Daring fidgeted around in the tight confines of the carriage. A quick glance up gave her a view of Coltson and Madame le Fleur smiling at her, almost in awe of her presence. Daring gave a weak smile back, then cringed when her wing got pinned against the door.
“You’d think high class guys like you would travel in style,” she grunted, retracting her wing.
“Too much attention,” Coltson replied almost instantly. “Everything we do has to be on the down low.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’ve seen these types of movies.”
The carriage finally came to a halt outside of a nondescript diner on the outskirts of Canterlot. Daring peered out the tiny window and shielded her eyes from the harsh pink glare of the broken neon sign that towered above them, straining to make out the letters.
Daring scoffed incredulously. “The donut shop? Seriously?”
“Like I said, low profile.” Coltson hopped out of the carriage first. “Besides, we get a discount.”
Daring unfolded herself from the tight space and trotted after Coltson. Madame le Fleur slid out of her seat with little effort and followed behind. Daring remembered the shop. One of her usual hangouts before she was old enough to go get drunk, she had gotten to know the previous owner well. After the diner changed hooves a few times, it now stood as a whitewashed, black and white checkerboard floored symbol of an era gone by.
A smattering of customers glanced up from their plates to eye the strangers, sprinkle speckled smiles pointed in their direction. Daring smiled back, feeling a blush of embarrassment creep into her cheeks as Coltson proceeded to march up to the counter like he owned the place. They watched him lean over to whisper in the unicorn’s ear.
“...and the special, extra sprinkles,” was all that was audible.
Daring rolled her eyes and glanced over to Fleur. “You realize how corny this all is, right?”
“Shhhh!” Fleur scolded, hoof to her lips.
Daring watched Coltson slip into the employee door and wave for them to follow. Fleur took the lead and passed through, leaving Daring standing alone with mouth agape. It was as if all the old spy movies she’d seen were coming true. After a few seconds hesitation, she closed her eyes and marched into the back room. The smell of baking donuts filled the air, and made her stomach growl. Her eyes popped open and took a quick survey of the area.
“Your HQ is a kitchen?”
Fleur giggled and pressed a button on the nearby wall. Daring’s eyes grew wide as she watched the wall slide open to reveal flickering lights that lit the way to a staircase leading underground. She made a mental note to ask where she could get a coupon for her own secret passage, then hesitantly followed Coltson down into the well-lit depths. Her wings bristled the deeper they got, and Fleur following close behind kept Daring’s senses on alert. A few tingles of distrust still remained.
Soon the trio emerged into a sprawling cavern. Monitors and various other screens of activity reflected an eerie blue glow off the crystal formations that clung to the damp walls. The hum of magic-powered machinery, as well as steam and electricity filled her ears. The faint smell of ozone from magic residue hung in the air.
Much to Daring’s surprise, the place didn’t look as amazing as it felt. No whitewashed walls and floors reflecting harsh lighting. No war room table to gather around. At least something that looked like the Hall of Friendship would’ve been nice. Instead, all Daring could see were a collection of generators, tables, and office furniture strewn around a cavern. In fact, it felt no different than being in her office back at the university.
“I was anticipating something more... impressive...”
Fleur shrugged and trotted past Daring. “We take what we can get, and are thankful we even get that sometimes.”
Daring stood in place and took it all in. “I used to play in the crystal mines when I was a filly. Never bumped into you guys before.”
“That’s because you’re not supposed to,” Coltson interrupted. “I’d love to give you a tour, but we have business to attend to.”
"Evil doesn't take time for formalities, huh?" Daring deadpanned.
"Well, we haven't been entirely honest with you," Fleur began. "You see, we exist to keep things peaceful. Facing threats from outside that Princess Celestia shouldn't or cannot take on."
"I get all that," Daring scoffed. "Enemies to the throne aren't exactly a secret. So why all the hush hush?"
"Because we deal with the threats in a more... frowned upon approach," Coltson replied.
Daring blinked. "The magic of friendship, huh?"
"Please understand we don't enjoy it either," Fleur added.
"Besides, what good is a task force when we let the enemy fight another day?"
All three turned to the source of the voice. An immaculately white unicorn in a well pressed suit. Even his unshorn fetlocks were in order, accentuating his deep black hooves. His blue mane gave the impression of a poor toupee yet somehow even it radiated class all its own. If Daring didn't know better, she could've sworn she saw him on a Monopony board.
The mustached pony adjusted his monocle, cleared his throat, and spoke in a refined Trottingham accent. "So, you're the great Daring Do. Agent Coltson has told me so much about your exploits. I trust you enjoy seeing your tax bits at work?"
Daring glanced over to Coltson, who tried to hide his blush.
"I'm... kind of a fan..."
The unicorn politely bowed to Daring. "I am the director of the FOALE agency. You may call me Fancy Pants. Is is a privilege to meet you.” He extended his hoof.
Daring shook with Fancypants, tipping her fedora in an effort to appear professional. "Uh, likewise. So, what's a well-to-do high society pony like you doing in the down and dirty business?" She let a smirk play across her face.
"I see my reputation precedes me." Fancy Pants smiled. "The whole millionaire playcolt thing, while true to an extent, act as my cover."
"So you fight crime too?"
"Not anymore, I don't. The life of luxury and long periods of peace in Canterlot have taken their toll on this old body. That is why I formed this group."
Daring found a coffee machine set up on a nearby rock and began to tinker with it in the vain hopes that there would be a frappe setting. "Isn't there a better way to handle these things?"
"Like what? The Elements of Harmony?" Fancy Pants laughed, which made Coltson and Fleur laugh along with him. "Diplomacy can only get you so far, my dear. Some threats can't bought or begged."
Daring gave up her efforts and thumped the machine with a hoof, then turned back to Fancy Pants. "So what do you need me for?"
"That is the question, isn’t it?" he replied. "See, we have plenty of muscle in the group, but no brains. Well, brains of your calibre anyway. Seeing as how your methods are unorthodox and you have no qualms breaking foreign policies to achieve your goals—"
"Now wait just a minute!" Daring snapped. "Just because I bend the rules and have a problem with authority doesn't mean I'm capable of killing ponies!"
"That's not what your file says." Fancy Pants frowned, then looked over his shoulder at Coltson, who went to a nearby drawer. She watched as he fiddled with the rusted lock, only for the drawer to spring open and bury him in enough files to keep the university stocked for a year. Coltson dug himself from the pile and levitated out a manilla envelope labeled EMPLOYMENT PENDING, opening it for Daring to see.
Daring Do (Dazzle)
Current employment Professor of history and social studies at Canterlot University
Skill set Uncanny foresight, deductive reasoning, hawk-like vision, photographic memory, self-taught tactical fighter, millisecond reaction time
Mental profile Headstrong, confident, abnormally stubborn.
HIGH-MAINTENANCE. APPROACH WITH CAUTION
Daring muttered under her breath, “Dazzle, huh? You certainly do your research.”
She glanced at Fleur, then to Coltson. Not just any pony could get an offer like this, and she knew these ponies hired her for a reason. All those Saturday mornings as a filly with her sugar frosted cereal, watching the Power Ponies fight dumb villains like Bloodstock or Dr. Dapple, suddenly became real right before her eyes. She always did feel her skills were underappreciated in the workplace.
"If I end up stuffed in a fridge, I hope it's yours."
Fleur De Lis lead Daring into another room, filled with several rows of computers and a rather large monitor dominating the back wall. Daring stared at the monitor until it sunk in that she was looking at various images of streets in Canterlot. Her eyes widened in surprise while her stomach lurched when the image of her own house appeared onscreen.
“Suddenly the mare in the tinfoil hat has some valid points.”
Fleur chuckled. “It’s not as entertaining as you might think. You’d be surprised how ineffective this system is… for the most part.”
Daring looked around, realizing that there weren’t nearly as many ponies occupying the computers as she expected. Only one unicorn was lazily kicking back in his chair, tapping keys with his magic.
“Agent Pierce,” Fleur said.
The sky blue unicorn stopped typing and swung his chair around, revealing an overly curled silver mane and a long horn that made Daring snap her hind legs together. “Ah, darling!” he said, leaping towards Fleur and giving her a hug. “I was just giddy when the director informed me that you’d be helming this investigation! No doubt in my mind that this is going to one spicy adventure for us!”
Pierce turned to Daring. “Oh! And whom have we here?” His eyes looked her over from front to plot, which he followed with a playful slap to her cutie mark. “I must say, where did you get that darling trenchcoat? Think they have one in my size?”
Daring clenched her jaw and fought off the sudden thoughts of what a pony like Pierce would do in a trenchcoat. “Please keep your hooves off me.”
“And a feisty one too! Oh, Deadfoal is gonna like you!”
“Who?” Daring glanced over to Fleur.
“Another member of our task force. You’ll meet them soon enough.”
“I’m sure you’ll love our little organization! It’s fabulous!” Pokey danced on his hind hooves then fell back into his chair in a dramatic fashion. “I do the research and development around here. You need anything, just ask.”
Daring glanced around the room, taking note of all the computer equipment that normally wouldn’t be seen in Equestria, as well as several heaps of comic books. “I don’t see much development. Just an unhealthy obsession and a fire hazard.”
“Pokey’s job is to cull through all the comics to find any weapons or devices we might need, then extract them,” Fleur explained.
“Extract? I thought the portal spell only worked one way?”
“It does! But! I’ve found a way to reverse it. For inorganic matter anyway.” Pokey smiled. “Can’t have any of the heroes or villains running around with their unpredictable powers, now can we?”
Daring walked over to the pile of comics and looked them over. “So, this our tax bits at work too?”
Fleur joined Daring near the pile and picked up Power Ponies Annual #1, a nostalgic look in her eyes. “Actually, all of these are from our private supplier, whom Fancy Pants recently acquired.”
Daring blinked and the gears clicked in her head. “Fancy Pants bought Enchanted Comics?!”
“Of course!” Pokey added. “It would be too obvious if a nerd like Coltson did it!”
“Ahem!”
All three turned to see Coltson in the doorway.
“Oh, hey boss!” Pokey waved, a giddy smile on his face.
Coltson ignored the idiot unicorn and approached Fleur, whispering in her ear. “If the tour is finished, you and Daring are to report to the briefing room. We have some new information.”
Daring noticed Fleur’s surprised look and cocked a brow. “Something wrong?”
“You’re about to join us on our first assignment!” Coltson smiled.
“You haven’t even done anything?!” Daring blurted. “I thought you’d have like... some kind of track record of amazing adventures or something!”
Fleur shrugged. “We don’t attack unless absolutely necessary. For now, it’s all been surveillance.”
"I don't feel comfortable with somepony watching me go to the bathroom."
"And yet you're completely okay with strange mares buying you cider?" Fleur batted her eyelashes.
Daring swallowed her breath.
“I would take her up on that offer, Agent Daring,” said Fancy Pants. He strolled into the room with two stallions in sunglasses and black ties by his side then waved them off. “At ease.” He approached Daring and smiled. “Now, as for the specific reason why we require your services…”
“In a nutshell,” Pierce said as he spun around in his chair, “we’re trying to keep Celestia’s pretty little head on her neck.”
Daring blinked. “I’m sorry, what?”
Fancy Pants cleared his throat. "As you may or may not know, there have been rumblings of an insurgency within Equestria. The return of our sorely missed Princess Luna has drawn some interesting ponies out of the woodwork." Fancy Pants brought up an image of several ponies lined up and shackled together. "What we've managed to extract from the ones we have caught, is there are some who would much prefer Nightmare Moon's eternal night, as they see Celestia as an impostor and a manipulator."
“Oh.” Daring scoffed and rolled her eyes. "That stuff's been around since I was a filly. I remember looking into a tribe that thought the sun was slowly poisoning them. They thought burning a moonstone that was really just a block of salt would bring about eternal night. And they aren’t weren’t even the dumbest of the bunch."
"As I suspected, your academic dissertations on the lies of Equestrian history are most fascinating." Fancy Pants cocked a brow.
Daring felt all eyes on her. "Whoa, whoa… You don't honestly believe I'm one of them.... Do you?"
Fancy Pants managed to make a mild frown look intimidating. "That depends. How much of your research did you actually believe?"
"Why ask me? You're just gonna tell me it's all real anyway."
Fancy Pants smiled. "And that is precisely why I hired you!" He turned back to the image and frowned. "These so-called Moon Dreamers... They have managed to stay one step ahead of us, but an observant mind like yours could help us turn the tide before they do anything drastic."
"Like what? Turn the lights off?"
Fleur held a hoof to her snout in a vain attempt to hide her chuckle. "Actually, the annual Princess Summit is coming up and all the known princesses will be in attendance. As well as wealthy socialite ponies like Fancy and myself."
"And what better place to make a political statement?" Coltson added.
Daring shook her head. "Sounds like the kind of place I don't belong."
Fancy Pants waved a hoof at Pierce, who began typing and talking. “While we do have every reason to believe that our dearest Princess Celestia is in mortal danger, it would be folly of us to ask her to cancel such a critical event.”
Partially monochrome images appeared on the big screen, showing public workers setting up gold and blue streamers and drapes across the streets of Canterlot. Others gave glimpses of armed soldiers standing in formation along the rooftops.
“It seems secure enough,” Daring comments.
“That is a picture of a security rehearsal from three days ago,” Pierce replies, sounding grim. “Our hidden cameras took a second set of pictures at the exact same time today. What we found was… not exactly promising.”
The pictures of soldiers refreshed. Daring sympathized with Pierce, quickly noticing how many soldiers were absent in the shots compared to the ones before, and how the soldiers’ stoic expressions had grown faint. “I heard there was a Feather Flu outbreak, but this is uncanny…”
Fancy Pants nodded. “It’s nothing less than sabotage. Having this event coming up makes finding the missing soldiers even more of a hassle for Princess Celestia. By the time she gains a lead, it’ll likely be too late.”
“We have less than two months to identify, locate and silence her attackers,” said Fleur. She seemed to be the only one in good spirits, smiling broadly as she trotted up to Daring. “But that’s nothing to you, isn’t it? I know you can escape from even the most deadly traps in only ten seconds flat.”
"You've been reading those horseapple novels about me, haven't you?" Daring said bluntly.
"The other good news,” Pierce added as he tapped a few more keys, bringing up a picture of a crowded street in front of Canterlot Castle. “We surveyed some more footage of the preparations for the summit, and we found an interesting pony of interest.” He paused for a moment. “Uh, yeah. Anyway…”
The image zoomed in on what appeared to be a young stallion in a blue vest and hoodie.
“So, we’re dealing with a ponykour artist?” Daring suggested. “Some graffiti here and there to spread anarchy?”
“Maybe an assassin,” Coltson muttered.
“That was going to be my second guess.” Daring rolled her eyes.
Pierce cackled. “Oh, I am going to love working with you. Anyway, how do you reckon we learned what we did from this fella?”
Daring smiled, knowing exactly what to say. “Zoom in and enhance!”
“Yeeeeah... I can only do one of those things...” Pierce tapped a single key several times, zooming in on the picture. He adjusted it a little so the screen was able to focus on a pixelated pin on the hoodlum’s vest.
“Why is it so blurry?” Daring asked.
“You can’t ‘enhance’ images, silly!” Pierce waved a hoof. “This isn’t television.”
“Coulda fooled me. We have all these computers and a twenty-four hour surveillance system but you can’t boost a photo’s resolution for- Wait, what’s up with that pin?”
“Just as I thought. Moon Dreamers.” Coltson stood upright, a look of anger in his eye.
Daring squinted at the blurry mass and tilted her head a few times. “It looks like a crescent moon.”
“Probably to identify each other without interception,” Fleur added.
“But isn’t it kind of obvious if they’re all wearing one?”
“Not really. You should see my saddlebag!” Peirce giggled.
Daring backed away. “No offense, but I’d rather not be involved with anything near your plot.”
“Your loss!”
Fleur stepped between the two. "Daring, how would you like to go to dinner?"
Daring opened her mouth to reply, but Fancy Pants cut her off. "Splendid idea! It would allow for closer surveillance of our target as well as team building!"
"Yeah... team building," Fleur muttered.
Despite being one of the wealthiest ponies in Canterlot, Daring had never set hoof inside the exotic Bardigiano restaurant. Being a pegasus in a town full of set in their ways unicorns usually kept Daring indoors or across the world to avoid drama. Seeing the oppulent display of Canterlot riches and architecture before her made her stomach lurch.
"I hear they have amazing vegan spaghetti," Fleur muttered as she glanced up from her menu.
"Huh?"
"Is everything alright?"
"I just... I don't feel comfortable." Daring tugged at the collar of her black turtleneck. The bun her mane had been done up in suddenly felt like a weight atop her head.
"The disguises do take some getting used to." Fleur smiled.
Daring starred at the bespectacled unicorn in the shimmering blue dress and Sunday
chappeu. "I... I mean I don't do well in uppity social settings..."
Fleur giggled. "There's nothing wrong with being one of the colts, darling. But do remember that, for the moment, Daring Do doesn’t exist."
“Ouch,” Daring sarcastically groaned, crossing her hooves over her chest. “Rip out my still beating heart, why don’t you?”
"Just focus on the job. We need to stop these insurgents." Fleur quickly smiled at the waiter and took two glasses of wine in her magic.
Daring stared thoughtfully at her glass. "I thought insurgent and terrorist was the same thing?"
"Terrorists will strike anypony they see fit. Insurgency is another word for a group of rebels."
"I'll show them a revolution..."
"You're lucky your reputation precedes you, Daring. Don't let your passion get in the way. This is a time when your observation skills are required. Once my sensors," Fleur tapped her horn, "pick up the tracings we left on the insurgents, you will observe everything about them down to the size of their nostrils."
"Ew... why would I want to look in their nostrils?"
"You make me laugh." Fleur traced the edge of her wine glass and took another long sip. "Mmm, do have some. If only to appear inconspicuous."
Daring smirked the apparent challenge and snatched up her glass. Unfortunately, the glass was a fluted design meant for unicorn magic. It promptly snapped in half in Daring’s hooves, emptying its contents down her chest.
"Aww... my turtleneck..."
Fleur appeared to be ignoring the prying eyes of nearby customers, but Daring couldn't help think that she was having a growing concern over the success of the mission. Regardless, she remained steady as she levitated napkins to the table to soak up the wine stains.
"I at least like that you can stay in good humor about this, just so long as you know what is at stake."
"I learned a long time ago that taking things too seriously hurts..." Daring sighed. "Work, education, hobbies... love..."
"I think you'll find that I take love as a simple pleasure. It comes and goes... But when it comes, oh how amazing it feels." Fleur's eyes glinted with nostalgia. Daring blushed when she felt Fleur's hoof through her thinly veiled sleeves touch her foreleg. "Not that I love you, Daring. I mean, we’ve only just met."
Daring blinked. "You don't love me? I'm offended!" She playfully crossed her arms and huffed. "To be honest... I'm still kind of recovering from the last.. um... breakup."
"I wish I could tell you I know how you feel," Fleur sighed. "Most of my romances are brief, usually ending in a spilling of information and a tap on the head. Then they're out cold and I'm reporting the success of a mission."
"Ouch... so it's all strictly business? No real attachments?"
Fleur gave a strained smile as she glanced up at Daring. "Not that I can’t feel affection. For instance, I wouldn't mind seeing a little more of you, assuming this mission is a success. A little stress relief might do us both well."
"You... don't seem stressed."
"Sweating on the inside, dear. A lot of lives are counting on us right now, but you wouldn't be here if FOALE hadn't unanimously agreed that you would be a valuable asset."
Daring blinked. "Are you asking me out?"
Fleur giggled and gestured with her hooves. "We are out."
"It's just... my last... um...I guess 'adventure date', didn't end well..."
"...Do you want to talk about it?" Fleur sipped at her wine. "We need cover conversation and I would like to know you more."
"I thought we had a mission? Besides, the way you fawn all over Fancy Pants, I didn't think you'd be into mares..."
"It's an act, darling..." Fleur loudly whispered, her blush so bright it reflected off every
glass surface in the room. "Not that he isn't all stallion."
"Oh!” Daring smirked and her wings bristled. “So, out of the blue: does Fancy Pants bat for the other team too?"
"He's experienced the pleasure of embracing a stallion in private, yes." Fleur smirked, and Daring began to wonder if the wine was taking effect. "As have I. We 'high society folk', as you call us, have the time to experience certain... pleasures others cannot. You may not wish to see my toy collec—" She paused and bolted upright. "Don't look away from me! I sense the insurgents!"
"Where are they?" Daring kept her focus on the unicorn in front of her. She never noticed how beautiful her eyes were until the glow of her horn illuminated them. Radiant sapphires that betrayed a mind that she was convinced could rip her apart, body and soul.
Maybe it was the thrill of the mission, but Daring felt herself getting flustered. Fleur continued to levitate her wine glass to disguise her horn's light. "Three stallions taking the booth seat in the corner closest to the fish tank. Take a glance at them for no longer than a second every minute, and tell me what you see. Until then, pretend we're talking about something less important."
"They're all wearing that crescent moon insignia. Like groupies or something," Daring whispered. She quickly glanced back and took a normal tone. "So, how did all this agent stuff start?"
"Much like you, I was picked up off the streets. I was merely a whelp in comparison to what I am now. I had a promising career as a model ahead of me, and at a party for the modeling company, I was on a dare to flirt with the first stallion I came across. Believe it or not, I was a nervous wreck."
"And that stallion happened to be Fancy Pants?"
"The one and only. He was captivated by my beauty, and we formed a fast friendship... following the afterparty lovemaking, of course." She took another heavy gulp of wine. She glanced at Daring as she did, and gave a faint smile. "I suppose I should admit that stories of your exploits inspired me."
"They weren't all fun and games..." Daring glanced again and saw the three talking casually. "Unicorns, all black, look like teens."
"Anyway, he came to all of my photoshoots as a confidence booster and introduced me to his fellow upperclass ponies. Eventually, I found myself speaking their words, immersing myself into their culture. Seducing mares and colts alike just with a few words. It felt incredible."
Another pull at her wine allowed her to catch her breath. "That's when he introduced me to FOALE, claiming my confidence and seduction skills could be incredibly useful."
"And now you have me swept up in your scouting group..." Daring glanced over again and cringed. "One of them winked at me."
"Steer into the slide, Daring. We can do this faster if you use that to your advantage."
"What? I'm not a trollop! No offense..."
"None taken. Just return his casual affection as a means to taking in what they're doing."
Daring winked back just in time to see one of the stallions turn his head. "They're passing an envelope to the pony in the booth behind them."
Fleur exhaled slowly. "Hm, these ones are savvy. They know better than to relay information with their mouths. Spoken words can be lost." Daring caught on that every time Fleur sipped her wine, she was looking at them too. "No doubt the boys are pawns. They don't look that smart. Watch the one with the envelope. He's most important."
"He could be the one from the photo, but I can't tell."
Fleur jerked her eyes back to Daring. "Keep talking."
Daring nodded. "I guess my observation skills could be used for more than treasure. But I have enough ponies and other things trying to kill me without being a super spy."
"Daring." Fleur nodded towards the booth.
"What?" Daring glanced over and saw the pony stand and head for the door. "Shouldn't we stop him?"
"Already have an image of him being scanned. Magic messaging fire is a handy tool."
"What magic messaging..." Daring's eyes landed on the candle at the table, burning a soft green light, and her jaw fell slack. "You are good."
Fleur brushed her mane with a dainty hoof. "Naturally."
"So... we return to base?"
"No, we enjoy our dinner. Fancy Pants paid this reservation in advance." Two heaping plates of spaghetti were sat before them. "Come now."
The chilling rain down her spine jolted Daring' s wings upright. "I don't recall this being in the forecast," she managed to gasp between chattering teeth.
"All I can think of is how warm my apartment must be, " Fleur leaned into Daring and batted her eyes beneath her drenched mane.
Daring coughed. "So um... how do you seduce mares that don't... ya know... go that way?" Her hind legs subconsciously began rubbing together.
"Magic is very powerful, Daring..." Her horn lit up in a soft pink glow that brought a brief respite from the surrounding gloom. Then she spoke in a disturbingly sexy male voice, "I
don't adapt to the situation; I change it."
"But they'll find out you're not a stallion when you... ya know..."
"Daring," she cut in, her voice that of another male. "Magic."
She blushed. "I assume you want to show me the company benefits package?"
"If you so wish," Fleur replied nonchalantly. "A night of guilt free lovemaking might be cathartic for somepony as pent up as you." She leaned into Daring again. "Any objections?"
"N...no....just... don't do the guy stuff... creeps me out..."
Her voice returned to normal. "Good work tonight, Daring. My apartment is this way."
"That was just Tier One?!" Daring panted.
Fleur hummed contentedly as she poked her head out from under the sheets. "I can tone it down a little if you wish." An idle hoof traced along Daring's navel.
"No.. it's fine..." Daring tried to push back the memories in her head. "Just... you're going to be a tough act to follow when I get a turn..."
"Perhaps you can give me your best shot? I can imagine that might be rather... purgative for you." Daring felt the hoof wander lower, teasingly stopping just above her haunch then return to her stomach.
"I've never pleasured another mare before... in fact I haven't been with a pony since..." She let out a hollow laugh. "I'm not making any promises."
"Talk about it if you wish. Part of being an agent means having a clear conscience."
"Eh… I’d rather not." Daring casually waved a hoof. "I’m way past it.”
"Very well. And don’t worry about the implications of this. Fancy Pants isn't strict. He believes that open hearts leads to better companionship, which means that instead of somepony taking a bullet, they work well enough together that no bullets have to be taken." Fleur nipped at Daring's neck.
"Wishful thinking..." Daring closed her eyes and sighed at the feeling. "From my experience, professional relationships are nothing but trouble."
"I understand if you'd be reluctant to trust your life to FOALE, but we need your skill set to prevent this insurgency. And you have been most helpful tonight... I think you deserve another reward."
Daring opened her mouth to respond, but Fleur already disappeared back under the covers.