//------------------------------// // Chapter 22: The Day // Story: The Start of Something New // by Rhino //------------------------------// The day had arrived. Before they had even had breakfast today, Rhino and Gel were treated to a rush-delivery letter from their friends. It was short, sweet, and to-the-point: 'She's in heat, come after work, bring an overnight bag.' The ink is barely present on some letters, reflecting the hurried nature of its writing in order to get it to them post haste. A quick word to Hydro and Dior assured them that Ruby would be taken care of when the time came. The two parents go through the day with nothing different at first glance beyond overstuffed saddlebags. Still though, as the clock draws closer to the time where they will have to head out, each of them has their own thoughts about what is to come. The navy nymph glances over at her husband, concerned. She slowly approaches him, placing a hoof on his shoulder. "Rhino?" The stallion, who hasn't said quite as much today, but still seemed to be in an alright mood, turns to her as he looks up from the bags. "Hmm? What is it, love?" "Is something wrong?" She nuzzles his cheek, concerned. "You've been quiet all morning... more so than usual..." "I... guess just the impending feeling of this situation is making me nervous again..." He rubs the back of his neck with a hoof. "I'm just trying to distract myself by seeing if we forgot anything in the bags." She quirks an eyebrow at him. "We double checked everything before we left the house. We even made sure to bring a second endurance draft, just in case." She giggles, tapping his nose playfully. "You know you don't have to worry about anything, silly." He chuckles quietly. "Yeah... I suppose you're right." Nuzzling her affectionately, he continues. "I think I've figured out a good mindset for getting me through this, so I think I should be fine." "That's good to hear." She smiles, nipping his nose before looking down at Ruby, watching her sleep next to the silver fox. "Those two deserve to have their own little bundle of joy... don't you agree, love?" "Yeah...." He gently strokes the filly's mane affectionately before letting out a single quiet laugh. "I wonder what the chances are that they'll ask us again because they want another." "I don't know..." She turns to him, tilting her head to one side. "What 'mindset' did you decide on, exactly?" "Well... how to explain this...." His thinking hoof, which at this point is whichever one he chooses it to be, moves to his chin. "It's sort of a small combination of focusing less on my feelings for the act and more on the act itself, a slight mental distancing, and I plan on letting a bit more of my instincts take over. At least that's the plan anyway... the initial hurdle of it will be the hard part... but I think once I get past that everything else should just be me acting in the moment. After we're done... is a different story." Gel blinks, staring blankly at him. "You... you're not serious, are you?" Not being quite the reaction he was expecting, Rhino tilts his head. "What's wrong with that? I thought of a way to get myself past the mental block, isn't that a good thing?" "The last time you did that, you didn't give off any emotions. Any emotions." She pokes his chest, frowning softly. "I think it was made clear that both participants need to have love during the act. Otherwise, there's... complications..." He sighs. "I was afraid that might be a problem... It's not like I'm going full emotionless though, you're there. Does my love being directed at you in the vicinity not satisfy that particular requirement?" "I... um..." She scratches the side of her head, unsure. "I guess it might work..." "Well... if it endangers the foal, I want a little more than a 'might'." He thinks. "Umm... lust is obviously out the window... intense friendship perhaps? Combined with what I said before." She nods to herself, shrugging sheepishly. "It should be enough to work... you're a near-endless fountain of love, anyways." She laughs brightly, nuzzling his cheek. "I just hope Luster's silence won't be a turn-off for you, Mister Aural." She winks and turns back to her desk, organizing a few papers on it. "Huh, hadn't even thought of that." He muses. "Although it might prove interesting to do things without words, having to rely on on body language to tell everything..." A sly smile forms on his face as he playfully tugs Gel's tail once with a bit of magic. She squeaks, her wings flaring out in surprise. She turns to him, blushing brightly. "D-did you... already drink the draft?" She gulps, forcing her flagging tail back down. "Or... are you just teasing me?" "Just teasing, love." He walks up to her, nuzzling her lovingly. "Besides, why would me drinking that stuff do anything right now? It's just a stamina and health tonic, right?" "That... and a dash of aphrodisiac..." She nervously smiles at him, rubbing the back of her neck. "I sort of... added it to each one before packing them..." She averts her gaze, feeling a mix of embarrassment and relief from her confession. "I... I thought it'd help get started... you know?" "Well... thank you for telling me." He pecks her lightly on the cheek. "I think you're right, that will take the edge off. As long as it's not too strong though, I'm not usually one for mind-altering stuff." She giggles at the kiss, turning back to him. "It's not that strong... at least, I don't think it is..." She tilts her head to one side, confused. "I've... yet to try it... but Zecora said it will do the trick..." "Good to know." He looks back to check on Ruby before turning back to his wife. "Actually, I've been meaning to ask... how are you taking all this, what we're going to be doing?" "I'm taking it well, I think." She smiles warmly at him. "We're helping our friends start a family. Nothing wrong with that." "Well, yes I know the reasoning behind it is easy to get onboard with," he puts a foreleg around her, "but I'm just making sure you aren't like me in that you have any problems or thoughts on how we actually make that goal happen." "I-I don't have any problems." She leans into his embrace, gently nuzzling his chest. "It's just the one time, after all..." "If you're sure..." The stallion rests his head on top of hers. "You think we can still do that date night you were planning for this friday? I think I could use some nice quality time with you and Ruby tomorrow, and that the day after." She smiles warmly, letting her eyes close, enjoying simply being next to him. "I'd love that, Rhino..." The sound of the doors opening is heard, accompanied quickly by the voice of the younger Goodall sister. "Aww... now that sure is a sight worth coming to work for. Two adorable parents and an even more adorable foal sleeping." The excitable newly wed grins as she gives the pink filly a quick nuzzle. Mane just laughs quietly at her sister's antics. "Oh I'm sure given a year you and Mac will be the same picture as them. Yours might even be pink too." Ignoring the first mare's now wide-eyed glance, the vet looks to the couple with a smile. "Good morning to both of you. How have things been today?" "They've been... interesting, I think. Definitely going to be interesting later..." She looks down, seeing the sleepy filly slowly wake up. The tiny pink pony blinks her eyes, looking up at the mare leaning over her. She babbles happily, reaching up and poking her nose. Manila giggles as the hoof tickles her muzzle "Hey Ruby!" She coos as she brings a hoof forward and touches it to the foal's. "Did you have a nice nap, my favorite little pink filly?" Meanwhile, the other mare continues conversing with the parents. "Ah yes, the reason why you're going to both need tomorrow off." Mane nods, facing Rhino directly. "I just wanted to let both of you know that I think you're doing a really good things for your friends." The stallion nods. "Thanks Mane, that means a lot." He rubs the back of his head. "I'll admit, I didn't think I'd be fathering another foal quite so soon after the first one came..." "If I had my way..." She brushes her tail over his withers, smirking playfully. "I would be carrying our second, already." She nips his cheek and sticks her tongue out before turning to Mane, slightly nervous. "You'll... keep it between us, right?" Ruby brightly laughs, grabbing her hoof and nibbling on it. She looks up at her, her eyes shining with happiness. "Oh~!" Manila squees scoops the filly up, holding her in her forelegs and blowing a few raspberries on her little tummy. Trying to ignore the increasingly cute sounds behind her, Mane continues with a caring face. "Of course, Gel. This isn't the kind of thing you just go spreading around. It's private. Only our friends will know about it." Her head tilts to one side. "Though, if you want one, why aren't you carrying again yet?" Rhino coughs awkwardly. "Well, erm, first off all she hasn't gone into heat again yet. Secondly, I managed to convince her to wait until we had a year with Ruby under our belts before going for more. It's just so we can focus on all the early hurdles. It wasn't easy to stand my ground with her pulling pleading faces the whole time, I'll tell you that much." Gel pouts, turning her head away. "I think he's getting used to them..." The little unicorn squeals happily, latching onto her muzzle with her small legs. She nuzzles her, purring contentedly in her current comfortable spot. Mane turns around at the squeal, giving Rhino a moment to lick his wife's neck to prove her wrong. The older sibling goes on unaware. "Manila, what are you doing over there?" The younger mare just turns around, showing the filly now attached to her like a starfish. She speaks in a distinctly nasally voice, declaring happily. "She's on my nose!" "Yes, I can see that." Mane fails to hold in her giggles as she turns back to the couple. "Is she going to be alright without you?" She motions to the filly with her head. Rhino winces slightly. "We think so... she didn't do great last time, but we think she should do better this time..." "If not, Mercury should be able to calm her down." She points to the fox waiting patiently next to Mane, his tail swishing behind him as he watches the mare. Ruby climbs up the younger sister's face, standing in her mane. She laughs brightly, lifting a hoof up. "Dada!" The stallion laughs. "Not quite, Ruby. I'm over here." He looks over at his wife. "What do you think she's going to be like when she can talk to us fully?" "An unstoppable force of cuteness." The nymph giggles, covering her mouth. The pink filly looks down, poking the sherbet mare's forehead with a hoof, her bright green eyes inquisitive. "Niwa?" The smile that appears on the mare's face is the brightest they've seen since her wedding day. "She said my name! She said my name! Mane Mane Mane, she said my name!" Manila practically dances in place as she squeals. Her older sister can only stand there and smile at the happiness on her sibling's face. The stallion shakes his head in wonder. "there's another name she learned out of the blue... she's definitely a smart filly." "She got it from her daddy." Gel winks at him, leaning up and pecking his cheek. Ruby babbles happily and nips the pony's ear. She sees her father and waves, excitedly squealing. He waves right back at her, a proud smile on his face. "Now it's when she does things like that I have trouble not keeping her all for Gel and I. You just want to hold her and love her all day long..." "I know right?" The receptionist agrees. "She just makes you want to spoil her with the world!" Gel's attention snaps to Manila, and she frowns slightly. "I agree, but... I wouldn't go as far as spoiling her... I mean..." She trails off and brings a hoof to her chin, trying to figure out how to better word it. Meanwhile, the filly sees a butterfly flitting around behind the mare's head. She coos in delight and reaches out to touch it, stretching out over her perch's back. Manila notices the shift in weight on her head, rolling her eyes back in an attempt to see where she physically can't. "Hey, careful up there..." Rhino's attention now snaps to the filly, watching and readying his magic in case a quick catch is needed. As he watches, her horn disappears, wings taking their place. She starts to flap them, as if trying to join the colorful creature's dance, not noticing her mother's terrified expression. Her living perch stays completely still, not knowing what's happening on her head but the looks on everypony else's faces convince her to not move and risk causing the foal to fall. Ruby holds out her hoof, whining softly. Inexplicably, the butterfly moves closer, landing on her nose. She giggles, the small creature's legs tickling her. She settles back in Manila's mane, enjoying the colors of the beautiful wings before her. Gel lets out the breath she didn't realize she was holding, collapsing against Rhino's side. That was... a little too close... Letting out a relieved sigh of his own, her husband agrees. Yeah... just a bit... He muses as he feels the tension drain out of the room. "You think she's starting to get into that exploratory stage? I heard that's when you really have to watch them or keep them busy." "I don't know... what do you think, Mane?" She turns to the doctor not next to her, curious. The filly turns to look at them, the butterfly's wings making it look like she's wearing a mask. It also stops her from seeing her parents. "Dada? Mama?" "Right over here, Ruby. Don't worry." Rhino calls to her reassuringly, smiling at her mask. Mane answers Gel's question with a small shrug. "It's possible, though that phase seems to come and go throughout a foal's life. It's like they just have times when they get really curious." "I see..." The nymph watches their daughter reach out to the source of the stallion's voice, smiling softly at the cute sight. Hoping to prevent a repeat of the earlier incident, Rhino lights up his horn and puts a light pressure on the tiny pink hoof, hoping this will keep her from trying to walk towards him from her position. She squeals happily, pressing against the aura. "Dada!" She pulls her hoof away, holding both forelegs out to him. "Hug?" "Another new word? I'm starting to think you've been listening way closer than we thought to the words we say often..." He smiles at the filly sitting there with her arms wide, but frowns when he realizes that doing that would either crush or disturb the butterfly. He lights up his horn again and wraps the aura around her torso, hoping it will suffice. "Feels better doing it without magic..." He laments. The butterfly takes that moment to fly away, revealing the filly's emerald eyes. She looks at him pleadingly, whining softly as she continues to reach for him. "Dada?" His heart melting the stallion quickly walks over. “Sorry Manila, I think it's my turn again." Using a little magic, he brings the filly into his forelegs, nuzzling her softly. She squeals happily, eagerly nuzzling her father back, her tiny hooves trying to hug his muzzle. Walking back to the other group as Manila starts playing with Mercury, Rhino stops in front of Gel. "I figured we should get in as much love time with her as possible before we have to leave. You want in?" She smiles softly, playfully raising an eyebrow. "Do you have to ask?" She tenderly nuzzles the filly's cheek, giggling at the soft coo she gets in response. The two earth pony sisters smile at the scene, then each other as they excuse themselves to the back, both to get ready for their shift and to let the family have their privacy. The two parents simply sit there, entertaining their happy filly. One could feel the love from the scene even if one weren't a changeling. Mercury, deeming that his friend is safe, decides to head towards the back. He quietly pads down the hall, looking for the mares who went before him. Manila is found easily enough, the peppy mare shimmying into the shirt of her scrubs just inside the supply room and fixing her mane afterward. However, it's the sigh that comes from the partially open office door that grabs his attention. Curious, he walks over, quietly pushing the door open a bit. He pokes his head inside, peering around the office. Inside, Doctor Goodall is getting dressed as well. She slips on her usual white coat, but something seems a bit off. Her movements are sluggish, as her eyes are distant. She casts a glance back toward the lobby, giving another small sigh. The fox quietly moves up to her hoof, watching her silently for a few seconds. When she doesn't notice him right away, he places a paw on her foreleg, whining softly at her. With a small start, Mane's eyes widen and glance down. "Oh... it's you Mercury. What are you doing back here?" She gives him a weak smile. He doesn't buy her fake expression and raises himself so he's on his hindlegs, forepaws braced against her chest. He gently nuzzles her cheek, trying to help her feel better. "Aww... aren't you a sweet one?" She nuzzles the top of his head. "Thank you for caring... I don't suppose you're actually a strapping silver stallion under a fox disguise, are you?" He tilts his head to one side, unsure what she means. He yips, his tail swishing behind him. "I thought not, still was worth a try though." She crouches down to his level, smiling at him. "Doesn't mean I don't still like you though. You are one of the sweetest guys I've ever met." Her hoof pets him fondly as she continues in a teasing voice. "Who's a sweet guy? Yes you are, yes you are..." He leans into her hoof, murring quietly. His foreleg lifts up, and he paws at her coat as he licks her hoof. She laughs again, sitting up and picking the kit up in her hooves to hug him. "You're a good friend Mercury... thanks for cheering me up." He smiles at her, letting her cradle him in her forelegs. He clearly enjoys the attention, nuzzling and licking her cheek. This only makes the mare happier. "Oh, if only you weren't already with another family, you'd be coming everywhere to be my little friend. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to live with only being able to play with you when I see you, huh?" She looks up at the clock. "Well... I guess I should start heading up front. Again though, thanks for cheering me up. You seem to be doing that with everypony." Standing up, she moves the foreleg holding him to her shoulder. "Why don't you let me give you a lift up front, huh? It's the least I can do." He jumps onto her back, nuzzling her neck before sniffing her mane, curious. He looks over to her, glancing to her two-toned blue hair almost questioningly. Feeling his gaze on her, she turns to him. "What? Something wrong with my mane?" He shakes his head, pawing at it and whining softly. He licks his muzzle, hoping she'd understand what he means. "Umm..." She wracks her brain, having a fair understanding of animal behavior from over the years. "You... don't like how I keep it in a bun?" He huffs, shaking his head. He looks around, slightly upset. 'Where's Selena and her typewriter when I need her?' Not seeing the Russian blue anywhere, he sighs, leaning forward and contenting himself with sniffing her berry-scented mane. Watching him a moment longer, she tries one more time. "You like how it smells?" He yips happily, his soft, bushy tail swishing behind him. She laughs as his tail tickles her while it sweeps back and forth across her back. "Well thank you, I quite like it myself." She gives him another little nuzzle. "Come on then, let's go see what the rest of your family is doing, huh?" He nods, nuzzling her in return before curling up on her back. They reenter the front to find Manila already there playing with a very energetic Specter as Selena and the family watch on. "Looks like everypony is having a good time. Gel, remind me, did you say you were going to go to your friends house straight from here, or did you want to drop off the rest of your group at your house first?" The nymph looks up from where she's playing with Ruby, smiling softly. "We're heading straight there. A friend of ours is coming to pick everyone else up..." She glances at the lightly-dozing fox, quirking an eyebrow. "He... certainly seems happy..." She giggles, waving a hoof playfully. "At least that shows how well you get along with animals, right?" "Wouldn't be very good at my job if I didn't would I?" Mane giggles teasingly. "It's fine, I just don't get to spend too much time with these guys, so Mercury and I were just playing around. Manila's not the only one who gets to do that after all." "I never said a word." She smiles, turning her attention to their daughter, watching her toddle over to Rhino, babbling happily. When she reaches him, she hugs his foreleg, cooing softly as she nuzzles him. The stallion actually puts on a face like he is in pain. "Oh come on... don't do this to me. I feel guilty enough as if when I have to leave you and then you do this?" He has no choice but to nuzle her back and kiss her. She laughs brightly, tapping his nose with a tiny hoof. "Da." He chuckles. "Yep, that's me. Who's that?" He points to his wife. "Mama!" She claps her hooves together, squealing in excitement. "That's my smart filly..." Rhino nuzzles her again. "You'll be talking our ears off in no time." "Hug!" She latches onto his muzzle, playfully nipping his nose. He just laughs again, looking up to his wife. "I guess we know what her three most used words will be. I blame the nipping habit completely on you by the way." "I take full credit." She giggles, sticking her tongue out at him. "It's not like you don't like it, though." "True," he admits, "you're both adorable when you do it." He looks back down at the filly on his muzzle. How are we going to convince her to go with Hydro when we're going somewhere else? She seems very attached at the moment. I... I didn't think of that... Gel's smile falters, and she glances to the fox on Mane's back. Maybe... put her with her 'brother'? That could work... right now she seems a bit fixated though. He continues nuzzling the filly's belly. Maybe once he gets here there will be enough going on for her to attach to Merc. Do you think we should just... sneak out? Or should we say goodbye? I think she'd feel worse if we just sneak out... She sighs, looking at the wings on their daughter's back. Shouldn't she be back to unicorn, by now? He shrugs. You know she always does these things when she wants to. I guess she'll just turn back when she's ready. A few minutes later, the clinic doors open and in strolls the red form of Hydro. The stallion comes bearing saddlebags, and surprisingly, a passenger. Manila takes note of the small white changeling on his back, tilting her head. "Huh? Who's that?" Rhino blinks as he realizes that neither Manila nor Mane would know about Dior. Umm... love? How do we explain this? Um... as casually as possible? She clears her throat, sheepishly smiling. "Mane, Manila, meet Diorite... she's, um, my family, from the hive..." The older sibling walks over, peering closely at the small nymph. "Oh... well, I'll have to meet her sometime when she isn't asleep on your friend." He takes a few steps back to address the stallion himself. "I take it you two will be the ones watching all the little ones?" Hydro nods. "Yep, that's us. I'm Hydro, nice to meet you." He holds out a hoof. Mane takes it and gives it a shake. "Very nice to meet you. I'm Mane." Manila zips over, Specter in her mane and just enjoying the ride. "Hello! I'm Manila!" The red stallion nods to both of them as the introductions finish. "Nice to meet both of you." He looks to the two parents. "Are you two ready, or did you need a few?" "Just a bit to give Ruby some last-second affection." She giggles and turns to Rhino, blinking in surprise. "Rhino? When did she get on your head?" The stallion shrugs as he sits there with the filly on his head, two pink hooves covering his eyes. "I have no idea... I looked away for a moment and the next thing I know, all I could see is pink." Gel smirks, looking up at the playful unicorn. "You remember Hydro, right? He and Dior are here to play with you, again." Ruby decides her happiness a good enough reason to take her hooves off her father's eyes. She instead uses them to clap happily as she laughs. The nymph giggles, picking her up and nuzzling her gently. "Such a smart girl..." She cradles her in one arm as she walks over to the red stallion. "Say hi to Hydro, sweetie." She holds out her hooves to him, bubbling brightly. "Hug!" The earth pony's face is soft as he looks down at her. "Aww... learned a new word already?" His brow furrows a moment as he looks up at Gel. "Umm... how do I...?" He motions down towards the filly, unsure of how exactly he is supposed to hug her. She smiles warmly, nodding to the expectant pink pony. "One way would be to try kissing her belly..." She trails off, sitting down and carefully holding her out to him. "Alright..." He leans down, nuzzles the little foal's tummy lightly. Ruby happily squeals, hugging his muzzle with her little legs. She nuzzles him back, babbling in her foal-speak to him. The red stallion can't help but chuckle as he speaks to both the foal and her mother. "Becoming quite the little face-hugger, isn't she? I'm glad to see she's in a good mood." "So am I." She giggles, watching the pink then-pegasus slowly climb up his head, nestling herself in his mane. "She seems to be getting closer to you, too..." "Well, I wouldn't be a very good uncle if she didn't like me." He eyes focus back on the changeling. "Gotta say, it was easier to get her than I thought. Think the other three will be this cooperative?" Just as he says that, she grabs some of his hair in her teeth, tugging playfully. Hydro winces, rolling his eyes up to look at her. "Careful up there... I don't think you can tug it out at your size, but don't go crazy." Rhino walks over to join the group, Mane just behind with Mercury on her back. The unicorn comments. "Yeah... I've definitely noticed her biting everything since she got her teeth..." Gel shrugs, turning to her stallion. "It's a changeling thing love... how our young show affection..." She watches as their squirrel joins Ruby on his head, giggling as she boops his nose with a hoof. "Doesn't help when nursing her, though... I hope we wean her, soon... besides, having two ponies wanting my milk's a bit much..." She glances meaningfully at her husband. Ignoring that last part, Rhino responds to the rest. "Here I thought you loved the bonding when she nurses. You two certainly look cute together when she is." He pauses for a moment to watch Selena jump from the floor onto one of Hydro's bags, his back mostly occupied already. "And from what I've heard, they usually don't wean until about six months, so you've got five left to enjoy." "Joy." She groans, pressing her hindlegs together. "I'm going to be so sore by then..." She glances at the fox, tilting her head to one side when he doesn't move. "Is... is Mercury asleep?" "Hmm?" Mane turns her head around to see the silver ball still on her back. She pokes it lightly with her nose. "Wakey wakey little friend. Time for you to go home." He whines quietly, curling up a little tighter. 'Five more minutes...' "Aww..." She turns to the two horned ponies in the room. "Do you think one of you could lift him without waking him up?" "I would, but I just have such a hard time bothering him when he's like this..." She looks to Rhino, smiling softly. "Could you do it, love?" "Sure." He nods, lighting up his horn as the same light works its way under the sleeping kit. Slowly and smoothly, the small fox is lifted into the air and over to Hydro's unoccupied saddlebag top. Rhino smiles as he lets go of the magic. "There we go. I think that's everyone." "Sure looks like it..." Gel tilts her head, staring at the silver nymph's face and closed eyes. "Hydro... why is she asleep, anyways?" "Not sleeping." She peeks an eye open, smirking slightly. "I'm just enjoying how comfortable Mister Pump is." Hydro rolls his eyes, at her words. "And here I thought I'd finally figured out whether you snored or not. Guess that question is still a mystery." She smirks, poking his cheek with a hoof. "And it won't be solved for a while yet. Not until you take me out to dinner, at least." The earth pony sisters look quizzically at the small nymph, shocked at the words coming out of her mouth. Rhino spots this, speaking quickly to avoid confusion. "Dior is... small for her age. She's older than she looks." Manila still looks confused, but not quite as shocked now. "Okay... it was just weird for a moment when it looked like a filly was hitting on a stallion." Dior turns to the receptionist, frowning deeply. "For all you know, I could've been innocently teasing him." She points accusingly at her. "You need to consider things before jumping to conclusions, young filly." Manila's ears fold back. "Yes ma'am..." She blinks after a moment, wondering why she just said that. "I swear I thought I was talking to my mother for a moment..." "I'm not that old." She huffs, turning to the navy nymph, some concern in her voice. "Thirty-nine's not that old, is it?" Gel sighs, shaking her head as she dryly answers. "No, mom, you're not old. Just experienced." She scowls, testily tapping her red ride's side with a hoof. "I don't like that sass in your tone, Gelatin." She turns to Rhino, pointedly ignoring her daughter's mortified grimace. "And aren't you two supposed to be heading, somewhere?" "Oh, right!" The emerald stallion clears his throat. "Anyway, thanks for taking care of them while we're out, you two." He turns to the sisters. "And we'll see both of you on Friday." His head cranes back to focus on the foal in the room. "You be good for your uncle and grandma, okay Ruby? We'll be back before you know it." He nuzzles her affectionately and kisses her forehead. She squeals happily, nuzzling him back as she hugs Specter. "Dada..." "Aww..." He gives her one more nuzzle before backing up and looking at Gel. Said nymph is currently trying to avoid attention, on the ground and covering her head with her hooves. Rhino sighs, walking over and nudging her with his head. "Come on love, we need to get going. Don't you want to say goodbye to Ruby?" She peeks up at him, nervously getting to her hooves. She walks up to their little filly, tenderly nuzzling her. "Be a good little pony..." Ruby nips her nose, giggling brightly and bringing a small smile to her mother's face. The nymph sighs and turns to Rhino, nodding slightly. "I... I think I'm ready, love..." He wraps his tail around hers. "Good." With a wave to the others, they start heading out the doors, the stallion looking her as they exit. "So... Gelatin, huh?" She blushes brightly, pushing on his side playfully. "Hush, you." He laughs. "What? I think it sounds cute..." "I think it's embarrassing..." She closes her eyes, leaning up against his side. "I guess... I don't want to be compared to a strange dessert..." "Fine..." He nips the tip of her ear. "I'm probably still gonna call you it every now and again though, just to see you blush." She shivers, letting her gaze fall to the path beneath their hooves. "I'm going to regret all of that teasing I did, aren't I?" "Of course not, I like it when you tease." He nuzzles her as they walk. "Doesn't mean I don't like to return the favor every once in a while." "Right..." She sighs, smiling softly at him. "I like it when you do more than tease, though." She winks teasingly and turns her attention back to their path. "Of course, I know we'll be having plenty of that, soon..." "Yeah..." The stallion lets out a slow breath. "Yeah we will..." Soon enough, the couple reaches the familiar house of their friends. Their overstuffed bags shifting slightly as they stop, Rhino raises a hoof and knocks on the door. After a few moments of silence, the sounds of hoofsteps approach and the door opens to reveal their musical pony friend. Fiddlesticks smiles at them. "I'm glad you're both here. Come in, come in." She steps to the side, waving her hoof. "Sorry we're a bit late..." Gel follows her husband inside, her wings buzzing fitfully. "We got caught up with friends and family... and Mercury was being stubborn about moving off Mane's back..." "I understand, things happen." She shuts the door behind them. "What matters is that you are both here now. Gel, I figured you and I could talk for a moment, while Rhino takes your bags up to the room and keeps Luster company." The stallion's ears fold back. "Umm... are you sure that's the best idea? Especially with her how she is right now?" The earth mare waves a hoof. "Don't worry, she won't be able to get to you. I still wouldn't get too close though, just... you know, have a seat up there and talk with her to keep her calm." Rhino just gulps. "If you say so..." The navy nymph tenderly nuzzles his cheek, smiling softly. "It'll be fine, love... we'll be up there with you soon..." He nods, nuzzling her back before slowly heading up the stairs. Fiddlesticks watches him go, turning to Gel once he is out of sight. "Why don't we sit in the living room to talk so we can be comfortable?" Leading the way, she continues. "He seems to be taking this all much better than he did on Sunday." "He, um... adopted a mindset to help him through it..." She nervously laughs, settling down on one side of the couch. "So... he might seem a bit detached... or focused on me... just so you're prepared..." She trails off, tilting her head curiously. "Forgive me, but have you... you know, with a stallion, before?" "To be honest? No. I came close once but... the feeling just wasn't there." She shrugs. "I was just never that interested in stallions. Doesn't mean I don't simulate certain parts of the experience at times though." She sighs softly, bowing her head. "Then you won't want to let Rhino do that with you... not a problem..." "Hmm?" She tilts her head. "What do you mean? Is something wrong with that?" "No, not at all." She smiles softly, placing a hoof on the mare's shoulder. "You'll be focusing on Luster, right? Supplying her with a lot of love?" The yellow mare nods. "Yes, of course. Though... the exact way I'm going to do that, I'm not sure of yet... The only thing I really know that's going to happen is well, the main point we're here." "True... I, um, brought this, for you..." Gel pulls a vial out from where her mane coiled around it. She holds the container and its swirling pink contents out to her, smiling sheepishly. "To help you... get into the mood... and, um, give you greater stamina..." "Oh?" She takes the vile carefully, looking at it curiously. "Well... this should help quite a bit. Did you... bring enough for everypony? Though... I'm hesitant to give some to Luster..." "I don't think she needs any." She giggles, shaking her head playfully before a thought occurs to her. "You... you didn't restrain her with metal, did you?" The mare shakes her head quickly "No no no, I know better than that. I used rope, the kind Applejack herself would approve of." She turns back to the bottle. "So... this stuff works well enough to keep up with an in-heat mare?" "That's what Zecora said... but she didn't say how much to take..." Gel scratches her head, frowning slightly. "Or...maybe she did? It's hard to understand her, sometimes..." "Did she not give written instructions or have some on the bottles? I'm a bit hesitant to drink something without instructions... who knows what could happen?" She fiddles with the bottle, trying to see if there is anything on it. "She did give written instructions..." She holds out a piece of parchment, bemused. "Also in rhyme." Fiddles takes the page and analyzes it for a few minutes before nodding. "Well... seems simple enough... just a teaspoon per half hour we want... then sleep equal to that amount of time after..." She looks up. "Umm... how long are we shooting for anyway? I guess at least until Luster is spent..." "I'm not sure..." She taps her chin thoughtfully. "I wasn't satisfied for at least five hours, when we tried for a foal... though we didn't check to see the time we started..." "About what I expected to be honest..." The bottle i swished around again. "So like... eight or nine hours you figure? To be sure? And so we can all get a good night's sleep and wake up at a decent time." She slowly nods. "That... sounds about right... so..." She glances at the vial, curious. "Almost half of the liquid in there?" "I... guess? We should probably measure it out beforehoof." She gets up. "Come on, we'll get some glasses too. We can discuss tactics while we do that." "Good idea." She giggles, carefully getting to her hooves. "Lead the way?" ***Meanwhile, a few minutes ago.*** Rhino walks down the hall until he spies an open door. Heading inside, he finds the this is the bedroom, as he expected. What he didn't expect though, was the purple nymph with one limb tied to each bedpost and a ring over her horn. He blinks upon seeing this. "Well... I guess Fiddles knew what she was doing..." The changeling groans softly, wearily turning to look at him. She blinks a second before her brow furrows. The ring reacts immediately, lighting up and making her whimper softly. She shifts and squirms as much as the ropes will allow, looking at him pleadingly. "Hey Luster," the stallion moves slowly, a reassuring smile on his face as he fully enters the room and sets down the bags, "heat hitting you hard?" She nods, closing her eyes and turning her head away. She tries to ignore the frantic thrashing of her tail and the smell of the stallion, which is combating with the already pheromone-laden air of the room. Likewise, Rhino also smells her, but ignores it, his mind knows not to act on it. "It's alright you know, nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm just here to talk with you for a bit while our wives are chatting. Well, talk as best we can I mean." She huffs, scowling at the ring on her horn. She moves her forehoof in a limited 'go ahead' rolling gesture. "Well," he sits down, wondering what to say, "I guess I'll start with... How are you feeling... about all this?" He gestures around to summarize their situation. She bites her lip, pressing her hindlegs together. She looks up at him, her eyes moist with tears, despite the small smile on her lips. "Yeah, I can understand you hating the current situation but loving the reason for it all." He smiles at her. "Still though, the thought of what you have to look forward to in eight months is something, right?" She nods, her cheeks tinting a shade brighter. "Do you need anything right now?" He offers. "Other than untying you or taking the ring off of course, it's no offense to you, but it's hard to predict mares in your condition." She glances at his lips before quickly closing her eyes, turning to hide her blush. She shakes her head, her tail curling up against her belly. "I understand. Well... just try and relax until they get here, okay? I know it's hard, but try." She whimpers softly, halfway turning to face him. She bites her lip, squirming slightly as her gaze focuses on his mouth, a glimmer of hope in her bright violet eyes. Tilting his head, the stallion gets up and steps closer, but still not within leg range if she were free. "Thought of something?" She shyly nods and jerks her head to the side, trying to motion him closer. He does so, moving next to the bed, but still staying a cautious distance away. She whines, looking up at him. Hoping to make her needs clear, she closes her eyes and focuses, the ring glowing brightly. One thin lock of purple hair slowly moves up to her mouth, touching her soft lips briefly. She finally breaks her concentration, gasping softly as her hair falls back onto her pillow. An eye peeks up at him, full of hope. Rhino's ears fold back, what she wanted clear to him. "Oh... Luster... I'm not sure I can do that..." He looks down. "I mean... I agreed to do this, but that's... I don't know. That's just a different thing for me. Plus, what would Gel think?" She whimpers and turns away, ashamed. Her ear lie flat against her head as she visibly deflates. "Oh come on, don't be sad please." He reaches out a hoof and touches her shoulder. "I don't blame you, there's nothing to be ashamed about. I'm just not sure if that was included in the deal... I'm trying to not upset anypony." She doesn't seem to respond aside from a quiet sniff. She doesn't even look at him, as mollified as she is. "Hey... come on now... I can't stand crying..." He taps her shoulder leaning forward. She turns over, leaning up to kiss his forehead. She nervously squirms before him, her cheeks a vivid violet. Smiling warmly at her, he returns the action. "Well, that's alright I think." She sighs softly, letting herself rest on the enchanted cloud-bed. She tries her hardest to ignore the damp spot slowly growing under her tail, but being this close to his scent is starting to take its toll on her control, if her quiet pants and groans are anything to go by. Sitting next to the bed, Rhino tries to keep his mind occupied. He absolutely does his best despite his ears flicking at the sounds form the nymph next to him and the smell of her pheromones permeating the air. He is... not entirely successful. Luckily, their significant others arrive from downstairs after not too much longer. Fiddles walks in first, a tray of three glasses on her back. "Alright, how are you two doing up here?" Luster looks to her, whining softly in her need. The mare winces. "That bad, huh? Well, at least we kept you from jumping him, and you didn't manage to guilt him into releasing you prematurely, so things are going well so far." Gel tilts her head, curiously staring at the rather limp-limbed changeling. "Why isn't she trying to link with us?" Fiddlesticks walks over to the bound-nymph. "Probably because of the ring I put on her horn to stop her from undoing her bonds with magic. I didn't want to have her be silent towards you two, but this was the better option until we are all here to keep her under control... or out of it, depending on what we want." To the purple changeling he adds with a nuzzle. "Do you think you can control yourself so you can speak with our friends?" She looks up at her, then away, almost appearing upset. The mare's hoof gently caresses her wife's cheek. "Come now... what's all this? This is a good day, you shouldn't be down." She punctuates her soothing words with nuzzling and a loving kiss. Rhino looks to Gel and Fiddles apologetically. "Sorry... I've been trying to cheer her up, but it's not easy.." The navy nymph turns to him, quirking an eyebrow. "Did you try... I don't, know, stroking her mane? Kissing her, maybe, like a light peck on the cheek?" He rubs the back of his head. "Well, I didn't think of the mane stroking, but she asked me to kiss her lips. I wasn't sure about that though... so I settled for giving one on the forehead..." She gives him a flat look. "Rhino... you know I'm fine with you kissing her..." She pauses, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly before she continues. "F-for tonight and tomorrow morning, I mean..." "Of course..." He looks down then to the other nymph. "Sorry Luster... I wasn't sure if I should or not..." She simply looks up at him, hopeful. He looks at the yellow mare leaning next to her wife. "May I?" She takes a step back. "Go ahead, though... I'm not sure if this will calm her... or rile her up... better keep the tongue in your own mouth for now." "Right..." With a deep breath, the emerald stallion leans down and gives the nymph a slow kiss on the lips. Her eyes flutter closed and she kisses him back. She doesn't do much of anything other than that, rather docile compared to her normal self. Gel blinks, watching this in confusion. "Odd... shouldn't she at least be wiggling a bit?" She turns to the mare, an eyebrow raised. "How tightly did you bind her?" "Fairly tight..." Fiddles answers with a hoof to her chin. "I mean, I left enough slack so her joints wouldn't stay locked, but that was about it... I didn't want to take any chances you see. Plus.. you know, I thought either she or Rhino could like it." "Does she l-" A small moan from the nymph in question cuts her off and answers her at the same time. She glances down, seeing her thighs rub together and finally noticing how wet the bedsheets had gotten. She blinks dumbly, staring for a few more seconds before voicing her thoughts. "Oh." Seeing Rhino break the kiss, The mare nods. "Tell you what Gel, why don't you start divvying out the drink, and I'll take her ring off so she can talk to us before we get going." She walks over to the side of the bed, looking down at the nymph curiously. "How are you feeling?" She looks up at her with unfocused eyes, a silly little smile on her lips. She glances over at the other changeling, noticing her giving the stallion a blue-purple liquid. She turns back to her wife, clearly confused. Fiddles explains as she smiles down at her spouse. "Let's just say... Gel brought something so we could all go just as long as you, if not longer." She slips the ring off her horn. She glances at the other couple, quickly reaching out to them with her thoughts. Rhino's ears flick as he pushes back, accepting the link. Good to hear from you again. I'm happy to speak with you again... in a sense... She looks to the yellow mare, sheepishly smiling. Could you... put the ring back on, please? The connection should be stable... Gel raises an eyebrow, holding two glasses with bright pink liquid inside them. "You... really enjoy this, don't you?" Luster averts her gaze, blushing brightly. Not usually... The stallion tilts his head. "I don't think I've ever seen you blush that brightly... or get embarrassed that often..." Because I don't get embarrassed that easily... She glances at her wife, smiling softly. I'm usually the one who's in control when we're in bed... And yet, Fiddles continues, the first time she went into heat when I was with her, she goes to this. She waves a hoof, gesturing to the subdued nymph. Luster giggles, shyly waving a hoof. Guilty... The other nymph pours a dash of the blue draft into the two glasses of pink fluid, carefully stirring them. "Her... submissiveness won't be an issue... right, love?" She glances at him as she offers one of the cups to the mare. Rhino shakes his head, swirling his own cup in the air as Fiddles takes hers. "I don't think so... I mean I'm not a bondage fan but it's not a deal breaker." He leans closer to his wife and whispers. "Besides, you like to be kind of submissive all the time, so unless she goes far with it, it's familiar territory." She blushes softly, playfully bumping his shoulder. "You know you'll like it." "Alright, so..." Fiddles gathers everypony's attention to her, raising her glass in the air. "Before we begin, just to make everypony comfortable, I say we all agree to be free with both our requests, suggestions, and objections to all that will occur in these next hours. We don't want this just to be an awkward session of 'guessing if that grunt is a good thing or a bad thing'." "Fair enough." Gel brings her own glass close, swishing the contents as she thinks. "I... don't know what to say, for myself... I will say that Rhino has an aural fetish, if that helps." Luster blinks, confused. A what, now? "I like sounds..." The stallion says simply, looking into his own glass. "Hmm... never heard of that being a fetish itself... but I suppose I can understand where he's coming from." The mare giggles. "Ironic that he has that when he's about to do a session with a mute nymph, but she tends to make plenty of noises." She tosses a wink at Luster. She blushes even more, turning to look at the unicorn, seeing him just staring into his drink. Something wrong with your... whatever that is? Gel, meanwhile, gestures to Fiddlesticks, curious. "Do you have anything you'd like to mention, about yourself or Luster?" "Well... I'm fairly certain you'll know I'll be watching, so I'll likely get worked up." She shrugs. "Other than that, just letting you know there are plenty of toys to use on yourself or others if you feel so inclined." She looks to her wife. "Anything to add? It's difficult for me to remember how you wants change during this time." I'm fine with... most things... She looks to Rhino, frowning in concern. You don't like... violence, do you? She notices the horror on Gel's face and sighs in relief, laying her head back on the mattress. Thank goodness... I don't like that at all... not since... She trails off, leaving the other changeling the only one left in the dark. Just... don't hold back, okay? I can handle it. "Ok..." Rhino nods, swishing his drink one more time before looking around to the others. "I guess we should get started then. Cheers." He downs it.