INTRO:  http://pastebin.com/6ETeJZdT
PART 1: http://pastebin.com/ACSQ11iw
PART 2: http://pastebin.com/vuDWd0gN
PART 3: http://pastebin.com/FHsBM3FS
PART 4: http://pastebin.com/JQQyvrGT
PART 5: http://pastebin.com/qA7iNnNK
PART 6: http://pastebin.com/MC8nJrAD

The morning approach to Canterlot is nothing short of breathtaking; you spot the ivory citadels reaching into the cold blue sky amidst falling snow. There's a faint aura about the city, keeping icy winds out of the sprawl. Lyra and Bonbon have also joined you at the window, but while Bonbon is excited to see Lyra's parents again, Lyra seems a little reserved. Sick, even.

"Sorry, must be the altitude. Or breakfast." Lyra smiles weakly before hurriedly stepping away to the bathroom. You can hear her retching.

"Don't worry, she always gets nervous around her parents," Bonbon reassures you.

Make conversation? Ask about Lyra's parents? Make arrangements stay at someone's home, find a hotel, etc)? Go hold Lyra's mane for her? [spoiler]Hug Bonbon?[/spoiler]

...

>>2434192 >>2434204

You ask how Bonbon is feeling after yesterday's altercation. It's a little frightening how quickly that extinguishes her mood.

"Thanks again, for trying to stick up for me. I mean, it's silly, getting all hung up on the past like that. I just gotta keep looking forward, to a nice, happy future. As long as I have friends I can trust, right?" She smiles again and nudges you in the shoulder. Lyra returns and curls up on the couch, still looking nauseous.

You already feel warmer as the train punches through the magic weather barrier. Passing evergreen parks, the train pulls into the gilded marble of Canterlot Station. It's a colorful plaza decorated with numerous banners and accents honoring the winter season and the coming New Year. Ponies from all ends of the spectrum mill about, mixed in with the odd human towering over them.

That's something else about Canterlot: being a locus of magic power, the city sees much interworld travel. There's a high concentration of human visitors and immigrants. So far, only a daring minority (including you) have left Canterlot's metropolitan borders.

[cont'd]

Stepping onto the platform, Lyra is almost immediately bowled over by a sky-blue mare. "Oh my stars, my darling girl!"
"Mom! Please!" Lyra's blush reaches record intensities as an older stallion stoicly joins the reunion. "Hi, Dad." Bonbon is far more receptive, exchanging a kiss on the cheek with either parent. Soon enough, their attention turns to you.

"I believe an introduction is in order, dear?" Lyra's mom tilts her head. You have no idea how that massive fur-lined hat stays on.
"Uh, Mom, Dad, this is Anon, he's been my... my roommate for the past months. Since he moved to Equestria and all that."

"How novel! Lyra's been curious about your kind, but I never thought she'd see one let alone have one for a roommate all the way out in the country! Oh, I forget my manners—" The blue pony straightens up. "I am Lady Travis, and this is my husband, Lord Travis. But please, call me Ember. And I'm sure you already met the other member of our family, Bonbon."
"We're not—"
"Not yet, yes, but we are keeping an eye out for that engagement announcement!" Lady Travis all but noogies Bonbon, pulling her into a close embrace.

Lyra's mother certainly passed down her exuberance (and her curious attractiveness), but between all the motormouthing you might interject with some kind of greeting.

...

>>2434656 >>2434674 >>2434676

"It's really nice to meet yo—"
"Dearheart, look at all this luggage! Where are you staying?"
"Well, I was thinking of a downtown—" Lyra pipes up.
"Nonsense, we still keep your room at the estate!"
"Whoa, time out." You call out with a little more volume. "Estate. Lord and Lady. Lyra, you didn't tell me you were aristocracy."
"I was shocked, too." Bonbon chuckles. "Her mom comes from old money."
"Yes, don't let it put you off, dearheart." Lady Travis nods. "I'm as friendly as they come. Not at all like that pish-posh crowd you see at the Gala."

"Ahem." Lord Travis has been helping the porter stack up your luggage in a cart. He's sizeable for a unicorn. There's an obvious paternal aggression in the way he looks at you, though his serious expression is certainly offset by the dark fucshia of his uniform. "We shouldn't delay. We'll have plenty of time to catch up at home."

As the party walks off—Ember continuing to lead the conversation and Bonbon barely keeping up—Lyra whispers to you. "Do you still want to push for staying at a hotel?"

...

>>2434960 >>2434980 >>2434993
"I think I should find a hotel for myself, just get out of the way so you can spend time with your family. We'll meet up wh—" You're interrupted by a nudge from Lyra's horn. She looks at you with a hard gaze.
"Please don't leave me alone. Not with... the way things are right now." She's trying her best not to get visibly upset. Dad's watching to make sure you don't fall behind.
"She is right." Lord Travis slows his pace to pen you in from the other side. "It's not pleasant to be a lone human downtown right now. The AEIOU has drawn attention towards itself as of late, and there are regular picket mobs on the streets. You'd be safer at the estate, and we could provide you with safe, private transportation."
"Wha-what? They haven't hurt anyone, have they?" Lyra's voice gets very shaky at this.
"If you're going sightseeing, stick to the Citadel and Castletown districts. Downtown's no place for a proper lady like yourself, anyways."

What do you say to all this?

...

>>2435258 >>2435299
"Just how many humans are in Canterlot? I thought they'd be more accepted here."
"They are many, and they are accepted in general. It's just those... protesters, that are an issue. They're of either species, actually, these mobs."
"What do you mean? What's the AEIOU done?"
"Nothing as far as my department can tell, but there's plenty of unrest concerning... interspecies affairs." Lord Travis keeps his voice low. "It's best we don't talk about it in the open."
"Dad's a district attorney!"

Your conversation continues in the Travis' spacious carriage... or would continue, if you weren't penned in with ponies you were trying to save face with. In the end, nothing need be said, as Lord Travis points out the window as you pass through downtown.

Ponies and humans alike have formed opposing mobs, holding up signs and shouting angry words at each other.
HORSEFUCKERS — BIGOTS
MISCEGENATION — LOVE AND TOLERANCE
PURITY FIRST — EQUAL IN EQUESTRIA
"The general issue is how to integrate humans. Sex has become the hot-button, and the AEIOU's been the unfortunate scapegoat what with their studies." Lord Travis continues.

...

>>2435772 >>2435781
"Certainly nothing like this." You look out the window, seeing a few ire-filled gazes turn in your direction. "Do you have an opinion, Lord Travis?"
"Oh, please, call him Mills. And I go by Ember. First-name basis with all of Lyra's friends!" Lady Travis—Ember—puffs up with pride and straightens her fancy coat. Mills is visibly ruffled.
"We've had integration debates before, with bovines and griffons and more. Equestria is rife with sapient life, this is nothing new."
"I hope they disperse some time before Winter Wrap Up, I would so love to go shopping downtown again without going incognito!" Ember sighs and slumps against Lyra. "We should go shopping for your bridal gowns when this blows over."

"Stop the carriage!" Mills calls out to the drivers, and they stop pulling for a moment. He jumps out and quickly closes the door behind him, rendezvousing with another official-looking pony and some armored guards.
"Lord Travis! We weren't expecting you... Is that a human in there?"
"Never you mind. What have we got?"
"Dear, you're far too involved with your work!" Ember pouts and calls out to him from the window. "Will you be home in time for dinner?"
"We'll give him back to you as soon as possible, Lady Travis!"

"I admire his passion for his work. He inspired me to take up law, as well, you know." As the carriage rolls on, Ember huffs. "But enough about me, what about you? I'm surprised Lyra has a roommate at all, Bonbon's taken this long to even consider moving in with her. She has terrible housekeeping abilities, we spoiled her far too much with all the help..."

...

>>2436321 >>2436327 >>2436363 >>2436399

"Lyra's actually been paying my share of the rent while I did chores. And, you know, as much as I love being her personal butler, I just got a job from Bonbon, so I'll eventually get my own place." You sit away from the window, not wanting to draw any more stares. "Although, Bonbon... if the candy store thing doesn't work out, I'm definitely game for being a maid for you and your wife."
"That won't be necessary, Anon." Bonbon smiles and shakes her head.
"Hey, we'll have a lot of furniture. He can do heavy lifting!" Lyra adds a bit eagerly.
"Well, it's wonderful to hear that Lyra has such a good friend under her roof." Ember looks uncommonly thoughtful. "But you're on vacation now, darling. I'll give you the biggest guest suite at the estate, and you won't have to worry about cleaning up after yourself."
"Actually, Mom, I was thinking we'd all get a hotel room..."
"What." Ember's expression flatlines. "Downtown?"
"Well, I just kind of wanted go sightseeing, uh, and I didn't want to, you know, get in the way... I mean, you don't know him all that well..."

You might want to make a save on Lyra's behalf.

...

>>2436760
"Lyra, don't be embarrassed because your family's insanely rich and privileged." That earns you a crooked pout from her. "I'm not going to stop being your friend over something like that."

>>2436808 >>2437006 >>2437089
"That said, I didn't want to cause trouble for your family, especially if your dad could get in trouble for having a human around, but I am really honored to receive your hospitality. I would love to stay at the estate, Ember, and I'll try my best to not be a bother." You give Lyra a knowing look. "I'd rather be among friends."
"Ah, wonderful!" Ember's gaiety returns to her, and your trip to the Travis estate is filled with nonstop earfuls of merriment.

Your arrival is actually unceremonious, with porters readily taking your things up to your room and Ember promising a full tour tomorrow. For now, she orders the lot of you to relax and have a nice, long bath after your long trip on the train. Your guest suite is located a floor below Lyra's chambers (directly underneath, in fact), though you could easily be convinced it were a master bedroom, with its tall windows and lacquered architecture.

Ember essentially gives you free rein to roam about, within reason. She has some legal paperwork to attend to herself and can be found in the study. However, you should seriously consider taking a bath now; she put in a call for masseuses for each of you. With that, she bids you a fond "see you later!"

"Well, I don't know about you, but after that train I could definitely use some R&R to get my mind off things." Bonbon winks at Lyra and sashays towards the stairs.
"O-oh! Yeah. Definitely." Lyra blushes again. As she leaves with Bonbon, she turns back to look at you and mouths a silent "I love you".

Now what? You could certainly try getting lost, or maybe you should take Ember up on that bath.

...

>>2437554 >>2437558 >>2437576
The bath was already drawn and oiled before you got here, and the water is kept warm by some sort of magic coil. Ember is on top of her game as a hostess.

While you consider your options as you soak in the bath, there's a polite knock at the door before a pony lets herself in. You turn to see the white-uniformed masseuse gingerly make her way over to the bathroom.

"A-ah, sorry to bother you, sir! But you are ready for massage, yes?"

Hm, grilling the help for info is certainly an option.

...

>>2437859 >>2437912
"Yeah, I'm ready, thanks. Um, if you'll excuse me." You reach for a towel to cover yourself as you rise from the bath, and she directs you to a soft chaise to the side. "You mind if I ask you a few questions? I'm visiting and I'd like to know more about Canterlot."

"Oh, of course. Just lie down and we begin here." She speaks with a slight accent and a lilt in her voice that seems inappropriately youthful for an adult mare. It seems to suit the gentle green hue of her coat, but is a total mismatch for the deep, powerful kneading she can put out with her hooves. "What are you like to know?"

"Well, first—mmph—just what's it like downtown for humans? I heard it's dangerous to go alone."
"I do not go there myself, but my sister, she is one of the maids. When they go to market it is terrible. They... they shout at her. Mean things. For no reason." She's visibly upset by this. "It was not always like this, only when your kind comes. I mean no offense."

...

>>2438179 >>2438237 >>2438238
"None taken. Please continue." You're on your stomach right now, head turned to the side. Looking down you can barely see the curve of her flank as she strains against your spine. Despite the deep pressure she's applying, the plush firmness of an Equestrian pony's hooves are a pleasant sensation to have on your back.

"So even ponies are getting caught up in the mobs? I'm sorry to hear that."
"It is hard, but my sister does her job. I do not think I could go out there, not now." She rubs you down, rolling your skin and muscle beneath the broad edges of her toned forelegs.
"Mmm... Do you know why they're all so angry out there?"
"It is something to do with your kind... they say it is not right to be having relations, intimate ones." She spends much more time on your legs, squeezing and pressing. You can feel the blood moving freely through your body, especially with the added heat of friction beneath her oiled hooves. Some moments, she seems to dwell high up on your femurs, just below your rear.

"I do not know many human myself. I see some, but not always." She gently urges you to turn over, and you can see that she is trying her best to remain composed. She is flush with color, even a little shaky. You've spent enough time with Lyra to recognize when a mare is aroused, and this filly is obviously struggling to remain professional despite being turned on. "Ah, my. Okay, we... um, do front now?"

...

>>2438529 >>2438536 >>2438545
"Don't worry, you're doing a fine job. Take a break, if you have to?" You remain ever the gentleman as you turn over, keeping the towel over your loins as you lean up on your elbows. You smile at her, and this seems to set her at ease.
"...Oh! You had more question?"
"Yes. I heard it was the AEIOU that's at the center of it. How do folks get around the mobs?"
"The, um, pony can go more easily. Sister, she saw humans being pulled aside. Is safer if they have friends, or hidden inside carriage." She shuffles and mumbles something in her native tongue.
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that?"
"Er, how I say... to caravan? Go together and fetch, the one who visits."
"Like a taxi, or pick up."
"Yes! Taxi. Show up and take you where you need to go, without question. Sister, she says AEIOU has send out carriages from garage, barely anyone goes through main door."

Her spirit returns at being able to answer questions, and she returns to working on you from the front. Again, she hovers over your waist, her breathing now much heavier than before. "Um, sir, I can be working on your... the pelvis now? I am not serviced of stallion human before, I apologize if I am less sufficient."

She cutely kneads her hooves together as she applies more massage oils to them, snout slightly scrunched as she holds herself back. Her unifor is fitted to her slender f—

>>2438574
margaret thatcher naked on a cold day margaret thatcher naked on a cold day margaret thatcher naked on a cold day

[THREE ROLLS TO HIDE YOUR POWER LEVEL]

...

>>2438816 >>2438822 >>2438835
6 + 2 + 5 = 13 vs DC 15
So close.

All things considered, this masseuse is rather cute. You pinch your thighs together and attempt to hide your swelling member in the folds of the towel, but to no avail. She moves forward with her teeth to remove the towel, slowly, tenderly. Your erection just about bops her on the nose as she pulls away, and she squeaks in surprise, dropping the towel.

"Ah! I am sorry... I scream, is not professional." Her face blossoms pink, a lovely contrast to her spring-green fur. "Scary. I mean, have not seen like it before. Only picture. I... I should stop talking and get back to work? I try not to lick at it—look at it!"

Her hind legs are nervously flexing as she shifts her weight, hot and bothered.

...

You reach down for the towel and cover yourself up, rattling off an awkward apology. "No, no, you're doing a great job! I'm the one who should apologize. The massage was very, ah, stimulating. If it's a problem for you, you can stop now. It was a very good massage so far, you're not going to get in trouble... Ah, I didn't catch your name?"

"Um, my name? I am [spoiler][/spoiler]>K[spoiler][/spoiler]iwi [spoiler][/spoiler]>Keen[spoiler][/spoiler]."
"Right, Miss Keen. I'll tell Lady Travis you were a most excellent masseuse and absolutely nothing went wrong. If she asks. Does she ask?" You hurry to get a robe on, and you have it half-tied when you realize she's still hungrily staring at you. At it.

"I'm sorry, but can I...?"

...

"Uh... There's someone I like. I'm sorry, but it just wouldn't be fair to them, you know?" You grit your teeth and pull the robe over your completely engorged member. The curious glow in her eyes fades and she frowns as it disappears from her sight. You remember seeing that wrenched disappointment in Lyra's face that first night. "I'm flattered, really. I would if I could. Um, and I can't. But there you have it."

"I am sorry to have bothered you." She gathers up her things and turns to depart. "Um, thank you. For not getting upset at me. I forget myself."
"I'm sure you'll make another man very happy." You attempt a nod and a smile as you see her out the door.

That was rough. Aside from getting dressed, what are your plans? Ember is in her study, and who knows what the girls are up to...

...

>>2439597 >>2439650
You put on some warm clothes and pocket some bits in preparation for going out. Surely, Lyra won't begrudge you letting her have some quality time with Bonbon.

As you approach the foyer and get your coat on, a valet addresses you. "Would you like a carriage, sir?"

...

I should probably clarify:

The Travis estate is in Castletown, which is set in the foothills surrounding the main Citadel district and Canterlot Castle. It's grandiose and takes up quite a bit of space in the city, even has its own park, but it's no country manor. You could easily traverse Castletown on foot.

Getting to Downtown is a longer slog down the hills, thankfully not too hard since the weather is kept milder than the harsh winter conditions you experienced in Ponyville, with just enough snowfall to keep children entertained.

Entering the Citadel is most likely a no-go, as that's likely reserved for royal business.

...

>>2439753 >>2439767 >>2439806
"No, thanks, I was just going to take a walk and explore the local area. Anything you can tell me about the city, though?"

The valet gives you the above summary. About Castletown, he adds: "I'm afraid there's very little to cater to your kind in this upscale district, apart from that witch... Guillemot was her name, I think. You'll find her establishment hidden in the bazaar."

He continues, "If you're not returning for lunch, I would recommend Pony Joe's, or Le Griff. They don't discriminate there."

So:
Bazaar - go shopping
Guillemot's - human stuff (a witch?)
Le Griff - food
Pony Joe's - food

...

>>2439957 >>2439960 >>2439973
Checking out this "Guillemot" is certainly high on your priorities, but first you resolve to refuel at Pony Joe's.

The regulars here all seem the upscale sort, but not aristocracy. There's a particularly fetching cool white unicorn in the center of the establishment, wearing a black sweater-dress and beret, enjoying a cup of hot chocolate and a paperback novel.

The barrister is a cream-golden unicorn, the eponymous Joe. He welcomes you. "What's your pleasure?"

Pony Joe's is a bakery, smaller than the other eateries you pass by but a very clean and stylish operation. The counter display is filled with donuts, eclaires, cookies and baclava; their entrees include hot soup, vegetarian pizzas and quiche.

...

>>2440138 >>2440146 >>2440155
You opt for the soup du jour—onion chowder—and soon have a nice cup of thick, creamy soup in your hands. You compliment Joe on the operation he runs.

"Thanks. I try to keep it maintained through the slow season. Most of my business is from university students, but they're all on vacation right now. It's a shame, you can meet some nice, intelligent folk here." He nods towards the oddly glamorous unicorn in the center of the floor. You silently admit there is something else about her, but you've had about enough of pretty mares for one day.
"Cool drink of water."
"Yeah, no kidding."
"No, I mean—"
"Oh. Ice?"
"Not this time, thanks."

As you sit down to lunch, you notice a few glances directed your way. You're not the only nonpony in the establishment—you count some donkeys, and a zebra—but you are probably the only human on the block. Then you realize they're not looking at you, but at the oddly magnetic unicorn in the clingy black dress at the table next to you. Then you realize she's surreptitiously taken out a sketchbook and is magicking her pencil while stealing glances at you.

...

>>2440314 >>2440325
You want no trouble, at least not until you finish your soup. After emptying your bowl, you wait a moment, looking in the artist's direction to make sure she's been looking at you. You catch her eyes for an awkward split-second and finally resolve to approach her.
"I noticed you've been sketching. I really enjoy seeing art, myself... could I take a look?"
"Oh, well, it's nothing to be particularly proud of, just practicing." Her language is clear and crisp, a refined but unplaceable accent. "But if you insist... I hope you don't mind I was using you as a model. I don't often get the chance to study a human in their natural state."

Looking through her recent sketches, you first see some amazingly detailed studies of your hands: holding the spoon, holding the glass, resting on the table, etc. Every knuckle and crease in your skin, every hair is lovingly rendered in soft pencil. Next is a set of studies on your legs and feet, and then shoulders and neck, your ears. Finally, she attempted to put it all together in a full-body rendition of you hunched over a pony-size table eating soup. She's signed the last one "Rarity".

...

>>2440539
9: The Sperg is strong with this one.
You recall seeing this name and finally put two and two together: this is Rarity, the unicorn who runs a clothesmaking business back in Ponyville!

"Wow, Rarity? THE Rarity, of Carousel Boutique? What are the odds? I'm visiting from Ponyville, too!"
"Ah... Oh, goodness! How could I have not recognized you? My apologies, um, Anon, was it?" She looks visibly flustered, not just at the awkwardness of not recognizing the only human from Ponyville but also being caught off guard by your sudden appreciation for her work and name.

>>2440513 >>2440554
"This is some great work you have here. Would you mind if I could maybe keep a few?"
"Oh, certainly, dear! But choose just one; I wanted to keep these for further study and possibly to create designs off of them." She doesn't giggle so much as give off a rising squeal of joy to know she's being appreciated.

...

>>2440661 >>2440672
You ask for a page of your hands holding the glass. She carefully extracts the sheet from her sketchbook and sends it to you. It's a marvelous collection of various angles and positions, even catching the beads of condensation on the outside surface and the slight refraction through the water.

[Hands Holding Glass Sketch added to inventory]

"Might I ask where you're staying? It's awful dreadful for your kind Downtown, and I'd hate to think a neighbor of mine is suffering through their winter vacation in Canterlot!"

...

I'll have to wrap this up after we finish with Rarity, but before we can reach Guillemot. Sorry!

>>2440790 >>2440797 >>2440816 >>2440831
"Oh, I'm staying with a friend who's visiting family up here. We're far away from all that trouble—I mean, hey, I walked in here, right?"
"Ah, true. That is good to hear. Where are you headed after this, if I may ask?"

...

>>2440936 >>2440939
"I was just wandering about Castletown to get a feel for the area. I heard there was a witch living here..."
"Oh, that darling Shana! For a human, she is quite a gem, let me tell you. Wouldn't let me draw her, though, something about pictures stealing her soul."
"Curious. What does she do, exactly?"
"Why, she's a witch, of course! And by that I mean an herbalist, alchemist, mystic healer and homoepathic remedy specialist, much like Zecora back in Ponyville. Quite popular with Canterlot humanfolk."
"Why would she be up in Castletown? I thought more humans lived Downtown."
"Well, I don't know her all that well, myself. I would visit her again today if not for previous engagements. But if we do bump into each other again, you can tell me what you learn! Maybe she'll trust a fellow human."

...

>>2441074 >>2441088
You thank Rarity once again and promise to take care of the sketch page before heading back to the counter to pay Joe for lunch (and tip him for the encounter with Rarity).

The Castletown bazaar is a colorful garden square populated with tents and booths, a veritable maze of stalls set into the promenade and even bleeding through the alleyways on the sides. Asking for directions to Guillemot, you find her stall in one such hidden corner, and you pass between some glass crystal dreamcatchers to enter her stall.

Amidst a mess of tchotchkes, incense holders, and elaborate tapestries, you see a curvy redhead with a yellow headband quietly meditating. It'll be a relief to have human contact again, especially with a woman so comely.

That's the third attractive stranger today. You quietly curse your fate.

[END]