The sudden chill of cold water broke through my slightly trance like state. I appeared to have started my mourning routine without much thought but the shower water not heating up had woken me up. I cried out in angry surprise then sighed as the water heated up, allowing the warmth to seep into my tired bones. The previous night had certainly been… Exciting, to say the least. Ruby had woken up first and had already sat down, holding her head against the hangover, the bad side to drinking. But she said she’d still drink for the pros over the single con, the statement had made me chuckle. As my mane stuck to my head I closed my eyes, willing my pounding head to relax. My mind began to wander and I found myself, not for the first time, debating on plans for me and Ruby to do. Though a dark little devil had begun to manifest and he regularly reminded me Ruby would have to be accepted for my ideas to work out.

“The ponies will hunt her down.” The demon whispered.

“Oakbark accepted her.” I whispered.

“Oakbark is used to foreign visitors; griffons, zebras even the occasional sophisticated dragon has stayed, and even the Princess said you need the potion. To hide the true form that would never truly be accepted.”

“She IS accepted!” I muttered a little louder to myself.

“By everypony? I doubt it. Look at your father for a start.”

“She’s accepted by those who need to accept her. Myself!” I hissed, attempting to keep my low voice down, aware I probably sounded quite mad if anypony were to enter now.

“Then what of Ruby’s hometown? Slavery isn’t easily relinquished.” I paused as I thought about that argument.

“Sunny will see that any lamias against it will accept. The majority will vote for it, they are like ponies, a lot more than normal ponies may see, they were just lonely.”

“Indeed, and if they become afraid it may return? That they will be abandoned again?”

“…Then I’ll make sure to keep them company when they need it.”

“Ruby will like that.”

“Yeah…” The devil seemed to retreat as I heard a soft knocking on the door.

Draping a towel over my head like a hood, I walked to the door, expecting Ruby finding my mum waiting.

“Mum!?” I cried pulling the towel down.

“Oh for Celestia’s sake Bolt I’m your mum, plus you’re normally naked all the time. And I know you were expecting Ruby and you didn’t seem to care if she saw you like this.” My mum gave me a sideways smirk and I flushed.

“You’re making this awkward.” I muttered.

“That’s a parent’s job Bolt.” She said giggling. I nodded, fair point “I decided to drop by and see you off since you were planning to leave early right? Your dad wanted me to tell you goodbye since he had to leave for work already and you were asleep when he was around.” And Ruby was present, but he wouldn’t say that.

My mum stepped closer and, despite me being dripping wet, wrapped me in a hug.

“I hope the trip goes well for both of you, and make sure you come back soon, okay?” I looked at my mum, strong was an understatement for her. Then again mother’s always put up with a lot for their kids. I nodded.

“Sure, soon as I can.” I said with a slight smile which my mum returned.

Then she broke the hug, shook herself slightly to remove most of the water that had spread from me to her, and slowly left the wagon. Ruby stood up from the table and slid over to me wrapping the towel around my neck to hug me without fear of getting wet.

Once I was dry Ruby and I prepared to set out of Oakbark. This mostly just involved eating breakfast and splashing Ruby with icy water to wake her from her hangover, but hay, you came to learn how a lamia interacts with pony society so there you go. We throw water at them. Anyway, once we were ready I once again strapped myself into the wagon harness. Leaving Oakbark again so soon felt… Strange. It had hurt last time yes but now… It didn’t. I glanced at Ruby as the town began to hide behind the hill we were climbing, and she smiled reassuringly at me and I nodded slightly in thanks, for her comforting presence. I think that was when I finally realised for real. I was completely at peace with her company… And now slightly craved it. Oh no…

I’ll skip ahead a little for your sake, the travelling had little of note, we passed several small clumps of houses but the ponies there mostly just freaked out or gawked at Ruby, a few approached us, apparently they’d heard about the article from Oakbark and it was nice to have a bit of company on the road, but Ruby and I spent most nights just cuddling… Though my brain continued to linger on the developing fear of how other major towns and cities would accept Ruby. I had a few nights where I had to wake Ruby to help me sleep with hypnosis, I dunno if that was bad or selfish but I needed to think about Ponyville not other places, and that Celestia be damned Devil wasn’t helping, muttering doubts I was already thinking more twisted than before.

After about a week of traveling Ruby and I led the wagon over a high hill, and we got our first glimpse of Ponyville. It was like one of those little towns on postcards, so cute and innocent, untouched by modern tech. It was quaint. Like Oakbark. It was clearly a developing town but, unlike Oakbark, was close to expanding… Judging from the fact that it had a FREAKING CASTLE! This is how I saw it: Cute apple orchards, small school, little cottages and houses, town hall, cloud factory and then giant crystal castle… Right then. That was certainly different to a developing town.

“That doesn’t look like it fits in very well.” Ruby mumbled looking at the exact same thing as me, open mouthed in awe.

“So, where do you reckon Princess Twilight is?” I asked sarcastically.

“Hmm, yes it does seem like an issue not knowing where she lives.” Ruby said returning my smile before shaking her head “Let’s just hope she’s hospitable.”

“I’m sure Luna gave her a heads up.” I mumbled.

After the initial fear from Oakbark I expected a similar, if not worse, response. Instead most of the citizens barely raised an eyebrow at Ruby’s presence.

“What we’re forgetting,” Ruby whispered as we began to cross a small market, which was like a small maze of various food stalls and little souvenir shops “Is that this town already has a lamia inhabitant, they should be used to him…” I could tell that referring to a lamia in the male term was strange for Ruby. I glanced around the stalls then slowed down.

“He looks like he’d blend in with the trees.” I noted. Ruby gasped and followed my gaze.

The lamia was a light, small sapling, brown with a green mane, it looked oddly cut, before, I imagine, it had looked worse since his transition to society (Don’t take that as me degrading lamias, I’m not, they just live a little rough!) he had a dark brown piece of cut bark as his cutie mark and his tail was brown with green scales. As he noticed us he had the matching eyes of Ruby, purple and slitted. The lamia blinked in surprise and turned to the stall worker he’d been talking to, a tan brown mare with a straw coloured mane in a ponytail, she looked like a farmer, which was emphasised by her straw stall. The lamia slowly slid through the crowd, which I noticed had adapted to stepping over his long tail, despite most not visibly glancing down. He reached our wagon and we grinded to a stop. The lamia stared from Ruby to myself for a minute.

“Em hello?” I tried, and he finally smiled.

It was a simple friendly smile, one of encouragement, to tell you the pony was listening.

“Hello, you’re an interesting pair to be travelling through here.” The lamia said.

“Speak for yourself.” Ruby said and the lamia chuckled softly as his tail slowly coiled around him like a many layered doughnut which he sat upon, still looking between us.

“How many times?” He suddenly asked.

“Pardon?” I asked though my face flushed, I knew what he was talking about.

“How many times have you two…?” He nodded oddly to the side with a grin.

“Twice.” Ruby said with a grin.

“Known each other a month?”

“How are you…?” I began but got cut off.

“I can smell her on you, it’s not that strong so a short time.” The lamia said.

“I smell?” Ruby asked and the lamia laughed.

“You know what I mean, considering we’re both lamias.”

Ruby fell silent then asked the same question we were both wondering.

“Where have the male lamias been hiding, lamias like you?” He shrugged.

“I don’t remember my parents, lived in the Everfree, till my… Uh good friend Lemon,” He winked at Ruby and a smile tugged at her lips “Gave me a place to stay.” He finished.

“Anyway, in all our rambling I forgot to ask your names, I’m Pine Woods.” He nodded his head to us.

“Boltblood Thundercloud and Ruby Scales.” I said.

“I take it you’re here to visit Twilight?” Pine asked.

“How are you guessing all this?” Ruby asked and Pine smirked.

“You get used to it with these ponies.” He said “I did the same thing with Lemon once, got a potion to look like a pony, rarely use it, only for trips… She traded me it for an experiment.” Pine’s smile was really snake like then.

“Right well, this is awkward.” I mumbled and Ruby chuckled along with Pine.

“Been a long time since a conversation had more lamias than ponies…Where are you from?” Ruby gave a brief idea of her home town to Pine and he frowned looking off at the way we’d come “Others like us, huh…” I could understand his pain. He’d likely spent his life a loner without any of his kind to talk to… Must have hurt. I stepped forward and lightly patted his shoulder and he blinked back to reality.

“…You really are brave… Even after I’ve been here a while most ponies are a little nervous around the main pony part… The part that bites.” He said showing off his fangs.

“Don’t even think about it.” Ruby hissed.

“Please, I have my own mares that I fancy, don’t get your tail in a knot… Been a while since I said that.” Pine nodded once more politely to us “Well I’ll likely see you around, I won’t hinder you on your visit to Twilight, don’t bother knocking she rarely hears the sound from her lab.” Pine said turning and sliding towards another stall, where I watched him sneak several spirals at a blond mare with a light blue mane and the two disappeared down an alley.

I turned to Ruby and we silently continued towards the large crystal castle. It looked like a tree in shape, with three separate towers and a balcony supported by large crystallised branches and a large gem depicting what looked like a cutie mark as the top, like the top of a pine tree. As we reached the golden doors Ruby tapped her hoof heavily against the door several times. Not so much as a sound. After a minute we decided to take Pine’s advice and let ourselves inside. It was oddly bare the main entrance, with little more than several banners leading down the halls, the place didn’t seem neglected but it looked like an unfurnished house… Or castle.

“Little creepy.” Ruby mumbled.

“Hello?” My voice echoed and returned to say the same word to me twice “Princess Twilight, Princess Luna said you were expecting us?” It was like setting of a fire cracker that was purple.

There was a bright flash and when my eyes cleared there was a light purple almost pink alicorn mare, with a dark blue mane, with a pink and purple highlight, standing before us. Her cutie mark was a pink star with several white ones around it and she had purple eyes, similar to Ruby’s but without the slits. Immediately upon sight of us she gasped, and then began to rant at a speed I imagine would make most ponies pass out.

“Oh my gosh! Princess Luna sent me a letter just over a week ago, you’re Boltblood Thundercloud, and you’re Ruby Scales right? I’m Twilight Sparkle. I was expecting you any day, but you’re late. Then again she did mention you might be heading to your home town, for a short visit, I imagine it must have taken a while to get here then, oh but this is amazing! Another lamia and a female I wonder if there are any differences or are you the same as Pine?” Twilight finally paused long enough to blush and look away from us “I’ve already run some tests with him but I’d be fascinated to-” I pressed a hoof to Twilight’s mouth.

“Hold it Princess or you’ll pop a gasket! Slow down, we can barely understand you,” I added in a lower voice “And you’re kinda freaking Ruby out.” Sure enough Ruby had backed up with one hoof up defensively at the ranting mare.

“Oh, I’m sorry I’m just excited, another lamia. Princess Luna told me about the town in the letter, do you know where it is?” Twilight asked with a wide smile.

“I live at the town in question, if I’m on the same page, which I hope I am, but I think Equestria might notice if one of its Princesses leaves.” Ruby said softly.

“Yes I suppose so, shame… Ah well, hopefully more will visit and there’s always Pine he won’t be leaving Lemon anytime soon thankfully. Anyway, Luna said you’d need my help what can I do?”

“We need some way for Ruby to appear like a pony please.” Twilight looked slightly upset.

“Why, she’s perfect the way she is, there’s nothing wrong with her. I can understand the snake part, I used to be a little scared of snakes until Pine helped me (Another blush) but that doesn’t mean she should hide herself as a pony.” I smiled slightly.

“And I agree whole heartedly. I prefer her this way as well, however not all of Equestria may share our mind set and I don’t want her to be harmed… I’d like her to see Canterlot without fear of being hunted by an angry mob.” I said.

“That’s a bit much don’t you think?” Twilight asked and I raised an eyebrow “Eh, you make a fair point. Ponies DO generally need a little time to adjust and a new race… Very well I will need a little sample of her own scales and then I will work on a potion. Follow me and I’ll cut a few off.”.

“C-cut a few off?” Ruby asked.

“It’ll be fine, Pine’s still here isn’t he?” Twilight said.

“I’m here for you.” I whispered so Twilight couldn’t hear and Ruby smiled thankfully at me.

We followed slowly behind Twilight, through corridors, up a set of stairs, various turns.

“How can you find your way around here?” I asked Ruby nodded in agreement.

“How does a blind pony learn to walk safely in their own home, they learn where everything is. I haven’t been here long but I think I’ve… Oh um…” Twilight stopped talking closing the door quickly.

“Wrong room?” Ruby asked with a grin.

“…Yes.” Ruby’s and my laughs echoed around the vast corridors and Twilight smiled sheepishly.

“Here we are.” Twilight said (Door seven).

You know, walking into the castle, I had expected some high noble pony who looked down on us and had a collection of fancy useless heirlooms… I didn’t expect a science lab. The room had clearly been retiled recently, a large number of various potions and chemicals puffed, dripping slowly and several potions lined shelves on the walls. A large desk, with a second one pushed next to it to form a kind of L shape, was covered in various papers, notes and odd chemical compound words (Look, stuff I don’t understand mostly and thinking about it hurts my mind, okay, I’m a chef not a scientist) I glanced at the various images and noticed a diagram of a lamia sketch, with various internal organs labelled with arrows. A second thing that caught my eye was a picture stabled to some notes, it was a picture of Pine, grinning as his eyes pulsed. The picture had been taken sideways slightly, presumably as Twilight’s mind had succumb to the stimulus.

Twilight walked over to one of the smaller sets of lab equipment and clicked off a large bellied vial. Next she levitated up a small scalpel and turned to Ruby, who paled at the tiny little knife.

“Really?” I whispered “You were stabbed by a spear.” Ruby looked at me and I folded my ears against my head in guilt, her face wasn’t reassured.

I sat down and pulled her down with me into a hug, gently stroking the top of her tail reassuring. Twilight looked at us both and I heard her mumble.

“Interesting, he’s completely fearless, despite her tail… And she’s clearly comfortable in his embrace, seeking it out like shelter when afraid…”

“Excuse me, Princess, sometime today please.” I said.

“Oh, right, sorry… It’s just,” Twilight lay down and a small patch of magic moved over Ruby’s tail, before a small wipe was levitated over, brushing gently against several scales “I’ve only ever had Pine as a lamia test subject. And I’ve only ever met him alone (She blushed at this) I’ve never really seen how a normal pony and a lamia interact naturally, so your relationship is really rather interesting.” Twilight said all this whilst her work continued on its own. She hardly even looked at it, only glancing down occasionally to make sure it was continuing as planned.

“Our relationship?” Ruby whispered, her voice muffled from my fur as she buried her face in my chest.

“Yes, that’s a question I need to ask. What exactly IS your relationship? Good friends at the least I’d say, or more? A couple- oh are you married?” All of Twilight’s tools, which twinkled a little menacingly in the light, hovered in their work as she looked at us “What’s a lamia wedding like, is it similar to pony wedding or…?” I held up a hoof.

“Matter at hoof please? And no, we aren’t married, though we are a couple.” I said Twilight, a little begrudgingly, returned to her work.

“Have you two… Done… Erm… That?” He face was deeply flushed “I’m going to cut a few scales off now, Ruby, ready?” Ruby nodded into my chest, which confused Twilight so I nodded for her.

I felt Ruby tense as the scales were severed from her tail, Twilight angling the scalpel against the way they moved down her body to make the cut, but Ruby relaxed quickly and Twilight pressed a small square of tissue to the cut and taped it down (It was the white top scales in case you were wondering) Twilight then turned and dropped the scales into the vial and returned it to the chemistry set, heating up certain vials with Bunsen burners and cooling others with magic. Ruby finally released her grip on me and turned to Twilight.

“Is that it, no more cutting?” She asked.

“That is all I need, thank you Ruby, Pine was lot more aggressive about it… Anyway my question from before.” Ruby smiled widely at my blushing face.

“Twice, is the answer.”

“Is it any different between a female lamia and a stallion?”

“Besides the obvious?” I opened and closed my mouth as the two mares continued to talk about this really personal stuff.

“Can you describe what it was like?” Twilight asked. Okay that was the limit.

I placed my hoof on Ruby’s mouth to silence her then turned to Twilight.

“I have a question Miss Twilight, if I were to ask you to describe your time with Pine, would you?” Twilight’s face flushed deeply, then she shook her head “So don’t expect us to say anything… I intent to go to the grave with that.” I turned to Ruby about to tell her to keep her mouth shut but she was staring at me, blushing. She slowly reached up and lowered my hoof.

“Do you mean that? Take it to your grave?” She asked my face began to feel oddly warm, but I nodded and received a hug in return.

“Aw, that’s so sweet… Huh, she’s using her tail to hug your more, just like Pine.” Twilight mumbled. Sure enough Ruby’s tail was curling around my body, gently squeezing me.

When Ruby finally broke the hug, smiling widely, I turned to Twilight.

“So how long until this potion will be ready?” Twilight tapped her chin.

“I can’t say really, I’ve only ever made some for Pine, and they’ve varied between one day and seven, I’ll only be able to assume it’ll be similar. I’ll let you know when it’s done either way.” She said finally.

“Alright then, Ruby and I are going to have a look around Ponyville then, that okay?” I don’t know why I was asking permission, maybe if she needed something else for the potion.

“That’s fine… If I might suggest, try taking her to Carousel Boutique, it’s a shop owned by my friend Rarity and she’s been dying to make some clothes for a lamia, but Pine has flat out refused, would you mind taking Ruby instead?” I glanced at Ruby and I could see in her eyes that the idea of her own dress was amazing to her.

“You wanna go?” She nodded enthusiastically “Well, let’s go. Thanks Twilight.” I said waving a hoof.

“Do you need me to lead you to the door?”

“No, maybe just teleport us out, save us all the trouble.” Twilight chuckled softly nodding in agreement and her horn glowed, wrapping both Ruby and I in her pinkish coloured aura. A flash of light and we were outside the castle.

“That, is very convenient for travel… I wanna learn to do that!” Ruby said as she glanced back at the castle.

“We’ll ask her for a book of spells after she’s finished the potion, that sound good?” Ruby nodded and we set off to look for Carousel Boutique, leaving my wagon parked outside the castle, hopefully Twilight wouldn’t mind.

Carousel Boutique was, strangely, the second building that didn’t fit in with this small town’s quaintness. We checked the shop district and it was pretty easy to guess that the small tower like building with the pony mannequins outside it was the right shop. I glanced at Ruby, about to ask if she really wanted to do this, only to find she’d already approached one of the mannequins, wearing a bright green dress, with various butterflies on it.

“Nature-y.” I mumbled walking past Ruby.

She glanced up and followed me to the door, well it was a shop so I simply pushed it open. A soft chime above the door told me it had a bell set in to alert the owner.

“Wow… Very… Pink.” Ruby said.

No kidding. The room appeared to be divided by several curtains, all various shades of pink, ever the walls were a deep shade of purple. I could see a set of stairs leading upstairs and out of sight, likely to where the owner stayed. One side of the shop had three mirrors pointing at a platform. The opposite side was made up for dress making, with various dresses, and a few suits for stallions, premade.

“One moment darling, I’ll be down in a minute.” The voice was oddly posh and polite, very high class, but I could detect a hint of strain.

I heard another voice, a much younger one, as both appeared to be heading down the stairs, I could tell they were arguing about something, from the tone of their voices.

“…No I’m sorry Sweetie Belle, but with Twilight’s new map and all the crazy adventures starting up again I’m afraid I don’t have time to keep an eye on you, or Applebloom and Scootaloo. I have a business to run, dresses to make for important clients and it must be done. Why don’t you ask Applejack if you can stay with her?” The older voice said, I’d hazard a guess that was Rarity.

“But sis, she said the same thing!” Sweetie Belle moaned.

“Then you should understand I’m in the same boat, she has a farm to run and I my shop. I’m sorry but this is final, now I must go greet our guests, I’ve left them waiting long enough.”

I heard soft steps on the stairs then a more rapid rush, presumably as Sweetie followed to take advantage of Rarity’s soon to be high stress levels of working. Kids, they should be made into strategic leaders, they certainly know how to get things done to their preference.

Ruby, hearing the soft of hooves on the stairs, much closer, looked up from behind the line of dresses she was looking at.

“Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where everything is sheek, unique and manifique. I am Rarity a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Rarity said with a polite bow of her head.

“Wow, fancy. I’m Ruby Scales and this is Boltblood Thundercloud.” Ruby said with a smile, Rarity chuckled softly.

“Thank you darling, now what can I do for you?”

“A dress, mind my cheek but, I assume that’s what you make here.” I said, another chuckle.

“Indeed, I take pride in saying I make the best dresses in Ponyville, even if they rarely wear them, sadly. So what can I get you, something premade that catches your eye?”

“Em, well see, I doubt any pony clothes will do for Ruby…” I said slowly.

“Whatever do you mean?” Two things happened at once.

Ruby decided that was her cue to come out from behind the shelter of her dresses and Sweetie Belle, sensing that a complicated dress would make her older sister more stressed, rushed forward to pounce. Rarity heard her sister and turned around to defend, not seeing Ruby… Sweetie did.

“Now Sweetie,” Rarity’s voice was sweet, but with a hint of impatient “What did we just talk about?”

“S-s-snakepony.” Sweetie Belle croaked. Rarity blinked.

“Pardon? Snakepony? We didn’t talk about any snakepony, are you talking about Pine?” Sweetie Belle shook her head and pointed at Ruby.

Rarity turned back to us with a sceptical look, which changed to wide eye surprise (Try saying that five times fast) Ruby folded her hooves over her tail and looked down embarrassingly.

“I’m sorry, Twilight suggested we visit because you wanted to make some clothes for lamias and I was hoping… I’m sorry if I scared you.” Rarity didn’t speak. She slowly walked up to Ruby and poked her belly scales.

“It’s real! You’re an actual lamia, wanting a dress from MY store!” There was a twinkle in Rarity’s eyes. It was actually scary “Oh you wouldn’t believe how amazing this is! Scare me? Why, I’m just amazed, I thought Pine was the only lamia around and he’s never going to dress up, he’s too wild for that… or as Applejack would say ‘He don’t see the point in looking fancy if it doesn’t help him survive.” Rarity did an odd, funny, cowpony voice and Ruby chuckled softly.

Rarity suddenly looked like she couldn’t think of much else. Jumping behind Ruby fearlessly, Rarity began pushing Ruby towards the stage with the mirrors.

“This is going to be an amazing learning experience! I’ve been wondering since I met Pine what could work with tail scales and-oh I can’t wait.” Ruby was pushed onto the stand and suddenly there was a wave of measuring tools flying like missiles across the room to the two mares.

Sweetie Belle slowly walked around to the stage, gawking at Ruby.

“You’re a lamia? I’ve never met Pine but almost everypony in town talks about him, is it true you could crush Applejack’s barn with your tail?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Well, I could try, I doubt I’d crush it, more likely I’d make it collapse, though why would I do that if it belongs to somepony?” Rarity held Ruby’s hooves out and continued to take measurements neither Ruby nor I understood the reason for.

“Applebloom says you can eat ponies whole… Can you eat my sister until she lets my friends stay?” I burst out laughing and Ruby chuckled softly.

“I think you’d miss your sister and she’d be unlikely to change her mind, more likely it’d set it in concrete not to let your friends stay.” Ruby said.

“So you can eat ponies?”

“Well… Yes I can, but I don’t digest them, I kind of just hold them in my stomach if I do, I’ve done that with Bolt it’s kind of a… Er relationship thing.” Ruby blushed.

“You two are a couple?” Rarity asked, finally speaking as she moved away to collect some material “Now what colour do you want?”

“Yes we’re a couple and… Um what would you recommend? I’ve never really had a proper choice before.”

“That’s so cute, now let me see…”

Rarity dug through several colours and returned with a deep orange red, like a sunset.

“I think this will suit your mane, and I’ll have it flow over some of your tail and maybe fit a ruby in the neck piece, like your name. How does that sound?” Ruby smiled.

“That’d be great Rarity, thanks.” Ruby said.

“And of course I can make a lovely tuxedo for Bolt, maybe in a nice shade of dark red… But still close to black keeping with the fancy spy style.”

“Wait, we only came-AH!” The screaming was due to Rarity picking me up with magic and setting me on the stage “Rarity, really it’s fine, I don’t- Ruby let go.” “Ruby simply smiled as her tail pinned my hooves down and pushed on my back to keep me in place. I let my eyes become lidded, like a pony who was bored, and simply let the mare work.

“Thank you Ruby.” Rarity said with a smirk.

“No problem, it’s funny to see him so uncomfortable.”

“You’re going to pay for this.” I grumbled.

When Rarity FINALLY decided she was done measuring she told us to return that night to collect them.

“A day, don’t you need longer?” I asked she waved a hoof.

“No the sooner I have it done the better, this is very important, I want to make sure I get a good line of lamia clothing, some ponies will simply buy it because it’s so exotic, even if it doesn’t fit them properly.” Rarity said excitedly “Now shoo, I have to work.” I chuckled softly at Ruby and followed her out, Sweetie Belle being tossed out alongside us.

“Oh come on!” She cried but Rarity didn’t reply. Sweetie Belle groaned then turned to Ruby.

“Hay do you want to meet my friends, Applebloom and Scootaloo? They’ll be so amazed I met a lamia.” Why are kids so adorable when they want to be, so you can’t resist their demands? It sucks so much.

So now Ruby and I found ourselves walk-er, traveling along a dirt road up towards a small farm, large apple trees leaned in from either side. Standing tall and baring signs of developing fruit above us.

“What’s that?” Ruby asked.

“Oh that’s my friend Applebloom’s home, Sweet Apple Acres, she lives there with her sister Applejack, her brother Macintosh, or big Mac as they like to call him, and her Granny Smith.” Sweetie Belle said.

“No I mean, what’s that?” I followed Ruby’s gaze and burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“She’s asking what a chicken coop is.” I said between laughs and Sweetie Belly giggled along with me.

“Quit laughing I’m not from here, you know that, Bolt.” I held up a hoof.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” I wiped away the tears in my eyes “It’s like a little house for chickens to stay in and lay eggs which we collect.” I explained.

“Why didn’t you say so?”

“Because, for most ponies, it’s common knowledge.” Sweetie Belle said.

“Do I look like most ponies?” Ruby asked.

“Heh, fair point.” Sweetie said as she turned off the road onto a small little trail.

“Aren’t we going to the farm itself?” I asked.

“No we have our clubhouse back here, it’s where the three of us normally hang out so we’ll likely find them there.” Somehow the concept of three fillies ogling around Ruby didn’t seem like something I wanted to do or subject Ruby to.

Ruby however seemed quite happy, perhaps being accepted was good for her confidence… She hadn’t really made many friends in her old home as far as I could tell. So we followed Sweetie Belle along the small dirt path until we reached a large oak with a little house suspended in the middle of the trunk. It was a bright peachy colour with a light red roof. It was kinda cute with the small windows and little hearts over the door and windows.

“Welcome to the cutie mark crusaders clubhouse.” Sweetie Belle said in a proud, and slightly dramatic, voice.

“That’s so adorable!” Ruby said.

“Adorable? It’s a base of operations it’s...”

“Adorable.” Ruby and I said together and Sweetie Belle groaned.

“Why does everypony say it’s cute or adorable, even different species?” She asked and Ruby held a hoof to her mouth silently giggling.

As we reached the base of the plank up to the tree I began to hear soft voices.

“I reckon we should try the third option Sweetie suggested.” A slightly young ranch like voice said.

“We already did bowling, remember, Sweetie got nothing but gutter balls, still better than me I guess at least she kept hers on her aisle.” Another voice groaned.

“Aw shoot, so what are we supposed to do now, we out of ideas?”

“I have an idea girls!” Sweetie Belle called up to her friends. I heard the sound of a stampede, or two fillies running, you can never tell, and suddenly I could see the two friends of Sweetie Belle.

“Hay girls,” Sweetie Belle waved at her friends then turned to me “Bolt this is Applebloom and Scootaloo.” Applebloom was a bright blond Earth pony filly with a bright rose red mane and a massive pink bow on her head and orange-y red eyes. Her friend, Scootaloo, was looking at me with a raised eyebrow, her purple eyes sceptical. She was deep orange with a purple mane and oddly small wings even for a young pegasus. Noticeably they, Sweetie Belle included now I had a look, were all blank flanks.

“Sweetie, who’s this?” Scootaloo asked.

“Bolt and Ruby, my sister’s doing them some clothes and…”

“Wait… That stallion has two names?”

“No she is referring to the lamia currently climbing the roof of your clubhouse, she is Ruby.” I said and both girls turned around and, sure enough, Ruby was stretched out with her tail covering the clubhouse roof.

“Hello.” She whispered grinning.

There reactions were brilliant. They both screamed, their manes sticking up like wires and both bolted down the plank to the ground floor where Sweetie Belle and I struggled to breath from laughing. Ruby was also on her back giggling madly. Both fillies took cover behind me and looked at Sweetie Belle.

“Who is that?” Scootaloo asked, the paler of the two.

“L-like I said that’s Ruby, she’s a lamia like Pine, Rarity said they should visit Sweet Apple Acres, meet your sister Applebloom.” Applebloom glanced at Sweetie Belle then me.

“Is she dangerous?” She asked and I chuckled.

“Nah, your tamed as a dog ain’t ya, Ruby?” Ruby chuckled and barked like a dog, before climbing down onto the planks around the outside of the clubhouse and she lowered herself onto the grass, pulling her tail along with her.

Ruby approached the fillies and Scootaloo backed up.

“Come on Scoots don’t be a chicken.” Scootaloo’s fur bristled at the insult.

“I’m no chicken!” She said then gulped

“Good,” Ruby whispered “Because I eat chicken!” Ruby lashed forward slightly biting the air and Scootaloo was suddenly whizzing up another tree. This time, though, Applebloom laughed with us “Get down Scootaloo before you fall and I get in trouble.” Ruby said approaching the tree.

“N-no it’s okay I’ll get down in a minute, I’m just looking out for Rainbow Dash.” She said feebly then made a yipping sound as Ruby’s tail grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back down, holding her upside down.

“I caught me a wabbit.” Ruby said.

“Ha-ha put me down.”

“Alright.” Ruby’s tail loosened and Scootaloo fell flat on the floor with a soft thud and an ‘ow’ and much giggling from her friends.

“So,” Applebloom bravely approached Ruby who lowered herself down to her eye level, almost lying down “You’re a lamia then? Like Pine?” Ruby nodded.

“What gave it away, the eyes?” Ruby asked Applebloom smiled.

“Nice sarcasm Miss.” She said.

“Please call me Ruby, don’t make me feel old.” Ruby said.

“What is with mares and not wanting to be called miss?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“You’ll know when you’re older.” I said.

“That’s what ponies say about a lot of things to us.” Scootaloo groaned, a slight distance from Ruby.

“Experience is often the best teacher.” I said.

“Look at you being the wise old sensei.” Ruby teased.

“Oh shut up.”

“So you wanted to visit my sister?” Applebloom asked.

“That was the plan but your friend dragged us off course here.” I said.

“Why’d you do that Sweetie?” Scootaloo asked.

“Well, what if we could get our cutie marks from a foreign job, I bet lamias have a load of unique jobs ponies have never tried before.” Suddenly the fillies, even the nervous Scootaloo, looked exited.

“What exactly is your skill Ruby, you look like you’ve got a gem made of snake scales?” Applebloom said.

“I, um, I can bend metals into jewellery… Let’s see…” Ruby’s horn began to glow and something like a small red tinted flashlight beam bared down on the ground..

She turned her head slowly until she found something. A large chunk of rock sailed out the ground like a bullet and nearly whacked me on the head. Ruby smiled apologetically then focused on the chunk of rock.

I stood beside the curious fillies, I was interested myself. I’d never seen Ruby work before. It was quite impressive to watch. Her magic seemed to leak into the normal stone and it kind of chipped away like microscopic beavers at wood. I began to see something bright yellow, gold? The rock began to drip away like it was liquid until Ruby was left with an odd bubble of floating melted gold. There was quite a lot to be fair. The four of us watched as Ruby split the liquid in half and began to work them into a circular shape before moving the centre to the edges, making a pair of large bracelets. When they were circles I saw steam rise from them but still Ruby span the jewels in her magic before she was finished.

“Okay, done.” Ruby said sweat running down her head. It had clearly been an effort.

I plucked the jewels out of Ruby’s magic and it faded immediately, I hoofed them to the fillies and helped Ruby sit down.

“You okay?” I asked.

“Yeah I just… Don’t remember it being so difficult.” She said.

“You haven’t done it for a while, so you’re probably a little out of practise but I’m sure it looks great.” Ruby smiled faintly as I approached the fillies “Well?” I asked. Sweetie Belle was showing the one in her magic to Applebloom.

“This is amazing, look Bolt she made the shape of a snake curling around it and you can see it even though it’s all one colour.” Sweetie Belle said hovering it over to me. I took the jewel, finding that this one could fit on my hoof while the other looked a little smaller… She didn’t… I looked down at the jewel. Sure enough a tiny snake was visible along the bracelet, visible by shadowing and the slightly darker gold, its head was just behind its tail and if you turned it, it was like the snake was moving.

“That’s really amazing.” I whispered. I took the other off Scootaloo and walked back over to Ruby “What’s with the odd sizing?” I asked.

“One for me… One for you… If you want it.” Ruby whispered. I looked down at the small jewel and smiled, before slipping it snugly onto my right hoof and helping Ruby put her own on.

“Well that was fun you three, but I really think we should head for the farm now, Ruby looks like she’s going to pass out.” I said. The fillies groaned but became chipper when Applebloom said.

“We’ll escort you there, since you don’t know the way.” I was about to argue when Ruby whispered.

“Let them, I don’t mind.” I sighed and nodded and the three fillies cheered before trotting briskly back down the path. I had got a nice bit of matching jewellery out of this… And I think it would hold Ruby and I together more as a result.

Sweet Apple Acres was basically several large rolling fields of apple trees upon apple trees, before breaking away to a neighbouring carrot farm on one side, Ponyville on the other, a large overgrown forest on another and finally the road cut off the farms progress from the final side. The farm house itself was several small chicken coops in one corner of the fenced off building, a large barn that was locked, as far as I could tell, and a three story, bright red house. From this distance the only thing I could tell for sure was that somepony was sitting on a rocking chair on the porch, a bright green elderly Earth pony mare with a white mane in a bun and a pie of some sort as her cutie mark.

“That’s my granny Smith” Applebloom said running up towards the door. I glanced at Ruby, she looked a little nervous.

I suppose the concept of being accepted was everything to her, we’d met Rarity and Twilight and that had gone okay, but Twilight was expecting us on recommendation from Princess Luna and Rarity… Pretty sure she was more focused on her dresses to be afraid of anything about lamia’s differences. But farm ponies tended to be very traditional, this went double for Earth ponies… This could go badly.

“Granny, granny, up and at em, we got guests!” Applebloom said shacking her hooves.

“Huh wha? Is it zap apple season already?” She asked sleepily opening orange eyes, a lighter shade than her granddaughter’s. Then she glanced at Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, myself… and Ruby.

“AAAHHHH! RATTLER RUN FOR THE HILLS!” She cried jumping from her chair and trying to escape… In, apparently, Michael Hay style slow motion. It might have been funny if it didn’t scare Ruby.

“I’m not a rattle snake, I’m a constrictor… Mostly.” Ruby mumbled the last word to herself. Miss Smith looked back at her a second time, then up her snake body joining to her pony half.

“Sweet Celestia what in Equestria is that thing?”

“That thing has feelings and can hear you!” I said approaching.

“I don’t like your tone sonny.” She growled.

“I don’t like you insulting my fillyfriend.” I might have blushed, along with the three fillies and Ruby, but I didn’t break eye contact.

“…You trust her?” Miss Smith finally asked after eyeing me for several minutes.

“With my life.” I said with no hesitation.

“Well… You’re either a fool or a really good pony,” She shook her head and smiled faintly “And I know love so it’s probably a fool, but a kind hearted fool at that.” Was I being insulted or complimented? I couldn’t tell.

Miss Smith walked up to Ruby and eyed her wearily.

“Well… I don’t really have any like for snakes… Cold and tricky things, but your coltfriend (She definitely grinned!) seems to trust you so I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.” Suddenly she was the most terrifying mare I’d ever seen, with a scowl to rival a demon “If you know what’s good for you, you won’t prove me wrong.” Ruby nodded nervously and suddenly miss Smith was cheery again.

“Well I imagine you’re here to visit my daughter Applejack, if I had to guess her friend Twilight sent you, weird stuff has a tendency to walk out of her home.” Miss Smith walked over to the door and pushed it open “Applejack get down here, we have a pair of guests visiting.”

I heard soft steps on wooden flooring then a voice.

“What is it Granny, I was about to head out and help Rainbow Dash with one of her stunts, what’s the problem?” Applebloom whizzed into the door “Oh hay there Applebloom, who’s the guest?”

“It’s a lamia, like Pine in town, but it’s a mare this time and she can bend metal! It’s so cool and,” I heard Applebloom giggle “She’s got her coltfriend with her.” She chimed.

I glanced at Miss Smith and she was smirking as she returned to her chair. Applejack appeared in the doorway. She was a deep orange mare, an Earth pony like the rest of her family that I’d seen thus far, she had a blond mane and tail both tied up with a red band near the end, her green eyes were shielded from the sun by a large brown hat and her cutie mark was three bright red apples.

She took one glance at us, Ruby and I, then blinked.

“Hi.” Ruby said in an effort to be polite, waving a hoof. Applejack stepped slowly up to Ruby and eyed her up and down, a small frown on her face.

“Well, this is a surprise, are you a friend of Pine’s?” She asked.

“We just met him today.” Ruby said.

“Em, maybe we should try again.” I said softly and Applejack backed off a little so she could see us both, she looked… Uncertain on how to act around us “I’m Boltblood Thundercloud and this is Ruby Scales.” I said Ruby waved again.

“…You’re a cute couple.” It was like somepony shattered a pane of glass, the three fillies laughed and Applejack’s cold face broke into a warm smile, I sighed then blushed as the comment processed.

“Why does everypony say that?” I asked.

“Well at least it proves everyone in agreement we’re a good couple.” Ruby said happily. Applejack shook her head at our lovey dovey moment.

“So why you here, if I may ask?”

“Your friend Rarity is making Ruby and me some clothes, your little sister’s friend dragged us.” I said.

“You high and noble like the Canterlot ponies?” She asked I snorted, which seemed to please her.

“No I was mostly dragged onto the stage by those two.” I said nodding to Ruby.

“I’d… Just like a dress… To call my own.” Ruby whispered. Ouch, that hurt.

Applejack’s smile faded.

“Something wrong sugar cube? What did you mean, a dress to call your own, surely you had one? Even I have one and trust me that’s a small miracle in itself.” She said.

“I originate from the badlands, and, if the name wasn’t obvious enough, it’s not exactly paradise for anypony to grow up in, small comforts are non-existent so… I think I’d like a few from here.” Ruby whispered sadly.

“I’m sorry I upset you, I was just rambling, trying to be friendly, guess I’m nearly as bad as Twilight at this.”

“It’s okay, you had no way of knowing. Let’s change the subject though.” Applejack nodded in agreement.

“How’s about you come see Rainbow Dash make a fool of herself with her latest stunt, I find that has a tendency to cheer me up.” Applejack said smirking, Ruby smiled faintly.

“Yeah that’s sounds fun.”

“Hay, Rainbow Dash never makes a fool of herself, she’s too awesome for that! She simply experiments with new tricks in the most extreme way!” Scootaloo said defensively.

“Are those ‘extreme ways’ hitting the ground really hard?” I asked.

“She’ll show you just how cool she is! Let’s go!” Scootaloo cried leading the way.

“So who is Rainbow Dash?” Ruby asked.

“She’s an International racing star attempting to get into the Wonderbolts.” I explained.

“How did you know that?” Applejack asked.

“Racing is kind of our thing for pegasi, like hoofball is for Earth ponies.” I said.

“You race then?”

“A little, for fun I’ve never got higher than ninth, I generally attend to watch and make art on my cakes of the victor.” I said.

“Ah, so you’re a chef, respectable, at least you won’t be a hotshot like Rainbow Dash.” Applejack said.

“Would you be friends with her if she weren’t?” Ruby asked.

“You make a fine point Ruby.” She said.

Rainbow Dash was easy to find… Mainly due to her sticking out in green thanks to her blue fur and rainbow coloured tail and her cutie mark, which was next to her name on every race, which was a cloud with a rainbow lightning bolt. I assumed her mane was also rainbow coloured and she had her trademark challenging purple eyes… But I couldn’t see… Since her upper body was stuck in several branches.

“Rainbow what in Equestria are you doing?” Applejack called up, Scootaloo looked embarrassed.

“I’m sure some winds just caught her that weren’t forecast for today.” She said.

Rainbow Dash managed to wriggle her head out of the branches so she could see us.

“Oh hay AJ, um, a little help some winds caught me off guard and I took a little tumble.” Rainbow Dash explained, we all chuckled glancing at Scootaloo.

“Uh huh, sure Rainbow, you know what, you can hang there till you give me the honest truth.” Applejack said.

“AJ please!” Rainbow said putting her hooves together and giving her best puppy eyes. Applejack just stared at her with half lidded unimpressed eyes, so Rainbow turned to look at the others, noticing Scootaloo.

“Ugh, sorry you have to see an imperfect trick kid.”.

“It’s alright you just had unforeseen problems thrown in.” Scootaloo said Applejack rolled her eyes, along with Sweetie Belle and Applebloom. Then Rainbow saw me, and somehow not Ruby a couple feet beside me.

“Hay help a fellow pegasus out would you mate?”

“No, somehow seeing a famous racer like this is really entertaining.” I said grinning.

Finally Rainbow reached Ruby, she opened her mouth then he brain processed what she was seeing.

“There’s another Pine?” Rainbow asked lamely.

“I am certainly not another Pine! My name is Ruby Scales, don’t you forget it!” Ruby said in an amazing imitation of a hot-headed racer, Rainbow Dash frowned as the others chuckled at Ruby’s teasing.

“Would you just get me down?” She asked.

“Certainly.”

Ruby slid closer so she was under Rainbow and reached up with her tail and dragged her unceremoniously out, small branches and leaves catching in her fur and mane. Ruby tossed Rainbow up in the air so she spun once and caught her front hooves, lowering her to the ground.

“Thanks.” Rainbow grumbled once she was on the floor.

“Your welcome.” Ruby said.

“So Rainbow what were you screwing up-er I mean what new trick have you come up with?”

“You were right the first time.” I said chuckling along with Applejack, Rainbow growled and flicked her tail.

“As a matter of fact I was practising for the spearhead spring race in a month, that tree just got in the way, the race will be clear and through spearhead canyon far from any trees.”

“What about falling rocks? Maybe you ought to learn to dodge them.” Ruby said.

“I can dodge just fine thank you!”

“Yes the pony shape hole in that tree emphasis’s that fact.” Ruby countered.

“Alright, think I can’t dodge? I know Pine likes to wave around how fast a lamia is with their tails let’s see how you talk to me when I’ve dodge your tail two hundred times.” Oh this was going to be good.

Ruby grinned and Applejack shook her head whilst the three fillies sat down to watch. Applejack and I found a nice sloped patch of grass and lay back to watch the Pegasus, lamia and fillies.

“How long will it take Rainbow to accuse Ruby of magic?” I asked.

“About five minutes if I had to guess.” Applejack said I chuckled softly.

“This’ll be entertaining.” Applejack nodded, smirking, in agreement.

Author's Notes:

So, we make it to Ponyville and we're seeing ALL of the mane 6 and the CMC! I didn't realise till I reached RD that it was... Em... Pretty... Lengthy. So I've split in half, fans of Flutters and Pinks will have to wait till next time, sorry :3

Also; some might question why Granny Smith suddenly became friendly so fast, when you get that old your good at getting a feel for people... Or ponies in this case. Enjoy! :)

Oh and something is invading Bolt's mind, something called paranoia, this should be interesting.