//------------------------------// // Mare Talk // Story: World of Ponies: A Collection of Days // by ShadowWalking18 //------------------------------// Fluttershy slid herself gently into the hot waters of the spa's hot spring. The wide pool was designed that as one slid further into the pool, the water's temperatures began to rise with the warmest at the edges and the center being near scalding hot. "Oh this is simply lovely," Rarity moaned in delight, as the waters warmed her body, "These natural spring waters are said to have minerals that will simply do wonders for our complexions." "Can't say I see the difference," Applejack said, stretching her hooves up as she slid further into the water, "But this sure does feel mighty fine to these barkin’ dogs." “Eh, it's just hot water." Rainbow Dash said, placing her arms behind her head and leaning back against the edge of the pool. "Actually, it's water that's locked deep below the ground, and leaking up from a natural fissure all the while being warmed by the heat beneath the crust of the earth." Twilight noted, looking up from a book she had with her, a spell on it to prevent the water from ruining the book. "I think it's great!" Pinkie shouted in enjoyment, before dunking her head under water and holding it there for a time before popping up with a splash, "Weee!" "Ugh, Miss Pie, must you splash about," Rarity complained, "and while some of you might not understand the benefits of these waters, I think you must see it Fluttershy darling." Fluttershy felt all her friends eyes on her now, and she hid in her mane some, sinking into the water further. Even after all these years, she never could stand being at the center of attention. "Um, well it is nice, um, " Fluttershy stuttered, "And I-it did say on the brochure the waters are healthy for you." Starlight wiped at her mane, having been splashed by Pinkie during her play, “It was nice for you to invite us all as your guests Fluttershy. This place is really marvelous.” "I still can't believe you won this trip. Nopony never wins those grand prizes." Rainbow Dash said. Fluttershy blushed, thinking back to the events. She had gone into town to buy some groceries and had seen one of the stands throwing a competition. The aim was to roll a wheel fast enough and depending on the type of colored bead that came out, you won a prize. Mostly ponies were rolling out a red bead, and winning a pack of tissues. Fluttershy normally wouldn't partake, out of fear of all those eyes watching her, judging her! But maybe it was the bracelet on her hoof that gave her courage, and the feeling she could do anything. So, once she had waited for other ponies to play, and saw a pattern to the game, she stepped up and took a chance at the roll. She had expected to get a red bead like everypony else, and frankly she might have preferred it. But when the gold bead came out, well Fluttershy had been glad when she finally escaped all the shocked eyes, with a two day pass for her and a group to Equestria's most expensive and gorgeous health spa. Naturally she wanted to bring Castus and the girls with her, but Castus had been unable to come due to some problems in the Empire that needed his help with. Azure and Moonlight were glad to come, and Fluttershy felt it would be a great chance to bond. And of course she was also able to bring her friends along as well and their sisters as well. The whole trip became a sort of Girls Weekend trip for them all. At the beginning they had all been together, but as the night came the younger girls had either gone to sleep or were back in their rooms. Leaving time for just the adults to talk and relax. It had been awhile since Fluttershy and her friends had been able to have time like this to themselves. In the last few years their respective careers had made it difficult to plan such a thing. Her hoof went to the spot where the bracelet had been, she had wanted to wear it and the necklace both with her, but Rarity had told her it would be safer to leave them with her clothes in the changing room, just to prevent the heat of the water from damaging them or prevent from losing them without her knowing. "Hmm, thinking about someone darling?" Rarity asked, looking at Fluttershy's hoof. "What? Uh, well...maybe." Fluttershy blushed, sinking further into the water. "Oh don't be bashful darling," Rarity said, coming over to her friend and easing her back up, "I think it's simply romantic. It's clear that Castus really cares about you." Fluttershy smiled, and yet she could not help but feel a sense of doubt in the back of her mind. Why did Castus care about her so much? She knew he loved her. There was no doubt in that. But why, what did he see in her? Fluttershy found herself looking at her friends, as they talked, and silently began comparing herself to them. There was Rarity. Absolutely gorgeous. Shapely, curved and elegant, with the personality of a Canterlot noble lady. Out of their all their group, Rarity was most certainly the most stunning, and practically had stallions tripping over themselves when she wanted them too. Her business was profitable and expanding further and further and becoming one of the top five fashion designers in Equestria. Then there was Applejack. Honest. Strong. Her body was tone from the work in the orchard. And while she had only ever heard of it, she understood that when Applejack wanted she could act like a regular Manehatten debutant. Rainbow Dash. Her best friend, for as long as the two of them could remember. She was everything that Fluttershy felt she never could be. Independent. Assertive and not scared of anything. Her body was lithe and athletic from all her races and training as an official member of the Wonderbolts. Twilight was a princess and an alicorn. She knew that she and Castus would meet to discuss magic, or science or history. She had sat with them once to join in their discussions, and not even halfway through she had been completely lost while they spoke. Twilight was cute, and her bookish personality was endearing. And of course Starlight herself was as much of a scholar as Twilight. Plus her figure was just as eye drawing as Rarity’s. But from what she understood, Starlight was seeing her old friend Sunburst. Then there was Pinkie Pie. She was funny, giddy, and excitable. Always ready to laugh and with a joke to spread the laughter. And her entire figure, curvy, even with her entire diet of sugar, she never gained more weight, and what weight she did have seemed to only accent her figure more. Especially her flank. Pinkie could be rather, surprising at times, especially when she once hugged both her and Castus into her breasts, nearly suffocating them both. She still didn't understand why she was doing that now. "Fluttershy? Fluttershy!" Fluttershy blinked, looking up and seeing Rainbow Dash in front of her face. Her friend looked at her confused. "Oh, I-I'm sorry. I was...well I guess I just got a little lost in thought." Fluttershy said, blushing. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and moved to sit beside her friend, sending a small ripple of water over her shoulders as the fellow Pegasai slumped down next to her, "Geez, you had me worried a moment. Anyway, I was asking if you wanted a drink?" Rainbow Dash offered out a small cup, that looked like a tiny bowl, and held up a small white jug. The others also had similar cups, and pouring the contents of a similar jug into the cups. "U-Um, wh-what is it?" Fluttershy asked. "Eh, some Kirin drink from overseas." Rainbow Dash said, pouring a clear liquid into the bowl, "Come on, drink up. We are suppose to be relaxing." "It's called ‘sake’, Rainbow Dash." Twilight said, sipping from her cup, "though I've never tried it before." She said in a strained voice as she fought down a cough. "It does have a rather exotic taste to it." Rarity said, sipping her cup as well, her more refined tastes better preparing her for the drink’s bite. “It’s,” Starlight coughed as she took a drink, “it’s definitely unique.” "Tastes kinda plain ta me. Nothing like a good hard cider." Applejack said, swirling her cup around. “Sore wa ikutsu ka no yoi sakedesu!” Pinkie said, downing an entire cup and pouring a second, then a third. “...Say what now?” “Just read the subtitles, Appurujakku.” The girls stared silently at Pinkie Pie with confused expressions. Rainbow Dash with a shrug, suspended it as she offered a cup and bottle to her yellow friend. “Sooooooo Flutters, sake, no sake? "Oh uh well....maybe one drink." Fluttershy said, bringing the drink to her mouth. "So, Fluttershy darling," Rarity started, setting her cup down beside her as she brushed her mane back a bit, "tell us, what is life like with Castus? You two have been together for awhile now, two adorable daughters. But what is life like now?" Fluttershy blushed, "Oh well, i-it is different back when I lived alone. Waking up next to somepony every morning is rather nice and it makes you feel so warm inside. He is caring and always is willing to help, even when he has so much to do himself. He will even stay up late when the girls are having a hard time getting to sleep to read to them. But other times he can be rather silly. One time, Fuzzy Legs had come up with our breakfast as a surprise, and when Castus woke up the first thing he saw was a big spider right near his face; he woke up the whole house when he screamed." Fluttershy giggled, remembering the moment. The girls joined in, laughing. "So, the big bad human mage is afraid of spiders?" Rainbow Dash chuckled, "I'll have to remember that." "Oh, I wouldn't say afraid," Fluttershy said, "though, maybe a bit terrified." Fluttershy smiled, thinking on it all as she took another sip of her drink, before frowning, "But sometimes, even when he seems happy I can tell he has a lot on his shoulders. He puts a lot of blame on himself from the war, and he refuses to talk about it. Sometimes it is so aggravating." "Don't fret over it so much sugarcube. That's how stallions are. Pony or human I guess." Applejack said knowingly, "just let ‘im know ya'll be there fer him and he'll tell you eventually." Fluttershy smiled, giving Applejack a nod. "Well it is good to see you are happy dear. Though I a curious, how is Castus? I mean, how is he?" Rarity asked, looking away a bit with a slight flush. "How is he?" Fluttershy asked. "You know....intimately?" Rarity asked. Fluttershy blinked, then her face went bright red when she realized what Rarity was asking. "O-oh, u-um w-w-well uh...oh my." Fluttershy stammered. "Oh don't be bashful darling. We are all mares here, you can tell us. It is a rather important topic after all." Rarity said, taking another sip of sake. Fluttershy’s mind went into a frenzy. On the one hoof she was absolutely flustered that she was even being asked this. On the other hoof, part of her felt...thrilled. She had wanted to talk to her friends about this matter but was unsure how to bring it up, and low and behold the opportunity happened to fall right into her lap. But could she really go through with it? “W-well, h-he's...nice.” She mentally kicked herself for being so generic almost to the point she felt it was kind of hurtful to her stallion’s reputation. “Nice?” Chirped Dash as she slugged another cup full down. “Y-yes, very...passionate and…re-ceptive?” It was then that the butter mare realized she was more than a bit out of her depth. “Receptive’ huh?” Chuckled Applejack as she poured herself another cup. “Well, no offense to Castus or yerself, sugarcube, but I'll keep mah stallions of the equine persuasion.” “Ahh yes, Applejack how is the Lieutenant?” Rarity teased causing the apple filly to sputter her drink and turn to the fashionista with a blushing glare. This elicited a round of chuckles from the gathered friends, and put Fluttershy at ease, now that the focus was taken off her. “Anyhow,” the orange mare said pointedly, “Alls ah'm sayin’ is; a filly don't grow up raisin humans on a farm without seeing some...tools, every now and again.” She said blushing a bit more prominently. “And if we're bein honest, I think our boys have a bit of an ‘advantage’.” “That's true, the human male phallus is proportionally smaller than an equine stallion’s, even with the height difference.” Spouted Twilight expertly before she realized what she saying. “T-though it's not by that much! I’d say it's on average seventy percent as big. Not that I researched that! I-it's common zoology! Well, biology. Anatomy. Somepony, please talk so that I stop!” “Why?” Smirked Rainbow, as she tried to contain her laughter. “This is hilarious!” Another round of laughter followed certainly louder this time as the mares laughed at the madly blushing Princess’ expense. After a while the laughter subsided once more and Rarity reached for the bottle from the Multi-hued speedster. “So, dear your love life is doing well then?” “Oh yes.” The butter mare said with a start as the conversation switched back to her. “It's a very satisfying and loving. Though lately we have to be a bit more discreet, you know with the girls.” “Yeah,” Rainbow remarked slyly with noticeably rosie cheeks,” I had you pegged for a screamer.” Another bout of giggles ensued, Fluttershy among them in spite of herself. She tried to stifle her giggles with a hoof but found it pointless as they continued to slip out. No doubt the drink they were passing probably had something to do with that. She had to admit, she kinda liked it. After a moment she composed herself and put her cup down. “Well, it can be a wild seven minutes.” She added with a remnant giggle only to be met by silence. “Seven...minutes?” Piqued Twilight, her eyes wide, her book slipping from her hooves and was now currently floating it's way to the bottom of the pool. Looking around Fluttershy saw that her friends were looking at her in a way that she couldn't quite place. Shock? Fluttershy looked around at her friends, and shrank slightly into the water at their stares. Oh dear, had she said something wrong?! “F-Fluttershy, darling, are you saying that...when you and Castus are...being close, he lasts for seven minutes?” Rarity’s own eyes had the expression of shock and disbelief. Fluttershy worried she had said something wrong, and quickly stammered as she tried fix the situation. “Oh-uhhhhh yes. But it's okay sometimes he can last twice as long if we...you know...go again.” “Go again?!” “Twice as long?!” Fluttershy flinched a bit from the shouts of surprise, "U-uh y-yes, one time we went for at least an hour." "What!?" The girls shouted. "Y-yes," Fluttershy said, "I-is that bad?" The girls all went silent, and they all looked at each other, slight blushes on their faces. "N-no," Starlight said, "That's...it's just surprising is all." "Y-yeah, don't fret sugarcube," Applejack chuckled uneasily. Fluttershy smiled slightly, "O-oh, okay. I was worried I said something wrong." "Oh it isn't wrong at all dear." Rarity assured her friend. "Though it's definitely unfair." Rainbow Dash mumbled. Fluttershy blinked, "U-unfair? Why?" This innocent question was met with the same silence as before until the Applejack coughed awkwardly and explained in the best way she could. “Well...Sometimes, when a mare is ‘workin’’ with her stallion, he-well, not all the time mind you,” she refused to make eye contact with anypony present and seemed very interested in the cup she fiddled between her hooves. “Sometimes he brings his cows home...before you're done...paintin’ the barn.” This explanation only proved to confound the already confused pegasus, as her expression followed suit. “That isn't to say they don't do a good job, or they aren't...helping.” Starlight jumped in, a sense of agreement falling over the other mares present. “Of course,” Rarity concurred, it's just that sometimes…” She seemed to know the words but didn't want to come out with it. “Girls; help.” “The Race seems to be over before the bang goes off.” Chimmed in a somewhat sullen Rainbow Dash whose reddened face matched a few strands of her multihued mane. “I-I still don't…” “Shometimes yah gotta sshay ‘kloppit’and Buck yourself!” Slurred an equally red faced Pinkie who seemed to be having issue holding up her head. “PINKIE!” The other mares responded all now completely red in the face. “Wwaaaaaaah-tever, I'm drunk already, hee-hee(-hic)! Pinkie's slumped against the edge of the pool, her head lulling back as she giggled, an occasional hic up every so often. "Ugh, Pinkie. You are such a light weight." Rainbow Dash groaned, rubbing her head before chuckling. "Um, Twilight, perhaps you can best explain it?" Rarity asked. "Twilight?" Rarity said again, "Twilight?" Twilight stayed absolutely silent, her entire position still as it had been when her book had slipped from her hooves. Twilight was lost in her thoughts, and was finding herself in a conflict with herself. All of them centered around a single person. Castus. Since they started their weekly meetings and scholastic discussions, and she had come to greatly enjoy their time together. They shared an equal interest in magic and history. She had come to look forward to their weekly meetings, but as time had gone on she had started feeling not just excitement to discuss magic or science, but she had found that she more then anything started looking forward to seeing Castus himself. And in this, came her conflict. Originally, she had just assumed her excitement had been from merely her friendship with the man. Her respect for his knowledge and academic mind. At least, that is what she had told herself. But now? Now she was not so sure, if that had been the case. Learning of how long a human stallion, uh man, could last. And in part, learning of the love life of her two friends, Twilight felt a mix of wonder, and jealousy that she felt ashamed to admit feeling. Learning how long Castus could last, brought back a memory of when he had shown her the intensity of the magical energies known as the Wind. The magic had nearly made her catatonic, as her mind and body was lost in what she could only describe as a primal power unlike anything that unicorns or alicorns had. Her body had felt on fire, and while it had been painful it had been a pain that had been masked by unimaginable sensations of pleasure that had caused her body to react in multiple ways. Even after it had ended, she had wanted nothing more then to drag Castus to the ground and violate him in every possible way and let him do the same. And now, learning this and recalling that, she was starting to wish she had. And felt ashamed that she felt jealous of Fluttershy because she could do what she knew she couldn't. 'I shouldn't feel this way though. She is my friend, and she has finally found somepony, someone, who makes her happy. She deserves to have that without any trouble.' Twilight thought, trying to banish the negative feelings. She should be happy for Fluttershy. She had a wonderful stallion. One who could hold her when she was sad. Who cared for her. Took care of her. Could wake up next to every morning. And never have to fall asleep alone every night. "Stop it!" Twilight shouted, splashing the water. "Ahh!" The girls shouted, stepping back from the outburst. "Oh, we are sorry darling. But we were worried. You were so quiet." Rarity said. Twilight blinked, "N-no, I shouldn't have yelled. I'm sorry." "Oh, don'tcha fret Twi," Applejack said, placing her hoof on her friends shoulder before adding, "I think we've all just 'ad too much of this sake stuff. Whats say we call it a night?" "Hmmm, yes I suppose. While this water is so delightful, I'll start to prune if I stay in any longer." Rarity said, getting out of the water and wrapping her towel about her form, her magic to wrap another towel about her mane. Applejack and Rainbow Dash both had to help Pinkie out, whose constant giggling and motion was making it hard to get her towel around her. "Hehehehe, hey," Pinkie giggled, "That tickles." Pinkie giggled, before her head lulled back and her whole body went limp in Rainbow Dash's hooves. Snores replacing her giggles. "Gah, Pinkie wake up. AJ, give me a hoof." Dash complained as she tried to keep her friend up. AJ chuckled, shaking her head, as she helped Rainbow Dash carry Pinkie out. The girls went into the changing room, where they dried themselves and Pinkie off, before switching into their robes and headed back to their rooms. As each of them left their group to go to their rooms, soon only Twilight and Fluttershy remained, as their rooms were right next to each other. "The girls seem to be asleep." Fluttershy said with a warm smile, hearing the faint sound of snoring from within as she pressed her ear to the door. "Your definitely a great mother Fluttershy," Twilight said, smiling, "I'm glad you found happiness. I'm glad to know Castus makes you happy." Fluttershy smiled, "Yes, it is wonderful. But you know, sometimes its me that takes care of him." "What do you mean?" Twilight asked, curious. Twilight's question made Fluttershy think back on moments of her life with Castus. How some nights, she would wake up to the sounds of him crying. Sometimes because of his family back on his world, how he never got to say goodbye. How he couldn't see them any more. And other times, he wouldn't say anything; only cry. All she could do was hold him, and whisper to him till his tears passed. "Well, just like Castus is there to protect me. I'm there to protect him. As long as we are both there for each other, I know that no matter what we will always be happy." Fluttershy said. Twilight blinked, before giving a slight frown, "It sounds rather nice. I....hope one day I can feel that way as well." Fluttershy looked at her friend confused, "Twilight?" "Uh, well good night. See you and the girls at breakfast." Twilight said, smiling as she turned to enter her room. Fluttershy opened her mouth to say something, but Twilight was in her room before she could. "U-uh, yes. See you at breakfast." Fluttershy said to nopony, before slowly entering her room and sliding into her bed. In the other room, the lights off and surrounded by darkness, Twilight slipped out of her robe. She slid herself slowly into her bed, under the covers, and rested her head on her pillow. Despite the warmth surrounding her, she felt a slight shiver, and curled her legs up and pulled the covers tighter around her. She turned, gazing at the empty side of her bed. A stabbing pain in her heart, made her clutch her pillow and tried her best to banish thoughts of a young man crawling into bed with her, and wrapping his warm arms about her form in the night. Just like he did with the mare next door to her almost every night. 'I'm a horrible friend.' Twilight thought, clutching her eyes tight, turning again and fighting to get to sleep.