//------------------------------// // A Race and A Picnic // Story: An Earthbound Honeymoon // by drnkntst //------------------------------// Chapter 5 Rick had finished Rarity’s massage just in time for dinner. All five seated around the table were wearing their new outfits. Rarity was quite proud of her new ensemble, a white blouse with a purple skirt, her three diamond cutie mark stitched on. Unfortunately, or fortunately, Twilight and Fluttershy had to settle for their new set of underwear. Rick had told them they could wear their robes or even his old shirts, but they were content with what they had on, though they may have been more content with the fact that Rick kept sneaking glances that they both ‘didn’t’ notice. Bedtime was interesting. For one thing, there was only one bed in the house. For another, it was meant for one human, not five. Luckily, it was oversized, per Celestia’s orders, to provide maximum comfort since she was so grateful for his efforts in protecting all his friends. To prevent any hassle, Rick had decided to simply sleep on the sofa and let the girls figure out the details. Sadly this meant he would be without his loving wives, but it also meant he got some sleep. The next day, all of clan Rhinestone went to the Carousel Boutique While Spike took Paul to Fluttershy’s house to make sure the animals were fed. Fluttershy and Twilight needed their own outfits and Rarity wanted their input. Also, everyone needed more than one set of underwear. Also, some shoes would be nice too. It didn’t take as long as the day before. Rarity had gotten a little more used to designing human clothing and the others were able to help more now that they had gotten used to using their new arms, hands and legs. Rick was able to offer more suggestions and design tips for human fashion. Some concepts were a little harder to grasp than others, such as why any woman would want to wear anything that was designed to ride up in the back. After Rick explained the allure of the illusion of nudity, the discussion was cut short as a flurry of ideas passed through Rarity’s mind. It was a little difficult for him to focus on his work when the girls were constantly whispering, loudly. He kept hearing things he wished he had and hadn’t heard. Things about ‘size’ and ‘smaller than before’ were never fun for any man. On the other hand, topics about ‘experience’, ‘flexibility’ of the human form, and anything to do with ‘hands’ and ‘feelin’ pretty darn good’ were always a definite ego boost. By the end of the day, two new outfits had been made, several sets of underwear and simple, yet fashionable, sandals. Fluttershy had a butter colored sundress with lace trim and pink butterflies along the hem. Twilight was given a purple pleated skirt, a white button shirt and a pale violet sweater vest with her cutie mark on each side. Rarity and Applejack had simply washed theirs. It took all day, but Rick didn’t mind. He was surrounded by the women he loved. Not to mention, it was nearly impossible to take his eyes off them while they fretted around, their occasional stumbling made him worry, but they managed to catch themselves each time. Fluttershy, AJ and Twilight would help each stay upright in between fittings, while Rarity seldom left her sewing machine. She seemed to be doing well on her two feet, and those red, horn-rimmed glasses she wore were just so cute. Also, Rainbow and Pinkie had shown up to see what their good friends had been up to since they saw them last. “I still don’t understand, why do you all have to wear clothes all the time?” Rainbow asked from her perch on Rick’s shoulders. Having a pony stand on your shoulders should hurt, but with her low body weight, that wasn’t the case. Being an avid athlete and flier helped a lot. “I had asked the same thing,” Rarity answered, “it’s not a pleasant image.” “Huh?” Rick carefully reached up and tapped Dash on the shoulder and indicated to her to come closer. She craned her neck so her head was in front of his. He whispered the same thing he told Rarity before into her ear. Rainbow looked confused for a second, then her entire face turned red and her tail tucked between her hind legs so fast, she actually whipped Rick’s head with it. The reaction caused a wave of giggling to pass through the room. The loudest of which came from a certain pink pony. Pinkie had sat laid herself across Fluttershy’s lap, belly up. Fluttershy couldn’t seem to help herself, her love of animals had caused her to scratch Pinkie’s tummy without even thinking, not that Pinkie was complaining. “Careful, Dashie, if you get any more red, you’ll turn the same color as Twilight.” This got another round of giggles. As the giggles slowed, Rarity called out, “and that. Is. The. Last. Stitch! There, all done, and they are gorgeous, if I may say so myself.” She held up the sweater vest that was for Twilight that was the last part of her outfit. “Now, tell me honestly, what do you think?” Twilight slipped the vest on, with a little help from Rick, Dash never losing her balance on her perch. “It’s perfect, Rarity. It fits perfectly and really seems to suit me.” “If only she knew how well.” “Oh, I really like the colors,” Fluttershy complimented, “and mine flows so nicely.” “They all look great!” Pinkie shouted while wiggling her legs around in the air. Applejack nodded and added, “Ah, agree. These clothes makes meh feel so…” “Human?” Rick finished to sound of a few giggles. “I’ll certainly say you all look the part. Fluttershy even has a new pet pony, just like every human girl wants,” more giggles. “And now that everything’s done, how about another race?” ***** Rick waited a little impatiently for his brides, anxious to see who would win their foot race. He idly mused about how this was only the second foot race ever seen in this world. If he had more time to think about it, he might have considered it an honor simply to be involved, whether it was a big roll or simply being the line judge as he was. Pinkie and Dash had stayed with to act as both referees and emergency fall aides. The winner got whatever they wanted, be it a dinner for two, or an outing with the whole family, or even something more intimate if they so desired. Of course, with the cramped sleeping arrangements, they might be just as likely to request a bed for themselves. Just a few seconds before Rick started to get worried over the possibilities that could have befallen his loving and hugely beloved brides, he started to hear the sounds of chatting ponies getting louder. He didn’t even need to clearly hear what the topic was, he had gotten a good feel for this little town and the way the townsponies liked to discuss new things around them, seeing as there weren’t many. He could tell they were getting close and were all fine. Finally, they rounded the corner. They weren’t able to run or even jog yet, but they were managing to stay upright unassisted. There was the occasional wobble, but Rarity’s new outfits weren’t any danger of getting dirty. Not surprisingly, they were very close to even. What was surprising was Fluttershy was out in front. Even more surprising, she showed no signs of letting up. He stepped down off the little porch and waited, arms spread wide, and awaited the winner. When he was spotted, each of the four women sped up to the best of their abilities. It was a close race to be sure, but the decisive winner was Fluttershy. She lunged into his arms at the end of the race followed a few seconds later by the others. They all laughed as they were wrapped up in his arms. They laughed even harder when he simply straitened his back and easily picked them all up and headed for the door. Once they were all inside, Rick stood in front of the sofa and opened his arms and dropped the laughing mass onto it. “Well done everyone,” Rick complimented while Pinkie and Rainbow trotted in happily behind the big family. “I’m very impressed with the skill you all are showing, it’s almost like you’ve had two legs your whole lives. I have no doubt you will all fit in fine when we get to Earth.” After the chorus of ‘oohs’, ‘aahs’ and agreements died down, it was Rainbow Dash who brought up a very interesting point. “What are you guys gonna do for bits? Do they use them on Earth?” Rick looked at her with a look that showed he was considering the question, then he turned to Twilight, “no we have a different currency altogether. Twilight, bits look like they are made of gold, is that correct?” “Oh, yes, they are. Why?” “Then we’ll be just fine. A single ounce of gold on Earth is worth over a thousand dollars, the currency used where we’re going. A handful of bits will buy a very comfortable vacation indeed. Nothing to worry about.” A collective sigh of relief was released from the sofa followed by talk of souvenirs and gifts. “For now, there is something a little more pressing to deal with, Fluttershy’s prize. So, what’ll it be, Darlin’?” “Oh, I don’t want to be a bother to anyone,” Rick couldn’t help but find her even more adorable as she hid behind her bangs. “Nonsense, Dear, you won the race fair and square so it is only right to claim your prize the same as any of us would,” Rarity defended. After a series of head nodding and ‘mmhmm’ing came from around the room, Fluttershy finally gave in, “well, alright. I would really just like a nice picnic and watch the sunset.” “With everyone?” Twilight asked. Fluttershy squeaked, blushed, hid and very slightly, shook her head no. “So do you want it to be just the two of us?” A tiny nod was his answer. “Nothing to be worried about. No one here is going to be angry at you because of that. Now stop hiding, smile and get a blanket from the closet. I’ll pack a few things and we can then be on our way. Okay?” This time she practically beamed up at him and nodded eagerly, “that’s my girl.” ***** It took a little while to reach the small hill Fluttershy wanted to sit on, but it was worth it. From their viewpoint, they could see the town off to one side, the Whitetail Wood to the other side, the mountains in the distance with the sun sinking lower over them, and right in front of them, a small lake. The light from the sun and the stillness of the lake turned it into a natural mirror, reflecting the last rays of Celestia’s sun so the couple sitting under their tree were bathed in its warm glow. To put it simply, absolutely perfect. “I gotta say, Flutters, this spot is great.” “I’m so happy you like it. To be honest, I was a little worried.” “You know there is no reason to be worried when you’re dealing with me, and there never will be. I love you too much to ever be upset with you.” Fluttershy blushed a little but smiled widely, “I love you too, Rick.” Rick smiled and turned his back to her and laid down, placing his head in her lap. Fluttershy was surprised at first but soon, she softened and started to run her fingers through Rick’s short hair. It was a feeling of comfort and affection he hadn’t experienced in years, and he was eating it up. “You know, Flutters, I gotta say, you seem to be a lot more sure of yourself lately.” “Oh, I’m sorry.” “For what? I’m happy. You are an amazing woman who goes way above and beyond for everyone else. Plus, you saved Equestria how many times? You’re a lot stronger than you know, it’s a different kind of strength from AJ or Twilight but no less important. You are finally getting some confidence in yourself and it shows. That’s a good thing.” “Really, oh, thank you. I guess I just feel safe when I’m around you and the others. It almost feels like nothing could hurt me. I think I’ve felt this way ever since you stood up to that bully for me in Canterlot.” “Well good, you should feel safe in a family.” To add to the statement, Rick reached a hand up to her face. Fluttershy placed her own hand on top of it and smiled again. She then leaned down and the shared a sweet, gentle kiss. After they separated, they resumed their previous positions, Fluttershy leaning against the tree, playing with Rick’s hair as he rested in her lap. They rested there, watching the sunset and nibbling on their snacks. Shortly after the sun went down, Rick gently stood up. He gathered their things quietly, picked up the sleeping Fluttershy and started on his way. But before he left, he had one more thing to do. He formed a transparent, magic hand around the tiny cloud that had been hovering over their tree since they got there, and brought it down so the cloud and its trapped occupant were directly in front of his face. “Funny bumping into you here, Honey.” Twilight blushed and nervously smiled, “heh heh, yeah, well, you know, I just wanted to get some fresh air and Rainbow had always made these clouds look just so comfortable to sleep on…” “Uh-huh, so you weren’t eavesdropping or spying on me and Fluttershy then?” “What? No, of course n… yes,” she lowered her head, knowing full well she had done something wrong, “I’m sorry.” “I know, and I forgive you as long as you promise not to do it again,” he received a nod in return. “Good, now you just have to apologize to Fluttershy.” “Okay, but she’s asleep right now.” “Nah, she’s just pretending. Annie used to do it all the time. People forget that your breathing slows when you’re sleeping.” “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to try to trick anyone, I was just so happy I didn’t want it to end,” Fluttershy defended. “It’s alright, Fluttershy, no harm done. Now, do you forgive Twilight?” “Oh, yes, I do. After all, I did the same thing to Applejack, I can’t really be made at someone for doing the same thing I did.” “Well said, Fluttershy. Twilight?” “Thank you, Fluttershy.” “Good, now that that’s settled,” Rick floated Twilight onto his left shoulder and handed her the picnic basket while he carried Fluttershy in his left arm, “let’s go home.”