and

Cream Puff flies low and slow around Duskfields, looking for her friend.  After her talk with Flamberge, she simply had to get the news from Crosshair, too!  She didn’t have to worry about missing dinner, either.  She had set a few cast-iron pots into the ashes for a nice casserole.  If she did it right, the fire should be fully out by the time it’s done, and ponies can serve themselves if she’s a bit late.  But all that is in the background of her mind.  Right now, she needs to find Crosshair!

Crosshair wasn’t entirely too hard to find, she have spent the majority of the day in the training yard shooting targets but since the afternoon, she have been taking her rest on a low cloud that she pulled close to the ground. Not so far away from the farms where farmers work, another good excuse for her to keep watch and rest at the same time.

Puff picks up speed as she spots her friend, and zooms in to give her a tackle hug that rocks the cloud.  “Crosshair!”

“Gah!” exclaimed the startled mare who was very much buried into the fluffy cloud by her friend. her legs waving all around for a bit before her face resurfaces from the clouds, she blinked a couple of times before beaming brightly. “Cream!” she said and returns the hug, giving her a greeting nuzzle.

Puff nuzzles her in return before finally letting her regain her hooves on the cloud.  “Having a good day?” she asks, almost prancing as she looks like she already knows the answer.

“Just keep getting better!” Beamed Crosshair as she got back to her hooves only to sit back down with her legs tucked to herself. Her wings ruffled slightly to her sides. “And you?”

“Doing well, too!” she replies with a big smile, hardly able to contain herself.  “Anything good in specific?” she asks, being about as subtle as she is able, so not very.

“Well, You visit and we gets to talk, That’s something great!” Crosshair giggled, being teasingly evasive.

Puff starts poking her with a hoof.  “Come ooooonnn, don’t tease me like this!  I know there’s more than just me!  Spill it!”

Crosshair Rolled her eyes slightly to the side and giggled as she’s poked. Saying innocently “Oh what ever would that be?”

“Maybe a certain tall, dark stallion said something?” she says, still poking Crosshair.

“Oh alright, you got me.” She giggled some more. “So! How much do you know already?”

Puff points her hoof at Crosshair’s face as she smiles in victory.  “Just that he confessed his love and you didn’t turn him down!  Have you two kissed yet?”

That made the other mare blush. “W-what? Of course not yet! And, well, yeah, no. Not yet.” She said, laughing her awkwardness away. “It’s still kind of too soon, you know?”

“Aw, you mean he didn’t just sweep you off your hooves, kiss you, and confess his eternal love?  How did he, then?”  Puff seems to be hanging on her friend’s every word, wanting to know every detail, and maybe living a little vicariously through her.

“Well, It’s not /that/ pretty, really. It was after we killed that Badger pony and he had a break down about his problem that I can’t tell you what it is, I think I help made him feel better and he just confessed that it’s because he loves me. I’m not going to lie, I was stunned harder and longer than crashing into a tree.” Crosshair said, giggling.

Puff assumes Flamberge’ ‘problem’ is something simple like shakes or maybe throwing up after a fight.  She can see him having those and wanting to hide them.  “Did you confess right back?”

“Well.. um, not really.. I mean, He’s a great stallion! But that’s just it, he’s my Commander.. I don’t really.. you know, I wasn’t sure if it’s the best for him to fall for me.. I mean, There must be better mares out there for him, right?”

Puff pokes her in the nose.  “You gotta stop thinking like that, mare!  He’s already fallen head over hooves!  Even if you don’t tell him, I’d be willing to bet he’d just quietly pine and suffer alone.  You can’t just try to force him away!”

“I’m not! honest! I mean, he’s my commander! I can’t say no to him, right?”

“Pfft.” dismisses Puff, waving her hoof like trying to dissipate some unpleasant odor.  “Sure you can, if you really don’t love him.  He can’t order you to love him, after all.  But it seems to me that you do.”

“Well.. He’s a great Stallion, He knows what he’s doing and is really strong and have an amazing beard!”

“So what’s the problem?” she asks with a cheeky grin as she waggles her eyebrows.

“I just don’t really believe that I’m good enough for him, you know?” Crosshair sighed softly

Puff throws her hooves up in frustration.  “I’m not asking if you’re ‘good enough’...” she says, even going so far as to use her wings for the air quotes.  “...I’m asking if you love him!”

Crosshair blinked. “Well... I think so? I mean, yeah! I can’t think of any reason why I wouldn’t be.”

Puff smiles in satisfaction and sits back down.  “Then tell him!”

Crosshair rubs the back of her neck softly with her wings “Well.. I don’t know..” She said nervously, clearly quite shy about this subject.

Puff rolls her eyes, but finally eases back on the throttle.  Apparently mares can be pretty dense about this stuff, too.  “Well, I guess you don’t haveto tell him right now.  Still, you really should tell him sooner rather than later.”

“Yeah.. you’re right Puff, I should. Maybe at that party that we’ve been invited to? what do you think?”

“That’s a great idea!” she replies, nodding.  She’d prefer sooner, but then again, she’s not the one in love.  Crosshair is.  

“Anyway though! How have you been? I’m sorry I haven’t been able to visit you so much to talk and all lately. But I did see that you get to talk to a lot of ponies!”

“Oh yeah, I know just about everypony now.  Probably because they can’t run from me and eat at the same time.” she says with a laugh.  “I’ve missed talking with you, though.  Flamberge keeps you pretty busy.”

“That he does.” Crosshair giggled. “You know, I really should visit you more often. I do miss your sammich and cookings, They’re all very delicious, especially when it’s newly prepared!”

Puff nods and gives her a playful wink.  “Yes you should.  And I should come track you down more often, too!  It feels like we have so much to catch up on!”

Crosshair beamed brightly and give Cream Puff another hug. “Yep! It’ll be great to just relax and talk to you again, There’s just soo many things to talk about!

She nods happily and hugs Crosshair in return.  “How about we take a fly and catch up then?”  

With that, the two set for the sky, chattering happily as they talk about nothing in particular.

This was going to be an interesting opportunity to study something novel. Well, novel from the good doctor's point of view. The small brown bag being carried in his mouth was relatively slack and nearly empty. Case Study cleared away what space he could from the table in his crudely-constructed office and placed the sac down on top of it. Grabbing it by the bottom with his teeth, he emptied its contents into the view of daylight. It was a mashed pile of different colors, part squishy and part crunchy. The stallion had only ever heard of parasprites before the recent infestation, and now he would finally get a chance to observe them up close. Well, their pummeled remains, anyway.

In minutes past, Case had collected several of the tiny corpses from the fields. They weren't much to look at. Choosing a good starting place from the mess of compound eyes, translucent wings and gooey hemolymph wasn't going to be easy. He would have preferred whole specimens with the internal organs still intact. However, swords and pony hooves tended to be unkind to preserving such details. With tools, paper and quill in hoof, he got to work.

He was particularly interested in two aspects of parasprite anatomy; feeding and reproduction. Their ability to consume food items larger than themselves without increasing in size to match was of note. Reproduction was equally intriguing, as they seemed to convert edible items rapidly into offspring of equal size to themselves. Case Study was certain that magic had to be involved somewhere in both processes. The earth pony had found little reference to studies involving parasprites in the literature. Perhaps most equines had been satisfied with regarding them as pests and squishing them instead of taking a closer look?

Too bad Case had never looked too deeply into entomology, as he was having great trouble understanding anything he was looking at within the slimy viscera he was picking through. Most of the the internal bits were too damaged to make much sense of, but a few pieces survived. He drew what pictures he could of these enduring items, noting their location and to what other organs they were linked. The lack of a decent magnifying glass was frustrating him further, making his drawings rather generic and low in resolution.

His working theory, mostly just speculation at this point, was that parasprites have some kind of tissue or organs connected to their stomach that processes the majority of the food they consume into pure magic. As magic is intangible and weightless, that would explain how the small, round creatures can eat something as large as a pie or melon in one bite. That magic would then be used to hyper-accelerate the growth of eggs within the animal's body, allowing them to grow to full size in seconds or minutes. If his suspicions were true, then parasprites could represent a valuable source of knowledge regarding the anatomical relationship between organic matter and enchantments. Perhaps in the distant future, that knowledge could be used to help unfortunate unicorns which have lost their horns regrow them. It might also be used in a more general sense to quickly regrow lost limbs or tissues in the body of other injured ponies.

It was a nice dream, but probably not something to be realized within his lifetime. This was doubly true if he was stuck with specimens and equipment of such poor quality. His lack of being a unicorn or some other magical equine was likely going to hinder his progress it further still. After attempting to tease more information from the remains for another hour, Case finally gave up and discarded the crushed bodies in a waste bin before cleaning off the table. Ideally, he would like to see the internal anatomy of a still-living sprite in action. As he finished tidying up, the stallion knew that wasn't likely to happen and headed off towards the make-shift kitchen. At least he wouldn't offend Cream Puff by being late for dinner again.

 and

Maize is practically invisible amongst the tall plants of the farm, especially with her head at the ground pulling up weeds.

Puff slowly glides down from the clouds, making lazy circles as she homes in on the fields and her friend.  She had hated avoiding Maize for the last few days, but she just couldn’t let the timid mare see her hopping mad.  But she was finally starting to feel calmer... or at least less angry.

Maize looks up at the pegasus coming down and waves as best she can before popping her head back down to rip polk salad out of the dirt.

Puff waves back at Maize, though her smile is a bit forced.  She soon touches down next to her, feeling a bit awkward.  “Heya Maize.”

“Hi, Puff.” Maize gives her a more genuine smile, a few bits of various weeds still draped over her lower teeth and lips.

“So, uh... how’re you doing?”

“I’m alright.” Maize chews on one of the stray leaves in her mouth. “I hear you’ve been kind of angry, though.”

Puff lowers her eyes and sighs.  “Yeah...”

“Hey, don’t sweat it. The parasprites stole our food. I’d be pissed, too, if they came and ate my crops.” Maize drops her head. “I don’t know about beating up on a poor chicken, though...”

Puff winces at that and looks away.  “Yeah... Serenity says I have anger problems...”

“Well... if you ever need a punching bag...” Maize offers a smile as she tries to reassure her friend.

Puff gives her a pained look.  “Please don’t say that... even as a joke.  I don’t want to hurt you or the chickens.  I just... I go get the eggs, and... and their eyes, they remind me of... them.”  Puff shudders as she tries to stomp down the anger rising again.

Maize’s gaze falls. “I’m sorry. I... don’t really know how to make a good joke.” Her hoof scratches at the ground. “I wish I could make you feel better...”

Puff gives Maize a quick hug.  “Just knowing you care helps, Hun.  Don’t be so hard on yourself.”  The irony of telling Maize to go easy on herself is completely lost on Puff.

“Yeah... I guess...” Maize hugs her back. “Maybe you should be a little less hard on yourself, too. It’s not your fault that the parasprites came, and it’s not anypony... well, anybody, else’s for that matter.”

“Maybe... but it is my fault for acting like I have been.”  A few tears threaten to fall from her eyes as she talks.

“Maybe I can help a little. With plants.” Maize opens up a pouch, revealing some old, dried out leaves. “This is coca. It’s not really anything special, it makes your mouth numb when you chew it, and it helps keep your mind off things. I grew a small farm of it for some guy once in exchange for a place to sleep, he let me take a whole bush’s harvest in exchange.” She takes a bit out and offers it to Puff.

Puff eyes a leaf, then accepts it, popping it in her mouth to chew.  Her eyes quickly widen and she spits it out.  “Blech!  That tastes nothing like chocolate!”  She starts to try to wipe the bitter taste from her tongue, then realizes she almost literally spit Maize’s gift back in her face.  “Um... Sorry, Maize...”

“It’s coca, not cocoa, and it’s okay.” Maize giggles. “You have to get used to the taste. It’s worth it once you do, though, especially with a toothache.”

Puff can’t help but smile when Maize giggles.  “I bet Case Study would like to get his hooves on something like that then.  I think I’ll try to tough it out without, though.  That might have been the worst thing I have ever done to my tongue.”  She gives Maize a quick nuzzle.  “Thanks for the offer, though.”

Maize nods. “Sorry I still couldn’t help you feel better... I might try growing some coca here if other ponies are interested, though.”

“Well, I am starting to feel a bit better for simply talking with you.”

Maize grins. “That’s good. Anyway, our next harvest should be ready soon. Hopefully we can do something good with all the sunflower seeds.”

Puff nods, glad to have the conversation on a more happy track.  “I’m thinking of doing a nice vegetable tempura once we get some oil, though we’ll probably want to set at least a bit aside to make some soap.”

“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen soap.”

Cream Puff quirks an eye at Maize, and can’t resist giving her friend a sniff.  “Well, you don’t smell like you’ve never seen it.”

“There are other ways. If all else fails, a nice stream works, and some plants can be used, too.” Maize grins. “Quite a few herbs leave a nice aroma.”

Puff nods, knowing how much she enjoys herbs like thyme and rosemary.  “Still, it’ll be nice to get a real clean.  I hope there’ll be enough to have a supply for the hospital and for everypony to have a good bath.  I bet you’ll love it!”

“I suppose you could put the herbs in the soap... give it a nice smell and all.” Maize thinks. “Hmm... citrus? Mint... maybe some parsley?”

“ooooohhh...” Puff gets a whimsical look on her face as she imagines all the different scents that could be infused into soap.  “Citrus and some kind of flower would smell wonderful in soap.”

“Rose would be good. Imagine smelling like roses...” Maize grins goofily as she closes her eyes and imagines the scent.

“Mmm...” Puff smiles as she imagines it.  “We definitely need to get some soap going.”

Maize nods and spots another weed, reaching down and quickly ripping it from the dirt. “Maybe some weed poison, too...”

Puff nods, then shrugs.  “Yeah, but I have no idea where we’d get something like that.”

“There’s always cat pee. If you’re really desperate.” Maize looks around. “Guess what animal we don’t have?”

Cream Puff gives her a cheeky look.  “Cows.”

“Exactly.” Maize smirks right back. “Cows would be nice, though, at least for fertilizer. Maybe a caravan will have some.”

“Hopefully.  It’d also be nice to get some cow’s milk.  The sheep try, but I don’t think I can make cream from what they give.  Should be some nice cheese, though.”

“Ever had water buffalo cheese? That’s really good.” Maize licks her lips. “It’s soft and smooth and it’s got a very gentle flavor...”

“I don’t think I have, actually.”  Puff glances around, then lowers her voice.  “Is our water buffalo a mare?  He, or she, is a bit too hairy for me to tell, and I didn’t just want to straight out ask.  It’d be a bit rude.”

Maize thinks. “...Have you tried looking between the legs? If there’s one dangly thing, it’s a stallion. If there’s udders or anything like that, it’s a mare.”

“I tried sneaking a peek, but I couldn’t tell through all the hair...”

“Well... you could always give it a closer look...”

Puff actually blushes slightly.  “I think asking would be less embarrassing, for both of us.”

“Nah, just... make out like you thought it was a mare and you wanted to milk it, and hope it is...” Maize sighs. “Would still be kind of embarrassing if it wasn’t, though...”

“Heh, can you imagine the jokes if I try to milk it and find out it’s a stallion?”  Puff giggles as she pictures the hilarity.

“You know, you could still milk it... it just wouldn’t be the right kind of milk.”

Puff scrunches up her face in exaggerated disgust, then dissolves into laughter.

Maize busts into laughter as well. “I wonder... what kind of cheese... that would be!”

Cream Puff gasps for air as she keeps laughing, glad for something light-hearted to lift her spirits.

Maize lies down as she tries to catch her breath. “Oh... goodness... I haven’t... laughed this... hard... in a while...”

Puff nods as she keeps giggling.  “Me... me neither... Whew!  Ah... thanks Maize.  I needed that.”  She stands back up and offers Maize a hoof as well, still chuckling.

Maize goes one further and moves to embrace Puff. “No problem. What are friends for?”

She happily hugs Maize in return, fighting back tears of happiness now.  What are friends for, indeed.

 and

Maize seems out-of-place as she wanders through the training area for the militia, searching for Praetorian.

Praetorian is busy moving through the drills with Redhat. Spear rattles against shield, but when he spots Maize approaching, he raises his shield and knocks the spear down into the ground. “Redhat. Go and get something to eat and drink. We will resume training soon.” Without waiting for a response, he moves over to Maize.

“Miss Maize, it’s good to see you again. Did you need something?” he asks.

“I’m sorry to bother your training,” Maize responds as she looks down and gently shies at the ground, “but I found this...” She holds up a small note. “I know it’s addressed to me, but I can’t read half the words on it.”

Praetorian gently lifts her head with a forehoof. “It’s okay. You aren’t a bother, Miss Maize,” he says. “Now let’s take a look at this note together, hmmm?”

Maize’s lips curl into a very small smile as she nods. “Alright.” She opens up the note and shows it to Praetorian, looking at it as well. “Miss Maize, you are cor... cord...”

“Remember. Separate the sounds. Cor is the first, so what’s the second?” Praetorian says.

“Di? Al... ly. Cor-di-al-ly.” Maize raises an eyebrow. “What’s ‘cordially’?”

“It’s the fancy word for ‘nicely’, or ‘politely’,” says Praetorian. “Good job. So what’s the next word?”

“In-vit-ed. Invited. To a party.” Maize’s eyes widen. “A party? Here?”

“That’s what it seems to be,” says Praetorian. “Is there anything more?”

“Seems to be directions to the party.” Maize shrugs. “I don’t think we’ll need them, unless they’re holding it in the woods for some reason.”

“Does it say who will be hosting the party?” Praetorian asks.

“Wood... Chips...” Maize looks around the small village. “That’s one of the carpenters, isn’t it?”

“Sounds like it,” Praetorian agrees.

Maize sighs. “I... don’t know. Why would somepony I hardly know invite me to a party?” She looks around again, more shiftily. “Am I the only pony who got an invitation? Is he... planning something?”

“I don’t know. If you want, I could find out for you, or come along with you, if you’d prefer,” says the soldier, “but I think if he tried to do anything to you, there’d be a lot of ponies very angry with him, and I among them.”

“Y-yeah, you’re right.” Maize seems to perk up a little. “I shouldn’t be so distrustful, anyway... it’s just, this isn’t the first time I got an invitation like this.” She shudders for a brief moment.

“Hey...” Praetorian puts a hoof on her withers. “Hey. What’s wrong?”

“Some... noble invited me to dinner, once, while I was on the street.” Maize shakes her head. “I should have known something was up. After all, I was a hobo. What would a noble want with me?” She sighs. “Thank Amug I don’t drink alcohol, turns out he put opium in the wine. He... wanted to violate me. I managed to get out before his servants could get me... I left that town fast.”

Praetorian clasps the mare in a hug. “You don’t need to worry about that anymore. I...I mean, we won’t let that happen to you. Ever.”

Maize nods and presses her head into Praetorian’s neck. “I know... thank you. For teaching me how to read, for protecting us...” She grins. “Being my friend...”

“I don’t have too many friends that I would miss the opportunity to be your friend, Maize. You are an amazing pony. I hope you know that,” says Praetorian.

“So are you.” Maize pulls back, but not before giving Praetorian a peck on the cheek. “I hope you know that.”

Praetorian freezes for a second at the kiss, but recovers as quickly as he can. “Well, I can’t argue with you there,” he says, with a little grin starting to form.

Maize smiles back. “I think you should check around for an invitation of your own. I doubt Wood Chips wouldn’t want to invite you, too.”

“I’ll give it a look,” says the stallion. “Sure wouldn’t want to miss it.” Not for the world, he thinks to himself.

 and

Flamberge had not seen Cream Puff all day, it was very unusual for her not to be in her kitchen. The ponies of Duskfield had to eat leftover bread and raw veggies for dinner. Not that it bothered them much, being ponies.

Flamberge approached the private room of Cream Puff, and stops to listen at the door before knocking.

Quiet sniffles can be heard from the room beyond.

Flamberge knocks on the door gently, “Cream Puff?” he says.

A squeak of the bed and a muffled moan are his only answer.

“Cream Puff? It is Flamberge, may I come in?” he asked, growing increasingly worried about the mare.

“Go away...” comes Cream Puff’s voice, sounding absolutely miserable.

Cream Puff was clearly unwell, and this sat poorly with Flamberge, he was however, never very good at dealing with other ponies, he considers how to respond and the reasons for which she could be unwell, after a moment he says, "Cream Puff, what is wrong? Are you ill? Do you want me to fetch a doctor?"

“No... I’m fine...” she lies.

Even Flamberge can see through such a transparent lie, "Cream Puff, you don't sound fine. What is the matter? I'm your friend Puff, you can talk to me about it, whatever it is."

He can hear sniffles through the door.  It sounds like Puff is trying to hold back bawling like a little filly.

"Puff. It is my job to keep all the ponies in town safe, and that includes from themselves. I am concerned for you and want to help, but if you can't talk to me, is there anypony else you want to talk to? Dr. Serenity? Crosshair? Temperance? I will drag them down here by the scruffs of their necks if it will help," says Flamberge, beginning to suspect that she won't open up for him.

“I don’t want to be a trouble!” she wails, losing it and obviously crying into something now.

Flamberge looks over the door to judge its strength and momentarily considers bucking it off it's hinges, but decides to restrain himself and says, "Cream Puff, please, I'm your friend, and I just want to help however I can, it is no trouble. If you just...unlock the door, we can just talk for a while. About whatever you want. Just please open the door."

She just babbles through her tear unintelligibly.  Something about chickens?

Flamberge tries the door and finds, to his surprise and relief that it was unlocked, “Good thing I didn’t buck it,” he thinks, as he opens it and sees Cream Puff looking a mess on her bed.  Her swollen eyes widen as he enters, and she turns to try to hide herself from him.  All she really manages to do is let him see just how messy her mane has become, almost like she didn’t even get out of bed today.  

Flamberge closes the door behind him, the small room illuminated by a pair of candles on a nightstand by the bed. Flamberge sits on the floor a few feet from the bed, he considers what to say.

Puff curls up and scoots away from Flamberge, still crying her eyes out.

Flamberge, reaches out a hoof and touches Cream Puff on the shoulder. "It's okay Puff. Whatever it is that happened, it will all be okay."

She whirls on him and wraps him in a tight hug as he pours her tears into his mane.

Flamberge returns her hug, holds her tight, and just lets her cry until she is ready to speak.

She holds him and bawls for quite some time, occasionally babbling nonsense as she tries to explain what’s wrong.  She eventually cries herself out, but not after leaving Flamberge’s shoulder a soaking mess.  She sniffles and finally lets him go, though she still looks rather fragile.

"There," says Flamberge, "Do you feel any better now?"

“Only a little...” she says, sniffling.

“Do...do you want to talk about what was wrong?” asks Flamberge cautiously.

She shakes her head.  “No... but I think I need to...”

Flamberge nods, “Take your time, I can stay all night if need be.” He forces a smile.

“That’d... that’d be nice, ‘Berge.  If you’re not busy, I mean.  I just...” she chokes up again, but manages to not dissolve into tears again.

Flamberge puts a forehoof around Cream Puff again. "Just take your time."

She holds his hoof and gives it a gentle nuzzle, nodding.  After a few more sniffles, she starts talking.  About everything.  About the parasprites, her rage, claiming a room and being too frightening to be kicked out of it, and too much trouble for Temperance and the paperwork of her just giving it up, the poor chickens, everything.  She holds nothing back, and paints herself in a rather dim light, finishing with her simply not having the motivation to even get out of bed today and causing even more trouble for everypony by not getting them a fresh meal, and...

Flamberge nods and listens intently as she spills out all of her problems, when she finishes he says, "Cream Puff, you are a wonderful mare, and you have nothing to beat yourself up over. You were angry, you lost your temper, the chicken was not seriously hurt, they will forgive you. It happens. I’ve...well... and nopony blames you for taking a day off, you haven't taken one in the months we've been here. You deserve some time to yourself."

“But...” she protests weakly, still looking like she might burst into tears at any moment.

"No buts." says Flamberge forcefully, "You are taking tomorrow off work, there is enough bread and raw vegetables to go around. You are taking the day off, but you aren't going to spend it in here. Crosshair and I were going to go fly down the river tomorrow, you are coming with us."

Puff’s lip quivers at that.  “But... I don’t want to interrupt you two...”

Flamberge shakes his head, "You won't be. The three of us will go and have some fun, and you'll feel better afterwards."

Her lip quivers again, but the corners of her mouth curl upward slightly in a smile.  She hugs him again.  “That... that sound nice.  Thanks, ‘Berge...”  She punctuates her happiness with a kiss on his cheek.

After the kiss Flamberge is momentarily stunned, but then returns the hug and kisses her forehead.

A moment passes "You've been in here all day right? Would you like me to bring you some water, or juice, maybe some food?"

Puff’s cheeks color slightly when he kisses her forehead, and she simply nods at his question.  Her stomach takes the moment to growl, confirming that she hasn’t even left to get something to eat.

“I’ll be right back then.” says the stallion as he stands and exits the room.

Puff just curls back up on her bed as Flamberge leaves, feeling small and alone.

A knock at the door, “Cream Puff, I’m back.” says Flamberge before opening the door. He is carrying a tray of food, mostly fruit and vegetables with some leftover bread, enough for two ponies, and two full glasses of juice.

She unfolds slightly at the knock, but still looks a mess as he brings her the food.  She scoots over to give him room to join her on the bed.  She hadn’t realized what hungry work crying was.  

He places the tray upon the bed between them. She eagerly digs in once he sets the tray down.

Flamberge helps himself to some of the food as well, but makes sure to leave plenty for Puff.

In surprisingly short order, the tray is finished off, with Puff having eaten most of it.  She stretches and yawns, the combination of sad exertion and full belly making her want to sleep.  “You’re... going to stay the night, right?”

Flamberge blushes, "Oh, well, if you want yes, I'd be happy to."

She nods and puts the tray on the side table to join the candles, then scoots back and lays down behind Flamberge, obviously tired.  “Good...” she murmurs.

Flamberge's mind raced. What was it she expected now? She was Crosshair's best friend, surely she just wanted him to stay there, and be close by. But, should he sleep on the floor? The bed? What was the protocol for this situation? He had no idea.

"So, uh, where should I, um..." he stammers unable to put his racing thoughts into words.

She sleepily grabs him and forces him to lay down in whatever he happens to be wearing, snuggling into him like a big teddy bear.  “Jus’ like this...”

Flamberge is once again stunned, but after gives in and once more holds Cream Puff tight as she falls asleep, himself following shortly behind.

and

Praetorian, with another day’s training finished, resolved to go to the kitchen, to see Cream Puff. There was something that had begun to bother him, as of late, and he thought she might be able to help.

Puff is indeed at her post, though she looks a bit more subdued than normal.  She does brighten up a bit when she sees him, though.

“Ah, miss Cream Puff. It’s good to see you. I’ve been looking for you.” Praetorian approaches, and sits down. “Tell me. Most of the cooks I’ve known have gotten to know their...well, customers, clients, what-have-you, reasonably well. So...What do you think of me? And of Maize?”

She gives him an odd look, then thinks.  “Well... You’re strong, diligent, and organized, but can be a bit rigid and less than receptive to new stuff.  And Maize is nice to a fault, and timid, but she can really come through for a pony when they need it most.  Why?”

“It’s... It’s nothing, really. Just...Just curious about how other ponies think about her and I,” said the soldier.

She eyes him, measuring him up.  “And I have a horn.” she says flatly.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Praetorian protests.

“I forgot to mention you’re a terrible liar, Praetorian.” she says with a grin.

“I’m not lying. There’s nothing going on between us,” says Praetorian, still denying everything.

Puff’s eyes twinkle as he says more than he probably wanted to.  “I knew it!  I’ve seen you teaching her to read!  You like her!”

“I... Yes, I like her, she’s a good friend. There’s nothing more than that,” says Praetorian defensively.

Puff waggles her eyebrows at him.  “Not that you’ve noticed, you sly dog you.”

“What do you mean?” he asks.

“Well... OK, I haven’t actually noticed anything more going on yet, but I haven’t been looking.” she admits with a shrug.

“Good. Because there isn’t anything going on,” Praetorian says. “There’s nothing to notice. The most that happened is she kissed me. But that was as a thank you, nothing more!”

Puff lets out an ear-splitting squee!  “She kissed you!?  And I missed it?!”

“Ow. Not so loud. Yes, she kissed me. It wasn’t romantic or anything,” counters Praetorian.

Puff rolls her eyes at him.  “Oh yes, I’m sure.  The most timid pony I’ve ever met, kissing you, totally doesn’t mean anything.”

“...good, now we’re on the same page,” says the unicorn.

“Lying to yourself about her can hurt her, too, Praetorian.”

“I won’t hurt her, Cream Puff.”

“Then stop lying to yourself.”

“...I...I can’t do this.”

She gives him a gentle smile.  “Sure you can.  Just take it nice and slow.  And be honest.”

“It’s...It’s not just that. I... I’ve just come out of a relationship. That’s why I came here. I... I’m not ready, I don’t think.”

“Well, that’s your problem.  Don’t think.  This is love!  You have to listen to this...” she points at her chest,  “...and ignore this!” she points at her head.  

“I... I can’t just do that. That...That was what I did last time. And it didn’t work...” He bows his head.

“You can try a different way, but I’ve seen brains make way more mistakes in love than hearts.  The risk of part of what makes it worth going for!”

“I...I don’t even know what I did wrong...”

“Well, it might not have been you, then.  She must have done something serious, you don’t seem the love ‘em and leave ‘em type.”

“It...It still hurts.”

She gives him a sympathetic look.  “I know it does, hun.  I’m not telling you to dive right in.  Just ease into it, take it slow.”

“...and what if she doesn’t even care anyway?”

Puff just barely manages to avoid rolling her eyes at the stallion.  “Because Maize is an uncaring pony.”  She then dials back the sarcasm a bit.  “Then you’ll still have a good friend.”

“I... I suppose I can try.”

She beams at him.  “That’s all anypony can really ask.”

“Still... Please, don’t tell anypony about this,” says the soldier.

“About what?  All you did was ask for some lunch.” she says with a wink before setting about making him something to eat.

“Thank you.”

and

Veneer got his things together, remembering where he had seen Smoothblock last time he decided it was a good idea to ask her out. He went over to the hole that was being dug and watched as the dirt flew up and out of it. "So, Smoothblock. i was wondering if it was an appropriate idea to take you out to lunch again."

The dirt stopped being flung out of the long hole for only a moment, before Redhat looked up to veneer. “Sorry but I don’t swing that way.”

"Oh! I am-," Veneer paused for a moment as he looked at the pony in the red hat. "Who are you?"

“I’m Redhat, and by the way, you’re doing a great job hitting on somepony”

"I was not hitting on anypony. I was asking a friend out to lunch. I thought Smoothblock was digging this moat."

“Yes and she’s a mare, and you are a stallion as far as I can tell, I just two and two together.”

Veneer looked at the pony with a bit of confusion and realized how it seemed, and held back his tongue. Instead he decided to change the topic."Can you help me put two and two together?"

“sure why not, probably interesting than digging a hole all evening.”

"Actually, it involves that. Smoothblock was supposed to be digging this hole. Why are you here?"

“Cause’ I made my captain angry.”

"Oh. . . . S-should i be talking to you then?" He asked with a bit of confusion in his voice. He didn't want to violate any laws.

“No-no, it’s fine so long as it seems like I’m having a horrid time if my captain comes by.”

Veneer was left a bit dumbfounded. "Oh, ok. I am Veneer."

The pony smiled and nodded. “Well hello, my name is Redhat, glad to make your acquaintance!”

"Likewise. I guess you are one of those fancy military ponies, aren't you?"

“Well, heh, wouldn't call all of us military ponies fancy, but yes.”

"Oh? Whats it like? I thought of joining up for the militia, but. . . . ."

“Well, just piss off the guy in charge and you won’t be stuck digging a freakin moat every evening.”

"I guess it’s not any bit as exciting as it sounds then?"

“Not really, just train and beat the life out of animals and badgers.”

Veneer's face scrunched up in displeasure. He did not like the idea of needlessly killing animals, or even badgers, as much of a problem as they are. “I think I will pass. Doesn't seem like my kind of thing."

“well yeah, probably for best if you don’t like getting your hands dirty“ Suddenly a stark flew in Veneers eye as he remembered something."Smoothblock! How could I forget? Do you know where i can find her?"

“I honestly haven't the slightest clue.”

Veneer jumped and started to head off before he turned back. "I will see you around, ok?"

“Sure.”

,  and

Praetorian was walking along the fields, hoping to spot Maize there, in what seemed like the only place she ever usually was.

The brown-coated mare’s head was barely visible moving through the greenery as she did her twice-daily walk to check all of the plants.

“Maize?” called Praetorian as he moved towards her. “Would you have a bit of time? I’d like to talk to you.”

Maize peeks her head out from between two stalks. “What about?”

“Perhaps we could walk and talk?”

Maize quirks an eyebrow, but steps out of the field. “Alright, I guess. Where to?”

“Just around Duskfields,” says Praetorian.

Maize nods. “You can take lead if you want. Now, what do you want to talk about?”

Praetorian starts walking. “I was talking to Miss Cream Puff just a bit earlier. I... I asked her about what she thought of some of the ponies here.”

Maize nods. “Me? Am I one of those ponies?”

“Yes. Yes, you were.” Praetorian keeps quiet for a second as they continue walking along, and then speaks again. “I... Well. To be truthful... I only asked about two ponies.”

“Me...” Maize thinks. “Hmm... who else did you ask about?”

“...Well... The other pony I asked about was...myself.” The stallion smiles a little. “Pride’s been my weakness before.”

“Ah.” Maize looks at him. “So... did you find out anything?”

“I found out something. I’ve...Perhaps I’ve been hiding it from myself.” He stops walking. “Maize... You’re a wonderful pony. I... I can’t deny it anymore. Maize... I think I’m in love with you.”

Maize stops walking, her eyes widened and jaw slack. “...Oh... I... I didn’t really expect that...”

“I...I’m sorry. If you don’t want that sort of a relationship, then perhaps we can still be friends,” says Praetorian,mentally berating himself.

“No, no... It’s okay, I...” She cracks a smile. “I just hope you know what you’re getting into. I don’t think I’m going to be a very... easy mare to love.”

“...you already are.”

“No, I mean... someone said it behind my back, I’m trying to remember... high-maintenance?” Maize looks at Praetorian, seemingly hoping she got it right.

“You’re still Maize, the mare I love. No matter what, I’ll love you,” says Praetorian. “No matter how high-maintenance you might be.”

Maize beams and wraps Praetorian in a hug. “Oh, thank you. I... didn’t really think anyone could even care about me just a few months ago. Everything’s changing so fast. Could... would you please show me the way?”

“I’ll do my best,” promises Praetorian.

“So will I.” Maize gives him a kiss on the cheek as she moves away from him. “I... can’t say I know what to do, but I’ll learn, I hope.”

High above them, a cloud with familiar eyes lets out a muffled squeal.  Puff was so glad she decided to follow them!

 and

As the two soldiers returned from the day’s march, they moved over to the drilling ring. Without a word, Praetorian lifted his shield and spear from the rack, tossing aside the weighty wooden replicas he’d held on the march, and gestured for Redhat to do the same.

the pony moved over the rack and traded his weapon and shield for a wooden version. “so... i guess we're going to spar?”

“Yes. We are. Are you ready?” Praetorian takes a defensive stance, readying his shield.

Redhat grinned. “oh well then by all means start the fight.”

“I am ready. Go ahead,” Praetorian says with a nod.

“I don’t like to strike first”

Just as Redhat is speaking, Praetorian rams forward with his shield boss, ramming it at Redhat’s head.

Redhat tried to dodge the attack as best he could, rolling awkwardly to the side just in time.

Quick as a flash, Praetorian’s shield, held aloft by his magic, retracts, and he turns to face Redhat again.

Redhat tried his best to block the shield with his own, before trying to hit Praetorian with his spear.

Praetorian rattles Redhat’s spear with his shield, its reinforcing metal boss knocking the spearhead away. “Try again.”

the pony threw a punch at Praetorian’s head. “Sure thing!”

Praetorian lowers his head and headbutts the hoof away. “Still going to have to do better. Who taught you to fight? A badger pony? Control your anger or you’ll never survive your first real battle.”

“you know what? your right” and then the pony’s Spear was shot out towards Praetorian’s side.

Praetorian lifts up his own spear like a quarterstaff and knocks Redhat’s out of his grip and out of the way. “For goodness sake. You’re not even trying.”

In responce, redhat slamed into Praetorian the moement he used his weapon to disarm him.

In his own response, Praetorian just sits tight behind the shield, and rams the butt of his spear into Redhat’s head.

The pony tensed at the sudden feeling the spear hitting him, before falling to the ground and holding his hooves to his head. “GHA that stings!”

“Come on. Keep at it.”

He slowly got up and attacked again, this time with his hooves and more sloppily than before.

Praetorian stifles a yawn, as he uses his shield. “Heaven’s sake, stallion. Put your back into it.”

He paused and tried to strike again, just as sloppy as before.

Praetorian sighs. “Okay, Redhat. What are you doing?”

“Fighting?”

“...You’re not doing it very well. At all.”

“Then why don’t you correct me.”

“Because you can only learn this stuff through practice, and lots of it. Flamberge and Crosshair are both competent, skilled fighters, as their experience would lead them to be.” Praetorian sighs. “And you’re the one here letting the side down on this sort of stuff. So what, exactly, combat experiencehave you had?”

“None honestly”

“...Okay. Then that means we’ll have to go back to basics,” says the older soldier with another sigh.

“Well sorry”

“It’d have been better for you to tell me before. Well. Time to get out the straw dummies.”

“Ugh...”