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As the crowd was drifting away, Shining Armor stepped over next to me and sat himself down, being slow and careful as he moved. Both of us were going to feel like crap until we had a meal and a good night's rest. Magical healing fixed harmful things, not exhaustion or soreness from an extreme workout that was part of healthy development.

As we waited for the ladies to come down, he spoke in a low voice so only the two of us would hear, "Vojin, I underestimated you. I don't know how you pulled that lightning burst so close to yourself, but that last spell you used wasn't a typical lightning-charged shield, which should be out of your skill range anyway. At the level you are supposed to be with magic, you shouldn't have been able to pierce that shield. Also, things usually go on a bit longer and I was surprised Celestia called it so soon. I'm going to take a guess that it had something to do with those 'facts' you mentioned before we started, aren't they?"

I gave him a sidelong glance, smirking at his reasoning and wondering how many others caught at least the first one, "Considering you're the one other pony outside of Celestia and Luna getting an unfiltered look at weapons technology concepts from Earth, including the ones even I think are terrifying, I'll just say yes. Check with them though. I'm apparently three kinds of impossible. And that doesn't include Twilight grouching about me carrying a bag for her."

He gave a short laugh, "Very well, I'll speak with them on it. I must admit, for lacking proper training and having little experience fighting anything other than humans, you managed to impress me. You really haven't studied spell circles?"

"Aside from the overview in Quirky Cantrip's Fundamentals of Magic Primer on structured spell forms and books like that, no. Why do you ask?" I replied.

"Because you were using them with most of your wards. Most unicorns don't have a knack for them without a good bit of study first. Considering you were doing it without thinking or training like that means you probably sense the interconnections intuitively. Might be a good direction to take your studies when you finish the primary foundations of magic and combat lessons. Spell circles aren't so great for most combat situations because of setup time but after a bit of study, you might be able to help Twily on those experiments of hers," Shining mused.

Quirking a brow at him, a question came to mind as I replied, "When I had my eyes closed during the magic portion of the Trial, I was almost seeing the connections laid out, actually. I'll keep it in mind. I'm curious about something though... I know you and Twilight are really close. Lacking any idea how to ask, I'll just put it out there. How do you feel about me dating her, anyway? Part of me keeps expecting a protective big brother moment from you any second now."

Shining Armor just chuckled, giving me a smirk, "Oh I think any urges I had for trying to rough you up are taken care of at this point and nopony will even complain. Well...apart from challenging you to the Trial, that is. Besides, all other things aside, you have risked your life to protect her not once, but twice already. Yes, I admit to being bothered by how sudden everything has been with your appearing out of nowhere, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't, but it's hard to come up with an argument when you're so clearly putting her well being before your own. I'll just have to get used to it. From what I've seen so far though, I am starting to like you."

Giving him a smirk in return, I hummed, "Well that's good to know. After I've gotten trained properly though, I want a rematch."

Shining blinked at me a few times before he grinned with devious intent, "Is that so? I guess you like getting your flank hoofed to you. Is it a human thing?"

"Yeah yeah, pick on the guy that hasn't had enough training yet," I said in retort, rolling my eyes.

"After you get some real experience, talk to me again. You will probably need a good two years or more before you can even hope to beat me in an actual match," Shining said as he looked up as the ladies approached.

He didn't know what two years meant to me of course, but it stung for it to come up like that, in a way that was just so...normal. I still had a lot of processing and acceptance of that situation to do. Still, with everything going on this week, it wouldn't hurt to keep putting it out of my mind and focusing on other things. Even if I avoided it the whole two years, it might not even make a difference. Just save it for when Twilight and I go home, I guess.

I didn't give Shining a response as Twilight trotted up and wrapped me up in an embrace, paying my present state no mind. For long moments, I just held her close as I let her presence wash over me again. I could feel her sense of relief. She could feel my exhausted satisfaction from accomplishment.

"Are you feeling alright, Vojin? Everything healed like it should be?" Twilight asked as she pulled back, nuzzling my cheek as she passed.

Giving her a tired smile, I nodded, "Yeah, I'm alright. Could really use some food though. I feel like even my muscles are empty husks right now. You feel ok after watching all that?"

She leaned close and gave me a gentle kiss before a second nuzzle, "I'm fine. We need to get you cleaned up and we'll sit down for dinner right after, ok?"

I nodded, looking forward to cleaning off the dirt, sweat, and blood that was left from the fight with Shining, too exhausted magically to feel up for even my little cleanup trick, "Long as you help me wash my back, Purple Angel."

She gave me a warm smile with a hint of mischief when a thought occurred to me and I turned my eyes to the other three princesses that were looking between Shining and I with varying levels of irritation and concern. After the chat I had with him on the way to the courtyard, I figured a word about my opinion of the whole mess was warranted.

Clearing my throat a moment, I spoke up, "Celestia, Luna and the rest of you... On the way over here for the Trial, Shining and I did some talking. I don't know what it's all about or if there's subtexts where I don't have a clue but he shared some of his reasoning for making the challenge and quite frankly, I find myself in agreement with it. If you're still mad at him I certainly can't do anything about it but far as I'm concerned, he and I are good. I daresay I made a new friend!" The last part came out with a tired chuckle.

The gathered ladies all looked at me for a moment with expressions of bewilderment before several of them rolled their eyes, one or two muttering about stallions or my getting hit too hard. Shining seemed to give a faint, resigned sigh. My grin only widened a little.

An overexcited, rainbow-maned peanut gallery decided it was a good time to chime in, hovering and flitting about, "That was totally awesome! That wicked fight was the craziest match I've ever seen! I mean, seeing Vojin duck so low and trip Shining like that? Or how about how fast Shining was able to change stances? Then there was all the insane stuff you two pulled off at the end! That knee Shining took under the chin looked like it hurt to Tartarus! Then there's the way he caught Vojin with that ice patch and sent him sliding headfirst straight into those spi--"

A white hoof covered the mouth of the overexcited Rainbow Dash as Rarity sighed with a displeased look, "I am sorry, Rainbow darling, but I quite frankly do not want to hear about two friends of mine treating each other in such barbaric fashion. At least do me the courtesy of discussing it with them later. It makes me feel most uncomfortable to think of them assailing each other so harshly."

Rainbow pouted just grumbled a reluctant agreement and Rarity lowered her hoof.

For her part, Fluttershy looked worried, her eyes going back and forth between Shining and I and looking over our bodies like she was going to see a gaping wound. Applejack was rubbing her shoulder but aside from giving the two of us a once over and a short nod, she was rather indifferent.

Pinkie just kept opening and closing her mouth and looking confused to the point I had to ask, "Having trouble with something, Pinkie?"

She blinked and focused on me, now thoughtful as she waved a hoof, "Oh, it's just one of those weird rare times when I shouldn't throw a party because the two of you were being big meanie heads to each other when you didn't really need to, but at the same time I wanna help you celebrate successfully earning respect from the Guard and making friends with each other!"

I blinked. Semi-lucid Pinkie left me not quite knowing how to respond. And how did she know what Shining and I talked about in the hallway before we even got to the courtyard?

Celestia chose to move things along, "I believe for now it will be best if Vojin and Shining Armor to get themselves cleaned up. After that, we can have a late dinner together and relax the rest of the evening. I will speak with you then, Shining Armor. As for yourself, Vojin, it was... unnecessary to do all of that. Enduring the Trial of Proving was faster than other means of demonstrating your capabilities, but please try to take us up on alternative options in the future."

***

Twilight allowed a stream of water pour out of the mass she had floating over my head, rinsing the suds from my hair. I'd already rinsed off the major stuff in the shower while she drew a hot bath for me to help relax my muscles as I cleaned up. Despite it being familiar by now, I still couldn't get over how unique it felt to have your hair washed and scrubbed by telekinesis, broad and fine at once that left a rather neat tingle on the scalp.

"I still want to know why you went through with it. It wasn't necessary," Twilight said with a sigh.

My arm slipped around her shoulders and pulled her a little closer as we sat together in the bath, resting my forehead against the side of her head. My eyes fell closed as I enjoyed a minute to relax with her before we got ready for dinner, "Because I was, and am, really stressed out right now, Purple Angel. We won't have any real downtime for me to get my head around what's happened except in the evenings all week because of the Summit. Doesn't really fix anything, but I needed the chance to vent. Yesterday was just...just..."

Twilight turned her head and nuzzled me before she shifted her body around and settled herself in my lap, pressing the length of her body against me and pushed me back against the edge of the large tub as she cradled my head against her cheek as she whispered in my ear, "I know. I'm here with you though. You know you just have to ask... Or... Maaaaybe I could...," she nibbled at my ear as she traced her feathers along my legs under the water, "help you...," light nips worked across my jaw as she began rubbing against my growing reaction, "relax more...?"

She didn't let me respond much as she found my lips and dove in, rocking against me in a slow rhythm. I was lost to her attentions as she kept threatening to move just far enough that the next slide forward would get us started, each deliberate slow shift let me feel everything short of a warmth beyond just the bath. One hand sank into her rump next to her tail, with the other sinking into her wet mane and I sank further into the kiss. The whispery gasp she let out through the kiss on purpose made me push against her a little harder.

Then, she slipped off of me with teasing slowness. There was a smug smile on her face as she used her magic to push much of the water out of her fur before stepping out.

I narrowed my eyes and couldn't stop the half-desperate pout as I gave an exasperated grumble, now all worked up and knowing far too well she was making me wait until later. After we had dinner.

"You enjoy doing this to me a little too much. This has to be unhealthy or something," I told her in a flat tone as I let water run off my body as I stood, not even trying to hide my ogling.

Twilight just giggled as she looked over her shoulder at me with half-lidded eyes, giving her tail a swish as she kept that smug smile, "And I also know just how much you love me teasing you when you're tense. Besides, it'll help you stay more alert and attentive through dinner, even if you are trying to sort things out."

"You've learned to read me far too well. You sure I won't just toss you on the bed and ravish you instead of dinner?" I said in a half-threat.

She giggled again, giving a wink as she sauntered out of the bathroom to finish drying her mane, "Promises, promises... Which..._hunger..._is louder right now?" Her voice was low and enticing, turning into a sultry growl, knowing she had me wrapped around her hoof if she so desired and not about to let either of us miss dinner.

Really, neither of us would be very bothered about missing dinner or the fact everyone would know exactly what we were up to if we opted to call it a night right now and lock the door. I also knew there were important things to discuss at dinner, in addition to needing a solid meal. Times like this I almost despised being responsible. It would be even more difficult when we returned to Ponyville and she had to resume her regular duties as a princess. Then we might even be forced to schedule some of our intimate moments.

It wasn't a fun thought, however honest the assessment.

Resigned to being patient through the teasing yet again, I grumbled and moved on to some of the other things on my mind, "You know, while we were walking to the courtyard for the trial thing, I noticed the armor on the guards looked a lot different than what I thought I'd been seeing. Their armor was far more complete and nothing like the barding-style armor I saw from images on Earth. Any idea how far my perceptions were shifted by the Rose Window?"

A hint of a smirk found my face as I caught the sound of a not quite controlled huff just outside the bathroom. It vexed her when I was able to shift my focus with casual ease if I wanted to, when she lacked time and hadn't teased me enough to really get to me. I also knew she was just as tempted to skip dinner as I was.

Twilight replied after a moment of thought, "Hmm...that's a fairly substantial alteration. It shouldn't normally change what you see. At least, beyond only very small ways. Have you noticed anything else so far?"

I walked out of the bathroom and grabbed a fresh change of clothes, "Luna was supposed to be a fair bit shorter than Celestia. Now I see them standing equal all of a sudden. It's kinda weird."

She was doing some magic on her wings to dry them more thoroughly as she mused, "That's strange. Taking a guess without really focusing on it with proper study, it sounds like the images you knew from Earth were established strongly enough that the Rose Window altered what your mind was registering from your eyes. Of all the more unusual side effects I have heard of taking place, that's much stronger than average. I'm glad it's just a result of the spell fading out."

"What do you mean, fading out? Wasn't it happening while it was up?" I asked, finishing up the buttons on my shirt before grabbing my shoes.

"Actually, while a visual effect like that could have been present and you just wouldn't notice, many of the spell's side effects only happen after it's been broken. Had the Rose Window been lifted instead, there would have been only minimal issues. The memory loss didn't actually happen until you broke free and the resulting burst of energy poked a bunch of holes in the time period it was active, though random things from outside of that range can also be affected, if unlikely," Twilight said as she flexed her wings a few times before rising up to put her forelegs on my shoulders and nuzzle my chin and claim a hug.

I returned the hug and gave her a sudden smoldering kiss that left her dazed for a second before she narrowed her eyes at me with a bemused smirk, turning and heading for the door as I followed, "I guess we should hurry off to dinner. Been long enough."

***

Twilight and I entered the private dining room and found everyone was already present. Cadence must have still been chastising her husband, judging by his folded back ears and the unhappy look on his face. I couldn't help but wonder just what the big deal was when I was fine and had even somewhat enjoyed the chance to engage in that level of fighting.

Celestia noticed us enter and gave her polite, serene smile, though the twinkle in her eye and faint pink of her cheeks gave hint of what she was thinking as she spoke, "Twilight. Vojin. I had almost begun to think a messenger was in order."

Cadence perked up and looked at us before nuzzling Shining and leading him towards us. Twilight and I continued towards the table and met them beside it. I didn't recognize much of the food immediately beyond some of what was in them, so it looked like all Equestrian dishes tonight. At least one looked like a cheese-covered casserole or something.

Twilight greeted Cadence and Shining with a small smile, "I assume you gave my brother an appropriate talking to?"

I kept getting more intrigued as to just what happened. Also had to wonder why Twilight didn't say much about it yet.

"I think the three of us princesses expressed ourselves enough. Shall we do a more official introduction now, Twilight?" Cadence shot her husband a brief scowl with a tail flick before turning a brief smile to me, then looking at Twilight again.

Twilight grinned before the two of them hopped closer and began the classic greeting they had, causing me to wear a wide grin at the extreme cuteness factor while they chanted and danced, "Sunshine sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!"

A chuckle managed to escape me as my fingers brushed against Twilight's cheek after she finished her hug with Cadence, "You two are too adorable for words. It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess Cadenza."

Cadence grinned before she jumped up and pulled me into a hug, squeezing hard enough to pop my spine and empty my lungs with a wheeze before she pulled back enough to look down at me, standing almost a head taller on her hind legs, "Just call me Cadence. Considering how much Twilight loves you, you're practically family already anyway. So tell me...is our dear Twilight a silent wonder, a moaner, or a screamer? How about yourself?"

Needless to say, I wasn't expecting such a thing out of the blue like that, not to mention being asked in such a casual way. I think I heard Shining groan and Twilight spluttering in disbelief as I worked my jaw, looking at the pink princess pony before me, trying to make my brain catch up.

Once my thoughts stopped misfiring after a few seconds, I couldn't help the devious grin that appeared on my face as I leaned closer to Cadence, almost bumping my nose against hers but stopping short from an actual touch because of the rather intimate connotation it has to ponies and getting close is a big tease, "Then you can just call me Vojin. For your question...well, I think it best I keep that a secret. However, I can tell you that it's never been my ears that feel sore..."

"Vojin! How could you say that!" Twilight whined, her face glowing red, looking mortified.

I heard Rainbow Dash, Pinkie and Applejack guffaw while Rarity tittered. Fluttershy just gave a faint 'oh my' and probably started blushing. Celestia and Luna gave quiet chuckles.

Cadence blinked for a second before she laughed and let go, returning to her hooves wearing a wide smile as she looked back and forth between Twilight and I, "Oh my gosh, and he's naughty!? Ok, I'm sold. You picked a good one, Twilight. I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship, Vojin!" Cadence gave me a wink, looking rather pleased.

A thought crossed my mind and my sense of mischief refused to be denied, pushing me to speak before I had time to think about what I was saying, though I had no reason to be concerned anyway, "You know, with the awareness of Equestria back on Earth, it spawned a whole subculture you might like to hear about sometime. Cadence, I'm curious if you're familiar with the concept of fanfiction? Humans came up with a lot of stories about the ponies known, that's including yourself and Shining."

Upon seeing the intense gleam in her eyes as her smile somehow grew to Pinkie proportions however, I thought perhaps I made an error. Cadence suddenly looked almost predatory as she spoke, "Fanfiction about me and Shiny?! Oh you are now my new best friend! Twilight, I'm borrowing your stallion at least one more evening this week!"

For his part, Shining Armor had the most horrified look on his face as he managed to look pale despite his white fur. Had I just encouraged some sort of catastrophe and didn't know it yet?

Well, at least it will probably be funny, judging by reactions, which is always a plus.

A glance at Twilight showed her facehoofing with a groan, "Vojin...you don't know what you just did or what you got yourself into."

"Probably not. Uh, I guess I like to live dangerously?" I offered.

She just sighed, still blushing a fair amount as she looked up at me, "Can we just eat before you say another word? Please?"

Giving her an apologetic smile, my fingers brushed through her mane a moment before I looked to Shining, "Uh...nice to see you again Shining?"

He blinked as he looked at me, looking both accusatory and pleading, his voice sounded nervous and troubled, "Vojin, you are making me think I shouldn't leave you alone with my wife for reasons I'd never have expected..." Just what was Cadence into?

"Vojin, please just sit down..." Twilight begged, leaving me wondering just what had her and her brother so worried. Cadence looked thoughtful and eager as I settled into my seat with Twilight next to me.

As it was a bit later than the usual dinner time, conversation was light as we all ate. After we were all taking a bit to relax and let the food settle, I grew curious as I kept feeling stuck in my thoughts.

Turning to Celestia and Luna, "You know, I still can't figure out what the whole Trial thing was about. You said it's a tradition going back to the start of your ruling Equestria to provide a way for top ranking military members to voice reasonable dissent and pretty much require you to allow certain processes to take place because you don't know everything. What I don't get is why you seemed to be angry with Shining about it. He was looking to help me out with something I'd never have considered. There has to be something I'm missing here."

Once the sisters shared a glance, Luna gave a small sigh, giving Shining a frown before looking back to me, "My friend, as you have no awareness of all that took place, and what didn't take place, I will give you a short summary. Should you wish to know the details, there are plenty of books on the subject you may read. Were I to expound upon all that went on, we would find ourselves still here talking with the rising sun.

"The Trial of Proving is part of a system of checks and balances. As you said, it is a way for our most trusted ponies to challenge my sister and I in a manner we encourage, should they perceive something we may have missed. However, there are a number of steps Shining Armor chose to skip. While I now understand his motivations and admit to seeing their wisdom, by circumventing those steps and moving immediately to laying out the challenge, he essentially made a vote of no confidence in our leadership."

Raising a brow after a pause to think, "So Shining basically gave you a direct insult but, because of protocol, you had to agree to permit the Trial?"

Luna nodded, "That is correct. The usual process takes as much as a week before the Trial would be held. Shining Armor felt it necessary to invoke the Trial immediately given present circumstances. Having heard his explanation, I am reluctant but must agree with his assessment. You needed to make such demonstration. Even waiting until the last day of the Summit would have been far less effective. Now the Guard shall have quite a story to tell alongside mention of you, in addition to earning your status as a Proven combatant. I must say though, despite your minimal experience, few have stood hoof to hoof with Shining Armor and matched him enough to claim as many clean hits. To say nothing of your one victory over him when you broke through his shield. That action alone will make you something of a minor legend amongst the Guard as nopony but his teachers have ever done such."

"Huh, well is it bad that I already made plans with him for a rematch after I've gotten more training and experience?" I asked, unable to control my grin from sneaking through a little.

Luna snorted, a small smirk on her face, "My friend, I find myself wondering if you enjoy such abuse. Should such a day come, however, do let me know for I would wish to bear witness to the match."

Giving a small chuckle, I nodded, "I'll be sure to let you know. Something else I wanted to mention though and it relates to breaking out of the Rose Window, if you don't mind my asking?"

Luna frowned and looked to the side before meeting my eyes again, seeming to prepare herself a moment, "We have...informed Shining Armor and Cadence of the situation before you arrived. All now present are aware of what took place, so you may speak of it freely. What did you wish to ask of me?"

The more time I had to think, the more I was accepting it as over with. Seeing how much care Luna was approaching the subject with was starting to make me feel guilty. Still, what was done was done, so I asked the question that was on my mind, "When did you get to be the same size as Celestia?"

For her part, Celestia froze as she took a sip of tea, the twinkle in her eye looked mirthful as Luna blinked and appeared uncertain of how to respond.

Once I realized how the question sounded, I coughed and added, "I mean, back on Earth, images of you always had you shorter than Celestia. When I started the Trial, you were shorter than her but when it was over, you were the same height. Twilight said it had something to do with a perception shift from the Rose Window changing things to fit established expectations or something to that effect. I just wanted to know how much of that I should be expecting while the two months pass. I've also found a lot of memories were affected since I broke it."

Celestia's look transformed from mirth to sadness and guilt, her voice soft as she set down her teacup, "I fear you may be one of the unlucky few that receive the harsher side effects. We will need to run a few specialized scanning spells at the end of the week before you leave, it seems. Everything should return as expected, but on the small chance you are experiencing one of the rare long-term problems, we will wish to catch it before you leave. Do not worry if you are, though. It is a simple enough matter to correct and leave you no lasting effect. It would even reduce your recovery time by as much as a month if you are so affected and meet the conditions to receive the spell."

Giving a frown, I looked at my cup of green tea for a long moment before looking back up at her and nodding, "Alright. Is this kinda like how I was pretty much allergic to the necromantic energy of the Timberwolves?"

"Yes. While it is fortunately nothing more than an inconvenience in this case, that is not a mistaken assessment. It is our duty to see you restored after such an error," Celestia said as she studied me.

Giving her a nod, I took a sip of my own tea before meeting her eyes again, "I don't suppose you could also get a read on other kinds of magic I'll have a potentially unusual reaction with? I'd rather not be taken out of action because I had some unknown magic allergy. And bloody hell, that sounds so weird to say..."

"We will plan to work on that as well, my friend. You are right. If you are to act as a shield for the Bearers, it would be careless of us not to check such things now. Whether you are vulnerable just to the unique effects of Timberwolves or if it is necromantic energy in general, as well as any further magics that may have unusual resonance, we will learn of them. We must tell you now though, the spells will give us a great deal of information about your magical signature and how things will affect you, but it will take us quite time to review," Luna said, then turned her eyes to Twilight, "Twilight Sparkle, might we task you with this review as well? It will be best if you took the lead on this as you will have Vojin present for any confirmations of what you find. We would have to either visit you in Ponyville or summon the two of you to Canterlot each time we needed to make certain of anything we might discover."

Twilight nodded, "You know I'd be happy to help. I still remember studying my own magical signature while I was living in Canterlot, so I shouldn't have any problems but I will want you to look over my findings to be sure I'm not missing anything. I don't want to miss something that could end up hurting Vojin."

"We will, Twilight. As we will retain a copy of the readings, you need only let us know the markers to look for and we will get back to you after taking a look for ourselves," Celestia replied.

"You can tell a lot from magical signatures, I take it?"

When all the magic users, including even Rarity, looked at me strange, I expected that was something else I'd forgotten, something very basic even, as I sighed as I looked down, "Chalk up another thing to my missing memories, I guess. I'm...starting to think I better hold off on practicing magic until I remember everything again, on account of possibly being a risk to myself... It could go really bad if I unknowingly neglected safe practices during a teleport or something..."

Twilight's hoof stroked my arm, drawing my attention away from playing with my teacup in discomfort to look at her wearing a comforting expression and a soft smile that brought me calm for the rest of our dinner gathering.

***

I sat on the edge of the bed, elbows on my knees with head in my hands, my thoughts running as Twilight jumped up to sit behind me and snuggled up against my back. She nuzzled into my hair behind my head as her hooves wrapped around my shoulders, ready for bed.

After holding me close for a while, she spoke a gentle inquiry, "What's troubling you?"

At first I didn't want to tell her, but the thought was dismissed a moment later as I leaned back against her, lifting one of her hooves to kiss it before pulling her a little closer and turning my head to one side to see her, "Now that you saw me pretty much turn into an enraged animal during the Trial, part of me is still waiting for some kind of fear response. I get that you're not afraid of me. It's just hard to shake it off after being afraid of scaring the one I found love with for so long. I probably just need some time to get it through my head is all."

Twilight hummed softly and leaned closer to nuzzle my cheek, taking a deep sniff against my hair and skin with eyes closed. She didn't reply right away, instead squeezing me with her forelegs before she exhaled in a contented sigh, a rather content smile on her face as she opened her eyes to look at me again, "I'll say it as many times as you need me to, Vojin. I am not afraid of you. Not now and not ever. I love the fires of strength inside you just as much as the placid lakes of how gentle you can be. I know you will never, ever hurt me."

Giving a short laugh at how sappy we were acting, I twisted a little and pulled her into a hug of my own, taking my own deep sniff of her mane and filling my lungs with the scent of her. Not letting go, I nuzzled a little deeper, "No worries at all? Were you worried you might be scared of me until you finally saw me at my most savage?"

Twilight pulled back and smiled, giving a soft shake of her head, "No worries left. I admit I was worried I might be scared because of how much you were afraid of me feeling that way. Now that I've seen that side of you, I can safely say there's nothing for me to be afraid of. I could still feel you through our link. Of everything you were feeling and experiencing, you still had a thread of love towards me the whole time. I think even if you went crazy for some reason, so long as I still felt that, you will never try to harm me. I trust you," and with that, Twilight pulled back with a now sly smile, her horn igniting.

Moments later, she levitated over some lengths of rope, a bar and a small bag.

She laid on her back as the rope bound her forelegs, the bar getting tied to her hind hooves so they remained spread, more rope bound her wings so they couldn't open, and the little bag was now hovering near her head as she gave me a calm, but playful, smile, "I trust you, Vojin. Enough to put myself completely and utterly at your mercy even after watching you fight like that. In this bag is something I finished last week and I've been wondering when was a good time to show you. I think now is just right."

The small bag untied itself and turned over as it floated over her head. Twilight lifted her head and bit her lip with a nervous look as she swallowed before the bag allowed a ring to drop straight onto her horn with a tiny click. A faint hum sounded for a moment before the bag suddenly fell, her spell cut off by what could only be a magic-disabling ring. What little I knew about them and the complex spellwork involved told me some of how much effort she'd put in for this. There was no way for her to remove it herself. It would remain stuck unless pulled away by someone else.

I looked at Twilight with a raised brow, "What exactly are you doing, Purple Angel?"

After some experimentation and trying a few things, I'd found Twilight was quite comfortable getting tied up. That in itself was nothing new.

What she had told me before though, was that she was very uncomfortable with the idea of having her magic blocked. It was something that scared her deep down and we hadn't even gone near the idea before.

The small shivers I could see from her hooves and tense look on her face said just how on edge she was. The scared look in her eyes wasn't because she was afraid of me, but rather a pleading, fearful look that begged me not to leave. The fact she was brave enough to tie herself up and then cut off her own magic, leaving her no possible way to get herself free said a great deal about how much she trusted me.

She was willing to render herself entirely helpless and put herself at my mercy. Just to show she wasn't afraid of me, regardless of how clearly she was fighting off terror in front of me.

"Y-you can h-have me however you w-want me," she whispered, swallowing again before she continued with tears at the edges of her eyes, "J-just p-please don't l-l-leave the room, o-okay?"

"And what if...I wanted to...keep you like this...all night...?" I asked her slowly as I started to move closer, laying down beside her and staring into her eyes with a bit of wonder.

"H-h-however.....y-you want me... T-tonight, I am y-yours alone... In e-every way you desire," she replied in another whisper, her eyes almost begging me to hold her.

My eyes closed as a faint smile crossed my lips, taking a moment to listen to her shuddering breaths and feel her body trembling as I ran a hand along her side, up to cup her cheek before meeting her eyes again. She went to this extreme just to prove she wasn't afraid of me.

Something inside, a piece of ice that never seemed to go away, melted into oblivion as my heart swelled at witnessing her display. At seeing her so ready to surrender herself to me.

"Thank you, Purple Angel. This...means a lot to me," I said before capturing her lips in a kiss that started delicate and grew fierce as I pulled her side against my chest, relishing the feel of her fur against my bare skin as much as the feel of her surrender filled my heart. Twilight whimpered into my lips as our tongues chased one another. My thumb brushed across her cheek fur, my exhaustion taking a back seat now.

It was a few minutes before I pulled back, panting a little and giving her a hungry look. Twilight was trying to catch her breath as well, looking more relaxed even as her trembling form showed no signs of going still. Slipping a hand down to her lower belly to tease her teats drew a powerful shudder and a groan from her as she squirmed, a testament to how sensitive she was right now. It gave me a smile as we stared at each other for a long silent moment.

Twilight was still panting a little as a hungry look began to fight the frightened one she already wore that was losing ground, "I think I...w-wouldn't mind....a-all night...s-so you know..."

I gave a throaty chuckle, leaning in to press my nose to hers with a smirk, "Then I better show you just how grateful I am... But I should warn you now, I think I'm going to need longer than just one night..."