Though the six mares that represented the Elements of Harmony, and Spike, were not the type to make much of their pets, they were still very proud of them. Each one was reasonably unique, by species, talent or personality. Thus it was that the seven of them went to Canterlot to participate in a pet-fellowship event hosted at the Palace. It was a fairly informal event, with the pets allowed to be loose. After all, there was no reason to think they could get up to any mischief.
“Hey baby, let's get up to some mischief. What do ya say?” Angel grinned at Opal and gave a wink. “We've never been naughty in Canterlot Palace before.”
“We have never been invited to Canterlot Palace before, dear,” Opal said, with a sniff of superiority. “And should we engage, as you say, in mischief or naughtiness, I very much doubt we should ever be allowed back.”
“Ahhh, come on. We won't leave any stains or anything. We'll just go see stuff and come back. They'll never notice we're gone. Our caretakers are a bit engaged with one another,” Angel noted, indicating Fluttershy and Rarity snuggled up against one another, sharing crudites and a glass of cider.
“And how rude would it be! To leave all of our friends here. It is hardly a very kind thing of you to do. I, as a very proper queen, would never abandon friends while we traipsed off to explore,” Opal huffed.
Angel gave his zaftig sweetheart a squeeze and a peck on the cheek. “Hey, babe... you wanna take them, they're coming. We'll just hide behind a curtain if we go at it.”
“No 'going at it,' Angel. Peewee could see. We will explore places we ought not to be, sneak by secret happenings and then return none the worse for wear,” Opal said, settling into the hug.
“Sure, babe, anything you want,” Angel smiled and kissed Opal's thick cheek again. “Hey! Any of you wanna go poking around the Palace?” Angel called to the other Ponyville pets.
“Might be nice,” Tank said with his characteristic slow speech, lightly shaking his shell to rouse Owlowicious from his light dozing. “Want to go around the palace?”
“Whoo? Oh my. Oh... my...” The normally unflappable owl actually blushed and hid his face behind a wing. “M-my word. Yes... an outing. Together. This is so sudden. I do enjoy when we do so, and to do so in Canterlot... goodness such an opportunity...”
“Hey!” Angel snapped his fingers and got Owlowicious' attention. “That was me asking all of you, not your boyfriend asking you out- yow!” Angel winced and rubbed his thigh, Opal having given him a swat.
“Don't be rude! I find their relationship sweet and charming. They are our friends, after all,” Opal hissed to Angel. She then turned a sweet smile on Owlowicious and Tank. “Please do use this opportunity as a date, if you like. We certainly are. Right, dear?” Opal turned a hard gaze on Angel.
Angel slightly withered under the gaze and grinned. “Y-yea, babe, of course.” Angel looked down to the floor where Winona was laying out on the ground, looking pleased with all the world while Gummy walked up and down along her spine in an odd fashion that looked to be some kind of massage. “Hey you two, going to come with?”
Winona looked up with half-lidded eyes and then looked back to Gummy. “Want to go? I love this a lot but I want to go. I've never been around a palace before.”
Gummy halted his massaging march, staring blankly into the distance while he considered the question. “Yes. I have never had the pleasure, as much as Pinkie has been here. She does desire I come but Twilight quite rightly points out it would be inappropriate to bring me. I have long been curious about this rather charming and highly historical edifice.”
“Then I'm going too,” Winona said, resolutely, nodding her head firmly and rising.
“Can I come? Can I come? Can I? Can I? Can I?” Peewee flitted about the group excitedly, getting in all their faces and generally being energetic.
“Looks like we got full buy in. We can go sneak around and get all spy-ish,” Angel said.
“We would be well served by Twilight's spy suit. If only we had some sized for ourselves,” Owlowicious mused, hopping off of Tank's back so he could activate his propeller.
The seven pets looked around at the other pets in the room. They were either supremely disinterested-looking conventional Canterlot pets such as pampered tiny dogs or languid felines, or they were interested in their own toys, beds or backsides. With their egress unobstructed, and their owners occupied by one another on the other side of the room they managed to work the door open and wiggle their way out.
The pet-fellowship event was being held on the ground floor, in one of the salons that provided lots of light and space for such an event. The door to it was located by one of the small, discreet staircases leading up to the side-areas of the next floor of the palace, above the little mezzanine that surrounded the grand ballroom, which was also nearby. Rather than retread the areas about which they had heard they went up to the next floor, led by Angel's bold direction and cocksure attitude.
“I must say, Angel dear...” Opal purred, cuddling close against Angel's side as the pets carefully made their way down the opulent marble halls of the palace, “I like this bold, sure attitude of yours, moreso even than when you are at home, simply because your leadership takes more nerve and the stakes are much higher.”
Angel polished his claws on his chest and grinned, pressing back against Opal. “So, uh, babe... come on, you know you want to take advantage of all this hotness you're feeling. We can sneak away and get to...” He halted his suggestion when Opal put a paw against a muscular bunny thigh and flexed her claws just slightly.
“Say one more word, one more dirty implication in any place Peewee could hear it and I will scratch out your eyes. And I assure you I would go and sleep like a kitten right after,” Opal threatened, speaking sotto voce.
“Heh. I know you would, babe. I know you would...” Angel said, leaning in to kiss Opal on the cheek. “And you know I still have my eyes because I would never do that. But... you just turn me on so much...”
“I am both flattered and scandalized. I ought to chastise you but I feel too inclined to agree, dear,” Opal said with a dark blush. “I have never looked at another feline in any way close to the way I look at you...”
“They believe they are very quiet, and perhaps they are for their purposes of keeping Peewee unawares of their ribald implications but the rest of us have focus and hearing for their speech,” Gummy noted, very softly, into one of Winona's ears as he rode on her head.
“Well yea but... it's so funny hearing them talk. It's like those programs on the radio that Applejack listens to with Rainbow Dash. Dash pretends she doesn't like it but I know she does. She listens and snuggles with Applejack,” Winona said, moving one ear to stroke at Gummy.
“Is that how you are when I read to you the old courtly romances?” Gummy asked, looking down into Winona's eyes. “Are you disinterested in my attempts to woo you with the ancient words of love? I assure you, I mean the intention...”
“No! No no no!” Winona shook her head rapidly, almost threatening to dislodge Gummy from the top of her head. “No! Oh Gummy. I love all those old romances. They're really nice. I mean... I don't understand them, they use so many big words and weird images... but you read them so well! With your smooth, sexy voice and those rolls of your eye ridges and the way you pronounce everything so sexy...” Winona blushed and focused on following Angel and Opal.
“This is most exciting, is it not, my dear Tank?” Owlowicious asked, flapping placidly beside Tank, flanked by Peewee. “The heart of Equestrian governance, steeped in centuries of traditions as aged and beautiful as their majesties themselves.”
“Wow! This place is really old and really big! This stuff is funny-looking!” Peewee did running commentary, zipping along as best as he could and looking at everything that passed his eye.
“He's a fledgeling. He'll learn,” Tank said with a slow laugh and smile. He moved to the side in the air to touch his carapace softly against one of Owlowiscious' wings.
Owlowiscious whooed softly and smiled. “You say so and I believe it, but the process of moving from fledgeling to learned bird is quite a long road. No wonder Twilight is in no mood to teach.”
The pets trooped on in silence, having to hide in a dark alcove at one point as the sound of hoofsteps told them of the approach of others. By the voices and steps there were three ponies walking down the hall.
“You know, I don't need an escort,” Said a male voice, very bright and full of cheer. “At this point I probably know the way better than you do. Her bedroom is my second home. First home, really, I don't quite have another one.”
“Her Majesty has asked this of us, because of the reason you are here. There are... family matters that are delicate,” Said another voice, a deep and sonorous male voice.
“And it breaks up the monotony of standing around,” Said a higher and brighter male voice.
“Why not take a lunch break and have... a romantic encounter? Surely her Majesty would allow that,” The first one said with a laugh. Neither of the other two returned it.
“That's still not funny,” The sonorous one huffed.
“O-oh it is, honey... but I don't want to laugh at your... romance...” The high voice said, the first voice laughing and the second making a small, strangled sound.
Winona lifted her head after the figures had passed, sniffing lightly in the hall once they were sure it was safe. “Wait wait... I smell... I smell an Apple...”
Gummy tilted his head a bit and looked around. “Dear, this palace is a place of plenty. I am quite certain they have apples all over in many fruit baskets and food trays for visitors and workers.”
Winona shook her head, sniffing at the ground and moving a few steps in the direction the three ponies had gone. “No! Not like a fruit. An Apple like my owners. They all have this family smell. Granny Smith is the one that all the rest smell like, because they're a family. And I smell an Apple. A male Apple. Closely related to Granny Smith”
“But... that seems improbable,” Gummy said, lightly sniffing in the direction of the ground, “The only Apples that have ever come to the palace like that, so far as you have told me, have been Applejack and Big Macintosh. And Big Macintosh has been asked politely to not return to the palace, lest his head be turned around and he lose sight of his farm duties and future farm wife.”
“I know that... but I still... I can smell him. It's familiar. I smelled this one once, a while ago in the kitchen...” Winona soon led the gathering, down the twisting passages.
“Do you feel slighted by the fact that Winona is now leading this little outing?” Opal asked Angel, looking aside with a little grin.
“Hey, I'll take any chance to get up to some mischief,” Angel noted, looking aside at Opal. “Chasing around a mysterious Apple through the palace, a guy who was talking about Majesties and bedrooms and stuff like that, now that's my idea of a good time. If we're going to get in trouble, let's get in trouble.”
“Oh you are a naughty little thing,” Opal giggled, then blushed, “Perhaps not so little... but no matter, I do so enjoy this wild aspect you show.”
“I'm a wild hare, baby,” Angel said proudly, then scratched his head. “Well, wild rabbit. And that's fine too.”
“Honestly, dear, you've said that enough but I never understood the difference,” Opal said.
“The main difference is we hate each other, we can't interbreed and they think they're sooooo superior because their leverets are born with open eyes and ears and our kittens are born blind and deaf. We're way the buck cuter, and I won't let them forget it,” Angel said, shaking a fist.
“You have you ways about you, dear,” Opal said, with a laugh.
Winona continued to work her way along the halls, suddenly lifting her head up and looking around. “I smell another Apple... stronger, I think I recognize this one... Braeburn. He's in a room somewhere over there.”
The rest of the pets looked to one another, Angel finally speaking up to say, “Well, come on, we can't go in two different directions. Can you keep going to the 'bedroom and Majesty' path?”
“Sorry, Braeburn is stronger. I was just barely smelling that other one. He leaves just a tiny trace,” Winona said, ears falling and tail tucking.
“It would certainly make for a fascinating diversion no matter what. Let us proceed,” Opal said with a nod.
“I concur,” Owlowiscious said, “We ought to see what the fellow is doing so far from Appleoosa.”
“And maybe we can get some of the apples in the fruit baskets!” Peewee added, flittering about and licking his beak.
Winona sniffed along the new scent path, all of the pets aware of a muttering sound, the noise of a small group of folks talking to one another. They hugged the walls, trying to keep themselves low and quiet as possible, though nothing much could be done to help the noise of Tank's propeller. The sound was coming from the same room that Winona was indicating held Braeburn. The fancy doors were slightly ajar, giving the pets a chance to rush in and seek a hiding spot before anyone noticed and tossed them out.
They were fortunate in that the first thing they noticed were curtain-like hangings along the walls, which provided a quick hiding place. They all tucked themselves behind one of the hangings and stuck their heads out to observe the room. It was a nice place, decorated like most of the other rooms in the palace, with large, open windows looking out on the mountain and city of Canterlot. The room was not decorated, save for the hangings, which were stitched with simple, embroidered images of many different species interacting socially. That also seemed to be happening in the room itself.
The population of the room was not especially large, but it was not just a couple of folks. Half the population looked to be ponies, mares and stallions both, while the rest were other members of the sentient species in Equestria: Diamond Dogs, donkeys, buffalo and zebras. Winona pointed out Braeburn and his wife Little Strongheart. They were talking with a tall, red-furred, floppy-eared Diamond Dog in a formal black suit jacket and black fedora. The Dog had his hand lovingly stroking the side of a pony, a medium-gray unicorn mare with a faded green mare, who was wearing a simple but nice dress that seemed improperly sized. Her horn looked odd, somewhat shorter than other horns and looking like two horns slightly pointing away from each other at the end.
“So y'all live out near Ponyville, do ya? Ah've got family out that way,” Braeburn asked the other pair.
The big Dog nodded, removing his hat in a polite gesture. “Indeed. I am Jasper, of the house LaRoulette. This is my wife Centre, of the same.”
Centre gave a deep, somewhat awkward curtsey, as though unused to the gesture. “A great pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“Ah gotta say, Mister Jasper sir, y'all talk better than most-a the mine Dogs we got in Appleoosa. Oh! Ah don't mean nothin' by it...” Braeburn started, looking a little nervous.
“What my husband means is that your speech is very articulate, so far as we have heard,” Little Strongheart quickly interjected, giving a sweet smile to the pair.
“Ah, yes. Thank you. Most other Dogs did not have the advantage of a regular and strong pony education, not in my generation, anyhow. But I was a reformed criminal, caught poaching on Patron LaRoulette's land. I was just a petty scout from a shady band I can now see were not on the up and up. Rather than going to prison I was made his daughter's valet. It was good for all concerned,” Jasper said, looking a little wistful.
“And while he was there the Canterlot scientists got some good information on his species long before the formal emergence of the United Colonies as a vassal state,” Centre noted, settling against Jasper's side. “Of course, during his time there he met me... the only one to see past my deformed horn...”
Jasper softly cupped Centre's chin and leaned in to slowly and sweetly kiss her lips. “Yes. Of all the many wonderful things that came of my time in the Chateau, she is the most precious and wonderful.”
Braeburn laughed heartily and threw a leg around Little Strongheart's neck, pulling her in for a tight snuggle. “Ah surely do know whatcha mean. Ah went through plenty of hard times, but it was all worth it fer this lil cow here.”
“Oh husband...” Little Strongheart said shyly, waving a split hoof and blushing lightly. She looked to the two and asked, “Who was your Advocate? I find it is always interesting to know who speaks for couples such as us.”
“Toola Roola, Antonia LaRoulette. My young charge, grown up and married herself. She is one of Luna's favorites, a Roa,” Jasper said, with some pride.
“Now ain't that somethin'... ah do believe ah've heard-a her. It's mighty kind, payin' back all yer hard work by helpin' ya have a family. As fer me, well, it was mah uncle, but we keep it quiet,” Braeburn said, with a sub rosa wink.
“I... don't understand? Why do you say that?” Centre asked, somewhat confused.
“He is not accepted in our family. But he did many good things for us, including getting us back into the family at a cost to himself. He is most generous,” Little Strongheart said.
“He sounds like Toola's own uncle. But that is understandable. Good folk will be the supporters of those like us,” Jasper said, stroking his chin. “Do you know if there will be a buffet?”
“Ah certainly hope so. Been a bit too nervous ta get any vittles in me...” Braeburn replied.
All conversation suddenly ceased as a door at the far end of the room opened up. A line of royal guards marched in, pegasi and unicorns alike, fronting Princess Celestia. That got the attention of all the hidden pets. The day princess posed grandly before the assembly of pony/non-pony pairs, who all bowed down in reverence to her. Two of the guards blew ceremonial horns, which prompted the bowing folks to rise.
“Welcome, all of you, to this moment which has occupied much of your minds, I am sure. A long process of wonder, worry and relief has now come to this. In marriage you became one. And now... you become more,” Celestia said in a warm, motherly voice, letting her beatific smile shine over all the gathered. “You know what this moment means. Please, all of you, embrace the one you love and prepare for this, that for which you have longed since you put quill to paper and asked family and friends for an Advocate.”
The assembled ponies and others pressed in close, legs and arms pulling them in tightly against each other's bodies. Even the pets, somehow moved by the warmth of Celestia's voice pulled in, couple-to-couple, with Peewee perching on the top of the hanging. The tip of Celestia's horn glowed as a tiny point of golden light slowly grew, the great sun princess' face contorted in extreme concentration, her lips slightly trembling, either in focus or from speaking to herself as she cast what was certainly a very powerful spell.
The golden orb reached the size of a large watermelon before it burst with fizzle, streamers of light snaking through all the couples in the room, leaving behind a golden trace that slowly faded. Even the pets were touched by the tingling threads of magic.
Celestia slowly lowered her head once the magic had faded, very softly panting and hanging somewhat on her hooves, looking as though she wanted to lay down. She lifted her head after a moment of rest and smiled to the assembled again. “There is no pomp and gilding here. You have waited long enough. But for those who can wait a while longer, there is a provided buffet in the main dining hall. Advocates welcome.”
“Yee-haw! Finally! Ah'm gonna load up on somma these fancy vittles!” Braeburn cheered, galloping wildly out of the room, with Little Strongheart hard on his heels. The rest of the company filed out in a more orderly fashion, while Princess Celestia and her guards left via he other door.
None of the pets moved for a while, too focused on making sure there were no stragglers returning for any forgotten items or any guards sweeping the area for any reason. Finally, Angel stuck his wiggling nose out and motioned with his ears. “Coast is clear. Let's get back to where we were. I think that was enough mischief.” He softly rubbed his chest where one of the golden threads of magic had passed through him, on its way into Opal.
“A most curious adventure. I do wonder the significance of this gathering,” Gummy said, looking to the door that Princess Celestia had used. “It seemed quite formal. And that magic...”
“It made my insides all tingly. It felt like when you scratch behind my ears, but all warm too,” Winona said to Gummy.
“Perhaps a bit of study back at the library will benefit us. I do so enjoy a fine bit of study,” Owlowiscious noted.
“I didn't get any magic! What a rip-off!” Peewee groused, sullenly flapping beside Owlowicious.
The pets managed to return to the pet gathering without being missed, considering the matter successful and fully concluded. There were a few speeches by the various pet owners, with some demonstrations of particular tricks or exhibition of fine manners or grooming.
At the end of the day the Ponyville seven retired to their rooms, each couple having been given their own quarters, with Spike allowed his own space, which suited the young dragon and Peewee perfectly well. Because of the lovely weather, all the balcony doors were left open, which allowed Gummy to slip out, Owlowicious conveying him into Applejack's and Rainbow Dash's room, Owlowicious then escorting Tank into Twilight's and Pinkie's room.
Angel and Opal did not need to contend with such rigamarole. They casually, languidly savored each other, consuming one another with kisses and eager heavy petting. They broke off their physical expressions of love, however, when they realized that Fluttershy and Rarity could, at any moment, wake and discover them. Furtively, the pair made their way onto the balcony.
Angel and Opal looked out over the impressive view of Canterlot provided by the balcony, the awe-inspiring sight adding spice and delight to their carnal physicality. Opal scraped her claws slowly along the railing just over the bench that had been placed against the balcony edge. Though her vocalizations were mostly a huffing mass of breathless pants and keening whines she found her voice long enough to note, “We... we make this love surrep- Ah! Surreptitiously... not out of shame, but out of discretion. We must be proper! Ever proper...”
Angel, despite being greatly focused on his task and doing everything to ensure he gave Opal all the delight he could muster groaned out, “I love you Opal,” beside one delicate ear.
“And I you, my Angel! With all my heart!” Opal cried, the citizens below hearing nothing more than inarticulate yowls, if they heard a thing at all.
On the balcony of Applejack's and Rainbow Dash's room Gummy and Winona were merely sitting beside one another, looking up to the sky. The collie's wagging tail repeatedly brushed across Gummy's, a shy blush on her cheeks. “Gummy... do you... I mean...”
Gummy's reply was soft, but certain. “Lie down and roll over, if you really wish it.”
Winona swiftly went down to her belly, smiling. “Thank you, Gummy...”
“Do not thank me, Winona. I feel a fool,” Gummy said, with a note of bitterness. He slowly crawled up between her skyward legs, settling his snout down over her belly and giving a soft nuzzling. “I am so sorry, my darling... so sorry I may not give you what it is you truly desire... what you deserve in a mate.”
Winona's legs suddenly pulled down and in, securely grasping Gummy's body while she looked down between her pulled-up forelegs. “Don't say things like that. You're what I deserve and desire and all the other fancy words you want to use to mean that I'm yours.”
Gummy turned his head slowly and rubbed a scaled cheek against Winona's fluffy belly, a small tear sliding down out of a reptilian eye. “I love you, Winona. No matter how I feel, how inferior or unworthy, you have all the love I may muster.”
Winona had begun to pant, a blissful smile spreading across her features while her head went back. Her tail was going a mile a minute, showing her utterly transported in bliss. “I wish you knew how much I loved you. You'd never say things like that anymore. Gummy, you make me so happy!”