While the village wasn't especially large it had grown in different ways over the years. That included gaining a few additions that were normally only seen previously in larger towns, such as the fast food restaurants that had become popular all over. Especially among the younger crowds as it was an affordable place to catch a snack and spend time without looking out of place. Which was why Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom had chosen it after school had let out for the day. Each of them aware of the serious events that had happened last week but lacking details when it concerned their dear friend. But now that she had laid it out for them her two best friends were left even more shocked and confused than before.
"So… Spike just ran away then?" Scootaloo asked, holding the cardboard cup with juice within it from the restaurant. "He didn't even say goodbye or leave a message?"
"I don't know." Sweetie Belle answered, her hands on her lap as she looked at the table. "I'm not sure I care that much either."
"Sweetie, c'mon now…" Apple Bloom spoke, feeling uneasy at all of this. "That's awfully harsh."
"Is it?" Sweetie asked. "He lied to me. So many times. He lied about me to everyone else too. Then he went and betrayed me. Am I supposed to be upset that he left?" To her question neither of her friends could provide an answer. Simply dwelling in the fact that the boy who they had considered their friend had so many more secrets than any of them could have known.
"You said there was another girl?" Scootaloo asked Sweetie Belle. "That he was seeing besides you. Do you know who it was?" The question seemed to strike a nerve in Sweetie Belle, making her falter for a moment.
"It doesn't matter." Sweetie Belle replied. "I already cried enough about it." She let out a sigh and shook her head. "Sorry to bother you with all of this junk."
"Now don't go talkin' like that." Apple Bloom corrected. "We're yer friends and would have noticed it eventually, right? So ah'm glad ya just came out and said it." Taking a sip of her drink she pondered the whole thing a while longer. "Jeez, so he was dating ya but as a secret. Here ah thought he was better than them other boys."
"Twilight's gone too, right? So I'm guessing she must know about all of this." Scootaloo thought out loud. "What a huge mess. This was happening around us and we had no idea. I'm sorry Sweetie."
"Thanks." Sweetie Belle replied, happy to let this out to her friends. "You're the only ones I've really told so if we can keep this between ourselves that would be great."
"Absolutely." Apple Bloom agreed. "Ain't no reason to start gosspin'. Sides Applejack asked me not tah talk too much about what happened so ah already agreed to keep it quiet. Speakin' of ah should probably git back tah the farm. Supposed to be loadin' up some cider tah send outta town today."
"So we're heading home then?" Scootaloo asked and all the girls agreed, deciding they'd meet up later as things had already been heavy enough to deal with today. Getting up from their chairs the three friends said their goodbyes for now and all headed their separate ways. Sweetie Belle walking towards her own house and looking to just relax and let her body and mind heal from all the emotions she'd felt over the past few days. As she travelled along the road a pair of people caught her eye that seemed very out of place together. "Silver Spoon? And... is she hanging out with Snails?" From the back her hair was too unique not to tell it was Silver and the taller lanky boy standing next to her stood out just as much. Walking up to them Sweetie Belle looked at their faces to see they were staring straight ahead like they were in a trance. "Uh... hello, guys? Are you awake? What's so interesting?"
"Them." Snails replied, pointing forward to the tent that was being set up in the distance in a field. Funny enough she'd been so surprised to see the two of them hanging out that she hadn't noticed it at first. Further of interest was the people assembling the tent. It was all women, and every single one of them was in a rather skimpy bunny suit that showed off their curves especially well.
"Whoa, who are they!?" Sweetie asked, not having ever seen anyone dress in quite so revealing of a fashion outside of a swimsuit.
"I guess they're with Trixie." Silver Spoon finally spoke up, pointing out one of the girls in the outfits had a bit more glitz and glamour to her costume to stand out from the rest. Sure enough the "Great and Powerful Trixie" was there as well, giving directions to the girls on how to arrange their tent. She'd clearly upgraded from the old traveling pull cart she had used before as a stage to this new larger venue. Matter of fact it was getting an even bigger crowd as Sweetie noticed there were other people gathered around to watch the women put their show together.
"Huh, didn't know she was in town. Like usually she announces herself when she shows up, right?" Sweetie Belle asked curiously. "Also, how come you two are here together? You're like... not on a date, right?"
"Hmph." Silver Spoon scoffed, that question enough to break her gaze from the show girls and look away with a bothered expression.
"We got ditched for one." Snails explained. "I was here with Snips and we ran into Silver and Tiara and they kinda left together."
"Really!?" Sweetie asked, feeling a little guilty prying into this after just asking her friends to keep her own romance stuff a secret. But whatever was happening in front of her right now seemed to be fresh. "So the two of them... are they like... actually...?"
"Who knows? I don't really care." Silver Spoon said, betraying her words with her expression. "Since when did she want to hang out with boys anyway?"
"You're hanging out with one right now." Snails suggested.
"I'm standing in the same place as one who shares the same problem as me. This isn't technically 'hanging out' in the spirit of the phrase." Silver corrected, Snails rolling his eyes before they landed on a girl who was bending down to pick something up in a way that didn't seem appropriate for lifting but very good for getting attention. This seemed to distract Silver out of her foul mood for a second as well.
"Say, Silver Spoon?" Sweetie spoke up. "I don't really have anything going on today if you want to hang out?"
"You... wanna hang out with me?" Silver asked, hesitantly.
"Sure, all I was gonna do was be lazy at my house. You can join me if you want?" Silver Spoon still seemed fearful to accept but eventually nodded, a smile coming back to her.
"I'd love to." She agreed. "You shouldn't hang around here too long, Snails. Or else Ruby will find out and yell at you like Tiara did to Snips."
"Might be nice to see her get jealous." Snails thought out loud, the girls leaving him behind to enjoy the view while they went off together to spend some casual time as friends. As they left Sweetie could feel Silver leaning into her, almost like she was scared this was suddenly not going to last.
"You okay Silver?"
"Yeah, I'm just... really thankful you came by Sweetie Belle."
Heading up the dirt road to her family's house through the orchard, Apple Bloom let out a sigh after having listened to Sweetie Belle's story of betrayal and lies. Despite her trepidation about boys over the past few months she never would have thought Spike of all people would have pulled such a move as this. But it seemed clear as day after her friend's testimonial and all the other odd things happening in town with Spike and Twilight missing. All she could do at this moment was try to be supportive to her friends and family as best she knew how. It didn't give her a lot of confidence but she'd still try in her own way.
As she approached she noticed the cart she had expected to be parked out front wasn't anywhere to be seen. Not only that, the door to the barn was wide open. It seemed odd to her that they wouldn't be ready to have the cider barrels set to go by now so she headed over that way to notice her brother and sister unloading the barrels onto the barn floor. "We're not sending the cider out today? Did they cancel or somethin'?"
"Hey there, sugar cube." Applejack said, hoisting a barrel up with one arm on to her shoulder. "Not like that exactly. Seems the roads been closed fer all travel."
"Closed? That's gonna be a problem, ain't it?" Apple Bloom asked, getting a rather dejected "yep" out of her brother in response.
"It ain't ideal." Applejack explained, setting the barrel down with the others. "But considering we don't know how long this is gonna take and it's orders from the princesses themselves, better tah have our cart for other things till we're sure."
"Guess that makes sense." Apple Bloom agreed. With the work done Big Mac excused himself from the barn to attend to other chores while Applejack took a seat on a bail of hay to catch her breath. "You feelin' alright?"
"Yeah... just outta shape." Applejack complained. "Took it easy fer so long that my body ain't exactly used tah this like it was before."
"You picked up that whole barrel by yerself though! So yer gettin' better, right?" Apple Bloom asked, her excitement making her sister smile.
"Ah guess, injuries ain't all healed yet but they're fading away more every day." Getting up, Applejack stretched her back. "Well, guess that's all Big Mac will let me do today till ah can prove ah'm healed. Will have tah figure out what else tah do."
"Are you gonna visit Fluttershy?" Apple Bloom asked, following Applejack back to the house.
"Normally ah would but she's being released today and Dash said she's gonna help her git back to her house."
"Oh... but... shouldn't ya be there fer that too?"
"Ah would but uh... her and Dash got some stuff tah talk about and ah don't wanna be a third wheel while it's happenin'." Applejack explained, Apple Bloom having no idea what she might be referring to but if her sister didn't want to get involved with it then she knew to stay away. "Guess ah could check on Rares. She's had a hard time of it too."
"So did Sweetie." Apple Bloom said sadly.
"So ya'll talked about it with her?" Applejack asked and Bloom nodded in return. "Ya'll made sure tah keep the quiet part quiet, right?"
"She knows. So does Scootaloo. They're not gonna say anything tah make people upset." Apple Bloom admitted. "Still feels like it's not real though. Like this whole thing was just made up drama to make us feel upset."
"Well... wish it were that way but ya never know what might happen in the world. People got all sortsa secrets." She didn't envy the ones that Rarity must have had to keep to herself right now.
Rarity had to admit at the time it was a strange thought. Out of all the things she could have considered in this moment, that last one should have been how she was going to explain this to her friends. After everything she'd already confessed she didn't think it would be hard to say anything openly to them anymore. But there were a few things that still crossed a line from normal conversation into beyond the most private. Applejack might have appreciated it, ever since they had that special talk about their little sisters and their blooming sexuality. She was even using the very sex toy she'd shared with her that morning. Still despite her experience Rarity had never thought to combine that toy with a man in the bedroom before.
"I am... so... full!" Rarity gasped, face buried in her bed sheets and left hand gripping them hard as her hips were raised high to Blueblood who was mounting her from behind. Her right hand gripping the base of her purple dildo as it pressed into her pussy in time with his thrusting. He was moving just slowly enough that she could keep pace with him, the friction as both slid inside of her threatening to make her collapse on the bed under him.
"Rarity... I'm going to..." Blueblood muttered, Rarity pressing the toy inside of herself as deeply as she could and lowering her fingers to rub her clit.
"Do it inside!" She moaned, feeling his hands grip her hips as he began to thrust faster into her. Eyes widening and her left hand curling around the bed sheets in a fist as she felt her orgasm hit her already with the anticipation. Her purple sex toy slid out of her pussy with a wet, erotic sound. Rarity already replaced it with her fingers as her lover pressed over top of her and began to thrust harder into her ass. It hurt just a little but the pleasure was greater as he pressed in deep and released his hot seed into her. "Oh! Oh... it's... flowing in."
"Rarity!" He called out and she had to admit hearing him say her name like that in passion was a turn on for her. Clenching her muscles tight around his cock she made sure he stayed in her as he released all of his desire for her, panting hard before finally relaxing and letting him pull out. Blueblood gasping for air as well moved to her right side and laid next to her, both of them basking in their afterglow. Turning to her he took Rarity into her arms and she found herself pulling her arms and legs together, shrinking into his embrace. It felt good to be held by someone bigger than herself. Like she was the one being cared for. Somewhere along the line she had forgotten this desire when she was trying to be the stronger one in the relationship. Letting go of that responsibility felt relaxing and freeing. If still a little guilty. "Are you alright?"
"A little sore after that, but feeling wonderful, yes." Rarity said happily, putting her arms around him as well.
"The experience was a rarity to be sure." Blueblood said with a smirk and Rarity snorted.
"I should throw you out of my bed for that pun."
"Thank you for allowing me to stay." He said, petting her hair. She curled up into him and rested her head on his arm, eyes closing tightly. When the petting stopped his hand rested on her back, Rarity's eyes opening to see his face looking at hers.
"Admiring the view?" She asked him.
"Yes... but... how to say this?" He mumbled to himself. "Your expression changes often I notice when you relax."
"Changes? How?"
"It's like your face will go from a smile to an almost slumbering calm to a distressed frown and back again."
"Oh." Rarity said simply. Sitting up in bed and pulling her knees up to her chest. "I... didn't know I did that. Sorry..."
"You don't have to apologize to me. Far from it. Rarity this is... more than I thought I was deserving of. Being allowed to stay in your home. In your bed. With you. So when I see that pain in your face I grow concerned for you."
"Heh... I guess I'm still not used to this side of you." She admitted. "Blueblood the caring gentleman."
"I'm trying very hard not to bungle it as I go." He said, sitting up as well. "Yesterday you told me you didn't want to be alone and... I still won't pry for your reasons. But if you want to talk to someone I don't mind being the one that listens." He said with hesitation in his voice. Rarity could tell he was really trying hard. This was probably very unnatural for him having been served hand over foot his whole life and here he was trying to embrace humility. It was a far cry from his old self and he might have been more afraid of falling into his old habits than she was.
"Do you remember Fluttershy?" She asked him, Blueblood pondering for a moment and looking truly lost in thought.
"The... girl with rainbow hair?" He asked her, getting a slap on the back that made him shudder. "Ow! Jeez, I don't think I deserved a hit that hard! No no, it was the pink haired girl, right? The one we spent time with in the city."
"You're lucky you got it right the second time or I really would have thrown you out of my bed." She threatened him. "But yes, she's getting out of the hospital today."
"Hospital!? Is she alright?"
"She was attacked. By changelings."
"That's... horrible. Unforgivable. We can't let that go unpunished! I'll contact my aunts and have a unit dispatched to take care of-"
"Blueblood. Darling." Rarity said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I appreciate the chivalry but Twilight Sparkle has it taken care of. She left to speak with the princesses the same day it happened."
"Oh. I suppose that makes sense, yes." Blueblood said, feeling embarrassed at his outburst. "So will you be going to visit her today? I don't mind finding something to occupy myself with if you need to spend time with her."
"Thank you but... not yet. Tomorrow." Rarity said. "Rainbow Dash... the rainbow haired one." Rarity said to him as if to drive the point of their individual names home to him. "She's picking her up today and will help her settle back into her house. We're all going to get together with her then and talk."
"Well that's good to hear. Do you think she would mind me saying hello to her some time this week?" He asked and Rarity looked at him in shock. "What? Just because I didn't recall her name right away doesn't mean I don't want to express my concern. The poor dear went through something awful. It's the least I can do for her." After the question he got a hug from Rarity as she pulled him into an embrace. Blueblood was caught off guard but then held her in return after a moment.
"Maybe there is hope for you yet." She said, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "We'll find a good day to have that get together." Through all of last night to today she'd been wondering if she'd made a mistake. A choice taken in a moment of weakness where she could use someone for her own gain and comfort. Never before did she think that maybe letting herself be open to someone like this was a good thing. To a man she had previously despised and was now exposing herself naked to in heart and body. Even in the past if he'd been horrible he was at least honest about what he was. And honesty was what she needed most right now.
After separating from her friends Scootaloo could have headed home right away but instead found herself taking the long way back. Unlike Apple Bloom she wasn't expected anywhere and didn't feel like holding up in her bedroom. So that's how she found herself just coasting down the streets on her scooter, not really thinking about anything at all and letting the air and people pass her by. It was kind of nice to be free of worries and confusing thoughts for a while. Sweetie Belle had laid plenty on them with her revelations. Eventually though, Scootaloo passed by a familiar sight that made her stop her scooter and turn to see who she had recognized. A girl that was similar but very different looking today. "Diamond Tiara?"
"Oh, it's you." Diamond said, turning to face her school mate. "What are you doing out here by yourself?"
"Just... just riding. You look different." Scootaloo said, noting her hair style. Usually it was pulled into a side ponytail that rested on her shoulder but now it was done up like she was going to go to a fancy ball or pageant.
"Planning to make fun of my hair now!?" She asked defensively, crossing her arms.
"No, not at all! It's actually really pretty. But what's the occasion?" Scootaloo asked, Diamond's cheeks blushing red at the question.
"Well... it's just... I decided it would be fun to have it done up." She said, clearly holding something back. "So how come you're out here by yourself? Usually you have Apple Bloom and Sweetie with you, right?"
"They had to go do things at home." Scootaloo admitted. "Where's Silver Spoon? Isn't she usually with you?"
"She decided she didn't want to come along with me today." Tiara said, looking down at her feet and kicking a rock. "So now it's just me."
"Um... do you want to hang out?" Scootaloo asked, both girls looking at each other as if the question was the most alien thing that could be asked of them.
"...fine. It's better than being alone." Tiara conceded, hopping on to the back of Scootaloo's scooter and holding her by the waist so she wouldn't lose balance.
"Don't let me twist your arm into this or anything." Scootaloo grumbled but it was too late to take the invitation back. Using her leg to pick up speed on her scooter with the extra weight added so they could glide comfortably. "Hey, you want to kick with me to help this thing get going?"
"Kick? Like... push it along to?"
"Yeah, it's not advanced science or anything." Scootaloo said as Tiara clumsily helped push them along to go forward until they eventually got enough speed so that it wasn't needed as often. "There you go! See, this ain't so bad."
"Guess not." Tiara said, still holding tight to Scootaloo's body for balance. "So are you still with that boy?"
"You mean Rain Catcher? Yeah. Even though he made me mad at your party."
"Hmph, he doesn't deserve your forgiveness."
"Well, he said he was sorry and that he was gonna take me on a date." She shared, Tiara getting a little quiet at that. "That's not a problem is it?"
"What you do with him is your business." Tiara said. "I hope that he really is sorry..."
"Hey Diamond, what exactly happened between you two anyway that you're so mad at him?"
"..."
"Diamond?"
"Stop at this bench here." She instructed Scootaloo, having rolled them along far enough that they were off the streets proper of the town and into a more park-like area. Slowing down for her she brought the scooter to halt so Diamond Tiara could carefully step off and sit down. Scootaloo dropping her transportation on the grass nearby and sitting next to her. "Okay, can I ask you to keep a secret for me?"
"Yeah, sure, if it's important."
"It is, the only other person I told this to was Silver Spoon." Diamond explained and Scootaloo agreed again that she'd honor her word. "So... Me and Rain Cather were dating for a while. If you could call it that. It was mostly he tried to get me to hang out at his place and touch and kiss me whenever he got me alone."
"I... guess he does like to do that." Scootaloo said, thinking back to that day before the pool party she had spent with him.
"Well, one day, eventually I did come over to his house. I guess his parents are never home and he never wanted to meet my mom and dad. Things seemed pretty okay at first. Like... I thought he liked me a lot. For who I was as a person. But then eventually he got me in his room and..." Tiara trailed off.
"And... what?"
"He took his pants off. And told me to... put it in my mouth." She said simply. Letting the weight of what "it" was hang in the air for Scootaloo to understand.
"Just... just like that!?"
"I dunno, I guess we were talking it but I don't remember much before that moment." Tiara confessed, looking down at the grass. "He told me if I was a good girlfriend I'd do it for him. And that he'd even do it back to me if I wanted it. But... I didn't want either of those things. I hadn't even seen a guy like that before then!" Diamond Tiara said, lifting her face to look at Scootaloo with a sincere expression that caught her off guard.
"I had no idea..."
"No one did. That was the deal." She explained. "He told me that if I didn't do it he'd tell everyone that I had. That it was the kind of thing I liked to do. So... so I did it." Tiara swallowed a lump in her throat as she remembered it, turning her face away from Scootaloo again. "We broke up the next day. I guess he got what he wanted and was done with me."
"Jeez... Diamond... I'm so sorry."
"So that's why I didn't like that you were with him. Because I didn't want to see it happen again." She explained. "I didn't want him to do that to you or anyone else. It's why I got so mad at Spike too. He just seemed like the same type of guy to me. Apple Bloom thinks he's not that way but I just don't trust him. Boys like that are like predators and they just... look at girls like meat." Tears were threatening to come and Scootaloo found herself doing something she had never expected. She leaned into her old bully and gave her a hug which Tiara gratefully returned. "I'm sorry, I didn't want to say anything about-"
"Whoa, hold on, don't apologize for that." Scootaloo explained. "I never even thought you were like... carrying all that around." The hug grew tighter with her acceptance and Scootaloo felt odd. Sharing such a sincere moment with a girl she had often fought with and feeling angry at the boy she thought she liked and was growing a relationship with. "I just don't know what to say about all of this."
"You don't have to say anything. Just be careful, okay?" Scootaloo nodded into the hug and the girls separated. It was bittersweet having this be the thing that seemed to help them come closer together.
"Yeah... wow, I guess I never thought about all of this stuff before. With anybody."
"Well you're a purer girl than me. Never even did a naughty thing before in your life." Diamond said with a little bit of the teasing tone in her voice. "It's why I had to protect you all from those peeping tom boys that night. Won't forgive him again after that, or Spike, regardless of why he showed up."
"Yeah... Spike..." Scootaloo said, thinking of the events of that night that none of the girls were aware of.
"Isn't that dork Rumble looking to date you too? Those boys must smell how innocent you are and want to get a piece before you're spoiled."
"I'm not that innocent!" Scootaloo whined, making Tiara laugh a little at her outburst. "What about Snips, wasn't he there to see you? I remember he was talking to you directly."
"Oh... him." Tiara said, the smirk leaving her face. "He's not as bad as the other boys... even if he does need to be taught a lesson now and then."
"...what does that mean?" Scootaloo asked suspiciously, Tiara grumbling out loud in embarrassment.
"Okay, look, you'll keep this to yourself too, right?"
"I'm in this deep, aren't I?"
"Fine. So, did you see that tent with all those girls in slutty outfits?"
"Tent? What? No."
"Well that one performer girl Trixie is back in town and she has a whole team of assistants with her and they're all girls practically falling out of their tops. It's more a burlesque than a magic show. Anyway I'm walking by with Silver watching them put the tent up and Snips and Snails are there, just drooling all over themselves watching these girls with like half the other men in the village!"
"So they were checking out girls... and you got jealous?" Scootaloo asked, Tiara frowning more and her cheeks blushing further. "Whoa! Are you like... in a thing with Snips!?"
"Quiet!" Tiara said. "I don't want to start any rumors but... he is the one that dressed my hair up like this as an apology."
"So you do have a boyfriend! I never would have thought it was him of all people." Scootaloo said thoughtfully. "Hey Tiara, you really did change."
"How exactly?"
"I dunno but I don't think I could have talked like this with the old you. This version of you I wanna be friends with." Scootaloo admitted and it got a smile out of Diamond. "Plus you have really pretty hair now."
"Well I guess there are some benefits to being so close to a boy with a talent like this."
"Did Silver get her hair done too?"
"No, she stayed behind to watch the tent get put up with Snails. Don't ask me why she'd find that interesting."
"Huh? Oh well, did you want me to give you a ride home?"
"...yeah, that sounds like fun. I think I can get the timing of our feet right together now." She said, both girls mounting up on the scooter again and practicing their team work as Scootaloo glided along the streets back to the Rich Family home.
"You're sure you don't need a wheelchair, Fluttershy? I can go back to the hospital and ask to borrow one if you want."
"Thank you Rainbow Dash but I really do want to get on my feet again." Fluttershy answered, walking carefully through the streets back to her home. While Rainbow Dash had been anticipating this day for a while she was still finding herself feeling overly protective of her friend. Even though Fluttershy had been cleared by the doctors to return to her daily life, the reminder of the bandages over her neck where the puncture wounds were healing hung over them both like a dark cloud. It was enough to earn glances from passers by as they walked through the streets. They had already discussed that she would likely either have to get used to wearing turtleneck sweaters or need a decorative choker made by Rarity if she were to keep this out of people's sight.
"Okay, if you need us to stop anywhere just let me know."
"Of course... say Rainbow Dash? How come no one else came to see me leave the hospital?"
"Well... I guess everyone was kind of busy today. But! But don't worry! Cause Pinkie was planning to have a welcome back party for you tomorrow! If uh... if you're okay with that?"
"Heh, it would be good to see Pinkie Pie throw one of her parties again." Fluttershy said with a weak smile. Rainbow was relieved that she accepted that answer. Truthfully they were all still trying to figure out how best to explain the situation to her. What with both Twilight and Spike still gone without any word of when they'd return. Besides, Applejack wanted her to try and work things out with Fluttershy about their specific relationship and it was taking all of Dash's concentration to figure out how to approach that alone. "Say, who's that girl?"
"Huh?" Rainbow looked forward to notice a woman in a rather revealing bunny suit passing out fliers to those that passed by her. "Wow... that... that's some outfit."
"I'll say." Fluttershy replied, looking between the woman and Rainbow Dash. "Do you like women that dress like that?"
"Uh! Well I kinda... never gave it much thought." Rainbow replied quickly, actually feeling very confused and conflicted about such a question being posed to her. Seeing them observe her the woman approached both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy with a bright smile.
"Hello you two! Would either of you be interested in coming to see Trixie's Night of Magic and Mystery?"
"Trixie?" Rainbow Dash asked. "As in that girl with the white and blue hair that does the magic tricks?" Dash frowned as she remembered her. They'd met a few times in the past and she'd been more of an annoyance than an entertainer when they crossed paths.
"That's the one! She's putting on a real special show and we'd be glad to have everyone visit. Entry is free!" The show girl said, handing a flier to Rainbow who looked it over. Essentially the exact same details were printed on the paper that had just been expressed to her by the woman. With a picture of Trixie in an outfit that was designed to match her new assistants.
"Guess she changed her act quite a bit." Dash muttered to herself, looking it over.
"Oh I'm sure whatever you saw in the past, this show will be a new experience. How about you, miss? Do you want to come too?" Pulling out another flier from the stack she handed it to Fluttershy who took it in hand.
"NO!" Fluttershy suddenly screamed out, retreating behind Rainbow Dash and shocking everyone around them. "GET AWAY FROM ME!"
"Fluttershy!?" Rainbow shouted, turning around to hold her friend who was cowering with her eyes closed, hands held around her neck and shivering. "What's wrong, what happened!?"
"Uh... s-sorry?" The showgirl said, taking a step back as the flier dropped out of her hand. "I didn't mean to startle you if I came off too strong."
"It's okay, we have to get going, alright?" Rainbow Dash explained, the show girl nodding as Dash ushered Fluttershy past her and through the street away from the scene they had just made. Once they had closed a distance away from everyone there Rainbow Dash pulled her friend aside to check on her. "Fluttershy?"
"No no no no no..."
"Fluttershy!" Dash shouted, making her eyes open again to see they were now away from where they had been standing before. "Are you okay?"
"I... I don't know?" Fluttershy stammered. "I just... got scared all of a sudden. Terrified. I've never felt that scared in my life."
"Hey, it's okay. I got you." Dash said, hugging her tightly and Fluttershy hugging her back in response.
"Maybe I shouldn't have left the hospital yet."
"No, you're okay. Really. We just need to get you home is all. You'll be fine, I promise."
"Thank you Dash. I don't think I could have gotten this far without you."
"Yeah, don't worry. If you need me, I'll always be there to help you." She said to her friend, getting rewarded with a little kiss on her cheek for being her hero. Rainbow Dash wasn't sure how to take that but she didn't pull away or reciprocate, instead just focusing on getting her precious friend home.
Above the capital city, looming over not just the buildings but seemingly the entire country was the castle of the princesses. The new castle, that is, after they had left the Everfree forest during Luna's time as Nightmare Moon. It had been established here by Celestia shortly after their climactic battle that had resulted in her sister being banished to the moon some thousand years ago. The new fortress had been built with both sisters in mind and additional rooms beyond to accommodate all sorts of guests and needs. Even if you worked within the castle itself it was unlikely you would ever set foot in every room in the palace. Even Twilight Sparkle had been denied access to certain areas. Though ever since she'd come to Celestia in her moment of need she was finding more privilege afforded to her than in the past.
The castle had dungeons, a place only few guards ever worked and thankfully fewer citizens were kept in. The most notorious held there as they either awaited judgment or served a sentence that required facilities as strong as the castle. However equally deep was the private library and study of the princesses themselves. Separated from the public library Twilight had spent so many hours in before. Tonight she was going to see it for herself for the first time. Wearing one of the gowns Celestia normally wore herself, tailored to fit her shorter frame from Celestia's tall, goddess figure. A fabric that honestly felt a little too revealing of her body underneath but covered her completely and was quite a dazzling white. Something that felt more appropriate for Rarity than herself. Descending past Celestia's guards down the staircase to her private study quarters, Twilight could hear her teacher at work.
"There shouldn't be variables like this... even accounting for them it's too far off. It's like I'm seeing it too short, not enough data..." Celestia spoke to herself, Twilight rounding the corner to see her standing before a massive tapestry on the wall. One that Celestia was marking with a magical quill that added and erased lines, words, numbers and shapes over and over again.
"Princess Celestia?" Twilight asked, coming around the corner. "Are you doing alright?"
"Oh good, Twilight, you're here. I should have you check my math for me. Make sure this is lining up correctly again."
"Check your math? What are you trying to figure out exactly?" Twilight asked, approaching her and looking at the tapestry which showed a variety of colored lines with words next to them that were in a language Twilight didn't recognize. It would have taken her all night just to understand what it was she was looking at.
"Hm... oh, right, this isn't the time to be asking these sorts of things of you." Celestia looked at her and then around. "What time is it... did I say you could come down here yet? How late are we?"
"Celestia... it's sundown." Twilight answered, looking at the far off gaze of her teacher. "Are you okay? You seem like you're under a lot of stress." Celestia's eyes finally landed on Twilight and realization seemed to wash over her. A smile came to her face.
"My apologies Twilight, I appear to have stayed up too late again."
"Yeah, I'd say so." Twilight answered, looking up at the tapestry. "Maybe we should get you upstairs? You've told me I often shouldn't let myself be cooped up alone for too long."
"Well I'm not exactly alone." Celestia said, looking across the room at the statue of a strangely dressed man staring at the two women.
"Is that Discord!?"
"Indeed, this seemed like the safest place to keep him after what happened out in the hedge maze. Though he rarely offers me any good insight as a study partner."
"Well I imagine he can't say much with him encased in stone like that." Twilight said jokingly.
"More than you'd expect..." Celestia muttered. "Were you ready for bed already?"
"Uh... well, you missed dinner with Luna." Twilight explained. "That was why I came down here looking for you."
"Huh, I guess time really did slip past me didn't it?"
"A problem that is happening more and more, I fear, sister." A new voice spoke up from the entrance of Celestia's study. Princess Luna now before them both in her uniform, ready for her shift as ruler. "Lost in your puzzle again?"
"You know how valuable this research is, Luna. More than anyone I'd think." Celestia replied. Rarely did Twilight like to get between the sisters, especially when things were like this. But she did have a pressing concern that only Luna could address.
"Princess Luna?" Twilight asked. "I was wondering, did you have any progress in finding Spike?"
"I am afraid I've still been unable to locate him."
"Still!?" Twilight asked in shock, the look of annoyance on Luna's face apparent. "I... didn't mean disrespect. I'm just surprised he could possibly elude you of all people."
"Spike is clearly trying to prevent himself from falling asleep. Probably because he knows the moment he does I'll be able to see where he's gone and what he's up to. It's impossible for him to outlast me though."
"I suppose that's true. I can't believe he's going to these lengths just to avoid us." Twilight said, looking down at the floor. Though picked her head up when she felt Luna's hand rest on her shoulder.
"Do not fear, Twilight Sparkle. He is a willful boy but he must be taught to behave and mind his family. I will find him and bring him home for you."
"Thank you Princess Luna." Twilight said, holding back her desire to hug the woman. She knew the Night Princess wasn't as comfortable with physical displays of affection like Celestia.
"Of course. Sister I... do hope you get some sleep soon. It is not well for you to brood down here the entire night."
"I am not brooding... and I'm not losing my grip on things, for the last time!" Celestia shouted. Not at Luna or at Twilight, but in the direction of Discord's statue. An act that caused both her sister and student to watch her with a worried expression. "Ahem. I will be sure to head to bed soon. Twilight, will you go ahead and wait for me? I'll be there before long."
"Of course, Princess." Twilight replied. Luna excused herself first with a worried expression and Twilight followed after. Though as Luna made her way back up the stairs Twilight drifted back, descending again to be in earshot of her teacher.
"Are you happy now?" Celestia asked out loud in her study. "You made me look like a fool in front of both Luna and Twilight. Hm? No, I'm not worried. Things are uncertain now but I can bring them back to order soon. Once I can tell what's happening here everything else will fall into place. That's right... no, you don't have to help me. I can never tell when you're sincere or not with your suggestions." Twilight stayed hidden despite her growing concern that it seemed evident Celestia was having conversations with Discord's statue.
"Yes, she is beautiful in that dress, but don't say such suggestive things about her. No it's not what it seems like, just because we share a bed doesn't mean there's anything untoward happening. You wouldn't understand after all. There's only so much time you can find comfort with them before they outgrow seeing you as someone to rely on." Celestia said, sounding somber. "That time will pass before I even realize it, let me have my small comforts. Besides you're one to talk. There's a positive outcome in all of this for you too you know. That's right, her name is Fluttershy. I know you remember which one she is." Twilight felt her heart skip a beat hearing her friend's name. Not to mention what sounded like a conversation about herself between the two of them... or one of them... she couldn't be positive this was a two sided conversation she was eavesdropping on.
"It's tragic, the poor girl suffered far more than anyone should. Especially after all she's done for us." There was a period of silence now from Celestia, Twilight getting ready to make her escape until she spoke up again. "Is that so? Well I guess you won't know until it happens, will you? But if you really embrace chaos so much why not swing it in her favor just to see what happens. She'll need all the help she can get in the future. Isn't it fun to have a horse in the race you're betting on?"
Twilight didn't know what that meant either but she was quick to move as silently as she could up the stairs and away from the study before she could be caught. Tonight her teacher would be waiting for Twilight in her bed for them to sleep together, Celestia insisting on it ever since she had come to stay at the castle. She didn't mind sharing a bed with her, it was comforting to have someone care for her like a mother figure during such a turbulent time in her life. But after listening in to all of that she was starting to wonder just what secrets Celestia kept from her.