Spike and Double Take stood before the main entrance of the Everfree House and had been for the better part of a minute now. In Double Take’s defense, she had been doing so only because Spike seemed rather reluctant to go past those double doors leading into the building. Being the worrywart and kind-hearted soul that she was, she had opted to wait outside with Spike until he mustered up the courage to go through the doors.

“Well, no time like the present…” Spike sighed, taking a step forward. Double Take followed close behind. The double doors closed behind them, and for a moment Spike thought of retreating back outside, if only to avoid whatever confrontation awaited him involving a long-time friend.

As the two made their way into the lobby, Double Take let out an involuntary whimper. She landed on the ground and walked beside him. “Someone’s arguing with Colea…” she whispered.

“Ah, Spike,” called out a voice. He looked towards the front desk to see a rather disgruntled Colea sitting behind a desk, her gaze locked on a familiar, rainbow maned pegasus mare. “This mare here claims that she needed to speak to you. Supposedly, it’s important.”

“Yeah, because it is important,” Rainbow replied with a grumble. No doubt Colea’s less than thrilled attitude towards the young Wonderbolt had contributed to Rainbow Dash’s annoyance. While she would never admit it, she found a certain degree of enjoyment in being a household name in Equestria. To be treated as just another pony likely grated on her nerves.

“Yet,” Colea continued as she leaned forward in her chair. “She has yet to explain why she is here for you.”

“Um… Miss Colea, with all due respect,” Bonbon began, her tone gentle and placating. “Rainbow Dash says that it’s a bit of a personal matter. You understand, don’t you?”

Colea looked to Bonbon, her glare softening a noticeable amount. She sighed deeply, and rubbed her temple with a hoof. “Yes, Miss Bonbon, and I do understand that. However, Miss Rainbow Dash here has been nothing but rude to me, what with accusing me of roping Spike into our business when he voluntarily applied for the job.”

Rainbow snorted in disbelief. “I wasn’t accusing anyone of doing anything!” Rainbow flared her wings a bit. “I’m just… look, I won’t pretend I didn’t see you give me that dirty look when I walked in. What happened seven years ago in Canterlot is in the past, okay? I don’t know if you have a bone to pick with me or whatever, but it’ll have to wait. I’m here to speak to Spike, so—”

“Well, here I am, Rainbow Dash,” Spike cut her off, deciding to nip the bud of the conversation before someone said something that might start a real mess. A mess so bad that even he wouldn’t want to clean it up. “Um… Colea, is there a place where we can talk… in private?”

Colea’s blue eyes flicked to him, then back to Rainbow Dash, then she slumped a bit with a heavy sigh. “Yes, there’s a room to your immediate left when you go down the main hall. It’s big enough for a few ponies. I… just…” she hesitated, then concluded with a shake of her head. “I’ll talk to you afterwards, Spike.”

“Thank you,” Spike said. He gave Double Take a nod, and she returned it with a worried frown. He gestured for Rainbow, Lyra, and Bonbon to follow him. When they reached the door to the room Colea had pointed out, he opened the door and allowed them in first. He closed it behind himself, and began. “So… what brings you here?”

Rainbow Dash sighed, her body visibly relaxing. “Well, I was hoping to surprise you, but then that… Colea or whatever, decided to start interrogating me.”

“She has the right to question anyone entering her establishment,” Spike stated matter of factly. “You can’t blame her, given the current state of things involving the changeling refugees and the problems they’ve been dealing with.” He shook his head. “Everfree House itself has been having some trouble with clients as of late, so she’s just looking out for her employees. ”

“What, you think I’d…?” She shook her head. “Nevermind, I won’t ask.” She looked to Lyra and Bonbon, who simply nodded. Rainbow continued on, her eyes locked with Spike’s. “So… I have to ask… when was the last time you talked to Twilight?”

Spike arched an eyebrow, then glanced at Lyra and Bonbon. Both gave uneasy smiles. He sighed before turning back towards the door. “Right, I’m done here. Nice seeing you, Rainbow, but I’d rather not open that can of worms if I can—”

“Spike, stop!”

Rainbow was in front of the drake before he could make his way towards the door. He frowned as she hovered between him and his only exit. “Rainbow, please move.”

She matched his frown with a defiant grimace of her own. “I will… but only after I get some answers from you.”

Spike pinched the bridge of his nose, then grumbled something unintelligible. He ran a hand over his face, then shrugged. “Fine, fine… but only because you’re my friend.” He gestured to the large couch, and the three mares each took a seat. “What—though I’m sure I already have an idea about what you want to know—did you want to talk about that has to do with Twilight and I?”

Rainbow’s own annoyed expression softened. “I talked to Twilight earlier today. We had lunch, and I asked her about you. She… said she hasn’t talked to you since you left Canterlot. That was more than a year ago, Spike.”

“That was the intention of me leaving. This isn’t news to you, Rainbow Dash,” Spike said, his tone neutral. “What about it?”

“Spike… how are you alright with all of this? I mean, you two used to be family in everything but blood, now you don’t even talk to each other?” Rainbow shook her head. “I know it’s not…” She paused, then shook her head. “No, it is my business, because you and Twi are practically family to me as well. Heck, I’m pretty sure the rest of the girls would probably say the same thing.”

“Well, I guess things changed. For what it’s worth, we both tried to fix things up between us. That didn’t work.” Spike looked out the window of the room, his gaze drifting to the distant buildings of Ponyville that he could see beyond the rolling hills. “Twilight Sparkle’s still Twilight Sparkle, sure, but she’s not the Twilight Sparkle I know anymore. Canterlot changed her when she became an alicorn.” His gaze fell back onto Rainbow Dash as he continued. “What’s her problem, anyway? Does she miss having one of the few councilors in Canterlot who isn’t someone else’s political puppet by her side? Or does she just miss having someone who could chase away the droves of lobbyists?”

“Spike, that…” Bonbon said softly, only to stop when Lyra placed a hoof on her shoulder and shook her head. The earth mare slumped and said nothing further.

“No, Spike, I think she honestly misses you being there with her. You know, since she cares about you. Heck, I think I’d even go as far as to say that she loves you like a younger brother.” Rainbow folded her forelegs together as she matched Spike’s glare.

“Really?” Spike rolled his eyes. “She sure has a funny way of showing it. Revoking my position in the Canterlot Council and blatantly telling me that she doesn’t need me helping her anymore with politics because I ‘think with my heart and not my brain’ doesn’t seem like a very good way of telling someone you care.”

Rainbow went quiet for a long while after that. She glanced over to Lyra and Bonbon, who simply gave her uncertain shakes of their heads.

“So… that’s what started all this?” Rainbow asked. “I… never really got the whole story from you two.”

“Partly, yeah,” Spike grumbled. “It sure helped push things in the direction they’re in now, if anything.”

“What happened?” Rainbow asked.

“Didn’t Twilight tell you?” Spike asked. When he saw Rainbow shake her head, he sighed, and then he let out a sardonic chuckle. “No, of course she didn’t.” He scratched the back of his head as he gained a thoughtful expression. “Well, if she’s too ashamed to tell you, then I don’t know what to tell you. Besides, it doesn’t really matter what I tell you, does it?”

Rainbow cocked her head to the side. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, come on, Rainbow. We both know that Canterlot’s papers painted my whole public disapproval as a direct attack against Celestia and Twilight. I wasn’t speaking my mind; I was stirring up problems. At least that’s what the media said.”

Rainbow frowned. “I… read some of those newspapers, now that I think about it. I have to admit, some of the things you had to say about Celestia were less than flattering.” Her eyes widened suddenly, and she narrowed her gaze. “What, you think I’d believe some journalists over you?”

“You wouldn’t be the first, Rainbow,” was all Spike said in reply.

“You had some real cojones for saying the things you did, though,” Lyra added. “Rather stupid on your part in hindsight, Spike, but still admirable… sorta.”

Spike shrugged. “I won’t argue there. It didn’t really matter at that point, since I already signed my resignation papers before that whole fiasco.”

“You said that Twilight removed you from office, though…” Rainbow asked. “What—?”

“Yes, I was removed from my office in the council, but I still had a place among the Royal Advisory Committee. Less pay, more connected to the princesses. It’s not a public office position, but you still get a salary. It’s not easy being a person whose advice can influence the way a country is run, after all.” He shrugged. “Still, after getting removed from the Council, I pretty much called it quits with Canterlot and resigned from the Advisory Committee. I moved back to Ponyville shortly after. I have to admit, I was surprised that most of the town was still happy to see me after what I said about Canterlot and all.”

“What, you think we’d just tell you to get the heck out of town?” Lyra laughed and roll of her eyes. “Come on, Spike, it’d take more than that to make any of us Ponyvillians hold a grudge against you.”

“Yeah, besides, we knew you were only doing what you thought was right… though you could have maybe not said some of those things about Celestia…” Bonbon added with a small smile. “Still, we know you’re a good dragon. Politics is an ugly thing, no matter how you try to paint it. I think you came out alright for the most part.”

“They’re right, Spike,” Rainbow said with a sigh. “I’m only on your case about this because I care about you. Both you and Twilight. You know where I’m coming from here, right?” Spike gave a slight nod, grunting an affirmative. “I have to admit, I wasn’t happy with how you handled that whole thing, at least from what I saw and heard.” She scuffed the floor with a hoof and lowered her gaze. “Still, I… it’s not cool seeing you acting so distant and cold with Twilight. You can’t honestly be happy with this whole thing.”

Spike shrugged. “It sucked, don’t get me wrong. I got over it, though. I have friends and family who care for me.” He looked to Lyra and Bonbon, who both gave him a reassuring smile. “You two…” His gaze fell back onto Rainbow, “Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle… Luna, Cadance, Shining Armor, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie, Rarity, and you too… I love all of you like family.”

Rainbow smiled a little, despite her overall mood. “Same here, Spike.”

The drake raised a hand finger as he continued. “Still, you can’t really pick your family. Sometimes individuals just don’t get along, and… Twilight and I are such a case.”

“But you haven’t even given her a chance to try and talk to you, Spike,” Rainbow argued. “I mean, have you thought that maybe she wants to try and patch things up? Because today, when I was talking with her, that seemed to be exactly what she wanted to do.”

“That’s the thing. We have patched things up. Numerous times.” Spike rubbed a temple and sighed. “We made up after our big fight over the Nomadic Dragon Citizenship Bill. By the way, that bill hasn’t been brought up since I first proposed it three years ago. Still in the ‘to do’ pile for processing, the last I heard.”

Rainbow frowned. “I never heard about that bill.”

“No surprise; the Council and most of the Advisory Committee were against that bill, but it’s still in the folders for record keeping, just in case anyone gets off their haunches and decides to actually approve it or get rid of it.” Spike snorted a bit, a low chuckle escaping him. “Chances are it will eventually be forgotten. You should see the amount of proposed legislation in the castle’s records office.” He frowned, as though recalling a bad memory. “Then there was the time we argued over decreasing funds to the Department of Equestrian Arcane Sciences and Department of Equestrian Agriculture so that we could increase funds towards the and the Department of Natural Sciences and the Department of Education.” He exhaled while shaking his head slowly. “That… well, that argument was ugly. Especially when I said she was playing favorites.”

“Bad move…” Rainbow said, wincing a bit.

“Yeah. She and Celestia wouldn’t speak to me for almost a month after I managed to circumnavigate the funding problem while the Department Arcane Sciences fund still got a fraction of its annual funds cut. The Council was all for it, and after pressing the princesses, Luna and Celestia caved in and signed it over.”

“Not Twilight, though?” Rainbow asked.

Spike tapped his chin. “Well, in the past, when the council voted for a bill, it had to be given final approval by the princesses. The entire process for passing a law can take months, sometimes years, if it’s not voted for right away due to disagreements between the councilors. Anyway, after the council passes a bill, the princesses need to have the bill signed into a real law. If only one or neither approved of the bill, it would get rejected and be sent back.”

“I imagine the one thousand years without Princess Luna changed that a bit, though…” Lyra said.

“Mm, that’s right,” Spike said with a nod. “Celestia was the only princess ruling Equestria during that time, therefore she was the only one needed to sign a bill into law. Mind you, the process changed a little throughout the centuries, but a group of legislators and the princesses giving final approval has always existed. It’s a rather effective process, since it stops a lot of bad ideas from getting through, and more public support for the legislators by having the princesses agree to it; a princess agreeing on a law looks good on paper in the public eye.”

“Yeah, but it also takes forever to do anything over in Canterlot,” Lyra added. “My father was a bureaucrat. I’ve heard the complaints all the time.”

“Well, yeah, but you have to look at it from a big picture. Rapid changes can be nice, but can also create problems. Some think giving a select few who represent regions of Equestria such power is bad, too. Still, legislators have to be careful about what they pass on to the princesses. They’re dealing with laws that affect everyone, after all. It’s why we have elections for councilor offices every few years.” He waved a hand as he continued. “Anyway, Twilight becoming a princess changed that both-princess-needed-for-a-bill-to-pass rule a little, since there are now three rulers in Equestria. As long as two or more princesses sign the bill into law, it’s passed.” He tapped his chin. “I think all but two members of the Council agreed to my proposal on the changeling refugee policy. Since it was a majority vote from the council, though, they approved it and passed it on to the princesses. With that, we were able to convince Celestia to change her mind and sign it with Luna.”

“I’d say next to you, Princess Luna has been one of the biggest names in the government as of late. Well, aside from Twilight’s tour of the southern countries,” Lyra said. “She’s definitely got high public approval, that’s for sure.”

Mentioning the Princess of the Night’s name brought a small, reminiscent smile to Spike’s face. Princess Luna. If there was anyone he missed that was still in Canterlot, it was her. Well, her and Pony Joe.

She had been a major supporter for Spike, and had actually been the one to suggest to Twilight that Spike might want to consider being her personal advisor. In time, she had also pushed Spike to take on a seat in the Council.

“Princess Luna’s been known as a bit of a maverick,” piped in a new voice. The four looked to the door, only to see Wisp standing there, an apologetic smile on her face. “Sorry, I was knocking, but then remembered that we placed a muting spell on this room a few weeks back because… well, reasons.” She chuckled. “Never knew you had a hidden passion for politics, Spike.” She turned to the three mares. “Is he always like that?”

“We try to stop him before he gets ahead of himself,” Lyra replied with a chuckle.

“Lyra. Be nice,” Bonbon whispered as Spike flushed in embarrassment.

“O-oh, sorry, Wisp.” The drake turned to the mares. “Lyra, Bonbon, Rainbow Dash, this is Wisp. She’s one of the employees here at the Everfree House.”

Rainbow frowned a little. “We were having a private discussion, you know…”

“I realize that, but I have a client, and this room was booked earlier today for just that,” Wisp said easily without a hint of shame in her tone. “Would you mind… well…?”

Spike nodded. “No problem, I think we were wrapping this talk up, anyway.” He looked to Rainbow, who looked far from being done with the conversation.

“Oh, well, alright then.” Wisp turned around to speak to someone beyond the doorway. “Mr. Caramel, you can come with me.”

As Spike and the girls exited the room, they stopped to look to a nervous stallion. There was a pregnant silence between the group, then Caramel spoke. “U-um… hey, Spike.” He looked to the other three. “Ladies.”

“Hey, Caramel,” Lyra said casually with a wave of her hoof. “How’s life treating you?”

“O-oh, good, you know… just helping with Sweet Apple Acres and Carrot Top’s farm.” He gave Rainbow Dash a smile. “I heard you were in town from Derpy earlier. She says you got a few weeks off from being an international icon, huh?”

Rainbow Dash smiled. “Yeah, it’s going to be tough adjusting to not being so busy, but it’ll be nice.”

Silence settled over the group once more.

“Um… so…?” Bonbon began.

Wisp cut in, breaking the awkward tension, if only a little. “So, you all know each other?”

“Yes. Yes we are,” Spike replied, relief evident in his tone. “Caramel and I worked on Sweet Apple Acres for a harvest season last year.”

“Well, I do it for a living along with making and repairing horseshoes. I don’t own my own farm, but I’ve got plenty of experience working on one.” Caramel cleared his throat. “So…”

Wisp gave him a light smack on the flank, causing him to jump in surprise. “Go on into the room. I’ll be with you shortly.”

Caramel, now beet red in the face, gave Spike and the girls a quiet goodbye and hurried into the room. Wisp giggled as she watched him leave, her smile growing with approval as she studied him. “Heh, he’s cute.”

“Well, looks like he got over Lucky Clover rather well,” Lyra commented, a small smile playing at her lips. “Good for him. The poor guy was torn up over that for weeks… though you could tell he tried to hide it.”

“Oh?” Wisp asked. “Who was she? A marefriend?”

“Oh, no,” Lyra said with a shake of her head. “I shouldn’t say more, but Lucky was his coltfriend.”

Wisp blinked, but recovered and smiled genuinely. “Oohhhhh, so that’s what he was talking about with ‘finally moving on’.” She frowned and looked to the room. “Was it bad?”

“Not my place to say,” Lyra sighed.

Wisp nodded in understanding. “Well, I should go, then. Spike, take care…” She paused a second later, turning back to the group. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your names.”

“Lyra Heartstrings,” Lyra said, extending a hoof and shaking Wisp’s own. “This is Bonbon, my marefriend. We live with Spike.”

“Oh, well, it’s a pleasure to meet you two,” Wisp said with a genuine smile. “Spike’s been nothing but pleasant to us.”

“Of course he has,” Bonbon smiled. “Spike’s a true gentledrake.”

Wisp then glanced over to Rainbow Dash, her smile widening a bit. “I never thought we’d get the one and only Rainbow Dash to visit here, but I suppose we are near Ponyville.”

Rainbow blinked. “Y-you know my name?” She shook her head and replaced her surprise with a smug grin. “I-I mean, heh, yeah, that’s me alright. Nice to meet you, Wisp.”

“Likewise…” She stepped forward a bit, causing Rainbow to back up a step. “Are you staying in town for awhile? I won’t lie, I’m a bit of a fan of the Wonderbolts, especially the newer members. You all bring a bit of an edge to the group. Maybe you and I can… swap stories? Maybe over dinner? Some wine?”

Spike may have been new here, but he was already getting a good idea of how to deal with Wisp. “Easy, Wisp.”

Wisp let out a chuckle, covering her mouth with a hoof. “Oh, you’re no fun, Spike.” She narrowed her eyes, then added. “Or… is she your special somepony I’ve heard about?”

“What? Oh, stars, n-no! No, just a close friend!” Spike replied frantically while Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement.

“Oh, my mistake then,” Wisp said with a polite bow. “Regardless, please don’t be strangers here. Our doors are always open to you ladies.” With that, she went inside the room, shutting the door behind her.

The four looked to the now closed door for several long moments, an awkward silence hanging in the air.

Then…

“Well, I don’t know about you three, but I like her.”

Bonbon rolled her eyes, but a smile couldn’t help form on her lips as she looked to her marefriend. “She reminds me a bit of you, Lyra.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, then,” the unicorn mare chuckled. She turned her attention to Rainbow, a smile spreading across her lips. “So… are you going to take up her offer and… y’know, maybe come by her and—”

“W-what? No! No… I mean, I’ve never really known any changelings, and…” Rainbow was visibly flustered, her cheeks a healthy shade of pink. “N-not to say that she’s not attractive, but… I don’t even know her.”

Spike laughed. “I wouldn’t worry about it, Rainbow. She was just as bad when I first got here, too.”

Rainbow frowned, her embarrassment dying away quickly and being replaced with a stern look. She took a step forward. “Really?”

Uh oh, red flag, Spike! Abort! Abort!

“Y-yeah, but she was just flirting! That was all! It’s who she is. I told her I have a special mare in my life already, and she’s turned it down a few notches since then.” Spike grinned nervously as Rainbow Dash continued to frown at him.

“Does Scoot even know that you work here?” Rainbow asked, her eyes narrowing as she took a few more steps towards him.

“Of course,” Spike answered. “She didn’t mind at all.”

Rainbow Dash relaxed at that. “Hmm. I guess I’d expect as much. She’s never really gotten worked up over things like that.” She gave Spike a wary look. “Still, no funny business behind her back, you got it?”

Lyra sighed. “Rainbow Dash, they’re adults. Let them do their thing. Besides, you of all ponies should know how their relationship is.”

“I… alright, point made.” Rainbow’s frown slowly morphed into a small, abashed smile, which was more or less an unspoken apology from the mare. “I’m just looking out for my little sister, you know that.”

Ah, that was a small but very important detail as to why Spike was so patient with Rainbow Dash. Aside from the fact that she was a good friend of his, Rainbow Dash was also the big sister figure in Scootaloo’s life, or at least that’s how the two pegasi mares saw it.

He still could recall the time when Rainbow got word that they were in a relationship together. He learned more about the dangers of storm clouds that day from Rainbow Dash then he had in all the years since he had been born. It didn’t help that he suspected a few stray clouds in Ponyville had been following him around for almost a week after that talk, either… and that more than a few of said clouds had blue wings guiding them.

“Well, I imagine you plan to say hi to the rest of the girls, huh?” Spike asked.

Rainbow nodded. “Yeah, Pinkie’s probably got a party in the works for when she bumps into me. I sent a letter to Fluttershy a few days before I took my vacation, so she already knows. I’m sure the girls are all aware by now.” She lifted off the ground a bit, now flapping in front of Spike so she was eye level. “I’m not finished talking to you, but I’ll let it go for now. I already pulled you away from your work long enough… I also…” She looked away. “I might have ticked off your boss a bit. Sorry about that. I’ll go apologize to her before I leave.”

“Colea didn’t seem too upset with me, but that might be a good idea for your own sake.” Spike laughed. “I’ve already seen a bit of what she’s like when she’s angry. She’d make a great drill sergeant for the Royal Guard, heh.”

“So… will you at least think about maybe talking to Twilight?”

Spike, who had begun making his way back to the front lobby area, paused. He looked over his shoulder, his eyes meeting Rainbow Dash’s for all of three seconds before he looked forward once more.

“Maybe…”

They continued towards the lobby where Colea was still sitting, her eyes reading over the Ponyville Post. She looked up to the group, her dorsal frill twitching a bit before she spoke. “Everything alright?”

Spike gave her a smile. “Yeah. Um… Rainbow Dash here was hoping to surprise me with a visit. That sort of fell through, heh.”

Colea sighed, then hopped down from her seat. She approached Rainbow Dash and extended a hoof. “Ms. Dash, I apologize for coming off the way I did towards you. These past few days have been… stressful, to say the least.” She glanced over to Spike as she continued. “Luckily, Spike here is going to be helping make the rest of our jobs a little easier, and hopefully we can all then be a bit less… well, stressed.”

Rainbow gave a weak laugh and cleared her throat. “Yeah… I’m sorry for getting so upset, too. That was so not cool of me.”

“I hope you can forgive me for such unprofessional behavior. The Everfree House is meant to be a safe and welcoming place, and not full of suspicion and unbecoming behavior that I directed towards you.”

“Water under the bridge,” Rainbow said with a wave of her hoof. “Just keep this guy in line and you’ll do fine.”

Colea chuckled as she looked to Spike, “Oh, I’m sure we won’t need to worry too much about him. We have other employees here that fit the bill of ‘troublemaker’ already.” She then turned her attention to Bonbon and Lyra. “Miss Heartstrings, Miss Sweetie Drops—”

Lyra waved a hoof while laughing. “Please, Miss Heartstrings is my mother. No need for formalities with me,” Lyra grinned. “Same goes for Bonbon here.”

Colea nodded. “I’ll remember that, then. As I was saying, though, I wanted to thank you for the gift basket.” She nodded over to a large wicker basket of various confectionery treats. “I’ll try and keep them away from Raxis long enough so that everyone can try them.”

“Oh, no problem, Colea.” Bonbon beamed happily. “I just feel bad that I didn’t pay your place a visit sooner. It’s been a tradition of mine since I started selling sweets that I drop off a variety bag of my best candies to every new business that opens up around town. If you’re ever in need of any sweets, feel free to stop by my place.”

“Well,” Rainbow began. “I’d better go and say hi to the girls. I’m sure Rarity’s going to want me to do some modeling for some athletic wear designs, and Pinkie’s going to be looking for me sooner or later, I bet.” The pegasus turned towards the door, stopping before she opened it. “Just think about what I said, okay, Spike?”

The drake gave a nod, but nothing more. Lyra and Bonbon gave their goodbyes, and did the same, following Rainbow out the door. As soon as the mares were out of sight, Spike could feel a pair of eyes on him.

He turned to see Colea, studying him with an unreadable look. She didn’t appear angry, or upset at all for that matter. She seemed, if anything, curious.

“I suppose you’re wondering why—”

“Spike, I have a confession to make,” Colea said, cutting him off. He went quiet, noticing her expression becoming troubled. She looked to the ground, her usual confidence not present. “The truth is, I knew of your relations to the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony, and about you and Princess Twilight Sparkle.” She grinned, despite herself. “After all, there aren’t many dragons living in pony society, let alone dragons who held a political office for a few years in Canterlot.”

Spike watched as she began to pace around the lobby, her wings twitching nervously as she glanced at him every so often. It was as though she was expecting him to lash out at her in anger or something of that nature. After a few long moments of silence between the two, she seemed to relax a bit.

“So, is that why you hired me?” Spike asked with a hint of trepidation.

Colea shook her head. “No, well… yes. At least part of it was due to that. We wanted someone who was accepting of changelings, and you fit that role well enough. That wasn’t the only reason why, though.”

“Ah,” Spike replied softly. Well, at least he had earned his job through his own merit.

“Spike, how much do you know about the Canterlot Invasion?”

He should have expected this question from the get-go, but it caught him off guard for a second nevertheless. The topic of the invasion itself had not really been touched upon in the time since he had taken on the job as security in the Everfree House, so he had avoided bringing it up himself.

“Um… well, I was there when the barrier had been breached…” He closed his eyes and collected his thoughts for a moment, then continued. “Queen Chrysalis wanted to more or less take every Equestrian and use their love and positive emotions like that to feed the changelings. It failed when Princess Cadance and the at-the-time Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor, literally removed her from the land of Equestria itself with a powerful magic blast fueled by love.” He shrugged. “That’s what I remember, anyway.”

Colea nodded. “You’re right, too. What most within Equestria don’t know is what happened to the changelings afterward.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. She had a haunted look in her eyes as she continued. “That event crippled almost half of the Changeling Nation’s forces for almost two years. Civil unrest within the changeling lands began brewing around that time.” She gazed out to the forest beyond the nearest window, her nervousness vanishing for a moment. “Spike… do you know what happened after that? I’m assuming you do, considering the political moves you made in Canterlot… but...”

“Well,” Spike looked to ceiling and cleared his throat, once more collecting his thoughts. “About four years ago, a group between eighty to one hundred or so changelings walked into Canterlot, asking for an audience with the princesses. Of course, they were immediately surrounded by armed guards, but seeing as they didn’t resist or attack, they were allowed entrance into the castle.” He laughed. “The nobility was in an uproar, of course. I got a kick out of it, if anything…”

Colea only nodded, a small smile playing at her lips.

“So, after they introduced themselves, their speaker… um...Councilor Orthopaes, I believe…?”

“Yes, that’s her name,” Colea replied. Her expression brightened at the mention of the name. “She’s currently the unofficial ‘ambassador’ for changelings in Equestria. She lives in Manehattan, where many other former members of the Changeling Supreme Council have taken refuge. She’s very kind, but also a real firebrand amongst her peers.”

“Right, well, eventually she, speaking on behalf of the refugees, requested a safe-haven from the infighting going on in the Badlands. Queen Chrysalis supposedly disappeared shortly after the Canterlot incident and—”

Colea bristled at that. “She didn’t disappear! She ran away, like a coward!” Spike, startled by the hostility in Colea’s voice, took a step back. He gave her a surprised look, and she frowned before muttering an apology. “Forgive me, Spike.”

“S-sure, no problem.”

Colea slumped and rubbed her temples with her hooves. “It’s… let’s just say you and I aren’t so different from each other in our regard towards some of the political leaders in our respective homelands.” She spat at the word ‘leader’ as though it left a bad taste in her mouth. “Chrysalis played a major role in cursing the entirety of our race to what might be decades or even centuries of contempt and distrust from the rest of the civilized world. She knew it, and she couldn’t even take blame for it like a true leader would. Instead, she ran away with her tail between her legs, and left two major factions that had formed from the failed invasion to fight over the remains of the government.” She glared at the floor, as though hoping it would erupt into flames. “I’d rather not speak any more of her if that is possible…”

“Sure, sure,” Spike said with a nod, storing away that tidbit of info in the ‘things to remember about work’ part of his mind. “So, after about two years of maneuvering through political red tape, exposing loopholes in legislation, and a few big names giving some serious speeches, a good majority of Canterlot’s politicians managed to get the princesses to allow changelings into Equestria and giving them access to citizenship. Within a year’s time, the population of the country increased by almost five percent.” He waved a hand. “And here we are now.”

The smile on Colea’s face grew, and for a moment Spike thought he saw her eyes moisten a little. She cleared her throat before he could ask if she was alright, then she spoke softly to the drake. “You make it sound like it’s not a big deal.” She chuckled. “Spike, not many changelings know of how deep your involvement in pushing for our right to be free in Equestria was, but don’t think your actions went unnoticed by us. While she may not have met you face to face, Orthopaes thinks the world of you. Trust me, she knows all that you gave to allow us the legal right to live within Equestria…” Colea sniffled a bit, and turned her gaze away from the drake.

“Colea?”

“I’ll be fine. I’m just…” She groaned. “I’m just worn out,” she sighed wearily with a shake of her head. “I haven't’ slept in almost two days now, and pretty soon I’m sure Wisp or Ebon will be trying to make me go to bed pretty soon.”

“Two days without sleep?” Spike frowned as he stood upright and folded his arms together. “Right, well, I think we’ll be getting you off to bed right now, then.”

Colea quirked an eyebrow as she looked up to the drake. “You plan on making me go to bed, young drake?” She chuckled. “I am the one who will be signing your paychecks, you know. Better be careful with that tone of yours, or I might lower your wages by mistake.”

He knew it was an empty threat, but she still held authority over him. Spike was in a familiar mode right now, though, and nothing short of a Ursa Minor rampage or a sudden bout of Greed-growth would stop him. “Uh huh, and as the head of security, it’s my job to make sure this place is safe. Being exhausted could lead to you passing out at a bad time, or perhaps making a mistake on some important paperwork, or—”

Colea grumbled, but didn’t appear to be too upset. “Alright, alright… fine, you win.” She made her way towards the nearest corridor. She paused for a moment, still facing forward, and said, “We can speak more on this another time, Spike.” She looked over her shoulder at him, smiling. “I’ll… in time, I’ll tell you more about it. Just understand that we all value you being here. I may not have been fully honest about my knowledge of who you are, but I was sincere in wanting to have you work here.”

“Heh, well, that’s good, because I sure would hate to leave you guys.”

The changeling’s blue eyes widened. She took a deep breath and swallowed the apparent lump forming in her throat. “I…” She paused, then shook her head.

“What?” he asked.

“Nothing, it’s just… nothing…”

With that, Colea disappeared down the hall. Spike stood there for a few moments, staring at the spot Colea had been a few moments ago, mulling over her words.

So, she knew about his past and how close he was—or had been, in one particular case—with the girls? Honestly, he should have expected as much. Even though he had been a rather low key politician up until a few months before he resigned, he still drew a lot of attention in the short time that he began his campaign for the changelings. Still, it had only been a big deal for about a month or two at most before he was forgotten in the tides of the newspaper media.

“Spike!”

“Huh-what?” Spike spun around, only to jump back as he came face to face with Double Take, who had been fluttering in the air behind him. He fell back and tripped over his tail, landing on his back with a dull thud.

“Sorry! Sorry!” Double Take was by his side instantly, helping him to his feet as best as she could. “Oh my gosh, Spike, I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you like that! I was waiting outside for a while, but decided come back in and check on you, and when I saw you I started calling your name but you weren’t replying, and then I noticed you were distracted, so I tried tapping you on the shoulder, but your muscles, they’re so taut and firm—I mean, your scales are so thick that you probably didn’t feel my hoof tapping, so I had to call your name more loudly and oh my gosh I am so sorry!”

Spike blinked several times, his mind slowly digesting what she had said to him. He let out a laugh, and waved a hand dismissively. “It’s fine, Double Take. Sorry for spacing out there. So… should we continue on with the tour of the back of the house?”

Double Take flushed a bit in the face, and nodded. A small grin began to play at her lips. “Y-yeah, come on!”

Lyra and Bonbon had parted ways with Rainbow Dash once they made it back into town, Rainbow leaving with a promise to stop by for dinner at least once before her vacation was done. With that, the two mares headed back to their home.

“I hope Spike’s going to be alright,” Bonbon sighed. “Lyra, do you think we should go back and see if he’s okay?”

“He’ll be okay…” Lyra said. A moment later, she added. “We can talk to him about it later, though. It might not be a bad idea…”

“Yeah.” Bonbon plopped onto the couch and spread herself out so she was lying on her back comfortably. Lyra followed and snuggled up beside her with a content hum. Without even thinking, Bonbon began running a hoof through Lyra’s mane as the unicorn lay her head down across her stomach. “Those changelings were very friendly…”

“Mmm.” Lyra hummed. “That Wisp was a real cutie.”

Bonbon snorted in laughter. “What a surprise to hear that coming from you.” She rolled her eyes as she gently wrapped a foreleg around her marefriend. “She was kind of cute, though…”

Lyra lifted her head up, and grinned. “Did you just admit that a changeling was cute?”

“What?” Bonbon frowned. “She was! The little sashay in her hips when she walks is intentional, but I think it works for her.”

Lyra’s grin became mischievous. “Since when have you ever ogled at other mares like that?”

“Do changelings even call themselves mares or stallions?” Bonbon asked.

“I don’t know the term they use, but she’s a female.” Lyra smirked. “Have I finally corrupted that innocent mind of yours, Bonnie?”

Bonbon retracted her hoof from Lyra’s mane and gave her a light smack on the stomach. “Oh stop. Finally corrupted? Have you forgotten what we were like back in college?”

That got a laugh out of Lyra. “Poor Moondancer… how many times did she end up walking in on us?”

The two shared a giggle as they remained in each other’s forelegs. It was one of the few weekdays when Bonbon didn’t have any orders to take care of and was caught up on her candy-making for the week. So, the two had opted on making it a day to spend together, at least until Rainbow Dash had shown up at their door, asking for Spike.

Now, though…

Bonbon felt Lyra softly nip at her ear. She looked down to see Lyra giving her the sexiest bedroom eyes she could muster. Needless to say, it had the desired effect on Bonbon.

“Alright, come on,” Bonbon said with a giggle, making to roll of the couch, only for a hoof to hold her in place.

“No, wait. Let’s do it right here.”

Bonbon blushed. “B-but… Lyra, it’s the afternoon. Scootaloo could be home at any minute, and—”

“I know,” Lyra whispered huskily. “That’s kind of thrilling though, isn’t it?”

Bonbon's blush deepened, and she opened her mouth to argue. However, instead of protesting, she bit her lower lip and whispered. “C-can you at least lock the front door?”

Lyra grinned, and gave Bonbon a light nuzzle with her nose. “You bet.” Then, with a glow of her horn, she turned the deadbolt of the door so it clicked into place, locking the main entrance. A second later, Lyra was upon Bonbon, planting featherlight kisses on her lips and neck. Bonbon, not one to leave her long-time marefriend to do all the work, went to work massaging Lyra’s flanks with her hooves.

“Mnnnph…” Lyra moaned into Bonbon’s neck. Lyra wasn’t an exceptionally sensitive mare (unlike Bonbon), but there was something about the way the earth pony mare’s hooves kneaded her muscles that did wonders to the unicorn’s senses.

Bonbon opened her mouth as Lyra licked her lips, begging for entrance. Soon their tongues were playfully wrestling one another. Lyra was by far more skilled at this particular bit of foreplay, but she loved Bonbon’s participation regardless.

A string of saliva formed between the two as Lyra pulled away to take in air. Both mare’s were breathing heavily, and a strong scent began to fill the air. Lyra grinned at her lover and dearest companion.

Bonbon returned the look with a tender smile, one that brought a rosiness to her cheeks. It was a smile that said just how much Bonbon loved the her. Just like the first time she had given Lyra that look, it managed to make the unicorn’s heart pitter-patter a little faster.

Celestia, I’m so lucky… she thought as she leaned down to plant a trail of kisses along Bonbon’s stomach. She paused as she came upon Bonbon’s teats. She glanced up to see Bonbon looking at her, one eye closed while biting her lower lip, trying to restrain herself. The unicorn couldn’t help but smirk as she slowly licked one of Bonbon’s nipples.

“S-stop teasing…” Bonbon whispered, though she clearly had no real problem with the current activity.

“Oh?” Lyra hummed as she flicked her tongue on the other teat. “Would you prefer if I did… this?”

Bonbon yelped, and bit down on a hoof as her lover’s hoof began to massage the swollen nub above her marehood. “L-Lyra!”

A hoof gently pressed down on the unicorn’s head, and Lyra nearly gasped as she felt it slowly run up her horn. Lyra pulled away, cheeks flushed and sweat beading down her neck. Her horn was buzzing now as electricity tingled down her spine.

How does she do that every time? Lyra thought to herself. She grinned at Bonbon, who was panting heavily.

Bonbon whispered something breathily. Lyra’s ears twitched and she asked, "What?”

“I… I want you to let me take control for a bit…” Bonbon smiled. “Please?”

If Lyra had wings, they would have been fully unfurled right now. Instead, she sat up a bit and gave what might have passed for a formal bow. “If my lady desires that, then it shall be done.”

“Oh, stop it,” Bonbon giggled, gently pushing Lyra down with a hoof.

Lyra flopped onto her back as Bonbon got up and crawled over so that she lay across Lyra’s stomach. Bonbon immediately set to work, trailing her tongue across the unicorn’s chest. She slowly moved upwards, nipping playfully at Lyra’s skin, just enough to draw the occasional hum of pleasure from the unicorn.

Bonbon planted a few fervent kisses along Lyra’s neck and jawline before pausing to gaze into Lyra’s amber irises. For several long moments they stayed like that until Lyra broke the silence with a giggle, “What?”

“Just thinking,” Bonbon replied softly.

Lyra smiled lustfully. “Oh? What about?”

“How lucky I am,” Bonbon answered with a soft nuzzle to Lyra’s chin. “I have a wonderful marefriend… wonderful housemates who clean up after themselves… a nice house… a job I love…” She paused and rested her head against Lyra’s. “Mostly, I’m lucky to have the marefriend, though.”

Lyra chuckled, “I think that it might be the other way around. Any mare who gets to be with you is lucky.”

Bonbon ran a hoof across Lyra’s side, then sat up a bit. “Listen to me, getting all sappy on you…” Her smile became a devious grin. “Where was I?”

“Hmm, I think you were right about… here?” Lyra giggled, directing a hoof downward a bit. “Not sure, though, your tongue touches pretty much every part of me-oof!” Lyra let out another giggle as Bonbon flushed beet red in the face. “Oh come on, Bonbon!” She laughed a little harder. “We go at it at least once a week and you get flustered about a little teasing?”

Bonbon’s face scrunched up a bit as she looked away. “It’s not… it’s not what you said, it’s how you said it…”

Lyra sighed, but a smile played at her lips. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry for teasing.” Her smile became sheepish. “Though… would you be willing to continue? I… well, I’m kinda in a bit of a situation, here. I need a little help, if you get what I mean.”

Bonbon could feel the heat pulsing from the spot between her marefriends legs. She smiled, and gave a nod. Slowly, she lowered her head down towards Lyra’s marehood, and reached out with a tentative lick. Lyra’s hips bucked a little as she sucked in a quick breath. Encouraged by Lyra’s response, Bonbon decided to pick up the pace, her tongue flicking against the bud above Lyra’s lips.

“B-Bonbon… j-just keep going like that… mmmphhh…!” Lyra moaned into a foreleg as Bonbon continued to have her tongue dancing over Lyra’s marehood. She could feel Bonbon’s tongue slowly moving down, making tentative darts and parting her lips, just enough to leave the unicorn hot and wanting more. “C-come on, Bonbon, don’t be like that…! I-I’m the one who’s supposed to tease around—”

“I’m home!”

Lyra and Bonbon sat up immediately, Bonbon wiping her face off with a hoof while Lyra attempted to sit upright without looking too flustered.

Bonbon looked to Lyra, then pointed to a window. “Open it! Hurry!”

“Huh?” Lyra blinked in confusion, still trying to catch her breath.

Bonbon groaned. “It smells like we just rutted each other in here, which would make sense, since we were doing just—”

Scootaloo walked into the living room from the kitchen. “Hey, Bonbon! Hey, Lyra!” She hummed a tune to herself as she made way for her bedroom. “Spike back yet?” she asked.

“O-oh, well, I think he’s working until later tonight,” Bonbon replied while she gave Lyra a nod to open the window. With a glow of her horn, the unicorn did just that. Bonbon then continued. “Oh, guess who’s going to be in town for three weeks?”

There was the sound of something bumping against a dresser, followed by a stream of curses from the pegasi. Scootaloo galloped back into the living room, eyes wide and a smile on her face. “Rainbow Dash is in town?”

“Yep!” Lyra replied with a grin. “She told us to make sure you knew as soon as possible, too. She said she’s going to be staying at Fluttershy’s cottage, so you might want to check there if you plan on—”

There was a small dust cloud in Scootaloo’s wake as she made for the front door of the house. Lyra closed her mouth and sighed deeply. “She’s still got that hero-worship thing going on with Rainbow Dash, huh?”

Bonbon giggled. “No, it’s more of a deep admiration for her big sister now.”

The two were cut off from further conversation as Scootaloo poked her head back in. “Oh, and while I don’t have have a problem with you two rutting on the couch, could you just make sure to clean up any messes you make? Thanks!” With that, the pegasus was gone once more.

The two older mares paused, mouths slightly ajar as they processed what Scootaloo had just said. A smile eventually worked its way onto Lyra’s lips as she laughed quietly. “We’re just one big, kooky family, aren’t we?”

Bonbon smiled despite the furious blush on her cheeks. “I like it that way, honestly.” She sighed. “How much longer before she and Spike become serious about their relationship?”

Lyra quirked an eyebrow. “Whattya mean? They already share their rent costs, they buy groceries together, cook together at least six times a month, go for walks through the park together… heck, they even share the same dental floss and mouthwash,” the unicorn chuckled. “I’d say they’re already serious enough about their relationship.”

Bonbon frowned a little. “I know, but… well, you can’t say that you don’t notice Scootaloo bringing over a mare once every so often to ‘spend the night’.”

Lyra shrugged. “Hey, for the record, Spike is totally fine with that. Or did you forget that long talk that Spike and Scoots had about where they’re standing as a couple?”

“I suppose,” Bonbon sighed. “Spike does join in those… activities once in awhile, too.”

The two remained there for a long while, neither speaking and just enjoying the shared their shared warmth as they snuggled closer to each other.

“Do you still want to… you know…?”

Bonbon hummed as Lyra leaned against her. “There’s a reason why I prefer the bedroom, Lyra.” She got up, putting just the right amount of sway into her hips. “Well? Are you going to finish what you started?”

Lyra grinned like it was going out of style, and hopped off the couch, following the earth pony mare to their room. “Yes, ma’am!”

“So, how do I get inside?”

“W-well, can’t you tell?”

“Yeah, but… Double Take, I don’t think I’d fit.”

“Sure you will, Spike, you’re not that big.”

“I just don’t want to cause any damage…”

“Spike, trust me, it’ll be okay.”

“Well… alright…”

Spike stared down the small doorway a short distance in front of him. He wasn’t sure what he had expected to find when they finally reached the area where Ebon supposedly worked, but he had not been expecting a hut made of black, glossy rock. He guessed that it was made of obsidian, but he wasn’t sure.

“It’s actually a really complex structure. It may sound gross to you, but the hut was made from changeling saliva along with obsidian and basalt rock being chemically combined. The saliva hardened, giving the rock extra durability, but allowed it to keep its insulative properties…” the changeling scout blushed a little as Spike gave her an impressed look. “Um, th-that’s what Ebon told me, at least. I don’t have any real architect experience myself, so I’m not sure about it.”

He grinned, regardless. “Still, it’s really impressive craftsmanship,” Spike said as he admired the hut. It had a round base to it, which slowly wound itself upwards, like a cone of a seashell. There was a hole at the very top where small plumes of smoke rose from.

Double Take sniffed the air. “Ebon’s probably making something for breakfast right now,” she chuckled, then added as an after thought. “She probably knew that we were coming this way about five minutes ago, so she probably doesn’t have any problem with us stopping by.”

“Breakfast? At this hour?”

“Yeah, she’s has an odd sleep pattern, from what I understand. She stays up during the nighttime hours, mostly because a lot of the plants and ingredients she uses for her various creations are best collected during the nighttime hours.”

Spike quirked an eyebrow. “And you say she knows we’re outside and knew we were coming this way the whole time?”

“Well, not the whole time. But still, Ebon’s a really strong empath. She’s actually a sort of teacher to Blur. She can sense others really easily. She can sense their emotions, to be exact.”

“Huh,” the drake said as he approached the hut. “Well, I guess I better introduce myself.”

He rose to knock, only to halt as he heard a muffled, “Come in,” from within the hut. He looked to Double Take, who simply smiled and nodded. He opened the door, and was greeted by a dozen different smells at once. He let out a soft snort as he breathed in the air. The smells of burning wood, nutmeg, and a few others that made his mouth water a bit, washed over him instantly. He glanced around as he carefully walked into the hut, and was surprised to see it was fairly well-lit within. Natural light peaked in through numerous small, transparent portions of the hut that he hadn’t noticed from the outside.

The first thing that came to mind as Spike looked around was how much the place reminded him of Zecora’s old hut back in the Everfree before she moved in with the Apples. Walls were covered with various objects, most he imagined to be things from the changeling homelands: a few wooden panels with depictions of trees and flowers carved into them, a stringed instrument of sorts, and what looked like a rolled out sheet of parchment with the Morphelsic language written. These were among the decorations he noticed. There were several tables lining one side of the hut, all of them covered with various spices and plant matter. A quaint fire crackled peacefully in the center while a spit sat over it. In a far corner was a fairly large, yet humble, bed with a wooden frame and some furs blankets.

“So, you finally decided to pay me a visit?”

Spike looked around, his ear frills twitching at the sound of a changeling voice.

“I’m right behind you, Spike.”

Spike turned his neck to see an older changeling standing beside Double The changeling had a large dorsal frill that reminded him of Blur’s, and her body was less muscular than Wisp’s. A nurturer changeling, if he remembered right. “Um… Ebon, right?”

The changeling nodded, her expression neither upset nor joyful. “That is my name, yes. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Colea and Blur speak highly of you, yet you’ve only been here a couple of days.”

“Heh, I guess I tend to have that kind of affect with others,” Spike laughed, feeling a little humble and more than a little awkward by the situation. “Um, so, Ebon, I just figured I should get to know the staff around here. Double Take mentioned it would be a good idea to meet you, so… here I am.”

A long pause hung in the air as he held his hands up at his sides. He held the grin on his face, hoping for a reply from the changeling before him. Double Take coughed into a hoof and shuffled her feet a bit as Spike continued to stand there.

Ebon blinked once. “Indeed.”

Okay, well, not as much of a reaction as he had hoped for, but he took what he could get. “If you need anything from me, don’t be afraid to ask,” Spike added. “I’ll get the layout of this place down soon enough.”

Spike could have sworn it was a trick of the candles lighting the hut, but he thought he saw a flicker of a smile on Ebon’s lips. She nodded in what he took to be approval, then turned to Double Take. “Thank you for passing on the message to Spike, by the way. Colea seemed rather… distressed by the whole matter involving the pegasi mare. She is still a little bothered, it would seem, though I think she’s finally getting some sleep.”

Double Take sighed. “She’s going to work herself sick if she doesn’t take it easy. I mean, Wisp and her are co-owners, and Wisp said she’s capable of taking on a bit of the workload if need be…”

“Wait,” Spike held up a claw. “Wisp co-owns the Everfree House?”

“Yes, she and Colea pooled their funds together to build it. The location was not the greatest at first. They had to clear away a few trees and move a cockatrice nest. Even so, it is much better than being within the forest itself.” Ebon looked out a window, towards the Everfree Forest. “I’m sure we’ll be doing a forest walk soon. It’s been close to a month now.”

“Forest walk?” Spike repeated.

“That’s when we go out and patrol portions of the Everfree. If we find anything suspicious, we report it to Canterlot. Possible hideouts for criminals, weird magic stuff, anything, really,” Double Take explained. “We’ve got a pretty good layout of the forest area closest to the house, and it seems our numbers detract most predators from coming too close to the area.”

“Even Timberwolves?” Spike asked.

“Oh, especially Timberwolves. We carry matches if we ever have to make a campfire, but they serve as decent timberwolf deterrents if you bring a torch stick with you.” Double Take waved a hoof dismissively. “They don’t have much bite to them, mostly bark,” she giggled at her pun while Ebon gave a slight shake of her head.

“Oh, good… good,” Spike said with a sigh. He was fairly certain that the pack of Timberwolves in the eastern portion of the Everfree Forest still had a vendetta against him from back when he had been a young dragon whelp.

Good times, good times…

“Spike, if I may inquire?” asked Ebon, cocking her head to the side a bit.

“Uh, sure?”

“Do you have a special someone?”

This question was becoming less and less of a surprise to him everytime he heard it. Half of him suspected that the staff of the bordello already knew, and were just testing him to see how he answered. “Yep, I have a marefriend. She’s a pegasus, about a year or two younger than me. Why do you ask?”

Ebon’s horn lit up with a faint green light, and she picked up a small bag off one of the tables. She levitated it over to him, placing it in his hands. “That is an experimental incense recipe Blur and I worked on. Vanilla, with just a hint of cherry and jasmine extract. I think the cherry might add a little variety to the scent.

Spike opened the bag, and lowered his snout so that he could take a whiff of the incense burners. It was a heavy, wonderful smell, and he had to pull away as his vision began to swim a bit.

“I would advise against breathing that in too heavily, Spike,” Ebon said, the faintest hint of inflection making itself known in her words. “It’s for burning, not inhaling.”

“Duly noted,” Spike replied, tying the drawstrings back up and smiling apologetically.

“Yes, we also don’t need a hormone-fueled drake running around,” Ebon added with a small frown. “Wisp would probably like that, though.”

Spike cocked his head to the side as he looked to the bag. Then it clicked. “Oh, right: jasmine. Aphrodisiac… heh, guess I… didn’t think of that.” He tucked the bag into one of his scale pouches and wiped his snout, trying to rid himself of the smell.

Ebon gave a nod. “Yes, though I would like your thoughts on the incense, should you decide to use it. Preferably with your marefriend. Your thoughts will be kept confidential, I assure you.”

Spike didn’t need her to explain further. “I’ll… be sure to give it a try sometime.”

“Thank you,” Ebon said, then returned her gaze to Double Take. “Blur wanted me to let you know that she wishes to go to market tomorrow, by the way.”

Double Take frowned. “Tomorrow? I… well, I suppose I could try and work that into my schedule.”

“Something wrong?” Spike asked the two.

“Not really, Spike, it’s just… Blur likes to go to market once a week and buy a few things.” Double Take smiled a little. “Most of the time, though, she simply enjoys speaking to the Ponyville residents, and improving her Equinic. She likes to have one of us who is more familiar with the language with her, just in case she is having difficulty communicating with the ponies.”

“Has that happened before?” Spike asked.

“Once or twice. She had trouble negotiating the price on some produce. Bartering is still pretty common in Equestria’s communities, and you need a good command of the language to drive a good deal,” she replied. “Some folks take her inability to speak Equinic effectively for stupidity. They would be singing a very different tune if they knew otherwise.” Double Take sighed, “It doesn’t matter, though, Colea has made it clear that she wants somepony with her at all times while she’s at market. Well, anyone who isn’t in disguise, at least. Blur could disguise herself, but it goes against her personal beliefs to be in disguise among neighbors…” Her voice trailed off as she noticed Spike’s curious look. “It’s a long story, but… to make it short, Blur needs to have someone with her while she’s in town. Just for general safety and such.”

“You don’t think someone from Ponyville would try to hurt Blur, do you?” Spike asked, doubt creeping into his voice. “I mean, we’re a pretty peaceful bunch for the most part.”

“It’s not so much distrust as it is ‘not having someone with her in the event that something happened in town that was unexpected’,” Double Take clarified. “The town’s a magnet for random problems. Even we know that.”

Ah, that explains it, Spike thought. “Gotcha, that makes sense. Yeah, the town’s settled down a bit in the past couple of years, but… well, there was that fruit bat incident two weeks ago.” He shuddered as his mind drifted back to that day.

So much guano… Spike thought to himself with a shudder.

“Yes, I remember that day. I harvested some of the guano for my plants out back. I hope the fruit bats will stop by again soon,” Ebon added with another ghost of a smile.

“Erm… right.” Spike cleared his throat. “If you’re too busy tomorrow, I could maybe take her to market. Colea didn’t have me on the schedule for tomorrow anyway, so I’m free.”

“Oh, would you?” Double Take beamed. “Spike, that would be wonderful! I’m pulling a double shift tomorrow for patrol, and I’m usually the one to take Blur into town when Fade isn’t able to. Everyone’s been so busy as of late, though, so… yeah.” She took to the air, her wings buzzing as she made to the doorway. “Well, Ebon, we should probably continue with our patrol.”

“Yes, that would be a good idea. I must continue with my own projects as well.” She gave Spike a nod. “It was nice to meet you, Spike. Take care.”

“Thanks,” Spike said, then made his way towards the doorway where Double Take was waiting for him.

As soon as they were outside of the hut and had the door closed, Double Take was by Spike’s side. “I hope she didn’t bother you too much.”

“Who? Ebon?” Spike asked, receiving a nod from Double Take. “She wasn’t mean, if that’s what you’re asking. A little… off, I suppose, but who am I to judge?”

“Ebon doesn’t mean to come off as strange or distant.” Double Take rubbed her hooves together as she flitted by Spike while they made their way along the bordello. She appeared to be thinking over how to word whatever explanation she was going to give to Spike. “She’s a very… strong… empath. I mean… all changelings are empathic, at least to a given extent. Ebon, though? She has to consciously shut out emotions, otherwise they might overwhelm her.”

“Must be tough,” Spike said with a frown.

“It is. It’s why you don’t see her too much. Her condition’s not very common among changelings, but despite it’s rarity, it’s most commonly seen among nurturer changelings. Blur doesn’t experience it to the same degree, but she’s still pretty sensitive to emotions as well.”

The two continued onward, Spike glancing over his shoulder towards Ebon’s hut, it’s glossy, black surface reflecting the midday sun. “Is that why she seemed so…indifferent?”

Double Take gave a nod. “Yes, though that’s in part due to her also being brought up in a rather traditional home. You see, when it comes to interacting with new faces, most changelings don’t typically express emotions like ponies do in public. At least traditionally, they don’t. To changelings, emotions, especially love, are equivalent to wealth, health, and prosperity. They’re personal. The more emotions we show or share with each other, the wealthier those receiving them are considered to be. Flaunting wealth around is considered to be rude among most changelings.”

“That… actually makes some sense,” Spike admitted. “I don’t see many of you acting that way, though.”

“We’re changelings living among ponies. Openly, at that, without disguises on all the time. We’ve adopted some of Equestria’s norms and customs, too. Besides, it’s not like expressing emotions is a foreign concept to us; traditionally, we just hide them most of the time. Ebon’s just an extreme case.” She smiled. “If you’re curious, she was genuinely happy to see you. The fact that she gave you a bag of incense said so. You would know if she didn’t like you, trust me.”

Spike laughed, “I’m going to be honest, I didn't expect you all to warm up to me so quickly.”

“That’s because we can read what’s in your heart, Spike. We know you’re a good individual. Wisp says you’re a bit of a softie, too, but I’m not so sure about that. Either way, you wear your heart openly for others to see. We can tell.” Double Take grinned brightly as Spike’s cheeks reddened. She giggled as he looked away in embarrassment, which she could sense flowing from him like the heat from a fire. “Sorry, Spike, I’m only pulling your leg.”

The drake let out a snort, doing his best to appear insulted. He was touched by her words, but he didn’t want her to know that. He had to maintain some level of toughness, if only for his job’s sake. It didn’t help though, considering the changeling probably could have called his bluff. He wondered if there was any real way to conceal emotions from a changeling.

It’d be useful to know if he got any of them to join in on the weekly poker games at Fluttershy’s cottage. Discord might finally have someone that could beat his uncanny luck, or “cheating”, as Big Mac called it.

The quiet buzzing of Double Take’s wings told Spike that she had decided to move on. He looked to see her giving him a small smile, and his embarrassment vanished almost instantly. He returned the smile with one of his own.

“I guess I have always been a bit of a soft-hearted guy. I wasn’t really raised like most dragons, after all,” Spike said with a laugh.

“That’s nothing to be ashamed of, Spike,” Double Take said gently. “There are plenty of changelings who have lived their whole lives in pony society with little knowledge of the changeling culture. What matters is that you don’t let what others think of you determine who you are.”

Okay, Double Take had officially earned a place in Spike’s book of friends. He took a few steps forward and extended a clawed hand towards her. “You’re a good changeling, Double Take. I’m glad I get to work with you.”

Her response was an excited buzz, followed by a series of mumbled words and a lightly green-tinged blush spreading across her cheeks as she tried to regain her composure. “O-oh, well, thank you, Spike. You’re a… very kind dragon. Well, you’re the only dragon I ever got to know, but still!” She looked to his hand, still awaiting her hoof. She tentatively took it in her hoof and shook it, bobbing up and down only a little as she did so.

“So, what’s next?” Spike asked with a grin as they let go.

Double Take slowly fought down her rising blush, and nodded in a particular direction. “Well, there’s a nice little brook that runs near here, and the most delicious trout can be caught there!” She paused, then added quietly. “Um… you don’t eat meat though, do you?”

Spike nodded. “Yeah, ponies tend to be herbivores. Twi—I mean, when I was young, my caretakers raised me on an almost entirely vegetarian diet… well, that and a lot of gems,” he chuckled. “Still, I could eat meat if I had to, but I was raised a vegetarian for the most part.”

Double Take nodded. “That’s perfectly fine! The brook is still really beautiful to see, and the trout are fun to watch. Miss Fluttershy sometimes brings the otters over here and lets us play with them while they catch fish to eat.”

Spike chuckled softly, “That sounds a lot like Fluttershy.” He nodded towards the direction of the apparent brook. “Well, Double Take, lead the way.”

It was just going into the early hours of the next day when Spike finally got home from the Everfree House. He quietly opened the door, being sure to lift it up a tad so the hinges wouldn’t squeak too loudly. Upon entering the living room, the first thing he noticed was the faint smell of alcohol. His eyes adjusted quickly to the darkened room, and he could make out a large bottle of cheap whiskey and several empty bottles of various ales on the coffee table.

He shook his head and held back a laugh as he saw a saddlebag with a familiar cloud and rainbow-streaked lightning bolt in a corner of the room. “Looks like Rainbow Dash had found Scootaloo.”

The drake picked up a small stack of empty dinner plates off the coffee table and put them in the kitchen sink. Then he put away the opened box of whole wheat crackers on the floor, pausing when he saw an unfamiliar green bottle, corked and leaning against one of the legs of the couch. He cocked an eyebrow as he tilted it in the moonlight, an engraving of a butterfly in the glass making itself noticeable.

Wait a second… Spike tilted the bottle a bit, looking on the bottom and making out the words ‘Sweet Apple Acres’ in the glass. Applejack had given all of her friends a special bottle of her family’s hard cider about three years ago. Spike had finished his only a month after he had gotten it.

“Huh, looks like Fluttershy finally decided to crack open her bottle…” Spike whispered to himself, setting it on the kitchen table to prevent anyone from knocking it over and breaking it in the morning.

After picking up a few bottles and stretching a bit, Spike made his way to the bedroom. He peeked into the darkness, and could easily make out three distinct lumps under the sheets. He recognized one as Scootaloo by the messy tuft of light violet poking out in various directions. The other one was equally recognizable; few ponies that Spike knew had rainbow-colored manes, after all.

The last one took him a moment to recognize, but that long, pink mane that spilled out over a pillow brought a smile to his face nonetheless. He was happy to see Fluttershy getting out more often. She had loosened up in the past few years, but that didn’t change the fact that she would jump in fright at the sight of her own shadow sometimes.

Spike made his way back into the living room and began pulling the cushions off the couch. Grabbing a hold of a metal bar on the couch, he gave a good yank and pulled out the sofa-bed within. Not the most comfortable of options, but he didn’t mind.

Five minutes later and Spike was curled up with a comforter draped over him. He closed his eyes and let out a deep, relaxed sigh. Hopefully he’d wake up before the girls and be able to make a huge breakfast. It had been awhile since he got to go all out with breakfast, after all.

“Spike?”

Spike’s head shot up as he looked around the living room. He made out the faint silhouette of a mare at the boundary between the livingroom and bedroom hall. He squinted, and Luna’s moon managed to make out the faint shade of orange and purple on the mare.

“Scootaloo?” Spike whispered loudly.

The mare gave no immediate response, instead making her way towards the couch and throwing a pillow onto the pull-out bed. The mare’s familiar scent informed Spike that he was right in his guess.

“How was work?” she asked with a yawn.

“It was fine, more training today,” he answered as he lifted a wing to allow her to crawl next to him. “I didn’t wake you up, did I?”

“Nah,” Scootaloo answered. “I had to use the restroom a while ago. I was sorta dozing off when I heard you opening a the drawer with all the extra comforters.” She snuggled a bit closer as he blanketed her with his wing. “Besides, I don’t sleep as well without my favorite living-furnace nearby.”

“You flatter me,” Spike said, his voice dripping with feigned annoyance. “I’m so glad you think so highly of me.”

Scootaloo just giggled quietly as she nipped playfully at one of Spike’s ear frills. He did his best to keep the smile from reaching his face, and failed horribly. He eventually let out a chuckle as Scootaloo nuzzled his chin before licking his cheek playfully.

“You’re too easy to tease,” she laughed as Spike wrapped an arm around her.

“Love you too, Scootaloo,” Spike sighed as he rested his head beside hers. “Now get some sleep, or I won’t be up in time to make you and the girls my famous eggs and cheese benedict for breakfast.”

Scootaloo gave Spike a quick peck on the cheek. “I’m looking forward to it, then.” There was a long pause, and she added. “I also want to talk to you about what Rainbow Dash told me…”

“Oh… can it wait?”

“Mm, yeah, that’s fine. I’m off today, so it can wait until later on.” She placed a hoof against his cheek. “I… just know that I’ve never taken sides in this whole thing. That doesn’t mean I don’t care about you though, okay?”

Sometimes Spike wondered how the same rough-and-tumble filly he had known in his dragon whelp years could be the very same young mare that he shared his bed with every night. Life was a mystery sometimes. “I know, Scootaloo. Thanks…”

“Oh yeah, I want to stop by and visit your work, too. Lyra says there’s this hot changeling that I’d probably like to meet.”

Yep, life was just full of mysteries.