//------------------------------// // The Missing Month // Story: A Twist in the Tail // by Midnightshadow //------------------------------// A Twist in the Tail Part 2 The Missing Month *** Glenn opened her eyes and yawned. For a moment she just lay there, blinking. It was the sudden hoof to the face as she attempted to rub the sleep-dust from her eyes that brought reality back in a sudden rush. Ponification, Mare-ification... Twilight Sparkle, the teleport-hopping from quartet of unicorns to quartet as Twilight called in an emergency and a few favours, everything. She threw back the covers of the wide, low bed and spread her hind-legs in dismay. Still gone. She missed it. Always there, ready, standing at attention at a moment’s notice. She mourned it like a lost pet. Instead were two shockingly-large - to her eyes at least - teats, and out of sight...the offending article itself. Plus the tail. Her tail was a wavy mass of burgundy shine dripping across the sheets. She flicked it idly, amused. Her hooves, dainty little things they were. She touched one to another, marvelling at how soft they were, how supple. She gently put her forehooves to the barrel of her chest, pressing lightly. Her fur - was it fur? Hair? She wasn’t sure. She was going to go with ‘fur’ until corrected - was soft and silken and despite the trials and tribulations of the day before was shiny and...perhaps even sensual to touch. She missed her fingers, she’d have enjoyed running them through this chestnut coat, tugging at the strands, teasing, ruffling... “Oh! Oh, I’m...so sorry! What was I thinking!” Glenn froze and her heart skipped a beat as Rarity had opened the door unannounced with a tray of what appeared to be breakfast hovering beside her. It wobbled, rattling the cutlery, but didn’t fall. The flustered unicorn beat a hasty retreat at the sight of Glenn’s morning bodily exploration. Glenn face-hoofed and threw the blanket over her head, “I’m...decent now. You can come back in, Rarity!” her voice was muffled from beneath the covers. “Are you sure dear? We all need our little alone time on occasion...” “Quite sure,” came the hesitant reply, “I was just...curious.” “Weren’t we all at one time or another...” replied Rarity, whimsically, as she re-entered the room. “That’s not what I meant!” “Could’ve fooled me, honey.” muttered Rarity with a giggle. “What?” “Oh, nothing, nothing. I...I made you breakfast. My way of saying ‘sorry ‘, for the whole mixup. You have no idea how embarrassed I was!” “It...I guess it happens.” “No,” said Rarity, tapping a hoof to her cheek thoughtfully, “can’t say it does. Anyway, since you’re still a newfoal, I thought a little girl-time - just you and me - would be in order. I’ll show you how to drink from a cup and we can practice brushing each other’s hair and oh! I have so many outfits for you to try on!” “Rarity? I’m a guy. I don’t do hair-brushing and dresses.” “Nonsense. You’re a pony now, do you have any idea how awful bedmane is? Why, even the most alpha of stallions has a whole slew of mane and tail brushes! Unless you want to go around looking like you’ve got a rats nest on your neck it’s a skill you’ll have to pick up.” “...and the dresses?” Rarity sniffed, “A girl’s got to have some fun.” “Well...alright. But I’m not going out in public!” Glenn threw back the covers and did her best to cross her forelegs as she stared at Rarity. Rarity pouted, her eyes grew big, water welled in those limpid pools...her bottom lip quivered... “Oh enough! Enough! I give! ...But only if I’m pretty.” Rarity clapped her hooves together, “I’ve got just the look for you!” *** Glenn had been shipped off to Ponyville, Equestria. Rarity had either been feeling sorry for her or had been ordered to make amends, or both - so Glenn had been given the guest room above the unicorn’s shop, Carousel Boutique. Apparently Rarity was a dressmaker of more than average skill, as the closets in Glenn’s room were simply full to overflowing with hoof-made explosions of tasteful lace and finery. She’d not had much chance to look through them the night before, after all the excitement she’d collapsed into the bed provided and had been out like a light moments later. Now though, Rarity was stuck halfway in the main trot-in wardrobe, her rear-end bouncing up and down as she hummed with delight; she pulled out boots, saddles, girdles, straps, dresses and more. It was obviously going to be a long morning. “Sis! Sis!” came a sudden excited voice, “I’m ready! I’m ready!” “Ready?” came Rarity’s muffled voice, “Ready for what?” her tail stuck out straight and she froze mid-bounce. “Aww! You promised!” The voice belonged to a foal, she was white like her bigger sister but her mane and tail were light pink and purple. “Oh Sweetie Belle! I totally forgot! I promised to take you out on a picnic, didn’t I, when I came home? Oh my stars...I simply can’t dear! I have to help Glenn here...” “But...you promised!” “If you promised,” said Glenn, eyeing the mounting mountain, “you should keep it.” “Oh but Glenn dear!” “Don’t worry, you can show me the basics now and then we can...” “Yay!” said Sweetie Belle, jumping up and down, “We’re all gonna go to the picnic! Just wait until I tell Apple Bloom and Scootaloo!” “Hmm...well if that’s alright with you Glenn, we’ll have a day out instead. It’ll be nice for you to see the sights. Just give us a half hour, Sweetie Belle, whilst I get Glenn ready...Maybe two hours.” Glenn opened her mouth to say “fifteen minutes” but instead managed, “Oh an hour would be lovely!” *** The hardwood brush slicked through her mane, teasing out tangles and easing in a playful bounce. Rarity held the handle in her mouth with great skill and dexterity, tugging it through in smooth long strokes. Glenn’s eyes were closed in happiness as she lounged on a large set of pillows, hooves entwined with the unicorn’s as they sat muzzle to muzzle with Rarity’s beautification implements strewn around them. “Now dear, isn’t that better?” the white unicorn murmured, levitating a small yet ornate mirror to where they could both admire the chestnut pony’s features. Glenn had to admit, for a pony she looked rather fetching. An idle hoof to her cheek, caressing the locks as they fell across her eyes, made her surprised expression complete. Rarity put the brush down and pursed her lips. Her horn glowed softly as a small black bristled brush lifted from the equally small pot it rested in and hovered close to Glenn’s eyes. She flinched back. “Come come, a little eyeliner will bring out the colour of your eyes, dear...that’s it...” The brush made a few practiced flicks and was replaced with a powder-puff of soft pink blusher. Glenn sneezed as a cloud of colourful particles enveloped her head. When it cleared, she blinked at her reflection in awe. “Rarity!” she said “You...don’t like it?” asked the unicorn in a small voice. “I...I didn’t know I could look like this...” Glenn reached out a hoof to the reflection, her soft hoof caressing her mirror-image. “Just wait until you try on the dressage saddle I have picked out for you! I have a matching set!” The unicorn squealed with delight as she got to her hooves and cantered into her closet, returning a moment later with four sets of boots and two similarly-hued saddles. Glenn raised one eye, “If you’d already picked those out, why did you have me try on the rest?” “It’s those hips dear, you bring out last year’s summer collection gorgeously!” Glenn rolled her eyes. *** Glenn trotted through Ponyville wide-eyed. She threw her head left and right as she looked all around at the quaint pastel-coloured houses. Her tail swished as she trotted along the streets, bouncing from hoof to hoof. “Are you swaggering again?” whispered Rarity under her breath as she eyed her younger sister and two foal friends carefully. They were speeding on ahead in a wagon pulled by a pegasus-powered scooter. “I’m...I was going for enticing.” blushed Glenn “It’s working!” giggled Rarity as she stole a look at the colts and stallions who were all but tripping over themselves to catch a glance of the new filly. Glenn bounced happily, she didn’t know why this was so much fun, but she certainly knew it was. The trip out of town to a sunny hillock was relatively short and peaceful. The three foals who, Glenn learned, called themselves ‘The Cutie-Mark Crusaders’ fell about rolling and jumping, playing tag. Every few minutes they’d huddle together and stare at each other’s flanks in disappointment before splitting off to play another variant on the same sorts of games all kids played. It suddenly dawned on Glenn that the three had blank flanks - as did she - whereas Rarity had three diamonds upon hers. In fact, realized Glenn, all adult ponies had marks on their flanks. “Oh, that’s your cutie-mark,” said Rarity, “just about every pony has something that he or she is especially good at, and when they find that thing their cutie-mark appears. Sweetie Belle and her two friends - young Apple Bloom and Scootaloo over there - are pretty wrapped up in trying to discover theirs.” “When will I discover mine?” “I don’t know dear, but unlike my little sister, I hope you have enough of a head on your shoulders to look inside yourself rather than out.” The picnic was slow and sedate. Rarity showed Glenn a few more beauty tips and proferred a special bowl for Glenn to put her food in until she grew more proficient with eating. It had a free-spinning edge that kept the bowl itself upright no matter why way the gripping part was held. “Now that’s pretty handy,” said Glenn, “I wonder why we humans never thought of something like that?” “I think it just suits ponies better.” They ate their food in the glorious sunshine and talked. Glenn found herself yawning and put her head down on her forehooves. It was a position - on her stomach - which had never suited her before but as a pony it was just plain comfortable. She was gently nudged awake some time later as Rarity was finishing packing away the remains. With audible cries of farewell and a loud buzzing noise the three foals disappeared into the distance, propelled once again by the young pegasus’ wings. “I think I’ll head home, darling, how about you have a wander? I’m sure there’s plenty for you to see in Ponyville and it’ll give me a little time to get my shop in order.” Glenn yawned, “Okay Rarity...” Rarity fussed with one of her bags and levitated it over to Glenn, where it fastened itself around her neck, “Take this, it’s got a few bits in it so you can buy yourself a bite to eat. Have fun!” With that, the white and purple-maned unicorn trotted off after the three foals, leaving Glenn to stretch and ease the kinks out of her body. Standing up carefully, Glenn gave a deep breath before moving. Whenever she thought about it, standing and walking became harder, so it took a conscious effort to stop thinking about it. She sidelined her thoughts into the ridiculous song “The Hokey Cokey” and let each leg move with the lyrics. She was still putting her left hoof in and right hoof out when there was a crack of thunder that startled the day-dreaming earth-pony and sent her crashing to the ground. With a shimmering clash and tinkle, the bits in her neck-purse spilled out into the dust. “Ohhhh....damn it! Damn it! Ow!” Glenn said, trying to get to her hooves. Her left foreleg was sprained and it hurt to put weight on it. She tried to pick up the bits with her lips, but after she finally had one she couldn’t get it back in the purse. To top it off, it started to rain. At least this way, she sniffed to herself, nopony will see me if I start crying. She knew she was being silly but It was so hard being a pony sometimes! She missed her thumbs. She missed having two legs. She missed being able to hold an umbrella! She hurt, she couldn’t even pick up her change and to top it off, she was going to get wet! There was a soft thump next to her and she spun her head around to look up into the concerned blue eyes of a lime-green pegasus with an aqua mane and tail, “Sorry about that miss, need a little help?” “I...I...my money. My hoof...you’re a pegasus!” Glenn squeaked. The stallion turned his head to look at each wing which he spread wide, “Why, so I am!” “I mean...uh...but...” “Pointe Vertigo,” said the pegasus, bowing his head before bending to pick up a few of the coins strewn around, which he placed into her purse, “now you.” “Glenn...M-Midnight Glenn. You can call me j-just Glenn.” “Just Glenn is a bit of a strange name for a pony. You’re a newfoal, huh?” “You can tell?” Glenn shrunk back nervously. “Missy, when a grown filly such as yourself arrives in town looking as pretty as that and I don’t know who she is, and she has trouble picking up coins not to mention gets startled by a thunderbolt...I can kinda tell. I’m clever like that.” “You don’t...mind?” “Mind what? Come on, let’s get out of the rain. We’ll sit a while, I’ll buy you a drink.” The stallion deftly picked up the remainder of her coins, bouncing them off his wings as he showed off, flicking them into her purse. He then spread one large wing over her head and haunches as wide as possible to keep the rain off and motioned towards a cafe set under a broad tree. She sat down awkwardly, still nursing her foreleg, as Vertigo shook himself dry before joining her. “Cup of coffee? We never really had it before, but now you newfoals are starting to arrive it’s getting more popular.” “Yes please, Vertigo.” They sat in silence for a while. Vertigo sipped demurely at his cup whilst Glenn struggled to get it in her muzzle. She spilled quite a bit and blushed as Vertigo giggled at her behind a hoof. “You’re cute when you’re trying so hard. Let it come. Use your teeth... ‘ike ‘is... ‘en ‘oose ‘ur ‘ips.” Vertigo expertly lifted the cup, but brown liquid dribbled down his chin as he exaggerated the movements. Glenn burst out laughing and lifted a napkin with her muzzle, dabbing it against the spill. She moved slowly up his neck and down under his chin until her muzzle met his in an accidental kiss. She froze, blushing, when she realised what she was doing. She dropped the napkin and turned to flee. “Wait! That was...can I see you again?” Glenn stopped, torn, and turned her head, “Tomorrow! Same place!” then she fled. Rarity looked up as the door slammed open and Glenn sped upstairs, she barely had time to start calling a greeting before the frantic earth pony was gone. Rarity blinked and resolved to let nature take it’s course. Whatever had Glenn so worked up, she’d talk about it later. On the other hoof, some company might be just what was needed... Glenn slammed her door closed and locked it with her teeth before she even knew what she was doing. She sat back on her haunches, panting, her abused leg aching and her heart beating triple-time, staring at the door. I’m a guy, I’m a guy, I’m a guy! reverberated in her head. He liked women. She liked stallions. No, wait...girls. Females. Their long hair, pert buttocks...big strong shoulders, those wide feathery wings, his wonderfully blue eyes... She shook her head. She turned to look in the mirror, “Repeat after me Glenn,” she said to her reflection, “you’re a guy. You like girls. You’re butch, you’re manly...oh lord your mane is a mess and you’re going to see Vertigo tomorrow and you’re going to look a mess! Get a hold of yourself!” Glenn head-butted the mirror softly, “Why did he have to be so...so...ugh! What’s wrong with me!?” There was a soft knocking at the door, it was Rarity, “Glenn dear? Do you want to talk about it?” “I...I’m sorry Rarity, let me open the door.” “If you’re...you know...I can come back?” “Rarity!” whined Glenn, “I...don’t...I’m not!” The door opened and a sheepish Glenn peered out at Rarity, who had one hoof raised ready to knock again, “Can I come in? Is anything the matter?” “Of course you can come in...I just...it rained, and...” “And you didn’t want anypony seeing you looking,” she chuckled, “under the weather?” “You could say that. I also hurt my leg.” “It looks like it, you’re a mess dear. I tell you what, take it easy for today - I think you’ve had quite enough excitement by the look of you - and go to bed early. I’ll treat you tomorrow morning to one of my favourite pastimes, and I won’t even make you try on too many dresses.” “I can’t wait.” said Glenn, and surprised herself by realising she meant it. *** “So where are we going?” asked Glenn “It’s a surprise! If I told you, what sort of surprise would it be? Besides, we’re almost there...” They walked a few more blocks in silence before Rarity took them through a side-street to walk out in front of a large, brightly-coloured building. The words ‘Ponyville Day Spa’ adorned the front and Rarity squealed with glee, “I do so love the spa! I usually come here with Fluttershy, don’t tell her I sneaked in an extra visit, she’s such a good spa-buddy.” “Somehow I don’t think she’ll mind,” said Glenn, giggling. She’d never have guessed ponies would have, let alone enjoy, a spa. “Aloe? Lotus? Rarity is here! And I’ve brought a friend! The usual, ladies, if you please!” “Zut alors, madame!” said a bright pink pony with light blue mane as she zipped up to assist Rarity and Glenn. “Zis is...an emergency!” said a second pony, light blue coat and bright pink mane, appearing equally quickly. Glenn blinked, “Sisters?” “Oui! Zat is correct! Madame, zis way, we have ze beauty emergency! To ze makeup station! Stat!” There was a steam-filled hiss as Rarity threw more water on the sauna. Glenn wasn’t sure if ponies sweated, but it was certainly making her pant. The door opened and a dapper young earth stallion clip-clopped in, easing himself up onto the boards. “Rarity!” hissed Glenn “What, dear?” asked Rarity, opening one eye. “He’s...I’m...we’re naked! Isn’t he in the wrong sauna-booth?” Rarity blinked, “Glenn dear, as Twilight is so fond of reminding me, we ponies don’t wear much even when we’re not in the sauna...but if you’d rather sauna in private I’m sure he can be persuaded to change.” Glenn blushed, “Sorry, it’s just...I’m not used to...” “I’m right here, you know, madame.” said the earth pony, flicking his tail, “I do apologize. I shall change booths at once.” “No, no, please stay.” replied Glenn, “It was very inconsiderate of me.” “Yes, do, there’s plenty of room.” “Do let me know if I’m intruding on you two lovely fillies. Let me introduce myself first though. I’m Doctor Whooves, my daughter Colgate has finally persuaded me to give this spa-thing a try.” “And...er...do you like it?” asked Glenn. “It’s not really my thing, but now I’m here I shall take my all. It can’t hurt to be pampered once in a while.” the earth pony closed his eyes with a sigh. “Oh? I thought...all ponies like a wash and brush up?” “Hmm?” asked the relaxing pony, “Well, you think you get a mane like this by leaving it windswept? But no, morning ablutions notwithstanding, the spa isn’t for everypony - I think I’ll leave that to gorgeous visions like your good selves in the future.” “Sweet talker.” tittered Rarity, but she gave Glenn a satisfied look. Glenn stuck her tongue out, “Rarity? Do you know where the bathroom is?” “Oh, the facilities? Out the door, turn left and you’ll find a corridor. I think they’re at the end.” Glenn trotted out. She trotted back in a few minutes later without saying a word. “Is everything alright, Glenn darling?” “I...turned right instead of left,” replied the earth pony stiffly, “apparently you don’t have mixed-gender bathrooms.” Rarity tried, unsuccessfully, to stifle a giggle. “Oooohhhhh that’s so nice...oh yes...just like that...” Glenns voice reverberated oddly, as a couple of deft hooves were clip-clopping up and down her back, smoothing tensed muscles and releasing tension. She was feeling pretty darn wonderful. They’d brushed her mane, pampered her hooves, applied a muzzle-pack and cucumbers, she’d spent a relaxing time in the steam room and was now getting a full flank massage. “Oh madame, your mane, eet is so luxurious!” “I owe it all to Rarity,” sighed Glenn happily, “and you two”. Manhood be damned, this felt good, “oh I could spend all day here!” “Oh I know darling, it’s just wonderful.” “Wait...what time is it?” “Why, it’s about three...” “Oh no! I’m late!” “Late? Whatever for?” Rarity looked up - well, she raised her head and glanced in Glenn’s general direction. The cucumbers made actual seeing rather difficult. “No-nothing...I just...gotta go! Thank you Rarity, thank you Lotus, Aloe!” “We will be seeing you again some time, yes?” “I...yes!” Glenn squeaked, and bolted. Pointe Vertigo walked about in circles around the tree-house cafe. She said she’d be coming. She hadn’t come. Was it something he’d said? Something he’d...she hadn’t found out, had she? With a sudden clatter of hooves, the chestnut mare with the bouncy burgundy mane came to a halt, breathing hard, in front of him. He broke into a wide smile, “Hey Glenn! I was...I thought you were mad or something...” “No, I...” Glenn paused to catch her breath, “I was...tied up.” “It’s always the quiet ones.” said Vertigo, with a smirk. Glenn’s mouth dropped open and then she blushed. “Hehehe, gotcha. So today, seeing as we both made such a mess, I’ve bought you a soda.” Vertigo turned and lifted a glass bottle filled with fizzing liquid onto the table. He’d had it kept cool specially for Glenn in a bucket of ice. He nosed it over and added a straw, “I thought this would make it easier for you. And one for me, too.” Glenn smiled as Vertigo deftly slotted another straw into the drink and bent the top. He nosed it closer still, “Ladies first!” Glenn shuffled closer, awkwardly, and bent her head to drink. Pointe Vertigo eased himself closer too and bent his neck similarly. Muzzle to muzzle, they sipped as the afternoon wore on around them. *** The weeks carried on much as it had started. Rarity would wake up Glenn with breakfast and they’d brush each other’s mane and tail. Glenn would almost fall asleep after a good brushing, and often Rarity would sneak out, leaving the earth filly snoring gently. By the third or fourth day, Glenn had asked about having chores to do, and was all too happy to help around the shop. Rarity, however, was a bit of a lone bird and was determined to do things herself in her own way, and gently but firmly nosed Glenn out the front door. There hadn’t been many newfoals in Ponyville compared with other districts, but they did have a newfoal indoctrination system. She was whisked from job to job to see which suited her best. She bucked apples on Sweet Apple Acres with Applejack, she tended small furry creatures with Fluttershy, she even tried making cakes with the Cakes but only Pinkie Pie would eat them. Pinkie tried to insist it was just ‘her style’ but since her style consisted of burning muffins and creating rock-cakes so rocky even the birds avoided them, she knew cooking wasn’t her thing. Every day though, she would finish in the early afternoon and accidentally wander into Pointe Vertigo. Sometimes she had to wander quite far before she’d bump into him accidentally, but such was the way of things. Every morning she’d convince herself that today, she’d tell him, and that he was just a friend. Every day she’d just end up mooning over the thought of his big strong wings enveloping her in their softness and her tongue would refuse to move the way she wanted. It was the end of the third week when, during the afternoon, she met Vertigo at a strange building with the picture of two crossed bugles on a sign outside it. A great plume of smoke led off into the sky. “Hey princess,” said Vertigo, smiling, “I’m glad you could make it! I’ve been wanting to show this to you for ages but I couldn’t get the stuff.” “Stuff? What stuff?” asked Glenn as she came to a nervous halt. “Well, I’m a pegasus.” “Yeah, I figured that out the first time I saw you, remember?” “Shush you.” said Vertigo, and kissed her on the forehead. Despite herself, she blushed again, “Anyway! I’m a pegasus, we can walk on clouds as well as fly. Some of us, amongst other things, control the weather. Others of us deliver the mail.” “You’re going to show me the post-office?” asked Glenn, raising an eyebrow. “No! I’m getting to the good bit. Shush.” he kissed her again to silence her. It always worked. “Some of our delivery mares and stallions are earth ponies, or unicorns. They generally don’t fly too well.” “So?” “Do I have to kiss you again?” “...Yes.” He did so, “As I was saying, some of our deliveries are...up in the air. So, some clever unicorns once came up with a spell to allow unicorn and earth ponies - such as your beautiful self - to walk on clouds.” Before she could react, he pulled his hoof out of a pouch and blew on it. A cloud of glitter surrounded Glenn and stifled her protests. She sneezed. When she didn’t melt into a pile of puddled pony, she breathed a sigh of relief, “What...what did you do?” “Come, come with me. Please.” He led the way around to the back of the building, and up some wide stairs onto the roof. He gestured at the billowing column of smoke, “Walk this way, sugar, one hoof in front of the other.” “You mean...on there? Up there?” Vertigo nodded, stepping lightly onto the cloud as if it were solid. Glenn prodded it. The light fluffy stuff felt like cotton wool, soft and warm, and though it yielded, it had a texture and toughness to it, “Are you sure this can hold me?” “Quite sure. That’s it, the rest of your dainty, lovely little hooves...perfect. See? Feel safe?” “You sure I won’t fall?” “Not with me, you won’t...and if you do,” he looked down at her, framed by the setting sun, “I’ll catch you.” Glenn bit her lip, and then made her decision. She eased herself under his wing and gave him a kiss on his cheek, “Show me.” He led the way up the spiraling tower of smoke as if it were a staircase. Though the column spread out as it lifted, Glenn never once felt her hooves fall through but the tiniest amount of cloud. Below her stretched all of Ponyville, and then all of Equestria. As the sun set behind them, they turned to watch the moon rise. She shivered slightly in the cooling night air, so Vertigo put his wing around her, pulling her close. “It’s beautiful.” said Glenn, “I love...” she bit her lip, “watching all this with you.” “I love you too.” whispered Vertigo in her ear, and kissed it. Glenn leaned her head onto his neck and sighed, cuddling closer to the warm, strong stallion, “I love you too, too.” she replied, her last objections fading away as the stars came out.