wearing mare's clothing!

He burst out of the small room, the dress he had selected floating beside him. "Keep these aside. I'll have them adjusted later."

Sassy's horn began to glow as she took them, but then she grabbed something else that made his ear flick. A hat floated into view off of his head, where she had retaken it. "Fancy it?" she asked with a bright smile.

Oh, if only he could have just imploded on himself. The hat was a grand thing, fit for a mare, all frills and feathers and, at best, horribly gaudy on a stallion. "I ran out of places to hold it," he explained hurriedly. "Keep that too, yes."

"She'll look lovely with all this on," assured Sassy, trotting off with the selection of clothing. "Come back with her measurements and I'll have it done in a flash! We'll put a pin right in your shopping trip and she'll be delighted." As she went, she looked over her shoulder. "If you're winded, I suggest the place two doors down. Fit for a princess, but with a price even lesser ponies can consider."

Of course she had asked that. Being tired was about the only reason a unicorn would 'run out' of places to hold things in their magic. "Thank you," he mumbled, not arguing with her assumption. "I'll be off then." And he escaped that clothing store, trotting vigorously back to the palace. "At least she wasn't there..."

"My measurements?" asked Gentle Mare with wide eyes. "Whyever would you need that, sir? I mean no disrespect. You've been nothing but kind to me." She nodded firmly. "I'm sure you have your reasons... Oh, well, there I go explaining my own questions." She waved it off. "You obviously have a good reason, or you wouldn't ask. Do you have a pen?"

A quill floated over, its color shifting as she took hold of it and began writing down her numbers. "Here you are. I admit, I'm very curious what this is for, but I will have faith that it will be something lovely. You've been nothing besides that, so far. I'm glad we met, even if i was a bit awkward at first." She glanced towards the door of their sitting room. "Princess Cadance is gone, isn't she?"

"Back home," sighed out Blueblood with some relief. "I swear I will do nothing untoward with this." His magic plucked up the paper with the vital numbers. "I believe you will like it quite a bit. It is time we took our relationship to the next level."

She gasped, staggering back. "Your majesty!" she squeaked, trembling. "I'm not ready for that!"

Blueblood blinked a few times with confusion before it hit him. "Gentle, dispel that notion." He waved a hoof flat from left to right. "I meant as acquaintances. We are, as it is said, friends. I would like you to walk confidently beside me and not feel out of place. I will address that forthwith."

"Oh! That's different." She let out her breath in a laughing gust. "Oh my, I feel like such a foal. I mean, you're a peach. If... you did want that, I wouldn't..." She worked her hooves together. "Never mind, that's not appropriate for a mare to bring up to a prince. Thank you, for allowing me to be your friend. I'm happy with that."

He nodded with growing confidence. "Not appropriate," he agreed. "I'm glad we agree. Now, just you wait. I will perform some magic."

He would buy her a new suit, and she wouldn't look too out of place, but... "There is one thing I cannot simply purchase, Gentle. If you're serious, are you prepared to learn to act the part? While I do not expect you to master the steps as a pony born to it, there are things even a common pony can do to minimize that friction and get along in the upper crust of society. Are you prepared to learn?"

"That sounds a little frightening," she admitted. "But I trust you." She suddenly smiled. "Maybe after that, I can bring you to my shop. You've never been by. We'll experience each other's worlds a little. Won't that be fun?"

Author's Notes:

Welcome to update 2 of the month!

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4 - Just a Peek

Blueblood glanced left and right, but there was nothing there to see but books. Books, scrolls, and the occasional tablet. There were no guards, there, on the inside of the forbidden wing. His token had allowed him to march past them, unchallenged, and there he was. "Why am I here?" he asked himself as he pushed forward. He had heard, once, little Miss Perfect, Twilight Sparkle, had snuck into the wing, despite already being permitted by merit of being a student of Princess Celestia.

Blueblood chuckled at the mental image. "I got permission from the other princess." And walked in, properly, instead of making a fool of himself. In this, he felt confident he had done better than Twilight could have managed. He stepped in closer to one side of the aisle, allowing his eyes to start browsing the titles displayed on the spines of the books. Most of them sounded uncouth and outside his interest.

The binding of the nether for your benefit? What did that even mean? Blueblood shook his head, stepping past it. Forging Connections with Inevitables. Blueblood turned away entirely. He was in the wrong section, he felt increasingly certain, though he took a few books with him for idle reading. "A librarian, that is what this wing needs," he muttered to himself as he wandered off. "How is anypony expected to find what they're after?"

"The many applications of rhinosorcery," read Blueblood out loud. He was closer, he knew it. Not that he needed his nose touched up. He had a perfectly lovely face, for a prince.

"And you are a prince." His steps faltered. What was he looking for?

"Already this far," he muttered, eyes sweeping in broad strokes over the spines of the many books. There. A dusty tome by the Star Swirl the Bearded. His magic pulled it closer, flipping casually. It went on about the differences between mares and stallions and the societal ramifications, blah blah blah.

There... Two exceedingly complex spells, for going in either direction. "Oh dear." Was that what Luna had attempted? He felt a twinge of guilt for blaming her for failing at it.

He remembered her words. Twilight could have done it, if she wanted. That upstart commoner!

Would he fail to her? If he managed it, he would beat Twilight Sparkle. In fact, he would one-up Luna. Not that he would rub that in her face... She had been quite sporting with him, still, there would be pride there. "We are both of noble birth," he argued with no one there to hear him. "Between us, this is a friendly bit of show." He tucked the book away to join the others, completing his little find. "Now to get back to other business."

"I present--" He gestured wide at the ponyquinn that wore what he had purchased. "--your new ensemble."

Gentle Mare's eyes were as wide as saucers, darting up and down the dress. "This? For me?!" She took an unsure step forward. "I didn't even dream of ever having something like this." She tittered suddenly. "That's a bit of a lie. I used to think of things like this all the time... but I couldn't... No, this is too much." She turned to Blueblood. "I can't just lean on your generosity like this!"

"You've made a blunder." Blueblood raised a brow. "I am not doing you a great favor. You are doing me a favor by dressing appropriately." He inclined his head towards the dress. "I chose this one because it enhances your features and announces to the world, 'I am a mare worthy of standing next to a prince.'"

Gentle looked uncertain, her cheeks darkening. "Are my clothes that bad?" she asked in the small voice, sounding ashamed.

Blueblood blinked with obvious confusion. "Pardon? Your clothing is perfectly acceptable, for your station." He suddenly sat, hooves coming together. "Do you remember our first conversation? We were discussing the higher level of scrutiny I am expected to be under? Those who travel with me will also be exposed to those unkind eyes."

Gentle inclined her head slowly as it seemed to click. "Oh! Oh... Oh! You want to take me to places, with you... and you don't want ponies saying unkind things about me."

"Precisely," he gushed, pleased that she was getting his meaning. "I didn't mean any offense. What you are wearing now is perfectly fine."

"But not for a royal ball," she finished for him.

"Exactly so." He nodded firmly, then gestured at the dress. "But this?"

"Would be," she continued, licking over her lips. "Are you certain?"

"This is another thing." He trotted around her. "As my companion, it is alright to request things. Do not be overmuch, but your station is changed. Your will is an extension of mine." He gestured at himself. "Especially in cases like this. You are wearing this for my benefit, I do not doubt this, so why would it be a mark against you to enjoy it?"

She puzzled through that, her horn glowing as she drew the dress off the doll and towards herself. "Well, alright, but this seems so ornate. I don't even know how to put it on."

Blueblood had to pause a moment. A mare who didn't know how to put on a dress? What manner of deprived life had his friend led? Even he, a stallion, knew how to do that! "I will show you how." The glow around the dress shifted as he attempted to take control of it, but Gentle didn't immediately let go of it. She was colored and looking flustered. "Be at ease."

Gentle took an unsure step back. "Getting dressed is not something a mare should do in front of a stallion."

"True." He raised a hoof. "Unless the stallion is dressing the mare. Now, be at ease, my interest here is solely in showing you how to wear it." His magic won control over the dress, her influence fading as she surrendered to his advance. "Very good, now, raise a hoof..."

He slowly moved the dress into place for each of her motions, working it onto her, then around her. He provided commentary all the while, telling her what to look for when she did it herself, and how to properly clasp and seal it around her. He brought over a small mirror and held it up in front of her. "There you are."

Her eyes shyly lifted to it, only to spread wide. "Is that me?"

"Not yet." He dropped the ornate hat on her head, magic adjusting it into position, her ears poking up through holes provided. "There we are. Do you like it?"

"Like it...?" She took a slow step forward, starting to veer left and right, inspecting herself much as Blueblood had inspected himself in the fitting room. He colored faintly at the memory, but his expression was a smile, guessing she did like it.

"It's... overwhelming, but good! Very... very good." She raised a hoof and leaned a cheek against it, batting her lashes with a soft giggle. "Do I look like a lady?"

"You are a lady," he corrected. "A mare in the company of a prince? What else can you be? Now, this dress is yours. Can you take proper care of it?"

"Oh, certainly." Her ears danced. "I know how to launder things, Prince."

Launder things, oneself? His surprise faded as he thought of who he was speaking to. "We all have our talents. I'm glad you like it. Wear it proudly."

There was a part of magic work that he hadn't been warned of. Magic books held a great deal of magic, and not simple magic. Most of it went far beyond the basics of the magic alphabet, slamming together letters in strange ways that made him squint at each page.

He was increasingly glad he had taken a collection of books, allowing him to look from one to the next, searching for the ones that seemed closest to being understandable. "Here's a simple one," he muttered to himself, looking around his small private room. It was attached to his bedroom, discretely, of course, where he could work without prying eyes.

"Imp summoning." His ears danced. He had no idea what an imp even was, but the spell looked mostly straight forward. All he had to do was a few of those strange complex characters. Mastering it would let him advance to more complicated spells. He would learn, master, and get what he was after! That was the nature of it, simple as that.

His horn began to glow as he mouthed out the letters, forming each letter within his horn slowly and purposefully. Sure, it was far too slow to actually be a spell, but practice makes perfect, did it not?

He nodded, confidence building. "Nothing for it." He played the tune faster and spoke the words written there. "I call you from the depths, bound to my side. You will do as I ask until I release you." Was it a servant summoning spell? Being able to conjure a maid on demand would be lovely! And surely they wouldn't mind being saved the effort of walking to his room. Everypony would win.

A strange complex rune appeared on the floor before him, spreading out to a circle about the width of a pony with ever more intricate runes glowing within. His magic was working. "I call you forth, hear my voice and obey," he spoke sternly, as was appropriate for a royal pony.

A head poked free of the ground, a strange smell of rotten eggs tickling Blueblood's nose before it pulled itself free, a slender female pony with strange batlike wings on her back. Her fur was a bright fiery orange-red and her cutie mark was a three pointed spear of some sort. "You have called?" she asked, looking at him and walking closer, only to collide with the side of the circle with a frown. She reached out, running her hoof against the invisible barrier. "Accept my service."

Ah, yes, that was a part of it. What a curious maid that was! "Can you keep a room clean?" he asked, unsure of the qualifications of the summoned servant. "What skills do you have?"

She inclined her head, examining him intently. "I can help make your dreams come true," she promised with a flicker of her tongue. "And I do windows," she added.

She did windows? That was something maids often balked at doing. "You're hired." Blueblood nodded, pleased with his work.

With his acceptance, the circle flared brightly, burning into the ground in a release of its power. "The pact is made," she sang out, trotting across that line without resistance. "I am Fire Paradox." She leaned forward, sniffing at him in an uncouth way. "And you smell like a virgin."

"Pardon me!" Blueblood wrinkled his nose at his curious servant. "I smell of primrose. Two dabs in the morning and afternoon." Without trying, he smelled in return. She smelled of that sour egg mixture, though it was faint, and something spicier he couldn't quite place. "I am Prince Blueblood. You will regard me as that."

"Ooo, a prince?" She raised her hooves and leaned her head against the side of them, looking him over. "How delightful. What does a prince need with me? Did you want me to spy on your political enemies?"

That maid had strange talents... "Actually, you can start with cleaning the mess you made." He pointed behind her. "That spell made much more of a mess than I expected."

She glanced over her shoulder. "Really? You called me for that?" She had no horn, instead glowing across her entire body with a haze as if she were blazing hot. A rug appeared, covering the rune nicely in a floral print. "Ta da."

Blueblood hiked a brow. "Why don't you actually clean it?"

"Not happening." She poked him with the flat of a hoof. "So long as we are bound, the sigil remains as proof of it. Don't like it? Send me home." She strolled past him as if she owned the place. "Nice room you have there." She began to look around, peering at his collection of books. "Soft."

"Soft? I only purchase hardbound volumes," he huffed, emerging from his secret room. The bookshelf slid closed behind him, sealing it away. "You seem to have some amount of magical skill, how are you with complex ones?"

She suddenly turned towards him, her interest seized. "Now you're speaking of something more on my level. Nothing like a good complex ritual to start a day." She sat and rubbed her hooves together, watching him. "What sort of ritual do you wish to perform?"

A knocking from the door startled him and he called out, "But a moment!" He looked back and... she was gone? There was no evidence there had been a mare in his room in the first place. "Curious... Come in!"

The door swung open, allowing Luna to step inside. "Nephew, good day."

He smiled as his favored aunt stepped inside. "Luna, dear auntie, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"The guards reported you used my token." She inclined her head. "They are told to do that, long before I gave it to you. I, of course, told them this was to be expected, but I grew curious. Have you had any luck?" Her eyes wandered over his form. "You seem to be a stallion thus far."

Blueblood glanced away. "I was practicing magic," he defended. "That one is decidedly intricate, but not beyond me. I will work towards it."

She brought her hooves together with a loud clop. "You are expanding your arcane skills? I am proud of you. Few are the unicorns willing to really reach beyond to the status of wizard. Have you had any luck?"

"I've called nothing but a maid so far," he confessed. "It will require time."

"Perhaps that is for the best." She inclined her head. "You had your doubts. Take your time, learn it properly, and perhaps you will have your answer by the time you are ready for it." She rose back to her hooves. "If you would like support, my door is open to you. Keep looking, Blueblood. You'll find it." Confident and pleased, she turned to depart.

He nodded towards her retreating back end. "I will have it in order shortly enough, Auntie. Thank you for the assistance." The door closed behind her and he raised a hoof to his chin. "Now where did she wander off to?"

"Right here." She popped into sight, laying on his bed and looking comfortable. "Figures a prince would have a great bed."

"There you are." He trotted towards her. "Fire Paradox, I am not paying you to lay about."

"You're not paying me at all," she countered with a smirk.

He came up sort, frowning. No exchange of bits had taken place... "You are still my servant."

"Can't argue that." She stretched on the bed, looking far too comfortable. "What do you want from me? You were talking about complicated magical rituals, and, from the sound of it, you have a specific want... I could help with that." Her eyes half-lid, watching him with a lazy intensity. "Push that outtie into an innie for you."

"I should think not." His face was contorted into a brief grimace. "I would like to better understand the magic, so I can do it myself, not have you do it for me." Though he had once been perfectly happy to let Luna do it for him, things had changed. He wanted control over that himself, for it to be entirely his choice.

"Well, good, I prefer the company of stallions anyway." She rolled over upside down, still facing him, her hooves slowly cycling above her. "Call me old fashioned, but masters that match work out so much better." Her head inclined faintly. "So, magic tutor is it? Is that what you called me for?"

Well, actually... "Yes, precisely that." He leaned into it. "Can you perform this duty?"

"I can do anything you want," she melodiously promised. "Which includes that. I can even help you figure out what you want."

He frowned at her. "I doubt you have such an ability."

"You doubt? Silly master, of course I can. I'm a mare, you're a stallion considering marehood. I can at least show you the fun parts of being a stallion and rub that virgin stench off you."

"I do not carry any offensive odors," he defended, clearly insulted. "Stop implying I do!"

"As you command..." She pointed to the hidden room they had emerged from. "Want to get one of your little books to work from? We'll have you making the world tremble beneath your mighty sorceries in no time at all."

"Now, follow after me." Blueblood advanced, Gentle trailing after him. "No need to be tense. I will keep you safe," he assured with a little smile.

"Blueblood!" There came Fancy Pants, looking pleased to see him. "You're looking better."

"Better?" Blueblood raised a brow. "Ah, yes, let me introduce."

"--Wait, wait, let me hazard a guess." Fancy went around Blueblood to have a look at Gentle. "What a lovely +1 you've brought. This is... either a new special somepony, that pony you were worried about, or, dare I presume, both?"

Blueblood colored swiftly. "I present, Gentle Mare, a... friend." He gestured back at her. "She's a little new in these surroundings, if you would be kind."

"Ah, of course." He dipped his head towards her. "I am Fancy Pants, a pleasure."

"A pleasure," she echoed with an uncertain smile. "Everypony here seems... so fancy."

He chuckled at that. "Was that a joke? Well done. Now, see, come along with us." He turned, leading the way for both her and Blueblood. "This is a simple gathering, no specific rituals to observe besides basic courtly etiquette, though I admit those can seem a bit dense to those not in the know." He glanced over his shoulder. "Fortunately, you're in good company."

"Precisely so," eagerly agreed Blueblood. "We're here to help."

Her expression began to ease, feeling a bit safer with two such supportive stallions. "I'll do as you say."

"Only for now." Fancy raised a hoof, stopping a moment. "Soon you'll be off on your own as if you were always a part of things. Now, you're a unicorn. This comes with some specific advantages." He gestured over his front and the shirt that clothed it. "Becoming dirty is never in fashion."

Blueblood snatched a goopy chocolate treat off the snack table in his magic. "And, being unicorns, we can take hold of things without as much immediate threat to our appearance."

"Oh, yes, that much is very true," she easily agreed, her magic wrapping around the same one Blueblood was holding, taking it from him and holding it steady. "Even normal everyday unicorns like me enjoy that."

Fancy nodded. "Quite, but! Here's the trick. Now you have to bite into it without leaving a mess on your face. It's quite the trick."

"One I have mastered," crooned Blueblood proudly.

The color around the treat shifted as Fancy took hold of it and brought it towards him. "Show her how it's done."

He opened his mouth not terribly far and it came in, allowing him to get it with his teeth and his teeth alone, slicing off a portion without it touching his lips. He only closed his mouth when the treat was safely locked away behind his teeth, allowing him to chew thoughtfully, and clean his teeth quickly out of view.

Fancy nodded appreciatively. "Excellently done, not a spot on his fur." He gestured at Blueblood for emphasis. "Now, don't feel bad if--"

Gentle tried to imitate the act, chomping with her teeth. The filling squirting out and making a messy splatter on her front. Her eyes went wide with horror.

"Now we enter another lesson," cautioned Fancy.

"Quite," agreed Blueblood. "You musn't let anypony see you are distressed. Take slow breaths, speak as if nothing had happened, and trust in your associates, or the local waitstaff, to deal with it."

Even as he explained it, a maid casually slid in front of Gentle, her glowing horn banishing the filth while she stood in the way, then she trotted off as if nothing had happened, not a word spoken.

Fancy gestured with his head at the fleeing maid. "As you can see, they are well trained to handle such mistakes. So, if a mistake happens--"

"--stay calm," finished Blueblood. "Always something to bear in mind." He let out a sigh suddenly. "I remember the last time I lost my temper..."

"I was there, chap." Fancy shook his head. "Most undignified."

Blueblood began to color fiercely, but managed to otherwise compose himself. "That mare drove me entirely to distraction. She was everything you are not, Gentle. Loud, assuming, and foolish beyond words."

"Now now, let us not speak unkindly of Lady Rarity. She has made a name for herself, and not undeservedly." Fancy nodded softly. "I am sorry you two got along so poorly, but we can leave the past in the past."

Mare reached up, patting Blueblood cautiously on the shoulder. "I hope I never make you that angry..."

"I struggle to imagine how you could," he assured with a gentle smile. "Thank you, for your concern. Now... are you ready to try again?" He nodded towards the floating chocolate trap.

She looked uncertain, but went in slowly, sizing up her enemy. She would need to practice quite a bit more to get that trick down. At least she had two friends who seemed willing to coach her through it, and they never laughed at her.

"No no no," chastised Fire. "You're all wrong." She brought up her hooves. "You have to--" Her eyes twinkled. "Oh, there, that's it." Her eyes were on his horn, watching as he tried to match the strange runes on the page before them. "Hold it and learn it." Her tail wagged.

And he noticed something. Her tail was odd. Instead of a mass of hair, it was long and naked, with a spade at the end that wagged eagerly. Not a proper pony tail at all. What a curious maid he had summoned. Still, she was a tutor, if sometimes an infuriating one. "How long must I?"

"Until I tell you to stop." She rolled her eyes with a smirk. "When we're studying, I'm the master. Now obey me!"

"There's no reason to be uncouth." His eyes crossed, looking at his horn and the magic that glowed around it. "I don't chase the servants around saying such things, it does not inspire loyalty in them."

"You must have your commanding voice off." She licked over her lips, looking as naughty as she could be. "But we're learning magic, not proper diction. Alright, let go." The magic faded from his horn. "And bring it back," she ordered with a feral grin.

He grumbled, trying to recapture the note he had just released. The worst part being that she seemed to enjoy the struggle he had in it, not laughing, out loud, but her eyes shined with obvious mirth. His work was her pleasure. What a curious tutor, but one he could be sure wouldn't go gossiping about what he wanted, or what he was learning. When he tired of her, he could release her back to... wherever summoned maids came from.

She was safe.

Author's Notes:

Blueblood, what did you do? Summoning demons to give you magic tips is one way to get ahead with things, but is it a good way?

Posted early for patrons. Want to get updates early, and/or get your own story here at atreon!

Don't want to do an ongoing thing? You could

Join my discord to chat!

5 - Good Friends

"Pardon." Sassy inclined her head at Fancy. "You're friends with Blueblood, I hear?"

"We do move in the same circles," he agreed warilly. "What brings him up?" He eyed the fashion-minded mare. A friend of Rarity, an employee more precisely. He knew that much.

"Oh, just peers?" She was already turning away. "Put a pin in that then. Sorry for both--"

He set a hoof on her shoulder. "Hold yourself, madame. We are friends, yes."

She glanced over her shoulder, the rest of her turning to face him again. "Well, he came by the store the other day." She sat down and began tapping her hooves nervously. "He did end up with a sizable order in the end, I appreciate that, but--"

"But...?" He could see there was more, though Sassy Saddles was not getting to the point. "Go on."

"The first time he visited, he put on a dress." She rolled an ear back. "He was trying to be subtle, but a stallion goes into a changing room with a dress and it's stretched afterwards... Not a lot of other explanations for the event. Now... I'm not here to judge him, I assure--"

"--But you came to me." Fancy inclined an ear. "A curious choice."

"Well..." Sassy danced in place skittishly. "I only know two reasons a stallion would do that. Either they just like the look or feel of a dress, and that's fine. Or..."

"Or they hold some fantasy of fitting the dress," proposed Fancy, a brow raising. "How... interesting. I will handle this with the utmost of care."

Sassy let out a breath. "Oh, good... I was worried I'd messed up. I don't mean to get him in any amount of trouble. I just thought maybe a friend of his could learn more, maybe lend a hoof? I know he has a spotty record with Rarity--" Fancy chuckled at that, but she went on, "but he deserves support, like any pony."

"I will do my best," he assured. "Poor chap... Or perhaps not chap? I will attempt to discern. Whatever the case, We are friends, and I will not let this stand."

"You have mastered another symbol," half sang his tutor and maid. Her form shimmered with heat, his room tidying itself as she spoke to him, proving she was a proper maid. "How does it feel? You are now more talented in magic than most unicorns yet living."

"But that's barely a hoof full," countered Blueblood. "How close am I to casting the spell I seek to master?"

The book with the mare and stallion spells floated over and she waved a hoof over it, flipping the pages without contact. "Mmm, oh, oh! Well, this is much more complicated... We'll be here a while..." She pointed to a new symbol. "This is a master symbol."

Blueblood squinted at the squiggle on the page. "Knowing it means you are a master of magic?"

"Knowing it requires you be a master of magic," she corrected. "It will be among the last we attempt. The contortions you will have to make to form it may break you if we skipped to it." A wicked smile spread on her lips. "As amusing as it would be to see you try..."

Part of him wanted to challenge her, to try it anyway! "Let us proceed in a stately affair. From the bottom up." He put a hoof even with the bed he was laying on and raised it slowly. "I will master this, in due time."

"A shockingly mature reply."

"I am mature," he huffed, tail thrashing behind him. "The nerve..." As tutors went, she was quite the test of patience at times. "Let us proceed."

"Gentle." He gestured to a chair. "Thank you for coming."

She hopped up onto the chair and sat on her haunches. "How could I say no? Fancy Pants, you're... a pony of import."

"That is not how I wish to approach you today." He took a seat across from her. "But as a friend, with another friend in common."

"Another... Prince Blueblood?" she ventured, inclining her head. "He is a peach. I still... get the giggles looking at that wonderful dress he got for me."

"Quite lovely," agreed Fancy, though his mind was not on how lovely or not Gentle Mare looked in that dress, instead imagining Blueblood squeezed into it. "In your time with Blueblood, has he seemed... masculine, or feminine? I ask as a friend."

She blinked slowly, trying to parse the question. "Why, he's a stallion, of course, but... he's also a noble, so... he's... He's gentler than many stallions I've known, but you do that too." She stuck out her tongue a little. "That doesn't make either of you a mare. Just gentle stallions who I feel privileged to know and be welcomed by." Her horn glowed as she took up a little biscuit and nibbled gently at. "Getting better at that."

"You are," he agreed with a small smile, seeing she was nipping at the treat in a way as to minimize the crumbs created. "You're a quick learner. Thank you." It wasn't as enlightening as he hoped. Gentle Mare was not standing in the right place to know what he sought to learn. "We should have tea more often."

"Blueblood, chap." Fancy waved away his cloud of other ponies. "Have you a moment?"

"For you, always." Blueblood's ears quivered towards the playing philharmonic that was in the background. "Hm, they're really out in force today."

"They've turned a corner with Octavia Melody taking the lead position she has," he gently agreed. "But I would speak about you, not them."

"Me?" Blueblood turned a hoof at himself. "Is something out of place?" He floated over a mirror to quickly examine himself, but everything was where it should be. He was a picture perfect prince of a pony!

Fancy gently nudged Blueblood away from the center of things, his voice lowering. "I just wanted to talk of something a bit... delicate." He cleared his throat. "Allow me to start with a supporting few words."

"Supporting?" Blueblood raised a brow. "You've been quite supportive as far as I've known you." His eyes rolled. "Though you are a bit defensive of that mare, about the only complaint I have. Whatever do you mean?"

"This isn't about her," he assured with a little smile. He glanced about, ensuring no other ponies were close enough to snoop. "Now, this is entirely between you and I, and I am not here to scold, but... How did that dress feel, when you put it on?"

The party progressed around them. A new song began, something that caused ponies to begin pairing up to dance. Fleur trotted over, clearly ready to join them.

"Not now," he gently dissuaded. "I'm having a conversation." She pouted, but moved on. "Sisters, am I right?" He looked back to Blueblood who was still entirely silent. "Chap?" Still silent. "I'm not here to make light of things."

"How?" Blueblood suddenly spat, fighting tremendously against the blush that was trying to rise into view.

"Unimportant. I ask as a friend."

"Not here." Blueblood glanced around wildly, then fled in as stately a fashion as he could muster, walking off stiffly but hurriedly.

Soon they were in a side room, nopony there but the two of them. "Now, really." Fancy raised a hoof to his chest. "Be honest. I've yet to demean you and don't plan to begin now."

"Easy for you to say." With a loud click, he turned the lock to the door to the room closed. "Now, be clear, how do you know about that?"

"You're not contesting it," noted Fancy with a patient smile. "Now, if you could kindly answer my question? I did ask it first, did I not?"

Blueblood sank to his belly. "You'll laugh..."

"I swear." He raised a hoof up. "Not a titter will escape me. You have my word."

Blueblood looked up at him from his prone position. "You swear?" Fancy nodded and Blueblood heaved out a soft sigh, flopping over in a most unseemly display. "Fancy, you have long been the model of a noble stallion, no, possibly even a royal stallion." There was a difference between the two. "Proud, strong, soft-spoken, but firm. Never afraid to have your own opinion even as you rest your hoof on the pulsing life of the social circles you strode in, always so confident..."

"You flatter me." His smile deepened a little, not immune to a little flattery. "But how does that answer the query?"

"I'm not that," he squeaked out. "I'm... not close to that..." Tears began to well up in his eyes. "I tried for so long to ignore it, but as royal stallions go, I am a pale imitation! Maybe Rarity was right to look down on me as she had." He buried his face in his hooves, quivering with released feelings.

Fancy sat beside Blueblood, gently running a hoof over his friend's withers. "Now now, don't be like that. You've been growing quite admirably of late. I hadn't mentioned it, and perhaps I should have. I am not perfect, chap, nopony is. Even Princess Celestia, as wonderful as she is, makes errors from time to time."

Blueblood suddenly sat up on his haunches, tears staining his snout. "When I put it on, I felt... good."

"Good?" Suddenly they were back on target.

"I imagined myself... fitting." His horn glowed, drawing out the mirror. "I imagined the Lady I could be, instead of the Lord I was. She would... be the belle of the ball." He smiled awkwardly, admitting everything. "And now you think I'm a ponce of a stallion."

"Stand up, I must insist." Fancy offered a hoof. "Now, believe it or not..." He paused as Blueblood leaned against the offered hoof, rising up. "I have met stallions and mares that have gazed to the other side of that divide and wondered if they weren't put on the wrong end through no fault of their own." He raised an ear. "Imagine if we had to select for ourselves? Fancy that.... But that is not how it is. It is decided for us, by fate, fortune, destiny? Whatever you wish to call it." He chuckled softly. "I could have been Frilled Skirts instead. I can scarcely imagine it."

Blueblood chuckled at the vision, interfered with by a sniffle. "Oh, I'm quite the mess. Terribly sorry, you didn't come to this function to watch me come apart."

"Actually..." Fancy leaned in. "I only came to this one because I knew you'd be here. I figured I could get you to talk."

Blueblood licked over his lips, quiet a moment. "You've... been thinking about me? Fancy, I don't deserve you." He turned away, ears sagging. "And I was ready to shout you away."

Fancy came up beside Blueblood, setting a leg over him and delivering a gentle hug. "Now now, it's all out in the open. Let us be friends, as we've been for a number of years. Now... if you wish to dress as a mare and be called a mare, well, I will oblige you." He lifted an ear. "I feel certain you would only do it if it properly fit you."

Blueblood began to darken in his cheeks rapidly. "Wait! But... I wouldn't be a mare. Why would you play along with such an obvious deceit?"

Fancy removed his leg to turn that hoof to himself. "If a pony is a mare, on the inside, what is on the outside matters quite a bit less. To ignore that is just to be rude. We are friends, are we not? What manner of friend could I call myself if I ignored such a simple request?"

Blueblood sagged against the nearest wall. "That simple? But... what if I actually was a mare?"

Fancy smiled a little. "We would need to be introduced again, I should imagine in either event, but I would hazard we would get along just as famously." He raised a brow. "Perhaps I could take you as my +1 instead of Fleur, teach her not to rely on her brother to fill the role forever."

Blueblood laughed at that, a strained but genuine sound. "One day you will reveal to me why she is so comfortable with that? Most sisters I know are not so eager to hang off their brothers."

"She is a model," he advised. "Without me as a shield, she is approached by all manner of pony hoping to earn her eyes and approval." He raised his brows. "Were you a mare, I imagine much the same would happen to you."

Blueblood darkened at that. "Stop that... you're just saying that."

"I do not 'just say' things, chap. You know that." He lifted his nose with a little huff. "You have a royal figure. I doubt that would change. A royal mare with the cut of a royal will draw eyes, of this I hold little doubt. But, let us not talk of impossibilities. You are a stallion, on the outside. I brought you aside to speak of what's on the inside." He reached out, tapping Blueblood on the chest. "I would rather be straight with that part of you."

"But what if... it isn't?" Blueblood glanced away and back. "Were I princess Blueblood?"

"Then I would be friends with a princess," concluded Fancy easily. "And I would not stand for anypony else arguing the matter, whether or not your inside and outside matched."

"Yes, yes, I get that." Blueblood smiled awkwardly, shuffling in place. "And I do appreciate your solidarity, truly, I do. You are a dear and true friend." He backed up a step and flopped to his haunches. "We are unicorns."

"Can't argue that." Fancy raised a brow. "And?"

"Unicorns can use magic..." Blueblood brought his fore hooves together lightly. "There are spells to do the impossible, Fancy..."

"I'm no wizard," started Fancy in an admitting tone. "But such a spell is quite above an amateur level. Do you intend to get Princess Twilight to assist?"

"No!" he blurted, his blush growing fierce a moment as he went silent, speaking in a much more reserved tone, "I will not let anypony else do this for me. I am learning... myself."

Fancy's hoof touched Blueblood's stiff shoulder. "Well, good. I never fancied you to be one to learn such a rigorous thing as such advanced spellcasting. Is it going well?"

Blueblood could not believe what he was hearing. "Just like that? Good? How is it going?" He stood up, staring at Fancy Pants. "I'm learning a forbidden spell to defy the natural order and you say 'good'?"

"Is it not good?" asked Fancy, tail flicking behind him. "You have a wish, and you mean to grasp it between your hooves. Good! I am glad to hear my friend is taking matters under their own control and are striding forward to address it. Now, to me, the question is, do I call you a lady or a lord?"

Blueblood threw his hooves wide. "You are being too understanding by half! My jealousy of you grows uncomfortably quickly. How do you manage to be so perfect?"

"I blame it on my mother." Fancy smiled smoothly, face even, neither up nor down. "Now, come, let's get you cleaned up and rejoin the festivities before they begin to whisper about us."

"Oh, yes... yes..." He hurried to fetch some napkins. Soon they would trot out and blend into the social tapestry as if nothing important had happened at all.

"I never answered him." He sat beside his bed. His tutor was on the bed, watching him.

"What didn't you answer about?" she asked, sounding mildly curious. "This is your friend, right?"

"Fancy Pants," Blueblood reminded. "He asked if I was to be addressed as a lady or a lord."

The imp mare rolled a hoof. "Alright, well, he's not here, just me. So tell me instead. Are you a lady, or a lord?" She rolled over slowly. "You're a lord from this angle."

"I'm a lord from any angle you choose," he huffed. "I... just could choose to change that..."

"Doubt that's what your friend meant."

"What do you mean?" He stood up, glaring at Miss Paradox. "You haven't even met him and already you insist you know him better than I?"

"Duh," she half-laughed out. "He wants to know what you want, and he's nice enough to give it to you, even if you never finish the spell. Real nice guy." Her eyes flashed with thoughts of how to corrupt such an innocent soul. "So, what do you want, besides learning magic?"

She rolled and hung her hooves off the side of the bed, clopping them together. "Pow, you can cast the spell. Do you?" She smirked viciously. "Maybe you wait until you have the stallion spell worked out too, so you can switch back and forth, whenever the mood strikes... Play both sides of the field, get a paramor of either lined up. Oh, what a life you could lead."

Her laughter did little to calm his nerves. "I should think not. That is not proper decorum in the slightest." He directed a hoof at himself. "I will choose and I will abide by that selection. Besides." He huffed as he turned half away. "Imagine the stationary costs of constantly changing lady and lord?"

"So... Lord Blueblood, or Lady Bluebelle, is it?" She leaned off the bed, almost falling free, a big grin on her face. "How lovely. So which side are you on?"

"I have not made that decision." He crossed his arms on his chest. "And we appear to be wasting study time."

"Oh, you want to suffer some more? That's fine by me too." She drew herself back up onto the bed fully on her haunches, a book floating over to flop before Blueblood. "Pop quiz!" She said word that was not usually said out loud, a strange noise. In his mind, he could see the symbol she was referring to. "Go."

His horn glowed with the rune of power. "This one."

"Oh ho, have you been practicing? This one." She spoke another word in a language not known, and somehow still clear to him. She made him show off each of the symbols that had run through in turn. "Good, good... At least you're serious about this. Let's tackle a new one." She thrust a hoof down to the open book. "Third line, fourth character."

His eyes swept over the book quickly, finding the mystery character. "It looks like an infinity?"

"Good eye," she sang, hooves pedalling in the air, her back to the bed. "That symbol can make a lot of trouble, or power your dreams. Or both! Either way, time to learn it." The lessons continued, not at all helping him decide his gender identity, but becoming a more practiced spellcaster pleased him. He would prove he could do more than just be a prince, as lovely as that was.

Gentle Mare tipped to the left and right before turning likewise, displaying her clothing off with a little smile. "Is it as good as the other? It seems lovely!"

"That was my question for you," argued Blueblood. "Your first is just fine, but it is becoming fall, and wearing the same fashion between seasons is noticed, unkindly."

"You poor thing." She turned towards him. "Why are they always judging you?!" She thrust a hoof at him. "Even your friend started asking about you. It's unfair. You are a lovely royal that deserves respect, not staring eyes."

Blueblood inclined his head faintly. "My friend?"

"Fancy Pants? He seemed so nice at first, but then he asked me rather pointed questions about you." She sat and crossed her arms. "About you. I felt like he was digging for gossip and I didn't like it at all."

"Oh... no. No no, he's...." Blueblood let out a slow breath, considering how to answer that. "He is a dear and long friend, and he was worried for me, not making trouble, I assure."

"Are you certain?" She rose back up and did a turn in place. "It does look nice! Really, asking if you were mare-like. Of course you are, in some ways. But that's because you are a proper stallion." She looked over her shoulder at him. "You respect other ponies, you aren't trying to show off. You are well mannered and lovely and I adore you."

His cheeks warmed. "Adore me?"

She returned the expression swiftly. "Sorry! I meant... I very much appreciate it. You are perfect." She nodded firmly. "Neither too much mare nor too much stallion, as if there was such a thing." She mused on that. "Well, if you were too entranced by physical competitions and spent your days honing your body, that would... be less attractive, I suppose," she admitted. "That is not a stallion trait I admire."

That only rose questions. "What is a stallion trait I have that you do admire?"

"Oh, hmmm." She raised a hoof to her chin, considering it. "You see what you want and you go for it. You worry less about other's opinions and simply make it so. You're not rude about it, but you don't let it hold you back either. I appreciate that." She pointed to herself. "Like me! I didn't know what to do. I was so lost, but you insisted and you gently nudged me forward... That was a very stallion act, but done so kindly. I have nothing but thanks for it."

He hrmed out loud, unsure if that really qualified as a distinctly male thing to do. "Well, what are mare traits I may have that you admire?"

"Oh, goodness, really, hmm..." She pointed. "You enjoy a good snack. You always make a beeline for the snack tray when we go to events, but then you eat them so delicately. I'm still trying to catch up on that front, but you seem so... proper, and yet... the pleasure is clear on your face. It's a wicked little treat you make look so perfect. I'm jealous, if we're honest. I'll catch up, perhaps, eventually."

That was equally not a distinctly mare thing to do. He began to wonder just how much Gentle could assist with the matter. "Were I, just for fun, not a stallion, what would you do?"

She blinked at him owlishly. "I don't understand? If you were not a stallion? What would you be then? A Griffon?"

"A mare," he posited. "Really, a griffon? Perish the thought." He raised a brow. "They don't even have nobility."

"They don't?" she admitted her ignorance in naked shock. "How awful. Now, a mare..." She tapped a hoof on the ground. "That would make some of my thoughts... inappropriate." She inclined her head. "Though it would make you dressing me feel a bit less odd."

Thoughts? "What thoughts?" It clicked after he said it. "You... chase me?"

"Chase? No! What?"

"You wish to marry me?"

Her face went beet red. "I like you! You've... been nothing but lovely to me. Why wouldn't I like you? You're handsome and nice and you really care, about me... We can talk, like right now." She wobbled a hoof between Blueblood and herself. "And I feel like neither of us are judging the other unfairly."

He took a slow breath. "Sorry... That one, I will accept the blame for. You are not a prince chasing mare. It was I that insisted we speak this long." He turned away, gazing out a window to the garden below. "But you are still a mare, and I, still a prince. Could a mare also befriend a princess?"

Her head tilted with obvious confusion. "Celestia and Luna both have mare friends, don't they? Princess Twilight has a whole herd of them!"

As much as he disliked hearing Twilight come up, there was a point there. Two mares could be close friends.

Just like two stallions.

Author's Notes:

Blueblood has some deep thoughts in this chapter as he reaches closer to his target.

Are they on the right path?

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6 - Trying it On

"You know..." Fire Paradox whipped her spaded tail to and fro, leering at him in that queer way she had. "You have enough symbols down to cast no small selection of other spells. Why aren't you?"

"I am focused on the task." Blueblood inclined his head faintly. "Why should I?"

"Practice?" She started. "Knowing each symbol is all well and good, but if you can't sling them together properly, what makes you think you'll just hop right into the big complicated mess you have your eyes on." She brought her tail around, the spade just under his chin. "Doesn't sound smart to me."

He swatted her tail away with a quick motion of a hoof. "You do have a point there. What spell do you suggest?"

"Well, since you asked me." She rolled onto her back, hooves pedaling in the air. "Why not take your form for a test run?"

"Pardon?" He raised a brow high. "I'm not ready to try that spell yet."

"Of course you aren't, my dear little student," she sang, a mocking edge to her melodic chorus. "But you can do other things. The lesson begins now." A scroll manifested in a brilliant flare of heat and brimstone. Burning into the page, magic letters and symbols began to appear. "Here is a spell. I know it, but can you do it? Don't disappoint me." She willed the paper against his chest. "Read, learn, cast."

His horn began to glow as he took control over the page, raising it to easier reading. "I do recognize these characters," he mused. "You needn't be so terse."

"Did you want me to be more soft? Tough. You want to learn this, now, you get to thank me for holding your little hoofies over the fire." Her body shimmered with a wave of heat. "Or are you happy with getting there in a decade or two?"

A decade? He frowned at the thought. "Is that how long it would take to reach as far as I have?"

"Twilight Sparkle," simmered Fire with a grin. "She's a prodigy, one of the best in the land. You hate her, but you can't argue that much, can you?"

"Hate is unseemly," he huffed, a hoof at his chest. "I do think she's an upstart, but to say I 'hate' her is a bit much, don't you think?"

"That was a lot of not arguing the point." She leaned forward. "It still took her a decade at Celestia's school. I'm pushing you, oh yes. Pushing you hard. You think it's rough? Too bad. You're on the accelerated course. Now read the scroll and cast the spell and stop wasting both of our time." She rolled a hoof that was waggling in the air. "Chop chop. You know all the symbols."

With quiet grumbling, he got to reading the scroll, his horn glimmering as he tried each symbol after the other, one at a time. Her eyes were on him, watching. She wasn't wrong, he did recognize each symbol, and he could play each one on the flute of his horn.

All that remained was to actually play the song of the spell. He took a slow measured breath, ready to give it a try.

"Before you do that," cut in Fire Paradox, cutting off his attempt. "Imagine Lady Belle. Hold her image in your mind."

"What a curious thing to do," he grunted, but since she had been brought up, Lady Blue Belle was in his head. He played the song.

"Faster," she barked. "Faster, and you tripped over the fifth note," she chastised. "Again."

He took a slow breath, calming himself and starting from the top of the page, working down through the melody of magic, faster as he went from symbol to symbol. He could feel the magic flowing more powerfully. Something was happening. He was casting a spell, a real spell!

"Ugh, again," she suddenly cut in. "You got distracted. Keep your mind on your goal."

"A goal you haven't told me," he huffed. Still, he had the vision of his female self, and he tried to keep that upfront and center, starting over with a determined look. Running all the faster down the page, he played a song for the universe. And the universe listened. "There, I did it that time." But his voice wasn't right. "What?" he asked with a softer female tone. He crossed his eyes and saw his snout was rounded and slighter.

He hurried to his bedroom mirror in a scramble to see Lady Blue Belle gazing back at him. "You said I didn't have the expertise! But I've... done it."

"You are still a stallion," noted Fire with a smirk. "This is an illusion. Go on, touch yourself."

"How uncouth..." Still, she reached up a hoof and felt around her snout. Under the vision of a mare, she could feel that stallion's face there. An illusion... "A cunning disguise," she whispered, turning to Fire. "Well, how do I look?"

"Not bad." She shrugged softly. "Not my favored type, but not bad. Well, go on. Feel that little tickle in your horn? You have to keep that up, or the illusion will be gone. This is practice too. What is a spellcaster that can't cast any spell that needs concentration?"

"A poor one," Belle easily agreed. "Alright, but, wait. How long am I to hold this?"

"All. Day." She rolled upright and sat on her haunches. "Go on, get. Let the world behold your splendor, and don't let the spell go."

"I am woefully unprepared," she cried. "No announcements have been made. Nopony is expecting this."

"Sucks to be them." She half lidded her eyes, gazing at him. "If it helps, just forget about Prince Blueblood, you're just a passing mare. See how life is a little from the other side. Maybe then you can make up your mind." She huffed out at the last part, rolling her eyes. "That'd be nice."

"Just a passing mare..." She raised a hoof, only to lower it. "Yes... that could work. I don't have any critical appointments today." She hurried towards her wardrobe. "Will clothes work?" he mused as he looked over the selection. "Or will this illusion conceal whatever I wear?"

"It's your spell," she reminded. "Be dressed however you want, stupid."

"No need to be insulting." She snorted softly even as she tried imagining Lady Belle dressed in something befitting a Lady. His vision became obscured as something lacy got in the way. "Oh, oh dear. Yes! It's working! Your techniques are quite rough, but I can't argue the results." She turned in place, trying to look at herself. "I'm ready to see the day!"

"Then go see it." She pointed out the door. "I'll be here when you're done, but the sun better be set if you're not looking the part."

"All day," she repeated, mentally touching that itch, considering it. "You've put a challenge on me, but I won't retreat." With her held held high, Lady Belle strode free of her room to face a world that only knew her as a stallion.

"Are you lost, Madame?" A guard was looking at Belle curiously.

"Hm?" What silly guard was this, that didn't recognize him! But he was not a he. He was a she, Lady Belle. And nopony knew her. She calmed as she remembered. "Actually, if you could direct me to the exit? I appear to have gotten turned around."

"Of course. Follow me." He began to lead the way, tail swaying in tune to his steps. He didn't suspect a thing!

Belle trotted after him with a little smile, feeling more confident in her spell.

Soon she was in front of the palace instead of inside it. "Thank you, Good Sir."

"Quite welcome." The guard saluted, then moved to return to whatever duties he had.

There was a pony she recognized. Gentle was approaching. Oh, right. They were to have tea... How to... "Lady Mare," she called. "Have you a moment?"

"Lady?" Gentle blushed. "You must have me confused for somepony else."

"Oh, no, I feel certain you are precisely the pony I saught." She closed in with her friend. "Lord Blueblood is indisposed at the moment."

"Oh, dear." Gentle shook her head slowly. "The work of a royal stallion is never done."

"Precisely so." Even if her work, at the moment, was holding that spell while talking and walking and doing other things. "I'm..." What was she? A mare dressed as she was couldn't just... "--his sister."

"He has a sister?" she blurted with obvious surprise. "Oh! Hello." She dipped her head. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Here I am," she confirmed with a smile. "He wouldn't stop talking about you, so I had to see for myself. You're just as lovely as he said."

Her blush only grew worse, spreading down her neck. "You're flattering me, m'lady."

"Come now." She waved it off. "We're both ladies. You can call me Blue Belle, or just Belle. You've been such a friend to my brother, I feel we're already close."

"If... you insist, Belle? That's a nice name." She nodded softly. "Blueblood and Blue Belle? Lovely." She turned away from the castle, eyes on Belle. "I should head back."

"Don't be in such a hurry." Belle almost went in for a touching of barrels, but remembered at the last moment that contact would ruin the illusion instantly. A mare was not as large as she was, under the illusion. Gentle would probably notice that. "Let's do as ladies do on a nice sunny day."

"Well... if I'm not bothering?"

"You're not! You're just as shy as he said. Dear, I promise. I came here because I wanted to, not out of obligation. Come, let's use the day wisely."

Gentle's expression began to relax. "If you're sure, then, yes, let's." She considered a moment. "Twinkeshine's going to give a demonstration of a song she's working on for the choir. That should be lovely."

Belle knew Twinkleshine, common blood, but Canterlot born and raised. Student of Celestia's school, though she had largely abandoned spellcraft to instead become a choir member. A member of Twilight Sparkle's class. Oh yes, she made it her business to know ponies around Canterlot. "That should be lovely," she echoed back at Gentle. "Let's go and hear what she's come up with.

The two trotted side by side, though not touching. Belle made sure of that. The tickle had become something of a mild ache by the time they arrived. "The whole day," she sighed quietly to herself, imagining how much worse it'd get by the time the sun was ready to set. Still, she wouldn't give up. "Ah, is that her?"

"There she is," eagerly agreed Gentle, leading the way towards a crowd of ponies.

A crowd was dangerous. If she pushed into it, her bigger masculine form would be felt and noticed rather quickly. "Let's not push and shove, unseemly." Her eyes slid left and right. "There." A table with an umbrella, at an eatery closeby. "Let's sit there, get a spot to eat and enjoy ourselves."

"What a marvelous idea." She was redirected, no longer eager to push into the crowd. "I don't mean to... Nevermind, I can just not eat."

Belle raised a brow at the curiously aborted request. "Was this not in your budget?" Common ponies had those for such little trifles. What a difficult life they led... "This will be my treat," she sang, ears twitching. She had such a nice voice as a mare. "Order whatever picks your fancy, and if I see your eyes wandering towards the price, I will be cross."

"Oh dear." Gentle stepped up onto one of the seats and sank down onto her haunches. "A little snack, perhaps." With a glowing horn, she reached for the menu.

"A little water to start you two lovely ladies." A waiter had arrived, pouring them both from a floating jug. "If I may suggest, the red rose wine is exquisite today and goes well with our appetizer."

Gentle shook her head and looked away, unwilling to order wine from such a fancy place. Lady Belle had no such reservations. "That sounds delightful. A cup for us both, and leave the bottle behind." She inclined her head faintly. "And that appetizer, is it a sampling?"

"Indeed," crooned the waiter, looking proud. "A selection of things to tease the taste buds and get you ready for a meal worth waiting for."

"Then we will have one of those." Lady Belle gestured at the table in front of her. Her hoof, extending a bit further than the image, knocked into the glass vase. She quickly caught it, and it began to glow, the waiter fixing its position without a word. "Thank you."

"I'll be right back." And off he went to get them started.

Gentle swatted the air at her. "I didn't order one," she complained.

"But you wanted to try it. I saw it in your eyes. I told you, this is my treat. Sit back and let me spoil you a little. You deserve it."

Her blush returned, but she didn't argue that further. "Why did you order the entire bottle?"

"An old habit," she confessed. "I'd rather have it available if I want it. If I don't, well, no harm."

"No harm?!" she blurted before sinking in her chair, avoiding the judging eyes. "You pay for the entire bottle whether you drink it or not."

"Consider it a charitable donation to the eatery," argued Belle with a soft smile. "I know I can be a difficult customer at times. I have very specific demands and insist on royal attention. So, if I buy a little much wine, is that truly unfair?"

"Well, I suppose." A plate slid between them. "Oh, the appetizers." Wine was poured into fresh glasses for them next to the water. "Thank you."

"Thank you," echoed Lady Belle, imitating without thinking of it. "Let's consider our main course."

"Oh! Are we really doing an entire meal?"

"Whyever not?" Belle peered at the uncertain mare. "I am treating you to a fine time. Oh, I think the singing is about to start."

A clearing of the throat echoed out over the crowd as Twinkleshine took her place before a microphone that amplified her. "Thank you all for coming! This is just a test run. Wow, I really didn't expect this many ponies! I'll do my best, promise." She pumped a hoof then moved it to her chest, taking a deep breath.

The singing began, Twinkleshine's voice a clear bell of perfect tones that rang out across the crowd. The crowd began to sway in tune, clearly enjoying the performance being given.

Belle nodded softly. "An acceptable performance, with good company and..." She paused to sip from her floating goblet of wine. "Mmm, just as good as he promised. I had wondered if he was playing it up."

Gentle looked away from Twinkleshine towards Belle as she sipped, and her eyes widened a little. "Um..."

What had she seen? Belle peered over her shoulder, setting the glass down. There was nothing odd behind her. "Is something wrong?"

"You..." She frowned a little. "I must be seeing things."

"I would hope you are hearing things, and tasting things," suggested Lady Belle with a smile. "Go on." Her glowing horn gently lifted a small snack to try. "We are here to enjoy ourselves."

"Tasting things, of course." Her own horn glowed as she began to try the different appetizers with happy little noises. "These are good! Almost as nice as when Blueblood took me to his functions, almost... Not quite." She smiled a little awkwardly. "I feel odd, noting the difference."

"It means you're gaining refinement of the palate, something to be proud of," argued Belle. "Good on you. To be able to properly judge a meal is a skill most ponies never have."

Things calmed then, the two eating and listening. Sipping fine wine, and letting the day slip gently, without any friction to spoil it.

At least until Gentle reached across the table. Belle withdrew sharply. "Pardon?"

"I'm sorry... it's just..." She brought both of her hooves together, worrying them in a fidget. "Every time you eat..."

Then it hit her. Her face was not where the false image was. She had been feeding an invisible mouth that entire time. Her deception, laid bare. Panic began to course through her. "Just a little trick," she squeaked out.

She inclined her head left and right before she sat back. "I have decided on an entree."

"Oh?" Belle let out a soft sigh. The danger was passing. She just had to keep the magic going. "Please, do share."

"Your favorite." Gentle smiled a little, tapping something on the menu.

Belle read it upside down, one of the little skills she had picked up. That was one of her favorites!

But that was Prince Blueblood's favored meal, not Lady Belle, who Gentle was just meeting.

Was that a test? Was she seen through? It could be either. "My... brother adores it, and I'm partial to it as well," she allowed with a smile she hoped was genuine. "Do you like it?"

"It's delightful," she agreed easily, raising a hoof to wave at the passing waiter. She had soon ordered their proper meal. "Dinner and a show. This has been quite a nice day."

"Oh, yes, quite," Lady Belle agreed with a soft nod. "In good company."

"Good company," Gentle echoed back.

"I should... powder my nose." Belle stepped down carefully and trotted off to the restrooms. There were two of them. One was for mares, the other, stallions. A mare had no business in a stallion's stall, and a stallion in a mare's? Both were entirely uncouth. Reason enough to throw the offending pony away to somewhere dark. Which did she select?

She could let go of the spell, trot into the stallion's stalls, get a moment of relaxation in more than one way. But then, when and where would she re-assume her mare identity? No, that wouldn't do. She would have to remain as she was, a mare. A lady! And ladies... went to the mare's room. Decided, she walked forward, willing the door open.

In pony society, the differences in stalls were far more subtle than human models. There were more mirrors in the mare's side, but the same number of stalls. Ponies went standing up, sure, but that still needed a stall to do it in, whatever their gender. That was also a relief. She strode past the other mares, not meeting their eyes, darting into the first available stall and closing the door.

She had made it! She was in! She slid the lock shut and relaxed. Ah, sweet relief. Her horn's ache had progressed a little, but she held it firm. She would remain a lady until the sun had set, as commanded. She would not fail that test! She cleaned herself up and stepped free of the stall.

"I think she's way in over her head."

The mares there were prettying themselves and gossiping about something. Belle ignored them, walking past towards freedom from places she did not... belong? Well, she hadn't seen anything untoward, and she would not bother anypony. No harm had been done.

She stepped up onto her chair, looking across to Gentle. "Did I miss anything?"

"They're getting the choir." She pointed out over the crowd. "Seems it's such a hit they couldn't help themselves."

"How lovely." She lifted her wine glass for a sip. "The food is on the way?"

"But not here yet," agreed Gentle. "You know, I've heard of it before... but... usually... there's some difference."

"Difference in what?" She cocked a brow at Gentle with naked confusion. "Are they mistreating you? I will not stand for it."

"Not that," Gentle hurriedly got out. "The wait staff has been delightful. It's just... Even with twins, cutie marks usually vary, a little." She held up two hooves. "Even if it's just the color of the same thing."

"Cutie marks?" What was she going on about? She glanced back at her own cutie mark. Oh... Belle and Blueblood did not differ a bit in one specific area. They both had a nice big compass rose adorning them, unchanged in even the slightest. "Fancy that," she got out with a nervous little laugh.

"Be truthful with me." She shipped from her own glass of wine. "Am I speaking to Lady Belle, or is this Lord Blueblood?"

She couldn't fight the blush storming in her face. "Well, you see..."

"Answer enough." She inclined her head. "Do I scare you so?"

Belle blinked. "Hm? Scare?"

"You are assuming I can't be allowed to know. Or that I just would never figure it out." She looked away. "This does dash some... thoughts... but..."

"You do not scare me." Belle clopped a hoof on the table, even if it was a bit off sync with where her hoof appeared to be and actually was.

"But I must... Or you would have told me. I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?" Belle demanded. "You're telling me I've done wrong."

"Only because I scared you." She inclined her head faintly. "I'm just another set of judging eyes, ready to cast unkind words on you."

"No... not that." Belle reached halfway across the table. "You are a friend, I'm sorry for not saying that earlier and more often. You ask for nothing, and put up with my strangeness... I'm going through... things... If that bothers you, well, I understand."

"Do you like what you see?" she asked, rubbing her cheek awkwardly. "In the mirror?"

"I..." He thought to the reflection of Blue Belle gazing right back. "I really do," she admitted in a small voice. "What do you think?"

She smirked. "Not the sort of pony I hold secret wishes would sweep me off my hooves... but a lovely mare, perhaps." she glanced away and back.

"You wanted that?" stuttered out Belle, darkening a little.

"I am a mare... You... are, were? a prince. I am not immune to your charms..." She shook her head firmly. "I would never had acted on it. I respect you. You wanted to not be chased, so I wouldn't have."

"I believe you," she admitted, sagging in place. A plate slid between them as the appetizers were whisked away. A huge plate of steaming goodness awaited them. Belle inclined her head, considering it. "You saw right through me."

"Your trick is not perfect, m'.... Which would you want me to call you?"

"Today, I am a lady." She gestured at her own chest. "Until dear Auntie allows the sun to set." That was the goal given. "I did not mean to take advantage of you?"

Gentle suddenly burst into titters. "I do wish more ponies 'took advantage' of me by treating me to a lovely day out." Music began to rise, the entire chorus singing as one. "Lovely..." She tilted her floating cup towards Belle. "For now, let's eat and enjoy the rest of the day. Tomorrow, we should talk, really talk. I want to know where we stand."

"Really talk," echoed Belle, and things grew quiet between them. Surrounded by the voices of the ponies singing their songs, they filled themselves pleasantly.

Blueblood's deception had been seen through, but he hadn't been turned away. He was still a she, until the sun set. Even if her horn was starting to really sting. Hardly a way to live, she decided, but it was a taste.

And she rather liked the morsel she had sampled.

Author's Notes:

Mare for a day. Oh, what if such tricks existed in the real world?

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