Artex double checked his shoulder bag and the clothing bag to make sure he had not forgotten anything. His khopesh was sitting in it's harness leaning against the right side of Twilight's couch. His hatchet/hammer was resting in a leather loop on his belt, where he liked to carry it. His other tools were nestled in their own loops and small cases all around his spare belt which was on the floor next to his khopesh. Satisfied with his inspection, he set his things down next to Twilight's couch and went to double check Suey's saddlebags.

Despite being a swine, Suey had a definite personality. Artex was impressed, but not surprised that Twilight had managed to train Suey to use the toilet. She had a favorite food, a favorite blanket, a favorite sleeping position, a favorite spot to sleep, a favorite Luna plushie, and even a hobby. The biggest surprise for Artex was discovering that same morning that Suey had been collecting plant seeds in tiny glass jars. According to Twilight, Suey loved to pull the corks out of the jars just to sit and smell the seeds for hours on end. Artex had no idea why she would do such a thing, but seeing as she was a pig, he decided to just let it go.

Razor Wit and Oriana had very little in the way of personal belongings. Oriana had her alchemy set, her tools, a carved staff, and a hoof-spun blanket from her homeland. Razor had only her books and grooming supplies to carry.

Rose had hit it off beautifully with Applejack, much to everybody's relief. The farmer and officer were both competitive, but thankfully it was all in good fun. Rose had been crushed when Applejack had beaten her four times out of five in hoof-wrestling. The two mares were nearly an even match when they raced, but Rose had dominated Applejack in their wrestling matches. After the spectacle was finished, both mares dusted themselves down and laughed it off like old friends. Razor Wit was already well-known and accepted by the Apple family, but Artex was worried about Oriana. The young Zebra mare had been uncharacteristically quiet and subdued around all the Earth Ponies. The only other being she had spoken with any significance was Zecora. It was not that the Apple family or the families of Big Mac's herd were unfriendly, far from it. Nevertheless Artex had been chewing his cheek constantly after the gathering had ended.

He had been pleasantly surprised that the families of Big Mac's herd had been so welcoming and friendly toward him. It bugged him to no end once he realized that he had been so caught up with talking to the future extended families, that he had neglected Oriana almost completely. He had taken the time to apologize profusely to his Zebra girlfriend but while she had assured him that she was fine, Artex had not missed the longing glances she had been occasionally shooting toward Razor Wit and Rose Thorn. He did not want to approach the subject and end up being pushy about it. He didn't want Oriana to distance herself from the rest of the herd either. Artex could easily admit to himself that he loved her and that he was in love with her, but he just did not know how to help her and he also did not think it would have been a good idea to bring the problem Razor and Rose. He wanted to spend some personal time with Oriana in the hopes that she would open up about what had been troubling her.

Oriana and Razor Wit had already finished packing their belongings and were taking their ease on Twilight's couch reading. Rose Thorn, Twilight, and Spike had gone off to see Rarity and were not due back until the 'going away' party Pinkie had announced for later that evening.

Once he finished checking Suey's saddlebags Artex stood up straight and cracked his back, "Oi," he grunted, "I think I'd like to start going on individual dates with you girls. How about it Ori? Would you like to pop on over to Sugar Cube Corner for a little while? Maybe get a hot cup of cocoa?"

Oriana had been quietly reading one of Twilight's books on the couch before he spoke. She placed her right forehoof on the page to mark her spot before she looked up, "Hmm? Oh yes, I'd like that very much, but shouldn't Razor be first since she's the First Mare?" Oriana then went back to reading her book.

Razor had already been giving Artex a perplexed look before he turned his eyes to her. Their eyes locked and Razor's eyebrows furrowed slightly in concern. Artex flicked his eyes over to Oriana then back to the tan Unicorn mare. Razor scrunched up her lips briefly then nodded toward her Zebra Sister/Wife.

Artex mouthed the words 'thank you' to her before Razor smiled and cheerfully spoke, "I don't mind if you go first Ori. I'm really into this book anyway. This author illustrates proper use of idioms and figures of speech that haven't been used for over four hundred years."

Oriana giggled at Razor's statement and closed her book, "Alright then." She hopped off the couch and picked up the book in her teeth. She trotted over and replaced it on the shelf from where she had retrieved it, "Ready to go Artex?" She asked.

Artex patted his belt and heard the jingle of Bits from his purse, "Yep..."

"Oh no." Oriana said sternly, "You pay every time we go out." Artex held up his right hand and opened his mouth but Oriana spoke faster, "And don't use that excuse of, 'Human tradition states... whatever'. I'm paying this time and that's final."

Artex opened his mouth again but Razor spoke over him without even looking up, "I know you're used to being the provider for your love, but we all share that responsibility equally. Let her pay this time please and don't pout about it. It makes your face look silly."

Artex made the most outrageous pouty face he could toward Razor Wit. Razor looked up and giggled at his antics before returning to her book, "Go get your hot cocoa you big goof."

* * *

The walk to Sugar Cube Corner was pleasant, if a bit chilly. The weather Pegasi were cooling down the air temperature to make way for when Cloudsdale would come and drop all the snow. Artex was very pleased with the cool breeze, he had a genetic predisposition for colder weather. His Scottish, German, and Norwegian ancestry was singing subtly within him, while the tiny Cherokee part of him was rather neutral about the whole thing. He stretched out his arms and yawned loudly, "Eugh man, packing to move really takes it out of you."

"Not really," Oriana replied, "Then again you do have a great deal more to pack than we do with all of your clothes."

Artex chuckled, "Well if I walked around naked all the time I'd end up attracting a lot of attention... and probably scaring every mare and foal who saw me."

Oriana head-butted his right knee, "Don't talk like that. I've seen you naked once or twice. You're not scary. You're strange but not scary."

"Well you've also never seen me naked from the front, just the back. Believe me, it's nothing short of terrifying." Artex said bluntly.

Oriana lightly bit the flesh on his right thigh. Artex skipped to his left trying to avoid the biting Zebra mare, "Ouch! Hey that stings!"

"Then stop talking down about yourself. I think you're attractive in your own way. Besides I fell in love with who you are, not what you look like." Oriana replied.

Artex grinned a cheeky grin, "You wouldn't be saying that if I was some sort of monster ooze."

Oriana rolled her eyes, "No, then I'd be worried about you engulfing and digesting me." She turned her head and looked up at her love, "Are you still going to make that game thing you were talking about?"

Artex smiled as fond memories flooded back into his head, "Oh yeah, I think you'd make a fantastic Alchemist or Witch."

"I still like that Monkey class you told us about." Oriana said.

"That's 'Monk'." Artex clarified, "Anyway I think that would be more for Rose. Either Monk or Paladin, not sure which."

Oriana grinned, "And what would Razor Wit be?"

Artex blew out a sigh, "That one I'm not certain about. Maybe a Bard? She'd definitely have high scores in diplomacy and languages, that's for sure... maybe one of the Bard archetypes..."

They arrived at Sugar Cube Corner and Artex held the door for his Zebra mare then followed her in. The smells of baking pastries loaded with sugar always made him feel slightly nauseous. Fortunately the line up to the counter was a short one with only one Pony in line before them. Mrs. Cake smiled at them cheerfully as they walked up, "Good afternoon you two. What can we get for you today? We have some reduced sugar loaves of tomato bread and cucumber bread if you're in the mood for a snack."

Artex shook his head with a smile, "Thank you. Two slices of the cucumber bread sound lovely. Add a cup of hot cocoa and you'll have yourself one happy Human."

"I'll have a cup of cocoa and one of the cranberry and bran muffins please." Oriana said.

"That'll be six Bits please." Mrs. Cake said as she gripped a pair of tongs between her teeth and reached for their orders.

Oriana paid for their snacks and the two of them sat down at one of the window booths to enjoy their cocoa and confectionery treats. Artex held his mug in his hands blowing the steam off the top. He looked out the window and mused, "You know, I'm really going to miss this place." He sighed and took a tentative sip of his cocoa, "I need to be with my people though. I've got a responsibility to them and I can't represent their interests if I'm not aware of what issues they're facing."

Oriana paused from nibbling on her muffin, "And I was ordered to provide wisdom when and where you need it so I need to be there as well." She turned her head and gazed out the window, "I'll be less unusual but I still won't be exotic anymore." She spoke so quietly that Artex nearly missed it.

Deciding to play it casual, Artex picked up a piece of his cucumber bread, "I don't know, I think you're quite exotic." He quickly took a bite of the bread after speaking in order to give Oriana a chance to explain herself.

Oriana splayed her ears outward, blushing in embarrassment as she turned her head toward Artex, "I'm sorry. You weren't supposed to hear that."

When she neglected to elaborate further Artex coaxed her onward, "I'm here if you feel like you need to talk about this."

"It's just that... well... I always thought that I was going to be the alluring, exotic mare." She lowered her head and set her chin on the table, "Razor Wit is the smart one, Rose Thorn is all toned muscle and firm flank, I was supposed to be the exotic one... but if Vaiawa joins us..." she raised her head and looked at Artex sadly, "I can't compete with a Changeling. She can change herself to look like anypony, anybody she wants." She laid her head back on the table, "I can't be one of the normal ones either. I can't be as widely accepted as Razor or Rose. Even Vaiawa has other Changelings in New Humansville. I'll still be the odd one out and I won't even get to be the exotic one either."

Before she knew what was happening, she found herself swept up into a pair of strong arms and pressed into the chest of her love. Artex felt her muscles relax when she realized what he was doing. He set his mouth next to her left ear and spoke softly, "I don't care about that Oriana and neither should you. I don't want you to be the exotic one. I just want you to be the Zebra I fell in love with." He planted a gentle kiss behind her left ear, "Remember, I don't know local standards for beauty. I love who I love because of who you are. I can also say with some degree of certainty that Razor and Rose don't think too much about that either. They care about you for who you are not what you look like."

He kissed the left side of her muzzle, "Besides, if you want to know what you can do that the others can't, you'll always be the one who can make potions. None of the other mares can do that and I'd sooner trust a Zebra made potion over an over-the-counter medicine any day. I know we haven't needed them yet, but I know that Human babies get upset tummies pretty often; I'm assuming that Kavim foals do too and it would be handy to have somebody who can make potions and tonics which help with that. Besides, New Humansville doesn't have an apothecary. You could corner the entire market by yourself."

Oriana giggled in his arms and nuzzled against his chest, "Thank you Artex." She sighed then leaned up and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips, "I love you."

The man tightened his embrace, pulling her closer, "I love you too Oriana."

* * *

Artex and Oriana were walking back to the library when they spotted a golden gilded Sky Carriage sitting in front of the massive tree. A pair of golden clad Pegasus Guards stood silently on either side of the door. The man and Zebra exchanged a confused look and sped up their pace. The Guards did not hamper their entrance and Artex spotted Celestia lying on the floor of the main room as he held the door for Oriana. Twilight, Razor Wit, and Rose Thorn were all speaking with the Princess and there seemed to be some manner of urgency to their conversation.

Oriana trotted inside and Artex closed the door behind himself, "What's going on?" He asked to nopony in particular.

Celestia turned her head toward him, "King Myrmidon of Gryphonvale has sent a request for aid. He reports that an invading species has inhabited one of their largest forests and has captured many of their hunters. These invaders have refused calls for truce from messengers and couriers. The Gryphons are growing very upset at the development but the High Council has kept them from acting so far. One of the hunter Gryphons escaped from these invaders and describes them as," she levitated a scroll from the coffee table in front of her face, "Naked ape-like beings which walk upright and erect. They use basic tools and seem very intelligent and structured. The escaped Gryphon hunter also indicated that the beings did not speak any familiar language but often made specific sounds with their mouths. He recalls two that he heard frequently: Oo-rah and Smper Fi." Celestia lowered the scroll and turned her head toward Artex, "Do those words mean anything to you?"

Artex turned white as a sheet, "FUCK!" He swore in American English, "Go get Darryl Hord from New Humansville and let's get going. We don't have any time to waste."

And the plot thickens yet again. Damn-it Celestia, get the hell away from the cakes and go eat the typos!