Sitting on the bed in Lyra’s guest room, I frown at the bundle of parchment before me. Each time I read through it, I grow more and more frustrated with the lyrical nature of Zecora’s writing. Surely the zebra doesn’t need to write like this, so why does she? It’s not like I mind the fact that there are such things as cultural differences, but it doesn’t make it easy to understand. Groaning, I begin rereading the first sheet.

In making this potion, heed my word: this is a potion to increase one’s herd. The potion makes one incredibly virile, but is not for purposes most puerile. Either lacking stallion or mare, this drink will make a trade fair. Get from this what you need, and learn to be a mare or steed.

Finally able to wrap my head around that first part, I can’t help but snort in amusement. The potion, it seems, is not just a sex change potion, but also a fertility drug. “Bloody hell!” I let out an exasperated sigh, covering my face with my hooves. “What was Zecora thinking, giving that to Pinkie? It’s a good thing nopony else hooked up that night, ‘cause otherwise, there would have been a lot more pregnant ponies resulting from that night.”

Then again, the wording of that warning is kind of vague. Would a stallion-turned-mare enter estrus immediately? Would the mare-turned-stallion’s semen induce ovulation in a mare? Hell, for all I know, I’m reading too much into this and it just makes incredibly potent were-stallions. Further research is definitely necessary.

The next section is a numbered list of very cryptically worded ingredients. Most of them, thankfully, aren’t very hard to figure out, and all of those ingredients are common enough that I’ve worked with most of them, too. These ones usually end with a number denoting how much is required. If I look hard enough, I can even tell the specific preparations required for each ingredient.

A few of them are a bit more cleverly worded, and are gentle puzzles for the mind. A stallion you love, yearn for and slaver; your femininity lacks and you’ll never deliver. At first glance, there’s nothing mentioning ingredients at all, but if there’s one thing I recognize, it’s the link between femininity and the moon. At times like this, I’m thankful for that first time Professor Calcification stopped me after class.

The next one, when taking into account the first, is much easier to figure out. The mares you seek yearn for brave and for bold; drink up and let masculinity take hold. Through alchemical philosophy, the sun represents masculinity, and alchemically, gold represents the sun. Looking at that, one can even pick up on the pattern from the previous to determine that the next ingredient would rhyme with the end of a stanza.

Frowning at the next stanza, I ruffle my feathers before dipping my head into the parcel at my side to pull out a strip of bear jerky. This one almost has to be a measurement, unless it turns out that Zecora ripped me off. I might make an exception to my not-eating-sentients clause if that turns out to be the case. Zebra can’t taste much worse than bear, after all, and this bear is fucking delicious, albeit tough.

“With just a fly among the dust, one remembers balance is a must,” I read aloud, shaking my head. There’s probably a measurement in there, but whatever it is, I have no idea. It could very well be that I’m looking at some sort of obscure zebra measurement that I won’t be able to verify until I get back to Canterlot. “Looks like the Canterlot Archives might be seeing more of me again.”

“Oh? Why is that?” Sure enough, when I turn my eyes toward the door, Ice Blossom is standing in the doorway, looking tired from playing with Honeydew. Her appraising gaze moves from me, to the sheaf of parchment, and then finally locking onto the strip of jerky hanging out of the corner of my mouth as she crosses the bedroom to join me at the bed. “Silver, please tell me that isn’t...”

Swiveling the strip of jerky to the other corner of my mouth, I shake my head. “I won’t tell you then,” I mutter, taking a moment to grind away at the jerky with my molars. “Don’t tell Lyra, though. Pretty sure she doesn’t want to know.” This comment gets a raised eyebrow, but no comment. Probably for the best anyhow.

“Anyway, I figure I’ll be spending some time at the Canterlot archives because of this,” I say, jabbing at the parchment with my hoof. “I bartered with Zecora—don’t ask what with—in order to get an alchemical recipe. Unfortunately, everything is written in cryptic zebra fashion. Despite everything going swimmingly so far, I’ve hit my first major snag: some sort of measurement that I don’t recognize.”

Climbing onto the bed with me, she looks over the parchment. “Don’t play this cruel joke on me, I wouldn’t put this in my tea,” she reads with a smirk. “It’s like some sort of bad poem. What is this even supposed to be?”

I can’t help but hide a grin. “The ingredients.”

“Why would anypony drink anything with Poison Joke in it?” she asks, looking at me in doubt. I honestly can’t help but give her a look of confusion. “What? Lyra’s been telling me a lot about the plant, and how it caused three fillies to seemingly change species: a unicorn without her point; a pegasus with a horn but no wings, and the earth pony who suddenly yearned for flight.”

Shrugging, I look back at the parchment and reread the line. “Actually, it makes a lot of sense alchemically, now that I think about it,” I reply, swallowing a sufficiently chewed piece of jerky. “Poison Joke forces onto the body seemingly random changes in body shape, size, and even structure. If it can be harnessed alchemically, it only makes sense that you could control all sorts of factors regarding one’s body. Just think, you wouldn’t need random chance and a patch of Joke to give an earth pony or a unicorn the power to fly or walk on clouds.”

Of course she would give me one of those looks that says ‘I’m just going to pretend to understand what you’re talking about.’ Nothing I say about alchemy gets through to her, like she’s just not wired for it. It doesn’t bother me, really, but at the same time, I wish she shared in my enthusiasm. At least the two can sometimes overlap, like when it comes to botany. Her private garden in her room—don't ask me how it works in a room with no light sources aside from crystals; I have no fucking idea—allows me to save money on some herbs for alchemy, so I try not to get down on her about it.

“Whatever the case, you just saved me some time on that final ingredient,” I nuzzle into her shoulder, swallowing the rest of the jerky whole. “What time is it, anyway?”

Glancing out the window, she replies, “It’s nearly sundown.” Almost as an afterthought, she quickly adds, “All of the day’s prior insanity seems to have ended, you missed Bon-Bon telling us about her day.”

Remembering Lyra’s words from this morning, I smile. “Wanna go watch the sun set?”

In all the time I’ve spent in Equestria, I have never taken much time to enjoy the sunset. I mean yeah, there are a few opportunities I have had in the past, but those that I can remember are usually obfuscated by the strange occurrences that make up my life. There is certainly no way I ever managed to enjoy the sunset during my ‘series premiere’, as it were.

To make things more awkward, sitting on a hillside, watching the sunset, is technically the first romantic thing I’ve done with Blossom since our little picnic at the park with the merchant caravan. That shouldn’t be a problem, but it is. Every time I’m tempted to do something amorous, the reminder of my diminutive size is brought to the forefront of my mind. I can’t put an arm around her, or even wrap a wing around her. The only things I can really do are nuzzle her and take the subordinate role in leaning against her for support. What little remains of my masculinity crumbles in the process.

Still, it’s a beautiful sunset—incredible, really. Normally, there’s a curtain of clouds on the horizon, hampering the view, but not tonight; Celestia’s celestial sphere’s path is completely unobstructed this evening. It’s just so peaceful watching the orb drifting lazily toward the western horizon, painting it in pastel blues, pinks, and orange. With just a glance to Canterlot in the north, we can see a bright pinpoint of light on the castle’s highest tower, showing Princess Celestia lowering her sun.

“The one births the glory of the sister, who in turn births the one’s glory, where the cycle of harmony starts anew,” I mutter with an enraptured smile, nuzzling into her side once more. “For all the bad that came from me coming to Equestria, there’s nowhere I’d rather be right now than here now with you.”

Despite how cheesy it must sound, I can see Blossom blushing very easily through her coat. Her smile makes it clear that my words—nothing more than heat of the moment sentimentalism—had the right effect. The way her beautiful icy coat and mane shine as though made of ice, and her eyes glisten like topaz and emerald in the day’s last light is disarming.

My heart wants to bare itself to her—to never lie or hurt her again—and that kind of scares me. I’ve never been in love before, and I won’t deny that I’ve considered that what I feel for her is only a physical attraction, but something deep down inside of me wants to believe this really is love, and I’m not sure I’m ready for it. Like I said, it compels me to be honest with her about everything, and the thought of how she might react to my fear of Aqua Regia and what the caustic royal might do. Oh, but now I’m worrying about this shit and probably making faces.

Blossom doesn’t comment if she’s noticed my distraction. Rather, she seems to take my distraction as an indicator of discomfort. “Are you alright, Silver?” she queries, nuzzling the back of my neck. “Is it time to change your bandages and wash your wounds?”

I shake my head, frowning. Oh, Celestia... why is this so difficult? “No, love, it’s not that,” I answer weakly. “I just... There’s something I need to tell you—something I’ve needed to tell you for a long time—but I’ve been too stupid and afraid to tell you. It isn’t fair to you to keep it from you, either.” In recognition of the slight waver in my voice, a whimper escapes my throat. “But... I don’t want to ruin this moment. You and me, we have something really wonderful here, but if I break this out now...”

Looking away, I sigh. “I’ve already ruined the moment, haven’t I?”

Nuzzling the back of my neck, Blossom brings my attention back to her. “Silver, I am supposed to be here for you,” she nickers gently into my ear. “You’re my special somepony. The mood of the outing as a whole means nothing to me if you are unhappy. Something has been on your mind for a long time now; anypony can see it. Let me in.”

My breath hitches in my throat at her words. Damn it, woman! “Why do you have to try to be so understanding?” I cry, burying my face in her shoulder. “Why was it so easy to talk to the Element of Loyalty about this when it hurts so much just thinking about telling you?”

“Mother once told me that it hurts the most to bare your shame to the ones you love, because you fear disappointing them. I admit that I’m translating and paraphrasing, but the sentiment remains,” she whispers, pulling me into a hug. “I promise that I will hear you out and do my best not to judge you.” From any other pony, that might sound horrendously cruel, but from a pony inexperienced with the language, her words are as sweet as honey.

Fighting back a sob, I pull away to look her in the eye. “Remember back in the spring when I was experiencing my first estrus in this body?” I ask shakily.

“I recall you being extremely skittish after that first day, and you were particularly eager to avoid getting out much for the rest of the duration.” She blinks repeatedly before letting her mouth hang open for a few moments. “Somepony did not force himself upon you, did he?” she squeaks in concern. “Is that why you have been awkward about Lyra and the foal? Are you expecting?”

Again, I find myself shaking my head. “No, I’m not expecting; it would be a bit weird if I was,” I deny. “What happened to me didn’t involve stallions at all.”

With a saddened look, I crumple against Blossom once more. “That being said, one of my peers did force herself on me in a moment of vulnerability,” I sniffle. “It was that stuck-up noble Aqua Regia and a bunch of her goons.” Blinking repeatedly, I realize for the first time that the tears are flowing free from my eyes. “She had them hold me against a bathroom wall while she... violated me with that damnable magic.” The last word is punctuated by a piteous wail that would probably make Rarity proud.

“Silver, please, you don’t have to do this to yourself!” she whispered, nuzzling me pleadingly. “I understand why you kept it—”

“The worst part isn’t even that she forced me to experience this body’s first orgasm in such a vicious way, or that she expected me to reciprocate,” I continue, weeping into my forehooves. “It isn’t even how much my shame arouses me that bothers me most. No, I had to go and be a stupid git and let this turn to shit!”

“Instead of going to the Royal Guard, I lorded it over her like a great empty threat. I was already scared of unicorn magic, but now it f-fucking terrifies me,” I whisper, feeling my voice beginning to go hoarse. “Even if my memories of the event are reliable and admissible in court if I went to the Guard now, I’m not sure I could sit through that with another unicorn peering into my memories without having some sort of panic attack and attacking that pony.

“Worse, I’m afraid of what she might do to you if I speak out against her!”

“You’re afraid for me?”

“Where I come from, the rich and affluent will often do anything to stay that way,” I explain, shuddering. “If they commit a crime and the victim speaks out against them, they often see to it that things happen to that person’s loved ones in order to keep them quiet. With the brutish way Regia behaves, I have no reason to expect anything different from her! She could have you kidnapped, beaten... or worse. The thought of something happening to you...”

In a surprising display of boldness, Blossom forces me back up into a sitting position, and looks me right in the eyes. “Through good and bad, I will be there for you, Silver Script,” she announces in a firm, but loving—almost motherly—tone. “I’m very proud that you are able to get this off your chest, and knowing this, I hope we can figure this out together. I only ask one thing in return.”

“What?”

“Worry not for me,” she says smiling. “Even if she doesn’t realize it, she can control you so long as you allow your fear to control you.”

Above us in the sky, a gigantic pink and white star blooms above the town of Ponyville. Surrounding it almost symmetrically are six smaller—but no less bright—white stars, each pulsing brightly in the newborn evening. At first glance, the unique formation appears to be moving further away as it creeps toward the horizon, but as it hits the rooftops near the center of town, it becomes clear to anypony watching that the stars are falling and growing smaller.

Wiping away my tears, I realize we’ve completely missed the last of the sunset, in addition to the curious descent of Twilight Sparkle’s cutie-mark upon the town. “Blossom?”

“Yeah?”

I smile back at her, feeling my cheeks turning scarlet beneath my coat. “I... um... Damn, how did that go?” I mumble. “Anata ga daisuki desu. Isn’t that how it goes? Hell, I’m no good at this.” Digging at the ground with one hoof, I lean closer to her. “I love you, Ice Blossom.”

Ice Blossom blinks rapidly for a few moments, as though her brain can’t process what I just said. A pang of worry drops into my stomach when the smile on her face vanishes, but that worry quickly dissipates when a tear laden grin replaces her smile. “It’s so sweet that you took the time to try to learn that Silver,” she replies with a giggle. “I love you too.”

Pink stars are descending on Ponyville, and neither of us could care less. With a quick breath, I press my muzzle forward, kissing her lightly on her lips. With but a small chuckle, Blossom gently places a hoof on my neck before passionately returning that kiss. There’s no battle of tongues or exploration of each other’s oral cavities; the kiss we share tonight is nothing so intimate. Nae, tonight, we share but pure and innocent love.

Finally, when we can hold the kiss no longer, we break off for air before slumping happily against each other on the hilltop. I can’t believe I finally did it—I bared my heart and my aches to her, and still she accepts me and my love. No longer am I alone. With the halves of our love made one, there is magic without end!

Author's Notes:

Sorry about the delay on this one, guys. I've been trying to get this through all four of my editors, but things keep coming up for them and I honestly don't know if they've done runs or not, because no comments or signs of visiting have been left on the document by them. That being said, thanks E3gner and NightmareKnight for helping getting this edited. Sorry I keep torturing you with my vocabulary, NightmareKnight; at least you're expanding yours now, right? ;)

Sure, the romance scene is a bit cheesy, but honestly? It's just the right amount for a neophyte like Silver.

I've also gotta give a shout-out to Rexhunter99. This generous dude sent me a brand new NVIDIA GTX 650TI out of the kindness of his heart, allowing me to actually play newer games! Things like Planetside 2 and Crysis 2, Alan Wake, and LA Noire play right smoothly on this baby now! Beautiful! I wanna give games like Bioshock Infinite and Tomb Raider a shot when I get the chance, now that this rig can handle it.