Chapter 18: Celestial Trance and Late-Night Talks

The large group of 88.89 percent estrogen and 11.11 percent testosterone made it back to the large hotel suite without incident, and much to the girls' delight, Helmuth was kind enough to prepare them all a decent lunch so they wouldn't have to do it themselves. He felt it was the least he could do since they all expended a good majority of their energy splashing around and doing whatever girls do in the pool together, while he just laid back with Applejack. Simple salads and sandwiches resonated well with everyone; and satisfied that everyone had been tended to, he excused himself to his room to freshen up… again.

With that being said, the eight girls were left to their own devices in the living room as they ate. So, what happens when eight girls are alone in a room?

Talking. Lots and lots of talking.

"Well, it sure was nice for him to make us lunch. He really shouldn't have!" Octavia commented, finishing her salad. Luna chuckled a bit with her mouth full.

"I wouldn't worry too much about it, Tavi. He does this all the time for me back at the castle."

"Still, mighty kind of him," Applejack put her own word in.

"I must concur. Quite gentlemanly of him, and I would expect no less of someone as dashing and well-mannered as him. Quite the man if I do say so myself… even if he can be a bit more shy than I'd like," Rarity stated. Fluttershy excused herself to her room so she could put on something more comfortable.

"Being shy isn't bad, as good traits come along with being shy. Once we bring him out of his shell fully, then he'll be unstoppable!" Rainbow Dash said with eagerness, pumping her fist into the air in a comical fashion. Twilight giggled.

"Unstoppable?" she asked incredulously.

"Only word I could find that fit what I was tryin' to say!" Dash responded. Twilight couldn't resist this opportunity.

"You sure it's not because it's the biggest word you know?" Twilight quipped. Pinkie recoiled with laughter. Rainbow just looked at her with a deadpanned expression on her face.

"Tough talk from the girl who gets off at the sight of a magical tome." Luna stifled her laughter but it worked its way out of her throat. Octavia only mouthed: "Oh, Damn!" Pinkie was dying and Twilight put a mock expression of pain on her face while holding her hand to her chest.

"Tome! That's a nice word! You've been taking my advice on writing your little vocabulary words ten times each after I read Daring Doo to you!"

"How about I fuck your face?!"

Well, that escalated quickly.

At that moment Fluttershy returned and heard that comment, only to stop in her tracks and wordlessly turn around, heading back into her room. The entire living room burst into laughter… some more so than others. This was oh so common banter between the athlete and bookworm, and the other Elements looked forward to it every time.

Luna wiped her eyes a bit before regaining her composure.

Wow… hehe. I wonder how Tia and Windfire are faring…

Windfire was strolling along the castle corridors of the Solar Quadrant, sans guard equipment, while whistling a happy tune, figuratively speaking. He was feeling particularly great today… it was only two days into his week off and he hadn't been able to spend much quality time with his now recent girlfriend, Celestia.

Hmm. Girlfriend.

To him, it seemed really odd calling her that. He wasn't disputing it in the slightest and he was more than happy to be able to call the Princess of the Day by that title, but that's just it… it seemed a bit comically odd that he had the ability to have figurative 'ownership,' for lack of better words, over the co-ruler of Equestria.

Either way, they were together, and that's all that really mattered. He pushed the thoughts out of his head, ran his hand once through his relatively shorter, brown hair, and proceeded onwards towards the main residence hall of Princess Celestia. He neared her chamber doors and found them slightly ajar, just like she said they would be. He smiled to himself, having something nice planned for the two of them. They could finally make use of some free time and nothing could bring him down from that!

"GODDAMMIT!"

A frustrated voice yelled out, piercing the comfortable silence; followed by a large chair plowing through the chamber doors and slamming against the parallel wall, exploding into numerous pieces of wood. Windfire's guard instinct took over at that instant as he dashed for cover and stacked the wall. Soon, he realized that his powerful Princess was indeed frustrated.

"GHAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" another yell of irritation sounded out from the room. Windfire peeked in to see Celestia sitting on her bed, her hair still flowing but not as neat, and rubbing her temples. There was another guard, a messenger no doubt, dressed in full uniform and was somewhat trembling from her outburst. He spied a letter on the ground… most likely the source of her indignation.

"No… no I'm not having this! I'm getting him on call right now, you're dismissed," she said a bit more softly. The guard bowed and scurried off, powerwalking right by Windfire. He silently let himself into her room and closed the door, witnessing Celestia sit down at her vanity and press a couple buttons. Her mirror rippled and the face of a guard commander appeared in place of her reflection.

"Princess?"

"Is there a reason why I have another meeting request from Grandflower?"

"Umm… he requests an audience with you, your highness?"

"I'm perfectly well aware of the obvious, but my question is why I received this damn summons in the first place! I told him three times that his land entitlements were null and void and nothing is going to change that! I ordered him banned from meetings with me, at his belligerence, as well, so, WHY IS HE HERE?!" she raised her voice in irritation.

"Ummm I-I…"

"I have many more important things to deal with right now since Luna is on military and diplomatic business in Las Pegasus! I'm up to my lady-sack, spelled with a capital fucking K, in day to day affairs which are more numerous given the time of year… I'm running on fumes here with my patience and once again he comes to me, WHILE HE IS BANNED, and requests more frivolous meetings with me over his want to build a Glory-hole Emporium on his voided land titles! Don't send me any more messages from him!" Celestia ordered. The guard commander took all the information in… (some of it reluctantly) and saluted. Her lack of sleep recently coupled with extra irritating things to do in order to keep the country running were starting to show. It was a wonder how she made it a thousand years with Luna gone.

"Very well, Princess. However, Sir Grandflower is in the waiting room and he's pissing the guards off with his—"

"Waiting…? Waiting?!" Celestia seethed through her teeth. "I'm not seeing that bastard-spawn of a yak! In the words of my younger subjects, his Land Entitlements are dildos! So what's he waiting for, a fucking sex change? Throw him the hell out!" she yelled. He nodded.

"Yes, Princess. He will not bother you anymore," the guard captain finished. Her features softened in relief, her voice as well.

"Thank you, Commander. I apologize for snapping at you. Take an extra day's leave next week for your troubles, your guard's stationed in the clearance room as well. Thanks again."

"Not a problem, Princess, and thank you," he saluted once more with a smile before the mirror rippled, her own disheveled reflection returning. Celestia sighed audible, dropping her forehead to her arms, which were resting on the table top. Windfire took this opportunity to softly come up behind her and place his hands on her shoulders by the crevice of her neck, kneading her stressed muscles.

"Ooooooooh…" she groaned out in pleasure of having knots removed from her muscles.

"Is this a bad time, Celly?" Windfire asked. She got up from her vanity, clumsily walked to her bed, and collapsed on it. He chuckled as he followed her, standing beside her prone form. Her eyes were closed but she beckoned him closer. Leaning down to see what was up, she gently wrapped her arms around his neck and shifted his body onto the bed, him lying down on his back and her cuddled up into his side, her hands around his neck. She sighed contentedly and grinned.

"No… never a bad time when you randomly drop by," she softly spoke, her eyes never opening. She missed this… oh so much. He smiled at that comment, getting butterflies like a little kid as a result of knowing that he was indeed wanted. Windfire gently massaged her scalp and hair with his right hand, further comforting the overworked Sun Princess and threatening to put her to sleep.

"I was wondering if we'd be able to hang out tonight… maybe go to dinner or any other enjoyable things, but it looks like you're ready to pass out at a moment's notice," he said, grinning. She giggled lightly.

"It's barely three, just past lunch time, and you're already talking about dinner? Can't we just lay like this for a while?" she asked rhetorically but in pure bliss.

"Just lying down in a bed, Celly? Never thought I'd hear you say that you'd want to use a bed with me just for lying down," he quipped. Celestia couldn't help but laugh at his sarcasm.

"We did it once and you still hold that over me… but then again, do you have a problem to address with that?" she softly shot right back. Now he couldn't help but chuckle.

"You know… I don't think I do…" he replied with mock thoughtfulness. Celestia opened her eyes, locking her brilliant light-purple irises to his dark greens. She gingerly propped herself up and brought her lips to his, initiating the soft and tender kiss, one of the variety they enjoyed when they could. Their eyes closed, her arms wrapped around his neck once more, and his around her back in turn, as they held the intimate embrace.

After a couple minutes, they separated, grinning softly to each other in adoration while touching their foreheads together, their eyes never leaving each other. Soon after, Celestia resumed her previous position of being snuggled up into his side, the side of her face fitting into his neck. They laid like this for a little while… relaxing, until she moved her mouth up to his ear:

"Windfire, there comes a time when one decides to use their bed for rest and sleep in place of more… nefarious purposes, for lack of better words," she began to softly say. She then nibbled lightly on the top of his ear, causing him to have shivers down his spine.

"However, this is not one of those times," she finished, punctuating her statement with a couple kisses to his neck. He cooed a bit involuntarily out of blissful feeling.

"And here I thought you were sapped of energy as of late from recent and more pressing duties," Windfire replied while reciprocating the gesture, moving his neck out of the way and laying kisses and light nibbles on hers. She craned her neck upward in order to give him better access as she giggled and enjoyed the sensations.

"Put it this way," she began once more, switching their positions and getting her face on top of his. "Equestria will always have funding for certain economic and social projects no matter what. In the same manner, I will always have energy for certain… social endeavors."

The two chuckled at her terrible analogy; not hesitating to lean into each other, close their eyes, and initiate a passion filled make-out.

In the end, Windfire was correct about a "night together," in a manner of speaking.

The day droned on in Las Pegasus, initiating another heat spike which ultimately fell as night draped its endless curtain of darkness over the city. The nine friends spent the day together, going out shopping and grabbing dinner (without starting a fight). It was a most pleasant time to be had and Helmuth got to know the other girls even more over casual conversation. He had to admit, being out with eight other women wasn't as terrible of a thought anymore. His other fears were also unfounded, as Octavia had to leave by the end of the night in order to return to practicing the next morning with her orchestra. She didn't leave without giving her card to Helm, asking him to contact her when or if he was free in the West District of Canterlot.

The energy exerted throughout the day meant that everyone was ready to turn in early, especially Luna, who had diplomatic work all day the next day. It always struck her as odd that she had been able to easily switch her sleep schedule to that of a normal person with the help of magical lucidity. There were many benefits to be had as a result.

All the girls had turned in (some even 'passed out'), save for Applejack, and Luna had already said goodnight to the girls and her faithful guard. It was just Helmuth and AJ left in the dimly lit living room as of now. The two looked at each other.

"Shall we?" he asked.

"I reckon we shall," she replied. Applejack got up, taking a nice bottle of hard cider to the kitchen in order to fetch some glasses and ice. Soon after, she poured their drinks, took a seat next to the Lunar Guard, and they both clinked their drinks together and relaxed back. Applejack took off her stetson and undid her hair ties, leaving her beautiful blonde hair to flow down and mold to the figure of her upper torso and back unrestricted. Glancing over, the clock read 11:26 PM.

Conversation started light as they were settling in and getting comfortable. But after a couple of minutes, it was bound to get interesting:

"I know what you girls are up to, by the way," Helm commented. AJ looked over to him and raised her eyebrow.

"Yeah?"

"I saw it from the beginning."

"And jus' what might that be?"

"You girls are having a contest to see who can bring my walls down and 'win me over,' so to speak," he divulged. Applejack cocked her head in a fashion of incredulity before giggling a bit.

"Contest? Ah don't think it's a contest we're havin'," Applejack replied.

"It's not?"

"Nah, 'cause a contest means somethin' different than 'friendly competition,'" she quoted with her fingers. "Ah'm not gonna lie and say that the other five plus mahself have no interest in you. That'd be against mah own Element anyway. But a contest means there are winners and losers, or in this here case one winner and five losers. That's not how we wanted to see it, and we reckoned we didn't want that stain on our friendship either," she explained.

"Did you think this could potentially ruin your friendships? Because in all honesty… that's what I was worried about," he implied sheepishly, not wanting to sound egotistical with the situation at hand. AJ shook her head.

"Not ruin, but leave a mark in some sense. A stain, like Ah said. It could cause a few arguments in the future and we didn't want none of that. So, we made a little agreement: Whatever happens, happens. No cryin' about it or nothin'," she replied, taking another drink. He took another sip as well, thinking about her words and clarifying them in his head.

"I suppose so. I'm guessing you all are enjoying getting me flustered and forcefully dragging me from my shell, right?" he joked. AJ smiled at the thought.

"Yah darn tootin', partner! Really funny if I do say so mahself," she confirmed, scooting a bit closer to Helm. He laughed softly.

"Well, I would be lying not only to you, but to myself if I said I didn't enjoy your… efforts," he added extra implication on his last word, causing Applejack to blush a bit. He laughed even more at that and playfully nudged her, which she reciprocated back to him. As if planned once more, the nudging /giggling fight left AJ leaning into him with his arm around her. Although a bit awkward at first, Helm didn't mind in the slightest. Applejack, for some reason, didn't mind the position either.

The two relaxed into each other, talking about other things on their mind that they haven't covered yet and that they deemed appropriate. After a while though, the clock read 12:37 AM, and Applejack was getting droopy-eyed.

"I'm having a great time, but you look like you're ready to pass out. You should get some sleep," Helm stated. On cue, she yawned, covered her mouth, and then stretched some.

"Yeah, Ah suppose yer right," she agreed. The two stood up and stretched a bit more.

"Thanks fer tonight by the way, it meant a great deal," Applejack said. Helmuth nodded.

"It was my privilege."

Applejack enveloped him in a soft hug and he in turn did the same, unafraid of the ramifications of a simple act as that anymore. However, things rarely go as planned, do they?

She turned her face towards his again and planted a one-second peck on his lips, leaving him reeling in his thoughts. She giggled a bit more at his reddening and slightly stunned demeanor.

"Goodnight, Helm. See you in the mornin'," she said softly as she turned around and walked towards her door, swaying her hips a bit more than she would. She turned her gaze over her shoulder once more, locking eyes with him, winking and smiling before closing the door.

Helmuth was at some loss for words but then again, he figured it was only a matter of time before someone trumped the peck on the cheek from Pinkie. He laughed at that entire situation once more before retiring to his own bed.

Applejack sighed once more behind her closed door and made her way past Pinkie's bed, with her sleeping form occupying it, and dressing comfortably before lying down to rest for the night.

She sighed/groaned contentedly as she closed her eyes, waiting for slumber to take her over; basking in the rooms silence…

…

"Did you do the naughty hug?"

"Go the fuck to sleep, Pinkie."