When faced with a difficult choice, how were decisions normally made? With a list of pros and cons, of course.
The cons were obvious. Velvet knew Runic personally, he knew Silent, and Silent knew Crystal. That defeated the whole purpose of secrecy in the first place!
The pros, on the other hoof, were also hard to ignore. As long as it was sold in the store, it was likely to be the best of its kind, and Runic had never shown an interest in gossip. He was eccentric, but not untrustworthy.
Velvet groaned and rubbed both hooves against her temples. She had an hour to pick a direction. The Phial and Filly, Greenwall's Pharmacy, or Canterlot Value Store?
Think. Think, think, think. Make a choice.
She slowly stood up as a long sigh was dragged out of her. The choice had been made long before she sat down on the bench just outside the Phial and Filly. Wandering aimlessly had landed her at the front door, wandering purposefully had brought her back, and sitting down sealed the deal.
The door chime made of rocks clattered against the frame as she entered and her coat stood on end when Runic looked at her. Crabapples. She had hoped maybe that surly pegasus fellow would be working the register, but no, the universe had other plans.
"Hey, Velvet!" he called. "Out of shampoo already?"
Velvet replied in a suspiciously squeaky voice, "Nope! Fine! Browsing!"
Runic smiled in apparent or polite ignorance. "Okay. Let me know if you need anything. Or just want to chat. It's been a slow day."
"Okay." Velvet tried to look casual as she walked down an aisle, gaze darting about. Her legs felt like wooden splints were tied to them. Her knees refused to bend properly. Her muscles seized up with nerves.
Shampoo, conditioner, volumizer, curl remover, curl enhancer, coat shine, hoof polish, wrinkle reducer, tail lifter… Lotions, creams, serums, and potions of all kinds. And not anything for family planning in sight.
Velvet went through the maternity aisle that featured prenatal oils as well as the foals' section of bubble baths. She even checked under the tables. When she had searched the store from wall to wall, floor to ceiling, she arrived at the register with dread in her soul.
Runic smiled. "Having trouble?"
"Nope!" Velvet squeaked. She coughed, cleared her throat, and glanced around. Mercifully, the only other customer had already left. "I, uh, I'm looking for a potion."
"Well, you're in the right place!" Runic spread his hooves wide. "Those are my specialty!"
Velvet's nose twitched. "Yup. I'm looking for a particular potion."
"What is it? If I don't have it, I'm sure I can have something for you by the end of the week." He leaned against the counter.
Deep breaths. Stay calm. Don't act like it's weird. It's not weird, right? Ponies buy this sort of thing. It's normal. "I think you already have it."
"Oh, great! How much is it?" His hoof reached over to the register, hovering above the buttons.
"I don't know." Her mouth was dry. Why was it dry? Her lips were dry, too.
Runic nodded. "No problem. Just bring it up and I'll ring it up!"
What was it called again? Anti-foal serum? Pregnancy prevention? Wait, no. "Planning," she blurted out.
Runic stared at her a moment, but his smile never faltered. His hovering hoof returned to rest on the counter and he shrugged. "Oh, okay. Well, just let me know when you're done planning!"
Velvet gave a quick shake of her head. "N-No, I want the planning potion. You know. To plan."
His brow knitted just slightly. "What? But that's still experimental."
What?! No! Experimental Runic potions were dangerous! She took a few steps back, but before she could speak, he continued, "The results have been iffy. Sometimes it gives me lots of forward thought and I can plan out my whole day in about fifteen minutes. Sometimes it just tastes like grape juice. One time it made me forget what I had for breakfast. Turned out, I hadn't had anything, but I forgot that!"
"Huh?" Velvet stopped and her ears fell flat to the sides. "No, I'm talking about the planning potion."
"Right?" He tilted his head. "Me, too."
"No! The—" She sucked in a breath before clenching her eyes shut and saying as quickly as she could, "The potion to prevent pregnancy. The pregnancy prevention planning potion."
"Oh! Why didn't you say so?" He leaned under the counter, rustled around whatever was back there, and resurfaced with a potion in hoof. It had a nondescript label with some kind of symbol on it that she hoped to Celestia meant something to him. "I have to keep them back here. I got in trouble with a mare whose foal asked her what it was. Apparently she wasn't ready to have that talk yet."
Velvet glanced between the potion in his hoof and his casual smile. "That's it? Are you sure?"
Runic nodded as he slid the potion across the counter to her. "Yup! Oh, wait." He pulled it back. "What flavor did you want?"
The question sent her stomach on a topsy-turvy ride and she tried to say calmly, "Not mint. Anything but mint."
"Sure! Well, this one is raspberry. It's the second most popular." He started to ring it up as if it were a bottle of shampoo or something not awkward at all.
There were popular flavors? Seriously? She glanced at the bottle. "What's the most popular?"
"Mint, for some reason! I guess mares like having fresh breath."
Her dinner threatened a second visit and she clenched her eyes shut, shaking her head. She groaned under her breath, "Why did I ask?"
The register chimed and he looked at her. "That all for today?"
"Yes." She winced. "No."
He tilted his head to the side, ears flopping. "Which is it?"
Velvet put a hoof on her face and groaned out, "Runic, this has to be a secret."
"A secret?" He leaned in, expression going serious—or, at least, serious for him. "I can keep a secret. What is it?"
"This." She gestured at the potion. "I never bought this."
He nodded slowly. "Right. Because you haven't paid for it yet."
"What? No—" Even she had to laugh a little at that. She shook her head, dropped the amount of bits the register displayed on the counter, and tucked the potion into her satchel. "I want you to keep it a secret that I bought this. Especially from Crystal."
After staring at her for a moment with a curious frown, he smiled and nodded. "Okay! I can do that. Should I keep it a secret from anypony else, or just Crystal?"
Velvet fought back the urge to roll her eyes. "Everypony! It should be a secret from everypony. Okay?"
He blinked. "'Okay' what?"
"Do you understand?" She glanced out the large windows at the front of the store. It was getting dark; she needed to go soon.
"Understand what?"
She looked back to see a coltish grin on his face, one hoof tapping the side of his muzzle. "Are you being cheeky with me right now?"
"No idea what you're talking about!" He raised the hoof to salute. "I know nothing! Have a good day, Velvet-who-bought-nothing-today!"
Oh, she really, really hoped this hadn't been a mistake. She smiled as best she could and hurried to the door. "Bye, Runic!"
Retrieving a hat from her satchel and putting it on, she walked with as much confidence as she could toward the palace. Thunder Tumble lived on base, which meant there were a lot of chances for her to be seen. But she had the Sunridge Sweets delivery cap and a box of cupcakes in her bag—which also had the bakery's logo on it.
She was just a delivery mare. Nopony would think twice. Who didn't order cupcakes? Everypony ordered cupcakes!
The plan rumbled around in her head as she thought it over one more time. She'd show up, be invited in, explain things so she didn't end up with a second Dawn, and go from there. Tumble had wanted to woo and court her… She started to frown, her pace slowing.
Was this a mistake? He was looking for a relationship. Had she been clear enough at the bakery? What had she even said? Oh, crabapples, why was this so complicated?
Sucking in a breath, she pressed onward, the main gates of Canterlot's Royal Guard base coming into view. It was too late now; she had already messed with his feelings enough as it was to then stand him up. The least she could do was go on a date with him, if that's really what he wanted, and then say she didn't think it would work out.
When she passed through the main gates, her gaze darted about to seek out the housing building she was looking for. Just a minute or two more and she'd be at his door. She really hoped that he would be up for a tumble in the sheets and nothing more. That would make things so much easier on her.
Velvet waited a moment to prepare herself—and ensuring that the number matched the one on the order sheet—before knocking on the door. She licked her lips to ensure they were moist and inclined her head to catch the light in her eyes. It was a trick Crystal had taught her a long time ago.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, the door opened and she did everything she could not to laugh. Thunder Tumble was wearing a little bowtie. Well, she supposed that did constitute as 'appropriate attire'.
"Delivery for Mr. Tumble," she said, swishing her tail to draw his attention there. "Pink velvet cupcakes with extra frosting. Do you want me to bring them in for you?"
Tumble's mouth flapped open a few times before he swallowed, nodded, and stepped to the side. "I, uh, yes, please?"
"Thanks." She pranced inside, brushing her shoulder against his chest. Then she froze and glanced around. "You don't have a roommate, do you?" she hissed under her breath.
Tumble closed the door and turned to her. His wings were tight against his sides and his ears were perked straight up. "I do, but he's out for the night." He rubbed a hoof against the back of his neck, gaze darting away. "I told him that I had some family dropping in on short notice and wanted to stay here, so he bailed."
"Ooh, so the model guard told a lie?" She slipped the bag off, tossed her hat to the side, and stepped up to him. "Naughty colt."
His face turned bright red. "I-I, uh, I—" He swallowed and put a hoof on her chest, pushing just enough to put a bit of distance between them. "Look, before this goes any further, we need to talk."
Velvet glanced between his hoof and him, her brow raised. "Okay?"
"I don't know a lot about you. I just know that you seemed interested, and… I was willing to give it a shot." He shifted from one hoof to the other. "I can't do a long-term relationship. I have a lot of career plans, and—"
She smiled as excitement fluttered in her chest. Had she said he was perfect earlier? Well, he was even more perfect now. She put a hoof on his lips and hushed him softly. "Stud, I don't want a relationship at all. If you want to have some fun, then we can play together." She patted his cheek. "Sound good?"
He blinked a few times. "Really? It's that easy?"
"Do you want it to be more complicated?"
With a quick shake of his head, he replied, "I'd really prefer it to not be complicated at all, actually. With my schedule and my plans, I've not really had any time for mares, so… Easy sounds good."
"Great. Easy it is." She peered up at him, batting her lashes. "So, stud, how do you want to do this?"
"I, uh—I hadn't thought that far ahead?" His wings twitched and he laughed breathlessly.
Velvet eyed him from head to hoof before she gestured at the bunks against the far wall. "All right, then. Go make yourself comfortable and I'll get ready." She watched him as he hesitated before doing as he was told.
Her heart started to race as she rummaged through her bag and fished out the potion. This was really happening. Her hooves trembled, nearly fumbling with the cork. The smell of raspberries and a hint of something unpleasantly chemical hit her nose. She did her best not to react, instead mustering all of her resolve. Well, it was too late now. Bottoms up!
From the bed, Tumble gave a nervous laugh. "Looks like you came prepared, huh?"
Velvet smacked her lips, unable to keep from scrunching her nose. "Yeah. I also brought, uh, other stuff. But we can deal with that in a minute." She walked over, pulled herself up onto the bunk, and traced his form with her gaze.
He shifted under the weight of her stare, his cheeks turning red. "S-So…"
Heat coursed through her veins as she thought of all the things she wanted him to do to her. He looked like he was waiting for her to make a move, however, and she was in no mood to take charge. "Tumbler." She stretched out on the bed next to him. "It's been a while since you've been with somepony, right?"
He flinched and glanced away. "Yeah."
"And you've been spending the past, like, months thinking I was interested in you, right?"
His gaze returned to hers, albeit hesitantly. "Yeah?"
"Surely you've"—she trailed a hoof along his chest, lowering her voice to a sultry tone—"had some fantasies about me?"
He swallowed. "Y-Yeah?"
She rolled onto her back with what little space there was between him and the wall. "Pick one and go with it, handsome. I'm all yours tonight."
There was only one more moment of hesitation before Tumble's reservations faded away and the stallion took over from there.
---
"Wow," Tumble murmured, his chest rising and falling with each erratic breath. Sweat clung to his coat, darkening the hue of the normally straw-colored yellow. "Wow."
Velvet stared at the ceiling while tingles of pleasure continued to course through her veins. It was a state of euphoria beyond fireworks. She felt like she could do anything at that moment, but all she wanted to do was lie there and enjoy the sensation. "Seconded."
Tumble turned his head to look at her through half-lidded eyes, his breath hot on her cheek. "I—I had no idea a pony could bend like that."
"Oh, yeah." Velvet tried to laugh, but the sound came out more as a strangled breath. "Perks of being a ballerina." She nudged his side with her elbow. "Not so bad yourself. You kept up pretty good for a pony who's been without for a while…"
"Perks of being a guard," he teased. With a small grunt, he pushed himself upright and glanced over at a door set against one wall. "I'm gonna take a bath…" He looked at her, hesitating.
Velvet leaned in toward him and nuzzled his chest, breathing in the smell of stallion, sweat, and sex. It was a delicious combination. "Sounds good. I'll join you."
Tumble slipped down from the bunk, a couple flaps of his wings keeping his fall controlled, then he offered a hoof to her. "It's not a very big tub."
"I'm not a very big mare." She eyed the hoof, shrugged, and accepted his help. Her legs did seem a little wobbly, and she did feel kind of lightheaded.
He guided her over to the door which, unsurprisingly, led to a small bathroom. It was pretty standard, with only the bare necessities and no personal touches. While he started the bath, she sat on the edge of the tub, her back propped up against the wall.
"So, uh, how is your new job at the Royal Ballet?" he asked, glancing at her.
Velvet waved an idle hoof. "It's tough, but great." She yawned and tilted her head back. "What about you? What big career plans do you have?"
There was a pause. Perhaps he was considering whether or not she was being sincere. Or perhaps he was just focused on the temperature of the bathwater. Either way, she was content to just sit there.
"My family works at the weather factory in Cloudsdale," he finally started. "None of them are really military-minded. I wanted to do something different, so I went to the guard academy. I… I did okay, I guess. I got posted as an archive guard in Canterlot Palace. It's more of a ceremonial job than anything else."
Velvet's ear flicked. She lolled her head to the side to see the bath filling up, so she slipped into the hot water. Carefully, Tumble stepped into the tub, shifting until he found a comfortable position where they faced each other. It was a little cramped, but she didn't mind.
"So, well, I thought that's all I was good for. I guess I got complacent. I forgot about the whole 'wanting to be different' motivation and just… did my job. Day in and day out. Then the changeling attack happened. I did what I could to help, and then I met Silent Knight."
A smile crossed Tumble's face. It was a sweet smile, actually.
"He's really something, you know? He's not complacent. He took charge and made a difference when the lieutenant at the time did nothing. It made me remember who I wanted to be. I want to be a pony that makes a difference. I don't know how yet, or where it'll happen, so I'm trying to be open to any opportunity that might come my way."
Velvet gazed at him for a moment while the hot water coaxed her muscles into a state of relaxation. "Good for you, then. Glad something good came out of the changeling attack." Finally, after some thought, she asked, "So your parents work at the weather factory? The one that makes rainbows?"
Tumble blinked, then nodded. "Yeah?"
"What do they make rainbows out of, anyway?" she mused as she sunk down lower into the tub to feel more of the hot water, grinning at the way he blushed when that put them in closer quarters.
"Oh." He cleared his throat. "It's kind of a secret, but, well, ponies."
"What?!" She jolted upright, the water sloshing in the tub from the sudden movement. "Are you serious?!"
He burst into a short bout of laughter and shook his head. "Of course not! That would be insane! No, rainbows are made out of liquefied gems that are sprayed into a mist."
She eyed him suspiciously before settling back down. "I'm onto you, Tumbler. Under that sweet, blushing exterior, you're just as twisted as the rest of us, aren't you?"
He just laughed again.
i liked that
Rainbow factory is creepy though
D'awwww... looks like some ponies had some fun. ;)
I'd say the pharmacy, Runic probably wouldn't gossip, but I'm not sure I'd trust that he wouldn't mention it absentmindedly at some point.
Oooo, or live adventurously and go with the Phial and Filly.
Well, raspberry is a pretty good flavor, as long as it isn't medicine style flavor that never really tastes as advertised.
I have full confidence in this plan.
I highly approve of the bowtie.
Huh. Well from Velvet's perspective that's basically perfect.
Victory for zero attachment shipping! (Though really, I feel like I'm stretching the definition of shipping at this point. Friendshipping with benefits? Friends with benefiting? Am I really just cheering that Velvet simply got laid again, just finally with the character I've been rooting for? Possibly.)
Heh, turns out stallions (and ballerinas!) work out pretty well after all. And with that conversation ending out the chapter, maybe more of a friendship could develop out of this arrangement, too.
A chapter titled Making Faces and not a Red in sight.
Weeeell, that happened. Hopefully the potion worked Funny Rainbow Factory reference
This. Get untangled Velvet.
That rainbow factory joke was so great Crystal you horrid woman, and Runic sworn to secrecy hehe. and yeah that title and no Red?
Well...Velvet got a potion and had some fun with a stallion. Sure hope that potion works...
Curses! Of all the rotten luck Velvet could have! Friends-with-benefitszoned!
... wait....
Not a fan of such methods.
Come now, who doesn't make rainbows out of ponies?
Where are you headed Velvet? Is this all you want?
Having some parental mental images that you really don't want, Velvet? ParentalWeddingNight.gif... Maybe?
A mare has to have good breath...
7074743 That is what I think with every new chapter
Hahah... So, the rainbow factory thing. I said to Anzel that I kind of wanted Tumble's parents to work there, but I didn't want the comments to be about the grimdark version. His suggestion? Make a joke out of it before anyone could comment.
7074582 The grimdark version is! The QnB version is not. It's just a place where rainbows are made!
7074583 Oh I would definitely agree with that.
7074598 There was no way I wasn't going to send her rump to Runic's. I love writing Runic! And he is the best at what he does. Once it's been thoroughly tested.
The bowtie seemed adorable! "Wear something appropriate," she said. Tumbler did his best!
I thought you'd be pleased with how the chapter turned out.
7074616 Oh, the faces she made are not the faces Red is allowed to see!
7074630 She knows Dawn wants a special somepony. She thinks she's doing what's best for Dawn by not leaving her alone in the meantime!
7074670 NSFFR! Not Safe Faces For Red!
7074673 Runic is very good at his alchemical work!
7074685 Yeah, she must be so upset. This was the worst possible outcome!
7074740 Ponies don't make rainbows out of ponies!
7074743 She seems to think it is...
7074787 Velvet doesn't want to talk about that!!
7074801 I guess only time will tell!
7074910
Well, they are missing out if they don't.
This was a pretty cute chapter actually. No real struggle, just Velvet enjoying herself :)
I can't be the only one who thought Runic would reply with "No, I'm being Runic!".
Thanks Crystal ... now I've got the rainbow factory song playing in my head
I loved the chapter. I really did. Is it bad Im hoping the potion didnt work, knowing some of the... history of Runics potions, so that little Velvet Thunder will become a thing. Yes.. its a cheesy name, but come on! Anyway on a side not, It is always amusing to see Runic and how he carries on, And then Velvet and Thunder tumbler was adorable. I liked the look into his character abit. He is a funny one. Cant wait for the next chapter!
I agree, Making faces and no Red? Blasphemy! I kid, I kid. Anyway, scared Velvet is hilarious Velvet. That's undeniable
So.
How knocked up is Velvet right now?
I just marathoned this whole story and NOT ONCE has Velvet donned a mask or played the persona of "Velveteen Mask, Professional Escort" like the summary and cover implied to me!
7075344 Hah! Definitely not the only one. I just took him a different direction, but I could hear that outcome as well!
7075677 I like the song! Not the story in the song, but the cadence of it gets stuck in the head.
7075961 Glad you enjoyed it!! Hahah... Velvet Thunder is quite a name! Well, as folks pointed out when Velvet was apprehensive about the ordeal, family planning is more reliable than not!
7076081 Oh, these faces are distinctly not the faces of Silly Faces...
7076226 Dunno! Runic's potions that are sold in the store and aren't experimental are pretty reliable. Guess we'll see!
7076368
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7076458 Its an awesome name lol. And I can still hope! and it made me smile either way, and figured you would get a laugh from the name as well. Cant wait for the next chapter!
7076458 Darling please, whenever birth control comes up in fiction, something goes wrong. It's practically a rule unto itself
7076556 I do have a tendency to give no flips about the rules.
7076567
Sneaky, sneaky, Thunder... Lure her in with the sweet, sweaty promise of a non-commital relationship so she relaxes. Then, because she's no longer freaking out over the whole weird "being together, like together, together" thing - BAM! You gradually and very gently hit her with hanging out together doing random fun things, chatting about anything and nothing, meeting for food after long hours, and other such cameraderie-ily things.
Then, Thunder, a couple months from now, you casually mention, "So, about us 'not being in a relationship..."
She freaks out about it being weird, too much pressure, and how it just complicates things horribly. You hit her with how much practice she has now!
It's... horribly convoluted, sure, but that just means it's that much more likely to work!
P.S. So, do they call him Thunder Tumble because he shakes the walls, ceiling, and foundation along with the bed? I know, I'm terrible.
She's going to grow somewhat close to Tumbler and then he's going to die in the war, isn't he?
Great chapter, nice to see the whole situation with Thunder resolved. Well, hopefully resolved.
Either I've been reading too much clop lately or something, but I was totally expecting some hot mare on stud action before I remembered you don't write clop.
Lovely chapter, nonetheless.
7077247 I was thinking the same thing.
7077247 To top it all off, the potion didn't work. After all, don't those things take some time and multiple doses before they become effective?
7076951 It might just be convoluted enough to work, by golly!
7077247 That would be super duper sad!
7077616 Resolved enough for now, at least!
7078736 Hahah! No. No clop from me. Always fade to black!
7080003 Birth control pills and whatnot, yuppers! Those take time to be effective. But this was a family planning potion. And they used condoms, as Sunbeam suggested.
7080933
Lovey makes a cameo, looks at Velvet and Thunder, and then just walks back offstage. "Well, my work here is already done!"
(Although... Should we get relationship facilitator Azurite involved? I'm thinking yes.)
Oh dear. This is going to go nowhere good. Plentywhere hilarious, but nowhere good.
Did I just see a Rainbow Factory reference? Did sweet, innocent Author Crystal read a grimdark?!
Did I just see a Rainbow Factory reference? Did sweet, innocent Author Crystal read a grimdark?!
Gotta agree with GrayFox here, Crystal… you need a sidestory to your sidestory. A slightly more… detailed one. You know you want to—you even had your in-story counterpart start writing them! If that's not a sign…
7087881 media.giphy.com/media/W5YVAfSttCqre/giphy.gif
That is definitely not in the cards for me. I agreed to write something dirty if our Patreon got to $5,000... because neither will ever happen.
7087886 Awww… You could even do so under a pseudonym too! Waaaaait…
…
7083061 Where fears and horrors come true ~
7083061
7089457
In the Rainbow Factory, where not a single soul gets through.