Pleasure [Ch 3]

Today's the day, thought Twilight.

 

Her first flying lesson with Rainbow. Her mind was the battlefield over which anticipation and fear waged war. Twilight's short time flying—if you could call it that—had been immensely satisfying. However, her forays rarely lasted more than a few seconds and often ended in a... less-than-graceful fall. If anypony knew how to fly, though, it'd be Rainbow.

 

Which brought her to the source of her fear: what if she fails Rainbow? What if she's so terrible at flying that not even Rainbow can help? Twilight shivered at the thought. Even if she did do alright, Rainbow wasn't never the one to jump into anything with less than a hundred percent effort. She might be a harsh teacher, or try to take things too quickly. Twilight's concern in that area, however, was not so severe. If there's anything she knew how to do, it was be a student.

 

Finishing the triple-check of her supplies, Twilight smiled and closed up her saddlebag, making her way to the door. As she opened her mouth to call out to Spike and let him know she was leaving, Pleasure trotted up from the basement, wearing her own set of saddlebags.

 

Before acknowledging the spirit's presence, Twilight quickly checked for Spike. All clear. She rushed over to Pleasure, gesturing back to the basement with her wings.

 

"What are you doing! Go back downstairs! Spike is awake and could come down here and see you!" she spoke in a rushed whisper.

 

"Why don't you want to introduce me to your friends, Squeaky?" Pleasure said with a mock pout.

 

Twilight jerked her head back. "Sq-Squeaky? Why would you call me that?"

 

"Because you make the cutest little squeaks when I thrust in j—"

 

"Okay, okay! Remind me not to ask you about my little quirks. Now back downstairs!" She nudged Pleasure, but the pegasus didn't move.

 

"You're going for flying lessons with Rainbow Dash, yes?"

 

"Yeah, but that doesn't change—"

 

"I'm coming with you."

 

Twilight froze, mouth hanging open, lost for words.

 

"Oh, I'm so glad you approve! I was hoping to avoid a needless argument in which you ultimately relented." Pleasure nuzzled Twilight. "Because, if you haven't forgotten, I tend to get what I want."

 

The nuzzle snapped her out of it. "No! No, no, no. No. You are absolutely not coming along. You are going to stay here, in the basement, where you won't cause trouble, and where no one can see you."

 

"Are you really so ashamed of me?"

 

Twilight paused, again without an answer. Ashamed? That seemed like such a strong and offensive word. Was she really ashamed of Pleasure? Or maybe something else?

 

"I... don't know."

 

Pulling Twilight close, Pleasure kissed her right below her horn. "It's alright. I forgive you." She released Twilight and sauntered toward the exit. "But if we continue to dally, we will be late. That is something you are not fond of, yes?"

 

Twilight blinked a few times, trying to process what just happened. She isn't angry? Offended? Pleasure made it seem so easy to let things just bounce off of her.

 

"You aren't forgiving me just because I'm your summoner, are you?"

 

Pleasure stopped, raising a hoof to her chin. She hummed to herself a moment before putting the hoof back down. "No. No, I don't believe so."

 

Still stuck in place, Twilight waited for her to continue, but she kept her silence. "So... why did you?"

 

Pleasure's sigh was hardly audible from where Twilight stood. "Late, remember?"

 

"Y-yeah. Late." Twilight trotted up to the door and opened it, waiting for Pleasure to go through. She almost brought up the issue of Pleasure's arms, but they folded against her sides nicely and, after a moment, camoflauged with the color of her coat. Had she not still been reeling from Pleasure's statement, she might have given her subconscious a little pat on the back for thinking of that.

 

 

 

 

"I still don't think this is a good idea."

 

The two continued their trek through town toward the field where Rainbow awaited them. They'd soon be out of town, and their destination lied not much further on.

 

Rummaging through her saddlebags, Pleasure waved off Twilight's comment. "Everything will be fine."

 

"I don't know why I let you come."

 

"Because you are a very kind alicorn and you want me to meet your friends."

 

"You're going to try something, aren't you?"

 

Pleasure looked away from her saddlebags and toward Twilight, a pout on her face. "How could you? Accusing me of such scheming. I am an innocent little pegasus!"

 

Twilight frowned at her, steps becoming heavy.

 

"At least... outside the bedroom," Pleasure added.

 

Twilight gave a snort.

 

"Very well... outside the house." Twilight opened her mouth to protest, but Pleasure stopped her. "Technically, I was still in the house."

 

"But I imagine you have no problem doing it in public, too!"

 

"Maybe." Pleasure went back to her bags and, content with their contents, closed them up and turned to Twilight with an almost giddy grin. "I'm excited!"

 

Rolling her eyes, Twilight turned back to the road as they made their last turn out of town. "Why'd you want to come along, anyways?"

 

"Because, as you seem to have forgotten, I am new to wings as well. I'd like to learn to fly myself. It looks rather enjoyable." Her mouth shifted to a wide grin before adding, "And it would be most entertaining to watch you learn."

 

Gritting her teeth, Twilight offered a cold smile. "Of course. Most entertaining." The last thing she needed was an audience.

 

"You really should lighten up. I think this will be a rewarding experience for us both."

 

'Lighten up'? If she had a bit for every time she heard that phrase...

 

"I'll be fine without 'lightening up', thank you. If I don't take this seriously, Rainbow will be offended and I won't learn anything. Besides, that's how you should always approach lessons: with total determination."

 

"Determination and fun are not mutually exclusive."

 

"But the latter can take away from the former."

 

"You have control of the two, dearie. 'Can take away' does not mean 'will take away'."

 

"You underestimate the power of impulses."

 

"And you underestimate your self-control."

 

Wait, when did this conversation become about me? thought Twilight. "My self-control is fine!"

 

The shout froze Pleasure in her tracks, appraising Twilight with a more neutral gaze. When her focus shifted to something behind Twilight, the alicorn's eyes widened and she spun around. Hovering not far from the ground was Rainbow, her forelegs crossed and an eyebrow raised.

 

"It doesn't sound fine," said Rainbow.

 

"I just, er, had a temporary lapse. That's all!" She put on the best smile she could behind a nervous giggle, taking a few steps backward. Pleasure nestled up against her side, laying a wing over her back.

 

"Come now, it's fine, you just got a little agitated." Turning to Rainbow, Pleasure gave a slight bow. "Hello, I am—"

 

"Whisper Wind! Her name is Whisper Wind," Twilight barked out, hoof shooting upward in exclamation.

 

"Yes, but you can call me Whisper." Pleasure never missed a beat. "And you are?"

 

Rainbow landed and walked over to Pleasure, offering a hoof. "Rainbow Dash. How do you know Twi?"

 

"'Twi'? Aww, what a cute name!" After shaking Rainbow's hoof, Pleasure ruffled Twilight's mane. The miffed alicorn said nothing intelligible from behind her blush, just a ragged mumble directed at the ground. "I'm actually new to town. I came to the library looking for some information and she was most helpful. We kind of shifted to chatting and before we knew it, we'd talked the whole night away!"

 

"Oh, yeah?" said Rainbow, smirking. "I know Twilight can get like that if you bring the right subject up." She paused, rubbed a hoof to her chin. "Which happens to be about any subject, now that I think about it."

 

"Alright! I get it, I'm an egghead." Twilight rushed forward and seized Rainbow's hoof. "Can we pleeeease start the lesson, now?"

 

Rainbow retracted her hoof from Twilight's grasp, a bit perplexed at her friend's reaction. "Calm down. We were just having a little fun, right?" She looked to Pleasure who nodded to her. "But we'll stop if you're that worked up. You can't learn how to fly properly if you can't focus."

 

Straightening her back and neck, Twilight nodded.

 

"Good. Let's start with some exercises on the ground. Flying will come soon enough." Her attention shifted to Pleasure. "Whisper, I'm sure you could find a good cloud nearby to rest on, or take cover under that tree over there. We're gonna be a little while."

 

"Actually, I was hoping I could participate as well."

 

Rainbow's face blanked. "Wait, what? Do you not know how to fly either?"

 

"Indeed. Such a strange coincidence, is it not? That's one of the reasons why I think 'Twi' here and I connected so well."

 

No, Pleasure, I think that was the huge tentacle you shoved up my vagina, thought Twilight, but she kept silent.

 

"A-alright," said Rainbow, "just another chance for me to show how good I am at this, right?"

 

"Exactly."

 

Twilight, though not exactly assured by Rainbow's stutter, followed her teacher to the top of the hill. Rainbow signaled a halt, then hunched down near the ground.

 

"Alright, both of you, down like this." They copied Rainbow's stance. "First thing we're gonna do is test wing strength. I want you two to touch the tips of your wings to the ground and slowly transfer your weight to them. As much as you can, but don't fall over."

 

Twilight nodded and followed her instructions. She considered glancing over at Pleasure to see if her companion was having any difficulty, but reconsidered. This training would require her full attention, and it would not do well for her to let her mind wander, despite her growing curiosity. Focusing on her wings, she slowly started to shift her weight. She was surprised to find her wings were capable of holding most of her body already. Once she got some solid exercise in, she figured, they'd have no trouble holding her up on their own.

 

"Good, Twilight. You, too, Whisper. Is that all you can do right now?"

 

Twilight looked up at Rainbow, face straining, and nodded. The way Rainbow put it, it sounded like she should be able to do more.

 

Rainbow must have seen the panic on her face. "Don't worry, Twi, what you're doing is great. Much better than most beginning pegasai, too."

 

Pleasure grunted, grabbing Rainbow's and Twilight's attention. They looked over to find a sweating, tense smile from Pleasure. She was trying to keep up with Twilight, but having a much harder time doing so.

 

"Don't overdo it, Whisper. You'll need your energy later, too."

 

She nodded, relaxing only a bit. Twilight found herself squinting at Pleasure, thoughts drifting away from the training. Why was she working so hard? She probably wouldn't stick around for that long—she belonged in Tartarus after all. This determination could possibly just be part of her act, but Twilight didn't really picture Pleasure as somepony so concerned with appearances. Maybe she didn't know the Tartarus spirit as well as she thought she did.

 

Twilight let out a whoop as she lost her balance, concentration broken by her wandering mind. Rainbow rushed over.

 

"You okay?"

 

"Y-yeah," she stuttered, "I'll be fine."

 

"Sure?"

 

Twilight grumbled inwardly. She knew she was new at this but wasn't exactly ecstatic about being treated like a filly. Rainbow knew how smart she could be, why the condescending 'sure'?

 

"Yes, Rainbow. Perfectly fine. Let's move on."

 

Rainbow gave her a look saying she wasn't convinced at all, but continued at Twilight's request. "Alright, then. Now that you've got a good idea of your wing strength, let's do some flexibility work."

 

The lesson continued with drill after drill, Rainbow walking through each step-by-step. Twilight, of course, had no problem following along. She'd researched every avenue of the physics of flight, from airflow to wing-flapping patterns. Rainbow simply added the practical knowledge of following through with the specific actions.

 

Pleasure's progress was fairly average. At times, Rainbow would slow down for her, repeating a step or walking over to correct her posture. This earned a glare or two of impatience from Twilight, but Pleasure seemed impassive at most. The pegasus had likely expected hardships along the way, but it was odd to see her completely lacking any sort of reaction to her inabilities. Not even a growl or huff of annoyance. This must've surprised Rainbow a bit, as she made a comment or two, wondering if Pleasure was okay or wanted a break, but she merely pressed on. Twilight did nothing; she knew Pleasure was made of sterner stuff.

 

As the lessons went on, fatigue reared its ugly head for even Twilight. She didn't have the endurance Rainbow did, but was hoping her new alicorn physiology might make up for that. Inspecting Rainbow's body, she noticed beads of sweat falling down her smooth cheeks and a nose wet with labored breathing. Her toned physique was beginning to show from under her sky blue coat, legs and neck corded with muscles born through years of hard work and training. She truly was a beautiful pegasus, Twilight realized. Her eyes continued to roam over Rainbow's body and she caught herself licking her lips.

 

Rainbow must make a very good lover, Twilight decided. With how well she knows her own body, discovering another pony's would seem simple. Not to mention those powerful muscles would be perfect for cradling another pony in comfort and pleasure. Twilight's panting increased—and not because of the workout.

 

"Hey, Twi? You good to start your first flight run?"

 

Blinking, Twilight looked around, snapping herself out of her daze. Rainbow and Pleasure both stared at her.

 

"O-oh! Oh, yes. Definitely ready," she said. She'd always be ready to fly with Rainbow.

 

"Alright, then. Keep your focus and you'll be fine. Remember the wing patterns?"

 

"Yes!" Twilight took her place beside Rainbow, planting her feet in preparation for the takeoff leap.

 

"Good luck, 'Twi'," said Pleasure. Twilight nodded in response but didn't let the teasing get to her.

 

"Annnd... go!"

 

Releasing every bit of built-up energy in an instant, Twilight launched herself skyward, legs and wings both exploding with motion. The first few flaps were intense, but still not very focused. She got a fair amount of air, but couldn't maintain a good rhythm. Rainbow coached her, in flight at her side, but all Twilight could manage was a few body-lengths of height before Rainbow told her to call it off and settle for a glide.

 

"It's okay, we've got plenty of time, Twi. Just focus on keeping your balance in the glide: that's just as important as getting a good wing beat down."

 

Since they started at the top of a hill, Twilight had time to focus on her glide and was doing quite well until Rainbow flew in front of her, giving her a wonderful view of the pegasus' rear. All it took was a couple seconds of Twilight thinking about her friend's firm backside and elegant tail tucked between those tense pillows before she lost her balance. The world flipped upside-down and Twilight yelped, prompting Rainbow to spin around and save her friend with a dive. The two hit the ground rolling, Rainbow ending up on top and looking down at Twilight with concern.

 

"What happened there?"

 

Twilight immediately became very away of the rainbow tail tickling between her hind legs—almost certainly unintentionally, but Twilight found herself panting and paralyzed at the thought of Rainbow teasing with her.

 

"Twi? You don't look so great."

 

And the way Rainbow called her "Twi"! Not all of her friends did that. Did she like Twilight? Oh, how wonderful it would feel to feel those corded muscles against her and play around in the clouds. Maybe Rainbow wanted these flight lessons for more than teaching Twilight... maybe she wanted time alone with her! Twilight caught a strong whiff of Rainbow's scent: a hint of sweat on a wave of maple. Was that because she loved napping in maple trees?

 

Rainbow leaned in, looking deep into Twilight's eyes to inspect her pupils. The two shared breath, their faces so close Twilight could practically hear Rainbow's thoughts. The second Rainbow's second breath hit her nostrils, she could not longer contain herself.

 

She lunged forward and kissed her.

 

It wasn't something Rainbow could confuse with a platonic kiss—no, Twilight's lips landed directly on Rainbow's and her tongue fought to find its way inside the pegasus' mouth. It took a moment for Rainbow to register what was happening, and hopped off Twilight when she felt her friend's tongue brush up against her lips.

 

Stumbling backward, she shot Twilight a confused look. "W-what? Twi? What was that?"

 

Twilight rolled onto her stomach then stood up. Rainbow's reaction was far from encouraging. "W-well, it's j-just that you looked so nice, a-and I thought you might've wanted these flying lessons for another reason besides just t-teaching me how to fly. I mean, you were right on top of me, and when we shared breath..." Twilight practically swooned at the memory.

 

"What? Twilight, no! That's crazy! I mean, don't get me wrong, you're cool and all, but kissing? C'mon, you're my friend, not my... er... lover." Blushing furiously, Rainbow shifted in place, trying to get out of the situation as gracefully as possible. "I was just worried you might've hurt yourself in the landing, that's all. We weren't sharing breath like... like that."

 

Trembling, Twilight swallowed. "Oh—oh my gosh, that was so stupid of me!" She stomped at the ground, walking in circles. "I should've inquired to your preference beforehand, or postponed until I'd acquired more information, or invited you to an appropriate establishment and setting... I'm so moronic! Asinine! Sophmoric!"

 

"Woah, hey, Twilight—" Rainbow stepped forward, holding a hoof in front of her.

 

"You despise me presently, don't you? That was completely unacceptable but I succumbed to my impulses anyways! I'm an abhorrent friend!"

 

"Twilight!" Rainbow slapped her with a wing, making her head rattle and vision blur. "You're NOT an 'abhorrent' friend!"

 

It took Twilight several seconds of staring off into the distance before the words got to her. "Y-you don't hate me?"

 

"Twi..." Laying a wing across Twilight's back, Rainbow nuzzled her cheek. "Of course not. I'm not interested in you like that, but that doesn't mean I hate you for it." She paused a moment, blushing. "I'm actually kinda flattered."

 

Heat returned back to Twilight's face along with certain less-than-pure thoughts. If Rainbow wasn't completely rejecting her, then maybe, in the future, something could happen. But wait—why was she so focused on getting with Rainbow all of a sudden? They'd been friends for so long and now Twilight's getting the hots for her? Eyes wandering over Rainbow's body once again, Twilight thought back to yesterday at the diner. Rainbow had looked so, well, appealing. Maybe this is a natural thing?

 

Shaking her head, Twilight fought to physically rattle the thoughts out of her mind. This sort of thing was definitely not natural!

 

"I think we better call it for the day, Twi. You're not looking to hot."

 

But you are, Rain—

 

Twilight struck her head again. Where did that come from? Closing her eyes, she narrowed her thoughts to her breathing patterns. At the moment, they were wild, like an unrestrained pant, but slowly, breath by breath, Twilight took control. Just like when she was in the Crystal Empire. She was Princess Twilight, now, and princesses did not let their minds run away from them!

 

"Let me walk you home, dearie."

 

Looking up, Twilight found Pleasure standing in front of her, concern plain in her eyes. Twilight couldn't tell if it was sincere or not. She doubted it. However, with her thoughts so wild at the moment, she would be best walking home with company, company that was not the object of her temporary insanity.

 

"Sure, Pl—er, Whisper." Twilight offered Rainbow a smile, hoping to convince her friend she'd be fine. "Thanks for the lesson and sorry about that... thing I did."

 

Rainbow slapped a hoof on Twilight's back. "Don't sweat it. Just be back here for the next lesson."

 

Nodding, Twilight replied, "You got it. Bye!"

 

With a farewell salute, Rainbow left by her usual means of fanfare and speed, kicking up dirt around her and hitting Twilight and Pleasure with a blast of wind.

 

"She's quite the showy one," said Pleasure, laying a wing across Twilight's back.

 

"Yeah, that's Rainbow Dash for you."

 

The two trotted away in silence, Twilight's aimless gait directed carefully by Pleasure as the alicorn delved into thought. She about managed to wander off the path a few times but either caught herself or found Pleasure's wing hooking around her back, pulling her back on track. Although Twilight decided there was nothing more to think about regarding Rainbow, she couldn't drag her mind away from her. It sounded like Rainbow was fine with the kiss, but would things really be the same? And how would Twilight deal with these feelings going forward? Ignoring them would be difficult, but that might be the best option.

 

Once the flight training ended, Twilight would be off to Canterlot to learn how to be a princess under Celestia. The time away would heal the breach caused by Twilight's reckless actions, then they could start again like nothing happen. That'd be best.

 

"Careful, there," Pleasure said, pulling Twilight away from a pear cart she'd about run into.

 

Jerking her head up, Twilight stumbled away from the obstacle, leaning on Pleasure to keep her balance. Once past the cart, she shook her head clear of Rainbow and redirected her thoughts to her companion. Every time she thought she understood Pleasure, she'd do something new, almost as if the Tartarus spirit knew Twilight was watching her and made efforts to keep her off-balance.

 

"Who are you, really?" said Twilight, staring into Pleasure's eyes, trying to extract some sort of information from them.

 

"You ask that question as if I have not already answered it." Pleasure's face remained calm, even stoic. Much different than before the flight lesson.

 

"No, I mean like, what do you do? What kind of pony are you? The first two days I knew you, everything was about physical pleasure even to the point of, well, you know..." A blush bloomed on Twilight's face at the mention of what happened in the diner. She couldn't bring herself to say it out loud. "Now you're getting excited about flying lessons and walking back to my own house!" Her eyes narrowed. "You're not planning on screwing me when we get back, are you?"

 

"Not unless you want it, dearie." Pleasure flashed Twilight a smile before looking back to the road.

 

They continued to walk quietly a distance longer until Twilight broke the silence.

 

"Well?"

 

"Well what?"

 

"Aren't you going to answer my question?"

 

Sighing, Pleasure ruffled Twilight's mane with a wing. "You keep asking that like there's more to it. I assure you, there is not. I am a Tartarus spirit, not a pony—though I do enjoy this body you made for me—and I'm simply here for your pleasure."

 

"But... don't you have hobbies or something?"

 

"My hobby is my job. It works out perfectly. I don't seek out other things to do, though that doesn't necessarily mean I can't find other things enjoyable. Flying, for instance."

 

Twilight frowned, but kept her doubts to herself. While it was understandable that Pleasure was a bit... different than most ponies, most of her story seemed too simple. Wasn't Tartarus supposed to be some dreadful, mysterious plane of fire and horror? Surely that would make something of an impression on someone like Pleasure, but nope, here she is, plain as the spell that brought her here.

 

Alright, maybe that wasn't the best analogy, thought Twilight. But she's still pretty plain.

 

When they made it back to the library, Twilight opened the door and peeked inside first, making sure Spike wasn't in the immediate area. She hear the distinctive sound of his dragon snore coming from upstairs. Taking this as a queue, she whisked Pleasure inside and marshaled her to the basement straightaway. Pleasure opened her mouth to issue a protest, but Twilight would have none of it, zipping her lips shut with magic until the two were safely downstairs.

 

"You do realize how silly it is to try to keep me a secret from someone I'm sharing a house with, right?"

 

"Why don't you find your own place, then?"

 

Pleasure tapped her chin, considering the proposal. "Do you have any bits to spare?"

 

"No, that's why you go out and get your own."

 

"Mmm," said Pleasure, licking her lips, "I don't think you would like what I would do to make them."

 

It's always about sex with her, isn't it? She really is that predictable. Twilight hoped to find more behind that wanton gaze Pleasure so often wore; she lived in Tartarus, after all! She should have all sort of stories to tell, quirks of whatever sort of culture that thrives there, or some defining element to her besides, "I like sex." Stamping a hoof down, Twilight walked over to the bookcase and summoned up a quill and paper. If there was something more to Pleasure, she would find it.

 

"Sit down."

 

Pleasure raised an eyebrow, intrigued, but said nothing as she went over to the couch and sat. Twilight teleported over, taking a seat opposite Pleasure, wetting the tip of the quill with her tongue.

 

"I have a few questions for you."

 

"I do love it when you 'ask questions'. Last time you were asking them so loudly I thought you'd wake your little roommate up."

 

Twilight coughed into her hoof. "This time, we're actually going to talk."

 

Pleasure hardly looked convinced, waving her arms about. "Whatever you say."

 

"Now, you say you were born in Tartarus. Any memory of it? Do you know exactly how you were conceived?"

 

"Know? I could hardly know. I had no parents around to tell me everything; my knowledge all comes from experience and conjecture. I cannot be sure as to how I came into being, though, as you know, my guess is that I am a spirit of thought and desire."

 

Twilight's quill ran across the page, the soft scratches from her writing filling the room. "When did your memory begin, then?"

 

"Shortly after I was conceived, I believe." One of Pleasure's arms made its way toward Twilight. "You know, this could—"

 

Twilight smacked the arm and it retreated. "No! I am putting my hoof down! None of that." She was on a mission this time.

 

"Very well." Pleasure seemed fine with that. In fact, she accepted it with such candor that Twilight became suspicious. She made sure to keep an eye on her arms as she continued the questioning.

 

"Did you already have a fully developed personality? Or did you figure things out as they came?"

 

"A personality is never 'fully developed', Twilight." Her tone reminded Twilight a bit of Celestia during a lecture. "It changes as time goes on and we are confronted with new situations."

 

"Fine. Maybe I phrased the question incorrectly. Did you feel like you had a purpose right away?"

 

"No. I was curious, and let my curiosity guide me. I didn't know what Tartarus was 'supposed' to be, so I found it quite alright as a place to live. Demons and other beings of power almost always ignored me, given I was such a weak, harmless thing. There isn't much along the way of food there, but as a spirit, I didn't really have a body that required such things."

 

The quill paused. "'Almost' always?"

 

Pleasure nodded. "Yes. The first encounter is actually one of the more important moments of my life. The demon was in the midst of what you might call a bad day when he came across my nimble form. At first, he took to taunting and toying with me, likely in an effort to lord his own power over something. I was woefully unaware of the situation I was in, not realizing my life force could be extinguished in an instant. My curiosity, however, is what saved me.

 

"I can see pain and anger in others better than your average pony or spirit. Demons, for the most part, couldn't care less about how someone else might feel. In this particular instance, I could feel the anguish emanating from him. While the first instinct of most demons is to lash out at any source of such emotion, mine was to soothe it in the first way that came to mind: pleasure." Looking away from Twilight's hovering quill, Pleasure directed her attention to the bookshelf across the room, idly wondering what she might find in it.

 

"I am not sure how I did it, likely some element of my form created from whatever Tartarus mutation spawned me, but I was able to... push a feeling of satisfaction, of contentment, onto my tormentor. Such a thing, you must understand, is a true rarity in Tartarus. The denizens of that plane are meant for everything but pleasure. I found I rather enjoyed the process, watching the anguish that plagued the demon fade away, replaced by thankfulness and, well, not so much joy—that has no room in a demon's heart—but acceptance. Approval. So, from then on, that was my task: to seek out pain and extinguish it."

 

Twilight took several moments jotting down notes about the story before looking up to find Pleasure's eyes and ears drooping, much less enthusiastic than she had been a second ago. "Wow, that's quite a story. Did you tell that to Aloe, too?"

 

"Aloe? Oh, yes, she quizzed me on many things, much like you seem to enjoy doing. I never understood why."

 

Twilight blinked. She could hardly believe what Pleasure had just said. "You never understood why? Because you're interesting! Unique! The only real tame being to come out of Tartarus since... well... ever!"

 

Pleasure shook her head. "I'm dreadfully boring, just a spirit doing her job. Whatever spurns your curiosity on in the first place mystifies me." Curling up on the couch, she flaps out her wings once then returns them to her sides, nestling them close to her body. "No, I think you are the interesting one."

 

"But I just—"

 

"Shush. Save it for tomorrow. All that flight training exhausted me." Yawning, Pleasure closed her eyes and settled in to sleep.

 

Twilight sat on the couch, staring, even more confused than when she started the conversation. A lone eye opened and stared back.

 

"Sleeping now. Goodnight."

 

"Y-yeah, sure. I'll go upstairs." Stealing glances at Pleasure every few steps, Twilight made her way back up the stairs, pausing at the top.

 

"Did you really mean it?" she said, letting the question hang, ears perked up and awaiting the answer.

 

"Sleeping!"

 

Maybe tomorrow.