[DE - 14] AiE : Redemption

Continued from Coveted Covenant/Endeavor
-------------------

>You lay on the bed, Rainbow stretched out over your chest.
>"That was... that was pretty awesome, Nonny..."
>You reached down and stroked her mane.
"Yeah, that was pretty awesome, wasn't it?"
>"Man, you shoulda seen the look on your face earlier.  It was priceless!"
"Oh?  As priceless as a drooling Dash?"
>"Hey!  I didn't drool!"
"Uh huh.  Keep telling yourself that Skittles."
>"What are skittles anyways?"
"Little bite sized candies.  Lots of colors.  Their motto is 'Taste the Rainbow.'"
>"Oh ha ha."
"It's funny and you know it."
>"I'll remember that next time you're feeling frisky."
"Yeah?  Just like you'd remember the time I locked you and Vinyl in the guest room?"
>She bumped your chest with her hoof.
>"You're lucky I like you."
"Yeah.  I do feel pretty lucky about that..."
>Your idle hands eventually made way to her ears, gently scratching those hard to reach places.
>She rewarded you with a content sigh, further rubbing her head against you.
>You weren't going anywhere anytime soon, and that thought finally seemed to register somewhere in her brain.
>She'd found someone who, in her eyes, could reciprocate her loyalty.
>Could've been a fairy tale had it happened under different circumstances.
>In the process of reveling in where you are now, you'd stopped scratching her ear and simply had your hand lying on her mane.
>"Hey, why'd ya stop?"
"Hmm?  Oh, didn't realize I'd stopped scratching."
>You could feel her tense up.
"I guess we should talk about that, huh?"
>"Talk about what?  I'll be back to flying in no time!"

-------------------

"That's not what I meant."
>She turned her head to face you, staring up at you with her magenta eyes.
>"What is it you want to talk about then?"
"Vinyl, Dash.  We need to talk about Vinyl.  That's how you got so riled up in the first place."
>She sighed, her ears drooping slightly as she averted her gaze from your eyes.
"Come on Dash.  You know we need to--"
>"Yeah, I know."
"So what is it that you think about her?  She's not going to just go away."
>"I know, I know!  It's just..."
"Do you still think of her as a friend?"
>"I thought we talked about this already?"
"No, you told me that you'd found a way to forgive her.  You didn't say anything else on the matter."
>She sighed, turning her head to face you once more.
"Dash, I love you, but we owe it to Vinyl to make a decision one way or another."
>She let a grin etch itself onto her features.
>"Say that again..."
"We need to make a decision?"
>"No no, before that."
>You thought for a moment before realizing what she wanted you to say.
"I love you Dash.  Nothing's going to change that."
>She smiled and nuzzled your chest again.
"So.  What do you think of a three way relationship with us and Vinyl?"
>"I... I don't know.  I want to try it, but..."
"But what?"
>"Well... what do you think about it, Nonny?"
"I'm willing to try if you are, Skittles" you said, ruffling her mane.
>"I want to try, I really do..."
"So what's stopping you?"
>She shifted uncomfortably against you.
>"I... Well... How do you do a three way?"
"What?"
>"Like... How would it work?"
"I'm not sure I get what you're asking."

-------------------

>"Wouldn't it be... Vinyl would be more like a third wing, wouldn't she?"
"Still not sure I understand what you're saying."
>She scrunched up her face and shifted against you again, trying to put her thoughts into words.
>"How... Think about this.  Let's say we're in a three way with us and Vinyl, right?"
"Mhmm"
>"So, who do you love more?"
"What?"
>"Who would you love more?"
"Oh.  Now I get what you're saying."
>You pondered a response for a while, taking your time to try and put your words to thought as she had done previously.
>She makes a good point.
"You know... I never really thought about it like that."
>"See?  It's just... I don't want to lose you Nonny."
"I told you, you won't."
>"But at the same time, won't Vinyl feel kinda... left out?"
>You stroked her mane in thought.
"I think, maybe, the best way to figure this out is to just jump in and go for it, ya know?"
>"What do you mean?"
"I mean, I think we're trying to solve problems before we need to, if that makes sense."
>"Wouldn't that be a good idea though?"
"Normally I'd say yes, but I can't say I know what to do in a situation like this."
>"So just do it?  How is that a good idea?"
"Well, how else would you find a solution to a problem?  You can make guesses all you want, but there's no method quite like trial and error."
>"Yeah, I guess you're right..."
"Nothing to be worried about Dash, we're all new to this.  Trust me though, I won't let you slip away so easy."
>"But what about Vinyl?  Would you let her slip away?"
"Not without a fight, Dash.  But if push comes to shove, I won't leave you.  I promise."
>"Yeah.... I know."

-------------------

"But I'll be damned if we try this and I let it fall apart."
>"Why does it matter so much to you?"
"Because it matters so much to you."
>"What?"
"Don't tell me that kiss meant nothing.  I know you have feelings for her too, otherwise you wouldn't have ever considered the three way."
>"I'd never choose her over you!"
"I know that Dash, and I'm not saying you would.  What I'm saying, is that there are still feelings there.  I'm not gonna lie, I like her too, but I'd never leave you."
>She sat in thought for a while, processing all that had been said.
>"If you think about it... It makes sense to try a three way if we both have feelings like that..."
"Yeah.  Only problem was from earlier.  If this is gonna work, there can't be any secrets between us.  Hiding things can destroy a relationship."
>"Oh?  And what makes you an expert on the subject?"
"Nothing."
>"Then why should I believe you?" she asked playfully.
>You pulled her up to eye level and kissed her.
>After you'd set her back down, she held you in a dreamy gaze.
>"Oh yeah..."
>You held her close, enjoying the sensation of her body against yours.
>Things wouldn't be easy, but there was no reason they'd have to be difficult either.
>Just let what happens happen, and deal with problems as they arise.
>Simple enough, and it seemed you'd managed to relay that to Dash effectively.
>You were looking at the idea of a three way as Vinyl being in a relationship with you and Dash as a couple.
>Probably wrong, but it made sense to you.
>If Vinyl was still up for it, then it made sense to try, right?

-------------------

>Where is she, anyways?
>You don’t know exactly how long you and Rainbow were at it, but you feel like she should be back by now...
>By your guestimation, it’s about lunchtime.  And neither you nor Rainbow were very... presentable.
“C’mon Dash, let’s get cleaned up.”
>“Oooh?  We movin to the shower now?”
“...On second thought, why don’t you go ahead and use the shower first.  I can wait.”
>“You’re no fun.”
“I also like to clean up for when other people come home.  You know.  Like Vinyl.”
>She vocalized her disagreement with moving from her ever so comfortable spot, but got up anyway.  “Fiiiiiiine.”
“And don’t take up all the hot water.”
>“You know, we could share...”
“And we’d never get clean.”
>“I don’t wanna get clean yet though Nonny...”
“You dirty mare.”
>“You bet.”
>You rolled your eyes before giving her flank a light smack.
>She turned her head to look at you, swishing her tail playfully.
>“All talk and no play--”
“We just finished ‘playing!’”
>“So?”
“So, go clean up what’s left of ‘playtime’ before you get sticky.”
>She giggled at the thought and resumed her trek to the shower.
>As you lay in bed, you heard the water start through the pipes and relaxed as you waited for her to finish.
>She was acting like she wanted another round, but you knew she was just as tired as you were.
>Else she wouldn’t have been drooling.
>She could try and hide it all she wanted, but if you were to lay there much longer you’d both be passed out.
>It was right about then that you heard the front door shut.
>“Nonny?  Rainbow?  I’m back.”

-------------------

>Of course she’d pick now to come back.
>Rainbow’s in the shower, and you’re stark naked.
>Not to mention lying on the bed as though it were a silver platter and yourself the main dish.
>Her steps getting louder as she made her way up the stairs, you scrambled to find something to cover yourself.
>Right before you realized you were lying on the bed.
>Seemed timing was on your side today, as the door to your room creaked open not but a few seconds after you’d darted under the covers.
>“Anon?  You in he--  What are you doing in bed?”
“Uhhh....”
>“And what’s that smell?”
>As she gazed around the room, taking in your distraught clothing on the floor, the interesting coloration of the covers you were hiding under, and the smell of the room; realization slowly dawned on her.
>“Oh.  OH.  I didn’t know you guys were--”
“Me either.”
>“So you did--”
“Yeah.”
>“...Was it good?”
“Amazing.”
>“So you’re--”
“Yeah.”
>She stared at you for a moment, her tail raising ever so slightly.
>Dirty mares.  Dirty mares everywhere.
>Though you could feel your body betraying you already, you were still pretty tired from your romp with Rainbow.
“Listen, Vinyl, I’m kinda--”
>“I think I should just--”
“Yeah.”
>“Yeah.”
“Right.”
>You both stared at each other for a few more seconds, her blush becoming ever more prominent as the seconds oozed like molasses.
>“You uh... you want me to get you some clothes se--”
“No no, I’m fine.”
>“You sure?  Cause it’s just a--”
“No, I got this.”
>“I mean it’s no biggie or any--”
“Vinyl.”
>“Yeah?”
“You’re leaking.”

-------------------

>“GAH!” was the only vocalization she could manage as she jumped in place, face now completely red.
>“I uhh, listen, I was just--”
“Vinyl, it’s fine.”
>“...I’ll uh, I’ll be in my room if you guys need me.”
“Gotcha.”
>She shook her head a couple times, trying to rid herself of the heat that was encompassing her face.
>You had an idea of what she was going to do in her room, but didn’t say anything.
>If she got the sheets dirty, she could clean them.
>After you were sure she was on the way to her room, you got out of bed and quickly shut the door.
>“Anon?  What are you doing?”
>Seeing as you hadn’t heard the shower shut off, you were in the air halfway through Rainbow’s question.
>“You feelin okay?”
“Yeah, sorry.  Vinyl was just here and--”
>“Oh?  You givin peep shows?”
“What?  No!  Nothing like that, I just--”
>“Then why did you jump?”
“I just--”
>“Kidding Nonny, kidding.”
>As you calmed down a bit, you noticed she was still quite wet.
>Her body glistened slightly in the light as she eyed you curiously.
>Taking a look that was probably too long, you eyed her shimmering cyan flank and tail, garnering an instinctive response.
>She had a towel wrapped around her wings and chest, and for whatever reason, that was doing something for you.
>“Hey now, you said no more playtime.  What’s the big idea?”
“What?”
>She gestured towards your waist, causing you to bring attention back to your naked self.
>As part of you stood proud, your brain realized what was going on and proceeded to stop working in an effort to resolve the situation.

-------------------

>Leaving you with a great view of a very wet, and for whatever reason tantalizing, Rainbow.
“I think I’ll take my shower now.”
>“You uh... you want some help?”
“No!  I just need time to relax and--”
>“I can help you relax Nonny...”
>That dirty mare.
>No matter how tired she was, she didn’t seem to falter in her efforts to rev up for round two.
“I’m sure you could, but you can’t deny that you’re just as tired as I am.”
>“I’m not tired, I’m Dash!  You couldn’t beat me in--”
“C’mon Dash, even the pros take a break every now and then.”
>“Well you better hurry up before I decide to find out just how durable you are.”
>As much as you wanted to take her up on her offer, you really did need a shower.
>You were starting to get sticky yourself.
>Not to mention there was nothing like a nice warm shower.
“I’ll take you up on that offer sometime Dash, but not right now.”
>You quickly walked past her and towards the shower, choosing not to stick around and see just how serious she was.
>All bets were off once you’d secured yourself some nice hot water and a good long shower.
>After cleaning yourself thoroughly, you decided to just relax and enjoy the shower for what it was.
>However much time had passed since then, you didn’t know.
>Nor did you care, really; it was good to just relax for a bit.
>So many things you’d put out of your mind since breakfast.
>Alls you’d thought about had been Rainbow and Vinyl.
>You’d completely forgotten about Rainbow getting money for her house again; Vinyl’s auditorium; Fluttershy...
>Wonder what you’d done to piss her off?

-------------------

>She didn’t seem like the kind to get angry at the drop of a hat.
>No, it had to be something you’ve been doing repeatedly.
>But what?  You’d seen her once before, and that was when you first arrived.
>Apparently she was claiming it was your eating meat or something, but that didn’t seem right...
>Your diet didn’t really freak out anyone else, why would it freak her out?
>The whole thing smelled fishy, you were certain of it.
>Shutting off the shower and draping a towel over yourself, you made your way back to your room for clothing.
>You were going to have to explain to Rarity why you needed a new set of clothing too...
>You know, you were doing fine up until you started thinking about something other than two dirty mares.
>After dressing yourself, you opened the door to hear arguing downstairs.
>Had the house not been soundproofed, you would’ve likely heard the arguing much earlier.
>Throwing concerns of time to the wind, you made your way down to see what all the fuss was about.
>Vinyl of all people was arguing with someone, from what you could hear.
>Not shouting or anything, but she had a firm tone; on you hadn’t really heard before.
>Now in the living room yourself, you found Vinyl arguing with Applejack of all ponies.
>Or rather, having a heated discussion with her.
>They stopped the moment you were close enough to make out what they were saying though.
“Don’t stop on my account.”
>“Sorry Nonny, I was just explaining to Applejack here that--”
>“That it’s none of his business and--”
>“None of his business?  It’s all his business!  It’s about him for crying out loud!”

-------------------

“What’s about me?”
>“She was wanting to talk to you about--”
>“Oh hush you, I can speak for myself.”
“I’d be happy if you did, AJ.  What’s all this about?”
>“Oh confound it all Anon, I don’t know what to think about you anymore.”
“What do you mean?”
>“Exactly what I said!  Rainbow won’t talk to me after that incident at Pinkie’s party earlier; and Fluttershy won’t leave me alone.  They’re both my friends, and I’m sick of all this garbage.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
>“I came here to figure out what you’re all about.  No place like the source to figure out what’s going on.”
“True enough.  What all you want to know?”
>“Well, for starters, why are you keepin Rainbow locked up with you all the time?  You know she’s got other friends, right?”
“I know she does, yeah.  I don’t keep her locked up, she’s free to come and go as she pleases.  I’m not her keeper or anything.”
>“Then why’s she stayin tucked away so much now that you’re here?”
“I don’t want to sound rude or anything, but maybe she enjoys spending time with me?”
>“That’s fine and dandy an all, but ever since she’s started seein you she’s been turning into a recluse!  She’s never at home this much, even when she’s napping!”
“We’ve been dealing with a lot of stuff recently; it’s been stressful for everyone involved.”
>“Alright, fair enough.  So then why did you lash out at Fluttershy?”
“Lash out?  I barely said two words to her before she freaked at me eating a sandwich.”
>“A sandwich?  Anon, she says you threatened to eat her!”

-------------------

“I don’t know what to tell you other than I didn’t, AJ.  I would never--” you stopped yourself to think for a moment.
“Okay, I did that once, but it wasn’t to Fluttershy, it was to some stuck up filly.”
>“You threatened to eat a filly?”
>“Hey now, it was Diamond Tiara.  She had it coming.”
“Vinyl, while I appreciate your trying to help, I think it best if you let me do the explaining of my actions.”
>“Right, sorry...”
>“I don’t think that’s necessary, Anon.  Had ya told me it was Diamond Tiara, I can’t say I woulda blamed ya.  I might not have reacted the same way, but I can’t say I blame ya for reactin the way you did.”
“Well thanks AJ.”
>“I’m not finished with you yet though.  I still wanna know what you did to get Fluttershy up in arms like that.  She’s never acted like that before you got here.”
“I wish I could tell you AJ.  All that I’ve spoken to Fluttershy could probably fit in a paragraph.  She won’t talk to me to tell me what I did, and I don’t want to get near her incase I fuck something up more.”
>“Uh huh.  Alright, I suppose I can agree with that.”
“Say, AJ, mind if I ask you a question?”
>“You just did.”
“You know what I mean.”
>“Alright, go ahead.”
“What made you come and talk to me?”
>“I told ya, I wanted to find out what was goin on between you and Fluttershy.”
“Yeah, but you could’ve easily asked someone else to find out for you.”
>“...Iffin you weren’t new around these parts, I’d be a might offended; seein as you don’t know me though, I guess I can let it slide."

-------------------

>"I’m not the kind of pony that runs around whisperin behind someone else’s back, Anon.  That, and Applebloom kept pesterin me as to why I wouldn’t let her see ya."
>"When I couldn’t give her a good reason, I decided I’d do some investigating of my own and see what all the hubbub was about.”
“Applebloom?”
>“Yeah, that’s right.  She figured something was wrong when I didn’t give her a good reason as to why I wouldn’t let her see ya."
>"So, bein Applebloom, she got to stickin her nose into business and eventually got me to think about why I didn’t care for ya so much."
>"I don’t know what you did, but she seems ta think you’re alright.”
“Oh?  And has your opinion of me changed at all?”
>“Well, I don’t hate ya, if that’s what you’re askin.  Until I figure out why Fluttershy has this big aversion towards ya, that’s how it’s gonna stay.”
“Fair enough.  I’m glad you don’t hate me.”
>“I tell you what.  I’ll be keepin an open mind and all, but I’d like to spend some time with Rainbow, alone.  Iffin that’s alright with you.”
“Fine by me, just gotta ask her is all.  I don’t know her schedule or what she has planned to do.  Just don’t let her take off the bandages around her wings.  Doctor’s orders.”
>“Sounds like a plan.  I’ve got some other things that need takin care of while I’m in town, but send Rainbow over to the farm when she decides, alright?"
>"I think some quality time will shed some light on this whole mess, maybe get everything sorted out.”
“I think you might be onto something there.”

-------------------

>“It’s been known to happen from time to time, Anon.  I thank ya for bein reasonable, and I’m sorry I didn’t hear you out before.”
“What’s in the past is in the past, AJ.”
>She nodded her agreement as she headed towards the door.
>After she’d shut the door behind herself, you turned your attention to the white unicorn that’d been unnaturally quiet for the past couple of minutes.
“Alright, what’s wrong?”
>“What?” she asked, looking up at you with her red eyes.
“You’ve been strangely quiet for a while now.”
>“You told me to be quiet!”
“Yeah.  The part that worries me is that you stayed quiet.”
>“...You’re lucky I like you, Anon,” she said, as she squinted her eyes at you in mock anger.
>She held the gaze for a second or two, before dropping the facade and continuing.
>“There was just so much wrong with what she said!”
“Really?  Like what?”
>“She didn’t know what you did to get Applebloom to like you?  Gee, I dunno, how about SAVING HER FROM A FIRE?”
“Is that what’s been eating at you?  Vinyl, I wouldn’t want her to bring that up anyway.”
>“WHAT?!  WHY NOT?!”
“Because I don’t think saving a filly from a fire is something I’d want to use as leverage in an argument, for one.”
>She stayed silent, considering what you’d said.
“Besides, I think that little talk turned out for the better, don’t you?”
>She was giving you that squinty eyed look again, but eventually muttered out an “I guess so...”
“What’s with the squinty eyes, anyways?”
>“I just don’t like the way she was talkin to you is all.”
“Vinyl, I can take care of myself, I promise.”

-------------------

>“I know you can; doesn’t change the fact that I just don’t like how she was talkin to you.”
“My my my.  Vinyl, getting defensive?  Over little ‘ol me?”
>“Yeah yeah.”
“Say, did you make a mess on the carpet earlier?”
>Her cheeks flushed as she managed a response, “Hey!  I’m no faucet!”
“No, but I could tell from the bed that you were--”
>“It was sweat!”
“Yeah.  Sure.”
>The squinty eyed look was back, but the flushed cheeks made it much more comical, causing you to stifle a laugh.
>“Laugh it up, laugh it up.  We both know you keep talkin about it cause you want it.”
“I never said anything to the contrary.”
>Her blush had spread to envelop her face now, mixing with mild annoyance of not having anything really against you.
>“I’m gonna go take a shower.”
“Yeah, you probably should clean up a bit.”
>She groaned as she hopped up off the couch, starting her way upstairs.
>“Now you gotta go and call me dirty?”
“I know you’re dirty, Vinyl.  Why else would you be lea--”
>“I GET IT, GOSH.  You’re so annoying sometimes!”
“I know you like it.”
>She stopped her ascent up the stairs to look at you.
>“Yeah.  I do.  Dweeb.”
>She stuck her tongue out and continued up the stairs.
>You shook your head and sat down on the couch, letting your mind wander for a bit.
>The more you let your mind wander however, the more you wound up thinking about Vinyl ‘leaking’ earlier.
>Trying to put the naughty mare’s reaction out of your head, you shifted your attention to Fluttershy and AJ.
>You’ve done something to offend Fluttershy; you’re just not sure what.

-------------------

>She’s a friend of Rainbow’s though, so you can’t just blow her off.
>The quiet pegasus never really spoke to you, but seemed to form an opinion of you all the same.
>That narrows it down to some action you’re doing that’s getting at her.
>You’d suggested that it might have been your eating habits to Rainbow, but she quickly dismissed that.
>Apparently Fluttershy was some kind of vet or something, and looked after more than a few carnivorous animals.
>If anything, she was probably bothered by your diet the least.
>Perhaps it was that big mess with Filthy Rich?  That might do it.
>You’d probably be more than a little pissed at someone who put one of your friends in a similar situation.
>But everything turned out alright, especially since Filthy was going to pay Rainbow back for the legal bullshit he pulled on her.
>Maybe it was what AJ had said?  Rainbow had been at your side since you’d gotten intimate.
>Perhaps Fluttershy is just jealous or something?
>All these questions swam around in your head, making you fail to notice that Rainbow had wandered down to the living room.
>“Anoooon,” she said, waving a hoof in front of you face.  “Hellooooooo.”
“Ah!  Sorry Rainbow, I was just thinking is all.”
>“Uh huh.  So what did AJ want?”
“To see you, actually.  Where were you anyways?”
>“I was waitin for her to go away.”
“Dash, I thought she was your friend?”
>“She is, but I don’t want to talk to her.”
“Why not?”
>“I just don’t, okay?”
“Okay, but she wants to talk to you.”
>“What?  Why?” she asked, scrunching up her face in confusion.

-------------------

“Cause you’ve been avoiding her, along with a lot of your other friends.”
>“No I haven’t! I’ve just been with you more is all...”
“I know Dash, but they feel like you’re ignoring them.  Listen, why don’t you go and spend the rest of the day with AJ?  I’m sure she--”
>“No!” she exclaimed, her tail swishing in irritation.
“Why not?  It’d help clear up a lot of this mess, I’m sure.”
>“Cause... Cause they don’t think I should be with you, okay?!”
“That’s not the impression I got, Dash.”
>“Why’re you pushin this anyways?  Don’t you like spending time with me?”
“You know I do; but your friends want to see you too.  Besides, it’s not fair if I get the most amazing mare on the planet all to myself.”
>Her annoyance now mixed with a hint of blush, she kicked at the ground and walked over to sit next to you on the couch.
>“You’re a jerk, you know that?”
“Yeah, but I’m your jerk.”
>She gave you a light punch to the side before snuggling up next to you and whispering, “yeah, you are.  And I won’t let anyone take you from me.”
“And you call me the mushy one,” you said, rubbing her back.
>You sat there for a moment, enjoying Dash’s warmth against you.
>Luna’s nickname suited the blue pegasus well.
>Loyal as she may be though, she was still just as stubborn as you sometimes.
“Will you please go and at least talk to AJ?  For me?”
>“Do I have to?” she groaned, pushing her head into your chest.
“Come on Dash, I’m sure you want to see some of your friends anyways.  Even if you don’t want to admit it.”
>She grumbled something under her breath you didn’t quite catch, but sighed and removed herself from the couch.

-------------------

“How’s about I take you to get your check-up after you get back?  See about getting those bandages off permanently.”
>This seemed to brighten her mood a bit, but she was doing a poor job of staying annoyed.
>“Alright, but if you hold out on me, I’ll hide the keys to the bedroom door next estrus.”
“Now I’m half tempted to hold out anyways.”
>“Uh huh, suuuure you are.”
“Rainbow, you’re forgetting one thing.”
>“What’s that?”
“Our bedroom doesn’t have a lock.”
>“...I can fix that.”
“I’m not too sure how to respond to that.  We’ll talk about estrus later, you need to go and hang out with AJ for a bit, I think.”
>“Fiiine,” she said, heading for the door.
>As she made her exit, it dawned on you that you were going to be spending a bit of time with Vinyl until Rainbow got back.
>Maybe you could help her out with something?
>Surely she’s got a bit on her plate, what with the auditorium and all.
>Wonder what her and Octavia did the other day?
>Come to think of it, wonder what Vinyl does in her free time?
>The time you spent with her at the auditorium, she was mostly buried in her preparations for 'the big nasty' or whatever.
>Aside from that, she'd just lounge.
>What did she do for fun?
>Lounging is good and all, but sometimes you just want do to shit.
>She must have some ideas buried somewhere in her head about wasting away free time.
>She's been through quite a busy past couple of days; maybe she knew a good place to relax around here?
>Like a spa or something, maybe.
>You recalled Dash talking about some spa that Rarity really liked.

-------------------

>You'd have to do a little looking; but if you could catch Pinkie, she might be able to help.
>It'd be nicer if it was a complete surprise, but you'd have to take your chances.
>Vinyl would be done with her shower soon, so that didn't exactly give you a whole lot of time to run around town looking for a spa.
>She'd probably figure something was up anyways.
>Bah, you'll just go on and take her along for the ride.
>Probably a good idea to figure out the other mare you'd be spending next estrus with anyways.
>That thought had to sink in for a second.
>Estrus.  With two mares.
>Even better, one is a unicorn, the other is a pegasus.
>Estrus just got fucking magical.
>Be that good or bad, you didn't quite know.
>For now though, your priority was getting to know Vinyl a little better, along with maybe figuring out why Fluttershy had a grudge against you.
>You heard the shower cut off, and decided to head upstairs.
>Standing outside the door to your bedroom, it took you a moment to remember that ponies wandered around naked anyway.
>Shaking your head, you were just glad that nobody was around to witness your goof.
>Entering the room, you caught glimpse of Vinyl drying herself off with a towel.
"You uh, want me to take that dampener off so you can clean your horn?"
>She froze in place, towel half-way to her head.
>"B-but Anon, I promised Rainbow I'd--"
"I know what you promised her.  You're not breaking your promise if I take the thing off so you can clean up."
>She slowly resumed drying herself before continuing.
>"I appreciate the offer Anon, but no.  It feels like it'd be cheating."

-------------------

"You say so," you said, shrugging.
>She resumed drying herself off, while you waited patiently.
"So, watcha got planned for today?"
>"I dunno, why?"
"Cause Rainbow's going to go see AJ; I figured we could find something to do together for a bit."
>She'd finished trying herself, leaving her mane and tale all manner of disheveled and unkempt.
>"I got nothin planned.  What'd you have in mind?"
"I dunno, but I'm sure we can figure out something.  You gonna keep your hair like that?"
>She turned to look at herself in the mirror before shaking her head violently.
>A second or so later, and her hair was back to the same way you'd come to expect to see it.
"You know what; I'm just not going to question things like that anymore."
>"Things like what?"
"Like how you can shake your head and make your hair just snap to its old shape."
>"Pfffft, I don't brush my hair."
"I can see that."
>She stuck her tongue out as she walked over to the bed.
>"So, where we goin?"
"Let's just go for a walk and see where we wind up.  Whaddya say?"
>"Could be fun, so long as the weather team doesn't foul up again."
"It's been consistently cloudy for a while now; I think we'll be alright."
>"Yeah, but you're no weather pegasus."
"True, but the weather here hasn't been too different from back home."
>"Really?  It's all cloudy and gloomy all the time?"
"No, but the weather isn't controlled either.  Just sorta happens."
>"That must be crazy."
"Hey, it's the same world that created that phone that had you and Octavia so enthralled."
>"Well yeah!  I remember lookin through it with my magic.  You had like a bazillion records of music on there!"

-------------------

"Exactly.  Maybe a little chaos isn't so bad after all, hmm?"
>"Well, ever since Discord, chaos isn't a word you throw around lightly."
"We'll see."
>"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Just seems that chaos is rearing its head weather this Discord fellow is here or not."
>"I wouldn't call the weather team fouling up chaos."
"Really?  For this long?  It's either chaos, or Rainbow played a bigger role in that team than she let on."
>"I'd actually say it's Rainbow, honestly."
"Well, nothing we can do about it now, so let’s just have our day."
>"I can do that."
>She followed you down the stairs and out the front door, making sure that you grabbed your umbrella.
"Why you want me bringin this again?"
>"Just in case."
"What's the matter, you scared of getting wet?  It's not like it's got soap or anything."
>That got you a quick punch to the side.
>"So where we goin?"
"I think maybe we should stop by Pinkie's bakery.  What's it called again?  Sugarcube something?"
>"Sugarcube Corner?"
"Yeah, that place.  Maybe grab a snack, get something for Dash."
>"You tryin to sweeten her up?" she asked, giggling.
"I don't need to sweeten her up, but it's been a pretty hectic past couple of days."
>"Uh huh.  Sure that's what it is.  You just want her in your pants again, don't you?"
"Again, never said anything to the contrary."
>The two of you walked on in content silence for a bit, just enjoying the cool breeze.
>Maybe you can sneak some info from Pinkie without Vinyl catching you.
>You made a mental note to get something just for Dash too.
>Surely Pinkie would know what would melt Dash like butter.

-------------------

>Sooner than you'd realized, you were seated and enjoying some sweets at Sugarcube Corner with Vinyl.
>Pinkie had been overly excited to find out you'd visit her at work, quickly showing off some of her hard work.
>As sweet as the candies were, you were after something else.
"So Pinkie, I was thinking; you know of anything that Dash really likes?"
>"Oooh Dash likes lots of stuff!  There's cupcakes and ice cream and--"
"No no, I mean something that she really likes, but she only gets maybe once in a blue moon or something."
>"Hmmm..."
>While you were trying to get some answers out of Pinkie, Vinyl had taken to sampling some of the candies that had been so generously provided.
>She nearly spat out her cupcake when the epiphany hit Pinkie.
>"I've got it!"
"Great!  What is it?"
>"Dash LOVES cider!"
"Cider?"
>"Yeah!  Apple Cider!  It's only the best drink IN THE WORLD!"
"I don't know about that, but if she likes it, then that makes it a little easier on me."
>"Really?  Why's that?"
"I have a bit of cider stashed away back at home."
>"YOU GOT CIDER?!" she exclaimed, her entirety of physical activity coming to a sudden and complete stop.
>The hovering in air was a tad creepy, but you figured it was just Pinkie and went with it.
"Well, yeah.  Why's it such a big d--"
>"Anon!  IT'S THE BEST DRINK, EEEVVVVEEEEERRRRR!!  How'd you get it in the off season?"
"Off season?"
>"Yeah!  The Apple's only make cider once a year, and when they do it's always gone as fast as they can make it!"
>Suddenly Applebloom's little gift was much more appreciated than you once thought it would be.

-------------------

>"How'd you get it?!"
>"Yeah Anon, how did you get cider?" Vinyl asked, her mouth full of cake.
"Vinyl, chew your food.  And I can't tell you Pinkie, I promised."
>"Aaaaawwwwwwwwwww.  You never told me you had cider!"
"You never asked."
>She squinted her eyes at you, looking you over.
>"You're sneaky Anon."
"I didn't mean to be?"
>Her expression suddenly changed to back to that of her overly happy and energetic self.
>"That's okay, it happens to me all the time!"
>"How does being sneaky just happen, Pinkie?"
>"Well--"
>"You know what, never mind."
>"Okay Scratch, suit yourself!  I hate to chat and run, but I've got other ponies that need to smile!"
"Oh hey, before you go, I've got one more question for you."
>She zipped over to your side, her left ear suddenly brushing up against your nose.
>"I'm aaaallll ears!"
>Your leaning in to whisper to Pinkie caught Vinyl's attention, but she remained quiet.
"Where is this spa that Rarity likes?  I think I want to take Vinyl and Rainbow there and relax them, but I want it to be a surprise."
>"A surprise!?  Oh, I love surprises!  You remember--"
"Pinkie!" you hissed, "it's a surprise for her too, remember?" you asked, tilting your head to the now very curious unicorn sitting across from you.
>"Oh!  Right, sorry." she said, lowering her voice to a whisper.
>"You sure you want to take them to the spa though?  I don't think they'll--"
"You let me worry about that, I just need to know where it is."
>"Well, okay Anon.  If you say so."
>She then proceeded to explain how to get to the spa.

-------------------

>A process which you had her repeat more than once, seeing as she explained it extremely quickly the first couple times.
>Something about surprises made her over the edge hyper; which was saying something as she seemed to be in a state of perpetual energy anyway.
>After you were sure you'd gotten her directions memorized, you thanked her and she bounded off towards other ponies that had wondered into the bakery.
>"So, uh, what's the surprise?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
>"Oh come on Anon!  You know you can tell me."
"I know I can; but I just don't know what you're talking about Vinyl."
>"Fine.  Be that way.  I'll find out eventually..."
"I'm sure you will.  Now c'mon, let's get out of here."
>"Hey wait a minute, I thought we were going to pick some stuff up for Rainbow?"
"We were, but if she likes that cider so much, I think I'm in luck."
>"Well, you say so.  How come you didn't tell me you had cider?"
"You never asked.  What is it with you ponies and this cider anyways?"
>"You've obviously never had cider from Sweet Apple Acres."
"Fine, fine.  Let's get out of here."
>The two of you left the building, catching bits and pieces of Pinkie's ramblings to the couple that had wondered in.
>Something about a hoop, a magic stick, and a baby alligator.
>Whatever it was, you weren't too sure you wanted to stick around and find out.
>Once you were out and walking again, Vinyl began trying to squeeze information out of you about the surprise.
>"Soooooo, where we goin?"
"I'm not telling."
>"Aw come on!  Just a hint?"
>You put your hand to your chin for a moment.

-------------------

"Water." you said, after a bit of watching Vinyl hop around you as you walked.
>"Water?"
"Yup."
>"Anon, that's not a hint."
"Yes it is, it's just not one you wanted."
>"...Oh you're good."
"You could just let it be a surprise, you know."
>"But I know it involves me!  I saw the way you nodded your head; I gotta know!"
"And you will, soon enough."
>She huffed, scrunching her nose in concentration.
>"Water... water... hmmm..."
>As you walked, you realized something seemed different about her; and it wasn't the dampener.
>It took you a good minute or two of looking at her as the two of you walked for you to figure out just what was wrong.
"Vinyl."
>"Huh?  Whazzat?"
"Why aren't you wearing your goggles?"
>She looked at you and blinked a few times, before realizing you were in fact right.
>Her eyes weren't hidden by her goggles as they usually were.
>"Oh wow... I totally forgot to put them on..."
"Doesn’t bother me any, just took me a second to realize it."
>Suddenly she was very close to you as the two of you were walking, making cautious glances at other ponies on the streets.
>"Hey Anon, can we go back and get them?"
"Your goggles?"
>"Yeah."
"But we're almost to the surprise, Vinyl."
>"I know, but..."
"But what?"
>"I just... I don't want ponies staring at me like that..."
"Like what?  I haven't seen anyone staring at you."
>"I know they're watching me though, Anon... No-one likes red eyes."
"Vinyl, you've got to stop worrying about your eyes so much.  You look fine without the goggles, I promise."
>She shifted against your leg, continuing to look around at the other ponies.

-------------------

"Oh come on now, you were perfectly fine before I said anything."
>"I hadn't realized I'd left them back at your house!"
"And we made it not only to the bakery, but we had a perfectly normal chat with Pinkie too."
>"Your point?"
"Nobody freaked out about your eyes."
>She looked down at the ground, watching your feet to know where to go.
"Vinyl, you're worried about your eyes, yeah?"
>"Mhmm."
"Which do you think someone is going to get freaked out by: a two legged creature that's more than a bit taller than other ponies, or a beautiful pony with red eyes?"
>She muttered something you didn't quite catch, but seemed to relax a bit.
"What was that?"
>"I'm not beautiful, Anon."
"You look pretty good to me."
>She didn't retaliate or look up, but you could swear you felt the heat from her cheeks on your leg.
>Being sneaky, you decided to try and change the subject so that she wouldn’t notice where you were taking her.
"So, what do you do for fun?"
>"Huh?"
"You know, fun.  You remember that, right?"
>"Yeah, yeah.  Uuhh... I just kinda... listen to music.  You know that, you lived with me for a while, Anon!"
"Yeah, but music is your job too."
>"No, it's more than that... I don't know what I would do without music, Anon."
"Well, what do you do for fun that isn't music related?"
>"Uuuuuhhh... I dunno.  Chill, I guess."
"Chilling isn't really fun, Vinyl."
>"I know, but I don't really do much other than music, ya know?"
"We'll have to work on that."
>"Oh?  And what do you do for fun, Nonny?"
"Lots of stuff."
>"Like what?  And don't say Rainbow."
"Why can't I say Rainbow?"

-------------------

>"Cause 'doing Rainbow' is special and doesn't happen as often as it should, Nonny."
>Dirty mare.
"Alright then.  Before I arrived here, I used to go to clubs and hang out with friends for fun."
>"What did you and your friends do?"
"Oh lots of stuff.  A lot of the time, we'd usually play games and stuff like that."
>"Huh.  What kind of games?"
"That would depend on the time, who I was hanging out with, things like that."
>"So... what kind of games?"
"Lots of kinds."
>"Any of 'em we can play here?"
"Probably.  At the very least I know we can play spin the bottle."
>"Spin the bottle?  What's that?"
"You don't know what spin the bottle is?"
>"Anon, before I met you and Rainbow, my social life was pretty much Octavia, and she didn't really care for me."
"Right.  Well, you spin a bottle and whoever it points to has to picks truth or dare."
>"Oooooh, so it's truth or dare but with a bottle?  Sounds boring."
"Like I said, depends on who you play it with."
>"How do you mean?"
"Just does, dunno how to explain it really.  Seriously though, you've never heard of spin the bottle?"
>"I told you Anon, I don't have much of a social life.  Too many fans and ponies like that."
"It's weird though; I woulda figured you to have played that at least once."
>"Why's that?"
"Well, you're a party girl."
>"Whaddya mean?"
"I mean, you literally host huge parties as your job.  You are, by definition, a party girl."
>"No, I'm a DJ."
"And you've never partied?"
>"No, not really.  Not too many ponies want to hang out with a red-eyed freak."

-------------------

"Really?  The hordes of ponies that show up to your shows seems to disagree."
>"Yeah, but I wear the goggles to those; they never see my eyes."
"Even still, I find it pretty hard to believe that you're basically a shut-in."
>"I got all the 'social life' I need in my concerts.  Never really got interested in friends after the first few ponies I met freaked out about my eyes."
"Well then what about Pinkie?  Surely she's played some games with you from time to time."
>"Not really, actually.  She can kinda get on your nerves after a while, so I just kinda keep my distance."
"Really?  Never once has she partied the night away with you?"
>"Nope.  I usually manage to get her out of my hair by nightfall.  She's a good friend and all, but I just can't keep up with her."
"I guess I can see that.  Still find it weird that someone like you has never played spin the bottle."
>"Even if I wanted to, who would I play it with, Anon?  My friends before you and Rainbow were Pinkie and Octavia.  You really think Octavia would tolerate Pinkie for more than a minute, let alone play--"
"Point taken."
>It was then that you realized you'd reached your destination.
"Woah."
>"What?"
"I didn't realize we were here already."
>Vinyl finally looked up to see where you'd taken her.
>"The spa?"
"Yup."
>"You uh... you sure you want to go to the spa, Anon?"
"Well sure, why not?  From what I understand, it's supposed to be really nice."
>"I guess..."
"There someplace else you wanna go?"
>"No no, it's fine.  I just didn't think your big surprise was the spa is all."

-------------------

"Well come on, let's not just fiddle around out here all day."
>You opened the door to the spa, stepping aside to let Vinyl in.
>She entered, but gave you a deadpan look for holding the door open.
>"Welcome, to the Ponyville Day Spa!  What is your pleasure?"
>You were being greeted by two ponies behind a counter; one blue with a pink mane, the other pink with a blue mane.
>"My pleasure?  Uuuhhh..."
"Hello ladies.  I'm looking to treat my friend here to a nice, relaxing day at your spa.  You think you can help?"
>"Hey now wait a minute Nonny, I thought--"
>"But of course!  We have many treatments here, I am sure we can find one to suit you and your friend!"
"Me and my friend?  Now hold on a second--"
>"Come!  We will help you relax!"
>Before you could complain further, you were being pushed by the pink coated pony.
>Vinyl was being led by the other blue coated pony.
>Soon you were both in a private room with a pool full of mud.
"Alright, how's this work?"
>"Well, you must remove your clothing first of course."
"...of course."
>"Yeah, c'mon Nonny, we're all naked anyways."
"Oh ha ha."
>"Madame, we will need to remove your erm... goggles."
>"What?! Why?"
>"So they won't get dirty, of course!"
"Yeah Vinyl.  Go on, take the goggles off."
>Vinyl shifted in place but eventually removed the goggles.
>The pink coated pony then looked to you expectantly.
"Something I can help you with, miss...?"
>"Oh!  Where are our manners!  I am Aloe, and this is my sister, Lotus."
"Right.  Well, Aloe, is there something you need?"

-------------------

>"Your clothing, yes?"
"Oh.  Right."
>"Yeah, c'mon Anon."
>You shot Vinyl a deadpan look before removing your clothing.
>Soon you were stark naked, with only your hands to offer any sort of decency.
>Vinyl was stifling a giggle fit from your embarrassment.
"Yeah yeah, laugh it up."
>You quickly made your way into the mud pool across from Vinyl, sighing when you were certain you were no longer exposed.
>Aloe took your clothes and Vinyl's goggles elsewhere, while Lotus began telling you about their plans they had for you.
>"We will start with a mud bath and facial, followed by--"
>You shot the giggling unicorn a deadpan look, which only caused her to giggle harder.
>"...followed by a refreshing treatment in our sauna.  We will complete your experience with a massage and coat treatment."
"Well, this should be interesting, to say the least."
>Lotus bowed slightly before running off to presumably gather the ingredients for the next phase of the spa treatment.
>You looked over to Vinyl who was still giggling.
"What's so funny?"
>"F-Facial."
>She was doing her best to look at you with a straight face, but only managed to delay her eruption into laughter by a few seconds.
>As she snorted and chuckled, you couldn't help but feel a laugh work its way out of you.
>It was kinda funny...
>Eventually though, you and Vinyl calmed down a bit.
"That shouldn't have been that funny."
>"Hey.  Hey Nonny."
"What?"
>"Facial."
>You both erupted into laughter again; just in time for Lotus and Aloe to return with the makings of two facial treatments.

-------------------

>You watched as Vinyl's face was lathered up with the nutrient rich mud, followed by placing cucumbers over her eyes.
>Soon your face was given the same treatment and both you and Vinyl were blinded by foodstuffs.
>"I just want you to remember Anon, this was your idea."
"Marco."
>"What?"
"No, polo."
>"Anon... are you alright?"
"It's a game, see?  I say Marco, you say polo."
>"How is that a game?"
"Try and find me without peeking."
>"...Polo."
"Marco."
>The exchange continued on for a couple minutes, until the two of you inevitably bumped directly into each other in the small tub.
>You felt one of the cucumber slices slide off of your face, and opened your eye to find Vinyl munching away on said cucumber slice.
"Vinyl, you're not supposed to--"
>"Bf if good!"
"...Don't talk with your mouth full, Vinyl."
>She gave you a soft punch in the chest before making her way over to a side of the pool and taking a seat.
>The mud came up to her chin, but she seemed to finally be relaxing.
>At least, to a degree.
>You still weren't convinced she was completely relaxing.
>Scooting over next to her, you had to scoot a bit further down so that your head was level with hers.
>She looked over at you with her mud covered face, and leaned forward.
>The kiss you were anticipating was in fact her reaching over and snatching away the other cucumber slice.
>One giggle fit later and you saw the playful, care-free Vinyl you first met re-emerge.
>Taking a scoop of mud from the pool, you quietly moved it to over her head while she was snickering.

-------------------

>After dropping the ball of mud onto her head, she gasped.
>"You JERK!"
>She retaliated by splashing mud up onto your head, followed closely by yet another giggle fit.
>Soon the both of you were rolling in mud laughing like hyenas.
>"Ahem."
>You both slowly wiped the mud from your eyes, to find one of the spa ponies giving you both a rather... distasteful look.
>"I see you're enjoying the mud bath.  Perhaps we should rinse the two of you off and move you to the sauna treatment?"
>Soon thereafter, the two of you had been thoroughly rinsed of mud and wrapped in towels.
>You gratefully accepted the tiny piece of clothing, quickly covering your midsection with it.
>Vinyl, of course, found herself giggling at your embarrassment once more.
>The two of you were led to the sauna area, and shown how to operate the steam settings.
>Of course, the moment the two of you were left alone, the sauna was turned to the maximum setting.
>Vinyl had made it a game to try and steal your towel from you; she'd nearly succeeded twice, but you caught her.
>That third time however, she'd managed to sneak your towel away.
>You were now blindly groping around to try and find Vinyl in the ridiculous amount of steam.
>And you found her, all right.  Both hands wound up on her ass.
>She squeaked, but at least you found your towel.
>Good timing too, considering you'd realized what you'd just grabbed.
>Your body had responded in kind, but the towel's return was just so that even if she had turned around, she wouldn't have caught it.

-------------------

>You'd found the bench, and Vinyl had followed you to said bench.
>Both of you were sweating and rubbing up against each other.
>It didn't help that you were both painfully aware of what you'd just done either.
>With no regard for what she thought, you scooped Vinyl up into a hug for a moment.
>She squeaked again, but soon returned the hug.
>After what seemed like hours, the steam was pulled from the room by vents.
>You were left with a sweaty Vinyl clinging to your own sweaty body.
>The realization that the two of you were being watched with a heightened curiosity caused you to separate rather quickly.
>Both of the spa ponies were blushing, but they continued you on your tour of the spa regardless.
>The final area was upon you now, as you and Vinyl were positioned face down on spa beds.
>Lotus was dancing on your back, giving you some kind of heavenly massage; and Aloe was doing something similar to Vinyl.
>You managed to look over to the unicorn to see her with a sheepish grin and half-lidded eyes.
>And to think, she didn't want to go do the spa.

-------------------

###Last Edit: 2/16/2013 0145