Most of the others dispersed, their job complete. Twilight did not. "I should apologize."
Blue quirked an ear at the statement. "I thought we'd already gone over that?"
"For a new thing." Twilight smiled sheepishly. "We've gone over most of what I... got excited about, today." She set a hoof against the side of her head. "I got a little excited. You were poking into that spell before. We... talked about the complexity involved before... You've had magic lessons from me before!" She snorted softly. "Sorry for acting like that never happened."
Sweetie inclined her head softly. "You learned from Twilight? No wonder you're so good at it."
Twilight colored at the praise. "Thank you. But I really haven't cast that spell. Which bothers me now."
Oh, the smug look on Blue's face, grinning at her fellow royal. That burn, the sweet sweet burn of being beaten at one's own game. "It would seem the shoe has moved to the other hoof, hm?"
"That just means I need to try harder." Twilight nodded with certainty. "I should thank you. You've proven it can be done. While I certainly can't be the first to do it, simply having done it will satisfy me." And, like that, Twilight's world was restored to working order, and she had a new quest before her. "I will perform the trick one more time, but without stage magic."
Applejack tensed when Twilight looked at her. "Nuh-uh. Ya ain't turnin' me into no stallion." And off she went, trotting away. "G'luck with that!"
Rainbow bonked Twilight on the head. "Didn't I just tell you she's my mare, and you're already trying to make a stallion out of her?"
Twilight stammered an apology, but Rainbow was already gone, off to whatever thing she had in mind. "I would have turned her back," lamely defended Twilight.
"I wouldn't mind."
Twilight looked to Fluttershy, mouth agape. "You wouldn't?!"
Fluttershy hid a bit more behind her mane. "Mares and stallions are both, um, vital parts of the ecosystem. Besides, my brother... I wonder if I could be a better stallion than that. Probably not... I'd still be... me."
Twilight smiled a bit at that. "And what's wrong with being you? You're a fine pony."
Sweetie glanced between the two, brow raising. "Will she sound like she did when she got into the poison joke?"
Blue shook her head slowly. "Don't forget to add the temporary bit, dear, unless Fluttershy truly wishes to live the stallion life."
Twilight prodded at Blue. "I was going to use a temporary spell to begin with, and you need to show me that modification."
"I don't need to," countered Blue, smugness returning.
"Well, no..." Twilight worried her hooves together. "But it would be very nice?"
Fancy gently nudged against Blue. "Don't be rude. You are speaking to the future ruler."
Blue's ears danced at that. Oh... Annoying the future monarch was, perhaps, not the wisest action. "I was speaking in jest. You took the time to teach me, of course I will spare some time to return the favor."
Twilight's smile was pure and untarnished, not even thinking of political motivations behind the changing of minds. "Fantastic! Now I'm off to fetch that spell." She vanished with a magic pop.
Fluttershy inclined her head faintly. "Oh... I guess I should go home for now." She started for the stairs. "She knows where to find me."
Fancy waved at Sweetie. "Now, we've distracted you more than enough. If you'd like to resume?"
Blue reached for Sweetie, who allowed herself to be plucked up and brought closer. "You've worked quite hard today. A part of good study is knowing when to relax. Now, good fillies deserve good things. What would you like?"
Sweetie curled a hoof to her chin in thought. "Are we talking 'little something good' or 'big something good?'"
Fancy chuckled as if he could see the gears turning. "Let's save the big something goods for after your have completed your lessons." He started back towards his room. "Do call upon me, should you have any need."
Sweetie's grin expanded. "Then I know exactly the thing. May I invite my friends along?"
Blue inclined her head with some confusion. "You did mention you were quite bound together. I scarcely see the harm in that." She set Sweetie back on her hooves. "Now where are we inviting them to?"
Fire squeezed the stallion with her tail, long, naked, undisguised. "You're alright with this?"
Doctor Horse chuckled softly as he looked over a book before him. "If I weren't, we wouldn't be here."
"I'm not complaining." Fire watched the doctor quietly a moment. "But I don't understand why?"
"Do doctors not have their own needs?" He willed the book shut. "And you are interesting besides that. You tickle a few things, a few boxes you check." He looked towards Fire. "And you're not boring."
Fire snorted out a laugh. "I win by not being boring?"
"It's an important step for some ponies. Now... don't get me wrong. There is too much of a good thing. Take, for example..." He reached towards a filing cabinet, his magic doing the rest to grab a picture from it and show it to Fire. "Rainbow Dash. She is quite interesting and exciting, but also intellectually a small-minded simpleton. Not to speak ill of her, but we're not a match."
Fire peered at the rainbow-hued head-shot. "Huh. Admit it, you like playing with what you shouldn't be."
"There is a touch of that," he admitted without much hesitation. "You are a forbidden fruit, and a tasty one."
Fire burst into laughter, heat washing from her. "That was a dirty joke." More of a compliment than an admonishment, the way she said it. "So, I'm naughty, but clever enough."
"And pretty."
She cocked a brow at him.
"Yes, you do have a few interesting features." His magic pet along her tail. "Which I happen to find interesting, no, just used that word." He frowned, fishing for a better word. "You're not a pony, but who cares?"
"A lot of ponies do," she noted with a bit of a smirk. "But not this doctor I know."
"Creatures are in," he chuckled out softly. "And I rather favor the one I found. But all this talk of you, who is lovely, and not a word of how I measure up?"
"I guess that's fair..." She went quiet, not providing the answer. He tapped her with a floating quill. "Right, fine." She rolled her eyes. "You like me, for me, and that gets points. You know how to top a mare like a stallion should, more points for you." Her brows waggled softly. "But you're not afraid to... experiment a little."
That got him to blush a little. "I admit, I was a bit inexperienced before you."
"Really?" She cocked a brow. "I admit surprise. I figured you'd been... around a little. You acted like it."
"I did?!" His blush was only growing worse. "Um, thank you..."
She leaned in, nose to his cheek. "Was I your first? Darling little colt, and you didn't tell me? Who's the naughty one here?"
"Not the first," he squeaked. "But close..."
"Aw, that takes some of the fun out." Not that she looked that upset. "Does mean my virgin radar isn't broken."
"You... have a specific sense for that?"
"Here's a bit of forbidden information." She leaned in, snout at his ear to whisper seductively, "Most sexual demons have that sense. It's part of the package. We like to know when we're defiling something new and pure."
"I would not call what you did 'defiling'." He nudged her with that quill. "We were both improved for the experience."
"Tease." She stuck out her tongue. "Now, about more... pressing things. I'm going to head back to Canterlot in not too long. Coming with or not?"
He set the quill aside. "I can't just... go like that. I am needed here. But if you give me some time, I can ensure a smooth transition." He inclined his head. "Before you give me a speech on being prim and proper, I would also need to ensure I can resume practice in Canterlot without delay. Doctor Horse without doctoring does not a happy horse make."
Blue did not predict where they'd end up, but there she was, around a table with three younger ponies, all with great big smiles of joy. "A sweet treat?"
Sweetie bobbed her head. "This is our favorite ice cream place." She waved at the bar wildly. "Three of our usuals!"
Apple Bloom inclined her head. "Thanks fer treatin' us."
Scootaloo pointed at Blue Belle. "Don't forget to get something for yourself."
Blue floated the menu into view, considering with a soft humm. "I confess, this is not my usual..." She pointed to Sweetie. "I will have what she's having. Faith in my fellow Belle to have good taste."
Sweetie burst into giggles. "The pressure is on! I hope you like it."
Soon tall ice cream floats were set before each of them. The fillies cheered as one, grabbing theirs and attaching themselves to the straws that were ready to assist in the task. Blue was slower about it, hovering her glass up to spin it slowly in view. "Hm."
"Go on," encouraged Sweetie. "It's good."
"Just a thought that struck me." Blue tapped at the glass. "Ice cream is rather rare in my circles, and it just occurred to me why that is." She looked down at the fillies. "I'd love to hear your thoughts on why."
Apple Bloom began to wave a hoof wildly. "Because ya go and have those big parties." She threw her hooves wide. "Bi' open rooms. Hard to put ice cream in that without it becomin' slop."
Scootaloo inclined her head. "Huh, never thought of that."
Sweetie was grinning at Blue. "Is she right?"
"I can't say with absolute certainty." Blue took a sip of the frozen treat, a little noise of approval. "But I feel that is likely a reason... This, of course, means you are giving me a rare treat when the goal was to give you one. How terribly naughty of you." Clearly not upset by it, Blue took another little sip of the float. "Mmm."
"Told you it was good."
Scootaloo trained an ear on her smugly satisfied friend. "Yours is so basic."
Apple Bloom burst into laughter. "There ain't nothin' basic about a good shake." She slurped up a good portion to swallow just as quickly. "Wanna trade?" And, just like that, Apple Bloom and Sweetie swapped, both enjoying the others' without complaint.
Blue smiled faintly at the antics of the young ones. "You are all good friends. It's delightful to see."
Sweetie waved at Blue as if showing off a new prized toy of hers. "Blue here made her BFF into her special somepony." She burst into giggles at that idea. "Isn't that sweet?"
The other two awwed in combination, their giggles rising in unison. Apple Bloom looked up at the adult among them. "So what're they like? They a mare or a stallion?"
Blue coughed in surprise, sending a little frozen delight flying in the act. "I-is that a normal question?" She had only just learned that such things were common enough recently.
Apple Bloom inclined her head. "Mah sister gets smooched on by Rainbow Dash whenever she thinks nopony's lookin'." Her eyes half-drifted closed. "She ain't very good at the subtle thing."
Scootaloo sat up suddenly. "Wait, what?!" She grabbed Apple Bloom by the shoulders. "I thought Rainbow Dash was way into Soarin'!"
Sweetie blinked slowly. "Oh... sorry Scoots. I... kinda have to confirm Apple Bloom there. Saw it with my own eyes." She pointed at those large pony sensory balls of hers. "Rainbow Dash likes Applejack, a lot. A lot lot." She burst into little giggles. "They're cute."
"Rainbow Dash is not cute!" Scootaloo looked offended at the very idea. "She's awesome and daring and super amazing!" She thumped the table between them. "Beater of bad guys, Wonderbolt, hero!"
"And a lesbian," finished Apple Bloom like it was nothing. "Why are you so upset? Not like it makes her less of any of the other things."
Scootaloo sank to the table miserably. "My aunts get to be that. They're sweet and awesome, but Rainbow Dash is something else."
Blue rubbed at her cheek, suddenly feeling like she was the third wheel there. "Miss Dash is quite the renowned athlete. I do not think her choice of special somepony changes that..." Besides, they were of equal social strata, so the problem eluded Blue Belle. "Did you say your aunts?"
Scootaloo perked up. "Oh, yeah." She waved it away like it was nothing. "They are special someponies to each other. Never got married, but they basically are." She burst into giggles, easily able to discuss that relationship in regards to her aunts in a way she couldn't with Rainbow Dash. "They help take care of me and they're super awesome."
Apple Bloom leaned in, lashes fluttering. "Super amazing?"
"Yeah!"
"Daring?" proposed Sweetie Belle with an equal grin.
"Yeah?" Scoots could feel herself being setup, but missed it. "Why?"
"Because they are," agreed both of her friends.
Apple Bloom nodded firmly. "Just like Rainbow Dash. Now, ya don't have to be like that, but don't go sassin' on the ponies that care for you so much."
Sweetie bobbed her head. "All three of them care about you so much!" She hugged herself tight, giggling all the more. "I almost get jealous."
Scootaloo shoved Sweetie. "Stop that. You have your parents and a super cool sister."
"I did say almost," laughed out Sweetie. "We all have great ponies." She looked to Apple Bloom. "You're the only one with a brother, and he's amazing too!"
Blue considered a moment. "I just recently... repaired things between my own family and I." All three girls were looking to her intently. "I hadn't told them I was doing... rather large things to myself. It was rude of me. I apologized, and invited them to my wedding."
Sweetie put those pieces together. "You became a mare and they didn't know?!" The other two looked at her, then new shock came over them.
"Ya were a stallion?" blurted Apple Bloom, peering at Blue with a new intensity. "Wow..."
Scootaloo rubbed behind her head. "Huh..." Not a lot of specific thought in that little statement as she gaped at Blue. "Didn't that hurt?"
Blue blinked at that. "It had a moment of discomfort, but nothing I'd call too painful." She waved away those thoughts. "But, yes, I went and did it without telling them, which was quite boorish of me. I will have to take extra steps to show my contrition."
Sweetie burst into giggles suddenly. "I thought I'd be the only one to use that word in casual conversation."
"A Belle talent," assured Blue with a wan smile. "Now, my little ponies, I did not purchase these--" She tapped at her glass. "--for them to melt. We all have ponies worthy of our companionship and adoration. Let's rejoice in that."
With a chorus of a cheer, the conversation was set to rest. They had frozen treats to conquer, and that was worth a moment of attention.
"Can I keep him?" Fire was draped over Blue, her eyes on Fancy.
"You may not," stated Blue with certainty. "I have claimed that one."
"Not that one." She dismissed Fancy with a wobble of a hoof. "Doc Horse."
Blue's ears pricked. Fancy spoke first, "Ah, your date was successful then?"
Fire flared with renewed heat. "It wasn't one date, or just a date..." She licked over her lips with a musing expression. "I like him. I want to keep him. May I?"
Blue colored faintly. "I am delighted to hear your venture went well! Tell me more about them. Go on, show off."
"Since you insist," laughed Fire. "I'll do just that. He likes me, the real me. He thinks my horns are sexy, and my tail is sexy, and the rest of me is also sexy. He even thinks my brain is sexy." She tapped at her head. "And he isn't wrong, the biggest sensual organ we have, and he adores mine. And I like his big smart sexy brain too! He knows exactly how a mare is built." Her eyes half-lid. "You should see when--"
Fancy coughed into a hoof softly. "I believe we have gotten the idea, Miss Paradox."
Blue nodded softly. "I have little doubt of his... abilities if you are pleased with them."
Fire clopped her hooves together sharply. "Damn right!" Demons knew about damning things. "He'll come to Canterlot after he settles things around here. So you won't stop me from being with him, right? I'll still get the chores done, but I call dibs. He's mine!"
"Of course he's yours." Blue set a hoof under Fire's chin. "We are allies, as if I'd stand in the way." She snorted softly. "I will remind it was us that wanted you to find a compatible pony in the first place."
"Too right." Fancy considered a moment. "No offense, ma'am, but my tastes lean elsewhere."
Fire rolled her eyes mightily at that. "Pretty sure I know which way that leans." She nudged into the Blue Belle she had pinned. "Whatever, you two be happy, just tell me I can be too and stop avoiding the question!"
Blue tapped Fire on the snout. "Because there is no question to answer. Of course you can, and should, see the stallion that pulls at your heart. So long as you fulfill your duties, it's not a bother to me." She perked one ear, the other going to the side. "Doctor Horse is a respected member of the community. Being involved with him will only raise your standing."
"No corrupting," reminded Fancy with a raised hoof. "You don't want to draw the Royal Sisters towards you again."
"Yeah yeah," Fire groused with a huff. "But he's already plenty corrupt under that innocent shell." The grin on her face grew with the thought. "Another reason I like him." Suddenly she hugged Blue from about the neck from above. "Thanks! No more complaints from me."
Blue smiled with simple satisfaction, less fiery than her servant's. "Very good. This trip has been quite productive all around. Miss Sweetie Belle has come well in her horn mastery. It is a matter of practice at this point, I feel. With all our duties complete, perhaps we should return home?"
"I wouldn't be so hasty." Fancy pointed with a turn of his head. "Miss Belle will be quite put aback if you leave without some amount of ceremony."
"Too right." Blue applied a hoof to her face. "I need to get better at communicating with the ponies I hold dear. That goes for you too, Fire. Go say goodbye to your boyfriend, at least for now, and I will do the same with my student."
"Blue!" Starlight came up with a big grin. "Been too long. How are you?"
"Starlight." Soon they were in a gentle embrace of warmth. "Good to see you as well. I was just coming to share a few words with the princess, is she in?"
"Princess?" Starlight inclined her head a moment before it snapped right back upright. "Oh! Twilight? She's at the school." She pointed the way. "Busy doing school stuff, so kinda busy. What's up?"
"That is a shame... I wanted to go over the spell." A rolled up scroll popped into being, floating beside Blue Belle.
Starlight's eyes were locked on it. "What kinda spell? You can't just tease me with a new spell and not share!"
Blue brought it in to poke Starlight on the side near her shoulder. "You've seen this spell, or at least its effects."
"That is more teasing, not less." Starlight grabbed for it, but it floated away from her. "Stop being mean."
"Well--" The scroll suddenly vanished. "--I say..."
Starlight unfurled the scroll she had transported. "This is what you get for playing games with a fellow wizard." She stuck out her tongue, reading eagerly. "Huh... Oh, wait..." She inclined her head softly. "I don't think I've seen this spell."
"I do confess." Blue set a hoof on the hovering scroll. "I may have misspoke slightly. You saw its mirror reflection, a stallion to a mare."
"This is mare to stallion?!" blurted Starlight with a blush and a giggle worked together. "Why are you walking around with this? Change your mind?" She looked over Blue suddenly. "Something wrong?"
"I am perfectly content as I am," assured Blue, hoof at her chest. "This is for Twilight."
The scroll suddenly fell, clattering on the ground from Starlight's numb grip. "Twilight?! She... She wants to be a stallion? You think you know a pony." She flopped to her haunches, stunned.
"Even if she did, I would hope you would support her, or him, in that case, hm?"
"Of course! Of course!" Starlight raised her hooves placatingly at Blue Belle. "I'm just surprised. Really... I would not have guessed in a thousand moons."
"Good, because it's not true." Blue retrieved the scroll with her glowing horn. "Twilight wants to cast it, but not on herself. She is quite pleased with her usual form, I can report."
Starlight let out a sudden gust of air, implying she was relieved to know that. "Oh, good... good. Still, why? Who?" She reached out, tapping at the scroll. "What mare is becoming a stallion?!"
"Fluttershy, if I heard cor--"
"--Fluttershy?!" interrupted Starlight with wide eyes. "Flutters? Is this another joke? Tell me you're joking. I've lost touch with all my friends." She rest a hoof on her head as if to keep herself propped upright. "I don't know anything."
"Just an educational thing," assured Blue with a little smile. "And only temporarily. Twilight simply wants to show she can cast the spell. Poor dear was beside herself, knowing I beat her to the punch, but at least catching up will sate her pride."
"Oh." Starlight floated the scroll closer to herself. "In that case..." Her eyes were sweeping, reading the spell. "I can tease her if I cast this first."
Blue arched a brow. "You need a pony to cast it on, and I refuse, dear. I have no particular desire to go back to whence I came."
Starlight shrugged. "Then I'll just cast it on myself. You said it was temporary, right? So what's the big deal?"
Blue attempted to wrest away the scroll with her magic, but Starlight's power held it still. "Starlight, this is a much larger jump than you think it is."
Starlight cocked a brow at Blue. "You're underestimating me. I've turned into stranger things, including a human, oh that was a strange day." She snorted as she read right on. "I'll manage being a stallion for a little bit. What are you even imagining will happen? If I hate it that bad, I'll cry myself to sleep until it wears off and that'll be that."
"Human?" Not a term Blue had heard before. "Starlight, honey, please. I'm just worried for you."
Starlight set a hoof on Blue's cheek. "And that is one reason among many I think you're a great pony. That and you bring me new spells, so big points there." She tossed the scroll aside, even if it was caught by Blue before it hit anything. "Ready! Let's cast a spell and see what happens!"
"Shouldn't you at least make sure you've learned it?!" blurted Blue, eyes wide with worry. "You've only just skimmed it."
"I'm ready." Starlight nodded with simmering confidence. "But, since you're here, stay and spot me. If I mess up, at least I have a trained magic pony to help me out. With that, what have I got to be scared of? Nothing, that's what. Say goodbye to Starlight, say hello to Night Gleam." Her horn began to glow as she worked the magic heedless of the warnings.
She had magic to do.