Chapter Ninety-Three: No More Hiding

Terra Cotta didn't really know many games. She did, after all, grow up as the sole filly in the circus. While she tried to play with a few foals her age on a few occasions, her lack of social skills had prevented her from getting too close; and Stormy Skies driving her away from them by her simply being near them. As such, she never learned any games and activities that involved more than one individual.

She was a fairly smart girl-and she had watched Fluttershy play with Chenoa. Imitating her adoptive mother, the filly hid her face behind her forelegs before uncovering them with a brief "Bu!". Giggling, she nuzzled the infant's belly and tickled her with her nose. The baby laughed to the point to where tears were pooling in her eyes. Besides curling up in a blanket and slithering around on the floor, peek-a-boo was her favorite game. She also loved being tickled, so she was having a grand time with her big sister.

Fluttershy and Smokey grinned, the mare pressing her hooves together and laying her chin on her pastern.

"How sweet! Terra Cotta's really taken to the big sister role well!" She let out a soft sigh, her heart glowing with loving mirth. "It really warms my heart to see them playing and having fun together."

"Mhm. We're lucky to be blessed wonderful children," Smokey blissfully sighed, reaching out a hand to grasp onto one of the mare's pasterns and gently pulled her right up against his side.

"Hmm? Oooh!" she squeaked as she was drawn against him. Wrapping a foreleg around his neck and holding him close, she smiled lovingly down at him. "I take it you're feeling a little better?"

"A little bit. I still feel hot…"

Purring fervently, he nuzzled the side of her face and aimed his lips at the corner of her mouth. Turning her head, she intercepted his kiss and redirected his mouth to press her lips against his own. Stroking his cheek with one hoof and ran it over his head and down his neck as she held it.

Breaking away, she focused a loving smile at him.

"Can I get you anything, then?"

"No thank you, darling. Having you right beside me is enough."

Closing his eyes, he leaned in again to kiss her, intending on holding this one longer than the last. Going pink in the face, she closed her eyes, allowing the drake to kiss her again. Sliding her other foreleg around him, she pressed her lips to him in a rather passionate fashion. Sighing through her nostrils, her hoof slid over one of his spines and rubbed into the scales on the back of his neck.

Heart hammering against his chest, an amorous purr escaped the dragon's throat as the kiss deepened. Furling his arms around her, he idly kneaded his dull claws through the soft fur on her back. He was so happy he found someone who actually loved him the way he loved her. Throughout his life, he never thought he would find a significant other, but there he was, wrapped in the embrace of a lover and sharing a kiss.

Moaning softly, Fluttershy pressed herself slightly harder against Smokey, but took care not to jostle any pain in his ribs. Clenching her eyelids together, she melted into his embrace. Holding the kiss for what felt like hours, she only broke it off when she needed to fill her lungs. Pulling away and taking a gasp, she blushed lightly, bringing a hoof to her lips.

Slowly opening his eyes, lids stopping halfway, a toothy grin stretched across his maw. The dragon removed one of his clawed hands from her back, repeatedly swirling his fingertips over the mare's cheek.

"… That… was incredible…"

The mare said nothing, emitting a high-pitched squeal. Pursing her lips a bashful grin pulled at her visage, complete with a second "squee" accompanying her smile. Smokey released a laugh and shook his head as he rested his hand upon her head to pet it.

"Your adorableness never ceases to be so endearing."

Blush deepening, the mare brushed her muzzle over the draconian's wrist as he threaded his fingers through her hair.

Casting a glance over her shoulder at Terra Cotta and Chenoa, Fluttershy drew away from Smokey as she noticed that the filly had now ceased playing with the baby and was now getting into a few things, mainly examining the couch and stairs as if she were looking for something.

"Er, Terra? Honey? What are you doing?"

"Lukin' fuh bag. Papir," she replied simply. "Kulurz."

"Oh, colors? Oooh. Umm…" Fluttershy paused, glancing back at Smokey. "Where is her bag? Did I leave it upstairs?"

"I believe you did, darling," he responded as he began to remove himself from the couch in order to get Chenoa, only to stop halfway as pain seared through his body. Gritting his teeth, he laid back down and kept his eyes on he baby.

"Oh, Smokey!" Fluttershy gasped, moving to place a hoof on his shoulder. "Don't try to move. Don't worry, I'll look for Terra's bag."

Smile pulling at her lips, she drew away from the dragon to pick up the baby.

"All right, but can you please hand Chenoa to me so she doesn't get into anything she isn't supposed to?" he requested.

"I was going to take her upstairs and keep an eye on her, but sure."

The mare kissed the chick's downy head and then gave her to her adoptive father. With that, she headed upstairs to begin her search, and sure enough, found Terra Cotta's saddlebags laying on the floor alongside her bed. Picking them up, she brought them downstairs.

"Here you go, sweetie!" she said, setting them down as Terra Cotta trotted up to her to meet her.

"Yaaay!" the filly rejoiced, instantly digging into one of the pouches.

Upon receiving the chick, Smokey had subsequently began kissing her head and nuzzling her, purring all the while. Chenoa laughed the entire time. She always found the sound of her father purring humorous. Purring ceasing, the child snuggled against his chest and closed her eyes. She was tired and it was about time for a nap.

Smiling adoringly down at her, the dragon planted one final kiss on her fluffy head and turned to Terra Cotta.

"What are you going to draw, Terra?"

"Stuff," she replied as she fished out her drawing pad and box of crayons-her only real possessions she had. Peering over at the draconian on the couch, she returned her eyes to the pad and began to scribble away.

Grin adorning her delicate features, Fluttershy settled down nearby to observe her daughter draw. Within moments the outline came into form and it became apparent Terra Cotta was drawing Smokey again-only this time Fluttershy and Chenoa were present on the page, with the pegasus behind the dragon, giving him a kiss on his head.

"Okay then," Smokey chuckled briefly as he gently stroked the white-pelted griffon's back, his eyes summoning Fluttershy.

Gazing over at Smokey and catching the expression in his eyes, she fluttered behind the armrest supporting his neck and head. As she was in Terra Cotta's picture, she pressed her head to his, before planting a kiss on his nose.

".. It's nice to be back," Fluttershy stated. She quietly brushed her muzzle over his forehead, struck with a sudden thought. "You know, I just realized… How will the other townsponies react once they hear that you're back? … And a full citizen? I mean, outside of saving Sweet Tum and getting groceries… and the incident at Mr. Pendulum's party, you're… well… still largely unknown."

He soaked in the affection, his tail tapping a few times against the side of the couch. There was an elapse of silence as he contemplated. While he was eager to go into town, he was hesitant to go as himself. He didn't want to be the causation of another uproar.

"… I suppose I could get another costume so I don't frighten anypony."

"No," the mare refused. "No more lies. No more hiding."

She touched her lips to the bridge of his snout.

"You're a true citizen now. There shouldn't be any more hiding. I don't want to have to see you dress up in a costume again just to be out in public."

Smokey frowned, nervously biting his lip.

"But… what if I start another panic? The last one caused a lot of destruction. And… the way all those ponies reacted at Pendulum's party.. What if it happens again?"

"I will be with you the whole time. If anypony has any problems…" There was an empowering note in her intonation, and the slight narrowing of her eyes only bolstered it. ".. they can take it up with me."

The winged reptile arched his scaly brow, mildly surprised at the tonality the yellow-furred pony took on.

"All right. Since you and the children will be with me."

She nodded.

"I love you, Smokey. And I don't want you to be treated badly, just because you're a dragon. Maybe if they see us together, with Chenoa and Terra Cotta, they'll be a little more accepting."

"I love you, too, Miss Fluttershy," he murred. A soft smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, emboldened at the thought of venturing into town. At least he wouldn't be alone.

The equine nickered softly, resting her head upon his forehead.

"I wonder. Maybe we can introduce you at the town square. Keep you behind a curtain and come out on cue. We could all be there! Show everypony you're not dangerous-that there's nothing to fear from you.

"… Once you get better, that is."

"To everypony at once? I suppose… that would be fine. Maybe… put on another magic show?" he suggested. "Though… my animals might be busy caring for their own families."

"Actually," the mare began, heavily suggesting that she had something entirely different in mind. "I think I have a better idea. Why don't we have a town-wide picnic? We can introduce you as a mystery chef. Show off your culinary skills. And once everypony wants to know who you are, we bring you out!"

The sea green eyes of the dragon widened a slight in contemplation, a small smile coming to him after a few moments.

"You know… I like that idea much better. Since my magic shows don't go so well, I should just give them up and focus on cooking."

"Hmm! I think it would go fantastically!" She nodded, sweeping her hoof over his cheek. "After all, you like to cook, and most ponies DO like to eat. The food you make is nothing short of fantastic."

A touch of flattered pink tinted the red beast's cheeks, running a hand over the spines on his cranium once.

"Well… thank you! There is just one problem, though…"

Fluttershy raised her head to lock her gaze with his questioningly.

"Oh? What's that?"

"How are we going to afford enough to feed the entire town?"

She stared at him in silence as she was struck with the realization herself.

"… That's… a good question." She didn't exactly make that much money. She made just enough to support herself, and to buy food for all of the animals she cared for, but simple pet food was significantly cheaper to buy than food ponies-and certain dragons and griffons-ate. Smokey's funds have run out since arriving to Ponyville, but he made up for it with pitching in with the animals and, of course, cooking meals when he wasn't at home-which wasn't often; he didn't see the point now. She didn't mind it, though; she knew once Smokey could walk through town without much trouble, he would find a job. She could sense that he felt bad that he was unable to pay for the food she spared to feed his animals, or his share of the expenses that went into providing for a child. After all, he had plans for opening up his own restaurant someday, and that would definitely give them more than they needed. For now, she would continue cutting back on luxuries.

"We could hold fundraisers?" he brought up.

She pursed her lips, before a grin tipped her lips as an idea came to her.

"… Why don't we do both? We could hold a bake sale, or a cook off, AND a fundraiser all at the same time? We could hold it town-wide, and have everypony participate if they want. We could even hold contests! All we need you to do is make a few dishes."

Smokey's eyes lit up, his tail tapping against the couch again in excitement.

"I like that idea!"

"I'll give the idea to Twilight when she comes by. Who knows? Maybe we can even do something else. Like a pie-eating contest?"

"A PIE-EATING CONTEST?!" a familiar chipper voice shrilled from behind Fluttershy, the pink-pelted mare procuring herself from seemingly out of nowhere and startling the cottage's inhabitants.

Shrieking, Fluttershy sprang into the air, sailing up and over the couch to crash behind it. Terra Cotta, who had been so focused in her drawing, jumped up in alarm. Smokey, jolted in surprise, his ear frills flaring and his wings nearly unfolding, the pain preventing them from doing so. Chenoa cried the instant Pinkie Pie's voice pulled her from her nap. Once registering that it was only the pink mare, the dragon allowed a pained groan and gently rocked the wailing child.

"Miss Pinkie, you really shouldn't do that. You woke up Chenoa and nearly gave Fluttershy a heart attack," he admonished.

"Awww, I'm sorry!" the curly-maned mare apologized with an upset expression, which disappeared a mere second later. "I was coming by to visit because I wanted to see how you were doing, and I knocked on the door, but it swung open on the first knock! I let myself in when I overheard you talking about a pie-eating contest!"

"Well… please be quieter from now on in case a little one might be asleep," the dragon requested.

"Also, could you call out softly that you're here?" Fluttershy added, peering out from behind the couch. "And just not surprise us like that?"

"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," Pinkie Pie said, crossing a hoof over her chest and poking her eye, which looked a bit painful to the dragon. Bouncing over to the dragon's side, she put on a maternal smile-something she developed after her time spent with the Cake babies. "Aww, Chenoa, don't cry! Auntie Pinkie's sorry for scaring you!"

"There, there, sweetheart. You're fine. It's just Auntie Pinkie," Smokey murmured soothingly to the griffon as he gently rocked her. It wasn't until several minutes the child quieted down.

Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Smokey, and even Terra Cotta exhumed a sigh as slumber reclaimed the baby.

"Why don't we head outside?" Fluttershy whispered to Pinkie Pie as she approached the other mare. She was grateful that her hyperactive friend dropped by to check on them, but she was concerned that Chenoa might wake up again and thought that it would be best to remove her from the vicinity of her child in order to let her rest.

The pegasus quickly kissed the dragon and chick on their heads. Nodding to Terra Cotta, she motioned to the filly to follow her as she proceeded to lead Pinkie Pie outside. Silence reigning, with the occasional skittering and wing flapping of animals, it wasn't long before Smokey succumbed to the grips of sleep.