u/DynastyCole

“Help Me, Dream Journey”

The slightest hint of sunlight begins to pour into Admire Vega’s room as she stirs awake.

*Today’s another day, sister*, she thinks to herself.

Curren Chan is fast asleep as Admire Vega puts on her tracksuit to do some solo training for this early morning. She winces a bit as she puts on her right shoe.

*Trainer would say I’m working myself too much. If it means keeping up with training, I’ll keep this a secret.*

She takes her bag, and leaves her dorm. As she stands in the dark hallway, she feels unnerved…as if she’s being watched. She’s had this recurring feeling for weeks now, yet, no matter how hard she looks, there’s no one to be found.

She shakes her head, before turning to leave, when—

“Ayabe-san!”

Admire Vega jumps slightly at the sudden appearance of her classmate Narita Top Road.

“…what are you doing up so early, Top Road?

She smiles at Admire Vega as she always does. “I could ask the same thing. Going training this early already?”

Admire Vega remains expressionless. “Yeah.” A beat of silence fills the air between them. “…did you need something?”

“A-ah! Right! Pokke-san, Doto-san, Cafe-san, and I are all going to play some card games later tonight. I was wondering if maybe you wanted to join us…?”

Admire Vega looks her in the eye for a moment. “No.”

Narita Top Road nervously laughs. “R-right. Expected as much.” She rubbed the back of her head for a moment before her expression became solemn. “Ayabe-san…you do know you don’t have to do *everything* alone…right?”

Admire Vega begins walking past Narita Top Road. “It’s how I prefer to be. *You* should know that more than most.”

A sharp exhale exits Narita Top Road’s system once Admire Vega has left the corridor. “Ayabe-san…”

“Why do you persist in trying to be her friend?”

Narita Top Road jumps and screams from the sudden appearance of an umamusume she’s not too familiar with. “W-what?”

The umamusume in question adjusts her glasses. “Every time you’ve tried to pry into that shell of hers, she’s shot you down. Why bother?”

She contemplates this question for a moment. “…because even if I don’t know her full story, I can tell she’s always suffering. And I want to help! No matter how many times she shuts me out, I’ll keep trying until she lets me in. Because…she’s my rival and my friend.”

The umamusume nods. “I see.” She walks past Narita Top Road. “I wish you the best of luck with that.”

Narita Top Road blinks a couple of times, as if to register the strange encounter, before she looks at the time and realizes she’s going to be late if she doesn’t start getting ready for the day.

The rest of the day passes by as any other would. And as the sun goes down, Admire Vega finds herself in a slight conflict with the Rito Dorm leader, Fuji Kiseki…

“What?! Why can’t I go camping tonight?”

Fuji Kiseki shook her head calmly. “The director has deemed it too dangerous right now to head out alone past curfew, because of rising tensions between fans of the URA and their fervor against T.M. Opera O.”

Admire Vega scowls. “Of all the people to be causing me trouble right now—Fuji Kiseki-san, I seriously doubt anyone’s going to come after me if I decide to go out for tonight. Can you *please* reconsider—”

“Absolutely not,” she cuts Vega off. “Fans are beginning to impede on one of the student’s training, and because of that, we have to take special precaution and boost campus security to ensure it does not occur again.” Fuji Kiseki sighs. “I’m sorry, Ayabe. I know this is very important to you, and I know it must hurt not having any sort of say or control in this situation. But I cannot allow you to go alone.”

“That won’t be a problem then.”

Two umamusume walk up to Admire Vega and Fuji Kiseki.

“Dorija and Orfevre-san?” Fuji Kiseki’s face displays bewilderment.

“We will go with her,” Orfevre says sharply.

Admire Vega, utterly confused by this offer, asks, “But…why?”

Dream Journey smiles. “Orf has some training she wants to do in the mountains, but we couldn’t get written permission for it until we had a third person who wanted to come along with us.” She walks up to Fuji Kiseki, and hands her a slip of paper with Tazuna’s signature on it. “This should suffice…right, dorm leader?”

For a split second, it almost looks like defeat falls on Fuji Kiseki’s expression, before she smiles and says “In that case, I see no reason to keep you all here. Just be careful and mindful of your surroundings.”

Orfevre scoffs. “If trouble comes for us…I will crush it.”

Fuji Kiseki nervously laughs. “R-right.” As the three of them walk past her, Fuji Kiseki looks on with a solemn expression.

“*I hope Admire Vega will be alright,*” she thinks to herself.

Admire Vega was…not accustomed to having guests on these trips into the mountains. Though Orfevre kept to herself in the seat opposite to them, Dream Journey took her spot directly next to Admire Vega.

“*She’s far too close,*” she thought to herself.

“Ahh…look at the trees passing us by,” Dream Journey said as she crawled over Admire Vega to look out the window.

“*Definitely too close!*”

“Hey—”

As Admire Vega went to speak up and protest this, she felt an intense glare from beside her. She looked to see Orfevre staring her down, as if to say, “If you interrupt her, I’ll make you regret it.” Having only heard of her intense personality, Admire Vega decided to not test her patience, despite her current situation frustrating her immensely. But as she looked back down at Dream Journey, it almost looked like she was trying to accentuate her curves…and as Dream Journey’s tail flit back and forth, Admire Vega’s face flushed red with many emotions: anger, embarrassment…and arousal.

“…did you both *really* feel the need to tag along on my alone time?” Admire Vega asked, while watching the foliage blur past them.

Dream Journey sat back into her place beside her. “Well…Orfevre wouldn’t have been able to do her solo training otherwise. Much like how you wouldn’t have been able to…do whatever it is that you like to do out here, without us coming along.” She smiled coyly. “It was purely for mutual benefit, I assure you.”

Admire Vega scoffed. “Okay, then Orfevre being here, I understand. Why are *you* here?”

Orfevre glared at Admire Vega again.

Dream Journey shyly laughed. “Ahh…Orfevre enjoys my company. That’s all.”

Admire Vega looked irritated. “Then go sit with her.”

Dream Journey blankly stared at her for a moment. “…alright. Have it your way.” As she got up to move seats, her tail brushed against Admire Vega’s hand…almost as if it were deliberate.

Now alone in her seat, she grabbed her bag and held it while leaning against the window. Admire Vega thought to herself…

“*…the attention hurts. This should have been for you, not for me.*”

Upon arriving at their destination, it wouldn’t take long for the group to run into issues while setting up camp.

“Ahh…Ayabe-san, how big is your tent?” Dream Journey asks.

Admire Vega looked at her suspiciously. “…it’s for one person. Why do you ask?”

Dream Journey coyly laughs, and says, “Ahh, it’s just Orfevre’s tent is also only big enough for her…and she doesn’t typically share it with anyone.”

“…okay. What does that have to do with me?” Admire Vega asked, already sure of what Dream Journey’s response is going to be.

“I forgot my tent at the dorm. I was wondering if you’d be willing to share yours with me.”

Admire Vega looked insulted. “Absolutely not—”

She cuts herself off as she can feel Orfevre’s intense glare again. “…are you seriously not going to share your tent with—”

“No,” Orfevre says bluntly. She goes back to setting up her tent, as if business with her had been concluded.

Dream Journey grins, almost with a hint of devilish intent. “See? She won’t let me. You wouldn’t want me sleeping outside all by myself, would you, Ayabe-san?”

Admire Vega grits her teeth in frustration. “…fine. You’re small enough to where we’ll both fit in the tent anyways.”

Dream Journey smiles. “Ahh…you’re so kind Ayabe-san—”

“Don’t. Push it,” Admire Vega says with anger in her eyes.

Dream Journey blankly stares at her again. “…alright.” She then turns around to help Orfevre finish setting up her camp, before the two of them head off into the mountains to train.

Admire Vega drops her facade and looks pained once they’re out of view.

“*It hurts. I don’t want her or anyone else to be close to me. I don’t want to take the love they want to give that’s rightfully yours,*” Admire Vega thinks to herself.

As the time passed, and night fell upon her, she started a fire and brewed some tea in a pot over the flame. It would not take the sisters long to find their way back shortly after.

Dream Journey sighed in relief. “Ahh…the fire and the smell of tea made it easy to find our way back.”

Admire Vega didn’t react much. “…good. Help yourselves to some tea if you want some.”

“No thanks,” Orfevre said bluntly, before retreating to her tent.

Dream Journey giggled. “Don’t mind her. She’s not much of a people person.”

Admire Vega takes a sip of her tea. “I’m not either.”

Dream Journey pours herself a cup of tea, and takes a sip. “Mm…this is good. You make good tea, Ayabe-san.”

Admire Vega looks away in embarrassment. “…thanks. I guess.”

Dream Journey takes a spot next to Admire Vega on the log she sits upon. They sit in a silence for a while, before she asks, “Why do you come out here, Ayabe-san?”

Admire Vega sighs. “…for alone time. And to admire the stars.”

Dream Journey looks to the night sky. “Why do you like the stars?”

Admire Vega hesitates for a moment before answering. “…there’s someone amongst them that’s very important to me.” They sit in silence for a while again, before she continues, “Nights like these…when there’s a new moon, I feel closer to her.”

Dream Journey keeps on staring at the stars. “…can you tell me about them? The stars, I mean.”

Admire Vega hesitates again. “…I’ll tell you about the Summer Triangle. That star there,” she points to a particular shiny star in the sky, “that’s Vega.”

Dream Journey smiles. “Ahh…I get it now.”

“And that one there is Deneb, and the last one is Altair,” Admire Vega points the stars out. “It’s…not the most impressive constellation by any means, but…it’s one I hold pretty dear to me. I could tell you more about them, but…” She trails off.

Dream Journey looks at her. “…but what?”

Admire Vega shakes her head, poorly disguising the pained look on her face. “…nevermind. It’s nothing.” She pours herself another cup of tea.

Dream Journey stares at her for a moment, before finishing her cup of tea. “That was delightful Ayabe-san: both the tea and the stars you taught me.” She yawns. “I think I’ll turn in for the night. I’ll be sure to leave you plenty of room.”

Admire Vega sighs, remembering that she’s sharing her tent tonight. “Tch. You better.” Dream Journey enters the tent, and Admire Vega looked back towards the stars.

“*It should be you teaching her…not me,*” she thought to herself. As she stared at Vega…she could’ve sworn that it flickered rapidly in response. She wondered if it meant anything, but ultimately decided it would make itself clear soon enough if it did.

Admire Vega finished her tea, put out the fire, and entered her tent. When she did…she was stunned.

Dream Journey, before entering the sleeping bag and falling quickly asleep, had taken off most of clothes, save for her underwear. Even more shockingly…it was black lace lingerie.

Blushing, aroused, and confused all at the same time, Admire Vega knew there really wasn’t any other option for her, and realized this was probably exactly why Orfevre doesn’t let her sleep in the same tent as her. Reluctantly, she enters the sleeping bag after taking off her shoes and tries to turn in, counting fluffy sheep and admiring the fluffiness of them and her pillow…

And right before she drifted off into her dreams, she felt something brush her waist as warm air creeped behind her ear.

“*Ayaaabeee-chaaan,*” Dream Journey whispered into her ear. Her tail wrapped around Admire Vega's waist as she brushed her fingers along her shoulder.

A chill ran down Admire Vega's spine. "W-what the fuck--?!" She tried to leap forward away from Dream Journey, but she was quickly pulled back in by Dream Journey's arm.

Dream Journey brought a finger to Admire Vega's lips. "Shh shh shh shh shh..." She brought that same finger to Admire Vega's chin, and guided her eyes to meet hers as she was mere inches away from her face. "You're fine. You're right where you need to be."

Admire Vega tried pulling away again. "Dream Journey, stop, this isn't funny--!"

Dream Journey took both hands and cupped Admire Vega's face. "Look at me, Ayabe-chan."

Admire Vega went to pull Dream Journey's hands away from her face, but when her eyes met her gaze, it was as if she had been petrified. Her azure gaze pierced into her soul, driving fear into her. What she saw within them, however, was something reminiscent to carnal desire.

She brushed Admire Vega's cheeks with her thumbs. "Good girl."

Her breath grew shaky as she realized there was no escape from Dream Journey's clutches. "Wh-what do you want?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Dream Journey clicked. "What do you *think* I want, Ayabe-chan?"

Admire Vega began to take heavier breaths as she started to panic. "I-I don't know, money? Favors?"

Dream Journey shook her head as she wiped the tears forming in Admire Vega's eyes. "I...arguably have both of those as it is. What I want...is you."

A jolt of pain shot through Admire Vega's heart. "Wh-what the fuck do you want with me? I don't have anything to offer."

Dream Journey sighed. "An umamusume who's willing to work themselves half-to-death to make up for the lost life of her unborn sister? You have much to offer. Devotion...strength...resilience...kindness..." She learned further in, and whispered in Admire Vega's ear, "...love."

Admire Vega's breathing became heavier. "H-how the fuck do you know about my sister?!"

The terrifying presence and aura Dream Journey emitted was palpable. "A solitary girl like yourself would eventually need a shrink at some point. I just figured...the person who'd most likely be your shrink, would be none other than the only other person you bother talking to...Curren Chan."

Admire Vega started crying. "She...she told you?"

Dream Journey gently shook her head. "Oh no. Curren Chan is too good of a friend to ever divulge in your secrets. At least...not on her own accord." She pulled upwards to look back into Admire Vega's eyes, which were full of fear. "Relax...I didn't do anything to her at all. I broke into your room and took a quick peak at her diary...that's all I did." She chuckled. "You know, she cares pretty deeply for you. She wishes she could do more for you, to help you seek happiness. Tsk, tsk, tsk," she shook her head. "She doesn't know what you want. She doesn't know what you *need*. Not like I do, Ayabe-chan."

Admire Vega was on the verge of sobbing. "And what the hell do you think I need, Dream Journey?"

She ran her fingers through Admire Vega's hair, and undid her ponytail. "Many things. To list them: inner peace...to be seen...to know that your sister is content with your choices and is satisfied with what you've decided to do with the gift of life...and, the most important part..." She leaned into Admire Vega's ear again. "...love, comfort, and safety. That's all you want, right?"

Admire Vega's breathing began to slow for a moment.

"I've already gone as far as to send an extreme fan after T.M. Opera O to...'dissuade' her from having any encounters with you, while simultaneously creating this opportunity for us. You should know by now...if there's anything you need, I'll make it yours."

Admire Vega shakily said, "You're a sociopathic piece of shit."

Dream Journey smirked. "Perhaps. But is it really so horrible of me to want to love and care for that *aching* heart of yours?" She brushed her nose against Admire Vega's. "What would your sister want for you, Ayabe-chan?"

There was a beat of silence between them, before Admire Vega gave in. "Help me, Dream Journey." She broke down, crying into Dream Journey's warm embrace.

With a devilish smile, she comforted Admire Vega and held her close. "There, there, Ayabe-chan. Let it all out..." She kissed her forehead. "I'll take care of you and everything else, from now on, okay? And in return...all I ask is for your devotion and for you to follow my lead."

Admire Vega nodded through the tears. "It hurts, Dorija...I shouldn't be receiving any affection...it should be for her..."

Dream Journey shook her head. "Your sister receives all the affection in the world from you, Ayabe-chan. It's time for you to be recognized just as much, okay?"

Admire Vega looked up into Dream Journey's eyes, her gaze now oddly warm and comforting. She wasn't sure if this was a false emotion...but she was willing to allow herself to be fooled if it meant finding solace for once.

"Now..." Dream Journey inched closer towards Admire Vega's face. "...let me take care of you and help you find that inner peace, love." She softly kissed her, as she gently brushed her fingertips along the base of Admire Vega's neck.

And soon...Admire Vega would crumble into the feeling, and wrap her arms around Dream Journey's waist.

Late into the night, Orfevre was awoken by the sound of...something. "Ugh...what is that, coyotes?" She opened up her tent to check on her sister, where the light of the stars were just bright enough to cast the silhouettes of Admire Vega and Dream Journey as they made love, their voices carrying throughout the vast mountains. "By the Three Goddesses, Dorija..." She sighed, returned to her tent, and pulled some earmuffs that her sister had given her before they had left for the trip. "So that was your plan with Ayabe-san..." She put the earmuffs on, and returned to her sleeping bag. As she drifted back off into sleep, she thought to herself...

"*I suppose I'll be seeing her a lot more often.*"

...and as the night carried on, Vega would flicker slowly in the sky, as if it were weeping at the loss of a loved one...before dimming out as night turned to morning.

*(Part 1 Fin)*

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Links to Danbooru posts for the art:

Dream Journey: https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/11401384?q=dream\_journey\_%28umamusume%29+

Admire Vega: https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/11320790?q=admire\_vega\_%28umamusume%29+