Solace slowly stood up, his crimson eyes glinting in the low light of the room. Without a word, he turned and made his way to the door. His presence seemed to melt into the shadows as he left, his steps silent but purposeful. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving the room still and quiet.
Inside the room, Celestia lay still, her chest rising and falling with each steady breath. Time seemed to stretch as she remained unconscious, her body still recovering from the intense training and meditation. The weight of exhaustion lingered in the air, heavy and unyielding.
But after a few moments, her eyelids fluttered, the dim light of the setting sun filtering through the window stirring her senses. Slowly, her eyes opened, the world blurry and foreign. She groaned, feeling disoriented as her head spun. The familiar weight of her training, the intense pressure on her body, seemed to linger even in her rest. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear the fog from her mind.
"Where the hell am I?" Celestia muttered to herself, her voice hoarse. She sat up quickly, glancing around the room in confusion.
Before she could process further, she felt a sudden warmth surround her, arms pulling her into a tight embrace. "Raven...?" Celestia's voice faltered as she was lifted into the hug, the scent of Raven's perfume filling her senses. She stiffened for a brief moment, unsure of what was happening, but then relaxed slowly and exhaled.
Celestia blinked, trying to adjust to the sudden closeness. "What... what happened?" she asked, her mind still foggy. "Why am I here?"
Raven pulled back slightly, her hands still resting on Celestia's shoulders. "You've been pushing yourself too hard and ended up passing out."
Celestia's eyes squinted against the sudden flood of light, her vision still blurry from the grogginess that clung to her. She rubbed her temples, trying to clear her head. "How did you even know where I was?" she asked, her voice rough and questioning, her mind still catching up with the reality around her.
Raven remained quiet for a moment, her fingers still resting gently on the edge of Celestia's bed as she gazed down at her. She spoke softly, her tone carrying a hint of something Celestia couldn't quite place. "...I remember you talking about the Mountain of Blossom to me once before in the past. So, I just figured you would be there... and I was right."
"Solace was here too," the woman replied, adjusting her seat. "He left a little while ago, though. No clue if he'll be back."
Celestia exhaled sharply, pushing herself to her feet. A dull ache lingered in her muscles. She ran a hand through her damp, tangled hair, her nose scrunching slightly at the sticky sensation clinging to her skin.
"Where's the bath?" she asked, glancing down at herself with mild disgust. Her once-pristine tunic clung to her frame, darkened with sweat, and she could feel the uncomfortable dampness seeping through her boots. "I need one. Badly."
Raven chuckled. "First door on the left down the hall. It should already be warm."
Without another word, Celestia turned on her heel, making her way toward the bath.
As she stepped into the bathroom, steam curled through the air, and the scent of faintly floral oils lingered. A large, claw-footed tub sat in the center, filled with steaming water that glistened under the soft glow of enchanted lanterns. Stripping off her damp clothes, she sank into the water with a relieved sigh.
Her fingers tapped absently against the water's surface. Something about it didn't sit right with her.
Just as she let her thoughts drift further, a noise echoed from outside the door—a soft knock, followed by a familiar voice.
"Mind if I come in?" Raven's voice drifted through the door, smooth yet laced with quiet amusement.
"Come in, then…" Celestia murmured, resting her head against the edge of the tub as she closed her eyes.
The soft creak of the door followed, then the gentle click of it shutting. The rustle of fabric, the quiet padding of bare feet against the floor. A moment later, the water rippled as Raven slid in beside her.
For a while, there was only silence, the warm water lapping against their skin. Celestia exhaled, letting herself relax, until—
"…I heard you stayed in a brothel."
Celestia cracked an eye open, finding Raven watching her with that unreadable expression of hers, violet eyes gleaming in the lantern light.
"Mind explaining that?"
Celestia arched a brow, lips curving into a smirk. "Jealous?"
Raven scoffed, leaning back against the tub's edge. "Curious."
Celestia hummed, trailing her fingers through the water. "It was just a place to rest. Nothing more. It was cheap, had warm food, and no one asked questions. Seemed convenient."
Raven's gaze lingered on her for a moment before she smirked. "I suppose I should be relieved you didn't get yourself into too much trouble."
Celestia smirked right back. "Who says I didn't?"
Raven rolled her eyes, shifting closer. "You're impossible."
"Mmm, I think that's just your opinion," Celestia murmured, running her fingers through her damp hair as she began to wash it.
Raven chuckled softly, the sound rich with amusement. "Perhaps," she admitted, tilting her head slightly. "But I tend to believe my opinions are more right than wrong."
She cast a lingering glance at Celestia before sighing, reaching for her own hair. The violet strands cascaded down her back, heavy with water as she worked her fingers through them.
After an hour, both of them finally stepped out of the bath, their skin warm from the lingering heat. Raven lifted a hand, summoning a controlled gust of wind infused with flickering flames. The air swirled around them, evaporating the moisture from their bodies and hair within moments.
Celestia stretched, running a hand through her now-dry white hair. "So… what exactly do I wear?" she asked, glancing around the bathroom. "I don't have any of my clothes, and the ones I do have need washing. They'll take a while to dry before I can wear them again." She sighed, crossing her arms.
Raven smirked. "You can just borrow mine. We're about the same size, after all."
She turned toward a built-in closet, rummaging through the neatly folded garments before pulling out a long, dark purple tunic and holding it out to Celestia. Along with it, she handed over a pair of underwear, a bra, and black silk pants.
"Since I know you prefer these," Raven added, a hint of smugness in her tone, "I made sure to buy some extras last time I went out. Just in case."
Celestia raised an eyebrow but said nothing as she took the clothes. "Thoughtful as always, huh?" She slipped into them, noting how well they fit.
Meanwhile, Raven grabbed a matching outfit for herself, dressing quickly before exhaling deeply. "Follow me," she said, leading Celestia out of the bathroom.
They walked through the dimly lit corridor until they reached a door guarded by a soldier in dark armor. Upon seeing Raven, he stepped aside without hesitation, allowing them to pass.
Inside, the room was spacious and elegant in a way that screamed Raven. Deep violet-colored flowers adorned the corners, matching the plush sheets and blankets draped across the large bed. A luxurious couch sat in one corner, while a dark purple door led to a spacious balcony overlooking the night sky.
"As you can see, my room isn't exactly bright," Raven remarked as she strode toward the bed, sitting down with a relaxed posture. "But it fits my style."
Celestia took a moment to glance around before smirking. "You definitely have a thing for purple. I can't tell if it's perfectly balanced or just a bit excessive, though."
Raven rolled her eyes. "Just admit you're jealous of my superior taste," she said, mockingly smug. "It's fine to acknowledge the truth."
Celestia chuckled, shaking her head as she sat beside her. "Oh yes, I'm so jealous of your endless obsession with one color."
Raven smirked before rolling her shoulders, then flopped onto her back, her dark hair spilling across the silk sheets. "Mmm… Well, it's not my fault you lack appreciation for aesthetic perfection."
Celestia let out a quiet sigh, a soft smile playing on her lips as she shifted a pillow aside. She leaned back against the luxurious blend of silk and leather, the cool fabric a stark contrast to the lingering warmth of her skin. Her emerald-green eyes flickered with quiet amusement as she settled in, exuding an effortless elegance even in the smallest of movements.
Celestia smirked, her emerald-green eyes flickering with amusement as Raven got up and loomed over her. The warmth of Raven's body pressed against hers, the space between them growing smaller with each breath.
Raven's dark purple hair cascaded around them like a curtain, enclosing them in their own little world. Her fingers trailed along Celestia's side, a featherlight touch that sent a subtle shiver down her spine. She bit her bottom lip softly, her violet eyes gleaming with something unreadable—desire, mischief, or perhaps something far more dangerous.
"You've been trying to avoid me, haven't you?" Raven murmured, her voice low and intoxicating. She leaned in, her breath ghosting against Celestia's lips. "That's not like you."
Celestia chuckled, tilting her head slightly. "Maybe I just like it when you get impatient."
Raven huffed, her smirk never fading. "Oh? Is that what this is?" She shifted slightly, pressing closer, her weight pinning Celestia beneath her.
Celestia's fingers skimmed along Raven's back before settling at her waist, gripping just tight enough to make Raven's breath hitch. "Maybe," she whispered, her tone dripping with challenge.
Raven exhaled sharply, "You know, I could always persuade you to talk…"
"Oh? And how do you plan on doing that?" Celestia mused, her voice silk-smooth.
Raven's smirk deepened as she leaned in until their lips were barely a breath apart. "Why don't I just show you?"
Without another word, she closed the distance, claiming Celestia's lips in a deep, lingering kiss. It started slow—controlled—but the moment Celestia kissed back, Raven's restraint wavered.
Her fingers tangled into Celestia's smooth white hair, pulling her closer. Celestia responded in kind, her hands gripping Raven's hips as she flipped their positions, pinning Raven against the silk sheets instead.
Celestia smirked, her fingers tracing slow, deliberate patterns along Raven's waist. "You said you'd persuade me, but I think I'd rather see how much convincing you need."
Raven arched a brow, her lips curving into a playful smirk. "Careful now… you might just start something you can't handle."
Celestia leaned down, her lips grazing Raven's jaw before whispering against her skin. "Then I guess we'll just have to find out."
She slowly closed the remaining distance, her breath mingling with Raven's as she captured her lip in a teasing, gentle bite. Raven's eyes fluttered, a breathless gasp escaping her, but before she could respond, Celestia pressed her lips fully to hers once more.