A Sex Shop in Ponyville, pt. 3

> Agraul was still busy carving pieces off of the mother crystal, when he heard Melyrid return.
> He went upstairs, closed the secret door in the broom closet, and then went down the hall to the shop.
> There he saw Melyrid talking to another Changeling, "...And we keep all the really fun stuff here on the back wall.  Oh, hello Agraul.".

> Agraul was quite wary of who this new Changeling was, and what was safe to say around him.
> "Hello." he said as he kept his eyes squarely fixed on their unexpected guest.
> "Agraul, this is Arbutus.  One of my subjects who's come for a visit.  Arbutus, this is Agraul.  He's been working with me and Thespid ever since we left the main nest."
> Agraul and Arbutus sized each other up, "So you're the former defector who now serves two queens.  Quite a fortunate turn for you, all things considered." Arbutus remarked.
> Agraul sneered back at him, "I don't 'serve' anyone, except our customers.  We're all equal partners in this endeavor.  A fact Melyrid herself insisted upon before I joined them.".
> "Hmph.  Well.  Even luckier still." Arbutus said sneering back.

~

> Melyrid quickly stepped between them, as the space therein began to shrink.
> "Alright you two, no need to get hostile.  We're all friends here."
> The two of them backed off, but kept their squinted eyes locked on each other.

> "Well now.  As much as I'd love for the two of you to get to know each other better and continue this blossoming brotherhood, I think Thespid would appreciate you taking over for her so she can go on her lunch break." she told them as she directed Agraul to the door with her eyes.
> Agraul looked back and forth between Melyrid and Arbutus, then asked her "Can I have a word with you in private?".
> "Alright." she said, directing him to the hall.
> Then she turned to Arbutus, telling him "This won't take long.  In the meantime, how 'bout you have a look around the store." while pointing him in the opposite direction.
> Arbutus begrudgingly turned and walked away, while Melyrid hastily followed Agraul into the hall.

> "Alright, spit it out." Melyrid demanded with a hushed tone.
> "What the heck is he doing here!?" Agraul fired back with and equally restrained whisper.
> "He's checking up on me.  Obviously General Omarian wasn't the only Changeling who heard about us living here since we revealed ourselves."
> Agraul glared back with a look twisted by confusion, "Wait, 'heard about us'?  Do you mean you never even told your own subjects that you were moving here for good!?  You just abandoned them all without a word?".
> "Okay.  First of all, I had good reason not to bring any of them with us.  Second, I have every intention of going back to the nest and telling them everything once we're certain all this works out."
> Agraul's eyes shot wide open, "'Once... we're CERTAIN... this all works out'!?!  What the fuck does THAT mean!?  I thought we'd already made up our minds--", "Alright, enough!" Melyrid cut him off as he raised his voice.

~

> Melyrid moved their conversation further down the hall away from the store, and went on telling him "Look.  He's just here for a little visit.  I'll show him that everything is fine, and send him back to the nest.".
> Agraul made sure to keep his voice down, saying "No!  Don't you DARE change the subject!  Are you planning on abandoning US too?".
> "WHAT!?  No, of course not!  That's not what I meant."
> Melyrid stopped to calm herself and take a deep breath.
> "Listen.  I promise we'll discuss all of this later, and I can handle Arbutus myself.  But for now could you PLEASE just trust me and leave us alone?  This will all go a lot smoother without you two getting into a pissing contest."
> Agraul was genuinely surprised by her pleading tone.  He'd never seen her composure so broken before.
> Agraul thought for a moment, and finally decided "Alright.  I'll go to Sugarcube Corner.  But there's still a lot more carving that needs to be done on the crystal.".
> "Don't worry, I'll handle it." she reassured him.
> "And we are DEFINITELY going to finish this conversation later." Agraul strictly reminded her.
> "Thank you." she told him with a relieved smile.

> Melyrid returned to the shop, while Agraul went out the back door.
> "Sorry about that.  Uh..." Melyrid looked around but couldn't see Arbutus, "Where'd you go?".
> "Do these ponies seriously wear this stuff?" he called out to her.
> Melyrid trotted over to the costume section on the far side of the shop.
> There she saw Arbutus examining a sexy maid outfit.
> "We cater to all sorts of tastes and fetishes here." Melyrid told him with a confident grin.

~

> "So I take it we're alone now?" Arbutus asked.
> "Yes we are." Melyrid said with a smile.
> "Good.  Then perhaps now you could explain the point of all this?" he demanded.
> Melyrid took a heavy sigh, and told her story.
> "The simple fact is, I just wasn't happy.  Not because of any of you, but our whole way of life.  We feed on others like parasites, and I just can't bare it anymore.  I came here to see if I can find a new way for Changelings to live.  So far it seems to be working, but I'm still not certain how feasible this is in the long term.  I wanted to at least get through the first week of maintaining this business before returning to the rest of you, and seeing if any of my followers wanted to join me."

> "Why didn't you just ask us to come with you when you left?" Arbutus asked.
> "Well, in my own subtle way, I vetted each and every one of you." she explained, "Remember that conversation we had about parasprites?".
> "THAT'S what that was!?  You were testing to see if I agreed with your new philosophy?"
> Melyrid nodded, "Yes.  And every single one of you was perfectly happy to go on living the same way we always have.  That's why I sought out others to help me.  I admit it wasn't exactly a fair evaluation.  But I wasn't even sure how to go about this whole endeavor back then.  I had no plan, no resources.  And I had no idea who was safe to even talk to about all this.  The very notion of Changelings living openly among other creatures isn't one our kind accept without trepidation.  And I didn't want to deal with any arguments from the other queens.  I needed to do this my way, whether it was a success or failure.  And if it turns out that this sort of lifestyle can actually work for us, it could change the very nature of what it means to be a Changeling.  I don't expect everyone will want to live like this, but at least those who do will finally have a choice.".
> Melyrid finally paused, relaxed, and waited for Arbutus to respond.

~

> "I'm sorry.  I had no idea you were so unhappy.  And that you would do all this because of it.  I just wish you had told us instead of just leaving without a word.  I would have helped you if you simply asked.  We ALL would have."
> "I know you would have." Melyrid spoke up, "And that's why I couldn't ask.  I couldn't just order you all to uproot your lives for me.  That's part of what I want to change.  I want all Changelings to be free to choose their own path in life.  I didn't want you or the others following me here, unless it was something you genuinely wanted.  That's why I had to do things the way I did.  I didn't want any of you coming along out of obligation or loyalty.  Do you understand?"
> After a moment, he hung his head and nodded, "Yes.".
> Melyrid lifted his chin to look him in the eyes, and told him "Thank you." with a kiss.
> The two of them smiled at each other for a moment, then relaxed with a deep breath.

> "So!  Why don't I show you the rest of the place while you're here?" she asked.
> "Sure.  I'd like to see what this new life of yours is like."
> "Well, you've already seen the store.  Let me show you the rest of the place."
> Arbutus followed Melyrid into the hall in back of the store, then up the stairs.
> "All our rooms are up here, along with a bit of storage space for extra stock."
> Then she briefly showed her own room, "And this is mine.  I'm not sure the others would appreciate me snooping through their rooms while they're not around.".
> Arbutus glanced around briefly, "It looks... cozy.".
> After a short awkward silence, Melyrid closed the door and lead him back downstairs.

~

> "Back down here we have the bathroom and the kitchen." Melyrid pointed out.
> Arbutus was surprised, "Kitchen?  You mean you eat their food here too?".
> "Yes, and it's actually pretty good once you get used to it.  It's certainly not as energizing as feeding on love all the time.  But if you've never tried it, you're definitely missing out.  Would you like me to make you something?"
> "Uh, thanks for the offer, but I think I'll pass.  Anyway this seems like a comfortable place you've made for yourselves."
> Melyrid chuckled at his false assumption, "Oh the tour's not over yet.  There's still one more thing I want to show you.".
> Then she left the kitchen and opened the door across the hall.
> Arbutus followed, looked, and gave her a bewildered expression as she went in.
> "Wow.  A broom closet.  What a convenient place to keep all your... brooms... and a mop."
> Melyrid shook her head, then replied "Yes.  And it's also a convenient place... for this!" as she opened the hidden door to the basement.

> Melyrid signaled him to follow as she went down into the secret basement.
> "Why do you have a hidden door for your basement?" Arbutus asked.
> "Well we keep most of our stock down here.  But the main reason is make sure no one finds... this." she explained as she gestured to the round glowing green mother crystal in the middle of the room.
> Arbutus was mesmerized, "What in the world is that?".

~

> Melyrid giggled, "You can feel it, can't you?  The energy radiating off of it, like heat from a burning ember.  This is how we're able to feed ourselves here.".
> Entranced by it's warm glow, Arbutus couldn't help but stare.
> "We scrape off tiny particles like dust, and sprinkle it all over our merchandize.  Then, when the ponies take it home and start putting their purchases to use, the dust captures all the intense sexual energy that they release, and redirects it here, into this 'mother' crystal.  Here it stays stored and concentrated, until we're ready to feed.  It even retains the memory of the event itself, and we're able to relive it as though we were actually there.  Feeding off the full intensity of their sexual experiences.  And the more it absorbs, the more the crystal grows.  Then we can shave off more dust to keep it the proper size, and start the cycle all over again.  With this, we can feed off their energy that would otherwise go to waste, without draining or hurting any of them.  It's almost perfect.".

> Arbutus looked up at her, "What do you mean 'almost'?".
> Melyrid let out a disappointed sigh, "Unfortunately, our business has been doing so well these last few days, that the crystal is absorbing more energy than the three of us can keep up with.  In fact, we've been feeding so much lately that it's started have some... side effects.".
> "What kinds of side effects?"
> After a brief moment of hesitation, Melyrid reverted to her larger form, with her long slender wings, and humungous antler-like horn.
> Arbutus' eyes went wide with awe, as she told him "Thespid and Agraul have undergone similar transformations.  I'm just hoping it's only temporary, and that we'll go back to normal once all this extra energy burns off.".

~

> It was then that Melyrid suddenly noticed Arbutus was circling around her, trying to get a good look at her new larger form from all angles.
> "Enjoying the view?" she asked with a coy grin.
> "You look absolutely magnificent." he said without thinking.
> Melyird couldn't help but giggle, and told him "You might want to close your mouth before you start drooling.".
> "Yes my queen." he replied, completely entranced.
> Melyrid lowered her head and touched one of the tips of her horn to his, and the sudden jolt of energy finally snapped him back to attention.
> "GAH!!  Wow, you really weren't kidding about all that extra energy." he said as he tried to shake off his sudden dizziness.
> Melyrid pressed her cheek against his, "It really heightens your senses too, doesn't it?".
> Arbutus looked back at her as they stayed cheek to cheek, "Now that you mention it, yes.  It certainly does.".

> Melyrid turned her head just enough to press her lips to his, and he soon pressed back.
> Their breathing only occasionally interrupted by a gentle moan here and there.
> Arbutus pressed his lips hard against hers, as he reared up and placed his front hooves upon her shoulders.
> She lifted her front leg to caress his back and pull him closer.
> After a moment or two, he pushed away and finally broke their kiss, giving both of them a few seconds to breathe.

~

> They stared close into each others eyes, while their lungs heaved for air.
> Suddenly Arbutus wrapped his forelegs around her neck, leapt off the floor with his back legs, throwing his full weight over top of Melyrid, and flipping her over onto her back as she fell to the floor shrieking in fright.
> Arbutus bared his teeth in a sinister smile, as she looked up stunned and practically pinned to the floor by this Changeling almost half her size.
> As she started to smile back, he pressed his lips against hers again.
> Both of them moaned through each others heaving breath.

> After a moment, Arbutus pulled away, sat up, and shimmied his hips up to her face.
> Seeing how eager and ready he was, Melyrid happily obliged and slowly coiled her tongue around his bulging shaft with a smile.
> She slid her tongue up and down slowly like a spring, and his eyes rolled back shutting tight as he reveled in the sensation.
> Up and down, back and forth, she smiled up at him as his body slowly swayed atop hers.

> Finally Arbutus forced his eyes open, looked down and smiled back at her, and slid his cock into her mouth.
> As he gently rocked his hips back and forth, Melyrid kept her tongue wrapped around his shaft, sucking hard every time he pulled back.
> This went on for quite a while as they stared into each others eyes, then Arbutus started thrusting harder.
> What began as gentle swaying gradually turned into pounding thrusts that started slamming Melyrid's head against the floor.

~

> Not wanting to finish just yet, Arbutus pulled out of Melyrid's mouth, although she kept her tongue slathered around it as long as she could.
> He moved down to line up his hips with hers, and began grinding his shaft against her crotch.
> She gasped and quivered as his hard cock slid up and down against her clit, squeezing her forelegs around his shoulders.
> "By the queen, stop teasing me already!" she pleaded.
> And without a second of hesitation, Arbutus slipped his tip inside, and slammed his balls against her!

> Melyrid arched her back as she let out a voice cracking shriek that filled the house.
> Wasting no time, Arbutus pulled back and thrust right back in again and again.
> "Oh, you vicious little bastard!" she exclaimed, biting her lip.
> Arbutus' breath hissed through his teeth with every push, while Melyrid clenched and grunted in perfect rhythm.
> Her back legs wrapped around his waist, eagerly squeezing him closer.
> He slipped his forelegs around her arched back and thrust faster and faster, her grunts and groans filling the house.
> As they both approached the end, she reached down lifting his chin.
> They looked into each others eyes while he kept furiously pounding into her, and suddenly a spark of electricity jumped from her horn to his.
> His entire body seized up with one final crushing thrust, and both of them clenched their eyes shut and screamed in climactic ecstasy!

~

> For a full minute the two of them squeezed each other with bone popping force, as his juices surged into her belly like an intermittent geyser.
> She could feel his dick throbbing hard with every spurt, while her steaming hot juices soaked them both.
> As the moment slowly passed, their grip on each other slowly relaxed, and eventually their heaving breath started to slow.

> "That... that was... incredible." Arbutus struggled to say.
> "I've never felt such an intense surge of energy in all my life.  Is all that just from feeding on this magic crystal?" he asked, still laying on top of her.
> "Yes.  Thanks to us, the ponies here have shed their inhibitions and unleashed their sexual desires.  Giving us more energy than we're even capable of consuming.  I'm honestly not sure how we can solve this problem.  I only hope that in time their sexual enthusiasm will taper off, and bring the energy level of the crystal down to a more manageable point." She explained.
> "This much energy could feed almost the entire main hive." Arbutus declared as he stood up, "And all from one small town of ponies?  It's incredible!".
> "Yes.  A little too incredible unfortunately." she said as she stood up.
> "Is there anything I can do to help?"
> "Well, you're welcome to help yourself to a meal if you'd like."
> Arbutus gazed longingly at the mother crystal, "I think that jolt of yours gave me more than my fill already.  It's amazing.  I feel so energized right now, I don't even know what to do with myself.".

~

> Melyrid gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Well whatever you do, I'm glad you came to visit.".
> "Unfortunately, I still have responsibilities to take care of here.  But I promise I will return to the hive in a few days, and let everyone know my final decision.  After that, everyone can make up their own minds what they want to do." she explained before disguising herself in her smaller normal form.
> "So please tell the others to be patient, and not to worry about me."
> Arbutus bowed his head, "I will do as you ask, my queen."
> Melyrid giggled slightly, "There's no need to be so formal Arbutus.".
> "Sorry."
> "Anyway, It's about time for lunch.  Care to join me?" she asked as she started up the stairs.
> "No thanks, I should get back to the hive."
> "Alright.  But like I said, feel free to help yourself to the crystal if you like.  Also, be a dear and lock up for me."
> "Sure." he nodded with a smile.

> Melyrid left, and Arbutus looked back at the mother crystal, reconsidering her offer.

~