//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: Small ember // Story: Veins and Arteries // by Rhino //------------------------------// With record time, little fatigue, and a smile a bit wider than most days, Silk makes it back home. With a bit of giggly cheek to her voice, she calls out. “Honey, I’m home~!” The response she gets is much more feminine than she anticipated. “Welcome back, sweetie~!” Asylum peeks her head around the doorway to the basement, grinning. The thestral blinks before letting out a laugh. “Well, hello Asylum. I didn’t expect to find you here, today.” “Neither did I, but Win called me up. He was very insistent I come over as soon as I could.” She shrugs. “All I’ve done so far is stand out here listening to him scream obscenities in the basement. He quieted down a minute ago, though.” A very loud thump comes through the floor. “...he’s resorted to throwing things instead, I think. That or whatever he’s working on has come to life and is attacking him.” Sighing and rolling her eyes at the stallion’s continued basement antics, Silk walks over and calls into the basement. “Winter! Are you alright down there? You better not have hurt yourself again because that’s not what I wanted to come home to!” “I’m alright!” he yells back up. “Nothing’s broken yet!” Another loud thump, followed by a series of smaller ones, and finally it goes quiet. A second later, footsteps can be heard making their way to the door. “...I’m starting to think my second guess is the correct one,” Asylum mentions offhandedly. “If some invention walks up here and scares me, it is getting kicked right back down there,” Silk replies evenly. Luckily for them both, the door opens to reveal simply a ragged-looking familiar unicorn stallion, who sighs and rubs his head as he walks up the stairs. Like all previous times, he is sweaty and shirtless; unlike previous times, he has a large bruise on one side of his face. “...hi, girls.” Staring at him evenly, the thestral huffs and grabs his hand, dragging him over to the couch. “Don’t you ‘hi girls’ me, mister. I expected a hug when I got home, not bruises.” She points to one of the cushions. “Sit.” He raises an eyebrow. “Number one: I can give you a hug anyway. Number two: it’ll go away by tomorrow, I don’t need immediate medical attention. And number three: I only came up to say hello and let you know I was fine. I still have work to finish up.” One corner of her mouth twitches, exposing a fang at his defiance before she sighs. “I have three things for you as well. One: It better be a damn good hug. Two: You will accept and use the ice pack I am going to go get for you. Three: You promise me you will not get hurt worse, especially that cute face of yours.” He smiles, pulling her into the promised hug. “One: hope this is suitable. Two: fine, but only until it becomes inconvenient to hold. And three: you can come and make sure of that yourself.” He glances at the other pony in the room. “Sy too.” She nuzzles him as she squeezes him. “I agree to these terms.” She even embraces him with her wings as she says quietly, “Stop getting hurt… it makes me anxious.” “After today, if all goes well, I won’t get hurt anymore,” he replies, nuzzling back. “So, think you’re ready to finally see the mysterious basement secret?” “I believe so.” She breaks the hug and heads into the kitchen, still talking so he can hear her. “You certainly built the suspense up enough.” After a moment, she comes back out with a small ice pack, setting it against his bruise. Seeing Asylum out of the corner of her eye, the mare with her fingers in a heart formation, Silk giggles. “Enjoying all this, hun?” “You two are just too cute,” the pegasus replies, smiling. “I knew you’d be great together~” Those words spark thoughts in Silk’s head, ones she files away for later in her to-do list. “Why thank you. I think we fit well together.” She looks back to Win. “Now, how about I learn a bit more about you when we see this experiment, hmm?” Nodding, the unicorn uses one hand to keep the ice pack against his bruise, starting to head for the basement doorway. “Until I’ve worked all the kinks out of this thing, it still needs to be kept a secret, okay? I don’t want it known by any more than, like, five ponies until it’s one hundred percent complete.” “I understand. ‘Need to know’ basis and all that.” She quickly follows, bringing Sy. “You’ve peaked my curiosity about it again. All I know is that it involves Asylum’s wings somehow, yet not thestral ones.” He starts walking down the stairs, opening the door at the bottom. “Well, no offense to you or any other thestrals, but pegasus wings are a lot easier to… figure out, more or less. At least for a guy who had never seen a thestral in person until the day you moved in, but had been around a pegasus roughly every day of his life.” “You’re free to examine them anytime you want now if you get curious.” She winks. Smiling, he nods. “I’ll keep that in mind.” With a deep breath, he flicks the light switch, illuminating the room. The basement is not particularly large; it’s maybe a little bigger than the living room, with a large table in the middle. Against the walls are smaller tables and counters with various tools, gears, and spare parts not unlike what one would see in a mechanical workshop. The main attraction, however, is the piece of machinery on the table in the middle: while difficult to fully make out, both mares can identify it as a rough, metal recreation of a pair of pegasus wings, with a harness connecting them. Blinking silently, Silk slowly takes all this in before simply turning to Winter and giving him a kiss. “You know, brains can be a bigger turn on than brawn.” This just causes the unicorn to blush, but gives her a nuzzle. “Um… okay, this is cool and all, but… why?” Asylum points out. “I know for a fact you have no interest in flying.” “Aww… there goes one of my date plans for us…” the other mare grumbles, looking back at the invention with curiosity. “You’re right, Sy. No, I do not plan to fulfill childhood dreams of becoming a pegasus.” He chuckles. “These aren’t for me. I can barely test them without wanting to throw up from vertigo.” Looking around the basement, the thestral raises an eyebrow. “In a basement that you wouldn’t be able to fly easily out of and can never be four feet off the ground without hitting the ceiling?” “Oh, no. Even that’d just be pathetic.” He smirks. “I go out in the middle of the night every now and then and test them in the backyard to see how high they go before they stop working. In the last test, they died out at around eighty feet.” Silk’s eyes widen. “You… do have safety features on there, right?” “Yes and no,” he says with a shrug. “I’m working on adding two smaller backup engines to kick in when the main ones die out, which will slowly lower the flying pony to the ground. I haven’t added them yet, though.” “So you fell… from eighty feet.” Her wings quiver as she speaks evenly. “Please tell me how you aren’t injured so I can know whether to give you a light wing-slap for being foolish.” “Magic,” the unicorn replies simply. “When they die out, I throw up a small flat shield beneath myself as a platform, and slowly lower it until I’m back on the ground.” He shivers. “Makes it no less freaky.” She steps forward and nuzzles him, forgoing slaps. “Okay… maybe include that next time so I don’t worry.” Looking back at the invention, she tilts her head. “So, as Asylum asked, if they aren’t for you… what are these for?” He looks back at it as well. “Well, for one thing, there are a lot of earth ponies and unicorns who wish they could fly, or pegasi who lost their wings somehow. Mechanical wings aren’t exactly a thing yet; the closest they could get to flight is hot air balloons. So that’s one reason I’m making these.” “And the other?” Asylum prods. “...that, I don’t think I should tell.” He looks down, sighing. “Sorry.” “Well, regardless, your first reason is very noble.” Silk nods as she strokes one of the wings. “I would guess you’re finalizing the mechanics part but still have work to do overall?” He nods. “I’ve finally got the overall build down to compensate and work with the mass, size, any air resistance or changes in wind, and be comfortable to wear. I just need to add the backup engines, improve the main ones, and if possible, upgrade the fuel capacity.” “Sorry to say I won’t be able to help with most of that, I fear.” The thestral looks down sheepishly. “I might be able to help when you get to the point of it looking good, though.” Smiling, he nuzzles her. “That’d be great, thank you. I can figure out the rest on my own, I’m sure. If nothing unexpected screws up, it’ll be ready to go into the aesthetics stages within a month.” “How long have you been working on this?” Asylum asks, looking the invention over. “You started asking for my help only a couple months ago.” He thinks. “...eight to ten months, I’d say? Maybe a year.” “Wow…” One niggling thought occurs to Silk. “Wait… would this be where most of your funds have been going, then?” “You caught me.” He holds his hands up in mock surrender. “I take all overtime hours and extra shifts I can at my job, and any money I make that doesn’t go to bills or food or clothes, I put aside for this. Parts and enchantments, mostly; the latter moreso than the former now.” The thestral nods. “No wonder you rented a room… still, I suppose a patent might give back plenty in return once it’s completed. Just to make sure I heard right earlier, you did say you were past the dangerous parts now, right? I don’t want to go grey before my time.” “Unless my magic fails, the engines explode, the harness snaps, the wings lose control, or the enchantments turn out not to work? Yep, nothing else is dangerous.” He grins. One purple wing snaps out and barely taps his nose. “Watch it, you. I’m just being concerned for your safety.” He chuckles. “Don’t worry, I have safety measures in case of any of those. And various other things that could go wrong.” He moves in to hug her. “Nothing to worry about.” She grumbles under her breath but soon leans into the hug and sighs contently. Asylum watches with a slightly awkward look. “Um… should I go and give you some time alone?” Silk straightens up, looking conflicted between the two other ponies. “I’m… not sure.” She snaps her fingers. “But, quick question: what days are you free, hun?” Asylum blinks. “Um… Monday and Thursday are the best days, aside from the weekend. Why?” “Just checking. I had a little thing I wanted to plan with you, but I’ll let you know when I decided on a day, okay?” She smiles winningly. The pegasus just nods with an unsure smile. “Alright then… I’ll leave you two it, then.” She starts heading to the stairs, waving goodbye as she goes. “Good luck, both of you!” “Umm, thank you!” Silk calls after her, looking to Winter with a small frown. “I didn’t mean to push her out…” The unicorn shrugs a bit. “I’m sure she’s fine. She just felt like a third wheel of sorts. She would’ve excused herself in a minute or two anyway.” He kisses her on the lips. “At least we’re alone now, right?” “True…” She kisses him back, throwing her arms around his neck. “Planning to use that time wisely?” He nods. “But not down here. The mood’s all wrong.” He nuzzles her. “Upstairs?” She nods as well. “Yes please.” Smiling, he takes her hand and begins to lead her out of the basement. “So, did it live up to the hype?” “Well let’s see…” She muses as she follows. “Slightly dangerous, long term project, mechanical replacements for something biological… sounds about right. I’m just glad you weren’t making mechanical ponies or something.” She shivers at the thought. He makes a face. “I tried that. They don’t make good conversationalists.” “...I’d imagine it’s like talking to your wings down there?” She smiles uneasily. “Well, the wings don’t listen.” He chuckles. “At least the robots reacted.” Noticing her expression, he cracks a grin. “I’m just messing with you. The closest I ever got to making a robot pony was putting together a small mechanical dog a couple years ago. I’m not a mad scientist.” “Yes… your mark would probably be quite different in the case.” She nods, shaking her head a bit as they reach the main floor. Stepping back against him, she nuzzles him, trying to change the subject. He smiles. “Speaking of which, I imagine you’ll be wanting another look?” He chuckles as he leads them to the next flight of stairs and up it. “I’d be happy to oblige.” “Now who’s the forward one?” She giggles, tail swishing happily. “I think I’ve started awakening some part of you.” “You’re rubbing off on me, I suppose. In more than one way.” Grinning, he opens the door to let them into his room. “Why thank you.” She inclines her head to him as she walks in, putting a sway to her hips. He closes and locks the door behind them. “So, before you left, we mostly stuck to making out… how far are we going this time?” “I think it’s best to just let instinct run things and say when we don’t want to go farther.” She smiles, looking back over her shoulder at him, her gaze roaming up and down. “Though you being shirtless is a nice start… I wonder if it’ll make you more comfortable to be against.” Chuckling, he walks over to the bed, using a hand to gently squeeze her rump as he passes her. “It might… but the way I see it, fair’s fair, right?” Letting out a small gasp, she smirks, tail flicking his hand. “Are you saying you want to undress me?” “Maybe.” He smirks back, hand now rubbing one of her cheeks. “We could even mutually get rid of our bottoms, as well. Those might get in the way too.” Her wings flare a bit as he speaks, the mare humming. “In the way? My my… what could you be planning for innocent little me?” Her eyelashes flutter at him. “Play along and find out.” He chuckles, using his free hand to grip the bottom of her shirt and tug gently, indicating what he wants to do. “I imagine we’ll get a lot more ideas if we’ve only got one piece of clothing left… or two, in your case.” She lifts her arms up, angling her wings so they can slide out of the holes in her shirt. “Sounds like an excellent plan.” Smiling, he begins lifting her shirt, effortlessly removing it from her body and tossing it to the side. “Glad you think so.” He blushes a bit, but doesn’t lose his smile. “Heh… first time I’ve seen you like this and it does not disappoint.” She wears a blush of her own as her favorite facey purple lace bra is revealed. “I’m glad you approve… I made this myself, you know.” “Then you’re quite talented.” He nuzzles her, glancing down at her pants. “Thank you.” She follows his eyes, smirking. “Now now, you first.” Her hands go to his waistband, her heart beating against her chest. He pouts playfully. “Aww… fine.” He gives her a quick peck on the cheek before looking down, waiting for her to do her work. Bending down a bit, she fiddles with his belt, loosening it before sliding his pants down a few inches. After that, they simply fall to the ground, the mare blushing at what she has a close up view of. “Well… someone’s eager.” Winter blushes a bit more himself at the outward push within his boxers, but simply lifts her head back up with a hand to kiss her. After breaking away, he transitions to a nuzzle. “Can’t help it; you’ve made me rather excited.” “You’ll just have to take my word that I feel the same.” She giggles. “My signs are a little more subtle than yours.” “I’m certain I’ll pick up on them over time.” He steps out of his dropped jeans and kicks them away. “Now… your turn, I believe?” She nods, standing still except for her tail which wags from this little game. "Since I led this morning, with your plan, does that mean you lead now?" "Hm... we'll see. I'll have to think of ideas first... but like I said, this should make it easier." He begins to undo her belt, noticeably fumbling awkwardly with it due to having never done something like this before. She giggles, rubbing his head. "Relax, hun. It's just pants." He blushes. "I haven't ever taken somepony else's off... it feels weird." Finally, he gets the belt undone and slides it off. She only smiles, patting him encouragingly. "You're doing fine... you can freeze once you realize exactly what you're looking at." Smiling back, he starts undoing her zipper and button next before sliding them down, watching in anticipation for what lies underneath. Revealed is what might be expected but is no less special: Lacey purple panties, tiny intricate designs in the fabric, all designed to keep the eyes ever roaming towards their covered prize. Winter's eyes do certainly roam, and widen as well as he gets a good look. "W-Wow..." "Another compliment on my work? You flatterer..." She giggles sheepishly, her legs crossing just a little to barely hide herself. He snickers a bit at this, pulling her into a hug. "What can I say? You do a good job." His hand slowly makes it way back down and gives another light squeeze to the now mostly uncovered rump. She lets out another squeak. "Can't even wait until we get in bed, can you?" She pulls his tail in revenge, just a small tug. He jumps a bit, face going a bright red, before he smiles and breaks the hug just to lightly pull her with him towards the bed. "Well, if you insist..." "Oh, I do." She grins mischievously before suddenly all but jumping on him, her lips planting against his in an eager kiss. He yelps a bit, but after a second, simply melts into the kiss and returns it as they fall backwards onto the bed. She giggles into his mouth as they bounce once, her wings reflexively flaring for balance before they settle, her laying on top of him. Humming happily, she brings her hands up, rubbing his chest as they kiss. His only response is some pleased humming of his own, not breaking the kiss to bother with a vocal statement. Instead, he just wraps his arms around her, pulling her closer down. The one who finally breaks the kiss is her. She stares at him, panting as she speaks. “Wow… anypony ever tell you you’re a great kisser?” “Never kissed anypony else.” He shrugs sheepishly. “Not even Asylum?” She tilts her head. “I mean, young pre-teens being who they are, I would expect some things to have been tried even if they didn’t go far.” He sighs. “Maybe once or twice on the cheek back when we were… eleven, at the oldest. Before we even knew what they really were, besides something some ponies did to each other. Once we found out, it got really awkward to even think of doing it again.” “I can understand that…” She smiles as she lets herself fully rest on top of him, tail swishing behind her. “And your thoughts on it now?” “I’m upset I missed out on this for so long.” Smirking, he leans up and pecks her on the cheek. “Trying to make up for lost time then?” She giggles as she nuzzles him, sharp teeth nipping his neck a moment. “You were certainly being very forward with all your grabbing and clothing removal… not that I mind in the slightest. I’m a bit eager to enjoy my special somepony myself.” The unicorn nuzzles back, chuckling. “I’m excited, that’s all I can say. Before our little session this morning, I hadn’t ever felt this… stimulated.” Her grin only widens as she purposefully wiggles her hips on top of him. “So I feel…” Squirming a bit and blushing further, he goes from nuzzling to licking her neck. “Y-Yeah… like that...” She shivers. “Mmm… good instincts…” Her head leans away to allow him better access. Smiling, he continues to lick, getting in a few nibbles now and again for variety. “How about you? You enjoying it so far?” “Oh, yes…” She practically hisses out the final word as she arches her back. “Though… I’m afraid it only makes me want more…” She opens one purple eye, peering back at him lovingly. “Well, tell me what you want, and I’ll see if I can make it work.” He leans in for another kiss. She squirms a little, looking away from him shyly. “And… if I wanted you to take charge?” “...you’d have to give me an idea of where to start first,” he replies, a little nervous. Blushing, she still looks away. “Well… you could be on top, and… maybe put a little tongue into our kisses?” She giggles nervously, being out of practice as she is. He smiles. “I can give that a shot.” With one movement, he rolls them both over so he’s on top, and ducks his head down to get right back to making out, his tongue pressing against her lips for entry. Her lips open, allowing him entry as her tongue comes out to greet this new friend. Her body feels warmer from being underneath him, a stronger flush coming to her face as she lets out a small moan. Chuckling into her mouth, he begins to flick his tongue around hers, making small moans of his own. His hands roam her body, mostly around the sides, eventually starting to make their way lower. She makes no move to stop him, her wings splayed out beneath her, covering the bed like an additional blanket. Her hands move from his chest to his back, squeezing their chests together as she gasps. He breaks the kiss for just a moment, diving in to the left to nibble at her neck some more, sneaking in a few licks as he does so. His lower body lets itself down to fully lay on top of her, their lower regions almost touching if not for the two layers of cloth in the way. “Ah~!” She lets out a loud moan as she squirms beneath him, a bit trapped and liking it. Her eyes flutter a moment as she remembers she knows actual words. “Getting… any ideas… yet?” “I’m working on them as I go...” He pulls his head back up and connects their lips once more as his hands continue to wander; his left one keeps going down, while his right goes up and begins to gently brush against her wings. With a small yelp, she arches her back at his touch, pressing herself against him. If his mouth was not busy, he would’ve grinned; as it was, he simply continues to rub her wing, his other hand getting busy with doing the same to as much of her rump as it can access. To this, she squeals, lifting her legs up and wrapping them around his as her kisses become a bit more feverish. He simply returns in kind, letting his hands continue to work their magic and pressing himself harder upon her. Silk moans loudly as she grinds herself against him, her whole body feeling flushed as they make out. Her panting breaths get quicker, desperate for both air and affection. Deciding to give her the first of those two, Winter breaks the kiss once more, nuzzling her neck for a bit. “You seem to… be enjoying yourself...” Laying her head back on the pillow, she looks up at him with half-lidded gaze. “You too… phew, must remember to breathe during that.” She giggles lightly. “Sorry… out of practice, so I’m honestly just enjoying this.” One finger traces through his coat while she lets out a purr at his nuzzling. “Hey, I don’t have practice at all, so I’m in the same boat as you. More or less.” He chuckles from the light tickling sensation. “Fair enough, blue boy.” She nuzzles him back, feeling a bit drained as the desperate need for physical affection abates somewhat after this heated session. “You know, you are quite the cozy one to be against. I think I’m going to get used to this.” “Same to you.” He pecks her on the cheek before rolling to the left, landing on his back beside her, only to cuddle in close immediately. “Only the first day and I can already tell this is going to go smooth as silk.” He smirks. She shakes her head as she giggles, snuggling in close and tucking her head under his. “Oh you’re a pun pony, hmm? This is definitely going to be interesting…” “I blame Sy for rubbing off on me.” He squeezes her shoulder. “But you’re right… this should be fun...”