Last time, on Luna "Quest:"
 
You were finally shown off to the public. You stammered through a speech, shook hands…er, hooves, with some notable figures, then celebrated with a friendly drinking contest with Luna.
 
Things heated up and you found yourself in her room, being lavished in kisses and licks.
 
Everything went perfectly, despite the amount you and her had imbibed. Strangely though, she didn't talk much. The Princess pony who had come to love you deeply, and who had cried in your arms at the thought of you being injured, didn't say much other than "Be gentle."
 
Maybe that should've told you something was up…
 
The first sensation of the morning is a headache, dull and heavy in your head.
 
It takes a moment or two for your eyes to adjust to the light coming in from through the curtains, and to gauge your surroundings.
 
You're in Luna's chambers again, the royal blue and purple colors with little white crescents scattered about the walls becoming a more familiar sight as of late. The room smells a bit like apples, or maybe that's just you, and the sheets are tossed about the bed.
 
A gentle snore beside you makes you turn, and you find Luna, one hoof draped across your chest, the other hugging a small pillow to her body, at your side. Her mane is ruffled, or at least appears so, fitting with the scene of the scattered bed sheets quite nicely.
 
You try to recount what happened last night, your last memory being that of coming upstairs to the room with her after your little drinking game turned to a stalemate and the two of you revealed your prize desires to one another, but have a hazy memory about what happened after.
 
The image of Luna atop you, licking your neck, flashes in your mind and your cheeks flush as you look at her snoozing form next to you.
 
Her short coat is ruffled in places, most notably around her wings and on her flank…..
 
The mental image of Luna licking you all over comes to mind once more, and from there it pans to you toying with her wings, making her squeal in ecstasy.
 
The thought starts turning you on, which makes you start to imagine other things, and you have to pull yourself back in to try to discern what's your imagination and what's reality.
 
Considering the nature of the sheets, surely it went on beyond that….
 
You imagine her bashfully presenting herself to you, and you pushing into her gently, as she requests….
 
You convince yourself that that's definitely what happened.
 
A strange feeling comes over you. You love Luna, right? Yeah, definitely. It's just….maybe your first time should've been more special or something.
Still, your heart warms to the thought of having pleased her, and you roll over to give her a kiss on the cheek. She stirs briefly, mumbling, before her hoof twitches and she resumes sleeping.
 
You close your eyes and another thought comes to mind, one of climaxing inside her and the two of you falling asleep, still connected.
You look down at yourself and see you're still wearing pants, though your shirt appears to be on the floor near the bed.
You don't remember putting them back on. Is it possible you never took them off?
But that would mean that it was either a dream, or Luna put your pants back on and went back to sleep. Or something.
 
You quietly dispel the doubts in your mind and lie back down beside Luna, putting your arms around her and stroking her ruffled mane back into position as you feel her breathing deeply against your chest.
This goes on for what feels like an eternity, just her soft body in your arms, relaxed and breathing as you run your hands across her gently.
It does, unfortunately, end, when you accidentally brush the end of her wing. She gives a small groan as she attempts to roll over, yawning greatly as she looks up into your eyes, a smile playing at her lips and the hint of surprise in her eyes.
She puts both her hooves around you, dropping the small cushion against her stomach as she snuggles into your chest, her nose prodding your neck as her hind legs cross with yours in a game of footsie.
"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
 
"Pretty well, yeah," you reply, hugging her to your chest, "You?"
 
She closes her eyes as she hugs you, "Oh, very well after last night. I was so….content, I couldn't help but feel at peace."
 
You press your face into her mane, feeling that strange tingling from its almost ethereal quality on your face as Luna giggles.
You pull back and she kisses you on the nose, "You're quite the silly one in the mornings, aren't you?"
 
Her smile widens when you ask, her cheeks tinting a little as she blushes, "Oh, oh yes. A most pleasant one. Just…you and me, together. It was nice."
 
You scratch the back of your head as you give voice to the doubts in your mind, asking tentatively who won the drinking contest last night.
Luna nuzzles herself into your chest once more, before kissing your neck and whispering, "I think we both did."
 
"Wh-what was the prize?" You ask tentatively, earning a pat on the chest from Luna, who mocks indignation at your question.
"First you make me mount the table, and now you wish for me to speak of what you know happened?" she leans in close, whispering in your ear, "I…still feel wonderful, all over."
She has to restrain herself from kissing you once more, slowly lowering her head to rest against your chest again, careful not to poke you in the chin with her horn.
 
Whatever happened, you apparently did quite well.
 
You stroke Luna's mane again, whispering the two of you should get bathed. Luna is oblivious, recounting what happened in her head.
"Why, you could be a regular masseuse. You and those wonderful hands…"
 
Luna's praise is interrupted by a knock on the chamber door. Luna gives it a cross look before raising her voice and asking "Who goes there?" loud enough to wake you the rest of the way up.
 
"Your sister," an equally loud voice sounds from beyond the thick doors. She does not sound pleased.
 
You quickly let go of Luna and get up out of bed, tossing on your wrinkled, slightly baggy shirt before turning to try and straighten the sheets while Luna eyes you weirdly.
You're halfway under the bed when you feel yourself getting dragged out by a foot, and you look down to see a magic aura matching Luna's coat color around your foot.
"What are you doing?" she says with a gentle laugh, pulling you out in front of the bed as she hops down and walks to your side, "You do remember she saw me all over you in the infirmary? Why are you trying to hide?"
 
"Well, what do you want me to do?" You whisper, panic in your voice as you imagine the worst.
 
Luna stifles a giggle as she picks you up with her magic and lays you out on the bed again.
"Just relax, we'll see what my sister wants," she smiles, shaking her head a little, "Sometimes I think you over think things."
 
With that, she walks to the big doors and gently opens the left one, nodding to her sister and allowing her to walk in.
 
Celestia looks a bit irritated, which explains the tone of voice she called with before.
She carries two items with her, both gently floating behind her as she strides into the room, towards the bed as Luna shuts the door behind her.
 
She strides to a small table on the opposite side of the large room, motioning for you and Luna to join her as the two items are placed on the table. From your position you can make the items out.
One is a newspaper.
The other is Luna's crown.
 
You and Luna take seats beside one another, across from Celestia, who pushes the newspaper in your direction silently while Luna floats her crown into place, the crown forming a stark contrast to her still ruffled mane, though she looks no less radiant than normal.
 
You look at the newspaper, not even needing to read the words to guess what the headline is as you get a view of the cover photo.
 
The picture is a bit slanted, obviously taken quickly and discreetly for fear of being compromised. And it's no wonder, you would've wrung someone's neck over this, most likely.
 
Plastered on the front of the newspaper, and you can only assume EVERY newspaper, is a picture of Luna laying across the table, mugs of cider cast askew, her hooves around you as she kisses you. The picture shows her kissing you so hard her nose scrunches up, her disheveled appearance complimenting her lewd actions well. They got it right as it happened, since you appear to be sitting slightly back with your hands just starting to come up to hug her as well.
 
Finally you read the headline.
 
"New species apparently great for kissing. Princess falls victim to his charms!"
 
Oh god.
 
You keep reading, Luna leaning to look over your shoulder and gasping as she reads, blushing furiously the whole while.
 
"Photographic evidence shows Princess Luna showing the royal guest some royal treatment mere hours after he was revealed to the public! How long has he really been there? Is Princess Luna just eager for some loving? Does the new species have some kind of irresistible charm? What about Princess Celestia?
Some theorize he has been hidden from us for months, possibly years, and may have had something to do with the recent incident near the quiet town of Ponyville…"
 
You put the newspaper down and wipe your face with a hand as Luna picks it up to continue reading.
 
Celestia is looking at you expectantly, perhaps waiting for you to say something.
 
You're uncertain what to do but mumble an apology as Luna puts the newspaper down.
 
"Look at the newspaper again," Luna says, pushing it to you.
 
You look back over the newspaper, but don't notice anything different about it.
 
"What am I supposed to be seeing here?"
 
"Read the rest of the article," Luna says, watching you as intently as her sister.
 
You start from the beginning, reading once again.
 
"Photographic evidence shows Princess Luna showing the royal guest some royal treatment mere hours after he was revealed to the public! How long has he really been there? Is Princess Luna just eager for some loving? Does the new species have some kind of irresistible charm? What about Princess Celestia?
Some theorize he has been hidden from us for months, possibly years, and may have had something to do with the recent incident near the quiet town of Ponyville…"
 
You look at Luna, who pushes the air, telling you to go on. You skip the rest of that paragraph and move on.
 
"Reports from castle guards say that this guest has romanced not only the Princesses, but a fair amount of wait staff and was even seen courting some royal guards! He's been reported to have hit it off with Captain Shining Armor, recently married to Princess Cadence. With such powerful connections, is this 'man' now beyond reproach for his behavior?"
 
"And to our beloved guest, should he be reading this; We hope your future with the Princesses is a fruitful one, full of love and good tidings. And if it doesn't work out, there are plenty of nice mares down here at the newsroom who'd love to get to know you, above allegations true or not."
 
"…..Huh?"
 
Luna stifles a laugh before pointing to the information below the article.
 
"Written by: FirstPlaceGuard
A satire of modern events. The above image is doctored, and the above article made in jest. Though we do wish our esteemed guest good tidings and a pleasant future."
 
"…Wait, if this article is fake, why are you angry, Princess?"
 
Celestia sighs, then smiles warmly, "Because, pupil, that picture is real. And it did get to the most read tabloid. However, we have a certain member of our staff who writes most the popular articles for that tabloid. Through sheer luck, you were spared a real article being written and far harsher consequences being implemented on you."
 
"Very good," Celestia says approvingly, "Though I suppose his handle gives that away if you know his real name."
 
 
She continues, "The member of the kitchen staff who took the picture has since been relocated. However, based on this scenario, I'm going to take some precautions to ensure this doesn't happen again, until a more appropriate time frame has been established. But I don't wish to be cruel about it, you just need to stay out of the public eye."
 
"So I give you a choice, and you may consult Luna as you see fit. You may stay here in the castle, but your time with Luna will be henceforth restricted, since apparently neither of you can control your….urges."
 
Luna begins to protest as Celestia continues, "Or, and I believe this is the preferred choice, the two of you will quietly slip out of the castle and to one of the few retreats we have that the public doesn't know about. This one would be to the North, well past the Everfree, in a land of cold and snow, where you would live together until an announcement about your union could be made without upsetting the public more than it already would."
 
"This is assuming, of course, that you feel that strongly about Luna to accept living alone with her in a remote location."
 
Celestia rises from her seat and shows herself to the door, "But I recommend getting a shower first, both of you. The cleaning staff won't ask anything about the room, but if the two of you go anywhere smelling of sweat…well, you get the idea."
 
And with that, she shuts the door, leaving you and Luna to think over her proposal.
 
You get up quickly and open the door, calling out your question to Celestia before she can get too far down the hall.
 
She walks back to speak at a reasonable volume, "Alone. Just the two of you. I would have guards disguised as travelers check on you every other day and drop off supplies, but it would be up to the two of you to cook, clean, and so on. That, and Luna still has her duties of raising the moon, though she can do that anywhere so long as she isn't exhausted. Give it some thought, I'll expect an answer from you by dinner tonight."
 
Celestia laughs, actually laughs, and has to put a hoof to her mouth to stifle her laughter for a moment until she can settle down.
 
"Well, I wouldn't have phrased it QUITE like that," she says with a grin, "But I am not without compassion. I know she cares deeply for you, and you for her. You both wish for time with one another, but every second here is a second someone could find out and make things far more difficult for you down the road. Now, if you think you can handle that, if you think you'd rather stay here for convenience, then so be it. But otherwise, I think this is a valuable opportunity for you two to spend time together, to familiarize yourselves with each others habits before you commit to something greater than a drunken fling."
 
She pauses, before bowing her head at you, "And I apologize for how I may sound when I say that. I just desire to see the two of you happy, without having to jump through anymore hoops than you need to at a later time."
 
"Now, if that's all?"
 
"You have to consider the view they have on this. You were just revealed to exist to them yesterday. And the next day, a fake article about you wooing everyone in the castle appears. Now how would they react if you and Luna got the press together and told them you were in love? Suddenly, that article looks a bit more like the truth, don't you think?"
 
She shakes her head, "You could do that, if the two of you really wanted to, but I wouldn't advise it. While public opinion wouldn't affect you too much, I think it's best to stay on the better side of it regardless."
 
"But in the end, I leave the choice to Luna and yourself."
 
"Well…uh…thank you," you say, bowing in return to Celestia.
 
"Just treat her as she should be treated," Celestia says as she turns about, heading off to the other sections of the castle to perform her royal duties.
 
You re-enter Luna's chambers and shut the door, seeing her pondering at the table, her crown set on top of the newspaper.
 
You take your seat next to Luna, your mind already made up on what you want.
 
But it's only right to ask what she wants, so you do.
 
Luna sighs, putting a hoof under her chin as she thinks aloud.
 
"Well, I know my sister can run everything if need be. But since my return, I wanted to play a role in managing Equestria again. My only true duty is to raise the moon, though I usually patrol the grounds from time to time, and very rarely get to see a guest."
 
She smiles, "But I think I could give that up to spend time with you. Unless…you think that'd be too much time together?"
 
"So, you want to go to this retreat?" you ask, confirming her decision.
 
She nods slowly before looking into your eyes, "Yes. As long as I have you, I'm happy. And…we could spend all our time together, in a new environment. That'd be exciting, wouldn't it?"
 
The idea of the two of you alone for so long is tempting, real tempting. But this is about more than just physically pleasing Luna, though you plan to do that too when you can.
 
"I think we should stay," you say.
 
Luna is visibly surprised, and for a moment looks sad.
 
"Do you…not wish to spend more time with me?"
 
"That's not it at all. You said it yourself. You want to rule alongside your sister. I can't have you throw that away for me. That would just be selfish."
 
Luna sits and ponders these words for a moment, before getting up and putting her front hooves firmly around your neck and kissing you deeply.
 
When she breaks the kiss she leans into the hug and whispers "Thank you," into your ear. Her whole body presses against yours as she leans upon you for support.
 
You return the hug, giving her a kiss in return as you pull her onto your lap, her hind legs straddling you.
 
She can't help but giggle, "My sister lectures us on behaving like this, and not even ten minutes later you're at it again."
 
You sigh, "Yeah, I guess you're right," and make a show of picking her up and removing her from yourself, much to her surprise.
 
She playfully whines "Nooooo~!" until you set her down, then giggles and pecks you on the cheek. "Celestia was right though, we could use a shower."
 
"You go on ahead, I'll clean up or something," you reply.
 
"No, you need one too and the room is fine. No funny ideas though, alright?"
 
Before you can reply she grabs your shirt in a magical grip and drags you to a door to the right of the table, opening it and dragging you into the large bathroom.
The tiles of the walls are colored like dusk, with tiles forming little clouds near the ceiling. Perhaps one that was colored like night would be too dark, you think, just before Luna yanks your shirt off.
She giggles as she tosses it to the tiled floor, then heads to a curtained stall. You look to the far end of the bathroom and see a large tub, the two apparently separate just because.
 
Luna turns the shower on, accidentally dousing herself in cold water and yelping before laughing nervously as the water heats up.
 
The sight of her, soaked, her mane bizarrely taking on real hair like qualities under the stream, really gets you going. But with your promise in mind you quell those thoughts while removing your pants.
 
Once you're stripped down you join Luna in the shower, and she shifts nervously to let you stand beside her under the stream.
You look at her and she sticks her tongue out at you with a smile before she levitates a loofah to her side and steps behind you.
You're about to turn around when she begins to scrub your back and legs, running the loofah across your body gently while humming.
 
Luna's humming stops for a moment, "Now, you'll have to tell me how I'm doing, I can't quite see above your shoulders from here."
 
"Wha-" you manage to get out, half turning, before the loofah hits the back of your head and starts scrubbing the back of your head.
 
"Oh, sorry, too high?"
 
The loofah moves to your neck, rubbing itself at the spots where your neck meets your shoulder, sending a nice relaxed sensation through you as you sigh happily.
 
"Well, I think that says all I need to know," Luna says happily, humming as she stops and comes to your front to scrub your chest and the front of your legs.
 
"I'm…glad you think we should stay," she says as she runs the loofah over your chest, slowly. "I do want to make up for my long absence, in addition to any other problems I may have caused.
 
When the loofah reaches your crotch, she stops, blushing, "I, uh, think you can was that section yourself."
 
Taking the loofah, you wash your nether regions while Luna turns away.
 
You re-lather the loofah when you're finished, and surprise Luna by starting to gently scrub her back for her, using your free hand's fingers to scrub her coat after you've lathered it up.
 
She coos under your touch, her wet tail flicking noisily against the floor as she sighs contentedly.
 
Your free hand reaches that mane again, and you ask what it's made of. It's wet right now, like hair, falling to her shoulders and across her body, but when it's dry it just sorta floats about.
 
She shrugs her shoulders delicately under your fingers, "It's been that way since I grew out of childhood. I can't say for any one reason or another."
 
Bummer, you were hoping there was some kind of story behind that.
 
Still, having the pony you love, sopping wet and sighing under your dept fingers ministrations is pretty nice.
 
You can't help but have your gaze drawn to her ample flank as you scrub farther and farther back, until you're standing behind her and scrubbing a flank with each hand.
 
She gives out little gasps once in a while when you find a tuft of coat that was stuck together or tangled, but always sighs with relief when you sort it out.
 
"C-could you….scrub my belly for me?" she asks tentatively when your hands reach a bit too close to the base of her tail.
 
"Sure. N-no funny business though," you say, finding yourself stammering nervously.
 
This poses a conundrum, as laying her on the hard tile floor seems uncomfortable and….misleading.
 
Slowly you move to her side and reach the loofah under her body, slowly scrubbing from her back leg to her front, listening to her sigh and give little giggles when you hit a ticklish spot. Her coat smells like the minty soap and shampoo of the shower, and your free hand sets on her right flank. You can't help but give it a small squeeze, making her repeat, "N-no funny business, remember?" With a sigh and a reassurance you continue bathing her.
 
Finally she's all scrubbed down, bathing in the shower's hot stream, before removing the shower head, only now to you notice it's detachable and on a thick cord, and sprays her underside. She let's out a hot moan that makes you twitch, before she looks at you nervously and sprays you with the water.
 
Well, you needed a rinse down anyway, you decide, laughing and turning about until Luna shuts the water off and levitates two towels over for each of you.
 
You get around to asking, cautiously, about the blank spots in your memory of what happened last night while you help her dry off.
 
In the end the night is revealed to have gone something like this:
 
The two of you dashed up to her room, nearly tripping over one another as both refused to stop lavishing the other with attention.
 
You stumbled into the room, managing to close the doors behind you, and you fell on the bed with Luna on you already.
 
She admits to having been a bit tipsy, to put it lightly, and that's why she hadn't spoken much. She was just so focused on loving you, she didn't have time for anything else.
 
Regardless, you returned those efforts, tweaking her wings and making her feel amazing. Things moved on, getting heated, until you were licking her and pushed her over the edge. Feeling selfish, she had meant to give you a return service of similar quality, but by the time she had recovered her wits, you were asleep.
"I refashioned your pants for you, since you seemed comfortable," she admits, "I still owe you for that, though I suppose it will have to wait for a while."
 
You're really starting to regret your choice, as you wrap Luna's mane in the towel and dry yourself off.
 
Luna sees the look in your eye and gives you a kiss while you adjust her towel, "In good time. I'll make sure you get what you deserve, and more," she smiles, "But for now, let's just go tell my sister our decision, shall we?"
 
With a final peck on the cheek she heads back into her room, leaving you to ponder her words.
 
This whole restraint thing is overrated, you decide as you follow into her room.