//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 
// Story: Inked 
// by Dr Sharaz Jek 
//------------------------------//

Months went by while Sunset and Inky dated. Certainly, she always appreciated women on an aesthetic level, but she never imagined being intimate with one! At first she'd been hesitant to come out, still not certain of her own sexuality, but slowly she opened up to her friends, singling them out one-by-one to share the truth. She started with those she expected would be most understanding, the rather sensitive and thoughtful Twilight, Rarity, and Fluttershy; then moved on to the less mature and often quite blunt Pinkie and Rainbow, until finally she confessed to the rather conservative Applejack.

To her surprise, most of them were quite quick to accept this new side of her, and even proved supportive. And as for the doubters, they soon came around when they saw how happy she was. Even so, she still proved rather shy about public displays of affection, unlike her new girlfriend, who nibbled and sucked on her neck, vampire-like.

Wherever they went Inky proved eager to show her off. She'd stroke her tresses, plant a quick peck on her cheek, forehead, or lips, wrap an arm about her waist and pull her close. Sunset practically melted into her. "You don't have to alter yourself to impress me," reminded Inky who looked her over. "Although, I do approve of the new ensemble."

Sunset beamed at the praise. "I had Rarity whip this up to my specifications!" She wore a scarlet corset trimmed in black frills, a loose top which exposed a lot of cleavage, and a pleated black skirt. A choker and transparent silk gloves that came to her upper arms completed the look, her legs as usual sculpted by her usual boots. "I'm glad you like it!"

"Of course. But more important is what's inside it," she teased with a playful poke of Sunset's nose.

"Oh you." She leaned on her, the shadow cast by Inky's parasol closing over them while they strolled down a sidewalk. They stopped at an open air cafe, complete with umbrellas to shade the patrons and frilled tables. All kinds of fancy cakes topped with fruits and exotic teas were on the menu. They ordered and within a few minutes their treats arrived.

"Mmm," moaned Inky in that rich, sensual voice when she delicately forked a piece into her mouth. Her eyes closed when she let it settle on her tongue. She lazily swallowed it down. "There's a time to take things fast, like when we met and I knew an opportunity came I couldn't pass up, and a time to simply bask in the every day pleasures of life."

"You said it!" Gleefully she trembled when a foot, which Inky slipped from her heels, started to slowly trace up her ankle. So intent was she on their flirting she missed a stab into her dessert and smeared frosting on her fingers. "Crap."

Inky tittered. "No worries." She seized Sunset's wrist when she started to reach for a napkin. "I have a better idea."

She lifted Sunset's hand to her mouth, opened her painted lips, and slowly closed them around her index finger. Sunset wheezed between her clenched teeth, eyes hazed over and a sleepy smile plastered on her face, while Inky swirled her tongue around each digit until they were licked clean. Quiet slurps sounded with her dainty suckling.

Soon the couple settled into a rhythm of feeding bits of cake to one-another. The food settled into their bellies, washed down by spiced teas. Sunset started to reach for her purse but Inky touched her hand. "Don't. Allow me."

"Come on, it doesn't feel right for me to-"

"I'm more well-off then you are. Besides, this was my idea." She placed some half-crumpled bills on the table.

"Well, if you insist." She pursed her lips. Despite the wonderful friends she'd made Sunset still hated to rely on anyone. Her lover seemed to be even more fiercely independent. Hand-in-hand, they headed back to Inky's art studio.

It started with a shower between them which soon turned into their usual make-out session. Then they were making love once more. Thankfully after all the time they'd spent together Sunset proved far less awkward in bed, not that Inky ever complained beyond some mild teases. She snuggled against her nude form, their hair pooled about in a wild mess.

"I love the tattoos," mused Sunset who straddled Inky's supple bottom and used her nail to trace the seraphic wings painted on her slender back. Gradually she dug her digits in, massaging tensed up muscles.

"Thank you. I came up with the design. A body is one's personal canvas."

"You're so poetic. Wish I were more like that."

"Nonsense. You're fine as you are." She suddenly turned over, and with a startled cry Sunset fell upon her, soft breasts crushed together between them. With a smirk she met her lips and dug nails into her back.

Surrendering once more to the throes of passion, Sunset was more thankful than ever she'd decided to cross the portal on that fateful day. Without what she once believed was a foolish mistake she would've missed out on so much. This was her home now, after all. And while a part of her missed Equestria, she refused to abandon all the wonders she'd encountered here. Most of all the first pangs of love which she never could've imagined would entirely consume her life.


*****


Eventually, Sunset even worked up the courage to even send the news back to Twilight in Equestria, by way of the diary with her cutie mark emblazoned on it; normally she'd confide in her first, but she was admittedly anxious about what her confidante would think. "I mean, I never thought I'd be into another girl like that, but-"

"I think it's wonderful," said Twilight. "If you ever return to Equestria, bring her along so I can meet her!"

Sunset chuckled nervously and started to write more with a pen. "Yes, well..." She sat on her bed with the open diary in her lap, kicking her feet. Lounging around in some of the sexy pink lingerie she'd purchased to please her lover, she stared at the nude portrait of herself which now adorned her wall. "Maybe I will. Talk to you later, Twilight."

She closed the book and laid back into the sheets, her head rested upon a fluffy pillow. Her head turned to the framed photo of Inky set on a dresser next to her bedside. She could almost smell her perfume, hear the lilt of her voice. A buzz sounded from her cellphone near it and she plucked it up. "We need to talk," the message said. "May I come over?"

Giddily she texted her back and welcomed her over. It felt a little pathetic, waiting around for her to respond, but nothing made her happier than her company. She didn't bother to throw on anything else but a robe, figuring the pair of them wouldn't stay dressed long anyhow if this went like it normally did. Humming to herself, she prepared a romantic record. A little old-fashioned, maybe, but she'd learned both of them appreciated the classics. She also set up some incense.

A knock sounded. Rushing to the front of her little house, she peeked through the peep hole, seeing the familiar goth beauty in a frilly black dress decorated in bat symbols. Opening the door she said, "Come on in! Wow, you look great!"

"Th-thanks." Inky cupped her hands before her, unable to maintain her small smile when she entered.

"Is something the matter?" Sunset clicked the door shut behind her. "You look a little, well, paler than usual."

"No, I'm fine." Inky Rose stood with her slender arms crossed. She sucked in a heavy breath, frowning when she looked about the almost overly romantic interior. "Sunset...maybe you should sit down for this."

"Sure, whatever you like." She settled onto the couch. "Please, take a seat!" She patted the empty spot by her.

"I don't think that's a wise idea. I'll be frank." She turned her head aside. "This won't ever work out, Sunset."

Taking a moment to process her words, Sunset's heart sank. "What...what do you mean? What won't work out?"

"Us." She let the word hang in the air. The record started skipping, almost on cue.

"Why? Did I do something wrong?" The words were a barely audible whisper. "Whatever it is, I'll-"

Inky shook her head. "It's me. I find girls attractive, but I've realized I could never settle down with one. It would be cruel to lead you on any longer. That's why I'm ending this now, before I wind up hurting you even worse. I don't want to give you false hope." She sighed, slowly wandering about the living room, struggling to meet her gaze.

"So you just pretended to like me all this time?" Her nails dug into the upholstery. "What was I, an experiment to you? A phase?" Her voice rose but she barely noticed. "Just something to tide you over until the right man came along?"

"Sunset, please-"

"No!" By now her eyes were watering. She leapt to her feet. "You've been using me all this time?" Trembling, fists balled at her sides, she marched over to Inky who reflexively took a step backwards. "Was this just a game to you?" Before she even realized what she was doing, her hand jutted out, and she backhanded her across the cheek, a sharp slap ringing and leaving a nasty red mark on her face. That mascara she loved so much was now running down her pallid cheeks. 

For a moment neither of them dared speak or move as realization dawned. "Inky," she cried in horror, seeing a trickle of blood run from her split lip, her hand shaking like it was a foreign object. "I'm so sorry, I-"

Without a word Inky spun on her heel and ran towards the exit. She called after her, extended an arm, just to have the door slammed in her face. Maybe there was still time to chase her down. But what would be the point? She'd laid it all out for her. If they hadn't been finished before, they certainly were now, after she'd pulled that stunt. 

With her head and shoulders slumped, she shut off the record player, grabbed the ice cream she kept for herself and Inky's portion from the freezer, and curled up on the couch, spooning it up messily. But even that was a painful reminder of what just walked out of her life. They should've been eating it together now. Feeding it to each other while they snuggled and watched a romantic comedy or a horror movie like Inky preferred. She could almost taste her flavored lipstick.

Part of her wanted to call one of her friends so she wouldn't feel so alone. Or to break out the diary. But she couldn't face them, not now, not like this. Better to simply wallow here until she could pull herself together.

Stripping off everything and leaving a trail of discarded garments behind her, she curled up in the cool porcelain of her bathtub, wrapped in a fetal position while she softly wept. All those wonderful memories were now soured. 

For a moment she almost wished she'd never changed; the old cruel Sunset never allowed herself to feel this vulnerable. Never surrender or wallow unless it was part of a greater scheme. No, she'd take charge, no matter who got hurt.

A part of her thought maybe it was about time she revived that portion of herself...