Aether Vale

@#!
"Effin' lol! that is just like, so funny Anon."
>Be ladies man Anon.
>Well, lady man Anon.
>Actually, mare man Anon.
>The point is, you're a big hit with this 2 X chromosome having individual, and that's special goddamnit.
>This was certainly a turn around from your previous life on earth, where you were a listless student of photography(minor in journalism).
>The art crowd never gelled with you, though unfortunately you'd had an eye for composition, leaving you in the nightmarish situation of having to network with people you couldn't stand.
>It seems like God finally noticed your plight, and in his mercy finally zapped your ass out of the universe into some strange horse land.
>Although they were strange to you, you weren't strange to them.
>On occasion humans would drift into this universe, often enough that the whole thing had become pretty routine.
>Human shows up. Give job. Kick out of castle.
>Right now you were in between step 2 and 3.
>The princesses got you a job working as an unpaid intern on some haute couture photographer mare named Photo Finish's set.
>Aether Vale, the double x chromosome creature previously referenced was another intern.
>You don't know if she was paid or not, you didn't think it polite to ask.
>Though if there were ever a time to find out it'd be now, seeing as how the two of you are playing an exclusive lunch break game of truth-or-dare.
>And as far as you can tell, you're winning.


>Winning might not be the right term.
>The age old game of truth-or-dare was eldrich indeed, the terms of combat vague and the win and lose conditions somehow subjective.
>But you liked what was happening, and that was enough.
>Aether Vale had asked you what you thought of the dresses in the shooting today, and apparently a cocked eyebrow and a tilted head passed for comedy gold around here.
>Something about a woma-- mare's laughter is just special, it fills you with confidence and esteem.
>Hers was a cute laugh, too, she rocked backwards onto her haunches to giggle, hind legs twiddling in the air in excitement.
>So far back that you expected her to fall over completely, but she always caught herself just before she tipped over.
>Which ended up bringing your gaze to her, uhh, 'nethers'
>Normally concealed from behind by her tail, leaning backwards while sitting on her rear exposed her intimate bits to you, currently sitting on the floor across from her in the little area under the stairs the two of you had been spending your lunches at.
>The whole studio was normally a beehive of activity, this little cove was the only place where you can stay out of everyone's way.
>Her vulva is a light rose speckled with dots of darker pink.
>It's puffy in a perfectly plush way, your fingers beg to trace its rim and massage its lips.
"Hmm-mmh!"
>Oh fuck above
>You look up and meet her gaze, the flush you can feel on your face surely condemns you as guilty.
>Absolutely lost for words, your mouth hangs stupidly.
>Even more confusing, she doesn't even look angry, more so the amused way you look when you catch a child stealing cookies.
"Errr, so like, interested much?"
>Oh fuck above, is she FLIRTING with you?
"You know we ponies, like, don't care about that stuff, right?"
>Casual sex!?
>You attempt to convey your question, though your voice breaks partway through.
"Wha-- No you dummy! like, nudity or whatever!"


>You exclaim in relieved realization.
>It's not that you haven't thought about dating ponies yet, it was just that you didn't know how to or if you could even navigate that area of life yet.
>Something along the lines of a 'friends with benefits' seems too tentative and finicky for what's going on in your life right now.
>You just want to get everything stable, then you'll think about finding a mare friend.
"Sooo like... are you gonna take your turn or...."
"Oh, sorry, uh, truth or dare?"
"Hmmmm..."
>Aether Vale crosses her forelegs, tapping one against her noggin in deep thought.
"Hmmmm... We like, both know if I say dare you're totally just gonna dare me to show off my mare parts..."
>This girl.
"But if I say truth, that's like, mega lame..."
>A few moments pass as her brain calculates outcomes.
>You can almost see the neurons firing.
"I guesssss.... like.... Truuuth? No! Dare!"
>Vale's eyes light up as she yells out her choice, clearly proud she's puzzled out the answer.
>Well this is an odd predicament.
>You almost feel obligated to dare her to demo her derriere, what with her assumption and all.
>Plus you do kinda want another look.
>But on the other hand, that'll make you feel like a creep, and you don't want Aether to think less of you.
>Maybe something related to pony plots, but without asking her to expose hers.
"I dare you to tell me about Equestrian nudity customs."
>Aether Vale rolls her eyes, making a gagging sound and pointing at the back of her mouth with a hoof.
"Aaaughck, That is like, the /worst/ dare anypony's /ever/ dared."
>She looks at you with a face that drips 'oh just gimmie a break'.
>Stand firm Anon, don't give her an inch.
"Huuaghhh, fineeeee you square. Ponies are naked all the time so they don't care about being naked, 'kay?"
"No but like, how'd that come to be? How come you guys only wear clothes sometimes?"
>She looks at you like you're a fool.
>Which honestly, you are.
>Absolutely nothing about this pony says 'Historian'.


"Well uh, your turn then I guess."
>Her mouth forms into a mischievous little grin.
"Truth."
>She frowns and shakes her head.
"or dare."
>She nods and makes a face that looks like she's saying 'excellent choice'.
"Something tells me that I should go tru--"
>Angry eyes.
"Or Dare then."
>Vale lights up with a pleased little giggle.
"I..."
>She points at herself.
"Totally dare you..."
>She points at you.
"To look at my butt!"
>!
>Before you can say or do anything she leaps up and spins around, pointing her plot right at your face while giggling.
"Wait I don't know if this is--"
>Her plot is the most perfect thing you've ever witnessed.
>Twin light mauve globes that unite together to form a perfect apple, split straight down the middle by her lavender tail.
>You can tell by the curvature of each globe that the fat to muscle ratio is just perfect.
>So shapely, and just the right size, each a hand and half long and a 3/4 hand wide.
>So so tantalizing.
>Want... touch...
>You reach a hand up before a little voice called Anon tells you that's inappropriate.
>Is it, Anon? Is it?
>Your hand is mere inches away from her supple behind before it shifts away.
> </3
>Disappointed beyond measure you search for a reason as to why this crime has been committed upon you and find Vale's smirking face.
>She speaks softly yet deeply.
"Lunch is like, over Anon"
>She shoots you a wink and takes off with a bouncy trot, exiting the under-stair and rounding the corner.


>The rest of the day is tainted with a similarly teasy atmosphere.
>Whenever you do any intern stuff, Aether is there and doing better than you.
>When you fetch a rack of dresses for the models to wear, she's beaten you to it.
>She casts you a salacious look over her whither as she breezes by, dresses in tow.
>When you go get coffee for Miss Finish, Aether's already made it back to the front door by the time you get to it.
>She motions with her eyes for you to get the door for her, and flicks her tail into your crotch as she walks by.
>Aside from constantly beating you at your own job, she's always nearby and posing in some kind of eye catching way.
>Her poses are never overt or blatant, just enough to catch your but nobody else's eye.
>She'll have her ass poked out while she extends a tripod, or she'll bend way down to pick up gels off the floor.
>And you know it's on purpose because she'll cast a little glance your way when you look at her.
>Her face will always have a little "gotcha" flair to it when the two of you catch eyes.
>You knew this was going to be a competitive atmosphere, but damn.
>Whether Aether's teasing is meant as a taunt or as friendly ribbing remains a mystery to you, but it does kind of hurt your feelings.
>The rest of the day passes with much of the same.
>Tired and frustrated, you let Photo Finish know that you're taking off.
>During the walk home you feel like you're being watched, but you don't know if that feeling is justified or if it's just because you've been self-conscious all day long.
>A medium walk and a short climb up the stairs and you're back in your apartment.
>It's a nice place, government owned with tons of rules, but probably nicer than whatever you'll be able to afford once you get yourself a real job.
>You don't bother to make a real dinner, supplanting it with a little thing you call a salad sandwich.
>It's exactly what it sounds like, barely bearing description.


>After a few chapters of equipment manuals and developing some photos you took you're out like a lightbulb.
>A lightbulb that's turned off that is.
>Dreams of cameras and pretty ponies carry you through the night.

>The following morning passes without Aether Vale making a pass or gesture towards you.
>Seems like the fun wore off, or maybe she just forgot that she was doing that.
>It's near lunch time, and you wonder if she'll invite you to lunch-under-the-stair-and-truth-or-dare.
>Speak of the devil, she's headed towards you right now.
>Her steps are even and graceful, a faint smile plastered across her face.
>Suddenly, before she draws too near to you, a stallion intercepts her path.
>Appearance wise his coat is a dark cerulean, and he has a teal mane that's trimmed short in the front and tied into a large braid in the back.
>They're close enough that you can overhear their conversation.
>His voice is on the deeper end, yet most of his statements end with a lilt.
"Hey uh, Aether right? Aether Vale? I'm Photo Op."
>She doesn't respond, instead just blankly staring at his eyes.
>Although her lips are in the shape of a smile, something about them seems to defy qualification as a smile.
"It's whatever, anyway you wanna catch a bite for lunch?"
>Her face doesn't change, though her head does a micro-shake in bewilderment.
>You see her breathe in in preparation to respond, but Photo Op interjects.
"I have a table reservation set up for me and my aunt-- Photo Finish --and some ponies from work at this lunch place downtown-- they have great crepes --and I thought ''Hey she probly likes crepe's''."
>Something in you wants her to say no.
"So whattya think? Finish'll be there, so you can like, talk to her all chill"
>A moment passes while she thinks.
>The want for her to refuse turns sour in your stomach.
"Mmmm... Sounds cool I guess"
>The bitter yellow bile of defeat courses through your veins.
>You feel self conscious, face beginning to flush.


>He departs with a "Tchya" and the location of the restaurant.
>You turn and get back to whatever menial intern shit Photo Finish has you doing and mildly curse reality, and yourself.
>Why do you care?
>Sure the both of you have had a few lunches together, played some truth or dare, but that was just to pass the time, nothing meant by it.
>In spite of your thoughts you find a small part of yourself hoping that Photo Op will invite you along, but he just saunters past.
>You stare daggers at the back of his head and think hateful things.
>Nice mullet, you fucking douche.
>Suck on your Aunt's clit some more you pissbaby fagg--
"Errr, Anon?"
>Vale's voice snaps you out of your mood.
"Y'okay bud?"
"Ye-Yeah, fine. Were-- uh, Why?"
>She looks at you with something like compassion, though it's accented with something you can't identify.
>You break eye contact and look away, pretending to be interested with your job.
"So join me for lunch?"
>What!
"I thought you were going to lunch with Photo Op and them?"
"Yeah but like, they didn't say no Anon's"
"I mean, I guess that's true, but I still wasn't invited"
"Who cares?"
>You laugh a small single laugh, relief filling you.
"Good point."
>Aether leads you away from your work to the front of the building where Photo Op, Photo Finish, and some various ponies you work with are standing.
>Photo Op calls out to Aether as you two approach.
"It's just a few blocks away, follow me"
>To your surprise, he doesn't comment on you.
>You soon realize that it's because he's totally ignored you.
>He notices you only after he tries to get next to Vale during the walk, a spot occupied by you.
>Photo Op sizes you up like he's a cartoon character, first he double takes, then his gaze starts at your feet, eyes traveling all the way up your body until he finds your face.


>A dissatisfied "Oh" is all that he has to say, though you can tell he's thinking more than that.
>He meanders over next to his Aunt, where he casts you a little look every few minutes.
>The whole situation makes you a little uncomfortable, and a lot lost.

>Photo Op is Photo Finish's nephew, so he could probably get you fired if he wanted.
>Photo Finish has a kind of stoic way about her, but you don't know the dynamic between her and her family.
>Presumably she gave the job to her nephew in an instance of pure nepotism, but you don't know how deep that runs.
>It's a short walk before you arrive at the restaurant.
>You and Aether Vale spend it talking about outdoor candid photography.
>She keeps laughing at your jokes, to the point you wonder if she's faking it.
>Her giggles and the way she looks at you seems far too genuine to be fake though, and a nice confidence swells within you.
>She's laughing so hard that she can bump you on the thigh to let you know that you've reached your destination.
>As expected because of the crepes, the restaurant is some kind of high class cafe.
>Which begs the question 'What kind of cafe offers lunch reservations?' which begs it's own question 'What kind of place offers lunch reservations?'
>You don't ask aloud, afraid you'll be mocked for being low-class.
>Maybe that's a common thing in this city, you honestly don't know.
>Expecting a party, the cafe help have pushed a number of tables together.
>The size of the megatable looks more appropriate for a small family reunion than it does a lunch outing.
>The design of the cafe itself is nice, but boring, lots of tan wood, rounded edges, and glass.
>It's clear that this place appeals to the kind of people who use the word chill to describe the things they like.
>Aether Vale takes a seat at the last chair on the side of the table, leaving only one seat next to her which you quickly steal.


>She smiles at you once you're seated and you return it, only for the moment to be shattered by an awful scraping sound.
>Photo Op drags a chair from one of the other tables and places it at the foot of your table, creating a seat next to Aether Vale.
>He smiles at Vale, and she answers it with a small frown.
>Determined not to be stymied, he attempts to chat her up.
"So where do you normally eat lunch? Most days I'm at at this place. This or the Dienor. You like it here? We could eat here tomorrow if you want, maybe somewhere else."
"Ugh, as if, I'd rather go out with Anon."
"Oh?"
>Op doesn't take kindly to that, he casts a half-glare your way.
"And where exactly does /Anon/ take you to lunch?"
"We eat under the stairs at the back of the building."
>He take a moment to register what Aether's said, before busting into titters and giggles.
"You mean to tell me that Anon takes you out under the stairs!? What is he some kind of hunchback? That is just precious."
>He sends a look at you as he says precious before continuing.
>The impulse to retort back comes on strong, but the fear of losing your job cancels it at the last moment.
"Oh, please, Aether, get real, come with me to the Dienor tomorrow so I can show you what real dining is li-"
"Like oh my Cel, could you get any cornier?"
>Silence creeps into the room like a poisonous gas as she talks.
"I definitely /don't/ wanna go to that overblown faux-classy diner, some of us actually judge things based off of stuff other than the receipt."
>The silence bears down on the room, heavy, though Aether Vale seems immune to it, not faltering in her death-glare at Photo Op.
>Afraid for Vale's sake, you turn to see what Photo Finish thinks of the circumstance, but her glasses conceal any thoughts you could gleam from her face.
>An invisible tension has been building, something shitty is about to happen.
>Suddenly, another pony interjects, apparently misreading the situation as humorous.
"Ha! That is soo truee, Photo Op's always tryna mack on mares like he's some kinda Buster Bucks."
>Everyone laughs, and the situation defuses, transforming back into to idle chatting.
>Apparently mocking each other is a common occurrence in this group.
>Just like those obnoxious 'with it' art kids back home.


>Looks like some things are universal.
>Photo Op casts a last look at Aether Vale, and you a short glare, before jumping into some other pony's conversation.
>That was a close one, probably.
>You don't know if Finish would be the type to fire you on the spot, and you didn't want to find out.
>This definitely isn't over, though.
>Photo Op didn't seem like the type that'd give up when someone says no.

>Most of the rest of lunch passes without any more abrasion, thankfully.
>You and Vale just keep to yourselves, chatting about miscellany.
"Anon, gross! Asparagus, are you serious? Barf!"
"I swear it's good if you season it right, it's just that no place does. For some reason I'm the only person on the face of this and my home planet that's thought to do so, every time you order it somewhere they just grill it and give it to you like it's something to eat: 'Bam, asparagus. You're welcome and pay me.'"
>She rolls her eyes in an exaggerated goofy way, clearly having fun.
"Yeah well, y'know maybe you should like, show me some time."
"I would but like I said, no place serves it the way I like."
>A moment passes and you look over to see if she heard you.
>Aether's eyes are smouldering, locked directly onto your soul.
"Well, then you should make it for me yourself."
>You cock an eyebrow.
"Oh yeah?"
"Mmm hmm, I could come over to your place sometime."
>She leans in.
"And we could..."
>Further in.
"Enjoy ourselves..."
>A spastic electric eel worms through your spine.
>You're at a minor loss, you definitely want to hang out with Aether, but you don't know if you have the ability to treat her to a nice night.
>She's such a pretty pony, there's no way you could give her what she deserves.
>The event would just end up being a disappointment for her and embarrassing for yo--
>You notice something out of the corner of your eye.
>It's Photo Op, absolutely seething.

>He's looking at you with an expression that says 'don't you dare' in the most commanding way possible.
>His pomp combined with his insults stir a fury within you, inspiring rebellion.
"Aether Vale, I would absolutely love to have you for dinner."
>Rather than explode with one of the bombastic bursts of excitement you've come to know her for, a soft grin just spreads on her face.
>Something about her glows and her being takes on a majesty.
>Her blushing face suddenly finds the table worth inspection, and she speaks in a soft, delicate voice.
"Good."
>The two of you square away a date and time, and spend the rest of lunch giggling about nothing to each other.
>The remainder of the day passes much the same.
>To the outside observer, you must come off as some kind of zombie with a mental deficiency.
>You absentmindedly complete your tasks, making mistakes all the while and grinning to yourself each time you think of or see Aether Vale.
>The sunny energy of her affection assuages any anxieties you might have about how the date will go, and you can barely even feel the eyes on the back of your head when you walk home.
>All in all, a pretty okay turn of events.

>The decision to invite Aether Vale for dinner was a impulsive one indeed, and like everything without foresight, it risks death in the details.
>For instance, your apartment doesn't allow guests of any kind, especially not romantic ones.
>Nor does it really facilitate conditions like entertaining a romantic guest.
>There's a strict lights out policy, the time of which is dependent on when the sun goes down.
>Whether it's some kind of bizarre respect for Princess Celestia or a purposeful irritant so that you'll move out, you have no clue.
>You've been pacing back and forth through your one room studio apartment for almost an hour now, brainstorming ideas.
>Taking her to a hotel is bizarre, expensive, and maybe implies the wrong thing.
>But if you bring her here you'll have to sneak her in, which is trashy, and you'll have to explain everything about the apartments rules and keep way quiet, plus she'll probably end up going home early because of the lights out thin--
*knock knock knock*
>Why, that's probably the super coming by to let you know how absolutely not allowed guests are right now!
>You sigh and shake your head before going to open the front door.
>Preparing for the worst, you steel your ears and grit your teeth.
>You crack the door open at the speed of snail, hoping it'll be anyone other than the super.
"Errr, yello?"
"Wha?"
"Like, down here, dummy"
>It's Aether Vale!
>It's Aether Vale?
>And she's got on some chic little saddlebags.
>You poke your head out the door and search left and right as though answers are hiding in the hallways.
"How do you know where I live?"
"Well, first I--"
"Wait, you should come in first."
>You open the door enough to let her in, she brushes by your legs leaving her warmth.
>The apartment immediately begins to fill with her sweet scent, something like a strawberry vanilla ice cream, but also somehow bubblegum cotton candy.
>It's so distinct that it's like you can watch it waft off of her coat and mane.

>She makes her way to the kitchen like she's been there a thousand times before, not bothering to size the place up.
>You close the door, turning the handle and using as little force as possible to keep it quiet. Just in case.
>By the time you round the entry hallway to see the kitchen Aether Vale has already put her bags on the counter and begun unloading her stuff.
"Hey can you hold this for a mome?"
>She hoofs a glass tube in your direction.
>You verbalize an agreement and approach her, taking it.
"So anyway, as I was saying, first I-"
"Wait a sec, sorry, what are you making?"
"Hm? Oh this?"
>She presents an glass lamp-base looking thing that resembles a highly ornamental wait a second that's a bong.
"Is that-"
"It's a-"
>The both of you speak at once.
>Having stepped on each other's lines, you play the little game of "Are you gonna talk or am I gonna talk" where you just kinda don't say anything and make gestures, only to end up talking over each other again.
"a bong."
"a bong."
>Oh cripes.
"I hate to rain on your parade Aether, but my apartment's actually really strict about rules-"
"Did they like, specifically say 'no hop allowed'?"
"Tell you the truth, I'm not positive what the rule book said because I mostly didn't read it but I'm sure-"
"Pshaww, It'll be fiiine"
>She bats both a hoof and her eyebrows at you while she says 'fine'.
"See? mine's got a thing"
>She raises what looks like an old timey medicine bottle and points to a little honeycomb spinny doo-dad inside it, before sliding the contraption into where the bowl goes on a bong.
>

>Yeah, I'm cool.
>Wait, say that out loud you fool.
"Yeah, I'm cool"

"So uh.. what is it?"
"Oh, it's just Saddle Munch, top notch of course, plus I totally sprinkled a little Sprite Dust in it.
>Ah yes, those things.
>Hmm yes, you sure do know what those things mean in this context, of course, what are you some kind of amateur baby? Ha, yeah right.
>Wait what the fuck?
"I don't what any of that means.
"