Once the chase had died down (After ten minutes of Scope chasing Ledger around the train like a foal on a sugar rush,) Ledger had accompanied Cider to the luggage car to make sure she wasn’t forgetting any of her luggage and began leading the mares into the crystal city. He kept looking at the buildings they were passing, looking for the hotel he’d heard about before making the trip.
“Nope, gotta do it!” Midnight suddenly nodded. “Scopey, hold my stuff.”
“Wha-Guh!” Scope groaned as Midnight dumped her bag onto the mare and spread her wings, rocketing off into the sky.
“She was just cooped up on a train for a while,” the unicorn stallion observed. “I’d be surprised if she didn’t feel like stretching her wings.”
Truth was, Midnight just wanted an aerial view of the city. She kept flying, until she could almost touch the barrier at the top.
“Hmm, I wonder...” She poked her head through it and suddenly yelped in shock. “Ah, fuck! Cold! coldcoldcoldcold!” she instantly regretted that particular decision as she pulled her head back down.
The city itself was beautiful though. And from this high up, you could see how the streets were planned out. It kinda looked like a giant snowflake. The sun hit the palace just right and the whole thing shone. As she soared over a large stadium, she looked down and saw somepony...familiar. Well, at least the white-coated Unicorn stallion stood out from the platoon of Crystal Ponies he was shouting at.
An evil thought crossed her mind, but shook it off. Her revenge must be timed just right. A quick dip of her wing and she was flying back towards Ledger and the group.
Down below, an orange Pegasus tapped his chin and hummed. “You don’t see many Bat ponies here in the Empire...”
Ledger had finally located the hotel he’d heard about and smiled before pointing at it with a hoof. “Not too pricey, doesn’t gouge ponies for being tourists, friendly service-”
“I’ll show you service~” Midnight breathed huskily into his ear as he found himself on the ground, the Thestral straddling him in the middle of the street after she’d tackle-hugged him.
“I’m sure you will,” Ledger said into the street before lifting his head and smirking. “Remember, for you and Scope, this is a vacation. Me and Cider have a few ponies to visit before we can properly relax, so it’ll be your job to find things to do together once we’re not busy.”
“Aw, fine. Scopey’s good at gathering information and I’m good at just about everything. So together...”
“Don’t say it Mistress....”
“We’re good.”
“...Dammit Midnight.”
Ledger slowly wiggled out from the thestral mare and stood up on his own hooves again, giving himself a quick shake to make sure no dirt was clinging to his fur. “Shall we attempt to get a room, then?” Ledger asked as he held the front door open with his magic.
Midnight shrugged and walked in, too busy smirking at Scope to watch where she was going and plowed right into the behind of another mare.
“Whoof!” both mares went for a tumble as Scope laughed at her Mistresses misfortune. “Karma bites back!” she giggled.
“I’ll show you biting,” Midnight replied as she got to her hooves and assisted the other mare. “Uh, sorry about that...” The mare in question was wearing a large sunhat and sunglasses, and when she saw Midnight, she flinched.
“Uh, yeah... no problem,” she said quietly.
“Terribly sorry about that, miss,” Ledger said as he checked to make sure that the mare hadn’t dropped anything. “My marefriend here sometimes acts before she thinks.”
She paused for a moment when she laid eyes on the whole group. “Yeah. It’s alright-”
“Oh Peach dear!” a familiar voice called out as an even more familiar Griffon approached them.
“Buck me...” the mare sighed.
“Is that…” Ledger asked as he looked at the griffon. “Fredrick?”
“Ledger?” the griffon blinked, nonplussed. “Peach, I was unaware you invited Ledger or his herd along.”
“Of course I didn’t bucking invite them!” she snapped, before realizing she’d raised her voice and calmed down. “Sorry. Tch! This was supposed to be a weekend away from all this.”
“Perfectly understandable,” Ledger said with a smile like a fox realizing it had just found an unguarded henhouse. “It’s going to be a slight business trip for me as well, but once it’s done, we’ll be able to relax and destress from everything Las Pegasus. Something we’re both in need of, eh Captain?”
The mare sighed as she removed her hat and sunglasses. “I don’t believe this...”
“Since nopony is going to say anything about it,” Midnight hummed as she moved next to her beloved Captain. The mare felt her fur stand on end when she saw Midnight’s smile. “So...Peach?”
“A petname,” Narrow replied rather quickly. “Isn’t that right Fredrick?”
“If you say so, my precious Peach Blossom,” Fredrick said with a smirk. “I do believe we’re here for similar reasons, Ledger. Do you think we’ll need to go to separate hotels, or will we be capable of co-existing for our vacations?”
Ledger hummed and looked over to the mares for their takes.
“Ah got no problem with it,” Cider shrugged.
“Whatever,” Scope added, still trying to drag Midnight’s bag.
Midnight Song just continued to smile at Narrow, the latter shoving her away and frowning.
“We might get along, and I’ll do my best to distract the bat,” Ledger said as he flared his horn, taking Midnight’s bag from Scope and adding it to his back with only a slight wince.
“I think she filled it with rocks,” Scope groaned as Cider put the smaller mare on her back.
“I did not,” Midnight replied. “It’s only my armor. It’s not that heavy.”
“Midnight,” Cider sighed. “Why did ya bring yer armor?”
“....Reasons,” Midnight said.
Narrow wasn’t going to admit she brought hers as well…
“Well, we’ll let you two go do whatever it was you planned on doing,” Ledger said as he stood to one side, the mares following his lead (Midnight reluctantly). “We still need to check in, unpack, and Cider and I need to find the ponies that responded positively to my letters.” He wasn’t quite done with teasing the Captain, though. “Perhaps, once you’re done, you could...recommend some places to Midnight, for her to check out while we’re here?”
Midnight looked over the mare, and then to some cute Crystal stallions that trotted past. “Hmm, I know what I wanna check out~” she giggled, licking her lips.
“Ledger?” Scope smirked. “I do believe that the Mistress is tired and requires magical aid up to our room.”
“Why is it that I’m the one required to drag her away from whatever catches her eye?” Ledger asked as he looked at Cider. “Which would you prefer to carry? Her, or her bags? I doubt I can handle both.”
Cider chuckled as she grabbed Midnights tail in her mouth and dragged her away, the batpony sighing as she waved at the Captain.
“I swear, she’s getting even worse,” Narrow said with an exasperated sigh. She looked back up at her Griffon as she donned her hat. “Shall we?”
“Do lets,” Fredrick said with a smile. “I must admit, the idea of a Crystal Spa is...most intriguing.”
With that, the pair were off to explore the city, the Griffon using his wing to hold his mare in a hug every now and again.
“Hello good sir,” Ledger said to the stallion behind the desk. “Party of four, we’d like to rent a room for the next few days. Might even be longer, if the mood takes us.”
“Ah yes, The ‘Ledger’ party? I have your room here.” He motioned towards his booking ledger. “One room on the third floor. Does that sound right?”
“It does,” Ledger hummed. “I hadn’t been expecting such a positive response to my letter, but I must say, I am already impressed. Do refresh my memory as to what it comes with, though? The last few days have been...hectic.”
“Of course sir. It comes fully equipped with two double beds, a fully stocked mini-fridge and your own bathroom. Our room service is available twenty-four hours a day, and should you have any clothes that need washing, simply leave them in the bags provided.” He motioned towards a gift shop and smiled. “All our guests can enjoy a discount in our store, as well as the restaurant on the terrace.”
“And once again, you impress me,” the unicorn told the crystal stallion. “Well, I can’t think of any concerns to raise myself. Ladies?” Ledger said as he yielded the floor to his mares.
“I got one,” Scope hummed. “Only two beds? What the hay Ledger?”
“My apologies Miss,” the stallion nodded. “I did not think you’d mind sharing with your parents?”
“......” Scope’s eye gave a very dangerous twitch. She wondered if Crystal Ponies bleed…
“She’s genetically predisposed to be small,” Ledger said on her behalf. “She’s not related to us and I wouldn’t be surprised if she was as old or older than me. That being said, is there nothing you can do?”
“We could try to organize a fold up bed to be brought up to you,” the stallion said. “I would like to move you to another room, but we are booked out for this evening.” He bowed his head in apology. “I am so very sorry, for both my misunderstanding and my inability to see to my guests needs.”
“It’s fine,” Midnight jumped in. “Look, she can bunk with me...”
“Oh gods,” Scope groaned.
“Can you show us to our room please?”
The stallion nodded and grabbed ahold of a key with the tag ‘312’ on it. “Right this way,” he said before leading the small party of ponies up to the third floor. It took him about five minutes to lead them down the long hallway leading to their room, but once they arrived, he gave the key to Ledger and bowed his head again.
“Your room, and I will see about getting you a fold-up bed and perhaps look into who will and may be leaving tomorrow if you still desire that transfer.”
“My thanks,” Ledger said as he unlocked the door and held it open with his magic, letting the mares enter first. Midnight dragged Scope inside first and pounced onto one of the impossibly fluffy beds.
“Oh Sweet Celestia! It’s sooooo comfy~” Midnight giggled, and even Scope let out a grunt of agreement.
“Ah reckon,” Cider said as she walked in. “Y’all got us some real fancy digs here Levvy.”
“This place has a reputation of being fair and luxurious, for the price one typically pays” Ledger said as he started using his magic to unload the Earth Pony’s luggage, along with the bag he’d ended up with from Midnight. “Plus it’s a little out-of-the-way, so regular tourists don’t tend to find it all that often. I guess word spread, though.”
“You know,” Midnight hummed. “We could solve our sleeping arrangements just by pushing the two beds together...”
“Yeah, except you perverts would do anything except sleep,” Scope sighed. “Besides, we can deal with that later.” She looked at Ledger and Cider. “Don’t you two have some business to take care of?”
“As don’t you,” Ledger said as he finished helping Cider settle in...or at least unpack. “We do have farmers to track down, yes. But our business shouldn’t take the entire trip, and once we’re done, I’d appreciate a scouting mission having been done.”
“Sir, yes sir,” Scope saluted with little enthusiasm.
“Aw, it’ll be fun,” Midnight said, rubbing her mane. “I already know where our first port of call is.”
“And I have the list of locations we should visit right here,” Ledger said, prodding his saddlebag. “Anything you need before we head out as well, Cider?”
“Ah think ah’m good,” she replied as she checked her mane in a mirror. “Hm, actually, hold that thought.” She trotted in place as she looked around, before ducking into the bathroom.
“Well, good luck,” Midnight giggled at her marefriends antics. “I’ll try not to do anything that’ll get us arrested.”
“I’d hope not,” Ledger said with a wink. “My budget for us having fun doesn’t extend to the property-destroying sort of fun.”
“Party pooper,” Midnight poked her tongue out. “Hmm, maybe I should have invited Amy...”
“NO!” Scope yelled as she grabbed the Thestral and dragged her from the room. Midnight just shrugged and blew Ledger a kiss as they left. The unicorn stallion turned to the crystal pony that had observed all their antics and passed him a bit.
“Thank you for your service and hospitality,” Ledger said with a smile while waiting for Cider to reappear.
“Your family seems to be quite the hooffull,” he chuckled as he pocketed the bit and bowed his head. “Will there be anything else sir?”
“Besides the extra bed?” Ledger asked as he looked at the bedrooms, one of which he would likely be inhabiting come nightfall. “How often do you soundproof around here?”
“All our rooms come with the standard enchantments, for those that wish for their privacy,” the stallion explained as Cider re-emerged. “You and your herd will have the utmost comfort, I assure you.”
“Ah, thanks,” Ledger said with an awkward smile. “But uh...the little one isn’t exactly sure just...if she wants to join yet. Thus, extra bed needed. But thank you for the answer,” Ledger said as he procured another bit. “Where would you say is a good place to eat in the city, beyond your own restaurant? We’ll be giving it a shot tonight, of course, but I do like having options.”
“Of course Sir, we have a variety of options in the city. Aside from our own, you have the Empress’ Platter, a five star establishment with a pricetag to match. There is also The Barn, it recently opened and is run by some Equestrian ponies. The city is also home to dozens of cafes and bakeries as well.” He tapped his chin in thought, “Your extra guest, she is a Pegasus, yes?”
“Yes,” Ledger said with a smile, mentally adding ‘at the moment’ to his answer. “And I think I can see where you’re going with this. A place for...those that enjoy a bit more marine food?”
“That,” he said. “As well as a sleeping arrangement that may cater for your needs. There is a place in the adjoining District that caters to the more...exotic tastes. I cannot provide an accurate description of their menu or prices...yet.”
“Fine by me, I’ll at least look into it, or have them look into it,” Ledger said as he tossed the stallion two bits. “And thank you for the idea. I take it if little Scope were to show up with enough clouds to make her own bed, you’d have no objection to her bringing them in?”
“Heavens no, I would never dream of making a guest provide their own bed.” The stallion looked genuinely shocked. “Please leave all arrangements to me. I will have a bed ready for the young Miss upon your return.” He turned to leave, but paused. “Ah, I almost forgot. The mare that was with the Young Miss, does her species have a preferred name? I have never met a pony quite like that before, and I do not wish to offend her by accident.”
“The technically correct name is Thestral,” Ledger enlightened the crystal pony. “Though I have heard others refer to them as batponies. And no fear, her...preferred victims are all fruity in nature. Specifically mangoes. If you do refer to her as a vampony, she will take offense.”
“...Sir, I do believe that vamponies are quite fictional. I would never call a guest that.”
Apple Cider blushed and looked away.
“Well, please leave everything in my hooves. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly. Oh, my name is Polished Stone.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Ledger said as he nodded at his host before closing the door and turning to the Apple mare. “So, I say we give him a minute to get back to the desk before we make our egress, and it’ll give me a moment to go over the directions as well, avoid making a fool of myself out on the streets.”
“Eeyup,” Cider hummed as she took that time to open their luggage and sort it all out. “Ah hope Middy and Scope don’t get into too much mischief.”
“If the palace falls over, I’m blaming them first, then you for tempting fate,” Ledger deadpanned as he got out his scroll and read it.
“Ah highly doubt that,” she giggled. “Y’all can’t change fate with words alone Ledger.”
Midnight Song hummed a little tune as she strolled to her desired destination. Several times, she could be heard giggling to herself, her eyes dancing with mad glee.
“Mistress, should I be concerned?” Scope asked as she jogged along to keep up. “You’ve been giggling for a few minutes now.”
“Now Scopey, I have no idea what you’re talking about~” Midnight sang as the stadium she flew over before came into view. “I simply want to catch up with an old friend. There’s no harm in that right?”
“If Ledger is to be believed, your previous attempt to ‘catch up’ with old friends involved feeding them your tongue,” the smaller pegasus pointed out, reminding Midnight of Apple Fritter’s visit to Apple Cider.
“Well, this time will be a little different,” Midnight replied. “In my defense, Apple Fritter is really adorable, and I was still sore at Ledger for his first encounter with Cidey.”
“You can take the native out of the lands,” the pegasus mused. “But it would seem impossible to remove all the things we learned in the lands from the natives thereof.” Nice, neutral terms. No need to wave a big sign saying ‘CHANGELINGS HERE’.
Midnight cooed and nuzzled her. “You’re so cute when you’re trying to be all subtle. Then again, you’re always cute~” She heard voices from inside the stadium and her smile widened. “Oh goody, he’s still here~”
“Stop that, m’not cute dammit!” Scope pushed her away as she blushed. Luckily, Midnight was now preoccupied with something else to counter the retort. Scope tilted her head as Midnight crept forward, towards the entrance to the building, before she spread her wings and glided silently inside. Just what the heck was she up to?
Inside, Shining Armor was busy running the Crystal Guards through the wringer. Truth was, these guys were made of pretty stern stuff. But they could always be tougher.
Midnight glided inside and drew closer to the stallion, and once she was in reach, she covered his eyes and whispered into his ear in a surprisingly good impersonation of Cadence.
“Oh, how I’ve missed you...big boy~”
“Cadence can’t fly silently and isn’t brown,” Shining said as he ducked his head and slipped out of Midnight’s meager hold, turning to look at the mare with a smile. “Midnight Song. Heard you got assigned to Las Pegasus. My condolences. I did a brief stint there before I was reassigned to Canterlot. What’re you doing up here?”
“Vacation mostly,” she shrugged. “And when I did a flyby earlier, I just knew I had to come see how the great Prince Shiney-Hiney is doing. Congrats in moving up in the world by the way.”
The snickers some of the Crystal Ponies were giving off at Shining’s nickname were quickly silenced by a Look, and they resumed their sparring eagerly. “Her status had nothing to do with it,” Shining said. “I’d have fallen for her just the same if she didn’t have wings or a horn.”
“I know, you could find less sap in a forest,” Midnight giggled. “But Las Pegasus isn’t so bad. Been cleaning what I can, and well...” she actually blushed here. “I have somepony now...well, someponies.”
There was a flapping noise, as though a pegasus that didn’t get enough practice flying was trying to make a graceful entrance...and failing. Not a moment later, Cadence managed to land a few feet away from Shining Armor, who was still shocked by the news that not only had Midnight Song settled down, but had done so with multiple ponies.
“I have no idea how Aunt Celestia deals with all her nobles,” the Princess of the Empire said before walking over to Shining Armor and drawing him into a hug. “Some days I just want to mandate that they either come to me in silly attire or not at all. At least then something about them would be entertaining.”
“I’d pay to see that,” Midnight agreed, drawing the alicorn’s attention. “Sup Princess Lovebutt?”
“Shiny, I don’t think I know your friend...but she certainly is charming,” Cadence said with a giggle. “Why don’t you introduce us?”
Shining shook off his stupor before nodding. “Cadence, this is Midnight Song, the Thestral who was after my rank when I was the Captain of the Day Guard. Midnight, this is Princess Cadence, leader of the Crystal Empire.”
“You don’t remember me?” Midnight said, shocked. “Well, I guess we only met once or twice. And no need to introduce her Wondercolt, I’m pretty sure everypony knows her name.”
“Mhm, even I do,” Scope spoke up as she caught up with her Mistress. “And could you warn me before you fly off like that Mistress?”
“Eh, my bad,” Midnight giggled. Cadance matched the giggle before letting go of her husband and sticking a hoof out to the batpony.
“Mm, I do recall you a little from my time at the castle,” the pink princess agreed. “Though I do hope you’ll forgive me if my eyes were...elsewhere. No offense, of course, but you’re not the flank in armor I was looking at.”
“Wait til you see this flank in armor~” Midnight giggled, giving her rump a wave. “But understandable. I think every mare wanted a piece of that. Too bad that between his blinders for a certain Alicorn and his sister complex, nopony else stood a chance~”
Shining sputtered and started to turn red at Midnight’s words. Cadance, on the other hoof…
“Shiny, is there something you should tell me?” she asked sweetly...causing the stallion to blush even more.
“Don’t worry, you’re the only one that tapped that fine flank,” Midnight smiled as Scope facehooved.
“Mistress, don’t you have an ‘off’ switch?”
“I don’t know, I much prefer her this way,” Cadance said with a smile. “She’s more fun than most of the ponies I spend my days cooped up with.” With that, the pink alicorn drew her husband close and kissed him on top of his forehead, just beneath the horn. “Most.”
“Hah! I guess you can’t kiss this Princess,” Scope giggled at Midnight, before she realized she’d said that out loud.
Midnight turned at looked at the Pegasus, before giving Cadence a wink. “Mmm...yet~”
“Sadly dear, I’m quite happily married,” Cadence said. “I’m quite certain Shiny wouldn’t take kindly to what you’re insinuating.”
Shining Armor, on the other hoof, just opened and closed his mouth a few times, trying to voice something that he both agreed with and wouldn’t get him in trouble.
“Ah, and here we have the rare opportunity to educate royalty,” Midnight giggled as she turned to the male Guards. “Oh boys~ What is your opinion of two mares kissing~?”
The guards took a moment to voice their agreement with the idea of two mares kissing. After all, it stood to reason. If you liked the idea of one mare, more likely than not, you liked the idea of two, especially if they were showing off.
Heck, one of the younger Guards even had a herd of his own. Lucky bugger.
“Mares and Gentlestallions, the mob has spoken!” Midnight smiled widely. “But don’t worry, I know better than to get in the way of a couple. And my herd is more than happy to provide for me now.”
Cadance blinked once. Twice. She even tilted her head slightly as she was introduced to the idea.
It was adorable.
“Did you say...herd?” the pink alicorn asked.
“She did,” Scope nodded. “She’s in a relationship with a stallion and another mare. And it was all born from a social misunderstanding. I believe Princess Luna gave her the idea?”
“Yep, it’s all Luna’s fault,” Midnight giggled. “And Shiny? I think your wife is kinda adorable.”
Cadance slowly smiled as she looked at Shining. “I have ideas,” she said in a tone one normally didn’t hear outside of the bedroom.
“Hah! Best of luck now hornhead,” Midnight cackled at the look on his face. “Though you might wanna stop teasing him before he swallows his tongue. I flirted with him once and he didn’t speak for three days~”
Indeed, Shining Armor seemed to be on the verge of locking up. Cadance responded by drawing close to his horn and opening her mouth…
“That’squiteenoughthankyou,” Shining managed to squeak out before public foreplay could happen. The pink alicorn pouted, but drew back.
That tore it, Midnight was now rolling on the ground laughing. Scope just shook her head and stood to one side. She was still wary around the royals, given their past with Changelings. It took about five minutes or so before Midnight finally calmed down enough to speak again.
“HAhaaaa, oh wow. I like you Princess. You’re fun~”
“I try to be when I’m not stuck in court,” the alicorn of love said with a smile. “Is there a reason you’re here, Miss Song?”
“Mostly to catch up with Shining there,” she replied. “I haven’t seen him since the wedding, and then I got transferred to Las Pegasus.” She looked at the stallion and smiled. “Also, I’m doing better now, after what happened...”
“Ah, well, it’s nice to hear you’re recovering after the...events of that day,” Shining said. “I guess every wound does heal with time.”
“And a lot of love and no small amount of irony,” she giggled. She figured she’d omit anything regarding Changelings in Las Pegasus. She looked over the Crystal Guards and smirked. “So, these are the little colts you’re playing with now?”
“The most promising batch of Crystal Guards the city has to offer after everything it’s been through,” Shining replied. “They’re not bad, but there’s always room for improvement.”
“That’s what she said,” Midnight sniggered as she looked over them. “Well, I like the armour... wonder if I can get some?”
“Mistress, you’re taken. You will not be ‘getting some’ on my watch,” Scope replied, almost automatically. Midnight whirled around and blinked at her.
“My little student is growing up,” she said, wiping away a tear.
“Do we...want to know why she refers to you like that?” Cadence asked with at glance between the pair. “It’s nothing bad, is it?”
“Wha?” Midnight’s eyes widened ever-so-slightly as Scope was in full-blown internal panic mode. “Ah, there have been...issues in Las Pegasus. Something happened and I saved her life at some point. I’ve gained a cute little shadow ever since. I think her family and sense of honour are seriously old-school.”
“It is traditional to refer to the pony you swear a life-debt to as Master or Mistress,” the pegasus said automatically. Good terms, nice terms, pony terms.
“Hmm,” Shining said, rubbing his chin with a hoof. “It’s not a tradition I’ve ever heard of...but every family has its quirks.” With a shrug, the Prince of the Empire let the matter drop.
“Shiny, if it wasn’t written in an O&O book, or pertains to a pretty pink Princess, of course you haven’t heard of it,” Midnight smiled, her fangs glinting in the sunlight.
“Tell me about it,” Cadance said with a roll of her eyes. “I had to attend more than a few of his little gaming sessions before he realized ‘Hey! She might actually be interested in me!’”
Shining Armor, embarrassed again, turned red and mumbled something.
“Wow, you two are ruthless,” Scope mused at the emasculated Prince. Shining Armor eventually cleared his throat and looked at the assembled mares.
“If we’re quite done with ‘Pick on Shining day’,” he managed to say before being interrupted.
“Everyday is ‘Pick on Shiney-Hiney Day’,” Midnight giggled. “But I think you’ve had enough for now. I’ll be here for a few days at least. I should introduce you to my loved ones...if you guys want to that is.”
“I’d love to,” Cadance said with a smile. “I adore meeting new couples, and yours is something new! Plus I’ll get to ask you all how exactly it works. I must admit, I would love to have facts instead of idle musings.”
“I’d be happy to,” Midnight smiled back.
“You know...” Scope spoke up. “Ledger’s prolly gonna freak. Again.”
“I know, which is why we aren’t going to tell him.” Midnight replied with a smirk. “It’ll be funnier that way.”
“Mm, how about...lunch at a local diner?” Cadence said, all smiles. “I’ll treat you to The Empress’s Platter in exchange for all the juicy details tomorrow...assuming they can make it, of course.”
“Please don’t ask her for details,” Scope moaned. “Because she will. Every. Last. Detail.”
“Oh, but little one,” Cadance said as she drew close and lowered her face to look Scope dead in the eyes.
“I like the juicy details~” the pink Alicorn whispered, almost huskily, into Scope’s ears.
“Okay, I really like her!” Midnight said to Shining. “Hmm, maybe I can get a Princess in my herd?”
“I doubt it,” Shining said with an eye-roll. “The only ones left are Princess Celestia and my sister, and if I get so much as one letter from her saying something about an amorous Thestral showing up, I will remind you why I was Captain of the Guard.”
“Yessir!” Midnight saluted as Scope shook her head.
“Well, she already kissed Celestia and her sister, so that only leaves two more to complete the set...”
“Scope Lens...” Midnight groaned.
“We’ll just have to see how lunch goes,” Cadance said before turning to give Shining a kiss goodbye. With that done, she flared her wings and took off, leaving behind three very confused ponies. “Duty calls!” she called out below her as she flew back to the palace.
“Um. Wat?” Midnight tilted her head at the retreating Princess. “Captain Shining. What just happened?”
“I think my wife said something along the lines of ‘play your cards right,’ Midnight,” Shining said as he shook his head. “If you don’t mind, I’m going back to training these guys until I can’t think about what just happened.”
“Yeah..Imma go...do a thing...at the place,” Midnight sand as she gave a feeble wave and wandered off. Scope gave the Captain one last look and shrugged. How he and that Alicorn version of Midnight defeated Chrysalis was beyond her.
“Okay, this should be the first farmer that expressed an interest in both my contracts and selling the berries to you,” Ledger said as he checked both his scroll and where they’d arrived.
“Well, here’s hopin’ fer the best,” Cider nodded as she followed the stallion. “Ah’d hate to have this trip be a waste of time.”
“Mm, if all else fails, at least it’ll be a nice vacation,” Ledger said as he knocked on the door a few times. After a minute, a small, green crystal colt appeared at the door, looking up at the larger ponies.
“Hi!” he said. “I’m Emerald Hooves. Who’re you?”
Ledger chuckled before introducing himself and the mare he’d brought with him. “I’m Level Ledger, this is Apple Cider.”
“Nice ta meetcha little guy,” Cider said with a bright smile. “Is yer Momma or Papa home?”
“Yeah-huh!” the colt said. “Dad’s out back, tending the crop. Mom’s inside on the couch. Who’d you wanna meet?”
“Both, preferably,” Ledger mused. “Care to bring us in and introduce us to your parents?”
“I can do that!” the colt said as he opened the door wider. Ledger smiled and bowed before Cider, letting her enter first. Cider smiled as she accepted his offer and stepped inside. It was strikingly similar to her own home in terms of decor. Seems that good farmers thought alike.
It was then that the young colt introduced them to a mare that was quite obviously pregnant. She looked near ready to give birth any day now. The blue Crystal Pony looked up from the couch and smiled at her well-behaved colt and the guests he’d brought in. “Hello, I see you’ve met my colt,” the mare said.
“We did, he’s such a gentlecolt,” Cider smiled. “Mah name is Apple Cider, and this is Level Ledger, from Las Pegasus.”
“We’ve come to talk business with you and your husband,” Ledger said as he looked at a nearby chair. Pointing at it with a hoof, he asked a simple question. “May we?”
The mare nodded. “Go ahead.” She then looked at Emerald and smiled. “Go and tell your father we have guests he should meet, dear,” the sapphire-colored mare said. With a nod, the colt was off through the back door.
“Y’all have a beautiful home here,” Cider commented as she sat down. “It reminds me of mah own.”
“Function and simplicity,” the mare said with a smile and a nod as she picked up a nearby paper. “Or as my husband would call it, ‘If it don’t serve a purpose, it don’t belong in the house!’”
“Mhmm,” Cider agreed with that philosophy. “And yet, ah live with the most impractical mare and an overly serious stallion.”
“I blame the city,” Ledger said, before pecking Cider on the cheek. “It was not kind to me.”
“Ah see you ain’t far from a second little bundle of joy either,” Cider said sweetly. “How long?”
“Less than a month now until the little dear is out,” the mare said as she rubbed her stomach with a hoof.
Ledger just let out a barely-audible cooing noise at the thought. Cider smiled at him, she’d heard that.
Soon enough, the little colt returned, the sound of heavy hoofsteps behind him. Behind him, a ruby-colored stallion walked in, his eyes fiercely sizing up these visitors. Farmer he may have been, but he was apparently no fool.
“So you’re the ones that sent them letters,” the stallion eventually said.
“That’s right,” Cider replied as she stood up to shake his hoof with a firm grip. “The name’s Apple Cider, proud owner of Cider Falls Farm in Las Pegasus!”
“And I’m Precious Growth,” the stallion replied. “Got a knack for growing our berries up here, and a few...interesting crops besides that seem to enjoy it up here.” He eventually reclaimed his foreleg from the mare and rubbed it with his other hoof, before looking at Ledger. “Who’s the stiff?” he asked bluntly.
“Level Ledger, owner of Pegasus Air shipping,” Cider replied. “He’s the one that set up this meeting in the first place.”
“Ah, thought I smelled money and red tape,” the stallion grinned as he walked over to Ledger and stood in front of him, judging the unicorn with those eyes of his. After a minute longer, the stallion eased off and nodded. “Right, let’s get down to business right away, then.”
“To the point huh? Fair enough,” Cider sat back down and nodded. “What ah need, is Crystal Berries. The demand fer them in Equestria is astounding, but the climate makes them almost impossible to grow, so much, that nopony even wants t’try. Ah intend to change that.”
“You’ve got guts,” the stallion said with a smile. “You got a contained system set up, then? One to keep your plants just so?”
“Ah’ll admit, ah spent quite a few bits to create a secured environment,” Cider said. “”And fer all ah know, it might not even work. But nothin’ tried, nothin’ earned.”
“Hmm, well, I’ll tell you the secret to growing the berries outside the empire as a part of our deal,” the stallion said with a nod. “As long as you keep it a secret between us farmers.”
“Ah won’t tell a soul,” Cider nodded. “An’ in exchange, ah’ll share the recipe ah’ve developed fer Crystal Berry Wine.”
“Always nice to hear that somepony’s brought something new to the table with that,” the mare said as she turned the page of the paper. “And you, sir?”
Ledger blinked before nodding. “Ah yes. Until Cider here gets a crop from her plants, the Empire will remain the sole source of Crystal Berry products. I would like to offer you a shipping contract, Sir and Ma’am. One that promises to be very lucrative.”
The mare put the paper down and looked at Ledger, as he levitated a small bound document from his saddlebags and presented it to the couch-resident. She looked over it a few times before humming. “This all...seems to be a good deal. Honey?”
The stallion looked over at the contract, eyes darting around before settling on the projected profit...and grinning. “Yup, I think we should take this,” he eventually said.
“So, a contract to import Crystal Berries, and an exchange of secrets,” Ledger mused. “All we need now is for you to go out and attempt to get some trees for yourself, Cider.”
“Heh, you handle all that papery nonsense. Ah’ll worry about growin’ something t’be proud of!” Cider gave her chest a thump and grinned. The stallion chuckled at the display.
“Come ‘round the back and see if any of mah trees catches yer eye,” he said, turning to the back door and opening it for the mare.
Cider bowed her head as she stepped out into the orchard, her eyes widening at the crop that lay out before her. “Well ah’ll be. Ah never thought ah’d seen so many in one place.” She smiled at the stallion. “This is one heck of a crop y’all got here.”
She walked through the trees, humming at a few until she reached one. She looked up and down, and then closed her eyes as she placed a hoof against it, and just stood there like that. She hummed slightly, just leaning against the tree and smiling.
“Yup,” the crystal farmer said, nodding slightly. “Figured you’d notice that one. Young yet, but still manages to set his own records. One of the best trees I’ve raised.”
“Shh, ah’m talkin’ with him,” the mare said. If Precious thought it odd, he said nothing, just standing nearby and smiling at the sight of a foreign farmer so entranced by his work.
After a few minutes, Apple Cider nodded and stepped back. “Yeah, this one is real strong, and real stubborn. He kinda reminds me of Ledger. Iffn’ y’all wouldn’t mind. Ah choose this one. Though, ah’ll understand if y’all don’t wanna.”
“The rest of the orchard can make up for his absence,” the stallion grunted. “Got some new up-and-comers that’re tryin’ to put him to shame. Failin’, but it’s the thought that counts. Plus, I already harvested the berries for the season and sold what I can to the palace fer the Faire. Y’all can have him...but he’s gonna cost ya.”
“Ah wouldn’t have it any other way,” Cider smiled. “Let’s head back inside and let Ledger handle all that technical nonsense.”
“First though, one farmer to another. Y’wanna know how to grow ‘em and keep ‘em healthy, right?” The stallion pointed around them. From one building, to the next, to even the palace. “Noticin’ a common theme here, miss?”
“The Crystals...” Cider hummed. “Is that it? The light from the crystals?”
“Somethin’ like it,” the stallion nodded. “Don’t rightly understand it myself, but anytime anypony tries to grow any of our crops outside the city, they don’t do too well. But you bring a crystal from the city out to that same field and plant it, then the crops? They refuse to die.”
“Huh? Well ah’ll be damned,” Cider whistled as she looked over the fields again. “Well then, thank you kindly Mr. Precious.”
“Not a problem,” the farmer nodded. “Don’t bother gettin’ the cheap trinkets they sell for the faire, though. Damn things are made of scrap. I’ll see about getting you a nice, quality crystal if I can...fer the low price of a few stories, a’course.”
“Well gee, y’all sure know how to twist a mare’s hoof huh?” Apple Cider smiled and nodded. “Yeah, ah reckon ah can do that. Ah bet Ledger has quite a few of his own as well...oh, that’ll make a good one. Y’all can hear about th’ time he met mah kin.”
“I actually had a few in mind,” Growth said as the pair began trotting back to the house. “Namely, how ya learned to make the wine, what ya did with it, and what happened once it was drunk, assumin’ ya have drunk some. From what I recall, it can be one of the more potent liquors. That still true?”
“Well, ah got enough t’make four bottles. Mah cousin Applejack was the one that got me some berries, when y’all up an’ reappeared a while back.” She paused when she realised what she’d brought up. “Oh! uh, I meant no disrespect or nuthin’.”
“It’s fine,” Precious said. “We all coped with it differently. Fortunately, that...arse only had me doing what I love, ‘cause someone had to feed the city. Just...don’t bring it up around the wife. She was next in line for his...various conquests. I’m thankful y’all intervened as much as ya did, and as often.”
Cider growled at the thought of that nice mare being used like that. “Ah’ll be sure, but ah didn’t do nothin’ so no need to thank me.” She decided that a change in subject would be good and resumed their previous topic. “Anyway, ah really didn’t know anything about the berries beyond their name. So...ah just winged it really. Ah still don’t know how the wine came out as well as it did. Guess ah was jus’ lucky.”
“Mm, well, luck can explain a good few things,” Growth said with a nod. “But it still don’t explain how ya disposed of your newfound liquor, or what happened once it was.”
“Ah’m gettin’ to that,” she giggled. “It is the sweetest thing ah have ever tasted. Goes down real smooth, and has a real mild, tingly aftertaste. Can’t rightly remember what happened after I drank it alone...jus’ remember waking up on the roof of mah house.”
Growth chuckled, long and low. “Yup, that sounds about right fer a first-timer with our stuff,” the stallion eventually said. “Ya either get used to wakin’ up in weird places or build up a tolerance fer the stuff. ‘course, that takes a lifetime of drinkin’ to do…Didn’t ya say you had enough fer four bottles?”
“Yup, gave one to Applejack as thanks fer the Berries...and now that ah recall, she never did tell me what happened when she drank it.” She snorted and shook her head. “The second ah shared with Level Ledger in there. And well...” she blushed fiercely. “That led to a whole mess o’ problems and misunderstandings. It all worked out in the end though.”
“I’ve seen that face before,” Growth chuckled as the pair finally reached the house, but he didn’t move to open the door. “One inebriated night leadin’ to a new herd formin’ ain’t unusual ‘round here, miss. Just tell me if the little quill-pusher in there was a colt or a stallion about it.”
“Well, this whole herd thing was...complicated,” she said. “It ain’t heard of much in Equestria and it was actually our marefriend’s idea. The mare that Ledger was with at the time when...when ah seduced him.” Yeah, she’d really messed that one up for everypony. “But, ah think we’re happy now. At least, ah know ah am.”
“Well, at least ya learned about what not to do with the stuff,” the stallion said with a nod. “Drinkin’ alone’s no fun, but if you aren’t careful about who you drink with...anyway, I count three there. One fer your cousin, one fer your first time. One for the colt. What happened to four?”
“Our first night together, all three of us,” she smiled. “Cept that dang fool Midnight drank half the bottle. Barely bat an eye too, that girl’s got nerves of solid steel ah reckon.”
“Damn,” Precious whistled. “That takes talent. How’d you get her to stop afore she drank the whole thing?”
“Hmm, ah think we were playin’ a game?” she hummed and tilted her head. “Heh, ah can only remember what happened after...and that was fun~”
“Well I wish that colt the best of luck in dealing with the pair of you,” Precious said as he put one hoof on the doorknob. “Cause now it’s time to haggle with him over the price of my best tree, and I wanna see what sorta colt he really is.”
“Oh, now this outta be fun,” Cider giggled as she followed him in. As they returned, the paperwork had been filled and Ledger, along with the mare, were now sharing some tea.
“Oh, you two are finally back?” she said, moving her head slightly so she could kiss her husband. “Find a good tree?”
“The best ah’ve ever seen,” Apple Cider nodded. “And now the rest is up to you wondercolt.”
Ledger sipped at his tea before smirking at Cider and puckering his lips. Either he had missed her or just wanted to say ‘hello’ romantically.
“You’re so needy,” she giggled as she gave him a light kiss. She leaned in close and whispered into his ear. “You will get so much more if y’all can get that tree for me.”
“I’ll try,” Ledger whispered back as he pulled back and gave her a full-on kiss. It wasn’t like Midnight’s, but he did his best to show how much he loved his mares as best he could. She returned the gesture and they stayed like that for a few minutes, until Cider remembered where they were and pulled back, blushing heavily.
“Well, with the formalities out of the way,” Ledger said with a smile that would make any dentist wonder just how he kept his teeth that way - Cider already knew his shapeshifting was to blame, most likely - the unicorn pulled his tea back in front of him and sipped at it. “You had a tree that my marefriend here picked out.”
“Yup,” the ruby stallion nodded. “She wants my latest and greatest - fortunately, I have more up-and-comers, so no big loss fer me just yet - but it is going to cost you. And I want more than jus’ a kiss, colt.”
Ledger actually laughed at that. “Oh, I think I’m going to enjoy this,” he said once he calmed down. After two minutes of laughing, giggling, and snorting like a maniac.
Cider’s head slowly tilted sideways as several indecent thoughts ran through her head. If anything, she could be mistaken for Big Mac’s twin sister now.
“Alright, mister Growth,” Ledger said as he put his teacup down, a glint in his eyes that Cider had never seen before flashing in those green depths. “Let’s determine what this tree will cost, then.”
Once they left the farm, Ledger having a bag full of shiny new contracts, and Apple Cider having secured herself a fine Crystal Berry tree, the Earth pony was practically skipping down the road.
“Ah can’t believe it,” she giggled. “Ah finally have one. And then, ah can finally grow ‘em! And it’s all thanks to you!” she spun and grabbed the Unicorn, giving him a kiss deep enough to rival Midnight’s.
Once the pair came up for air, Ledger actually blushed a little. “Just doing my job, ma’am,” he muttered, a little embarrassed by the very public display of affection. “I’m just glad he was reasonable enough to understand that we were spending enough as-is, coming up here and spending as much time as we plan to. We didn’t need to be gouged on the price as well, and if there’s one thing I’m good at-”
She decided that he needed to be kissed again. And she was sure to put just as much passion into it as before as she stood there molesting his mouth with her tongue. Ledger only had one thing to say once the kiss broke.
“Message received, shutting up now,” the unicorn obediently said, a little love and lust-drunk.
“Good stallion,” Cider giggled. “Now what do you say to finding our wayward bat, send Scope out with some spending money...then we give that room’s soundproofin’ a real workout~?”
“We still need to eat dinner as well,” Ledger pointed out. “And I sorta did promise the stallion behind the desk that we would spend tonight sampling their fare.”
“Hmm, very well,” Cider hummed. “An’ we still need to figure out some sleepin’ arrangements. Even if Scopey get’s her own bed, that still leaves middy or mahself in the cold.”
“If Scope gets her own bed,” Ledger pointed out, “We can take hers and make the two beds into one large one. More than enough room for the three of us then.”
“Ah, you once again thought of everythin’ huh?” Cider’s ear then gave a slight twitch and she suddenly pushed Level Ledger to one side. Before he could even ask why she just shoved him, a brown blur raced past, skidding onto the ground.
“Aw, you totally ruined my surprise attack,” Midnight frowned.
“Cider, if I could afford to, I would pay you to keep ruining her surprise attacks. As it stands, you’ll have to settle for kisses,” Ledger said from his position on the ground. “Speaking of standing, would you mind?...” One hoof was raised into the air as Ledger tried to get his legs back under himself. Cider reached down and pulled him up to his hooves as Midnight trotted over, scanning the skies.
After a moment, Scope finally caught up, breathing heavily.
“You....suck...Mistress,” she panted.
“So did you two have fun?” Ledger asked.
“Yes!” Midnight beamed.
“No,” Scope replied tersely.
“I’ll take that as a maybe,” Ledger said with a cheeky smile. “Shall we go see what the hotel has in store for us regarding our new arrangements?” With those words, the stallion resumed walking back to the place they’d rented for the next few days.
“Oh?” Midnight called out. “We’re having lunch with some friends of mine tomorrow. At some place called...uh-”
“The Empress’s Platter,” Scope finished in a dry tone. Ledger whistled at the name.
“That...is a fancy place. Your friends must be pretty high-up to be able to afford lunch there. And just who is going with them? There’s more than one pony here you could be talking about.”
“All of us,” Midnight hummed. “They wanna meet the ponies that tamed Midnight Song. Apparently that’s a thing.”
“Wait, you’re tame?” Ledger asked with a perfect tone of surprise. “That’s a new one.”
“Yep, you shoulda seen me before I met you,” Midnight said with a sultry stare that could harden stallions for miles. “Now, I believe we were heading back to the hotel?” She gave a chipper whistle as she trotted down the road.
“That mare terrifies me,” Scope said as she followed her.
“And me,” Ledger said as they finally reached their destination. “Fortunately, you don’t sleep with her every night.” With a thought, the stallion held the doors open for the mares with his magic. It took them a few minutes to reach the room, but when they did...
Inside the room, against the wall next to Midnight’s bed was a finely crafted cloud bed. It looked like something straight out of a Cloudsdale catalog.
“That looks like a damn fine bed,” Ledger said, nodding his approval. “Seriously, I almost want to take it back with us. I wonder if he’d be willing to sell it…” With a shake of his head, Ledger lit his horn up again and looked at Cider. “Ready to play the bed roulette?”
Scope had flopped onto her cloud bed, smiling brightly for a moment before she rolled over to look away from them. “It’s okay I guess,” she huffed lightly.
Midnight chuckled at the cuteness as Cider nodded.
“Float away Ledger.”
“As you command, your highness,” Ledger snarked as Scope started to find her bed floating closer to the ceiling. “We’ll put you in your room and take your old bed if you don’t mind,” the unicorn informed the pegasus.
“There’s more than one room?” she asked. “Huh, then I guess I don’t have to hear you lot rutting like rabbits then.”
“You’re welcome to join in, you know,” Ledger said semi-sarcastically. “You just have to work up the courage to ask...and I just have to get over my fear of the idea,” the unicorn mumbled the last bit quite quietly.
“....” Scope just remained quiet as she buried herself inside her bed. Ledger opened her bedroom and floated the cloud bed in with her on it, before switching out what was in his magical grasp. With a bit more effort, the bed in her room started to float upwards, and Ledger let off a grunt as it did.
“What’s up Ledger? Too heavy?” Scope said. “Do you want some help, you’re not the only magic user here you know.”
“You turn into a unicorn now, you’ll fall right through your bed,” Ledger pointed out. “I’ll manage. Sometimes it’s good to have the love of more than one around.” Ledger forcibly raised his head, and the bed followed his horn. “Granted, I’m probably going to collapse into the bed once I’m done arranging them, but I can do this.”
“Drones,” Scope muttered as she lay back. “Gee, too bad there’s nobuggy that could, Oh I don’t know, teleport them?”
“I...can do this,” Ledger said. “You can try to teach me teleportation when we go back home. Remember, this is about more than comfort. Appearance is everything.” The bed had left her room by this point and was floating along back to the start of this journey.
“No, you’re just trying to be a macho drone and show off for your mares,” she poked her tongue out. “Whatever. Knock yourself out Ledgie.”
“I’ll try not to,” Ledger said before turning back to the task at hoof and finally reaching the bedroom door. With another push of magic, the beds were arranged to be comfortable for all who would be using them…
And Ledger collapsed, exhausted from doing so much for so long. Fortunately, his head hit the bed’s comforter. “Whew,” he said. He would have wiped the sweat from his brow, but he was so tired. “Maybe...it’d have been better if Cider...moved the other bed,” he ruefully admitted. “I feel like I dragged that thing...all the way here.”
“Are you okay?” Midnight blinked. “I mean, it was just a bed. Should it have really been so hard to move?”
“Not his fault,” Scope said as she entered the room. “I get the feeling that our Crystaly friend has something to do with it. Even I’ve been feeling sluggish since we got here.”
“It’s probably because...we’re getting fed a small...constant, stream of love,” Ledger pointed out. “And we’re...not used to so much. I’m just tired...because I’ve only used my magic...for paperwork and intimidation...for a year now. Constant use...like that...is tiring after...a long period of no real use.”
“I know, do you have any idea how hard it is not to channel more into my Pegasus body and make anything with a pair of wings feel really inadequate?” Scope shrugged as she sat down next to him.
“I just...need a minute to...recover,” Ledger said, raising a hoof and putting it on the bed. “For now...help please?”
“Oh?” Scope raised an eyebrow as Cider and Midnight giggled. “And what sort of help are you asking for Ledger?”
“Help getting up,” Ledger said. “I can barely move at the moment. I’m trying to convert the love into energy as fast as I can, but it’s taking its sweet time.” His other forehoof had come up to land on the bed as well.
“So, you can’t move huh?” It was said in a dangerous-sounding tone. His mares stood to one side and just watched as Scope shifted to her Unicorn form and climbed onto his chest. “Well now... I wonder what I can do to assist you hmm?”
Ledger gulped and looked from Midnight to Cider. “Um...help?” he weakly asked of the mares. “Really confused…”
“Don’t mind us, just enjoying the show,” Midnight said with a shrug.
“Eeyup,” Cider replied.
“They can’t help you Ledger,” Scope said, her face only a few inches from his own as their horns touched. “You wanna know why~?”
Ledger’s only response was to squeak. Apparently, Scope had taken very well to his...and Midnight’s...and even Cider’s occasional teasing...and was either teasing back, or being very, very serious.
Both were things to fear.
“Because I’m just screwing with you,” she smiled as her horn flashed, and Ledger found the magic inside his body being regulated, like stirring milk through a cup of coffee. After a moment, she pulled back and reverted to her true form for a moment.
“There, you should be feeling better now.”
In gratitude for what she’d both done and not done, Ledger...actually didn’t fear even her small nymph self in this moment. He decided to give the smaller ‘ling a reward, for both helping him with his fear and his magical exhaustion.
So he leaned forward and gave her a very deep and passionate kiss, like he normally did with Cider or Midnight.
Scope just sat there with wide eyes, as did Cider and Midnight. The little nymph’s wings were buzzing so hard, she eventually pulled back and shot off to the other side of the room.
“W-w-w-w-w-what the HELL?”
“That was a thank-you, or at least the start of one,” Ledger said. Then his grin turned lecherous. “I didn’t know you thought of me like that, Scope.” At her confusion, the unicorn elaborated. “While yes, the technique you used can be used to help another pony recover from magical exhaustion...it can also be used to...stimulate another before ‘bedtime’ activities begin. Or during them.”
Scope just blinked, her bright blue eyes as wide as saucers. “B-Bull, no way. All I did was regulate your magic!”
“And I appreciate that, but that’s step one to regulating my blood-flow to a certain piece of anatomy these mares apparently love,” Ledger said. “I went back and read the Pony Sutra and the works the ponies wrote around it, Scope. Specifically the tome of ‘how to magically stimulate your partner’ and ‘1001 tricks for the bedroom.’ That’s one of them.”
Midnight and Cider giggled again, this was getting good now.
“But...you KISSED me! And I’m not transformed!” Scope shook her head, this was weird. They’d been teasing her and teasing her and when she decided to tease back…
“You did a wonderful thing for me Scope,” Ledger said simply. “You cared. I don’t...think I’ll be afraid of you anymore. We may need to test that, but I think your form...isn’t scary.”
“But you didn’t ASK!” she yelled at him, before putting a hoof to her traitorous mouth.
“My apologies,” Ledger said sincerely as he shifted back to normal and bowed in Scope’s general direction. “May this drone have the privilege of kissing you in thanks, Lady Lens?”
Scope turned the most delectable shade of scarlet and looked at Cider and Midnight for help. Surely they wouldn’t let this continue?
“What do you think Cider?” Midnight said. “On one hoof, this is the debacle with you all over again.”
“An’ on the other, this is also waaay too cute to interrupt,” Cider hummed. “Decisions, decisions.”
“You guys suck!” Scope groaned. She looked at Ledger again, he was right there! All she had to do was say one simple word. But what if he was just getting back at her? What if this was just the next level of his teasing? The stupid drone was impossible to read, even if she could sense his damned emotions.
“I....I....” she looked around again and then back to that irritating, nerve-grating, snarky, adorable drone. “Fine!”
With that, Ledger stood up, scooped her up, and gave her another, lighter kiss. He even put in a little emotion into it. Love from the Heart...and his own, apparently. Scope blushed as she returned the kiss, even if she would deny it profusely afterwards.
It was still enough to get lost in the moment... She couldn’t help her pheromones flaring up like that...She felt the drone’s instinctive panic, before he settled back down once he realized that yes, she was using pheromones, but she was not the figure from his past.
Eventually, the kiss broke, and Ledger kept holding the nymph close, hugging her. “So, I take it I am forgiven for my impudence?” Ledger asked playfully.
“Whatever,” Scope pouted as she looked away. It didn’t really hide the small smile on her muzzle though.
“Ohh, do we get to play with her now?” Midnight asked, her tail wagging slightly.
“Leave it until she asks for it,” Ledger said as he shifted back into a Unicorn. “For now, dinner calls.”