//------------------------------// // Lily's Nuzzles // Story: My Filly, Nightshine // by The Abyss //------------------------------// As Lily got ready in the bathroom, Jason got himself dressed. Well, at least he tried to. Putting on clothes as a pony was something he’d never thought to practice back at home, and after much time had passed, and as the sun started to near the horizon, he felt a bit of panic grow within him. It’d already taken him twice as long to put on his cologne and it was quite a struggle brushing his hair and tail, too. All that was left to do was to put on his clothes. “This darn shirt...” he muttered under his breath. For what felt like the twentieth time, he placed his white dress shirt on the bed belly down, then pushed up the back of the shirt. He pushed his snout through the opening, only making the shirt slide across the bed. “Hey, uh... Lily?” he called out, feeling ashamed that he was going to have to ask for help putting on a simple shirt. “Yes?” Lily called back. “Are you almost ready? I... might need a little help.” Jason groaned again. “Okay, I’ll be out in a few minutes! Just putting on the final touches!” “Okay!” he called back. “Lemme try this one more time...” he said, this time sitting down next to the bed. He held the shirt up above him, doing his best to keep it from slipping from the tips of his hooves as he slowly held the bottom opening of the shirt above his head. With a slight push, he dropped his forelegs back down just in time for the shirt to fall down onto him, and with a little bit of wiggling, he managed to push his legs through the sleeves. As the shirt fell into place, he let loose a sigh of relief and wiped away the sweat that had accumulated on his brow. “Crisis averted...” he said with a chuckle. “Nevermind! I’m good,” he called out. “What was it?” Lily yelled back. “I’m almost ready; I’ll be out in a minute.” “Nothing; I just had a little trouble with my shirt.” Jason stared at his reflection in the mirror and groaned once more upon realizing that he had a few buttons to button. He lifted his right hoof and glanced between it and the buttons in his reflection, trying to figure out a way to push them through the holes with no fingers. “Man, I really didn’t think this through.” I’m just glad Lily came through with these rooms. I’ll have to figure out a way to show her our thanks... He bit his bottom lip as he thought, trying to figure out a way to button his buttons without looking like an absolute fool. “How do ponies grab things with their hooves? There’s nothing to grab with!” he muttered once more as he stared at the flat part of his hoof. Was this shirt made for a unicorn? Because how else could any non-magic pony do this? He heard the bathroom door’s latch open, breaking him from his thoughts.  “How do I look?” Lily asked as she walked out into the middle of the room. She was wearing a form-fitting dark gray dress just a few shades darker than her fur that wrapped around one of her shoulders. Her hair had a bit more curl to it than before and her tail was brushed to perfection. Her wings faintly trembled with an unbridled excitement, their tips adorned with silver that matched the necklace draped around her neck. A small silver pin of Princess Luna’s cutie mark lay near her breast to signify her status of a Lunar guard, matching her wingtips and the necklace in a manner that exuded a humble yet respected honor. Her ensemble was completed with dark gray stockings with silver lace tips. Jason’s jaw dropped to the floor as his eyes darted all across his date. “You look... amazing. The dress, the jewelry, and the stockings? Just... wow!” Lily blushed and smiled at him, letting part of her hair cover her eyes as her ears flicked down. “Glad you like it! Maybe you could help me take it off later,” she said with a sly wink. “Oh, I wouldn’t mind that,” he said without thinking as he felt himself smile. As Lily walked closer, a wondrous scent tickled the inside of his nose, the scent getting stronger and stronger with each step Lily took towards him. He took a deep breath in through his nose and shot her a quizzical look yet one that showed her she had his full attention. “I’ve never smelled a perfume so... What’s the word I’m looking for? And what am I smelling? It’s...” He looked her up and down once more as his mind raced trying to figure out what he was smelling.  “Exotic, perhaps? It’s a rare perfume that’s exceptionally suited for... our kind.” She sat down across from him and flicked her tail around herself. “It was a gift from my mother when I first joined the Lunar Guard. She always told me to save it for a very special circumstance and I think my first date in years deserves the best. Care to guess what you smell?” She cocked her head to the side, her ears flicking back up. “Uh...” He leaned in and sniffed a couple of times. “Definitely something fruity, but with... is that vanilla? I can’t really place the other scents, but they’re almost intoxicating.” Lily nodded once. “As they should be. You’re right about the vanilla. However, the other scents are oranges and... Remember how I said it’s suited for our kind?” “Yeah. For thestrals?” “Correct. The other main scent is of... mangos.” Lily stood up and while she held his gaze, she took a step forward and nuzzled his cheek, subtly marking him with her scent. “Do you smell it now?” Jason licked his lips as he felt his mouth water, the scent stirring something that he couldn’t place within him. “Y-Yeah, I do. Your mother has fantastic taste. I don’t think I could find a perfume that suits you better.” Lily nuzzled his cheek again. Man, she’s coming onto me real hard... he thought, feeling her ear flick against the side of his head. He glanced down and gestured at his loose shirt. “So... about these buttons...” he said. A small part of him wanted to give in to those feelings stirring around inside of him and explore them with Lily, but he forced himself to remain in the moment. Lily dropped her sultry predator act and giggled. “Oh, I can help with that,” she said as she took a step back. “You’re in a totally different body so it’s perfectly understandable. At least you have my dream bod,” Lily said as she helped him do his buttons. “You know, I think we might have picked the wrong style shirt, but...” She noticed a puzzled look on Jason’s face. “Oh, sorry! Don’t get me wrong; I only meant it like these kinds of fancy shirts are usually meant for unicorns. We don’t really see anyone wearing fancy button-up shirts if they can’t use magic. It would have been easier to get you a shirt without buttons, but I like how it looks on you; it makes you look really, really handsome,” she said, pushing the final button into place. She grabbed his sport coat from the bed, sat down, and held it open for him. “What would I do without you?” he asked with a laugh as he turned around. With Lily’s help, he pushed his forelegs through the holes and let her tug it into place. “Thanks.” Lily nodded. “So... are you ready for this?” she asked, unable to keep a smile off her face as she walked around him. “I sure am! Are you?” “Y-Yeah. I think you look great.” She leaned in and sniffed a couple of times, her nostrils flaring and her eyes going wide for a split second. “And you smell great, too...” she said, once again assuming her predatory gaze and gait. “Good choice on the scent. It suits you well.” “I’m glad you like it. It was something I picked up while I was out searching for a place for us to stay.” He stood up and cleared his throat, then looked in the mirror hanging on the wall. “Dang, look at us! We look great together,” he said as he looked at their reflections. “Crazy to think I look this, well... awesome. I almost look fearsome.” Jason bared his fangs at their reflections, earning a quick smooch on the cheek from Lily. “What was that for?” “What, I can’t kiss my date on the cheek? If I can’t do that, you’re going to be surprised with what I want to do later!” she said with a laugh. “I thought you looked cute, too.” “Cute? I was trying to look scary!” “We’ll have to practice that later. But for now, let’s just have fun with each other. Oh, and with Nightshine, of course.” “Yeah, speaking of which, we should see how she’s doing.” Jason leaned in and nuzzled Lily’s cheek on a moment’s impulse. “You really do look great,” he said. “As do you,” Lily said. “I want to do something first,” she said with a warm smile. She walked out onto the balcony, her stockings softening her steps. “Come,” she said, gesturing him forward with an open wing.  Jason walked up to her and sat down beside her, letting his racing heart slow. A few seconds passed in silence as they watched a long line of ponies slowly make their way inside the castle, then he felt Lily lay her head against his neck. He heard her let loose a soft, content sigh, and as a cool breeze made her shiver against him, he draped a wing over her back and tugged her in close. Her trembling stopped as she melted into his embrace. She nuzzled the side of his neck and placed her wing across his back, holding him nice and snug like he was holding her.  After a couple minutes, Lily gently cleared her throat. “I’ve dreamt of this moment for far too long,” she said, her voice barely louder than the breeze that ran through their hair. She felt him latch onto her right hoof. “Thank you,” she whispered. She let her head slip underneath his chin and nuzzled him once more with an earnest love, doing so with the knowledge that Jason wouldn’t understand the significance of such an intimate act. It still provided her with an overwhelming sensation of being loved, of contentment, and of a happiness she had only fantasized about when she read those trashy romance novels back in the barracks. “I—” A light knocking came from the door. “Excuse me, but I’ve been sent to escort you to the Gala!” Abigale said as she pushed open the door. She glanced up, her eyes locking on the two of them holding each other with their wings as Lily nuzzled her stallion’s neck. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to intrude!” Abigale stammered out as she covered her eyes with a foreleg. Jason’s eyebrows furrowed as he felt her wing’s grasp loosen, his gaze darting between the guard and Lily. “What? She was just nuzzling me.” He glanced down at Lily and saw her blushing furiously. “It’s not like we were doing anything naughty,” he said slowly, hoping to defuse the tense situation.  “Of course, of course. Uh...” Abigale awkwardly cleared her throat. “I’ll be outside,” she quickly said before closing the door behind her.  “What was that all about?” Jason asked. Lily bit the inside of her cheek and flicked her eyes back up. As her cheeks felt like they were about to catch on fire, she licked her dry lips. “It’s just... what I was doing. Holding each other with our wings, me nuzzling you... it’s considered something pretty intimate for our kind.” She took a deep breath. “It’s just like...” She trailed off as a few birds flying by caught her gaze. “Oh, like that embrace thing you told me about last night? Did your nuzzling have some sort of cultural significance I’m not aware of?” “Just now, yes. Rubbing our cheeks together is something common that everyone does, but when I nuzzle your neck like I did, it... means something more. I’m sorry for not explaining it, but it just felt right.” She let her gaze fall back down to the floor in between them, only to feel Jason’s soft hoof grace the side of her cheek. She looked back up with a hopeful gaze. “Yes, it did feel right,” Jason said, hoping to reassure her and put her at ease. “Look, I know I may not know everything about being a thestral, but I’m gonna do my best for you and Nightshine. I’m more than happy to help fulfill your emotional needs and I’d love to learn more about thestral culture from you.” Lily took a deep breath to calm her nerves. “R-Really?” she cautiously ventured. Jason shot her a reassuring smile and leaned in for a quick nuzzle. “Of course! I’m sure Nightshine would love to learn, too.” He took her hoof in his, then said, “Plus your fur is like, super soft. I kinda like getting nuzzled like that, like, uh… like a lot.” Lily grinned as she bit back a squee. With her fears put to rest, she easily fell back into the sultry predator act. She stood up and nuzzled him under the chin again, then placed a light kiss right below his left ear. “Thank you...” she whispered. How did I get this lucky? she thought. “I think it’s time that we see how Nightshine is doing. You wanna go check up on her? I want to have a quick word with Abigale.” “Is that the guard’s name that barged in a minute ago?” Lily giggled. “Yeah, she’s my best friend. She’s also the reason why I was able to go to the Gala with you tonight. She took my place as guard for the event.” “Then I’ll have to thank her for giving us this opportunity,” Jason said. “I’ll be right back.” He took a few steps back into the room, then paused and looked over his shoulder and saw her wiping her eyes with the tip of her hoof. “Are you going to be okay?” “Y-Yes, thank you for asking,” she said. “I just want a few moments to gather myself.” He nodded once, then opened the door to find Abigale standing guard to the left of the door. “H-Hey,” he said as he walked in front of her. Abigale’s expression and stance softened as she shot him a warm smile. “Hey there, yourself! I’m super sorry about barging in like that,” she said with a sheepish look. “I wasn’t really expecting Lily to be all over you. You guys look awesome, by the way.” “Thanks. Have you talked to Nightshine yet? She’s getting ready in the room behind me.” Abigale shook her head. “No sir, I have not. I heard she’s a cutie pie, though!” Jason chuckled. “Yeah, she sure is. I need to check on her, so… it was nice meeting you,” he said, still a little shook from earlier. He walked across the hallway and knocked on Nightshine’s door. “Sweetie? Can I come in?” “Yep!” came Nightshine’s voice.  With a grin, he pushed open the door and found Nightshine sitting in the far corner of the room in front of a tall mirror, running a brush through her tail over and over again. “Hey, are you ready?” he asked as he sat down next to her, looking at their reflections in the mirror. She wore a conservative lilac piece with a single blue gemstone embedded in the front of the dress at the base of her neck.  “Sure am! Are you and Lily ready?” Nightshine asked as she looked up at him with an excited smile. She placed the brush on the table to her side and stood up, twirling in place a few times. “How do I look?” she asked. “You look great! I already know you’re gonna be one of the best looking fillies at the Gala,” Jason said, smiling as Nightshine stood up on her hind legs to wrap her forelegs around his neck. He pulled her into a hug and held onto her for a few seconds. He let go when he heard voices out in the hallway. “You know, I think it’s time for us to have the best night of our lives!” “Second best night of our lives,” Nightshine piped up. “The best night of my life was when you adopted me and I knew I finally had a home, so… thanks again.” She nuzzled the side of his leg.  “Of course, little one.” The two of them trotted back to the door and with a deep breath, he opened it and found Lily and Abigale chatting in the hallway, their conversation lapsing into silence as their door clicked shut behind them. “Awww, don’t you look precious?” Abigale asked as she smiled down at Nightshine. She settled down on her belly to get on Nightshine’s level and looked her up and down in an almost comical fashion. “You must be the adorable little thestral that I’ve been hearing so much about! You look like you’ve been to a ton of these events; who made your dress?” “Miss Rarity! She’s a boutique designer back home, and this is my first Gala ever!” Nightshine piped up, her voice full of excitement. “Lily helped me pick it out, too!” “Wow, is that right? Well, with a dress like that, you’ll have everyone’s attention the moment you arrive!” Abigale straightened back up and glanced at all three of them. “Now that everyone is here, please allow me the honor of escorting you all down to the Gala.” She stepped back and to the side, then bowed with a graceful wave of her hoof. “Let the prettiest of ladies lead the way, young one,” she said with a warm smile, beckoning Nightshine forward with a quick nod.  Nightshine squeed as she trotted forward, prancing along like the lovely little lady that she was. Abigale snuck a look at Jason as he walked past them, following Nightshine down the hallway. “Geez girl, you sure know how to pick ‘em,” she said with a playful nudge. “That is one serious hunk of a stallion right there.” “Thanks, I really lucked out finding him.” Lily nudged her back as they followed Jason and Nightshine. “I wouldn’t have been able to be this lucky without you and Princess Luna, too.” She noticed the pair waiting for them at the end of the hall. “So...” Lily shot her a funny look. “Did you ever get ‘The Thing’ ready for Luna?” she asked with a giggle. “No!” A look of frantic worry drifted across Abigale’s face for a few moments before she was able to collect herself. “What is it? Come on, you have to tell me! I’m doing this huge solid for you, after all!” she hissed out, letting no small amount of desperation fill her tone. “Please?” “Um... okay.” Lily cleared her throat. “It’s a surprise,” she simply said. “Ugh! Yeah, I know it’s supposed to be a surprise, but what is the surprise?” Abigale asked. “No, no, you misunderstand. ‘The Thing’ can be anything. It’s just a little surprise to help make Luna’s night special. Last year I had the cooks make a delicacy from her youth that she and Celestia grew up with, so it has to be something special like that.” “Can you tell me what you had made so I don’t fumble tonight? You know I’m really trying to get that promotion!”  Lily laughed once more. “Sure, but this is between us. Luna likes to eat... ...Understand?” “Yup, thanks!” Abigale said with a great sigh of relief as they caught up to Jason and Nightshine. As they traversed the last few hallways and walked down a great spiral staircase, the sounds of the Gala grew louder and louder along with Nightshine’s sounds of excitement. The end of the corridor in front of them was roped off with a regal-looking white rope, so with a few quick flaps of her wings, Abigale flew ahead of them, unhooked the rope from one of the poles, and allowed them through before sealing the corridor off once again. “Alrighty, everyone! The Gala is just ahead! I have that ‘thing’ to attend to, so I’ll see you in a little bit. Hope you all have a wonderful night!”